Up to the point when the Commander of Apollo 13 called, America’s attempt to go to the moon for the third time had appeared to be a success. Then, suddenly, boom!—an explosion.
An unforeseen problem arises and then, the call that now rings famous around the world for its deliberate calmness in the face of a life extinguishing situation.
“Okay Houston,” Module Commander Jack Swigert said, “we have had a problem.”
After Swigert was prompted to repeat his words, Jim Lovell, the mission commander, responded: “Ah, Houston, we’ve had a problem.”
In Spanish, it would translate thusly—“Sr. Presidente, tenemos un problema.”
In Warri or Benin Pidgin it would translate—“Oga President, Yawa don gas.”
Any way you want to slice it, the people are hurting with a liter of petrol selling at N1,400 today, March 10th, 2026.
Egogonewshub had written about the downward trend of prices nationwide one month ago and we gave credit to Mr. President.
Historically, every time oil prices go up in the international market, Nigerians suffer because local prices of everything rise. Prices are rising. We know it’s not your fault. We know it’s the American-Israeli-Iran War.
This time, as prices rise on the international market, will you be the first leader to make sure that we do not suffer at home? Will you break the cycle?
Here’s how it can play out. You can make an announcement thus—-“Fellow countrymen and women, you are all witnesses of the recent events in the Middle East and Persian Gulf that have disrupted the supply of crude oil around the world. The cost of a barrel of crude has risen rapidly from $70 a barrel only two weeks ago, inching closer to $100 a barrel. This has adversely affected the price of petrol nationwide and it is causing widespread suffering. I acknowledge your pain. I feel your pain. As your president, here’s what I believe we can do. We are fortunate to have Dangote Refinery at a time like this. I will be declaring Dangote Refinery and other local refineries “Businesses of particular national security concern” by ensuring that they get all the crude they need at the old price—paid in Naira.
This should immediately stabilize prices at the old rate and stabilize prices in the market.
This declaration will be in effect as long as the crisis lingers. 600,000 barrels of crude will be made available daily for local refining to meet local demand. Any actions outside this that tends towards undue profiteering will be met with the full force of the law. God bless you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Mr. President, here’s a reminder of what James Carville said to President Bill Clinton—“it’s the economy, stupid.”
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 3, there’s a quote worth mentioning—-“There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood leads to great fortune.”
Here’s your tide Mr. President.
Take it.
Mr. President, you will hear strong arguments from people at the NNPC and maybe from the IMF telling you that crude oil is an international commodity that is priced internationally.
Mr. President, you will tell them, “I was the man they elected. Not you. The people must not suffer. We have oil. The people must benefit.”
Then, you will deliver the knockout blow—- a quote from President Harry S. Truman—- “The Buck stops here.”
Absolutely agree that is what Mr President must do! We have a fairly clearer idea what our daily consumption is now so the volume of subsidy can be better managed through primarily, the Dangote refimery!
Ordinarily, an increase in the price per barrel of oil is supposed to be attract increased inflow of dollars
We have no business importing refined petroleum products. Bad governments.