The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are in talks with the coach of the senior national team, Jose Peseiro over a new contract.

The NFF, according to reports have offered the Portuguese the same €50,000 monthly he was earning before he helped lead the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Peseiro previously earned $70,000 monthly but agreed a pay cut to $50k to lead the Super Eagles to the tournament.

The 63-year-old’s last contract ended at the end of the AFCON 2023 finals.

The former Saudi Arabia and Venezuela coach has been linked to several coaching jobs since the end of the AFCON with the Algeria Football Federation said to have strong interest in him.

The Portuguese revealed this week that he has “received at least seven offers from different national teams and clubs and will decide his future in the coming days.”

The Senate on Wednesday stepped down a bill seeking to confine to life sentence persons involved in drug-related offenses.

The bill which has passed the third reading in the House of Representatives and awaiting concurrence of the Senate seeks to Strengthen The Operations of the NDLEA, Empower the Agency To establish Laboratories, and Update the List of Dangerous Drugs

Presenting the proposed amendment for consideration, leader of the senate Opeyemi Bamidele says the bill will further review Penalty Provisions and enhance the power of the agency to prosecute drug-related Offences

The bill proposes that, any person who without lawful authority-

imports, manufactures, processes, plants, or grows drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin, or any other similar drugs shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life.

The bill further states that exporters, transporters or traffickers of drugs shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life

It further stipulates imprisonment for life for anyone who sells, buys, exposes, or offers for sale or deals in drugs

It also proposes a term not less than fifteen years but not exceeding 25 years for inhaling or injecting drugs.

“Persons who unlawfully permit or use premises for the storing, concealing, processing or dealing in the drug will be liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 25 years”

Former Plateau State governor, Senator Simon Lalong in his contribution
says the Bill “is timely, as he also raised concern on the need for the classification of offenders based on the quantity of drugs caught with

Senator Lalong disclosed that the Drug Barons are patronized by high-class individuals in the society.

He called for a holistic approach in tackling the menace

The Senate thereafter tasked its committee on judiciary and narcotics to ensure wide consultation on the Bill ahead of the next legislative day.

France World Cup winner, Paul Pogba, has been banned from football for four years because of doping.

The punishment effectively ends Pogba’s career as the Juventus midfielder turns 31 years old in March.

Pogba, who has been suspended since last September, was tested in August and the results showed elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

Meanwhile, a second test sample has now been checked and the former Manchester United star has been handed a four-year ban, considered among the strongest possible punishments for the offence.

The Federal Capital Territory FCT Police Command has apprehended two suspects for allegedly selling fake dollar notes to Abuja residents.

The suspects, one Abdullahi Yahaya of Nasarawa State and Gold Ebere of Jabi were arrested at Tin Can Resort Garden in the Jabi area of the territory.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh made the disclosure on Thursday while parading about five suspects at the command’s headquarters.

The CP revealed that the suspects were in “possession of thirty-six (36) bundles of fake hundred (100) US dollar($) notes”.

“They confessed to being members of an eight (8) man gang who specializes in the interstate sale of fake dollar notes and have sold several of the fake notes to unsuspecting residents of FCT before they ran out of luck and were apprehended.

“The suspects are currently assisting the Police to apprehend other gang members on the run”, Igweh said.

The city of Boston in Massachusetts, United States, has declared March 2nd as “Burna Boy’s Day” in honour of the Nigerian singer.

This was contained in a document of the Boston City Council signed by Councillor Ruthzee Louijeune.

According to the document, Burna Boy was honoured in recognition of his “performances and advocacy works.”

The document read inter alia: “Boston’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating culture and diversity is evident in the range of cultural events, festivals, and community initiatives that showcase the city’s multicultural landscape and:

“Whereas, Burna Boy’s legacy serves as a reminder of possibility, reminding us to continue amplifying voices that have long been silenced or overlooked, now, therefore be it resolved: That March 2, 2024 is designated Burna Boy Day in the City of Boston.”

Burna Boy has held so many soldout shows in Boston since breaking into the international scene in 2018.

The Bakers Association of Nigeria, AMBCN, has called off its strike following a discussion with the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, signed by its president, Mansur Umar, the union said it had reached some agreements with the Nigerian government.

Umar, in the statement, said some of the agreements reached between the union and the government include the immediate export of 25,000 metric tons of wheat to flour companies for processing and supply to bakers.

The two parties also reached an agreement on revising the plan to produce flour from cassava, potatoes and sorghum.

He said an agreement was also reached to support breadbakers under a program of the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture.

Recall that Bakery owners in Nigeria had gone on strike after struggling with the high cost of production and the unavailability of materials.

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, has criticized the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 22.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, to 45%, saying it will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian households.

Obi said the measure would be counterproductive as it would not address the intended purpose of managing money supply.

According to him, the development was bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, especially manufacturing and other sectors that rely on bank loans and credit facilities for their funding needs.

DAILY POST reported that the MPC Policy committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria had increased the benchmark interest rate by 400 basis points to a record 22.75%.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced this while reading the communiqué of the first MPC meeting of the year on Tuesday in Abuja.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday on his X handle, Obi argued that tightening liquidity in the financial system does not improve productivity, especially food production, which he claimed was the major cause of inflation in Nigeria.

Suggesting on what to be done, the former Anambra State governor said the most critical way to manage the high rate of inflation and decline in production was for the government to address the issue of insecurity in the country.

He stressed that this would allow for increased food, and crude oil production, and an overall increase in production, which will make products, especially food, cheaper.

The statement read: “Let me confess that the label of being a vintage Onitsha-based trader does not in any way confer on me the status of an economic expert.

“With my vast trading knowledge and my involvement in the real sector, I am of the strong opinion that the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 22.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, to 45% will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian households as it is bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, especially manufacturing and other sectors that rely on bank loans and credit facilities for their funding needs.

“Tightening liquidity in the financial system does not improve productivity, ie food production, which is the major cause of inflation in Nigeria. Moreover, only about 12% of N3.6 trillion of the total money in circulation is in the banking system which means that 88%, about N3.2 trillion is outside the banking system.

“So, this measure would rather be counterproductive as it would not address the intended purpose of managing the money supply.

“These new measures will worsen the fragile economy as the supply of funds would dry up for the real sector, and the new MPR rate hike will push the interest rate on loans to above 30%, which would be very difficult for the real sector operators especially manufacturers and SMEs to repay; resulting, obviously, in increased bad loans, and worsening the nation’s economic situation.

“The most critical way to manage our high rate of inflation and decline in production is for the government to address the issue of insecurity in the country, which will allow for increased food, and crude oil production, and an overall increase in production, which will make products, especially food, cheaper.

“This way, we would increase our productivity as well as restore the confidence of FDIs and FPIs to come back to the country.

“I must caution that what the Nigerian economy needs now is hard headed practical originality and results. Tinkering with classical economic theories can only deepen our crisis”.

African countries have been urged to renew their commitment to women's empowerment as a crucial step towards nation-building.

This call was made by a former Rector of the Yaba College of Technology, Engineer Obafemi Omokungbe, in his keynote address during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Omokungbe, who is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, aligned his advocacy with the broader initiative by WINBAFRICA for women's empowerment in Africa, which aims to improve access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political participation for women. He emphasized that this multifaceted effort aims to eliminate gender inequality, uphold women's rights, and create an environment where women can thrive socially, economically, and politically.

WINBAFRICA is a non-profit organization that implements various projects and interventions including Education First Series, Project Sapphire, Orphanage Challenge, Project Back-to-School, WINBAFRICA Monthly Round Table, WINBAFRICA Food Bank, and Monthly Newsletter production.

According to Omokungbe, the journey toward women's empowerment in Africa involves a comprehensive approach that spans various sectors, including education, healthcare, economy, and politics. By investing in women's empowerment, the scholar believes, African countries can cultivate a more equitable society where women can achieve their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of their nations.

He said: "These renewed commitments would require collaboration and partnership among governments, Civil Society, the Private sector and International Organizations. They include the implementation of programmes and initiatives to promote women’s entrepreneurship, access to credit, land ownership, and participation in the formal economy including targeted support for women in agriculture and small businesses. Commitment to increasing women’s representation in political leadership and decision-making positions through measures such as quotas, training programmes, and support for women’s political participation at all levels of government and comprehensive strategies to prevent and address gender-based violence including legal reforms, support services for survivors and campaigns to change social norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women."

President, WINBAFRICA, Dr Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi, said the event with the theme, Bridging the Gap: Celebrating a decade of Nation Building” was designed to celebrate the legacy and advancement of women's course.

“Nation-building is an ongoing effort carried out by women of every generation. As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past decade, we remain committed to empowering future generations in all sectors of the economy. We provide tuition, teaching equipment, and other resources to young girls and boys to show them that we care about their education and that they are the ones who will continue this effort. Our ultimate goal is to promote unity and peace and to inspire hope for a better future,” she submitted.

A school debate competition between Steady Steps School in Lekki and Bomak International Schools in Surulere, Lagos highlighted the commemorative event. The two schools had made it to the final stage of the competition. Victoria Osademe of Bomak International Schools, Surulere, Lagos emerged as the best speaker of the day while Steady Steps School, Lekki won the WINBAFRICA Young Nation Builders' Trophy (WYNBT).

During the WINBAFRICA Business Roundtable, senior secondary students of Bomak International College in Surulere, Lagos discussed Environmental Responsibility. Additionally, 20 young girls and boys were beneficiaries of the WINBAFRICA scholarship program at the event.

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included Dr Kemi Akiyode Adebayo (BOT, WINBAFRICA), Toyin Joe Bassey (Secretary General, WINBAFRICA), Dr Oluseun Popoola (Panelist Chairperson) among others.

L-R: Dr kemi Akiyode-Adebayo, (BOT WINBAFRICA), Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe (Keynote Speaker), Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (founder WINBAFRICA), Dr Oluseun Popoola (Panelist Chairperson) during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

L-R: Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (founder WINBAFRICA), Osademe Victoria, pupil of Bomak International School, Surulere (Best speaker WINBAFRICA School debates 2024), Ummi Bodede (Chairperson Debate panel of Judges) during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

L-R Dr kemi Akiyode-Adebayo (BOT WINBAFRICA) Blissful Oke, Nyhero Pela, Kyala Michaels of Steady Steps School Lekki Lagos, winners of WINBAFRICA Young Nation Builders Trophy (WYNBT) at WINBAFRICA schools debate 2024, Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (Founder WINBAFRICA), Barnabas Wasiu (Time Keeper), Mrs. Ronke Adeshoga, Ummi Bodede (Chairperson, Panel of Judges) Barr. Chigozie Chinwe, during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

Pupils of Steady Steps School Lekki Lagos, Winner of WINBAFRICA Schools Debate 2024 and Founder, WINBAFRICA, Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

L-R: Gift Shopade (Project Coordinator WINBAFRICA, Dr Toyin Joe Bassey (Secretary General WINBAFRICA), Mrs Mariam Oshodi, Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (Founder WINBAFRICA) Dr Kemi Akiyode Adebayo (BOT, WINBAFRICA)

Honouring an invitation by His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos State and embark on a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar on Thursday, February 29, 2024, to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in several areas, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development.

During the visit, President Tinubu will witness the signing of several agreements focused on boosting Nigeria's real sector and creating value-additive investments across the fields of trade, education, culture, solid minerals, digital economy, agriculture, and gas, as well as fostering cooperation on counter-terrorism.

The President will also participate in a business and investment forum that will bring together top-level executives in both the private and public sectors of Nigeria and Qatar to advance cross-sectoral opportunities for mutually beneficial growth and development.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials for the signing of agreements.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 28, 2024

Hope has been defined as a source of eternal and inexhaustible strength in any or most situations. To Martin Luther King, Jr. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope”. King’s thought rhymes with Desmond Tutu who opined that “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness. Robert Green Ingersoll romanticised hope in all its nature’s effect when he said, “Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers”.

Paul Tremblay’s definition is scary as he went financial in his assertion which sees “Hope as a desperate man’s currency” and that brings us to the question of whether hope is a currency that is expendable and exhaustible. For the sake of this article, I will answer in the affirmative.

However, I belong to the school of thought that in the developmental journey of any nation, hope remains a currency (not one of desperation), especially of the masses who in a democracy will always have the choice of choosing their leaders every four years as practised in Nigeria but a “desperate wake-up call to the leaders on whom “all rises and falls”. (John Maxwell).

With every sense of responsibility thousands and I served with all my strength and might in the Renewed Hope campaign team where we took on the very challenging issues of religion, regional bias, et al. No regrets then, no regrets now and for some of us eternally no regrets and this is because a lot of us have for many years been silent students Of ‘The Bola Ahmed Tinubu School of Democracy’ which is anchored on fast track development, reward system and belief in an egalitarian society. It was just a matter of time for him to someday lead our great country and that moment presented itself.

Everything we marketed during the campaign not just as APC PCC members but as patriotic Nigerians and as defined in the Renewed Hope action plan for a better Nigeria document encapsulates the doctrine of that school of thought. Of course, governance isn’t politics and leadership, especially of a multi-ethnic, multi-interest and highly or as some will say overpopulated nation like ours can’t be a walk in the park.
Some of us teach leaders that their popularity comes to a halt after the campaigns and the win for the next leg which is governance comes with decisions and policies that if not carefully thought through and executed deepens that thin line between love and hate.

Our president came in prepared. His words were deep which can only come from someone who is indeed ready and has a plan (in fact a strategy) of how to bring the people and nation to a prosperous position. He indeed hit the ground running fully abreast of the burden he had requested we don’t pity him for the job he has taken on. He has said repeatedly that he hears the people, after all, “the ears of a leader must ring with the voices of the people”.

As Nigerians stand today, is the currency of hope still strong? I guess not. Even the propagators of the currency have taken cover; some are tired of the trolling, some are angry and disappointed, some are unsure… but we must encourage ourselves that we can’t renege or give up on the Renewed Hope mandate we marketed. Our hope as an idea and reality must remain strong and this leads to what is happening to our currency of hope, we couldn’t have so soon spent it off. Have we? How can?

In another light, a leader is as good as his team, thus the current team must be encouraged to give their utmost best at not just playing their roles but understanding, supporting and equally marketing the policy thrust of this administration. The team must tell the leader what he needs to know and not what he wants to hear. They owe the president that much, they owe the nation that duty. Many might have to learn fast and learn hard for a team can’t call the people to buy in on a policy or policies they cannot interpret or implement!

Nigerians are a great people: industrious, patient and with a never-say-die spirit! Nigeria as a country is respected and still has the subregion, in fact, Africa as the focal centre of her foreign policy. On these, our President, H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding the former and latter together and with our heads high.

However for the many people of Nigeria, particularly we the masses what matters is having a modest lifestyle with food on the table, medicare, and security in our homes, schools, farms and roads. Good infrastructure, an education system that can compete globally, employment that guarantees a decent life and tempting enough to “tempt” all citizens leaving in their droves to come back someday. Truly, good governance can be seen, felt and touched!

The information managers and publicists of the government must do more because communication is the art of governance. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has been revived which is great however we must speak to the people at their levels, in their languages and locations using the very best practices of mass/public communication.

Mr. President recently appealed to the governors to do more. That appeal should be followed up and followed through for they control the states and local governments and that is where the currency of hope is worst diminished.

Technocrats, bureaucrats, financial experts, economists, publicists, policy analysts, politicians, statesmen and stateswomen, every group, everyone that can keep this currency of hope afloat should see this period in the history of our nationhood as a call to patriotism, in fact, a call to duty not for a political party, not for a friend or foe but for Nigeria, a country we dare to call our own.

Currently, the entire global space is seemingly challenged with different riots, protests, strike actions etc. Nigeria isn’t in isolation however every strong nation with hope keeping citizens and leaders that lead with capacity and sincerity of purpose know that rebound is possible.