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David Bird Emerges As New CEO of Dangote Refinery

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has appointed David Bird, previously the head of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Bird, who formerly led operations at Shell’s Balau Pokom refinery, will oversee the company’s fuels and petrochemicals division, which operates the world’s largest single-train refinery, commissioned in January 2024.

The strategic appointment aims to address production hurdles and spearhead the refinery’s next phase of growth.

Bird’s expertise, honed during his tenure at OQ8 where he expanded Duqm’s capacity and diversified its crude inputs, is expected to bolster Dangote’s efforts to optimize operations and scale output.

His participation in the recent Dangote Leadership Development Program Graduation Ceremony underscores his early engagement with the organization.

The move reflects Dangote Group’s ambition to cement its position as a leading player in Africa’s refining and petrochemical sector.

The group’s founder, Aliko Dangote, will continue as chairman of the refining business and CEO of the broader conglomerate, which spans cement, fertilizers, and sugar refining.

In a LinkedIn post, Bird outlined his vision to extend Dangote’s market presence beyond Nigeria, aiming to establish the refinery as a global leader.

His priorities include maximizing efficiency and output at the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility, which has faced challenges from unit outages and design issues in 2025, particularly with its residue fluid catalytic cracker. These disruptions have forced reliance on the lower-yield reformer, impacting production.

Since its launch, the Lagos-based refinery has reshaped Nigeria’s fuel market, reducing dependence on imported gasoline.

However, Dangote has criticized “rent-seeking” trade partners and substandard fuel imports for complicating operations.

Bird’s trading-focused strategy, emphasizing high utilization, efficiency, and feedstock flexibility, aligns with the refinery’s shift to process diverse crude grades due to limited Nigerian oil availability.

Naira-based agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, a 7.2% stakeholder, mandates fixed domestic product sales.

Looking ahead, Dangote Group plans to increase the refinery’s capacity to 700,000 barrels per day, enhance port infrastructure, and develop storage facilities in Namibia and beyond.

In August 2025, the company will launch a distribution network featuring 4,000 CNG-powered trucks. Long-term goals include listing the refining business on the London and Lagos stock exchanges, as reiterated by Aliko Dangote.

Despite early setbacks, the refinery’s rapid ramp-up in 2024 surprised analysts, influencing global oil benchmarks through its exports. Bird’s leadership is poised to navigate ongoing challenges and drive Dangote’s vision of regional and global dominance.

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Certificate Forgery: Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification from 2027 Election

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The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

‎According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

‎‎The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.

‎The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.

The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.

‎It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

‎‎In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

‎The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

‎The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

‎The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

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Lagos Island Red Cross Holds Annual Thanksgiving Service

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By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos Island Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has held its 2026 Annual Thanksgiving, to express gratitude for another year of provision of succor and comfort to as many that are in need.

The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the last Sunday of June, was led by the Division Coordinator, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi.

Speaking to The Boss on the activities of the Island Division of the Red Cross over the years, Olori Elegushi noted that it has been a thing of joy to be at the forefront of releasing the milk of human kindness to as many that needs it, and when they need it.

Coordinator, Lagos Island Division Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi (m), Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile (2nd left), Secretary Ajibola Adu (2md right) and Saheed Ayinde Yusuf (1st right)

“This is what I love to do, and this is what the Red Cross is all about; lending helping hand and spreading love across borders, especially here in Lagos Island.

“In everything, we won’t forget our Maker, the Almighty God, through whose power we are able to do the little and much we can do. That explains why we here today to give thanks as it’s a tradition every year,” Olori Elegushi said.

Olori Elegushi also noted that as an not for profit organization, the Society seeks support well-meaning Nigerians and Lagosians to come to their aid so that the gospel of continuous lending of helping hand to the needy will continue unabated.

“We also seek the support of well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the Church in our efforts to expand our humanitarian activities. With adequate funding and partnerships, we can organize first aid and health awareness programmes for public school students, train more volunteers, equip communities with emergency preparedness skills, and carry out outreach programmes that will positively impact lives across our society,” she concluded.

Olori Elegushi, who will soon join the octogenarian club, was accompanied at the thanksgiving event, by Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile, Secretary Ajibola Adu, Saheed Ayinde Yusuf, and a host of other members, dressed in their sparkling white uniform.

The Red Cross Society is an international organizational saddled with the responsibility of providing healthcare services among other humanitarian services to the people of the world. The Society is domiciled in every part of the world.

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Insecurity: Adeboye, Oyedepo Urge More US Military Action in Nigeria

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The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for recent military action against terrorism in Nigeria, urging Washington to do more to halt the unrelenting attacks.

Both clerics spoke at the “Faith Heroes Award Gala” in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2026, organised by Save Nigeria Group USA, SNGUSA, with the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.

The event honoured Trump, Congressmen Chris Smith and Riley Moore, and other advocates of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Addressing a packed audience of activists, policymakers and faith leaders at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Adeboye said the scale of violence has moved beyond what any religious leader can handle alone.

“Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” he said. “If you want to help us, help us more.”

The RCCG leader, who had faced criticism for not speaking out earlier, said he chose “spiritual warfare” instead of public escalation. He noted that Trump’s December strikes on terrorist camps did not surprise him because the U.S. President had warned of consequences.

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