₦airaland Forum

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that there are strong indications that pump price of petrol is expected to record another round of increases, the third within 10 weeks as oil marketers hint that the landing cost of petrol has risen month-on-month, MoM, by 37.4 per cent to N632.17 per litre in July 2023, from N460 per litre in June 2023.
The landing cost excludes other additional costs which includes deport related charges, transportation logistics and marketers’ margin, which would combine to bring delivery at filling stations at nearly N700/litre.
Sources around oil marketers said that the landing cost for August is expected to rise further as the factors that propelled the rise in July figures have worsened as at last week.
Giving further insight, they said foreign exchange has been a major concern where scarcity has persisted while exchange rate has also continued to deteriorate.
As at last weekend Naira had depreciated by about 6.5 percent in the official market and 25 percent in the parallel market since the last pump price raise.
The marketers also noted that cost of fuel import is rising in response to the recent rises in price of crude oil in the international market.
A transactional analysis of a major operator has showed that marketers were paying N604.14 per litre as total direct cost.
A breakdown shows product cost per liter at N578.46, freight (Lome-Lagos) at N10.37, port charges at N7.37, NMDPRA levy of N4.47, storage cost at N2.58, Marine insurance cost at N0.47, fendering cost at N0.36 and ”others” at N0.05 as well as a finance cost amounting to N28.04.
Specifically, the transactional analysis put the landing cost of 28,000 metric tons of imported petrol at over $25 million, including total product cost, total direct cost, total finance cost, capable of generating more than N22 billion as sales revenue, indicating a loss of over N1.6 billion.
As a result of this development, the marketers said it would be unprofitable to import at current pump price, while the government has not guaranteed a free float of pump prices.
Consequently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has remained the only importer aside the minor private importation recorded last month.
The situation appears worsening as Nigeria’s crude oil output is now declining threatening the capacity to import refined products.
In its August 2023 Monthly Oil Market Report, MOMR, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, noted the dwindling output of many nations, adding that Nigeria’s oil production dropped on a year-on-year, YoY, basis by 6.5 per cent to 1.26 million barrels per day, bpd in July 2023, from 1.2 million bpd recorded in the corresponding period of 2022.
It also noted that on a month-on-month, MoM basis, the nation’s output dropped by 3.0 per cent to 1.26 million bpd in July 2023, from 1.3 million bpd in June 2023.

Commenting, the National Operations Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, said: “It is good because the high crude oil prices mean additional revenue to the federal government. The revenue would likely be used to fund projects and programmes because the government is no more involved in the payment of fuel subsidy.”
He, however, added: “But Nigerians will have to pay more for fuel, which prices have been deregulated. The prices are currently high, but we are optimistic that the prices will fall as a result of competition in future.”

Speaking, the Managing Director of a major operator, who pleaded anonymity, said the instability and volatility being experienced now in the downstream sector have discouraged, not only importation, but also massive investment expected of a deregulated market.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the management of the nation’s foreign exchange in order to rescue deregulation and the nation’s downstream sector from confusion, stagnation and eventual collapse.
He stated: “We have gotten to a point where President Bola Tinubu’s intervention is inevitable. Even if we have the resources to import, we cannot be very sure at what price the product would be sold. So, it is better to hold on and see the way things would unfold in the coming months.”
However, checks showed that the situation could worsen, putting pressure on local and international dealers to adjust prices as Argus, a United Kingdom-based market intelligence, stated: “Nigerian crude values have seen an upward trend over the past few weeks, which could be attributed to steady demand from Europe.”
“Indeed, high crude prices and continuous depreciation of the Naira pose as deterrents to the effectiveness of the deregulation and active participation by more marketers.
“However, as long as Nigeria still has to import gasoline, European oil traders will still look to cover that supply. The volumes, of course, may be less to Nigeria and more direct to other parts of West Africa because of less smuggling, but the prices will still be high.
“We at Argus encourage, as we have been, that importers look more into the pricing terms from their suppliers. For transparency in the supply chain, fairness and more; the pricing benchmark for gasoline should be Argus’ Eurobob.”

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that the leadership crises which have engulfed the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW appear unabated.
This is coming on the heel of fresh disagreement at the leadership level in which the Vice President of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, is sending warnings to the President Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, to desist from his unethical ways
Specifically, Agbede has warned the outgoing president of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, to desist from raising a false alarm over the internal affairs of the organisation.
Agbede stated this while reacting to a newspaper report credited to Baruwa that some people were planning to cause chaos at the Abuja national headquarters of the union.
He explained that Baruwa’s action clearly showed he was jittery as the end of his administration had come, adding that Baruwa was trying to provoke trouble by raising the false alarm.
“From the press statement he issued, it shows that he (Baruwa) is jittery; and the fear of losing his seat is already disturbing him. Nobody is planning any protest.
We shall use all legal means to remove him from office. No amount of false alarm can save him from being removed.
“We share joint tickets, and our tenures will expire by August 28, 2023, and he has to go.
In 2019, he was our candidate from the southwest. But now, we have rejected him.
He is gone. It is unfortunate that most of the people who supported him (Baruwa) in 2019 to become president have been forced to join the parks and garages management committee due to his highhandedness and selfish interest.”
The National Union of Road Transport Workers is an independent Nigerian trade union that serves the interests of transport workers in the road transport sector, by calling for collective obtaining and pushing for social stability for all workers in the transport sector as defined in its constitution.
The union, which was founded in 1978, has almost 2 million members, the majority of which are informal workers made up of taxi, bus and truck drivers usually.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has commended the Republic of Ghana for abolishing the death penalty for all crimes except high treason.
On 25 July 2023, the Ghanaian Parliament passed two private members’ bills, the Criminal Offence (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the Armed Forces (Amendment) Bill 2022 (the Bills), amending the Criminal Offences Act 1960 and the Armed Forces Act 1962 to effectively end capital punishment.

IBAHRI Co-Chair and Immediate Past Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association, Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc, commented: ‘The IBAHRI congratulates the Ghanaian Parliament for taking this historic step to affirm their commitment to human rights and the sanctity of human life.
In particular, we applaud Mr Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina and human rights lawyer, for bringing the Bills before the Parliament.
The IBAHRI also recognises and commends all entities, organisations and individuals who worked tirelessly to support the abolition process. We encourage President Nana Akufo-Addo to sign the Bills into law without delay.’

Ghana has not carried out an execution since 1993. However, the death penalty was retained as a mandatory sentence for certain crimes, requiring the Ghanaian courts to continue to sentence people to death, including seven people in 2022. Reports indicate that currently there are 170 men and 6 women on death row in Ghana.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions has reiterated that the ‘death row phenomenon’ – the emotional distress suffered by persons on death row – can, depending on the circumstances, including the length of time spent in such a situation, constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

IBAHRI Co-Chair Mark Stephens CBE stated: ‘The IBAHRI is delighted that Ghana has joined the worldwide movement towards the complete abolition of what is the unmistakable violation of a person’s right to life.
A state-sanctioned killing still results in a premature death and is as cruel as whatever crime for which the defendant is being punished, and sadly, in cases where a person may later be exonerated the execution cannot be reversed.
We encourage the government to consolidate its commitment to abolition by amending Ghana’s Constitution to abolish the death penalty for high treason and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).’

To the limited extent that the death penalty is permitted under international law, Article 6(2) of the ICCPR requires that it be reserved for ‘the most serious crimes’.
In its General comment No 36 (2018), the UN Human Rights Committee has held that this term must be read restrictively, relating only to crimes of extreme gravity involving intentional killing.
Acts that do not result directly and intentionally in death, such as those of a political nature, cannot serve as the basis for the death penalty. Accordingly, the IBAHRI encourages Ghana to abolish the death penalty for high treason in conformity with their obligations under international law.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, while facing his own election before the end of 2025,on Wednesday, announced his separation from wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.

However, what has generated concerns is the likely or unlikely effect of the separation on the election.
But in the event of over-politicized separation, most analysts estimate that Canada has, to its credit, a history of leaving such private matters alone but with certain exceptions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 51, and his wife Sophie, 48, who announced their split on Instagram have been married since 2005 and share three children.
The separation was announced in matching posts written in both English and French. The PM’s office also released a statement to confirm they had reached a legal agreement and reveal that the pair will remain amicable, holidaying together soon with their three kids.
“Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has already moved out of the family home to another residence in Ottawa,” the spokesman added.
“They have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward.”
According to Canada’s Globe and Mail, the pair will share custody of their three children.
Trudeau will remain at Rideau Cottage with the children, but Sophie has already moved to a different property in Ottawa.

While this is on going, Meta is making good a threat on news blackout.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has officially started to restrict access to Canadian news outlets on its feeds in Canada.

The move is a response to the Online News Act, a federal law requiring tech giants who link to Canadian news to pay domestic publishers. Google is threatening to do the same.

The legislation is similar to an Australian law – the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code – passed in 2021.

Facebook blocked news in Australia at the time but restored access after the government amended the code.

Ottawa’s Liberal government has denounced the move to block access to Canadian news on Facebook and Instagram.

Newly appointed Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, who took over the file from former minister Pablo Rodriguez in last week’s Cabinet shuffle, called the move “irresponsible.”

The government has vowed to stay the course. Meta and Google have promised the same.

In early July, US Senator Amy Klobuchar came out swinging in favor of Canada, urging Trudeau’s government to persevere in its struggle with the platforms.

Born on December 25, 1971, Justin Trudeau is Canada’s 23rd Prime Minister and the proud father of Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien.
His vision of Canada is a country where everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed. His experiences as a teacher, father, leader, and advocate for youth have shaped his dedication to Canadians.
The oldest of three boys, Justin grew up with the profound influence of his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and his mother, Margaret Trudeau. He graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1994.
He went on to complete the University of British Columbia’s education program, and spent several years teaching in Vancouver.
Justin entered politics to make change that would better serve all Canadians. In 2007, he built a grassroots campaign to win the Liberal Party nomination in the Montréal riding of Papineau.
He was elected in 2008, and re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021.
Justin was elected Leader of the Liberal Party in April 2013. On October 19, 2015, he led his party to victory, winning a majority government. On October 21, 2019, he led the Liberal Party to re-election, earning a second mandate.
On September 20, 2021, Justin once again led the party to re-election, earning a third mandate to govern from Canadians.
As Prime Minister, Justin leads a government that works hard to continue moving Canada forward.
His team is focused on fighting climate change, creating good middle-class jobs, making life more affordable, keeping Canada’s communities safe, and moving forward on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that early January, 2023, the unending tussle for the stool of the Obong of Calabar reverberated in Abuja as a five-man panel of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by former Minister of Finance, Etubom Anthony Ani, against Etubom Ekpo Okon on the traditional stool of the Obong of Calabar and the traditional ruler of the Efik kingdom.
The judgement delivered by Justice Amina Augie was dismissed on the grounds that the appeal lacked merit.
Ani had approached a lower court challenging Etubom Okon Abasi and others in their capacity as members of Etubom’s Traditional council for allegedly distorting the screening process of the western Calabar when Abasi Otu was the chairman of the council.
Justice Obojor Ogah of the High Court of Cross River State removed Abasi Otu who was the chairman of the committee for selection of candidates for the stool of Obong of Calabar, as candidate elect, on the grounds that it is contrary to natural justice, equity and good conscience, thereby upholding Etubom Anthony’s emergence as Obong of Calabar elect.
Not satisfied with the decision, Abasi Otu appealed the decision of the lower court at the Calabar division of the Court of Appeal.
While delivering judgement in the appeal in June 2013, the then Justice Garba Lawal, now a justice of the Supreme Court, set aside the selection process that produced Ani on the grounds that he was not traditionally eligible to vote and be voted for at the time.
The judge held that Etubom Abasi Otu was traditionally qualified at the time of the selection process, but also set aside his proclamation as Obong.
The judge therefore ordered that the Etuboms conclave of the palace of the Obong of Calabar conduct another selection process in a strict compliance with the rules of natural justice.
Etubom Anthony Ani approached the Supreme Court, challenging the decision of the Calabar division of the Court of Appeal.
In a unanimous decision, the apex court upheld the decision of the lower court and dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

But on Tuesday, August 1, Etubom Anthony Ani, and contestant to the Obong of Calabar throne, restated his claim to the Obong of Calabar stool by declaring that he is the Obong of Calabar and nobody can stop it.
Etubom Ani, who spoke when the Ikot Offiong Royal House paid him a solidarity visit, noted that he was selected by the remaining seven Etuboms alive, who carried out the process for selection of Obong to succeed Nta Elijah Henshaw, who died in 2008 and in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court, which ordered that the feuding parties laying claim to the stool should return to the drawing board to select another Obong.
“After the Supreme Court asked us to return to the drawing board, the Etubom Traditional Rulers Council headed by Etubom Efiok sent a message to Edidem Ekpo Otu to present himself for another selection process but he did not show up and the Etuboms went ahead to select me as the Obong-elect and nobody can stop my being crowned Obong of Calabar.”
He said four out of the seven Etuboms in the Traditional Rulers Council selected him and by virtue of that election, he has been made Obong of Calabar and he would be crowned soon.
Also speaking, Ntufam Asuquo Eyoma, former Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda, said the solidarity visit to the Obong-elect was to show support and after that the Obong-elect in turn would pay royal visits to all the royal houses leading to his crowning.
“Etubom Ani is a true son of Efik and qualified to sit on that stool because both his parents are Efik unlike the other person, whose mother is Efik while his father is not and by that status can never sit on Efik stool as Obong.”
He said Etubom Ani would on Friday meet with the traditional rulers council in Cross River State in readiness for his crowning.
Historically, the Obong of Calabar is the traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of the Efik people in Cross River State, Nigeria in Western Africa.
The Obong is referred to as a natural ruler.
This is because the kingdom predates the Nigerian state and the King signed sovereign treaties with other world powers.
So powerful is the kingdom held that Obong of Calabar, at a time, was bestowed with the additional title of defender of the Christian faith by a British monarch owing to the Obong's documented efforts in helping the spread of Christianity in his domain.
The current but disputed Obong of Calabar , Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, is the 78th monarch of the Efik people and has held the title since 2008.
List of Obongs
• Eyamba V (1834-1847)
• Archibong I (1849-1852)
• Edem-Odo Edem Ekpo (1854-1858)
• Orok Edem-Odo (1880-1896)
• Bassey Eyo Ephraim Adam III (1882-1886)
• Adam Ephraim Adam I (1901-1906)
• Boco Ene Nkpang Cobham (1989-2001)
• Nta Elijah Henshaw (2001-2008)
• Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V (2008-till date)

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that governor Ahmadu Fintiri has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Adamawa State.
This is after the vandalisation of the government property by hoodlums who broke into warehouses to cart away COVID-19 palliatives.
Fintiri, in his statewide broadcast, said the government took the action as a precaution, following the activities of “some misguided elements” who have broken into warehouses looting COVID-19 palliatives.
Earlier on Sunday, there were reports about the looting of a government-owned warehouse at Kwana-waya by angry residents, who later broke into the Central stores located at Barkin Kogi and looted food items.
The governor said, “Reports of people dying in the stampede have been received and we cannot afford to allow anyone to lose his or her life.
“We must also avoid a scenario where the security agents will be blamed if any person loses his/her life while being prevented from looting and destroying Government property.
Adamawa is one of the states in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is bordered by Borno to the northwest, Gombe to the west, and Taraba to the southwest, while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon.
The State takes its name from the historic emirate of Adamawa, with the emirate's old capital of Yola, serving as the capital city of Adamawa state.
It is one of the most heterogeneous in Nigeria, with over 100 indigenous ethnic groups.
The State was formed in 1991, when the former Gongola state was divided into Adamawa and Taraba states.
Since it was carved out of the old Gongola State in 1991 by the General Ibrahim Badamsi Babangida military regime, Adamawa State has had 10 men, both military and civilian, controlling the levers of power, who played crucial roles in transforming the state into what it is today.
Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Adamawa state is the eighth largest in area, but the thirteenth least populous with an estimated population of about 4.25 million as of 2016.
Geographically, the state is mainly composed of the highlands of mountains (the Atlantika, Mandara, and the Shebshi ranges) and the Adamawa Plateau, crossed by valleys and rivers, most notably the Benue and Gongola rivers.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Nigerian rapper and one of the most influential artists in Africa, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, popularly known in the entertainment circle as Olamide, has given insights into what to expect in his next album bill for launch in August.

Clearly, the YNBL boss, is looking forward to the August 9 release date of his latest album.
However, the singer has advised his fans not to expect a normal album from him as he insisted that some of them may find the ‘Unruly’ album and videos explicit and lewd.
The singer, who shared track-list of his new body of work on Friday, told Per Second News in an exclusive short interaction that the album could raise dust as the contents may sound offensive to some people who may be expecting something different.
The album, which is Olamide’s 11th studio work features Rema, Fireboy DML, Asake, BNXN and Ckay, among other music artistes, is one of the anticipated music projects in the music industry despite Kizz Daniel and Adekunle Gold dropping albums on Friday.

Speaking with R, Olamide described his album as mixture of the good and the bad, adding that those who love Olamide will embrace the project and run up the number while those who expect something different may be surprised as well.
He noted that he took his time to work on the album and the title being unruly should tell people that it is not the regular album that preaches to everyone.
“It is an album that only the unruly can appreciate and vibe to. I am looking forward to the album dominating the social media and music platforms in its first week of release.”

Born on March 15, 1989 in Bariga, Lagos State, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji is the second of Pa Adedeji's three children with Ronke Osisanya Adedeji, his second wife. TemmyGold and Eniola Olamilekan (also known as DJ Enimoney) are Olamide's two siblings.
Olamide started his career when he released the debut single, "Eni Duro," in 2010. In the same year, he performed at The Hip Hop World Awards. He studied mass communication at Tai Solarin University but dropped out due to financial problems.
Adedeji , also known as Olamide Baddo, is married to Adebukunmi Aisha Suleiman.They have two boys together, Batifeori Maximilliano Adedeji and Tunrepin Myles Adedeji.
Olamide allegedly had a love child with Maria Okanrende, who at the time worked at The Beat 99.9 FM.

The songwriter and record executive has been instrumental to the launching of the careers of several Afrobeats music stars.
He records in Yoruba and English. In 2011, he released his debut studio album Rapsodi while signed to Coded Tunes.
YBNL, his follow-up album, was released under his label imprint "Yahoo Boy No Laptop," aka YBNL Nation.
The album was supported by the singles "First of All," "Voice of the Street," "Stupid Love," and "Ilefo Illuminati."
On 7 November 2013, Olamide released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album's singles include "Durosoke" and "Yemi My Lover." On 17 July 2013, Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc.
Baddo has over 453 million streams on Spotify and his most stream song on the platform is “Infinity” with Omah Lay but the singer said he wants to increase the numbers this time with the project as he continues to entertain music lovers across Africa.

Why Tinubu Did Not Assign Portfolios To Ministerial Nominees---Senator Ita Enang

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the absence of portfolios assigned to the ministerial nominees submitted by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Senate for screening during the week generated hot debates and controversies.
Most public affairs analysts frowned at the list the Presidency submitted to the Senate for screening on the grounds of absence of portfolios assigned to each nominee.
They pointed out that the screening would be difficult for Senators who would not be able to ask the requisite questions on the basis of the knowledge and experience of each nominee in relationship of the Ministry the nominee would manage as a Minister.
Clarifying the controversy Saturday morning on Arise TV, Senator Ita Enang, 61, and former Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to former President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate) from 27 August 2015 to 29 May 2019, said there was nothing wrong in sending a list of nominees to the Senate without portfolios.
He stated that it is normal and indeed, that has been the tradition.
Senator Ita Enang emphasized that it is also not against the constitution.
According to Enang who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos after graduating from the Law Faculty, University of Calabar in 1984, “It is not the practice and the constitution does not say so,” he explained.
Further , Enang, who represented Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 201 and elected Senator for the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District (Uyo) from 2011 to 2015, clarified that the wisdom behind not attaching portfolios to ministerial nominees arises from the likelihood of cabinet reshuffle which is an integral part of presidential administration.
He noted that ministers are nominated by the President for ministerial positions and that any nominated ministerial must possess the basic academic knowledge to function in any ministry and produce excellent results.
He argued that the Senate could screen and assess a particular nominee on the basis of his knowledge in education and the person would be assigned the education portfolio.
However, should the need arise for the President to reshuffle the cabinet and the education minister needs to manage Agriculture ministry , will the President go back to the Senate for re screening? He asked rhetorically.
Also, Senator Ita Enang who attended the Presbyterian Teachers Training College, Ididep, Akwa Ibom State between 1974 and 1979 asked “Assuming the Senate members are on recess at the time the need for rescreening comes up? What would happen? Do you then go back to the Senate or the President will have to be waiting? Nominees are screened and they can be assigned to any Ministry,” he stated.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu nominated 28 persons as ministers.
The list was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the plenary on Thursday.
The ministerial list was submitted to the Senate by the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at about 1:19 p.m.
The submission of ministerial nominees was in line with the constitutional provision stipulating that the president has from the date he is sworn in, a 60-day window to appoint ministers.
According to the ministerial list read by the senate president, the nominees are:

●Abubakar Momoh – Edo State

●Ahmad Dangiwa – Katsina
●Hanatu Musawa -Kastina
●Uche Nnaji -Enugu
●Betta Edu -Cross River
●Doris Uzoka -Imo
●David Umahi -Ebonyi
●Nyesom Wike – Rivers
●Mohamed Badaru -Jigawa
●Nasir El-Rufai -Kaduna
●Ekperikpe Ekpo – Akwa Ibom
●Nkiru Onyejiocha – Abia
●Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo – Ondo
●Stella Okotete – Delta
●Uju Ohaneye -Anambra
●Bello Mohammed Goronyo – Sokoto
●Dele Alake -Ekiti
●Lateef Fagbemi -Kwara
●Mohammed Idris – Niger
●Olawale Edun -Ogun
●Adebayo Adelabu – Oyo
●Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim -Nasarawa
●Ali Pate -Bauchi
●Joseph Utsev -Benue
●Abubakar Kyari -Borno
●John Enoh – Cross River
●Sani Abubakar Danladi -Taraba

The Senate President however referred the president’s request to the committee of a whole for consideration.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Bank of Japan unexpectedly tweaked its monetary policy framework on Friday, providing more flexible bandwidth for government bond yields to fluctuate.
The nine-member board's decision - an 8-1 majority vote -- will allow 10-year Japanese government bond yields to rise above the current cap of 0.5%.
While it maintained its policy of guiding yields 50 basis points above or below 0%, it added new wording in a statement, saying "it will conduct yield curve control with greater flexibility, regarding the upper and lower bounds of the range as references, not as rigid limits, in its market operations."
"The Bank will offer to purchase 10-year JGBs at 1.0 percent every business day through fixed rate operations, unless it is highly likely that no bids will be submitted," the statement said.
The market turned volatile after the announcement, as it digests the impact of the policy tweak. Japanese yen rose to 138.64 per dollar, only then to fall to 141.07. The Nikkei Stock Average extended its loss during the afternoon session, falling over 700 yen.
Long-term interest rates rose sharply in the bond market Friday morning ahead of the BOJ's policy announcement, with the 10-year yield crossing the BOJ's ceiling of 0.5% for the first time in more than four months.
Unlimited bond purchase operations will continue to be held every day to keep the yields from moving outside the range. The BOJ also has other measures in place to control the yield curve, including curbs on JGB short-selling and long-term fund supply designed to encourage JGB purchases.
The move comes as inflation in Japan has become more embedded than the BOJ previously expected. The central bank projected that the core consumer price index, which excludes fresh food, will increase 2.5% during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, from a year earlier. The projection in its previous forecast was 1.8%.
Japan's core CPI hit 3.3% in June, the 15th straight month above the 2% inflation target, accelerating from 3.2% in the previous month. The BOJ, however, projected a 1.9% rate of inflation for fiscal 2024.
A survey has showed that 73% of market economists expected there would be no change to the BOJ's policy framework at this meeting.
The BOJ's accommodative policy sharply contrasts with the global trend. The U.S. Federal Reserve once again raised policy rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, marking its 11th rate hike in its last 12 meetings. The European Central Bank on Thursday raised its benchmark rate back to a record high of 3.75%.
The BOJ's low interest rate policy has made the yen a relatively unattractive investment and vulnerable to selling. The yen hit its weakest level of 145 against the greenback this year on June 30.

Simon Ekpa Compounds Enugu Governor’s Headache
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Finland-based Pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, is adding severe headache to the already traumatized governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah.
Peter Mbah who was sworn in as the 4th governor of Enugu State since the rebirth of democratic practices in 1999 has been enmeshed in a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate forgery scandal, which has left him less focus on administration.

While that is on going, Ekpa has written to the European Union and the United States of America over alleged human rights abuses carried out by Governor Mbah.
Three people were killed on Wednesday when traders took to the streets to protest the sealing of their shops by the state government for not opening for business on Monday.
Ekpa, in a letter written to the international community afterwards however demanded a visa ban on Mbah for violating the citizens’ fundamental human rights.
He added that the Enugu State government confiscated and arrested people in the state without recourse to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The letter read, “We wish to bring to your notice the gross violation and fundamental human rights abuses of the people of Enugu State, Biafra (in Southeast Nigeria) by Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State.
“Peter Mbah is confiscating and locking up people’s businesses and means of sustenance without recourse to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any chatter, treaty or convention known anywhere in the civilized world, thereby denying the people of Enugu State the right to personal property and free enterprise.
“We request that you impose a visa ban on Governor Peter Mbah and add him to the list of terrorists and haters of freedom and democracy in Nigeria.”

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a popular native doctor based in his home town, Oba in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State was kidnapped on Sunday night in one of his hotels in the town.
The native doctor, known as Akwa Okuko tiwara aki ( an egg that breaks palm nut), was believed to possess power of disappearance, but could not disappear when the kidnappers came for him.
His two personal aides were said to have been killed in the vicinity of the hotel before the kidnappers effortlessly took him away.
Regarded as one of the strongest native doctors in Anambra State, it was a surprise that he was kidnapped with so much ease in his hotel, Triple P Hotel, which is one of the three hotels he built in Oba.
The Anambra State police command has confirmed his kidnap as the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said the incident happened around 11:30pm last night.
The state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has already ordered operatives to go after his abductors and ensure his release.
A source said: “Akwa Okuko Tiwara aki has been Kidnapped. Two of his security men were shot dead.
“The ease of his abduction has put a question mark on his rumoured strength,” said the source.
In the meantime, many people have been trouping to his house in Oba to find out if truly he was kidnapped in view of the enormous powers he was believed to possess.
The kidnappers have also not made any contact with his family in terms of ransom to be paid.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the 5th Freedom Online media lecture which held on Tuesday, July 18 at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, has availed the required opportunities for political stakeholders to offer options for Nigeria’s democratic advancement.
Speaking at the event themed “2023-2027: Nigerians, Elected Leaders and Expectations,” the special guest of honour, Chief Olabode George stated that Nigerians need nothing but good governance from its elected leaders.
He noted that to achieve good governance, peaceful environment and security of life and property are key.
The former national deputy chairman {South} of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, expressed anxiety about the likely outcome of the presidential election tribunal, saying the final verdict could orchestrate commotion in the system if either the petitioners or respondents win the case.
“We are in a situation where if the court favours ‘A’ there would be trouble, and if the court favours ‘B’, there would also be trouble. The way most of our elected leaders take life, it is as if there would be no tomorrow. May God forgive our transgressions and direct the minds of our political leaders in ensuring a good life to all our people in Nigeria,” the retired Navy Commodore declared.
As a remedy, Bode George emphasized that the country is currently in darkness. He advised government to revisit the 2014 Constitutional Conference organized by the government of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
He explained that the solutions to the challenges of democratic governance in Nigeria and expectations from public office holders are documented in the reports.
“I am an elder statesman. I want peace for Nigeria. May God direct the minds of our political leaders,” he prayed.
Lending his voice to the dicussion, former Minister of Police Affairs and first military governor of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade Caleb ret’d, noted that there are lots of grounds to be covered in the country’s democratic space.
He noted that government must, as a necessity, unite the people and seek expert advice in key areas for positive results in the quest for enhanced economy.
On citizens’ expectation on or before 2027, Olubolade pointed out that government should endeavour to live up to its constitutional responsibility by ensuring safety in the land as well as genuine measure to minimize corruption.
He explained that since oil is a major source of revenue to government , strategic measures should be put in place to address the unending oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Online media, Pastor Gabriel Akinadewo called for a rework of the constitution to enthrone true federalism.
He stressed that centralized government has been outdated. He pointed out the United States of America where sub national governments function with less dependence on White House.
“Nigeria’s problems are localized and do not require central solutions. America has 15 Ministers {Secretaries} and nobody complains of its community not being represented in Washington DC. This is because the central has been made less attractive,” he emphasized.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji, is still struggling to defend himself in court over alleged misappropriation of funds while in office.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji is a Nigerian economist and politician who served as speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly from 2005 to 2015.
The problem of Adeyemi Ikuforiji started when he was charged alongside his former personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi on a 54-count charge of financial recklessness.
On Tuesday, Justice Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos fixed November 15, for the adoption of written addresses by parties in the trial of the 64 years old former Speaker.
The Judge adjourned for the adoption of written addresses after the defence counsel Mr Dele Adesina (SAN) tendered the Certified True Copy of court proceedings of 2014, which was before Justice Ibrahim Buba.
The matter which was scheduled to be heard on Monday, July 17 was stalled due to the absence of the EFCC prosecutor who was said to be in the Court of Appeal, Abuja division for another matter.
Although the defendants and their counsel were in court but the trial judge after conferring with the defence counsel, shifted the matter to Tuesday for hearing.
At the resumed hearing of the proceedings on Tuesday, July 18, the counsel, Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN) who announced appearance for defence, recalled as a witness (DW4), the former Chief Accountant of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Taiwo Olatunji to tender the Certified True Copy of the 2014 proceedings.
Mr Ekene Iheanacho appearing for the prosecution did not oppose tendering of the documents. The court also admitted as exhibits, Olatunji’s statement made during interrogation with the EFCC as well as record of proceedings before Justice Buba.
Olatunji who was subpoenaed by the court, had earlier testified as the second Prosecution Witness(PW2) in the trial.
Recall that at the last adjourned date on May 4, 2023, the former speaker during his examination-in-chief, had told the court that his trial was politically motivated.
Ikuforiji stated that the initial allegations made against him by the Commission was on fraud and misappropriation of funds, which the Commission later changed to money laundering.
He said, “My Lord sir, I am still surprised that EFCC will charge anybody for money laundering because the person collected from the money brought from bank to the treasury of the House of Assembly, which is an arm of government.
“It is a pity that I am standing trial today based on a faceless petition, that has no name or address of the writer, who alleged that I committed a fraud or misappropriated the sum of over N7 billion. But, politicians for what we are when you stepped on somebody’s toes, you’re bound to have many enemies.
“It is likely that I have a lot of enemies, and that is why we have this petition by an unknown writer. Who even knows if the petition is from an individual and not from the EFCC itself.”
Ikuforiji said that as a three term Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, if he had indeed committed such infraction, EFCC will not be the first to charge him, as members of the House would have dealt with him, by first impeaching him before handing him over to law enforcement agency.
Denying the allegation of money laundering, levelled against him, Ikuforiji said as the Head of the legislative arm of government, his role in any financial issue is to give final approval to memo put before him, after the Office of the Clerk and that of the Finance Department have done their work on it.
“I don’t handle cash, or disbursement of funds, it is the duty of the Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department to do that” he added.
When asked if the 2nd defendant, Oyebode Atoyebi, who was his personal assistant, did collect cash on his behalf, Ikuforiji said, “Atoyebi collected money or cash for the Office of the Speaker, who at that time had over 100 staff, and definitely not for the Speaker in person. Atoyebi can collect money for the running of the office of the Speaker and allowances of other Staff”
On the status of the employment of Oyebode Atoyebi, the former Speaker said Atoyebi being a staff of Lagos State Government was seconded to the office of the Speaker.
According to the charge, EFCC alleged that the defendants accepted cash payments above the threshold set by the Money Laundering Act, without going through a financial institution.
The Commission accused the defendants of conspiring to commit an illegal act of accepting cash payments in the aggregate sum of N338.8 million from the House of Assembly without going through a financial institution.
Ikuforiji was also accused of using his position to misappropriate funds belonging to the Assembly.
The EFCC said that the defendants committed the offences between April 2010 and July 2011.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravenes the provisions of Sections 15 (1d), 16(1d) and 18 of Money Laundering Act, 2004 and 2011.

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that China’s Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, has not been seen in public for three weeks.
In the public space, this is an unusual development.
Incidentally, his long absence for a high-profile roles during a busy period of diplomatic activity in Beijing has sparked intense speculation in a country known for its political opaqueness.

Qin, a career diplomat and trusted aide of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, was promoted to foreign minister in December, after a brief stint as ambassador to the United States.

As foreign minister, Qin has delivered searing rebukes of Washington after relations plunged to a new low in the aftermath of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over the US.

He has also played a key role in subsequent efforts by both sides to stabilize rocky ties and restore communication, including meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Beijing in mid-June.

But the 57-year-old has not been seen in public since June 25, after he met with officials from Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Russia in Beijing.

In his last public appearance, a smiling Qin was seen walking side by side with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, who flew to Beijing to meet with Chinese officials after a short-lived insurrection by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia.

“Given China’s status and influence in the world, it’s indeed very strange that its foreign minister has not appeared in public for more than 20 days,” said Deng Yuwen, a former editor of a Communist Party newspaper who now lives in the US.

When asked about Qin’s prolonged absence at a press briefing Monday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said she had “no information to provide,” adding that China’s diplomatic activities are being carried out as usual.

Qin’s absence was made all the more conspicuous by the flurry of diplomatic activity in the Chinese capital in recent weeks, including high-profile visits by senior US officials Janet Yellen and John Kerry.

Qin was supposed to meet European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell earlier this month in Beijing but the meeting was pushed back after China informed the EU that the dates were “no longer possible,” Reuters reported, citing an EU spokesperson.

The EU was told of the postponement just two days before Borrell’s scheduled arrival on July 5, according to Reuters.

Qin also failed to show up at an annual foreign ministers' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Indonesia last week. Instead, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi attended the gathering in his place.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry told a regular news briefing last Tuesday that Qin could not attend the ASEAN meeting “because of health reasons,” according to Reuters.

But that response was missing from the briefing’s official transcript posted later on the ministry’s website. The Chinese Foreign Ministry often leaves out content it deems sensitive from the transcripts of its regular briefings.

The brief health reason cited by authorities, however, has failed to quell a groundswell of largely unsubstantiated speculation as to why Qin has not been seen.

These rumors are driven by a lack of transparency in the Chinese political system, in which information is closely guarded and important decisions are mostly made behind closed doors, said Deng, the US-based analyst.

Under Xi, this political opacity has only intensified, as he cracks down on dissent and concentrates power in his own hands.

“This is a problem for totalitarian regimes. Totalitarian regimes are inherently unstable because everything is decided by the supreme leader alone,” he said.

“If anything unusual happened to a senior official, people will wonder if their relations with the top leader have soured or whether it is a sign of political instability,” said Deng.

Senior Chinese officials have disappeared from public view in the past, only to be revealed months later by the ruling Communist Party’s disciplinary watchdog that they’ve been detained for investigations. Such sudden disappearances have become a common feature in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign.

Adding to the sensitivity of Qin’s absence is his perceived close ties to Xi, who secured a norm-breaking third term in power last autumn with a new leadership team stacked with loyal allies, according to Deng.

“Qin Gang was single-handedly pulled up the ranks by Xi. Any problems with him will reflect badly on Xi too – implying that Xi failed to choose the right person for the job,” said Deng.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that governor Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reeled out conditions and attitudes individuals and institutions in the gateway State must imbibe to enjoy economic freedom.
The business tycoon turned politician who is believed to be a billionaire in all currencies advised that nothing good comes easy.
He technically admonished residents in the State that though government may be doing its best to life people out of poverty, individuals and institutions must, as a matter of necessity, embrace certain ethical standards to unlock possibilities and potential.
The governor who joined its counterparts across the world to commemorate the International Day of Cooperatives, noted that the theme of this year's celebration "Cooperative: Partners for Accelerated Sustainable Development" speaks to the need for all hands to be on deck to fast track the process of reversing the negative effects of fuel subsidy removal on the economy and people's livelihoods.
Among the governor's recommendations is that in the State should embrace best practices in the management of their affairs.
He also advised that both individuals and societies should deepen collaboration with the State government to take full advantage of opportunities to be provided in the critical sectors, including agriculture.
Abiodun, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo added that to ease the pains of fuel subsidy removal, the present administration would soon roll out a series of measures to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and palliative to cushion the effect.
Abiodun stated further that, "In recognition of the active roles played by Cooperative Societies in our economy, particularly in the area of promoting brotherhood, good neighbourliness, economic freedom and self-realisation, our government has facilitated series of programmes aimed at encouraging more people to imbibe the spirit of cooperation and be active participants in both formal and informal sectors of our economy."

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas “to drop the scandalous plan to spend N40bn on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials, and N70bn as ‘palliatives’ for new members.”

SERAP urged them to “repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110bn, reflect the current economic realities in the country and address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the over 137 million poor Nigerians.”

SERAP also urged them to “request President Bola Tinubu to present a fresh supplementary appropriation bill, to redirect the N110 billion to address the situation of the over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, for the approval of the National Assembly.”

According to reports, “While N70 billion ‘support allowance’ is budgeted for 306 new lawmakers, only N500 billion worth of palliatives is budgeted for 12 million poor Nigerians. N40 billion is also allocated to buy 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.”

In the letter dated 15 July, 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “This travesty, and apparent conflicts of interest and self-dealing by members of the National Assembly must stop.”

SERAP said, “It a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase their own budget and to use the budget as a tool to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers.”

The letter, read in part: “It is a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for members of the National Assembly to unjustifiably increase their own budget at a time when over 137 million poor Nigerians are living in extreme poverty exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidy.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Rather than exercising their constitutional and oversight functions to pursue the public interest by considering bills to improve the conditions of the over 137 million poor Nigerians who are facing the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, the lawmakers seem to be looking after themselves.”

“According to reports, no fewer than 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Prado would be bought for the use of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively.”

“The planned purchase is different from the official bulletproof vehicles expected to be purchased for the four presiding officers of the National Assembly.”

“The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is apparently on top of the N281 billion already provided for the lawmakers in the 2023 National Assembly budget. The proposed spending is also different from the N30.17 billion budgeted for the ‘inauguration expenses’ for new members.”

“SERAP is concerned that the budget for the National Assembly may further be increased as members are reportedly demanding an upward review of their salaries and allowances purportedly to offset the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.”

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’”

“Section 18 of the Constitution of Nigeria provides among others that: ‘Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall provide (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education.”

“The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act also provides in Section 2(1) that, ‘Every Government in Nigeria shall provide free, compulsory and Universal basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary, school age.’”

“The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“Nigerians have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers, as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry.”

“Cutting the N110 billion from the budget of the National Assembly would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, as it would promote efficient, honest, and legal spending of public money.”


“The problem of out-of-school children has continued to have catastrophic effects on the lives of millions of children, their families and communities.”

“By being out of school, these Nigerian children have been exposed to real danger, violence and even untimely death. Redirecting the proposed spending of N110 billion to address the situation of over 20 million out-of-school children across the country would improve access of Nigerian children to quality education.”

“Education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights. As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities.”

“Under international law, states are required to progressively implement socio-economic rights including the right to quality education commensurate with the level of resources available. Gross misallocation of resources to the detriment of the enjoyment of the right to quality education can constitute a human rights violation.”

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Inter Miami has finally announced the signing of Lionel Messi to confirm the worst-kept secret in Major League Soccer.
Messi, considered one of the greatest players of all time, has signed with the club following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.
His arrival represents a major coup for David Beckham's Miami and for MLS, with Messi's arrival expected to take the sport to new heights in the United States.
The 36-year-old, a World Cup winner with Argentina, announced his move to MLS last month but fans finally saw him in an Inter Miami shirt on Saturday.
The club released a 40-second video to finally announce the superstar's move, with the caption: 'Yes, guys.'
He turned down a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, while a return to boyhood club Barcelona proved financially impossible.
Messi, who won four Champions League titles with Barca and scored 672 goals in 778 games for the club, is believed to have been offered a $60million-a-year contract by Inter Miami that includes new deals with adidas and Apple.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will bank money from adidas shirt sales and Apple MLS subscriptions, while the deal is also said to include an option that could see him become a part-owner of the club.
Messi will work under Gerardo 'Tata' Martino in Miami, having previously played under the veteran coach for Barca and the Argentina national team.
Former teammate Sergio Busquets has already followed Messi to Miami, with both expected to be unveiled on Sunday, while Jordi Alba is reportedly close to joining the MLS outfit, too.
Messi is expected to make his debut on July 21, when Inter Miami takes on Mexican outfit Cruz Azul.
Supporters will be hoping Messi and Busquets can then help transform the team's fortunes in Major League Soccer.
Miami currently sits bottom of the Eastern Conference, with just 18 points through 21 games.
That record leaves them 11 points adrift of the last playoff spot, with Messi set to be available for the final 12 regular season matches.
Miami twice blew a lead in its most recent MLS match, against Wayne Rooney's DC United team on Saturday night, to extend its winless streak to 10 games.
Nigel Robertha's 77th-minute goal prevented Miami from picking up a vital win. Inter has now drawn three in a row since Martino's hiring was announced.
In New York, 1,300 miles away from Messi's new home in Florida, the windows of adidas' flagship store were filled with mock-ups of MLS' biggest star before the move became official.
In pictures, the sportswear giant's Broadway venue is covered in pictures of Messi wearing his new Inter Miami strip, before he has even pulled it on himself.
Beckham, meanwhile, was recently filmed standing on a crane, painting a huge mural of Messi on a side of a building in Miami.
Messi has been enjoying a vacation ahead of his arrival in Miami, winding down in the Caribbean with his wife Antonela, before he begins his new life in MLS.
There have been some suggestions that the 36-year-old could - even should - be given special treatment from officials.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the former Governor of Ogun State and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, on the occasion of his 84th birthday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described Osoba, who clocks 84 on Saturday, as a versatile journalist, media guru, a democrat, and respected political icon, who has made a great impact in the lives of many Nigerians.

He said Aremo Osoba has used his youth and adult life to contribute positively to the media industry, politics and governance, especially in Ogun State, where he served as governor during the aborted Third Republic and the current Fourth Republic.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended Aremo Osoba for his commitment to public service, describing the renowned journalist, media manager and politician as the epitome of honesty, dedication and service.

He said: “Aremo Olusegun Osoba is a true democrat and member of the progressive camp, who has been playing active roles in party politics and governance in Nigeria. He is an advocate of good governance, restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria.

"He played a crucial role during the June 12, 1993, presidential election annulment struggle by aligning with progressives and pro-democracy activists, under the platform of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to fight the military junta for the enthronement of democracy and return of Nigeria to civilian government on May 29, 1999.

"Osoba, a renowned journalist turned politician, is one of the performing governors who delivered dividends of democracy to the populace during the days of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the aborted Third Republic as Governor of Ogun State. He also steered the ship of the State in the right path as the first Ogun State Governor in the current Fourth Republic on the platform of an Alliance for Democracy (AD).

"He used the power of the press to influence positive changes in the country’s social and political landscape as a reporter, editor and managing director in different media organisations.

"On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate Aremo Olusegun Osoba on his 84th birthday. I pray that he will celebrate more years in good health."

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, may have finally floored Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Benin Artefacts war that has persisted over a reasonable length of time given a presidential disposition to where the returned stolen cast plaques should be warehoused.
While the eventual return of the stolen artefacts elicited joy in Benin including the governor’s and Oba’s enclaves, who should take custody of the returned metal carvings became the bone of contention between the Palace and Government House.
Beginning of Controversy
OpenLife Nigeria had reported that there were controversies on the return of artifacts stolen from Benin Kingdom by British administrators who invaded Nigeria centuries ago.
For many years, successive Obas of Benin made frantic efforts to get the stolen treasures returned to the ancient city.
The tempo got accentuated during the reign of Oba Erediauwa, 39th Benin monarch who ruled for 37 years from 1979 to 2016.
Oba Erediauwa, father of current Oba Ewuare II, deployed both local and international persuasions to get the metal, ivory sculptures and carvings looted by British soldiers from the palace of the Oba of Benin in 1897 returned.
About same time, he advised the son, Oba Ewuare II, who was then serving as Nigerian Ambassador to many African and European countries, to key into the struggle as it remains the Benin Kingdom’s “Sacred mandate.”
To achieve this, Oba Ewuare II, on ascending the throne, decided to elevate the diplomatic persuasions of the return of the stolen historical signage through different channels.
While the process was on, given the acceptance by France, Germany and other countries to return many (about 580 Benin artworks scattered in Berlin museums), serious contention emerged at the home front between Oba Ewuare II and Governor Obaseki regarding the issue of ownership and where the returned artifacts will be domiciled.
To take custody, Obaseki created Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) in the state capital while Oba Ewuare II contended that only a museum domiciled within the palace from where the artefacts were looted, will serve the end of justice.
But that contrasted the thinking of governor Obaseki who pointed out that a Benin Dialogue Group- made up of curators of major European museums and representative of the palace of the Oba of Benin- had been meeting for decades without much success until he became governor.
Obaseki explained that he discovered that three main problems were inhibiting progress in the effort to return the artefacts.
The first, according to the governor, has to do with the lack of advanced museum storage and display infrastructure in Benin.

“Having had these works in their custody for almost a century, the international museums argued that artifacts of this importance need to be stored in an environment that possess adequate climatic controls regulating humidity, temperature and other conditions, as well as advanced security systems that operate on a 24/7 basis.
To preserve these artifacts, they argue that this infrastructure does not exist in Nigeria today, and are expensive to build and maintain,” Obaseki stated, stressing that the need to respond to this challenge led him to launch the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) project which he said, “will provide a comprehensive, world-class set of infrastructure for the storage, research and display of objects not just for Benin artifacts, but for artifacts and art from all West Africa spanning the influence of Great Benin empire.”
But Oba Ewuare II clarified the situation in a letter dated 10th March 2021 signed by Mr Dennis I. Osaretin, executive assistant to the Palace on legal & corporate affairs and directed to all foreign missions and embassies in Nigeria, the European Union Commission Office, the British Museum, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Information and Culture and the Director General, National Museum Commission.

In the letter, Oba Ewuare II claimed that he is “from time immemorial, the sole authority and custodian of Benin traditional law and custom” and for that reason “all Edo traditional and cultural rites, citizen interests and proprietary rights over collective intellectual property as well as landed, movable, non-moveable property within the premises of the Palace of the Oba” are vested in him.
Same with “dealings in any artifact of historical, ancestral, spiritual, cultural or native religious rites’ of significance and value, pertaining to the great Benin kingdom and her heritage,” also vested solely in him or persons or groups so delegated by him.
Then the kernel of the message: “Particular mention is made here of extensive property seized or stolen from the palace, during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, Oba of Benin Kingdom, (1888 to 1897) the great, great grandfather and direct bloodline ancestor of Oba Ewuare II, in the wake of an invasion by British Forces in the year 1897, during which the Oba’s palace was burglarized, vandalized and items looted by aliens; a calamity that seriously impacted the over 1,000 years old Benin civilization in a destructive manner.
By that expedition, the history, cultural identity and dignity of Benin people were injured, when priceless ancient heirlooms, the expressions of their history, heritage, and values, were forcefully appropriated and exported by aliens, only to be found in museums around the world.”

The monarch then put it on record that neither the Benin royal family nor the board of trustees of the ‘Oba Ewuare II Foundation’, at any point in time, whether verbally or in written form, waived their “proprietary rights of custody of ancient Benin Palace and religious cult artifacts, nor appointed agents or intermediaries to act for, or on behalf of the Palace for this purpose or on any such other business.”
Following what analyst described as a smart move by governor Obaseki to outsmart the Palace in the artefact custody war, the federal government in July 2021, through former Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, added a new twist to the controversy by claiming to take possession of the artworks.
Lai Mohammed stated that the tenets of international law, as well as the UNESCO Convention, confers on the federal government the sole authority to the artefacts.
“Let me state clearly here that, in line with international best practice and the operative conventions and laws, the return of the artefacts is being negotiated bilaterally between the national governments of Nigeria and Germany,” said Mr Mohammed.
“Nigeria is the entity recognised by international law as the authority in control of antiquities originating from Nigeria. The relevant international Conventions treat heritage properties as properties belonging to the nation and not to individuals or groups. ”
That declaration appeared to be the seal on where the artefacts would be warehoused.
In July 2022, governor Obaseki, while addressing participants at a stakeholders’ engagement unveiled the Phase one of EMOWAA in Benin City, a development that spoke volume of his determination to ensure that the Oba does not warehouse the looted treasures. He however stated that there was no dispute between the state government and the Palace on the issue of artefacts.

Villa Intervention

But just yesterday, July 13, Oba Ewuare II personally took the matter to the Presidential Villa in Abuja where he secured what is obviously a final statement on the controversy from President Bola Tinubu.

During the meeting, Tinubu pledged to protect Benin artefacts which were returned to the country from different parts of the world as a way of archiving the history of the people. He further assured that his administration would support the Benin Royal Council in its bid to establish a museum that will house the artefacts.
The President congratulated the Benin monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts, commending his effort in ensuring that a befitting museum is built to archive the rich history and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.
President Tinubu in a statement by Dele Alake, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, communications and Strategy, was quoted as saying, “We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum.”


How The items Were Looted

In the late 19th century, what is now the Edo state capital had a strong kingdom that survived the British expedition and the 1885 Berlin Conference where Africa was partitioned and shared among European powers at the time.
In the last decade of that century, James Phillips, the British Consul General for Niger Coast Protectorate (the present-day South-South zone) found the Benin Kingdom too independent and sought to neutralise the powers of the Oba on the pretext that the palace was engaged in human sacrifices. He therefore requested permission from London to invade the city, depose the Oba and replace him with a Native Council.
“I have reason to hope that sufficient ivory would be found in the King’s house to pay the expenses incurred in removing the King from his stool,” Phillips wrote in his December 1896 letter to Lord Salisbury, then Foreign Secretary.
Without waiting for a response from London, Phillips sent a request to the Benin palace to expect a delegation from him. Despite the plea from the Oba of Benin that he could not at the period receive visitors, Philips nonetheless sent a military contingent on a supposedly peaceful mission.
But knowing the history of the British, particularly in their dealings with King Jaja of Opobo, the suspicious chiefs decided to confront the British troops. In the aftermath, only two members of the contingent survived to tell the tale of what became known in British history as the ‘Benin Massacre’.
In retaliation, Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson, a Naval commander was appointed to lead as many as 1,200 Royal Marines for the 9th February 1897 invasion of Benin, capture the Oba and destroy the city, in an operation codenamed ‘The Benin Punitive Expedition.’
It took just weeks after that invasion for the looted Benin artefacts to find their way to museums and private collections around the world; either as gifts or through purchases.
The first public auction reportedly took place in May 1897, following advertisement in the ‘Times’ newspaper for the sale of “several carved tusks and other trophies from Benin city collected by naval officers in the recent expedition.”

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that a former factional Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Oluwaseun Abosede, has alleged a plot by the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, and some of his supporters, to suspend, the ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola from the APC.
Abosede, the youth leader of the Aregbesola faction of the state executives of the party, led by Mr. Rasaq Salinsile during the ex-governor conflict with his successor in 2022, claimed that the party’s leadership in the state collected signatures from ward 8, Ilesa APC executives, where the ex-governor belongs. This claim was made in a statement obtained in Osogbo.
Beside Oyetola that was mentioned, Abosede, further said the plot to suspend Aregbesola involved a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and a Senator, who both lost re-elections.
Warning that attempts to suspend Aregbesola would have negative consequences, Abosede further said, having failed in previous attempts to blackmail him, those involved in the new move, might be trying to suspend him to stall the reconciliation between him and the President, Bola Tinubu.
The statement further reads in parts, “A grand plot to suspend Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, from the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, has been uncovered.
“The plot is being orchestrated by ousted former governor Gboyega Oyetola and five of his loyalists, among who are a Senator and a former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly who lost their re-election.
“Others involved in the grand plot are a young former commissioner for Works and Transport and former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs who are said to be the initiators of the suspension idea.
“We have it on high authority that the Ilesa Ward 8 executives of the APC, which is Aregbesola’s ward, were manipulated yesterday (Wednesday) to sign a blank sheet of paper on the false pretense that the APC state leadership wanted to get their commitment to the progress of the party.
“We are also reliably informed that a huge amount of money was given to the ward executives a few hours ago by an emissary sent by Oyetola and other conspirators.”
But while reacting, Osun APC chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement obtained on Friday, described the allegations as frivolous, saying it was like a case of a sinner on the run, when no one chases after him.
Lawal also said, if all plan to suspend Aregbesola existed, the ex-governor and his loyalists should come to the open and justify their membership of APC, and they have been hobnobbing with the state governor, Ademola Adeleke.
The Osun State APC chairman also recalled that besides the fact that Aregbesola never voted during the last presidential election, National Assembly, and governorship elections, he added that the ex-Minister, never campaigned for APC candidates during the polls
He further said, “Assuming without conceding that there is a plot in place to effect the formal suspension of Aregbesola, the immediate-past interior minister should justify the potent reasons why himself and his co-travellers are qualified to retain the membership of the party that they have been working against its interest.
“It is apparent that with the suspension allegation, Aregbesola is flying a kite for a devilish plan he has in the offing for the party in Osun State. The Osun APC does not need to waste its time on Aregbesola and his co-travellers who had since deliberately suspended themselves from the party by walking out of it and abdicated their statutory responsibilities to the party.
“When last were Aregbesola and his Hallelujah men and women sighted at the ward, local, state, senatorial, state, and federal engagements of the party to justify their continuous loyalty and membership of the APC in Osun State?
“One would have thought that the appropriate place for Aregbesola to ventilate his anger is the Ede country home of Governor Adeleke who rewarded two of his loyalists with the commissionership appointments for helping the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, lose the Osun State election.”

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Caucus in the Benue State House of Assembly have vowed to tame what they describe as Governor Hyacinth Alia’s impunity in Benue State.
This resolve came against the backdrop of the Governor’s alleged unwarranted persecution of former Governor’s Samuel Ortom.
Governor Hyacinth Alia had set up Benue state Assets Recovery Committee led by Mr. Hingah Biem .
The Committee, on Tuesday allegedly, raided a private automobile workshop in Makurdi, carting away vehicles belonging to the former Governor from the premises.
The action of the committee, in the estimation of PDP caucus in the House, was in defiance of an earlier injunction of a Makurdi High Court which restrained the committee from proceeding with its action against the ex Governor and his then Deputy.
Speaking on the development on Wednesday when PDP Caucus members in the State Assembly paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor, leader of the Caucus and member representing Adoka-Ugboju State Constituency, Mr. Michael Audu berated Governor Alia’s administration for the action.
According to the Caucus leader, “it is an unwarranted persecution of a former Governor and it is condemnable. The assault was unacceptable, illegal and should be condemned by all people of good conscience.
“So Your Excellency, we are here to reaffirm our loyalty to you as our leader. Any attack on you is an attack on all of us PDP members in the State Assembly, and we will not fold our arms and watch this impunity continue.”
The PDP Caucus urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to restrain his team from further harassment of the former Governor and allow the matter to be decided by the courts.
Responding, Chief Ortom appreciated the PDP Assembly Caucus for the solidarity and encouraged them to sustain the spirit of oneness and their commitment to the PDP.
He pointed out that he was not the first Governor to leave office with vehicles allocated to him after the State Executive Council had given approval for him to do so.
Chief Ortom said he was being persecuted unfairly but he would not hold grudges against his tormentors as he had chosen to leave them with their conscience.

OpenLife Nigeria has gathered that more than a month after removing the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a move which led to a steep hike in the prices of goods and services, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives seeking amendment to the 2022 supplementary Appropriation Act to allow the Federal Government source N500 billion for palliative to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
Many Nigerians had argued that removing the subsidy before deciding on the palliatives to cushion the effect was tantamount to putting the cart before the horse.
Nevertheless, in a letter read on the floor of the House during Wednesday’s plenary by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the money will be sourced from the 2022 supplementary Appropriation Act of N819. 5 billion.
The letter titled: “Request for the amendment of the 2022 Appropriation Act” read in part: “I write to request the approval of the House of Representatives an amendment of the 2022 appropriation act in accordance with the law.
“The request has become necessary in other to source for funds to provide necessary palliatives to cushion the effect of the recent removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.
“The sum of N500 billion only has been extracted from the 2022 appropriation act of N819.536 for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal. I expect that the House will speedily consider the request”.
The Speaker said the House will consider the President’s request at plenary on Thursday and asked members who wish to make contributions to be prepared to do so’.
Nigerians have been thrown into untold hardship since the subsidy was removes and the price of petrol quadrupled across the country.
It has also led to hyper-inflation with many households unable to make ends meet.
Palliative,

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious music award show, released the much anticipated nominations list for its 16th edition on Wednesday.
The list features an array of both local and international artists that have been recognised for their contribution to the music scene in the past year.
Notably, Damini Ogulu, a Grammy award-winner popularly known as Burna Boy, received the most nods on the list with a total of 11 nominations.
He also battles for the Album of the Year with Davido, Rema, Asake, Omah Lay and Victony.
This year’s award will also recognise international artistes who have made their mark in the Nigerian music industry. The nominees for the 2023 International Artiste of the Year Category include Drake, Future, Selena Gomez, Don Toliver and Ed Sheeran.
Below is the full nominations list of the 16th Headies awards
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“Alone” – Burna Boy
“Soweto” – Victony and Tempoe
“I’m a Mess” – Omah Lay
“Ku lo sa” – Oxlade
“Stand Strong” – Davido
“No Woman, No Cry” – Tems
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Magicstickz – “Sungba Remix”
Pheelz – “Electricity”
Andrevibez & London – “Calm Down”
Tempoe – “Soweto”
Kel-P – “Kpe Paso”
Rexxie – “Abracadabra”
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
“Loyal” – Simi
“I’m a Mess” – Omah Lay
“Lift Me Up” – Tems
“Alone” – Burna Boy
“In My Mind” – BNXN
“Earth Song” – Wizard Chan
Best R&B Single
“For My Hand” – Burna Boy ft ED Sheeran
“Mmadu” – CKay
“Just 4 u” – Dami Oniru
“Red Wine” – Preye
“Hard to Find” – Chike ft Flavour
“Loyal” – Simi ft Fave
Best Rap Single
“Hustle” – Reminisce ft BNXN
“Big Energy” – Ladi Poe
“Back in Uni” – Blaq Bonez
“Bando Diaries” – Psycho YP ft Odumodublvck
“Declan Rice” – Odumodublvck
“My Bro” – Jeriq the Hussla ft Phyno
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
“Loyal” – Simi
“In Between” – Waje
“Memories” – Niniola
“Adua Remix” – Liya
“Red Wine” – Preye Itams
“Just 4 U” – Dami Oniru
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
“KU LO SA” Oxlade
“My Only Baby” Ric Hassani
“Love Don’t Cost a Dime” Magixx
“Spell Remix” Chike
“Reckless” Praiz
“Kpe Paso” Wande Coal
Best Alternative Song
“Earth Song” – Wizard Chan
“Final Champion” – Cruel Santino
“The Traveller” – Basketmouth and The Cavemen
“In a Loop” By BOJ – Mellissa
“Game Changer” – Flavour
“Tinko Tinko” – Obongjayar
Best Music Video
“Back in Uni” –Blaqbonez Perliks
“PBUY” By TG Omori
“Spell (Remix)” – Director Pink
“Common Person” – Director K
“Bandana” by TG Omori
“Calm Down (Remix)” – Director K
Best Collaboration
Asaka FT. Burna Boy – “Sungba Remix”
Bnxn ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibes – “Gwagwalada”
Pheelz ft Bnxn – “Finesse”
Spyro ft. Tiwa Savage – “Who’s Your Guy Remix”
Pheelz ft Davido– “Electricity”
Wande Coal ft. Olamide– “Kpe Paso”
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Rexxie Ft. Naira Marley & Skiibii – “Abracadabra”
Seyi Vibez – “Chance (Na Ham)”
Asake – “Joha”
Zlatan Ft. Young Jonn – “Astalavista”
Poco Lee & Hotkid – “Otilo”
Mohbad – “Peace”
Afrobeats Single Of The Year
“Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Rush” – Ayra Starr
“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
“Finesse” – Pheelz ft Bnxn
“Who’s Your Guy?” – Spyro
“Asiwaju” – Ruger
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
Ruger – “Asiwaju”
Victony & Tempoe – “Soweto”
Fireboy Dml & Asake – “Bandana”
Ayra Star – “Rush”
Asake – “Terminator”
Mavins – “Overloading (Overdose)”
Crayon – “Ijo (Laba Laba)”
Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”
Kizz Daniel & Tekno – “Buga”
Pheelz & Davido – “Electricity”
Best West African Artiste Of The Year
Gyakie (Ghana)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
The Therapist (Liberia)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Best East African Artiste Of The Year
Zuchu
Diamond Platinumz
Rayvanny
Eddy Kenzo
Hewan Gebreworld
Best North African Artiste Of The Year
Marwa Loud – Morocco
Wegz – Egypt
El Grande Toto – Morocco
Soolking – Algeria
Best Southern African Artiste Of The Year
Aka (South Africa)
Nasty C – South Africa
Costa Titch – South Africa
Uncle Waffles – South Africa
Focalistic – South Africa
Dj Tarico – Mozambique
Best Central African Artiste Of The Year
Fally Ipupa – Democratic Republic Of Congo
Gaz Mawete – Democratic Republic Of Congo
Matias Damasio – Angola
Emma’a – Gabon
Libianca – Cameroon
Best R&B Album
Home – Johnny Drille
The Brother’s Keeper – Chike
Reckless – Praiz
Waje 2.0 – Waje
Matter Of Time – Dami Oniru
To Be Honest (Tbh) – Simi
Best Alternative Album
Horoscopes – Basketmouth
Gbagada Express – Boj
Some Nights I Dream Of Doors – Obongjayar
Subaru Boys: Final Heaven – Cruel Santino
Heart Of The Heavenly Undeniable – Somadina
Native World – Native Sound System
Best Rap Album
Fly Talk Only – Payper Corleone
Palmwine Music Vol 3 – Show Dem Camp
Young Preacher – Blaqbonez
Ypszn3 – Psychoyp
Teslim: The Energy Still Lives In Me – Vector
Billion Dollar Dream – Jeriq
Album Of The Year
Love, Damini – Burna Boy
Mr Money With The Vibe – Asake
Rave And Roses – Rema
Boy Alone – Omah Lay
Outlaw – Victony
Timeless – Davido
Song Of The Year
“Calm Down” – Rema
“Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade
“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft. Bnxn
“Sungba Remix” – Asake Ft. Burna Boy
Best Female Artiste
Tems
Simi
Ayra Starr
Tiwa Savage
Best Male Artiste
Asake
Rema
Kizz Daniel
Ruger
Omah Lay
Burna Boy
Next Rated
Young Jonn
Seyi Vibez
Asake
Victony
Spyro
Rookie of the Year
Odumodu Blvck
Bloody Civilian
Bayyani
Guchi
Eltee Skillz
Khaid
African Artiste Of The Year
Rema (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Marwa Loud (Morocco)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Lyricist On The Roll
Ladipoe – “Clowns”
Vector – “Clowns”
Payper Corleone – “Fly Talk Only”
Alpha Ojini – “Vigilante Bop”
A-Q – “Family First”
Tec (Sdc) – “Live Life”
International Artiste Recognition
Sean ‘love’ Combs
Hall Of Fame
Youssou N’dour
Best Inspirational Single
“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir
“Jireh (My Provider)” – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music
“This Year” – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘d’ Greatest
“Eze Ebube” – Neon Adejo
“Tobechukwu” – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo
“I Get Backing” – Victoria Orenze
Digital Artiste Of The Year
Burna Boy
Ayra Starr
Rema
Omah Lay
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Special Recognition
Sound Sultan
International Artist Of The Year
Drake
Future
Selena Gomez
Don Toliver
Ed Sheeran

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a highly placed traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Bubapraye Dakolo , the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, has accused the Commander- in-Chief, Armed Forces of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of merely dandling ostrich security policies to address the mountainous security challenges bedevilling the country.
The traditional ruler, during an interactive session on Arise TV Wednesday morning, monitored by OpenLife, stated that the President is obviously ignoring obvious security matters and pretending to have hit the ground running to ensure safety of life and property.
In an obvious reference to the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta region in which, about 48 hours ago, security operatives and Nigerian National Petroleum Company had set ablaze a vessel, MT TURA II, laden with 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Delta State, King Bubapraye Dakolo said the efforts are the equivalent of scratching the surface of insecurity without addressing the core issues.
King Dakolo faulted Tinubu’s current approach to fighting oil theft, noting that the entire gamut of security architecture under the Commander-in-Chief, needs to focus on the real issues of tackling oil theft rather than playing ostrich.
“I do not subscribe to jungle justice by the Authority. What needs to be done is to invest in the Nigerian Navy to be more professional in its responsibility.
“If the Nigeria state is serious about dealing with oil thefts, it will end in Two weeks. The Nigerian state is just playing ostrich on the matter. Whatever outcome we are getting from the fight against oil theft is what the Nigerian state wants.
“If the President wants oil theft stopped, it will stop. When that desire comes, the menace will stop”. Let the president be firm about the oil theft fight”, the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council Chairman.
Beside equipping the Nigerian Navy for optimal performance, the Bayelsa King stated further that fixing the insecurity menace in the country “Is not a rocket science.”
“Nigeria has some of the best people in the world. When you go to the most complicated places in America and United Kingdom, you would meet a black person and that black person would be a Nigerian. I know people who can perform very well and turn things around. If I am consulted, I will offer advice,” King Dakolo stated.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, has revealed that Nigeria lost 619.7 million barrels of crude oil valued at N16. 25 trillion ($46.16 billion) to crude oil theft between 2009 and 2020 in one of its reports, translating to about N25 trillion lost in crude oil theft in 12 years.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Edo State, Honourable Johnson Agbonayima, has declared that he is not a member of the Labour Party and called on those erecting billboards across the State which portrays him as a member of LP to stop forthwith.
Agbonayima, a frontline gubernatorial aspirant for next year’s governorship election spoke at the palace of the Benin monarch where he had gone to inform the Oba of his intention to contest the election.
According to the former federal lawmaker, it is important to seek royal blessing before embarking on the project.
Responding to the emergence of his face on billboards with LP logo, Agbonayima clarified that he has never been a member of Labour Party.
“I am not a member of Labour Party and I do not intend to be in the future. As you can see for yourself, I am here with my supporters from the APC. You can see them all adorning the party uniform and paraphernalia, dancing and singing. So there is no iota of truth that I am in Labour Party, ” he cleared.
On what is driving his ambition, Agbonayima who is a federal commissioner on the board of Code Of Conduct Bureau said that he decided to take a short at the plum job because he has what it takes to make Edo better than what it is at the moment.
“My ambition is about the people, building infrastructures, making food available for the people at affordable prices as well as guaranteeing their lives and property.”
Agbonayima explained further that government must provide for it citizens as it is done in developed countries and that is his driving force.
Reacting to the sentiments being canvased in certain quarters that it is the turn of Edo Central Senatorial District to produce the next governor of the State, the guber hopeful said that Edo governorship is about Edo State and not a section of the State.
“In as much as I share in their sentiments, I make bold to say that such sentiments is not in line with democratic philosophy. It is a lazy man argument which does not hold water. As far as I am concerned, Edo governorship position is up for contest and only those who are fit and strong should go into the race and let the strongest win. If the winner comes from Edo South or North or Central, so be it provided the process is free and credible. At any rate, Edo South has the number to swing and determine which of the zone gets the ticket, ” Agbonayima declared.
Born on January 1, 1961, Agbonayinma Johnson attended Agbado Primary School in Benin City before proceeding to Airwele High School for his secondary education in 1983. He subsequently obtained degree in Security and Intelligence at the University of Houston, Texas.
Before representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2019, Agbonayinma Johnson’s political astuteness manifested at a tender age in the United States of America when, around 1988, he won a campaign for the mayors and had good relationship with renowned leaders like former President Bill Clinton and George Bush.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the unending killings in several parts of Plateau State have generated into sharp disagreements and twists among governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang , the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Senator Napoleon Binkap Bali and Honourable Dachung Musa Bagos.
The disagreement, according to OpenLife Magazine’s findings, centres round distrust, mode and approach to operations, methodology and political intrigues.
Speaking on the development Tuesday morning on Arise TV, Senator Napoleon Binkap Bali , representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate disagreed with his fellow legislator, Honourable Dachung Musa Bagos, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House Representatives, on the grounds of approach to finding lasting solution to the unending killings.
Honourable Bagos, while reacting to the renewed killings in Mangu and Jos South Local Government Areas of the state, asked his constituents to protect themselves in line with the Nigerian constitution which guarantees right to self-defence.
He lamented that most of his constituents now live in fear, adding that the attacks happen on daily basis.
“Sadly, innocent citizens are being attacked and killed on the daily basis in Plateau State, particularly in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu; hundreds have lost their lives since May 2023, villagers can’t go to the farm. Several displaced persons camps, land taken over, farmlands destroyed, what a wicked world!
“Just on Saturday, 12 persons were killed in Mangu and also yesterday night, seven of my constituents who are miners were targeted and gunned down; this barbaric act is condemned.
“In the face of this kind of breakdown in the will and capacity of the government to protect the people and their communities, law-abiding citizens must organise to protect themselves.
“The point here is when the government failed in its constitutional role to protect its people, citizens have a legitimate duty in law and morality to ensure the continuity of human life.
“Self-defence is indeed a constitutional right. Under section 14(2)(b) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Accordingly, Section 17(2)(b) of the same constitution requires that “the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised” and to reinforce this, section 33(2)(a) makes self-defence lawful when undertaken in “defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.
“I want to call on all Plateau citizens to be alert and defend themselves against attackers, and all Plateau State citizens must unite to defend the land. We are peaceful people, but our inheritance which is our land will never be taken by force,” Honourable Bagos said.
But Senator Bali, 59 and a retired Air Vice Marshall disagreed with Honourable Bagos saying that he does not support anti law mode of operations.
“I do not support people taking laws into their own hands, ” Bali said.
The security expert, who trained in some of the overseas security institutions, emphasized that the killings in several parts of Plateau State is “politically motivated.”
He stressed that the renewed killings, especially in Mangu local government area of the State where governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang hails from, is an extension of the plot to continuously embarrass the newly sworn in governor.
Senator Bali disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, 58, has been unhelpful in the precarious situation.
He noted that only recently, governor Mutfwang was in Abuja and spent several days to see the Inspector General but could only see him for “Just few minutes before he went back to Plateau State. ”
Happening at a time Egbetokun, who recently took oath of office as the 22nd Inspector General of Police, boasted, on assumption of office, that he is a lion ready to devour criminals, Senator Bali sensed that relying on the Inspector General might not offer any succuor to the challenges in Plateau State.
He therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to take immediate action on the killing crises rocking the once peaceful Plateau State.
“The non state actors have the time and space. They can operate and melt into the society without anyone knowing who they are. So, the President has to be involved in Mangu violence. He should direct the NSA to take immediate action, ” Senator Bali disclosed and suggested.
It would be recalled that only in May, it was reported that over 100 persons were killed by terrorists in Plateau State within 48 hours.
The attackers were said to have burnt houses, farms and stored agricultural inputs, among other destructions.

OpenLife Nigeria has reliably gathered that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militias summarily executed at least 28 ethnic Massalit and killed and injured dozens of civilians on May 28, 2023, in Sudan’s West Darfur state, Human Rights Watch has disclosed.
According to Human Rights Watch , many of these abuses committed in the context of the armed conflict in Sudan, amount to war crimes.

Several thousand fighters of the RSF, the independent military force that has been in armed conflict with the Sudan military since April 15, and Arab militias attacked the town of Misterei, home to tens of thousands of mainly ethnic Massalit residents.
The assailants killed men in their homes, on the streets, or in hiding, and fired on fleeing residents, killing, and injuring women and injuring children. These forces then pillaged and burned most of the town, forcing thousands of residents to flee across the border to Chad.

“Since the conflict in Sudan broke out in April, some of the worst atrocities have been in West Darfur,” said Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, senior crisis and conflict researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The mass killings of civilians and total destruction of the town of Misterei demonstrates the need for a stronger international response to the widening conflict.”

Sudan’s warring parties should stop attacking civilians and allow safe aid access. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) should investigate these attacks as part of its Darfur investigation.

During a research trip in June, Human Rights Watch interviewed 29 survivors of the Misterei attack who had fled into neighboring Chad. An analysis of satellite imagery and fire detection data shows that six other towns and villages besides Misterei in West Darfur, including Molle, Murnei, and Gokor, were also burned down. Names of people interviewed are withheld for fear of reprisals.

Human Rights Watch also interviewed 37 refugees from other parts of West Darfur, including El Geneina and the villages of Tendelti, Adikong, and Molle, who described similar abuses. Widespread and apparently deliberate fire damage was visible in El Geneina, primarily affecting places where thousands of people displaced during previous attacks were living. Human Rights Watch shared its preliminary findings with an advisor to the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, asking questions regarding RSF deployments and steps taken to hold perpetrators to account, but had received no response at time of writing.

West Darfur has been the epicenter of cycles of violence and displacement against non-Arab communities since 2019. In mid-April, as fighting raged elsewhere in Sudan, the Sudan Armed Forces and the local police force stationed in Misterei left the town. In mid-May, the RSF and Arab militias clashed with the town’s Massalit self-defense group.

On May 28, the RSF and Arab militias, many on motorcycles, horses, or pickup trucks, surrounded the town and clashed with the Massalit fighters. The assailants, armed with assault rifles, recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and vehicle-mounted machine guns fired on town residents who tried to flee.

“The Rapid Support Forces and Arabs shot at us from behind,” said a 76-year-old man. “I saw three people running, being shot at, and fall to the ground near a grocery store.”

The attackers pursued people who sought safety in schools and the mosque. Many women and children, and some members of the self-defense group wounded earlier, fled to a school complex, on the northern edge of the town, where the assailants repeatedly entered classrooms looking for men and summarily executed those they found.

Two women who had sheltered in a school said that the attackers summarily executed three men and sprayed a classroom with bullets, severely injuring three women and two children. “They were asking about the youth … protecting the village,” one woman said. “Where are the men? Where are the boys? We want all of them! We want to kill them! Why didn’t you just flee and leave the country? Why are you still here? What are you waiting for?”

Throughout the day, the attackers looted residents’ property, stealing livestock, seeds, money, gold, mobile phones, and furniture.

After pillaging homes, the assailants set them ablaze. “The whole town was covered in smoke,” said a 35-year-old nurse. Satellite imagery analysis confirmed the near total burning of the town, particularly the residential areas.

The attacking forces withdrew that evening and residents began the search for survivors and bodies on the streets and inside houses and schools. The remains of at least 59 people were buried in mass graves. Local officials said 97 people were later confirmed to have been killed, including self-defense force members. Human Rights Watch recorded the killing of at least 40 civilians, including a woman, and injuries to 14 civilians, including 5 women and 4 children.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in April, over 300,000 people have been displaced within West Darfur alone, according to the United Nations, and about 217,000 have fled to Chad. About 98 percent of those registered arriving in Chad have come from the Massalit community. About 17,000 refugees from Misterei remain in Gongour, Chad, near the border. The humanitarian response in Chad remains significantly underfunded.

Relief operations largely stopped in late April in West Darfur following attacks on humanitarian aid and property, as well as widespread insecurity in the region. An aid worker said that Darfur has been “largely cut off from new assistance.”

The UN Security Council should call for immediate safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Darfur. Security Council member countries, other governments, the European Union, and the African Union (AU) should urgently adopt and enforce targeted sanctions against those responsible for serious abuses regardless of their position or rank.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC should investigate the attack on Misterei and other villages and towns in West Darfur as part of its Darfur investigation. The Prosecutor should highlight investigation plans during his scheduled briefing to the Security Council on July 13.

“The accounts of those who survived recent attacks in West Darfur echo the horror, devastation, and despair of Darfur 20 years ago,” said Jean-Baptiste Gallopin. “The ICC Prosecutor should investigate these heinous abuses, while Sudan’s international and regional partners should sanction RSF and Arab militia leaders responsible for these attacks.”

For details of the abuses in Misterei on May 28,2023, please see below. The names of those interviewed have been withheld for their protection.

Abuses in West Darfur

The magnitude of the violence since April in Darfur is significant even in a region that has witnessed countless atrocities against civilians for two decades. Over 400,000 Darfuris were already refugees in Chad as a result of earlier violence.

West Darfur experienced large-scale abuses in the 2000s including ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Since 2019, Massalit and other non-Arab communities, many displaced since the conflict of the early 2000s, have borne the brunt of renewed attacks by Arab militias, supported by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudanese government security forces, responsible for protecting civilians since UN/AU peacekeeping forces pulled out of Darfur following the termination of its mandate in late 2020, have repeatedly failed to protect targeted communities. Self-defense groups have emerged in some Massalit communities.

The town of Misterei, 42 kilometers south of El Genaina, West Darfur’s capital, and 7 kilometers from the border with Chad, is home to about 46,000 people. Its residents are from largely farming communities, primarily Massalit, but also ethnic Zaghawa and Bargo, and nomadic Arab communities. The town has at least six schools, a hospital, a police station, a courthouse, a stadium, and a market that serves as the commercial hub for area villages.

In 2020, tensions between the Massalit population and Arab neighbors resulted in an earlier attack on Misterei. Local sources said Arab militias attacked three neighboring villages in May and Misterei in July, in retaliation for the alleged killings of Arab civilians by armed Massalit. In July 2020, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the West Darfur Doctors Committee reported that hundreds of Arab militiamen attacked Misterei, resulting in the death of at least 60 Massalit civilians. The attack followed the formation of an armed Massalit self-defense group in the town months earlier.

In late April 2023, following the outbreak of the conflict in Khartoum between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, some local police and the army garrison withdrew from Misterei without informing local leaders or residents. Residents said their departure left the town vulnerable. Previously, “attackers would often not progress further in[to] town,” said one resident. In an attack, the “local community [would] find safe refuge inside the army garrison.”

On May 26 and 27, RSF and the Arab militias began to mobilize on the outskirts of the town. Residents said they harassed people who ventured out of the town and clashed with a Massalit armed group positioned on the Dorondi mountain, 8 kilometers west of Misterei. Another self-defense group was mobilized on the Shorrong mountain, about 450 meters southeast, to protect the town. Residents said they began to fear that the town itself could come under attack.

May 28 Attack

The attack began shortly after sunrise on May 28. The assailants came in several waves from the western side of the town, flanking it to the north and the south.

Residents said that the attacks appeared to be coordinated. Those on foot entered houses, followed by those on motorbikes, who chased residents on the streets. RSF pickup trucks reportedly secured neighborhood entrances and exits and shot at civilians fleeing, even from a distance.

The assault started at the Shorrong mountain where self-defense group fighters had deployed. A fighter, 30, who was there, said:

Around 5:30 a.m., the fighting started at our position, from the southwest. We only had Kalashnikovs [assault rifles]. Arabs and the RSF came in large numbers, first on foot [and] then on motorbikes: the first wave [was] around 400 men on foot; the second wave, 150 to 200 motorbikes; the third wave, six RSF vehicles which I recognized by their emblem; and [in] the last wave [there] were a lot of horses.

The Massalit fighters had split into groups of 7 or 15 fighters, across several locations in town, people interviewed said. At least three vehicles with fighters from the Sudanese Alliance, a predominantly Massalit armed group headed by the late West Darfur governor Khamis Abbakar, were positioned near the market.

Witness accounts suggest that the RSF and Arab militias quickly overran the Massalit fighters, forcing their retreat. Many were killed. Attacks continued through the morning, with a lull around early afternoon, and resumed briefly mid-afternoon.


Source: Human Rights Watch

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the leadership crises that have bedevilled the Igbo socio cultural and apolitical group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, appear deeper especially as factions strategize to take control over the Lagos State chapter.
It would be recalled that in the course of the election of Professor George Obiozor as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo,Worldwide on Sunday, January 9, 2021, a former commissioner in Imo State, Engineer Chidi Ibeh also emerged as factional President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Each faction generated its key principal officers charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the socio-cultural group.
By the time Professor Obiozor died at age 80 on December 26, 2022, the Engineer Chidi Ibeh led factional executive functioned , in their own belief, as the authentic Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
However, following Obiozors death, Nigerian politician and entrepreneur, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, emerged as the new president-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group on April 20, 2023.
Curiously, his maiden nationwide tour which commenced with a visit to Lagos further exposed the leadership crises that have trailed the Lagos chapter.
According to Chief Iwuanyanwu, the leadership crises in Lagos between Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Chief Sunday Ossai was unknown to him.
In an interview on the lack of clarity on the President of Ohanaeze in Lagos State, Chief Iwuanyanwu said:
We have our constitution. Professor George Obiozor was the chairman before he died. Ambassador Okey Emuchay is the Secretary General. They handed over Sunday Ossai to me as the President of Lagos branch without informing me of any dispute. The report I had was that the former man, Solomon, who I don’t know and I have never met, had completed his four-year tenure. This man, because he probably believes that some powerful people are going to support him, wants to destabilise Ohanaeze. This is the impression that I get from people. I want to make it clear that the former President General of Ohanaeze handed over Sunday Ossai to me as the President of Lagos branch.
We have had a very unfortunate experience recently. Out of personal interest, some people are doing everything to undermine Ohanaeze, which is the hope of Igbo. It is our hope of development and unity. You see a small boy jump up to say he is the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The Secretary General is Okey Emuchay, who has served Nigeria in various capacities. He is a man with impeccable academic credentials and civil service credentials. Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo cannot just pick anyone as its Secretary General. For Publicity Secretary, you have Dr Alex Ogbonnia. All these scoundrels who mislead the public should be reported to the police for fraud.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze President, Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, who had earlier hosted Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is set to host Chief Chidi Ibeh, another factional worldwide President soon in Lagos State. He has, in his kitty, a consent court judgement which empowers him to remain in office till 2026.
What transpire during Ibeh’s visit would indicate the direction of Lagos Ohanaeze in the years ahead.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Ambassador of United Liberation Movement for West Papua, ULMWP to East Africa and the Middle East, Comrade Timi Frank, has raised the alarm over threats to his life from a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday,
disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, saying he has officially reported the matter to the Police via a petition to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetotkun, for investigation and necessary action.
He urged the Inspector General of Police, Nigerians and the international community to hold Sylva responsible should any harm befalls him in the near and foreseeable future.
Frank’s petition to the IGP, dated 27th June 2023 and titled: “Incessant threats to life of Comrade Timi Frank” was signed by his counsel, Edward Omaga, who is the principal partner of GRAYLAW Practice LP, Abuja.
The petition reads in part: “Re: Petition against Chief Timipre Sylva for committing acts bordering on identity theft, impersonation, forgery of academic certificates and giving false evidence contrary to Section 486 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 read together with Sectons 366, 364 and 158 (2) of the Penal Code Act, CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.
“The above matter and our petition dated 22nd May, 2023 which was received at your former office being Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Nigeria Police Force, Area 10, Garki, FCT – Abuja on 26th May, 2023 refers:
“We write to report that while investigation activities are ongoing, Chief Timipre Sylva has resorted to threatening the life of our client, Comrade Timi Frank, for daring to blow the whistle regarding the anomalies contained in his academic certificates.
“Our client informed us through a distress call this morning that the former Minister of Petroleum Resources who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in Bayelsa State Governorship Election coming up 14th November, 2023, has made active plans to hunt him down wherever he is within or outside Nigeria.
“It is obvious that Chief Timipre Sylva has revealed this sinister plans to several of his close aides and associates, some of who have called our client under condition of anonymity to take caution.
“According to the reliable information gathered by our client, Chief Timipre Sylva is already funding a deadly squad to monitor our client in his residences in Accra and Dubai with the sole aim of eliminating him.
“Sir, it is important that you handle this alarm about threat to the life of our client with utmost seriousness because Chief Timipre Sylva is a man known to be associated with cultists and other deadly squads ready to carry out any order at his behest.
“Recall that Chief Timipre Sylva was fingered to have orchestrated the failed attempt to lynch and kidnap Senator Adams Oshiomhole when as a sitting Governor of Edo State he visited Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to conduct the APC primaries ahead of the 5th December 2015 Governorship Election.
“Chief Timipre Sylva did not only hire thugs to take over Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, venue of the primaries, he made sure that the exercise was scuttled.
“Senator Adams Oshiomhole May have been lucky to escape by the whiskers years ago but we cannot tell the extent to which Chief Timipre Sylva would go this time around to ensure that our client is totally silenced.
“In the light of the above therefore, we call on the Inspector General of Police to take note that should anything untoward happens to our client, Chief Timipre Sylva should be held liable.”
The lawyer insisted that never in the history of Nigeria as a democratic country has it become an offence for a patriotic citizen such as Timi Frank to expose corrupt and fraudulent activities of serving or retired public officers.
“We pray that you take urgent actions capable of protecting the life of our client in line with your statutory duties under Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020.
“We are confident that as a man of competence and integrity you will do everything possible to assure local and international observers that criminality will no longer thrive in Nigeria,” the lawyer added.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that at a time, Philip Shaibu, Edo State deputy governor, was the man of the moment. He could represent governor Godwin Obaseki in important official and unofficial meetings where serious chief executive inputs were needed.
So romantic was the relationship that on several occasions, Obaseki deliberately embarked on vacations outside Nigeria and handed over the reins of governance to Philip Shaibu, in which case, crucial and sensitive executive decisions taken by Shaibu, on behalf of the governor, were never reversed.
By June 2021, governor Obaseki had leveraged the political terrain for Philip Shaibu to materialize to such a level that the National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saddled him with the rare opportunity to manage the Anambra State PDP Governorship Primary Election in the capacity of Committee Secretary.
So gracious did the Lord prosper Philip Shaibu’s political journey that he has succeeded in building a political sanctuary for himself with lots of devotees across Edo Senatorial districts and beyond.
Assisted, of course, by his youthful gift of appearance and unassailable friendly inter personal relationship imbued in a somewhat political sagacity, it was not difficult for lots of folks to see him as an undisputed successor to Obaseki in Dennis Osadebey Government House.
Without doubt and by actions and inactions, Philip Shaibu had come as a trusted fellow when it matters most.
He demonstrated rare loyalty at the heat of the 2020 government election in Edo when the All Progressives Congress, APC denied Godwin Obaseki the ticket.
Felt dismayed, Philip Shaibu stood with his boss in the fight against Adams Oshiomhole and his coterie of associates that led the onslaught against Obaseki’s re election.
His commitments and supports to the victory of Obaseki, even when they were relatively new in PDP, endeared him to major stakeholders across divides.
In the circle of public affairs analysts, the Edo 2024 governorship ticket on the PDP platform was a done deal for Philip Shaibu. With confidence, many had opined a repeat of the Kano State scenario where then deputy governor
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje succeeded his boss, governor Rabiu Kwakwanso.
However, and surprisingly so, folks did not know that for Philip Shaibu to get governor Obaseki’s support, terms and conditions were laid bare and it was either he passed the examination or forget 2024 under PDP.
According to a highly credible insider, “One of the conditions Obaseki gave Philip Shaibu was that he must deliver his Edo North Senatorial District to PDP in the just concluded 2023 general election. The governor also told him that even if he not able to capture Edo North wholesale for PDP, he should , at least, deliver more than 50 percent. But unfortunately, you know Philip Shaibu did not even win his polling unit let alone his ward. Adams Oshiomhole defeated him. From there, Philip Shaibu knew that the governor will not give him the ticket. He has seen the handwriting on the wall and that is why he is running from pillar to post and trying to see if he can woo Oshiomhole to his side and get the APC ticket.”
So bad is the relationship between the two former political bedfellows that OpenLife’s insider disclosed further that “The governor locked Philip Shaibu out in a PDP leaders meeting last week in Benin. They don’t see eye to eye again. Philip Shaibu has started romancing enemies of governor Obaseki. That means that the battle line has been drawn.”
As a confirmation that things have fallen apart irretrievably between the two, Philip Shaibu took to his Facebook wall recently to announce his joy being in APC camp.
“I was in the National Assembly Today, Tuesday, to be part of the Inauguration of the 10th National Assembly and election of some presiding officers of both Chambers. It was quite a memorable one being in the midst of my old colleagues. I really had a good time.”
The sustainability of his “Good time” in APC would be an interesting item in the enclave of analysts in the weeks ahead.
Born on December 1, 1969, in Kaduna to Pastor Francis Shaibu and Lucy Momoh of blessed memories, Philip Shaibu hails from Jattu Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He started his education at St. Augustine Primary School, Tundu Wada Kaduna but finished at L.E.A Primary School Barnawa, Kaduna State.
He thereafter, proceeded to Saudana Memorial Secondary School, Kawo Kaduna where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1989. In 1995, he got admitted into the University of Jos and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Accounting in 2000.
He had a stint at the Nigerian Prison Service, Abuja but voluntarily retired as an Assistant Inspector of Prisons in 2002 before venturing into politics in 2003.
In 2003, he contested for Etsako West Constituency under the platform of the All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost. In 2007, he contested and won under Action Congress (AC).
Upon inauguration into the House, Shaibu was appointed the Minority whip of the 4th Assembly, and became the chairman house committee on education.
Shaibu became Majority Leader in 2010 and Chairman House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House.
He was re-elected into the house in 2011 and became House Majority Leader.
Shaibu maintained his position as chairman house committee committee on Rules, Business and Government House even in the 5th Assembly until June of 2015 when he was elected as member of House of Representatives to represent The Etsako Federal constituency in Abuja.
Before all of these, Shaibu was elected the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the year 2000.
A passionate and dedicated catholic, Philip shaibu who also obtained an MBA from the University of Benin, is happily married and blessed with lovely kids. At his leisure, he plays golf, soccer as well as read including research.

OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has offered Bola Ahmed Tinubu cautionary advice if he want to succeed as President of Nigeria.
The caution is coming against an offensive statement credited to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
The former governor in his statement justified his choice of Muslims to occupy relevant positions in Kaduna State because they are the ones who vote for APC in the state. He also mentioned that the current governor of the state will follow in his footstep and the coming one to prove that Islamic leadership doesn’t discriminate.
In his reaction, Primate Ayodele described Nasir El-rufai as someone who will start a religious war in Nigeria with his careless statement. He fumed at the statement of the astute politician, making it known that he is a satanic agent and a representative of the Taliban government in Nigeria.
Primate Ayodele stated that El-rufai has an agenda to Islamize Nigeria and that if President Tinubu allows him in his government, the country will plunge into a religious crisis that may lead to war in the country.
The man of God accused him of being the brain behind APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidency and the religious crisis of Southern Kaduna. He warned Tinubu severally against giving him any position in government to avoid the sudden collapse of the country.
"El-Rufai is satanic, he should not be trusted. The election in Kaduna was rigged in his candidate’s favor and God will take it back from him. How can he make such an insensitive statement, why is he mocking Christians? He is a religious hypocrite and a representative of the Taliban in Nigeria.’’
"The statement of El Rufai is unacceptable, we want a peaceful nation but El-Rufai is a threat to national peace. He is the one behind the Southern Kaduna crisis all this while. He should be warned or he will destroy Tinubu’s government. God will destroy his plans before his time and if Tinubu brings him in, he will destroy the government completely.’’
"El Rufai is an agent of satan and God will soon expose his plans. He lost Kaduna but the real winner will reclaim his mandate. El-Rufai is a devil who wants to enslave Nigeria and sell the nation to the Islamic Republic. We must rise against his evil agenda. He is a religious and ethnic racist. He is one of the backbone of Muslim-Muslim presidency in Nigeria and of course, Nigeria will soon see the repercussion.’’
"Tinubu should stop El-Rufai before he creates a religious war in this country. Christians are peaceful people, God will deal with El Rufai because he wants to create a fight in the country.’’
“El-Rufai becomes anything in Tinubu’s government, he will burn the country, he will start a religious crisis and he has a devilish agenda that will soon be exposed.’’

What I Will Never Forget About Late Senator Annie Okonkwo---Ngige


OpenLife Nigeria reports that former Anambra State Governor and the immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the death of Senator Annie Okonkwo as a fall of an Iroko tree in the forest with an attendant huge loss to the business and Political firmament of Anambra State, the South East and Nigeria in general.
Senator Annie Okonkwo, a foremost industrialist who celebrated his 63rd birthday on May 23, 2023, represented Anambra Central senatorial district in the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2007.
He reportedly died in the United States, after a long battle with a terminal illness.
In a statement Ngige personally signed, he described the late senator as a very strong and dogged politician with whom he did many political battles/ contests, the most memorable being the three-cornered fight in 2011 for the Anambra Central Senate seat between himself, the late Senator and late Prof Dora Akunyili.
Ngige praised the late senator for his sportsmanship, saying: ”Even though I won and came to the 7th Senate Agunechemba congratulated me and promised not to go to court to contest my winning. He really did not go to court. So I became his successor and the loss did not affect our personal relationship.”
“Ngige extends his heartfelt condolences to the Okonkwo family of Iru- Ebenebe Ojoto where he holds the high chieftaincy title of Okaka and Agunechemba, Government and people of Anambra State and the Nigerian political and business community.