naptu2: The reason that that thread was funny to me was because of the minister. I'll first explain the minister's part before I come to the main theme of this post.
Right at the beginning of this issue, when it became public that Chidimma Onwe Adetshina was taking part in the Miss South Africa pageant, Gayton McKenzie and others said that she should be removed from the pageant because she did not have a South African sounding name. They asked how she would be able to represent the culture of South Africa when she did not have a South African sounding name.
This was before there was any claim that there was any criminal activities involved in her being a South African citizen. That's why some people criticised him, asked if he had any evidence that she was not South African (he didn't) and questioned how a minister could make such statements.
That's also why people who are responding to his tweet about Udeme Okon are saying that Udeme Okon must be investigated. Chidimma had not been investigated when he said that she must be withdrawn from the Miss SA contest, so what's different now?
Now to the point that I wanted to make. Some people say that Chidimma Adetshina's mother stole another woman's identity, but I don't know that. I live by principles and based on my principles, I don't know whether Chidimma Onwe Adetshina's mother stole another woman's identity.
There are some Nigerians who have embraced this story (many of them solely because of political issues in Nigeria), but I am not them.
The first thing I do when there is an allegation or accusation is to look at the evidence. So far, none has been provided.
After looking at the evidence, I listen to the argument of the accused (audi alteram partem). I have not heard the other side.
So, as far as I am concerned, I don't know whether Chidimma Onwe Adetshina's mother stole another woman's identity.
I wish I could show you the views of a particular South African (I wish I saved it). He was writing about the way he thinks and the unpopular opinion he has and he said that he does not know whether the South African Home Affairs Ministry screwed up the investigation of Chidimma Adetshina. They have not given him anything to hold on to and he won't be surprised if they did screw it up, but right now, he doesn't know either way.
I follow the news closely, so I know the origin of many of these issues. I have been following the news before it becomes major news.
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina
I broke the news that there were calls for a model to be disqualified from the Miss South Africa contest because she has a Nigerian name.
Some people later said that the calls were justified because the girl committed immigration fraud. I said that the calls were not justified because they were based on racism and xenophobia.
You see, the calls were led by South Africa's culture minister Gayton McKenzie and certain activists and they made these calls before there was any indication of immigration fraud. In fact, I am still sceptical that any immigration fraud was actually committed. The calls came just because of her name and the people that made the calls began searching for anything to justify their calls.
I know when McKenzie made his first tweet. I saw it myself.
Gayton McKenzie and the K word
Remember that McKenzie is not a member of the ANC. He is a former criminal and his party was founded by former criminals. Their aim is to end criminality in South Africa and they mainly blame foreigners for rising crime in South Africa.
McKenzie is part black and part coloured. His party, the Patriotic Alliance, gets much of its support from coloureds. He became minister of arts, culture and sports because the ANC could not get an outright majority in the 2024 elections and so they had to form an alliance with the Patriotic Alliance.
If you are as old as I am and if you followed the news during the apartheid era, you would know of a K word that racist white South Africans used to refer to black people. It's kind of like the N word in America.
Old tweetsby Gayton McKenzie in which he referred to black people using the K word have recently surfaced. People are calling for him to resign. He said that black people have no ambition and he used the K word. He said that he will never apologise and he will not resign.
The old tweets have confirmed my suspicion.
It was McKenzie that wrote to the Home Affairs Minister that Chidimma Adetshina should be investigated. I still doubt that it was a proper investigation.
naptu2: This is the word that Gayton McKenzie used to refer to black people. He has said that he won't apologise and he won't resign.
[quote author=naptu2 post=136539155]OK, it goes like this.
1) The National Party was the party of apartheid. It was the party of Pieter Botha.
De Klerk took over after Botha resigned and he dismantled apartheid. In a show of reconciliation, Mandela made De Klerk one of his deputy presidents.
De Klerk tried to reform the National Party and make it the main opposition party, but that was impossible. People saw the National Party as the party of apartheid and the party of Botha and there was no way that blacks could support it.
2) The ANC became the ruling party.
3) The National Party died and there was a need for a new major opposition party. Some people felt that the ANC had become complacent because most black people supported it due to its role in the anti-apartheid struggle. They felt that ANC politicians were becoming corrupt.
The Democratic Alliance filled that void. It became the new main opposition to the ANC.
Some people tried to paint it as a reincarnation of the National Party, but the DA was able to show that it had support among both black and white South Africans.
4) Some felt that the DA was not strong enough in opposing the ANC. Others felt that the DA, like the ANC, was sacrificing the interests of poor South Africans. They felt that they needed a party that would fight against what they saw as an invasion of immigrants.
The Patriotic Alliance filled that need. The Patriotic Alliance was created by 2 former criminals who felt that there was a need to fight against crime which they believed was being committed by foreigners.
Gayton McKenzie is one of the former criminals that founded the Patriotic Alliance. He is coloured.
The Patriotic Alliance has a lot of support among coloureds in the Western Cape.
The ANC failed to get an outright majority in the 2024 election. They needed help. They formed an alliance with the Patriotic Front. Gayton McKenzie was made minister for arts, culture and sports.
Old racist and xenopbobic posts by Gayton McKenzie recently surfaced. He used the K word in those posts and said that black people were lazy and lacked ambition. The South African Human Rights Commission has called for an investigation. Many people have called for him to resign.
There was a bye-election in a town in the Western Cape 2 days ago. The ANC had narrowly beaten the Patriotic Alliance in the 2024 election. Gayton McKenzie heavily campaigned for the PA candidate. The results are in. The PA narrowly defeated the ANC this time.
McKenzie said that it had been a difficult week for him and he is thanking voters of the town for standing by him.
The English dictionary doesn’t have a word to adequately express my gratitude to the people of Knysna, this was a difficult week for me and you fought for me, you stood up for me because you know me. I will be coming to thank you personally in next two weeks. Thank you… pic.twitter.com/QkenDmNE6u
Malagans: I'm still wondering why next Monday isn't a public holiday.
Based on observation and since I was born, whenever Sallah, Christmas and Easter celebrations fall on a weekend, say, Friday just like today's Sallah, Monday would be declared public holiday. I thought it has always being a two-day affair?
Since today being Friday is Sallah, Saturdays and Sundays aren't usually working days, it is expected that Monday should also be a resting day.
Obidient Movement finance director resigns, cites poor coordination
March 19, 2026
A fresh crisis has hit the Obidient Movement, a political support group that rallied behind Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following the resignation of its Director of Finance, Dr Peter Agada.
Agada announced his resignation on Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja, where he also unveiled a new platform, The Movement Nigeria, signalling a potential shift in the post-2023 political coalition that powered Obi’s presidential bid.
He cited a lack of structure and coordination in the Obidient Movement as a reason for his resignation.
The Obidient Movement emerged as a youth-driven political force during the 2023 elections, drawing energy from the #EndSARS protests and widespread dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s political establishment.
However, concerns over its organisational depth and sustainability have lingered since the polls. Explaining his decision to step down, Agada told journalists in Abuja that it wasn’t done out of grudges.
He said, “I resigned my position as the Director of Finance of the Obidient Movement about three days ago and sent a letter to the headquarters that I was no longer going to continue in that role based on all the points we’ve mentioned here.
“This meeting is being held here today because it is my facility. It is the product of my hard-earned labour, and if I am championing a new move, it has to be in my house. After all, they say charity begins at home.
“I’m sorry to say that the lack of structure (in Obidient Movement) does not fit with my personality and the way I have grown as an architect of repute for the last 30 years.
“They have not been informing me of meetings and activities for a while now. You can imagine a director of finance in an organisation not knowing where or what is happening.”
Despite his exit, Agada declined to state whether he would continue to support Obi or align with other political actors ahead of the 2027 elections, including President Bola Tinubu.
“In essence, we are not supporting one particular person. I said it in my speech earlier. The Movement Nigeria is not built on any personality. It is not for Asiwaju, Obi or Atiku,” he stated.
On his relationship with Obi, Agada clarified, saying it was business-like and not personal, as many supposed.
“I have no personal relationship with Mr Peter Obi. Obi has been here in this building at a point when the Big Tent had its retreat sometime in July last year. That was actually the second physical contact I had with him.
“But I had operated as his Director of Finance for the Obidient Movement for more than a year now, and I carried out my function as much as I could. And most of the time, supporting, personally speaking.
“So, aside from being his director of finance, I have no personal relationship with him,” he explained.
Addressing questions on funding, Agada dismissed suggestions of external sponsorship, insisting the new movement would rely on collective contributions.
He said, “Any movement that is being bankrolled by an individual can be completely shut down and destroyed by other individuals. This movement is currently being funded by some of us seated here today. The funding structure is a democratised one and not by any big man from somewhere.
“So, there is absolutely nobody who is funding Movement Nigeria. As a worker, are you happy with your takeover or welfare? If you are not, then you should be part of this movement because it is not funded by a single individual.”
Reacting, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, expressed disappointment over Agada’s exit but downplayed its implications, noting that efforts were underway to restructure the group.
He said, “The fact is that we are trying to revamp and restructure the movement. What we want to do is to have a collegiate affair instead of running this kind of directorate thing where somebody will say he is not part of this or that. So, the collegiate is what we have now.
“Again, it is an electioneering year. If political parties and governors can be bought by the moneybags, anything can happen. At least, we can now know who is real and who is not. “We don’t want to join issues with Agada. As far as we are concerned, we are still together. I have not had any complaint about him leaving or being kicked out.”
Tanko, who was Obi’s former campaign director, also said he was unaware of any formal resignation letter.
“I have not received anything like that. As I said earlier, we are still together. But if he wants to run for the 2027 election, there is no problem. It is an election year, and it is expected that many people will move from one platform to another. “The Obidient Movement is a sacrifice. Some of us have been doing a lot, but we chose to stay together till the end.”
The development underscores growing internal tensions within the Obidient Movement as political realignments ahead of 2027 begin to take shape, raising questions about the cohesion and future direction of one of Nigeria’s most prominent grassroots political coalitions.
Anyone that says, "Where is the result of all the investment drive? They are just going for jamboree, nothing has ever come out of it" is a troll and should not be taken seriously.
Every adult that has sense can see the result of previous such visits, so anybody that says he can't see it is just planning to waste your time because there's nothing that you can tell him that he will understand.
Anyone that says, "Where is the result of all the investment drive? They are just going for jamboree, nothing has ever come out of it" is a troll and should not be taken seriously.
Every adult that has sense can see the result of previous such visits, so anybody that says he can't see it is just planning to waste your time because there's nothing that you can tell him that he will understand.
Apapa Port, Zenith Bank, Ebony Life, Monie Point, Ovaltine and other investment announcements as President Tinubu visits the UK
Statement from the UK Ministry of Business and Trade.
Hundreds of new UK jobs as Nigerian companies confirm millions in investment
Hundreds of new UK jobs are set to be created as Nigerian companies scale up their operations, reinforcing Britain's position as a leading global business hub.
From: Department for Business and Trade, The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP and The Rt Hon David Lammy MPPublished17 March 2026
⚫️ Nigerian companies including LemFi, Kuda, Moniepoint and Fidelity Bank expand UK operations.
⚫️ Major boost to North West economy as Zenith Bank opens new Manchester branch.
⚫️ Twinings Ovaltine opens £24 million Lagos manufacturing facility, ahead of historic Nigerian State Visit this week.
Hundreds of new jobs are set to be created across the UK as Nigerian banks, fintech innovators and creative industry businesses scale up their operations in Britain.
The move will see millions invested into the UK economy and reinforces the UK’s position as a leading global business hub, backed by world‑class talent, strong access to capital, and a stable regulatory environment - while showcasing Nigeria’s expanding role as a key source of innovation and investment into the UK.
It comes as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, are set to commence an historic State Visit on Wednesday, strengthening the UK’s position as a global hub for African business.
Thanks to the UK’s Trade and Industrial Strategies – combined with commitments made through the UK–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) – the government is attracting investment into key growth sectors including financial services, technology, education and advanced manufacturing.
The Deputy Prime Minister held an ETIP reception yesterday at Kensington Palace, bringing together 180 senior representatives from government and industry to celebrate the breadth, depth, and continued growth of our trade relationship across priority sectors including financial services, education, creative industries, infrastructure and technology. Florence Eshalomi, UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, also addressed the group.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:
"The UK and Nigeria share a belief in the power of enterprise, innovation and education to transform lives, and today’s commitments show exactly that.
With Nigerian firms creating jobs across the UK and British businesses expanding into one of the world’s fastest growing markets, our partnership is strengthening both economies and delivering real benefits for people in both countries".
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said:
"The UK and Nigeria’s Strategic Partnership is bringing momentum and opportunity to innovators in both our countries. We are reducing barriers, creating jobs and opening new pathways for growth.
Growth is the core mission of this government and it underpins our relationship with Nigeria. I am deeply proud that the cultural and commercial bonds between our nations are thriving and that both our businesses and people are feeling the benefits of that".
Zenith Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, opens its Manchester branch today [Tuesday 17 March] with the capacity to create up to 30 new direct jobs in a boost for the North West economy. The bank is also exploring a 2027 London Stock Exchange listing to deepen its UK market presence and unlock long-term funding for UK–Africa growth.
Fidbank plans to double its 62‑person workforce in 2026 and add new capital, while the Fidelity Group makes London its global hub. FCMB has also selected the UK as the first international destination for its digital cross border payments platform, boosting trade and investment flows between Africa and the rest of the world. Seven Nigerian banks now operate in the UK, supporting at least 1,000 jobs in total.
Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji OON, Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank PLC said:
The United Kingdom remains a key global financial centre. The opening of Zenith Bank, Manchester, therefore, marks another important milestone in our international expansion strategy, enabling us to deepen relationships with our customers, support trade and investments, and connect businesses between Africa and the UK more effectively.
Nigerian fintech investment is also accelerating rapidly:
⚫️ LemFi will invest £100 million over the next five years as it designates London its global headquarters.
⚫️ Moniepoint plans to grow its London based team to 100 employees in 2026, building the infrastructure that supports millions of African users worldwide.
⚫️ Kuda Bank is strengthening its UK headquarters as the base for global expansion and plans to double its UK footprint in 2026.
The UK’s reputation as a global creative capital also continues to deepen ties through:
⚫️ EbonyLife, one of Nigeria’s leading creative industry brands, will launch EbonyLife Place London, creating up to 40 new jobs and strengthening the UK’s role as a home for African storytelling and creative talent.
⚫️ The SCALE Creative Entrepreneur Award Programme, developed by the British Council and supported by DBT, will support young Nigerian and UK creative entrepreneurs to grow internationally and build lasting ties to benefit both the UK and Nigerian creative economies.
⚫️ The UK Advertising Exports Group will announce a strategic partnership with the Nigerian advertising sector. This will include a UK-Nigeria Advertising Summit taking place later this year and a talent exchange scheme which will deepen bilateral engagement.
⚫️ The British Council and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy in Nigeria, will deliver the UK/Nigeria Season of Culture in 2028, involving a range of innovative initiatives and events designed by UK and Nigeria creative organisations.
⚫️ A Creative Industries Roundtable at Lancaster House will bring together alumni, Chevening scholars and creative leaders from both countries.
The following British businesses are also set to benefit thanks to:
⚫️ Twining’s Ovaltine launching a £24 million manufacturing facility in Lagos, its first in Africa, creating over 100 direct jobs and boosting the company’s exports across West Africa.
⚫️ British fintech Wise will receive approval for its first Nigerian licence, enabling it to expand in a remittances market valued at up to £39.9 million.
⚫️ The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed an agreement with Asset Green Ltd to explore a largescale integrated dairy project that will strengthen Nigeria’s dairy value chain, reduce reliance on imports and improve nutrition.
Leading UK universities are also expanding into Nigeria, helping train the next generation of Nigerian and British scientists, technologists and innovators. Nigeria is a key education partner and a priority country for the UK’s International Education Strategy.
⚫️ The University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos have signed a new agreement to deliver programmes in Applied AI, Digital Communications and Global Surgery.
⚫️ The LSE has launched a new Data Science partnership with Nile University of Nigeria alongside the University of the West of England opening a dedicated office in Lagos.
⚫️ Wellington College International Lagos will open in 2027, offering places for 1,500 students - becoming one of West Africa’s flagship British curriculum schools.
⚫️ EStars, a UK‑owned educational esports and technology company, will partner with the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to deliver esports‑based digital learning programmes to around three million students.
Notes to Editors:
⚫️ With bilateral trade now at an all-time high of £8.1 billion a year, the UK and Nigeria are showing how countries grow faster when they grow together.
There are so many more to come, but because of Nairaland's restrictions I'll be posting them bit by bit.
Yesterday I created threads about the ceremonial side of the visit, today I've created threads about the business side. Tomorrow I'll create more threads about the ceremonial and then the next day will be about business.
I've told you that Nigerians always make strange comments when their leaders travel and this time is no exception. I have addressed most of the strange comments, but this time I'm going to address something that I have rarely written about.
Delegations
I noticed the composition of the US president's entourage when he travelled in the 1980s. There were usually businessmen in his delegations and they usually struck deals with their hosts. I wondered why Nigerian presidents didn't do the same thing.
President Ibrahim Babangida made me happy in the early 1990s. He travelled somewhere and took people like Chiefs Gabriel Igbinedion and Sonny Odogwu with him. I was happy.
You see, the private sector is the engine of the economy and it is the private sector that grows the economy, not the government. I wanted Nigerian businessmen and companies to go out and conquer the world.
Let's jump forward a few decades to another time that I was happy. President Goodluck Jonathan travelled to Kenya sometime around 2014 and his visit shook Africa. There were reports that Africa's richest men had descended on Nairobi, some reports were about the number of private jets that flew to Nairobi and the Kenyan finance minister also spoke about it.
And over time I realised that it's not just the private sector, but the president also needs to go with heads of ministries, departments and agencies and also with state governors. We have seen the impact of such trips in recent years.
Trips to China by President Muhammadu Buhari gave us the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line, the Railway University, the completion of the Warri-Itakpe Line, etc. He took the minister of transport with him.
Trips to the the Middle East (especially the UAE) by President Tinubu led to construction of free estates for victims of Boko Haram attacks and to programmes to render assistance to the victims.
So President Tinubu has travelled to the UK and in his delegation are state governors, ministers, business executives, etc.
Already funny Nigerians are saying that these people only went to the UK to "greet" President Tinubu. They don't know what they are talking about. There are very many events that are happening on the sidelines of the visit and they require the presence of these people (people are talking about Sanwo-Olu and General Musa, but a lot of these investments will be done in Lagos and of course Nigeria is in talks with the UK about training and equipment for our troops).
I would have created a mega thread about these events if I could still post as many pictures as I wanted.
Richard Montgomery is the UK high commissioner to Nigeria.
Richard Montgomery @RMontgomeryUK
With the #UKNGStateVisit in full swing, it was great to round off Monday's #ETIP talks with a reception following the first 🇬🇧🇳🇬 Ministerial Dialogue in London. A moment to strengthen connections, reflect on progress, and reaffirm our shared ambition for lasting partnerships.
Nigeria–UK Investment Roundtable On the sidelines of the State Visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to the United Kingdom, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), pic.twitter.com/QoZhRpJ45q
Politics › Re: Peter Agada Resigns As Obidient Finance Director, Cites Poor Coordination by naptu2(op): 1:19pm On Mar 20
