President Bola Tinubu says his administration will complete the Eastern Rail line connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

Tinubu gave the assurance at an interactive session with South East leaders in Enugu during his visit to the state on Saturday, Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.

The President also pledged that his administration would support the development of the Anambra Basin as a significant energy reserve.

The basin is estimated to hold up to 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.

“On the support of the gas infrastructure. Sure, gas is an alternative to petrol. There is no wasting of time than to invest more in it. We will do it together, and I am lucky I have good governors,” he said.

President Tinubu praised Gov. Peter Mbah for his development model and philosophy after inaugurating several projects executed by the state government.

He pledged that the federal government would continue to support Enugu and other states in their development efforts.

Among the projects inaugurated by the President are the GTC Smart Green School; New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Center, the Command-and-Control Center, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras.

The President also performed the virtual commissioning of other notable projects from the Enugu State Government House.

At the inauguration of the Command-and-Control Center, the President said investment in security would bring rapid development.

“This is a profound demonstration of what we can do together. It reassures me that more revenue going to the sub-nationals and local government is not a waste. It is for development.

“We have committed leaders like Peter Mbah taking Enugu on the path of 21st-century development, taking Enugu to greater heights, and building our tomorrow today,” he said.

President Tinubu further lauded the governor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for demonstrating an irrevocable commitment to human development.

“I don’t care which party you come from; you are my friend. Alex Otti of Abia State is also doing very well. It is not about the differences in languages and place of birth.

“No one of us has control of the mother tongue. God created us, and you can find yourself in Enugu, Onitsha or Lagos.

“We are all members of one huge family called Nigeria, but we live in different rooms in the same house.

“We must build this house to satisfy our immediate and future needs,” he said.

Mbah commended the Tinubu administration for establishing the South East Development Commission and liberalizing the electricity sector through the Electricity Act (Amendment).

“Your Excellency, your credential as a true federalist stands out brightly, and the legacies thereof will long earn you resounding accolades.

“In signing the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, you liberalized electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. That singular act will consistently rank as an enduring legacy.

“It is noteworthy that Enugu State was the first sub-national to which the NERC ceded regulatory oversight of the local electricity market. That reflects how swiftly we are pursuing our goals,” he said.

Social media has been set ablaze with reactions following Nigerian gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey’s announcement that he will minister at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast for US President-elect Donald Trump. On January 5, 2024, the renowned gospel artiste announced the good news on his social media pages, expressing his excitement for this year’s event which is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025.

He wrote, “Let’s raise a sound in America. And let the King of Glory come in. See you. 20th January, 2025. The Presidential Prayer Breakfast is a non-official and non-governmental event. It is a faith-based platform where intercessory prayers and worship are offered to God on behalf of the president’s office and the nation’s government.”

Bassey’s announcement sparked intense discussions across social media and drew criticism equal to the commendations he received.

Here are a few of the comments

Nathaniel Bassey ministering at Trump’s inauguration is revolting and a disgusting betrayal of everything Christianity claims to stand for. and you Christians applauding and celebrating it like some divine victory are even worse, shameless, lacking common sense and morality.

Kingdom Stewardship——Global Recognition. God is not a user of men, He is indeed a rewarder of men who diligently serve HIM.

Why did Nathaniel Bassey turn off the comments section in this post? we all know what we’re doing.

The thing is, every time people who are famous for their Christianity mingle with the powers that be, there’s almost always no change thereafter. And the Church is no longer the conscience of the world. So I understand your misgivings. However, I think of Daniel in this.

Nigerian Christians are the type to demonize secular music and artists, but fraternize with unscrupulous politicians. Everybody with their acceptable level of hypocrisy

As long as the Politician is a convicted rapist that calls the name of Jesus. Or An Election rigger that gives testimony CT will look the other way. Just mention tithe or Night Vigil you’ll see soldiers of the cross Arrive immediately.

One minute una go dey shout Trump is an ex convict, he’s a ‘women abu$er, he’s a deviI incarnate etc”, all of a sudden, Una pastor don dey stand before kings and rulers. I was expecting to see things like “dining on the same tables with an abu$er etc”. Our people only identify with things when the success benefits them or when it glorifies their religious indoctrination. They fail to understand politics 😂

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery and verify its operational status.

NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, has responded to Obasanjo’s recent remarks about the refinery.

In a recent interview with Channels Television, the former President recalled the advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), suggesting the refinery would not function optimally.

He said that after approaching the company to acquire equity in the refinery, SPDC expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations.

Obasanjo further alleged that the NNPCL had been misleading Nigerians about the facility’s functionality, calling into question the national oil firm’s recent announcement about the re-streaming of the plant.

Responding to the claims in a statement on Thursday, January 1, 2024, Soneye respectfully invited the former President to visit the refinery, stressing the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited,” he said.

The spokesman also enjoined Obasanjo to join the NNPCL in its determination to guarantee the country’s energy security.

“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.

“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated,” he stated.

The NNPCL’s scribe explained that the company didn’t carry out turnaround maintenance on the plant but embarked on a complete refinery overhaul.

“As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.

“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.

“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery,” he added.

He further explained that the national oil company has evolved from being a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability, noting that the transition has transformed the company from a loss-making organisation to a profit-driven international energy firm.

According to him, the new NNPCL will ensure sustainable operation and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s energy security.

“Regarding his recent comments, we would like to respectfully clarify the current state of the NNPC.

“The NNPC has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a government corporation into a private entity—NNPC Limited.

“This transition has marked a significant shift from being a loss-making organisation to a profit-oriented global energy company.

“We deeply respect and hold President Obasanjo in the highest regard as a distinguished statesman who has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation.

“He has every right to share his perspectives on national issues, and we value his insights and counsel.

“We remain grateful for his leadership and enduring commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our great nation,” Soneye stated.

He also reacted to media reports suggesting that the NNPCL would stop the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery, saying “No need to respond to falsehood.