Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho, has described as misleading the categorisation of the agitation for the Yoruba Nation as part of the threats to Nigeria’s peace.

He was reacting to a remark credited to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, who listed the Yoruba self-determination movement as a threat to the peace in the South-West zone.

The PUNCH reports that Buba, while addressing defence correspondents in Abuja on Friday on the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, claimed that security threats in various geopolitical zones differ, pointing out that the major threat in the South-West remained the Yoruba Nation agitators.

But Igboho, in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, Oyo State, said the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu should disregard such security report, which he described as blackmail.

“We are conscious of the noble efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminalities. But we take exception to the wrong and baseless position of the Director of Defence Media Operations, Buba, for identifying the Yoruba Nation agitators as a major threat to the peace in the South-West.

“This is not only far from the truth but also a flimsy excuse, which showcased the failure of the military to tackle the menace of insecurity, which threatened the peace in Nigeria, most especially during the immediate past regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Apart from the ignoble and vicious attacks on some states in the North, most especially in the North-East, by the Boko Haram terrorists, bandits were controlling some local governments in some parts of the North during Buhari’s administration, collecting levies and other forms of revenues unhindered. The military could not do anything tangible to stop this act of threat against the territorial integrity of the nation.”

He alleged that rather than eliminate terrorists, the military “is chasing shadows and wrongfully accusing Yoruba Nation movement of threat to peace in the South-West.”

“This is just a figment of their own imagination, which should be ignored by discerning Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders,” he said.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially cleared the air, dismissing widespread rumours of an increase in electricity tariffs starting January 1st, 2024.

Reports have been rife that Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are planning to increase electricity tariffs nationwide with effect from January 1, 2024.

According to the reports, “All has been perfected for the new tariff to take effect from the first of January, 2024”.

Another report said “NERC held a meeting with all DisCos this morning. They are going to reset tariffs Monday morning 01st January. Consumers should expect tariffs to double.However, when contacted NERC spokesman, Dr. Usman Arabi, told LEADERSHIP that the tariff hike rumours was fake news.Also, he categorically denied any approval for such a tariff hike, emphasising that the electricity tariff order currently in effect remains unchanged.“NERC has not issued any order to DisCos concerning tariff hike; we usually have meetings with all stakeholders before any proposed increase, but we’ve not had any meeting with any DisCos concerning price increase,” Abba said BusinessDay, on Sunday afternoon.Recall that in November, 2023, the minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said that President Bola Tinubu stopped the implementation of a hike in electricity tariff and insisted that subsidy be paid on power consumed nationwide.

Adelabu said then that “Tariffs should have been raised months back, but Mr President said until we are able to achieve regular and incremental power supply we can’t touch the tariff.”But for political reasons and empathy, you cannot cause additional burden on Nigerians. We just had the removal of the fuel subsidy, we are talking about the exchange rate skyrocketing, galloping inflation and so many others that bring hardship to the people.”And Mr President is trying to relieve this hardship through various forms of palliatives. So it is not politically expedient and reasonable to now implement a tariff that is more like dumping the existing tariff.We are now paying about N70 (per kilowatt-hour), and it can never be less than N130 or N140 at the exchange rate of today if we are to implement a cost reflective tariff. Because part of the reasons for an increased tariff is the price of gas, which is paid in dollars,” Adelabu stated.

Experts said the above development indicates rising electricity subsidies for Africa’s biggest economy.Adetayo Adegbemle, the executive director of PowerUp Nigeria, a power consumer advocacy group said bridging the gap between the cost-reflective tariff and the allowed tariff, has become a significant burden on government finances, raising concerns about its sustainability.

“The electricity subsidy in Nigeria has become a financial burden and is no longer sustainable. Urgent action is needed to address the disparities in subsidy distribution, prevent further strain on government finances, and redirect resources to areas where they can have a more significant impact,” Adegbemle said.NERC’s quarterly reports indicated that electricity subsidies gulped N204.59 billion in the third quarter of 2023 and N135.23 billion in Q2, which is substantially higher than the N36.02 billion in Q1 2023.

“The Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) in 2022 to gradually eliminate the subsidy. However, challenges arose with the freeze on tariff reviews in July 2023, disrupting the progress made in phasing out the subsidy,” Adegbemele said.Recall that on 25 June 2023, Abuja DisCos, in a note to its customers, had informed of an increase in electricity tariff effective 1 July.

The DisCos statement suggested that the tariff increase is a response to the floating of the naira and aims to ensure that the electricity industry remains financially viable and sustainable in the face of currency challenges.The DisCos statement suggested that the tariff increase is a response to the floating of the naira and aims to ensure that the electricity industry remains financially viable and sustainable in the face of currency challenges.“Under the MYTO 2022 guidelines, the previously set exchange rate of N441/1 dollar may now be revised to approximately N750/1 dollar, impacting the tariffs associated with your electricity consumption,” Abuja DisCos said.However, on June ‪29 2023, Abuja DisCos informed its customers to disregard the publication saying it was yet to get approval to commence the tariff hike.“Dear Esteemed Customers, please disregard the communication circulating in the media regarding the review of electricity tariffs. Be informed that no approval for such increments has been received,” the company said in a Twitter post.The MYTO is a framework NERC uses to determine electricity tariffs in Nigeria. It provides guidelines for a structured approach to calculating and reviewing tariffs to ensure transparency, cost recovery, and sustainability in the power sector.It provides a 15-year tariff path for the Nigerian electricity industry and undergoes regular reviews to account for changes in factors such as inflation, exchange rate, gas price and generation capacity.Major reviews are conducted every five years, during which all inputs are reviewed in consultation with stakeholders, while the minor reviews are done bi-annually, which involve collecting actual data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria and System Operations Unit of Transmission Company of Nigeria.In 2015, the average tariff across Discos and classes of end-users was N25 kilowatt. And on September 1, 2020, the average tariff was reviewed upward to N60 per kilowatt and later went up to N64 in 2022.The foreign exchange rate used in determining the 2015 tariff was N198.97/$. The local currency devalued to N383.80/$ in 2020 and further weakened to N441.78/$ in 2022. A dollar currently sells for over N750 at the official forex market.The inflation rate used in the 2015 MYTO was 8.3 per cent, accelerated to 12 per cent in 2020 and worsened to 16.97 per cent in 2022.

Lagos State Government has nothing to do with the demolition at Computer Village in Ikeja. The structure is owned by the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), which ordered its demolition. 

Those circulating the fake news that Lagos State Government is demolishing Computer Village are opportunistic ethnic chauvinists who will always relish in vacuous propaganda that can fuel their fiendish mission; they will always fail in dividing Lagosians.

Gbenga Omotoso

HC, Information &Strategy

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State has asked Nigerians to put the partisan politics of 2023 behind and unite to make the country a better place in 2024.

The Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, made this remark in his New Year Message on Sunday in Lagos.

“2023 has gone into history and we give gratitude to God for making us witness the beginning of Year 2024 in good health of mind and body. May He lead us through this New Year with His divine favour and grace.

“My dear Lagosians, let’s agree to make this year a better one than 2023. Let’s put partisan politics that dotted 2023 behind us and forge ahead to continue to make our state the Centre of Excellence and by extension, make Nigeria an excellent nation.

“We must be seen to be engaging in productive activities and actions that will reflect the phrase above,” he said.

While thanking God for the peaceful conduct of the general elections, the APC chairman lauded Nigerians for supporting and electing President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “Indeed, it is a great joy for me to be the chairman that produced the first truly progressive president for the country.”

According to him, 2023 also gives Nigerians the opportunity to elect other candidates to contribute to the rescuing of the country.

“Through your votes at the 2023 elections, you gave testimonies and practically demonstrated your love, belief and support for our progressive ideology.

“You gave our party the nod to spread the magic with which we have made Lagos State a true Centre of Excellence to the entire nation,” he said.

Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies, DisCos are reportedly planning to hike electricity tariff nationwide with effect from January 1, 2024.

A source in one of the DisCos confirmed the development under anonymity.

However, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Abuja Electricity Company are yet to respond to DAILY POST enquiry on the planned electricity tariff hike as of Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with DAILY POST, Kunle Olubiyo, the President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, said any planned electricity tariff hike will be outright irresponsible on the part of the Government.

According to him, Nigerians are still grappling with the effects of fuel subsidy removal, rising inflation and other economic reforms by Tinubu’s administration.

“Increasing electricity at this time, coupled with the impact of fuel subsidy removal, inflation, and other hardships facing Nigerians, will be insensitive on the part of the government.

“It is outright irresponsible for the government to allow an electricity tariff hike,” he said.

Recall that in November 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stopped the implementation of electricity tariff, insisting on a power sector subsidy.

Speaking on Tinubu’s directive on electricity tariff hike, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said Adelabu said, “The power sector is an industry that is very sensitive to any leader.

“You cannot jump overnight and implement the cost-reflective tariff. I can tell you that till today, the government still subsidises power”.

NERC’s quarterly reports indicated that electricity subsidies gulped N204.59 billion in the third quarter of 2023 and N135.23 billion in Q2, which is substantially higher than the N36.02 billion in Q1 2023.

Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat, aged 34, has been discovered dead in Kenya, as confirmed by the police on Sunday.

Reports from local media suggested that he may have been murdered.

Kiplagat, who was originally from Kenya, had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, participating in multiple Olympic Games and World Championships.

His lifeless body was found in a car on Saturday night on the outskirts of Eldoret, a town in the Rift Valley known for being home to many athletes.

“An investigation has been launched, and officers are on the ground pursuing leads,” local police commander Stephen Okal told reporters in Eldoret.

The police have reported that Benjamin Kiplagat’s body showed signs of a deep knife wound to his neck, indicating that he may have been stabbed.

Benjamin Kiplagat, specializing in long-distance races, represented Uganda in the Rio Olympics Games in 2016 in Brazil.

Throughout his impressive 17-year career, the 34-year-old athlete earned several accolades, including a World Under 20 Championships Silver medal and an African Championships Bronze medal.

In the World Athletics Rankings, he held the 38th position overall in the Men’s 3,000-meter Steeplechase.

Kiplagat participated in various competitions, including the Shanghai Samsung Diamond League, Lausanne Athletissima in Switzerland, Paris Meeting Areva, and Hengelo Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in the Netherlands.

Notably, in June 2012, Kiplagat made history by securing bronze in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase final, becoming the first Ugandan male athlete to win any kind of medal and breaking the dominion of Kenyan athletes in the event.

City FM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Programme: CITY TALKS WITH REUBEN ABATI

Time: 12:00pm

Guest: Professor Jideofor Adibe
(Professor of Political Science and International Relations)

Topic: "2023: The Year In Review"

Date: 30th December, 2023

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92877141732?pwd=VEJWb29OL2VVekZUTHRpdWYxK0xxZz09

Meeting ID: 928 7714 1732
Passcode: 600206

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has named 25 players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.

In the 25-man Super Eagles squad that was confirmed earlier today, December 29, coach Jose Peseiro unexpectedly invited Ahmed Musa, the team’s captain, who has never kicked a ball for the team throughout 2023.

Interestingly, only one domestic player from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Enyimba goalkeeper, Leke Ojo, made the cut.

Ojo will compete with error-prone Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho who is currently contracted to Omonoia FC of Cyprus, and Stanley Nwabili of Chippa United of South Africa, for the Eagles’ first eleven.

Other major additions to the squad are, Victor Osimhen of Napoli, Vice-Captain William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Below is the Super Eagles of Nigeria full squad for the 2023 AFCON:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); William Troost-Ekong (PAOK Salonika, Greece); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).

Note that the Super Eagles are in Group A and they will begin their 2023 AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14. They will play the hosts, Ivory Coast, on January 18, and end the group stage with a game against Guinea Bissau on January 22.

The Africa Cup of Nations hosts, Ivory Coast, revealed their 27-man squad for the January 11 to February 11 tournament, incorporating a mix of overseas talents, in an announcement made on Thursday.

Under the management of French coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Ivory Coast’s squad includes Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller, Monaco defender Wilfried Singo, along with midfielders Ibrahim Sangare from Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, Seko Fofana from Al Nassr, and Franck Kesslie from Al Ahli.

However, absent from Gasset’s selection are Galatasaray forward Wilfried Zaha and Besiktas defender Eric Bailly.

Drawn in Group A alongside Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast gears up for the challenge ahead.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers/FRA), Charles Folly (Asec Mimosas), Badra Ali (Sekhukhune United/RSA)

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Ismael Diallo (Hajduk Split/CRO), Ousmane Diomandé (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Ghislain Konan (Al-Feiha/KSA), Evans N’dicka (Roma/ITA), Odilon Kossonou (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Wilfried Singo (Monaco/FRA)

Midfielders: Jean-Thierry Amani Lazare (Union Saint-Gilloise/BEL), Idrissa Doumbia (Alanyaspor/TUR), Seko Fofana (Al Nassr/KSA), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli/KSA), Jean-Michael Seri (Hull/ENG)

Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton/ENG), Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo/ESP), Jérémie Boga (Nice/FRA), Sébastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Karim Konaté (RB Salzburg/AUT), Christian Kouamé (Fiorentina/ITA), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Red Star Belgrade/SRB), Max-Alain Gradel (Gaziantep/TUR), Oumar Diakité (Reims/FRA), Nicolas Pépé (Trabzonspor/TUR)

[Leadership]

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe to begin his rule over Manchester United’s football department by ruthlessly offloading 10 players.

The 10 players are Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Antony, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Scott McTominay, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho.

Saunders believes some of these players are not good enough to play for the Red Devils.

DAILY POST recalls that the chairman of petrochemical conglomerate INEOS last week agreed to a £1.3 billion deal with the Glazer family, giving him a 25 per cent stake in Man United.

It would allow Ratcliffe to take charge of Man United’s football operations.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Saunders said: “Rashford has been there too long. [Anthony] Martial, I will drive him to the airport. Antony, drive him to the airport.

“Luke Shaw has been there too long. [Diogo] Dalot’s not good enough. [Raphael] Varane, he’s a good player, but it’s not worked for him. Ten Hag’s tried to get rid of Varane.

“Jonny Evans is not good enough now, so there’s the back four. [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka, he’s tried to get rid of him. He got rid of Fred. [Scott] McTominay, the manager has obviously shown he doesn’t think he is good enough, but he gets goals.

“He is not good enough to play for Man United, in my opinion. If you play for Man United in midfield, you have got to be one of the best players in the world in midfield. You are not playing for Crystal Palace!”

He added: “I am just thinking off the top of my head. Sancho, Antony, Martial, you are looking at what, £200m or something like that just for them?”

[DailyPost]