₦airaland Forum

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanne, has explained why the company is investing a whooping sum of $6 billion in energy projects in Angola over Nigeria.

Pouyanne, who spoke with panellists of the Africa CEO in Kigali, Rwanda, said the inconsistency in policymaking decisions led to the diversion of the project from Nigeria to Angola, a country with a more stable policy framework.

The oil boss stated that although the Niger Delta is the most productive region in West Africa, the erratic policy environment has made investment untenable.

He added that TotalEnergies has not conducted oil exploration in the region for 12 years.

“Nigeria loves to open topics without closing them. You love to debate. There is always a new legislature in Nigeria about a new petroleum law. When you have such permanent debates, it’s difficult for investors looking for long-term structure to know what direction to go.

“In reality, the Niger Delta is the most prolific part of West Africa. But if you look at what happened, because of these debates, there has not been a single exploration in Nigeria for 12 years.

“It’s important to have a debate and then settle it and put a framework on the table that investors can trust.

“We have countries that have perfectly integrated policies like Angola. So, we go to Angola and announced a very large $6 billion projects in the beginning of the week because there their framework is stable. So we know where we go,” Pouyanne said.

Insecurity, lack of talent stifling investment
In addition, Pouyanne said that insecurity and the lack of human capital are two of the main issues facing investment in the country.

According to him, investors need the guarantee that their investments are secured and not exposed to violence and demolition.

He also added that the firm is training individuals to boost human capital and required talents needed in the oil and gas sector.

“What are the challenges? Security comes first. For a CEO like me, security of my people is of utmost important. Fortunately, we have customs in the Niger Delta to deal with it.

“We also have finding talent has a difficulty. In some countries like Nigeria and Rwanda, we find difficult to find talent. Some of them have difficulty in education. And we can contribute to that. That’s some of the things we do, training people,” he said.

What you should know
In December 2023, TotalEnergies said it would invest as much as $6 billion in Africa’s biggest oil producer in the years ahead.

The energy firm said it will target deep-water projects and gas production at a time when international oil companies (IOCs) are shifting attention away from onshore to offshore operations in Nigeria.

Pouyanne had told President Bola Tinubu during a meeting in Abuja that the French company is in support of the current administration’s policies and push to resolve insecurity issues in the industry.

Nigeria contributes eight to 10% of TotalEnergies’ global output and is home to more than 18 per cent of its overall investments.

However, the company has been finding it difficult to get the oil major to retain its interest in offshore assets, which has been problematic for IOCs because of their vulnerability to insecurity and vandalism.

In February, Nairametrics reported that the firm announced plans to sell its minority stake in a major Nigerian oil joint venture.

The firm said It wants to divest its share of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and is looking to reshape its portfolio since producing oil in the Niger Delta is not in line with its health, security and environmental policies.

Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, has emerged as Nigeria’s third largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) by subscriber number in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.

This was revealed in the latest ISP data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to the data, the company’s active customers in Nigeria increased to 23,897 in Q4 of 2024 to become one of the leading ISPs in the country.

As of Q3 2023, NCC’s data showed that Starlink had 11,207 customers. The Q4 figure represents a 113% increase in customers quarter on quarter.

Spectranet, FiberOne maintain lead
Meanwhile, one of the oldest ISPs in Nigeria, Spectranet, maintained the top spot in the market with 113,869 active customers. FiberOne came second with 27,000 active users at the end of 2023.

According to NCC’s database, there were a total of a total of 245 companies licensed as ISPs in Nigeria as of 2023 year-end. However, going by the customer data just released, only 106 of the ISPs had active customers as of Q4 2023.

NCC’s data shows that the 106 ISPs had cumulative 262,206 active customers during the period under review. However, the figure is still quite low when compared with internet customers of the four mobile network operators in the country.

As of December 2023, MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile had 163.8 million active internet subscriptions.

The NCC’s database shows that an additional seven new ISPs have been licensed so far this year, bringing the total number of licensed ISPs to 252.

What you should know

Despite its higher costs compared with local ISPs, Starlink, which announced its presence in Nigeria in January 2023, had sparked high interest among Nigerians who were eager to change their service providers.

The ubiquitous status of its satellite service also encourages people in areas with poor internet networks to go for Starlink. Many local ISPs that have been in operation in Nigeria for several years are currently having far less than the number of customers Starlink has garnered in one year.

Last month, Starlink announced a 45% price slash on its router to win more Nigerian customers. The Starlink internet router, which was sold for N800,000 before that time, was slashed to N440,000 in April 2024. However, the monthly subscription for the internet service remains unchanged at N38,000 per month.

Although Starlink officially announced its presence in Nigeria in January last year, Nigerians had been pre-ordering its hardware since 2022. The company, which initially quoted its prices in dollars at $600 for the hardware and $43 for the subscription, changed to naira upon its official announcement.

DR Congo has thwarted a "coup attempt". Three people died during the shootout.

The armed men were stopped during their attack on the residence of a Federal Lawmaker, Vital Kamerhe, who is a candidate for Speaker of the National Assembly.

Congolese army says it has foiled a coup attempt. Self-exiled opposition figure threatens president

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s army said it foiled a coup attempt early Sunday and arrested the perpetrators, including several foreigners, following attacks on the presidential palace and the residence of a close ally of Congo’s president that left three people dead in the capital, Kinshasa.

At first, local media identified the armed men as Congolese soldiers but then reported they were linked to self-exiled opposition figure Christian Malanga, who later posted a video on Facebook threatening President Felix Tshisekedi.

Malanga was killed at the presidential palace after he resisted arrest by guards, Congolese army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge told The Associated Press.

Tshisekedi was reelected as president in December in a chaotic vote amid calls for a revote from the opposition over what they said was a lack of transparency. The Central African country has witnessed similar trends of disputed elections in the past.

Ekenge said on state television Sunday that the attempted coup d’état was “nipped in the bud by Congolese defense and security forces (and) the situation is under control.” Among the perpetrators were three Americans, including the son of Malanga, Ekenge later told the AP.

This also came amid a crisis gripping Tshisekedi’s ruling party over an election for the parliament’s leadership, which was supposed to be held Saturday but was postponed.

Clashes were reported Sunday between men in military uniform and guards of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly of Congo, at his residence in Kinshasa, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the presidential palace and where some embassies are also located.

Kamerhe’s guards stopped the armed men, Michel Moto Muhima, the politician’s spokesperson said on social media platform, adding that two police officers and one of the attackers were killed in the shootout that started around 4:30 a.m.

Footage, seemingly from the area, showed military trucks and heavily armed men parading deserted streets in the neighborhood as the army said the situation has been brought under control.

Meanwhile, the self-exiled Malanga appeared in the live-streamed video at the presidential palace surrounded by several people in military uniform and said: “Felix, you’re out. We are coming for you.”

On his website, the opposition leader’s group — the United Congolese Party (UCP) — is described as “a grassroots platform that unifies the Congolese Diaspora around the world opposing the current Congolese dictatorship.”

Tshisekedi hasn’t so far addressed the public about Sunday’s events.

On Friday, he met with parliamentarians and leaders of the Sacred Union of the Nation ruling coalition in an attempt to resolve the crisis seizing his party, which dominates the national assembly. He said he would not “hesitate to dissolve the National Assembly and send everyone to new elections if these bad practices persist.”

The United States Embassy in Congo issued a security alert Sunday, urging caution after “reports of gunfire.”

President Bola Tinubu has appointed his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, as Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

This was as he established a 25-person committee to oversee the country’s green economic initiatives.

“Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President,” the office of the secretary to the government of the federation revealed in a statement signed Sunday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.

“Ngelale will retain his role as the Official Spokesperson of the President and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while serving on the committee,” it added.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu establishes a committee to oversee green economic initiatives, appoints Chief Ajuri Ngelale as special envoy on climate action.’

Imohsien said the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will “coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.”

“This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action,” it further explained.

The new committee which has the President as its Chairman also includes the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal as its Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale as its Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy.

Members are the CEOs of, InfraCorp, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo; National Council on Climate Change, Mr. Salisu Dahiru; Infrastructure Council Regulatory Commission, Mr. Michael Ohiani, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Mrs. Aisha Rimi and National Social Investment Fund, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq.

The committee also consists of the CEOs of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Mr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mr Abdullahi Mustapha; Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu; CreditCorp, Uzoma Nwagba, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu Member, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Fatima Shinkafi; CBN Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate) Mr Bala Bello; UN SE4ALL, Lolade Abiola; Member and an Adviser to the NCCC Adviser, Teni Majekodunmi.

Others are representatives of the Federal Ministries of FCT, Finance, Industry, Trade & Investment, Water Resources, and Agriculture & Food Security.

The committee also consists of representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The OSGF outlined eight objectives of the Presidential Committee. They are to:

“Identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil & non-gas climate action initiatives.

“Coordinate all activities of relevant federal institutions towards the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with all relevant government, subnational governments, non-government, and civil society entities towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with national governments and multilateral institutions towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the federal government.

“Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the federal government.

“Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group.

“Supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and

“Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the federal government.”

Imohiosen noted that President Tinubu remains committed to achieving Nigeria’s green economy objectives on the path of a just energy transition while unlocking new investments in this critical sector that is central to the nation’s economic future.

The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, Paul Enenche, recently stirred controversy when he stated that a bag of rice he had bought for his family started multiplying after his wife gave out one-tenth of it as tithe.

According to him, after giving out a portion of the rice as tithe, they continued consuming the remaining, but it kept increasing. He stated that the development scared his wife, who gave out the remaining rice in the bag.

He said, “When my wife and I got married, she was tithing food. She would remove one-tenth of the food and give it out. One day, we had rice that did not finish. The more we took out of it, the more it increased.

“She became afraid at the end and dashed out the remaining. ‘What kind of food is this that would not finish’, she exclaimed.”

Pastor Enenche added that he had been paying tithes (one-tenth of his income) since his days as a student in the university, and would continue to do it.

He stated that that as a student, he was given a monthly allowance of N30, out of which he often paid tithe of N3.

Speaking further, he stated that he did not start paying tithes, because he wanted to become a pastor, but because it was a principle he read about in the Bible.

“We have been practitioners of this thing (tithes) since 1986, from the higher institution. N30 was what was given to me in a month, and N3 was my tithe. And, it has continued endlessly.

“I am telling you what I was taught. I was not doing it, because I wanted to be a pastor; I saw it in the scripture. When a man has evidence, it is not at the mercy of one who argues.”

ravensckar:
I once lived in an apartment where the landlord said 'No generator'. Funny enough, he didn't inform me before-hand. It was after I packed in and was unloading, he saw my generator and told me about the rule.


I calmly told him that I've heard and will abide. That rule prompted me to construct an iron cage for my generator. Any time it's hot, I'll just turn on my generator, enter my house and turn the music so loud that ain't gonna hear sh1t. He shouted, cussed and threatened fire & brimstone. For where? His children too threatened but I stood my ground.

Once he brought Policemen and we went to the station, nothing happened. Even he too knew nothing would come out of it when the Police people too turned on their gen for the D.P.O.

The Baba got tired and resigned to fate. He said he'll evict me after my rent expired, too bad I paid for 2 years.

After that incident, every other tennant became inspired and started using their generators. When our transformer got spoilt and the heat became unbearable, even Oga Landlord too bought a brand new generator. We all went to congratulate him for finally joining the clique. Las las, I and Baba became good friends until I left the compound about 4 years later.

*Renovating buildings in Lagos requires a permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) for activities such as retiling, re-plastering, and other aesthetic improvements, as per the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019.

*Renovation applications must be submitted to LASPPPA, including details of the renovation and any previous planning permits. A fee equal to 25% of current processing fees applies, and the application must meet minimum planning standards before approval.

*Experts emphasize the importance of renovation permits for ensuring compliance with building codes, maintaining safety and structural integrity, and conducting environmental checks. There is a need for increased public awareness and expanded LASPPPA workforce to ensure compliance.


Many Lagos residents may be unaware that renovating their buildings—whether residential or commercial—requires a renovation permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA). This includes activities such as replacing floor tiles and other aesthetic improvements.

According to the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, under the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, Cap U2 of 2015, it is illegal to carry out these renovations without a permit.

Specifically, Section 5 (A.1) of the regulations clearly states, “No building shall be renovated in the State without a renovation permit granted by the Authority.”

To provide further clarity, here is how the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, defines renovation:

“Renovation” means any act done to cause an improvement to a building’s beauty, and shall include changing of windows and doors, re-plastering, reroofing, replacements of floor coverings, recladding, retiling, kitchen or bathroom remodelling, plumbing works, electrical works, and does not include carrying out of structural improvement or changes to the building.”

This means that Lagos residents must obtain a renovation permit from LASPPPA before re-plastering their buildings, changing windows and doors, reroofing, remodelling kitchens or bathrooms, or carrying out plumbing and electrical works on existing structures. Failing to do so would contravene the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019.

What you need to know
Section 5 of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019 outlines the requirements for any Lagosian wishing to renovate an existing structure.

According to Section 5 (A.3), anyone intending to renovate a building must submit an application to the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority before beginning the renovation. This application should include details of the renovation and any evidence of a previous planning permit, if available. The application process will incur a fee equal to 25% of the current processing fees.

If an application for renovation does not include a previous planning permit, the regulations specify that the application must be submitted “As-Built” and must comply with the minimum planning standards applicable to the location. This process will also incur a fee of 25% of the current processing fees.

Should the application not meet the minimum standards, Section 5 (A.5) requires that the applicant make the necessary adjustments to comply with these standards before the renovation permit can be granted by the authority.

Section 5 (A.2) of the regulation provides that an applicant will only be issued a letter of Renovation Permit subject to satisfying certain conditions specified in the regulations.

What experts say about these regulations
To understand the rationale behind the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, which require obtaining renovation permits from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority before undertaking any building improvements, Nairametrics consulted several building experts to gain their insights on the matter.

Kingsley Cletus, an architect, highlighted the critical benefits of obtaining renovation permits before making improvements to existing buildings in Lagos.

He explained that these permits ensure compliance with the building codes and regulations set by the Lagos State Government, which is essential for maintaining the safety, integrity, and habitability of the structure.

Cletus provided specific examples such as converting external plumbing to conduit plumbing or changing a building’s roofing from wood to steel, both of which can significantly impact the building’s stability and safety. These modifications must be approved to ensure they meet regulatory standards and do not compromise the structure’s integrity.

“Renovation permits include checks for environmental compliance, ensuring that the renovation work does not negatively impact the environment or violate any environmental regulations,” he said.

A real estate consultant based in Lagos, specializing in facility management, who spoke anonymously, echoed the importance of obtaining renovation permits. He emphasized that these “permits involve inspections by qualified officials who verify that renovations comply with building codes and are carried out safely.”

This oversight reduces the risk of construction-related accidents and ensures that the structure can support the intended changes, thereby maintaining the long-term safety and stability of any property.

Bottom line
Obtaining renovation permits is essential for ensuring that renovation projects are conducted safely, legally, and to a high standard, benefiting both property owners and the state.

However, experts emphasize the need for increased public awareness about the importance of these permits.

They also recommend that the Lagos State Government expand the workforce of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority to ensure broader compliance with the mandate to obtain renovation permits before starting any projects.

Broooo, I just got back to this 💔

Biden and Trump accept CNN’s invitation to debate on June 27

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have both accepted an invitation from CNN to debate on June 27, a historically early showdown that will set the tone for the final months of the 2024 campaign.

“I’ve received and accepted an invitation from @CNN for a debate on June 27th. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place,” Biden said in a post on social media.

A Trump campaign official later told CNN that Trump had accepted the offer.

The news is the latest development in a quickly escalating tit-for-tat over debates between the two political rivals. Biden’s campaign earlier called on Trump to join him for two presidential debates hosted by news organizations and formally informed the Commission on Presidential Debates that the president will not participate in its previously scheduled fall debates. The former president quickly said he was on board with earlier debates and told radio host Hugh Hewitt that he would accept any moderator.

Biden only recently said that he was happy to debate Trump, though he was non-committal on the format of such a debate, telling radio host Howard Stern, “I’m happy to debate him.” In a social media video and a subsequent letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates, Biden’s campaign laid out its proposed terms, including possible debate dates in June and September.

The Senate has just approved a $500 million loan request by the Federal Government.

The money will be used by the Bureau of Public Enterprises for “metering Nigerians” for the supply of electricity to their homes.

According to the Ministry of Power, over 92 million Nigerians have yet to be metered.

EFCC Arrests 23 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested twenty-three (23) suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu State.

The suspects were arrested on May 10, 2024 in Igboeze, Nsukka and Enugu metropolis following actionable intelligence concerning their alleged online criminal activities.

Items recovered from them include; three cars, mobile phones, laptops, one Point Of Sale (POS) machine and several incriminating documents.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced new tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports, including a sharp tax hike on electric vehicles, to help protect his administration's investments in key sectors in the United States.

The targets of the tariffs include EVs, solar cells, steel, aluminum, semiconductors, advanced batteries, critical minerals, solar and medical products.

"American workers can outwork and outcompete anyone, as long as the competition is fair," President Biden said in remarks delivered from the White House Rose Garden. "But for too long it hasn't been fair."

Hitting China's trade policies, Biden said "it's not competition, it’s cheating.”

"China heavily subsidized all these products, pushing Chinese companies to produce far more than the rest of the world can absorb and then dumping excess products onto the market at unfairly low prices, driving other manufacturers around the world out of business," he said.

The election-year actions come as Biden looks to project himself as tougher on China than his predecessor, and expected 2024 rival, former President Donald Trump. Trump imposed some $300 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods during his administration, many of which are expected to remain in place.

The Biden-Harris campaign, ahead of the White House announcement, sought to highlight the contrast between Biden and Trump.

"After four years of broken promises by Donald Trump, who ceded leadership in jobs of the future to China, Joe Biden's strong leadership at home and abroad is delivering for the American people," Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer said in a statement to ABC News when asked about how the tariffs announcement will play with voters in industrial states like Michigan.

Trump, as he entered the Manhattan courthouse where he is currently on trial, said earlier Tuesday morning that Biden "should have done it a long time ago."

"But they also have to do it on other vehicles, and they need to do it on a lot of other products because China is eating our lunch right now," Trump said of Biden’s announcement. "And they went away from what I was doing. They're eating our lunch."

Asked by reporters about Trump’s comments during the Rose Garden event, Biden shot back: “He’s been feeding them a long time.”

Biden touted the new tariffs as a "smart approach" as he criticized Trump.

"Compare that to what the prior administration did," Biden said in his remarks. "My predecessor promised to increase American exports and boost manufacturing. But he did neither. He failed."

"He signed a trade deal with China," Biden continued. "They were supposed to buy $200 billion more in American goods. Instead, China's imports from America barely budged. And now Trump and his MAGA Republicans want across the board tariffs on all imports from all countries if reelected. Well, that would drive up costs for families on an average of $1,500 per year each year. He simply doesn't get it."

Tariffs on certain steel and aluminum products will increase from 7.5% to 25%, according to the White House. Semiconductor tariffs will double from 25% to 50% and certain medical equipment (including PPE, surgical gloves and respirators) will be subject to a 25% tariff.

The biggest increase will be on Chinese EVs, which will quadruple from a 25% tariff to 100%.

Biden said he was "determined that the future of electric vehicles be made in America by union workers."

Though some economists have warned the new tariffs could increase cost to American consumers and worsen inflation.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have invaded a State High Court sitting in Ilaro, Ogun State, arresting two defendants.

Our correspondent reports that the development has generated outrage.

The defendants , Alhaji Isiaka Fatai and Samuel Oyero, were trial in a suit marked HCP/IC/2023 between the State vs Awode Oladosu & 13 others.

The court was presided over by Justice A.A. Shobayo.

The case bordered on an allegation of arson reported by one Chief Akeem Adigun (aka Socopao) against Alhaji Isiaka Fatai, Oyero and 12 others.

Agosasa community in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state was recently enmeshed in crisis, with property worth billions of naira destroyed and one life lost over an Obaship tussle in the town.

But there was a pandemonium when operatives of DSS stormed the court premises and took away the suspects.

Counsel to Alhaji Isiaka, Kehinde Bamiwola, in a statement, alleged that men of the DSS operatives used weapons on the two, stressing that “Alhaji Isiaka Fatai was beaten, slapped, man-handled, rough-handled and molested.”

The Principal Registrar of the High Court and Sectional Head of High Court, Ilaro, Comrade Omololu Olusanya, who confirmed the incident, described it as shocking and disrespectful to the rule of law.

He noted that even after the judge had ordered the operatives not to make any arrest within the court premises, they still proceeded to arrest the two persons.

“They still went ahead and did the act to the extent that they assaulted one of our staff members, Mrs. Fadina, while doing that act. It’s a very sad issue that caused a lot of noise within the court premises.

“It was from the source that we heard they were DSS agents. If anybody sees them, one would think they were armed robbers.

“They did not wear anything that identified them as DSS, but they came to my lord this morning and said they had some people to arrest. That was when we knew they were DSS officers.

“They approached the judge before the court session began. The honorable judge advised them that if they wanted to make an arrest, it must not be done within the court premises.

“They could stay outside and do whatever they wanted, but they refused that advice and carried out the arrest within the premises.” he said.

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, did not answer calls or reply a text message sent at the time of filing this report.

Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has said she will resign as a co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"This is not a decision I came to lightly," Ms Gates wrote in a statement posted to social media on Monday.

Her last day of work will be 7 June.

Ms Gates founded the foundation - the largest private body of its kind - in 2000 with her then-husband Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder.

In 2021, after 27 years of marriage, the pair announced their separation, but pledged to carry on with their joint philanthropic work. At the time of their split, the former couple said they would remain as co-chairs and trustees of the organisation and that no changes to the foundation's structure were expected.

The Gates Foundation is among the most powerful groups in public health, with an endowment of more than $75bn (£59.7bn) as of December. It spends billions of dollars every year on initiatives aimed at eradicating infectious diseases, reducing poverty and combatting climate change.

According to the foundation's website, the couple donated more than $36bn (£28bn) of their own wealth to it from 1994 to 2018.

"I am immensely proud of the foundation that Bill and I built together," Ms Gates wrote in her statement adding that under an agreement with Mr Gates, she will now have an additional $12.5bn for her own charitable work on women and families.

In 2015, Ms Gates founded investment company Pivotal Ventures, a separate entity from the Gates Foundation, which focuses on removing barriers to opportunity for women and minority groups.

"This is a critical moment for women and girls in the US and around the world - and those fighting to protect and advance equality are in urgent need of support," she wrote in Monday's statement.

Mr Gates said he was "sorry to see Melinda leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work".

The Microsoft founder remains one of the world's richest men, with a net worth of more than $130.3bn, according to Forbes. Ms Gates' fortune is listed at $11.3bn.

PRESS RELEASE

FIJ'S CASE: OJUKWU’S ARREST, INVESTIGATION JUSTIFIABLE UNDER THE LAW - FPRO

He Has a Case to Answer

The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses recent developments regarding the arrest and investigation of Mr. Daniel Ojukwu, reiterating that much contrary to speculative reports, Mr. Ojukwu's investigation is in strict compliance with legal protocols and procedures. Mr. Ojukwu was lawfully apprehended and detained pursuant to a valid remand warrant issued by a competent court of justice on May 2nd 2024. His initial detention in Lagos and subsequent transfer to Abuja by the FCID-National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) aligns with standard investigative procedures undertaken by police.

The detention of Mr. Ojukwu is linked to allegations of violating provisions of the Cybercrime Act, and other extant laws pertaining to cyber related crimes. These allegations stem from a report concerning financial transactions and contract execution upon which he was petitioned to the Nigeria Police for investigations. With our preliminary forensic investigation, and recovery of some contents generated by the suspect, Mr. Ojukwu has a case to answer and as such will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

In the same vein, the Police did not deny Mr. Ojukwu bail, as it was predicated on him meeting the conditions set for the bail. He has however been released upon providing a reliable surety today Friday 10th May, 2024, pending the commencement of prosecution at the Federal High Court which has jurisdiction over cyber related crimes. It is instructive to note that his release has no correlation with the unwarranted protest held at the Police Headquarters on 9th May, 2024, but strictly due to him meeting the bail requirements and the policy of the Force on being rule of law compliant.

The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its duty to maintain law and order, uphold justice, and safeguard the rights of all citizens. We urge the public and media outlets to refrain from speculations and undue media trial in order to avoid jeopardizing the legal procedures in the case.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA
10th May, 2024