President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is focused on delivering tangible results and making a positive difference in the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, education and long-term economic stability. 

At a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, the President emphasised that he is not in office for personal gain but to serve the country.

''I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me, '' the President, who was a former senator, told the meeting after a session of banters and handshakes with former parliamentary colleagues.

The meeting was attended by 16 former presiding officers, including former senate presidents, former speakers of the House of Representatives, former deputy senate presidents, and former deputy speakers of the House of Representatives. 

The President acknowledged the support and encouragement from the Forum members, irrespective of party affiliations, and implored them to continue fostering unity and camaraderie to achieve national development goals. 

Reflecting on the complex nature of legislative activities, constitutional reviews, and nation-building processes, the President expressed confidence that Nigeria can progress through collaboration and inclusiveness. 

''Regardless of party differences of the past and difficulty of the present, you still believe in me and what we all plan for this country. 

''I thank you very much; no one will do it better than us. I have travelled the world and seen how developed countries have done it for themselves through collaboration, inclusiveness and financial structure. 

''Yes, there is hardship, but how did we get here? What did we do when we had very high crude production?”

“We neglected our communities; we neglected the goose that lays the golden eggs; we forgot even to give them a good standard of living. 

''We forgot to educate our children. Go round and look at the dilapidated schools. The education environment must be decent enough for pupils to want to learn. 

''We can complain from now till eternity that the school enrolment is low. But did we do anything to encourage the enrolment process? We must ask ourselves because it is a matter of conscience,'' he said. 

The President outlined his administration's focus on addressing these challenges, including improving infrastructure, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, exploring alternative energy sources and providing energy security.

''We have come a long way, and I promise we must do our best,'' he said. 

He urged the former presiding officers to continue sharing their wealth of experience in nation-building and governance, noting that they were uniquely positioned to provide "clear interpretations of where we are" to Nigerians.

Senator Nnamani, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, expressed full support for President Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to address Nigeria's pressing challenges. 

He noted that the meeting was the president's first official engagement with the group since his assumption of office. Nnamani congratulated the President.

''Mr President, history has never been the burden of one man alone, but some are called to meet a special share of its challenges. 

''Though not of your creation, it has fallen onto you to end the pervasive insecurity across the nation, the economic downturn that has resulted in hunger and anger, infrastructural decay due to years of neglect and myriads of other national challenges. 

''As difficult as these problems are, we believe that with your experience, you can face the difficulties and surmount them. 

''What gives us more hope is the courage with which you handled the issue of Local government autonomy, which has won you open admiration from friends and foes alike. 

''We are convinced that you will dig in deeper again to eradicate these problems and restore Nigerians pride of place among the comity of nations,'' the former senate president said. 

He added that the group has seen what elite complacency has caused nations and has resolved to unite across all divides to render whatever assistance it may be called upon to contribute to nation-building and ensuring enduring prosperity for our citizens. 

''It is in this light and in the national interest that we wish to pledge our support as you work to restore national security, build an economy that works for all and strengthen the bond of unity amongst our disparate peoples, '' he said. 

Nnamani also commended the President for his trust in appointing some of their members to critical national positions, recognising their vital role in nation-building.

Bayo Onanuga 

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy) 

President Tinubu with Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, a former speaker of the House of Representatives. Others in the picture, L-R, are Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, Sen Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, and Rt Hon Sabur Oladimeji Bankole during the President’s meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly on Friday, September 20, 2024.

President Tinubu with  Rt Hon Agunwa Anaekwe. Others in the picture Rt Hon Salisu Buhari, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, Rt Hon Sabur Oladimeji Bankole, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara and Sen Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege,  during the President’s meeting with the  Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly on Friday, September 20, 2024.

President Tinubu with Sen Ken Nnamani. Others in the picture are Rt Hon Agunwa Anaekwe. Others in the picture are Rt Hon Salisu Buhari, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, Rt Hon Sabur Oladimeji Bankole, during the President’s meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly on Friday, September 20, 2024.

President Tinubu with Senator Ameh Ebute. Others in the picture are Sen Anyim Pius Anyim and  Sen Adolphus Wabara, during the President’s meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly on Friday, September 20, 2024.

A policy instrument is a tool or mechanism used by government, organisations, or institutions to implement and achieve their policy goals and objectives. Ideally, for a national government, the main objective of policy implementation is the achievement of national growth and development. Culture, on the other hand, is defined as the shared values, beliefs, customs, traditions, and practices that define a group of people or a society. Culture explains how people respond to policy instruments thereby determining their effectiveness or otherwise in the achievement of policy targets. In effect, culture stands as a mediator between policy instruments and the achievement of set objectives. When a policy is formulated without due attention to the impact of culture, such policy is bound to fail.

Using the analogy of a typical input-process-output model, policy instrument represents the input, culture is the process, and policy objective is the output. In order to achieve a particular outcome, the appropriate input and process must be selected. This means every output is input-and process-specific. For instance, there are specific policy instruments and specific culture that guarantee national development. Any mismatch in the input-process-output linkage is a recipe for failure. In the national development example, the prevailing culture MUST embody transparency, accountability, responsibility, trust, equity, and justice. Without these ingredients, any reference to national development is a joke.

Projecting the foregoing suppositions on the Nigerian society presents an interesting scenario. The dominant culture in Nigeria is elitism. This culture is characterized by ostentation, exclusivity, superiority complex, disdain for non-elites, limited social mobility, concentration of power and wealth, and lack of accountability. Given the privileges at the disposal of people in this class, the aspiration of almost everyone is to get into the class. So, an average Nigerian spends his or her waking hours working at decoding the 'encrypted' access to the elitist class.

The manifestation of the culture of elitism is found in every area of the Nigerian life. If you've been around for a while you've probably heard someone, during an argument, say to another person, "Do you know who I am?" or "Do you think I am your mate?" or "I will deal with you!" To show the extent to which the class 'thing' has permeated our society, sometimes, these statement are made by people on the lowest rung of the societal ladder.
We are a people governed by external locus of control. Our happiness, satisfaction, desires, sadness, glow or gloom, just anything at all, is others-centred. The reason we do things is either to impress or oppress others. In fact, one of our musicians captured the sensibility of an average Nigerian with the lyrics - "As e dey pain dem, e dey sweet us and as e dey sweet us, e dey pain dem." That is our culture in songs!

A few weeks ago, one of our neighbours told me that PHCN is moving our Estate to Band A. I said to her, "I didn't know about it. Oh, was that why they've been giving us regular power supply?" That got me thinking and I saw the impact of culture on the successful implementation of increased tariff by NERC. For a long while NERC/PHCN faced stiff opposition to tariff increase from consumers. However, with the classification of consumers into different bands, all forms of opposition ceased. In fact, belonging to Band A has become a bragging right.
Unfortunately, our culture of elitism is antithetical to the ideals of national growth and development. National development requires an environment of transparency, accountability, responsibility, trust, equity, and justice, which are incompatible with the elements of our elitist culture. This is why national development has been a mirage. We need a cultural revolution. How to bring it about is the BIG QUESTION. Some people have argued for a change of the Constitution. Others say, breaking up the country into its constituent regions is the solution. One thing is clear, there is no easy way because those benefiting from the current dysfunctional culture will not let go without a 'contest.'

I have just read a most sensational story about the EFCC saying it is still looking for Bello with a view to arraigning him next Thursday. This afterthought step is most unprofessional for God's sake.

I want to believe that the EFCC's Executive Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, a brilliant lawyer and regulatory compliance consultant who had himself been a former Secretary to the Commission and also Chief of Staff to the then Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, was not aware of this great solecism. It is everywhere on the internet, traditional and social media how the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, voluntarily physically submitted himself to the EFCC's headquarters and waited for over three hours to be interviewed.

Pictures showed that he even met physically with the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Mr Michael Nzekwe (himself a senior lawyer and experienced investigator), but that he was told to go home; only for the same EFCC to lay siege much later on the Kogi State government lodge in Abuja, allegedly seeking to arrest the same Bello who had earlier in the day voluntarily submitted himself for interrogation. It just does not add up. And it just does not make sense to me at all.

Is it that the EFCC was gravely taken aback by the sudden and unexpected appearance in their office of Bello whom it had been looking for since April this year? Or is it that the Commission felt short-changed and belittled by not having the last laugh, pleasure and self-satiation and glorification of physically arresting, chaining and embarrassing Bello so as to later gloat over it in the public domain?

I do not and cannot understand this curious twist which appears more like a drama movie piece from Baba Sala's Alawada Kerikeri histrionic stable. Why this sensational media trial, a needless warped investigative stratagem devoid of hallowed professionalism which I have condemned over the years? I advise the Chairman, Olukoyede, to immediately investigate his officers over this faux pas and bring them to book for embarrassing the EFCC and subjecting Nigeria's image to the mud before global circles. Yahaya Bello should go to court and defend himself of the allegations against him, whether malicious, false or well founded.

That is the way to go. But the EFCC should also allow Bello have his day in court like other Nigerian citizens under a conducive atmosphere devoid of media trial, harassment and intimidation so as to ensure his fair trial.

Afterall, the Nigerian criminal justice system remains the accusatorial Anglo-Saxon model (where a citizen’s innocence is presumed); as against the Inquisitorial French model (where his guilty is presumed).

This presumption of innocence has been entrenched in section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. A media trial such as we have witnessed since April this year violently detracts and derogates from fair trial as it tars an otherwise innocent accused person with an already guilty paintbrush of shame, odium, obloquy, derision and dehumanization even before he has been arraigned, tried and found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. It should NEVER BE.

Former Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi has commended Ademola Lookman for choosing Nigeria over England whilst still at his prime.

Lookman, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, represented the European country at youth level.

The 26-year-old was part of the England squad that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The winger’s request to represent Nigeria was approved by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in February 2022.

The Atalanta star has quickly established himself as one of the key stars in the Super Eagles.

Lookman, who won the UEFA Europa League title with Atalanta last season is the favourite to win the CAF African Player of the Year award.

Mikel believed the player made the right decision at the right time.

“Players have to wait for a while before they decide they want to represent their African root. I genuinely think it shouldn’t be that way,” Mikel said on BeIN Sports.

“If you have decided where you want to play. If you decide you want to play for England, France or Germany, you have to wait, if you don’t get called up that’s your decision.

“If you are 20-year-old, make your decision, don’t wait until you are 26, 28. Don’t wait until you are past your best and we become a second option.

“I think Ademola Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly to represent Nigeria, and he’s done really well. He played well last season and he’s such a fantastic player.”

[DailyPost]

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Port Harcourt International Airport in Nigeria have been recognized by the Airport Council International (ACI Africa) for their exceptional dedication to AIRPORT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE. During the Gala Night at the 33rd Annual General Assembly of ACI Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, both airports were honoured with plaques.

The awards were presented by the ACI Africa Secretary-General, Ali Tounsi, and President, ACI Africa, Emmanuel Chaves.

These prestigious awards are a testament to the unwavering commitment and hard work of everyone involved in ensuring excellence in airport emergency management and resilience, especially the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN. Nigeria's aviation sector can take pride in this achievement, which underscores the dedication to providing secure and efficient travel experiences.

Tunde Moshood
SA Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

Nigerian-born UFC star, Israel Adesanya, has placed a $10,000 stake on two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, in his IBF heavyweight title fight against Daniel Dubois.

The title fight is scheduled for September 21, 2024, at the Wembley Stadium, England.

The highly anticipated all-British clash will see 96,000 fans create an electric atmosphere at the venue familiar to Joshua but a new territory for Dubois.

This will be Dubois’ first fight at England’s national stadium, adding to the pressure on him and his team, led by trainer Don Charles.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Adesanya shared a picture of his stake placed on September 17, 2024, with the inscriptions, “Dubois, Daniel – Joshua, Anthony.”

“ÒGÚN This fight got beef…grab the #stake sauce,” the post read.

Adesanya’s bet showed that he picked Joshua as the winner, to win between the 10th and 12th rounds, with an estimated payout of $50,000.

However, Dubois had boldly declared his intention to knock out Joshua.

The 26-year-old Briton, who brands himself as “a good destroyer,” is confident he can deliver only the second knockout defeat of Joshua’s professional career.

“I aim to knock him out. That’s the programme. That’s the mindset; that’s the intention coming into this fight,” Dubois told Sky Sports.

“I’m going to focus my whole life on destroying him and just being a good destroyer, a good conqueror. Don’t wait. Go out there. Smash him.”

Joshua, 33, is coming off four straight wins, including a knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

THE clatter in the hall went dead. Silence enveloped the gathering. What was now heard was the thud of boots. It grew louder as a uniform-clad personnel marched in through the door. Stretched before him was a big flag. He marched determinedly to the dais. Stopped before a solemn-faced Alfredo Miranda, the Mexican Ambassador in Nigeria. He handed over the vertically striped tricolour of green, white and red flag. The event was to mark the Mexican War of Independence which began 214 years ago.

The Mexican national flag, the Bandera de Mexico, was handed over to the Ambassador in Abuja this night of Sunday, September 15, 2024 in a gathering of mostly ambassadors accredited to Nigeria.

The flag also has a central coat of arms made up of an eagle, a cactus and a serpent. It is the recall of an Aztec legend of a golden eagle sitting on a cactus while devouring a serpent.

Ambassador Miranda made a declaration, handed the flag back to the uniformed personnel who after a number of sharp military turns, marched out of the hall.

This ceremony was also performed simultaneously in Mexico by President Andre Lopaz Obrador, all mayors in the country and in all Mexican missions across the universe.

It is the dramatisation of the scene on September 15, 1810 when a priest, Miguel Hildago y Costilla in the poor town of Dolores, rang the parish bell to summon the town flock to mass. But, rather than the usual service, Father Hildago told his congregation to revolt. He then issued a call to arms, the Grito de Dolores. His declaration of “down with bad government” was re-echoed from balconies. His small congregation armed themselves with whatever weapons were available, including work tools, bows and arrows. They marched through Dolores to other towns, sacking government officials, smashing structures and setting prisoners free. The ever-swelling mass of the people was more a movement than an army, but they put the royalist army to flight.

Mexico was one of the best human civilisations, but had been destroyed by Spanish colonialists. Now the people, angered by economic inequality, lopsided land distribution and unrepresentative state institutions, wanted their country back by any means necessary.

Spain had assumed that Mexico, which it called Viceroyalty of New Spain, would forever be part of its territory.

Eventually, Hidalgo and some leaders of the liberation movement were captured and executed. Their heads were severed and hung in public to scare other liberation fighters. But that did not end the struggle, rather, it propelled it until September 27, 1821 when the liberation fighters marched triumphant into Mexico City. The next day, they proclaimed the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire. Eventually, the country adopted the name, United Mexican States.

The eleven-year war ended 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, and established a unique Mexican identity. But defeated Spain would not accept the new reality; so for another decade, it refused to recognise Mexico as a separate and independent country with sovereign rights.

The story of Mexico is not necessarily that of colonialism, heroic resistance and the large scale seizure or theft of its territories by the United States. It is more of the tragic human loss of one of the most sophisticated and beautiful civilizations in human history which had the potentials of taking human development in a different direction from the alienation and modernism we have today.

It is all the more painful to realise that the destruction of such a great civilisation was done by a people who by their own confession, were far less civilised and developed.

Ambassador Miranda in an August 12, 2024 paper at the International Conference to End Colonialism in the World held in Abuja, quoted two of such Spanish confessions by the invading Spanish forces.

The first is by Spanish soldier and historian, Bernal Diaz del Castillo who wrote: “We arrived at the wide causeway and headed towards Estapalapa. And from the moment we saw so many cities and towns populated in the water, and on firm land other large settlements, and that straight causeway going to Mexico, we were amazed, and we said it seemed like the things of enchantment told in the book of Amadís, for the great towers… and buildings they had in the water, all made of stone, and some of our soldiers even said that what they saw seemed like a dream…”.

The leader of the conquering Spanish military, Hernan Cortés, in a letter to the King of Spain, wrote: “There are very large cities with marvellous buildings and great trade and wealth, among which there is one more marvellous and rich than all others, called Tenustitlan, which is, by wonderful art, built over a large lagoon…”.

It is this enchanting civilisation the Spanish invaders whose primary motives were loot and territory, destroyed.

Miranda said of that irrecoverable destruction: “After nearly three months of an implacable siege and a resistance as heroic as it was futile, the European invaders triumphantly entered the Aztec capital and immediately began the physical destruction of the city. Temples and palaces were demolished, and their stones were used to erect churches, many built on the foundations of Tenochca pyramids, and residences or houses for the conquerors. In this painful way, Tenochtitlán (Mexican central city) began to transform into Mexico City, which from its inception was the capital of a much vaster empire that replaced New Spain.”

Thus, began the nightmarish 300 years of Mexican colonisation and decimation. Bulgarian-born Professor of History, 94-year-old Enrique Semo, famous author of  The History Of Capitalism In Mexico, wrote about the effects of the invasion on the Mexican people. In his The Conquest, he wrote that the Mexican populace was decimated not just by the invasion and epidemics, but also by “slavery, mistreatment, famines, consequent physical weakening, as well as loss of will to live.”

As Walter Rodney, author of the famous 1972 book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, noted: “Colonialism had only one hand- it was a one-armed bandit.” One of the best illustrations of the criminal nature and banditry that is colonialism, was the invasion of Mexico.

Ambassador Miranda, speaking on his country’s past said: “As we reflect on this complex history, we acknowledge the strength and ingenuity of our ancestors, who forged a path through adversity to create a vibrant and diverse society. It is this enduring legacy that inspires us to continue striving for justice, equality, and the preservation of our cultural identity”.

As the night wore on at the Mexican Embassy with polite discussions, those events 214 years ago, weighed on my mind. I reflected on how wonderful the world might have been without the scourges of colonialism and neo-colonialism.

Victor Boniface, Super Eagles striker, has taken to social media to share an inspirational anecdote about his journey from paying “N30” to watch UEFA Champions League (UCL) games in Akure to making his debut in the competition.

The 23-year-old striker, raised in Akure, Ondo, made his UCL debut on Thursday in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 away victory over Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

He played 62 minutes in the encounter before he was substituted for Patrik Schick.

Boniface was pivotal in Leverkusen’s second goal with a crafty, disguised pass to Jeremie Fripong before the wingback laid a cross for Alejandro Grimaldo, who tapped in.

In a tweet on his X account after the game, the striker recounted his change of fortune from watching UCL matches at local viewing centres to basking in the competition’s electrifying atmosphere.

“From paying N30 to watch Champions League football for night back then for 323 army barrack Akure, to playing my first Champions League game. Proud of this moment,” Boniface wrote.

Boniface left Nigeria permanently in 2019. He joined Bodo/Glimt in Sweden from Real Sapphire Academy in Lagos.

Two Eliteserien league titles later, he left for Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Super League, where he continued to improve. He was the joint top scorer in the 2022/23 Europa League with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford before leaving after one season to join Leverkusen.

Boniface was an integral member of the Leverkusen team that went unbeaten in domestic competitions last season.

He has notched up three goals and one assist in five appearances this season. He is currently on 24 goals and 11 assists in his 39-match Bayer Leverkusen career.

[TheCable]

It is a terrible thing when a man’s expectations are cut off. Proverbs 23: 18 says: “For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (King James version). Proverbs 24: 14 also says: “So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off”. I don’t now know where preachers, including yours truly, found the addition “the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off”! May your expectations not be cut off!

The scripture simply says our expectation shall not be cut off, be they righteous, be they otherwise – so I suppose! But let us for a moment assume that this scripture refers only to the righteous, how do we now explain the fact that the expectations of the vast majority of Nigerians concerning the Dangote Refinery now appear to have been cut off? We are touted as the second most prayerful country in the whole world! Is it that we are religious without being righteous? Did we set our expectations too high? Were we unrealistic in our expectations

What are those expectations, to start with? One: That once the Dangote Refinery comes on stream, Nigerians will begin to enjoy cheap petrol. One of my fellow pastors even vowed that the price of a litre of petrol will crash to what operated during the Jonathan era (N187 per liter) once Dangote begins to pump out Made-in-Nigeria petrol! Two: That the coming on stream of Dangote petrol will signal an end to the perennial scarcity of the commodity and that petrol will flow yanfu-yanfu from all the filling stations!

No queues! No bribing of petrol station attendants! No keeping vigils at petrol stations! No buying of black market petrol at cut-throat prices! Motorists will just drive in into filling stations, have their fill and drive out with ease! No tension! No stress! No hassles! Aliko Dangote himself was quoted as saying that his refinery will bring an end to fuel importation and the strain on the Naira. The depreciation of the Naira is the major cause of escalating cost of goods and services all over the place.

None of these expectations has materialised even as the long-awaited streaming of the Dangote Refinery took off the ground this week. Rather, the sad news that Nigerians received was that Dangote petrol will cost more than imported petrol! Fuel scarcity has not only returned, the filling stations are empty. Trust Nigerians, rather than sell the products they have at the moment at the prevailing price, Shylock fuel station owners prefer to hoard the commodity and wait for the new price regime to take effect for them to make a kill.

Before this new Dangote Refinery wahala, I bought fuel at one NNPC filling station at N855 per litre. Now, with Dangote fuel, a litre will cost N950 at NNPC stations in Lagos. What this means is that other filling stations in Lagos will sell above that price. Usually, the five or so oil majors sell at between 30 and 50 Naira above the NNPC price while independent marketers sell at between 100 and 300 Naira above the NNPC benchmark. As we move farther away from Lagos, the price increases. In many places as we speak – that is, before the coming on stream of Dangote fuel – a litre of petrol sells for as high as 1,500 Naira or even more, especially in the black market.

Now that the official price hovers around N1000 per litre in Lagos, your guess is as good as mine concerning what to expect in the hinterland. The coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery ought to be good news that should see the dollar crash and the Naira make appreciable gains on it; the contrary, unfortunately, has been the case as the Naira continues its downward slide at both the official and black market, inching close to N1700 to a dollar. And with the NNPC benchmarking its sale of crude to Dangote on the official foreign exchange rate (which is often higher than even the black market rate), the vagaries of fluctuations on the market will continually affect the cost of petrol.

Why have the expectations of Nigerians over the Dangote Refinery been cut off? One explanation is that the crude oil the refinery is still using was imported; so the vagaries of foreign exchange volatility has come into play. When the refinery begins to buy crude from the NNPC in Naira, we should expect that to have a salutary effect on the price of fuel. Another expectation for those who believe! The discrepancies in the figures released by Dangote and NNPC over the price at which the latter lifted petrol from the former further speaks to the opaqueness and lack of transparency in the oily business of making petrol available to Nigerians.

Between Dangote and NNPC, it is difficult to know who to believe in this blame game that leaves much to be desired. If NNPC becomes the sole off-taker of Dangote’s petrol, what becomes of the independent marketers? Buying from the NNPC leaves them with no chance of competing favourably in an open market. Should they resort to importation, the same problem we thought the Dangote Refinery has helped us resolve rears its ugly head again.

The problems bedevilling the oil sector are hydra-headed, such that the Dangote Refinery alone cannot solve. There is the problem of aging infrastructure; lack of investment in the sector, compelling the oil majors to disinvest; the problems of corruption and sabotage, vandalization of pipelines and oil theft; a Petroleum Industry Act that was late in coming, and insecurity, to mention but a few.

Why are the four government-owned refineries not working? Why may they never work, if we are to believe the statements of former President Olusegun Obasanjo? Since the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration came on stream, it has serially reneged on the datelines it gave for the refineries to roar back to life. Why?

How do we solve the problem of smuggling of petroleum products across the border? Cheap petrol here subsidizes our neighbours. The more they smuggle the commodity across the border, the more losses we incur. We must factor them into the equation if we are ever to solve this problem. Why have we not taken advantage of the vast market begging to be tapped around us? This is an adversity that we ought to have translated into opportunity a long time ago.

Now, the solution does not lie in Dangote. A monopolist will always bare its fangs. Seeing the opportunity, it will not resist sinking its fangs in your skin. Capitalists are shylocks. William Shakespeare demonstrates this very clearly in his character, Shylock, in Merchant of Venice. We cannot place the destiny of an entire nation in the hands of one man. Our subsisting experience with this man does not recommend such confidence. More refineries must come on board. Where are the modular refineries? Tinubu must endure every disappointment to ensure that the government’s four refineries roar back to life. More entrepreneurs should consider going into the downstream sector of the oil business. We have not only the market of the west African subregion at our feet but Europe’s gas market as well.

The Tinubu administration must abandon its knee jerk economic policies of tax, more tax, and still more tax and settle down to plan serious economic development programmes and policies. Managing and reinflating a deflated economy, even if that is what they inherited from a wasteful and decadent Muhammadu Buhari administration, is not rocket science. The three components we must adopt are: reducing wasteful and unnecessary expenditure, fighting corruption and blocking leakages in the system (which the administration is not doing enough); increasing expenditure by discovering new sources of income to create wealth (which it is embarking upon in the wrong direction), and stemming a bloated bureaucracy in favour of a lean and efficient administration (which it is also not doing as we speak).

Removing subsidies everywhere, imposing and hiking taxes on every conceivable item is not the same thing as creating new wealth; it is bare-faced picking the pockets of an already traumatised citizenry. Why should the Tinubu administration become notorious as a government of pick-pockets? A people taxed to death and sapped of energy, as the vast majority of Nigerians are at the moment, cannot be expected to help anyone build a prosperous and viril economy.

FEEDBACK

Good morning, Mr. Bola Bolawole, my Fajuyi Hall adjacent room-mate while at Unife (I read Geology) and, later, you were my Editor at The PUNCH. You influenced my being employed then as Energy Correspondent. That was after my freelancing with The Guardian for some time. It was my formal employment with The PUNCH that opened the way for me to become what I am today in life. Incidentally, Thẹ PUNCH was punched out by thẹ maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, and so I became jobless again but my being a PUNCH journalist paved the way for me, with another open door as I stumbled into becoming the Secretariat Administrator of the Nigeria Internet Group, formed to promote internet awareness in Nigeria under the tutelage of the Nigeria Communications Commission. I was overseeing the running of the secretariat and this made me travel far and near, the world over. My dear brother, I say a very big thank you for counting me worthy for that PUNCH employment. It made me know the workings within NEPA and brought about my interactions with the high and mighty in the power sector then. – Obalolu Adekanmi.

Your write-ups sound good and give me some form of relief that some journalists have not abandoned the root core of their profession. How I wish there are many journalists who will dig deeper to expose the demon called CORRUPTION, which has plagued this country and has turned the wheel of progress backward, despite the country’s huge resources which can make it a real giant of the world. May I use this medium to request your office to carry out a similar investigation on LASU campus at Epe where students are subjected to serious inhuman treatment. No water, no light in a university environment! The hostels are like prison rooms! I strongly believe that a write-up of this type will help to curb the activities of those who have now made corrupt practices their vocation. – Abiodun Adeyemi.

It is with great relief and joy that I want to thank you for lending your voice to the 18-year age restriction on students writing WAEC, NECO and UTME. What becomes of our teeming youths if they cannot write these exams? The ripple effects in the next three years are better imagined than felt. – Paul Iretiola Jegede.

Wole Olaoye’s “Let there be light!” is an alibi for the collective barrenness, emptiness and scantiness of our tertiary institutions! That the entire country still wallows in darkness in spite of the so-called Faculty of Engineering that litter our campuses is laughable. How can the universities seek solutions to their power problems from poorly-conceived, poorly-funded, poorly-equiped and poorly-executed Rural Electrification abracadabra programs? If Ife is worth the greatness attached to her name, her army of scientists, technologists and technicians should by now be reputed for Made-in-Ife turbines and other electrification equipment! We should look in the direction of Ife, the Source, for a solution to our electricity problems; not to Germany, China or anywhere else. If Akoka is truly great, if Ilorin is greater, the above ought to have happened. It is sickening to hear the humongous amount being committed to pay electricity bills by the Ivory Tower, that is, if the figures are not hyped. If they cannot help us, they should at least help themselves! – Nojeem Jimoh.

Today, we joyfully gather in spirit to celebrate the life and legacy of Gloria Adagbon, a woman of grace, humility, and immense purpose. As we commemorate her birthday, we offer prayers of gratitude for her life and all the wonderful ways she has touched the hearts of those around her. Gloria is not only an illustrious daughter of Igbanke, but also a shining example of a life lived with faith, service, and compassion.

It is impossible to speak of Gloria Adagbon without recognizing the hand of God in her life. From her humble beginnings in Igbanke to her far-reaching influence today, her journey has been a testimony to the power of God’s favor and grace. We thank the Almighty for giving her strength, wisdom, and vision, allowing her to become a beacon of light not only for her community but also for everyone who has crossed her path.

As Proverbs 31:25 says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Gloria embodies this verse in every way. She has faced life’s challenges with unwavering faith, and her trust in God has seen her through every valley and mountain. On this special day, we pray that the Lord continues to guide her footsteps and shower her with more of His abundant grace.

Gloria’s life has been defined by her service to others, reflecting the biblical teaching of Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Gloria has modeled this selfless service in her community, especially in Igbanke, where she has remained deeply involved in promoting education, youth empowerment, and local development.

Her passion for improving the lives of others stems from her deep-rooted faith in God and a profound understanding that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Gloria has never sought to hoard her blessings but has continuously poured herself out, uplifting the underprivileged and encouraging growth wherever she goes. As we celebrate her today, we thank God for giving her the heart of a servant-leader and pray that her capacity to serve continues to expand in the coming years.

In moments of triumph and trial, Gloria has held fast to her faith in the Lord. Her life is a living example of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Through her unwavering belief, Gloria has shown that every obstacle is an opportunity for God’s glory to shine through. Her faith has not only been her anchor but also an inspiration to countless others, teaching them the value of trusting in God’s perfect plan.

Today, we ask the Lord to increase her faith even more, to grant her the peace that surpasses all understanding, and to bless her in ways she could never imagine. We know that His plans for her are good, plans to prosper her and not to harm her, plans to give her hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

On this beautiful occasion of Gloria’s birthday, we lift her up in prayer, asking that the Lord who began a good work in her will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). May He continue to open doors of favor, grant her new visions, and protect her as she fulfills her divine purpose on this earth.

As Psalm 20:4 says, “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Gloria, as you step into this new year of life, may the desires of your heart align with God’s perfect will. We pray that you continue to shine brightly in every area of your life, and may the fruits of your labor multiply beyond your imagination.

As we celebrate Gloria Adagbon today, we look forward with anticipation to the many more ways God will use her life to bless others. We are confident that He who has kept her this far will continue to watch over her in the years to come. Gloria’s faith, resilience, and commitment to her community have already sown seeds of greatness, and we know that her best days are yet ahead.

Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” As you continue live, Gloria, may you soar on eagle’s wings, rise above every storm, and walk boldly in the path God has laid out for you.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of Gloria Adagbon. We thank you for the love, kindness, and wisdom you have instilled in her heart. As she celebrates another year of life, we ask for your continued blessings upon her. Surround her with your love, guide her steps, and let your light shine through her in all that she does. May she continue to be a blessing to others, a vessel of your grace, and an ambassador of hope to the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Happy Birthday, Gloria Adagbon! Your life is a testimony to God’s goodness and a reflection of His love. May this new age bring you more joy, strength, and fulfillment as you continue to serve and inspire others. You are truly a beloved daughter of Igbanke, and today, we celebrate all that you are and all that you will become.

May the Lord bless and keep you, Gloria. Happy birthday!