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PRESIDENTIAL CNG INITIATIVE SET FOR ROLLOUT, Says Onanuga
After the removal of the wasteful fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative in October last year to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate friendly energy. The CNG Initiative was designed to deliver compressed natural gas especially for mass transit.
The Federal Government as part of the many intervention programmes to reduce the burden of increase in pump price on the masses, provided N100 billion (part of the N500 billion palliative budget) to purchase 5500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 Electric buses and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, alongside spurring the development of CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations.
After months of detailed planning and background work, the committee driving the initiative is set to deliver on President Tinubu’s vision and promise.
Already, the committee, being led by Michael Oluwagbemi, an oil and gas expert, has delivered some major foundational reforms to enable the new CNG and Electric Vehicles future the President promised. All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.
With necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, the PCNGI committee is partnering with the private sector to deliver the promise on the initiative. The private sector has responded with over $50 million in actual investments in refuelling stations, conversion centres, and mother stations.
Also, a safety policy document on 80 standards and regulations that must be strictly adhered to by operators has been developed and approved to ensure CNG conversions are done safely and reliably.
The deployment of CNG buses and tricycles and the vision to get at least one million natural gas propelled vehicles on our roads by 2027 will mark a major energy transition in our country’s transportation industry. The use of more expensive diesel and PMS will gradually be phased out, when many vehicles, including trucks run on natural gas, which our nation has in abundance in at least 30 out of the 36 states of the federation.
As studies have shown, one of the main causes of air pollution is primarily the amount of gases emitted by gasoline and diesel engines. To reduce the pollution, some countries of the world, such as India, China, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil , Argentina, Italy have built fleets of natural gas powered vehicles, instead of going the route of relying on liquid petroleum products propelled vehicles. Natural gas vehicles reduce tail pipe emission by up to 40 percent, and Nigeria’s commitment to this course will enable her meet her nationally determined commitments (NDCs) under Paris Climate Accord to which we are signatory.
From the end of May, Nigeria will take some baby steps to join such nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles.
Remarkably, the Tinubu administration, in driving the nation to the desired destination, has flagged open a new industry, along with thousands of new jobs.
Four plants owned by JET, Mikano, Mojo, and Brilliant EV located in various parts of the country are involved in the assembly of the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) components of the CNG buses. JET, which has received the SKD parts is coupling the buses in Lagos and is working towards delivering 200 units before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
Brilliant EV will assemble electric vehicles. It is awaiting the SKD parts, which will arrive in due course. The electric vehicles it will produce are meant for states such as Kano and Borno, which do not have access to CNG for now. They will also be available in key Nigerian cities and university campuses. It must be noted that soon to be completed gas pipeline projects initiated by the Buhari administration and being completed by NNPCL (the AKK Pipeline) will take gas into the hinterlands of North East and North West where there is current paucity.
In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase that will be accomplished this year.
A new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will assemble thousands of tricycles. The SKD parts manufactured by the Chinese company LUOJIA in partnership with its local partner to support the consortium of local suppliers of CNG tricycles are set for shipment to Nigeria and expected to arrive early in May. About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024.
Thousands of conversion kits for petrol powered buses and taxis that want to migrate to CNG are also ready with CNG cylinders. The Federal Government intends to provide them at subsidized rates, especially to commercial vehicle drivers to bring down the cost of public transportation.
As part of private sector collaboration, NIPCO and BOVAS are involved in offering refilling services for the CNG vehicles and also serving as conversion centres. NIPCO is setting up 32 stations nationwide to offer the services. The company has completed the set up of four of the CNG stations. Likewise, BOVAS is setting up eight stations in Ibadan, two each in Ekiti, Abuja and four in Ilorin. MRS is also involved. It is making efforts to announce where its refilling stations and conversion centres will be.
The NNPC Limited which had launched an on-and-off CNG initiative in the past is joining the new initiative. It is expected soon to announce the locations for CNG refilling and CNG conversion centres nationwide.
In addition, the PCNGI is working with 22 other agency partners, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON) and Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council to deliver 80 Natural Gas Vehicle Conversion and Associated Appliances Standards for the country.
For proper monitoring, PCNGI will also launch MYCNG.NG App. The app will embed the Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring Systems, which will show CNG conversion and refuelling sites in the country.
The Tinubu administration is an enabler of the evolving CNG industry. In collaboration with the private sector, the PCNGI is set to deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refuelling sites spread across 18 states before the end of this year.
The vision of Mr. President to deliver one million gas vehicles cannot be possible without the private sector, including the RTEAN, NARTO, NURTW, and players in the downstream sector of the transportation chain and financiers.
*Says ADC’s leadership that produced him, other candidates illegal
A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the process that led to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for next year’s presidential election. FollowPolitics
In a judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu also voided the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola, and others as ADC national officers.
Justice Lifu also voided the nominations of all ADC candidates for the 2027 general elections, holding that they emerged from the ADC’s illegal and unlawful leadership.
The judgment was delivered in a suit brought by an aggrieved ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The judge upheld Gombe’s contention that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola emerged as party leaders through an unlawful and illegal process.
Justice Lifu set aside all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership in the name of ADC, holding that they were unlawful.
Details shortly…
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Breaking : End of an Era: Five-Time Ballon d’Or Winner Cristiano Ronaldo Retires from International Football at 41
Portuguese Legend Bows Out After 23 Years, 146 Goals and 234 Appearances for Portugal
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41, bringing an end to an illustrious 23-year career with the Portugal national team.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, through an emotional video message shared on his social media platforms.
Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, said the time had come to hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation of players.
The former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus forward retires from international football as the highest goalscorer in men’s international football history, with an outstanding record of 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.
His international journey began in August 2003, when he made his senior debut for Portugal as an 18-year-old. Over the following 23 years, he became the country’s most recognisable football figure and one of the most influential captains in the history of the national team.
One of the greatest moments of his international career came in 2016, when he captained Portugal to its first-ever UEFA European Championship title.
Portugal defeated host nation France 1-0 after extra time in the final, despite Ronaldo being forced off the pitch through injury in the first half. His leadership and encouragement from the sidelines remained an important part of the historic victory.
He also helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025, bringing his major international trophy haul with the country to three.
In his farewell message, Ronaldo reflected on his remarkable journey, describing wearing Portugal’s No. 7 shirt for 23 years as a privilege and responsibility.
He said the decision was not easy because it involved both his head and his heart, adding that it was time to pass the responsibility to the next generation.
Ronaldo leaves behind extraordinary records, including the most international appearances and goals in men’s football. He also became the first male player to score at six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Beyond his international achievements, the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient enjoyed a remarkable club career, winning multiple domestic league titles and five UEFA Champions League trophies.
His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Portuguese and world football, with his achievements, leadership, goalscoring records and commitment to his country likely to remain an inspiration to future generations.
Although he has ended his international career, Ronaldo’s legacy as one of football’s greatest-ever players remains firmly established.
Portugal will now look towards a new generation of players to carry forward the legacy of its legendary No. 7.
… Prays for Nigeria’s peace, unity, security, prosperity
… Holds farewell meeting with Makkah Deputy Governor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Saudi Arabia for Abuja on Wednesday after completing his Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, where he offered special prayers for Nigeria’s peace, security, unity and prosperity.
The President’s aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, at exactly 5:13 p.m. Saudi time, bringing his spiritual visit to the Kingdom to an end.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu was seen off at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo; and the Consul-General, Ambassador Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya.
Before his departure, the President held a brief farewell meeting with the Deputy Governor of Makkah at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport.
Tinubu, who arrived in Saudi Arabia last Thursday, led members of the Nigerian delegation in performing the Umrah rites, including circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah.
A major highlight of the pilgrimage was Sunday’s rare opportunity granted to the President and members of his delegation to enter the sacred Ka’abah, where they performed two raka’at prayers.
During the spiritual exercise, Tinubu offered supplications to Almighty Allah for enduring peace, improved security, national unity and economic prosperity, while seeking divine wisdom, guidance and strength to discharge his responsibilities to Nigerians. Nigerianews subscription
He also prayed for divine blessings upon the country, its leaders and citizens, expressing hope that Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity would become a source of national strength, cohesion and shared prosperity.
The President described the pilgrimage as an opportunity for spiritual reflection, thanksgiving and renewed dedication to the task of building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria. Nigerianews subscription
He expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the hospitality and special courtesies extended to him and his delegation.
Tinubu particularly acknowledged the rare privilege of accessing the Holy Ka’abah, describing the opportunity to pray within the sacred structure as spiritually significant. FollowPolitics
According to the statement, the President concluded the pilgrimage with renewed faith, gratitude to Almighty Allah and a strengthened resolve to pursue his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Onanuga said Tinubu remained committed to translating Nigerians’ aspirations into tangible improvements in living conditions and building a better country for all. Nigerianews subscription
The presidential delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe states, among other senior government officials.
The President’s return concludes a visit that combined religious observances with prayers for national stability, improved security and the success of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and development.
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