Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar has written all the foreign missions in the country to comply with the directive of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge payment for visa and consular services in naira instead of dollar.

Tuggar has already met with a few envoys who sought more clarifications on the EFCC’s advisory.

It was learnt that the EFCC advisory against dollar-denominated service was necessitated in part after some embassies adopted N1,800-N1,900 exchange rates to a dollar.

An embassy was found to have set up an account unit where visa applicants were paying cash in dollar for services outside the conventional banking system.

Some embassies are understood to have started implementing the EFCC’s advisory on naira policy for consular services.

It was gathered that the EFCC has entered into an understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for prompt remittance of the funds generated by the embassies to their home countries at official rate.

In an April 5, 2024 advisory to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, had asked government to stop foreign missions in Nigeria from charging visa and other consular services in foreign denominations.

He also advised all embassies to adopt Nigeria’s regulatory regime in fixing the exchange rate of the cost of their services.

He said the commission has observed the violation of Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 which makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

A top source told newwmen that the Minister of Foreign Affairs asked all foreign missions to implement the EFCC advisory.

The source said: “The Federal Government has adopted the advisory of the EFCC which is backed by the CBN Act. In line with this, the Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has formally written all embassies to charge and accept payment for visa and consular services in naira.

“In fact, the Ambassador of one of the missions collecting dollars for consular services demanded an audience with the Minister of Foreign Affairs for clarifications on the new policy. Tuggar, who met with the affected envoy, said there is no going back on the naira policy.

“But the EFCC has also reached an understanding with the CBN for the prompt remittance of all consular fees collected at the official exchange rate to the embassies or countries. The Federal Government will not default in remitting funds.”

It was gathered that the EFCC issued the advisory following discovery that some embassies had adopted N1,800 to N1,900 exchange rates for applicants for visa and consular services.

“Some embassies went beyond official and parallel market rates in fixing exchange rate for consular services. They were charging as high as N1,800 to N1,900,” one source said.

“A foreign mission was even collecting dollars in cash from visa applicants. The practice was outside the banking system.

“From feedback, some of the embassies are already charging for consular services, including visa, in naira. We will not relent in ensuring full compliance by all missions.

“There is a desk monitoring compliance with the naira-for-visa policy. Any infraction will be reported to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The advisory, signed by the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, reads in part: “…I wish to notify you about the commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign Missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States Dollar ($).

“This practice is an aberration and unlawful as it conflicts ‘with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria. Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

“It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.

“This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is therefore illegal.”

The commission added: “The refusal by some Missions to accept the Naira for consular service in Nigeria and also comply with foreign exchange regulatory regime in fixing the exchange of the cost of their services is not only illegal but represents an affront on the country’s sovereignty symbolised by the national currency. It undermines Nigeria’s monetary policy and aspiration for sustainable economic development.

“This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors.

“In the light of the above, you may wish to convey the commission’s displeasure to all Missions in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country.

“Please accept, as always, the assurances of my highest consideration and respect.”

Attend to enquiries on money laundering, others within 24 hours, EFCC boss tasks bankers

The EFCC boss has also urged bankers to respond to the commission’s enquiries within 24 hours to aid its investigations.

“I don’t want to be charging banks alongside suspected criminals, because doing so can wreak havoc on the economy. It will even discourage investors from coming to the country,” Olukoyede said during a roundtable with compliance officers of banks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He added: “Our intention is to use the anti-corruption fight to bolster the economy. So, we must work together to save this country.”

Represented by acting Zonal Director, Ilorin Command Harry Erin, Pastor Olukoyede said: “We need to find a common ground to work together. You have a responsibility to fight corruption.”

The EFCC chair also expressed concerns over the use of fintech (private banking) by criminals to perpetuate crimes.

The anti-graft czar charged bankers to take the issue of “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and “Know Your Customer’s Business” (KYCB) seriously, as the two requirements would help to keep fraudulent customers on the radar.

Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has explained the reason behind the political crisis in the State.

According to Ehie, the issue in Rivers State started when a small group of political leaders wanted sole authority over the State’s resources.

He said this during a thanksgiving service on Saturday for the Supreme Court victory of the governor in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.

“The problem we have in the state is that 11 persons said they will control the resources of Rivers State. These 11 persons now called 20 others to allocate resources to themselves,” he said.

The jubilant thanksgiving, held at Western County High School Ahoada, began with a choir performance followed by a sermon, with the preacher admonishing Governor Fubara to remain dedicated to serving the people.

Ehie, spoke on behalf of Gov Fubara, warning the Governor should not be underestimated because of his age.

He said: “We are going to teach them a lesson of political arithmetic. What that small boy will do to you you’ll know that khaki no be leather.”

The Army Headquarters has announced investigation into a viral footage showing soldiers protesting at the 8 Division Garrison detention facility in Sokoto.

The footage, circulating on social media, depicts personnel held in custody expressing grievances.

In a statement signed Saturday by Onyema Nwachukwu, Major General Director Army Public Relations, the Army regretted the incident adding that it would not condone the soldiers’ behaviour, which constitutes mutiny and misconduct.

According to the report, the Chief of Army Staff has ordered a probe to determine if the incident is isolated or widespread in similar facilities.

“Undoubtedly, the Sokoto barracks detention facility incident is quite unfortunate and an embarrassment to the sound administration efforts of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), to say the least, and in line with his leadership style, the COAS has instituted an appropriate investigation into the incident to determine whether it is an isolated or widespread situation in similar detention facilities.

“While the service regrets and has gleaned some lessons from the incident, it will however not condone the manner the inmates expressed their purported grievance. Mutiny and conduct prejudicial to service order are grievous misconducts, and this very incident epitomises such.

“As such, as Army, on the one side, goes ahead to implement the COAS directive to look into the state of all NA detention facilities, as detainees’ lives also matter, the Service shall not shy away from appropriately sanctioning the soldiers involved in the unruly behaviour in its Sokoto detention facility for failing to exhaust all available options to channel their complaints to the appropriate authorities and if it was discovered they did and nothing was done, necessary administrative actions will be taken against anyone found to have failed to discharge his/her duties effectively.

“While the Service is mindful of its subjective oversight engagements by statutory bodies, it remains primarily a responsible, self-regulating professional body. As such, the Service remains committed to ensuring that everyone, even those found guilty of aiding terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits, and are awaiting confirmation of their sentencing, as it has been discovered in the Sokoto case is accorded a relatively decent life until their judgment is confirmed and executed. This commitment underscores the NA’s dedication to upholding professional standards and maintaining a just and fair system.

“The NA appreciates all Nigerians for their concern and support as well as pledge to remain focused on its drive to defeating security challenges facing the nation in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies,” the statement added.

…urges Tinubu to call Wike to order

The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has said the Rivers State Governor Similaye Fubura, was being haunded by his political opponents for daring to prevent the looting of the state.

He explained that the political crisis in the state was orchestrated by those who demand unfettered access to the finances of the state a demand the governor has refused to accept.

Secondus who spoke in Abuja, on Saturday, also accused the immediate past Governor of the state and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of being the brain behind Fubura’s political troubles.

He explained that Wike’s conduct, utterances and unrelenting fued with the governor, has cast the state in bad light.

Secondus said, “Wike has been Governor for eight years and is now Minister of the FCT. As Minister, what, has he (Wike) attracted in terms of Federal projects to our dear State since he assumed office? Perhaps misery, grief, and anguish. As Governor he had supervised the exit of investors from the state due to his draconian policies.

“He had on an occasion mentioned that he is capable of causing crisis and he is not far from the truth, as he is causing an unfathomable crisis in Rivers State.

“Mrs Patience Jonathan and I worked for his emergence as governor, have we ever breathed down his neck? Instead what we get is disrespect and insults.

“ I can attest to Dr. Odili’s performance as Governor being the State PDP chairman then. I hasten to say without any fear of contradiction that he is the best governor of Rivers State in this dispensation.

“Wike claims that our revered Dr. Odili made him but in his characteristic manner, he publicly ridiculed the Odili’s without any justification. He owes them an unreserved apology and he should do so publicly.

“These media attacks against the political leaders of Rivers State are unwarranted and diversionary.

“For the records you should account for the three hundred million dollars($300m) you collected from the NNPC for the Ogoni Oil well and the cash refund made by the Saipem oil and gas company and subsequently account for your eight-year tenure of over N4Trillion realized, mismanaged and squandered. Rather than trying to cover your inadequacies through media attacks.”

These attacks, he stressed, might dovetail into a national crisis if not properly checked.

While appealing to President Bola Tinubu to reign in the FCT minister, Secondus added, “I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to stop overheating the Rivers State political atmosphere and allow Fubara to work. Whatever Wike thinks he is It must be stressed that Rivers people made him.”

South African football club Chippa United has placed a significant R30 million (about ₦2.3 billion in Nigerian currency) price tag on Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Naija News reports that Nwabali unexpectedly became a standout player for the Super Eagles during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.

Nwabali, who made his tournament debut at the continental event, impressed everyone with his confident performance in goal, achieving four clean sheets in seven matches.

The 27-year-old player’s exceptional performance played a vital role in Nigeria’s journey to the final, where they narrowly lost to the host nation. Nwabali’s outstanding display caught the attention of various clubs worldwide.

Clubs such as Queens Park Rangers in England’s Championship, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia have all shown interest in acquiring the services of the Nigerian national team player.

According to Goal.com, the South African DStv Premiership are demanding the sum of 30 million rands for Nwabali, a price tag that has reportedly put off Kaizer Chiefs.

Nwabali’s potential move abroad seems likely, given that other clubs consider the asking price reasonable. His contract with Chippa United expires in the summer of 2026.

The real question now is whether the interested clubs are prepared to meet the substantial price set by the South African club. After his standout performance at the AFCON, the demand for the former Katsina United goalkeeper has significantly increased, making him a valuable player in the upcoming transfer window.

Nigeria’s sports development suffered a major derailment between 2004 and 2006.

That situation sustains till now, unfortunately.

This sad state of affairs was created inadvertently by government (the Ministry of Sports) in the process of trying to stop a ‘rebel’ group in Nigerian football that wanted to perpetuate itself in office, and halt government’s seeming control of football leadership in the country.

The product of that ‘confrontation’ created a ‘virus’ that has infected all other sports federations and even the architecture of sports administration in the country.

In short, the struggle for control of the leadership of the Nigeria Football Association during the elections of 2004/2006 is the root cause of the ineffectiveness of essential interventions by the sports ministry since then to stimulate development.

Needless to go into the minute details of that event here even though a brief summary will provide some background to my position.

In 2004 to 2006, the Ministry of Sports was tied in knots. Its power was rendered impotent by Ibrahim Galadima who was drawing power from the Independence clause in the then constitution of the NFA to outlaw any external interference (including by the NFA’s primary funder, the government) in its affairs as a means to reinstating himself as Chairman. With FIFA’s threat dangled over Nigeria’s head should the government interfere, Galadima temporarily had his way, reinstalled himself, but drew government’s ire in the process. That confrontation cost Nigeria a World Cup ticket, and tied down Nigerian football from any major development for the next two years.

No one fights government and wins. Galadima was not going to be an exception.

In order to regain some control, the sports ministry, under the guidance of the most powerful administrator in Nigeria’s sports history at the time, Dr. Amos Adamu, planned and executed a coup d’état. His ‘people’ infiltrated the NFA, got some ‘rebel’ members to force a re-visit of the constitution of the Association, introduced some new strategic political rules, and, aided by Nigeria’s loss of a World Cup qualification with Angola from a misjudgement by Galadima, successfully conducted new elections and removed Galadima.

That story will be properly told one day by anyone of Fanny Amun, Amanze Uchegbulam, Abba Yola, Sani Lulu, and so on, all principal actors in that government action.

Unfortunately, although government achieved its objective, it came with a high cost, a massive amendment to the correct structures and constitution of the NFA. With that ‘victory’, government inadvertently created a new knot that the even the government itself has been able to untie since then. The knot became cancerous, spreading to the entire sports apparatus, including the Nigerian Olympic Committee, that prides itself as fully independent of government. That’s the product of applying a purely political pill to cure a technical problem in Nigerian sports.

Since then, from election to election in several sports associations now, the civil courts are being brought into the picture to untie the resultant political knots without much success.

So, returning to the proper order of sports administration since then has become impossible. The strategic ‘illegality’ introduced to oust Galadima has become the norm. Its creator, the federal government, through successive Ministers, has been grappling without success to understand why the Ministry finds it difficult to align its vision with those of sports associations that have become recalcitrant and seemingly untouchable. With the exit of several old staff in the ministry from service the situation gets worse with time.

Elections into the Federation boards have become convoluted, complicated, expensive, political campaigns (even with rallies) and movement of election venues on the basis of political strength, State government funding of particular interests, etc. ‘Wrong’ has now become ‘Right’, with unending crisis. Sports are the worse for it.

A body of ‘experts’ set up under the guidance of Amos Adamu, tampered with and re-wrote a new constitution for the Nigerian Football Association in order to achieve the new numbers of delegates that can vote and oust Galadima. The body took a new political route of using the State Sports Associations to carry out the hatchet job.

The State associations were actually non-registered administrative bodies created by States using the National Federation guidelines to conduct football activities at State level. At best, they attended the annual General Assembly meetings of the Nigeria Football Association along with other members, affiliates, stakeholders and even an invited public.

As a group of State associations, they had only one vote in the election of the Chairman of the NFA, like every other member.

In 2006, the State football associations were suddenly empowered to the status of full, independent individual membership of the National Association without any justification other than the optics of being like an arm of the National Association. This move made each of the State associations a full member of the NFA, a member of the General Assembly and a member of the electoral body!

Think of it this way. Each State Coaches Association to become a full member of the NFA. Or the State associations of the Referees.

With their new number in the membership of the National Association increased from one (or two, when Secretaries were even admitted into it in another political dispensation) to 37, or 74 at a time, ordinary administrative affiliates, without any business at the national level, became full individual members of the national Federation. They now determined who became the Chairman. They took over the reign of governance and sports development.

They simply used their new numbers to vote out Galadima, and terminated his ambition as well as his regime.

That’s how administrative affiliate bodies became full, individual members of the NFA.

Meanwhile, that whole process of making State Football Associations to become full members was wrong and illegal.

The activities of State sports associations do not go beyond the States. Expanding their status, place and roles as direct, full members of the National Federations was and continues to be the Achilles heel of sports development in Nigeria. It was a grave mistake in the story of sports administration in the country.

Simply put, every national sports association (federation) is made up of the following full and independent members (existing, or when they eventually exist):

1. One rep. of each of the Leagues (any number of them that are registered for competitions)
2. Rep. of the national body of Coaches
3. Rep. of the national body of Referees
4. Rep. of the national body of Schools
5. Rep. of NAPHER
6. Rep. of the national body of Football Academies (when they are registered)

Other admissible stakeholders and affiliates are:

A representative of the Ministry of Sports, a representative of the national body of Players, a representative of the national body of State Sports Associations (called Chairman of Chairmen), and one representative of any other stakeholders registered by the federation or recognised.

It is these representatives, all elected by their different constituencies, that shall form the board of the national sports federations and shall from amongst themselves elect a Chairman or President without the shenanigans of political manipulations and brazen illegalities.

The process of electing a Chairman or President will become equitable, inexpensive, without any room for open political manipulations. The constitution must once again be amended to restore order and legality, removing what obviously was constructed to serve a special purpose in 2004 in Port Harcourt. It has served that purpose and must now be discarded.

The Minister must be strategic in approaching this subject matter.

Without addressing and solving it, his dreams of advancing the cause of sports will be hinged not on his plans but on the whims of State Sports association chairman that control the levers outside the proper national federations with which his ministry interacts.

My postulation, of course, requires interrogation and careful examination by the Minister for verification of the claims that I make. The Minister should set up a committee to do so immediately, with some time still available before new elections into boards. This way he will avoid the endless cycle of conflicts, and restore justice, equity and order to sports administration and development in Nigeria.

I know I am stirring the hornet’s nest by this piece, but truth must be told, even if nothing will be done!

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has barred the Speaker of the state Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the other 24 lawmakers from parading as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Justice Charles N. Wali gave this order in a case in suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024, filled by Victor Oko Jumbo (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly) Sokari Goodboy, Orubienimigha Timothy, members of the Assembly.

The suit is against Martin Amaewhule and 24 others, the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney General of the state, and the Chief Judge of the state.

Wali, following the motion ex parte, and after hearing from Sammie A. Somiari, SAN with B. N. Owunabo, Esq, and others for the claimants/applicants, entered that Amaewhule should stop acting as lawmakers.

Recall that Amaewhule and the other 24 of his colleagues had defected from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, on which they were elected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Also Read: Rivers Crisis: Fubara has committed impeachable offences, Ganduje’s APC NWC declares
Wali also ordered that Rivers government stop dealing with the said lawmakers as their seats have remained vacant after they defected from the PDP that produced them.

The order

The order read: “An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“An order of interim injunction is, hereby, made restraining the 26th to 28th Defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or howsoever interacting with the 1st to 25th Defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December, 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“It is further Ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes, in this case, be served on the 1st to 25th defendants/respondents within seven (7) days from date by substituted means to wit: by pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper.”

The court adjourned the Rivers lawmakers case till May 29 for Motion on Notice.

President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), on the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona,

for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.

The President who was represented by his Vice, Alhaji Kashim Shettima Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University ,Ago Iwoye, for a book presentation on “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria”, as part of activities marking his 64th coronation as a Paramount ruler and 90th birthday.

The ceremony also featured the inauguration of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

The President also announced that the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos has been directed to take over the management of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance which the royal father bequeathed to the university.

He described Awujale as an extraordinary royal father and hero of Nigeria democracy, who is adored all over the country for his sincerity of purpose and courage in the face of any adversity threatening national development.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, says insecurity in Nigeria is as a result of past seeds sowed by the country.

The cleric who spoke on Friday while delivering a lecture at the 42nd Actualisation conference of Rotary International, District 9110, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, noted that the current insecurity in the country will worsen if Nigeria failed to prioritise education.

Kukah bemoaned the poor state of education and urged religious institutions, charities, and other humanitarian organisations to focus their energies on ending illiteracy.

“We are facing the challenges that are the consequences of our children not having education. Now everybody is fearing bandits, everybody is fearing Boko Haram, we are reaping today what we sowed yesterday and it will actually grow worse.

“We have millions of children, at least between 10 to 12 or 15 million children that are on the streets who are begging, each of these children are growing by the day, the Almijiri that is 10 now, in 10 years time he will be 20 years so unless we quickly do something the situation may go worse”, Kukah said.

“We must all try to combat illiteracy because there is no substitute for education and if we who are educated believe that we are secured then we must think again”.

Earlier in his good will message, former President Olusegun Obasanjo charged the Rotary club to step up their efforts to improve the world.

Obasanjo who spoke in a pre-recorded video, called on the club to keep putting the good of humanity above all else.

The former President exhorted participants to use the opportunity of the conference to
rekindle their enthusiasm for improving society and aiding the underprivileged.

The District Governor, Ifeyinwa Ejezie, noted Rotary Club under her watch has done a lot by focusing on basic education and literacy, maternal and child health as well as economic empowerment.

She disclosed that the District has taken the issue of mental health to another level by educating alot of people, adding that drug abuse among the youths was equally addressed by the club.

Ejezie reiterated Rotary Club’s dedication to humanitarian endeavours within the district and internationally.

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has called on elders and stakeholders of the party to intervene in the political crisis rocking Rivers State.

George, who made this call on Friday, said the Rivers crisis may become a national conflagration, warning President Bola Tinubu not to treat with levity the threat by some lawmakers in the state House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He, however, advised that nobody should sit on the fence and pretend as if everything is okay, insisting that the state belongs to PDP. 

Quoting Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution which states that a member of the House of Assembly shall vacate his seat if he defects to another party, George maintained that all the PDP lawmakers who moved to the All Progressives Congress, APC, have automatically lost their seats “and they are in no position to threaten Governor Fubara”.

“So their plot to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor is already in vain,” he stressed.

George added, “Rivers people belong to PDP. Those threatening to impeach the governor are being remote-controlled by some forces. This must stop because if Rivers is set on fire today, that may end this democracy.

“We should remember ‘Operation Wetie’ which started in the defunct Western Region and eventually consumed the nation and ended the First Republic in 1966.

“All the actors in this crisis in Rivers should avoid actions likely to cause breach of peace and breakdown of law and order in our country.

“Members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of our party should be the elders in the room, act swiftly and nip this crisis in the bud before it consumes everybody.

“All the gladiators should also think of the collective interests of Nigerians.

“Whether we are members of PDP, APC or other parties, we should stop issuing provocative statements to increase the tension in Rivers.

“Any move that can truncate this democracy must be stopped immediately. Enough is enough.”