₦airaland Forum

NNPC doing a great job..

The ongoing fuel scarcity in Nigeria has ignited widespread anger and frustration across various states, leaving motorists and residents grappling with severe challenges.

The shortage has led to long queues at filling stations in states like Abuja, Kaduna, Niger, Adamawa, Kano, Bauchi, and Delta, among others.
As a result, fuel prices have skyrocketed, with some stations selling petrol at nearly N1,000 per liter, while black market prices have surged to an alarming N1,500 per liter.

The scarcity has not only affected the availability of fuel but also had a profound impact on transportation costs.
Commuters are facing higher fares, and many are forced to endure longer waiting times at bus stops as transportation options become increasingly limited.

The root of the crisis appears to be the limited supply of fuel provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
Reports indicate that NNPC is rationing fuel to the extent of delivering only one truck per state, a measure that has proven inadequate to meet the demands of the population.

Fuel marketers have expressed deep concern over the ongoing shortage, noting that there has been no clear communication from NNPC regarding when the situation might improve.

This lack of transparency has only added to the uncertainty and frustration felt by Nigerians across the country.
In response to the worsening fuel crisis, a civil society group on Wednesday has called for the removal of NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari.

The group has accused Kyari of failing to address the issue and effectively managing the challenges within the NNPC.

As part of their campaign for accountability and action, the group has announced plans to launch a nationwide campaign and organize peaceful protests to pressure the government into taking decisive steps to resolve the crisis.

SOURCE: https://thenews-chronicle.com/fuel-scarcity-in-nigeria-sparks-anger-and-frustration-nationwide/

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The Senator representing Kano South, Sen. Sumaila Kawu, has disclosed that he takes home over N21m monthly as a senator.

Meanwhile, his revelation is coming a day after the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC), the body empowered by law to fix salaries and allowances of political office-holders, claimed that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m in salary and allowances per month.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Kawau said the official pay of N1 million fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) drops to around N600,000 after deductions.

While stating that there are other allowances that heft up their total pay to N21 million per month, the lawmaker explained that the allowances include office running, newspaper money, local travel and others.

RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, said this as a form of clarification in response to recent controversies over the real amount each lawmaker takes home monthly.

Contrary to Shehu’s claims, Kawu said, “The amount of salary received per month is less than N1 million. If there are cuts, it comes back to about N600,000. In the Senate, each senator is given N21 million every month as the cost of running his office.”

A group of kidnappers abducted the family of Aliyu Yahaya, in a tragic and alarming incident on Tuesday evening in Jibiya Katsina State.

The attackers not only took away the family members but also set their house ablaze, with Aliyu Yahaya himself reportedly inside the building at the time.

This horrifying event has sent shockwaves throughout the community, causing widespread panic and fear among the residents of Jibiya.

The scale of violence and the brazen nature of the attack have left many in the area deeply disturbed, as they fear for their own safety in a region already plagued by insecurity.

Local authorities have been alerted, and investigations are underway, but the incident has highlighted the growing challenges of security in the region.

The people of Jibiya are now living in heightened fear, as they await further developments and hope for the safe return of the abducted family.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 58-year-old man, identified as Shuaibu Isiaka, for allegedly defrauding a member of the public by falsely claiming connections with the State Governor.

In a statement on Sunday, August 11, spokesperson of the command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed that the suspect allegedly obtained N17m from the victim under the guise of being offered a contract by the Nasarawa State Government.

The statement reads; “Police operatives attached to State Criminal Investigation Department of the Nasarawa State Police command have arrested one Shuaibu Isiaka AKA Ziko ‘M’ 58yrs of Tudun Gwandara, Lafia for name-dropping the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state and defrauding an unsuspecting member of the public to the tune of Seventeen Million (#17,000,000) Naira.

“The arrest was consequent upon a petition filed against the suspect who obtained money under false pretense from the victim under the guise of being offered a contract by the Nasarawa state government.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime, but stated that the amount obtained from the victim was Fourteen million and not Seventeen million as alleged.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada has ordered thorough investigation into the case and tasked the investigators to go after anyone found to be connected to the commission of the offence, no matter how highly placed.

“He thereafter urged members of the public to be wary of smooth-criminals who have mastered the act of talking about famous people to impress in order not to fall prey to their antics.”

https://m.lindaikejisblog.com/2024/8/police-arrest-man-for-using-nasarawa-governors-name-to-defraud-victim-of-n17m-2.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPolice%20operatives%20attached%20to%20State,to%20the%20tune%20of%20Seventeen

In a recent address at the launch of ActionAid Nigeria’s new country strategy paper titled “Citizens Action to End Poverty and Injustice 2024-2034,” Minister Bagudu emphasized that Nigeria’s ongoing underdevelopment cannot be attributed to any single administration.

The minister stressed that addressing the country’s challenges requires a united and concerted effort from all citizens.

Bagudu drew attention to the urgent need for Nigerians to acknowledge the nation’s current economic reality.

He likened this acknowledgment to a family conversation where everyone must recognize their financial constraints.

“We are not as rich as we think we are,” Bagudu remarked, pointing out that this realization should spur citizens to actively contribute to national development rather than passively rely on government interventions.

The minister further highlighted the importance of citizens actively engaging with government programs, not merely to support them but also to hold officials accountable.

“If all we have is anger at each other, we will never solve any problem,” he said, urging Nigerians to foster a culture of cooperation and constructive criticism.

Bagudu called for a collective effort to build a more just and equitable society where every individual’s contribution is valued.

He emphasized that the ultimate goal of social action should be inclusivity, ensuring that local economies benefit everyone.

“The ultimate aim of social action is to include all, and local economies can be made to include all,” Bagudu affirmed.

The event also featured a speech by Andrew Mamedu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, who underscored the critical situation facing the nation.

He noted that 133 million Nigerians are living in multi-dimensional poverty, lacking both financial resources and access to essential services.
Mamedu stressed the need for immediate action, stating, “Hope and belief must be accompanied by action. This is the essence of our CSP.”

Mamedu outlined the four key actions of the new strategy—Organise, Act, Shift, and Thrive—designed to empower citizens to drive systemic change.

The strategy places a strong emphasis on human rights and community engagement. Mamedu also recognized the challenges faced by protesters in Nigeria, stressing the importance of supporting and amplifying their voices.

“This strategy is not just a plan; it is our pledge to act with urgency, integrity, and unwavering commitment,” Mamedu concluded, calling for collective efforts to bring about meaningful change in Nigeria.

Almost everyone thinks they know what is wrong with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government, except Tinubu himself. And to show that it’s not just bellyaching, there are plenty of examples to beat the president over the head.

Headline inflation has risen from 22.2 percent in April 2023 to 33.7 one year after – and is still growing – while attempts by the government to tame it have been largely ineffective. Food inflation has nearly doubled. The naira has been devalued by 70 percent in one year, and poverty levels, even among the once-comfortable urban population, have risen dramatically. Hardship has never been starker.

But that’s not all. Where Tinubu promised leaner government parastatals, they have increased. The talk about cutting the cost of governance is being crushed under the wheels of longer executive convoys and a parliament out of touch.

Events around the continent, especially in West Africa, where Nigeria is supposed to be a powerhouse, offer little comfort. On Tinubu’s watch, and some might even add, because of his mishandling, three countries – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have pulled out of ECOWAS and formed a band of rebellious Sahelian states.

And on the continental stage, Nigeria has dropped from Africa’s largest economy to number four, a blow that a country with an oversized ego can still not reconcile with.

Crucify him

If one called for nails to crucify Tinubu, volunteers would supply more than enough to cover every inch of his body, with bags of it to spare. You will be reminded that this was self-inflicted misery when he removed the petrol subsidy on day one and attempted to merge the exchange rate without a clear plan.

That’s just as well. I can’t wrap my head around some of the events that happened in the last year. And I can’t remember how often I have asked if this is the same Tinubu I’ve known since 1998. Well, it’s the same Tinubu, more or less. It’s the same Tinubu, seasoned and buffeted almost equally from age and circumstance in a country that has also changed by far greater measure in the last nearly three decades!

Tinubu asked for the job, so there can’t be excuses for why the country is in such misery. It’s, however, fair to say, almost at the risk of attack, that those who judge Tinubu harshly underestimate the determined, active efforts of interest groups – both from within and outside his government – to ensure that he fails, despite his best efforts.

The heart of the matter

His government’s two most consequential decisions – announcing the removal of petrol subsidy and attempting to create a more transparent exchange rate system – touched a raw nerve. The biggest beneficiaries, primarily wealthy, powerful and deadly people across the country, but particularly in the North, are determined to fight his government to a standstill.

The pattern of last week’s #EndBadGovernance protests showed where poverty was starkest. But it also showed the locus of misdirected anger and resistance to change.

The anger was against Tinubu’s policies. But much more than that, it implicated sections of the Northern elite who have, over the years, underdeveloped and impoverished the region, primarily by playing the ethnic and religious card and refusing to be held to account. This same elite was on a roll last week, issuing Russian flags to protesters and pontificating how Tinubu had lost his way.

North’s misery

Things didn’t become suddenly hard for the North under Tinubu. As Kingsley Moghalu said four years ago, when Nigeria displaced India as the world’s poverty capital under the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the North, regrettably, also became the poverty capital of the poverty capital, with the incidence of poverty up to 80 percent in the North-west.

Decades of the elite prioritising politics and a sense of entitlement over production and accountability have radicalised millions of young people without hope or a future. Their anger should have been directed at the elite responsible for the mess.

Unfortunately, the same elite stoked the discontent, capitalised on it and managed to frame it as evidence of Tinubu’s unfitness for office. And people who used soldiers to crush swathes of the civil population when they were in power are now teaching us lessons on civil management of public protests. The truth is more nuanced.

The handling of the protests in several states was incompetent, disgraceful and indefensible. Nothing justifies using live rounds against primarily unarmed people expressing their right to dissent. It’s a disgrace that live rounds were used to disperse mostly unarmed crowds, as a result of which about 13 people were killed.

However, the suggestions that people with a sinister agenda sponsored the violence in several Northern states to destabilise Tinubu’s government and divert attention from their complicity in our current mess should not be dismissed out of hand.

Elite wars

It only takes a cursory look at the sections of the elite worst hit by the removal of the subsidy and the attempts to streamline the forex market chaos to understand why they won’t give up without a dirty fight, whatever the cost. Those who think it’s in their power to determine who rules and how long took advantage of the protests to fire warning shots about what they’re determined to do, if not sooner, then by the next election.

Kenya, the UK, and, later, Bangladesh have been touted as models for managing dissent and examples of what may happen if a government fails to listen to the people. While economic hardship is the common thread, those who cite these examples in Nigeria ignore the sinister role of interest groups that fear a prolonged loss of political power.

Insects within

Yet, suggesting that outsiders caused all of Tinubu’s woes would be foolish. Amid the chaos of last week, there were members of his cabinet who were more than delighted that the pressure might finally compel the president to review his government’s “tight-fistedness”. Under Buhari, the Ministry of Finance released quarterly capital votes to ministries and government departments, and they didn’t have to account for it.

Under Tinubu, however, the Ministry of Finance tightly controls releases. Payments are only made after projects have been verified and certificates of completion issued. It’s not the kind of thing people who are used to easy money would be happy about. Beneficiaries of the previous order will resist this change or stand idly by when the government is under attack.

What team?

The part of the whole business that I find troubling is the quality of Tinubu’s cabinet and inner circle. If it was a joke to please certain interest groups when he came to power last year, it has become an embarrassment. He has paid them what he owes, with interest.

With a few exceptions, his team is neither valuable for the country nor serviceable for a president in an emergency. Where did he find these people? And how long will he keep them as passengers on a train to nowhere, putting at risk his reputation as an excellent talent hunter?

I guess that the #EndBadGovernance protest will not be the last. One can only hope that lessons have been learnt and concrete steps will be taken to implement them for the benefit of citizens. That would be the biggest test of his presidency.



Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It

The Iraqi parliament has advanced a controversial bill that would allow Iraqi Shiites to follow the Ja’afari school of jurisprudence, which permits marriage for girls as young as nine and boys at fifteen.

The bill, amending the 1959 Personal Status Law, has passed its first reading and is now subject to further debate and potential approval.

The proposed amendments would enable couples to choose between civil courts and sectarian authorities—either Shia or Sunni endowments—to handle marital affairs. This shift could significantly impact family law, allowing sectarian interpretations to override civil protections currently in place. Critics also fear this change could lead to the legalization of child marriage and deepen sectarian divisions within Iraq.

In response to the bill’s advancement, widespread protests have erupted across the country.

On July 28, demonstrators from the Organisation for Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) gathered in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, to protest the proposed changes. Activists, including OWFI president Yanar Mohammed, held signs reading “No to underage marriage” and “The era of female slavery is over.” Mohammed condemned the Coordination Framework, which pushed the bill, accusing them of using “archaic” laws to distract from their failings, such as corruption.

Iraqi MP Aso Feridun has been a vocal critic of the bill, warning that “Children married at this age cannot possibly understand the implications of marriage.” She added that nearly 100 MPs are opposing the bill and are actively working to prevent its passage, though their efforts have yet to succeed.

Human Rights Watch researcher Sarah Sanbar also criticized the bill, stating, “Passing this law would show a country moving backward, not forwards.” Sanbar voiced concerns that the bill could undermine women’s rights and increase child marriages, with UNICEF reporting that 28 percent of girls in Iraq are already married before the age of 18.

Amnesty International’s Iraq researcher Razaw Salihy has called for the bill to be “stopped in its tracks,” warning that it could “close a ring of fire around women and children.” The proposed amendments would transfer authority over marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption from civil courts to sectarian institutions, raising fears of increased sectarian influence and reduced rights.

The bill’s progression has sparked further plans for protests, with activists and opposition MPs preparing for a significant demonstration in Baghdad on August 8, 2024.

A 39-year-old indigene of Anambra State has been arrested by security operatives for allegedly impersonating Nigerian Navy personnel and engaging in fraudulent activities in the State.

The arrest made by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, was announced yesterday.

The suspect, Chukwugozirim Christian, from Nnobi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was apprehended at Kwata Junction in Awka on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 by NSCDC operatives on a routine visibility patrol.

Announcing the arrest while parading the suspect at the State Command Headquarters in Awka, the State NSCDC Commandant, Comdt. Maku Olatunde revealed that preliminary investigations uncovered that the suspect had been masquerading as a naval officer, duping innocent civilians, and engaging in a string of criminal activities.

Comdt. Olatunde commended his operatives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.

Read the full story here https://thenews-chronicle.com/fake-naval-officer-nabbed-by-nscdc-operatives-in-anambra/

Niger State Police Command operatives have thwarted a gunrunning operation in Minna, seizing a vehicle and recovering 15 pump-action rifles from suspected arms dealers and smugglers.

The incident occurred on August 4, 2024, when the police patrol team of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna, acted on intelligence reports and intercepted a suspicious vehicle.

During a press briefing at the police headquarters in Dutsen-Kura, Minna, on Wednesday, State Commissioner of Police Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman detailed the events leading to the interception.
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He stated, “On August 4, 2024, at approximately 19:00 hours, based on intelligence received, a Police patrol team of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna, while on routine patrol along Maikunkele-Tegina road, Minna, intercepted a red Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number DKA 877 HJ.”

The vehicle, which had three occupants, including the driver, was stopped for interrogation. However, the suspects managed to escape during the questioning under the pretext of needing to ease themselves.

“The vehicle was intercepted with three occupants, including the driver. In the course of interrogation, surprisingly, on the guise to ease themselves, the occupants took to their heels,” Danmamman explained.

Upon searching the vehicle, police operatives discovered fifteen automatic pump-action rifles and thirty cartridges concealed in a sack.
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The State Commissioner of Police emphasized that efforts are ongoing to track down the owner of the vehicle and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“A concerted effort is ongoing through the investigative process to track the owner of the said vehicle and arrest the fleeing culprits towards unravelling the source and purpose of the pump-action rifles and prosecution. The case is under investigation in SCID Minna,” he added.
This operation marks a significant step in the fight against illegal arms trafficking in the region, and the police are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

Amnesty International, a global human rights organization has reported that over 1,000 Nigerians who participated in a nationwide protest against worsening hunger and misgovernance are currently being held in prison custody across the country.

The organization blasts the administration of President Bola Tinubu for responding to the peaceful protests with a crackdown, rather than addressing the economic issues that are exacerbating hunger and harming families.

According to Amnesty International, at least 632 protesters are being held in Kano State, while over 109 are being detained in Sokoto prison custody.

The organization expressed deep concerns over the mass arrests and urged the Nigerian government to adopt a more constructive approach to addressing the protesters’ grievances.

In a statement shared on their X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization wrote: “Instead of addressing people’s concern on the economy, the Nigerian authorities embarked on a crackdown. So far, over 1,000 people have been remanded over the protest against hunger. At least 632 protesters have been remanded in Kano, while over 109 were remanded in Sokoto prison.”

Amnesty International called for the immediate release of those detained and for the Nigerian authorities to prioritize dialogue and economic reforms to address the root causes of the protests.

The organization emphasized the importance of protecting the rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, which are crucial for any democratic society.

On July 18, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held its 2024 policy meeting to determine modalities for admissions into tertiary institutions. However, the process was overshadowed by an age controversy. It began when the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, reiterated his concern about underage students writing exams preparatory to becoming undergraduates, a point he had raised during the last Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination (UTME). Almost all the tertiary education administrators at the event unanimously opposed the minister’s suggestion of an 18-year minimum age, forcing him to temporarily reverse and defer the proposal.


Ultimately, a minimum age of 16 was agreed upon. Despite this decision, confusion and controversy continued to trail the issue, prompting JAMB spokesman Fabian Benjamin to convene a press conference to debunk circulating rumours. He stated, “For the 2024 admission cycle, candidates who will be at least 16 years old at the time of admission will be considered eligible. This decision follows the directive from the chairman of the 2024 tertiary admission policy meeting, who is also the Honorable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, that the extant policy of 6-3-3-4 be enforced only in the 2025 session.”

Benjamin expressed concern over the “alarming avalanche of obviously false affidavits and upsurge of doctored upward age adjustments on NIN slips being submitted to JAMB.” He emphasized that such actions were “dangerous, inimical, and unnecessary,” adding that “Only those below 16 would not and should not be admitted in accordance with the decision of the policy meeting.” Age alteration is our pastime. It happens in age-grade football competitions where we present senior adults as under-18 or under-21 to the world. The result is early exit from the scene while their age mates elsewhere are still relevant.

The question arises: Why are we doing this to ourselves? Why are parents altering their children’s ages to meet the new requirements? There are several factors at play. Apart from students who have already written JAMB but might not be 16 at the time of admission, the 2025 deadline for implementing the 18-year minimum age will undoubtedly affect some children. For instance, a 14-year-old currently in SS-2 will finish secondary school at 16 next year, still two years short of the 2025 deadline when the “new policy” takes effect. The public service sector is replete with this age scam. To stay longer in the public sector and beat the prescribed 60-year retirement age, civil servants alter their age. Now people are extending the fraud to their children.

Should parents be in a quandary because of this? Not necessarily. Cheating or forging documents is not the answer. If your child is in this situation, the ethical approach is to have them wait after writing WAEC until they are 18 years old, then write another JAMB to be ready for university entry. However, I anticipate that many parents and, surprisingly, tertiary education administrators will strongly disagree with this suggestion, given the massive condemnation that followed the minister’s proposal at the policy meeting.

At that meeting, I was seated between two female colleagues. All three of us agreed with the minister’s suggestion, but a man seated behind us vehemently disagreed. His argument was that today’s children are brilliant and clearly ahead of their time, and as such, should not be denied the chance to start university as early as 14 years old. While I acknowledge some exceptional cases, the prevalence of normal situations outweighs these rare instances.

In fact, one of the ladies present shared that her son gained university admission at 16 but squandered the opportunity due to immaturity. Unfortunately, his parents didn’t realize this early on as he was staying with his uncle. The boy was eventually advised to withdraw and is now starting all over at age 22.

The other lady, though younger with little children, recounted an even worse case of a young woman who started university at 15 and became pregnant at 17, attributing it to inexperience due to her age. I’ve witnessed similar cases, including a friend’s daughter who was sent to study abroad at 15. She spent three semesters there but returned home without any results that could help her gain admission to second year in any private university. She too had to start all over, finally graduating last year at 25. This is ridiculous for someone who started out at age 15 plus. Time and money were wasted, but what else did she miss among her peers by graduating late? The young lady, like everyone else, will still fulfill her destiny.

Unfortunately, for many tertiary education administrators, financial considerations often outweigh the science of maturity. Maturity is about physiological and psychological readiness, not just about brilliance or size. I urge parents to reconsider their fixation with early graduation for their children, regardless of how talented they may be. We often hear of these early graduates finishing at 19 or even earlier, only to remain stagnant afterward or stay at home with their parents due to lack of opportunities or in the least, unpaid internships. Don’t we all know such cases? What’s driving this rat race? Is it to outdo one another, showcase pride, demonstrate capacity, or prove brilliance? I simply don’t understand.

On the other hand, these infractions persist because successive governments have not been serious about or committed to the policies they enact. If we strictly followed the 6-3-3-4 policy, with 6-7 years before primary school, no student would graduate before 21-22. However, because the process is abused without consequences, parents sidestep the system, resulting in immature graduates.

Therefore, the Minister of Education should follow through with this new approach beginning next year, as agreed. Interestingly, when it comes to sending our children to Western countries, especially the US, we exercise patience until they are 18 years old. Back home, we seem to think we have license to misbehave.



Zainab Suleiman Okino (FNGE) chairs Blueprint Editorial Board. She is a syndicated columnist and can be reached through zainabokino@gmail.com

Former Senator Shehu Sani has sounded the alarm on the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria, warning that the region has become a high-risk investment destination.

Sani’s stark warning comes as the ongoing nationwide hunger protest continues to spiral out of control, leaving a trail of destruction, looting, and violence in its wake.

The protest, which began last Thursday and is expected to last ten days, has been marred by chaos and anarchy in several Northern states, including Kaduna, Yobe and Kano. The situation has become so dire that investors, both foreign and domestic, are being advised to think twice before pouring their millions or billions into the region.

Sani fears that investors will now have to factor in the cost of insuring themselves against ransom demands and riots, before investing in the zone.

As the violence continues to spread, businesses and properties have been destroyed and lives lost.

The News Chronicle had earlier reported that the Protesters are demanding an end to bad governance, reversal of the fuel subsidy removal, tackling of inflation, rejig of the electoral system and cutting cost of governance among others.

Of The Troubling Symbolism Of Russian Flags At #EndBadGovernance Protests In Nigeria

In recent days, the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria have taken an unexpected turn with some demonstrators proudly displaying the Russian flag. While the protesters’ intentions may stem from a desire to invoke international solidarity against corruption and mismanagement, this display raises urgent concerns about the implications and symbolism behind such actions.

The reasons for expression of concern by not just this writer, but by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, the leadership of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria and other Nigerians who are no doubt highly informed about the implications that are inherent in waving Russian flags by some Nigerians amid protests in Nigeria, specifically in Kano.

Unarguably deepening the collective fear which the action has already instilled in not a few Nigerians is that Russia has been increasingly active across Africa, often stepping into internal crises with military support and political maneuvering. From Libya to the Central African Republic, the Kremlin has cultivated alliances that enable regimes to cling to power and suppress dissent. Russian mercenaries, particularly the Wagner Group, have become notorious for their roles in exacerbating conflicts, undermining local governance, and even committing human rights abuses. As these patterns emerge, the significance of waving Russian flags in a country like Nigeria, where governance issues are rampant, cannot in any way be overlooked.

To some protesters, waving the Russian flag may symbolize a call for alternative support against entrenched power structures. However, such a gesture blurs the line between seeking accountability and courting an external power with a track record of opportunism in Africa. Countries like Sudan and the Central African Republic have found themselves drawing closer to Russia, often with detrimental consequences for their internal stability and governance.

In fact, Nigeria, with its rich resources and vibrant population, should be wary of positioning itself as a willing partner to a foreign power that thrives on chaos. The history of Russian involvement in other African nations reveals a pattern: alliances formed in the name of support often lead to deeper entrenchment of problems rather than solutions.

Without a doubt, the consequences of engaging with Russia can be dire. In Libya, the Russian presence has transformed the conflict landscape, complicating peace efforts and leading to further bloodshed. Similarly, the Central African Republic, racked by violence and instability, has seen its governance deteriorate under Russian influence. This historical context serves as a cautionary tale for Nigeria, where governance issues are already severe.

As frustration mounts among the Nigerian populace regarding corruption and poor leadership, embracing any external force, even under the guise of support, can have long-lasting repercussions. Therefore, the pursuit of better governance should be rooted in the empowerment of local voices and institutions, rather than looking to foreign powers whose interests may not align with the long-term stability of the nation.

As the #EndBadGovernance movement seeks to rally public support against mismanagement, it is crucial that its leaders foster a narrative that prioritizes national sovereignty, accountability, and genuine reform. While international solidarity is essential, Nigeria must navigate these waters carefully, ensuring that it does not inadvertently court influences that could lead to further unrest and conflict.

In fact, the flag-waving at protests should serve as a moment for reflection, not celebration. Nigeria’s path to recovery and governance reform must come from within, championing local solutions while remaining cautious of external influences that have historically complicated African governance crises.

Moreover, the displaying of the Russian flag at Nigerian protests is not just a harmless symbol of discontent; it is a reminder of the dangers that foreign interference can pose. Therefore, against the backdrop of the foregoing view, it is germane to opine that as Nigeria grapples with its internal issues, the focus must remain on building a resilient, self-sufficient nation, free from the shadows of imperialism and external interference.

To buttress the fact that the development is unarguably concerning and worrisome, it is expedient to recall in this context that the Russian Embassy in Nigeria has exonerated itself from the display of Russian national flag in Kano.

The Embassy in a statement in Abuja says the government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way, even as it emphasized that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria.

The Embassy added that Russia respects Nigerian democracy and believes that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy.

It further declares that the intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government on the issue.

In the same vein, the Nigerian military has condemned the activities of the protesters, warning that such actions are treasonable and punishable by death.

General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, issued the warning on Monday after a security meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

He said, “We have all seen foreign flags being flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, which is totally unacceptable. We are issuing a clear warning, and the President has also instructed us to convey this: we will not tolerate anyone, any individual, flying a foreign flag in Nigeria. That is a treasonable offence, and it will be treated as such. No one should allow themselves to be used by any individual.”

“We wanted to brief Mr. President on the situation on the ground, and we know that since the riots began, all the security agencies have been working together. Initially, when the riots started, they were described as peaceful, but we have realized that there are individuals who are willing to take advantage of the situation to cause mayhem. And we can clearly see what has happened since it began: criminals have taken over, with a lot of looting, stealing, and all sorts of criminal activities occurring,” Mr. Musa added.

Reiteratively put, the issue has sparked significant concern among citizens and observers alike, highlighting the need for the federal government of Nigeria to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this act. Such displays can have far-reaching implications for national security and public sentiment, especially considering the current geopolitical climate. It is essential for the government to understand the motivations behind this act, whether they stem from political affiliations, ideological support, or external influences, to address any potential threats to Nigeria’s unity and integrity.

Despite the fact that the State Security Service (SSS) has announced the arrest of several tailors who allegedly sewed the Russian flags that were distributed and waved during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano state, it is not a misnomer in this context to urge the federal government to go beyond the arrest of tailors who may not know what was behind and beneath the sewing of the flags other than making money for themselves amid the toothy economy that is biting every Nigerian.

Without resort to sounding Patriotic-Than-Thou in this context, it is expedient for every Nigerian to understand that the waving of a foreign flag in any part of the nation raises important questions about loyalty and the influence of international entities within Nigeria. Therefore, the Russian flag, in particular, could symbolize support for controversial policies and actions that may not align with Nigeria’s democratic values or foreign relations.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing view, there is no denying the fact that an investigation is crucial, not only to ascertain the individuals or groups involved but also to evaluate the broader implications of such actions. This will also help in reassuring citizens of the government’s commitment to maintaining national sovereignty and addressing any undercurrents of dissent that could destabilize Nigerian democracy.

Finally, transparency in this investigation will foster trust between the government and its citizens. It is vital for the federal government to communicate openly about its findings and respond adequately to any identified issues. By actively engaging with the public and taking firm action against any entities promoting divisive foreign ideologies, the government can work towards a more united Nigeria. Upholding the rule of law and reinforcing the nation’s commitment to its core values is paramount in ensuring that actions such as waving foreign flags do not undermine our collective identity and stability.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should count himself lucky. What he feared most has happened to him. What his predecessors in office could not do, he has done effortlessly. What others before him, including him, had used in the past to deceive Nigerians, while campaigning, but would never do when they got to the office, God has made it happen for Tinubu, seamlessly! Nobody can use it for political sloganeering anymore. Nigeria is ‘restructured’ without anyone calling for a roundtable discussion. Nature abhors vacuum. The cosmic has taken care of our desires.

We can no longer live under the pretence of Nigeria being one. The August 1, 2024 ‘nationwide protest’ that is no protest, has taken care of that for us. I have never believed in the ‘protest’. I have never believed that it would achieve anything. But I have been proved wrong! The ‘protest’ has brought to the fore the uniqueness of the three regions that constitute Nigeria.

The North has remained monolithic with the outcome of the ‘protest’ over there. Those children of the North have demonstrated to us in practical forms what their forebears had hidden from us for ages. The North does not think like the rest of the nation. Hunger also has its different forms. We now know that when people are hungry over there in the North, anything becomes edible. Computers now taste like masara (maize). Furniture tastes like tuwo shinkafa delicacies. Concrete slabs and iron rods are jollof rice spices. One of the ‘protesters’ in Kano carried a placard with the inscription that the price of ‘weed’ (Indian Hemp) should be reduced. I agreed with him. Once one is dazed, hunger will no longer be felt! What afflicts the North is different from what afflicts the South. It is like a case of the affliction of the mother being different from that of her child. The child is crying for breast milk, the mother needs a plate of amala to be able to lactate very well!

Even in the preparation for the ‘protest’, the North had its own agenda. It became open to us all that what afflict them is the temporary loss of power to the South. So, the ‘protest’ provided an opportunity for the leaders of the North to relieve themselves of the bottled-up frustration. Their foot soldiers who invaded the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto in the name of #EndBadGovernance ‘protest’ asked, openly, for the Military to take over. Their war cry was Sojaji muke so (Soldiers take over). For them over there, bad governance ends only when the Military takes over, and a General Halidu Maisari Maiduguru is announced as the Head of State! Shame! In Kano, they paraded the streets, flying Russian flags! Yes, the North has a message for us in the ‘protest’, to wit: we will rather go our own way than lose power to the South. My reading of the ‘protest’ over there, of course. Why those boys did not shout yancin kai (independence) or araba (secession), beats my imagination!

I have been wondering if any leader in the North who contributed to the warped reasoning of those completely untrainable children we saw in the various videos of the ‘protest’ has sat down to ruminate over the creatures the region has donated to the Federation. What goes on in their minds now, I mean the leaders over there, who for decades have held the poor children of the North down, depriving them of any vestige of education? Do they think, as I do, that the next round of ‘protest’ will come for them, the leaders? I can imagine (God forbid o), that in the name of a ‘protest’, I found myself in a library! The police and other state authorities would arrest me reading! I can’t imagine how I would be able to take my eyes off the collections in the library; of how many synopses of the books I quickly want to read. But not so with the ‘protesters’ of the North. The brooms, waste bins and window frames are of more value to them. Someone made them like that. We are all in trouble. So much for the ‘protesters’ across the Niger River! A Mas’ud Muhammad Yakubu, who claimed to be a “Youth Copper” in the Federal University, Dutse, and holds a B. Sc in Criminology and Security Studies, captures the whole event in his “I am afraid, we have a problem in Kano!” piece that has since gone viral!

Let us look at the ‘protest’ in the South-East. I say this with every sense of honesty: if there is anytime I wish I were of Igbo stock, it is now. During the preparation for the ‘protest’, I was apprehensive. I asked myself whether the Ndigbo would allow the thunder to strike them for the second time on the same spot. I was alarmed. The genocidal campaign against the Ndigbo over the ‘protest’ was palpable; very ominous! Who would talk to my kedu, odinma brothers; who would lend them brains? Lagos was waiting for them. The “Oro Court”, as my great senior and Students’ Union President at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Akeem Adeola Soetan, is wont to call them, was waiting for the Ndigbo in Lagos.

Alas! The Ndigbo proved to be the wisest of all ‘protesters’ in all! Rather than hit the streets and be slaughtered like it happened in the 1966 pogrom in the North, the Ndigbo hit their homes. They borrowed the debased cliché of Senator Godswill Akpabio, our Senate President, who said that while those who wanted to protest could go ahead, he, and other warped minds would be in their homes making merriment! The sons and daughters of Ndigbo did what those waiting in the wings for them did not expect. They stayed indoors, drinking and winning. One of them, a friend, even had the temerity to send me a video of him eating ugba and fish and washing it down with fresh juice. Ka bu ndu, (is this life?) was my response!

Even in their five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, there was peace. Rather than making themselves available for the security agents kitted with deadly arsenals to ‘curtail’ the ‘protest’ in the East, the Ndigbo locked up their shops and imposed on themselves “sit-at-home”! In frustration, and somewhere in Lagos, when the ‘waiting-in-the-wings’ state thugs stationed to “deal” with the Igbo boys and girls that would come out to protest, they mistook a Yoruba lady, one Olufunmilayo for an Igbo. I watched the video of the encounter, and I shook my head. Does hunger separate tribes? What if Olufunmilayo had turned out to be an Ibo lady? That is the question I have not been able to answer.

Granted, we have so many Ndigbo guys that are terribly bad. I have encountered a lot of them. But the Ndigbo are in good company as other tribes of the nation also have their own fair share of the bad and the ugly. We also equally have so many fantastic ones too that through them, you would wish to be an Ndigbo. Every tribe has such two categories. Even the North has so many other fellows that are more rational in thinking than many educated southerners. So, why should we prepare the slaughter slabs for an ethnic group over a ‘nationwide protest’ because our man is in power? What is the difference between the proponents of the “Ndigbo must go” campaign and the Kano boys who went to a library and looted brooms and dustbins leaving books intact?

We are talking of hunger that is ravaging the entire nation here. But even at that, there are still some people who don’t feel the pang like others. If a bag of rice goes for N100,000 today, and a bag of beans goes for N500,000, that Alaba International Market Igbo traders will buy them, while the ora esa (all right sir) streets urchins unleashed on the ‘protesters’ will still be on the streets begging! Now that the Ndigbo have shown that they can be ‘peaceful’ in the face of State provocation, who carries the shame? This, however, does not mean that the South-East is completely free from the malady that afflicts the entire country. But in this instance, the region has demonstrated that it could also do things differently from the ‘nzogbu nzogbu’ battle cry! That is a new lesson for us that the East thinks differently. But the greatest ‘restructuring’ from the South-East to the rest of us in this ‘protest’ is that should the country go aflame, the Ndigbo will watch from afar. I may be wrong!

Now, we come to the ‘sophisticated’ South-West, and to a great extent, the South-South. I wept for Yorubaland! The region proved to be the most unfortunate group in the ‘protest’, no thanks to the Abóbakú (the one who dies with the king) group, which ensured that everything about the hunger in the land is as a result of the ‘hatred’ for Tinubu! I feel so ashamed each time I come across the state-sponsored narratives that have emanated from the South-West over this ‘protest’. So many disgusting narratives, everywhere! But that comes with its own lesson. We no longer, as Yoruba, have any moral justification to accuse any tribe in Nigeria of ethnic bigotry. We are worse, down here! Big shame!

Again, the pro-government groups and individuals in the South-West have also shown that Nigeria is a superglued nation! For many of these ‘Hallelujah’ groups, it doesn’t matter if Tinubu performs in office or not as long as it is a Yoruba man that is there! They don’t care if or not their man would be leaving behind any legacy. These are the set of people (very many of them hungry and beggarly), who have taken the “Èmilókán” campaign to a level that no matter how fatuous a government policy is, as long it is Tinubu that initiated it, ‘all true sons and daughters of Yorubaland’ must embrace it! These are educated people for crying out loud! Among this group is “Eleyi Dapo yi” (this one called Dapo), Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who sees the entire pain in the land as the handiwork of those who lost the 2023 election. Governor Abiodun said Nigerians are “sore losers” and advised them to wait for 2027 if they wanted a regime change. To him and many others with that kind of thinking faculty, the hunger in the land is because people lost elections. The inability of farmers to go to their farms because of farmers’/herders’ clashes can be traced to election losers. The floating of the Naira, poor economic policies of the government and the extravagance at all levels of government is all about 2027. Pity!

When you have a president surrounded by a Governor Abiodun, Senator Akpabio, and other unfeeling aides, you cannot but have the type of address that President Tinubu delivered on Sunday to the “protesters” and their agitations, where the President said nothing! For me, I never expected anything from Aso Rock, and when I got nothing, I was least bothered! “There’s something I have to tell you: How to communicate difficult news in tough situations”, is authored by Charles Foster, a licensed psychotherapist. In closing, I have something to tell President Tinubu thus: Sir, there was no protest on August 1. You have nothing to fear. That is why your broadcast did not convey anything!

French President Emmanuel Macron’s Kiss With Sports Minister at the Olympics Causes A Stir

The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics became the focal point of a social media uproar due to a photo featuring French President Emmanuel Macron, 46, and Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, also 46, in a tight embrace and kiss.

The image, which shows Oudéa-Castéra planting a kiss close to Macron’s neck, was first published by French magazine Madame Figaro and quickly went viral, generating widespread commentary and controversy.

During the ceremony, Oudéa-Castéra, a former professional tennis player, was seen with her arm around Macron’s neck and her other hand gripping his arm. The image also captured French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal looking away, adding to the awkwardness of the moment. Social media users and commentators were quick to compare the affectionate display to a lover’s embrace, with some finding the photo indecent and unworthy of a president and a minister.

“Gabriel Attal, he pretends to look elsewhere! He doesn’t know where to stand,” one user commented. These sentiments were echoed across various social media platforms, with some making memes about how Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, might react to the kiss.
Madame Figaro described the kiss as “strange” and claimed Oudéa-Castéra likes to draw attention to herself. Midi Libre noted the emotional atmosphere following the opening ceremony, suggesting the embrace was an explosion of joy. Despite the backlash, some defended Oudéa-Castéra, pointing to her history of passionately kissing athletes and emphasizing her enthusiasm for the Games.

The Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony itself was a historic event, held outside a stadium along a six-kilometer stretch of the Seine River. The spectacle featured 7,500 competitors on 85 boats, and performances by Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and others.

In an interview with CNews, Oudéa-Castéra expressed pride in the ceremony’s success, stating, “The French have fallen in love with the Games.” Macron also spoke on the ceremony’s impact, saying, “They’ll be talking about it for the next 100 years.”

Despite the controversy, the opening ceremony was viewed positively by a significant majority of the French public. However, the photo of Macron and Oudéa-Castéra continues to be a hot topic on social media.

Army Commandant Imposes Lockdown to Prevent Personnel’s Family Participation in Nationwide Protest

The Commandant of the Depot of the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, Major General MA Abdullahihas issued a directive to personnel serving at the facility to prevent their families from joining the upcoming nationwide protest.

This protest, organized under the theme “EndBadGovernanceInNigeria,” is scheduled to take place on August 1.

He said “The depot, established in 1924, serves as a training ground for Nigerian soldiers. In light of the planned protest, which is driven by widespread discontent over inflation, hunger, and poor governance, some soldiers have voiced their support for the demonstrators.”
They argue that the hardship inflicted by the current government under Bola Tinubu, as well as previous administrations, has severely impacted them, particularly those in lower ranks.

Many soldiers have reportedly been forced to sell personal assets like cars, televisions, and housing properties to meet their basic needs.
In response to these developments, Major General Abdullahi has instructed that all entrance gates to the depot be closed from August 1 to August 10.

During this period, neither personnel nor their families will be allowed to enter or leave the facility.

This measure has been described by some soldiers as a severe restriction of their rights and freedoms.

According to sources at the depot, Abdullahi’s order effectively confines both soldiers and their families within the facility, with little regard for their personal circumstances.

Soldiers and their families, including civilian spouses who may be employed in essential services, are now facing significant challenges.

They argue that this lockdown infringes on their fundamental rights and hampers their ability to perform necessary duties or conduct daily activities.

The affected soldiers have expressed their frustration, calling for the intervention of the Chief of Army Staff.

They are demanding a review of Major General Abdullahi’s administrative decisions, which they believe are detrimental to both the morale and the well-being of the personnel under his command.

Do The Controversies Surrounding Dangote Refinery Suggest That Nigeria Is Its Own Enemy?

In the complex tapestry of nationhood, we often hear the adage that” A country is its own enemy.” But what does this cryptic sentiment truly signify? As the Dangote Refinery grapples with controversies, the meaning is by each passing day becoming clearer than ever.

Despite the fact that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd was envisioned as Nigeria’s beacon of energy independence, its recent disputes have cast shadows over its promise as regulatory authorities accused it of producing sub-standard petroleum products, a claim vehemently denied by the company.

Amidst this turmoil, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso weighed in, warning that vested interests could harm investor confidence in our fragile economy.

Kwankwaso who weighed in on the disagreement between the Refinery’s management and the regulatory authorities on Wednesday, July 7, 2024 through a reaction on his X handle, blamed what he described as ‘unnecessary fusses on vested interests, saying it could damage investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.

“The creation of unnecessary fuss around its integrity by some vested interests is very unfortunate, and it stands to undo all the years of hard work to maintain the fragile investor confidence in our economy,” he said.

In a similar vein, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has called for an independent audit of business dealings between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Dangote Refinery.

Reacting to the controversies, Ezekwesili through her official X handle, bemoaned the controversies surrounding the refinery, and somewhat pondered as she stated, “However, as more and more information filtered out from both parties, we can reasonably conclude that something seriously murky has gone on and needs to be fully unraveled for public accountability. And urgently, too,”

The former minister also ponderingly asked, “How can a project that by all definition attained the stature of a ‘national interest project’ be marred in this depth of embarrassing controversy that is playing out in the full glare of the local and international investing community?

“Did the Nigerian government not tell us it borrowed $3.3bn from AfreximBank to take a stake in the Dangote refinery?”

Ezekwesili recalled that during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration that she told the NNPC that it could not run as a federation on its own.

“When we were in government, I often told the NNPC leadership that they cannot carry on as though there is a ‘Federal Republic of the NNPC’ just because they think of themselves as ‘the goose that lays the golden egg’.

“The opacity of the NNPC was the reason we took great delight in designing the multi-stakeholders Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency International (NEITI) in those early 2000s that I pioneered as Chairperson.

“We went above global minimum voluntary standards of transparency requirements by entrenching ours in an Act that established NEITI as the transparency regulator of the oil and minerals sector,” she explained.

She called on President Bola Tinubu “to immediately use the instrumentality of NEITI to launch an independent audit of the Dangote refinery-NNPC transaction to offer the public the true state of play.”

Also weighing in on the controversy surrounding Dangote refinery is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba who has warned the NNPCL not to take over the Dangote Refinery.

Agbakoba was reacting to a comment by the businessman that the NNPCL should buy the refinery if that would put an end to calling him a monopolist. This is as Dangote made the comment amid the controversies surrounding his 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (NMDPRA), Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, had said Dangote and other local refineries have been producing inferior fuels.

Aliko Dangote, however, denied the allegations by testing diesel from his refinery on July 20 when federal lawmakers visited the plant and also called for a probe into the allegations of the NMDPRA. On July 22, the lawmakers launched investigations into claims that local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, produce inferior products.

They said allegations that the International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria are frustrating the survival of the Dangote refinery will also be probed. Consequently, the House of Representatives asked the federal government to suspend Ahmed over “unguarded comments”.

Addressing the dispute, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN director-general (DG), said government regulatory agencies should promote an enabling business environment to ensure the success of local investments.

Ajayi-Kadir said no regulatory agency should be seen “casting a shadow over a homegrown investment like the Dangote refinery”.

He said local investors are not only drivers of economic growth but also champions of national development.

“They are the mirrors of our national industrial aspirations and their wellbeing is the attraction for both local and foreign would-be investors,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

“There is hardly any major foreign investor that would be encouraged to invest in Nigeria by the recent unwarranted castigation of Dangote refinery.”

He said the allegations of poor quality, monopolistic tendencies and non-issuance of licence have since been debunked.

Ajayi-Kadir, however, said a clarification might be necessary to clear the Dangote refinery of the negative perception caused by the allegations.

The DG said local investors in Nigeria, particularly Dangote Industries Limited, play a vital role in driving economic growth by paying taxes, creating jobs and fostering development within the country.

He said as such, it is essential to protect and provide the necessary support to these investors to help them thrive in the current business environment.

“A business colossus like Alhaji Aliko Dangote, with investments in diverse sectors of the economy and across the continent of Africa, should be accorded all needed support to grow and invest in more sectors and positively impact the wellbeing of the people,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that Dangote refinery is deserving of government protection and support.

“The Dangote refinery, located in Lagos, the largest single-train refinery in the world, will play a significant role in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, reduce cost and energy poverty and significantly boost our energy sufficiency.

“This is also a company in which Nigeria and Nigerians are shareholders.

“We should never encourage or promote a preference for imported products over local alternatives. This amounts to importing poverty and exporting prosperity.”

Ajayi-Kadir said the manufacturing sector is facing numerous complex challenges.

These challenges, he said, include the high cost of electricity, high cost of compliance with regulatory requirements, lack of access to financing, unfavorable foreign exchange and unfair competition from imported and smuggled products.

The director-general urged the government to take proactive measures to address these binding constraints to improve the competitiveness of local industries and enhance their contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He said supporting and protecting local investors would signal to foreign investors that the environment is favorable for investment, leading to job creation and a more prosperous future for the country.

Ajayi-Kadir called on the government to prioritise the protection of local investors and actively take necessary steps to improve the operating environment for manufacturers and other economic operators to thrive.

Given the forgoing unpalatable backdrop, it is expedient for the enigma to be unraveled by asking, “Do the Controversies Surrounding Dangote Refinery Suggest That Nigeria Is Its Own Enemy?” Perhaps. The Nation’s internal struggles which cut across tribalism, corruption, and bureaucratic inertia often undermine progress. Like a serpent devouring its own tail, we grapple with challenges that hinder growth and prosperity.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it can be conjectured that Nigeria’s diversity is both a strength and a weakness, this is as tribal affiliations sometimes overshadow national unity. In fact, when tribal interests supersede the common good, progress falters.

Not only is Nigeria been thrown into the quagmire of tribalism, corruption is also by each passing day corroding our institutions, and consequently weakening the very fabric of our nation. The Dangote Refinery saga reflects this malaise. Transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership must prevail. Only then can we break free from the shackles of self-sabotage.

In fact, our bureaucratic maze is no doubt stifling innovation as revealed in the ongoing controversies between Dangote Refinery and the regulatory agencies, particularly in the areas of licensing processes and international standards, even as the imbroglio graphically paints a picture of a battleground for vested interests. Without a doubt, it is not a misnomer that we must streamline procedures, foster collaboration, and prioritize national assets like Dangote’s refinery.

As the controversy swirls, let us heed Kwankwaso’s plea: Rally around this national asset for Dangote Refinery not to fail. Our government must demonstrate fairness and confidence in critical investments. Only then can we rewrite the narrative of self-sabotage.

In the end, the Dangote Refinery controversy mirrors our collective struggle. Let us unravel the enigma, transcend tribalism, eradicate corruption, and dismantle bureaucratic barriers. For Nigeria’s true enemy lies within, but so does its salvation.

Given the foregoing, it is expedient to ask, “Do the controversies surrounding Dangote Refinery suggest that Nigeria is its own enemy?

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie Success has called on Deltans not to join the planned protest in Nigeria.

Ossai during a podcast show “Gist with Ossai Podcast ” in Asaba said despite the suffering in the country, it will be unfair for the people of Delta State to join Nigerians in protesting considering the progress and stability made by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He noted that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has transformed Delta State into a haven of peace and prosperity, making protests unnecessary.

Ossai said despite the protest not being against Governor Oborevwori considering his achievements, Deltans should understand that there are people out there who planned to hijack the protest.

“Governor Oborevwori’s achievements are a testament to his commitment to the people’s welfare.

“Infrastructure development has been a hallmark of his tenure, with the construction of roads, bridges, youth developments, and modern facilities.

“Governor Oborevwori has introduced innovative programs, increasing access to quality learning for all.

“Healthcare has also seen significant improvements, with upgraded facilities and equipment.

“The governor’s economic empowerment initiatives have created opportunities for youths and entrepreneurs, reducing unemployment and stimulating growth.

“His leadership has attracted investments, further solidifying Delta’s status as a stable and investor-friendly destination.

“With such progress, protests would only hinder the state’s momentum.

“Instead, citizens should continue to support and collaborate with the government to sustain this development trajectory.

“Governor Oborevwori’s dedication to Delta’s advancement is unwavering, and together, they can achieve even greater heights,” he said.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is not a stranger to adversity or its more sinister cousin, sabotage.

One of the bitterest battles he has fought in the last 25 years – the cement war – was against his kinsman and founder of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu. Folks close to both men have tried to patch them up, but the embers are still smouldering.

Dangote’s face-off with the Kogi State Government under former Governor Yahaya Bello over rights and royalties from Dangote Cement, Obajana, for the local community, was a skirmish compared to the cement war with Rabiu.

Wealth and comfort can be strange bedfellows, often mutually exclusive in the quest to conquer one mountain after the other. Dangote knows this only too well. And nowhere has the lesson been more evident than his pursuit to own a refinery.

full content in the link https://thenews-chronicle.com/nnpc-v-dangote-where-the-truth-lies/

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called for increased collaboration of all stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

He made the call in Abuja when the Old Students Association of Federal Government College Ikom, Abuja Chapter came on a one-day familiarisation visit to the corporate headquarters of the EFCC.

Olukoyede who spoke through the Head, Media and Publicity Unit and Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale stated that winning the anti-corruption fight required multi-stakeholders’ collaborative involvement in all aspects of the fight including whistleblowing.

“The fight needs collaborative synergy, collaborative whistleblowing, collaborative building and collaborative integrity to be defeated. Corruption is not happening in outer space, corruption is happening in our immediate environment. It is in the best interest of all of us that we expose it when we see it happening. When you look at all these things, you will find out that collectively the power of collaborative engagement is crucial in the anti-corruption fight,” he said.

Full story in the link https://thenews-chronicle.com/nigeria-losing-18-billion-annually-to-corruption-olukoyede/

I’m Not Afraid Of Any Legal Action, We Shall Meet In Court- Onanuga Fires Back Obi

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communications and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has clapped back at Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, over threat to institute a lawsuit against him.

Recalls that earlier, Onanuga alleged that Obi and his supporters were behind the planned nationwide protests against the Tinubu-led government over the hardship in the country.

But Obi, in a letter signed by his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, to Onanuga, urged the presidential spokesman to retract the statement and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: https://thenews-chronicle.com/just-in-obi-threatens-legal-action-against-onanuga-demands-apology-within-72-hours/

The former Anambra state governor also demanded N5 billion in damages from Onanuga over the said allegation.

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Onanuga, in a fresh post on his official X handle on Tuesday July 23, said: “I am still waiting for the letter from Peter Obi’s lawyer threatening a N5 billion suit and demanding an apology to Peter Obi over the planned ‘revolution’.

“Let me just tell Obi and his lawyer: I am not afraid of any legal action. We shall meet in court.”

“Why do I always have encounters with staggering men. I don’t belong to their league” I said to myself when he walked up to me and started joking.

I didn’t know him from anywhere so I found his jokes offensive.

I frowned at his jokes because a drunk man is unpredictable.

“Good morning brother” he said to me.

I turned towards him with an attitude, observing his dreadlocks which came naturally because of lack of combing not so to make it, but because he did not care about his looks so his hair turned dreadlocks and unkept.

I saw his dark-brown teeth as he smiled. Cigarette definitely did its job.

His shirt, unbuttoned and flying behind him like he had been practising to play the movie role “Super Man”.

His short, was very dirty at the buttocks as though he had been sitting on soothes.

He was wearing a pair of sandals but the straps were under his heels. All these I observed in seconds, still maintaining an attitude, and yet with an attitude, I responded “Morning” hoping that would discharge him.

I was wrong. Rather he moved closer to me as though he wanted to rest his head on my shoulder.

I frowned even more but he would not get the message.

read more in the link https://thenews-chronicle.com/indeed-tomorrow-is-a-mystery/

The Rich are United by Investment, Cooperation, and Collaboration, While the Poor are Divided by Tribe, Religion, and Color

In our world, the disparities between the wealthy and the impoverished often extend beyond mere financial status. These differences encapsulate distinct approaches to life and society, revealing a fundamental divergence in mindset and strategy. The rich are frequently united by their commitment to investment, cooperation, and collaboration, while the poor are often divided along lines of tribe, religion, and color. Understanding these dynamics offers crucial insights into both the perpetuation of poverty and the pathways to prosperity.

Investment is the cornerstone of wealth accumulation. For instance, Warren Buffett, one of the world’s richest individuals, began investing in stocks at a young age, turning his early investments into vast wealth. Buffett also invests in relationships and businesses, emphasizing long-term value over immediate gains. In contrast, many poor individuals lack both the resources and the knowledge to invest effectively. Immediate survival takes precedence over long-term planning, leading to a cycle where any available funds are spent on urgent needs rather than future gains. For example, a struggling family may have to use their savings for medical emergencies or basic necessities instead of putting money into a savings account or investment. Bridging this gap requires widespread financial education and accessible investment opportunities for all societal segments.

Cooperation is another key principle that unites the wealthy. The tech industry provides a clear example: major companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft often engage in partnerships to advance technology and market reach. These companies understand that cooperative efforts lead to greater innovation and market expansion. On the other hand, the poor frequently face divisions that hinder cooperative efforts. In regions like parts of Africa and the Middle East, tribal affiliations can create significant barriers to unity. For instance, in Nigeria, tribal loyalties sometimes overshadow national identity, leading to conflicts and fragmentation. Religious differences can also lead to conflict rather than cooperation, as seen in regions with ongoing sectarian violence. Racial divides can perpetuate distrust and inequality, as evidenced by the racial tensions in many urban areas across the globe. These divisions fragment communities, making it challenging to unite around common goals or to leverage collective strength for mutual benefit.


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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has demanded a retraction and an apology from the Special Adviser to the president on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, over an allegation linking him to the planned mass protest slated for August.

It would be recalled that the Presidential Spokesperson had on July 20, 2024, claimed in his X handle @aonanuga1956 that “ Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy”
Reacting to this allegation, Obi through his counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN of the MADIBA Chambers said that the allegation which was widely published on social and mainstream media and read by many within and outside the country maligned his hard-earned reputation as a man who indulges in violence when all his antecedents are vivid that he abhors violence even in the face of extreme provocation.

“It’s our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate and embarrass him by the estimation of every right thinking member of the society”
The letter added that the allegation may have achieved its insipid motive as well-wishers from all around the globe have inundated Obi to register their shock.

The letter noted in parts; “His appellation as ‘Okwute’ ( the Rock) notwithstanding, the demeaning and scandalous publication has also caused a serious emotional injury to our client given his decades of stellar stewardship in private and public life.

“Consequently, we have our clients mandate to demand that you retract the statement made in the publication and tender an unreserved apology to him within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter in not less than 4 National Dailies to wit: Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch and the Cable, including your verified X“@aonanuga1956.

Full Story in the link : https://thenews-chronicle.com/just-in-obi-threatens-legal-action-against-onanuga-demands-apology-within-72-hours/

The Nigerian Senate has passed the seventy thousand Naira National Minimum wage bill into law.

As requested by President Bola Tinubu, the lawmakers granted expeditious consideration to the bill transmitted Tuesday July 23, as it passes first, second and third reading.



Similarly, the Senate has also approved the national minimum wage review period from five to three years.

Details shortly….

American R&B star Chris Brown, along with his friend Sinko Ceej, rapper Yella Beezy, and the corporation Live Nation, are being sued for $50 million.

The lawsuit is linked to alleged attacks that happened during Brown’s 11:11 tour in Fort Worth, Texas.

The lawsuit claims that Brown organized the assault of four men backstage at his concert on July 20, as reported by TMZ.



The men, named Larry Parker, Joseph Lewis, Charles Bush, and Da Marcus Powell, said they were invited backstage for a post-concert hangout with about 40 women. However, they ended up being attacked.



According to the suit, Bush tried to congratulate Brown on his show, but Brown ordered his men to beat him up because of a past dispute. Bush claims that 7-10 of Brown’s men punched and kicked him, and that a member of Brown’s entourage, known as Hood Boss, threw a chair at his head.



The plaintiffs also allege that Brown sent Yella Beezy and some of his men to assault Parker, who was chased into a dead-end staircase. Parker said he was punched and kicked in the head for over 10 minutes after Brown encouraged his companions to join in.



The men say they suffered serious injuries and needed medical treatment. Their lawyer, Tony Buzbee, stated that at least one of them is still hospitalized and promised to hold Chris Brown accountable.



Besides seeking $50 million in damages, the plaintiffs have also requested restraining orders against Brown, Beezy, and Sinko Ceej.



Chris Brown and his team have not yet responded to the allegations. Brown has faced legal issues before, notably pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

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The planned August 1 protest is ill-timed to say the least.

About time, Nigerians know of both its healing properties and unmatched ability to wear and wound irreparably. National despondence over the state of the country has as one of its central lamentations the fact that Nigeria has had 63 years of independence and 25 years of democracy to at least find its bearing if not compass. The country has inexplicably managed to find none with the little cheer there is coming from the resilience of its democracy.

Full Story in the link: https://thenews-chronicle.com/a-premature-protest/