Before now, pensions were known to be a thing for the formal sector – government workers and some others with private companies. But a new initiative of the federal government is about to change this.

In an attempt to capture people from the informal sector, President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a Micro Pension Plan. The pension scheme is designed specifically for the significant majority of Nigeria’s working population who belong to the informal sector.

Read full story here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/29/nigeria-rolls-out-pension-scheme-for-artisans-traders-and-other-informal-sector-workers/

Just this week, democracy had its first victory against vote-buyers. This was when Justice Sa’ad Moh’d of the Gombe State High Court committed a councillor in Bolari East Local Government Area, Gombe, Ishiyaku Garba, to six months in jail for vote-buying.

Garba has been in the dock on three counts bordering on bribery. He was apprehended by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who acted on intelligence reports that the convict at Bolari Polling Unit 0077 in Gombe State during the presidential and National Assembly elections. He was caught red-handed sharing money to voters.

Read full story here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/29/saving-nigerias-democracy-inec-records-first-legal-victory-against-vote-buyers/

Just this week, democracy had its first victory against vote-buyers. This was when Justice Sa’ad Moh’d of the Gombe State High Court committed a councillor in Bolari East Local Government Area, Gombe, Ishiyaku Garba, to six months in jail for vote-buying.

Garba has been in the dock on three counts bordering on bribery. He was apprehended by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who acted on intelligence reports that the convict at Bolari Polling Unit 0077 in Gombe State during the presidential and National Assembly elections. He was caught red-handed sharing money to voters.

Read full story here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/29/saving-nigerias-democracy-inec-records-first-legal-victory-against-vote-buyers/

Nigeria’s struggle with tax compliance may be far from over, considering the poor collection approach the federal government employs. Many Nigerians are still uncertain about paying tax because of corruption in the system, but the stringency of making payments could scare many more away.

FIRS revealed that there are still about 45,000 tax defaulters in the country, each of which had over ₦100 million as turnover in their accounts. It also shows that the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) launched by the federal government to encourage tax compliance, has failed to do its best.

But the problem is not only about companies defaulting, but also a poor collection approach that leaves technology at the backseat.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/28/poor-collection-approach-dampening-the-tax-compliance-drive-in-nigeria/

Instant messaging applications including WhatsApp, Facebook, and many others became deeply entrenched in the lives of Nigerians in recent years, and this fueled speculations that they might take over the role of conventional phone calls and text messages.

In fact, analysts predicted that voice and messaging revenue for Nigeria’s mobile networks would decline due to the proliferation of instant messaging apps. Particularly, a market research firm, Ovum, had predicted that there would be a drop in spending on traditional communication services offered by the incumbent telcos by 36 per cent in just a few years.

However, telecommunication companies in Nigeria have managed to rise above this threat, by raking in about ₦767.23bn from November 2018 to January 2019 alone.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/28/how-nigerias-mobile-networks-outsmart-messaging-apps-to-keep-revenue-high/

To an average Nigerian, police officers are nothing better than thugs, or even armed robbers. Just like these criminals, many policemen are fond of extorting citizens, taking bribes, and impeding justice as they deem fit.

A survey conducted nationwide by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) reveals that the police is the most corrupt public institution in the country, according to Nigerians. The survey, which places the power sector as the second position, accesses levels of corruption in public institutions in Nigeria for the past 5 years.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/27/nigerians-unite-against-police-officers-as-the-most-corrupt-in-public-service/

The voice of panic from the All Progressive Congress (APC) and efforts to stop the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, from approaching the elections petition tribunal are fueling suspicion that the allegations of a rigged election may be plausible.

After the ruling APC have failed to discredit Atiku’s petition or cow him into accepting defeat, the party has gone on a tirade of unending accusations, instead of focusing on defending its victory at the tribunal. The battle has now shifted to the results server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which the APC claims have no value in the electoral process.

By calling on the DSS and the Police to arrest PDP leaders, APC is suggesting that some truths are hidden somewhere.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/26/inec-server-controversy-is-pdps-allegation-of-a-rigged-presidential-election-plausible/

In high hopes of having a new party and fresh hands represent the district, electorates in Anambra South elected Ifeanyi Ubah, despite coming from a virtually unknown Young Progressives Party (YPP).

He managed to garner enough support to defeat candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who are all much more popular than the new YPP.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/26/political-betrayal-anambras-ypp-senator-elect-leaves-for-apc-a-month-after-the-polls/

Four years down the line, it seems that Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not learnt from the mistake that cost it the leadership of the 8th Senate in 2015.

Through the combination of internal wrangling and selfish interests, the APC and its senators couldn’t agree on a single candidate for the Senate leadership. The current Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was then in the APC, took advantage of his friendship with Peoples Democratic (PDP) senators to become the country’s, third man.

Now that that administration is about to end, and Saraki couldn’t win his reelection, the outgoing Senate President is scheming with incoming PDP senators to influence the emergence of new leaders of the 9th Senate.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/25/9th-senate-again-apc-may-concede-deputy-senate-presidency-to-the-opposition/

As much as we try to shy away from this truth, religious bigotry has managed to divide Nigeria for years, and stand in the way of our national growth. Debating about whether a leaders should be a Muslim or a Christian, we’ve allowed pointless argument to stop us from focusing on the most important thing – capacity.

This is coming to bear again as we approach the end of this administration. An Islamic advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has just asked President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Muslim ministers from five south-west states, simply becase the governors there are Christians.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/22/now-is-not-the-time-to-place-religious-bigotry-over-capacities-in-political-appointments/

For most Nigerian politicians, political office is just an avenue to have a big bite of the national cake. Whether this happens through legal, or illegal means, they don’t seem to care. Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, would undoubtedly find his name on this list.

Since his assumption of office in 2015, Ganduje has earned the reputation of playing a god in the politics of Kano state, with a series of corruption allegations against him. He became popular, and his impunity came to national knowledge last year when a video of him collecting bribes surfaced online.

Riding on the wings if immunity as a state governor, he has managed to keep justice at bay. In utter disregard for rule of law, Ganduje has been busy victimizing his accusers, ...

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/22/impunity-at-its-peak-kano-governor-ganduje-takes-attack-to-police-commissioner/

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is one of the most thriving in the country’s business environment. It offers services and products many people consider as universal needs, and thus could afford to keep prices low because the market is large.

However, in their aggressive drive to generate revenues, some state governments are putting a heavy weight of tax on telecoms infrastructure. This, in turn, is setting the ground for higher tariff and rates for telecom subscribers in affected states. The new tariff will be decided based on the cost of doing business in the affected states.

This could lead to a higher call tariff on outgoing calls by residents, and many more consequences.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/21/state-governments-igniting-inflation-in-the-telecom-sector-with-multiple-taxes/

It seems Diamond Bank will retain their name, logo and other details, but they will technically be under the leadership of Access BAnk administration. Everything will likely remain as they were.

In spite of years of public outcry against the misuse of guns by policemen, an officer allegedly shot dead a teenager, Hadijat Sikiru, in the Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Monday.

The policeman, who was said to be intoxicated while on duty, fired a gunshot indiscriminately into the air, killing the girl in the process. Eyewitnesses revealed that he fled the scene to escape being attacked by the angry mob that had gathered.

According to an eyewitness, Amusan, the incident happened around 5pm on Monday when “people were playing games underneath a tree around Adamo junction when the policemen came to eat at a food vendor’s place around there. One of the officers, who wore a jacket inscribed with the number 147, came out of the food vendor’s shop ...

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/21/case-review-nigerian-policemen-and-their-disrespect-for-human-life/

Access Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria by every definition, had last year begun the acquisition process for Diamond Bank Plc. It was an expansion drive capable of bringing Access to the top among Nigerian banks.

Sequel to this, trading in the shares of Diamond Bank Plc has been placed on full suspension following the final approval Scheme of Merger with Access Bank Plc.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/20/diamond-bank-suspends-public-trading-of-shares-to-conclude-merger-with-access-bank/

Irrespective of political affiliations of their subjects, Nigerian traditional rulers have always been respected, and their seats treated as sacred. They are accorded a special place in the society, such that it would be a complete sacrilege to defy their decisions or disrespect them in any way.

However, recent developments in Nigeria’s polity give reasons to worry that the sanctity of our age-long leadership institution could go down the drain. This came to the centre of national discourse when some unidentified politicians were accused of planning two leading traditional rulers from the Northern part of the country – the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/20/plan-to-depose-sultan-of-sokoto-emir-of-kano-a-desecration-of-nigerias-traditional-leadership/

Unfortunately, cases of sexual violence has continued to rise in Nigeria, and this could mean that Nigeria’s justice system is not doing enough to protect women.

But now, Ekiti state has taken the first step to bring rapists and other sex offenders to justice in such a way that the victim will boldly claim to have gotten maximum justice. Government will announce their names on radio stations, and paste their pictures around their towns.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/19/ekiti-introduces-law-to-strip-sex-offenders-of-their-dignity-and-social-status/

Since a presidential order came for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to take over the operatorship of Oil Mining Licence 11, which has erstwhile been under the administration of Shell Petroleum Development Company, the national oil producer has been in top gear to begin production.

So, NNPC is targeting to produce 500,000 barrel per day (bpd) by 2020. The corporation revealed this in its December monthly Financial and Operations Report released in Abuja on Sunday.

But could this be easily possible?

Read full article: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/18/oml-11-npdc-hopes-to-produce-500-000-oil-barrels-per-day-as-it-takes-over-from-shell/

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, was declared the winner of the Senatorial poll in Imo West District. But the victory was shortlived as the Returning Officer claimed he declared the governor as the winner under “duress.”

When INEC released the official list of elected members of the National Assembly, Okorocha’s name was absent. Since then, INEC has repeatedly said that it would not present a certificate of return to the Imo State Governor.

What could this mean for Okorocha?

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/18/seized-certificate-of-return-inec-close-to-edging-okorocha-out-of-9th-senate/

Politics in Nigeria has always been perceived as a path for men, perhaps because of the ruggedity required. However, there are seven female politicians who went against the odds, and manage to get themselves a place at the Nigerian Senate.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly comprises 109 Senators elected from different districts across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The 9th Senate, which will resume on the 29th of May, 2019, will include the following women impact makers:

Read full article: https://www.herald.ng/9th-senate-meet-the-seven-female-politicians-who-will-resume-at-the-senate-in-june/

Since the November 2015 governorship election in Kogi State when INEC introduced this guideline, “inconclusive election” has become a problem to the Nigerian electoral system. Aside from eroding the confidence of the electorate in the whole electoral process, politicians have seen it as a potent tool to subvert the will of the people during elections.

Read about how politicians used it in Osun, Imo, and other states, to cheat the voters at the end.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/15/time-to-remove-the-inconclusive-election-clause-from-inecs-guidelines/

For the past three years, the Federal Government has been looking to make Nigeria self-sufficient in tomato paste and other tomato products. This will mean a reversal of the $1.5 billion Nigeria spends annually on tomato product-importation from China and other parts of the world.

Through strategic public-private partnerships and an enabling investment environment, the government’s efforts to bring this to fruition is about yielding the desired results, with strong help from Dangote and Gino paste producers.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/15/nigeria-banking-on-dangotes-firm-and-gino-to-end-tomato-paste-import/

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Do you know that the school building which collapsed on Wednesday has allegedly been marked for demolition, because of its weakness?

Vacation notice was also served to the landlord twice, but he took it lightly. The deceased proprietress was also said to have refused to worry about the probable collapse of the building. Unfortunately, the house went down and claimed several lives.

But the Ohen school incident is not the first in recent times, and in fact, not the first to be traced to structurally weak buildings. In the last year alone, six buildings have collapsed under this condition, with some of them claiming lives.

Read full story here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/14/how-the-negligence-of-lagosians-caused-fatal-six-buildings-collapse-in-one-year/

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has issued a directive asking the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to take over the operatorship of the entire Oil Mining Lease 11 from Shell Petroleum Development Company. The order is expected to come into effect not later than the end of April.

Shell had not produced a single drop of crude oil from Ogoniland for about five years, which means that partners were not earning revenue. The block is being managed by four partners, including Shell and the NNPC. The rationale is that, since one of them is slacking, another can pick things up.

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/14/oml-11-after-five-years-of-inefficiency-shell-loses-oil-blocks-operating-license-to-nnpc/

With the results from the recent elections, the APC seems to be back at the point of achieving its long-standing dream of completely ruling Nigeria.

Aside from President Buhari returning to power, the APC already has 65 elected Senators, and this means the APC will most likely lead the Senate for the next four years.

Also, it's the same thing with the House of Representatives, except the 20 constituencies where elections were inconclusive.

But how will Nigeria be under without no opposition at any government level?

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/13/beyond-may-2019-an-x-ray-of-nigeria-under-the-full-leadership-of-apc/

Southern Kaduna and other areas of Kaduna metropolis have in the last two years become hot spots of violence and wanton killings. Taking the form of ethnic or communal clash and religious fights, hoodlums unleash mayhem on residents, and the death toll is always in tens and scores.

As these incidents became more frequent, the Kaduna state government put in place curfew as the ‘flight-mode’ measure to stem the violence from recurring, and return peace to affected areas. This has, however, only been effective for an immediate return to calm in these locations.

It has done almost nothing to prevent these incidents from happening again. What should El-Rufai do next?

Read full article here, and remember to comment: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/13/kaduna-killings-unending-curfew-is-not-the-solution/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lost the unity it has long enjoyed in the run-up to the general elections, thanks to party lords like the outgoing governors of Ogun and Imo states, Ibikunle Amosun, and Rochas Okorocha.

By installing their underdogs, the governors hope to have an unquestionable say on who wins what during party primaries. It’ll be their ultimate discretion to decide flag bearers for different positions from the APC in their respective states.

Both of them were heavily disappointed during Saturday's elections. The punishment has already started with their suspension, and more is waiting...

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/12/amosun-and-okorocha-set-to-reap-the-fruits-of-rebellion/

Kano state governor, Abdulahi Ganduje has been running away from being investigated over the video of him that came online last year.

But now that he's about to lose his set as Kano governor, his immunity will also expire with it. He is about to face the same thing Fayose faced in October last year.

Will Buhari spare him again because he's also in the APC?

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/11/ganduje-why-kano-governors-loss-is-essential-to-buharis-anti-corruption-fight/

Global cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky Lab, has just released a global report which lists Nigeria among the top 10 countries most hit by malware attacks against mobile devices in 2018. Nigeria ranks third, with 37.72 per cent of attacks targeting mobile devices.

The worry about this is not just in the figures, but in the fact that there’s no political or regulatory effort to keep the nation and its citizens safe from such. In a country where almost nothing is regulated, and individuals and organizations have to find ways to protect themselves, such a report is not surprising.

What do we do to protect ourselves?

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/11/rising-mobile-malware-attacks-on-nigerians-and-the-urgent-need-to-develop-protection-infrastructures/

In 2018, when former president Olusegun Obasanjo came up with his Coalition for Nigeria and the ‘Third Force’ agenda. Nigerians thought we’re about to have another formidable political movement aside from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But the idea seems to have failed massively...

Read full article here: https://qwenu.com/2019/03/08/why-did-obasanjos-third-force-become-toothless-so-soon/