Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence that the recent 2-1 home defeat to Rwanda will not hinder his team’s performance in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

This unexpected loss, which occurred on Monday, has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, but Eguavoen remains resolute about his team’s prospects.

The Super Eagles are set to face off against the Amavubi again when the World Cup qualifiers resume in March 2025.

Despite the disappointing outcome during their last encounter in Uyo, Eguavoen insisted that his players will not be burdened by this setback in their preparations for the next match in Kigali.

“This defeat will not have any negative impact on our quest for World Cup qualification,” Eguavoen stated, acknowledging his disappointment but emphasizing the importance of learning from the defeat.

He added, “We have learned a hard lesson from this experience, and we plan to thoroughly evaluate our performance. We will implement new strategies to ensure we are better prepared to tackle them next time.”

At present, the Super Eagles find themselves struggling in Group C, remaining winless with three draws and one defeat across their first four matches.

This precarious situation has relegated them to fifth place in the group standings, accumulating only three points. The three-time African champions are aware that significant improvements are necessary if they aim to turn their fortune around and revive their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

Daniel Bwala’s announcement as the presidential spokesman barely settled when Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement clarifying his role and the structure of the president’s media team.

Onanuga announced the re-designation of Bwala as Special Adviser on Policy Communication to the President, specifying that Bwala would operate outside the presidential villa rather than as the central figure of the president’s information management team.

The changes were finalized on Monday, November 18, just days after Bwala was named Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication on November 14.

The developments fueled speculations about the leadership of President Bola Tinubu’s media operations, particularly after Ajuri Ngelale, the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, exited the role in September.

Since Ngelale’s departure, Onanuga had taken on the responsibilities of issuing statements and making pronouncements on behalf of the president, a pattern that continued despite Bwala’s initial announcement.

After a meeting of the president’s media team at the villa on Monday, reports indicated that there was hesitation from Bwala about moving to his redefined role.

An insider told TheCable, “It appeared he wanted to start using the office immediately. Incidentally, Onanuga, who moved into the office only recently, is currently with the president in Brazil for the G20 meeting, so it seemed Bwala wanted to take it over in his absence.”

Another insider added that shortly after, Bwala moved into the press briefing room to address State House correspondents — to everyone’s shock.

Bwala had said, “There is no issue as to the differences in terms of the responsibility; everybody knows his responsibility.

“I only came to introduce myself to you and the role that was given to me by Mr. President. I told you that role was once occupied by Ajuri Ngelale.

“When Ajuri was there, the nomenclature was special adviser on media and publicity, and now that role is called special adviser on media and public communications (State House). Sunday Dare works from the office of the minister of information.”

In faraway Brazil, Tinubu was said to have been furious about learning about Bwala’s manoeuvre and immediately instructed Onanuga to issue a clarification.

In his statement, Onanuga wrote: “President Bola Tinubu has re-designated the positions of two recently appointed officials in the State House media and communications team to enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.

“The restructuring is as follows:  Mr. Sunday Dare – hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation, is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications.

“Mr. Daniel Bwala – announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication, is now Special Adviser Policy Communication.

“These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency. Instead, all the three Special Advisers will collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.”

Tinubu had assembled a very large media team, clearly the biggest in Nigeria’s history, and this might have led to the game of intrigues from the day he assumed office.

Dele Alake, commissioner of information and strategy in Lagos state from 1999-2007 when Tinubu was governor, had been positioned to be special adviser on media, strategy and special duties to the president.

It all looked like a done deal until Seyi Tinubu, whom insiders say plays a major role in appointments made by his father, decided to torpedo it.

Another insider told TheCable, “Seyi brought Ajuri. After his appointment, he asked Ajuri to assert himself from the get-go and that was what Ajuri did. That gave him unfettered access to the president. Other members of the team did not have that access.

“When Ajuri fell out of favour, Seyi started working on bringing Bwala to replace him. He believes a presidential spokesman should be very vocal and should be on the TV every day attacking the president’s critics, so Bwala fitted the bill for him.

“When Bwala’s appointment was announced, Seyi also told him to adopt the same Ajuri strategy: go on the podium, declare yourself spokesman and take over the office.”

Bwala tried the script. It worked for less than 24 hours.

All indications are now that he would be speaking for the office of special adviser to the president on policy coordination, headed by Hadiza Bala Usman, rather than the president.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said that the commission’s fight against corruption is not all about arresting people but stimulating the economy.

Ola Olukoyede said if Nigeria’s system is gotten right, other things would be checked. He stressed that his vision is to prevent corruption.

Olukoyede stated this while hosting the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination and Head of Central Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, on Monday.

“Fighting corruption is not all about arresting people, I told them on the floor of the National Assembly that our work is to fight corruption to stimulate the economy. That was why when I came on board there was a need to review our processes and I went ahead to create a department called the Fraud Risk Assessment Department to see how corruption can be prevented from happening.

“If we can get the system right, it will checkmate other things. So, periodic reviews of our systems are necessary and we pledge our commitment to this cause, because evaluation is very key and I will delegate my people to work with you,” the EFCC Chair said.

Olukoyede explained that within the time he assumed the leadership of the EFCC, several policy reviews had been done.

Aside from the appreciable convictions and recoveries made, he pointed to institutional building and restructuring that are already yielding results.

“We have our strategic objectives and visions clearly spelt out and we are pursuing them actively”, he added.

Speaking, Hadiza Bala Usman commended Olukoyede on the laudable reforms in the Commission, especially systemic development and frameworks in the area of corruption prevention, stressing that his policy drives are practical and sustainable.

She noted that EFCC was doing so much in the area of prevention of corruption, adding that the focus of the Commission would berth efficiency and effectiveness in the fight against corruption.

On key performance indicators in the EFCC, Usman stressed that “anything that is not measured cannot be done, so we are looking at EFCC’s performance, its strategic objectives to align with the operation of its mandate and core values”.

While emphasizing that EFCC’s performance metrics are beyond arrest, prosecution and convictions, the Presidential aide stated that “building capacities, identifying gaps, opportunities, threats and consultation with its leadership to address Mr. President’s priority areas are crucial“.

The lawmaker representing Ondo South in the National Assembly, Jimoh Ibrahim, has supported President Bola Tinubu‘s administration’s planned borrowings.

Recall that Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to approve a fresh N1.767trn external borrowing plan in support of the 2024 Budget.

The president conveyed his request in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. He said if approved, the loan would partly be used to finance the N9.7trn deficit in the 2024 budget.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ibrahim said the current administration should borrow above $50 billion, not $2 billion.

However, the lawmaker urged Tinubu to ensure that the borrowings are channelled towards infrastructural projects.

He cited Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as an instance, saying the Middle East nation borrowed a $168 billion loan that was channelled into tourism, innovation, and technology.

He said, “To be realistic, you need to borrow good money, not all these $2 billion. Anything above $50 billion.”

“You can raise bonds. If Mr President decides to visit the United States and launch the nation bond at 10 years at 10 per cent, you will get a $100 billion.

“Everybody wants to go to Dubai. Where did Dubai get the money from? Dubai got the money by borrowing $168 billion and using it for infrastructural development in such a way that you can have the number of people going to Dubai today and the number of dollars that they go with is enormous.

“Dubai is paying back by $20 billion every other year. If the lending market disappears, where are you going to get the money from?

“The key issue is that if you borrow and develop your infrastructure, you are better off.” 

The Defence Head Quarters (DHQ) on Tuesday confirmed the killing of five soldiers during an ambush attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who confirmed the development, added that ten soldiers were also wounded, and four others are missing following the attack on the troops.

During the attack, the terrorists also destroyed some equipment, including one gun truck, three TCVs, and an excavator.

Despite the surprise attack, the troops were able to eliminate several of the terrorists and recover weapons with reinforcement deployed along the escape route of the terrorists.

The incident occurred in Gubio local government area of Borno State, Naija News understands.

“The coordinated attack saw five killed in action soldiers, 10 wounded, and four missing in action, while troops eliminated several terrorists as well as recovered weapons,” Buba said on Tuesday.

According to the DHQ, a reinforcement team with air components was dispatched to exploit the general area and the terrorists’ withdrawal route.

The statement added that the troops remain committed to their resolve to end all forms of security challenges in the country.

“Subsequently, a reinforcement team with an air component was dispatched to exploit the general area and the terrorists’ withdrawal route,” the DHQ said.

“However, it is pertinent to note that such an attack shall not deter the troops and armed forces of Nigeria from seeing the end of terrorism, insurgency, and other insecurity challenges facing the country.”

Earlier, Naija News had reported that the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned in strong terms the atrocious attack and reaffirmed the loyalty, commitment, and support of the people and Government of Borno State to the military in the fight against the criminals.

The Senate is expected to approve President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion (approximately N1.77 trillion) external loan request today (Wednesday).

The loan, part of the external borrowing plan, is aimed at financing the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget, specifically to address the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit.

President Tinubu’s request was conveyed in separate letters read during Tuesday’s plenary sessions in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The president justified the loan as necessary for partially financing the deficit while implementing key government programs.

In response to the letter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to review the request and submit its report within 24 hours.

Akpabio stated, “The Presidential request for $2.2bn, equivalent to ₦1.77tn, is already enshrined in the external borrowing plan for the 2024 fiscal year.

“The Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans should therefore give the request expeditious consideration and report back within 24 hours.”

Additionally, Tinubu submitted the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025–2027 to both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Finance, National Planning, and Economic Affairs to consider the MTEF/FSP documents and report back within one week.

Key parameters in the MTEF/FSP include a $75 oil price benchmark per barrel, daily oil production of 2.06 million barrels, an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to $1, and a targeted GDP growth rate of 6.4 per cent.

These figures form the basis for consideration and approval of the proposed ₦47.9tn 2025 budget.

Musa Odiniya, a former Director of Procurement at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), testified before an Abuja High Court on Tuesday, revealing how former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika awarded a contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport to Al-Duraq Investment Limited, a company registered in 2021.

Odiniya disclosed this while testifying in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Sirika, his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited.

The case involves allegations of a N2.7 billion contract fraud.

The defendants are facing trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on six charges. Sirika, who served as Aviation Minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of abusing his office by awarding contracts to a company connected to his daughter and her husband.

The prosecution alleges that the offenses contravene Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, as well as Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

During his testimony, Odiniya, led by EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, explained that firms bidding for government contracts are required to submit an affidavit to ensure compliance with regulations.

“The reason being that no contract should be awarded to a company related to a member of staff at the ministry where the contract is to be executed,” he stated.

“My department cannot give a contract to a company where, for instance, the minister is a signatory to it,” he added.

When asked about the individuals behind Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited, Odiniya said he only learned their identities at the EFCC office, where he was shown bank documents containing the defendants’ names.

“The defendants’ companies were registered in 2021, while the contract was awarded in 2022,” he noted.

“A company registered within a year of the award may not have the capacity to handle a project. The company is not qualified,” he said.

Odiniya further informed the court that the Apron Extension project at Katsina Airport was valued at N800 million.

After Odiniya’s testimony, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, counsel for Sirika, requested an adjournment to cross-examine the witness.

He also sought permission for Sirika to travel abroad to accompany his ailing mother for medical treatment.

While Jacobs did not oppose the adjournment, he requested time to confer with the EFCC regarding the motion.

Justice Oriji adjourned the hearing to November 21 to consider the motion and deliver a ruling.

The trial was further adjourned to January 23, 2025, for the cross-examination of PW5 and the continuation of proceedings.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Tuesday announced that it has begun tracking constituency projects worth N610bn across 22 states.

The anti-graft explained that the initiative aims to ensure that the projects are not abandoned and that the allocated funds are properly utilised.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, revealed that a total of 1,500 projects across the six geopolitical zones will be monitored.

He listed the states where the projects will be tracked as Kwara, Niger, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia, and Enugu.

He said, “The ICPC has kicked off Phase 7 of the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise.

“The tracking of the constituency and executive projects is an initiative of the commission that began in 2019, focusing on how well money allocated to critical sectors of education, health, agriculture, water resources and power, amongst others, by the government is utilised.

“The seventh phase, involving 1,500 projects with a total project value of N610bn, commenced on Monday, November 18th, 2024, in 22 states across the six geopolitical zones. The states are Kwara, Niger, Kogi, FCT, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia and Enugu State.

“The Phase 7 tracking exercise will cut across agencies of government, including intervention agencies such as the North-East Development Commission; the Niger Delta Development Commission; the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, Universal Basic Education Commission, Rural Electrification Agency, National Primary Health Care Development Authority, Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Ecological Fund Office.

“The objective of the exercise is to deepen adherence to due process in the execution of government projects, improve value for money, and entrench the culture of compliance with the scope and specification as contained in the contract documents.”

Bakare said during the last exercise, the commission tracked a total of 1,900 projects worth N500bn in 24 states.

He said, “The ICPC tracked a total of 1,900 projects valued at N500bn in Phase 6 of the exercise across 24 states of the nation’s six geopolitical zones.

“The projects were tracked within the focal sectors of Education, Water Resources, Agriculture, Power, Health, Energy, and Roads.

“These projects in the 6th phase were awarded to a total of 1,355 contractors in 176 MDAs.”

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun the export of refined petroleum products to neighbouring West African countries, a sign to traders that the mega-refinery’s operations could soon potentially shake up regional fuel markets.

A report by Bloomberg on Tuesday, quoting data sourced from Vortexa, Kpler, Precise Intelligence, a port report, and ship-tracking platform, said a tanker has hauled a shipment of gasoline from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to waters off the coast of Togo, a neighbouring West African country.

The report said a CL Jane Austen recently loaded more than 300,000 barrels from Dangote and sailed west.

Recall that last month, the chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Authority, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, said the country is considering buying petroleum products from the Dangote refinery to help the country cut more expensive exports from Europe which cost the country about $400m monthly.

The chairman of NPA, Ghana, who spoke at the OTL Africa Downstream Oil Conference in Lagos, said importing from Nigeria rather than Europe would reduce the prices of other goods and services by removing freight costs.

“If the refinery reaches 650,000bpd a day capacity, all that volume cannot be consumed by Nigeria alone, so instead of us importing as we do right now from Rotterdam, it will be much easier for us to import from Nigeria and I believe that will bring down our prices,” Hamid said.

Similarly, The PUNCH exclusively reported two weeks ago that the refinery was set to begin fuel exports to South Africa, Angola, and Namibia.

It added that four other African countries – Niger Republic, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Central Africa Republic – had also started negotiations with the refinery.

A highly credible source, who confirmed this exclusively to one of our correspondents, said the management of the 650,000bpd capacity refinery was at the advanced stages of talks with the countries to start lifting fuel.

“I can confirm to you that talks are actually at the advanced stage with Ghana, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, while the initial discussion is coming up with Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic,” the source said.

The report further stated that the petroleum product shipment is now floating off the coast of Lome, a popular area for ship-to-ship transfers.

It’s also not certain where the CL Jane Austen’s cargo will ultimately end up.

Although it’s off Togo, the area is often used for Ship-to-ship transfers, meaning the fuel could subsequently be taken elsewhere.

“While the shipment is tiny in the context of the global gasoline market, it signals the ramp-up of Dangote’s production and the potential to export significant volumes of gasoline beyond Nigeria, which could upend regional markets.”

The refinery last month shipped its first seaborne gasoline cargo to the nearby commercial hub of Lagos.

Whether large amounts of Dangote’s gasoline output end up being exported remains to be seen.

Last month, the Federal Government ended its state-owned oil company’s monopoly on buying the fuel from the plant for domestic use but has allowed the continued importation of fuel from Europe and the US in line with the regulatory act.

According to the report, a Dangote spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comments.

An audit report has uncovered financial irregularities totalling over N4.64bn in the Federal Ministry of Works (Housing Sector), raising concerns about systemic non-compliance with financial regulations and procurement laws.

The findings, contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s Annual Report, cover activities between 2020 and 2021 and reveal significant lapses in internal controls under Babatunde Fashola, the former Minister of Works and Housing.

The report details several issues, including payments made without proper documentation, extra-budgetary expenditures, mobilisation fees exceeding approved thresholds, and contracts awarded without following due process.

A sum of N1.08bn was paid from the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System account without the requisite payment vouchers, violating Paragraph 601 of the Financial Regulations, 2009.

Also, N546m was transferred to project accounts without adequate documentation or budgetary provision.

The Auditor-General’s report attributed these anomalies to weak internal control mechanisms in the Ministry and warned of risks such as fund misappropriation and loss.

Despite queries, the ministry failed to respond to these issues.

The Auditor-General recommended that the Permanent Secretary justify the payments, recover the funds, and remit them to the Treasury.

The audit report also recommended that evidence of compliance should be submitted to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees, failing which sanctions under Paragraph 3106 of the Financial Regulations should apply.

Extra-budgetary spending

The audit unearthed extra-budgetary expenditures amounting to N2.89bn, including N1.88bn spent without legislative appropriation.

Also, over N1bn was paid to contractors for road projects in Katsina State, which were only included in the 2017 Appropriation Act.

These expenditures contravene Section 80(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates legislative approval for all withdrawals from public funds.

The audit report read, “The sum of N1,883,795,670.51 (One billion, eight hundred and eighty-three million, seven hundred and ninety-five thousand, six hundred and seventy naira, fifty-one kobo) was expended by the Ministry without evidence of appropriation.

“The sum of N1,003,039,708.79 (One billion, three million, thirty-nine thousand, seven hundred and eight naira, seventy-nine kobo) was paid to four contractors for the construction of roads in Daura, Katsina State. The project was budgeted for in the 2017 Appropriation Act, and

“Approval for the extra-budgetary expenditures in (i) and (ii) above, totalling N2,886,835,379.30 (Two billion, eight hundred and eighty-six million, eight hundred and thirty-five thousand, three hundred and seventy-nine naira, thirty kobo) by the National Assembly was not presented for audit.

“The above anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at the Federal Ministry of Works (Housing Sector).”

The lack of adherence to financial accountability standards raises concerns about the potential diversion of public funds.

No response was provided by the Ministry to clarify these expenditures.

The report called for the recovery of the unauthorised funds and recommended sanctions for those responsible under relevant financial regulations.

The report further revealed contracts worth N493.97m were awarded to companies not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Of this amount, N170.36m was paid to unregistered entities, and a company awarded a contract in 2016 was only registered in 2019, contravening the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.

The absence of legal registration increases the risk of contract non-execution, fund mismanagement, and payment to ghost entities.

The audit report noted, “Payment for Contracts totalling N493,967,484.24 (Four hundred and ninety-three million, nine hundred and sixty-seven thousand, four hundred and eighty-four naira, twenty-four kobo) were made to non-existing companies.

“The sum of N5,825,989.28 (Five million, eight hundred and twenty-five thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine naira, twenty-eight kobo) was paid to a contractor vide payment voucher with Ref. No PROC/PBHD/CAP1345/2020 dated 30th December, 2020, out of the total contract sum of N493,967,484.24 without the company being incorporated.

“Three contractors were paid a total of N170,355,961.05 without evidence of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“A company that was awarded a contract on the 25th of November, 2016 was incorporated with CAC on the 16th of August, 2019.

“The above anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at the Federal Ministry of Works (Housing Sector).”

The Ministry was advised to recover the funds, ensure remittance to the Treasury, and implement sanctions against officials involved in the irregular awards.

Other financial infractions

The report also noted that in Oyo State, the ministry paid N110.81m, representing 22.61 per cent of a total contract sum, as mobilisation fees for a project, exceeding the 15 per cent limit prescribed by Paragraph 2933 of the Financial Regulations.

The contract was also irregularly awarded on a Sunday, further raising concerns about procedural integrity.

The report called for the recovery of the excess payment and recommended strict sanctions for gross misconduct under Paragraph 3129 of the Financial Regulations.

Also, a contract worth N46.31m for classroom construction in Edo State was awarded without adhering to due process.

The report further noted that N40.83m, representing 88.18 per cent of the contract sum, was paid to the contractor, exceeding mobilisation thresholds.

The lack of documentation, such as tender evaluations and approvals, exposes the ministry to risks of incomplete projects and fund diversion.

Five contracts worth N27.84m were awarded without obtaining bids from at least three unrelated contractors, as required under Section 24(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

The ministry also failed to present essential documents, including advertisements, tender evaluations, and meeting minutes.

The Auditor-General’s report paints a grim picture of financial management in the Federal Ministry of Works (Housing Sector), citing pervasive internal control weaknesses, poor compliance, and lack of accountability.

The report stressed the need for urgent reforms to prevent further financial mismanagement and safeguard public funds.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the Senate on Monday vowed to invoke parliamentary sanctions against any head of a Federal Government agency indicted for financial infractions in the report submitted to the National Assembly by the Auditor-General for the Federation.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Senator Garba Madoki, gave the warning at a one-day roundtable workshop in Abuja.

Madoki lamented the rate at which heads of the MDAs have been shunning Senate summons and warned that further disregard for the resolutions of the red chamber would no longer be tolerated.