Today’s Headlines: You stole Atiku idea on pricing subsidy–Aide to Tinubu; The NAF plane crash

The Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, has said his principal’s idea on petrol pricing subsidy was stolen by President Bola Tinubu.

Olarewaju said Tinubu should thank Atiku for giving him the permission to steal the petrol pricing subsidy idea.

His remark comes as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced a 30-day fuel price discount at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, filling stations.

Olarewaju said Tinubu should vacate the Presidential Villa peacefully in 2027.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash, which claimed the lives of 20 passengers and five crew members on October 5, should be thoroughly investigated.

The ill-fated aircraft, with tail number Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft and registration number NAF 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am.

The plane was later confirmed to have crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with all the passengers and crew members dead. The names of the victims have been released. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.

President Bola Tinubu expressed deep pains at the mishap and declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the crash. He directed that the national flag should be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers. The President ordered the Nigerian Air Force to investigate the crash. The investigation must be thorough and its outcome made public.

Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, has reinforced its commitment to the development of its host communities with the award of educational scholarships and empowerment support to students, farmers and market women in Jakura community.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Plant Director, Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, said the initiative was part of the company’s commitment to fulfilling the provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Represented by the Head of Social Performance, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, the Plant Director said the intervention reflected Dangote Cement’s commitment to sustainable community development, poverty reduction and economic empowerment.

According to him, 20 tertiary institution students and 60 secondary school students received educational grants worth several millions of naira. He added that 20 farmers were provided with farming implements and financial support to improve agricultural productivity, encourage the adoption of modern farming practices and enhance food security.

The councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Rosemary Aduku, has reportedly died after spending days in captivity.

Her death was announced in a statement by the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr Ameh Williams, on behalf of the Olamaboro Executive Council, on Friday.

In the death and burial announcement, Williams described the late councillor, popularly known as Hon. Rosella among her colleagues, as a wonderful, humble and reliable person who was committed to making people around her happy.

The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague Hon. Mrs Rosemary Aduku, the Honorable Councilor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward 3 in the 8 Olamaboro Legislative Council.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount at NNPC stations, questioning whether it can provide lasting relief for Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had announced on Thursday that the discount was not a subsidy, but an arrangement by the government to sell the petrol at cost.

In response, Atiku described the measure as a temporary intervention that would leave the underlying cost-of-living pressures unresolved, while the NDC called it “tokenism and deceit”.

In a statement on Thursday, issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused the administration of offering politically motivated relief after prolonged hardship.