A day after her election, the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, on Tuesday, visited members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, for their blessings”.

Meranda told newsmen she went to “brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday (Monday) and to seek their blessings, which we have gotten”.

The endorsement came just as Meranda, sought the cooperation and support of the council members to succeed.

GAC, created by President Bola Tinubu, is the highest decision-making body of the party on the state.

GAC’s endorsement was given when Meranda and some key principal officers met at Lagos House, Marina.

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting, the Speaker said: “We briefed the GAC about what happened at the state House of Assembly and to seek their blessings which we have gotten.”

Meanwhile, the GAC, led by Tajudeen Olusi, declined to brief the press.

However, it was gathered that the state governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, left Nigeria on Monday night for an official event.

Recall that former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who is currently abroad, was impeached by members of the House of Assembly on Monday (yesterday) over various misconducts and financial misappropriations.

[Opinion Nigeria]

In the labyrinth of Nigerian politics, power is often perceived as an infinite resource, wielded by those who can hold onto it for as long as possible. Yet, history has repeatedly shown that the longer one clings to power, the more vulnerable they become to the political tides that eventually wash them away. The recent impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, the erstwhile Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is yet another testament to this reality.

Although the specifics of Obasa’s impeachment remain murky, the circumstances leading to his political downfall allow for informed speculation. His story is one of a man who rose to prominence, commanded authority, and, some might say, overstayed his welcome. While it is too early to dissect the entire saga with absolute clarity, one thing is certain: his impeachment serves as a stark reminder to politicians of the perils of holding on to power for too long.

Mudashiru Obasa, a seasoned politician, enjoyed a meteoric rise in Lagos State politics. Representing Agege Constituency 1, he climbed the political ladder with a combination of ambition, strategy, and an uncanny ability to build alliances. His tenure as Speaker began in 2015, making him one of the longest-serving Speakers in the history of Lagos State.

Obasa’s tenure was marked by legislative reforms, budget approvals, and significant influence within the political structure of Lagos. He was seen as a loyal foot soldier of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in a state known for its complex political dynamics. However, his reign was not without controversy. Allegations of financial impropriety, mismanagement of funds, and high-handedness became a recurring theme, tainting what could have been a legacy of excellence.

While official reasons for Obasa’s impeachment may not have been fully disclosed, several factors might have contributed to his political demise.

Reports of financial impropriety had long dogged Obasa’s tenure. These allegations included mismanagement of Assembly funds, questionable contracts, and extravagant spending. Although Obasa consistently denied these claims, they likely created fractures within the Assembly and eroded trust among his colleagues.

In a similar vein, Lagos politics is often shaped by intricate power plays within the APC, where loyalty to party chieftains can determine political survival. Obasa’s increasing autonomy and perceived dominance within the Lagos Assembly might have been seen as a threat to the broader interests of powerful stakeholders in the party.

Long-serving leaders often struggle to maintain unanimity among their colleagues. Obasa’s prolonged stay as Speaker might have bred resentment among lawmakers who felt marginalized or stifled in their political aspirations. The eventual decision to impeach him may have been the culmination of years of silent dissent.

The role of public perception in Nigerian politics cannot be understated. Obasa’s alleged opulent lifestyle and the Assembly’s reported lack of transparency may have alienated the electorate. With Lagos residents increasingly vocal about accountability in governance, lawmakers may have felt compelled to act to preserve their own reputations.

It is not uncommon for impeachments in Nigeria to be orchestrated as part of a larger political game. Obasa’s removal could be linked to an attempt to reposition Lagos politics ahead of the next election cycle, with party leaders possibly seeking to consolidate control by replacing him with a more pliable figure.

Obasa’s impeachment is not an isolated incident in Nigerian politics. It mirrors the fate of several politicians who have overstayed their welcome in positions of authority. The longer a politician clings to power, the more likely they are to make enemies, both within and outside their circle.

Perpetual power breeds complacency, arrogance, and sometimes, a disconnect from the people one serves. It blinds leaders to the shifting sands of political alliances and public sentiment. Obasa’s fall is a cautionary tale for leaders who believe their positions are unassailable.

Obasa’s impeachment marks a turning point for the Lagos State House of Assembly. It sends a strong message that no leader, no matter how entrenched, is immune to accountability. For lawmakers, it is a reminder that the electorate expects transparency, integrity, and humility from their representatives.

For Lagosians, the impeachment raises questions about the effectiveness of governance in the state. It underscores the need for vigilance in holding leaders accountable and ensuring that public offices are not used for personal enrichment.

The story of Mudashiru Obasa’s rise and fall is a classic tale of power, ambition, and the eventual reckoning that comes with overreach. While he undoubtedly achieved significant milestones during his tenure, his inability to read the writing on the wall cost him dearly.

For Nigerian politicians, Obasa’s impeachment should serve as a sobering lesson: power is not perpetual. Leadership is a privilege, not a right, and those who hold public office must do so with humility, accountability, and a focus on serving the people.

As the dust settles on Obasa’s political career, one hopes that this episode will inspire a culture of introspection among Nigeria’s political elite. The era of leaders clinging to power in seeming perpetuity must give way to a new dawn of responsible governance, where the people, not personal ambition, are at the heart of every decision.

In the end, Obasa’s story is a reminder that power, no matter how firmly held, can slip away in an instant. For those still holding on, it is a call to reflect, to serve, and to let go when the time comes.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will any moment from now announce a new tariff regime for the telecommunications sector, that will see costs of data, voice, and SMS services go up.

This follows years of agitation and advocacy by telecom operators for a review of the current tariff regime, which was last adjusted in 2013.

The operators cited the astronomical rise in cost operations fueled by the forex crisis and the rising inflation in the country as justification for an increment in telecom tariffs.

According to them, players across all sectors of the economy have adjusted their prices in line with the economic realities, except telecoms where the regulator has withheld the approval for such a move.

However, after a meeting with the telecom companies in Abuja last week, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced that the government was willing to shift ground and allow price increments in the interest of the industry’s sustainability.

But the Minister was unequivocal in dismissing the 100% increment requested by the telecom operators

Cost of data in Nigeria and other markets compared 

While the NCC has yet to reveal the percentage increment to be implemented, the general perception in the industry is that Nigeria currently has one of the lowest telecom tariffs in Africa, especially for data, hence, the operators want an increment that will be commensurate with what obtains in other markets.

• Based on the latest data released by the International Telecommunications Union, a comparative analysis of the cost of 2GB of data in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana, reveals that Nigeria indeed has the lowest cost.
• According to the ITU’s ICT Services Affordability Report 2023, the cost of 2GB data in Nigeria is $2.35, whereas the same costs $2.66 in Ghana.
• In Kenya, a 2GB data package costs $2.92, while in South Africa, the same package goes for $7.98, but still not the highest on the continent as Zimbabweans pay the highest cost for data at $10.23 per 2GB.

Similarly, a worldwide data pricing report published by cable.co.uk ranked Nigeria as one of the countries with the cheapest price for 1GB of data in the world. Globally, Nigeria ranked 31 out of 237 countries with Israel ranking as number one with an average of 1GB of data at $0.02.

According to the report, the average cost of 1GB of data in Nigeria is $0.39 and it is the cheapest in the West African region.

Economic imperatives 

As Nigeria is preparing to review telecom tariffs which will bring the cost of data up to the same level as some other African countries and possibly surpass others, it is also imperative to look at the economic power of the subscribers.

For instance, a look at the GDP Per Capita of each of the four countries shows that Nigeria also has the lowest GDP Per Capita compared to South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya.

GDP per capita is a measure of a country’s average income, calculated by dividing its gross domestic product (GDP) by its population and it is often used to compare the standard of living between countries.

• In that regard, South Africa, which currently has one of the most expensive data on the continent is an Upper-Middle Income country according to the World Bank with the country’s GDP Per Capita at $15,194.2 as of 2023.
• Similarly, Ghana, a lower-middle-income country has a GDP Per Capita that is far above Nigeria’s at 7,543.0.
• Kenya, though in the same lower-middle-income economy category as Nigeria, has a higher GDP Per Capita per the World Bank’s 2023 data at 6,307.2
• The World Bank put Nigeria’s GDP Per Capita for 2023 at 6,207.4, which is the lowest among the four countries compared.

Justifications for increment 

For telecommunications operators in Nigeria, there are more then enough reasons to increase tariffs for voice, data, and SMS services, and not just a slight adjustment but 100% increment.

According to the CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Dinesh Balsingh, telecom tariffs in Nigeria have remained static despite the dramatic increase in operating expenses, which have surged by over 300% in the last 18 to 24 months alone.

Balsinghsaid the increments are critical for maintaining high-quality services and enabling further advancements in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

• Sharing the same sentiment as Airtel’s CEO, Toriola said the telecom industry is now facing a sustainability threat that must be addressed through a tariff review.
• While emphasising that telecommunications is a fundamental human right and a critical element for driving an economy, Toriola noted that without a sustainable industry, the economy and the well-being of Nigerians will suffer.
• He highlighted how inflation, foreign exchange devaluation, and rising energy prices have drastically increased operational expenses for telecom operators.
• According to him, diesel costs have risen from pre-COVID levels of N230 to over N1,000 per liter.
• The official exchange rate has shifted from N424.50 to about N1,550 at the end of 2024, drastically increasing the cost of importing critical infrastructure like base stations, which now cost nearly four times more than they did two years ago.

[Nairametrics]

Counsel to the late Deputy Inspector General of Police, Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, Silas Onu, has said the late officer did not reach the Inspector General status because of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase.

Naija News reported that the Late Jitoboh sued the PSC for his compulsory retirement. While he, unfortunately, died on Thursday, 27 December 2024; the Court, on Monday, ruled in his favour and granted his prayers.

“Today (Monday), DIG Moses A. Jitoboh wins his case against the Police Service Commission. Reinstated with effect from the date of his purported compulsory retirement and awarded 50m in general damages. Having passed on to glory, it is now official that he died in active duty to his fatherland,” Onu wrote on his X handle.

Some reports on the court victory, however, attributed the late officer’s sack to President Bola Tinubu and the current IGP of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The reports wrongly claimed Jitoboh was sacked to pave the way for Egbetokun.

In a statement, on Tuesday, Onu clarified that the sack of the former aide-de-camp (ADC) to former President Goodluck Jonathan had nothing to do with Tinubu and Egbetokun.

According to him, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and IGP Egbetokun ensured justice was done in the case.

“I can state clearly here now that President Bola Tinubu and the IGP of Police had no hands in his sad compulsory retirement.

“It was 100% the handiwork of former IGP Solomon Arase as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) which exercises control over all Police Officers, with the exception of the Inspector General of Police.

“The reason for his action was personal and very mundane and he was sacked by President Bola Tinubu upon our complaint through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

“As a matter of fact, the IGP ensured that the Police played no role whatsoever in the trial as they refused to cooperate with the PSC to fabricate lies against Moses,” he said.

Jitobonh’s counsel further disclosed that the current PSC Chairman, Hashimu Argungu, was against his client’s sack.

Onu explained that the President was unable to act on the issue because it was already in court.

“The new Chairman of the PSC, from my discussions with Moses, also was against the action taken by Arase and like the IGP, hoped to receive Moses back in the Force after the judgment. They both were talking with him before he passed. In fact, he stated that the IGP had a special place for him when he returns to the Police.

“The President could not act as we were already in Court, so the AGF said we should wait for the outcome and the government will respect whatever decision reached.

“So, it is not correct to mischaracterize their entire unfortunate events by saying it was done to favour the IGP. Recall that other DIGs retired along with Moses did not challenge the act because they all had less than 5 months to leave the Force, while Moses had 7 years then.

“If any President was unkind to Moses, it was Muhammadu Buhari who signed the Police Act, 2020 into law and flouted its provisions twice, simply to deny Moses his privileged lawful promotion to the office of IGP,” he added.

[NaijaNews]

Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly called Portable has condemned comparisons of his facial tattoos to those of his colleague Ahmed Ololade, also known as Asake.

Asake’s new look sparked reactions amongst fans after showing off his shaved face and new facial tattoos, which include dollar signs and “Believe” inscriptions, among others, in an Instagram post on Sunday.

Netizens had likened the Ololade master’s new look to that of Portable’s because of their facial tattoos.

Portable was not pleased with the comparisons, expressing his dissatisfaction with a frown and asserting that he resembles American rapper Lil Wayne more.

In a video message posted on his social media, he stated, “Don’t compare me to Asake. I don’t look like Asake. I look like Lil Wayne. Stop comparing me to an overrated artist,” he said angrily.

[Leadership]

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the removal of petrol subsidy as a direct blessing to state governments.

The governor said this during the inspection of some projects to celebrate the first year of his second term.

He said more money now accrues to the coffers of state governments for the development.

“In reconciling the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal and the benefits in terms of socio-infrastructure, social benefits, and then the ease of doing business occasioned by the provision of the enabling infrastructure, I think it is a blessing.”

“It is a direct blessing, it is not a disguise to the sub-nationals because more monies are now coming to states and state governments must do things to show citizens that they are able to do these things because they now get more monies as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.”

Uzodimma is not the first governor to make such claim.

Last year, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State asked Nigerians to hold governors to account over the improved allocation from the federation account.

Sule stated this while answering questions during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.

He said that people were suffering, urging them to ask their state governors what they were doing with the improved revenues from the federal government.

Sule had said, “Most of the time people are looking at some of the hard economic decisions the president has taken. That is his own style. Two decisions taken are bringing these economic reforms.

“One, is the subsidy removal and the second is the floating of the forex. These are the two major policies people keep on complaining about. And people are asking where the money is. The money is there. It is being given to various people and places and coming to the people in different ways.

“That is why I give you an example of what we are doing in Nasarawa. Yes, there is going to be difficulties; but instead of just looking at the federal government let the people hold every state governor responsible. What are you doing with the improved revenue you are getting? Until every state governor comes back and says we are doing this and that.

“President Tinubu doesn’t have land anywhere. The lands belong to the state. He can’t go and do agriculture anywhere, for example. They have already started construction of highways from Badagry to Calabar. The one from Calabar is coming to Abuja and the one from Badagry going to Sokoto State. There are many of them.

“The federal government would continue to do its own part. The same improved revenue the states have seen is the same improved revenue local governments see. The local governments in Nasarawa State when they receive their own after the FEC meeting they are getting 100% increase in their revenue. They used to receive N2.2 billion. Today they receive more than N4 billion. Local governments in Nasarawa do not owe anybody salary. They have some savings.”

The Joint Committee on Livestock Development of the Senate and House of Representatives has rejected the 2025 budgetary provision of N11.8 billion for the takeoff of the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The committee chairman, Sen. Musa Mustapha said lawmakers are aware of enormous challenges associated with taking off a ministry, hence, they will look into the budget with a view to re-adjust it.

The Federal Government had proposed a budget of N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead in the 2025 budget of the ministry which commenced activities about three months ago.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha who appeared before the joint committee with officials of the agency listed numerous challenges confronting the ministry, stating that structures are still being put together.

He said: “The take off process is ongoing with necessary structures being put together from formative departments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

“We are yet to have office accommodation,” he said.

Wale Raji, Chairman House Committee on Livestock Development, queried the amount of input from the Presidential Implementation Committee for the take – off of the ministry.

“There will be need for you to make special presentation on this or come up with supplementary budget that will reflect the hope of Nigerians.

“The budget is abysmally low to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians,” he said.

[DailyPost]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja, as the Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). 

The approval, the first of its kind by any President, it was gathered, seeks to revise the agency’s structure for better efficiency.

This, it was learnt, is in line with the original organogram of the Service.

Checks revealed that the DSS is structured to comprise three Deputy Directors General in its hierarchy.

The appointment and ratification by the President was based on the recommendation of the DG, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, The Nation learnt. 

“It is line with its extant regulations and unprecedented in the history of the Secret Service,” a source said 

The appointment of Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi state was celebrated by a cross section of officers and operatives who see her as eminently qualified for the position, it was learnt.

It was further gathered that President Tinubu had, in line with his promise to improve on the security of life and property of Nigerians, tasked the heads of security agencies to come up with proposals on how to improve on their service delivery. 

“It was on this note that the President approved the DG’s recommendation, which many serving and retired officers are confident would boost career progression in the Service,” the source said.

President Tinubu had at the the investiture ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 graduates last December, promised to support the DSS and other security agencies with Artificial Intelligence- powered state-of-the-art equipment to combat insecurity across the country. 

Speaking through the NSA, the president stated that he was not oblivious of the security challenges in contemporary times, and charged all security agencies to synergize for the common good of Nigerians. 

The DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwastosin Ajayi, had on assumption of office late August 2024, promised sweeping reforms in the Organization, which he assured  would transform the DSS into one of the most efficient covert  Security Agencies in the world. 

United States President, Joe Biden, has announced a federal aid of $770 one-time payment to California wildfire victims as the Los Angeles County battles one of the worst sets of fires in state history.

Biden, whose tenure in the White House is drawing to a close, made the announcement on Monday.

According to Hollywoodunclocked, the wildfire, which had claimed 29 lives, is a growing concern among Americans.

However, Biden, in a meeting, vowed to offer a one-time payment of $770 to the victims of the deadly Los Angeles County fires and that the government would be covering 100% of the disaster response costs for the next six months.

He said, “I want to be clear: we are not waiting until the fires are over to help victims. We are helping them all right now. People impacted by these fires are going to receive a one-time payment of $770. So they can quickly purchase things like water, baby formula, and prescriptions. So far, nearly 6,000 survivors have registered to do just that, and $5.1 million has gone out.”

For those who the Los Angeles County fires have impacted, President Joe Biden said victims can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. As mentioned, the federal government will be covering all fire-related and firefighting costs for the next 180 days.

Nearly $5.1 million in immediate aid has already been distributed, with victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles being given a one-time payment of $770.

Additionally, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has reported that about 33,000 residents have already registered for disaster assistance.

In a briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and emergency officials, Biden stressed, “It’s going to cost tens of billions of dollars to get Los Angeles to what it was. We are going to need Congress to step up with the funding.”

According to AccuWeather, the total damage and economic loss from the fires is now estimated to be between $250 billion and $275 billion.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter claims the preliminary estimate has surpassed the total damage and loss accrued during the 2020 wildfire season.

The damage and economic loss has also surpassed Hurricane Helene in 2024, which cost between $225 billion to $250 billion, and has surpassed the deadly Maui, Hawaii fires in 2023, which cost an estimated $13 billion to $16 billion.

[Punch]