₦airaland Forum

'I Am Innocent', Man Cries Out Over Allegation Of Running A Cult Group

An alleged financier of a cult group named Aro Bagger, one Chief (Dr) Joseph Ologbo, has denied any involvement with the dreaded cult declaring that he is innocent of all accusations leveled against him by the Delta State Police Command.

Ologbo, who disclosed this in a statement delivered to journalists, during the weekend, in Abuja, while describing the arrest as unfortunate, said the situation was a ploy to smear his reputation. 

While debunking some of the accusations against him, he narrated that he had recently flown into the country to see his family when he was arrested at a hotel he dropped by to get food.

He explained further that he does not belong to Any cult group, adding that the only club he identifies with is Norsemen. 

He said: "On the first of January 2023 I came into Nigeria and got to SAPELE on the 10th of the same month. I was in Asaba from 19th to 22nd for Lions Convention, came back to SAPELE 22nd of same month.

"On the 23rd of January 2023 I was at The Stone Hotel to buy food when I was arrested that night I was beaten like a criminal from the hotel in the car they put me the policemen were hitting me with gun and keep asking me where is the AK I told them I don’t have any AK and that I only have a pump action (Which is registered) they took me to my house sat me down on the floor outside my compound in front of my wife and my daughter and beat me mercilessly.

"They turned my house up side down up till now my wife has not been able to arrange the house,they recovered Norsemen materials like pictures of me in our regalia, Norsemen constitution, magazines, cap , lions jacket, they also took four of my kids tablets, three laptops one for me one for my wife and one for my foundation, my personal Apple tablet 2022 edition, my land papers 3 of my house papers, my passport and that of my wife (which we've been able to recover by my lawyer).

"They also recovered two of my vehicles a Mercedes Benz GLE 450 and a tundra truck in my tundra truck I have five watches four Invicta and one Vas in the process of beating me up I don’t know if it is one of the police men that cut my Cuban chain or it just got missing in the process.

"They also took me to the apartment were I use to stay when I am not home and they did a search and found nothing too in that apartment they almost killed me, police and Army lock me in one of the rooms after the 2IC Ordered them to beat me until I tell them were the AK is.

"The Order was to kill me that night as I was in the car I heard them received a call and they latter took me to SAPELE main station I was isolated for five days no phone calls and they punished me like a criminal and claiming that i was using an unlicensed gun to kill in the town. 

"The next day I could not walk so they had to take me to the police hospital there in SAPELE station where I got treatment.

"When they took my statement I maintained that I am a Norseman but I was beaten already.

"All this they did to me has dented my reputation. I am a Chief in my Village and I have a lot of people that look up to me. I was insulted, embarrassed, abused, oppressed and intimidated. So, many young men have been killed like this for nothing and they just trump up allegations on them. At the moment I want to thank the court for granting me bail, my legal team and I are looking forward to the case trusting that the judiciary which is the last resort for us would once again deliver justice in this case.

Ohunene Yakubu emerges first-ever Nigerian U-16 singles, doubles title winner

Ohunene Comfort Yakubu, 14, has become the first Nigerian to win the singles and doubles for Under 16 African Junior Championship West and Central zone.

Yakubu made history on Tuesday at the CAT West and Central Africa Junior Tennis Championship in the Girls U-16 event when she won her singles final against Gnarou Anne-Marie Togolese 6-0, 6-0. She and her partner, Etoro Bassey also won their doubles final against Ghanaian Tomegah Sisu-Makena and Tracy Ampah 6-1, 6-2.

She fought to the end before making it to the final. She played a four-hour long final set match against a very resilient Tracy Ampah, the tournament’s number two seed, before triumphing with a 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 win to meet Gnarou.

Yakubu is consistently paving her journey to legacy and becoming a household name within the Tennis community and globally within the coming years.

In 2015, Yakubu emerged winner of the MLMTP Tennis Open U-8. A feat she built on when she won the Junior Governors Cup U-10 and CBN Junior National Tennis Open tournament U-10 category in 2017.

In 2018, she again won the CBN Junior National Tennis Open U-10. Yakubu also dominated the 7 UP Secondary School Tennis Championship U-12, the U-12 FAAN Tennis Club tournament, the Kone Tennis Tournament U-12 girls doubles and U-10 MP Tiger Tennis tournament.

Yakubu didn’t rest on her laurels, in 2019 she emerged winner of the Chief Bero U-14 Championship. The athlete later bagged Chevron U-12 National Junior Masters Invitational tournament. She added the Chevron U-12 Tennis tournament U-12 to her growing impressive wins.

In 2020, Yakubu won CBN Junior National Tennis Tournament U-14 and the Azimuth National Tennis Championship U-14. She was the gold medalist, team event, U-12 African Junior Championship, West and Central zone, in Benin Republic.

Yakubu was the Abuja runner up, June 1 and 2 week, Sapetro Futures Tournament U-16.

Abuja Real Estate Firm, Big Homes Unveils 'Mejor Casa' Housing Project

Abuja real estate firm, Big Homes, in its continued drive to deliver quality and smart homes for Nigerians has commissioned a housing project in the federal capital territory, called Mejor Casa.

Managing Director of Big Homes, Mr Topsy Essien, at the unveiling, said the target of the firm was to cater to the housing needs of middle-class Nigerians.

Essien while speaking decried the high cost of lands in the Federal Capital Territory, revealing that inflation and currency devaluation are forcing houses to be out of the reach of the middle class, and that the company is finding it difficult to meet such targets as a result of inflation.

He said: “The way the cost of land is in Abuja, it is really difficult for us to offer something as affordable as we would have wished. We are pleading that the government should make land affordable.

“We have so many lands in Abuja lying fallow. Let’s see how we can partner with them to make houses more affordable. You can actually own a home with N2.5m, N3m if the land is affordable.

“You can do your bill and you embark on a journey even with all your contingency plan, the kind of changes you find in the middle of the way makes it really hard for you to stay in business.”

Speaking about the new apartment, he said it is a semi-detached duplex of five-bedroom apartments in Asokoro with detached Boys’ Quarters each sitting on 2400 square metres of land, adding that the apartments are for sale for N250million each, which he said was the best price around the area.

Big Homes Public Relations Officer, Ambassador Ijeoma Bristol in her address expressed delight over the successful completion of the project. She however said; “The economy is not really helping, all part of the economy, construction, hospitality, you name it. There are problems, a lot of stress but Big Homes have managed to stay the course.”

The event which coincided with the birthday of one of the directors of the company, Mrs Blessing Nyong-Essien had friends, associates and clients in attendance.

Sustaining Aghughu’s Policies As OAuGF Boss For Effective Governance

By: Kabiru Daura

In all sincerity, the government policies put in place to curb corruption in Nigeria both in the past Administration and present, has to some extent made significant advancements and impacts on the government and the general masses. However, there are stern need for improvement regarding the war against corruption in order to guarantee more optimistic and effective governance across every segment of Nigeria. This is necessary because, the alarming rate at which some elements in both in public and private sectors are looting, defrauding and causing unimaginable financial havoc in Nigeria is becoming inappropriate.

Come to think of it, how can a single individual entrusted with the mandate to serve as Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) can go all out with no respect for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sympathy for the generation behind him to rip-off a whopping sum of One Hundred and Eighty-Six Billion Naira as widely publicized by media organizations in Nigeria? So unimaginable a patriotic Nigeria may say! Besides, this cross misconduct of Mr. Ahmed Idris is just one out of uncountable Nigerians that are almost on daily bases looting the country’s treasury with no iota of fear to face the wrath of the law all because of the feeble legally enshrined process put in place for them to face prosecution. It is indeed incredible.

It is because; we live ia country where people who goes to serves government with all sincerity, retired from public service with no tangible reward, only with integrity and yet seeing by some disgruntled elements as jesters, while those who go to occupy public offices and turned around to loot public funds with alacrity are celebrated by even our traditional leaders who are custodians of our culture and traditions all because, they have unexplainable wealth. What a pity for my dear country Nigeria. It is really a pity that we found ourselves in a society where public office holders’ rip-off public funds with impunity and turned around to oppress the general masses they were employed to serve with their stolen wealth.

Meanwhile, instead of the masses to rise up to say enough is enough, to put an end to the mindboggling stealing in the government offices, they rather chooses to turn themselves into both public and executive beggars, so pathetic. While those that stole their God giving national cake keep glowing in affluence, they the general masses on the other hand, continue to languish in abject poverty. Honestly, the rate of stealing going on in Nigeria especially under this current Administration deserves an urgent attention and as well as total overhaul of the anti-corruption bodies put in place by government to curb corruption.

This is why some public affairs analyst are of the opinion that most of these anti-corruption agencies are not up to the task. They may be right because; their functions in most cases are overlapping. Some financial fraud detective expert believes that; both ICPC and EFCC in most cases, carried out functions that they shouldn’t have in the first place attempted.

They believe some of the functions they carried out are primarily supposed to be performed by forensic audit expert with vast knowledge and experience in auditing field. However, the reverse has been the case. How can a police officer or non-experience administrative staff attached to anti-corruption bodies like EFCC and ICPC can be assigned a task of auditing which he or she knows nothing about? Definitely such person can never come out with any realistic report since it’s totally out of his or her field of professional training.

Honestly, if we continue to go the way we are going as a country especially regarding our fight against corruption, it may take us eternity to bring the alarming corruption that is presently eating deep into the fabric of almost every citizen of Nigeria to a standstill. This is very true. I know some few elements that are immensely benefiting from corruption proceed may not be happy with me for saying the truth, but its high time for us to put aside political affiliations, parental background, ethnicity and religion and speak out the truth and to as well do the right things. We have to because, if we continue this way no doubt, the generation coming behind us will spit on our graves.

To be honest, for Nigeria to bring corruption to the barest minimum, there is need for Nigeria Government to give great attention to the OAuGF. This is very true because; they are without any iota of doubt in a highly professional position in view of their vast knowledge and experience to fight corruption compare to ICPC and EFCC. So, if indeed we are ready to fight corruption, let us all rally behind the fantastic policies put in place by the incumbent Auditor General of the Federation, an incomparable and highly intelligent audit expert with national and international award in the field of auditing, I am talking about; Mr Aghughu Adolphus.

So far, most financial expert as well as audit expert that had taking time to keenly studied the policies mapped out by Aghughu Adolphus as Auditor General of the Federation, believes if he is giving enough time to continue as Auditor General of the Federation, those policies will undeniably humbled corruption in Nigeria. This is why there is urgent need for the current APC lead Government piloted by our indomitable anti-corruption war lord, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari to fully signed to law the already existing bill before the National Assembly requesting for full establishment of Office of the Auditor General of the Federation as Agency, Commission or Parastatal when it is finally passed into law.

By implementing and signing the bill into law by Mr. President, it , without doubt,oubt strengthen the function of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation and as well enable them to have good funding from government coffer to enable them to function excellently even far above anti-corruption bodies like EFCC and ICPC. For the reason that, at the moment, the resources accrued to the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation is meagre that, most of the immediate needs of their staff and other important things that should have guaranteed effective governance within the organization could not even be carried out. Again, the tenure of those that had served at the pinnacle of the office of the Auditor General of the Federation are too short.

And, it makes it difficult for most of them to fully implement their positive agenda that would have completely humbled alarming corruption that is going on in the public sector. It may be very hard for some Nigerians to believe that; those that had presided over the affairs of the OAuGF as Auditor General of the Federation in most cases spent only six months, one year and highest; two years. Honestly, with such few time frame within their scope to serve as Auditor General of the Federation, there is no way they can performed excellently as they may have intended. So, Federal Government should fix a particular years of tenure for the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation.

For instance, they may decide to allocate a tenure of four or five years and even subject to renewal for whoever that will serve as Auditor General of the Federation. This is why so many public affairs analyst and financial expert are calling on the National Assembly to quickly pass the bill requesting to make OAuGF as Commission or Agency into law. When the bill is passed and assented to by Mr. President, it will definitely put an end to a lot of anomalies in OAuGF, and will in-turn gives them unlimited powers to sanitize the alarming corruption system going on in Nigeria especially in the public and private sectors.

Before I forget, let me itemize few out of fantastic policies put in place by the incumbent Auditor General of the Federation, in person of; Mr. Adolphus Aghughu JP, FCCA, FCII, MCFI. To be honest, if am to compiled detailed message of his stewardship, space won’t be enough, so I will just select few and keep featuring more in my subsequent bulletin.

Let me start with his fantastic achievement of been the first head of agency in Nigeria to timely present his yearly reports to National Assembly regarding his office activities. In order to ensure effective governance, Aghughu as a thorough bred technocrat with vast knowledge and experience in auditing, decentralized the functions of his directors which gives them freehand to signing LoU’s to various agencies under the designate of the decentralized directors.

Another of his excellent policies that make so many public and Audit Analyst to praise him is the initiation of local and international training and re-training of the staff of OAuGF which indeed has greatly improve output at Audit House. Again, since his inception as Auditor General of the Federation, he put into serious consideration the welfare of the staff and took immediate action by given an approval for increased in allowances and above all; the salary structure of his staff to meet up with the current global economic hardship.

No doubt, the increased in the allowances and staff salary of the OAuGF has greatly made a positive impact on their life and has greatly improved great output from the staff as earlier stated. Finally, as I drop my pen to bring more fantastic policies of Aghughu in my subsequent edition, let me conclude by saying that; he as a technocrat that believes so much in effective governance enabled the institutionalization display of work performance and renewed systemic discipline in the conduct of all the staff.

Kabiru Daura, a Public Affairs Analyst, write from Daura, the Headquarters of Daura Local Government Council, Katsina State

Big Homes Unveils “Big Praise” Concert In FCT

Abuja real estate firm, Big Homes has unveiled a monthly fasting and praise concert to draw Nigerians closer to God and to revere God through praise to solve the problem bedeviling the nation.

The maiden edition of the Big Praise was officially launched yesterday with over 60 participants in attendance. The event witnessed high praise and worship from Royal Montana and crew.

According to the organisers, the Big Praise started in 2019 in the office space. Big Homes managing director,
Topsy Essien said the firm introduced the monthly worship and praise session that is held every last Friday.

“For the first time, we decided to open it up for others to join us, it’s one of those things we do in-house
with members of staff. But this time we decided to invite a couple of friends. It’s all about worship and praise, and it has been on for about three years now,’’ he said.

Speaking further on the situation of the country, Essien decried the level of insecurity but however said God is with Nigeria.

“I think we have prayed so much for the good of the country. Whatever is happening today is done by
a few unpatriotic Nigerians.

‘’A few bad people are behind the challenges confronting the country today, and for us to get out of this
situation is for us to show love to one another even more and also love for our country and be determined to work to rebuild our lost glory,’’ he said.

One of the participants, Peace Osagie said there is no amount of praise and worship that is enough
for God.

“The Bible says when praises go up, blessings come down. We have to continue to revere God through
our praises for the things He has done and for what He will,’’ Osagie said.

Ex-service chiefs and trend in partisanship

By Stanley Ebube

Nigeria is in an election season and, as expected, politicians and political interests are aligning and realigning for individual and collective best interests. As Nigerians look forward to electing or reelecting legislators and governors, the much of the excitement and frenzy are about who occupies Aso Rock, the nation’s seat of power, come May 29, 2023.

Already, the two major political parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have conducted their party primaries. While former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as PDP’s presidential flag bearer, former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu, emerged as APC’s standard bearer.

Of course, there are other presidential candidates who could spring surprise as outliers (such as Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party), but the reality on ground strongly suggests that Nigeria’s next president is going to emerge from either of the two major parties.

It is therefore understandable, if not permissible, to find strong politicians and other public figures in the company of Atiku and Tinubu as electioneering thickens.

However, a potentially dangerous trend has reared its head in Nigeria’s political process and, but for a few mentions, has managed to escape the radar of our national discourse. While it is the inalienable right and freedom of former service chiefs and top security and intelligence personnel to associate politically, it is standard practice and ethical responsibility for such personalities to publicly function within certain codes which guide their post-retirement conducts.

Post service, the standard is for highly decorated military and intelligence retirees to support the civic and political process by offering advisory and consultancy roles in think thanks, public institutions and civil society.

The excessively partisan endeavours of former service chiefs and retired top security personnel became visible prior to the 2015 general election. Yet, in the wake of the just-concluded party primaries, the unfortunate occurrence has taken a worrisome dimension. Or what else explains why a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) takes such a politically exposing role as an agent to an aspirant seeking political office? Another former military high-ranking officer, one who attained the same high level in the military, served on the convention security sub-committee as co-chair.

Of course, this piece is referring to the conducts of Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau and Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai before and during the APC special convention, from where the party’s presidential candidate emerged.
While Dambazau served as COAS between 2008 and 2010, Buratai held the same position from 2015 to 2021.

Before the primary election, Buratai was in the news openly soliciting delegates’ votes for former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi. On his part, Dambazau was appointed co-chair, alongside Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on the Security and Compliance sub-committee of the APC convention. He was notably visible in his reflective jacket carrying out tasks many in the high-ranking officials in the defence and security circle believe are incongruous of his standing as a former army chief.

For a fact, both Dambazau and Buratai have committed no known crime by their partisanship and hobnobbing with ‘career’ politicians. However, we should heed the words of the late Maj-Gen. Alexander Madiebo (rtd.), who said in his book: “No matter what a politician does, he must always avoid drawing his country’s army into politics. In the final analysis, it cuts both ways, and the results could be contrary to all his expectations.”

As Jim Golby mentioned in his Foreign Policy article of June 2020, “The military stellar reputation gave its leaders political power. Step by step, these military celebrities took on an active role in politics. It became common for presidential candidates to try to bolster their national security credentials by seeking high-profile endorsements from retired generals.”

However, he sounded a warning note: “An institution with a tradition of nonpartisanship…makes coalitions between politicians and military leaders more likely and more dangerous.”

Whether it is demanded of them statutorily or not, the public comments, conducts and association of former high-ranking military officers, such as TY Danjuma, Martin Luther Agwai etc, continue to pull almost the full weight of their former positions because they have avoided overindulgence in partisanship.

In 2019, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, received the final submission of the reviewed Armed Forces ACT CAP A20 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said then that a committee was set up to “critically examine the Armed Forces Act of Nigeria, collate views from relevant stakeholders and come up with a reviewed ACT that would be comparable to those of other developed democracies.

“The review of the ACT should be in conformity with constitutional democratic principles, global best practices and standards,” the minister said. Chairperson of the review committee also said the amendment was a “ground-breaking effort geared towards bringing the Armed Forces ACT up to date”.

In keeping with the promise, one wonders whether the draft amendment should include sections which subject retired military officers to certain codes of ethics, as obtained for example in the US, where retired military officers are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Article 2 of the UCMJ extends the jurisdiction of military law to retired members of a regular component of the armed forces. The US army implementation regulation specifically states that, “Retirees are subject to the UCMJ and may be tried by court-martial for violations (that occurred) while in a retired status.”

A similar provision in the Nigerian Armed Forces Act will go a long way in deterring retired military officers from overly getting involved in political leanings.

Whether or not the laws are clear about the conduct of retired military officers, the precedent in a modern democratic setting is for prominent retired officers to be kept out of partisan politics and elections, because no nation wants to drag the military deeper into domestic political issues than necessary.

Nobody should deny retired military officers freedom of expression and association but what they say and who they associate with go a long way in either reinforcing appropriate behavour in the military or putting the institution at risk of setting an unwanted precedent which could have far-reaching implications in the future.

Former military, defence and intelligence chiefs have the right to partake in the national discourse and become politicians after their illustrious careers if they so wish. But they should be guided and guarded by certain ethical standards; else their character and intent might be questioned.

Ebube, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja

CSO Chides Tinubu Over Outrageous Claims

...Calls for Security Checks

A pro democracy civil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement, and think tank has observed with dismay the arrogant and boastful disposition of the National Leader of the APC and presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

In a press release signed and made available to journalists in Abuja at the Charity House by Convener of the group Rev. Solomon Semaka, the group insisted that recent comments attributed to self styled National leader of APC Tinubu smack of desperation and poses a great threat to our nascent democracy as well as the cohesion of the APC as a party. It also threatens the unity of the country should Tinubu have his way to the presidency.


"Tinubu's desperation is getting out of hands.
Barely three months ago during his nationwide consultations, he was quoted to have said he was willing to get dirty to become president of Nigeria. Tinubu insist he was out to achieve his life long ambition to rule Nigeria . Recently he has been pointing accusing fingers at law abiding citizens and calling them betrayers because they chose to follow their minds or aspire for same position. This is unhealthy for democracy", the statement insisted.

His spurious claims of making Buhari president and insisting that the presidency must be zoned to the Yoruba ethnic group and must be given to him at all cost is not only unpatriotic but treasonable as Nigeria is nobody's personal estate to be so traded.

Mr. Tinubu's rants about who should be the next president are immoral except he is threatening Nigerians with bloodshed should he not be voted into power. In as much as he has every constitutional right to vote and be voted for, it is dangerous for a presidential candidate to make such wild claims. Does he plan to break Nigeria if he does not get the APC ticket? Will Nigerians be safe if he wins, since everyone is a betrayer? Could Tinubu be trusted with the security of Nigeria and Nigerians?", the group queried.

The group warned that Bola Tinubu who is used to doing his wish in Lagos for decades should understand that Nigeria is not Lagos and he cannot expect people to catch cold when he coughs as Lagosians do. The humiliation former governor Ambode suffered in his hands is enough to make Nigerians wary of his leadership style that is characterized by arm twisting and bullying.

"Tinubu must know that his gentleman agreement with Buhari (if any) is not binding on Nigerians. His outbursts betrays any iota of trust left with him. He must stop seeing Nigeria with the eyes with which he saw Lagos and plundered it. The years of impunity are over and the people's voice must be heard above all the deafening noise of bullies", the statement added.

The CSO equally challenged Tinubu to explain how he got the money he has been bragging he used in sponsoring almost everybody he claims to have established in politics. Tinubu has enjoyed his fair share of political privileges and patronage deserving of his service and should not act as if he is an emperor with absolute powers from beyond with which he can make and destroy.


"A tree does not make a forest. While Tinubu has been instrumental to leadership change in the last couple of years, he has equally enjoyed political goodwill in the appointments of his associates among which are Rauf Aregbesola Sunday Dare, Babatunde Fashola, Tunde Fowler and many more. It is impossible for Tinubu to have singlehandedly made Buhari President and Osibanjo Vice President so he should stop boasting", the group countered.


Why calling on security agencies to invite and question Tinubu over his unpatriotic comments, the CSO called on all Nigerians to roundly reject the candidature of Tinubu as he has shown himself to be vindictive and vengeful in his utterances and precedents, insisting that somebody who is this desperate can bring anybody who did not support him down and use his office to settle personal scores.

"Security agencies have a huge task to contain the time bomb by inviting Tinubu to extract certain commitments in the interest of the nation." His desperation portends imminent danger for all of us.

2023: Is Emefiele the one?

By Monsuru Arilesere

On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, a curious photograph captioned ‘Buhari Receives CBN Governor' appeared on the front page of Vanguard newspaper.

In the photograph, an excited President Muhammadu Buhari was in a handshake with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also looked on.

Credited to the State House, the photo which showed the three leaders in a very relaxed mood was said to have been taken during Emefiele’s Sallah homage to Buhari.

While a photograph of the president and any member of his team should be routine practice, the context and air around that particular photograph definitely raises inquisitiveness.

Recall that in January, Buhari was asked if he had a favourite candidate within the APC to succeed him. The president hinted that he had a favourite, but that he would not mention his name because such a person “may be eliminated”.

Also recall that Emefiele said in February, through ‘Friends of Godwin Emefiele’, that it is the prerogative of Buhari to plan his succession in line with global best practices for good governance for the continuing peace and progress of the country.

Although Emefiele has not declared to run for president in 2023 and has said on several occasions that he was focused on his job, his name continues to be mentioned in the same breath with the 2023 presidential election.

No doubt, Emefiele enjoys a sort of preferential attention from Buhari and his loyalty to his boss’ administration has never been in question.

Could he be the one?

Arilesere wrote in from Ibadan.

2023: The Jonathan option and Emefiele preference

By Stanley Ebube

The rumour that the 2023 presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) is being dangled before former president Goodluck Jonathan has been around for a while now. But that rumour has thickened in the past few weeks, with Jonathan needing to respond to a siege on his office by ‘supporters’ calling him to declare for 2023.

The fact that some influential elements in the ruling party are propping Jonathan for 2023 is not entirely misplaced; he is from the South and it appears that the APC has put to rest the question of where – North or South – its presidential ticket is headed.

However, the choice of Jonathan as APC presidential flag bearer will not address the most fundamental issues around the 2023 election.

In my article of March 14, 2022, I argued that the biggest nuisance in contention ahead of the 2023 presidential election – whether the presidency should go South or retained in the North – may have been resolved by both the APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because the voices of presidential candidates from both parties have been distinct, loud and clear.

An indication is also in the presidential candidates who have so far declared to run within both parties.

Those backing Jonathan’s candidacy could argue that since the South-South had a one-term shot at the presidency it should be allowed to complete its cycle. It is based on this argument that other candidates, such as Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, have declared interest in the race.

The question, however, is if Jonathan is a true representation of a consensus and if throwing him into the race answers other questions.

I said in my article then that, “Indeed, those in support of candidates from the South-South have a strong point, especially since the two major parties don’t seem to be keen on candidates from the South-East. However, the choice of Jonathan or Amaechi could narrow the argument down to a mere attempt at political correctness.”

By attempting to put Jonathan forward, the elements in the APC supporting him for 2023 want to kill two birds with one stone: succumbing to the consensus that power should head south, while ensuring that it returns to the north in four years’ time rather than in eight. We all know that, constitutionally, Jonathan has only one four-year term left in him. Simply put, the choice of Jonathan is a self-serving one for some powerful lobbyists in the APC.

I mentioned then and I’m reiterating now that a much suitable option who ticks all the boxes is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

To start with, Emefiele’s eligibility, competence and track record are not in doubt. If he decides to run and is given the ticket to do so, Emefiele will do so from a vantage point, as he ticks all the geographic, demographic and social considerations in addition to his tremendous achievements as the nation’s reserve bank’s boss.

For instance, Emefiele is 60, from Delta State and whose middle name is ‘Ifeanyichukwu’. Perhaps, he represents a workable option of a candidate acceptable in the South by both understandably agitating South-East and South-South.

*Ebube, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja*

Ivory Coast, Emefiele and the succession question

By Monsuru Arilesere

Ivory Coast president, Alassane Quattara, recently named Tiemoko Meyliet Kone, the governor of Central Bank of West African States, as his deputy. The appointment makes Kone the front-runner to become the next leader of the West African country.

Kone, a 73-year-old economist, previously served as minister of construction in the Ivorian government, before taking up the position of governor of the Central Bank of West African States in 2016.

Under Ivory Coast’s constitution, the vice president takes over in the event the president becomes incapacitated and until Kone’s appointment, the position has been vacant since Daniel Kablan Duncan resigned in 2020, after he was overlooked as a potential successor to Ouattara in that year’s election.

This news from Ivory Coast reminds us, in context and content, the statement made by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, to a group of his friends, 'Friends of Godwin Emefiele', in response to widespread speculation about the CBN governor’s purported interest in the 2023 presidential election.

“Mr. Emefiele told us that he believes it's the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari to plan his succession in line with global best practices for good governance for the continuing peace and progress of the federal republic of Nigeria, as such he will play his part to stabilise the economy for an orderly transition.”

From both the appointment of a new vice president in Ivory Coast and the statement made by Emefiele about President Buhari having the prerogative to plan his succession, two things are clear: an incumbent is interested in who replaces him and what that potential replacement has to offer.

With the fragility of global economy and its effect on developing economies, many developing countries are turning to leaders with track records and requisite competence to steady the ship in times of uncertainty and steer the economy towards growth path when things are stable.

Which takes us back to the subject of Emefiele.

Only a few days ago, figures released by the CBN revealed that Nigeria’s external reserves rose by $243.83m in 19 days. In its data on movement in reserves, the CBN reported that the value rose from $39.54bn as of April 1, 2022 to $39.78bn as of April 19, 2022.

Also, the International Monetary Fund recently upgraded Nigeria’s economic growth potential to 3.4 per cent from 2.7 per cent in 2022.

These improved outlooks are great news, especially in the context that there was a sharp fall in crude oil prices from 2015, which led to significant revenue shortfalls in Nigeria where crude oil represents about 95 per cent of Nigeria's export revenue. This created major shock for the Nigerian economy, leading to a 13-month recession in 2016.

In the midst of the challenges, Emefiele's monetary policies supported the national and subnational governments, ensuring that salaries were paid and much more was done, with much less, in infrastructure, steering Nigeria away from much worse outcomes.

Yes, Emefiele has repeatedly said he is focused on his unfinished job as governor of the reserve bank and that he should not be distracted. However, we see from Ivory Coast and other countries that it is the likes of Emefiele, with impeccable track record, competence and passion, that are being drafted into higher leadership positions.

Arilesere wrote in from Ibadan

Emefiele: Proving Doubters Wrong Once Again With eNaira

By Abdulkadir Kabiru

In a 2022 Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Global Index recently released by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) eNaira and the Sand Dollar of the Bahamas led the retail project indexes of central banks globally.

In the report, ‘The Race to Digital Money Is on’, PwC analysed and ranked the leading retail and wholesale CBDC projects, as well as evaluated the current stage of CBDC project development.

“Retail projects in the Index are led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) eNaira, the first CBDC in Africa, and the Sand Dollar, issued by the Central Bank of the Bahamas as legal tender in October 2020, making Bahamas the first country to launch a CBDC,” the report said.

Interestingly, it also said that over 80 per cent of central banks were considering launching a CBDC or might have done so already.

The tremendous success recorded by the CBN with the launching of eNaira in October 2021 is further testament to CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele’s foresight and shrewdness.

Recall that Emefiele’s CBN introduced the eNaira as part of measures to deepen financial inclusion, integrate millions of unbanked Nigerians into the banking system and create a more secure alternative to unregulated virtual currencies sometimes used to perpetrate fraud and other criminalities. Despite the initial pessimism by some quarters, the eNaira app had recorded almost 600,000 downloads in less than four weeks of its introduction!

Experts believe that, thanks to Emefiele’s sagacity, Nigeria’s eNaira will most likely have a positive impact on CBDC development in other African countries where financial inclusion is regarded as an important part of economic development.

Just like other policies and programmes carried out by the CBN under his leadership, Emefiele has once again proved doubters wrong with the success being enjoyed by the eNaira.

Emefiele’s competence and focus, in the midst of several distractions by noisemakers, are not appreciated enough. From rumours of nursing a presidential ambition to mischief makers trying to dent his reputation and question is achievements, Emefiele has demonstrated the kind of maturity and level-headedness rare among his contemporaries in leadership positions.

On several occasions, Emefiele has reiterated his focus on his core role as chairman of Nigeria’s reserve bank, and the apex bank’s over 35 purpose-driven economic intervention programmes which were introduced by him and which continue to boost the nation’s economy.

Unlike public office holders who abandon their responsibilities and are distracted by personal ambitions, Emefiele continues to show sound judgment in piloting the affairs of the CBN. The success of the eNaira is yet another proof of the CBN governor’s leadership quality, competence and prescience.

Abdulkadir Kabiru wrote in from Kaduna

Emefiele’s Recognition and Silencing of Distractors

By Stanley Ebube

Recently, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was listed in the Forbes Africa Undiscovered Series for Nigeria.

Forbes Africa Undiscovered Series is an exclusive list of Nigerians who have been crucial in rebuilding and contributing to the Nigerian growth story in recent times.

Each year, Forbes Africa looks for resilient game-changers, self-starters, innovators, entrepreneurs and disruptors who have been leading ideas and industries while purposefully contributing to nation-building and positively impacting the lives around them.

The 2022 list is a selection of Nigeria’s brightest achievers spanning real estate, oil and gas, corporate leaders, technology innovators, business people, media professionals, policy shapers and advocates.

Other notable Nigerians who made the 2022 list include: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cosgrove, Umar Abdullahi; Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola; GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, amongst others.

Apart from being deserved, Emefiele’s name on the list is a positive disruption from the myriad of media attacks the CBN governor has recently been subjected to for reasons only known to his aggressors. It is also testament to the tremendous work Emefiele has been doing as the chairman of Nigeria’s reserve bank.

Ever since his name popped up as a likely contender for the 2023 presidential election, Emefiele has endured unreasonable and unwarranted criticism and distraction from individuals and groups alike. This is despite a seemingly satisfactory response he has provided about his future and focus on his job as the boss of the apex bank.

Despite the relentless activities of mischief makers, Emefiele has stayed true to his mandate and has focused on his job of ensuring monetary and price stability, maintaining external reserves, providing economic and financial advice to the federal government and promoting a sound financial system in Nigeria.

Recently, the CBN governor launched the 100 for 100 Policy for Production and Productivity (PPP), a CBN intervention designed to stimulate investments in Nigeria’s priority sectors with the core objective of boosting production and productivity.

Also recently, Emefiele launched the Bank Neutral Cash Hubs, a cash collection service that will provide a platform for customers to make cash deposits and receive value irrespective of the bank with which their account is domiciled.

He also signed a binding agreement between the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) and the Independent Asset Managers to develop the country’s infrastructure. Under the arrangement, InfraCorp, a N15trillion infrastructure fund, will provide N1trillion seed capital to make finance available for capital projects across the country.

Under Emefiele, the CBN has been able to leverage on the developmental component of its mandate as the proactive tool to support the real economy and other sectors, which are the elastic sectors of the economy for enhanced economic growth and development. Because the existence of certain macroeconomic fundamentals and conditions for CBN to be strictly orthodox are inexistent or limited, Emefiele has taken ‘thinking out of the box’ to an exciting level since becoming head of the apex bank.

In the past eight years, he has laid a solid foundation for a vibrant economy supported by macroeconomic stability. Despite a combination of internal and external challenges, he is achieving this by looking inward and propping up the non-oil sector, which mainly comprises agriculture, manufacturing and services.

Recognitions, such as the Forbes Africa Undiscovered Series for Nigeria, are a reminder that Emefiele’s efforts and achievements are being observed far beyond the shores of Nigeria. His accomplishments are well documented and acknowledged by many, including naysayers and distractors.

Ebube wrote in from Abuja.

Emefiele’s Quick Thinking and COVID-19 Success Story

By Abdulkadir Kabiru

On April 6, 2022, the federal government removed what was left of Nigeria’s COVID-19 restrictions announced two years ago in the wake of the outbreak of the pandemic. The government explained that the decision followed the reduced risk of importation of new variants and the availability of vaccines and the increasing number of people vaccinated in Nigeria and globally.

While Nigerians celebrate the efficiency with which government handled the COVID-19 crisis which has culminated in the lifting of the remaining pandemic related restrictions, it is important to take stock and reflect on how a disaster was averted, largely as a result of the quick thinking of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.  

Emefiele, having realised the implications of the spread of the virus on Nigeria’s health and economy, swiftly and proactively announced policies to cushion the negative impacts of the pandemic on Nigerian healthcare, economy, businesses and individuals.

While announcing the Bank’s emergency interventions, the CBN governor explained why the immediate reduction of interest rates on all applicable CBN intervention facilities to five per cent from nine per cent per annum, for one year effective from March 1, was crucial. Emefiele understood that with the outbreak of COVID-19 and its resultant restrictions on economic activities, companies and businesses would be hindered from repaying the loans received under the various programmes. By cutting interest rates, the Bank assisted businesses to have enough room to settle their financial obligations and help them continue to grow their businesses.

Also, Emefiele announced a further extension of the period of grace given for the repayment of the loans by one year on all principal facilities, especially intervention loans, effective March 1, 2020. The Bank directed all participating financial institutions to consider temporary and time-limited restructuring of their loan tenor and terms to serve as a buffer for businesses and households most affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, particularly oil & gas, agriculture, hospitality, aviation and manufacturing.

Emefiele also announced the establishment of a N50billion facility through the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) microfinance bank for households as well as Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) that have been badly hit by the pandemic. The CBN governor said in furtherance of its financial system stability mandate, the Bank was committed to providing support to affected households, businesses, financial institutions and other stakeholders with the hope that it would cushion the effect of the negative economic implications COVID-19 had on livelihoods and businesses.

Furthermore, Emefiele instituted a N100billion health sector emergency support fund to meet impending increase in demand for healthcare services and products. The fund is targeted at offering loans to pharmaceutical companies intending to expand or open their drug manufacturing plants in Nigeria, as well as to hospitals and healthcare practitioners planning to expand/build the health facilities.

Emefiele said the aim of this emergency fund was to support the healthcare value chain so that hospitals, laboratories, researchers, academics and innovators could work with their global counterparts to come up with medical and scientific breakthroughs in Nigeria to forestall any health disaster.

Emefiele also promised a continued commitment to strengthening its Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) policy to grow credits to the economy and reduce interest rates, and that the CBN would continue to support industry funding levels to maintain lending financial institutions’ capacities to offer credit to individuals, households and businesses.

While rolling out guidelines for accessing the Bank’s N50bn Targeted Credit Facility (TCF), Emefiele said it was strictly as a stimulus package to support households and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises affected by the Covid-19 pandemic because the pandemic had inflicted “severe consequences on households’ livelihoods and business activities, resulting from drop in global demand, declined consumer confidence and slowdown in production”.

In addition, through the effort of Emefiele, the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a private sector-led organisation, was also established to assist the government in combating the disease in the country.

The apex bank’s ability to keep the financial sector running in the financial hubs of Lagos and Abuja, despite the directive by the federal government that social and economic activities be restricted for 14 days in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory is also worthy of note. Although physical activities in those three locations had been restricted to those offering essential services, technology was deployed to ensure that financial activities continue unhindered; thanks to the effort of the CBN at reducing dependence on cash with the Cash-less Policy.

Even earlier policies by Emefiele played into the success story of how COVID-19 was managed in Nigeria, as observed by Comrade Issa Aremu in an article, ‘In Praise of Emefiele’ written in 2021: “Godwin Emefiele had long seen tomorrow well before COVID-19. In promoting import substitution through development financing, CBN rightly removed some 43 imported goods from the list of some items valid for Forex Exchange in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.”  

How the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN responded to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is testament to the vision and foresight of the apex bank’s boss to go above and beyond statutory financial regulation and banker’s bank responsibility.

Kabiru wrote in from Kaduna.

IIAS To Hold Agribusiness Workshop In Abuja Thursday

The International Institute for African Scholars (IIAS) will on Thursday, April 7, 2022, host a workshop on how to transform agricultural produce into secondary products.

The workshop, slated to hold at Immaculate Suites and Apartments, Wuse 2, Abuja, has as its theme: Value-Chain Approach: Transformation of Agricultural Produce to Pharmaceuticals and Food Products.

A statement from the organisers signed by Dr. Chima Nwosu said the purpose of the workshop was to discuss farming activities and the technologies applied, or applicable. It added that if many people are involved in primary and secondary activities, productivity will increase.

It said that IIAS provides support to universities and scholars across the globe in areas of academic research, publications, consulting and collaborations, and believes that Institutions of higher learning stand the chance of raising standards to the benefit of mankind by adapting some of their research results into real life solutions.

"The focus of the IIAS Project group is to identify people who are involved in farming activities but are not able to qualify for regular bank loans or financing. The aim is to help these people increase their productivity, market their products within well designed channels and expand participation.

“Some of the topics are on snail value chain and its connection to the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, processing of banana and plantain stems for medicinal remedies, coordination of agro-allied clusters along value chains, expanding the cultivation and processing Vitamin A rich cassava, making agriculture attractive to Nigerian youths, examining farm practices and food security in Nigeria, integration of agricultural value chain and supply chain across continental Africa,” the statement said.

The group said the workshop will be a hands-on affair that will explore the transformation of agricultural produce into secondary products, and will also address appropriate supply chain models across Nigerian states, neighbouring countries and other regions. While the training targets export readiness, expanding intra-state supply chain would be given a more considerable latitude.



According to the statement, the workshop would be handled by top professionals and experts in the field.

"We are tapping from the knowledge of our members who have volunteered to be part of the efforts. The IIAS Project Department is currently working with farmers, traders, warehouse owners, transporters, marketers, digital marketers and advertisers to expand the supply chain across African countries. More than 700 individuals have registered for our pilot agricultural loan/grant programme. Some of these are from Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Guinea, Cameroun, South Africa and Togo. Our efforts are geared towards addressing the issue of food security,” it noted.

Distractors and the Truth about Emefiele Branded Vehicles

By Chidi Ebube

Over the weekend, a photo of branded vehicles carrying the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele ‘s posters for president under the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged on social media.

As expected, the photo has generated heated debates about the appropriateness of the CBN governor taking delivery of branded vehicles for his campaign to become the next president under the ruling APC.

Many argued that as the chairman of the country’s reserve bank, the CBN governor should be apolitical. 

However, Emefiele has always maintained that his focus at this point in time was to formulate a robust monetary policy and fight inflation which is now a global problem.

In a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter account on March 28, 2022, the CBN boss said that part of his focus was also to build a strong financial system in an increasingly uncertain global economy.

“My focus at this time is a robust monetary policy and fighting inflation which is now a global problem, building a strong financial system in an increasingly uncertain global economy.

‘’Development finance and supporting farmers and manufacturers in our self-sufficiency and import substitution drive, raising N15 trillion for InfraCo infrastructure finance, building a world class international financial centre in Lagos, as we support the Muhammadu Buhari administration to finish strong,” he said.

Responding to the photo which flooded the social media, an ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, defended Emefiele, saying the CBN governor was innocent of the 2023 elections campaign flying around and that there were some other persons behind the move.

Omokri continued that the campaign vehicles for Emefiele which flooded the social media were only a red herring by a “fifth columnist” and were attempts to taint the CBN governor. “It has come to my knowledge that those vehicles purportedly for the campaign of Emefiele are a red herring by a fifth columnist. The man is innocent and his detractors just want to taint him,” he said.

It is important to note that different interest groups in their public campaign, have urged Emefiele to throw his hat in the ring and contest for the office of the president in 2023 general elections.

However, Emefiele’s response has been consistent with the statement quoted earlier in this article.

Indeed, one of the several groups calling on Emefiele to run for president has come out to exonerate him.

In a statement signed by its convener, Wale Fapohunda, The Green Alliance (TGA) movement said Emefiele neither had any knowledge of, or sponsored the acquisition and branding of those vehicles displayed in the trending photo.

“It will also interest the general public that most of the branded vehicles seen on the social media space were donated by collaborative groups who have been working together tirelessly to ensure that Dr. Godwin Emefiele heeds the clarion call from the coalitions. 

“In view of the above, it is grossly unfair and unpatriotic for people to attack, or allege that the person of Dr Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Emefiele has abused his office as the Central Bank Governor,” the statement read in part.

Those who acknowledge and appreciate the job being done by Emefiele as head of the apex bank have maintained that, although he has the inalienable right and an unmatched track record to aspire to the highest position in the land, Emefiele is focused on his present job and should not be distracted by both mischief makers and pushers of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.

Both distractors and their enablers should let the CBN governor be.

Ebube wrote in from Abuja

How Godwin Emefiele revolutionised financial inclusion

By Monsuru Arilesere

Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced cash collection centres called Bank Neutral Cash Hubs (BNCH). These are to be established by registered processing companies or deposit money banks (DMBs) based on business needs.

The apex bank said BNCHs would provide a platform for customers to make cash deposits and receive value irrespective of the bank with which their account is domiciled. They will be located in areas with high volumes of commercial activities and cash transactions.

“The key objective of setting up Bank Neutral Cash Hubs (BNCH) is to reduce the risks and cost borne by banks, merchants and huge cash handlers in the course of cash management activities; deepen financial inclusion; leverage on shared services to enhance cash management efficiency,” guideline for the policy reads.

For the CBN under Godwin Emefiele, development financing and financial inclusion go hand-in-hand.

Globally, financial inclusion is a tool for economic development, especially in the areas identified as crucial by the CBN – poverty reduction, employment generation, wealth creation and improving welfare and general standard of living.

A 2008 survey revealed that about 53.0 per cent of adults were excluded from financial services.

But the CBN believed the global pursuit of financial inclusion as a vehicle for economic development had a positive effect in Nigeria, as the exclusion rate reduced from 53.0 per cent in 2008 to 46.3 per cent in 2010.

Emefiele's CBN had been encouraged by the positive development the Bank had achieved in that area, which included, in collaboration with stakeholders, the launching of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy on 23rd October, 2012. The strategy's aim is to further reduce the exclusion rate to 20 per cent by the end of 2020.

Specifically, adult Nigerians with access to payment services increased from 21.6 per cent in 2010 to 70 per cent in 2020, while those with access to savings increased from 24.0 per cent to 60 per cent; and Credit from 2 per cent to 40 per cent; Insurance from 1 per cent to 40 per cent; and Pensions from 5 per cent to 40 per cent, within the same period.

The channels for delivering inclusive financial services were equally targeted for improvement by the CBN. Commercial bank branches increased from 6.8 units per 100,000 adults in 2010 to 7.6 units per 100,000 adults in 2020, while microfinance bank branches increased from 2.9 units to 5.5 units within the same period.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) were targeted to increase from 11.8 units to 203.6 units and Point of Sale (POS) units a reached 850 from 13.3 units in 2020. Mobile agents, which were nonexistent in 2010, reached 62 units, all per 100,000 adults between 2010 and 2020.

The financial inclusion measures pursued by Emefiele have led to increased access to loans by account owners and the loans have been invested in new businesses and employment which, in turn, have resulted in higher income, improved household consumption, better health and better participation in decision-making making process.

Another impact of Emefiele's financial inclusion is that it has increased savings. More people now secure their earnings, build working capital for their businesses, earn interest income and meet emergency and major needs, such as paying school fees, purchasing and developing land and engaging in familial and social engagements.

Also, peoples’ funds are better secured with insurance protection against unexpected situations. Access to electronic payment and mobile money platforms has also reduced transaction costs to both businesses and customers, as well as increasing volume of remittances.

Indeed, Goodwin Emefiele has revolutionised financial inclusion in Nigeria.

Monsuru Arilesere from Ibadan

Senator Goje Empowers 2,200 Constituents In Gombe

Senator Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has empowered 2,200 constituents through cash donations as startup capital for their respective businesses.

The event which held on Tuesday March 29, 2002 had 1,000 male and 1,200 women beneficiaries drawn from Yamaltu-Deba and Akko Local Government Areas.

Although the various cash donations to the 1,200 were not specified, each of the male youths received N30,000, amounting to N30 million.

The 1,000 youths drawn were trained in various skills by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), towards attaining self reliance.

Speaking shortly after the presentation, Goje urged the beneficiaries to utilise the money for the intended purpose, adding that it was in line with his vision of alleviating the sufferings of the people.

The senator said he has always intervened and supported his people with food packages, as well as starter packs comprising sewing machines, power generating set to boost their business.

He was represented by his Special Assistant, Barr. Saidu Kumo, who revealed that the Senator was worried over the increasing rate of youth unemployment in the state, with its attendant consequences on the society.

Goje said: "This programme is aimed at eradicating poverty and empowering our youths in Gombe Central to have access to economic wellbeing."

He continued: "This has been the tradition of Senator Goje's politics to empower people since the return of this democracy to get employment directly or indirectly."

Barr Kumo said the purpose of the seed capital is to encourage self reliance as well as to eradicate poverty and unemployment with a view to boosting the macro economy of the state.

He confirmed that the programme is a part of the senator's constituency project, saying, "the senator has been doing so many things, building schools, mosques, hospitals, providing buses, ambulance and executing rural electrification projects."

Also Speaking, State Coordinator of NDE, Hassan Mustapha, lauded the efforts of Goje, adding that the senator is the first person to collaborate with the Directorate on empowerment of constituents.

He revealed that the beneficiaries were trained across different sectors of the economy in order to be relevant.

The state coordinator urged the beneficiaries to use the sum to improve their businesses for the good of their families and communities.

Emefiele: The Man Nigeria Needs Next

Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Emefiele was born on August 4, 1961, in Lagos State, while his roots are firmly anchored in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.

He attended Government Primary School (formally Ansar-U Deen Primary School), Lagos between 1967 and 1973.

He had his secondary education at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in June 1978.

Emefiele holds a B.Sc. degree in Finance (1984), and an MBA in Finance in 1986, both from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He is also an alumnus of Executive Education at Stanford University, Harvard University (2004) and Wharton School of Business (2005), where he took courses in Negotiation, Service Excellence, Critical Thinking, Leading Change and Strategy.

Prior to his joining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Emefiele spent over 26 years in commercial banking, icing it with his tenure as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank PLC, one of Nigeria’s largest banks with over 7,000 staff, about US$3.2bn in shareholders’ funds, and subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa, China, and the United Kingdom.
He had earlier served as director at Zenith Bank Plc and Zenith Bank (Gambia) Limited.

Under Emefiele’s leadership, Zenith Bank had strengthened its position as a leading financial institution in Africa, winning recognitions and endorsements at home and abroad for giant strides in key performance areas like corporate governance, service delivery and deployment of cutting-edge ICT. Before his banking career,

On June 3, 2014, the then President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Emefiele as the 11th substantive CBN governor.

He replaced Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Emefiele, as the CBN governor, has continued to spearhead the diversification of Nigeria’s economy through long and medium-term strategies.

Under him, the CBN has established initiatives to genuinely tackle challenges of job creation, economic productivity, poverty eradication and food security. For instance, there are ongoing intervention schemes for four commodities – rice, fish, sugar and wheat – which consume about N1.3 trillion annually in imports, to improve domestic supply and eventually moderate pressure on foreign reserves.

The Bank’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, piloted in Kebbi State, has financed 4.5 million farmers that have cultivated 5.3 million hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 States of the federation and FCT.

Emefiele was twice named LEADERSHIP Person of the Year, first in 2016 and then in 2020, for adding the concept of social business to the portfolio of Nigeria’s apex bank and ever anticipating areas of intervention; and for cushioning the economic backlash of the outbreak of COVID-19 on ordinary Nigerians.

2023: Dankwambo, Wike, Fayose Move To Woo Goje Back To PDP

Ahead of the 2023 general election, the immediate past Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has visited his predecessor, Sen. Danjuma Goje at his Abuja residence to woo him back to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Dankwambo who was accompanied by the Rivers state governor, Barr. Nyeson Wike, Senate Deputy minority leader, Sen. Philip Aduda, former Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose, and former member of the house of Representatives, JC were earlier at the Asokoro House of Sen. Goje to convince him to return back to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The meeting which was held under closed door, was to ostensibly lobby Sen. Goje to return back to the PDP.

Goje, a former Minister of Power, was also a two times governor of Gombe State between 2003 to 2011 under the PDP before he was succeeded by Ibrahim Dankwambo.

The third time Senator representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, Goje has decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the build up to the 2015 General election.

https://leadership.ng/dankwambo-wike-fayose-aduda-woo-goje-to-pdp/

Why the economy will remember Emefiele with a smile

By Abdulkadir Kabiru

Last week, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, inaugurated the NEXIT-CBN Agri-Business, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS). AGSMEIS is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria under its current governor, Godwin Emefiele, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee aimed at promoting agri-business and SMEs as a vehicle for sustainable economic development and job creation.

The AGSMEIS is one of many interventions the CBN is implementing to empower youths, create employment, diversify the economy, ensure food security and reduce the nation’s dependence on importation.

Recently, Emefiele reiterated the apex bank’s commitment to various economic interventions targeted at youth empowerment and job creation, as well as supporting small and medium scale enterprises when he launched the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES), an intervention aimed at tackling underemployment and unemployment among Nigerian youths.

“The scheme, developed in partnership with Nigerian polytechnics and universities, is designed to harness the potentials of graduate entrepreneurs by creating a paradigm shift from the pursuit of white-collar jobs to a culture of entrepreneurship for economic development and job creation.

“Bridging their financing gaps and enhancing access to low-cost credit to drive development of business is a task that can only be addressed by an innovative financing model that correlates with the complexity and dynamics of these small businesses,” Emefiele said at the event.
The CBN had, in 2018, also developed a Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, as part of efforts to boost job creation in Nigeria, particularly among the youths. The CIFI covers fashion, information technology, movie and music industries.

Indeed, the CBN under Emefiele, in the past eight years, has laid a solid foundation for a vibrant economy supported by macroeconomic stability. It is achieving this by looking inward and propping up the non-oil sector, which mainly comprises agriculture, manufacturing and services.

For instance, under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), the CBN has financed 4.5 million farmers that cultivated 5.3 million hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 States of the federation and FCT. Before the ABP, Thailand alone exported 1.3 million metric tons of rice to Nigeria in 2014. Thanks to the ABP, Nigeria has witnessed incremental reductions in rice imports from Thailand. By 2016, rice imports from Thailand had fallen to only 58,000 metric tons. By 2021, they only exported 2,160 metric tons to Nigeria, thereby saving the country foreign exchange and helping preserve jobs in Nigeria. The unprecedented rice pyramid witnessed in Abuja recently, and the over 160 per cent rise in the number of rice mills in the country are also evidence that the CBN’s intervention in agriculture sector is yielding fruits.

Before now, there had been lending apathy by banks towards small farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises. However, through the Bankers’ Committee, Emefiele has been able to set up special fund that led to the establishment of the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank with specific mandate to implement the Agribusiness, Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme.

It is refreshing to observe that Emefiele and the apex bank he superintends are proving pessimists wrong by being focused on leveraging on the developmental component of his mandate as the proactive tool to support the real economy – agriculture, manufacturing and services – which are the elastic sectors of the economy for enhanced economic growth and development.

Kabiru wrote in from Kaduna

Godwin Emefiele’s Vantage Point

By Stanley Ebube

As expected in an election season, political twists and turns are occurring at nerve-racking pace. Eleven months to the general election when Nigerians will decide who takes over from President Muhammadu Buhari, nothing is cast in stone yet. 

Within the two major political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), there are contentious issues which are giving the parties a headache. Because those issues are not peculiar to either the ruling party or the opposition, both the APC and the PDP seem to be waiting for each other’s solution template to copy from.

Interestingly, the biggest nuisance of them all, which is where the next president of Nigeria should come from – North or South, appears to have been resolved, albeit by silent consensus, because the voices for southern candidates in both the APC and PDP have so far been distinct, loud and clear on the matter.

If the general feeling is that the major political parties should and will field southern candidates, the next question is: From what part of the South? Former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, who has since declared his intention to run for president, is banking on the belief that his party will favour the South-West. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s potential candidacy might also be premised on that conviction. 

But if the presidency is heading south, should it head westward? Since 1999, the South-West has produced a two-term president (Olusegun Obasanjo) and another two-term vice president (Osinbajo). The argument from some quarters is that, since the South-South had a one-term shot at the presidency by providence, it should be allowed to complete its turn. It is based on this suggestion that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s name is being mentioned as regards 2023. Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi is also rumoured to be interested in the race, based on this argument.

Indeed, those in support of candidates from the South-South have a strong point, especially since the two major parties don’t seem to be keen on candidates from the South-East. However, the choice of either Jonathan or Amaechi could narrow the argument down to a mere attempt at political correctness.

A much suitable candidate, if the South-South card is on the table, is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

While Emefiele has not officially declared any interest in vying for the highest political position in the land and has been under severe attacks to declare or submit his head for spiking, his eligibility, competence and track record are not in doubt.

If he decides to run, it will be from a vantage point, because there have been permutations around certain demographic distributions and social considerations ahead of the 2023 elections, especially in the ruling party. Emefiele, who is from Delta State, perhaps represents a workable option of a southern candidate without the extra burden of whether that south has ‘west’ or ‘east’ as suffix.

Ebube a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja.

Emefiele and CBN's National Security Interventions

By Stanley Ebube

Although the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is not directly involved in the country’s defence and security activities, the Bank, under its current governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been at the forefront of the significant amount of resources so far expended to push back violent extremism and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.

Emefiele's strong determination to ensure that resources designated to the fight against insurgency and other criminal activities move seamlessly is almost personal, having being a direct victim of the dangerous effect of insecurity.

In 2016, his wife, Margaret Emefiele, was one of about six people abducted by gunmen along Benin-Agbor Road. It was gathered that the hoodlums who intercepted Mrs. Emefiele's vehicle shot her orderly, who attempted to resist the operation.

She was released two days later on October 1, 2016.

Indeed, Nigeria has been spending scarce foreign exchange to procure military equipment and hardware for the fight against insecurity. Yet, it’s concerning that in the 2020 Global Terrorism Index released late last year, the country still remained in the third spot, the fifth time in a row since 2015.

From 2015 to date, security budgets have been on the increase just as total national budgets increased. The funding covers the main security agencies, including the army, air force and the navy, the intelligence agencies as well as the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of homeland security, including the Nigerian Police Force.

Checks from the Budget Office of the Federation and at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) showed a consistent record of full release and cash-backed allocations to the agencies domiciled in the Ministry of Defence, Interior and ONSA throughout the period under review.

This takes considerable and deliberate effort by Emefiele’s CBN, because the apex bank has to constantly, continuously and creatively source the very scarce foreign exchange required for the procurement of military equipment and hardware.

There are at least five major components of modern national security – the collective ability of a country to protect its people, interests, values and critical infrastructure; grow and develop its economy; prepare and respond to natural disasters, environmental degradation and climate change; provide food security; and secure its digital footprint against cyber attacks.

Perhaps, the area that has received Emefiele's most direct intervention among these components is food security.

Making the connection between food security and national security shouldn’t be hard really.

Nigeria’s National Security Strategy (NSS, 2019) captures the essence of both the rationale behind connecting food security to national security and policy thrusts intended to be deployed to attain sustainable access to affordable and nutritious food.

“We recognise our farmers as the bedrock of this strategy, hence we will prioritise a range of measures to enhance their productivity. We have one of the most conducive environments for food production. With the drastic reduction in food importation, we will continue to develop our agricultural potentials to attain self-sufficiency in food production as well as exportation. We will also endeavour to overcome further challenges such as climate change, land conflict, land degradation, rapid urbanisation and insurgency,” the document states.

In this context, it becomes clearer why the CBN, under the leadership of its current governor, is investing in interventions that are boosting local production of agricultural products and enhancing food security. For instance, under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), the CBN has financed 4.5 million farmers that have cultivated 5.3 million hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 States of the federation and FCT. Even critics acknowledge the fact that progress has been made in this direction.

Another component of national security where Emefiele’s CBN has been actively involved is the area of cyber security.

Sensing that Nigeria could be a victim of its own success with the steady adoption of the electronic payments system channels, the CBN, under Emefiele, started making concerted efforts in ensuring that the financial sector is in line with global trends in e-payment development with the view to ensuring efficiency in the system as well as customer satisfaction.

However, the adoption of the e-payment channels as a preferred channel of payment increases the incidence of electronic fraud and cyber security threat.

This has led to the setting up of the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF). The forum consists of all relevant stakeholders on cyber security issues charged with the responsibility to actively and proactively react to this challenge to safeguard integrity of the e-payment channels. Chaired by the CBN, the forum’s membership includes ONSA, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Electronic Payments Providers Association of Nigeria (EPPAN) among others.

In fact, the recent ban on cryptocurrency by the CBN, which also culminated in the creation of Nigeria’s own digital currency – e-Naira – was backed by intelligence that terrorists, their promoters and other criminals were exploiting the lack of third-party regulation of digital currencies to fund terror-related activities in Nigeria.

There is also the threat of ransomware attacks, which have increasingly targeted businesses and companies, disrupting the flow of production and services and demanding payments in the form of, wait for it, cryptocurrency!

All these point to the fact that, even in an area of perceived limited know-how, Emefiele has shown deft understanding of the country's overall national security goals.


Ebube wrote in from Abuja

Emefiele: Tick the Box (Age)


By Monsuru Arilesere

The age of President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor on May 29, 2023 is undoubtedly on the menu of the presidential debate in the run off to the next presidential election. Many of the candidates who have declared interest in the position have done so based on the assumption that age will matter as part of the prerequisites political parties would consider in fielding candidates for the position of president.

It is very easy to see why.

Age is on the ballot and using it as a campaign strategy is clever, because discussions around it are beginning to dominate the political space. Also, it would be difficult to discountenance the voices of influential Nigerians such as Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and former head of state Ibrahim Babangida against candidates considered too old to run.

Babangida said, ideally, only candidates in their 60s, with sound knowledge about the economy and contacts across the country, should contest the 2023 presidential election.

On his part, legal luminary, Babalola, in a statement he personally signed, said political parties should field aspirants who are not too old and must be of sound health.   

The projection among pundits is that the two major political parties might want to outdo each other when it comes to fielding relatively young candidates.

Again, with the emphasis that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has not declared any intention of running for president come 2023, if he eventually chooses to do so, he ticks the age box. The CBN governor is 60 years old, and will only be 61 in August when political parties would have presented their candidates.

In the context of 2023, Emefiele is young, energetic, tested, knowledgeable and prepared; far more prepared and capable than any one of the battery of aspirants whose so-called experience, structures and network have hardly served the country well.

Arilesere wrote in from Ibadan.

Emefiele: Tick the Box (South)

By Chidi Ebube

Responding to recent reports that he was eying the presidency come 2023, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has said, while he was focused on his job as head of the apex bank, his fate was in God’s hands concerning any future endeavour.

The CBN governor has been in the news of late, with speculations that he has been drafted into the race for who leads the country after President Muhammadu Buhari completes his term on May 29, 2023. While Emefiele has not officially declared any interest in vying for the highest political position in the land, he was quoted by a group of friends, under the auspices of ‘Friends of Godwin Emefiele’ to have rightly said it was the prerogative of the President Buhari to map out his succession plan.

But Emefiele has a legitimate claim to the presidency, regardless of whether he desires it or not. First, he is a Nigerian eligible and deserved of aspiring and daring to dream. Also, his work at the helm of the CBN in the last eight years has significantly impacted the economy, created millions of jobs and opportunities, renewed hopes and inspired innovation across the food chain from farming to infrastructure; stabilizing the currency to boosting local production of goods and services.

Qualified as he is and no matter how the CBN governor would like to commit his future to the divine, there are huddles made here on earth which he has to scale for any hope of him to become Nigeria’s next president, because there have been permutations around certain demographic distributions and social considerations ahead of the 2023 elections.

One of the most contentious of such considerations so far has been where the next president of Nigeria should come from – north or south. If the happenings in the two largest political parties in Nigeria are anything to go by, the biggest talking point which will define the outcome of the 2023 presidential election is zoning, and the voices for southern candidates in both the APC and PDP have so far been distinct, loud and clear.

So, if truly, by consensus, it’s the turn of the south to move into Aso Rock, then Emefiele ticks that box too, like every of the other boxes a potential candidate would need to tick in the runoff to the 2023 presidential election.

Ebube wrote in from Abuja

Emefiele: Tick the Box (the Economy)

By Monsuru Arilesere

In the context of the current economic situation Nigeria finds itself, it is easy to dismiss and, perhaps, harshly criticise the role the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has played in how the Nigerian economy has turned out, especially under its present governor, Godwin Emefiele.

What has been in short supply, however, is a sincere reflection about how badly things could have been if the CBN was not in the steady hands of Emefiele. The CBN governor’s critics have simply disinclined to indulge in retrospection, because if they do, they’d discover that all Emefiele has committed his leadership of the reserve bank to is steadying a sinking ship in the midst of a severe global storm and charting a growth path by looking inwards for homegrown, bespoke solutions to the country’s economic challenges.

For instance, a report published by The Punch newspaper on Tuesday, February 15, suggests that the price of locally produced rice rose by 92 per cent between January 2016 and December 2021, despite measures taken by the Federal Government to boost production and crash price.

But why did the price of local rice rise during the period under review despite government’s efforts? For one, insecurity is taking a major toll on food production, disrupting the value chain and raising food prices. A report in The Guardian of August 24, 2020 said at least 78,120 farmers in Katsina, Taraba and Plateau States, among others had abandoned their farmlands as a result of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists. Just in December 2021, at least 5000 farmers across 12 communities were displaced as a result of attacks on three local government areas in Nasarawa State, as reported by Daily Trust.

These attacks are apart from COVID-19 induced disruptions of supply chain for nearly two years now.

It is also known that, under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), the CBN has financed 4.5 million farmers that have cultivated 5.3 million hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 States of the federation and FCT. And the programme has yielded tremendous results.

For perspective, Thailand alone exported 1.3 million metric tons of rice to Nigeria in 2014. By 2016, rice imports from Thailand had fallen to only 58,000 metric tons, and by 2021, the country only exported 2,160 metric tons to Nigeria. This has helped save the country foreign exchange and preserved jobs in Nigeria.

Also, before Emefiele became CBN governor, banks were simply not lending to the manufacturing and real estate sectors in the larger private sector. Thus, Emefiele established the Real Sector Support Fund (RSSF) to target manufacturing, agricultural value chain and selected service sub-sectors with the objective of improving access to Nigerian SMEs to fast-track the development of the selected sectors and increasing output, generating employment, diversifying the country’s revenue base, increasing foreign exchange earnings and providing inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis.

Last week, the CBN governor announced that interest rate on loans under this intervention, which were expected to revert to nine per cent by March this year, would remain at five per cent for another year, till March 2023.

Similar interventions in financial inclusion, payments system, foreign exchange and currency stabilisation, COVID-19 response buffer, etc are what have kept this country’s economy afloat, in spite of all the challenges. If not, things would have been worse; much worst.

Arilesere, wrote from Ibadan.

Gombe APC Loses Federal Lawmaker Yaya Bauchi, 11,000 Others To PDP

A member of the federal house of representatives representing Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye local governments constituency Honourable Yaya Bauchi has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The lawmaker in the resignation letter sent to the party in December 2021, a copy which was leaked yesterday cited the internal crisis bedeviling the party as a reason behind his resignation.

He also accused the party leadership of sidelining founding members including himself in the recent congresses lamenting that the party machineries were hijacked from them and that there was no resolution in sight.

"This decision of mine was arrived at after a careful observation of the numerous crises in the All Progressives Congress in our state without any resolution in sight.

"All efforts made by well meaning members of the All Progressives Congress to bring about a peaceful resolution of the crises continue to meet brick walls as some individuals have hijacked all party machineries and have consistently refused some of us space to actively contribute to the development of the All Progressives Congress in Gombe state.

In another development, about 11, 000 members of the APC in Funakaye local government over the weekend defected from the party to the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP).

A chieftain of the PDP in the state who was an ex member of the house of representatives that represented the area from 2007 to 2011 Honourable Abubakar Abubakar BD who received the decampees told our correspondent that their defection was in view of their neglect by the APC after working towards its victory in the 2019 election.

According to him, he was once an APC card carrying member but claimed that he deserted the party due to lack of organization and non performance of the state Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

He further alleged that the governor had not carried politicians along who were instrumental to his victory.

When contacted via phone call and text message to react to the resignation of the law maker and others from the APC, the state publicity secretary Mr Moses Kyari declined to pick up his call neither did he respond to our correspondent messages.

Housing Deficit: Big Homes Unveils Bello’s Court, Zee Project In Mabushi

Towards providing affordable homes for Nigerians, a real estate firm, Big Homes, has commissioned its new housing projects, Bello’s Court and Zee Project, in the Mabushi area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The event took place on Friday November 26 and was well attended by both subscribers, business associates and well-wishers.

Managing Director of Big Homes, Mr Topsy Essien, used the occasion of the commissioning to celebrate his birthday while expressing excitement over the event of the day.

He said: “I want to thank you all for coming out to witness this event. I am very excited about today, which happens to also be my birthday. I am grateful to my team for the support and also our subscribers for believing in us.

“We started this project less than 2 years. Despite the many challenges, we are happy that we pulled through to have this commissioning today. What we are witnessing today is a lot more than we thought it will be. The building we have here is a state-of-the-art project, fitted with surveillance cameras, an automated gate and a biometric entrance. We are unveiling a six-bedroom stand-alone triplex and four-bedroom semi-detached terrace duplex.”

“We are happy about the unveiling of our projects today. What we have here is The Bello’s Court and Zee Project. Big Homes is known for having the most affordable houses in Abuja and all our projects are located at prime locations. We have over 12 projects so far in Mabushi," Bertha Kingsley, Big Homes Lead Sales Broker said while speaking to newsmen.

“We have 6 units of terrace duplex going for only N39million, at a discounted rate for you here today, but the actual price is N44.5m. Big Homes is all out to provide affordable, luxury housing for Nigerians. By 2022 we will be launching into building 1,2,3-bedroom flats. We’ve been dealing in duplexes, so now we will be going into what many people can subscribe to and buy.”

Ahmed Audi's Giant Strides in NSCDC

By Sunday Attah

Our shared humanity and a sense of sympathy and empathy for others is fast diminishing. Man's inhumanity to man is ruthlessly expressed in a way that makes animals in jungle preying on each other for food a plaything. The descent into chaos and illfeeling is difficult to understand talk more of fathoming a way out. Leo Tolstoy once said; if you feel pain, you are alive, if you feel the pain of others, you're a human being. This encapsulates the thrust of our purpose here on earth. We are after all supposed to be our brother’s keeper but man has deliberately invented killing machines and carelessly handed them over to people who are unfit to lead even their shadows. There are a lot of people who literally do not feel pains or are deaf to the cries and blind to pains of others. It is therefore the duty of responsible governments all over the world to safeguard their people against those who take delight in inflicting pains on themselves and others. This is because the vulnerable civil populations of the world are always at the receiving end of all forms of cruelty and violence.

Nigeria as a nation has grappled with it's fair share of insecurity and terror attacks. Defenseless civilians are being rounded and killed or bombed for no just cause. Not so long ago, Nigeria was worse than a war theatre with different forms of crisis ravaging her from terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, kidnappings, vandalism, armed robbery and other assorted crimes. While spirited efforts have been made to resolve the security malaise in Nigeria and safeguard civilian populations, little was actually done in terms of intelligence gathering and on the spot arrest and prosecution of criminal elements until the appointment of Dr. Ahmed Audi mni as the Commandant General of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps. Even though he is barely a year in office, the difference is clear and it is obvious that he is the best civil defender the country has ever had.

Immediately after taking over in February 2021, Dr. Audi prioritised intelligence gathering as the best approach towards curbing the multifaceted security situation in the country. Since these crimes and acts of insecurity take place in the society, getting information from those directly affected will surely assist in getting a true picture of what is going on. In the course of his wholehearted service to the nation, he shockingly discovered that some security personnel were sharing intelligence with terrorists and other criminals. This demonstrates the height of man's inhumanity to man. Those who commit these crimes are not fit to be parading themselves as human beings because they're not capable of feeling others pains.


Before the appointment of Dr. Audi as the Commandant General, there was hardly a week that went by without one incidence of school kidnappings . It was an embarrassment both locally and internationally as schools were closed in many parts of the country for fear of kidnappers. However that's a thing of the past as the new Commandant launched the Safe School Campaign, a policy directive aimed at sensitising school children and management on proactive security measures. The Corps has also intensified security around all schools across the federation to ensure the safety of all. This is the first of its kind in the history of this country. Even students who were kidnapped prior to his administration have all been safely returned to their families, thanks to the professional leadership of NSCDC under Audi. Nigerian students can now safely go to school and return home without any fear.

There is a saying that many people are insane but few are roaming the streets. The security situation in the country and the complicity of some security personnel points to insanity. The number one officer of the Corps therefore deemed it necessary to conduct a psychological assessment of officers and men of the Corps to determine who is fit or not. The gain of this exercise can not be over emphasised as many security personnel have turned themselves to a nuisance and embarrassment to the Corps and the society at large. This singular, unprecedented act has won the hearts of many Nigerians who see it as a step in the right direction. No officers or personnel of NSCDC can be found wanting henceforth because those who failed the psychological assessment have undergone counseling and rehabilitation as the case might be.

Whereas the federal government under president Buhari is expending billions of dollars to build infrastructure, many unscrupulous elements have resorted to vandalism. The recent interception of a truck load of railway sleepers is not only criminal but unpatriotic. To destroy what is meant to bring succour to the masses is the worst form of inhumanity. Luck however will continue to run out of criminal elements as the Corps under Dr Audi is ever vigilant and ready to discharge its duties. Similar atrocities were being perpetrated against Power Holding Company of Nigeria and Oil installations in the past but that is no more as the Corps has clamped mercilessly on criminal gangs.

Oil bunkering is now a thing of the past . Many thanks to the unwavering efforts of Dr Audi who did not just put an end to it but ensured that those who are involved face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. Nigeria was robbed of more than 50% of her oil production capacity to bunkering. The Commandant General waved the magic wand and oil theft and bunkering is greatly minimised. Now Nigeria is enjoying her oil wealth with conspicuous benefits for all to see. Nigerians are forever grateful and are looking forward to an extended term in office and more wins for the country .

As a highly commited and disciplined officer, Dr Audi recently dismissed recalcitrant staff from the Corps for varying degrees of infractions and misdemeanors. He has warned them sternly to stop parading themselves as officers and men of the Corps as they do not have what it takes to be in the Corps. There is no place for hoodlums in the corps especially those who abandon their duties of safeguarding civil peace and take to crimes.

It is therefore disheartening that some enemies of progress, men who are incapable of feeling the pain of others can actually accuse a man Nigerians are praising and urging him to do more. For a man who has been too busy trying to reposition the Corps and drive productive, such empty attention seeking attempts will not distract him. Those peddling such rumours should desist as the Corps has come out openly to defend the honourable gentleman as a fine and devoted Commandant General who is unique and different from the myriad of half humans seeking to destroy him.

Dr. Audi is both alive and a human being because he has seen the pains of Nigerians through the mindless killings that characterised the country not so long ago and has himself experienced the pain of loosing family and friends in the killings. Nigerians must therefore come out and support this enviable leader who has done so much in so short a time.

Sunday Attah is a public commentator and lives in Abuja

Embrace Biophilia For Health, Long Life, Big Homes Urges Nigerians

Concerned about improving the health and wellbeing of Nigerians, Abuja real estate firm, Big Homes, has advocated for the creation of natural habitat at homes, offices through decorations with biophilic designs.

Biophilia is the infusion of natural designs into homes using plants, flowers, and woods towards seeking connections with nature and other forms of life. It is said to be an experience that can help reduce stress, improve cognitive function, enhance mood, creativity and can also increase productivity.

Manager Director of Big Homes, Mr Topsy Essien, during a chat with journalists over the weekend advised Nigerians to adopt biophilic designs in their homes, offices in order to move towards natural habitat, adding that biophilia has the effect of restoring health and bringing people closer to nature, hence the need to incorporate the designs in homes.

He said: “Estate developers should begin to infuse biophilia into their designs to make homes more natural so as to improve and elongate lives.

“Biophilic design in homes can help calm nerves of people and can even heal. I know of people who have been healed by mere looking at natural things."

On the type of plants to keep at homes, he said; “It is not all kind of plants that you bring into your house. You need a professional to help you choose the right plant.”

Essien while speaking on housing deficit in the country, decried the numbers of undeveloped lands in the country, saying; “If these lands can be given to developers, we can build sustainable cities where there are markets, schools, hospitals where people can live comfortably.

"We want access to land to build and bring development and infrastructure to these places. Cost of land is a major challenge to the real estate sector.”

Also speaking, Big Homes Architect and Project Manager for Biophilia, Kelvin Oshoma said we can’t talk about plants without nature.

“We can’t talk about humans without nature. We are nature. We are building homes for humans to live in. for humans to live comfortably, we need natural things to survive. We know plants give oxygen and take in carbon dioxide, humans bring out carbon dioxide and take in oxygen. We need these exchanges to survive, and that is what Biophilia is about. We represent green and healthy living, and that's what Big Homes offer clients.

“What we do is trying to create that natural environment for us to live in, and live better. Nowadays our homes are so automated, nothing seems natural.

According to him, “Biophilic designs are not just about plants. It’s tied to nature, what makes our environment look natural. When you go outside, you see rocks, trees, wood, they make the environment look natural. So we are trying to infuse that to the design, it’s like bringing nature into your home, not just in your surroundings; it is you living in nature. So that’s what Big Homes brings to you with biophilic design.”

Big Homes: How Biophilia Can Improve, Elongate Life Through Natural Living

All over the world, the interest of humans is to live long to accomplish life's aspirations, especially in a country like Nigeria.

Therefore, it is not a surprise to see many people investing in their over all well-being, including building homes with aesthetics and gimmicks that promotes health and bringing people closer to nature, with the use of biophilic designs.

Biophilia means love of life. Harvard biologist, E.O. Wilson, considers biophilia as the innate human need to affiliate with life. The biophilia hypothesis (also called BET) suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.

Research has shown that the spaces we inhabit have distinct physiological and psychological impact on us. Spaces with elements of biophilic design are more attractive.

Generally, the average human spends most time indoors and away from nature and buried in shelters of human making that have little to no elements drawn from nature. This is believed to affect users of space physiologically and mentally.

Advancement in technology today shows that less and fewer humans spend time connected to nature and this adversely affects our mood and health. This is why, today, more people have a sense of returning or reconnecting with nature and have started to make our living environments more natural.

As such, having elements of nature in a room space can help you create a living environment with clean air, which helps to reduce the disconnect with nature. It improves air quality by removing harmful pollutants and also stabilises humidity levels. Indoor plants have also been proven to reduce the symptoms of sick building syndrome. Plants produce a boost in mood and productivity, but they are also responsible for jacking up the quality of the air. Plants are natural air filters, removing carbon dioxide and releasing pure oxygen.

In driving the idea, Big Homes, Abuja real estate firm, has advocated for Nigerians to move towards natural habitat by building homes decorated with biophilic designs “in order to live long.”

Managing Director of Big Homes, Mr Topsy Essien in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Abuja, said biophilia has the effect of restoring health and bringing people closer to nature, hence the need to incorporate the designs in homes.

He said: “You can’t talk about human beings without nature. For humans to be comfortable in homes, we need natural things to survive. As you know, plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen for humans to survive. Nowadays, our homes are so automated that nothing seems natural again. Our floors are made with tiles, our walls with blocks, everywhere is airtight with AC and all that. No flowers, stones, wood and other natural objects or things that remind us of nature.

“When I am tensed, I go close to flowers. For instance, outside our offices, we have green grasses, so I simply take off my shoes and walk around. It gives me that feeling of being closer to nature. In fact, our slogan at Big Homes is ‘green and healthy living’. We use biophilic designs for our architectural designs, but make them affordable to clients.'


Importance to environment

As species that evolved on the savannas of Africa, after which we later spread out to various parts of the planet with a substantial percentage of us living in urban areas, we spend more than 90% of our lives inside buildings. So, biophilic design is focused on bringing experiences of nature closer to us in built environments. Doing this can be achieved in various ways from the use of plants, water, daylight, natural materials, fractal patterns, and spaces that give the users and occupants of spaces views of the environment.


Benefits to humans

Biophilic experiences can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance mood and creativity. These and other outcomes can increase health and wellbeing, as well as productivity.


Future of biophilic designs

One of the trends we have observed is using biophilic design to support changing functions of spaces, such as hotel lobbies as workspaces, workspaces using elements of residential design, and other spaces like airports and transit hubs adopting guest experience strategies seen in hospitality design. We think that increasing biophilic design will be used to convey messages about a brand, and a signal about caring for building occupants.


Significance

Many companies are increasingly focused on improving the health and wellbeing of their employees, frequently through programmatic efforts like yoga, meditation, and healthier food offerings. Biophilic design is a strategy to support the health and wellbeing of everyone in the office through the design of spaces themselves. Different biophilic design elements support different outcomes, some help with stress reduction, others with cognitive function. Choosing the desired outcome can then help determine which design elements will be the effective.


Challenges, opportunities of incorporating biophilic elements in workplace

Similar to the early green building movement, there are concerns about the changes in first costs and the costs for ongoing maintenance of various features of biophilic design. There are opportunities for every workplace to incorporate biophilic design, whether it’s a small intervention like the art selection in an existing building or creating a space from the ground up that incorporates biophilic design throughout. With time, the challenges will begin to fade as more projects illustrate the scale of opportunities for biophilic elements and their value.


Biophilic design application

Evolving our connection with nature Biophilia—our intrinsic human connection with the natural world—continues to guide our design thinking and process at Big Homes. We are intrinsically linked to nature and the living world, so it makes sense that our spaces reflect these connections to foster health and wellbeing. Direct contact with vegetation, in and around the built environment, is one of the most successful strategies for fostering human-nature connection in design. The presence of plants can reduce stress, improve comfort, enhance mood, and prompt healing. Through including indoor/outdoor gardens, we offer patients, families, and staff green spaces with native plants, walking paths, and a variety of seating, which—when woven together—create nature-filled spaces for moments of connection, reflection, and respite.

Sallah: Goje’s Wife Offers Cash, Wrappers To Women Groups in Gombe

…urges them to unite for better future

Hajiya Aminatu Dahiru Binani, wife of the former Governor of the State and Senator representing Gombe Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Muhammad Danjuma Goje, has welcome thousands of women groups who paid her Sallah homage at her family residence in Gombe.

The groups of women who were in their thousands and led by the Gombe central zonal women leader of the APC, Mrs. Rose Danjuma, women leaders of Akko and Yamaltu Deba local governments; Hajiya Nayi Pandaya and Hajiya Hafsat Deba, said the visit was basically to pay Sallah Homage to the wife of their leader, Hajiya Aminatu and familiarize with her as their political mother being the wife of their leader coupled with the fact that this is her first time of blending with the women folks from the Goje’s extended political family.

Also, in their separate remarks, the leaders thanked and expressed their elation for the warmth reception accorded to them and also reiterated their loyalty to her as their political mother and leader.

While responding, Hajiya Aminatu also thanked the women for their unflinching support and loyalty to her husband and assured them that she'll continue to support and associate with them for the betterment of women and all mothers in the state as it's the tradition in Goje’s family.

“I’m honoured and humbled by the show of love as this is my first time having this kind of interface with great women since I become part of this great family.

“I assure you that like my husband, my doors are always open and we shall partner in making progress in alleviating the sufferings of the vulnerable women in the society.” She said.

The groups could not hide their happiness as thousands of them got home with various gifts including various types of wrappers and various amounts of cash donations.

Some dignitaries at the event were, Commissioner for Environment, Hajiya Hussaina Goje; State’s APC women leader, Hajiya Lumbi; and Special Adviser to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on Investment, Hajiya Dijatu Bappah, among others.

Recall that Hajiya Aminatu who’s from Adamawa state got married to the Gombe political leader, Sen. Goje after the demise of his late wife and ever since, this is the first meeting she had with the women politicians of the state in her effort to further blend and associate with them.

IPOB: Ibo Group Presses For Mass Murder Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu


The Ibo Peace Forum (IPF) has reacted to recent security operations in the country, especially the rearrest of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Addressing pressmen during a solidarity rally in Abuja, Comrade Emeka Daniel Okpara, (IPF), the national Coordinator, said Ibo citizens were concerned that certain individuals had taken up arms against constituted authority, leading to loss of lives and property of innocent citizens, adding that "we all remember how one individual could order from abroad attacks on government formations, killing hundreds of innocent people".

Recalling how the IPOB had caused the death of hundreds of people in the south east region, the group maintained that the only way government could console Nigerians was to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said: "Now, with the arrest of Kanu, appropriate charges of mass murder should be pressed immediately .

"It is the prosecution of these criminals that would give credence to our sovereignty and restore confidence in the masses. The activities of IPOB are giving innocent Ibos a bad name and endangering their livelihood in other parts of the nation.

"The department of state security has, by this successes, lived to their constitutional role of defending the nation. Let those arrested face the full rath of the law," the group insisted.