The Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies which held in Lagos on September 19, 2024, as a precursor to the coming of WIFI 6, has animated industry discussions on the beautiful shape of things to come. It is a new world out there and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with necessary approvals from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), has planned to formally introduce the technology to the nation but not before following its long laid down procedure of public consultation.

The forum was themed, “The Use of GHz (5925-7125)MHz for WiFi 6 and IMT applications in Nigeria”.

Engr Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), who stood in for Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, called the gathering a tradition which provides a platform for the regulator to consult with operators, investors, customers and other relevant stakeholders to examine, share and constructively exchange ideas to ensure optimal utilisation of the benefits of the Spectrum to achieve regulatory excellence and operational efficiency.

There was so much to talk about, especially the significance of deploying WiFi 6 in the lower band 6GHz Spectrum Band, specifically between the range 5925 and 6425 MHz. WiFi 6 represents a quantum leap in wireless technology as it offers the opportunity to support more devices with faster speed and greater reliability.

The regulator told its audience that the development is “particularly very strategic in a world increasingly dominated by the Internet of Things (IoT), where everything, from smart homes to advanced industrial systems, depends on robust wireless connectivity. The deployment in the lower 6GHz is not just about faster Internet, it’s about enabling the next generation of technological innovation and economic growth.”

For the industry people who are used to paying for nearly everything they get from the regulator, including services, this may sound like strange music. Engr Gbenga Adebayo, the ALTON President, told this writer within the week, that WiFi 6 is a positive development for the industry. It presents a win-win situation where everybody benefits as it will impact easy deployment, availability and cost, even as more and more devices get connected. It is obviously a good turn for the industry, he observed.

The taste of the pudding, they say, is in the eating. So, NCC, when is WiFi 6 coming on stream? Our much maligned younger generation will be interested in the answer. Or will this be another story of Waiting for Godot?

President Bola Tinubu has called for inclusivity, multilateralism and permanent seats for Nigeria and Africa on the United Nations security council.

Africa has long clamoured for equal representation on the council.

Each year, the UNGA elects five new members from different geographical zones for two-year terms on the council. The continent has three rotational seats on the 15-member UN body.

Speaking at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said a reform of the council has become imperative.

“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 an acceleration in momentum to the process,” he said.

“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.”

Tinubu also sought for debt forgiveness for Nigeria and a reform of the global financial architecture.

“We reiterate the call by countries, especially of the global South, for reform of the international financial architecture and promotion of a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable and transparent multilateral trading system,” the president said.

“Similarly, we must ensure that any reform of the international financial system includes comprehensive debt relief measures, to enable sustainable financing for development.

“Countries of the global South cannot make meaningful economic progress without special concessions and a review of their current debt burden.”

ILLICIT FINANCIAL FLOWS

Tinubu also harped on the dangers of climate change, proliferation of weapons, coups on the African continent and human rights abuses.

“From last year’s summit, and indeed from previous years, we have carried over the numerous challenges of terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, racial discrimination, human rights abuses, food crises, hunger, irregular migration, piracy, global pandemics, hyper-inflation, nuclear proliferation, grinding debt burden, climate change, and a host of other vexations,” he added.

“The continued manifestation of these challenges testifies to our failings rather than to any lofty achievements on our part. Billions of dollars are being committed to the prosecution of wars and the fanning of the embers of conflict.

“Our people need employment. They need decent livelihoods. They desire good and affordable education and healthcare for their children and families. They need to live in healthy, safe and secure environments. They need hope and they need opportunity.”

The president also spoke about recovery of the proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows, maintaining that the return of such funds to countries of origin “is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Convention against Corruption”.

“Therefore, the international community must promote practical measures to strengthen international cooperation to recover and return stolen assets and to eradicate safe havens that facilitate illicit flows of funds from developing countries to the developed economies,” he added.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, Shettima also solicited the support of Finland in Nigeria’s pursuit of a permanent seat on the UN security council.

During a meeting with President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, Shettima said: “Nigeria has 25 years of uninterrupted democracy. And in Bola Tinubu a president with huge democratic credentials and commitment. With him in the saddle, Africa and the larger world would be safe, futuristic, acceptable and more peaceful.”

[TheCable]

In Nigeria, it is an all-too-familiar story: a politician campaigns with bold promises, rallies the hopes of the people, and once elected, the narrative shifts. The pledges made to the electorate fade into the background, overshadowed by the influences of political godfathers or internal party struggles. Many politicians, after securing office, appear more focused on maintaining loyalty to those who put them in power or engaging in conflicts that detract from real governance. The people, left with unfulfilled promises, are often sidelined. But Monday Okpebholo has an opportunity to change this pattern in Edo State. 

Okpebholo, Governor-elect, ahead of the running of the next governance dispensation in Edo State, must understand that the people of Edo are tired of politics as usual. They are searching for a leader who will genuinely focus on their needs, who will rise above the distractions of power struggles, and who will be different from the norm. 

The expectations for Monday Okpebholo are high, and he must show from the outset that he is not just another politician repeating old patterns. Being different means staying true to his word and ensuring that the promises made during his campaign are not simply forgotten once he is in office. Okpebholo must be a leader whose loyalty lies with the people of Edo and not with political godfathers who often manipulate officeholders for their personal gain.

Too often, newly elected officials get caught up in the politics of those who brought them to power. They become distracted by playing to the tunes of their political benefactors or spend their time engaged in personal vendettas and power struggles within their parties. Okpebholo, however, must resist these pressures. He needs to focus on the very people who elected him and deliver on his promises to transform Edo State.

One of the major failings of Nigerian politicians is their tendency to get bogged down in unnecessary political fights, usually with their predecessors or godfathers. In Edo, we have seen how political infighting can derail progress and stagnate development. Monday Okpebholo must chart a different course. Instead of expending his energy on needless political battles, he should focus on the real issues that matter to the people of Edo: job creation, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.

Edo needs a leader who can rise above petty squabbles and instead, build bridges. Okpebholo must forge alliances that will enable him to serve the people effectively, not destroy his tenure with personal or party conflicts. His focus should remain on leaving a legacy of progress, rather than wasting his time on distractions that have nothing to do with the well-being of Edo citizens.

To truly be different, Okpebholo must reject the typical Nigerian political playbook, where godfathers exert a heavy influence over elected leaders. This has been a significant obstacle to good governance, with elected officials feeling more indebted to the political elites than to the electorate. Okpebholo must show independence and integrity in his governance. He should be beholden only to the people of Edo State and committed to making decisions that reflect their best interests, not the interests of a few powerful individuals. 

Edo citizens are tired of leaders who are puppets in the hands of political godfathers; they are yearning for a leader who will chart his own course based on what is best for the state. Breaking free from this long-standing culture will require both courage and resilience, but it is critical if Okpebholo truly wants to deliver a new kind of leadership in Edo.

At the heart of being different is putting the people first. This means being a leader who is accessible, transparent, and accountable. Okpebholo must create systems that ensure the people of Edo can hold him accountable throughout his tenure. Regular communication with the public, town hall meetings, and feedback mechanisms are essential tools for demonstrating that he is in office to serve the people.

More than just lip service, Okpebholo must implement policies that directly address the concerns of the average Edo citizen. This includes tangible progress in areas like infrastructure, security, education, and economic empowerment. The people of Edo do not want grand political gestures, they want to see real, lasting improvements in their daily lives. If Monday Okpebholo can deliver on this, he will truly be different.

Leadership is not just about addressing current challenges, it is about laying a foundation for the future. Okpebholo must embrace development plans that go beyond his term in office and focus on long-term progress for Edo State. Key areas such as education, healthcare, job creation, and industrialization are essential for the future growth of the state. 

Building a sustainable economy that is less reliant on federal allocations will require investing in Edo’s comparative advantages, including agriculture, tourism, and human capital development. Okpebholo should also focus on improving access to quality education to equip Edo’s youth with the skills needed for the modern economy. A forward-thinking leader must prioritize projects that may not necessarily bring immediate political gain but will yield results for generations to come.

One of the pressing challenges in Edo State is the issue of insecurity, which has stifled economic growth and threatened the peace of its residents. Okpebholo must prioritize security if he truly wants to serve the people. A leader who is different understands that without security, no meaningful development can take place. 

In collaboration with security agencies and community leaders, Okpebholo must design a security architecture that is inclusive, efficient, and community-based. He must tackle issues such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes with innovative strategies. By restoring peace and security, Edo State can become a hub for investment and development, providing its citizens with the environment they need to thrive.

Okpebholo must also make a deliberate effort to empower the youth and women in Edo State. Youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb in many Nigerian states, and Edo is no different. Okpebholo can be different by focusing on entrepreneurship programs, skills acquisition, and access to finance for young people. By doing so, he can help create a generation of self-sufficient youths who will contribute positively to the state’s economy.

Women are equally essential to Edo’s progress, and Okpebholo should prioritize policies that support gender equality and women’s empowerment. Women in Edo deserve to be fully integrated into the state’s decision-making processes, and Okpebholo can set the tone by ensuring that women hold key positions in his government.

Monday Okpebholo has a unique opportunity before him. He can break the chain of political disappointment that has plagued Edo State and Nigeria at large. But to do so, he must be different. He must be the leader who rejects godfatherism, avoids the distractions of political in-fighting, and stays true to the promises made to the people. Okpebholo must put the people first, and if he can do that, he will not only win their trust but also secure a lasting legacy of progress in Edo State.

The people of Edo are watching closely. They have heard many promises before, and they have been let down too often. This is Monday Okpebholo’s chance to stand out, to break the mold, and to show that he is indeed different. The future of Edo depends on it.

Professor of Medical Law and Ethics, University of Abuja  Professor Uwakwe Abugu has promised to work with the management  of the institution in ensuring that her Law Faculty becomes the best in Nigeria 

Speaking shortly after he emerged the new Dean of the Faculty of Law  in a keenly contested election, Professor Abugu said he was prepared to build on the existing infrastructures in the institution and make the faculty the “first choice”.

Abugu, the Head of the Department of Private and Property Law, Professor Uwakwe Abugu, succeeded  Prof. Abdurasheed Musa Yusuf, a Prof. of Islamic Law. 

He  commended Prof. Yusuf, immediate past Dean for his remarkable achievements and contributions to the Faculty. He also praised Prof. Muktar, for his significant impact on various aspects of the faculty while serving as Dean.

The new Dean was  the Vice Chancellor of Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State while Muktar, was a former Dean of the Faculty and one time Deputy-Vice Chancellor, (Academics) of UNIABUJA.

“While I’m commending my predecessors in office for their outstanding contributions to the development and positioning of the faculty, I promise to build on their achievements and take it further. One of my cardinal plans is to work with the management of the University to improve on infrastructural development as well as making sure that UNIABUJA Law Faculty becomes the Faculty of first choice,” he stated.

Abugu, a Director of Sultan Maccido Institute for Peace Leadership and Development Studies, University of Abuja, obtained his first degree in Law from University of Calabar in 1994. 

He came out in Second Class (Honours) Upper Division and won several prizes and awards for brilliant academic performance and the best graduating student in seven courses, including Land Law. On graduation at the Nigerian Law School, where he won two awards for the Best Graduating Student in Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure, Abugu was invited alongside five other best graduating students in the Bar Final Examination to compete for the Danley Alexander Scholarship. 

After obtaining his Master of Laws  (L.LM) Degree from the Obafemin Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Abugu joined the academic staff of the University of Ilorin as an Assistant Lecturer. 

Prof. Abugu once served as Special Assistant to Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. 

Among other professional offices and recognitions, the new Dean is; Director General, Institute of Medical and Health Law(IMHL), President, Medical Law Professionals Association of Nigeria (MELPAN) and President, Lifeline Centre for Medical and Health Rights Advocacy. He is also a Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration; and Associate, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.

Prof. Abugu, who is the author of  Land Use and Reform in Nigeria: Law and Practice(2012), has published widely in both local and international journals. 

He is happily married to his Learned Friend, Barr. Nkechi Uwakwe-Abugu and they are blessed with two children, Nmachinemelum and Jidechukwu.

[DailyIndependent]

Adams Oshiomhole, a Nigerian senator and former governor of Edo State, should be in a jubilant mood after Saturday’s governorship election in Edo.

Why? Mr Oshiomhole’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the Edo election.

Political analysts may describe this election outcome as a political revenge against his successor and estranged ally, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scored 291 667 votes to defeat his main rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, who scored 247 274.

A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes.

Mr Okpebholo, backed by Mr Oshiomhole, won in 11 local government areas, while Mr Ighodalo, with the backing of Governor Obaseki, won in seven.

Although Messrs Oshiomhole and Obaseki’s names were not on the ballots, behind the scenes, political observers believe the election was a supremacy battle between the governor and his erstwhile “political father,” Mr Oshiomhole.

By getting the APC to take back Edo, Mr Oshiomhole, a former national chairperson of the APC once trounced by Mr Obaseki, has now redeemed his political image.

Ally turned rival

Mr Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, first contested for the governorship election of Edo in 2007 under the platform of the defunct Action Congress.

INEC declared the PDP candidate, Oserheimen Osunbor, the winner, but Mr Oshiomhole challenged the declaration and got the Election Petition Tribunal to nullify Mr Osunbor’s victory. The Court of Appeal later upheld the verdict.

Mr Oshiomhole was subsequently sworn in as governor in 2008, a development that pushed the state into an off-cycle election. He was reelected in 2012 for a second term with a landslide victory.

After completing his second term in 2016, Mr Oshiomhole ‘helped’ Mr Obaseki, whom he had earlier appointed as chairperson of the Edo State economic team, succeed him as governor. He nicknamed Mr Obaseki the “brain of creativity” behind his administration’s success.

Mr Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, was a member of the economic team.

Mr Obaseki became the governor, and afterwards, Mr Oshiomhole emerged as the national chairperson of the ruling APC.

In the course of Mr Obaseki’s first term as governor, an initial latent rift with his “god-father” manifested and grew worse until the relationship collapsed completely.

Amidst the rifts, Mr Obaseki inaugurated nine out of the 24 members-elect of the Edo House of Assembly, apparently to prevent Mr Oshiomhole’s loyalists from taking control of the assembly. The APC national leadership rejected the inauguration, which was done at night.

Less than a month later, on 4 July 2019, Mr Obaseki sacked eight commissioners from his cabinet over their alleged alliance with Mr Oshiomhole.

Four months later, Mr Oshiomhole was suspended by the APC in Edo State following a vote of no confidence against him by party chairpersons from 18 local government chapters in the state, a move allegedly instigated by Mr Obaseki.

In December 2019, the Mr Obaseki-backed Edo assembly sacked 12 out of the 15 members-elect who were initially excluded from its inauguration in June.

Two days after Christmas in 2019, Mr Obaseki handed Mr Oshiomhole a shocker. He told reporters that Mr Oshiomhole remained suspended as the APC national chairperson but that he might consider taking him back if “he comes back remorseful and apologetic.”

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, in January 2020 issued what appeared like a travel ban against Mr Oshiomhole. He said Mr Oshiomhole would not enter Edo without the permission of Mr Obaseki.

Two months later, a High Court in Abuja ordered Mr Oshiomhole’s suspension, relying on the initial suspension issued by the party in Edo State on the APC national chairperson.

Upon Mr Oshiomhole’s appeal, the appellate court in Abuja adjourned the suspension suit indefinitely, halting the process and giving Mr Oshiomhole time to re-strategise.

Amidst their raging feud, Mr Obaseki said Mr Oshiomhole was disrupting the party’s decision-making process in Edo State on 8 June 2020. Four days later, Governor Obaseki was disqualified from the APC governorship primary in Edo State over alleged inconsistencies in his academic credentials, the same credentials the party scrutinised and cleared him to contest for governorship in 2016.

The appellate court on 16 June 2020 affirmed Mr Oshiomhole’s suspension as APC national chairperson and dismissed his appeal for lacking merit. The same day, Mr Obaseki resigned from the APC after a meeting with then-President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. Hours later, the Edo deputy governor, Mr Shaibu, also resigned.

Amidst intense lobbying and permutations, Governor Obaseki and his deputy joined the PDP on 19 June 2020, where he contested for a second term and defeated Mr Oshiomhole’s APC.

Mr Oshiomhole’s suspension was lifted on 20 June 2020, a day after Mr Obaseki left the party for PDP.

Oshiomhole’s triumph

Mr Obaseki’s victory in 2020 against Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate, was a severe political blow to Mr Oshiomhole.

The 2020 governorship election was the second consecutive time Mr Obaseki defeated Mr Ize-Iyamu. In 2016, Mr Ize-Iyamu was the PDP candidate who lost to Mr Obaseki of the APC then, but the two switched political parties after Mr Obaseki fell out with Mr Oshiomhole.

In 2020, Mr Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat Mr Ize-Iyamu, who scored 223, 619 votes.

Governor Obaseki won in 13 local government areas, including Ovia West, Orhionmwon, Esan West, Ovia North, Oredo (with over 100 per cent of what APC scored), Esan North East, Esan Central, Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Uhunmwonde, Egor, Owan West and Esan South East while Mr Oshiomhole-backed APC candidate, Mr Ize-Iyamu won in five including Etsako West, Owan East, Akoko Edo, Etsako East and Etsako Central.

Four years later, Mr Obaseki hand-picked a lawyer and banker, Mr Ighodalo, as his preferred successor but was roundly defeated by the APC.

However, incidents of violence, technical glitches, vote-buying, and alterations of results prompted the PDP to reject the election result.

Did Ighodalo carry Obaseki’s baggage?

Besides Mr Obaseki’s fight with Mr Oshiomhole, analysts felt that the PDP candidate, Mr Ighodalo, went into Saturday’s election carrying a lot of the governor’s baggage, including Mr Obaseki’s refusal to inaugurate the 14 members-elect of the Edo assembly from 2019 to 2023 and the governor’s ill-treatment of the deputy governor, Mr Shaibu, because of his (Shaibu’s) governorship ambition.

It also appears that Mr Obaseki did not particularly have a good relationship with the Edo traditional rulers.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 31 to give its verdict regarding a lawsuit aimed at removing Chiedu Ebie from his position as Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) due to allegations of improper appointment.

Naija News reports that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the judgement day today during the court session following the submission of written addresses by the parties involved, which served as their arguments for and against the originating summons.

It is worth noting that certain communities from the Niger Delta have initiated legal action against President Bola Tinubu, claiming that he breached the NDDC Act by appointing Ebie to the position.

The plaintiffs, representing communities from Bayelsa and Delta States, contended in court that Ebie is unqualified for the role of Board Chairman, as he does not hail from “the oil-producing area with the highest quantum of oil production.”

The individuals who filed the lawsuit include Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei, acting on behalf of themselves and the communities of Bisangbene, Agge, and Amatu1 in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The respondents in the case include President Tinubu, the Senate President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the NDDC, and Ebie, listed as the 1st to 5th respondents, respectively.

Additionally, Jerry Mulade-Aroh, representing Gbaramatu Kingdom, Mr. Jolomi Itsekure, representing Itsekiri oil and gas-producing communities, and Friday Ugedi, representing Egbema Kingdom, all from Delta, have sought to be included as plaintiffs in the case.

During the proceedings on Tuesday, the plaintiffs, through their attorney Mr. Egberipou Sotonye Barakemi, requested the court to reject the preliminary objection raised by President Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation, asserting that the entire case against all respondents should be dismissed for lack of merit.

Maimuna Lami Ashiru, representing President Tinubu, along with Umaru Jibril, who stands for the Attorney General of the Federation, and Emmanuel Akumaye, representing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Ebie, collectively urged the court to dismiss the case on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

Following the presentations from all parties involved, Justice Abdulmalik announced that the ruling on the preliminary objection, as well as the judgment regarding the main suit, would be delivered on October 31 of this year.

The case, designated as FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024 and filed on January 11, 2024, involves plaintiffs who allege that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly violated the NDDC Act by screening and appointing Ebie Chiedu as the Chairman of the NDDC Board.

The plaintiffs contended that while Ebie hails from an oil-producing state, he is not eligible for the position of board chairman as he does not originate from the highest oil-producing region.

In the affidavit deposed in support of the suit, the plaintiffs averred that Ebie’s appointment “Was done in error and is against the clear provisions of the law.

“That the screening and confirmation of the 5th defendant by the Nigerian Senate was also done in error and was against the clear provisions of the law.

“That as a result of the facts above and in particular the facts in paragraphs 2 – 11, the appointment of the 5th defendant is null, void and of no effect”.

The plaintiffs, represented by their attorney B. B. Abalaba, requested the court to ascertain if Ebie, hailing from a community with limited oil production, is eligible to serve as the chairman of the 4th defendant, the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Additional matters for consideration include whether the 1st defendant’s appointment of the 5th defendant as chairman of the 4th defendant contravenes the provisions of the NDDC Act.

“Whether the appointment of the 5th defendant by the 1st defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant is not Illegal null and void?

“They therefore prayed the court for an order setting aside the appointment of the 5th defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant by the 1st defendant.

“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant from assuming office or in any way acting as the chairman of the 4th defendant.

“An order of injunction restraining the 4th defendant from recognizing the 5th defendant as its chairman or allowing him access into its premises for the purpose of beginning or continuing work as its chairman.

“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant from holding himself out as the chairman of the 4th defendant,”  the requests reads.

{naijaNews]

Lusail University in Qatar has announced a fully funded scholarship opportunity for Nigerian and international undergraduate students for the 2025 academic year.

A statement on the University’s website disclosed that the institution will offer twelve study programmes for the Qatar scholarship programme.

The institutions also disclosed that the programme will cover all essential costs, including tuition, accommodation, round-trip flights, visa fees, and monthly stipends for living and research expenses.

According to the report, the move is to support aspiring students from developing countries in their pursuit of higher education.

The Scholarship will be open to students who have graduated from high (secondary) school, as the programme is designed for international candidates looking to study at one of Qatar’s leading educational institutions.

Further details provided that to qualify for the Lusail University Qatar Scholarship, candidates must have earned a high school diploma with a score of 90% or higher, must be between the ages of 18 and 22 years, must have passed the personal interview, and passed the language test at Lusail University

The applicant must not have previously obtained any higher education certificate, and cannot be a resident of Qatar.

Prospective candidates must have several documents for their scholarship application including a medical fitness certificate, which will be verified upon arrival in Qatar.

The candidate must also have a certificate of good conduct from their home country, a written permission from a legal guardian, a certified birth certificate, a valid passport, and a high school certificate must also be submitted.

The high school certificate must be validated by relevant authorities to ensure equivalency with the standards set by Lusail University.

Interested candidates are directed to visit the scholarship website to review the eligibility criteria for their desired programme, as applicants must meet both academic and language requirements before proceeding.

Candidates were also directed to apply to Lusail University or another partner university within the Qatar Scholarships Programme.

After applying for admission, candidates will automatically be considered for the scholarship.

The deadline for scholarship applications is October 20th, 2024.

[Leadership]

I recently stumbled on a concept. It is called counter-factual history. “It is a form of historiography that attempts to answer the What if? questions that arise from counter-factual conditions,” according to Wikipedia. The dynamics of politics in Nigeria are counter-factual. There is always the what-if question in analysis and outcomes. It is easy to see many claiming to have won the election. Then, the slogan of “he will contest again” is the medium of solace in waiting for the next electoral circle. What if Tinubu doesn’t contest in 2027?

Counter-factual history is “conjecturing on what did not happen, or what might have happened, to understand what did happen.” How would the election play out? President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a single ambition to become president and not necessarily a two-term president. He worked assiduously towards it for many years. He built bridges across the divide. He negotiated. He made pledges. He granted concessions. And he became president. Even when the odds were against him. He would want to replicate the Nelson Mandela example to make history as the only president who didn’t seek a second term in office.

I was in a conversation with a friend, and he mentioned that he saw a billboard that had President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife with the 2027 slogan. I told him it might not necessarily be the idea of the president, but an attempt by political merchants to lure him into the race again. The president sees and recognizes obstacles from a distance and he is not known to go into any fight he can’t come out victorious. In 2027 many variables would play out. A glimpse could be seen at the end bad governance protest. It was a message to the president about his rating in the north. In 2027, the third force would come from the north. This is why he won’t go into the race.

His strategy for the All Progressive Congress (APC) to win the presidential election is getting a young and bustling candidate from the north and not a (Hausa-Fulani). But a northerner whom the Hausa-Fulani can not reject. The vice presidential candidate would be a brilliant mind from the southeast who is well respected and known as an advocate of south-eastern interests.

We might see regular faces as standard bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). There would be a third force party from the North as a protest. The implication is that the North and the East would be in a dilemma—the dilemma of choice. The south-east would likely go for the bird at hand, recognizing the incumbency advantage the APC has. It would be a case of once bitten twice shy. After Nnamdi Azikiwe and Alex Ekwueme, the south-east have not been lucky despite several attempts.

The PDP would try to balance their equation by going for a counter-strategy by picking a south-easterner as a vice presidential candidate, too. That would leave the LP in a dilemma. Picking a northerner as a vice presidential candidate would be of little impact because of the limited choices. The third-force from the North might jettison the idea given the prevailing circumstances and with the tendency that their lot would be better with the APC for religious reasons. The APC still had the advantage and won the election. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ate his cake and had it. He retires to Lagos, and life continues for him. His involvement in national politics would be greatly reduced. At least, he has joined the league of former presidents with the benefits accrued for life.

It would signal a new era of politics. The majority of the old order would retire. 60 years and above might struggle to make an impact. The agitation for youth involvement would be rife. The new president, himself a young person, would easily relate to the demands and pressure to score good political points to advance the acceptability of the administration. There is also the psychological aspect to it, and the excitement would be palpable among young people below the 60-year age bracket.

The losers would be sensational, and that would usher in a gale of retirements from active politics. The narrative would change completely, and the aces of the LP candidate would reduce tremendously because the youth constituency, a critical support base, would have switched camps. There would be no need for another shot at it. It might also bring about a retirement.

Please don’t forget that this is counter-factual history. It might be the case or not the case. But my instincts tell me it might be the case because of the many battles the president is fighting. He must have bruised many egos with his style of governance and possibly the political choices he must have made. He doesn’t seem apologetic about it. He had what he always wanted. He created history and it can not be reversed. The 2027 presidential elections will be very interesting and tenacious politics will play out. There would be a winner and losers, and lawyers would be disappointed. This is the counter-factual history of the 2027 presidential election.

Ocheja, a military historian and doctoral researcher, is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, has raised the interest rate by 50 basis points to 27.25 percent, the fifth hike since February 2024.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso disclosed this during a press briefing at the end of 297th MPC in Abuja on Tuesday.

The development comes as the country’s inflation rate eased for the second consecutive month in August to 32.15 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

Recall that at its last MPC meeting in July 2024, the apex bank raised the interest rate to 26.75 percent.

This is coming five days after the United States Federal Reserve announced a significant 0.5 percent cut to its interest rate, the first time since July 2023.

Economist and Executive Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf had urged the CBN to pause interest rate hikes.

DAILY POST recalls that since February 2024, CBN has raised interest the rate four times – from 22.75 percent to 26.75 percent. Before the appointment of Cardoso in September last year, the country’s interest rate stood at 18.75 percent.

[DailyPost]

Airtel Nigeria, one of the country’s largest telecommunications companies, is turning to solar energy as a cost-effective solution to power its telecom infrastructure, as rising diesel prices have pushed the company’s fuel costs to a staggering ₦28 billion.

The telecom giant’s move towards renewable energy is part of a broader strategy to reduce operational expenses and enhance sustainability amidst Nigeria’s persistent energy challenges.

The Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility revealed this during a media roundtable in Lagos on Tuesday, citing the company’s records as of May.

Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer, Harmanpreet Dhillon, said the company was exploring alternative energy options such as solar power.

This shift is aimed at addressing the challenges posed by Nigeria’s unreliable power supply, which currently forces telecom operators to rely heavily on diesel generators.

More details to follow…

[Punch]