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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19 2022|
APC Youth Leader Gunned Down in Enugu State
BY CALEB NNAMANI ON JANUARY 19 2022


Heavily armed gunmen reportedly invaded an All Progressives Congress (APC) meeting in Enugu South Local Government Council, killing the party’s State Youth Leader and one other party member. The sad event took place last night, Tuesday 18 January,2022.

The Youth leader was identified as Mr. Kelvin Ezeoha.



According to eye witnesses, the members of the party from Obeagu Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area were having a reconciliation meeting when over 7 armed men marched into the meeting and killed two party members.

A chieftain of the party in the state verified the incident.

“Some gunmen invaded the Enugu South LGA APC meeting this evening while their meeting was in progress, opened fire on the party members,” said the party who wanted to remain anonymous.

“They killed the immediate past Enugu South local government Chairman of the party, now the incumbent state youth leader, Mr Kelvin Ezeoha and one other person, while a party member was kidnapped.”

Efforts to speak with the state police public relations officer, Dan beiel Ndukwe were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was switched off.




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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 2022|

We Will Address Internal Discords, Lawsuits Before National Convention – APC
BY CALEB NNAMANI ON JANUARY 13 2022
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Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice and the ongoing convention brouhaha, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed that the convention’s date is not their top priority, compared to pressing internal disputes and litigations.

All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) announced the party’s stance to newsmen yesterday.



John James Akpanudoedehe, CECPC Secretary, said in a statement that the public would be duly informed when the ruling party chooses a date for their convention.

He said, “Dates for party activities such as meetings, primaries, congresses, national conventions are communicated through well-known official channels and not through ‘sources.’

“As a focus-driven, process-oriented political party, the APC caretaker committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni will not be distracted by self-serving antics of the sponsors of fake news.

In an interview President Buhari granted to NTA last week, he warned his party – APC— to take the issue of a national convention seriously. According to him, laxity in the convention preparation could result in the victory of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), come 2023.

Last Sunday, a strategic meeting scheduled between the President and some APC governors did not hold. It was reported that a good number of the APC governors were engaged in their states, rather than being in Abuja for the meeting.



Conjectures by different politicians, with most from the People’s Democratic Party indicated that the APC is internally divided in such a way that a national convention will escalate the conflicts and cause more problems.

Mr. James however summarized that moves were being made at a national level, to ensure that the convention was free of any of such issues.

“The APC caretaker committee is already embarking on nationwide consultations with party stakeholders to prepare the ground for a rancour-free national convention.

“To this end, the sub-committee on budgeting and other substructures will be set up in due course.”

He went on to thank members and leaders of the party, highlighting that solving internal issues, lawsuits, and proper party planning are the core focus of the APC caretaker committee.

“Finally, the party notes and appreciates the continued support of well-meaning members and leaders as the APC caretaker committee undertakes the immediate task of addressing contestations within the party, litigations, fallouts of recently-conducted congresses and generally reposition the party ahead of the national convention,” he said.


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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 2022|

Twitter: Implications of the Lifted Suspension
BY CALEB NNAMANI ON JANUARY 13 2022
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Effective today, President Buhari has lifted the ban on Twitter that was 222 days long, maintaining that the lift was a result of Twitter’s willingness to run its activities in cooperation with the Federal Government.

The President’s approval was given following a memo written to him by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.



Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Chairman, Technical Committee, Nigeria-Twitter Engagement announced the lift of the Twitter ban yesterday.

Abdullahi said that he was informed to announce the development, which fruited from a memo to the President by Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. In the memo, Prof. Ibrahim requested that the ban be lifted as recommended by the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement.

Limited Right to Freedom of Speech

Amidst the nationwide glee, it is noteworthy that the return of Twitter to Nigerians comes at a price of total freedom of speech, The new agreement with the tech company allows the federal government to access, manipulate or delete citizens’ tweets that are deemed unscrupulous, hateful, or fake by the government.

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) advocated for freedom of speech on the social platform. He opined that the Federal Government should not disregard citizens’ right to speech by stifling conversations that are opposing or criticizing



“FG should not gag the microblogging platform. They should understand and be ready to listen to opposing voices. Constructive criticisms should be welcomed.”

Nigerian Users to be Taxed

The Federal Government has upheld the mandatory excise levy on Twitter Inc., making it one of the first to comply with the recent announcement by the government to tax all foreign companies that provide digital services in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the tech giant agreed to this as part of the conditions for resuming operations.

“Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.

Meanwhile, reports by NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool placed a loss of N104.02 million ($250,600) every hour due to the ban, climaxing in about N546 billion. According to Ogunbajo, the economic effects of the ban can be assuaged by the tax revenue from the tech firm.

“We sympathize with businesses and organisations that recorded losses, but it is better late than never. Consolation is that the platform is back, businesses can run and FG can make money from the planned taxes on social media platforms.”

More Jobs for Nigerians

Twitter’s agreement with the Federal Government also requires the company to register in Nigeria under the CAC, expand its operations in Nigeria, and appoint a country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. This should translate to increased employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians if the tech company follows the agreed path.


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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 2022|

Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed To Continue as UN Deputy Secretary-General
BY CALEB NNAMANI ON JANUARY 12 2022



Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed, currently serving as UN Deputy Secretary-General, has been confirmed to continue in her present role at the UN.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced this yesterday, formalizing the announcement he had made before.

Prior to her time at the UN, Amina Mohammed served as Nigeria’s Minister of Environment since November 2015 and Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.



In the spirit of felicitations, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have expressed delight in the re-appointment of the Northern prodigy

“The President sends deepest appreciation to Guterres for the confidence reposed in the former Minister of the Environment, giving her another opportunity to serve the global body and humanity, which further enhances the voice and presence of Nigeria…”

Emmanuel Yawe, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, also said in a statement: “We are very happy that the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guteres has found her worthy of holding such an office in a global organisation not only once but twice…

“We are proud of her records while she worked for us here in Nigeria and even more proud of the records of competence and dedicated service she exported to the United Nations.”

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Why Concerns Are Growing Over Federal Government’s Domestic Debt Profile
January 8 2021
In "Features"

The Nigerian Media: The Pursuit of Persistent War against Government
The Nigerian Media: The Pursuit of Persistent War against Government
August 15 2021
In "Features"

Iyorchia Ayu And Elected Members Of PDP NWC Inaugurated
As parts of it's effort to reposition itself and reclaim the number one position in the country from the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) , Nigeria's main opposition party People's Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a new National Chairman and National Working Committee (NWC) members.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 2022|

World Bank Projects 2.5% Economic Growth For Nigeria.
BY ANDREW AGBOKHAODE ON JANUARY 12 2022



The World Bank in a report released on the 11th of January, 2022 estimated a 2.5 percent economic growth in Nigeria for the year 2022, 0.1 percent higher than the projection for 2021.

The report was titled ‘Global Economic Prospects’; in the report, the World Bank stated that the elevated commodity prices are anticipated to assist near-term recovery in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa, as well as the increase in the price of oil and the easing of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries production cuts, which will benefit countries like Nigeria and Angola.




The report also stated that the economic growth in Nigeria is expected to increase to 2.8 percent by the year 2023.


The World Bank projections estimated that the activity in service sectors, like telecommunications and financial services, would contribute to economic growth.


The projections were slightly less optimistic about the period it would take for the country to recover from employment losses and inflation, the result of a pandemic-induced income.


“However, the reversal of pandemic induced income and employment losses is expected to be slow; this, along with high food prices, restrains a faster recovery in domestic demand.


“Activity in the non-oil economy will remain curbed by high levels of violence and social unrest, as well as the threat of fresh COVID-19 flare ups with remaining mobility restrictions being lifted guardedly because of low vaccination rates – just about 2 percent of the population, had been fully vaccinated by the end of 2021,” the report said.



In African countries such as Nigeria, Angola, and South Africa, the per capita income is anticipated to be lower in 2022 than it was a decade ago.The report stated that the per capita income barely increased last year and it is expected to recover only slightly at about 1.1 percent yearly in 2022 and 2023, which is about 2 percent lower than it was in 2019.

‘The per capita incomes in Nigeria and South Africa are expected to stay below pre-pandemic levels by above 3 percent in 2023.According to the report, global growth is estimated to diminish to 4.1 percent in 2022 from 5.5 percent in 2021, and then further decline to 3.2 percent come 2023.


“The world economy is simultaneously facing COVID-19, inflation, and policy uncertainty, with government spending and monetary policies in uncharted territory. Rising inequality and security challenges are particularly harmful to developing countries,” said David Malpass, the World Bank Group President.

He further stated that for more countries to be placed on a favourable path for economic growth, there would need to be a “concerted international action” alongside a comprehensive set of national policy responses.


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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 2022|


Oyo state Governor, Alao Akala, dies at 71
BY ANDREW AGBOKHAODE ON JANUARY 12 2022
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Alao Akala
Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former governor of Oyo State, died this Wednesday 11th January, 2022 in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
He was 71 years old.

He was a former police officer and between 2003 and 2006 he was the deputy governor under Gov. Rashidi Ladoja. who was impeached.



There after, Alao-Akala became the acting governor for the next 11 months; till the Supreme Court overturned the impeachment of Ladoja in December 2006, which led to Gov Rashidi Ladoja being reinstated while Akala reverted to his former post .

Alao-Akala later served as Oyo State governor between 2007 and 2011, after he won the elections under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), He served as governor until his term ended in May 2011.
He was a candidate for governorship position during the general elections held in 2019 under the Action Democratic Party. He lost the election.

At the time of his death he was a top member of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Reports state that he was terminally ill and died in his home in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, the city where he was born.

Dr. Olatunde Abdluazeez, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, Oyo State, confirmed his death.

“The news of his death is out. He did his best for the state. May his soul rest in peace,” he said


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TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 2022|
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Foreign Exchange Inflow Into Nigeria Surges By 64% To $30billion
BY OPEYEMI AKINBOBOLA ON JANUARY 11 2022 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )


The total amount of foreign exchange (FX) that streamed into the Nigerian economy skyrocketed by 64% to $30.18billion in the third quarter (Q3) of 2021 compared to the $18.4billion recorded in the previous quarter.

This is about the data of the statistical bulletin for Q3 2021, from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).



The FX inflow of $42.5billion in Q3 of 2021 is one of the highest quarterly inflow recorded by Nigeria since the first quarter of 2020, the current inflow is roughly equivalent to the inflow at the third quarter of 2019; before the effect of the covid-19 pandemic.

The rise in inflow is mostly due to a 158% q/q (141percent y/y) increase in inflow through the CBN to $16.8billion, said analysts at FBNQuest in a new note on Friday.

Relatively, on a year-on-year basis, the inflow increased by 14 percent compared to $26.47billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020.

During the period of review, the Nigerian government secured two external loans, which summed up to $7.34billion, representing $3.34billion IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) in August as well as proceeds of $4billion from Nigeria’s Eurobond issue in September 2021 respectively.

Inflows through the Central Bank of Nigeria stood at $16.83 billion, which accounts for 56% of the total FX inflow in the economy, at review.

Also, the inflow of $16.83billion through the CBN in Q3 2021 is 158% as stated earlier, and 141% higher than $6.51billion and $6.98billion recorded in Q2 2021 and Q3 2020 respectively.



Inflow from autonomous sources recorded 44.2% of total inflow in the value of $13.35billion. In contrast to the previous quarter, it increased by 12% compared to $11.89billion recorded in Q2 2021.

On the other hand, inflows through autonomous sources, declined by 32% compared to $19.49billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Note that, the autonomous sources of FX include foreign exchange received from the exportation of non-oil items, revenue inflows and Invisibles while the indivisibles include capital importations, remittances, and other OTC purchases.

More so, the increase in FX inflow from the CBN can be traced to the significant rise recorded inflows through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Third Part Funds in September 2021.

It was recorded that, funds through the TSA and Third Party Funds grew by over 600% to $2.47billion in September of the review year, while a sum of $3.2billion was recorded in the third quarter of 2021, accounting for 11% of the total inflows recorded in the quarter under review.


Continuously, the Central Bank of Nigeria has intervened in the official forex market, its various interventions and allocation of FX through its windows, fell by c.10% q/q to $4.5billion. The loss can be attributed to CBN’s ban of transactions of FX to Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in the country last year.

The sales of FX to the BDC segment plummeted to $445million, reflecting FX sales for July when the bank banned the sales to BDC. Sales for the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) segment improved to $2 .1billion from $1.5billion in Q2.

CBN, after a meeting with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on the 27th July, 2021, where the banning of FX sales to BDC was discussed, due to forex infractions; CBN directed banks to sell dollars for the legitimate needs of the end-users.

In which such legitimate needs include, Personal Travel Allowance (PTA), Business Travel Allowance (BTA), school fees, and medicals.

A cumulative of $32 billion transactions were made officially as CBN supplied a sum of $13.16million to the market, within January and September 2021.

The surge in the recorded amount of FX inflow is good for the Nigerian economy. In which CBN has used the newly acquired loans to boost the country’s external reserve, while intervening in the market, for the stability of the local currency.


Like Nigeria, many striving market economies within Africa, tapped into the international debt markets last year. Countries like Egypt, Ghana, and the likes of others, successfully issued Euro bands in FY’21. Notably, Egypt tapped into the market twice for a total sum of $6.8billion.



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TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 2022|

BREAKING NEWS
Ohanaeze berates Tinubu’s move for Presidency
BY CALEB NNAMANI ON JANUARY 11 2022 •

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural Igbo organization, has described Tinubu’s move for Presidency as an unfortunate disruption of the rules of natural justice.

The group lamented that the national APC leader would embark on a project that seeks to trouble Nigeria, rather than contributing to the concerted efforts required to save the country.



Chief Alex Ogbonna, the spokesman for the Igbo body reacted to the news as he said, “It is an assertion rooted in history and experience that any project that is not supported by justice and equity will not succeed. He maintained that Tinubu knew that his actions are in error, and they were not rooted in equity, justice, and fair play.

He said “It is a project that is dead on arrival. Because God is a universal entity that he is always interested in truth, fairness, and equity. So for anybody embarking on anything that is not rooted in equity and justice will not succeed and this is a countervailing force that has sustained this world from the beginning.

“So Tinubu knows that he is embarking on a cause that has no foundation in anything: foundation in equity and justice, and of course is a project that will not succeed.”

Ohanaeze spokesman, however, said it was regrettable that Tinubu had decided to add to the crisis in Nigeria, adding “because there is this collective conscience that has been guiding this country. The collective conscience is to culturally determine what is right and what is wrong and to pursue the right one and ignore the wrong one.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 2022|


Dangote Cement Set To Create 6,000 New Jobs In Edo State
BY EDITOR ON JANUARY 11 2022


Okpella Cement PLC
Dangote Cement factory is on course to commission a one billion dollar cement factory projected to produce about 6 million metric tons of cement every year.

In line with the promise to improve its cement production capacity, Dangote Cement Company started the construction of the cement factory in Okpella in Etsako-East Local Government, Edo State.

The factory has already been completed and is set to be commissioned in a few weeks, at which time it is projected to improve the Dangote Productivity Capacity to 41 million metric tons per annum.



The factory was built by Sinoma international engineering company, one of the world’s largest cement engineering system integration suppliers.

At such a time when the factory is up and running, it is also projected to provide 6,000 jobs for the locals in the Okpella region.

During the period of its construction, the project provided jobs for approximately 1,500 locals, in the line of technicians, engineers, and others, who assisted the Chinese workers on the project.

Other workers such as drivers, welders, and carpenters were also hired for the project.

The cement plant is estimated to produce 150,000 bags of cement per day, one of the aims of this plant is to ensure that the cement reaches every corner of Nigeria, “the poorest of the poor” as Engr Patrick Omokagbo explained. The Dangote Cement Company has already acquired 20,000 additional trucks, tippers, and trailers, which cost $150 million in approximation to ensure the efficient and effective distribution of its products to all corners of Nigeria.

The factory will generate its power, powered by two steam turbine generators which each generate 30 megawatts of power each, enough to power all of Lagos Island. Sudesh NAR, the Coordinator, Buildmet Construction Nigeria Limited, stated that the power plant can power half of Lagos State, and that is only because the power consumption in Lagos State is high.
The cement factory is also expected to further increase the 3 billion dollars the country saves from import substitution.

Why Okpella Town?
“We felt it was an ideal site to set up the factory for several reasons. One, nearness to the raw material deposit, limestone; secondly nearness to water supply.” Said Engr. Patrick Omokagbo, the Director, Stakeholder Management at Dangote PLC.

The Okpella town in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State located in a valley is famous for its richness in sedimentary rock-based mineral resources, such as calcium, granite, feldspar, talc, clay, marble, and most prominently limestone.



Experts believe that the limestone deposits will last for at least 100 years.

It is situated along the Benin-Abuja highway, with a population of about 20,562 inhabitants according to the last National Census.

Being rich in sedimentary rock-based mineral resources, Okpella already plays host to the Edo Cement Company as well as the BUA cement factory, which was founded by a Nigerian conglomerate named Abdulsalam Rabiu. The people who lived In the area are largely farmers and a mix of Christians and Muslims; they are said to be hospitable people.

Cooperation with Gov. Obaseki
Governor Obaseki has promised a conducive working environment for the facility to operate in.

The Governor has also assured the people of Imiekuri Okpella that his administration would see to the construction of the 12.7km Imiekuri-Okpella road; he also promised that the administration would cooperate with private sector players to create job opportunities for locals.


Governor Obaseki has therefore pledged to hold a meeting with the management of the two notable investors in Okpella, Dangote, and BUA industries, whose investments are worth up to N6 billion, to achieve the goal of engaging more inhabitants in their factories.

“I will sit down with the management of both companies and let them see reasons why the people in this area should be those working in these cement factories,” Governor Obaseki said.


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BREAKING NEWS
Ernest Shonekan Dies at 85


Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of State during the Interim Government that replaced General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime, has passed away.

Ernest Shonekan became the head of the transitional council, set up to organize the passing of power from military rule to a civilian government.



He became both the head of the council as well as being the head of government.

This was to ensure a smooth transition for Nigeria’s third Republican Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan was then placed in office by a decree signed by the outgoing military ruler of the country, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida; he assumed office as the interim head of state in August 1993.

Given the instability that came with the interim government and the dissatisfaction from civilians over the annulment of the June 12 elections, the administration was overthrown in a palace coup led by General Sani Abacha.

Chief Ernest Shonekan died on the 11th of January, 2022 at Evercare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos State at the age of 85; at the time of his death, he was the third oldest surviving Head of State of Nigeria based on age.



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FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 2022

National Assembly Staff Union Declares Strike
BY ANDREW AGBOKHAODE ON JANUARY 7 2022

The governing body of the National Assembly Staff called the Parliament Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has issued a memo of industrial action to begin on Monday 10th of January, 2022 over outstanding minimum wage payments.

This was revealed after a joint NASS/NASC congress, which was held in Abuja. Copies of the memo were issued to Senator Ahmad Lawan, the President of the Senate; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker for the House of Representatives; Engr. Ahmed Mashi, the Chairman of the National Assembly Commission (NASC); the Divisional Police Officer at the National Assembly and the Director of the Department of State Services.



The statement issued was signed by Comrade Sunday Sabiyi, the Chairman of PASAN and Comrade M. A. Liman, the Vice-chairman.

“Following the management breach of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) entered with PASAN on the 13th of April, 2021 on the full implementation of the new national minimum wage Act 2019 and the Revised condition of service, we hereby observed the Breach of MoU by the decision of the management not to honour its agreement as at 31st December, 2021, being the fourth quarter of 2021.” The statement read.

It continued stating that in light of the resolutions the association would be implementing a strike which will begin on Monday 10th of January, 2022 in order to protest the breach of the agreement.

The NASC/NASS joint emergency congress stated its demands as follows:

“The management should pay with immediate effect the 5 months outstanding balance of minimum wage, the year 2021 rent subsidy, 15 months arrears of CONPECULIAR allowances and 6 months arrears of hazard allowance to National Assembly staff.

“In addition to the MOU, we also demand the implementation of 50 per cent balance of CONLESS, immediate release of year 2022 training template for staff and evidence of provision of gratuity for retiring staff.” The statement read.



The memo also stated that the management had previously indicated that the supplementary budget of 2021 would be amongst the multiple sources of funding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), but contrary to that, the supplementary budget has been channeled as a source of funding into items that were not contained in the MOU, for example the end of the year bonus and promotion arrears.

There is no response yet from the leadership of the NASS regarding this memo, in spite of the fact that the association has already taken similar industrial actions in the past, one of which lasted up to two months in the year 2021.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 2022


Fresh Explosions Rock Police Base in Imo
BY CALEB NNAMANI ON JANUARY 7 2022


In the late hours of yesterday, a group of gunmen reported to be heavily armed stormed the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State and bombed the Police Headquarters in Dikenafai. They also released the detainees in the facility.

According to an eyewitness, an unnamed vigilante group was present at the scene to rearrest the fleeing inmates. The coordinated attack by this large group of hoodlums resulted in the destruction of the administrative office, the DPO’s office, and the reception.

This is the latest in the series of attacks in Imo State, contributing to security tensions in the Southeast state.

The State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, announced earlier in the week that the security agencies have uncovered the sponsors of the unknown gunmen and the financiers of insecurity in the region. He however failed on his promise to reveal their names, asserting that he was advised to keep the intel private until investigations were concluded. Then the state would sue the suspects accordingly.

Rochas points fingers to Uzodinma.

Notably, multiple sources have linked the insecurity saga to the governor, maintaining that he had a hand in the woes befalling Imo State. Among these sources are the Southeastern secessionist group, IPOB, and the former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha accused Uzodinma of architecting insecurity in Imo state and promised to help to uncover the perpetrators of killings, kidnappings and other atrocities in the state.

“At this point, the world has to help Imo. The state is in bondage under Uzodimma’s government, as his government lies and deceives a lot.” He said

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Wednesday, January 5 2022

We Will Not Support Same Religion Candidate and Running Mate Ticket – CAN
By Caleb Nnamani

The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared that the association will not support a presidential race that presents two Muslims for the 2023 Presidential elections. They warned that such a combination is not reflective of our religious diversity and could consequently lead to the country’s collapse.
Conversely, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar III, responded that Muslims are praying for competent leaders and that factor rather than religion, is the focus.

Abdulmumin Jibrin, the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group, corroborated the Islamic Council, asserting that no brows will be raised if Tinubu chose a Muslim to run with him, maintaining that ethnic and religious considerations are secondary to Nigerians.
The Spokesman for the CAN President, Rev. Bayo Oladeji, elaborated CAN’s stance to newsmen. According to him, a ticket with two Muslims will surge religious agitations to levels that can result in a national tumult. Remarkably, the Reverend stated that CAN will not support a presidential race with Christians as running mates.
“Politicians can talk politics but we have stated our view. Any party that tries a Muslim/Muslim ticket or Christian/Christian ticket will fail. This is not 1993. Even when we have joint Muslim/Christians, the church still goes through hell.”
He stressed that the constitution promotes a balance in religion, hinting that the Christian persecution in Nigeria will radically upscale if no Christian is represented in the foremost governing offices of the nation.
“Only God knows the number of Christians that have been killed. Imagine how bad it will be if we have two Muslims in power? The constitution promotes religious balance. So, if they want to try a Muslim/Muslim ticket, let them try it. But we will not respond to faceless people. Let any political party or the government try it then they will know that Christians are not second-hand citizens of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the NSCIA maintained that the leadership positions in Nigeria are to be filled with effective hands, and this, he noted, would be the prayers of Muslims
“Consequently, both the NSCIA and the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria who, in thought and practice, draw instructions from the Holy Qur’an, have absolute trust that Almighty Allah has the limitless capacity, to bring to power or deny power, in line with the above Qur’anic injunction, to whomsoever He wills.
“As Muslims, therefore, we have no choice but to continue to supplicate to Allah to grant that only Nigerians who possess the requisite capacity, integrity, sagacity, empathy, positive attitude, passion, administrative acumen, zeal for selfless service, etc., shall eventually triumph at both their respective party primaries and subsequent general elections, at all tiers of government in Nigeria.”
He said the NSCIA would continue to lend its voice to calls for all Nigerians, including political, religious, traditional, and civil society organisations, to eschew religious politics and politicisation of religion, subtly or manifestly, in Nigeria, to avoid the dire consequences.


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The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Wednesday, January 5 2022|



AFCON 2021: All Road Leads to Cameroon for African Football Festival
By Gbenga Adeosun

Premium sporting excitement awaits football enthusiasts in Africa and beyond as 24 countries will vie to be crowned the new Kings of African Football. The month-long continental showpiece will get underway on January 9 and an intense battle on the pitch is expected with the galaxy of stars converging in Cameroon ready to slug it out towards clinching the coveted Title for their respective nations.
***
AFCON 2021, the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations which is a biennial international men’s football championship organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon and will take place between Sunday 9 January and Sunday 6 February 2022. It is also referred to as the Total Energies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021 but CAF announced on 15 January 2020 that due to unfavourable climatic conditions during this period, the tournament would take place from 9 January to 6 February 2021. On 30 June 2020, CAF moved the tournament for the second time to January 2022 following the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes. More recently, the build-up to the competition further encountered some contentious back-and-forth issues around timely release of players from their respective clubs in Europe mid-season; the matter nearly turned messy in some cases but all has been settled one way or the other and all eyes are focused on the tournament now. Squad members for each team were also expanded from the usual 23 to 28 players to cover potential coronavirus problems.

The tournament will feature 52 matches and twenty-four teams divided into 4 each in 6 groups will take part, kicking off on January 9 with an opening ceremony after which hosts Cameroon will take on Burkina Faso in the 60,000-seater Olembe Stadium in Yaounde. The tournament will stretch over 50 other matches to follow that opener before culminating in the 52nd and final match on February 6 in the same stadium at the nation’s capital. The other venues to be used during the competition include the Kouekong Stadium at Bafoussam, Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo at Yaounde, the Japoma Stadium at Douala, the Roumde Adjia Stadium at Garoua and the Limbe Stadium at Limbe.
Algeria is the defending title-holders of the African Championship, having won the last edition hosted in Egypt in what was their second African Championship victory; the other one being in 1990. They defeated Senegal in the final of that 2019 competition at the Cairo International Stadium with striker Baghdad Bounedjah grabbing an early goal to claim a 1-0 victory. Nigeria came third after beating Tunisia with the same scoreline in their third-place match.
Some big names missing in this edition of the competition includes 1-time winners Zambia and South Africa, 2-time winners DR Congo and competition outliers Angola.
The countries set to battle it out this year are as follows: Group A will feature hosts Cameroon alongside Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Ethiopia; Group B will parade Guinea, Malawi, Senegal and Zimbabwe; Group Cis made up of Comoros Islands, Gabon, Ghana and Morocco; Group Dconsists of Egypt, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and Sudan; Group E will have holders Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone and Group F boasts of Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and Tunisia.

The top two teams from each group, along with the best four third-placed teams will advance to the last 16 knockout stage which will be played between January 23-26. Eight teams will proceed to the Quarter-finals stage to be played within January 29-30; and Four teams will surge ahead to battle it out in the Semi-final stage to be played on February 2 and 3. Losers of the semis will seek consolation in the Third-place match slated for February 6; while winners of the semis will challenge for the trophy in the Grand Finale later that same day.
As all teams aim to earn a slot in February 6 at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde where the final will be played, who are the favorites to win this edition of the prestigious competition?
Hosts and 5-time winners; the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will absolutely relish the prospect of clinching their sixth trophy on home soil; 2-time winners and current holders, the Desert Warriors of Algeria will approach the competition brimming with confidence and aiming to seal a back-to-back truimph in the competition. The Teranga Lions of Senegal who are still smarting from their narrow loss in the 2019 final will approach the showpiece with renewed tenacity to claim the elusive title having been runners-up twice and winners on no occasion.
Elsewhere; the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be keen to grasp a fourth continental crown after coming third last time out in 2019, the Pharaohs of Egypt and record holding 7-time champions of the competition will attempt to even go further clear of all others by grabbing their eighth victory and ending their purported trophy drought with their last triumph coming over a decade ago in 2010 at Angola. Black Stars of Ghana and 4-time winners will be eager to seal a fifth triumph with their last taste of victory being 40 years ago in Libya. Former winners Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tunisia will also be pretty confident in their chances of clinching this 33rd edition of the competition.

Former runners-up Burkina Faso and Guinea will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds and going all the way to claim an astonishing triumph; while most of the remaining teams including debutants Comoros and Gambia will simply hope for a footballing miracle in order to reach the latter part of the showpiece and will approach the competition with a modest mindset of giving a respectable account of themselves in Cameroon.
AFCON 2021 will see many of the world’s best footballers competing in Cameroon. In Group A, tournament hosts Cameroon have Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana between the sticks and Napoli’s Andre-Frank Anguissa patrolling the midfield, Burkina Faso’s attack will be led by Aston Villa’s striker Bertrand Traore; while Cape Verde and Ethiopia will hope the underdog tag can motivate their set of exciting players to perform some footballing wonders. In Group B, Senegal has several Europe-based stars in their squad, including Chelsea’s highly rated goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye, Watford wonderkid Ismaila Sarr and prolific Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, their group rivals Guinea boast another Liverpool midfield marshal in Naby Keita; while Malawi and Zimbabwe will put their destiny in the hands of their dynamic home-based stars. Group C top seeds Morocco will be captained by Wolves defender Romain Saiss and they also have PSG star Achraf Hakimi plus an array of Europe-based stars to call upon, while Ghana has Arsenal maestro Thomas Partey and the Ayew brothers in their ranks. Gabon will be led by exiled Arsenal hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang while Comoros’ bid to gatecrash the party in the group will be spearheaded by their little-known debutants.

Over in Group D, Egypt have arguably the best player in the tournament in their line-up as Liverpool’s dazzling magician Mohamed Salah aims to lead his nation to an eighth continental victory. However, they face in the group a formidable Nigeria side with the likes of Leicester City powerhouses Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfried Ndidi, with veterans Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa and many other shining stars also available to pick from while Sudan and Guinea-Bissau will look up to their representatives to try and cause problems for the group’s favorites.
Defending champions Algeria in Group E can call upon Manchester City’s pacey wizard Riyad Mahrez, West ham winger Said Benrahma, Lyon striker Islam Slimani, AC Milan midfield anchor Ismael Bennacer and Galatasaray star Sofiane Feghouli. But they face a tough challenge to top the group from a stacked Ivory Coast squad, which includes Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet, Ajax red-hot striker Sébastien Haller, Crystal Palace mercurial winger Wilfried Zaha, and Arsenal prodigy Nicolas Pepe; while Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone will rely on their less famous stars to upset the group’s final standings
Group F top guns Tunisia boast one of the most exciting young talents in the tournament in Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, who will go up against Mali’s Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara and Southampton poacher Moussa Djenepo among other stars from Mauritania and Gambia.
The top goal scorer in the 2019 edition was Odion Ighalo of Nigeria who clinched the individual laurel with 5 goals. The Saudi-based striker is in the Nigerian squad for the tournament and will be eager to achieve a similar success in front of goal this time around, but keen competition will be expected from Egyptian goal machine Mohammed Salah, Gabon’s talisman Pierre Aubameyang, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Algeria’s frontman Riyad Mahrez, Ivorian hitman Sébastien Haller among others.
For the exclusive 4-week period that the competition will last, an exciting footballing fiesta surely awaits fans and supporters, who have patiently waited for extended periods to be able to physically witness the thrill and glamour of the competition.


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The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Tuesday, January 4 2022|
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Fresh Protests Rock Magodo Estate Over Police Presence
By Gbenga Adeosun

Residents of Magodo Phase II Estate in Lagos converged this morning to protest the presence of armed policemen in their estate. The estate management has shut the two gates leading into the estate.

Speaking during the protest the Chairman of Magodo Residents’ Association, Bajo Osinubi, said: “We called our people out to protest this morning over 50 policemen living within the estate. We want the police out of our estate. There are no cases of kidnapping, rioting, but why are they still here? We want them out of our estate.


We want to live in peace. This is a business between the Lagos State government and the Adeyiga family.

Osinubi further said “We are under siege; the police have been here for two weeks, they came in December to take possession of properties on behalf of Adeyiga family and others. Since then, we’ve gotten in touch with prominent personalities to intervene and get the police off our estate. We are victims, even inside our own homes. The police have been here. They are very restless. Just imagine there is an altercation between a resident and the police. The easiest way to avoid any such scenario is to detach the police officers back to Abuja.

He added “We’ve allowed people to go out, but we are protesting this morning to let the world know what’s going. We are supposed to be at work, but we want the whole world to know what’s happening at Magodo. The governor spoke with me yesterday (Monday), and he said he’s on top of it. He has promised to address the situation. The Commissioner of Police last week sent the DCP Ops to supervise the withdrawal of troops but they claimed they are yet to get signal. We learned the police were drafted from Abuja. Our immediate concern is to get the police out of the estate for us to leave in peace. We need the government to do the needful to get the family off our neck. About four to five years ago, they did it, and now again this year, they want to do it.”
Towards the end of December last year, the Journal has reported exclusively about a fierce ownership struggle for land in the Highbrow Magodo Estate area of Lagos; a protracted issue between the Lagos State Government and some original land owners that has been unresolved for years and is on the verge of a full blown crisis.



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The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Monday, January 3 2022

By Caleb Nnamani


Adamu Lametek, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to focus on the growth of the Nigerian economy as it remains delicate.
The CBN deputy governor, pointed this out in his personal statement at the last MPC meeting. He highlighted the struggles that were groping various sectors of the economy, despite the positive growth in Gross Domestic Product in the third quarter of 2021.

According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s GDP grew by 4.03 per cent in Q3, 2021. This report was released in October, 2021. However, Lametek noted that the rate of economic growth is supposed to be increase at a better rate, if enough jobs are to be created, that could lead to a significant economic development.
Speaking on the surging inflation rate, he mentioned that efforts have gone in to reduce the values, and those efforts have resulted in a decline of the inflation rate, over the last seven months. He also acknowledged that the inflation rate has not been able to attain the pre-pandemic level, despite all the efforts so far.
Since the pandemic. Nigerians all over the 36 states have decried the constant increment on the prices of goods and services, asserting that more action is needed from the bodies that are involved with pricing and maintaining economic stability. The inflation of prices has greatly reduced the standard of living of Nigerians in their millions.
Lametek explained in his statement that the growth of the economy in the past year is not exclusive of the reality that many sectors are currently struggling.
“Even at the 4.03 per cent overall real growth rate in Q3, some sectors (activities) were still struggling.

“Among those, oil and gas, fishing and oil refining stood out. These activities and some others that barely crossed the line would continue to require policy support in the short- to medium-term.
“The need to sustain liquidity support to key economic activities is buttressed by the vulnerabilities in the horizon, including new variants of the coronavirus driving infection resurgence.
“For Nigeria, I do not think the time is rife to look away from economic growth for at least two reasons. Though impressive, growth is still fragile and should benefit from a slightly much longer policy support.
“The second consideration is that the current pressures on domestic prices appear to be largely supply related, in which case, increasing domestic output of goods and services and easing distribution bottlenecks should go a long way in alleviating the pressure.
He encouraged the provision of extra fiscal support to enable those struggling sectors to recover.


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The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Monday, January 3 2022


Following the violent uprisings at the U.S Capitol last year and the more recent outcry by retired generals of the U.S Army, stableness of political administration in The States seems to be heading towards a precarious position. Talks of a military coup, a domestic crisis, and an ultimate power tussle are gathering like dark clouds over a country that prides itself as the undisputed global leader. This raises a very pertinent question; what is really going on in the United States of America?
***
Precisely, three Generals who retired from the United States Army have openly disclosed their fears for what could happen in the country after the 2024 Presidential elections. The generals with over 30 active years of service each, described the possibility for the US military to be divided into opposing factions in such a way that the age-long civilian rule could be ousted by military opposers of an elected president.
While this might come off as unfounded to some persons, it is important to emphasize that the events that unfolded on Jan 6, 2021, where the sacredness of governance was scarred by Capitol protestors involved veterans and military officials in active duty. The arrests that followed the riots revealed that more than 1 in 10 of the people charged had a service record in the military. Again, the “Flag Officers 4 America,” a group of 124 retired military officials released a letter that questioned the results of the 2020 Presidential elections which were not in favour of Donald Trump. This mirrors a breeding fraction of military officials who are united in beliefs that may not reflect a truly united state.

“We are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time.” the Generals said. They were identified as Paul D. Eaton, a retired U.S. Army major general and a senior adviser to VoteVets; Antonio M. Taguba, a retired Army major general with 34 years of active-duty service; and Steven M. Anderson, a retired brigadier general who served in the U.S. Army for 31 years. These high-ranking officials went on to highlight that Americans could be facing a severe risk by 2024.
More recently, the commanding general of the Oklahoma National Guard, Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino refused an order from Present Biden that mandated the vaccination of all National Guard members. The refusal was based on the assertion that the Republican State Governor, Kevin Stitt, was the commander-in-chief and not President Biden; a position which is both wrong and outrageous. Evidently, the possibility of a breakdown in the command chain as a result of political differences is no longer totally improbable, and in the confusion of where alliance lies; individual sentiments of serving members can effectively birth a fractioned army which might lead to a putsch.
The US Military currently ranks as one of the best in the world. If somehow, the loyalty of serving members become disputed, an ample opportunity for external forces to infiltrate the military is presented, and the end of such a path is irreparable devastation.
To avert such unsavory eventualities, the Generals advocated some measures that could help prepare the military ahead of time.” We’re interested in seeing mitigating measures applied to make sure that our military is better prepared for a contested election, should that happen in 2024,” they said. Other solutions they proffered include identifying and tackling mutineers in the military, wargaming the possibility of a post-election coup, and enforcing a stricter unity of command in the military.

With all these on the horizon, there remains a possibility that Donald Trump will be back in 2024 to contest the Presidential elections. In his final minutes at the White House, the former president gave an inkling to his return plans in his speech. “I will be back…” he said. A possible return of the controversial former President to the political front will surely awaken his large contingent of followers who are still loyal to his agenda.
The sophisticated nature of administering the country, the ever-present complex nature of its security and economic matters, the intrigues of the possibility of heightened political tension with Russia and China, availability of large numbers of disgruntled citizens who are unsatisfied with the current Presidency, the latent threat of domestic military insurrection and other factors yet to be fully identified are attracting eyes to Washington where administrators will definitely postulate to the public that talks of political crisis in 2024 are premature; but behind closed doors; the reality that such events are indeed within the scope of possibility will definitely not be totally lost on them.


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The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Monday, January 3 2022

According to World Bank analysis, Nigeria’s inflation rate for the year 2022 is projected to be among the highest in the world and the seventh in Sub-Saharan Africa. The World Bank stated that the inflation rates in Nigeria have diminished the welfare of Nigerian households.
The World Bank also pointed out that a high inflation hinders the country from successfully recovering its economy, and it also seriously negates the purchasing power of vulnerable households in the country.

“High inflation is frustrating Nigeria’s economic recovery and eroding the purchasing power of the most vulnerable households. In the absence of measures to contain inflation, rising prices will continue to diminish the welfare of Nigerian households.” The World Bank said.
The World Bank enumerated some of the disadvantageous effects of inflation on the country, stating that Nigeria ran the risk of pushing about eight million citizens into poverty, disrupting consumption and investments, among other things.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had set a goal of 9% for 2021, the World Bank stated that if the inflation had been within that range the country’s consumption would have been 15 percent higher, and about eight million Nigerians would not have fallen into poverty.
“If double-digit inflation persists during 2022-2023, rising prices will distort consumption, investment, and saving decisions of the government, households, and firms, with adverse ramifications for long-term borrowing and lending.” The bank said.
The World Bank cautioned that the impact of inflation on the households with lower income and on those who work in sectors with low savings like agriculture will result in the increase of social inequality in the country.

It stated that inflation would negatively affect economic productivity, job creation and income, which would further prevent economic recovery.
The bank reported that for over two years, an increase in the prices of food accounted for approximately 70 per cent of the increase annually in the inflation rate.
The bank noted that some of the inflation is due COVID-19, which caused the disruption of supply chains due to the measures taking to contain it, and while the threat may have subsided the border closures and limited access to the market have given rise to the inflation.
“The current mix of monetary, fiscal, foreign exchange, and trade policies also play a prominent role as a driver of inflation. Trade and FX restrictions, including the closing of land boarders starting in August 2019, have increased prices for food and consumer goods, and imports of over 40 goods, including many staple foods, are currently ineligible for FX through formal windows.” The bank said.
The World Bank stated that Nigeria’s exchange-rate management has resulted in the rise of parallel rates, which affect the dynamics of food-price. The inability of businesses to access FX through the official exchange-rate window causes them to seek FX on the parallel market, as well as other alternative sources.

“The parallel rate influences their business decisions, and fluctuations in the parallel rate pass through to the market prices for goods and services. Moreover, monetary policy has not prioritized controlling inflation, and the monetary financing of fiscal deficit undermines the effectiveness of policies to contain demand-side inflationary pressures.” The World Bank said.


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The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform.
Monday, January 3 2022


Bashir Tofa, Ex-presidential Candidate Is Dead
By Godwin Anyebe on January 3 2022


Ex-presidential candidate and major opponent to MKO Abiola in the June 12, 1993 Nigeria presidential election, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa is reportedly dead.
The former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) according to family sources, died in the early hours of Monday after a brief illness.

Confirming his death, one of Tofa’s daughters, who had debunked the rumors of his death when it trended on social media three days ago, confirmed his demise on Monday morning.
Until his death, Tofa was known for speaking up for the country and suggesting ideas through which some of the crisis affecting Nigeria could be tackled.
Born on June 20, 1947, Tofa had his primary education at Shahuci Junior Primary, Kano and then continued studies at City Senior Primary School in Kano.
Between 1962 and 1966, he attended Provincial College, Kano. After completing his studies at the Provincial school, he worked for Royal Exchange Insurance company from 1967 to 1968. From 1970 to 1973, he attended City of London College.
His sojourn into politics started in 1976 when he was elected councilor of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Council. In 1977, he was elected a member into the Constituent Assembly. During the Nigerian Second Republic, Tofa was at various times the secretary of the Kano branch of NPN, he later became the party’s national financial secretary and was a national member of the Green Revolution National Committee.


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Sunday, January 2 2021|


New Year Message: Labour Union Talks Tough, Condemns Anti-People Policies of Government
By Oluwaseun Akingbe on January 1 2022


The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Nigerians, especially workers to gear up for total opposition against any hike in the pump prices of petrol and electricity tariff.

The Union also directed its workers in Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Cross Rivers, Abia and Imo states to commence indefinite strikes over the new national minimum wage.


The states according to the NLC are yet to implement the N30,000 minimum wage that took effect on April 18, 2019.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba, who gave the admonition on Saturday in a New Year message to workers said the union made its position known to the government in very clear terms that Nigerians have suffered enough and will not endure more punishment by way of further petrol and electricity price increases.

Wabba lamented the deceit and political game played by government in handling the issue of fuel subsidy, adding that perennial increase by government of the pump price of petrol is actually a transfer of government failure and inability to effectively govern to the poor masses of our country.

“We are talking of the failure of government to manage Nigeria’s four oil refineries and inability to build new ones more than thirty years after the last petrochemical refinery in Port Harcourt was commissioned; the failure to rein in smuggling; and the failure to determine empirically the quantity of petrol consumed in Nigeria.

The shame takes a gory dimension with the fact that Nigeria is the only OPEC country that cannot refine her own crude oil.

The NLC President further said the organized Labour during its last meeting with government, reached a conclusion that it must take immediate action to revamp all Nigeria’s refineries, in which a technical committee was set up to monitor the progress.

He further condemned the proposed decision of government to pay transport allowances to citizens, calling it a total robbery.

“We have also already described the idea of paying transport allowances as robbing ourselves to pay ourselves as the amount being bandied for such transport subsidy clearly outstrips the amount that is currently expended on the so-called petrol subsidy.

While reacting to the non-implementation of the minimum wage, Wabba said, “While most of the states in the North West geopolitical zone have started implementing the new national minimum wage, there is an exception in the case of Zamfara State which has refused to pay the national minimum wage and consequential salary adjustment to workers in the state. In the North East, the exception is Taraba State which is yet to fully implement the new national minimum wage. In the North Central, there are still challenges of full implementation in Benue and Kogi States.


“In the South West, most of the states are already in compliance. In the South South, the weak link is Cross River State which has spurned all negotiation agreements and entreaties to pay workers in the state the new national minimum wage and consequential salary adjustment. In the South East, the Imo and Abia State Governments remain thorns in the flesh of workers.
Apart from refusing to fully implement the national minimum wage and consequential salary increase, the State governments have also been promoting clandestine and rogue labour leaders unknown to the labour movement.

“In line with the directives of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we have asked our state councils to commence industrial actions against state government that are yet to implement the new national minimum wage and pension. It is disheartening that amidst the current economic crunch prevalent in the country, some State Governors still need persuasion to pay workers the national minimum wage.”

Recall that the Federal government had in November 2021 informed Nigerians to prepare for the removal of fuel subsidy, an action capable of increasing pump price of petroleum by almost 100%.


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The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Friday, December 31 2021|

National Assembly May Remove Mandatory Direct Primary Clause From Electoral Bill -Gbajabiamila
By Oluwaseun Akingbe on December 31 2021


Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the National Assembly will revisit the Electoral Act amended bill and might remove the direct primaries clause prior to it resumption.
The Speaker made this known on Thursday, during the commissioning of some projects including the Obele mini stadium, Dosunmu road, Adedoyin road, Ojikutu, Ishola road by randle, Rasaq Balogun mini stadium and the Razaq Balogun road, Adeniran Ogunsanya in Surulere, Lagos.

He said the President withheld his assent of the bill based on advice, but insisted that the direct primaries clause was meant to ensure Nigerians participated in the electoral process.
“If you follow the history of the amendment of the direct and indirect primary bill, I initiated that amendment bill for a good reason and it is for people to participate in elections. These are the people you see around when you campaign every four years: come rain, come shine.
“For me, it does not make sense that these people do not have a voice in who represents them. It is part of being used and I didn’t like that.
The Speaker, however, said President Buhari’s rejection of the bill was with good intentions and based on the advise he was given.
“There is a process. When we come back, as I said, the House will look at those amendments. We will sit as the National Assembly, look at the reasons and at that point, consider removing that clause and pass the bill so that we do not do away with the baby and the bath water.
He further stated that the decision is not left alone to make, saying it will be unanimously examined by the House and further meet at the National Assembly to critically look at the reasons and further considering removing the clause and pass the bill.

“But then, it is not my decision to make. It is the decision of the National Assembly, if they determine that the reasons are not good enough, then, there is a process prescribed by the constitution”, Gbajabiamila said.
When asked whether the National Assembly may veto the bill, he said: “Which way the sword is going to fall, I have no idea until that time. I cannot read the minds of the whole National Assembly members.
He further reminded that the National Assembly need 2/3 of it members to override the President, hinting that it might be difficult to easily override veto.
Recall that the President had some days ago rejected the Electoral Amendment Bill sent to him by the National Assembly, saying it was rejected to protect Nigerians from grave consequences.
According to the presidency, the proposed amendments “entail significant legal, financial, economic and security consequences”.



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The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Friday, December 31 2021|


Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia State governor, has said that the presidency for 2023 should be directed to the South-East, asserting that the Ndigbo have a vast understanding of the dynamics and diversity of Nigeria, arguably more than any other geopolitical region.
The governor met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to have talks on the momentous economic developments in Abia State. It was after this meeting that he took to the press to stress his convictions for a South-Eastern presidency. Ikpeazu brought to light the pan Nigerian nature of the Ndigbo, describing how they constantly invest and strive to flourish in whatever part of the country they move to.

He attributed this nature to the adventurous and industrious character of South Easterners. He even described the Sambisa Forest, which is the dread of Nigerians because it is home to Boko Haram terrorists, as a place the Igbos would dare to go and make money from resources there.
Interestingly, the governor noted that the direction of the presidency to the Igbos is a goal to be achieved through pragmatic deliberations, and not as a matter of right to the sit. He maintained that the leading political parties must begin to consider the desiring and motivations of the Southeast in selecting Presidential Candidates.
Speaking on whether he will run for the highest sit in the country. the governor made it clear that he has zero ambitions to run for the presidency in 2023.
He said: “I’m not interested in the presidency. I’m very busy as governor and thinking about what I will become now will amount to shortchanging my people who gave me a mandate for an initial four years and renewed it for another four years, terminating in May 2023. We are still in 2021 and it will be self-serving for me to begin to think about what I will become instead of concentrating on serving my people for the time they elected me. Maybe after 2023, I’ll begin to think about what next I’ll do.
“Having said that, I think that the South Easterners have a right to take a shot at the presidency of Nigeria and I dare say that our qualification starts from the fact that we understand and know Nigeria better than the other states of the country. We go everywhere, we are everywhere, we invest everywhere, we are pan-Nigerian people.

“However, the question of Nigeria’s president of Southeast extraction is a national question that requires negotiation, discussion, and conversation with all parts of this country and I am least qualified to determine what will happen in 2023. I also want to spend my time supporting the incumbent president to do his time and do his best while we wait for what happens to begin to unfold.”
Ikpeazu went on to describe the qualities of a selected candidate as one with a pan Nigerian mentality, who understands our differences and influences as a people; one who is pro-youth involvement; a women advocate who understands the dynamics of international politics and economy; and a fierce combatant of insecurity.
Meanwhile, there is already growing endorsement of Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), for the 2023 presidency. Southeastern voices who have been open canvassers for Anyim Pius Anyim include the former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, and Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, both of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, among others.


© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Friday, December 31 2021|

Troops from Nigeria and Niger Kill 22 Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists
By Andrew Agbokhaode on December 31 2021


Troops from Nigeria (Sector 3 Monguno) and Niger (Sector 4 Differ) in a Multinational Joint Task Force effort neutralized 22 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Lake Chad, in the course of a special operation along the Nigerian-Niger borders at the edge of Borno State.
In a statement on the 30th of December, 2021 from the Multinational Join Task Force headquarters in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, it was stated that the troops launched an offensive against Boko Haram/ISWAP camps in Malam Fatori along the shores of Lake Chad.

Col. Muhammad Dole, the spokesman of the force, stated that troops were greeted with stern resistance from the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, who used buried Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in Operation Sharan Fage.
He stated however that troops brought superior fire power to bear on the insurgents forcing them to abandon their enclaves.
“In the course of this operation, 22 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized, five of their gun trucks, five motorcycles and several logistic Bunkers used by the terrorists, were destroyed.” Col. Muhammad Dole said.
He added that eight AK47 assault rifles were recovered, although there were losses on the side of the Joint Task Force, as 6 soldiers were killed and 16 officers were injured.
“Regrettably, 6 members of the JTF (2 officers and 4 other ranks) from both countries paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty with about 16 wounded in action.” He said.
Despite the losses it was still a victory for the Joint Task Force as 17 suspects were also arrested in that general area.
The Multinational Joint Task Force also cleared out the hideouts in Arege, Asaga, Bana, Gashigar, Kainoa, Kamagunma and the surrounding areas.

It has been reported that Malam Fatori, which is situated on the border of Nigeria and Niger Republic about 220 kilometers to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, has been attacked numerous times, and has been seized by Boko Haram twice.
During the debriefing at Diffa in Niger, the Force Commander, Maj General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, commended the troops on their victory.
General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim was born in Kaduna and only took over in the month of August, 2021. He hailed them for their courage in the face of danger, and he also paid tribute to those who had given their lives for the cause.
Also present at the debriefing was the Deputy Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, General Abdou Assoumane.


Source: thejournalnigeria.com

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Thursday, December 30 2021|

FG Releases N16.67 Billion for Pension Payment
By Andrew Agbokhaode on December 30 2021


In a statement on Wednesday 29th December, 2021, the National Pension Commission revealed that the Federal Government had released N16.67 billion for the payment of Accrued Pension Rights.
“The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is pleased to announce the release of N16.67 billion by the Federal Government for the payment of Accrued Pension Rights to 2021 retirees of treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.” PenCom stated.

PenCom also stated that the Federal Government had previously settled all the arrears of accrued pension rights payments, to retirees who had enrolled and were verified up to the month of December, 2020.
About 190,158 retirees of MDAs were paid N884.58 billion last month, with regards to their accrued pension rights from when the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) began till the 31st of December, 2020.
Data from the yearly report of the Commission for the year 2020, showed that the Federal Government had released N65,909,343,247.5 into the RBBRF (Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund) account, in the interest of the paying retirees of MDAs their accrued pension rights.
“As a result of this, the Commission approved the release/remittance of the entire amount to the RSAs of 11,385 retirees and deceased employees of treasury-funded MDAs.” The report stated.
PenCom stated that the government also released N11.82 billion for the accrued pension rights of retirees who are under its MDAs to be paid in January.
The Commission notified its stakeholders in July, especially the retirees of treasury-funded MDAs, that the president had verified the submission on paying some critical aspects of outstanding pension liabilities of the Federal Government with regards to the Contributory Pension Scheme.

PenCom indicated that challenges in these aspects which have existed since 2014 have been resolved, due to the settlement of outstanding accrued pension rights of FGN retirees who have been enrolled and verified.
The Commission had stated on July 26, that with regards to the payment of the differential of 2.5 per cent in the employer pension rate contribution for employees and retirees of the Federal Civil Service, N5 billion would be dispensed on July 27, the following day.
The employer’s minimum pension contribution was increased to 10 per cent from 7.5 percent, in accordance with the PRA, the Pension Reform Act Section 4 (1), 2014.
The Federal Government has however continued remitting 7.5 per cent for the employees, as they failed to implement this change all along.
The Commission revealed that payment would be from 2019 up to the month of December 2020. The body also indicated that the backlog would eventually be cleared at an unspecified date.
“The federal government released about N5 billion for the payment of the 2.5 per cent differential which will be paid into the Retirement Savings Account, RSA, of employees.
“The money will also get to respective retirees. Some may likely get additional lump sum, some might likely get advanced monthly withdrawal pension, active employees will get the 2.5 per cent. This is only for treasury funded employees and retirees.” Said Mr. Saleem AbdulRahman, Head of Contribution and Bond Redemption Department of PenCom.


© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal
The Journal seeks to become the most reliable, first-choice Pan-Nigerian information and public knowledge platform. The Journal Nigeria is a serious Journalism from an African Worldview
Thursday, December 30 2021|

Serious hitches in the production of oil in Nigeria, as well as Libya and Ecuador this week, hiked the price of oil globally to $80 per barrel.This was due to maintenance issues and oilfield shutdowns.

Apart from Nigeria, other oil producers including Ecuador and Libya also declared forces majeures this month on part of their oil production.
Brent crude traded near $80 a barrel despite the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, supported by supply outages and expectations that U.S. inventories fell last week.


Brent crude rose by 55 cents, or 0.7 percent to $79.15 a barrel after hitting a session high of $79.85. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 73 cents, or 1 percent to $76.30, after rising to $76.92.

Both contracts reportedly traded at their highest in the last month.

It was reported that about 200,000 barrels of crude oil are currently stranded as oil major Shell Plc halted crude shipments from Nigeria’s Forcados export terminal.

The action is considered another blow to Nigeria which has struggled to stem falling production.

Shell Petroleum Development Co. of Nigeria Ltd issued a notice of force majeure on Forcados shipments, effective from midday on December 21, and plans to issue a revised offtake program in due course.

More than 200,000 barrels a day of Nigerian crude normally pass through the terminal.


The shutdown comes just a month after Shell said it was restoring flows from the nearby Bonny facility. Force majeure is a clause that allows companies to skip contractual obligations following issues outside of their control.

The stoppage occurred during the replacement of one of the two single point moorings at Forcados, with the positioning of a jack-up barge preventing tanker access, export operations, and resumption of full production into the terminal, Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. said in a notice.

The presence of the jack-up offshore support vessel Seacor Strength at the Forcados moorings was confirmed by ship tracking data monitored by Bloomberg.

Neither the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) nor Shell indicated the likely duration of the stoppage. The force majeure suggests it will be long enough to affect four remaining cargoes that a port agent report seen by Bloomberg shows are due to be loaded this month.

Since Shell announced the month-long force majeure at the Bonny site in October, only one ship has loaded cargo from that terminal.


It was stated earlier that Nigeria, Libya, and Ecuador have declared force majeures this month on part of their oil production because of maintenance issues and oilfield shutdowns.
After a malfunctioning barge obstructed the path of a tanker, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), declared a force majeure on the exportation of Forcados crude oil.In the assurance that efforts to restore access are in progress, The Subsidiary of the Royal Dutch Shell Plc in Nigeria, SPDC, declared force majeure on Forcados exportation, effective from Monday, 12noon.Forcados, Nigeria’s crude mix, with an average production of around 200,000 barrels a day, had its shutdown, a month after Shell said it was restoring flows from its Bonny facility.

After Libya successfully secured the top spot in Africa in the month of october, with 1.24 mb/d; November this year, Nigeria repossess her top spot in Africa with the production of an average of 1.27million barrels per day (mb/d). According to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the oil and gas sector accounts for about 10 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and petroleum shipment of around 86per cent of revenue.

Nigeria’s Forcados shutdown will further increase the ongoing issues that have reduced crude oil shipment sales in recent months.


According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Q3 crude oil production reduced to 1.57mb/d from the 1.61mbl in Q1 of 2021. This update was enclosed in the “Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Q3 2021 Report” “The nation in the third quarter of 2021 recorded an average daily oil production of 1.57million barrels per day (mbpd), lower than the daily average production of 1.67mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2020 by 0.10mbpd and lower than the second quarter 2021 production volume of 1.61mbpd by 0.05mbpd.” the report said.

Investors await OPEC’s meeting, coming up on the 4th of January, which will decide on going ahead on a planned production increase of 400,000 barrels per day in February.


Source: thejournalnigeria.com

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal

Making the World a Better Place is the Goal of our Foundation – Bolu Afolabi
By Tolulope Afolabi Akinwumi on December 30 2021


Bolu Afolabi Foundation, a Non- Governmental Organization in South-Western Nigeria is widely known for its humanitarian services, entrepreneurship and leadership trainings. The foundation has impacted many lives since its creation in 2017 and it aims to continually improve on its capacity to deliver on that mandate. Its vision “to simply better the world” is being actualized through the continual visit to orphanage homes, free skill acquisition programmes, school outreach, street sensitizations amongst its other activities. Headquartered in Ekiti State with branches in Osun, Ondo, Oyo and Lagos states, Bolu Afolabi Foundation popularly known as BAF has about 10 employees.
In this exclusive interview with Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi, the founder Mr. Bolu Afolabi spoke extensively on the activities of the foundation, the challenges faced, the inspiration behind BAF among other issues.
Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi: Can you give us a breakdown of your activities and how you carry them out?
Bolu Afolabi: Our activities are dictated mostly by the happenings in the society. For instance, in the year 2019 when there was a high rate of suicide attempt in Nigeria, we hit the streets and schools with our placards and words of encouragement to the youths, children and aged. On the other hand, our activities are of three major tiers- leadership, entrepreneurship and humanitarian services. So, whatever you see us doing, it must fall under any of the categories. We carry out these activities by localizing them. What do I mean by localizing? We ensure that the people within the target vicinity are involved in the whole process so we don’t look like aliens to people we want to empower.
Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi: What are the challenges the foundation has faced over the past few years till date, especially with regards to the pandemic and how are you able to manage them?
Bolu Afolabi: To be candid, the pandemic really affected our activities in the year 2020. We planned a national programme that was supposed to hold on the 11th of April that year but unfortunately, the nationwide lockdown began before the said date, so we couldn’t execute our plans and the programme had to be suspended. In order to keep up with a few of our activities, we had to go virtual.
Another challenge we face is the issue of political affiliations. Probably because of people’s experiences with NGOs, they think every NGO has one political affiliation or the other, which is very wrong. So, while some people wouldn’t want to associate with NGOs for this single reason others feel they are being used when called upon to give back to the society. However, things are gradually changing as people are being sensitized on this.
Fund sourcing is another big issue we have been facing. But in all, God has been faithful.
Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi: We have so many NGOs around in Nigeria, what sets BAF apart?
Bolu Afolabi: I can say what sets us apart is our level of Independence. At BAF, we don’t run after politicians or political aspirants to source for fund or get our activities done. We basically rely on the fund sacrificially donated by willing members of the foundation, donors from the public and our membership subscription. We are not puppets to politicians. And so far, we have been able to get to where we are right now although the journey is still far.
Also, bonding is a major strategy we employ. Members of the foundation meet monthly to define and redefine our goals. Through this, everyone is carried along and how funds are spent is transparent to everyone.
Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi: Does BAF have alliance or partnership with other foundations?
Bolu Afolabi: In the past we have been in partnership with BAM in Gilead Foundation, Leo Club (Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) and a couple of others.
Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi: In order to expand the reach of BAF, do you see yourself holding a public office in the future?
Bolu Afolabi: I can’t really say for now but if occupying a public office would mean a better reach and a better platform to reach out to the less privileged and further empower the youths, then, I might give it a consideration
Tolulope Afolabi-Akinwumi: Can you mention some of the notable programmes you held in 2021 and your plans for the coming year 2022?
Bolu Afolabi: In this outgoing year, we held a free skill acquisition programme where people were trained in seven different skills. We had baking, shoe and bag making, bridal accessories, make up and gele (headgear) amongst others. We also reached out to orphanage homes, supported more than 25 students in providing school materials, sensitized the members of the public on some vital societal issues. I can confidently say this year, we influenced about 5000 members of the public. In the year 2022, we have faith that we would do more. We would reach more people and of course our capacity would be further enlarged to accommodate more hands and our vision of “bettering the world” would be better actualized.


Source: thejournalnigeria.com

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal

Wednesday, December 29 2021

Nigeria Will No Longer Accept Vaccines With Shorter Expiration Date – NAFDAC DG


The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has said that Nigeria is working to ensure vaccines with longer duration are delivered to the country.
She spoke against the backdrop of the one million doses of vaccines that expired in November and were destroyed by NAFDAC and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency.

Prof. Mojisola while disclosing this to journalist on Wednesday in Lagos, said the expired vaccines had a short expiration date, which made it almost impossible for use.
She said, “When developed countries started using the vaccine for many months, we didn’t have access to them until we started receiving donations, not just through COVAX alone but from some countries also.
“The expiration date was shorter than what it was supposed to be and between the time we tested and start using it, there was not enough time and that was the only reason not because we were careless.
The NAFDAC DG however said the Agency is working with international partners to ensure vaccines are timely delivered between five or six months of its expiration.
Speaking on the Omicron Variant, she said research is still ongoing glibally, to fully understand the new variant of COVID-19.
She further advised Nigerians to always take precautionary measures to limit the spread of the virus.

source: thejournalnigeria.com

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal

Wednesday, December 29 2021

UN Tasks World Leaders to Brace up for Possible Future Pandemics


António Guterres, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, has made a clarion call to world leaders to begin bracing up for possible future pandemic that may affect the world, clarifying that Covid-19 might not be the last to affect mankind.
Guterres made the call in his message to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness which was the second edition of the event which is aimed at gearing countries to prevent, prepare, and partner effectively to erect structures that can tackle epidemics on a global and local scale.
The unexpected series of events that unfolded multiple variants of Covid to the world has left a lesson for mankind; there is a dire need to invest in solid frameworks that can help nations to prevent, detect, and swiftly respond to the outbreaks of infectious diseases.
The first-ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was held last year, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) working closely with governments to support efforts to build strong emergency and epidemic preparedness systems, as part of an overall approach to advance universal health coverage and strengthen primary healthcare systems.
The UN boss said: “COVID-19 demonstrated how quickly an infectious disease can sweep across the world, push health systems to the brink, and upend daily life for all of humanity.
“It also revealed our failure to learn the lessons of recent health emergencies like SARS, avian influenza, Zika, Ebola, and others. COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic humanity will face. Infectious diseases remain a clear and present danger to every country.”
Meanwhile, the Omicron variant of the virus continues to spread in Nigeria, with less than 0.5% of COVID vaccines administered in the country. The same levels of low vaccination are obtainable in most other developing countries, resulting in what the UN referred to as a “threat to the entire planet.”
“An outbreak anywhere is a potential pandemic everywhere”, said the Secretary-General.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), however, said approximately 10 million Nigerians have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Executive Director, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in an update, said Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa, and Osun states were the leading states and contributed 36 percent to the number of vaccinated persons.
“As of December 26, 9,765,729 eligible persons targeted received the first dose, while 4,363,620 got the second dose,” he affirmed
He asserted that despite the brewing distrust in the available Covid-19 vaccines in the country, vaccines are still the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, and save lives. He also mentioned that the Federal Government had secured early access for more doses of the covid vaccines.



Source: thejournalnigeria

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal

Wednesday, December 29 2021

The Golden Goose: Okpella People Beckon on Governor Godwin Obaseki


Okpella, a major economic base of Edo State.
Firstly, the Okpella people wish to commend Governor Godwin Obaseki for considering it worthwhile to site an airport/aerodrome in Edo North. When indeed this unprecedented proposal does eventually come to fruition, his name in Edo North would stand out in glistening diamond among your contemporaries. We are indeed grateful for his vision.
By virtue of its positioning, Okpella has been strategic in more ways than one. It does not only serve as frontline town between Edo and a sister state, Kogi, but is a vital border town on the Southern axis of Northern and Southern Nigeria and has helped safeguard Edo territories despite ceaseless attempts at encroachment. The third largest kingdom in Edo State, Okpella, with a population of over half a million (500,000), is a vibrant participant in the democratic dispensation and boasts a respectably 40% literate middle-class population, with the rest famously known for their contribution in agricultural and related ventures. Beside this geo-political pertinence, Okpella is perhaps better known as a hub of cement production for the better part of the past six decades or thereabouts. Consequent upon discovery of limestone in Okpella, the defunct Mid-Western region began mining and subsequently commenced cement production on industrial scale in 1964. This effort has been sustained except for a couple of years when the state government suffered lapses in the company’s management and had to shut down. But the company has since bounced back with its acquisition by the BUA Group in 2011. As it stands, the BUA Cement Plant at Obu is estimated to be the largest non-oil and gas related investment in Nigeria’s South-South geo-political zone.

Though the BUA Cement currently operates two production lines, work has recently commenced on a proposed third line. The cumulative economic effect of this robust industrial expansion is that with the exception of Benin City that teems with service industries, Edo state generate more of its revenue from Okpella than any other constituency in the state. In fact, a rival and bigger cement producer, Dangote Cement Company, still in Okpella, has since completed the test-run of its plant and is on the verge of kick-starting cement production. The hosting of the two biggest cement magnates in the West African sub-region is a mouth-watering prospect for Okpella in particular and Edo State in general.
However, here comes the painful irony of this strategic relevance of Okpella. Despite the town’s immense contribution to the economic sustenance of Edo State, it remains the most neglected in terms of government’s infrastructural allotment. A question that continues to pop up in the mind of the average Okpella person these days is, what exactly has Okpella benefitted from successive state governments for the past six decades for being the major economic base of the state? Whether big or little, there’s not a single state or federal government institution to be found anywhere in Okpella in appreciation for economic resources derived therein. In fact, it is harrowingly typical that what Okpella ever receives as a mark of recognition from successive state governments is the odd re-surfacing of one or two kilometres stretch of road usually contracted out to some undocumented contractors whose best efforts do not go past improvisation.

Governor Obaseki will agree with us that this is indeed a pitiable reciprocation. So, when rumour took on the waves in 2013 that the BUA Group was carrying out a feasibility study for a suitable site for an airport/aerodrome in Okpella, we breathed a sigh of relief that finally a befitting facility such as an airport will hopefully dig us out of the dungeon from years of alienation and obscurity and place us on the map. However, it is with total dismay thaat we learnt recently that the proposed airport is now being earmarked for Uzairue/Auchi in Etsako West Local government area. This twist in events is truly flabbergasting and since it defies logic for anyone to reap where they have not sown, we would rather put into perspective the contributive role in the upkeep of Edo state by each of these two contesting communities as a pointer to which of them should have a just claim to an airport.

Okpella youth during a public protest.
To begin with, except for the three or four banks located in Auchi, there is none and there has never been a productive or any other viable industry in the Uzairue/Auchi axis that serves as a reasonable source of revenue generation for Edo state. In spite of this fact, Uzairue/Auchi are beneficiaries of a general hospital, a federal polytechnic and as if other constituencies in Edo North were forever condemned to spectate from the sidelines, a University of Uzairue originally designated for Okpella was politically swindled by Governor Obaseki’s predecessor and diverted to his homeland, Uzairue. In contrast to the one kilometre length of resurfaced road Okpella was rewarded with as dividend of democracy all through Oshiomole’s eight years as the State’s Chief Executive, there is not a single road in the entirety of Uzairue/Auchi that was not totally rehabilitated by the reputable Setraco and Hartland Civil Engineering Construction Companies Limited. And as if we have not been shortchanged enough, they now want an airport meant for Okpella. Honestly, we cannot help but wonder; what else would the Uzairue/Auchi want from Okpella? We believe that the Governor would not be a party or condescend to the politics of victimization of the voiceless. Of course, the above analyses are not unknown to the Governor; they are mere incidental references to buttress the subject.
From the general assessment of aviation experts, airports are capital intensive both in construction and maintenance and except where they are under the direction of private investors, they could end up being unsustainable white elephants. An Edo-North bound airport/aerodrome can only be sustained now and in the future if taken on by big time investor/investors that have committed hefty investments in the region and thus consider an airport a spill-over of their overall investments. In these circumstances, the investors that readily come to mind are the BUA and Dangote Cement in Okpella. Logically then, the provision of resources for the proposed airport/aerodrome shall likely fall squarely on any or both of these investors whose mining activities have not only subjected a chunk of Okpella land into all manner of defacement but renders it permanently uninhabitable and inhospitable for cultivation.

Expectedly, there are some out there with the erroneous conception that Okpella must be awash with compensation money for giving up their land for mining purposes. But such persons must face the truth: the soon-to-be-exhausted monetary compensation, no matter how handsome, is not commensurate with the irreversible impact on Okpella’s environment. Such persons must also begin to appreciate the invaluable price and sacrifice Okpella is making for the economic buoyancy of Edo state. Not even the glitz and glamour of an international airport will do justice to the environmental degradation Okpella has had to put up with for the past decades and decades more to come. So, an aerodrome would not even serve as a drink but a sip for the thirst of Okpella, a soothing balm for a broken bone. Unfortunately, our neighbors are benighted of this reality and hence accord our plight a cold indifference. Little wonder then that like a baby-hungry- spinster who has never conceived and hence ignorant of labour pains, the Uzairue/Auchi merely await the arrival of the baby so as to wrest it away from its mother. How grotesque! Their contest for the airport/aerodrome can still further be likened to that of a raider who has set out to displace the farmer and then reap what he did not sow; that would be insensitive, inhuman and ungodly.
We are not unaware of the nasty aspects to politics where, except for men of conscience, truth can be made subservient to falsehood. So, while the Uzairue/Auchi have got a formidable representation in the person of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, Okpella, on the other hand, is not represented in the Edo State corridor of power and is voiceless. It is therefore without doubt that the Deputy Governor must, in this regard, be creating mountains and filling up valleys on behalf of his kinsmen. But the people of Okpella count on no one else but Governor Obaseki as the final arbiter on these issues. We believe that the Governor’s famed impartiality will come to bear on matters of moral dispensation. Yes, the proposed airport/aerodrome in contention has become nothing short of a gamut of morality. So, we appeal to Governor Obaseki’s sense of justice. Our plea is for the Governor to take a critical gander at this saga and as usual be guided by his moral fibre in arriving at the final choice of site.
***
Ismaila S. Jibril is the Iddo-Okpella

Source: thejournalnigeria.com


© 2021 – May University Press Limited

The Journal

Monday, December 27 2021

Sanwo-Olu to Immortalize Jakande through a Leadership Academy


A leadership academy established in the memory of Lateef Jakande, the former governor of Lagos State is set to start operations in the new year as the framework for its operations has been finalized. This follows a recent announcement by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, concerning the establishment of the academy.
On March 17th, 2021, the Governor announced that Lagos State will set up a Leadership and Fellowship academy to immortalize the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the state’s first civilian governor who died on February 11, 2021. He also mentioned that the academy will be backed by an Act of the House of Assembly.

According to him, the academy will be a post-secondary School of Leadership and Governance for youths from all over Nigeria to learn the tenets and practice of leadership through the distinguished qualities and values bequeathed by the late Jakande, the Lagos State Governor from 1979 to 1983.
Nine months down the line, the internal structuring and operational framework have been set out. A staff in the Ministry of Establishments, Training, and Pensions clarified that while the framework underscores the focus, goals, and operational guidelines of the academy, it also emphasizes the criteria for the selection of the fellows.
More information was obtained by newsmen in an academy’s internal document. It was gathered that the academy would serve as a platform to grow a generation of transformational leaders, by equipping them with the necessary skills to positively influence the public service and inculcating in them the ethics and principles of decisive leadership through direct mentoring and on-the-job exercises.
It went on to describe how the fellowship would give the youths an opportunity to support Nigeria’s recovery efforts through inclusive and sustainable development solutions and policy-making.
A notable climax in the leadership journey of the aspiring fellows would be the opportunity for fellows to function as special assistants to Lagos State in particular ministries or agencies. This will offer a rare chance for the young Nigerians to actively participate in government and national development

The information about the leadership team of the academy is not fully known as of now, but concerted efforts are underway to engage motivated young Nigerians for the academy, which is officially reported to fully start operations in February 2022.
This innovative institute will be a novel approach to meet the clamour of young Nigerians to be involved in leadership.


Source: thejournalnigeria.com

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

How Joint Security Forces Arrested Notorious ESN Leader – Nigerian Army
Monday, December 27 2021


The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has given more details on how the joint security operatives led by the Nigerian Army captured Godwin Nnamdi, a notorious leader of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) military wing, Eastern Security Network in Enugu.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Onyeama Nwachuku, said the troops of 82 Division led the operation.

The ESN leader, who was described as notorious, was finally arrested in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The Army spokesperson explained that Nnamdi was caught during the raid at IPOB/ESN camp located at Akpowfu Forest in Nkanu East Local Government.
He said the troops engaged the dissidents in a fierce fire battle, in which they were later overpowered by the superior forces of the Nigerian Military.They took to their heels, leaving behind their wanted leader, who was immediately arrested.
Some dangerous weapons like an AK 47 rifle, one magazine containing 21 rounds of 7.62mm Special, one handset among others were recovered from the arreated ESN leader.
Recall that the Eastern Security Network has been accused of masterminding various attacks on security men, police checkpoints and police stations in the Eastern part of Nigeria.
The men who claimed to have formed their own security outfit in order to protect their territory and fight for the actualization of the Biafran republic, have been suspected to be behind the killings of police officers and burning down of different Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) offices in the region.

While reacting to this, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya commended the security operatives for the success.
He further charged them to intensify their efforts by combing and clearing all suspected hideouts of criminal elements in their area of responsibility.

source: thejournalnigeria.com

© 2021 – May University Press Limited

Titan Trust Bank Takes Over Union Bank After 89.39% Stake Acquisition
Friday December 24 2021

In a move that sent shocking waves across the business world, one of the new financial institutions in the country, Titan Trust Bank, established barely two years ago, has taken over one of the old generation banks, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. A bank that is 104 years old. Only First Bank is older.

Union Bank Nigeria Plc broke the news a few hours ago in an announcement that it has reached an agreement to sell the majority stake of the megabrand to Titan Trust Bank Ltd. A press release published on the Nigerian Stock Exchange also confirmed it.Titan Trust Bank, which has veteran banker, Mr. Tunde Lemo, as its Chairman, is now in control of Union Bank after acquiring an 89.39 percent stake in the lender.


The new bank bought the shareholding from Union Global Partners Limited, though the deal is subject to obtaining applicable regulatory approvals and the fulfilment of certain conditions precedent.

“The board of Titan Trust Bank and our key stakeholders are delighted as this transaction marks a key step for Titan Trust in its strategic growth journey and propels the institution to the next level in the Nigerian banking sector.

“The deal represents a unique opportunity to combine Union Bank’s longstanding and leading banking franchise with TTB’s innovation-led model which promises to enhance the product and service offering for our combined valued customers,” Mr. Lemo, who left Wema Bank to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stated.

The deal will see existing core investors in Union Bank, Union Global Partners Ltd (64.98%), Atlas Mara (25.53%) and other shareholders divest their core holdings totaling 89.39% in Union Bank to Titan Trust Bank. The bank did not comment on the purchase consideration.
The deal, when consummated will be one of the most remarkable acquisitions in the Nigerian Banking space after STB acquired UBA in the landmark 2005 deal.


Union Bank currently has a market valuation of N147 billion trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.69x. The bank has a net asset of N264 billion and a total asset of N2.56 trillion. The share price gained 10% today as investors who got wind of the deal loaded up the stock. Union Bank is down 5.3% in the last year. However, some investors are worried about a possible delisting of Union Bank following its takeover by Titan Trust Bank, which is controlled by a private conglomerate TGI Group and a Northern businessman, Aminu Yaro.

Yaro who sources tell MoneyCentral is often referred to as the Sarkin of Hausa in Lagos owns 9.07 percent of Titan Trust, other entities controlled by TGI Group own most of the rest (85.48%).

Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is an international investment and holding company with diversified interests and investments across Africa, The Middle East, Asia, and other emerging markets.

TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, and a highly-skilled workforce to produce world-class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets.


TGI brands in Nigeria include CHI Pharmaceuticals, Wacot, Titan Trust Bank, and now Union Bank.There is also the issue of the expertise of Titan Trust to execute the transaction and run and digest the much larger Union Bank. Titan Trust is a regional bank that had just about 110 staff at the end of the 2020 financial year.

Titan Trust reported a pre-tax profit of N2.93 billion for the 2020 financial year, compared to Profit before tax of N25.4 billion for Union Bank.Union Banks Gross earnings were down 1.9 percent to N156.9 billion in 2020, while Titan Trust’s gross earnings stood at N8.55 billion in the same period.

Source: thejournalnigeria.com


© 2021 – May University Press Limited