FEATURES
Colombian superstar Shakira will pay a fine of over 7.3 million euros ($7.98 million) as part of a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avoid trial for tax fraud, a Barcelona court said Monday.
Under the deal, announced at the start of what would have been the trial of the 46-year-old singer, Shakira also agreed to receive a three-year suspended sentence.
Under the deal, announced at the start of what would have been the trial of the 46-year-old singer, Shakira agreed to receive a three-year suspended sentence and to pay 7.3 million euros ($7.98 million) in fines.
Prosecutors had accused the superstar of defrauding the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) on income earned between 2012 and 2014, charges Shakira had denied, saying she only moved to Spain full-time in 2015.
The singer, who wore a pink suit and sunglasses, did not speak to the throng of reporters as he entered and left the Barcelona courthouse, but in a statement, she said she had agreed to settle for the sake of her two sons, Milan and Sasha.
“I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album,” she said in the statement issued by her lawyers.
“I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career.”
The case centred on how much time the singer, whose hit singles include “Whenever, Wherever” and the 2010 World Cup song “Waka Waka”, spent in Spain between 2012 and 2014.
Spanish authorities alleged Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll — dubbed the Queen of Latin Pop — spent more than half of that period in Spain and therefore should have paid taxes in the country.
They say she moved to Spain after her relationship with former FC Barcelona star defender Gerard Pique became public in 2011, but maintained official tax residency in the Bahamas until 2015.
Telecom companies in Nigeria have decried the N200 billion debt owed by the banks for the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) provided by telecom operators.
According to them, the debt, coupled with the 52 taxes, could cripple their operation in the country if the federal government does not intervene.
The companies under the aegis of the Association of Licenced Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) disclosed that the ICT sector was not immune to harsh operating environment, yet, they pay more taxes than any sector of the Nigerian economy.
The chairman, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, told LEADERSHIP that telecom operators are facing threats to investment, sustainability, and industry expansion due to the fact that sub-nationals are forcing them to comply with tax and levy requests that lack legal foundation, and they have been subjected to repeated taxation.
Adebayo enumerated a number of the levies and taxes, including the ecology tax for gaseous emissions, the sewage, sanitation, and public convenience levies for base stations, the fumigation levies—which are levied annually on rights of way (RoW) renewals and the fire service levy—as well as the fumigation charges that states require base stations to pay.
Adebayo, however, argued that in order to address the ongoing problem of multiple taxation in the Nigerian telecommunications sector, including the removal of the excise duty on telecommunications services that is currently suspended, the industry must work with the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms.
On the N200 billion debt, ALTON chairman. at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, averred that though the regulator is intervening, but it is at a slow pace, as the banks are yet to pay the USSD debt owed to telecom operators, which has now risen to N200 billion from N120 billion in June.
“Telecom operators have not been able to get commercial banks to agree they will pay the accumulated debt from USSD charges they were yet to remit. In September, Umar Garba Danbatta, former executive vice chairman of NCC, had said the deposit money banks agreed to pay the debt. He didn’t, however, say when it will be paid,” he recalled.
He explained that the banks did not pledge to pay or when they planned to pay; they only acknowledged the existence of a debt, adding that, “The debt had grown to N200 billion while they were waiting to make their payment.”
Recall that operators threatened to disconnect the USSD service of banks in June, 2023, a development that would disrupt transactions activities across the financial system and impact millions of users.
In his response, the executive vice chairman, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, promised to create a more conducive environment for investment in the sector, even as he promised to inject new thinking into how the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) would be leveraged to bridge the digital divide in the country.
He assured operators of the federal government’s support.
“The federal government of Nigeria sees the ICT sector as a critical sector of the economy and I have the assurance from the government that we will get all the support. However, we have to pay back by ensuring that the economy grows,” he added.
The EVC however tasked operators on Quality of Service (QoS), while affirming that he will not tolerate any excuses in that regard.
[Leadership]
The immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has recalled some controversial events that occurred under his administration.
In an interview after stepping down as Nigeria’s leader approximately half a year ago, the former President expressed his support for the contentious naira redesign policy during the final stages of his tenure.
He emphasized that his endorsement aimed to safeguard his integrity and to convey to the Nigerian populace that achieving success requires perseverance and dedication, without any quick fixes.
Naija News reports that Buhari stated these while appearing on a state-owned Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) program on Monday night where he argued that Nigerians were a difficult set of people to govern.
According to him, most of the citizens know the right thing to do but would mostly refuse to do so, because they think they know better than the person on the saddle.
When asked about the integrity of many of his aides during his eight years in power, Buhari said “It is their problem “, querying what people who criticized him fiercely had done at their levels to fight corruption.
I Could Have Ran Out Of Nigeria
Speaking further during the interview, the former president reiterated that his administration tried as much as possible to be accountable.
Buhari said he was still being ‘harassed’ by people who throng his home daily, noting that if the border with a nearby country had not closed, he would have run out of Nigeria by now.
He added, however, that he was glad he now wakes up anytime he likes. The former president said he doesn’t miss anything after leaving government.
“God allowed me to serve my country, but I did my best. But whether my best was good enough, I leave for people to judge, “ he stressed.
When asked whether he achieved what he set out to achieve after trying to be president four times, Buhari acknowledged the insecurity in Borno State and the northeast when he took over, saying that Boko Haram had been largely degraded at the time he was leaving government.
“Nigerians are extremely difficult. People know their rights. They think they should be there, not you. So, they monitor virtually your every step. And you have to struggle day and night to ensure that you are competent enough,“ he said.
The former president also said he was too preoccupied with local matters to be bothered with foreign issues as president. He said his biggest challenge was securing the country.
Buhari said he did not try to compete with Nigeria’s wealthy class by acquiring land, houses, and cars during his time as Nigeria’s leader, explaining that it was the reason he was “living in peace” after exiting government.
Trap
Buhari alleged that there were many attempts to set a trap for him by some individuals who presented him with certain opportunities, but that he avoided the trap because he knew that once they knew he had been compromised, they would take advantage of the situation to milk the country.
He added that they would rather become his boss. He stated that God helped introduce technology in 2015 which enabled him to win the poll because God had seen the grueling pains he experienced after each loss during the times he contested for the presidency.
“Instead of people expressing sympathy, people laughed at me because I didn’t have money, because I couldn’t buy influence in any form, either from influential people or others. And I said ‘God dey’. And he sent the Permanent Voter Card (PVC). Meaning you now have only one vote,“ he stated.
Naira Redesign Policy
Commenting further on the controversial naira policy, Buhari said: “Whether Nigerians believe it or not, we are an underdeveloped country. And in that sort of situation, there’s materialism and sometimes ruthlessly they didn’t care how they made the money.
“I still feel that the only way I could deprive these people was just to make sure that my integrity became unquestionable…I think as a developing country we still have a long way to go.
“The motivation (for introducing the policy) was to try and make Nigerians believe that there is no shortcut to successful leadership.”
Besides, he explained that he wasn’t shocked that he was taken to court by governors from his party at the time to reverse the policy.
[NaijaNews]
Muslim and Christian supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nasarawa State on Monday, commenced a seven-day joint prayer session for the party’s governorship candidate, David Ombugadu, ahead of the Appeal Court judgment on the sacking of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Naija News recalls that the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had, on October 2, 2023, sacked Governor Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared Ombugadu winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.
Delivering the judgment via Zoom, the Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, nullified Sule’s election and held that the petitioners (Ombugadu and the PDP) duly proved their petition before the tribunal.
Speaking with journalists in Lafia, the state capital, the participants said the seven-day prayer session is also an opportunity to ask for God’s protection on the appeal court judges from any evil influence while they discharge their duties.
One of the prayer group leaders, Suleiman Abdullahi, expressed confidence that justice would be served at the appeal court.
He said, “Allah is the creator of the universe. He neither discriminates nor fail in his promises. So, the moves to change the wishes of the people against the overwhelming mandate given to those they want will not stand.
“We genuinely gave our mandate to the PDP candidate, Dr David Ombugadu, to ensure a positive change in Nasarawa State. We will continue to pray to Allah because we know that he will listen to our supplications and do his will in Nasarawa State.”
Another participant, Rev. Emmanuel Bako, said the will of God will prevail, and those insisting on taking the mandate of Ombugadu will be put to shame.
He said, “God Almighty is always ahead of every principality. The will of God shall prevail and shame those people insisting on taking the mandate given to David Ombugadu in Nasarawa State.
“The axe of God is waiting for anyone challenging his power and will in this case. It is said in the Book of Isaiah 58:11 that ‘The Lord will guide his people, satisfy their desire and make their bones strong. They shall be like a watered garden, like spring water, whose work does not fail.”
One Igwe Ambrose, a 65-year-old landlord, has been sentenced to double life imprisonment for sexual assault by the Ikeja Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos State.
This was revealed in a statement released Monday and shared on the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency’s X account.
Naija News reports that the landlord allegedly committed the offenses at Shagari Estate in Ipaja between January and June of 2021.
“Ambrose was found guilty of inserting fingers into the private parts of his tenant’s children. The survivors are aged seven and 11. He was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child,” the statement read.
The landlord was described by the judge, Abiola Soladoye, as a “dirty old man” who touched and fingered the survivors’ breasts while feigning to assist them with their schoolwork.
Soladoye sentenced the defendant to life in prison for counts one and two, and seven years each for counts three and four.
Popular Yoruba Nollywood actress, Omawunmi Ajiboye, has debunked claims of a romantic affair with All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Musiliu Akinsanyan, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
Naija News reports that this comes after the movie star laid her mother to rest in Osogbo, Osun state, in grand style and penned a lengthy epistle to appreciate MC Oluomo via her Instagram page while she wrote a sentence to thank her husband, Segun Ogungbe.
Recall that there have been speculations that Omawunmi is romantically linked to MC Oluomo, who allegedly furnished a new apartment for her, which led to her marriage crash, and Segun has returned to his first wife.
In a statement via Instagram on Sunday, the thespian described herself as a virtuous woman, and she would not allow her hard work, tenacity, and personality to be credited to another person.
She admitted that MC Olumo is a philanthropist; however, she has no romantic relationship with him, and it is disheartening for people to always credit her hard work to him.
She wrote: “I need to clear air, I am a virtuous and hardworking woman and i wouldn’t allow my hard work, my tenacity,my name, my sweat and my truth to be robbed. I had sealed with the King of Fuji Music independently years before the burial party and as a norm after the birth of a group called CGI(Connecting Grassroots Initiatives) I had to officially invite the Pioneer of the group in person of MC Oluomo..
“I can categorically say that i have never had a romantical relationship with him prior or during the party i just had . It took me 7 years to give my mother a final befitting burial and which i am proud to do solely …The philanthropist gave me money to support in the presence of the committee a day to the party.(group members can testify). Everything i have done single handedly is always tagged to him and somehow robs me of my hardwork and my sweat .i kept quiet for long as people know him to be a philantropist but i am boldly saying that i do not have any romantical relationship with him and this does not cancel the fact that he has been a good person to me. This is not to say that i did not receive gifts and supports from friends and colleagues like everyone would ..
“As for the adorable father of my children who has refused to say a word on our relationship status and i decided to respect his opinion but when i see the undeserved empathy he gets in a mutual agreement,i feel tempted to talk but still for the sake of the beautiful kids ,i would keep mute until he finds an appropriate time to do otherwise.
“I do not have control over people’s joy as everyone came to the party joyfully and we ended it on a good note . Once again,i appreciate everyone who showed me concern ,called me and told me not to say a word. I am sorry i dissapointed you all but i refuse to be robbed by false news and rumours.
“To rumour mongers and their fans,its always sweet and fun until it gets to your turn,i sincerely hope you maintain same energy by then.. I am omowunmi ajiboye I will never be bullied to silence I will never be pressured into accepting what i know nothing about. If i lie,let God judge me. If this is really my truth,God bless me more and all that i do, amen”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday announced the hiring of OpenAI’s Sam Altman and other members of his team, days after the co-founder of the venture behind ChatGPT was fired.
“The mission continues,” Altman, who rose to fame with the launch of the artificial intelligence chatbot last year, posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Nadella wrote on X that Altman “will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team,” along with OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and their colleagues.
OpenAI’s board sacked Altman on Friday, prompting other high-profile departures from the company as well as a reported push by major investors to bring him back.
‘Despite Pressure’
The board stood by its decision in a memo sent to employees on Sunday night, saying it was “the only path to advance and defend the mission of OpenAI,” The New York Times reported.
The board of ChatGPT creator OpenAI on Sunday rejected pressure from Microsoft and other major investors to reverse its stunning decision to fire CEO Sam Altman, US media reported.
OpenAI and Altman rocketed to fame with the launch of ChatGPT last year, showcasing advances in generative artificial intelligence that set off a gold rush in the sector.
But the company’s board shocked the industry on Friday by removing co-founder Altman, prompting other high-profile departures as well as a reported push by major investors to bring the 38-year-old back.
The board stood by its decision in a memo sent to employees on Sunday night, saying it was “the only path to advance and defend the mission of OpenAI,” The New York Times reported.
“Put simply, Sam’s behavior and lack of transparency in his interactions with the board undermined the board’s ability to effectively supervise the company in the manner it was mandated to do,” the board said in the memo, according to the Times.
The OpenAI board also appointed Emmett Shear, a former chief executive of Amazon’s Twitch streaming service, as the interim CEO, it added.
When the OpenAI board announced Altman’s exit last week, it said chief technology officer Mira Murati would become the interim CEO.
The developments on Sunday were also reported by Bloomberg and tech industry news site The Information.
The board had grown increasingly concerned that Altman was underestimating the dangers of its tech and leading the company away from its stated mission, US media reported.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that high-profile OpenAI investors including global tech titan Microsoft and venture firm Thrive Capital were trying to restore Altman as CEO.
Microsoft has invested more than $10 billion in OpenAI and has rolled out the AI pioneer’s tech in its own products.
Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT are trained on vast amounts of data to enable them to answer questions, even complex ones, in human-like language.
They are also used to generate and manipulate imagery.
The ballooning of investment in AI R&D by companies around the world has led to warnings about the dangers of its misuse — from blackmailing people with “deepfake” images to the manipulation of images and harmful disinformation.
US media reported that the announcement from OpenAI’s board on Sunday was signed by its directors, including co-founder and respected AI expert Ilya Sutskever.
Sutskever had reportedly aired his concerns with OpenAI’s business directions as well as the threats posed by the technology.
He has told OpenAI staff that Altman would not return, according to Bloomberg
Over the years, women have shown that they are great leaders. Studies and experience have shown that women bring unique perspectives to leadership roles.
Women are constantly evolving and reaching new milestones across a wide spectrum of human activities. Women are flexible and empathetic. They are also good builders, good listeners, good communicators and emotionally intelligent.
In the world of academia, some women who have been entrusted with leading roles to manage human and material resources have more often than not, proved that given adequate backing, they can perform creditably.
In this piece, The Nation’s ALAO ABIODUN presents some of Nigeria’s most excellent amazons that are making invaluable contributions to the world of academics as female Vice-Chancellors. In no particular order, they are:
1. Prof. Lilian Salami – UNIBEN
2. Prof. Florence Obi – UNICAL
3. Prof Nnenna Oti – FUTO
4. Prof Ibiyemi Bello – LASU
5. Prof Kaletapwa Farauta – ADSU
6. Prof. Adenike Oladiji – FUTA
7. Prof. Folasade Ogunsola – UNILAG
8. Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye – LASUED
9. Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke – University of Delta, Agbor
1. Lilian Salami – UNIBEN
Prof. Lilian Salami is the 10th substantive vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, Edo State. She was born in Jos, Plateau State, on the 8th of August, 1956.
A home economist and former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Salami became the second female vice-chancellor of the institution after Grace Alele Williams, who was also the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria.
Last year, she was elected as the chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities. With her appointment, Salami became the second female to occupy the position.
2. Florence Obi – UNICAL
Professor Florence Obi is the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and the first female to head the institution in 45 years.
Obi, a Professor of Special Needs Education in the university, was appointed the VC of the institution on September 10, 2020, replacing Prof. Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ended on November 30, 2020.
Before her appointment, she was the deputy vice-chancellor of the university (academic), as well as a one-time Commissioner for Women’s Affairs in Cross River State.
Obi, who has a PhD in the Psychology of Education from the University of Calabar, started her academic career as an assistant lecturer at the Institute of Education, the University of Calabar in 1990.
3. Prof Nnenna Oti – FUTO
Nnenna Oti is professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation. She emerged as the vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), beating six other candidates for the position.
She is the first female and eigth substantive vice-chancellor of the 41 years old university. She was formerly the deputy vice chancellor (Academics) of the institution.
She was also a two-time dean of post-graduate school and a three-time head of department of soil science and technology in the School of Agricultural and Agriculture Technology (SAAT).
Oti holds a Bachelor of Agriculture degree (B.Agric) in Soil Science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN; (First Class Honours), Masters in Soil Science (Soil Biology and Biochemistry Option), UNN; a Postgraduate Diploma in Irrigation Engineering (Distinction) from Katholic University Leuven, Belgium and capped her academic laurels with a PhD in Soil and Environmental Conservation from FUTO.
4. Prof Ibiyemi Bello – LASU
Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello is the ninth Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU). She is the second female VC to occupy the exalted post in the Lagos State-owned tertiary institution.
She is the wife of the Lagos State Ex-Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello,
Ibiyemi, a Professor of Physiology, had served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution before her appointment The 57-year-old academic was born on April 23, 1964, in Lagos.
5. Prof Kaletapwa Farauta – ADSU
In 2020, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved the appointment of Prof Kaletapwa Farauta as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Adamawa State University Mubi.
Until her appointment, she was the acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution. She had contested for the position alongside 25 others, out of which three top contenders emerged.
6. Prof. Adenike Oladiji – FUTA
Professor (Mrs) Adenike Temidayo Oladiji is the eighth substantive vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure.
She holds a B.Sc Biochemistry, Second Class Upper Division degree from the University of Ilorin, 1988; MSc. Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, 1991 and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, 1997.
She joined the services of the University of Ilorin in July 1992 as Assistant Lecturer and was appointed a Professor in September 2011.
7. Prof. Folasade Ogunsola – UNILAG
Professor Folasade Ogunsola is the 13th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Ogunsola, the daughter of the late eminent geographer, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, has served the university in various capacities.
She was at a time the Provost of the College of Medicine in Idi Araba, Lagos and also served as a deputy vice chancellor to Ogundipe.
Ogunsola, a professor of clinical microbiology, is the first female vice-chancellor in the school’s 60-year history.
8. Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye – LASUED
Prof Lafiaji-Okuneye, a professor of Health Education, is the Ag. Vice –Chancellor Lagos State University of Education
She was born on February 2, 1972, on Lagos Island, Lagos State.
She obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Health Education) from University of Ibadan (2005), Master of Education (Health Education), University of Lagos (1999), Bachelor of Science (PHE), Lagos State University (1995) and Diploma in Physical and Health Education from Lagos State University (1991).
Lafiaji-Okuneye joined the service of Lagos State University as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education. She was later appointed the Provost, Adeniran Ogusanya College of Education, Ijanikin until her appointment as the Ag. Vice –Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education Oto/Ijanikin.
9. Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke – University of Delta, Agbor
Prof. Stella Chiemeke began her academic voyage in Lagos State, Nigeria where she obtained her Primary School Certificate from Lagos Progressive Primary School, Surulere Lagos State.
Soon after, she proceeded to the renowned Anglican Girl Grammar School, Surulere Lagos State for her Secondary Education.
Prof. Chiemeke holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from University of Lagos and a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from the same University. She obtained her PhD in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure in 2004.
She started her professional career first as a programmer (1986-1987), and later the Head of Computer Centre of the Edo State University (Now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma (1987-1994).
In 1994, she joined the services of the University of Benin, Benin City, as an Assistant Lecturer and rose to the position of a Professor in 2009 at the same time the second Female Professor of Computer Science in Nigeria and First in the University of Benin.
She has supervised over eighty (80) Master of Science students and Sixteen (16) Doctoral of Philosophy (PhD) students in the Department of Computer Science, University of Benin and has published over 124 publications in national and international reputable journals.
Prof. Chiemeke has 12 academic books in the area of Computer Science and Programming. She is Fellow of Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (REASON), Fellow, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Fellow of Strategic Institute for Natural Resources and Human Development (FRHD).
She is also a member of Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Member, Association of Computer Machinery (ACM), USA, Member, International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES), Ottawa, Canada, Member, Organization of Women Scientists for the Developing World (OWSDW), Trieste, Italy, Member, International Association of Engineers, (IAENG), UK, Member, Society for Women Engineers (SWE), Chicago, Member, Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT).
Prof. Chiemeke has served in various administrative capacities both in the University of Benin and beyond.
She was Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin from January 2006 – June 2007, Acting Head of Department of Computer Science (2002-2004 and 2006-2009), Director of ICTU/CRPU, University of Benin in July 2010 to February 2015, Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer office (IPTTO) and The pioneer Vice-chairman of the Committee of Directors of ICT in Nigerian Universities (ComDICT) etc.
Prof. Chiemeke was immediate past Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Delta State from 2017-2021.
With the establishment of University of Delta, Agbor by the Government of Delta State, in 2021, she was appointed the Pioneer Vice Chancellor to steer the affairs of the new institution.
In view of her contributions towards the advancement of Computer Science Education in Nigeria, the Nigerian Computer Society, recognized and honoured her with the prestigious IT Personality of the Year, 2021.
Prof. Chiemeke is a devoted Christian, a Knight of St. James Anglican Church, Benin Diocese and blessed with four children.
[TheNation]
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said democracy has not been working as a system of government in Africa because it was “forced” on the continent.
Obasanjo stated this in his address at a high-level consultation on “Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa”.
The former president said the Western style of democracy failed in Africa because it did not take into consideration the views of the majority of the people.
Obasanjo described Western Liberal Democracy as a “government of a few people over all the people or population”.
”These few people are representatives of only some of the people and not full representatives of all the people.
“Invariably, the majority of the people were wittingly or unwittingly kept out. This is why we should have ‘Afro Democracy’ in place of Western Liberal Democracy.”
Obasanjo said African countries have no business operating a system of government in which they have no hands in its definition and design.
“The weakness and failure of liberal democracy as it is practised stem from its history, content, context and its practice.
“Once you move from all the people to representatives of the people, you start to encounter troubles and problems.
“For those who define it as the rule of the majority, should the minority be ignored, neglected and excluded?
“In short, we have a system of government in which we have no hands to define and design and we continue with it, even when we know that it is not working for us.
“Those who brought it to us are now questioning the rightness of their invention, its deliverability and its relevance today without reform,” he said.
Obasanjo explained that the essence of any system of government should be the welfare and well-being of the people.
“Here, we must interrogate the performance of democracy in the West — where it originated from — and with us the inheritors of what we are left with by our colonial powers.
“We are here to stop being foolish and stupid. Can we look inward and outward to see what in our country, culture, tradition, practice and living over the years that we can learn from?
“(Something) that we can adopt and adapt with practices everywhere for a changed system of government that will service our purpose better and deliver.
“We have to think out of the box and, after, act with our new thinking.
“You are invited here to examine clinically the practice of liberal democracy, identify its shortcomings for our society and bring forth ideas and recommendations that can serve our purpose better,” he said.
In his remarks, a former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, noted that liberal democracy in Africa was confronted with many challenges.
Fayemi said the improvement of the welfare of the people remained important, saying that democracy faced challenges of delivery in Africa.
“Non-delivery of development outcomes for the people must be adequately addressed so that democracy can deliver,” he said.
(NAN)
‘Tinubu Is Reaping From Sweat Of My Effort’ – Atiku’s Aide Speaks On Alleged Lopsided Appointment
AdminFormer Special Adviser on Research and Strategy to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Umar Ardo, says he is unbothered about the alleged lopsided appointment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In an interview with PUNCH, Ardo, said delivery should be considered irrespective of the regions of the appointees, stressing that the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari appointed northerners in most sectors, but they failed to deliver.
Speaking on the country’s economic situation, Ardo averred that the removal of fuel subsidy is appeasement to international monetary organisations, insisting it is not helping the country.
When asked if he had pitched his tent with Tinubu, Atiku’s former aide said he does not have a close relationship with the President even though he is currently reaping from the sweat of his effort in contriving the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “I have no business with him aside that he’s my country’s President. Other than when I was in the Villa serving as an adviser on State and Local Government Affairs, and he was the governor of Lagos State, we used to meet and relate purely in an official capacity, I never had anything to do with him. I can say I don’t know him from Adam. But I can also say he is unknowingly presently reaping from the sweat of my efforts in contriving the APC.
“But as Nigeria’s President, I pray for him to succeed. I hope for the sake of the country that he does. But for President Tinubu to succeed, he needs to focus on probity and accountability. The previous administration did not do that. They will give responsibility and there will not be any follow-up on that. I also thought he was going to address Nigeria’s problems, corruption.
“I am not worried at all; if those he appoints will deliver, I don’t care where they are from. What we want is delivery. After all, President Buhari appointed mostly northerners in most sectors of the country, but did they deliver? What benefits was it for the North? I don’t do things based on North-South, Muslim-Christian sentiments. Our country has collapsed, and I can only hope and pray for the success of President Tinubu’s administration.
“It is unfortunate that under him, the country is having serious problems, hunger, starvation, and poverty, especially in northern Nigeria. The removal of the fuel subsidy is an appeasement to international monetary organisations as far as I am concerned. But it is not helping the country; we are not subsidising anything. If President Tinubu wants to change the country, he must change the mode of governing the country because the mode of governance is faulty.”
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered illegal crude oil warehouses and apprehended two suspects in separate operations conducted across Imo State.
NSCDC shared details of these operations on its official Facebook page on Sunday, along with images showcasing the successful enforcement activities.
The post reads in part: “Intensifying the war against economic saboteurs: The CG SIS arrests two suspected economic saboteurs and impounds one Toyota Sequoia jeep loaded with over 5,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO at Abacheke of Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.”
Additionally, NSCDC revealed that during the operations, two illegal crude oil warehouses located in a dense forest in Izorsu community of Oguta II Local Government Area and Umuofor community of Oguta Local Government Area in Imo State were discovered and subsequently destroyed.
Falz, the rapper, has narrated how he and his managers survived a near-death experience in 2013.
In a chat with Gbemi O, the rapper and his managers Femisoro Ajayi and Sidney Sule recounted how they were attacked by armed men.
The trio said they took a trip to Abuja after Falz was invited to perform at a wedding ceremony.
Falz said that, during their trip back, they were shot at by “turban-tying, AK47-wielding, dangerous-looking men” on the expressway.
He said their driver was killed and the vehicle headed towards the forest. He said they all passed out.
The rapper said the armed robbers eventually retreated into the forest after hearing the police sirens.
“It was after NYSC and this was me working in my dad’s firm as a lawyer in 2013,” he said.
“Then we got a call to come to Abuja for a show. The payment was N1 million and logistics will be taken care of. It was a wedding, so we took the trip.
“There was no flight from Abuja to Lagos. So we hired a car from Abuja to Benin. I led a solid prayer and it was probably what ended up saving us.
“It was broad daylight and we started the trip around 2 pm. We fell asleep during the trip.
“Then we just heard a loud bang. We woke up to see these turban-tying, AK47-wielding, dangerous-looking men in the middle of the expressway.
“The bang we heard was a gunshot they had shot at the car. They shot at our car again and the bullet came flying in between everyone. Everything happened so fast.
“They shot at us again and the bullet hit the driver in the eye. The driver died instantly. The car started moving. It was wild. I remember seeing the car heading for a ditch and just thinking this is it.
“Then we passed out. I was the first to come around. I got out of the car and saw one of the men asking ‘Where is the money?’ I told him there was no money. He goes to the car looking for cash.
“We had left Abuja but we hadn’t gotten to Lokoja. It was all forest. It was the peak of Boko Haram and we were somewhere in the north.
“We started to hear sirens from far away. The police did not come near. At this point, they increased fire and started shooting. They later moved away from us and retreated.
“We tried to stop cars on the expressway, but not a single soul stopped. A police guy eventually came and another guy said he was a doctor.”
[TheCable]
Popular Nigerian On Air personality, Do2dtun, has stated that denying the late Nollywood actor, Saint Obi, access to his children led to his death.
Do2dtun made this known while berating partners who use children as a weapon against their exes.
Recalling his conversation with Saint Obi’s family, Do2dtun revealed that the actor died in his family house in Jos.
In a post on his official X on Sunday, the on air personality wrote: “Let’s normalize the fact that children are not objects. They have rights. When a child demands the right to see or be with a parent and you deny them, you have trampled on their rights. Listen! A child is not a material meant for one person to keep.
“I spoke to a family member of Saint Obi. He passed away in their house in Jos and you have absolutely no idea what that man went through. Denying him his kids and fighting eventually took his life.
“You believe you are winning a fight by weaponizing kids? I am sorry; YOU ARE A LOSER.”
The price of rice in Nigeria is projected to increase by 32 per cent in 2024, according to AFEX’s recent wet season crop production report.
However, the report stated that rice production is expected to rise by approximately 4 per cent.
“While there is an expected increase in production by approximately 4 per cent, we anticipate a potential surge in the price of paddy rice by up to around 32 per cent,” the leading African commodities player stated.
The report attributed the projected production increase to the absence of a flood in 2023.
Meanwhile, DAILY POST gathered a 50kg bag of rice jumped to an average price of N55,000 from N12,000 ten years ago.
The development comes as Nigeria’s food inflation rate increased to 31.52 per cent in October 2023 from 30.64 per cent in September 2023, according to the latest National Bureau of Statistics report.