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What life has taught me at 60 — Wale Ojo

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What life has taught me at 60 — Wale Ojo

Award-winning actor, Wale Ojo, celebrated his 60th birthday during the week, and in an interview with Saturday Beats, he shared the most significant lessons he had learnt at 60.

He said, “I think the greatest lesson is that love and creativity are what fuel life, and the passion for what one does. If you can wake up and not worry about how you’re going to spend the hours but instead wonder if you have enough hours to do what you need to do, it’s a wonderful thing. Whenever I move around, especially in Nigeria and other parts of the world, I always wonder how someone can just sit for a long time looking at the wall, maybe if the person is a security guard. I always wonder if I would be able to do that. It would drive me insane. Idleness is not something I believe in. I am very active.”

 

When asked about the defining moments of his life, he said, “The defining moment of my life would be when I made the decision to leave England to pursue my acting career in Nigeria. It was then I realised that there is no love like the love of your own people. I featured in ‘Meet The Adebanjos’ (a TV series) in London, and I didn’t even think it would be popular in Nigeria. When I landed in Nigeria and saw the love from people requesting to take photographs with me and asking for hugs, I was blown away. I had to ask myself if it was the same programme they were talking about. I never got that kind of love in England. I just realised it was a great decision to make that move here.”

 

On what he does to stay in good shape, Ojo said, “I think it is the right diet, exercise, the right amount of wine, and lots of loving.”

 

Reflecting on how he feels at 60, he said, “It feels great, almost like any other day. I am still doing what I was doing 30 years ago—perhaps even with more vigour. But these days, I find myself being impatient with people who are very slow. Maybe I’m just used to being fast.”

 

 

Credit: punchng.com

 

Why private investigators, pathologists are avoiding MohBad’s case – Odumosu

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Why private investigators, pathologists are avoiding MohBad’s case – Odumosu

One year after the mysterious death of the rapper and songwriter, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka MohBad, the head of the Aloba family legal team, Taiwo Odumosu, in this interview with DAYO OYEWO, speaks on the legal process and the relentless pursuit of justice. Excerpts:

 

It’s been about a year since the investigation into MohBad’s death began, can you provide an update on the status of the probe?

 

Presently, we are approaching the issue from different angles. The second autopsy and toxicology test is being conducted as directed by the court. We hope this will shed more light on the circumstances leading to the death of MohBad. Presently, the specimen has been taken abroad by forensic experts for the toxicology examination. Given the controversy generated by the first autopsy, the forensic experts in their professional estimation believed the laboratory in Europe would be better. So they avoided the USA altogether. The DNA test too. Wunmi brought preliminary objection on some flimsy grounds. We have argued the objections and the ruling is reserved by the court for October 18.

 

With the controversy on the outcome of the first autopsy, how has the independent autopsy by the family fared?

 

Getting pathologists to attend to the matter was a bit tough. We got in touch with four pathologists: one from Kaduna, another from Maiduguri and one other place but they said powerful individuals were interested in the matter and declined to take it on. We also consulted those in America. However, because of the controversy trailing the first autopsy, we decided to boycott America altogether. For those who agreed to help us now, we thank them. The way to justice is always strewn with thorns. But we have the firm belief we shall get there.

 

Why the choice of a forensic pathologist in the northern region?

 

We don’t want anybody to compromise the process. We suspected that the delay of transferring the previous specimen to America took a long time. We also suspected government intervention and institutional laxity on the part of the police, so we decided to look elsewhere to do what we wanted. But we eventually got somebody.

 

What are the key challenges the legal team has faced in seeking justice for his family?

 

The biggest challenge we have had so far is from the Nigerian Police. Apart from the shoddy investigation that is clear even to the novice, they have refused to cooperate with us on certain levels. It is an open secret that the court granted the Aloba family an order to conduct another autopsy and toxicology test after the government-assisted toxicology test led to inconclusiveness. We sent a letter to the police informing them of the order of the court and the need for them to release documents and exhibits to the forensic experts. They didn’t acknowledge nor release the documents to the forensic pathologists. We sent a reminder to them and still, they ignored it. This sort of attitude does not commend the police to the populace.

 

The exact time MohBad died had been one of the subjects of controversies that trailed the late singer’s passing. Has the legal team looked into this?

 

The facts and information presented so far seem to cast doubts as to the exact time of MohBad’s passing. From a logical point of view, the time frame given by those who spoke after his death and what the deceased’s partner’s sister said seem to suggest that he could not have died on the day presented to the police or the Coroner Court. It is one of the issues we proposed to the pathologists to solve for us. We also expect the police to shed more light on this if indeed the investigating police officer did a thorough job. If he died the day he was buried, there wouldn’t be any need for traditional embalming. So we look forward to getting an answer to the time he died too.

 

How has the investigation’s progress impacted the family’s decision to lay MohBad to rest?

 

The investigation has been very slow. And the bulk of the burden rests with the police. We do not know whose interest they are protecting. We attempted to get private investigators. The three experts we got on different occasions declined to take on the investigative job. The fourth one attempted to take it. He consulted with some of his colleagues who are also experts in the detection of heinous crimes. But they told him that those behind the death of the late singer were powerful people, and they wouldn’t want to intervene in the matter. However, the decision to bury the late singer rests solely with the Aloba family. If the family decides to bury him today, the decision is theirs. As I have said, the reason they didn’t bury him was because of the need for a second autopsy and toxicology test.

 

Are there concerns about the so-called powerful individuals being the second time you mentioned it?

 

So far, we have been engaging the instrumentality of the law to get to the root of the case. I do not think we need to fear. For the private investigators who declined to work, they have their own procedures which I am ignorant of. I am not an investigator. Remember when Dele Giwa died? The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi did all that he could through the peripheral areas of the law. And at a point, we saw the frustration put on his way by the then officials in power. Notwithstanding, he made his points. We too will try our best to get to the root of the case. To that end, the more some key witnesses are being shielded from appearing before the Coroner Court the more we are convinced they have more information to give to the court. Nurse Ogedengbe, the IPO who has been invited more than six times by the court but has taken to his heels, all of them need to appear before the court and tell us what they know. You will be wondering why the police officer who investigated a matter suddenly developed cold feet to appear to answer simple questions about the investigation he carried out.

 

People had wondered why the family was so particular about the DNA test when the cause of MohBad’s death was yet to be unravelled. What is your take on this?

 

In a homicide case, you don’t overlook vital issues. While we are not saying MohBad died as a result of his doubts about the paternity of the baby, we should not close our eyes to the potentiality of such a source too. MohBad’s father said he wanted a DNA test. He must have his reasons. And looking at the generality of the circumstances of the death, it is worth the while to see if motive could be deduced from such an angle. It is a logical action to take. Apart from this, if those being suspected really took part in the murder of the deceased. It’s a legal principle that from a dishonourable cause, no action arises. In Latin maxim, it means ex turpi causa non oritur actio. An individual must be prevented from benefiting from their own wrongdoing. Under inheritance law, the concept of the slayer rule applies. This prohibits a person who unlawfully kills another from inheriting the victims. So it is reasonable for the Aloba family to look at the issues broadly in order not to deprive an innocent person of his or her dues.

 

The court had issued a substituted service on Naira Marley, Sam Larry, the nurse said to have treated him and a host of others. What’s the next step to ensure they appear in court?

 

In Lagos State, a witness summoned to appear before a Coroner’s Court cannot legally refuse to appear without justifiable cause. The Coroner’s System Law of Lagos State, 2007 governs coroner inquest and related matters in Lagos State, including the summoning of witnesses. Under Section 35 of the Coroner’s System Law of Lagos State, 2007, a person who has been duly summoned as a witness is legally obligated to attend the inquest. If the witness refuses to appear without a lawful excuse, the coroner has the authority to take further action to ensure compliance. If a witness fails to appear after being summoned, the Coroner may issue a criminal summons or subpoena, which compels the witness to attend court. Failure to obey such summons may result in the witness being held in contempt of court, which can lead to fines or imprisonment. Specifically, Section 36 of the law empowers the Coroner to issue a warrant of arrest to compel the appearance of the witness if they ignore the summons. I can assure you that we would not hesitate to pursue this course if the witnesses whose names were widely published in the newspaper and social media outlets refused to attend the Coroner’s Court.

 

What are the family’s primary concerns regarding the investigation and its outcome?

 

The primary concern of the family is to get justice. And as you know, not just the family, even the general public are interested in ensuring justice for the late singer. May I use the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the family and contributed money to ensure that we get justice in the case? The road to justice has been tortuous. However, we are sure we will get to the destination. All those concerned, those who are accessories before and after the fact in the case shall be brought to book. The policemen who compromised and spite their oath of office shall all be brought to book.

 

What does the legal team believe is necessary for justice to be served in this case?

 

First, we are not satisfied with the conduct of the police. The investigation they conducted was shoddy, lacked thoroughness, was unprofessional, compromising and skewed in favour of those who are supposed to be behind bars in the unfortunate circumstances of this case. All those present in the house when the incident happened should be under interrogation. But the police picked just a few people, interrogated them, kept them in the cell and grudgingly released them on administrative bail when those who should still be behind bars were busy gallivanting on the streets. The police pretended to be doing a yeoman’s job and there was nothing to show for it. Who is deceiving who? In their press conference, they gave a preliminary report. Where is the main report? We wrote petition against Boluwatife Adeyemo (Darosha) for carrying out an embalmment on the late Ilerioluwa Promise Aloba. All the parties involved were interrogated and statements were taken. Up till today, the police have yet to charge anyone in court. The police are, therefore, not helpful in the circumstances of this case.

 

What are the next steps in the legal process?

 

Well, we are expecting the results of the toxicology test now taken abroad for examination. Along with this will come the autopsy result. We are also looking forward to the DNA test. The result of this will also be revealing and may be able to assuage the interest of not just the family but also the listening public who are eager to know the truth that may come out of the DNA test.

 

How will the legal team ensure the family receives closure and justice?

 

We have done the needful so far. We have petitioned the necessary quarters regarding the way the police have handled the matter. We expected the present crop of policemen handling the matter to be removed and new investigators drafted in from Abuja to reopen the investigation. Mind you, this does not mean the deceased should not be buried if the family reaches a consensus on that. There are some other steps we are taking which I wouldn’t want to mention here. We are getting closer to justice as some facts are coming to light and the jigsaw is being put together.

GTBank finalising switch to core banking software Finacle

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GTBank finalising switch to core banking software Finacle

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), the first Nigerian bank to post ₦905.57 billion in half-year profits, is finalising its core banking platform change to Finacle, a software built by Infosys. The bank previously used Basis, a banking software also used by Providus and SunTrust.

The decision to change to Finacle was finalised in September 2023 after some of the bank’s top management and tech team visited India to broker a direct partnership, side-stepping third-party vendors.

 

One person familiar with the matter said that change was necessary because GTBank’s previous banking software had problems, which led to occasional service disruptions.

 

GTBank picked Finacle because it plans to integrate its banking and non-banking subsidiaries on a unified platform, said one person with direct knowledge of the matter.

 

“Rather than having different solutions that cater to different subsidiaries, the bank chose Finacle because it has modules for GT subsidiaries like wealth management and pensions. It was a good deal,” the same person said.

 

GTCO’s move to Finacle, which is used by at least 10 banks, including three of Nigeria’s biggest commercial banks, highlights the growing influence of Infosys.

 

The absence of a local banking software provider and Finacle’s global leadership position in core banking software, attributed to its extensive solution offerings, versatility, and strong performance in core platform functionality, have solidified Finacle’s position in the market.

 

One person with knowledge of the matter said CEO Segun Agbaje made the final decision. In July 2024, Agbaje shared that the bank would change its core banking software to Finacle during a presentation to flag off its ₦400 billion capital raise.

 

“The technology needs to be better, the technology needs to be more robust. We have Finacle which is a good software that will land us where we need to go,” he said at the time.

 

The ongoing migration, which began in the fourth quarter of 2023, is designed to avoid disruptions to GTBank’s large retail customer base, one person with direct knowledge of the process claimed.

 

GTBank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

A change in a bank’s core banking application can cause service disruptions in the short-term. On Saturday, TechCabal reported that customers of Sterling Bank, a tier-2 Nigerian bank, could not access the bank’s app because of a migration to a new custom-built core banking application.

 

“Changing the core banking software is like doing a heart transplant,” one industry insider said.

 

GTCO’s transition to Finacle reflects a broader trend among Nigerian banks, driven by evolving technology requirements and the growth of digital banking. The true measure of this trend’s success will be its impact on customer service and the seamlessness of the migration process.

 

FG hands over 20 CNG buses to Lagos-based transporter

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FG hands over 20 CNG buses to Lagos-based transporter

As a new fuel price regime takes effect across the country, the Federal Government through the Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNGi) yesterday, handed over 20 Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) buses to Iru Land Transport Company Limited.

Speaking at the formal handover of the 20 CNG buses and the signing ceremony for Lagos Strategic CNG Conversion Partners, PCNGi Progamme Director, Mr. Micheal Oluwagbemi, said the launch of the first set of CNG buses was aimed at crashing transport cost in Lagos.

 

He explained that PCNGi is a component of the palliative intervention of President Bola Tinubu’s administration directed at providing succor to the masses occasioned by the transitive hardships of the fuel subsidy removal policy of the Federal Government.

 

Oluwagbemi added that sequel to the removal of petrol subsidy and the full deregulation of the petroleum products market, the price of petrol has increased significantly.

 

“As such, there is a need to consider alternative sources of fuel, primarily CNG and EV for vehicles.We are working towards reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, enhancing our energy independence and contributing to a more secure energy future in Nigeria’’.

 

He said the Iru kingdom corridor in Lagos was partnered because it had earlier established and operating an effective bus schemes, saying the location would also quickly help Government in demonstrating to Nigerians the impact of CNG buses in lowering transport cost

 

He added that the PCNGi would also be working with Ibile Oil and Gas which is a Lagos State agency to fastrack the conversion of commuter buses through the 12 conversion centers that have been signed on to the PCNGi programme.

 

The Programme Director said the 20 CNG buses like others, were procured by the Federal Ministry of Finance under the palliative programme through local manufacturers with repayment over a period of time through fares paid by commuters.

 

“We delivered 20 buses in Ibadan on Monday and today again, we are in Lagos. We will move over to other parts of the country as soon as the buses are assembled by the manufacturers here in Nigeria. Every part of the country will be touched,’’.

 

Oluwagbemi said 531 buses are expected to be rolled out under the first phase of the PCNGi programme.

 

To further make the initiative more widely acceptable, he said one million commuter buses will be converted to CNG free of charge.

 

Earlier, in his address, the Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, thanked the President Bola Tinubu, for finding Iru Land worth of the partnership.

 

He said his Kingdom generates over 40 per cent of the revenue in Lagos State as it plays host to several embassies, oil companies headquarters, banks and other corporate institutions.

 

He assured the Government that the buses would be put to good use while return on investment is guaranteed.

Nigeria, World Bank partner to register all land parcels, targeting $300 billion in untapped capital 

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Nigeria, World Bank partner to register all land parcels, targeting $300 billion in untapped capital 

Nigeria’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has partnered with the World Bank to tackle the country’s land registration issues, with over 90% of land currently untitled, tying up an estimated $300 billion in untapped capital.

 

The initiative aims to register all land parcels within five years, increase formal land transactions from 10% to 50%, and establish a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS).

 

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Housing, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and the World Bank’s Vice President of Infrastructure, Guangzhe Chen, on September 11, 2024, in Abuja, as contained in a statement on the ministry’s website.

 

“This is very important to our government as over 90% of land in our country is unregistered and untitled. Experts estimate a dead capital of over $300 billion”

 

“Through this initiative that we plan to implement with the World Bank, we aim to, amongst other objectives, register, document and title all land parcels within five years; develop and launch a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) and define a framework that makes it accessible to all stakeholders; increase the formalization of land transactions from less than 10% to over 50% in the next 10 years; and train and deploy technically competent land registration officers nationwide,” Dangiwa said.

 

The Housing Minister revealed that the National Land Registration and Titling Programme will partner with state governments, enabling them to boost revenue through ground rent, Certificates of Occupancy, and real estate taxes.

 

He added that these funds could be used to improve urban services and help mitigate climate change impacts in cities across Nigeria.

 

Other key areas of partnership with the World Bank

According to the statement, Minister Dangiwa highlighted additional areas of collaboration with the World Bank, focusing on Urban Livability and the Housing Value Chain.

 

He emphasized that the implementation of the National Urban Development Policy is a key priority for the current administration, noting that the World Bank’s technical expertise is crucial to creating sustainable frameworks for managing urban areas and improving service delivery.

 

The statement further indicated that another focus area is developing a framework to address systemic barriers in the housing value chain, aimed at enhancing private investments in affordable housing.

 

Additionally, the Minister recalled the recent Livability Workshop with state commissioners, stating that recommendations from the engagement are being developed into an actionable plan in partnership with the World Bank.

 

World Bank’s commitment to the partnership

World Bank Vice President of Infrastructure, Guangzhe Chen, stated that the purpose of the visit was to identify areas of mutual interest to prioritize in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Housing.

 

He noted that the World Bank is open to supporting Nigeria in land administration, affordable housing, sustainable financing, climate change mitigation in urban areas, and urban land management to achieve livable cities and digitization.

 

Chen also mentioned that successful models from other countries in West and Central Africa could be adapted for Nigeria.

 

Country Director of the World Bank, Ndiame Diop, assured that the outlined priorities would be refined and developed into comprehensive programmes.

 

These include improving the mortgage ecosystem, implementing a structured land titling system, and providing urban planning support to help vulnerable cities manage challenges such as flooding and rising heat levels.

 

Diop emphasized that addressing land registration, with 90% of land currently unregistered, is urgent for the sector’s development.

 

He also expressed satisfaction that the Minister is already engaging state governments, which he described as crucial for success, and affirmed the World Bank’s readiness to provide financing and technical support to drive Nigeria’s housing and urban agenda.

 

NITDA launches N11 million digital innovation competition to tackle infrastructure challenges in Nigeria 

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NITDA launches N11 million digital innovation competition to tackle infrastructure challenges in Nigeria 

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, a competition aimed at using technology and innovation to address Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

 

With N11 million in cash prizes at stake, the competition invites participants to create digital solutions that could drive sustainable development across the country.

 

Announcing the initiative on Thursday, NITDA said the competition is designed to empower teams of innovators to develop digital maps highlighting critical infrastructure in Nigerian states. These maps will include essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, roads, and utilities, providing insights to foster development.

 

Eligibility criteria

NITDA said all participants must be Nigerian citizens with a valid means of identification (National ID, Voter’s Card, International Passport, or Driver’s License). Other criteria include:

 

Participants must be 18 years and above at the time of registration to ensure legal participation and commitment.

Teams must consist of 2 – 5 members, with a mix of technical and non-technical backgrounds, to encourage diverse problem-solving approaches.

Participants must join as part of a team; individual entries will not be accepted.

Each team must represent a specific Nigerian state. Participants should have a good. understanding of the state they represent – either through residency, work, or academic study.

According to NITDA, interested Nigerians can register here.

 

 

Using technology to solve infrastructure problem

Commenting on the initiative, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, stated that the competition commenced on September 11, 2024, and will run until October 23, 2024.

 

“The 2024 Innovation Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity for Nigeria’s brightest minds to leverage technology in solving pressing infrastructure problems.

 

“This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, supporting economic growth, job creation, and innovation,” Umar said.

 

In line with NITDA’s mission to promote entrepreneurship and digital transformation, the competition will focus on building a digitally capable Nigeria.

Participants will work in teams to use digital tools and mapping techniques to document and analyze infrastructure needs. These maps are expected to highlight key development opportunities across Nigeria.

Phases of competition

According to Umar, the competition will take place in three phases: state, regional, and national levels.

 

Teams from all 36 states and the FCT will compete, with 37 teams advancing to the regional stage. Regional winners from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will be selected to compete in the final round in Abuja.

 

“The regional champions will receive N1 million each, while the national winner will take home the grand prize of N5 million,” Umar added.

 

This initiative, she noted, will not only highlight critical infrastructure needs but also enhance skills in data science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and storytelling among Nigerian youth and professionals. Furthermore, it will encourage collaboration, community engagement, and problem-solving across diverse groups.

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

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Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

The Ogun Rice being bagged after harvest on Bello Zabarmawa’s farm. Photo by Idowu Otegbola, 6 Sept. 2024

 

Contrary to the general impression created in the mind of the public that the Ogun State Government has begun the sale of about 20,000 bags of rice “with the harvest of a 200-hectare rice farm at Magboro in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area”, PMNEWS findings reveal that the said laudable project was not that of Ogun State Government but an initiative of a detribalized Nigerian businessman and farmer from Kebbi State who is currently a Senior Special Adviser to the Kebbi State Government, Alh Bello Zabarmawa.

 

News went viral in August that the Ogun State Government of Prince Dapo Abiodun had flagged off rice harvest from an initial cluster of 200 hectares of farmland.

 

“Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, kicked off the harvest and highlighted the state’s achievement of a milestone in becoming a rice-producing state.

 

“The Ogun State rice production effort is driven by the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project and supported by the World Bank to stimulate economic growth and development, according to a statement.

 

“Abiodun hailed the achievement of producing locally grown rice as placing Ogun State on par with other rice-producing states including Lagos, Kebbi, and Bayelsa, and a developmental step towards food security, creation of employment opportunities, and improving the livelihoods of residents within the state”, a national daily had reported.

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

The Ogun Rice being bagged after harvest on Bello Zabarmawa’s farm. Photo by Idowu Otegbola, 6 Sept. 2024

It quoted Abiodun as saying “Today, just three months later, we are already harvesting, making this a three-month cycle, which means we can do this three times a year.

 

“With an efficiency yield of about 70 per cent, the rice farm could result in approximately 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle, valued at around N1bn and if replicated three times annually, the project could generate N3bn in revenue.

 

“In this place, I have 12,500 hectares of land, and all we have farmed is 200 hectares that yielded N1 billion for 200 farmers. From here, I can feed the rest of the country. We will scale up this project immediately from 200 to 2,000 hectares and generate N30bn in revenue.

 

“This brings us closer to making Ogun State the food basket of the nation.”

 

The governor stated further that the project was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to eradicate poverty and hunger by providing affordable food to Nigerians, adding that the project, apart from increasing rice production, would engender prosperity in animal husbandry.

 

He added that OGSTEP Agricultural Sector Intervention will provide critical support, including advanced agricultural techniques, access to quality seeds, modern irrigation systems, and technical training for farmers, adding that the approach is offered to beneficiaries at a 65 per cent discount on the cost for each mechanized operation.

 

That event raised the expectations of Ogun residents who started going from market to market looking for rice. They started sending enquiries to the media.

 

With the pressure unabated, PMNEWS decided to reach out to the Ogun State Government through the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo.

 

When he was not forthcoming after persistent phone calls, we searched elsewhere which led us to securing the contact of someone the sources regarded as “the man in charge”. The person ended up being Alh Bello Zabarmawa.

 

Alh Zabarmawa gave us a 10 am appointment on Friday 6 September. We got there by 9 am meeting no official yet on the large farmland except some labourers harvesting.

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

Alh Bello Zabarmawa (right) here explains a point to PMNEWS Isa Isawade (left) on his farm. In the middle is one of the young farmers Kanachika Daniel. Photo by Idowu Otegbola

About an hour later, some of his aides came to receive us. We engaged them in a fact-finding conversation while waiting for the boss to arrive. It was interesting to find that the farm does not belong to the Ogun State Government but Zabarmawa whose manager, Alh Haruna, started farming in the area in 2019.

 

According to Haruna, he got back to Kebbi and informed his boss of the availability of suitable soil for rice planting in Ogun State.

 

Zabarmawa visited and became enamoured of the land. He decided to cultivate a large portion and called on people around who needed employment opportunities, gave them money and mobilised logistics to begin rice farming.

 

“I’m the manager of the farm. We are in Ogun State for rice farming. I started rice farming about five years ago in 2019. When I started farming and discovered that the land was very good, I went to meet our oga, Alh Bello and I told him that we have a very good land hear. He said where, I said in Ogun State. He said he would come and see the place. That was how we started farming it together. The commissioner has come here twice. When the governor also came, he promised to support what we were doing. He even promised to do the Magboro Road down to Makogi. We are expecting that. Government cannot forget us.” Haruna said.

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

One of Zabarmawa’s harvesters at work on the farm

The Magboro community through their royal house willingly welcomed Zabarmawa and his young farmers, knowing full well that such a project would bring economic prosperity to their town.

 

Zabarmawa organized 200 farmers and gave those without capital a zero-interest loan to farm one hectare of rice each. They established large farms in Makogi and the Gas line.

 

He hired bulldozers to clear the land of trees, stumps and silts for all the farmers. When the challenge became daunting, he was advised to seek assistance from the Ogun State Government.

 

Zabarmawa got 220 hectares of land on lease at the sum N6million and then went to Young Service Grow for proper documentation to begin rice cultivation.

 

He was advised to be under an established name ‘Alubarika Farm’ to get him linked up with the Ogun government.

 

According to him, the Ogun State Government saw the nobility of the project and decided to support him with clearing of the farmland, supply of fertilizers and other logistics. In fulfilment of this, he said, the government paid 50% of the clearing expenses and 50% of fertilizer costs during planting.

 

But after that initial aid, Zabarmawa has been shouldering the farm’s capital and revenue expenditure.

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

Bulldozer at work on the farm. Photo by Idowu Otegbola

One of the farmers who said he met Alh Zabarmawa when he came to buy solar panels in his shop for the farm, Kanachika Daniel, said that he paid 65% of the initial costs while the government supported him with 35%.

 

Secretary of the Albarika rice farmers, Alh Yusuf Sulaiman also spoke with PMNEWS. He said their Chairman, Alh Bello Zabarmawa was the one providing the needed funds for the rice farmers.

 

He added that the Ogun State Governor and Commissioner for Agric visited the farms to see what the farmers were doing and promised to assist them.

 

He urged the government to fulfil its promises, adding that the association was ready to intensify farming and teach interested youths how to farm successfully.

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

Magboro rice farm Manager Alh Haruna, leading PMNEWS Journalists Isa Isawade and Adejoke Adeleye to inspect a newly ploughed portion of the farmland. Photo by Idowu Otegbola

Abu Garba is another farmer who was a Bureau de Change operator. According to him, he dropped the trade for farming, saying farming is better.

 

He lauded Zabarmawa’s large-heartedness and philanthropic inclination. He said Bello gave him N5m to start the rice farming at Magboro. He added that he had harvested 500 bags of rice so far.

 

The unassuming Alh Bello Zabarmawa hesitated when he was approached to speak. He’s said to enjoy a quiet life. He, however, yielded after being convinced that he needed to clarify issues.

 

He said: “When I started, the Ogun State Government promised and paid 50% of the clearing cost why I paid the balance,” adding that the government paid half of the fertilizer cost.

 

“That time I was buying a bag of fertilizer for N45,000, I paid N23,000, government paid the remaining N22,000.

 

“I cannot forget the support government gave me at the time because if you are doing something and government gets interested and supports you, it’s a great achievement.

 

“There was a time I wanted to harvest, the governor himself came here. The Commissioner has been here twice. It was the governor who flagged off the harvest. I was very happy that day.

 

“But, I still need government support.

 

“I’m calling on the State Government and the Federal Government to put hands together to move this country forward.

 

“I’ve brought in more people to farm here. I spend money to clear the land. I have a plan to clear 1,000 hectares. I’m calling for government support. I’ve brought in three bulldozers now. I’m the only one paying for now. I paid N600,000 to bring the bulldozers to the farm and I pay N400,000 labour on each of them every day.

 

“I have given loans to about 60 farmers ranging from N4m to N10m to farm here. So I want more support from the government so that we can meaningfully engage our youths who don’t have work to do. I have work for them here. Those I assisted have become millionaires.

 

“So, if the government really comes in now, the farm would feed all our people. They don’t have to buy rice from outside again,” he explained.

 

Why does Zabarmawa lend interest-free money to farmers with all the risks involved, what’s the motivation?

 

He explained: “Since my childhood, I don’t like people suffering. Even my siblings know that anything I have, I like to share with people around me. And when I started farming here, any time anybody came to my house saying ‘I am hungry’, I would say go and carry one bag of rice there. They all know me for that. It got to a time when I decided to fund people to farm so they can get work to do.”

 

Real owner of Ogun State rice project breaks silence, calls for govt assistance

From left: Kanachika Daniel; Secretary of the rice farmers, Alh Sulaiman; Alh Bello Zabarmawa; the farm’s manager, Alh Haruna and representatives of the Magboro landowners

Are there challenges facing the Magboro rice farmers? Zabarmawa and his team answered in the affirmative.

 

Haruna said, “We are facing so many challenges here. We are facing water problem, our rice is drying off due to lack of rain. And again, birds are disturbing us. We need help in that regard too. We need bulldozers to clear the rest of the farms, we need harvesters so we can expand our farms. Alhamdullah, we thank Alh Bello for the great support he has been giving farmers here.”

 

When asked about the kind of assistance needed to stave off the birds, he said: “There are many ways the government can help to stop the birds. There is a chemical that repels the birds. We cannot buy it by ourselves but government can get it through other countries. There is one chemical I saw about three months ago, 5 litre is about N700,000 and it can’t last you more than two to three days,” adding that helicopters or drones are used to spread the chemical.

 

Daniel also confirmed that the farmers were faced with daunting challenges. He appealed to the government to assist in the area of providing solar energy in the farm for irrigation, adding that the scarcity of rain experienced in the last two months adversely affected their produce.

 

He also asked the government to assist in stopping the parasitic birds and fulfil its promise to reconstruct the 8.17 km Magboro-Makogi Road.

 

The governor had, at the harvest flag-off event, said: “I am glad that today, I had the opportunity to drive on this road myself. I have seen the condition of the road; but beyond the condition, I have seen how densely populated this area is. I also appreciate the impact this road will have on our farmland.

 

“So today, I know that I am a promise-keeping governor. I only talk and do; I don’t talk without doing. I am going to immediately award the contract for the reconstruction of this road.”

 

Zabarmawa also confirmed the challenges of birds, difficulty in energy supply for irrigation, lack of good access roads to the farms and lack of sufficient chemical to kill grasses.

 

“The grasses grow rapidly because it’s a virgin land. We need to kill the grasses as they grow. We don’t even need fertilizer for now because it’s a virgin land,” he maintained.

 

On the challenge of birds, he said: “I would like the government to help clear the forest around where the birds are hiding.”

 

Court freezes N548.6 Million belonging to ‘ByBit, KuCoin’ Nigerian crypto users over Naira fluctuation allegations  

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Court freezes N548.6 Million belonging to ‘ByBit, KuCoin’ Nigerian crypto users over Naira fluctuation allegations  

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured an order from the Federal High Court to freeze N548.6 million in bank accounts belonging to suspected crypto users on platforms like ByBit, KuCoin, and others, based on their alleged role in naira fluctuations.

 

The motion, dated September 3, 2024, which the court relied on to freeze the funds, casts a fresh spotlight on major foreign crypto platforms, ByBit and KuCoin, accusing them of aiding the devaluation of the Nigerian currency.

 

This development is part of a broader prosecutorial and legal campaign by federal government agencies to address alleged foreign exchange violations and tax evasion by foreign cryptocurrency platforms.

 

Naira fluctuation allegations

Recall that in February 2024, Nigeria’s security agency arrested two executives of the Binance cryptocurrency platform following intelligence from the National Security Adviser, which alleged money laundering and terrorism financing activities on certain cryptocurrency exchange platforms.

 

Nairametrics reports that the EFCC is already in court against Binance and Tigran Gambaryan over money laundering offenses involving $35.4 million.

 

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This recent motion now extends the indictment to ByBit and KuCoin, accusing them and several unnamed crypto platforms of enabling their Nigerian users to engage in ”price discovery, confirmation, and market manipulation” through their platforms, thereby causing “distortions in the market, resulting in the naira losing its value against other currencies.”

 

An EFCC investigator, Okoro Philip, stated in his affidavit, exclusively seen by Nairametrics, that over the past few months, Nigeria experienced considerable gains in currency stabilization efforts by the Federal Government, as evidenced by the dollar trading at N980 to $1 on the black market.

 

He added that these gains were swiftly reversed on Thursday, April 18, 2024, when the dollar surged from N1,250 to $1 on the parallel market.

 

He said further investigation and intelligence indicated that “these fluctuations were primarily driven by activities on platforms such as ByBit, KuCoin, and other similar cryptocurrency platforms.”

 

He stated that 22 bank accounts, domiciled in various Nigerian banks and described in the motion, belong to willing sellers of USDT, who provide their naira accounts to transfer the naira equivalent of the USDT.

 

He contended that the identified account holders are users of ByBit, KuCoin, and other foreign cryptocurrency platforms, who are not authorized to deal in foreign exchange, advertise, negotiate, or carry out cryptocurrency exchanges to naira and vice versa at rates detrimental to Nigeria’s financial system.

 

The prosecution accused the cryptocurrency platforms of deliberately ignoring the mandatory requirements under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws and regulations, enabling users of the platforms to operate under a cover of secrecy.

 

“ByBit is a cryptocurrency platform where the exchange of USDT (a digital dollar) to other currencies, including the naira, takes place. One USDT is approximately equivalent to one United States dollar (USD). The exchange rates determined by users of these cryptocurrencies adversely affect the value of the naira by artificially lowering its value.

 

“The proceeds of this manipulation go into the account of the willing seller,” the official added in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/543/2024.

 

More Insights

The EFCC alleged that further intelligence has revealed that the proceeds of crimes and funds for terrorist activities are covertly exchanged through these platforms.

 

The Commission disclosed it has written to all the banks where the accounts are domiciled, requesting hard copies of the identified account details, a directive which has been complied with.

 

EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, urged the court to freeze the bank accounts listed in its schedule, which belong to various individuals, some of whom are either currently being prosecuted or investigated for unauthorized foreign exchange dealings, money laundering, and terrorism financing, pending the conclusion of the investigation and prosecution.

 

The identified accounts include those of Kora Payment Network, AD Ishola Farms Ltd, and Microcore Tech Investment Services.

 

The motion was moved in open court by Iheanacho on September 4, 2024, and granted by Justice Emeka Nwite.

 

What you should know

This latest development follows a court order freezing 1,146 accounts for 90 days (from April 25, 2024, to July 23, 2024) over illegal financial transactions.

 

An affected party later applied to have several of the freezing orders lifted, and the court granted the request.

However, the EFCC brought in a fresh motion to continue its investigation, having filed criminal charges against some of the operators of the accounts.

ByBit remains one of the few cryptocurrency exchanges still offering a peer-to-peer section on its platform, following a crackdown on other exchanges like Binance, which led to the delisting of their peer-to-peer categories.

ByBit also offers options for crypto trading on its platform and is a favorite among Nigerian crypto traders. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) recently classified crypto trading as a national security issue.

This led to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordering five fintech companies, including OPay, Palmpay, Moniepoint, Kuda, and Paga, to stop onboarding new customers.

In response, these fintech companies have announced the prohibition of cryptocurrency or virtual currency transactions on their platforms.

Under CBN supervision, the fintech companies are now required to report any account trading in cryptocurrency to the NSA through their regulator, the CBN.

KuCoin’s VAT charge comes amid the Nigerian government’s clampdown on cryptocurrency exchanges and related transactions, which saw Binance exit the market.

 

This crackdown also forced Binance and KuCoin to halt NGN/USD P2P trading on their platforms.

 

CBN issues 30-day deadline to Payment Service Providers on PoS transaction tracking 

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CBN issues 30-day deadline to Payment Service Providers on PoS transaction tracking 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released a new directive to Payment Service Providers (PSPs), requiring them to comply with enhanced routing guidelines for Point of Sale (PoS) transactions.

 

This move is aimed at strengthening the monitoring of electronic transactions across Nigeria.

 

The directive, issued on September 11, 2024, follows CBN’s initiative to diversify the Payment Terminal Service Aggregator (PTSA) structure, which previously operated through a single aggregator.

 

In a circular, signed by Oladimeji Yisa Taiwo on behalf of the CBN’s Payments System Management Department, the apex bank mandates that all PoS transactions from merchant and agent locations—whether physical or electronic—must now be routed through any CBN-licensed PTSA.

 

The directive is part of efforts to decentralize PoS transaction routing and address concerns over the centralization of such transactions under a single entity.

 

 

Background on the PTSA License System

In August 2011, the CBN initially granted a PTSA license to the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) to serve as the sole aggregator of PoS transactions.

 

However, to promote competition and enhance service delivery, the CBN awarded a second PTSA license to Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL) on April 19, 2024.

 

This development aims to reduce the dependence on a single aggregator for the management of PoS transactions, promoting transparency and operational efficiency in Nigeria’s growing electronic payments landscape.

 

Key Directives in the Circular

The CBN has outlined several steps PSPs must adhere to under the new directive:

 

Mandatory Routing of PoS Transactions: Acquirers are now required to route all transactions from PoS terminals through any of the CBN-licensed PTSAs. This applies to both physical and electronic PoS terminals, ensuring that all transaction data is captured and monitored by the appropriate authorities.

 

Certification of Processors: PTSAs must only send PoS transactions to processors certified by relevant payment schemes, which must also be nominated by the acquirer and licensed by the CBN. This measure is designed to maintain the integrity and security of payment processes.

 

Processor Flexibility for Acquirers: Acquirers are given the flexibility to choose which processors and PTSA they want to work with, providing greater autonomy in transaction processing and management.

 

Device Configuration: All Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) are instructed to ensure that their PoS devices and applications are correctly configured to comply with the new directive, routing transactions through any of the licensed PTSAs as directed by the acquirers.

 

Monthly Reporting Requirements: Both PTSPs and PTSAs are required to submit detailed monthly reports to the CBN. PTSPs must report on the number of merchants and agents they manage, as well as the services used to route transactions, while PTSAs must submit reports detailing all transactions processed through their platforms. These are expected “to be submitted to the Director, Payments System Management Department, not later than seven (7) days after the end of each month.”

 

The CBN has given PSPs a 30-day window to regularize their operations in line with the new requirements. Both PTSPs and PTSAs must notify the CBN in writing of their compliance within this period.

 

The circular noted: “Consequently, you are hereby directed to commence regularization with the PTSAs and notify the CBN in writing to confirm compliance, within 30 days from the date of this Circular.”

 

What you should know

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) recently said it has commenced the process of taking drastic actions including shutting down Point of Sales (PoS) businesses that have failed to register their businesses as its September 5 deadline lapsed.

 

While noting there was inadequate compliance with its directive, the Commission said those who decided not to register may be engaging in “unwholesome activities.”

This development comes as the fintech business owners under the aegis of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) have challenged the CAC’s registration directive in court even as they insist the mandatory registration was illegal.

The directive on registration of PoS business came against the backdrop of frequent fraud incidents involving POS terminals and plans to stop trading in cryptocurrency or any virtual currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to a report by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc, POS terminals accounted for 26.37% of fraud incidents in 2023.

 

Local marketers buy only 3% of Dangote Refinery’s products, boycott over lower pricing 

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Local marketers buy only 3% of Dangote Refinery’s products, boycott over lower pricing 

The Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar V.G. Edwin, has expressed frustration over the boycott of Dangote Refinery’s products by local marketers.

 

During an X (formerly Twitter) space hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday, he revealed that despite the refinery’s efforts to supply affordable petroleum products, many traders in Nigeria have refused to purchase from the refinery, preferring to continue importing refined products from abroad.

 

Speaking during the session, Edwin highlighted the initial vision behind the establishment of the Dangote Refinery, which was aimed at reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.

 

“The whole purpose of doing this refinery in Nigeria was to utilize our local crude instead of exporting raw materials and importing finished products,” he explained. “We should be able to refine and use the finished products within Nigeria and produce more to export the surplus.”

 

Despite the refinery’s large production capacity, local marketers are only purchasing about 3% of the output.

 

He noted that the remaining 97% of the refinery’s production, including diesel and jet fuel, is being exported due to a boycott by local traders who refuse to buy at the refinery’s lower prices.

 

This has forced the refinery to explore international markets, exporting the majority of its refined products, even though it was originally intended to supply the Nigerian market.

 

Edwin said: “I’m selling 2 to 3% to small traders who are willing to buy, while the rest 95 to 97% I’m forced to export,” while speaking about the quantity of the refinery’s Products sold locally.

 

Local marketers prefer importing

He suggested that there is a deliberate attempt by some marketers to block the refinery’s operations, as they prefer to import products rather than support local refining.

 

He further revealed that local marketers wrote to President Bola Tinubu, complaining about the refinery’s pricing strategies.

 

“They wrote to His Excellency, the president, claiming that we are disturbing the market by dropping our prices,” Edwin disclosed.

 

He explained that in response to market dynamics, the refinery reduced prices twice to encourage sales, but this only led to further resistance from the marketers, who accused the refinery of undercutting the market.

 

Edwin further said since that local marketers have been blocking the distribution of their products within the country, the refinery has been exporting most of its petroleum products.

 

Refinery can produce 54 million liters of refined petroleum products per day

Edwin said that the refinery can produce up to 54 million liters of refined petroleum products per day, depending on crude oil supply.

 

However, local crude supplies have been inconsistent, forcing the refinery to rely on imported crude from countries like the U.S. and Brazil.

 

This situation has been exacerbated by international oil companies (IOCs) prioritizing foreign markets, often selling crude oil at prices significantly above the market rate for local buyers

 

He added that the refinery’s production capacity is more than sufficient to meet Nigeria’s petroleum needs. He stated that 44% of the refinery’s output is enough to cover 100% of the country’s demand for refined products.

 

What you should know

The Dangote Refinery which commenced operations in March supplied diesel and aviation jet fuel in April, and it is expected to begin the supply of premium motor spirit (PMS) this month (September).

 

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest individual, earlier announced that the supply of diesel from his Dangote Refinery has caused a roughly 60% decrease in the commodity’s price in the local market.

The business mogul stated that before the Dangote Refinery began operations, diesel was sold at around N1,700. However, the refinery reduced the price to about N1,000, marking a drop of approximately 60%.

He also noted that despite the exchange rate rising to about N1,500 per dollar, they have managed to keep the price of diesel below N1,200.

Dangote Refinery recently stated that it would export its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and other domestic petroleum marketers choose not to purchase it.

Nairametrics earlier reported that the value of Nigeria’s import of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol in the second quarter of 2024 rose to N3.22 trillion, the highest on record in the nation’s history.

This is according to the foreign trade report published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Imports of petrol in the second quarter of 2024 constituted 25% of total imports in the period. Furthermore, the N3.2 trillion petrol import bill in Q1 2024 marks a 100% increase in the value of petrol import compared to the same period of 2023 which stood at N1.6 trillion.

 

In the first quarter of 2024 so far, the value of petrol imports reached N2.6 trillion while cumulatively in the first six months of the year, the country’s petrol import bill stood at N5.8 trillion.

 

When compared to the same period of 2023, the country’s petrol import bill has increased from N3.1 trillion to N5.8 trillion. This denotes an increase of 87.09% during the period

.

 

Credit: Naira Metrics

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