The Organised Private Sector (OPSN) has decried the new tariff of N225/kwh for Band A electricity customers, saying that over 65 per cent of private business-es, especially manufacturing sec-tor and SMEs, may be forced to close down due to the high electricity tariff.

The Association called for the suspension of new tariff implementation to enable all stakeholders have meaningful dialogue around the process and method-ology of determining electricity tariff as well as jointly agreeing on the transparent mechanism re-quired for tariff setting.
It said Nigeria now ranks third after Germany and the United Kingdom on the list of countries with high electricity costs.

The Association, comprising top Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) Manufactures As-sociation of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) and Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) representing more than five million businesses in Nigeria stated this in a joint release.

It said that “the OPSN has received numerous complaints from its member-companies on the implications of the recent astronomical increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for Band A customers without the required and proper consultations with the private sector.

“This sudden exponential in-crease in the face of inadequate electricity supply, is inimical to the competitiveness of Nigerian products and businesses and will definitely exacerbate the impact of high cost of production. Meanwhile, the astronomical increase is against the MYTO Order referenced NERC/2023/05, which valued the cost-reflective tariff at N114.8/Kwh (determined using exchange rate of N919.39/$1). It also does not reflect the current exchange rate reality that has seen the naira appreciated by 62.95 percent over the dollar in the last one month.”

It explained that “a closer look at the impact of increase in elec-tricity tariff to N225/kwh (determined using exchange rate of N1463.31/$1) on the cost profile of a medium sized company using 700 kw revealed that the firm will need to pay about N1.4 billion per annum for electricity. In China, a similar medium sized company will pay a little over N24 million.”

It added that “what is most worrisome with the Nigerian case is the fact that the electricity to be supplied is not adequate. Also, the increase is coming on the heels of macroeconomic instability, infrastructure deficits, as well as other supply side constraints limiting the performance of the productive sector.”

[Leadership]

Muhammad Bello Matawalle, the minister of State for Defence, onerous task ahead of him. It appears he is more at home with the job of a spokesman to President Bola Tinubu than performing the task of Defence minister of state. It is nauseating that he has turned himself into the spokesman of the president and wants all appointees from the North to do same.

Perhaps, we need to remind Matawalle that insecurity is deplorable and as the junior minister of Defence, that should trouble him, more so that the president has assured Nigerians that his appointees would be subjected to thorough performance monitoring and evaluation.

Unfortunately, it seems this former governor of Zamfara State and a former lawmaker has a somewhat contorted understanding of his role. He seems to be thinking his brief is merely to defend the president. If not, why should he reduce his position to that of responding to criticisms from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF)? It was so tough that Matawalle had to issue a statement urging all northern appointees to either defend Tinubu or quit office.

His quarrel with the NEF The squabble between Matawalle and the NEF started when the group claimed the north regretted voting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, insisting that it would not repeat such mistake in 2027.

NEF spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, had said, “The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future.

“Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency. They will prioritise someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country.”

Taking a swipe at the NEF, Matawalle described its members as mere “political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains.

“This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognised or made relevant in the scheme of things despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections,” he added.
NEF, a paperweight?

It is amusing that someone who emerged as governor by accident and tried to no avail to seek reelection because he lacks the requisite relevance will come out openly to describe a formidable group like NEF as paperweight. Indeed, words are cheap.

For all I know, Matawalle needs to be reminded that the NEF has remained consistent in calling out bad governance. The Forum was unapologetic in condemning the mis-governance of former President Muhammadu Buhari. It consistently called out the Buhari government for failing with distinction and in so doing, became the only dissenting voice from the north.

I recall that sometimes in 2022 NEF had asked PMB to resign for failing to combat insecurity, which was one of the three things he promised to prioritise when elected. In a series of statements, the group called out the former president for failing to provide the sort of leadership Nigerians required. Less than one year after the Buhari tenure, even his die-hard supporters have come out to say what mess the administration was.

So, what NEF is doing now by calling out the PBAT government is not new. But why shouldn’t they when we are dealing with a government that told us that subsidy is gone, yet still pays subsidy? Former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, recently declared that the government was paying more for fuel subsidy. We are dealing with a government that floated the naira, yet is spending to stabilise the naira; a government that suspended electricity tariff at a time most Nigerians are battling with high cost of living.

And one wonders why NEF elects to be a voice of reason by calling out the government? To my mind, NEF is doing the right thing. It must sustain the tempo in offering constructive criticisms to this government because Nigerians deserve better. But between the NEF and Matawalle, who is a paperweight?

Real paperweight Nothing qualifies Matawalle for appointment as minister than the fact that he served as Northwest coordinator for PBAT. And as the coordinator, he performed woefully, leading to PBAT’s woeful lost in Katsina, Kano and Kaduna States- three of the ruling APC’s vote banks for the zone.

Atiku Abubakar, PBAT’s main challenger, won in Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Katsina States, while Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s NNPP won the Kano presidential poll with a landslide. Tinubu’s APC won the other two states of Jigawa and Zamfara. The impact of such a win is not phenomenal because the real votes are in the states lost. So, what is Matawalle beating his chest for?

I think Matawalle himself knows that his only qualification for appointment as cabinet member was the die-hard support he offered to the Tinubu project and that is why even as minister of State for Defence, with security still being precarious, Matawale is fascinated about defending PBAT’s politics. He has reduced his work to that of merely defending PBAT and his politics.

But those who are surprised need be reminded that he governed Zamfara for 4 years and performed woefully.

Zamfara, under Matawalle’s leadership from 2019-2023, was a study in failure. There is nothing – absolutely nothing – to show and that is why the voters rejected him resoundingly.

Arguably, the ministerial appointment provided Matawale a political lifeline because having lost his battle to reclaim the Zamfara governorship seat, he well would have been hibernating by now. So, one expects him to do all it takes to leave a mark. The Northwest states of Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Zamfara, his native state, are worst hit by the current insecurity. What Matawalle has yet to do is to rally the governors of these states for a frontal war on this menace. Rather, he is fascinated about defending PBAT’s politics to the point of attacking the NEF.

Like Matawalle, like El-Rufai

In the build-up to the 2023 polls, then Governor Nasir El-Rufai who accused the northern elders of working against power shift to the South also described the northern elders as mere paperweights.
In his usual frenzy, El-Rufai declared that the 19 governors of the northern states were the real elders of the North. Therefore, Matawalle is not alone on this path of denigrating the elders. But it won’t be out of place to remind Minister Matawalle that after insulting the northern elders because of Bola Tinubu’s election, El-Rufai is no longer in bed with Asiwaju’s government.

Minister Matawalle needs to be reminded of the time-tested Hausa saying that ‘Idan gemun dan uwanka ya kama da wuta shafawa naka ruwa’. He can do well for himself, the north and the nation by focusing more on his responsibilities as Defence minister of state rather than waiting to respond to criticism from NEF to the point of denigrating the northern elders who people this all-important forum.

Another Chibok girl, Lydia Simon, has been rescued by troops of Operstion Desert Sanity III, North East Operation Hadin Kai.

She was rescued along with her three children by the troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion in Ngoza LGA, on Wednesday April 17, 2024.

Zagazola Makama, a counter insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, said that Lydia who was on serial number 68 among the abducted missing girls escaped from the camp of Ali Ngulde in Mandara Mountain where she was held in captivity for several years

She surrendered to troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA. The rescued Chibok girl was five months pregnant and said she was from Pemi Town in Chibok.

April 14, marks the 10th anniversary of the violent abduction of 276 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents.

While 57 of the girls escaped from their captors in the following days, 16 were later rescued and 107 have at different times been released through negotiations.

The Federal government, state and the Nigerian Army have pledged its commitment toward rescuing the rest of the abducted girls that are still held in captivity by the terrorists.

[Businessday]

The political rivalry between Abba Yusuf, current governor of Kano State and his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, took a new twist on Wednesday as a Kano State High Court affirmed the latter’s suspension as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The court in an ex parte order affirmed the suspension of Ganduje and restrained him from parading himself as the National Chairman, as well as a member of the party.

The court also ordered, that henceforth, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee, NWC, of APC.

The order followed an ex parte motion filed by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad Esq on behalf of two executive members of APC Ganduje ward, Dawakin-Tofa local government area.

They included the assistant secretary, Laminu Sani and the legal adviser, Haladu Gwanjo (plaintiffs) who were part of the nine ward executive members who suspended Ganduje two days ago.

DAILY POST reported that nine members of the Ganduje ward announced the suspension of the APC National Chairman over the allegation of corruption slammed on him by the Kano State government.

The nine APC executive members said they were prompted to act following a petition written by one Ja’afaru Adamu, a member of the APC from the National Chairman’s polling unit in which he complained over allegation of corruption charges against the former Governor, urging the ward leaders to investigate the matter to redeem the dented image of the party and the implication on President Bola Tinubu’s fight against corruption.

Ganduje’s alleged suspension was announced by the ward’s legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, while addressing newsmen in Kano on Monday.

Gwanzo accused the former governor of “gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds during his administration in Kano,” citing allegations of bribery against Ganduje by the Kano state government as the reason for the suspension.

He said: “We resolved to pass a vote of no confidence on the National Chairman of the party due to his inability to clear his name from allegations of corruption, particularly the ‘dollar video’ that went viral.

“The APC leaders in Ganduje Ward are worried that the party is being subjected to unnecessary embarrassment from the rival New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) over unsubstantiated allegations of corruption levelled against Ganduje’s administration.

“Ganduje ward leaders deem it fit to suspend the national chairman to enable him concentrate on the litigation and other hanging issues so that he could appropriately clear his image and that of his family.

“President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the ongoing fight against corruption has made it necessary for Ganduje to deal with the seeming baggage of corruption hanging on his neck as it is already denting the reputation of the APC-led federal government.

“We, the leaders of the APC in Ganduje Ward, after thorough deliberations, decided to suspend the chairman to give him time to clear his name.

“Since Ganduje has been summoned to answer for these accusations, we are being proactive as it could potentially affect the reputation of our political party.”

However, a short-lived reprieve came to Ganduje’s way when the suspension was countered by the Kano State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC, which slammed drastic measures against those who announced the suspension.

The state chapter of the party described the suspension of the National Chairman by Ganduje Ward of the party as illegal, null and void.

It also announced immediate suspension of the Ward Executives for their action, which it termed as a manipulation from outside.

Also, the APC national headquarters at Abuja said Ganduje remains the party’s national chairman.

The spokesman of the APC at the national level, Felix Morka, who spoke on behalf of the party, described the move as “criminal” and insisted that Ganduje remains the party’s chairman.

“We urge our Party faithful and the general public to disregard reports of the suspension of the National Chairman who is, and remains, the National Chairman of our great Party.

“The purported suspension was the devious act of a group of impersonators of Ward officials out to cause mischief and create confusion in the otherwise peaceful Ganduje Ward chapter of our Party.

“This act procured by officials of the ruling NNPP in Kano is part of the despicable program of political persecution launched by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf against Dr. Ganduje, a former Governor of Kano state.

“The purported suspension is downright criminal, and of no effect whatsoever. The legitimate Executive Committee of the Ganduje Ward has since denounced the action and reaffirmed Dr. Ganduje as a bonafide member of the Party in the Ward, and in good standing,” Morka said in a Tuesday statement.

However, the party’s stand might likely change following the recent order by the Kano High court affirming Ganduje’s suspension.

Before now, the ex-governor’s camp had accused the state government of masterminding the suspension.

Reacting to his suspension and subsequent affirmation by the court, Ganduje claimed that the move to suspend him from office was orchestrated to starve President Bola Tinubu of Kano votes ahead of the 2027 election.

He made the revelation when he received a delegation of 27 executive members of his ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Ganduje told the delegation that his investigation has revealed that the arrows of persecution against him were coming from the camps of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and the Governor of Kano, Abba Yusuf.

He said: “When we first heard the news, we knew it was not true. But we had to exercise patience to affirm those behind it.

“After a formal investigation, it was found that those who met with officials of the Kano State government were not executive members either at the ward, state or even members of our party.

“These lies are peddled by the NNPP and the governor of Kano State to destroy our party because they are so concerned that during their first year in office, the people have seen the destruction of the economy of Kano down to the increase in political violence and also the destruction of political morality.

“With all these put together, they have started seeing the failure of their party. They are more concerned that we might take over the government from their party in 2027.”

DAILY POST recalls that Yusuf, who emerged governor of the state under the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, in 2023, had on assumption of office accused Ganduje of misappropriating public funds and allocating plots of land to some members of his immediate family.

But speaking on the matter, a Kano-based legal practitioner, Wangida Isa, said Ganduje should honourably resign as the National Chairman of the APC till he clears the corruption allegations against him by the state government.

He dismissed claims that the NNPP planned Ganduje suspension through some APC executives at the ward level.

The lawyer spoke on Tuesday when appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s programme.

Isa said that ward executives were legally empowered to sack any member of the party, insisting that the allegations against the ex-governor were “heavy offences”.

He also stated that Ganduje has not been exonerated as the court said he should be tried at a federal court because the money laundering offences levelled against him by the state government was a federal offence.

Fresh from the suspension, the anticipated arraignment of Ganduje was stalled on Wednesday due to the Kano State Government’s inability to serve criminal charges against him.

The move to arraign him has created palpable fear and uncertainty in Kano.

According to the court documents, Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Ganduje, his son, Abdullahi Umar and five others, were slated to face eight counts including $413,000 bribery allegation, as well as the alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds amounting to N1.38bn.

The state government said it had assembled 15 witnesses to testify against them.

DAILY POST also reported that the Kano State Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Commission had announced new corruption charges and maladministration against Ganduje.

The Chairman of the Commission, Muhuyi Magaji, who announced the development, said investigations uncovered the diversion of N51.3 billion from local government funds to unauthorised individuals during Ganduje’s tenure.

Magaji alleged that the Ganduje administration withdrew N1 billion monthly from state coffers before its tenure ended in May 2023, purportedly for road renovation, but diverted to Bureau de Change operators instead.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday, Magaji also cited a case involving N4 billion transferred to an agricultural company from Kano’s consolidated revenue account.

“What is happening now is a tip of the iceberg. As I am talking to you, we are investigating a case whereby N51.3bn local government funds were directly taken from the government coffers (and) sent to other individuals, and we traced it to people.

“We have filed a series of cases. We have a case whereby N1bn in April last year (2023) was removed from government coffers under the allocation of renovating 30 roads in the metropolis, and it was taken away and sent to Bureau de Change.

“We have a case of N4bn whereby it was sent from the consolidated revenue account of Kano State to an agricultural company. All these cases are before the court,” he said.

Magaji said though he was appointed by Ganduje to head the agency, he won’t hesitate to prosecute alleged corruption by the immediate-past administration in the state.

According to him, he started probing Ganduje when he was governor of Kano State.

The APC national chairman is not new to allegations of corruption.

Recall that as governor of Kano State, a video clip allegedly showed Ganduje stuffing his pockets with bales of dollars suspected to be kickback from contractors.

The video was allegedly released to the public in October 2018 by the Publisher of Daily Nigerian, Mr. Ja’afar Ja’afar.

Recently, Ganduje had claimed the Kano State Government does not have the legal rights to prosecute him for the alleged bribery of $413,000 and N1.38 billion fraud.

He was reacting to the decision of the Kano State Government to file criminal charges against him.

Ganduje spoke in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu.

The ex-governor maintained that it was only the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that could charge him for the alleged offences.

“In their desperate attempt to malign me and my family, they either forgot or probably cannot conduct themselves by the dictates of the law.

“They failed to take judicial notice of the recent pronouncement of the Federal High Court in Kano, which ruled that the so-called offence I am being accused of is a federal offence that can only be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

Meanwhile, a former National Vice Chairman, North West of the APC, Salihu Lukman, has called on President Bola Tinubu and other party leaders to revisit issues surrounding the disagreement between two former governors of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Ganduje.

Lukman in a statement issued in Abuja said, “Being progressives require honesty, which given current political reality we must accept that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his NNPP has a stronger support base in Kano State.”

“Noting that Senator Kwankwaso was in our party up to 2018 and acknowledging that between 1999 and 2019 both Senator Kwankwaso and Dr. Ganduje worked together, we need to revisit issues surrounding their disagreement,” Lukman said.

Speaking to DAILY POST, the Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, said that the State government has no hand in the ill fated suspension of the ex-governor from the APC.

Dungurawa, however, said the APC ward executives that announced the suspension of the APC National Chairman did a good job.

According to him, they were bonafide members of the APC and not NNPP, adding that their records were with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, including the party’s headquarters.

Dungurawa further urged the APC to purge itself of individuals like Ganduje, saying his types were creating a bad image for the party.

He said: “That allegation is not true. All I know is that the executive members of APC in Ganduje ward have done a very good job by suspending their principal for two main reasons.

“One- there’s an investigation going on in Kano State. For the State to be sure, they have set up a body of inquiry on him because of his bad governance and alleged fraud.

“Two, the people of Ganduje Ward were accusing him (Ganduje) of not paying his dues as a party member, he wasn’t doing his party contribution.

“And there were allegations on him on the video that’s going round that he was syphoning money, dollars into his pocket.

“You know as a great people, people that came from a very high class family, they were very bitterly disturbed about fraud allegations against their principal.

“So it has been disturbing them and they have been having sleepless nights. That is why this committee of inquiry was set up by this government and said ‘let us probe this man so that we can have peace of mind’.

“These people that announced this suspension, they are bonafide members of APC; their names are in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; it’s there in the party’s state headquarters; it’s there in the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

“If you go and get the certified true copy, you will get all the names they have mentioned. It’s the party that suspended him because of his bad attitude and action in the party.

“We in NNPP are doing a good job. If the APC wants to make their party great and clean in the eyes of the people, they have to remove Ganduje’s type from the party, so that the party will look innocent and decent, and people will rush into the party.”

When asked about Ganduje’s statement that Kano State Government does not have the legal rights to prosecute him for the alleged bribery, Dungurawa said: “That’s a lie. Did he offend the attorney general of the federation?

“He offended the Kano State people. And the governor of Kano State has the right to checkmate and call anybody or authority for any investigation.

“Nobody can stop him from doing that. So Ganduje offended people of Kano State. People of Kano State wanted him to be probed. So the government of Kano State was duty bound to call anybody that’s highly wanted.

“We cannot see the statement as an issue rather Ganduje must come to Kano on 17th and before the committee. We have to probe him. We are in charge.”

Meanwhile, efforts by DAILY POST to speak to Abdullahi Abbas, Chairman Kano State APC were not successful.

[DailyPost]

Passengers of a truck have reportedly killed a customs officer along Katsina-Dankama road in Kaita Local Government Area of the state.

Daily Trust gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday morning at Gamjin Makaho village, along Dankama road.

Sources said a truck was conveying people to Dankama town when the customs officers tried to stop it, but the driver refused to stop.

One of the armed customs officers was said to have pulled the trigger and a bullet allegedly hit one of the passengers in the waist.

The truck driver eventually stopped, and the passengers disembarked to confront the customs officers, pouncing on the shooter.

It was gathered that the passengers eventually killed the customs officer, whose name and rank could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

The victim, identified as Bashir Na-Buzuwa, was said to have also died from the gunshot wound.

Late Na-Buzuwa, who was said to be about 27 years old and a native of Doro town in Bindawa LGA, was a resident of Zanguna in Katsina city.

When contacted, the Customs Public Relations Officer in Katsina State, SC Tahir Balarabe, said the Service would issue an official statement on the incident, adding that they were trying to evacuate the remains of their colleague.

[DailyTrust]

• President hosts Afenifere leaders •29 Yoruba Nation crusaders arraigned in Ibadan

The President talked tough yesterday on violent ethnic agitation.

According to him, those who push for the balkanisation of the country violently will face the consequences.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said: “Those who think they can threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria will have themselves to blame.

“They have a price to pay and we are not going to relent.”

The President spoke against the backdrop of the weekend’s violent attempt to take over the seat of government in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by some Yoruba Nation agitators.

The President opened up while receiving leaders of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, led by nonagenarian Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Also on the delegation were some leaders of thought and traditional rulers in the Southwest.

Security men foiled the attack in Ibadan and arrested 21 members of the group.

Following more arrests, 29 people were arraigned by the police over the incident.

They were remanded in prison by the court.

The President warned those who think they can undermine the country’s unity and go scot-free to perish the thought as the consequences will be grave.

He told his audience that his administration had recorded significant progress against insurgency where it exists in the country.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President declared that his administration would not relent in its fight against criminals.

He assured that the menace of banditry and kidnapping is on the verge of defeat, especially with the ‘no ransom’ policy of the government.

He explained: “I am irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy.

“Constitutional democracy is reflected greatly here since we assumed office. What we face now is the challenge of terrorism.

“Security of life and property is very necessary for development. I can tell you we are achieving success.

“There’s an improvement from hoisting flags on the Nigerian properties and sovereignty.

“We have degraded terrorism to a level that they cannot threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria any longer.

“Banditry and kidnapping will be defeated and there is no payment of ransom whatsoever.

“We are taking the battle to them. We are getting results more rapidly than before.

“We are working hard on intelligence gathering.”

On the economy, he restated his administration’s commitment to the pursuit of comprehensive economic security for the country while tackling foundational challenges and creating a fair and equitable system for all Nigerians.

The President spoke of ongoing re-engineering of the nation’s finances, efforts at boosting the purchasing power of citizens and spreading prosperity down the line with the establishment of a credit system where the element of cash does not impede a significantly enhanced standard of living for all citizens.

According to him, Nigeria must secure itself economically first before it can achieve any of its more sophisticated objectives.

The President added: “We are committed to the economic survival of our country. To re-engineer the finances of our country, we must start in earnest.

“So, first, retool, revamp the economic opportunities available, and resolve to continue taking the firm and steady baby steps that are necessary.

“Education is a strong weapon against poverty. To empower the people, we must invest in the future of our youths.

“We have seen the problems parents face in training their children in school; it is the reason why we established the National Student Loan Scheme, which is taking off well.

“We are equally examining what to do with the high degree of unemployment. We must help vulnerable people by providing social security.

“We are looking at how to provide allowances for the unemployed, and we are developing ways to boost the purchasing power of citizens with the Consumer Credit Scheme.

“If we remove the cash upfront element to buy a car or a house, we will reduce the propensity for fraud and corruption across the land.”

The President thanked the Afenifere leaders for their prayers and support, assuring them that he would not relent in his resolve to advance Nigeria.

The Alabo of Ilu-Abo, Akure, Ondo State, Oba Olu Falae, who spoke for the delegation, commended the President for his courageous decisions and for the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, as well as other critical ongoing projects.

He urged the President not to relent in ensuring fairness and equity for all Nigerians while noting the importance of a constitutional amendment to devolve more powers to the states.

Oba Falae, who was a career civil servant, served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under former military President, Gen.  Ibrahim Babangida.

He was also the Presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD)/All Peoples Party (APP) in the 1999 Presidential election.

He said: “We are delighted about what you are doing for our country, and we assure you of our continued support.

“We thank you for your visit to Akure in February 2024, and we believe it is proper to reciprocate your kind gesture. We appreciate this relationship, and we need to make it work in the interest of Nigeria.

“Mr. President, you are the leader of Nigeria now and the most important political figure in Africa.

“We expect you, given your legacy and pedigree, to lead our country with knowledge, courage, and integrity.

“We do not doubt that your tenure will mark a turning point in the history of our country. Under your leadership, Nigeria will be repositioned.

“We will stand by you as you make all efforts to change the Nigeria story for the better.

“Be assured Afenifere will not abandon you in fair or foul weather.

“As long as you remain faithful to the principles of fairness, integrity, and courage that are expected of you as the leader of Nigeria, we will stand by you.”

Other members of the delegation are Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, former governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Otunba Samuel Ibikunle, Basorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Korede Duyile,  Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi and Chief Lekan Alabi.

Others are Otunba Kole Omololu, Basorun Demola Folarin, Dare Babarinsa, Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN), Prince Alonge, Jare Ajayi, Capt. Adekunle Raji (rtd), Adedapo Abiola Adeyemi, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Oba Francis Olusola Alao,  Olugbon of Orile Igbon Oba Francis Olusola Alao, Chief Deji Wellington, Chief Femi Aluko and Olayiwola Popoola.

[TheNation]

The Federal Government through its Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have stated that the various claims by different individuals and groups on the alleged return of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, were wrong.

The government also challenged those who make this argument to provide evidence to justify their allegations, stressing that since President Bola Tinubu had declared the end of subsidy on petrol, the situation remains so.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, stressed that fuel subsidy was a sensitive issue, but noted that the government had made its position known on the matter.

When contacted for the reaction of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on the matter, his media aide, Nneamaka Okafor, provided a video clip where her boss reacted to the claims of the former Kaduna governor and marketers.

In the clip, Lokpobiri insisted that petrol subsidy had ceased to exist, and urged those who alleged that the government was still subsidising the commodity to provide evidence and facts.

The minister said, “I don’t want to delve into that issue. It is a very sensitive issue. It is better we get all the facts. As far as I’m concerned, the President removed the subsidy and it remains removed till today. Anybody who is saying that subsidy is being paid, it is left for the person to bring the facts and then we will talk about them.”

Asked whether the price being paid for petrol currently is determined by market forces, the minister replied, “It may not be determined by market forces but let us deal with the price as it is today.

“Every government has a duty to do certain things, not only in the petroleum sector but in several other sectors, to be able to cushion the effect and burden on Nigerians.”

The NNPC also said it was recovering its full cost on the petroleum products that it imports into Nigeria, and insisted that there was nothing like petrol subsidy any more. NNPC is the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria currently.

Their comments came as oil marketers backed the claim by the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, that the Federal Government had resumed the payment of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit also called petrol.

Oil dealers also pointed out that the current cost of PMS at filling stations should be around N900/litre if there were no subsidy on the commodity.

This price, according to them, is because of the recent appreciation of the naira against the United States dollar.

The pump price of petrol is currently between N600 and N700/litre depending on the area of purchase.

El-Rufai had told journalists in Maiduguri on Monday that many citizens were not aware that the government had reintroduced the PMS subsidy.

“The Federal Government is now subsidising fuel; many people don’t know this. It is the right policy. I have always supported the withdrawal of oil subsidies; but in the course of implementing the policy, the government realised that subsidy has to be back; right now, the government is paying a lot of money for subsidy, even more than before.

“You start implementing a policy because you are sure it is the right policy, but in the course of implementation, you come across bottlenecks, and you modify.

“The keyword in leadership, in my view, is pragmatism. You should be pragmatic. So when you make a policy, you start implementing it, and it doesn’t seem to work well. You should have the humility to stand back and say this is not working, and you modify it,” the former governor stated.

Marketers back El-Rufai

Reacting to this on Wednesday, oil dealers under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, stated that what the former governor said was not far from the truth.

They argued that the subsidy on petrol kept rising as the exchange rate of the United States dollar increased, stressing that the government spent more on the PMS subsidy at the time the dollar exchanged for about N1,500.

The marketers, however, noted that since the local currency started appreciating against the dollar, the subsidy on PMS had been on the decline.

This, according to them, is because the dollar remains the major component that influences the cost of petrol, as Nigeria imports the commodity through NNPC Ltd.

The Public Relations Officer, IPMAN, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, told our correspondent that petrol prices at the pumps should be around N900/litre.

“I’ve said before that the PMS subsidy had been returned, and the government said it was a lie. I said before that the government is subsidising PMS and it is on till this moment. I said before that what the government was doing was quasi-subsidy and that has not changed,” Ukadike stated.

When asked what would have been the landing cost of petrol at the depots and tank farms if there was no subsidy on the commodity, he replied, “Going by the steady appreciation of the naira against the dollar lately, the amount being spent as subsidy on petrol should be on the decline.

“Since the dollar is currently around N1,000, then PMS landing cost should be around N800/litre, while the cost at the pumps should be nearing N900/litre.”

No subsidy, NNPC insists

But the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, insisted that the national oil firm had stopped subsidising petrol.

“We are recovering our full costs from the products we import. It is important to emphasise that the subsidy is no longer in place. Contrary to allegations, the petrol subsidy has not been reinstated,” he stated.

Before the recent claims on the return of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC, Mele Kyari, had told state house correspondents after an audience with the President at the Aso Rock Villa a few months ago that fuel subsidy had not been returned.

“No subsidy whatsoever. We are recovering our full cost from the products that we import. We sell to the market, and we understand why the marketers are unable to import. We hope that they do it very quickly and these are some of the interventions the government is doing. There is no subsidy,” Kyari had stated.

His reaction at the time came after the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria confirmed the return of fuel subsidy.

PENGASSAN’s National President, Festus Osifo, had said the government still subsidised petrol due to the cost of crude oil in the international market and the exchange rate.

“They (government) are paying subsidies today. In reality, today, there is a subsidy because, as of when the earlier price was determined, the price of crude in the international market was around $80 for a barrel.

“But today, it has moved to about $93/94 per barrel for Brent crude. So, because it has moved, the price (of petroleum) also needed to move. The only reason the price will not move is when you can manage your exchange rate effectively and you can pump in supply and bring down the exchange rate.

“So, if the exchange rate comes down today, we will not be paying a subsidy. But with the exchange rate value and the price of crude oil in the international market, we have introduced the subsidy,” Osifo had explained.

In his inaugural address after taking the oath of office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced that the Federal Government was closing the curtains over the subsidy era.

“Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care, and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions. Petrol subsidy is gone!” Tinubu had declared.

The President’s announcement sparked the increase in fuel price from N197 to between N480 and N570. The pump price was subsequently reviewed upward to N617/litre and now sells for between N620 and N700/litre.

[Punch]

The Central Bank of Nigeria has specified the reasons behind the significant decrease in the country’s foreign exchange reserves. It clarified that the main objective was not solely to support the naira but rather to partially settle debts owed to creditors.

Emphasizing a hands-off approach, the bank expressed its intention to limit its interference in the market, advocating for prices to be determined organically through the interactions of buyers and sellers.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, provided this explanation during the ongoing International Monetary Fund/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C, United States.

Concerns arose among Nigerians due to the notable decline in the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, dropping by about $2.16bn in 29 days despite efforts to stabilize the naira.

Data from the CBN website revealed that as of April 15, 2024, the FX reserves stood at $32.29bn, significantly lower than the $34.45bn recorded on March 18, 2024.

There was a previous 43-day accumulation, where the reserves increased by $1.28bn between February 5 and March 18, 2024.

Cardoso, speaking at the Governor Talks event titled “Catalyzing Change: Reforming Monetary Policy in Nigeria,” reiterated that the recent shift in reserves was unrelated to defending the naira and pledged minimal intervention in the exchange market unless under exceptional circumstances.

He mentioned an expected upward trend in reserves with an additional $600m inflow soon.

Addressing the decline in reserves, Cardoso explained that it was a standard occurrence in countries where debts are due for repayment, reflecting the necessity to uphold credibility.

Noting the increased liquidity in forex, he disclosed that daily transactions reached $1bn within six months of his tenure, surpassing the $200m to $300m monthly average from previous administrations.

Cardoso acknowledged the challenging situation he inherited and the government’s concern about rising inflation, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the central bank and the Ministry of Finance to discontinue the practice of using Ways and Means.

[newsnow]

Ben Akabueze, director-general of the budget office of the federation, says investors are active players in corruption in Nigeria.

Akabueze spoke to TheCable on Tuesday in an interview session held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Washington DC.

Addressing questions on how the perception of corruption could discourage foreign investors, the chartered accountant said the issue is not peculiar to the West African nation.

He said investors are also part of the corruption problem bedevilling the country, highlighting the steps taken by the federal government to curtail corrupt practices.

“First, the challenge of corruption is not peculiar to Nigeria — it’s everywhere,” Akabueze said.

“Number two, when you say address, some of the investors themselves are active players in the corruption, so it’s not that they’re addressing corruption away from the investors

“Corruption is being addressed systematically — and that’s whether you’re an investor or you’re a public official, or you are a local player in any area — one key way of dealing with corruption is greater transparency, opening up the processes of government.

“And then, the government itself, also pulling back as much as possible and eliminating those opportunities for corruption, tightening the legislation.”

Akabueze said the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is actively prosecuting culprits, adding that “there’s a whistleblowers’ programme in place” to also curb the menace.

‘CULPRITS SHOULD BE REPORTED’

“So, if anyone has information, credible information about any corrupt practices, they’re welcome to report them,” the director-general said.

In its 2023 ranking, Transparency International (TI) said Nigeria recorded an improved in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by moving five places up to rank 145 out of 180 countries assessed.

Apart from moving five places up from its 150th position, the country also gained one point from its previous 24, ending up scoring 25 out of the 100 maximum points in the 2023 CPI results.

The CPI, arguably the most widely used global corruption ranking in the world, measures how corrupt each country’s public sector is perceived to be.

The ranking uses a scale of zero to 100 — where zero means “highly corrupt”, and 100 means “very clean”.

Going by the latest CPI, the perception of corruption is still high.

[Thecable]

Last Thursday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar doubled down on his allegation that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project is “a highway to fraud”. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election was countering claims by the Works Minister, Dave Umahi, whom he accused of dishonesty. “Umahi had announced that Hitech would fully fund the project, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then said that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit,” Atiku stated.

Shortly before Atiku’s response, Umahi had announced that the road project would cost N15.6 trillion ($13bn at an exchange rate of N1,200/$1), with an additional rail through the road to be costed separately. “The total budget of all 36 federation states for 2024 is about N14 trillion. If you add that of the FCT, the entire budget of all sub-nationals is N15.91 trillion,” Atiku argued, wondering why a single road project by the federal government would cost more than the budgets of all the subnational governments put together. He raised other posers. “Umahi had said in September 2023 that Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech had the money to construct the highway and would be PPP (Public-Private Partnership). Hitech was to build, operate, and transfer it back to the Nigerian government after years of tolling. It was based on this proposal that Hitech was picked. Why did Umahi then turn around to claim that it was not to be a PPP but that the government would pay 15%-30%?”

Incidentally, until Atiku’s intervention, I was also under the impression that the road would be constructed without any financial commitment from the federal government, based on what is in the public domain. While flagging off the project last September, Umahi had told Nigerians that the deal with Hitech Construction was on a PPP model. “Let me announce that this project is under PPP. The Hitech group are going to look for the money. They have already found the money and that is the good news because we don’t waste our time talking and holding meetings and wasting resources,” Umahi announced on 23 September 2023. “We are engaging seriously because we have seen the financial capacity and capability of Hitech, and this project is going to be delivered in phases. Any section that we complete, we will toll it and then business and transportation will start.”

But Umahi is now changing his story. “This administration never envisaged the project under Private Public Partnership. It has always been under engineering, procurement, construction and finance,” Umahi said last week. “And so, under this kind of arrangement, as you have on the Abuja to Makurdi road project, the federal government is required to pay a certain amount for counterpart funding.” The Minister then went on to cite some technical jargon to rationalize why a multibillion-dollar highway is shrouded in so much opacity.

Whereas the National Assembly approved N500 million for the project in the 2024 budget, according to Atiku, the federal government has released N1.06 trillion to the company, even when the total cost remans a matter of speculations. “If N15.6 trillion is for the road component alone, then the total cost could be far higher when the railway is included. We want to know the cost of the railway,” Atiku countered as many Nigerians compare the cost with similar highways in other countries. “The essence of competitive bidding is so that Nigerians can get the best value for money. It is so that you can compare prices and pick the company that can afford the project. It is wrong for him (Umahi) to have concluded that only Hitech could handle this project when such a project has been done by other reputable firms in the United States, China and South Africa.” The former vice president claimed that the Hitech promoter, Gilbert Chagoury has a business relationship with President Bola Tinubu. “Until I exposed the dubious nature of this project, no member of the National Assembly thought it wise to investigate. The total cost was never made known until now. The fact that there was no bidding was never made known until I blew the whistle.”

While Atiku may be directing his attacks at Umahi, it is obvious that his main target is President Tinubu. In the process, the former vice president has raised several fundamental questions. But for me, one suffices: the credibility of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) under the current administration. It’s beyond scandalous that the BPP has no say on a project of this magnitude that ordinarily provides opportunities for international bidders to drive the cost down through superior technology, experience, and expertise.

The objectives of establishing the BPP are contained in Section 4 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA). These include establishing pricing standards and benchmarks, as well as ensuring the application of fair, competitive, transparent and value for money standards for the procurement of public assets. Section 16(1)b of the PPA clearly provides that all procurements shall be conducted by open competitive bidding. But the BPP has since become irrelevant, with tales of compromised officials all over the place in Abuja. Meanwhile, on 19th January 2022, then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, issued a circular which provides that for works costing over N1.5 billion, the procurement method to be adopted shall be International/National Competitive Bidding.

There are just too many issues that do not add up on this Lagos-Calabar Highway project. As of today, Nigeria is not yet very experienced in the construction of concrete roads, so we need to know more about the capacity of Hitech in that regard. Then there is the issue of ‘Right of Way’. I am aware that some of the major power transmission projects awarded since the Obasanjo administration are still being stalled due to Right of Way acquisitions. One then wonders how the Right of Way for a road of 700 kilometres was acquired within a matter of weeks. I have no expertise in road construction, but should there not be an environmental impact assessment on this major project that was designed and awarded within seven months? More disturbing is that Umahi has been speaking more like the project engineer for Gilbert Chagoury than a Works Minister who should be promoting and defending the interest of Nigerians.

The Coastal Road Project is a necessity no doubt. And it is one that I would love to see constructed because the economic benefits are immense. I also have nothing against any company getting the contract. But the process of engaging Hitech as contractor for the road is against all international best practices. Perhaps it is time to scrap the BPP and we just go back to the era where government officials just award contracts without following any process.

The Challenge of Disabilities

Two weeks ago, I used the unpleasant experience of Debola Daniel (at the Lagos airport KFC) to write on the challenge of living with disabilities in Nigeria. Not surprisingly, the column elicited responses from several Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora. With his permission, I have decided to run the one by Mr Banji Fatoba because of his family’s experience and the efforts he and his wife are making to help others with similar challenges.

 
Dear Olusegun,

I read your article ‘Debola Daniel and the Inconvenient Truth’ with great interest. As a parent of two neurodivergent children navigating life in Nigeria, let me share my own experiences, which echo the struggles outlined in your piece. In recent years, my wife and I have faced numerous obstacles in ensuring our children receive the education and support they deserve. Despite our best efforts, both of our children have been kicked out of two private schools in Lekki, Lagos, solely due to their neurodivergent conditions. The discrimination and lack of understanding they encountered were disheartening and frustrating, to say the least.

One particularly distressing incident involved our daughter being barred from participating in ballet classes for an entire school term, despite us paying for the classes. Moreover, a teacher at one of the schools had the audacity to declare that our daughter was unable to learn, further exacerbating our anguish. In response, we were left with no choice but to withdraw her from the school and resort to homeschooling for two years. Despite the challenges inherent in homeschooling, we persevered, and I am proud to say that our daughter has made remarkable progress. She has not only learned to play the piano but has also developed a love for reading. These achievements serve as a testament to her resilience and the unwavering support of our family.

While Nigeria still has a long way to go in terms of providing adequate support and inclusivity for neurodivergent individuals, similar challenges exist even in more advanced countries like the United States based on my personal experiences. Although such occurrences may be uncommon, they serve as a stark reminder that the fight for equality and acceptance knows no geographical boundaries.

Meanwhile, my wife and I started a company called Bloom Buddy (www.thebloombuddy.com) to ensure that many other families do not have to go through this harrowing journey alone. We partnered with ‘Autism Speaks’, the largest Autism NGO in the world and launched the first Autism screening app designed for Nigeria and low-resourced communities. We also collaborate with the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders (CAND-Do) of the University of Lagos to create access to parents and caregivers.

In conclusion, I appreciate your efforts in shedding light on these issues, and I hope that by sharing my own experiences, we can collectively work towards creating a more inclusive society for all, regardless of neurodiversity or physical disability. Awareness is key to supporting people with disabilities and ensuring inclusion. I admire your outspoken conviction to promote this inclusion of those who are typically excluded. Lastly, here is a link to a blog post authored by my wife on the challenges neurodiverse and disabled children face in gaining access to education in Nigeria: https://shoutout.wix.com/so/07OwUz19E?languageTag=en&cid=b42e426e-4503-46b0-89cb-4b21c4fd268f.

A Note of Appreciation

I must express my appreciation to all the people who honoured us with their presence at our residence last Friday to mark my wife’s 50th birthday. Former Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, who arrived the country the previous night from Kigali, showed up. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State (with whom I was in the Christian Corpers Fellowship during the 1989/90 NYSC year) sent Senator Napoleon Bali to represent him. My gratitude also goes to Pastors Chinedu and Oby Ezekwesili, Pastors Evaristus and Ngozi Azodoh as well as Pastor Joke Joseph who were in the house as early as 8am for prayers and the 50-minute of praise/dance coordinated by music ministers, Kenneth Ozioma and Uche Okoro. Having refused to reveal who was funding the music (including the afternoon session by Leke Gospel Band), it was only after the ceremony that Uche told us Pastors Julius and Funke Abegunde paid for everything. May God continue to bless them and family. Later in the afternoon, the NEITI Executive Secretary, Orji Ogbonaya Orji was among several professional colleagues that were in the house. Of course, his predecessor, Waziri Adio was around with his wife, Sandra (‘Madam Metro’), as the chief hostess.

Special thanks to Father George Ehusani, Pastors Laolu and Olawunmi Akande, Pastors Lanre and Bimbo Oduola, Pastors Paul and Joy Amade, Pastors Dele and Lydia Jegede, Pastors Amaechi and Chinwe Azubuike, Pastors Williams and Ify Onidarafunmi, Pastors Dayo and Elizabeth Kayode, Pastors Seun and Tosin Afolayan. My appreciation also to Sonny and Aniema Offiong, Deji and Kemi Adesida, Ola and Eniola Awoniyi, Sonny and Florence Aragba-Akpore and others who were with us from the morning session. In the afternoon, Senator Bello Mandiya, Mrs Maryam Uwais, and Dr Kole Shettima spent considerable time with us. And so did Messrs Biodun Adeniyi, Paul Nwabuikwu, Muyiwa Adekeye, Jideoffor Adibe, Azu Ishiekwene, Dan Akpovwa, Lanre Lasisi, Yusuf Ali, Paul Ibe (and wife, Dorothy).

Other guests included Mr J.J. Omojuwa, Mr Tunde Ahmadu, Ms Lewa Ejila, Kazeem and Temitope Iwalesin, Mr Olawale Banmore, Mrs Onyinye Waniko, Mrs Angela Agboyinu, Dr Emmanuel Nwokorie, Mr Mike Leramo, Mrs Ronke Okezie, Ms Shade Enajekpo, Princess Hassana Onoyiveta, Mrs Sylvia Garuba, Dr Mrs Abiola, Mr and Mrs Attah Nwachukwu, Mrs Olayinka Fagbemiro, Mrs Angela Agboyinu, Mrs Florence Igwe, Mrs Eki Iyoke, Mrs Bosede Okuneye (my children’s ‘Daddy’s sister’), Mrs Beatrice Ayorinde, Mrs Modupe Ogundimu, Mr Yemi Adeniji, Mr John Oko, Mr Tola Ogunnbi, Mrs Julie Jackson and husband. There were also Patrick and Amaka Uzoma, Chinedu and Uche Eneh, Akintayo and Vivien Ayodele-Bamisaye, Patrick and Stella Uzu.

Having drawn the foregoing list from images captured by the photographer, I am aware that many names have been omitted. I plead their forgiveness. But let me also appreciate Messrs Chudi Offodile, Bisi Kazeem and Chiedu Ebie as well as Hon Florence Akinwale.

It was delightful that the Not Forgotten Initiative (NFI) teachers were the first to arrive our house at 7am last Friday to celebrate her. We appreciate them. Meanwhile, with support from their uncles, aunties and cousins, our children (unavoidably absent) raised a huge fund to give my wife a holiday in a Lagos resort from where I am writing my column this week. On Tuesday night, we were hosted to dinner by the chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr Remi Makanjuola and wife, at their Ikoyi residence. We cannot thank them enough for their support over the years. Yesterday, it was the turn of Mrs Biodun Martins and Mrs Ronke Kosoko to take us out for lunch.

Ordinarily, birthday celebration is a bit alien to me. I grew up with Christmas as the only period in the year worth looking forward to. New clothes and shoes. Rice and chicken. Bread and tea (what they now call beverage). My wife, of course, was used to celebrating birthdays. When our children were still young, she would take them to orphanages on their birthdays. And the moment they entered boarding school, birthday was no longer an issue in the house, especially with all of them born when schools would be in session. The first real discussion about birthday happened ten years ago when my wife was about turning 40. At the end, she asked that we donate the money to dig borehole for a Tunga community in Abuja. With that, I thought I could delete birthday from the family calendar. I was wrong. Since January, someone had become almost aggressive in saying, “I must celebrate my 50th birthday”. I had no choice but to make a concession. I believe my wife deserves to be celebrated for her role in the family and the underprivileged children she helps to provide free and quality education to.

For all the people who joined us last Friday and the numerous other well-wishers who sent messages, may things of joy never cease from our families.