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Drill or lose your Oil Wells, Fed Govt warns

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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]

Jonathan has set example in political maturity, says council

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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

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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

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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.

Tinubu overhauls NNPC Board, sacks Kyari, appoints new leadership

AFOLABI

President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, removing Group CEO Mele Kyari and Chairman Pius Akinyelure alongside all other directors appointed in November 2023.

A new 11-member board was announced early Wednesday, with Bashir Bayo Ojulari taking over as Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the new non-executive chairman. The changes, effective immediately, come as part of Tinubu’s push to “enhance efficiency, attract investment, and drive gas commercialisation”.

New Board Composition

The reshuffle introduces fresh faces, including:

- Adedapo Segun (Chief Financial Officer, retained from previous board)

- Bello Rabiu (North West),

Yusuf Usman (North East),
Babs Omotowa (North Central)

- Austin Avuru (South-South) -David Ige (South West)

-Henry Obih (South East)

- Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya (Federal Ministry of Finance)

- Aminu Said Ahmed (Ministry of Petroleum Resources)

Immediate Mandate: Strategic Review & Value Maximisation

Invoking his powers under the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), Tinubu directed the new board to conduct an urgent review of NNPC’s assets and joint ventures to ensure optimal performance and profitability.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who announced the changes via X, stated that the overhaul aims to restore investor confidence, boost local content, and accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition."

Actress Eniola Badmus reveals senatorial ambition

AFOLABI

Famous Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus, has revealed her future political ambitions.

The former plus-sized actress revealed her intention of becoming a senator in the near future in a recent Instagram post wherein she reminisced about her old body.

Badmus, who is the Special Assistant on Social Events and Public Hearings to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Tajudeen Abbas, also revealed her plan of becoming a minister in the future.

She wrote, “There are days when I miss my old body, the fullness, the softness, the way I took up space without hesitation. I miss how familiar it felt, how I knew its curves like the back of my hand, how certain outfits hugged me just right. There was comfort in that body, a sense of identity I never had to question.

“But then, I look at my new body, and I see growth not just physically, but emotionally. This body has carried me through change, through challenges, through moments of doubts and discovery. It moves differently, it feels different, but it is still mine. And just as I learned to love my body before, I am learning to love this one now.

“Missing who I was doesn’t take away from appreciating who I am becoming. Both versions of me deserve love, respect and kindness. And in this journey of transformation, I remind myself that no matter the size, my worth remained unchanged.

“Happy new month.

#incomingsenator

#incomingminister

#eniolabadmus.”

Recall that Eniola Badmus shocked Nigerians with her amazing transformation after sharing her inspiring weight loss journey from 170kg to 85kg in 2021

Match-fixing: CAF Orders Replay Of Cameroon Vs. Kenya 2025 AFCON Qualifier

AFOLABI

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered a replay of the 2025 AFCON qualifier between Cameroon and Kenya after an extensive investigation uncovered credible evidence of match-fixing.

In an official letter addressed to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), CAF revealed that FIFA’s Integrity and Compliance Unit, in collaboration with CAF and global sports integrity agencies, found irregularities in the match played on October 16, 2024, in Yaoundé.

A forensic review of match footage and intelligence reports highlighted instances of match manipulation involving multiple individuals.

Kenyan goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been specifically named, and his actions during the match raised significant concerns regarding compliance with FIFA’s anti-match-fixing regulations.

CAF will cover all expenses related to the replay to ensure no financial burden is placed on either federation.

The Cameroon vs. Kenya game will be replayed at a neutral venue within the next 60 days, to be determined by CAF.

Several Kenyan and Cameroonian players, including Matasi, were under formal investigation. If found guilty, they could face severe sanctions, including lifetime bans.

The Football Kenya Federation must fully cooperate with the investigation and provisionally suspend any implicated individuals from all FKF-sanctioned competitions.

Cameroon won both games against Kenya in the qualifiers with a 0-1 away win before beating the East Africans 4-1 in the reverse fixture en route to qualifying for the 2025 AFCON.

‘I’m Not A Bastard, Not Afraid Of Anyone’, Natasha Tells Supporters At Homecoming Rally In Kogi

AFOLABI

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has declared that she is “not a bastard” and “not afraid of anyone” while addressing a massive crowd of supporters during her homecoming in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State on Tuesday afternoon.

Her return came amid heightened political tension, as the Kogi State Government and Police Command had earlier imposed a ban on public gatherings, citing security concerns. In response, the chairman of Okehi LGA, Hon. Amoka Eneji, also imposed a curfew on the LGA in a bid to halt Natasha’s planned homecoming and Sallah celebration with her constituents.

Switching between Ebira and English languages, she declared, “I am glad I came home. And nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as she reaffirmed her identity and connection to Kogi Central.

“I am an Ebira person. Dr. Akpoti is my father. I know my home. I am not a bastard,” she stated emphatically.

Reiterating her stance, she continued, “I am an Ebira girl. This is my land. I am the daughter of the late Dr. Jimoh Akpoti. I am not a bastard, and I am not afraid of anybody.”

Natasha’s visit came amid a ban on public gatherings imposed by the Kogi State Government on Monday, citing potential threats to public peace. In a move to enforce the ban, Okehi LGA Chairman, Hon. Amoka Eneji, declared a curfew across the council area in an attempt to prevent Natasha’s homecoming event.

Despite the restrictions apparently to stop her planned homecoming Sallah party, Natasha’s supporters defied the curfew, turning out in large numbers to welcome her back.

“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies, gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be allowed. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not political season, this is not campaign time,” the embattled lawmaker said.

“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – the Sallah with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”

Nigerian Army Begins Recruitment For 89th Regular Recruits Intake

AFOLABI

The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of online registration for its 89 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise for trades, non-tradesmen and women.

The recruitment exercise which was made public on Monday via the Army’s official X handle, aimed at enlisting qualified candidates for the positions.

According to the Army, the registration period will run from March 31 to May 7, 2025, encouraging interested individuals to apply via the official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.army.mil.ng.

In a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria, the Nigerian Army emphasised that applicants must be single Nigerian citizens by birth and possess a valid National Identity Card (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Interested candidates must also be medically, physically, and psychologically fit in accordance with the Army’s standards, and must not have any criminal conviction by a court of law.

Also, applicants must have at least four passes, including English Language, in WASSEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB, and tradesmen/women must possess a valid trade test/certificate.

Applicants must present a valid birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission, hospital, or local government council as part of the application requirements.

The announcement also gave the age limit at 18-22 years for non-tradesmen/women, and 18-26 years for tradesmen/women, and such persons’ minimum height requirements are 1.68m for male candidates and 1.65m for female candidates.

A state of origin certificate is also required as part of the requirements.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, warning applicants against making payments to any individual or group claiming to influence the selection process.

“Candidates are advised to conduct their own due diligence and not engage in any form of financial transaction to secure recruitment,” the statement read.

The Army also stated that successful recruits will enjoy several benefits, including career opportunities in the military, regular and enhanced pay allowances, opportunities for further education and interaction with people from diverse backgrounds.

Other benefits include health and insurance housing in choice locations across Nigeria, pension and gratuity upon retirement, and the opportunity to serve the nation within and outside Nigeria.

Interested candidates must apply via the official portal https://recruitment.army.mil.ng.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a screening exercise from June 2 to June 19, 2025, at their respective states of origin.

To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process, the Army warned that all documents submitted will be thoroughly verified by the appropriate issuing authorities.

“All those with fake documents will be handed over to the police for prosecution,” the Army cautioned.

The Nigerian Army also reminded applicants that there will be no pre-selection computer-based test, and all shortlisted candidates must participate in the physical screening exercise at designated centers.

The Army’s announcement concluded with an appeal to young Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to national security and territorial integrity.

“Join the Nigerian Army and contribute to the preservation and protection of Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Army stated

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Elon Musk tops Forbes’ billionaires list as wealth hits record high

AFOLABI

Elon Musk has taken the top spot on Forbes’ 39th annual World’s Billionaires list, surpassing French luxury mogul Bernard Arnault.

Musk’s net worth skyrocketed 75% to $342 billion, driven by rising valuations of xAI, SpaceX and a strong performance by Tesla stock over the past year.

Despite a recent market dip, he remains the first person to surpass $300 billion in wealth.

This was disclosed in a statement released by Forbes on its Website on Tuesday.

Forbes’ latest rankings show a record 3,028 billionaires worldwide, the highest since the list began in 1987.

Collectively, they are worth an unprecedented $16.1 trillion.

US President Donald Trump also saw a sharp rise in wealth, more than doubling his net worth to $5.1 billion.

This growth comes from his Trump Media & Technology Group shares and profits from recent crypto ventures.

“It’s another record-breaking year for the world’s richest people, despite financial uncertainty for many and geopolitical tensions on the rise.

“And, from Elon Musk to Howard Lutnick and the other billionaires taking over the U.S. government, they’re growing more and more powerful,” said Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes’ Senior Editor for Wealth.

Following Musk, the top five billionaires on the list are:

Mark Zuckerberg at No. 2 with $216 billion.
Jeff Bezos at No. 3 with $215 billion.
Larry Ellison at No. 4 with $192 billion.
Bernard Arnault & family at No. 5 with $178 billion

Hold Akpabio, Bello, Ododo responsible if anything happens to me – Natasha

AFOLABI

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to hold Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, responsible if she and her supporters are attacked.

Akpoti-Uduaghan raised the alarm in a post via her official Facebook.

She said, “My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our peaceful Sallah celebrations today.

“However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Òdodo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.”

Her warning comes a few hours after she vowed in a statement to go ahead with her scheduled visit to her constituency for the Eid-el-Fìtr break and the rally planned for her homecoming.

The senator also urged her supporters to disregard speculations making the round that she has cancelled her scheduled visit.

While stating that she has a statutory function in her capacity as the lawmaker representing her constituents, the embattled senator encouraged her supporters to troop out en masse to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with her.

On Monday, the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over ‘security reports’.

The government also stopped fishing and other activities, arguing that they recently resulted in the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West.

The Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo said the move was to prevent any form of security breach that might destabilise the state.

Similarly, the Kogi Police Command warned Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Sallah rally.

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye stated that the planned gathering goes against the state government’s recent ban on political gatherings, which was announced on Monday.

Meanwhile, videos of the purported rally for the homecoming of the senator have started making the rounds on social media.

As of the time of filing this story, one of the Kogi senators named, Bashir Haroon, shared a live feed showing hundreds of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, comprising mainly women singing and drumming in anticipation of her return.

HURIWA Accuses President Tinubu Of Nepotism Over Appointments

AFOLABI

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of fostering nepotism by extending the tenures of certain public officials, particularly those from the Yoruba ethnic group.

Naija News reports that the group claims that this practice undermines meritocracy and promotes tribalism in Nigeria’s national governance.

HURIWA’s criticism comes after the president approved the extension of Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap’s tenure as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) until December 31, 2026.

The group labelled the move as an “abuse of power” and questioned whether there were no other qualified officers within the service who could take on the role.

In a statement signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group expressed its concern that President Tinubu was prioritizing ethnicity over competence in making key decisions about national leadership.

HURIWA argued that the decision to retain officials from predominantly Yoruba backgrounds suggests that capable candidates from other ethnic groups are being sidelined.

The group likened this to the nepotism of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which heavily favored Fulani appointees.

“This decision suggests that competent candidates outside the Yoruba ethnic group are being overlooked for strategic national positions. It mirrors the nepotism of the Buhari administration, which heavily favored Fulani appointees,” HURIWA said in the statement.

In addition to the NIS Comptroller-General’s extension, HURIWA also condemned the extension of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure.

The group criticized the amendment to the Police Act, which allowed Egbetokun to remain in office beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60, alleging that the decision was driven by ethnic and personal affiliations rather than adherence to public service rules.

HURIWA urged President Tinubu’s government to prioritize merit, competence, and patriotism over ethnic considerations. The group emphasized the need for inclusive governance that fosters national unity and fairness, rejecting what it sees as a trend of ethnic favoritism under the current administration.

“Merit, competence, and patriotism must be the guiding principles in our leadership appointments,” HURIWA concluded, reiterating its call for a fairer and more inclusive governance structure.

Last modified on Tuesday, 01 April 2025 14:50

Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Judgment ‘Leaked’ Ahead Of Official Announcement - See Documents

AFOLABI

A purported copy of the judgment by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has surfaced online just a day after the tribunal summoned parties involved in the case to appear before it.

This follows a March 3, 2025, ruling where the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had reserved its judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo.

On the morning of Tuesday, April 1, 2025, the tribunal directed all parties to return the following day, Wednesday, for the formal delivery of the judgment.

However, according to Vanguard, what appeared to be a leak of the judgment documents surfaced online, revealing a split decision of the tribunal.

The leaked documents show a two-to-one split in the tribunal’s ruling, with Justice Kpochi and Justice A.B. Yusuf dismissing the petition, while Justice A.A. Adewole issued a minority judgment that ordered the issuance of a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo of the PDP as the legitimate winner of the election.

In the leaked minority judgment, Justice Adewole argued that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election was invalid due to non-substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Justice Adewole noted that the petitioners, Ighodalo and the PDP, had shown evidence that the total votes should have been 243,113 for Ighodalo, with Okpebholo’s tally standing at 210,326, which would have reversed the election outcome.

“The petitioners’ case was not rebutted, and they showed unit by unit how the actual total should be 243,113 votes, while the 2nd Respondent’s tally should stand at 210,326 votes—a clear reversal of the declared result,” Justice Adewole was quoted in the leaked documents.

On the other hand, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Kpochi, in the majority ruling, acknowledged that there was credible evidence of non-compliance, particularly regarding issues like failure to record serial numbers in EC 25B forms and over-voting.

However, the tribunal found that the petitioners failed to prove that these violations had substantially impacted the election result.

Justice Kpochi stated that while there were instances of incorrect collation and exclusion of results, the petitioners did not provide enough mathematical or documentary evidence to demonstrate that the margin of victory was affected or that they had scored the highest number of lawful votes.

“The petitioners have not discharged the dual burden to the satisfaction of the law. Accordingly, the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the majority judgment read.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election, with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who secured 247,655 votes.

Ighodalo and the PDP, dissatisfied with the outcome, approached the tribunal, arguing that the election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

The petitioners contended that INEC had failed to properly serialize and pre-record certain sensitive materials used in the election, which they argued contributed to alleged rigging in favor of the APC and its candidate.

The petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, questioned the legitimacy of Okpebholo’s victory, claiming that he did not secure the highest number of lawful votes in the election.