Yes, take a glimpse at this photograph. You would probably imagine, momentarily, a model among the bevy paraded by, say, the popular ritzy GQ magazine.

If so, well, you just fell for a disguise.

Now, take a closer look. Strip that bucket hat and you will behold, in its luxuriant bloom, that familiar hoary mane complemented by no less immaculate goatee to which folks around the world have long grown accustomed as evocative of no other than Kongi in any gathering, anywhere.

Today, it took more than “yabis” (teasing) to extract a few seconds from Professor Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka and get him to shed his accustomed stern mien and momentarily act a model, one hand fashionably in the pocket, on a North African soil. But without the usual preening or sashaying of the runway.

That fleeting GQ moment was, by the way, captured in Fes (Morocco) in June 2023 by this writer with a camera phone as an emergency “paparazzi”, after sidestepping a bit to get a perfect angle for the lens against blinding lights by the elementary law of photography. Amid sustained volleys of “yabis” by an old disciple, Sir K (Kunle Ajibade) alongside Mrs Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju and Ahmed Garba-Gombe who formed Kongi’s entourage while guests of King Mohammed VI of Morocco as part of activities to mark Morocco’s 28th Book Fair last year.

The location was the vast lounge of Nejjarine Ensemble, ornate with its Oriental mosaic and sculptures, perhaps the most remarkable among the kaleidoscope of historical monuments and buildings long classified by UNESCO as world heritage sites in Fes. Outside this sprawling palace (built in 1711 by Sultan Moulay Ismail), history cast a rather long, sepulchral shadow on the forecourt under the mild pre-summer sun.

Indeed, hours earlier in faraway Rabat, no sooner had Prof materialised in a rare white linen shirt from the elevator into a waiting party of his entourage (from Nigeria) and Moroccan officials at the lobby of the exquisite Sofitel Hotel than Sir K lobbed the first “yabis” by joking if Prof was already considering career switch from literature to modelling.
Of course, an inexhaustible bag of humour himself, Prof absorbed as much as he dispensed withering ripostes that sometimes left us breathless with tearful laughter. Sometimes, his humour was self-deprecatory. Like his recall of once being made to repeat a passage — and again — through the scanner at an international airport abroad, until a further meticulous search by apprehensive security agents revealed that the trigger of the persistently treacherous alarm bell was not more than the phial of granulated native African pepper Prof habitually carries around to spice his meals at Oyinbo restaurants.

Even more extraordinary was Kongi’s undiminished agility and razor-sharp sense of recall at such an advanced age. Eager to show off their abundant tourism treasures, the Moroccan officials had taken us to many high and low locations. Not once did Kongi, barely a month short of his 89th birthday then, appear to have missed a single breath or betray the slightest hint of weariness over an otherwise loaded itinerary.

Indeed, something seemed to have moved a day earlier in Rabat (Morocco’s political capital) when news circulated that the literary eagle had landed in Casablanca (the commercial nerve centre), straight from the U.S. (We had flown from Lagos and arrived in Rabat hours before Kongi).

For the four days we spent in Morocco, there was always a scramble by local folks to see or come near the first black Nobel laureate in Literature who, according to the Swedish Academy, “with poetic overtones, fashioned the drama of existence.” The one who, with the sheer power of the written word, had achieved world celebrity. The one whose voice forever instils mortal fear in the hearts of tyrants and bigots everywhere.

Words also reached our mercurial Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a bosom friend of the King of Morocco, who was also in Rabat around the same time. The Nigerian ambassador to Morocco, Mansur Nuhu Bamali (now late), brought His Royal Majesty to see Kongi on arrival at Sofitel. Both had a lengthy private chat on the plum couch in the lounge.

As for the occasional bucket hat, those who know will reveal a darker story. In the 90s, it served Kongi abroad as a disguise against Abacha’s paid killers after being publicly charged with treasonable felony in Nigeria on account of his pivotal role in the pro-democracy struggle after the June 12 annulment at grave personal risk. Indeed, throughout Nigeria’s postcolonial history, only a few — if any — could be said to have been as invested in pursuing the common purpose as Kongi. (A fact now lost on some of our millennials and Gen Z utterly bereft of a sense of history and quickly recruited as online trolls for puerile graffiti).

But in the latter years, that bucket hat has evolved into a civil utility: either as a prop to sneak into a targeted tavern undetected or simply evade a never-ending stream of autograph hunters and hustlers for photo ops.
Two Mercedes limousines were provided for the journey to Fes. But before take-off, Kongi asked I “abandon Kunle and others” in the second car and keep him company in his.

For the about two-hour trip, it felt invigorating to sit next to and converse non-stop with arguably one of the world’s greatest minds in the last century, the monarch of the language himself, famously described as “the conscience of the African continent.”

Indeed, as Prof enters the nonagenarian club this week, there is no doubt that what obsesses him remains a fierce commitment to the values of tolerance, justice, good governance and compassion for the vulnerable in Nigeria and everywhere. Plus, an advocacy for youth empowerment in the political economy where gerontocrats seem reluctant to let go.

The said linen shirt he “premiered” in Morocco was, in fact, a gift from a young Nigerian fashion designer. He chose to “launch” it before a foreign audience to help promote Nigerian talent.

To the far younger ones like yours sincerely, Prof’s father-figure stature naturally makes him a guardian. But despite the vast age difference, Kongi also relates to you as a friend with uncommon solidarity and loyalty.

That spirit was on display when this writer turned 50 in March 2023. He was not in the country when “OPEC President” (Tunji Bello) hosted a dinner in my honour in Lagos, attended by the likes of Aremo Segun Osoba, Pa Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and several media heavyweights.

On returning to Nigeria two weeks later, Kongi chose to host a lavish luncheon for his younger disciple at one exclusive “hideout” in Ikeja GRA. T.B. was excused because of Muslim Ramadan. But the “gang” (Sam Omatseye, Kayode Komolafe, Azu Ishiekwene and Andrew Odion) had a swell time feasting. Of course, wine flowed freely.

Azu won the additional lottery of a bottle of vintage wine as a “takeaway” from Kongi’s famous cellar for a tribute he wrote earlier on me which Prof found interesting.
Eventually, when the waiter brought the invoice, I tried to play smart.

In the hoary years, the mammal, according to African wisecrack, should suckle her brood instead by a reversed law of nature. I thought being hosted by a Nobel laureate alone was already a significant honour and, as a cultured Bini man, I should not allow that to leave a hole in the old man’s pocket.

But on sighting my ATM card and conspiratorial whisper to the waiter on the side, Kongi preempted me. With a vehemence, he insisted on picking up the bill himself and thrust forward his credit card. Overwhelmed, I knelt in gratitude, to which he frowned, jocularly waving me to stand up “And stop embarrassing me in the public.”

That’s the essential Prof.

On his 80th birthday in 2014, I wrote a tribute for Kongi. Ten years later, nothing has changed to persuade me to rethink or regret my words. I crave readers’ indulgence to bring the following extracts from that essay:
“What truly makes Soyinka great is not so much for the monumentality of a talent that spews pithy poetry, gripping prose and transcendental drama. His greatness lies more in the courage and character he brings to bear on creativity. At an age when no territory seems restricted any more, when many of yesterday’s heroes and heroines have been exposed to be counterfeits, and when more and more of the surviving statesmen would instead trade away their honour for temporary gains, Kongi remains an exemplar.

“His fiery pen and caustic tongue notwithstanding, Kongi remains tender at heart, one who may disagree with you in principle but never holds back in the fellowship of humanity or be detained by bitterness over the past. Only that could explain the complicated relationship he has had over the years with his relative, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Feisty OBJ had decided to veer from the political turf as sitting president in 2005 to engage Soyinka in an epistolary joust. In a signed statement, he took a swipe at Kongi for criticising his policies.

“But discerning observers who read the open letter could not but raise their hands in panic immediately, fearful of the approaching literary wrath on the proverbial errant native doctor who carries his ritual offering past a mosque. While it was readily conceded that OBJ was fussy by nature, many had expected that his fabled native intelligence would have served him well by dissuading him from venturing into a square rope against Kongi in a literary duel.

“Their worst fears were soon proved right. Soyinka’s response was an atomic bomb. OBJ’s presidential garment was torn beyond recognition by the time the smoke cleared. For once, the Ota chicken farmer became tongue-tied. Months later, the hatred that open ‘roforofo’ (dirty fight) had generated would not prevent Kongi from showing up at the funeral of OBJ’s spouse, Stella, who died suddenly following complications arising from a medical procedure in Spain.

“When OBJ finally met with Kongi face to face on the aisle outside the funeral parlour, the story is told of how the president exploded in a playful rage, ‘Wole, iwo! (Wole, you!)’, raising an arm in mock threat. Defiant Kongi fired back, “Segun, Ori e!” thumping his head in a supreme Yoruba gesture of contempt. More embarrassed than amused by such audacity, the guards around the President cleverly looked away.

“Again, when Chief Emeka Ojukwu qualified the victory he achieved in the sham elections arranged by the Abacha junta to select delegates for the 1994 Constitutional Conference as conferring on him a mandate ‘superior to June 12’, vintage Soyinka gave expression to popular thinking in the country then by simply dismissing the ex-Biafran secessionist as ‘an expired warlord’. That critical riposte would not prevent Kongi from attending Ojukwu’s burial (in 2012) to pay last respects to a personal friend.

“The same generosity of spirit is evident in his warm relationship with General Yakubu Gowon today. At the presentation of a memoir by the Oba of Benin early (in 2014), Soyinka continually poked good-natured jokes at Gowon while giving a keynote address to the audience's admiration. It was hard to believe that it was the same Gowon who had clamped him into the gulag during the Nigerian Civil War. His 28-month solitary confinement birthed the book, ‘The Man Died’.

“When it was his turn to speak, the former head of state threw the crowd into a fresh bout of laughter by cautioning Kongi to watch his tongue: ‘You should remember that it was because of the same sharp tongue of yours that I sent you to prison in the 60s.’

“Being the first black man to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Soyinka’s life sends an enduring message: the infinite possibilities of the black race.”

. . . Donates N10 million to Nursing College in Kogi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has explained that his unwavering commitment to building a better nation through investing in the critical areas of human and national development; health and education, is ultimately for the good of the nation and the future of society.

Obi made the remarks yesterday, when he paid a visit to Grimard College of Nursing Sciences, Anyigba, Kogi State, where he donated N10 million to the College for the training of nurses, who he said, are at the centre of primary healthcare delivery in the nation.

He stated that Nigeria is today undeveloped because the nation has not aggressively invested in the critical areas of development, which he said are; health, education and pulling people out of poverty. He maintained that the nation is, today, facing serious challenges of insecurity and other socio-economic challenges due to lack of investment in these critical areas.

"I have not only remained consistent in urging governments, at all levels, to invest more in health and education, but I have also continued to call on donor agencies to do the same. Our investment in the future of our children is for the good of society and the progress of our nation," Obi said.

Addressing the nursing students, Obi reminded them that they are in a noble profession which cares for humanity. 

"I am particularly concerned about the training of more nurses who play very vital roles in caring for the health of society. As experts continue to warn of a severe shortage of nurses, we must remain proactive by investing in their training, through that, we can have enough for our domestic health sector, and export more to the global community," he added

Obi thanked the Proprietor of the College, Bishop Anthony Ademu Adaji; the Management and the Staff of the College for their commitment to training compassionate and competent healthcare professionals.

"Our commitment remains to build a New Nigeria which offers Nigerians access to good healthcare and educational opportunities. It is Possible," Obi concluded.

Signed 

Yunusa Tanko 

POMR PRESS RELEASE

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the National Assembly to collaborate with the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage to establish a system for regular and systematic wage reviews.

This initiative aims to align wages with the prevailing inflation rates and cost of living in Nigeria.

During a national retreat organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja, NLC President, Joe Ajaero highlighted the necessity for legislative interventions to ensure that wage adjustments are timely and reflective of economic realities.

The event, themed “Labour Reforms and the Quest for a Living Wage in Nigeria: A Focus on Legislative Interventions,” served as a platform for Ajaero to voice the concerns of workers.

In his goodwill message, Ajaero pressed lawmakers to consider updating the country’s labour laws to safeguard workers effectively.

He emphasized that the current economic challenges faced by workers due to inflation and rising costs of living necessitate robust legislative frameworks.

Ajaero urged the lawmakers to “review and update our labour laws to reflect the realities of today’s economy and protect our people.

“This includes ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against unfair labour practices. We call on the National Assembly to join us in calling on the executive to transmit to the Assembly the bill on the reviewed labour administration laws which had gone through the tripartite process some years back but seemed to have been impounded by the executive.

“NASS should work with the tripartite to establish mechanisms for regular and systematic review of wage levels to ensure they keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.

“Workers are not beggars neither are they slaves. We create wealth and we deserve a healthy portion of it. The present angst in the country can only be assuaged by reasonable income to Nigerian people and workers.

“Our lawmakers should lay more focus on strengthening social security systems to provide a safety net for workers during times of economic hardship, unemployment, or health emergencies.

“Seek ways to make laws for effective social dialogue which will foster an inclusive dialogue between the government, employers, and labour unions to ensure policies are balanced, fair, and effectively address the needs of all stakeholders.

“The legislature should make laws that encourage continuous investment in education and vocational training to equip our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic and evolving job market.”

[NaijaNews]

Renowned Islamic scholar and leader of Tijjaniyyah adherents, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, has reached the milestone age of 100 years according to the Islamic calendar. Born on the 2nd of Almuharram 1346 A.H. (equivalent to 100 years yesterday , Sheikh Bauchi’s contributions to Islamic scholarship and education have been widely celebrated.

Born in Nafada, initially part of Bauchi State but now under Gombe State, Sheikh Bauchi currently resides in Kofar Gombe.

He began his Islamic education under the tutelage of his father, Alhaji Usman, becoming a Hafizul Qur-ān (memoriser of the Glorious Qur-ān) before the age of 20. He furthered his studies under numerous esteemed Islamic scholars both within and outside Nigeria, with Sheikh Ibrāhīm Inyass being his most influential teacher. His profound knowledge led to his recognition as a Professor of Qur-ānic memorisation and education, and he has been honoured as one of the world’s greatest Mufassirun (translators of the Glorious Qur-ān).

Sheikh Bauchi commenced his Tafsīr (Qur-ānic exegesis) in Bauchi State in 1948, dedicating 76 years to translating the Holy Qur-ān. His Tafsīr broadcasts began on Bauchi Radio Corporation in 1976, and later on Radio Nigeria Kaduna in 1980. Today, numerous radio stations across northern Nigeria air his teachings, especially during Ramadan.

With a large family comprising 100 children, 406 grandchildren, and 100 great-grandchildren, Sheikh Bauchi’s legacy of Qur-ān memorisation continues. Remarkably, 78 of his children, over 199 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren are also Hafizul Qur-ān, balancing both Islamic and Western education.

Sheikh Bauchi has performed Hajj 55 times and Umrah (lesser Hajj) 205 times. He has also provided 1,000 houses in Bauchi and Kaduna states, among other northern states, for his children and students to live in free. He has established numerous Islamic schools and farmlands.

Sheikh Bauchi is recognised for his wisdom in preaching, which has led countless individuals to embrace Islam, particularly during Ramadan. He advocates for worshiping only Allāh, seeking forgiveness, and expressing gratitude for divine blessings while sending salutations to Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). As Deputy Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, his influence is profound.

While there was no formal celebration for his centenary, disciples and clerics offered special prayers in mosques, expressing gratitude for his life and achievements. They praised his unblemished record of service to Islam and humanity, highlighting his role as a selfless and steadfast leader.

Mallam Ahmad Tijjani Saeed noted, “Maulana Sheikh, as he clocks the century age in good health, leaves a rich legacy of a life lived in the service of Allah, his nation, and humanity.”

Others, including Mallam Ahmad Tijjani Kolo, Sanusi Ahmad, and Muhammad Sogiji, commended Sheikh Bauchi’s courage in speaking against tyranny, corruption, and social ills like immorality, cultism, and drug abuse.

[DailyTrust]

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) FCT Command has arrested no fewer than 100 traffic offenders in the last one week during the ongoing “Operation Green Light Enforcement” in the city centre.

FCT Sector Commander, Muta’a Chorrie, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Chorrie lamented that most motorists, especially commercial drivers, have made it a habit to disregard traffic lights.

He warned that the Corps would continue to sanction traffic offenders, regardless of their status, to ensure sanity on the roads.

He also addressed the issue of indiscriminate parking by commercial drivers, saying that the Corps had increased the mobility of patrol personnel to check the excesses of road users. 

“The FCT Command has been engaging with Transport Union Leaders in regular meetings to address the menace in the six area councils of the territory.

“We arrested 100 traffic offenders within seven days in FCT. We will not relent until sanity is restored on our highways,” he said.

Chorrie however, appealed to motorists to avoid overloading, as the Corps would not tolerate those who dent the country’s image.

The FRSC boss also advised Nigerians to avoid boarding overloaded vehicles, as they were difficult to maneuver during emergencies.

“With the rainy season setting in, we urge road users to drive within approved speed limits and park at convenient places when the rain is heavy,”he said.

(NAN)

U.S. President, Joe Biden’s personal physician on Tuesday stated that the president had not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical examination.

This was as a result of the U.S. media reports about a Parkinson’s specialist visiting the White House multiple times.

Biden’s personal physician, Kevin O’Connor, said in a letter published on Monday that neurological specialist Dr Cannard examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals.

“Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical,” he said.

O’Connor said Cannard had been visiting patients at the White House for a dozen years and was not chosen because he was a movement disorder specialist.

The statement by Biden’s personal physician comes after a heated debate had broken out at a press conference between journalists and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The New York Times, citing official visitor logs, reported that Cannard had visited the White House eight times since last summer.

Jean-Pierre refused to respond to questions about why Cannard had been visiting the White House regularly over the past few months.

According to O’Connor, the results of the neurological examination by Cannard were made public each time, most recently at the end of February.

The published health report stated that there were no indications of possible strokes or Parkinson’s disease, and that the president showed “no tremor, either at rest or with activity,” the letter said.

Biden, 81, has increasingly faced questions about his mental fitness since his TV debate with Republican challenger Donald Trump.

A debate was sparked in the U.S. over whether Biden is the right Democratic presidential candidate for the November election due to his age.

Biden has rejected any doubts and refuses to take a cognitive health test to assess his mental abilities.

The White House’s recent action is uncommon and indicates the increasing pressure.

The release of the letter likely aims to dispel any rumours suggesting the possibility of Parkinson’s disease.

Jean-Pierre told the press briefing that he was not being treated for the disease.

(dpa/NAN)

Former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has embraced a new calling, announcing his ordination as an evangelical pastor at the age of 32.

The Brazilian footballer shared the news on his social media accounts, revealing a significant transition in his life.

Firmino, alongside his wife, was ordained as a pastor at the church they founded three years ago. The dedication ceremony took place last Sunday in his hometown of Maceio.

“Since our encounter with Christ, a longing burns in our hearts… that people may know this love that has reached us. Now we have another responsibility… To be pastors according to the heart of God and to cooperate with the Kingdom,” Firmino stated.

He also extended his gratitude to pastors Jairo and Keila for their belief and encouragement in his spiritual journey.

Firmino enjoyed a prolific career at Liverpool from 2015 to 2023, during which he secured seven major titles, including the 2019/20 Premier League and the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League.

One of his standout moments was scoring the decisive goal in the 2019 Club World Cup final, securing the title for the Reds.

Last season, Firmino played 34 games for Al-Ahli, scoring nine goals. He also represented the Brazilian national team, participating in the 2018 World Cup.

Currently, Roberto Firmino continues his football career with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, where he played 34 matches in all competitions last season, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists.

Vanguard News

Every presidential election cycle in the US comes with its own peculiar dramas that sometimes influence the outcomes of the race. Usually, these dramatic events come up in October, a month to the election, giving rise to the term ‘’October Surprise’’ coined in 1980 by William Cassey when he served as Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign manager. But even before 1980, there had always been unpredicted political developments that affected the results of elections. This year, the October Surprise came in June and President Joe Biden is fighting hard to save his legacy and reelection bid. I stayed up late to watch the Biden-Trump debate on June 27 (1am Nigerian time) and was surprised at how poorly the President performed, especially in the first few minutes. He stared blankly into space, stumbled on words, lost his trend of thoughts and left sentences uncompleted. On the other hand, his opponent, Donald Trump, was in his elements, lying through his teeth and looking more determined and stronger. The difference was stark and I was embarrassed for the President.

As soon as the debate ended, a fierce political firestorm erupted in the Democratic party, with many leaders, commentators and analysts asking the president to drop off the race because he had showed signs of cognitive decline during the debate. For the first five days, the administration was besieged, the Biden campaign was unsettled and the President himself was quiet. He later acknowledged that he had a bad night due to a cold, sore throat and jet lag. He had just returned from a G7 Summit and had gone straight to attend a fund raiser a day to the debate. Yet the calls for him to exit the race was growing louder and louder. They claimed that an afflicted Biden would not be able to beat Donald Trump in the November 5 election. But the president quickly recovered from the shock and embarrassment, and insisted that he’s the only one who can defeat the Republican nominee, recalling how he came out victorious in the 2020 race and the 2022 midterms despite similar negative predictions.

It's been two weeks since the debate, and in terms of public relations and crisis management techniques, how has President Biden and his team handled the situation? Crisis management is anchored on deployment of effective communication strategy and broadly, there are ways of doing that: The five C’s of crisis communications developed by Prof. Joe Zaldarriaga, a renowned communications specialist. They are: care (concern for the wellbeing of the customers); commitment (relevant, factual and updated information); competency (a team of competent and credible staffs should be out there to speak for the organization); community (stakeholder relationship-building) and continuity (continued and consistent engagements). In the last two weeks, the Biden team has been more focused on fending off calls for him to drop off than amplifying the president’s major achievements and laying out his vision for the next four years. In his first term, the president has recorded important legislative achievements like gun control and climate control bills; got more people working than at any point in US history; rescued the economy and changes the course of the COVID-19 pandemic; rebuilt infrastructure; lowered costs of medications and expanded benefits and services for veterans exposed to toxic veterans. It is a surprise that the president did not tout these in the debate and so far, the campaign is not pushing them aggressively. A major drawback in crisis management is allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by the talking points of the opposition, instead of focusing on your own records and agenda.

But Biden and his team have done well for acknowledging his pitfalls and being truthful to the public. The president earned my sympathy when he announced at a campaign rally soon after the debate, ‘’I don’t debate as I used to; I don’t walk as swiftly as I used to, but I know how to do this job and I will always tell Americans the truth’’, an indirect dig at his opponent. Truthfulness, forthrightness and admitting your wrongs are good in crisis management.

The White House Communications team has also been very professional under intense media scrutiny, upright, forthcoming and factual. They have not issued threats to the media as we saw in Nigeria in 2022 and 2023 when Bayo Onanuga, the spokesman for the Tinubu campaign, was busy threatening the media and insulting people of different ethnic backgrounds. Over one year after the elections, our media is still under constant threats, intimidation and assaults, with many journalists detained or kidnapped or killed in Nigeria. President Biden has also been busy in the last one week granting interviews, addressing rallies and speaking to donors and party leaders. On Monday, he wrote a beautifully worded letter to party chieftains, urging them to close ranks and get ready for the election.

 This week, Biden will host a NATO summit in Washington during which he will meet world leaders and address the US and international media. The summit is an opportunity for the president to showcase his foreign policy credentials for which he’s well renowned. Fixing a PR crisis is all about taking action and proving your point to counter the negative narratives. It is also notable that the major leaders of the Democratic Party, including House Majority Leader, Hakeem Jefferies; former Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer; majority of the Democratic governors and even former President Barack Obama are with the President. Building a formidable stakeholder relationship is an important ingredient in managing a crisis. As a leader, you must build a consensus, lay out your gameplan and motivate the team to follow you to the battle.

As you execute your plans, there may be slips on the way. You have to recover quickly and move ahead. Joe Biden told ABC News interview over the weekend that if he ends up failing the election, he’d be satisfied that he had done his best. That turned out to be a dump answer, given the circumstances. To fix it, he called into a talk show on Monday morning and was asked the same question. He bellowed: ‘’I will not lose the election. The question of losing does not arise. I am the man to beat Trump’’. His supporters loved that. In all, the president has managed this crisis fairly well. In our last general elections, Bola Tinubu failed to show up for the debates with his opponents. His team accused the media of bias, but we knew better. Looking back and taking everything into consideration, we can now understand why presidential candidates should subject themselves to the scrutiny that a debate offers.

S&P Global tours Dangote Refinery, says it can solve Nigeria’s forex problems; catalyse economic devt

… As Dangote reassures on the commencement of petrol production this July

International financial analytics corporation, S&P Global, has described the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals company as capable of resolving Nigeria’s foreign exchange (forex) issue and its huge pressure on the local Naira currency, while also catalysing the country’s economic development. 

S&P Global, headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, disclosed this during an onsite visit to the Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos as part of its sovereign credit ratings assessment of Nigeria. The team from the international rating agency were accompanied by officials from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

S&P noted that the largest single-train refinery complex in the world would bolster Nigeria's oil sector and, more importantly, also have a positive impact on its growing economy. 

Director and Lead Analyst, Sovereign and International Public Finance Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, Ravi Bhatia, who led the delegation to Lagos, said Dangote refinery would transform Nigeria into a net exporter of petroleum products. He added that this transformation is expected to boost revenue generation and alleviate the current pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.  

“It is a very impressive facility, able to process 650,000 barrels a day, when in full capacity. It is the largest single-train refinery complex in the world. It came out quite quickly. Nigeria is a big exporter of crude but has issues with importing refined fuels. So, there is a gap in the market where crude can be refined in Nigeria, save money that way, and potentially save some foreign exchange. This will be positive for the economy in the medium term. It looks positive from our assessment,” Bhatia said after an over four-hour tour of the facility. 

Also, in a chat with the media, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, who led the team during the tour of the facility, reiterated that by harnessing Africa’s abundant crude oil resources to produce refined products locally, the company aims to catalyse a virtuous cycle of industrial development, job creation, and economic prosperity.  He also revealed that, as earlier promised, the company will start the production of premium motor spirit (PMS), this month (July). 

Noting that products from the $20 billion facility are of high quality and meet international standards, Edwin said it can meet 100 per cent of Nigeria's demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation Jet, with surpluses available for export. 

The S&P team commended the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, for integrating advanced technologies and quality control measures, including a state-of-the-art Central Control Unit ensuring smooth automation of operations. 

Other members of the team of the international rating agency include the Associate Director, Sovereign Ratings, Maxmillian McGraw; Director, Corporate Ratings, Omegu Collocott; Senior Analyst, Bank Ratings, Charlotte Masvongo, and Director, Financial Services, Samira Mensah. 

Currently operating at 350,000 barrels per day capacity, Edwin said the refinery is slated to scale up to at least 500,000 barrels per day capacity by July/August, commencing the refining of petrol and ultra-low sulphur diesel. 

He noted that the refinery, designed to process a wide range of crudes including various African and Middle Eastern crudes, as well as US Light Oil, conforms to Euro V specifications. In addition, it is designed to comply with US EPA, European Union (EU) emission norms, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms, and the African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards.  

While noting that most refineries were built by foreign companies, he said it is a thing of pride that a Nigerian company designed and built the world’s largest single-train refinery complex while acting directly as its own Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor. The refinery also incorporates a self-sufficient marine facility capable of handling the world's largest vessels. 

“The refinery can produce the best quality products in the world, Euro V grade. It is one of the energy-efficient refineries and it is highly environmentally friendly. It is sophisticated with a high level of automation. The largest single train refinery in the world is 100 per cent designed, engineered, and constructed by a Nigerian company as EPC contractor,” he said. 

Nigeria, one of the world’s leading oil-producing countries, exports all its crude oil for refining and subsequently imports refined products due to a lack of operational refineries. It is estimated that Nigeria imports at least 50 million litres of petrol per day to meet domestic demand. 

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Foreign Trade Statistics for the Fourth Quarter of 2023, Nigeria spent approximately N12 trillion on the importation of petroleum products in 2023, including premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This figure marks an 18.68% increase compared to the N10 trillion spent on fuel imports in 2022.

Associate Director, Sovereign Ratings, S&P Global Rating, Maxmillian McGraw; Senior Analyst, Bank Ratings, Charlotte Masvongo, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin; Director and Lead Analyst, Sovereign and International Public Finance Ratings, Ravi Bhatia, and Director, Corporate Ratings, Omegu Collocott during S&P Global Ratings' site visit to the Dangote Refinery as part of its sovereign credit ratings assessment of Nigeria at the weekend

 Associate Director, Sovereign Ratings, S&P Global Rating, Maxmillian McGraw; Senior Analyst, Bank Ratings, Charlotte Masvongo, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin; Director and Lead Analyst, Sovereign and International Public Finance Ratings, Ravi Bhatia, and Director, Corporate Ratings, Omegu Collocott during S&P Global Ratings' site visit to the Dangote Refinery as part of its sovereign credit ratings assessment of Nigeria at the weekend

Members of S&P Global Rating delegation at one of the laboratories during S&P Global Ratings' site visit to the Dangote Refinery as part of its sovereign credit ratings assessment of Nigeria at the weekend

2nd from right: Director, Corporate Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, Omegu Collocott; Associate Director, Sovereign Ratings, Maxmillian McGraw; Senior Analyst, Bank Ratings, Charlotte Masvongo; Director and Lead Analyst, Sovereign and International Public Finance Ratings, Ravi Bhatia, and Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin in a group photograph with staff of the laboratories of Dangote Refinery during S&P Global Ratings' site visit to the Dangote Refinery as part of its sovereign credit ratings assessment of Nigeria at the weekend