Despite her 16-match winning streak coming to a close in a semi-final showdown against second-ranked Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek, 19-year-old U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff has pocketed another substantial sum at the 2023 China Open, cementing her status as one of the top earners in women’s tennis.

Gauff, who had been on an unprecedented winning spree since her title victory in Cincinnati last August, faced a formidable challenge in the semi-final on Sat., Oct. 7, at the Diamond Court. The match ended with Swiatek emerging victorious, but Gauff’s remarkable performance throughout the tournament did not go unrewarded. She earned $781,100 from her efforts at the China Open.

This substantial income from the China Open adds to the $5.017 million that Gauff secured at the 2023 U.S. Open, where she made history by winning her first-ever Grand Slam title. Her victory at the U.S. Open earned her a grand prize of $3 million, making her the youngest woman to clinch a Grand Slam title since Serena Williams accomplished the feat in 1999.

Recent financial analysis by Billionaires.Africa, based on official figures from the China Open authorities, reveals that Gauff earned an additional $108,400 from a doubles match earlier in the tournament. Her five singles matches, including the semi-final defeat to Swiatek, contributed $763,843 to her overall earnings from the competition.

While her total earnings of $781,100 from the 2023 China Open may be comparatively lower than the windfall at the U.S. Open, this figure significantly boosts her earnings this year. As of Sept. 15, Gauff, presently ranked as the world’s number three female tennis player, trailing behind 22-year-old Iga Swiatek and 25-year-old Belarusian pro Aryna Sabalenka, has amassed a staggering career earnings total of $11,107,463.

This remarkable milestone comes nearly five years after her professional debut in 2018. The year 2023 has proven to be a watershed moment for Gauff’s financial success. In this year alone, she has amassed $5,557,372 from all competitions as of Sept. 15, firmly establishing herself as one of the top earners among active female tennis players.

[billionaires.africa]

Billionaires around the world are recognized not only by the extent of their wealth but also by the impact of their philanthropy. In this regard, Nigerian business tycoon Femi Otedola has consistently stamped his mark as one of Africa’s foremost philanthropists.

Over a span of two and a half decades, Otedola, who made his fortune in gas stations, shipping, and electricity generation, has given away tens of millions of dollars to various initiatives – from funding the construction of educational and religious institutions across the country to financing public healthcare initiatives and footing the medical expenses of national heroes down on their luck. His donations have touched nearly every facet of Nigerian life, from health to education to religion to historic preservation. His actions serve as a reminder that wealth isn’t just about personal accumulation but about the impact one can make in the world.

Billionaires.Africa gives a snapshot of the seven most significant donations from Otedola that have made waves in the media:

1. $14-million donation to Save the Children UK (2019) – In what stands as Nigeria’s largest individual charity donation, in November 2019, Otedola donated NGN 5 billion (about $14 million at the time) to Save the Children U.K through his daughter, DJ Cuppy’s Foundation, to support various intervention programs for needy children in Nigeria’s north-east region. It was the single largest individual donation to charity in Nigeria’s history. The charity works to improve the welfare of Nigeria’s vulnerable and marginalized children, focusing on early childhood education and healthcare, among numerous other programs.

2. Donation of a $6-million building to Augustine University (2021) – In a tribute to his mother, Lady Doja Otedola, Otedola funded the construction of a $6-million multistory building at Augustine University in Epe, Lagos. The facility was subsequently christened, The Lady Doja Otedola Faculty of Engineering building, one of the best-equipped engineering departments in any tertiary institution in Nigeria. Augustine University is a private Catholic-owned University located in Ilara, a town in the Epe local government of Lagos State, Southwestern Nigeria.

3. $3.2-million gift to Federal University, Otuoke (2011) ­– In 2011, Otedola donated N500 million (about $3.2 million at the time) to the construction of the Federal University, Otuoke. The hniversity is a federal government-owned university located in Otuoke, a town in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State, Southern Nigeria. It was one of the nine new Federal Universities established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in February 2011 under the leadership of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. 

4. $2.9-million donation to the National Ecumenical Center, Abuja (2005) – In 2005, Otedola donated N375 million ($2.9 million) to complete the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja. The National Christian Center is a non-denominational Christian church building located in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The project was started around 1989, then lay dormant for several years until 2005, when Otedola and other wealthy, well-meaning Nigerians donated to ensure its speedy completion.

5. $2.7-million donation to combat Coronavirus (2020) – In March 2020, Otedola donated N1 billion (approximately $2 million at the time) towards eradicating COVID-19 across Nigeria at the height of the pandemic. He contributed to the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19, an umbrella body under which industrialists and corporate organizations donated funds to support efforts in combating the contagious virus.

6. $1.5-million donation to Michael Otedola University Scholarship scheme (2005) – In 2005, Otedola donated N200 million ($1.5 million at the time) to the Michael Otedola University Scholarship scheme. The scheme granted bursaries of the equivalent of around $1,000 at the time to hundreds of indigenous students from Epe, Lagos, in Nigeria’s southwest region, where the billionaire hails from. 

7. $1.5-million gift to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library – In 2005, recognizing the importance of maintaining national heritage, Otedola contributed N200 million ($1.5 million then) to the construction of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, a repository of pivotal documents from the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Even as those who flew thousands of kilometres across the Atlantic, drove several kilometres and walked a million steps in search of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s status at the Chicago State University are back – empty handed – and the chief mourners and their bitter sympathisers have refused to go home, it is fit and proper to intervene in what many discerning minds have described as our longest-running comedy. Yes.  

Around the blackmail has grown a huge industry of tricksters, pranksters, fraudsters, mobsters and marabouts. 

They are joined by all manner of charlatans masquerading as public affairs analysts, public commentators and public rights activists. 

Feeding the mill of deceit is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who has been huffing and puffing, threatening to bring down the roof on everyone. He has been inviting – inciting actually – his fellow politicians to join him on his vacuous voyage.

Is the President’s certificate fake? Can there be a fake without an original? Whoever claims to have seen a fake must know where the original is; not so? If Chicago State University is defending the certificate it issued one of its dearest former students, should anybody claim to know the paper more than the issuer?

Why the flood of tears? To arm-twist the Supreme Court? To keep the opposition and its supporters in high spirits? To bring the Judiciary into disrepute and cause anarchy? Unbridled emotionalism? I really don’t know. 

In search of the truth, I have consulted a renowned psychologist whose theory is even more befuddling than those that have been advanced for this strange behaviour. The Professor, who pleads not to be named for what he describes as security concerns, says: “It is deep desperation, fuelled by a strange animosity, extreme bitterness. Consider a man who yells at a Lagos bus stop, “help! help! help o! They have taken my manhood o! My manhood is missing o! There is nothing you tell such a man, he will keep yelling. Even when he touches the thing, he will not agree it is there. Right?”

I don’t like parties. I don’t attend many and I find it very stressful organising one. 

However, over the years, I have thought long and hard and concluded that there is one party that must hold every year. 

Wedding anniversaries. Yes, couples must celebrate themselves and God’s favour each year their marriage remains intact.

The most fun part of a marriage is the beginning, the wedding ceremony. Right from when you step out of the venue, the challenges start. And there are a dozen of them. Some years are easier than others and there are times you are battling one demon or the other for a full decade. From fertility to prosperity issues; in-law hostilities to difficult children matters, there is usually no year without its marital challenges. For those who have been married for a while, there are times you think the waters would overwhelm you and then just on the brink of giving up, your marriage comes up for air and stays afloat. After a while, the challenges become less challenging. Each bad patch leaves you stronger. That is why the Yoruba say that when a woman has been married for a long time, she becomes a ‘witch’. It is not that she joins a coven of red-wrapper-wearing blood-sucking demons; she simply becomes stronger by the year. When you throw stones at a wife for years, her palms get used to handling hard stuff and soon she can sing, cook and tie her ‘gele’ while juggling and dodging fiery darts.

The things couples go through. The pains they cover with a smile, a smart bow tie, perfect make-up. Marriage is serious business, major business. Forget all those books about how to make a marriage work; the manual that works for Jamila won’t work for Ebele. And every wife, every husband can write a new one. Check out the rate at which marriages are failing, the way couples separate, fight dirty right after staging 18-carat wedding parties and you’ll see why 365 days is a long time to still be wearing your wedding bands.

Girl, if you know how many older women want your husband and the number of desperate young girls who have taken his photographs to spiritual homes, you will not take your ‘Mrs’ title for granted.

Guys, if you know the number of richer and more powerful men who have moved for your impeachment as the husbands of your wives, you will hold the gavel better and celebrate the fact that you are not former husbands of your fine wives. The conspiracies are on-going concerns, trust me. Why do you think the divorce market is in bloom and marriages are in the doom zone?

So? My stand is let us celebrate wedding anniversaries every year. No, I don’t mean shut down the street every year but give each other a treat, spend a fun week or weekend away from all prying eyes and phone calls. Have fun, praise God for another year of His goodness.

Our-wife-is-a-witch

Jamal was ordinarily a very healthy man. He rarely fell ill save for the occasional malaria and ‘appolo’ (conjunctivitis). But he woke up one morning feeling very weak. And then he slumped as he was getting into the car. He barely made it to the hospital. The hospital ran tests and more tests, from full blood count to MRI and CT scan. They found nothing.  Joke, his wife of five years wept until she ran out of tears. Joke and Jamal had a good marriage but no children after five years of conscientious hard word behind closed doors. So, of course, all kinds of thoughts ran through her head. Was this the end? Who would love her like her Jamal? She called him MJ (My Jamal). Who would give her the little Jamals she had always longed for since their NYSC days? They moved from hospital to hospital but all the tests and the doctors could not find anything beyond malaria parasites. Joke watched as her six-footer husband shrank and faded before her eyes.

But that was just the beginning of Joke’s pain. The real troubles started when Jamal’s family decided that Joke was the witch who wanted Jamal for dinner.

What do you expect from a barren wife? What has she got to lose?

Exactly! She is a witch and since there is no child to donate at their evil meetings, Jamal is now her only option.

Well, that means she has no option. The only one who will die is this evil wife.

She doesn’t know who we are. We will show her where we are from.

And so on and so forth.

If Jamal died, Joke would die. Jamal got worse. Jamal’s family got more vicious. Joke’s family rallied round her, flew Jamal abroad for further treatment. Eight weeks later, Jamal returned to Nigeria. On his feet. While in the hospital in America, the couple discovered that Joke was pregnant. She’d missed her period just before Jamal fell ill and thought she was just late. And then the weeks of shuttling between hospitals and diagnostic centres and raising money for hospital bills blotted out all thoughts of her menstrual cycle from her head until she passed out in her husband’s ward in the US. The results showed she was 12 weeks gone. The concerned siblings of Jamal noticed Joke’s thickening waist and heavier breasts….

In one year, Joke was threatened with widowhood, accused of witchcraft, frightened beyond words, moved from being a ‘barren wife’ to being the mother of JJ (Jamal Jnr).

Isn’t that a year to celebrate, really celebrate? Why should a wedding anniversary like that go without some partying?

The ‘sonless’ wife

All Mena wanted were two children. She had hoped that she would get a boy and a girl and get on with her cosmetology business which she was hoping to put on hold for the children’s early years. Mena had two beautiful girls in quick succession. She was happy and sad. She decided to ‘accidentally’ let a third one happen. She prayed, fasted, went to prayer mountains, had vigils for the third to be a boy. But it was another pretty little girl. Her husband had never minced words about having a son.

To cut a long story short, Jude impregnated two other women in a desperate search for a male child but his production line seemed only capable of churning out only female babies. Each outside match Jude played threatened the marriage in many ways. Mena was totally stressed and had resigned herself to fate, waiting for the day she would be promoted to first wife when Jude knocked her up again. It was the longest nine months of the couple’s lives. Mena refused to have a scan. The day she was delivered of her twin boys, she cried and cried. The doctor had to sedate her.

Stolen husband

Banke had a closer shave with divorce. Her husband was actually ‘stolen’ for three years by a richer big babe who wanted to marry by-fire-by force. For those three long years, Banke didn’t know if she was Miss, Ms or Mrs. One day, Tunji strolled back home from his sabbatical, with only the shirt on his back. Big babe was done with him. That was 10 years ago. Today, Banke and Tunji value their marriage more than ever.

These three instances illustrate some of the rough patches that put marriages asunder. And if yours is still standing, celebrate it, celebrate yourselves.

This is dedicated to all marriages and couples that are still standing, against all odds.

Note: First published in 2016.

The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has expressed readiness to organise a hitch free hajj pilgrimage to MECCA and Medinnah for the year, as the Muslim Umar were preparing to perform the 2024 Hajj rites.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alh. Salau Babatunde, who dropped this hint in Abeokuta, disclosed that 1, 191 hajj seats have been allocated to the state by NAHCON for 2024 Hajj and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.

Babatunde, in a statement signed by Mrs. Lateefat Ayoola, the press officer, OGSMPWB, said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced four million five hundred thousand naira (4,500,000.00) as the initial hajj deposit pending the announcement of the final fare.

He further stated that the initial hajj deposit will be paid through bank draft, or by paying directly through bank tellers obtainable at the Board into designated bank accounts, while those that had made some deposits during 2023 hajj are advised to top it up to meet current initial hajj deposit.

While assuring that all hands are on the desk to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise, Alhaji Babatunde noted that the State government is ready as usual to make the spiritual journey a memorable and fulfilling exercise.

He, however, urged intending pilgrims to fast-track payment of the initial hajj deposit as the old way of processing visas has changed, informing that visa issuance will be concluded at least 50 days before Arafat by Saudi Arabia.

Alh. Babatunde advised the intending pilgrims to visit the Board's Office located at New Secretariat Complex, Block 'B', Governor's Office, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta for further enquiries.

So many people are today going through horrible things and difficult times. They seem to have come to the end of their life journey, end of their career or their vision. It is like man and God have since abandoned them. Some have been dealt terribly by Satan, enemies, friends, relations and life misfortunes. Even those that they trusted, loved and helped have betrayed, injured and abandoned them. Some are struggling to bounce back while many others have completely given up, resigned to fate – waiting to be ‘deleted’ and forgotten. In fact they have been left to rot away – with no hope and no future – licking their wounds and tears in secret. Where are you now? Yes, I am asking you. What is your current situation? Were you betrayed? Were you attacked, fatally bruised and wounded? Were you robbed?  Or maybe you are presently abandoned to die? Tell me. Listen now, your story is not worse than the man Jesus described here “…A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Luke 10:30-35

My God! Listen, your help is coming! He is sending somebody to lift you out of that situation. And surprisingly it will come from where you least expected. I just prayed for a man who thinks everything had come to an end. No money, no peace in the home, no favor, no love and no trust from relations and no hope. And the worst is that he was totally betrayal by those he trusted physically and spiritually.  You know it is easier to endure when you lose physical things. But when those that should help you emotionally and spiritual also disappoint, it makes the matter worse and will take God’s grace for you to survive and still move on. This is why the punishment, the curses for betrayers, spiritual, priestly fraudsters and fakes will always be greatly multiplied. Don’t defraud the innocent, the gullible and the wounded who are seeking for healing in the name of God or religion. Don’t manipulate people to extort and steal from them in the name of God and spiritual help. If you do, your end and reward will sure be painful and disastrous. But that is not what we are talking about today. Our friend, the Jewish man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The men of the underworld, the robbers, and the bandits attacked him, beat him up, stole all his money and goods and left him there on the highway to die. Yes, people can be that wicked. Very wicked! But they were simply imitating their father the Devil whom the bible said that he goes about killing, stealing and destroying. That has been his ministry everywhere, throughout ages.

A priest that should have compassion and offer help came, saw this man, crossed over to the other lane and walked away. And a Levite came around and did the same. Those that are supposed to help him ran away. But help came from an unexpected quarters – a despised Samaritan, one that should not have anything or much to do with a Jew! Those that you expected and waited to help you have disappeared and others are presently watching how you are going to come out of this mess. But I have good news for you today. God is sending a help to rescue you out of that situation! You will not die in it. You will not be consumed by it! They conspired to betray you. They ganged up to attack and steal from you for no just cause. They conspired and took your position. They dealt treacherously with you and stepped aside to watch you weep and lick your wounds. They thought nobody saw them, but God did. He has come to heal you and also punish the wicked. He has come to heal you emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially. Yes, you were wounded, abused and abandoned but you are healing now! It will be a total package. The Good Samaritan, stopped, knelt near the wounded man, cleaned and treated his wounds and bandaged them. He lifted him onto his own donkey. He also took him to a place of safety and total care and paid the cost. My God! This is exactly what God is coming to do for you now. It is going to be a total healing package. Get up and wipe off those tears because something glorious is about to happen to you! Till next week. God bless! Please, share this message.

October 7, 2023, the University of Abuja. The Chancellor, The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu,CR, stood up and announced to the huge crowd:

By the authority vested on me as Chancellor, I confer upon you the Degree of Doctor of Letters of the University of Abuja.

A fanfare of trumpets followed. The Vice-Chancellor, the renowned scholar of African Literature, Professor Abdul-Raheed Na’Allah, joined the Chancellor onstage. As the only recipient of an honorary degree on the occasion, I was invited to speak. I saw the faces of the graduating students and their parents ready to listen, but I chose not to bore them by limiting myself to three minutes. I promised that part of the response will be released to the media.

Sometimes, when events like this occur, one would take a moment to reflect on the many experiences and journeys that birthed this feat. So, one would understand why I might be filled with joy drawn from these reflections triggered by the honour of receiving the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters at the University that stands out in Nigeria. I intend to proclaim this glory to the mountains by drawing a parallel connection to the beautiful works of nature that stand tall as major landmarks and unique features of Abuja, the Zuma Rock, and other remarkable rocks. As a humble African, I still believe that no feat is small and no effort is wasted. While these stand out, they refer to the several mountains crossed in my pursuit of what I am today, and to take a step back, one must appreciate the humble beginnings, challenges, and mountains that have become the anvil and the hammers creating this fine blade. So, the rocks, hills, and mountains remind me of the 18 hours of work every day and relentless spirit from a young age.

The irony about mountains is that, while they are difficult to climb or surmount, they stand as a lifted and oval ground from which one can view the world from more advantageous places. They give the justifications and evidence that one has conquered and the assertion of determination and the spirit of persistence that fueled climbing the rocky roads to the top. I have picked my battles carefully and have fought them step-by- step with intentional attention to needed details. I would say unequivocally that my multidimensional background of perspectives has allowed me to fall in love with history and, most importantly, African history. I then crossed the huddles and took my share of tribulations and pain.

My early academic pursuits were quite challenging, but the love for greatness and the zeal to contribute to reshaping the African story and identity pushed me onto this path. As difficult as it seems, my days at Obafemi Awolowo University, where I got my first and doctorate degrees, were refining, and they pushed me through the love for history and doing something different in Africa.

Being conferred with the highest academic honour at the University of Abuja, especially because of its distinct position in Nigeria's national and educational history, has made me look back at the mountains I climbed before today. Undoubtedly, my early years have been rightly captured in A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt, twinned by its succeeding memoir, Counting The Tiger's Teeth. For a long time, these moments acted as catalysts to push further with vigour, having understood what it took to combat the demons of circumstantial neediness. This, I likened to an ascent unto the majestic Zuma as it stands formidably.

My ascent as an academic fellow has seen personal contributions to studying African History and Literature. It started with little effort in ways beyond imagination. The various efforts over the past decades, today, have summed up into a colourful tapestry of different threads. These combined efforts resulted in the authorship, co-authorship, and editing of over 200 books, journals, and academic work on African History, Pan-Africanism, Anglo-African cultures, Latin America, and Africa's interaction with the outside world to mention but a few.

As I once inferred many years back in an editorial, "My interest for the past decades has been to analyze Africa since the nineteenth century with a focus on history and how it affects the present and how the twin problems of political instability and underdevelopment can be solved."

In that interview, I commented on how tedious a task it would be. It was hard work because it required research in its purest form for an academic audience through synthesis and publications in textbooks for learning institutions and, by extension, a sort of advisory guide on policies for governments in the continent. On this note, with profound joy and gratitude, I can confidently say that my undying passion and determination for the greater good have pushed me to the valleys of words and the plateaus of creative thought to the peak of knowledge.

Asan African, my inspiration to help recreate the African identity in History and scholarship is a result of the unending challenges posed by crises and the continuous misinformation and misinterpretation of our heritage as a continent. For a very long time, I have always questioned and probed into neglected aspects of our history and aspects of our existence. For instance, would the world be any different and better if Africans had colonized the West? Would our natural ways of life, healing systems, science, and technology be worshipped if we had gotten to their continents before they came to ours? To what extent are we ready to decolonize Africa, its culture, systems, and history? These became the basis for my works, which turned out endless as I got a redefined purpose that could only be satiated by studying and writing, then more writing and studies. After all, Africa is unique with its diversified, beautiful heritage. African history entails stories of countless long-forgotten heritages, human exploits, aspirations, and dreams that have long been misinterpreted through the lens of non-Africans.

Research remains a huge, beautiful part of my life as a learned scholar. Yet, the heights of it all have always been credited to the personal relationships and bonds I enjoyed through association with mentors, supportive friends, collaboration with colleagues, and bright young minds whose enthusiasm for scholarship and knowledge birthed greatness into my work.

Being honoured today by the University of Abuja is a great testimony to the University's commitment to fostering a strong bond amongst academia to lay the foundation for coming generations who would pick up from where we would stop one day. I must proclaim at this juncture that the University will always remain an integral part of my academic identity. I would like to extend utmost gratitude to the University administration, the esteemed faculty of learning, the entirety of the student populace, and the academic community by extension.  You have shown your dedication to our shared vision of furthering the cause of educational advancement through the lens of history and literature. I dare say that this recognition today has strengthened my resolve to continue on this path till we get to the peak.

            I must not forget that this august occasion is not for me but for the fortunate and successful individuals who have made it to this 27th convocation ceremony after completing their degree requirements and being conferred with one honour or the others. I have said much about my paths through the mountains. Many of you have been faced with yours, and many more are starting now. Everyone must understand that the mountains are necessary evils, and despite the situations of things in the country that may throw more hindrances, the wind would only hear the voices of the victorious.

            While we fight our battles, we must understand that we are all individual soldiers to protect African and Nigerian heritage and be carriers of good conscience. I must state that we are not happy that the nation bleeds, that people experiencing poverty get poorer, that our roads are regrettably bad, that our politicians are internationally recognized fountains of corruption, that our cultures are fading, that our values are losing their potency, and that as a people, we struggle. But real change will not execute itself without the deliberate effort of a collective set of people. The University of Abuja has added to the pool of resources capable of changing the country, and I charge accordingly that while we bask in the euphoria of celebration, we take up the challenge to do better.

I also urge the Nigerian government and decision-makers to make academic success and thrive worth it. It is getting hard to encourage young Nigerians to pick up a degree because the most popular jobs and opportunities available have not shown that the degrees acquired to earn a living in Nigeria are worth it. It could have been more encouraging when alluding to them as necessary for technical know-how. This is because society has found a way to reward the lazy and those not making as much effort as others. One thing is to work hard; another is for the system to allow a soft landing to justify the efforts.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says there is a need for its personnel to bear firearms in discharging their duties, considering the level of security challenges across the country.
The Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, made this known on Saturday while inaugurating 1,762 personnel of the corps who just concluded their four-month basic course at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, Niger.

Mr Biu, who was represented by Shehu Zaki, a deputy corps marshal, said that the measure would ensure adequate protection for the personnel who were often attacked in the course of duty by some road users or suspected criminals who take advantage of the security challenges in the country.

“It is left to the political leaders to arm the FRSC, but what we do know is that the issue of the FRSC bearing arms has been on our status since 1992.

“What we are still waiting for is for us to be given the go-ahead to start using arms.

“Right now, looking at the level of insecurity in the country, it is not out of place for the FRSC to start using arms to enable us protect ourselves when the need arises,” Mr Biu said.

He, however, urged the cadet officers, cadet marshal assistants and road marshal assistants to be dedicated to their duties towards bringing glory to the corps and the nation.

The corps marshal urged the personnel to be patriotic and exhibit the highest level of discipline, honour, integrity, accountability, transparency, courtesy, confidentiality, decency, loyalty and team spirit in discharging their duties to ensure success.

Mr Biu said, “As we tackle the challenges of nation-building and sustainable development in a complex operational environment, where you will soon face reality.

“It has therefore become imperative that I sound a very strong caution which is aimed at protecting and preserving your lives in the cause of discharging your duties objectively.

“You must constantly abide by the regulations which guide the work ethics as you carry out your constitutional roles.

“Without this, you will be doing a lot of damage to yourself, the corps and the nation as a whole.”

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, for approving the use of the training facility and also commended the army trainers for their contribution in ensuring a successful exercise.

Earlier, Yakubu Muhammad, the camp commander, said that among the commissioned personnel were 204 cadet officers, 402 cadet marshal inspectors and 1,156 road marshal assistants.

Mr Muhammad said that during the four-month training, the cadets and other trainees were trained in road safety management, physical drills and regimental ethics.

He also said that the corps recently introduced martial arts into the training to enable its personnel to defend themselves in the course of duty when the need arose.

“This is because we have not been authorised to carry firearms, so we should be able to defend ourselves when the need arises,” Mr Muhammad said.

Also, Cadet Chime Martin, the general parade commander, who spoke on behalf of the commissioned cadets and others, promised to utilise the knowledge acquired to create a safe motoring environment in the country.

(NAN)

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has called for the de-escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic terrorist organization, Hamas.

Naija News reports that in the early hours of Saturday, the Palestinian militant group, Hamas launched an unprecedented and offensive attack by infiltrating Israel through land, sea, and air and firing missiles from Gaza Strip.

The attack has resulted in the confirmed deaths of hundreds of people in Israel, with over a hundred others currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals and dozens of abductions.

In response, Israeli forces have carried out retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people.

In a statement on Saturday night, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, expressed the federal government’s concern about the outbreak of hostilities, calling for a ceasefire.

He noted that the cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritise the safety of civilians and give room for Humanitarian consideration.

“We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” the statement read.

[NaijaNews]

Tongues are wagging over the high number of aides appointed by some state governors, Daily Trust on Sunday reports.

Against the backdrop of dwindling resources and high cost of governance, not a few critics have described the appointments as outrageous, even as others have called for a review

Adamawa

In Adamawa State, the appointment of 46 media aides by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is generating criticism from stakeholders, with many describing it as extravagant.

Humwashi Wonosikou, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, had issued a release announcing the list of 46 media aides.

They comprised two special advisers, 10 senior special assistants and 34 social media assistants.

“Governor Fintiri has approved the appointment of two special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants to serve as media aides. The two special advisers are Dr John Ngamsa (communication and strategy) and Babayola Toungo (media and publicity).

“The appointments, which take effect immediately, include George Kushi, Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity; Ijafiya Domiya, SSA Digital and Visual Communication; Sherif Alhassan, SSA Electronic Media; Muhammed Tukur, SSA, New Media; Nurudeen Kama, SSA New Media; Pius Iliya, SSA New Media; Auwal Hamza, SSA New Media; Thomas Terry, SSA Visuals photography), Sunday Wugirah, a lawyer, SSA Public Affairs, and Victor Dogo,  SSA Social Mobilisation, while 34 others are to serve as special assistants, social media and content creation”, the statement reads.

Two months later, precisely on October 6, the governor’s spokesman rolled out another list of 103 aides, including 37 principal special assistants, 45 senior special assistants and 21 special assistants.

149 aides to gulp N28m

Sources revealed that the monthly salaries for principal special assistants is above N300,000, while senior special assistants and special assistants receive N240,000 and N180,000 respectively.

It implies that over N28 million will be spent to maintain the political aides appointed by the governor.

But it is not the first time a governor would appoint a huge number of aides. For example, Nyako ran a monthly financial assistance programme with thousands of beneficiaries known as special assistants who were  placed on monthly stipends. However, what drew attention to Fintiri’s recent appointees is the fact that they were expected to carry out roles as aides to the governor.

Sallau Amada, a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yola, expressed reservation about the appointments, saying it was done to compensate loyalists and members of the ruling party in the state.

He questioned the governor’s recruitment of dozens of social media campaigners who are concerned with the posting of materials to please their paymasters rather than engage in meaningful conversation to help the state.

“Some are qualified, but many are not. Paid activists on the social media do not care about the condition of the people; they are like praise singers, so just give them what they need and don’t give them a responsibility,” he added.

However, the governor’s press secretary disagreed that the number was extravagant and that the social media assistants may have been recruited to work as foot soldiers to attack political opponents.

According to him, each of the media appointees had been assigned a designation defining their roles, adding that the appointments would also serve as a poverty alleviation measure in the state.

He said, “For the social media assistants, there is no cause for alarm. Their role is to push what is given to them that will promote government policies and programmes. Their engagement by the governor was borne out of the desire for poverty alleviation.”

One of the media aides who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday on condition of anonymity said he believed he would not be redundant because his role was clearly defined.  He noted that the employment of 34 social media assistants would help sanitise posts on various online platforms.

Niger

In Niger State, the appointment of aides by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has been greeted with mixed reactions among citizens, including some officials of the APC in the state.

The governor recently assigned portfolios to newly appointed 41 female coordinators of political mobilisation, media relations, community relations, maternal and child health, Government House counsel, women support group, and women empowerment.

In addition, 90 female senior special assistants were assigned similar portfolios for political mobilisation, among others.

Some residents who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday said the money to be spent on the over-bloated political appointments should be used to fix critical sectors, especially health and education.

Fatima Muhammad, a mother of 3, said the health sector in the state was faced with dearth of doctors and nurses, and wondered how 131  women appointed as aides would translate into development.

“I took my son to Minna General Hospital but I was disappointed. Only one doctor was attending to the many children that were brought on various health challenges. The doctor rejected our folders, saying he was tired because he was the only one on call. Imagine that,” she lamented.

A key member of the ruling APC who preferred anonymity said many of those who made the list of the 131 women appointed as aides were not qualified. He added that as a result of the appointments, cost of governance would be very high.

“Many of the appointments are merely patronage as most of them don’t have the capacity to contribute anything meaningful to the government,” he said.

Over N23.7m to be spent on 131 aides

Although the newly appointed senior special assistants and coordinators are said not to have done documentations to start collecting salaries, reliable sources told Daily Trust on Sunday that the salary of a senior special assistant is not below N150,000 after the deduction of taxes, while that of a coordinator is not below N250,000.

Special advisers, a position reportedly equivalent to that of commissioners, receive not below N350,000 as salary, while the salary of a special assistants is said not to be below N120,000.

Daily Trust on Sunday found that the Niger State Government would spend nothing less than N 10,250,000 to pay the salaries of the 41 female coordinators and N13,500,000 monthly to pay salaries of the 90 senior special assistants so far appointed.

Cumulatively, at least N23.7m will be spent to maintain the 131 female aides, aside the salaries of other appointees.

Sources said nothing less than N10,500,000 would be spent every month to pay the salaries of 30 special advisers.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the appointment of the 131 female coordinators and senior special assistants were in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to carry women along in his administration.

Kano

In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has so far appointed 406 aides that are working for him.

This is besides commissioners, directors of ministries, departments and agencies and other appointees.

Among the appointees are personal assistants, special advisers, senior special assistants, senior special reporters and special reporters.

While personal assistants, special advisers and senior special assistants are familiar and common to every government, senior special reporters and special reporters are new and initiated by his administration.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the appointments were towards fulfilling the governor’s promise of a transparent government that would carry people along.

He said the appointments were also in line with the vision and mission of creating jobs, engaging youths in governance and transforming access to information.

He added that while the personal assistants and senior special advisers would serve their usual functions, the reporters would help in reporting activities and happenings among various agencies, parastatals, ministries and governmental bodies to the state government and the general public.

However, a civil society activist and renowned public commentator, Ibrahim Garba Maryam, said the appointments were not economically wise and would create unnecessary spending of public funds.

Maryam, who is the executive director of a civil society organisation, Gneder and Social Inclusive said, “The appointment of aides by state governors is a waste of resources. They are not doing anything but just receiving salaries.

“At a time when the economy needs to be improved they are busy spending unnecessarily,” he said.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Baba Halilu Dantiye, said that considering the state’s population, the aides were not even enough.

He said the state government was doing that to ensure that the administration is transparent and always close to the people.

“If you look at our population, we need more that 406 appointees. We have 44 local governments and 447 wards; as such, we need assistants that will be reporting happenings in the nooks and crannies of the state for proper action,” he said.

251 aides to gulp N36.6m monthly

Findings by Daily Trust on Sunday revealed that the new aides are not aware of the amount they will be paid as their appointment letter did not contain their salary structure.

However, it was gathered that the immediate past administration paid N70,000 to senior special assistants as salary with an overhead of N50,000, making a total of N120,000 in a month.

Special advisers were said to have been paid N200,000 by the past administration.

If the present government will maintain the same payment, it will cost them N20,280, 000 in a month to settle the 169 senior special advisers the governor appointed.

It will also cost the government the sum of N16, 400,000 to settle the salaries of the 82 special assistants appointed by the governor.

The salaries of the 138 reporters deployed to ministries and agencies are not yet ascertained as they are new to the system. But there are reports that they will be paid stipends by the various agencies they are reporting from.

Akwa Ibom

In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Bassey Eno recently inaugurated 368 personal assistants drawn from each ward across the state to help the grassroots implementation of what he tagged his ARISE agenda.

Following grumblings that arose from some aggrieved members of the PDP who felt sidelined in the appointments, he promised 4,000 additional appointments, saying they would be used for the Neighborhood City Watch Programme.

This is in addition to 30 existing aides to the governor under different portfolios and the 23 commissioners and one special adviser sworn into office in July.

Dr Godwin Ntukudeh was appointed as his political adviser, as well as three honourary special advisers—Dr Henry Archibong, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, Bishop Sam Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North East, Akwa Ibom North West and Akwa Ibom South senatorial districts respectively.

Rationalising the appointments, Governor Eno said, “We had promised to return power to the people in line with our party’s mantra. Power to the people really means power to the people at the grassroots. That’s what we are trying to do.

“We insisted that everyone that had been picked would live within their wards. And I hope this is the true situation. But let me warn that if there is any time we find out that you are not living in your ward, we will not hesitate to remove you.  We want people that will give us reports on the ground in their various wards.

“So, if you take this appointment and we later find out that you are in Uyo, or you are not living within your ward, please note that the same way we appointed you today, we will disappoint you because the hands that appointed can also disappoint.”

Before now, the governor had justified his reappointment of all the commissioners who worked with him in the administration of immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, saying he was fulfilling his promise to include them in his administration if they supported him to emerge as governor.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that it will cost the Akwa Ibom State Government not less than N73.6 million to maintain 368 aides as each of them will not earn less than N200,000 monthly.

Ironically, the governor had, in his recent maiden media parley complained that a huge chunk of the state’s monthly allocation, which is the second highest among the 9 Niger Delta states, was expanded on recurrent expenditure, including salaries and payment of project debts, with little remaining for the execution of new projects.

Civil society organisations have condemned the development, saying employing almost 5,000 youths in the agricultural sector to generate income for the state would have been more productive than hiring them as political aides who would contribute nothing financially to the state but rather take from it.

The chairman of civil society organisations in the state, Mr Harry Udoh, who said Governor Eno was ill advised on the large political appointments, added that employing them into the civil service or engaging them in agriculture would have been most beneficial.

“This is not something we are quite comfortable with. He has appointed 368 with the argument that he wants them to work in the communities and give him feedback. If he stops at that, probably we would say it is okay because one of his ARISE agenda points is rural development because rural communities have been neglected by previous governments despite the annual budget for the rural development ministry, but nothing much is happening around rural roads and electricity and medical care.

“But we are quite taken aback to hear that 4,000 more would be employed by the state government. Why we think they should be employed, we don’t think having them as personal assistants to the governor, which often than not keeps them idle, making them political jobbers and tools in the hands of nefarious political holders to drive their agenda, is proper. It doesn’t bring development for the state.

“It is quite worrisome to hear political appointments that do not add value to the lives of people employed. They would constitute themselves into a mass of people that would subdue the will and intent of the masses during elections.

“Apart from being burdensome to the resources of the state, we have to look at the future. You cannot keep that number of people redundant, all in the name of personal assistants to the governor of the state. They need to be productive,” he said.

Efforts to get the Commissioner for Information, Mr Ini Ememobong and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,  Mr Ekerete Udoh to speak was unsuccessful as they did not pick their calls at the time of filing this report.

Plateau

In Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has appointed over 200 persons, including, the secretary to the state government, commissioners, heads of agencies, parastatals, special advisers.

Peter Gad, who is the executive director of CLEEN Foundation, a civil society organization, while commenting on the appointment by state governors, described them as waste of resources. He added that the resources often spent on political appointees would have been better channeled to other critical sectors, such health, security, education etc.

He said, “We often appeal that, either at the federal, state or local level, there should be slim governments.

“Running a slim government is that appointment should be on essential and need basis. But when you wake up and appoint 150 special advisers or special assistants, for example, the question is: What are they going to be assisting with or what value are they adding?

“The appointment of these individuals is not benefitting anybody but the individuals themselves. If you appoint aids, you need to buy them cars and get them housing allowances. And the appointees would appoint other people as their aides.”

Musa Adams, the state commissioner for information could not respond to calls or messages to respond to the matter.

Ebonyi

In Ebonyi State, the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration has appointed 35 commissioners and 40 special assistants since he assumed office in May.

Boniface Nwankwo, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation, said the large executive was not a political patronage as thought in some quarters of the state but mark of a people-oriented government.

“On Wednesday, Governor Nwifuru appointed more 5 special assistants, bringing the total number to 40 and 35 for commissioners.

“I don’t see anything wrong with that because our governor has demonstrated that his administration is people-oriented,” he explained.

[DailyTrust]