The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers on Sunday said it would proceed with its planned strike today (Monday) despite intervention by the Federal Government.

NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed that the government had reached out to the union but maintained that the industrial action would continue pending the outcome of a meeting with officials later today.

The union had on Friday announced that its members would stop loading petroleum products nationwide from September 8, following the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s plan to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for direct distribution to retailers.

In a joint statement signed by Akporeha and the union’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG accused the refinery of anti-labour practices, including moves to bar newly recruited drivers from joining any union.

The union described the policy as a violation of constitutional provisions and international conventions on freedom of association. Previous appeals by NUPENG and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners to Dangote to reconsider were reportedly ignored.

To avert the strike, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, on Sunday summoned all parties to a conciliation meeting in Abuja. He appealed to NUPENG to suspend the action and urged the Nigeria Labour Congress to withdraw the “red alert” issued in solidarity.

Dingyadi warned that a shutdown in the petroleum sector would cause severe hardship and revenue losses, but assured that government would work toward a resolution acceptable to all sides.

Akporeha, however, told The PUNCH that there was no concrete offer yet from government and confirmed that the strike would commence as planned.

Petroleum marketers also declared support for the union, saying filling stations would close if tanker drivers downed tools. PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the strike posed a “looming danger” and announced a three-day suspension of lifting and dispensing products beginning Tuesday.

He warned that Dangote’s distribution strategy could force out private depot owners, modular refineries, and independent marketers, with widespread job losses and economic disruption.

NUPENG restated on Sunday that the strike would go ahead, dismissing claims by the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association that it could not speak for tanker drivers. The union alleged that the association was created by the refinery to weaken its ranks.

Labour leaders, including Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, also condemned Dangote’s policy, describing it as “crude and dangerous”.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), called on government agencies to stop what he described as anti-union and monopolistic practices, stressing that they contravened Nigeria’s constitution, labour laws, and international obligations.

Meanwhile, the Economic Rights Activists urged NUPENG and its allies to suspend the strike, warning that it would inflict hardship on ordinary Nigerians, hike transport fares and food prices, and threaten small businesses.

They appealed to the National Assembly and the Federal Government to intervene, while urging the refinery to address workers’ concerns through dialogue.

The United States has announced a new policy requiring all non-immigrant visa applicants to schedule their interviews only at embassies or consulates in their country of nationality or residence.

In a statement issued on September 6, the U.S. Department of State said applicants who attempt to schedule appointments outside their home country could face significantly longer wait times and risk losing their application fees, which are non-refundable and non-transferable.

“Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence,” the directive read.

The department explained that nationals of countries where routine non-immigrant visa services are unavailable must apply at designated embassies or consulates, unless they reside elsewhere. Applicants must also prove residency in the country where they apply.

It added that those applying outside their nationality or residence could “find it more difficult to qualify for the visa,” stressing that existing appointments would generally not be cancelled.

The new rule does not apply to applicants for diplomatic or official visas, A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO categories, or those covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement. Exceptions may also be made for humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons.

For Nigerians, the change means travellers seeking American visas must apply only at the U.S. embassy in Abuja or the consulate in Lagos, unlike before when some opted for appointments in other countries to escape long delays.

The directive is part of a wider tightening of U.S. visa rules, a process that began under former President Donald Trump’s administration.

The General Overseer of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry in Onitsha, Prophet Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, widely known as Odumeje, has sparked nationwide reactions with a dramatic revelation about his life and calling.

During a recent church service, Odumeje declared that his time on earth is short and, when his journey ends, his body will never be seen.

“I am the strongest spiritual man in the world after the general, Prophet T.B. Joshua. We are only two. One has completed his assignment and gone home; what remains is the Lion Himself, the dead man. My time here is limited. No one will ever see my corpse,” he proclaimed, emphasizing that his mission is not about long life but about completing a divine assignment.

He explained further that his ministry was established to “remove people’s doubts about Jesus Christ,” insisting that his core message centers on the supremacy of one God and one power.

“Our mission is to clear your doubts about Jesus Christ. Our message is one God and one power, and that man is Jesus Christ,” he added.

Odumeje, who has captured attention nationwide with his unconventional style of preaching and deliverance, is no stranger to controversy. His flamboyant demonstrations on stage, audacious prophecies, and unusual declarations have earned him both devoted followers and harsh critics.

He often refers to himself with bold nicknames such as “the liquid metal,” “the war,” and “the indaboski bahose”—phrases that have grown popular among his congregation and online audiences.