The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Police, Army, Rubicon rule Abuja Carnival Polo Tourney

    Police, Army, Rubicon rule Abuja Carnival Polo Tourney

    The prestigious 2023 Abuja Carnival Polo Tournament that climaxed with fanfare at the serene Guards Polo Resort , saw the  Police team, Army team, Rubicon and other carting home top laurels.

    It a fusion of elegance and excitement celebrating the noble game of kings with the rich cultural heritage and after eight days of high-octane polo campaigns featuring the best of Nigerian patrons, local  players and their foreign counterparts.

    At the end of proceedings, high flying Police team left the loudest roar in their race for the FCT Minister’s Cup, clinching the Runners-up title, just as Abuja Rubicon edged Jos Malcomines on toss, cart home the President Cup.

    Elated Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun who was the Special Guest of Honour at the final, congratulated the winners and the runners-up for showcasing the finest of sporting excellence and discipline during the weeklong festival that was captivating and a unique tourism event that is growing in popularity and dimensions.

    The IGP who was represented by CP Deinma Abibo, hailed the Police team for their impressive outing, noting that the police participation in the tournament alongside the military and their  civilians counterparts, has instilled the spirit of unity and national cohesion amongst the various security forces and the public.

    Other top performers of the grand fiesta that is played annually as part of the foremost Abuja City Carnival, include the defending champions, this year’s runners-up Jos Malcomines who came back from goals down to draw former champions, Abuja Rubicon 7-7 in a tense President Cup final.

    A toss by Minister of Youths, Jamila Ibrahim after the cliff hanging draw, gave victory to Rubicon who had earlier carted home the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup.

     “I want to salute the fight back of Malcomines, it shows how strong they are in high-goal polo.” Senator Hadi Sirika, Rubicon Patron, said. “Our victory is well deserved because we are the strongest polo team in the country right now and we are determined the keep the status for a long time no matter the oppositions,”

    Meanwhile,  the chairman of Nigerian Army Polo Association (NAPA), General Laka led the Army team to clinch the Chief of Army Staff Cup, just as NSK polo team mounted by the President of Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) Nura Kangiwa overwhelmed Abuja Dulci 9-1/2 to win the Guards Brigade Challenge Trophy.

    However, the near clean sweep of major prizes by Abuja based teams was brutally cut short by the rampaging Max Air team from Katsina who handed a 6-1/2 thumping defeat to Abuja Dokaji Farmers in the final to clinch the highly revered Legislative Shield.

    Read Also: 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Abuja Guards Polo Club Chairman, Abdullahi Ibrahim who congratulated the tournament committees for a successful 2023 Carnival tournament, thanked all the sponsors for their immense support and invited guests for honouring their invitations.

    The Guard Polo boss who congratulated all the participating teams, declared that the fiesta will remain a ribbon event that celebrates the game of polo and our cultural heritage in the ambience of Abuja, the Centre of Unity.

    The Royals Father of the Day, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, led other top dignitaries to the podium to give out prizes to deserving winners and runners-up at a colourful closing ceremony that brought down the curtain on event hailed as the most exciting and the most attended in years.

  • PitStop community clamours for cycle lanes in Lagos

    PitStop community clamours for cycle lanes in Lagos

    A cycling community, PitStop Lagos, has called on the state government to create cycle lanes  while  constructing new road  or  rehabilitating existing ones  across the state.

    This  clarion call was made recently  during a memorial ride in honour of the Deputy Managing Director and Co-Founder of Vetiva Capital Management, late Olaolu Mudasiru.

    Dr. Bob as Mudasiru  was fondly called, was killed on Sunday, 11th December 2022, in  a hit-and-run accident while cycling with two other persons on Bourdillon road in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

    The Vetiva Co-Founder was the first son of Gbolahan Mudasiru, a former military governor of Lagos state, who died in 2003.

    The cyclists alongside other well-wishers, colleagues and friends gathered to hold a memorial ride from Bourdillon road where the sad incident happened, to the deputy governor’s lodge, to the French Embassy and then a final stop at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    The General Manager, PitStop Lagos, Opeyemi Adegboro while speaking to journalists  on the  anniversary of Mudasiru’s death, said: “Today, marks exactly one year Dr. Bob was callously run over by a vehicle on Gerrard road. So we are gathering to honour his memory.

    “He took health and fitness seriously. He was a doctor who knew the importance of health and fitness, and as a community whose focus is on health and wellness, we know his value.

    “We are still saddened by his loss. It’s more saddening that a year after his passing, the security agencies have not been able to conclude the investigation into the accident.

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     “We are gathered once again, to remember him, to remember his role and to also use this opportunity to call on security agencies to conclude the investigation into that accident and tell us their findings.”

    A sister to the deceased, Bolatito Ajibode who recalled fond memories of Dr. Bob said: “He lived his life to the fullest. He taught us to love and forgive. He taught us to be charitable. He taught us to stay healthy.

    “I feel really sad that the driver has not been found. We took every step as a family. We wrote to all the authorities, but the truth of the matter is that what we needed to get the killer was unavailable. And it is rather unfortunate that in the entire Gerrard road, the CCTV did not work and even the one that was installed did not work.

    “I think, going forward as we construct our road in Lagos, we need to bear that in mind that we have cyclists, and they have special lanes in advanced countries. As we reconstruct our roads, we need to build cycling lanes.”

    Similarly, the Executive Director, Capital Management limited, Damilola Ajayi who worked closely with Dr. Bob for 20 years said: “We cherish the warm memories that he left behind. We are committed to ensuring his legacies are preserved.

    “Also, one of the things that we’re working on is a foundation in his honour, which is going to be launched soon. Also we will continue to pursue the interests and legacies of Dr. Olaolu. We miss him so much.”

  • AFCON shortlist excites ‘man made by God’ Christian

    AFCON shortlist excites ‘man made by God’ Christian

    The Sporting Lagos goaltender, Christian Nwoke,  is  one of the  surprise  names in the 40 man Super Eagles provisional list  submitted  to CAF by Jose Peseiro  ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  due in Cote d’Ivoire in January. He might be the  youngest  face in the list but  Nwoke  here

    Expresses happiness over  his selection  amid sundry issues.

    By Tunde Liadi

    Christian Nwoke, the Sporting Lagos lanky goalkeeper, has expressed his delight over being named  in the  Super Eagles’  40-man provisional list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next year.

    The rookie  goalkeeper  who  has been making waves  with Sporting Lagos in only their first season in the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL)  reckoned  being invited to the Super Eagles  is an opportunity  for him to learn and use the  acquired knowledge to improve his career.

    “I feel very excited being  on the list for the Super Eagles for  the  preparation towards  the  2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire,”  the 23-yer-old Nwoke told NationSport. “I’m very excited and it’s a welcome development for me in my career and also it grants me a room for me to work harder.

    “It also provides the platform for me to improve as a goalkeeper and for me to be better than the way I am presently. It’s a very welcome development for me and I’m very, very grateful to God for this great opportunity.”

    For  Nwoke, what is indeed is in a name?

    “Well, Nwoke means a man,” he volunteered. “It  motivates me each time I’ve been called Nwoke.

    “ I’m popularly known as Nwoke and the full meaning is Nwokechukwu and  Nwokechukwu means  a ‘ ‘man created by God’ and indeed, my invitation  is by the grace of God.”

    Yet  the former Golden Eaglets recruit  stressed that he is calm about his invitation to join the Super Eagles  big boys ahead of the AFCON , adding he is keeping a low profile so as not to be overwhelmed by it.

    He continued: “Certainly it’s a big news and to be the youngest goalkeeper in the list makes it even so special for me. It’s also a boost for me to play among the big boys. It’s football also, it’s normal and it’s also an experience for me.

    “It’s a big deal for me because I’ve not  been in such a situation before but football speaks one language and I have programmed myself not to be under pressure. I am calm and okay by it.

    “I had similar experience playing for the Golden Eaglets some years ago. Having that opportunity at the time helped me to grow as a professional player and it gave me more courage to know that there is more to play for in the game and for the country. So it helped me grow.”

    Read Also: 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Meanwhile, the  Super Eagles goalkeeping prospect said his happiest day was when Sporting Lagos got promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League in Asaba during the NNL Super Eight  as well as winning the  inaugural Naija Super 8 after beating Remo Stars in the final.

    He also shared his experience in his debut campaign in the NPFL with Sporting Lagos insisting that the his side  can overcome their recent slide and finish the season strongly.

    He offered: “The happiest day of my career is promoting with Sporting Lagos from NNL to NPFL and also winning the Naija Super 8.Those were great moments of my career and I can never forget them no matter what.

    “Getting the Promotion from NNL to NPFL was a very great experience. It wasn’t easy at all. We have found it even tougher to play in the NPFL in our debut season. It has been a very great outing for me and for Sporting Lagos and we hope and believe that we are going to do more in the ongoing season.”

    Nwoke picked former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, currently with  Real Madrid,  as his role model whom he has been trying to mirror his professional career after.

    “My role model is a Thibaut Courtois who is the current Real Madrid goalkeeper,” he said.“I like his personality on the pitch, off the pitch and in the dressing room.

    “ He’s calm, he’s decisive and also very ruthless. I watch him a lot and also watch his highlights, his training and everything about him fascinates me.”

  • Organisers pledges adequate Security  for GOtv Boxing Night 30

    Organisers pledges adequate Security  for GOtv Boxing Night 30

    Ahead of the 30th   edition of the premier boxing show, GOtv Boxing Night, Flykite Productions, the organisers, have stated that the event is one of wholesome fun designed for the family.

     GOtv Boxing Night 30, which will be held at Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square on 26 December, is a marriage between boxing and music with adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure that fans’ minds are at rest in and around the venue.

    “The event is conceived as one for the family. There is the boxing part and there is the other element of live musical performances. We understand that fans need to feel safe and we have made arrangements to ensure this. We will have both private and public security operatives in and around the venue. We have always had. In almost ten years of this event, we have not recorded a single breach,” the organisers said in a statement.  

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    The event will feature six boxing bouts, with the biggest being the West African Boxing Union (WABU) super welterweight title bout between Nigeria’s Taiwo Olowu and Ghana’s Alidu Sulemana. The Ghanaian is a replacement for compatriot, Michael Ansah, who pulled out for personal reasons.

    Also on the cards are the national super flyweight title bout between Sifon “Best” Iwatt and Saheed Azeez as well as the national female cruiserweight duel between Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole, will face Blessing Abisoye.

    Other fights include the national bantamweight challenge duel between Arabambi Ojo and Ibrahim “Golden Boy” Opeyemi; the light welterweight clash between Ayanfe Adeoye and will face Ahmed Ganiyu, the super welterweight challenge due between Abdulafeez “Big Name” Osoba and Christopher Ucheji.

    The event will also feature live musical performances by Teni da Entertainer, 9ice and Nasboi.

  • Joshua, Wilder mull two-fight deal next year 

    Joshua, Wilder mull two-fight deal next year 

    Representatives of Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are in talks over a two-fight deal next year.

    Joshua and Wilder are both fighting in separate bouts on the same bill this weekend.

    While the heavyweights will have to concentrate on Saturday’s contests, Joshua against Otto Wallin and Wilder against Joseph Parker, their teams will continue discussions about two prospective bouts for 2024, with the first potentially taking place in March.

    Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s manager, confirmed to Sky Sports that a deal is not yet done.

    “Things can move very quickly,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports. “To lock in  fighters’ plans for 10 to 12 months is a really good position for him, especially if it comes with the lucrativeness of a Wilder fight in the Middle East. So two fights is definitely being discussed.

    “March is probably the time we can strike for that mega-fight obviously for the financial rewards that you’d look for a fight with that kind of risk and danger.

    “I think there’s a lot of things that need to happen. Of course they both need to win. They both need to come out unscathed really. If there are any niggles or any injuries or any cuts, it’s very difficult to go back into a March fight.

    “It’s going to be a very quick turnaround if we were to go on that date but of course if AJ doesn’t win, if Wilder doesn’t win, it’s all irrelevant anyway.”

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    Joshua will have other options. Beating Wallin would put him in line to challenge for the IBF heavyweight title, which is likely to become vacant after Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk box in February.

    Fury and Usyk are expected to have a rematch later in 2024 too and so the winner of their fight would not be able to meet mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

    In that case the Joshua-Wallin victor could be mandated to box Hrgovic for the vacant belt.

    Then for Joshua, Hearn said: “It’s a toss-up really between trying to become a three-time world heavyweight champion or taking arguably the biggest fight in boxing which is what he’s always been about.

    “Although he wants to become a three-time heavyweight champion, the lure and the excitement of the Deontay Wilder fight is very difficult to ignore.

    “Our aim, our vision, and I can see it, is he beats Deontay Wilder and then he beats Tyson Fury. And if he does that he probably goes down as the greatest heavyweight of our generation.”

  • Club World Cup title: Guardiola  expects fireworks against Fluminense

    Club World Cup title: Guardiola  expects fireworks against Fluminense

    In their quest to capture their first Club World Cup title, Manchester City have been studying footage of Brazilian opponent Fluminense as they are unfamiliar with their style of play, manager Pep Guardiola said.

    Adding to the stiff challenge, City will be without Premier League-leading striker Erling Haaland, who travelled to Saudi Arabia despite having missed City’s past four games with a nagging foot injury.

    Haaland was sidelined for City’s 3-0 semi-final win over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday, and his absence means he is ineligible to play in the rest of the competition even if he was fit to play.

    “We try in the hours after (our last) game to see Fluminense as much as possible, looking at the quality they have,” Guardiola told reporters in Jeddah. “They have five, six or seven players more than 30-years-old so that means they can control their emotions perfectly.

    “They play a typical Brazilian style from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Lots of short passes, combining really good, but also physically demanding. We have to be aware how much they run behind the ball, and be resilient in (handling) that.

    “The way they play demands a lot of effort (from us). The way they play we have never faced before. They move a lot from side to side, so we have to impose our own rhythm and possession game as much as possible.”

    Read Also: 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    City have struggled lately, winning only one of their last six Premier League games to drop to fourth in the table, yet are considered the favourites to hoist what would be their fifth trophy over the past year today.

    Guardiola said a key to victory will be keeping a tight rein on their emotions.

    “How do you play a Club World Cup final without emotion?” Guardiola said. “Emotion is there, it’s how you handle it. It’s there. It’s how long it stays in your mind. That’s the big target in finals.”

    Guardiola has impressed on the players that winning the Cup is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

    “The players are ready and know how important it is. As I have said before, what a pleasure it is to be here,” said the Spaniard, adding the team enjoyed a rare dinner together on Wednesday evening.

    City defender Kyle Walker said a victory on Friday would be a terrific way to cap a remarkable 12 months during which they have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.

    “I have experienced a lot of career highs, (but) it would top off what we did last season winning the treble as a group of lads that have spent a lot of years together working towards the right direction,” the 33-year-old said.

    “It would be on par with one of my greatest achievements.”

  • Organisers highlight success of Charity Golf tourney

    Organisers highlight success of Charity Golf tourney

    Opeyemi Adebiyi, programme coordinator of For The Love Of Golf Initiative, an annual event founded to support paediatric cancer patients has described this year’s edition as a tremendous success.

    Adebiyi who worked closely with the founder of the project, Dr. Adesola Falaiye and other members of the steering committee also expressed her  gratitude to individuals and corporate sponsors for their  support towards putting smiles on the faces of kids living with cancer.

    “We had over 80 players, a mix of corporate teams and individual players, making it a truly engaging and competitive event,” she said. “This year was special for several reasons. The support from sponsors, both corporate entities and individuals, was outstanding. Their commitment has propelled our mission forward, making a real difference for kids battling cancer.

    “The diversity in participation, with players coming from various backgrounds, speaks volumes about the widespread support we’re gaining for this noble cause.”

    Adebiyi was obviously delighted at the expansion of their charity efforts beyond Lagos with the inclusion of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan as this year’s beneficiary of the ECG machines and cardiac monitors.

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    “We’ve been making a positive impact at LASUTH and LUTH in Lagos over the last three years, and expanding to UCH was a natural progression in our mission to spread hope and healing.”

    She stated  that the success of the tournament wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of  the board of directors, steering committee members,  the Captain of Ikeja Golf Club,  media partners, volunteers, and everyone who played a role in making the charity event seamless and impactful.

    Adebiyi explained that as the Programme Coordinator, seeing the positive impact of their collective efforts on the young lives has been deeply rewarding.

    “Looking ahead, the vision is clear—to keep growing, keep impacting, and keep making positive changes in our community through events like this,” he said.” I invite everyone to be a part of this meaningful mission. Your support can truly make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer.”

  • Angola quits OPEC

    Angola quits OPEC

    • ’Cartel not serving country’s interest’

    Angola, a leading African oil producer said it would leave the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Angola’s resolve to quit the oil cartel membership which regulates production quotas for member countries, is not unconnected with Saudi Arabia’s push, the leading OPEC oil producer, that the oil producers group should subscribe to further output cuts to prop up oil prices. Angola’s Oil Minister, Diamantino Azevedo, said the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries no longer served the country’s interests. It joins other mid-sized producers, including  Ecuador and Qatar, which have left OPEC in the last decade.

    “We feel that  Angola currently gains nothing by remaining in the organisation and, in defence of its interests, decided to leave,” Azevedo was quoted as saying in a presidency statement. Oil prices fell by nearly two per cent as analysts said the departure raised questions about OPEC’s unity. “Prices fell on concern of the unity of OPEC+ as a group, but there is no indication that more heavyweights within the alliance intend to follow the path of Angola,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said Angola, which joined OPEC in 2007, produces about 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, compared with 28 million bpd for the whole group. OPEC did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Three delegates from the group who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Angola’s decision to leave came as a surprise. The country has been unable to produce enough oil to meet its OPEC quota since 2019.

    It has struggled to reverse falling output since hitting a peak of two million barrels per day in 2008 and expects to maintain current production into 2024, a senior government official said two months ago.

     Last month, Azevedo’s office protested against a decision by OPEC to cut its production quota for 2024, which could have curtailed any ability it might have to increase output.

    Disagreements over African output quotas had earlier been in part, the cause of a delay to a meeting of the wider OPEC+ oil producer group. Oil and gas exports are Angola’s economic lifeblood, accounting for around 90 per cent of total exports, an over-reliance the government has been seeking to reduce after it was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and lower global fuel prices.

    Several oil majors and independents operate in the southern African nation, including TotalEnergies, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Azule Energy, a 50/50 venture between Eni and BP. Angola oil minister said yesterday, that its membership was not serving the country’s interests. The departure is unlikely to have a significant impact on oil supplies given Angola’s small percentage of total OPEC output, but the move raises questions about the unity of the group, analysts said.

    Giovani Staunovo, UBS: “From an oil market supply perspective, the impact is minimal as oil production in Angola was on a downward trend and higher production would first require higher investments. “However, prices still fell on concern of the unity of OPEC+ as a group, but there is no indication that more heavyweights within the alliance intend to follow the path of Angola.” Bill Weatherburn, Capital Economics on his part said “Angola’s exit from OPEC is symbolic but won’t have a meaningful impact on OPEC’s market power or global oil supply. Angola is a relatively small oil producer and is likely to struggle to raise production much further, even if it is now free from OPEC quotas.”

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    Ali Al-Riyami, former marketing director general at Oman’s energy ministry said “This shows that there is no consensus within OPEC itself and this was for some time now. There will be consequences no doubt about it, but I don’t think others will follow. In my opinion there was no need to take this step, it could’ve been resolved in a better way without sending any negative messages to the market. Anyhow I don’t think this will have significant impact on the oil market or price.”

    James Davis, FGE said “While leaving OPEC is the first step to change, unless Angola makes radical changes to its fiscal system, it will still struggle to incentivise investment and grow output.” Ole Hansen, Saxo Bank said “The producer has increasingly been showing discontent with the OPEC+ production straitjacket and favouritism towards Middle East producers.”

    Raad Alkadiri, Eurasia Group said “It is a sign of Luanda’s dissatisfaction over OPEC’s reallocation of production baselines and its sense that it has more upside than is being acknowledged. It doesn’t help OPEC’s efforts to project cohesion, but in production terms it will probably have marginal impact, given investment challenges in Angola. The bigger thing to watch for is whether other African OPEC members are tempted to follow suit. Even then, the real impact on balances will depend on investment, but the optics for OPEC will not be good.” Reuters

  • Financial interventions in solid minerals’ sector for probe

    Financial interventions in solid minerals’ sector for probe

    The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the Natural Resources Development Fund, and the utilisation of all financial interventions to the Solid Minerals sector in the country from 2013–2023.

    This followed a motion by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante alleging under utilisation of interventions to the sector running into several trillions of naira.

    Hon. Abiante said the National Resources Development Fund was established in 2002 to diversify resources and reduce petroleum reliance, using revenue sources such as excess crude oil allocation, exchange gain, nonoil revenue, contractual obligations, and refunds.

    He alleged that between 2002 and the present, trillions of naira have been deposited into the fund, but the actual allocation for the solid minerals sector remains unclear.

    He said financial records from 2007 to 2011 reveal a misappropriation of N365 billion in fund allocations, while audit report indicates that the fund’s proceeds were utilized as a borrowing purse by the federal government from 2012 to 2016.

    Hon. Abiante said that in the last quarter of 2016, 30 million dollars intervention fund was approved from the fund and released for the facilitation of exploration operations and the formalization of Artisanal Miners.

    He said further that in 2019, the Presidency directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to allocate funds to the Solid Minerals Development Fund to manage the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative to formalize and institutionalize the artisanal gold mining industry.

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    Also in 2017, he said, the World Bank-assisted Mineral Sector for Economic Development Project (MINDIVER), under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, gave the country’s solid mineral sector a facility of 150 million dollars to enhance the mining sector’s contribution to the Nigerian economy.

    The Rivers lawmaker alleged that in July 2020, the Federal Ministry of Finance disclosed to the public a credit balance of 131.59 billion Naira in the fund, but between 2007 to 2020, records of its contributions to the solid minerals sector remain unclear.

    He disclosed that in 2019, an audit report revealed that the Nigerian government allegedly diverted a substantial amount of 903.63 billion naira allocated to the fund in ten years, from 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016.

    He said that the 8th House of Representatives mandated an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the alleged diversion of 350 billion naira in Natural Resources Funds to areas outside its core mandate and to ascertain the status of utilization.

    He expressed concern that the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) stated in its 2019 audit report that the federal government continues to exploit the growth of the fund through misappropriation, despite regular inquiries by the National Assembly.

    This, he said underscores the need to ascertain the present credit balance of the fund, the proportion of interventions from the fund to the solid minerals sector of the economy and its utilization status.

  • NBS: Petrol price up by 220 per cent in one year

    NBS: Petrol price up by 220 per cent in one year

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says the average retail price of a litre of petrol increased from N202.48 in November 2022 to N648.93 in November 2023.

    NBS said this in its Petrol Price Watch for November 2023 released in Abuja on Thursday.

    It stated that the November 2023 price of N648.93 represented a 220.49 per cent increase over the price of N202.48 recorded in November 2022.

    “Comparing the average price value with the previous month of October 2023, the average retail price increased by 2.90 per cent from N630.63.

    “On state profiles analysis, Kebbi paid the highest average retail price of N691.00 per litre, followed by Jigawa and Akwa Ibom at N677.67 and N675.00, respectively.

    “Conversely, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos paid the lowest average retail price at N618.00, N620.29 and N623.12, respectively,’’ it stated.

    Analysis by zones showed that the South-South recorded the highest average retail price in November 2023 at N663.59, while the North-East recorded the lowest price of N632.75 per litre.

    The NBS also stated in its Diesel Price Watch Report for November 2023 that the average retail price was N1055.57 per litre.

    It said that the November 2023 price of N1055.57 per litre amounted to a 30.50 per cent increase over the N808.87 per litre paid in November 2022.

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    “On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 5.03 per cent from the N1004.98

    per litre recorded in October 2023,’’ it added.

    On state profile analysis, the report said the highest average price of diesel in November 2023 was recorded in Benue at N1280.00 per litre, followed by Kaduna at N1183.45 and Sokoto at N1183.33.

    On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Rivers at N875.00 per litre, followed by Abia at N900.77 and Bayelsa at N920.00 per litre.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that in addition, the analysis by zones showed that the North-Central Zone has the highest price of N1123.75 per litre, while the South-East recorded the lowest price at N959.69 per litre.