Sues NYSC Over Youth Service Violations

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has filed a lawsuit against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and Music producer, television presenter and music executive Kenny Ogungbe for alleged violations of the NYSC Act’s provisions.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/05/90/2024 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, NBA-SPIDEL is seeking determinations on whether Musawa and Ogungbe can voluntarily decide when to undergo the mandatory National Youth Service after qualifying..

They also queried the validity of the discharge certificates awarded to both defendants by the NYSC.

The plaintiffs allege that Musawa and Ogungbe failed to participate in the mandatory one year national youth service after graduating from university as required by the NYSC Act. They claim that Musawa enrolled in NYSC in 2023 but did not complete the service year, while Ogungbe only enrolled over 30 years after obtaining his bachelor’s degree.

The lawsuit argues that their actions violate sections of the NYSC Act related to the requirement for Nigerian graduates under the age of 30 to undergo national service. It requests the court to nullify Musawa and Ogungbe’s NYSC discharge certificates, bar Musawa from public office, and compel the Federal Government to prosecute the defendants.

In addition to Musawa and Ogungbe, the National Youth Service Corps and the Federal Government of Nigeria were also named as defendants for allegedly enabling or failing to prevent the violations.

The plaintiffs stated the lawsuit aims to promote the objectives of the NYSC scheme related to instilling discipline and national ethos in Nigerian youth. They expressed concern that the prominent public figures could set a bad precedent by flouting the rules without consequence.

Further relief sought includes compelling the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute the defendants for failure to make themselves available for service immediately upon graduation as stipulated in the Act.

This comes after NBA-SPIDEL in December 2023 issued a pre-action notice to the NYSC demanding the prosecution of Musawa and Ogungbe over the same youth service provision infringements. A subsequent meeting with the NYSC Director-General did not convince the legal body to back down.

Speaking on the lawsuit, NBA-SPIDEL’s Publicity Secretary Sadiya Saleh reiterated that Musawa and Ogungbe’s delayed participation till ages above the requisite 30-year age limit was unlawful. She added that their service year and discharge certificates were thus invalid and void.

The court will determine whether the allegations constitute violations of the NYSC Act warranting the requested remedies. However, the case has already ignited public debate regarding compliance with the mandatory national service scheme by high-profile individuals.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that the door of the party is open for Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State to join the party.

Ganduje gave the offer on Thursday while addressing stakeholders of the party shortly after their meeting in Kano.

“I am calling on Governor Yusuf along with his members from the NNPP to defect to the ruling APC at the national level to ensure massive political growth of the state,” he said.

According to him, the party is also working hard to ensure more members of the National Assembly from Kano State and others from other political parties join hands with the progressives as the doors of the party remain open for all.

Ganduje added, “We will provide an enabling environment for all defectors for the overall political growth of our party, state and the country at large.

“I want to assure the good people of Kano State that the Federal Government will continue to initiate policies and programmes that will enhance the well-being of the people.

“I also want to assure you that there is a move for other Governors from various political parties to join our party.

“Very soon some Governors and members of the National Assembly from other political parties will also join the APC.”

According to Ganduje, the Kano state chapter of the party had accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court judgment in good faith and saluted President Tinubu for his love for the party.

He said the party would create an avenue that would unite its members and give room for more people willing to join the party.

He also noted that stakeholders of the party in the state had expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support and love for Kano.

According to him, the stakeholders meeting had resolved that as a progressive and the largest political party in Africa, and in line with the initiative, the door of APC in Kano, remains open for hundreds of new members willing to join.

”The door of the APC is open to wooing new members to the party across the country and in diaspora at group or individual level, because of the good governance and sound promises of the party.

“So, to enhance unity, progress and development of Kano state, the stakeholders’ meeting expressed commitment to continue to pursue the path of dialogue with individuals, associations or political parties ready to join the APC,” he said.

He said that the meeting had resolved to convene an elaborate stakeholders’ meeting in Kano to strategise on how to unite the party for enhanced development further.

The APC National chairman appreciated members of the party for their maturity, support and patience during the period of the legal battle and called on them to remain calm and await the outcome of the expanded stakeholders meeting.

Among those who attended the meeting were National Assembly members and top members of the party from the state.

Comrade Joe Ajaero, the National President of the National Labour Congress (NLC), has issued a scathing critique of the current administration’s economic policies, decrying the impact of recent reforms on the average Nigerian citizen.

Speaking at the 21st Edition of the Daily Trust Dialogue organized by Media Trust Limited in Abuja on Thursday, Ajaero highlighted the hardships faced by the populace, notably pointing to challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidies, privatization failings, and rampant inflation.

Other speakers at the event included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Shamsudeen Usman; the immediate past Director General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Victoria Akai; former Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, among others.

The 21st Edition of the Daily Trust Dialogue provided a platform for diverse perspectives on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms. While some speakers expressed concerns about the impact on the common people, others presented a more optimistic view of economic projections.

However, the call for accountability, responsible reporting, and continuous constructive engagement emerged as common threads in the discussions.

Ajaero started his address by expressing discontent with the influence of international bodies on local economic decisions, citing the NLC’s recent confrontations with the World Bank.

“The directives to further increase prices of petroleum products originated from the World Bank and IMF. Two months ago, we had a tough time engaging with the World Bank, which was urging an increase in petroleum product prices,” he said.

Reflecting on the government’s attempts at privatization, Ajaero criticized the evident failure of such strategies, highlighting the sale of assets worth over $5 billion for only $1 billion.

He used the power sector as a key example of this failure, noting the high cost of privatization followed by an alarming N1.8 trillion annual subsidy.

“If you read yesterday’s newspapers, you would have seen that five power companies, previously valued at over $5 billion, are now set to be sold for just $1 billion. Despite past projections of a N1.8 trillion naira annual subsidy, these policies have not succeeded,” Ajaero added.

He drew an analogy, stating, “It’s like selling your house for N2 million and then giving the new owner N10 million for repairs. Such a political economy is unheard of elsewhere.”

Addressing an audience of key policymakers and stakeholders, Ajaero outlined the broader economic effects, such as the severe devaluation of the naira and the subsequent rise in the cost of imported goods.

He vividly described the impact of subsidy removal, with fuel prices soaring from N187 to around N700—a burden disproportionately shouldered by ordinary citizens.

The NLC President emphasized the predicament of everyday Nigerians, whose wages have languished behind the escalating costs.

“We are witnessing public disasters that yield private gains: a few individuals profit while the public suffers. The real losers are those who have seen the price of imported goods jump from N200 to N700. They are the ones whose transportation costs have quadrupled without any corresponding increase in their wages. They suffer from unimplemented wage increases. Ultimately, the common people are the losers, and economic policies have done little to alleviate their distress,” he explained.

In his impassioned speech, Ajaero also questioned the rationale behind non-justiciable policies that fail to serve the public good, as advocated by Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution.

He argued that such policies only deepen the national debt, burdening future generations.

The NLC President criticized the government’s approach to economic growth, questioning the effectiveness of subsidies and palliatives and pointing out the adverse effects of poor policies on the populace.

“Negative publicity is not the real issue; the negative impact of poor policies is. As a professional with a media background, I can confirm that we report what we see. The harsh reality is that many Nigerians live on less than one dollar per day, and the situation has worsened after the subsidy removal. Locally produced goods have become exorbitantly expensive,” he clarified.

Ajaero pointed to the power sector as a stark example of a failed privatization effort and the inability of the private sector to effectively manage the power supply, leading to a ‘comatose state’ of the sector.

He urged the government to adopt a conscious master plan that benefits all Nigerians, rather than a select few.

Drawing attention to the recent decision by the central bank to charge a fee for cash withdrawals, Ajaero predicted that such policies would only worsen the economic crunch faced by Nigerians.

He called for a policy reversal, emphasizing the need for the government to reassess its strategies and consider the wider socio-economic implications of such measures on the populace.

Edo State Deputy Governor and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2024 governorship election in the state, Philip Shaibu, has expressed confidence that the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, will support him in his ambition of becoming the governor.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had fixed September 21, 2024, as the election date.

Shaibu had in November 2023 said nobody can stop him from getting the governorship ticket of the party.

The deputy governor said having been in politics for 30 years and working with Obaseki in the last seven years to improve the state, he was in the best position to succeed his principal.

He said, “I can assure you that I will secure the ticket and my name and the party will be on the ballot. Nothing will happen because my name will be there.

“My name will be sent to INEC and I will be the candidate for the party in the election because I don’t do things without checking. I have gone round and consulted and I have been assured.”

PUNCH online reports that Shaibu declared his interest in contesting the 2024 governorship election in November

While speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Shaibu expressed confidence in getting Obaseki’s support.

“I can bet you that Mr Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, my boss and senior brother will support me.

“He has said it at the secretariat where we had our stakeholders meeting that whoever wins, he will support and whoever that will win is nobody but Philip Shaibu,” he said.

When asked if Asue Ighodalo, another aspirant for the governorship ticket got Shaibu’s support, Shaibu simply responded, “He (Obaseki) has denied supporting Asue even when we know he is supporting him. But that is not an issue for me. I am a homeboy and I understand the politics of Edo state.

“As somebody who is experienced, I have an edge over him. He is coming with private sector experience. I am coming with both private sector and public sector experience.”

During his formal declaration, Shaibu had said, “Nobody can stop my ambition.”

The deputy governor promised to deliver practical governance if elected governor of the state in 2024.

Shaibu, who vowed to deliver practical governance said, “They (Edo people) have asked me to go and run and they said I am the one they see not just as a street boy but original own boy that can live there.

“I can assure you that by the grace of God, we will deliver practical governance.”

No one can – or should – be surprised by the remarkable decline of foreign capital investment in Nigeria in Nigeria’s economy in recent months and years. The divestment of about N300 billion worth of investment by Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, PZ, Unilever and others is simply logical from the standpoint of the business operators. But, as someone who advises some of the world’s largest institutional investors in emerging markets for a living, I believe this phenomenon calls for a more nuanced understanding of the role of foreign investment in economic growth and transformation if such investments are to be truly helpful to our economic aspirations. Outside of a role as part of a grand economic strategy, foreign investment may not serve the purpose of real economic transformation – which is a different thing from growth – whether it rises again or continues to fall. The GSM revolution in the early 2000s was a notable exception and game-changer.

Foreign investment is not just a quest for profits for investors, which is first and foremost what it seeks. It also is a barometer of external market confidence in how a country which has investment potential is managed. We must understand that “the economy” is not some stand-alone item we can separate from every other aspect of how we manage our affairs as a people and as a country. Issues of security, corruption, the courts and the rule of law, who we appoint to certain sensitive positions, all matter. So do how our public institutions are run – their strength, independence, and their effectiveness in achieving their mandates. It is the sum total of these things, together with real, knowledge-based economic management and purposeful political leadership, that determine both investor perception and how the economy performs.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) – “bricks and mortar” or equity investments in business enterprises in one country with capital from another – can create jobs. But this is more the case in some sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, than in others such as the purely extractive plays in natural resources that have historically formed the bulk of FDI in African countries. Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) – passive investments in financial asset classes such as bonds and equities in the stock market – can help maintain or improve foreign exchange supply for a country such as Nigeria with an undeveloped value-added export economy and a dependence on a natural resource for foreign exchange inflows. This has created a problem for the value of the Naira and is a major reason foreign multinationals are exiting.

Countries with serious economic management have varying attitudes to foreign investment, depending on their overall economic development and transformation strategy. India is a rising economic power, but it is highly suspicious of foreign investment and is less welcoming of it. India is more interested in outward FDI in which its companies invest abroad, than in inward foreign investment in which it is the host of FDI. China takes a similar approach of care in receiving FDI, but has generally been far more open to it than India.

In Nigeria, our political leaders have spent billions on foreign travel chasing increasingly elusive foreign investors.   More work and valuable time at home creating the conditions that will attract such investors would have been a more productive investment. But the frequently misplaced efforts have been stymied by our macroeconomic distress, insecurity, and corruption. Weak physical infrastructure, capricious legal systems, absence of skilled manpower (made even worse by the seemingly endless “japa” wave of emigration), policy inconsistency (investors seek predictability), are a major challenge. The absence of adequate electricity is a foundational disincentive.  Rising poverty rates have also dulled the previous attraction of our 200 million population, as the middle class is under threat of extinction and people have less disposable incomes.

Beyond our present problems, and returning to the standpoint of economic strategy which ought to guide our future outlook, lies the question: How much does FDI/FPI really matter? Does FDI cause economic growth and development? Can investment inflows from abroad play a fundamental role in economic transformation? The answer is: “It depends”. There is a widely held belief that FDI is essential for development. It certainly can play an important role, but only if some conditions are met. FDI facilitated the economic transformation of China and Singapore. But these two countries did not blithely assume that FDI would work a miracle for them, the way we tend to in Nigeria. They approached incoming FDI from the standpoint of strategy. They kept a firm grip on the evolution of their economies and calibrated their FDI strategies to shifts in their domestic conditions such as cheapness of labor and the availability of skilled labor.

But there is evidence that FDI does not automatically trigger productivity. It can complement, but not substitute, LOCAL factors that are essential for development. We need to understand three important things about foreign investment. The first is that the real importance of foreign investment depends on the receiving country’s prior level of development. The economic growth impact of FDI is more in high-income developing countries than in low-income ones. In the latter, investments in secondary school education would matter more than FDI. Second, well-performing economies attract more investment than weak economies, which often experience capital flight.. Growth therefore drives FDI, rather than FDI driving growth. Third, the assumed technology-transfer benefits of foreign investment only happen when the investment is made in countries in which research and development (R & D) is a practical priority. We cannot honestly argue that this is the case in Nigeria. But it is in South Africa. In China, investment in R & D increased by 20% annually between 1999 and 2011, to more than $100 billion.

Foreign direct investment can concretely help lift a country’s economy if it is targeted at the real economy. But two most important factors must be present. These are (a) the presence of a skilled labor force and (b) infrastructure, in particular electric power, efficient seaports, and rail infrastructure. Nigeria is clearly deficient in the former, which brings back the conundrum of an education system that does not position the country for real productivity. A focus on the latter without the former cannot be transformational because there isn’t the required level of human capital to take advantage of the infrastructure projects for real wealth creation. This has been a fundamental error of economic thinking in Nigeria. The first and most fundamental condition of economic transformation is human capital. HCI (Human Capital Index) measures the contributions of health and education to worker productivity. Nigeria has one of the lowest human capital indexes in the world, ranked at 164 out of 169 countries by the World Bank in 2020. Singapore ranked at number one. Borrowing to build roads and rail in a country with nearly 20 million school-age children out of school is to put the cart before the horse. China’s first massive investments in the 1950s, 60s and 70s were in building skilled human capital.  In order words, Singapore and China built the essential foundation before FDI could be of any real help.
Seen from this perspective, we need to return to the drawing board. Rather than a misplaced  belief in the transformative power of FDI on its own, we should focus predominantly on two things – our own local investments, combined with types of FDI, that can help address our problems of weak human capital (e.g. technical/vocational, technological, and health-services education, and building adequate energy infrastructure. This is why you will see companies like Boeing in Egypt, but not in Nigeria.

We must have a real national strategy for FDI, as well as sub-national strategies that key into national priorities in a well coordinated manner. One of the most important priorities we must pursue is the diversification of Nigeria’s seaports. Nigeria’s Southeast region, which is a major trading and industrial hub, needs at least one major seaport. This will massively boost Nigeria’s economy. We need to align FDI with a transformational paradigm shift towards competitive advantage – the ability to source raw materials from anywhere, manufacture value-added products for domestic and export markets at competitive costs, as well as information and communication technologies and a diversification from extractive industries. Investors must be offered strong protections, and we must prioritize governance and institutions. I know from personal experience that investor confidence in the independence and strength of the Central Bank of Nigeria between 2009 and mid-2014 drove high levels of FDI and FPI towards Nigeria at the time.

Finally, we must adopt a national interest stance in engaging with FDI. Nigerian leaders often pursue foreign investment as if investors are doing us a favor. This is a sure recipe for a weak negotiating hand and a failure to identify, and protect, our own national interest. Capital seeks to expand and grow. Providing investors the opportunity to pursue that fundamental  interest must be on the condition that it advances another – the national interest of the FDI host country. Local populations must benefit from job creation, rather than investments serving the rent-seeking interests of political cabals. And investment, domestic or foreign, must be environmentally sustainable. Just ask the impoverished people in Niger Delta’s toxic wastelands of oil spills how much they have benefitted from the “foreign investment” in the region by the oil majors.

In this context, the extraction of solid minerals in Nigeria is the next frontier. The Federal Government’s new policy stance that investments in solid mineral extraction must have -value-addition components is a step in the right direction. But we must first see that happen in real life in a country in which its security apparatus appears unable to stop illegal mining of minerals in various places. To that policy should also be added a requirement for investors to establish technical training institutes for local youth who should eventually be employed in such industries.

*Prof. Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is the CEO of the consulting firm Sogato Strategies LLC and Chairman of the Africa Private Sector Summit.

With the uncertainty surrounding the future of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, at Napoli, the Serie A champions have started shopping for a possible replacement for the striker, The PUNCH reports.

While refusing to give out details on his next move, Osimhen in his latest interview with CBS Sports said he had already made a decision about his future.

“The rumour is going around about me linked with the Premier League,” Osimhen told CBS Sports.

When you’re one of the hottest strikers on the globe, you expect this type of thing, and of course, the Premier League is one of the biggest and best leagues in the whole world.

The recent announcement by PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC regarding the offer made by its majority shareholder, PZ Cussons (Holdings) Limited (referred to as the “Core Shareholder”), to acquire all shares owned by other stakeholders of PZCN (referred to as the “Minority Shareholders”) and subsequently delist from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, has continued to generate attention within the financial sphere.

The move, seemingly driven by the depletion of the shareholders’ funds due to a significant loss and foreign exchange challenges, necessitates a closer examination of the intricate financial dynamics within PZ Cussons.

According to the PZCN Board, the offer is a response to the ongoing challenges faced by the company in securing foreign currencies to meet its trade obligations and settle outstanding debts.

Additionally, the Board highlights the considerable deterioration in the company’s net asset position, as elucidated in the Abridged Unaudited Report for Quarter 1 ended on 31 August 2023, published on 3 November 2023 as another reason for the decision.

The pivotal moment in PZ Cussons’ recent financial history was marked by a post-tax loss of about N24 billion in Q1 2024. This staggering loss was primarily attributed to a foreign exchange loss of about N27 billion.

Before the Q1 2024 setback, PZ Cussons maintained a more conservative debt structure. The debt-to-equity ratio stood at a moderate 50% as of the end of the 2023 financial year, reflecting a balanced mix of debt and equity financing.

However, the subsequent increase in the debt-to-equity ratio to 439% and the debt-to-asset ratio to 23% in Q1 2024 are indicative of the profound impact of the foreign exchange loss and elevated debt on the company’s capital structure.

The company’s decision to acquire minority shares at an increased offer price and subsequently delist from the exchange raises intriguing questions. Is this a desperate move prompted solely by the foreign exchange challenges faced by the company, or is it a strategic play in capital structure management?

While the foreign exchange woes are undeniable, and might have contributed to the decision to acquire minority shares, it may also be seen as a calculated effort to regain control over the company’s ownership structure. This move could offer a lifeline to shore up the eroded net asset position, currently standing at N9.724 billion after an 80% reduction.

With a negative retained earnings position of -N565.265 million, the acquisition of minority shares may be viewed as a strategic step to consolidate ownership and strengthen the company’s financial standing.

The decision to delist from the Nigerian Stock Exchange further adds a layer of complexity. Delisting can be perceived as a means to operate with more flexibility, away from the scrutiny of public markets, and allow the company to implement strategic changes without immediate market repercussions.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential impact on minority shareholders. The increased offer price to ₦23 per share, endorsed by the Board in consideration of the company’s challenges in obtaining foreign currencies and a deteriorated net asset position, raises questions about the fairness of the deal for minority shareholders.

In navigating these challenges, PZ Cussons could have explored alternative strategies. A rights issue, for instance, might have been a more transparent way to raise capital, albeit with potential dilution. This could have allowed the company to address its financial challenges while maintaining a balance between debt and equity.

As the company proceeds with its acquisition and delisting plans, stakeholders, including minority shareholders, will keenly observe the outcomes.

Transparent communication from the management regarding the rationale behind these decisions and their anticipated impact will be essential in maintaining trust.

AS PZ Cussons grapples with the aftermath of a substantial foreign exchange loss and charts a course toward financial recovery, whether the company’s moves are driven primarily by FX challenges or represent a strategic manoeuvre in capital structure management remains a question that only time and unfolding events will answer.

[Nairametrics]

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has asked President Bola Tinubu to tell Nigerians what has happened to the $3.3 billion emergency crude repayment loan secured by the federal government last year through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to support the Naira and stabilise the foreign exchange market.

Atiku in a statement said it was curious that the federal government continues to keep mum about it, noting that the only information on the mega deal is coming from unofficial NNPC sources.

The former vice president however posed some questions thus “ Has the Federal Government accessed the loan? Is the loan in the government’s borrowing plan as approved by the National Assembly? Who are the parties to the loan, and what specific roles are they expected to play?”

He also asked “What are the conditions to the loan, including tenor, repayment terms, the collateral, and the interest rate? And, lastly, why register an SPV in the Bahamas knowing the recent scandal of the country’s notoriety for warehousing unclean assets?”

Atiku recalled that the Tinubu-led federal government, precisely on August 16, 2023 through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) secured a $3.3 billion emergency crude repayment loan, which according to the NNPC, was to help give support to the Naira and stabilize the Foreign Exchange market.

He however said, “The curious thing about this transaction is that up till now, the Federal Government continues to keep mum about it, and the only information available to the public on the mega deal is coming only through unofficial sources from the NNPC.”

The former vice president, who said the deal is supposed to be a crude-for-cash loan arranged by the African Export-Import Bank, added that according to information available to him, a Special Purpose Vehicle called Project Gazelle Funding Limited is driving the deal, and it was incorporated in the Bahamas.

“The SPV is the borrower while the NNPC is the sponsor, with an agreement to pay with crude oil to the SPV in order to liquidate the loan at an interest rate that is a little over 12 percent.

“What is even more confounding about this deal is why the Federal Government would register a company in the Bahamas, knowing full well the recent scandal of the Paradise Papers that involved that country.

“Curiously also, Nigeria’s current Barrels Produced Daily (BPD) is 1.38 million, and according to the Project Gazelle deal, Nigeria is to supply 90,000 Barrels of its daily production, starting from 2024 till it is up to 164.25 million barrels for the repayment of the loan.

“Now, this is where the details get disturbing because Nigeria’s benchmark for the sale of crude per barrel in 2024 is $77.96. A simple multiplication of that figure by 164.25 will give us a whooping $12 billion.

“It is on this note that we are calling

on the Federal Government to speak up on this shady deal.”

He added that it is inconceivable that the federal government will lead the country to take a loan of $3.3 billion with an interest rate that is not more than 12 percent, but with estimated repayment amounting to $12 billion.

“That is a humongous differential of about $7b between what is in the details of the deal on paper and what indeed is the reality.

“There are questions to be answered on the integrity of this deal, and we earnestly request the federal government to talk directly on these cloudy details behind the deal,” he said.

The Super Eagles have urged President Bola Tinubu to stop watching them on television but to join other Nigerians to cheer them live at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The team has also assured Nigerians that they would win the title for the fourth time.Speaking in a zoom meeting with Sports Minister, John Enoh, yesterday, the Super Eagles, through their captain, Ahmed Musa, said having the President live in Cote d’Ivoire would add more fillip to their quest to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Musa said: “We have a message that we want to send through you to Mr President… we don’t want the president to watch our matches on television any more, we want him over here to come and cheer us to victory.

“Finally, we really appreciate your word of encouragement to the team, and we promise to bring the cup back to Nigeria.” Earlier, Senator Enoh had told the players that he had a chance meeting with President Tinubu, who congratulated him for the Super Eagles’ progress so far, adding, however, that the president said he was not too impressed with the way they played in the group stage of the competition. He added that now that the Eagles have qualified for the second round, he hoped they would improve in subsequent games.

“That meeting at Aso Rock told me that Mr President has been watching your games and showing understanding that there is a lot of cautiousness at the group stage. He knows that from the round of 16, you are going to be more impressive,” he said.

Enoh also told the players that Nigerians are rooting for them to win the championship and urged them to continue listening to their coach, Jose Peseiro, who, he said, is ambitious to win the competition.

“I have had cause to tell people that there is nobody as eager to win the AFCON as Peseiro. So, I would like to urge you to listen to everything that he will say to you. Don’t lose focus, forget about the social media. I will even suggest that you do away with your social media… don’t listen to WhatsApp messages.

“Imagine what it would be like to be among the boys that won Nigeria’s fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. That would be a great achievement,” he told them.

[Guardian]

A former governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserhemen A. Osunbor, has asked the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the National Working Committee (NWC) members to be wary of mistakes that pushed the party out of power in the state in 2020.

Osunbor made the appeal on Thursday during an interview with newsmen at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, shortly after obtaining his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the party’s ticket ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state.

He urged the top echelon of the APC to conduct proper primaries, devoid of undue influence and manipulations.

Why I join gov’ship race – Shaibu

Meanwhile, the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has said he is contesting the state’s governorship to prevent some people from “hijacking the state”.

He stated this yesterday while addressing party leaders and stakeholders at the party headquarters after the submission of his nomination form to contest the Edo governorship election.

Shaibu said, “I am contesting for governor today, not because Philip Shaibu has inordinate ambition but my ambition is to save Edo State from businessmen that now want to take over the state. We have already dealt with the issue of godfatherism but it is rearing its ugly head again.”

[DailyTrust]