Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, bid farewell to Barcelona Femini fans in an emotional post on Instagram on Thursday as she confirmed her departure from the club to join National Women’s Soccer League club Bay FC.

Oshoala completed her move to Bay FC on Thursday after signing a two-year deal with an option of another year for a reported fee of $162,000.

“As I bid farewell to this incredible team and the city that has been my home for the past five years, I am filled with mixed emotions,” Oshoala said in a post on Instagram.

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to wear the Barcelona Femini jersey and represent this prestigious club.

“Since joining the team in 2019, I have had the opportunity to be a part of some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history. Together, we have lifted several trophies and these achievements are a testament to hard work, dedication and I feel privileged to have been a part of this team.”

The former Liverpool and Arsenal forward joined Barcelona permanently on a three-year deal after an impressive loan spell from Chinese side Dalian Quanjian in 2019.

She went on to make 162 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 117 goals, including a record-setting season feat in 2022, when she was the joint top scorer in the league with 19 goals.

The two-time Ballon D’or nominee top the scorers chart three times in Spain, helping the club win the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice in 2021 and 2023, four league titles, three Spanish Super Cups and the Copa de la Reina three times.

She is the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League in 2021 and also score in the Champions League final in 2019.

She added, “But beyond the trophies and accolades, what I will cherish most are the relationships I have built with some of my teammates, coaches, staff and the amazing fans. You have become my family and I will forever be grateful for the love and support you have shown me.

“As I embark on a new journey, I want you to know that Barcelona Femini will always hold a special place in my heart. I will carry with me the memories, lessons and friendships that I have gained during my time here.”

Reacting to her arrival at the club, Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton, believes the Nigerian will bolster the club with her quality.

“To have the opportunity to add a player of Asisat’s quality, experience and winning pedigree to our roster is an exciting and important day for the club and the NWSL,” Rushton told the club website.

“She (Oshoala) brings a top-class mentality to the field combined with pace and technical ability that allows her to lead the line, while also giving those players around her the license to be creative and thrive in space. Asisat is a proven goal scorer at the most elite levels of World football, and she comes here to continue that with Bay FC.”

The six-time CAF Player of The Year winner will occupy an international roster spot and joins the team pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.

FG's directive to CBN to take over crude oil sales proceeds from NNPCL is not legal, undermines the operational independence of the national oil company

Without prejudice to the possibility of any good that was intended in the decision of the Federal Government to make the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) take over the responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), it must be clearly stated that the action is not legal in its application. 

Although, as usual, of the current administration, little has been communicated to the public about explaining details of the decision.

According to what is publicly available, the President has issued a directive that henceforth, the NNPCL would submit receipts for crude oil sales to CBN for vetting and documentation.

Whatever may be the merit of the new arrangement, the presidential directive is a violation of the legal status of the NNPCL. 

It is an arbitrary order capable of undermining the operational independence of the NNPCL. 

By this order, Mr. President has wrested control of the finances of the NNPCL and donated the same to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This is an unprecedented act, without any legal or ethical basis. It is also a violation of the principle of due process in public administration.

State-owned enterprises are not subject to such arbitrary orders and have full control over their finances within the confines of their respective establishment laws.

The NNPCL is a creation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA), which was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 16 August 2021. 

The PIA makes extensive provisions for the formation, structure, governance, and operation of the NNPCL as an independent limited liability company in Sections 53 to 65 of the Act.

The government must, therefore, respect the provisions of the law and allow the NNPCL to run as an independent company based on sound commercial objectives and in line with international best practices and standard principles of corporate governance. 

Only then would the new NNPCL grow into a formidable institution with track records, requisite technical and financial capacity, and readiness to operate in public space. 

Any attempt to undermine the operational independence of the NNPCL will be a hindrance to any chances of attracting investments and attaining global relevance in the Petroleum Industry.

Let it also be stated that the Central Bank Act 2007 does not confer on the Central Bank of Nigeria, any responsibility for vetting the transactions of, or formulating and maintaining the internal controls and internal audits in state-owned enterprises, public or private. 

The CBN should be allowed to perform its core functions as provided in the extant law.

To enhance transparency and accountability in the operation of the NNPCL, its bank accounts for crude sales proceeds (for example at Morgan Stanley) and the entire crude sales conversion circle can be trailed by Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and CBN. 

Amongst other supportive measures to enhance transparency, the NNPCL board members can be better selected and reconstituted to include, if desired, representatives of the CBN and NEITI.

Atiku Abubakar

Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007

1st February, 2024.

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in 26 states, where run-off and by-elections will take place.

In a statement on Thursday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the restriction will be from 12 a.m to 6 p.m.

The by-elections are fixed for February 3 in various constituencies across 26 states.

The by-elections are to be conducted due to the death or resignation of members of the national and state houses of assembly.

In some constituencies, the court ordered run-off elections.

The elections will fill vacancies in three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies across 80 local government areas.

Individuals on essential services like officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited media personnel, and emergency responders are exempted.

The IGP also banned security aides attached to very important persons (VIPs) from going to the polling booths and state-owned security outfits from election security management.

“Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to specified authorities. Numbered to call: 08034040439 (CP Elections); 08031230631 (Toll Free); 08057000001, 08057000002 (Complaint Response Unit); you can also reach us at @ngpolice (Facebook); @PoliceNG (X); This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (e-mail),” the statement reads.

Egbetokun warned of the legal consequences of disrupting the election process.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris Malagi is calling on Nigerians to be patient with the reforms of the Bola Tinubu government.

Tinubu, who came into office in May, initiated a string of reforms including the floating of the naira and the removal of the much-debated fuel subsidies. The moves have triggered a spike in the cost of living with inflation soaring.

But Malagi believes these are bound to happen, maintaining that in the long run, these reforms would yield fruit.

“I want you to remember that the President is seven months old in office. I am not going to make excuses that seven months is just a short time,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“But for a long-term plan, you need a lot more time to put structures. But of course, as you trudge along, there will be shocks, turbulence, and occasional dislocations that you would find. But the vision of the President is very clear: he wants to take Nigeria to the desired prosperity. He works day and night to achieve that. Every day, all the ministers and everyone are working in that direction but the results are not seen yet. We ask Nigerians to be a little more patient.”

While admitting that the government is aware of the hardships Nigerians are facing, the minister reassured that the country’s leadership is working tirelessly to reverse the trend.

According to him, President Tinubu’s government had in the wake of the subsidy removal introduced some measures to curtail the impact of the move.

He listed some of them to include the wage awards to Federal Government workers and plans to roll out CNG buses across the country.

Nigeria’s labour unions – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) – had repeatedly threatened strikes over the high cost of living.

In fact, in August, the unions downed tools with businesses, government offices, and markets closed for a day in the capital Abuja. But the strike was met with a mixed response from businesses in the economic capital Lagos.

Ahead of the primaries for the September 21 governorship election in Edo, the state chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has declared that any aspirants who cannot afford the fee for expression of interest and nomination form lacks the capacity to run for governorship election.

The party state chairman, Ogbalol Kelly, stated this on Wednesday in Benin while speaking on the N30 million fee charged by the party, among other issues.

Kelly said the N30m nomination fee is the lowest compared to the other two major political parties contesting the election charged.

He explained that the cost of elections into political offices in Nigeria is quite expensive as witnessed from the recent general elections.

“Aside being qualified to contest election, aspirants must also be ready to show capability and capacity to fund campaigns and other election requirements.

“Therefore, any aspirant who cannot afford the fee lacks the capacity to run for the governorship election,” he added.

Kelly said funding political parties is a challenge and that the sale of forms is a major source through which political parties are funded.

“Issues that may arise as a result of primaries and election itself which has to do with litigation arising from such activities as well as other logistics issues, make it imperative for the parties to charge a reasonable fee like ours, so that it can adequately discharge its responsibilities during and after the elections,” he stated.

He disclosed that two governorship aspirants had bought the party forms, a man and a woman, urging others to do same.

Kelly appealed to the governorship aspirants to make the necessary sacrifice by participating in the exercise, assuring them the party is determined to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants leading to the emergence of a credible candidate.

He said the party had reduced the fee for women by 50 per cent in order to ensure their participation in the governorship election.

Meanwhile, Kelly denied allegation that the party received a sum of N500m from the state government in order to feature a neophyte as its candidate in the election.

He noted that the guideline currently released by the leadership of the party with regard to governorship election in the state is in line with the provision of the constitution and the electoral act.

Former Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr Olayide Owolabi Adelami, was on Thursday, sworn in as the new Deputy Governor of Ondo state, following the inauguration of the former deputy governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, as the governor of the state.

Ayedatiwa was inaugurated on the 27th of December, 2023, following the death of late governor Rotimi Akeredolu, in a hospital in Germany.

The swearing ceremony held at the International Events Centre, Dome, in Akure, the state capital, was sequent to Adelami’s confirmation by the state House of Assembly after his nomination last week.

The state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odudola, administered the Oaths of Allegiance and Office on the new deputy governor.

Ayedatiwa in his remarks, disclosed that the dissolution of the State Executive by him last week was in carried out in good faith and to rejuvenate and reinvigorate the current administration in the state.

The governor said, “The decision was borne out of genuine response to the yearnings and aspirations of the people as well as the need to rejuvenate and reinvigorate this administration for maximum delivery on our mandate.

“We also needed to minimize unnecessary distractions usually associated with Cabinet Members and other appointees in an election year like we have in Ondo State.

“This is the standard practice in sane climes. It is important for government to be less encumbered by politicking and pave the way for interested individuals to pursue their aspirations while simultaneously guaranteeing continued enjoyment of good governance to our people in the Sunshine State.

“We have a sacred duty to our people not to sacrifice good governance on the altar of individual, though legitimate, pursuit of political aspirations. We harbour neither ill wind nor animosity towards no one.”

He acknowledged the ecstasy that greeted the nomination and appointment of Adelami as testimony to his acceptance and if right choice, saying “we are bringing on board a gentleman of stellar quality, impeccable character and rich administrative acumen as Deputy Governor.

He, however, challenged the new deputy governor “to handle your portfolio in a manner to sustain this euphoria, because as it is often said, it is easier getting to the top than to remain at the top.

“It is our expectation that you will provide fresh ideas and new drive to support this administration in consolidating our legacy projects, building a sustainable socio-economic base as encapsulated in our Redeemed agenda; and pilot the politics of the state to a higher level of humility, justice and harmony as you serve the citizens.”

In his acceptance speech, the new deputy governor pledged to build on his previous performance by supporting Ayedatiwa in providing good governance to the people of Ondo State.

Adelami said “I’m here to join hands with Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa to serve you and ensure that lives are made more meaningful for you in all facets.

“My wealth of experience in both public and private sectors coupled with my connections nationally and internationally are available for you to explore for the wellbeing of our people.

“I want to therefore appeal to all our people in Ondo State at home and abroad to kindly support Mr Governor and me in our sincere desire to entrench good governance in our Sunshine State.

“I will make available my wealth of experience in both public and private sectors for the transformation of our dear sunshine state.

“I equally plead with you for more cooperation with our dear governor to foster great collaboration and unalloyed unity for the development of our state to the admiration and pride of our great leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been very supportive to our state.”

Some Nigerian civil servants have complained about the “inexplicable’’ delay in payment of the January salaries in spite of improved government revenue.

The civil servants spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

As at Tuesday, February 1, Nigerian government workers are yet to receive their January emolument.

According to one of the civil servants, Ibrahim Ali, it is becoming a culture for the Federal Government to delay payment of monthly salaries.

“The situation is no longer acceptable for the Federal Government to keep delaying salaries without explanation.

“We are aware that the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N1.1 trillion amongst the three tiers of government, so why the delay’’ he said.

Also, Hauwa Sule, condemned the idea of delaying the monthly salaries of government workers.

“This is no longer acceptable. Civil servants plan based on the monthly salary, which is not even adequate.

“In the midst of this harsh economic condition occasioned by the government’s economic policies, the list the government can do is to ensure prompt payment of salaries,’’ she said.

Emmanuel Uka, a civil servant, urged the Federal Government to take the plight of ordinary Nigerians as a priority and stop the delay in workers’ monthly salaries.

The FAAC shared N1.13 trillion among the three tiers of government as revenue generated in December 2023.

FAAC disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its January meeting.

The total figure shared represented an increase of N40 billion or 3.67 per cent compared to the N1.09 trillion shared for November 2023.

The total amount includes gross statutory revenue, Value Added Tax, VAT, Companies Income Tax, CIT, Augmentations from Forex and Non-oil Mineral Revenue, and electronic money transfer levy, EMTL, among others.

However, the OAGF which did give any reason for the delay, said that civil servants would start getting their January salaries by Thursday evening.

Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press, OAGF, gave the assurance while reacting to the complaints by government workers.

Actress Bayray Nwizu revealed a surprising truth about the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood).

According to her, aspiring actresses seeking to succeed in the industry often feel pressured to undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in order to secure lucrative movie roles.

The actor revealed this while recently appearing on TVC’s ‘Wake Up Nigeria‘ program.

She bemoaned the loss of raw talent in the Nigerian film business, pointing out that infrastructure and capital have improved over time as producers have shifted to leveraging social media sensations to boost their movies.

She stated that while manufacturers must make a profit, there must also be a balance.

In her words:

“Ten years ago, it was you’re not fair enough, you’re not tall enough, you’re not full enough; now it’s you don’t have BBL.

“The good news is that now you don’t have to conform to them. You can take advantage of any of the streaming platforms, start creating your own content, and grow. We don’t have any excuses anymore. There are always going to be those who say, you have to do this to be in my movie.”

In another story, Bayray Nwizu reveals why women should ‘toast’ the man they like.

Speaking with Saturday Beats, Bayray McNwizu said although there’s nothing wrong with ‘shooting their shots’, they shouldn’t act desperate.

The Tiwa’s Baggage movie star further explained that when men find it difficult to read positive signs a lady is showing, such woman should become vocal about their intentions. Bayray McNwizu said:

“There are pros and cons when it comes to women ‘shooting their shots.’ If one does not want to waste one’s time, just find out what is working. It is always about knowing where to apply the gauge, knowing when to proceed, how fast to move and when to stop. These things are so important. If one likes somebody as a woman, know how to proceed and know how fast one can take action.

“Also, know when to stop because one cannot afford to look desperate. A woman needs to have a healthy self-concept about herself and know that she is a queen. If a woman wants to be in a man’s life, that woman has to bring a lot of value to the table. If the man cannot see that, then the woman should help him. If the man is interested, he will chase the woman. If he is not, then the both the man and the woman can settle for friendship. It’s even more valuable to have friendships that can blossom into other things as opposed to immediate romantic relationships.”

I woke up Tuesday to read some hair-raising headlines about kidnapping and killings in our country. “Over 17,000 Nigerians abducted under Buhari and Tinubu”, screamed one newspaper that described the incidents as an epidemic.

Another newspaper wrote: ”2,423 people killed, 1,872 kidnapped in eight months of Tinubu”. There was yet another scary headline, that will truly scare any outsider away from my state of Ogun. It says “From Rising industrial hub to den of cultists, criminals.” The impressionistic outsider will, at first blush, think every inch of Ogun is under the siege of cultists and criminals. 

Of course, this sweeping generalisation conveyed by the newspaper does not match the reality lived by the people in the state.

 As a newspaper man myself for over 40 years, I understand the game the media play. To sell our newspapers or clickbait, we tend to exaggerate and embellish, sometimes forgetting the social responsibility of the media, not to give the impression that our country is under siege by criminals or that every nook and cranny of our country is under their stranglehold.

One of our newspapers took this responsibility to heart in its report on the same Tuesday, making its major headline, the efforts by security agents to rein in the minority vagabonds in our midst. “Securitymen raise bar in battle against kidnappers”, the paper reported, as it listed the bombing of terrorists den, the rescue of captives by the army and police, simultaneously as it also reported the unfortunate killing of two monarchs in Ekiti, a policeman in Imo and mother and daughter in the FCT.

The frightening headlines on Tuesday were  based on the report by the Civil Society Joint Action Group that calls for an emergency on the security situation, surprisingly oblivious that our security agencies have been working in that spirit for a long time, since 2009.

Our security agencies deserve society’s appreciation for their efforts so far, in trying to nip in the bud the evils of kidnapping, banditry, communal killings and terrorism in our country. Their efforts, most often understated, have made our country safer at least than South Africa or the United States, where 44,310 people were killed last year in gun violence.

South Africa faces a worsening insecurity than Nigeria. In 2023, 15,343 people were kidnapped, with Gauteng Province, where  the City of Johannesburg, the commercial capital, is located recording 7,818 cases of kidnapping for ransom. Ten years ago in 2013, there were only 3,822 cases of kidnapping. They jumped to 11,000 in 2021 and have been on the upward curve since then.

Gun related killings or murders are also high in South Africa. They increased by 35 percent between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, 6,289 people were killed in South Africa. An average of 70 killings occurred per day between January and March 2023. Within a more extended period, April 2022 and March 2023, the killings were 75 per day. According to official statistics, 27,272 people were killed during this period, with 11,347 shot dead.

South Africa also leads the world in carjacking, with 18,000 cases reported in 2020 and 22,742 cases reported last year, an increase of eight percent over 2022 figure.

Nigerians will appreciate our security agencies better with the comparative figures about our country. Between July 2022 and and June 2023, Nigeria recorded 3,620 people kidnapped for ransom, in 582 kidnapping incidents. In 2022, 4,616 people were kidnapped. The same year, 4,545 people were killed by criminals in our midst.

In a report by the  World Population Review, Nigeria is not among the top 10 countries in the world, with kidnapping “epidemic“. Turkey leads with 42 people kidnapped out of 100,000 people. Lebanon is second with 15 people out of 100,000 and Kuwait third with 12 out of 100,000 held in captivity. Canada, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Eswatini and the United Kingdom make up the remaining top 10. Kidnapping in Nigeria is 0.334 per 100,000.

Surely, every life matters. Surely, any of our compatriots kidnapped by the criminals must be a matter of concern to the government as it has always been a matter of concern to our security agencies and the leadership, whose job is to keep all of us safe.

In my view, they have all  been playing a salutary role. Contrary to the uncharitable comment that President Tinubu has been fiddling while incidents of kidnapping or killings occur, as commander-in-chief, he has been  providing material support to security agencies to discharge their duties. In recent weeks, we have seen the police setting up a Special Intervention Squad, equipped with drones. The DSS has stepped up its anti-kidnapping act, rescuing 154 abducted people in the last few days. 

Last week President Tinubu approved N50billion as Special Fund to address some of the lingering security challenges in North East. He also approved special funds to the FCT, for the acquisition of equipment to track criminals.

Media reporting about cases of kidnapping, communal killings and isolated terrorism acts must show some moderation by not giving the impression that all Nigerians no longer sleep with two eyes closed or are not safe in going about their day-to-day business.

The relative peace we used to enjoy in our country was broken in the 90s by cases of kidnapping in Niger-Delta. Then followed insurgency in the North-East in 2009, which morphed into banditry and kidnapping in North-West and some parts of North Central. Kidnapping, which appears to be developing into an industry, has also spread to South-West and South-East. It will definitely take some time to put the broken pieces back into the whole. 

While we do not have a crime-free country yet, there is no denying that some efforts are being made countrywide to fight the emerging scourge. Last December Lagos State celebrated four years of near zero robbery in the state, with only one incident recorded in Epe in 2023. The South-West states have set up Amotekun, a local police of sort, that is working alongside the police. Such efforts must be encouraged all over the country, to give our people security cover at all times. Amotekun and other local police set up by the states must be strengthened to work with our existing security structure for intelligence gathering and covert operation. Citizens and the media must also, as a matter of duty, compliment the efforts of government to completely stamp out violent crimes.

-Onanuga is Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy