Dangote Petroleum Refinery has withdrawn its N100 billion lawsuit challenging the issuance of import licences for petroleum products in Nigeria.

The company had, on September 6, 2024, filed the suit against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as the first defendant, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited as the second defendant. Five other companies were also listed as co-defendants in the case.

The additional defendants were AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

In the suit, Dangote Refinery asked the court to declare that the NMDPRA violated Sections 317(8) and 317(9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licences for petroleum product importation. The company contended that, under the PIA, such licences could only be granted when there was a shortfall in local petroleum product supply.

At the resumed court session on Wednesday, counsel to the plaintiff, C. O. Adegbe, informed the court that Dangote Refinery had filed a notice of discontinuance of the suit on July 28, after all parties agreed that the matter should be struck out.

Following the submission by Adegbe and the responses from the defence lawyers, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, subsequently dismissed the suit.

Talented Afrobeat singer and multi instrumentalist, Omorinmade Kuti aka Made Kuti is billed to thrill as over 500 African film practitioners across the African continent and diaspora have confirmed their attendance for the 21st edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, inside Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The Chief Operating Officer of AMAA, Mr Tony Anih, made this known recently at the AMAA secretariat situated in Ikeja, GRA, Lagos.

Anih informed that the 21st edition of AMAA will be spiced up with musical performances from some of the biggest and best music stars in continental genres.

Reacting to the expectations about the night, AMAA’s technical director, Mr Kingsley James expressed that it will be a night to remember as all hands are on deck to make the 21st edition not only special but memorable like the previous editions.

James also noted that the music artists performing have been carefully selected from Africa knowing fully well their dexterity and brilliance in African genre of music.

“We have an impeccable and African line up that would wow all attendees. For musical performances, the cast will be led by Made Kuti, the hugely talented multi-instrumentalist and grandson of Afrobeat progenitor, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Also billed to perform at 2024 AMAA are DJ Kenchello and the Ebony band will also be on the band stand to thrill attendees to a memorable night,” said James.

Also expected to grace the occasion include Nollywood stars and dignitaries from different walks of life.

On Friday, November 7, the Africa Film Academy, AFA, the producers of AMAA, will hold the Africa Fashion show in Lagos. The event heralded the Fashion weekend in Lagos, Nigeria.

“The 21st edition of the AMAA is a big deal like other editions and the board of AFA, owners of the continental film awards have concluded to roll out drums and make this edition memorable to all African filmmakers, creatives, nominees, and everyone who had ever been on the AMAA stage.

“We are not just going to be rolling out in a big way, we are intentional about making the 2025 edition one of the best AMAAs that Africans will celebrate the gathering of several African film practitioners and creatives. This has always been what our late sister and founder, Peace Maria Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe had been planning and wished for before her death and we will actualize the dream to the glory of God, legacy of PMO and lofty strides of the African film sector,” Dr. Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe said.

The Federal Government on Wednesday met with members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja to address allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria and reject the United States’ designation of the country as one of particular concern. The government maintained that Nigeria does not target any group based on faith.

Speaking during the diplomatic briefing, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Ahmed, said claims of religious persecution misrepresented the country’s legal and social framework.

Ahmed explained that Nigeria’s national laws were religion-neutral and designed to protect all communities equally. He stated that there was no offence of blasphemy under the national legal framework, noting that the Shari’a laws applied in some northern states were limited to Muslims and operated under the supervision of the secular judicial system.

“Christian and Muslim institutions continue to operate freely, promoting peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Also addressing journalists in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, faulted the US designation, describing it as a product of “misrepresentation and misinformation.”

Idris argued that terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes in the country were not driven by religion.

“Criminal activities and terrorism do not target any particular religious group. This is not about religion, it is about crime,” he maintained.

The minister disclosed that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, security agencies had neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists, arrested over 17,000 suspects, and rescued more than 9,850 abducted persons, including women and children.

He said, “Since May 2023, when he (Tinubu) took office, Nigeria’s security agencies have neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists through sustained operations, and they have arrested over 17,000 suspects who are now undergoing interrogation and prosecution for various offences.

“Also, more than 9,850 people abducted by these terrorists, including women and children, have been rescued and reintegrated with their families. It is important to note that the menace of terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group.”

Idris added that the President was engaging diplomatic channels to correct what he described as a “misjudgment of Nigeria’s reality” by Washington.

“The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the international community, including the United States and other partners, to achieve the shared goal of completely eliminating terrorism and violent extremism on Nigerian soil. The President has pledged to ensure that all those making the country unsafe are permanently removed,” he said.

He continued, “Regarding the current misrepresentation of Nigeria’s security situation by the United States, President Tinubu is taking the lead in addressing all areas of misunderstanding through diplomatic and political channels.

“While we welcome collaboration, assistance, and partnership from all foreign allies, including the United States, Nigeria is not denying that we face serious security challenges. We invite all our partners and friends to join us in understanding our situation and supporting our efforts to eliminate this menace.”

Keyamo writes Trump

In a related development, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has written to former US President Donald Trump to counter allegations of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.

In a letter posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Keyamo said he felt compelled to respond “as a Christian and as a public official.” He argued that Nigeria was being wrongly portrayed as a country where Christians were systematically attacked, pointing out that even President Tinubu’s immediate family members are Christians.

According to him, the claims of Christian genocide are exaggerated and misleading, and should not influence foreign policy decisions.

Recalling his background, the minister said he had spent much of his professional life defending the rights of the oppressed, a commitment that earned him the Global Human Rights Award in Washington in 2017 from the United States Global Leadership Council, then chaired by Dr. Reuben Egolf.

Keyamo informed Trump of President Tinubu’s long-standing record of religious tolerance. He highlighted that despite being a Muslim, the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is a pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal churches, while his children are practising Christians.

He said, “President Tinubu is a known moderate, who, during his time as Governor of Lagos State, regularly invited Christian pastors for prayers and worship sessions at the Government House. He would be the last person to either adopt the killing of Christians as a state policy or condone such acts.”

Olurode warns FG

Meanwhile, a former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Lai Olurode, has urged the Federal Government to proceed with caution in its engagement with the United States.

In a statement on Wednesday, Olurode advised that Nigeria’s response to both the US designation and Trump’s recent comments should be guided by diplomacy rather than emotional or defensive patriotism.

Warning that it could be “suicidal to walk into America’s death trap,” the former Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos said Trump could “even be angry with the truth.”

Offering advice on how the Federal Government should respond to the US listing of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, Olurode stated, “In his response to Mr Trump’s provocative moves, President Tinubu’s government should display decorum and respect for the most powerful country in a unipolar world. Nigeria shouldn’t turn itself into a theatre of war, which it is luring itself into.

“Simultaneously, I urge Nigeria’s elites to sink their differences and mobilise national sentiments behind the government of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu. If Nigeria goes under, there will be no country for the pursuits of our diverse aspirations.

“There seems to be no country that can stop America. We should be diplomatic rather than being emotional or displaying morbid patriotism. President Trump can be angry with even the truth. So far, our government has acted with caution and with the consciousness that America can kill Nigeria’s fly with a sledgehammer. It is suicidal to walk into America’s death trap.”

Enang advises govt

Former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, has cautioned the Federal Government against taking hasty or poorly considered actions in response to the United States’ recent threat.

The controversy followed reports that former US President Donald Trump threatened tougher measures against Nigeria if Washington’s concerns were ignored.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Enang said the issue carried serious foreign policy implications and must not be handled through spontaneous or uncoordinated reactions by government officials.

“This is a diplomatic issue that must be treated with utmost caution,” he warned. “Not every government official should make statements capable of inflaming the situation or misrepresenting Nigeria’s position.”

Enang, a former Special Adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), suggested that the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Intelligence Agency, and the National Assembly leadership should jointly craft a unified national response.

He also proposed that both chambers of the National Assembly convene a joint sitting to adopt a coordinated resolution so that Nigeria speaks “with one national voice.”

Turning to domestic concerns, Enang lamented the financial strain on the Federal Government, describing it as “fiscally overstretched” while states and local governments enjoy increased allocations from the Federation Account.

“The truth is that the Federal Government is broke,” he said. “It cannot meet its constitutional obligations because its share of national revenue is too small relative to its responsibilities.

“State governments are celebrating higher allocations, but the Federal Government that generates and disburses these funds is borrowing just to feed its children.”

The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business described the current revenue-sharing arrangement as “obsolete,” noting that it no longer reflects the scale of federal responsibilities.

“Today, the Federal Government funds the army, police, DSS, civil defence, road safety, and several other agencies, yet it receives just about half of the national revenue. It makes neither fiscal nor moral sense,” he said.

Nigerian Air Force intensifies operations

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Wednesday, summoned all Air Component Commanders from ongoing operations nationwide and directed them to intensify the tempo of precision air strikes.

A statement issued by the Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the air chief instructed the commanders to “fly smarter and strike harder” against terrorists, insurgents, and armed criminal gangs.

According to Ejodame, top operational commanders from every theatre of conflict — including the forests of Zamfara, the riverine enclaves of the Niger Delta, and the rugged terrains of the North-East — attended the meeting.

He said Aneke told the commanders that the coming days would demand greater agility, precision, and intelligence-driven warfare.

“We must fly smarter and strike harder, not only to neutralise threats but to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. Every mission must reflect professionalism, purpose, and patriotism,” he quoted the air chief as saying.

Aneke emphasised that the evolving nature of threats across the country required close coordination of air, land, and maritime forces to achieve joint mission success.

“Our operations must be intelligence-led, coordinated, and focused. We will continue to work closely with the sister services and other security agencies to ensure a united front in the fight against terrorism and criminality,” he added.