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Onyebuchi Chukwu, former minister of health, has recounted how he and Mohammed Bello Adoke worked together to renegotiate a deal to establish Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), a vaccine manufacturing company.
Chukwu served as the minister of health from April 2010 to October 2014 while Adoke was attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice from April 2010 to April 2015.
The former minister spoke on Friday when he appeared as a guest on Laolu Akande’s ‘Inside Sources’, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
During the interview, Chukwu lamented that Nigeria has not done well of late in the production of vaccines.
He narrated how he kickstarted the process of resuscitating Nigeria’s joint venture agreement with May & Baker Nigeria Plc to establish BVNL.
BACKGROUND
Nigeria produced vaccines at the Federal Vaccine Production Laboratory in Yaba between 1941 and 1991, with some of the products imported to neighbouring countries.
However, the federal government stopped production at the Yaba facility in 1991.
In 2005, BVNL was incorporated as a company to revive Nigeria’s production of vaccines. The company was a joint venture between the federal government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
May & Baker Nigeria Plc owned 51 percent while 49 percent was owned by the federal government.
‘HOW THE BVNL JV AGREEMENT WAS REVIVED’
Chukwu said the joint venture agreement was put on hold during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He said May & Baker had instituted a legal suit against Nigeria over breach of contract.
The former minister said he was advised to revive the joint venture agreement when he assumed office in 2010.
He narrated how he consulted Adoke for legal advice on how to revive the JV to avoid legal complications.
“But when I came on board some of the ministry’s directors advised that it would be good if I resuscitated it,” he said.
“I consulted widely. I was advised to get in touch with the attorney-general because there were some legal issues that were being raised regarding the arrangement between the federal government and May & Baker.
“I contacted my colleague (Adoke), who took some time in fact, a number of weeks to study it (the joint venture agreement). That was Adoke, and in the end, he said there were a few things we needed to do.
“Of course, time was of the essence because that agreement was almost terminated, after a number of years. So we needed a new agreement, the original one provided for renegotiation. It was a good programme.
“Most of the issues that they (May & Baker) were asking were about the valuation of the land. Under Obasanjo, they had used a private valuer. So they asked the government to be the valuer.
“So I contacted my colleague in the ministry of lands and housing as it was then known, and the ministry went ahead to value it. Ministry of health paid for it. They gave us a report.
“In addition to that and the attorney-general’s report, I then wrote to the president to make my case clearly and the president approved it that we should go ahead but in conjunction with the ministry of justice
“By then, May & Baker had gone to court for breach of contract. We were able to persuade them to withdraw the court case. They were happy to do that and together we started (renegotiation). I left before it was concluded.
“I was happy that during President Buhari’s term that matter was completed.”
The former minister added that although the joint venture agreement is “back on track”, the facility has not started the production of vaccines.
TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENTS
In 2017, the federal government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with May & Baker for vaccine production.
A year later, a seven-member board of directors was inaugurated, with three members from the government and four from May & Baker.
In September 2022, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the production of vaccines in commercial quantity to support routine immunisation programmes in the country.
Osagie Ehanire, then minister of health, said the initiative was a joint venture between BNVL and Serum Institute of India, an Indian biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals company.
Ehanire had said the approval was limited to routine vaccines and not the COVID-19 vaccine.
In December 2022, May & Baker Nigeria announced that BNVL would commence the production of vaccines before the second quarter of 2023.
[TheCable]
A thrilling political showdown is unfolding in the heart of Edo state – a hub of diverse cultural traditions and heritage.
The long-awaited 2024 governorship election is here. With 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo state, the residents are set to decide who will lead them in the next democratic dispensation.
Two accomplished lawyers — Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and Asuerinme Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — are locked in a fierce battle for the governorship seat. Each is armed with a “vision for a path to prosperity” for the state.
Monday Okpebholo, a Nigerian senator and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is also in the race, with his famed ability to cultivate grassroots politics to his advantage.
As the trio clash in a quest for leadership, the people of Edo stand at a crossroads, poised to decide between the promise of innovative governance, the weight of political experience, and giving in for a third force.
On September 21, the stage will be set for a captivating electoral contest that will shape the destiny of the state.
Though the electoral race is between 21 candidates, TheCable provides a lowdown on the three major contenders.
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ASUE IGHODALO’S ‘PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY’
Ighodalo is arguably the strongest contender owing to the endorsement from Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor of Edo.
Apart from the support of the governor and the ruling party in the state, Ighodalo also hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan south-east LGA, which falls under Edo Central, a senatorial district that had reportedly been sidelined from producing a full-tenured governor in the state.
Last year, a group from Edo Central called Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI) met with leaders from Edo North and Edo South to convince them to concede the governorship seat to Esan in order “to complete the tripod in which the state stands”.
Before his foray into politics, Ighodalo has been in the corridors of Edo governance for the past 16 years. He was an economic adviser to Adams Oshiomole, former governor of the state, and also a member of Obaseki’s economic team.
The PDP candidate is a founding partner of Banwo-and-Ighodalo, a tier 1 corporate and commercial law firm in Nigeria. Its speciality is corporate finance, capital markets, energy and natural resources, mergers and acquisitions, banking and securitisation, and project finance.
Ighodalo has also served as chairman of the board of directors at Sterling Bank, director at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), among many of his career achievements.
With his wealth of experience, Ighodalo tagged his manifesto “Pathway to Prosperity for All” with strategic attention placed on the well-being of the Edo people, economic growth, environment, good governance, security, and order.
“I see a pathway to prosperity for our people and our state. I see a path to lifting the highest number of people into prosperity by implementing the most comprehensive social welfare program ever witnessed in south-south Nigeria,” he said in the manifesto.
“I see a path to making Edo state the safest state to live and work, a place where everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare. I see a path where the regeneration of Nigeria will begin right here in Edo, the heartbeat of the nation.”
Ighodalo is not going on this journey alone. He has selected another lawyer, Osarodion Ogie, as his running mate.
AKPATA MAKES PACT WITH PEOPLE OF EDO
Relying on the success recorded by the Labour Party (LP) in Edo during the 2023 presidential election, Olumide Akpata, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is eyeing the governorship seat with a conviction to set the state on the right path of development.
Peter Obi, LP candidate in the 2023 presidential election, had set the stage for better visibility for the politically young party when he won in Edo with 331,163 — more than half of the votes cast in the state.
Neda Imasuen, the senatorial candidate of the LP in Edo South, where Akpata hailed from, defeated both the candidates of the ruling PDP and the APC to become the senator representing the district in the national assembly.
That was the extent of the power the LP pulled in the last general election in the state, which Akpata hopes to capitalise on in the guber poll.
Also, Akpata is a consummate lawyer who, in 2020, made waves by becoming the first non-senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to lead the bar.
Before resigning to participate in Edo politics, Akpata worked as a senior partner with Templers, a commercial law firm, but he has also been a vocal critic of violations of human rights and maladministration.
However, there is a covert roadblock on his way to the government house. Akpata comes from the same senatorial district as Obaseki, the incumbent who is on his way to completing eight years of a two-term administration.
A long-standing rotational gentleman agreement rooted in Nigeria’s complex political landscape has taken centre stage in Edo, posing a significant hurdle to Akpata’s aspirations.
This has given ground for the “It’s Esan’s time” mantra, gradually proving to become a rallying cry for disgruntled voters who are determined to uphold the rotational power-sharing tradition.
As Akpata navigates this treacherous terrain, he faces an uphill battle against entrenched biases and ethnic loyalties, threatening to derail his political momentum.
In his manifesto, ‘My Pact With the People of Edo state’, Akpata promised to create and grow a healthy, stable, sustainable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone in the state.
He divided the challenges facing the state into eight priority areas — economy and job creation, roads and related infrastructure, electricity and energy access, agriculture and food security, education, healthcare, security of lives and property and other essential infrastructure — and provided key solutions to solving them.
Akpata is going into the race with another lawyer, Yusuf Kadiri, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as his running mate.
OKPEBHOLO MONDAY, SENATOR WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR
Contesting a governorship election after spending less than two years at the national assembly, Monday Okpebholo, senator representing Edo central and an astute grassroots politician, is taking a shot at the Edo governorship seat.
Okpebholo clinched the governorship candidacy of the APC amid a primary election marked by confusion, contentious claims, and counter-accusations.
Following the voting exercise at the primaries, Dennis Idahosa and Sunday Dekeri, house of representatives members, were both announced simultaneously as winners of the election by different returning officers, before the party’s stakeholders subsequently affirmed Okpebholo as the flagbearer.
In his appraisal of Okpebholo, John Mayaki, chieftain of the APC and former chief press secretary to Obaseki, had described the candidate as “lacking even the most rudimentary understanding of what governance entails.”
He said the senator only “has instincts for politics” and never engages in discussions about important things such as policies, investment attraction, sectoral reforms, and development.
Nevertheless, Okpebholo stood triumphant, his name etched on the party’s ticket as the standard-bearer for the coveted seat. However, the fiercely contested primaries left the dust hovering in the air with the party edging towards a governorship election on a divided front.
Notwithstanding, being from Edo central, Okpebholo shares a key advantage with Ighodalo, which could work in his favour due to the stakeholders’ firm belief in power rotation.
With APC as the ruling party at the federal level, the senator also boasts of federal support, a significant advantage that could be in his favour. This backing may prove invaluable in the anticipated tight race, potentially giving him the edge he needs to secure victory.
With federal support, Okpebholo can leverage resources and influence that might otherwise be out of reach, making him a formidable contender in the election.
In a move that may be intended to appease disgruntled stakeholders or serve another strategic purpose, Okpebholo chose Dennis Idahosa as his running mate. This decision may be a calculated step to address potential sources of opposition and internal wrangling in the party.
In one of his promises to the electorates, Okpebholo vowed to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, security, health and infrastructure if he is elected into office as governor.
OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE RACE:
Uwaifo Osaro — Action Alliance (AA)
Aner Aliu — Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Azena Azemhe Friday — New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Osifo Isiah — All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Ugiagbe Sylvester — All People Movement (APM)
Areleogbe Osalumese — All Peoples Party (APP)
Akhime Afere — Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Udoh David — African Action Congress (AAC)
Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena — Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Osirame Edeipo — Boot Party (BP)
Iyere Kennedy — Accord Party (AP)
Obazele Agbone — African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Key Ndidi — Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Okungbowa Ovbokhan — Young Progressive Party (YPP)
Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has said that his government has been putting in efforts to tackle the insecurity in the state.
Dauda Lawal said his political will to address the attacks of bandits across the state has been paying off as farmers can now go to their farms to cultivate.
He stated that the formation of local security, Community Protection Guard (CPG) by his administration has also helped to reduce the consistency of bandits attack in the state.
Speaking with Arise TV, on Tuesday, Lawal said, “Let me start by admitting the fact that the state has been in this situation for the past 13 years. It is something that we inherited. And part of what we did or what we’re doing right now is to make sure we put so much effort. And priority has always been our concern. That was the reason why when I came on board, I formed the Community Protection Guard that is called CPG.
“The whole essence of this is to complement the effort of the conventional security in terms of combating this menace that we’re facing the state. And I will say that they’re doing very well in terms of assisting the conventional security because they understand the trend much better than the conventional security. So they provide the lead. And that is what is happening right now.
“So far, we’ve seen a lot of success. The story is changing. In the past, if you hear anything about Zamfara, you realize that 200 people, 300 people are being killed. But right now, it’s not the case. There has been some spontaneous attack here and there, but not the way it used to be in the past. So we’re making progress.”
Speaking further on gains his administration has made with the formation of CPG, Governor Lawal continued, “Some weeks back, I went around all the local government in the states and I’ve seen the level of agricultural development this time around, which wasn’t the case in the past. So that is to show you that something is being done. And that is why people now have the ability to go to their farms and farm. That is ongoing.
“And of course, it’s a state that has been in this situation, like I said, for the past 13 years. So there will always be issues here and there, saying all sort of things. And remember also, some are just for negative reason, not for the positive aspects.
“Because some would rather see everything negative about security so that they can use that against you. But the reality is, we are making significant progress. If you have time, I will take you around the state for you to go and see. They say seeing is believing. So yes, we are making progress.”
The Zamfara State Governor noted that his political will to save the state from the hands of bandits was responsible for the gains recorded in addressing insecurity in the state.
“First of all, there is the political will on my own part as a governor. And I’ve taken security as one of the major, major issue, number one, under my administration, which was the reason why we formed the CPG.
“And also, we’re spending so much to make sure we have intelligence information in terms of movement of these people, which has been provided by the locals. And there’s so much community awareness now for people to be able to report any suspicious movement by these people. And it’s making things much easier than the way things used to be.
“So the political will is number one. And that is why we’re making this significant progress. Security is key to everything, without which there’ll be no meaningful development. That is the difference,” Governor Lawal noted.
Seun Anikulapo-Kuti, the Afrobeat musician, has berated President Bola Tinubu over his decision to remove fuel subsidy.
He said contrary to the President’s claim that the removal of fuel subsidy was a “tough” decision he made for the overall interest of the country, it was a “wicked decision” that undermined the welfare of Nigerians.
Kuti slammed the Presidency’s decision to buy a $150 million jet while the educational sector is underfunded. He argued that the money spent on acquiring a new jet for the President was enough to build and run 10 primary schools for 20 years.
Speaking during a recent Instagram Live session, the outraged singer asked, “Who donated for the $150 million jet for Tinubu? Who did they ask for donations?
“That $150 million do you know how many schools it will build? Or how long it will run a primary school? 10 good primary schools would be run on that money for at least 20 years. 10 good primary schools would be built and run, that will educate ten generations of African people,” Kuti added.
He continued: “The President cannot tell us that this petrol matter is not in his control. He is the President and Minister of Petroleum. They say they take tough decisions but there is no tough decision taken here. President Tinubu took a wicked decision, this whole subsidy and floating the dollar, there is nothing tough about it.”
Akande explained that the establishment of the refinery introduces a conflict of interest. He pointed out that the NNPCL’s primary business involves importing refined petroleum—a highly lucrative segment and prone to corruption. “The main business of NNPCL is importing refined petroleum. Dangote’s refinery threatens this lucrative segment, which is why there’s so much drama and conflict between NNPC and Dangote Refinery,” Akande said.
He further criticized the ongoing dispute between NNPC and Dangote Refinery, attributing it to the disruption of entrenched interests benefiting from NNPC’s long-standing monopoly on refined petrol imports. “Dangote has challenged the entrenched interests that have benefited from NNPC’s sole importation of refined petrol for decades,” Akande added.
Akande also expressed surprise at the lack of decisive intervention from the Nigerian President. “I’m surprised that the President hasn’t addressed this issue more directly to restore confidence in the regulatory process,” he remarked, calling for presidential action to address the regulatory challenges and restore integrity to Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that the Nigerian government provided $20 million to support Angola’s fight for liberation. He made this known during the commemoration of Angola’s National Founder and Hero’s Day in Lagos, an event held on September 17, 2024.
The event, themed “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course by Agostinho Neto,” was organized by the Embassy of Angola in Nigeria to honour Angola’s first President, Agostinho Neto, who declared the country’s independence on November 11, 1975.
In his address, Obasanjo highlighted the critical role played by former Cuban President Fidel Castro in Angola’s liberation and praised his significant contributions. He emphasized Nigeria’s financial support to Angola during the struggle, stating, “The Nigerian government supported the Angolan government with $20 million in their fight for liberation.”
Obasanjo also called for stronger pan-African economic ties, stressing that Africa’s future depends on economic unity. “As far as Pan-Africanism is concerned, as long as we are economically weak, we are going nowhere, and we can’t do it alone,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for Africa to achieve economic liberation, building on the foundation laid by leaders like Neto. Obasanjo urged African nations to focus more on economic Pan-Africanism, noting that while political and cultural unity has made strides, economic emancipation is crucial for the continent’s growth.
Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria José Zau highlighted Neto’s significant impact on African brotherhood and praised Lagos for its historical connection to the late president. He recalled that the University of Lagos honoured Neto with a Doctor Honoris Causa in the 1970s during Obasanjo’s regime, cementing his place in African political history.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the strong bond between Nigeria and Angola. Represented by Olamide Adediro, he stated that Nigeria is committed to deepening the partnership with Angola, working together to overcome challenges and achieve Africa’s collective aspirations.
Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, has received the US Food and Drug Administration’s “breakthrough device” designation for the company’s experimental implant, Blindsight.
The device, called ‘Blindsight,’ is designed to restore vision in individuals with complete or partial blindness, including those with non-functional optic nerves.
“We have received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for Blindsight.
“Join us in our quest to bring back sight to those who have lost it. Apply to our Patient Registry and openings on our career page,” Neuralink wrote on its X page on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, the FDA awards its breakthrough designation to medical devices that treat or diagnose life-threatening conditions, expediting their development and review.
Musk also announced the update on his X social media platform, highlighting Blindsight’s potential to restore vision in even the most severe blindness cases.
“The Blindsight device from Neuralink will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see.
“Provided the visual cortex is intact, it will even enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time.
“To set expectations correctly, the vision will be at first be low resolution, like Atari graphics, but eventually it has the potential to be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge.” Musk wrote on X.com.
Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, specialises in developing innovative brain-computer interfaces to transform treatments for neurological disorders.
Neuralink’s technology includes a brain implant that reads neural signals and wirelessly transmits them to external devices, including computers and mobile devices.
Business World reports that Neuralink is also developing an implant that enables paralyzed individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts.
Neuralink is also reported to be conducting a clinical trial with three participants to evaluate the device’s effectiveness in aiding individuals with spinal cord injuries.
It was widely reported in August 2024 that Neuralink’s brain-computer interface was successfully implanted in a second patient, who is now controlling video games and creating 3D designs using only their thoughts.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man named Tahiru Hamidu for allegedly engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a mentally unstable married woman (name withheld) in the Owode community, located in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent on Tuesday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect allegedly exploited the survivor’s condition to engage in non-consensual sexual intercourse on multiple occasions before he was apprehended by the men of the Owode Egba Division on September 12, 2024.
The suspect was also accused of threatening to murder the survivor’s brother-in-law, known only as Shofolahan, if he did not permit him to continue raping his brother’s wife.
On one occasion, Hamidu, a suspect from Northern Nigeria, was accused of luring the survivor to a cassava plantation, where he allegedly raped her multiple times before releasing her.
Odutola said, “The survivor is mentally incapacitated. The brother-in-law who reported the case claims that the suspect threatened to kill him to prevent him from stopping the crimes. The suspect is accused of repeatedly engaging in sexual acts with the survivor.
“The suspect is also accused of luring the survivor to a cassava plantation in the community, where he allegedly engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse with her repeatedly.
“He began threatening the brother-in-law, warning him to stop preventing him from having sexual intercourse with the survivor and demanding that he hand her over to him.”
Odutola added that the investigation into the crime was ongoing following the suspect’s arrest.
PUNCH Metro reported a similar incident in March 2024, where a 26-year-old man named Usman Bube was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape his pregnant neighbour’s wife at the Ogatalo Fulani Camp in the Imala area of the state.
The suspect allegedly broke into his neighbour’s apartment, where he found the pregnant woman sleeping, and attempted to commit the crime, knowing that her husband, Muhammed Awwalu, had travelled out of the community, leaving his wife alone in the apartment.
When the suspect’s repeated attempts to forcefully engage in unlawful sexual intercourse with the woman failed, he allegedly pulled out a knife and tried to silence and overpower her.
However, he was apprehended by other neighbours before he could succeed.
Fraud involving computers, mobile devices, and point-of-sale (POS) systems dominated fraudulent activities across Nigeria during the second quarter of 2024.
This was revealed in the latest fraud report by the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), which recorded a total of 11,532 fraud cases in the period under review.
According to the report, computer/web fraud, mobile fraud, and POS-related fraud emerged as the most frequent, continuing a pattern observed throughout 2023 and into the first quarter of 2024.
The total value of fraud in the second quarter was reported at ₦56.3 billion, marking a significant rise from the ₦34.8 billion documented in the first quarter of the year.
Of this amount, ₦42.6 billion was successfully stolen by fraudsters, while financial institutions managed to recover ₦13.7 billion.
Mobile fraud, including fraud carried out via mobile apps and internet banking, accounted for 33.4% of the total cases, making it the largest category.
POS-related fraud followed closely, contributing 24.6% of cases, while web-based fraud represented 16.9% of the total fraud incidents.
The report also highlighted computer-based fraud as a growing concern, showcasing the increasing threat posed by cybercriminals within Nigeria’s financial landscape.
FITC’s findings indicated that bank branches bore the brunt of the losses, with 95% of the total fraud value occurring at the branch level.
Despite advancements in technology, fraud continued to be perpetrated both by external actors and insiders, with 49 employees being dismissed for their involvement in fraudulent activities during the quarter.
The report also ranked fraud by magnitude, revealing that bank branches lost approximately ₦54 billion, which accounted for a staggering 95.63% of the overall fraud amount.
Web-based fraud followed with losses of ₦1.2 billion (2%), while POS and mobile fraud each contributed around 1%, resulting in ₦651 million and ₦547 million losses, respectively.
Notably, the report observed a 31.8% decline in card-related fraud. However, cheque and cash fraud surged significantly, leading to substantial financial losses.
This rise in cash-related fraud underscored that criminals are still exploiting traditional financial tools to their advantage.
FITC stressed the urgency of leveraging advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to combat the rising complexity of fraud in Nigeria’s financial sector.
The report called for proactive measures, such as bolstered security systems and continuous training of staff, as critical to reducing fraud.
As fraudsters exploit both modern and traditional channels to target financial institutions, FITC emphasised the need for tighter regulatory oversight and the adoption of cutting-edge technology to protect the financial sector from future threats.
The report also disclosed that commercial banks lost a total of ₦42.6 billion to fraud and forgeries between April and June 2024.
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has revealed why he surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after a prolonged snub of the anti-graft agency’s invitation to answer for financial impropriety allegations levelled against him.
A statement on Wednesday by Yahaya Bello’s Media office Director, Ohiare Michael, made available to newsmen, stated that Bello “willingly surrendered to the anti-graft agency because the former Kogi governor has great respect for the rule of law and supports President Tinubu’s fight against corruption in the country.”
He said: “This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.
“The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing.
“It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State,” the statement read.
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FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, revealed how the former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), almost denied Nigeria a $280 million telecommunications deal.
Obasanjo said when Nigeria was about to transit from landline telephones to mobile phones, some major telecommunication companies approached the country seeking to provide mobile lines for the citizenry, but Abubakar wanted to award the deal to his friends for $3 million.
The former President, however, said he suggested that the contract be auctioned and the highest bidder awarded the contract, leading to the $280 million sale.
He spoke at the launch of a book titled ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution through a Journalist’s lens,’ authored by an immediate past Editor of The PUNCH Newspapers, Mr Dayo Oketola, in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said: “The story of telecommunications, particularly mobile telecommunication, is a very interesting one. Before mobile telecommunication, we had spent a lot of money, we had all sorts of companies invited from America, France and even from Britain, but we did not get more than 500,000 lines. People had to queue at the telephone kiosk to call their loved ones abroad. And then, of course, the mobile telephone age came in.
“When it came in, my predecessor in office was trying to give it away, I think, to their friend for $3 million. Then we said, what we would do was to auction it. The three that came in first, I think, paid $280 million for the line. $280 million for something about to be given away for $3 million. That was the first thing we did. Not only that, we achieved competition.
“The three of them were competing. And, of course, the one that had the upper hand in terms of spread, I think, was MTN, followed by Glo. And then, there was Econet. They are now Airtel. And then, of course, later on, we had the fourth one, Etisalat. When Etisalat came, I told them the last one we did was $280 million. We told Etisalat to pay $450 million. They did.
“When they paid $450 million, the ball went in the post and then we were playing. That was how we got money to do what we did at the time we did it. That opportunity can still be made available. The money to develop Nigeria is out there, but that money will not come in unless we create a conducive atmosphere for that money to come in.
“What we did or what Nigeria has done in the good days when things were going well, are still there and can still be done today only if we put ourselves and we are honest to ourselves. We have to show character and attitude.”
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, said: “It is great to see that an editor, despite the huge task of meeting deadlines, writing stories that would sell his paper, can sit down and write a book. I am here to say I appreciate Oketola’s effort and also honour him. It is an honour and privilege to be here for the launch of a book written by a respected and seasoned editor who has contributed hugely to shaping opinions through his paper. As an editor, he ensured that his readers were well-informed and educated. He has always been at the forefront of truth-telling, balancing the line between facts and analysis to ensure that readers are well-informed, engaged and sometimes even challenged.
“This book is a testimonial to his years of dedication to journalism. It captures insights, stories and perhaps some untold experiences that have shaped his career. It is an exploration of complexities through the lens of someone who has been on the frontline of news delivery. As we gather to celebrate this significant achievement, let us take a moment to acknowledge the efforts that went into writing this book. For an editor whose schedule is very tight and works round-the-clock, I think this book is very commendable.”
Notable dignitaries present at the launch included Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, represented by Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; former Governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Mr Gbenga Adefaye; Chairperson of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr Sam Omatseye.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that Africans do not appreciate past leaders who have contributed to the development of their country.
Obasanjo spoke at an event organised by the Angolan community in Lagos State to mark Angola’s 2024 National Founder and Hero’s Day.
The annual celebration takes place every September 17 to honour the birth of Angola’s first President, Dr. Agostinho Neto, a writer and politician born on September 17, 1922, who played a key role in securing Angola’s independence from Portugal.
Obasanjo, who spoke on the topic: “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course of Agostinho Neto,” emphasized that having achieved political independence, Africa must now focus on attaining economic freedom. He also bemoaned the tendency of Africans to forget their past leaders.
Speaking further, he noted that although pan-Africanism started as an ideology, it unfortunately became a political movement while neglecting the continent’s economic issues.
He said, “One of the things that we tend to do in Africa is to forget the past and our leaders who have made numerous contributions we are enjoying. We should thank you most sincerely.
“Pan-Africanism is a movement and ideology. Unfortunately, it emphasises solidarity in our coming together, and later on, it becomes political. It pays more attention to political movements than economic reasons. This is where I see a cavity in the form of Pan-Africanism ideology.”
Troops have rescued 20 kidnap victims in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State just as it neutralised four bandits in two operations in Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas of the State.
The Kaduna State Government, which disclosed this citing a security report, said troops of Operation Forest Sanity had embarked on special clearance operations in the general area of Alawa in Birnin Gwari LGA.
Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Tuesday, said the troops set up as a blocking force, sighted bandits movement around Kwaga, and after a brief pursuit, neutralized two of them.
The statement said: “The following items were recovered: Two AK-47 rifles, Three magazines, Three motorcycles, One Baofeng Radio. In the second report, troops of Sector 6 Operation Whirl Punch conducted fighting patrols around Nakwakina village, Giwa LGA. Following credible intelligence, the troops laid ambush along a likely terrorists’ withdrawal route.”
“The terrorists were eventually sighted and engaged, resulting in two neutralized as others escaped with bullet wounds. The troops combed the area and recovered two motorcycles, one cutlass and one mobile phone,” it added.
The statement explained that in another mission, troops of Sector 3, Operation Whirl Punch deployed along Kwaga-Polewire Road, Birnin Gwari LGA, responded to a distress call and intercepted bandits who had kidnapped locals near Polewire village. “The bandits fled from the scene on sighting the troops, who promptly rescued the 20 kidnapped victims and reunited them with their families.”
Reacting to the development, Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, commended the troops for the successful operations.
The Federal Government earned approximately $1.2bn in telecom license fees from major operators, including MTN, Globacom, Econet (now Airtel), and Etisalat (now 9mobile), during the inception of mobile technology in Nigeria.
These license fees played a vital role in establishing the telecom industry in 2000, a sector crucial to Nigeria’s economy.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed this at the book launch and exaugural lecture of former Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, in Lagos on Tuesday.
He revealed that his administration rejected attempts to sell telecom licenses for a mere $3m, instead ensuring they were sold at their true value of $280m each to MTN, Glo, and Etisalat.
Notably, Etisalat, the last entrant into the telecom sector, paid a substantial $450m for its license. This strategic move generated a total of $1.2bn to the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission.
“When the first three mobile telecom companies came in, they were offered licenses. The cost of one of these licenses was $280m, but soon, the same license was going to be offered for just $3m by some individuals in the previous government who wanted to give out these licenses to their friends for just $3m,” Obasanjo said.
He said while these investments have driven significant progress, creating the right conditions remains essential for attracting future investments and sustaining sector growth.
“There are still opportunities today for Nigeria to attract investments, but the right conditions need to be created for that money to come in again,” he stated.
MTN, a South African firm, began operations in Nigeria in August 2001 and quickly became a market leader. Globacom entered the market in 2003, introducing a pioneering per-second billing model that compelled MTN and Econet to follow suit.
Econet Wireless Nigeria, launched in 2000, initiated commercial GSM services on August 5, 2001. In 2007, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Service, trading as Etisalat, joined the Nigerian telecom market.
Speaking further, he acknowledged that the competition among operators (MTN, Econet, Glo) significantly shaped the sector.
“We achieved competition. The three of them were competing. And of course, the one who had the upper hand in terms of spread, I think, was MTN, followed by Glo and then there was Econet. Econet made the heart quarrel among themselves a bit, but eventually, they sorted themselves out. Well, when they came, they came last,” the ex-president stated.
Before the advent of mobile telephony in Nigeria around 2000, landlines were the primary means of communication. During this period, landlines were limited and often considered a luxury, accessible mainly to the wealthy.
The former head of state recounted how Nigerians faced considerable challenges with limited infrastructure, securing fewer than 500,000 phone lines despite extensive investments.
“The story of communication telecommunication, particularly mobile communication telecommunication, was a very interesting one, because before mobile telecommunication, we’d done a lot of things.
“We spent a lot of money. We have had companies we have invited from America, from France, even from Britain, and we did not get more than 500,000 lines with all that we have done, and people have to queue at the telephone,” Obasanjo stated.