Written by Anayo Onukwugha


There seems to be no end to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, as parties involved in the face-off are struggling to implement the peace resolutions handed down to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, had last week withdrawn the impeachment notice served on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as part of the resolutions reached during a peace meeting initiated by Tinubu.

As part of the resolution, the governor released the withheld November and December salaries as well as other benefits of the 27 lawmakers.

However, none of the parties involved in the crisis has taken any further step towards implementing other aspects of the resolution.

Fubara has not withdrawn the suit he instituted against the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which is before a Rivers State High Court sitting at Isiokpo.

In the same vein, the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers got a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to extend its order on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others, from conducting bye-election into their seats.

The seats of the lawmakers was declared vacant by the Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie-led faction of the House of Assembly, following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during a church service in Port Harcourt, the FCT minister, Wike, explained that he was not the one who went to the President to seek for his intervention, saying that Tinubu must, however be appreciated for his fatherly role.

Minister said; “We must thank Mr. President for interfering and intervening, but I was not even the one who went to the President to seek for his intervention.

“They were saying President intervene, President intervene, and President intervened, they are now saying Mr. President has no constitutional power to have intervened.
“But they were the same people who sought the President’s intervention and he has intervened to bring peace. They are now turning around to say no, the President does not have the constitutional power.
“No matter what circumstances, if Mr President invites me to a meeting and tells me to do something, within 24 hours I will carry it out.

“Mr President invited us and said do this, do this and this. You agreed, but later, you started saying he has no power to intervene. As for me, I have subjected myself to the peace process.”

In his Christmas Day broadcast, Governor Fubara, promised to implement the resolutions reached during the peace parley without compromising the interest of the people of the state.

He said: “I most heartily thank all the good people of Rivers State and all men and women of goodwill, even those beyond our shores, for the massive love and support we have received and continues to enjoy before and during the recent travails that challenged the peace of our State and stability of our Government.

“Let me also use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to our dear President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, HIs Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu GCFR for wading into the near crisis situation that almost punctuated the prevailing peace in our dear State.

“Indeed, by this singular effort, our dear President has demonstrated that he loves Rivers State and cherishes nothing short of a reign of perfect peace in our State with his Presidential Peace Proclamation on the 18th of December 2023.

“Mr. President’s Peace Proclamation has naturally elicited mixed reactions from our people and across the country. While most stakeholders have violently condemned it, a few others have applauded It.

“As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the Peace Pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly, not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear State.

“Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the Presidential Peace Proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear State without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values.

“Already, both parties have demonstrated some good faith in the implementation process with the withdrawal of the purported impeachment notice on their part, and the release of hitherto withheld allowances of the members of the State House of Assembly by the Government.

“I have said before, there is no price too much to pay for peace. And with the realisation that the worst peace is better than the best war, we will strive to make peace with all segments and interest groups without surrendering our freedom nor jeopardising the interest and well-being of the good people of Rivers State who graciously entrusted us with their cherished mandate.”

But, addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum (RELF), led by former Governor of Old Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada-Goerge, told the governor that he lacked the constitutional powers to implement the peace resolution.

Ada-Goerge said: “I most heartily thank all the good people of Rivers State and all men and women of goodwill, even those beyond our shores, for the massive love and support we have received and continues to enjoy before and during the recent travails that challenged the peace of our State and stability of our Government.

“Let me also use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to our dear President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, HIs Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu GCFR for wading into the near crisis situation that almost punctuated the prevailing peace in our dear State.

“Indeed, by this singular effort, our dear President has demonstrated that he loves Rivers State and cherishes nothing short of a reign of perfect peace in our State with his Presidential Peace Proclamation on the 18th of December 2023.

“Mr. President’s Peace Proclamation has naturally elicited mixed reactions from our people and across the country. While most stakeholders have violently condemned it, a few others have applauded It.

“As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the Peace Pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly, not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear State.

“Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the Presidential Peace Proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear State without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values.

“Already, both parties have demonstrated some good faith in the implementation process with the withdrawal of the purported impeachment notice on their part, and the release of hitherto withheld allowances of the members of the State House of Assembly by the Government.

“I have said before, there is no price too much to pay for peace. And with the realisation that the worst peace is better than the best war, we will strive to make peace with all segments and interest groups without surrendering our freedom nor jeopardising the interest and well-being of the good people of Rivers State who graciously entrusted us with their cherished mandate.”

Written by 'Sola Babarinsa


Ahead of the retirement of Mr Oscar Onyema as the GMD/CEO of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, the Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Mr Temi Popoola as the GMD/CEO designate, effective from January 1, 2024, subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s formal approval.

Additionally, Mr. Jude Chiemeka has been appointed as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) from January 1, 2024.

This information was revealed in the Group’s notice to the investment public, following the SEC’s No-Objection to the announcement.

The current GMD/CEO, Onyema, will conclude his tenure on March 31, 2024, and will begin his terminal leave effective from January 1, 2024.

Popoola, the current CEO of NGX and a member of the NGX Group Executive Committee, chaired by Mr. Onyema, boasts a successful C-suite leadership background. His expertise in business acumen, financial proficiency, global market growth, and operational insight has garnered him a reputation based on proven career successes.

He started his career in London as a portfolio manager concentrating on African energy markets and later served for several years as a senior equity derivatives trader at Bank of America Securities in New York. During his tenure there, he significantly contributed to the firm’s profitability by delivering derivative solutions to US corporations and family offices.

Mr Popoola joined NGX in 2021 as the CEO of Renaissance Capital (Rencap), where he held the position of Managing Director and CEO for West Africa. At NGX, he was instrumental in overseeing and supporting continuous growth, profitability, and success by providing strategic market insights and leadership.

He holds a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Chartered Stockbroker (CIS).

Chiemeka, the Executive Director of Capital Markets responsible for Trading, Products Development, and Listings at NGX, is also a member of the NGX Executive Committee, chaired by Mr. Popoola.

With over 29 years of experience in Securities Trading and Asset Management across African markets, Mr. Chiemeka previously served as the MD/CEO of United Capital Securities, a subsidiary of United Capital Plc listed on NGX.

He is a Fellow and Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (FCS), a Member of the Institute of Directors (IOD), a Fellow of the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers, and an Associate of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria. He is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, Lagos Business School, and the University of Oxford, UK.

Commenting on the appointments, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, the Chairman of NGX Group Plc, expressed his delight at these pivotal changes in the leadership of NGX Group. He commended Mr Onyema for his outstanding leadership and expressed confidence in Mr Popoola’s capability to continue the legacy and take NGX Group to greater heights. He also endorsed Mr. Chiemeka’s ability to steer NGX towards continued growth in the capital market.

On his part, Onyema expressed his deep appreciation for the privilege of leading The Nigerian Stock Exchange and Nigerian Exchange Group Plc. He extended his best wishes to Mr Popoola, expressing confidence in his capabilities to continue the legacy and growth of NGX Group. He thanked the entire team at NGX Group and capital market stakeholders for their support throughout his tenure.

“I am deeply appreciative of the privilege to have led The Nigerian Stock Exchange as its CEO and later, Nigerian Exchange Group Plc as its GMD/CEO,” he said. “I extend my best wishes to Mr Popoola and have full confidence in his capabilities to continue the legacy and growth of NGX Group.

“I am grateful for the support and dedication of the entire team at NGX Group and capital market stakeholders throughout my tenure. Together, we drove significant development in the African capital markets, and I am proud of the various accomplishments we have achieved since 2011.

“As I step into a new phase, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and look forward to witnessing the continued growth and prosperity of NGX Group under Mr. Popoola’s leadership. The future is indeed promising.”

Mr Popoola expressed his commitment and enthusiasm for his new role at NGX Group Plc. He conveyed his appreciation to Mr. Onyema and the Board of Directors for their confidence in him.

He said, “I step into this new role at NGX Group Plc with a deep sense of responsibility and enthusiasm. I extend my appreciation to Mr. Onyema, for his exceptional leadership during his tenure and to the Board of Directors for the confidence reposed in me.

“The modernization of the Nigerian market infrastructure space and the demutualization and restructuring of NSE under Mr. Onyema’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping NGX Group, and I am honoured to continue this legacy.

“I am fully committed to building on the foundation laid out and taking NGX Group to greater heights. With the support of the dedicated team and in collaboration with the esteemed leadership, I am optimistic about the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I am also very confident in Mr. Chiemeka’s ability to successfully steer the helm of affairs at NGX and propel NGX to greater heights”.

By Adeola Badru, Ibadan


A dramatic scene unfolded yesterday at the Ibadan private residence of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

The presence of journalists that converged to cover the condolence visit of the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde to the deceased residence sparked off resistance.

The presence of journalists generated a negative reaction from one of the daughters of the deceased, named Ololade Akeredolu, who ordered all the journalists to leave the residence, on the ground that it was a private residence and not a Government House.

The duo arrived the Jericho residence of the late governor at about 5:30 pm.

Upon arrival, the two governors went straight into the private residence where the wife, Betty and some immediate family members were mourning.

However, swift intervention of some colleagues calmed the frayed nerves as the reporters who had laid siege to the entrance gates of the residence to monitor situation felt angry at the negative reaction.

Apparently sensing what had happened, the two governors after the visit walked out to the street where the journalists were waiting to interview the visitors.

Speaking, the Kwara State governor lauded the deceased governor for his commitment and impact on humanity.

Abdulrahman who described Akeredolu’s death as a great loss to the nation, recounted that the late Aketi rose to the peak of his career and politics and impacted greatly on humanity in developmental politics

He said: “This is a solemn affairs, we are here today with the governor of Oyo state and myself on behalf of all the members of the Nigeria Governors Forum to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Arakunrin Akeredolu. It is a sad affair.”

“We met the wife. We can just continue to pray that his soul will continue to rest in peace and may God give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

“It is indeed a great loss for the nation. This is a man that rose to the height of his chosen career, the bar. He rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He rose to the height of politics, he was the governor of a state.”

“He impacted greatly on humanity in developmental politics. All we can say for now is that may his soul rest in peace.”

“And we can also add that of the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Ghali Naabba, may Allah forgive him his sins and give him aljannah firdus.”

Also in his brief remarks, Governor Makinde said he has lost a friend, a brother and someone they had been in the trenches together.

Describing Akeredolu as a courageous individual who doesn’t mince words but someone who speaks truth to power, Governor Makinde, said the death was a big loss for him personally and for the southwest as a whole.

“Well, I can say that I have lost a personal friend, a brother, somebody that we have been in the trenches together. When we were going to set up Amotekun, he was pivotal to it.”

“And when we took the decision for Southern presidency, himself and the former governor of Anambra, they chaired the meeting at the Delta Government House.”

“So, this is somebody that is a courageous individuals, he doesn’t mince words. He says it as it is, he would speak truth to power. It is a big loss for me personally and for the southwest.”

“We will still continue to internalise it but we give God the glory that he lived a fulfilled life. At the end of the day, it is really not how long but how well and he lived well. He impacted humanity and the Southwest of Nigeria.”

By Adelani Adepegba


The Office of the Special Central Bank of Nigeria Investigator has rejected a request by the Chairman of Titan Trust Bank Limited, Babatunde Lemo, for rescheduling the December 28, 2023, meeting with investigators till January 7.

The investigator warned that the failure of Lemo and other major shareholders of TTB to attend today’s meeting may lead to the forfeiture of their shareholding and interests in Titan Trust Bank and Union Bank Nigeria Plc.

This was contained in a letter to the TTB chairman dated December 27, 2023, and signed by the Head of Operations, Office of the Special Investigator, Eloho Okpoziakpo, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The letter was in response to a letter from Lemo’s lawyer seeking a shift of today’s meeting until January.

The investigator also turned down a proposal by Lemo that the major shareholders of Titan Trust Bank, Mr Cornelius Vink and Rahul Savara, should be given seven days to prove their purported ownership of TTB and Union Bank of Nigeria or forfeit the shares to the Federal Government.

The Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, had summoned Lemo, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in connection with the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc by TTB.

The TTB chairman was directed to report to the Department of Force Intelligence opposite the Force headquarters, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, on Thursday (today), where he will be grilled by a team of detectives probing the UBN acquisition.

Lemo was further instructed to come along with Vink and Savara to meet with the team of special investigators.

Obazee stated in his investigation report that some persons were used as proxies by a former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, to set up Titan Trust Bank and acquire Union Bank, all from ill-gotten wealth.

However, Lemo, in a letter by his lawyer, G. Elias, dated December 27, requested a shift of the meeting with investigators as he was away from Nigeria.

The letter, which was signed by Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, read in part, “Unfortunately, both Mr Tunde Lemo and the two largest ultimate investors in the banks (Mr. Cornelius Vink; Mr. Rahul Savara) are away from Nigeria at the moment for family and other reasons.

“That is typically so at this time of the year. They are not due to be in Nigeria before the second week in January 2024. They will honour the invitations fully soon after they come in.

“With regard to the information requested, which we submitted earlier on 1st September 2023 at the DSS HQ as evidenced in Annex 1 therewith, we will resubmit the information tomorrow morning for your kind review. The individual invitees and the Banks re-iterate their willingness and readiness to co-operate with your good selves in your important work.”

The investigator dismissed the request for a postponement of the meeting with the TTB major shareholders, noting that Lemo had earlier agreed to attend today’s meeting.

The letter noted, “Reference is made to the law firm of G.ELIAS letter dated 27th December 2023 in response to the Special Investigator’s invitation to you via a letter with reference number CR:3000/TSI/ABJ/VOL.1/69 dated 24th December 2023.

“I am directed to inform you that the Special Investigator is fully aware that you are in the United Kingdom to celebrate your birthday. This you made aware to the Special Investigator when you agreed to attend a meeting to be scheduled for 28th December 2023 and also proposed that Mr Cornelius Vink and Rahul Savara be given seven days to prove their purported ownership of Titan Trust Bank and Union Bank of Nigeria or forfeit the shares to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Accordingly, this excuse given by your good selves through your lawyers is unacceptable and regarded as obstruction of the Special Investigator in the course of his duties.

“We want to put it on record that neither you (Babatunde Lemo) nor Cornelius Vink nor Rahul Savara ever submitted any of these requested documents to the investigating team at the Department of State Service or anywhere else before now.

“In fact, Cornelius Vink and Rahul Savara have never presented themselves to the Special Investigator since 28th August 2023 when they were first invited for interview.’’

The Special Investigator informed the TTB chairman that documents submitted through proxies will not be accepted “as Mr Cornelius Vink, Mr Rahul Savara and your good self will be required to speak to whatever document(s)/information you present during the meeting.”

The letter added, ‘’Consequently, I am to further inform you that your invitation to appear before the Special Investigator on 28th December 2023 by 2pm prompt in respect of the matter under investigation and for which you had earlier made statement stands.

“Kindly note that the conditions on paragraphs 6 to 8 in our earlier letter to you with reference number CR:3000/TSI/ABJ/VOL. 1/69 dated 24th December 2023 remain effective and shall be triggered if you or Messrs Vink and Savara fail to attend the meeting as scheduled.”

Obazee, who was appointed special investigator in July 2023, submitted his final report tagged, ‘Report of the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities (Chargeable offences)’ to the Presidency on December 20.

In two separate reports on the acquisition of UBN and Keystone Bank submitted to President Bola Tinubu on December 20, Obazee also revealed that Emefiele used proxies to acquire Keystone Bank without evidence of payment.

By Johnson Idowu


A lady, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, has reportedly stabbed her boyfriend, identified simply as Tony, to death during an altercation that ensued between the duo on Friday.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Tony and the suspect, who were residents in an estate along the NTA/Apara link road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had an argument on the said date which led to his beating her up but in an attempt to defend herself, the girlfriend stabbed him in the neck.

Our correspondent learnt from a source privy to the incident that the duo continued in the fight without minding the state of the injury sustained by Tony, dragging themselves into the street.

However, Tony was said to have collapsed after losing blood due to the injury sustained from the stab and when sympathisers rushed him to the hospital, he was said to have died on the way.

The source further disclosed that Tony, who was married to another woman, left his wife whom he had a fallout with in Enugu to stay with the girlfriend who stabbed him to death.

The source said, “Tony and his girlfriend had an argument that fateful night which resulted in a fight between them. There are reports that Tony had always been assaulting the lady for some time and this time around, I think in an attempt to defend herself, the lady stabbed him in the neck.

“They carried on with the fight and dragged themselves into the street as no one was willing to interfere in their fight. Tony later collapsed after losing lots of blood from the injury he sustained. When he was rushed to the hospital, he went cold on the way and gave up the ghost before they could get to the hospital.

“I also heard that he and his wife in Enugu are in a long divorce battle maybe because of some issues relating to domestic violence.”

When contacted, the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stressing that the suspect had been taken into custody and would be prosecuted as soon as investigation was concluded.

“The incident happened. The suspect is in police custody and she is currently undergoing investigation. She will be prosecuted as soon as investigation is concluded,” Iringe-Koko said.

Former spokesperson for the defunct new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has said that the dreams of Nyesom Wike becoming the jagaban of Rivers State is over.

He said that Wike, who is the immediate past Governor of the State, is no longer relevant as far as the politics of Rivers State and Nigeria at large is concerned.

He claimed that most of Wike’s antecedents were now well known to all and sundry, adding that whoever that decides to work with him does so at their own peril.

He informed the former Governor that Rivers can never be Lagos, adding his recent actions bring to an end his dream and vision of becoming the landlord of Rivers State.

In a statement on Tuesday, Eze expressed surprise that President Bola Tinubu, a known democrat, has turned his back against the Nigerian constitution and the good people of Rivers State, just to massage Wike’s ego.

“With the credentials of President Tinubu, it becomes very hard to accept that he could be involved with the undemocratic steps and actions exhibited during the so-called Rivers State Peace Accord between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike.

“It is based on this that I decided to have another look at the so-called Peace Accord to decipher the intention of Mr. President towards his erroneous actions,“ he said.

Eze inferred that Mr. President and his team “strategically plotted all this not that they do not know that no reasonable Governor will implement any of them but to rubbish Nyesom Wike in his own plot to become Tinubu of Rivers State.”

“In this regard, I must commend President Tinubu for achieving what many political leaders couldn’t achieve by rubbishing the political fortunes of Nyesom Wike and thereby saving Rivers State from the nuisance that Wike has now become,” Eze said.

Eze postulated that “what we currently have in Rivers State is nothing but graveyard peace particularly now that Rivers State Elders, Youths and entire citizenry are fully aware that President Tinubu’s truce is nothing but to buy over Rivers State and it will be resisted no matter the odds.”

He added that “Wike is no longer relevant as far as the politics of Rivers State and Nigeria at large is concerned as most of his antecedents are now well known to all and sundry and whoever that decides to work with such a character does so at his or her own peril.

“This brings to and end his dream and vision of becoming the landlord and Jagaban of Rivers State. Rivers State cannot and will never be Lagos.”

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said he did not invite President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the political crisis in Rivers State.

Wike disclosed this on Sunday while addressing a congregation during a thanksgiving ceremony for the immediate past Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, George Kelly Alabo, at the Kings’ Assembly in Port Harcourt.

Last week, a truce was reached between the warring Wike and Governor Fubara following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This was followed by an eight-point resolution to help douse the tension in the state.

But during the service, Wike appreciated President Tinubu for intervening in the crisis, but said he did not invite him to do so.

“Don’t pull the ladder you used to climb up. If you know you are coming back, the ladder you have pulled down, I don’t know how you will come down.

“I want the church to continue praying for us and not let us fail. We must thank Mr President for interfering and intervening, but I was not the one who invited Mr President. People are saying the president is intervening.

“You are the one who said the president should intervene and he has intervened. You now turned around and said that he does not have a constitutional right.

“No matter what the circumstances are, the president invited me to the meeting. I have subjected myself to the peace process.

“Some of you did not even know that Mr President had invited us privately and said do this and we agreed before Mr President before him. We must tell our people this simple truth. I have done my own part. I am happy and I am doing well in Abuja, too.”

Some hoodlums on Thursday attacked a bus transporting Christmas gifts intended for family heads (Mogajis) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident occurred while the bus was executing a U-turn at the Oja Oba area of Ibadan, LEADERSHIP gathered on Friday.

As of the time of reporting, the identity of the donor remained undisclosed. Reports indicated that the bus was en route from the Beere area to the Olubadan Palace at Oja Oba, led by the Mogaji of Onilari compound, Nurudeen Akinade, when the attack took place.

After the incident was reported at Mapo Police Station, several arrests were made. A source stated, “The incident occurred yesterday afternoon. The hoodlums attacked the bus carrying some Christmas gifts meant for Mojajis in Ibadan at Oja Oba.”

“We managed to make some arrests following the incident. The hoodlums took away the donated gift items for the Mojajis. I cannot confirm the donor’s identity; whether it was a government entity or an individual who gave them.”

“We have lodged a report at Mapo Police Station. The bus contained items such as rice, chicken, and groundnut oil. Some items were recovered during the search of shops in the vicinity,” the source disclosed.

Many Nigerians erstwhile elated by the Federal Government’s announcement of a 50 per cent slash in inter-state transport fares and free train rides between December 21 and January 4, were left disappointed yesterday as passengers, who stormed the various parks for Yuletide holidays, still paid premium to their destination.

As part of moves by the administration to address the high cost of living in the country, especially during the Yuletide, the Presidency on Wednesday revealed companies that will be participating in the 50 per cent slash of inter-state transport fares approved by President Bola Tinubu beginning from yesterday (December 21). The cost of transportation skyrocketed due to the removal of fuel subsidy in a country where the majority of the people use road transportation.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the five participating transport companies in the scheme are: GIG (God is Good), Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motor.

The Presidency also posted a document showing 28 routes the buses will run. They include Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Abuja, Lagos-Kaduna-Zaria, Lagos-Jos, Lagos-Enugu, Lagos-Onitsha, Lagos-Owerri, Lagos-Aba, Lagos-Abakaliki, Lagos-Nsukka, Lagos-Uyo, Lagos-Port-Harcourt, Onitsha-Kano, and Onitsha-Lagos.

Others are Onitsha-Jos, Onitsha-Abuja, Onitsha-Sokoto, Onitsha-Gombe, Onitsha-Zakibam, PH-Owerri-Aba-Kano, Aba-Owerri-Abuja, Aba-Lagos, Abuja-Sokoto, Abuja – Lagos, Abuja-Onitsha-Owerri-Port-Harcourt, Abuja-Enugu-Abakaliki, Abuja-Gombe and Abuja-Kano.

But The Guardian checks yesterday revealed that the 50 per cent is yet to take-off. Yesterday, GIG was still charging N50,500 to Onitsha, GUO Transport was collecting N48,000, Chisco Transport N49,000, while Ifesinachi Transport was charging N32,000 to Onitsha.

An employee of Chisco Transport said that they were invited to a meeting where the price slash was discussed but they were yet to receive any financial help from the government in that regard.

Passengers rue price hike at motorparks

He said: “We attended the meeting, but we are yet to receive anything from the government to show their seriousness, so we are still collecting the full price till fu rther notice.”

He added: “We are yet to get any go ahead from the management and more so, the people who used our buses today are those who have booked and paid many days ago.”

A cashier in GIG said the half price slash only took effect in their Lagos Ajah park.
An infuriated staff of Ifesinachi Transport asked if the Federal Government has availed subsidised fuel or maintenance cost to demand rebate fares in return.

He said: “Why are they talking about slashing prices when they have not extended any financial help to us? If they are serious, they should bring down the price of fuel and see how flat the price will fall.”

One passenger at GUO motors, Mrs Oby Umenwa, stated notwithstanding the cheering news, she was prepared to pay the full fare as she didn’t trust the government.

A GIG passenger, Fatai Balogun, wondered why the people took the Nigerian government seriously. He said: “I am going to Onitsha to buy my goods. I have paid for my transport fare and that’s all. I didn’t see the government before making the preparations and I am not hoping for anything. In fact, I am surprised that people still take the Nigerian government seriously.”

Also, GIG, which is one of the transport firms selected for the scheme, is yet to reduce the price for online booking on their official website. The fares for inter-states journeys were still higher than what was paid for similar trips a few weeks ago.

For instance, Abuja to Lagos, which was about N25,000 a few weeks ago, was pegged at N52,000 on Thursday. The fare for a journey from Lagos to Imo State was also pegged at N42,300 by the same firm on its official website. The company also fixed N45,000 as the fare for a trip from Lagos to Rivers State.

GIG via its social media page explained that the only terminals they had started the initiative were Jibowu and Ajah in Lagos, revealing that “other terminals would be announced in the coming days.”

There was no word from the four other firms in the initiative as compliance checks one Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata and Area Motor were hampered by their poor online presence. For instance, Chisco Transport’s online booking site only accommodates trips from Lagos to neighbouring West African countries such as Ghana and Togo.

Similarly, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), government-owned agency mandated by the Presidency to provide free train rides for the next two weeks beginning from yesterday, has also lamented the slash of transport fare by the Federal Government, as the corporation stated that it was yet to recover from previous transportation waivers by government.

Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, despite commending the development, expressed concerns over the cost of the intervention scheme and hoped the government could defray the cost.

“This is not the first time. We did this two years ago. It was effective. I say we’ve yet to recover from that. But what is the government for? The government is to make sure that people have as much comfort as possible,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“And we are quite willing and wishing to provide that service. You know, don’t forget that in other developed countries, they get this thing either directly or indirectly. You recall during the COVID-19 pandemic, even private companies were given relief, and those without jobs like in the UK, U.S., and everywhere…So it’s a good thing that the government considers we should do a free service, but they should also be willing to provide the resources to do it.

“We are hoping this time they are going to give us fuel for those 15 days we are going to provide the free service. They are also willing to provide at least the money we pay to the cleaners and the security,” the NRC boss said.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has urged government to ensure proper planning and coordination of the reduced and free transport initiative to safeguard transporters involved so they do not eventually run at a loss.

Director-General, LCCI, Dr Chinyere Almona, said implementing a significant reduction in bus fares and providing free train rides during this season, requires meticulous planning and coordination and any logistical challenges in managing the increased volume of travelers would impact the effectiveness of the initiative.

She added that the 50 per cent cost reduction for buses and free train rides may have financial implications for transport operators and it is essential to ensure that the initiative is economically viable for both parties. “Clear communication about the initiative should be disseminated widely to and sensitise the public. Lack of awareness or understanding among the public could lead to confusion or dissatisfaction,” she said.

“While the initiative has the good intention of easing economic burdens, careful planning, communication, and consideration of potential challenges are vital to its success and positive impact on the intended beneficiaries. LCCI calls on all levels of Government, Federal, State, and Local, to contribute with more vigor to more sustainable solutions, including gas-fired and electric vehicles.’

Applauding the initiative, Almona said it demonstrates a commendable commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the business community and the general populace during these trying times. “The reduction of transportation costs along the 22 interstate routes and the provision of free train services during this period will ease the financial burden on Nigerians and encourage intra-country travel. Also, the assurance of safety measures during this period as articulated by the government, further underscores its commitment to the well-being of citizens.”

Adding that the business community will also benefit significantly from this intervention, she said lower transport costs translate to reduced operational expenses for businesses engaged in interstate commerce, thereby contributing to improved profitability and economic growth.

Following complaints by travellers over the continuous hike in airfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commenced an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the development.

Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, disclosed this yesterday during a press conference in Abuja.

The FCCPC boss, who narrated several achievements of the commission since its inception, lamented that there are difficulties in determining price hikes, particularly regarding airfare.

He said: “There is a provision in the law against price gouging. Nigeria is a free economy. The best price, and a constitutionally legitimate adopted price for anything, is negotiated between a buyer and a seller in a free market.

“Airfare remains the most complex area for this. For instance, it is possible to travel the shortest distance and even pay more. Someone sitting beside you may even pay something different.”

Irukera also told journalists that the agency lacks the constitutional power to impose prices on goods and services, saying Nigeria has a free market where the seller and the buyer determine costs.

“Do we as regulators have the power to impose prices in a free market? No. We don’t. So, the way to determine excessive pricing is through investigation.

“How do you determine that the price is excessive? It is not just about looking at the number because the input can make a difference, and we are dealing with that.
“I can tell you that it’s all competition issues. For instance, if you are travelling from Abuja to Lagos for N135,000, Lagos to Uyo can cost you twice the amount because there is no competition there.

“Lack of competition always raises prices high. You can imagine how complex the investigation into airfare is. There are many things to look at when investigating a hike in airfare.”

He said that although the commission also believes that the airfare is too high, it can only take necessary actions after investigation.

“We also believe that the airfare is too high, but it would be an abuse of the office for regulators to take certain actions just because you feel the prices are high. We aim at establishing evidence and confronting the body, but that is hard work,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday gave its criteria for choosing the participating transport companies saying that the five companies were selected because they already have a track records of moving people from one part of the country to another in a safe and secured manner, while government targets to lift five million commuters during the Yuletide season with the 50 per cent transportation rebate.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who stated this at the end-of-year press conference in Abuja, explained that the government is not desirous of doing business as usual adding that it wants to ensure that only those who are involved in the business are patronised.

The Minister, who confirmed that the N35,000 wage award for federal civil servants has not stopped, noted that President Tinubu will live up to expectations and every penny he promised will be given to Nigerians.

“Workers have been told that they will get N35,000 wage award, sometimes, the Federal Ministry of Finance may have operational bottlenecks that may delay the disbursement of these funds but they are actually working on it and every Federal worker that is entitled to it will surely get the money.”

The Minister announced that the Federal Government is working on a new minimum wage for workers, which will come into effect next year adding that by January 2024, the government will be rolling out the new Federal student loan program that was announced a few months ago.

According to him, the government is finalising the process for payment of a cash transfer of N25,000 monthly to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria, for three months while there is a Presidential directive for the release of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices, and 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers.

Written by OBINNA OGBONNAYA,


Excitement erupted at the Christian Ecumenical Center Abakaliki when Governor Francis Nwifuru announced a N100,000 Christmas package for Ebonyi State workers.

The announcement came during the flag-off of the pet project of the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the centre. The jubilant crowd resonated with Governor Nwifuru’s statement that the state’s resources belong to the people and he wouldn’t let them suffer in poverty.

He explained that the N100,000 package, including a bag of rice, aims to ensure workers enjoy Christmas like their counterparts in other states. “Though it’s difficult,” he admitted, “the workers of this state must live like others during this festive season. This is a time to bless your neighbours and your homes.”

“As the leader of the state,” he continued, “it’s my duty to be a blessing to everyone. I’m using the state’s money, not my own, that I was elected to manage. Since I took office, I’ve worked with the caucus and principal officers to ensure Ebonyi workers have something to celebrate.”

He added, “I will meet with local government chairmen to guarantee every worker in this state receives the N100,000 Christmas gift.”

Civil servants interviewed praised the governor’s gesture, highlighting its potential to ease the economic burden caused by rising prices during Christmas.

Mrs. Chineyere Igwe from the Ministry of Education noted that under Governor Nwifuru, dividends of democracy are evident, and such a generous Christmas package is unprecedented in the state’s history. She urged him to continue these welfare initiatives for civil servants, pensioners, and vulnerable communities.

Representing Senator Tinubu, the governor’s wife, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, explained that the national scheme aims to support over 250 vulnerable elderly citizens, aged 65 and above, in all 36 states.

With the delivery of two million barrels of crude, the $19 billion Dangote Oil Refining Company is set to commence production of petroleum products paving the way for additional jobs and foreign exchange relief to the economy.

This follows yesterday’s delivery of an additional one million barrels of crude oil yesterday to the refinery, two weeks after taking the delivery of the first cargo of one million barrels.

The Refinery had disclosed that it purchased the first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria as well as globally, trading over 8 million barrels of crude oil per day.

Also, these represent the first phase of the 6 million barrels of crude oil to be supplied by a range of suppliers.

The latest cargo, which sailed to the facility’s Single-Point Mooring (SPM) where it was discharged into the refinery’s crude oil tanks, has increased total deliveries to about two million barrels.

Experts in oil and gas, yesterday, said with this level of crude supplies, Dangote Refinery is set to start operations, describing the coming on stream of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a major milestone, capable of making a positive impact in the economies of Nigeria and West Africa.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, yesterday, the Executive Chairman, the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, said: “We are excited to see that the Dangote Refinery has secured its crude cargoes This is a significant milestone, both for the country and the West African region at large.

“With a capacity to produce 350,000 barrels per day, the refinery holds particular significance for the country, where a reliance on fuel imports has been a defining feature for decades, despite its over 37 billion barrels of proven reserves.”

“This cargo will see diesel, aviation fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas produced, followed shortly thereafter by the production of Premium Motor Spirit. These products will enable the country to become self-sufficient while exporting to regional neighbours. This, in turn, will strengthen the fiscal dynamics, putting an end to fuel subsidies, high prices and inconsistent supply, thereby setting a strong benchmark for other resource-rich countries in Africa.”

“The project is designed 100% for Nigerian crude and is expected to meet 100% of the country’s demand for refined products, with surplus exported. This, in itself, is a testament to the instrumental role the facility will play in facilitating growth in Nigeria, enabling the country to rely predominantly on its own resources to sustain its economy. We commend the facility for this milestone achieved and we look forward to the first supply of Nigerian fuel products.”

Similarly, the Chairman of International Energy Services, Dr. Diran Fawibe, said: “This is a welcome development that will create many multiplier effects, including additional jobs opportunities. Any producing country would want to allocate a share of its local production to refining and that makes the industry complete.

“The supply of crude oil to the economy used to be considered as a part of energy security, we know from history many countries went to war or influenced war against many nations simply because of importation of products to secure the supply in their country.”

In a bid to alleviate the financial burden of transportation costs during the festive season, the Federal Government has chosen prominent transport companies to benefit from a 50 per cent transport subsidy. God is Good (GIG) Motors, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow Motors, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motors have been selected as beneficiaries of this initiative.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, disclosed this development on Thursday through his X handle, previously known as Twitter.

Onanuga also shared a list of selected routes that will be covered by this subsidy, including major routes such as Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Enugu, Lagos-Nsukka, Onitsha-Jos, Abuja-Sokoto, and 23 other routes designated by the government.

This announcement elicited a mixed reaction among users on social media. While some expressed doubts, others were optimistic and appreciative of the government’s support.

One user, CREDO, tweeted, “I hope those who will enjoy this benefit will come here and testify that they really did. Let me for once see what this government said and did.”

In response, another user, @Peter, expressed anticipation for the inclusion of airlines like Air Peace, NGEagle, and Green Africa on the subsidised list, suggesting that Nigerians would appreciate their services.

This subsidy initiative aims to provide relief to travellers during the festive period and facilitate more affordable transportation options across the designated routes.

AYOOLA BABALOLA


Atiku Bagudu, a notorious raider of Nigerian treasury now serving as budget and planning minister under President Bola Tinubu, has activated steps to block France from repatriating $150 million in plundered funds linked to the infamous Sani Abacha loot, Peoples Gazette can report, saying he had an interest in the tranche and would only back down if paid $30 million.

Since 1999, Mr Bagudu has worked against Nigeria during efforts by previous administrations to recovered some of the vast loot, estimated to be worth more than $8 billion with its backing documents strewn across Western jurisdictions, but this is the first time he would be working at cross purposes against a cabinet he belongs and associates.

Diplomatic sources told The Gazette over the weekend that the former Kebbi governor, serving in Mr Tinubu’s cabinet since August 21, informed French authorities he was demanding $30 million cut based on some novel business arrangement with Mr Abacha, Nigeria’s brutal dictator who died in June 1998 after a protracted illness.


Our sources, who spoke under anonymity to comment on an ongoing dispute of international dimension, said France’s hands have been consequently tied by a legal action recently triggered in Paris by Mr Bagudu and his associates.

Mr Bagudu, 62 next week, declined comments about the controversial move, telling The Gazette the matter had nothing to do with his role as a minister. A presidential spokesman sidestepped questions on the matter.

But Mr Bagudu had said previously that he was not seeking to cut directly from Mr Abacha’s loot, but that his family members were involved and he had no control over how they pursued their respective interests. Since tracing began shortly after his death, Nigeria has recovered nearly $4 billion of cash deposits that Mr Abacha and his cronies, chief among them Mr Bagudu, tucked stilly in Switzerland, United Kingdom territories and elsewhere.

Some of those cash assets have been returned and tied to specific developmental protects, although anti-corruption campaigners said they found multiple instances in which some of the funds were stolen through federal racketeering and illicit contract awards over the years.

Still, Mr Bagudu’s move to deprive the country of $150 million at a time it’s enduring steep crunch in cash access and foreign exchange could complicate Mr Tinubu’s avowed efforts to mollify the hardship ravaging Nigerian masses since he abolished federal subsidies on petrol effective his assumption of office on May 29, first time since they were instituted in 1970s as a form of wealth distribution to the poor.

Mr Tinubu started looking forward to the money following a meeting with a French diplomat in Abuja in early November, which would have been the first Abacha booty repatriation on his watch.

The Gazette heard that French officials had previously indicated intention to seal the release at the recent United Nations Convention against Corruption Conference of States Parties summit in Atlanta.

Nigeria had made a formal submission to recover the funds. Submitted by the nation’s attorney-general, the process involves trilateral understandings between the United States, France, and Nigeria, only to be thwarted following the sudden move by Mr Bagudu, a notorious bagman of Mr Abacha and other kleptocrats of Nigerian origin.

Catherine Colonna, the minister for Europe and foreign affairs of France, who led the French envoy in the November discussions, had described the funds as “assets stolen from the Nigerian people by General Sani Abacha and his family.” She also disclosed that her government is interested in committing the funds to development projects that would benefit the nation.

Mr Tinubu, in response, thanked the French envoy and affirmed that the recovered loot “will be judiciously applied” in realising the country’s development goals.

But Mr Bagudu has made it clear to the Nigerian front in the negotiations that he would not cease legal hostilities until he has been assured of his $30 million cut, a position that starkly undermines the posturing of his principal, who says he is doing everything possible to arrest the country’s economic woes and salvage all the resources it can to put the country on a sustainable economic path.

While diplomatic sources characterised Mr Bagudu’s chances of absolutely blocking the $150 million without his $30 million slice as slim, they nonetheless appreciated his ability delay the transfer, which would, in turn, prolong implementation of designated developmental projects set to commence in Nigeria upon the receipt of the funds.

While the roles of some Nigerian businessmen in Mr Abacha’s plunder have long been acknowledged, Mr Bagudu has more recognition as the mastermind behind the money laundering operation that flourished under Mr Abacha, successfully establishing channels within both local and international financial institutions to siphon Nigeria’s wealth from mid to late 90s. He set up a multilayered covert structure to conceal stolen funds and coordinated a notable network of enablers and accomplices.

Five years after Mr Abacha died in 2003, investigations revealed that several billion dollars in stolen funds had been traced to banks in Jersey, the largest of the autonomous islands in Europe with a dependency on the United Kingdom. During this period, Mr Bagudu and some members of his illicit operation group resided in Texas.

He was subsequently arrested in the United States at the request of Jersey authorities seeking to extradite him to face charges related to funds traced to the account of Doraville Properties Corp, a shadowy company he managed alongside Mohammed Abacha, the late dictator’s eldest son. The company held accounts at Deutsche Bank International in Jersey.


After six months in detention, Mr Bagudu struck a deal with American and Jersey authorities. In exchange for returning over $163 million of the laundered assets to Nigeria, Jersey withdrew the extradition request, and Mr Bagudu was returned to Nigeria to face trial. This information was disclosed in a court document made public in 2019.

Upon his extradition to Nigeria, despite evidence supporting various allegations of embezzlement, money laundering, and criminal misappropriation of funds gathered from Switzerland, Jersey, and the United States, Mr Bagudu has not been prosecuted. Instead, he was cleared to contest the 2009 National Assembly elections and was subsequently elected as the senator representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District.

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the repatriation of $480 million, which had been stolen by Mr Abacha and his co-conspirators. The U.S. government’s complaint asserted that the late dictator, his son Mohammed, their associate Mr Bagudu, and others had engaged in embezzlement, misappropriation, and extortion, siphoning off billions of dollars from the Nigerian government and other entities. Their criminal proceeds were laundered through U.S. financial institutions and the acquisition of bonds backed by the U.S.

In February 2020, the U.S., in collaboration with Nigeria and Jersey, entered into a trilateral agreement aimed at repatriating over $300 million in additional funds that Mr. Bagudu played a role in pilfering during the Abacha regime. Simultaneously, the U.S. declared its ongoing efforts to pursue the forfeiture of over $177 million in additional laundered funds held in trusts, where Mr Bagudu and his relatives were listed as beneficiaries.

Mr Bagudu has for years evaded accountability within the Nigerian legal system, ascending to the positions of senator and subsequently governor for an eight-year term starting in 2015. After completing his two governorship terms in May 2023, he was tapped to join Mr Tinubu’s cabinet a few weeks later, a position that would strengthen his ability to advance his network and wealth while still shielding himself of any serious backlash.

In his 2024 budget estimates, Mr Tinubu earmarked N4.4. trillion to the budget and planning ministry under Mr Bagudu , the largest that ever allocated to that ministry since its creation. The move immediately sparked controversy, with Nigerians urging the parliament to significantly cut the proposal. But analysts said they have little expectation lawmakers would go against Mr Tinubu’s request in any meaningful way.

Thousands of teachers in Nigeria have failed the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), a mandatory test for teachers organised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

The TRCN Registrar, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, announced the results during an interactive session with journalists on Monday.

Ajiboye said more than 3,963 teachers failed the November 2023 Professional Qualifying Examination.

He also revealed that out of the 15,753 teachers who sat for the November 2023 PQE, only 10,636 passed, representing a success rate of just 72.9%.

“A total of 15,753 sat the examination in 38 centres across the country; out of this, we have 10,636 that passed, which is about 72.9 per cent and those that failed are 3,963,” Ajiboye said.

Ajiboye did not provide specific reasons for the high failure rate, but he did acknowledge the need for improvement in the teaching profession.

He, however, confirmed that some candidates were absent from the exam, while others had their results cancelled due to suspected malpractices.

The marriage between the ruling All Progressives Con- gress (APC) and the North seems to be getting over as the Northerners are disagreeing with the styles and policies of governance of the party. A former National Vice Chairman of the APC, North West and a leading political voice from the North, Salihu Lukman, recently warned that the party might lose the general election in 2027, should the situation continued the way it is. Lukman, who was assessing the performance of the party said: “I think we must be honest, and this is the point I make to our leaders; without any inhibition, at the moment, our democracy is not responsive enough. As a party of vision to be progressive, it is certainly not yet progressive.

I think I am worried that our leaders have become very comfortable to imagine that they can do anything and get away with it. “We must appeal to our leaders that things are al- most getting out of hand at the rate at which we are going under a party that is envisioned to be progressive. We are likely going to start witnessing rebellion, and if care is not taken, by 2027, we will be kicked out of office, and that means taking Nigeria back to where it was in 2015. I think we owe our leaders the responsibility or President Bola Tinubu the responsibility of telling him the honest truth.”

Lukman is not the only one crying foul from the North, as some have said the Muslim-Muslim ticket projected by the present APC administration was a fluke to deceive the Northerners.

According to them, it has not in any way benefitted the North, which is highly dominated by Muslims.

Also Prof. Usman Yusuf, a member of Northern Elders Forum, recently called out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that he is only interested in Nigerians’ money and not to provide security. Speaking on a Television program, he said: “Our president and Commander-in- Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from his words, deeds, and body language, is not interested in security. All he’s interested in is the economy, where the money is, and he’s planted his people. Security, banditry, and others appear irritants to him.

“We don’t see the president hands-on with our security. Our military is not supervised by civilian authority; they’ve gone rogue, dropping bombs on our people, and they’re not answerable to anybody. In the United States, where we copied the presidential system, the military is subordinate to civilian authority.”

The appointments of the President, especially that of the Minister of FCT, Nyesome Wike, is one that has pitched the North against Presidency and APC government. For some Northerners and the Clerics, the FCT Ministry is right of the North and for APC government to appoint a Southerner to that seat is taking away the trust of the North from the government. Prof. Shehu Madhi is in the forefront of the Northerners expressing concerns over the appointments of APC government.

They have accused Tinubu of Yorubalizing the economy by appointing Yoruba people into the economic fabrics of the country. From the Ministry of Finance, CBN, FIRS, Ministry of Blue Economy, Customs to the Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriation, they are all occupied by Yoruba people. This situation is being frowned at, especially by the North. They have argued that the appointments of the present APC government runs contrary to Federal Character. Even, with the appointments given to the North West, some Northerners are still not comfortable with the administration.

Another reasons they are against the present administration is the position of the government on Niger Republic. President Tinubu had asked for the invasion Niger because of the Military Coup in the country.

The North believed that Niger Republic is part of the North and anything against the country is against the North. They accused APC administration of working against the Northern interest, especially for cutting supply of electricity. The North vehemently spoke against such decision by Nigeria government. Also, the inability of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, to be appointed a minister is something that the North is not taking lightly. El-rufai was nominated for Ministerial slot but some cabals moved against him and he was not cleared by the Senate. The former governor has been making consultation with some power brokers and traditional rulers, as he recently visited the former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The former governor, who is a member of APC, is one of the politicians from the North, that the Northerners differ to. Against all the above is the issue of Kano, Plateau and Rivers State governorship crises. For some Northerners, the APC government attempting to turn the country to one political party state through harnessing those states is unbecoming. The situations in Kano, Plateau and Rivers states have been of concerns to many Nigerians and especially Northerners. They have warned the President not to allow the party to plunge the country into political crisis However, the problem with the North is which political party would they support against APC? Recently, a former Deputy National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Chief Bode George, said the party must field a Southern Presidential candidate in 2027.

Otherwise, it would go into extinction. An APC chieftain from the South West, who spoke under anonymity said, it would be difficult to change APC in 2027. According to him, the party would not change its Presidential candidate and there would be no any other political party strong enough to take away power from APC. He said: “APC would still retain power in 2027 because no other party would be strong to take away power from it.” He however said that they were worried that the moves by the ruling party to take over Kano and the crisis in Rivers State might spell doom for the party.

Languages of the World by Ethnologue, is an annual reference publication that provides statistics and other information on the living languages of the world.

In 2023, there were around 1.5 billion people worldwide who spoke English either natively or as a second language, slightly more than the 1.1 billion Mandarin Chinese speakers at the time of survey.

Hindi and Spanish accounted for the third and fourth most widespread languages that year.

In this article we will be looking at the countries with the most languages across the world.


Here are 10 countries with the most languages

1. Papua New Guinea: 841

2. Indonesia: 720

3. Nigeria: 537

4. India: 458

5. United States: 355

6. Australia: 318

7. China: 307

8. Mexico: 304

9. Cameroon: 279

10. Brazil: 240

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has moved the documents and materials used for the November 11 Kogi State governorship election from its office in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, to Abuja.

The National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, was said to have ordered the removal of the election materials for security reasons.

The electoral materials were loaded in no fewer than four trucks on Friday afternoon under heavy security, as they departed for the Federal Capital Territory.

The materials moved to Abuja include election results, BVAS and other relevant sensitive documents used in the election.

An INEC official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the order was from above and that it was in order to ease the smooth operation of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The source stated, “The materials used in prosecuting the November 11 governorship election are no longer safe here (in Kogi) because of incessant attacks on INEC officials, offices and tribunal members by thugs sponsored by unknown politicians. Therefore, the commission ordered the removal of the materials to a safe place.”

The tribunal earlier moved its sitting to the National Judicial Council complex in Jabi, Abuja because of the security threats in Lokoja.

The attack on INEC’s office in Lokoja and the threat to the safety of the electoral materials used in the election was confirmed by both the INEC and the Kogi State Police Command through separate statements recently.

INEC office in Lokoja came under attack by suspected thugs while the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Hale Longpet, was attacked by gunmen on December 1, 2023. The commission noted that while no lives were lost, property was destroyed in the ensuing gun battle that lasted over 30 minutes.

Also, the Secretary of the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal, David Mike, was recently ambushed and almost beaten to a pulp on his way to court while petition documents were seized by the thugs.


The materials were moved to Abuja over attacks.

See the pictures below:

Former Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan restricted each of his ministers to the use of only two cars during the fuel subsidy removal crisis in 2012.

He stated that Jonathan also stopped members of his cabinet from travelling in first class with a view to providing more funds for other relevant government activities.

According to him, though some ministers didn’t comply with his directive, the ex-president told them to reflect on the sufferings Nigerians were going through by reducing the cost of governance.

The former minister spoke on the heels of the N27.5tn budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year tagged the ‘Budget of Hope’ presented by President Bola Tinubu and currently being scrutinised by the National Assembly.

There have been mixed reactions from the public and the joint National Assembly Committees on the huge amount allocated to some items of ministries and agencies of the government in the proposed budget.

The Committee on Trade and Industry had frowned on the allocation of N1bn for a foreign trip to Geneva, Switzerland, by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, at the defence of the 2024 budget of the ministry, cautioned against travelling with over-bloated teams, thereby increasing the cost of governance.

The State House had also earmarked N9.5bn for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, operational vehicles, plain cars, and the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.

Earlier, the sum of N160bn was appropriated to purchase SUVs for lawmakers of the National Assembly.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the former minister expressed the need to reduce the cost of governance.

He said Nigerians would have hailed the National Assembly if they had reflected on the sufferings of the people by using part of the funds on constituencies and purchasing Nigerian cars.

He said, “I remember in January 2012, during the issue of the fuel subsidy. That was the first time the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, wanted to take the issue of fuel subsidy head-on. I remember at one of the meetings, former President Jonathan told us that as ministers, we could no longer travel first class.

“He also said we could no longer move around with sirens and we could only go out with our car and one other backup car. He said we needed to reflect sensitivity to the feelings of the people. Some people complied and some others didn’t comply, but the principle was very clear, and we also tried to adjust.

“I tried to imagine a National Assembly where a decision is taken that, given the situation of the country, they (National Assembly) are going to buy from Nigeria cars like Innoson Motors and they can use some part of the money for their constituency. I can’t imagine how Nigerians would hail them if that kind of decision were taken.”

By Dayo Oyewo


Some residents of Lagos State have raised the alarm over the spike in cases of kidnappings in the state in recent times.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incidents had largely been recorded on the Mainland, particularly in the Alimosho and Amuwo Odofin Local Government Areas of the state.

It was also gathered that wealthy people were the soft targets for the abductors who demanded huge ransoms.

Checks by our correspondent on Thursday also revealed that the significant rise in the trend became noticeable in the areas around August.

The most recent, however, is the abduction of a car dealer popularly known as Ejike Conversion in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market on Saturday night.

Ejike was said to have been taking an inventory of his newly imported goods in front of his plaza around 12 am when some armed men swooped in on him and his workers.

While his workers fled for safety following the sound of gunshots, Ejike was not so lucky as the armed men attacked him, dragged him into their vehicle and drove off.


A trader and member of the Board of Trustees of the market, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the abduction on Thursday while noting that the development caught many traders in the market unawares.

“Yes, Ejike was kidnapped in the market on Saturday night. It is a surprise to many because it happened late in the night when almost every trader in the market had gone home at the end of business. The market closes daily at 6pm. He was abducted at his warehouse when he was taking delivery of his goods delivered from China very late in the night,” he said.

A source in the market who also spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, on Thursday, disclosed that the abductors had opened communication with the family as they demanded N500m.

The source said the family had since been negotiating for the reduction of the amount but they were yet to reach an agreement with the kidnappers.

“Ejike is still with the kidnappers. They are demanding N500m and the amount is too much. The family has been negotiating with them but they did not reduce the amount. They insisted on collecting the amount. He was kidnapped around 12 am in his office. The police had also been informed,” the source revealed.

In a similar development, a yet-to-be-identified businessman was allegedly kidnapped earlier this month in the Ago Palace area of the state while the kidnappers demanded a sum of N500m.

A project architect, Daario Naharis, while narrating his experience on Wednesday via his X handle (formerly Twitter), said he was almost abducted in the area in November where the abductors blocked his vehicle while in motion.

He wrote, “I had this experience firsthand last month in this same Ago. I was coming home around 12 am when some guys with 2.4 Camry blocked me on motion. I bashed into their back bumper, alighted immediately considering the way they drove and bolted away seeing four doors opening at instant.

“My saving grace was that I was riding on a heavier vehicle as the impact devastated them. Before they could reconcile it, I made a decision in a nanosecond and crossed to the other road. If they were just robbers, they would have ransacked or taken the vehicle along.

“I have never had the courage to speak about my experience that day except seeing this tweet, never knew what came into me to go into them with such speed which turned out to have saved me in that situation. Those guys were properly armed and casual.”

In what appeared like a syndicate, a group of unidentified armed men were said to have kidnapped the owner of a popular hotel located at Grandmate bus stop in the Ijegun area of the state in October. His family reportedly paid about N100m as ransom before he was later released.

Similar cases were recorded on Governors Road in Ikotun, Gowon Estate in Egbeda and other locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area as the victims were made to part with huge ransoms before they were released.

PUNCH Metro had reported that a 13-year-old girl, Miracle Adereti, was kidnapped by an unknown gang in the Ikotun area of Lagos State on December 1 on her way home from school.

The father, Segun Adereti, while lamenting the abduction of his daughter, said, “We had no inkling of such a wicked act by this gang, who falsely claimed that, as a politician, I have sufficient funds to secure my daughter’s release.”

“We’ve received threats warning us not to involve the police. But as a family, we are deeply distressed and have no choice but to seek help from law enforcement agencies,” he added.

A source within the police told our correspondent that only a few cases of kidnapping in the state were reported at the police station because of the threats by the abductors.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, promised to confirm and get back to our correspondent. He had yet to do so as of the time this report was filed.

Lagos State government, yesterday, yielded to pleas from owners of property located on drainage setbacks as they requested time to come up with options that would re-establish the setbacks without necessitating demolition.

The reprieve followed government’s continued dialogue with property owners on the corridor of Lekki County, Ikota GRA, Megamound Estate, Ajiran, Agungi, Orchid, Oral II and environs.

Speaking with the owners and residents at Alausa, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state is committed to re-establishing drainage setbacks which have been blocked or converted to access roads.

“The state government would be humane in its approach to reclaim the drainage right and will give property owners and residents opportunity to proffer a solution to reclaiming the setback, till a particular date, to reduce the number of structures that would be affected,” Wahab said.

He told representatives from Megamound Estate that the System 44A that cut through Ikota GRA and Megamound is a 19.5 meters (width) channel, which has been blocked by Ikota GRA and Lekki County property owners and residents.

He said the government is determined to find a realistic solution to flooding in the areas: hence, the 31-metre drainage alignment would be re-established and six-metre setbacks on both sides would be recovered.

He said all property owners whose fences fell within the drainage setback would be served mandatory contravention notices as the law demands, while enforcement would be a last option.

At the meeting, affected property owners pleaded with the commissioner to temper justice with mercy and grant them an opportunity to come up with solutions. The commissioner, thereafter, urged the developers and builders to always seek drainage approvals before commencing projects.

BudgIT Foundation, a leading civic-tech organisation promoting transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in Nigeria, has revealed that its detailed review of the proposed N27.5 trillion 2024 budget showed that the budgets of some key revenue-generating government entities are conspicuously missing in the budget.

BudgIT made the revelation in its review report of the budget titled ‘2024 Budget: Issues Begging for Attention’ and published on its website.

It listed some of the key revenue-generating government entities whose budgets are not disclosed in the 2024 proposed budget to include the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NiMASA), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM).

BudgIT had raised concerns over the proposed 2024 budget presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu for approval.

BudgIT which highlighted what it described as alarming issues and discrepancies in the 2024 budget called for a review of the budget, stating that one significant observation it made is the absence of crucial budget breakdowns from the National Assembly, government-owned enterprises and some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

BudgIT also in August itemised what it described as 10 plagues that President Bola Tinubu's administration had to avoid in the 2024 budget and process to ensure value for money, curb inefficient expenditure and waste, enforce accountability, and put Nigeria on the pathway of prosperity, economic growth, and development.

It however stated in the report that unfortunately, having reviewed the proposed 2024 budget breakdown, it observed that Tinubu’s administration continued with some “deleterious budget practices from previous regimes that fostered corruption, underdevelopment, unemployment, and multidimensional poverty.”

BudgIT stated that the breakdown of the National Assembly budgets revealed that some Government-Owned Entities (GOEs) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were missing in the 2024 proposed budget.

BudgIT said, “The unwillingness of GOEs and MDAs to submit their budgets to public scrutiny and evaluation prevents the expansion of government revenues and the effective utilization of government expenditure.

“Withholding serious information on GOEs’ earnings and expenditures erodes the public and the wider global economy’s ability to engage with, understand, and invest in the domestic economy.

“For instance, there is no breakdown of the National Assembly, the Niger Delta Development Commission and the North East Development Commission’s budget.

“For emphasis, the budgets of key revenue-generating government entities—including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NiMASA), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM), to mention a few—are conspicuously missing from the proposed 2024 budget presented to the National Assembly.”

It continued, “While the political class might think divulging information on budgets, revenue, spending, implementation, and debt would amount to too much disclosure of fiscal information, BudgIT thinks the reverse is true.

“Making such important data public would foster confidence in the system and lead to GOEs becoming more transparent and potentially encouraging accountability.”

BudgIT further revealed that the breakdown of the proposed 2024 budget sums up to N24.08 trillion, which suggests a difference of N3.42 trillion not accounted for when compared to the N27.5 trillion aggregate budget the President presented to the National Assembly.

It said, “BudgIT suspects that the aforementioned difference comprises the aggregate budgets of the Government-Owned Enterprises.

“To this effect, BudgIT posits that the Government-Owned Enterprises’ proposed revenue and expenditures require disaggregation.

“Historically, the revenues and expenditures of several Government-Owned Enterprises have been absent from formal budget presentations.

“Former President Muhammadu Buhari promised to ensure all MDAs and GOEs budgets are present in the annual appropriation bill and defended and assented to publicly.

“This was not implemented before the end of his tenure, and the Tinubu administration has carried on with business as usual, which clearly indicates the need for more Government-Owned Enterprises’ budget implementation reports.”

The caretaker committee chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s move to end the rift between the state governor, Simi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has collapsed as crisis in the state has continued to fester.

Recall that Tinubu recently held a meeting with Wike and Fubara at the presidential villa in Abuja, to broker peace between the two politicians in the state.

But in the last four days, the crisis assumed a new dimension with the demolition of the state House of Assembly Complex and defection of 27 members of the assembly loyal to Wike, to the APC.

Addressing a press conference at the APC national secretariat on Thursday in Abuja, following the developments in the state, including the peace move by Tinubu to end the strained relationship between Fubara and Wike, Okocha said, “I wasn’t part of it, but whatever that was it, has broken down, and it has been broken irreconcilably.”

He also said the four members of the state House of Assembly led by the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, who sat and passed the budget presented to them by Governor Fubara for the 2024 fiscal year were dwelling on illegality, saying their action would not stand.

Okocha said the APC was wooing Wike to defect to the party, stressing that as soon as he becomes a member of the APC, he would become the party’s leader in the state.

Federal government has spent over N600 billion to subsidise electricity in 2023 alone, as forex unification and the high inflationary pressures in pushed cost-reflective tariffs to N124/kWh.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which made this known revealed that the federal government paid the sum of N2.8 trillion to subsidise electricity consumed in the country from 2015 to 2022.

This is as the minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is advocating for the pricing of gas utilised by the electricity Generation Companies (GenCos) in Naira to allow better management of the foreign currency-related inflationary trends in the sector.

The minister faulted the country’s current pricing of gas utilised by GenCos in US dollars, noting that that is the major issue in Nigeria’s power sector.

Speaking on Tuesday, at the ongoing three-day ministerial retreat in Abuja, Adelabu said. the pricing of gas utilised by GenCos in Dollars affects the pricing of electricity to end-users due to foreign exchange volatility.

“A hugely volatile variable that significantly affects the pricing of electricity to end-users. A more preferable option is to ensure that the gas utilised by the GenCos is traded in Naira to better manage the foreign currency-related inflationary trends that challenge the faithful application of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology,” he said.

The development comes barely a week after GenCos warned that they may not be able to sustain current electricity supply levels following the payment of only 28.3 per cent of an invoice for power supplied to the national grid by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc in the September payment cycle.

“The good news here is that over 98 per cent of the feedstock powering electricity generation in the country are transition or clean fuels, as Nigeria ramps up its capacity to generate more electricity through renewable means such as solar, hydro, wind, bioenergy and others,” he said.

Adelabu said the ministry would like to see more utility-scale solar power plants by 2030, which brings added responsibility for investments in generation and grid stability to address the variability that transmission of renewable energy-generated power over long distances brings.

“This brings with it the need for distributed generation power systems from renewable energy-driven power plants, that are localised around clustered communities and embedded or captive areas while at the same time stabilising our national grid and or deploying super-grids or regional grids that can transmit generated power over long distances with minimal losses.

“We need our investors, financiers and NESI value chain players to dimension the opportunities and electricity sector alignment with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan to ensure we meet our energy transition aspirations,” he said.

Meanwhile, during his presentation at the ministerial retreat, NERC chairman, Sanusi Garba, said the the federal government will pay as much as N1.6 trillion to subsidise electricity in 2024 unless the current tariffs are reviewed to align with current economic realities.

According to him, the federal government from January to April 2023 paid a total of N57 billion to subsidies the revenue shortfalls of the distribution companies (DisCos).
Sanusi said that without the tariff reviews that commenced in 2019, subsidies payable by the government would have grown to about a trillion naira per annum by 2023.

“From 2015 almost N2 trillion has been paid by the federal government in subsidies and this is because of the huge gap between what revenue should have been and what it has been. In the current year, the estimated requirements for subsidy is in the region of N600 billion and the projection for next year if nothing is done is about N1.6 trillion,” he said.

Garba explained that the electricity sector has been challenged by issues including insufficient end-user tariffs, poor revenue collection by DisCos, infrastructure deficit, huge metering gap, as well as ineffective contracts that limited the accountability of operators.

He noted that between January 2020 to January 2023, tariffs have been reviewed and increased from 55 per cent of cost recovery to 94 per cent. He added that without the tariff reviews that commenced in 2019, subsidies payable would have grown to about a trillion naira per annum in 2023.

“Service-based tariff was instrumental in the transition to cost reflective tariff. The unification of FOREX and current inflationary pressure in 2024 has pushed cost-reflective tariffs to N124/kWh.

“It is imperative for policy support to review end-user tariffs to minimise fiscal burden.”

Speaking further, Garba noted that several initiatives of the commission and previous government mass metering resulted in the deployment of 2.4 million meters across the country, with less than 10 per cent of meters installed post-privatisation having been funded by DisCos.

“Of 12.43 million electricity customers, 5.41 million have been and 7milion unmetered. Nigeria has a 5.5 million net metering gap to be funded.

“DisCos have only achieved 56 per cent of their expected CAPEX investments from 2015 to 2021, while TCN has achieved 28 per cent of their CAPEX investments from 2013 to 2030,” he said.

Sanusi proposed the implementation of automatic monthly tariff adjustments to manage volatilities in FOREX and inflation ratesas well as the imperatives for policy support to review end-user tariffs to minimise fiscal burden.

The minister of power Adebayo Adelabu, had also stated that one of the objectives of the Nigerian electricity sector reform programme initiated over 23 years ago is to make electricity available to consumers across the country.

According to him, poor track record in contracting, contract management, and adherence to contractual obligations, among other issues plaguing the electricity supply industry.

“With impartial examination, it is evident that these identified factors erode confidence in the viability of the sector and pose fundamental challenges of inadequate capitalisation and limited access to funds for the diverse players along the energy value chain, from gas supply to electricity distribution.

“Even as electricity consumption per capita was at 140 KWh in 2021, relatively low in comparison to neighbouring countries and almost three times lower than the average for Sub-Saharan Africa., Nigeria is a case study in a deep electricity paradox.

“Nigeria has grown to become the host of probably the world’s largest fleet of diesel- and petrol-powered generation capacity that is utilized for baseload supply. Various figures have been mentioned but it is safe to say that this fleet measures no less than 40,000MW of total capacity. At an average operating cost of no less than N=250/kWh as opposed to an average economic tariff today of approximately N=120/kWh (weighted between petrol and diesel generation),” he said.

Speaking further, the minister stated that over 98 per cent of the feedstock powering electricity generation in the country are transition fuels, as Nigeria ramps up its capacity to generate more electricity through renewable means such as solar, hydro, wind, bioenergy and others.

The minister also highlighted the pricing of gas utilized by electricity generating companies in US dollars was a major issue in the sector and a hugely volatile variable that significantly affects the pricing of electricity to end-users.

For him, a preferable option is to ensure that the gas utilized by GenCos is traded in Niara to better manage the foreign currency-related inflationary trends that challenge the application of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology.

“While we appreciate the interplay of contractual obligations, economics and the application of the Petroleum Industry Act, it must also be said that, as a matter of urgent national interest and economic survival, we must find ways and means to pursue domestic gas policies and incentivize stakeholders for the supply of gas for inland use in electricity supply, other industrial activities, and conversion to CNG and LPG for transportation and domestic uses respectively.

“Therefore, I would suggest that one of the major deliverables from this policy-making process is a viable method for establishing a sustainable capital investment programme around gas processing and transportation infrastructure with its associated fiscal incentives and policies that will attract/unlock investments into the production of Naira-denominated gas from inland gas basins, and in Non-Associated Gas fields from Nigeria’s various prolific hydrocarbon basins,” he said.

By Abdulqudus Ogundapo


The Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments, Doris Uzoka-Anite, is proposing to spend over a billion naira on a trip to Geneva next year.

The proposed spending is contained in the allocation of the ministry in the 2024 budget.

Adams Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo North, spoke on the allocation on Tuesday when the minister appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Investment, to defend her ministry’s budget.

Mr Oshiomhole, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, was not specific about the actual amount the minister proposed for travelling to Geneva.

He only mentioned that the trade, industry and investment minister is proposing to spend over N1 billion on a trip to Geneva.

The details were not released to journalists either after the budget defence.

During the defence, Mr Oshiomhole questioned the rationale behind the minister’s plan to spend over one billion naira on a trip to Geneva amidst economic hardship that has forced many Nigerians into poverty.

“I see that you intend to travel to Geneva next year and you have budgeted over one billion for that. We can’t keep going on with over-bloated teams on abroad trips. Use the experts we have in your offices in the country to save costs.

“Let us practice what we preach. We cannot talk about industrialisation and keep importing toothpicks and tyres. We must ensure that we have homegrown products,” he said.


Sit down in your office and work

Mr Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, advised Mrs Uzoka-Anite to develop the trade and investment sector of Nigeria through foreign investors.

“What is our balance of trade, especially with China? Those countries importing things to Nigeria are expected to build factories in Nigeria. We have to take advantage of our population to grow our industries”.

“Madam, sit in your office and work for Nigerians. I have gone there twice. You are always in the BOI. If you preferred the BOI, you should have declined the president’s nomination to be a minister” the senator said.

Responding, Mrs Nkiruka-Anite claimed that she doesn’t stay in her office because it is under renovation.

“I assure you that I can work from anywhere and give Nigerians results. My office is currently under renovation.


No record of trade balance in my office – Minister

The minister also said her ministry does not have a record of the country’s trade balance.

“Sir I regret to say that we seem to have no record of our balance of trade. Or at least it doesn’t exist in the ministry and that is why we initiated a new unit called the trade intelligence unit to ensure that such data are generated and stored.”

Criticism over-bloated COP28 delegation
The federal government had recently come under heavy criticism for sending over 400 delegates to the Climate Change Summit, COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the government spent at least N2.7 billion to sponsor the delegates to attend the 13-day summit which ended on 12 December.

Altogether, Nigeria had 1,411 delegates attending the event, out of which the government said it sponsored 422.

A million-dollar property located in the United States of America and owned by Maj. Gen. Erema Akerejola, Chief of Logistics of the Nigerian Army has been uncovered.

Documents seen by SaharaReporters show that the building which is located at 11860 Old Station Pl, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30004 is currently worth $1,013,000.

The Department of Army Logistics (DOAL) is responsible for all logistics matters in the Nigerian Army.

The department currently headed by Akerejola controls the entire Nigerian Army budget.

It also supervises all quartering services of the army, the military websites says.

The 4092 square feet property acquired by the Major General was constructed in 2012 and it contains 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.


The walls are covered with bricks.


While SaharaReporters could not confirm when Akerejola bought the property, an army source confirmed that payment for the property was made from funds diverted from the military budget.

Another source familiar with the property said the Army General put his wife’s name, Moturayo as owner of the house to “cover his tracks”.

“He currently has seven mansions in America acquired with army logistics funds,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“This should explain to you that monies are being illegally taken by army generals from funds budgeted for the feeding, medical care and payment of allowances of soldiers fighting the war against Islamist insurgents in Nigeria’s northeast zone.

“In 2021, Akerejola was moved from Army Headquarters Department of Logistics to Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin as Commandant but guess what, he made sure he was redeployed as Chief Logistics Officer.

“The houses in the U.S. were bought in his wife’s name. The name of his wife is Motunrayo Eunice Akerejola. She is not from a rich family; she is from Ogori. Tunrayo attended Community Comprehensive High School (CCHS), Ogori.

“This particular house alone is worth over $1 million. All properties he has in the USA are collectively worth over $10 million. This is apart from the houses he has in Abuja; a civil servant for that matter.”

Another source added, “Unfortunately, many of these senior officers steal money to keep their wives and children abroad. These monies are meant for buying of arms to protect Nigerians.”

In March 2021, the then-National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno revealed that funds running into billions of naira meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition under the past service chiefs were unaccounted for.

In the last four years, over 5,000 soldiers in Northeast Nigeria and other theatres of operation have resigned from the Nigerian Army.

Some of the affected soldiers who spoke to SaharaReporters cited loss of interest, intimidation by superiors, corruption in the army, and low morale as the reasons for their actions.

There have been allegations of corruption in the Nigerian Army which some of the soldiers have blamed for their loss of interest.

According to them, the army is the epitome of deep-seated corruption.

They noted that corruption is affecting the fight against the anti-terrorism war in the Northeast.

To stop such a move, army authorities in December 2022 said citing “loss of interest” and “low morale” as reasons for the disengagement by soldiers would no longer be accepted as the basis for approval of voluntary retirement.

The then-Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. General Faruk Yahaya in a signal said service personnel discharging at will did not augur well for the Nigerian Army.

The signal had read, “Military service in Nigeria is a voluntary service. Accordingly, able-bodied men and women apply to join to serve the colour after which, they apply for re-engagement or choose to voluntarily discharge. Others in the course of service decide to go on retirement or discharge before their Run Out Date (ROD).


“Admittedly, service in the NA is voluntary and since it’s not a conscript army any personnel could opt to leave at different times. Conversely, considering the resources and efforts that have been put into training most of the applicants which require that skills and expertise acquired is utilized for the benefits of the system opting out without serving the length prescribed in the colour is inimical to the system.

“Also, in order to ensure the expertise acquired is not easily let off by the service and to recoup the investment made to the benefits of the Nation, Service personnel discharging at will does not augur well for the NA. However, it was observed recently that most at times soldiers come out with various excuses to go on retirement and discharge which are not cogent enough or professional. In light of the forgoing, you are kindly requested to educate troops under command that henceforth, reasons such as loss of interest in military service will no longer be tolerated as basis for discharge.

“This reason is to say the least lame and therefore not accepted. Personnel are expected to explain the reason behind lack of interest e.g. I do not want to fight for the country again, I have not been promoted etc. to enable the service make necessary amendment for the betterment of the system. Accordingly, other cogent reasons could be made for discharge from service otherwise such request would not be granted.”

Recently, a former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, Maj. Gen. Umar Muazu Mohammed was court-martialed for fraud and found guilty of stealing millions of dollars.

He was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison.

The Special Court Martial set up by the Nigerian Army also ordered General Mohammed to pay back the sum of $2,178,900 and N1.65 billion to the Army properties and NAPL.

The Special Court-Martial found him guilty of 14 out of 18 counts brought against him, which are all contrary to service laws.

The charges included stealing, forgery, conspiracy, theft, and unauthorized diversion of Army property among others and they were all subject to service discipline.

Among the charges was the collection of a sum of $1,045,400 paid by shipping companies for the use of Nigerian Army Jetty located at No 6 Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mohammed was also found guilty of the theft of $430,800 being monies paid into the Nigerian Army Domiciliary account at Unity Bank, Abuja for the use of Nigerian Army Jetty, Marina, VI, Lagos

Furthermore, he was found guilty of withdrawing and confiscating the sum of N74 million out of N75 million paid for a property belonging to the Nigerian Army at Ikoyi, Lagos.

However, Maj. Gen. Akerejola did not answer calls nor reply to the SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him to defend the allegations and explain the source of the funding for the property(ies).

Air passengers going to the South Eastern part of the country will pay over N500, 000 on return tickets to their various destinations during the yuletide – Christmas and new year period, LEADERSHIP can report.

LEADERSHIP gathered that while other routes such as Lagos -Abuja, Lagos Port Harcourt and Lagos-Uyo still maintained their pre-yuletide fare, the South Eastern routes are currently exorbitantly high.

As monitored by our Correspondent, return tickets from Lagos to Anambra on Air Peace, goes for N533,600, while Lagos- Enugu and Owerri return tickets go for N343,200 and N533,600 respectively.

On United Nigeria Airlines, Abuja-Anambra; Lagos- Anambra; Lagos Enugu and Lagos Owerri go for N441,000; N520,500 and N441,000 respectively.

Dana Air only ply Owerri in the South-East and the return ticket during the period under review goes for N400,000.

However, it was further gathered that despite the astronomical increase in the flight tickets, the airlines have sold out their seats for the yuletide season.

Also, stakeholders have attributed to inflation, foreign exchange, airlines trapped fund and hike in jet A1 as reasons for the astronomical increase in the price

Peak periods for airlines are during the yuletide period and due to insecurity in the region, visitors prefer to pay the astronomical air fare to land travelling.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the secretary general, Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI), Olumide Ohunayo, said with the current exchange rate, the current fare is not unexpected.

Ohunayo stated that demand and time of ticket purchase are always a factor in determining ticket price globally, saying Nigeria’s domestic market cannot be exempted.

He, however, stated that currently the fare is justified but by January, it will return to its normal rate.

“The airfare is justified because we are in the festive season and any passengers who didn’t buy a ticket three months ago will pay the N350,000 one way fare. The same aircraft, some passengers will pay N80,000, N100,000 because they have planned their travel ahead. If you are travelling anywhere in the world at this period, the ticket goes up astronomically.

“Aviation products are always in dollars and Nigerian airlines earn in Naira, however, with the current exchange rate, the airfare we are seeing now is not unexpected. What we can encourage is to see if we can have more airlines or the fewer airlines available can get wet lease aircraft to augment high demands during this season.”

Ohunayo urged airlines to get more wet leased aircraft for the busy routes even as he attributed the fare hike to trapped funds, aviation fuel and others.

“Also, this is the time airlines get wet lease aircraft for the South Eastern and Southern routes. Demand and time of purchase are always a factor in determining ticket price and the domestic market cannot be exempted and by January, it will come down. It’s just their season. In aviation sector, anyone who plan ahead, will pay less while those who do not, will pay more,” Ohunayo stated

“And with the exchange rate, cost of aviation fuel and trapped funds, I am not surprised at the fares.”

Speaking about the air fare, former commandant of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), noted that the cost of aviation services is globally rated against the Dollar and it reflects the nation’s economic reality.

Capt. Ojikutu advised the federal government to enforce the compulsory deposit of the forex charges from all the operators into a domiciliary account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the naira equivalent given to the depositors.

“The dollar rate against the naira is about thrice what it was about 12 months ago so also is the cost of aviation fuel four times what it was six months ago so should you expect the air fares not to be less than thrice what it was six months ago?” he asked rhetorically. He stated further, “Note that costing of aviation services is globally rated against the Dollar and should justifiably reflect the Economic reality.”

Speaking further, he said, “first government should grade, categorise or classify our airports into five and so gradually rate their services charges with CAT A (above 5m passengers traffic and international) 100 per cent charge; CAT B, less than 5m but not lower than 2m, 75 per cent charge; CAT C, less than 2m but not less than 500,000, 50 per cent charge; CAT D, less than 500,000 but not less 100,000, 25 per cent charge and CAT E, less than 100,000 annually, zero per cent of all Aeronautical services charges.

“Secondly, enforce the compulsory deposit of the forex charges from all the operators into a domiciliary account in the CBN and the naira equivalent given to the depositors. This deposit is where all forex transactions of all the operators would be done including the returns of the foreign airlines to their home countries,” Capt. Ojikutu, Chief executive officer of Centurion Security and Safety Consult.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to start producing Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, and JetA1 or aviation fuel in January 2024, while the production of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, is being delayed by the supply of crude oil in installments.

It was gathered on Sunday that the facility would require a minimum of six million barrels of crude oil to kick-start the full production of refined petroleum products including AGO, PMS, Jet A1 and Dual Purpose Kerosene, otherwise called kerosene.

But what the refinery got last week was one million barrels of crude, while the remaining five million barrels would arrive at the $20bn facility in another five installments.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Project, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, is a 650,000 barrels per day crude oil refinery, located in Dangote Industries Free Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day covers an area of approximately 2,635 hectares and is located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

On November 2, 2023, The PUNCH reported that the failure to supply crude oil to domestic refineries, including the multi-billion dollar Dangote refinery, stalled the production of refined petroleum products at the facilities.

The report also stated that the lack of crude oil supply came as the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery in Lagos missed the October production projection it had earlier set.

It pointed out that the October production target miss made it the second time in 2023 that Dangote Refinery would raise hopes in Africa, especially Nigeria, of a possible end to petrol importation.

Following The PUNCH’s report, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited swiftly declared the next day November 3, 2023, that it was set to provide six million barrels of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery. It, however, has yet to do so.

But on Friday, the management of Dangote Refinery confirmed the receipt of one million barrels of crude oil, adding that this would lead to the production of refined products at the facility.

“In a major step towards boosting Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and attaining energy security (self-sufficiency), Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals plant has purchased one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited, one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria as well as globally, trading over eight million barrels of crude oil per day,” the oil firm had stated.

But when contacted on Sunday to confirm whether the company would start pumping out refined PMS based on the one million barrels of crude that it received on Friday, an official of the firm stated that what Nigerians should expect in January would be diesel and aviation fuel.


Six million barrels

The official explained that the facility required a minimum of six million barrels of crude to commence the full production of refined petroleum products, but what it got last week was only one million barrels.

“For a 650,000bpd capacity refinery, it requires a minimum of six million barrels to start production, and what we have done now is to receive one million barrels and it is being discharged,” the impeccable source, who pleaded not to be named due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.

“So it is just one million barrels for now, and that means we need to take it in installments for six times, which is six installments of one million barrels each,” the source added.

The official, however, stated that the one million barrels would lead to the production of diesel and aviation fuel, stressing that PMS, kerosene and other refined products would come as the company gets more crude cargoes.

“Ultimately, what that (the one million barrels receipt) means is that by January, maybe in the second week, we should start having diesel, after which aviation fuel will come before we now cascade to PMS,” the source stated.

In the statement from Dangote Refinery on the receipt of its maiden crude cargo, the company stated that the cargo from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited contained one million barrels from Agbami and sailed to Dangote Refinery’s Single Point Mooring, where it was discharged into the refinery’s crude oil tanks.

“The maiden one million barrels, which represent the first phase of the six million barrels of crude oil to be supplied to Dangote Petroleum Refinery by a range of suppliers, should sustain the initial 350,000 barrels per day to be processed by the facility.

“The next four cargoes will be supplied by the NNPC in two to three weeks and the final of the six cargoes will be supplied by ExxonMobil.

“This supply will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG, before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit,” the company stated.

It said this latest development would play a pivotal role in alleviating the fuel supply challenges faced by Nigeria as well as the West African countries.

The firm stated that the facility was designed for 100 percent Nigerian crude with the flexibility to process other crudes, adding that the 650,000 barrels per day refinery could process most African crude grades as well as Middle Eastern Arab Light and even United States Light tight oil, as well as crude from other countries.

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery can meet 100 percent of Nigeria’s requirement of all refined products, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet, and also have a surplus of each of these products for export.

“The refinery was built to take crude through its two SPMs located 25km from the shore and to discharge petroleum products through three separate SPMs. In addition, the refinery has the capacity to load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries.

“Dangote Refinery has a self-sufficient marine facility with the ability to handle the largest vessel globally available. In addition, all products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.

“The refinery is designed to comply with US EPA, European emission norms, and (defunct) Department of Petroleum Resources emission/effluent norms as well as African Refiners and Distribution Association standards,” the company stated.

The President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was quoted as saying, “We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects.

“Our focus over the coming months is to ramp up the refinery to its full capacity. I look forward to the next significant milestone when we deliver the first batch of products to the Nigerian market.”

On his part, the Country Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said, “We welcome the startup of a refinery that is designed to produce gasoline, diesel, and low-sulphur fuels for Nigeria and across West Africa and are happy to be enabling it.”

A document detailing some of the attributes of the facility, obtained by one of our correspondents, showed that tank farms in the facility have a total of 177 tanks with a cumulative capacity of 4.74 billion litres, and total tanker loading of 2,900.

For product evaluation, the report stated that the dispatch facilities by road (tanker) for the products (gasoline, diesel, kerosene/jet fuel, propane and slurry) was up to 80 percent of the total production and up to 75 percent through marine facilities.

It stated that the plant would operate a year-round operation for road loading operations, adding that on logistics, over 1,029 trucks would improve the capacity of the local logistics.

On employment generation, the document stated that over 100,000 indirect employment would be created at retail outlets, adding that 26,716 filling stations and 129 depots would come onstream in Nigeria.

It stated that the facility would ensure the ease of availability of products and help open up service stations, while 16,000 trucks for transportation would create additional jobs.

“In terms of employment generation, over 30,000 are currently working at the petroleum refinery project site, through various contractors. When operational, the petroleum refinery is going to generate over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerian youths,” the company stated in the document, adding that the refinery would create a $21bn market annually for Nigerian crude.

The facility has its own power plant with a capacity of 435 megawatts.

“The refinery has its own dedicated steam and power generation system with adequate standby units for reliable/uninterrupted utility supply to operating plants,” the company stated in the document.

It stated that Dangote Industries had developed a port and constructed quays with a load-bearing capacity of 25 tonnes/sq.m to bring Dimensional Cargoes close to the site directly to handle liquid cargoes.

“The Jetty is situated at a distance of 12.3km from the refinery thereby effectively reducing the travel time,” it stated.


Otedola commends refinery

Reacting to the development, billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, said Dangote Refinery would champion energy security in Nigeria.

Otedola said this on Sunday on his X (formerly Twitter ) handle, where he congratulated Africa’s richest man and his “bestie,” Aliko Dangote, on the commencement of production of the refinery, which was commissioned in May, before the expiration of the tenure of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, “By meeting our requirements for all refined petroleum products, it will champion energy security and independence for our nation and act as a catalyst for a new era of prosperity for the subcontinent. It promises economic transformation for Nigerians today and for generations to come.”

Otedola started off his piece on the social media platform by congratulating Dangote.


650,000 barrels

“I heartily congratulate my bestie #AlikoDangote as the 8th Wonder of the World – the $20bn #DangoteGroup Refinery – officially commences production. The Dangote Petrochemical Complex, which consists of the world’s largest single-train 650,000 barrels per day petroleum refinery, one million metric tonnes of polypropylene per annum facility, and two of the world’s largest fertiliser trains, with a capacity of producing three million tonnes of urea, is much more than just an industrial milestone; it’s a testament to the visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence of one of Africa’s finest and most dogged patriots,” he said.

Providing more details, Otedola revealed that he had a front-row seat in the conceptualisation and process of establishing the refinery, saying “I am familiar with the sleepless nights you’ve had to work through over the last decade to bring this dream to fruition.”

He added, “This refinery is a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians and Africans. It is also at the vanguard of championing environmental sustainability. With its carbon capture technologies and storage processes, it will capture up to 90 percent+ of the CO2 emitted and also play a significant role in reducing well-to-tank carbon emissions from crude oil maritime transportation, thereby playing its own role in helping Nigeria meet its target for net-zero emissions by 2060.

“The refinery re-circles 100 percent of its water. The heat coming out of the process is fully captured to produce 50MW of power. Dangote is also producing Euro-5 to replace the bad Euro-5 that has been dumped in Africa for a long time.

“Shipping 65,000 barrels per day of crude out of Nigeria and 650kbpd in refined products to Nigeria and nearby countries which is 480 ships of one million barrels per day will save 1.5m to 2.5m tonnes of CO2 emissions. This will help the environment.”

Also speaking on the development, the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, said the move by the management of Dangote Refinery was commendable.

“We are optimistic to see the commencement of refined products from the facility and we are ready to party Dangote in ensuring the distribution of these refined products across the country,” he stated.

Col Hassan Stan-Labo is a retired officer with a wealth of combat operational experience spanning his duty tour of Liberia, Sierra Leone, West Darfur and Bakassi Peninsula as part of the Army’s Elite Infantry (Special Forces) Corps.

Now a security consultant, defence strategist, resource fellow and Convener, ‘FIX NIGERIA NOW!’ Stan-Labo speaks, in this interview, on the accidental drone attack in Kaduna State that killed scores of civilians last week.

The errant drone, according to the military, was targeting terrorists allegedly operating in the area. “Yes, the incident has sparked national outrage as expected. The bitter truth however remains that some Nigerians (including highly placed politicians in the immediate past administration) were sympathetic to terrorists”, he said, adding: ”It was no surprise to find outright complicit directives and actions at cross purposes with the national interest emanating from Government Houses across northern states or even the Presidency as witnessed in the last administration. The retired Special Forces officer also said the military acted professionally in the Kaduna drone incident: Excerpts:

The army has apologized over the drone attack on the civilian population in a Kaduna community which apparently killed many people. What immediately struck your mind after hearing the news?

Knowing what the consequences may be, I did wish it had not happened because all sorts of meanings would be read into it including the unthinkable. It’s really a sad experience for the community and bereaved members of the affected families. May the souls of the deceased persons rest in peace! It was quite professional and the proper thing to do by the Army owning up immediately to the mishap, tendering due apology and the physical visit to the affected communities by the leadership of the military. It served to calm nerves within the community.


For the benefit of our readers, what is the difference between fighter jet which many people are familiar with and drone, and why was it necessary for drone to be used in this particular instance instead of fighter jet?

Fighter jets (in layman’s term) are combat warplanes used in the engagement of enemy forces. Their functions vary according to their make, configuration, specifications, purpose, etc. On the other hand, drones are unmanned modern technological air assets integrated into military inventories world wide as unmanned flying platforms designed to play similar roles as manned air assets. In today’s modern warfare, drones have become veritable high utility platforms given their performance level and the zero human cost advantage.

Most countries with a long history fighting terrorism have adopted the use of drones in view of its high level efficacy in the fight against terrorism. Most drones today are multi-purpose built for enhanced functions such as surveillance, attack, logistics move, info acquisition, etc. However a good reading of the battle in conjunction with several other factors informs on the application of resources and its employment by the Field Commander.


An accident apparently happened. Why do you think the drone attack horribly went wrong? And what was the margin of error that could have made the killing of civilians impossible?

These are very technical questions that can only be answered by those manning the operations cell and with responsibility for that particular air asset. What Intel were they acting on, what were the imageries they were trailing after, what is the movement pattern or character of the group, etc? But like I earlier said, incidents as these could occur in battles or field operations.


The incident has predictably sparked national outrage. But while the army was apologizing for the accidental attack, it also said many terrorists were killed in a way that it appeared like they were blaming the locals for allowing alleged terrorists to embed with them. What is your take?

Yes, the incident has sparked national outrage as expected. The bitter truth however remains that some Nigerians (including highly placed politicians in the immediate past administration) were sympathetic to terrorists. It was no surprise to find outright complicit directives and actions at cross purposes with the national interest emanating from Government Houses across northern states or even the Presidency as witnessed in the last administration. Religion, tribe and ethnic considerations often weighted far and above national interest considerations constituting globs in the fight against terrorism. This became responsible for the lackluster attitude, indecisiveness, slow response and poor outing by the military under the Buhari administration. In Zamfara we witnessed an unholy romance between terrorists and government officials degenerate into open calls for a grant of amnesty. How ridiculous! In Kaduna State, terrorists became handy tools in furthering the state government’s genocide activities against indigenous Christian minorities in Southern Kaduna under the watchful eyes and endorsement of the Buhari Presidency.


Tell us about incidents like this across the world where civilians were accidentally targeted?

Drone strikes just like every conventional air combat strike could occur with human errors resulting in collateral damages or outright target miss. Speaking professionally, incidents of this nature occur in battle fronts either by combat aircraft or drones. I recall vividly while serving as the Ground Force Protection Platoon Commander at Lungi International Airport, Sierra-Leone, which was then the ECOMOG Air Tactical HQs.

We did witness how attempts to clear rebels embedding with fishing communities along the maritime coastline often resulted in collateral damages as innocent and peaceful communities get bombed accidentally. Similar developments were to be seen during my tour of duty in Liberia, The Darfur (Sudan) and while at The Bakassi where Cameroon air force pilots often times bombed their own fishing villages in protection of their maritime coastline assets. As we speak, Israel’s IDF is bombing hospitals and worship places in Gaza and Rafah. Same is ongoing in the Russian – Ukraine war.

Have we had incidents like this in Nigeria before?

Yes but not of this magnitude. During the Civil War and in our present war against terrorism we’ve had the course to suffer Blue on Blue actions.

You are from Kaduna. How prevalent are the activities of terrorists in the area where this incident happened to justify the use of drone?

I am from Southern Kaduna but this incident took place in the northern part of Kaduna. Though the entire Kaduna State has been a war zone of activities, the hub of terrorist activity is to be found in the Southern part of Kaduna where I come from. The presence of terrorists had become a fine line of alibi in the hands of government in its bid to eliminate the Christian indigenous minority tribes through well orchestrated genocide action under the watchful eyes of the Presidency by the previous administration. The use of drones does not require any special justification. It is an air asset at the disposal of the Operations’ Commander who engages them in line with the dictates of the battle. The employment of the asset is informed by his sense of judgment, discretion, resource management and determination to retain the initiative while remaining proactive. With seasoned and tested hands like Gen CG Musa and Lt Gen T Lagbaja, I don’t expect any less.


What are the lessons that our security forces can learn to avert future occurrence of this accidental attack?

Security is every man’s responsibility and not just that of the military. Citizens must take ownership of their security and endeavor to play by the rules of the game. How do I mean? Distance yourself from the bad guys so no one comes knocking on your door asking for them. Lessons all stakeholders should learn would include see and something say something, avoid the bad guys but keep an eye on them, proper liaison between communities and security agencies, continuous patrol, continuous training, good border protection management protocol, mop-up of small arms & light weapons, halt arms proliferation and prevent non-state actors access to automatic weapons.


The Buhari administration did very badly on security. What is your take on the attitude of the Tinubu government to providing security for Nigerians?

If you say the Buhari administration did very badly on security, it would sound as though there were areas in which that administration performed. I say with every sense of responsibility that this country had no political leadership in the last eight years. Gen Buhari was an absentee President all through his tenure. The Buhari administration took us decades back. The man just wanted power but knew nothing absolutely about governance, administration or management. Now we realise how much work Gen Idiagbon did running this country and ascribing all credits to Buhari. Frankly I would rather not discuss him and the monumental failure he represented especially when I look around and see persons of northern extraction who could have been of blessing to this country in that position. As for President Tinubu we need more time to assess him even though the red lights we see are clearly indicative of the administration’s loss of touch and sensitivity with the people. The financial rascality we see ongoing in an economy that begs for frugality in spending is really disturbing and scary. On security for Nigerians, he is lucky to have picked some very good hands. The proactive attitude of his Service Chiefs and entire security team is so far a big plus for him. However it is too early to assess him.


You were involved with the Obi campaign which unfortunately didn’t turn out positively. Tell us your story and your next step?

Yes I was highly privileged to have been involved in the campaigns of such a great and well respected Nigerian as Peter Obi, the only Nigerian politician whose style of politics resonates with me comfortably enough to have attracted me into partisan politics. Our bold attempt at the Presidency did not turn out positive because our mandate was stolen with the unfortunate endorsement of the judiciary. Obi may have lost but he left the ordinary voter on the street today better informed on the intrigues and deceitfulness of the political class. Our country has gone through a circle of serially failed leadership emanating from a selection process that throws up the very worst amongst us into sensitive leadership positions.

This has gone on for too long not because we lack men with the right attributes of competence, capacity, capability and character but because such men deliberately avoid the political space which had become playground for rascals and thugs. Obi’s plans to transform Nigeria from a consumer nation to a production nation, his governance cost savings strategy, his plans for energy re-growth, food security and unemployment would have seen us grow. I stepped into politics with a determination to commit my patriotic zeal and desire to help fix Nigeria. That determination is not lost, it remains alive for God’s appointed time. My hope for a better Nigeria is never diminished for in the fullness of time we shall reclaim back our ownership of Nigeria.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos


There was unease in the global oil production market yesterday, when it came to light that the much-awaited Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals plant may soon become fully operational as early as January, as the first refinery in Africa in the last 40 years, with most of the 54 African country still major importer of refined petroleum product.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery coming on stream and expected to sell the product cheaper, sent jitters in the market.
This was just as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals plant yesterday, confirmed the purchase of one million barrels of crude oil of Agbami grade from Shell Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria and globally, which trades over eight million barrels of crude oil per day.

Also, President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism about the prospects of increased investments from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), emphasising Nigeria’s long-term relationship with the company, which discovered the first commercial oil field at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta in 1956.

The Aliko Dangote-owned company confirmed the purchase of the crude yesterday, in a statement issued by the Group Head, Branding and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Mr. Tony Chiejina, revealing that the next four out of the six cargoes programmed for supply to the facility will be supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in the next two to three weeks.

The company also said the final shipment would come from ExxonMobil, reiterating that the refinery has the capacity to load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck loading gantries.

However, both the Africa’s richest man and chief promoter of the $19 billion refinery, Dangote and the Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, expressed delight at the major milestone recorded towards boosting Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and attaining energy security and self-sufficiency.

According to the statement, the STASCO cargo contained one million barrels from Agbami and sailed to Dangote Refinery’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) where it was discharged into the refinery’s crude oil tanks.

The company said the maiden one million barrels, which represented the first phase of the six million barrels of crude oil to be supplied to Dangote Petroleum Refinery by a range of suppliers, should sustain the initial 350,000 barrels per day to be processed by the facility.

“The next four cargoes will be supplied by the NNPC in two to three weeks and the final of the six cargoes will be supplied by ExxonMobil”, the statement noted.

It added that the supply would facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.

This latest development would play a pivotal role in alleviating the fuel supply challenges faced by Nigeria as well as the West African countries.

Designed for 100 per cent Nigerian crude with the flexibility to process other crudes, the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery can process most African crude grades as well as Middle Eastern Arab Light and even US Light tight oil as well as crude from other countries.

The Lagos’ Lekki Free Zone-based refinery could also meet 100 per cent of the Nigeria’s requirement of all refined products, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet, and also have surplus of each of these products for export.

The refinery was built to take crude through its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore and to discharge petroleum products through three separate SPMs.

In addition, the company reiterated that the refinery has the capacity to load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck loading gantries.
Dangote Refinery has a self-sufficient marine facility with the ability to handle the largest vessel globally available. In addition, all products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications, according to the statement.

The refinery was designed to comply with US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms as well as African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards.

Commenting on the latest milestone achieved in the refinery’s journey, President of Dangote Group, Dangote, was quoted to have stated: “We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects.

“Our focus over the coming months is to ramp up the refinery to its full capacity. I look forward to the next significant milestone when we deliver the first batch of products to the Nigerian market.”

Also, the Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Okunbor stated: “We welcome the startup of a refinery that is designed to produce gasoline, diesel, and low-sulphur fuels for Nigeria and across West Africa and are happy to be enabling it.”


Tinubu Optimistic of Increased Investments from SPDC

Meanwhile, Tinubu has expressed optimism about the prospects of increased investments from SPDC, emphasising Nigeria’s long-term relationship with the company, which discovered the first commercial oil field at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta in 1956.

Receiving at the State House, Abuja, the management of Shell Group, led by its Global Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Ms. Zoe Yujnovich, the President, according to a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, said his administration would continue to ensure the security and viability of existing and new investments in the country.

According to him: “We have made progress since our last meeting. I will continue to support and encourage you on this path. There is no doubt that there is a significant focus on investment in and around the continent. I am spearheading Nigeria’s global march for new investments at home.
“In view of our long-term relationship that has been established over the years, we want you to do more, and we are ready to encourage you in every way possible.

“We are very focused on resolving all investment-related issues. There is no bottleneck that is too difficult for us to remove in our determined march toward making Nigeria the African haven for large-scale investment in all key sectors. We need each other”.

Earlier in her remarks, Ms. Yujnovich expressed Shell’s commitment to maintain its legacy of investments in Nigeria, particularly as the company refocuses its investment to key into new and existing opportunities in the Deepwater and Gas sector.

She outlined the company’s dedication to the development of the gas value chain in the country, including a substantial commitment of $1 billion over the next five to 10 years, aimed at unlocking gas resources for domestic use and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project.
Furthermore, Ms. Yujnovich announced an imminent $5 billion investment opportunity in the Bonga North project off the shores of Nigeria, located in the deep water.

The Shell Global Integrated Gas and Upstream Director expressed Shell’s eagerness to proceed with this investment and outlined several prospective investments that Shell Group is eyeing in Nigeria over the short to medium term.

Her words: “Mr. President, I want to be successful in my role, and I cannot be successful in my role unless I can find a way to bring more new investments to Nigeria.

“I have made commitments to our investors that we will continue to invest in gas and oil. In Nigeria, I see all the conditions to continue to make this partnership stronger. In the deep water, we have an imminent investment opportunity in Bonga North. This is $5 billion. I am really keen to make that investment as soon as possible. We want to continue and build a pipeline of new investments in Nigeria”.
She commended the collaboration her team has experienced with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, while acknowledging their roles in achieving significant progress in actualizing the potential of these projects as well as others.

BY VICTOR EJECHI


On November 29, President Bola Tinubu presented a budget proposal for the 2024 fiscal year running into trillions of naira — an outing that evoked debates about the country’s spending trajectory for the year.

While there are varying views on the size of the budget and revenue sources for implementation, the president said the appropriation bill would ensure macroeconomic stability, “reduce the deficit, and increase capital spending and allocation to reflect the eight priority areas of this administration”.

Figures obtained from the document reveal that 10 ministries will be receiving a total of N20.7 trillion collectively — representing 86.3 percent of the overall budget of N24.07 trillion.

The 10 ministries include the federal ministry of finance, budget and planning; the ministry of defence, the ministry of education, and the ministry of health.

Others include the ministry of police affairs, the ministry of works and housing, the ministry of interior, the ministry of agriculture, and the ministry of Niger Delta.

The huge allocation offers an inkling of the incumbent government’s priorities and focus for the coming year.

The 2024 budget proposal outlines spending plans for 55 MDAs. This includes N7.87 trillion allocated for personnel expenses of federal civil servants, covering salaries, pensions, and gratuities.

Furthermore, N9.97 trillion is budgeted for overhead expenses and N6.23 trillion for capital expenses.

Here is a breakdown of the budget of the top 10 ministries with the highest allocation


FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Managing all federal revenues and expenditures in Nigeria, the federal ministry of finance, will get the highest allocation of N9.33 trillion in the 2024 budget.

According to the appropriation bill, the ministry plans to spend N20.95 billion for personnel costs, N8.49 trillion for overhead expenses, and N808.92 billion for capital expenditure.

While the significant allocation may come across as the government’s effort to strengthen the ministry’s capacity, the country is still plagued by weak revenue generation as the ministry is responsible for some revenue-generating parastatals and making policies to enhance Nigeria’s fiscal space.

MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING

With plans to spend N4.45 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year, the ministry of budget and economic planning has the second-highest allocation in the proposed budget.

This amount is comprised of N1.71 trillion for personnel, N858.96 billion to be spent on overhead cost, and N1.88 trillion for capital expenditure.

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Third on the list of big spenders is the ministry of defence, which serves as the administrative backbone of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and ensures they remain empowered and fully prepared to defend the nation.

The ministry has a N1.58 trillion allocation in the proposed budget, with N1.15 trillion earmarked for personnel cost, N116.54 billion for overhead, and N308.24 billion for capital expenditure.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

According to the budget, the ministry intends to spend N1.44 trillion in pursuit of its mission to use education as a tool for fostering the development of all Nigerian citizens to their full potential.

From the education ministry’s budget, personnel cost will consume N1.04 trillion, while overhead and capital expenditure were allocated N72.12 billion and N330.36 billion respectively.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE

The ministry, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Pate, said it will spend N1.23 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year.

A breakdown of the fund shows that N771.56 billion will go to personnel expenses, while N21.76 billion and N434.79 billion were budgeted for overhead and capital expenditure, respectively.

MINISTRY OF POLICE AFFAIRS

A total of N938.74 billion has been proposed for the 2024 financial year, out of which N806.72 billion is for personnel, N62.39 billion is for overhead, and N69.62 billion is for capital expenditure.





MINISTRY OF WORKS

Steered by Dave Umahi, the minister of works and former governor of Ebonyi state, the minister of works, the ministry proposed a budget of N657.23 billion.

A larger chunk of the budget (N612.85 billion) will go to capital expenditure, as the ministry wants to spend N16.68 billion on personnel expenses and N22.69 billion on overhead.

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

The ministry of interior was allocated N461.99 billion in the 2024 budget. N321.33 billion was proposed for personnel expenses, overhead would get N41.22 billion, and N99.45 billion was for capital expenditure.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

Ministry of agriculture and food security, under the leadership of Abubakar Kyari, was allocated N362.94 billion.

The ministry intends to deploy N102.09 billion for personnel expenses. The overhead expenses will cost N8.15 billion, and N252.69 billion will be used for capital expenditures.

MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA

In the 2024 proposed budget, the ministry has an allocation of N346.12 billion.

The Niger Delta ministry focuses on the infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of youths in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The budget for the ministry’s personnel cost is N326.89 billion, overhead stands at N1.17 billion, and N18.07 billion is set aside for capital expenditures.