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ECOWAS 65TH SESSION: PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR COMMITMENT AND FUNDING TOWARDS REGIONAL STANDBY FORCE, SAYS THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SECURITY AND STABILITY TO ACHIEVE POTENTIAL

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ECOWAS 65TH SESSION: PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR COMMITMENT AND FUNDING TOWARDS REGIONAL STANDBY FORCE, SAYS THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SECURITY AND STABILITY TO ACHIEVE POTENTIAL

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

 

ECOWAS 65TH SESSION: PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR COMMITMENT AND FUNDING TOWARDS REGIONAL STANDBY FORCE, SAYS THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SECURITY AND STABILITY TO ACHIEVE POTENTIAL

 

President Bola Tinubu has called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.

 

Speaking during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday, in Abuja, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the regional bloc, highlighted the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats.

 

“The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. In addition to this, the Ministers of Finance and Defence met recently in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost counter-terrorism efforts.

 

“Member countries are also displaying their commitment to combating insecurity by individually increasing their defence budgets in order to acquire necessary equipment and ensure preparedness,’’ the President said.

 

President Tinubu urged member states to commit more to providing the needed resources for securing the region.

 

“Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential. As we move to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasize that the success of this plan requires not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.

 

“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance, in order to counter insecurity and stabilize our region,’’ the President added.

 

President Tinubu advised ECOWAS leaders to leverage the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which has been widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.

If The President Thinks He’ll Use Emir Bayero’s Yoruba Lineage To Keep Him, Let’s Wait For 2027 —NNPP

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If The President Thinks He’ll Use Emir Bayero’s Yoruba Lineage To Keep Him, Let’s Wait For 2027 —NNPP

In a recent statement, Hashim Dungurawa, the chairman of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, has made allegations against President Bola Tinubu, as reported by Leadership. Dungurawa claimed that Tinubu was destabilizing Kano State by trying to impose the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, on the Emirate, suggesting this was because both Tinubu and Bayero share a Yoruba background.

 

Dungurawa made these statements on Sunday while addressing journalists in Kano. He highlighted the achievements of the NNPP in the state over the past year and argued that there was no justification for giving Emir Bayero special protection from the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and other security agencies against the state government’s interests. He warned that President Tinubu’s alleged interference in the Kano Emirate issue would backfire in the 2027 elections and appealed to the President to resolve the Kano Emirate issue by ensuring the deposed Emir was removed from Kano.

 

The NNPP state chairman stated that his party would field Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate in the 2027 election, assuring that Kwankwaso would be the next president of Nigeria. Dungurawa also called for a review of the 2019 election outcomes, insisting that the immediate past governor of Kano State and APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, did not legitimately win his second term as Kano State governor.

 

He emphasized that Tinubu’s perceived stance on the ongoing Kano Emirate Tussle would surely work against him in 2027, as relying on this issue to gain ground in Kano would prove to be a mistake. Dungurawa also emphasized that if the President believes he can use a few of his kinsmen in Kano and Bayero’s alleged Yoruba lineage to keep the deposed Emir in the state, this strategy will fail in 2027.

 

During an interview on The leadership, he remarked, “Your perceived stance on the ongoing Kano Emirate Tussle would surely work against you in 2027 because if you think you can use it to gain ground in Kano when the chips are down you will realise your mistakes.

 

If the President thinks he will use a few of his kinsmen in Kano and the alleged Bayero’s Yoruba lineage to continue to keep the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero in the State, let him wait for 2027, we will show him that those people will not help him.”

Fuel scarcity looms as depots raise petrol price to N720/litre

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Fuel scarcity looms as depots raise petrol price to N720/litre

Fuel scarcity is gradually surfacing in Lagos and other parts of the country as private depot owners hiked the ex-depot price of petrol from N630 to N720 per litre.

 

This came as fuel scarcity deepened in Abuja and the adjoining states on Sunday with some filling stations dispensing PMS as high as N900/litre.

 

Our correspondents report that a number of filling stations in Lagos, Ogun and some states have run out of stock as they refused to buy high-priced fuel from the private depots.

 

Speaking in an interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday, the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, said many filling stations did not open for business because they had no fuel in their tanks.

 

He said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which is the sole importer of petrol at the moment, should explain to Nigerians what was happening with the product.

 

“Those that shut their stations do not have fuel to sell. When you don’t have fuel, you cannot open your station. That is the problem. You know the NNPC is the sole importer of this product. I think it is in the best position to tell us what is actually going on.

 

“Currently, independent marketers cannot buy what the private depots are selling. They are selling fuel between N715 and N720 per litre. How much will marketers sell the product? Look at the cost of bringing it to their depots; with transportation and other depot expenses, it will be too costly for them. That is why the stations are shut down. Some marketers refuse to go and buy because they know the masses cannot afford high-priced petrol in this economy. That is the situation for now,” the IPMAN leader stated.

 

Our correspondents learnt that the third parties, who are private depot owners, used to sell PMS to independent marketers at the rate of N630-650/litre before now, while the NNPC sells petrol to major marketers at a price below or around N600.

 

On many occasions, leaders of IPMAN have appealed to the NNPC to supply them with petrol directly like they do to major marketers, but the NNPC has yet to yield to that call.

 

Fashola appealed to Nigerians to avoid panic buying, saying they should buy what they need so that the fuel in circulation could go round.

 

It was gathered that the major marketers sold petrol below N650 while the independent marketers sold between N750/litre and N800 /litre.

 

Multiple officials confirmed to one of our correspondents that officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stormed the various depots in Apapa on Friday, mandating depot owners to prioritise fuel supply to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where the fuel queues were initially noticed on Friday.

 

Abuja prioritised

 

On Saturday and Sunday, many trucks were reportedly directed to Abuja to reduce the queues in the FCT, leaving Lagos and other places with little supply.

 

One of the officials disclosed that the NNPC was rationing PMS to depots due to the fuel supply gap.

 

This is coming barely three days after a report by Reuters claimed that Nigeria’s debt to suppliers of Premium Motor Spirit had surpassed $6bn, doubling what it was since early April, as the NNPC struggled to cover the gap between fixed pump prices and international fuel costs.

 

Although this was denied by the NNPC, the Reuters report stated that the national oil company began struggling early this year when late PMS payments surpassed $3bn.

 

The company, it said, had yet to pay for some January imports which traders put between $4bn and $5bn.

 

“The only reason traders are putting up with it is the $250,000 a month (per cargo) for late payment compensation,” one industry source said.

 

At least two suppliers were said to have stopped participating in recent tenders after hitting self-imposed debt exposure limits to Nigeria, meaning they will not send more PMS until they receive payments.

 

It was reported that Nigeria’s tenders to buy gasoline in June and July were smaller, traders told Reuters. NNPC will import via tender about 850,000 tonnes in July, according to the Reuters report quoting sources, down from the typical one million tonnes in previous months.

 

Meanwhile, PUNCH findings show some marketers have refused to supply petrol to independent marketers, who own the larger percentage of the filling stations in Nigeria. This, it was gathered, was because the depots/marketers were getting limited supplies from the NNPC.

 

“Currently, we focus on our filling stations. We get less than 50 per cent of what we usually get from the NNPC now. So, we make sure we feed our stations first before we consider selling to independent marketers. That is why most of them are out of stock. You know they don’t have access to the NNPC and the little we get is not even enough for our stations,” one of the depot operators told The PUNCH on condition of anonymity because was not authorised to speak on the matter.

 

The operator mentioned that the few depots selling to IPMAN members sell at higher prices as demand overshoots supply.

 

Our correspondents report that queues were returning to Lagos as of Sunday, creating fears among residents, who have yet to forget the fuel scarcity that almost grounded the economy in May.

 

When our correspondent visited some fuel stations across the state, it was observed that some fuel stations had adjusted the prices of PMS upward.

 

The PUNCH reported that fresh queues for the product surfaced in Abuja, parts of Niger and Nasarawa states on Friday, following the closure of many filling stations operated by independent marketers.

 

Dealers closed their retail outlets due to their inability to access petrol as a result of the hike in the ex-depot price of the commodity to N710/litre by private depot owners.

 

Motorists besieged the few stations that dispensed petrol on Friday; particularly those operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and some major oil marketers in Abuja and neighbouring states.

 

It was noted that the situation was extending to Lagos. Out of about 10 fuel stations along the Ikotun to Egbeda axis, only about two stations were dispensing at the time of filing this report.

 

At Ikotun, one of the outlets belonging to the NNPC that was selling for N568 per litre had long queues while others were not dispensing. At the Igando-Ikotun axis, only an outlet belonging to Petrocam sold at N820 per litre.

 

Long queues

 

The PUNCH also observed that an outlet belonging to TotalEnergies along Mushin Road, in Isolo, sold fuel at N615 per litre with a long queue of waiting buyers.

 

Meanwhile, a Technoil filling station at Isolo Bustop was not selling fuel at the time of filing this report. Also, the NNPC filling station on the same axis that sold for N568 per litre was crowded with cars.

 

Our correspondent further observed that there were no fuel attendants at an AP filling located along Okota Road, as the outlet was closed at the time of filing this report.

 

A motorist who simply gave his name as Mr Emmanuel Anyebe, said, “They said they have removed fuel subsidy and by that, we assumed that what happened in the telecommunication industry would happen to the oil and gas sector, but it didn’t. It is not as if there is scarcity, there is no scarcity anywhere. I asked at the fuel station why the queue all they could say was that they had not been able to get the product. He said that about six tankers they ordered in the last two weeks were only able to get one tanker delivered to their station. This is just unnecessary suffering that is how I see it, they suffer people and waste people’s time unnecessarily.”

 

The PUNCH gathered that the AP Fuel Station at Ilasamaja experienced intermittent fuel sales on Sunday.

 

The station sold fuel in the morning but stopped operations in the afternoon, resuming sales later in the evening. Customers willing to pay a premium could purchase five litres of fuel at a rate of N4,000.

 

“We sold at N615 per litre today but we have stopped for now. However, if you are desperate, we can sell to you at a higher rate,” a customer attendant at the AP Fuel Station revealed.

 

Meanwhile, the General Fuel Station in Sadiku had no fuel available when visited by our correspondent, exacerbating the fuel scarcity crisis in Lagos.

 

A motorist simply identified as Segun in Nepal, Akowonjo, Lagos State, told our correspondent that he purchased fuel at the rate of N650, adding that the queue was becoming unbearable.

 

“I paid N650 per litre, and it is annoying because I have been buying it like this for the longest time, and I think the government needs to do something about it, but then again, we have no choice.

 

A commercial driver, Timothy stated that he purchased fuel at Petrocam in Ikeja for N670.

 

He said, “Things keep increasing, the dollar is high, and all these producers are storing the fuel somewhere. They even mentioned that the prices might be higher.”

 

In Ogun State, checks by our correspondent revealed that petrol was sold between N700 to N800 amid long queues.

 

Our correspondent learnt from a resident, Emmanuel Ogbonna, that Ebefem fuel station in Abeokuta dispensed petrol at the rate of N720.

 

Emmanuel decried the difficulties experienced in getting petrol as there seems to be a return of fuel scarcity.

 

Emmanuel said, “I bought fuel at N720 in Ebefem filling station. There was no queue at the time I visited the station but major fuel stations like NNPC were not dispensing fuel when I visited yesterday (Saturday) evening. It seems petrol is scarce.”

 

Via Punch

Samoa Agreement: Nigerian govt threatens to sue Daily Trust

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Samoa Agreement: Nigerian govt threatens to sue Daily Trust

The federal government says it will file a complaint against Daily Trust Newspapers to the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) over its publication on the Samoa agreement.

 

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who gave this hint on Saturday in Abuja, said the government would also approach the court over the report he described as “fake and mischievous.”

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the information minister spoke at a press conference to react to the report believed to have the potential to spark up religious and social tensions in the country.

 

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NAN also reports that Mr Idris addressed the press along with his budget and planning counterpart, Atiku Bagudu.

 

In the report, the medium claimed that the federal government signed an agreement with clauses requiring Nigeria to endorse the rights of Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex(LGBTQI+) people.

 

It also said that Nigeria would collect 150 billion dollars for endorsing the deal.

 

The agreement, generally referred to as the Samoa agreement, was signed on 28 June at the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States(OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.

 

Details of the agreement indicated that the partnership is between the European Union and its member states on one hand, and members of OACPCS on the other.

 

Negotiations on the agreement began in 2018, and it was signed on 15 November 2018 by all 27 EU member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS states.

 

The African Regional Protocol on the matter consists of two parts – framework for cooperation and areas of cooperation that include inclusive and sustainable economic growth, environmental and human rights protection, among others.

 

Reacting to the medium’s report on the matter, the minister described it as gross falsehood.

 

He said it followed a pattern that Daily Trust had become used to since the Bola Tinubu administration came on board.

 

While noting that Mr Tinubu had maintained a good relationship with the media in line with his philosophy as an avowed democrat, he said it was “disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the government.”

 

“We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.

 

“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of the media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.

 

“The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar.

 

“On many occasions, we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the mischievous publications leaves us with no option.

 

“In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust championed a jaundiced narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection.

 

“The same newspaper gave a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the government was working on siting foreign military bases in the country.

 

“Neither Daily Trust nor originators of that imaginative allegation provided any shred of evidence.

 

“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way.

 

“In all those instances, all that the paper depended on were falsehoods and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.

 

“We, however, did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could descend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQI.

 

“We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed.

 

“Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.

 

“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons), by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story, thereby raising tempers,” he said.

 

He said, however, that the government would continue to toe the path of civility by restraining itself from seeking self-help or adopting draconian measures.

 

“While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are, however, toeing the path of civility and the rule of law,” he said.

 

The minister said that the federal government would take the matter to the NPAN Ombudsman “on this irresponsible reporting.”

 

READ ALSO: FACT-CHECK: Are there LGBT clauses in Samoa Agreement Nigeria signed?

He added that the federal government will also use every lawful means to seek redress in a court of law.

 

Mr Idris restated the government’s friendly policy toward ethical media and free speech but warned that it would not accept fake news and disinformation that could injure the peace of the nation and hurt national security.

 

Most artists on drugs, need to be rescued – Kanayo O Kanayo

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Most artists on drugs, need to be rescued – Kanayo O Kanayo

Veteran actor, filmmaker and politician, Kanayo O Kanayo, was recently a guest on the Honest Brunch podcast, where he spoke about his career, movie industry and other issues. FAITH AJAYI brings excerpts

I was scrolling through Instagram this morning and I saw a video of you, where you seemed so angry. What prompted you to make that video?

It borders on professional misconduct. This is the only industry that has kept me and a whole lot of others for the past 30 to 40 years, so we need to protect it. I was calling out a particular woman, Mrs Unigwe, who is the mother of a young actress, Angel Unigwe. I felt very unhappy about the young girl whose mother I feel is messing up her career. It borders on a breach of contract. Imagining hiring an artist to make content for YouTube, and they can only give you three days. Meanwhile, we usually shoot for four days, and sometimes five. But, since the artist gave only three days, they should not allow the three days to expire. A day ends by 12am, but imagine her taking away her daughter at 9pm, without shooting six scenes.

There was nothing we didn’t do and people who didn’t intervene for the woman to bring her daughter, so that the shoot can be concluded. But, she didn’t listen. Then, when I went out and was talking to people, I heard reports that they also had similar experiences with her. It was alleged that after she collects money for a production, she would start changing the terms of the contract. That was why I called her out.

As a longstanding member of the entertainment industry, it behoves me to protect those who cannot speak, those who don’t know when their rights are breached or violated. I stand in that gap. She has done this to a lot of people and many of them called me yesterday.  There was nothing we didn’t beg this woman with, but she wouldn’t listen to anybody. Unfortunately (for her), she didn’t know we had all the evidence of our transaction. Even the people she was talking to pleaded with her on our behalf, so she could come and finish the shoot. Eventually, she refused to bring her daughter.

Are issues like this not supposed to be handled by the associations in the industry?

That’s where the problem is. Most actors think they are bigger than the Actors Guild of Nigeria. They never attend meetings. As a matter of fact, some of them would tell you that they don’t belong to AGN; that they are doing their thing. But, do you know where you catch them? When they go to embassies to get visas, they ask them which group they belong to in the industry. It is then they would start pleading with the AGN president to write them a letter. Meanwhile, they never contribute. So, when it comes to associations, there are some people that, once they attain stardom, they start behaving like they’re bigger than the guild.

Is that not a problem created by older practitioners in the industry, because for example, if people look up to somebody who has spent quite a number of years in the industry and the person is not a member of any association, or has disregard for the associations. Don’t you think that would make younger artists who attain stardom say, ‘I have no business with this association’?

Exactly! That’s why there needs to be a clarion call for everybody to know that we are better off being under a guild or association that will protect our general interests, because operating individually does not help us. People need to have that understanding. But, when people don’t feel that, it is bad.

But, it’s a work in progress to call on the actors and the AGN president with his executives to keep on working to bring actors together. Actors should also know that it is not just when we go for funerals that we should work together. Team work makes the dream work. If we work as a team, we will have more respect.

It is so bad that when a fund is set up in a way that a percentage of what actors earn is deposited in that fund, so that in the case of a health issue, money can be taken from there.  It is because of things like that you see actors always coming to social media to ask for money, because many people have refused to be part of the association. If I earn N1m per movie for instance, what is one per cent of it that I cannot set aside for my future? I wonder why people wouldn’t contribute N10,000 to a fund that will be used to take care of them if they are sick? A rainy day will always come when you cannot function effectively, and your health deteriorates. That’s the idea behind the social security system in some other climes, so that when you are not working and you’re not in good health, they would take money from there and take care of you. But, people don’t want to align or contribute to this. As far as I’m concerned, that is very bad.

How have you managed to be relevant over the years? For many entertainers, there shelf lives do not exceed 10 or 15 years; but you’ve been consistently relevant in the industry for decades. How have you done it?

On a lighter note, I have never gone anywhere in the dead of night to be more successful or relevant than anybody else. Perhaps, there is an unseen finger or hand that has said I should continue doing what I’m doing. I am not the best actor, even though I won the Best Actor category of the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2006. I have not done anything special, but I am a professional to the core. I try to do things the right way. I have tried as much as I can on my own, because if you play your part, God will also play His part.

Also, I have tried as much as I can to take care of my health, and I’ve tried to obey the laws of nature.

Unfortunately, there is no insurance in the industry, from which we can draw from a pool of funds. It is like you only earn when you’re working. There are no royalties, so it means that when you’re not working, you’re not earning. You need to be very discerning with your health, so in terms of remaining relevant, I haven’t done anything special, but I’ve tried as much as possible to align with professional conducts. I just do my job and leave the rest for God. When the younger ones come, I bring my wisdom to the table, and they bring their strength. We then join them together.

Are you aware that most artists are on drugs? These are things I have spoken with the AGN president about, and he said we should treat them in-house first. There are many people we need to rescue. Most times, when they come to a location, they stay in their cars for the next two hours.  If it is a lady, don’t forget she needs the next one or two hours to apply make-up, so you end up having some people coming at 8 for a production, and shoot not starting till about 11 or 12. It is a bad situation, and I don’t reserve my comments on things that will take the industry forward. They should remove their hands from all these things (illicit substances) they take.

For some actors, when they have reached a certain point in their careers with a lot of fans who like to watch them, they drastically raise their pay and make it so high that producers would go through a lot of stress to get them. Is there nothing that can be done to control or regulate what people charge in the industry?

No, you don’t regulate. It is an open market economy, so you don’t regulate what people charge. If you can’t afford one, go for the one you can afford. It helps to build new artists. There are some people in the industry now that if you want to shoot with them, they would say they can only grant you one day (to shoot), and would charge about N1m to N1.5m. For someone of them, if you contact them June, they would tell you they don’t have any available date until the next February. So, that gives one the option to start discovering new talents.

On this note, I also want to say to those in the entertainment industry that we should start discovering those who would act as back-up (to established stars). That a person’s face ‘sells’ a movie on YouTube does not mean it will ‘sell’ on Showmax, Amazon Prime, or Netflix. It is not good for the industry, but it is also an opportunity to start discovering those who are not under the wings of those guys (established acts). To sum it up, regulation of price doesn’t happen anywhere in the world.

What I am doing through my production house is to give opportunities to those who are not really popular. I am losing money not, but I will gain it later; it is just a matter of time. If it doesn’t work on YouTube, it will work on Amazon Prime, Netflix, Showmax, or any platform where you would put your film and make your money. Let those who are reigning now enjoy their time; but, it is not forever.

There are people who engage in sexual harassment and other vices, though it is not peculiar to the entertainment industry. It is a challenge that a lot of people deal with, and it is also not exclusive to any gender. Is it possible for this menace to be reduced to a minimum, or eradicated totally from society?

Sexual harassment cannot be eradicated, but it can be curtailed by sanctions. If you are caught doing it and there is evidence, nobody can rescue you. There is this lady I worked with on one production, and she has been chatting with me that a particularly notorious producer, asked her to buy him an iPhone15 in order to get roles. How much does she have to start buying things like that?

However, many girls are desperate to act, so it is also an individual thing. My advice to such ladies is that they should stop dressing loosely, and stop offering themselves to men, just because they want to act. They should stop being desperate.

You once posted a picture which had the caption, ‘A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion’. Could you expatiate on that?

I am an opinion leader, whether you like it or not. That’s why I would say you should lead from anywhere you are. There was actually something that happened. I am a cultural impresario, not just a believer in culture and tradition. I am a proud Igbo man. I’m proud of where I stand, as well as what I do. I’m also an actor who likes what he does, so I always speak to protect the things I believe in.

A new sheriff entered town a long time ago in the name of religion. We may never recover from what religion has done to us. As Karl Marx (a German philosopher) said, ‘religion is the opium of the masses’.

My first son just graduated from the university, and in the meantime, I decided that he should follow me to the office; rather than just waking up in the morning, eat and do nothing. By doing that, he will understand what I do to put food on the table. I felt it was better for him to understand how the production house works; not that he’s going to be an actor. I made him the assistant production manager, so that he can understudy the production manager and other areas in production. I want him to understand money management, so that he will better appreciate my age, and what people have to say about me.

 

Nigerian Police Disobeying Court Orders, Breaching Citizens Rights – Atiku

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Nigerian Police Disobeying Court Orders, Breaching Citizens Rights – Atiku

The former vice president made the claim via a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Saturday.

 

Atiku criticised the Police for their alleged disregard for the rule of law and citizens’ rights.

 

He stated this while reacting to the arrest and transportation of Yusuf Sheriff Banki from Abuja to Maiduguri.

 

The statement reads in part, “Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, has slammed the Police for their blatant breach of citizens’ rights and disregard for court orders.

 

“Atiku’s outrage follows the arrest and transportation of Yusuf Sheriff Banki from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno State, in defiance of a standing court order.

 

“Justice M. A. Madugu of the Bwari Judicial Division, had on 13th June, 2024, granted an order restraining the IGP, AIG Zone 15, CP FCT, their agents, privies or anybody acting on their authority from arresting, intimidating, harassing and threatening Yusuf Sheriff Banki and his families pending the determination of the suit before the court.”

 

The former Vice President, while emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to law and order, urged the Police to release Banki without conditions.

 

“The Nigeria Police acted in breach of that order. Atiku is incensed by the Gestapo-style arrest, which flagrantly violated a valid and subsisting court injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 15, and the Commissioner of Police FCT from arresting Banki.

 

“Condemning the action, Atiku berated the Police for their impunity and lack of respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights. He decried the incident as reminiscent of the oppressive military dictatorship era when citizens were detained without adherence to legal processes.

 

“Emphasising that Nigeria is a nation of law and order, Atiku called on the Police to unconditionally release YusufYusuf Sheriff Banki,” he added.

INTERVIEW: Igbos share ancestral links with Yorubas, but many don’t know – Ooni Ogunwusi

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INTERVIEW: Igbos share ancestral links with Yorubas, but many don’t know – Ooni Ogunwusi

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi,

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, a foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland, is, no doubt, one of the most talked-about traditional rulers in Nigeria.

 

In June, he spoke exclusively with PREMIUM TIMES at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on the sidelines of a ceremony announcing the 2024 Africa Fashion Week, billed to be held in London in October. His wife, Aderonke Ogunwusi, is spearheading the event.

 

The Ooni spoke extensively about his upcoming 50th birthday and the 50 legacy projects he has lined up for unveiling as part of the anniversary, his personality, what he misses as an everyday man before becoming the Ooni in 2015, and what he believes to be the shared ancestries of Yoruba and Igbo – two of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

 

Often compared with his predecessor, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who passed away in 2015, Oba Ogunwusi also addressed the criticism he usually faces over his more liberal social engagements and frolicking with young Nigerian celebrities.

 

EXCERPTS:

 

PT: You are turning 50 in October. Are there any initiatives to mark the milestone in store?

 

Ooni: I have yet to reach my peak, which is to carve a legacy for myself and impact humanity. So, for me, talking about age, it’s beyond celebration. It’s beyond the usual routine of what is expected from everybody. I want to showcase 50 iconic projects at 50. Those 50 iconic projects are very impactful projects that cut across every sector.

 

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A lot of people need to learn what I do. Since I became the Ooni of Ife in the last nine years, God has used me to set up solid and formidable impactful projects worldwide.

 

I want to showcase that to the world so that the world can truly see that you can be on a throne and still be impactful. The things that I’ve done have been so impactful that they have cut across so many strata of different races and ethnicities and even religious beliefs. I want to use that to showcase to the world so they will better understand who I am. A lot of people see me in different lights. It’s like a half-full cup and a half-empty cup. But I have been very focused since I ascended the throne.

 

PT: You appear interested in the indigenous fashion and textile industry?

 

Ooni: One of the impactful projects that God has used me to do is the revolution in the fashion industry and promoting our homemade goods in the textile industry. My queen, Olori Aderonke, who has been very dynamic and resourceful in everything she does, has been able to anchor that programme very well.

 

That is the emergence and manufacturing of Adire textile. We have a hub, which we can do a lot with. That hub has showcased a lot of great things that can come out of our country.

 

We should believe in our country. Our only issue as a nation is patriotism, and we must know that being patriotic will help this nation overcome its downfalls. African Fashion Week, my wife and I started it together—not my idea, our idea—but in terms of support, I can boastfully and humbly say that I have been the only consistent supporter.

 

PT: What endeared you to your wife, Olori Aderonke?

 

Ooni: From day one, I knew I must do something, I mean, projects every year. That has made us stronger as friends and associates and now as husband and wife, I’m very proud of what she does because I like to surround myself with very resourceful people.

 

She’s one of the best and greatest minds—resourceful and rich—I’ve ever encountered. For African Fashion Week, it’s been a powerful brand that is being put together. The inventor of it is a princess, now a queen, and a mother who is passionate about what she does.

 

PT: Tell us more about the planned activities for your 50th birthday.

 

Ooni: I will showcase 50 industries, 50 services, and 50 impactful things that God has used me to pioneer and how they have impacted millions of people in the health, entertainment, manufacturing, and education sectors. Many people don’t know that I have a university called Ojaja University in Ilorin, Kwara State, and that there are many things that God has used me to do to be impactful.

 

I am putting together one of the best healthcare facilities in Nigeria, the best in the world. There, the medical staff would attend to all emergency cases immediately.

 

PT: Are you implying that the hospital will offer free medical services?

 

Ooni: They will first treat you when you get there in an emergency. If we realise that a patient can’t afford the medical bills, the foundation will kick off, or some social responsibility organisations will immediately step in. But we will have proven beyond reasonable doubt that at least health is wealth.

 

It’s at Lekki Phase 1; you will be blown away when you arrive. You won’t even believe it’s a hospital because it is equipped with the best of everything: the dialysis centre and the obstetrics and gynaecology units are top-notch. Hence, it’s one of the projects I’m going to showcase, and together, I don’t even know how I did it; 50 projects are massive but very special, and that’s the highlight of my 50th term. So, it’s beyond being a king for me. It’s a service and God Almighty will continue to do it.

 

PT: How would you describe your style?

 

Ooni: Well, I won’t lie to you; it’s the call of the throne that is making me dress like this. But to me, it indicates purity, spirituality, clarity, cleanliness, and a solid connection to my spirit head, and that’s why I dress like this. But I can now add some panache, some refinements, and wear some designer clothes.

 

My outfits and regalia are 80 to 90 per cent made in Nigeria. I’m also a cobbler. As a kid, I learned shoemaking and still make and design my shoes. I do everything, including drawing. I draw very well. I choose the material. I choose everything. My outfit is Aso Oke, made in Ilorin, and I know my suppliers. The same manufacturers make all the materials embroidered on it. This is from Aba. These are my beads. We are known in Ife for making coral beads. They are all from my community, and I go as far as Benin, Ekiti, and Ibadan to get all those things done.

 

PT: Is it true you don’t wear wristwatches?

 

Ooni: I don’t wear wristwatches because time belongs to God. For me, every second counts. So why should I be looking at it every second? Because everything counts for me, everything about me is time-bound. So why should I be looking at time?

 

PT: Is there anything you miss fashion-wise, like jeans?

 

Ooni: Yes! To keep it simple, I miss it, of course; I miss it so much. But it is what it is for me. Because I uphold the spirituality of Yoruba, I don’t have the privilege that some other kings have to be relaxed with their dressing. I don’t have that ultimate privilege. But I miss it.

 

PT: Do you feel 50?

 

Ooni: Well, no, I don’t. I’m very restless. And to me, it’s all about numbers. Usually, on this throne, I’m not supposed to celebrate my birthday. But because of the youthful advocacy thing that I do, I should celebrate the days I am on the throne.

 

PT: You have been compared to your predecessors and said to be more of a socialite than who an Ooni should be?

 

Ooni: At some point, I used to bother, but I don’t bother anymore. When I launch the 50 Projects at 50, many people will understand that I don’t have the energy to worry about such things. I like to keep my eyes on the ball — very focused — to get things done. They compared me with my predecessor, who reigned when there was no social media.

 

But, these days, you will only lose out if you don’t blend tradition and modernity. That’s the major problem. When I was crowned the Ooni, I said I would blend tradition and modernity.

 

They said I attended Davido’s party, and people were shaking my hands. I just laughed. You know, every news is news—either good or bad. It depends on how you spin it.

 

This whole thing you are talking about is that they compare me with my predecessor. My predecessor ruled when there was no social media, but he socialised more than me. People like to talk about me a lot. I don’t know what I’ve done to them. They must speak about everything I do. They say a lot about me but know little about me.

 

Let them continue to talk. Let me continue to build a legacy supporting my dream and aspiration of blending tradition and modernity.

 

PT: Are there any plans to consistently attract people to visit Ife to see the museum and other exciting things?

 

Ooni: We need better roads. So, we appeal to the government. Thank God they have completed the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway now. How many years did it take them? It took almost 20-something years, but now it’s done. So, Ibadan to Ife Road is another advocacy and campaign we’re making. Once that is done, the journey from Ife to Lagos takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Ibadan to Lagos now takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour, while before, it took about 3 to 5 hours. Thank God the government is doing what is suitable for the citizens.

 

PT: How can we harness historical knowledge?

 

Ooni: It has been a very significant concern for me. What is fundamentally wrong with a black man? Not only a Yoruba man, all of us. I tell people and many people don’t understand, that there is a strong link between the Yorubas and the Igbos. Let me use those two races. They are very ancient races. It’s been proven that these two races are the oldest in the world. But when I try to establish the link between Yorubas and the Igbos, a lot of people take it as a controversial thing. But let’s break it down. It’s true. We are the same. In my palace, to date, I still have a house of Igbo (pronounced as Igbo in ‘Igbo people’). Where the Ooni lives is called Ile-Igbo. Igbo, to the Yorubas and Ife, is a new dawn; it’s Igbo. And when you sleep, they say, O digbo’ore, O digbo’ore. ‘Igbo’ means Ile-Igbo. That means you will begin afresh. Well, the Igbos probably might not know. I don’t know. They have their meaning.

 

Sometimes, the Igbos say they are from the Jewish side. I wonder. No. The Jews came from you (Igbo). Because you cannot plant kola nuts in Israel, it will not grow. Why are you so particular about Kola nuts? We are the only ones that grow kola nuts, we Yorubas. It does not grow anywhere else. It grows only in Yoruba land. So, where did Igbo get it when they were celebrating it? How? They cannot do without it. They even say the only language kola nut understands is Igbo.

 

So, where were they getting it from? If there was no linkage with their brothers in Yoruba land. So, we can even use that common connecting factor, the kola nut. Let’s start to research kola nuts. The Western people have tried to take kola nut seeds to plant it. It would grow to a level, it would die. It would grow to a level, it would die. It can never grow anywhere other than Yoruba land and has a spiritual undertone. So, to know our history better, let us pick things about nature that connect us. I just mentioned one.

 

PT: Tell us more about the kola nut analogy.

 

Ooni: Let us research kola nuts. Why is it that the Igbos are so particular about it? They fight wars in Igbo land because of kola nut. They will tell you to bring this specific kola nut. Bring this, get that. They fight wars so much. Yes. The only thing that grows in their place is the garden egg. They can grow that one very well. But that kola nut, they should come and tell me where it’s been grown in Igbo land. No, they buy it from Yoruba land.

 

All their ancestors, how were they taking it from Yoruba land? So, at some point, we were one big happy family. And by our history, we know how it all spread worldwide. We need to teach history. Like you said, what are we doing on this throne? Things like this – advocacy. Could we please connect those infrastructures first? Convenience. Infrastructure is all about convenience. If we don’t have a robust and enabling infrastructure, we will have issues which we are trying to avoid.

 

Once we have a connecting infrastructure that can enhance things like that, we can get people to come and start a citadel of history, heritage, and culture. We can get a lot of people to do that and support. So, for us, for me, never, I’m not going to keep it within myself. I will continue encouraging platforms like yours to let the world know that many things connect us more than what divides us.

 

VFD Group restructures board, co-founder Adenubi resigns as executive director, Veritas’ Ibraheem Abe appointed as board member

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VFD Group restructures board, co-founder Adenubi resigns as executive director, Veritas’ Ibraheem Abe appointed as board member

VFD Group Plc has announced a major restructuring of its board, as two board members retire while three new board members are appointed.

 

The announcements were made by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Olatunde Busari (SAN), during the group’s board meeting. He announced the appointment of Ibraheem Nahim Abe, who is currently the Chairman of Veritas Kapital Assurance, and Hubert Asamoah of VFD Ghana as Non-Executive Directors.

 

Morenike Ominike, VFD Group’s Chief Operating Officer was also appointed to the board as the Executive Director, Operations.

 

The Chairman also announced the resignation of two Board members: Mr. Adeniyi Adenubi, who will transition from Executive Director to Non-Executive Director, and Mr. Femi Akinware.

 

According to the announcement, Mr. Adeniyi Adenubi, the Executive Director of Investment Management on the Board of the Group, will transition to the role of Non-Executive Director.

 

Mr Busari commented on the board restructuring, noting, “We are delighted to welcome our new Board members. Their expertise and diverse perspectives will be instrumental in guiding VFD Group on its continued growth trajectory. We are also grateful to Mr. Akinware for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the Group.”

 

“In the same vein, we appreciate the significant contribution and commitment of Mr. Adenubi as an Executive Director and more is expected of him in his new role as a Non-Executive Director.”

 

Adenubi is one of the co-founders of VFD Group and is transitioning from executive director to non-executive suggesting there are no plans for him to succeed Okpala as GMD.

 

Commenting on the appointments, Nonso Okpala, the Group CEO of VFD Group noted,

 

“These appointments are part of our strategic restructuring to ensure that VFD Group remains at the forefront of delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders. By bolstering our Board with experienced and visionary leaders, we are confident in our ability to navigate the evolving financial landscape and capitalize on new opportunities for growth.”

 

About Ibraheem Nahim Abe

Mr Ibraheem Abe holds an extensive portfolio that cuts across the communications, banking, energy, and insurance sectors. He presently serves as the Chairman of Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and is a director with Veritas Glanvills Pension Limited.

 

His recent roles include serving as Chairman of Goldlink Insurance Plc, Director and Chairman at Lighthouse Capital Limited, and Non-Executive Director at Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd (9 Mobile).

 

About Hubert Asamoah

Hubert Asamoah who serves as the Managing Director of VFD Group Ghana Limited, also boasts a robust background in finance, strategy, business development, and operations.

 

He holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

 

Prior to his role with VFD Ghana, he was the Managing Director of MOVIS Logistics Limited and has held significant roles such as Manager of the Economy Portfolio at the Office of the President of Ghana, and Senior Financial Analyst at Northwest Airlines (now Delta Airlines).

 

About Morenike Ominike

Morenike Ominike prior to her appointment as an Executive Director, served as the Chief Operating Officer of VFD Group. She also served as the Chief of Staff to the Group’s CEO. However, she joined VFD Group as the Head of Regulatory Compliance in 2021.

 

Before joining VFD Group, she was the Head of Compliance at ARM Holding Company. Prior to that role, she was with Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, where she served as the Head of Fund/Portfolio Management, Operations Associate, and Compliance Officer at different times.

 

What you should know

During the group’s recent annual general meeting held on June 27, 2024, shareholders ratified the appointments of Mrs. Nneka Okekearu and Ms. Rashida Saleh as independent non-executive directors.

 

There is no known relationship between VFD Group and Veritas Kapital Assurance, as Osnon Capital Limited, the family office of Nonso Okpala presently holds the largest shareholding in VFD Group, with 19.18%.

 

In the first quarter of 2024, the group posted a profit after tax of N2.6 billion, a significant improvement from the N220 million posted in Q1 2023. The group’s performance in Q1 2024 depicts a sharp contrast from the N750 million loss posted in FY 2023, as the group looks set to turnaround its financial performance from 2023.

 

VFD Group’s share price is currently at N44.60, as it has appreciated by 9.85% since the reconstruction of its shares on June 19.

 

 

 

Empowering Nigerian businesses: PressOne Africa to unveil developer program at Lagos Startup Week

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Empowering Nigerian businesses: PressOne Africa to unveil developer program at Lagos Startup Week

Empowering Nigerian businesses: PressOne Africa to unveil developer program at Lagos Startup Week

NM Partners

PressOne Africa, a leading provider of advanced business phone systems, is set to unveil its highly anticipated Developer Program at the upcoming Lagos Startup Week.

 

This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering Nigerian businesses with cutting-edge voice communication technologies.

 

Scheduled from July 11th to 13th, 2024, at the Balmoral Events Center, Lagos Startup Week serves as the ideal platform for PressOne Africa to introduce its Developer Program.

 

This program is designed to empower developers to seamlessly integrate innovative voice communication features into their applications and business solutions.

 

Key highlights of the PressOne Developer Program:

Innovative Voice APIs: Developers will gain access to a robust suite of voice communication APIs, such as voice-delivered one-time passwords (OTPs) and on-demand voice conversations. These APIs will enable developers to enhance user experiences and improve operational efficiencies.

Integration Opportunities: Developers will explore opportunities to integrate PressOne’s solutions across various industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, and service sectors.

Developer Community Engagement: The platform offers a vibrant community of developers to collaborate on projects, and access support from PressOne’s technical experts.

“PressOne Africa is committed to revolutionizing business communications in Nigeria,” said Mayowa Okegbenle, Chief Executive Officer at PressOne Africa. “With our Developer Program, we aim to empower developers with the tools to innovate and transform how businesses communicate with their customers.”

 

 

Event Details:

 

Date: July 11-13, 2024

 

Venue: Balmoral Event Center, Lagos, Nigeria

 

 

About PressOne Africa:

PressOne Africa is a leading innovator dedicated to empowering Nigerian businesses with advanced voice communication solutions. Our cutting-edge technology and robust voice communication systems are designed to enhance operational efficiency, security, and scalability.

 

By integrating modern phone systems into everyday business operations, PressOne helps companies transform their communication infrastructure, streamline processes, and reduce costs. At PressOne Africa, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in business communications, driving innovation, and setting new standards in the telecommunications industry.

 

Follow us for Breaking News and Market Intelligence.

 

Dele Momodu opens up on Davido’s child custody battle with Sophia

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Dele Momodu opens up on Davido’s child custody battle with Sophia

Dele Momodu opens up on Davido’s child custody battle with Sophia

The Publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has shared his view on the custody battle between his niece, Sophia Momodu, and the father of her child, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

 

In a series of posts via his verified X handle on Saturday, Momodu said he was surprised that the Afrobeat singer filed an affidavit seeking joint custody of their child, stressing that his previous conversations with him only focused on his wedding and reconnecting with his daughter.

 

He said Davido and his family have always had access to the child, and when he stopped paying her school fees, he brought it to his father’s notice, Deji Adeleke, who cleared all the school fees and gave the child a car.

 

Momodu wrote, “My candid opinion on David Adeleke vs Sophia Momodu

 

“Last night, I received a distressing message from Mr David Adeleke (aka Davido). He was obviously devastated by the counter-affidavit submitted in court, earlier in the day, in response to his affidavit seeking a joint custody of his daughter with my niece Sophia Momodu.

 

“I had seen David’s affidavit about two weeks ago, and I was very surprised as David, and I had spoken on a video call days earlier, with him and Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, and he never told me he had any custody issues with my niece. So you can imagine my confusion to find out via social media and subsequently confirmed by my niece that he had filed an action in court seeking joint custody of their daughter.

 

“During the referenced video call, we were all very excited about his forthcoming wedding ceremony, an event our family congratulated him on. Prior to this, David had told me he eventually spoke to their daughter, after a long lull of about two years.

 

“He was very happy and excited. So I thought everything was settled, and he and Sophia would now have the opportunity to take maximum care of their daughter. I offered special thanks to David’s Dad, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, for his kindness and support for our daughter during the period of David’s absence.

 

“I had also taken Sophia and their daughter to my very dear friend, Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking his intervention. To the best of my knowledge, there was never a problem of joint custody.”

 

The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain disclosed that the problems between his niece and Davido were mainly about financial support, including school fees, accommodation and a nanny’s salary.

 

He noted that the real issue was the payment of accommodation, which Sophia suggested that Davido should pay half while she also paid half of the rent.

 

Momodu revealed that the Afrobeat singer rejected the offer and said he would only be paying N5 million per annum, which was not up to her demand.

 

He wrote, “The issues were: non-payment of school fees for several sessions; non-payment of accommodation and salaries of a nanny. There was no car dedicated to David’s daughter. And so on. Mercifully, I mentioned all to Dr Adedeji Adeleke and he responded positively, like a true grandfather.

 

“On the issue of non-payment of school fees, David’s Dad cleared everything and also set up payments of future bills. He gave his granddaughter a car to take her to school. The remaining issue was accommodation.

 

“David’s Dad verbally offered, in his discussions with me, one of their family apartments in Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, however, maybe due to miscommunication, David’s lawyers had communicated otherwise. After Sophia clarified with me, she politely declined the offer, and her reason was tenable in my view, because, since she’s not married to David, she can’t be comfortable living in a place swarming with David’s family members.

 

“She and her daughter had been living in Ikoyi before David and Sophia started their latest quarrels. Sophia’s request was that David should pay half of the accommodation while she would pay the other half. David said he could only contribute N5million annually.”

 

The veteran journalist asserted that Sophia allowed Davido access to their daughter, provided she had her nanny around, adding that Imade also made the same request.

 

Momodu said his niece did not institute the custody battle, adding that the lack of communication and friendship between Davido and Sophia has led to the present situation.

 

He said, “My opinion is that the absence of camaraderie between David and Sophia has caused this debacle. I have cautioned repeatedly that their daughter must not be allowed to suffer or be treated like a second-class child. David’s global status makes this imperative.

 

“Sophia allowed David access to their daughter, provided she has her nanny around 24/7. The 9-year-old herself made this request and I believe this should be favourably considered and accepted. My grand-niece had been released to go out with her cousins on several occasions.

 

“The Governor’s daughter, Nike, was at Sophia’s house with the Governor’s grandson last Christmas Day, despite the fact that there wasn’t ample notice & she was still granted access.

 

“Two months ago, the Governor’s son, Sina Rambo, requested a play date between the kids & Sophia rented out a children’s place in Victoria Island for them to spend hours together. The only time she couldn’t join her father’s family was when her grandfather requested to go on vacation with her for three weeks last year, as the notice was too short, and Sophia had already paid for their own trips, due to a lack of communication between the parents.”

 

Momodu, therefore, urged both parties to prioritise their daughter’s well-being and compromise on custody and financial responsibilities and urged them to avoid rhetorics in the media.

 

He added, “The court yesterday referred the case for possible settlement by the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) section of the court during Settlement Week, and I strongly advise that David (and Sophia) engage truly with the process as opposed to making harmful and irreversible statements on social media which not only violate the law but the interest of their child. I have, in the past 9 years, tried my best to ensure amicable resolution of disputes and encouraged both parents to have a proper structure put in place for the welfare of their daughter.

 

“It is important to note that Sophia did not instigate this court action and is only seeking to protect their daughter and ensure that there is a structured, safe and sustainable manner in which father and child can engage with each other.

 

“The vitriolic rhetoric in the media should be avoided by all means, as this only further inflames what is already a traumatic experience for all parties involved, especially the child in question.”

 

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