SATURDAY 18TH JANUARY 2025

GHL: Layonu, Aju Accuse First Bank of Gross Abuse of Judicial Process

PDP Leadership Tussle Gets Messier as NWC Splits over Rivers Court Judgement

Lauds Governors for Supporting FG's Tax Reform Initiatives

Charges N'Assembly to speed up legislative action

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

The President, in a statement issued yesterday, by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, lauded the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria's development.

He described Thursday's productive consultation between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy as a commendable example of cooperation between the federal and State governments.

Tinubu extended special commendations to the Chairman of the Governors' Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for successfully galvanising support among his peers for these transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria's investment climate.

He also commended the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum, and all other groups that made the bi-partisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible.

The President underscored

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday disbursed a total sum of N1.424 trillion to the three tiers of government and other relevant stakeholders from a gross revenue of N2.310 trillion Federation Account Revenue for December 2024.

The sharing was finalised at the January 2025 FAAC) meeting in Abuja, which was chaired by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

According to separate statements issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), the disbursed amount of N1.424 trillion comprised Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Exchange Difference (ED).

The federal government received N451.193 billion, states got N498.498 billion, while the local governments got N361.754 billion.

Citing the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, gross statutory revenue of N1.226 trillion was received for December 2024. This was lower than the N1.827 trillion received in November 2024 by N600.988 billion.

Gross revenue of N649.561 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in December 2024. This was higher than the N628.973 billion available in the month of November

countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Igan warned that a stronger United States dollar and tighter global financial conditions could exacerbate debt burdens across the region, increasing downside risks to growth.

She further reiterated the uneven recovery pace across the region and that inflation, while expected to decline, will do so at a slower pace than previously anticipated.

She said: “With Sub-Saharan Africa, what we are projecting for growth or role in 2025 is 4.2

that the primary aim of the Tax

attract both local and foreign investments.

The main opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be sinking deeper into the mire of implosion as discordant tunes and flying court orders appear to dog every step in its attempt to stay strong in their quest to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2027.

Latest on the discordant tunes is the crisis rocking the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party following the latest court judgement affirming the Governor Siminalaye Fubara faction of the party’s Rivers State executive as authentic.

While the Debo Ologunagba faction welcomed the judgment which restored control of the party in Rivers State to Fubara, the factional Publicity Secretary loyal to the Umar Damagum faction, Ibrahim Abdullahi disclaimed the acceptance of the court verdict, thereby raising more dusts to attest to the fact that all is not well with the main opposition party.

Ologunagba said, “The NWC acknowledges receipt, considered, and hereby accepts the judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which in Suit No. PHC/2301/CS/2024 nullified

2024 by N20.588 billion.

The communiqué stated that from the N1.424 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N451.193 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N498.498 billion.

The local government councils received total sum of N361.754 billion and a total sum of N113.477 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

On the N386.124 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the federal government received N167.690 billion and the state governments received N85.055 billion.

Local governments received N65.574 billion and the sum of N67.806 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

From the N604.872 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N90.731 billion, the State Governments received N302.436 billion and the Local Government Councils received N211.705 billion.

A total sum of N4.682 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N31.211 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N15.605 billion and the Local Government Councils received N10.924 billion.

percent, which is unchanged from our October WEO report. In 2026, we expect growth to remain stable at 4.2 percent and this is a slight downgrade from October. Inflation, in the meantime, is going to continue to decline, although at a slightly faster pace, in 2025 and is going to stay higher than we had predicted in October.

“In 2026 and overall, the growth in the region remains subdued and uneven, and the main reasons behind that are the conflicts, natural disasters and limited financing.

He said updating the country's outdated tax laws was essential to this endeavour.

Tinubu noted that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform highlights the

the Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses of our party in Rivers State conducted on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024, respectively.

“Consequently, in line with the judgement of the Court delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025, the NWC affirms the Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to henceforth pilot the affairs of the PDP Rivers State Chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).”

He further extended the NWC’s commendation to the court for reaffirming what he described as, “the famed position of the PDP as the bastion of transparency in the due process of internal democracy and strict adherence to the Rule of Law and Party Guidelines in the conduct of Congresses and other activities.”

However, Abdullahi noted that the opinions expressed by Ologunagba in the said statement “were figments of his imagination” and did not represent the position of the NWC.

“The NWC did not accept the judgment in Rivers State recognising the EWO-led ex-co. That’s not true. The NWC has not sat since September last year. This is subject to your verification.

“And so I wonder where he will now say the NWC sat and adopted wholly, or accepted the verdict, recognising the EWO-led state exco in River State.

“Not only that, only recently, he spoke about the judgment in Imo State, wherein a court, you know, they affirmed the expulsion of Imo Ugochinyere from the PDP.

“Even before the normal processes were adhered to, which is that the information from the ward where he was expelled or suspended was transmitted to the LG, the local court, and then to the NWC.

“Even before this was done, Debo went to the press by issuing a statement that Ugochinyere was not expelled.

“A national publicity secretary does not enjoy such powers. He cannot speak for the NWC without clearance with the NWC.

“That is not the position of law. That is not expected of him as a lawyer to

contended that the bank’s suit amounted to an abuse of court process, as it failed to disclose the earlier restraining order from Justice Allagoa, which barred further action on the loan recovery until arbitration was concluded.

He urged the court to take judicial notice of an earlier order by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, which had instructed First Bank not to take any action to recover funds under the facility agreement with GHL.

Layonu, argued that the dispute over the $225.8 million debt, which was already before Justice Allagoa and was set to go to arbitration, should not be subject to new court orders.

He stressed that the interim orders, sought by the plaintiffs and granted by the court, violated an existing court order from a court of concurrent jurisdiction.

The case originated from an ex-parte order granted by Justice Dipeolu on December 30, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2378/2024, filed by First Bank of Nigeria against GHL and 15 other entities.

This order restricted commercial banks from releasing or dealing with any assets or funds belonging to GHL or its subsidiaries.

This was after a Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division had restrained the bank from taking any steps to enforce any security, receivables, instruments or finance

power of constructive conversation in resolving differences.

The President regarded the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirmed his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic

do. So we have now come to a level where the sentiment that he has allowed to becloud his reasoning is beginning to take a toll on his job.”

Abdullahi explained that unlike Ologunagba, his statements and press conferences were always guided by instructions of the party, under the leadership of Damagum.

He said, “Debo will never tell you I was directed to do so. He would use his whims and caprice. And you are not at liberty to use your discretion when speaking for a party where there is constituted authority.”

Addressing a press conference at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, Abdullahi said most of the press conferences and statements released or addressed by Ologunagba were his personal opinions as he was not directed by the party to so speak.

He specifically mentioned the party's position on who is the National Secretary of the party, affirming that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the substantive national secretary, until the Supreme Court says otherwise.

He said that in view of the various court documents before it that the party affirmed Anyanwu as the substantive national secretary until the Supreme Court decides otherwise.

According to the deputy national Publicity Secretary, ''We have called you here today to inform you of the latest developments in our party as regards the position of the National Secretary. ''In the last few days, issues surrounding the authentic National Secretary of our party have been in the front burner of our discussion.

On Wednesday, 15th January,2025, we were served with an Order Of Interim Injunction issued by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Maitama, in a suit instituted by the Imo State PDP Chairman Hon Austine Nwachukwu through his counsel, Clement Mue.

''In a Suit marked: CV/64/2025, which has the PDP as the first defendant, our Acting National Chairman, Amb Iliya Damagum, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, the National Executive

documents or assets of GHL.

“An order is granted, restraining the Respond either by itself or acting through its servants, agents assigns, privies affiliates howsoever described, including any person claiming under its authority from making any calls or demands or taking any steps whatsoever to enforce any security receivables, instrument, finance documents or assets of the Applicant which have been charged as security for the facility agreements in respect of the Applicant’s operation of OML 120.

“(This) include, but not limited to the said letter, and the amended and restatement agreements between the Applicant and the Respondent pending the hearing and determination of the arbitration proceedings between the Applicant and the Respondent brought pursuant to Clause 12 (c) of the Agreement between the Applicant and the Respondent dated 29th May, 2021,” the court document had stated.

Other respondents in the suit against First Bank included GHL 121 Ltd, Aimonte Nigeria Limited, Calidin Global Resources Limited, CESL Oyo Production BBC Limited (owner of FPSO Tamara Tokoni), CESL Oyo Production O&M Limited, VITOL SA, Mercuria Energy Trading SA, Trafigura PTE Limited, Glencore Energy UK Limited, Schlumberger Nigeria Limited, Schlumberger Overseas SA, and Baker Hughes Oilfield Services.

growth, national harmony, peace, and stability.

He also encouraged other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the Tax Bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National

Committee(NEC) of the party, National Working Committee(NWC) of the PDP, and the Board of Trustees(BoT) as 2nd to the 6th defendants respectively.

''Similarly, we were yesterday served with a Stay Of Execution Order by the Court of Appeal (Abuja division) in the judgment of this Court in appeal No CA/E/24/2024,between Peoples Democratic Party & anor V. Aniagu Emmanuel & 2 Ors. delivered on the 20th day of December,2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed at the supreme Court of Nigeria

''This order comes with an injunction Restraining the 1st Respondents, their agents, privies, or otherwise however described from enforcing or giving effect to the judgment of this Court delivered on the 20th day of December,2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed at the Supreme Court, both of which I hereby present for your kind note.''

The deputy national Publicity Secretary who said that he was directed by the national chairman and national secretary in line with section 35 (1) (e) of the party constitution said with the ex parte application, the Judge restrained the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, the National Executive Committee(NEC), the National Working Committee(NWC) and indeed the Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Anyanwu, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, before it.

He noted that among others, according to the court processes, the plaintiff in the suit, Nwachukwu was asking the court to determine whether by the provisions of Articles 47(1) and 48(1)of the PDP, 2017(as amended)and the judgment of the Federal High Court in the case of Hon. Geoffrey Ihetunge and others against Peoples Democratic Party and four others in Suit No: FHC/ABJ / CS/1580/2023,delivered on January 9th, 2024,which is valid and subsisting....,the defendants can appoint any person as Acting National Secretary of the PDP in place of Senator Samuel Anyanwu

Speaking further, Layonu requested the court to set aside the Mareva Injunction, claiming it was granted based on misleading information and had caused significant financial harm to GHL.

He also asked the court to vacate the interim orders made on December 30, 2024, along with any other orders the court deemed necessary.

In GHL’s Motion on Notice, brought under the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules and Section 36(1) of the Constitution, GHL argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and grant the Mareva orders, as they contradicted the earlier decision of Justice Allagoa in Suit No. FHC/I/ CS/1953/2024, where the bank was restrained from enforcing any security under the facility agreement pending arbitration.

Layonu further argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the interim Mareva injunction because the subject matter was not within the court’s enumerated jurisdiction during the Christmas vacation.

He contended that the court’s decision would have been different had the plaintiffs disclosed material facts, particularly the existence of Justice Allagoa’s orders and the ongoing arbitration.

Addressing the court, Aju, who represented the 2nd to 5th applicants, accused First Bank of fraudulent

Assembly. Tinubu urged the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process for these crucial bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms.

who is the elected National Secretary of the PDP and whose tenure of office shall elapse on December 9th, 2025.

Accordingly, the deputy national Publicity Secretary of the party said, ''we are obliged as a law-abiding party, to respect the order of the court and also send a legal representation to defend the party in the suit when the Motion on Notice comes up on January 8th, 2025,and February 5th, 2025, for hearing, on the originating summons.

''We hereby appeal to all PDP members to be restrained and lawabiding in waiting for the final position of the court on this matter.”

In the meantime, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised what it described as the apparent double standards exhibited by the Nigeria Police Force in handling the leadership crises within the PDP at the national and state levels.

The association accused the police of acting as a partisan tool to destabilise the opposition, particularly by supporting actions that undermine court rulings and the rule of law.

HURIWA pointed out two glaring instances of police complicity that highlight the erosion of professionalism within the force.

“First, the illegal occupation of the PDP National Secretariat by former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, who was validly removed by the Court of Appeal.

“Despite this judicial pronouncement, Anyanwu has defiantly occupied the office, allegedly backed by influential figures, while the police have failed to enforce the court's decision. “Second, in Rivers State, the police actively barricaded the PDP state secretariat following a High Court judgment that dissolved the faction of the party leadership purportedly handpicked by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“This has prevented Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was declared the rightful party leader, from reorganising the party to avoid a vacuum,” it stated.

misrepresentation and failure to disclose critical facts.

He reminded the court that the arbitration proceedings were ongoing and referenced the December 12, 2024 order from Justice Allagoa, which required both parties to pursue arbitration.

Aju emphasised that the court would not have granted the ex parte order had First Bank disclosed the earlier order from Justice Allagoa. He urged the court to vacate the ex Mareva Injunction in the interest of justice.

In response, Victor Ogude SAN, counsel for First Bank, defended the Mareva injunction, asserting that the bank did not deceive the court and had provided all relevant facts in its affidavit.

Ogude clarified that the parties involved in Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s case were different from those in the current suit, arguing that nothing in the earlier order prevented First Bank from pursuing the matter under different agreements.

After considering the arguments, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu reserved judgment for a later date, which would be communicated to both parties.

Following the proceedings, Justice Dipeolu invited lead counsel for all parties into his chambers, though none of the lawyers disclosed the contents of their discussions with the judge.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Edo APC, State Govt Trade Words over N9bn Fresh Loan Approval

Adibe emenyonu in Benin City

Dangote Raises Bulk Petrol Prices to N955, Cites Escalating Crude Oil Cost

Peter Uzoho

Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to stop securing loans, noting that the N9 billion loan recently approved by the House of Assembly was needless and will plunge the state into financial distress.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday announced an upward adjustment in the prices of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol, to its bulk purchase customers, citing escalating global crude oil price which is now above $80 per barrel. But the bulk price increase by the 650,000 barrels per day Lagos-based refinery will be responded to by a consequential hike in the pump price of petrol in the major cities currently selling between N925 and a little above N1,000 per litre.

But in a swift reaction, the Edo State Government said it was perplexed to learn of what it termed “laughable and incredibly ridiculous tantrums attributed to the new acting chairman of the Edo State chapter of APC, Jarret Tenebe where he made baseless and spurious allegations on the fiscal management of our dear state by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government.”

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Tenebe had said the state was already suffering under a debt profile of N135 billion and $35.6 billion.

He said, "While it is a monumental disaster that Edo State patrimony

In a statement obtained by THISDAY, the refinery announced that its refined petrol would now be priced at N955 per litre at the loading gantry, marking an adjustment in its pricing structure.

This emerged as oil prices moved lower yesterday, but remained on course for a fourth consecutive week

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

has been swindled by Obaseki-led administration with an unassailable, humongous debt profile of N135 billion and $35.6 billion, the governor is unyielding and unstoppable in his characteristic design to leave Edo State in ruin, by asking for a facility of N17.5 billion few days ago, which was said to be N9 billion."

of gains, as the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian energy trade heightened expectations for oil supply disruptions.

Precisely, Brent crude futures were down 57 cents, or 0.70 per cent, at $80.72 per barrel, having gained 1.15 per cent this week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 44 cents, or 0.56 per cent, at $78.24 a barrel, having climbed 2.13 per cent for the week. “The oil market is in a bit of a wait-and-see mode, to understand if there are any supply disruptions based on the latest U.S. sanctions versus Russia,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Furthermore, Dangote Petroleum noted that marketers buying between two million – 4.99 million litres will now buy at N955 per litre while five million litres and above will buy at N950 per litre.

Tenebe, said "It is important to state, that it is now in public and political space that the fiscal budget of Edo State was passed few weeks ago before the Edo State House of Assembly proceeded on leave without the commencement of the execution of the budget by the executive. It is most disheartening that the Edo State Government now is requesting for a facility of N17.5 billion with no corollary of project attached there to the said facility and also that the facility is not contained as loan to be taken in the 2024 fiscal budget just recently passed. A cursory perusal of the entire budget does not reveal where the project for the facility is ever

The adjustment marks an increase of N55.5 or 6.17 per cent from N899.50 per litre announced as a holiday

Nigerians in Diaspora Spent N60bn on Detty December Visits, Dabiri-Erewa Reveals

Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has announced plans to launch a 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade in primary schools across the country.

He made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ibadan during a working visit to Oyo State.

among the youthful population. He said the government is worried that about 72 per cent of the nation’s youthful population have become foreigners through the influence of cartoons and movies which are foreign in contents, values and cultures.

"In December alone, Nigerians in the diaspora spent no less than N60 billion. This is just scratching the surface of their potential impact."

captured. "Information at the behest of the members of the Edo State House of Assembly is to the effect that they were recalled from their holiday or leave by the Speaker on the request of the state governor for the immediate approval of the said facility which according to them is said to be N9 billion but as event unfolded, after the mammoth request by the opposition in the House as to the rationale for a facility as

discount for Nigerians last year December.

The refinery stated that the latest adjustment applies to all stock balances yet to be lifted by the stated time while pending stock as of the effective time will also be repriced at the updated rates.

The statement added that the new price regime will take effect from 5:30p.m., yesterday.

The notice titled, 'Communication on PMS Price Review' read, “Dear Esteemed Customer, Trust this email finds you well.

stupendous as N9 billion for fathom projects which only existed in the imagination of the governor, it was discovered that the facility was not even N9 billion but a figure wrapped in secrecy as much as N17.5 billion to which the opposition in the house rejected and or refused to be part of the approval.

“Please note that all stock balances yet to be lifted as at the above-stated time are to be repriced at the new reviewed prices.

But in its reaction, the Edo State Government stated that the Edo APC was “obviously pained by the achievements of

“We shall communicate with customers on their revised volumes based on the reviewed prices, in due course.”

However, industry experts have said the price increase was expected to have widespread effects on the downstream petroleum sector, particularly private depots and retail markets.

the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki across all sectors of the state over the past seven years.”

will compete with this new price. Therefore, Nigerians should expect an increase in petrol pump price.

“Brent Crude oil as of today is $81.84, highest in 2025, its one major factor for the increase.”

“Tenebe has been on a frenzy looking for lies to tell since he assumed office as Acting Chairman. Rather than focus on reawakening his completely comatose party, which is unable to provide constructive criticisms expected of a viable opposition, he has resorted to spreading misinformation in a desperate attempt to curry cheap popularity.

“In his infertile rambling, Tenebe made wild and completely off-themark comments suggesting that Edo State is owing $35 billion. Even if that was what was written for him, he should have known that the figure is wrong and can't be true.

government no longer involved in setting prices.

"In reality, our debt stock is not a secret and in fact, we are ‘under borrowed’. Emperor Tenebe would have known this if he understood the economics of governance, fiscal responsibility and debt-to-GDP ratio.

Moreover, as pump prices of petrol are expected to be increased in the coming days, following the new bulk price adjustment, this will no doubt lead to the hike of transportation and commodity costs in the country, further making life more difficult for the citizens.

lid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has described the United States as Nigeria’s longstanding ally and strategic partner for the nation’s mining sector development.

“Kindly be advised that effective from 5:30p.m. today, an upward adjustment has been implemented on the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit.

An oil and gas expert and Chief Executive Officer of petroleum price. ng, Olatide Jeremiah, said depots were poised to increase the loading price of refined petroleum products because of the heavy influence of the refinery.

Speaking while receiving

"New Price (NGN/ Litre) 2 million – 4.99 million N955; 5 million litres and above N950.

“We are establishing, this year, 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade in Primary School. 1,000 in each state, including FCT, Abuja. These Citizens’ Brigade are going to be like Boys’ Scout and Girls’ Guild of the olden days.

Charge d'Affairs, US Embassy, David Greene, in his office on Thursday, Alake lauded the United States’ commitment to fostering cooperation with Nigeria in diverse sectors of the economy, stating that it underscores the significance of the smooth bilateral relations between both countries.

Jeremiah said, “Dangote Refinery’s influence on fuel price has become unmatched; private depots, major marketers, and independent marketers

also want to be part of the move to reduce global emissions and put our mining sector on the global map. We have critical minerals that are in commercial demand globally,"Alake said.

On Thursday, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had disclosed that the price of crude oil in the international market remained a major force in driving the fluctuations in the pump prices of petrol.

He said the downstream sector was now fully deregulated with the

formalisation of artisanal miners into cooperatives amongst others.

The minister welcomed partnership with the US on investments in the mining value chain, expanding access to technology in extracting and processing minerals and securing mining areas.

Similarly, President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr. Festus Osifo, had same Thursday urged Nigerians to expect a marginal increase in petroleum product prices in the coming days, unless there was an improvement in the exchange rate. Speaking at the Public Session of PENGASSAN's National Executive Council meeting in Lagos, Osifo identified the exchange rate and fluctuation in crude prices as the primary factors influencing the high cost of petrol in Nigeria. He stated, “The high pump prices of petroleum products are directly tied to the exchange rate. If the naira strengthens to less than N1,000 per dollar, PMS could be sold for less than N600 per liter," he stated.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that Nigerians living abroad spent about N60 billion during their visits to the country in December 2024. She also disclosed that remittances from the diaspora over the past five years have surpassed $90 billion, underscoring the critical role of the diaspora in Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said 1,000 Citizens’ Brigade would be set up in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to promote national values as of old, stating that the essence of the Brigade was to revive and rebuild the national values and create positive models

Dabiri-Erewa made these remarks while defending the commission’s 2025 budget before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora yesterday.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Oyo State Government, yesterday, suspended Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola, as the Onido of Ido in Ido Local Government Area of the state.

She described the diaspora community as a "powerful force" for nation-building, praising their contributions to the economy and their growing interest in investing in local businesses and communities.

The NIDCOM boss noted that the large influx of Nigerians abroad during the holiday season was the result of years of consistent engagement with the diaspora.

Issa-Onilu said as a way out of the malaise, NOA would soon launch a Mobile App containing indigenous cartoons through which local contents, national values and culture would be promoted.

She highlighted the diaspora’s willingness to invest in local businesses, train young Nigerians in digital technology, and contribute to community development.

"The diaspora is our number one ambassador, helping to change the narrative about Nigeria globally."

According to him, "These various policies are geared towards changing the narratives and the wrong impression that the outside world is having about the country.

To strengthen these ties, she proposed the establishment of a Diaspora Plaza, which would serve as a hub for Nigerians abroad to connect with government officials and explore opportunities within the country.

Speaking on diaspora voting the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Victor Umeh, expressed reservations about Nigeria’s readiness to extend voting rights to citizens living abroad.

Umeh emphasised the need for reliable data and a robust electoral process before implementing diaspora voting.

The government, in a letter dated 2nd of February, 2024 and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, indicated that Governor Seyi Makinde approved the suspension on 1st of February, 2024. The letter read in part, "I wish to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-section 1&2 of Section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and by virtue of all other enabling powers in

Appeal Court: Julius Abure Remains Labour Party National Chairman

“Across the world, Nigerians are known to be the smartest people on earth. This is a positive development but some people mischievously tend to portray us in negative light. But this is not who we are as a people.

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has reiterated that Julius Abure remains the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

A three-member panel of the appellate court in a judgement delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, held that its judgement of November 13, 2024, which recognised Abure

“I thank you for your visit. I met the US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, on the sidelines of the Mines and Money conference in London past year, and we had a fruitful engagement. I did analyse all our issues, and fundamentally, we just want to diversify our economy from oil. Not just for our own economic survival but also to be in tune with global trends for reduction in global warming. We

as national chairman subsists and has not been set aside by any court. Barka made the declaration yesterday, while delivering judgement in two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and the Caretaker Committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The appellate court in the two separate appeals held that it did not

IATA:

“To change the negative narratives, we are setting up the Citizens’ Brigade to produce young Nigerians and create positive models to rebuild the national values."

Monarch in Ibadan

Alex enumah in Abuja

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for the world’s airlines, has said that Air Peace, Nigeria and West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, stands at par with other world aviation giants in terms of global safety standards.

in the organisation.

Throwing light on reforms embarked upon by the federal government, the minister highlighted revised Community Development Agreement (CDA) guidelines geared towards reducing friction in host communities; on-going plans for new security architecture to secure natural resources; efforts to generate big geo-data; the

delve into the issue of the leadership of the Labour Party, because such issues are not justiciable.

According to the appellate court, anything that is done outside jurisdiction amounts to a nullity.

Hence the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on October 8, 2024 by Justice Emeka Nwite is of no effect because it was delivered without jurisdiction.

bordering on terrorism and murder.

"The mining sector provides a veritable avenue for increased trade between Nigeria and the United States, especially in the area of value addition, which implies processing of extracted minerals and setting up factories here. We would also require financing from multilateral institutions for our local operators. We are providing incentives for investments like tax waivers for mining equipment, policy of full repatriation of profits to home countries amongst others," Alake emphasised. In his remarks, the US Ambassador commended the renewed interest of Nigeria in solid minerals, stressing that the sector has huge potentials to rival the contribution of oil to the nation's economy.

"We cannot say this appeal fails or succeeds because the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place," Barka held. While striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction, he held that the appellate relied on its previous judgement of November 13 last year to hold that "Abure Remains National Chairman of the Labour Party".

Air Peace, British Airways, KLM, Delta, Others Assessed Equally on Safety Standards

that regard, has approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State." It directed Oba Babalola to hand over all government properties in his possession to the Chairman of Ido local government. In the meantime, the state government has vowed to hit hard at anyone, no matter how highly placed, who contravenes the law.

Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed the application by two Rivers State indigenes challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try them over alleged complicity in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Area Manager, West and Central Africa, IATA, Dr. Samson Fatokun, made the disclosure on the sidelines of the presentation of the sixth consecutive International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certification to Air Peace Limited.

This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the management of Air Peace at maintaining global safety standards

Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele, were among five persons charged with terrorism and murder. The others are Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. They were last week arraigned on a seven-count criminal charge

According to Dr. Fatokun, “The standards that are given are the same as the British Airways, KLM,

Delta. They are all assessed the same way. Findings done here are same over there as well, that makes you stand at par with other airlines in the world when it comes to safety.”

The IATA helmsman lauded Air Peace for passing through the rigorous audit process which is a clear demonstration of process managers’ exceptional expertise and dedication.

“When you're an airline in the

Although, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges, the judge however, ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center, pending the hearing of their bail application fixed for February 2, as well as the motion of the 1st and 2nd defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit against them. Ezebalike and Oladele had argued that by the provisions of the Terrorism Act, it is only the Attorney General of the Federation that can file any charge of terrorism against them. Their lawyer, Mr. Lukman

first world, people expect you to do things and work but when you come from Africa, they expect you to do more, but when you come from Nigeria, the expectations are immense”.

He commended Air Peace for being the pride of Nigeria while noting the airline’s remarkable achievements in just a decade of its operations, insisting that it is not a mere fluke.

Fagbemi, SAN, submitted that the charge having been filed by the Inspector General of Police, was incompetent and asked the court to strike out counts 1,3,4,5,6, and 7 of the charge or strike strike out the entire suit for been incompetent. Responding, Police lawyer, Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the application for lacking in merit. According to Lough, besides Sections 4 and 66 of the Police Acts that empower them to bring the charge against the defendants, Section 5 and 99 of the Terrorism Act, shows that the police have powers to also initiate terrorism charges against the defendant.

L-R: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Wale Edun; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede and the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, in a Strategic Alliance to Stimulate the forex market in Abuja…yesterday

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe (left), receiving his letter of nomination as CEO of the Year and nomination of the NUPRC as Government Agency of the Year by THISDAY/Arise Group from the Group Manager, Corporate Affairs, THISDAY/ARISE Group and immediate past National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Christopher Isiguzo in Abuja...yesterday

Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu (left), receiving a letter of nomination of the NOA as Government Agency of the Year by THISDAY/ARISE Group from the Group Manager, Corporate Affairs, THISDAY/Arise Group and immediate past National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Christopher Isiguzo in Abuja….yesterday

AVIATION SAFETY ON THEIR MINDS…

Chairman/CEO Air Peace limited Dr. Allen Onyema (left) receiving the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certification from the Area

Fatokun at the airline’s corporate head office in Lagos…recently

Umahi: Nigeria Needs N18trn to Fix Its Roads

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, declared yesterday that the country needed N18trn to tackle its roads infrastructure which the annual provisions

in the National Assembly Appropriation Bills would not be able to address. Umahi stated this yesterday while speaking with journalists after he appeared before the Senate Committee on Works to defend his ministry's 2025

budget estimates. He said, “Remember the President inherited 2,064 projects, totaling N13trn in 2023. If you review that project in line with the market realities now, it should be close to N18trn.

“So, when the President, who is an economist, who has gone through all the segments of what we are passing through, by reason of his experiences, and is making efforts to borrow money to do these projects, then the public will

be challenging his actions.

“That's what I have been telling the National Assembly, and we are on the same page now. We have to borrow money to fix the roads.

money. That's very discouraging. So road infrastructure cannot be fixed by mere yearly budgets. It has to be given plenty of attention.”

Again, Vandals Attack Transmission Lines in Abuja, Disrupt Power Supply to Maitama,

Peter Uzoho

Vandals of power infrastructure yesterday launched another attack on transmission lines taking electricity to parts of Abuja including Maitama, Wuse and Garki.

The incident, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), occurred in the early hours of yesterday at the 132kv transmission line and underground cable transmitting bulk power to the 132kv Central Area transmission

substation, Katampe, in the Central Area of Abuja.

In the statement signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN said the attack had affected supply of electricity to Maitama, Wuse and Garki.

While lamenting the incessant act of vandalism of power cables across the country, Mbah said TCN had dispatched a team of engineers to the site to ensure quick restoration of power in the affected areas. Mbah appealed to affected

residents to bear with the transmission agency as efforts were in top gear to ensure repairs of the vandalised cables.

The statement also revealed that the incident affected eight distribution feeders feeding the Central Area that were affected and over 60 per cent of power supply to Abuja was involved.

“The vandalism of this critical transmission infrastructure is suspected to have been carried out by unknown persons around

Wuse, Garki

Menillum Park axis of Abuja.

“The vandals carted away 40 meters of 1x500mm xlpe conductor on the 2No of 132kv transmission line.

The incident has affected the power supply to Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi and part of Presidential Villa.

"TCN engineers have been mobilised to the site to repair the vandalised cable.

“TCN enjoins all Nigerians to be vigilant to protect our transmission equipment," the statement added.

“The roads, when fixed, are a catalyst to economic growth. It also eliminates hunger. This is because road infrastructure activities create a lot of economic activities.

“Those who are selling sand, chippings, mamaput, rocks, and so on and so forth. There will be a lot of activities. So we need to give attention and encourage Mr. President to borrow money.

“He (President Bola Tinubu) cannot manufacture money. He has to be encouraged.

“You say he's trying to steal your

Earlier, the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Mpigi Barinada, noted that Nigeria's road infrastructure needed huge funds to be effectively addressed. He said, “We can see that these projects are very enormous and we have to see how we can engage in other ways to get money to see how projects can be delivered to our people. “Sometimes when people look at the National Assembly asking for projects in their homes it is not because the National Assembly just wanted to do that project in their houses.”

Avoid Partisan Politics, Fubara Tells New Rivers CP

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Suspects, Recover Illicit Arms, Ammunition

Police Raid Weapons Manufacturing Factory, Nab Two

IGP clarifies why Senator Nwebonyi stormed out of budget defence session

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said that their operatives uncovered and raided an illegal weapons manufacturing factory at Tse Akamabe area of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State and nabbed two suspects namely, Friday Aduduakambe, male and Iorwashima Iornyume, male, aged 35 years. This was as the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday clarified the mild drama that occurred during the presentation of the Nigeria Police Force 2025 budget estimate to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on January 16, 2025.

During a coordinated search of the illicit weapons factory, the operatives recovered nine locally fabricated pistols, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle (unfinished), two gas cylinders, four vise machines, one filing machine and numerous other weapons manufacturing tools.

A statement by Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the

operatives also raided a house of a cultist in Delta State and apprehended no fewer than two murder suspects in Kebbi State.

"In another development, police operatives attached to the Delta State Command acting on credible intelligence raided an apartment in DSC belonging to a notorious eiye confraternity member identified as Prosper Akeni aged 32 years, a hit man for the cult group and the following items were recovered; one English revolver pistol, one beretta

pistol, two locally made double barrel gun, two locally made single barrel gun, one locally made revolver pistol, one locally made single barrel pistol and 25 rounds of ammunition.

"The suspect confessed that the guns recovered belonged to his cult group and he was in custody of them as the number one man in the group.

"Equally, the Police on December 31, 2024, at approximately 8:00 PM, arrested Yunusa Haruna, a 25-yearold male from Bakin Turu Village in Shanga Local Government Area of

Kebbi State, who fatally stabbed his elder brother, Isiyaku Haruna, with a sharp knife in the chest.

"In response to the ugly incident, a team of police officers from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Shanga promptly raced to the scene and arrested the suspect. Also, another suspect, one Abubakar Ummar, was arrested in Zuru Village on 8th January, 2025 for stabbing one Mohammed Bala during an argument leading to his immediate demise," Adejobi said.

Five Killed in Another Ondo Communal Clash

Five persons have been killed in another communal clash at Gbalegi, a disputed community linking Akure and Idanre community.

The latest conflict is coming four days after a communal clash between the Owake and Ebo communities in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State has led to the death of two people.

THISDAY gathered that the latest incident which occurred yesterday was

connected to a land dispute between Akure and Idanre while tension has been mounting for days before it resulted in a deadly clash yesterday around 8a.m.

It was also gathered that those killed were initially brought to the nearby police station before they were taken to the morgue in Akure.

Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the conflict but explained that four people were killed and seven suspects have been arrested.

"The Ondo State Police Command received a distress call that a group of thugs mobilised themselves to Gbalegi area, a disputed land between Akure and Idanre attacking the people of the said area.

"The Police on receipt of the information moved to the scene and arrested seven people who were in possession of charms and seven single barrel guns with cache of live ammunition and expended ones, the police further combed the nearby bush areas and found four corpses with bullet wounds.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has advised the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to be professional in his security duties in the state, urging that he should avoid partisan politics.

The Rivers State governor gave the advice yesterday, when he received the new Commissioner of Police in Government House Port Harcourt on a courtesy visit. Governor Fubara told the new CP to shun nocturnal meetings aimed at using him to declare war in the state.

The governor noted that the new Commissioner of Police is not new in the state, especially being in charge of operations, stressing, "Your duty, as it stands now, is to work with the government and other sister agencies to maintain law and order and protect the lives and property of the people of Rivers State."

The governor advised: "Don’t be political; be apolitical, as you just read in your speech. Don’t attend nocturnal meetings in people’s houses at night and then, in the morning, you declare war in Rivers State. That is the only advice I will give to you."

The governor said his government would continue to support CP Adepoju to ensure his success in the state adding that his success in Rivers would mean his elevation.

He said: "If you leave a bad record here, it will one day affect your growth in the course of your profession. We will not ask you to do anything unprofessional. I have never done that before, and I will

not do it in your time." He appealed to him to be a professional police officer, saying that his predecessors succeeded because of the government support, assuring him of the same level of support to succeed so that the prevailing peace in the state will continue.

"You are not a greenhorn here; you already know the terrain. You have been operating here. The major challenges we have presently are issues of cultism and kidnapping, especially in the outskirts of town.

"Come with your own plans, and we will give you all the necessary support to ensure these particular crimes are quelled. These are the two areas I would like you to focus on."

The governor noted that his government had been working with other security agencies to tackle the two security challenges, kidnapping and cultism, but pointed out that they were the primary responsibilities of the police.

While requesting the police boss to make every effort to work with his government to reduce the crime rate, the governor called on him to attend every function of the government. He said, "Police is the only security agency that ought to work closely with the government, so work with me to ensure Rivers State succeeds, not just for me, as my tenure is limited, but for the survival and success of the state, which is the most important thing. icit your support and assure you that, on our part, we will do everything within our powers to ensure your success."

Fidelis David in Akure

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Manager, West and Central Africa, IATA, Dr. Samson

Linus Aleke in Abuja

OHANAEZE GENERAL ASSEMBLY...

Total Capital Budget Released to Health Ministry in 2024

Says FG prioritising healthcare for vulnerable population NHIA: 1,629 women had free fistula surgery

Adedayo Akinwale and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Minister of Health and Social Welfare,

Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, has revealed that only 15.06 per cent of the total capital allocation was released to the ministry in 2024 for capital projects.

giving more attention to critical healthcare matters affecting women, children and the vulnerable segments in the country.

estimates to N10,361, 373,890.69 for personnel, N1,590, 382,403 for overhead and N248,316, 907,133 for capital.

According to him, “The ministry was yet to receive a single Kobo from the N57.393 billion captured under the multilateral/bilateral loan for capital projects.

The minister disclosed that the Executive Order signed by the President in June 2024 has improved local drug production in the country as many local manufacturers have been taking advantage of it to improve their facilities. Meanwhile, Pate at the Second Steering Committee Meeting of National Health Insurance Authority on fistula free programme in Abuja, said that given the limited revenue available to the government, allocation to the health sector may be small but it is still on the priority list. Pate: Only 15.06% of

Prof. Pate who gave the hint yesterday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Health to defend the 2025 budget of the ministry. Also while responding to questions at the Second Steering Committee Meeting of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), a fistula free programme held in Abuja, said the federal government is presently

The Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, noted that as part of the government policy thrust, a total of 1,629 persons have so far benefited from free fistula surgery treatment across the country.

Pate,who disclosed that the total budget to the Health Ministry in 2024 stood at N242, 141,830,564.51, said that it consists of N7, 476,463,610 for personnel, N998, 739,547 for overhead and N233, 656,627,407.51 for capital.

The minister added that the amount was slightly improved on the 2025 budget

Invaded Secretariat by APC Remains Our Office, Edo PDP Insists

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday insisted that its invaded secretariat along the Benin Airport Road remained its official secretariat as it holds the tenancy to the property which it said belonged to a private individual.

The party also noted that the way and manner the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) led by its State Chairman, Jaret Tenebe, on Thursday afternoon forcefully came and occupied the secretariat was an invitation to anarchy in the state and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Governor Monday Okpebholo and the APC to order before the situation degenerated.

It would be recalled that speaking

to a cross section of the media on Thursday after the invasion of the PDP secretariat, the Ado APC State Chairman, Tenebe, said that APC rented the property as its secretariat and had a tenancy agreement of seven years before the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, converted the place to the PDP secretariat when he dumped the APC for the PDP in 2020.

But addressing a press conference in Benin yesterday, Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, in company of the party’s Secretary, Chris Nehikhare and the Director General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council for the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election, Matthew Iduoriyenkewen, lamented that terror now reigned in the state.

To Tackle Food Insecurity, FG Unveils Portal for Young Farmers

The federal government has unveiled the Youth Farmers Enrollment Portal, an initiative designed to address the growing challenges of unemployment and food insecurity across Nigeria.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this in a statement by the Director, Information & Public Relations, Omolara Esan yesterday.

“Out of the N233.656 billion allocated to the Ministry for capital projects in 2024, only N26. 552 billion had been released to the Ministry and utilised.”

Pate,who blamed the delay in the release and cash backing of its capital allocation on the bottom-up cash plan policy of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, explained

further that the policies and strategies of the 2025 budget are derivable from the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper which outline the development priorities of the government.

"The year 2025 proposed budget of the ministry was prepared using the budget preparation system on the GIFTS platform which is compatible with the National Development Plan 2021-2025 approach which demand justification and allocation of resources to projects and programmes Inna given year based on needs and aligning with the policy of government, especially as encapsulated in the core objectives

and execution priorities.

"The Federal Ministry of Health budget proposal for 2025 is based on the National Health Policy 2016 and is guided by the new Strategic Blueprint Initiative which are the health sector policy instruments for achieving the ministerial deliverables of the federal government and the global agenda of universal health coverage,” Pate stated.

He emphasised that the National Health Policy with the theme, ‘Promoting the Health of Nigerians to Accelerate Socio-economic Development’ provides the basis for the national strategic health development

plan and the supporting framework for accelerated implementation of the national health act.

FRSC Lacks Authority to Arrest Vehicles with Faded Number Plates, Says Court

Wale Igbintade

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks the constitutional authority to arrest vehicles with faded number plates.

As a result, the judge issued an order restraining the FRSC from imposing any fines or penalties on drivers for using vehicles with faded number plates.

Justice Aluko made these declarations while delivering a judgment in a suit marked FHC/L/ CS/253/2024, filed by Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube against the FRSC.

The plaintiff, Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube, filed an Originating Summons dated January 12, 2024, and submitted

Tinubu

on February 13, 2024, through his lawyer, U.G. Nwokedi.

In his suit, the plaintiff asked the court to determine the following questions "Whether, pursuant to Sections 5(g) and 10(3)(f) of the Federal Road Safety Commission Act of 2007, the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, is not entirely responsible for the quality and durability of the vehicle number plates it produces.

"Whether the FRSC, being the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates, is liable for any defects or poor quality resulting in the fading or peeling of the vehicle number plates.

"Whether the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle

number plates in Nigeria, has the right to penalize or threaten to penalize the plaintiff or other Nigerians for the fading or poor condition of the vehicle number plates it produces.

"Whether the FRSC can make it an offense and impose penalties on the plaintiff or others for driving vehicles with faded number plates due to the poor quality of production by the FRSC.

"Whether the FRSC is obligated to replace faded number plates at no cost to the plaintiff or other Nigerians, particularly when the fading is due to poor manufacturing by the FRSC.

Besides, the Plaintiff sought for an order restraining the FRSC from declaring it an offense for the plaintiff to drive with a faded number plate.

"An order mandating the FRSC to replace the plaintiff’s faded vehicle number plate, LSD905EQ, or any other faded plates on his vehicle(s) at no extra cost, upon payment of the initial plate issuance fee and any other relief the court deems appropriate. In response, the FRSC, through its lawyer, B.O. Nnamani, filed a counter-affidavit and requested the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit with punitive costs.

After reviewing the case, including all filed documents and cited authorities, Justice Aluko ruled in favour of the plaintiff, addressing each of the questions posed.

"An order prohibiting the FRSC from imposing any fine or penalty on the plaintiff for driving with a faded vehicle number plate.

Rejects Three-year Timeline to Complete Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Dual Carriage Way

He said the initiative was part of the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme.

The minister stated: “This intervention is designed to align young people with the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, promoting active youth participation in economic development.

“This initiative is not just about increasing food production. It is about empowering young Nigerians with sustainable skills, creating jobs in rural and urban areas, and ensuring the welfare and security of our citizens.”

Olawande said the initiative was important to create economic opportunities for young Nigerians and strengthen the agricultural sector. The portal, which targets Nigerians aged 18 to 35, offers a comprehensive suite of resources, including agricultural training programs, modern farming techniques, mentorship opportunities, and financial support for starting or expanding agricultural ventures.

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris,has said that President Bola Tinubu rejected the initial three-year timeline proposed by Julius Berger for completing the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Dual Carriage Way and instead directed that the project be reassigned to another contractor with a revised deadline of 14 months for its completion. He disclosed this in Tafa, Niger State, during an inspection visit to the project site, accompanied by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave

Umahi; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Mpigi Barinada; the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akinola Alabi; and other senior officials of the ministry.

Idris, who noted Tinubu's commitment to the swift completion of the project, said the revocation of some sections of the contract previously awarded to Julius Berger PLC and subsequently reassigned to a reputable contractor was to expedite the project’s progress and ensure timely delivery.

“Mr. President is extremely determined to see to the completion

of the construction of the AbujaKaduna-Zaria-Kano road project, and has insisted that this work must be completed. We will not allow any contractor to hold us to ransom on this project or any other project. We do not have the luxury of waiting another three years for this road to be constructed.

“The Honourable Minister of Works has said that they have set for themselves a target of 14 months, or thereabout, to complete this road. And you can see the passion, the enthusiasm, you know, the kind of determination that all of them have. And we do

believe that the way all of them are working, they will complete this work in record time.

“For those who are politicising this road project, please keep politics aside. This road is there to be constructed. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined that this major artery linking the Federal Capital Territory to Kano and to other states will be completed. Nothing is going to stop it,” Idris said. The minister added that the project is currently segmented into three sections for ease of work.

L-R: Deputy President General, Ohanaeze, Okey Nwadinobi; President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, and Senator Victor Umeh, at the Ohanaeze General Assembly/Elections held in Enugu...recently

Managing Cardiovascular Diseases And Diabetes

Individuals

Health literacy and medication adherence are key factors in managing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, especially within Nigerian and African American populations.

Recent studies have highlighted the significant benefits of these elements in improving patient care and health outcomes. Research has shown that individuals with higher health literacy are more likely to adhere to their medication regimens, which leads to better disease management.

A 2016 study found a positive correlation (0.141) between health literacy and adherence, particularly for non-medication regimens and patients with cardiovascular disease.

The study also revealed that health literacy interventions were effective in improving both health literacy and adherence outcomes.

In a 2023 published research done by Dr. Michael Butzner, Dr. Christiana Oyekanmi, Dr. Cuffee and others from the highly esteemed University of Delaware Public Health Department, medication adherence plays a crucial role in the management of chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, where following prescribed treatment regimens significantly impacts health outcomes.

However, nonadherence to medical guidelines has become a growing concern, particularly within minority communities, where disparities in healthcare access and understanding are prevalent. Among black individuals, for instance, medication adherence is notably lower, contributing to higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

These populations often face systemic barriers such as limited health literacy, which impacts their ability to understand and follow medical advice. Studies have shown that black individuals with diabetes and cardiovascular conditions are less likely to adhere to treatment plans, leading to poorer health outcomes and a higher incidence of complications.

In diabetes care, medication adherence is essential for preventing complications and improving long-term health.

A large cohort study showed that poor medication adherence in the first two years after a diabetes diagnosis increased the risk of long-term all-cause mortality by 45% and the incidence of cardiovascular disease by 41%. These findings highlight the importance of early intervention and education to improve medication adherence among newly diagnosed diabetic patients. With better adherence, the risk of severe complications can be minimized, leading to improved long-term outcomes for individuals with diabetes.

The role of health literacy goes beyond medication adherence—it extends to overall disease management.

PATIENTS WITH SUFFICIENT HEALTH LITERACY ARE BETTER ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CONDITION, MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CARE, AND EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Patients with sufficient health literacy are better able to understand their condition, make informed decisions about their care, and effectively communicate with healthcare providers.

This is particularly significant for Nigerian and African American populations, who often face additional barriers to healthcare access and understanding. Enhancing health literacy within these communities can reduce healthcare disparities, ultimately improving health outcomes and fostering better management of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

According to the research done by some health scientists, they discovered that health literacy is the ability to access, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions about one’s health, and its importance cannot be overstated.

Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly black Americans, are disproportionately affected by low health literacy, with nearly 24% of Black individuals reporting below-basic literacy skills compared to only 9% of White individuals. This disparity creates significant barriers to managing chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Individuals with low health literacy are often less knowledgeable about disease management, struggle with adopting healthy behaviors, and are less likely to utilize preventive healthcare services.

Addressing this issue requires tailored public health campaigns and interventions to improve health literacy, ultimately leading to better medication adherence and more effective disease management in minority populations.

Interventions designed to improve health literacy have demonstrated encouraging results in improving both medication adherence and overall health outcomes.

A 2012 study found that patients with low health literacy who received tailored education and support from a pharmacist had significantly higher medication adherence rates than those receiving standard care.

This suggests that targeted strategies to improve health literacy can lead to better adherence, ultimately contributing to more effective management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, particularly in underserved populations like Nigerians and African Americans.

By focusing on improving health literacy, we can equip Nigerian and African American populations with the tools they need to take control of their health.

This approach not only improves medication adherence but also empowers individuals to better manage chronic diseases and reduce long-term health risks. Through educational interventions and community support, we can enhance health outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access and treatment effectiveness. Benjamin, a journalist, writes from Kaduna

Re: Beyond The Dangerous Neighbourhood

It’s good to see the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar’s article on Nigeria’s foreign policy and its implementation has sparked a round of intellectual debate. Bola A. Akinterinwa article titled Re-Yusuf Tuggar’s Strategic Autonomy and Nigeria’s Non-Alignment Policy beyond the dangerous neighborhood published in the THISDAY of 12th January 3025, is a healthy and enriching contribution.

That said, it’s important to stick to facts and attribute statements to those participating in this much needed discourse the way they said it and fairly. The minister mentioned strategic autonomy as the fulcrum of the Tinubu Administration’s agenda, not as a sixth foreign policy objective for Nigeria. Nowhere in his article did he try to amend the Constitution and ascribe it an additional foreign policy objective. What Akinterinwa has done here is to use casuistry to turn epistemology (Strategic Autonomy, Democracy Demography and Diaspora, etc) into Ontology (the five foreign policy objectives of Nigeria stated in the Constitution). These are two different things. Akinterinwa should have instead listed Strategic Autonomy along with Bolaji Akinyemi’s Consultation Doctrine, Gambari’s Concen-

tricism and Olu Adeniji’s Constructive and Beneficial Concentricism.

Strategic autonomy is the 21st Century version of Balewa’s non-alignment. If non-alignment was never mistaken to be a foreign policy objective, how can strategic autonomy be deemed to be one?

The executive arm of government is responsible for implementing agenda to achieve the foreign policy objectives, not to question the said objectives government officials, both political appointees and civil servants are sworn to protecting and abiding by the requirements of the Constitution. They do not have the luxury to pick and choose what parts of the Constitution are right or wrong as Akinterinwa’s article seems to regress into. He even appears to romanticize the irredentist notions of IPOB and Oodua groups and justifies it as the right to self-determination. One may then ask, how well are South Sudan and Somali Land fairing (two recent examples of irredentist movements that achieved statehood)?

There is a process for amending Nigeria’s constitution, which requires support of the two chambers of the National Assembly and two thirds of the state houses of assembly. We Nigerians expect the foreign minister to focus on

actualizing our foreign policy objectives and abiding by the constitution and not pursue amendment to please irredentist movements or neighbouring countries. The Constitution may have got it wrong by mentioning the protection of national interest and respect for international law as objectives instead of an act, but so it remains until it is amended. We should not expect an administration or its foreign minister with a four-year term to focus on such pedantic hair-splitting. Their focus should be on what they swore to uphold. Akinterinwa argues that distancing ourselves from France because some of our neighbors do not get along with her would help African integration. This is a simplistic view of complex global politics. We must not take a manichaean view of our relationships with other countries. It is not a Cowboy movie where all the good guys wear white hats and the bad guys black ones. As an intellectual, I would have expected Akinterinwa to unpack the contents of Nigeria’s relationship with France. It is presently I-Dice through which thousands of young Nigerians are to be trained in digital technology. It is Investments in renewable energy to provide electricity. It is also in getting the support of France to become a member

of the G20 and a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, where Nigeria’s big voice will help actualise the very same African integration and also assist more deliberate developmental support for the likes of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. And in terms of working with our neighbors towards a more secure neighborhood, I believe the minister mentioned in his article that working with Sahelian countries alone will not fix the security challenges without fixing Libya. You cannot fix Libya without working with the very same major powers including France that created the problem in the first place. Engaging with France based on the above is not tantamount with being bellicose towards our neighbors. And what happens tomorrow if there is another coup in Niger and the new government says they have kissed and made up with France? Would Akinterinwa then expect the Nigerian government to immediately pivot and start being friendly with France because Niger’s leadership says it’s okay? This would be the tail wagging the dog, Niger leading Nigeria.

Badmus is the Convener of Mwalimu Peers, a Pan African International Affairs ThinkTank

OLADIMEJI BADMUS argues the need to stick to facts

Welfare of families is vital...

In Praise of President Buhari

Days of Trump, Days of Rage!

Faith in God or Guns?

AIWhen President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of power on May 29, 2015, Nigeria was sadly a broken state in many respects. As a result of many other factors including bad governance and untold level of corruption, government could not live up to its financial obligations to citizens and service providers at both the federal and state levels.

Indeed one of the first official assignments that President Buhari carried out was the approval of billions of Naira in bailout funds to enable state governors pay something as basic as workers’ salaries. Granting those bailout funds was a huge boost to national security because the pressure of arrears of unpaid monthly salaries building dangerously all over the country was a ticking bomb.

n a few days Trump a convicted felon will be sworn in as president, a clear reminder you can always get away with evil. Trump once said he could shoot someone dead on 5th Avenue and nothing will happen. He has proven that right. American politics isn’t about morals, its about right wing nationalism.

I must say I don’t agree with all the wokeish values of the democrats as I uphold my African values. My argument has always been that the democrats actually provide prosperity for the middle class, even if Trump claims there was inflation; the statistics did show that the inflation reduction act helped in reducing inflation.

Ask the naysayers and they would readily remind you of how long it took President Buhari to appoint his ministers and how that contributed to collapse of the economy as if, without ministers, governance was frozen. But buying that narrative would amount to what a famous Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie, termed “the danger of a single story”. Yet the whole story was that many of our citizens did not know how decrepit a state President Buhari inherited in 2015.

recent case where a catholic priest shot and killed a member of his parish in Imo State has occasioned a crisis of faith. The incident has compelled people, believers, and non-believers to raise fundamental questions about the conduct of clerics, and faith in divine protection. As was reported, this catholic priest shot and killed a church member on December 31, 2024. The church member allegedly threw a knockout or banger at him during an end-of-the-year activity, and in return, the priest shot and killed him. The police are investigating the matter, and the catholic priest is currently in custody. Some people said the action of the priest was intentional, that he shot the guy in self-defense. That he did not know that what the guy threw at him was a knockout.

by the EFCC, President Buhari by his action has successfully brought back to the public consciousness the need to treat public funds with the highest level of transparency and accountability.

After keeping treasury looters on their toes and at bay through the EFCC, particularly, President Buhari moved to curb unnecessary spending habits of the nation on what economists call articles of ostentation. Part of the disclosures of the President’s stock taking was how the country frittered away billions in foreign currency by importing goods, which can be produced at home. One of such items was rice, a major staple among Nigerians. By banning rice importation into the country, the President on one hand had saved the nation billions in foreign currency annually.

And, on the other hand, the President has boosted domestic production of rice and in the process had nudged the country into self sufficiency in food production. He also created millions of jobs for young people in the rice value chain.

Stop Ritual Attacks and Killings

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) urges the Nigerian public to stop ritual attacks and killings because the notion of ritual money and wealth is completely baseless. AfAW is making this call following the reported arrest of suspected ritualists in Oyo State in southern Nigeria. The local media reported that members of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, arrested suspected ritualists with the body parts of a 73-year-old man.

The catholic church will have to confront these questions for the foreseeable future because this incident highlights some crises, contradictions, and hypocrisies. The killing has caused many to be confused and conflicted in their faith. Look, many people go to church to seek divine protection because they believe that there is a god and that god, not guns would protect them. Priests claim to embody and dispense divine power and protection. Priests, like this cleric who shot his parishioner, are paid to pray and deliver divine protection to the people. The political economy of clerics is largely based on ensuring and trading divine protection. Now, in this case, this priest used the money he got from praying for divine protection to purchase a gun to protect himself. Is that not a contradiction? Is that not deceitful?

I was recently at the Carter Centre to see his body lying in repose and I read about the great work he did on Panama, but we have a Trump that wants to build an American empire. He wants Greenland, Panama, Canada, and he wants everything. These are vestiges of a nationalistic narcissism. I must say my fear is profound as Hitler also started that way with a spin doctor called Gobbels. In the case of Trump he has Elon Musk that controls a better part of the world media on X.

Others said it was an accidental discharge. Whatever the case, whether the shooting was deliberate or not, the fact is that this priest shot and killed his church member. And people are asking many questions. People are trying to make sense of this tragic event. A key question in the minds of many people is this: What is a catholic priest doing with a gun in a church? Think about it. This is a valid question. What was this guy doing with a gun in a house of god? Some are wondering: Does it mean that the priest does not believe in divine protection?

It was therefore necessary for him to take stock against the background of the fact that the departing government did not, reportedly, cooperate full well with the incoming government in terms of leaving workable handover notes. Although President Goodluck Jonathan was gracious in defeat, many of his appointees were still sulking over what they saw as their personal losses and therefore pulled all the stops to make things difficult for the Buhari government.

Even with the obvious and unpatriotic obscurantist behaviour of the PDP appointees and their supporters still in government hell-bent on making things difficult for Buhari, the President moved on with his methodical repair of a broken country. The first thing he did was to identify all possible sources of income to the nation and directed that all inflows be paid into one single account in line with the policy of Single Treasury Account (TSA).

My fears for a Trump presidency is akin to the fears Europe had about Hitler. I envisage that if Trump doesn’t start a war he would have encouraged more war mongers at the end of the tenure. I hope democratic institutions in America will put up checks and balances to curb his overreaching powers.

What is most admirable about President Buhari and his government is its frugal management of scarce national resources to attain optimum goals. Recall that since President Buhari stepped in the saddle, oil revenue dropped abysmally as if to sabotage him knowing all the big promises he made to citizens during his campaigns. But with the little resources that trickle in, the President is achieving what governments that received oil windfalls could not dream of.

Clearly, this priest had more faith in his gun than in god. He does not believe in divine protection of either himself or of others hence he bought a gun to protect himself. Meanwhile, he profits and professionally thrives on selling faith in god and divine protection to the people. His main business is preaching to people most of them have no guns or cannot afford a firearm that god would protect them.

Leo Igwe is an ex catholic seminarian from Imo State

Today, the trains are up and running daily from Abuja to Kaduna. And from Lagos to Ibadan a brand new rail track was started and completed; citizens are already commuting daily to and fro these two major cities in the country seamlessly as they reap from the dividends of democracy. And with the way this government is going, before 2023 when the President would leave, the entire country would be linked by rail with all of its economic advantages.

THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

EDITOR OBINNA CHIMA

Ainofenokhai Ojeifo, Abuja

DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

Corporal Punishment is an Abuse I

The TSA policy, interestingly, was mooted by the PDP government but its penchant for imprudence and lack of accountability denied it the courage of implementing the policy. What the President literally did was to gather all the nation’s money into one box and locked it up with a big padlock and watched for any thief to come close.

EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE

Another part of my concern will be domestic racial violence in America, and the division that will emerge from a Trump presidency. We remember how the proud boys were emboldened under Trump 1.0. America will be in for many more street fights.

In all I will advise world leaders to be firm with Trump. Like Churchill said about Hitler you cannot keep giving crocodile meat and don’t expect it to eat you some day. World leaders must stand firm and not just accept any bullying tactics from Trump.

I just hope this curated hate in the world as emboldened by Trump will end some day. Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

Who can blame the President for almost developing paranoia over the safeguard of the national treasury with revelations and reports of mind-boggling looting that took place in the 16 years of the PDP? With such disclosures of how billions meant for fighting insurgency in the Northeast ended up in the pockets of a few individuals while our gallant soldiers fought with bare hands and on empty stomach, President Buhari was duty bound to bring sanity and accountability back in national spending.

Thus, under President Buhari, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had remained comatose for years, was woken up to resume its duties. Apart from the trillions of Naira of looted

DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI

CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU,

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

spent much of my early life with an elderly woman I called “Iya Olobi”. She took me in to ease my mom’s stress as a working mother, caring for me even after my mom moved to a nearby house. She nurtured me, enrolled me in school, and showered me with affection.

One routine was her undressing me after school. However, one day, this routine was interrupted. I had been punished at school, though I can no longer recall the offence. My female teacher flogged with a cane, leaving marks on my back. Aware of her brutality, she warned me not to tell anyone.

The suspects, who were apprehended in the Boluwaji area in Ibadan, said that a Muslim cleric asked them to procure some human body parts for rituals. Ritual attacks are widespread in Nigeria. Irrational conceptions of how to make money or become wealthy and successful undergird these atrocities. Many Nigerians strongly believe in blood money, known in some local languages as Ogun Owo (Yoruba) or Ogwu ego (Igbo). They think that they could become rich, or successful through ritual sacrifice. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Ritual wealth has no basis in reason, science, or reality. Home movies known as Africa magic or Nollywood films have not helped matters. These movies continue to reinforce these mistaken notions and other superstitions. Families, churches, mosques, and other public institutions do not encourage the interrogation of these traditional occult beliefs. There are no robust efforts to criticize or dispel these irrational and paranormal claims in schools, colleges, and universities. So millions of Nigerians grow up blindly believing that they could make money through ritual sacrifice of human body parts. The belief has led many Nigerians to commit crimes and perpetrate atrocities. Many Nigerians have been jailed or are undergoing court trials due to ritualrelated attacks and murder.

When I returned home, I resisted when Iya Olobi tried to undress me, which aroused her suspicion. She eventually discovered the marks and demanded an explanation.I told her. Furious, she took me back to the school, ensuring everyone saw the marks as we walked.

Kazeem Olalekan Israel, Ibadan

Not too long ago, the police arrested some young Nigerians for stealing female pants, which they intended to use for ritual sacrifice. AfAW is asking all Nigerians to desist from ritual-related abuses because ritual money beliefs are baseless superstitions. Nigerian media, schools, and colleges should help educate and reorient the public. They should assist in reasoning Nigerians out of this killer-superstitious absurdity and nonsense.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged

a waste!

PRESIDENTIAL BRIEFING…

L-R:

Alleged Defection: Count Me out, My Covenant to Do More for Deltans Stands, Says Oborevwori

Sunday Ehigiator

Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday said he has no plan to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that his covenant to do more for Deltans stands.

The Governor spoke through the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr.

Charles Aniagwu, who was on ARISE News Channel’s ‘The Morning Show.’

He said those peddling the rumours that Oborevwori wants to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were only wishing that he comes to swell up their ranks.

"Governor Oborevwori is not only a proud member of the PDP and remains a leader of PDP, both in Delta and in Nigeria.

"He is also a performing governor who has also been able to show that he can be regarded as the poster governor for the PDP. And so those who are wishing that he is jumping ship, we want to tell them that Oborevwori is not in the business of jumping.

"Apart from that, I am also happy that even following your recognition and by way of nomination as among those who are performing, that

Oborevwori is trying to let Nigerians know that the PDP have the strength to deliver, even as we continue to cooperate with the president of Nigeria, because at the moment he does not have any opponent as a president.

"When the governor declared that he needed to support the president, even as they support the governor for the purpose of bringing good governance, it was in the spirit of

AMCON to Liquidate Arik Air after Vacating All Airline’s Court Cases

Chinedu Eze

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has said it would liquidate and sell Arik Air after it has vacated all the cases it has with the airline, pointing out that doing so before then would be subjudice.

This was disclosed yesterday in Lagos by AMCON’s spokesman, Jude Nwauzor, during a media briefing organised by the organisation.

Giving details of AMCON’s involvement in the airline, Nwauzor said Arik Air owes AMCON the sum of N227,637,469,394.34 billion and combined with the total debts owed AMCON by Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide’s other

companies, which include Rockson Engineering - N163,502, 837, 397.75 billion and Ojemai Farms - N14, 031, 457, 980.71 billion, the total debts rose to N455, 171, 764, 772.80 billion at the end of December, 2024.

“The task of debt recovery has been arduous and challenging. While several thousands of Nigerians and Nigerian companies have honoured their obligations, AMCON continues to face resistance from a number of debtors who are unwilling to pay without a fight.

One of these debtors is Arik Air Limited (in Receivership), an airline company owned by Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, who is also the promoter of Rockson Nigeria Limited (a power infrastructure

company), Ojemai Farms Limited, and Ojemai Investment Limited.

“These companies' debts were transferred by various banks to AMCON due to their non-performance, with a total indebtedness of N455, 171, 764, 772.80 billion as at December 31, 2024.

Arik owes AMCON N227,637,469,394.34 billion; Rockson Engineering N163,502, 837, 397.75 billion and Ojemai Farms N14, 031, 457, 980.71 billion,” he said.

Nwauzor said despite alleged smear campaign against the corporation by Arumemi-Ikhide, the debts must be recovered one way or the other, saying the leadership of AMCON knows that there was no nice way of recovering debt.

“For that, obligors go to any length

to assassinate the characters of both AMCON staff and management, they malign the name of AMCON, intimidate, and harass our personnel with every arsenal at their disposal,” Nwauzor said.

He said AMCON’s mandate was of national importance, but, “if at sunset AMCON is unable to recover the huge debt of over N4 trillion, it becomes the debt of the federal government of Nigeria for which taxpayers’ monies will be used to settle. The implication is that the general public will be made to pay for the recklessness of only a few individuals who continue to take advantage of the loopholes in our laws to escape their moral and legal obligations to repay their debts.”

Osun Leads in Creative Economy with 2025 SDG Conference

Creativity, innovation and culture

will take centre stage as the Osun State SDG Creatives Conference 2025 kicks off from 28th to 30th January at the SDG Skills Acquisition Centre in Iragbiji, Osun State

Themed 'Innovate, Create, and Transform: Unlocking the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development', the event aims to highlight the vital role creativity plays in driving economic growth and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The three-day conference will gather

creative professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, and thought influencers to explore how Osun State can harness its cultural and artistic assets to advance the SDGs.

Particular focus will be placed on three SDGs: Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; and Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. The event also seeks to position Osun State as a leading force in the creative economy.

Bamikole Omishore, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals

to Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, said the conference reflects the administration’s commitment to using creativity as a catalyst for economic development.

“This event, with over 700 registered participants, is in line with Governor Adeleke’s agenda to stimulate economic growth by harnessing creativity and innovation. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Culture and Tourism, Agency on Creativity, Entertainment and Arts ,stakeholders, private sector leaders,

and development partners, who have worked relentlessly to bring this groundbreaking conference to life,” Omishore explained.

The conference will feature a variety of interactive sessions, exhibitions, and cultural displays designed to inspire and empower participants. Key themes will include unlocking creativity for global opportunities, exploring investment opportunities in Osun's digital and creative sectors, and shaping narratives for change and influence, alongside a cultural and Adire exhibition.

Glo Festival of Joy Promo Draw Holds in Abuja

In furtherance of its ongoing scheme to excite and reward its subscribers across the country, Globacom, yesterday, in Abuja, held another draw to select winners in its Festival of Joy consumer promotion.

The draw, held at the Gloworld, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse, had the presence of several observers including Glo subscribers, members of the media and Martin Oteh who led officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to

witness the process.

The company had before now presented prizes to winners in several cities since the promo started in October 2024, enabling hundreds of Nigerians who won various prizes to end the year 2024 on a joyful note. As is the tradition since the start of the promo, the draw precedes the prize presentation exercise, which is to be done on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the same Glo office at Wuse, Abuja. The lucky subscribers include

the winner of a brand new Toyota Prado and winners of tricycle, sewing machines, generators and grinding machines.

Globacom encouraged new and existing subscribers to dial *611# to opt into the promo and to also keep recharging (voice and data) during the promo period, in order to be eligible to win the prizes on offer. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“New and existing customers are to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for the grinding machine, a recharge of N1,000 in a week will be eligible for the draw,” the company noted.

patriotism not on the platform of looking for where to jump to.

"Today, Tinubu is the president of Nigeria, and I know nobody is contesting that and so if Tinubu does not have an opponent as a President, because he is no longer a presidential candidate, when in 2027, and we are going into an election, we can begin to talk about those who want to challenge Tinubu,” he said.

According to him, “Today, he is the president. We have an enlightened self-interest that the success of Tinubu cascades into the success of any governor in Nigeria.

"In Delta, we are not in the business of fighting constitutional authority. We're always in the business of supporting those in authority, because by so doing, we are also bringing development to our people.

"Oborevwori remains in the PDP, he did not even dream, not to talk of the reality of leaving the party. Those who are rumoring, like you said, are very free to rumor and are very free to wish, wish is very free, that he comes

to swell up their party but for us in the PDP, we know that Oborevwori will remain a poster governor."

On developments in the state, Aniagwu said Oborevwori was fulfilling his administration's promise to deliver more projects for the people.

He remarked that while continuing and completing inherited projects, his administration has also initiated and completed lots of projects across the three Senatorial districts.

He listed some of the legacy projects to include the Beneku bridge in Ndokwa East, Orere bridge in Ughelli South, Ayakoromo bridge in Burutu LGA, Trans-Warri Roads and bridges as well as Warri and Effurun flyovers being executed by Julius Berger.

"Aside these laudable projects, we have several completed road projects like the Emevor-Orogun road, Okpanam-Ibusa bypass, Isheagu-Ewulu Road, Ezesi road dualisation in Orerokpe as well as Ohorhe-Adagbrasa-Ugolo-Okuodiete road among others."

Tinubu Mourns House Deputy Chief Whip, Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the passing of the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga.

The lawmaker, who died on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, following a brief illness served as Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development in the 9th Assembly and deputy Chief Whip in the 10th Assembly.

The President, in a statement issued yesterday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said: ''She never stopped

serving her constituency, and her passion for building a better Nigeria will remain unforgettable in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with her. ''Rep. Onanuga was also a role model for women in politics, demonstrating that with hard work, integrity, and dedication to just causes, women can be effective leaders in politics."

President Tinubu offered his deepest condolences to Hon. Onanuga's family, loved ones, the government and the people of Ogun State, particularly her constituents in Ikenne/Sagamu/ Remo North Federal Constituency. He prayed that God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and provide divine comfort to her family and all who mourn her loss.

GCA Energy Founder, Greg Uanseru Loses Wife, Ema

President/Group Chief Executive of GCA Energy Limited, Mr. Greg Uanseru has lost his wife, Ema.

In a statement titled, 'Our Ema has gone to be with the Angels' signed by him and made available to journalists, Uanseru, an oil mogul and businessman revealed that his dear wife, said to be in her

50s, died in a London hospital yesterday, Friday. The statement read: "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved wife, Aniema Nancy Greg-Uanseru, which occurred in the early hours of today, Friday, January 17, 2015 in a London hospital."

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

COURTESY VISIT...

US Supreme Court Upholds Law Banning TikTok

Sunday Ehigiator with agency report

The United States Supreme Court yesterday upheld a law banning TikTok in the country on national security grounds if its Chinese parent company ByteDance does not sell the short-video app by Sunday.

The justices in a 9-0 decision declined to rescue a platform used by about half of all Americans.

The justices ruled that the law, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress last year and signed by Democratic President, Joe Biden, did not violate the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection against

government abridgment of free speech. According to Reuters, the justices affirmed a lower court's decision that had upheld the measure after it was challenged by TikTok, ByteDance and some of the app's users.

"There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement and source of community. But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary," the court said in the unsigned opinion.

Contractors Seek Tinubu, Oborevwori's Intervention in Dispute With DESOPADEC

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Members of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum have pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, His Excellency Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene in their dispute with the management of the state intervention agency.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Ogie Samson Oritsebemigho and Secretary, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, yesterday, appealed to traditional rulers, political leaders as well as stakeholders to show concerns on the plight of indigenous contractors in the hands of the Board and management of DESOPADEC.

It stated that what members were protesting against were ill-treatment by the Board and Management of the

interventionist agency and not playing politics with the crisis.

Oritsebemigho, in the statement, said that members of the forum were under pressure from banks where they obtained loans to execute contracts for DESOPADEC but that the extreme delay in payment was making the loan payment difficult for members who were battling with accrued interests.

"We want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, our traditional rulers to intervene and save DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors from the excessive ill treatment of indigenes who are Contractors from this high level of poverty and challenges after receiving threat from the management and powers that think that they are above the law in oil producing areas," he said.

PSC Elevates AIG Lawal to Deputy Inspector General

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has approved the appointment of the AIG in-charge of Border Patrol, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Banji Lawal, as a substantive Deputy Inspector General of Police representing the South West Geopolitical Zone.

A statement from the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the newly promoted DIG takes over from DIG Sylvester Alabi, who represented the zone and retired on December 31, 2024. Alabi was DIG in-charge of Force Criminal Investigation Department.

A statement issued by the White House suggested that Biden, in the waning days of his presidency, would not take any action to save TikTok before the law's Sunday deadline for divestiture.

Republican Donald Trump, who opposed a TikTok ban, succeeds Biden on Monday.

"The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it," Trump said in a social media post. "My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!"

Trump also said he and Chinese

President Xi Jinping discussed issues including TikTok in a phone call on Friday.

The court's unanimity underscored the acceptance by the justices of the national security risks cited by Biden's administration concerning China's potential to exert control over the app, which blunted apprehensions over free

Gunmen Abduct Retired AIG's

James Sowole in Abeokuta and Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, early yesterday, abducted the wife of a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State.

The kidnappers were said to have stormed the home of the Odumosus,

shooting sporadically.

Confirming the incident in Abeokuta, spokesperson of the Ogun State Command of Nigeria Police, Omolola Odutola, said the State Police Command reacted swiftly to the abduction by deploying operatives to secure her release.

She said, "Information was received regarding the kidnapping of Mrs. Odumosu, a female resident

Odumosu

of Aminu Street, Arepo, Ogun State.

"Reports indicate that she was about to enter her home when four masked men attacked her, dragged her from her LEXUS Jeep, and took her through swampy areas to an unknown location.

The Divisional Police Officer has led a team of police officers to the scene, where they are currently searching the swampy bush area.

speech infringements. "TikTok's scale and susceptibility to foreign adversary control, together with the vast swaths of sensitive data the platform collects, justify differential treatment to address the government's national security concerns," the court said in the opinion.

Wife in Ogun

The Divisional Police Officer has also contacted Baale Warewa and Baale Maaba, to deploy local security forces to the reverrine area. Odutola added that "the State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo has been briefed and all covert operations have been deployed to assist with digital intelligence to ensure she is rescued unhurt."

Kogi Pledges to Reform Primary Healthcare System

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has unveiled ambitious reforms aimed at revolutionising the state's primary healthcare system to deliver high-quality and accessible health services.

Ododo disclosed this while speaking at a stakeholders' engagement on primary healthcare revitalisation held in Lokoja, yesterday.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, announced the introduction of periodic spot checks on all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.

This initiative, led by the Primary

Healthcare Task Force in collaboration with local government authorities and traditional rulers, is designed to ensure accountability, enhance coordination, and elevate the standard of services provided by PHCs.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare services.

He highlighted the critical role of PHCs in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, boosting immunisation coverage, and raising awareness about the importance of primary healthcare in the state's healthcare value chain.

“Our administration is determined to address the challenges in the primary healthcare system and

ensure better health outcomes for our citizens. This will be achieved through improved data collection and adherence to best practices in case management across all PHCs,” the governor stated.

Ododo also expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for healthcare reforms across the country, emphasising that such backing has been instrumental in driving the state’s efforts.

Earlier in the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, emphasised the significance of collaboration among stakeholders in sustaining

healthcare initiatives. He revealed that at least one PHC in each of the state’s 239 wards is currently operational and supported by funding, with plans underway to increase the number of fully functional PHCs across all wards.

In his remarks, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty, Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, commended the Ministry of Health for its relentless efforts to improve primary healthcare delivery. He pledged the continued support of traditional rulers in monitoring and supervising PHCs to maintain service delivery standards.

S'Court Urged to Review Judgement on $64m Export Contract Dispute

Alex Enumah in Abuja

He later became Area Commander Uyo, Deputy Commissioner Operations, Nasarawa State, Deputy Commissioner Operations, Akwa Ibom State and Deputy Commissioner Finance and Admin, ICT Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He was also Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Registrar, Central Criminal Registry (CCR) Force Headquarters Annex, Alagbon close, Ikoyi, DCP Finance and Administration, Benue state; Deputy Commandant, Police Academy, Wudil Kano and CP General Investigation, Force CID.

The new DIG appeared before the Commission during its Extraordinary Meeting yesterday.

DIG Lawal was a former Commandant Police Training College, Ikeja, Lagos; Assistant Commissioner Operations, Ekiti State Command, Abia and Edo States Command.

The Supreme Court has been called upon to revisit its own judgement in an alleged breach of an international commercial contract for the export of solid minerals such as Tin, Columbite and Tantalite ores, valued at $64,107,180.00.

The call was made by the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, Independent Public Service Accountability Watch and Coalition of Civil Society Groups.

Convener of the group, Ambassador Stephen Eriba, who spoke with journalists regarding the matter, pointed out that the judgement if not reviewed would impact negatively on the business community both within and outside the country.

Recall that the apex court had in

a judgement delivered on May 24, last year, affirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal in favour of the appellant.

The appellant Owigs and Obigs had in 2016 dragged a new generation bank to a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, over alleged cancellation of the solid mineral contract Nos: JY00NL-001/ KTTA 140415, which the firm blamed on the failure/neglect of the bank to confirm the letters of credit issued by the buyer's bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).

Among the reliefs sought include an order, directing the payment of $38 million "being the loss of profit on three foreign contracts which were lost due to the defendant's unilateral termination of the contract secured by the plaintiff."

Plaintiff also sought for the

sum of N2 billion as damages for the loss of goodwill and further trading opportunities before the Chinese Chambers of Commerce/ International Chambers of Commerce of Asia and local supplies of solid minerals as well as sundry/collateral expenses incurred as a result of the unilateral termination of the contract by the defendant.

Plaintiff in addition sought for the payment of N1 billion as aggravated damages.

Delivering judgement on July 5, 2018, the FCT High Court held that the bank was not negligent and therefore not liable in damages to Owigs and Obigs and subsequently dismissed the suit.

Not satisfied, the firm appealed the judgement, upon which the appellate court in its verdict in 2020, found the bank guilty of

negligence and ordered the refund of the penalty fees of $4,486 paid on behalf of the appellant. Still dissatisfied, the firm approached the apex court to challenge the refusal of the appellate court to award damages against the respondent. However, the apex court in its judgement last May held that, "I have no reason to disturb the decision of the lower court on the issue of damages, it therefore follows that there is no merit in the appellant's appeal, it therefore deserves to be dismissed and it is hereby dismissed."

According to Justice Tijjani Abubakar, who delivered the lead judgement, the appellant failed to establish his claim of loss of profit, as a result of the termination of the contract by the respondent.

L-R: Regional Director West Africa, Bolaji Kareem; Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Founder, Empire Publishing and Distribution, Ghazi Shami, and COO, Empire Publishing, Nima Etminan, during a courtesy visit to the office of the Commissioner in Lagos…recently

2025 ANNUAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE…

Resist External Interference, Chinese Envoy Tells West African Leaders

The Chinese envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai,has called on political leaders in West Africa to resist all forms of external interference.

Dunhai, made the call yesterday in Abuja, at an exchange programme between students from Tsinghua University of China and University of Abuja, with the theme 'Civilisational Exchange and Mutual Learning between China and Nigeria'.

He said: “I looked at the security situation now in West Africa. I

know that many people are very much concerned. But one principle I believe that is very important is that we should object to any foreign interference in the region.

“But particularly by any major powers. I think, you know, for civilisation, exchange, and mutual learning, there are two principles that we need to follow because it's very important.

“I think we should respect equality, equity, and peace. All civilisation is equal. We don't believe that there is any civilisation that is secure and

Anambra LP Guber Aspirant, Nwosu Denies Stepping Down for Opponent

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A governorship aspirant of Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr. John Nwosu, has denied rumours that he plans to step down for another aspirant in the primary election of the party which comes up in April.

Nwosu in a press release he made available to journalists yesterday, said the rumour is totally untrue and an orchestration by his opponents to demarket him.

He insisted the rumour was a ploy to deceive his teeming supporters. He described himself as a party man who has a strong stake in the Labour Party, and will not concede to aspirants who have not shown any interest in promoting the party.

Part of the release read: "It has come to my attention that assertions are being made by some Anambra governorship aspirants and in some quarters about supposed meetings and consultations aimed at some Labour Party aspirants stepping down for another.

"Such ploy is also incomprehensible and a crass

approach to convince our party officials that people who have worked the least to promote Labour Party in Anambra State and indeed, market themselves to would-be delegates for the governorship primary election deserve a second look or any consideration for nomination by our great party.

"For the record, I, John Chuma Nwosu, an aspirant for the governorship of Anambra State under the Labour Party, is in the race to win the primary election and go on to win the governorship election on November 8, 2025. That is my mission.

"I wish to place it on record that I will not be distracted by those who wish to use subliminal propaganda or media ploys as a means of gaining any undue advantage over the most visible and hardworking aspirant at the grassroots.

"To those who think they can heist the governorship ticket by other means; I can only say, let's meet on the field. No more needs be said at this time."

Court Remands Gospel Singer over Murder of NYSC Member

A Nasarawa State High Court has ordered the remand of a gospel singer, Timilehin Ajayi, who was caught with the severed head of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on the X handle of the Nasarawa State Police Command yesterday.

According to the statement, “Timilehin Ajayi was charged

to court today and remanded in prison custody pending his formal arraignment.” Ajayi was arrested last week for allegedly killing and dismembering Adaidu, for suspected ritual purposes.

The suspect, who had admitted to committing the crime, had said he had no regret for his action.

He had alleged that Adaidu, his girlfriend, was cheating on him which made him to kill her.

empowered because each civilisation grows from its own national condition. For instance, the civilisation of the United States, it grows from the real condition of this country.”

Dunhai also called for improved communication and exchange between his country and Nigeria.

He said: “The first partnership

action is the people-to-people exchange and mutual learning. That's why I believe that today we have to build and improve our communication and exchange in combination to this very important topic. Why is the people-topeople exchange so important? Because countries' relations eventually boil down to people-to-people exchanges.

“Nigeria is very much blessed with rich resources, huge development potential. So, I see there is great potential for the development of Nigeria.

“I believe that people-to-people exchange creates the foundation for our bilateral relations, because while China and Europe have bilateral relations, it's not only about government-to-government relations. It's not only about business. But eventually, it's people-to-people relations. Over the years, China and Nigeria have carried out a lot of cultural exchanges. For instance, we co-hosted the Cultural Week of China and Nigeria.

Security Firm Pledges to Curb Oil Theft to Sustain Rising Oil Production Output in Abia

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The rise in oil production output recorded in Abia State since last August would be sustained with enhanced security operations by an indigenous security firm, Okposon Security Services, Nigeria Limited.

The Executive Director of the security outfit, Mr. David Nwogu, gave the assurance during a media interaction at Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state, saying that oil production, which hitherto hovered between 10 and 15 barrels per day, has jumped to 32,000 barrels.

He said that oil bunkering has drastically reduced in Ukwa West

hence the recorded crude oil production by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the NNPCL, which operates OML 17 oil field in Owaza.

Nwogu stated that since August 2024 when Okposon Security got the contract from the federal government to secure the oil field at Owaza and environs, the firm has embarked on massive security operations that have continued to yield positive results.

The private security outfit is charged with the responsibility of providing security for protection of Imo River 1,2,3 and Isimiri Oil Fields to Imo Gate Manifold and Kokom Right of Way, Oil & Gas Wells, Flowline and Delivery Lines respectively from

illegal bunkering activities.

According to Nwogu, Okposon's security operations have robbed off on the environment as land, water, and air pollution has reduced with the reduction in illegal refining activities.

"Environmental hazards have reduced and economic trees are now doing well," he said.

He stated that the security outfit has used non-kinetic measures to good effect by providing job opportunities, scholarships and skills development empowerment for youths thereby taking them off the business of illegal bunkering.

The ED noted that Okposon has been enjoying the cooperation and support indigenes of the oil

communities, including traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women groups.

He said that the security firm with staff strength of 300 is worker-friendly, adding that staff remuneration is very attractive adding that the minimum wage is N100,000.

Apart from giving employment to the locals, Okposon, according to Nwogu, has also placed many people, including widows, on monthly allowances to assist them cope with economic hardships.

He said that traditional rulers of the oil communities are happy because the youths are now meaningfully engaged by Okposon after making them quit illegal bunkering.

NBTE: Our Operations Being Hampered By Inadequate Manpower

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, yesterday, lamented that the operations of the agency were being hampered because of inadequate manpower to carry out its mandate.

He said the agency has a staff

strength of 330 and has about 700 institutions to visit and monitor.

Bugaje made this known in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education to defend the 2025 Budget of the agency.

He noted: “The operations of the agency are being hampered by

inadequate manpower to carry out its mandate; as such, there is need to have more staff to do the job.

"For personnel, we are looking for an improvement because we have about 700 institutions to visit and our staff strength is at 330, which is very low.”

Bugaje emphasised that similar agencies like NBTE have more staff, fewer institutions and more funds to carry out their duties. “But our personnel cost is very low, so we want that one to be increased so that we can inject more hands to do that rotation,” he added.

Eterna Appoints Adeosun New Managing Director as Lawal Resigns

Peter Uzoho

The Board of Directors of Eterna Plc has appointed Mr. Olumide Adeosun as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the oil marketing company.

According to a statement by Eterna's Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, David Edet, the appointment will take effect on February 3, 2025.

The board commended the outgoing Managing Director, Mr. Abiola Lawal, whose resignation from the company will be effective January 31, 2025, for his significant contributions and exemplary leadership during his tenure.

The company also congratulated Adeosun on his new position and wished him great success.

Prior to his appointment as MD/CEO of Eterna Plc, Adeosun

served as Group Executive Director of Rainoil Limited and as a Non-Executive Director of Eterna Industries Limited.

According to the statement, Adeosun is the immediate-past Chairman of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and a passionate advocate for clean energy, serving on the advisory boards of renewable energy firms and consultancies.

On the agency's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Bugaje said there were charges being paid by institutions, which he said are not constant.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

L-R: Managing Director, Meristem Stockbrokers Ltd, Saheed Bashir; Head of Alternatives Data, Stears, Fadekemi Abiru; Special Assistant to the President (Economic Affairs), Dr. Tope Fasua; Group Managing Director, Meristem Securities Limited, Sulaiman Adedokun; Chief Investment Officer, Meristem Wealth Management Limited, Taiwo Yusuf, and Chief Executive Officer, Sophors Consulting Limited, Oluwakemi Akinde, during the Meristem 2025 Annual Outlook Conference in Lagos...recently

reADINg THe TeA LeAveS Obinna Chima

obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875 (SmS only)

gDp rebasing and the Morality Question

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recent announcement of its plan to rebase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to include the economic contributions of prostitution and other illegal activities has ignited a fierce debate.

Even though the NBS disclosed that other areas to be captured in the exercise expected to be carried out by the end of this month include the modular refineries sub-sector, the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), e-commerce and digital activities, pension funds administrators, domestic households as employers of labour, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), quarrying and other mining activities, the decision by the national statistical body to also include the wages of sin in the computation of the country’s GDP has seen commentators express divergent views on the issues.

The NBS is also rebasing the metrics for computing the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is used to gauge the level of inflation in the country.

While proponents argue for a more accurate reflection of the country’s economic reality, just like what had been adopted by countries under the European Union, critics have continued to raise serious concerns about the moral and practical implications of such a move. Some even argued that considering illegal activities may be taken to mean a tacit endorsement of such activities. Additionally, cynics see the move as a desperate attempt by the NBS to massage the country’s ailing economic data and give it the much-needed happy ending.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), GDP measures the monetary value of final goods and services—that is, those that are bought by the final user—produced in a country in a given period (say a quarter or a year). It counts all of the output generated within the borders of a country and is composed of goods and services produced for sale in the market and also includes some non-market production, such as defense or education services provided by the government.

On the other hand, rebasing the national account, which includes the GDP, is the process of replacing an old base year with a new and more recent base year. A base year provides the reference point to which future values of the GDP are then compared. In the case of Nigeria, the NBS intends to use 2019 as the base year and do away with the 2010 it had been using.

Certainly, GDP rebasing serves as a normal statistical procedure and ensures that national account statistics present the most accurate reflection

of the economy as possible. The United Nations Statistical Commission recommends that countries rebase their national accounts every five years. For Nigeria, the last time the review was done was in 2014. So, 10 years down the line there is a compelling need to rebase the GDP, particularly after COVID-19, which saw the opening of new products and sectors that contribute significantly to the economy. No doubt, sectors such as e-commerce, knowledge, and digital economy have recorded changes in consumption patterns.

When the Nigerian economy was rebased in 2014, its GDP went from below $400 billion to over $500 billion and the country emerged as the biggest economy in Africa.

Interestingly, part of a panel discussion during the launch of Proshare Nigeria Limited’s 2025 Nigerian Capital Market Outlook Report titled: “The Capital Market and the Quest for a $1 Trillion Economy,” during the week, was the moral question behind the inclusion of illegal activities in the country’s GDP computation.

Analysts at Proshare argued that rebasing Nigeria’s macroeconomic data and capital market reforms would put the country in a position to achieve its desired $1 trillion GDP by 2030. They also stressed that imagination, strategy and execution are the keys to achieving Nigeria’s aspiration of that $1 trillion economy. According to Proshare, rebasing some of the sectors would likely help the Nigerian economy achieve a GDP size of $490 billion, which leaves it with a gap of $510 billion in the $1 trillion economy it aims to achieve by 2030.

According to Prof. Uche Uwaleke of the Nasarawa State University, while to get the true value of a GDP requires including activities in the shadow economy, “by so doing, you are legitimising illegal activities. “The second issue has to do with estimation. How do you estimate the values of these illegal activities, unlike what happens in Europe?

“It is not for nothing that there is no African country or no developing economy that includes illegal activities in its computation. It is only in the Euro Area and only the 27 countries of the European Union that do

that. The US and Canada do not explicitly include illegal activities in their computation. So, I think we should exclude such activities and stay with the legitimate ones.”

In her contribution, the Head of Research, Parthian Partners Limited, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adebowale, argued that rebasing the GDP is necessary at this point as it will help recalibrate the numbers.

She, however, argued that “Looking at the activities that would be added: Digital economy, modular refinery – they are important because since the COVID-19, there has been a structural shift in the Nigerian economy and this has to be reflected in the size of our GDP.

“But a major concern for me is the illegal activities being added to the GDP. That is going to overstate the true picture of what the size is. It is not about the number; it is about getting a true reflection of what the size of the economy is.

“Economic indicators are inputs used by policymakers to come up with policies. So, having an over-estimated GDP is going to affect the decisions taken by the monetary and fiscal authorities.”

However, the Head of Research and Chief Economist at Proshare, Mr. Teslim Shitta-Bey, noted that “Europe has integrated some of those illicit activities into its GDP. So, if we are going to compare GDP-to-GDP, if we don’t include some of those illegal activities and Europe puts them in their computation, how do we compare them?”

Furthermore, Shitta-Bey stressed the need to address the country’s perennial forex scarcity, pointing out that, “forex is responsible for between 60 and 65 percent of domestic inflation. No matter how much we move the monetary policy rate, it is not going to move the needle of inflation. What we need to do is to see how we can increase forex inflows.”

But the Head of Corporate Analysis, Proshare, Ms. Ademidun Shogo, noted that beyond the GDP rebasing, Nigeria must address its structural problems. This, she argued would help the country attain its potential.

In an article published on Nairametrics, Joseph Edgar, who was perplexed by the decision of the NBS to include prostitution and some other illegal activities in its GDP computation, argued that

“Attempting to artificially boost the GDP by including illegal activities is ethically and practically indefensible. It undermines the judiciary, complicates law enforcement, empowers criminals, and confuses youth about societal values.

“It also risks making the government appear inept or desperate to meet its economic targets. The NBS is tasked with providing accurate, wellarticulated statistics to guide the government. Inflating GDP figures with dubious inclusions betrays that responsibility.”

Just like Edgar, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi in his intervention on the matter in THISDAY this Thursday, wrote that “a GDP re-basing exercise that legitimises criminal and dark economic activities can only licence the drift to an immoral nation. At a period when drug trafficking, cybercrimes, prostitution, trade in ritual body parts, ransom for kidnapping, terrorism, etc. have compromised the integrity of our nation, legitimising them as components of our GDP would only embolden some of our young people who just want to ‘make it’ by hook or by crook.”

From the foregoing, including illegal activities in GDP calculations raises serious ethical concerns. It legitimises criminal activities and sends a troubling message that the government condones or even encourages them and gives the veneer of economic legitimacy.

Also, just like in countries that have adopted this metric, accurately measuring the economic impact of the underground economy is fraught with significant challenges. Data collection on illegal activities is inherently difficult and often unreliable due to their clandestine nature. For instance, how will the NBS get to know the average price of a session with a prostitute in the country or the cost of a room at a brothel? As stated previously, measuring the underground economy in any economy is hardly an exact science. While a more accurate representation of the Nigerian economy is a laudable goal, including prostitution and other illegal activities in GDP calculations presents significant ethical and practical challenges.

Semiu Adeniran and his men at the NBS should rather focus on ensuring that the outcome of the rebasing is not controversial, but on delivering a methodology that helps policymakers and analysts to obtain a more accurate set of economic statistics that are a truer reflection of current realities for evidence- based decision-making.

You can follow me on my X handle: @ iamobinnachima

Shettima: We’re Fully Committed to Reviving Nigeria’s Economy

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to drive economic growth and transform the nation’s healthcare system.

This was as the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) announced a donation of $5 million to the Rotary Foundation to address maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday, while receiving in audience, the Chair of the Trustees of the Rotary

Foundation of Rotary International, Mark Daniel Maloney, at the State House, Abuja, Shettima lauded the significant contribution of Rotary International and other stakeholders to Nigeria’s development. According to him, “President Bola Tinubu is fully committed to repositioning the Nigerian nation. He is a revolutionary leader who has made far-reaching decisions for the betterment of this country - decisions unmatched in contemporary history.”

The Vice President affirmed Nigeria’s readiness for economic resurgence, urging Rotary Interna-

tional to deepen its involvement in combating environmental challenges such as desertification and deforestation through initiatives like the Great Green Wall project.

“We need your support in aggressive environmental regeneration. It’s a win-win for all,” he stated.

Shettima also assured of the federal government’s continued investment in education to address Nigeria’s youthful demographics, noting that education is the ultimate game changer which offers the opportunity for even the most disadvantaged to rise and

make an impact.

He added: “With education, within a generation, the son of a pauper can be a celebrated icon. Ours is a young nation and the average age of the Nigerian nation is 16.9. Education gives us the greatest window to engage these young ones.

“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. One out of every four black persons is a Nigerian. Nigeria is where the action is because Nigeria is where the human needs are more

tremendous”.

Earlier in his address, Maloney commended Nigeria’s strides in healthcare, especially the eradication of wild poliovirus, attributing the success to strong government partnerships.

The Rotary Foundation Trustees Chair said, “The Rotary Foundation has funded $34 million in health-related projects in Nigeria over the past year. We were pleased that the last case of wild poliovirus occurred in 2016 and Nigeria along with the continent of Africa was declared wild poliovirus-free.

Adeniran

Pally Iriase: A Quintessential Banker, Administrator, Politician @70

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Otuo will be agog this Sunday when sons, daughters and friends of this community in Owan East Local Area of Edo State roll out the drums to celebrate an illustrious son, who has attained 70 years on mother earth. Ordinarily, the day ought to pass like any, as the celebrant is not the type driven by cacophonous celebrations. Even as a politician, he prefers his projects to speak for him rather than granting copious interviews in the news media.

Rt. Hon. Isumafe Obokhuaime Pally Iriase is not your everyday politician who lives on the pages of newspapers and magazines. Those who have followed the trajectory of his life will tell you that the ethics he imbibed as a banker before going into politics shaped what he is today. He finds it difficult to depart from that cultured lifestyle to begin to live an ostentatious one. From humble beginnings as a forest officer to becoming the bursar of then Bendel State University, Ekpoma, to rising to the level of an Assistant General Manager of Owena Bank, Iriase attained all that through dint of hard work. While some of his contemporaries were comfortable with their first degrees, Iriase was not satisfied with his second class upper division certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He realised early that professional qualifications are keys for anyone who wants to go far in the banking industry. He graduated with flying colours and became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) before crisscrossing one banking hall to another in search of better working conditions.

Having attained a level in the industry that many see as “having arrived”, Iriase shocked most of his friends when he muted the idea of delving into politics to help his community have a voice in the politics of Edo North.

Several thought he was taking an unnecessary risk not worth it. It certainly was no smooth sailing during the initial period as some of the policies of General Sani Abacha terminated his first election into the House of Representatives, it almost truncated his dream of a career in politics. Somehow, through his resilience, tenacity and doggedness, he survived it and got elected first as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly at the beginning of the Fourth Republic. From the house, he realised he could do little even as a Deputy Speaker, so instead of seeking re-election after his first term, he stepped down to contest the Chairmanship of Owan East Local Government Area and won.

Here, he initiated quality projects for the community and its environs. His tenure remains the talking point as some of the other streams of income he brought to the Council are still generating cash for the LGA to date. Iriase returned to the centre in Benin City as Secretary to Edo State Government for a very short spell, yet made his mark.

Having conquered local politics in the state, Iriase extended his tentacles to the National Assembly and got elected as Member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Owan Federal Constituency. While some of his colleagues

were pocketing their constituency project cash, Iriase left indelible marks in virtually all the communities that make up the Owan Federal Constituency. It was therefore not difficult for the people of Owan to speak with one voice in returning him for a second term. That was a record as nobody had previously broken in the Local Government. It was therefore not a surprise that as a ranking member of the House, he was elected as Deputy Chief Whip and Vice Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. His footprints in the Federal House of Representatives have remained the benchmarks in Owan. From facilitating the drilling of boreholes, construction of classrooms, and market stalls to rural electrification of several Owan communities that never dreamt of it to the construction of quality trunk A roads that got the entire Local Government opened up. He also facilitated the construction of a dam in his local government. At the end of his second term, Iriase could not stand the manner politics of Edo North was playing out so he decided to “Step Aside”. All attempts by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to woo him out of retirement failed. He felt that he has made a statement, and that others should continue from where he stopped.

“At the time I came into politics, my community Otuo had no voice, despite the fact that we have the population in Owan politics. But from the little I was able to achieve, I think I have had enough. Let others pick up the gauntlet from where I stopped,” observed Iriase whose 70th birthday celebration will kick off Sunday morning with a Thanksgiving Service at the palatial “Wonders Parish” of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Zonal Headquarters that he single-handedly built in Amoya, Otuo.

Looking back at his foray into politics, Iriase believes he has set the roadmap for Otuo, so others could continue from where he stopped. “Most professionals were running away from politics; this was the reason some of my friends thought I had gone mad when I told them that I was leaving the bank for politics. They didn’t understand my passion and what I wanted to achieve for my community. I am happy I discovered my purpose in life early and worked towards service for my community. For others it may be to acquire humongous wealth. But for me, service to my community was it that gives me joy. I am glad, that move paid off and Otuo is today at the centre of Owan politics.”

How was he able to navigate the murky waters of the National Assembly that his name never appeared anywhere linked with fraud? “I keep saying that to all that anyone from the corporate world delving into politics needs not get caught in fraud. Investment opportunities are all over the place to reap from. Right from my early years as salary earner, I developed the habit of investing every penny that I make. By the time I was leaving the National Assembly after my second term, I did not need to look for another employment, as I had enough investments that were yielding dividends to sustain my Spartan lifestyle. It is question of adequate planning,” observed Iriase who does not look 70.

Asked the secret of his youthful looks, he said it was the grace of God. “Take good care of your health and avoid things not good enough for you. That is my life philosophy. Above all, I don’t joke with my exercise. It is a daily routine to do my

gym workouts.”

Speaking about Iriase in a goodwill message to mark his 70th birthday, another illustrious son of Otuo, Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe insisted if not for the good foundation laid by the celebrant, most Omolotuo would not have been able to find their bearings in the murky politics of the state. “This iconic human and community builder has been imposing in the annals of Otuo, Owan nation, Edo State and Nigeria in general in the last two decades.

“The testament of performance in all the public offices he held in these two decades have been superb and inspiring. Otuo has not been the same again since he joined politics as his stride have reverberated in human and infrastructural development of our town. Many Omolotuo and Owanites in public and civil service owe immense gratitude to him for facilitating their being employed. Rt Hon. Pally Iriase has had profound influence in my career and sojourn in politics and this will be laid out in a different occasion,” concludes Umakhihe who contested the Governorship ticket of the APC at the last election.

Similarly, President of the umbrella body, Otuo Union National, Charles Ojeabuo, describes Rt Hon Iriase as the one who laid the foundation for the modern Otuo that is the envy of all today. “Your commitment to human capital development laid the groundwork for the modern Otuo we proudly celebrate today. Your steadfast dedication shines through in the various support you offer, both publicly and privately, to initiatives that uplift Otuo Community. Your efforts reflect not only your love for our homeland but also your enduring belief in the potential of our people. Indeed, Otuo is blessed to have you as a son,” concludes the president of Otuo Union National.

R-L: Former President, NASFAT/Member Governing Council, Fountain University Osogbo (FUO), Alhaji Sheriff Mojirola Yusuff; former BOT Chairman,Dr Abdulwaheed Adeyinka Adeola; Member BOT, Alhaji Olalekan Saliu; Member, BOT FOU, Dr Mrs Foluke Kafayat Abdulrazaq; The Mutawali of Ilorin Emirate and Chairman of the occasion, Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq; Ciroma of Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Abubakar Bature SuluGambari SAN; Chairman, BOT Fountain University Osogbo, Prof Yussuf Ali SAN; Banker/NASFAT Stakeholder, Alhaji Ayoku Liadi; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council FOU, Alhaja Awa Ibrahim; Vice Chancellor, Prof Olayinka Ramota Karim and Mrs Olalekan Saliu, at the Commissioning of 5 Building Projects donated by the BOT members of FOU, to Fountain University, Osogbo…recently

L-R: Deputy Corps Marshal, Training Department, Nigeria Road Safety Corps, Chidiebere Nkwonta; representative, Morgan State University, United States, Dr. Oludare Owolabi; Director, Special Duties, Morgan State University, Vivian Nwosu; Corps Marshal, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed; former Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi; and Technical Adviser to the Corps Marshal/ Corps Information Technology Officer, Wasiu Adenekan, at the transportation research board annual meeting in Washington DC, USA...recently

L-R; Group Managing Director, Jokes Properties, Oke Opeyemi; Zonal Head, Lagos Mainland, Providus Bank, Mrs Rasheedat Adeyemi; Head of Alumni Engagement and Support Services, EDC( Enterprise Development Center), Dr. Nnena Ugwu; Team Lead, SME Strategy. Providus Bank, Oluwadamilola Feyide and MD/ CEO, House of Oni Limited, Steve Akpoveta during the press conference to celebrate 5 years of Providus Bank SME initiative and announcement of 2025 programme in Lagos...recently

Abiodun Ajala

Iriase

Lanre Badmus: My Close Shave Death Experience with Fibroid

The Principal Partner, Purifoy Seven Drops on Ten Ltd and Founder, Laide Lanre-Badmus (LLB) Foundation

Africa, Ms. Laide Lanre-Badmus, speaks on her close shave with death experience during a fibroid surgery and why the first-anniversary celebration and outreach of her Foundation could not hold. Kemi Olaitan brings the excerpts:

Your Foundation, LLB Foundation Africa clocked one in November. How has the experience been?

The experience has been wonderful. We have not done badly in one year. We’ll keep putting in our best. But unfortunately, we couldn’t celebrate the first anniversary as planned. I was very sick. I didn’t know. I went for my general medical checkup and now realiased that I had anemia. So we now had to conduct a scan to find out why I had anemia. Unfortunately, they found out that I had fibroid. So that was the reason why I was suffering from anemia. I was already dealing with a shortage of blood. I was also working in between. I was working towards the first anniversary of my Foundation. It however got to a point that I couldn’t handle it anymore because I was bleeding heavily. There were days that I would just slump. It was becoming a threat to my life. I had to go and see my gynecologist who advised we do the surgery as soon as possible, to avoid future regrets. That was the reason I couldn’t go ahead with the anniversary and outreach as planned.

Tell us about your experience with fibroid surgery? It was an excruciating experience that I don’t even wish my enemy. But thankfully I went to one of the best hospitals in Abuja. That was Deda Hospital. It’s owned by Doctor Sunday Onuh. He’s one of the best in this profession. And thankfully also, the holy spirit really took charge. That is what I would say because I was supposed to go for a fibroid surgery. I had a series of tests, and we were able to pick a date for the surgery. That was supposed to be the second week in December. The tests became necessary because I had already become short of blood. I could say I bled for the better part of 2024. It was just God that saved my life. I don’t know how He did it up till now. I didn’t know my enemy was a walking ghost at that time. To cut the long story short, the day of the surgery came. I was taken to the theatre but I was later told when I came around that the surgery took longer than necessary. Because when they opened me up to remove the fibroid, they found that my intestines were already out. And I didn’t know. Thank God for the experienced surgeons and Dr. Onuh. They had to first of all put back my intestines to their rightful positions before carrying out the main surgery. So that, and the removal of fibroid took them more than three and half hours. They ended up having a 2-in-1 surgery. They call it a difficult myectomy.

this is that most of us live but we hardly check ourselves. What were your thoughts at the point that the whole thing got complicated?

Death. I thought I was going to die. I had already called my lawyer before the surgery. I told him the things that I have. I also mentioned the names of those owing me money. He was like I should please stop. You know we see a lot of deaths lately on social media. I won’t lie to you I was hopeless. In fact, I had to start begging God for forgiveness. I was hopeless and anxious at the same time.

that there is more to life than just giving up on having a companion. Because being lonely, being single actually had a huge negative impact on me. I didn’t have anybody around to hold my hands except my workers. No husband, no children and this was me that had already made up my mind not to marry again or have any serious relationship. But that experience made me realise that God didn’t make mistakes when he said we have to have one another. So one thing that I’m looking forward to now is once I’m healed I want to give relationship another trial. If my enemy was to have died that day, it would have been strangers that would have taken whatever it is that I have before they get to talk to my family.

What is your advice for women out there?

I asked the doctors why fibroid is rampant in Africa. I heard of a lady of 28 years of age that had a fibroid surgery around the time I had mine, but not at the same hospital. It was one of my staff who told me about the lady’s case. I had to transfer money from my sick bed to support her surgery. The doctors made me understand that there are so many things responsible for fibroid in women. But the most important thing, according to the doctors, is the wombs want babies. So when they are not engaged, the wicked virus just starts doing its own thing. I don’t think it’s cancerous but the pains and danger of having it is almost as bad as cancer itself. I would advise women to marry early if they can. That is one of the regrets I have now because while my mates were settling down I was more into business and making money. Another thing is for women to constantly go for checkup. I do my own medical checkup every seven months. The first medical checkup I did in March last year covers 18 different tests. Some of the tests that I run constantly include HIV, Blood Counts, Hepatitis B and all. I kept on doing that because I realised that those things could be contacted even without sex. Women spend a lot on fashion.

We spend a whole lot on looking good. Let’s take good care of our health too. And let’s use good hospitals. Don’t let us look at the costs. Like Deda now, it’s affordable if God has blessed you. And Dr. Onuh’s own is not even all after the money but the wellbeing of his patients.

I asked them why? They said it was a result of surgery I had in the past. I have had an ectopic pregnancy twice. The pregnancy outside the fallopian tube. So the option is either it’s removed or the carrier of the pregnancy would die. The past surgeries according to the doctors were the things that had affected my intestines. It was not funny at all. I asked the doctors what if I didn’t have a reason for a fibroid surgery?

But the first day that I stepped into Deda Hospital I was calm. After I saw the first and second consultants, I met with Dr. Onuh himself. Immediately I set into Dr. Onuh ‘s office all my anxiety just disappeared. That was the moment I realised that the holy spirit was involved. And from that moment the only thing I was telling God was, let your will be done in my life. I believed I had the covenant of life, and I believed that I had come to the right place.

Has the experience changed your perspective about life in any way?

Yes, it has. The first thing is being a single woman. I realised

I asked a few friends recently about the last time they went for a checkup. They were surprised that I was asking such a question. That didn’t even have money to eat. But they were lying because they buy gold and others, but to put the money on tests is their problem. There was a day one of my friends just woke up one morning and found out that she had breast cancer. She hasn’t been doing checkups. They eventually had to remove one of her breasts at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Now she is going through chemotherapy. If she had been running tests before she would have detected it earlier.

I-invest as Gateway to Thrive in Nigerian Equities

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Nigerian stock market has been on a remarkable ascent, reaching a record high of N61.4 trillion in 2025, outpacing inflation and surpassing the performance of several global exchanges. This surge has seen investors reap significant rewards as they capitalize on the market’s growth.

Undoubtedly, the Nigerian equities market presents a unique blend of opportunities and challenges for investors. Navigating this dynamic landscape requires a deep understanding of the key factors driving market performance and the implementation of sound investment strategies.

Recent economic growth has been a primary driver of investor confidence in the Nigerian market. The country recorded a real GDP growth of 3.46 percent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, a substantial improvement over the 2.54 percent growth observed in Q3 2023. This positive economic momentum, supported by stable macroeconomic indicators, has translated into increased market buoyancy.

Furthermore, strong corporate earnings across various sectors have fueled significant stock market rallies. Companies demonstrating financial resilience and sustainable growth prospects continue to attract investors seeking long-term gains. For those seeking to capitalize on the growth of the Nigerian stock market, i-invest offers a seamless and secure platform for investing in equities and other financial instruments. Eliminating the need for traditional brokers, the app provides direct access to a diverse range of securities, including Nigerian equities, Treasury Bills, Fixed Deposits, Commercial Papers, and USD Bonds.

Prioritising safety, simplicity, and security, i-invest operates under the strict regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As the flagship product of Parthian Partners Limited, a leading financial services group, the app

ensures a trustworthy investment experience. This is further reinforced by rigorous adherence to PCI-DSS standards and ISO 27001 certification for data security.

Every investment listed on the platform undergoes meticulous vetting and is held by a licensed custodian, providing users with peace of mind as they grow their wealth. With i-invest, there are no hidden charges, no cumbersome paperwork, and no long queues – only an intuitive platform designed for both seasoned investors and newcomers.

The rise of the Nigerian stock market presents an unparalleled opportunity to grow your wealth, and i-invest serves as

your gateway to this growth. With its user-friendly design and unwavering commitment to transparency, the app empowers you to take control of your financial future.

Over its six years of operation, i-invest has successfully facilitated over 250,000 trading customers on their platform, recording over $100 million in transactions.

Ready to embark on your investment journey? Download the i-invest app today from Google Play or the App Store and begin building your wealth in a secure and innovative manner. Stay updated by following i-invest on social media and become part of a thriving community of investors.

Badmus

L-R: Head of Product and Operations, I-invest, Ibilola Ashcroft; Chief Operating Officer, I-invest, Tobi Olusoga, and Product Manager, I-invest, Jennifer Omame

As Fans Debate Asake’s New Look

Asake recently was in the news for a more concerning reason as his fans filled his recent post with over 35,000 comments pouring out their hearts on what met their eyes.

In the video the artiste was seen in a moderate low Afro hairstyle but with an unavoidable sightings of the new tattoos stamped on his face and arms.

Some wondered if it was American artiste, Kodak Black who was in the video, but many refuted this saying it was indeed Asake.

But his new look seemed to worry many as they took to his comment sections expressing how disappointed they were, others rolled out words of concern and care but many more praised his looks appreciating him even more.

In the video he was also seen playing a sound

probably of a new project he is about to release with many ushering ovations and brewing of anticipation. Several notable names also hit the comment section showing their stand in unison with him regardless of how fans kept expressing perceptions of his new look. Barely 12 hours later he shared five photos that gave more detailed insights into his new tattoos expressed on his face, neck and arms with symbolic details of music, the US dollar, faith and crown among others.

A day after this concerning post, was Asake’s birthday and he drew more attention to himself after he posted a video with a masked woman. In the video, the superstar artiste and the woman were seen dancing closely as she shared moments of laughter. Many were curious to uncover the identity of the mystery woman, sparking a wave of speculation across social media.

Online sleuths, often referred to as social media detectives, eagerly analysed the video for clues, dissecting every detail from her attire to the setting in hopes of identifying her.

Assessing Fido’s Rising Musical Talent

AwosikaOlayemi Josiah popularly known as Fido introduced himself to the music scene with a style that blends the foundations of Afrobeats with his own Afrofusion style. Who is Fido you may ask or how did he emerge as one of the most listened to artists in Nigeria as of today?

The rising musical talent is now known for his raw authenticity, captivating storytelling and humble personality. Blending introspective lyrics and vibrant sounds he brings a fresh flavor to the music scene as he tackles life’s challenges, self-discovery and cultural identity with his musical artistry.

In June 2024 the music game changed significantly as he introduced himself formally with his hit single, Awolowo which became the favourite of many,

Fido

instantly earning him airplays, heavy streamings and downloads. Produced by the creative genius of Iyke Elvis the song embodies the exuberance of youthfulness in a two-minute-plus musical journey that had Fido’s voice stand out for authenticity.

Fast forward a few weeks after releasing Awolowo, Fido added an impressive number to his discography which further solidifies

him as one of Nigeria’s emerging artists with a viable career that has become the envy of many.

His latest addition, ‘Joy is Coming’ undoubtedly has showcased his versatility and ability to write good music with connecting lyrics, delivered with spots of genius and ensure the beats is complementing the entire song.

But ‘Joy is Coming’ took a massive turn for Fido as the song became a nationwide anthem last December with many using the songs on their Instagram videos and other contents. But where the song got a lot of appeal was on TikTok where several influencers and content creators helplessly used the song to promote their craft which became indirect publicity for Fido. Its uplifting lyrics and resonant themes encouraged listeners to reflect on the past and step into the future with optimism, setting the tone for a season defined by joy, resilience, and new beginnings.

Despite their efforts, her identity remained a mystery, leaving fans even more intrigued and fueling ongoing conversations.

But it wasn’t surprising anymore as Asake keeps offering his fans controversial times over and over again but in compensating everyone he released the video of ‘Whine’ featuring Ludmilla off his Lungu Boy Album which has garnered almost two million views in about a week.

As it stands he has about 4.9 million followers on his Instagram page and Zero follows and yet again all previous posts were taken off. Just a few weeks ago the back and forth with former Label Boss, Olamide also filled the air with many choosing either side airing their views on the situation of things with the said contract.

At this point, should we be genuinely concerned about Asake, or should we simply sit back and hope everything falls into place?

While the new look and recent patterns may seem appealing to some, they leave many others feeling unsettled. Asake

How Bari Brighten is Redefining Gospel Music

In the last decade, an emergence of vibrant praise and worship leaders of Nigerian roots have evolved around the world. More than ever, they launch out with great sounds and commanding ministrations which draws many to their attention and the blessing of their calling. One of these emerging ministers is Bariadoora Brighten-Saagwe, popularly known as Bari Brighten. He is a Nigerian Worshipper and songwriter with a distinctive voice. From raising sounds that resonate with Heaven to the very ends of the earth, the prolific gospel music minister has evolved to be a powerhouse of pure expression of music artistry. Rising through the ranks hasn’t been easy but what has come to set him apart is the central theme of his gospel music ministry which is centered

on the nature of God, his plans for humanity, and who we are in Christ.

Brighten always points out that his music encourages hope, healing, and restoration through faith in God which has made his music dear to his fans and the gospel music community at large. In his own words he shares that, “I aim to inspire people to encounter God’s love and experience spiritual

and emotional healing through worship. My sound combines soulful vocals with elements of contemporary gospel and God-led lyrics.

“Largely, my music is inspired by my personal journey with God, the testimonies of others, and the desire to bring light to those facing challenges. What makes my sound exceptional is its authenticity as I strive to create music that resonates with genuine worshippers. Each song I make is crafted to lead people into a worship experience that transforms hearts.”

What has become impressive of the worship leader is how he balances both his careers in music and medicine. Undoubtedly balancing both requires discipline, careful planning, and the grace of God which he has done effortlessly as he continues to set priorities and allocate time for each calling whether it’s patient care or creating music.

Empowering Voices, Shaping Narratives: The ChatRoom Debuts

From the stunning red carpet looks to powerful conversations and an electric atmosphere, the Season Premiere of The Chat Room NG held last week at the iconic, Silverbird Galleria.

The Chat Room NG sets itself apart by diving deep into some of the most pressing issues shaping contemporary society. The talk show serves as a dynamic platform for exploring topics like culture, relationships, self-identity, and social trends.

Highlights from the premiere teased insightful discussions on phenomena like the “Japa Culture” a reflection of the mass emigration wave among Nigerians and “Dirty December,” a celebration of the vibrant, end-of-year social scene. These topics, while rooted in humor and relatability, offer a lens into the evolving

fabric of Nigerian society.

The show is hosted by five remarkable women: Kossi Okon, Omu Akpos, Princess Peters, Inem Shina, and Cassandra Obiefune. Each host brings a unique perspective and professional experience from fields such as Media, Beauty, Health, and Lifestyle, creating a lively and multifaceted atmosphere. Their chemistry, authenticity, and passion for storytelling promise to make their show not just a show but an experience that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Nigerian culture.

The producer, Ochuko Derek Omiragwa discloses that “The Chat Room is a TV Talk Show that addresses the issues most importantly around the female gender and we feel the gender has a voice. Some crucial issues are not being talked about but on this show, we have deep conversations which isn’t like the norm. And this talk show would take over the industry as from the production, to the post production and the costumes which is

Waju Fashion Concept Unveils ÌGBÀ Collection

With the ÌGBÀ Collection, which debuted at Africa Fashion Week Nigeria recently, Waju Fashion Concept Ltd unveiled its boldest statement.

The brand consistently fuses tradition with modernity, reaffirming its position

as a visionary force in global fashion. The name ÌGBÀ translates as “time” in Yoruba, and through the design, it urges the wearers to embrace history while stepping confidently into the future. However, while the ambition is evident, the collection’s ability to strike a balance between cultural authenticity and contemporary relevance raises questions about its accessibility to a global audience.

The brand takes pride in a creative process that prioritises authenticity over predictability. Every work in the ÌGBÀ Collection is indeed a story, a reflection of the Yoruba culture in contemporary and creative design. The lead designer has also said, “Our process starts with a feeling and not a formula. The spirit of Yoruba people is resilient, beautiful and strong, these are reflected in every decision, whether it’s the fabric choice, the cut to the intricate detailing.”

fully African alongside topics of the everyday life in Nigeria would show you the amount of work we have given to this project.”

At a time where narratives about Africa lack depths, the show centers on reshaping how the world views the Nigerian identity. By merging conversations with elements of fashion, lifestyle among other things the show offers a representation of the rapid changes in today’s Nigeria.

Executive Producer, Kossi Okon also added that, “It’s a show we really haven’t seen before in Nigeria but it comes with a different experience. All the outfits we wore we ensure it’s of Nigerian brands and pretty much what we are trying to do is sell the best of Africa as we want to show people our culture and fashion. The show brings intelligent women together and is of the age range that is in vogue with the Gen Zs, millennials and we plan to be relatable talking about topics that matters to the Nigerian society.

Captions

Tosin Clegg

Tosin Clegg

Tosin Clegg

Bari

waju

How Mortgage Lenders Can Attract Young Home Buyers

With the influx of younger folks into real estate investment, expectations are high on mortgage lenders to switch games to gain this new market.

This population should particularly be a hot chase to players given the harsh macro-economic environment that has persistently put pressure on mortgage growth, worsening already dire housing deficit.

Indigenous real estate platform, BuyLetLive reported a grim trajectory in real estate in 2024, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates stagnating at 0.84 percent in first quarter, 0.75 percent in the second quarter, and a dismal 0.68 percent in Q3.

Latest findings by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed a significant shift in the real estate landscape, with millennials taking the spotlight as the largest group of home buyers.

Coming to terms with this reality, the government and indeed players have been constantly charged to liberalise product to enable this group to adequately explore this investment scheme. Homeownership is believed to not only build a solid financial foundation for young adults, it is an opportunity to build both short-term gains and long-term wealth, experts reckon.

The evolvement in the industry places new responsibility on lenders to revisit their strategy to convince and win the youth, while they remain relevant to older clients.

Managing Director of SystemSpecs Technology Services Limited (STSL), Ademola Igbalajobi, said players must not delay in embracing digital transformation, citing newer expectations and priorities among youth segment.

Identifying such expectations, he said during

a presentation at AG Mortgage Bank Retreat in Lagos, recently, “Today’s customers are increasingly impatient, discerning, and tech-savvy, demanding faster and more inclusive services.

“If a customer knows within five minutes that they can secure a mortgage offer for a specific amount, you have captured their interest.”

He noted that immediacy, clarity of deals and empowerment opportunities remained key in wooing young investors successfully.

He emphasised why lenders must review downwards their age demographics for mortgage investment, asserting that youth population, especially under 35 struggling with rent or unable to save for property investment are

OTH er Bu SIN e SS STO r I e S

FG

Tasked on Fair Deal

A professor of Accounting and Financial Development, Godwin Oyedokun has suggested a roundtable discussion between the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the new tax reform bills presently before the National Assembly. Oyedokun said the discussion was necessary to address the implication of tax reforms on Nigerian workers, which included higher taxes for high-income earners and corporations.

The don during his presentation at the NLC National Dialogue on the new Tax Bill in Ibadan, recently, asserted that the motive of the bill was well-meaning, with the aim to broaden the tax base, boost government

A financial sector development organisation, the Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), has called for targeted interventions to bridge Nigeria’s financial inclusion gap, particularly in underserved and conflict-zone areas.

The group in its States’ Fact Sheets released recently, highlighted a stark disparities in financial inclusion across Nigeria, with Kogi, Lagos and Ekiti states leading in banking penetration rate by 94, 91 and 77 percent respectively.

The fact sheet provided a comprehensive stateby-state analysis of Nigeria’s financial ecosystems, providing actionable insights for policymakers,

highly untapped.

He further called for the elimination of stringent and traditional practices delaying approval process, stressing real-time tracking of activities across the approval chain.

“If a document sits on a manager’s desk for two days, the system should notify the managing director, prompting action. This kind of accountability ensures customer needs are met promptly. In capturing youth customers, players cannot afford to compromise transparency, credibility and responsivity.

“By reengineering internal workflows, integrating digital monitoring tools, and fostering greater collaboration across departments, institutions

with Labour amid Tax Bill Concern

revenue, and modernise tax administration.

Speaking on “Proposed Tax Bills: Understanding it’s Dynamics and Several Implications to Nigerian Workers and Organiations,” he remarked that the bills would foster key changes like progressive income tax rates, new levies on luxury goods and digital services, and simplified regimes for informal businesses.

He, however, noted that the reforms are accompanied by some downside risks, with glaring consequences on Nigerian workers, necessitating a review to mitigate the fall out.

“Although, low-income earners are shielded from taxation and may benefit from enhanced

financial institutions, and development partners.

It revealed a starkly low banking penetration rate in states like Borno, Yobe and Sokoto down as 13, 22 and 22 percent respectively.

The report further identified Borno (68%), Zamfara (57%), and Sokoto (60%) as states with the highest exclusion rates, compared to two percent in Lagos and three percent in Kogi.

Following the findings, the group highlighted urgent need for targeted interventions to bridge financial inclusion gaps, particularly in underserved regions.

It recognised the need to transition informal

social security, middle-class Nigerians may face reduced take-home pay due to higher tax rates and VAT, which will consequently squeeze their purchasing power.

“The bills also taxes non-cash benefits like housing and transport allowances, raising fears of eroding take-home pay for salaried workers. For the informal sector, there are concerns about the readiness of small-scale entrepreneurs to adapt to formal tax obligations.”

Overall, Oyedokun was upbeat on the bills’ dividends to generate substantial revenue, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil, and foster economic diversification.

users into formal financial systems to unlock greater economic opportunities and address disparities.

“Bridging these gaps will require localised solutions tailored to each region’s unique challenges. There is a quick need for innovative approaches, such as mobile banking and digital financial solutions to extend services to vulnerable populations.

“States like Kogi and Lagos demonstrate what’s possible with robust financial ecosystems. But replicating this success in underrepresented regions demands intentional strategies and collaborative efforts by stakeholders, “ EFInA stated.

Infrastructure Gap Hindering Digital Economy Growth, Says Expert

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quomdo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu has identified a significant infrastructure gap as a major barrier to Nigeria’s ability to fully harness potential of digital economy.

Asalu at a forum in Lagos, recently, maintained that a robust infrastructure, particularly in broadband and energy remained the cornerstone of a thriving digital ecosystem.

According to the digital expert, Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has emerged as a key driver of Nigeria’s economy, contributing substantially

to the GDP in 2024 through advancements in fintech, e-commerce, and telecommunications.

He highlighted initiatives like the Fibre Forward project, aimed at laying 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, and rollout of 5G networks to have set the stage for enhanced connectivity and innovation.

“However, these milestones have also highlighted disparities, particularly in rural and underserved areas”, he said.

He noted that the federal government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) was a step in right direction to address identified

can eliminate delays in the approval process,” he said.

In seeing to process upgrade, Igbalajobi insisted that staff members must also undergo refinement in tandem with reality.

“They must be sufficiently empowered to facilitate transactions,” he maintained.

He proposed a raised standard aligning with advancement in international market where all processes in home buying are been digitised.

“This encompasses virtual property tours and seamless online mortgage applications. Imagine a scenario where a salesperson meets a customer on-site, discusses terms, and finalizes a mortgage agreement without the customer ever stepping into a branch,” he remarked.

He urged mortgage players to develop collaborative mindsets, citing successful partnership between banks and fintechs that have engendered a smarter, faster, and more customer-centric solutions.

“Fintechs are also innovating, but they cannot do it alone. They need you because you hold the licenses they cannot obtain.

Allowing for a symbiotic relationship between traditional and emerging players will translate into immense growth”, he assured.

Also important is maintaining a strong online presence as well as continuous education and engagement with this population via digital platforms, including webinar, to demystify mortgage process.

“Many young professionals lack a clear understanding of how mortgages work or the benefits they offer. By prioritising customer education, institutions can build trust and attract a new generation of homeowners, particularly those currently feeling excluded from the housing market due to perceived complexities or costs,” he said.

Fintech NGR Appoints New Chair

The FinTech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR), has announced the appointment of the Managing Director of Remita, Mr. ‘DeRemi Atanda as the Chair of the Coordination Committee for the Fintech CEOs and Founders Forum.

The association in a statement noted that Atanda’s appointment builds on his exceptional leadership, visionary approach, and steadfast contributions to the financial services industry.

In his new role, the appointee would be leading the forum in driving initiatives that foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s fintech sector.

He will be working closely with industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and innovators to champion growth-focused policies and programs to drive global competitiveness of Nigeria’s fintech industry.

In his remark, Chief Operating Officer of FintechNGR, Dr. Babatunde Obrimah, described the appointee as one who has consistently spearheaded innovative strategies for sustainable economic growth, expressing optimism about FintechNGR accomplishments under Atanda’s leadership.

disparity, worrying however that execution may be challenging.

Asalu acknowledged roles strategic partnerships played in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through investments in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), he averred that such must be scaled up to address persistent gaps.

“Public-private partnerships have proven effective, but we need more co-investment to accelerate growth,” he argued.

He further called for enhanced data protection laws and international collaborations to combat cyber threats said to be hindering digital adoption.

He said, “His appointment is a testament to his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem. His experience and dedication will undoubtedly drive impactful collaboration and innovation within our community.”

Commenting, Atanda said, “We stand at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, characterized by unprecedented potential for transformative innovation.

“I am committed to engage with my colleagues and stakeholders to explore new avenues for growth, catalyse innovation, and amplify our collective influence on the economy. Together, we can harness the power of technology to drive meaningful change and elevate our industry on a global scale.”

Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa

Anambra 2025: Top Politicians Jostling to Fly Labour Party’s Flag

Anambra State will in November this year go to the polls to elect a governor. David-Chyddy eleke lists politicians who are jostling to fly the flag of Labour Party

In November this year, Anambra State will go to polls to elect a governor. The incumbent governor of the State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is expected to seek re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). APGA has for years been the ruling party in the State and because of its formidable nature, only political parties deeply rooted in Anambra will be able to challenge it.

One of such parties is the Labour Party (LP), and this is because of the dominance of the former governor of the State, Mr. Peter Obi, who is deemed to have a huge fan base in the State; even though many think such dominance is waning.

In Anambra, Peter Obi, using his acceptance and popularity was able to engineer the election of many politicians into the State House of Assembly, the Federal House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2023 general election.

The aftermath of it is that Labour Party today has a caucus in the Anambra State Assembly, a crop of formidable politicians in the national assembly, and a huge support base. This is so much so that even Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election has long moved, to pitch his tent with LP. He and many others are the aspirants of the party that will be slugging it out for the ticket of the party for the November election.

Valentine Ozigbo

Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp and former banker was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 election in the state. He lost to now incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, but was then touted to be well positioned for the seat. The support of former Governor Peter Obi helped him to win the hearts of the people of the state, and it was believed that he had solutions to the problem of the State. Though he was largely regarded as a gentleman with a weak outward appearance, how he maneuvered to win the governorship ticket of the PDP in a contest populated by very experienced politicians remained a mystery to many. He went ahead to make a good showing in the governorship election and was on the verge of winning the ticket, but was said to have been betrayed by many PDP bigwigs who worked with him. He has however left the party and joined Labour Party, and was the first aspirant of the party to declare his interest in the contest. He has been a critic of Soludo and has insisted that if Soludo was doing well, he would not have had any reason returning to the contest a second time. He has a strong following among members of the party

John Nwosu

Mr. John Nwosu is another strong aspirant in the LP. He is a businessman from Nnewi, an ICT expert and owner of Jetlink Group, an ICT-based company that provides services for top banks across the world. He has showed interest in the governorship position of the party and insists that he has all it takes to move the state forward. He is particularly interested in the security of the state and has promised during an interview with journalists that he would leverage his experience of ICT to solve the problem of insecurity in the state. He is contesting on the platform of the LP and has already garnered the support of some key stakeholders in the party, especially that of Mr. Oseloka Obaze, the former Secretary to the State Government under Mr. Peter Obi and the governorship candidate of PDP

in 2017 governorship election in the state. He said he plans to use the acronym SHEEEMS to solve the problems of the state. He described SHEEEMS as an acronym representing; Security, Health, Education, Economy, Environment, Markets and Social Welfare. Though he is optimistic of the party ticket, he told journalists that if for any reason he fails to clinch the ticket of the party, he will work with anyone nominated to ensure the victory of the party.

George Moghalu

He is the immediate past Director General of National Inland Waterways Authorities (NIWA), and a former chieftain of APC has all his political life been a faithful party man, staying in one party, joining it to mergers when need be. He was an ally of former President Muhammad Buhari and joined Buhari’s CPC to form an alliance with other parties to form APC. In 2024, in what was seen as a surprise, especially as he has been known for his loyalty to one party since his political career, Moghalu dumped APC and moved into LP, and subsequently declared his intention to contest for the governorship position on the platform of the party. He hails from Nnewi and has insisted that if given the opportunity, he would serve for just one term to complete that of his kinsman, Soludo who is from same zone. This he said is to honour an existing zoning arrangement that allows each zone to govern for a two year term of eight years before it moves to another zone. Moghalu is known to be a strong politician, a grassroot mobiliser who had previously contested for the position. He has all along remained confident that he will win the ticket and move ahead to with the main election in November.

Bart Nwibe

Though he has contested for the position before, Bart Nwibi, an engineer by profession is a businessman from Aguata, which makes him a kinsman of the incumbent governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. He is the Group Managing Director of Segofs Energies Limited. Not much has been heard of him since after he lost the primary election in APC some years back, but the Port Harcourt Rivers State based oil engineer is touted to be looking forward to the contest on the platform of LP. He is also known to be very loaded with cash - a major requirement for the contest of governorship, especially in a state like Anambra.

Seyi Tinubu: The Young Lion, Ready to Roar

Keem Abdul

Believe it or not, the race for the Governor’s Mansion in Alausa, Ikeja is on. Even though we’re still in the early days of 2025, the mental timeline of the typical Nigerian politician probably indicates that we are in the last quarter of 2026 – if not early 2027. Based on this futurist calendar, all the permutations about who is up (or on his way there), who is down (or on his way there), and the whole panoply of alliances and allegiances (including shifting ones, according to where one’s best interests are best served) are now out in full force.

Over the past several months, the buzz around who gets to succeed Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as Governor of Lagos State when his tenure lapses on May 29, 2027 seemed to have settled on a number of political heavyweights, including both past and current political office-holders, such as the recently-impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the current Lagos State Deputy-Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the federal House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Sen. Tokunboh Abiru, and former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Although he wasn’t often mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned personalities, Oluwaseyi Tinubu has in the past few weeks managed to push to the forefront of contention for the top job in the Centre of Excellence, through a combination of strategic positioning, public appearances and charitable gestures on his part, as well as through high-profile endorsements by a number of influential stakeholders across the length and breadth of the nation. Accordingly, the media

spotlight on him is becoming a bit sharper than hitherto.

Seyi Tinubu is, of course, the son of the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But beyond that familial relationship with the nation’s No. 1 citizen, who exactly is he, and what qualifies him to vie for the office of Lagos State Governor, and to take on the onerous task of managing the affairs of one of Africa’s largest economies?

At first glance, he may seem like nothing more than a child of privilege, a pampered prince trying to ride on the coattails of a famous and influential father into the corridors of power. But on close examination by my humble-self, his friends, colleagues, business associates and admirers will assure you, there’s more to Seyi Tinubu, far more, than meets the eye.

A lawyer, business executive and serial entrepreneur, the 39-year old Seyi Tinubu, who was born on October 15, 1985, is the CEO & Co-Founder, Loatsad Promomedia Limited, an outdoor advertising, communications and content solutions company which has carved an enviable niche since its inception over a decade ago for developing tailor-made solutions for a vast range of successful corporate organisations – including some of Nigeria’s leading blue-chip and multinational companies. Highly sought-after in high-value corporate circles for his sound legal experience and in-depth, common sense approach to international business transactions, Mr. Tinubu and his firm have overseen hundreds of advertising transactions representing billions of naira in transaction value.

Known among his industry peers as an innovator and change-agent, Tinubu was the moving spirit behind the merger between his company, Loatsad and Promomedia (to form Loatsad Promomedia) back in 2016. It was a move which saw the merged entity embark

on a number of far-reaching work paradigms and innovations, among them opening up its portfolio of services by incorporating digital advertising. Loatsad Promomedia has since taken strides in consolidating its already formidable position in the outdoor advertising sector. Its intention to consolidate its position in this regard was further demonstrated with its recent acquisition of E-motion Advertising Limited.

He came to his present roles armed with a formidable academic pedigree, with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master’s degree in Corporate and Commercial Law from Lincoln University and the University of Buckingham (both in United Kingdom). Prior to his higher education, he had enjoyed schooling stints at places like Holmewood House School, Milton Abbey, also in the UK.

Beyond the boardroom, Seyi Tinubu harbours an unwavering commitment to ensuring positive change in Nigeria via the private sector (and in particular, the MSME ecosystem) as well as by empowering Nigeria’s millennial demographic towards achieving their full potential through entrepreneurship development, innovation, and sustainable ideas initiatives – such as the ones regularly facilitated by the Noella Tinubu Foundation – the NGO he co-founded and runs with his wife, Mrs. Noella Tinubu. The foundation is focused on providing support for tech startups and empowering young people.

His other passions include foreign investment and privatization, information technology and the development of human capacity – especially in the area of digital technology. Tinubu’s business acumen, leadership and the aforementioned interventions have not gone unnoticed by leading industry stakeholders. In 2017, he was given the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Leadership Excellence Awards, and in 2019,

he bagged the Business Person of the Year Prize at the Entrepreneur Africa Awards. Also, in 2019, he was crowned the ECOWAS Youth Ambassador for Entrepreneurship & Youth Development, and in 2020, he was inducted into the Ghanaian Institute of Public Resources Management & Politics.

Seyi Tinubu’s mention as a viable (if not the leading) contender for the Lagos State gubernatorial seat in 2027 has elicited a cascade of responses from virtually every tendency on the political chessboard of the state. Most of the responses have come in the form of enthusiastic endorsements, as various individuals and groups eagerly anticipate the ascension of a leader whose wealth of experience, educational attainments, business acumen, leadership skills and philanthropic instincts belie his relative youth.

Nwoye

Ozigbo

Tinubu

perSpeCTIVe

Nigerian Educational System: Critical Assessment and Need for Review

Frank Amagwu and Chuks Sokari

The Nigerian educational system has experienced an inexcusable decline over the years, particularly in the last thirty years (1995 to date). This situation began in the 1980s during a troubling period known as the “expo era,” where systemic corruption permeated the West African Examination Council (WAEC) processes. Question papers were illicitly smuggled and sold to students ahead of examinations, setting a troubling precedent that has only spiraled in severity over the years.

As the reputation of public schools—both at the secondary and tertiary levels—deteriorated, an increasing number of Nigerians, particularly from affluent backgrounds, began to seek alternative educational options. Many opted for private institutions, both locally and abroad, creating a stark divide in educational access and quality. This trend not only exacerbated inequalities but also weakened public educational institutions, which became abysmally underfunded and neglected; poor (if not total absence of) infrastructure, inadequate remuneration for teachers, and increased strikes and restiveness of students were manifest. Public schools increasingly became associated with poverty and lower standards, while private schools flourished for those who could afford them, thus fostering a troubling class consciousness among Nigerians. Sadly, this situation has not only remained unchanged but has become worse.

Tragically, the Nigerian educational system has suffered a final blow, relegating it to a status where only local or foreign private schools are deemed acceptable by the privileged elite. Reasons for the Collapse of Our Public Schools

The Nigerian privileged class, comprised of economic operators in both the public and private sectors, is largely responsible for the decline and eventual demise of the Nigerian educational system. Employers are now more interested in foreign or private university graduates in their hiring decisions. This has created an undeniable stigma against local graduates and a strong desire to study abroad to prevent the glaring discrimination against them who, despite their qualifications, are still deemed inferior and inadequately trained for employment. Worse still, for graduates of our

public schools, it is a case of ‘to your tents, oh Israel’, and many, out of frustration from years of job hunting, end up as okada riders or Keke drivers.

The authorities at the top echelon of our educational sector, often complicit with private interest, have, over the years, amassed tremendous wealth through corruption and mismanagement of public funds to establish their own private secondary schools and universities. This has led to the proliferation of private secondary schools and universities that cater exclusively to the wealthy, further exacerbating the challenges faced by public education and driving more students away from public institutions.

Immediate Effects of Boom in Private Educational Institutions

1. Emergence of more private universities with inadequate infrastructure.

2. Attractive profit margins for investors, charging higher school fees without corresponding training facilities and quality of results.

3. Increased corruption among authorities in the ministries responsible for approving/licensing new schools, leading to poor standards in monitoring and evaluation.

4. Growing appetite and patronage for private university and secondary school education.

5. High school fees as a distinguishing criterion for the quality of education in Nigeria.

6. High influx and increased student population in private schools.

7. Contamination of monitoring and evaluation standards, which have plagued public schools, is now prevalent in private schools as well.

In the end, as the classical economists would say, ‘we are all dead.’ What goes around comes around. Most private universities and secondary schools have now become glorified commercial enterprises, suffering much the same fate as public schools, despite the enormous fees being paid by parents.

In all these instances, ‘Nigeria is happening to us’ across the various sectors of our economic landscape.

THE Way Forward

To reverse the decline of Nigeria’s educational system, a comprehensive overhaul is imperative. Stakeholders—including the government, private sector employers, educators, and parents—must engage in a collaborative effort to rebuild public education. This includes prioritizing funding for infrastructure, enhancing teacher training and support, and implementing policies that ensure equity across all educational institutions.

Donald Trump’s Geopolitical Gambit: Precedent for Putin’s Aggression?

Jude Dike

In the complex and often perilous world of international relations, the actions of world leaders reverberate far beyond their borders. A recent string of policy statements from President-elect Donald Trump—remarkably addressing the annexation of Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico—raises a chilling question: Is this a personal ploy to reshape the world map, or is it part of a larger, premeditated strategy to justify Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war on Ukraine?

Trump’s rhetoric on these geopolitical matters, though seemingly outlandish to some, holds an undeniable gravity. From his assertion that Canada should become the 51st state to his bizarre call for a “forced” annexation of Greenland, Trump’s statements not only challenge international norms but also introduce the disturbing idea that the United States can unilaterally redraw borders and impose control over sovereign nations. His remarks on the Panama Canal, a vital global artery once under U.S. control, suggest a longing for imperial dominance while dismissing the international community’s recognition of territorial sovereignty.

At the heart of these statements lies an underlying narrative of expansionism, one that seems eerily aligned with the rhetoric coming out of Moscow. Putin, in his quest for imperial restoration, has shown no hesitation in using force to reassert Russia’s dominance over former Soviet territories. This includes the 2014 annexation of Crimea and his most recent invasion of Ukraine—a war that, according to some analysts, is driven not only by regional security concerns but by a deep-rooted desire to restore Russia’s former glory.

So, what connects Trump’s fantasy of

annexations to Putin’s brutal aggression in Ukraine?

A Dangerous Parallel

On the surface, Trump’s proposals might appear to be little more than provocative, attention-grabbing soundbites. However, the underlying message is more insidious.

Trump’s frequent flirtation with the idea of “taking” territory—whether it be through annexations or outright conquest—echoes the same imperialist tone Putin has used in justifying Russia’s actions in Ukraine. While Trump has not explicitly called for military action, his remarks suggest an affinity for a world where borders are not respected and the powerful simply take what they want. In this sense, his statements serve as a dangerous legitimization of aggressive expansionism.

Putin’s justification for invading Ukraine has been cloaked in historical revisionism and a desire to restore Russia’s former imperial might. In 2022, Putin called the dissolution of the Soviet Union “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century,” and he has consistently described Ukraine as an artificial state that must be reunited with Russia. Similarly, Trump’s apparent willingness to challenge international norms by advocating for territorial acquisitions reflects a mindset that borders are fluid, and that might makes right. Both leaders, in their rhetoric and actions, echo a belief that the status quo is unacceptable and must be overturned.

A New Age of Imperialism?

Trump’s remarks on Canada, Greenland, and the Gulf of Mexico might be dismissed as the musings of a former reality TV starturned-politician. Yet, they hint at a deeper, more unsettling ideology. Trump’s vision of American expansion—whether through economic, political, or military means—mirrors a broader global trend toward aggressive

nationalism and territorial revisionism. This attitude could embolden authoritarian leaders like Putin, who view the sovereignty of other nations not as a norm to be respected, but as a barrier to be dismantled.

The alarming rise of populism and nationalism in both the United States and Russia suggests a convergence of dangerous political ideologies. Trump’s rhetoric not only mirrors Putin’s, but may, in a more subtle way, serve as a precursor to justifying military aggression. Putin’s war in Ukraine, which has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, could be seen as a manifestation of the very attitudes Trump is flirting with. If the world’s two largest nuclear powers are both entertaining the idea of forcibly annexing territories, what message does this send to smaller, vulnerable nations?

The Risk of Undermining Global Order

Trump’s proposed annexations, particularly in a post-Ukraine world, risk undermining the international order that has largely kept peace since the end of World War II. The concept of sovereign borders—the idea that no nation has the right to arbitrarily seize another’s land—has been a bedrock of global diplomacy for generations. Trump’s rhetoric chips away at this principle, introducing a sense of instability where none should exist. More than a mere political stunt, these proposals represent a philosophical challenge to the very structure of international law. What is even more concerning is the potential impact on global alliances. Trump’s seeming indifference to the sovereignty of other nations and his apparent disregard for international diplomacy may alienate allies and embolden adversaries. If annexations, whether through rhetoric or policy, become normalized, we risk entering a new era where the rule of law is supplanted by the whims of powerful leaders, willing to rewrite the map

with little regard for the lives and livelihoods of the people they displace.

The Road Ahead: A Call for Accountability

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, it is crucial that both American and international leaders confront these ideas with a clear-eyed understanding of the dangers they pose. These aren’t just careless words from a man seeking to dominate the political discourse—they are dangerous signals of a mindset that could reshape the global order in ways that threaten peace, stability, and security. If the West, led by the United States, is to maintain its commitment to democratic values, it must unequivocally reject the rhetoric of territorial conquest. Supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression is more than a moral imperative—it is a critical safeguard for global peace. Similarly, the world must stand firm against any attempts to legitimize the kind of expansionist rhetoric that Trump has put forward.

Dike, Ph.D. writes from Canada. He is a college professor and host of a popular weekly podcast in Calgary, Canada. He graduated from Delta State University, Abraka, with a Bachelors degree in Economics. He later earned a Masters degree in Petroleum Economics from the University of Dundee, Scotland, and a doctorate degree in Economics from the University of Stirling, Scotland. He worked previously with the World Bank and Nigeria’s National Assembly.

Prof. Amagwu is Faculty, Micro & Dev. Finance, Apollos University Great Falls, Montana USA. He is also Adjunct Professor, Accounting & Finance, PG Biz Sch, ANAN University. Sokari is a Retired Deputy Director (Operations), CBN.

Alausa

•Tourism •Arts&Culture

Meju’s ‘Eze Goes to School’ Acquired by Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art

Charles Ajunwa

Rising Nigerian artist Lawrence Meju, has announced the acquisition of his artwork, ‘Eze Goes to School’ by the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art.

The remarkable piece, part of Meju’s Surrealist Appropriation Series, reimagines historical paintings through a contemporary lens, offering a fresh narrative on identity, knowledge, and triumph.

Inspired by Jacques-Louis David’s iconic Napoleon Crossing the Alps, this artwork reinterprets the heroic imagery with a distinctly African perspective.

The subject, dressed in traditional attire and a graduation hat, rides a horse in a triumphant pose, holding a pen aloft—a powerful nod to the timeless adage, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

The vibrant, uplifting atmosphere infuses the work with a sense of achievement, celebrating the universal pursuit of knowledge.

“This work is deeply personal to me,” says Meju, adding, “It speaks to the importance of understanding one’s roots while embracing truths that transcend borders and bring us closer together. Eze Goes to School rejects tribal and ethnic divides, instead focusing on the

unifying power of education and self-discovery.”

“The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art’s acquisition of this piece reflects its commitment to championing emerging talent and preserving narratives that resonate with contemporary African experiences.

“‘Eze Goes to School’ is a remarkable addition to our collection, not just for its aesthetic value but also for its layered commentary on cultural identity and aspiration.

“The donation of ‘Eze Goes to School’ highlights Meju’s commitment to supporting institutions that preserve and celebrate the narratives of contemporary African creativity.

“The acquisition also aligns with the Yemisi Shyllon Museum’s mission to champion emerging talent and foster dialogues that connect tradition and modernity,” Meju noted.

The Museum Director, Dr. Jess Castellote said, “Lawrence Meju’s ‘Eze Goes to School’ is such a powerful work, celebrating the power of education. By merging historical inspiration with a contemporary African perspective, this work beautifully captures the aspirations and resilience of a new generation. We are thrilled to add this incredible piece to the permanent collection of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, of the Pan-Atlantic University, where it is sure to spark conversations and inspire visitors for years to come.”

Meju’s work has already gained recognition

on the global stage, with exhibitions at venues such as the Adidas Flagship Store in London, Affinity Gallery

speaks volumes about the evolving narratives of African creativity, bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.

New Book, ‘Alain St.Ange, My Journey - Life and Times in Politics’ to Be Out Soon

Former Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alain St.Ange, is set release his latest work, ‘Alain St.Ange, My Journey - Life and Times in Politics’.

The Seychellois politician’s latest work, is a comprehensive 785-page book chronicling the political history of Seychelles. This groundbreaking publication highlights his personal experiences, his family’s political legacy, and the evolution of Seychelles from its colonial days to its establishment as a Republic in 1976. The book promises to be an essential read for anyone interested in Seychelles’ rich political history. Digging deep into the past, St.Ange sheds light on the contributions of his family, from his father Karl St.Ange, to his grandparents, Kersley and Josephine St.Ange, during an era before modern political parties existed. Winding through pivotal decades, St.Ange recounts Seychelles’ transition from French dependency to a British

colony, and eventually to the Republic it is today. The book showcases documents obtained from British archives on the island’s pre-independence era, the 1977 coup d’etat as well as the 1978 era of arrests and detentions.

Featuring a blend of historical facts and rare visuals - including archival photographs, campaign materials, and documents - this book provides an intimate look at Seychelles’ political landscape. Readers will uncover how political affiliations shaped the country’s destiny, leading to Constitutional Commission meetings in London and the emergence of key figures such as the Chief Minister, Prime Minister, and the establishment of a Coalition Government.

During his political career, Alain St.Ange participated in six elections, the pinnacle of which was his bid for the presidency in 2020.

Reflecting on his time in public service, he shares, “I knew that my participation would, in one way or another, help democracy to establish its needed roots in Seychelles. People change, and political charters change. Following a party blindly

St.Ange served in three consecutive cabinets under Presidents James Michel and Danny Faure, working closely with all five successive

Seychellois Presidents in different capacities. His memoirs and analysis honour the privilege of public service and confirm his commitment to serving the people of Seychelles throughout his career. “At each of my swearing-in ceremonies as Minister, I reminded myself that a call for public service is a privilege and that I should always remain true to the people I was being called to serve,” he says in the book, as he documents his journey through his time as a candidate for four legislative elections and the 2020 presidential one. This beautifully crafted landscape-format book features a hardcover and vivid full-colour pages, carefully designed to preserve the visual elements of historical and contemporary Seychellois politics. Black-and-white images from the French and British eras also pay homage to the country’s past. With ‘Alain St.Ange, My Journey - Life and Times in Politics’, readers will gain an unfiltered perspective on the evolution of Seychelles’ governance, as well as a family legacy that intertwines with the country’s history.

CISA Organises Dual-location Festival July 2025 Ethiopian Airlines’ New Terminal to Boost Tourism

The Council for Igbo States in the Americas (CISA), an organisation that promotes the cultural heritage, unity and development of Igbo living in the USA, has announced a dual location format for the 12th edition of its globally acclaimed arts and cultural fiesta.

Themed ‘Reconnecting with our Ancestors at Igbo Landing’, the first leg of the annual global diaspora event slated for 25th and 26th July, 2025, will be held at Brunswick and St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA; the historic site where Igbo slaves arrived in 1803.

The event promises to be an impressive celebration of Igbo cultural heritage.

In a historic and significant move, the Centre for Igbo Studies, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State, is gearing up to play to the global community as the organisers have concluded plans to bring the worldwide fiesta home to Nigeria, the first of its kind, come December 2025.

A statement by CISA Director of Publicity and Media, Chief Mathias Mgbeafulu, said the date of Georgia, USA edition was disclosed by its President, Dr. Uzoamaka Aguoji, during CISA Governing Council meeting.

Throwing more light on the festival, Aguoji who is the first female president of the global body, explained that “CISA festival is a global platform for showcasing the beauty of Igbo cultural

heritage, through live entertainment, delicious Igbo cuisines, arts and craft exhibitions and youths, women and men cultural performances of varying descriptions and contexts.”

She further noted that the emotion-laden reconnection and naming ceremony rituals by which African Americans of Igbo DNA are reconnected with their Igbo families remains the binding cord of the festival.

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline brand in Africa, has announced the inauguration of the newly built Wako Gutu Airport Terminal at Bale Robe.

President of the Oromia Regional State, H.E. Shimelis Abdisa, high government officials, Ethiopian Airlines Group executive management members and dignitaries were all present at the historic inauguration.

The new state-of-the-art airport terminal is aimed at advancing the socio-economic and cultural interrelations between the domestic regions and beyond providing seamless domestic air transportation service.

Regarding the inauguration of the new passenger terminal, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “We are delighted to announce the completion of this terminal project, which brings an enhanced travel experience to our passengers flying to and from this destination. Our commitment to improving the airport experience across our domestic network drives us to invest in upgrades and renovations like this. We take great pride in delivering this state-of-the-art facility and look forward to offering our passengers an elevated level of comfort and convenience.”

is

Ethiopian Airlines’ flight to Bale Robe also plays a crucial role in enhancing the tourism potential of the Bale Mountains National Park by improving accessibility and promoting the region as a prime tourist destination. Ethiopian Airlines continues to enhance regional connectivity, serving over 22 destinations across the country. Demonstrating its commitment to transforming domestic aviation, Ethiopian Airlines operates up to 14 weekly flights to and from Robe

L-r: Artist, Lawrence Meju with Director, Yemisi Shyllon Museum, pan-Atlantic university Lagos, Dr. Jess Castellote, at the presentation of Meju’s artwork, ‘eze Goes to School’

Aguoji

wako Gutu Airport Terminal at Bale robe

Charles Ajunwa

Charles Ajunwa

Charles Ajunwa

simply for tradition is not the transformative leadership Seychelles needs.”

Lagos, House of St. Barnabas in London, the +234 Art Fair, and most recently, a

solo exhibition at Alliance Francaise de Lagos. His art

Bale

among the iconic Ethiopian tourist destinations, with its proximity to one of the most spectacular and extensive underground caverns in the world, “Holqa Sof Omar”, famously known as the Sof Omar cave.

Wako Gutu Airport.

St.Ange

2025: As Pandemic Looms, Conspiracy Theories Swirl

As 2025 gradually unfolds, a shadowy narrative is quietly gaining traction: A global pandemic is coming. Rooted in the complex swirl of conspiracy theories and public health predictions, this ominous forecast has captivated the internet and fueled widespread fears. While these speculations often veer into the realm of distrust and paranoia, a more grounded concern persists: is the world truly prepared for the next pandemic, Adedayo Adejobi asks

TIn the dark, tangled corridors of the internet, amidst a swirl of viral misinformation and complex conspiracy theories, one narrative has quietly endured over the years: a global pandemic is coming in 2025. Its roots lie not just in public health predictions but in a profound, albeit disputed, worldview that involves major global figures, such as Bill Gates who last year paid several visits to Nigeria and other African countries driving his agenda, amidst an array of apocalyptic forecasts. As China battles what is being described as a resurgence of a highly contagious respiratory disease, many observers are looking to the future, interpreting the present with a sense of foreboding.

Conspiracy theorists are quick to link these events to figures like Gates, with claims that powerful elites are orchestrating a new era of global control under the guise of health crises. For others, it’s a tale of preparedness—one that’s spun from the complex realities of disease transmission and an increasingly interconnected world. With many of these discussions painting a grim picture, it’s clear that these narratives demand scrutiny, not just for their merit, but for the potential consequences they pose in shaping policy and public opinion.

As predictions about the global pandemic in 2025 grow louder, the question is: How should Africa, and particularly Nigeria, prepare for what could very well be an inevitable global health crisis?

In recent years, the notion of a pandemic sweeping across the globe in 2025 has been a fixture of conspiracy circles. Theories range from claims that this pandemic will be engineered by world elites to calls for a global vaccine mandate. For many, Bill Gates, a frequent figure in the crusade for vaccines, plays a pivotal role. As the founder of Microsoft and a major philanthropist, Gates has spent billions on global health initiatives, particularly through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His involvement in promoting vaccines, especially for diseases like malaria, polio, and COVID-19, has earned him both admiration and suspicion.

CriticssuggestthatGateshasahiddenagenda—some allege that he seeks to profit from global health crises or implement invasive control measures under the guise of public health. Some conspiracy theorists claim he is involved in efforts to reduce the global population or impose microchip tracking through vaccinations- a

process said to have begun in some countries. These narratives continue to fuel suspicion among vulnerable populations who feel alienated by governmental power and international institutions.

Despite the speculative nature of these claims, the idea of a pandemic in 2025 is grounded in a more immediate and realistic concern: that Nigeria is unprepared for the next global health crisis, one that will come sooner rather than later. Given the nature of infectious diseases, the evolution of zoonotic viruses, and the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not unfathomable to anticipate another large-scale outbreak.

A Premonition Fulfilled?

Last year, a wave of predictions about a 2025 pandemic swept across the internet. Some attributed these prophecies to cryptic messages hidden in works of art, others to the enigmatic pronouncements of self-proclaimed psychics. But perhaps the most unsettling predictions came from a more conventional source: pandemic preparedness exercises.

In 2019, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security conducted a tabletop exercise called “Event 201”, simulating a coronavirus pandemic. The exercise eerily mirrored the events of the following year, leading many to question whether it was a mere coincidence or a chilling premonition.

In the years following COVID-19, the figure of Bill Gates became synonymous with the global vaccination effort. Gates pushed for the widespread distribution of vaccines and supported efforts to ensure equitable access to medical resources. However, for those prone to conspiracy thinking, these very efforts are twisted into darker narratives: Gates, they claim, is controlling the world’s health systems, manipulating global populations, and ushering in an era of unprecedented surveillance.

The popularity of these conspiracy theories has created a toxic atmosphere of distrust, exacerbating the difficulties of public health officials trying to ensure vaccination coverage across different continents. A recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that 29 percent of people globally still harbor some form of vaccine hesitancy—most often attributed to misinformation propagated by social media. Amidst this backdrop of foreboding predictions, the name Bill Gates has resurfaced, not as the tech titan who revolutionised personal computing, but as a figure shrouded in conspiracy theories. His philanthropic endeavours, particularly his focus on global health initiatives, have fueled speculation about a hidden agenda.

Some conspiracy theorists claim that Gates is orchestrating a “depopulation” agenda through vaccines, while others allege that he profits from pandemic-related technologies and investments.

These theories, while often dismissed as baseless, have gained traction in certain circles, further eroding public trust in scientific institutions and exacerbating vaccine hesitancy.

China’s Resurgence: Warning for Nigeria and Africa

As the situation in China unfolds, Nigeria, and largely Africa finds itself at a precarious crossroads. The continent’s healthcare systems, already burdened by underfunding and a shortage of medical personnel, are ill-equipped to handle a major pandemic. The spectre of a new wave of infections threatens to overwhelm fragile infrastructure and exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities.

While the detailed news and images of hospitals in China may have sparked fear in global markets and raised concerns about international mobility. It’s not just China that’s at risk. Nigeria, Africa and any nation can become the next epicentre in our interconnected world, where travel and trade make the transmission of diseases inevitable.

Some have connected this resurgence to previous predictions that suggest pandemics occur in cycles or that the world is overdue for a highly contagious viral outbreak. And if the 2025 prediction is what is playing before our very eyes: the next pandemic will likely follow similar patterns. Viruses, often emerging in areas where human populations interact closely with wildlife, are poised to spread rapidly across borders, leaving nations with limited time to respond. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated just how unprepared even wealthy nations were in the face of global crises. Nigeria needs to look no further than the chaos in the early days of COVID-19 to understand how disorganised and panicked many countries were in their response.

Nigeria’s Imperative: Proactive Measures and Preparedness

As the world faces the possibility of a pandemic in the near future, one region is poised to play a particularly crucial role in preventing catastrophic consequences. Once Nigeria leads, Africa follows. With a population set to surpass two billion by 2050, Africa is the world’s fastest-growing continent. Its rapidly urbanising cities, young population, and unique health challenges make it a focal point for future health crises.

Read full Article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Reflections on Mbah’s Feat, Tinubu’s Visit

“Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want”- Ken Poirot When Peter Mbah came up with the campaign slogan “Tomorrow is Here” as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2023 elections, some people in Enugu dismissed it as one of the usual electioneering rhetorics of politicians bandied to woo voters and get their way into the office. I must confess: even yours sincerely did not give much thought to the sloganeering despite Mbah’s antecedents in the private sector. I adopted the body language of “let’s wait and see”.

Please don’t blame me at all. When career politicians had consistently lied to you, broken every of their campaign promises, and even denied ever making those pledges of good governance, you will begin to develop trust issues with an average Nigerian politician. It is like a beautiful young lady whose heart of love has been pierced and disappointed severally, she would begin to stereotype all men as the same in terms of deception.

But it took just one year in office as governor of Enugu State for Peter Mbah to destroy that myth, shattered the illogical notion and restore people’s faith in a politician’s commitment to unequivocally deliver good governance in an unprecedented manner. Seeing Mbah’s milestone in such brief period in office so far, the slogan “Tomorrow is Here” makes more meaning now and resonates with anyone like me, who hitherto stopped taking politicians by their words.

“Tomorrow is Here” affirms the eternal words of

an American author, Ken Poirot, who said: “Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want”, which also aligns with Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This is the bedrock of Governor Mbah’s political ideology vis-a-vis leadership philosophy.

Immediately after his inauguration as governor, Peter Mbah shut his doors against sycophancy cum sycophants, and let anyone who cared, to understand that it was a new dawn and never again would it be business as usual. Like a commander who was ready to change the narrative and orchestrate paradigm shift in governance, he wore the gab of a newly hired chief executive officer with the mandate to turn around a failing company teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.

Sooner than later, everyone around got the “memo” that Governor Peter Mbah was not a typical African politician indulging sycophancy at the expense of quality of services being rendered to the populace, who have been starved of what visionary cum purposeful leadership looks like.

Transforming Lion Building (Government House), in his unique administrative style, from hub of rent-seeking to epicenter of excellency in governance, is the biggest win for me.

In fact, killing the industry of sycophancy that was a huge clog on the wheel of progress of the state was the beginning of Governor Peter Mbah’s revolutionary leadership. When sycophants knew that the head huncho in office was not comfortable with praise-singing, political serenity returned to the state, and everyone got down to work. I can categorically affirm that instilling discipline in governance—leaving no room for shenanigans, was the spark that ignited exponential transformation

and Mbah and governance being witnessed in the state today.

Shunning unnecessary distractions with laser-focus attention on business of proactive and responsive governance, enabled Governor Mbah to take off seemingly successful more than his contemporaries in other states. Under his watch, Enugu has emerged as the fastest growing economy east of the Niger.

The former capital of old Eastern Region is projected to grow from $4.4 billion dollars economy to an olympic height of $30 billion dollars in the next few years! This is incredibly ambitious!

This is the driving force behind comprehensive developmental strides in the state being witnessed today. You can see that Governor Mbah is in a hurry to retrieve the state from clutches of backwardness, position Coal City on the path of progress, and enhance its speed of development to achieve systematic wealth creation and shared prosperity in the next few years.

While some of his colleagues, who were sworn

in the same day as him, are still trying to find their feat, Governor Mbah has completed 30 out of 260 Smart Green Schools under construction, built 60 well-equipped Type 2 Primary Healthcare centers out of 260 under construction, finished rehabilitating 90 urban roads, while 141 others are ongoing, and completed and unveiled the International Conference Centre, commissioned state-of-the-art command and control center (by far the best in the country today) with AI-embedded patrol vehicles donated to security agencies in the State.

Transportation sector in the state has received a huge boost with the construction of ultramodern bus terminals across the states, with majority of the terminals nearly completed. With soon-to-beunveiled CNG buses and corresponding CNG centers, coupled with newly asphalted road network kitted with remodelled bus stops, Enugu State would soon become a reference point for PhD thesis on “how-to-remodel-a-city” within the shortest possible time and limited resources. It is, therefore, not surprising that despite being an opposition-controlled state under the PDP, President Bola Tinubu of the APC decided to start his first official visit in the East with Enugu State, which culminated in commissioning some of the landmark projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah-led administration. During the visit, the President, who said he did not mind anybody’s political party and that our languages and tribes were mere accidents of birth as we are one people living in the same house, but in different rooms, commended Mbah for bringing his private sector experience to bear on governance of the state.

The Bill Gates Conundrum: Fear or Reality?

Chidiebere Nwobodo

Tinubu

The ChUMMIeS

Toyota Launches Alphard,

Vellfire PHEV Models in Japan

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has announced that it would commence sales of its all-new Alphard and Vellfire Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV; six-seater) models in Japan on January 31, 2025. Gasoline and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) models of the Alphard and Vellfire have also been improved, and sales will commence on January 7, 2025.

The joy of comfortable mobility offered by PHEVs

The Alphard and Vellfire (gasoline and HEV models), which were completely redesigned in June 2023, were developed from the concept of “the joy of comfortable mobility” to create a space where everyone, from the driver to rear seat passengers, can share consideration and appreciation in all kinds of situations, whether

traveling with loved ones and family members or taking important visitors to and from work.

According to Toyota, the platform has been overhauled to offer significant improvements to basic performance, such as riding experience and comfort, making them suitable for a wide range of customers, from families to VIPs.

The new PHEV models offer improved quietness and riding experience, enhancing the joy of comfortable mobility offered to the driver and rear seat passengers in all kinds of situations. Comfort has been enhanced through the quietness of a BEV, which produces minimal noise and vibrations, and the low center of gravity and stability provided by the largecapacity lithium-ion battery mounted under the floor. The ability to drive with care for the surrounding environment, such as during late-night pick-ups and drop-offs, has also been

further enhanced to make it more suitable for use as a chauffeured car.

Air conditioning can also be operated using electricity and doesn’t require the engine to be started while waiting for pick-up as a chauffeured car, helping to maintain a comfortable space and contributing to the environment.

The Plug-in Hybrid System enables BEVmode driving for many daily chauffeured trips, using only the electricity stored in the battery*2 (BEV-mode driving range equivalent to 73 km*3). The engine can be used for traveling long distances with peace of mind.

PHEVs are one of many important pathways for achieving carbon neutrality. Going forward, Toyota intends to continue its multi-pathway approach, promoting the widespread uptake of electrified vehicles by expanding its line-up to cater to diverse needs.

BMW Group Maintains BEV Growth Path in 2024 Challenging Market Situation

The BMW Group has said it managed to continue its growth path in 2024, delivering a total of 426.594 fully-electric vehicles to customers and achieving BEVsales growth of +13.5%.

Both BMW and MINI brands posted double-digit BEV growth, with 368,523 (+11.6%) and 56,181 (+24.3%) fully-electric vehicles delivered to customers, respectively. The Rolls-Royce brand also recorded significant growth with 1.890 BEV vehicles delivered (+479.6%). The BMW brand managed to increase deliveries across all vehicle drivetrains in all sales regions outside of China.

“The BMW Group is maintaining its growth trajectory for fully-electric vehicles amid challenging market conditions. This is reflected in both the significant sales growth for fully-electric vehicles and the clear rise in new BEV orders in Europe,” said Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales. “We are confident we can maintain our BEV sales growth in 2025 with our strong and expanded product line-up,” Goller continued.

While BMW Group deliveries for the first half of 2024 were in line with the previous year, sales performance in the second half of the year was impacted by delivery stops in connection with the Integrated Brake System (IBS), as well as subdued demand in China. The BMW Group therefore adjusted its sales guidance for the full year. With a total of 2,450,804 vehicles delivered to customers in 2024, the BMW Group achieved this new sales target.

Electrified vehicles represented 24.2% of total BMW Group sales in 2024, with 593,215 units delivered to customers. Fully-electric vehicles accounted for 17.4% of total sales.

The BMW brand delivered 2,200,177 vehicles to customers in the full year 2024 (-2.3%). With its attractive product portfolio across all technologies, the brand maintained its position as the global leader in its segment. In the Europe region, the BMW brand expanded its market share, registering double-digit sales growth in Italy, France and the UK. The BMW brand also posted sales growth in

Car brake repair and brake servicing are important parts of proper vehicle maintenance. When you take care of your brakes, they’ll take care of you when you need them most. However, even with regular maintenance, the brakes on your vehicle may require a professional inspection and servicing if you encounter one or more of these eight brake problem warning signs and symptoms.

1. Brake Light On

If a brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it’s either time for your regular maintenance or it’s an alert to a potential problem. These are some of the more common dashboard alerts that appear in today’s vehicles. Note: Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for possible causes for these and other indicators.

Brake Pad Indicator

This light lets you know your brake pads may be wearing out, along with other non-visible reasons. Either way, get them inspected at Les Schwab.

Brake Fluid Level Indicator

This light will flash when your brake fluid levels are low. You may be able to top off the fluid to keep your brakes functioning properly, or stop by your local Les Schwab and we’ll give you a hand.

Parking Brake Indicator

When this light appears, your parking brake is either engaged or there is a problem with it. To diagnose the possible issue, engage and disengage your parking brake. If the indicator goes away, there are no issues. If it still won’t go away, come to Les Schwab.

2. Squealing or Squeaking Noises

Odd or unusual noises coming from your brakes aren’t always a sign of problems. It could just be a foreign object lodged in your brakes (a pebble or debris). It could also be your brake-pad wear indicators. These bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to emit a high-pitched noise when you apply the brakes. This lets you know it’s time to get your brake pads replaced.

3. Grinding Noises

Grinding noises, whether you have disc or drum brakes, could mean your brakes need servicing right away. In some cases, the sounds may be the brake pad or shoe scraping on metal contact points. A trip to Les Schwab is recommended when you hear or feel any form of brake grinding.

4. Wobbling, Vibrating, or Pulsing When Braking

If your steering wheel or vehicle shakes, vibrates, or pulses when you apply the brakes, it could be an uneven rotor. Brake rotors, which are a vital part of your disc brakes, are large metal discs attached to both ends of your vehicle’s axle. When you hit the brakes, the brake pads push against the rotors, which stops your wheels from spinning.

Wobbling, vibrating, or pulsing can occur if the rotor surface area is not flat (has uneven areas). Over time, it’s normal for the rotor surface to wear down and possibly become uneven. Braking friction, when you apply the brakes, results in the transfer of pad material to the rotor surface. If the pad material transfers unevenly, you may experience vibration when braking. Left uneven, the material will continue to accumulate, worsening over time. During brake servicing, the face of the rotor should be smoothed or evened out to correct flaws and keep you from feeling a wobble when you brake. If the rotors are too far worn to be serviced, they will need to be replaced.

the US. In Germany, despite a declining market for fully-electric vehicles, BMW saw growth in new BEV registrations.

With a total of 206,582 vehicles delivered to customers in 2024, M GmbH sales grew by +2.1%, reaching a new all-time high. The MINI brand, which updated its entire product range last year, sold 244,915 units worldwide (-17.1%). In the fourth quarter, the brand almost doubled its BEV sales year-on-year, with 29,698 fully-electric vehicles sold. The Rolls-Royce brand delivered 5,712 units to customers.

5. Leaking Fluid

When you apply your brakes, a lot of things happen all at once. An important part of the process involves brake fluid. This is used to create hydraulic pressure, which pushes the brake pad against the rotor (the large metal disc attached to the end of your axle). If your vehicle has no brake fluid, you won’t be able to stop safely.

Toyota Alphard

Sanction Against, Not ‘On’

DAILY Independent online of January 14 disseminated all manner of school-boy howlers right from the front page: “Fear has grip (gripped) notable politicians in Ebonyi State following findings by….” Most of the ensuing blunders were caused by sheer carelessness and loose thinking as the computer system has an in-built mechanism that detects most of the spelling errors contained herein.

“The discovery was made when the SSS arrested some kidnappers in the state alleged to be the brain (brains) behind high profile (high-profile) kidnapping in the state.”

“The SSS in the state said on Friday that it has (had) arrested….”

“…motorists were made to watch a bizzare (bizarre) spectacle, (needless comma) as four policemen beat a man gave (who gave) his name as…to a state of stupour (stupor).”

“The policemen, who drove to the scene in a patrol van with registration number KJA 284 AX, threw caution the winds (sic) (threw caution to the winds).”

“Federal University Lafia, (otiose punctuation) matriculates 380 students” Would it have matriculated traders? Just yank away the last word in the extract!

“Community sends SOS to Otti over harrassment” Spell-check: harassment, but embarrassment.

“When Uzodinma’s wife rescued woman abandoned with tripplet (triplet)”

Still on Independent under focus: “…Senator Hope Uzodinma, has already served the people creditable well…” This is an over-kill: use either ‘creditably’ or ‘well’. Both cannot co-function in the same environment.

“Adewale Ayuba is one musician (music/

musical) act who has been around for years. “

“My husband usually ask (asks) me to abort my pregnancy, woman tells court”

Finally, from a voice of your own: “Movie directors threaten sanction on (against) actress”

Next on focus is DAILY TRUST of January 10: “They buy at N159 and sell at N167, the CBN has (had) addressed last year when….”

“But what the banks decided to do is (was) to even stop selling.”

“Middle aged (Middle-aged) man commits suicide in Jos…Police tries (try) to uncover his identity”

“IITA creates 40,000 jobs under cassava to ethanol (cassava-to-ethanol) project”

THISDAY of January 6 contributed to the pool of infelicities: “Budget: FG threatening the lifewire (livewire) of Nigeria, says PDP”

“Edo: Court remands killer cop (killer-cop) in prison” Get it right: Court remands killer-cop

Leadership of January 9 goofed: “CBN said money is (was) missing from federation (the federation) account.”

Next on parade is The PUNCH of January 10: “Osun education policy confusing—Methodist Church” This way: Osun’s educational (preferably) policy…

“Uzodinma advised to set-up committee on derivation fund” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation.

“Police arrest five students over (for) NECO exam fraud”

“Its body is adapted to breath (breathe) air during periods of draught....”

“Consequently, the proper policing of our streets are (is) sorely neglected.”

“In the past, as there was (were) no clearcut policies and demarcation of roads.…”

“This situation works against the use of vigilante (vigilance) groups to combat crime

because most of them are ethnic based.”

“Face off (a hyphen, please) between chairmen, councillors paralyse (paralyses) activities in 3 LGs”

“Sanwo-Olu charges electronics media to halt….” Get it right: the electronic media to halt….

“…the closure and later reopening of the school, but with a divide and rule tactics.”

Education without tears: a divide-and-rule (note the hyphenation) tactic (not tactics).

“…the crisis currently being faced in fuel supply and distribution will be a child’s play.”

There is currency in ‘being’. So, ‘currently being’ is an overkill.

“A fatal motor accident…has claimed the lives of Eleven (sic) wedding guests among them a youth corp (corps) member.” Once death results, it becomes obviously a fatal mishap. Therefore, there is no point including the ‘fatality’ aspect in the intro.

“Group lashes Tinubu over relationship with deputy” The group did not flog the man, but lashed out at him! Got the point? Idiomatic expressions are fixed and not subject to a sub-editor’s illiteracy.

“…as a condition of peace in (on) the whole continent.”

“Nigeria farmer’s export pumpkin leaves”

Just rewrite: Nigerian farmers export pumpkin leaves.

“Holy Rosary Nursery School, Abuja (another comma) holds first graduation ceremony” Simply graduation (no trite embellishment with otiose ‘ceremony’—do you understand?).

Yet another headline blunder: ”Criteria knocks out firms on privatization” Singular: criterion; plural: criteria.

“Sensing danger, the palace and its vicinity was (were) fortified.”

“Much more painful is the fact that officials

Of a Generation Defined by Likes and Insults

The internet has fundamentally reshaped human interaction. In the span of two decades, it has transformed how we communicate, learn, and entertain ourselves. While this digital revolution has democratized access to information and amplified voices previously unheard, it has also brought with it a flood of troubling trends. Among these is the nature of entertainment in the social media era, which often leaves us questioning the moral and intellectual trajectory of our society.

Scroll through any Nigerian social media platform - TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook - and you will be met with an avalanche of videos, memes, and skits. The quantity is overwhelming, and the quality often raises eyebrows. Themes of materialism, shallow romantic expectations, and casual cruelty dominate. What should be a celebration of creativity has, in many cases, become a breeding ground for toxic values and behaviours.

Take, for instance, the blind date skits that have taken social media by storm. These videos typically feature young men and women meeting for the first time, with the supposed aim of finding love. What unfolds, however, is rarely romantic. Instead, these encounters devolve into showcases of judgment, entitlement, and verbal warfare.

Consider a clip from mid-2023, where a blindfolded young man brazenly declared his preference for “tall, slim, and sexy women with large backsides.” His female counterpart was equally blunt, outlining her desire for a man who was “tall, wealthy, and physically mature.” The moment they saw one another, mutual disappointment was palpable. He rated her “3 out of 10”, dismissing her as too “stressful” because of her physique. She, in turn, gave him “1 over 10”, deriding his choice of footwear and mocking his financial status.

This scenario is not an isolated incident.

It is part of a larger trend where human beings are reduced to their physical and financial attributes, with no room for nuance or depth. In another skit, a young woman, when asked about her ideal man, explicitly stated that a “Yahoo boy” (internet fraudster) would be acceptable, so long as he was wealthy. Her date, visibly appalled, declared he wanted a “wife material”, not a “street girl”. The ensuing argument garnered millions of views, with commentators picking sides in a debate that should never have existed in the first place.

These skits, while entertaining on the surface, reveal a deeper malaise. They perpetuate a transactional view of relationships, where love and commitment take a back seat to physical attraction and financial gain. What is perhaps most alarming is the sheer popularity of this content. Videos of this nature frequently amass millions of views and generate thousands of comments, suggesting that they resonate with a significant portion of the population.

The implications are dire, particularly for younger audiences. Social media has become a primary source of information and influence for many Nigerian youths. What happens when they internalize the values depicted in these skits? When they come to believe that worth is measured in currency, that love is a competition, and that insults are an acceptable form of communication?

But the blind date skits are only one piece of the puzzle. Other forms of social media content paint an equally troubling picture. Consider the rise of “Sugar Mummy” and “Sugar Daddy” narratives, where relationships are explicitly framed as financial transactions. In one particu-

charged with such high responsibilities betray the confidence reposed on (in) them…”

“Man (a comma) 60, jailed two years for impregnating 12-year-old girl”

“…vigilante groups also exist but not as the…” Justice in service of community: vigilance group.

“We congratulate the governor for (on) this.”

“Until he decided to join the political bandwagon as one of the facilitators…” State of the nation: climb or jump aboard/on the bandwagon.

“Lufthansa Cargo devices new means of tracking shipment” British Standard English: device (noun) and devise (verb).

“Oshodi/Isolo LG sets to re-build (sic) burnt market” Lagos Insider: set to rebuild.

“Players shape-up for Tinubu Tennis” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation.

“That appears to be the thrust of the arguement raging right, left and centre.” Spellcheck: argument.

“…as an affront on (to) them as a people.”

“…since he believes the police has (have) failed.”

“Even Tinubu himself has proposed that a largely populated and commercial city like Lagos, with its multi-ethnic colourations (colorations) and a teeming population of about 12 million people, require (requires) 50,000 policemen…”

The Lagos State Police Command was expected to have given a shoot-at-sight order to its officers recently.” New (dynamic) school: shoot-on-sight order.

“The police needs (need) not only to be strong but also.…”

larly notorious skit, a wealthy older woman berated a younger man for failing to meet her expectations, despite having “invested” in him. She concluded the encounter by offering cash to the host, instructing him to find her a more suitable partner.

These narratives are not just entertainment; they are reflections of societal values. They reveal a culture increasingly obsessed with wealth and appearance, to the detriment of integrity and mutual respect.

One might argue that this trend is simply a symptom of the times. After all, Nigeria is a country grappling with economic instability, high unemployment, and a widening wealth gap. In such an environment, it is perhaps inevitable that materialism would take root. Yet, to accept this as the norm is to surrender to cynicism.

Historically, Nigerians have always found ways to rise above adversity. Our comedians have turned hardship into humour, our musicians have transformed pain into poetry, and our writers have captured the essence of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Why, then, should we settle for content that degrades rather than uplifts?

The blame, it must be said, does not rest solely with content creators. Social media platforms themselves are complicit. Their algorithms prioritize engagement above all else, rewarding content that provokes strong reactions - whether laughter, anger, or outrage. This creates a feedback loop where creators feel compelled to push boundaries, often at the expense of decency and quality. However, the audience is not without fault. By liking, sharing, and commenting on this content, we validate its existence. We send a message to creators that this is what we want, and they respond accordingly. If we are to change the narrative, we must first change our own behaviour.

The role of traditional gatekeepersfamilies, schools, and religious institutions - also warrants scrutiny. These institutions have historically been tasked with instilling values and shaping character. Yet, their influence appears to be waning in the face of social media’s growing dominance. Parents, for example, are often unaware of the content their children consume online. Schools, overwhelmed by larger systemic issues, struggle to provide guidance on digital literacy. Religious leaders, though vocal on many issues, have yet to address the moral implications of social media culture in a meaningful way.

So, where do we go from here? How do we reclaim the internet as a space for positive engagement and meaningful connection? The answers are neither simple nor immediate. They require a collective effort, involving creators, platforms, audiences, and traditional institutions.

Creators must be encouraged to produce content that entertains without degrading. Platforms must be held accountable for the impact of their algorithms. Audiences must become more discerning, choosing to support content that aligns with their values. And traditional institutions must adapt to the digital age, finding new ways to impart wisdom and guidance.

In the end, the internet is a mirror, reflecting not just our creativity but also our flaws. If we are to emerge from this period stronger, we must take a hard look at what we consume and why. The world may laugh at our blind date skits and viral memes, but we must ask ourselves: Are we laughing with them, or at ourselves?

GLOBAL SOCCER

Taiwo Awoniyi w ill He Be A Hammer?

After suffering several injuries which hindered him from playing for several weeks,Taiwo Awoniyi has struggled for goals this season despite Nothingham Forest excelling in the league and putting themselves firmly in the Champions League picture.With the form of free-scoring striking partner,ChrisWood,the Super Eagles striker now finds regular playing time difficult and the Nigerian is therefore considering taking advantage of the winter transfer window to move away from the City Ground,withWest Ham United knocking at the door after several of Hammers’forwards down with long time injuries

With just one Premier League goal to show for his effort so far for Nothingham Forest this season, and having been pushed further down the ladder in the team’s starting sheet due to injuries and form of co-striker, Chris Wood, who has scored 11 goals in 18 matches, Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi may be taking advantage of the January transfer window for a new challenge elsewhere.

To compound Awoniyi’s situation, Forrest are reportedly interested in Brazil striker, Yuri Alberto, who plays for Corinthians.

However, West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker, Awoniyi, after Michael Antonio is out for an extended period due to a fractured leg in a road traffic accident in December, while Niclas Fullkrug has now been ruled out for months due to a hamstring injury, coupled with injuries to Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, left Hammers manager Graham Potter with seriously limited options in his first two games.

The Hammers are in desperate need of a new centre-forward after being

left light on options due to recent injuries.

With the Hammers looking for reinforcements, reports have it that they are keen to bring Forest’s Awoniyi to the London Stadium.

The Hammers are said to have made an initial approach over a loan deal, but the prospect of a permanent transfer has not been ruled out.

However, the update claims that Forest would have to compromise on their £20m asking price for West Ham to be able to pull off a permanent deal.

But after impressing in a brilliant first half at Villa, West Ham followed that up by beating Fulham 3-2.

Lucas Paqueta was played as a forward in that game and was man of the match.

Danny Ings also showed a great attitude when coming on as a substitute to force what turned out to be the winner.

With Fullkrug out for three months and Antonio out for the season, there is no doubt West Ham must go out and sign a striker in the January transfer window.

Getting striker signings right has not been the club’s forte in the last 15 years, though.

Potter has already stated it is important to sign the right player and character to fit the system and team rather than bringing somebody in ‘for the sake of it’.

The Hammers have been linked with a wave of names in recent days and weeks.

With the win over Fulham breathing some life into the campaign, there is still an outside hope of a late charge for the European spots; especially given what Potter has been able to get across to his team in just one week.

But many Hammers fans feel signing a striker and a midfielder is a necessity.

Now there’s been a twist as West Ham respond to news of a major double striker breakthrough.

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg is a close confidant of West Ham technical director Tim Steidten.

So, his news out of the London Stadium carries extra credibility.

Today Plettenberg has claimed West Ham are in advanced talks with Nottingham Forest over a deal for forward, Taiwo Awoniyi.

The Nigerian has been linked with the Hammers for several weeks and

the rumours aren’t going away.

Plettenberg says West Ham are now making a ‘serious attempt’ to sign Awoniyi from the high-flying Tricky Trees ‘with immediate effect’.

The German journalist says ‘talks have started’ over a deal for the 27-year-old.

However, Nottingham Forest are said not to be in no rush to sell Awoniyi to West Ham this month despite apparent interest from the Hammers.

Awoniyi has struggled for goals this season despite Forest excelling in the league and putting themselves firmly in the Champions League picture.

Despite his lack of form, the Nigerian international has attracted admiring glances from West Ham, who are keen to add a new forward for new boss. However, while West Ham clearly like Awoniyi, TBR Football understands things are a long way from being done just yet.

TBR Football revealed that Forest are not looking to sell or weaken themselves this month and it would take a good bid for them to even consider a sale.

Forest paid £17m for Awoniyi and any bid for the striker would need to be around the £20m mark or more for the Reds to contemplate any sort of deal.

TBR Football understands that no West Ham approach has been made as yet, but he is on their long list of strikers.

While Awoniyi has hardly shone this season in a Forest shirt, the speedy forward is still a big threat with his pace and size.

Indeed, it was only last season that Gary Lineker called Awoniyi a better goal scorer than Marcus Rashford, such was his impact in the 23/24 campaign.

“I think when you talk about players in the box, Awoniyi is more of a natural than Marcus Rashford… he is a goal scorer. He smells it,” Lineker said at the time.

And Awoniyi, who scored his first league goal of the season in the 3-0 win at Wolves, has emerged as a target for the Hammers.

“I wouldn’t say it’s imperative to sign a striker. I wouldn’t want to make the wrong decision or do something for the sake of it just because there’s a need, especially in this window which is very complicated,” said Potter.

Whether or not West Ham push further for this one remains to be seen, but clearly, the Hammers are keen on strengthening the forward ranks.

Manchester City defender, Akanji tries to stop Awoniyi

Osimhen’s Goal Rescues Galatasaray at Hatayspor

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s solitary goal in their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Hatayspor at the Mersin Stadyumu yesterday. Turkish kings, Galatasaray returned to Super LIg action with a fixture against relegation fighters, Hatayspor. Recall that Galatasaray’s last tie was against Istanbul Basaksehir, and Osimhen nicked an assist to ensure it ended 2-1. This time, against a Hatayspor side that had conceded 31 in 18 league

games, The Lions were massive favourites.

However, they were greeted with a rude shock as Cemail Sertel gave Hatayspor the lead after 28 minutes. The goal was against the run of play, as Galatasaray had dominated the proceedings. Osimhen even put the ball in the back of the net two minutes before, but it was ruled out for offside.

In the second half, Galatasaray increased their intensity, and they won a penalty within the

first eight minutes, as Dries Mertens won a penalty. Osimhen took charge of the opportunity and struck a well-placed penalty into the right of the goal to make it 1-1 after 56 minutes. Just a minute later, the Super Eagles star got another opportunity, but he fluffed his lines.

Osimhen put the ball in the net again in the 68th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside again. After 90 minutes, both teams had to settle for

LPSS Hosts 3rd Leg of Dolphin Swimming League

Lagos Preparatory & Secondary School (LPSS), Ikoyi, is set to host the third leg of Season 6 of the Dolphin Swimming League this weekend.

Twelve schools will compete for honours and glory in this prestigious school swimming tournament.

Organised by Dynaspro Sports Promotion in collaboration with Advanta Interactive, the Dolphin Swimming League receives technical support from the Lagos State Swimming Association and the Nigeria Aquatic Federation.

It is also endorsed by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF). Rite Foods is the official sponsor of the tournament and they pledged their support to grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

Having hosted the tournament in the previous season, LPSS will once again be the venue today, January 18, where the best swimmers from private schools within and outside Lagos will compete in the pool.

Defending champions Grange

and St. Saviour’s Schools will aim to continue their dominance against teams from LPSS, Greensprings, Atlantic Hall, Riverbank, Temple, Corona, and Whitesands Lagoon, all vying for medals and honours. Other contestants include Children International School, Boken Aquatics, and Team UNAT.

According to the tournament’s coordinator, Oluseyi Oyebode, the competition is reaching its climax, as new swimmers emerge in the elementary categories.

LAGGS Holds 70th Inter-house Sports Competition January 23

The 70th annual Inter-house Sports competition of the Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School, 19, Akinhanmi Street, Surulere, will be holding on Thursday, January 23, at the schools’ sports ground under the chairmanship of LAGGSOGA United Kingdom and Ireland branch, Mrs. Augustina Makasy.

According to the organisers, this year’s Inter-house sports competition, which coincide with the school’s 70th anniversary, promises to be one of its kind.

Six houses, which are: Olumide House (Blue), Fagbemi House (Green), Showande House (Red), Oluwole House (Pink), Ayedun House (Purple), Obasa House (Yellow) would be jostling for honours under a competitive

but friendly atmosphere.

Some of the events that would be competed for include; the traditional match past, 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, long jump, amongst many others. If the results from the heat in anything to go by, Green House is the house to beat come Thursday as it tops with six gold, two silver and two bronze medals, followed closely by Blue House with five gold, four silver and one bronze medals.

Sitting in third position at the end of the heat is Pink House after amassing two gold, two silver and six bronze medals, while Yellow House is fourth with one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Purple House and Red House

Ahead of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Zimbabwe Coach Warns of New Super Eagles’ Threat

Zimbabwe coach, Michael Nees, says he expects Nigeria’s Super Eagles to play with renewed ferocity when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in March.

Both nations have struggled in Group C, with Nigeria sitting on three points and Zimbabwe on two after four rounds of matches. The two sides are yet to record a win, leaving them rooted at the bottom of the standings.

For Zimbabwe, this scenario is not unusual, as the Warriors have never reached the FIFA World Cup finals.

However, Nigeria’s predicament is startling. The Super Eagles, three-time African

champions, boast six World Cup appearances, with their debut dating back over three decades. In a bid to turn the tide, Nigeria appointed Malian coach, Eric Chelle, to lead their talented squad, featuring stars like Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen.

The Super Eagles are set to face group leaders Rwanda and bottom-placed Zimbabwe in crucial matches next.

Zimbabwe coach Nees is wary of the threat posed by a Nigerian side desperate to revive their campaign.

“Nigeria is a wounded lion and therefore very dangerous. Their potential far exceeds their

current position in the group. When you look at African footballers, Nigeria remains one of the top teams,” Nees told CAFonline.

“We have a challenge, but we take it step by step, match by match, and even training by training. There are so many variables in football, and we’ll approach it wisely,” the German tactician added.

Nigeria and Zimbabwe’s first meeting during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers ended in a 1-1 draw, with Kelechi Iheanacho salvaging a point for the Super Eagles. That result marked only the second time Zimbabwe avoided defeat to Nigeria in six meetings.

Arsenal Host Aston Villa in Premier League Showdown on Showmax

Arsenal continues their push for the Premier League title today when they host Aston Villa at the Emirates airing live on Showmax. Fresh from a 2-1 victory over rivals Tottenham, the Gunners are in second place and eager to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool. Aston Villa arrive on the back of a gritty 1-0 win against Everton. While their season has been inconsistent, Unai Emery’s men will aim to disrupt Arsenal’s momentum and secure a vital win.

Liverpool, who sit comfortably at the top, face Brentford

in a tricky away fixture. Both teams were held to midweek draws—Liverpool by Nottingham Forest (1-1) and Brentford by Manchester United (2-2). The game is also available for live streaming. Fans can stream the Reds’ bid to extend their lead live on Showmax for just 3,200 naira monthly.

Tomorrow, Manchester United host Brighton after finally breaking their losing streak with a 3-1 win over Southampton.

against Bournemouth, leaving them fifth on the table Tottenham’s woes continue as they travel to Everton, desperate to end a five-game winless run. Ange Postecoglou’s side sits in 15th, and anything short of victory will deepen their struggles.

Elsewhere, Newcastle host Bournemouth, hoping to extend their impressive form to seven straight wins, while Manchester City visit Ipswich in what could be a routine win for Pep Guardiola’s men after their disappointing draw against Brentford in midweek.

AKO7 Delivers Unforgettable Showdown in Lagos

Premier League leaders Liverpool will visit the Gtech Community Stadium today, aware that anything less than a win against Brentford could intensify the pressure in the race for the title.

Arne Slot’s side began the season in spectacular form, opening a nine-point lead at the top of the table. However, a recent slump has seen them claim just three victories in their last seven league outings. Their

draw against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday reduced their lead to four points, following Arsenal’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.

While Liverpool have played one game fewer than their title rivals, the trip to Brentford presents a significant test of their resolve. Catch the action live on GOtv Channel 65 at 4 pm today.

Later today,Arsenal will host Aston Villa at 6:30 pm, live on

Chelsea, winless in five games, face Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday. Their latest disappointment was a 2-2 draw are placed fifth and sixth having amassed one gold, three silver and six bronze medals and one gold, one silver and one bronze medal, respectively.

In a chat with THISDAY, the Assistant Coordinator of Green House, Mrs. Wunmi Popoola, said it’s not by chance that the house is topping the medals’ table after the heat, but was as a result of the hard work put in by everyone involved.

“Our desire in Green House, is to ensure that we maintain the top spot after the Inter House Sport. We have put every machinery in place to ensure our desires are met. All our athletes participating in the various events are well prepared for the D-day,” Popoola said.

Brentford Awaits Liverpool as Title Pressure Builds

GOtv Channel 65. Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, were the last away team to claim a league win at the Emirates Stadium.

The rest of the Week 22 fixtures include Newcastle taking on Bournemouth, West Ham hosting Crystal Palace, Leicester facing Fulham, Nottingham Forest battling Southampton, and Everton clashing with Tottenham.

The African Knockout Championship (AKO7), held on December 29, 2024, has once again set the stage ablaze, reaffirming its status as the ultimate Pan-African Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship. Fighters from across the continent—Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Cameroon—converged on Lagos, transforming the city into the pulsating heart of African combat sports.

The Landmark Event Center was packed to capacity, hosting a sold-

out crowd of passionate fans filling every corner.

The venue buzzed with energy as AKO7 showcased a breathtaking array of matchups across various weight classes, including bantamweight, heavyweight, light heavyweight, women’s catch weight, middleweight, and featherweight. Fans were treated to a night filled with heart-stopping action, jawdropping athleticism, and unforgettable showdowns that left spectators on the edge of their seats!

In the electrifying main

event, Nigeria’s own Daniel Emeka unleashed a tidal wave of skill and power, overpowering Segun Ogunnoiki with a decisive unanimous decision. Emeka now advances to the AKO Championship finals, where he will vie for the Inaugural AKO Middleweight title in 2025. The excitement didn’t stop there! Nigeria’s Jibrin Baba delivered a stunning performance, defeating Burkina Faso’s Abdulrazac Sankara to secure his spot in the finals for the Inaugural AKO Lightweight title in 2025.

Turnout Excites Organisers as Azimuth Shipping Lines Tennis Ends

The organisers of the annual Azimuth Shipping Lines junior tennis tournament are happy about the turnout of players for the competition which is in its 7th edition this year.

The age-grade competition being staged for boys and girls smashers between the ages of 12 and 16 started on January 15 and it ends today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Court, Onikan.

The sponsors of the tournament, MD/ CEO of Azimuth Shipping Lines, Captain Stephen

Owolabi Martins, said it was a thing of joy to see smiles on the faces of the participants.

“There are more players and it also means the event is getting bigger and better every year. This is a success story for us as sponsors and I am anxiously waiting to witness the final on Saturday. We are ready to make the kids enjoy themselves till the last day,” he said.

In the boys U-12 category, Daniel Igbinovia and Gazah Ashim are the finalists while

in the girls U-12 final, Whitney Orimoloye will take on Mabubat Rasak. For the 14 and under girls, Atilola Mofifunoluwa and Kelvin Bebe Emmanuel will fight for the top prize while in the boys cadre of the category, Joel Michael and Godwin Akinfunloye will lock horns.

In the U-16 girls’ cadre, Gloria Samuel and Holzendoff Lorelay will tango for honours while Amir Muhammad and Isa Yayaha will do same in the boys’ cadre.

Moses Simon and Zimbabwe defenders during the 2026 FIFA world Cup Qualifier match between Zimbabwe and Nigeria at Stade Huye on November 19, 2023 in Butare, rwanda photo by IMAGO

Osimhen

Meranda to Lagos Legislators

“To deliver the dividends of democracy to Lagosians, we must foster cooperation and mutual respect, ensuring our legislative actions align with the executive’s vision for a better Lagos State. We will ensure that irrespective of gender, education, religious or ethnic backgrounds, every Lagos resident is proud to say: ‘I am a Lagosian.’” – New speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, called on her fellow legislators to work together towards a brighter future of the state.

OKEY IKECHUKWU

EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

Cosmic Events Amidst Mundane Pressures

As controversies rage over Emir Sanusi’s remarks about his resolve not to help the Tinubu government, as many people frown at the new inflation figures announced by the National Bureau of Statistics, as state governors strike a tentative agreement with The Presidency on tax reforms, and as the US is palpitating under a yet-tobe-inaugurated Trump government, wild fires are on rampage in many places. In addition, there are ongoing events in outer space that would give far greater cause for worry, if only more people knew about them.

Concerning the 2025 US wildfires, the impact on Los Angeles has been particularly devastating; with significant loss of life and property. The situation is still fluid as I write. Firefighters battling infernos on all fronts. The fires just keep spreading rapidly and somewhat unpredictably. Look at California. Look at Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. There are other states with significant impacts, of course. Places like Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico have also experienced wildfires in 2025.

While it is true that containment efforts are progressing steadily, it is also true that strong winds are expected to pose challenges in the coming days. Many residents remain displaced due to mandatory evacuation orders. Many organizations and individuals are providing assistance to those affected by the fires. But more hands are needed. More that the foregoing, the helplessness of a presumably sophisticated and science and technology governed world with AI capacities is shockingly obvious.

As for the cosmic events hinted at in our opening paragraph, much has been going on in the cosmos that we know very little about. On October 5, last year it was said on this page: “We now have a second moon … merrily orbiting the earth …But it is not round. It is not big either. We would most probably not have seen it, or known about it, but for the advances in astronomy and related sciences. Strictly speaking, this celestial wayfarer is an asteroid, suspected to have gotten here from a set of asteroids that are less than 200 million kilometres away from us”.

Coming now to the present, that is going beyond the matter of the new moon mentioned last year, it is now no news that the heavens will be adazzle with a rare planetary alignment in a few days’ time. The planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Mercury will all be “lined up” in the Elliptic, in a way that they have not done for a long time now. In a few days’ time.

For a planetary alignment to occur, three or more planets must gather closely on the same side of the Sun. But it is called, or considered, a conjunction when this happens with only two planets. And what we are going to witness is not a conjunction of two planets, but a confluence of eight!

Curiously, the year 2025 is replete with multiple planetary alignments. From the January 21 spectacle to the Main Event of January 25. Then there is the one of February 28. Come April i5, there would be a morning alignment of Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Venus. And August 11 will give us yet another morning alignment of Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn! Why? Yes, why?

If we have coming the rare, and much talked about, alignment of January 25, why is there another one preceding it by just three days? What is the buildup about?

Why after the January 21 large alignment of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn? Is there any special significance, scientific or otherwise, attached to these planetary alignments? What is this planetary alignment overload for 2025?

Recall that the official view when the asteroid, named Apophis, approached and then sped past the earth last year was that it posed no threat to life here on earth. This was a sensible thing to say, because the asteroid actually did not impact our planet or bother anyone in any way that one could point to. But what if it did, but in ways we could not point to physically? That the asteroid did not physically impact the earth is not the same thing as saying that its presence and proximity, no matter how temporary, could not have “possibly” had some effects on life on earth? And to think that Apophis is actually the name of the Egyptian god of Chaos! How comforting is that?

In the aforementioned piece on the earth’s new moon of last year, it was said: “The tides we experience in all bodies of water on earth are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun. At the Bay of Fundy in Canada, where you have the biggest tide in the world, the difference between low and high tide could be as

much as 16.3 metres. But leaving all that, and coming to the simple matter of tides and what causes them, we should simply note that there won’t be high and low tides if there was no moon”.

So, consider this view in both scientific and quasi scientific circles, to wit: “The alignment of several planets is believed to amplify the energies of these planets, prompting changes, introspection, opportunity, and transformation across the globe and across all zodiac signs”. So, what does the coming cosmic spectacle portend?

Rare planetary alignments have been historically linked with significant energy shifts; with implications for people’s emotions, political and social transformations, changes in the physical environment, upheavals in nature, new twists in relationships and possible global changes.

That Yahoo News report of July 30, 2024, about a killer asteroid heading towards the earth, with the title, “Preparations Underway as ‘Planet Killer’ Asteroid, the Size of Cruise Ship, Nears Earth”, made many people to think of a looming disaster. The asteroid would have completely destroyed a big country in one fell swoop if it struck land. It would have triggered floods and tsunamis across beaches and coastal cities all over the world if it struck the ocean instead of land.

And this asteroid, which was first discovered 20 years ago, is expected to pass by the earth again in 2029; and then again in 2036. What will it bring then? Will come any closer to the earth then? Will it, perhaps, impact eh earth; even if partially? We do not know.

Think back to the recent the solar eclipse that attracted less attention than one believed it should have. It came and went. An innocuous news time, no doubt. It made headlines in random and recondite journals of related sciences and nothing more.

Yet that eclipse along with a comet called the Devil Comet by scientists and astronomers. The latter was visible during the eclipse. Why such a name? Yes, why would anyone call a comet Devil Comet within the domain of science and not science fiction or witchcraft? And is it true that astronomers have also recently discovered, or at least are strongly speculating about, another planet within our solar system? Just asking; even though the answer is out there in the public domain.

Because we are all very busy grubbing in mud and sand, like worms, unwilling or unable to raise our heads and think or see more clearly, we may be facing grave dangers from intergalactic radiation that we are totally unaware. And these dangers may just be lurking or prancing all over the place, and in ways, in ways that we are not capable of fathoming.

Since we are living in a world, universe and comic environment that has long since been scientifically confirmed to be nothing more than a network of interconnected radiations, it is time we stopped taking our physicality more seriously that we ought to. Truth is: We cannot really say

for sure what the effects of new heavenly bodies on earth and its magnetic field might be.

If we are to take astrologers and seers seriously and consider interplanetary alignments to be moments of amplified energy in our cosmic environment, then we must go further with them and say that these alignments are also often linked with transformations, innovations, and heightened intuitive insights and much more. If January 2025 will bring intense shifts, then with Venus and Mars playing key roles, as the planet of love, and the planet of passion, respectively – setting the stage for self-revelations of various sorts across all spheres.

It is a matter of record that significant interplanetary alignments had coincided in the past with some major global or cultural shifts, including scientific breakthroughs and artistic renaissances; such that they are often seen as heralds of change. But what time of change are we talking about here?

Which brings us to Climate change, which was discussed in he earlier mentioned article. We cannot stop pointing out the fact the 2021 Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment “gave clear evidence of a steady increase in rainfall in some regions of the world”. Here in Nigeria, no one could explain the type of extended rainy season we experienced last year.

We know that industrial activities lead to rising global temperatures, heat waves, and other climatic and environmental problems. Last June, alone some parts of Europe and Canda faced devastation from wildfires. This year worse fires are gulping up sophisticated cities and technologically stable neighbourhoods.

If the world’s glaciers lost their ice at the rate of 267 billion tonnes per annum, between 2000 and 2019, what dos that say about the overall temperature of the earth and the rate of global warming? With global ice melting very rapidly and increasing sea levels worldwide, will the flooding of coastal cities not be on the increase? Are some earthquakes and volcanic eruptions not traceable to ecologically disruptive human activities?

With rising temperatures leading to a warmer atmosphere and the latter retaining more water vapour and delivering higher levels of rainfall, should we expect htat all would be well.

One thing is clear: we no longer live in a normal world. we no longer live in the cosmic environment of the past. New celestial visitors are coming around here rather too frequently for us to continue to take things for granted. There seems to be a direct connection between the increasing events in our immediate cosmic environment and the increasing confusion and turmoil in human affairs all over the world today. We shall take up these matters in the new Dailogue Series, to be announced soon.

Emir Sanusi