THEWILL NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 12, 2025

Digital

From a very young age, Dabota Lawson was passionate about everything related to beauty. This passion was nurtured mainly by her mum, a fashion designer who always emphasised the importance of skincare and cosmetic artistry in expressing individuality. Lawson grew up surrounded by her mum’s array of makeup and soon began experimenting with her lipsticks, eyeshadows and other beauty products. It’s safe to say that Dabota Lawson’s journey into the beauty industry began when she started modelling at the age of five. For Lawson, getting into the world of beauty at such a young age immersed her in the world of aesthetics and opened doors, allowing her to work with different brands and gain firsthand insights into the beauty industry.

Many years later, Dabota Cosmetics was born. She isn’t just a beauty mogul. Lawson is also the author of From Likes to Launch, a book that helps prospective online business owners realise their goals. Recently, she was announced as a new cast member for the third season of The Real Housewives of Lagos. Talk about being busy.

Read Dabota Lawson’s story on pages 8 to 10.

It’s been a while since we highlighted some hot spots. As Lagos is the city that never sleeps regardless of the time of year, our Hotspot page features spots for its ever-active nightlife.

Piercings have been popular for a while, but they have become even more popular now, with people sporting numerous piercings. Our beauty page details the different types of ear piercings and how long each kind takes to heal.

As always, we have a cool playlist for you this week. To download, click on the instructions beneath the QR codes.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo: Kola Oshalusi

@insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

OnahNwachukwu

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025

THEWILLNIGERIA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025

THEWILLNIGERIA

CONGRATULATIONS on your Turbaning

DAURAMA KARAMA

AITEO congratulates Dr. Samira Salisu Buhari on her recent turbaning as the Daurama Karama of Daura Emirate.

Dr. Samira has established a prominent presence in the oil and gas sector, exemplified by her dedication to stakeholder management, coalition building, lobbying, and project oversight. Her roles at AITEO have underscored her reputation as a strategic thinker and effective leader. Dr. Buhari's ability to forge crucial relationships and facilitate essential interactions within the public sector has been pivotal to her success. Additionally, her philanthropic pursuits, particularly through the Daurama Foundation, highlight her unwavering commitment to women's rights and gender equality.

Dr. Buhari's extensive contributions continue to make a significant impact both in business and within the community.

DR. SAMIRA SALISU BUHARI

YOUR

TURBANING CEREMONY

On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Mckian Energy Solutions Limited, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Gazzali Salisu Buhari on your well-deserved turbaning ceremony, now honoring you with the esteemed title of Makaman Kasar Hausa by the revered Emir of Daura, HRH Alhaji Umar Faruk, CON.

This distinguished title serves as a testament to your visionary leadership, wisdom, and significant contributions to your community, as well as your unwavering dedication to the well-being and development of your people. We are truly honored to be associated with a leader of your caliber.

I pray that Almighty Allah grants you wisdom, good health, and abundant blessings in your new role.

Signed:

Engr. Anthony Nwabuzor Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mckian Energy Solutions Limited

COVER

Can el-Rufai, Other Stakeholders Build a Coalition to Stop Tinubu in 2027?

BY AMOS ESELE

For former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, who is at the centre of an ongoing national political realignment on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, history appears to be repeating itself, though on a broader and uncertain scale.

In 2022, a few months to the presidential primary of his party, the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, he overlooked his long history of hostility with President Bola Tinubu and played a pivotal role in ensuring that 12 out of the party’s 14 state governors from the North supported the former Lagos State governor and all seven Northwest governors influenced their delegates to support the President’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate at its national convention held in July.

The governing APC felt threatened by the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party’s plan to regain power by fielding a Northern presidential candidate in Atiku Abubakar and it was scheming to scuttle that plan. According to el-Rufai, some governors from the North, including himself, were approached by the leaders of the party to run on the party’s ticket. He refused. His Katsina counterpart, Amini Masari, doing a second term like him, also refused. Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State preferred to rerun for a second term as Borno State governor. Only the then Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar obeyed and picked the presidential form.

In desperation, power brokers within the party chose President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, whom the

National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, later publicly announced as the anointed candidate, even as presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu issued a face-saving statement that President Muhammadu Buhari had no preferred candidate.

The power of the Tinubu’s formidable political network across the country to deliver him, his ‘life ambition’ for the presidency was solid, but el-Rufai, with whom he had had a running battle, having reportedly accused him of blocking his path to the presidency earlier, alongside former President of the Senate Bukola Saraki who had publicly admitted his political differences with Tinubu at ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s 63 birthday in 2020, proved decisive at a crucial moment in the president’s aspiration.

“For fairness and justice, the party must cede power to a southern candidate after eight years of a northerner as president,” el-Rufai had said alongside Masari.

The former Kaduna governor and Tinubu have since fallen apart after the failed Senate ministerial clearance of el-Rufai. The latter has become the centre of an ongoing alliance aimed at challenging the APC for the presidency in 2027.

“Former Governor Nasir-el Rufai cannot in any way be described as a political enemy of the President,” National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Alhaji Shehu Gabam told THEWILL in an interview on Friday.

Gabam, who in Abuja last Wednesday hosted an interparty meeting that was attended by el-Rufai, Hamza alMustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head

of State, General Sani Abacha and a PDP chieftain who was the spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar during the 2019 presidential poll, Segun Showunmi, said, “Somebody, (el-Rufai) who fought his colleagues to ensure the president emerge the candidate of his party and went ahead to campaign for his victory cannot be described as an enemy of the President. What we are trying to do is to bring about a balanced democracy and ensure that any Nigerian genuinely concerned about a stable, productive and safe country can use the instrument of our party. Our loyalty is to Nigeria and not to any individual.”

Gabam disclosed that participants are still engaging in discussions and nothing concrete has been tabled, adding that every participant has, however, agreed that, “our tragedy as a nation is leadership,” and the search is for “somebody who is nationalistic enough to transform this country,” for the good of all, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and gender.

CAN EL-RUFAI BUILD THE COALITION?

But can Nasir el-Rufai, who is at the centre of this possible coalition pull the strings? He was in power as governor and very influential within the party when he built a coalition of sorts that contributed to the President’s success. The tables have turned sharply and drastically. He is out of power, his influence within the party is unimaginable as witnessed by his failed ministerial appointment and his opponent is intimidating, if not unbeatable. What is clear is that he has reignited his differences with the president once again. And the 2027 general election may witness a comeback if he gets his coalition plan right.

COVER

Can el-Rufai, Other Stakeholders Build...

Efforts to reach el-Rufai proved abortive as all his telephone lines were unreachable. Muyiwa Adekeye, his spokesperson’s phone appeared permanently on busy mode.

But Comrade James Ezema, National Publicity of the Conference of National Political Parties, CNPP, fears the opposition is currently in shambles and APC would ride smoothly to victory with little challenge in 2027. He noted that an opposition in disarray will be no match for President Tinubu in 2027.

“The APC will be a very hard nut for the opposition to crack at the 2027 presidential election,” he said in a note to this newspaper, urging the opposition that, “Unity is not just desirable; it is essential.”

According to him, “The opposition parties are currently working at cross-purposes, scheming to undo each other ahead of the 2027 presidential election. This lack of unity and focus is detrimental to the democratic process and the future of Nigeria.”

Added to that is the famed carrot and stick action that incumbents often deploy with deadly precision during electioneering.

TINUBU

A HARD NUT

The CNPP deputy spokesperson may not be further from the truth. As a master political strategist, Tinubu will be difficult to defeat. Apart from controlling the largest war chest against any rival, his disarming strategy is being used to push through his reforms, however harsh on the people. Some dependable top level sources reminded this newspaper that Tinubu is more or less the first president in recent times to send budget, other requests to the National Assembly and get them answered and returned intact. “It is not about money or corruption as you would think. It is about strategy,” the source told this newspaper. “You think the man who defeated all odds, even those put on his way to victory by power brokers in his party, will now be an easy pick.? Maybe on the pages of newspapers.”

Gabam, is undisturbed about the success of a likely coalition. Citing recent political history and the current hardship in the country, he predicted that President Tinubu would be defeated in 2027.

According to him “No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive. Jonathan’s opposition started within two years, and he lost the election.”

PDP chieftain, Showunmi, thinks it is too early to predict the political process ahead of the 2027 election. “What we are doing going forward is still in the belly of time. I concede that people may want to know whether the meeting will lead to a merger, an alliance within the context that is being spoken about in the country. Clearly, people should know that it will take more than the personalities that met to do any of the things that will be in the margin.

“Like minds are trying to figure out things. We will not say we have exhausted a laborious process. We have just started, and it is likely to continue and more people are likely to join,” he said.

“Some dependable top level sources reminded this newspaper that Tinubu is more or less the first president in recent times to send budget, other requests to the National Assembly and get them answered and returned intact. “It is not about money or corruption as you would think. It is about strategy

but also as a promoter of new thinking in democracy and democratic engagement and I am sure others were there too because of the passion they have for Nigeria with our governance structure in multi-party democracy,” he said.

A source in the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar confided in this newspaper that what he referred to as the season of politics, “will be defined by alignment and realignment and the whole effort is geared towards ousting the APC, whether it is Obi and Atiku meeting or SDP hosting a meeting. As time goes on there will be integration and infusion among all the opposition with the common aim to take on the APC in 2027.”

Asked if he did not think it was too early to start politicking as the next general election is still two years away, he retorted that political leaders and political parties have followers and supporters who want to know where their leaders are heading so they can also align themselves too. He adds PERSONALITIES BUILD UP

THEWILL investigations show that el-Rufai is calculative in going about building the coalition.

Between March 26, 2024 and April 1, 2024, when he first stirred the political setting with his visit to the SDP secretariat in Abuja, he has been able to attract politicians like Senator Abubakar Gada, a chieftain of the SDP, in whose Abuja home a meeting was held recently and attended by Senator Teslim Folarin, the APC governorship candidate for Oyo State in the 2023 general election, Senator Nazif Suleiman, a chieftain of the PDP from Bauchi State, as well as Alhaji Aminu DanAgundi, a political heavyweight in Kano State.

We are not fabricating any story. What we are talking about is what is happening in the country,” Gabam said. According to him, all political parties in the country have a major interest in winning elections.

“As the National Chairman of the SDP, one of my primary goals is to win elections from the presidency down. We have no apologies for that. That is what we are doing now, to make the party available for any Nigerian who wants to use its platform to provide the desired leadership that realises that, irrespective of the party that wins the election. Nigeria is his national constituency. We cannot continue to balkanise the country along ethnic, religious and personal lines.

Continuing, Gabam said he had always reminded the President about his “long journey” in politics and what he went through, including going into exile for his political beliefs.

“He should keep the political space open for those opposed to his policies or programmes. That is simply our stand.”

Another opposing group being formed ahead of 2027, according to investigation, is one by former Kano governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.

TAX REFORM BILLS OPPOSITION

One of the issues fueling the opposition, especially from the North is the tax reform bills. The bills are being sold as anti-north by many politicians across political parties in the North and they are using it as a rallying point to mobilise against President Tinubu. For instance, Borno governor, Babagana Zulum and his Nasarawa counterpart, Abdulahi Sule have expressed grievances with contents of the bill and demanded more robust engagements with stakeholders. Unlike them, however, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, has been very critical of the bills and urged the federal government to address the concerns of stakeholders, claiming that the tax reforms disproportionately favour certain regions and could exacerbate economic inequality across states. He expressed fears that the bills were potential sources of “anarchy”, prompting the presidency to caution him to be more decorous in the choice of words and encouraged him to join others like him to take advantage of the ongoing legislative process on the bill before the National Assembly.

This strong, broad based opposition from the North has slowed down debate on the bills, fuelling concerns that the number of state governors from the ruling party that growing opposition are able to co-opt into their project will go a long way to determine the potency of the coalition.

None of the two presidential spokespersons contacted, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, responded to phone calls.

Unlike before, when el-Rufai’s presence at two previous meetings were interpreted by his aides as having no political undertone, Showunmi disclosed that last Wednesday’s meeting was for a political purpose.

“There is no reason why citizens of this country, whatever the political divide, cannot meet. In fact, it is our shared humanity as Nigeria permits to share courtesies among ourselves. The meeting was to meet, treat and exchange ideas about multi-party democracy and the future of the country within the context of the progress, prosperity and wellness of our nation. I was there in my capacity as a PDP man,

At present, many politicians on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, which was founded by former President Muhammadu Buhari before the emergence of APC, are said to be joining the el-Rufai bandwagon. Notable among them is former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sidi Sirika and a former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. So too is a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege.

In addition, el-Rufai has followed that up with meetings with former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari in their hometowns.

“What is unfolding is not new or strange to Nigerians.

Asked for his reaction to an el-Rufai-led coalition ahead of the 2027 general election, a presidential source, who asked to be anonymous, laughed sarcastically. “Let them continue. People need to circulate to make headlines. It is an extension of their freedom to associate and organise. The President has made it clear countless times that his major concern is to remake Nigeria with his Hope Agenda. People can meet, gather and discuss in a secured environment. So, the president is working hard to secure, reform and develop the country,” the source said.

Gabam however fired a salvo: “I am one of the founding members of the PDP in 1998. I know what the party went through. I know why PDP lost the presidential election. I know the gap that emerged in the party which APC capitalised on and defeated the PDP. These are man-made issues, and they are here with us today in this country.”

My Vocal Criticism Landed Me in Prison - Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his outspoken nature on national and international issues landed him in jail in 1995, under General Sanni Abacha’s military regime.

He equally stated that the quest to save Nigeria from imminent disintegration made him seek the Presidency in 1999, admitting that he had settled into agriculture after his military service at 42, before the quest came. Obasanjo, who spoke during an interactive session with youth leaders drawn from different parts of the continent at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL, at the weekend, charged them on positive leadership roles for the continent.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President spoke when the budding youths under the aegis of Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF) came with the winners of the Prestigious and Life Challenging Future Africa Leaders Awards.

He said his experience in prison was part of the challenges of life he personally had and the journey to it started with his inability not to always keep mute.

“I joined the Army and at the age of 42, I finished my career as a military officer, but, what could I do? I was still young, energetic, and dynamic, but I was still young. So, I took to Agriculture and during that time, I went into prison and that is not what I really wanted.

“Going into Prison is really a challenge because I refused to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge. And, when I came out from prison the situation was so bad in the country that some people felt the need to be saved and pressure started coming.”

Obasanjo also responded to a question on the African debts, lamenting that some of the debts by some countries in the continent were reckless and outright corruption.

“Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some outright

corruption”, he disclosed, citing a particular state in Nigeria where the site for a carpet industry was never cleared and the entire loan was repaid.

He commended the participants and organisers, particularly the founder of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for hosting the 2024 edition of the programme yet again.

“What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing since 2013 is marvellous and as I said, some people will say, it is just a drop in the ocean, but, many drops in the ocean makes the ocean. I am very pleased and satisfied with him on this project and will continue to wish him all the best.

“I also want to urge the beneficiaries to carry on the torch and spread it. Because as the carriers, they have the opportunity to spread the message to other parts of the

world by inspiring, enriching and providing for others. So, go and be African leaders of tomorrow; you have even said it is leaders of today and not tomorrow. It is no longer tomorrow but today with positive disruptive action.”

The Star Prize winner of the 2024 edition, Julian Ariori from Republic of Benin, on behalf of her co-winners thanked the former President for playing host to the team, hinting that the tour of the Presidential Library opened a new vista to orientation and exposure of the visiting team.

Others include those from Libya, Morocco, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, South Sudan, Malawi, Egypt and Cameroon.

Others were Togo, Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda, and Burkina Faso, with the Head, Media and Government Relations of the Foundation, Pastor Sylvester Ebhodaghe, as the Chaperon of the visiting team.

No Part of Niger Delta Shall Be Ceded to Biafra - BRACED

BY AMOS OKIOMA

National President of BRACED Union (BU), a sociopolitical pressure group in the six South-South states of Nigeria, High Chief Wehere Monday, has warned Biafra agitators to desist from including any part of the SouthSouth region into their proposed Biafra republic.

High Chief Wehere made this at an emergency congress of group recently

The pro-South-South group frowned at the recurring trend of Biafra proponents craftily including Niger Delta ethnic nationalities into their Biafra map.

Describing the trend as disturbing, the BU helmsman emphasised that “no part of the South-South Region should be added to their Biafra map as the BRACED States are independent of the South-East which is primarily made up of Igbo tribes and the BRACED states are not Igbos”, he maintained.

BU also lauded the ongoing bill for the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and appealed that an experienced hand such as Ambassador Joe Keshi be made the First Director-General of the proposed SSDC as his experiences and exposure to regional and global development are second to none.

“Amb. Keshi is the man for the job. He has what it takes. With the proposed SSDC under the leadership of a man like Keshi, the BRACED states shall experience fair and steady development across board. We believe in his capabilities. Keshi has done it with the BRACED Commission and can do it again with SSDC”, Chief Wehere added.

In all, the BU National President thanked President Tinubu for these steps taken towards the re-introduction of regional government, as this shall go a long way to give bite to talks on restructuring which has hitherto become more of campaign rhetoric than actual action!

President Bola Tinubu (Right) and the visiting Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on January 9, 2025.

BY SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Middle); with him from left: Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN); Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Ope George and Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Saad Lukman Olumoh, during the signing of the 2025 Appropriation bill into law at the Conference room of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on January 9, 2025.

Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno Sacks Commissioners

BY UDEME UTIP, UYO

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is set to announce the dissolution of the executive council on Friday, January 10, 2025. Eno, who succeeded former Governor, Udom Emmanuel, inherited all the commissioners and advisers appointed by the former governor.

Last year, during a media briefing which was held in September to mark the 37th anniversary of the state, Eno announced that the State Executive Council would be dissolved to pave the way for another set of professionals to bring new ideas into governance.

THEWILL gathered that some of the commissioners have been in office for close to ten years as some of them served while former Governor Godswill Akpabio was in office.

Sources close to the governor’s office have disclosed that the valedictory council meeting scheduled to be held today will mark the dissolution of the state executive council.

THEWILL reports that the commissioners and advisers were retained to allow the present governor to ‘compensate them for the services they rendered since they were not rewarded by the time the last administration came to an end on May 29, 2023.”

Sources have also confirmed that the commissioners last week received a “favourable handshake” from Eno paving the way for their tenure to come to an end.

“Umo Eno inherited all the commissioners from his predecessor

US

except the Commissioner for Internal Security, General Koko Essien (retd), appointed to head the newly created Ministry of Internal Security.

“Those Commissioners are still there. The governor lacks the political will to dissolve the cabinet, even after he had publicly said he would do so.” Two commissioners from the Ministry of Special Duties and the Ministry of Environment, exited the state exco last year.

Speaking during the Thanksgiving service on January 2, Eno had criticised his commissioners for claiming that there was “nothing beneficial in government yet they were not willing and ready to resign.”

He said the commissioners were like a nagging housewife, who would say her marriage was not worth the while but has had seven children while still in the marriage.

Speaking at the valedictory Executive Cabinet Meeting on Friday, the Governor stated: “For me, if you were to be changed based on non-performance, I think none of the Commissioners would go.

“All of you have delivered and that’s why the Arise Agenda has succeeded. “But we must come to the end of a season, start another season and keep moving.”

The state government is also scheduled to organise a dinner night for the outgoing members of the state executive council.

Repatriates $52.88m Loot Recovered from Ex-Oil Minister, Diezani, Associates to Nigeria

BY FELIX IFIJEH

The United States Government has repatriated $52.88 million in illicit funds recovered from former Nigeria’s Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Madueke, and her associates.

US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., led a delegation to execute the Assets Return Agreement at the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The agreement is part of diplomatic efforts by the Federal Government, to initiate recovery of looted funds stashed in foreign lands.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, revealing that the funds resulted from the forfeiture of Galactica assets linked to the former minister and her associates.

Fagbemi highlighted the agreement as a testament to the shared commitment of Nigeria and the US to combat corruption and promote accountability in governance. He assured that the repatriated funds would be transparently and effectively utilized for the benefit of Nigerians under a robust framework managed by the

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta- Mbata (middle) with Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Alex Otti of Abia State, Peter Mba of Enugu State, Francis Nwufuru of Ebonyi State, former Minister, Chris Ngige, Senator Adolphus Wabara and other dignitaries after Azuta Mbata’s election in Enugu at the weekend.

Lagos Ministry Clarifies Viral Video at J.K. Randle Centre

BY JANEFRANCES CHIBUZOR

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has addressed the controversy surrounding a viral video depicting an incident at the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, the Director of Public Affairs, Seriki Omowunmi, refuted claims circulating online, emphasising the need to set the record straight.

According to Omowunmi, the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, visited the Centre on an official inspection mission.

During the visit, it was discovered that the Centre Director, Qudus Onikeku, had been operating an unauthorised canteen within the premises without the Ministry’s knowledge or approval.

The Commissioner, in line with her oversight duties, ordered the closure and eviction of the establishment.

“The Honourable Commissioner was met with violent resistance from Mr. Onikeku, who directed his team to physically attack Ministry officials. This situation escalated when non-state actors, unauthorized to participate in the meeting, forcibly entered and began recording proceedings without consent,” Omowunmi explained.

Omowunmi stressed that the viral video misrepresents the incident, portraying a false narrative.

“At no point did Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka assault anyone. In fact, a senior female member of her team was physically assaulted by the non-state actors. The video was deliberately posted to blackmail and distort the facts,” she added.

The ministry has since launched an investigation into the incident to ensure that appropriate actions are taken. Omowunmi assured the public of the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and effective management of all its facilities.

“The ministry will continue to uphold its standards of excellence and accountability. We urge the public to disregard any misrepresentation and remain confident in our commitment to serve Lagos State and its citizens,” Omowunmi concluded.

The ministry reaffirmed that the Honourable Commissioner, Benson-Awoyinka, remains committed to her duties and will continue to execute her responsibilities diligently, ensuring the efficient management of cultural and tourism assets in Lagos State.

INEC

Rejects Tinubu’s N49bn in 2025 Budget, Wants N126bn

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the N40 billion earmarked for it in the 2025 budget.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, rejected the estimate during budget defence before a joint committee session on INEC and Electoral Matters, at the National Assembly on Friday.

The INEC Chairman in his presentation before the joint committee chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), said elections in Nigeria have become huge burden requiring adequate funding.

He said, “Our proposal for the 2025 budget, the provision requires the sum of over N126 billion. We have the document that has provided details line by line on how we intended to spend the N126 billion.

“We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.

“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given us for 2025 will not cover one-third of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126 billion

“Aside the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye – elections and the Anambra governorship election this year, personnel cost alone on account of the new minimum wage will eat up the N40 billion budgetary envelope.”

He added that the inadequacy of budget made the electoral body to get intervention funds of N10.5 billion for Edo and Ondo elections in 2024 and another N500 million for bye -elections on affected constituencies in 2024.

In their response, members of the joint committee assured the electoral body that the proposed sum would be appropriated in the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

NDIC Partners BPP, Holds Three-Day Retreat In Kano

BY ABDULLAHI YUSUF

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation in collaboration with the Bureau for Public Procurement is holding a three-day retreat in Kano to enhance its procurement and financial management processes.

The retreat, themed “Developing Innovative Strategies for Effective Procurement and Financial Management,” is taking place at the Bristol Palace Hotel and is aimed at ensuring efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the corporation’s operations.

Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director/CEO of NDIC, Mr. Bello Hassan, underscored the importance of the retreat in achieving the corporation’s strategic goals.

“We have identified the BPP as a critical stakeholder in our efforts to develop effective and efficient procurement capabilities. This is vital for realizing the corporation’s strategic thrust of fostering a performance-driven culture, operational excellence, and resilience, in line with our vision to become one of the best deposit insurers in the world,”Hassan stated.

He further highlighted that the workshop aligns with resolutions from the 2023 Executive Procurement Retreat held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, which emphasized the need for continuous training to build capacity among officers involved in the procurement value chain.

“This workshop equips NDIC personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of public procurement practices, procedures, and regulations in Nigeria,” Hassan added.

In his remarks, the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, highlighted the significance of the collaboration with NDIC, describing it as a platform to strengthen procurement systems and enhance the capacity of procurement officers to deliver value.

Adedokun emphasized the role of the Public Procurement Act 2007 in improving budget performance and driving economic growth.

“This retreat serves as a launchpad for enhanced budget performance, fostering creativity, innovation, and technological advancements that are adaptable both locally and globally,”* Adedokun said.

He reiterated BPP’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s 8-Point Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that effective public procurement practices are essential for achieving governance objectives.

“Since 2007, BPP h as conducted specialized training in public procurement and collaborated with professional bodies to improve procurement processes. Today, Nigeria boasts a pool of over 7,000 trained procurement professionals who can support agencies in implementing procurement activities,” he said.

POLITICS

Playing Politics with a New Year Message

BY FELIX IFIJEH

The controversy surrounding his New Year message may have set a new political tone for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, as the issue continues to generate reactions from friends and foes alike.

At the weekend, he had to take to his X account to douse the tension in the polity following his rumoured arrest for commenting on the Federal Government’s reform policies, which the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, considered to be in bad taste and berated him for it in biting terms. In a statement on his official X handle, Obi assured his supporters that he was in his home in Onitsha, Anambra State.

He tweeted, “The recurring fake news on me. I have been made aware of circulating fake news about my alleged arrest. Let me state unequivocally that these claims are entirely false. I am currently at my home in Onitsha. Anambra State. Such fake News on my person has become a pastime for some people.” According to him, the rumour, like it happened in 2024 when it was rumoured that he was arrested by the DSS, would distract his supporters from tasking the leadership over critical issues about governance.

THEWILL recalls that shortly after the former governor of Anambra State criticized President Bola Tinubu’s Administration for its inability to tackle the country’s mounting economic and security crises, calling for “vigorous, positive actions” to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and noting that many citizens were losing hope, the spokesperson of the APC, Felix Morka, granted a television interview during which he blasted the former presidential candidate as a “prophet of doom”, who “has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets.”

Two days after he granted the television interview, Morka raised the alarm about his safety. He alleged that, “as of now, I have documented 400 threats, about 200 of which are explicit death threats. These are written threats that I will be submitting to law enforcement agencies. In these messages, individuals have detailed how they plan to harm me—threatening to shoot me, behead me and carry out other gruesome acts. This is not mere rhetoric. It has even extended to direct threats against some members of my family. These are explicit and graphic threats, not vague insinuations.”

Taking matters seriously, Morka had to issue a statement to say he never threatened Obi’s life in the said interview, in response to Obi’s earlier X message in which the former Anambra governor said he received all sorts of messages since the New Year address, including “one Felix Morka (who had) has gone further to accuse me of crossing the line and warned that I will face the consequences.”

National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje soon waded into the matter in defence of Morka, saying, “Morka’s comments during the interview were strictly in response to a question referencing ‘prophets of doom’ and ‘voodoo economics.’ Nothing in his statement constituted or suggested a threat to Obi or anyone else.” Arguing that the party’s spokesperson exercised his right to free speech, a right protected by Nigeria’s Constitution, which applies equally to all Nigerians, Ganduje, queried, “Does Obi expect the APC to fold its arms and allow the opposition to propagate falsehood without any response?”

Joining issues with Morka and the APC, Obi’s counterpart in the 2023 general poll on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar,

said, “The inflammatory remark issued by the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, directed at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, serves as a disturbing emblem of the current administration’s unsettling strategy in addressing opposition figures.

“This threat against Obi, coupled with the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a prominent voice of dissent and others, signals a worrisome shift towards an authoritarian governance model, where the rights of opposition voices are being suffocated.”

Atiku said the APC spokesperson’s choice of words, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has “crossed the line,” reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles.

Such language, he contended, was rooted in hostility and has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme.

“A true democracy thrives on the healthy exchange of ideas, where the criticisms and contributions of opposition leaders, like Peter Obi, are seen as vital for the betterment of governance and the promotion of public accountability, he said, adding that it is not only the right but also the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to the voices of its critics, to engage in meaningful dialogue and to allow space for the articulation of alternative viewpoints.

“Instead, we are faced with a chilling threat that suggests Obi must “be ready for whatever comes his way.” What, exactly, does Mr. Morka imply by this? It is imperative that the ruling party provides clarity on this disturbing insinuation. Equally troubling is the crude and disparaging manner in which the APC spokesperson has framed Peter Obi’s calls for constructive engagement, likening them to a Wild West scenario. Such reckless and derogatory expressions cannot be tolerated, and it is incumbent upon the APC to issue a formal apology to Obi and the Nigerian people for such disgraceful language.

The case of Mallam Shehu, languishing in detention without any clear explanation for his continued imprisonment, adds to the growing concern about the erosion of freedom in Nigeria. If there is anyone who has truly “crossed the line,” it is the Tinubu administration, whose continuous vilification of

opposition figures as mere irritants to be crushed is a dangerous precedent.

It is now time for all men and women of goodwill to intervene, urging the government to recalibrate its approach to dealing with dissent and opposition. The time has come to put an end to this stifling of voices that are crucial to the health of any functioning democracy.

On his second appearance on ARISE TV, this time on The Morning Show, last Thursday, Morka appeared to have reignited the reactions he had earlier complained about, saying that he and his family were at risk, thus further raising tempers over the lingering controversy.

An obvious Obidient, who wrote under the name Dr Mo, sums up the emotions running wild over the matter. He said that listening to Mr. Felix Morka on Arise TV evoked a “whirlwind of emotions—hilarity, confusion, disbelief, frustration and anger.

“His statements were baffling, blurring the lines between truth, fabrication and the usual APC-style obfuscation. Even the interviewers seemed perplexed, struggling to reconcile his contradictions. In one moment, he agreed to “available data,” only to deny its validity in the next.

According to him, for someone who emphatically claimed he never threatened Mr Peter Obi, Morka’s words tell a different story. His angry remark that “whatever is coming to him, he should manage” starkly contradicts his alleged victimhood, where he claims to have received over 400 threats, including 200 death threats afterwards.

“We live in a time when the APC government’s narrative is so muddled that even proverbial thunder seems unsure where to strike. But one thing is certain: This issue will not be swept under the carpet.

“Should anything untoward happen to Mr Peter Obi, his associates, or anyone linked to him, Felix Morka and the APC government will be held fully accountable. Their public, televised threats are on record, and they cannot evade responsibility. Furthermore, the recent baseless allegations of Mr Peter Obi’s supposed arrest are nothing more than gimmicks—a desperate attempt to “test the waters.”

“This is not going to end here. We will persist in demanding justice and accountability, no matter the games they play.” As at press time on Sunday, the controversy was still attracting comments from both sides of the political divide with Obi’s supporters in the Diaspora taking their stand, according to Aisha Yesufu, an activist and LP presidential campaign council member.

Atiku said the APC spokesperson’s choice of words, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has “crossed the line,” reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles. Such language, he contended, was rooted in hostility and has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme

BY UDEME UTIP

In2015, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (UN) came forth with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at transforming the world. SDGs was a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet and ensure that people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. The goals were made so critical that no one is left behind.

The 17 goals targeted: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible production and consumption, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace justice and strong institutions. It also called for partnerships for the actualization of those goals.

Going by what Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the departed wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, had set out to achieve in complementing the ARISE agenda of her husband, Pastor Umo Eno, she would have passed all measures at the end of her first four years to receive a commendation from the UN, for complementing the SDGs in her laid out activities in the state through her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).

Obviously, Mama P, as she was nicknamed by Akwa Ibom women, was desirous of complementing the people-oriented leadership style of her husband and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She believed in the philosophy that the family is the foundation where everything; whether good or bad, begins and ends. Her take was that if the family gets it right, everything will naturally fall in place. But with dysfunctional families, the whole society would keep going wrong and the society itself would be dysfunctional. She believed that problems tackled from the root are sustainable and the society would witness less dysfunctional actions and behaviours from individuals.

Pastor Patience Eno was targeting a situation where every child would be well taken care of from birth, to ensure good family living, safe neighbourliness, where there would be no undesirable children or personalities to maintain good living and a safe society.

The most remarkable achievements of the First Lady within 16 months in office, was in the area of humanitarian services and with the launch of her pet project, Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), in eight thematic areas, which include maternal and child healthcare, enhancing literacy, learning and improving environmental health, among others, the stage was set for what the SDGs desires to be achieved and Akwa Ibom would have been a pilot state, in the Sub-Saharan African region.

She took time to explain the essence of the project, during the flag off on February 20 2024, her last birthday, saying that GIFA had the mission to deploy multi-pronged empowerment and support schemes geared towards enhancing the well-being of families and the vulnerable while its vision was to see a society with happy, healthy, educated, successful and sustainable families devoid of vulnerabilities.

Recognising the critical role that families play in the development of societies, GIFA, even before the official launch, had been involved in the practice of addressing specific needs of all members of the family in various thematic areas, including maternal and child healthcare, enhancing literacy and learning and improving environmental health.

Other thematic areas of GIFA include women empowerment, fight against diseases, care for the elderly, care for persons living with disabilities and Gender-Based Violence prevention and response. Specifically, under maternal and child healthcare, her plans to improve the quality of maternal and child healthcare services by implementing essential care packages for mothers and children, enhancing access to maternal healthcare services and sustaining care for low-income mothers and their families has yielded result with the recent distribution of gift items and cash to 500 breastfeeding mothers in the state during the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week celebration.

FEATURES

as breastfeeding is a vital part of life’s journey, hence the commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers in the state through such programmes, which according to her, provided a platform for breastfeeding mothers to connect with each other, gain knowledge and build a stronger community of women who understand the importance of breastfeeding.

GIFA had however adopted many strategies to achieve the goal of an improved maternal and child healthcare in collaboration with partners, to “cushion the burden on low-income families who are raising multiple babies, providing mother and child kits and services. To this end, many mothers with multiple birth children were assisted financially.

The late First Lady’s commitment to engaging in various aspects of humanitarian services underscored her passion for humanity and genuine love for the less - privileged persons as clearly depicted in the various projects undertaken. Similarly, under the plans to promote literacy and learning, the first lady through GIFA, had ensured the development of the educational capacity of marginalised groups as well as developed applied skills among pupils and students. This has been done through the provision of higher learning scholarships to indigent

“Already 10,000 – 4,000 students and 6,000 pupils of public schools in the state are benefiting from the back - to - school supplies as schools resumed for the 2024 / 2025 academic session. Her passion for women and their wellbeing necessitated the empowerment of women and this occupies a special pride of place under GIFA, which focused on improving women entrepreneurs’ access to finance. Several women at various times had received grants to boost their businesses

students while educational materials are being supplied to public schools.

rural communities. This provision of sanitary wares to students of public secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state as well as collaboration with organizations led to the successful enlightenment and gifting thousands of indigent girls with materials for their menstrual periods.

The reintegration of widows through reorientation, rehabilitation and empowerment to promote their stability and dignity, had received priority attention from the late Governor’s Wife who had convened a Widow’s Enhancement Programme for hundreds of women who are empowered with finances and food for their families.

In her complementary role to ensure the success of the ARISE agenda of her husband’s administration, Pastor Patience hosted 600 elders in Akwa Ibom State and presented them with cash gifts of N50, 000 each every month, as part of the ARISE Initiative for the elderly, a programme designed to identify the priority needs of senior citizens and to cater for their health.

This goes to complement the Elderly Support Scheme of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a programme that aligns with the ARISE Agenda as well as the first three goals of the SDGs:- no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the programme, tagged, ‘Celebrating Our Parents’ held in Uyo, late Pastor Patience, applauded her husband, for initiating the programme and explained that the programme was created after Akwa Ibom State had carried out the directive given to wives of governors in the country by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to host a similar programme in all the 36 states of the federation. About 3,000 senior citizens had benefited from the exercise in the state.

In line with the popular “health is wealth” axiom, the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, had incorporated health programmes into her project under the fight against diseases thematic area of GIFA.

Speaking at one of the events for the Elderly hosted by Pastor Patience Eno, she maintained that maternal and child health is one of the thematic areas of her Pet Project, GIFA and expressed her firm believe that every child deserves a healthy start, even

Already 10,000 – 4,000 students and 6,000 pupils of public schools in the state are benefiting from the back - to - school supplies as schools resumed for the 2024 / 2025 academic session. Her passion for women and their wellbeing necessitated the empowerment of women and this occupies a special pride of place under GIFA, which focused on improving women entrepreneurs’ access to finance. Several women at various times had received grants to boost their businesses.

GIFA also promotes menstrual hygiene among girls and improves access to safe and affordable sanitary materials in

Apart from her interest in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases, where she focused on awareness, prevention and treatment, as well as subsidising healthcare services for high risk population through the provision of mobile clinics and regular vaccination programmes to less privileged communities, Pastor Patience Eno was poised to work with relevant stakeholders and development partners, to carry out massive deworming of school children across the state.

GIFA is not lacking in the area of environmental health which includes the promotion of safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices, with the aim of “improving access to clean and safe water supply in the rural communities, schools etc. to promote its practices and prevent the spread of disease.

Chelle’s Super Eagles Appointment: I

n the turbulent waters of Nigerian football, few decisions ignite as much debate as the appointment of a Super Eagles coach.The Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) recent decision to install Eric Chelle as head coach has raised eyebrows and voices alike. From questions about his suitability to murmurs of administrative missteps, this appointment is shaping up to be a litmus test for Nigerian football’s future direction.

The journey to Chelle’s unveiling was anything but straightforward.The NFF reportedly had high-profile options in its sights, including Herve Renard, Antonio Conceição and Laurent Blanc, all of whom boast impressive resumes that could have bolstered the Super Eagles’ stature. However, negotiations failed to materialise, leaving the NFF scrambling to fill the role amid mounting public pressure with NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen, holding the forte on an interim basis.

Even more damning was the botched announcement of Bruno Labbadia, a German coach whose appointment was declared late at night, only to be embarrassingly walked back the following morning.The reason? Disagreements over contractual terms, highlighting the NFF’s persistent issues with due diligence and administrative coordination.

Amid this chaos emerged Chelle, a 45-yearold former Malian international who, while respected, lacks the pedigree of the aforementioned names. His managerial experience includes leading Mali to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finals, but his 45.27 percent win rate and the absence of transformative campaigns have left many wondering if his selection represents a compromise rather than a vision.

Chelle’s appointment, while symbolically significant, has exposed fault lines in Nigeria’s football discourse. For the first time, a nonNigerian African is at the helm of the Super

Eagles, a move that could either challenge entrenched biases or deepen frustrations about the marginalisation of local coaches. Supporters of Chelle highlight his familiarity with African football dynamics and his reputation for fostering cohesion in multicultural teams. In a squad as diverse and ego-driven as the Super Eagles, these attributes might prove invaluable. But critics argue that his resume pales in comparison to the calibre of coaches Nigeria should be targeting, especially given the team’s ambitions for AFCON 2025 and the 2026 World Cup.

The optics are further complicated by the sidelining of homegrown coaches. Legends like Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached the Nigeria U17 national team to win the World Cup in 2015 and qualified Tanzania for AFCON, and Samson Siasia, who led the Flying Eagles to the final of the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup and the U20 African Youth Championship and guided the Nigerian U23 team to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, losing to Argentina in the final, despite their deep understanding of Nigerian football, were overlooked in favour of an external candidate.This decision has deepened the perception that the NFF undervalues its indigenous talent, including several bright sparks in the domestic League like NPFL champions coach of Rangers Fidelis Ilechukwu, perpetuating a cycle of dependency on foreign expertise.

The announcement of Chelle’s appointment has sparked mixed reactions. Some stakeholders, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have lambasted the NFF for what it called “an aberration,” accusing the federation of failing to prioritise Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges. Others, however, see Chelle’s appointment as an opportunity to bridge the gap between local and international coaching standards, particularly if he succeeds in elevating the Super Eagles’

At the same time, the NFF must invest in empowering indigenous coaches. Chelle’s appointment, while a progressive step, should not become a precedent for sidelining local talent. Instead, it must serve as a wake-up call to develop a robust pipeline of Nigerian coaches equipped to lead on the global stage

OPINION

Tinubu’s Titanic Wahala

BY TONY OGUNLOWO

The word, ‘Titanic,’ may refer to something that is very big, gigantic or enormous. It was also the name of a ship that sank on its maiden voyage. When the Titanic sank in 1912, it was due to a number of avoidable factors: A ship deemed unsinkable that wasn’t fitted with watertight compartments, an ‘unprofessional’ seasoned captain who was apparently bullied into going at full speed through known ice-berg strewn waters, lack of common binoculars for the deck watch and the unavailability of enough life boats for all the passengers.

THE ‘JAPA’ MOVEMENT, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO DISCOURAGE, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. IT IS MORALLY WRONG FOR A GOVERNMENT THAT CAN’T PROVIDE SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT FOR ITS CITIZENS TO TRY AND PREVENT THEM FROM SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD

This, all put together, as they say, was a recipe for disaster. Red flags were ignored. Translating this to President Tinubu’s modern-day Nigeria, the avoidable factors that can sink the country are way too obvious.

Nigerians have long enjoyed the benefits of fuel subsidy. Costly as it is to maintain, it has enabled the economy to keep running by keeping the cost of things low. Its removal, as can be seen, has created a domino effect, as the experts predicted, resulting the prices of even the basic commodities skyrocketing as everyone passes on the additional costs. With inflation currently at 32.7 per cent and still rising, things are only going to keep getting more expensive. As a result, the new minimum wage of N70,000 will have less purchasing power than the previous 2021 minimum wage of N30,000. If fuel subsidy removal was meant to boost the economy, it has done the opposite and will stagnate any efforts to kick-start it. The government’s inability to control corruption or severely punish corrupt officials who are robbing the country’s coffers of billions of Naira every year is a stumbling block for development. If a corrupt government official who built 750 houses with stolen funds or an ex-governor accused of misappropriating N80 billion are allowed to walk around freely, supposedly on bail, without fear of eventual conviction, it questions the message the government is sending out to future looters: If the culprits were in Russia or China the outcome will be totally different.

TEven though an austerity economic policy may seem harsh like it was designed to rob Peter to pay Paul, it should be short, sharp hardship with green pastures in the foreseeable future – not ever! A good start will be to cut down on the number of foreign loans being obtained every year as their repayment can take a huge chunk out of the country’s annual income. The new tax laws are long overdue and it should include that VAT earned in a state stays in that state: so, if your state doesn’t generate any VAT (- such as from the sale of alcohol products) you don’t get to share in what other states have collected.

Insecurity in the country is not something that started yesterday. Previous governments have blood on their hands for not nipping these insurrections in the bud before they grew to become monstrosities. You don’t pat yourself on the back, like the Nigerian Army likes to do believing you have the threat ‘under control’ – you eliminate the threat completely using what ever means necessary. Unless the order [given by ‘Somebody’] is not to destroy them completely and to quote the late Sani Abacha,”…any insurgency that lasts more than 24 hours, a government official has a hand in it..”, no wonder Boko Haram continues to flourish and bandits like Turji Bello continue to taunt the government. When the armed robber, Lawrence Anini, did something similar in 1986 he was fished out within months, tried and executed.

As I’ve written before the Nigerian Police Force is long past its sell by date and considering the ever- growing population of Nigeria with its associated acts of anti-social behaviour its time to seriously consider devolving the NPF into state-run outfits. The growing popularity of state-run security outfits, such as Amotekun, proves this is feasible and effective.

Considering the fact the country is going through severe economic hardship the President, himself, should curb frivolous spending where possible: no more new Presidential yachts or planes (- that includes the new one for the VP), a cap on ridiculous-no-real-job SA and SSA appointments and most important of all a cap on ALL politicians salaries and perks (- which is to say if politicians are patriotic enough they’ll agree to a pay cut, forgo some of their benefits and pay for their own jaunts abroad). Implementing the Steve Oronsaye Report, which recommends merging and closing of ministries etc that has been passed over by every President since President Goodluck commissioned it in 2011 will cut government operating costs even further. This should not just be at Presidential level but extended to all the states: this will not just streamline the bloated and largely inefficient civil service but will also weed out ghost workers and white elephant project.

The ‘japa’ movement which the government is trying to discourage should be allowed to continue. It’s morally wrong for a government that can’t provide suitable employment for

Baba Obasanjo and the NNPCL Refineries

BY SIMBO OLORUNFEMI

hat Baba Obasanjo has an almost child-like emotional attachment to the public-owned refineries under the trust and care of the NNPCL is not in doubt. It is also not difficult to explain why that appears to be the case. He can indeed assert some level of claim/credit for the construction of 2 of Nigeria’s publicly owned 4 Refineries. While the decision to construct the second and third refineries in Warri and Kaduna respectively was taken in 1974, with construction on the 3rd set to only commence “whenever the projection of the consumption of petroleum products justifies it”, by early 1975, fuel shortages made it necessary to proceed with its construction soon after.

The Warri Refinery, whose contract was awarded in 1975 before General Obasanjo became Head of State, was completed and commissioned in 1978 while he was in office. The contract for the construction of the Kaduna Refinery was awarded in 1977 and commissioned in 1980.

One interesting fact is that the construction of these refineries was under the direct supervision of Muhammadu Buhari who was appointed Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Petroleum and Natural Resources in March 1976 and Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation when it was created in 1977, a position he held until 1978.

So, it must have been heart-breaking for Baba Obasanjo to meet the refineries in a state of much disrepair when he returned as President in 1999. Such was the state of the refineries that even with so much money expended on ‘Turn-around maintenance’ of the refineries while he was in office, there was no turn-around in fortune for the refineries that he had to put them up for sale a few weeks to the end of his administration.

For the Port Harcourt Refinery, Blue Star, a consortium of Nigerian companies Zenon Oil, Dangote Oil, and Gas & Transnational Corp. outbid UK-based Indian steel baron, Lakshmi Mittal, who had offered $550 million. The Dangote-led Blue Star, made up of Baba Obasanjo’s associates, paid $561 million to acquire 51 percent of the government-owned stake in the refinery.

There were two other bidders – Oando Plc as well as Sahara Energy in conjunction with Refinee PetroPlus, but the two were disqualified in a process conducted by the BPE. Bluestar will follow up with the buy-in in Port Harcourt to, soon after, also take a 51 percent stake in the Kaduna Refining Company.

In what was a strange twist of irony, it was Baba Obasanjo’s anointed successor in office, President Umaru Yar’Adua, who, within only a few months of assumption, took a different position on the sale of the refineries, which prompted Blue Star to pull out of the deal. Baba, who never hid his pain and tried to prevail on his successor without success, cannot get over the turn of events. He often recoils at how Yar’Adua baulked under pressure and cancelled the sale. “The refineries

are old and Dangote and some investors paid $750 million for two of the refineries. My successor came to office and reversed the sale.

INDEED, ONLY A FEW GAVE THE NNPCL A CHANCE WITH THE REHABILITATION OF THE REFINERIES, WITH TRUST FURTHER ERODED BY MULTIPLE FAILURES TO DELIVER TO ITS SCHEDULE

He even refunded the money they paid. So I went to him and asked him why he did this. He said it was because of pressure. So I wondered if the pressure by some people was more important than the interest of the whole nation,” he recalls.

Even though the reversal of the Obasanjo sale took place over 17 years ago and the administrations that succeeded further moved in the opposite direction, Baba Obasanjo has refused to accept that any approach other than the one he took will ever work.

To him, the refineries did not work with him and they can never work under any other dispensation, no matter what is done, which is quite intriguing.

Whereas Baba anchored his decision to sell as pro-Nigeria and the reversal of the sale as antiNigeria, those who cancelled the sale obviously thought otherwise.

In the first place, the sale was greeted by widespread criticism from the public, with the main accusation then being that the sale did not follow due process. Indeed, NNPC and DPR spoke up against it, just as the Labour unions, especially NUPENG and PENGASSAN were up in arms against it.

They claimed that “the sale of the two firms was completely lacking in transparency”, that no due diligence was carried out and that the Port Harcourt refinery was worth about US$5 billion, roughly nine times the amount it was sold for. Indeed, the sale of the refineries to Bluestar was one of the grounds for a general strike that paralysed the Nigerian economy for four days in June 2007.

So, while the reversal of the sale is often cited, these days, as a major setback, not everyone agrees with that. Not everyone saw the decision to sell the refineries as the right one.

Equities MaintainsMarket Bullish

Run, Returns

N1.13trn Profit for Investors

The Nigerian equities market continued its bullish run in the first trading week for the year as investors gained N1.13 trillion at the close of trading on Friday January 10.

Trading opened on January 6, with a market capitalisation of N63.16 trillion recorded at the close of activities on Friday, December 3, and closed the week with N64.30 trillion on January 10 – a 1.8 percent gain.

Data by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) weekly trading report showed that activities in top three equities, namely Wema Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Universal Insurance Plc (measured by volume) led the bullish trend, accounting for 1.679 billion shares worth N20.838 billion in 4,922 deals. They contributed 35.74 percent and 24.50 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

A total turnover of 4.698 billion shares worth N85.043 billion in 72,562 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.618 billion shares valued at N69.742 billion that exchanged hands last week in 47,953 deals.

EDITOR Sam Diala

NIBSS: Infrastructure Transformation Lifts Businesses at Countryside

BY SAM DIALA

Unknown to many people, the reinforced commitment by the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), towards advancing the country’s financial inclusion strategy, played a major role in the business boom that occurred in the rural areas during the recent festivities.

NIBBS provides the infrastructure support that drives the financial services industry, especially the payment systems, towards advancing business opportunities.

As an enabler, NIBSS is engaged in a silent revolution of the financial services sector which is “hidden” from the prying eyes of the public. This is accomplished through its mandate of focusing on problem-solving initiatives, resulting in the quality digital financial services being celebrated in the countryside.

PAINS OF THE PAST

In the past, the inability of the rural dwellers to enjoy satisfactory financial services transactions, especially the payment systems, added to the frustration of cash and fuel scarcity during the festive period.

This resulted in loss of business opportunities, compelling many people to travel to the cities to access bank and network services in order to have something to show for their efforts.

The experience in the last Christmas and New Year season was remarkably different in a positive way.

THEWILL findings showed that the usual crowd that besieged the countryside bank branches was virtually non-existent this time.

For instance, the cluster of banks at the busy Ahiara Junction on the Owerri-Umuahia Road in Imo state, which used to be a source of nightmare, was different this time, with far lesser customer presence.

The same was the case at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches at Bende (Abia), Arondizuogu, Nwaorieubi (Imo) and Isi-Okpo (Rivers). Access Bank branches at Umunze, Aguleri and Ihiala in Anambra witnessed no crowds, only those who needed to sort out ATM and BVN issues came to the banks.

Residents of Sabongida-Ora and Ekpoma in Edo confirmed that the First Bank branches in those areas were not the beehive of

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 3.470 billion shares valued at N40.791 billion traded in 34,364 deals; thus contributing 73.86 percent and 47.97 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Services industry followed with 407.032 million shares worth N2.226 billion in 4,996 deals. Third place was the ICT Industry, with a turnover of 237.680 million shares worth N3.628

Continues on page 19

IN THE PAST, THE INABILITY OF THE RURAL DWELLERS TO ENJOY SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL SERVICES TRANSACTIONS, ESPECIALLY THE PAYMENT SYSTEMS, ADDED TO THE FRUSTRATION OF CASH AND FUEL SCARCITY DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD

Continues from page 18

...Infrastructure Transformation Lifts Businesses at Countryside BUSINESS WEEKLY Equities Market Maintains...

Continues from page 18

“They (Opay and Moniepoint) are efficient, and would not ‘eat’ your money. You get your money back if it did not go through. They are our mobile bank. Everybody is doing business and getting paid notwithstanding the hard times. Nobody owes anybody,” Brendan Ikeh, a tricycle operator, told THEWILL at the Etche-Ngor Okpala junction in Imo state.

Drinking joints operated late into the night with customers making instant payments through their digital accounts.

At Ore town on the Benin-Sagamu expressway in Ondo state, fruits, water and palm wine hawkers operated the alternative payment transactions, especially Moniepoint. Wheel-barrow pushers would accept transfers for payment.

HIDDEN HANDS OF NIBBS

This success story resulted from the digital infrastructure transformation provided by NIBBS to advance the country’s payment system.

The company is established to create and champion transformative financial technologies designed to improve accessibility, security, and convenience for Nigerians; the effect of this commitment is playing out in the countryside.

According to the Managing Director/CEO, Premier Oiwoh, NIBBS upgrades its systems continuously. A reason for this is that NIBSS was established to carry on business as a service-oriented institution providing mechanisms for problem-solving innovations.

He explained at a media parley in Lagos last year that, with over 65 million Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) holders enjoying the products offered by the financial services institutions, NIBSS plays a major role in facilitating the technology-based innovations that make for seamless financial transactions.

settlement on inter-bank foreign exchange transactions.’

Oiwoh had said, “We are working to make Nigeria work; hence NIBSS must guarantee Nigeria’s efficient payment system. We will continually remain in our creative thinking because technology is about creating value, and collaboration is the key.”

THEWILL reports that in a significant move aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and the digital payment landscape in Nigeria, UBA on behalf of Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS), other Banks and financial institutions, last December, successfully hosted the inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nigeria’s Quick Response (NQR) Industry Committee, reinforcing the importance of cutting-edge Quick Response (QR) payment solutions.

The AGM featured thought-provoking panel discussions on critical areas of the NQR payment platform, including: Expanding Financial Inclusion; Developing strategies to make QR payments accessible to underserved communities; Improving User Experience; Creating frictionless payment journeys for both consumers and merchants; Driving Bespoke Solutions, leveraging NQR APIs to develop tailored solutions for specific market needs as well as encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate adoption and scalability. The NIBSS Quick Response (NQR) payment platform is a revolutionary solution designed to transform how Nigerians pay for goods and services. NQR enables consumers to scan QR codes directly from their bank mobile applications for end-to-end transactions.

billion in 5,280 deals.

Positive sentiments prevailed in the domestic stock market, as bargainhunting in MTNN (+21.0 percent weekly growth value), following signals of an imminent tariff hike in the telecommunications sector, as well as strong performances by TRANSCORP (+18.3 percent weekly addition) and TRANSCOHOT (+9.8 percent weekly growth) drove the AllShare Index higher by 1.8 percent week-on-week to 105,451.06 points.

Consequently, the Yearto-Date returns settled at +2.5 percent. Also, trading activities were robust, as the trading volume and value increased by 80.8 percent week-on-week, and 22.4 percent week-onweek, respectively.

overall year-to-date gain of 2.45 percent.

“Looking ahead, we expect the market to maintain its positive momentum, supported by strategic positioning ahead of earnings releases, sector-specific developments, and potential policy updates,” said analysts at Codros Securities.

THEWILL reports that Nigeria’s equities market delivered a record N21.85 trillion gain in 2024 on the back of robust investors’ confidence that characterised trading activities during the period.

This is in line with part of its mandate: ‘To provide infrastructure for the automated processing and settlement of transactions between banks acting on their own account as regards deposit placements, Treasury Bills Transaction, Naira

TThe platform caters to a broad range of use cases, including: Making payments fast and convenient for shoppers and merchants; Enabling digital payments for taxis, buses, and other transport services; Allowing users to pay utility bills, subscriptions, and more with a simple scan; Providing costeffective payment options for SMEs to scale their operations.

Industry experts emphasise on the need to extend the digital payment transformation to the countryside in an efficient and affordable manner that enhances financial inclusion penetration.

Finally, the return performances across sectors were broadly negative, as the Insurance (-6.9 percent weekly loss), Oil & Gas (-0.3 percent weekly drop), Industrial Goods (-0.3 percent weekly decline) and Consumer Goods (-0.3 weekly dip), indices settled lower, while the Banking (+1.9 weekly gain) index advanced.

The NGX market performance represents an

Data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed that the the local bourse which closed the 2023 trading with equities capitalisation at N40.91 trillion and NGX All-Share Index (ASI) at 74,773.77 points, rose to N62.76 trillion and 102,926.60 points respectively as of December 31, 2025. But his exceptionally impressive performance pushed stock value higher by N21.85 trillion and the ASI up by 28,152.63 translating to a growth of 53.40 percent and 37.65 percent respectively in 2024.

CBN Launches New Accounts to Attract Nigerian Diaspora Investments

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched two new financial products, the NonResident Nigerian Ordinary Account (NRNOA) and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account (NRNIA), aimed at attracting Nigerian citizens living abroad.

In a statement released on Friday, the CBN emphasised that these accounts will enhance access for Non-Resident Nigerians (NRNs) to opportunities within the Nigerian economy and boost their contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

According to the CBN, these accounts will provide NRNs with a secure environment to manage their funds directly, reducing their reliance on third parties for local commitments and obligations

Effective January 1, 2025, eligible NRNs can open these accounts,

subject to meeting Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements detailed in an upcoming Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) release.

The NRNOA allows non-resident Nigerians to remit their foreign

earnings to Nigeria and manage funds in both foreign and local currencies. The NRNIA, on the other hand, enables them to invest in assets within Nigeria, either in foreign or local currency.

Under the arrangement, account holders can maintain both foreign and naira accounts to facilitate transactions and participate in investment opportunities.

Interest earned on deposits will be subject to applicable federal taxes, and balances in the foreign account can be fully repatriated without restriction. Funds can also be freely converted into naira at prevailing exchange rates through authorized dealers.

For the NRNIA, investment principal and profits can be fully repatriated, ensuring ease of capital mobility. This allows account holders to seamlessly invest in local or foreign currency-denominated

assets, promoting greater investment diversification.

Valid or expired Nigerian passports may be accepted when accompanied by a valid foreign passport or proof of residency. Alternatively, a valid foreign passport with evidence of Nigerian citizenship of either parent may also be provided.

Remittances have been a significant source of financial inflows for Nigeria, averaging $20.5 billion annually over the past decade, according to the World Bank. However, a large portion of these funds is directed toward immediate consumption rather than longterm investments that could drive economic growth.

The CBN, along with key financial stakeholders, aims to shift this approach by exploring how remittances can be better leveraged for national development.

The Future of Transportation in Africa

BY TIMI OLUBIYI

The year 2025 comes with a lot of hope and many aspirations. One of such is the increased benefit and possibilities surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). Although it is no longer news and it does not come as a surprise, petrol and diesel-powered automobiles, to which we have long been accustomed, still dominate the motoring landscape, particularly in Africa, despite innovations and developments in mobility and transportation.

The world is advancing clean and renewable energy options, no doubt, especially around the adaptation of electric vehicles (EVs). Furthermore, EVs are becoming more popular and their adoption is already rapid in developed economies.

However, what appears baffling is Nigeria’s seeming indifference, as we continuously go about our daily tasks without acknowledging global trends. It is common knowledge that the path forward is achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 across all business units and supply chains, including transportation.

This is a key global priority, with a growing renewable energy footprint worldwide, yet Africa appears to lag behind.

According to records and a survey conducted by the author in 2024 across the Republic of Ireland—a small country with a population of fewer than six million—four out of every five homes now power their cars with 100 per cent electricity.

This transformation demonstrates that the future of energy is electric. Such acceptance promotes energy security, zero emissions, reduced energy costs and a sustainable future, all without significant economic concerns.

The question arises: Is this achievable in Nigeria in the near future? Achieving net-zero emissions in Africa presents significant challenges due to factors, such as limited access to reliable electricity, reliance on traditional fuels and underdeveloped infrastructure.

In Nigeria and indeed, most African countries, the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. Traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles are primary sources of air pollution and environmental degradation.

In response to these concerns, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) could represent a significant shift toward more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options. As the world grapples with climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels, EVs offer a promising solution to reduce pollution, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainability. This article explores the key benefits

and policy options necessary to unlock the future potential of electric vehicles in Nigeria and across Africa.

One of the most compelling benefits of widespread EV adoption is its environmental impact. Unlike traditional vehicles that run on internal combustion engines, EVs are powered by electricity stored in batteries, which means they produce zero emissions. This can significantly reduce air pollution, particularly in urban areas, such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, where traffic congestion and poor air quality are major concerns. By shifting from gasoline to electricity, EVs can help reduce the emission of harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, which are linked to health challenges and climate change.

Carbon dioxide emissions are a key driver of climate change. The gas traps heat in the atmosphere, gradually warming the planet and causing intense heat waves and ecosystem disruptions. To mitigate these effects, reducing CO2 emissions from combustion engines is imperative. EVs, which are more energy-efficient than their gasolinepowered counterparts, present an ideal solution. They require less maintenance, with fewer repairs expected due to their reduced number of moving

parts. There is no need for oil changes, filters, or radiators. Additionally, brake systems last longer due to regenerative braking technology, a feature common in many EVs.

Although EVs have a higher initial purchase price, they are more cost-effective in the long run, with lower operational costs. The cost of electricity for charging is typically lower than the cost of gasoline or diesel, further reducing the lifetime cost of owning an EV.

Technological advancement in battery storage, such as solid-state batteries and faster-charging technologies, are expected to further enhance EV performance, affordability, and convenience. As the global demand for clean energy grows, it is hoped that African governments, particularly Nigeria’s, will intensify efforts to encourage EV adoption. While Nigeria’s recent focus on promoting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to high fuel costs is commendable, the global standard and future of transportation is electric.

Many countries have introduced stricter emissions regulations, offering financial incentives such as tax credits, rebates, and subsidies to make EVs more accessible. Nigeria should not be an exception. The government can introduce similar policies and set ambitious goals to phase out new gasoline and diesel vehicles in favor of zero-emission models. Additionally, investment in public charging infrastructure, home charging solutions, and widespread charging stations should be prioritized. Encouraging car manufacturers and private companies to set up assembly plants in Africa is another vital step. These efforts will help reduce “range anxiety” and make EVs a viable option for everyday consumers.

In Nigeria, and indeed most African countries, the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions

While challenges such as charging infrastructure, battery costs, and range limitations remain, ongoing technological advancements, supportive policies, and growing consumer demand are driving the global transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system. This transition can happen in Africa as well. As EVs become more affordable and accessible, they have the potential to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve air quality, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

•Olubiyi is an Entrepreneurship & Business Management expert

ECONOMY

ECOWAS and Its Dream Currency Now Endangered?

BY MARCEL OKEKE

Ata time the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is supposed to be rolling out the drums in celebration of its golden jubilee, the subregional body is seriously facing the danger of outright extinction. Founded almost 50 years ago, on May 28, 1975, via the signing of the ‘Treaty of Lagos’, the body aimed to promote economic integration, cooperation, and development among the member states.

For several decades, one of its major projects has been the adoption of a common currency—Eco—which has the potential to transform the economic landscape of West Africa by promoting economic growth, integration and development. But like ECOWAS itself, the common currency has been mired in controversies. Implementation of the Eco has been facing several challenges, including lack of fiscal discipline, coordination of monetary policies, and the development of a robust financial infrastructure, etc.

Apart from wide disparity in the level of economic development among the fifteen member states, one of the most centrifugal forces that have been stalling the development of the ECOWAS has been the overt (some covert) allegiance of its members to their former colonial overlords. The Anglophobic and Francophobic tendencies within the economic bloc have since inception been at loggerheads.

It is an open secret that the ‘Assimilation’ policies of France implied infusing their socio-political and cultural life into their colonies—even after their political independence. This is why virtually all Francophone ECOWAS member states have had their national currencies tied directly to French currency (CFA franc)—and their ‘external reserves’ denominated in it. Paris has always used this umbilical cord to determine the direction and pace of economic progress in its former colonies.

And so, economically tied to the apron strings of France, the Francophone ECOWAS members usually wittingly or unwittingly pander to the dictates of Paris. This is why on not a few occasions, critical policy decisions of ECOWAS on their journey to economic integration were either sabotaged or thwarted.

Of particular relevance here was the emergence of France in 2019 to facilitate the creation/adoption of the Eco currency—for only its former colonies who are members of ECOWAS. In pursuit of this objective, France agreed to renounce its right to appoint a representative to the governing board of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO)—which cleared the way for the creation of the Eco currency.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS itself started working on the Eco currency in December 2000, when the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) was formally launched. And the Eco was to be launched in 2003. But almost 20 years after the Eco initiative commenced, France in 2019, in cahoots with its ‘puppets’ opted to create and own the Eco—for only the Francophone countries.

It goes without saying that this Paris-led move to ‘steal’ the Eco currency idea generated a lot of political and diplomatic tension and furore within and without the ECOWAS fold. It marked the climax of the checkered creation process of the Eco, which launch had been aborted for the umpteenth time.

In point of fact, in June 2021, The Heads of State of the ECOWAS adopted a roadmap for the launch of the common currency in 2027; this was sequel to the deliberations of the 59th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS. But rather than sticking to the blueprint for the realization of the Eco, a multiplicity of factors have conspired to ‘kill’ the idea. For instance, in the past 25 years it has been practically impossible for most members of the ECOWAS to achieve the “convergence

criteria.” Some of these criteria include price stability, fiscal discipline, and exchange rate stability in the component member economies.

It is noteworthy that rather than achieving these criteria, member countries, including Nigeria, have been grappling with wobbling economic conditions. In Nigeria, for instance, price stability which implied maintaining low inflation rate, has remained a key challenge to the economy. Rather than dropping, the inflation rate has sustained a spiraling trend: rising from about 22.4 % in June 2023 to 34.6% in November 2024.

In terms of fiscal discipline, rather than limiting fiscal deficits and public debt to ensure sustainable economic growth and stability, Nigeria has been on a borrowing spree, with burgeoning deficits. Exchange rates instability has also remained the lot of the economy for a couple of years. The situation is not remarkably different in other ECOWAS member states—as most of them are burdened by heavy public debt overhang and macro-economic instability.

While these dreary realities are the lot of the ‘Eco dream’, the ECOWAS sub-regional body itself faces a more potent existential threat. Now, more than ever before, are some of its members opting to go their separate ways. Driven by wind of global political, economic and diplomatic alignment and realignment, some Francophone members are now determined to free themselves from the apron strings of Paris. Specifically, three of the eight Francophone member states have not only abandoned democratic rules and enthroned military leadership in the past few years, but also opted to do away with the vestiges of French hegemony. Three founding members—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic—having come under military rules sequel to coups at various times in 2022/23, on January 28, 2024, issued a joint statement, announcing their exit from the sub-regional body.

Although the military leaders in these countries tried to justify their taking over power, they specifically accused ECOWAS leaders of being too aligned with Western powers, especially France, at the detriment of their own countries. Also, in their joint statement, they said their decision to exit ECOWAS was also in protest against the bloc’s hardline position over the coups in their countries, the imposition of hard sanctions, as well as the threat of military invasion.

To demonstrate their determination to exit ECOWAS, the three countries have gone on to sign a tripartite defense treaty and a new confederation: the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—as an alternative to ECOWAS. With

Specifically, three of the eight Francophone member states have not only abandoned democratic rules and enthroned military leadership in the past few years, but also opted to do away with the vestiges of French hegemony

this initiative, all is set for these Sahel states to make good their threat to quit ECOWAS—after almost fifty years of their membership.

As the one-year exit notice by the trio elapses at endJanuary 2025, the ECOWAS will certainly not be the same. This, in part, is because almost the rest of the Francophone countries have also joined in some ways in breaking links with France. Already, French military bases in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Guinea are all reported to have either been closed or in the process of being shut down completely.

Alluding to the ugly recent past and the uncertain future of the sub-regional bloc in his Year End Message 2024, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said “As we draw the curtain on 2024, it is fitting to reflect on a year that has tested the resilience of our community. It has been a challenging period, marked by threats to our unity as well as to peace and stability in our region.”

Unfortunately, these threats to unity and peace in the West African sub-region have the potential to snowball into an explosion that could dismember the entire ECOWAS. This is because some of the exiting members are already covertly or covertly entering into sociopolitical, economic and diplomatic alliances with hitherto ‘strange bedfellows.’

Happening at a time of what seems like the ‘repartitioning’ of Africa, after the ‘Scramble for Africa’ ended in 1900, the ‘decamping’ members of ECOWAS now see themselves as ‘beautiful brides’ to several global economic powers. These poor, landlocked and mainly war-ravaged West African countries seem to want to demonstrate their ‘full liberation’ from the suffocating stranglehold of their former colonial overlords.

Already, their ‘confederation’ (the AES) is to function as a parallel body to ECOWAS. So, whither the ECOWAS and its long-awaited common currency—the Eco?

•Okeke is a practicing Economist, Business Strategist, Sustainability expert and ex-Chief Economist of Zenith Bank Plc.

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

R-L: Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Dr. (Mrs.) Adobi Stella Nwapa and her husband, Dr. Ernest Nwapa, during the funeral of Adobi’s father, Sir Christopher Ijoma Nwapa (Jnr), at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Oguta Imo state on January 9, 2025.

L-R: Commanding Officer, 343 Artillery Regiment, Lt.-Col. Edward Kaan; G.O.C 6 Div. Nigerian Army, Maj.Gen. Jamal Abdussalam and  Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. UA Lawal, during the inauguration of renovated 30 rooms blocks for officers in Rivers State on January 8, 2025.

L-R: Regional Operations Director (South-East), Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Chigozie Njoku; MD/CEO, Obalande Foods/Madalion Marketing, Sir Fidel Ikenna Ndubuisi and Business Manager (Enugu), Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Christian Obiagwu, during the distribution of packed meals to 1,000 persons at the Airtel 5-Day Love Outreach, at Enugu North LGA Secretariat, Enugu State recently.

L-R: Former Secretary General of Commonwealth of Nation, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, during a tour of the new Government House and Governor’s Lodge, the Solution Fun City, and Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State on January 7, 2025.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar (left); presenting a souvenir to the new Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defense, Gabriel Aduda (right), during the visit of the Permanent Secretary, to the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja on  January 9, 2025.

L-R: Coordinator Verbal And Social Autopsy (VASA), Ms Chinonye Anyakora; State Director, National Population Commission (NPC) Enugu, Mrs Odinakachukwu Okolie; representative of Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Mrs Ann Oguejiofor and Head of Department ICT, NPC Enugu, Mrs Chinelo Ifedinkor, during a news conference on VASA Programme organised by NPC in Enugu on January 3, 2025.

Grit, Glory, Giving Back: The Story of UBO Champion Nwokolo

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

Emeka Nwokolo’s rise to stardom (he is the 2024 Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) Boxer of the Year) is a story of grit, determination and the undying spirit of a fighter who defied the odds. At 31, this NigerianAmerican boxer has crafted an impressive professional record of 13-1, with 11 knockouts, thus establishing himself as one of the most formidable forces in the super welterweight division. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in the bustling boxing circles of Los Angeles, his journey from a humble beginning to the global boxing stage is one that inspires hope and admiration. His achievements are not only a testament to his personal efforts but also a reflection of the potential that lies within the fabric of Nigerian sports.

Nwokolo became immersed in sport at a very young age, thanks to his father, Charles Nwokolo, a former Nigerian boxing champion whose legendary status in Nigerian boxing helped shape his son’s future. Although his initial focus was on football, an injury curtailed his dream of pursuing the sport professionally. This setback became a pivotal moment that redirected his energy towards boxing. Under the strict yet nurturing guidance of his father, he embraced the rigorous demands of the sport. He did not just see boxing as a sport but as a craft that required continuous honing. His ability to adapt quickly and learn under pressure proved instrumental during the early stages of his career.

Nwokolo turned professional in 2021 and has quickly built an impressive record. Within a year, he had already earned a 6-0 run, all by knockout. His unique combination of speed, power and technical precision made him a formidable opponent in the ring. Each victory brought him closer to realising his dreams, but not without challenges. Injuries and the competitive nature

Nwokolo’s story is a refreshing reminder of what true dedication can achieve “

year. Upon receiving the news, Nwokolo shared his emotions: “I woke up this morning to see this acknowledgement of my hard work in 2024 and it made me feel really good. It gives me confidence and makes me want to work even harder because this is only the beginning.”

Despite currently being sidelined by a hand injury, his optimism remains unshaken. “What I’m really looking forward to is getting back in the ring,” he added. “My hand is healing nicely now and I’m just excited to fight. Despite having this injury, I never stopped working, so I want to show my new skills and keep moving up.”

While his achievements in the ring are remarkable, Nwokolo’s story is equally defined by his connection to his roots. Despite his success on the global stage, he has remained deeply tied to his Nigerian heritage. He frequently speaks about the influence of his upbringing in Lagos and the lessons he learned from his community. This connection was particularly evident during his 2024 visit to Nigeria, where he donated boxing equipment to young athletes in Lagos. He believes that investing in the next generation of fighters is essential for the growth of the sport in the country.

of the sport required him to maintain an unwavering commitment to his training regimen. He spent countless hours refining his skills, often sparring with seasoned fighters to ensure he remained sharp. The fight that marked a turning point in Nwokolo’s career came on January 20, 2024, at the historic Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, Kentucky, where he clashed with Clinton Chavez for the UBO International Super Welterweight title. Chavez, a seasoned fighter with a strong record, was considered a significant obstacle. The match lived up to its billing, with both fighters exchanging blows in a highly technical contest. Nwokolo’s resilience shone through in the fifth round when he delivered a devastating combination that forced a technical knockout. The victory was more than just a title win; it was a statement of his readiness to take on the world’s best.

Just four months later, building on this success, Nwokolo faced Colombian Jeovanis Barraza in Manchester, New Hampshire, in a high-stakes bout for the UBO World Super Welterweight title. Barraza, known for his aggressive style and punching power, presented a different challenge. However, Nwokolo’s tactical brilliance shone brightly, as he controlled the pace of the fight and neutralised his opponent’s strengths. Over the course of the match, he displayed exceptional composure and discipline, dominating virtually every round on two judges’ scorecards. The win not only gave him the world title but also earned him the WBA North American Boxing Association belt, solidifying his status as a top-tier fighter.

The recognition as UBO Boxer of the Year in 2024 came as a crowning achievement for his spectacular

Nwokolo’s desire to give back extends beyond material contributions. During a press briefing at the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control office in Lagos, he made a significant announcement about his future plans: “I think by next year (2025), by the grace of God, I’ll have a fight coming up in Nigeria. I am going to fight in Lagos or in my hometown, where my dad comes from, in Anambra.” This commitment to competing in Nigeria goes beyond entertaining local fans; it is about inspiring aspiring boxers and creating a legacy in his homeland.

His vision includes organising boxing events in Lagos to create a platform for young fighters to exhibit their talents. By doing so, he hopes to elevate the profile of Nigerian boxing and ensure that future champions have the resources and opportunities to succeed. The fact that he fights out of Los Angeles has not diminished his commitment to developing boxing in Nigeria; instead, it has given him a broader perspective on what is needed to nurture talent in his home country.

The recognition as UBO Boxer of the Year is a milestone in Nwokolo’s career, but it is clear that he views it as a stepping stone rather than a destination. He has ambitious plans to continue climbing the ranks of professional boxing, with eyes set on unifying titles across multiple organisations. His dedication to continuous improvement, both physically and mentally, underscores his commitment to excellence. He often credits his team, including his father and other trainers, for keeping him grounded and focused on his goals.

Nwokolo’s journey resonates deeply with sports enthusiasts and the wider community. His ability to overcome setbacks and thrive on the global stage serves as an inspiration to many. Beyond the sport, his story highlights the value of perseverance, discipline, and staying true to one’s roots. In a world where athletes often lose touch with their origins, Nwokolo’s unwavering connection to Nigeria sets him apart.

While he looks to the future, Nwokolo remains driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy. He aims to be remembered not just for his victories in the ring but also for his contributions to the development of boxing in Nigeria and beyond. His vision for the sport extends to grassroots development, where he hopes to identify and nurture talents from underserved communities. Through his efforts, he seeks to create a sustainable system that ensures boxing remains a viable career path for young Nigerians. In the world of professional boxing, where fame and fortune often overshadow substance, Nwokolo’s story is a refreshing reminder of what true dedication can achieve. His achievements have brought immense respect to his name and have positioned him as a role model for aspiring athletes. His aim to continue to break barriers and set new standards makes him a shining example of the impact of hard work, focus, and staying connected to one’s heritage.

With the world watching, Emeka Nwokolo is undoubtedly a name that is poised to resonate for generations to come. His journey from a young boy in Lagos to the UBO Boxer of the Year, from his professional debut to his current record of 13-1 with 11 knockouts, stands as a testament to what African talent can achieve on the global stage.

Nwokolo

Emeka Nwokolo

Emeka

Nwokolo

ogannah@thewillnews.com

Is Eric Chelle Right Choice For Super Eagles?

The Nigerian Football Federation’s announcement of Eric Chelle as Super Eagles coach on January 7, 2025, brought mixed reactions from fans and experts alike. The former Malian coach steps into one of African football’s most demanding roles at a time when the national football team needs strong leadership to revive its World Cup qualifying campaign.

The background to Chelle’s appointment reveals a challenging recruitment process. The NFF experienced several setbacks in their search for a permanent coach, including failed negotiations with high-profile candidates like Herve Renard, Antonio Conceição, and Laurent Blanc. The situation reached a low point when the federation had to withdraw their announcement of Bruno Labbadia’s appointment due to contractual issues.

I am of the opinion that Chelle’s managerial record raises serious questions about his capacity to deliver. His time at US Boulogne ended poorly, with just three points from ten games. Even with Mali, despite reaching the 2023 AFCON quarter-finals, his tenure concluded after failing to win a crucial World Cup qualifier against Madagascar. These results hardly inspire confidence for a nation of Nigeria’s football stature.

The Super Eagles’ current predicament demands immediate improvement. They trail Rwanda, South Africa and Benin by four points and Lesotho by a single point in World Cup qualifying Group C, where they sit in 5th place with just three points from four matches. This situation requires experienced and first-class leadership, making Chelle’s appointment particularly risky, in my view. His limited top-level management experience might prove costly in the upcoming crucial matches. Critics rightfully point out his tactical limitations. Mali’s performances under Chelle often appeared overly defensive and struggled to score goals. This approach contradicts Nigeria’s traditional attacking style and could alienate both players and fans who expect entertaining football.

His lower-profile status might also create problems in managing Nigeria’s star players. A couple of Super

Eagles’ players compete at high levels in Europe, and commanding their respect could prove challenging for a coach whose career peaked in French lower divisions. The risk of dressing room discord also cannot be ignored.

However, there are potential positives. Born to a French father and Malian mother, Chelle brings a unique perspective combining European tactical knowledge with African football understanding. His background might help bridge cultural gaps within the team while maintaining professional standards learned in France. His focus on defensive organisation could address Nigeria’s recent vulnerability at the back. The Super Eagles have conceded costly goals in important matches, and Chelle’s emphasis on discipline might bring needed stability. His experience developing young players in France could also benefit Nigeria’s emerging talents.

Time pressures add another layer of complexity. With crucial qualifiers approaching in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Chelle must quickly implement his ideas. The limited preparation period leaves little room for experimentation or gradual adaptation. His experience in African football provides some reassurance. Having managed Mali in continental competitions, I think he understands the unique challenges of African international football. This knowledge could prove valuable in managing the qualification campaign, though the pressure for Nigeria far exceeds what he faced with Mali.

Chelle’s choice represents a significant gamble by the NFF. While he offers fresh ideas and potential longterm benefits, his lack of top-level experience makes him a risky pick for a team needing immediate results. The federation’s decision appears driven more by circumstance than conviction.

Management of expectations will be crucial. Nigerian football fans demand excellence, and expectedly, Chelle’s appointment has not generated enthusiasm. His success thus depends not only on results but also on his ability to change perceptions through improved

performances and clear tactical direction. The reality facing both Chelle and Nigerian football is stark. The Super Eagles require rapid improvement to maintain their World Cup qualification hopes. They will have to compulsorily win all remaining qualifiers and hope results in other fixtures go in their favour. Chelle must prove his critics wrong while working within significant constraints. His appointment might represent a new direction for Nigerian football, but whether this change leads to progress or further decline remains uncertain.

This period will define both Chelle’s coaching career and the NFF’s decision-making. Without swift improvement, pressure will mount quickly. Yet if he succeeds in qualifying for the World Cup, it could mark the beginning of a positive transformation in Nigerian football. The margins between success and failure have rarely been finer for a Super Eagles coach.

Chelle’s choice represents a significant gamble by the NFF. While he offers fresh ideas and potential long-term benefits, his lack of top-level experience makes him a risky pick for a team needing immediate results. The federation’s decision appears driven more by circumstance than conviction