Oil giant forecasts bright future for Nigeria’s deep-water production with right conditions Lokpobiri: Africa must close funding gaps, harmonise regulations to strengthen competitiveness
(PDP) has dismissed the alleged suspension of the chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, by the Abia State chapter of the party.
NWC said the purported suspension was null and void, reckless and unconstitutional. A statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,
said, “Our attention has been drawn to the purported suspension of the chairman of the Board of Trustees of our great party, Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara, from the party. “The NWC categorically dismisses the purported suspension as null and void and of no effect whatsoever, not being consistent with the provisions
El-Rufai: Tinubu May Get Jonathan’s Treatment Ganduje: APC Will Adhere to North-south Zoning
Former Kaduna gov says south-west, Tinubu's supporters playing with fire Insists north remains nation’s kingmaker, vows he won't go on exile APC chairman urges northerners to drop presidential ambition
WELCOMING AKPABIO TO PLENARY...
L-R: Member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in House of Representatives, Hon Paul Ekpo; Senator representing the Plateau Central Senatorial District, Diket Plang; Chairman Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, (SEDC), Orji Kalu; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Chairman, Senate Committee on North West Development Commission, (NWDC), Babangida Hussaini and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akabueze, welcoming Akpabio to Plenary .....yesterday
Peter Uzoho
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
National Working
(NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party
SIGNING CEREMONY AND HANDOVER OF LANDED PROPERTY...
Petrol Retailers Insist Fuel Importation
Not Crime, Kick Against Monopoly
Dangote refinery reduces diesel price to N1,020 per litre
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) yesterday maintained that there is no law against importation of petroleum products into Nigeria, noting that all efforts must be made to stop any monopolistic tendencies in the downstream oil sector.
The group also said there was a need to ensure that local refiners, importers, depot owners and retail outlets are given a level playing field to operate in the market.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, speaking on Channels Television, explained that oil marketers were more interested in the availability and affordability of petroleum products in the country, not minding whether they are imported or refined in Nigeria.
He said: “PETROAN is very insistent on availability and affordability, and also much more than that is discipline, according to what the PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) says. That’s why we will encourage that monopolistic tendencies of any kind should not be encouraged.
“Everybody should be allowed to play in the market. Even importation should not be a crime because it is not a crime. The PIA makes provision for that. But as patriotic Nigerians that we are, we encourage that let us pursue our internal market and grow our economy strong.”
He explained that oil marketers do not entertain any fears that the Dangote Refinery and other independent refiners in the country were moving towards monopoly.
“We are not afraid that Dangote or any other refinery is moving towards monopoly as earlier suspected or thought about, but we will continue to advise that let refiners refine, let depot owners keep soaring and let retail outlet owners keep retailing too. The whole value chain obligation is to meet Nigerians’ needs,” he said.
Gillis-Harry stated that PETROAN members continue to lift fuel from every possible sources, without discrimination as far as it is available and reasonably priced.
He added: “Primarily, we have a long-term relationship with the NNPC, that is one company an agreement has been entered into, for so many years, and we will continue to benefit from the values of those agreements with our bulk purchase agreement, and the allocation of products.
“We also load from Dangote Refinery because that is a very credible source that we also lift petroleum products from. PETROAN has also entered into a business relationship – the Dangote-MRS-PETROAN relationship. So everywhere there are products to be bought, once our members complete the processes, they start lifting products immediately.”
Meanwhile, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals yesterday reduced the cost of diesel to N1,020 per litre, down from N1,075 per litre at the gantry price, in an effort to better serve its customers and Nigerians in general.
Since it began diesel production in January 2024, the refinery said it has reduced the price of diesel more than three times, from an initial N1,700 per litre to the current rate, thus providing much-needed relief to
manufacturers and consumers alike.
It explained that the latest reduction of N55 per litre for diesel was against the backdrop of the revelation by Development Economist and Public Policy Analyst, Prof. Ken Ife, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery sacrificed over N10 billion to ensure the availability of petrol at a uniform price across the country during the yuletide period.
The analyst, according to the statement, also praised the refinery for setting a new benchmark in Nigeria’s energy sector by unlocking vast opportunities for export revenue.
While speaking on the transformative impact of the refinery on Arise Television, the statement quoted Ife to have explained that for years, the equalisation fund had been responsible for managing the price
differentials and transportation costs involved in distributing petroleum across the country.
However, the economist noted that it has been reported that the fund owes marketers over N80 billion.
“What has actually happened is that the president has shifted the subsidy burden away from the public purse and onto the private sector.
The equalisation fund, which was
meant to cover the price differential and transportation costs, plays a crucial role.
“If petroleum is to be sold across the country at a set price, then transportation costs must be accounted for to ensure this is possible. That’s the purpose of equalisation. However, the equalisation fund is reported to owe around N80 billion to the marketers, and this issue is still under discussion.
Akpabio: Senate May Start Process of Passing N54.2trn 2025 Budget
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday hinted that the Committee on Appropriation may present its report on the 2025 budget for consideration and eventual passage by the upper chamber today. Akpabio, who stated this while presiding over plenary yesterday, said the federal lawmakers might commence the consideration of the N54.2 trillion budget estimates immediately it has been presented.
He observed that the chamber was scanty during plenary because most of the senators were in the committee, putting finishing touches to the budget for its possible presentation today or tomorrow.
He made the remarks after a debate on a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abak, Akwa Ibom State.
He told his colleagues that there was the need for them to quickly end the debate for final work on the 2025 appropriation bill.
He explained, “You will observe that some of our colleagues are not in the Chamber because of the required final touches on the 2025 Appropriation bill, report of which will possibly be laid before us tomorrow (Wednesday) or next tomorrow (Thursday) this week.
"So we need to close early to allow for collective efforts in that direction for final consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill.”
The Senate and the House of Representatives had earlier fixed January 31, 2025, for passage of the N49.7 trillion earlier proposed budget for 2025 by President Bola Tinubu .
However, before the date, both chambers shifted their Christmas
Capital Market: Senate Panel Asks FG to Approve N10bn to Fund Literacy Development
The Senate Committee on Capital Market yesterday, asked the Minister of Finance, and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to approve N10 billion special funding to finance literacy development in the capital market.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Osita Izunaso, made the appeal when Edun and the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama appeared before the committee for an interactive session.
Izunaso noted concerns that only 5,000 investors were in the capital
market, saying that a special fund for the sector would help boost the market.
He explained, "We are asking for an intervention for capital allocation and special funding to finance literacy development in the capital market because that is where the problem is.
"So, if you do that, we will be happy and the capital market will blossom. You will get our letter in that regard today after this meeting.”
"That is the hallmark of what Sen. Victor Umeh said. Most of them (investors) lost their money through this capital market system. People lost money; people have not regained confidence and we
are pushing them," Izunaso added.
A member of the committee, Senator Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) had earlier said the capital market was a very essential indicator of the health of any economy and how the capital market operates across the world.
He explained, "From the experience from the capital market, a lot is expected to be done to restore public confidence on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
"Being able to restore public confidence is key to the operations in that sector. Why we said this is because what we saw was a shock and traumatic experience where investors in the market lost
all their funds."
The Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, said the request for N10 billion for literacy and enlightenment needed to be granted.
"We need to see how we can take money out from the budget for the campaign," he added.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said as long as President Bola Tinubu has set up a target of $1 trillion economy, "what matters is the vibrancy of the economy.
"This is in terms of having economic stability at the macro level in terms of the revenues, budget deficits and inflation rates.
and the New Year’s resumption from January 31, 2025 to February 4, 2025.
It was the day that the two chambers received communication from President Bola Tinubu which increased the total expenditure profile of the proposed budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen
Today
Abbas, in their separate remarks after reading the letter had said the budget proposals would have to be reprocessed for the inclusion of an additional N4.5 trillion.
Specifically Akpabio after reading the letter, urged the Committee on Appropriations to expedite action on the request for possible passage of the budget before the end of February.
Citibank Nigeria Appoints Isa-Dutse Chairman
Nume Ekeghe
Following the retirement of Dr Shamsuddeen Usman as its Chairman, Citibank Nigeria Limited (Citi) has been appointed Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse as Board Chairman.
The appointment becomes effective immediately.
Before he was appointed Chairman, Isa-Dutse joined the Board of Citibank Nigeria Limited in August 2024, as an Independent non-executive Director.
Usman in a statement reflecting on his tenure, expressed confidence in the leadership transition.
He stated: “I am proud to have contributed to Citi’s 40-year legacy in Nigeria and what Citibank Nigeria Limited has achieved during my tenure.
“I want to express my gratitude to my fellow board members, shareholders, leadership, and team for their commitment and resilience. I know Dr Isa-Dutse will bring fresh perspectives and strong board leadership to steer the bank toward continued success.
“He has the vision needed to provide oversight as the bank builds on its strong momentum.”
He reiterated that Isa-Dutse has a
deep understanding of both banking operations and financial regulatory frameworks and was committed to enhancing governance and strengthening Citi’s role in economic growth and financial inclusion.
Commenting on his appointment, Isa-Dutse expressed enthusiasm about leading the Board.
“I am honoured to assume the role of Chairman and look forward to working with the distinguished Board, and dynamic leadership team, to drive innovation, enhance Citi’s client experience, and create long-term value for the communities we serve.
“The bank is well-positioned for growth, and I am excited to contribute to its continued success,” he said. Also commenting on the transition, MD/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Limited Mrs Nneka Enwereji said: “I want to sincerely thank Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman. Under his leadership, Citi achieved significant progress and resilience in the face of industry headwinds.
“His strategic insights and dedication to excellence have been instrumental in strengthening our position as a bank. As we move forward, we remain confident in the future under the leadership of Dr Isa-Dutse as Chairman of the Board.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
L-R: Vice President Kashim Shettima receiving document from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa during the signing ceremony and handover of landed property to the federal government by the EFCC for the proposed take off of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Southern Kaduna, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja... yesterday
LAUNCH OF GET.INVEST NIGERIA...
L-R: Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Adam Victor Ogene; Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, and Team Leader of GET.invest, Michael Franz, at the launch of GET.invest Nigeria held in Lagos...yesterday
CBN Raises Charges on ATM Withdrawals for Bank Customers
James Emejo
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised framework for Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
transaction fees, eliminating free interbank withdrawals and introducing charges of up to N600 per N20,000 withdrawals.
The new policy becomes effective from March 1, 2025.
In a circular signed by the Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, John Onoja, the apex bank attributed the upward review of fees to rising operational costs and the need to improve service
efficiency in Nigeria’s banking sector. Under the updated framework, bank customers withdrawing cash from an ATM operated by their own bank, which is commonly referred to as "On-Us" transactions, will continue
FG Backs RMRDC Bill, Says Raw Materials Sector Could Attract $30bn Investment in 10 Years
The federal government has promised to give all the necessary support to the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) bill which is currently before the National Assembly, saying it could attract $30 billion investment in the next decade.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, stated this at the official unveiling of the Nigeria Raw Material Management Information System (RMMIS), and the e-registratuon portal on Tuesday, in Abuja.
He noted that with the RMMIS portal, the sector would attract both local and foreign investors which in turn will attract an investment of about $30 billion in the next ten years.
His words: "This platform will empower manufacturers with reliable data for local sourcing, reducing import reliance and boosting domestic production.
“It will also attract investors, potentially bringing in $30 billion in investments over the next decade through efficient resource management; and finally, it will strengthen research and development, helping scientists and industrialists explore new product innovations and optimise material use.
"Policymakers will gain access to empirical data for targeted policies that promote resource efficiency and sustainable extraction. If properly aligned with national industrial policies, this initiative could increase semi-processed mineral exports to $9 billion by 2030.l
"With accurate data, the agriculture, mining, and manufacturing sectors can maximise raw material use, fostering job creation and boosting investments by $20 billion in the next decade.
“This will conserve foreign exchange reserves, potentially saving $10 billion annually while strengthening the naira.
“Today, we do not just launch a digital tool; we usher in an era
of transparency, efficiency, and resource-driven industrial growth.
"Together, we will build a data-driven economy, where local resources fuel industrialisation, innovation flourishes, and sustainability becomes the foundation of Nigeria's economic prosperity."
In his remarks, the Director General, RMRDC, Martin IkeMuonso noted: "The RMIMS is an innovation developed by the RMRDC with support by our critical stakeholders. It is a user-friendly portal for managing raw materials data.
"This innovation aims to serve as a key resource for investors,
manufacturers, researchers and policy makers by providing advanced tools that support research and development.
"It is a robust technology-driven platform designed to enhance data driven decisions, facilitate research and development, optimise resource allocation, drive industry development, support policy and regulatory framework, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
"The RMMIS covers all critical and strategic raw materials comprising agricultural, solid minerals and secondary raw material."
According to him, the RMMIS is
a strategic tool that will enhance the outcomes of the made in addition of the Africa raw materials summit that will be hosted by the RMRDC, and is scheduled to take place from May 20 to 22nd 2025 by providing accurate and reliable data.
Th Minister of State for Trade and investment, John Enoh, who was the keynote speaker, said his ministry would give all necessary support to the RMRDC to achieve the 30 per cent value addition for improved economic growth.
He also noted that Nigeria was losing huge amounts of money to the underdevelopment of the raw materials sector.
Green Economy: Transportation Receives
be Cross River State.
The Cross River State Government has affirmed its lead role in the pursuit of green economy and the promotion of climate change initiatives with the approval for the purchase of Electric Vehicles (EVs), motorcycles and tricycles to modernise and boost its transport sector in line with the state Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu’s commitment to transforming the state. According to the state government, this development followed the approval for the procurement by the State Executive Council in its recent session presided over by the governor. Speaking shortly after the meeting, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the State Green Economy Commission, Oden Ewa, disclosed that Cross River State is the Eco capital of Nigeria, adding that the nod from the Council is a demonstration of the state's strategic steps towards achieving its green economy vision. Ewa, who is also the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, further noted that if any state is to achieve a Netzero Green House Gases target in 2060 in Nigeria, it will certainly
According to Ewa, the sector wide approach to green economy will ensure sectoral development aspirations are in line with the state' green economy vision in such areas as transportation, power, agriculture, and housing. ‘‘By integrating sustainable practices in power, agriculture, transportation, housing, industry, trade, and investment, the state aims to transition to an environmentally friendly and resilient economy,’’ Ewa noted.
The commissioner further disclosed that by aligning with e-mobility initiative, the state is not only doing so for environmental reason - reducing fossil fuel usage-but also for economic reason; reducing operational cost for public transportation.
He also said this is expected in the long run to bring down cost of transportation for the people by as much as 50 percent in line with the People’s first Agenda Otu's administration.
‘‘The approval of the procurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) by the Cross River State Executive Council is a significant step towards achieving the state's green economy vision. This
move is expected to not only reduce the state's carbon footprint but also provide a more efficient and costeffective mode of transportation for its citizens,’’ noted Ewa.
to enjoy fee-free withdrawals. This means that customers using an ATM owned by their bank for cash withdrawals would not incur any additional charges.
However, withdrawals from ATMs belonging to other banks, classified as "Not-On-Us" transactions would now attract additional charges. Customers withdrawing cash from an ATM located within a bank’s premises but operated by a different financial institution would be charged a fee of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.
Furthermore, transactions conducted at off-site ATMs located outside banking premises, such as those found in shopping malls, airports, fuel stations, or other public locations, would incur a base charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal, in addition to a surcharge of up to N500 per transaction. This means that the total cost of withdrawing N20,000 from an off-site ATM that is not affiliated with the customer’s bank could reach N600.
In a notable policy shift, the CBN also eliminated the three free monthly withdrawals previously granted to customers making "Remote-On-Us" withdrawals transactions where an individual withdraws cash from an
ATM operated by a bank other than their own.
It stated: “In response to rising costs and the need to improve efficiency of ATM services in the banking industry, the CBN has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020.
“This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service. Accordingly, banks and other financial institutions are advised to apply the following fees with effect from March 1, 2025.”
It added: “Furthermore, the three free monthly withdrawals allowed for Remote-On-Us (other bank's customers/Not-On-Us consumers) in Nigeria under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide shall no longer apply. Please be guided accordingly.”
For international ATM withdrawals, whether conducted via debit or credit cards, the CBN stipulated that customers would be charged the exact amount imposed by the international acquirer handling the transaction.
He added: ‘‘The benefits of this initiative are numerous, and the state is expected to reap significant benefits in the long run.
“The state commitment to climate
action and the promotion of green economy is evident in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable mode of transportation.’’
Alex Enumah in Abuja Businessman, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, has dragged an Abuja based lady, Ms. Adaobi Alagwu before an Abuja Customary Court, over the paternity of a child given birth to by the respondent.
The plaintiff is specifically denying being the father of the said child referred to as "X" in the suit.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Counsel to Ayeni, Silas Onu applied to withdraw the earlier suit on the grounds of improper service.
Following the striking out of the first suit, Onu informed the court that a fresh petition had been filed before the court based on the same
subject and same properly served on the respondent.
Respondent counsel, who confirmed receipt of service of the suit apologized to the court for the absence of the respondent in court.
He further stated that the respondent is still within time to file her defence.
At this point, the court asked the respondent's counsel whether he is denying that the sum paid by Dr. Ayeni to Adaobi family has not been refunded to the complainant.
The lawyer, however, answered that the said money has been refunded but added they are yet to file their defense.
Adjourning the matter, the court
stressed that the respondent should serve all the process of their reply on the complainant and that par- ties should be in court at the next adjourned date for trial. The court subsequently adjourned till February 17 for hearing of the said suit.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Dr. Ayeni, who attended the court session with his wife, said, “the matter is about one rabble rouser girl trying to malign me that she has a child for me. Initially, when I thought it was real, I took some responsible steps. But later I discovered that it was all a set up I therefore took immediate steps to reverse those steps.
Sunday Okobi
Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND PACT...
L-R: Managing Director/CEO, STL Trustees Limited, Funmi Ekundayo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Lydia S. Jafiya; Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr.
Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Chairman, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Managing Director, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Dr. Armstrong Takang; Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, and the Group Managing Director, Vetiva Group, Mr. Chuka Eseka at the signing ceremony of the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund
Customs Bows to Pressure, Suspends Implementation of 4% FOB on Imports
Says move will allow for wider engagement MAN: Our members relocating to neighboring countries because of excess charges NECA: Multiple taxation causing business shutdown, job losses
Onyebuchi Ezigbo, James Emejo in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos
Following pushback from stakeholders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday announced the suspension of the implementation of four percent Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports as provided in Section 18(1)(a) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCSA) 2023.
The suspension followed ongoing consultations with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun and other stakeholders.
However, prior to the decision to suspend implementation of the levy, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) earlier yesterday had called on the federal government to direct the NCS to stop its implementation. MAN also made it known that its members were actively considering divesting or relocating their businesses to more conducive neighboring countries due to incessant levies and the worsening business environment in Nigeria.
Also yesterday, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) expressed fresh concern over the destructive impact of multiple fees imposed on businesses by government revenue agencies.
The decision by the NCS to the proposed fee was conveyed in a statement issued by the Assistant Comptroller of Customs, National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdullahi Maiwada.
He said the suspension period would allow the service to further engage with stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act's provisions for sustainable funding of these modernisation initiatives.
He said this would also enable
comprehensive stakeholder engagement and consultations on the NCSA implementation framework, adding that the timing of the suspension aligned with the exit of the contract agreement with the service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS).
This, he said, presented an opportunity to review customs revenue framework holistically.
Under the previous funding arrangement repealed by the NCSA 2023, separating the one per cent CISS and seven per cent cost of collection created operational inefficiencies and funding gaps in customs modernisation efforts, the statement said.
Maiwada however, said, “The new Act addresses these challenges by consolidating ‘not less than four per cent of the FOB value of imports’, designed to ensure sustainable funding for critical customs operations and modernisation initiatives.
“This transition period will allow the service to optimise the management of these frameworks to serve our stakeholders and the nation's interests better.
“The Act further empowers the service to modernise its operations through various technological innovations. Specifically, Section 28 of the NCSA 2023 authorises developing and maintaining electronic systems for information exchange between the Service, Other Government Agencies, and traders.”
He said the service was already implementing several digital solutions, including the recently deployed B’Odogwu clearance system, which stakeholders are benefiting from through faster clearance times and
improved transparency.
Other innovative solutions authorised by the Act included the Single Window implementation (Section 33), Risk management systems (Section 32), Non-intrusive inspection equipment (Section 59) and Electronic data exchange facilities (Section 33(3)).
Nonetheless, the service reaffirmed
its commitment to implementing the provisions of the Act in a manner that best serves its stakeholders while fulfilling its revenue generation and trade facilitation mandate.
He said the service would communicate the revised implementation timeline following the conclusion of stakeholder consultations.
Meanwhile, earlier yesterday, MAN called on the federal government to direct the NCS to stop the implementation of the levy.
The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, who made the call, said suspending the FOB levy was the way to go and implored the, “federal government to urgently direct
the NCS to halt the implementation of the four percent FOB levy.
“We equally urge Mr. President to direct the NCS to engage with relevant stakeholders and the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform in order to align with the ongoing landmark and wholesale reform agenda of government.
SGF Akume: NIN Key to Accessing Social Services, Palliatives
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said Nigerians will require the National Identification Number (NIN) to access social services.
He also emphasised that the poor and vulnerable population would need it to benefit from palliatives.
The SGF said this yesterday while declaring open an Inter-Ministerial retreat on the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Akume, represented by Professor Babatunde Bolaji, reiterated that providing digital identity for all Nigerians remained a cardinal focus of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He urged all government agencies to support the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in establishing a robust and inclusive national identity system.
He also commended the NIMC
Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, for her dedication and commitment to fulfilling the commission’s mandate.
The SGF who is also the Chairman of the Project Ecosystem Steering Committee (PESC) of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, assured her of his willingness to support the commission in pursuing reforms that will reposition it through the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu, lauded the NIMC leadership and the ID4D team for their achievements so far.
He also reiterated his ministry’s collaboration with NIMC to ensure that the NIN is used to access social services and palliatives meant for vulnerable populations across the country.
NIMC DG/CEO, represented by the Technical Assistant on Policy and Partnerships at NIMC, Ayobami Abiola, expressed gratitude to the
Funding Suspension: Ogun Reassures
Citizens on Continued HIV/AIDS Services
James Sowole in Abeokuta
In response to the recent announcement from the US declaring a 90-day suspension of funding support for public health programmes, including the HIV/AIDS initiative through USAID, the Ogun State Government has taken proactive measures to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for its citizens.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, in a statement, said that both the federal and state governments are
committed to ensuring the organisation's withdrawal of support does not create a vacuum
He emphasised the determination of the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration to guarantee continuous treatment, care, and support for People Living with HIV in the state.
To counter the potential impact of the funding stoppage, the commissioner said the government has implemented several measures to ensure HIV test kits remain readily available across hospitals, including state and primary
healthcare centers, guaranteeing that all citizens have access to free HIV testing. According to her, treatment facilities would remain open to support ongoing drug pick-up and the initiation of antiretroviral medications (ARVs) for newly diagnosed patients at all 43 ART sites throughout the state.
For HIV-exposed infants, she reiterated that access to the Early Infant Diagnosis test would continue at two designated m-PIMA (Point-of-Care Immune Marker Analysis) laboratories located at Oba Ademola Maternity
Hospital and General Hospital, Owode, adding that the state has also assured that all eligible clients requiring viral load testing would receive necessary blood sample collection, with logistical support for sample transport.
Coker further disclosed that existing mentor mothers would be engaged alongside government staff to facilitate the provision of HIV services during this critical time, saying the state Ministry of Health will oversee and coordinate ART sites to ensure a seamless continuum of care.
SGF and the minister. She assured the PESC members of the commission’s readiness to deliver on its mandate.
“The enthusiasm and collaborative spirit displayed at this retreat are truly encouraging,” the NIMC Director-General, who is also the Secretary of the PESC, said.
“Our discussions today have not only highlighted our achievements but also paved the way for inno-
vative solutions to the challenges ahead. We are confident that with sustained inter-agency collaboration and support from all critical stakeholders, we will fast-track our mission to reposition the national identity system, making it more robust and inclusive, ensuring that every Nigerian and legal resident has a verifiable digital identity and that no one is left behind,” she added.
Nigeria to Host Afreximbank's 2025 Annual Meetings
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
Nigeria has officially signed an agree- ment to host the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja, reinforcing the country’s leadership in African trade and economic development.
The signing ceremony took place today at the Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters, Abuja.
A statement issued last night said the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, representing the Nigerian government, signed for the country Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, signed for the Pan-African bank.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mr Raymond Omenka; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Kachollom Shangti Daju; Trade and investment, Ambassador Nura Abba; State House, Temitope Peter Fashedemi alongside other senior government officials, business leaders,
and financial experts were present at the event.
In his address at the event, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, highlighted the significance of hosting the prestigious meetings.
"Nigeria is honoured to host the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, which will serve as a critical platform to drive discussions on trade financing, economic growth, and investment opportunities across Africa," he said. He added that the event "is a testament to our commitment to strengthening Africa’s financial sector and positioning Nigeria as a hub for economic transformation."
On his part, Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah commended Nigeria’s leadership in promoting trade and economic development, noting that the country’s hosting of the event would further reinforce its influence in shaping Africa’s financial landscape. The Afreximbank Annual Meetings attract policymakers, investors, and financial experts from across the world to deliberate on Africa’s economic challenges and opportunities.
Emma Okonji
Doris Uzoka-Anite; Honourable Minister/
(MREIF) Series II held in Abuja... recently
AfCFTA: UN Agency Forecasts $3.4
Trillion Market on Full Implementation
Urges African nations to invest in infrastructure, streamline trade policies
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has predicted that full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), could create a $3.4 trillion market on the continent, but observed that unlocking the vast potential would reqiuire stronger intra-regional trade, strategic investments and bolder economic reforms.
These include investing in infrastructure by expanding transport, energy and information communications technology (ICT)
networks, streamlining trade policies and processes in areas such as customs and supporting industrialisation through incentive tax breaks as well as affordable interest loans that can boost manufacturing and regional production.
These are contained in the justreleased 2024 Economic Development in Africa Report by the UNCTAD Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan and Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Trade, Industry and SME Promotion, Souleymane Diarrassouba.
The report highlighted how Africa can transform economic vulnerabilities
into opportunities through trade, investment and regional integration, and how macroeconomic reforms and innovative financial tools can help stabilise economies and reduce reliance on volatile global markets.
It stressed that investing in infrastructure, trade diversification and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was key to unlocking growth and driving sustainable development.
According to the report, Africa’s reliance on commodity exports, high trade costs and weak infrastructure make it highly vulnerable to external shocks, and prescribed key areas for
action.
These include reducing dependence on volatile markets, lowering costs, and strengthening SMEs, adding that close to half of African countries rely on oil, gas or minerals for at least 60 per cent of export earnings, thereby exposing them to price fluctuations.
It, therefore, recommended diversifying exports, explaining that boosting intra-African trade would create more stable revenue streams.
"Africa faces serious challenges – from volatile global markets and high debt costs to infrastructure gaps.
“But these challenges are also a
chance to reshape the continent’s economic future. With bold reforms, investment and full implementation of the AfCFTA, Africa can emerge stronger, more resilient and more competitive,” said UNCTAD Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan.
The report further explained that infrastructure gaps in transport, energy and ICT make trade 50 per cent more expensive than the global average, and limiting competitiveness, especially for landlocked nations, adding that investing in logistics and digital connectivity was critical to unlocking growth.
EL-RUFAI: TINUBU MAY GET JONATHAN’S TREATMENT; GANDUJE: APC WILL ADHERE TO NORTH-SOUTH ZONING
Controversial former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir ElRufai, says the relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the north has deteriorated less than two years into his administration, warning that he may be given the Goodluck Jonathan treatment ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai made the statement in a post on his verified X handle yesterday, titled, "2027: South West, Tinubu's supporters playing with fire – Part 1."
The former governor’s comments came as National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday urged northerners nursing presidential ambition in 2027 to bury the idea, insisting that Tinubu would serve his statutory two terms.
Ganduje made the call in Abuja while playing host to members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre (PBAT Media Centre) and Tinubu Northern Youth Forum (TNYF) at the APC national secretariat.
He pledged that Tinubu would respect the North-South zoning arrangement, an unwritten political creed that has influenced the choice of the country’s presidents since the Fourth Republic.
LOCAL
El-Rufai had been attacking the ruling APC and the policies of the Tinubu government, even as political gladiators across party lines continued to mull the idea of floating a coalition capable of defeating APC.
In the post on X, El-Rufai stated, “It is actually premature to be talking about 2027 elections less than two years into our first tenure, but what is happening in the political arena is forcing me to speak to it, for as they say, 'a stitch in time saves nine'.
“As an APC member, I naturally would want my party to win reelection in 2027. However, as a realist, I have my concerns.”
El-Rufai recalled that during the 2019 party primaries, he saw the way APC handled the primaries, and wrote that if the party was not careful, it could go the way of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which lost power after 16 years.
He said he predicted then that if APC did not return to its promised progressive path and ideology, but stayed obsessed with just winning elections at all cost, just like PDP, the ruling party could lose power at the federal level by 2031.
El-Rufai said, “When I wrote that, we were not faced with the current situation we are faced with. Indeed, I
never imagined that we would be in the current situation any time soon, surely not under President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Note, I am not talking about the present economic situation and the likes. I am talking about the current and increasing 'ghaghagha' in our party and among APC members and supporters of the PBAT administration.”
He added, “Incidentally, many Nigerians have a short memory. Permit me to juggle the memories of some short memories and uninitiated political neophytes.
“Many will recall that, as we approached the 2023 presidential election, with the conduct of some individuals, I desperately cautioned that we should be careful and not play with the north.
“Somehow, common sense prevailed, and we succeeded, unarguably and undeniably with the unquantifiable help of the north (the records of the election results prove so).
“Less than two years into the tenure, we are witnesses to how the relationship between the north and President Bola Tinubu or rather his administration is quickly deteriorating, driven by the words and conduct of, unfortunately, many from the president’s geopolitical zone and
tribe. Truth be told.
“I have read and heard the arrogant posturing and braggadocio by some people whom I refer to as political rabble-rousers, but I get more worried each day as it keeps looking more and more like a movie we had seen before.
“May I remind some persons that, more than the performance or lack thereof of the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, it was his attitude, and that of people around him, towards the north that ultimately brought him down and, by extension, the PDP that had boasted that it would rule Nigeria for 60 years.”
El-Rufai added that in the lead up to the 2015 presidential election, in spite of the popularity of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and the gathering of political heavyweights under the umbrella of the then newly formed APC, one key factor that cost Jonathan and PDP the election was underestimating the north and the disrespect and insult directed towards to the north.
He claimed the miscalculation was led by the then first lady, and accentuated by elements from the South-south geopolitical zone, particularly, Jonathan’s Ijaw kinsmen, many of whom had little or no political weight and were “living full time in
OIL SERVICE PROVIDERS DEMAND $1.5BN CONTRACTS ON SHELL’S $5BN BONGA NORTH PROJECT
his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the ongoing Sub-Saharan Africa International Conference and Exhibition (SAIPEC).
Ogunsanya said the $1.5 billion being asked by PETAN represented just 25 per cent of the entire Bonga North project.
The theme of the conference is, “Building Africa’s Future: Advancing Local Content and Sustainable Development in the Oil and Gas Industry.”
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell Plc, had last December announced a final investment decision (FID) on Bonga North, a deep-water project off the coast of Nigeria.
Bonga North currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and will reach a peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day, with first oil anticipated by the end of the decade.
However, a week after the announcement of the FID, Saipem, in a consortium with two Nigerian companies – KOA Oil & Gas and AVEON Offshore – were awarded an offshore contract of the project worth around $1 billion.
As part of the contract, Saipem will deliver the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) of risers, flowlines, subsea umbilicals, and associated subsea structures for the Bonga North Project, located 130 kilometres offshore Nigeria.
Design and fabrication activities will be carried out locally, also involving Nigerian suppliers and subcontractors, the report added.
The contract had an overall value of about $1 billion, while Saipem’s share amounted to approximately $900 million.
But speaking yesterday at the SAIPEC, Ogunsanya said PETAN was excited about the several FIDs
that had successfully been signed in Nigeria, including Shell’s $5billion Bonga North deep-water project.
He said, “As technical and service providers with three decades of operational excellence in the oil and gas industry, our member companies have the required capacity to develop major projects across the oil and gas value chain, including in deep-water offshore Nigeria and other African countries.
“PETAN represents 60-70 per cent of local content capacity in Nigeria. At PETAN, we have over 100 companies. Each of our members is represented by a CEO and executive directors.
“Our members are working in India, the Middle East, and across other African countries. The capacity is there and it’s now left for us to harness it.
“We aren’t asking for $3 billion dollar. But we are asking for $1.5 billion dollar in contract awards which is about 25 per cent of the entire project value. That is what we are asking for.”
He clarified that PETAN’s drive towards local content development was not in any way discouraging international partnerships for project development.
Ogunsanya stated that local content should be seen as a shared value between multinational companies and indigenous companies operating in the African oil and gas industry.
He stressed the need to increase indigenous companies’ participation in Africa’s oil and gas projects to retain value in-country as well as support the development of local content.
Ogunsanya maintained that the association was looking forward to participating in Shell’s Bonga North project and other key projects in the deep-water, shallow water, and onshore segments to continue to drive local content in Nigeria.
He added that the African continent had what it takes in human capacity coupled with its energy resources to
develop the continent and provide the much-needed energy for the people.
Equally speaking at the SAIPEC, Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams, stated that Nigeria could meet its production targets and implement ambitious development programmes from deep-water oil and gas operations if it continued with policies to encourage investments and boost
output in the sector.
“Deep water is a compelling consideration for Nigeria if the country must meet its oil production targets and implement ambitious development programmes,” Adams stated.
According to Adams, Nigeria’s deep-water fields are home to some of the world’s most promising associated and non-associated gas reserves, with
NICON and Sheraton hotels Abuja, then (with newly found free money).”
Curiously, El-Rufai said, many of those individuals contributed little or nothing to Jonathan's victory in 2011.
El-Rufai emphasised that many of those individuals forgot that it was the agitation by groups, like the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), spearheaded by the likes of Pastor Tunde Bakare, himself, Mr. Yinka Odumakin (of blessed memory), and co, that led to then Vice President Jonathan becoming the acting president, in the first place, following the incapacitation of former President Umaru Yar'adua.
El-Rufai stated, “Driven by ego and the arrogance of power, these Southsouth and PDP elements increasingly and, I dare add, naively went against the north, where the PDP still had considerable influence and support then, in the most condescending manner and in so doing gradually lost the support of the north to the advantage of Buhari and the APC coalition. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Today, as I look at the rambunctiousness of some APC members and fellow supporters of President Bola Tinubu, especially from the South-west geopolitical zone, I wonder if people have any sense of history and if they truly understand Nigerian politics.
“I read some people say that President Tinubu is not former President Jonathan, Jagaban is a political juggernaut and master strategist, etc. All that I totally agree with. No question whatsoever. However, politics is not a one champion show.
“While former President Goodluck Jonathan lacked equivalent political gravitas and sophistication (with all due respect to him) as PBAT, he had the then formidable PDP behemoth, which could have actually seen him through, but for the grievous 'political mistake' of messing with the north.
“Love or loathe that fact, the north remains the kingmaker in Nigerian politics, at least, as of today. Any politician or political party that plays with that reality might pay a steep political price for it.”
El-Rufai stressed that people, who ignored history were bound to fall victim and repeat mistakes of the past. He said, “I just want to prod our political senses, in case some of us are forgetting, in the euphoria of tribal and geopolitical politics. I hope better sense will prevail and soon, too. It is whom you love that you chastise.
“In all, I continue to wish PBAT and my party, the APC, well. With almost exactly two years to the month, to the 2027 general election, let's focus and continue to deliver the promised dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”
In another development, responding to a post by @IU_Wakilii on X, who alleged that there was a plan to arrest El-Rufai if he came back to Nigeria with concocted allegations, as usual, the former governor said he would not go on exile because of any alleged plot to arrest him.
He stated, “Your post below refers. I have been hearing these same rumours of arrest, detention and torture in some dungeon in the NSA’s office (where Emefiele was allegedly tortured to resign as CBN governor), since July 2024, when the so-called report of the Kaduna Assembly began circulating.
“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation, and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal.
“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they
“For emphasis, no State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party without due recourse to the NWC as clearly provided under Section 57 (7) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“Section 57 (7) is unambiguous in providing that, ‘Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly…’
“The explicit import of Section 57 (7) is that the Abia State chapter has no powers whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, being a member of the National Executive Committee of the party.
“The PDP, therefore, condemns the purported suspension of Senator Wabara as reckless, unconstitutional, and cautions those behind this act in defiance of the PDP constitution to retrace their steps, as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the stability of our party and the sanctity
of its constitution.
“The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our party in Abia State, the South East Zone and, indeed, across the country to disregard the purported suspension.”
The PDP crisis had gotten messier yesterday, with the party in Abia State suspending Wabara.
Wabara was suspended by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party in Abia State after his ward, Ohambele, first suspended him.
The decision, according to a party source, was taken during a meeting chaired by the state chairman, Abraham Amah.
The action was believed to be a continuation of the power play between loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, and PDP’s former presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Wike’s man and former governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, had firm control over Abia PDP.
Announcing Wabara’s suspension at a press conference, Amah said, "In compliance with the provisions of Articles 59(1) (e) & (f) of the party's constitution (2017 as amended) Senator Adolphus Wabara henceforth is debarred from holding any party office and, therefore, equally removed from office as BOT Chairman of PDP."
The party also said that it would set up a seven-man disciplinary committee "immediately" to investigate Wabara "in line with disciplinary procedures," adding that Wabara's suspension would last for one month in the first instance.
"As a party, we cannot afford to be distracted by those who wear our badge but do not uphold our values – those who are quick to compromise, sabotage, and betray the very principles we stand for," Amah said.
Wabara had provoked the ire of his state’s party leadership and members when in October 2024 he endorsed the Labour Party (LP) governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for a second term in office.
The public endorsement came barely five months after Otti took office, after defeating PDP that had held sway in Abia State for over a decade.
Amah stated that the public display of disloyalty called to question the commitment and dedication of the BoT chairman to the growth and development of PDP.
He said no member of the party was above being subjected to disciplinary action, adding that "true leadership and progress require a dedicated and loyal team, not just a crowd".
According to him, the ongoing
rebuilding process of the party is on course, and "discipline, loyalty, and unity will be the foundation upon which we build our collective success”.
The Abia State PDP chairman said, "The success of our party and the progress of Abia State do not depend on the sheer size of our membership but on the commitment, discipline, and sacrifice of those who truly believe in our collective vision.
"We need individuals who understand the sacrifices necessary to reposition our party for electoral success and for the transformation of Abia State."
A party source, which traced Wabara's suspension to anti-party activities, also said, “Wabara, the chairman of the BoT, is known to be romancing with the Labour party in Abia State. He endorsed Alex Otti during the governorship election in 2023.”
Wabara had been at the centre of the storm within PDP. As chairman of the PDP BoT, the trustees last week asked the NWC to swear in Sunday Ude-Okoye as the national secretary. This was after the PDP governors’ meeting in Asaba, which urged the party's leadership to also swear in Ude-Okoye. The suspension of Wabara is seen as another way of getting back at the former senate president.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
UNCTAD Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan
IN DEFENCE OF OLU OF WARRI...
L-R: Olulaye of Warri and Secretary Warri Council of Chiefs, Chief Eugene Ikomi; Olugbo of Warri, Director Palace Administration, Chief Samuel Omebeyinje; Ologbotsere of Warri and Chairman, Warri Council of Chiefs, Chief Oma Eyewuoma; Ogua Olusan of Warri, Chief Brown Mene and Otsodi of Warri, Chief Anthony Onuwaje during a press conference absolving
any involvement in illegal oil bunkering yesterday.
In Blow to Global Anti-graft Efforts, Trump Pauses US Law Banning Overseas Bribes
The United States President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to pause prosecutions of Americans accused of bribing foreign government officials while trying to win or retain business in their countries.
Trump's order pauses enforcement of the nearly half-century-old Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and has directed Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to review current and past actions related to the law and prepare new
guidelines for enforcement.
THISDAY checks showed that in the past, some notable US companies conniving with Nigerian government officials had been prosecuted for bribery and corruption under the FCPA.
In 2009, KBR, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, pleaded guilty to violating the Act by paying approximately $182 million in bribes to Nigerian officials to secure contracts for a liquefied natural gas plant on Bonny Island. KBR agreed to pay a $402 million criminal fine, while Halliburton and
KBR jointly paid $177 million to settle civil charges with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In 2010, Technip, a French engineering company listed on US stock exchanges, was charged by the SEC for bribing Nigerian government officials over a decade to win construction contracts worth over $6 billion. The company agreed to pay $338 million to settle the charges. Further checks showed that in 2012, the SEC charged Thomas F. O'Rourke, former controller and head of internal audit at Noble
Corporation, for approving bribe payments to Nigerian customs officials and improperly recording them as legitimate expenses. O'Rourke agreed to settle the charges and pay a penalty.
In 2024, Gunvor Group, an international commodities trading company, pleaded guilty and agreed to pay several millions of dollars to resolve an investigation by the US Department of Justice into violations of the FCPA. The company admitted to paying monies to officials in multiple countries in Africa to gain access to
Warri Council of Chiefs: We’ll Expose Forces Attempting to Smear Olu of Warri's Image
Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Warri Council of Chiefs has threatened to expose those behind attempt to tarnish the image of revered monarch, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III for no justifiable reasons.
The Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom and Chairman of Warri Council of Chiefs, Chief Ema Eyewuoma, at a press conference yesterday at the Olu of Warri’s Palace (Agbofen) said the alleged attempt to blackmail the monarch was being investigated and would be exposed.
Chief Eyewuoma was accompanied by Otsodi of Warri, Chief Anthony Onuwaje; Ogwa Olusan of Warri, Chief Brown Mene; Olulaye of Warri and Secretary of Warri Council of Chiefs, Chief Eugene Ikomi and Olugbo of Warri and Director, Palace Administration,
Chief Samuel Omebeyinje, at the conference.
The Council was apparently reacting to a viral video where some people protested against the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 111 at the United Nations headquarters recently, alleging the monarch was using his firm to engage in illegal oil bunkering and sundry crimes.
The viral video was titled - "The faces of oil bunkerers serving as agents of the international thieves and economic saboteurs. We call on the international community to put them under security watch".
Though the Council did not emphatically state who and where the revered monarch's image was tarnished, it however said it was already hard on the trail of the "fomenters and the disseminators" of the despicable act. It alleged: "Evil contraption and perpetration often hide behind
some veil or under the cover of darkness. We are already hard on the trail of the fomenters and the disseminators of this evil and despicable act. The air pollution must be cleaned up, as of those behind all of this will be unveiled and exposed.
"What will follow afterwards will be the repercussion of their evil act. Like the African adage goes; 'Those who grow big teeth should endeavor to have corresponding big lips to house the teeth.”
The Council said: "A couple of weeks ago, precisely on Friday January 31, 2025, our sensibilities were grievously assailed and assaulted by the circulation of a very high degree of falsehood which came to our attention, concerning our highly Revered Monarch, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, The Olu of Warri. It was in the social media.
"Without any equivocation, we knew it was all blatant falsehood. We knew too, that all who know our Monarch, and there are a very good number of such ones, know that there is no way the falsehood could be rightly linked to, nor related to him, no matter how remotely.
"However, the severity of this evil contraption on one hand, and the profile and stature of the highly revered personage who they wish to defame with this falsehood, on the other hand, made us to consider the purpose of the fomenters of this falsehood were very intentional.
“It reveals the depth of the cesspool of evil from which this thought and action emanated".
oil markets. Before now, these cases underscore the US government's commitment to enforcing anti-corruption laws and holding companies accountable for illicit activities abroad.
The law, enacted in 1977, prohibits companies that operate in the United States from bribing foreign officials. Over time, it has become a guiding force for how American businesses operate overseas, Reuters reported.
"It's going to mean a lot more business for America," Trump told reporters while signing the order in the Oval Office. Trump wanted to strike down FCPA during his first term in office. He had called it a "horrible law" and said "the world is laughing at us" for enforcing it.
The FCPA is a US law that prohibits American companies, individuals, and foreign firms listed in the US from bribing foreign officials to secure business deals. It also mandates accurate financial records to prevent fraud. The FCPA has led to major corporate investigations worldwide.
“US companies are harmed by FCPA overenforcement because they are prohibited from engaging in practices common among international competitors, creating an uneven playing field,” a White House fact sheet said.
“It turns out that in practicality it’s a disaster,” Trump said in the Oval Office while signing the order. “Nobody wants to do business with the Americans,” he added.
In its reaction, anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, said FCPA made the United States a leader in addressing global corruption.
Trump's executive order "diminishes - and could pave the way for completely eliminating - the crown jewel in the US' fight against global corruption," Executive Director of Transparency International, US, Gary Kalman, said in a statement.
A senior research scholar at Columbia University and former anti-corruption coordinator at the State Department, Richard Nephew, said on X: “This is a horrible idea that US companies do not want.
“Sure, you may find one or two, but most appreciate the fact that FCPA allows them to be firm in refusing bribes because most private sector companies — sensibly — see bribery as an unproductive cost.”
However, the White House fact sheet said the law makes American companies less competitive. "US companies are harmed by FCPA over-enforcement because they are prohibited from engaging in practices common among international competitors, creating an uneven playing field,” the fact sheet said.
Trump's directive calls for "revised, reasonable enforcement guidelines" from the Justice Department that will not hamper American firms competing abroad, the factsheet added. Over the years, a wide range of multinational firms have come under Justice Department scrutiny over the law, including Goldman Sachs and Glencore.
In 2024, the Justice Department and the Securities Exchange Commission filed 26 FCPA-related enforcement actions, and at least 31 companies were under investigation by year end, the White House fact sheet said.
Tinubu's Commitment to Ogoni Development
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
As part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), one of the Africa’s leading cement giants, BUA Cement, has donated drugs worth N35 million to 16 host communities in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Presenting the drugs to representatives of the beneficiary communities, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, said the gesture was to make sure clinics and hospitals in the host communities have adequate drugs.
Binji, represented by the Director of Administration and Corporate Services, SADA Suleiman, noted the gesture
was an annual event, stressing the company donated same last year.
He further disclosed that the company also carried out some empowerment programmes in the communities through scholarship, provision of portable water and mosques for the host communities. According to him, “What you are witnessing today is that we are giving back what the communities had given us.”
He further disclosed that very soon the company will commission seven solar boreholes that are completed across the state and the provision of full school uniforms to pupils of five primary schools of the host communities.
Binji thanked Governor Ahmed
Aliyu for his support and unrelenting advice stressing BUA Cement PLC would continue to complement the efforts of the Sokoto State Government in improving the lives of its citizenry.
He said it is their prayer the drugs are used judiciously for the benefit of the people, especially women and children, saying the drugs are free and not to be sold.
On his part, the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Alhaji Umaru Ahmad, represented by Director Health Services Umar Sani Tureta, thanked BUA cement for the gesture, urging other companies in the state to emulate it.
Ahmad assured the company that the drugs would be delivered to the benefiting communities.
Former Rivers State chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Dr. Mike Nwielaghi, has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu's commitment to the development of Ogoniland.
Nwielaghi who is the current chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), made the assertion when he led hundreds of his kinsmen to the peace and dialogue meeting at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, over the weekend.
The HYPREP Trustees chairman said that Tinubu's past experiences working alongside Ogoni leaders have equipped him with a deep understanding of the community's struggles.
He said: "President BolaTinubu has a deep understanding of the Ogoni people's struggles, having been an ally to our leaders in the past".
Nwielaghi emphasised that Tinubu’s understanding is crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by the Ogoni people, including environmental degradation, poverty, and lack of infrastructure.
The former AD chairman praised President Tinubu's administration for engaging with the community in a democratic manner, rather than relying on force or power.
"We thank the federal government; we thank President Bola Tinubu because they are not coming with the force of power and the force of government, and they are discussing with the people in a democratic manner.”
He further commended the government's willingness to listen
to the concerns of the Ogoni people and to work with them in finding solutions to their problems. This approach, he believes, is essential in building trust and fostering a sense of ownership among the Ogoni people.
He highlighted the government's commitment to the Ogoni people, citing the establishment of the University of Environment, the completion of the East-West road, and the possibility of creating a new state for the Ogoni people. These projects, he noted, have the potential to transform the lives of the Ogoni people and to provide them with opportunities for economic growth and development.
The former AD chairman also acknowledged the government's efforts to clean up the environment and to restore the damaged ecosystem in Ogoniland.
Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III of
PHOTO: SYLVESTER IDOWU
Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) – SUPPLY OF MEDICAL CONSUMABLES & INSTRUMENTS
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) invites reputable and qualified vendors to express their interest in participating in a Request for Information (RFI) for the supply of medical consumables, non-medical consumables, Drugs (Pharmaceuticals) and medical instruments.
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AMCE is a world-class healthcare institution dedicated to providing specialized medical services, advanced research, and medical training in Africa. Our mission is to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while fostering innovation and improving healthcare access across the continent.
Scope of RFI
This RFI aims to gather information from potential suppliers to assess market capabilities and inform future procurement decisions. Vendors with expertise in supplying high-quality medical consumables, non-medical consumables, and medical instruments that meet international standards are encouraged to respond.
Submission & Inquiry Details
• Deadline for Submission: 12 February 2025
• Request for RFI Document: Interested vendors must request the RFI document by emailing procure@amce.net
• Submission & Communication: All inquiries and responses must be directed to procure@amce.net
This RFI does not constitute a solicitation or binding agreement but serves as a preliminary market assessment.
Happy Congratulations! Congratulations! Birthday
The Board, Management and Staff of The Board, Management and Staff of African Circle Pollution Management Limited African Circle Pollution Management Limited heartily felicitate with the Managing Director, heartily felicitate with the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho
On the occasion of your birthday celebration On the occasion of your birthday celebration this day being this day being February 12, 2025. February 12, 2025.
We wish you well and pray that the We wish you well and pray that the Lord Almighty grants your hearts’ desires in the years ahead, amin. Lord Almighty grants your hearts’ desires in the years ahead, amin.
Signed:
Management Management
Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611
Hassan Abubakar: The Unseen Hand
nigeria’s security challenges have seen all hands come together, and the nation is currently enjoying the gains of collective efforts. Yet, the role being played by the Chief of air staff, air Marshal Hassan Bala abubakar, is vast and indeterminable. Shola Oyeyipo writes.
He’s a model and modest military officer. His voice you could always hear but hands are seemingly invisible. That is the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, who has continued to work miracles in the already yielding fight against insecurity in Nigeria. This, he does, without struggling for attention.
The last 16 years has no doubt tested the might of Nigeria’s armed forces to their very limit. The rise and spread of the Boko Haram sect, after its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was summarily executed by the police in 2009, has since kept the military on its toes.
But in spite of losing many of its men to the hitherto tough battle, the armed forces have remained resolute, not only to completely exterminate this anti-social criminal group, which had over time birthed several others of its kind, but to continue to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
While the respective wings of the armed forces have kept faith with their oaths of service and continued to give their best in the battle against insecurity, the role of the Airforce in the successes so far recorded against criminals of all shades, remains incalculable.
Although the Airforce has been led by different leadership since the menace began to manifest some 16 years ago, the ability of the current Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, to not only leverage the efforts of his predecessors but also read through their shortfalls and design better fighting strategy, is why he earned the rank in the first place.
Born September 11, 1970, Abubakar, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, succeeded Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, to continue the onslaught against the criminals across Nigeria. His choice was not unconnected to the need to inject fresh and smarter blood into the nation’s security architecture with a view to decimating the non-state actors.
Tough-talking and always walking his talk, Abubakar’s constant air support to the fight against the criminals of all categories had seen their many hideouts routed and a majority of the insurgents now on the run, with several of their leaders and commanders neutralised. It is also not surprising that some of the criminals – indeed many of them – had surrendered to the troops after witnessing and experiencing higher firepower.
Recently reaffirming the dedication of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to national security, Abubakar vowed that the NAF would relentlessly hunt down and eliminate all threats to the country’s peace. He was not joking.
Speaking at the NAF Administration and Personnel Management Seminar in Abuja, sometime in January, Abubakar declared, that the NAF’s effective employment of airpower would extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned spaces.
He emphasised that the ongoing air operations against criminal elements demonstrated the Air Force’s resolve to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation.
“We will find, fix, and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all,” he said exuding the sort of confidence that complements his rank and office.
But he wasn’t just talking. The best part has been his ability to complement his words with action. It was, therefore, not surprising when he recently visited the South-east and South-south geo-political zones, as part of the grand plan to meet national security objectives.
A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, stated that his visit was to evaluate operational readiness and infrastructure development of the units with a view to enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness.
“In furtherance of the drive to actualise his
command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), for greater agility and resilience to effectively project air power in meeting all national security imperatives, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, on Saturday, 5 October, 2024, conducted an operational tour of NAF units in Enugu and Port Harcourt.
“The purpose of the visit was to evaluate operational readiness and infrastructure development of the units with a view to enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness,” he said, emphasising the importance of maintaining high levels of preparedness to meet current and emerging security challenges.
Thus, when he expressed dissatisfaction with the heavy reliance on foreign countries for aircraft and spare parts, not a few agreed that he understood what he was saying and meant.
Abubakar, who recalled his time as the Commander of the 101 Presidential Air Fleet, stated that there were significant constraints associated with the high dependency on imported aircraft spares and equipment to sustain flight operations.
“As Commander of the 101 Presidential Air Fleet,” he explained, “I experienced firsthand the serious constraints that accompany our high dependency on the importation of aircraft spares and equipment to sustain flight operations.
“Years later, as the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, with the Nigerian Air Force Research and Development activities under my purview, I gained a clearer understanding of the critical role that research and development play in mitigating our sustainment and operational challenges as a service,” he added.
He, however, maintained that the Nigerian Air Force was rapidly building the necessary capacity to sustain the operation and maintenance of 50 brand-new aircraft expected to be added to its fleet by end of 2026.
Tough-talking and always walking his talk, Abubakar’s constant air support to the fight against the criminals of all categories had seen their many hideouts routed and a majority of the insurgents now on the run, with several of their leaders and commanders neutralised. It is also not surprising that some of the criminals – indeed many of them – had surrendered to the troops after witnessing and experiencing higher firepower.
His words: “It is only by developing indigenous capacity for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance spares production through research and development that we can reduce our dependence on foreign military products.
“I am also pleased to mention that the operationalisation of the TSAIGUMI Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has been revived in partnership with UAVision of Portugal. Currently, the project has reached an advanced stage.
“Additionally, it is worth noting that the NAF is leveraging a strategic partnership with Messrs Zenith Prom of Serbia on technology transfer for 57mm rocket production.
“We are also building our institutional capacity for research and development, as evidenced by the recent upgrade of the Air Force Research and Development Centre into an Institute.”
A decent family man by all standards, Abubakar, who is married to Rakiya and blessed with children, was born in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State. He attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria as a member of NMS 82 class.
A qualified Aeromechanical Engineer, having obtained a Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in 2006 from the Nigerian Airforce Technical Training Group (nowAirforce Institute of Technology, Kaduna), he also holds a diploma in Aviation Safety Management from the Embry-Riddle University of Aeronautics, Daytona Beach, Florida, in 2022.
With another Diploma in National Security and Country Resilience from the Galilee Institute, Nahalal, Israel, Abubakar holds a master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. And for his strategic military training, he attended the Nasser Higher Military Academy in Cairo, Egypt.
Before his appointment as the 22nd Chief of Air Staff, Abubakar had a celebrated career within the Nigerian Airforce, having begun his military career as a member of NMS 82, from where he proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of the 39 Regular Course and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in September 1992.
Abubakar received his Basic Flying Training Courses at the then 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna, from June 1997 to January 2000. During his flying career, he accumulated over 4,500 flying hours on various aircraft, including the Air Beetle, Dornier -228, C-130 Hercules, and the Boeing 737.
The Air Chief had also undergone specialised training, including the Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses and the Amphibious Operations Course in March 1997 at the Nigerian Army Infantry Centre and Schools in Jaji, Kaduna State and Calabar in Cross River State.
Throughout his career, he held various roles, including serving at the 88 Military Airlift Group, Ikeja, where he held positions such as Operations Officer of the Operational Conversion Unit, Commanding Officer of 21 Wing, and Group Safety Officer, overseeing the effective support of air and land forces during stabilisation operations across various theaters of operation.
He further served in the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 2006 as a Team Leader in Mahagi, Ituri Brigade, and as Aviation Planning Officer at the Air Operations Base in Kinshasa. Abubakar was the Commander of the prestigious 011 Presidential Air Fleet from December 2016 to January 2020 and as the Chief of Staff of Mobility Command, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, in addition to holding roles such as Director of Policy and Director of Operations at the Headquarters of Nigerian Air Force, Abuja.
Clearly, his extensive experience in these positions provided him with better understanding and prepared him for strategic leadership as the Chief of Air Staff.
Abubakar... changing the narrative through air interdiction
2025: APC Squares Up to APGA for Anambra Guber Poll
as the all progressives congress prepares for its governorship primary in anambra state, David-Chyddy Eleke reports that with the calibre of aspirants the party parades, there is a tough battle ahead.
Recently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the toast of politicians vying for elective positions in Anambra State, but it never used to be so. Long before now, the party was almost a pariah party, whose members were looked upon as outcasts. It was even more during the days of the former president, Alhaji Muhammad Buhari. Insecurity occasioned by the activities of Fulani herdsmen, who seemingly had the nod of the president who incidentally was also a Fulani caused hatred for the party.
At party rallies, it was common to hear a contestant deride their opponents in APC by asking the crowd: “Would you allow Fulani party to take over power in Anambra State?” and the audience will chant a resounding ‘no’ in unison.
Today, some of the biggest politicians in the state have regrouped in APC, with more still promising to come. As the Anambra governorship election billed to hold on November 8, 2025 approaches, APC can beat it’s chest today and proclaim that it parades the biggest array of aspirants, all of who are known to have huge support base and financial capability.
Currently, five aspirants are preparing to slug it out for the Anambra gubernatorial ticket of the party in April, 2025. They include Sir Paul Chukwuma, a former national auditor of the party and Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University, Burundi; Prof Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airline; Johnbosco Onunkwo, an oil and gas expert; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, businessman; and Chukwuma Umeoji, a former lawmaker.
Meanwhile, the recent inauguration of the state party secretariat in Awka, which was attended by the national chairman, Dr Abdulahi Ganduje exposed the tough battle ahead of the party in choosing a candidate ahead of the November election. During the event, the various aspirants mobilized their supporters from all parts of the state to the secretariat, with the intention to show capacity, and each aspirant’s supporters working hard to outshine the others.
The secreatriat being inaugurated was donated to the party by Sir Paul Chukwuma, one of the aspirants, after years of staying in a rented apartment in a congested part of Awka. The state party chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike who during his address at the event took time to disclose the efforts of the various aspirants was also very emphatic about the contributions of two of the aspirants; Sir Paul Chukwuma and Prof Obiora Okonkwo.
About them he said: “I crave your indulgence to let me congratulate and commend
the initiator of this project, Sir Paul Chukwuma (Onyechinazo) for being a good party man. He did not only get us this office but also provided the furniture herein for the State Chapter. He also replicated same for some local government areas and wards. The on-going restructuring and strengthening of the party in the state could not have gathered such momentum, if not for the support of the sum of N100million extended to the party at the inauguration of the APC consultative council in Abuja, last year. He also donated a bus to youth wing of the party in the state. In all he has remained a big pillar to our collective effort to building a party which we all should be proud of in Anambra.
“We also commend the efforts of Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, who, some days ago redeemed his pledge of further making the state office a more conducive and befitting edifice. He made available a Mikano power generating plant, six air conditioners, five industrial fans, three Plasma television sets, and a 7000w high capacity wireless sound system for use in the new office. His donation of the sum of N20million for the on-going restructuring and strengthening of the party in all LGAs and wards is highly appreciated. Within this period he has spent with us in the APC, he has proven to be a committed, supportive and loyal party man,” Ejidike told
the national chairman.
Things however took a different turn when it was the turn of the aspirants to address the crowd. Each of them took jabs at the other, to the point that many feared that the event would degenerate into a physical brawl.
The first aspirant, Onunkwo took time to shower accolades on himself as a long standing financial pillar of the party. He used adjectives like the timber and calibre, caterpillar and bulldozer of the party to describe himself, insisting that he has remained with the party all through thick and thin.
But Ukachukwu in his remarks took a different route when instead of thanking the man who procured the office space rather said: “I’m happy that we need to come together to send APGA packing. We are here to commission a rented office, but in the next one year, I will build a brand new secretariat for the party. We will do it, whether we win the governorship ticket of the party or not.” He told party faithful that: “We will deliver governorship to APC, whatever it will take to do it, we will make it happen. If there is any candidate who the sitting governor fears much, it is me.”
For Okonkwo and Chukwuma, both went for each other’s jugulars. Okonkwo in his remarks seemed not to be comfortable with the accolades showered on Chukwuma. He reeled out his numerous supports for the party, insisting that it is only after he joined the party and started attacking the bad policies of the government in power that everyone started paying attention to APC.
He said: “I am happy the party has changed. We will lead the best and stron -
APC can beat it’s chest today and proclaim that it parades the biggest array of aspirants, all of who are known to have huge support base and financial capability. Currently, five aspirants are preparing to slug it out for the Anambra gubernatorial ticket of the party in April, 2025. They include Sir Paul Chukwuma, a former national auditor of the party and Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University, Burundi; Prof Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airline; Johnbosco Onunkwo, an oil and gas expert; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, businessman; and Chukwuma Umeoji, a former lawmaker.
gest campaign that will produce an APC governor. I assure the party that we will remain strong as members of the party and we will win the election. I’m happy for what Chukwuma has done and if you give me the ticket I will give you the C of O (certificate of occupancy) of the Anambra government house. I support consensus, and when that time comes, I remind you that I’m the oldest of the aspirants and will need to be considered as the consensus candidate.”
His lines and those of Ukachukwu didn’t seem to have gone down well with Chukwuma as he took to the floor to berate them. He said: “For my brother contestants, We are happy they are in our party, they have just joined us, but they should not come and kill us in our house. People should not come to a party that has been existing and claim that we gave it life. That is unfair.”
For Ukachukwu who promised to build a fresh and more befitting party secretariat
Chukwuma said: “We already have a party secretariat, and if you have reason to build a new party office, you would have built one in your local government, but you did not do so, until I donated all of them, including state, local governments and wards”.
Meanwhile, another of the aspirants, Umeoji seeing the heated exchange decided to play the mediator, urging against division and urging aspirants to ensure they come together and support whoever emerges at the primary election as there was need for unity.
The charged atmosphere at the party secretariat was such that as the aspirants took turns to speak, while their supporters cheered them, supporters of other aspirants jeered and booed them, in what almost degenerated into fisticuffs.
A member of the party who refused to disclose his name agreed that there will be a tough battle ahead. He also said: “My fears are that apart from Sir Paul Chukwuma who has remained a party man, all the others are not reliable. They can leave the party if they lose the ticket, and of course you know that they have the capacity to make trouble with the party and whittle down it’s influence during the election. Johnbosco Onunkwo is also a strong party man, but he does not possess what it takes to win the election.
“The race is obviously between Sir Paul Chukwuma and Prof Obiora Okonkwo. They seem to be most popular aspirants in the party. The only fear Okonkwo may entertain is that seeing what played out here today, it may not be out of place to say that the other aspirants may conspire against him, and that may cost the party victory at the main election,” he said.
Chukwuma
Obiora
Ukachukwu
How Neveah is Transforming Waste into Wealth to Boost Non-oil Exports through Its Recycling Plant
Neveah Limited, a leading indigenous commodities export company, is set to transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape with its new 44,000MT aluminium and copper recycling plant in Ogun State. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that this multi-billion Naira facility will reduce raw material imports, boost non-oil exports by $100 million annually, and drive sustainable industrialisation. With a strong focus on environmental impact, it aligns with global ESG standards while reinforcing Nigeria’s role in the green economy
In a bold step towards sustainability and economic growth, Neveah Limited, a leading indigenous commodities export company, is set to commission its state-of-the-art aluminium and copper recycling plant in Ogun State. With a production capacity of 36,000 metric tonnes of aluminium and 8,100 metric tonnes of copper annually, this multi-billion Naira facility is not just an industrial milestone—it is a revolution in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
The plant, which will process 3,000 metric tonnes of aluminium and 675 metric tonnes of copper every month, promises to reduce the country’s reliance on raw material imports. By leveraging recyclable materials, it will conserve energy, reduce waste, and contribute significantly to foreign exchange (FX) earnings through exports to Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.
A Boon for Nigeria’s Economy
Beyond its environmental impact, the Neveah Recycling Plant is a catalyst for economic transformation. It is expected to generate over $100 million in annual revenue, boosting Nigeria’s non-oil exports and strengthening the country’s industrial base. Additionally, the facility will contribute to national tax revenues through corporate taxes, VAT, and PAYE contributions.
Job creation is another key benefit of this initiative. More than 400 direct jobs will be available, with an additional 6,000 indirect employment opportunities in logistics, raw material supply, and ancillary services. Neveah Limited also prioritises inclusivity, committing to a 40% female workforce representation.
Sustainability at Its Core
As industries worldwide transition to more eco-friendly operations, Neveah Limited is taking the lead in Nigeria. The recycling plant is expected to cut
CO, emissions by an estimated 377,460 tonnes annually—equivalent to removing 82,000 cars from the road. Additionally, it will conserve 616 million kWh of energy per year, enough to power 57,500 households. Waste reduction is another critical advantage. By diverting 55,400
metric tonnes of scrap from landfills and preserving approximately 549,000 metric tonnes of raw materials, the facility will help curb environmental degradation associated with mining activities.
A Vision for the Future
For Neveah Limited, this project is about
more than just profitability—it represents a commitment to sustainable industrialisation and global competitiveness. Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the company’s CEO, Mr. Ibidapo Lawal, stated: “Our vision for the Neveah Recycling Plant extends beyond profitability; we are committed to sustainable industrialisation, economic empowerment, and global competitiveness. This facility represents a bold step towards an environmentally responsible future for Nigeria and Africa.”
Driving Nigeria’s Non-Oil Growth
As Nigeria continues its push for economic diversification, Neveah Limited’s investment in recycling aligns with the nation’s low-carbon economy goals and global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. The plant will not only enhance local raw material processing but also strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global non-oil sector.
With commissioning set for Q1 2025, Neveah Limited remains steadfast in its mission to transform industrial recycling, drive sustainable development, and create lasting economic value. As the world moves towards greener practices, this facility stands as a testament to Nigeria’s readiness to embrace a sustainable, non-oil-driven future—one recycled material at a time.
About Neveah Limited
Neveah Limited is a fast-growing commodities and trading company registered by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, specialised in exporting agricultural products, alongside base and minor metals. Recently, they expanded into the recycling of aluminium and copper, reinforcing their commitment to boosting both the Nigerian and global economies. By strategically sourcing quality inputs and collaborating with select suppliers, Neveah continuously refines its business processes to deliver exceptional value to stakeholders.
What It Takes to Power a Nation: A Path to Energy Sustainability
Olumuyiwa Akande
Powering a nation goes beyond generating energy; it requires a multifaceted approach that includes robust infrastructure, resource diversification, innovative technologies, and inclusive policies.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 7 underscores the importance of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in achieving global development and combating climate change. However, many nations, including Nigeria, face challenges in realizing this vision. Nigeria's energy supply chain, spanning generation, transmission, and distribution, highlights both the scale of the challenges and the opportunities for improvement. As the second-largest producer of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Africa after Algeria, Nigeria has seen steady increases in production levels. Between 2018 and 2022, Nigeria's LPG consumption grew from 700,000 metric tonnes to 1.8 million metric tonnes annually, reflecting rising adoption of clean cooking solutions and industrial uses.
Hyde Energy is playing a pivotal role in expanding this growth. Through its Hyde Gas initiative, the company is establishing LPG distribution outlets across Nigeria, with a national presence in Lagos, Ogun, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Abuja, Anambra, and Rivers States. These efforts are significantly boosting the adoption of LPG as a clean cooking alternative, replacing traditional firewood and improving environmental health by reducing
carbon emissions.
This transition to cleaner energy requires not just technological solutions but also inclusive partnerships that ensure all stakeholders are involved. This is where collaborations like Hyde Energy’s partnership with the Nigerian Association of Women in Law (NAWLG) become essential. By empowering women in the energy sector, we can accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions and ensure a more equitable and inclusive energy transition.
In the short term, LPG serves as a crucial transitional fuel for Nigeria's energy landscape. Looking ahead, the country's long-term energy vision necessitates a diversified energy mix that includes renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower.
While Hyde Energy currently focuses on expanding its LPG infrastructure, the company recognizes the potential of other clean energy solutions, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
As the country transitions towards a more sustainable energy future, Hyde Energy aims to explore opportunities to expand its offerings and potentially contribute to the development of CNG infrastructure.
The company's current LPG facilities are already making significant strides in supporting Nigeria's clean energy transition goals for 2030. By reducing dependency on biomass fuels like
firewood, these plants contribute to lowering carbon emissions and improving air quality, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Their accessibility further aligns with global objectives, such as the Paris Agreement, by supporting sustainable development practices.
While these initiatives represent significant progress, the broader path to energy sustainability faces several challenges. Limited access to financing, regulatory bottlenecks, and inadequate policy enforcement continue to hinder progress. For example, delays in implementing power sector privatisation reforms have slowed investments in critical infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, and international development partners.
To modernize infrastructure and support the transition to cleaner energy, technological advancement plays a crucial role. Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and smart metering systems are revolutionizing energy distribution and reducing costs. AI-driven solutions are particularly beneficial in managing energy consumption in high-demand sectors like data centers. In Nigeria, adopting such technologies could optimize resource allocation, reduce wastage, and improve grid efficiency.
International examples offer valuable lessons and potential partnerships for Nigeria's energy transition. The United States' efforts to modernize its electric grid focus on enhancing resilience and accommodating decentralized energy sources. Similarly, Ghana's experience with electricity crises underscores
the importance of consistent investments in grid reliability and customer-focused service delivery.
The global push for renewable energy also presents significant opportunities for Nigeria to tap into green financing mechanisms and international collaborations. Initiatives like the United Nations' Race to Zero campaign and the African Development Bank's Desert to Power project can support Nigeria's transition by providing technical expertise, funding, and capacity-building programs.
Powering a nation is a collective responsibility. Governments must address systemic inefficiencies, invest strategically in renewable energy and grid modernization, and create an enabling environment for private-sector participation. Local communities, empowered through policies and partnerships, can play a vital role in driving inclusive energy access. The private sector, exemplified by companies like Hyde Energy, must continue to innovate and collaborate to meet the energy needs of a growing population.
The journey to sustainable energy requires a united effort. By embracing resource diversity, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration, nations like Nigeria can illuminate a future of progress, equity, and environmental stewardship for generations to come. The energy supply chain must evolve to meet current demands and anticipate future challenges, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of universal energy access.
-Akande is the Head, LPG Hyde Energy.
Lawal
Tinubu Administration Raising the Bar of Investment Promotion – Majekodunmi
Ms. Ololade Majekodunmi, Managing Director, House of Dorcas Integrated Services (HDI), is one of the few young women making waves in the agric sector, cultivating over ten hectares of cotton across five states. Majekodunmi, who holds a degree in fashion and sustainable textile design and an MBA from the University of West London, speaks on her journey thus far, the Tinubu administration’s latest initiative on cotton, potentials of the industry, challenges and more. Precious Ugwuzor brings excerpts:
What are your thoughts about Nigeria’s business environment?
As a Nigeria Economy Advocate, I choose to see the potential and the progress. Nigeria’s business environment has significantly improved under this administration, with a clear focus on economic diversification, infrastructure development, and policy reforms. The 2025 Roadmap has set a strong foundation for ease of doing business, digital transformation, and investment incentives. We are seeing greater engagement, policy direction, and government support for key industries, particularly agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. Challenges remain, but the commitment to reform and growth is evident. If reforms are properly executed, Nigeria’s economy will rank among the best in the world. The rest of the world sees the immense potential we often overlook, and it is time we harness it fully.
Additionally, the increased adoption of digital technology and fintech solutions has made access to funding and financial transactions easier for businesses. Nigeria’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) also opens new doors for cross-border trade, positioning the country as a major player in Africa’s economic development. Strengthening these international trade frameworks will allow Nigeria’s cotton industry to gain global market access, attracting investors looking to tap into Africa’s textile sector.
As an organisation, how are you navigating the environment?
We focus on strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and operational efficiency. We keep ourselves updated on everything happening in Nigeria and adapt our systems and solutions to fit. Navigating Nigeria’s business climate requires adaptability, innovation, and resilience. We have leveraged technology, built strong networks, and engaged stakeholders at both government and private sector levels to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities.
How has this impacted the Agro-allied business space?
The agro-allied sector is experiencing renewed confidence due to the government’s agriculturedriven economic policies. With policies supporting local production, mechanization, and access to finance, there is a strong push toward industrialscale agriculture and value addition. This has resulted in increased investments, job creation, and a more structured market. However, for sustained growth, public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be encouraged to drive further investments and research into modern farming techniques.
Tell us about the potentials of cotton business in Nigeria?
Nigeria grows long-staple cotton, premium variety known for its superior fibre quality, as a diverse producer of raw materials for various textile applications. This diversity allows Nigeria to cater to both domestic and international markets, contributing to industries such as well as medium and short-staple cotton, making it a diverse producer of raw materials for various textile application. This diversity allows Nigeria to cater to both domestic and international markets, contributing to industries such as textile, home furnishing and industrial fabrics. Developing and taking advantage of the vast landmass in states like Kastina, Kebbi, Gombe, Niger, and Kano, where cotton farming thrives will be crucial in expanding production. Additionally, some parts of south with loamy soil offer favorable condition for cultivation of high-quality cotton varieties, further strengthening the country’s production capacity However, due to an underutilized industry, Nigeria loses an estimated $6 billion annually, relying on textile imports despite having the resources for local production. A well-developed cotton industry could contribute over $10 billion annually to the economy, significantly reducing import dependency and boosting exports. Beyond fabric production, cotton contributes to several industries, including cotton seed oil for food and cosmetics, biofuel production, and animal feed, making it a critical commodity for industrial growth and sustainability. With fertile land, favorable weather, and a large labour force, Nigeria can establish itself as a global leader in high quality cotton production, if backed, by the right policies, investments, and infrastructure. The sector also has the potential to create over 2 million jobs across
the value chain, from farming to textile processing, fashion manufacturing, and exports. Engaging youth and women in cotton farming, modern textile production, and innovative fashion businesses will further drive economic empowerment and industrial development. Historically, Nigeria was once a key player in the global cotton export market, but years of underinvestment and policy inconsistencies have hindered progress. However, with a renewed focus on sustainable cotton farming, advanced processing technologies, and international trade alignment, Nigeria has the potential to reclaim its place on the world stage.
Do you think the government is doing enough in harnessing these potentials?
The government has initiated several programes aimed at revitalising the cotton and textile industry, such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programes (ABP), the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention in the Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) sector, and the National Cotton Development Programmes. These initiatives have helped increase local cotton production, create employment, and promote industrialisation.
The federal government's renewed focus, particularly through the Ministry of Trade and Investment, on the urgent call to revamp the cotton and textile industry is both promising and reassuring. Their approach demonstrates a commitment to revitalizing this critical sector, ensuring that Nigeria regains its competitive edge in the global textile market. However, funding models must be structured in a way that ensures efficiency and accountability. Special grants, tax incentives, and dedicated agro-industrial funds can further enhance the cotton sector’s growth. Additionally, investments in mechanization and modern processing plants will significantly improve productivity.
How far can this government go with the latest initiative on cotton?
The government has the potential to make substantial progress if implementation is well structured. However, success will depend on stakeholder engagement, proper funding mechanisms, and removing bureaucratic obstacles. Execution of the initiative is key—it must be properly implemented to yield real impact. This includes modern irrigation systems, structured farmer support, and investment in high-quality ginning technology. A key component of this modernization is investing in double roller gins, which preserve fibre strength and improve quality,
ensuring that Nigerian cotton remains competitive in premium global markets. When combined with improved soil management, better seed varieties, and sustainable farming practices, these investments will significantly enhance output and economic returns. Uzbekistan, which faced similar challenges in its cotton industry, successfully transformed its sector through government-backed reforms, mechanization, and strong export policies. The country at- tracted $130 million in investment from the IFC and EBRD, which modernized farming and processing systems. This contributed to a 4.5% annual growth in cotton fabric exports, demonstrating how structured investment and reform can unlock longtermeconomic gains. Furthermore, developing dedicated industrial zones for cotton processing, modernizing transport networks for logistics efficiency, and investing in state-of-the-art storage facilities will further strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the cotton-to-textile value chain.
How can this dovetail into expanding our Agro-allied industry?
A well-developed cotton industry will have a ripple effect on the agro-allied sector by boosting textile production, increasing demand for agricultural inputs, and strengthening rural economies. It will also create opportunities for mechanization, value addition, and job creation across the supply chain. Cotton expansion will directly impact other agro-industries such as oil processing, feed mills, and bioproduct manufacturing, strengthening Nigeria’s position as an agricultural powerhouse.
Can Nigeria, with her potentials, become an investment hub through government initiatives?
Brazil’s transformation in the cotton sector is a powerful example of how strategic investment and policy support can drive industrial growth. Over the past two decades, Brazil has expanded production from approximately 3 million bales to 14.6 million bales, making it the second-largest exporter of cotton globally. This success was fueled by government - backed incentives, modernized farming techniques, and an efficient logistics system that ensured seamless processing and exports. With a strong emphasis on research, mechanization, and sustainability, Brazil has positioned itself as a major player in the global textile market. Nigeria possesses similar agricultural potential and can achieve comparable success by prioritizing investment-friendly policies, infrastructure development, and trade incentives.
A well-integrated cotton-to-textile value chain, backed by sustainable farming practices and advanced processing technology, would attract global investors seeking emerging markets. With the right execution, Nigeria can position itself as a leading supplier of high-quality cotton and textiles, meeting the growing demand across Europe, Asia, and North America. However,
for Nigeria to achieve this, critical enablers must be in place. Investors look for stability, security, and clear investment frameworks. Addressing power supply challenges, improving ease of doing business, and ensuring policy consistency will be key to attracting foreign direct investment into the agriculture, textile, and manufacturing sectors. Additionally, the development of the CTG Free Trade Zone in Funtua is a strategic move to boost cotton processing and textile manufacturing, offering a dedicated industrial space with favourable policies and infrastructure. This initiative will drive value addition, job creation, and export expansion, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global textile market. The roadmap 2025 initiative is a strong starting point, providing a framework for boosting investor confidence and ensuring sustainable industrialization.
How attractive is the investment climate from the perspective of Nigerians in the diaspora?
Nigerians in the diaspora want to invest, but they need trust in the system. Issues like policy inconsistency, infrastructure deficits, and capital repatriation challenges discourage many investors. However, the outlook is getting better, and economic forecasts indicate a favourable trend for investment, particularly as government policies continue to evolve towards greater transparency and investor confidence. If the government strengthens institutional frameworks, provides investment guarantees, and fosters transparency, diaspora investments will increase significantly. There are already successful Nigerian diaspora investors in agriculture and agroprocessing, demonstrating that investing in Nigeria’s agricultural sector can yield significant returns. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has also backed several Nigerian agro businesses, signaling strong confidence in the country’s agricultural potential. However, targeted incentives such as tax breaks, land access, and investment protection schemes will further encourage diaspora Nigerians to channel their capital into the cotton and textile industries.
How ready is your organization to go with the government’s latest initiative?
If given the opportunity to work with the government, we are ready to take immediate action with structured solutions that will drive measurable impact within the first year. Our plan is SMART covering everything from cotton production to processing. We are excited about the revamp initiatives and the Road 2025 Roadmap. Having worked on this for almost 10 years, we can confidently say that we have the solutions to make this sector work. We are ready to hit the ground running and show results within the first year.
Within the first year, we anticipate a measurable increase in cotton yield and processing output, supported by improved logistics and stakeholder coordination.
The Brazilian technical team has also shown commitment to supporting Nigeria’s cotton revitalization through capacity building, research collaborations, and mechanization strategies. This international partnership further strengthens our execution capacity. Their expertise in large-scale cotton farming and sustainable fiber production will be instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s cotton value chain. We are fully prepared. We have the expertise, partnerships, and industry knowledge to drive the success of the initiative. However, for this to be effective, there must be a genuine commitment from the government as we can see now through the released roadmap, to ensure proper infrastructure, and eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks.
What are your final thoughts?
Nigeria has unlimited potential, and this administration’s pro-business stance, commitment to economic transformation, and the Road 2025 initiative have created a more favorableinvestment climate. Achieving sustainable growth in the cotton and textile sector will require multi-stakeholder collaboration, including government bodies, private sector partners, and international investors. By prioritizing infrastructure development, funding accessibility, and policy consistency, Nigeria will solidify its position as an economic powerhouse. If we continue strategic partnerships, sound policymaking, and transparent governance, Nigeria will become a leading economic hub in Africa and one of the strongest economies in the world.
Majekodunmi
www.thisdaylive.com
opinion@thisdaylive.com
A NEEDLESS CONTROVERSY
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is not in a popularity contest with anyone, writes JACKSON EKWUGUM
page 20
POWER AND TELECOM SERVICES
SONNY ARAGBAAKPORE writes that inadequate power supply is costing the telcos a fortune
page 20
Let the discos die for Nigerians to have light, writes MICHAEL OWHOKO
THE DISCOS AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
The unending darkness permeating Nigeria today, unarguably, was the mistake of 2013 when majority stakes in the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) were sold to private investors as part of larger efforts to improve electricity supply, which was hitherto, disrupted by constant power failure across the country.
Unfortunately, after 12 years of practical operations, these private investors have turned out to be technically incompetent with severe illiquidity challenges that weaken their capacity to perform, demonstrate competence, and deliver electricity satisfactorily to customers in line with policy and public expectations. Worse still, nothing suggestive that the DISCOs can improve in performance and efficiency, translating into a burden for Nigerians, in the absence of government’s interference.
By their poor conduct and performance, the DISCOs have undermined the intention and objective of the federal government’s electricity reforms which was aimed at strengthening the power sector through private sector participation for delivery of efficient and quality service. The reforms which started with the enactment of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSRA), led to formation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and creation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The PHCN was later segmented into Generation, Transmission and Distribution, from where the DISCOs were created.
The reforms were essentially necessitated at the time by constant power failure induced by poor condition of network of power assets, including moribund facilities and equipment together with government’s poor handling and management of the electricity sector. These challenges were identified as obstacles impeding efficient and regular supply of electricity to consumers, leading to eventual sale of six GENCOs and eleven DISCOs to private investors.
So far, the DISCOs have failed to inspire public confidence, as they often attribute their failure to inherited obsolete and unviable equipment, a defence mechanism evidently too weak to attract public sympathy. Inability of the DISCOs to identify from the outset, the depth of facility decay before agreeing to take up responsibility for the job, exposes the gaps in their technical knowhow. And failure to replace most of the moribund equipment and facilities, is a confirmation of their poor financial health, a factor that should have been activated for their disqualification.
Perhaps, as device to mitigate this financial deficit, DISCOs resort to sharp practices, using estimated billing, varied service bands, passing incidence of cost relating to faulty equipment replacement to consumers and unjustifiable blackout.
For example, consumers are fraudulently asked by DISCOs to pay for faulty distribution facilities and equipment, including wires, cables, conductors and transformers, despite leveraging government and banks. Even after compelling consumers to fund replacement of faulty equipment, ownership of such assets
reverts to the DISCOs. Yet, no payment waiver or concession is extended to customers for electricity consumed.
Implicitly, consumers indirectly bear part of the DISCOs’ operational cost despite payment for electricity bills. And because the consumers are caught up between the deep blue sea and the hard rock, the DISCOs have now made it a bureaucratic culture to make incessant demands to consumers for replacement of faulty lines and equipment, including transformers. Field electrical engineers of the DISCOs capitalized on this unwholesome practice to constantly push cost of maintenance down the throat of consumers.
Besides, estimated billing has become part of DISCOs’ trick for defraying cost of operations. Consumers are billed based on estimation as against prepaid metering, a preferred option to support their balance sheet. This explains why the process for obtaining prepaid meters is cumbersome and frustrating. Even where the prepaid meters are available, the DISCOs deliberately make the issuance process difficult, just to discourage consumers.
Categorization of consumers into different bands is also a strategy to shore up revenue, particularly in Band A. This category of consumers is allocated a minimum of 20 hours a day, but receive less supply quality, despite associated high tariff of about N207per kilowatt/hour (KWhr).
Consumers that are migrated to bands B, C, D and E also complain of inadequate supply that is not commensurate with their service bands. From approved minimum, Band B is entitled to 16 hours, Band C - 12 hours, Band D - 8 hours, and Band E - 4 hours per day, yet, blackout persists with supply at variance with approved service minimum in the different bands. It appears to be a ruse designed to fleece consumers.
This inefficiency has so negatively robbed off on the DISCOs to the extent that their reputation and public trust have waned. It is so bad that, for example, pickup ladder trucks conveying field workers of DISCOs, now conjure image of crooked personnel going around to extort consumers over non-existent faults. The presence of these field engineers trigger apprehension among consumers over possible alteration of electricity balance. All these are in violation of regulatory operating standards as depicted in the Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs) set by NERC. The KPIs are metrics designed to measure performance of the DISCOs.
When organizations entrusted with responsibilities to deliver electricity to final consumers have consistently failed to achieve target, resulting in poor quality of life and business downturn, with implications on gross domestic product (GDP), government has the obligation to mediate, and put the sector on a new trajectory to guarantee improved and regular supply of electricity.
This is where the NERC, which was established to oversee the activities of the DISCOs, is expected to act on behalf of government to compel them to operate within the framework of the established KPIs, through regular monitoring and enforcement of compliance. The KPIs include management accountability, increased operational performance, improved electricity delivery, customers’ service satisfaction, metering, customers’ complaints resolution, estimated billing and quality of service delivery.
But so far, the NERC has not lived up to its billings as evident by failure of the DISCOs to meet their KPIs, coupled with flagrant display of nonchalance, impunity and inexperience. Besides 5% reduction in operational expenditure as penalty for non-compliance with energy offtake, no serious sanctions have been slammed on the DISCOs, a gap they have been exploiting to perpetuate darkness in the country.
Put differently, apart from management accountability which is beyond consumers’ determination, other KPIs are observed more in breach by DISCOs than in compliance. For example, there is no improved performance and increased power delivery to consumers. There is also poor metering system fueled by non-availability or indiscriminate issuance of meters, as well as estimated and delayed billing. Besides, consumers are also compelled to pay for equipment, including cables and transformers. These are part of growing customers’ dissatisfaction over poor services by DISCOs.
While power generation companies (GENCOs) and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are not immune from the general inefficiency web of the power sector, if the approximately 5,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity currently generated was optimally and efficiently distributed by DISCOs, using functional and reliable equipment and facilities, the magnitude of blackout currently being experienced in Nigeria would have been slashed.
The spotlight on the DISCOs is informed by their crucial role in the electricity supply value chain. They deliver electricity directly to consumers which provide them the opportunity to interact with customers. The GENCOs and TCN do not interact directly with consumers, and this removes these organisations from public attention despite their importance in the supply value chain. Dr. Owhoko, Lagos-based public policy analyst, author, and journalist, can be reached at www.mikeowhoko. com, and followed on X @michaelowhoko
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is not in a popularity contest with anyone, writes JACKSON EKWUGUM
A NEEDLESS CONTROVERSY
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad"
- Author unknown
By now any lingering doubts about the comportment and maturity of Senator Ned Nwoko for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should have evaporated after reading his latest outburst. The presser where he boasted that he was “more popular” than Governor Sheriff Oborevwori laid bare his hollowness. It was puerile, jejune, and undignified. The presser, an anti-climax to months of political perfidy in which he worked frantically to destabilise the Delta State PDP and demonise Governor Sheriff Oborevwori while frolicking with the APC, was an odious exercise in political grandstanding. The belief and hopes of some state party leaders in 2023 that Nwoko had repented have now been rewarded with betrayal of the highest order. Indeed, the pain and regret of those who were convinced that he was a “born again” politician are palpable. Truly, a leopard cannot change its spots.
Now, let us examine the matters arising from his infantile vituperations. Nwoko claims to be “more popular” than Governor Oborevwori. For starters, Governor Oborevwori is not in a popularity contest with Nwoko. The Governor is not an attention-seeker; he is comfortable in his own skin and does not need to rub shoulders with a serving Senator representing one of the three senatorial districts in his State. Secondly, if you must tell people that you are popular, you are certainly not. Thirdly, Nwoko is confusing being controversial with being popular. To be popular means to be “liked or admired by many people or by a particular person or group.” Truth be told, that is not the case with the senator. And there is no bigger attestation to this fact than the iconic instablog9ja’s screaming headline that “Regina Daniels’s Husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, defects from PDP to APC.” That, right there, tells you everything you need to know about Nwoko’s spurious claim to popularity. Obviously, Instablog9ja, a blog that caters to celebrities and newsmakers, only knows about his wife, once an up-and-coming talent in Nollywood. Thus, the only way the defection could be newsworthy to Instablog9ja and its readers was to rein Regina into the mix. So much for being popular.
Nwoko’s obsessive tendency to stoke needless controversies or attack persons bigger and better than him to gain attention and relevance is now almost legendary. It may put him in the headlines but that does not make him popular. On the contrary, Governor Oborevwori is a man that is loved, admired, and respected by people across partisan, religious, or ethnic lines. His self-effacing mien, ebullient personality, and relational skills are qualities that easily endear him to the rich and poor, the powerful and the powerless. This was in ample demonstration at his son’s nuptials at Asaba in December 2024. The President, Governors, political gladiators from across party lines and people from all spheres of human endeavour were happy to be on ground to celebrate with him. His trademark simplicity, humility and spirit of generosity, are qualities that continue to win him friends and admirers among his peers, and across party lines or socio-economic strata. Indubitably, Nwoko’s attempt to diminish the Governor’s status with his unwarranted and provocative attacks is not only an exercise in futility, it also serves to expose the senator as a drowning man groping at every available straw for survival.
Senator Nwoko sought to paint the picture of Oborevwori as haughty and proud by saying “he does not respect me anymore.” Obviously, this is a man with a larger-than-life image of himself. It
is hard to fathom why Nwoko thinks his Governor and leader should accord him special privileges and courtesies beyond that which he gives to others. Nwoko may have joined APC but the fact remains that Oborevwori is still his Governor. Protocol and common-sense demand that when he speaks of the Governor he should do so with decorum and respect. And if there is anything you may accuse Oborevwori of, it is certainly not being proud. A Governor who would apologise to his staff if they waited long to see him, because he was busy attending to other official functions, cannot be referred to as disrespectful or proud by any stretch of imagination. In Governor Oborevwori, I have seen a new level of humility that is sobering.
It was Nwoko’s assertion that “Sheriff Oborevwori does not have the capacity to be a Governor where we are.” The Governor of the Year (Infrastructure and Prudent Management of Resources) Award that was recently bestowed on Oborevwori by THISDAY/Arise TV clearly puts a lie to that preposterous claim. In a rare display of candour, THISDAY publisher, Nduka Obaigbena admitted that Governor Oborevwori was “underrated” before assuming office but has astounded many with his exceptional performance so far. Nigerians would take the word of a reputable publisher than that of one whose stock-in-trade is fanning the embers of division and disunity. Governor Oborevwori was a successful businessman before he ventured into politics, rising through the ranks to become Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. During his record six-year tenure as Speaker, Oborevwori also served as Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (20202023), a testament to his capacity, competence, and character as a leader and manager of men and resources.
Talking about capacity, it is time Senator Nwoko takes a good, hard look in the mirror. By now, he ought to be reeling out his achievements to the good people of Delta North instead of this tiresome song and dance about Anioma State, which process has not even commenced. As a senator in the National Assembly, it is his duty and responsibility to lobby and influence the federal government to do the needful regarding the Okpai Independent Power Plant and Ogwashi-Uku Dam, both federal government projects. Instead, he opts, rather mischievously, to pass the buck to the Governor, betraying his utter lack of understanding of his role as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Good enough, Senator Nwoko has exercised his right of freedom of choice and association to ally with the APC, the party in control of the federal government. This is his chance to get both projects running and functional. Until then, he should spare us his naked dance in the market square that has become as irritating as it is distracting.
Ekwugum writes from Asaba
SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE writes that inadequate power supply is costing the telcos a fortune
POWER AND TELECOM SERVICES
By Wednesday December 11,2024 the National electricity grid had recorded 12 collapses within the year thus accounting for an average of one per month.
Apart from millions of customers whose homes and offices were cut off electricity supples,many corporate organizations including telecommunications network providers,manufactures among others had to cope with the situation making do with their more reliable alternatives which had become more regular than the national grid.
With a paltry 5,000 megawatts of electricity supply by the generating companies (gencos),for the nearly 250 million population,millions of people including corporate bodies have resigned to fate.
Resort to alternative sources of power supplies including renewable energy,solar and heavy duty generators have become a way of life.
Only recently,government officials announced that a tariff hike of up to 65% was underway,a situation the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) frowns at saying this will further compound costs of doing business in general.
Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, expressed serious concern in a statement issued in Lagos saying the frequent increases do not meet quality of service.
Ajayi-Kadir stressed that electricity is a crucial input in manufacturing, significantly affecting production costs and product prices.
He emphasised that no nation could achieve substantial industrial development without ensuring energy security.
According to him, any increase in tariff will harm the competitiveness of Nigerian products and businesses.
He warned that such would worsen production costs, intensify inflationary pressure, and further reduce consumers’ disposable income.
Ajayi-Kadir added that it would increase manufacturers’ unsold inventory, erode profit margins, raise unemployment, and force more private businesses to shut down.
“It was due to the critical role of energy security in Nigeria’s industrial aspirations that the power sector was privatised in 2013. Unfortunately, this privatisation has not delivered the expected results,”
But for telecommunications operators,it’s a tale of woes as power supplies account for about 40% of the operating expenditure (OPEX) as critical equipment because even if equipment is available and no electricity supply to power them,quality of service suffers.
Nigeria's unstable electricity grid significantly contributes to telcos' need for backup diesel generators, further increasing their energy expenses.
Recent reports indicate that Nigerian telecommunication companies (telcos) spend a significant amount on electricity, with estimates suggesting their monthly energy bill can reach up to N56 billion primarily due to reliance on diesel generators to power their network towers, as they often face unreliable grid access; many telcos are now actively exploring renewable energy options to reduce costs.
A major portion of telco electricity expenses is attributed to diesel consumption to power their base stations, with some reports stating that large operators like MTN can spend over N30 billion per month on diesel alone.
To mitigate high energy costs, many telcos are actively investigating and implementing renewable energy solutions like solar and wind power to reduce their reliance on diesel.
For telcos to be successful and profitable there should be operational efficiency especially of the infrastructure companies or owned infrastructure.
About 40%, if not more of the operational challenges of the infrastructure companies or operator owned and managed infrastructure is in the cost of energy: diesel or gas, or renewables.
Analysts reason that how the industry is able to survive the cost and access to energy supply, especially for the infracos in a safe and sustainable manner, is the solution that must be tackled in the long run for sustainability of the industry in its oprations, user experience and profitability.
One analyst said there are several generic intervention initiatives by government, local and foreign development agencies and financial institutions, including some commercial banks in the energy sector, especially aimed at promoting renewable energy supply and usage in support of the operational and cost efficiencies of the target sectors.
“These well-intentioned initiatives have been customised in some instances such as the government policy of energy for the health sector (energise health) or energy for education (energise education) initiatives.
“These commendable policies work to provide renewable energy solutions to institutions such as primary health centres, universities, university teaching hospitals and federal medical centres that are generally limited, discretionary, tied to yearly budgets of government, most times apply to federal institutions, and lack maintainance and sustainability instruments.”
Telecommunications sector contributes more than 15% to Nigeria’s GDP and is entirely private sector driven but has an impact on all growth and development direction of the country and because it is perceived as a private sector commercially profitable business. There has never been any deliberate intervention to address the critical component of the cost and quality of energy supply to the sector.
Perhaps because of its ubiquitous nature and lack of knowledge of the structure of the sector, there was never an attempt to isolate and address this subject.
Yet the ability of the sector to continue its impact on national growth and development is tied to availability and affordability of energy sustainably.
The country’s telecoms sector, with around 154 mobile subscribers, needs a significant amount of energy. It relies on over 40 million litres of diesel per month, and 34,862 towers in 2022 were dependent on diesel generators due to unreliable grid power.
As more people come online, telcos need more power. Monthly internet usage increased by 579.39 percent from 125,149.86 terabytes (TB) in December 2019 to 850,249.09 TB in September 2024. The amount of energy needed to power data traffic is around 0.17 kWh globally. However, GSMA noted that it is 0.24 kWh per GB, reflecting the lower energy efficiency of networks on the continent.
Editor, Editorial Page PETER
ISHAKA
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
CONDEMNED TO DEATH, INMATES FOR
State governors should either sign the death warrants or commute the sentences
In recent days, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, has led the campaign for the imposition of death penalty on fake drug dealers in the country. “It is all about deterrence. If somebody kills another person and that person is not repentant, maybe that person should be killed also,” Adeyeye said while describing fake drug peddlers as “merchants of death” who prioritise profits over human lives. But even when there is hardly any week that a high court in many of the 36 states will not sentence a convict to death for one crime or another, these sentences are never carried out, calling to question whether Adeyeye’s prescription would indeed serve any purpose.
Last week, a Kano State High Court sentenced five men to death by hanging for calling a woman, Dahare Abubakar, 67, a witch and stabbing her to death.
LIFE
ing congestion that has impacted significantly on the administration of justice. That is aside from the helplessness endured in the roller coaster of emotions for these condemned inmates who have practically been reduced to the status of the living dead.
While high courts in their states continue to sentence convicts to death, governors have refused to exercise their roles as enshrined in our Constitution
Similarly, in Ogun State, the High Court sitting in Abeokuta convicted and sentenced three people to death by hanging for killing a couple, Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye and their son, Oreoluwa, on New Year’s Day in 2023. These convicts will join a long list of death-row inmates that populate our prisons. As of last September, no fewer than 3,590 inmates across custodial centres were on death row, according to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesman Abubakar Umar.
While high courts in their states continue to sentence convicts to death, governors have refused to exercise their roles as enshrined in our Constitution. This is despite that governors are not even bound to sign the warrants for the execution of people on death row. They can exercise their prerogative to commute such sentences to lifetime in jail or reduced the jail terms. The delay in carrying out this executive function is breed-
EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU
DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE
MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU
CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
The obligation on the governors is specifically enshrined in Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Section 221 of the Penal Code and Section 319 of the Criminal Code. All this prescribes capital punishment for murder while sections 37 and 38 of the Criminal Code prescribe the same punishment for treasonable felony. There is of course a global campaign against capital punishment, but it is still applicable in Nigeria. Majority of these death row inmates are in solitary confinement having been convicted for such offences as murder, treason, treachery and armed robbery. Some states in the country have also enacted capital punishment for those convicted of kidnapping.
Against the background that the NCS Act provides for some mitigations, we urge prison authorities to liaise with the judiciary on how to operationalise Section 12(2c) which specifically provides that “where an inmate sentenced to death has exhausted all legal procedures for appeal and a period of 10 years has elapsed without execution of the sentence, the Chief Judge may commute the sentence of death to life imprisonment.” While judges in many of the states continue to pronounce death penalty for offences like kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, etc., we cannot remember the last time any convict was executed in Nigeria.
During the 2024 World Day against the Death Penalty last October, human rights groups in Nigeria canvassed for its abolition. May be it’s time to examine their arguments.
ANOTHER PHASE OF THE OGONI STRUGGLE
Ogoniland, located in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, is home to the Ogoni people, who have long suffered the consequences of oil exploitation. Since the discovery of oil in the region by Shell in 1958, Ogoniland has been at the heart of Nigeria’s oil economy, contributing significantly to national revenues. However, for decades, the Ogoni people have endured devastating environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and systemic neglect— issues that ignited one of the most persistent struggles for environmental and social justice in Nigeria.
The extensive pollution caused by oil spills in Ogoniland is staggering. Between 1976 and 1991, an estimated 2,976 oil spills occurred, releasing about 2.1 million barrels of oil—nearly 40% of Shell’s global spills. One of the worst spills, in 1970, lasted for three weeks, leaving a lasting scar on the land and the people. In response to these injustices, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) was formed, leading to the Ogoni Bill of Rights in 1990. This document demanded the protection of Ogoniland from further environmental destruction and called out both multinational oil companies and the Nigerian government for their role in what was termed “genocide.” Under the leadership of Ken Saro-Wiwa, MOSOP mobilized wide-
spread resistance, leading to Shell’s exit from Ogoniland in 1993.
The Nigerian government’s response was brutal. The military cracked down on the movement, culminating in the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other MOSOP leaders in 1995 after a sham trial. Their deaths sent shockwaves around the world, highlighting the extent of state repression in the fight over oil resources. Since then, oil production in Ogoniland has largely remained on hold due to security concerns and community resistance.
In 2006, the Nigerian government commissioned the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to assess the extent of pollution in Ogoniland. The UNEP report, released in 2011, confirmed what the Ogoni people had long known—their land and water were severely contaminated, requiring urgent cleanup. The report recommended a comprehensive environmental restoration project, warning that the pollution was so severe that some communities were drinking water with benzene levels 900 times above WHO safety standards.
To implement the cleanup, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) was launched in 2012, and in 2016, the Nigerian government officially began the process. However,
the progress has been painfully slow. Many Ogoni leaders and environmental activists have criticized the government for its lack of urgency and inadequate financial commitment to the cleanup.
Now, the Nigerian government is signaling a renewed interest in resuming oil production in Ogoniland. This has led to a division among Ogoni leaders—some see this as an opportunity for economic growth, while others insist that the cleanup must be completed before any discussion of oil production can take place.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent engagements with Ogoni leaders, including the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoni, have been welcomed as steps in the right direction. However, the militarization of the oil sector is raising new concerns. A recent media headline—"CDS Musa Rallies Stakeholders to Achieve Tinubu's 2.5 mbpd”— suggests a push for increased oil production under military supervision. Given the history of repression and violence in Ogoniland, many fear that this could lead to a repeat of past abuses. Innocent Edemhanria, ANEEJ Programme Manager, Benin City
Kayode Tokede
Following the Federal Government reforms in the Oil && Gas sector, Oando Plc, and five other OIl & gas companies generated an estimated N6.69 trillion revenue in 2024, about 57 per cent increase when compared to N4.27 trillion in 2023.
The remaining five oil & gas companies are: Totalenergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, Aradel Holdings Plc, Eterna Plc and Conoil Plc.
Analysis of their unaudited result and accounts for the period ended December 31, 2024, showed that the six companies declared N440.09 billion profit before tax in 2024, a significant increase of 84 per cent from N239.01 billion in 2023.
The companies’ revenue grew significantly to reflect price adjustment in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), stable global oil prices, among other factors.
These companies benefited from FG’s reforms in recent years and it has attracted investment in the oil and gas sector.
The reforms were aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies, increasing local participation, and encouraging a shift toward cleaner energy practices.
Arthur Eriye
In its continued effort to address the food crisis rocking the continent, and ensuring sustainability, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Africa’s agricultural sector with an investment of over $3 billion in
Part of the reforms include: Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), deregulation of the downstream sector, gas infrastructure development and promotion, ease of doing business initiatives, among others.
Further analysis showed that Oando recorded N4.12 trillion revenue, about 45 per cent increase over N2.85 trillion reported in 2023, while Totalenergies Marketing Nigeria declared N1.04 trillion revenue in 2024, representing an increase of 63.8 per cent from N635.95 billion reported in 2023.
The management of Oando in a statement said its revenue growth was driven by higher crude oil volumes lifted, and higher gas prices as well as the positive impact of exchange rate translations, offset by lower trading volumes, reduced natural gas and NGL volumes, and lower realized sale prices for crude oil and NGL.
Speaking on the results, Group Chief Executive, Oando, Wale Tinubu, said, “2024 was a year of transformation for Oando, the key highlight being our successful acquisition and subsequent integration of NAOC Ltd, which significantly enhanced our production capacity, attaining peak operated production of 103,206boepd and net entitlements of 45,000 boepd.
Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) across more than 11 countries on the continent.
The AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina made the disclosure during an interview with Arise Television, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspaper Group.
The initiative, he said, is part of the bank’s strategic move in
“Despite a challenging operating environment, we achieved a 45% increase in revenue to N4.1 trillion, reflecting the strength of our business model, and nine per cent rise in profit after tax to N65.5 billion, notwithstanding the costs associated with the onboarding of NAOC.”
Aradel Holdings, a newly listed oil & gas company on NGX posted N581.02 billion revenue in the year under review, up by 163 per cent from N221.14 billion declared in the corresponding period of 2023.
For Aradel Holdings, the management said the significant increase in revenue was primarily due to: “244.6per cent increase in export crude oil revenue (64.31per cent of total revenue) to N373.7 billion (2023 N108.4 billion; 49.03per cent of total), attributed to increased production levels, significant impact of improved utilisation of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) on which there has been reduced crude losses, and additional value from the Alternative Crude Evacuation (ACE) route with resultant higher crude oil lifting of 3.1 mbbls in 2024 (FY 2023: 2.1 mbbls).
The Chief Executive Officer, Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade said, “The Company sustained its strong operational and financial performance in 2024, building on
driving industrialisation in the agricultural sector, and at the same time, ensuring food security.
Adesina who highlighted the continent’s critical role in global food production said, “Africa has 65% of the uncultivated arable land left in the world to feed 9.5 billion people by 2050… it is going to determine the future of food in the world. So,
the improvements achieved in 2023.
“We recorded increased topline and bottomline, driven by significantly higher hydrocarbon production, the successful re-entry of Well 2ST in the Omerelu Field, which resulted in the attainment of First Oil on 31st May 2024 and increased sales volumes from our refinery operations. We successfully drilled Wells 14 and 15, marking the conclusion of our Phase 1, four-well turnkey drilling campaign with favourable results.
“We kicked off the second phase of the drilling campaign with Well 16, which is approaching completion. To support the anticipated production growth, we expanded the throughput capacity of our evacuation channels, positioning us to maintain strong output and efficiency levels throughout the year.
“We completed the acquisition of the Olo and Olo West Marginal Fields from the TotalEnergies/ NNPC Joint venture, and entered an agreement to acquire a minority equity interest in Chappal Energies Mauritius Limited - an energy company focusing on investments in deep value and brownfield upstream opportunities within Africa.”
He added, “Aradel is also
an equity participant in the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the acquirer of Shell’s 100 per cent equity interest in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Limited, for which Ministerial Consent has been obtained. These acquisitions further enhance our portfolio and create new opportunities for future production growth.
“They will complement our existing operations and provide significant long-term value, aligning with our broader strategy of expanding our asset base to multiple assets across different locations, and increasing the resilience as well as sustainability of our business.”
Amid hike in price of PMS, among others, Conoil announced N323.13 billion revenue in 2024, about 60.5 per cent increase over N201.39 billion in 2023.
Furthermore, Eterna delivered N313.6 billion revenue in 2024, a growth of 71 per cent from N183.3 billion in 2023, while MRS Oil Nigeria Plc reported N312.23 billion revenue in 2024, uup by 71.3per cent from N182.3 billion in 2023.
The growth in revenue is coming at a time when the price of PMS, among other products, have increased significantly.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average retail price paid by consumers for Petrol for December 2024 was N1189.12, indicating a 76.99per cent increase compared to the value recorded in December 2023 (N671.86).
NBS stated that in December 2024, the average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) in Nigeria was N7,177.27, which was a 44.62per cent increase from N4,962.87 in December 2023.
“For a 12.5kg cylinder, the average price in December 2024 was N17,274.16, which was a 50.08per cent increase from N11,510.16 in December 2023,” NBS added.
Analysts have attributed the hike in these companies’ revenue to the federal government’s reforms in the oil & gas sector, urging investors to take positions in companies with fundamentals.
The Chief Operating Officer of InvestData Consulting Limited, Mr Ambrose Omordion, attributed the increase in revenue of these companies to higher-margin crude oil products, stressing that the ease of movement also contributed to revenue and profit.
when I was elected president of the [African Development] Bank, of course, given my experience –I’m an agricultural economist by training – I know exactly what needed to be done.”
He further outlined the bank’s High 5s programme, which focuses on lighting up Africa, feeding Africa, industrializing Africa, integrating Africa, and improving the quality of life for Africans. Special AgroIndustrial Processing Zones
The SAPZ is an initiative designed to establish economic hubs close to farming communities, equipped with essential infrastructure such as power, water, roads, and irrigation systems.
“We have a programme today that is called Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone which is about developing new economic zones across Africa close to where farmers are. And these have enabling infrastructure – power, water, roads, irrigation, and all of that. Today, we are investing over $3 billion in that in more than 11 countries,” Adesina noted.
REA, Jigawa Govt to Harness Clean Energy Opportunities
Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in abuja
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Jigawa state government have agreed to build on the existing 21 mini-grid clean energy projects in the state and jointly harness other renewable energy opportunities available in the state.
REA is the implementing agency of the federal government under the ministry of power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities in the country. The roundtable was themed: “Unleashing Market Opportunities for Decentralised Renewable Energy in Jigawa State”, and was convened against the backdrop of the recent renewed effort to ramp
up electricity supply in the state.
The Governor of Jigawa state, Umar Namadi, had earlier created the State Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy ministry, mandated to provide reliable and inclusive energy solutions for the state’s residents. Recently, he also floated the Jigawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission, mandated to enhance electricity regulation and access in the state.
While signing the REAJigawa state Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) targeted at unlocking renewable energy potential in Jigawa state, the governor assured Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) of the state’s readiness for partnerships.
He explained that the potential and opportunities for
FG Demands Efficient Toll Collection, Moves to End Traffic Build-up
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has paid a visit to the Toll Plaza at Garaku, Nasarawa State, following the commencement of e-collection of tolls on the completed Keffi–Akwanga alignment of the Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi dualisation project.
As a result of the outcry from commuters plying the route, Umahi expressed displeasure with how the tolls are being collected, stating that it is subjecting motorists to undue hardship.
As a remedial measure, he directed the concessionaire, Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company (CHOMC) to immediately increase the number of collection points, deploy more Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, and as well as relief stations for public pleasure and convenience.
The minister, while assuring road users of smoother passage at the toll plaza, promised to revisit the site on Monday to assess compliance with his directives, according to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed.
“The tollgate is not meant to have this kind of bottleneck. The current operation is inadequate, and we are giving the Concessionaire until Monday to make the necessary improvements. If by then this bottleneck is not resolved, I will release the traffic and replace them,” Umahi warned.
Emphasising the importance
of relief stations where vehicles can park and access essential amenities, the minister cautioned the operators that failure to comply with this requirement would result in the loss of their business.
“We will not tolerate anyone exploiting the plight of Nigerians,” he emphasised. “If you wish to operate in this sector, you must meet the required standards,” he added.
Umahi also addressed the slow progress of the remaining work, the Abuja–Keffi section, directing that the contractor, Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), directing that a 14-day notice of termination be issued to them, immediately, due to unsatisfactory performance and effluxion of time.
He berated the company for achieving a meagre 8.7 per cent of the project despite receiving mobilisation funds, also surpassing 46 per cent of the agreed timeline.
“The people are suffering, and the president is deeply concerned. Contractors cannot continue to mismanage Nigeria’s resources while failing to deliver as agreed. If there is no significant improvement within 14 days, we will take over the job,” he declared.
He further directed that mobilisation funds already disbursed would not be subject to any review reiterating that contractors must be held accountable for delays resulting in cost escalations.
the development of renewable energy projects in Jigawa state were limitless, from the policy environment to the political commitment.
According to him, from the comparative advantage of the state’s physical environment to the existing conducive climate, the prospects for renewable energy are enormous.
While delivering the REA’s data-driven insights on the Jigawa state electricity market, the agency’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, assured the governor
of the implementation of least-cost electrification strategies, backed by data and efficient sustainability mechanisms.
Aliyu explained that Jigawa state has the potential to immediately electrify 1 million people using solar mini-grids, to catalyse socioeconomic growth and investment opportunities in the state.
While sharing insights on the status of the World Bank-funded Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), the head, Project Management Unit (PMU), Nigeria
Electrification Programme (NEP), Olufemi Akinyelure, emphasised that the NEP has so far aided the delivery of over 200 mini-grids nationwide.
According to him, the REA continues to focus on catalysing commercial activities to drive demand and capacity optimisation.
He added that the DARES programme, now being implemented through the REA, is a $750 million programme designed to energise over 25 million Nigerians. Olufemi
emphasised the need for improved private sector financing to drive renewable energy scale-up and improve Return on Investment (ROI).
The Executive Director, REA, Doris Uboh, while highlighting the agency’s E-HEART initiative and the state matching programme, explained that the REA was poised to further target renewable energy projects in Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development and Transportation (HEART) and improve the Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in the states.
UNEP Partners NUPRC to Combat Methane Emissions
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has visited the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in its mission to strengthen collaboration on methane emission abatement in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector.
The delegation, led by the UNEP Programme Manager, Marci Baranski, emphasised the importance of working closely with NUPRC to actualise methane reduction efforts in Nigeria, a statement from the upstream regulator, said.
Baranski highlighted UNEP’s
collaborative platform, which brings together governments, organisations, and industries to support global methane mitigation strategies.
This focuses on promoting the adoption of advanced data collection and monitoring systems to accurately identify methane emission sources, assisting developing countries in building technical expertise to measure, report, and reduce methane emissions through training and support programmes.
It also promotes strong regulatory frameworks at national and
international levels to incentivise methane emission reductions and supporting research and the development of innovative technologies to curb methane emissions across various sectors.
During the visit, the UNEP announced the nomination of NUPRC as a member of its advisory council, which signifies the commission’s critical role in methane mitigation efforts.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, the Executive
Commissioner for Development and Production, Enorense Amadasu, expressed NUPRC’s readiness to collaborate with UNEP. He assured the delegation of the commission’s commitment to achieving methane emission abatement goals. However, Amadasu raised concerns over potential disruptions to exploration activities during data collection exercises. He emphasised the need for a balanced approach that ensures environmental sustainability without compromising operational activities.
Ekpo Visits Ghana, Togo to Discuss Amendments to West Africa Gas Project
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has visited Ghana and Togo, where he met with key officials to discuss the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project.
In Ghana, Ekpo met with the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Abdulai Jinapor, to discuss and align on key issues related to the proposed
amendments to the WAGP Project. This development is also expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana, while fostering regional integration among WAGP states, a statement from Ekpo’s office said.
Similarly, in Togo, Ekpo met with the Minister of Mines and Energy Resources, Robert Koffi Messan Eklo, in Lome. The
ministers engaged in ‘fruitful’ discussions, aligning their positions on key amendments proposed to the WAGP Project, which will also bolster bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Togo.
Notable figures present at the meetings included: The Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energies at the Nigerian
National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and Chairman of the WAPCO Board, Mr. Lekan Ogunleye.
The Director General of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), Hanawa Chafari; the Managing Director, WAPCO, Mitchelle Burket; Chief Executive of N-Gas, Mr. Aliyu Aminu; were also on the minister’s delegation.
OPEC Oil Output Falls in January on Nigeria, Iran Production Dip
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil output fell in January for a second month, a Reuters survey found, as a drop in exports from Nigeria and Iran offset a rebound from the United Arab Emirates where field maintenance had curbed output in December.
OPEC pumped 26.53 million barrels per day last month, down 50,000 bpd from December’s revised total, with Nigeria and Iran posting the largest drops, the report said.
The modest decline in output came as the wider OPEC+ group is keeping production cuts in place until the end of March due to global demand concerns and rising output outside the group. OPEC+ last Monday decided to stick with its plan to start raising output in April. Nigerian production slipped by 60,000 bpd, the survey found, reflecting lower exports, although domestic usage is increasing as the Dangote refinery ramps up. Iran’s output, which hit the
highest since 2018 last year despite US sanctions, also fell by 60,000 bpd. It may soon be curbed by tighter sanctions from the administration of the US President Donald Trump, Goldman Sachs and other analysts have forecast.
Output in OPEC’s top two producers, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, edged lower. OPEC’s biggest rise of 90,000 bpd, came from the UAE. A source said partial field maintenance continued in January, having started in December. While the survey indicated the
UAE and Iraq are pumping below their targets and December data provided by OPEC’s secondary sources puts them not far above, other estimates such as those of the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest they are pumping significantly more. Libya’s output rose by 40,000 bpd, continuing a recovery after the resolution of a dispute over control of the central bank that had led to production cuts. The country is exempt from OPEC+ agreements to limit output.
L-R: Group Head, Admin and Legal, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Lekan Sanni; Director, Factories of the Federation, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Adogu Nneka; Minister for State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Group Managing Director/ CEO, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Taiwo Adeniyi; Assistant Director/Head of Factories (OSH), Lagos State Office, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ajayi Oluwole; Supply Chain Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Ola Ogunfeyijimi and Assistant Director of Factories, Abuja Headquarters, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Afuye Oluwayemisi, during symbolic inspection of the Vitafoam factory in Lagos… recently
2025 Budget: Senate Proposes N10bn for Capital Market Investor Education
Kayode Tokede
The senate yesterday announced a proposal of N10 billion special fund for investor education in the capital market in the 2025 budget.
According to the Senate, the initiative aims to raise awareness among Nigerians and attract more investors to the market.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Osita Izunaso, made this statement during the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) budget defense session
in Abuja.
Addressing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, Izunaso said the capital market will play a huge role in the attainment of the $1 trillion economy as being propagated by the President saying that more people need to be attracted to participate.
He said: “The capital market is doing well, but we need to do better to attract more investors. At present, participation is low and I don’t think it is right. Also, the number of companies listed in the exchange is low
compared to the companies that operate in this country.
“I believe we require special funds to finance literacy in the capital market, we need to do more to take our capital market to where it is supposed to be. You are going to get our letter to include a N10 billion special funding of capital market literacy in the 2025 budget. This will aid investor education and make our capital market blossom”.
Izunaso commended the Minster for all the support he has provided to the SEC in repositioning the capital market and stated that the capital market
needs to be encouraged to support economic development.
He assured that the Senate will continue to support the capital market to ensure that it attains its full potential, adding that investor confidence is key to a vibrant market.
He added, “On our part, we are doing what we can to provide support to ensure that this market performs its role efficiently in the economy. It is based on that desire that we have now repealed the ISA which is currently awaiting Presidential assent. That bill was passed in record time due to the importance of the capital
Food Security: ACReSAL Restores 160,000 Hectares of Degraded Land
Arthur Eriye
In a drive to bolster food security in the country, the World Bankfinanced project, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), has restored 160,000 hectares of degraded land.
This was disclosed by the Agriculture Expert Advisor to the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Mr. Cyril Bikom, Abdulhamid Umar, in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
ACReSAL, a World Bank assisted project, is designed to address the urgent challenges of land degradation and climate change across 19 states in Northern Nigeria and the FCT.
The project which is made up of four key components, is scheduled
to run for six years, concluding in 2028.
Bikom stressed that ACReSAL is aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land, including abandoned land and areas affected by erosion, desertification, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
“The four components of the project are: dryland management, which targets desertification or desert encroachment and focuses on various aspects of land degradation.
“Community climate resilience, institutional strengthening and project management, as well as contingent emergency response, which is a financing mechanism available to borrowers.
“The project also undertakes capacity building by training
farmers on best agricultural practices, what we call smart agriculture.
“The World Bank-supported funds are allocated for actual project interventions, while the Federal Government is providing counterpart funding.
“This project is implemented primarily at the state and community levels,” he said.
Bikom added that a key component supporting food production is the Community Revolving Fund (CRF), which ensures that funds disbursed to farmers are monitored to facilitate effective loan recovery.
He lauded the FG for its contributions to food production through land restoration, stating that the project provides solar-powered boreholes for irrigation and agricultural
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inputs.
He also noted that the project incorporates intercropping to replenish soil nutrients in support of the FG’s efforts.
“We also collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to secure 350,000 hectares of degraded land.
“The project is being led by three ministries: the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.”
Bikom noted that other ministries also play a crucial role in implementing the project, which is a multi-sectoral and multi-institutional initiative.
“We are targeting 20 strategic catchments, one for each state and 200 micro-catchments, which means 10 per state.
market to the economy.”
In his remarks, Mr. Wale Edun said the country now has a more stable and conducive environment for investments due to President Ahmed Timubu’s key and timely decisive steps aimed at growing the economy rapidly and lifting millions out of poverty.
Edun disclosed that the stock market has started the year on a good note already, saying it is an indication of confidence and resilience that investors have in the stock market.
“There are ways in which the government can encourage more
participation and savings through the stock market and the Nigerian economy has savings that can be invested.
“We have our pension accounts where salary earners and civil servants are saving every month and the government is also contributing,” he stated. He commended the National Assembly, regulators, participants and others for their support to the capital market adding “We have a lot of basis for optimism, a lot to be encouraged about and a lot to build on. The capital market will be a major driver of economic growth and development”.
Marketsquare Expands Presence in Lagos
Marketsquare, Nigeria’s Premier grocery retail chain, continues its rapid expansion with the grand opening of its 35th and 36th stores in Purple Lekki in the prestigious residential community of Lekki and Gbagada, located at Eterna Filling Station, Gbagada Junction (Inside Former Mobil Filling Station), Apapa Oshodi Expressway respectively. This development further strengthens the company’s footprint in Lagos and underscores its commitment to bringing highquality, affordable products closer to Nigerian shoppers.
The launch of the new stores represents yet another milestone in Marketsquare’s mission to provide a superior shopping experience. With an extensive selection of groceries, fresh produce, household essentials, and more, the Purple Lekki and Gbagada locations were designed to cater to the diverse needs of
these dynamic communities. Speaking about the store openings, Head of Marketing at Marketsquare, Mr. Emmanuel Patrick Isangediok, said: “We are thrilled to bring the Marketsquare shopping experience to the residents of Lekki and Gbagada. Our goal is to continuously expand and ensure that more Nigerians have access to quality products at the best prices, all within a serene and customer-focused environment.”
To celebrate the launch, customers can look forward to exciting promotions, exclusive discounts, and a seamless shopping experience at both locations. These additions not only reinforce Marketsquare’s commitment to growth but also highlight its dedication to convenience and delivering exceptional value to its customers.”
Nzekwe: To Foster Investor Confidence, Nigeria Must Ensure Policy Stability and Market-driven Reforms
In this Interview the Founder and Managing Partner of Lex Consulting Group, Collins Nzekwe, provides an in-depth analysis of Nigeria’s investment climate. He explores the factors influencing foreign direct investment, the potential of underutilised sectors, and the impact of policy uncertainty on business confidence. He also shares insights on how Nigeria can harness Diaspora funds for long-term development, navigate macroeconomic challenges, and maximize opportunities presented by AfCFTA, Nume Ekeghe presents the excerpts:
Nigeria has seen fluctuations in FDI inflows over the years. What factors do you believe are currently driving or hindering foreign investment in the country?
Nigeria’s FDI inflows have been volatile, reaching a high of $8.4 billion in 2011 but declining to $2.2 billion in 2022. This volatility reflects the interplay of several factors. Investors are attracted to Nigeria’s large market of over 200 million people, a burgeoning digital economy with 82 per cent internet penetration, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. However, concerns remain. Regulatory unpredictability, particularly in sectors like finance and energy, makes long-term planning difficult. Forex liquidity issues hinder profit repatriation, as seen with the $743 million trapped funds in 2022. Security challenges, including kidnappings and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, also contribute to investor hesitancy. Creating a more stable and predictable business environment is crucial to attracting and retaining FDI.
Many investors cite regulatory uncertainty and governance concerns as key challenges in Nigeria. What specific policy reforms could make the investment climate more attractive?
To foster investor confidence, Nigeria needs to focus on three key areas. A clear, market-driven exchange rate system is essential. The current multiple exchange rate regime creates uncertainty and discourages investment. Policy flip-flops, especially in critical sectors like finance, energy, and tech, need to be minimised. Consistent and predictable policies are crucial for long-term investment planning. Stronger Rule of Law, enhancing contract enforcement, protecting intellectual property rights, and intensifying anti-corruption efforts are vital. Furthermore, addressing infrastructure deficits through effective public-private partnerships (PPPs) is crucial. Investors need reliable power, efficient transport networks, and robust broadband connectivity.
Which sectors in Nigeria are currently attracting the most FDI, and what industries do you believe are under explored but have significant potential?
While traditional sectors like oil & gas, fintech, telecommunications, and manufacturing continue to attract FDI, we see immense untapped potential in other areas. Take agritech, for example. Nigeria has vast arable land and a growing population. There’s a huge opportunity to improve food security and create jobs through agritech solutions. Healthcare is another area with immense potential—Nigeria faces a significant healthcare infrastructure gap, and there’s room for investment in telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, and medical device manufacturing.
Renewable energy is also a promising sector. While attending CoP29 in Baku last year, it was evident that developing nations, including Nigeria, bear the brunt of climate crises but are not receiving adequate funding from international bodies responsible for climate financing. At the same time, governments aren’t doing enough to ensure these funds are allocated where they are most needed. Nigeria has abundant solar and wind resources, and investing in renewable energy generation and distribution can drive sustainable, long-term growth.
And let’s not forget AI. With high mobile penetration and rapid digital adoption, Nigeria is ripe for AI-driven solutions across sectors like education, healthcare, and finance. At the 2025 World Economic Forum, AI was a key agenda item, especially as one of the conveners and strategists at Africa House at WEF, Davos. Throughout the WEF week, a major focus was on strategizing ways to help African-focused AI startups access international funding for AI research and projects. Bridging this gap is crucial to ensuring Africa does not fall behind in the global AI revolution.
Unlocking capital and incentivising investment in these sectors will be key to diversifying Nigeria’s economy and driving long-term sustainable growth.
Remittances have consistently outpaced FDI in Nigeria. How can the government and private sector better harness diaspora funds for long-term economic development?
Nigeria receives substantial remittances, reaching $20.9 billion annually. However, much of it goes towards consumption. To channel these funds into productive investments, we need to explore options like diaspora bonds linked to infrastructure and industrial projects. Creating structured investment platforms that facilitate diaspora investment in SMEs, real estate, and other productive sectors is also crucial. And of course, offering tax incentives
to encourage long-term diaspora investments is key. Ultimately, the government needs to ensure a secure and attractive business environment to build trust and attract diaspora capital.
Through ThinkAfrica, you engage with the African diaspora. What are the biggest barriers preventing more structured diaspora investments, and how can they be addressed?
Based on our engagement with the diaspora, three key barriers emerge. Firstly, limited investment channels beyond simply sending money home. People need more accessible and transparent options. Secondly, regulatory and legal uncertainty creates hesitation. Concerns about property rights, contract enforcement, and legal recourse are valid. And finally, there’s a trust deficit. Past experiences with fraud, mismanagement, and lack of transparency have eroded trust. To overcome these barriers, we need to establish diaspora-focused investment funds and platforms with strong governance and transparent operations. We also need to enhance financial literacy programs to educate the diaspora about investment opportunities and risks. Finally, we need to strengthen legal frameworks to protect diaspora-owned assets and ensure a level playing field for diaspora investors.
With currency volatility and inflation posing risks, how should investors and businesses navigate Nigeria’s macroeconomic landscape in the coming years?
Navigating this dynamic environment requires flexibility and adaptability. Businesses should diversify revenue streams, explore currency hedging tools, and consider local currency financing options to mitigate currency risk. Reducing import dependency by prioritizing local sourcing and import substitution is crucial.
The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com
Game-changing Solutions Underway as Oil Giants Gather for SAIPEC
Exploring game-changing solutions is one of the major areas of interest as senior stakeholders in the oil and gas industry gather in Lagos for the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2025, Ejiofor Alike reports
With the increasing competitiveness of Nigerian-made solutions in the global oil and gas industry, major Nigerian companies are currently in Lagos showcasing game-changing solutions at the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2025.
SAIPEC, the largest event in the centre of Africa’s energy, oil and gas hub, is organised in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and NNPC Limited.
Holding from yesterday, Tuesday, February 11 to February 13, 2025, SAIPEC is also the only truly oil and gas industry-led event, held in partnership with Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Narrating his country’s experience from the previous conference, the Permanent Secretary, Gambia National Oil Company, Mr. Lamin Camara, said: “As a prospecting country, SAIPEC has enabled us to share our experience, but more importantly, learn from established and mature markets such as Nigeria and Ghana; the event has provided us with a lot of collaboration opportunities and know-how for the future.”
Speaking on the ongoing event, the Group Managing Director of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, stated that the company would continue to pioneer new technological innovations, stressing that technology is a powerful enabler that drives both operational efficiency and strategic growth.
The Port Harcourt-based award-winning Solewant Group is a member of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), which hosts SAIPEC.
Ewanehi added that his company’s
commitment to technological innovations stems from a deeply rooted belief that the future of the oil and gas industry, particularly in Africa, hinges on the continent’s ability to adapt, evolve, and integrate advanced solutions.
“This focus is not merely about staying ahead of the curve; it’s about harnessing technology to solve real-world challenges that directly affect our industry, our clients, and the communities we serve.
“First and foremost, technology enables us to enhance the safety and reliability of our operations. The oil and gas industry has always been high-risk, with significant challenges related to safety, equipment integrity, and environmental impact,” he said.
Ewanehi stated that the company has adopted cutting-edge technologies that not only safeguard the well-being of its employees and contractors but also mitigate environmental risks.
“At various levels of operations, these technologies have allowed us to anticipate and address issues before they escalate, significantly reducing downtime and preventing accidents,” he said.
He said the company also focuses on technology to optimise efficiency and reduce costs.
According to him, the margins in the oil and gas sector are often thin, leading to the pressure to run cost-effective operations.
“By leveraging automation, data analytics, and cloud-based systems, we are able to streamline operations, enhance supply chain management, and maximize asset utilisation. Technologies like robotics allow us to conduct operations more quickly,
more accurately, and at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods. “These efficiencies translate into both cost savings for us and enhanced value for our clients,” he said.
With over 25 years of stellar reputation in providing advanced coating solutions to the African oil and gas industry, production of steel pipes, and metals fabrication, Solewant Group is not only a giant in the Nigerian oil and gas industry but an African success story.
As a leader in Nigerian Content Development, the company aims to lead a pan African agenda with a mission: “To be a first-rate, world-class steel pipes and coating service provider to the oil, gas and water industries in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.”
Ewanehi stated that the company’s products and services equate global standards in quality and innovation.
“Also, Solewant Group is a member of PETAN. In PETAN, we believe in competence and not patronage because we are a Nigerian company. We adhere strictly to international standards and quality management systems (QMS) because doing so not only aligns with the law but also delivers tangible benefits to the industry and the economy at large.
“First, our products and services are designed with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by operators in the Nigerian oil and gas terrain. Whether it’s the multilayer pipe coating application systems that we offer, or the cutting-edge fabrication services we provide at our state-of-the-art Solewant Industrial Area, our solutions are tailored to meet both
the technical and environmental demands of the region,” he added.
According to oil and gas industry operators, utilising Solewant Group’s products and solutions significantly reduces project costs and timelines.
They added that avoiding the logistical hurdles of importing from abroad, ensures faster delivery and real-time responsiveness.
The operators recalled that during the construction of critical pipeline systems like the Forcados Pipeline or the Escravos Export System, the company’s local presence enabled seamless project execution within tight deadlines.
Ewanehi noted that choosing Solewant Group promotes the development of indigenous talent and infrastructure.
“Through our Solewant Energy Training Institute (SETI), we are nurturing a new generation of skilled professionals who are industry-ready. This commitment to local capacity development strengthens Nigeria’s human capital while fostering technology transfer and innovation,” he added.
The company’s approach to sustainability and quality assurance ensures that its clients get world-class solutions without compromising environmental or operational integrity. Its use of advanced technologies, such as Solid Epoxy Coating System, Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) coatings, aligns with global best practices while offering cost efficiencies that imported alternatives often cannot match.
Solewant Group’s products and solutions are not just about complying with the Nigerian Content Act—it’s a strategic decision that drives efficiency, fosters innovation, and contributes to the economic empowerment of the country.
Nzekwe
Jonathan Enudeme: Zummit Is on Mission to Democratise AI Education, Access for Africans
Enudeme is the founder and CEO of Zummit Africa with a mission of democratising AI education and access in Africa. He is a member of the International Law Association Nigerian branch, where he serves as a board member on the committee for AI and new technologies. He has demonstrated success in leading teams, driving product development, and implementing effective growth strategies. Passionate about leveraging Al for social impact, Through his work at Zummit Africa, Jonathan has been actively involved in promoting Al literacy and fostering a culture of ethical Al development training over 3,000. He has organised workshops, seminars, and training programs that educate individuals. He is also building Datarango.com, a platform designed to make learning AI and Data skills fun and rewarding. In this interview, he talks about AI and its democratisation in Africa. Excerpts:
Could you briefly share your entrepreneurship journey and career?
Iwas in my penultimate year in the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, while working remotely as a data science intern in a startup in India. Artificial Intelligence was quite a new thing then, many of my community members wanted the same job opportunity I had. So, I spoke with my boss, he agreed to bring them on board as long as I was able to lead the team of 10 junior data scientists. The job boosted my confidence so much as well as my that of my team. So, I spoke with my boss about starting up a company like his in Nigeria. I wanted more people to have the opportunity like I did, I wanted to build an AI startup in Nigeria which was so scarce in 2021.
Prior to this, I had thought about different startup ideas like ‘Diabetes detection from retina scans’, ‘Crop classification for pasture plants’, etc. I chose to focus on AI education because the technology was nascent. For it to spread, people actually need to know and learn about it, so my mission was to democratise AI in Africa. In 2021, the AI narrative was not like this, I needed to explain what it meant to virtually everyone who heard the word. What problem is Zummit Africa solving and how is it different from others?
Like I mentioned earlier, a lot of young enthusiastic people like me learning the technology needed somewhere to work and hone their skills. Unfortunately, majority of the companies in Nigeria were hiring data analyst not scientist or AI engineers. Your chances at a remote role with foreign companies were very slim as many of these companies wanted to recruit talents with some level of experience working in an AI company. We started solving the talent problem, with our business model, we are able to train AI talents through courses and internship, many of whom now work in global companies like Turing, AB InBev, Hugo, Gomycode, Heroshe, etc. We are not offering just another course; we are giving you an opportunity to learn and work.
Can you walk us through your training programmes and curriculum?
Our focus is first to help our learners understand
Python programming language. According to Eric Schmidt the ex-CEO of Google, learning Python in this age of AI is the best foundation for any young person. Once our learners have understood Python foundation, then we introduce them to data science and AI. During the internship, our trainees get to explore deeper concepts of AI. This is totally project based; interns work as teams to solve the problem. These projects are deployed live for testing purposes. The team writes a comprehensive blog article about the project. Some of our alumni have gotten jobs or job offers as a result of these projects.
How do you ensure that your training programmes are accessible and inclusive for all Africans? Well as our name Zummit Africa denotes, we
ensure we are inclusive of all Africans. To our greatest delight, we have our footprint in over 9 African countries. We use tools like LinkedIn to reach talents across Africa.
Can you share some metrics or statistics demonstrating the impact of your company?
Yes, of course. From our last poll on our alumni, over 56 per cent of those who have been with us now have jobs globally. We have trained over 3000 people through our courses and internship programme. Our learners have developed and completed over 40 different AI projects. In our free training campaign in 2023, we received 1000 applicants from 9 African counties. Our current product Datarango has about 1,500 users, although we are still in beta.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing African youth in acquiring AI and software skill?
I must first commend the African youths, many of us are resilient hard workers hungry for success. When I brought in my 10 people from Nigeria to join my former company in India, they could literally feel the energy from us remotely. To the challenge, many are eager to learn but lack the necessary tools and infrastructure. I’ll give a sad example. We wanted to train the youths in Ibeju Lekki some data skills, however, we were dismayed to discover that the area didn’t have power supply. The youths in the area cannot afford a laptop, and if they did, they have to get their own power supply. How do you think AI and software skills can drive economic growth and development in Africa?
Simple answer, it has helped provide jobs for our youths, myself inclusive. Many startups have emanated from the development of these skills. Moniepoint presently employs over 1000 people. According to the NBS, the ICT industry is one of the top contributors to the GDP of Nigeria. Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in Africa’s tech ecosystem?
Building a company is a long game, requires grit, resilience, enough patience, mental stamina, accepting rejections and disappointments. People will give you a glimmer of hope and suddenly disappear on you, but don’t give up. It means you have something. You should be solving a problem. You should be very open-minded and humble. You should always be kind and build meaningful relationships. Getting rich quick should not be your motive. I have been learning these and still learning these important lessons.
•Sesan Omojola is an experienced project manager with expertise in Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall methodologies. With over 15 years of experience managing complex projects in IT, healthcare, and finance, he specializes in data-driven project management, resource optimization, and technology integration. He holds an MSc in IT Project Management and an MBA.
The Role of Technology in Transforming Non-Profit Project Management
By Olusesan Omojola
Non-profit organizations are increasingly using technology to improve project management and maximize their impact with limited resources. Tools like data analytics, cloud computing, and blockchain are transforming operations globally. By leveraging these technologies, non-profits can enhance resource allocation, increase transparency, and boost efficiency, all of which are vital for long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
Revolutionizing Project Management with Technology
Technology is transforming project management in the non-profit sector, allowing organizations to more effectively plan, execute, and evaluate their projects. Here are some key technologies driving this change:
1. Data Analytics - Data analytics enables non-profits to make informed decisions by tracking project performance, evaluating impact, and refining strategies in real-time. Predictive analytics allows organizations to foresee future challenges and optimize resource allocation.
2. Cloud Computing - Cloud computing platforms enhance collaboration among teams, streamline documentation, and provide remote access to project data. This boosts efficiency, especially for
organizations operating in multiple locations.
3. Blockchain technology - Blockchain technology enhances transparency and accountability in the non-profit sector. It provides an immutable ledger for tracking donations, ensuring that funds are used as intended and preventing fraud.
Enhancing Resource Allocation and Transparency
Effective resource allocation is vital for non-profits with limited funding. Advanced technologies help these organizations optimize their resources efficiently.
• AI-driven grant management can help non-profits find suitable funding opportunities by automating the application process and enhancing their chances of success.
• Cloud-based financial management systems enable organizations to accurately track expenses, donations, and budget usage in real time.
• By utilizing blockchain technology, non-profits can offer donors real-time insights into how their contributions are utilized, enhancing credibility and trust.
Operational Efficiency through Digital Solutions
The incorporation of technology in non-profit project management improves efficiency by automating manual processes and facilitating
better coordination.
• Project management software – software such as Trello, Asana, and Microsoft Project, facilitates task delegation, progress tracking, and team collaboration.
• Chatbots and AI Assistants – Nonprofits can utilize AI-driven chatbots to manage donor inquiries, coordinate volunteers, and support beneficiaries, thereby reducing administrative burdens.
• IoT for Field Operations – IoT devices can be utilized for real-time monitoring of field operations, ensuring timely interventions and enhanced service delivery on project sites.
Lessons from Nigeria’s Growing Tech Ecosystem
Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem offers important insights for non-profits globally. With a flourishing fintech sector and rising digital adoption, Nigerian organizations are utilizing tech-driven solutions to tackle social issues. For instance:
• Fintech innovations, including mobile payment solutions and digital wallets, streamline the donation process, making it easier for individuals to contribute to charitable causes.
• E-Governance and Open Data: Initiatives that promote data transparency can encourage
non-profits to adopt similar frameworks for accountability.
• Collaboration between non-profits and tech startups can lead to innovative solutions that address local challenges.
Bridging the Gap: U.S. and Nigerian Non-Profits
Although U.S.-based non-profits have historically been at the forefront of technology adoption, Nigerian organizations are making significant progress, driven by a rapidly growing digital economy. By sharing insights and best practices, non-profits in both countries can learn from each other and effectively scale their impact. Collaborations across borders in digital infrastructure, capacity building, and policy development will further improve project management outcomes.
Conclusion
Technology plays a crucial role in non-profit project management. By utilizing data analytics, cloud computing, and blockchain, organizations can enhance efficiency, transparency, and resource allocation. Nigeria’s evolving tech ecosystem offers insights that can benefit both Nigerian and U.S. non-profits. The future lies in digital transformation, and those who adapt will be better positioned to create meaningful global change.
Enudeme
Education
British Council: Creating Educational Atmosphere for Improved Quality, Sustainability in Africa
In a bid to revolutionise Africa’s tertiary education landscape, the British Council recently organised the Going Global Africa Conference in Abuja, which brought together stakeholders from across the continent to tackle the pressing issue of equipping university graduates with the skills needed to succeed in the modern workforce. Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole reports
African countries have long been grappling with the problem of producing university graduates who are termed unemployable, and the hiring organisations will have to spend money on training them. Hence, the need to tackle this challenge headlong, the British Council convened a global Africa conference to equip university graduates with the skills needed to succeed in the modern workforce.
Themed ‘Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Education Institutions and Systems in Africa,’ the conference aimed to bridge the gap between skills acquired in tertiary institutions and skills needed by the various employing industries. The conference was thus poised to help resolve this through collaborative efforts between African countries and their universities.
According to the experts, there is a gap because tertiary institutions often fail to equip students with the skills required in the workplace. Today, the reality in Africa is that academia is not producing ready graduates for the industry. When the industries employ, they still have to train these graduates to fit their job requirements. If African countries are key to the collaboration that the British Council is offering, in no distant time, African countries will benefit immensely and grow their economies to become strong and sustainable. This is because academia will produce graduates for the industry and create entrepreneurs who will create businesses, expanding the economy’s growth and creating more jobs.
Some of the ways the conference proposed to help solve the challenges are through collaborative actions and international partnerships. Tertiary education institutions in Africa can achieve their own targets regarding Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (inclusive and equitable quality education), influence the whole education system in terms of learning
L-R: Director Cultural Engagement, Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council, Sally Robinson, Regional Head: Higher Education Programmes (SSA) British Council, Meekness LungaAyidu; Global Director, Education, British Council, Ms Maddalaine Ansell, Deputy Country Director, Nigeria, British Council, Chilufya Besa, Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council, Lucy Pearson, Youth Advisory Board member ; Going Global Africa, Executive Director of Edvant Edge Africa, Mr Prince Louis Omolayo Adekola, Youth Advisory Board Member; Going Global Africa, Rawan Taha at the three -day Going Global Conference in Abuja recently.
quality and inclusion, and contribute through interdisciplinary approaches in education and research programmes.
This is not just for SDG 8 (full and productive employment and decent work for all) but for all other SDGs. At the conference, relevant questions were also asked, including how tertiary education and research in the region can meet the growing demands of young people, their communities, industries,
and society.
Other questions included: Can tertiary education providers, universities, colleges, and others remain relevant and deliver knowledge, skills and qualifications that meet societal needs and best prepare young people for the future? in a world where labour market requirements are undergoing profound changes? How can research and innovation help address evolving needs? What is hindering institutional and system alignment to the changing landscape,
and what factors could help accelerate innovation and positive change? How can skills be used for employability? Can entrepreneurship and enterprise development be integrated into teaching and learning so that young graduates can more easily navigate the world of work? What role do curricula and pedagogies play in this? What role(s) should employers play, and what policy changes and incentives would support greater employer engagement? How can tertiary education best address the needs of industry? How can we best harness the potential of technology to enhance learning and research? What risks and opportunities are created by technology-enhanced learning and advances in artificial intelligence? How can we ensure that they drive sustainability and equity?
The Deputy Country Director of the British Council, Chilufya Besa, noted that the conference was to create a system that answers the needs of young people, who make up 70 per cent of Africa’s population. He also emphasised the importance of the collaborative efforts with the Federal Ministry of Education, highlighting the minister’s presence at the opening session. Besa also noted that the conference is all about creating a relevant and sustainable system of tertiary institutions in Africa. This is relevant because there is a skills gap between what is taught in the institutions and the skills needed in the workplace.
“We wanted to put an intentional focus on narrowing that gap between institutions and industries. So, we brought together industrial stakeholders and academics to talk together about how that gap can be bridged. I think we have been able to achieve that in this conference,” he said.
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SEE-IT Programme: Accugas Awards Full University Scholarships to Second Cohort of 50 Students
Accugas Limited, the midstream subsidiary of Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focused around the delivery of Projects that Matter, has granted full university scholarships to the second cohort of 50 students from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States through the Savannah Energy Education and Internship Training (SEE-IT) programme at a ceremony held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The scholarship covers school fees, accommodation costs, study materials, and living costs for their entire tertiary education, whether public or private.
The beneficiaries will also receive specialised training from leadership and peak performance consultants throughout the duration of the scholarship to support them in achieving great results and to better prepare them for life after
university.
Upon graduation, all beneficiaries will also be offered internship opportunity at Savannah, where they will gain hands-on experience in a world-class environment.
The SEE-IT programme was launched in 2023 to enhance access to quality education in Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States.
The programme was conceived to help ensure that brilliant but indigent students from the two states achieve their dreams of quality university education, irrespective of their chosen field of study, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of the states and Nigeria.
Last year, the programme was expanded with the addition of environmental awareness clubs in 20 public secondary
schools in Akwa Ibom State, aimed at inspiring students on their career choices and creating awareness about sustainable environmental practices. The club activities commenced in June and culminated in a quiz competition in August. The top five winners of the quiz received cash prizes and automatic scholarships for the next academic year.
The Managing Director, Savannah Energy, Nigeria, Pade Durotoye said: “The SEE-IT programme is something that brings us great delight. We are very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in the last two years. The programme benefits the education and economy of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria, and Africa as a whole. We believe very strongly in the power of people. We believe that education is what unlocks our potential. And we believe
that there are very many talented and capable people whose circumstances in life have made it very hard for them to achieve their full potential.
“This is why we are doing this. We believe very strongly that by making education accessible to people who might have missed it, we are transforming not just the lives of the people and their immediate families, but the entire economy at large. This is more than just education. This is transformation.”
Governor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State commended the company for not only doing business in the state, but also for giving back in a way that truly matters through education.
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Onasanya, Fasawe, Mekuleyi, Others Lead MMGSOSA New Exco
A former Ogun State permanent secretary, who is currently a commissioner in the state Independent Electoral Commission, Rev. Mrs. Gbemisola Onasanya, has been elected National President of Manuwa Memorial Grammar School Old Students Association, Iju Odo, Ondo State (MMGSOSA).
She was the sole candidate following the withdrawal of Dr Tade Olowogboye from the race.
Onasanya will succeed the outgoing President Teni Faromoju, an educationist and a philanthropist, under whose leadership the association and the 71-year-old school recorded many landmark achievements.
The election, conducted online, was unique and keenly contested as it drew participants from all over the 36 states, including Abuja and other parts of the world where the old
students are scattered.
The election also produced Otunba Stephen Odimayo Fasawe, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountant as vice president and Dr. Oluyide Mekuleyi, a council member at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State as general secretary among other elected members.
In her acceptance speech, the newly elected president commended the association’s electoral committee, under the leadership of Mr. Sunday Akinseye, for successfully adopting and using what she described as a novel and foul-proof system in conducting the election.
“I have no hesitation recommending this to our great country Nigeria,”
Akinseye said. She pledged not to take for granted “the sacrifices of all members of the association to the exercise that produced this exco and the genuine expectations of all other stakeholders to attract growth and development to the school, thereby building on the challenging legacies of the outgoing president, Mr J.T. Faromoju.”
She vowed to build on the age-long culture of excellence and integrity that formed the bedrock of MMGS, which has made it one of the notable schools that have helped the country produce efficient and productive human capacity over the years.
Onasanya also promised to work with the new exco and the old students to revive the old cosmopolitan culture of MMGS regarding attracting students from all over the country. Onasanya
Bishop Okupevi Urges Nigerian Leaders to Emulate Archdeacon Kiri Wakama’s Integrity
Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Rt. Revd. Ifedola Okupevi, has called on Nigerian leaders to follow the example of Venerable Kiri Wakama, the newly inaugurated Archdeacon of Abijo.
Speaking at the inauguration of Abijo Archdeaconry and the induction of Wakama as Vicar of the Anglican Church of Transformation, Abijo, Bishop Okupevi praised Wakama as an honest and transparent leader.
He urged national leaders to adopt similar leadership qualities, stating that Nigeria would be a better country if more people led with integrity.
“We should strive to emulate good role models, not those who perpetuate evil,” Okupevi said. “By following positive mentors, we can transform our world. Our message to leaders is to fulfil their duties as the Lord Almighty has entrusted them.
“They must lead with integrity, remembering that they are accountable to God and will be called to answer for their actions at any time. If we all emulate the Archdeacon’s honesty, accountability, and transparency, our country will become a better place.”
In his sermon, Rt. Revd. Olubunmi Akinlade reflected on the church’s humble beginnings and the leadership role Wakama played in its growth. He recounted how the congregation initially met in a small apartment in the Fidiso community before transitioning to a makeshift structure that frequently flooded during the rainy season.
Despite these challenges, Akinlade said the church persevered, eventually acquiring land and constructing a modest building, affectionately referred to as a ‘pako’ house.
“Archdeacon Wakama introduced medical outreach when crusades failed to increase the number of members. Through medical evangelism, people came, and the church began to grow to what it is today,” he said.
Former People’s Warden of the church, Ifeayin Okengwu, commended Wakama’s leadership, describing it as a model that Nigerian leaders should adopt.
He noted that Wakama’s approach—holding workers’ meetings to analyse Nigeria’s development and comparing it to other countries—had
been particularly effective.
Okengwu described the occasion as historic, highlighting Wakama’s journey from an Ordinand to a Priest, then Canon, Venerable, and now Archdeacon.
“His leadership traits—kindness, generosity, and his ability to unite the congregation—make him an exemplary leader. His style of leadership is one that Nigerian leaders should emulate, as it focuses on finding solutions rather than assigning blame,” Okengwu said.
Mrs. Aina Oyewole, a Parish Counsellor and Senior Delegate, echoed Okengwu’s sentiments, stressing the church’s commitment to inclusivity and its outreach to young people.
“At every level of our mission, there’s no peak. We are moving on to the next level, the next village, the next town.
As Abijo Archdeaconry, we are committed to missionary work, reaching out to villages between here and Eleko Junction. We are not resting on our laurels; instead, we see this as a new beginning, a step into the next realm of evangelism,” she said.
Reflecting on his journey, Wakama admitted that his new office as Archdeacon came with immense responsibilities beyond his expectations. The former banker turned clergyman described his calling to the priesthood as unexpected but fulfilling.
“My path to the priesthood was not one that I had envisioned for myself. In fact, I never thought I would become a priest at all. I was content with my life as a banker, but God had other plans. As I gradually felt the call to serve, I knew that I had to leave my banking job behind and devote myself fully to the priesthood,” he said.
Recalling the early days of the church, Wakama spoke about the challenges they faced and how faith kept them going.
“We started in a small hut across the road, with no clear vision of how we would grow or what the future held. But we had faith, and we were determined to build something that would bring glory to God. As an architect by training, I was able to design the structure that we wanted, and we began building without knowing how we would finance it,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wakama expressed his commitment to growing the church and
expanding its impact. “In the next year, I plan to focus on populating the ten churches under my care, eight of which are on the verge of taking off. I am also looking forward to our annual Great Joy outreach programme, where we provide medical attention, food, clothing, and other essential items to over 2,000 people. It is a massive undertaking, but one that brings us great joy and fulfilment,” he stated.
Wife of the newly installed Archdeacon, Mrs. Nengi Wakama, attributed her husband’s success to divine intervention. She shared her experience of uncertainty and how prayer had been her source of strength, just as she encouraged clergy wives to remain steadfast in their faith and to support their husbands unwaveringly.
The inauguration ceremony, held at Abijo Archdeaconry, was attended by a diverse gathering of dignitaries, including members of the Archdeaconry board, clergy, and laity from various parishes.
The event marked a new chapter for Wakama and the church, with many hoping that his leadership will continue to inspire both the congregation and the wider society.
Nigerian Legion Advocates Better Welfare for Veterans, Urges FG to Improve Military Funding
Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the welfare of military veterans and their families, stating that ex-servicemen remain a valuable asset in strengthening national security. The organisation also urged the government to increase funding for the armed forces, warning that continued neglect of the military could undermine efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
The call was made at the weekend during an event marking Veterans Day, held at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi. The event, organised by the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, brought together retired military and paramilitary officers and featured the inaugural “Legion Happy Hour,” aimed at fostering camaraderie among ex-servicemen.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, Akeem Wolimoh, emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of military veterans, not just in service but also in retirement. He stressed that retired officers possess critical security intelligence and experience that could be utilised to enhance community and national security.
“The Nigerian Legion was established to support military veterans and promote comradeship among ex-servicemen, which is one of the reasons we organised this event,” Wolimoh stated.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is being wrongly perceived as a government organisation that simply follows directives. However, we operate independently and objectively, ensuring that veterans receive the recognition and support they deserve,” he added.
Wolimoh noted that regimentation and security expertise were central to the lives of military personnel, making retired officers invaluable in efforts to combat crime and insurgency. “There is no limit to how impactful the Nigerian
Legion can be in the security framework of any community. Ex-servicemen have vast knowledge in intelligence gathering, and that experience should not be wasted,” he said.
The chairman also revealed that the Legion had introduced measures to regulate its members, including a revalidation process to prevent unauthorised individuals from misusing military uniforms for illegal activities.
As part of the event, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, urged the Federal Government to significantly improve military funding, warning that relying on foreign
assistance would not help Nigeria build a selfsufficient defence system.
General Ogomudia, who served as Chief of Defence Staff from January 2003 to 2006 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, expressed appreciation for the support received from foreign allies in providing weapons for counter-insurgency operations. However, he lamented that years of underfunding had weakened the military’s ability to effectively combat threats, particularly in the North-East.
“The military has suffered neglect in the past, which has made it difficult to effectively tackle insurgency. Increased funding is crucial to strengthening our defence capabilities,” he said.
Although he declined to openly discuss his personal assessment of the military’s current state, the retired general stressed that without sufficient resources, Nigeria’s security challenges would persist.
Meanwhile, Wolimoh further called on the government to pay special attention to the welfare of military veterans and their families, noting that many struggle with inadequate healthcare, financial instability, and a lack of reintegration support after service.
“Neglecting veterans and their families is a disservice to those who risked their lives for the country. The government must ensure that they receive the care and support they deserve,” he stated.
The event concluded with a networking session among veterans, reinforcing the importance of unity and mutual support within the ex-service community.
Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Chapter, Akeem Wolimoh, with other veterans
Venerable Kiri Wakama and wife, Mrs. Nengi Wakama, with other faithfuls after the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, RT. Revd. Dr. Ifedola Okupevi, inaugurated the Abijo Archdeaconry as well as inducted, installed and instituted him as the Vicar of Anglican Church of Transformation, Abijo and Archdeacon of Abijo
Parallex Bank Boss Gets Tenure Renewal for Another Five Years
Oluchi Chibuzor
In recognition of his outstanding performance in steering the bank’s affairs since its inception as a commercial bank, the board of Parallex Bank Limited has approved the tenure renewal of Dr. Olufemi Bakre as the Managing Director of the bank for the next five years effective from 1st of May, 2025.
The board, in a statement, expressed great satisfaction at the rapid growth Parallex Bank has experienced, under the leadership of Bakre, since it got licensed as a commercial bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2021.
This decision by the bank’s board of directors underscores Bakre’s pivotal role in driving the institution’s growth and reputation as a customer-
centric financial institution.
According to the board, Bakre has been instrumental in transforming Parallex Bank into a forward-thinking institution that prioritises innovation and exceptional customer experience. “His commitment to excellence, coupled with his wealth of experience and strategic vision, has set the bank on a path of sustainable growth, and the board is thrilled to have him continue leading the charge for another five years as it approaches the concluding stage of capitalisation in line with CBN directive,” the board said.
Bakre, a professional banker with over three decades of banking experience, has, according to the Board, showcased exceptional expertise across multilateral
business, financial institutions (both local and international), the public sector, corporate, commercial, SME and retail banking. He was appointed the Managing Director of Parallex Bank in May 2021.
Renowned in banking circles for his relentless pursuit of excellence and execution prowess, Bakre has introduced groundbreaking solutions that have positioned Parallex Bank as one of the most technology-driven and customer-focused financial institutions in the country. Under his leadership, the bank became profitable In less than three years of operation as a commercial bank against expert projections. The bank has won many recognitions and continues to demonstrate a sustainable and upward growth trajectory.
Vfd Group Migrates From Loss to N12.46bn Profit in 2024
VFD Group Plc has migrated from N1.02 billion loss before tax in 2023 financial year to N12.46 billion profit before tax in unaudited financial year ended December 31, 2024.
The multi-sectoral investment Company, listed on the main board of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) declared N10.41 billion profit after tax in 2024 from a loss of N0.75 billion announced in 2023 financial year, and total comprehensive Income for the year of N10.85 billion in 2024 from N0.15 billion in 2023.
This resulted in basic earnings per share of N8.22/share in 2024 from -N3.95/share in 2023.
Overall, the Group recorded return on average assets of 3.80 per cent in 2024 from -0.41per
cent in 2023 and return on average equity of 22.02 per cent in 2024 from -2.34per cent in 2023.
VFD Group recorded gross earnings of N83.21 billion in 2024, an 84.45per cent increase relative to N45.11 billion achieved in 2023. The increase in gross earnings was primarily driven by Investment and similar income (85.54per cent of gross earnings) increase of 107.62per cent to N71.17 billion in 2024 from N34.28 billion in 2023. In addition total assets contribution was 145.7per cent growth in Prepayment and receivables (16.per cent of total assets) to N52.63 billion (FY 2023: N21.42 billion, 9.8per cent of total assets).
The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer,VFD Group, Mr. Nonso Okpala in a statement said, “In 2024,
the Group demonstrated a robust financial performance, underscoring the effectiveness of our investment strategy and the resilience of our business model. Strategic investments and divestments drove a significant increase in earnings and profitability during the year.
“We reinforced financial resilience, expanded our investment portfolio, and strengthened our governance framework, all while embracing digital innovation. A successful rights issue of N12.5 billion contributed to a remarkable 90per cent growth in our shareholders’ fund, reaching approximately N61.98 billion. This substantial capital base, coupled with an improved leverage profile, positions us for sustained growth and ensures financial stability.”
Proven Financial Services to Raise N900m For Agribusiness, Others
Proven Financial Services Limited has announced plans to raise N900 million through private placement, land sales, and director contributions to fund its ambitious expansion into agribusiness, housing, and education.
This initiative aims to empower farmers, tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit, and revolutionize agribusiness education.
Speaking in Abeokuta, the Group Managing Director, Olufemi Ogbiyele, detailed the funding strategy: N600 million from equity sales, N300 million from the sale of 300 plots of land, and N70 million from
the company’s seven directors, each contributing N10 million. He emphasised that the firm’s goal is to empower 250,000 farmers nationwide, providing them with inputs, training, and financial support to enhance food production and drive agricultural sustainability.
A major component of the initiative is Agribusiness University, Yewa (AUY), Africa’s first private university exclusively dedicated to agribusiness. Set to open in early 2026, AUY will focus on practical, incomegenerating education, training students in large-scale farming, agribusiness management, and
food processing through its Agribusiness University Farm City.
Unlike traditional universities that emphasize theory, AUY will provide hands-on training, allowing students to earn income while they learn. It will also bridge the gap between agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship, equipping graduates with financial and technical skills necessary to launch and scale agribusiness ventures.
Ogbiyele highlighted the university’s role in addressing the shortage of skilled manpower in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, stating:
BUA Cement Donates N35m Medical Consumables to Communities in Sokoto
As part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR), one of the Africa’s leading cement giant, BUA Cement, had donated drugs worth N35 million to 16 host communities in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Presenting the drugs to the representative of the beneficiary communities, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, said the gesture was to make sure clinics and hospitals in the host communities have
adequate drugs. Binji, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Corporate Services , SADA Suleiman, Binji noted that the gesture was an annual event, stressing that the company donated same last year.
He further disclosed that the company also carried out some empowerment programmes in the communities through scholarship, provision of portable water and mosques for the host communities.
According to him, “What you are witnessing today
is that we are giving back what the communities had given us.”
He further disclosed that very soon the company will commission Seven Solar boreholes that are completed across the state and the provision of full school uniforms to pupils of five primary schools of the host communities .
Binji cthanked Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his support and unrelenting advice stressing BUA Cement PLC would continues to complement the efforts of the Sokoto State Government in improving the live of its citizenry .
Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo),
(Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic
Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).
Kayode Tokede
Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
NGX ASI Appreciates by 0.65% on Demand for Dangote Cement, 39 Others
Kayode Tokede
The stock market’s major indicator of its performance, the Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI), yesterday appreciated by 0.65 per cent as investors demanded for Dangote Cement Plc and 39 others.
The NGX ASI gained by 683.65 basis points, or 0.65 per cent to close
at 106,574.98 basis points. Also, market capitalisation rose by N426 billion to close at N66.495 trillion.
Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth closed positive as 40 stocks advanced, while 25 declined.
Ellah Lakes recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N3.63, per share. Honeywell Flour Mills followed with a gain of 9.93 per cent to close at N11.51,
while Eterna up by 9.93 per cent to close at N44.30, per share.
Academy Press rose by 9.70 per cent to close at N3.28, while Ikeja Hotel up by 9.31 per cent to close at N13.50, per share.
On the other hand, International Energy Insurance led the losers’ chart by 9.78 per cent to close at N2.03, per share. Eunisell Interlinked fol -
lowed with a decline of 9.74 per cent to close at N12.05, while Sovereign Trust Insurance declined by 9.02 per cent to close at N1.21, per share.
Guinea Insurance depreciated by 5.88 per cent to close at 80 kobo, while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals declined by 5.03 per cent to close at N3.21, per share. Meanwhile, the total
volume traded declined by 15.6 per cent to 478.607 million units, valued at N11.762 billion, and exchanged in 15,561 deals. Transactions in the shares of Secure Electronic Technology topped the activity chart with 84.073 million shares valued at N55.194 million.
Fidelity Bank followed with 67.831 million shares worth N1.361 billion, while Access Holdings
million shares
at N103.787 million, while AIICO Insurance sold 27.233 million shares worth N47.453 million.
On market performance, Afrinvest Limited said, “the local bourse is expected to sustain its upward momentum, fueled by strong corporate earnings.”
PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF FEBRUARY 11/25
Thisday Afrinvest Index Up 0.3%
Thisday Afrinvest 40 index climbed 0.3% to print at 5,459.67 points due to price uptick in ZENITH (+1.0%), UBA (+1.8%), and DANGCEM (+5.3%). Cumulatively, these stocks account for 12.9% of the index.
Local Bourse Opens Bullish ASI up 0.6%
Yesterday, gains in DANGCEM (+5.3%), TRANSCORP (+8.9%), and UBA (+1.8%) pushed the NGX ASI up 0.6% to close at 106,574.98 points. Consequently, YTD return improved to 3.5% (previously 2.9%), while market capitalisation rose 0.6% to ₦66.5tn. Meanwhile, trading activity varied as volume traded dipped 15.6% to 478.6m units while value traded rose 13.0% to ₦11.8bn.
Positive Sector Performance
Across sectors under our coverage, performance was bullish as four indices closed in the green while the other two lost. Topping the leaderboard, the Industrial Goods and Banking indices rose 2.4% and 0.4%, respectively, on the back of buying interest in DANGCEM (+5.3%), BETAGLAS (+6.2%), UBA (+1.8%), and ZENITH (+1.0%). Similarly, the Insurance and AFR ICT indices rose 0.2% and 1bp respectively due to price appreciation in AIICO (+3.5%), CORNERST (+3.3%), CWG (+3.3%), and CHAMS (+1.7%). Conversely, the Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas indices fell 0.5% and 2bps, respectively, owing to sell pressure on NB ( 5.0%) and OANDO ( 1.0%).
Outlook
Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, declined to 0.25x from 0.33x in the previous session as 40 stocks advanced, 25 declined, while 60 closed flat. Today, the local bourse is expected to sustain its upward momentum, fueled by strong corporate earnings.
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
GUIDE TO DATA:
Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 10 February-2025, unless otherwise stated.
and ETFS
PRE-CONVOCATION GATHERING...
L-R: Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; Former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; the Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, HRM Obi of Onitsha, Obi Alfred
and Former Governor of Ogun State, Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba, at the 44th pre-convocation lecture of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria... recently
Anambra: New Homeland Security Law Not Targeted at Traditionalists
Onitsha community decries elimination of emerging leaders
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The Anambra state government has denied that the new Anambra homeland security law, which led to the arrest of native doctors preparing charms for suspected kidnappers, is targeted at traditional religious practitioners.
In a press statement, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, stated that the state executive council at its meeting made the clarification on Monday.
He said, "Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), at its second meeting of the year, which took place in the Council Chamber on February 10, 2025, gave Operation Udo Ga-Achi, the state's new security intervention, a high rating and urged it not to relent.
"While reviewing the impact of the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, the council chastised those demonising and
misrepresenting the new law as being against traditional worship.
"Traditional religion is an essential component of Igbo traditional religion and culture. The new law was designed to combat crime and criminality committed by quacks and evil native doctors, particularly those who pervert and alter the core values of the Igbo society, those who promote and teach the acquisition of wealth without work, and those who deceive the younger generation and unwary members of society."
He said the council further reaffirmed that the state government has not and would not outlaw traditional worship.
The Council further called for moral rearmament and social re-engineering to restore the lost values of the society and ensure a healthy future for the state.
Meanwhile, Onitsha Community in Anambra State, has expressed
sadness and outrage over the tragic death of the lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka.
The community, after a town hall meeting at Ime Obi Onitsha, said the abduction of Azuka on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, and the subsequent discovery of his dead body on February 6, 2025, had sent shockwaves through the community.
They therefore demanded a solution to the growing insecurity in the state, calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to work hard to stem the tide.
They also lamented that Azuka, a lawmaker who had shown signs of being a potential leader in the community was killed in such gruesome manner, after the death of a youth leader in the community, Kpajie ABK Offiah, who was killed last year after he and the Commissioner for Youth
Development, were kidnapped on their way to Abuja for the wedding of the daughter of the governor.
"The community is still reeling from the attack on Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, his wife, and Ernest Offiah, leader of the Onitsha Youth Council (OYC), which resulted in the tragic death of Offiah on his way to Abuja.
"The recent attack on Honourable Nweze Tony Nwora, the Mayor and Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government, on February 4, 2025, further emphasised the escalating insecurity in Onitsha metropolis.
"Justice Azuka's undeniable dedication to the community and public service include his selfless service to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic as a member of the Onitsha Community Covid Response Team (OCCRT).
“His role as a co-founder and
CAN Decries Non-representation of Indigenous Christians on NWDC Board
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North-west zone has expressed disappointment over the exclusion of indigenous Christian representation on the board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC).
President Bola Bola Tinubu recently constituted a 14-member board for the NWDC.
In a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna, North-West Zonal Chairman of CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe, said the exclusion of indigenous Christians on the board is unacceptable and called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the issue.
His words: "We wish to draw the attention of the presidency and the National Assembly to the fact that governance is fundamentally about inclusiveness in serving the people," the statement reads.
"In the North-West zone, Christians form a significant population across all seven states.
"We are, therefore, deeply concerned that the government has recently constituted a board for the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) without including any Christian representation.
"Regardless of the reasons behind this omission, it is unacceptable that Christians are not represented on the commission. We are saddened
and alarmed by this this outright exclusion of Christians in the zone.
"While former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of nepotism and favouritism in his appointments, we now find ourselves raising concerns about what appears to be religious bias under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
"Christians in the North-West are an essential bloc in the Nigerian project, and their interests cannot be ignored."
The statement appealed to President Tinubu "to review the membership of the NWDC board and ensure adequate representation for Christian in zone.
"We have indigenous Christian communities in all the states in the north-west - Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Zamfara, all of whom deserve a voice on this critical commission.
"How can the interests of Christians in this zone be effectively protected without representation on the board?
Furthermore, it is important to note that in many states across the North-West, Christians continue to face discrimination and marginalisation.
"The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the NorthWest zone is deeply troubled by this issue, and we strongly appeal to President Tinubu to urgently address our concerns."
Sickle Cell Foundation: MultiChoice Nigeria Donates Medical Supplies Valued at N1.6bn
MultiChoice Nigeria, a leading pay TV provider and owner of DStv and GOtv, has further demonstrated its commitment to improving healthcare delivery with the donation of medical supplies valued at N1.6billion to the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN).
The donation comprises vital medical items, including personal protective equipment (PPE) isolation gowns, test kits, and medical infrared thermometers.
These items are aimed at supporting the foundation’s ongoing
efforts to provide healthcare services to individuals living with sickle cell disorder and enhancing preparedness for medical emergencies across their nationwide partner hospital network.
Speaking on the gesture, John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer of West Africa, MultiChoice, remarked, “We remain dedicated to improving the well-being of our communities through strategic interventions that create a lasting impact.
“The Sickle Cell Foundation plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare
for individuals living with sickle cell disorder, and we are proud to support their important mission with this donation.”
Receiving the items, Dr. Annette Akinsete, National Director/CEO Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, commended MultiChoice for its continued support to the Foundation.
“On behalf of the foundation, I appreciate MultiChoice for this gesture. This is a big deal to us. MultiChoice has always been a huge supporter of the Foundation, and we appreciate
what you have done and are still doing.
“A bulk of these items will go to Massey Street Children's Hospital and some will be sent to our partner hospitals across the country,” Akinsete said. This initiative underscores MultiChoice's dedication to making a meaningful impact through strategic partnerships that address critical healthcare challenges and enriching lives of vulnerable populations across Africa.
active volunteer of the NGO, Stroke Action, Life After Stroke Centre in the community for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors, in addition to his diligence and devotion as a legislator who was very close to
his"Weconstituency. demand answers and actions from the authorities to address the growing concerns about safety and security,” a statement by the community stated.
LOCAL OIL SERVICE PROVIDERS DEMAND $1.5BN CONTRACTS ON SHELL’S $5BN BONGA NORTH PROJECT vast untapped potential that can play a vital role in powering Nigeria’s future, supporting cleaner energy and contributing to global emissions reduction.
He said, “This will require a favourable investment climate to attract capital and innovation to develop these gas resources responsibly and sustainably, ensuring long-term benefits for the country in meeting its energy and global sustainability goals.”
Adams welcomed reforms by the Nigerian government to attract investments, especially the signing of three executive orders in February last year on tax incentives, local content compliance requirements, and reduction of petroleum sector contracting costs and timelines.
He pointed out that tax credits were also announced by the federal government for new investments in deep-water oil and gas.
Adams said the reforms should be part of a renewed strategy to attract investments “through fiscal and regulatory policies that are fit-for-purpose, forward-looking and competitive”.
He said for Nigeria to consistently reap the benefits of deep-water operations, it must address regulatory bottlenecks through streamlined and faster approval processes and consistent and fair policy enforcement.
Adams, who spoke on Shell's vision for unlocking Nigeria's deep-water potential, assured that the company would continue to leverage its expertise since it pioneered production at the Bonga field in 2005, which achieved one billion barrels export milestone in 2023.
He said the developments included the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the $5billion Bonga North deep-water project announced last year.
Adams said SNEPCo’s deep-water achievements had resulted in the payment of taxes and royalties to government, development of indigenous businesses through contract awards, and implementation of social investments across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
He added, “Shell has powered progress in Nigeria and our vision is to build on our support and help the country to achieve energy security and economic development. We will do this by continuing to take innovative approaches to deep-water development, reducing costs and ensuring better and quicker returns
for all stakeholders.”
In his keynote address at the occasion, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, emphasised the need for African countries to share knowledge, close funding gaps and strengthen competitiveness in the continents oil and gas industry. Lokpobiri said the government would remain committed to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, but it could not achieve that alone. Africa must unite, he said. “We must share knowledge, close funding gaps, and harmonise regulations to strengthen our competitiveness. Our greatest asset is our collective strength, and together, we can build a brighter future,” Lokpobiri stated. Underscoring the power of local content, he said it was unlocking Africa’s true potential.
By investing in local businesses, nurturing the youth and transferring critical technology to the people, Nigeria and Africa were not just building an industry but also shaping their future, the minister said.
Lokpobiri said he had witnessed first-hand the transformative power of local content, pointing out that the successful divestment programme and empowering of indigenous companies to take ownership of marginal fields and shallow water assets stood as a testament to the shift.
He explained that the programme had not only enhanced oil and gas production capacity but also opened new opportunities for local businesses, service providers, and communities.
According to him, “Through the growth of Nigerian companies, we’ve seen a remarkable demonstration of technical expertise and operational efficiency, which has revitalised dormant assets, expanded production, and retained greater value within our“Nigeriaeconomy. is now a regional leader, proving that African nations can take full ownership of their resources and transform them into engines of prosperity.
“However, this journey is far from complete. The future holds even greater promise. With the right policies, access to financing, and technological support, indigenous operators will be able to tackle larger projects, make new discoveries, and play an even more dominant role in Africa’s energy future.”
John Shiklam in Kaduna
Achebe;
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 9111 PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST BANK...
L-R: District Governor Nominee, Rotary Club District 9111 and Project Coordinator, Bukola Bakare; Head SME Banking and Money Transfer, FirstBank PLC, Abiodun Famuyiwa; District Governor, Rotary International District 9111, Rotarian Dr. Wole Kukoyi; and representative of the Permanent Secretary of Agency for Mass Education, Lagos State, Deputy Director and Head, Vocational Department, Agency for Mass Education Lagos State, Mrs. Olaide Oladunjoye, during the Rotary International District 9111 partnership with FBN Plc to empower 132 beneficiaries held in Lagos....yesterday
Kaduna Bandits Threaten Katsina
Communities, Forcing them to Negotiate
Release 1,000 hostages, hold 60 in captivity Council chair reject peace deal Lawmaker laments increase of banditry in constituency
have been threatening communities in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State to negotiate with them or face severe attacks that might
cripple farming activities in the area.
Chairman of the council, Hon. Faruk Ayatu, who revealed this in an interview with journalists, said
the hoodlums had written letters to communities in the local government seeking rapprochement with them. In the letters, he said, the maraud-
Court Orders Forfeiture of 6.3bn Keystone Bank Shares to FG
Bank clarifies ruling
Wale Igbintade
In a landmark ruling yesterday, Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, ordered the forfeiture of 6.3 billion units of ordinary shares in Keystone Bank Limited, each valued at N1.00, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The decision followed Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited, led by Chairman Umaru Hamidu Modibbo, pleading
guilty to the fraudulent conversion of N20 billion from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The company, alongside former AMCON Managing Director, Ahmed Kuru was charged after entering a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the leadership of the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede.
While Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited
Fubara Tasks New SurveyorGeneral on Professionalism
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has urged the new Surveyor-General of the state to work differently with professionalism, diligence and integrity, and ensure that every tenable, pragmatic module is deplored to enhance effective delivery of his duties and responsibilities.
Governor Fubara gave the charge shortly after swearing in Mr. Peter Ogolo as the Surveyor-General of the State and Permanent Secretary of the Survey Department, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor described Surveyor Ogolo as a long serving public officer who ranks high among his peers, and has contributed immensely to the establishment of most development roadmaps for the state, stressing his appointment was based on merit.
He said: "If you go into the history of how the then Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority was established, if you go into the history of other developments in this state, if you check the survey plans, you will see that Ogolo was the one who signed virtually all
those things.
"This appointment is not because he is from Opobo. He is the most senior, most qualified, and even the one who interviewed the person he is succeeding now. The records are there with the Civil Service Commission."
Governor Fubara stated: "So, I don't need to give you any charge. You are already there. You know what the office entails. You just read your oath of office: do what is right.
“It is not about the faces you are going to see, do what is right. Be professional, defend and protect the interest of the State. I wish you all the best. God will guide you”.
The Rivers State governor recalled the challenges that Surveyor Ogolo encountered that would have ended his career quite early but quickly added that because he listened to wise counsel, he is now celebrating being the Surveyor-General of the state.
He explained: "But something happened in the course of his service. He was between losing his job or fighting for his life. He came to me, and I advised him: why don't you leave, maybe, wait to fight another day.
accepted the charges, Kuru, the first defendant, pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC, under the direction of Olukoyede had in a six-count amended charge accused the defendants, along with Ifie Sekibo, former MD of defunct Heritage Bank (currently at large), of diverting N20 billion from AMCON funds via Heritage Bank to benefit Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited in acquiring Keystone Bank.
Additionally, they faced allegations of laundering another N20 billion through a theft scheme intended to conceal its origin, violating Section 332(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2011.
During the proceedings yesterday, EFCC Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) informed the court of the plea agreement reached between the EFCC and Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited.
This included the company’s admission of guilt to all charges and
its liquidation by the court.
As part of the agreement, the court ordered the forfeiture of 6.25 billion Keystone Bank shares to the federal government and one share allocated to Alhaji Umaru Hamidu Modibbo, who would not face future criminal charges.
The conviction of Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited was finalised, and the plea bargain was accepted.
Kuru was granted bail in the sum of N50 million, with two sureties required to provide affidavits of means and tax payment evidence.
The court also instructed the EFCC to notify the Nigerian Immigration Service to seize Kuru’s passport.
The case was adjourned to March 7 for the commencement of Kuru's trial, with the court temporarily releasing him to his lawyer until bail conditions are met.
ing bandits who had brokered peace with Kaduna State government, were threatening to halt farming activities in Sabuwa communities this year if their inhabitants failed to negotiate with them.
He added that the hoodlums needed the rapprochement with the undisclosed communities before they could release 60 kidnapped victims in their custody and spelt out conditions for peace in the communities.
Rejecting the negotiation offered by the bandits, Ayatu said efforts were ongoing by security agencies, including military, police, and members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps and the government to secure their freedom.
“The bandits have sent letters and messages to communities in Sabuwa, threatening to stop this year's farming activities. As chairman of the local government, I will not sit on a roundtable with these criminals in the name of negotiation.
“When they noticed that negotiation will not hold between us, they changed their pattern of operations with intense attacks and abductions. Currently, there are 30 to 60 people from different communities in their custody,” he said.
The local government chairman explained that the threat by the bandits would not deter the state government and security agencies from eliminating them for sustainable peace and development to thrive.
He, however, said the daredevils
had released over 1,000 kidnapped victims, who were abducted in various communities across the state, insisting that despite the release of the captives, his administration would not negotiate with them.
He noted that ransom was paid for the release of some of the kidnapped victims, while some were released as a result of blistering security operations in villages across the local government.
Ayatu said despite the nefarious activities of the bandits in the local government, the state government had initiated and implemented numerous development projects in the area.
In another development, a member of the Niger State House of Assembly, Zubairu Ismail Zanna, has raised the alarm over an increase in banditry in his area.
Moving a motion of urgent public importance, the member representing Rafi state constituency, claimed that no fewer than 120 members of his constituency including women and children were abducted by gunmen in January this year.
In addition, the lawmaker who was almost in tears, submitted that six people were killed as they were trying to escape the assault of the bandits.
"All these attacks happened between January 12th and 27ththis year. These communities come under series of attacks from bandits and kidnappers almost intermittently,” Zanna lamented.
The people of Ogbia Kingdom in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have appealed to the various aggrieved groups including those that are planning to protest against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, to sheath their swords and rather embrace constructive dialogue.
A group allegedly sponsored by an interest group is said to be planning a protest against the NDDC Boss and want him removed by the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
Addressing a press conference in Yenagoa, the leaderships of the Ogbia
Kingdom led by the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, HRM King Dumaro Charles- Owaba, and the Acting National Chairman of Ogbia Brotherhood, Dr. Azibalaguo Seibofa, commended former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and re-appointment of Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the MD/ CEO of the NDDC.
The Ogbia monarch also thanked the people of the nine NDDC states for their maximum support for Chief Ogbuku.
The Acting National Chairman of Ogbia Brotherhood, Dr. Seibofa, who also doubles as the Traditional Prime Minister of Ogbia Kingdom, who read the text on behalf of the leadership of the Kingdom regretted that since
the discovery of crude oil and gas at Oloibiri-Otabagi in 1956 and the subsequent discovery of more oil wells and trillions cubit feet deposits of gas in other towns and villages in the Kingdom, there has been little benefit.
He rued the fact that unquantifiable volume of crude oil and gas worth trillions of Naira and hundreds of millions of Dollars have been piped out of land without commensurate rewards.
Seibofa who was flanked by other traditional rulers, leaders of thoughts, former and serving political appointees and other leaders from the area , said: "Oloibiri-Otabagi and other communities in Ogbia kingdom have been abandoned for decades without efforts by the International
Oil Companies (1OCs) and federal government to deliberately develop the area or embark on remediation to curb the devastation, degradation and total destruction of our environment including wildlife and aquatic life, the flora and fauna. His words: "Right from the first Republic that the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) was established by the Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa government to the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Commission (OMPADEC) by the General Ibrahim Babangida regime, no son or daughter of Ogbia kingdom was appointed to head any of the interventionists agencies despite our immeasurable sacrifices as the Cradle of oil and gas wealth in the country.
PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Francis Sardauna in Katsina and Laleye Dipo in Minna Fleeing bandits from Kaduna State
COURTESY VISIT BY NNPC LIMITED & NEPL TEAM TO OANDO...
L-R: Solomon Agba, General Manager, Base and District Management, Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited (OERNL); Kofo Olagunju, General Manager, Government and External Relations, OERNL; Tina Egede, Technical Assistant to the Managing Director, NNPC E & P Limited (NEPL); Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Udobong Ntia; Managing Director, OERNL, Dr. Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune; General Manager, Human Resources and Business Support Group, OERNL, Alero Balogun; Managing Director, NEPL, Nicolas Foucart; and Executive Director, Production and Asset Management, NEPL, Olalekan Abiola, during the courtesy visit by the NNPC Limited and NEPL team to the Oando headquarters in Lagos...recently
Keyamo Signs Amended BASA Agreement with UAE
Calls for less stringent visa policy for Nigerians Emirates, Air Peace sign interline agreement to expand travel choices to 13 destinations in Nigeria
Chinedu Eze
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to relax its stringent visa policy imposed on Nigerians in order to enhance travel between the two countries.
Keyamo said easing the strict conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes, thereby benefiting both nations’ economies and straightening Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Minister’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Moshood, who said that the Minister canvassed more flexible visa conditions in a high-level meeting with, UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, during the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025.
In another major aviation-related development, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, signed an interline agreement with West Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Nigeria.
The airlines explained in a statement that the partnership expands Emirates’ footprint to 13 new cities in Nigeria with frictionless singleticket travel and simplified baggage throughput.
At the high-level meeting with, UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri at the ICAO symposium, Keyamo signed the amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a high-level meeting with Al Marri.
The agreement solidified mutual
aviation ties between the two countries.
The statement maintained that the signing of the amended BASA built on the 2024 negotiations, which ensured reciprocal rights for both countries and fostering deeper aviation collaboration.
Keyamo at the symposium, emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
In his comment, Al Marri, commended Keyamo for always keeping his words.
He said: “Let me say this on camera now, the Nigeria Aviation Minister is a man who keeps his words and for us, that’s everything.”
He also acknowledged his commitment to advancing Nigeria-UAE aviation relations.
In another development, both countries have agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement, focusing on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety and regulatory, environment, airport facilitation and security.
This cooperation reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to elevating its aviation sector to global best practices while deepening ties with international partners, the statement said.
The Nigerian minister reaffirmed the country’s readiness to work closely with the UAE to implement these agreements effectively, ensuring that both nations maximised the economic and operational benefits of this strengthened partnership.
The ICAO GISS 2025, hosted by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), brought together over 35 ministers, 191
countries, 1,500 aviation professionals, and 70 exhibitors at the Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
The event also featured the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) - an ambitious initiative by the UAE to drive collaboration and innovation in sustainable aviation.
When Emirates resumed flight service to Nigeria in October last year, it was reported that a Nigerian passport holder applicant was expected to provide a proof of six months bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000 (about N16 million) in his or her account
before applying for a UAE visa.
For Nigerian citizens with either valid United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Schengen visas on their passports, the stringent rule might be relaxed and there was a call then by Nigerians, especially travel agents, advising UAE to relax those visa conditions to enhance higher passenger traffic on the Dubai-Lagos route.
The condition was even more stringent with Nigerians that have the green passports, who were mandated to provide round-trip flight tickets and proof of hotel booking before applying for the UAE visa.
Also, Nigerian applicants are to also obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN), which the UAE said was to authenticate and verify documenta¬tion essential for visa applications to the UAE, among other stringent conditions.
But as Emirates continued to operate to Nigeria, UAE made it possible for more Nigerians to obtain visa, hence the increase in passenger traffic on the route.
THISDAY learnt that these were precautionary measures adopted by UAE to ensure that the wrong people inclined to crime and other illicit behaviour were not allowed
in the country. Meanwhile, the Emirates, Air Peace interline agreement means that travelers booked on flights from Dubai to Lagos can access more of Nigeria, with onward connections to Asaba, Akure, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna and Owerri. The interline agreement will also benefit corporate travelers, connecting to additional cities in one of Africa’s major economic hubs, including its capital city Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt and Warri, further supporting the strong bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.
Basiru: A’Court Reinstating Democratically
Elected LG Chiefs in Osun Welcome Devt
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal reinstating the democratically elected local government councils dissolved by the Osun State Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement yesterday, Ajibola said, "This judgment is a triumph of the rule of law and the sanctity of the electoral process as it reestablishes the well-enshrined principle that no government, however powerful, can unilaterally and arbitrarily set aside the will of the people and violate the Constitution.
"I commend the judiciary for upholding justice and ensuring that democracy is protected at all
levels of governance. However, I strongly condemn the statement by the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, which falsely claimed that the Court of Appeal did not reinstate the duly elected local government chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councilors who were unlawfully removed from office by the Adeleke led Government.
"This deliberate misrepresentation of the court’s judgment is an affront to the rule of law and exposes the Osun State Government as an enabler of illegality.
“Ordinarily, it is expected that Alimi, a putative lawyer, ought to know that there is a presumption of the validity and bindingness of a judgment of the Court until it is set aside.
“The only option open to a party
dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal is to challenge it by appealing to the Supreme Court.
Neither Alimi nor the Osun State Government can sit on appeal over this judgment. This is elementary law.
"The Court of Appeal judgment considered all grounds of appeal raised in CA/AK/270/2022 against the judgment of the Federal High Court (Justice N. Ayo-Emmanuel), which had nullified the local government elections and ordered the elected officials to vacate office.
“In allowing the appeal, all the reliefs sought by APC were granted, including setting aside the
judgment of the Federal High Court and ordering the restoration of the sacked local government councils back to office.
"The Court of Appeal’s decision explicitly affirms the illegality of the dissolution of the democratically elected local government councils in Osun State.
“The judgment has no ambiguity whatsoever, and any attempt to distort this clear judicial pronouncement amounts to executive lawlessness, which has no place in a democratic society," said former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State.
Tinubu Mourns Renowned Dutch-Nigerian Publisher, Joop Berkhout, Who Passed at 94
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Police Service Commission (PSC), has taken a bold step in demanding accountability within the police force.
The Commission has therefore written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting a thorough investigation into the activities of certain officers in Zone 7.
At the center of the investigation were the officers in charge of the Legal Unit and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations. They were accused of abuse of office, extortion, and gross misconduct, which were contrary to the rules of engagement and
conduct of police officers.
Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, in a letter to IGP, stressed that the investigation was necessary to purge the police of meddling into civil matters.
A statement by Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, stated that the move was in line with the Commission's commitment to ensuring that the police operate within the bounds of the law.
The investigation, he said, was prompted by a complaint from Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, who alleged that the officers in question were involved in the demolition of his residential property.
The property, located at No 75
Lome Crescent, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, has been the subject of a dispute in court.
According to Argungu, the officers' actions were not only unjust but also illegal, stating that the petitioner was arrested and forced to pay N1 million for his bail.
"Furthermore, the enforcement unit of the High Court took N700,000 from the petitioner under false pretenses," Argungu further alleged in the letter.
He said the petitioner was seeking justice and demanding that the officers be investigated and sanctioned accordingly.
The Chairman said the petitioner was also seeking compensation of N1 billion for the actions of the police.
The Police Service Commission said its move to demand an investigation into the allegations was a step in the right direction. "It demonstrates the Commission's commitment to ensuring that the police operate with integrity and accountability," Ani said.
The Chairman added that the petitioner's prayers included "having been rendered homeless as a result of the act of the Officers-in-Charge of Legal Unit and the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, who are the major culprits of this heinous act, that the duo should be investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them, as well as the payment of N1 billion for the action of the police as compensation.”
President Bola Tinubu, has expressed profound sorrow over the death of a renowned naturalised publisher and Dutch national, Chief Joop Berkhout, who lived in Nigeria for over 60 years.
Berkhout, 94, a naturalised Nigerian, who made Ibadan, Oyo State, his home and dedicated his life to advancing Nigeria's publishing industry, was Managing Director of Evans Brothers and Spectrum Books Limited in Nigeria.
After retiring in 2008, his passion endured through Safari Books Limited, a publishing house he founded and chaired until his death.
The president, in a release yesterday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, eulogised Berkhout for his love for
Nigeria and considerable contributions to the publishing industry.
"Chief Berkhout lived a remarkable life in Nigeria. He was a doyen of publishing for over 50 years, shaping the industry and inspiring many Nigerian writers.
"He immersed himself in our culture and tradition such that he bagged a chieftaincy title as Okun Borode of Ile-Ife. Though he hailed from the Netherlands, his heart belonged wholly to Nigeria," President Tinubu said. He commiserated with Berkhout's family members in Nigeria and the Netherlands, as well as the literary community in the country and worldwide.
"May his soul find eternal rest, and may his family draw strength from his legacy," the president further prayed.
Linus Aleke in Abuja
PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT...
L-R: Commissioner for Special Duties, Enugu State, Emeka Ajogwu; Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr.
Peter Mbah; Regional Security Officer, EU, Mr. Andrea Lombardi; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Donor Relations, Anthony Onyia, during a strategic partnership meeting with the governor at Government House, Enugu... yesterday
AuGF: Police Can't Account for 178,459 Firearms Deployed Across Nigeria
Criminals stole them during robbery incidents, say police
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF), yesterday told the Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) cannot account for over 178,459 firearms, mostly AK-47 rifles.
The AuGF claimed that the firearms were lost by the Nigeria Police Force across its commands and formations all over the country.
The losses were contained in the December, 2018 report of the Auditor General which was considered by SPAC yesterday. The AuGF office
was represented at the session by Mr. Samuel Godwin. Godwin said: “Out of the number, 88,078 were AK-47 rifles. Similarly, as of January 2020, over 3,907 firearms could not be accounted for, according to the arms movement register and return of firearm records reviewed by the AuGF.”
The committee sat to consider audit queries issued to police by the AuGF. The AuGF’s 2019 audit report indicated that the firearms were lost and unaccounted for covering the period 2000 to 2020. A series of audit queries raised on
the same matter over the years were not replied to and kept reappearing in the AuGF reports.
The report read in part: “The total number of lost firearms as at December 2018, stood at 179,459 pieces. Out of this number, 88,078 were AK-47 rifles. Over 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols across different police formations could not be accounted for as at January, 2020.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, who was earlier summoned by the SPAC to appear before it on Tuesday or risk being arrested, attended the session with the committee at the National
AIG Suleiman
Assembly.
Egbetokun explained to the senators that his inability to appear earlier didn't amount to a deliberate act of disrespect to them. He nominated the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Charge of Budgets, Mr. Abdul Suleiman to represent him. Egbetokun was then excused to go and attend to other official matters.
The SPAC had eight audit queries against the police, including a case of contract splitting involving the sum of N1.1 billion.
However, the query that generated heat and much interest was on the
Elumelu: Return on Investment, Opportunities in Africa Limitless
Kayode Tokede
The Chairman, Heirs Holdings Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu has boldly declared that Return on Investment (RoI), and opportunities in investing in Africa are limitless, calling on global investors to support in the building of a prosperous, and self-sustaining Africa together.
Elumelu, in his message at the World Governments Summit in Dubai: “Invest in Africa,” yesterday, expressed concerns over the skewed
perception of risk towards investing in Africa.
Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), and Transcorp Group, stated that with a diversified portfolio across four continents, from power to oil & gas, financial services, and healthcare, “I can tell you one thing: nowhere else offers the kind of ROI than Africa does,” he said.
Specifically, he noted that Heirs Holdings Group, for example, has the capacity to generate 2,000 MegaWatt
(MW) of electricity daily, and currently, with available capacity of circa 1000MWs, stressing that the power generation was a transformative impact and significant value creation on a continent where energy access remains a key challenge.
On what is the continent's greatest assets, Elumelu stressed that it is the people with a median age of 19 and 65 percent of her 1.5 billion population under 30.
“We have an unstoppable demographic advantage. This youthful
House Urges NCC, Minister to Suspend Planned Telecoms Tariff Hike
The House of Representatives has called on the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improves.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the need for the NCC not to approve the impending hike in the telecommunications tariffs moved at yesterday’s plenary by Hon. Oforji Oboku.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker recalled that speaking after a stakeholders' meeting with Mobile Network Operators in Abuja on Wednesday 8th of January, 2025, Tijani had disclosed that telecommunication tariffs would soon increase.
Oboku said according to the minister, consultations are ongoing
as there have been agitations from some of these companies to increase tariffs to as high as 100 percent.
He said the minister, however, had disclosed that it would not be a 100 percent increase and that the NCC would approve the new tariffs and announce them in due course.
The lawmaker stressed that the argument of the telecommunications companies for the hike included the cost of investment, better networks, and increasing demand for digital services across sectors such as education, banking and healthcare amongst others.
Oboku recalled that telecommunications companies had been advocating for the hike for the last 11 years, according to the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).
He said they argued that the telcos needed cost-reflective tariffs in the face of adverse economic reality like a record
inflation of 34.6 percent in November 2024 and losses resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations.
Oboku expressed worry that the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers had rejected the proposed increase in tariffs, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship, and poor network service delivery.
He added: “It is imperative that the telecommunications companies improve on their service delivery (poor network), which Nigerians have been yearning for in years, before embarking on the increase in their tariffs.”
The lawmaker expressed concern that the far- reaching effects of these price hikes would deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower income families the hardest.
energy is a goldmine for investment, innovation, and economic growth,” he explained
He pointed out that every challenge in Africa— infrastructure deficit, energy insufficiency , or transportation inadequacy was an investment opportunity for global investors.
According to him, the competitive edge lies in the key for an investor to identify these gaps and structure the approach to mitigate the risks.
GANDUJE:
contests figure, vows to probe AuGF's claims firearms, mostly AK-47 rifles, said to be unaccounted for across police formations and commands in the country.
The acting Chairman of the committee, Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi, expressed shock over the development. He noted that cases of arms freely available in the wrong hands were contributing heavily to the insecurity in the country.
He said: “This is part of the insecurity we are having in Nigeria today. If this number of firearms are in the hands of enemies, that means we are not safe. Even the police are not safe. Again, these firearms, rifles were procured with taxpayer's money and Nigerians have a right to know what happened to them. The public should know the whereabouts of these arms.”
AIG Suleiman, assisted by other senior police officers, while being grilled by senators, gave some reasons, including saying that some of the arms were lost in either robbery incidents or the policemen were killed by criminals and their arms carted away.
Suleiman also said though the police painstakingly investigated cases reported by the commands/ formations, there were those not reported but the authorities always followed up on them.
However, when the committee studied the records presented by the police, members realised that only 15 policemen either died or sustained injuries and were recorded as losing
their arms in the process, out of the 3,907 unaccounted for.
Coming under sustained questioning by the committee, Suleiman appealed for more time to enable the police authorities to submit a compressive report on the investigations, findings on the status of the firearms.
“To me, no firearm is unaccounted for. We will appeal to the committee to give us more time. We will submit a full report”, he appealed.
Making his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said what the lawmakers had expected to hear from the police was for them to admit that these arms were indeed lost and that penalties had been meted out to the offending policemen, especially those who might have sold them to criminals. Oshiomhole said: “The least we expect is for you to tell us that the arms have been traced to officers who were responsible. They must be arrested and paraded just like the police do to ordinary Nigerians. There should be no two sets of laws for different people in Nigeria.
“The arms were procured to take care of Nigerians. Yet they have been taken away by someone. The police must account for those arms and whoever was in charge, has to be prosecuted according to the law. We will not waive this one.”
Not satisfied with the explanations given by the police, the committee asked the IG's team to reappear on Monday.
EL-RUFAI: TINUBU MAY GET JONATHAN’S TREATMENT
APC WILL ADHERE TO NORTH-SOUTH ZONING
want me to go on self-imposed exile.
I will not.
“I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold and will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.”
El-Rufai added that the arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies were nothing new in human affairs, saying he has been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing his views about previous governments.
Stressing that there was always a morning after the arrest, detention, or torture, and political life, he added, “As for death, it will when Allah destines it, and it is ultimate, the date of every human.
“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of President IBB’s memoirs, Insha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.
“We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”
Meanwhile, Ganduje urged northerners to shelve all presidential ambitions ahead of 2027, saying Tinubu would serve his constitutionally allowed two terms.
Ganduje made the call in Abuja when he hosted members of PBAT Media Centre and TNYF.
He stated that APC would religiously follow the zoning policy by ensuring that “the north-south sharing formula is strictly adhered to”.
Ganduje stated, “When a leader from the northern part of this country was in office for eight years, we advocated that the next president in our party should come from the south.
“And, luckily enough, we worked very hard with the cooperation of Nigerians. Our president has come from the south and is going, inshallah, for a second term, 2027. And then after that, it will be turned to the northern part of this country.”
Ganduje acknowledged that the country had faced challenges, but he attributed the situation to long-standing issues that required bold corrective measures.
“There is no doubt that many things
went wrong over a long period of time, and it requires surgery before we can get it right,” he said. The APC national chairman expressed confidence in Tinubu’s policies, adding that the country is already seeing positive results, particularly, in the economy. He stated, “We are happy that we have started seeing the outcome of the reforms, especially on the economic front, and we believe this will continue to yield positive results so that the legacy and the Renewed Hope Agenda will be achieved.”
Earlier, the leader of PBAT Media Centre and Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, said members of the centre were set to correct all the wrong information being peddled about the present administration.
Dada assured the APC leadership of their readiness to give adequate publicity to the 2027 campaign of the present administration. On his part, the national coordinator of TNYF, Auwal Ibrahim, assured that his group had perfected plans to deliver five million votes for the president in the 2027 election.
Massimo DeLuca; Governor of Enugu State, Dr.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
BUSINESS VISIT TO OLAM AGRI…
( L-R backrow) Executive Principal, Global Subsidiaries, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited (SCBN), Ikechukwu
SCBN Limited, Sola
CEO, Kenya and Africa,
Nigeria ‘ll Overcome Trump’s Stoppage of Health Care Funding, Says Minister
Olusegun Samuel in yenagoa
The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate, has expressed the assurance that Nigeria will overcome United States President Donald Trump’s new sweeping health policy changes, which stopped funding of health care interventions in developing countries.
Pate stated this in Yenagoa, the
Bayelsa State capital yesterday while inaugurating the Bayelsa State Haemodialysis Centre and the General outpatient Centre at the 350-bed hospital at the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) as part of weeklong activities to mark Governor Douye Diri five years in office. The minister said it is imperative for all the tiers of government to be working collaboratively to harness the country’s resources to provide for
Unilever Nigeria Records 44% Revenue Growth
Unilever Nigeria Plc has released its unaudited interim report for the 12 months period ended 31st December 2024. In the report, the company recorded turnover of N149.8 billion in the period under review which represents 44 per cent growth compared to N103.9 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2023. The breakdown of the performance shows that the company recorded a gross profit of N55.7 billion for the period ended 31st December 2024 which is 75 per cent increase versus
N31.9 billion reported for the same period 2023. The result for the total business shows a net profit of N15.9 billion in 2024 compared to a net profit of N8.4 billion in 2023, which is 88 per cent improvement.
Speaking on the results, the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, Tobi Adeniyi, said: “Our year-on-year sustained growth trajectory is a testament to our commitment of serving consumers with our best brands to meet their daily needs of improved health and hygiene.”
Amanda Etuk Joins Cascador as New Programme Director
Cascador, the preeminent accelerator programme for mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, has announced the appointment of Amanda Etuk as its new programme director.
According to a statement by the company, Etuk, a former Cascador participant and co-founder of Messenger, a financing platform for last-mile logistics operators, brings firsthand experience with the transformative impact of the programme to her new role. The appointment marks a significant milestone in Cascador’s mission to develop transformational leaders in Nigeria.
“I’ve always wanted to
help people - it’s one of my values. Being able to support entrepreneurs who face the same challenges I did, while working with an organisation deeply committed to their success, feels like a match made in heaven.
We’re not just providing funding; we’re building a sustainable ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive and pay it forward,” Etuk said.
The appointment also represents a remarkable professional journey for Etuk herself. “Now I’m the programme director for one of the largest impact investment funds in Africa - that’s pretty good growth,” she added.
ATM Foundation Offers Free JAMB Forms to Students in Ondo North
As part of his contribution to the educational development of students in Akoko, Ondo North Senatorial district, Abdul Tunji Muhammed (ATM) Foundation has offered to bankroll the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for the 2025 examination to over 500 students in the area.
According to a statement signed by the Organising Committee of the Foundation, “this incredible initiative is designed to empower aspiring students throughout our senatorial district, giving them the chance to register for the Joint Admissions
and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations at no cost.”
The statement added: “We’re thrilled to announce that the ATM Free JAMB forms for 2025 are now here. “Our forms are accessible in all six local government areas within the district, ensuring that every eligible student can grab this fantastic opportunity to propel their education forward,” the statement stated, stressing that aspiring students can visit the foundation office at Alhaji Kunle Abdul Avenue, Ugbe Akoko on or before Monday February 24, 2025.”
the health needs of the population.
Commending Governor Diri for his vision in establishing the Heamodialysis Centre in the state, Pate said the governor had shown commitment to health
care delivery and is investing in the health needs of his people.
Pate said: “Diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure and other non communicable diseases is a major issue in
our population and you are addressing it frontally by making active this Hemodialysis Centre, it’s really a strong statement of your commitment to address something that really touches
the lives of millions of thousands of our population so that people don’t die because they have kidney failure and you are doing it in a place that also train health workers to take care of them.
Why Okpebholo Suspended State Attorney General, LG Service Boss
Adibe Emenyonu in benin City
Indications have emerged why the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, suspended the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie and the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Damian Lawani.
Okpebholo last week placed a suspension order on the two key political aides pending investigations into allegation of financial infractions.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the state government, Musa Umar Ikhilor and posted on the Governor Okpebholo
Media Centre platform by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, accused the two officials of “grave financial infractions”.
The statement read: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office, of the Chairman of Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani and the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie Ph.D., over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.
Niger Lawmaker Raises the Alarm on Rise
Laleye Dipo in Minna
Moving a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the Niger State House of Assembly member representing Rafi state constituency, Alhaji Zubairu Ismail Zanna, has raised the alarm that banditry is on the increase in his area.
Zanna claimed that no fewer than
120 members of his constituency, including women and children, were abducted by the gunmen in January this year.
In addition, the lawmaker, who was almost in tears, submitted that six people were killed as they were trying to escape the assault of the bandits.
He said: “All these attacks
of Banditry in His Constituency
happened between January 12 and 27 this year, and these communities come under series of attacks from bandits and kidnappers almost intermittently.”
According to him, the bandits were entering communities in his constituency through Birningwari in Kaduna State, insisting that “these bandits usually enter through Birinin
Gwari, Kewaye-Gayan, Manini, Pole wire and Kuyallo to wreak havoc in my local government.”
Zanna attributed the increase in banditry in his constituency to the “peace agreement” reached between the leaders of the gunmen and the Kaduna State Government, saying they (bandits) “now find my area as veritable place to operate.”
IG Moves to Improve Police Pension Scheme, Meets with Retired Officers
Linus Aleke in abuja
The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has convened a meeting with retired police officers to address the concerns surrounding the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The scheme has been criticized
Omuvwie
Sunday Okobi
for leaving many police retirees in difficult financial conditions after years of dedicated service.
Speaking during an interactive section with retirees in Abuja yesterday, Egbetokun acknowledged that the current pension scheme appears not to guarantee a dignified and
financially secure life for retired police personnel. He emphasised that police officers work under challenging conditions, with risks and sacrifices that cannot be ignored, adding it is only just and rewarding that, in retirement, they enjoy a financially secure life.
The IG revealed that he had established a committee to review the pension matters and propose recommendations for reforms. He also embarked on a tour of police commands and formations across the country to engage with officers and retirees.
New Book Sparks Conversation on Nigeria’s Past, Present, Future
A provocative new book: ‘No Nigerian Will Make Heaven? Tales from an Aspiring Failed Nation-State’, is generating buzz for its unflinching critique of Nigeria’s past, present and future.
Written by Peter Aghogho
Omuvwie, the 430-page book is a mix of memoir, social commentary, and satire that forces Nigerians to confront their reality. Released on December 10, 2024, by Maple Publishers, the book has been hailed as a must-read for its honest and humorous portrayal of the Nigerian condition. Omuvwie said his central thesis is that “if heaven operates on integrity, justice, and fairness, then Nigerians may struggle to get in due to their culture of corner-cutting and survival instincts.”
The book takes readers on a journey through Nigeria’s history, from colonial rule to independence, and into the present-day realities of corruption and bad governance. The reviewers of the piece praised the book for its entertainment value, informative storytelling, and ability to challenge readers’ assumptions about Nigeria. The book’s language and references are unapologetically Nigerian, making it a relatable and engaging read for citizens.
Minister of State for Industry Commences Industrial Tour of Lagos, Ogun
The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, will commence a two-day industrial tour of the South-west today, February 12 and tomorrow, February 13, 2025 in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Enoh explained that the
industrial tour aims to strengthen collaboration between government and industry stakeholders, and simultaneously address challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
The minister noted that the tour will serve as a catalyst to promote industrial growth, foster innovation,
and support the private sector, who are key drivers of economic development.
During the tour, the minister will pay official visits to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. BabajideSanwo-Olu and his Ogun State counterpart, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, while inspecting select industries in their states.
According to his itenary, some of the industries to be visited on the include: Sunflag Nigeria Limited, GB Foods, Friesland Campina Nigeria Plc, Berger Paints, Mojec International Limited, Coleman Wire & Cable, Equipment and Protective Application International Limited(EPAIL) and Veenocks Tiles.
BJuMP Recognises Industry Icon for Mentorship, Leadership Roles
Advertising and marketing veteran and Chairman of Troyka Holdings, Biodun Shobanjo, has been named as the first recipient of BB Apprenticeship Award by Bolaji Junaid Mentorship Programme(BJuMP). This award was in recognition
of his outstanding contribution to shaping the careers of young professionals in the advertising and marketing industry in Nigeria. Speaking at the third edition of BJuMP) with a remarkable Mentors Meet Mentees Mixer session in Lagos, the Founder
of BJuMP, Bolaji Junaid, said the award is designed to honour outstanding mentor-mentee relationships in corporate Africa, celebrating leaders who have significantly influenced the professional growth of emerging talents.
Junaid expressed deep admiration for Shobanjo’s impact on mentorship and leadership, adding that the veteran built an industry on his own, but more importantly, he has built men and has shaped generations of professionals.
Onwukwe; Treasury Head, Olam Agri, Neeraj Gupta; Treasury Department, Olam Agri, Deepak Kumar; Head of Corporate Coverage,
Bakare;(front-row)
Standard Chartered, Kariuki Ngari; Regional Chief Finance Officer, Olam Agri, Anil Jena Kumar, and CEO Nigeria, SCBN Limited, Dalu Ajene, during a business visit to Olam… recently
Osimhen Snubbed Al Ahli’s €30m-a-year Deal for Galatasaray
Nigerian international striker, Victor Osimhen, has been confirmed to have rejected Saudi Arabia club Al Ahli’s offer of 30 Million Eurosa-year offer in preference of his continued loan spell at Galatasaray till summer.
Italian medium, Cronache di Napolinewspaper reported yesterday that the Saudi club who had an offer for Osimhen during the last days of the summer transfer returned this January with an improved deal of 80 Million Euros to Napoli and a
salary of 30 Million Euros-a-year to Osimhen in order for the Nigerian to dump Europe. But Osimhen remained unfazed, preferring instead to stay on loan at Galatasaray till the end of the season.
Al Ahli have been tracking Osimhen since last year and last summer they failed to agree on a transfer fee with Napoli. Osimhen has maintained he hopes to win the UEFA Europa League with Galatasaray as well
as help the Istanbul giants win the Turkish Super Lig for a third season running. So far since joining the Istanbul giants, Osimhen has scored 10 goals for Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig.
Paris St-Germain took control of their all-France Champions League knockout phase play-off with Brest as Ousmane Dembele continued his phenomenal scoring form with another two goals.
Former Wolves loan signing Vitinha opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after Pierre LeesMelou had handled an attempt by Dembele.
France forward Dembele
added the second in the 45th minute with a clinical finish after Brest failed to close the 2018 World Cup winner down.
The former Barcelona player then made it 3-0, pouncing inside the penalty area in the 66th minute.
Dembele has scored 18 goals in his last 11 appearances for PSG in all competitions - and now has 23 for the season for the runaway Ligue 1 leaders.
NPFL: Insurance Throw Gate Open for Clash with Enyimba Today
Femi Solaja
Isaiah Okonofua and Faeren Kuma hugged the limelight as winners of Tukur Yusuf Buratai (TYB) International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja single match play finals in the men and ladies’ categories respectively.
Okonofua, playing off handicap 10, resurged from the throes of defeat to edge 18-handicapper, AVM Ladan, and claim glory one up in the keenly contested final held over the weekend and played alongside the TYB New Year kitty.
"I started poorly and was already four down at hole 7., but I told myself that I was going to fight back doggedly.
"Indeed, the beast in me came out, and I began to play better on the back nine and ended up with the victory at hole 18.
"It was a very tough match play as
the opponent I competed with was a fantastic golfer, but I gave him a game and put up a good showing to emerge victorious," he said.
In the ladies' single match play, Kuma, playing off handicap 35 beat Sarah Kudi 2 and 1.
The pair of Philip Kum and Sam Anyande emerged winners of the TYB men's double match play category after they defeated the partnership of Chile Ushahonba and Stephen Godwin.
In his remarks, Ali Peters, the Vice Captain of the club, expressed excitement at the start of the new season.
He said the club would soon be wearing a new look with the ongoing construction of a befitting world-class practice range as well as the upgrade of some of its facilities.
Determined to escape the drop in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), hosts, Bendel Insurance FC have thrown the gates of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City wide open for their fans to come and rally around the team this afternoon as they take on former champions, Enyimba FC.
The Benin Arsenal have had a
The Sadiq Abubakar Golf Course inside the Nigerian Air Force Base in Shasha , Lagos came alive with excitement at the weekend as over 30 passionate golfers teed off for the prestigious maiden kitty of Fun Golfers in 2025.
The atmosphere was electric, with players braving a mix of mild rain and sunshine in pursuit of golfing glory. After an intense three-hour showdown, Araoluwa Popoola (popularly known as Aramanda), playing off handicap 19, emerged champion, carding an impressive 70 strokes (-1) to claim the coveted title.
Olaitan Shabi (Amotekun), playing off handicap 24, was 1st Runner up with 71 strokes, while Caleb Adeyemo (Otunba Worldwide), playing off handicap 23, finished as the 2nd Runner up on the podium with 72 strokes.
General Ken Vigo (OON) Rtd, playing off handicap 20, won the Veteran category with 79 strokes.
AVM Adebiyi Okanlawon, Captain of Fun Golfers Group, lauded both the organisers and participants, hailing the event as a spectacular success.
He also praised the course, describing it as a must-play for any golf lover.
Veteran golfer, Sola Omole, former Director General , Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) who competed in the senior category, emphasised that golf is more than a game—it’s a lifestyle that enhances well-being and fosters camaraderie.
The event’s grand finale saw the official induction of Tony Obot and Mohammed Haruna into the Fun Golfers family, adding more firepower to an already vibrant golfing community.
turbulent season and were kept afloat week in and week out especially after losing many of their away matches but playing against another desperate side still aiming for another shot at continental football next season, at least a point in Benin will help in no small means.
With their rescheduled Match-day 20 fixture between Bendel Insurance and Enyimba in Benin City on the horizon, the club decided to go this
route to encourage their numerous fans to be in the stand this afternoon.
The announcement by the Benin Arsenals on social media yesterday created abuzz for their home supporters to come out enmasse and back the team as they aim for victory and the precious three points at stake.
Bendel Insurance are currently fighting against relegation this season. Under Coach Greg Ikhenoba, they have achieved seven wins, seven
Chris Bulus Wins Rainoil Tennis Open for First National Title
Christopher Bulus has won his first senior national title after defeating Daniel Adeleye in the Men’s Singles Final at the 2025 Rainoil National Tennis Open event in Lagos.
The US-based Nigerian tennis prodigy who flew into the country from South Africa where he represented Nigeria at the Davis Cup event, was a clear favourite to win the competition despite not having a national ranking.
And even though he won in two straight sets against fellow Davis Cup compatriot, Bulus was made
Chief Marketing Officer of TGI Group, Probal Bhattacharya, has said that the brand’s involvement with football, resonates with same qualities that the Big Bull Rice stands for.
“The spirit of football aligns perfectly with our brand values. Football is about strength, endurance, and teamwork — the very same qualities that Big Bull Rice stands for. We want to celebrate excellence, not just on the pitch, but in every aspect of life. That’s why our commitment to quality resonates deeply with Nigerians,” observed the
to fight for every point that he got before winning 6-0, 6-4.
Alongside a giant winner’s trophy, the Kaduna-born tennis youngster also went home with the N2,000,000 (two million naira) prize money for the Men’s Singles winner.
In the Women’s Singles event, Nigeria’s number one female tennis player, Khadijat Mohammed, fought back against long time rival, Bright Emmanuel, to win her second consecutive senior national title and third overall.
The Abuja-based youngster was
chief marketing officer of TGI Group.
While many brands jump on the football train with campaigns that fade after the final whistle, the Big Bull of Football has taken a different, more immersive approach. With a consistent stream of engaging content, Big Bull Rice has found a way to merge food and sport, creating a narrative that feels deeply authentic to Nigerian football culture.
From celebrating legendary players to fueling match-day debates and hyping up score predictions, the brand
down in the first set after trailing 6-7 in the first set. She, however, got better in the second and final sets as she won 6-4, 6-3 to deny her opponent a first senior national title.
Mohammed, who has been on the ascendancy in the seniors for two years consecutively, has consolidated on her rating as one of Nigeria’s most impressive tennis youngsters. She was rewarded with N1.5million as well as a giant winner’s trophy for her efforts and was well commended by the organisers for putting up a good fight.
has brought real energy to the game. Their posts on social media aren’t just ads — they feel like they were crafted by true football lovers. According to a die-hard Manchester City fan, Kunle Adebayo, “Big Bull Rice gets it. They don’t just sponsor football — they live and breathe it. Their posts keep the football conversation going, whether it’s celebrating a big win, hyping up rivalries, or making fans like me feel part of the action,” observed Adebayo.
Beyond the online buzz, the Big Bull
of Football
of Football has turned every football moment into a shared experience. Whether it’s the thrill of a Tottenham vs. Arsenal clash or the intensity of a European showdown between Inter Milan and Monaco, Big Bull Rice has embedded itself into the football narrative, making fans feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
One of their most strategic moves this season has been their collaboration with ThaEdoBoy, a Nigerian influencer whose witty, unfiltered takes on football have made him the fans’ favorite.
Ousmane Dembélé...scored twice in PSG’s 3-0 defeat of Brest...last night
Victor Osimhen...rejected big money transfer to Saudi Arabia to remain with Galatasaray
draws, and eight losses from 22 matches, placing them 16th in the league on 25 points. In their most recent match, they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Shooting Stars at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
MISSILE
PANDEF to President Tinubu
“We observe with great concern the fact that the bill...South-South Development Commission (SSDC)...was submitted at the same time as others to Mr. President, is yet to be assented to. The non-signing of this law have a negative impact on the present state of peace in the Niger Delta and the favourable environment which it creates for the upsurge in the production of oil and gas in the country” --PANDEF Spokesman, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, urges President Tinubu to sign the bill into law.
FEMI FALANA
GUEST COLUMNIST
Majority of Judges and Lawyers Don’t Wear Gowns
Between 1983 and 1987, the radical military regime of Captain Thomas Sankara changed the colonial name of Upper Volta to Burkina Faso. While the courts bequeathed by the former French colonial overlords continued to dispense justice to the elite, people’s tribunals were established to decide cases on the basis of African jurisprudence. The Tribunal were constituted by representatives of workers, farmers, women and youths. The decisions handed down by the tribunals were hailed by the people. The experiment did not outlive President Sankara as the tribunals were abolished by the Blaise Campaore regime.
Some Nigerian lawyers have condemned the action of the Burkinabe government for having the temerity to throw away foreign wigs and gowns from the courts. In glorifying colonialism in local courts, such lawyers are perhaps not aware that the British did away with wigs and gowns for the most part since 2007 and that lawyers are no longer required to wear wigs and gowns during civil court appearances or before the Supreme Court. Today, wigs and gowns are only worn by lawyers in criminal cases.
Following the decision by British Courts to discard the wigs and gowns, the Malawian Constitutional Court has ruled to suspend the requirements for lawyers and judges to wear the traditional white wigs and black robes in the courtroom even due to an early season heat wave that swept through the southern African nation in November 2019.
In Nigeria, wigs and gowns may soon be consigned to the dustbin of history as they are currently worn by the lawyers who appear in some of the superior courts of record including the Supreme Court of Nigeria;
Court of Appeal; Federal High Court; High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; High Court of a State; National Industrial Court; Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Sharia Court of Appeal of a State;Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja and Customary Court of Appeal of a State.
While the High Courts, Court of Appeal are largely patronised by a few members of the wealthy and privileged citizens the inferior courts namely Magistrate Courts, Area Courts, Customary Courts and Sharia Court are attended by poor and illiterate citizens. Even though the wearing of wigs and gowns is mandatory in the “superior courts of record”, judges and lawyers are occasionally compelled to jettison their wigs and gowns due to our inclement weather. In the same vein, judges who sit in colonial buildings without ventilation and lawyers who appear before them also dump their wigs and gowns as the courts can no longer afford expensive diesel to power generators for judicial proceedings.
More: httpa few wealthy and privileged citizens and groups. These courts are called “superior courts of recordthe Magistrate Courts, Customary Courts, Area Courts, Sharia Courts are inferior courts whose decisions are subject to the supervisory control of the “superior courts of recorEven though the wearing of wigs and gowns is mandatory in the “superior courts of record”, judges and lawyers are occasionally compelled to jettison their wigs and gowns due to our inclement weather. In the same vein, judges who sit in colonial buildings without ventilation and lawyers who appear before them also dump their wigs and gowns as the courts can no longer afford expensive diesel to power generators for judicial proceeding
On a daily basis, palaces of traditional rulers, police stations and mediation centres operated by Non-Governmental Organizations in all states of the Federation settle more disputes than the “superior courts of record.” The few lawyers who appear in such
KAYODESOREMEKUN
GUEST COLUMNIST
fora do not wear wigs and gowns. Yet, the majority of the cases decided in such fora are not challenged in appellate courts as the parties are usually satisfied with the decisions of the “judges” who do not wear wigs and gowns. Since Nigerian lawyers cannot be more Catholic than the Pope, they should be prepared for the cultural revolution that will soon consume the European-style wigs and gowns in the courts. After all, the majority of lawyers who appear in Magistrate Courts, Customary Courts, Area Courts, Sharia Courts, Arbitration and Mediation Centres, Judicial and Administrative Panels of inquiry, Courts-Martial, Coroners’ Inquests and Election Petition Tribunals do not wear wigs and gowns but formal legal suits.
Comparatively, the rate of resolution of disputes in the Magistrate Courts and Mediation Centres is higher than the High Court in Lagos State. It is on record that out of the 23,900 judgments delivered by the Lagos State Judiciary from October 2017 to September 2018, the High Courts delivered 3,984 rulings and 2,876 judgments while the Magistrates’ Courts delivered 16,862 judgments and the Small Claims Courts delivered 178 judgments. However, between January and November 2018, the Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) resolved 36,788 disputes.
From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that the masses of the people are satisfied with the quality of justice obtained in the inferior courts where judges and lawyers do not wear wigs and gowns. It is therefore hoped that Burkina Faso and other African countries that are dumping the foreign wigs and gowns will reform the informal justice sector that dispenses jistice to the majority of the peoples of Africa.
Tinubu, Akinyemi and The Jeering Boers
It is very surprising that till date, no serious analysis has featured on Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi’s return to the portal of Nigeria’s Policy corridor.It is important to appreciate here that Bolaji Akinyemi has since been named as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs,(NIIA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
For those in the know, the NIIA is a familiar turf for this Scholar-Diplomat. Such indeed was his dominance of this aspect of our national life that, for much of the seventies and eighties, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi was a prominent member of Nigeria’s foreign policy elite. Some pundits even likened him to Washington’s Henry Kissinger , Super K, who virtually towered over successive American Presidents as his country’s Secretary of State. Possibly out of a desire to emulate Kissinger, Akinyemi’s corporate outfit was titled:Akinyemi and Associates,while Kissinger’s own also bore the appellation of Kissinger and Associates.
However, one of the ‘Associates’ has since fizzled out. There is no prize for guessing the one which has been afflicted with the throes of mortality.
After all, Nigeria is a decidedly different social formation from the United States of America.Still, and while his tenure lasted, few will deny that our own Super K was something of a huge human variable in the Nigerian Foreign Policy community.
It was so huge that at a point in time,the inimitable, Stanley Macebuh wrote a memorable newspaper article on the Akinyemi years at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. This piece was titled :Of Men and Institutions.Indeed,few will deny that during his tenure as the Director General of NIIA, the Institute assumed a kind of visibility which lacked precedence in our
national life.At that point in time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was virtually side-lined in the formulation and implementation of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.The variables were however in his favour in the period under reference. There was a Murtala Mohammed at the helm of affairs who was probably aversed to the stodgy and cautious profile of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He, Murtala found in Akinyemi a go-getter whose spirit was in consonance with those frenetic times.Resource politics also appeared to be in his favour.For those who can remember, this was the era of the heady oil boom when rightly or wrongly
Nigeria thought that she could move the earth.Again for those who could remember, the seductive and heady feelings ably egged on by the media was that, there was a new and dynamic dimension to Nigeria’s foreign policy.In a way, Akinyemi was the star performer, almost an embodiment of this dynamic foreign policy that was Nigeria’s.To be sure, there were indeed some high points of this era.For instance there was the famous speech by Murtala Mohammed at the fateful OAU Summit where Nigeria told off Washington in certain times that Africa had come of age and as such would brook no interference in her internal affairs.
Ali Mazrui also weighed in on the issue by asserting that Nigeria was beginning to emerge as a credible interlocutor between and among the status-quo forces in world affairs.
While the euphoria lasted, we all lapped up and indulged in this heady stuff about Nigeria’s place in global politics. Not to be outdone, Akinyemi ‘s colleague and possibly friend, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari also wrote a largely adulatory piece on Nigeria’s new and dynamic foreign policy in the Columbian Journal of International Affairs .
The piece was titled:Nigeria:A Growing Internal Stability, Wealth and Influence.
Predictably, since unanimity is not one of the hall marks of academia, there were voices of dissent on this new and dynamic foreign policy of Nigeria.Scholars like Dr Segun Osoba, the historian and Professor Olajide Aluko argued that there there was nothing novel about Nigeria’s foreign policy since the economy was not industrialized and was still hooked on the export of primary products.The interesting thing here was that Osoba and Aluko embodied antithetical strains in
terms of ideological profiles;yet they came to the same conclusions about Nigeria’s foreign policy-that it was far from being dynamic even in those seemingly exciting times.Here one can easily understand a Segun Osoba on this issue, after all he was of the radical bent, while Aluko was something of a liberal scholar like an Akinyemi. This interesting position could well be explained by the fact that Aluko like a Gambari was also a colleague of Akinyemi and possibly his friend!!
Still and despite the dissent offered by the likes of Aluko and Osoba, Akinyemi, the scholar-cum policymaker forged ahead at the Institute.Under his watch the place became a mecca of sorts for scholars and policy makers. The Institute’s library was rich, and very much the same thing could be said for its newspaper holdings. Students of foreign policy flocked to the place, diplomats also jostled for the attention of the Instittute.
I recall here that there was the famous Bulletin on Foreign Affairs-a monthly publication which encapsulated all the worthy features and news on Nigeria’s Foreign policy.Those indeed were the days of the Institute under Bolaji Akinyemi.
Invariably and inevitably, since only God lives for ever, Akinyemi had to move on.Rather than return to his old base, Ibadan, he moved on to the University of Lagos where he was appointed a Professor of Political Science. At this point in time, he wrote a memorable piece titled-Farewell To Policy. But he spoke too soon for shortly after, he was again drafted into Nigeria’ s Foreign policy orbit as Foreign Minister.Not one to take things passively, he proceeded to stamp his identity once again on our Foreign Policy landscape.
Continues online
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun
