OUR Father, we your children in Africa come to you this day, the eve of the May 25, Africa Liberation Day.

We have been enslaved and colonised. We have survived the genocide of our traducers who in Congo alone massacred 16 million of us and wiped out two thirds of our population in Namibia.

We also survived Apartheid and the pestilence of coups and criminal leadership. Thank you for giving us the ability to survive all these, including the continued exploitation and destabilisation of our continent. At this point, we drag before you the institutions of exploitation and dehumanisation in the continent; the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank and, their handmaid, the World Trade Organisation, WTO. Like doctors prescribing the same drugs for all ailments, all they have done for over four decades is force on the continent, subsidy removal, currency flotation, exploitative market forces, higher fuel prices, jobless growth, reduction in education funding and hyper-inflation.

Father, it is not for nothing you made us the source of humanity, the centre of the universe and the depository of natural resources. We do not take for granted the fact that over 4,000 years ago, we had the knowledge and ability to build pyramids with arithmetical accuracy and precision which still baffles the rest of humanity. We know that the founders of Western philosophy and builders of their civilization, including Plato and Herodotus, were pupils of Africa education having graduated from our universities in Ancient Egypt.

We know that the rise of Africans as one of the most educated groups in the United States is not by accident. May we develop the consciousness and ability to utilise such huge assets, to develop our continent.

The God of Nkrumah, Harriet Tubman, Winnie Mandela, Felix Moumie, Dedan Kimathi, Fanon and Malcolm X, lead us to victory over all persons, groups and nations perpetuating iniquities against the African people.

Give us victory over them as Toussaint Louverture and other liberation fighters militarily defeated France, the super power which strived to continue the enslavement of Haitians. Even now, the gangsters, forces of darkness and their minders continue to torment Haiti. May they fail. May African leaders and progressive forces across the universe, have the presence of mind and consciousness to intervene positively in Haiti and the rest of our continent.

Father, when Africans had few people to fight for them during slavery in the United States, you raised John Brown and his sons. When the forces of Apartheid were trying to overrun African countries just as Israel is striving to obliterate the Palestinians, you raised Fidel Castro and the Cubans. May Africa never be short of true allies.

Father, as we mark the 2024 Africa Day, the continent is engulfed in series of armed conflicts. Some, like that in Sudan, are due to prodigal children fed steroids by foreign powers. Some fires as those in Somalia and half a dozen countries in West Africa are set by religious elements dancing on the verge of lunacy. There are also the deliberate wars like that in Libya, engineered and stoked by the West which destroyed the African promise called Libya.

There are over 100 million illegal small arms and light weapons circulating in the continent, almost all manufactured outside Africa. Assist us to silence the guns. Let those who live by the gun, die by the gun. Let those who profiteer from war, know no peace; let them choke on the vomit of their profits. Generally, aid us to overcome the various conflicts and, set Africa firmly on the path of development.

Let there be peace in Africa as it is in Washington, London and Beijing. You said, blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called your children. We pray for all peace makers whether in Tel Aviv or Gaza.

We have not stolen other peoples’ lands, coveted their property or seized their children. We have not sought to own the sun or the moon. All we have tried to do in Africa, is to live on the beautiful land it has pleased you to give us. Our desires are to share salt and pepper amongst ourselves, have schools for our children, roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and medication to take of ourselves when we fall sick.

Father, you are the God that answereth by fire. You said it shall be the fire next time. Consume all those misruling Africa and their principals in the metropolis. Let all powers and principalities that plan to recolonise your beautiful continent be destroyed like the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah. Those who trouble Africa, trouble them. Those who cause us pains, cause them pains.

Father, a major challenge Africa has today are the attempts to expand military bases in Africa where foreign powers will expand their spheres of influence at our cost. We do not want our continent to be turned into theatres of international wars or test sites for new weapons. We recall the case of Cuba whose 116-square metre Guantanamo Base, the United States leased in 1903 for $2,000. Despite repeated demands in the last six decades, the tenant has refused to leave. While we pray in solidarity with Cuba to regain its territory, we pray that African countries will not fall victims of possessive spirits that roam the universe.

Finally father, we pray that the dreams of our ancestors as retold by Nkrumah on May 24, 1963 that our continent must unite, should come to pass. His words that day, continue to echo across our hills and valleys, especially when he said: “Unite we must. Without necessarily sacrificing our sovereignties, big or small, we can, here and now, forge a political union based on Defence, Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy, and a common Citizenship, an African currency, an African Monetary Zone and an African Central Bank. We must unite in order to achieve the full liberation of our continent. We need a common Defence system with an African High Command to ensure the stability and security of Africa. We have been charged with this sacred task by our own people, and we cannot betray their trust by failing them.” We pray Africans give heed to his words and take ‘Positive Action’ to bring them to fruition.

We pray that you bless Africa and all her well-wishers as we mark Africa Liberation Day, 2024. Ameen.

President, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has called for increased investments in the African continent to foster its rapid growth and development.

Speaking at the gathering of private sector leaders in Africa, the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, last week, Dangote emphasized that recent trends underscore Africa’s pivotal role as the future epicenter of global progress. 

In a statement, Dangote cautioned against the continent’s overreliance on raw material exports, advocating instead, for strategic investments that will propel indigenous industries.

He urged African nations to resist the urge to export raw materials but to nurture domestic manufacturing capabilities so as to reduce dependency on imported consumer goods.

Dangote said, “Looking ahead, Africa holds the key to its greatness. I’m not merely investing money but dedicating my entire being to this cause. In Africa, possibilities are boundless. It is like a scratch card; you won’t know what is inside unless you scratch it. For some of us, despite the boom of the capital market in the US, we didn’t really participate, rather we invested in Africa.”

[Punch]

Maimunatu Ibrahima has been sworn in as the first female speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament.

Ibrahima, who hails from Togo, was sworn in on Thursday at the second extraordinary session of the parliament in Kano.

She was nominated for the post by members of the parliament from Togo and was elected unopposed.

The ECOWAS parliament operates a rotational system for the speakership using an alphabetical order of countries.

Barau Jubrin, Nigeria’s deputy senate president, previously held the role before Ibrahima’s succession.

Jubrin was initially elected as the first deputy speaker at the inauguration of the sixth legislature of the ECOWAS parliament last month but had to act as speaker to avoid creating a vacuum of leadership after Togo’s absence at the session.

The French-speaking West African country was yet to conduct elections at the time to enable the nation to send its representatives to parliament.

The position was held last by Sierra Leone.

In her acceptance speech, Ibrahima thanked parliamentarians for electing her and assured that she would bring her wealth of experience to bear on the sub-regional parliament.

She also thanked the presidents of Togo, Nigeria, and the authorities of the heads of state for supporting the parliament.

“My priority is to work harmoniously with my colleagues to advance the integration of the West African sub-region,” she said.

Ibrahima previously served as the third deputy speaker in the fifth legislature of the ECOWAS parliament and has been a member since 2021.

[TheCable]

As the Tinubu administration approaches  the one year mark, it is important to  effect a review  of what has transpired  in the last twelve months.

At the level of sheer policy postures and pronouncements, much has been done and so much is also  being done, such that it is almost impossible to keep  pace .

In this narrative however, I have decided  to dwell on an unusual aspect of the last twelve months.

On this note, the thrust of my argument is this: Nigeria is a lucrative honeypot for external  actors and their local collaborators. It is a situation in which every achievement of  this administration translates into a loss for  external actors and their interests. These indeed are the various indices of the opposition which will continue to stalk this administration.

At the instinctual level, and unfortunately, the average reader is likely to view the opposition in terms of predictable variables like the: PDP, LP and possibly the various indices of civil society.

But this piece is not preoccupied with these.

Rather our attention  is focused on  the implications of the evolving dynamics  of Air Peace (AP) and the competition in the aviation industry.

It is instructive to recall here that, as soon as  AP ticked off  on the Lagos-Londonn route, the other  airlines came into some form of self-serving  epiphany. They changed tack through the  process  of fare reductions.

The implications of this on-going process are deeper than one may think. As long as Nigeria  was absent on the Lagos-London route the  route was something of a honey pot for the other airlines. It  was a sybarritic  situation in which all the other  airlines were busy enjoying themselves at the expense of Nigerians and Nigeria.

In my innocence I  thought  that the  only airline that  was benefitting from this bazaar of the Lagos- London  route was British Airways (BA) whose ancestors were  the original predators of what  passes for the Nigerian state. Little did I know that other Airlines like Airmaroc and Egyptair were also partakers of this largesse.

On this note, the mind remembers the goggled General, Sanni Abacha. In the light  of the inclement  interplay between his regime and Britain, British Airways was banned from Nigeria. But as  soon as  he died, BA resumed its lucrative foray into Nigeria. One can imagine how much BA must have lost in the light of that move by the General.

The  implication is that  for every omission or commision on the part of Nigeria, someone out there is smiling home with huge profits. Such forces and individuals constitute at one level the opposition that anyone who  occupies

Aso Rock, has to contend with.  Needless to say, our Nigeria is  a huge honeypot since we are  talking here of a huge  market  of 200 million Nigerians

The situation also partly explains why the naira will continue to go south since for most of, even our basic needs we depend heavily on the external realm. It also explains why anybody who occupies Aso Rock is not just up against the  usual opposition  at the domestic level, he is  also up against  the various indices of  opposition beyond Nigeria.

And here we are talking about hard-headed interests and zero-sum games in which what one entity loses, is gained by another  one.

This  brings to mind another major area in which over time, Nigeria continues to be a spectator in the scheme  of things.

Our specific reference here is the Nigerian oil industry. Nigeria continues to be passive in this industry. So passive that as an oil producing country there are  no backward linkages like refineries and petrochemicals. Even as I write, there are rumblings to the effect that, there are jitters out there. This is because, should Nigeria succceed in bringing on stream her own  refineries, very many jobs will be lost by refiners  in places like Rotterdam and South Korea. These are some of the entities who import refined oil to an oil producing  Nigeria. Again as regards petrochemicsks, should Nigeria come into her own in this vital  area, then out imports of raw  will redice drastically. In the light of what is  happening to Air Peace, we should expect a fight-back from relevant interests out there.

Very much the same thing can be said for our steel industry. Till date, it remains comatose. No thanks to international conspiracy ably aided by a wayward ruling class. This is invariably a  sad feature which stretches far back  to the dawn of our polirical independence.

Again, Nigeria’s attempts to come into her own in this vital  area will be resisted and vigorously too by  the relevant and extertnal forces out there in collaboration with their internal allies. So as PBAT  Tinubu settles into his second year in office, he will do well to remember and appreciate that he will be contending with various indices of the opposition at the external level. In various ways these have their tongues and fingers in the Nigerian honey-pot. They will not give up easily. Which is why, the  Tinubu presidency should give these self-serving and external forces a good run for their greed and avarice.

There is some hope however. This cautious optimism lies in the fact that, in  the course of  that historic outing in Abeokuta where Tinubu openly staked his claim to the Presidency he also pronunced with equal  gravity  on his place  in history. Specifically he opined that he would not want to be a footnote to the Nigerian narrative. So all said and done, it   is possible to contend  here that in the light of what can be regarded  as his self-conscious place in history; PBAT has his work cut out for him in critical and vital  areas of our national life like: the steel industry, our oil industry and of  course the Aviation  sector.

Success  in these various  areas can only mean that the Great Black Hope is ready to come into her own.

Crude oil theft in the Niger-Delta region has been a long-standing and challenging issue in Nigeria, leading to significant economic losses and environmental damage and degradation. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that revenues from oil are largely responsible for funding the entire country’s budget and development. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address such problems and challenges in other developed climes, and should be of interest to the Nigerian petroleum industry , if it intends to seriously address the long standing menace of crude oil theft, which seems to have defied solutions of past governments. This article explores and supports how the current government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could guide the industry to leverage AI technologies in tackling this festering crude oil theft effectively.

Nigeria is one of the largest oil-producing countries in Africa, with the Niger-Delta region being the heartbeat of its oil industry. However, the region has been plagued by pervasive crude oil theft for many years, with criminal syndicates siphoning millions of barrels of oil annually. This rampant theft not only leads to massive economic losses and deprivation for the Nigerian government and oil companies but also causes severe environmental damage.

AI analysts have commented on the massive deployment of the nascent technology in multi-sector industries across the world, and highlighting how the race of the deployment of AI in all aspects of production is disrupting technology while spending billions of dollars on AI Research and Development.

Although there is a dearth of the infrastructure such as power and water to support the efficient adoption of AI in Nigeria, but it is still imperative that the public, private sectors and the education institutions should collaborate on the effective adoption of AI and the supporting infrastructure put in place would that go along with it in Nigeria, in order to make the AI initiative realizable in ensuring that it curbs the loss of revenue accruing to the country.

For the government to seriously embark on putting a permanent end to this organized criminality of crude oil theft in Nigeria, it must as a matter of urgency consider the use of AI through some of the following mechanisms which the use of AI can enhance, such as detailed here under:

Monitoring and Surveillance: AI-powered drones and satellite imaging can be used to monitor oil pipelines and detect any anomalies or unauthorized activities in real-time. By analyzing the data collected by these technologies, authorities can identify potential theft hotspots and take proactive measures to prevent it.

Predictive Analytics: AI algorithms can analyze historical data on oil theft incidents, weather patterns, and social factors to predict future theft activities. By leveraging predictive analytics, law enforcement agencies can deploy resources more effectively and deter potential thieves before they strike.

Enhanced Security Systems: AI can be used to develop sophisticated security systems that can detect and track suspicious activities around oil installations. For example, facial recognition technology can help identify known criminals, while smart sensors can alert authorities to any unauthorized access to restricted areas.

Collaboration with Tech Companies: Nigeria can partner with local and international tech companies, some of whom participated in the recent National Artificial Intelligence Strategy session for Nigeria, that specialize in AI and cybersecurity to develop customized solutions for combating oil theft in the Niger-Delta region. By leveraging the expertise of these companies, Nigeria can stay ahead of sophisticated criminal networks and protect its oil resources more effectively.

Some of these technologies are not in any way a reinvention of the wheel, or blazing new trails. They are not new, but are already being used effectively in other oil producing countries like, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and the USA.

In Mexico, AI-powered drones have been used to monitor oil pipelines and detect illegal tapping, leading to a significant reduction in oil theft incidents.
The United States Coast Guard has employed AI algorithms to analyze maritime data and predict potential oil theft activities, allowing them to deploy resources more efficiently and combat illegal oil smuggling.

Saudi Arabia, as one of the largest oil-producing countries in the world, employs a variety of technologies and strategies to monitor its crude oil production effectively. The country has a sophisticated monitoring system in place to ensure the smooth operation of its oil fields and to prevent any disruptions or unauthorized activities. Here are some of the key methods Saudi Arabia uses to monitor its crude oil production:

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems: Saudi Arabia utilizes SCADA systems to monitor and control its oil production facilities in real-time. These systems collect data from various sensors and equipment across oil fields and pipelines, allowing operators to monitor production levels, detect any abnormalities, and respond promptly to any issues that may arise.

Remote Sensing Technologies: Saudi Arabia leverages remote sensing technologies, such as satellite imaging and drones, to monitor its oil fields and infrastructure from a distance. These technologies enable authorities to conduct regular inspections, detect any leaks or unauthorized activities, and ensure the security of oil production facilities.

Reservoir Monitoring: Saudi Arabia employs advanced reservoir monitoring techniques, such as downhole sensors and well logging tools, to assess the performance of its oil reservoirs and optimize production processes. By continuously monitoring reservoir conditions, Saudi Arabia can make informed decisions to maximize oil recovery and extend the lifespan of its oil fields.

Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence: Saudi Arabia has also started incorporating data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its oil production monitoring efforts. By analyzing large volumes of data generated from production operations, Saudi Arabia can identify trends, predict equipment failures, and optimize production processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

If there is a serious and deliberate commitment and the willingness to invest in the enumerated AI strategies highlighted above, Nigeria would have the unique opportunity to leverage AI to tackle crude oil theft in the Niger-Delta region effectively. It is also important to mention here that the insecurity in the region should also be addressed at the same time. Furthermore, by investing in AI technologies, enhancing surveillance and security systems, and fostering collaboration with tech companies, as earlier stated, Nigeria can protect its oil installations, resources, and effectively promote sustainable development in the entire country and meet its OPEC quota, which it has not been able to achieve in a long time.

Sonny Iroche is in Post Graduate Studies in Artificial Intelligence for Business at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, England, and was one of the participants in the recent Nigeria National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Workshop organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in Abuja, April 15-18, 2024

The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday asked kingmakers to name a new Emir sequel to its annulment of the 2019 emirate law enacted under the former state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje administration.

The state lawmakers, during plenary passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024.

Recall that in March 2020, Ganduje deposed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano over alleged disregard to lawful instructions from the office of the governor.

Ganduje, using the power in the 2019 law, divided the emirates into five and deposed Sanusi.

Aminu Ado Bayero was then crowned as the new Emir of Kano

However, today, Lawan Yan Gurasa, who sponsored the amended bill, told newsmen that Ado Bayero is no longer the Emir of Kano with the passage of the new legislation.

Gurasa said: “The bill has been sent to the governor for assent. Now, there is no longer an active Emir in Kano in all the five emirates — Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye.

“The law now provides the governor to call on the traditional kingmakers to choose a new king.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) have taken over the palace of the Emir since the amended bill was passed by the lawmakers.

Real Madrid have been named as the most valuable football club in the world by Forbes for the third year in a row, in view of the club’s fortunes valued at 6.6 billion dollars.

According to the list, Real Madrid are on top with a market value of $6.6 billion (€6.08 billion), with Manchester United closely trailing them at $6.55 billion (€6.04 billion).

Barcelona are an entire billion behind their rivals, sitting at a market value of $5.6 billion (€5.16 billion).

This valuation has certainly dropped across the last few years, especially following the departure of Lionel Messi and other marketable superstars.

Liverpool and Manchester City complete the top five, with their respective market values sitting at $5.37 billion (€4.95 billion) and $5.1 billion (€4.7 billion).

Bayern Munich, PSG, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal round off the top ten list, with values ranging from $5 billion to $2.6 billion.

No. 1 • $6.6 billion
Real Madrid

No. 2 • $6.55 billion
Manchester United

No. 3 • $5.6 billion
Barcelona

No. 4 • $5.37 billion
Liverpool

No. 5 • $5.1 billion
Manchester City

No. 6 • $5 billion
Bayern Munich

No. 7 • $4.4 billion
Paris Saint-Germain

No. 8 • $3.2 billion
Tottenham Hotspur

No. 10 • $2.6 billion
Arsenal

Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano, on Thursday, shared what he discussed with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

While speaking at the ongoing Rivers Economic and Investment Summit in Port Harcourt, Sanusi, who was the keynote speaker at the event, said he told the governor that a lot of young people with first-class degrees are unemployed because they have not been equipped with the right skills.

He said: “The key to economic development is human capital. Investing in people is paramount. Rivers State needs robust education and skills training programmes that essentially aim to prepare youths to be the future for us.

“I was speaking to the governor today, telling him that I’m sure he, as I do, and all of us, have hundreds of CVs of young people who have first class degrees. Unfortunately, they cannot do anything to get a formal job because they have not been equipped with the right skills for this economy.”

He commended the Fubara administration for seeking to chart a new path for growth and prosperity.

He said as an oil-rich state, the natural resource was not enough to turn the fortunes of Rivers around but such feat could be achieved through purposeful leadership.

The summit is Sanusi’s first public appearance since the news of the move to reinstate to the throne broke.

Daily Trust had reported how the Kano Assembly repealed the law which ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used to dethrone  Sanusi in 2020.

Former Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has disclosed the reason behind his visit to Chelsea’s training ground last week.

Fabregas, currently managing Como, also dispelled speculations that he might be in line to take over the managerial role following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.

Speaking on BBC Sounds’ Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas said on Wednesday, “It’s difficult sometimes to acknowledge or have an opinion when you are not there to see what happened.

“Look, I was there actually. Funnily enough, I went to London on the weekend.

“First of all, I had a good relationship with Mauricio. When we played against them I always felt that he was a really nice guy, a gentleman.

“So I felt they won four games in a row, that was Friday [that he visited], two days before the end of the season, so everything was fun and good and relaxed around the training ground, last game of the season.”

[DailyPost]

The Cross River State Police Command on Thursday has cordoned off the State House of Assembly complex.

This was a sequel to the plot on Wednesday by 17 members of the 25-man assembly to remove the Speaker, Elvert Anyambem over allegations bordering on financial malfeasance.

Confirming the development to The PUNCH, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo said the decision to cordon off the Assembly complex by the police was to prevent the breakdown of law and order across the state.

Recall that 17 members of the Assembly on Wednesday purportedly removed the Speaker over sundry allegations, but the Speaker, through his Chief Press Secretary, Matthew Okache, insisted that he remains the Speaker as there’s no vacancy in the office.

Although the 17 lawmakers, as at the time of filing this report have not named a replacement for the allegedly impeached Anyambem, because, according to them, they are waiting for the governor of the state, Bassey Otu.

Ayambem was reportedly impeached in the early hours of Wednesday by his colleagues over “alleged gross misconduct and administrative high handedness,” while the mace, being the symbol of authority of the House, was taken away after the impeachment degenerated into a fracas, leading to a free-for-all in the hallowed chamber of the Assembly.

The PUNCH gathered that over 20 members of the Assembly reportedly signed up for Anyambem’s impeachment; just as it was gathered that members of the House are presently meeting outside the Assembly to elect a new Speaker.

[Punch]