Smh. Ignorance is not bliss o. Lagos is not your mate o. Sir Louis Ojukwu was wealthy and probably the wealthiest from his part of Nigeria of that time but at no time the richest even in Lagos.
The richest man of that era was Late Chief Mobolaji Bank-Anthony.
Go and read about others. Sir Louis Ojukwu has never been the richest person in Nigeria.
Below is another interesting piece.
Dear @TadyesSol,
Thank you for your feedback. In direct answer to your question, I get a lot of my history from official Hansards of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, where I worked from 2002 to 2003, and still have access to. I do not talk or write without the strong backing of documentary evidence.
Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu was a wealthy man. However, he was neither a billionaire nor, at any point in time, the wealthiest man in Nigeria.
For example, Sanusi Dantata, the son of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, was acknowledged by Time Magazine as the wealthiest person in Nigeria by 1965. You may want to read it here by yourself content.time.com/time/subscribe…
His father was also the wealthiest man in West Africa before he passed away.
Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu was next. However, due to the Nigerian Civil War, he lost much of his wealth. But irrespective of the war, he was not the wealthiest man in Nigeria.
Having a Rolls Royce neither makes you a billionaire or the wealthiest person in Nigeria. Many rich people then and now do not indulge in such ostentatious lifestyles.
For example, the Time Magazine article, which I gave you the link to, also mentions Mobolaji Bank Anthony as one of the wealthiest men in Nigeria as of 1965. Yet, despite having such stupendous wealth, Mr. Bank Anthony did not buy himself a Rolls Royce. What he did with his money was to build a series of free hospitals, which he donated to the Lagos government, including the Ikeja General Hospital, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.
You may be confusing loud ostentatiousness for wealth.
Eight persons were mentioned as the wealthiest people in Nigeria by Time in 1965. They include:
Of the eight, five were from the Lagos-Ogun axis. One was from Kano. One from Port Harcourt, and one from Nnewi.
I hope this helps you understand history better.
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
#TableShaker
@FreeStuffsNG
Absolutely well said! I can affirm here and now that your sequential compendium of history is very sound.
Just to add here, the first ever Pound Sterling millionaire of Nigerian descent was the wealthy financier and business man, Candido Joao Da Rocha (1860 to 1959) who was born in Bahia, Brazil to an Ijesa father [Joao Esan Da Rocha from the present-day Ilesa in Osun State] who unfortunately fell victim around the age of 10 while going to school to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and was deported on a slave schooner to Bahia in Brazil. Candido and his liberated Yoruba family of Ijesa descent returned from Brazil in the 1860s and settled on Lagos Island where Candido grew to become a very wealthy man building a mansion which still stands today on Kakawa Street, Lagos Island known as the "Water House" (OR Casa d'Agua) which was the first place to have potable drinking tap water funded by Candido himself. Candido also built a perfect replica of the "Water House" mansion in Bahia, Brazil where the Brazilian branch of his Da Rocha family descendants through a Native Brazilian woman still live as of today.
FreeStuffsNG: Forbes has released its annual list of billionaires, highlighting 2,781 individuals worldwide. Of these, only 21 are Black, making up less than 1% of the total. Among them, only two are women.
The list includes individuals from various industries, including finance, technology, sports, and entertainment.
Here are the 21 black billionaires in 2025, ranked by net worth as of February 10, 2025
1. David Steward – $11.4 billion David Steward
Steward is the co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, an IT provider valued at $11.4 billion. The company serves clients such as Citi, Verizon, and the federal government.
2. Aliko Dangote – $10.9 billion Aliko Dangote
Dangote is Africa’s richest man and the founder of Dangote Cement. He owns nearly 88% of the publicly traded company and has stakes in salt, sugar, and flour manufacturing firms.
3. Robert F. Smith – $10.8 billion Robert F. Smith
Smith founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000, a private equity firm focusing on software and technology investments. He pledged $50 million to Cornell University and covered student debt for the Morehouse College Class of 2019.
4. Alexander Karp – $9.7 billion Alexander Karp
Karp is the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, a software firm specialising in big data analytics.
5. Mike Adenuga – $6.9 billion Mike Adenuga
Adenuga built his fortune through investments in telecom and oil production. He made his first million at 26, selling lace and distributing soft drinks.
Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in cement production, sugar refining, real estate, and shipping.
7. Michael Jordan – $3.5 billion Michael Jordan
Jordan remains a financial powerhouse with sponsorship deals from Hanes, Gatorade, and Upper Deck, nearly two decades after retiring from basketball.
8. Oprah Winfrey – $3 billion Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey has built a media empire and holds shares in Weight Watchers. She has donated over $100 million to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
9. Patrice Motsepe – $2.8 billion Patrice Motsepe
Motsepe was the first Black African to appear on the Forbes billionaire list in 2008. He is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals.
10. Jay-Z – $2.5 billion Jay-Z
Jay-Z became Hip-Hop’s first billionaire in 2019. His wealth comes from his diverse business ventures, including music, investments, and liquor brands.
Masiyiwa founded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in 1998. His philanthropy through the Higherlife Foundation has supported education for over 250,000 young Africans.
13. Femi Otedola – $1.7 billion Femi Otedola
Otedola owns over 70% of Geregu Power’s shares and has investments in Zenith Bank and FBN Holdings. He owns properties in Lagos, Dubai, London, and Monaco.
14. Earvin “Magic” Johnson – $1.6 billion Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Johnson made his wealth through business ventures, including investments in Starbucks and real estate. He became a billionaire in 2023.
15. Tyler Perry – $1.4 billion Tyler Perry
Perry is a filmmaker and owns Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. His career spans acting, directing, producing, and screenwriting.
16. Tope Awotona – $1.4 billion Tope Awotona
Awotona, a Nigerian immigrant to the US, founded Calendly, a scheduling software company. He previously attempted other business ventures that were unsuccessful.
17. Rihanna – $1.4 billion Rihanna
Rihanna’s wealth comes from her Fenty empire, which has expanded beyond cosmetics to sleepwear and lingerie.
18. Tiger Woods – $1.3 billion Tiger Woods
Woods’ earnings come from his golf career and endorsements with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, and Rolex.
19. Mohammed Ibrahim – $1.3 billion Mohammed Ibrahim
Ibrahim founded Celtel International in 1998, providing mobile services across Africa and the Middle East. He sold the company in 2005 for $1.4 billion.
20. LeBron James – $1.2 billion LeBron James
James has made his fortune through basketball, business ventures, and endorsements with Nike and Coca-Cola. He also owns SpringHill Entertainment.
21. Michael Lee-Chin – $1.2 billion Michael Lee-Chin
The Nigerian-born Wemimo Abbey who is the co-founder of Esusu LLC was also on the Forbes list of American USD billionaires of African descent as of 2024 alongside the two other Nigerian-American USD billionaires, Bayo Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona of Calendly. I'm surprised that Abbey isn't on the same Forbes list as of 2025? His networth couldn't have taken a sharp nose-dive so quickly like that. Stunning!
Regardless, Nigeria has officially produced a total of 8 absolutely certified and legit USD billionaires on the Forbes list and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Aliko Dangote, Michael Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Bayo Ogunlesi, Femi Otedola, Tope Awotona of Calendly, Wemimo Abbey the co-Founder of Esusu LLC, and Mrs. Folorunso Alakija the Vice Chairperson of Famfa Oil and Gas.
TWO are from the North of Nigeria. Both Kano-born [Aliko Dangote (originally of maternal Tuareg OR "Agalawa" long-distance trading Dantata family descent) and Abdulsamad Rabiu (originally of Borno State Kanuri paternal descent)] and SIX are from the South West of Nigeria [Femi Otedola and Mrs. Folorunso Alakija are originally from Epe and Ikorodu in Lagos State respectively, Michael Adenuga, Bayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona are originally from Ogun State]. I've NO idea what state Wemimo Abbey originally hails from BUT he grew up in Lagos State before migrating to the United States.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." — Martin Luther King Jr.
For over two decades, Lagos State has been unjustly denied the recognition of 37 additional local governments, which were legally created under the Nigerian Constitution. This is not a political maneuver—it is a legitimate demand for fairness, equity, and justice. The continuous refusal of the Federal Government and the National Assembly to rectify this anomaly is a clear case of injustice, and as the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied.
THE CREATION OF 37 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT DENIED
In 2003, then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in strict adherence to constitutional provisions, initiated the process of creating new local governments in Lagos. A referendum was conducted, all necessary legal procedures were followed, and the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the law establishing these local governments in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
This legal process was supervised by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the then-Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, who later became Nigeria's Vice President. These local governments were not created arbitrarily; they were established to bring governance closer to the people, ensure equitable development, and address administrative and infrastructural challenges in a state with an exploding population of over 20 million people.
However, despite Lagos following due process, the National Assembly failed to complete its constitutional duty of amending the Constitution to formally recognize these local governments. Instead of supporting Lagos in this democratic exercise, the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo unlawfully withheld federal allocations meant for the existing local governments, crippling development efforts and punishing millions of Lagosians.
Even when the Supreme Court ruled in Lagos' favor, declaring the withholding of funds unconstitutional, the Obasanjo administration blatantly ignored the ruling, further deepening the injustice against Lagos.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF FEDERAL INJUSTICE AGAINST LAGOS
1. WITHHOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS In 2004, President Obasanjo unilaterally withheld local government allocations to Lagos State, citing the state's creation of new local councils as unconstitutional. This action deprived Lagos of crucial funds needed for development.
2. FRUSTRATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS The Obasanjo administration was notorious for obstructing Lagos' initiatives aimed at urban development, transportation, and infrastructure.
3. BLOCKING THE RIGHT OF WAY FOR LAGOS’ BRT PROJECT The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, designed to ease transportation congestion, was actively obstructed by the Federal Government under Obasanjo. Despite the state government's efforts to develop an efficient mass transit system, the administration refused to grant Lagos State the right of way on federal roads within Lagos.
4. THE LAGOS INDEPENDENT POWER PROJECT AND ENRON SABOTAGE Lagos, being Nigeria's economic hub, sought energy independence to ensure stable electricity for its industries and residents. However, the Federal Government, through the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), blocked Lagos from operating its own power grid, frustrating industrial growth and economic development.
LAGOS: THE ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE OF NIGERIA
Lagos is not just a Nigerian state—it is a global city with unique economic, commercial, and strategic significance. It is Nigeria’s primary gateway to the international market, yet it is treated unfairly in federal allocations.
DISPARITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS: THE LAGOS-KANO-JIGAWA PARADOX
Kano State, with a lower population, has 44 local governments.
Jigawa, which was created out of Kano, has 27 local governments.
Katsina has 34 local governments, even though its population is far lower than Lagos.
This imbalance is an insult to the principle of fairness. Local governments should not be created based on landmass but on population and administrative responsibilities.
LANDMARK SUPREME COURT CASES WON BY LAGOS AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
1. CONTROL OVER PHYSICAL PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2003)
Lagos State won its right to control urban planning without federal interference.
2. ALLOCATION OF REVENUE FROM NATURAL RESOURCES Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-General of Abia State & 35 Ors (2002)
Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lagos and other littoral states for revenue allocation.
3. WITHHOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2004)
The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Government had no right to withhold Lagos’ funds.
10 BENEFITS OF THE NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
1 Closer governance to the grassroots
2.More efficient delivery of public services
3.Increased job creation and economic opportunities
4. Improved security and law enforcement
5.Better infrastructural development
6.Enhanced healthcare and primary education services
7.More equitable allocation of resources
8.Strengthened political representation for residents
9 Increased internally generated revenue (IGR) for Lagos
10 A model for other Nigerian states to emulate for balanced governance
CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAGOS STATE
SECURITY: Lagos State has its own security network, including the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and partnerships with federal agencies.
INFRASTRUCTURE: It has the largest number of roads, bridges, and transportation systems in Nigeria.
EDUCATION: Lagos has the highest number of primary schools and primary health centers in the country.
EMPLOYMENT: The state is the largest employer of labor in Nigeria.
TRANSPORTATION: Lagos has the largest car ownership and human population in West Africa to cater to.
A CALL FOR JUSTICE: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST RECOGNIZE LAGOS’ 37 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Lagos has been treated unfairly for too long. The refusal to recognize its additional local governments is an injustice that must be corrected immediately.
The National Assembly must amend the Constitution to recognize Lagos' 57 local governments.
The Federal Government must release allocations meant for Lagos' local governments.
Lagosians must unite to demand their rightful share of governance, resources, and representation.
Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy and the face of Africa’s global competitiveness.
THE TIME FOR JUSTICE IS NOW.
First off, I can confirm that the well-written article right ABOVE by Prince Adeyemi Aseperi-Shonibare is historically accurate and some highly ignorant and obviously younger posters right from Pg 1 of this thread CLEARLY do NOT know that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the release of the seized Lagos State LGA allocations and stated the legality of the new 37 LGAs that were constitutionally created through a referendum by Lagos State in 2003 to cater for the huge Lagos population. It was simply Obasanjo that used his political influence back then to block all the developmental moves being made by Lagos State simply because Lagos State wasn't a PDP-governed state. That was a very vile and vindictive behavior exhibited by OBJ at that time. The positives from that vile unilateral withholding of Lagos State's LGA funds back in 2004 by OBJ's government is that it further motivated the then Governor Bola Tinubu (and his dynamic economic team) to move in uncharted waters and applied his financial skills as an accountant and auditor to creatively increase the IGR of Lagos State from less than N1 billion to over a N1 billion and as of today, Lagos State can literally survive without any monthly allocations from the Federation account as announced by former Governor Babatunde Raji-Fasola when he was in charge of Lagos State.
As of today, former President Obasanjo likes to talk and act like he's a real democrat thinking that those of us who are older have forgotten all the very despicable things he did to "militarily" undermine the progress of Lagos State which he (and his Lagos PDP lieutenants such as Bode George, Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe and more) never bothered to hide from the public. As fate would have it, Prince Ogunlewe later aligned himself with Lagos APC after he dumped PDP. He was used as the then Minister of Works to prevent Lagos State from fixing some very bad Federal roads within Lagos State despite the abandonment and non-release of funds for those roads for years.
Great100000: The Oyo State government is set to explore opportunities in greenhouse technology to enhance tomato production in the state, the Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency and Executive Adviser on Agribusiness to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Debo Akande, has said.
Akande made this known on Friday during a visit to Makinde by a Dutch delegation led by the Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nigeria, Mr. Michel Deelen.
According to Akande, the governor had already given a marching order for the initiative, which aims to establish about 50 greenhouses for tomato production in the state to complement the efforts of smallholder farmers cultivating in open fields.
These remarks were contained in a release issued on Friday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital.
The OYSADA DG stated that the Netherlands delegation was ready to collaborate with Oyo State on tomato production. He also noted that the state had made significant strides in the agriculture value chain, particularly in cassava production.
He further explained that following Makinde’s recent trip to Ethiopia, where he addressed the African Business Forum, the state was also focusing on soya bean production. He added that the Netherlands delegation’s visit would provide Oyo State with an opportunity to expand tomato production on a large scale.
Akande said, “This is probably going to be the best thing that will happen to our state in recent times; the evolution that is happening in the agribusiness sector.
“What we have now is that Oyo State is working on a diverse value-chain where we are working strongly on cassava. We are good at that. We also have the marching order to start working on soya beans because of what we came up with in our meeting in Ethiopia and the African Business Forum.
“We are already developing an accelerated system around soya bean transformation. Now, the next opportunity that is coming is about horticulture and this is speaking to tomatoes.
“It is not as if we have not been doing something about tomatoes, but we have not done enough. So, this visit by the Dutch government to His Excellency is providing the opportunity for us to accelerate and expand on what we are doing on tomatoes.
“We all know what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a gap between demand and supply from the South to the North over tomatoes and we don’t want that to happen again.
“The second thing is that we always know the volatility in terms of pricing tomatoes at a particular season in the year when it becomes so expensive, and at a point, there is excess. That should not be happening at all. We should have tomatoes all year at a reasonable price.
“People who have mastered tomato production in the world are the Israelis and the Dutch. Today, we have the Netherlands and we are willing to learn how they have done it, because they have a massive production of tomatoes.
“What they have done is to invest in greenhouses and they use greenhouses in the country because of their temperature, which could be cold and hot. Here, we can use greenhouses because we have demonstrated their use through a private sector company at the Oyo State Transformation Centre at Fasola and we have seen that the greenhouse technology works.
“That company has produced tomatoes via greenhouse technology and it has been supplying to markets in the state but that is not enough. If we are talking about production for consumption within the state, we need to accelerate.
“The partnership with the Dutch government is going to help us accelerate. This is why the governor has given us a marching order. He wants to see about 50 of these greenhouses producing tomatoes in our state to complement what our smallholder farmers are doing in the open field.
“The Dutch government is going to support, while the Oyo State government will continue to provide an enabling environment and the right facilities for this to grow.”
Speaking earlier, the Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Deelen, stated that the delegation that visited Governor Makinde was on a trade mission, which included about 15 Dutch companies specializing in seeds, horticulture, and greenhouse technology.
He said that the visit was to discuss the role of government and explore how they could collaborate with the Oyo State Government to boost horticulture production.
He said, “We brought people from Westland, and other people from the horticulture sector, to exchange information and see how together we can make sure that production of horticulture products increases in Oyo State.
“We felt there is a huge demand in the South-West, not just Ibadan or Lagos. Lagos does not have the landmass to produce all that but Oyo State has.
“The ordinary person on the street tends to gain different things from this partnership if he is interested in horticulture or getting a job in that sector, because it is also about job creation.
“On the other hand, if the average person on the street is a consumer, he will see that the quality of tomatoes and other farm products in the market will increase and that could be visible.”
Similarly, Agricultural Counsellor at the Consulate-General Office, Inge Tenniglo, stated that the Dutch government was willing to collaborate with Nigeria to enhance both the quality and quantity of tomato production.
That's highly impressive with 50 greenhouses being planned for the project to grow tomatoes all-year round. The focus should NOT just be on greenhouse tomatoes, BUT peppers, strawberries, ornamental flowers for export, etc.
Oyo State (which has the largest land mass in the South of Nigeria, followed by Cross River State) and the other contiguous states must include other agricultural commodities in the mix and there's a lot of advanced export expertise on the part of the Dutch with regards to that agribusiness ecosystem.
With a small landmass, I can indeed confirm that the Dutch who came with a high-powered business delegation to Oyo State led by the Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have been able to do a lot of sustainable agribusiness exports over the decades using advanced technologies.
hush15: You are right but you can't refute the fact, that he has vested interest in that group. Of course, just like Alpha beta, TVC and the likes, you won't see Tinubu's name in the shareholders list but he is a pivotal stakeholder in these coys where he has strong interest and control, and Chagoury isn't an exception.
@hush15
I totally agree with all that you stated, BUT the guy I quoted gave the impression that Tinubu owns 100% of Hitech which I specifically debunked. Some impressionable people would read that misleading post and assume that all he posted is correct, meanwhile the reverse is the case. The Lebanese-Nigerian Chagoury family founded the Chagoury Group of companies and there are other non-family affiliated directors and shareholders in that company. I personally have issues with people who do NOT have creative thinking and problem-solving skills who just like to complain relentlessly while playing the victim. I usually keep such people at arms length if they refuse to simply be still, listen, learn, and change from right within.
Creative solutions to most of life's global challenges are right in front of everyone but they just can't see them because of their negative confirmation biases and destructive thinking. Many people will NEVER succeed in life if they relentlessly give off negative vibrations such as scapegoating others, making hate-filled comments and more which end up giving them discordant and negative results in their lives. These are universal principles.
Eriokanmi: Every country borrows but the performance of that loan is another thing. The massively inflated lagos calabar coastal road is uncalled for. Tinubu and Co are in power to protect and grow their business.
Hitech, which happens to be his company was also awarded part of the road project. The moment he was vying for that position, he resigned from being director and put his son their. The loan they take still gets back into their pockets while the masses keep paying back.
When we say vote wisely, it's not because we have any interest in whoever candidate we prefer but for the collective gains of the entire masses.
@Eriokanmi
That's totally incorrect.
Hitech belongs to the Chagoury family and NOT President Bola Tinubu like you incorrectly stated in your post. The company is an integral part of the Chagoury Group owned by a Lebanese-Nigerian family. Go online and you will see it clearly stated on the Chagoury Group Website.
There's NO doubt, it was the Public-Private Partnership between Lagos State under the then Governor Tinubu and Chagoury Group that saved Victoria Island (Iruland) and surrounding areas from being totally submerged by the raging waters of the Atlantic Ocean which we witnessed back in the late 1990s right into the 2000s and now the Eko Atlantic City has risen like the mythical Egyptian Phoenix out of that tragedy that destroyed the Bar Beach and flooded many Victoria Island streets. Chagoury Group has indeed done a lot of advanced professional construction work in Lagos State and Nigeria and this informs why Hitech, a division of Chagoury Group has gotten road construction contracts as well in Lagos State and Nigeria just like any other qualified Nigerian-owned construction company. So, you have to get your facts right.
INTEGRITYA1: I had similar experience to back out from contesting for CDS Leader during my NYSC more than 10 years ago in Sokoto State. Sabon Bini Local Government.
I was to contest for the CNC under Road Safety CDS but fear took over me that I’m not going to win and I was thinking about withdrawing from the contest.
Then I saw a quotation from one book I was reading then about Courage and it was timely.
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win and trying when you know you can lose”
That simple quotation about courage was a game changer and I took it upon myself never to backdown.
I was surprised to win the election by good margin and ever since then I came to realization that, fear and self doubt are greatest enemies to human potential.
True that...
“Courage is the discovery that you may not win and trying when you know you can lose”
Maxymilliano: President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he nearly abandoned his 2023 presidential ambition following a moment of doubt during the election campaign.
“I almost dropped the idea of running for President,” Tinubu revealed on Saturday night at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he also thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming goodwill and prayers on his 73rd birthday.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the excerpts of the President’s speech in a statement signed in the early hours of Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu appreciates Nigerians for birthday well wishes, reveals he nearly quit 2023 presidential race.’
Reflecting on the pressures he faced, the President recounted how a close relative visited him in the middle of the night and questioned his resolve.
“Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns. One came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle.
“He told me, ‘The currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?’
“I told him, ‘I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.’ I gave him the N50,000. As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘I don’t think you will make it.’ I replied, ‘I will make it.’”
Tinubu added, “I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me.
“When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back.”
In his address, the President recognised the difficulties encountered along the path to the presidency and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress.
Tinubu also noted that he assumed office during a period of economic challenges and had to make swift decisions, including scrapping the fuel subsidy on his inauguration day.
“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal.
“The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone.
“The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future,” said Tinubu.
Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the President’s leadership style, saying his decisions have tackled issues that haunted previous administrations.
He said, “Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.
“These were the thorny issues that many before him sidestepped. But Asiwaju did not sidestep history; he came to rewrite it.
“And in rewriting it, Asiwaju has taken the bullets that many before him simply lacked the courage to face. But that is the thing about true leadership: it is not for those who seek comfort. It is for those who understand that the path to national greatness is lined with difficult choices.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio applauded the President’s “relentless passion for national development” and described him as the “most audacious president” in Nigeria’s history.
“If I were a governor under your administration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” he remarked, adding that under Tinubu’s watch, governors receive more allocation.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu also commended the President for supporting him politically in 2019, even though they were from different regions.
“Today, he is at the forefront because Nigeria needs him. In 2019, despite not being from his region, he supported me in my most difficult political moment. Nigeria needs leaders who rise above tribal considerations, and he has demonstrated that,” said Kalu.
Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State praised Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” amid national uncertainties, stating that only a leader with “deep conviction and love for the country” could take the necessary but often difficult steps.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijjani, who spoke on behalf of cabinet members, recounted his appointment under the President despite prior activism.
He added that a senior World Bank official had recently described Tinubu as “the best reformist leader in Africa today.”
One of the President’s childhood friends, Professor Shaffideen Amuwo, recalled their early years, attributing Tinubu’s rise to divine providence.
Amuwo said, “Our relationship did not just start in Chicago; we played soccer together as children. While I chose the library, my brother chose politics because he loved to speak.
“Today, Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria.
“The city of Chicago, founded by a Black man, has educated the man who now leads the most populous Black nation on earth. I pray that Allah continues to hold his hand and guide him as he works to save our country.”
For his 73rd birthday, Tinubu thanked guests and supporters who have stood by him through periods of doubt and adversity, reaffirming his resolve to steer Nigeria toward stability and growth.
Saturday night’s event was attended by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana; members of the Federal Executive Council; principal officers of the National Assembly; current and former governors; diplomats; business leaders; religious figures; and several of the President’s childhood friends.
The Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Dr. Abdulkadir Sholagberu, led prayers seeking divine guidance for the President and the nation.
Azikiwe defended Ironsi take over in a BBC interview by saying that power had been abdicated to him by members of the Tafa Belewa cabinet.
Lamba "Nationalist" Azikiwe (Ibo), handed over ceremonial presidency to Nwafor Orizu (ibo) and 33 MPs (Ibo), who were the ones who signed the abdication letter ceding power to Ironsi (Ibo) following an Ifeajuna (Ibo) led coup.
emkz: Capital punishment does not have any meaning in NYSC context. It means capital punishment, i.e., decapitation.
The presidential aide was wrong, and an apology would not be out of order.
As for those asking about the NYSC rules flouted, NYSC bye-laws are publicly available. Go to the website and read where it talks about insubordination to constituted authority. You can ask what constitutes insubordination.
Assuming you argue that calling the boss of her institution terrible does not amount to insubordination, when she was asked to delete the video, did she obey immediately?
She claimed to have been threatened. How many have asked her to explain what constitutes a threat?
She wasn't threatened. She is playing the victim here, just like Senator you know who.
They said she posted a video that NYSC considered to be in bad taste. Ordinarily, Tinubu would not even care. He himself said he didn't read social media because they abused hell out of him. When NYSC asked her to delete the video, it was probably more to protect her and ensure there is discipline in the scheme. By telling a lie that she was victimized, she has blown a simple case that has given her negative publicity. She'd enjoy the fame, then what next?
These social media urchins want to blow. Are they ready to manage the "blowing"? Temporary social media fame is like gas that escapes when you open fizzy drinks. Once it goes, it will never come back, except you continue doing more things to produce more gas. Do you want this type of depressing life?
Do not let the likes of Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and Inibehe Effiong deceive you. They'd milk your foolishness to enhance their public image and leave you to dry to move on to the next exciting public matter.
Nicely put.
Your submission above is about the BEST I've read on this thread.
Effective communication is key here. What the Presidential aide really meant in his original statement was capital "PUNISHMENT" with ONLY the word "punishment" in capital letters and NOT "capital punishment" which in absolute terms means the "death penalty."
However, some words or phrases can be used metaphorically OR colloquially by certain in-house institutions or sports clubs in the United States and elsewhere in the world such as the phrase "death penalty" which is simply a code phrase or colloquial term meaning you have been "penalized" for an offense and NOT a real death penalty.
So, the Presidential aide should have made himself CLEARER in his original communication to prevent his words being misinterpreted by the largely gullible public who easily get manipulated based on their primordial biases, by the relentless defamations and deliberate disinformation being published by the highly dubious Peoples Gazette, Fij, Omoyele Sowore, online trolls and the insidious secessionist groups.
Last but not least, I listened fully two days ago to the excerpts of that NYSC girl's rants and she irresponsibly and CLEARLY said "the President is terrible." The idea of scapegoating just one man (just like many semi-literates and ignorant people who lack creative problem-solving skills and critical thinking have been doing) for the state of artificial inflation and high cost of foods and transportation revealed her deep naivety as a so-called Uni graduate. In reality, it's the Governors of states such as Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, or the ones in Ogun and Kano, etc, (who are much closer to the masses) that are largely responsible for ensuring that the price control of food items, transportation and services are regulated locally. Price regulations of transportation and food items is largely within the PURVIEW of all these Governors and NOT President Tinubu alone. Even before the so-called 2023 subsidiary removal, I've always advocated for the use of CNG-fueled food trucks and CNG-fueled cargo trains to bring foods cheaply to the urban areas via the railway system. CNG is far cheaper at about N250 per standard cubic ft of CNG than the more expensive PMS or diesel from Dangote Petrochemical Refinery. PMS will NEVER help in reducing the cost of transportation, food items and production because crude oil sales is tied to FX being that crude oil is an international commodity. ONLY CNG fuel will lower costs in 2025 and the state Governors must lead the way here by LEASING many CNG-fueled food trucks to bring foods cheaply from the agricultural hinterlands of their various states OR from the North of Nigeria to the South of Nigeria and vice versa. The Nigerian Railway trains and passenger ferries in Lagos State's water ways can be converted to use dual CNG-diesel fuel as well. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other Governors have to act fast on these while working to lower the cost of food items with all the market unions to prevent the usual hoarding by very greedy market people when prices begin to drop. The solution to artificial inflation is so simple! Enough of the pussyfootings.
Not be rude to constituted authority Any member who is rude to constituted authority shall be tried by the Corps Disciplinary Committee and, if found guilty, be liable to extension of service for a period not less than thirty (30) days with half pay.
The bye-laws will definitely be made stiffer to guard against any future unguarded abuse.
PressMyButton: Former presidential Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has described President Bola Tinubu as his father.
Ngelale made the remark while celebrating Tinubu, who clocks 73 today, March 29. In a statement he signed on Saturday, the former media aide disclosed that Tinubu is the “last man standing” because when all odds are stacked against you, he is rooting for you and guiding you to success.
On September 7, 2024, Ngelale stepped down from his position as Tinubu’s spokesman. Ngelale also stepped down as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
A statement by the presidency said Ngelale submitted a memo to Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his plan to proceed on indefinite leave.
The former presidential spokesman explained that he stepped down to deal with medical matters affecting his nuclear family.
However, the statement titled “My Father, My President, Happy Birthday,” reads: “On my first day serving in the present government, I only knew H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as my President. My Boss. The leader of our great nation, Nigeria.
“I had not had the privilege of being around him, except on two brief occasions before that day, despite a very active campaign effort on his behalf.
“I could not have known then that I would find in him my most profound mentor and nothing less than a father in the truest sense of the word.
“The President has been nicknamed the Last Man Standing.
“The last man standing does not merely describe a man who heroically campaigned across all nooks of our federation against institutional forces who conspired to deny our population its currency and fuel.
“The last man standing does not also merely describe Daddy as the perpetual winner, triumphant over perpetual candidates, who has won every election he has ever participated in dating back to his school days.
“For those who have the rare privilege of knowing him, he is the last man standing in your corner when all odds are stacked against you; rooting you on and guiding you to success.
“Daddy taught me that the cost and value of rigorous mentorship is the price of a glorious future and that it is only paid back once it is paid forward to the next generation.
“Daddy taught me that appropriate patience and strategic restraint will defeat hard power.
“Daddy taught me that consistent persuasion born out of sincere conviction will break the coercive grip of those who beguile and bully others into submission.
“There are too many invaluable morsels of wisdom and expertise gleaned in the presence of my father to share in this short recognition, but I am and will always be honoured to be associated with our nation’s greatest reformer. “On this special day, I turn to my Father: Daddy, I thank you for making the selfless and deliberate choice to use your life’s candlelight to kindle the candle flames of those who will illuminate this dark world for generations to come.
“May God Almighty strengthen you with divine wisdom, peace, health, and all that is required of you to deliver the country of our dreams. Happy Birthday.”
GistMedia0: A young lady has taken to social media to share her distress after her ex-boyfriend asked her to vacate the apartment he had rented for her. In a viral video, she showed her packed luggage, lamenting how she had no choice but to move out since their relationship had ended.
The incident quickly ignited reactions online, with social media users divided on the matter. While some criticized the lady for playing the victim, others sympathized with her situation.
"When he rented the apartment, we didn’t hear online. It’s time to move out, and now you’re playing the victim. Madam, if you can’t afford rent, go back to your father’s house," one user commented.
Others, however, defended her, with one saying, "May God not let me meet men like this o. Ladies, this is why you should have your own money and not depend on a ‘boyfriend.’ God forbid."
ijustdey: Mr Udughan warened that he would take legal action against Mr Nwebonyi if he fails to apologise within 14 days
Emmanuel Uduaghan, the husband of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has demanded a public apology from Ebonyi North Senator, Onyekachi Nwebonyi over his statement alleging that he married the suspended Kogi senator under duress.
Mr Uduaghan, a traditional chief of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, South-south Nigeria, gave Mr Nwebonyi a 14-day ultimatum to issue a written apology and ensure its circulation across media platforms.
He warned that failure to comply, the matter would lead to legal action.
The demand was conveyed through a letter dated 27 March and written by Mr Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Nwebonyi’s controversial public appearances Mr Nwebonyi has been actively defending the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, against allegations of sexual harassment made by the Kogi senator.
As the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Mr Nwebonyi has appeared on multiple television platforms to support Mr Akpabio, consistently presenting himself as a witness to what transpired in Akwa Ibom between the senate president and Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He consistently claimed to have been present on the day Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Mr Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to the senate president’s residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
On Tuesday, Mr Nwebonyi represented the senate president at a hearing on the sexual harassment allegations before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The session later escalated into a heated verbal exchange between him and a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.
In a recent interview on News Central Television, Mr Nwebonyi alleged that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan pressured her husband into marriage through blackmail, claiming that their union was established under duress.
“In my own assessment she is not among the beautiful women in Nigeria and it is high time we come hard on her and why people like us are speaking on top of our voice is not just to protect and defend the senate president but to protect and defend her future victims. Even her present husband, she married him out of something like this. She threatened to sue the man. I have a letter circulated over the world that the man should pay her N10 billion or marry her under duress.
“So the marriage was under duress. A product of blackmail. I was watching a video of how the father of the first wife of the husband narrated her ordeal. This lady came into their family, destabilised the family and took over her husband. And without going into her character, ask Senator Natasha how many husbands has she had in her life at the age of 47 or 45,” Mr Nwebonyi said during the interview on News Central TV.
Defamation and reputational damage
In the letter, Mr Uduaghan’s lawyer refuted the allegations and emphasised that the senator and her husband are well-respected personalities.
“The said defamatory statements made by you were widely circulated by users of other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and many more within and outside Nigeria with the intention of damaging the reputation of our clients.
“Contrary to the malicious words spoken by you, our clients are very respectable, successful, result oriented and self-decision driven members of the Nigerian Society. Chief Uduaghan is a very successful businessman, community leader, high chief and philanthropist, known for upholding cherished values of the Nigerian society to the admiration of many,” the lawyer said.
The legal counsel noted that the defamatory statements had caused embarrassment, distrust, and damage to the couple’s reputation among family, friends, and associates.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a successful Nigerian politician, opinion moulder, defender of the needy, efficient wife and mother well admired at home and abroad.
“Since you uttered your said defamatory words that were widely aired, some family members, friends, political and business associates of our clients now view them with a strange level of disdain and distrust. Our clients have been deeply embarrassed by the extent and effect of your false and malicious words,” he said.
Public apology or legal action
Mr Uduaghan’s lawyer, however, demanded that Mr Nwebonyi should issue a public apology within 14 days of receiving the letter and that the apology must be prominently aired on News Central Television and widely circulated across social media platforms where the defamatory statements were spread.
“Consequently, we hereby demand a written apology from you within 14 days from the date of your receipt of this letter. The apology should be widely circulated. It must, in particular, be aired on News Central TV and published by various social media platforms which published your defarnatory words,” the lawyer said.
The counsel warned that failure to comply would result in legal action to seek redress for the reputational damage inflicted on Mr Uduaghan and his wife.
Sen. Nwebonyi was too forward and personal in his comments on TV there... Yes, there's a very LUCID court document from a PH-based law firm which Natasha used to bring up some serious relationship and work specifics to the attention of her current spouse circulating online, but he should have been more circumspect and NOT said more than is needed which has further bruised the ego of Natasha's Itsekiri high chief spouse. That's a violation of the "bro code" in my opinion.
Regardless, he can either choose to take back some of the needless words used in the impending public apology within the 14-day time frame given to him, OR fight on in the court of law with all the pressures and distractions. Period.
benjackugo: Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, got married to Aisha Shinkafi Saidu, the daughter of Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu in Abuja on Friday, January 15, IgbereTV reports.
Bankole, who divorced his first wife in 2017, has been in a sizzling relationship with Aisha, a trained lawyer and graduate of the University of Hull in the UK.
Fulani’s have taken the streets of Uromi in protest after the Youths of Uromi burnt and killed alleged Fulani Kidnappers.
After the jungle justice occurred, the Fulani’s came out in numbers to protest.
Full video above.
Are these Fulanis or Hausas?
Fulanis largely do NOT engage in hunting in the forests for game with Dane guns, BUT they are cattle herders. It's the Hausas and a few other Northern and Southern ethnicities engage in hunting for game in the forests of Northern and Southern Nigeria.
I have no doubt that those killed are NOT Fulanis as suggested in this video and others BUT Hausa folks. Again, a stop must be made to hunters moving interstate without valid gun licences because of the deep suspicions for years now over the relentless cases of foreign Fulani herders banditry. The Fulanis are a minority ethnicity of NOT more than 25 million people in the entire West African countries where they are found, yet they come into Nigeria Illegally to wreck havoc against indigenous Nigerian ethnic groups that are larger than them.
And, according to Charlie Robertson, an Africa-focused economist, Chinese companies and banks nearly always want to be “close to the money” when they invest in Africa.
“This means they like involvement with companies or countries that have a reliable export revenue stream. Nigerian oil and gas companies satisfy that criteria,” said Robertson, author of The Time-Travelling Economist, a book about issues facing poorer nations.
BOOM... "The Time-Travelling Economist", a book about issues facing poorer nations.
I have to buy this book by Charlie Robertson right ABOVE to bounce more insights and ideas off of him.
jazzman7711: International experts have noted that China's relationship with NIGERIA is different from her relationship with most other African countries. They have noted that there is greater emphasis on local manufacturing as opposed to extraction of raw materials for export by Chinese investors in Nigeria, and that this trend could be the key to Nigeria's industrialisation, with a further 200 major Chinese companies registering their interest in establishing businesses in Nigeria.
..........................
Nigeria courts Chinese investment as interest booms in oil, gas and bigger opportunities Abuja pushes for shift towards value-added exports amid increasing concern about trade imbalance that favours Beijing.
Nigeria is actively courting Chinese investment with the establishment of a dedicated office to streamline partnerships just months after President Bola Tinubu’s return from Beijing.
In September, the Nigerian president attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing and carried out a state visit to China, and since then more than 200 Chinese companies have expressed interest in investing in Nigeria. It followed the signing of the Nigeria-China relationship agreement last year, with 74 of those companies specifically focused on the oil and gas industry.
According to a statement by Jaafaru Yakubu, chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relationship, on March 5, the shift was “signalling a major boost for the sector”.
While China obtains oil from sources closer to home, such as from Russia, observers note that its growing engagement with Nigeria is driven by broader opportunities, including infrastructure projects and access to the West African nation’s large market.
Historically, little of Nigeria’s oil and gas has been refined domestically, “so this is probably an area where value can be added to Nigeria’s exports, and relatively easily”, according to Lauren Johnston, a specialist in China-Africa relations and associate professor at the University of Sydney’s China Studies Centre.
Until recently, Nigeria has relied heavily on imported refined petroleum products despite the country being Africa’s largest oil producer. But the recently built mega Dangote oil refinery – owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote – can process 650,000 barrels of oil a day.
For now, China is less dependent on Nigeria’s oil overall since it buys from closer markets such as Russia and the Middle East, according to Johnston.
“So, adding value to Nigeria’s oil and gas exports may be as much about investor opportunity for China and Nigeria’s overall trade opportunities, and probably less about trade with China,” Johnston said.
Nigeria, the largest economy in West Africa, has a huge infrastructure deficit and has had to turn to China to fund the upgrade of its oil and gas facilities, construction of railway lines, highways and ports. Crude petroleum and gas exports account for more than 85 per cent of the country’s total exports but because of underfunding, production dropped from a high of 2 million barrels a day in the 1980s to about 1.5 million in recent years.
In addition to its value as an oil producer, Nigeria appeals to Chinese companies as a market for their goods. As the continent’s most populous nation with more than 227 million people, Nigeria has Africa’s largest consumer market with potential for further growth.
Already, Nigeria is China’s largest engineering contract market in Africa, with many Chinese engineering firms thriving in the country, according to Yu Dunhai, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria.
And, according to Charlie Robertson, an Africa-focused economist, Chinese companies and banks nearly always want to be “close to the money” when they invest in Africa.
“This means they like involvement with companies or countries that have a reliable export revenue stream. Nigerian oil and gas companies satisfy that criteria,” said Robertson, author of The Time-Travelling Economist, a book about issues facing poorer nations.
According to John Calabrese, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, the interest of Chinese companies is not just about tapping into Nigeria’s abundant natural resources but also about driving broader industrialisation.
Calabrese said that with projects such as the Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park, Chinese firms might be helping set the stage to transform the sector by financing modern infrastructure and laying the foundation for diversified industrial growth.
In January, Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC), a subsidiary of the UAE-based Alpha Group, partnered with China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation (CNCEC) to develop, construct and finance the US$20 billion industrial estate in Ogidigben, Delta State.
“So, beyond the oil and gas sector, the Nigeria-China relationship agreement signals potential expansion into other areas such as manufacturing, transport and telecommunications, suggesting a diversification of Nigeria’s economic base with Chinese support,” Calabrese said.
But Nigeria, while acknowledging China as its largest trade partner, was increasingly concerned about the significant trade imbalance that favoured Beijing, according to Ovigwe Eguegu, a policy analyst at the Beijing-based consultancy Development Reimagined. The imbalance has been a key point of discussion during recent ministerial-level bilateral meetings.
Eguegu said the energy and natural resources sector could address the trade balance and Abuja was now pushing for a shift towards value-added exports, rather than simply supplying raw materials.
“The energy and natural resource sector is an easy way for Nigeria to boost exports to China,” he said.
Nigeria was emphasising value-adding for its minerals, such as lithium, and there was already Chinese investment into a lithium processing plant in central Nigeria.
Also under way was a new US$7.9 billion green hydrogen project with investment from China that would produce 1.2 million tonnes of green hydrogen-based methanol annually for export, along with medical oxygen and food-grade carbon dioxide, Eguegu said.
China’s consistent trade surplus with Nigeria is largely because of the West African nation’s reliance on Chinese manufactured goods, according to Johnston.
Nigeria’s total crude petroleum exports reached US$43.5 billion in 2023, with the United States receiving US$4.73 billion of the total as well as exports to France (US$4.38 billion) and the Netherlands (US$3.73 billion).
In contrast, Nigeria’s crude petroleum exports to China amounted to only US$409 million, and petroleum gas exports to China were US$995 million, according to trade data site the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).
Last year, China shipped goods worth US$18.9 billion to Nigeria but imports, including oil, from the African country only stood at US$2.98 billion, according to Chinese customs data.
Johnston said that China as an investor “wants to be there, since not only can this compensate for the trade imbalance, but Nigeria also has solid and scalable pockets of human capital and industry capability”.
“Nigeria is a rare country in Africa offering both a relatively large domestic consumer market alongside industry and talent bases of size,” she said.
Interesting insights. It is hoped that the plans and partnerships will pan out positively for the benefit of all down the road. The Chinese have a history right from the 1960s of delivering capital-intensive construction projects such as railways, dams and more in Africa at cheaper costs than those from Western companies. However, they rely more on human labor, hence labor and employment laws have to be carefully looked into by governments in Africa when the Chinese are involved to prevent potential plunder and exploitation as seen in some of the gold mine operations of Ghana and the mining regions in parts of Northern Nigeria where Chinese men have been accused of smuggling out undocumented precious minerals and pangolins which are protected species.
Nevertheless, Chinese technological expertise has grown since 1980 and if properly harnessed by a country such as Nigeria will be of immense benefit for sustainable growth and development.
jazzman7711: Russia's Top Automaker Targets Nigerian Market as Local Manufacturing Plans Take Shape
Russia’s largest automaker, AvtoVAZ is making a significant move into the Nigerian market as plans for a local assembly plant gain momentum.
- Russia's largest automaker, plans to establish a vehicle manufacturing plant, spare parts hub and service center in Nigeria.
- Nigeria's automobile market is one of the largest in Africa, driven by a growing population and urbanization-
AvtoVAZ's entry into the Nigerian market aims to offer affordable, locally-built vehicles to compete with imported used cars and other new models
This development marks a new phase in Nigeria’s efforts to attract foreign investment and boost local manufacturing capacity, as the automaker moves forward with plans to establish an assembly plant in the country.
Techcabal reports that the automaker, AvtoVAZ, best known for its Lada brand of affordable passenger cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, is expanding into Nigeria as part of its strategy to diversify operations beyond its domestic market.
The company, majority-owned by the Russian government, plans to establish a spare parts hub and service center in Lagos by the end of 2025, marking a significant foray into West Africa's largest economy
The automaker also plans to establish a local assembly plant, a development which aligns with Nigeria’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan.
This will reduce vehicle import dependency and encourage local production.
By setting up operations in Nigeria, the automaker is positioning itself to meet growing demand while leveraging the country’s vast market potential.
AvtoVAZ leverages Nigeria's CNG policy
....AvtoVAZ aims to capitalize on Nigeria's shift towards alternative fuel vehicles by establishing a compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion plant in partnership with a Russian engineering firm.
Adewole Opeyemi, AvtoVAZ's representative in Nigeria, while speaking with Techcabal noted that the plant, when completed, will enable Lada cars to be fitted with gas-powered engines, either at the factory or through local conversions.
“If you bring CNG cars to Nigeria, you don’t pay any duties, which is why we are in talks with the relevant agencies,” Opeyemi said. “Some Lada cars will arrive with factory-fitted gas-powered engines, while others will be converted locally by Russian specialists.”
.........Nigeria’s automobile market is one of the largest in Africa, driven by a growing population of over 230 million people and increasing urbanization.
The country relies heavily on imported vehicles, with over 400,000 units brought in annually, while local production remains limited.
Used vehicles (commonly called Tokunbo) account for about 70% of total car sales in Nigeria due to affordability concerns.
However, the emergence of several local manufacturers has started shifting the market, providing Nigerians with more options for purchasing brand-new cars.
That's interesting and it brings back memories for me.
The Russian LADA car brand was indeed very popular in Nigeria right from the oil boom era in the early 1970s. My father bought the iconic Russian (USSR) LADA saloon car model as well and a brand new Russian-made Moscovich, a new Volvo among other brand new family vehicles we had from back in the 1970s right into the 1980s. Life was very good back then in terms of vehicle financing and purchase options.
The difference right now is that the LADA cars that will made in Lagos State towards the end of 2025 will be CNG-fitted right from the factory and you do NOT have to undergo any conversions.
NORD CNG vehicles, Lanre Shittu Motors CNG vehicles in Amuwo Odofin, Proforce and others will have to remain relevant by coming up with creative vehicle purchase or vehicle financing strategies for potential buyers to ensure that they remain relevant because LADA will be coming with their own advanced expertise in the CNG vehicle manufacturing space. I wish all the vehicle players the best.
chimuanya24: Back in the day, a lot of married men dey cheat and also engage in extra marital affairs with reckless abandon. Some even do it to the knowledge of their wives. Who see it as a normal thing then.
But it seems married ladies of today aint willing to take any shit from their partners. Once their hubby cheat on them, they disengage from the marriage one time!
The likes of Mabel Makun, Elsie Okpocha, and Sonia Ighalo, represent the new Naija women...
helinues: Patriotic Nigerians are wishing you happy 73rd birthday. Age with grace his Excellency
He has to be CLEARLY intentional about dealing with the high level of FAKE news and disinformation being spewed out by insidious secessionist websites, Peoples Gazette, and Omoyele Sowore's online publication. NOT doing so can bring down any government. I hate it when folks like him try to be politically correct in the name of freedom of speech. You don't allow such high levels of disinformation B.S. in the social media and AI age when FAKE and bad news easily spreads fast.
One thing I like about him is that if he is WRONG, he listens to corrections. That's what he needs to consistently do by listening to the folks or masses and he and the state Governors MUST ensure that they use CNG-FUELED trains and leased CNG-fueled food trucks to URGENTLY bring cheaper commodities and food cargoes from the North to the South of Nigeria and vice versa in order to lower the costs of transportation and food items in the markets of Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, etc, and NOT allow greedy people to arbitrarily fix prices any how thereby causing artificial inflation. CNG is the cheapest fuel available and it's far cheaper at N250/standard cubic feet of CNG gas than Dangote Petrochemical Refinery's PMS. That's the ONLY way he and the State Governors can endear themselves to the people in 2025. Period.
Guestmale: As you rightly said, these purveyors of fake and unsubstantiated news are prospering because they knew there are many gullibles out there that will buy their story no matter how stupid the story look like because it fits into their already bias and resentment mind
@Guestmale
I appreciate your feedback here. It's indeed disturbing that the Federal Government, the legislature and the State Governors are being politically correct by NOT taking timely punitive actions against these online publications that spew out FAKE stories. This isn't freedom of speech BUT deliberate disinformation.
The Federal Government (led by the Nigerian President Tinubu is particularly a major culprit here because he seems NOT to realize that image management is key and NOT political correctness) has to take action! The government appears WEAK in terms of information management and once the gullible masses notice or get a whiff that there are NO repercussions for these FAKE stories being spread online and offline, they immediately lose respect for you and see you as a WEAKLING who can be insulted relentlessly online and offline and this is already happening. That's unfortunate a dangerous aspect of human nature.
The governments at all levels MUST have ZERO-tolerance for FAKE news sites of which secessionist social media sites and Peoples Gazette are the MOST notorious spreaders of DISINFORMATION, followed by Omoyele Sowore's online publication, Sahara Reporters which has badly degenerated over the last 8 years as half-truths and outright FALSEHOODS are spewed out by Omoyele and his team. Sahara Reporters was one of the go-to sources of investigative journalism for many of us right from back in the early 2000s but it has degenerated and you have to fact-check him for everything he says and writes.
FreeStuffsNG: 10. Anambra – 3,000 bpd Anambra is the latest addition to Nigeria’s oil-producing states. With an initial output of 3,000 barrels per day, the state is looking to expand its oil industry and increase production over time. 3k pere. Smh
8. Imo – 17,000 bpd Imo State, located in the southeastern region, has small but significant crude oil deposits. Its oil industry is still developing, with potential for increased output in the future.
9 . Abia – 11,000 bpd Abia State produces a relatively small amount of crude oil, but its contribution to Nigeria’s overall oil production remains valuable. Ongoing exploration efforts may enhance its output in the coming years.
10. Anambra – 3,000 bpd Anambra is the latest addition to Nigeria’s oil-producing states. With an initial output of 3,000 barrels per day, the state is looking to expand its oil industry and increase production over time.
Go and insult the BusinessDay reporter like you insolent lot always do.
FreeStuffsNG: This life ehn. Pride goeth before a fall.
So all the crude oil from the South East (Anambra – 3,000 bpd, Imo – 17,000 bpd & Abia – 11,000 bpd) doesn’t even add up enough to the quantity of crude oil produced in Lagos yet all the VAT keeps going to South East and some ungrateful folks from the South Eaat call other Nigerians parasite. Empty barrels make the loudest noise. Smh..
Lagos State will catch up and overtake others ahead of it on this list some day.
The SouthWest is the future of Nigeria's petroleum industry. Very soon, Ogun State will join this list.
This is why we need more investments in oil and gas investments in Lagos State. Invest in Lagos today. May God bless Nigeria for ever!
naptu2: People's Gazette published a strange story that Governor Sanwo-Olu was in trouble because President Tinubu discovered that he and others sent money to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, through Aisha Achimugu, for their 2023 election campaign.
In response Atiku Abubakar's spokesman said that it was a plot by the Presidency against him (Atiku) and Sanwo-Olu. The Presidency accused Atiku of rumour mongering and said that it was not involved in any such plot.
EFCC Nigeria @officialEFCC
https://x.com/officialEFCC/status/1905728999600664705?t=YDsFuuFVqXm10VhwODeXjA&s=19[/quote]It's time for the Federal Government in Nigeria and the legislature to immediately move in to make stiffer laws and punish the idiots (who work for Peoples Gazette and Omoyele Sowore's Sahara Reporters for consistently FABRICATING falsehoods with the intent to deceive the public consisting of LARGELY gullible folks who readily believe any trash published online because it validates their own biases). Enough of the political correctness.
The highly dishonest people running Peoples Gazette are known to relentless spew out FALSEHOODS online WITHOUT any repercussions! These guys, have to be urgently put in check by the intelligence agencies NOW! It's a deep sign of WEAKNESS on the part of the Federal Government that these dubious online publications have continued to publish FALSEHOODS without any repercussions.
If the authorities DON'T do anything about this relentless disinformation being deliberately pushed out over the years by all sorts of secessionists, known and random trolls and people online and offline, it will bring down democracy via a military coup or mass insurrections and these governments at the Federal and state levels will regret NOT taking action against the relentless overt disinformation. Period.
attackgat: He stated that Wike, Akpabio, and Tinubu rose to power through criminality without any repercussions.
Sowore shared his views during an interview on News Central TV.
This comes as he described Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu as “the three most dangerous persons in Nigeria.”
“The declaration of emergency was purely an attempt to sacrifice an entire state structure — not the first, but one of the first that is more brazen. In this case, they want Wike to control one of Nigeria’s richest states, Rivers.”
“So everything has been pointing to that process ever since Fubara was appointed—or selected, whichever way you want to put it.”
“It got to a point where Wike had to reach Tinubu, who is his principal in this case, to move in and take the state from Fubara so they can have it for themselves. That’s what they executed.”
“There are three individuals we must watch out for: the FCT Minister, that is Nyesom Wike; the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; and Nigeria’s president himself, Bola Tinubu. These are guys that are very dangerous. They are dangerous because they have lived a life of crime and impunity — whichever way you want to call it — and got away with it.”
He stated that Wike, Akpabio, and Tinubu rose to power through criminality without any repercussions.
“The reason why these guys are different from every dangerous person you have ever met in your life is that they have risen through the ranks of crime and impunity and gotten to the top without consequences. That’s what you are seeing them doing now.”
“This morning, I was invited to a media interview by Channels TV, and I did predict that the Nigerian National Assembly would not do anything — they would endorse Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency. They are all in on this, and that’s why Nigerians must understand that there is no way out. They gang up against us; we must gang up against them too.”
His comments come amid controversies surrounding Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The move by the president has been widely condemned as an affront to the constitution, although the president’s aides have repeatedly tried to defend it.
SaharaReporters earlier revealed that cash was distributed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s guest house on Tuesday and Wednesday nights to secure lawmakers’ support for President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Sources privy to the matter had told SaharaReporters that Akpabio’s guest house, located at No. 22, Yedeseram Street, Maitama, Abuja, was the venue where the money was handed out.
Omoyele Sowore is himself a spreader of consistent falsehoods and half-truths and is clearly a DANGER within the democratic space. His personality has completely changed from what we used to know when he was an SUG leader and when Sahara Reporters was one of the go-to sources for investigative journalism back in the early 2000s.
Today, he talks flippantly and I personally don't take him seriously alongside those creeps at Gazette who shamelessly lie in their puerile online publications.
Business › Re: Among The World’s 21 Black Billionaires, 6 Are Nigerians - Forbes by Konquest: 3:01pm On Mar 30, 2025*. Modified: 8:39am On Apr 01, 2025
