Schools, major transport companies, traders and banks did not open for operations in Enugu and its environs on Monday despite last week’s cancellation of the order by the state government.

Sit-at-home has been observed in South-East states since 2021 following the rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, from Kenya to Nigeria. He is being detained at the custody of the Department of State Services in Abuja, and charged with running a proscribed group, jumping bail and treason. Despite court orders and UN Opinion group’s advice for Kanu’s release, former president Muhammed Buhari failed to release him.

Sit-at-home was declared by IPOB to press the release of Kanu. Despite its cancellation by the mainstream of IPOB, a splinter group of IPOB led by Finland-based immigration lawyer, Simon Ekpa, insisted that it be observed on Mondays. Mondays have also witnessed crimes in the region, forcing residents to remain indoors on Mondays.

Enugu governor Peter Mba last week hosted traditional rulers, religious leaders, traders, civil servants, security agencies, among others, where he urged them to begin business on Mondays. According to him, observing sit-at-home on Mondays was antithetical to his administration’s drive to grow the state’s gross domestic products.

A school proprietor at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, said, “We closed today because safety is priority. Once there is progress towards providing adequate security, we shall delightfully resume academic activities on Mondays.”

At the state secretariat, it was the same story as not many workers showed up for business. Ikechukwu Eze, who was seen around the premises, said, “It will take time for workers to work on Mondays. The cost of transportation is another factor. There is no money.”

A trader at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, told our correspondent that, “No business today as far as I’m concerned. I use today to play football. Let our governors seek the release of Kanu. Any other thing is treating the symptoms.”

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 governorship election in Rivers state, Tonye Cole, said the people responsible for oil theft in the Niger Delta are not hidden.

Cole stated this while speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

According to him, oil thieves must be brought in to be part of the discussion on how to end oil bunkering.

He said, “You have to bring them in. They must be part of the discussion. They are not hidden. Some of them may have grown through the creeks, some of them you see their lifestyles change,” he said.

“You see someone whose lifestyle has changed, you see the houses have changed, you see the cars have changed, you see the money that is spent, so you know.

“This is a society where when we were growing up if you start showing money and no one knows where it’s coming from, everyone will ostracise you from the society.

“Today it has changed; nobody cares where your money comes from again. So it is not hidden, people know almost immediately within the community that this is what is going on,” Cole said.

Cole’s comment comes amid an allegation by a former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo that the military is responsible for most oil theft in the country.

He said that Dokubo’s allegation of oil theft against the military is a big issue that must be addressed.

Cole noted that the military might have been angered by Dokubo’s claim but said the military would not deny that there are some bad eggs that aid and abet illegal bunkering.

The APC chieftain noted that if the country does not address the issue of illegal bunkering, a state of emergency in the oil and gas sector might be the only solution.

Nigerians Will Experience Best of Times Under Tinubu — Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed confidence that under the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government, Nigerians will experience the best of times.

He assured of a very serious accord between the Executive and the Legislature, as he indicated the readiness of the National Assembly to work with the presidency.

The former Akwa Ibom State governor and ex-Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry encouraged the international business community of the readiness of the 10th National Assembly to partner the executive in order to provide an enabling business environment and to make life worth living for the people.

The Senate President said this in his goodwill message at the Reception Dinner in honor of the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja on Saturday.

“I believe strongly that Nigerians are in for the best of times under this administration. Members of the National Assembly will enjoy a lot of cooperation and support from the Executive because for the first time, we are going to have a very serious accord between the Executive and the Legislature. I see good things coming for Nigerians.”

“In less than 20 days in office, the Stock Market has gone up all over the world. The world is already applauding Nigeria. I believe strongly that Senator Akume has a hand in most of the policies that are coming out and you are just starting.

You can imagine the celebrations that would come again, in the first 100 days of this administration in office. You are indeed a square peg in a square hole,” he explained.

On the celebrant, Akpabio added, “We are celebrating two things tonight; Excellence and Humility. You are a man of excellence. You leave your mark in everything you do and I have no doubt you are going to leave your mark in the present administration of President Tinubu. Your humility disarms all,” he declared.

Akpabio said the 10th Senate would work seamlessly with Senator Akume as the SGF to develop policies that will change the economic situation in the nation.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, in his message said, “Senator Akume has a proven track record in coordinating government activities and stringing government, while the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, described Akume as “a welfarist who puts the needs of others first. His appointment, he noted, “is evidence of efficient representation of the North Central in President Tinubu’s administration.”

On his part, the SGF assured that “he will do his best and he will not disappoint President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.”

Also, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and his four other friends in the G5 to come up with another aggrieved group within opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make winning the 2027 presidential election a smooth ride for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom State governor, spoke on Sunday at a thanksgiving reception held at Wike’s private residence on Ada-George Road, in his hometown, Rumueprikom in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the oil-rich South-South state.

“I want to thank you for all your efforts to bring justice to Nigeria,” Akpabio told Wike who backed the return of power to Southern Nigeria and supported APC’s candidate, Bola Tinubu against his party’s choice, Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

“And I want to thank the G5 Governors,” the Senate President said whilst addressing the G5 or the Integrity Group made up of five major aggrieved politicians within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who kicked against the emergence of Abubakar in the last February 25 poll.

“We are very delighted, we are proud to have G5. Please, ensure that in 2027, another G5 emerges so that APC will continue to do well in this country. And if you like, you can add two more, make it G7 and not only G5,” Akpabio added.

Addressing Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who is also one of the G5 members, Akpabio said, “Your Excellency (Governor) Makinde, you know I predicted that you are going to be a governor when I met you with the late Alaafin, may his soul rest in peace. I just saw the way you were walking and I said, ‘This man walks like a governor.’ I wasn’t surprised when you became a governor.”

All members of the G5 including Wike, Makinde and former Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) were seated at the event.

Another member of the Integrity Group and former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose; as well as Acting PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum; former Governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and James Ibori (Delta) were in attendance.

President Bola Tinubu was represented by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Serving Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), joined the long list of Very Important Personalities at the event which was a Mecca of sorts with high-ranking APC stalwarts and members of the 10th National Assembly including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; member representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume; amongst others.

Many believed the G5 whittled the chances of Abubakar in the last presidential election as the G5 had insisted on Rotational Presidency after the eight-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state from Katsina State in North-West Nigeria whose two-term tenure as democratically elected President ended on May 29, 2023.

At the PDP primary last year before the 2023 general elections, the G5 couldn’t stop Abubakar, another northerner from Adamawa State from getting the party’s golden ticket. The group thereafter demanded that Iyorchia Ayu (another northerner from Benue State) stepped down for a southern replacement as PDP national chairman but both Atiku and Ayu called the bluff of the G5.

For the presidential election, Abubakar lost in all the G5 states and while Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi won in Enugu and Abia, Tinubu raked in Oyo, Benue and Rivers.

Tinubu, 70, came out tops in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and secured significant numbers in several other states to claim the highest number of votes — 8,794,726, almost two million votes more than his closest rival, Abubakar.

Abubakar, 76, who has now run for president six times, got 6,984,520 votes, while Obi, who, in less than a year, galvanised young voters in a manner some have described as unprecedented finished the race with 6,101,533.

On June 8, the G5 visited President Tinubu at Aso Villa in Abuja.

Political bigwigs and ranking senators have now shifted their attention to the election of principal officers with the election of the Senate President and deputy over.

The office of the majority leader is attracting more interest among the lawmakers.

Lawmakers reportedly eyeing the Majority Leader position include former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Osita Isunazo (Imo West), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi South), Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).

The Senate President and Deputy Senate President are the only positions senior to the Majority Leader in ranking in the Upper Legislative chambers.

Many political stakeholders believe the position should go South East after the zone was overlooked by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the zoning arrangement for the senate president and the deputy.

Though the party has not officially made its stance known on the election of a majority leader, Daily Sun reports that the South East caucus has held several meetings on strategies to ensure one of them is elected majority leader and are lobbying other relevant stakeholders within the party hierarchy.

A source who is part of the negotiations said that this past week, the South East caucus had held a few meetings and are united in their quest to ensure that the zone gets the majority leader position.

The source said: “We are reaching out to stakeholders to push for this. It is only fair that the position is micro-zoned to the South East to give them a sense of belonging. We are backing Kalu for the office. Umahi is not a ranking member, so it would be difficult to make a case for him. At the end of the day, it may be down to Kalu and Isunaso.

“Those making a case for Kalu are reminded that besides the fact that he is a ranking member, he was the Chief Whip in the ninth assembly and performed very well. In 2019, he dropped his ambition to contest for the deputy Senate President of the ninth Senate after the APC announced its support for Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central). He not only stepped down, citing party loyalty, he endorsed Omo-Agege, saying that he would always abide by the decision of the party. He was later to emerge the Chief Whip. This shows that he is a loyal party man.”

Details of how former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Azeez Yari allegedly spent billions of naira to contest for the seat of the Senate President for the 10th National Assembly have emerged.

Naija News reports that Yari contested for the seat of the Senate President against the consensus candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Godswill Akpabio, who eventually emerged as the Senate President.

The former Zamfara State governor had secured 46 votes, while Akpabio got 63 votes to emerge the winner for the seat.

However, Yari after all is said and done has alleged that he was betrayed by some of the lawmakers because he allegedly had 76 senators on his side.

He said “I can say there was a betrayal because as we were taking stock at 3:00 am on Tuesday before the election, we took stock of over 76 people.

“We took into cognizance that there could be a fall-out of about 15 and we had agreed that if that happens, we would comfortably still have about 61 people. What we got was the reverse and yes, I felt betrayed over that outcome.”

However, confirming this development, a former lawmaker told SaharaReporters at the weekend that Yari had lobbied the leadership of opposition political parties with a lot of money running into billions of naira.

The lawmaker whose name was withheld said was betrayed by the “leadership of some opposition parties.”

The former lawmaker revealed that “In saner climes, everything should not end with Yari’s loss in the red hallowed chamber on June 13, 2023. a postmortem of how Yari accumulated the humongous amount of money he used to cause division along regional and religious lines earning him the title of ‘rebel leader’ to borrow from Senator Shehu Sani’s succinct description of his posture is urgent and necessary. Even Akpabio should be investigated so it won’t be a one-way issue.

“Yari started the contest for Senate President immediately after the declaration of his victory as Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District in February 2023. He particularly instrumentalised the Lesser Hajj of the last Ramadan (mid-April 2023) to meet and induce Muslim Senators-elect with mouth-watering bunches of dollars in Saudi Arabia.”

Another source disclosed that “In Abuja, Yari booked floors of rooms at the Transcorp Hilton and Continental hotels for the Senators-elect through May and June 2023 escalating the cost of booking in the two hotels to a record high. It was widely speculated that Yari bribed new Senators with houses in the Karsana area of Abuja and was prepared to buy the votes of 60 Senators at 1 million dollars each.

“To conclude, now that the game is over, Yari’s action against consensus should be treated with a strategic outlook to avoid the threat it poses to national stability in the future. Investigating the source of Yari’s stupendous wealth that he deploys to disrupt decency in political engagement is apt and timely.

“A good starting point is retrieving his many open files since 2007 with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and thoroughly screening his asset declaration form vis-a-vis his legitimate ventures.”

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has hinted that his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that the governor gave a hint on Sunday at a thanksgiving reception for Wike at his private residence on Ada-George Road in his hometown, Rumueprikom, in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Political bigwigs at Wike’s reception include President Bola Tinubu, represented by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Other guests at the event were Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), high-ranking APC stalwarts, and members of the 10th National Assembly, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ex-Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; member representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume.

Acting PDP Chairman Umar Damagum; former Governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), and James Ibori (Delta), as well as all G5 members, attended the event.

Speaking at the thanksgiving, Fubara urged Wike not to stay away from him even if he crosses over to the other side of the political divide.

He said: “While we are seeing sign that it’s like you want to go over to the other side with everybody wishing that, please don’t be too far from me because I know that the sharks, the tigers are really around looking for what to hurt.

“So, being around would continue to guide and put my head straight for the purpose of this state.”

Naija News reports that speculations have emerged that the former Rivers State governor could dump the PDP for the ruling APC.

Recall that Wike and four other governors had refused to back his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 general elections, supporting the candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu.

Justice Rabiu Gwandu of the National Industrial Court, Lagos, has fixed July 7, 2023, for definite hearing on the $4.2 million suit instituted against a multinational oil company, ExxonMobil Corporation and its parent body, Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited, by its former staff, James Nwagbogwu Ebede, over alleged forceful retirement.

Joined as co-defendant in the suit is the Vice President and the overall executive officer of ExxonMobil Iraq Limited between 15th February, 2017 and December, 2017, Mr.Ronald W. Romere.

Last Friday, the hearing of the case was supposed to resume, but the lead counsel, for the defence, Paul Usoro, was absent but sent a letter to the court, that he may not be able to come to court that day as he was busy attending to election petition matters at the election petition tribunal, and that the cases at the tribunal were time-bound. He therefore asked for adjournment.

However, James Ebede’s counsel, Chucks Nguru, objected to any adjournment been given on the ground that, the case had lingered for long time since 2018, adding that his client has no access to his property as they have all been locked up.

He urged the court to allow his client to be cross examined or the defence should forfeit the right of cross examination
He also stated that the defendants were in contempt of the court, because they have not obeyed the order of court that directed them to deposit $4.2million money in an interest yielding account.

Consequently, Nguru, told the court that Usoro has a big law firm with retinue of lawyers who could adequately represent him.

On the issue of contempt proceeding, lawyer representing Exommobil M A. Sowumi, told the court that, they have appeal against the ruling of the court and filed stay of execution of the order, but Nguru told the court that the contempt, proceeding was a separate case on its own.

He said since the order was made nothing has been done.

Court had ordered that the 2nd defendant, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to furnish an account in any name with enough funds to offset the Judgment of this Honourable Court should the claimant’s claims succeed, but the company has failed to obey the order of the court.

Leading to the issuance of form 48 consequence of disobedience to order of the court against six officials of the company namely Richard Lang, Alexander Savva,Mr Olusegun Banwo, Dozie Adesuwa, Aliyu Bala and Adelabu Adedoyin.

In a statement of fact filed before the National Industrial Court on behalf of the ex -ExxonMobil corporation staff, Ebede stated that he worked with the company from December, 2001 to 2018, as an Engineer and that because of his consistent excellent performance, he was at various times given important responsibilities.

He said in 2015, he was deployed to Dubai, with the posting to last till December 2017, but that he was forcefully redeployed back to Nigeria and retired because he refused to carry out dishonest actions that he was being compelled to do by the manager of ExxonMobil while on assignment in the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

According to him, on his return to Nigeria, further punitive actions were taken against him leading to his forceful retirement Some of these actions, he said, were: the company attempting to compel him to employ unqualified engineer and that on several occasions, attempt were made to compel him to sign off uncompleted and poorly executed project as completed, among others.

Consequently, Ebede is claiming $4.2 million as general damages for the emotional stress he had suffered;

N114,992,096 being the equivalent of 32 months salary which the defendant ought to pay him for his forceful retirement and also demanding published public apology in two daily newspapers and two international newspapers.

However, the defendants, in their preliminary objection filed before the court urged the court to decline jurisdiction to entertain the suit on the ground that the ExxonMobil company is an entity incorporated under the laws of the United States of America, saying that the Nigerian court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

In his submission Ebede’s counsel contended that the company not only conducts its business in Nigeria by means of subsidiaries, but also operates directly in Nigeria as it held operating interest in several Oil Mining OML and therefore urged the court to dismiss the objection of the defendants.

In his ruling, the presiding Judge, R. H. Gwandu, while adjourning for hearing said, “I hold that this court has the jurisdiction to adjudicate on issues contained in the claimant’s suits both by subject matter and territory, the claimant having shown sufficient cause of action against the defendant.”

Forbes Real-Time Billionaire Index and Bloomberg Billionaire Index which measures the wealth of the world’s richest people are currently at variance on who is Africa’s richest man.

Forbes real-time billionaire index says the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has lost his position as Africa’s richest man.

Forbes index showed that Dangote has been displaced by South African businessman Johann Rupert and Family who now ranks 145th place globally and number one in Africa.

According to Forbes, Dangote’s wealth is currently $10.7bn, making him rank 171 positions in the world and second in Africa only behind Rupert.

South Africa’s Rupert is worth $12bn, as of Monday.

But the Bloomberg index showed that Dangote is still Africa’s richest man with a net worth of $16.8bn declining from over $20bn. He is ranked 101 places globally in Bloomberg’s Index.

Bloomberg says Rupert and family are worth $13.6bn and 137th place globally and second in Africa.

Dangote’s wealth fell due to the free float of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The currency which previously traded at N464 at the Investors’ and Exporters’ window fell to a height of N791 to the USD and closed on Friday at N663.04 against the dollar.

This has affected the valuation of the traded stocks of Dangote on the Nigerian Exchange Limited in dollar terms.

How Forbes’ and Bloomberg’s Real-Time Billionaires Ranking Works

Forbes track the “wealth-tracking platform provides ongoing updates on the net worth and ranking of each individual confirmed by Forbes to be a billionaire. The value of individuals’ public holdings are updated every 5 minutes when respective stock markets are open (there will be a 15-minute delay for stock prices).

“Individuals whose fortunes are significantly tied to private companies will have their net worths updated once a day. In cases where an individual owns a stake in a private company that accounts for 20% or more of his or her net worth, the value of the company will be adjusted according to an industry- or region-specific market index provided by our partners at FactSet Research Systems when available.

“A rotating cast of the five biggest winners and losers throughout the day is featured at the top of the page, followed by the complete list of billionaires ranked in order of net worth.”

Bloomberg said while calculating net worth, it considers dividend income paid and proceeds from the sale of public and closely held shares.

It deducts taxes based on prevailing income, dividend and capital gains tax rates in a billionaire’s country of residence.

It said, “The index is a dynamic measure of personal wealth based on changes in markets, the economy and Bloomberg reporting. Each net worth figure is updated every business day after the close of trading in New York. Stakes in publicly traded companies are valued using the share’s most recent closing price. Valuations are converted to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates.

“When ownership of closely held assets cannot be verified, they aren’t included in the calculations. The specific valuation methodology for each closely held company is included in the net worth analysis section of a billionaire’s profile. Additional details included in the valuation notes for each asset are available to subscribers of the Bloomberg Professional Service.

“A standard liquidity discount of 5 percent is applied to most closely held companies where assets may be hard to sell. When a different percentage is used an explanation is given. No liquidity discounts are applied to the values of public stakes. In some instances, a country risk discount is also applied based on a person’s concentration of assets and ease of selling them in a given geography. A country’s risk is assessed based on Standard & Poor’s sovereign debt ratings.

“If a billionaire has pledged as collateral shares he or she holds in a public company, the value of those shares or the value of a loan taken against them is removed from the net worth calculation. If reliable information can be obtained about the ultimate use of those borrowed funds, that value is added back into the calculation.”

Nollywood actress, Didi Ekanem, has expressed interest in marrying a man like her colleague, Sylvester Madu, who went viral online for selling second-hand clothes popularly known as Okirika.

Naija News reported that Sylvester a few days ago addressed fans who expressed surprise over his choice of earning a living.

The actor while reacting after a video of him made rounds online, took to the video-making app, Tiktok to proudly show off his ‘business empire’ with multiple people selling various kinds of second hand goods.

The movie star who went live while at his business location also described those who found his “hustle” strange, as foolish.

Commenting on an Instagram blog, Didi Ekanam said she has so much respect for her colleague and he is the kind of man she will gladly marry.

The thespian added she would be willing to join her partner in such kind of business knowing she can have peace of mind.

She wrote: “I have so much respect for you sir… This is the type of man I can literally marry in a heartbeat and join him to hustle knowing that I can sleep well at night.”

Meanwhile, popular Nollywood actor, Mcsmith Ochendo, declared he is currently a native doctor while reacting to a video of his colleague, Sylvester Madu, who was spotted selling second-hand clothes called ‘Okrika’.

Reacting to the video, Ochendo, in what seemed like a joke, claimed he has turned to a native doctor and that people should leave Madu alone.

No fever than 300 officers in the Ogun State Civil Service who have acquired additional qualification were seeking for upgrade into the Professional and Sub-Professional officer's cadre have sat for upgrading examination.

Speaking to journalists during the monitoring exercise of the examination which was held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, the Chairman of the Commission, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi said the upgrading would encourage officers to always acquire knowledge that would help them in  career progression.

Engr. Odebunmi, according to his Press Officer, Mrs. Fatimah Alatishe, expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the examination and the commitment of officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) towards the implementation of the developmental agenda of government in uplifting the state to an enviable heights .

 He assured workers in the State that the present administration would not relent in providing necessary resources and support to improve their productivity.

"Civil Servants are not lazy, you see a lot of them trying to improve themselves by going to school to acquire more knowledge and doing more to enhance their productivity. This is a positive step to achieve more success in the service of the State.

"Despite the fact that  government is aware that this exercise will have increased effect on labour earnings, Civil Servants cannot be stagnant, as they are providing their service, they also must be recognized and be renumerated", he said.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the  Commission, Mr. Adedayo Somoye appreciated the state government for creating an enabling working environment for the Civil Servants to flourish and focus in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Mrs. Titilayo Osoko of the Ministry of Information and Strategy and Mr. Moses Bankole from the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), lauded the State government and the Civil Service Commission for the conduct of the examination, saying it would bring about exceptional growth and developmental workforce.