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HURIWA Calls For Inquiry Into Prince Harry, Meghan’s Visit To Nigeria—-A non-governmental civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for for a comprehensive investigation into the recent visit of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to Nigeria.

The association expressed concerns regarding the funding of the visit, questioning whether it was accounted for in any existing budget allocation and demanded transparency concerning who financed the trip.

HURIWA also condemns what it calls extravagant hosting of wives of African presidents in Abuja, Nigeria at a time millions of Nigerians are confronting the costs of living crisis and adverse economic crunch with over 133 million Nigerian households in multidimensional poverty and over 18 million Nigerian children who are out-of-school.

“These frivolous expenditures of scarce public funds are despicable and condemnable,” HURIWA said in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Tuesday.

HURIWA also conveyed bewilderment over the official protocols extended to the royal couple during their visit, especially in light of the British government’s explicit disassociation from the trip.

“The visit purportedly initiated at the invitation of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa has raised questions about its funding source and official endorsement, particularly as it was clarified by British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomerry that the visit was of a private nature and not affiliated with the British government.”

“Despite this clarification, Prince Harry and Meghan were accorded significant diplomatic courtesies, raising questions about the involvement of Nigerian government departments and the expenditure of public funds for a private engagement,” HURIWA lamented.

HURIWA emphasized the imperative for accountability and transparency in public expenditure, especially given Nigeria’s ongoing socio-economic challenges, including protests by detained soldiers over poor living conditions and inadequate facilities. The association questioned whether the financing of the royal couple’s visit was included in any existing government budget and, if so, which department allocated funds for this purpose.

Additionally, HURIWA underscored the absence of reciprocity in diplomatic engagements, noting that while Nigeria hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, there is no historical precedent of Nigerian royalty being hosted by European nations. According to the premier civil rights advocacy group, this raises concerns about the allocation of public funds for a visit that may not align with diplomatic norms and priorities.

Quoting extensively from a British tabloid, Mail Online News report, which detailed the luxurious accommodations and extensive itinerary of Prince Harry and Meghan during their visit, HURIWA further highlighted the need for transparency regarding the financial implications of their stay, including the costs of security arrangements and accommodations at the Fraser Suites in Abuja.

“Is it correct to say that the Defence Headquarters financed the visit since they are widely quoted as host?, we in HURIWA questions the prioritization of such alleged expenditures if verified that the Defence Headquarters funded the trip and this is distressing because of the pervasive pressing issues such as the welfare of wounded soldiers and ongoing security challenges. As a pro-democracy, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization, we call for accountability measures to ensure that resources are allocated judiciously to address urgent national priorities.”

“Why would the Defence Headquarters allocate funds for a private visit, if as host it is confirmed that the Defence Headquarters financed the elaborately expensive trip while detained soldiers protest against inadequate feeding conditions and detention facility standards? What efforts has the Nigerian Defence Headquarters made to support the hundreds of soldiers wounded and incapacitated by terrorists while defending our nation? This underscores the significance of initiatives like the Invictus Games, championed by Prince Harry and Meghan, which highlights the importance of rehabilitation for wounded war veterans. HURIWA is demanding full disclosures on the part of key government officials including the Chief of Defence Staff regarding the status of the financing of the private visit.

“The disturbing protest staged by detained Nigerian Army personnel at the Sokoto barracks highlights grave concerns over the conditions within military detention facilities. Major General Onyema Nwachukwu’s acknowledgement of the protest as ‘unfortunate and embarrassing’ reflects the severity of the situation and the urgent need for accountability. We echo the call for a comprehensive inquiry to determine the extent of similar issues across detention centres, emphasizing that such conduct undermines the integrity of the armed force.”

In conclusion, HURIWA reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in government expenditures and diplomatic engagements.

The association urged relevant authorities to conduct a thorough probe into the financing and decision-making processes surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit to Nigeria, with a focus on ensuring that public funds are utilized in the best interest of the Nigerian people.

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Real Reason Dangote May Not Offer Lesser Petrol Price Than NNPCL – Expert

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Real Reason Dangote May Not Offer Lesser Petrol Price Than NNPCL – Expert—-Oil and gas analyst Henry Adigun has explained that the costs involved in producing petrol at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, which are influenced by dollar-based expenses, may prevent it from selling fuel at prices lower than those of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

During an appearance on Inside Sources, a socio-political show on Channels Television, Adigun noted that the high-quality petrol produced at the $20 billion refinery is one factor that will influence its price. He added that the production of fuel is a dollar-dependent industry, allowing Aliko Dangote, the owner of the refinery, to determine the pricing based on the costs involved.

“Dangote incurs significant expenses. He only receives 40% of the crude from NNPCL and purchases the remaining from countries like the United States. Additionally, his refinery uses a single-train system, which means he needs to blend Nigerian crude with foreign crude for production,” Adigun explained.

He further emphasized that Dangote secured loans in US dollars, not naira, and is required to repay these loans in dollars, contributing to the overall costs. When asked about the potential price of petrol from Dangote’s refinery, Adigun estimated it to be no less than ₦850 per litre due to these operational expenses.

Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, remains dependent on imported refined petroleum due to the inactivity of its state-owned refineries. As a result, petrol prices have significantly increased, particularly after the removal of subsidies in May 2023. This has intensified fuel scarcity and pushed prices from ₦200 to around ₦800 per litre, affecting citizens who rely heavily on petrol to power both vehicles and generators, especially in the face of unreliable electricity supply.

The Dangote Refinery, which began partial operations in December 2022, is poised to reach full production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of the year. It has already begun supplying diesel and aviation fuel, with plans to start petrol distribution once ongoing arrangements with the NNPCL are finalized. The NNPCL has announced that it will begin lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery by mid-September, as the country continues to grapple with its energy challenges.

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BREAKING: VeryDarkMan Blast David Hundeyin In A Viral Video [WATCH HERE]

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BREAKING: VeryDarkMan Blast David Hundeyin In A Viral Video [WATCH HERE]—-Controversial social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, better known as Verydarkman, has reacted to the interview granted by investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, where he was called out. 

Thecloudngr reports that Hundeyin was a guest on a show when the interviewer compared him with the activist. He was later told to share his thoughts about VDM, as he called him an opportunist.

Reacting to what Hundeyin said about him, VDM also called the journalist a stowaway, who ran away from fighting in Nigeria. 

He accused him of seeking asylum in Ghana and trying to run to an European country. VDM also claimed that Hundeyin tried to implicate the Nigerian government but was exposed by the Ghanaian government. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

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