In Nigeria's dynamic political landscape, it is rare to find individuals whose contributions leave a lasting impact on their communities and the nation at large. Senator Ned Munir Nwoko stands out as one such leader whose patriotism, dedication, and advocacy have earned him widespread admiration. His contributions to his constituency, his advocacy for the creation of Anioma State, and his unwavering commitment to national development make him a worthy example of the kind of leadership Nigeria needs today.

One of Senator Nwoko’s most notable contributions to Nigeria's political development is his persistent advocacy for the creation of Anioma State. Anioma, which means “good land” in Igbo, comprises the people of the Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State. The call for the creation of this state dates back several decades, with many advocates from Anioma seeing it as the only path to guaranteeing equitable development and representation for their people.

Senator Nwoko has played a pivotal role in keeping this dream alive. While some politicians might abandon such a cause due to its long-standing nature, Nwoko’s relentless pursuit of Anioma State demonstrates his vision and deep sense of commitment to his people. Through various platforms, both local and national, he has consistently voiced the need for Anioma State, emphasizing that its creation would ensure fair distribution of resources and power within Delta State. 

His advocacy is rooted in a desire for equity and justice for the Anioma people, who have often felt marginalized in the larger Delta State political structure. As a patriotic leader, Nwoko’s vision is not connected to personal gain but stems from a genuine desire to improve the socio-economic conditions of his people. His relentless push for this cause has inspired many to believe that Anioma State is not a farfetched dream but an achievable reality.

Beyond his advocacy for Anioma State, Senator Ned Nwoko has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to the development of his constituency. Representing the Delta North Senatorial District, Nwoko has shown what true leadership means through numerous developmental projects aimed at uplifting his people.

One of his most impactful initiatives is his dedication to education. Nwoko firmly believes that education is the foundation of development, and he has worked tirelessly to improve access to quality education in his constituency. Through scholarships and educational grants, he has supported thousands of students from Delta North, helping them pursue higher education both in Nigeria and abroad. His philanthropic efforts in this sector reflect his deep commitment to empowering future generations with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

In addition to education, Senator Nwoko has been instrumental in improving infrastructure within his constituency. He has facilitated the construction of roads, health centers, and water projects, bringing much-needed amenities to rural communities that were previously neglected. These projects have transformed the lives of his constituents, enhancing their quality of life and providing them with opportunities for growth and development.

Moreover, Nwoko’s passion for youth empowerment stands out. In a country where youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, the senator has introduced several initiatives aimed at creating jobs and encouraging entrepreneurship among young people in Delta North. By providing skill acquisition programs, startup grants, and mentorship opportunities, Nwoko is fostering a culture of self-reliance and innovation among the youth, ensuring that they can contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

Senator Nwoko’s contributions extend beyond his constituency, as he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the development of Nigeria as a whole. His patriotism is evident in his approach to national issues, where he has consistently advocated for policies that benefit the entire country.

One of his most significant national contributions is his involvement in the fight against malaria, a disease that has plagued Nigeria for decades. Recognizing the devastating impact of malaria on the country’s health and economic sectors, Senator Nwoko launched the “Malaria Eradication Project”, a comprehensive initiative aimed at eradicating the disease from Nigeria and Africa at large. His efforts include advocating for the fumigation of communities, the distribution of mosquito nets, and the promotion of malaria vaccination research.

This initiative has garnered widespread attention, with Nwoko positioning himself as a leading voice in the global fight against malaria. His commitment to this cause is a testament to his deep sense of duty and responsibility toward improving the lives of Nigerians. By addressing one of the country’s most pressing health challenges, Nwoko is not only saving lives but also contributing to Nigeria’s overall socio-economic development.

In the realm of politics, Nwoko’s contributions to nation-building are equally commendable. His tenure as a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003 was marked by significant legislative achievements. As a lawmaker, he advocated for laws that promoted social justice, economic growth, and national unity. Even after his term in the House, Nwoko has remained an influential figure in Nigerian politics, using his platform to champion causes that promote good governance and accountability.

Senator Ned Nwoko’s journey is a clear demonstration of what it means to be a patriotic leader. His contributions to his constituency, his unwavering advocacy for Anioma State, and his national efforts in the fight against malaria all point to a man who is deeply committed to the progress of his people and his country. Nwoko’s leadership is characterized by integrity, vision, and an unshakable belief in the potential of Nigeria.

In a time when many politicians are seen as self-serving, Nwoko stands out as a beacon of hope, a leader who puts the needs of his people above personal gain. His dedication to the causes he believes in, particularly his singular effort in advocating for the creation of Anioma State, speaks volumes about his character and his desire for justice and equity.

Nigerian politicians, both young and old, can learn valuable lessons from Nwoko’s approach to leadership. His emphasis on education, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and health are pillars that should guide the actions of every public servant. Furthermore, his commitment to fairness, as seen in his advocacy for Anioma State, highlights the importance of standing up for marginalized communities and ensuring that every group in Nigeria has a voice in the country’s development.

Senator Ned Nwoko is, without a doubt, a leader worthy of emulation. His contributions to his constituency and to Nigeria as a whole demonstrate that true leadership is about service, vision, and patriotism. As Nigeria continues to navigate its challenges, leaders like Nwoko offer a model of what is possible when leaders are driven by a deep sense of duty to their people. His unwavering advocacy for the creation of Anioma State, his impressive work in the fight against malaria, and his dedication to improving the lives of his constituents all serve as powerful reminders that with the right leadership, Nigeria can achieve greatness.

At an all-time high of 34.2%, Nigeria's inflation's effect on fuel price volatility is one that can not be overemphasized. But it's high time we acknowledged that our addiction to fossil fuels is no longer sustainable - especially in a fast-evolving world.

Although many factors—including the fluctuations in global oil prices have left our fuel prices skyrocketing, but this crisis presents an opportunity for innovation—only if FG would see beyond the presence.

No progressive country in the world would turn a blind eye to the potential of technology in transforming its mobility landscape and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. Electric vehicles, alternative fuels, fuel efficiency technologies, mobility-as-a-service, and smart traffic management are no longer futuristic concepts; they're viable solutions Nigeria, too, needs to start embracing on a large scale.

When you look at how countries like Norway have strategically transitioned to electric vehicles, how Sweden has pioneered biofuel initiatives, and how Singapore's facilitated intelligent transportation systems, then one would realize that these demonstrate that technology can liberate Nigeria too from the shackles of fuel dependency.

So, then, the question arises: what's holding Nigeria back? Our government's hesitation to invest in alternative energy sources and transportation infrastructure is staggering. The Innoson CNG buses (some of which are already on the roads in Lagos and Abuja) are worthy of commendations, but it's just like rotating in a circle. It's not really the solution. The most effective solution would have been that the 36 state governments and FG invest heavily in technology and develop a comprehensive national electric vehicle policy. This would undoubtedly reduce the demand for fuel, and as such, the hike in price would fall drastically.

That fossil fuels pose existential risks to the planet and climate change, is another reason the Nigerian government needs to transit from them and encourage public-private partnerships for mobility-as-a-service and smart transportation systems.

The benefits to be cupped from this are numerous, some of which are reduced fuel imports and increased foreign exchange savings, improved air quality and public health, enhanced economic productivity and competitiveness, and even, creation of new industries and job opportunities.

Nigeria's future depends on our willingness to embrace technological disruption. We must seize this moment to redefine our mobility landscape and secure a sustainable future. Whether we will continue to perpetuate our fossil fuel addiction or will we choose the path of innovation is a choice we need to make for the progress of this country.

Yusuf Babatunde is the CEO of Mapleby Autos

A bill seeking to establish another intervention agency for the Niger Delta region, to be known as the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), has just passed Second Reading in the Senate and has been sent to the Special Duties Committee for further consideration. It is sponsored by Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo of Calabar South and co-sponsored by all the other 17 senators of region. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is the brain behind the legislation, and I understand that he has staked his political capital on it and wants it passed by all means. The bill was first presented on the floor of the senate three months ago, but was roundly rejected by the senators who argued that the proposed commission is a duplication to the NDDC which has been in existence since 2000. ‘’The rejection was a personal embarrassment to the Senate President, but he withdrew to fight another day’’, a senator told me.

There were still some pockets of resistance when the bill was represented last week, but, this time, senators from the South-south region were more pushful to get it passed. Senator Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa argued that while NDDC is a resource-based commission, specifically meant for the oil producing states, including Imo and Abia, SSDC will only cater for the six states of the Niger Delta region. Senators are even contemplating a name change for the NDDC to reflect its focus on oil-producing states and distinguish it from the new agency. Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) told me last week: ‘’I represent the major oil belt of the region. We feel the pain and bear the brunt of oil production. NDDC is for all the oil-producing states of the nation; the SSDC is specifically for the South-South region which has over the centuries been devastated by oil production. I am therefore very confident that the SSDC bill would be passed’’.

In 2017, the Senate created the North East Development Commission, the first of such regional body established after NDDC. NEDC was necessitated by the need to rebuild the North East after years of decimation by terrorist attacks. I supported its creation and argued that because of our interconnectedness, any part of the country left behind would be a drag on the rest of us. Since then, similar regional development agencies have been created for the other four regions - North West, South West, South East and North Central. Now that the South-South senators have tabled their demands, we have come full circle. By their enabling laws, these regional bodies have similar organizational and management structures and sources of funding. They receive funds from the federation account, in addition to donations, aids and grants. Their mandate is to tackle developmental and environmental challenges peculiar to each region. For the SSDC, priority would be given to ecological and environmental hazards; infrastructural inadequacies as well as militancy and communal crises which have plagued the region for years.

I support the creation of the SSDC for the South-South region and commend Senator Akpabio for spearheading it. I’m also thankful to the senators from other states, notably Suleman Kawu (Kano South) and Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) for endorsing the bill. The argument that it is a duplication to the NDDC is flawed. For one, the North Central Development Commission was created earlier this year despite the existence of Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Commission (HYPPADEC) created in 2010. Yet, nobody raised the issue of duplication. Second, SSDC and NDDC have different mandate areas. NDDC’s mandate extends well beyond the six south-south states, to cover Abia, Ondo and Imo; and may extend further to include new oil producers like Lagos, Nassarawa, Bauchi and others in the Benue trough. Third, since NDDC’s programmes and projects are shared among the nine mandate states based on their respective volume of crude oil production, states like Cross River that produce marginally have benefitted least from the NDDC programmes. The SSDC is therefore needed to make up for this inadequacy by providing fairly and equitably to the six states.  

 I have, however, noticed that the SSDC Bill does not specify where to locate the commission’s headquarters, unlike the NDDC Law which specifies Port Harcourt as the commission’s headquarters and the Nigerian Content Development Board (NCDB) law which stipulates Yenogoa as its headquarter. This omission could create unwarranted squabbles among the states and I urge Senator Akpabio to ensure that the oversight is addressed. The SSDC Bill should stipulate Uyo as the location for its corporate headquarters for many reasons. Akwa Ibom is not only the largest oil producing state, it is also the most peaceful, hospitable and suitable for siting an important federal agency. The Senate President must bring this one home.

For Senator Akpabio, SSDC might just be a given, but he has lot more to do. The lukewarm attitude of the federal government to the establishment of Ibom Deep Sea Port has put the Senate President in a difficult position. He is a leading member of the Tinubu inner circle. He flies into Uyo in a presidential jet and tools around in a big motorcade. Gov. Umo Eno fawns over him while the people sing his praises - all in an attempt to get him to facilitate federal support for the port project, which is clearly the people’s most sought-after infrastructural investment. But, so far, there is no indication that President Tinubu is interested in the project. This leaves Akpabio with nothing to brag about when he visits home, and the people sorely disappointed.

Nigeria’s mobile money transactions have grown nearly 30-fold over the past five years. Between January and July 2020, mobile money transactions grew from N1.37 trillion to N41.54 trillion in the same period in 2024, according to data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

Mobile money transactions rose by 2,472.75 per cent to 1.64 billion in 2023 from 63.79 million in 2020. Despite boasting 17 companies licensed by the CBN as mobile money operators (non-bank-led), this growth has been driven by Chinese fintech companies Opay and Palmpay.

“OPay and PalmPay are the most prominent non-MNO-led mobile money providers and have gained significant market share in Nigeria since receiving their MMO licence,” stated GSMA, the global telecom industry body.

They achieved this by tapping into Nigeria’s mobile boom, offering free and fast transfers during their early years and then heavily discounted transfers as they matured. They further gained credibility during a failed Central Bank of Nigeria naira redesign and withdrawal policy in 2022.

Humble Beginnings

OPay began operations in 2010 as PayCom Nigeria Limited, a mobile money platform incubated by Telnet (Nigeria) Limited.  In 2018, it was acquired by Opera, owned by Chinese billionaire Yahui Zhou, and rebranded as OPay.

PlamPay launched later, entering the Nigerian markets in 2019 after raising a $40 million seed round led by Chinese mobile phone maker Transsion. As part of the investment, PalmPay was preinstalled on Transsion’s mobile brands Tecno, Infinix, and Itel.

Market Entry Strategy

OPay gained its way into the hearts of many Nigerians by becoming a super app after Opera’s takeover. The company operated numerous services, including ride-hailing at cheap rates. According to reports, its monthly active users surged from around 100,000 in April 2019 to 5 million a year later (which rose to 30 million in June 2023).

At its peak, the company provided 10 million weekly rides across 18 cities while expanding its agent network to over 500,000 agents. By July 2020, it shut down its other services to focus exclusively on fintech.

PalmPay, leveraging Transsion’s dominance in the smartphone market, rapidly grew its user base, now at 35 million. By 2023, Canalys, a leading global technology market analyst firm, revealed that Transsion and Xiaomi accounted for 85 per cent of the smartphone shipments into Nigeria in the third quarter of 2023.

In 2019, Greg Reeves, PalmPay’s chief executive officer, said, “On channel and access, we’re going to be pre-installed on all Tecno phones. You’re gonna find us in the Tecno stores and outlets. So we get an immediate channel and leg up in any market we operate in.”

By investing in an extensive agent network of around 500,000 agents, PalmPay gained a foothold in urban and rural areas.

“These fintechs were aggressive with their approach to penetrating the market. Most importantly is embracing the agent network model where agents can recruit other agents for all of these operators with very good incentives in place, particularly for Moniepoint,” Victor Olojo, former national president of the Association of Mobile Money and Banking Agents of Nigeria (AMMBAN) earlier told BusinessDay.

Free and Cheap Transfers

OPay and PalmPay employed similar strategies to retain customers: free and low-cost transfers.

OPay offered free transfers until June 2023, after which they introduced a minimal charge of N10 after the third transfer in a day. PalmPay implemented the same strategy, introducing the N10 fee after years of offering free transfers.

Both fintechs achieved this by leveraging fundraising. OPay has raised $570 million so far, while PalmPay has raised $400 million. “Their success can be attributed to first their financial strength. Top players must have deep resources,” noted Olojo.

Failed Naira Redesign

In 2023, OPay gathered journalists in its Ikeja office to explain how its IT investments gave it an edge when Nigerians needed cashless terminals. The company pointed out that its agile IT network enabled rapid capacity expansion, surpassing traditional banks’ capabilities.

He said this against the backdrop of a naira scarcity that had almost crippled the economy. In 2022, the CBN announced the release of redesigned naira notes for higher denominations (N200, N500, and N1000) and a withdrawal policy to encourage cashless transactions.

During the implementation of this policy, traditional banks struggled to handle the surge in demand, leading to widespread transaction failures. This allowed OPay and PalmPay to fill the gap. By March 2023, both apps were Nigeria’s most downloaded finance apps, and OPay became the country’s most-downloaded app by October 2023.

“They made payment methods easier, faster, and better, and people began relying on them for everyday things,” said Adedeji Olowe, founder of Lendsqr.

Boosting Financial Inclusion

Both fintechs powered a boom in microtransactions, enabling more transactions to be cashless. “There was a boom in microtransactions when the cashless issue happened,” noted Nosa Oyegun, VP of product and innovation at Kuda.

The growth of these fintechs drove financial inclusion, with more people onboarded into the financial system. “MMOs have succeeded in onboarding unbanked users using lower know-your-customer (KYC) requirements,” GSMA said.

“The future is all about financial inclusion. We want to reach out, especially to the last man. For the people who don’t even use a smartphone,” said Chika Nwosu, the managing director at Palmpay Nigeria. “Our major objective is to use technology to support financial inclusion.”

Nigeria’s mobile money transactions have also contributed to global increases. In 2023, total transactions rose to $1.4 trillion, driven mostly by growth in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, according to Mats Granryd, director general of the GSMA.

[Businessday]

Nigeria has significantly contributed troops and police officers to the United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide since 1960. That year, the Nigeria Police deployed the first-ever contingent of individual police officers to the UN Mission in the Congo. Assistant Commissioner of Police Louis Edet led the team at the time. In these operations, Nigeria resolutely committed herself to the onerous task of maintaining world peace and security. Some of the country’s gallant officers paid the supreme price, while many were injured and maimed for life. During the military era, particularly during the reign of General Ibrahim Babangida, under the auspices of the African Union and ECOWAS, there was the ECOWAS Monitoring Group, which intervened decisively in Liberia, paving the way for the restoration of civil rule in that country. Rebel leaders had turned Liberia into a theatre of war in their desperate battle for power. 

Nigeria’s troops were also the military backbone of the UN Mission in Liberia from 2003-2018, restoring security throughout that country. 

Since then, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in many African countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Mali, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Somalia, Rwanda and Burundi. The government has contributed a lot in finance, logistics and civilian experts to these missions. Beyond Africa, the country’s police force participated in operations in Western Sahara, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, East Timor, Haiti, Kosovo and Afghanistan, to mention but a few.

It is relevant to point out that Nigeria’s engagement is not only in peacekeeping or maintaining law and order across these nations; the country has helped stabilise and strengthen democracy in Africa. For instance, it’s on record that Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a leading role in the international effort to restore democratic order in São Tomé and Principle when President Fradique de Menezes was toppled by the military in that country in July 2003 while visiting Nigeria. Obasanjo and other foreign leaders reined in the military junta that ousted Menezes. The former Nigerian president took Menezes in his plane, leading him back to power in the oil-rich island republic.

In addition, Nigeria’s effort helped ferry former military leader Yahya Jammeh from The Gambia when he became a stumbling block to constitutional order.

After losing the election his regime organised, Jammeh refused to concede defeat to Adama Baro, who won the poll. The private plane of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, now President Bola Tinubu, was deployed to evacuate the once-dreaded Jammeh out of The Gambia.

I can continue enumerating Nigeria’s efforts to help maintain peace and security worldwide.

It is against this backdrop of the country’s considerable efforts in maintaining peace and deepening democracy in Africa and beyond that the recent demand for a permanent seat for Africa in the UN Security Council be considered. No country in Africa has contributed to global peace and security than Nigeria in terms of human and material resources. The request for a well-deserved permanent seat for the continent was the highpoint of Nigeria’s presentation at the just-ended 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79) in the United States.

Vice President Kashim Shettima led Nigeria’s delegation to that session and presented the country’s national statement on behalf of President Tinubu. The president stayed back at home to attend to pressing domestic issues. That decision, the first by any Nigerian president since 1999, deserves commendation.

To say that Vice President Shettima ably represented the country is to state the obvious, particularly for those who watched the presentation live or on television. Resplendent in the country’s traditional white flowing babariga with a matching Borno cap, VP Shettima did an excellent job.

Making a case for this all-important seat on the UN’s exalted podium, the vice president said: “Reform of the Security Council is critical if the UN is to strengthen its relevance and credibility in our rapidly changing world. Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging, if tentative, indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council. We welcome the change in tone and urge acceleration in momentum to the process.

“The Security Council should be expanded, in the permanent and non-permanent member categories, to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres in this regard. Africa must be accorded the respect that it deserves in the Security Council. Our continent deserves a place in the permanent members category of the Security Council, with the same rights and responsibilities as other Permanent Members.”

With a population of over 1.3 billion people and home to the most critical mineral resources that will power the global economy, a permanent seat for Africa in the UN Security Council will ensure inclusivity and a spirit of brotherhood. Given its strategic importance, Africa should join the council’s five permanent members. And more than any other country on the African continent, Nigeria truly merits this seat. It is an entitlement and a matter of right.

First, the seat will serve as due compensation for Nigeria’s labour of service to the world. The country’s active participation in peacekeeping missions helped save countless lives and restore peace and stability to many countries. The UN has acknowledged this important work. In a publication of the world body in February 2019, the UN singled out Nigeria for praise for her service and sacrifice. However, the UN should do more than commendation. The world body should offer Nigeria this much-desired permanent seat to appreciate the country’s contribution.

Second, as indicated earlier, Nigeria contributed the most troops and police to UN missions among African nations. The Nigeria Police Force committed more men and materials to keep the peace in Africa and elsewhere. According to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, Nigeria contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally and deployed over 200,000 troops to UN operations since her first deployment in the Congo. He spoke in New York at the summit of the Future Interactive Dialogue on the theme: “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security.”

The attendant cost to Nigeria’s engagement in these peacekeeping operations is enormous. For instance, official sources revealed that ECOMOG, a regional mediation force put together to end the protracted Liberian civil war, was operated at an estimated cost of $8 billion to the Nigerian government.

Third, and more importantly, with its large population of young, energetic, and creative people and enormous resources, Nigeria can provide the required leadership for Africa at the UN Security Council.

This is a role the country has been performing for many decades. It has the potential to perform this work even better. Nigeria will be the real giant of Africa if it rises to this eminent status.

Former South African President, the highly revered Dr Nelson Mandela, was once reported to have said that the Black Race would not achieve its status until Nigeria sorted itself out.

When President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s reform agenda fully manifests, Nigeria will sort itself out sooner, not later. Then, the country will take its rightful place as the true leader of Africa in the community of nations.

. Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide.

Residents of Rivers State on Saturday ignored the political crisis in the state and came out en mass to vote for leaders at the grassroots level.

Naija News reported that despite the controversy in the election, the Action Peoples Party(APP) emerged victorious, sweeping 22 of the 23 LGAs.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the election results in Port Harcourt.

He mentioned that the declaration of results for Etche Local Government Area has been put on hold due to the continuous process of tallying the votes.

See the full list below:

1. Abua/Odual – Vincent Reuben Obu

2. Ahoada-East – Chibudom Ezu.

3. Ahoada-West – Iyekor Ikporo.

4. Akuku-Toru – Hon. Mrs. Tonye Oniyide-Briggs (served as Commissioner for culture and tourism under former Gov Wike).

5. Andoni – Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile.

6. Asari-Toru – Sule Amachree.

7. Bonny – Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox (re-elected)

8. Degema – Harry Agiriye (former permanent secretary)

9. Eleme – Brain Gokpa (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)

10. Emohua – David Omereji (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)

11. Etche – Ongoing Collation

12. Gokana – Monday Dumiye

13. Ikwerre – Isreal Abosi

14. Khana – Martins Nwigbo

15. Obio/Akpor –Chijioke Ihunwo (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)

16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni –Prince Isaac Umejuru (served as Commissioner for Urban Development under Gov. Fubara)

17. Ogu/Bolo – Ishmael Oforibika

18. Okrika – Igwe Achese (Former NUPENG President)

19. Omuma – Promise Reginald (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)

20. Opobo/Nkoro – Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Re-elected)

21. Oyigbo – Gift Okere (former leader of the All Progressives Congress)

22. Port Harcourt – Ezebunwo Ichemati (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)

23. Tai –Matthew Nenubari Dike (serving Caretaker Committee Chairman)

[NaijaNews]

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, says the recent increase in corps members’ allowance has not been implemented due to funds.

Daily Trust had reported how the Federal Government approved the increment of corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, effective from July 2024.

The increment, according to a statement by the NYSC on its official Facebook page, was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta.

But despite the official announcement, the increment did not reflect on corps members’ September monthly allowance as they received N33,000 instead of the approved N77,000.

But speaking to BBC Hausa service, the NYSC DG explained that although there was approval for the increment, government was yet to release funds to the scheme for the implementation of the new allowance.

He said, “Not only the corps members, even our staff members’ salary has been increased about four to five months ago, but it has not been implemented yet. But we are hopeful that the new pay will be implemented soon, but the funds have not been released to us yet.

“The information we have did not specify when the new allowance will be paid, but we were assured that their monthly allowance has been increased from 29th July 2024.”

[DailyTrust]

Abdulmumuni Abiola, one of the sons of the late MKO, has vowed never to forgive his elder brother, Kola.

He accused Kola of refusing to give Abiola’s children their inheritance despite carrying out blood tests.

Abdulmumuni said Abiola willed £650,000 to his first four wives, but Kola refused to release the money to them.

Featuring on ‘Mic On Podcast’ hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, on Saturday, Abdulmumuni said: “Let me give you some background on that.

“We did blood tests so we had a list of qualifying children. If you look at the will and you see how systematic it is, he names the wives and he apportions the money to them.

“I would like to give you some information on that. My mum was number two (Kudirat Olayinka Abiola). I think she was apportioned £150,000.

“At the time, Kola had sighted the fact that my mum died before my dad died, and because of that, British law would not allow him to release the £150,000 to us.

“He also said that his mum too is dead and he didn’t get the £300,000 for his mother. But you are the one sharing the money, so it’s odd…If he wanted to, he could have given us the money.

“Not to mention my mum’s apartment in the UK, before we knew anything, Kola had sold it without telling my brothers or my sister anything about it.

“So you can see that they were systematic to try to impoverish my mum’s side of the family. And for that reason, I don’t think I will be able to forgive him (Kola).”

[Dailypost]