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Presidency spends N16.06 billion to buy foreign currencies for international trips in one year
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Story Highlights
- The Nigerian presidency has spent at least N16.06 billion on foreign currencies for international trips under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to data from GovSpend by BudgIT.
- From June 2023 to May 2024, the expenditures included significant amounts for the President, Vice President, First Lady, Chief of Staff, and the Presidential Air Fleet, with the President’s trips accounting for the majority at N10.93 billion.
- The sharp depreciation of the naira, which has fallen by 70.3% against the dollar since May 2023, has significantly increased the cost of these international trips, highlighting the need for fiscal prudence amid ongoing economic challenges.
The Presidency through the State House has spent at least N16.06 billion to buy foreign currencies for international trips in the past one year under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
This is according to an analysis of data from GovSpend, a platform by BudgIT, which tracks, analyses and presents Federal Government spending over time.
Covering a period from June 23, 2023, to May 25, 2024, the data includes spending by the president, vice president, First Lady, and the Chief of Staff to the President.
It also includes the purchase of foreign exchange (forex) for the Presidential Air Fleet.
In the 2024 budget, the State House, President, and Vice President have a total budgetary allocation of N14.5 billion for international trips. There is no allocation for the First Lady and Chief of Staff to the President for international travel.
The GovSpend data shows that about N6.24 billion was spent in 2023 between June and December. By 2024, about N9.82 billion has been spent between January and May.
It means that the Presidency has spent about 67.72% of its international trips budget in the first five months of 2024.
What the data is saying
President’s spending: The majority of the amount was spent by the president for his international trips. The President’s forex purchase was significantly higher, totalling N10.93 billion.
These funds were allocated for numerous international trips, including high-value purchases of foreign currency to support diplomatic missions and engagements abroad.
The President’s spending includes N82.04 million for the purchase of $176,392.80 for a trip to Ghana on July 28, 2023.
For various other international trips and replenishments of foreign exchange reserves, amounts such as N152.37 million, N228.55 million, and N146.65 million were expended on August 4, 2023, for purchases of $200,000, $300,000, and $315,300, respectively.
At least four times, N197.70 million was utilized for the purchase of $1,000,000 for presidential trips dated July 19, 2023. Further expenditures include N71.74 million, N18.33 million, and N135.93 million for purchases of €300,000 each for the President’s trips on September 6, 2023.
Vice President’s spending: The total expenditure for the Vice President amounted to N101.68 million. This includes expenses for purchasing foreign currency for various international trips and other related costs. On June 23, 2023, N58.66 million was allocated for the purchase of £1,000,000 (approx. $1,000,000) in UK Pounds for the Vice President.
On February 24, 2024, an additional N426.88 million was used to acquire $483,277.00 for the Vice President’s trip to Switzerland. On September 6, 2023, N43.02 million was spent on the purchase of €300,000 for the Vice President’s trips.
First Lady’s spending: The total expenditure for the First Lady’s international trips amounts to N623.05 million. On January 4, 2024, N149.79 million was allocated for the purchase of $152,831 for the First Lady’s trip to France. In March 2024, N202.39 million was spent on purchasing $126,834 for the First Lady’s trip to Mozambique. On February 9, 2024, N144.57 million was allocated for the purchase of $96,118 for the First Lady’s trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, in March 2024, N126.3 million was spent on purchasing $83,967 for the First Lady’s trip to London.
Chief of Staff’s spending: The total amount spent by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President was N59.24 million. This included expenditures for purchasing foreign currency for specific international engagements and preparatory activities for global forums such as the United Nations General Assembly.
The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President also saw expenditures such as N46.51 million for $100,000 for presidential trips to the UK on August 10, 2023.
Another allocation of N12.73 million was made for purchasing $79,740 for preparations towards Nigeria’s participation in the 78th session of the UNGA in the USA on November 22, 2023.
Presidential Air Fleet: The expenditures for the Presidential Air Fleet were also substantial, amounting to N4.97 billion. This category reflects the operational needs and readiness of the Presidential Air Fleet, including regular high-value allocations for forex transit funds to support the fleet’s international activities and maintain its operational capacity.
The Presidential Air Fleet received substantial funds for forex transit. Significant allocations include N387.60 million on August 15, 2023, N2 billion on August 16, 2023, and N713.22 million on August 29, 2023.
Dollar dominates spending
Based on the disclosed currency for some transactions, the dollar was the dominant foreign currency that was purchased as about N6.42 billion was spent to buy $9.98 million.
The expenditures on UK Pounds were relatively lower, totalling N58.66 million for £1 million. For Euros, about N269.02 million was spent to get €1.2 million.
The largest category of expenditure was on Forex Transit funds, amounting to over N9.42 billion. However, the type of foreign currency purchased was not disclosed.
More Insights
The exchange rate from the naira to the dollar has crashed by 70.3% so far under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On May 30, 2023, the naira traded for N464.5/$1 on the official market. However, the naira hit a July low at the end of last week, closing at N1,563.80/$1 on Friday, July 12, 2024
This steep decline in the value of the naira means that the cost of acquiring dollars has more than tripled within this period.
This depreciation has had a profound impact on the expenses incurred for international trips by the Nigerian presidency. The substantial increase in the naira-to-dollar exchange rate means that more naira is needed to purchase the same amount of dollars as before.
For example, if the presidency needed $1 million for an international trip in May 2023, the cost would have been N464.5 million.
By July 2024, the cost of the same $1 million would be N1.56 billion, except maybe the State House gets foreign currencies at a discount rate.
The data raises critical questions about the prioritization of government spending, especially given the ongoing economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.
The substantial amounts dedicated to international trips highlight the high costs associated with maintaining diplomatic engagements and the operational needs of the Presidential Air Fleet.
The government’s commitment to maintaining a robust international presence is evident; however, this financial outlay also highlights the necessity for transparency and judicious use of public funds, and the need for a balance between necessary governmental functions and fiscal prudence.
[Nairametrics]
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on Nigerians to peacefully protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Gumi emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations as a way to express public grievances to the government.
In a video message, the Islamic scholar reminded viewers that former President Muhammadu Buhari had protested against ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Gumi said, “Politicians are very stubborn; mass protests are the only thing that disturb them.
“In countries like Sudan and Liberia, conflicts were akin to family feuds, which are very dangerous. But Nigeria is different, with its diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, tribes, and sects. Protest is the only language the government understands.”
He continued, “In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari and other top officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came out to protest, claiming that the previous government had ruined Nigeria. Back then, protest was legal; now it’s considered illegal. God willing, the protest will proceed peacefully, and the government must understand and respond positively to the language of protest.”
This appeal comes as activist-politician Omoyele Sowore calls for a revolutionary protest in August to address the country’s hardships.
Recall that President Tinubu along with Professor Wole Soyinka, among other All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains led an Occupy Nigeria protest in 2012 against ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’s policy to remove fuel subsidy.
On 1 December 2013, Tinubu wrote, “Nigeria needs a democratic revolution that will unleash infrastructural development and massive industrialization. Nigeria is a blessed.”
[NaijaNews]
Veteran Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke has stirred reactions on social media after he opined that a father is the only man who prays and genuinely wants his children to succeed more than he did in life.
The actor made this known during a recent podcast show where he shared his candid opinion about success in life.
According to Jim Iyke, only a father genuinely wants betterment for their children while removing other male figures like relatives, friends, and others.
He said: “The only man on earth that wants to see you succeed more than him in this life is not your best friend, brother, or relative; it is your father. The only man that is comfortable in this life, that prays it as a prayer is your father,”
Jim Iyke’s statement has however garnered mixed reactions from many who agreed with him, while others cited examples of fathers who failed the premises.
Reaction trailing Jim Iyke Posts:
thefoodnetworknig2 said: “I have heard a father say he doesn’t want his children to be better than him in life and his friends agreed with him! Anyone can desire to see you succeed, no formula!”
wendy_adammaaaaa noted: “Your parents are people who look at your success without envyyt$.”
mrucee_official noted: “God bless all fathers, we will continue preaching until fathers get their flowers .”
lazerclothings stated: “Speak for yourself, hearing things like this makes people more mean to each other, and makes them lose interest in rendering help..”
wale_astro quizzed: “Who comes to be Mohbad papa??”
[newtelegraphng]
President Bola Tinubu’s old post on X, formerly known as Twitter, favouring protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has surfaced online.
Tinubu at the time urged the police not to attack protesters because their lives and children were involved.
“Police. Do not attack protesters. Your children are involved. Your lives are involved. Your children’s future lies here,” Tinubu had written before he became the President.
DAILY POST recalls that there were a series of protests during Jonathan’s administration, with Tinubu and many other prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, then throwing their support behind protests against the government.
The President’s former position on protests against the government resurfaced amid plans by some Nigerian youths to commence nationwide protests beginning August 1-10, 2024.
DAILY POST reports that the protest, which is currently gaining traction in the North and other parts of the country, is aimed at drawing the attention of governments at all levels to the worsening economic hardship in the nation.
It’s also being alleged that the Nigeria Police Force is initiating plans to halt the planned protest.
The police, in an internal memo sighted by DAILY POST, said “Some groups are mobilizing for mass protest nationwide beginning from 1 to 10 2024”.
The memo, dated July 8 and copied to zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, requested the operatives to be proactive and “mobilize well-kitted and equipped personnel” ahead of the protest.
However, one of the X users, @Emir Sirdam, who shared the President’s post on X in November 2013, drew the attention of the police to Tinubu’s words about the protest.
He wrote: “Your words will be your greatest enemy. Dear Nigerian Police @PoliceNG take note.”
While @Comrade Isah Muhhamed wrote: “@PoliceNG come and see this. So when we come out, you abide by this principle.”
The Federal Government has said the next stage of the recruitment exercise for the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Fire Service would begin in August.
The Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, Ja’afaru Ahmed, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Ahmed added that the Board would conclude the recruitment exercise, which was billed to end on June 15, 2024, will now end before the end of September.
He said, “The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board wishes to inform the general public that it will commence the next stage of the recruitment exercise in August, and will conclude the exercise before the end of September 2024.”
Ahmed announced that all shortlisted candidates would be duly notified of the next stage of the recruitment exercise through their contact details.
The Secretary, however, apologised for the inability to complete the exercise as earlier scheduled due to manpower audits carried out by Services under the Board.
He added, “The board wishes to apologise for its inability to complete the process by 15th June 2024, as earlier intended.
“This is due to a nationwide manpower audit exercise carried out in the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which was just recently concluded.
“All shortlisted candidates will be duly notified of the next stage through their phone numbers and email addresses.”
Charly Boy, the ace Nigerian singer, has urged Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the controversial pastor known as Odumeje, to use his purported spiritual powers to save Nigeria from its current hardships.
The singer’s plea follows Odumeje’s recent criticism of Aliko Dangote for not responding to his prophetic warning about a disaster at his refinery.
Odumeje claimed that the refinery would not have caught fire if Dangote had sought his intervention.
Weighing in on the matter, Charly Boy called on Odumeje to focus his spiritual efforts on alleviating the suffering in Nigeria and save the nation from “burning”.
He also advised the clergyman to disregard Dangote, stating that the billionaire is out of touch with the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“Dear Odumeje, We Nigerians have humbly come to you – please can you stop the nation from burning, fire is catching, the economy is plummeting. We ask for your power in this desperate time of need,” he wrote.
“Abeg no mind Dangote, he get plenty money oo, this hunger no dey reach him side that’s why E no understand say E go humble before the Indabosky #Naijamatter.”
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 34.19 percent in June 2024, up from 33.95 percent in May..
According to the bureau, food inflation also surged to 40.87 percent in the month under review as prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages continued to surge.
The police in Kenya have arrested a man over the serial killing of women.
The suspect reportedly confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife, since 2022.
The dismembered bodies of the victims, said to be aged between 18 and 30, were found on Friday at the Mukuru quarry in Nairobi.
The police cordoned off the dump site where the bodies were found in various stages of decomposition.
According to the BBC, the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jomaisi Khalisia, was arrested at a bar on Monday morning while watching the Euro final.
Mohamed Amin, the police head of the directorate of criminal investigations (DCI), said Khalisia’s arrest followed a “forensic analysis” of a mobile phone that belonged to Josephine Mulongo Owino, one of the victims.
Amin said the suspect led police officers to his house, which was about 100 metres from the crime scene, where they found a machete they “believed was being used to dismember the victims”, and nine sacks like the ones used to dispose of the bodies.
The police also recovered 10 phones, a laptop, identity cards and personal female clothing.
Police said they were still interrogating the suspect to establish the motive behind the killings, adding that he would be arraigned on Tuesday.
The police asked families “who believe that their beloved ones may have fallen prey to these macabre murders” to report to the police.
“It is crystallising that we are dealing with a serial killer, a psychopathic serial killer who has no respect for human life, who has no respect and dignity,” Amin said.
He said a second person with a phone belonging to one of the victims has also been arrested and would be treated as an accomplice or suspect.
A Kano State High Court, on Monday, granted a perpetual injunction restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, and Four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The applicants are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker Kano State House of Assembly and the Kano State House of Assembly, through their counsel Ibrahim Isah-Wangida Esq, filed a motion exparte dated May 27.
The applicants sought a court order restraining Ado-Bayero, and Four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The respondents are: Ado-Bayero, Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero Bichi emir, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar ll, emir of Karaye, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa, emir of Rano and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya, emir of Gaya.
Others are the Inspector General of Police, Director of State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Army.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, held that the Kano State House of Assembly had powers to amend and propose a bill for the peace and good governance of a state under section 4 rule 6,7(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“The Kano State Governor has the right to ascent the proposed bill to law after being passed by the state assembly”
The court also restrained the Police and other security agencies from violating, disobeying or tempering the Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Law 2024.
“The deposed Emirs shall surrender all movable and immovable properties in their possession that belong to the Kano State Emirate Council to the state government” Adamu-Aliyu said
She held that the first respondent legal counsel withdrawal without notice to other parties is unprofessional and that moving their motion is as good as not filing it since it has been abandoned.
The judge said the act of the 6th to 9 respondent for smuggling the first respondent to Kano after the enactment of the Emirate Repeal Law 2024 disregards what they have sworn for the protection of life and property.
Earlier, Counsel to the applicant, Mr Ibrahim Isa-Wangida, urged the court to discount the respondent’s affidavit of facts under order 39 rules 1 and 2 of the Court.
Counsel to Ado-Bayero, Mr Abdul Muhammed SAN, informed the court that they have an affidavit of fact dated July 3, 2024, attached with a notice of appeal and a motion of stay of proceedings.
He urged the court to stay of proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the motion at the appeal court.
NAN reports that Ado-Bayero’s counsel on July 4, withdrew their legal services before the court.
Counsel to the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents, Hassan Tanko-Kyaure, moved his application for an extension of time dated July 2 and counter affidavit in response to the originating motion.
He urged the court to set aside the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) law 2024, adding that due process were not followed and urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s application with a cost of N1 billion.
Counsel to the Inspector/General of Police, Mr Sunday Ekwe, told the court that he had nothing to present.
NAN reports that the applicants, 3,4and 5th respondents moved their applications, for extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside exparte order, joinder application, examining deponent, application for the Judge to recuse herself and originating summon.
NAN reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state and Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, reappointed Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of Kano
The North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a warning against the planned nationwide protests purportedly aimed at the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
During a press briefing in Jos, Plateau State, the forum’s Chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, argued that such protests could disrupt the nation’s progress and urged the organizers to reconsider.
Zazzaga highlighted that the motives behind the protests appear to stem from selfish interests rather than genuine concern for national development.
He emphasized that the current administration under President Tinubu is making significant efforts to steer the country towards growth and stability, and such actions could serve as unnecessary distractions.
Furthermore, Zazzaga appealed to potential protesters to consider the security challenges in the North Central region and other parts of the North, which are already under strain.
He stressed that any form of unrest could exacerbate the situation, detracting from the government’s efforts to address these issues.
The APC leader called for unity and support for the government’s initiatives, suggesting that constructive dialogue is the preferable path forward rather than disruptive protests.
He warned that staging protests in the already volatile North Central could pose additional risks to the region’s security.
He said, “Therefore, any protest in the region can be highjacked by hoodlums to cause mayhem and threaten the lives and properties of law-abiding citizens.
“The issue of kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities the region has been going through over the years is already overwhelming on the region, and it cannot afford to have another restiveness added to it.
“Besides, protests in parts of the region and the North often take an ethno-religious dimension, which also culminated in killings of one another between Christians and Muslims.
“An example of such a protest which often turns violent and takes an ethno-religious crisis, is that of the #EndSARS protest across the country, which took such dimension in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and we have to do a lot to tame it.
“I, alongside other eminent persons in Jos, went around calming the people down to stop the violence, and we ensured that Christians were protected in Muslim areas, and vice versa, and thereafter handed those protected from harm over to the police to unite them with their families safely.
“So, I call on all our members across the region to mobilise vigorously and campaign against any form of protest in the region, and I also urge the governors, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other eminent personalities and opinion leaders in the North Central region to call all their wards to order and advise them against participating in any form of protest due to the peculiar situation of our region.”
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, disagrees that the Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria will trigger a positive change in governance and grassroots development.
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the apex court ordered the Federal Government to henceforth pay allocations directly to the councils from the federation account.
This implies that state governors will no longer have access to allocations meant for local government development.
Interestingly, Nigerians’ reactions to the development indicated that the development was a welcome idea, but Fayose does not share this sentiment.
Speaking on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, July 14, 2024, maintained that the development would be counterproductive to the governance and administration of states by governors.
Here are three reasons the ex-governor believes LG autonomy won’t work.
1. There can’t be LG bosses without governors
Fayose believes the influence of state governors on the emergence of local government chairmen across the country will undermine the goal and purpose of local government autonomy.
Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state.
He stressed that nobody from the grassroots can become a local government chairman without the support of a governor.
“I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and by God’s grace today, I am an elder statesman. While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds, may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother? There is nobody that can become council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time,” he said.
Emphasising the relationship between governors and LG bosses, Fayose said the Federal Government “cannot take the baby from the mother.”
2. State lawmakers regulate LG activities
The ex-governor also explained that the oversight function of the State House of Assemblies over local government councils would hamper the independence of local councils.
Fayose said, “Any council chairman who says ‘Money is coming to me, I will disrespect my governor’ the House of Assembly will tell you to go and disobey him inside your house. This is because you can never even be a council chairman without the governor standing up for you. The House of Assembly regulates your activities.
3. Autonomy will encourage malfeasance in LGAs
Another reason the Ekiti politician disapproved of the LG autonomy is the perceived tendency of local government officials to skip work. He believes autonomy will worsen their already poor attitude to work.
Fayose submitted that states should continue to run the affairs of LGAs because they are more effective in administrative performance than the local governments.
He said, “Go to the council meeting on Wednesday or Friday, you will not find 10% of the staff of the local government in the office. They don’t come. My name is Ayo Fayose and I want them to dispute this. They don’t come to work. When you make moves to bring them to book, both NULGE and all leaders of the local government will go and beg the governor.
“They will be telling you, we will not vote for you. This is the way we operate at the local government. The state is more effective in administrative performance than the local government. At the local government, everybody comes to collect money. Even people have left some states. They live somewhere else and money just hit their accounts.”
[Pulse]
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US President Joe Biden has condemned the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, his predecessor and presumptive nominee of the Republican Party.
In an address from the Oval Office late Sunday, Biden harped on the need “to lower the temperature” in politics.
“We are not enemies, we’re neighbours, we’re friends, co-workers, citizens, and most importantly, we are Americans,” he said.
“Yes, we have deeply felt strong disagreements. The stakes in this election are enormously high. The choice we make in this is going to shape the future of America and the world for decades to come.
“But politics must never be a literal battlefield, or God forbid, a killing field. I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate.
“We stand for an America not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace. All of us now face a time of testing as the election approaches.
“The higher the stakes, the more fervent the passions become. This places an added burden on each of us to ensure that no matter how strong our convictions are, it must never descend into violence.”
Biden said he spoke with Trump last night, who “thankfully… is not seriously injured”.
“I’m grateful he’s doing well. Jill and I hold him and his family in our prayers,” the president added.
Biden called for differences to be settled at the ballot box, not through bullets.
The president also offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
Hours after the assassination attempt, Trump said the “bullet pierced the upper part of my right ear” after he felt it ripping through his skin.
The former president said he has shelved plans to speak on how bad the current US administration is at the Republican national convention scheduled for Thursday.
Trump said he now wants to speak about overcoming the political divide in the country.
[TheCable]
Edo 2024: Confusion in APC as ex-Reps Deputy Chief Whip, Pally Iriase rejects appointment into Edo Campaign Council
Admin
There is palpable fear and confusion in the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as another party bigwig at the weekend rejected appointment into the party’s campaign council for the Edo governorship election taking place on September 21, 2024
In a statement, a former deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iriase, declined the party's nomination into the membership of the National Campaign Council of the APC released on Wednesday.
Iriase’s name had appeared as a member of the Campaign Council but in a statement at the weekend rejected the appointment.
The statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to the fact that my name is included in the list of appointees into the National Campaign Council for the gubernatorial election in Edo State by the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“I appreciate the National Working Committee (NWC) for finding me worthy of the appointment.
“But, I hereby reject the appointment for the following reasons:
“I was never consulted. I have for several years stepped away from partisan politics and I do not intend to change my mind.
“I do not want my associates, friends, admirers, and family to see me as a hypocrite.
“While wishing them a successful campaign and a peaceful election, I strongly urge everyone to respect my desire to be excluded from partisan politics.”
Actress Tonto Dikeh has shared insights on her personal growth journey, along with new photos of herself.
She expressed amazement at the continuous nature of self-improvement, noting that just when she felt she had made progress, new areas for growth appeared.
Tonto likened personal development to unlocking endless levels, emphasizing that there is always room for improvement.
“It is wild how working on yourself is a never-ending journey.
Just When you think you have improved, there’s always more to tackle.
It’s like unlocking endless Levels of growth!!”, she said.
Recall that earlier in the week, she celebrated her new chapter, acknowledging her progress and growth.
Nigerian singer, Nwakaego Ogbaro popularly known as Ego has opened up about her experiences following her departure from Lagbaja’s Africano band in 2007.
In a conversation on Chude Jideonwo’s podcast, Ego revealed the difficulties she faced and addressed long-standing rumours about her relationship with the masked musician.
The singer dispelled speculations that they were romantically involved and even married.
She explained that her exit from the band was entirely her decision and not a result of a fallout between her and Lagbaja.
She said, “We did not fight, there were no issues, I believe in my instincts a lot, and that time, it was telling me to move. And in all honesty, I felt there was nothing more I could do to top what I had done at that time. So, I said it was time for me to move on. I sort of knew what I wanted, I wanted a band of my own, you know, I just wanted to do my own thing, my own kind of music, that was it, and I went to him, we talked and he was happy, though it’s bittersweet, and he said, ‘I knew you had this leadership quality, I knew you are one of those people that would end up having her own band’, and he was very supportive.”
Asked whether there were days she ever thought of going back to the Lagbaja band, Ego said, “Yeah, I will explain why I said yeah.
“I wanted and I craved that comfort where I don’t have to make certain decisions, where all I needed to do was just sing, dance and just get my pay, where the responsibilities were just not mine. There were days like that where I craved that, because it was hard: you’re dealing with people from different backgrounds, you’re dealing with a lot and you have to make it work. There was a time I actually called him [Lagbaja] and said I know I probably gave you a hard time, but it’s now I understand what it means, and he was like ‘Okay,’ and I said, ah, it’s not easy oh, it wasn’t easy.
“So, there were days I felt like being part of a band again, and just touring, being on the tour bus, you know, there were days like that.”