₦airaland Forum

I fired my pilot for taking drugs — Buba Marwa


The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), on Monday, disclosed that he was once compelled to sack a pilot in his multi-billion naira airline, Albarka Air (now defunct), for testing positive for drugs.

Marwa made the revelation in Abuja at the third edition of The Conversation Conference, a programme held to mark the World Mental Health Day celebration, which was organised by the Intersect Consortium in collaboration with Action Against Hunger and the International Rescue Committee.

Albarka Air was founded by Marwa shortly after his retirement as the military administrator of Lagos State. However, in September 2003, he gave up his position as the chairman/chief executive officer of the airline.

Four years later, specifically in May 2007, the Federal Government withdrew the licenses of Albarka Air in controversial circumstances.

Explaining why he fired the pilot 21 years ago, Marwa said he decided to terminate his appointment after the captain caused passengers to panic while flying a plane to Maiduguri.

He said, “I used to run an airline called Albarka Air, and one of our best flights was on Fridays, and the route was from Lagos, Abuja, to Maiduguri. It was always full on weekends and we flew the 727 on that route. It has a capacity of about 170 passengers. I used to monitor all the flights of the airline in those days.

“But on this particular Friday, I got several calls from passengers later in the evening, all saying the same thing. They were complaining about the captain of that flight. Sometimes, the last flight encountered rough weather in Maiduguri.

“They told me that midway through that encounter, the captain announced through the intercom ‘, Ladies and gentlemen, I have bad news for you’, and he kept quiet for a minute or two before saying, ‘We will be diverting the flight to Kano.’ That was all the bad news he wanted to say. But people had already panicked. Those who felt like fainting at that moment did before he concluded that they were diverting to Kano.”

Further investigation revealed that he was truly under the influence of a psychoactive substance, as indicated.

Buba stated that those close to him knew that he had zero tolerance for drug offences long before he became the NDLEA boss.

“So immediately the news got to me, I investigated and discovered it happened. Quickly, I checked if we have a captain in Kano. Fortunately, we found a 727 captain who was off for that day. So I explained to him that I was grounding the ‘bad news’ captain and putting him in charge to continue the journey in the morning.

“In those days, when you divert flights, you would also provide accommodation and feeding for all the passengers. So the flight resumed the next day and I recalled the captain as discussed. He did a drug test and tested positive for the substance. Now, normally, pilots undergo medical checks, but this man was on drugs.

“So I fired him immediately without wasting time and reported him to the NCAA. From there, we started doing random drug testing for all the pilots and crew members. The need for drug testing in our workplace cannot be over-emphasised. It is therefore important to implement drug integrity testing policy in the workplace,” he stated.

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, also shared his vision, saying his ministry has intensified an enlightenment campaign on mental health awareness.


Olawande also said there are many Nigerian youth still struggling to quit the world of substance abuse with little or no support base.

He said, “There are so many youths outside there suffering from this drug abuse. Our ministry is working hard to do justice to part of it, and I can assure you that in the next one week, you will hear more from me on this (issue of) mental health. I think it is something that we will work against.

‘The major problem we are facing is because our mental health is not being taken care of. Nobody cares about anybody and we don’t blame them. It is just because of the situation we find ourselves in. I thank the organisers for making this happen. I will come back and sit with you to see how we can aggressively work together in addressing this issue.”

Meanwhile, the host of the TCC event, Vincent Udenze, has also expressed concerns that mental health is sometimes mistaken for malaria by wearied employees in their workplace.

“Mental health is often mistaken for malaria or stress. Sometimes, people call in sick, saying it appears they are down with malaria. But that is not the case. We know hunger is an issue in this country. But in truth, people are going through a lot.

“Every employer should be able to ask after the welfare of their employees including the gate man. Even if it is just to ask ‘How are you?’ In this part of the world, we don’t even appreciate the efforts of security agents like the police. Yet, they are out there taking bullets on our behalf. In the course of that journey, they also get wearied and burn out,” he said.

10, including children die as commercial bus rams into stationary truck in Lagos


At least 10 passengers, including three children, lost their lives in an early hours fatal accident on Wednesday, involving a bus and stationary truck at Abule-Osun, inward Iyana-Iba, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

Fortunately, three passengers who survived the fatal crash are currently receiving treatment in the hospital where they were rushed to.

According to reports, the unfortunate incident occured at about 2.15 a.m. on the fateful day, October 2, 2024.

According to an eyewitness, identified as Anthony Ogah, the crash happened
at Abule Osun, inward Iyana Iba, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, when a Toyota Sienna bus, registration number BDG 342 FS, laden to capacity with passengers from the eastern part of the country, apparently, on high speed was involved in a road accident with a stationary SHACMAN Truck, with unknown registration number.

Permanent Secretary, of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femí Oke-Osanyitolu, attributed the crash to excessive speeding.

Oke-Osanyitolu explained that “Further investigations revealed that the truck, which was laden with granite, was parked on the road shutting down about half of the carriageway, while the Toyota Sienna on top speed, unknowingly crashed into the parked truck from behind.

“Unfortunately,10 passengers lost their lives to the unfortunate incident, while three were critically injured.

“One out of the two initial surviving female adults of the crash later died.
The dead passengers include; three male adults, four female adults, two female children and one male child.

“The female adult, and the two rescued children, fortunately, survived the crash after receiving immediate medical attention from Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS at the incident scene before they were subsequently, taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja for further treatment.

“Emergency responders, including LASEMA and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, promptly rescued the injured passengers.”

Other emergency responders at the scene of the crash include: Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, officials of the Nigerian Police and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU.

Meanwhile, the remains of the 10 bodies were retrieved and evacuated to the mortuary by the officials of SEHMU.

As of press time, 5 am, the ill-fated Toyota Sienna, and the broken-down truck had been recovered from the highway to allow for free flow of vehicles in the axis

The paradox of vehicle road-worthiness certification and bad roads in Lagos


Driving a vehicle in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, is a huge challenge. Besides the traffic congestion which is one of the city’s trademarks, the roads, especially in the suburbs, are not only bad but also governed by multiple traffic laws which are enforced religiously.

One of those laws is that all vehicles on Lagos roads must be road-worthy which explains why, as a vehicle owner, particularly private vehicles, you must obtain a road-worthiness certificate which is issued by the Lagos State Inspection Service (VIS) formerly called Vehicle Inspection Unit.

The state’s traffic law empowers its traffic watch dog called Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to impound any vehicle that does not have this certification to drive on the state roads. To show how serious the state takes this law, the fine for any vehicle that flouts it is well above Nigeria’s Renewed Hope National Minimum Wage.

The idea that went into the formulation of this aspect of the state’s traffic laws was not only good and noble, but also considerate as it was meant to ensure that only vehicles in good condition are allowed to be on the road. This, it is expected, will help to minimise accidents on the roads.

However, this law did not consider the age-long legal and moral demand that “he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.” As far as the condition of roads in some parts of Lagos is concerned, this time-honoured statement is just “a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

This is because the condition of some roads in the state is so terrible that they are not worthy of use by vehicles, hence the paradox of issuing road worthiness certificates for them to ply on bad roads. Many of the roads are worse than vehicles that are denied certification after a tasking inspection process and paying overly too expensive price.

“We are just at the mercy of governments in Nigeria. What I have come to do here today, I did the same thing just last week in Porto- Novo, Benin Republic where I reside. But the huge difference is that the government has ensured that many of their roads are in good condition and you don’t spend a whole day getting this certificate. It takes less than two hours,” a man who introduced himself as Godwin, told this reporter at the Oke Afo inspection centre on Thursday.

Continuing, Godwin noted, “just imagine the road leading to this centre; too bad; and you are talking about the road leading to the place where you are issued road-worthiness certificate. Again, look at the time we have spent on the queue here; three hours gone and we are not done yet.”

Another vehicle owner who was at the centre for inspection lamented that Lagos government is not so mindful of the state of roads in the suburbs, noting however, that the state is doing very well in roads infrastructure at the city centre. He cited places like Ikeja, Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island where, according to him, the roads are well-paved with good drainages and street light.

The man who did not disclose his name “because I am a civil servant in the state,” said that Lagos residents deserve more than they are getting in terms of infrastructure provision. “There is money in this state. The state’s internally generated revenue is more than those of the five South Eastern states put together,” he said.

He noted that on this issue of road-worthiness certification for vehicles plying on bad roads, the state is not being fair to vehicle owners who are not privileged to live in the city centre, suggesting that the certification should be restricted to those of them who drive on good roads.

Perhaps, vehicle owners in Lagos shouldn’t have minded as much as they do if the cost of getting a road worthiness certificate had been less than what they are currently charged, and also if the enforcement had had human face.

From less than N2,000 charged, when it was introduced, the renewal of the certificate, depending on the type of vehicle, now varies from ₦5,000 to ₦12,000. And to get the certificate after paying for it at any of the state’s revenue offices, the vehicle owner is referred to a Lagos State Computerized Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS) centre, where the vehicle is inspected. Getting the certificate depends on the result of the inspection—passed or failed.

The enforcement of this certification is anything but fair. The LASTMA officials who are statutorily empowered to enforce the law go about it as if the life of the state depends on it. It is a case of ‘no mercy’ for any defaulter as he is quickly dragged to their offices and his vehicle tyres deflated and reflated at a cost when the owner pays and the vehicle released.

“Because of its potential to raise ‘urgent 2k’ for the enforcers, other law enforcement agents have started demanding for it from any motorist who falls short of other traffic offences. And these agencies are so many, including the police, vehicle inspection officers, federal road safety officials, among others,” Nelson Ezike, a Lagos resident, noted.

Ezike further said that the worst offence any motorist should commit on Lagos roads is to drive without road worthiness certificate, adding, “these traffic wardens may overlook other vehicle papers, but not this particular one. It is a cash cow; it is the hen that lays golden eggs for them; so, I try not to allow my own to expire before renewal. I don’t have time and strength for their trouble.”

African universities storm Lagos for FASU Games


About 120 universities in Nigeria and 36 others from Africa have started arriving in Lagos for the 11th All-Africa University Games, which is co-hosted by the University of Lagos and Lagos State University from Friday, September 20 (today), till September 29.

The opening ceremony of the event will be held at the UNILAG Sports Complex on Saturday as the competition returns to Nigeria for the first time in 20 years.

UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said the Games will again project Nigeria’s cultural heritage among the community of African universities.

“As for what we will bring, we will create the fun that went around NUGA. The beauty of hosting FASU now is that we don’t have to rethink things from scratch. We thought a lot of things through the last time we hosted NUGA, and we have a template to apply for the games,” she said.

“One of the things that we are already doing now is to drum up awareness and get our students fully involved. We will also use the opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s very rich and diversified cultural heritage. Co-hosting with LASU also takes some of the burden off our shoulders, and the Lagos State Government is also supporting us.”

The UNILAG Communications Unit also organised a road show on Thursday to drum awareness around the campus ahead of the games.

The Director of Sports, UNILAG, Joseph Awoyinfa, also noted that all facilities for the games have been put in proper shape.

“We are going to have about 17 sports, and UNILAG will be hosting football, cricket, swimming, basketball, handball, and tennis. All the indoor games will be held at LASU.

“We have about three basketball courts, and the indoor hall has been refurbished. Our swimming pool is also the only one in Nigerian universities that has a switch timer that automatically records the time of a swimmer as soon as he jumps into the water.”

Nigeria hosted the third FASU Games in 2004 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi.

This edition of the Games holds historical significance as it marks the first-ever joint hosting by two universities.

Lagos seals popular Idera Market in Oshodi

The Lagos State Government, through the State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, popularly known as KAI on Thursday sealed off Idera Market, located in Oshodi area of the state for contravening environmental laws.

The Corps Marshal KAI, Major Olaniyi Cole (retd), while confirming the closure said it was part of intensified efforts aimed at ensuring adherence to environmental cleanliness across registered markets in the State.


According to Cole, ‘‘Our operatives stationed across the Oshodi division during routine market monitoring identified the filth, unhygienic practices and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the Idera Market area which prompted us to seal off the market until further notice’.”

He decried the unimpressive level of hygiene at the market which he described as capable of causing illnesses and disease outbreak to market vendors and buyers alike.

“Markets must imbibe hygienic practices to prevent the spread of diseases,” Oke stressed.

He also highlighted how the market leadership was unable to provide a valid waste collection contract, citing the infraction as the lead cause of refuse heaps in the market.

The KAI boss also read the riot act to markets across the State to maintain an acceptable level of hygiene as KAI operatives stationed across Lagos constantly monitor market environments for infractions.

He warned that any market found erring will be sealed off until total compliance is achieved.

Reiterating the carpet ban on the sales, distribution and usage of Styrofoam packs in the State, Cole also highlighted the resolve of the agency to deal decisively with marketers found culpable in this regard.

He affirmed that the display of wares for sale on road setbacks, lay-bys, medians, verges, kerbs which constitute street trading and hawking remains banned in the metropolis.

No reversal on model colleges new boarding fee — Lagos govt

•that was not our agreement with House of Aseembly — Parents' Forum


The Lagos State Government has insisted to stay on the new boarding fee of N100,000 per term (against the old fee of N35,000) charged each student of its model colleges across the state.

The state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education gave this position on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen.

The statement was signed by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs unit of the ministry, Mr Ganiu Lawal, explaining why the fee increment is inevitable.

According to the statement, the Ministry is aware of dissenting views by some parents to the inevitable increase in boarding fees in our model colleges.

“This is not an easy decision but the welfare of the children is a priority for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and Lagos State Government.

“Lagos State Government provides free education in 1,021 Primary schools, 369 Junior Secondary and 329 Senior Secondary schools which include 32 model colleges across the State. Except for Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, all the model colleges are boarding schools.

“Since enrolment of a child into a boarding school is an individual choice of every parent, they are expected to pay boarding fees.

“The boarding fee is paid every term and it is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other miscellaneous cost related to keeping them in the hostels per term. The schools also take care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing their meals.

“The concern of ensuring a better welfare for our model college students, who are over one percent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the state, necessitated the increase in boarding fees.

“The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis- a- vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices) provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees (LASG pays WAEC fees for all public school students).

“So, the N35,000 boarding fees being paid since 2021 is not realistic in 2024.

“Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with 35,000 for three months.

“A comparative analysis of Federal and State public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate with the reviewed rate despite the incomparable cost of food and other expenses.

“So, our parents should show understanding for the sake of the children.”

Meanwhile, the Parents’ Forum of the colleges said that the House of Assembly had earlier on Monday reversed to the old fee of N35,000 following their protest to the House despite there was a public holiday.

The Deputy Chairman of the Parents’ Forum of the Colleges, Mr Ifeukwu Samuel, told Tribune Online when asked for the update on the matter.

He said the House of Assembly had directed that the students should resume and check into the hostels across the model colleges in the state on Tuesday.

He explained that an agreement was reached at the meeting between the state’s House Committee on Education, led by Mrs Sangodara and the protesting parents led by the Chairman of the forum, Mr Dapo Dawodu.

According to him, the old fee of N35,000 per term is said to be sustained at the meeting.

Speaking further, he said the parents at the meeting presented to the House the template of how to effectively manage the funds that is coming into the colleges on the basis of the old fee of N35,000 per term and with a promise by the House to invite the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to present its own calculation to justify the new fee.

He said, “So in the interim. We are to constitute a school management board committee for each college.

“The committee will comprise the representatives of the parents and that of the school and to be shouldered with some responsibilities as regards the management of the funds that are coming into the colleges.

“The committee will know the amounts of money that are coming in and also oversee the mangement of such funds alongside the college principal.”

Samuel told Tribune Online that the implication of this new arrangement is that it would now be cleared to everyone, especially the parents how the money that is coming into the colleges through the fees is being spent on the feeding of the students and if there would be the need or not for an upward review of the boarding fee and by how much.

“But for now, the old fee of N35,000 per term for each student will be sustained as agreed at the meeting,” he emphasised.

The state government had on Friday night, 13th of September, announced an upward review of boarding fee for each student across its model colleges from N35,000 to N100,000 (representing 286 percent increment ) and this to be effective from this first term.

The students were supposed to resume originally last Sunday, 7th of September alongside their peers in other primary and secondary schools in the state but their resumption date was shifted by one week.

Model colleges are special secondary schools owned by the state government and spread across the six educational districts of the state.

They are 32 in all, operating boarding facilities except Vetland Grammar School, Ifako- Ijaiye, which is being run as a day school.

For resumption, almost all the parents had already paid their children’s fee of the old amount in readiness for resumption.

Tinubu sacks Jalal Arabi amid NAHCON Probe
President Bola Tinubu has fired Jalal Arabi, as Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, disclosed this in…


President Bola Tinubu has fired Jalal Arabi, as Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, disclosed this in a statement in which he announced Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Chairman of the agency.


“Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.

“He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.

“The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”

Arabi, who was appointed in October, ran into trouble over the 2024 Hajj which the Federal Government released N90 billion to subsidise.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested Arabi and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over the issue.

An EFCC source had said a total of 314,098 Saudi Riyals was recovered from the sacked NAHCON chairman.


“The chairman fraudulently overpaid himself, the commissioners, secretary and directors for the 2024 hajj operational cost.


“The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each. The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to. The total of SR314,098 were recovered from all of them,” the source said.

A 40-year-old woman named Rafiat Sheriff and her seven-year-old daughter, Asisat Sheriff, were killed in a gas explosion at their home on Church Street, along Èbúté Road, in the Ibafo area of Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident, which occurred at about 8:30 pm on Saturday, left two other persons with varying degrees of injuries.

The deceased, our correspondent learnt, had instructed her seven-year-old daughter to light the gas cylinder to prepare their evening meal.

While the child was trying to light the cylinder, a neighbour identified only as Abiodun reportedly told the police that the gas cylinder burst into flames.

A police document provided to our correspondent cited Abiodun as saying that the entire apartment was consumed by fire, leading to the death of the mother and her seven-year-old daughter.

The spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and reported that two other individuals are currently fighting for their lives in the hospital.

She stated, “The incident occurred last night when the mother told her seven-year-old daughter to cook. The girl was attempting to light up the gas cylinder when the entire house went up in flames.

“The mother and the child lost their lives in the explosion. Two other girls, including one of the children of the deceased, are currently receiving treatment in the hospital at Divine Touch Hospital in the area.”

The police document also indicated that the state fire service was contacted but did not respond.

However, the state Director of Fire Service, Fatai Adefala, denied knowledge of a gas explosion and asserted that the fire service operatives were not informed about the incident.

He said, “I didn’t know of the gas explosion. There was no gas explosion. We have two fire trucks on that axis. One truck is in Ibafo. The other one is in Isheri.

“We also have another one at the Redemption Camp Ground. There was no gas explosion, please. I don’t know where you got the information from. They cannot call our staff, and they will not show up.”

Court orders Buhari’s minister to account for N729bn payment to poor Nigerians


The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to account for payments of N729bn to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months.

The court also ordered the former minister to provide the list and details of the beneficiaries who received the payments, the number of states covered, and the payments per state.

The judgment was delivered in June by Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/L/CS/853/2021, brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

The certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last Friday by the organisation.

In his judgment, Justice Dipeolu held that “The former minister is compelled by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to give information to any person, including SERAP. I therefore grant an order of mandamus directing and compelling the minister to provide the spending details of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians in 2021.”

Justice Dipeolu ordered the minister to “provide SERAP with details of how the beneficiaries have been selected and the mechanisms for the payments to the beneficiaries.”

The judge also ordered the minister to “explain the rationale for paying N5,000 to 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which translates to five per cent of Nigeria’s budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021.”


She ruled that “the minister did not give any reason for the refusal to disclose the details sought by SERAP. SERAP has reeled out the relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 that the minister contravened and has, in line with sections 20 and 25(1) of the Act, prayed this Court for an order of mandamus to direct and compel the minister to provide the information sought.”

Justice Dipeolu dismissed the objections raised by the minister’s counsel and upheld SERAP’s arguments.

Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of SERAP against the minister.


Reacting to the judgment, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the ruling is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds.

He said, “This ground-breaking judgment is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds.

“Justice Dipeolu’s judgment shows the urgent need for the Tinubu government to genuinely address the systemic allegations of corruption in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development and other ministries, departments and agencies, as documented by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

“We commend Justice Dipeolu for her courage and wisdom and urge President Bola Tinubu to immediately obey the court orders.”


In the letter dated July 6, 2024, sent to President Bola Tinubu on the judgment, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked him to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately compile with the ruling.

The organisation also asked the President to order the release of the spending details of the N729 billion as ordered by the court.

It reads, “We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the court.

“We urge you to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately compile and release the spending details of the N729 billion as ordered by the court.

“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment by your government will be a victory for the rule of law, transparency, and accountability in the governance processes and management of public resources, including the N729 billion.”

Ned Nwoko demands $5 trillion reparations, apology from colonial masters

*For slavery, inhuman, degrading treatments, exploitation of Africans, African resources



A Nigerian policymaker, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, has demanded $5 trillion as reparations from Britain, and other colonial masters for slavery, inhuman, degrading treatment, and exploitation of Africans and African resources.

Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, Delta State, also demanded an apology to African people by the colonial powers.

He said: “I call for reparations of at least $5 trillion dollars, not as an act of vengeance, but a pathway to healing and restoration. We must establish a comprehensive framework for reparations to assess the damages inflicted by centuries of injustice.”

“I call upon former colonial masters and the International Community to acknowledge the grave consequences of these historical injustices on African nations, especially Nigeria, and expressly apologize to the countries and peoples of the continent.”

“Britain and other colonial powers must eventually address the specific wrongdoings and blatant rape of Africa’s peoples and exploitation of their resources.

“It is not enough to issue blanket statements as tokens to assuage their conscience (s). It would entail addressing the specific atrocities visited on the diverse peoples of the continent and implementing the regimes of reparations commensurate with the damage done to each African territory and its people.

“It would be imperative for the colonial powers to rethink and adjust the dynamics of their relationship with African territories that still struggle with the aftereffects of their atrocities.

“I beseech former colonial masters to invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment within African nations, especially those that have endured exploitation.

“I also urge the reparation of culturally significant artifacts taken from the African continent during the colonial period. In recent years, there have been a few instances of selective return of stolen artifacts to the Benin Kingdom. However, what justice demands is a wholesome restoration of these items to the peoples and places from which they forcefully and illegally removed them.

“I also challenge the terminology that simplifies the rich tapestry of Africa into a simple label ‘blacks’. Especially when used in a derogatory and abusive manner. If they refer to people from the Asia continent as Asians, Europe–Europeans, America- Americans, then they should refer to people from Africa as Africans, not blacks,” he added.

US church to honour Iyaloja-General


The Light of the World Mission Church in Texas, United States, will on September 10, present an award to the Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.
Its Senior Pastor, Femi Kajogbola, made this known in a statement on this year’s edition of the annual award programme.

Kajogbola said the award is given to unsung Nigerians whose contribution to society is not widely recognised and the church uses its platform to celebrate such individuals.

He said the award would attract eminent personalities including Mayor of Arlington, Texas Jim Ross.
Kajogbola said: “The award is a result of Iyaloja’s dedication to God and prayers during her father’s journey in becoming Nigeria president. We also recognise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in bringing the citizenry together across ethnic, religious, regional and political divides.

Malian Afropop singer Salif Keita named advisor to junta


Malian Afropop musician, Salif Keita, popularly referred to as the ‘Golden Voice of Africa’, has been appointed special advisor to the head of Mali’s military junta.

This was announced in a decree signed by Colonel Assimi Goita, the military leader who ousted the country’s elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, in 2020.
The transitional president, in a decree dated August 11 and published August 14 2023, appointed five new special advisors.

The decree does not give details about the singer’s new role.
The 73-year-old singer has been a strong supporter of the junta, endorsing its narrative of national sovereignty and calling for the departure of UN peacekeeping troops from Mali.
Recall that Salif Keita had, in a letter some days ago, resigned from an assembly set up by the military in power since 2020 to act as a legislative body.

He gave no reason for his letter of resignation, stating that he would always remain “the undisputed friend of my country’s soldiers.”

Niger Delta Youth Call For Creation Of Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission In Akwa Ibom, Others  

The Niger Delta Youth Parliament (NDYP) has demanded the establishment of an Oil-Producing Development Commission in Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa state, and Rivers state, respectively.
During its Special Plenary Session, NDYP made a clarion call to the Governments of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States to immediately establish a development commission for the oil-producing communities in their respective states. This is intended to enable them to benefit from the 13% derivation that accrues to the states for the purpose of rapid development.
NDYP has prayed that the Federal Government mandate the affected states to immediately establish the Oil-Producing Development Commission for the benefit of the people.

“The Federal Government should halt the payment of the 13% Oil derivative to the affected states until the said commission is established.
“The Parliament should constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to interface with the Federal Government and the affected state Governments.”
In a statement issued by its speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifon Daniel Samuel, a critical assessment and oversight of the condition of the various oil-bearing and producing communities have shown the deplorable state and absence of basic amenities needed for conducive living in these communities.


“It is pitiable that a region so blessed by God, with funds released for the purpose of taking care of the communities, has seen no action taken to address the developmental challenges in these various communities.
“I charge the Governors and State Assemblies of the Affected States to commence the process of establishing the Oil Producing Communities Development Commission without further delay.
“This commission has already been established in other oil-producing states such as Ondo, Delta, Imo, Edo, and Abia State. It is fulfilling its purpose. Therefore, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and River State, being among the topmost oil-producing states in Nigeria, should not be an exception to this visible reality and the benefits it will bring to the oil-producing communities.

“These oil-producing communities and local governments hold vast amounts of oil minerals and gas, hosting a variety of petroleum facilities and installations including wellheads, pipelines, rigs, marginal fields, storage tanks, offshore and onshore acreages, production and export terminals, among others.
“A visit to these communities will reveal the dire state of extreme deprivation of common and basic amenities. Despite their contribution to the growth and sustainability of the Nigerian economy, they lack these amenities.
“It would be an act of wickedness, insensitivity, and inhumanity for the state governments to refuse to establish these commissions—AISOPADEC, BASOPADEC, and RISOPADEC—even when there is clear evidence of environmental degradation and a lack of basic amenities in the host communities due to the activities of oil companies.
“It is extremely worrisome that since the Federal Government began implementing the 13 per cent derivation as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, a few states in the region have failed to establish a commission to oversee the development of oil-producing and impacted communities in the state.
“It is important to note that the persistent agitation for 50 per cent derivation by critical stakeholders compelled the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to initiate the payment of the 13 per cent derivation originally intended for the host communities to state governments in the Niger Delta.

“I strongly believe that the establishment of the commission will resolve the ongoing conflicts between host communities and oil companies. This commission will be readily available to address the developmental deficits in the various oil-producing communities and usher in a new era of steady power supply, quality school facilities, improved roads, human capital development, and more,” the statement read.

Niger’s Sanction: Shortage Of Cooking Ingredient Hit Ghana

Traders in Ghana have expressed fear that the economic blockade of Niger Republic by ECOWAS will have negative effects on businesses in their country.

Traders in Ghana have expressed fear that the economic blockade of Niger Republic by ECOWAS will have negative effects on businesses in their country.
Recall that the Heads of State of ECOWAS last week issued an elapsed ultimatum to the military junta in Niger to restore the ousted civilian President of the country, Muhamed Bazoum, thereby imposing economic sanctions and the closure of borders.


The BBC in a report stated that there were concerns in Ghana that the sanctions could lead to the skyrocket in prices of some food items “at a time when the country is already experiencing high inflation.”


It stated that Ghana imported a large majority of its onions from Niger.
It further stated that, “They have now raised an alarm over a possible shortage of the vital cooking ingredient. With over 70 trucks loaded with onions intended for Ghana being stuck at the Niger border.”


The traders noted that the price of a bag of onion was likely to go up by 90 per cent if the sanctions persisted.

Tuareg Ex-Rebels say Forces Attacked by Mali Army, Wagner

Tuareg former rebels in northern Mali said their forces were attacked Friday by the army and Russian mercenary group Wagner.

The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) said in a Facebook post that their forces "repulsed a complex attack by the Fama (Malian army) and Wagner" in the town of Ber, in the northern Timbuktu region.

"We call the international community to witness these serious acts," said CMA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, denouncing the attack as a "violation of all security commitments and arrangements.”

Mali's army said it had "vigorously retaliated" against an "attempted incursion" into their position on Friday, blaming "terrorists" for the incident.
On Thursday, the Tuareg former rebels announced the departure of all their representatives from Bamako for "security" reasons, further widening the gap with the junta, which has been in power since 2020.

The CMA is an alliance of Tuareg-dominated groups seeking autonomy or independence from the Malian state.
It is one of the parties to a 2015 peace agreement with the Malian government.
Mali's military government has fallen out with former colonial power France and turned to Russia for political and military support.

Wagner is openly active in Mali and at least three other African countries, typically shoring up fragile regimes in exchange for minerals and other natural wealth.

In Mali, Wagner paramilitaries protect the regime, conduct military operations and training, and advise on the revision of mining laws and even the constitution.

The regime in Bamako says the foreign military instructors in Mali are not from Wagner but from the regular Russian army.