As the plane made its way into the Abuja skies, weeks back, I made a quick count of the luxury birds sunbathing to the right of the runway. This was a Saturday, the private jets were there in the tens, waiting to ferry Nigeria's luxury class to the next stop in their ever-busy schedules. I wondered about the cost of acquiring one of those toys, maintenance costs and all that. Then settled on what the Aviation authorities could be charging for licensing and parking fees. I couldn't get reliable information on that from my contacts in the Sector.

A few hours after, I was at Ikoyi. I pulled apart the curtains to take in the sight from the neighbouring lagoon. Seated majestically before me are the twins. They have been my neighbours for almost three months. I cannot recollect them moving, at any point, from the spot in which they are moored in the last 3 months. These are Yachts or possibly Superyachts said to belong to two of Nigeria's richest men - Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.

Streettalk estimates each of the boats at @$40 million. I wondered if and what they pay to have the yachts moored (parked) on our waterway all these months. I wondered how much was paid as tax on the yachts at the time of acquisition. I wondered about how much Nigeria might be indulging or subsidising luxury.

Nigeria, though faced with an acute revenue problem, has been struggling for almost 10 years now with implementing or executing luxury tax. The Jonathan administration had in 2014 unveiled plans for the introduction of tax on a number of Luxury goods. Targeted were private jets, yachts, luxury cars, first class tickets on airlines, champagnes, wines and spirits.

For some reason, the implementation process has never been able to find wings. The three Finance Ministers who have served since 2014 have offered us reasons this has yet to take off, even with the national treasury in dire straits. Over the years, there is no record of implementation or collection.

Whereas the 2019 Budget had a projection of N2.5 billion, there is no record that even One Kobo was collected. I do not know if the Budgets for subsequent years carried this budget hole. But from what I have seen, there is still no record of implementation.

It is the way it is. We are overwhelmed in our sea of contradictions. We are not willing to let go of our indulgences and luxuries, but ever generous with tears over the fruits from our plantation of contradictions. We are chasing Dollars with our Naira, to stockpile and speculate, with politicians buying up to fund elections, then wondering why Naira is on a freefall. We are in a rat race to buy dollars to fund our foreign travels, education for the children, health check and holiday abroad, yet wondering how come Naira is not holding firm.

We buy up PTA to offload. We are bingeing on all forms of foreign goods and services, without improving on local productivity, yet we want an exchange of One Naira to Dollar. In fact, we want One Naira to a Dollar so that we can travel the world and import all sorts of dregs, growing other economies while destroying ours.

As with politics and leadership, so is it with the economy, it is difficult to figure out what the Elite Consensus is. We are too impatient to grow from the bottom? As we must eat foreign rice, we flood neighbouring ports, and find ways to smuggle them in, putting local production in jeopardy. We cannot even agree on what exactly to do with whatever.

Experts argue for Naira devaluation, then complain that there is a freefall. Oh, they want the CBN to let its hands off the official window to do away with the arbitrage window. But is that all that there is to it? Would that not lead to a further free fall of the Naira even beyond the level people are already complaining of? How will manufacturers who need foreign equipment and inputs cope? Contradictions. People want a total removal of 'subsidy' on Petrol, yet complaining about the cost of Diesel! Contradictions.

The dots around our desires, wants, indulgences, luxuries, contradictions and lack of consensus on where to go, what to do, and how to do it are not that difficult to connect. We have an acute revenue problem, but cutting on our luxuries and excesses and growing the revenue basket, with the luxury tax being a low-hanging pick, is not a pill we are ready to swallow. We must reconcile with the contradictions in our choices to get ourselves out of the mess we have put ourselves.

The Ogun State Government has commenced ratification of properties on portions of land formerly acquired by Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

The Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Arch. Segun Fowora, stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Abeokuta, saying there was opportunity to get title documents for such land through the state’s Property Registration Programme (PRP) under the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) website www.olarms.ogunstate.gov.ng, to create a roadmap that would allow government to properly plan for development.

“Presently, PRP is offering ratification in communities in Ifo Local Government Area of the state which include, Igbusi, Fagbayi, Ogan, Abule Oke, Abata, Pakoto, Ojusango, among others’’

“PRP is still offering services in areas such as, Ikereku-olokuta, Ijeun Lukosi, Laderin, Abule-oko, Agunreti, in Abeokuta South and Obafemi Owode Local Government Areas (LGAs); Asese, Mowe, Orimerunmu, Makogi, Sefiu Sote, Olowotedo, Magboro Akeran, Ibafo, in Obafemi/Owode and Ifo LGAs; Aiyetoro, Lukosi, Seidu, Ogijo, ilara, Aguntoye Villages, Shimawa, Emagbon, Konigbagbe, in Sagamu L.G.A and Ilaro township in Yewa South LGA”.

“This programme will enable owners of dwelling houses and commercial properties to register their assets and obtain necessary building permits at 50 precent discount within a fixed time frame”, he said.

Arch. Fowora, according to the Press Officers, BLS, Ms. Temitope Adewunmi & Mrs. Bisi Fabajo, disclosed that the assessment of properties would commence on Monday, February 5, 2024, urging beneficiaries to purchase forms at designated centres within their communities and follow necessary procedures, while officials would be at the sites at 10.00am daily to register them.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending the insecurity plaguing the country.

The President stated this when he inducted two T129 Attack Combat Helicopters and one King Air Beechcraft 360ER mobility aircraft for use by the Nigerian Air Force.

Represented by his Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said the acquisition of the helicopters and the induction symbolised the commitment of his administration to the nation’s security.

The induction ceremony held at the 131 Engineering Group Hanger, Nigeria Air Force Base, Makurdi.

The President said that the acquisition and induction of the new platforms would improve NAF’s airpower in the ongoing war against terrorism.

He acknowledged that since its establishment in 1964, “NAF has been playing a critical role in the nation’s security, international operations and humanitarian needs.”

“Let me commend the Chief of Air Staff, officers and men for their commitment to enhancing national security. I assure you that the Tinubu administration will continue to support NAF and indeed, the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards combating terrorism, oil theft and other criminal activities.”

The President said substantial progress had been achieved in the ongoing counterterrorism efforts but noted that there should be no cause for celebration yet until the security challenges were fully addressed.

He called for a change in mindset, strategy and tactics in addressing the menace.

Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said that NAF had taken delivery of no fewer than seven aircraft.

He listed the new aircraft to include two Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, and a King Air 360 ER.

He added that the NAF would induct 46 new aircraft of various types over the next 18 months.

He said the air force has 170 pilots and 533 technicians and they were undergoing training locally and internationally.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, expressed gratitude to the President for his foresight and dogged support for the armed forces.

He said the induction of the newly-acquired aircraft was a testimony to Tinubu’s resolve to tackle insecurity in the country while urging the air force to make the best use of the newly acquired aircraft.

Experts at the event said that the T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries in partnership with Leonardo SPA.

The helicopter, it is understood, is designed for armed reconnaissance and attack missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.

Highlights of the event were the signing of the handing over documents and aerial display by the T129 Attack Combat Helicopter.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has appealed to states and local government councils across the country to cut taxes imposed on telecom companies, asserting that excessive taxation will be counterproductive to the growth of the industry.

The Federal Government in its 2024-2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper said it would implement a five per cent excise duty on telecommunication services to boost its revenue base.

The NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Wada Maida, lamented that with between 50 to 55 per cent taxes already imposed on telecom operators, it would be difficult to attract foreign investments into the sector in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the NCC.

According to Maida, the NCC management has decided to embark on nationwide advocacy to appeal to states and local governments as well as other stakeholders on the need to reduce levies they impose on the operators, especially the Right of Way charges and other multiple taxes.

Maida made the remarks on Tuesday at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

He said, “We are going to be going on an advocacy campaign to see how we can convince the states to remove some of these obstacles like Right of Way and multiple taxations because I have seen some studies which indicate taxation is almost 50% getting to 55% in some areas in this country.

“And you would agree with me that if we are trying to bring in foreign investment that is not a good picture to paint,” the NCC boss said.

He appealed to states to consider the long-term benefits that would come to them if they allowed massive investments in the sector as job opportunities would be created alongside other value chains in the sector.

He also disclosed that the dispute between the two telecom giants, MTN Nigeria and Globacom Network would be resolved amicably soon as the commission was more interested in a level-playing field for all stakeholders.

He said the commission had developed a strategic vision based on five pillars to drive the telecom industry and ensure that it continued to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country as expected.

The EVC acknowledged the challenges associated with the quality of services from Mobile Network Operators and Internet Services Providers, saying the commission would adopt “a total consumer experience” to address the challenges.

He also advised consumers complaining about data depletion to look inward as most of the problems had to do with the types of handsets they are using coupled with the services available and the digital services they enjoyed without considering cost implications.

Wada said, “Our approach will thus be to walk towards the expectations of these stakeholders, and everything for me starts with the consumer and the expectation of the consumer is very simple – quality of service.

“I don’t think you can say anything more than that. Quality of service and this quality of service, we are talking about a total consumer experience not just about drop calls or I can’t make a call.”

He added, “There is a total quality of experience right from how do you find and select the right network to use, how do you onboard onto that network talking about SIM registration process, process of linking your SIM to your NIN and of course after you have gone through all of that when you are using it, how easy is it for you to select a tariff, how transparent is the tariff, how are you supported by the entire host, how do you onboard from the network, these are important.”

In a heartwarming display of generosity, the Worship for Change Foundation, a non-profitorganisation, has donated a total sum of ₦33 million to four schools dedicated to caring for children with disabilities.

The donation, presented on February 6th, 2024 at a ceremony in Lagos, aims to empower these institutions and provide much-needed support to the underprivileges.

Each of the four beneficiary schools – Joy in Africa Foundation (Asaba), Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation (Lagos), Seedo Initiative for Children with Special Needs (Abuja), and To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment (Ilorin) – received ₦8.25 million each.

The funds were raised through the Green Worship Benefit concert, a star-studded event held on October 2nd, 2023, featuring renowned Nigerian gospel artists Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Cobhams Asuquo, and Waje.

Worship for Change has so far been able to raise over N120m for 38 charities caring for thousands of orphans and children with special needs in Nigeria.

Wale Adenuga, Chief Responsibility Officer of Worship for Change and a gospel artist, emphasised the organisation's unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable children.

"Since 2004, I've been driven to use my platform to help indigent children, especially children with special needs," he shared. "As we know, the special children's needs are barely cared for and catered for in our present-day society. These children are special, and God cares deeply for them."

Adenuga while using the opportunity to appreciate the individuals and corporate donors from Nigeria and all over the world for their contribution towards the success of the initiative, while thanking the planning team for their commitment to seeing that life is better for special children across Nigeria.

Emphasising transparency and accountability, Mr Adenuga assured the stakeholders of continued monitoring to ensure the funds are utilised effectively. "We will follow up closely to verify that the money is used as intended, addressing the specific needs outlined by each school," he stated.

The donation ceremony resonated with raw emotions from the founders of the benefiting schools.

Mrs Kawan Aondofa-Anjira, the founder of the Seedo Initiative, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking experiences of raising her first two children with cerebral palsy, highlighting the societal stigma and discrimination they faced.

"They were considered 'spirits', 'undeserving of life'," she lamented, recalling the cruel suggestions she received from supposed Christians. "Fueled by this experience, my husband and I established a haven for mothers in similar situations, offering therapy and support for their children.", she says

Tobiloba Ajayi, founder of Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation and herself living with the condition, echoed Mrs. Aondofa-Anjira's sentiment.

"My parents were told to abandon me as they already had 'normal' children," she shared. "Growing up, I realised society deemed children like me unworthy, even denying them education despite our parents' efforts."

The heartfelt testimonies resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring these schools' critical role in nurturing and empowering children with special needs. Rev. Samuel Abiodun Ajayi, a beneficiary representing To Omo Re Centre, expressed immense gratitude for the timely support. "This donation is a godsend," he exclaimed. "We were facing numerous challenges, and this will make a significant difference."

Worship For Change 1: l-r: Trustee, Worship for Change Foundation, Gboyega Aboderin; Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Her Husband, Henry Okonjor, Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

Worship for Change 2: l-r: Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi; President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

Worship for Change 3: l-r: Founder, Joy in Africa Foundation, Asaba, Joy Okonjor; Founder, To Omo Re Centre for Special Empowerment, Sam Ajayi;  Chief Responsibility Officer, The Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi; Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Worship for Change, Wale Adenuga; and President, The Seedoo Initiative for Children with Special Needs, Kawan Aondofa-Anjira; during the presentation of cheques totaling N33m to 4 Foundations catering for special needs by Worship for Change Foundation in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Olayemi Cardoso has attributed the recent increase in the dollar exchange rate to the rise in Nigerian students who study abroad, as well foreign medical trips embarked on by Nigerians.

Cardoso spoke at the sectoral debate put together by the House of Representatives on Tuesday in Abuja.

The apex bank’s boss said the high cost of living remains a concern, adding that the CBN was working to bring lasting solutions, and bring down the inflation to 21.4 per cent through improved agricultural productivity.

“Volume on transactions on our market was over 800 million dollars. The cost of living remains a concern. The urgency of the matter is not lost on us. We are working to bring lasting solutions. CBN worked at bringing down Inflation to 21.4 percent aided by improved agricultural productivity.

“To address exchange rate volatility we will improve liquidity. These come with economic costs, which are temporary.

“There’s increasing demand for dollars with an increase in Nigerian students studying abroad, projected to have exceeded 100,000 by 2022. Given this data, 28.6bn dollars, education and medical tourism are also leading to increasing demand for dollars,” he added.

Super Eagles forward and Napoli hitman, Victor Osimhen has been declared fit to feature in the crucial semi final match against arch rivals, Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.

News coming from the Super Eagles camp suggested that Osimhen is currently on his way to Bouake to meet up with the team after being cleared by the Team Doctors.

The Nigeria Super Eagles are scheduled to meet the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday in Bouake, 6pm Nigerian time.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Egyptian referee Amin Omar for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final encounter between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said Omar’s compatriots, Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Ibrahim, would play the roles of assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2, while Sudanese Mahmood Ismail would serve as the fourth official.

Olajire said that Attia Amsaaed from Libya will be the reserve assistant referee, with Yacoub Elmi from Djibouti as commissioner and Aboubacar Doumbouya from Guinea as referee assessor.

“Three-time champions Nigeria and 1996 champions South Africa face off in their second-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash at the Stade de la Paix.

“Their only previous meeting at the same stage, at the National Stadium in Lagos, when Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 finals with Ghana, ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.

“Wednesday’s clash is being billed as the more potentially explosive of the two semi-finals; hosts Cote d’Ivoire will be up against the Democratic Republic of Congo, given the pedigree, rivalry, and ambition of the two teams,” he said.

The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar says that the Presidency has failed to present a convincing justification for what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address Nigeria’s economic difficulties.

Naija News reports that the former vice-president, who was responding to Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who accused him of carving out a position as the “opposition-in-chief” to the President and the current government, said that the presidential aide showed a lack of awareness of the events going on around him.

Onanuga had claimed that Atiku took on the new position after failing to realize his lifelong aim of controlling Nigeria.

However, the former vice-president argued that throughout the 2023 presidential campaign, he gave better policy options than Tinubu’s “morbid prescriptions.”

A statement by Atiku’s spokesperson Paul Ibe read, “The Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, failed to provide a credible defence of Bola Tinubu’s failures in tackling the economic challenges facing the country.

“In his characteristic manner, he resorts to insults and name-calling. He demonstrates ignorance of the happenings around him – as he denies, for example, that Bola Tinubu’s policies are creating excruciating pain and causing despair. We wish to respond to him as follows.

“Point 1: Did Atiku Abubakar offer any better policy options in his run for the presidency?

“Yes, he did. His living prescriptions contrast sharply with Bola Tinubu’s morbid policies. Atiku’s policy document, My Covenant With Nigerians, offers a clearly defined and robust roadmap for the socio-political and economic transformation of Nigeria. On the economy, the policy document outlines the challenges we face and our vision to get the economy on its feet and create prosperity. If Bayo desires, he can have a copy for free!

“Point 2: That all the major presidential candidates supported the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS.

“But so, what? Even if all the major candidates agreed that the fuel subsidy regime must end and that the multiple exchange rates must be fixed, this would not translate into endorsing Bola Tinubu’s failures in implementation. The truth is that unlike Atiku, Bola Tinubu did not understand the reforms he embarked upon and had no idea what steps to take to mitigate their negative impact.

“As a leader with foresight, Atiku anticipated that the withdrawal of subsidy and the unification of exchange rates could, in the absence of fundamental interventions, impact negatively on micro and small enterprises in the informal sector. He anticipated that such policies could elevate the levels of vulnerability and deprivation of poor families. including the youth and adults with no income.

“The former Vice President, therefore, pledged to support Nigeria’s businesses by creating an Economic Stimulus Fund with an initial investment capacity of approximately US$10 billion to prioritize support to MSMEs across all the economic sectors, as they offer the greatest opportunities for achieving inclusive growth. The Fund was designed to make it easier for Nigeria’s 60 million micro and small enterprises to navigate the stormy seas in the aftermath of the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS.

“In contrast, Bola Tinubu offered a paltry N125 billion to help the MSMEs, which at today’s exchange rate is no more than US100 million. Of course, Bayo Onanuga is aware that the pledge is yet to be redeemed by the president.

“Atiku also pledged to implement a robust social investment programme to support the poor and vulnerable with CCTs. Atiku’s support to the poor and vulnerable would include prioritized actions to address the challenges of displacement and the sufferings of IDPs across the country.

“In contrast, the funds for Tinubu’s CCT were cornered by his officials in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

“Alongside the Economic Stimulus Fund, Atiku pledged to launch a uniquely designed skills-to-job programme that would target all categories of youth, including graduates, early school leavers as well as the massive numbers of uneducated youth who are currently not in education, employment, or training.

“As a leader of vision, Atiku was ready for the potential fallout of his policies. Bola Tinubu was clearly not ready. It was only after he unleashed his morbid reforms that he started groping in the dark, looking for solutions. We all recall that in October 2023, the Financial Times of London rebuked Bola Tinubu for announcing plans without ideas for how to implement them.

“Point 3: Is the private sector not overburdened by Bola Tinubu’s failure to address the aftermath of his policies?

“Would Bayo Onanuga deny that Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Procter & Gamble (P&G), Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria, Bolt Food, Equinor etc had exited Nigeria citing reasons including foreign exchange complexities, security concerns, and high operational costs? Bayo Onanuga must be living in a dream world outside the shores of Nigeria.

“Point 4: Is Bayo denying that cost-of-living pressures have intensified since May 2023?

“He needs to read the official statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics: The annual inflation rate reached a nearly 30-year high of 28.9% in December 2023, up from 28.2% in November.

“Would Bayo Onanuga deny that food prices, which constitute a significant portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, soared to 33.9% in December, the highest level since August 2005? Would he also deny that in many states of the federation, citizens have blocked roads in protest? Just yesterday morning (Monday, February 5), it was reported that hundreds of residents of Minna in Niger State blocked major roads to protest hunger and the high cost of living in the country. Only failed leaders play the ostrich and live in self-denial.

“Point 5: The Presidency’s response is full of lamentations and resorts to blame game. It is a familiar road travelled by the ruling party!

“It has become fashionable for every APC-led government to blame others, especially the opposition and external factors for Nigeria’s economic woes. Now, Tinubu is elevating the blame game to the NEXT LEVEL as he accuses his own party of lacklustre performance.

“The evidence, however, is overwhelming. Tinubu’s under-performance is largely attributable to leadership failures in the management of the economy. The failure of leadership by the APC-led government is staring every Nigerian in the face as the country’s economic, social, political, and security challenges persist and assume frightening dimensions. An unprepared leadership such as Bola Tinubu’s fails to anticipate impending crisis and is always slow to react.”

The executive committee of the Cameroon Football Federation has rejected the resignation letter of its FA president, Samuel Eto’o.

Samuel Eto’o, who has been the president of the Cameroon FA since December 11, 2021, wrote to the committee to announce his resignation after the country failed to progress beyond the round of 16 stage of the 2023 AFCON.

Recall that Cameroon managed to qualify for the round of 16 after beating Gambia 3-2 in their last group-stage game on January 23.

Unfortunately, they lost 2-0 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the round of 16, putting an unexpected end to their 2023 AFCON campaign.

Samuel Eto’o, who attended virtually each of the four games his country played at the tournament in Ivory Coast, decided to bow out of the FA for failing to help his country win their long-awaited 6th AFCON title.

While the FA president decided to resign, there was no report concerning the future of the national team head coach, Rigobert Song.

In reaction to Eto’o’s unexpected resignation, the executive committee of the Cameroon FA issued a statement on Monday, February 5, to insist that the committee won’t approve his resignation.

The statement reads: “At the end of discussions and subsequent deliberations, the members of the executive committee decided to maintain their current mandates and thus unanimously rejected the president’s resignation thereby renewing their confidence in him to continue with the same spirit of reconstruction and development of Cameroon football at all levels as envisaged in his plan adopted by the elective general assembly of December 11, 2021.”