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Actress and politician Eniola Badmus broke down in tears during her annual charity event where she made an emotional appeal to supporters to pray for her to become a mother.
As she took the stage, Eniola’s voice cracked with emotion as she urged the audience to pray for her to be blessed with the fruit of the womb.
She expressed deep desire to have children and provide for them, asking for continued opportunities to serve and support her community.
“Please continue to pray for me. Always mention me, Eniola Badmus, in your prayers. I am waiting upon the Lord for kids. Please pray for me. And more opportunities so I can serve you better. With your prayers and God by my side, I will continue to work together with you people to achieve a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow for many of our people. Thank you today, thank you always, and thank you forever, “she said.
Eniola’s plea was met with compassion and understanding from the audience visibly moved.
[TheNation]
Nigerian telecommunications companies have proposed a 100 per cent increase in their tariffs, pending approval from the government.
The proposal, which has been submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission, aims to address rising operational costs, including inflation and increased service delivery expenses.
The disclosure was made by the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday.
However, the CEO expressed that it remains uncertain whether the Nigerian Communications Commission—the telecom regulator, will approve the proposal.
According to Toriola, the proposed tariff hike is necessary for the sustainability of the industry, which has been facing significant financial pressures due to rising operational costs.
“We’ve put forward requests of approximately 100 per cent tariff increases to regulators. I doubt they’re going to approve that quantum of increases because they are very, very sensitive to the current economic situation in the country,” Toriola said.
Despite the challenges, Toriola expressed optimism that regulators would make the right decision, taking into account the realities of the sector.
The CEO emphasised that the focus is on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry, rather than short-term profitability.
“I believe we’re all on the same side, the policymakers, the regulators, our Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, and the industry. We’re united because we share concerns about a few fundamental issues. First, human rights, are critical to driving any economy. Without a sustainable industry, the broader economy and the well-being of the people will be negatively impacted.”
The proposal comes amid rising costs for telecom companies, driven by factors such as inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and the increasing price of key operational inputs like diesel, power generation, and raw materials.
Toriola highlighted the pressure these rising costs have put on telecom businesses, making it difficult for many companies to maintain profitable operations.
Earlier this week, operators issued a statement warning that service disruptions are imminent unless tariffs are adjusted to account for escalating operational costs.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo described the telecom sector as “under siege,” citing soaring operational costs driven by inflation, volatile exchange rates, and rising energy prices.
He noted that despite these challenges, tariffs have remained unchanged, leaving operators struggling to maintain quality service and expand their networks.
The telcom chief warned that without an immediate tariff adjustment, operators may resort to service shedding, leading to limited availability of telecom services in certain areas.
The first call for a tariff adjustment was made in April 2024, but no significant progress has been achieved.
In response to the growing financial strain, ALTON and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria issued a joint statement urging the Federal Government to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders.
The associations emphasised the need for a framework that balances consumer affordability with operators’ financial sustainability, following 11 years of tariff stability.
With a shared commitment to preserving the sector’s future, operators are calling on all stakeholders to act before it’s too late, warning that failure to do so will risk the survival of one of Nigeria’s most critical industries.
[Punch]
Africa’s linguistic landscape is a treasure trove of culture and heritage and African languages are as diverse and colourful as the continent itself. They carry history, culture, and identity, connecting millions of people.
Over 2,000 African languages are spoken across its 54 countries. Among these, several languages stand out for their widespread use, cultural importance, and fascinating histories.
Here are ten of Africa’s most prominent languages and their unique stories.
Swahili (Kiswahili)
Swahili is one of the leading African languages, spoken by 100 to 150 million people. It is a Bantu language and the official language in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Swahili is also spoken in Ethiopia, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, northern Mozambique, and the Comoros Islands.
Swahili developed along the East African coast through trade, influenced by Arabic due to contact with Arab traders. Today, it is celebrated in music, literature, and education, bringing people together across diverse cultures.
Arabic
Arabic is spoken by over 150 million Africans. It is a key language in North Africa, including Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia. Its many dialects add to its richness.
Arabic is the sacred language of the Quran and is central to Islamic traditions. It has shaped African literature, philosophy, and science, making it a significant cultural force.
French
French, a legacy of colonial history, is spoken by about 90 million Africans. It is the official language in 26 countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and the DRC. French is widely used in business, education, and government.
French has blended with African cultures, creating unique versions like Cameroonian and Ivorian French. This adaptation makes it a vital communication bridge across Africa and the world.
Hausa
Hausa is an Afroasiatic language spoken by over 40 million people. It is widely used in Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, and Cameroon. Hausa serves as a trade and media language across West Africa.
Hausa has a rich oral tradition of storytelling and poetry. It is written in both Arabic (Ajami) and Latin-based script. Hausa is found in radio broadcasts, markets, and daily interactions.
Yoruba
Yoruba is spoken by over 30 million people in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. It is a Niger-Congo language with more than 15 dialects. Yoruba is deeply connected to the culture and spirituality of its people.
Known for proverbs, folktales, and poetry, Yoruba is also the language of Ifá, a UNESCO-recognised divination system. It continues to inspire art and tradition.
Oromo
Oromo is a Cushitic language spoken by around 30 million people. It is mainly used in Ethiopia and parts of Kenya, Somalia, and Egypt. Oromo is the most widely spoken language in Ethiopia, representing over 40% of the population.
Although once suppressed, Oromo has regained prominence and is now written in a Latin-based script. It embodies the rich history and identity of the Oromo people.
Igbo
About 20 million people speak Igbo, mainly in Nigeria. It is a Niger-Congo language with over 20 dialects and a tonal structure.
The Igbo people are known for their entrepreneurial spirit. Their language thrives in literature and film. Writers like Chinua Achebe have brought Igbo culture to a global audience.
Amharic
Amharic, spoken by over 32 million people, is Ethiopia’s official language. It is the second most spoken Semitic language after Arabic. Amharic uses the unique Ge’ez script.
Amharic has been central to Ethiopian governance, education, and literature for centuries. It reflects Ethiopia’s resilience and history of resisting colonisation.
Zulu
Zulu is a Bantu language with click sounds, spoken by over 10 million people. It is one of South Africa’s 11 official languages. Zulu’s oral tradition includes praise poetry, folktales, and songs.
Zulu gained international recognition through music and film, thanks to icons like Ladysmith Black Mambazo. It is a language of strength and storytelling.
Shona
Shona is spoken by about 10 million people in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. It is a Bantu language with a strong tradition of storytelling and song.
Shona shows Zimbabwean culture through proverbs and literature. Its use in modern music and books keeps it vibrant and cherished.
The Osun state police command has arrested a couple after the husband allegedly stabbed a bishop to death in Osogbo.
BBC News Pidgin reports that Yemisi Opalola, the command’s spokesperson, relayed details of the incident on Thursday.
Shina Olaribigbe, leader of Rapture Empowerment International in Osogbo, was identified as the deceased clergyman.
Reports suggest the couple had been having disagreements which led to them living apart. Olaribigbe had reportedly attempted to resolve the conflict before their separation.
The suspect is alleged to have attacked and killed the clergyman after encountering him at his wife’s residence in the early hours of Thursday.
“We were informed that the pastor was at the woman’s house today (Thursday) when the husband arrived. We were also told that the husband stabbed the pastor,” Opalola said.
The deceased was reportedly on the bed of the aggressor’s wife when the incident occurred.
“The husband stabbed him several times, and he died. It is believed the husband acted on suspicion that the pastor was having an affair with his wife,” the spokesperson added.
[TheCable]
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has met with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Peter Obi met with Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja after his visit to Nigeria’s former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence in Minna, Niger State and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi over the loss of his son and mother.
In a post via X on Thursday, the former Governor of Abambra State said the meeting offered him opportunity to discuss germane national issues with Jonathan.
Peter Obi said Goodluck Jonathan‘s patriotic approach to national issues remain admirable and thanked him for his kind advise and guidiance.
He wrote, “Finally, on returning to Abuja yesterday, I caught up with my dear elder brother and Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan @GEJonathan, to also wish him a happy new year. I also had the opportunity of discussing germane national issues with him.
“President Jonathan’s patriotic approach to national issues remain admirable. I appreciate his kind advise and guidance and I wish him and his family a happy and productive year ahead.
“With the visit, I concluded my New Year engagements for the day.”
See photos of the visit below:
The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa, has warned Present Bola Tinubu that he would be voted out in 2027 if he fails to change his economic policies.
Speaking to newsmen in Kano, the NNPP chieftain stated that his party would have victory in the 36 states of the federation and the presidential election in 2027.
He claimed that Nigerians are now queuing behind the party, waiting patiently for the next general election.
Dungurawa said, “With these your harsh anti-masses policies, and your stance on them, just prepare for defeat in the next general elections. You either change them or we Nigerians together will change you.”
Speaking further, he said, “From the podium on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu started reeling out anti-masses policies, and as if we offended him, he kept slamming such policies on us up till today.
“Therefore with these problems and many more created by the APC government, it is just a matter of time but we are going to ensure that Tinubu is out in 2027 and Kwankwaso, a true democrat, comes in.”
He said his party has opened offices and had formed structures in the states and local government across the federation, stressing that the development is a clear indication that NNPP would win both state and federal seat come 2027.
According to him, NNPP recorded tremendous successes in 2024, and is on course to achieve more in 2025.
“You are all living witnesses that we are lucky to have a God fearing governor who has restructured Kano in terms of infrastructure, empowerment and human development.
“Kano can now compete with any modern city globally, especially with the state of the art facilities made available in the metropolitan and rural areas,” he added.
Dungurawa maintained that the only challenge the party is facing is alleged plans by the Federal Government to make the country a one-party system.
He advised the Federal Government to intensify efforts in introducing policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the people.
Former senator, Babafemi Ojudu has revealed how President Bola Tinubu secretly recorded a Jewish lawyer detailing the massive looting orchestrated by former military ruler Sani Abacha in the 1990s.
Ojudu shared the account during an interview with Edmund Obilo while discussing his book, Adventures of A Guerrilla Journalist.
Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, is estimated to have diverted around $5 billion into foreign accounts, including banks in the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Over the years, the Nigerian government has been working to recover the stolen funds.
Recounting his experience as a journalist in exile, Ojudu said he met Tinubu in the UK, where the latter introduced him to the Jewish lawyer.
The lawyer, according to Ojudu, promised to provide critical information on Abacha’s corruption and those complicit in the looting.
In a surprising twist, Ojudu revealed that Tinubu excused himself midway through the meeting, claiming he needed to use the bathroom. Unknown to the lawyer, Tinubu used the brief absence to switch the recording tape in the device capturing their discussion.
He said, “I was excited as a newsman. We went there and sat before the lawyer. He (the lawyer) kept reeling out how Abacha was stealing, and who was helping him.
“The name that was constantly mentioned was the Chagoury brothers. I was so excited but I felt so bad that because I couldn’t write. I needed to take notes. I kept trying to memorise whatever I could.
“Midway to the engagement, our brother (Tinubu) excused himself to go to the bathroom and came back. After about two hours, the engagement came to an end and we hailed a taxi to return to his house.
“While there, I said what you took me to listen to today was super exclusive but unfortunately I will have to talk to you when we get home so that if you remember some things I will note them down.
“He said to me: Don’t worry yourself. I had a tape recorder with me. That time I went to the bathroom, I went to change the recording from side one to side two. That is why I flushed the toilet so that the man would not know that I was changing the tape.”
Ojudu described Tinubu as a “strategist” who would do whatever it took to achieve his goals.
He, however, said Tinubu tried to stop the story from being published.
“He (Tinubu) is a strategist. He does what he has to do to get what he has to get. I love to work with people like that, who will always find a solution,” Ojudu added.
He stated, “We got home and ate. He was on the couch and slept off. I rifled through him and took the tape and then woke him and said I was leaving.
“About 8pm when I got to my hotel, I quickly changed my flight to the following morning.
“He (Tinubu) called me at 8pm and said: Femi where are you, I can’t find that tape. I said it was with me. He said: what are you doing with it? I said I am going home tomorrow to publish it. He said if you publish it; you are dead. I said I would publish it and let them kill me.
“So, I got back to Nigeria and played the tape to some of my staff, gave them assignments on what they should check and we ran the story. It was a story that shook Abacha.”
A former political ally of President Bola Tinubu, Professor Usman Bugaje, has said the Man of the Year award given to the President would not erase the suffering he caused the citizens.
The former national secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Professor Bugaje, said the Tinubu he knew when they were both in ACN was different from the man who has become President.
In an interview on Arise News on Thursday, Bugaje claimed that President Tinubu moved from being a progressive politician to almost a monarch.
“ThisDay has every right to declare whoever it wants as man of the year, and I don’t quite know what criteria and what methods they followed to arrive at that conclusion, but for all I know and for all many Nigerians who remember President Tinubu is the suffering that has been associated with his presidency since he arrived.
“Yes, I used to know him to be man of ideas with books around and we used to engage because if you remember I was the National Secretary of AC, which later became ACN, while I was still the National Secretary. So I had occasion to interact very closely and fairly consistently for a long period of time.
“I find all that has evaporated. I don’t see the ideas, I don’t see the dynamism, I don’t see that progressiveness. I see somebody who is almost turning into a monarch,” he said.
The Islamic Scholar condemned President Tinubu’s stance on the Tax Reform Bill during his media chat with selected journalists. He stated that the Tax Reform Bill was not submitted to the National Assembly in line with rules.
“In the last media chart, if I got it right, he did talk about the tax bill being sacrosanct. How can it be sacrosanct? This is a bill in front of the National Assembly. Even at that, not properly presented to the National Assembly, because when the Senate presented it was not on the order paper. And you can’t discuss by parliamentary rules and procedures any matter which is not already in the order paper. So this idea to smuggle things and this idea of coming through the back door creates a lot of suspicion,” he stated.
Bugaje advised the government to focus on ensuring food security and not taxation. He said without food security, there would be no peace in the country.
He continued, “I can go on, but let me make three points if you please. And this is not just about the President Tinubu. It covers almost all our political, if you like, leaders, or if you like the leadership that this democracy has produced in the last 25 years, characterized by three things.
“And whatever man of the year you become and whatever thing you want to do, unless you capture these things or you address these issues, is very difficult for anybody, no matter how well-intentioned. The fact that we don’t have an appreciation of the future.
“When government spokesmen speak and when ministers address us on issues around their own mandate, their ministries, they don’t seem to have the figures. They don’t seem to have the idea of the previous efforts. There is no vision. We can’t see.
“Let me just use one or two things to illustrate that, if you please. One, 2023, the grains deficit, just grains, that’s food that Nigerians eat, the deficit, that’s the difference between consumption and actual production, was about 30 million metric tons. Since then, we have had floods in Maiduguri, floods in Jigawa, floods in Taraba, floods in Zamfara, floods in so many other places, insecurity has escalated.
“So that must have affected us. So what is our grain deficit this year? And what are the measures to address this grain deficit? If you can’t have food, you can’t have peace. And you cannot talk about reforms, you cannot talk about taxation. So I don’t see a conversation that demonstrates a proper understanding of the issues in agriculture.”
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi has visited Nigeria’s former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his Minna residence in Niger State.
Obi, in a post on his X account on Thursday, confirmed the visit, which came after his meeting with Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.
The Labour Party leader revealed that his discussions with Babangida revolved around key national issues.
“After leaving Jigawa State, I traveled to Minna, Niger State, to visit a father figure, elder statesman, and leader, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence. It was an opportunity to wish him a Happy New Year and exchange thoughts on national matters.
“General Babangida’s wisdom and insights remain invaluable, and I always cherish the opportunity to meet him and benefit from his guidance and advice,” Obi shared.
THE Bishop of Ifako Diocese, African Church, Rt Rev. Isaac Akin Falana, has raised the alarm over the high rate of divorce across the country while suggesting measures to address the problem.
Falana called for urgent measures to nip the development in the bud.
He said this in a short sermon during the wedding ceremony of Oluwaseun Babatunde and Folorunsho-Alaba Obadeyi in Lagos.
The cleric, who expressed worry over the high rate of divorce among couples in the country especially weddings held in Churches and Mosques, said it is wrong for young couples to consider divorce as the best solution to any minor disagreement in their marriage.
The cleric urged couples to learn to settle disagreements through dialogue and endurance rather than considering divorce while noting that there is no perfect marriage anywhere.
He said: “Couples should endeavour to study and know their partners very well and strengthen the bond between them.
“Couples cannot behave the same way. They should only try to understand each other, ensure unity and show tolerance. A man is expected to love his wife and a woman is expected to show respect to her husband. These are quite important.”
Falana also emphasized the need for couples to kneel down and pray when there are issues troubling them and jointly seek solutions and find a way to end disagreements and become friendly again.
Father of the bride, who is the Chairman/CEO of Glister Success Ltd, Chief Bamidele Babatunde also told journalists that he was extremely happy and excited to share the wonderful event with the people who are most dear to the couple while wishing Oluwaseun and Folorunsho a happy married life.
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… says Nigeria requires selfless, exemplary leadership
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi has said Nigeria requires selfless and exemplary leadership to surmount its socio-economic challenges in order to attain its full potential.
Obi explained that contrary to claims being made by the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, the socio-economic situation in our nation is worsening by the day under its watch.
The former Anambra State Governor said this at a press conference on the state of the nation in Abuja, on Thursday.
Obi said he was speaking from his position as a Nigerian who is interested in the progress of the country.
He said, “The political, economic and security situation of our country is worsening daily, despite contrary positions and claims by the government of improvement in different spheres of human endeavour.
“Our national challenges are visibly worsening. Our nation and its fortunes are in clear reverse. The indices are indicative of our decline, thus: Our national indices tell a disconcerting story Nigeria remains one of the poverty capitals of the world, with over 100 million people living in extreme poverty and more than 150 million in multidimensional poverty.
“The situation has deteriorated significantly over the past 18 months under the current administration.
“As a nation, we have fallen from being the largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $574 billion and a per capita income of over $3,500 in 2014, to now ranking fourth on the continent.
“Our current GDP is less than 50% of what it was a decade ago, standing at approximately $200 billion, with a per capita income of barely $1,000.
“Nigeria remains one of the most insecure and least peaceful nations in the world, with countless communities and families displaced from their homes and now living in IDP camps.
“According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), Nigeria ranks 143rd out of 163 countries in terms of peacefulness – an indication of a high level of distress. Food insecurity has become our new national norm, making Nigeria one of the hungriest countries in the world.
“Gainfully employed and middle-income Nigerians now spend nearly their entire incomes on feeding, with some even resorting to borrowing just to eat.
“For those living on the margins – low-income earners and the unemployed – the situation is even more dire. The newly approved minimum wage of N70,000 cannot afford a bag of rice or even half a bag of beans.
“As a result, many Nigerians go to bed hungry, while a significant number now rely on palliatives and charitable support. Tragically, this has recently led to several avoidable deaths.
“Nigeria’s ranking on the 2024 Global Hunger Index is 110th out of 127 countries, reflecting a critical level of hunger and food insecurity in the nation.
“We have earned the dubious distinction of being one of the countries with the largest number of people without access to electricity.”
Obi said further, “In 2024, despite abysmal and unacceptable power generation and distribution, the frequency of National Grid collapse increased significantly, with the Grid failing 12 times in 12 months.
“As a result, we are now mockingly referred to as the “generator country.” This persistent lack of adequate energy supply continues to hinder our national development. Corruption, official malfeasance, fiscal profligacy, and the mismanagement of public resources continue to rise astronomically in our country, spreading across all spheres of government. Similarly, nepotism and the disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, and due process have become the norm.
“Our national debt has risen astronomically, from approximately N15 trillion in 2015 to N100 trillion today. This sharp increase has occurred within the past 18 months under the current administration.
“Ironically, these borrowings are largely allocated to non-regenerative programmes and projects, leaving little to no tangible developmental assets to show for the debt, Inflation remains at an all-time high, businesses are collapsing, and manufacturing companies are barely surviving, further contributing to the already high unemployment rate.
“We hold periodic elections that are no longer genuine. Our electoral processes are visibly flawed, lacking transparency and credibility.
“Although Nigeria is a democratic country, the electoral processes fall far below acceptable standards, with the people’s votes often not counting.
“Suggestions on the way forward. From all indications, Nigeria urgently needs selfless and exemplary leadership across the three arms and tiers of government.
“However, this much-needed exemplary leadership must begin at the very top.
“Since the ultimate responsibility lies with Mr. President, I will direct my attention to him. Mr. President, present-day Nigeria aligns closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful words: ‘We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive actions.”
What I would have done differently
“Because we all love Nigeria and desire its prosperity, I would like to suggest some actions I would have personally approached differently.
“It is time to confront our national problems boldly, decisively, and with a sense of urgency. My suggestions are as follows: Commence a visible and verifiable reduction in the cost of governance to allocate much-needed resources to critical areas of development, such as security, health, education, and poverty alleviation.
“Aggressive and visible attention should be given to combating corruption effectively. While addressing past corrupt activities, we must ensure proper investigations and recoveries related to missing funds or their sources.
“The focus should be on eliminating current and future official malfeasance through increased transparency and accountability in public procurement and contract award processes, as well as thorough monitoring of execution to ensure that limited resources are efficiently utilized and applied productively.
“All future borrowing must be tied to regenerative investments and visible, productive assets that benefit the nation.”
This, he added will ensure both productivity and the ability to service and amortize such loans, rather than continuing the current practice of accumulating massive debt with no tangible returns, which places undue strain on future development revenue.
Reduce foreign travel, focus more on Nigeria
Addressing Tinubu directly, Obi said, “Mr. President, out of the approximately 580 days you have been in office, it is reported that you have spent over 30%, or around 180 days, on more than 30 publicly recorded overseas trips.
“My appeal is that you dedicate at least 20% of 2025 – roughly 72 days – to visit each of Nigeria’s 36 states for two days each.
“As President, such visits would give you the opportunity to better understand the dire economic and security situations across the country.
“Furthermore, it is time for you to visit our national hospitals. Consider, for example, that your next medical examination be conducted at one of our National Hospitals or Regional Federal Medical Centres, such as the FMC in Sokoto or Birnin Kebbi or Calabar or Umuahia or Akure, among others.
“This will allow you to assess the state of healthcare facilities available to Nigerians. It will also help you understand the condition of our hospitals and clinics, enabling you to make informed decisions on how to upgrade and make them efficient.
“Endeavour to travel by road to observe the condition of most highways. You can take short trips, for example, from Calabar in Cross River State to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, a distance of less than 100 km, or from Benin in Edo State to Warri in Delta State.
“I recall taking President Olusegun Obasanjo on a trip from Awka to Onitsha on a federal highway when I was the Governor of Anambra State.
“That journey prompted him to immediately approve the reconstruction of parts of the road by the Anambra State government, with subsequent reimbursement by the federal government.
“Such actions are immensely valuable. Make both impromptu and planned visits to our tertiary institutions, where our children and future leaders are being trained, are essential to familiarize yourself with the available infrastructure, facilities, and amenities.”
According to Obi, such visits will provide valuable insight into whether the resources of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) are being utilized optimally and what is needed to sustain the education system.
He recalled President Shagari visiting the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, when he (Obi) was a student.
Obi quoted Shagari as telling students that,”I have seen the facilities myself, and I assure you of my intervention.”
He remembered vividly that Institutional facilities improved significantly after this visit because the President kept his promise.
Visit troops in their theatre of operations
Obi also advised Tinubu to “As Commander-in-Chief, visit our military formations and security agencies, especially during their field operations, and provide them with morale-boosting assurances and support for operational efficiency.
“Reiterate that they and their families will always be taken care of.Mr. President, many Nigerians are ‘refugees’ and ‘exiles’ in their own country.
“Visit various IDP camps and assure these Nigerians that they will soon return to their communities, and that you are working hard to restore peace and normalcy to the country. Nigeria is not a war-torn nation.
“The proliferation of IDP camps is a troubling sign. As President, you are no longer the Governor of Lagos State; therefore, consider spending your holidays in different parts of the country.
“Let your next Sallah, Easter, and Christmas holidays be spent in places like Adamawa, Sokoto, Jos, Akure, Yenagoa, or Abakaliki, among others.
“The single most challenging test you face is ensuring that future elections are credible and truly reflect the will of the people.
Speak more directly to Nigerians
“Finally, Mr. President, Nigerians need to hear directly from you, not through your proxies. Quarterly updates on what you are doing to improve the situation in Nigeria is crucial.God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Recall that the LP candidate and his PDP counterpart, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lost the 2023 presidential election to APC’s Tinubu.
Tinubu won in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and also secured enough votes in several other states to claim the highest number of votes — 8,794,726, almost two million votes more than his closest rival — Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
Atiku, who has run for the presidential seat a record six times, got 6,984,520 votes, while Obi, a first-time contestant, secured an unprecedented 6,101,533. NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor, finished fourth, claiming victory in his state — Kano. He secured 1,496,687 votes.
An Osun State-based clergy, Bishop Shina Olaribigbe of Rapture Empowerment International, Osogbo, was in the early hours of Thursday stabbed to death while settling a fight between a couple.
Although details about the couple involved were not immediately available, security sources hinted to our correspondent that the woman fighting her husband was attending Olaribigbe’s church located around BCGA Area, where she served as an interpreter.
PUNCH Metro also learnt that the couple had a history of incessant fights, which made them live apart, even though they were not officially divorced.
The cause of the latest fight was however not known, but the late Olaribigbe, it was learnt, always mediated in their fights.
It was also gathered that the husband had gone to his wife’s residence in the early hours of Thursday and met Olaribigbe in the room, which infuriated him.
A source who attends Olaribigbe’s church, and craved anonymity for security reasons, admitted to our correspondent that, “It was in that anger that the man took a knife and stabbed the clergy in the chest. He died immediately. Olaribigbe had gone to the house to see the woman, who had been sick for some time.
“The man and his wife were immediately arrested and taken to the Dugbe Police Division in Osogbo, where they are currently being detained.
“The remains of Olaribigbe had been deposited at the morgue of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”
While speaking with our correspondent, the Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident.
Opalola said, “They are a couple but not living together. They are not separated by law yet. The Pastor (Shina Olaribigbe) used to settle the fight between the couple.
“We were told the pastor was at the wife’s place today when the estranged husband got there. We were also told the husband stabbed the pastor. We were also told the deceased was on the wife’s bed when the incident happened.
“The husband stabbed him several times and he died. It was learnt the husband acted on the suspicion that the pastor was sleeping with the woman.”
Meanwhile, grief-stricken friends and acquaintances of the clergy flocked his Facebook page to mourn him.
One of them, Oyeleye Isaac, wrote on the page of the deceased, “BREAKING AND VERY SAD NEWS, WE LOST ONE OF OUR HEROES, Bishop Dr Olaribigbe Greatness. Why! Why! Why?”
Another Facebook user, Mr Bimbo, in a post, wrote, “You called to wish me Happy Birthday yesterday.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed new details about Nigeria’s refineries’ woes, recounting failed efforts to privatise the plants and the subsequent alleged financial losses of about $2bn by the facilities under government management.
Obasanjo disclosed this on Thursday as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited beckoned the ex-President to visit the recently revamped refineries for a tour.
The former President said his successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, rejected a $750m offer from Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries in 2007.
Obasanjo spoke in an interview with Channels Television, on Thursday, highlighting the challenges faced with Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries during his presidency.
The former president said the NNPCL was aware of its limitations in managing the nation’s refineries but still informed Yar’Adua that the oil company could operate the refineries — leading to his successor rejecting Dangote’s offer.
He said companies approached by the government to acquire equity in the refinery, expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations.
“When I was President, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t. I said, please come and take equity, they said no. I said okay, don’t take equity, come and run it, they said no.
“Later on, I called them. I called the boss of Shell to come and tell me what the problem was and he gave me four or five reasons. He said, first of all, they make a major profit from upstream, not from downstream. He said they run downstream just to keep their head above water.
“Two, our refineries were too small: 60,000 barrels, 100,000 barrels, and I think 120,000 barrels. He said that at that time, the average refinery was going for 250,000 barrels.
“Three, he said our refineries were not well maintained. Fourth, he said that there was too much corruption around the activities of our refinery and they would not want to get involved in that.”
Obasanjo shared that after Shell’s refusal, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, assembled a team and paid $750m to operate the refineries through a public-private partnership.
“Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries. My successor refunded their money, and I went to my successor; I told him what transpired; he said NNPC said they wanted the refinery and they could run it, and I said, but you know they cannot run it,” Obasanjo stated.
The former President expressed confidence in Dangote’s ability to manage his privately owned refinery effectively, contrasting it with the government’s inefficiency.
Obasanjo also expressed frustration over the mismanagement of the refineries, adding that despite the amount spent on them since 2007 no results have been made.
“I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn have been squandered on the refinery and they still will not work.
“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. If anybody tells you now that it is working, why are they now with Aliko? And Aliko will make his refinery work; not only make it work, he will make it deliver.”
On December 31, 2024, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said the Warri Refining & Petrochemical Company in Delta State had commenced operations.
On November 26, the NNPC said the Port Harcourt refinery had officially commenced crude oil processing.
Obasanjo concluded with a Yoruba proverb, comparing inflated claims about the refineries’ performance to a farmer who planted 100 heaps of yam but falsely claimed to have planted 200.
“They say after he has harvested 100 heaps of yam, he will also have 100 heaps of lies. You know what that means,” he said.
NNPCL invites Obasanjo
However, responding to the claim, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, extended an invitation to Obasanjo for a sightseeing tour of the Port Harcourt refinery to verify its operational status.
Soneye in a statement, said, “We extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”
Giving further details, Soneye explained that the NNPCL did not only carry out turnaround maintenance on the plant but embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery to meet world-class standards.
He said, “As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refinery.
“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.”
He added that NNPCL has evolved from being a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability.
He said owing to the transition, NNPCL has also moved on from being a loss-making organization to a profit-driven international energy firm.
“Under this new model, NNPC Limited has expanded beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. Our focus is not only on harnessing traditional resources but also on developing cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing demands,” the statement concluded.
2027: Opposition leaders have begun negotiations for alternative political platform – Lukman
AFOLABI
Former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Salihu Moh. Lukman on Thursday gave an insight into the level of political reengineering and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying opposition leaders have commenced negotiations.
While he didn’t disclose the identities of those involved in the negotiations, he said they also include some “alienated APC leaders”.
In a New Year message issued in Abuja, Lukman however lamented that most Nigerian politicians are not disposed to competitive political culture, largely because they are driven by personal ambitions to contest elections.
He said; “While acknowledging that opposition political leaders, including alienated APC leaders have commenced negotiations towards producing alternative political platform, it must be also recognised that most Nigerian politicians are not disposed to competitive political culture.
“Largely because most politicians are driven by personal ambitions to contest elections, the default mindset is about imposition and manipulating processes to achieve personal ambitions. This must stop.
“We must remind all our political leaders that if they want to prove their altruistic value and demonstrate strong disposition towards rescuing Nigeria, therefore beyond the pretentious claims of subordinating personal ambitions towards the emergence of the new platform, opposition political leaders in the country should commit themselves to allow political competition in the country as the basis for the emergence of political leaders at all levels”.
The former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum PGF added that opposition leaders must be reminded that so long as they approach the process of leadership selection in the country based on a strategy to impose themselves, they are also part of Nigeria’s problem.
“To Nigerians, we need to all wake-up and seek to take our destiny in our own hands. The source of strength and audacity of Nigerian politicians is derived from the docility and passivity of ordinary Nigerians. Once the majority of Nigerians concede politics as the monopoly or exclusive vocation of so-called politicians, the risk of undermining political competition and producing bad leaders with the attendant consequences of remaining in a permanent state of misery, disbelief and negativity will be high”, he stated.