News
Minister of State Petroleum join forces with FRSC on Road Safety Campaign
Joel Ajayi
In what seems to be another milestone in inter-agency collaboration, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Oil) have reached a compromise to begin a robust partnership, geared towards intensifying existing efforts embedded in the campaign for safer roads in Nigeria.
The partnership was birthed during the visit of the Corps Marshal FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in his office on Monday 14 October 2024.
In the course of the conversation that ensued, the Honourable Minister assured the Corps Marshal of his ministry’s readiness to partner with the Corps in the campaign for safer roads in Nigeria.
While congratulating the Corps Marshal on his well deserved appointment, the Minister expressed optimism that with the inauguration of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NRSS), by the Vice President last week, stakeholders would work harmoniously to ensure safety on the nation’s highways. He commended the FRSC for its commitment to road safety as evidenced by the successes recorded in the areas of Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme, Drivers certification and other public enlightenment programs that have led to drastic reduction in the rate of road traffic crashes.
The Minister however, expressed concerns with frequent cases of crashes involving petroleum tankers some of which resulted in fire incidents with great loses to lives and property. He further stressed that even as the Ministry would have preferred that the use of pipelines as veritable means of transporting the petroleum products, the current hazards as well as the cost implications involved in replacing the pipes have made that impracticable at the moment. He therefore solicited the support of the FRSC to properly streamline the activities of drivers at the depots with a view to ensuring that only tankers that meet the minimum safety standards load the petroleum products from such facilities.
The Minister expressed the willingness of the Ministry to support the FRSC with logistics and training to enhance the capacity and efficiency of its personnel in road traffic management.
Earlier in his remarks, the Corps Marshal commended the Minister for the positive reforms being embarked upon in petroleum industry in Nigeria by the current leadership. He noted the existing peace and harmony in the Niger Delta areas and requested for collaboration for sustained peace and development in the oil industry.
The Corps disclosed that as part of the FRSC’s commitment to safety in movement of petroleum products, personnel of the Corps are being deployed to major depots across the country to ensure compliance to safety rules and regulations with particular reference with the policy on safe to load. He requested the Minister to assist the Corps with some logistics including patrol vehicles and ambulance for enhanced road surveillance and prompt response to distress calls.
The meeting which had in attendance some Directors of the Ministry of petroleum also has some principal officers of the FRSC in attendance with both sides agreeing on the need to sustain the partnership for safety on the nation’s highways and stability in the transportation of the petroleum products.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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