OMoyele Sowore Says no regrets over ‘Revolution Now’

Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 General Election, Omoyele Sowore, has said he has no regrets embarking on his aborted protest tagged ‘Revolution Now’ which led to his incarceration by the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In this interview with Saturday Sun, the Publisher of Saharareporters, an online news platform, however said the movement started too late and wished it happened earlier. 

Sowore, who returned to his base in the United States last week after spending close to five years in Nigeria, further said he was happy that he enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime privilege to act amongst change agents in his lifetime, especially in a country seeking courageous and upright men and women to change its course of history. Amongst other issues, Sowore dwelt on the recent move by the Federal Government to implement the Steve Oronsaye Report and concluded that the report is a distraction at this material time. He spoke with AIDOGHIE PAULINUS.

How would you describe your ordeal in the hands of the Federal Government?

I have reached a point in life when I do not romanticise the fact that the system comes after people in my mould and character. I have a revolutionary spirit; it is a package that attracts severe reactions from cowards in power. So, my five-year ordeal is not extremely difficult to understand or explain. In a way, I am one of the lucky few. In the last nine years, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party has made Nigeria hell on earth for Nigerians.

Do you regret embarking on that voyage to incarceration known as Revolution Now?

Absolutely no regrets. I am happy that I enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime privilege to act amongst change agents in my lifetime, especially in a country seeking courageous and upright men and women to change its course of history.

During your ordeal, some said it served you right because you helped the Muhammadu Buhari administration to power. What is your take on this?

It is needless to address those who make such uninformed and outlandish claims. First, there is no truth or substance to it, except it serves those who have done a duty to self-perpetuate a narrative they knew to be false. Ask yourself if the majority of those who were massacred in the South-East through several criminal operations by the Nigerian Army ever supported Buhari’s elections.

Looking back, what would you have done differently regarding Revolution Now regarding the strategy you employed?

We started too late. I wish we had started earlier because Revolution Now emboldened a generation of youths that realized their potent powers to change the course of history. I hate to be self-serving, but I doubt that #ENDSARS would have happened had Revolutionnow not shown to a new generation of youths that they could fight power. 

You were in Nigeria for five years, unable to return to the United States where your family resides. What did you miss most during the five years?

Oh, I missed the solid growth of my kids. I left them both when they were practically toddlers, and I returned to them five years later to meet “adults.” They had grown into a world I am now trying to navigate. My daughter read a poem during my homecoming last Saturday; she was deeply introspective, and she captured my departure and returned in ways I never thought she could.

How would you quantify your financial loss during the period?

It wasn’t about finance; my losses were beyond economic, and it is also fair to say it was a massive economic loss too.

While in Nigeria, you lost loved ones, particularly your brother. How would you describe those moments?

That was a testy moment! I can’t describe it, it was very hard to get over it, and I doubt I will ever get over his death.

Nigeria is experiencing turbulent times. What plans do the civil society organizations in which you have played active roles have to lift Nigeria out of the woods?

I don’t see the solution as something civil society could resolve. By their very nature, “civil society groups” have low bandwidth. They are not social movements, and they are also “limited liability” groups that are largely risk averse. Nigeria’s problems have reached beyond what could be solved by or with civil society activism. 

Based on your political participation experience, will you contest the 2027 presidential election?

I have always stated that my political career is never tied to election cycles. 

What is your opinion about the planned implementation of the Oronsaye Report? Is it too late?

Orosanye’s report is a distraction at this time. 

Tinubu has spoken in favour of state police. Is restructuring gradually being achieved?

No, Tinubu doesn’t even believe in policing in the first place. He’s a lover, sponsor, and supporter of criminal and violent non-state actors. The gimmick he’s putting out about state police is to empower such actors, lawless and brutal non-state actors.

What are your thoughts about the planned constitutional amendment?

How many times could a constitution be amended? There is no way an illegitimate “Constitution” thrown at Nigerians by the military could be amended. The amendment of the Nigerian constitution since 1999 has become a drain pipe on Nigeria’s resources.

A crisis is looming in the National Assembly over alleged N3 trillion budget padding. Your opinion, please?

Nigeria must abolish the bicameral legislative system and engage part-time lawmakers to make laws. The Nigerian Senate is the retirement home of looters and criminals, mostly former state governors.

What message of hope do you have for your fellow compatriots whom you have left behind to return to the United States?

I will be back!

Gunmen suspected to be soldiers on Friday abducted the Editor of FirstNews and former Kaduna Bureau Chief of The PUNCH, Segun Olatunji.

He was picked at his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State.

The management of the online Newspaper linked the action to a recent story published by FirstNews titled, "Revealed: "Defence Chief running office like family business - Public Interest Lawyers", published by many other online platforms.

But the management also linked his abduction to another report titled, "EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials - Investigation", which was later pulled down.

The arrest has thrown panic among staff of the Newspaper.

His wife, Abiodun Olatunji, said the armed men numbering ten arrived at their residence, a few minutes after 6pm and whisked her husband away without leaving any information behind as to where they were taking him to. 

She said her husband's abductors reached for his phone and seized it immediately they arrived before bundling him into a van like a common criminal and zoomed off.

While further narrating the incident, she said efforts to know his offence or where they were taken him to were rebuffed by the stern-looking men. 

"Some armed men dressed in military uniform totaling ten in number (two in uniform and the remaining 8 in mufti but all armed) arrived at our residence at Dauda Oriyomi street, Iyana Odo along Joke Ayo in Abule Egba area of Lagos State and took away my husband.

"They refused to state his offence and where they were taken him to despite all the efforts to make them do so", she said. 

The Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who also confirmed the incident, said there has been no trace of Olatunji, as his phone line has been switched, neither has anyone reached the family or the management of FirstNews to disclose the real reason behind his abduction.

While condemning the way and manner Olatunji was whisked away, Iworiso-Markson stated that he was never invited formally to answer any issue that bothered on national security.

"The management of FirstNews is using this opportunity to call on the military high command and the security agencies to let us know his whereabout and the reason why he was arrested. 

"FirstNews (online & print) is a reputable independent digital news network that prides itself on being a frontline media outfit committed to engaging her world-class audience with factual, authentic, and credible information.

"We conduct our journalism activities with strict observance of the high standards of ethics, accountability, professionalism and legality, while exercising our rights to freedom of expression and information, all in a bid to ensure credible reporting of the news behind the news in Politics, Business, Education, Sport, Health, Entertainment and many more.

"If there was any infraction that bothers on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather that this gestapo style of arrest that reminds of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled". 

Just as it is no more news that President Bola Tinubu recently asked the senate to confirm the appointment of Ruby Onwudiwe as a member of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it is surprising news that he has stepped down her nomination as a member of the apex bank.

It will be recalled that the president’s request for her nomination was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpiabio, and read at plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

In the letter, according to a NAN, the president said the confirmation request complied with provisions of Section 10 (1) of the CBN Establishment Act 2007.

“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the senate, the appointment of Dr Ruby Onwudiwe as a member of the CBN board of directors,” Tinubu said.

“The Senate is invited to kindly note that Onwudiwe is a replacement for Mr. Kalu Eke, due to the unavailability of Eke for the position.

“It is my hope, therefore, that the senate will consider and confirm in its usual expeditious manner, the appointment of Onwudiwe.

“Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

The new nomination comes one month after Tinubu asked the senate to confirm five people as directors of the board of the CBN.

The directors of the board are; Robert O. Agbide, Ado Yakubu Wanga, Murtala Sagaley, Urom Eke, and Olayinka Aliyu.

On February 29, the senate confirmed four people as members of the board of the CBN after a nominee from the south-eastern region rejected the offer, citing a “conflict of interest”.

However, it was gathered that immediately after the news of her nomination was public, a screenshot of her social media surfaced where she flaunted her support for the Labour Party (LP) and its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi in the last election and a display of the result of the presidential election at a polling unit in Lekki part of Lagos where the LP candidate won.

The screenshot riled up All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters who protested strongly to senior government officials on the abnormality of the nomination of an opposition figure to serve at the apex bank.

No Nigerian is praying for the failure of the apex bank, and the federal government. It is the most important point to keep in mind as one follows the comments being made in reaction to the withdrawal of Onwudiwe’s nomination on the board of the apex bank.

According to Journalist KC whose X handle is @kc_journalist in a post he rated to be breaking news in the wee hour of today, March 14, 2024, “President Tinubu withdraws Ruby Onwudiwe’s nomination as CBN Board member after receiving complaints from top APC members over Ruby’s support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, per WesternPost

“Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Solomon Adeola pointed out the impropriety of the nomination to President Tinubu last night during his meeting with Senate President Akpabio and other senators.

“Some top APC supporters had earlier protested strongly to senior government officials on the abnormality of the nomination of an opposition figure to serve at the apex bank after the news of her nomination.

“Tinubu is now expected to announce a new nominee from the South East”.

In his reaction to the post on X, Olumide Adesina@olumidecapital commented, “This is highly unfortunate, to say the least, such a position should be based on merit and not by political affiliation”

In a different comment, Adesina reacted, “The President is the leader of the country not just a ruling party. The financial industry should be handled with professionalism”

Another commentator on the popular social media platform, Ola’Lekan @theolamilekan commented, “She’s not the only person that can merit that position from SE. She will leak confidential documents if she’s hired. She’s Obidient blood and she doesn’t hide it. More so, election has consequences and this is one of them.”

However, while this writer is opposed to patronage appointment which is unarguably becoming the hallmark of the ongoing Tinubu-led government, it is salient to recall that a contest for superiority between patronage and merit has been an unresolved issue since 1999 when Nigeria transitioned to a democratic system of government.

Without any iota of exaggeration, this battle for supremacy arises from the fact that political connectedness, ethnic fantasy, religious identity, party affiliation, and other primordial considerations have become dominant criteria in determining who should be given political appointments in every passing political dispensation.

In many nations, the head of state is nonpartisan, even if the prime minister and parliament are chosen in partisan elections. Such heads of state are expected to remain neutral with regard to partisan politics. In a number of parliamentary or semi-presidential countries, some presidents are non-partisan or receive cross-party support.

From the onset, being in government has been viewed as an opportunity to empower one’s people over others with devastating consequences. In my view, given the parlous state of the economy at the moment, there is an urgent need to eschew patronage appointments and tap from the pool of human resources that can equally be found in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and other political parties as all the talents Tinubu needs to succeed cannot be exclusively be found in the APC.

Those who say “any publicity is good publicity” might not be so right after all. In fact, I think they are wrong. At least they might have been right in the past, but not anymore, not in this era of empathy and “life on stage” where everyone now has a platform to air their views, where most like to be liked and followed and where many, regardless of depth, can actually influence the views and choices of others. There is a brand and a company that I think will agree with me that not any publicity is good publicity because of what they are going through. 

The company is Erisco Food Limited, makers of tomato paste and other food products, led by Chief Eric Umeofia. 

It is easy to see the link between the name Eric and Erisco. One can wish for anything good or bad, but I doubt that anyone from the founder of Erisco Food and all his well-wishers as well as his enemies could have imagined let alone wished for or against making the list of Amnesty International’s concern. Yet, that is what recently happened. How did Eric and Erisco go from tomato paste to social media trouble and amnesty list lies in the link between Eric and Erisco. Let us be clear: Chioma infuriated Eric, but it was Eric that made Chioma famous and took Erisco to amnesty. 

Here are some context and chronicles of salient events for all. 

In the middle of the month of September 2023, a relatively unknown social media user with the name Chioma Egoji, published a comment on her Facebook page, saying: “I went to buy tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew. I didn’t see Gino and Sonia. So, I decided to buy this one. When I opened it, I decided to taste it. Omo! Sugar was just too much. Ha, biko, let me know if you have used this tin tomato before because this is an Ike gwuru situation.” 

It is worth noting here that Mrs. Chioma Egoji was till that moment just one lady trying to make stew and whose purpose of commenting was to get other social media users and comments. The more the merrier. It is a new but common practice. There was a time when people kept their reflections and experience private. That era is gone. In the new world, private is dead. People wear their hearts on their sleeves. 

The reaction of Erisco Food to this comment was to call the police and get Chioma Egoji arrested. The police promptly swung into action and not only arrested this woman who dared make negative comments about the tomatoes she bought with her own money, the Nigerian Police Force also issued a high-profile public statement on the matter, making the NPF look like the Nigerian Paste Force. 

To the Erisco Food team, the comments made by Chioma Egoji was an attempt to damage their brand and company and they felt the need to fight back. The apex of the fight was the direct intervention of Chief Eric Umeofia himself, who went on national TV to say he is willing to let his business die rather than give an inch to Chioma Egoji. 

Against their intentions, the first consequence of the reaction of Erisco Food was to make Chioma Egoji popular. People are even calling her a reviewer. I wonder if she appreciates that. The popularity of Chioma Egoji and the stances of the Eric in Erisco have made people of different geopolitical colourations to stand with Chioma Egoji and to start a campaign to boycott Erisco food products. We have not seen their sale reports yet but from the number of people talking negatively about their company and brand, things cannot be good. 

No need to pretend, readers of this page will know that I have a high propensity towards defending private businesses and entrepreneurs. Our bias for the corporate component of our society is very simple to understand: we believe businesses and the entrepreneurs bring to the table creation of job and wealth based on competence, innovation, creativity, knowledge of and deference to consumers. Faced with the kind of situation Erisco is going through due to this Chioma business, one is inclined to say let us find a way to save the business from boycott and save Chioma’s dignity and safety. 

We must however be clear, the first party to err was Erisco Food. Their first sin was to ignore the golden rule that says “customer is king” in business. Customers are referred to as king not because they are always right, but because they should never be fought. Erisco Food had many professional choices. They could have ignored Chioma, engaged her in a positive way, proved her wrong, or get people to endorse the quality of their products. 

Instead, they chose the risky path of an ego driven position that feels threatened and insulted. Erisco Food chose to make heard not the deliberated voice of a business that has responsibilities of employing hundreds of staff and catering to thousands of customers but the voice of a proud stubborn man who feels that because he has worked hard and has achieved a lot he should therefore not be questioned. Things don’t work that way as he is learning and as others should be cautioned. 

With the position of Eric in Erisco, we are on a risky path where all is personal and nerves are frayed. All these with a national audience recording and applauding every statement and move. It will take more than a lot to get common sense back and for reconciliation to prevail. This is a test for Chief Eric Umeofia to see if he has friends who have the resolve to say “Erisco must be saved even against Eric” and that can tell him the truth and stand by him as he retraces his steps from risky to safety. 

Join me if you can on X: @anthonykila, to continue these conversations. 

. Kila is the Institute Director at CIAPS and can be reached via: www.ciaps.org.

The Citadel Global Community Church’s Serving Overseer, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said some Nigerians are being forced to rob warehouses in order to avoid going to bed hungry due to the country’s economic hardships.

In his keynote speech on Friday at the 70th birthday celebration of Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili, the husband of the former minister of education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Bakare blamed corruption and poor governance for the current state of the economy.

In the past two weeks, there have been numerous complaints of some Nigerians breaking into warehouses and taking food and other valuables.

Naija News reports that the preacher cautioned that no single institution can eradicate corruption from a nation, adding that Nigerians should not expect the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft institutions to act in isolation.

Bakare said, “Somewhere in the equation, something has to be done, whether in the homes that produce the fabrics or even in the institution of states that have failed to liquidate this criminal enterprise and facilitate alternative pathways for young people; somewhere in the societal equation where corruption and bad governance are crippling the economy, leaving no fewer than 133 million Nigerians in multidimensional poverty and 26.5 million in acute hunger across the country.

“With families going to bed hungry, a citizen is forced to take to the streets and to loot warehouses in their quest for survival. It means somebody has failed in his duty. In other words, somewhere in the governance equation is where we have the real issue. The good news however is that man has the capacity to reverse the situations. With the help of his Creator, man is himself a creator with the ability to recreate his world.

“This is a mission and purpose of every man. No citizen deserves to sleep under the bridge in a nation that has government. Until the righteous people are appointed into office, we are wasting time. There is only one antidote to fight corruption. EFCC and ICPC cannot fight it alone. Anybody that sits on the committee to investigate corruption who is corrupt himself can’t fight corruption in Nigeria.”

[NaijaNews]

“There are many qualified Nigerian coaches who could successfully lead the national team”

Segun Odegbami, a former Nigerian international football player and hero of the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has opined that the new coach of the Nigerian national team should be a home-based coach. Following the departure of Jose Peseiro, who led the team to the AFCON finals in Ivory Coast, Odegbami, 70, believes local coaches have the potential to better lead the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles legend and former player, who played for Nigeria between 1976 and 1981, stressed that there are many qualified Nigerian coaches who could successfully lead the national team. He urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to focus on local talents in the selection of a new coach.

Odegbami, who was part of the Super Eagles team that won the AFCON in 1980, opposed the idea that only a foreign coach can bring success. He maintains that football is not a complicated discipline and there are enough qualified Nigerians who could successfully lead the national team.

It is time for a Nigerian coach to take over the leadership of the team

Who will be the next coach? Will it be a Nigerian or a coach from abroad? betting sites with free bets are thus very unconventionally accepting bets on who will be the next coach of the Nigerian national team. Lately, football fans started betting using a netbet promo code – however, they are not betting on football results but on possible coaches. They also use the Bet888 promo code: https://promocodius.co.uk/shops/888sport to submit their tips.

According to the Super Eagles legend, there is no need to suffer from the colonial mentality that prefers foreign coaches and believes it is time for a Nigerian coach to take over the leadership of the team. Odegbami feels the move could help to forge a strong relationship between the national team and the local coaches.

“Football is not a rocket science, but a simple game, we have lots of Nigerians who have all the qualifications to take us to any level“, he said, and added that: “For me, I won’t suffer from colonial mentality again and enough of foreign coaches, now, it’s time for a Nigerian Coach to handle our national team.”

Jose Peseiro, who led the Super Eagles at the recent AFCON 2024, earned mixed reactions. Although the team achieved second place, Odegbami says Peseiro’s work was mediocre and not worthy of all the honors and rewards he received for that placement.

Meanwhile, the situation surrounding the selection of a new Super Eagles coach remains uncertain. Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen could take over the team on an interim basis until a proper coach is appointed. Odegbami believes the new leader of the team should be a Nigerian coach who can lead the Super Eagles to victory and strengthen their position on the African scene.

[Leadership]

Days after the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger Republic land and air borders by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigerien authorities have not said anything, even as they maintained their entry points closed.

Nigeria announced the reopening of its borders with Niger Republic on March 13, 2024.

While security operatives like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have eased movement along border communities, their counterparts across the borders have remained adamant.

This is as residents of border communities, especially on the Nigerian side, on Thursday expressed optimism that with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reopen the borders with Niger Republic, life would be easier for them and their neighbours, especially in terms of trading.

President Tinubu’s directive was in line with the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS’) Authority of Heads of State and Government at its Extraordinary Summit on February 24, 2024 in Abuja.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Kemi Nandap, had in a follow-up to what Tinubu said, directed that restrictions on movement at Nigeria-Niger borders be lifted.

Nandap gave the directive through a statement signed by the acting Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Kenneth Kure on Thursday in Abuja.

She directed all comptrollers stationed at states and border commands along the Nigeria-Niger Republic border to comply promptly and lift all restrictions on human movement.

The border closure was part of sanctions to restore democratic order after the military intervention in Niger that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The two countries heavily relied on each for economic and social activities, among others.

The Niger–Nigeria border is 1,608 kilometres, stretching from Sokoto through Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno states.

After the reopening of the land borders, our correspondents in the affected states monitored the situation around the boundary areas. Their investigations revealed that on the Nigerian side the borders have been reopened in majority of the areas, but it is a different story on the Nigerien side.

Residents who spoke with our correspondents said if the two neighbouring countries reached a common ground, it would be mutually beneficial as it would revive economic activities in the border communities.

Long way to go in Katsina

In Katsina State, residents of the border town of Kongolam, which is less than 20 kilometres from Daura, said security forces on the Niger Republic side blocked their own part.

Lawan Secretary, who spoke to our correspondent said, “Shortly after we spoke with you about the border reopening on the Nigerian side, the Nigerien police brought three of their operational vehicles and blocked the pathway, using stones and sand.

“They told our people who were about to cross that they should go back as the border had not been reopened on their side,” he said.

Secretary, who said he was not happy with the development, added that whatever the situation was, there was the need for understanding between Nigeria and Niger.

“Just remember that it is not only about business transactions, we have marital ties with the people of Niger.

“Also, remember that our people have been importing and exporting certain commodities with extreme difficulty through illegal entry points, spending a lot of money to find their way.

“That alone has helped in raising the cost of commodities because whatever you spent along the way must be reflected in the selling price,” he said.

Corroborating the earlier response, Alhaji Lawal Planner Kongolam, said the road that leads to Niger Republic was blocked by the Nigerien police, cutting short the happiness of affected persons on both sides.

He said the items mostly traded across the borders in their axis included dates, soap and other confectionary products, as well as grains and cattle. He added that with the high rate of foreign exchange with regard to the CFA, cattle had become more expensive.

He, however, expressed confidence that if there would be mutual understanding between the Nigerian and the Nigerien authorities, there would be gradual return of trading activities; and hopefully, the exchange rate of the CFA would come down.

At Jibia town, also in Katsina State, residents were in a joyous mood, saying their lifeline would soon be restored.

Al-Mustapha Danye said many people were forced out of business as they had eaten up their capital, but with the latest development, there was hope for a new life.

“Our markets used to be frequented by traders from neighbouring communities from Niger Republic. On our part, we used to import farm produce, such as tiger nuts, dates and beans.

“We also have other commodities that pass through Niger on transit from Cotonou. We believe that if normalcy returns, prices of these commodities would crash and life would be easier for us,” he said.

Haidar Lamama, a trader and resident of Magama in Jibia, said the border there had been opened by both Customs and Immigration officers on the Nigerian side.

He expressed optimism that prices of all commodities would fall and life would become easier for the people of the area and the country in general.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service, Katsina Area Command, T. Y Balarabe, said the border in Jibia was reopened following the president’s directive.

Niger border at Maigatari still closed

Our correspondent reports that the Maigatari border in Jigawa State was reopened on Thursday at exactly 6am, according to high-ranking security officials in charge of the area. However, the Niger Republic’s security operatives have kept theirs closed.

“They have refused to open theirs, but they are not asking anybody not to cross over into their land by foot.

“All items that are legally allowed will now be transported through the border following the right channels. But items that are banned remain banned. Things like beans, if you pay duty you would be allowed to bring it into Nigeria,” one of the officials who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak said.

On their part, residents of Maigatari and environs have expressed hope that once the borders on both sides are fully opened, the development would yield positive results.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the representative of the district head of Maigatari, Yakubu Aminu Wakili said, “We thank God that the border has been opened, and as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, all seized items have been returned to us.

“We now move freely but without cars. But from Niger Republic side, they are yet to open their border. It is still manned by security operatives.

“We cannot say anything on the reason they are yet to reopen the borders because we also just opened ours. But we are hopeful that they would reopen theirs.

“For business activities, we are still where we were since the border was closed. The changes are still minimal but we are optimistic that everything will come back to flourish like before.”

Nigeria/Niger borders in Kebbi still shut

Similarly, despite the presidential directive that the borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic be reopened, the international borders in Kebbi State are still shut on both sides as at Thursday, March 14, 2024, which was 24 hours after the directive by President Tinubu.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that the borders at Kamba, Kangiwa and Bachaka in the state were yet to be opened despite the directive.

A resident of Kamba, Musa Hussein, told our correspondent that the border was still shut and its environs isolated for months.

He said, “They are yet to open the borders. I was there this afternoon. What the Customs at the border told us was that they were yet to receive a memo to open the borders.”

Our sources at Customs and Immigration commands in Kebbi State said some top officers of the two services were summoned to Abuja for further briefing on the border issue.

Sokoto’s Illela border communities laud FG

Residents of Illela town in Sokoto State have expressed happiness over the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger borders, recounting that life was unbearable while the sanctions lasted.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that majority of the residents of border communities were into one form of cross-border trade or another before the closure.

A community leader, Alhaji Musa Sarkin Alaru, said the announcement of the reopening brought relief to many residents.

Recounting their ordeal after the closure, he said 70 per cent of their youths were rendered jobless and had left to other places for greener pastures.

“But I am sure they will all come back now that the border is reopened and continue with their trans-border trades,” he said.

The chairman of the Marketers Association in Sokoto State, Chika Sarkin Gishiri, also expressed optimism that the border reopening would lead to crash in prices of some imported commodities in the country, saying there were many goods meant for Nigeria, which could not come into the country because of the closure.

But one of the livestock traders in the state, Murtala Arkilla, wondered if the reopening could lead to crash in the prices of livestock.

Sokoto receives most of its livestock from the neighbouring Niger Republic.

A security agent at the border post, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said all the security agencies there had complied with the directive of the federal government.

“The border is now open for human and vehicular movement,” he said.

During the official reopening, the area comptroller in charge of Sokoto and Zamfara command, Kamal Muhammed, charged security agencies at the border station to collaborate with one another in the area of trade facilitation, information and intelligence sharing for safe, efficient and effective service delivery at the border.

He further commended Customs licenced agents and the Illela community for their patience and cooperation during the seven-month border closure.

Border reopening won’t change anything – Borno, Yobe traders

In Yobe State, Adamu Kanamma, a trader who crosses to Niger through Maino-Sorroa border in Yunusari Local Government Area, said reopening the border would not change anything.

“We maintained the good relationship we had with the people of Niger even after the border closure, but a lot of things happened within that period.

“To say that the price of food items coming into Nigeria from Niger will drop is not possible unless the value of CFA franc crashes to N1,500 or less because, as at yesterday (March 13, 2024), it was N2, 570 equivalent.

“We are now buying a bag of foreign rice at N73,000 from Niger, so how much can we sell it in the Nigerian market?” he asked.

Another transporter from Machina town, also in Yobe, said the number of people passing through the border had not increased yet.

“It is like Nigeriens have become used to the sanctions, they no longer come into Nigeria like before. It is our traders that are taking the goods to them. Also, we face a lot of strictness in dealing with authorities in Diffa, Maino-Sorroa and Maradi, all in Niger,” he said.

A fish trader, Labbo Mustapha, said Nigeriens were demanding taxes from Nigerians more than before.

“You will not sell fish in their country, and you must pay tax for passing through their country from the Lake Chad.

“One of the disturbing situations is that they don’t collect naira and will not give you CFA franc. But they will pay on whatever transaction you do with naira. They have succeeded in making their currency a scarce commodity,” he said.

 Laws governing imports, exports subsist – Customs

The national public relations officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, while explaining the modalities of the border reopening, said there were laws governing imports and exports, which are still in force.

He said, “All imports and exports are in tandem with the extant fiscal policies of the government. We have a fiscal policy that places restriction of certain items through some specific ports. They remain extant until we have counter directives.”

Maiwada added that there were subsisting regulations Customs were also adhering to as stipulated by ECOWAS.

According to Customs’ Export Prohibition List, maize, timber (rough and sawn), raw hides and skin, scrap metals, unprocessed rubber lumps, among others, would not be exported.

Among the items that would not be imported are live and dead birds, pork meat, beef, bird eggs, refined vegetable oil, spaghetti/noodles, fruit juice, some medicaments, such as Paracemol, sex enhancement drugs, bagged cement, mosquito coil, soap and detergent, among others.

[DailyTrust]

Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman National Traditional Rulers Council (NTRCN), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that the the late Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun, will be missed for his great thought for better and united Nigeria.

According to the Sultan, Oba Lekan Balogun was a colleague and friend in the quality and professionals-populated traditional institutions in the country.

He also said that his reign on the throne was well spent for the good of his people as the Olubadan of Ibadan Land and Permanent Chairman Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council.

This was discussed in a statement signed by the media team of the Sultan of Sokoto on Friday.

“We will miss him for his great thought for better and united Nigeria as he was known for being a detralibalised Nigerian. By his demise, the country has lost an important traditional leader,” the Sultan said.

“Our condolences go to the Oyo State government, the Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council, the family of the deceased Olubadan and the entire people of the state.

“May Allah forgive and admit his soul in Al-Jannah Al-Firdaus, Amiin,” he prayed.

Oba Lekan Balogun, who is the 42nd Olubadan, died days after marking his second year coronation anniversary.

[DailyPost]

President Bola Tinubu yesterday alleged that smugglers and beneficiaries of the old petrol subsidy were beginning to fight back, but vowed that his administration would not abuse the trust Nigerians reposed in him.

Tinubu, during a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja, said that Nigeria would prevail against the agents of destabilization allegedly working to sabotage efforts at repositioning the economy.

The President, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said his administration was deploying resources to critical sectors and areas with significant impact on the welfare of Nigerians, describing the nation’s treasury as sacrosanct.

He assured Nigerians that his government was working round the clock to improve their living conditions, and asked leaders at the grassroots to encourage citizens to get their National Identification Number (NIN) for planning, structuring interventions and to achieve their full integration into various relief programmes.

“As we are fighting corruption, smugglers and old subsidy beneficiaries, they most certainly will fight back,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.

Continuing, he said: “All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy (on petroleum products) removal, they will fight back.

“But we will defend our people. The treasury belongs to the people, and that sacred trust must not be abused.

“I urge the state chairmen that regardless of party affiliation, let us help citizens by mobilizing them for NIN registration. Not just PVCs. Some are poor Nigerians who have not experienced formal education and have no understanding of what NIN is and how it will benefit their lives. We must teach them. We must care for them.

“Without NIN, we cannot embark on social security interventions for the vulnerable. We will be making faulty moves without accurate data and iron-clad, digital intervention structures.

“I have established a committee of governors, and it is headed by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima. It is working on what must be done to further lift our people.

“We need to give hope, and we are giving it to the country and our citizens. We are working hard, day and night, even though some agents of destabilization are present in the polity. Nigerians, with our focused support, shall defeat them. 

“The programme of our government will be truly progressive; student loans, a national consumer credit system, and social welfare for the unemployed, as well as graduates. Every Nigerian will find a place of belonging in our country.

“In the eye of even the biggest hurricane, we will find that place of tranquility and prosperous harmony for the benefit of all. Nigerians will all partake on this national journey to prosperity.”

Speaking on the central role of agriculture in expanding and accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth, President Tinubu told the party chiefs led by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje that his government had already drawn up a blueprint for large-scale livestock farming, which will be activated soon.

His words: “We are bringing mechanized farming to the fore. Yesterday’s crisis will become today’s opportunity.

“Fertilizers are being supplied to farmers as we speak. Agriculture and economic diversification provide the answers to our problems. We will not continue to import food. We know how to turn lack into abundance, and the world will watch us do it again.”

Also speaking, Ganduje said the party was poised to establish a Progressive Institute of Policy and Development for the benefit of its members and the broader Nigerian public.

The Forum of APC State Chairmen congratulated the President on his victory at the polls, the election petitions court , and  the Supreme Court.

[ThjeNation]