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Gov Sule Warns Government Officials Against ‘Get Rich Quick’ Syndrome

AFOLABI

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule has warned government officials against the ‘get rich quick’ syndrome.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday when he hosted the state Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, who led a delegation of government officials to him on a Sallah homage in Gudi, Akwanga local government area.

He urged the government officials to join him in building the state.

“What I have noticed over and over is that people look for this quick money to come and they take the money and it doesn’t benefit them in any way whatsoever.

”The sad thing is for somebody to accumulate illegal wealth and then die. People don’t even know where the money is hidden,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to institutionalising policies and projects that would outlive his tenure.

Sule emphasised that he is taking every measure to ensure that investors coming into the state are protected even after he leaves office in 2027.

“We are doing everything to ensure that we protect some of the investors that are coming by putting some legal instruments that would protect investments.

”It is one of the reasons why the investors are showing interest to invest in the state,” he said.

The delegation was made up of commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, as well as heads of agencies, departments and parastatals.

Better Buy Right Now With $2,000: Bitcoin or Solana?

Admin

2025 has already been a chaotic year for both Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), with the former losing 6% of its value and the latter losing 28% even as both are exposed to major catalysts in the form of an emerging apparently pro-crypto regulatory regime in the U.S.

But through the rest of the year, there could be a lot of upward action in both of these coins. Here's which one is the better option for an investment of $2,000.

A question of appetite for risk

Bitcoin is the safer of these coins, which makes it the better choice for conservative investors. The reason for that is Bitcoin does not need to compete with other chains for investors' capital on the basis of its technology or the value of the projects in its blockchain ecosystem.

Think about buying gold. Nobody expects that gold will get any upgrades that make it easier to use as a store of value; people buy it because it's scarce, and it's energy-intensive to mine. It's the same idea with Bitcoin. As there can only be 21 million Bitcoins that ever exist, every new coin that's mined and purchased is a coin that someone else can't have.

The world could change a vast amount over the coming years, and those central precepts would still remain true, and the coin would retain value due to its scarcity. But, generally, investments that have a shot at retaining most of their value are not as effective at positioning investors to gain from changes to that value, as the assets themselves are less likely to change. So it's reasonable to expect that there will not be as much growth with an investment in Bitcoin compared to an investment in an alternative like Solana.

For Solana, consider it to be closer to an ecosystem that you're betting will expand and become prosperous. If the many projects hosted on Solana's chain flourish (and based on their ever-increasing application revenues over time it seems like that's the case), there will be more demand for the coin, as the coin is a prerequisite for taking most actions when using the chain. If, on the other hand, a more effective chain comes along that beats Solana on its technical chops, it might be a problem.

In terms of the future segments that could drive Solana to higher values, artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to be the most important. There are already a slew of projects on Solana claiming to offer infrastructure for AI agents to hold resources on and interact with the blockchain. But it remains to be seen if those projects will actually generate value in a way that attracts more capital to invest in Solana or its tokens.

Therein lies the risk: While an AI-fueled boom would send the coin's price higher by increasing the total value stored on the chain as distributed in its tokens, such a boom would need to be more than a flash in the pan to keep the price rising over the long term. And it's too early to tell what might happen, which implies that investors will be taking a significant risk if they buy Solana, even if the upside could be tremendous.

Give these investments plenty of time to deliver their value

Regardless of whether you prefer the higher-risk proposition of Solana or the safer pick of Bitcoin, you're going to need to retain your coins for at least a few years to give time for the investment theses for each to play out in full.

On that front, Bitcoin is probably the asset that will require the longer hold to fully benefit. Its increasing mining difficulty occurs over the course of years, and in all probability, decades. It is possible to sell your coins before those long periods have elapsed, but you'll be leaving money on the table by doing so.

In contrast, a lot can change with Solana in just a couple of years, especially considering the pace at which trends in cryptocurrency segments come and go. So far, the most durable trend that the chain has claimed as its own is the meme coin casino -- a dubious distinction, but a driver of its value nonetheless. Ongoing success in more serious segments like AI agents, AI infrastructure, or decentralized finance (DeFi) would do a lot to ensure that the chain's value survives as the world changes around it.

[The Motley Fool ]

Why Trump's Tariffs Could Actually Be Good for Bitcoin

Admin

So far, crypto markets haven’t behaved as expected under the Trump Administration. Investors hoped that regulatory reform and policies like a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve would drive prices appreciably higher. But it’s been the opposite. Bitcoin has fallen from highs well above $100,000 at the beginning of the year to a trough in the mid-80,000s for most of March.

Crypto prices have suffered from being increasingly correlated with traditional assets like stocks and bonds, which have been hit by macroeconomic uncertainty. Tariffs — surcharges the U.S. places on imports from other countries — have Wall Street worried about a global recession. Crypto investors have been steering clear of crypto assets, which are seen as relatively risky.

“This is all about markets’ ‘risk appetite’ which continues to deteriorate, and for the time being drives a wedge between crypto assets and gold, which continues to be the ‘safe haven’ of choice,” said Marc Ostwald, Chief Economist & Global Strategist at ADM Investor Services International.

“[That’s] in no small part driven by central bank FX reserve managers, who are seeking to reduce USD exposure, which has long been a source of concern to them.”

As the global financial and trade system becomes more fragmented, investors are seeking alternatives to riskier assets, including dollars. For now, that means turning to gold, which is up 18% year-to-date.

But that could change, said Omid Malekan, an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School and author of "The Story of the Blockchain: A Beginner's Guide to the Technology That Nobody Understands." Bitcoin could be the new gold soon enough.

“I think the entire [future] is uncertain and in some ways unknowable, because there are many crosscurrents and both crypto and tariffs are new. Some people argue that crypto is just a risk-on tech asset and would sell off due to tariffs. But bitcoin has found footing in some circles as ‘digital gold’ and the physical variety is soaring on the tariff news. So which will it be?”

In other words, economic uncertainty could lead investors to seek out bitcoin just as they have sought out gold in recent months.

Another note of positivity: the impact of tariffs on crypto could be “priced in” and the worst might be over already, said Zach Pandl, head of research at Grayscale, a leading crypto asset management firm.

President Trump is due to announce U.S. tariffs on Wednesday, April 2, at 4 p.m. ET—what’s known as “Liberation Day.” According to reports, he’ll lay out “reciprocal tariffs” against 15 countries that have levied tariffs against the U.S., including China, Canada and Mexico.

Pandl estimates tariffs have so far taken 2% off economic growth this year. But Liberation Day might actually stop the worst of the pain felt in financial markets. “If we see an announcement [on Wednesday] that is tough but phased, and focused on the 15 countries they seem to be targeting, my expectation is that markets will rally on that news,” Pandl told CoinDesk.

“Potentially once we get through this announcement, crypto markets can focus back on the fundamentals which are very positive.”

Pandl said announcements like Circle’s IPO wouldn’t be happening if institutions didn’t have a high degree of confidence in the digital assets sector and the policies around it.

Moreover, Pandl, a former macro-economist at Goldman Sachs, believes that tariffs will increase the appetite for currencies that aren’t dollars.

“I think tariffs will weaken the dominant role of the dollar and create space for competitors including bitcoin. Prices have gone down in the short run. But the first few months of the Trump Administration have raised my conviction in the longer term for bitcoin as a global monetary asset.”

Pendl still believes that bitcoin will hit new all-time highs this year, despite current pessimism around prices. “I wouldn’t have quit my Wall Street job if I didn’t think bitcoin will be the winner in the long term,” he said.

[CoinDesk]

How Kogi Central stood still for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Admin

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, yesterday, defied security restrictions imposed on Kogi State hours to her home-coming rally, shutting down all commercial and other activities in the senatorial district.

The suspended lawmaker, who arrived in a chopper, was received by a jubilant crowd in Okehi Local Government Area of the state, where the council chairman had earlier declared a curfew.

Her return came after the Kogi State government banned public gatherings and rallies over alleged security concerns.

The Kogi State police command had also asked her to cancel a planned Eid-el-Fitr celebration rally in the district.

The state Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, had in a statement signed, yesterday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya, said the rally was against the proclamation on ban on political gathering by the state government issued on Monday.

He said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.

“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.

“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is, therefore, advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the state.

‘’The command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the state.’’

However, her media team dismissed any speculation about a cancellation, maintaining that the visit would proceed as planned.

Earlier, the chairman of Okehi LGA, Amoka Monday, had also declared a curfew across the council area.
Amoka had in a statement he personally signed yesterday, said: “The curfew, which takes immediate effect, restricts movement and gatherings in designated areas.

“Anyone found loitering or assembling in restricted zones without clearance from the relevant authorities will be arrested and prosecuted. This is in line with the directive of the state government and Kogi State Commissioner of Police.

“The safety and security of our people are our top priority. We will not tolerate any actions that could compromise the peace and stability of our communities.”

He added that the decision to impose the curfew was a “proactive measure” to prevent any potential security breaches.’’

Nobody can stop me from coming home —Akpoti-Uduaghan

Before her return, the senator had alleged that any violence during the event should be blamed on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, and former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello.

She wrote on Facebook: “My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our peaceful Sallah celebrations today (yesterday).

“However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Governor Ododo, Yahaya Bello and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, wholly responsible.”

However, despite the security concerns and government restrictions, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return was met with widespread celebrations, as supporters gathered to welcome the lawmaker back to her hometown.

Addressing constituents in Ebira language, the suspended senator said: “Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira person; this is my land.

“I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard and I’m not afraid of anybody.”

…accuses INEC of bias in her recall

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of bias in her recall from the Senate.

She told the jubilant crowd: “What I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts. The first time the petition was submitted, they didn’t have address and phone numbers, so INEC went out to guide them on how to submit information that will perfect their petition.

“What did they do? The petitioners, who were from the other party, the APC, submitted a letterhead. What was the name on it? Kogi Central Political Frontier and the address there was number 4, Oboroke.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the address does not exist, adding that she ran a check on the status of registration of Kogi Central Political Frontier, the association, which sponsored her recall.

According to her, “the CAC report came negative, that the association is not registered. So, I’m still waiting and wondering why INEC has not yet made a statement to that effect or sent people down to Oboroke here, which is just five minutes away, to ascertain whether that address is real.

“Or have we stooped to the point whereby fictitious, non-existing associations and individuals can call for the recall of a senator? Are we in a kangaroo country? We should not allow that.

“I don’t know whether the process will be stalled but we are in courts as well. Also, I don’t know when they will come down here to verify.

“But I will say this, if the time ever comes for the verification of the 250,000 people that signed for my recall, I trust that you will do right.”

Natasha has no respect for rules, laws —Kogi govt

Reacting to the suspended senator’s visit, yesterday, Kogi State government accused her of inciting chaos in the state.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the government said: “The attention of the Kogi State government has been drawn to the reckless, malicious and utterly false allegations made by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her verified Facebook Page, in which she claims that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio should be held responsible if anything happens to her.

“This is yet another desperate and calculated attempt by her to mislead the public, incite unrest, and present herself as a victim, after deliberately violating the ban on political gatherings imposed by the state government to maintain law and order.

“Her statement exposed her plans to use her visit to stir trouble and violence in Kogi Central senatorial district. We will not allow any part of the state to go up in flames nor permit killing of innocent souls by the actions of the suspended senator.

“Although she has since deleted the post after realising what the lie would cost her, we have a screenshot of it which was saved before she deleted the post. Her actions since the early hours of today (yesterday) have confirmed the authenticity of the security report that certain elements were planning to foment trouble in Kogi Central.

“Let it be categorically stated that Governor Ododo absolutely has no interest in the political theatrics of the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her baseless allegations are nothing but a feeble attempt to stir unnecessary controversy and cover up her blatant disregard for the law. She has once again proven that she has no respect for rules and the laws.

“Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently demonstrated a pattern of lawlessness, using lies and deceit as her tools of political engagement. The recent disturbances in Kogi State, orchestrated by her defiance of the state’s security directives, have further confirmed her status as a security threat to the people of the state.

“She deliberately violated the state government’s ban on political gatherings, which was put in place to prevent security breaches and maintain peace. Instead of respecting the law, she chose to incite chaos, disregarding the safety and stability of the state.

‘’When confronted with the consequences of her actions, she resorted to her usual tactics of playing the victim and fabricating baseless accusations against respected leaders of the state and the nation.
“The people of Kogi State and Nigerians at large should see through her deceptive ploys and reject her attempt to manipulate public perception with outright lies. Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan is not a victim; she is an instigator of disorder who thrives on spreading falsehoods to gain public sympathy.

“Kogi State government will not be blackmailed or intimidated by the antics of a politician who has built her political career on falsehoods. We remain committed to upholding law and order and will take all necessary steps to ensure that no individual, no matter how highly placed, is allowed to breach public peace with impunity.

‘’The building tension and cloud of violence hanging on Kogi Central wouldn’t have been necessary if Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had complied with the position of the state government and cooperated with security agencies. She would be held responsible if her actions result in any violence in Kogi Central or any part of the state.

“Let it be clear that the security of every citizen in Kogi State, including that of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, remains a priority. However, the government will not tolerate anyone deliberately provoking crises and then crying wolf when confronted with the consequences of his or her actions.

“We call on the security agencies to take note of her reckless utterances and inflammatory actions that pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the state. She should be held accountable for her blatant attempts to incite violence and cause unnecessary tension.’’

[Opinion Nigeria]

Stop The Lies, Democracy Doesn’t Exist In Nigeria – Peter Obi

AFOLABI

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the governance system in Nigeria, submitting that the government is not working for the people.

In an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, Obi insisted that Nigeria is not a democratic country.

The former Anambra State Governor submitted that it is simply a lie to describe what Nigeria is operating as democracy, stating that the country lacks the tenets and yardsticks of measuring democracy.

Naija News reports he lamented that the citizens are not getting any benefit from the government and their votes are not allowed to count at the polls.

According to him, Nigeria’s democracy had been progressing since 1999 but is now suffering a collapse under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“I have said it, and I maintain that there is no democracy in Nigeria today. Nigeria today is not a democratic country. Let’s stop telling ourselves lies. If you look at all the tenets and yardsticks measuring democracy, it doesn’t exist here.

“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Today, the government we have is not of the people.

“It is not by the people because the people didn’t vote. It wasn’t their votes. I’m not just talking about the presidency; it’s across the line. Look at what happened in Edo. Can you call that democracy?

“It is not the vote of the people. And it is not for the people. I have just told you that I went to an IDP camp where we have thousands of people. No primary health care.

“They were begging me to have one nurse, which I said I must make sure they have. They don’t even have a primary school, which again I have told them I will make sure it happens,” Obi said.

What You Should Know About New NNPC Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari

AFOLABI

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), replacing Mallam Mele Kyari.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the NNPCL board, which also saw the removal of Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure and all other board members appointed in November 2023.

The newly reconstituted 11-member board features Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman, alongside Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO.

Adedapo Segun, who succeeded Umaru Isa Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) last year, has been retained as a member of the new board.

The board also includes six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones:

North West: Bello Rabiu
North East: Yusuf Usman
North Central: Babs Omotowa, former MD of Nigeria LNG
South South: Austin Avuru
South West: David Ige
South East: Henry Obih
Additionally, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the Ministry of Finance, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

All appointments take effect from April 2, 2025.

Who is Bayo Ojulari?

Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who hails from Kwara State, brings over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector to his new role.

Until his appointment, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. Under his leadership, Renaissance spearheaded a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) through a consortium of indigenous energy firms.

Ojulari is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He began his career with Elf Aquitaine, where he was the first Nigerian process engineer, and later joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991.

His international experience spans Europe and the Middle East, where he worked in various technical and leadership roles including strategic planner, asset manager, field developer, and production engineer.

In 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

Ojulari has also served as Chairman and Board Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Nigeria’s net FX reserves rose to $23b in December, says CBN

Admin

•Apex bank insists it is at 3-year high

Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves (NFER) was $23.11 billion at the end of last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. The value is $15.6 billion short of the current gross reserves, which are currently at $38.7 billion, a slight slip from the $40.2 billion it closed last year.

There may be a material difference between the real-term value and what it was three months ago. Yet, the peg has laid to rest the speculation that Nigeria might have carried on with negative NFER in the face of the protracted FX crisis. Still, the CBN said the net value is at its highest in over three years.

The apex bank, yesterday, said the feat achieved as of the end of 2024 reflects a substantial improvement in the country’s external liquidity, reduced short-term obligations and renewed investor confidence.

According to the CBN, the figure was a remarkable increase from $3.99 billion at 2023 ending, $8.19 billion in 2022 and $14.59 billion in 2021. NFER adjusts gross reserves to account for near-term liabilities such as FX swaps and forward contracts.

It is widely regarded as a more accurate indicator of the foreign exchange buffers available to meet immediate external obligations. A few years ago, there was apprehension that Nigeria’s net FX reserve would have slipped into negative territory. The CBN, then, kept mute over the actual figure.

Last year at the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) general meeting in Washington DC, the apex bank’s boss, Yemi Cardoso, promised that his team would, beginning from last quarter, start disclosing the NFER as part of its commitment to full disclosure and transparency.

Gross external reserves also increased to $40.19 billion, compared to $33.22 billion at the close of 2023, the bank argued. The bank noted that the increase in reserves reflects a combination of its strategic measures, including a deliberate and substantial reduction in short-term foreign exchange liabilities – notably swaps and forward obligations.

It added that the strengthening was also spurred by policy actions to rebuild confidence in the FX market and increase reserve buffers, along with recently improved foreign exchange inflows – particularly from non-oil sources.

It further disclosed that the result is a stronger and more transparent reserves position that better equips Nigeria to withstand external shocks. The expansion occurred even as the CBN continued to reduce short-term liabilities, thereby improving the overall quality of the reserve position.

In his comment on the achievement, the governor of the CBN, Yemi Cardoso, said: “This improvement in our net reserves is not accidental; it is the outcome of deliberate policy choices aimed at rebuilding confidence, reducing vulnerabilities and laying the foundation for long-term stability. We remain focused on sustaining this progress through transparency, discipline, and market-driven reforms.”

The CBN hinted that reserves would continue to strengthen in 2025.

While the first quarter figures reflected some seasonal and transitional adjustments, including significant interest payments on foreign-denominated debt, underlying fundamentals remain intact, and reserves are expected to continue improving over the second quarter of this year.

Going forward, the CBN said it anticipates a steady uptick in reserves, underpinned by improved oil production levels, and a more supporting export growth environment expected to boost non-oil FX earnings and diversify external inflows.

“The CBN remains committed to prudent reserve management, transparent reporting and macroeconomic policies that support a stable exchange rate, attract investment and build long-term resilience,” it stated

[Guardian]

Meet ex-basketballer appointed as NNPC board chair; new GCEO

Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari and board chairman Pius Akinyelure.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the sweeping changes, effective April 2, 2025, in a statement early Wednesday posted on X.

Meet Kida, ex-basketballer

According to the statement, the new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida hails from Borno State and is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984.

He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris. He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985. Musa became Total Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015.

“Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group. Apart from his oil industry career, Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBBF) board,” the statement added.

Ojulari

Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL GCEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company which recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.

Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, according to the statement. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector.

From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist. Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager.

“In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers,” it added.

[DailyTrust]

US presidency: Barack Obama worked against Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out – Jonathan Allen

Admin

A reporter and author, Jonathan Allen on Tuesday alleged that former United States, US, President, Barack Obama secretly worked against former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Allen, a senior reporter with NBC News, alleged that Obama worked against Harris after former President Joe Biden dropped out.

In an interview with MSNBC, Allen claimed that Obama advocated for an open primary because he didn’t think Harris could win.

“President Obama absolutely did not think that Joe Biden should continue, according to our sources close to President Obama.

“And he also didn’t want Kamala Harris to be the replacement for Biden. He didn’t think that she was the best choice for Democrats, and he worked really behind the scenes for a long time to try to have a mini-primary, or an open convention, or a mini-primary leading to an open convention, did not have faith in her ability to win the election.

“As it turned out, she didn’t win, but he was really working against her,” he claimed.

Harris, a Democrat had emerged as the party’s presidential candidate after Biden stepped down from running for a second term.

Despite Allen’s allegations, Obama had openly endorsed and campaigned for Harris to emerge as president ahead of Donald Trump.

[DailyPost]

Drill or lose your Oil Wells, Fed Govt warns

Admin

Oil wells’ licensees that have failed to initiate drilling operations in the last 30 years risk losing such licenses.

They will as well lose ownership of the facilities under the “drill or drop” provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known while speaking at the Cross Industry Group (CIG) Meeting held in Florence, Italy, organised by international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria. He said any proactive government will revoke the licenses for undeveloped assets and reallocate them to those willing and ready to drill them.

He urged industry players to explore collaborative measures such as shared resources for contiguous assets, farm-outs, and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.

According to his spokesman Nneamaka Okafor, the minister added that the decision to enforce the “drill or drop” in the PIA 2021, is in line with the Federal Government’s drive to boost production.

“We cannot continue to have assets sitting idle for 20 to 30 years without development. If you are not utilising an asset and it remains underdeveloped for decades, it neither adds value to your books nor to us as a country.

“We encourage industry players to explore collaborative measures such as shared resources for contiguous assets, farm-outs, and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production. Otherwise, like any responsible government, we will take back these assets and allocate them to those willing to go to work,” Lokpobiri said.

The minister also urged operators to consider farm-out agreements where assets are close to existing infrastructure, rather than incurring high costs on new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units.

He urged IOCs operating in Nigeria to ramp up investments in the country’s oil and gas sector, emphasising that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had provided every necessary incentive to ensure seamless and profitable operations.

Lokpobiri noted that while IOCs have pointed to engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, EPCs will only commit when they see strong investment decisions from industry players.

“The government has done its part by providing the requisite and investment-friendly fiscal policies, including the President’s Executive Order incentivising deepwater investments. Now, the ball is in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” the Minister stated.

He further emphasised the need for IOCs to support local refining efforts, noting that more refineries are coming on stream and will require a steady supply of crude oil.

To make this easy and possible, he stressed that ramping up production will enable Nigeria to meet both local and international obligations.

The Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Osagie Osunbor, commended the Minister for his direct engagement with industry players and for the Federal Government’s continued efforts in advancing the sector.

“We appreciate the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment. The Minister’s engagement has provided critical insights and has also challenged us as industry players to step up efforts to increase production,” Osunbor stated.

The Federal Government, he said, remains committed to ensuring a thriving oil and gas industry and expects operators to match its commitment by making tangible investment decisions that will drive growth, sustainability, and national energy security.

[TheNation]

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Jonathan has set example in political maturity, says council

Admin

The Executive Secretary of the International Supreme Council for Peace Africa, Ambassador Simeon Uwah, has highlighted the remarkable sacrifice made by former President Goodluck Jonathan in conceding defeat during the 2015 general elections.

Uwah described Jonathan’s decision as one of the most defining moments of democratic maturity in Africa.

In the 2015 general elections, Jonathan made history by conceding defeat to former President Muhammadu Buhari in a fiercely contested race.

This unprecedented act stunned Nigerians and captured the attention of the world.

Speaking to journalists in Uyo on Monday, exactly 10 years after the event, Uwah emphasised that Jonathan’s decision to peacefully hand over power serves as a valuable lesson for African leaders who, in times of turmoil, choose to cling to power rather than prioritise peace.

“On March 31, 2015, exactly 10 years ago today, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan made history by conceding defeat to Muhammadu Buhari after a fiercely contested presidential election,” Uwah said. “In an era where political leaders across Africa often resort to violence, electoral disputes, or unconstitutional maneuvers to hold onto power, Jonathan’s concession stands as one of the most defining moments of African democratic maturity. It was a turning point, and Nigeria’s democracy was draped in bright colors.”

Uwah further noted that Jonathan’s now-famous phone call to Buhari to offer congratulations was more than just a gracious acknowledgment of the election results.

It was a deliberate act of commitment to peace, democracy, and national stability.

“His phone call to Buhari was not merely a gesture of sportsmanship—it was a purposeful step towards ensuring peace. This single act helped avert post-election violence, saved countless lives, and strengthened Nigeria’s democratic standing on the global stage,” Uwah added.

He emphasised that Jonathan’s decision should serve as a model for Africa, particularly as the continent continues to face political crises.

“As Africa grapples with military coups, disputed elections, democratic backsliding, and the entrenchment of authoritarian regimes, Jonathan’s approach remains a crucial blueprint for democratic governance and reforms,” Uwah said. “With political instability on the rise across the continent—from Guinea to Sudan, Gabon to Burkina Faso—instituting patriotic and democratic leadership is not just optional, it is imperative. If this direction is not followed, Africa risks facing even greater challenges.”

Uwah also suggested that Jonathan’s peaceful concession should be taught as a case study in governance and leadership training for African leaders.

He called on the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to institutionalise peaceful handovers and leadership transitions as democratic standards to safeguard the continent’s democracy from collapse.

“Political transitions should be collaborative, not adversarial,” Uwah urged. “Future leaders must embrace bipartisanship and national reconciliation as core principles of governance.”

He concluded by recalling Jonathan’s words from that pivotal moment: “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”

Uwah called for African leaders to adopt this mindset—not just in rhetoric but in practice—moving forward.

[Punch]

Single cigarette takes 20 minutes off life expectancy - study finds

AFOLABI

Smokers are being urged to kick the habit for 2025 after a fresh assessment of the harms of cigarettes found they shorten life expectancy even more than doctors thought.

Researchers at University College London found that on average a single cigarette takes about 20 minutes off a person’s life, meaning that a typical pack of 20 cigarettes can shorten a person’s life by nearly seven hours.

According to the analysis, if a smoker on 10 cigarettes a day quits on 1 January, they could prevent the loss of a full day of life by 8 January. They could boost their life expectancy by a week if they quit until 5 February and a whole month if they stop until 5 August. By the end of the year, they could have avoided losing 50 days of life, the assessment found.

“People generally know that smoking is harmful but tend to underestimate just how much,” said Dr Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL’s alcohol and tobacco research group. “On average, smokers who don’t quit lose around a decade of life. That’s 10 years of precious time, life moments, and milestones with loved ones.”

Smoking is one of the world’s leading preventable causes of disease and death, killing up to two-thirds of long-term users. It causes about 80,000 deaths a year in the UK and a quarter of all cancer deaths in England.

The study, commissioned by the Department of Health, draws on the latest data from the British Doctors Study, which began in 1951 as one of the world’s first large studies into the effects of smoking, and the Million Women Study, which has tracked women’s health since 1996.

While an earlier assessment in the BMJ in 2000 found that on average a single cigarette reduced life expectancy by about 11 minutes, the latest analysis published in the Journal of Addictionnearly doubles the figure to 20 minutes – 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women.

“Some people might think they don’t mind missing out on a few years of life, given that old age is often marked by chronic illness or disability. But smoking doesn’t cut short the unhealthy period at the end of life,” Jackson told the Guardian. “It primarily eats into the relatively healthy years in midlife, bringing forward the onset of ill-health. This means a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.”

Although some smokers live long lives, others develop smoking-related diseases and even die from them in their 40s. The variation is driven by differences in smoking habits such as the type of cigarette used, the number of puffs taken and how deeply smokers inhale. People also differ in how susceptible they are to the toxic substances in cigarette smoke.

The authors stress that smokers must quit completely to get the full benefits to health and life expectancy. Previous work has shown there is no safe level of smoking: the risk of heart disease and stroke is only about 50% lower for people who smoke one cigarette a day compared with those who smoke 20 a day. “Stopping smoking at every age is beneficial, but the sooner smokers get off this escalator of death the longer and healthier they can expect their lives to be,” they write.

The Department of Health said smokers could find advice, support and resources on the NHS Quit Smoking app and the online Personal Quit Plan, which tailors its advice to individual’s preferences.

Prof Sanjay Agrawal, a special adviser on tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy. This research is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address cigarette smoking as the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK.”

The Guardian, UK

Peter Obi lists five things he would have done differently as President

Admin

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has again criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying his government has not delivered on some of its promises to Nigerians.

After almost two years of Tinubu administration, Obi believes the President has not made any visible impact on Nigerians.

The ex-governor of Anambra State assessed the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the evening of Tuesday, April 1, 2025, when he appeared on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.

Obi said that if he were president, he would have ensured that Nigerians saw considerable change in critical sectors.

Highlighting some of the things he would have done differently, the LP chieftain said in two years, he would have tackled corruption and reduced the cost of governance in a manner that would be visible to Nigerians.

“The President that is there today how many years has he spent, two years and you could see where we are. That means you can change things in two years. If I was there in two years, you would have seen a considerable change in critical areas. I would have tackled corruption head on. I would have reduced cost of governance and you would see it, people would feel it,” he said.

Obi said his administration would have ensured that borrowed money was invested properly in healthcare, stressing that 70 percent of the sector is currently inoperative.

“Our primary healthcare today, 70 percent (of it) are not functional and we spent over N35 billion on conference centre, which conference? who is coming for the conference? You need to invest your money properly, You would have been seeing borrowed money invested in critical areas,” he submitted.

Citing Banglandesh as an example, the ex-governor said his administration would use Nigeria’s land size to turn it into a rice-producing country.

“In Bangladesh, a country with one 148,000 km² of land is producing about 60 million metric tons of rice and us, with over six times that size of land cannot do 10 percent of that,” Obi said.

Lastly, Obi agreed with President Tinubu’s devaluation of the naira; however, he faulted the manner in which the policy was implemented.

He said if he were the President, he would have floated the naira in an organised manner, adding that floating the currency is meant to support productivity.

He said, “There’s nothing wrong in devaluation, but I would have allowed the naira to float but I would have done it in an organised manner. There will be productivity. The idea of devaluing your currency, allowing it to float is that you have productivity so you can export, so people can come and buy.”

According to him, floating the naira without productivity is a double whammy.

Vanguard News

No website, contact info — the digital lacuna in livestock development ministry

Admin

Several months after its establishment, Nigeria’s federal ministry of livestock development (FMLD) still lacks a website.

Checks by TheCable showed that it is the only ministry in Nigeria without a website. There are also no designated official social media accounts for the ministry.

In July 2024, during the inauguration of the presidential committee on livestock reforms, President Bola Tinubu hinted at the creation of the FMLD.

“This sector will boost agricultural productivity, enhance export opportunities and stimulate economic growth by fostering a robust value chain that benefits farmers, processors, herders, distributors and consumers alike,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu had set up the presidential livestock reforms implementation committee in September 2023 to revamp the livestock industry and address the perpetual crisis between pastoralists and farmers over access to land, pasture and water.

The committee was established after the president received a report from the national conference on livestock reforms and mitigation of associated conflicts in Nigeria.

The panel had given the president 21 recommendations, including the creation of a ministry of livestock resources.

The president announced that he would chair the committee, while Attahiru Jega, former INEC chairman, would serve as co-chair.

In September, when the committee’s inception report was presented to Tinubu, Jega said the committee provided detailed guidance on the proposed livestock development ministry.

Attahiru Jega, chairman of the presidential committee on livestock reforms, presents the report of the panel to President Bola Tinubu

“As you are aware, Mr. President has already announced the establishment of Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, and in our report, we have provided detailed guidance in terms of how to set up this ministry, what the structure of the ministry should be, what the mission, the vision, the objectives, the functions of the ministry should be, how many departments it should have, how many technical departments, that is, how many service units should it have, how many institutes should it have, how many research centers it should have, and so on and so forth,” Jega told journalists after meeting with the president.

There is, however, no public mention of the exact date of the ministry’s establishment; but in October 2024, Tinubu announced Idi Mukhtar Maiha as head of the livestock ministry, which was carved out of the ministry of agriculture.

It remains unclear whether the ministry was established when Tinubu hinted at its creation, when a minister was appointed to the portfolio, or at another point in time.

Before Maiha came on board, Chinyere Akujobi, announced as a permanent secretary on June 28, 2024, oversaw the ministry’s affairs. On July 13, Tinubu approved the appointment of Idris Ajimobi as his senior special assistant (SSA) on livestock development (office of the president).

The ministry’s coming on board, in addition to the prior creation of three new ministries, especially at a time when the clamour for reduced governance costs was intense, drew much criticism.

Justifying the ministry’s establishment, Lateef Fagbemi, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, said the move is needed to enhance protein production and increase employment opportunities and government revenue.

Speaking to journalists at the state house, Abuja, after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting of July 10, Fagbemi explained that the agriculture ministry would focus on other responsibilities.

“President formally informed Council that a ministry known as Ministry of Livestock Development is being established and this is because he believes that the Ministry of Agriculture should be broken into two, one concentrating on livestock development because of what we stand to achieve in terms of protein, in terms of employment, in terms earnings for the government and how this one will rub off on the lives of an ordinary Nigerian citizen,” Fagbemi said.

“I have talked about this livestock, and I said one, apart from improving the protein intake of our people, it also provides money for government because it’s going to be on large scale that will ensure money or revenue for government, and there is also going to be increased employment opportunities for people. So these are some of the areas that I think I should clear.”

A DIGITAL ABSENCE

In an era of rapid technological advancement, government agencies are expected to maintain robust online presence. The absence of a dedicated website for the ministry of livestock development stands out as a critical oversight.

For a ministry charged with driving modernisation and investment, an official website is not a mere accessory but an essential platform for public engagement, transparency, and accountability.

Web searches show there are no platforms where the ministry can be contacted.

TheCable contacted Ajimobi to enquire about the digital lacuna but got no response to the query. A link on his X handle to access his office initially presented an error message: “This account has been suspended”. After TheCable contacted him, the website became active, but no substantial information was available.

However, Jega told TheCable that “the ministry is new and trying to find its footing. They may soon have a website”. He directed the reporter to the website for the presidential livestock reforms implementation for consultation.

On September 24, Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, said Tinubu had directed the refurbishing of the former ministry of agriculture building for the newly created livestock ministry.

During an inspection tour of the building, Wike said the structure passed its integrity test.

“Well, it is the former Ministry of Agriculture, and we have a directive from Mr President to go and immediately refurbish the place and furnish it for the new Ministry of Livestock, and that is why we went there to see things for ourselves. We will get some companies to come and look at it, and quote for it. It is an emergency work because the creation of the Ministry of Livestock is a welcome development, and you can see people are happy, waiting for it to start,” Wike said.

Meanwhile, Maiha told the national assembly during the budget defence session in January that the ministry is being temporarily housed by the office of the secretary to the government of the federation.

FG MANDATES ALL MDAs TO HAVE FUNCTIONAL WEBSITES

George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) — George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation

In a circular dated December 10, 2017, made available on the website of the office of the secretary-general of the federation (OSGF), the federal government said: “It is required that the MDAs have functional websites to support the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business initiative.”

It added that it has observed most government websites do not contain requisite baseline information investors could easily access to establish their businesses in Nigeria. This, it explained, is contrary to the intent of Executive Order E001 designed to promote transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s business environment.

“Towards this end, the Federal Government has developed a scorecard for ranking MDA’s websites in ensuring that MDAs comply with necessary Standards for government website, to boost the Operationalization of the Executive Order,” the circular reads.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NIDTA) outlines the standards and guidelines for government websites here.

The ministry of communication, innovation and digital economy, in October 2023, announced the e-government initiative. The ministry set four key goals — connected government, informed citizenry, open data, and open government partnership — to drive the adoption of e-government across all MDAs.

“Leveraging on technology advances; the Ministry has initiated projects to ensure that citizens and businesses have easy access to government services. These initiatives are prioritized to drive the adoption of e-government across the MDAs, which will improve service delivery, drive transparency, accountability and good governance,” the ministry wrote on its website.

FG TO FULLY DIGITISE CIVIL SERVICE BY 2025

In 2021, the federal government launched the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021-2025). The document noted that the manual process of storing and processing information is characterised by high operational costs, with stationary alone gulping N5 billion annually (2 percent of the national budget); hence, the civil service is committed to the full digitalisation and automation of the work process across MDAs.

The priorities under digitalisation for the new plan include the creation of an official email address for all civil and public servants, launching of service-wide professional ICT staff skills upgrade, accelerating digitisation of content, and procuring and implementing content services and functional solutions.

Folasade Yemi-Esan, former head of the civil service, said in December 2023 that in line with the FCSSIP 2021-2025, MDAs have no reason not to go digital “having been given the opportunity to ensure adequate budgetary allocation in the 2024 budget”.

She urged MDAs to leverage technology to drive the national goals to meet the 2025 deadline.

WHAT HAS THE MINISTRY BEEN UP TO?

Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of livestock development

In February, Maiha said the ministry aims to double livestock’s contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035.

In his interview appearances, Maiha said that since its creation, there have been misconceptions about the ministry.

“This ministry is not about cattle; it is about farmable animals,” Maiha said, explaining that it covers animals starting from bees, snails, poultry, rabbitry, goat, sheep, pigs, donkeys, horses, camels, cows and cattle.

Maiha said that in the immediate term, the ministry’s priorities include breed enhancement, increased production of feed and fodder, infrastructure development, disease and health management, and providing an enabling environment for private sector operators, including the provision of ranches, dairy farms, abattoir operators, and logistics.

He explained that the livestock sector is mainly informal and in private hands, hence the need for inclusivity in the ministry’s plans. He added that the ministry has embarked on “hundreds of stakeholder engagements” since its creation.

“You can’t do otherwise but deal with those who own those assets. The national herd, the repository of our animal protein in this country, is mostly in private hands. We are just going to enhance their capacity to manage it a better way,” he said.

For budgetary provisions, the federal government earmarked N11.8 billion in the 2025 budget for the ministry’s take-off, with N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead costs. The national assembly argued that the sum was inadequate.

Dauda Lawal (speaking in front of the microphone) with Maiha (right)

In January, Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, paid a courtesy visit to Maiha. Lawal said that as an agrarian state, Zamfara plays a significant role in the mandate of the FMLD, pledging his administration’s willingness to collaborate with the ministry.

Speaking during the first Benue Livestock Summit 2025, Maiha said the federal government, as well as the governments of Qatar and Brazil, are interested in livestock development in Benue.

He said the ministry intends to reactivate grazing reserves and turn them into ranches. According to Maina, there are currently 417 grazing reserves in Nigeria.

The minister was also in attendance at the inauguration of the Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement in the Mafa LGA of Borno state in January.

He described the project as a model for sustainable livestock development in Nigeria and urged other states to adopt similar strategies.

In February, Maiha said he federal government has initiated plans to digitise all grazing routes in the country “to know where they are, who is using them, and whether there is encroachment on those cattle routes”.

But without a website, stakeholders ranging from local farmers and industry investors to policy analysts, investors and international development partners are forced to rely on press releases and fragmented news reports to track the ministry’s activities.

The lack of centralised digital communication hampers the ministry’s ability to disseminate accurate, up-to-date information about policy initiatives, project progress, and investment opportunities.

The absence of an online platform can create uncertainty, discourage investment, and ultimately impede the inflow of capital needed to realise the ministry’s ambitious reform agenda.

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