The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has prohibited local deposits into the newly launched Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account (NRNOA) and Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account (NRNIA), designed to cater specifically to Nigerians living abroad.

This directive, outlined in a circular issued by the apex bank on January 10, 2025, highlights the CBN’s focus on channelling external inflows and diaspora investments into the nation’s economy.

Signed by Dr W. J. Kanya, the acting Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, the circular stated, “Deposits into non-resident accounts must originate from external sources through approved channels. Local deposits are prohibited, except for traceable proceeds from approved local investments linked to prior foreign currency inflows and settlement of foreign exchange transactions i.e. sale of FCY balances to authorised dealers.

“Transfers to other local accounts within Nigeria are allowed only in Naira.”

The restriction is part of a broader framework to ensure the accounts serve their intended purpose of boosting remittances and investments from the diaspora.

Accounts designed to drive diaspora contributions 

The NRNOA and NRNIA accounts aim to provide Nigerians in the diaspora with secure platforms to manage funds and invest in Nigeria’s financial markets.

• The NRNOA allows non-resident Nigerians (NRNs) to remit foreign earnings into the country and manage funds in either foreign currency (FCY) or naira.
• These earnings may include salaries, allowances, dividends, and rental income. Also, the NRNOA supports local spending on family maintenance, education, and healthcare.
• On the other hand, the NRNIA is designed to facilitate diaspora investments in Nigeria, allowing NRNs to invest in assets denominated in foreign currency or Naira. Eligible investments include domestic bonds, equities, government securities, mortgage products, and the Diaspora Bond.

The CBN highlighted that these accounts would provide greater flexibility for NRNs to diversify their investment portfolios while contributing to Nigeria’s economic development.

To ensure compliance with this framework, the CBN has outlined strict guidelines for local transfers. Transfers from these accounts to other local accounts within Nigeria are permitted only in Naira, with no provision for such funds to originate locally unless linked to approved investment proceeds.

The CBN clarified that this measure is essential to maintain the integrity of the accounts as tools for external remittances and diaspora investments.

Framework to enhance compliance and transparency 

The apex bank has also emphasised the integration of digital platforms to facilitate seamless onboarding and account management. Partnering with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), banks are mandated to offer digital solutions for issuing Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and enabling remote Know-Your-Customer (KYC) updates.

• These measures are expected to enhance the accessibility and usability of the accounts for Nigerians in the diaspora.
• Eligibility for these accounts requires proof of residency and identity, such as a valid or expired Nigerian passport, or a foreign passport accompanied by evidence of Nigerian citizenship. Investors based in the United States must also comply with IRS FATCA regulations.
• The prohibition on local deposits reflects the CBN’s strategy to maximise external inflows into the Nigerian economy.
• By restricting the sources of funding for these accounts, the CBN aims to create a transparent and efficient framework that aligns with global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) standards.
• Interest earned on these accounts will be subject to Nigerian tax laws, while specific exemptions, such as those for government bonds, will be detailed in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document expected to be released soon.

[Nairametrics]

The royal father, who appealed for calm from the residents, urged them to avoid violence and unrest amidst the leadership tussle in the state.

Emir Sanusi pointed out that the battle against those trying to instigate violence in Kano is for God and prayed that such people would reap the rewards of their actions.

He prayed that as God protects the peaceful ones, may fire also consume those who wish to cause chaos in Kano.

Naija News reports Sanusi made the declaration as part of his reaction to the Appeal Court verdict, which on Friday, January 10, 2025, ordered the Chief Judge of Kano to assign a fresh judge to review the case between the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, the Kano State Government, and the 16th Emir, Muhammad Sanusi II, as well as the Kano State Assembly.

“This battle is not ours but God’s. And God does not need anyone’s help. Let us keep praying for His guidance and intervention. May God protect us, and whoever seeks to ignite chaos in Kano, may that fire consume them instead.

“To those who wish harm upon Kano or its peace, may they face the consequences of their own wishes.

“They may attempt to provoke violence, but let us not respond to their actions. Let us not engage them in any way. Whoever questions God’s judgment will ultimately face the consequences of doing so,” Sanusi said.

[NaijaNews]

Former Senator John Azuta-Mbata’s election as the 13th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is a landmark achievement, not just for him, but for the Igbo people and Nigerian politics at large. His new position offers him tremendous influence, a powerful platform to unite the Igbo community, and a voice to drive socio-political change across Nigeria. Azuta-Mbata’s leadership promises to have far-reaching implications, and it’s clear to everyone that this moment demands respect and acknowledgment from those who know him best—particularly his kinsman, former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Wike, we all know that Azuta-Mbata has been clear with you. He has advised you to let Governor Siminalayi Fubara govern Rivers State without interference. He’s told you, as a fellow kinsman, that your presence in Abuja should not undermine Fubara’s leadership. Azuta-Mbata, with years of experience and wisdom, sees the bigger picture, and he has guided you to understand that stepping back is in the best interest of both the state and your own political future. So, Wike, what are you waiting for? Why is it so difficult to acknowledge his monumental achievement publicly?

Azuta-Mbata is your kinsman—someone who introduced you to the deep ends of Nigerian politics. He took you under his wing and sponsored your chairmanship of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in 1999. Without his mentorship and political guidance, there’s no doubt you would not be where you are today. Azuta-Mbata’s influence has been instrumental in your rise to power. He gave you the opportunities, the support, and the direction you needed at critical moments in your career. He helped shape the political path that you now walk, and yet, in this pivotal moment of his own, you remain silent.

What is it that’s holding you back, Wike? Azuta-Mbata has dedicated years to his people, and now he has earned one of the most respected positions in Nigerian politics. As his kinsman, and someone who owes much of his career to Azuta-Mbata’s guidance, it is your duty to publicly congratulate him. This is not the time for pride or petty political squabbles. This is a time for you to rise above any past grievances or differences and show respect for the man who helped you get where you are.

We all know that this could have been a moment for you to show leadership and maturity. If you had congratulated Azuta-Mbata publicly, it would have been all over the media, a signal of respect and unity between you two, a message that would resonate with both your supporters and critics. Instead, your failure to act sends a message of disrespect and unwillingness to honor the person who helped mold your political career. What are you waiting for?

Governor Fubara, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and many other political figures immediately recognized Azuta-Mbata’s achievement. They knew this moment was too important to let pass without public acknowledgment. So why haven’t you, Wike? Why are you letting this significant occasion go by without offering your congratulations to the man who helped bring you into the world of politics?

It’s not just that Azuta-Mbata is your political mentor—it’s that he is your kinsman, your elder, someone who has always acted with integrity and foresight. You owe it to him, to your people, and to your own legacy to step forward and acknowledge this moment. Wike, your silence speaks volumes, and it is doing more harm than good. You can’t afford to ignore the growing influence of Azuta-Mbata and the positive impact his leadership will have on Nigerian politics. The longer you wait, the more you risk alienating yourself from a respected figure who has helped shape your political trajectory.

This is not the time for another round of political tension. This is the time for you to show maturity, to rise above petty conflicts, and to honor Azuta-Mbata’s achievement. He has always had your back—now it’s time for you to have his. You can’t afford to let ego or past disagreements cloud your judgment. The respect you show Azuta-Mbata now will define how the public sees you going forward.

Wike, it’s time to put aside your pride and acknowledge Senator John Azuta-Mbata’s remarkable achievement. As someone who owes their political career to Azuta-Mbata, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase humility and give credit where credit is due.

Azuta-Mbata’s influence on your career cannot be overstated. He was instrumental in installing you as the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government in 1998, a position that catapulted you into the political limelight. It’s surprising that you haven’t been the first to congratulate him on his election as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

By publicly recognizing Azuta-Mbata’s accomplishment, you’ll not only be doing the right thing, but you’ll also be demonstrating to the country, your supporters, and your political allies that you can rise above past differences and act with humility. Remember, humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

Don’t hide behind a spokesperson or a press release. Take personal responsibility and congratulate Azuta-Mbata yourself. Show the nation that you’re willing to put aside your pride and give credit where credit is due.

As Confucius and Mother Angelica so aptly put it, “Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues” and “Humility is preserved when I give credit where credit is due”. Don’t let this moment pass, Wike. Take the high road, and show the world that you’re capable of humility and graciousness. Time is running out.

I don’t want to de-market Nigeria by saying that it is a country where anything goes. But it will take some deep thinking to come up with something that can actually be described as unattainable, impracticable or unimaginable here. We inhabit a land of paradoxes where poverty and humongous wealth maintain a grudging cohabitation. In our own “Animal Farm”, it is the children of the poor that are encouraged to seek God while those of the rich hold court with Mammon. 

Just when you thought that life couldn’t be more oppressive on the poor, you are confronted with situations that jolt you back to the realisation that the more things change, the more they remain the same. The more you advocate for a better deal for the poor, the more they seek out their salvation from the same manacles tying them down. Perhaps the situation would have been different if they didn’t have the same rapacious elite as their pathfinders.

Human Cargo

Bang came the news: A cargo van with 59 minors had been intercepted by the police on its way from Kano to Nasarawa State. If you thought that the incidence of child trafficking under various guises or the negative interpretation of religious injunctions to keep the children of the poor perpetually down had gone with 2024, the fresh interception reminded you that you must not remove your hands from the plough of advocacy because the new year 2025 was barely six days old when it happened.

As the police commenced their investigations, a senator, Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South in the Nigerian Senate intervened. He offered to take custody of the human cargo. He argued that the children’s movement was part of the almajiri system, a traditional practice where children migrate for Islamic education. Kawu assured the police that he would return the children to their families in Kano and criticised the police for wrongly labelling the practice as child trafficking.

According to the lawmaker, “The almajiri system is a legitimate educational tradition in Islam. While it needs regulation, it should not be misconstrued as trafficking,” Kawu stated. But why are the children of the political elite not among the almajiris?

With that turn of events, you really can’t weep more than the bereaved. We have advocated for donkey years that state and local governments in the northern part of the country where the almajiri system is in vogue, in concert with Islamic teachers and clerics, should help integrate the system with Western education and skill acquisition to give their children a chance of being economic players rather than beggars in future.

Mass Wedding

Senator Kawu obviously meant well for the children but his solution of returning them to their parents who had released them for the journey in the first place, will only lead to a repeat of the “cargorisation” of the children
Remember the case of a controversial mass wedding in Niger State in 2024?

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulamlik Sarkindaji, had announced his plans to sponsor the wedding of 100 orphaned girls to men approved by their families. That announcement drew the ire of the then Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, who made her opposition known in her inimitably feisty style and dragged the speaker to court.

The issue was quite divisive in the sense that those who were used to seeing mass weddings sponsored by the rich didn’t see anything wrong in the speaker’s offer. Indeed, they saw him as a man to be emulated. On the other hand, “outsiders” like Mrs Kennedy-Ohaneye pointed out that many of the girls were minors without any kind of skill. They would be completely dependent on their indigent husbands thereby ensuring the perpetuation of poverty and an increase in the number of women suffering from vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) which is rife among underage mothers.

While the speaker was convinced that the minister had overstepped her bounds, the ensuing national debate coalesced around the point that no one should continue using religion to keep the people down or engage in harmful traditional practices. Granted that there is a real problem of poverty in the country, it is also true that there are many opportunities at the lower rungs of the ladder waiting to be tapped. The mentality of railroading female children into marriage under the umbrella of moral rectitude belongs in ancient history.

During the COVID lockdown when there was supposed to be zero movement all over the country, cattle-laden trucks smuggled almajiris to southern states under the cover of darkness. Many states protested. At the time, one Joel Nwokeoma reported thus:

“Nigerians have in recent days been inundated with heartrending spectacles of human cargoes of mainly dishevelled lads surreptitiously packed like sardines in articulated vehicles and lorries from the North headed for the southern parts of Nigeria. The unsightly spectacles are splashed all over the pages of newspapers, online news portals and TV, with identical banner headlines like, ‘Ogun Intercepts Truck Carrying 30 Almajiris (Ripples Nigeria)’; ‘Two Truckloads of 120 Almajiris Intercepted At Gakem Border In Cross River, Sent Back To North, (Daily Post, May 11)’; ‘Another 189 Night Travellers From Katsina Arrested In Abuja (thewhistler.ng)’; ‘COVID-19: Residents Panic As Truck Dumps Almajiris From Sokoto In Ondo (May 5, Daily Post)’; ‘Enugu Govt Intercepts 9 Buses Relocating Almajiris From North (May 8)’; ‘Police Intercept 200 Lagos-Bound Almajiris From Katsina (SaharaReporters, May 10, 2020)’; ‘Security Operatives Intercept Truckload Of Almajiris Going To Abia’, (BusinessDay, May 5, 2020) and, ‘15 Men Hidden In Trailer Loaded With Cattle Intercepted In Enugu’, (The Guardian, May 13.)”

Baby For Sale

While the almajiri system has turned out to be a northern “disease”, if you look down south, you’ll also see that a different kind of demon is militating against children in that geographical space. One highlife song that reigned in our younger days went like this:
You can steal my money
You can steal my wife
But you cannot steal my child…
Not anymore! Now, they will steal your child and sell him/her to buy a bag of rice. There is a well-established cultic sorority that deals in selling kids. Some of the slave dealers acquire their children legitimately under the cover of running orphanages. There was a famous case several years ago where an orphanage was found to have sold virtually all the babies it acquired “legitimately”. Who is to tell what human beings will NOT do for money?

From Rivers State came the news that the Police Command had arrested a woman, Akudo Azoroh, for allegedly operating a baby factory. She kept a retinue of pregnant girls who came with their pregnancy with the hope of selling the babies when born. Depending on the baby’s gender, she revealed, a child could go for N1.4 to N1.5 million.

Whether we like to acknowledge it or not, we have allowed the economic downturn to desensitise us to the bestial proclivities to which many of our struggling people have succumbed. The thought that some people are having children they have no intention of rearing is frightening. The earlier we have that discussion on a national scale, the better. Perhaps through this, we may reclaim a tiny bit of our collective humanity which in recent years has been gifted to the god of Mammon.

Barely a week after killing two police officers, terrorists belonging to Lakurawa group have killed three staff of a leading telecommunication firm.

The insurgents were said to have invaded a construction site at Gumki village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

It was gathered that the deceased were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service in the area when the terrorists struck and killed them and one other person who is yet to be identified.

Though the police report said three of the deceased were Airtel staff, the locals said they were immigration staff.

A staff of Sir Yahaya Specialist Hospital who spoke to our correspondent said three of the deceased brought to the hospital were immigration staff.

But police public relations officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, said four persons lost their lives, one indigene and three staff of Airtel.

He said on receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani alongside with the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, CIS Muhammad Bashir Lawali mobilized their men to the scene to evacuate the corpses to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi.

He added that the Commissioner of Police had deployed additional tactical teams to the area and charged them to decisively deal with the suspected bandits operating in the area.

He said the CP also had meeting with people in the area and appealed to them to always assist the police and other security agencies with relevant information for their prompt response.

[DailyTrust]

Interswitch is driving the call for a developer-led approach to fintech innovation.

As a platinum sponsor of the 2024 Google Developer Groups (GDG) DevFest Ibadan, Interswitch reaffirmed its commitment to empowering developers with the tools and opportunities they need to innovate and shape the future of financial technology.

The event, hosted at the Aweni Arena in Ibadan, brought together a diverse audience of tech enthusiasts, industry leaders, and developers to explore cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and mobile app development. This year’s DevFest emphasised collaboration and practical solutions, aligning with Interswitch’s mission to foster a developer-centric ecosystem.

“At Interswitch, we recognise the pivotal role developers and tech communities play in driving innovation across the continent. Sponsoring GDG DevFest Ibadan 2024 aligns perfectly with our mission to equip these communities with the tools, platforms, and opportunities they need to innovate, collaborate, and succeed. We are committed to promoting a vibrant ecosystem that accelerates Africa’s digital transformation while nurturing the next wave of innovators shaping the future of fintech in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

The event afforded Interswitch the opportunity to make significant contributions to the Developer Community.

Developer ecosystem executive, Interswitch, Elizabeth Okaome, delivered an insightful presentation on the company’s robust suite of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and their use cases, supported with live demos. Cutting across payments integration, transfers, bill payments and airtime recharge, identity verification or lending services, Interswitch APIs equip developers with tools to enable secure and seamless online and offline payment acceptance).

Another highlight at the event was the introduction of the Quickteller Business Referral Programme, also known as the ‘5 for 5’ Initiative, which offers developers or any referrer an opportunity to earn five percent commission on Interswitch’s share of every transaction charge, for five whole years, while enabling businesses to thrive.

The Interswitch Developer Community and Quickteller jointly hosted an engaging booth featuring educational product videos, customer testimonials, and one-on-one consultations. Attendees enjoyed interactive activities, including a lively ‘Spin the Wheel’ game, and received branded merchandise, enhancing the event’s vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

Through this sponsorship, Interswitch reinforces its commitment to empowering Africa’s tech community by providing innovative solutions, fostering strategic partnerships, and creating platforms that accelerate digital transformation and economic growth. The company continues to solidify its position as a catalyst for innovation and a hub for developer support in Nigeria.

[Leadership]

In a viral video, Professor Wande Abimbola, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, and the Awise of Yorubaland – head of all Ifa oracle diviners – threw a bombshell. In it, he affirmed that the Oyo State government contacted him on the divination process leading to the nomination of a new Aláàfin of Oyo. Abimbola, who hails from Oyo town, would seem to have ignited a major earthquake which struck Yorubaland and its system of choosing kings. In its strike, the earthquake disemboweled dirt and stench and flung them in the face of the people. The shame hit a Yoruba people whose strength, from ancient times, had always been reference to the purity and incorruptibility of their traditional system.

Abimbola then claimed that the Oyo State governor put a call to him and asked him to preside over Ifa oracle’s choice of who would succeed Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi, as it was done in ìgbà ìwásè  – the ancient time. “I spent ten days seeking the face of Ifá oracle and Ifá made its choice,” he said. Asked who Ifá chose, the professor said it was Prince Owoade, the man announced by the Oyo State government on Friday. He claimed that upon the Ifá divinity’s choice, the kingmakers sought to persuade him to change his mind over it through many subterfuges, but he refused.

The announcement on Friday of Prince Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo-designate by the Oyo State government was the trigger of the above. As celebrations and tempers hit the news, Abimbola also alleged that a fight ensued among the Oyo Mesi, the traditional kingmakers of Oyo, over sharing of the huge sums of money collected from candidates for the office. Though they had collectively agreed to choose the candidate who gave them the hugest bribe, two of the kingmakers were said to have quarreled over the amount of money collected by their head and the amount given them in turn. Oyo people were then said to have petitioned the government asking if it was aware of the deleterious influence and effect of bribery on the stool.

The role of the Oyo Mesi in the choice of Prince Owoade has become an issue lately. Immediately after the interment of Aláàfin Adeyemi in the traditional kings cemetery in Bara, the contest for succession to the throne of the foremost king in Yorubaland began. Made up of seven principal officers of the state, together, the kingmakers are the Electoral Council of the Oyo Kingdom, and also imbued with legislative powers. Their head is the Basorun, who also doubles as the Prime Minister. Other members of the Electoral Council are the Àgbàakin, the Sàmù, the Alápinni, the Lágùnà, the Akínikú, and the Ashípa. When there is vacancy, the Basòrun is expected to consult the Ifa oracle for guidance and approval of who the next Aláàfin would be. In time past, it was believed that Oyo kings were chosen by the gods. However, the peremptory manner with which kings are chosen in Yorubaland and the fascination of kingmakers with money in the choices have given people a different opinion.

In October 2023, it was reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had quizzed the Oyo kingmakers over allegations that they took bribes from one of the candidates to the vacant stool. They were alleged to have received the sum of N15million each from that candidate. The state government was said to have doubted the fairness of the Oyo Mesi on account of this allegation. It thus appointed warrant kingmakers to join two dissenting Oyo Mesi chiefs in the persons of Àgbàakin and Sàmù of Oyo. This produced the Aláàfin-designate whose choice was made known on Friday

So many studies have been embarked upon on Yoruba ifá divination and its arts. The divination trays have also been subjected to sizeable studies. Professor Wande Abimbola, the most vociferous voice in defence of this inherited system of divination, has conducted so many studies on Ifá and its place in Yoruba religion and the position of divination in Yoruba pantheon.

While the controversy continues on the process of picking the Aláàfin, abandoning the corpus of the seven traditional kingmakers to take a decision on the Aláàfin stool could be said not to be novel. It began during the reign of Oba Adeniran Adeyemi, father of the immediate past Aláàfin. A journey into history will seem to explain this. As it is today with the announcement of Prince Owoade as the Aláàfin-designate, immediately Prince Adeyemi was announced as successor to Aláàfin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu 11 in 1970, Oyo town and Western State of Nigeria quaked. The choice generated brickbats among the contending Princes and their ruling houses. Upon the passing of Oba Ladigbolu, the Western State government had notified the Oyo Mesi to begin the selection of a new Oba. The Oyo Mesi in turn contacted Baba Oranlola, also known as Baba Iwo, of the Alowolodu ruling house, to become the king. Oranlola then convoked a meeting of the ruling house wherein he informed them that he was nominating his son, Prince Sanda Ladepo Oranlola as Gbadegesin’s successor. Though Baba Iwo got the buy-in of all members of the house for the nomination of his son, a key member of the house, Baba Salami Dudu voiced his dissent to the choice. He instead nominated Prince Adeyemi, whose father, Alaafin Adeyemi Adeniran 11, Gbadegesin’s successor, died in exile upon his deposition by the Western Region government. The contention for the throne was so fierce that it threw other princes who were of other ruling houses, into the ring. Some of them included Prince Olanite Ajagba, Prince Afonja Ilaka, Aremo Sanni Gbadegesin and of course, Prince Oranlola. From whichever prism it may be looked at, Prince Adeyemi, the 31-year-old insurance magnate son of Oba Adeniran, was not going to be the successor to Oba Gbadegesin.

The Oyo Mesi’s division came during the period of the 1953 to 1958 crisis, first on the basis of religion. The Basorun, Chairman of the Oyo Mesi and the Baba Iyaji, the latter who originally was not a member of the Oyo Mesi but both being Christians, were the first to disconnect from Oba Adeniran. However, by March 1954, Oba Adeniran had got all members of Oyo Mesi back to his fold, excluding the Basòrun and Ashípa. Government then responded by appointing Baba Iyaji and other chiefs to constitute the Oyo Mesi, just as the Oyo State government did in the nomination of Prince Owoade. A procession of 3000 Oyo sons and daughters, led by Balogun Aleelo, was immediately organized which stormed the Resident’s house. On September 5, 1954, Oyo Parapo members’ protest stormed the homes of prominent ruling party chiefs in a riot which left seven people dead. The Lloyd Commission was then set up in 1955, which though exonerated Aláàfin Adeniran of complicity in the crisis, could not stop Oba Adeniran from being deposed and banished to Ilesa. He died in 1958.

The question that remains to be answered now is, did the framers of the unwritten constitution of Oyo Kingdom, especially its kingship electoral system, envisage that a day like this would come when the otherwise revered council, would be enmeshed in sordid allegation of colossal bribery to pick an Aláàfin? Is there fairness in the choice of an Aláàfin candidate whose nomination was ostensibly prompted by graft and bribery? Which of the nominations would be seen to be equitable, the one made via bribery or the one made through the Ifa oracle and government-nominated chiefs?

A new Aláàfin must strive to imbibe many of the qualities of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. In contemporary Nigeria, though the powers of the throne may seem to have dwindled, the Aláàfin still symbolizes the social and political will of his people. He is regarded as the supreme head of kings and princes in the Yoruba nation. This is why if a king who carries excessive personal foibles becomes the Aláàfin, his baggage will tell tremendously, not only on his immediate Oyo people, but on the Yoruba people as a whole.

Without compromise, Oba Adeyemi fought the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade to the hilt over the ascendancy and supremacy of his stool. The next Aláàfin must be sure of himself like Oba Adeyemi was.  Except in very exceptional cases, Oba Adeyemi continued the myth of Aláàfin of yore who only came out three times in a year. Though he ran an open administration, anyone who attempted to cross the line, he didn’t suffer their fools gladly. I know of a lawyer friend who, ostensibly exploiting his access to the palace who, Oba Adeyemi told me, he kept waiting for almost a whole day, and who had to leave exasperated. “Mo fi Aláàfin hàn án niì” (I showed him the colour of the palace),  he told me on the symbolic implication of what he did.

Oba Adeyemi also saw Yorubaland as his constituency. In the build-up to the 2015 general elections, Kabiyesi Adeyemi had complained severally to me on how the then governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, was not requiting the sacrifices he made in backing him to be governor in 2011. It was common knowledge that Aláàfin and his side-partner, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola, fought then incumbent governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to a standstill and were the major sponsors of Ajimobi to the governorship. So, in 2015, Kabiyesi was dilly-dallying on which of the pendulum he should swing. Goodluck Jonathan had made a foray into the palace and the Muhammadu Buhari phenomenon was catching up like a pestilence. So Kabiyesi rang me up. “We need to decide where we are going,” he said urgently.

And the second day, I was in the palace. Due to the horde of backbiters and evil-permutators who surround power like ants do candy, I had to inform Governor Ajimobi about my movement. And he gave his consent.

On the said day, Kabiyesi and I sat all alone. Anyone who called, he either ignored or told he needed the next one hour off. One of his daughters, a commissioner in the Ajimobi government, came in and he told her how engaged he was. Aláàfin then gave what sounded like a welcome speech which encapsulated the meat of the meeting. Where is the Yoruba going to queue in the impending movement: Jonathan or Buhari? he asked. Should he support Ajimobi for another term? So, I began a very long treatise about the place of the Aláàfin in present Yoruba socio-political equation. The palace had to move with the tide of opinions in Yorubaland or the palace risked being swept off by the typhoon. If he doubted me, he should commission an opinion survey on where the mood of Yorubaland swung, I said. I also gave my opinion about Ajimobi’s disposition to him. “Kabiyesi, not once, not twice, Governor Ajimobi tells whoever wanted to listen that ‘Aláàfin taá tán fún wa ni…’ – Aláàfin bit the bullet for me,” (in 2011) I told Oba Adeyemi.

He thanked me profusely after that discussion. A few days after, Kabiyesi called to appreciate the candidness of my opinion and how where I suggested was where he would swing. In the 2019 election as well, Kabiyesi called to seek my opinion on where he would swing on the gubernatorial election in his state, though he later abandoned our agreed choice and chose his own path. He didn’t seek my opinion on the presidency because he knew we were diametrically opposed on where to go.

A new Aláàfin has been chosen. May his reign be long. But, no matter how long the reign is, what will matter ultimately is how well the fortunes of his people increased during his time. May the new Oba not be antagonistic to his Orí inú (his inner head).

A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, is leading the northern elite to woo southern bigwigs for an alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sunday PUNCH reports.

Sources said former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, are among supporters of the group.

Our correspondents gathered that Shekarau, a leader of the League of Northern Democrats, had been discussing coalitions with political leaders in the South-West, South-East, and South-South.

The Convener of the LND, Dr Umar Ardo, had on January 5, declared the group’s readiness to transform into a political party, citing the need to create a unified and credible national political platform. 

According to Ardo, the LND plans to transform into the League of National Democrats to provide Nigerians with a viable alternative for leadership and governance.

“This new political platform seeks to provide a credible alternative by institutionalising meritocracy, promoting accountability, and ensuring the emergence of leaders with proven competence and integrity,” Ardo stated.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that Obasanjo and Gowon advised the group’s leaders to make it a national platform and incorporate southern politicians.

Obasanjo had late October 2024 urged the LND to consider changing its name to the National League of Democrats because the ideals the group espoused should cut across the nation.

The former president, who received the 20-member delegation of the LND led by Shekarau at his penthouse, inside Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, said he would not mind being the group’s patron.

“It is high time we began working for the national interest. Yes, you have identified your group as the League of Northern Democrats, but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats, because where you come from should not be a problem,” he stated.

Umar Sani, a former spokesperson for ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, who is a pioneer member of the LND, told Sunday PUNCH that both Obasanjo and Gowon were among the backers of the group.

Sani confirmed that Shekarau was leading discussions with prominent southern politicians.

He said, “We’re talking with some southern politicians, but I don’t know who they are. Shekarau and others are making the moves and doing the talking.

“But when we met Baba Obasanjo, he said the initiative should be made national. General Gowon also said it should be national, and other influential Nigerians gave similar advice.

“When we engaged politicians in the South-East, South-South, and South-West, they began suggesting that this movement be turned into a political party. While we were briefed in meetings, the leaders didn’t disclose the names of the southern politicians they were speaking to.”

Sani clarified that the LND had not yet been registered as a political party, as consultations were still ongoing.

The spokesperson for the group, Dr Ladan Salihu, said discussions were ongoing with southern leaders, including former governors, senators, and ministers.

According to him, even before they set out to approach the politicians, the LND had already been contacted by key political clusters from the South-East.

“We’ve been contacted by notable politicians from the South, especially from the South-East, who indicated plans to form the League of Southern Democrats.

“Similarly, respected politicians from the South-West have shown interest in joining the LND if it becomes a national platform, or they may even form the League of Western Democrats.

“This is a political metamorphosis that will culminate in the creation of what will eventually become the League of Nigerian Democrats,” he stated.

While declining to name southern politicians the LND leader had been in contact with, Salihu confirmed that the group was in regular communication with “respected southern leaders”.

“We are in constant, almost daily contact with them because they share our vision of rescuing Nigeria. This is not just a rhetorical platform; it’s a serious movement based on real action,” he stated.

The LND’s move comes amid political manoeuvres by many leaders aiming to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Opposition leaders have intensified efforts towards major political realignments, including potential mergers of political parties, to challenge the All Progressives Congress in the next general elections.

On November 26, 2024, it was reported that the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, had concluded plans to either form a new party or adopt an existing one to establish a coalition ahead of 2027.

Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, later confirmed that Atiku and Obi had been engaging in discussions to form a united front against the APC.

Similarly, the Peoples Redemption Party and African Democratic Congress confirmed initiating discussions about a potential merger ahead of the elections.

On December 14, 2024, Obasanjo hosted former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to Kwankwaso, the discussions centred on “significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria.”

We’re not threatened – APC, PDP

Meanwhile, the APC has said it is not threatened by the potential political alliance, asserting that it will not lose sleep over the proposed mega party being considered by northern and southern political bigwigs.

The APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, told Sunday PUNCH that the party was aware of the political moves, warning that Nigeria’s governance should not be left to desperate politicians.

However, he expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term as Nigerians began to reap the benefits of his administration’s economic reforms.

He said, “The APC and the President are very much aware of the shenanigans of the opposition. But it will be almost impossible for someone from outside, particularly an outsider who has previously failed the country, to think of defeating the incumbent.

“We expect to start seeing the fruits of these reforms around the time of the election—2026 and 2027. By then, people will begin to appreciate the party and the President.

“That does not mean the party and the President are complacent. No, we are strategising. When we get to the bridge, we will see who has the strongest stride to cross it. I assure you, the APC will not falter or be caught napping.”

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party stated that the LND’s attempt to transform into a political party did not pose a threat to its prospects in future elections.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said no coalition or merger could defeat the APC without the PDP.

In response to LND’s move to transform into a party as an alternative to the PDP and APC, he said the character and consistency of the group’s members should be scrutinised.

“They are no threat to the PDP. There is no merger or coalition whatsoever, that can defeat the APC without the PDP’s input.

“We saw it in 2023. The Labour Party, NNPP and what came out of it? All forms of coalition are welcome to defeat the All Progressives Congress, but characters like Shekarau should first tell themselves or ask themselves some further questions; are they consistent, are they credible, do they still have electoral value?,” he queried.

The PDP leader also stated that Shekarau could not drive any meaningful change.

“Shekarau himself knows that as of today, his position is over and above his weight, and he lacks the capacity to reallypush anything significant.

“In the last five to six years, how many parties and groups have Shekarau belonged to? These people are not the type that should lead any move. Unless we are a people that don’t learn. If we don’t learn, we will be condemned to repeat the mistakes of history,” he added.

[TheCable]

“We must therefore not shrink from accusing our friends or praising our enemies; nor need we be afraid of praising or blaming the same people at different times; since it is impossible that men who are engaged in public affairs should always be in the right; and unlikely they should always be in the wrong.

“We must therefore detach ourselves from the actors in our story; and apply to them only such statements and judgments as their conduct deserves” – Polybius, c200-118 BC.

President Tinubu has started 2025 very well by correcting one of the worst errors of Obasanjo’s government. OBJ, with his usual arrogance of power, ordered History removed from schools’ curriculums. His argument that science and technology are more important ignored the fact that even scientists find out how their branch of study evolved over time to where it is today. Tinubu has started 2025 on a glorious note. Unfortunately, there are problems to overcome.

Where are the teachers? And what would be taught? History is best taught by people with a passion for it. It is one subject I love above most others. Few candidates going for JAMB select History as their first choice and fewer still want to teach it after graduating from universities. It will be tough.

If asked today who among my teachers in primary school I remember most and who had the greatest influence on my life, the answer unhesitatingly would be Mr Udoh. He taught us everything; but he was fond of History. His enthusiasm for the subject was infectious – at least to me. My favourite teacher at Igbobi College was Mr John Sagay; who taught us History. He also was apparently obsessed with History. As an undergraduate at the university in the United States, starting with Medicine as my goal; then switching to Economics almost made it impossible to study History. Fortunately, students, not enrolled for a Course, were allowed to sit in at any class of their choice. I took advantage of the privilege; and sat in on History Courses every single one of my eight semesters in the university. My favourite book out of the over 3000 I have read is still THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE by Edward Gibbons, 1737-1794; and it has nothing to do with the fact that, like me, he was born on May 8.

Only God knows how many Ministers have been appointed in Nigeria; but, my favourite was Professor Babs Fafunwa, 1923-2010, Minister of Education under Babangida from 1990 to 1992. IBB earned my pardon for all whatever he did wrong for giving me a Minister I could walk into his house and borrow a book on History.

One of the reasons Obong Victor Attah, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is my favourite retired politician is his sense of history. To the best of my knowledge, he is the only former Governor who has allowed to be documented the activities of his eight years in office. I was fortunate to have been asked to undertake the writing. The attempt by one of his successors to take credit for Attah’s achievements failed because there was a record. Copies of the book are still available and online.

Failure to write our own histories has been one of the banes of African societies.

Consequently, we fail to learn from our successes; and more importantly, from our mistakes. Rivers State is sliding towards the same crisis which led to the Wild Wild West or ‘Wetie” in the Western Region in the early 1960s and we are apparently impotent to avert the catastrophe unfolding in Rivers State.

HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS AS GUIDE TO DECISION-MAKING

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, a statement by George Santayana, 1863-1952, has featured on this page several times since 1994 because every government in Nigeria has fallen into the same dark hole.

They have loved sycophants and detested the truth until they are out of office.

Nigeria’s debt addiction started with the $2.8 billion loan taken by military Head of State Obasanjo with assurance from the praise singers and objections from people like me. OBJ was convinced the loan could be easily repaid; we thought it was better to increase tax collection. The debt escalated to $36 billion before Dr Okonio-Iweala released us in 2004.

We are back in a worse debt trap and people are still resisting a tax bill which basically will introduce the discipline of tax revenue to replace perpetually increasing debt. Obasanio has prepared us for this disregard for historical precedents. Otherwise, it is difficult to understand why a section of the country wants to throw the baby out with the bath water by spreading disinformation.

Furthermore, the 2025 Federal Budget exhibits two major faults of every budget since 2013. First, it was written without the slightest glance at the actual performance for the nine months of 2024 and projections for the balance of the year. Second, the authors disregarded the economic history of the last twelve years. From Jonathan to Tinubu, every budget had started with the demonstrably false assumption that Nigeria would produce and derive revenue from 2 million barrels per day of crude oil. Records and facts available to the three Presidents would easily prove that Nigeria cannot now, and might never again, be able to produce 2 mbpd of crude.

Our capacity to reduce crude oil has never been consistently up to 2mbpd.

Membership of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, imposes an annual limit on our production; and it has never been up to 2mbpd.

For 2025, it is 1.6mbpd. Non-OPEC nations now account for the majority of global oil production and increasing percentage of exports – thereby crowding out OPEC members. Given all these facts, it amounts to the worst form of wishful thinking and disregard for historical precedents for every Nigerian President to allow himself to be persuaded to present a budget based on that false assumption. We have tried everything else; we might as well try the truth.

Moreover, overestimating our crude oil revenue remains the cardinal reason why every annual revenue estimate has been missed; why we have recorded higher deficits than envisaged, why we borrow more than planned and why inflation is heading up. No board of directors of any well-managed company would allow the Chief Executive Officer to fail on so many variables, so often, and still take him seriously. The 2025 Budget is already dead on arrival because the country is probably not going to produce 2mbpd in January; and making up for the negative variance later is impossible.

Journalism has been described as the first rough draft of history. If our leaders actually want to govern well they should at least appoint someone to conduct research into historical precedents before introducing programmes and policies.

They might just discover that their new initiative is actually “same stale stew, warmed up, and served in new plates” (President Babangida).

When in the months leading to the 2019 elections, Vice-President Osinbajo went about giving ‘Trade Moni’ to selected market women as loan, I warned that it was a cheap replay of the Peoples Bank idea and would end up as another disaster. Even the Professor turned deaf ears to History. What has happened to the billions given out under that scheme; or, more appropriately, scam?

WHO WILLTEACH AND WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT?

 “You can get in more trouble with good ideas than bad ones. It is much easier to push a good idea to excess” – Ben Graham, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 97. Rebuilding what Obasanjo thoughtlessly destroyed will not be as easy as announcing it. Like any good idea, it requires careful planning. To start with, there are very few History graduates. It has never been a favourite subject for secondary school leavers going to university. All my six daughters are graduates; but, it was not until the last one that I had someone interested in History; and even that was because it was combined with International Relations. She wanted to be a diplomat; not a History teacher. So, we might have problems there.

What to teach is another problem. Africans and Nigerians don’t write their own History. My first roommate at the university was reading History; and, as early as second year, he was determined to be an expert on Thomas Jefferson – who presided and died 180 years before and already had four books written on him.

Nobody has written a History book on Gowon, Shagari, Babangida, Abacha and the one written by Jonathan and by Buhari’s former staff is not History. We need writers of History of our rulers; in order to educate generations unborn about how we progressed to where we are at any point in time.

Still, thanks Mr President. I appreciate it very much Sir.

PRINCE EJIKE OF ORLU, YOUR DAUGHTER WANTS YOU

“The most moral man is not the one who restrains from doing evil, but he who does good”- Professor Emevwo Biakolo, in Guardian, VBQ p 164.

If you think that only foreigners made it into the VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, well, here is one from a Nigerian. I hope Prof is still alive and well. I borrowed his idea long ago. Unable to refrain from doing evil, I have tried to do some good like helping total strangers. Here is one.

Miss Favour Ejike is desperate to get in touch with her father Prince Ejike of Orlu. Kindly get in touch if you can help locate him: Call: 0703-777-2952.