₦airaland Forum

BY Aderonke Oni


The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) in Ghana is projecting a marginal reduction in petrol and diesel prices starting from September 16 — if the cedi remains stable against the US dollar.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on September 5, Riverson Oppong, chief executive of the AOMCs, said the recent stability in key factors influencing petrol prices could lead to a price drop at the pumps.

“All the variables that influence prices of petroleum products have been fairly stable over the past week and if that is sustained going forward, then there should be a reduction in prices at the pumps,” Oppong said.

TheCable checks show that the price of a litre of petrol is between GH¢13.63 (N1,472.31) and GH¢14.35 (N1,550.08) depending on the company, while the price of diesel ranges between GH¢13.99 (N1,511.19) and GH¢14.60 (N1,577.1).

According to the Bank of Ghana, the exchange rate of the cedi is N108.02 against the naira as of September 11.

Oppong said the cedi’s performance will be a crucial factor in determining the price review by the oil marketing companies.

The chief executive dismissed criticism that OMCs are slow to adjust prices when the market conditions favour a reduction.

“There is always a reason why the OMCs delay in reviewing prices at the pumps, and that has nothing to do with the arguments that they want to shortchange consumers,” he added.

He said the association is actively working to address recent consumer complaints about service quality.

Oppong also said the group has launched its own initiative to ensure that members adhere to the highest standards for storing products at service stations.

This initiative, he said, could significantly help address the issue and reduce consumer complaints.

“Our sector can be described as the most regulated in the industry. We are regulated by the National Petroleum Authority, and Ghana Standards Authority. You shouldn’t see some of these product quality issues coming up that often,” he said.

“Looking at the progress that we have made when it comes to developing the sector, we should not be having these kinds of challenges.”

In August, the OMCs reduced the pump prices of both petrol and diesel.

While Ghanaians are looking forward to energy cost reduction, a similar development desired by their Nigerian counterparts may be a pie in the sky.

On September 2, The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited increased the price of petrol across its retail outlets to N855 per litre — up from N600.

The national oil firm said the increase — which had elicited criticisms and triggered a surge in transport costs — was due to the deregulation of the petroleum industry, allowing pump prices to be ‘determined by market forces’.

BudgIT, the civic-tech non-profit organisation, says the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo, got N250 million for solar street lights in some areas of Lagos in the 2024 budget.

In a post on social media on Tuesday, BudgIT raised concerns over the institute’s plans to fund unrelated projects like solar street lights, a health centre and motorcycles in Lagos, Ondo, Rivers and Osun.

“The same Institute is spending N100 million on motorcycles in Osun, N100 million on health centre construction in Ondo, and N200 million on classroom renovations in Rivers. These types of insertions should have no place in the #2025Budget,” BudgIT said.

In a breakdown of the institute’s budget expenditure, BudgIT said the Cocoa research institute plans to embark on the following unrelated capital projects:

1. Training and empowerment of unemployed youths and women in Ipele, Ifon, Upenmen community in Ondo state — N148.7 million.

2. Construction of Ukparama comprehensive health centre Bolowou in Ilaje/Ese-Edo federal constituency, Ondo — N100 million.

3. Provision of empowerment materials for women and youths in Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency, Rivers state — N100 million.

4. Women and youth empowerment in Kano south senatorial district — N200 million.

5. Construction and renovation of selected classrooms in Khana/Gokana federal constituency, Rivers state — N200 million.

6. Provision of empowerment materials, motorcycles, fridges, barbering kits, hair dryers and generators to Obokun/Oriade federal constituency, Osun state – N100 million.

7. Supply and installation of solar street lights in Odi-olowo/Ojuwoye communities in Mushin 1 federal constituency — N100 million.

8. Solar power street light from Adekunle Banjo to Kasumu street Shangisha in Kosofe federal constituency, Lagos state — N50 million.

9. Completion of 100 seater bed primary health centre in Emmanuel primary school ground, Ojota in kosofe federal constituency — N50 million.

10. Provision and installation of solar street lights in Festac town of Amuwo-Odofin federal constituency — N100 million.

Other unrelated projects by the cocoa research institute can be found here.

On March 10, Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, alleged that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion in the national assembly.

Ningi, the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, said “huge damage” has been done to the north and the entire country in the budget.

However, two days later, Ningi was suspended for three months over the claim and was recalled on May 28.

A 55-year-old woman, identified only as Ifeoma, reportedly died shortly after collapsing while sharing a testimony at the Ministry Church in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Online learnt that the incident, which occurred around 8:48 am during Sunday service on September 8, 2024, ultimately led to her death a few minutes later.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old woman had allegedly gone to the front of the church, singing songs of gratitude as she prepared to give her testimony when she suddenly collapsed.

Hundeyin said that the 55-year-old was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

He stated, “The Zonal accountant of the church in Ejigbo came to the station and reported that during testimony hour in the church, while the service was on, Ifeoma came out singing songs to give her testimony when she suddenly slumped.

“She was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital but was referred to the General Hospital in Isolo, where she was confirmed dead.

“Based on the report, detectives were detailed to visit the hospital with the complainant. On getting there, they were told that the husband and family of the deceased had taken the corpse to Anambra State, where she came from for burial.”]

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams , has voiced out his frustration with President Bola Tinubu, saying the President has disappointed many Nigerians who brought him to power.

He criticized the President’s handling of the petroleum sector especially the recent hike in price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, saying the situation is worsening the hardship in the land.

He asked the president to reverse what he called, “the ugly trend,” saying the time is going.

In an open letter to Tinubu, Adams said, “When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ coinage in the build up to the 2023 elections, many Nigerians were persuaded that as a democrat exposed to modern way of governance, you will perform better than Muhammadu Buhari, a soldier who deepened the poverty levels of Nigerians and increased insecurity from 2015 to 2023.

“Today, events have proved that they were wrong. Mr. President, to say the truth without minding whose ox is gored, you have really disappointed many Nigerians who thought you were the messiah they were waiting for.”

He said the increase in price of fuel which was less than N200 when the President took over, now selling over N1000 has shown that the administration is insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

“Obviously, your administration is becoming indifferent, insensitive and unresponsive to the plights of millions of Nigerians who can no longer meet their daily needs. This is a brutal assault on the sensibility of Nigerians.

“I think you and your party should be sensitive to the plights of Nigerians. Mr. President, don’t you think the wicked and draconian increase in fuel price, especially, at this time that Nigerians have been pushed to the wall, is a huge recipe for crisis? Nigerians can no longer bear this economic hardship any longer.

“I am writing this letter to you because of the pressure I am going through from millions of Nigerians, who erroneously, believe that I don’t want to tell you the truth because the two of us are eminent Yoruba citizens.

The truth is that the perverted, opaque, unintelligible, wicked and corrupt handling of the petroleum sector and continuous increase of fuel price under your administration (with the NNPC threatening us the price will still go up) without due regard to the laws of the land and wellbeing of Nigerians is akin to telling Nigerians to go to hell.

“Mr. President, if a few of your advisers are telling you that all is well, I can confidently inform you that they are your enemies.”

He said the economic situation has worsened with the increase in fuel price and the rise in foreign exchange.

“Today, it (fuel) is more than N1000. As the Minister of Petroleum, I ask you, what type of reforms is this?
In May 2023, Naira to a Dollar was less than N740. Today, it is more than N1,600.

“Now, your two right-hand men when you were Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Wale Edun (Finance Minister) and Yemi Cardoso (CBN Governor) are in charge of the economy.

“What exactly are the fiscal, economic and financial briefings they give you daily to convince you that they know what they are doing in those two offices? When Buhari left on May 29, 2023, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that insecurity would soon become history.

“Pitiably today, from the North to the South, East to the West, the rate at which Nigerians are being abducted and some killed, even after ransom was paid, it was as if these blood-thirsty maniacs have just been unleashed on Nigerians from the hottest part of hell.”

The Yoruba generallisimo likened the President’s administration to the Adolf Hitler’s dictatorial era in Nazi Germany, saying, “In just 16 months into your administration, your campaign promises have suddenly become failed promises?

“Your Excellency, do you remember an Austrian-German who became the Commander-in-Chief in Germany in 1933? Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his suicide in 1945?

“Hitler, an elected democrat, quickly transformed a democratic republic into a constitutional dictatorship.

“The Fuhrer vowed to destroy democracy through the democratic process. And he did with the destruction of Germany in 1945.

“Before the destruction, the Nazi leader disabled, then dismantled the Weimar Republic. The Fuhrer crushed political opposition, destroyed the economy and ultimately undermined Germany’s democratic structures.

“When Hitler became history on April 30, 1945, Germany was in total ruins. But due to the determination of Germans, today, that country has the biggest economy in Europe.

“I hope I am wrong but I see a linkage between what happened during the ascendancy of Hitler into power and what is happening in Nigeria today.”

Nume Ekeghe


The federal government of Nigeria spent a total of $2.78 billion on debt servicing in the first seven months of 2024, data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed.

These figures were disclosed in the CBN’s recent ‘International Payments Data’ report, which also showed that Nigeria recorded $1.18 billion in total direct remittances from January to July 2024.

Analysis of the CBN data showed that in January, the government allocated $560.52 million to debt servicing, setting the tone for the year. This was followed by a reduction in February, where $283.22 million was spent, marking a 49.5 per cent decrease from January’s expenditure. March saw a slight decline, with $276.17 million allocated to debt servicing, representing a 2.5 per cent decrease from February. The trend of decreasing expenditures continued in April where $215.20 million was spent, reflecting a 22.1 per cent reduction compared to March.

In May, there was a sharp reversal of this downward trend, with debt servicing costs soaring to $854.37 million. This marked a significant 297 per cent increase from April’s expenditure, making May the month with the highest debt servicing outlay during this period. However, June experienced a dramatic drop in spending, with only $50.82 million allocated to debt servicing, a 94 per cent decrease from May. This was the lowest monthly expenditure recorded in the seven-month span. The spending picked up again in July, with $542.50 million spent on debt servicing, marking a substantial 967 per cent increase from June’s low point.

Also, a month-by-month analysis on the total direct remittances showed varying levels of remittance inflows throughout the seven months showed that A breakdown showed that in January, Nigeria received $138.56 million in direct remittances. However, February saw a sharp decline, with inflows dropping to $39.15 million, a 71.7 per cent decrease from January’s figure. March witnessed a rebound, with remittances increasing to $104.91 million, marking a 168 per cent rise from February.

The upward trend continued in April, where $193.31 million was received, a significant 84.3 per cent increase from March. The month of May saw the highest remittance inflow during this period, with $365.44 million recorded. This represents an 89 per cent increase from April, highlighting a strong surge in remittances, potentially driven by improved global economic conditions or favorable exchange rates. In June, however, remittances declined to $270.52 million, a 26 per cent decrease from May’s peak. Despite this drop, June’s inflow remained robust compared to earlier months. The downward trend continued into July, where remittances further decreased to $72.29 million, marking a 73.3 per cent decline from June.

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja


The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned the general public against patrionising drinking water, soap, perfumed and other products being produced by Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, CMDM, saying the products are fake.

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, is the founder and head prophet of the ministry with headquarters in Effurun, Delta State.

There have been controversies over the products, tagged: “Miracle Water and Miracle Soap, Father Smelled Perfume among others, following allegation by a social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse,AKA VeryDarkMan that the products have no approval by NAFDAF.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, the agency confirmed that both the Miracle Water and the Miracle Soap and the perfume being produced by the ministry were fake and warned the public against patrionising them.

The statement signed by NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye,reads in part:” The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to alert the public on the activities of a faith-based organization – Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries – that uses NAFDAC’s name to deceive unsuspecting public.

“Recently, NAFDAC have been inundated with petitions from concerned citizens about Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State on a Miracle Water and Miracle Soap being advertised with healing and miracle claims and sold to unsuspecting members of the public by the Spiritual Ministry.

“The Minister showcased the use of Miracle Water and Miracle Soap on social media to heal barrenness. He claimed that the women would carry twins if they used the soap. He openly told his congregation that the Soap is NAFDAC registered. Thus, the public began to visit the office to confirm the claims.”

According to NAFDAF, “The petitioners also submitted the following products from the Spiritual Ministry to NAFDAC to verify the bogus claims. The products are: Miracle & Healing Water; River Jordan Water; The Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida; A new beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water; Water of life; Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida (1L);A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water and Father Smelled Perfume.”

The statement explained that, “Upon receipt of the petitions, NAFDAC, through the Director Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) NAFDAC, contacted the Delta State Coordinator to ascertain the existence or records of any transaction with the Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries and the products in Delta State Office. “

It further reads: “The Coordinator was also directed to visit the Ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the Ministry where the Miracle water and other products are produced. The State Coordinator covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for 3000 naira from the Ministries and took the pictures.

“On Wednesday 14th August 2024, the State Coordinator Delta State visited the Mercy Land Ministry and met the Head of Service (HOS) – Mr. Ogunleye Fufeyin and the Chief Security Officer (CSO). The officials denied producing Miracle and Healing Water or Soap even with the evidence of the receipt of purchase. He claimed that only the Logo and address on the label were theirs but not the product. The HOS added that they only have a pool of Bethsaida water which is spiritual and artificial. The HOS requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO.

“On 27th August 2024, a team of Investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC and Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the Ministry, to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection, for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team. Letters of invitation was issued to the officials to report on 28th August, but it was not honoured. The company instead submitted a Legal document at NAFDAC Headquarters Abuja on 28th August 2024 and asked to come back on the 3rd September 2024 to organise their document before coming.

“The Agency then gave the Prophet till 29th to report at investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC Office Asaba for further necessary investigation.

“Investigation and Enforcement Asaba waited for the Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries officials based on their earlier request to report for commencement of investigation, but they still refused to show up. On 3rd September 2024, they forwarded some documents instead asking for more time to report.

“In a document, made available to NAFDAC Office in the evening of 3rd September, the faith organization claimed to have entered into a production contract agreement with Globod Table Water Km 4, DSC Expressway, Otokutu, Delta State without the knowledge of NAFDAC State Office in Delta State. This act is illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production.

“In continuation of our investigation NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of Fake NAFDAC Registration Number.

“At this point, it is very clear that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5, is not ready to present itself for investigation of production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome, and unregistered “Miracle” products.

“NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC. The public is also being advised to stop patronizing any of these Miracle products. NAFDAC is scientific organization that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product.

“In the meantime, we will continue with our investigation into the activities of this faith organization with regards to products within our mandates that have been reported to be manufactured and sold by them. I want to use this opportunity to warn either faith organizations against illegal production of regulated product without requisite regulatory requirements.

“I want to assure Nigerians of our resolve to continue safeguarding health of the citizens.”

By Taiwo George


A crowd of at least 10 aides trickled into the office of President Bola Tinubu to congratulate him over his victory at the Supreme Court, on October 26, 2023. As they danced and cheered, the president who was seated calmly watched in silence. When it was time to speak, Nigeria’s number one citizen said, “Ajuri, your job is secure.”

The presidential spokesperson bowed, smiled sheepishly as he dropped a document in front of his principal. Tinubu perused it briefly, signed, then went on to acknowledge the remarks of the crowd in front of him.

But on Saturday, Chief Ajuri Ngelale announced that he was quitting the job alongside the ones he secured after July 31, 2023, when he was named Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity. Tinubu had also appointed Ngelale Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Femi Adesina, Ngelale’s predecessor as official spokesperson of the President, spent eight full years in office. Reuben Abati, who occupied that position before Adesina spent four years in office, hence some persons were surprised over why Ngelale stepped aside in a little over a year.

In his announcement, Ngelale predicated his indefinite leave of absence on “medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family”.

Given what Abati wrote shortly after the ocean of change swept Jonathan out of power, one could easily conclude that Ngelale was in the thick of his own battle.

In a piece entitled, ‘The Spiritual Side of Aso Rock,’ Abati narrated some mysterious happenings in the seat of power.

“I have heard people insist that there is some form of witchcraft at work in the country’s seat of government. I am ordinarily not a superstitious person, but working in the Villa, I eventually became convinced that there must be something supernatural about power and closeness to it. I’ll start with a personal testimony.”

“I was given an apartment to live in inside the Villa. It was furnished and equipped. But when my son, Michael arrived, one of my brothers came with a pastor who was supposed to stay in the apartment. But the man refused claiming that the Villa was full of evil spirits and that there would soon be a fire accident in the apartment. He complained about too much human sacrifice around the Villa and advised that my family must never sleep overnight inside the Villa.

“I thought the man was talking nonsense and he wanted the luxury of a hotel accommodation. But he turned out to be right. The day I hosted family friends in that apartment and they slept overnight, there was indeed a fire accident. The guests escaped and they were so thankful.

“Not long after, the President’s physician living two compounds away had a fire accident in his home. He and his children could have died. He escaped with bruises. Around the Villa while I was there, someone always died or their relations died.

“I can confirm that every principal officer suffered one tragedy or the other; it was as if you needed to sacrifice something to remain on duty inside that environment. Even some of the women became merchants of Love Machine because they had suffered a special kind of death in their homes (I am sorry to reveal this) and many of the men complained about something that had died below their waists too. The ones who did not have such misfortune had one ailment or the other that they had to nurse. From cancer to brain and prostate surgery and whatever, the Villa was a hospital full of agonizing patients.”

Abati’s narrative makes it easy to assume that a similar fate has befallen Ngelale. However, this piece focuses on some of the controversies that dogged Ngelale at Nigeria’s seat of power.


UAE VISA BAN

In October 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposed a visa ban on Nigerians after a diplomatic row. The ban had a huge effect on Nigerians who frequent UAE on business and holiday trips.

Months after Tinubu assumed office, he embarked on a trip to the UAE for bilateral discussions with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

After the meeting, Ngelale, who was in Tinubu’s delegation, issued a statement saying UAE had lifted the visa ban and resumption of flights between both countries would commence immediately.

“Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria without any further delay… As negotiated between the two heads of state, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government,” he had said in his statement.

The UAE subsequently issued a statement on the meeting but made no mention of lifting the ban, subjecting the Nigerian government to ridicule.


FIRST AFRICAN LEADER TO RING BELL AT NASDQ?

Another controversy of Ngelale had to do with an erroneous claim in a State House press release. In a statement he issued on September 21, 2023, Ngelale said Tinubu was the first African leader to ring the closing bell at the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) in the US. visit.

“In honour of President Bola Tinubu’s determined global push to aggressively attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria, the world’s second largest stock exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (NASDAQ), on Wednesday in the world’s financial capital, invited President Tinubu to ring the closing bell, making him the first African President to ever receive the honour,” he erroneously claimed.

The backlash which trailed this was alarming, as Nigerians, particularly on social media, factchecked the Presidency, in what could go as the first embarrassment of that sort.

Amid the barrage of criticisms, the Presidency acknowledged the mistake, admitting that previous African leaders, including Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, had rung the NASDAQ bell before Tinubu.

Weighing in on the gaffe, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) queried the qualification and competence of Ngelale to speak for President Tinubu.

The NIPR said Ngelale was ordinarily not ‘fit’ to hold the exalted position because he lacked the basic knowledge and requisite training on public relations.

Dr. Ike Neliaku, NIPR President, said while Ngelale’s journalism pedigree, antecedents and credentials were not in doubt, he was legally not qualified for the job of Presidential spokesperson.


LOCKING HORNS WITH ONANUGA

On the eve of Tinubu’s first year in office, his spokesmen sparked confusion through a statement and counter statement on a particular event.

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, had announced that Tinubu would address a joint session of the National Assembly as part of the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The National Assembly Clerk, Sani Magaji, also confirmed the report. In a swift reaction, Ngelale refuted this, describing the information as “false and unauthorized”.

“In view of public commentary concerning the President delivering a speech before a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow, May 29, 2024, it is important to state that this information is false and unauthorized as the Office of the President was not involved in the planning of the event,” he had said in a statement.

Few days later, Ngelale granted an interview where he addressed the seeming rift with his “elder colleague”.

“I have been really saddened by some of the commentary attempting to create confusion and division within the office of the president, in respect to my humble self and a very respected elder colleague, Bayo Onanuga. I want to be very clear that when I was somewhere in primary school, Onanuga was risking his life on the streets of Lagos against murderous oppressors.

“He was defending the rights of Nigerians to be able to vote for their leaders. Anybody trying to create the impression that I see myself as on par or level with somebody of the stature of Onanuga should stop the conversation. [Onanuga is] somebody I revere a lot. He is somebody that I respect to the utmost.”


NOT A JOURNALIST’S DELIGHT

Although he did media rounds and appeared on a few television programmes, Ngelale was not many journalists’ delight in terms of giving reactions whether through messages or calls. Many have complained that silence was his trademark in this regard.

Onanuga, Tope Ajayi, Tunde Rahman, at one time or the other gave official reactions, but Ngelale was obviously missing in that regard. Some key statements were also issued late, at times when newspapers had gone to bed.

However, Ngelale held his office well as he signed off important statements. Unlike the Buhari days when Garba Shehu and Adesina took turns to issue key statements, Ngelale took full control. He also claimed to have made record of the presidential spokesperson who issued the most statement in a single day.

“As @ last count, the SA on Media released 14 statements today, with 11 made up of different appointments by the President. We are done for today. We have broken the State House record for statements issued in a single day,” he posted on Social Media.

However, what Ngelale had working for him in terms of issuing statements, he lacked in some other critical aspects. The job of a presidential spokesman is certainly beyond announcing political appointments. Ngelale hardly commented on public policies. He didn’t use widely available media channels to articulate the plans of this government, hence there was a huge communication gap. In the 13 months he held sway, it was difficult to find any analysis of government policies written by him in any newspaper. His predecessor not only had such vital contents published at home, but equally abroad. This strategic concept was conspicuously missing under his watch.


THE FORCES WITHIN

Neglale was one of those below 40 who worked under Tinubu. Given how our society is structured, it is ordinarily difficult for a young person to call the shot in a key office. As a media owner, Tinubu has access to the big names in the media cycle. Ordinarily, one would think a known name would have been given that position but the lot fell on Ngelale’s lap.

However, insiders said he was on collision course with many of his colleagues while the job lasted. Aside from the first year anniversary eve public spat, there were other tense moments with Onanuga. Although he started working in the Nigerian setting in 2011, Ngelale’s American background stuck with him, according to an insider. Perhaps he was being professional, but many passed it off as arrogance indirectly diminishing his worth.
Ngelale reportedly spent the last days in office moving from one nation to the other in his capacity as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action. Probably to show he was working, Ngelale shared pictures and comments about his activities but some persons used that as a weapon against him, making it seem that he was not available to be the voice of the government.


Ngelale on one of his trips abroad

A source said Ngelale had moved to reduce the number of persons travelling to foreign summits such as Climate Change Conference. Last year, Nigeria had one of the highest delegations to Dubai for CoP 28. This had sparked negative reactions from Nigerians, who accused the government of waste in a time of economic hardship.
Ngelale’s move to cut down on the number of those attending such conferences was heavily resisted by those who submitted different petitions on his perceived weaknesses, especially on his frequent global trips.

Aside from this, some presidential sources had said he would not last on the job as there were plans to bring in a more experienced person. The message sent to the former Presidential spokesperson to react to this piece was not replied. This time around Ngelale can be excused as he said in his last statement that he needed privacy and as Shehu Sani, a former senator and social critic said, “Ajuri can now rest well, switch off his cell phone and regain some weight.”


WHO IS AJURI NGELALE?

Ngelale was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, United States, on November 13, 1986. He schooled in America until 2011 when he returned to Nigeria for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He started journalism career as a youth corps member at Africa Independent Television (AIT). After completing his national service, he was retained by AIT as an investigative reporter and later served as a news editor, producer and presenter.

At AIT, he produced two critically acclaimed public affairs documentary series State of the Nation (2012) and Diary from the Delta (2016). He left AIT in 2016 and joined Channels Television where he served as a co-anchor of popular breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily. In partnership with the United States Government’s Mandela Washington Fellowship, Ngelale also produced and presented Africa’s Future Leaders which documented young African leaders uplifting disadvantaged population through their individual efforts.

In 2019, he resigned from Channels TV to become lead media content producer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Next Level Presidential Campaign for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari under Buhari/Osinbajo presidential Campaign organization. Following their victory at the poll in 2019, President Buhari appointed Ngelale as his Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs but he was seconded to the office of ex-Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

In October 2022, Ngelale was appointed co-principal spokesperson of Tinubu-Shettima Presidential campaign Organization. On 31 July 2023, president Bola Tinubu appointed Ngelale his official spokesperson.

On 19 May 2024, Tinubu appointed him as the first Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action for Nigeria. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, Nigeria’s first green industrial zone and as Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.

Party leaders, activists and civil society organisations (CSOs) have picked up the gauntlet in Plateau and Cross River states to demand the replacement of two ministers from the states that resigned/ suspended from their offices.

At different fora, the stakeholders asked President Bola Tinubu to appoint a replacement for Senator Simon Lalong, who resigned from the cabinet as minister of labour and employment to return to the Senate, and Betta Edu, who was suspended as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation over the alleged diversion of over N585 million ($640,000; £500,000) of public money into a personal bank account.

In Plateau State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nde Jonathan Ishaku, resigned from the party, citing the state’s exclusion from Tinubu’s cabinet for his action.

Ishaku announced the decision in a letter titled “Letter of Resignation” dated September 6, 2024, addressed to the Gwamlar Unit chairman in Shiwer-Seri Federal Ward (and Shiwer State Ward) in the Kanke local government area.

In Cross River State, the actors differ on the fate of Edu. While some wanted her recalled, others kicked, insisting that the report on her probe was not ready.

In the letter, which was made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday in Jos, the state capital, Ishaku said, “I am particularly disappointed that eight months after Senator Simon Lalong resigned from the Federal Executive Council (EXCO) to assume his mandate as a senator, the ministerial slot for Plateau State has been left indefinitely vacant.”

The veteran journalist and essayist argued that “this is contrary to the Constitution of Nigeria 147(3), which stipulates that there must be at least one cabinet member from each of the 36 states in Nigeria.” He asserted that the current administration operates without the participation of Plateau State.

“By extension, it means as a party member, I do not count in the government and I can no longer continue to live the illusion. In my opinion, this is a slight on the people and members of the party in the state,” he said.

Similarly, Lalong, a former governor of the state who now represents Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has called for the appointment of a minister from the state to fill the gap his exit created in FEC.

At the APC stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s secretariat, Kalwa House Jos, Lalong lamented that denying the state its constitutional ministerial slot for eight months was unfair.

He said, “It is not fair that Plateau State remained for eight months without a minister. I said that and communicated to Mr President that it is not fair.”

Also, the chairman of the APC in the state, Hon Rufus Bature, who addressed the supporters at the meeting, said, “Let me, for the umpteenth time, reiterate our call for the appointment of a minister from Plateau State.”

In the same vein, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Plateau State, Prof Patrick Dakum, called on President Tinubu to appoint a minister from the state for equity and justice.

Dakum who made the call during a chat with LEADERSHIP Sunday in Jos, lamented that the president’s delay in appointing a new minister to fill in the gap created by Lalong’s exit was a disservice to the Plateau people that must be remedied immediately.

According to him, it’s unfair to deny Plateau’s participation in the Federal Executive Council for over eight months.

Also, the APC Like-Minds urged Tinubu to appoint a minister from the state to represent them.

The group’s leader, Hon Isa Maimadara, in a press statement issued in Jos, said the void had left Plateau without a representation in the Federal Executive Council despite the state’s contribution to the president’s electoral victory.

On its part, the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities in Plateau State demanded for a replacement for Lalong.

The group’s leader, Comrade Paul Dekete, made the call at a press conference in Jos.

According to him, Plateau not having a minister in FEC was a disservice to the good of the state.

In Cross River State, the executive director of Africa Dignity Foundation/chairman of Cross River State Civil Society Network, Benedict Usang called for the reinstatement of Edu.

Usang said Edu was among the APC faithful who worked assiduously towards the emergence of President Tinubu.

He said, “The federal government should immediately reinstate Edu. President Tinubu should make the decision to fill that vacuum. He should be firm in making a decision to reinstate Edu since she had been the second minister flying the flag of Cross River State at the national level.

“Three months is enough for the federal government to make a decision whether to drop Edu and replace her with another Cross Riverian or take her to another ministry if need be.

“In my estimation, Betta Edu worked so hard risking her life for the party during electioneering that ushered in the president,” he said.

But human rights lawyer, anti-corruption crusader and former special assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution, Chief Obono Obla, said the suspension of Betta was not strange.

He said that in line with the public service rule, once an official is suspended based on any allegations levelled against him or her, the official must wait until he or she is cleared of such allegations.

“She was suspended pending investigation, which is the normal thing to be done administratively,” he said.

Obla stated that when a public officer is accused of wrongdoing, the officer would be placed on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

He urged those in support of the former minister to wait for the outcome of the investigation.

The announcement of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on being unable to sustain fuel supply is a game plan, according to experts.

On Sunday, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, admitted that the national oil company is owing suppliers, but did not specify the exact amount.

“NNPC Ltd has acknowledged recent reports in national newspapers regarding the company’s significant debt to petrol suppliers. This financial strain has placed considerable pressure on the Company and poses a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply,” Soneye said in a statement.

Experts have, however, suggested that the announcement is part of a game plan from the government, which may lead to 950/1,000 per litre price for petrol.

They alleged that government officials had been pushing this narrative in the last two weeks.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, had, on Monday, asked the NNPCL to halt the sale of fuel below landing costs, arguing that this would help curb smuggling to neighbouring countries.

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) recently disclosed that the landing cost of petrol as of July, 2024, was N1,117 per litre.

It also revealed the landing costs of AGO (Diesel) at N1,157 for a 20KT vessel and ATK at N1,217 for a 15KT vessel landing in Apapa, Lagos.

An independent oil marketer, who preferred anonymity, said: “It was almost inevitable for the pump price to not rise, as this is one of the outcomes of a fully deregulated market.

“The NNPCL remains the main importer, with private importation remaining limited. This situation is worsened by Nigeria’s declining crude oil output, which impacts the country’s capacity to import refined products. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has noted the dwindling output of many nations, including Nigeria”, the marketer said.

A former chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ejigbo Depot in Lagos, Mr Akin Akinade recently said: “Our members have no direct supply from NNPC. We buy from Third Party. We buy at DAPMAN Depot in Abule Ado.

“They sell to us N840, N850, and by the time you add transportation to that, there is no way our members would sell less than they are selling. If they bring down their price, we are also going to bring down our price. We are in business to make money”, he said.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Chief Executive Officer, 11 Plc (formerly Mobil Nigeria), Tunji Oyebanji said: “Selling below the cost, whether from import or local refineries, is not sustainable. If they sell at economic price, perhaps others can import, supply will improve, and the financial strain will not be on them alone. It’s either that or these supply disruptions will continue indefinitely. I am baffled why they have not been upfront about this since instead of denials.”

Personnel from agencies under the Presidency have expressed concerns about the oversight visits being undertaken by the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In separate interviews with Daily Trust, they argued that such an oversight is traditionally the responsibility of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the National Assembly.

On August 22, Gbajabiamila began the “fact-finding exercises and familiarisation tours”, which have seen him conduct on-the-site assessments of key agencies under the Presidency.

The agencies he has so far visited include the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

Others are the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).

Daily Trust reliably gathered that prior to the Chief of Staff’s visits, heads of the agencies had been summoned to a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the State House on July 30, where they were briefed on what to expect during these visits.

The chief executives of the agencies were said to have been told that the visits were part of a broader initiative to ensure the agencies adhere strictly to the established regulations and guidelines, including the Public Service Rules (PSR), which govern employments, promotions, and other administrative guidelines.

They were, according to sources, also cautioned against carrying out employments without securing “appropriate waivers”, and that when such waivers were obtained, the recruitment process must not jeopardise the career progression of existing officers.

They were also said to have been instructed that all promotions, conversions, upgrading, and discipline matters for 2024 must be concluded not later than the end of this month.

Additionally, they were directed to strictly adhere to procurement regulations and thresholds to avoid any infractions and the attendant consequences.

The CEOs were also directed to ensure their agencies’ activities comply with all relevant laws and regulations, particularly in the areas of financial management, procurement and human resources.

Ahead of Gbajabiamila’s visits, they had been asked to prepare a 15-minute presentation each, outlining their respective agencies’ mandates, achievements, challenges and future plans.

The presentations were being followed by interactive sessions with their management staff, during which the Chief of Staff asked questions and sought clarifications on various issues of interest.

The CEOs were also required to provide copies of their agencies’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), organograms (including names and contact details of key officers), up-to-date nominal rolls, soft and hard copies of their presentations, and their Establishment Acts.

Critics have argued that such oversight functions are for the Office of the SGF, not the Chief of Staff, expressing concerns that Gbajabiamila may be overstepping his role and encroaching on the responsibilities of other offices. They express fears that this might lead to infighting between the two offices to the detriment of the nation.

Sources said the agencies might be stripped of their powers to carry out employments and promotions, as well as faithfully implement their project plans.

A senior official in the Office of the SGF, who spoke to Daily Trust on the condition of anonymity, said Gbajabiamila’s visits could undermine the authority of the SGF and other senior government officials.

“These visits are unprecedented and could set a dangerous precedent. The Chief of Staff is a political appointee, and his role should be limited to coordinating the activities of the presidency, not taking on oversight functions that are traditionally the responsibility of the SGF or the National Assembly,” the official said.

Senior civil servants divided

However, some senior staff in the Office of the SGF, expressed divergent views on the issue.

While some of them faulted Gbajabiamila’s oversight visits, others said there was no issue.

According to a director, so long as there are no illegalities or infractions of existing rules, there is nothing wrong with the Chief of Staff’s oversight visits.

“He is a political appointee, and he couldn’t have undertaken such visits without the president’s mandate,” the director said.

But another director in the administrative department of one of the agencies, viewed the Chief of Staff’s oversight visits as inappropriate, saying, “I see this as meddlesomeness. There are established channels for the oversight of agencies, and for a political appointee like the Chief of Staff to assume such responsibilities is not in good taste. His role should be strictly about coordinating staff within the Presidency and acting as a clearing house, not taking on supervisory duties over civil servants.”

Also speaking to Daily Trust, a senior civil servant in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, who pleaded anonymity said: “As an internal review, the oversight by the Chief of Staff to the President is okay. However, the most appropriate field oversight is usually done by an external body, which, under normal circumstances, is the National Assembly.

“But we know that there may be more than meet the eye about this particular oversight visits by the Chief of Staff to the President”, the senior official said.

Another civil servant said Gbajabiamila’s visits could create confusion and overlap in responsibilities, leading to potential conflicts between different branches of government.

“It is important to maintain clear lines of authority and responsibility within the government. When multiple officials start taking on roles that are not within their mandates, it can lead to confusion and inefficiency,” the civil servant said.

A retired director, who served in the Offices of the SGF and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), expressed a similar view.

He said there is nothing inherently wrong in the Chief of Staff’s oversight visits if it benefits the service, but asked the government to always communicate clearly to the public in order to avoid misunderstanding.


CoS’ visits not against our mandate – Reps

When contacted, Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, said the oversight visits by the Chief of Staff are not in conflict with the mandate of lawmakers.

According to him, the legislature encourages close supervisory checks and monitoring of agencies to ensure things are done correctly.

“What the Right Honourable Chief of Staff to Mr. President is doing is not in any way in conflict with our mandate as a parliament. On our part, we encourage routine supervisory checks by members of the executive in their duties over agencies and departments that are directly under their control.

“Those visits are valuable because they provide firsthand information about the state of these agencies, which is often lacking. Our Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, being a product of the parliament, has demonstrated that institutional memory is crucial for the transformation of this country,” he said.

Agbese also said that the Chief of Staff’s visits could help bridge gaps in communication between the executive and legislature.

“By conducting these visits, the Chief of Staff is ensuring that the executive branch is fully informed about the activities and challenges of the agencies under its control. This can only be beneficial for the overall governance of the country,” he added.


CSOs seek scrutiny of CoS’ action

In an interview with Daily Trust, Dr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, said while there is nothing wrong with government officials working towards good governance, Gbajabiamila’s actions require careful scrutiny.

“The Chief of Staff is a personal appointee of the president and lacks the constitutional authority to carry out the functions of other government officials, even when he has the president’s mandate,” Itodo said.

He cautioned that such actions could set a bad precedent and create friction between government organs.

Tunde Salman, the team lead of the Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria, expressed a different view, saying that: “The Chief of Staff would not have undertaken these visits without the president’s mandate. Perhaps, the president wants to gain a better understanding of these offices. There is nothing wrong if it is done to improve governance,” Salman said, drawing a parallel to former U.S. President Barack Obama’s townhall meetings aimed at increasing transparency in government.

Salman further noted that the Chief of Staff’s visits could be seen as an attempt to streamline the operations of the presidency and ensure that agencies are working effectively and efficiently.

“If these visits lead to better coordination and improved performance of the agencies, then they should be welcomed. However, it is important to ensure that such actions do not undermine the authority of other officials or create unnecessary conflicts within the government,” he said.


Presidency, SGF’s Office silent

When contacted for comments, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bayo Ononuga and Tope Ajayi respectively, neither answered calls to their mobile telephone lines nor replied to text and WhatsApp messages sent to them by one of our correspondents.

Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information in the Office of the SGF, declined comment on the issue.

Bandits led by kingpin Bello Turji gained access to a military Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in Zamfara State after a tactical retreat by troops, according to new information.

In an amateur video on social media, Turji and his followers can be seen celebrating the possession of the APC and the acquisition of a cache of ammunition.

Quoting local security officials in the North-Western state, PRNigeria said the terrorists did not forcefully seize the Nigerian Army vehicle as widely reported.

“Sources said the personnel and equipment transporter got stuck in a swampy area as soldiers responded to a distress signal from a community in Zurmi local government area.”

“They added that the troops, who were forced to abandon the carrier APC, which was their protection, turned back to their base for reinforcement as well as a heavy-duty tow vehicle.

“The Nigerian military was alerted by a distress call about a reconciliatory meeting between the Baleri banditry gang and some Zamfara locals in the Zurmi axis.

“The meeting was to resolve the differences between the locals and the bandits, similar to the same truce working in the Shinkafi area where there is relative peaceful coexistence.

“But by the time the Baleri boys arrived at the venue, they were attacked by another group also invited to the meeting. It was in the process that troops swung into action.

“Unfortunately, the APC became stuck in a marshy area. They had to retreat to their base to bring a tow truck. So, the APC was not captured by terrorists.

The vehicle after noticing troops had withdrawn. It would be foolhardy to remain in a stranded vehicle. Adversaries could easily launch a deadly ambush,” PR Nigeria said.

Meanwhile, a circulating video alleging the mass murder of more than 150 kidnapped persons in Sokoto State has been debunked as fake news.

The video, capturing gunfire and scenes of dead bodies, suggests bandits executed the victims after the government refused to provide a N200 billion ransom and 250 motorbikes.

Checks showed that the footage already posted and shared various times originated from Burkina Faso, where a jihadist group linked to Al Qaeda killed over 400 civilians.

Reverse image search results included an August 31, 2024 tweet by a foreign news platform that featured the same imagery but claimed the massacre took place in Sudan.

BY Ayodele Oluwafemi


Outrage has trailed the comment of Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, that Betsy, wife of Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, “has no child”.

On Thursday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state flagged off its governorship campaign for Esan south-east LGA at Ubiaja township stadium.

During the campaign, Betsy introduced Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, wife of Asue Ighodalo, PDP governorship candidate, to the crowd present at the event.

Betsy claimed that Ighodalo was the only governorship candidate in the September 21 election with a wife.

The first lady urged women to vote for a candidate who has a wife, adding that it would translate to women’s empowerment.

“Let’s campaign and vote for the best candidate in this forthcoming election. I want to introduce his wife. Incidentally, out of all the candidates contesting this election, only one has a wife,” Betsy said.

“That is our own party candidate — Asue Ighodalo. This is his wife, Ifeyinwa Ighodalo.”

Reacting in an interview with journalists, Oshiomhole said he was shocked to hear Betsy say Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has no wife.

The former Edo governor claimed that Betsy and his husband have no child and did not adopt.

“I was shocked yesterday to see Mrs Obaseki, the first lady, saying our candidate has no wife. I’m sorry she had to say that because here is a woman who has no child. Between him (sic) and Obaseki, they are childless. They are not even ready to adopt,” Oshiomhole said.

“I don’t blame anybody who doesn’t have a child but people who have love for children go to a motherless home and adopt. They have not adopted. They are both in their sixties.

“Our candidate not only has children, he has invested in the education of those children, such that the first one who spoke (at a campaign rally) is a lawyer, and the second is a medical doctor. They addressed the crowd in Edo south, Edo central and north, and their mother was there.”

Oshiomhole’s comment against Betsy has elicited reactions on X .

The Lagos state government has set up a medical team to review the circumstances surrounding the death of Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Waheed Ayilara within seven days.

Ayilara died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

In a statement on Saturday, the state’s commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, commiserated with the deceased family, the cause of death will be investigated.

“In the light of the circumstances surrounding his passing, happening some hours after an apparently uneventful surgery, the Ministry of Health, following a directive from Mr Governor, has constituted a medical panel to review the clinical circumstances leading to the death.

“This panel is headed by the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Adetokunbo Fabanwo. It will submit a comprehensive report on the matter in 7 days,” he said.

He assured that the state government will thoroughly unearth the cause to restore confidence to the public.

“We share the grief – and understand the anxiety – that this news may have caused and we assure the public that the Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring a thorough investigation.”

“Once again, we commiserate with the family of the late Mr. Ayilara, the Police and the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. May The Almighty give you the strength to go through this sorrowful time and bless the soul of Commissioner of Police Waheed Ayilara,” he said.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disclosed that Hon. Lanre Laoshe, a former beneficiary of the Federal Government Student Loan Scheme, has graciously repaid his N1,200 student loan, received between 1976 and 1979, with the sum of N3,189,217.

According to a statement by the Fund, Hon. Laoshe, a distinguished former member of the House of Representatives and a former Deputy Whip, who, benefited from the defunct Federal Government Student Loan Scheme, expressed his deep appreciation for the financial support he received from the Federal Government during his educational pursuit.

He stated that in order to determine the current equivalent of the N1,200 loan, he obtained a table of average annual exchange rates from 1972 to 1985 from sources at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The table indicated that in 1979, the exchange rate was $1.00 = N0.596, meaning that the sum of N1,200.00 was equivalent to $2,013.42 at the time.

“Using the current exchange rate of $1.00 = N1,583.98, Hon. Laoshe calculated that the equivalent amount today would be N3,189,217.00.”

As a result, he issued a Polaris Bank Plc bank draft (No. 14670909) for this amount to NELFUND, marking his repayment as a token of gratitude to the Federal Government for the role it played in his educational journey.

NELFUND said the act of goodwill and integrity by Hon. Laoshe served as an inspiring example of the impact that the government support can have on individuals and highlighted the importance of honouring one’s commitments.

“NELFUND is deeply appreciative of Hon. Laoshe’s gesture and remains committed to supporting the educational aspirations of Nigerian students through its various programmes,” the statement added.

The Asset Management and Corporation of Nigeria has said Arik and Aero Contractors airlines may be merged and converted to a national carrier.

The AMCON Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Alade, stated this on Monday at an interactive session with media executives in Lagos.

According to Alade, both Arik and Aero Contractor are owing so much money that they may not be able to pay.

He stated that the corporation presented the idea of converting Arik and Aero Contractor to the former aviation minister but it was rejected.

“The former management of AMCON presented the idea of converting Arik and Aero to a national carrier. But the former aviation minister did not buy the idea. We will present it again because that is the best option.

“Unfortunately, the special purpose vehicle that was created by the former management of AMCON for the conversion of Arik and Aero to a national carrier had been sold. But we can create another SPV this,” he explained.

Recall that the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, launched the Nigeria Air three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The development had elicited concerns among stakeholders over the ownership arrangement which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49 per cent equity stake in the company.

The Federal Government had a 5 per cent equity, while a consortium of three Nigerian investors had 46 per cent.

Reacting to the deal in June 2023, the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Nigeria Air, describing it as a fraud.

In August 2023, the incumbent minister, Festus Keyamo announced that the national carrier project was suspended till further notice.

Keyamo said, “It remains suspended. It was never Air Nigeria. It was not Air Nigeria. That’s the truth. It was only painted Nigeria Air. It was Ethiopian Airlines trying to flag our flag.

“If it is so, why not allow our local plane to fly our flag? So nobody should dispute that it was Nigeria Air.

“Air Nigeria must be indigenous, must be wholly Nigerian, and must be for the full benefits of Nigeria, not that 50 per cent of the profit is for another country.”

Recently, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos halted the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines.

The court declared null and void, the sale of the shares of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines after determining the issues in the suit.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ordered that the Federal Government’s plans to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, should be halted.

The judgment was delivered in favour of the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry stakeholders.

At the briefing on Monday, Alade said the present status of Arik and Aero Contractors had been giving him sleepless nights.

“Believe me, it is a very difficult problem to resolve, and it is giving me sleepless nights, particularly Arik.

“Arik is owing so much that they cannot pay,” he stated.

Speaking further, Alade said, “There is a way out. We have met all their major international creditors. Afreximbank is one of them. They (Arik) are owing Afreximbank about $52m.”

After negotiations, he said the airline was only willing to take $8.5m out of the $52m.

“However, where will that $8.5m come from? Where? AMCON doesn’t have money of his own to put there? And then they negotiated and said, okay, ‘let’s take some of the engines of those things away in full and final settlement’. And the truth is that, if they took those engines away, Arik is finished.

“But we said ‘no, we cannot allow you to take it away. Let AMCON give you a kind of bank guarantee. And we will stretch it so that three planes are flying now and by the Lord’s grace, by February next year, we want to make seven planes fly for Arik,” he stated.

The PUNCH recalls that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency grounded aircraft owned by Arik over a court order instituted by the airline’s creditor and billionaire businessman, Arthur Eze.

Eze had approached the court in protest against his unpaid $2.5m by the founder of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide.

In a statement by the spokesperson of NAMA, Abdullahi Musa, the agency said the development stemmed from an enforcement action by the FCT High Court on July 19, 2024, which involved attaching Arik’s planes to secure the debt.

In 2016, AMCON took over the management of Aero Contractors after it dissolved the board of the company, appointing a manager to run the affairs of the company in an interim capacity.

AMCON said in a statement by its media consultancy firm that the decision to take over the management of the company was in furtherance of its responsibility of acquiring eligible bank assets and putting them to economic use in a profitable manner.

Similarly, Arik Air, founded by Mr Arumemi Johnson, was taken over by AMCON in 2017 after the carrier’s management failed to honour its debt obligation running into several billions of naira.

AMCON had taken over debts from local banks owed by Arik.

Last year, the corporation asked the owners of Arik to present a credible debt resolution plan to the bad debts manager if it hopes to recover the company from the Federal Government.


AMCON’s asset recovery efforts

In a move to recover outstanding debts of nearly N5tn, Alade announced plans to engage international asset tracers to locate and recover assets hidden by recalcitrant debtors offshore including those masqueraded under special purpose vehicles.

Alade stated that since the new management took over about five months ago, they have successfully collected approximately N100bn from several high-profile debtors and revised the sale of some assets.

He emphasised that the organisation had been receiving strong support from President Bola Tinubu, the Central Bank Governor, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly in their efforts to recover debts transferred by banks to AMCON during the different phases of eligible bank asset acquisition.

The AMCON CEO mentioned that the chairman of the House Committee on Finance had pledged to name and shame obligors, who had yet to repay their debts at a major stakeholders’ conference that would be held before the end of the year.

He revealed plans to organise a conference where senior officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria, relevant ministries, banks, and the judiciary would be invited to discuss the challenges posed by non-performing loans in the country.

He expressed confidence that resolving issues surrounding assets in the oil and gas sector would boost production, generate more foreign exchange, and create employment opportunities for citizens.

He noted that the corporation had achieved remarkable results in two of those assets in less than five months.

In the power sector, he disclosed that AMCON had made significant progress in one of the biggest distribution companies and an abandoned power project in Kaduna.

Alade emphasised the potential impact of addressing power challenges in Nigeria, stating that some banks with approximately 400 branches across the country spend as much as N500bn annually on diesel for their generators.

He believed that tackling the power sector would significantly improve the overall business environment.

According to Alade, AMCON is also working on assets in the telecommunications sector, aiming to revive dormant assets and bring them back into operation.

Shipping agencies under the aegis of Shipping Agencies, Clearing, and Forwarding Employers Association have approved N200,000 minimum wage for their various employees.

The signing ceremony between SACFEA and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which is coming after 20 years of struggle.

Speaking during the document signing ceremony on Saturday in Lagos, the President of SACFEA, Mrs Boma Alabi (SAN), noted that the new minimum conditions of service for workers under shipping places would be the highest in any industry across the nation.

“The most significant thing is that in setting a minimum standard for the shipping industry, we have gone above and beyond any other industry in Nigeria. The national minimum wage is N70,000 and we know what it took to get the Federal Government to get to that point.

“By the agreement we have signed today, our minimum wage is N200,000. It is almost triple the national minimum wage,” she said.

She said that while the workers were asking for N160,000, it is important to note that the employers went above and beyond to do N200,000, “because they understand the situation in the country and want to ensure that everyone is happy. We don’t just want the workers to live, but to work and save for their future,”

Alabi expressed optimism that the new agreement would assist the nation’s blue economy growth via uniformity with the minimum standards and enhanced productivity and efficiency.

“With minimum standards, we would no longer have charlatans in the system. We are also looking at the developments in other parts of the world to improve the practice in Nigeria.

“One of the challenges in the country is the cost of doing business. This development will enable us to reduce the cost of doing business and compete favorably,” she added.

Also speaking, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, admonished the workers at shipping agencies to increase their level of productivity and efficiency as a reward for the improved conditions agreed by their employers.

“I enjoin the labor unions to remain steadfast and vibrant in advocating for the rights of workers by ensuring compliance with the agreed standards,” Oyetola stated.

He added that the government would continue to provide oversight by providing the enabling environment for compliance and continuous improvement.

“As we move forward, it is imperative that all stakeholders uphold the tenets of this agreement. I urge employers in the industry to embrace these conditions as a catalyst for fostering a positive work environment,” the Minister said.

The President General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, conveyed the labour unions’ gratitude for the feat even as he assured higher performance of shipping workers.

“As we celebrate this achievement, let us also remember that our work is far from over. We will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of maritime workers and the employers for peaceful industrial harmony,” Adeyanju said.

Adeyanju, who is also the Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, reiterated the MWUN’s assurance to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders for the benefit of the industry.”

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, attributed the attainment to the exemplary leadership of Oyetola, even as he commended the MWUN and SACFEA leaders.

Akutah argued that the success demonstrates the love for the welfare of workers that Hon. Oyetola’s leadership epitomizes.

He also acknowledged the ministry’s improvement via teamwork and collaboration.

In April, the MWUN announced that it has finally reached an agreement with employers of labor in the shipping industry on minimum wage standards for workers, ending over two decades of struggle.

Recall that the MWUN declared a state of emergency in the maritime sector after several failed negotiations with the shipping companies for improved welfare and service conditions for its members.

The demolition of the Landmark Beach front located in Lagos is causing some of businesses to consider downscaling their investment plans in Nigeria or relocate to other jurisdictions, a new report has stated. Titled: “Nigeria Real Estate Market Review H1 2024” published by the Northcourt, the report stated that high inflation rates were increasing construction costs, posing challenge to project viability and reducing the development of new real estate projects.

The report said: “The Paul Onwuanibe-led Landmark Group received notification from the government that the Landmark Beach resort was slated for removal due to its proximity to the proposed Lagos-Calabar 700km coastal highway.“The Landmark centre, estimated at $200 million contributes much in tax revenue – with some estimates at $1.5 million.

“The demolition of the Landmark Beach front raised concerns among investors. Some considered downscaling their investment plans, others have reallocated investments to other jurisdictions on the African continent. ”The report also stated that the demolition of the Landmark’s property has caused Nigeria’s reputation for policy inconsistency and inadequate stakeholder consultation.

“Landmark still advocates for a reconsideration of the highway route to minimise adverse effects on local businesses and the environment. Analysts reiterate the importance of sustainable urban development in the planning and establishment of eco-friendly urban settlements,” it added.According to the report, high inflation rates (officially 33.95 per in May) have led to a decline in consumer purchasing power, directly influencing the real estate market.

“Inflation has increased construction costs, challenging project viability and reducing new developments,” it stressed. The report stated that construction costs spiked by over 78 per cent YoY, while rents are on the rise across low income areas, reinvigorating the calls for affordable housing.

According to the report, Nigeria’s real estate market has been impacted by steep and unfavourable movements in foreign exchange rates and inflation, posing challenges for developers and investors. “This has hindered developers’ ability to import construction materials and equipment. Project timelines have been delayed, and construction costs have surged,” it stated.

It, however, underscored government’s intervention to the end that construction costs are lowered, tax rebates for construction companies, and support for the local production of building materials. Commenting on the report, the Chief Executive Officer of Northcourt, Mr. Ayo Ibaru, noted that the real estate sector contributed 5.20 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q1 2024, lower than the 5.31 per cent it contributed in Q1 2023.

Ibaru said: “Poor economic performance has contributed to unfavourable business conditions and has led to a decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria, limiting the availability of capital for real estate and construction projects. There have also been political gaffes,” stressing that “population growth continues to drive the demand for residential real estate, particularly in mid-market areas. ”He added: “The growing demand for affordable housing and sustainable building practices has led to a continual mismatch between supply and demand. ”He, however, projected that the real estate market in Nigeria could grow by 7.24 per cent and might reach a total estimated value of $2.14 trillion by the end of 2024.

According to him: “residential real estate holds the largest share, with an estimated market volume of $1.77 trillion by EoY 2024.”

Even though that it has been reported by The Economist that 70 per cent of the buildings required by 2040 are yet to be constructed, the Northcourt’s report noted that the Nigerian real estate sector is faced with challenges such as obtaining long term financing on friendly terms.

It added: “There are ownership complications stemming from the application of the Land Use Act of 1978. This is yet to be reviewed. This makes financing difficult.

“Limited mortgage availability due to high rates and lack of collateral means only a minute percentage of the population can access mortgages.

“Cooperative societies seem to be making some progress in raising fund for housing – if only for their members. Little drops of water take quite a while to become an ocean. Large-scale housing developments are largely between planning and early execution stages.”

There are indications that the Federal Government’s committee which was set up to ensure the implementation of crude oil sales to local refineries in naira will further discuss the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, to be released by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery next month.

Multiple officials, both among oil marketers and members of the Implementation Committee on crude oil sales in naira, under the leadership of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, confirmed that the panel would be holding a series of meetings this week and in coming weeks on the development.

They also stated that the committee would be concluding a framework that would put a benchmark on the amount which the Dangote refinery would pay for crude in naira, adding that the Federal Government would have to decide whether to pay subsidies for petrol from the plant or to allow Nigerians buy the product at the market price.

However, oil marketers declared that the cost of Dangote petrol would be higher than the current pump prices of the commodity, stressing that it would be tough for dealers to buy the commodity from the plant if the Federal Government fails to intervene in the price.

Petrol sells at between N600 and N700/litre depending on the area of purchase across the country. The landing cost of the commodity, according to data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria recently showed that the cost of PMS was N1,117/litre.

Marketers say this is the actual market price of the commodity and explain that the cost of the product from the Dangote refinery should be around this figure.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is the sole importer of petrol into the country. Other marketers stopped importing the commodity due to their inability to access the United States dollar required for petrol imports.

But last week at the presentation of the audited report and accounts of NNPC for the 2023 business year in Abuja, the firm’s Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, admitted that the oil firm was shouldering a heavy subsidy burden on petrol imports.

He said NNPC had been making PMS available for retail distribution at about half of the landing cost under an agreement with the government.

He explained that the company had been offsetting the shortfall in landing price and sale price through a reconciliation arrangement between the government and the company. He said the company had not paid any money to any marketer in the name of petrol subsidy in the last eight to nine years.

While the official pump price of petrol is about N600/litre, the average landing cost is about N1,200/litre. Ajiya said the company covered about N7.8tn in “shortfall” in the first seven months of this year.

“I think there is one fact that I need to make very clear, in the last eight or nine years, this company, even as a corporation as it were, has not paid anybody a dime or one naira as subsidy.

“No one has been paid a kobo by the NNPC in the name of subsidy. No marketer has received money from us by way of subsidy,” Ajiya said.

He said the government directs NNPCL to sell the petrol it imports, at a price that is half of the landing price. According to him, at times the Federal Government pays the money and it could as well net off for it.


“What has been happening is that we have been importing PMS, landing at a certain price, and the government is telling us to sell it at half price. So, that gap between that landed price and the half price is what we call shortfall or we call it a subsidy,” the CFO explained.

On August 20, 2024, The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government’s committee which was set up to ensure the implementation of crude oil sales to local refineries in naira has reached an agreement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the rollout of petrol in September this year.

The Federal Government also disclosed that the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries will commence on October 1, 2024.

On Sunday, impeccable sources among oil marketers, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the Presidency confirmed to our correspondent that the cost of petrol from the $20bn plant would be discussed by the government and the management of the plant in the coming weeks.

They said the options before the government are to either pay subsidies on petrol without piling the burden on NNPC or to allow Nigerians to buy the product at the market price to be released by the Dangote refinery, which, of course, will be high.

“The only way the government can intervene is to subsidise. There is nothing NNPC can do. I mean this. Do you want to kill the NNPC? Do you want the company to continue carrying the subsidy burden after the explanation it gave last week? It is not sustainable.

“Except you are saying NNPC will start doing whatever it can and nobody will expect profit from the company,” a source at the FMPR, who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on whether the NNPC would intervene in PMS price from Dangote, stated.

Asked to state a possible solution to the matter, the official replied, “The solution is for Nigerians to pay the real cost of petrol. But then you know, other things will come into play, because, you know, our economy is not that good. Things are not good for everyone.

“However, it is for Nigerians to pay the real cost of petrol or for the government to bring back subsidies. I don’t know, but it’s just those two things. They may consider this at the meeting, but for now the major discussions centre on crude supply in naira, which should be finalised in a few weeks.”

The source said the sale of crude to Dangote in naira had been settled, stressing that “his (Dangote) own portion will be sent to him. But they are still working on the framework, I know, we’ve been having meetings. So we’re having meetings. So hopefully, I think by next week we should be able to get a clearer picture on the modalities. We meet almost every two or three times a week.”

The source noted that one major challenge is the lack of the United States dollar, but stressed that the committee “will benchmark the exchange rate for crude sale to Dangote.”

The official added, “All the framework will be sorted and you know AfreximBank is with us in this.”

Also commenting on the development when contacted and asked if marketers had reached a price for Dangote petrol ahead of its release next month, a senior official of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria explained that though members of the association were willing to load from the plant, it would be tough due to the price.

“There are two things: the first one is logistics and cost-taking. We’ve been taking AGO (diesel), ATK (aviation fuel) by vessel and truck. By now, we all know ourselves and we understand how it works. So that one is not a problem. When PMS starts, it will not be changed from what we were doing before. The methodology of picking it from them (Dangote) has already been worked out and it is already in place and play.


“Now, when it comes to price, that’s the second thing and the third one is, in what currency are we paying? That one is going to be between Dangote and the government because as the government has just confessed to you, there is a subsidy. So, Dangote cannot clear the subsidy by himself. In order to deal with it, I think the government is trying to intervene, though still in denial.

“However, I do not think the subsidy is a good policy. I do not think anything has changed concerning the subsidy. Subsidy shortchanges the country. The government still must recognise that things are very tough on Nigerians right now and must find a way. If it wants to remove the subsidy, what can it do to mitigate the challenges?”

The official, who also spoke in confidence, said the government had introduced the Compressed Natural Gas initiative to tackle the cost of subsidy on PMS.

“So, what he’s (President Bola Tinubu) trying to do is he’s trying to push CNG which is possible so that he can stop paying subsidies for PMS. The CNG uptake is going a lot slowly; but that is the solution, to move quickly with the alternative CNG, especially for commercial transportation and long-distance movement of foodstuffs from the bread baskets to the urban centres so that you can manage your inflation.

“But, can the government continue with a subsidy of N7.7tn? I don’t think so, and anybody who says that is not being fair to Nigerians. The government is just a temporary group of people in power; they will soon go when their time finishes but our country will still be here.

“It is government policy. Currently, the government policy is that there is no subsidy; there is no subsidy provided for in the budget. How much will Dangote sell for? Dangote is not prepared – I don’t think – to sell at below the cost of production. So, we will need to wait to see what the government will do,” the source stated.

Asked whether there would be an intervention from the government, the official replied, “There may be an intervention, yes. Refined crude will still be at the international market price, as it should be.”

On whether marketers are ready to buy petrol at the international market price form Dangote, the MEMAN official said, “No, marketers will not buy at higher than our pump prices and sell at our prices. But we don’t know how marketers will buy it.”

When probed further to tell if there is a pricing template for petrol now from Dangote, the official said, “No law allows you to have a pricing template; we have PIA (Petroleum Industry Act). The prices of diesel and aviation fuel are the market price. There is no official market price for PMS as we speak, no.”

On his part, the National Operations Controller of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mustapha Zarma, said unless there is an intervention by the government in the price of Dangote petrol, marketers will not be able to buy it if the policy on capping is not lifted.

“Nobody can start discussing petrol pricing modalities with Dangote now because you cannot buy their product. At the prevailing retail price in Nigeria now, you cannot buy their PMS. So they can only go into agreement with the government on pricing. Otherwise, the policy on capping of petrol prices will have to change.

“There is a cap on the price of petrol in Nigeria now, and I don’t think that as a businessman who is into business to make a profit, Dangote will want to sell his product below the market price. We all know NNPC has been shouldering subsidies on petrol.”

A post on the official X (formerly Twitter) page of the finance ministry about two weeks ago, stated that the meeting of the committee on crude sale in naira was to review progress on key initiatives.

At the meeting, key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the African Export-Import Bank to ensure smooth implementation.


The post read, “The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today led the Implementation Committee meeting on the transition to crude oil sales in naira.

“The meeting reviewed progress on key initiatives, including the upcoming commencement of naira payments for crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery starting October 1, 2024.”

Also, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, and the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee reported that “The first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements.”

On August 15, The PUNCH reported that the finance minister inaugurated a technical sub-committee tasked with developing the framework for the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira.

This initiative aligns with the recent presidential directive aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s refining capacity and promoting economic growth.

Crude oil supply to domestic refineries has been an issue for months, particularly since the multi-billion dollar Dangote Petroleum Refinery came on board.

Domestic crude oil refiners, including the $21bn Dangote refinery, have repeatedly complained about the poor supply of crude to their plants.

Public servants in many states may have to wait for more time to start receiving the N70,000 minimum wage, investigation has revealed.

This is because the consequential adjustment scale detailing the pay of every worker from the lowest to the highest ranking officer under the new dispensation is yet to be released to the states by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

Reports from our correspondents across the country showed that while most of the states have expressed commitment to the payment of the new minimum wage, it appears their implementation of the new wage structure is being slowed down by the non-issuance of the document yet by the commission.

However, Adamawa State has started paying the new wage to its workers while those on the pay roll of the local governments in the state are due to start benefitting next month.

Labour leaders in Delta State specifically requested a stay of action by the state government “in the best interest of workers.”

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in the state, Mr. Goodluck Ofobruku, and his Trade Union (TUC) counterpart, Mr. Martins Bolum, said in Asaba yesterday that this was necessary because labour was yet to receive from Abuja the enabling circular on the issue.

Ofobruku assured workers that they had nothing to fear as the funds for the new minimum wage are already in this year’s budget.

He said: “We asked the government to step down the issue of the new minimum wage until we see the template.

“As we speak, we’ve been informed that the salary adjustments for levels 1 to 5 are ready while levels 6 and above will be finalised in about two weeks.

“However, some of us objected to this phased approach because there has never been a time where implementation starts with the junior cadre first.

“If we start with the junior staff, it could lead to discrepancies where a Level 1 Step 1 worker earns ₦70,000 while a Level 5 worker earns ₦100,000, and a Level 8 officer earns less than ₦80,000. This could cause demotivation among workers.”

Kano committee yet to submit report
The committee set up by the Kano State Government to advise it on the process of implementing the new minimum wage is yet to submit its report.

Information Commissioner Baba Dantiye, who is also a member of the committee, said yesterday that the panel still has a lot of ground to cover, citing “so many adjustments to be done based on the data available.”

It was gathered that consequential adjustments have already been done with regard to officers on levels one to six only.

Chairman of the local NLC, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, told The Nation that labour was expecting from the NSIWC the consequential adjustment table which would guide it in its negotiations with the state government.

Negotiations also on hold in Kaduna – NLC Chair

A similar situation obtains in neighbouring Kaduna State where the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, said there is not yet in place a basis for negotiation between the state government and the workers.

He said: “The table we have currently is based on the N30,000 minimum wage, and it is the responsibility of the National Salary Income and Wages Commission to determine the new table for the salary structures. It is after the release of that table that states can start negotiating.

“All other states that said they are negotiating, we don’t know on what basis they are negotiating. At the end of the day, they might negotiate something below what the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission will come up with.

“That is why we were advised at our National Executive Council meeting that before commencing negotiations with the state governments, NLC is organising a workshop to guide state chairmen on how to go about negotiating the consequential adjustment.

“That is why you will see that a lot of states have not started negotiation.

“In Kaduna, we have not even approached the state government because we know there is a document we must have at hand in order not to shortchange our members.”

We’re waiting in Bayelsa — Barnabas

Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the NLC, Mr. Simon Barnabas, attributed the delay in the take-off of the new minimum wage in the state to the non-issuance of the relevant circular.

He said: “As it is now, we are yet to receive the circular. So, things are just the way they are now. Because of that, implementation has not begun.

“For the states that have started the implementation, I say it loud and clear that Bayelsa State civil servants are far ahead of them.

“The N30,000 minimum wage that Bayelsa State workers have enjoyed over the years, some states have not even implemented it. Some states that have implemented it only did some percentage of it.

“So, when this opportunity came that there is a salary review, those states that never paid N30,000 quickly started implementing it, having heard that the federal government and labour had agreed on N70,000, to make it earlier than the release of circulars to cover their yesterday’s deficiency and also cover their bid for second term.

“Let me make it loud and clear that Bayelsa is waiting for circulars to be released by the federal government. The review requires a lot of scrutiny with substantial adjustments embedded in it.”

Ogun workers apprehensive; no agreement yet with state govt – Labour

Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ogun State, Akeem Lasisi, said labour would commence engagement with the government as soon as it received the appropriate circular from the wages commission.

According to him, organised labour in the state already has in place a technical committee to ensure that the “state government does not outwit” the workers on the new minimum wage.

Lasisi said: “It is no longer news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law the new national minimum wage on July 29, 2024. The news now is the implementation that is yet to commence in all states apart from Edo and Lagos. Many states have, however, been making political commitments.

“Amidst the reports on social media that some states have indicated their readiness to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage, workers are apprehensive and Labour leaders are bombarded with questions every minute on what is happening in Ogun State since the government has not made a public statement to that effect.

“The Organised Labour in Ogun State is not docile. We are set for engagement with the government on the new national minimum wage.

“We are only waiting for the release of the circular on the new Public Service Salary Structure from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for us to enter into a negotiation with the government on the consequential adjustment of the new wage, across the Grade Levels, from 01 to 17, because the N70,000 for the lowest-paid civil servant is not negotiable.

“Already, on the part of Organized Labour, we have set up a technical committee to ensure we are not outwitted by the government. This technical committee is to prepare the ground for our engagement with the government.

“We are also having regular consultations with leaders of thought in the labour movement across the unions in preparation for the engagement.

“We have not entered into any agreement with the state government. As a result, we cannot say for now when government is commencing the implementation with financial implications.

“What is sure is that the effective date of implementation is May 1, 2024, because the last minimum wage seized to function in April

“We will continue to pressurise the government so that the implementation with financial benefits begins immediately the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission releases the new salary structure.”

Imo, Anambra, Kwara, Rivers too
It is the same story in Imo, Anambra, Kwara and Rivers states.

Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kwara State, Alhaji Olayinka Onikijipa, in a short WhatsApp message yesterday, said:”Let us wait for federal government template first.

The state government had earlier said it was committed to improving the well-being of its workforce and creating an atmosphere for them to live a decent life after retirement.

Chairman of TUC in Imo State, Comrade Uchenna Ibe Great, said:”We are waiting for the implementation of the Federal Government’s N70,000 minimum wage to begin our negotiation with the state government. The federal government needs to prepare a salary table for the states to follow.

“There is what is called consequential adjustments of what to add to other grade levels going up. So, nobody knows the adjustment until the federal government rolls out a salary table. If you don’t have a template, what are you going to negotiate?”

“In Imo State, we have not started negotiations because we are waiting for the federal government template. Anybody setting up a committee must wait for the federal government template.”

Labour leaders in Anambra State told The Nation that the implementation committee on the issue set up by Governor Chukwuma Soludo has not even met because it is yet to receive the relevant document from Abuja.

“A lot of things must be put in place. We’re still waiting,” one of the labour leaders said.

“But one thing is clear: the minimum wage can’t take off this month in Anambra State,” he added.

Plateau govt: We’ll make implementation public

Plateau State Information Commissioner Musa Ashoms said the state government would make the implementation of the new minimum wage public once the modalities are ready.

“It will be made public at the appropriate time. We will not wait for a law before we enter into negotiation with the people, and their welfare is a priority on our list,” he told The Nation.

“Whatever agreement we reach with labour, we will make it public and the public will know at the appropriate time.”

Adeleke sets up implementation committee
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has set up a committee on the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

His media aide, Olawale Rasheed, said: “We are committed to supporting our workers as a labor-friendly government.

“Our labour leaders are aware of and appreciate our passion for improving the lives of workers and pensioners.”

Ondo, Labour still in talks

Information and Orientation Commissioner Wale Akinlosotu said talks between labour and the state government were in progress.

Akinlosotu said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has agreed to pay the N70,000 minimum wage.

He stated that payment would commence once an agreement is reached reached with labour.

Last month, a meeting of the Ondo Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) presided over by Comrade Olapade Ademola Adeniji constituted a nine-man Technical Committee on Minimum Wage.

Secretary of the JNC, Comrade Esther Foluke Akinleye, said the panel was charged with the responsibility of reviewing, analyzing and working out different salary tables after comparison with other states.

“This committee, which comprises representatives from various sectors, is to ensure that every worker’s perspective is taken into consideration.

“It named Comrade Esther Foluke Akinleye as Chairman and Comrade Adewale Sanusi as Secretary.

Fubara promises to pay N70,000 minimum wage

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has promised to pay the N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state.

The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the state Government, Tammy Danagogo, said Rivers would be among the first states to adopt the federal government-approved new minimum wage.

He said: “As soon as the implementation modalities for the new minimum wage are released by the Federal Government, I re-assure you that Rivers State will be one of the first states in the country to implement it.

“We recognise that the civil service is the institutional memory of government. No government can stand without its support.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima, 10 governors, accompanied by at least 13 private jets were in Jalingo-the Taraba State capital for the wedding between the Taraba governor’s daughter, Keziah Agbu Kefas and Bitrus Josiah Agbu.

The roll call of those governors present were: Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri; Plateau State governor, Caleb Muftwang; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki; Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara; Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal; Borno State governor, Umaru Zulum; Delta State governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah; and Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo.

The dignitaries held a dinner yesterday night after the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting. In attendance was Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who won the Supreme Court judgement against SDP’s Mohammed Ajaka, a situation that attracted media attention.

Meanwhile, the entire Jalingo city was shut down by the presence of dignitaries as all decent hotels were fully booked for guests.

The entire Jolly Nyame Stadium, the venue of the occasion, was occupied by guests and onlookers of what has been widely perceived as the grandest occasion in the history of the State.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, reportedly attended the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum Gala Night, hosted by the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, after the Forum’s meeting held in Jalingo, the state capital, on Friday.

The gala night, according to the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, in a post via his X handle, @GovernorAUF, on Saturday, was to showcase “The rich cultural heritage of Taraba State.”

The post, which included pictures, one of which Ododo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, was seen flanked by the PDP governors, read, “Yesterday, after our @OfficialPDPNig Governors Forum meeting, @GovAgbuKefas hosted a vibrant Gala Night showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Taraba. From the colourful displays to the captivating performances, it was truly a night to remember. Thank you, Taraba, for your warm hospitality.”

Wondering why an APC governor who secured a Supreme Court victory barely hours earlier would attend a PDP function, Nigerians have begun questioning Ododo’s presence at the gala night.

Reacting to the post, an X user who posts as @PrinceOfIgala wrote, “Is that not Ododo, who got the Supreme Court judgement yesterday? I will be glad if that is Ododo who got Supreme Court judgment yesterday I am seeing there. @officialABAT how market?.”

@Ayotund1 wrote, “Ododo dey PDP be that o”, @oil_shaeikh wrote, “Is that not Gov Ododo”, @hon_Asadiq reacted by saying, “What brought Ododo here please?”, @mashaallahujada simply quipped, “Hmm, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.”

Another X user who posts as @Emmanue99884047 simply inquired, “Who brought Ododo here?”, @LOD_hyper7 questioned the Kogi governor’s presence at the gala night saying, “No be Ododo be this?”, another X user, @Jaycn330 also inquired, “Is that not Usman Ododo of Kogi State.”

Recall that PUNCH Online reported that the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the appeal of the Social Democratic Party candidate, Muritala Ajaka, contesting Ododo’s victory in the Kogi State governorship election.

Ajaka had challenged the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission after the November 11, 2023 election which produced APC’s Ododo as winner.

After his petition was dismissed at the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal, Ajaka appealed the tribunal judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, where his appeal was also dismissed.

A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous decision on Friday, affirmed Ododo’s victory as the panel refused to void the election as requested by Ajaka.

The administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari in the final five months of his term in 2023 and President Bola Tinubu have collectively spent N9.31 trillion on petrol subsidies in 19 months.

Data from Agora Policy, supported by sources such as FAAC communiqués, NEITI reports, and NNPCL’s 2023 AFS, have revealed that Nigeria spent N5.10 trillion on petrol subsidies in 2023, with an additional N4.21 trillion allocated in the first seven months of 2024.

Further analysis from Agora Policy indicates that Nigeria’s total petrol subsidy expenditure reached N8.15 trillion between 2006 and 2021 and N20.37 trillion over 18 years and seven months. In 2022 alone, the government paid N2.911 trillion to subsidise petrol.

In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy. However, the amount spent on subsidies since then has exceeded previous figures. Analysts attributed this increase to the devaluation of the naira following the liberalisation of foreign exchange in 2023.

Since the naira‘s liberalisation, its value has plummeted by over 60%, with the exchange rate soaring to N1,592.06 per dollar this week, compared to N740 on June 1, 2023.

The analysis has shown that Nigeria‘s subsidy percentage of GDP rose to 2.2% in 2023 despite the supposed elimination of the subsidy mid-year. This percentage was only higher in 2011, a year seen as a tipping point.

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Agora Policy’s analysis of Nigeria’s subsidy as a percentage of GDP from 2006 to 2023 shows the following: 0.7% (2006), 0.7% (2007), 0.9% (2008), 0.5% (2009), 0.7% (2010), 3% (2011), 1% (2012), 0.6% (2013), 0.5% (2014), 0.3% (2015), 0.1% (2016), 0.1% (2017), 0.6% (2018), 0.4% (2019), 0.1% (2020), 0.7% (2021), 1.5% (2022), and 2.2% (2023).

A recent report revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the NNPCL’s request to use the 2023 final dividends owed to the federation to fund the petrol subsidy. The report also indicated that the president approved suspending the 2024 interim dividend payments to the federation to bolster NNPC’s cash flow.

According to an NNPCL forecast, the cumulative petrol subsidy bill from August 2023 will reach N6.884 trillion by December 2024. According to analysts, President Tinubu’s announcement of removing the fuel subsidy in May 2023 initially saved the government N400 billion by June. However, NNPC‘s Group CEO Mele Kyari noted that the savings were short-lived due to the naira’s devaluation, which led to a month-on-month increase in the NAFEX exchange rate.

In August 2023, NNPC’s fuel importation costs shifted from surplus to negative, incurring a subsidy bill of N52.73 billion. After fluctuating for months, the bill surged to N833.68 billion in April. In June 2024, NNPC raised concerns with President Tinubu, stating that the subsidy payments severely impacted its cash flow, jeopardising its status as a “going concern.”

NNPC also warned that it might be unable to sustain petrol imports due to the mounting subsidy bill, which it attributed to “forex pressure.” Although the bill dropped slightly to N537.66 billion in December, it reached a new high of N693.67 billion in January 2024.

The police command in Jigawa says a 40-year-old woman has set herself ablaze because of divorce by her husband.

In a statement on Friday, Lawan Shiisu, the police spokesperson in Jigawa, said the incident occurred in Garin Mallam village in Guri LGA of the state.

Shiisu said the woman poured petrol over her body and set herself ablaze on the outskirts of the village on August 22.

“On Thursday at about 0740hrs, the command received a heartbreaking and pitiful news of an incident from Guri that indicated that a 40-year-old woman at Garin Mallam village poured petrol on her body, set herself ablaze, and got burnt beyond recognition,” NAN quoted Shiisu as saying.

“Following this report, a squad of officers from the Guri divisional police headquarters raced to the scene and verified the incident.

“The officers took the charred body to the hospital and later released the corpse to the family for burial.”

The police spokesperson said a preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the woman suffered depression some months after the husband divorced her.

He added that Ahmadu Abdullahi, the commissioner of police in the state, urged residents to always seek guidance and counsel from elders on complex matters to prevent such tragic incidents.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has rolled out plans of issuing certificates to prospective corps members who could not be mobilised for the one year national service after falling kidnap victims.

The victims were travelling to Sokoto State for the three weeks orientation course when they were kidnapped in Zamfara State, on August 17, 2023.

The victims are Daniel Etim Bassey (from Uruan LGA, graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka); Uyo, Obong Victor Udofia (Ikono LGA, University of Uyo); Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan (Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic); Abigail Peter Sandy (Abak LGA, Maurid Polytechnic); Glory Etukudo Thomas (Eket LGA, Heritage Polytechnic); Emmanuel Esudue (Urue Offong Oruko LGA); Victoria Bassey Udoka (Ini LGA, University of Uyo); Solomon Bassey Daniel (Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic);

They were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus when they were ambushed.

They were later released in batches, with the last one regaining freedom this week.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, on Friday, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, Director-General of the Corps, said the victims would be issued discharge certificates.

Ahmed said after all they had gone through in the hands of their captors, they could no longer be mobilised for service.

He said, “On the 30th of August, 2023, we rescued the first prospective corps member, Emmanuel Emmanuel Esudue; Victoria Bassey Udoka was rescued on the 20th of October, 2023. Abigail Peter Sandy was rescued on the 7th of December, 2023. Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan was equally rescued on the 7th of December, 2023.

“Obong Victor Udofia was rescued on the 3rd of February, 2024. Daniel Bassey was rescued on the 8th of February, 2024. Glory Etukudu Thomas was rescued on the 9th of June, 2024. Yesterday, 22nd August, we rescued the last victim, Solomon Daniel Bassey.”

He claimed that no ransom was paid to rescue the corps members, noting that there were rescued through the efforts of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.

“No state government brought any amount for their rescue as claimed in the media. I must state that I have not received one naira from any state government so far in the name of the rescue of these co-members. No group of people or organization aided the rescue of the prospective corps members apart from the security agencies, particularly the army and the DSS,” he said.

According to Ahmed, the Corps members were transferred from one kidnappers camps to the other, hence, they were not rescued from one place.

He said so far, no arrest had been made, but the gang leader who organized the kidnap has been killed.

One of the rescued Corps member, Emmanuel Esudue Emmanuel, said the experience was traumatic.

He appreciated the Scheme and the security agencies for their efforts in rescuing them.
Below are pictures of the rescued corps members:

More than a year into President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the State House website still lists former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the head of the Economic Management Team — a role he held under the previous president.

Additionally, sub-pages in the policy section of the website continue to refer to the last administration. The pages dedicated to the agriculture and security policies, for instance, still boldly attribute administration to Mohammadu Buhari, the former Nigerian President.

The Economic Management Team is still under Osinbajo on the State House Website

For example, on the page for Economic Policy updates, the dropdown for the administration’s new vision for the Niger Delta still reads the mandate from Buhari’s time as the president. The same applies to the Agriculture dropdown.

Similarly, the security policy page does not align with recent developments. It claims that the “latest” Global Terrorism Index reported an 80% decrease in terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria.

In reality, the two most recent reports — 2024 and 2023 — show a 34% increase and a 25% decrease, respectively. The last recorded 80% drop, relative to the peak in 2014, occurred in 2022. Nigeria’s terrorism death toll is currently about 73% lower than the 2014 peak, according to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index.

This contradicts the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) guidelines. Section 3.1 of the guidelines clearly states:

“The Internet is becoming a preferred means of accessing Government information and services. Therefore, Government Institutions through their websites must make sure that information provided is current and updated at least weekly.”

It remains unclear whether this lapse is intentional or merely an oversight. Some sections of the website, on the same page, appear updated.

A conspicuous example is the State House Servicom Charter, which is signed by Olubiyi Adefunso, the current Permanent Secretary appointed by President Bola Tinubu. Other portfolio pages displaying names and positions in Tinubu’s government have also been updated.

For the sake of accuracy, Tinubu appointed Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, as the head of a 19 emergency economic management team in March.

Regardless of the cause, outdated information on a State House website reflects poorly on information management. This is not an isolated issue.

FIJ has previously reported that many state-owned websites fail to meet NITDA standards. Recently, for instance, FIJ revealed that only 10 out of Nigeria’s 36 states have websites that meet basic operational requirements.

The current leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seems to be embroiled in a scandal that has sent shockwaves through financial and political circles.

Multiple credible sources within the bank have raised severe allegations against the governor, Olayemi Michael Cardoso, and his four deputy governors, accusing them of gross misuse of office to enrich themselves at the institution’s and the nation’s expense.

These allegations fly in the face of Governor Cardoso’s stated mission to reform the CBN and restore its integrity following the controversial tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Emefiele.

Almost a year into his leadership, the promise of transparency and accountability appears absent, leaving many questioning whether the reforms were ever genuine.

Among the most egregious allegations is the reported upgrade of annual housing allowances for the governor and his deputies to nearly N1 billion each. This staggering sum is even more scandalous considering that all five officials already reside in opulent official residences in the upscale Maitama district of Abuja. Such an absurd allocation, sources say, is indefensible, especially when viewed against the backdrop of a struggling Nigerian economy and widespread poverty.

“What justification can there be for this level of indulgence?” asked a senior CBN official who requested anonymity for fear of incurring the wrath of the governor. “The CBN’s leadership should exemplify modesty, not opulence.”

In another shocking revelation, it has been alleged that Cardoso and his deputies upgraded their international travel privileges from business class to first class. This comes at a time when the Nigerian economy is on life support, with the naira continuing its free fall against major global currencies and inflation eroding the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.

It is reported that a first-class ticket to New York from Abuja, which costs upwards of $15,000, is now standard for the CBN’s top brass.

“How can they justify such luxury when the average Nigerian is struggling to afford necessities?” another source within the bank lamented.

The allegations do not stop there. It is reported that the governor and his deputies have also upgraded their foreign travel allowances to more than $7,000 per night. These officials could pocket over $50,000 for a week-long trip, excluding additional perks such as entertainment and extra baggage allowances.

“This is a brazen display of greed,” a source close to the matter stated. “How can they justify such largesse when the Nigerian minimum wage is a paltry 70,000 naira a month?”

The CBN governor is also accused of hiring consultants whom he pays over N30 million per month, an amount that dwarfs the combined monthly salaries of all CBN directors. These consultants, who reportedly lack experience in monetary policy institutions like the CBN or the International Monetary Fund (IMF), are ostensibly performing the same duties as the bank’s directors.

For instance, official papers showed that Mr Cardoso hired one Nkiru Belonwu as his media consultant for a monthly pay of N30 million. Worse is that Belonwu has been illegally promoted to take the seat of the director of corporate communications as an observer in the bank’s exalted Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings against the usual practice.

Belonwu, it was said, does not have a media contact base and has never related with the media since she resumed office with Mr Cardoso in 2023.

“This is nothing short of a financial scandal,” a CBN insider said. “Why is the CBN paying such astronomical fees for expertise that has yet to yield tangible results in improving the economy?”

There are also allegations of non-competitive and secretive hiring practices under Governor Cardoso’s leadership. Hundreds of CBN staff have reportedly been sacked without due process under the guise of organisational restructuring, only to be replaced by new hires through covert means.

In one particularly troubling case, a retired police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) was reportedly appointed as a department director, contravening public service rules.

Added to the growing list of allegations, it is claimed that the governor and his deputies have been channelling their hefty allowances through the director of procurement and supply services department rather than the human resources department. This unusual arrangement has raised concerns about potential efforts to obscure these payments from auditors and to conceal the true extent of their earnings.

Perhaps the most damning of the allegations is that Governor Cardoso and his deputies reportedly increased their allowances and benefits without the approval of the CBN board, which President Bola Tinubu had not constituted at the time these upgrades were enforced.

“This is a clear abuse of power,” said a CBN official familiar with the matter. “Without board approval, such actions are unethical and illegal.”

In the light of these serious allegations, many within the CBN have called for Governor Cardoso and his deputies to either affirm or deny the claims. The atmosphere at the bank is reportedly tense, with staff morale at an all-time low following the wave of sackings and what some describe as a “toxic” management style.

A very senior staff member at the bank’s headquarters told this reporter that there is currently palpable apprehension over a rumoured plan by the management to engage in another shakeup that would result in massive sacking or redeployment of staff (especially from head office) to the various branches in the states.

Governor Cardoso, who has often touted himself as an enforcer of due process, now finds himself at the centre of a storm that could have far-reaching implications for the CBN and the Nigerian economy, as the public awaits his response.

Efforts by this newspaper to get the reaction of CBN spokeswoman Sidi Ali were abortive as she refused to respond to questions sent to her telephone line. Her number was also unreachable for calls.

The presidency has announced plans to cut down the budget for the upcoming 29th edition of the conference of parties (COP29).

The climate change meeting will be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22.

Last year, Nigeria had 1,411 delegates at the COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), making it the country with the highest number of participants from Africa alongside China.

The long list of delegates at COP28 sparked public outcry, with many questioning Nigeria’s representatives’ effectiveness at the event.

Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said the presidency has decided to cut down the budget for COP29 by N10 billion.

He said President Bola Tinubu, in response to the public outcry over the size and cost of Nigeria’s delegation to COP28, ordered a comprehensive audit of the country’s participation.

He said the audit revealed unnecessary spending and attendees who “had no business” at the conference.

“Many Nigerians would recall that as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria’s delegation went to COP28 in Dubai, UAE, last year, there were some elements of outcry concerning the size of the delegation,” Ngelale said.

“There was some deliberate misinformation. But the truth of the matter is, we also found that there were government officials who had no business at that meeting, and some with significant delegations.”

The presidential spokesperson said the budget reduction reflects the government’s commitment to efficient resource management while enhancing climate action initiatives.

He added that the federal government has implemented several cost-cutting measures for COP29, including the introduction of a climate accountability and transparency portal, the elimination of the showcase pavilion, and a reduction in consultancy and subcontracting fees.

“Elimination of showcase pavilion—the government will not purchase a showcase pavilion, which cost nearly $500,000 at COP28. Instead, they will utilize a delegate office within the conference complex, expected to cost less than 10 percent of the pavilion price,” Ngelale said.

“Reduction in consultancy and subcontracting fees—services such as lighting and technology provision will be handled directly by the secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change, eliminating costly third-party contracts.

“As well as our active cutdown of expenditure items that were found in the COP 28 expenditure profile.

“We have put ourselves in a position to save this country over N10 billion on this 11-day event in November.

“So, the president will continue to ensure that Nigerians have confidence in all of our activities moving forward.

“We have conducted a comprehensive audit of where we have gone wrong in the past with a view to resolving them. COP 29 is just the beginning.”

The Federal Government’s committee which was set up to ensure the implementation of crude oil sales to local refineries in naira has reached an agreement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the rollout of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, in September this year.

The Federal Government also disclosed that the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries will commence on October 1, 2024. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced this during a meeting with the Implementation Committee on Monday in Abuja.

According to a post on the official social media page of the finance ministry, the meeting was to review progress on key initiatives. At the meeting, key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the African Export-Import Bank to ensure smooth implementation. The post read, “The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today led the Implementation Committee meeting on the transition to crude oil sales in naira.

“The meeting reviewed progress on key initiatives, including the upcoming commencement of naira payments for crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery starting October 1, 2024.”

Also, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, and the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee reported that “The first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements.”

It also stated that updates on the Port Harcourt and Dangote Refineries were also provided, with significant production increases expected from November 2024.

The minister emphasised the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, confirming that his directives are on track for implementation from September.

Recall that the Federal Executive Council had on July 29 okayed President Tinubu’s proposal for NNPC to halt the sale of crude oil to local refineries in foreign currency.

The Federal Executive Council approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as a pilot.

The move is to ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-naira exchange rate.

Findings show that Dangote Refinery, at the moment, requires 15 cargoes of crude oil yearly.

In response, the finance minister inaugurated a technical sub-committee tasked with developing the framework for the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira.

Monday’s meeting marks the second to be held in seven days.

Recently, local refineries said they had yet to start buying crude oil in naira.

The Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, told our correspondent last week that a meeting was held to that effect.

He disclosed that CORAN is asking for a crude supply contract with refineries that are operating and a conditional crude supply contract with those who are currently at ATC (Authority To Construct) and construction stages to enable the close out on their final investment decisions and bring their refineries to full operation.

The CORAN spokesperson has earlier stated that the supply of crude to local refineries in naira would bring down the cost of petrol and strengthen the naira against the dollar.

Idoko, who commended Tinubu for listening to the voice of indigenous refiners, however, pleaded that an executive order should be issued on the new directive.

Dangote refinery and other domestic refiners have been complaining about the difficulties associated with accessing crude oil for their plants. Recently, the management of Dangote Group insisted that the IOCs were still frustrating crude supply to the 650,000-capacity refinery.

In a statement, the group alleged that the IOCs insisted on selling crude oil to its refinery through their foreign agents, saying the local price of crude will continue to increase because the trading arms offer cargoes at $2 to $4 per barrel, above NUPRC official price.

The group also alleged that the foreign oil producers seem to be prioritising Asian countries in selling the crude they produce in Nigeria.

The PUNCH reports that the Dangote refinery engaged in an exchange of words with the NUPRC over the alleged supply of 29 million barrels of crude oil to the refinery.

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum has thrown its weight behind the Dangote Petroleum Refinery amidst emerging controversies surrounding the facility.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, the ACF expressed concern over the negative debates and controversies surrounding the world-class facility, which it described as a source of national pride.

“The ACF delegation, which visited the facility on July 30, 2024, was impressed by its sophisticated quality testing and control laboratories, which meet and surpass global industry standards,” it said.

The forum hailed Aliko Dangote, the initiator and promoter of DPRPI, as a courageous, visionary, and patriotic entrepreneur worthy of commendation and support.

With the commencement of the rainy season, the Nigerian Army said it has deployed troops in several of the northern states, to protect farmers.

A statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said the deployment was made particularly in the North West and the North Central states.

According to him, the move has since “enabled several farmers access to farmers for a hitch-free planting season towards a bumper harvest.”

This is as the country battles food shortages which have worsened the food inflation put at over 40 per cent by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Nigeria’s inflation figure reached a new high, hitting 34.19 per cent in June 2024 before declining to 33.40 per cent in July, according to the data from NBS’ Consumer Price Index.


40.8% Food Inflation

As expected, there was also a rise in food inflation.

Giving a breakdown, the NBS stated, “The food inflation rate in June 2024 was 40.87 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.62 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2023 (25.25 per cent).

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of the following items: millet whole grain, garri, guinea corn, etc (bread and cereals class), yam, water yam, cocoyam (potatoes, yam and other tubers class), groundnut oil, palm oil, etc (oil and fats class) and catfish dried, dried, etc.

“On a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in June 2024 was 2.55 per cent which shows a 0.26 per cent increase compared to the rate recorded in May 2024 (2.28 per cent)”

The NBS stated that the average annual rate of food inflation for the 12 months ending June 2024 was 35.35 per cent, an 11.31 per cent point increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in June 2023.

The core inflation rate, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 27.40 per cent in June 2024, up by 7.34 per cent, when compared to the 20.06 per cent recorded in June 2023.

According to the Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report for June 2024, the NBS attributed the rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis to increases in prices of the following items, millet whole grain, garri, guinea corn, etc (bread and cereals class), yam, water yam, coco yam (potatoes, yam and other tubers class), groundnut oil, palm oil, etc (oil and fats class) and catfish dried, dried fish-sardines, mudfish (fish class), etc.

It said, “The average annual rate of food inflation for the 12 months ending June stood at 35.35 per cent, which was an 11.31 per cent point increase from the average annual rate of change in June 2023 which was 24.03 per cent.”


Edo Records Highest

A breakdown of the NBS data indicated that food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Edo (47.34 per cent), Kogi (46.37 per cent), Cross River (45.28 per cent), while Nasarawa (34.31 per cent), Bauchi (34.78 per cent) and Adamawa State (35.96 per cent), recorded the slowest rise in food inflation.

On a month-on-month basis, June 2024 food inflation was highest in Yobe (4.75 per cent), Adamawa (4.74 per cent), and Taraba (4.12 per cent), while Nasarawa (0.14 per cent), Kano (0.96 per cent) and Lagos (1.25 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.

Experts have since blamed insecurity, lack of equipment, and other issues as major challenges affecting food production in Nigeria.


Govt Moves To Curb Crisis

The Federal Government had in the wake of the galloping prices of essential commodities reeled out a raft of measures to address the challenge.

It recently suspended duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through the country’s land and sea borders, for 150 days.

It also approved the procurement of 2,000 tractors, and 1,200 trailers and set up a committee to help in proffering solutions to the food crisis rocking the nation.

There was no approval by the National Assembly before the procurement of the new presidential jet for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Daily Trust’s findings have revealed.

Late in June, an online news platform reported that the Nigerian government had acquired an Airbus A330 aircraft from a German bank.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the German bank had seized the aircraft from an unnamed Arabian prince and businessman, who reportedly failed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars he owed the bank.

Officials of the Presidency, according to the online news platform, had “kept their lips shut” about the planned purchase of a new aircraft for the Presidential Air Fleet.

And since then, there has not been any official statement from the Presidency on the matter.

The actual cost of the aircraft is yet to be ascertained. A report earlier by Premium Times had said it was learnt that government was negotiating to acquire it for $100 million, but said it could not establish the actual price it was procured.

Speaking on the matter during a plenary session of the upper legislative chamber, however, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the request for purchase of the aircraft had not been tabled before the parliament, but that once done, members would consider and approve it.

“We care about the president and we care about the Nigerian people. We will approve things that will benefit the Nigerian people”, Akpabio had said then, in respect of the bid to acquire the presidential aircraft.

Akpabio, who alleged that the National Assembly was being “blackmailed” over the matter, said: “But I can tell you that when you hear stories such as the death of the vice president of Malawi as a result of a defective plane, and then the death of the president of Iran as a result of defective aircraft; we shouldn’t ever sit and allow such to be at the ocean. It wouldn’t be.

“The Senate is very responsible. The National Assembly is very responsible. We will look into issues that will benefit the governance of the country.

“Irrespective of anticipatory blackmail, because those people know very well that something like that might come in the future; and if it’s a necessity, the Senate will look into it.

“But there is nothing like that before us now”, he said pointedly.

Nothing was heard about the matter until the recent controversy broke about the seizure of three Nigerian aircraft by a Chinese firm, acting on an order of a French court.

The French court had ordered the seizure of the three jets amid a long-standing dispute between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment and the Ogun State government, over a massive industrial park that was to be developed to attract investors.

The planes were said to be undergoing “routine maintenance” at the time of the seizure.

Meanwhile, the Chinese firm said on Friday that it had released, “as a gesture of goodwill”, the Airbus A330 for President Tinubu to travel for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

It was not immediately clear whether it was the same aircraft President Tinubu would use for his trip to France today.

A presidential spokesperson confirmed to Daily Trust that the new aircraft was purchased for the president.

“That is settled. Something that is now released (referring to the seized aircraft Airbus A330). If it was not purchased, how could it be withheld by the Chinese company? There’s no controversy around it. Almost everything has been concluded and it was out in the media”, the aide who declined to be named said.

On whether an approval was obtained from the National Assembly before the procurement of the presidential jet, the spokesperson said, “There was a story that the National Assembly directed that the aircraft should be procured for the President. There are a number of windows to the National Assembly.”

The government official also hinted that the aircraft could have been purchased under the Service Wide Vote, which he said, may not require the parliament’s assent.

Our National Assembly correspondents found that though the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence led by Satomi Ahmed had, earlier in June, recommended a new aircraft be procured for the president, the lawmakers did not approve it before they proceeded on their annual recess on July 23.

No approval request from the president for the procurement of a new presidential was considered on the floors of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives had, on July 23, passed the supplementary bill which sought to raise the 2024 Appropriation Act from N28.7 trillion to N35.06 trillion.

The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi, who presented the harmonised joint Senate and House report on the budget, had said, “As you can see, we have passed the N6.2 trillion budget of Mr President, the budget of Renewed Nope.

“N3.2 trillion is for capital expenditure; while about N3 trillion will go to the current. And as I said last time, the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is a critical road infrastructure that Mr President wants to actualise.”

We’re not aware of approval for new presidential jet – Lawmakers

Some lawmakers, who spoke to our reporters on condition of anonymity yesterday, said the National Assembly neither considered nor approved any request for the procurement of a presidential jet before proceeding on recess.

A credible source in the Senate said: “At no time was deal discussed at the plenary meeting. It was not tabled. But then, there is the probability that the president had sent the letter.”

Another source also said he was not aware of any approval by the Senate for the purchase of a new presidential jet.

“The last time we heard something about the new aircraft was when the Senate president, Akpabio, said no communication about it yet from the Villa, but that the National Assembly would not hesitate to approve it.

“I read it in the media that the aircraft had been purchased, and as I speak with you, no one has denied that the deal was sealed,” he said.

A member of the House of Representatives also told Daily Trust yesterday that no correspondence from the president was presented to them about the purchase of a new aircraft for the president.

He said: “We’ve not seen anything in the main budget or the supplementary budget about the purchase of a new presidential aircraft. Another thing is that, there is no detail of the supplementary budget passed. So, we don’t know whether it is in the 2024 supplementary budget because we have not been availed with the detailed breakdown. It was presented as a lump sum.

“We don’t know about the purchase of the aircraft because it was not presented to us and we have not seen any details about it. So, we cannot say anything. So, I won’t have any comments until I see the details”.

It can’t be true – NSA’s spokesman

When contacted on telephone last night, the spokesman of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, told one of our reporters that it could not be true that the new presidential plane was purchased without an approval of the National Assembly.

“It cannot be true. This is the time I am hearing this whether in government or outside government,” he said.

Later in a telephone call to Daily Trust, Mijinyawa said he was informed by someone “within the system” that the purchase by captured in the Service Wide Vote.

Presidency, Defence ministry, Senate, Reps mum

The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Bashir Lado, did not respond to WhatsApp and text messages seeking his comment. His phone line was busy several times one of our reporters called yesterday.

The chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and Honourable Akin Rotimi respectively were contacted yesterday by Daily Trust via phone calls and text messages to confirm whether or not the purchase of the new presidential jet was authorized by the legislature, but they did not oblige.

In the same vein, the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and Honourable Abubakar Bichi respectively, neither answered phone calls nor replied to messages sent to their mobile lines telephone mobile line for enquiries.

Several calls and a text message to Mati Ali, the media aide to the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, were also not answered.

A dramatic altercation unfolded in the Turkish Parliament on Friday as a heated debate over the detention of an opposition delegate descended into physical violence.

The brawl erupted when Ahmet Sik, a representative from the same party as the jailed deputy, was attacked by a member of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party during a tense session.

Televised footage captured the moment Sik, who had just accused the ruling party of being a “terrorist organisation,” was approached and assaulted at the chamber’s podium.

AP reports that a chaotic scene unfolded in the Turkish Grand National Assembly during a recent session, with multiple deputies involved in a scuffle.

A female lawmaker was struck, leaving bloodstains on the steps leading to the speaker's lectern, and another opposition member was also injured. Physical altercations among Turkey’s lawmakers are not uncommon.

Ozgur Ozel, leader of the largest opposition party, condemned the violence, stating, “It is a shameful situation. Instead of exchanging words, fists are flying, and there is blood on the ground. They are hitting women.”

The session was convened to discuss the case of Can Atalay, who was elected from prison as a parliamentary deputy for the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) in last year's election.

Atalay, who had been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the 2013 anti-government protests against then-Prime Minister Erdogan, has been fighting to take his seat in parliament. Achieving parliamentary immunity would enable his release from Marmara prison, though he has pledged to return to prison once his term concludes.

Despite favourable rulings from the Constitutional Court, lower courts have ignored these decisions, leading to a judicial crisis and increased frustration among Atalay’s supporters. On August 1, the Constitutional Court declared the decision to strip Atalay of his parliamentary status “null and void.”

In response, opposition parties called for a special session to address the matter. The convictions of Atalay and seven others in the Gezi Park case have faced widespread criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts. Osman Kavala, the main defendant, received a life sentence without parole, and the European Court of Human Rights has called for his release, citing arbitrary detention and political motivations.

The Gezi Park protests began in the summer of 2013 as an environmental campaign against the development of a central Istanbul park, but quickly expanded to broader protests against Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian regime.

Amnesty International’s Turkey office emphasized on social media that Atalay’s personal freedom, security, and right to be elected, which the Constitutional Court found to have been violated, should be restored.
After a three-hour recess, the parliamentary session resumed, with both the involved deputies receiving reprimands from the parliament’s speaker.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday raised concerns over the federal government’s alleged plan to reduce the tenure of labour union leaders to two years.

The labour centre declared it would not be intimidated by what it described as an orchestrated campaign against its leadership and operations.

The NLC’s head of information and public affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, who addressed journalists in Abuja on the development, including last week’s raid on the NLC secretariat, accused the government of gross interference in the unions’ internal matters, warning that the move is part of a broader strategy to weaken the labour movement.

Upah stated that if the government insists on a two-year tenure for union leaders, it should apply the same standard to all public offices, including the presidency.

The NLC spokesman also condemned the government’s attempts to suppress the NLC’s voice, including a recent threat from the Registrar of Trade Unions regarding the NLC’s relationship with the Labour Party, stating that the action violated constitutional rights and international labour conventions.

The NLC also responded to police statements justifying the raid, dismissing their claims as contradictory and lacking credibility.

The union further challenged the police to provide evidence for their actions and expressed concern over the potential risks posed by the raid, vowing to hold the police accountable for any future incidents.
He said, “Government is also frantically working to reduce to two the number of years trade unionists could hold office. This constitutes a gross interference in the internal running of the trade unions in violation of the corpus of labour laws and ILO conventions.

We advise the government to stop further acts of intimidation against the Nigeria Labour Congress and indeed against the generality of Nigerians”.

“We demand that government put an end to this hybrid war against congress. However, if government feels two years is the best tenure to go, it should be two years for every one including the President of the country.

“We advise the government to stop meddling in the affairs of Labour Party even as it’s destabilization campaign against opposition parties has reached a crescendo. The decision of a competent court of jurisdiction guides our actions.”