Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data about cities and countries worldwide, has ranked Lagos State as the most severe traffic congestion, followed by Nairobi, Kenya.

Numbeo provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, healthcare, traffic, crime and pollution.

According to Numbeo, by mid-2024, traffic conditions in various African cities would have deteriorated, resulting in longer commutes and decreased productivity.

It stated that the traffic index assesses commute time, dissatisfaction with traffic, CO2 emissions, and overall system inefficiencies to highlight the severity of the issue.

Numbeo stated that Lagos consistently ranks as one of the world’s most congested cities.

The high Traffic Index of 354.5 indicates severe congestion, with the average commuter spending approximately 68.8 minutes in traffic each day.

It listed high population, poor road conditions and frequent potholes as factors that contribute to the traffic woes in Lagos.

The public transport system is often overcrowded and inefficient, leading many to rely on private vehicles.

Coming second is Nairobi, Kenya that is another major city grappling with severe traffic congestion.

The city’s Traffic Index stands at 249.0, with an average commute time of 52.7 minutes. Nairobi’s position as an economic and administrative hub contributes significantly to its traffic issues.

Also, Cairo, Egypt’s bustling capital is notorious for its traffic congestion. The city’s Traffic Index is 242.4, with commuters spending an average of 49.9 minutes in traffic.

Cairo’s ancient infrastructure struggles to accommodate modern-day traffic volumes.

Overpopulation is a significant factor as Cairo is one of the most densely populated cities in Africa.

In addition, Pretoria, one of South Africa’s three capital cities, faces significant traffic challenges.

With a Traffic Index of 228.1 and an average commute time of 45.0 minutes, the city’s congestion is a major concern for residents and authorities alike.

Also, Cape Town, another major city in South Africa faces significant traffic congestion.

The city’s Traffic Index is 209.3, with commuters spending an average of 42.5 minutes in traffic daily.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed deep concern over Nigerians’ severe economic hardships.

His comments came during a ceremony for the distribution of free fertiliser to 52,800 smallholder farmers across Kano State’s 44 local government areas on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering at the Government House, alongside the newly appointed second-class Emirs of Gaya and Karaye, Sanusi highlighted the dire situation many Nigerians find themselves in.

“People are in a dire situation. I’m aware that people now resort to buying half pepper because of the high cost of food items. This is unbearable. But I think with efforts like this, people can get some relief,” he stated.

The initiative, which aims to alleviate economic hardship and promote food security, will see each farmer, including women and persons living with disabilities, receive 25kg of fertiliser.

The Emir praised the Kano State Government for the initiative but urged further action to mitigate the ongoing economic challenges.

On his part, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, said, “We are determined to support our farmers and ensure that food is available and affordable for all.”

The Emirs of Gaya and Karaye also voiced their support for the programme. Emir of Gaya, Ali Ibrahim, said, “This distribution of fertiliser will significantly contribute to food security in our state.” Similarly, the Emir of Karaye, Mahammad Mahraz, expressed optimism that the initiative would benefit the farming community.

Representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) were also present, expressing their gratitude for the government’s gesture. “This initiative will help bring down the cost of food items in the state and provide much-needed support to our farmers,” remarked AFAN official Ibrahim Inuwa.

Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has asked John Tsoho, the chief judge of the federal high court, to reassign his fundamental human rights case to another judge.

In June, el-Rufai sued the Kaduna house of assembly over the allegation that his administration diverted N423 billion when he was the governor of the state.

The former governor, through Abdulhakeem Mustapha, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed the fundamental rights suit at the federal high court in Kaduna.

The matter came up for a hearing on July 8 but was adjourned after proceedings to July 17 by agreement of counsel.

However, according to a letter signed by Adetayo Adeyemo and addressed to the chief judge, the court did not sit on July 17.

“On the said 17th of July 2024, our principal, A.U. Mustapha, SAN, appeared in court with S.S. Umoru, Esq., and Habib Dauda, Esq., having arrived from Lagos a day earlier, but we were informed that the court would not sit. As a result, he proceeded back to Lagos,” the letter reads.

Adeyemo said they later got information that the court would sit on July 18.

“In view of this extremely short time, we caused a letter of adjournment to be written and filed in court. The said letter was filed and served on the court and all the counsel in the matter,” he said.

Nevertheless, Adeyemo said R.M. Aikawa, the presiding judge, went ahead to hear the suit on Thursday, allowing the respondents to adopt and adumbrate their processes.

“The action of the presiding judge to hear the matter without the attendance and appearance of the applicant smacks of extreme bias, injustice, and denial of a fair hearing against the applicant for a lot of reasons,” he said.

“The applicant was not put on notice for the proceedings of 18th of July, 2024 as expressly explained in the letter of adjournment. We only got a whiff of the hearing on the night of 17th of July which is an extremely short time for us to appear in court.

“Service of hearing notice in a matter is sacrosanct, and our courts have held severally that every party must be put on notice before his case can be heard, and this was done without putting the applicants’ counsel on notice.

“Equally important is the fact that the applicant was not given an opportunity to respond to the 1st respondent’s counter-affidavit and written address.

“The 1st respondent filed his processes out of time and followed same up with an application for an extension of time. Thus, it is elementary that the applicant’s time to respond to the processes would begin to count upon the grant of the application for an extension of time.

“In view of the foregoing, we humbly apply for a transfer of this matter from the trial court presided over by honourable justice R.M. Aikawa, whereby the relevant applications can be heard as the applicant has lost confidence in the judge to continue to hear and determine the matter. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.

“Having expressly refused to put the applicant on notice before hearing the matter and proceeding to hear the same when the applicant was still within time to respond to the 1st respondent’s application, the average man on the street could see which way the judge is headed.”

In April, the Kaduna assembly inaugurated a 13-member committee to examine the loans, grants, and project implementation in the state during el-Rufai’s tenure.

The lawmakers said most of the loans obtained and projects implemented did not follow the “due process”.

They also called for the prosecution of some of the commissioners and officials who worked under el-Rufai.

Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye, the co-founder of Kennis Music, has revealed how he has maintained his over 40-year friendship with Kenny Ogungbe.

In a recent interview with Teju Babyface, the comedian, Adeneye said his bond with Ogungbe, 63, goes back to their college days, where they were practically inseparable.

He said they graduated together and frequently spent time at each other’s homes.

“Keke and I have known each other for over 40 years, going on 50 years now. As a matter of fact, we graduated on the same day, both our undergraduate and graduate,” he said.

“If you were looking for Kenny in those days, just go to my house. He had his own apartment, but he was always at my house. If you were looking for me, I’d be at Kenny’s house.”

Adeneye also revealed that their friendship is built on mutual support and contentment.

He said they ensure that they never pursue ambitions at the expense of their bond.

He added that they handle disagreements privately, without seeking external intervention.

“That has always been the way we approach life: what is yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours. The thing is, what do we achieve together? It’s not like we don’t fight, but we don’t let it get to the level where we need to people to intervene after a quarrel,” he added.

“We’ve never taken things out of context. We are both contented individuals. We aspire for a lot in life but not at the expense of our friendship.”

Adeneye and Ogungbe founded Kennis Music, their record label, in the late 1990s.

The record label was home to artistes like 2Baba, Jaywon, Eldee, Sir Shina Peters, and Tony Tetuila, among others.

The duo have received several recognitions, including induction into the Hip-Hop World Hall of Fame at the 2006 Headies.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it has identified sponsors of the proposed nationwide protest.

There have been reports that some Nigerians, under various bodies, are planning a nationwide protest between August 1 and 10 against the rising cost of living and the economic hardship in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Paul Odenyi, deputy director of press at NOA, said the agency has “successfully” identified the sponsors of the proposed nationwide protest and likely flashpoints where it may occur.

Odenyi quoted Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general (DG) of the agency, as saying that the protest promoters intend to “project Nigeria as an unstable country to the international community”.

Issa-Onilu urged the promoters of the proposed nationwide protests to pursue dialogue instead of recourse to disorder.

“The identities of many of the brains behind the protest have been known, along with their collaborators who are safely residing abroad, and the government is taking necessary actions to stop their subversive plans,” the statement reads.

“The intentions of the elements behind the planned protest are not about governance or the state of the economy but a decoy to destabilise the country, cause mayhem, and carry out arson, killings, and maiming of innocent citizens for narrow political reasons.

“The NOA is intensifying efforts in civil intelligence gathering and sensitisation of community leaders, parents, and youths across the 774 local governments on the need for vigilance and collective preventive actions.”

On July 3, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said a “shadowy group” was organising a protest against its operations.

Subsequently, NOA announced that it had mobilised 4,000 of its personnel nationwide to track the activities of the group organising the protest.

…Orders 50% slash on grains

… Says Niger don’t rely on FAAC for projects

Following the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that the youths of the state will not be joining their counterparts in other parts of the country.

New Telegraph reports that August 1st to 10th of this year has been slated for the nationwide protest.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with stakeholders at the Justice Legbo Kutigi conference centre in Minna on Thursday the Governor said “Our youths are peaceful and would not be drawn into any protest.”

Accordingly, he said “We, as youths of Niger state have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquillity.

You can start demonstrations but you cannot end demonstrations. To youths who are agitating for this protest, let us end this agitation, let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.”

The governor then announced the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains which he said would be sold at 50 per cent of its current price.

In his words: “We have over 100, 000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50 per cent of its current price. And before the end of the year, we will slash food price by 90 per cent”.

Also, the Governor of Niger state declared his support for the autonomy of local governments but urged them to sit up as several of them could not pay salaries for a year.

Speaking on the reliance on Federal Allocation, Governor BAGO said “Niger state government does not depend on FAAC to finance its projects or move the state forward.

I do not need FAAC in Niger state. The roads I am building, the projects I have undertaken is not being done by FAAC. We are producing and that is the secret behind what we are doing. There are people who have invested in Niger state in the next five years.

“The food I am giving out at 50 per cent subsidy was originally meant for export but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites.”

The Emir of Bida and the Chairman of the council of traditional rulers of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya said that protest is not a way to go urging the youths not to join in the temptation of joining the planned nationwide protest.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honorable Abdulmalik Sarkindaji in his address also called on the youths of the state not to be part of the protest stating that the state will organize programmes for the youths to engage in while others are protesting in other states.

Also, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Niger state, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna admonished Nigerlites to embrace whatever would lead to peace.

According to him “let us remain peaceful and pray for the state, the government and then support government’s programmes and policies.”

Governor Bago presented cars to members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners, Judges, Chief Imam of the state, the state CAN Chairman, and Service Chiefs.

The naira traded at N1,620 on Thursday, extending its depreciation streak to five days at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market.

The local currency depreciated by 0.3 percent from the N1,615 per dollar traded on July 17.

Currency traders, known as bureau de change (BDC) operators, quoted the buying rate of the naira as N1,600 and the selling rate at N1,620 — leaving a N20 profit margin.

According to the FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees official FX trading in Nigeria, the local currency appreciated to N1,566.82 per dollar on Thursday  — a 0.94 percent decline from N1,581.65 traded the previous day.

The local currency traded at a high of N1,620 and a low of N1,500.

A FIVE-DAY LOSS STREAK 

On July 11, the local currency appreciated at the black market to N1,530/$ — from the N1,550 traded on July 10.

Abruptly reversing the gain, the naira depreciated to N1,545 on July 12, and further to N1,555 on July 15. 

Between July 16 and July 17, the local currency depreciated to N1,585 and N1,615, respectively.

Meanwhile, the official market recorded marginal fluctuations. Data from the FMDQ Exchange showed that the naira appreciated to N1,554.65 on July 11 — from N1,561 on July 10.

The local currency fell to N1,563.80 on July 12 at the official market. The decline continued at N1,577.29 on July 15, before the naira recovered again to N1,576.66 on July 16.

However, the local currency, on July 17, fell to N1,581.65 against the greenback.

On July 15, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) called for the stabilisation of the naira’s value.

“The recent fluctuations in the value of the naira have made it difficult for companies to plan and invest,” the association said.

“This is one major reason why multinational companies are leaving. It’s not the fear of subsidy removal.”

According to the association, fixing the FX rate would reset the manufacturing industry.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on July 13, said it has sold foreign currencies worth $122.67 million to 46 authorised dealers in two days to ensure stability and reduce FX market volatility.

On July 18, the CBN approved the sale of FX to eligible BDC operators at N1,450 per dollar “to meet the demand for invisible transactions”.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the national assembly is becoming an “enabler of executive recklessness”.

In a post on X on Thursday, Abubakar condemned the removal of Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, as the chief whip of the senate.

On Wednesday, Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north, took Ndume’s position following a request by Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the party.

Ndume has been critical of the government over the state of the nation with his recent claim that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is populated by kleptocrats.

Reacting to Ndume’s removal as the senate chief whip, the former vice-president alleged the Tinubu-led administration is clamping down on people speaking truth to power.

“In the evolution of systems of government, a major concern for thinkers was a governmental framework that will reduce the highhandedness of the executive arm of government,” he wrote.

“It was thought, and rightly so too, that a participatory approach to governance, such that will make the government derive its legitimacy from the people will better serve the interest of the masses.

“And thus, to make sure that the executive does not go overboard in the application of its powers, the legislative arm of government was conceived as a means of protecting the people from the authoritarian tendencies of wielders of state powers.

“Regrettably, however, the democracy in Nigeria in the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has become an anathema to that general principle of democracy as providing primary protection for the people against executive excesses.

“This ugly tendency is being manifested by the steady posturing of our National Assembly, especially the Senate, of taking a reverse course in its core function and becoming a puppet in the hands of the President.

“It is uncharitable that whenever members of the Senate stand on the floor of the red chamber to perform their statutory duty of calling the executive to order, they are immediately reprimanded for so doing.

“When Senator Abdul Ningi called attention of the country to the incident of budget padding in the 2024 Appropriation bill, rather than calling for a thorough investigation into the observation, the reaction of the Senate was to hand him a suspension.

“Today, the people of Nigeria are victims of ambiguous budget framework upon which appropriations for the current fiscal year are hinged in the face of a multiplicity of appropriations.

“Only yesterday, Senator Ali Ndume called for the President to wake up to his responsibilities and provide succour to address the biting hunger and poverty in the country. Ironically, the response of the senate to his patriotic warning is to relieve him of his principal office as the Chief Whip of the Senate.

“Also, despite persistent solicitations that government put its priorities on cancelling the excruciating hardship in the land and suspend the idea of spending scarce resources on the purchase of new aircraft for the presidential fleet, the Senate took a stand against the people and ignored the voices of altruism by decorating the President with controversial purchases of an aircraft and a yacht amidst the worst material conditions of the average citizen in the history of our country.

“We are, therefore, beginning to see a pattern in which the National Assembly has become an enabler of executive recklessness, and the concerns of the people stand in the nadir of priority list of the legislature. This emerging reality must stop.”

Abubakar said the nation’s democracy is being “compromised” by an “unholy alliance” between the executive and the legislature and “portends a dictatorship that will worsen a lot of the people”.

says refinery at ‘45% completion

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says the Dangote refinery is still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed.

Speaking to state house correspondents on Thursday, Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive officer (CEO) of NMDPRA, said there are numerous concerns regarding petroleum products’ supply nationwide.

“Well, just like you rightly asked, there are lots of concerns about the supply of petroleum products nationwide and the claims by some media houses that we were trying to scuttle Dangote refinery; that is not so,” he said.

“Dangote refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage. It has not been licensed yet. We have not licensed them yet. 

“I think they are at about 45 percent completion. So we can not rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop all importation of petroleum products, especially automotive gas oil (AGO) or jet kero and direct all marketers to the refinery.”

This, Ahmed said, is not good for the nation in terms of energy security and also not good for markets because of monopoly.

“So, in terms of quality, currently, the AGO quality in terms of sulphur is the lowest as far as West Africa’s requirement of 50 ppm,” he said.

“Dangote refinery as well as some major refineries like Waltersmith refinery, produce between 650 to 1200 ppm. So, in terms of quality, their quality is much more inferior to the imported quality.”

On June 4, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, said some international oil companies (IOCs) were struggling to supply crude to his refinery.

Speaking on Arise TV on July 15, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) described the claim as “erroneous” as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has provisions that guide willing buyer-willing seller transactions.

On July 17, the management of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) insisted that IOCs are frustrating its request to purchase crude feedstock for the Dangote refinery.

Former US president Barack Obama has told allies that Joe Biden needs to reconsider his reelection bid, the Washington Post reported on Thursday.

Obama believes that Biden’s path to victory has diminished and that the 81-year-old should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy,” the newspaper said, citing people briefed on his thinking.

It said there was no immediate comment from Obama, who was in office while Biden was vice president from 2009 to 2017 and who remains hugely influential in the Democratic party.

Obama would be the most heavyweight Democrat so far to join a growing chorus in the party calling for Biden to drop out, following a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.

Biden, who is isolating with Covid at his beach house, has rejected concerns about his age and fitness and insisted that he is staying in the race for the White House.

Pressure is mounting, though, with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also both reportedly meeting with Biden in recent days to warn that his candidacy threatens his party’s prospects in November’s election.

The 2024 US presidential election is shaping up to be a highly contentious race. Incumbent President Joe Biden is seeking re-election, despite internal and external pressures suggesting he might step aside.

There are ongoing discussions and debates within the Democratic Party about Biden’s candidacy, with some calling for a replacement candidate due to concerns over his electability against former President Donald Trump.

Trump remains a prominent figure in the Republican Party and is actively campaigning for a return to the White House. He continues to face legal challenges, including cases related to his business practices and claims of immunity from prosecution​

As the election draws closer, the political landscape is filled with speculation and strategic manoeuvring from both major parties. Key issues, such as immigration, the economy, and social policies, are central to the campaigns, with both candidates vying for voter support in critical battleground states.

The 2024 US presidential election is scheduled to take place on November 5, 2024.