OIL price, which dropped below Nigeria’s 2017 benchmark price of $44.50 per barrel, weekend, has leaped from $44.38 to $44.58 per barrel in the international market. Prices have trended downwards in the past two weeks as a result of increased shale oil supply by the United States.

A FORMER Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly, Sen Florence Ita-Giwa has dismissed reports alleging that she accused Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, and some political office holders in the state of diverting relief materials meant for Bakassi victims.

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, yesterday, read riot act to the 192 Special Assistants and the over 54 Senior Special Assistants appointed by his administration to abstain from actions capable of derailing the programmes and visions of his administration or be sacked.

THE Police in Bayelsa State have arrested, for the third time, a dismissed soldier, who specialises in car theft.

Worried by huge figures of housing deficit facing the country, the World Bank and International Development Association, IDA, have set aside $300 million to fast-track provision of accommodation for the teeming Nigerian population.

The Power Oil Health Camp initiative has extended its reach to Ondo State, offering its medical outreach/awareness programme to the indigents in collabo-ration with the state’s Ministry of Health.

THE Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, have agreed to comply with the notice issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, on the metering of Maximum Demand (MD) customers.

The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Osun state government to investigate the circumstances that led to the clash between some Hausa and Yoruba people in Ile-Ife on March 8, 2017, has raised an alarm over abandonment of memoranda submitted by the people.

In line with the Federal Government’s recent drive to support growth of SMEs through its policies; Keystone Bank Nigeria Limited has reiterated its commitment to the support of the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria.

—The Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday, passed the N170.8 billion 2017 appropriation bill.

After successfully hosting the Kwese Premier League All Star game in Kano at the weekend, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF shifts action to Asaba, Delta State for the third Phase of the 13th Zenith Bank Premier League.

DEPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, weekend, commissioned four water projects executed by chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Rep Toby Okechukwu

Nigerians have been enjoined to ensure that only God- fearing men, with a clear visionary road-map for development, who will respect the constitution and the rule of law, and with burning compassion for the lot of the common man, are voted into office in 2019.

The Nigerian Sport Awards has inaugurated a new award panel. This follows the dissolution of the Ikeddy Isiguzo led panel, which has been in charge for the past five years.

As the indefinite strike embarked on by staff of the 104 Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria enters 9th day today, the Zonal Director, South West, Unity Schools, Dr Adeniyi Ganiyu has said that though 94 of the Unity Schools have put the strike on hold, ten of the schools are still on strike over unpaid salaries.