₦airaland Forum

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, disclosed that he now lived on money he earned from renting out one of his two houses in Kaduna State, insisting he did not corruptly enrich himself as president.

Buhari said Nigeria was a difficult country to govern because of its complexities, and tasked the leaders on transparency and accountability.

He made the revelations while addressing the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in Katsina State, at Government House, Katsina, ahead of the state’s local council election, scheduled for February 15.

The former president said most Nigerians were unaware of the administrative challenges involved in governing the country, but simply blamed their leaders during and after their tenures.

Buhari said, in Hausa, “Nigeria is a difficult country to govern, but most Nigerians are unaware. Until you find yourself in the administrative position of the country, if not, you will not understand the complexities.

“I look much better and healthier now than when I was the president of the country. Anybody that sees me now acknowledges that I look better than before.”

He explained that did not corruptly enrich himself with the country’s wealth during his eight years as president.

Buhari, who was visibly excited, added that nobody could blackmail him for illicit enrichment while in office.
He disclosed that he had only three houses in his native Daura, Katsina State, and Kaduna State.

He said, “After my eight years as a civil president, I have only three houses; one in Daura and two in Kaduna. I have given one out for renting where I get money for feeding.”

Buhari urged Nigerian leaders to adopt transparency and accountability as guiding principles while in office.

In his remarks, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State urged APC stakeholders to mobilise electoral support across the state in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections.

Radda said APC chieftains should canvass for support in their respective local government areas. He stressed the importance of achieving total victory through popular votes while ensuring transparent electoral processes.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, said, “We are committed to conducting elections that reflect the true will of the people.”

By Abiodun Nejo


The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, in the early hours of Monday, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Following Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti State that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, the police arrested the activist lawyer and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti.

Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District and as well for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court.

But Babalola, who spoke at ABUAD after the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers at the midnight meeting, said, he had agreed to withdraw the criminal case, saying, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

Babalola, who restated the importance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence it wielded, said, “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”

The senior advocate said that he felt so bad that Farotimi accused him of winning all his cases through corruption; hence, he rejected all earlier appeals to him to take the cases out of court.

He listed those who had appealed to him to take the matter out of court including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah; and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.

He said, “If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by names, he attacked Supreme Court judges, and none is bothered, but I am bothered. I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am.

“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.

“The request is simple, take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. when Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”

The Ooni, who spoke on behalf of Yoruba monarchs, had requested Babalola to withdraw the case in court, assuring him that “nobody can tarnish your name. Your name is more than silver and gold and you have stood for your name with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”

Ogunwusi, who acknowledged Babalola’s contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria and the world, said, “We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.

“We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has invested so hard to build his name. The name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name and the world has heard him clearly.

“Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, you may not know him, we give birth to different children in this world, some are tough, some are soft, some are hard. Why we are here is our ethos as a race.”

The Ooni added, “We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you, enough, enough and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our own way, we have done the needful.”

In a petition dated November 19, 2024, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Afe Babalola alleged that defamatory content in Dele Farotimi’s book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, tarnished his reputation.

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he faced a 16-count charge of criminal defamation and cyberbullying. Following his arraignment in a magistrate court, he was remanded in custody.

The allegations stem from claims in the book accusing Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria of influencing Supreme Court justices through corruption.

Former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari have put up a brilliant defence for Nigeria before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France, in an alleged breach of contract case against the federal government concerning the Mambilla Power Project.

A firm, Sunrise Power, had instituted a $2.3 billion arbitration case against the federal government, claiming that the country had defaulted in its contractual obligations to the company.

But Sunrise Power’s defence and efforts to secure an award against Nigeria in the arbitration proceedings at the ICC may have suffered a setback during the ongoing hearings in Paris as its witnesses failed to appear to testify.

According to sources, Obasanjo and Buhari, known for speaking “forthrightly” and “‘unequivocally”, exhibited these qualities in Paris to the delight of the international team of lawyers representing Nigeria as the two past presidents did exceptionally well.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that although it is up to the chairman and other members of the tribunal to decide who is right or wrong, Nigeria had a very good outing based on certain facts that have emerged from Paris.

Obasanjo testified on Wednesday, followed by Buhari on Thursday. The panel’s sessions began on Saturday, January 18, but hearings from factual witnesses were held from Monday, January 20, to Thursday, January 23. Although the sittings will continue into next week, only expert opinions will be heard moving forward.

The sources also said it was a great showing overall, consolidated by the equally outstanding testimonies of former ministers Engr Sulaiman Adamu, who was the Minister of Water Resources, and Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Minister of Power during Buhari’s administration.

The sources said expert witnesses were called and the parties involved in the arbitration would submit their written arguments to the tribunal. A date will then be scheduled for the adoption of these submissions. Subsequently, the tribunal will set a date to deliver its decision. Confidentiality rules govern arbitration hearings and are not intended to be reported extensively in the media.

Sunrise, a company promoted by Leno Adesanya, faced a significant setback as its key witnesses failed to appear to adopt their statements, effectively rendering their submissions abandoned and irrelevant.

Olu Agunloye was the Minister of Power controversially awarded the Sunrise contract in 2003 – just a day after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected it. He was listed as a witness but did not appear.

Similarly, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and another witness listed by Sunrise, Michael Aondoakaa, was said to have briefly appeared in Paris but returned to Nigeria without testifying.

A third key witness, a Senegalese also failed to appear.

Also, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General under Buhari, Abubakar Malami, on whose testimony Sunrise was hoping on, was not fielded as a witness, but ended up lining behind his former boss (Buhari).

LEADERSHIP Weekend made efforts to reach Sunrise Power last night by sending messages to the firm’s email addresses but could not get any response as of the time of filing this report.

The power firm initiated the arbitration proceedings on October 10, 2017, seeking $2.354 billion in damages for what it described as a breach of contract.

The company claims the federal government violated a 2003 agreement for the Mambilla Project, designed initially as a “build, operate, and transfer” scheme.

In 2017, then-minister of Power, Works, and Housing Babatunde Fashola described Sunrise Power as a “middleman,” stating that the Buhari administration had engaged Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a Chinese firm, as the project’s Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor.

However, while an out-of-court settlement of $200 million was reportedly agreed upon in 2020, Sunrise Power filed a new claim for $400 million at the ICC, alleging the government had defaulted on the settlement terms. The company also sought reinstatement as the local partner for the revised $5.8 billion Mambilla Project, a condition, it claimed, was removed in subsequent negotiations.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejob[/b]i, on Saturday, [b]sparked a heated debate on social media after stating that the Nigerian law empowered police operatives to break into homes without a search warrant.

The controversy began when an social media user, Somto Okonkwo, shared a video showing masked policemen forcefully entering a house by scaling the fence.

The video shows the officers firing shots after the occupants refused to open the gate of the house for them.

But the police later gained access to the building by scaling the fence.

Reacting to the video, an X user, Joseph Tobore, Adejobi’s statement contravened Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said, “Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution is dead in the eyes of the police spokesman. Nigeria is in trouble if Prince can support breaking the laws and claim it’s their law. Be reminded that any law that is not in conformity with the Constitution is no law. Prince, I challenge you: educate Nigerians on Section 37 and ask yourself how this statement makes sense.”

Another x user identified as ‘Great Oracle Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary’ questioned the police’s actions, saying, “How’s this consistent with the force operations? Officers turned up masked, without a warrant, opened live rounds, and climbed (actually trespassed) into a property—and this is standard operation? An armed citizen would have shot this officer.”

In his comment, a netizen with X handle ‘Dipo’, said, “Uniform is no longer proof of authority because criminals, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers have been known to operate wearing the same uniform. Only professional conduct can validate true operatives.”

Responding to the backlash, Adejobi defended the actions of the police, stating, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed.”

He further explained that breaking into homes was allowed in the law, with a caution that “all you need is to follow the procedure. Powers to break in and break out, not only in the East, it’s the law of the land.”

However, an X user, Ben Samuel, criticised Adejobi’s remarks, saying “Your statement lacks clarity, sir. The police do not have the authority to ‘break into any house or place’ without a valid warrant. There is no difference between the actions of these undisciplined officers and those of armed robbers, and they must face strict punishment for such misconduct. Legal duties cannot be carried out using unlawful methods,” he wrote.

But the Force PRO further said, “No matter how they review the law, no amendment would strip the police of its powers. They can only review the procedure of exercising its powers. And note that not in all cases do we require a warrant to search or arrest. Read the law and understand. There are many laws guiding the operations of the police, and they are sacrosanct.”

Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to have his impeachment nullified, SaharaReporters has learnt.

SaharaReporters reported on Friday night that Obasa was set to return to Lagos today (Saturday).

Meanwhile, his loyalists are planning a lavish welcome party for him, sources told SaharaReporters.

Obasa was impeached earlier this month for gross misconduct and abuse of office, prompting his swift departure to the US, a source close to the Lagos House of Assembly told SaharaReporters.

It was learnt that the former speaker who fell out of favour of favour with President Tinubu returned to Abuja last weekend after assurances of no arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other law enforcement agencies.

It was earlier reported that the former Speaker was facing scrutiny from the EFCC over allegations of misappropriating ₦43.5 billion in state funds.

Sources told SaharaReporters that during a meeting with Tinubu, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some other All Progressives Congress stakeholders following Obasa’s impeachment, he argued that his impeachment ought to be nullified because he had hidden the two maces in possession of the state House of Assembly.

However, He was informed that the mace used during the session in which he was impeached was brought from the old Assembly building.

One of the sources said, “President Tinubu had summoned all the stakeholders; Lagos lawmakers, Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council, Obasa himself and Lagos Governor to Abuja for consultations and understanding.

“The President was unhappy the removal of Obasa was orchestrated without his express approval, and that he learnt about it from the news and social media. Except this lack of approval, he told Obasa that “he was not born a Speaker, and that speakership was not created with him”.

“Obasa pushed for the nullification of his impeachment on the grounds that the mace used to conduct business of the day on that fateful day wasn’t the official mace of the Lagos House of Assembly, considering he hid away the two maces while travelling out of the country.

“The lawmakers defeated his argument by confirming the mace used as the old mace of the parliament in the old building of the assembly. Seeing the futility of his claims, Obasa requested the President to prevail on the new leadership to grant him access to his belongings at the Speaker’s lodge and guest house. This was granted by the President,” the source added.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Obasa is expected to visit the lodge and guest house today (Saturday), after returning to Lagos.

“But his visit will be under strict supervision to ensure no public property is looted by the former Speaker.

“To safe face, the Chairman of Agege local government, Ganiyu Egunjobi has embarked on mobilisation of Obasa’s supporters to receive him on arrival in Lagos and also attend a meeting convened by the former Speaker in GRA, Ikeja later today,” one of the sources said.

SaharaReporters reported on Friday that upon his return, Obasa would move to his house at Joel Ogunnaike in GRA, Ikeja at 9.00 am where his loyalists would organise a large welcome party for him.

“Deposed Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly will return to Lagos tomorrow and move to his house at Joel Ogunnaike, GRA Ikeja at 9.00 am prompt where a welcome party awaits him,” the source said.


Background

Obasa was impeached by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

Obasa’s deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

Obasa, from Agege Constituency I, was first elected into the House in 2007. He has since been in the chamber since then. He emerged speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, Obasa was impeached for gross misconduct and abuse of office.

On May 14, 2020, SaharaReporters reported that in another misuse of public funds and abuse of office, then Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa, received N53m from the state coffers to travel with his mistress to the United States of America.

The report said Obasa got the House to approve the fund to facilitate a trip to Georgia, United States, for the 2019 US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Global Summit, which he was billed to attend with some members of the Assembly and their staff.

The event was subsequently postponed but rather than return the fund to the state’s treasury, Obasa diverted the funds for personal use as he travelled to the US with his mistress.

In a document sighted by SaharaReporters dated October 15, 2019, Obasa had requested the Assembly to release the funds so he could attend the summit along with one of his staff.

The document partly read, “Given the above, kindly seek approval of the Rt. Hon. Speaker for release of the sum of N53,719,405 only to enable them to attend the programme.

“Hon. Speaker, please read from page 39 of file. You are respectfully invited to consider and approve the release of N53,719,405 to facilitate the attendance of the Hon. Speaker, Hon. members and one member of staff at the Y2019 US – Nigeria Trade and Investment Global Summit scheduled to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from 26th – 28th September 2019.”

It was gathered that though the meeting was rescheduled, Obasa travelled to the US with his mistress in place of his legislative staff.

An official of the Lagos Assembly, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said the Speaker was always in the habit of travelling with his mistress in place of his staff whenever he was leaving the country for official purpose.

“The Speaker and his mistress, who doubles as his protocol and external relations officer in the Assembly, only went to the US after collecting N53m for the US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Global Summit.

“No other staff or member of the Assembly travelled with the Speaker or attended the event,” the source said.

Another person close to the Speaker’s team also confirmed the lamentation and anger of some of the staff listed on this approval, who couldn’t embark on the trip or got a share of the money.

SaharaReporters had also exposed how Obasa fraudulently approved millions of naira for himself through the award of contracts to companies owned by him.

Other reports also revealed how he approved N17m monthly to maintain his personal residence and guest house.

Less than two years into his administration, President Bola Tinubu has commissioned some federal infrastructure named after him. Three stand out.

Tinubu became president on May 29, 2023. His administration will be two years old in the next four months.

While naming public institutions after the president violates no law, some Nigerians believe the president paints his name unnecessarily on national projects.

Below are three national projects named after Tinubu so far.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU BARRACKS

On Thursday, at Asokoro in Abuja, Tinubu commissioned a multibillion-naira army barracks. Its construction started in 2023. The barracks project is an intervention funded by the government to provide more accommodation to military workers.

The palatial project has four phases of construction. The completed phases one and two were what Tinubu had commissioned, including 444 apartments for soldiers and 170 officers.

For some reason, the military facility was named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION COMPLEX

About two months before launching the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) opened its new technology centre in Abuja to integrate all its processes, including passport production, border surveillance and human data collation across the country’s airports.

Today, at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) officially commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).

The ultra-modern complex will not only serve as the nerve centre of the immigration service, but also… pic.twitter.com/9sWKjh5sEH

— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) December 10, 2024


On the capacity of the centre, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said, “The complex houses some of the most advanced technological security solutions that compete globally. It comprises a Data Centre, Command and Control Centre, Visa Approval Centre (VAC), ECOWAS Biometrics Centre, Solar Farm, and Passport Personalisation Centre, carefully built to combat security challenges such as insurgencies, banditry, cybercrimes, smuggling, and other trans-border related challenges that have usually gone undetected.”

Again, the facility was named after Tinubu: Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).

Two days after its commissioning, Tunji-Ojo defended the choice of the NIS in naming the facility after the president. He said it was a way of appreciating the president for his leadership and support in bringing the infrastructure to fruition.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU POLYTECHNIC

The president’s name has also been given to a tertiary educational institution.

In a letter to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on January 9, Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s education minister, confirmed that the president had approved the creation of a polytechnic in Abuja.

Alausa asked Wike to suggest a proper place to build the school.

Again, the institution will bear Tinubu’s name.

Nigeria's public debt has surged significantly, with the amount owed by each citizen increasing by 63%, according to a review of the data released by the Debt Management Office.

When President Bola Tinubu took office in June 2023, the country's debt stood at N87.3 trillion. However, by September 2024, this figure had ballooned to N142.3 trillion, representing a substantial growth in the nation's debt burden.

According to population data from the World Bank, Nigeria’s population as of 2023 stood at 227 million.

With the total public debt standing at N87.3 trillion as of June 2023, it would mean that debt per capita (that is debt owed by each Nigerian), stood at N383,000 as of June 2023.

With the current total public debt standing at N142.3 trillion, it means that the debt per capita surged to N624,527 per Nigerian as of September 2024.

This amount is nine times the country’s minimum wage of N70,000.

Nigeria's debt crisis is deepening, with the country's total debt stock surging to N142 trillion as of September 2024. This represents a 5.97% increase from the previous quarter, driven largely by the depreciation of the naira, which has increased the cost of external debt obligations.

Breaking down the debt, Nigeria's external debt stands at N68.8 trillion, while domestic debt has reached N73.4 trillion.

Notably, the federal government alone owes N69.2 trillion domestically, with states and the Federal Capital Territory owing an additional N4.2 trillion.

This growing reliance on loans has raised concerns about the country's debt sustainability, particularly given the weak revenue profile and exchange rate volatility.

Experts warn that Nigeria's debt crisis could worsen, triggering a debt crisis that would exacerbate the country's economic challenges.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the newly published total debt profile is more than the N134.2 trillion which Nigeria owed as of June 2024.

Total external debt of the country as of June 2024 stood at N63 billion, while domestic debt stood at 71.2 trillion.

Of this amount, the federal government’s domestic debt stood at N66.9 billion while states stood at N4.2 billion.

Data reviewed shows that between July and September, the federal government borrowed N2.2 trillion more locally and another N5.8 trillion externally.

The devaluation of naira may have worsened the country’s fate in terms of how much it owes. In June 2024, the exchange rate of the country was N1470.19 to a dollar, but by September 2024, it has moved to N1601.

Please thank God for me. Last night we had a harrowing experience on United flight fro. Lagos to Washington, DC. The plane was spiraling out of control, lost its navigational and other tools. We had gone past Abidjan, and were initially to make an emergency landing in Ghana

but the plane later regained all lost tools and we were able to come back to Lagos with some people injured including some crew members. When we landed, we had to wait for medical personnel who took forever to come to the plane. We have no value for human life in this country and

therefore are never prepared for emergencies. Having survived a plane with major technical issues, surviving the Almighty Nigerian attitude seemed a bigger threat. May God heal this country. We were housed in a hotel near the airport,

I am still traumatised like many other passengers. I was able to get this video from one of the passengers. Flight has been cancelled due to a technical issue. Please thank God for all of us who survived this near death experience. shared as received.

Please thank God for me. Last night we had a harrowing experience on United flight fro. Lagos to Washington, DC. The plane was spiraling out of control, lost its navigational and other tools. We had gone past Abidjan, and were initially to make an emergency landing in Ghana pic.twitter.com/aKqTlUfCRL

— Benjamin Amaechi 2 (@2_amaechi) January 24, 2025

A United Airlines flight, a Boeing 787-8 outbound from Lagos to Washington Dulles, on Thursday, declared an emergency and made an air return to Lagos.

Having established a return track to Lagos, PUNCH Online gathered that the aircraft crew maintained the emergency transponder code 7700 (Emergency signal) with the control tower till it landed.

The aircraft, initially bound for Washington Dulles International Airport with registered N27903, is an over 13-year-old widebody aircraft belonging to the US carrier United Airlines.

It had 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots on board.

Some of those on board reportedly sustained injuries.

Videos and pictures from the distressed passengers in the aircraft sent to our correspondent showed that food and passengers’ luggage were scattered, littering the aircraft owing to the shaky nature of the flight.

The real cause of the pandemonium is yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report but the passengers are of the opinion that it was an engine-related issue.

However, only the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau can ascertain the real cause of such incidents.

When contacted, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Micheal Achimugu, confirmed the development saying the passengers have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the regulatory act.

“Yes, it is true, and no problems, the passengers have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” he said.

The airline also confirmed the development in a terse statement, attributing it to “a technical issue.”

“Flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos to address a technical issue.

“After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew,” the statement read.

Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said Nigerians should be tired of saying the country has potential, stressing that it is time to activate that potential.

Speaking at the 22nd Daily Trust annual Dialogue and Presentation of Daily Trust Unsung Heroes (2024), the Minister said Agriculture policies should address the issue where people produce for only family consumption with little to sell.

He said there was need to change the way we do things in the agricultural sector, for us to get a different outcome.

He also lamented that food access has been affected by by insecurity and other challenges.

He called for large-scale dry season farming, adding that is the only way to tackle the food shortage and affordability.

He also called for efforts to tackle incessant farmers, herders clashes, adding however that his ministry is working with stakeholders to resolve the issue in some states.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of Media Trust board of directors, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, said that statistics in Nigeria paint a grim picture of food security in the country.

In his speech at the programme with the theme: “Food Security: Availability or Affordability”, he said, “Why are our citizens not having enough food to eat? This is why we are here. That is the question. Statistics in Nigeria paint a grim picture and the anecdotal evidence. look around you. We may change things we take for granted.

“We have to look at this issue. How do we cross this divide, if it exists. I don’t know what the expert will say between availability or affordability. We are not producing enough because people cannot afford.”

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen, was the special guest of honour at the event, while Rev. Godfrey Nzamujo is the Chairman of the event.

Wale Edun, minister of finance and the coordinating minister of the economy, says the tariff in the telecommunications sector will be reviewed periodically.

Edun spoke to Arise TV on Thursday at the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

On Monday, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted approval to telcos to implement a 50 percent tariff hike.

The move sparked several reactions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticising the federal government for approving the increase.

NLC asked Nigerians to prepare for a possible nationwide boycott of telecommunication services while describing the decision as a “clear assault” on Nigerian workers’ welfare.

However, according to the minister, the tariff adjustment was essential for sustaining the sector amid rising operational costs and inflation.

According to Edun, the periodical review will ensure the tariff remains balanced and fair for both consumers and operators.

Edun also urged telecommunication companies to enhance service delivery in line with the price increase.

“There has been inflation and rising costs and that has to be reflected for the telcos. There has been a high cost of living that has to be reflected,” Edun said.

“I think the 50 percent tariff adjustment is a starting point. It’s about compromise, timing, and sequencing these necessary changes.

“We want telcos operating efficiently, terminating calls seamlessly, and delivering high-quality services. At the same time, we want them to foster innovation, create jobs, and contribute to GDP.

“The 50 percent tariff is a situation that will be looked at on a forward-looking basis. As we go forward there will continue to be review, consultations and discussions in this area.”

Edun also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving telecommunications sector that supports innovation, economic growth, and job creation.

The finance minister said the goal of the government is to improve the economy and attract investments across sectors.

A non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of human rights, International Human Right Today Initiative HRTI, led by Comrade Maiyasin, has filed a complaint with the Katsina State Police Headquarters, alleging that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Dutsinma, CSP Bello Gusau, took a 15-year-old girl detained at the police station to his house, where she spent the night.

According to the organization, before taking the step to file the complaint, they conducted a thorough investigation and gathered evidence confirming that the girl spent the night at the DPO’s residence and not at the police station.

In an interview with DAILY POST, the organization’s leader stated, “The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Musa, has taken the matter very seriously. As a result, he set up an investigative committee and suspended the DPO from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Based on the findings gathered by the organization, Maiyasin stated, “The girl had initially gone missing before she was found and taken to the Dutsinma Police Station. Due to the lateness of the hour, she was left at the station to spend the night. However, the DPO instructed the girl’s relatives, who came to take her home, to leave her, claiming he would personally take her home in the morning.”

The next morning, when the girl’s relatives returned to the station to bring her food, they found that she was not there. The officers on duty in the morning shift informed them that she had not spent the night at the station. This led to a confrontation between the police and the girl’s relatives until she was eventually brought back to the station. However, she was wearing different clothes from those she had the previous night.

The organization claimed that the girl confirmed to them that she spent the night at the DPO’s house and that he had instructed her to go there. They further stated that they recorded her testimony to that effect.

DAILY POST obtained an audio recording where the girl’s father expressed his determination to seek justice for his daughter through the appropriate authorities.

After a detailed investigation, the organization submitted a formal complaint to the Katsina State Police Headquarters, urging the authorities to take appropriate action.

The spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command , DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed to DAILY POST that the complaint was received and that an investigation is ongoing into the allegations.

The investigation is expected to reveal the truth and ensure justice is served.

A Capitol riot protester has rejected US President Donald Trump’s pardon, criticising him for trampling on the law.

Pam Hemphill partook in the January 6, 2021, riots that sought to overturn former President Joe Biden’s victory in the elections.

The South Carolina resident was later sentenced to two months in prison and a three-year probation. She has since become a vocal Trump critic.

After his inauguration on Monday, Trump issued a blanket pardon for all protesters who were serving time in prison, fulfilling a promise he made during his campaigns.

“Every one of them gaslight you and try to have you feel sorry for them that the Capitol police attacked them, that they were the victims that day. They were not the victims. They were the perpetrators. It was an insurrection. They know exactly what they were doing,” Hemphill told CNN on Tuesday.

“It’s just so difficult to wrap around my head right now that Trump could let these criminals out, some of them had criminal records before January 6.”

In a separate video, Hemphill said she would refuse the presidential pardon.

“I will not accept a pardon because that would be an insult to the Capitol police officers, to the rule of law and to the nation,” she said.

The now-activist said she was not afraid of being a target for Republicans, adding that she was already the subject of smear campaigns.

Following the attack, congress established a committee to investigate and report on the facts, circumstances, and causes of the insurrection.

Nearly 1,600 suspects were charged, 1,270 convicted, and only two were acquitted.

In the final hours of his presidency, Biden pardoned members of the investigative committee, fearing a reprisal from Trump.

The former president said his actions were not an admission of guilt.

The World Bank Group has announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, alongside their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Norman Didam, for fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices linked to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday, the World Bank disclosed that the project aimed to provide targeted financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households was compromised due to several unethical practices during a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract process.

The statement read, “The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam.

“The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.”

The bank said that Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and accessed confidential tender information from public officials.

It added that these actions constituted fraudulent and collusive practices under its Anti-corruption Framework.

The World Bank further noted that Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam falsified the company’s experience records, submitted fake manufacturer’s authorisation letters, and provided inducements to project officials, which it classified as corrupt practices.

These violations, according to the bank, undermined the integrity of the social safety net initiative designed to benefit Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

The statement noted, “According to the facts of the case and the general principles of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, in connection with a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in the companies’ Letter of Bids and received confidential tender information from public officials, which constituted fraudulent and collusive practices, respectively.

“Further, Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam misrepresented Viva Atlantic Limited’s experience and submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”

The debarment precludes the two companies and Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects and operations for the specified period.

As part of their settlement agreements, the parties acknowledged their culpability and committed to meeting specified conditions, including enhanced compliance measures.

The conditions require Didam to complete individual ethics training, while the companies are mandated to improve their internal integrity compliance policies and implement corporate ethics training programmes in line with the bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.

The bank highlighted that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation during investigations, voluntary corrective actions, self-imposed restraints from bidding for contracts, and the time elapsed since the infractions.

The statement added that the debarments qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, signed in April 2010.

It also stated, “The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency. The settlement agreements feature reduced debarment periods due to the companies’ and Mr Didam’s cooperation with the Bank Group’s investigation, voluntary corrective actions, voluntary restraint from participating in Bank Group tenders, and the passage of time.”

The World Bank reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in development projects, stressing that the sanctions demonstrate its zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

It said the implicated parties must fulfil the stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for participation in future Bank-funded initiatives.

By Daily Trust


A United Kingdom based Nigerian, James Akinwande, has joined the list of Nigerians who have defended the country against the consistent outburst of the British conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch.

Badenoch, with a Nigerian root, has been in the news with her consistent tirade against the country and its government.

She recently claimed in an interview that some police officers in the country stole her brother’s belongings.

“My experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative, and coming to the UK, my first experience with the police was very positive. The police in Nigeria would rob us.

“I remember the police stealing my brother’s shoes and his watch. It’s a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things,” Badenoch had said in the December 2024 interview.

But Akinwande, in a recorded viral video showing him purchasing a pair of shoes and a wristwatch in a UK store, said he was proud of his country.

He said the action was to replace the pair of shoes and a wristwatch Badenoch said was allegedly stolen from his brother by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

He subsequently visited the Conservative Party headquarters and handed the items to security personnel to be delivered to Badenoch.

At the end of the video, Akinwande wrote: “On behalf of every proud Nigerian who felt genuinely hurt by those unfounded disparaging remarks about the Nigerian Police. We ‘buy back’ the stolen shoes and watch! (I hope it fits, tho..).”

The video has since gone viral on social media, but Akinwande’s original video has been taken down.

According to Akinwande’s Instagram profile, he’s the international manager of popular Nigerian comedian, Kenny Blaq.

By Daily Trust

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has advised Nigerians to desist from using the expression ‘May Nigeria never happen to you’.

The phrase used to express negativity about the country’s prospect and systemic corruption had gained traction among many Nigerians because of the present economic situation.

But Oyedele at The Platform, an event organised by the Covenant Nation, said Nigerians should flip it to “May Nigeria work for me”.

He said the “worst is behind us” as per the challenges faced by Nigerians due to President Bola Tinubu’s reforms that have increased the cost of living.

According to him, “There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. But maybe there is something wrong with the people ruling Nigeria.

“In America, people get killed every day by gunmen. But have you ever heard Americans say, ‘May America never happen to you?’ Let’s stop saying, ‘May Nigeria never happen to you.’ Maybe we can turn it into, ‘May Nigeria work for me.’”

Expressing confidence in the country’s economic trajectory, he said: “Going by available data, I personally believe that the worst is behind us.

“Removing subsidies is the best decision we made as a country. And we can now say that, for once, subsidy is gone.

“We were living in window-dressed realities. If you look back to about two years ago, the naira exchange rate was N450 depending on who you asked. But was our exchange rate really N450? If you wanted to buy petrol, it was under N200 per litre, but was it really under N200 per litre”, he added.

Oyedele highlighted the unsustainable nature of the pre-reform economy.

“Nigeria used all its revenue to service debts. We were not paying debts back; we were just servicing them. In other words, everything else we did—from paying salaries to fighting Boko Haram—was funded by borrowing”, he noted.

He said Nigeria’s excessive reliance on borrowing brought the country to the brink of economic collapse.

“There were countries where you could hold money and still not get fuel to buy. In Sri Lanka, there was a time when you couldn’t drive your car every day of the week because there was no fuel,” he stated.

Oyedele stressed the detrimental impact of excessive money printing on the economy.

“We printed close to N40 trillion, plus interest. And we were surprised there was inflation. Nigerians don’t realise that the invisible controls the visible. The removal of subsidies is not something you can see physically, it is not tangible,” he submitted.

By James Kwen


President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Lagos for the yuletide has stalled the handing over of the N704.91 million generated from the 50% salary cuts of members of the House of Representatives.

A top official of the National Assembly bureaucracy disclose this to LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had at plenary on December 19, 2024 said the House would on December 31 last year present N704.91 million to Tinubu for assistance of vulnerable Nigerians who were worst hit by the removal of petrol subsidy.

The House had on July 18, 2024 adopted an amendment to a motion of urgent public importance proposed by the deputy speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) that lawmakers should contribute 50% of their monthly salaries of N600,000 to assist Nigerians during the challenging times.

Speaking with our correspondent, the National Assembly bureaucrat said; “It is true that the money was put together for onward delivery to the president so that the executive can use it in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

“But we all know that President Tinubu traveled to Lagos for the yuletide from December 18 where he stayed for three weeks before he returned to Abuja. Since then, the National Assembly which the House is part of is engrossed in budget defence.”

The House spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi and his deputy, Hon. Agbese, were yet to respond to LEADERSHIP’s enquiries on the matter at the time of filing this report.

A day after her election as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, on Tuesday, visited members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to “brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday and to seek their blessings which we have gotten”.

Meranda met with members of GAC, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, alongside other members of the State Assembly at Lagos House, Marina.

Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, emerged as speaker on Monday after the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa whose 10-year reign was terminated when more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house impeached him over alleged misconduct and sundry offenses.

Meranda, who was Obasa’s deputy till Monday, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

Obasa, from Agege Constituency I, was first elected into the House in 2007. He has since been in the chamber since then. He emerged speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.

Meanwhile, a member of the Assembly who represents Epe Constituency 1, Abiodun Tobun, said members of the parliament sacked Obasa as Speaker to uphold the “sanctity” and “integrity” of the House.

Tobun told reporters that the decision to impeach Obasa was unanimously agreed by lawmakers in the 40-member Assembly.

He said, “The Constitution makes it clear that the House has the powers to regulate its proceedings. So, the members of the House felt that they’ve had enough of the Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt Hon Mojisola Meranda Lasbat become the new Speaker of the House.

“So, it was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. We cannot open our House and allow this parliament to dwindle. We owe our constituents a duty and we owe Lagos State a duty of ensuring that the sanctity of the House and the integrity of this House are restored.”

By Ambali Abdulkabeer


https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/image-e.pngMudashiru Obasa and U.S. mansion.


Mudashiru Obasa was impeached on Monday afternoon in what lawmakers said was an inevitable decision to scrimp the efficiency and integrity of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The roll call said 32 out of 40 members voted to sack Mr Obasa following a motion raised by Femi Saheed (Kosofe II) and seconded by Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu II). Mojisola Lasbat Meranda (Apapa I) was subsequently voted in as Lagos House Speaker, the first woman to attain the position.

The lawmakers raised allegations ranging from corruption to abuse of office and intimidation, but the main prong of their complaint, which created the perfect storm that ended Mr Obasa’s nearly 10-year reign as Speaker, was a Peoples Gazette story on January 10 about how he drew 43.5 billion for backup vehicles for lawmakers.

Even though the breakdown showed N1.1 billion should go to each lawmaker in the 40-member House, some of them said they did not receive such benefits and promptly moved the fraud up on a list of their quibbles against the ousted leader,

The Gazette exposed similar corruption activities by Mr Obasa in 2020. The EFCC invited him for questioning but did not file charges at the time. After his removal, anti-graft sources told our reporters their investigation would resume in earnest.

Abiodun Tobun (Epe I) said the decision to remove Mr Obasa was “inevitable”, noting the lawmakers took a near-unanimous position to preserve the “integrity” of the House of Assembly and Lagos State.

Mr Obasa has resisted claims of wrongdoing made against him by his colleagues and other entities and insisted his wealth was legitimately earned.

When he was removed on Monday afternoon, after The Gazette’s story circulated among members, it was barely 6:00 a.m. in Atlanta, Georgia. According to people familiar with his activities, Mr Obasa was relaxing in a family home after attending a conference of lawyers.

Mr Obasa purchased the residence in nearby Lawrenceville, Georgia, in May 2019 for $424,742, per property records seen by The Gazette.

The property along Matt Springs Drive sits on 505 square feet of land. Initially purchased as a single-family home with four bathrooms and four bedrooms, the Obasas upgraded it to seven bedrooms and five baths, and it is now valued at $654,602, records said. The Gazette has withheld the residence’s specific block number in deference to Mr Obasa’s family privacy.

Mr Obasa paid $40,000 in taxes on the property in 2024. That amount alone was at least five times Mr Obasa’s annual statutory earnings as Lagos Speaker.

The suburban Atlanta property in Gwinnett County was acquired on May 23, 2019, during Mr Obasa’s first term as Speaker. Its deed was completed in August 2019, weeks after he was sworn in for a second term. He was 1.5 years into his third speakership tenure when he was ousted on Monday.

“No one who is a public official in Nigeria makes the kind of money that Mudashiru Obasa spends on assets in the U.S., much less in Nigeria and other parts of the world,” anti-corruption campaigner Eric Okonkwo said. “It’s just him showing the world how far he can take public graft.”

Mr Obasa was not elected to a House leadership role following his impeachment, which now makes him a Speaker emeritus and floor member. It was unclear whether or not he would return from his U.S. trip to resume his legislative activities as an ordinary member for the first time since 2015. His chief spokesman did not return The Gazette’s request seeking his comment on Monday night.

Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa had his eyes on the governorship seat of Lagos when his colleagues booted him out of office on Monday.

Reports on Obasa’s interest in the coveted seat were discarded as mere rumour in some quarters, but the message became clearer after the Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria (Lagos), Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, indirectly drummed up support for the three-term speaker during the Lagos House of Assembly’s 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service.

At the event which the former Speaker attended, Olawuyi had said in the interest of religious tolerance, Lagosians should elect a Muslim as governor in 2027.

“I also want to add that we have consideration for religious inclination in Lagos State. It would be 12 years in 2027 that we have been in the system together and we have been having Christians as governors. Now, it’s time to give our Muslim brothers a chance to govern us in Lagos State. We want to pray that when it’s time for the election, it would be a time for us to elect who will govern us in Lagos State effectively,” the Archbishop had said.

He went further to praise the former Speaker for his leadership and collaboration with the other arms of government, saying these have kept the state strong.

“You have been a true and sensitive leader with a big heart. You have proved yourself worthy. We pray that God will continue to use you to make us smile in Lagos and also grant you your heart desires,” he said.

After that event, the campaign for Obasa regained momentum while the former Speaker carried on with glee. However, he was impeached on Monday, about a month after that endorsement. For a man who lasted that long in a slippery political environment, how did such fate befall him? How did his adversaries get him?

According to reports, Obasa’s travail began after the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos reported him to President Bola Tinubu.

Putting it mildly, a chieftain of the ruling party who spoke off the record said, “The seemingly insurmountable walls around him started crumbling during the End-of-The Year break. His fate was sealed after our elders visited the president. That meeting nailed his political coffin.”

During the visit, insiders said top on the agenda of the GAC was the cold war between Obasa and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Although Sanwo-Olu and Obasa have had a running battle, the matter came to a head during the 2025 budget presentation.

Obasa stoked controversy when he declared that he was not too young or lacked experience to run for Lagos governor.

He had said, “I am not too young or lacking experience to run. Those who have been before me are not better off… I have made it a personal task to mobilize people on the platform of Mandate, which some political detractors have misconstrued as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state.”

Making such remark on live TV and right in the presence of Sanwo-Olu had drawn the ire of the party leadership in the state and they waited for a ripe time to tender their grievances before their leader.

The chairman of GAC, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, was said to have started the discussion by reminding the president of how highly the governor’s office was when he governed between 1999 and 2007.

He reportedly told the president how disrespectful Obasa had been to Sanwo-Olu, citing several instances. Tinubu was said to have openly lashed the former speaker for not just disrespecting the governor but also the GAC and party elders.

Since that moment, the forces against Obasa restrategised and his colleagues who had collectively at random got him into the record books as one of the longest speakers in the country, finally turned the page on his enviable political career.

Below are some of the controversies of the politician who was elected into the hallowed chamber while serving as councillor in Agege local government area of the state.


Move to scrap LCDAs

One of the issues which sparked controversy under Obasa was the move by the House under his leadership to abolish the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created when Tinubu was governor.

After the Supreme Court granted autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria, the Lagos House introduced a bill to scrap the LCDAs and replace them with newly designated administrative areas.

The bill titled “Bill for a law to provide for the local governments’ system, establishment, and administration, and to consolidate all laws on local government administration”, sought to recognise 20 LGAs in the state as outlined in the 1999 constitution.

Kicking against it, Sunday Ojelabi, Chairman of APC in Lagos, had said, “Our position as a progressive party is that we cannot discountenance the contributions of the LCDAs to the overall political and socio-economic development of the state.

“Our landscape is dotted by several infrastructural projects by the LCDAs which include road, drainage and market construction, school and housing projects, primary education and health facilities and various social service interventions etc. The various collaborative efforts with the state government on refuse disposal, drain clearing and security are also pointers to their continuous relevance.”


Rejecting Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners

In 2023, Obasa was involved in another controversy over the row between him and Sanwo-Olu on the confirmation of commissioners. The House under his leadership allegedly refused to clear close to half (17) of the 39 commissioner nominees recommended by the governor.

Among those rejected were six persons who served in the cabinet of Sanwo-Olu during his first term. The noise from that drama reverberated across the country warranting the GAC to meet with both parties in search for a truce.

While reacting to the criticisms that trailed the decision of the House, Obasa had said there is no fight between the lawmakers and the governor adding that “but we have constitutional rights to say yes or no to his nominees”.

The statement was seen as a daring one to the leaders of the party in the state and overbearing on his alleged political ambition.


‘Operating multiple accounts’

In a series of investigative pieces in 2020, Whistleblowing platform, SaharaReporters said it traced multiple accounts to the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of the former speaker. According to the platform, the accounts registered with various names were being used to siphon public funds.

“At least 64 bank accounts have been discovered to be linked to Obasa registered with various names allegedly used to siphon public funds in Lagos. The BVN reveals that Obasa operates accounts with multiple names in Polaris Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank and Wema Bank.

“To conceal his identity, the Speaker changed his name and date of birth in some of the accounts. Aside from using Ajayi Mudashiru Obasa, he also used Obasa Abdulrahman Gbadunola and Gabriel Adedoyin Savage to register some of the bank accounts. Some of the companies linked to the BVN include Adesav International Ventures, Fabric Splash Ventures, Swifthi international ventures and Quick Solution International.

“Others are Quick solution International Ventures, White Honey Enterprises, Cream on Ice Services, A.B DELCO Nigeria Company, and Fabric Splash Ventures, Skye-Macosh Company, Swifthill International Ventures, Silver Section Global, Davedab Global Ventures and Jose-Macosh Company and De Kingrun,” the report read.

Whilst the smoke from that controversy was yet to settle, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited him for questioning, but he denied the allegations, blaming them on his political opponents.


N17bn Obasagate

A group, the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had alleged that the Assembly under Obasa’s leadership allocated N17 billion for the construction of a gate and called for an investigation into the matter.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the anti-corruption group petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the House leadership for awarding the gate contract.

Addressing the allegations during a plenary session, Obasa attributed the claims to political fears surrounding the 2027 elections, which remain over two years away.

“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.

“We are aware that at a period like this, when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared, and I don’t know why.

“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday, and dignitaries from various parts of the state attended it,” Obasa had said.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is planning to take drastic measures to end the lingering dispute between telcos and banks over the unstructured supplementary service data (USDD) debt, TheCable understands.

Sources close to the conversation said the commission may suspend the USSD service and publish a list of banks still owing telcos for the service.

If this happens, the USSD channel will no longer be available for banking services.

Although it is uncertain when the suspension will be officially announced, the list of defaulters may be published before the week ends.

The development, which may be part of the federal government’s efforts to address industry challenges, comes amid telcos’ push for a tariff hike.


USSD DEBT HAS RISEN BY 681.2% SINCE 2019

Analysis of media reports shows that the USSD debt has risen by 681.2 percent since 2019, leading to many threats of service withdrawal by telecoms operators.

On March 12, 2021, telcos threatened to suspend the USSD service over N42 billion debt accumulated by banks (the amount was N32 billion in 2019). The move was, however, halted by Isa Pantami, former minister of communications and digital economy.

The telcos and banks eventually agreed on March 16, 2021, to adjust the charge on customers to N6.98k for each USSD transaction.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said the USSD debt was N80 billion as at November 2022.

By November 16, 2023, the debt, according to telcos, had risen to N200 billion — up from N120 billion in May of the same year.

On October 22, 2024, Gbolahan Awonuga, the executive secretary of ALTON, said the amount had increased to N250 billion.

TheCable understands the NCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other stakeholders have been engaging to find a lasting solution to the impasse, but efforts at resolving the matter have had little results.

The CBN and the NCC, on December 24, 2024, directed mobile network operators (MNOs) and deposit money banks (DMBs) to settle the protracted debt conflict, asking financial institutions to pay 85 percent of all outstanding invoices by December 31, 2024.


’18 BANKS STILL OWING AS AT DECEMBER 31′

However, a source told TheCable that about 18 banks are yet to pay their debt, while four had paid as at December 31.

Another source said the commission believes that the banks are treating the issue with levity, hence they want the public to be aware of the imminent USSD suspension.

Speaking on the agency’s plan to publish the names of financial institutions still owing, he said the public notice will be addressed to customers, stating that “the underlisted banks are yet to pay”.

It is understood that with the public notice, the NCC intends to give the consumers two weeks to come up with their alternative plans for making transactions, while banks would also get two weeks to pay the outstanding debt or be disconnected.

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has announced that refusal to assist its officers under attack will attract a fine of N100,000 and prison term.

The force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the announcement in a now controversial tweet on Sunday.

While citing Section 99 of the Police Act 2020, Adejobi stated that anyone who refuses to assist a police officer in distress commits an offence.

“Section 98 Police Act 2020: A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in discharge of his duty, or incites any other person to assault or obstruct a police or other person assisting the officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence. And is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or six months imprisonment or both.

“Section 99, Police Act 2020: When a person is called upon to aid a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses to assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a N100,000 fine or imprisonment for a term of 3 months or both.”

The police made this public after a video showing a confrontation between a police officer and a woman went viral on social media.

There is uneasy calm over the omission of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road from the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly recently by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Daily Trust can report.

The coastal road, one of the signature projects of President Tinubu which has generated a lot of controversy since its commencement last year, is expected to gulp around N16 trillion.

Questions have been raised about the funding of the project which the federal government hitherto stated would be through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

In February of last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a N1.07 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the project.

The minister disclosed that the pilot phase covers a 47.47-kilometre dual carriageway of five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle.

The minister disclosed that FEC at its October 30 meeting approved the procurement of the project under the EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing) and in favour of High Tech Construction African Limited.

Umahi said, “They already have started searching for the funding, but hitches here and there. And so, the ministry had to go back to Mr President to ask for two things, and that was on January 18. We asked, Can we fast-track this?

“Since this project was going to be procured in two phases and multiple sections, can we get the federal government to fund phase one, which is what is 47.47 kilometres running from Ahmadu Bello in Lagos down to Lekki Deep Seaport? Mr President graciously approved.

“Today, we have procured the first section, which is 47.47 kilometres, under 10 lanes and FEC graciously approved the contract for N1.067tn with no objection.”

In December, last year, Umahi further disclosed that some sections of the highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway would be commissioned by May 2025.

However, the source of funding of the project remains unclear as there was no mention of the project in the 2025 budget.

The Federal Ministry of Works has a total capital allocation of N1,065,171,466,605 in the 2025 budget proposal.

But the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road which is under construction was not included in the budget as further observed by BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation while raising fresh concerns over the 2025 budget.

In a recent statement released on its X handle, BudgIT asserted: “This omission implies that if funding for this project materialises, it will likely necessitate reallocating funds from other critical projects, potentially hindering their implementation and impacting the budget’s credibility.”

The statement was signed by BudgIT’s Communications Associate, Nancy Odimegwu.

According to the group, some of the projections in the budget were unrealistic even as it faulted the failure of government to provide a breakdown of the budget of some ministries, departments and agencies.

BudgIT noted that in previous years, it identified several budgetary insertions made by the National Assembly that deviated from the federal government’s constitutional mandate and priorities while such projects were assigned to MDAs “that have neither the capacity nor the mandate to implement the inserted projects.”

The group noted that in 2021, it observed that 5,601 capital projects were added to the Appropriation Bill during the review process by the National Assembly. In 2022, it increased to 6,462 projects across 37 mother ministries and 340 MDAs, while in 2024, 7,447 insertions amounting to a staggering N2.24 trillion were found in the budget.

“While the constitution grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds, it often modifies the executive’s proposed budget to distort its original intent and disconnect it from the nation’s long-term development agenda.

“Many inserted projects usually lack proper conceptualisation, design, and cost estimation, undermining their effectiveness and feasibility. We believe that the legislature must exercise this power with the utmost responsibility. This responsibility, which cannot be overstated, entails ensuring resource efficiency, eliminating waste, and aligning budgetary decisions with the nation’s long-term economic development goals,” BudgIT said.

Ahead of the review of the budget, BudgIT appeals to the lawmakers “to prioritise national interest over personal or parochial considerations and ensure that the approved budget stimulates economic activities and macroeconomic stability, allocates resources to foster economic growth and development, equitably distributes resources to reduce poverty and inequality, and caters to the most vulnerable Nigerians.”

As the race for 2027 elections begins to shape up, strong rumours of defection are swirling around no fewer than five first term opposition governors, LEADERSHIP checks have revealed.

Investigations by LEADERSHIP showed that governors of Abia (Alex Otti) Enugu (Peter Mbah), Delta (Sheriff Oborevwori), Rivers (Siminalayi Fubara) and Akwa Ibom (Umoh Eno) have had to address concerns surrounding talks about their plans to dump their parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Mbah, Fubara, Eno, Oborevwori belong to the major opposition PDP, Otti belongs to the Labour Party. Interestingly, both parties have been locked in post-2023 election crises which seems to have defied interventions so far.

While some sources confided in LEADERSHIP that some of the governors are being subtly pressured to join the ruling APC, others noted that others, mindful of the instability in their party, are open to joining a platform that would enhance their chances of securing a second term.

Since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, over 20 sitting governors have dumped their political parties for another. The top states with the highest number of sitting governors jumping ship are Sokoto, Imo, Abia and Adamawa.

In Sokoto, three governors have dumped their parties for another, while two sitting governors in Imo, Abia, Zamfara and Adamawa have done the same.

While some first term governors were able to win a second term, others were not so lucky.

In Abia State, concerns about Governor Otti’s loyalty to his party arose when he resorted to the Zenith Labour Party as a special purpose vehicle for the local government election in the state last year.

However, talks about dumping his party heightened when after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abia airport, the minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, declared that the Abia governor would return to the APC.

Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, had mounted pressure on Otti to join the APC.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that no fewer than five Labour Party House of Representatives members have joined APC so far.

In Rivers State, Governor Fubara’s use of APP for the local government election, following his inability to wrest the PDP structure from the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has sustained talks that he may dump the PDP ahead of the 2027 election.

The closeness of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Eno, to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, one of the national leaders of APC, has sustained suspicions that he might join the party at the centre.

In Enugu, there are insinuations that the disruptive politics within the PDP at the national level might make the governor, who isn’t disposed to be distracted by party intrigues, seek another platform.

PDP leaders in Delta, under the aegis of Concerned Leaders of PDP, blew the whistle about Oborevwori’s romance with APC leaders. The party leaders, namely Mr Theophilus Ekiyor; Mr. Ochuko Oghenekome, and Mr. Ezekiel Chukwudi, in an open letter accused the governor of secretly romancing President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in order to secure a second term as Delta governor.

Recall that Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, a federal lawmaker and daughter of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, had dumped PDP for APC last year. Ibori is a Tinubu contemporary as governor in 1999 and a close ally.

But the governors have pushed back on the rumours, declaring, albeit through their aides, that they will not dump their parties for the ruling APC.

Also their parties have declared such claims as the handiwork of the ruling party, seeking to sow confusion within their parties and suspicion against the governors.


Mbah has no plan of leaving us – PDP

The spokesman of Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uchenna Obute Udi has described as falsehood allegations that many members of the party are planning to defect to APC.

He dismissed the allegations in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Friday in Enugu.

He described Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as the leader of the PDP in Enugu State and the Southeast and wondered why such allegations would be made against the PDP members including the governor.

The PDP spokesman stated that in less than two years in office, the governor has transformed the state through massive infrastructural development.

He noted that the governor has endeared himself to the people of the state irrespective of their party affiliations through his numerous projects.

On the recent visit of President Almed Bola Tinubu to the state, Udi stated that he came to Enugu State as president of the country and not for party politics.

He noted that the president knew Mbah before the latter became governor, and that the governor was a key actor in the private sector.

Udi added that the speech of the President during his visit clearly showed that he came to see what the governor had been doing irrespective of his party affiliation.


Otti not under pressure to dump LP

As at press time, efforts to get clarification on the report from either his adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, or the chief press secretary, Ukoha Njoku on their mobile phones failed.

However, a top member of the administration, who pleaded anonymity said he was not aware of such pressure even as he argued that by his performance in office, Otti had become a brand.

“Like a beautiful bride, it is possible that some opposition parties might be wooing him to join them. Such moves are not out of place in our clime,” he asserted.

But the story is different in the Labour Party where most of the members feel the governor sidelined them “in all ramifications after climbing on our back to victory”.

According to a reliable source in the party, securing the party’s ticket for 2027 might be an uphill task for Otti “so, the earlier he starts looking elsewhere perhaps the better for him.”

“I’m not aware whether he has indicated interest to participate in the ongoing membership revalidation in the party,” the source added.


Oborevwori’s defection rumours sponsored by opposition

The chief press secretary to the Delta Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, said there is no iota of truth in the claim by PDP leaders in the state that Oborevwori’s plans to defect to the ruling APC.

“It’s a lie being pushed by opposition elements” he told LEADERSHIP Friday.

Similarly the PDP in the state has dismissed rumours as mischievous and unfounded.

In a statement issued by the party’s chairman in the state, Chief Solomon Arenyenka, the PDP described the reports as the work of unemployed political hirelings and their unscrupulous sponsors, who are failed agents of destabilisation and betrayal.

The statement read in part: “We assert unequivocally that the faceless group of individuals spreading these rumours and presenting themselves as concerned leaders of the PDP are impostors and not members of our esteemed party.

“We strongly condemn, in the strongest terms, the vile and malicious propaganda of these depraved perpetrators, particularly the key peddler—a notorious serial blackmailer and dishonest individual who will be remembered infamously for concocting lies as a means of survival.”


Why Gov Eno Won’t Defect To APC – PDP

PDP in Akwa Ibom has also dismissed the claim about Eno’s surreptitious moves to join APC, calling it a ruse.

The party hierarchy in the state led by Elder Aniekan Akpan had at various fora dismissed such report as mere speculations within the imaginations of the purveyors.”

Akpan, noted that “PDP is like a religion in Akwa Ibom,” stressing that, “PDP is Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom is PDP.”

In the vein, the PDP publicity secretary, Mr. Edwin Ebiese, urged the people of the state not to believe in rumour as propagated by some opposition forces in the media,

However, a PDP leader in the state, who pleaded anonymity, admitted that the rumour shouldn’t be dismissed wholly.

He said, “Tinubu is not like Buhari, who appeared apolitical throughout his presidential stint.

“Tinubu is an ardent, suave and alluring politician with massive Machevellian attributes of the end justifying the means. So he will not spare anything to capture Akwa Ibom.

“Surviving to emerge the winner of the 2023 presidential election against all odds, the President would want to dismantle all perceived obstacles by wooing some of the remaining opposition states, especially Akwa Ibom, that they had over the years longed for, into the APC.

“They had done it in Edo and Ondo states, so the complimentary dispositions by Governor Umo Eno, and the Senate President could be a pointer to the likely defection of the governor to crumble and further weaken the opposition structure in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections”, the PDP stalwart in Uyo told LEADERSHIP Friday.


Fubara Has No Plan To Leave PDP – Rivers Information Commissioner

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, has said Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for any other political party.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday in Port Harcourt, Johnson said: “Rumour is rumour and will remain in the realms of rumour. I am not aware of such a move.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday held a memorial service in honour of his late friend and former President of the United States of America (USA), Jimmy Carter, paying glowing tributes to the American leader whom he described as a “titan and man of peace.”

Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his post-presidential work, died at 100, on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia.

At the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the service was held, Obasanjo recalled how Carter stuck out his neck to save his life by seeking his release from prison under the late Head of State, General Sanni Abacha.

He said Carter paid a visit to Abacha solely to plead for his release.

He said, “President Carter was one of my foreign friends who stuck their necks out to save my life and to seek my release from prison. On President Carter’s visit to Nigeria, he got Abacha to agree to take me from detention to house arrest on my farm. But that did not last for too long.

“Many other friends and leaders intervened but President Carter was the only non-African leader, according to my information, that paid a visit to Abacha solely to plead for my release.

“I would remain ever grateful to all who worked for my release from Abacha’s gulag. Abacha ensured that I would not be released. Within a week of his death though, I was released by his successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who also facilitated my going round Africa and the rest of the world to thank all those who worked for my release.”

He said Carter later informed him of the efforts of Ted Turner, an American entrepreneur and founder of the Cable News Network (CNN), and others to secure his release.

“But the most surprising thing Carter said to me was, ‘Please see Ted Turner and thank him for his generosity. He came to me and asked me to get his friend, Obasanjo, released from prison. ‘I will take care of him and his family here or wherever he chooses to live’.

“I was touched and moved to tears. I immediately went to Ted who expressed to me the same sentiment that President Carter expressed,” he said.


‘What Carter and I shared in common’

In the tributes titled “JIMMY CARTER: THE DEPARTURE OF A TITAN,” the Ota farmer explained that he shared many things in common with Cater including an early life background.

He said “In terms of early life background, I shared similarity with President Jimmy Carter. He was born into a farming family in Plains, Georgia, and I was born into a farming family in the rural village of Ibogun-Olaogun in Ogun State.

“He grew up under a father and mother who were disciplinarians, who instilled in him the essence of discipline, morality, hard work, integrity, kindness and humility, compassion for the poor and strong belief in God. My parents inculcated similar attributes in me as I was growing up in a rural area that had no pipe water, no electricity just as it was in Plains, Georgia, while Jimmy Carter was growing there.

“He beat me though in one respect; there was a road to his settlement, there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles.

“President Carter had a military background which I had and, in fact, we met when I was a military Head of State. But if not that we were both in politics, our paths may not have crossed.

“When I became Nigeria’s military Head of State, one major issue that Africa was facing, among others, was removing the last vestiges of colonization and getting rid of
apartheid all in Southern Africa.”

Obasanjo said he would miss Carter, “a great and true friend but I know we shall meet again in Paradise.”

He said, “One great lesson I learned from President Carter was that in his leadership, he carried along an army of co-workers that shared the ideal and the burden of the work with him. He led by example and in humility and that made success to attend his
way.”

Physiology of overexertion

Sexual activity, while often regarded as a pleasurable act, places significant physical demands on the body.

During sex, the heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, and muscles are actively engaged. For a healthy individual, these changes are manageable.

However, for men with undiagnosed health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease—ailments common in Nigeria—prolonged or intense sexual activity can lead to fatal outcomes such as heart attacks or strokes.

“When a man goes for multiple rounds, he’s essentially forcing his body to recover and re-engage in high-intensity activity without sufficient rest,” explained physiologist Dr Chika Nnaji.

“It’s like running a marathon, pausing briefly, and then sprinting again without recovery. The body can only take so much.”

Also speaking on the medical dynamics of sex, a medical practitioner and Co-Founder of Prive, a men’s healthcare brand, Dr Olusina Ajidahun, stated that there are four distinct phases of sexual activity: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

He explained, “The first phase, excitement, begins with arousal. For men, this is when an erection occurs. For women, the labia majora swells, and beneath it, the labia minora becomes more prominent. The body begins to prepare for sexual activity.

“The next phase is the plateau. During this stage, the body is fully prepared for sex. Blood flow increases, and physical sensations intensify.

“Orgasm follows as the third phase. This is the crescendo or peak of sexual activity. For men, reaching orgasm is typically faster than for women, often taking about 20 minutes in one or two rounds of intercourse. This discrepancy leaves many women unsatisfied because their climax may require more time or stimulation.

“Finally, the resolution phase marks the return of the body to its baseline state. For men, this includes the penis returning to its normal size, while for women, certain physiological changes occur within the vagina.”

‘Women require more time to reach orgasm than men’

He also noted that it was important to recognise that the sexual experience isn’t just about men; it involves satisfying both partners.

“While a man may engage in 20 to 30 minutes of sexual activity, many women do not climax within that time frame. In fact, research suggests that 70 to 80 per cent of women have never experienced a climax in their entire lives. Some women require one or two hours of stimulation to achieve orgasm. This lack of satisfaction can strain relationships and, in some cases, lead women to seek satisfaction outside of their marriage,” he said.

Ajidahun further added that techniques such as MouthAction, anal sex, stimulation, and prolonged pre-intimacy can enhance satisfaction. He said by targeting erogenous zones, women may not feel the need to demand additional rounds of intercourse.

“The key is communication and understanding between partners,” he noted.

‘Peer pressure killing young men’

Among younger people, the medical practitioner noted that societal pressures and peer conversations about sexual performance can exacerbate the issue. It becomes less about genuine satisfaction and more about living up to perceived expectations.

“There are also cases where men, due to medical conditions like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, seek to compensate by engaging in multiple rounds of sex. These individuals may not achieve adequate satisfaction and sometimes turn to enhancers such as aphrodisiacs. When such drugs are used, men may feel compelled to continue until the effects of the medication wear off.”

Stigma of weakness

One of the reasons this trend persists is the stigma surrounding male vulnerability. For many men, admitting to fatigue, declining sexual stamina or even health problems feels like an admission of failure. This cultural aversion to appearing weak prevents men from seeking help or discussing concerns with their partners.

“In our society, men are not encouraged to express vulnerability,” noted senior psychologist Usen Essien. “When a man can’t perform sexually, it’s often seen as a deficiency of character rather than a medical issue. This mindset pushes men to dangerous lengths to avoid ridicule.”


Older men should avoid multiple sex rounds – Physician

A medical practitioner, Dr Jennifer Emokai, said the acceptable benchmark depends on the age, stamina, and health of the man involved.

She said, “Younger men can go multiple rounds while older men can go fewer rounds. Men with health issues such as heart conditions, diabetes, and nervous system conditions, etc., will have their health and sexual function affected, hence they are not advised to engage in multiple sex rounds.”

The physician also noted that men should be aware of when they have reached their threshold for sex, listen to their bodies, and not engage when they feel exhausted.

“A lot of discipline and self-control is important for people who care about their health and well-being. An exception may be those men who are under the influence of drugs to enhance their sexual performance and those with mental illness such as mania; those ones may not have that control or discipline to avoid overexerting themselves,” she added.

Insatiable urge

A cleric and social commentator, Pastor Itekena Chepaka, said there was a pervasive cultural narrative that equates a man’s sexual prowess with his masculinity, often measured by the number of consecutive sexual rounds he can perform.

“This societal expectation exerts immense pressure on men to engage in multiple sexual encounters, sometimes to the detriment of their health and well-being. Men often face direct or indirect pressure from their social circles to conform to expectations of sexual endurance and frequency. Failure to meet these standards can result in ridicule or questioning of one’s masculinity. This is unnecessary. One round of sex is more than enough, and men should know that.”


70% of men aged 18 to 34 desire three sex rounds – PUNCH Investigation

On November 9, this reporter sent out a daring questionnaire to a group of men to know how many sex rounds they considered satisfactory.

The response was mind-blowing: 70 replies came indicating the sexual prowess of men aged 18 to 35 and those 45 to 70.

The response was a stunning revelation of sexual stamina preferences across two very distinct age groups.

The data, painstakingly analysed with the help of an expert data analyst, Ihechilurum Ikechukwu-Ogodo, exposed eye-opening trends that paint a fascinating picture of men’s sexual endurance and their expectations in the bedroom.

For the younger group—men aged 18 to 35—an overwhelming 70 per cent declared that three rounds or fewer were their limit during sexual activity.

This sets a clear stamina threshold, which many younger men seem to adhere to. Shockingly, 15 per cent of these men revealed that just one round was enough for them, while another 15 per cent felt two rounds were sufficient.

But here’s the kicker: only a tiny fraction, a mere 7.5 per cent, claimed they could go beyond three rounds.

What’s even more eye-catching is that many of these men confessed to using sexual enhancers to push beyond their limits.

Then, the plot thickens. Among the older group— 45 to 60—the data flips the script entirely. A striking 79 per cent of these men reported that just two rounds, or less, was all they needed to feel satisfied.

It’s a sharp contrast to the younger generation, and it’s clear: age is taking its toll on stamina. Yet, 10.5 per cent of these older men admitted that they could still push beyond two rounds, but not without the help of sexual enhancers.

Another 10.5 per cent were uncertain, hinting at the influence of health issues, lifestyle, or other personal factors that may contribute to their lack of clarity.

Ikechukwu-Ogodo, while analyzing the data, noted that there’s a stark decline in stamina as men age.

He pointed out that older men’s preference for fewer rounds correlates with the biological realities of ageing.

But the most intriguing was the reliance on sexual enhancers among both the younger and older groups, revealing an unsettling dependence on external aids to maintain sexual performance.

“The younger group’s admission of using enhancers, even when they exceed three rounds, strongly suggests that societal pressures to perform—along with a deep-seated perception of sexual prowess—play a crucial role in their behaviour. The data doesn’t just expose the physical decline in stamina with age; it also hints at the powerful social and psychological forces shaping men’s sexual expectations and behaviours,” Ikechukwu-Ogodo explained.

By Godfrey George


GODFREY GEORGE explores the rising phenomenon of multiple sex rounds among men and women, highlighting how social pressure, misguided beliefs around masculinity, and the performance-driven culture of modern relationships contribute to this trend

At 34, Chika Okonkwo has seen his fair share of life’s struggles. From losing both parents in one month when he was 11, to battling homelessness during COVID-19, his life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs.

A native of Enugu State, he moved to Lagos in search of better opportunities and found his niche as a phone repairer in the busy Computer Village.

Known for his quick wit and steady hands, Chika became renowned for fixing even the most hopeless devices.

But, in his own words, no amount of skill could have prepared him for a near-death experience in the throes of passion that left him reeling for weeks.

The fateful night began innocently. Chika had met a vibrant young woman at a friend’s birthday party a few days earlier. Their connection was instant, and when she invited him over to her apartment for a late-night rendezvous, he thought nothing of it.

“She was beautiful and confident,” Chika recalls. “I didn’t want to seem like I wasn’t up for the challenge.”

What started as a seemingly ordinary night soon spiralled into a test of endurance. After their initial encounter, Chika was ready to call it a night. But his partner, fueled by boundless energy, was far from done.

“She kept saying, ‘One more round’,” Chika recounts with a weak smile. “I was flattered at first. I mean, which man wouldn’t be? But by the third round, I knew I was reaching my limit.”

Ignoring his body’s warning signs, Chika gave in to her demands for a fourth round. That was when things took a turn for the worse. “I started feeling dizzy and short of breath,” he says. “I thought it was just exhaustion, but then my heart started racing. I felt like my chest was going to explode.”

As panic set in, Chika tried to signal that he needed to stop, but his partner misinterpreted his distress as a playful act. When he began to pant heavily and clutch his chest, she finally realised something was wrong.

“I could see the fear in her eyes,” Chika says. “She asked if I was okay, but I couldn’t even speak. I thought I had died.”


Alone, afraid

In the chaos of the moment, Chika’s partner made a split-second decision that still baffles him. Gripped by fear, she grabbed her belongings and fled, leaving him gasping for air on her bedroom floor.

“I couldn’t believe she just left me there,” Chika says, shaking his head. “I was completely helpless. All I could think was, ‘This is how it ends.’”

After what felt like an eternity, Chika managed to drag himself to his feet and splash water on his face. His breathing gradually returned to normal, but the experience left him shaken to his core.

“I sat there for hours, just trying to make sense of what had happened,” he recalls. “I dreaded sex for weeks after that. I didn’t even want to think about it.”

Back at Computer Village, Chika’s near-death experience became the subject of hushed conversations among his colleagues. Though he initially tried to keep the ordeal private, the story eventually spilt out during a lighthearted discussion about relationships.

“They laughed at first,” Chika admits, “but when they saw how serious I was, the mood changed. One of my friends said, ‘You’re lucky to be alive.’ And he was right.”

Reflecting on the incident, Chika said he learnt to approach relationships—and his health—with a newfound sense of caution. “I used to think I was invincible,” he says wryly. “But now I know that even something as simple as overexerting yourself can have serious consequences. It’s not worth risking your life just to impress someone.”

Abiodun Akintomowo, a civil servant, was not as lucky. He died after a sexual encounter with a sex partner in Ondo State in January 2024.

That Sunday, the sound of church drums had faded and the evening breeze began to blow. The father of two, sought solace with a woman, identified simply as Bimpe. That evening, he checked into a modest hotel in the Akinjagunla area of the town for an intimate encounter.

However, as the evening progressed, an unforeseen darkness loomed.

After their encounter, Abiodun fainted, his vitality quickly waning. As he collapsed, Bimpe began to panic. Her frantic cries pierced the hotel’s silence, summoning the manager and concerned patrons. Despite their desperate attempts to revive him, Abiodun’s journey tragically came to an end.

The news of his untimely demise spread through Ondo like wildfire, igniting conversations laced with speculation and sorrow.

Whispers of ‘Magun,’ a traditional Yoruba charm believed to punish infidelity by causing sudden death during intercourse, surfaced.

Some locals, steeped in cultural lore, wondered if Abiodun had fallen victim to this ancient spell, especially given Bimpe’s status as a married woman.

The Ondo State Police Command, led by the Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, swiftly intervened.

Two individuals were detained: Bimpe, whose real identity remained shrouded in mystery, and the hotel proprietor.

Odunlami stated, “The man was not feeling alright after the sexual intercourse with the lady in the hotel, so he was rushed to the hospital and later died. The two suspects are still in our custody.”

As the investigation unfolded, the community grappled with a complex tapestry of emotions. Abiodun’s family was plunged into profound grief, mourning the loss of a husband and father whose life was abruptly cut short.

Experts who weighed in on the matter suggested that the man’s collapse may have been triggered by his body’s inability to handle the excessive physical exertion. His blood pressure, they noted, had likely shot up beyond normal levels, leading to a state of shock, which may have ultimately contributed to his tragic death.


40-year-old father of 12

The sleepy Tombia-Amassoma Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was, in May 2024, awakened to an eerie hush as residents discovered the lifeless body of a man in a brothel—an end both tragic and thought-provoking.

He was said to be 40 years old, a father of 12 children, and a man grappling with the challenges of a partial stroke. A Delta State indigene, his name, much like his final hours, remained cloaked in mystery as his story unfolded like an unscripted tragedy.

On a seemingly ordinary Tuesday morning, the man reportedly left his home unassumingly around 8 a.m. His destination? The now-infamous brothel nestled along the axis of Tombia-Amassoma Road.

What transpired within those dimly lit walls has left a community grappling for answers and a family with more questions than closure.

When his lifeless body was discovered, it was a haunting tableau: the man, naked, motionless, and alone in the quarters of the brothel. Not a single commercial sex worker was in sight; they had abandoned the scene, leaving behind only the echoes of his final moments.

Residents crowded the brothel, their whispers mingling with the morning air as they tried to piece together his identity. Neighbours and passersby speculated about his life, his choices, and the circumstances that led to his untimely end. To many, he was just “the man from Delta,” another customer of the brothel who had ventured too far into the shadows.

Some spoke of his struggle with partial stroke, wondering aloud if it was wise for him to engage in what would become a fatal tryst. Yet, it was the silence of the brothel and its usual inhabitants that spoke the loudest.

The brothel in question had long been marked as a “red-light zone,” a space where moral boundaries were blurred, and life often teetered on the edge of secrecy and danger.

Security operatives had raided it before, their efforts to bring order to its chaotic underworld yielding only fleeting success.

Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Mr Tolumobofa Akpoebibo Jonathan, confirmed the man’s age and familial status.

“He is a 40-year-old father of 12 from Delta State,” Jonathan remarked, his words punctuated by the weight of the loss.

The Command Police spokesperson, ASP Musa Muhammed, also echoed the uncertainty surrounding the incident.

He admitted that investigations were ongoing and promised to uncover the chain of events that led to the man’s death. But for now, speculation reigns supreme.

Death in the shadows of intimacy

Again, in Ondo, tragedy struck one Wednesday evening in October 2022, shattering the calm of a popular hotel and sending shockwaves through the local community.

Lanre, a 45-year-old man, met his untimely demise under circumstances shrouded in whispers after he visited the hotel with a sex worker.

The man, who had reportedly checked into the hotel earlier that evening with his companion, excused himself after sexual intercourse to freshen up in the bathroom. Moments later, a loud thud startled the woman.

Alarmed, she rushed to the door, her frantic cries drawing the attention of the hotel staff.

The scene they encountered was grim: Lanre lay motionless on the tiled floor, unresponsive and lifeless.

Attempts to revive him proved futile. By the time police detectives arrived, the reality of his death was undeniable.

His body was later transported to the morgue at the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo for autopsy and further investigation.

The initial conclusion pointed to “Sudden and Unnatural Death”, but whispers in the community hinted at something far more sinister.

Some suggested exhaustion from an overindulgent romp, while others leaned into cultural folklore, claiming Lanre was a victim of magun.

The incident left Lanre’s family reeling in pain, their mourning laced with unanswered questions. What truly happened in that bathroom? What unseen forces, if any, played a role in his demise?


A shadow cast in Enugu

Three years earlier, in September 2019, a strikingly similar tale had unfolded in a hotel along the bustling Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

This time, it was a businessman in his late 50s, whose name was shielded from public scrutiny, and who fell victim to the intoxicating mix of lust, age, and, perhaps, reckless choices.

The man, whose story carried echoes of Lanre’s tragic end, had arranged a rendezvous with a widow from Anambra State. Unlike Lanre’s quiet companion, however, this widow would later deny any intimate involvement, her testimony steeped in protestations of innocence.

According to her account, the businessman had consumed two bottles of stout and a suspicious substance believed to be a performance-enhancing drug, seemingly in preparation for a night of passion.

But as the moments ticked by, his demeanour shifted. His breathing became laboured, and his behaviour erratic. Then, without warning, he collapsed.

Her cries for help drew the hotel staff, who immediately contacted the authorities. By the time the police arrived and the body was taken to a nearby hospital, the man’s fate had been sealed.

“I hadn’t even touched him,” she reportedly told investigators, her voice trembling with shock and disbelief. “He just started breathing fast and acting strangely.”

News of the incident reverberated through Enugu, raising eyebrows and setting tongues wagging. But unlike Lanre’s case, this tragedy was met with an almost stoic pragmatism by the man’s family. When his widow arrived from their home state, she was informed of the circumstances surrounding his death. Rather than pursue legal action or delve deeper into the murky details, she chose discretion over drama, a decision echoed by her husband’s relatives.

“It was a shameful death,” a family insider reportedly said. “They just wanted to bury him quietly and move on.”

The widow worked swiftly to secure the necessary documents to retrieve the body, closing a chapter that many in her position might have preferred to leave unopened.

Death in the name of desire

Sexual prowess has long been a source of pride and an unwritten standard of masculinity in many cultures, including Nigeria’s. For many men, their ability to satisfy their partners in bed, often through prolonged or multiple rounds of sexual activity, is seen not just as a personal accomplishment but as a societal expectation. However, this obsession with bedroom performance is increasingly proving deadly.

Stories of men collapsing and dying during or shortly after sex have dominated news headlines in recent years, sparking concern over a dangerous and largely unspoken trend. Behind closed doors, where passion turns into a race for dominance and stamina, the pressures of societal constructs of masculinity and self-worth converge in lethal ways. Men, driven by the desire to prove their virility, sometimes resort to dangerous substances, endure extreme physical exertion, or neglect critical health signals, leading to fatal outcomes.

While these tragedies often evoke shock and momentary discourse, they shed light on a critical public health concern that demands deeper examination.


Deadly obsession with masculinity

The patriarchal fabric of many Nigerian societies ties a man’s value to his ability to dominate—in business, social interactions, and even the bedroom, experts have noted.

A sociologist and researcher based in Owerri, Imo State, Dr Chikeluba Odinaka, said this urge to always dominate creates an unrelenting pressure to meet and exceed expectations.

He said, “For many men, sex becomes more than an intimate act; it is a performance where endurance, strength, and ‘rounds’ become metrics for self-worth.”

“When you ask men why they push themselves to such extremes in the bedroom, they often say, ‘I don’t want her to tell her friends I’m weak.’ It’s no longer about intimacy but about proving a point.”

Odinaka added that the societal pressure is amplified in relationships where the man feels inadequate or fears that a lack of sexual satisfaction might push his partner away.

“In some cases, men also overcompensate after perceived failures in other aspects of their lives—such as unemployment or financial struggles—by excelling in the one area they feel they can control: the bedroom,” he added.

Role of performance-enhancing drugs

To meet these lofty expectations, many men turn to performance-enhancing substances, ranging from herbal concoctions and over-the-counter drugs to prescription medications.

These substances, often taken without medical guidance, can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or even cardiac arrest—particularly in men with underlying health issues.

A study by the Nigerian Medical Association in 2022, revealed that 60 per cent of men aged 25–45 in urban areas have used some form of performance enhancement for sexual activity.

Alarmingly, 30 per cent of these men admitted to mixing drugs or taking more than the recommended doses, believing that “more” equals “better.”

Health experts have consistently warned against the misuse of such drugs. “These medications are designed for specific medical conditions, not for recreational use,” said a cardiologist, Dr Funmi Oyetunde.

“When men use them recklessly, they gamble with their lives.”

An Ibom Air passenger from Uyo to Abuja is to face prosecution for holding an Uyo-Abuja flight hostage until the flight was cancelled, preventing other passengers on board from flying.

It was gathered that the female passenger would have been lynched if not for the intervention of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and those of Ibom Air.

The incident happened on an Ibom Air flight scheduled to depart Uyo for Abuja at 1730hrs on Wednesday January 8, 2025.

Prior to the flight, passengers were said to have been informed that due to weight restrictions, some or all of their luggage may not arrive on the same flight.

Report from the consumer protection department of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that passengers with luggage above 20kg signed indemnity forms in this regard, while those whose bags were in the region of 20kg were informed verbally that their bags would arrive on the next scheduled flight which they all agreed including the passenger.

But after boarding, the passenger in question noticed that her bag was not among the luggage loaded into the bowels of the aircraft.

She therefore left the aircraft in anger and insisted that her bags must be loaded, otherwise the aircraft would not leave.

Despite the intervention of AVSEC and the pilot who even offered to carry her checked-in baggage in the cabin if not for the size, the passenger reportedly refused all entreaties and appeals.

However, the flight couldn’t depart again as Uyo is a sunset airport and it was almost time for the airspace to be shut.

Due to “the unruly behaviour” of the passenger, other passengers including those who had international flights in Abuja and those with important appointments could not leave Uyo that night as the flight was cancelled.

In a video of the incident shared on social media by the NCAA, other passengers were seen charging at the passenger, attempting to assault her as she was being whisked away by airport security personnel.

Another passenger was overheard saying she missed her British Airways flight because of the action of the lady.

It was learnt that the passenger’s reason for her action was because in December, her luggage was delayed as well and she didn’t want a repeat of that situation.

Confirming the incident, Director of Public Affairs and Consumers’ Protection of NCAA, Michael Achimugu said,

“Despite all pleas, she held the plane hostage until the airspace was closed. Consequently, the pilot had to announce a cancellation of the flight.

“It was at that moment that other passengers became irate. Had AVSEC and Ibom Air personnel not been on top of their game, the unruly passenger would have been lynched. I salute the timely intervention that saved her life.

“The airline had to provide immediate refreshment, transportation for passengers who were resident in Uyo, and hotel accommodation for those who came from out of town at great and avoidable cost.

“This means that the airline would have catered twice for the same flight. Added to this was the fact that a scheduling challenge has now been created automatically, one that will take days to normalize. For an industry where profit margins are extremely thin, this was very avoidable.”

Achimugu confirmed that in line with regulations, flight operations have weight restrictions and considering that in festive seasons, people travel with more luggage than they normally would, airlines are allowed to short-land baggage.

In line with the regulations, the Director confirmed that the passenger would be prosecuted, adding, “The NCAA continues to educate stakeholders about unruly behaviour and the penalties it attracts.”

“The regulations state firmly that no provocation justifies violence at the airport. Certain acts, especially holding up the movement of an aircraft through means of violence, could be interpreted as terrorism depending on the severity (to be determined by the police),” he added.

by Ayodele Oluwafemi


The Nasarawa State Judicial Commission has demoted Emmanuel Jatau, a chief magistrate, over misconduct in the case involving Chioma Okoli and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The judicial commission demoted Jatau from chief magistrate II to senior magistrate.

The decision of the commission was contained in a letter dated January 6, 2025, and addressed to Inibehe Effiong, Okoli’s counsel.

The letter was signed by Yahaya Shafa, secretary of the commission.

“Consequently, I have been directed by the Hon. Chief Judge of Nasarawa State and Chairman Judicial Service Commission to write and inform you that Hon. Emmanuel A. Jatau has been demoted by a grade level lower than his current grade level i.e from Chief Magistrate II on GL 15 to Senior Magistrate I on GL 14 and stripped of his magisterial duties,” the commission said.


BACKGROUND

On September 17, 2023, Okoli made a post on Facebook stating that she tasted Nagiko Tomato Mix, one of the tomato paste variants of Erisco Foods Limited, and found it sugary.

Erisco Foods Limited had described her claim as untrue and unfounded.

Days after the Facebook comment, Okoli was arrested by the police following a petition by Eric Umeofia, president and CEO of the company.

Her arrest sparked outrage on social media as many Nigerians called for her release.

The police had obtained an arrest warrant and remand order from a magistrate court in Masaka, Nasarawa, to that effect.

Subsequently, Okoli was arraigned at the federal high court in Abuja but she pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking.

She was initially remanded at the Suleja correctional centre but later got bail.

Amid the legal battle, she suffered a miscarriage.


THE PETITION

Displeased with the remand order, Effiong petitioned the Nasarawa State Judicial Commission.

In the petition, Effiong argued that it is “brazen” for the magistrate to issue arrest and remand warrants against his client, who is not residing in Nasarawa and has never visited the state.

The lawyer also stated that the alleged offences were not committed in Nasarawa state.

“Fundamentally, the Chief Magistrate Court, Masaka, Nasarawa State lacks the jurisdiction (territorial jurisdiction) to entertain the applications for warrant of arrest and warrant of commitment to prison on remand,” Effiong wrote in the petition.

“The alleged offences were not committed in Nasarawa state nor is the Defendant living in Nasarawa State.

“We submit respectfully that a Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to make any order or issue any warrant whatsoever (whether for search, arrest or demand) for the allegations levied against the Defendant which border on offences allegedly committed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

“This is simply because cybercrime is not only a Federal offence, it is one that the law creating the offence has donated exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal High court not only for the trial of alleged offenders but also for pre-trial investigative actions.

“We respectfully seek your Lordship’s intervention to investigate and appropriately sanction the assumed Magistrate (HON. E. A. JATAU ESQ.) on his/her involvement in this messy desecration of the judicial process and also invite any other official found culpable for necessary sanction.”

Lagos, arguably Nigeria’s go-to entertainment hub, was the spotlight of the recently concluded “Detty December” with nightclubs in the state alone generating a staggering N4.32 billion ($2.7 million) during the period.

A new report by advisory firm MO Africa Company Limited analysed data from November 19 to December 26, highlighting how the city’s vibrant hospitality and tourism sectors attracted travelers from across the globe.

Lagos alone welcomed an estimated 1.2 million tourists, of which 60% were domestic travelers.

This surge was partly attributed to insecurity in southeastern Nigeria, which prompted many to prioritise the safer southwestern states.

Most arrivals came for leisure and tourism, further going on to lend credence to Lagos’ position as a pole destination for holiday revelers.

Preferred destinations in Nigeria, for visitors coming from the abroad, included Lagos, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ogun states.


Hospitality Boom

The influx of visitors drove record-breaking revenue across multiple sectors with hotels in Lagos reported to have generated an earning of N54 billion ($36 million) from 15,000 bookings in December. Short-term apartment rentals added another N21 billion ($13 million) from nearly 6,000 bookings. Short-let apartments charged an average nightly rate of N120,000 ($74.7).

Nightlife was another standout sector, with Lagos’ top 15 nightclubs generating a combined N4.32 billion ($2.7 million). Daily revenue for clubs averaged N360 million ($224,000), with premium tables fetching up to N1.2 million ($746.7) per night.

Beaches and resorts contributed proportionately as well, accounting for 70% of the N4.5 billion ($2.8 million) earned from recreational activities.

Event Centers and Luxury Rentals
Event centers hosted 1,175 bookings in December, yielding N1.2 billion ($804,000). Meanwhile, luxury car rentals saw a boom, with N1.5 billion ($937,500) spent on 750 bookings. High-end vehicles commanded daily rates ranging from N200,000 ($124.4) to N2 million ($1,244).

Kayode Omosebi, CEO of MO Africa Company Limited, says his team surveyed hotels, airports, short-let agents, and nightclubs to compile the data.

Omosebi noted the increasing reliance on cryptocurrency in Lagos’ hospitality sector.

“Eighty five percent of conversion to Naira and payments were done through this exchange platform. A number of bookings were done through agents rather than through booking platforms, which speaks to trust concerns and the power-play of agents in the industry.”

Looking ahead, Omosebi projected that ‘Detty December’ could bring in up to $2 billion in foreign exchange by 2026.

“The industry is evolving, and we would start seeing niche-focused hospitality and tourism experiences… There’s massive opportunity in bespoke event centers for concerts and shows,” he said.

Nigeria has called on the United Nations to investigate the funding and training of the Boko Haram terrorists.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, made the call in a recent interview he had with Al-Jazeera.

Musa said there was international flow of funding for the terrorists, stressing the need for the UN to come in to trace and track it.

The defence chief, who questioned how the insurgents had sustained themselves for 15 years, also fingered international conspiracy in providing the terrorists with funds, training and equipment.

Daily Trust reports that the CDS’ call on the international community for investigation came at the wake of a new trick by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists who are now deploying drones for surveillance ahead of launching attacks on security operatives.

Responding to a question on why Boko Haram has kept regrouping despite the claims by the federal government that the sect has been degraded, the CDS said: “The problem is that I think we have talked to the international community. Let’s find out the funding. As we speak, over 120,000 Boko Haram members have surrendered, and most of them came with hard currency. How did they get it? How are they funded? How did they get the training? How did they get the equipment?

“The UN needs to come in because we need to trace the funding. It is international flow, and we don’t have control over that,” he said.

Asked what his suspicion was, the defence chief said: “Well, maybe an international conspiracy… How are they being able to sustain themselves for 15 years? That is one question I think everybody should ask themselves.”

The defence chief, however, said he did not know whose interest it is to see Nigeria destabilized.

He noted that Nigeria is not the only country dealing with the asymmetric warfare.

“West Africa, the Sahelian area, and in fact, if actions are not taken, it is going to engulf the entire world.

“We are just good guys just trying to make sure that our country is secured, and then, some individuals seem not to be happy about it, and doing everything possible to throw us under the bus for whatever reasons…I have been in service for almost 33 years. Anytime we seem to be succeeding, somebody throws something at us, and the question is: why? Is it because we are succeeding or you don’t want the country to move forward? What is the aim? What’s the intent? That is the question we are asking.”

He also stated that the difficulty in getting equipment was one of the reasons the insurgency had not been wiped out.

“We have a procurement procedure which is being followed. And to also state that even with our monies at times, we find it difficult getting equipment. And the question is: why? One of the reasons why this insurgency has been for this long is because we have been denied access to equipment. Even when we have our monies to get it, it is difficult,” he said.

On why the military had been denied access to equipment, he said: “Well, I really don’t understand. It is a question that we keep on asking, why are we being denied?

“Our government is doing the best it can. But as an international system, like I said, we don’t produce (equipment), we need to buy. So, going to buy is sometimes a bit difficult, getting these items.”

Asked whether Nigeria has any foreign bases on its soil, the CDS exclaimed: “Not at all! We do not encourage any foreign bases. We have the capacity to secure our country, to secure the sub-region and to assist Africa. We have that capacity.

“All we need is to continue to do joint training, which we do, get equipment that we need to help us project these wars,” he said.


FG should send probe request to global community – Expert

In an interview with Daily Trust yesterday, a security sector reform expert, Chukwuma Ume, urged the federal government to consider a formal application to the UN for an investigation into the terrorists’ funding.

He said the government must show the willingness to invited the international community for such an investigation.

“Nothing is wrong with the CDS said in seeking the support of the UN…World over, when any country has issues with man-made issues or natural disaster, you seek support, capacity, intervention and even intelligence from other members of the international communities.

“Yes, it is something in the right direction, but it shouldn’t just stop at that action, and I’m sure the CDS is more than capable, and very knowledgeable of how to go about this. Most senior officers in the Nigerian military have international exposure.

“They must have gone on a peacekeeping mission to one or two other international assignments. I believe they are very vast and knowledgeable on how to table something like this. It is a request that should be matched with actions.

“The international community would also want to see your actions, they would also want to be encouraged by your human rights compliance records vis-a-vis your ability or intention to put in place good governance.

“In other words, if the government is making this request, they (UN) would want the government to show demonstrable efforts in terms of good governance, in terms of human rights compliance, in terms of all rules of engagements, how much are they complying with rules of engagements?


Military confirms 6 soldiers, 34 terrorists killed in Borno attack

The military high command yesterday broke its silence on the Saturday’s attack on it Forward Operating Base, Sabon Gari Area in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

It confirmed that six soldiers lost their lives during the encounter; while 34 terrorists, who had attempted to surprise the troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops, were also killed.

Responding to Daily Trust’s enquiry Wednesday morning, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, said most of the bodies being recovered were those of the terrorists who were wasted by the gallant troops.

He said the terrorists were neutralised by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI when it conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists.

He said the Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were killed and their weapons recovered.

He said though the vigilante commander got injured when he stepped on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the timely arrival of reinforcement overpowered the terrorists.

He said: “On 4 January 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari Village of Damboa LGA of Borno State in a fire fight.

“The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops. The terrorists were taken unaware, when troops fighting patrol returning to the Base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.

“Additionally, troops reinforcement team comprised of elements of Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante as well as hybrid forces timely arrived the scene to overpower the terrorists.

“Furthermore, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists. Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons.

“On the whole, 34 terrorist were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons recovered. Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions. Sadly, 6 personnel were killed in action.”

He appealed to the media and Nigerians to respect non-disclosure of the names of killed-in-action personnel to allow administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kin.

He said on the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria was profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation, adding that troops remained committed to the course of defeating the terrorists.

By Hannah Johnson


https://cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/08144657/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-08-at-2.45.32-PM.jpeg

A viral video shows a Nigerian father praying fervently after discovering that his daughter was about to win a ₦5 million bet on SportyBet.

In the clip, posted by Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the father is seen kneeling with his head bowed on a chair, praying earnestly. The video briefly shows the game in which the daughter was on the verge of securing the win.

The caption reads, “Nigerian Father turns into a prayer warrior after finding out his daughter was close to winning 5 million naira from betting.”

As the video circulated online, it sparked a wide range of reactions. Many users flooded the comment section, sharing their thoughts and opinions.

One user, Crypto Ambassador, tweeting anonymously as #LordCrypto_, said, “An excuse for a dad, when you should be discouraging and cautioning your kid. Poverty is a ravenous beast.”

BÎĠ ÅŁĖX, tweeting as #Alex_fabulous2, wrote, “Let them play, prayer won’t work for SportyBet; if the game is meant to land, it will land.”

“See how you’re using your dad to play! Nawa sef for the papa,” commented BlackAfghan, identifying as #ese_billie.

Izuchukwu Nwabueze, tweeting as #princepark5252, wrote, “Lol, this thing isn’t for the faint-hearted.”

Country Boy, tweeting anonymously as #Country16983102, said, “A game that will land will land well, and the one that won’t, will not. No matter how many prayers you say, it won’t change the outcome.”

watch the video

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝟓 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐧

A viral video shows a Nigerian father praying fervently after discovering that his daughter was about to win a ₦5 million bet on… pic.twitter.com/b6TgI0c4NC

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) January 8, 2025