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An unidentified lady has allegedly jumped from the Ekpan flyover in Uvwie local government area, Delta state to her death.
The sad incident which occurred Saturday afternoon in the oil-rich city became the first alleged case of suicide recorded on the flyover.
The state Police public relations officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the sad incident to the Vanguard, saying before the police got there the corpse of the lady had been removed.
“We heard of the incident but before our men got there, they took the corpse of the woman away.”, the police said.
Some eyewitnesses who spoke to the Vanguard said the middle-aged lady apparently in her 30s screamed that she was tired of hardship before jumping from the flyover to her death.
In another development, one person allegedly lost his life in a kidnap incident that took place on the ever-busy Warri -Sapele road on Friday night at about 8 pm.
Vanguard gathered that the kidnappers opened fire on some vehicles around the Elume bridge area of the road.
One person who allegedly sustained a gunshot injury died in Sapele while being rushed to a hospital.
It could not be confirmed if anybody was kidnapped by the kidnappers but an unconfirmed report alleged that some passengers were whisked away into the bush by the kidnappers.
A prominent human rights advocate and former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has revealed an alleged political strategy by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and other northern elites to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections.
In a detailed interview with Sunday Sun in Abuja, Sani disclosed that the strategy hinges on exploiting regional disparities and security challenges.
According to him, Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, plans to capitalize on various issues, including the relocation of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices to Lagos, the perceived dominance of South-western appointees in Tinubu’s administration, and ongoing security concerns in Northern Nigeria.
Sani outlined that Atiku and his political allies intend to paint President Tinubu as favouring his regional base over the broader national interest.
“They are trying to present him [Tinubu] as an ethnicist, a regionalist, and someone who betrayed Northern Nigeria despite receiving significant electoral support from the region,” Sani stated.
He described the move as a calculated attempt to sway Northern voters against Tinubu, framing it as a necessity to reclaim power.
Despite revealing these strategies, Sani advised Atiku and his cohort to exercise patience and respect the informal rotational presidency arrangement between the North and the South.
He suggested that Tinubu, representing the South, should be allowed to complete an eight-year tenure, after which power would naturally shift back to the North in 2031.
Sani emphasized the importance of national unity and peace, urging Atiku to consider the broader implications of his actions on the country’s stability.
“Atiku has worked hard to promote peace and unity in Nigeria, and it would be prudent for him to allow the South to complete their tenure,” he added.
Speaking on Atiku’s visit to Daura, he said, “You see, it is a tradition that each time there is a Sallah celebration, people pay homage to former leaders. You pay homage to former leaders so that you get the necessary blessings from them, but in the case of what has happened recently, the fact of the matter is that Northern political leaders are regrouping, and their focal point is Buhari.
“They still want to use Buhari to whip up Northern regional sentiment as it was done in the CPC days and garner the votes they can in order to eject Tinubu from power.
“There is no Northern leader today that can serve as a rallying point. He was the one who was a former president and he used to have a fanatical following. So, what they are trying to do is to present Tinubu as a bad case, as an ethnicist, as a regionalist, as a person who betrayed Northern Nigeria, as a man who was voted by the North, but he is serving his own people and the need for Northerners to wake up and evict him out of power.
“It is their strategy. And they want to do that by making sure that that idea is sold to the Northern masses and then, from there, they seize power. But I have to draw attention to two facts – first of all, Buhari was a colossal failure.
“He has led this country for eight years and he left the North worse than he met it, and the treasury of the country was looted under him; the economy was pillaged under him and the nation was plundered and terrorism and banditry was at the highest peak under Buhari administration.”
Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio crossed 50% for the first time ever last week after the Debt Management Office published the country’s latest public debt figures.
According to the DMO, Nigeria now has a public debt portfolio of N121 trillion, consisting of domestic debt of N65.6 trillion and a foreign debt portfolio of $42.1 billion (which converts to N56 trillion when converted to Naira).
As of December 2023, Nigeria’s total gross domestic product (GDP) was N229.9 trillion in nominal terms, though it grew by only 2.74% in real terms. This suggests that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio is now above 50% for the first time.
Nigeria’s latest Debt to GDP
In the first quarter of 2024, Nigeria recorded a nominal GDP of N58.5 trillion, up from N51.2 trillion in the corresponding period in 2023.
- However, in the second and third quarters of 2023, the nominal GDP figures were N52.1 trillion and N60.6 trillion, respectively.
- The fourth quarter GDP rose to N65.9 trillion, making the trailing four-quarters GDP total N237.5 trillion.
- Based on the 2023 GDP figure of N229.9 trillion, Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.9%, marking the first time the country has reached such a high debt-to-GDP figure.
- Using the trailing four-quarter GDP figure of N237.5 trillion, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio also stands at 51.2%
Why this matters: Nigeria has often viewed its ‘low’ debt-to-GDP ratio as a sign of the country’s economic resilience, suggesting there was more room to expand its borrowing capacity.
- For example, as of 2023, Ghana had a debt-to-GDP ratio of about 84.9%, while South Africa’s ratio stood at 72.2%. Kenya and Egypt had ratios of 70.1% and 95.8%, respectively.
- While these countries have significantly higher debt-to-GDP ratios compared to Nigeria, the challenge has always been Nigeria’s ability to meet its debt service obligations due to its high debt service-to-revenue ratio.
- Now, with Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio surpassing 50% and continuing to rise, the country has limited room to further expand its borrowing capacity while grappling with current economic challenges.
Nigeria’s rising debt profile
Nigeria’s debt profile has risen over the last 8 years as the country faced a string of fiscal challenges brought about by low crude oil proceeds amid rising budgetary expenditure.
- For example, under the Buhari administration, public debt rose from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to N97.3 trillion in 2023. Between December 2023 and March 2024, public debt in Naira terms have risen by as much as N24.3 trilion.
- However, the Debt Management Office (DMO) explained the increase noting that the N24.33 trillion increase in the total debt was a result of a combination of fresh borrowing and naira devaluation.
- The DMO further clarified that Nigeria’s fresh borrowing was N7.71 trillion in the first quarter of 2024.
- The fresh borrowing includes N2.81 trillion as part of the new domestic borrowing of N6.06 trillion provided in the 2024 Appropriation Act and N4.90 trillion as part of the securitization of the N7.3 trillion Ways and Means Advances approved by the National Assembly.
Global ratings agency, Moody’s also stated that Nigeria’s interest spending on debt might consume up to 36% of the federal government’s revenue in 2024.
According to the firm, the hawkish monetary policy stance of the CBN has pushed interest rates for local borrowing by the federal government from an average of 12.8% in 2023 to around 19% in the first five months of 2024.
[Nairametrics]
After two international investors absorbed 60 per cent stake in Royal Exchange General Insurance Company (REGIC), and Royal Exchange retaining the remaining 40 per cent, the insurer has now rebranded to Rex Insurance Limited.
To this end, it launched a new brand identity and commissioned a state-of-the-art head office, with renewed strength to offer top notch services to customers.
The chairman of Rex Insurance Limited, Ike Chioke, while speaking at the event said, the last three years saw the coming of international investors, Blue Orchard through its Insuresilience Fund and Africinvest through its Financial Inclusion Vehicle (Five) into the company.
The decision to move to the state-of-the-art head office, he said, was driven by the firm’s vision to create a workspace that not only meets the needs of its employees, but also symbolises its forward-thinking ethos.
The new facility, he noted, is more than just a building; it represents a new era for the company, one where it is better equipped to serve its customers, foster collaboration, and drive innovation, adding that, ‘it is a space designed to inspire creativity, enhance productivity, and support our mission to deliver exceptional service.’
“Staff well-being is paramount to the organisation as we believe our employees are our primary stakeholders. To enhance their health and wellness, we have installed a state of the art-of-the art gym facility for our use. To foster a family-friendly work atmosphere that prioritises the needs of working parents, we have also set up a creche for our nursing mothers,” he submitted.
He noted that customers are at the heart of everything the company does, adding that the new head office embodies the firm’s unwavering dedication to providing the highest level of customer service.
“With advanced technologies and improved facilities, we are poised to enhance the customer experience significantly. Every element of this building has been designed with our customers in mind, ensuring that we can respond more swiftly, efficiently, and effectively to their needs,” he pointed out.
Similarly, its managing director/CE, Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu said, the moment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey that started since 1918 and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision of everyone involved adding that the firm is truly a transgenerational company and today’s occasion is to celebrate this.
“We have gone through the digitisation and digitalisation of our processes as part of our Digital transformation journey. We have transformed our approach to customer services and improved our human resources. Revamping of Brand today is to reflect all of the changes that have already happened to the business and the transformation that is still ongoing,” she posited.
She stated that, as they unveil the new brand identity, they believe that the brand is a true representation of who the are and what they stand for, a digital, customer focused company, with great simplified products, a commitment to developing climate based Agric insurance products, develop simple inclusive products to serve the growing retail market and a customer excellence culture that serves corporate customers and brokers.
“These core values we intend to drive as our culture that will be reflected in everything we do and will drive all our interactions, with all our internal and external stakeholders’” she posited.
According to her, the firm had also revamped all its locations in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin while setting up services on Ikorodu road, all in an on-going process to ensure the same standards across all the locations where it operates.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, performed the commissioning of the building. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance Lagos State, Abayomi Oluyomi, prayed for the company and pledged the state’s support to the company.
[Leadership]
The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, has ordered a clampdown on vehicles plying the roads with single or no plate numbers across the nation’s capital.
He also directed the arrest and prosecution of defaulters.
In a statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, Igweh also warned car dealers against parking their vehicles in an unauthorised parking lot and driving beyond the stipulated time.
Adeh stated that the CP said defaulters would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The statement partly read, “The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, has given a marching order that vehicles plying the roads with a single or no number plate should be impounded, with the driver arrested and prosecuted. Also, he warns car dealers against parking their vehicles in an unauthorised parking lot and driving beyond the stipulated time, which is 6 pm., as defaulters will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Adeh noted that the command had observed motorists and car dealers driving cars with single or no plate numbers beyond the stipulated time.
She added that cases of “one chance” operators in the FCT had been linked to the practice, urging motorists and dealers to desist from such acts.
Adeh said, “The FCT Police Command has observed with serious concern how motorists and car dealers drive around the territory with single or no number plates and car dealers beyond the stipulated time, which is 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Section 25 (5) of the Federal Capital Territory Road Transport Regulation Act, 2005.
“It is no news that several recorded cases of armed robbery, popularly known as ‘one chance,’ are mostly associated with vehicles with single or no number plates. This unlawful act has pricked the attention of the populace, who have now begun to question the effectiveness of the police in addressing the menace.
“Also, he reiterates that in the effort to ensure the safety and security of residents of FCT, no motorists or car dealers who come in conflict with the substantive laws with be spared.”
[Punch]
Widespread violent protests in Kenya last week, instigated by attempts by the government to pass a new finance bill that would entail tax increases on some basic items illustrate vividly the delicate relationship among democratic governance, economic crisis, perceived corruption, deepening poverty and political stability in several African countries. The government of President William Ruto had won general elections in Kenya in 2022 and assumed power with a promise to uplift the lives of the poor and improve existential conditions for millions of the people. As is often the case, however, when actual performance of newly elected governments does not match the rhetoric of election campaigns, the Ruto administration was confronted with the grim realities of severe fiscal constraints, huge debts and the resultant incapacity to immediately begin to deliver on its mandate.
Indeed, the grim economic realities forced the government, last year, to utilise the financial bill to introduce a housing tax while also raising top personal income tax rate to the displeasure of large segments of the populace who resorted to open expression of anger, street protests and even in some instances, to court challenges of the government policies.
An attempt by the government to utilise the 2024 finance bill, which is usually presented to parliament before the commencement of a new fiscal year that spans from July to June, to expand the scope of new taxes, was responsible for the descent to chaos in no less than 35 of the 47 counties in the country where violence erupted. The public was responding to the passage by parliament of the financial bill, which raised taxes on items such as bread, vegetable oil, sugar as well as a new motor vehicle circulation tax fixed at 2.5 per cent of the value of a car to be paid annually. Also included in the new law was an “eco levy” on specified manufactured goods including sanitary towels and diapers, in addition to an increase in existing taxes on financial transactions.
Initial reactions of anger at these policies perceived as most likely to compound the already dire economic circumstances of millions of Kenyans were expressed on social media but soon exploded into violent protests on the streets. The angry citizens were apparently not persuaded by the government’s rationalisation that it had to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing. Moreover, confronted with liquidity challenges and difficulties in raising funds from financial markets, the Kenyan government had sought for help from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the latter insisting that the government raise more revenue through taxes before it could offer more funding.
The international financial institutions are urging the government to cut deficits, to obtain more funding while long-suffering citizens are protesting against economic difficulties. These technicalities understandably made little sense to large numbers of protesters, who forced their way into the parliamentary assembly complex after breaking the fence, harassed the legislators, tore up flags and made away with the ceremonial mace.
Later, other groups of demonstrations dressed in black T-shirts and reflectors attacked a night club, called Timba XO in Eldoret, reportedly owned by a member of parliament who is a close ally of President Ruto, destroying the property and looting alcohol. In a similar vein, another group of youths was reported to have overpowered security agents and invaded Chieni Supermarket in Nyeri town, which is linked to another member of parliament, Njoroge Wainana. These obviously targeted attacks against the properties of members of the legislature held responsible for what is seen as ‘punitive’ new taxes indicate that the people are sensitive to the perceived wide gulf between the standard of living of most members of the political class and the majority of the poor citizenry. Unfortunately, this is a scenario that is not limited to Kenya but is replicated in many African countries.
A 2023 report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), indicates that about 30 per cent of the country’s citizens are unable to meet their food needs, with more rural than urban citizens living in hunger. It is estimated that one in every 17 Kenyans lives in abject poverty and a population of 2,879,000 classified as living in “hardcore/extreme poverty”. No less disturbing is the report on the situation of inequality in Kenya with less than 0.1 per cent of the population (8,300 people) owning more wealth than 99.9 per cent (44 million people). These statistics on poverty and inequality are generally reflective of what prevails across Africa, which makes the opulence in which members of the political class on the continent live even more scandalous and unjustifiable.
It is unfortunate that no less than 23 persons were reportedly killed and several others wounded in the confrontation between the police and the protesters. Even as we condemn the resort to violence by the protesters, law enforcement agencies, again not only in Kenya but across Africa, must learn to be more even-handed in handling such situations, to ameliorate both loss of lives and injuries.
Exhibiting commendable sensitivity to the feelings of the public on the contentious finance bill, President Ruto in a nationwide broadcast said he would not sign the controversial legislation into law. According to him, “Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said that they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede. And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn”.
Beyond this, the President promised that he would start a dialogue with Kenyan youths and work on austerity measures, beginning with cuts to the budget of the presidency to help tackle the fiscal deficit. This surely is the way to go. If people in various African countries see their leaders and public officers showing the example in prudent, austere and disciplined lifestyles, it will be easier to convince them to tighten their belts and make sacrifices for the public good.
It has been reported that, despite President Ruto’s concession to the protesters, some of the latter are adamant and want the demonstrations to continue until the government collapses. This would be a most unwise course of action. For one, it may most probably engender a more than proportionate use of responsive force by government that could escalate tensions and cause further fatalities. Again, the protesters must be wary of not creating an environment for anti-democratic elements to derail the democratic system that gives the citizens the rights and opportunities to demonstrate against government policies in the first instance. Democratic governance provides for limited tenures for incumbents in power, and those who desire political change can always express their will through the ballot box in the next elections.
[TheNation]
A new data of comparative analysis of Nigeria’s three biggest music stars, Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid has surfaced online with Wizkid edging both Davido and Burna Boy.
Instructively, the estimates and figures used in the analysis are based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate.
Based on the numbers, Wizkid appears to have a slight edge over Davido and Burna Boy in terms of streaming numbers, concert revenue, and endorsement deals. However, Davido’s album sales and social media following are impressive.
Burna Boy’s Grammy win and critical acclaim for his albums suggest a strong artistic reputation. Ultimately, determining who is the “bigger” celebrity depends on individual criteria for success.
Here’s a comprehensive comparative analysis of Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s numbers:
Streaming Numbers:
– Davido: 4.5 billion streams on Spotify, 2.5 billion views on YouTube
– Wizkid: 6.5 billion streams on Spotify, 3.5 billion views on YouTube
– Burna Boy: 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, 1.5 billion views on YouTube
Concert Revenue:
– Davido: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Accor Arena (Paris), and Barclays Center (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $50-$100
– Wizkid: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Rogers Arena (Vancouver), and Brooklyn Steel (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $60-$120
– Burna Boy: Sold out shows at O2 Academy (London), Fillmore (Miami), and Terminal 5 (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $30-$70
Earnings from Endorsement Deals:
– Davido: Estimated $1 million – $2 million per deal (MTN, Guinness, Pepsi)
– Wizkid: Estimated $2 million – $3 million per deal (Pepsi, Nike, Cîroc)
– Burna Boy: Estimated $500,000 – $1 million per deal (Star Lager, Glo, Pepsi)
Album Sales:
– Davido: “A Better Time” (2020) – 100,000+ units sold in the US, certified gold by RIAA
– Wizkid: “Made in Lagos” (2020) – 200,000+ units sold in the US, certified platinum by RIAA
– Burna Boy: “Twice As Tall” (2020) – 50,000+ units sold in the US, certified silver by RIAA
Awards and Recognition:
– Davido: 2 BET Awards, 2 MTV Africa Music Awards, 1 MOBO Award
– Wizkid: 1 Grammy Award, 3 BET Awards, 4 MTV Africa Music Awards
– Burna Boy: 1 Grammy Award, 2 BET Awards, 3 MTV Africa Music Awards
Social Media:
– Davido: 20 million followers on Instagram, 5 million on Twitter
– Wizkid: 25 million followers on Instagram, 6 million on Twitter
– Burna Boy: 10 million followers on Instagram, 2 million on Twitter
Net Worth:
– Davido: Estimated $20 million – $30 million
Wizkid: Estimated $30 million – $40 million
Burna Boy: Estimated $10 million – $20 million.
[Vanguard]
The death toll in the suicide bombings in Gwoza LGA of Borno state has risen to 18.
Barkindo Saidu, director-general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the figure to NAN on Sunday.
Saidu said the victims comprise adult males, females and children.
TheCable had reported that the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony on Saturday when the first suicide bomber detonated an explosive near a motor park.
Another bomber, disguised as a mourner, also detonated an explosive as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.
Saidu said “19 people” were seriously injured in the attacks while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) clinic.
“I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza,” NAN quoted him as saying.
“The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures.
“I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka,” Saidu said.
The military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA in the wake of the attacks.
[TheCable]
Presidential Fleet: Nigeria’s President has 10 planes; leaders of Britain, Singapore have none
AFOLABI
Fleet among the largest in the world
Before then, senior Air Force officers, in their grey-upon-blue well-ironed uniforms, were seen on the eleventh floor of the Federal Secretariat which was then the office of the SGF, hanging around.
The argument was that since the Chief of Staff was the head of the staff attached to the President and since he was aware of the hourly movement of the President, he was in a better position to control the fleet adequately.
I understand the fleet is now under the National Security Adviser.
Before 1999, the fleet was almost dormant for lack of use.
General Ibrahim Babangida (72) hardly travelled outside the country except to visit some states and Chief Earnest Oladeinde Adegunle Shonekan (79), whose tenure lasted less than 100 days, made use of the fleet only once when he attended the Commonwealth Conference outside Nigeria. The second time he used the fleet was when he was overthrown and brought down to Lagos in company of Chief Dapo Sarumi.
General Sani Abacha hardly travelled outside Abuja.
In fact, during his era, pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet complained of under utilisation, raising fears that they might lose their licenses for not flying enough.
In 1997, Abacha made only five trips outside Abuja, and, in 1998, he made three trips; the fourth would have taken him to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on June 8, 1998 for the African Union Conference, the very day he died.
General Abdusalami Abubakar, who spent less than eleven months in office, was too busy with his transition programme that he hardly travelled.
He made four trips during his era, among which were two to Niger Delta to inspect oil spillage in that area.
Flying President
As for President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Jagunmolu of Egbaland, he was a flying President. Even till date, when the Presidential Fleet is outside his control, he is still flying around the world.
He loves to fly. That is the way he is. And the pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet loved him for that.
Important posting
The Presidential Fleet remains today the most important posting in the Nigerian Air Force.
For example, the present Chief of Defence Staff, Marshall Alex Sabundu Badeh, was an officer of the Presidential Fleet, as he flew former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar between 1999 and 2007 severally.
Even the present Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayun Amosu, was an officer of the Nigeria Presidential Air Fleet too.
The fleet is among those with the largest number aircraft in the world in comparison to other countries.
Who has what?
The British Prime Minister has no presidential aircraft.
Members of the British Government charter either British Airways or Virgin Atlantic most time they have to travel.
The government of Tunisia operates a Boeing 737 BBJ.
An Airbus A340-500 has also been purchased and VIP configured, but was never used for travel and has been stored since 2011 revolution that ousted former dictator Ben Ali.
The Tunisian government is reportedly trying to sell both aircraft.
The government of Algeria operates an Airbus A340-500.
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong travels in commercial aircraft, usually operated by Cathay Pacific.
He travels in helicopters operated by the Government Flying Service.
The Ivorian government uses a Gulf IV as a VIP aircraft.
Further, they also use a government Boeing 727-200WGL.
The State of Israel does not currently possess a specific jet for use by its Head of State.
Wherever the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies long distances (out of the country), the government leases an airliner from the state airline El Al. Meanwhile, President Reuvin Rivlin and other high ranking dignitaries are relegated to El Al first class commercial service.
As of 2014, the Knesset was considering the purchase of such an aeroplane, dubbed ‘Israeli Air Force One’.
Kenya’s President has a Fokker 70 for use as the presidential jet.
Fokker Executive plane was purchased at a cost of $50 million.
The 70-seater jet was reconfigured and fitted with telecommunication facilities.
Prior to the purchase of the Fokker, the Kenya President primarily used Airways for his international travels.
The Saudi Arabian Royal Flight operates a Boeing 747-300 and a Boeing 747-400 for use by the King of Saudi Arabia.
The President, Prime Minister of Singapore and government officials typically travel on regular scheduled commercial flights run by Singapore Airlines.
However, on rare occasions or short trips, government officials may travel on one of the few passenger-configured Fokker-50 operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737 (BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force 21 Squadron, which is based at AFB Waterkloof, near Pretoria, the executive capital, i.e. the seat of the executive branch of the South African government.
21 Squadron also operates a fleet of two Falcon 50 and a Falcon 900B Fleet,550/1 Citation 2, and a Global Express XRS is hired to escort the President on long flights as a back-up aircraft.
The Falcon 900 is normally used by the Deputy President and high-ranking cabinet ministers.
The President of Zimbabwe travels in a charted Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, which is part of the national airline’s fleet.
Occasionally, the President will share the plane with commercial passengers on scheduled flights.
The Tanzania Government Flight Agency operates a Gulfstream G550 for VIP transports.
There are other two other VIP aircraft: a Fokker F-50 and F-28 for internal and regional destinations as well.
The President of Ghana flies on a Falcon EX 900 jet.
The Botswana Defence Force operated a Gulfstream IV transport but has since been sold and the Botswana Defence Force now operates a Global Express OK1.
The government of Burkina uses a special Boeing 727.
A Falcon 900 has been added, and is the type frequently in use now.
The Egyptian government operates an Airbus A340-200 as a VIP transport.
The first presidential airplane was given as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.
The Pope is one of the richest and famous men on earth. He is the Head of the Catholic Church and has followership all over the world.
Typically, the Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia fixed-wing aircraft when travelling to or from more distant destinations. Traditional protocol dictates that a Pope flies to a country he is visiting in a chartered Alitalia jet and to return on a jet belonging to a flag carrier from the visited nation; this may vary when he is touring multiple nations.
The Nigerian’s Presidential Air Fleet is maintained with over 10 billion naira budget annually.
Poor states like Osun, Gombe, Ebonyi, Ekiti get less than 2 billion naira every month from the Federation Account.
The Presidential Fleet of Nigeria has the third largest air fleet in the country coming behind Arik, which has twenty-two, and Aero Contractors which has fourteen.
The Presidential Air Fleet has ten aircraft. They include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One) and Gulfstream IVSP.
Others are Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 and Hawk Siddley 125-800 jet.
Each of the two Falcon 7X jets purchased in 2010 cost $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m, Boeing 737 BBJ at $58m, Cessna Citation is $7m and Hawker Siddley 125-800 at $15m.
In addition, the Federal Government last year submitted several new items to be purchased by the Presidential Air Fleet to the National Assembly for approval.
The items listed as new in the PAF budget are- the completion of hanger project (N405,500,000.00), tyre bay tools and equipment (N106,000,000.00), Towberless tow tractor for aircraft towing (N58,740,000.00), hanger sweeper (N31,870,000.00), luggage conveyor belt truck (N28,898,000.00) and Harlan tow aircraft equipment towing ( N27,590,000.00).
Other news items are- CCTV and surveillance equipment (N18,000,000.00), aircraft tools and equipment (N11,480,000.00), battery workshop equipment (N5,050,000.00), complete tool box for general works and vehicles ( N 360,000.00), heavy duty crocodile jacks ( N 300,000.00), aluminium ladder (N285,000.00), safety boots (N52,500.00) and foldable ladder (N50,000.00).
Question
The question before us is, can we maintain the Presidential Air Fleet in the face of our dwindling economy? The answer is no.
The alternative is to sell some of the aircraft to reduce cost.
It is even cheaper to charter planes for some of our top officials than to maintain the Presidential Air Fleet as it is now.
The other angle is to let the Nigerian Air Force face other challenges, instead of the present rivalry among senior officers over posting to the Presidential Air Fleet.
I think we have many projects to tackle instead of the temporary comfort of our leaders. All these are for the consideration of the incoming government of Major General (rtd.) Muhammadu Buhari.
In his Essays of Innovation, Francis Bacon wrote, “And he that will not apply New Remedies must expect New evil; for time is the greatest innovator.”
Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has publicly expressed her growing anxiety over her unmarried status, sharing her thoughts and emotions on social media. The actress, known for her vibrant personality, revealed that the pressure to marry has intensified, especially in light of recent high-profile weddings in the entertainment industry.
Nkechi Blessing, a mother of one, is believed to be in a relationship with a South-South politician and socialite. Despite this, the recent wedding of music star Davido to Chioma, which took social media by storm, has heightened her sense of urgency about getting married.
Nkechi admitted that the joy and celebration surrounding these weddings have made her more eager to walk down the aisle herself.
Taking to her Instagram page, Nkechi shared that while she wasn’t previously ready for marriage, the recent weddings of her colleagues have shifted her perspective. She conveyed her newfound readiness to settle down, expressing her desire to experience the happiness and fulfillment that comes with marriage.
Nkechi’s social media post also highlighted her playful side as she pondered potential hashtags for her and her boyfriend Xxssive.
She considered options like “ExcessLove,” “XxBlessing,” “Nkechi is XX,” or “Xxssive is Blessing.” Her lighthearted approach to the situation showed her optimism and excitement about the future.
The actress emphasized the beauty and sweetness of love, urging her followers not to believe otherwise. She reflected on the genuine smiles and joy she observed in the recently married couples, reinforcing her belief in the positive aspects of love and marriage.
She admitted to feeling panicked by the pressure to get married as she acknowledged that while societal expectations can be overwhelming, they have also pushed her to consider marriage more seriously. Her honesty about her feelings added depth to her message, making it more relatable to her audience.
In her post, Nkechi sought suggestions for the best designer for her wedding dresses, signaling her readiness to start planning her big day. She playfully asked her followers for hashtag ideas, inviting them to join in her excitement and anticipation. This interactive approach further endeared her to her fans, who eagerly offered their support and suggestions.
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A Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has said he turned down a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele to have peace of mind.
Akindele, who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.
According to the charge sheet, the bribe was offered to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.
Sini was said to have led the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the case against the businessman.
Speaking at a dinner organised to honour him on Friday in Abuja, Sini said, “I am very happy to be here, and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination, and they have added more grease to my elbow. Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said, ‘This is an opportunity for you to be rich’
“So what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches. I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.
“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”
He advised youths in the country not to trade their integrity for anything.
Sini added, “To the youth out there, I just want to tell them that integrity counts, that it’s good to be up and doing, that it’s possible to be in the midst of a lot of challenges and still stand to be different. Nigeria is our country, and Nigeria shall be great.”
At the event, Sini was given a plot of land in Abuja.
Presenting the document of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.
“We are proud of you, I want to let you know that your conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria Police Force. We urge other members of the force to emulate SP Sini,” Igweh said while presenting Sini with the documents of the land.
Also, the organisers of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Vegas Homes, Chukwuemeka Okoye, said Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct.
He said, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force but have also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.
“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrating that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.
“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force have officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive to engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples”.
Barring any change in plans, the Nigerian government will purchase an Airbus A330 aircraft seized from an unnamed Arab prince and businessman who could not pay hundreds of millions of dollars he owed a German bank, PREMIUM TIMES reports.
Presidency officials have kept their lips shut about plans to buy a new presidential jet.
However, this newspaper has obtained information that the government has already identified an aircraft for purchase but is scrambling for funds to consummate the transaction.
The identified aircraft is said to be a repossessed one recovered from a troubled oil sheikh who used the aeroplane as collateral for a loan he obtained from an unidentified German bank to buy it. When a bank loan is taken to purchase an aircraft, the aircraft is usually pledged as collateral.
Our sources said the bank repossessed the aircraft from the debtor businessman but found it challenging to sell due to its executive customization.
The aircraft is now in the possession of L & L International LLC, an American aviation firm based in Miami, Florida. L & L International LLC is trying to help the German bank sell it to the Nigerian government.
The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of the suspected killer of Glory Adekolure, a University of Benin graduate.
Adekolure was said to have gone to school for her final clearance on June 13, 2024, but her corpse was found under a tree on a street in the Iyowa Community of Benin City, close to her house.
The suspect was apprehended in Asaba, Delta State, 15 days after Adekolure’s death.
According to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by our correspondent, on Saturday, the suspect confessed to killing Adekolure and at least eight other young women.
He said, “I am happy to inform the good people of Edo State and the good people of Nigeria that the killer of Glory Adekolure, a 22-year old final year Chemistry student of the University of Benin has been apprehended.
“He was apprehended in Asaba, Delta state. After killing Glory, he ran away, he was aware we were trailing him and due to the painstaking investigations of our anti-kidnapping and cybercrime unit, he was arrested and confessed not only to the killing of Glory Adekolure but to the killing of eight other similar ladies.”
Adegboye said the suspect had not been paraded yet, adding that police are still investigating the incident.
Political appointments in Nigeria are sometimes trailed by controversies, especially when certain patterns are deduced.
Questions about compensation or competence of the appointees also often arise.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of being religiously and ethnically lopsided in his appointment.
For President Bola Tinubu who suceeded him, the common accusation, though still tender, is that he favours people of Yoruba descent.
The former governor of Lagos, it appears, has a knack for appointing people who had served the state, especially those who worked with him as far back as the return of democracy in 1999.
Here are some recent presidential appointees who served in Lagos government in the past.
OLATUNJI BELLO — FORMER ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER NOW IN FCCPC
On June 24, Olatunji Bello was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Bello is a lawyer, administrator, and journalist. He studied law and holds a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
He was the former secretary to the Lagos state government.
He had his first public service stint under Tinubu when he became managing director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, in 2010.
In 2011, he was appointed as commissioner for environment under the administration of Babatunde Fashola and served in that capacity till May 2015 when he was appointed as secretary to the Lagos state government by Akinwunmi Ambode.
DAYO MOBEREOLA — FORMER TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER NOW IN NIMASA
Tinubu appointed Dayo Mobereola as director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in March.
Mobereola was the commissioner for transportation in Lagos from 2015 to 2016. Before his appointment, he was the managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2002 to 2015.
He holds a Ph.D and an M.Sc in transport economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Before joining public service, Mibereola was the deputy managing director and project development director at AFM Consulting Plc, London.
He was also a senior economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited; and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and in Nigeria.
AYODEJI ARIYO — FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER NOW IN BPE
Tinubu appointed Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in June.
In January 2022, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gbeleyi as the board chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN),
Gbeleyi served as commissioner of finance in Lagos from 2013 to 2015 under Fashola with concurrent responsibility for the oversight of the office of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
Gbeleyi is also an alumnus of executive programmes of London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Lagos Business School.
JIDE IDRIS — FORMER HEALTH COMMISSIONER NOW IN NCDC
Jide Idris was a three-term commissioner for health in Lagos.
He served as health commissioner under the governments of Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode.
Idris also served as a permanent secretary in the Lagos state ministry of health.
In February, Tinubu appointed him as the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Idris succeeded Ifedayo Adetifa who headed the NCDC since September 2021.
He graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), before obtaining his master of public health (MPH) degree at the Yale University, US.
Idris is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
DELE ALAKE — FORMER INFORMATION COMMISSIONER NOW IN SOLID MINERALS
Dele Alake was Tinubu’s commissioner for information and strategy from 1999 to 2007, after serving as his special adviser in the same capacity.
In June 2023, Tinubu appointed Alake as his special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, and later as minister for solid minerals development in August.
Alake was born in October 1956 and holds a bachelor of science degree in political science and a master’s in mass communications from the University of Lagos.
WALE EDUN — FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER, NOW FINANCE MINISTER
Adebayo Olawale Edun served as the Lagos state commissioner for finance for two terms from 1999 to 2007 during Tinubu’s tenure.
He was appointed minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy in August 2023 after serving as Tinubu’s special adviser on monetary policies.
Edun completed his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of London and his masters in economics from the University of Sussex, England.
He is a former chair of ChapelHillDenham Group, and an executive director of Lagos merchant bank, Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC.
He is also the founder and chair of Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame.
HAKEEM MURI-OKUNOLA — FORMER LAGOS HEAD OF SERVICE, NOW TINUBU’S PRIVATE SECRETARY
Muri-Okunola is another figure who was in active service of the Lagos state government, though not in the capacity of a commissioner.
In September 2023, he resigned as the Lagos state head of service after five years to take up appointment as Tinubu’s principal private secretary.
Muri-Okunola was appointed personal assistant to Tinubu between 2003 and 2005. After serving as his personal assistant, Tinubu appointed him executive secretary of the land use and allocation committee.
He became permanent secretary in 2011 — about 10 years after joining the civil service — and was posted to the Lands Bureau in the Governor’s Office.
YEMI CARDOSO — FORMER COMMISSIONER FOR BUDGET, NOW CBN GOVERNOR
He was a banker, stockbroker and consultant. He was appointed as the chairman of the board of Citibank Nigeria. He was also a member of the Cities Alliance’s Africa Think Tank Group.
Yemi Cardoso was appointed commissioner for economic planning and budget in Lagos in 1999 when Tinubu became governor of the state.
In September 2023, Tinubu appointed him as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).