Saturday, April 18, 2026

Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price to N699 per Litre

By
Kazeem Busari
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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sharply reduced its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, lowering the cost from N828 to N699 per litre, according to real-time market data from Petroleumprice.ng. The N129 drop, which took effect on Thursday, represents a 15.58 per cent reduction and marks the refinery’s 20th petrol price adjustment this year.

An official of the refinery, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, confirmed the latest pricing revision and said the move is aimed at keeping domestic fuel prices competitive amidst global market volatility and persistent smuggling challenges.

The decision follows a December 6 meeting between the refinery’s Chairman, Aliko Dangote, and President Bola Tinubu. After the closed-door session, Dangote reiterated his commitment to ensuring that fuel prices in Nigeria remain reasonable and competitive, acknowledging that the refinery’s output growth should help counter imports and curb the incentive for smuggling. He noted that Nigeria’s petrol prices, even after the reduction, remain significantly lower than those in neighbouring West African countries, where petrol commonly sells for nearly double the price.

Industry responses to the new benchmark were swift. Several private depots, including Sigmund and TechnoOil, adjusted their ex-depot prices downward, though by smaller margins, aligning their rates with the broader market move. Analysts say the reductions could reshape pricing dynamics in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, where competition between local refining capacity and imported products has intensified.

Despite the updated ex-depot pricing, retail pump prices remain higher, with filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory selling petrol between approximately N843 and N915 per litre due to added transport and operational costs. The gap between gantry and retail prices underscores ongoing cost pressures within the distribution and retail segments of the fuel market.

Germany Accuses Russia of Cyber-Attack, Election Interference

By
Agency Report
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Russia Presiden Vladimir Putin

Berlin has formally accused the Russian government of orchestrating a significant cyber-attack on German infrastructure in 2024 and attempting to interfere in the country’s democratic processes, further escalating tensions between the two nations. German authorities say the actions, attributed to Russian military intelligence and affiliated hacking groups, targeted critical air traffic control systems and sought to influence the outcome of the February federal election.

In a statement issued on Friday, the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that intelligence assessments have linked a cyber-attack on Germany’s air traffic control service in August 2024 to the Russian military intelligence service, known as the GRU, and its associated hacker collective APT28, also called Fancy Bear. Officials also allege that a separate influence campaign, dubbed “Storm 1516,” was designed to destabilize Germany’s political environment by spreading disinformation and undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.

As part of its response, the German government summoned Russia’s ambassador in Berlin to protest the alleged cyber and information operations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese described the actions as part of a broader pattern of “hybrid warfare” intended to divide German society and erode trust in the electoral process. German officials have warned that Moscow will face a series of countermeasures in coordination with European allies to deter future attacks.

The accusations include the use of sophisticated tactics such as deepfake videos, fake witness accounts and pseudo-journalistic websites designed to amplify false narratives during the election cycle. German authorities say these methods were intended to sway public opinion, although no direct evidence has been publicly released. Russia has consistently denied similar allegations in the past.

The move comes at a time of heightened geopolitical strain, with Germany playing a leading role in European support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. Berlin’s announcement underscores growing concerns among European Union members about the threat posed by state-linked cyber operations aimed at critical infrastructure and democratic processes.

German officials have not ruled out the implementation of additional sanctions or diplomatic measures. The government’s actions reflect a broader effort within the EU to coordinate responses to what member states describe as persistent and evolving hybrid threats from Russia.

This latest dispute adds to a series of cyber-security confrontations between Western states and Moscow, highlighting the increasingly contentious role of cyber operations in international relations.

Arteta Orders Arsenal Stars Into Christmas Day Training

By
Justice Oladapo
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta,

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has instructed his first-team squad to report for training on Christmas Day, even though the Gunners are not scheduled to play on Boxing Day this season. The decision, confirmed by multiple reports, reflects Arteta’s determination to maintain momentum and fitness levels during a crucial phase of the campaign as Arsenal prepare to return to Premier League action against Brighton & Hove Albion on December 27 at the Emirates Stadium.

The planned session will take place at Arsenal’s London Colney training base on the morning of December 25, and players will be able to return home afterwards, rather than remaining on site. While the club’s match schedule sees a gap on December 26, Arteta has remained steadfast in his approach to preparation, believing that continuity will benefit the squad as it balances a congested fixture list across domestic and European competitions.

Arsenal’s last game before the festive break is a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace on December 23, after which many of the squad will spend Christmas Eve with family. However, Christmas Day training means that established figures such as Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will have to delay their festivities until later in the day, a decision that has drawn significant attention given the cultural importance of the holiday.

Arteta’s choice comes amid scrutiny over player workload and fitness. The Spanish coach has recently acknowledged that Arsenal are in a “dangerous circle” of injuries but has denied that his training methods are to blame, pointing instead to the congested schedule and the demands of competing on multiple fronts.

Critics of the December 25 session have noted that for several players, especially those from continental Europe, Christmas Day represents a key family occasion, while others see the move as indicative of Arteta’s rigorous standards. Arsenal have previously faced challenges balancing recovery and preparation amid a heavy fixture roster, and this latest decision underscores the manager’s uncompromising stance on maintaining competitive readiness.

Arsenal’s campaign continues to evolve with key games ahead, and the outcome of Arteta’s festive training initiative is likely to remain a talking point as the club navigates the remainder of the season.

Osimhen Crowned GQ Sportsman of the Year

By
Justice Oladapo
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Victor Osimhen, the star striker for the Super Eagles and Galatasaray, has been named Sportsman of the Year at the prestigious 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Turkish football. The 26-year-old Nigerian forward received the accolade during a glamorous black-tie ceremony held in Istanbul on Wednesday night, joining an elite group of achievers celebrated across sports, entertainment and culture.

Osimhen’s award caps a remarkable season with Galatasaray, where he scored 37 goals and provided seven assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. His prolific scoring helped the Istanbul club secure a domestic double, winning both the Turkish Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup, performances that underpinned his selection for the honour.

Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Italian side Napoli ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Osimhen’s impact has been transformative. His exceptional form persuaded the club to complete a record-breaking permanent transfer in the summer, with Galatasaray paying a reported €75 million to secure the striker’s services.

The forward has continued his rich vein of form into the current season, netting 11 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for the Turkish giants, further cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous attackers.

In his acceptance speech, Osimhen expressed gratitude to the organisers, his club and supporters. “I want to say a big thank you to GQ. I can’t forget my Galatasaray family. This means so much to my family and me. I appreciate everyone who has supported me up to this hour,” he said, underlining the personal significance of the award.

Osimhen’s landmark achievement also carries historic significance, as he became the first Nigerian and one of the few African players to win the Sportsman of the Year title at the GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, highlighting his growing influence both on and off the pitch.

Maresca Named Premier League Manager of the Month

By
Justice Oladapo
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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for November 2025, after guiding his side through an unbeaten run in the top-flight competition. The Italian tactician’s recognition follows a month in which Chelsea secured ten points from four matches, including victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, and a 1-1 draw with league leaders Arsenal despite being reduced to ten men for a significant portion of the encounter.

Maresca’s performance saw him emerge ahead of several high-profile contenders on the shortlist, which included Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Fabian Hürzeler and Fulham’s Marco Silva. The award is determined through a combination of fan voting and expert assessment, and this latest accolade represents Maresca’s second Manager of the Month title in the Premier League, matching the achievements of notable former Chelsea managers.

The unbeaten November was a notable highlight in what has otherwise been a mixed period for Chelsea, who have encountered challenges in December. In accepting the award, Maresca acknowledged the significance of the team’s performance in November while emphasising the importance of consistency as the season progresses.

This recognition adds to Maresca’s growing reputation in English football since taking charge of Chelsea in July 2024, building on domestic and international experience gained during his managerial career.

EFCC Arraigns Peace Corps Commandant, Director of Finance over Alleged N60m Misappropriation

By
Laziz Olatunde
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The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned the Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Dickson Akon, and the organisation’s Director of Finance, Omolola Aminat Ahmed, before Justice H. B. Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja. The duo were brought before the court on a two-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation of funds allocated to the Corps.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants were accused of conspiring in 2024 to commit an illegal act by dishonestly converting funds meant for the execution of official duties. The first count alleged that Akon and Ahmed agreed among themselves to engage in criminal misappropriation, an offence punishable under Section 96 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.

The second count stated that the defendants dishonestly converted N46 million out of a total sum of N60 million earmarked for the procurement of badges for the Corps. The funds, according to the prosecution, were intended for the execution of an official contract but were allegedly diverted for personal use.

Both Akon and Ahmed pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Khalid Sanusi, requested a date for the commencement of trial.

Justice Yusuf subsequently adjourned the matter to February 25, 2026, for trial. The court also granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with one surety in like sum. The sureties are required to be reputable individuals residing within Abuja.

Video: Lagos Police Clarify Viral Video, Arrest 13 For Assault

By
Kazeem Busari
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The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed misleading social media reports alleging that a police inspector seen being beaten in a widely shared video was caught stealing, clarifying the circumstances that led to the attack and announcing the arrest of 13 suspects involved in the incident. Authorities emphasised that the online narrative was false and called for calm and cooperation with law enforcement.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi said the inspector is an officer attached to the Lagos State Taskforce and was on official duty enforcing the state government’s ban on illegal parking along Brown Street in Oshodi when the incident occurred. According to the police, the officer stopped a motorist who attempted to park unlawfully, but the situation escalated when the driver became violent, triggering a confrontation.

“During the incident, the inspector accidentally discharged his firearm onto the road, and debris from the impact affected some passersby,” Adebisi said. “The mob immediately gathered, during which the inspector was violently attacked and sustained serious injuries.”

Contrary to the theft allegations circulating online, the command emphasised that there was no evidence supporting claims that the inspector was stealing, describing such accounts as “false and misleading.”

While the inspector will face disciplinary action in line with established police procedures for what the command described as his unprofessional conduct, the focus has also shifted to those who assaulted him at the scene. Adebisi confirmed that 13 suspects captured in the viral footage have been arrested and are being held pending prosecution at the conclusion of investigations.

Those in custody include Dele Oriade (39), Adekunle Olalere (40), Mudashiru Olamilekan (28), Anayo Achusie (34), Joshua Enwonyin (24), Okoro Okechukwu (26), Rilwan Lateef (32), Damilare Odebode (22), Haruna Aleshi (25), Sodiq Omoniyi (26), Chukwudi Patience (25), Godstime Okafor (26) and Chinedu Divine (29).

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Olohundare Jimoh, condemned the unprofessional conduct of the taskforce officer but issued a stern warning against attacks on law enforcement personnel. He reiterated that assaulting officers performing lawful duties is a criminal offence that “will not be condoned under any circumstance.”

The police also urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information online and to work with security agencies to maintain peace and order across the state. Authorities highlighted that social media misinformation can escalate tensions and mischaracterise events, calling for responsible sharing of content.

This clarification follows widespread circulation of the video earlier in the week, which initially prompted concern among residents and online users after the inspector was seen being beaten by a mob accusing him of theft — a claim now firmly rejected by official police accounts.

The police command’s response reflects ongoing efforts to counter misinformation and uphold accountability in public discourse, reinforcing that lawful process and verified facts should guide public reaction to such incidents.

Meta’s ‘Avocado’ Marks Strategic Shift to Closed AI

By
Agency Report
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Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly steering its artificial intelligence efforts in a new direction with a next-generation model code-named “Avocado,” reflecting a significant departure from the company’s long-standing focus on open-source AI development. The model is expected to be launched in the spring of 2026 as a closed-source, proprietary system, a move that could reshape Meta’s role in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

According to multiple industry reports, Meta’s internal AI teams are developing Avocado under tight controls, meaning that unlike previous models — such as those in the open-source Llama family — its core code and model weights will not be freely distributed to the public or developers. Instead, access is likely to be provided via APIs or hosted services, enabling Meta to monetise the technology more directly.

The Avocado project is being led by Meta’s TBD Lab within the AI Superintelligence Labs organisation, and the company has integrated technology from multiple third-party models, including inputs from Google’s Gemma and Alibaba’s Qwen, into its training pipeline. Meta is also reportedly investing heavily in infrastructure to support the model’s development, including a substantial order of high-performance chips for training clusters.

The shift away from open-source is widely seen as part of a broader strategic recalibration by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who previously championed open-access AI as a distinguishing pillar of Meta’s strategy. Recent business reports suggest that the lukewarm reception to Llama 4 — particularly delayed deployments and mixed responses from developers — has prompted internal restructuring and a rethink of how Meta competes with rivals like OpenAI and Google in the frontier AI space.

Industry analysts view Avocado as a potential competitor to leading closed models such as OpenAI’s GPT series and Google’s Gemini, and its commercial orientation suggests Meta may leverage the model across its ecosystem — including upgrades to AI assistants embedded in Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — while also offering enterprise API access to developers through cloud partners.

Despite the excitement around Avocado, timing and performance remain fluid. Multiple sources indicate that training and performance challenges have pushed the model’s debut to early 2026, and while Meta has not officially confirmed delays, internal reports describe a rigorous testing process designed to ensure robustness before launch.

The announcement of Avocado marks a notable pivot in Meta’s AI philosophy: from open-source democratization toward a proprietary, monetizable, and strategically controlled model. This change underscores the intensifying competition among tech giants to not only innovate but also to capture greater financial value from artificial intelligence.

Spurs Surge Past Lakers 132-119 To Reach NBA Cup Semifinals

By
Agency Report
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The San Antonio Spurs punched their ticket to the 2025 NBA Cup semifinals with a dynamic 132-119 victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, showcasing a potent blend of scoring depth and team cohesion at Crypto.com Arena. The win sets up a semifinal showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Rookie Stephon Castle led the charge, erupting for 30 points — including 21 in the second half — along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists in just his second game back from a hip injury. His all-around performance set the tone for San Antonio’s balanced attack and helped keep the Spurs ahead throughout the matchup.

“We all just want to win,” Castle said after the game. “We don’t care who does it — we just want to get it done. It’s going to be tough against the Thunder, but at the end of the day, we have supreme confidence in ourselves.”

Point guard De’Aaron Fox added 20 points to the Spurs’ offensive effort, while Keldon Johnson contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, helping San Antonio maintain a double-digit lead for much of the second half. The Spurs also benefited from a 48-31 advantage in bench scoring.

The Lakers were paced by Luka Dončić, who scored a game-high 35 points with eight assists, and LeBron James, who recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but their late push fell short as San Antonio held firm. Marcus Smart chipped in a season-high 26 points off the bench, hitting eight three-pointers to keep the Lakers competitive in stretches.

Los Angeles trimmed the deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter, but the Spurs answered with key buckets down the stretch, including a clutch three-pointer from Castle with just over a minute left that helped seal the victory.

The Spurs’ win was impressive given the continued absence of Victor Wembanyama, who has been sidelined with a calf injury and missed his 12th straight game, though he travelled with the team. Despite that, San Antonio shot efficiently, making 50 percent of its field goals and 45 percent from beyond the arc, with contributions from seven players scoring in double figures.

San Antonio’s balanced play and high-tempo execution tripped up a Lakers squad that had run unbeaten through NBA Cup group play and entered the night as one of the tournament favourites. With the victory, the Spurs improved their overall record and carried momentum into the Cup’s penultimate round.

On the celebrity front, the high-profile matchup also drew notable courtside attendance. Rapper and business mogul Jay-Z and his daughter Blue Ivy Carter were spotted watching the game, drawing attention on social media for their stylish presence among the crowd.

The Lakers will pivot back to regular-season play, with their next game scheduled against the Phoenix Suns this Sunday, while the Spurs — riding a nine-win stretch in their last 12 games — turn their focus to the Thunder in Las Vegas as they seek the NBA Cup title.

Infantino Under Fire After Awarding Trump First-Ever FIFA Peace Prize

By
Kazeem Busari
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The decision by the world football governing body FIFA to grant its inaugural ‘Peace Prize’ to US President Donald J. Trump has sparked a formal ethics complaint and widespread condemnation, putting FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership under intense scrutiny.

The prize was awarded during the 2026 World Cup final draw ceremony held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on December 5, 2025. As Infantino presented Trump with the trophy and a medal, he praised the US leader for what he described as “exceptional actions” toward global peace and unity.

But the move has triggered a backlash from human-rights and sports-governance organisations. London-based NGO FairSquare submitted an eight-page complaint on December 9 to FIFA’s Ethics Committee, accusing Infantino of violating the organisation’s code of neutrality. According to FairSquare, awarding a political leader — especially one as polarising as Trump — represents “a clear breach” of FIFA’s mandate to remain apolitical.

FairSquare’s programme director, Nicholas McGeehan, said in the complaint that the prize may have been created without proper FIFA Council approval and that Infantino acted unilaterally — constituting “an egregious abuse of power.”

Critics have derided the prize as nothing more than a political stunt. “The award of a prize of this nature to a sitting political leader is in and of itself a clear breach of FIFA’s duty of neutrality,” FairSquare argued.

Some voices have also questioned the legitimacy of the prize, pointing out that there was no transparent selection process, no independent judging committee, and seemingly no criteria for what constitutes “peace-building achievements.”

Moreover, detractors argue that praising Trump for “peace and unity” sits uneasily against his controversial record on human rights and geopolitics — particularly his administration’s foreign-policy posture and military interventions.

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