The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has released the best eleven players from the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The list, which has mostly players from Senegal and Morocco, does not have any Nigerian footballer included.

Equatorial Guinea’s Jesus Owono is the goalkeeper that made the cut, while his team mate Emilio Nsue, the leading scorer with five goals, is up front.

Morocco are represented by four players: midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, defenders Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd.

Defending champions Senegal have three players picked in the list. They are center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, winger Ismaila Sarr and midfielder Lamine Camara.

Angolan attacker Gelson Dala and left-back Arthur Masuaku of the Democratic Republic of Congo complete the line-up.

[DailyPost]

Lagos State is set to venture into airline business, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hinted yesterday.

The state, he said, would soon begin the construction of its own airport in Lekki, a Lagos suburb which is fast-developing on the Epe axis.

Sanwo-Olu spoke during the Lagos West Senatorial District Town Hall meeting at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, where he presented the scorecard of his administration to Lagosians.

He presented a catalogue of achievements in the West of Lagos.

The governor also attributed the delay in the kick-off of the ambitions 38-kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge to funding challenges.

The bridge will connect Lagos Island across the Lagoon from Langbasa (Lekki) to Baiyeku, Itamaga in Ikorodu.

The 2 x 4 lane carriageway, with permission for Bus Rapid Transit Lane and future road contraction was designed to relieve traffic on the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.

They are: Eko Bridge, Cater Bridge and the Third Mailand Bridge.

A one-time permanent secretary and retired Auditor- General for Local Government in the state, Pa Muhammed Hassan, believed Lagos was ripe to own an airline. He backed the governor’s proposal.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the airline business plan had been in the pipeline for months, with the state now finalising the financing model.

“What is being considered is the Federal Government’s approval and operational contingency for the airline,” the governor said.

At the meeting, Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, took feedback from residents, who posed questions.

The governor noted that the input from the public was necessary to guide his government’s decision on planned programmes and interventions before their implementation.

He pointed out that his administration had completed and opened 42 new roads projects and two flyovers in the district, with the combined length of the infrastructure spanning over 72 kilometres.

Saying that the last four and half years had seen Lagos taking a leap forward in its socio-economic and development trajectory, the governor said he remained resolute in doubling his efforts to keep the state on the sustainable growth path as his second term progresses.

The event was attended by members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), political, religious, business leaders and traditional rulers. Also there were members of the state executive council.

Some of those who spoke include: Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) Bishop Stephen Adegbite, a child disability advocate, Mrs. Mathilda Otitoju, community leaders, among others.

The governor said: “Over the last five months, Mr. Deputy Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of airlines. The business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing. The conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan.

“In Lagos West Senatorial District, infrastructure development has been our priority since we came in. Over the last four years, we have completed over 70 kilometres of new roads and over two kilometres of bridges.

“These include Pen-Cinema Bridge, Ikeja Flyover, and over 42 roads we have completed in Alimosho, Ifako, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Amuwo Odofin and Badagry. We also have over 30 ongoing road projects which are at various stages of completion within this district.”

The governor said the senatorial district was also the major beneficiary of the intra-city railway development projects of his administration, with Lagos West hosting major passenger hubs of Blue Line and Red Line trains.

He said the new General Hospital being constructed in Ojo axis has reached an advanced stage, adding that its completion would boost access to health care in the district.

To further enhance security and safety in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said his administration would be releasing additional patrol vehicles and work gadgets to raise surveillance and capacity of security agencies to respond to emerging threats.

He said: “We are in talks with you, the citizens, today because we believe the government does not know it all. The feedback and inputs we are taking away from here will help us to cater for your needs and wellbeing better.

“We will strive to make it easier for you to be law-abiding. It is not enough to say the laws must be obeyed, we must also ensure that the laws are clear, fair and just.

“When people break the law and don’t do the right thing, they make governance a lot more difficult for us. We must discharge our civic responsibility and fulfil our obligations as citizens.

“When we do this, it reduces the cost of governance and saves resources that will enable us do a lot more. While we appreciate your suggestions, we are also encouraging you to ensure that all citizens do the right thing at all times.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, likened the town hall parley to the annual general meeting, which offers stakeholders the opportunity to discuss with the leadership.

Omotoso noted that the move was to engender an all-inclusive government in which citizens would have an input.

“The conversation continues with the citizens on the Lagos project. Today, Lagos West Senatorial District leads the way; other districts will take their turns of the Town Hall meeting where they will have unfettered discussions with the Governor,” Omotoso said.

[TheNation]

It has turned out so far, to be the only centenary conference marking the passage of Vladimir Lenin, the first person to lead a socialist revolution. The other activity was in Moscow where flowers were laid in his mausoleum.

In Abuja, Nigeria, over 300 of us from Nigeria, United States, Cuba, Ghana, South Africa, Venezuela, Palestine, Russia and United Kingdom met physically for two days from January 22-23, 2024 to mark the January 21, 1924 exit of Lenin. We were joined virtually by people from various countries, especially in Europe.

As the Chair of the Conference Coordinating Committee, I said the main issue is the examination of Lenin’s ideas, especially within the context of current global challenges, and how they can help extricate humanity from crises.

Conference Chairperson, Professor Warisu Alli, a political scientist and international relations expert, said apart from its international dimensions, the conference offers Nigerians an opportunity to review the state of the country, especially its high levels of unemployment, increasing poverty, frightening insecurity, as well as to chart the way forward.

Professor Nuhu Yaqub, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, and Sokoto State University, said Lenin was able to mobilise and lead the workers; so what we need is leadership of that calibre that can bring about progressive change.

Cuban Ambassador, Miriam Morales Palmero, emphasized the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution, adding that Cubans are convinced that socialism is “the only possible solution to the serious problems facing humanity…”

Russian Embassy Councellor, Andrey Savushkin, said the ideals of Lenin are still alive in the hearts of Russians a century after his passage.

Palestinian Ambassador, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, argued that the issue in the Palestine is not Israelis versus Palestinians, or about religion. Rather, it is the aim of imperialists to exploit and dominate people. He added that the region should be safe for everyone with justice and freedom for all. The audience rose in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The representative of the Socialist Movement of Ghana, Yaw Appiah-Kubi, asserted that Lenin showed humanity that the world is not given and can be recreated for all, irrespective of race, ethnicity and other divides.

The International Communist League representative, Raymond Bishop, who flew in from the United States said the League does not see how any meaningful discussion on human development can hold without tapping into the ideas of Lenin. He added that key problems in the universe, including the underdevelopment of Africa and Latin America, can be defeated with proper programming.

President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, said Leninism encourages workers to transcend their immediate economic concerns and recognise their broader class interests, which involves the masses taking control of their country. He added that the new Minimum Wage, to be negotiated, should not be seen solely as the business of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, but rather, as a collective struggle in which all should join.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, recalled that when in 2018 his party proposed a National Minimum Wage of N100,000, a workers’ party made fun of his party, claiming that it would cause inflation. He argued that it is not wages that will cause inflation but rather the system being run.

Ene Obi, former Country Representative of ActionAid Nigeria, noted that many of the poor who have gained admission into tertiary institutions have been unable to register as students due to high school fees. She pointed out that if the Nigerian state invests in human capital, it will not be doing anybody a favour, but would instead be addressing the problems of human capital and the economy.

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, posited that the unprecedented looting in the country has become so endemic that it demands peoples’ intervention. Represented by Professor Adelaja Odukoya, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, the ASUU President added that the crises in Nigerian require that the working people, in line with Lenin’s ideas, go beyond theory to the level of praxis.

Twenty six papers were presented and discussed at the conference. Former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Sarki, made a presentation on “The Philosophical Foundations of Lenin’s Foreign Policy and its influence on State Relations”. He noted that, with the severe and unprecedented sanctions against Russia, the country is employing the same strategies Lenin adopted after the October 1917 Revolution when it was under siege by imperialist countries. The strategies, he added, include appealing for solidarity from non-Western countries and building closer relations with African, Arab, Latin American and Asian nations. These paid off handsomely.

Papers by the elderly radicals in the country include “Back to Lenin: A Political Introduction” by mathematician and journalist, Dr Edwin Madunagu. Professor Abubakar Mohammed Sokoto spoke on the “The Relevance of Marxist Theory in the Teaching of Sociology in Academic Institutions.” Jonathan Ihonde, who 61 years ago created the long running satirical drama series, ‘Hotel De Jordan’, wrote on “Maxify Lenin In Our Clime.”

On the other hand, the papers by the young generation included: “The Dialectics of Terrorism: Exploring the October 20, 2020 Lekki Toll Gate Massacre from a Marxist Lens” by Olusegun Michael Ogundele; and “Students, Youths and the Struggle for Total Liberation” by Juwon Sanyaolu, one of the leaders of the EndSARS (Anti-Police brutality) Movement.

South African Lawrence Mmoiloi spoke on: “The Breakdown of US Hegemony and the Struggle for Workers Power.” His comrade, Jesse Altman, presented a paper on “South Africa: In Defence of a Permanent Revolution.” Dew Povey of the Socialist Labour, United Kingdom, spoke on: “Lenin Supported Strikes as Seeds of Working Class Self-Emancipation.”

Two ladies, Comrades Ene Obi and Hauwa Mustapha, the Chairperson of the Closing Session, carried out ‘a revolutionary coup’ at the conference when they organised a surprise birthday for former ASUU President, Dr Dipo Fashina, who on January, 23, 2024, turned 76. Fashina, a philosophy lecturer delivered a paper on: “The Growth and Development of Leninism.” In it, he examined the centrality of Africa in Lenin’s theory of imperialism; his impact on African socialism; and espousal on students, youths and trade unions in revolution.

The conference was a beautiful mixture of the old and young, women and men, academics and non-academics, political theorists and political activists. Notably were students, mainly from the Bingham University, Keffi, who displayed a thirst for knowledge, raised critical questions, and demonstrated a grasp for issues.

Fittingly for a Lenin programme, it was a conference populated by people who are not afraid of ideas, are willing to discuss and are ready to go wherever ideas lead.

In December 2023 when armed men attacked his Dungwel community, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Manji Le’an moved from there to stay with his uncle at Mangu town.

Though his house at Dungwel was not burnt, he said he was worried by the threats the attackers pose to the community, hence the need to relocate to a safer place.

Now, the recent attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State have put more burden on him. He said his blood pressure has gone up, having managed to escape unhurt with his uncle as their neighbours set his uncle’s house ablaze.

This is the account of one of the survivors of Wednesday’s attack on Mangu which claimed over 30 lives, with several houses razed.

Le’an said: “I left Dungwel on December 13, last year, to stay with my uncle in his house near EKAN Primary School in Mangu town. I thought I will have peace there but as we speak, we have moved to Angwan Mission to stay with some relatives because my uncle’s house was burnt by his Muslim neighbours, on Wednesday. We managed to escape unhurt but we heard and saw them rejoicing that we had been burnt in the house.

“Three days ago, some Fulani herders attacked some Mwaghavul youths around the Sabon Gari area. The youths in that area protested against the action and were moving towards Ruga, (a Fulani settlement) to iron out the matter.

“Before we knew it, the Muslims settling at Sabon Kaswa (new market) started attacking their Mwaghavul neighbours, asking why the people would go to Ruga.

“The natives asked if they were supporting the actions of the Fulani herders that always attack the people and they said yes. The situation degenerated, leading to the burning of houses and the COCIN Church at Sabon Kaswa.
“The thing was snowballing from one place to the other and it got to our area around EKAN Primary school where our Muslim neighbours also joined in burning houses.

“When the thing started in our area, we locked ourselves in the house because we didn’t think they will want to harm us but surprisingly, we heard our neighbours asking if we were in and when they confirmed it, they started throwing things on the zinc, breaking the windows as the rampaging youths approached.

“When we saw that the house was on fire, we sneaked out through the back door without a pin as the attackers were gathered at the front.

“As we were walking away, we could hear them saying in Hausa language, “mun kona baban dake cikin dakin,” meaning we have burnt Baba inside the house, referring to my uncle. We are still shocked that this could happen and my BP has gone up. We are waiting for the curfew to be lifted, so I can take my uncle to join his son in Jos.”

The violence has been controlled and the curfew enforced at the time of this report. The poor network in the area is limiting communication but some natives say there is rising threat in some communities in Panyam district of Mangu.

‘Fulani herders killed our boys’

Another survivor, Longji Fwangmun from Aloghom 1 community which was among the communities attacked last year, said: “The Fulani herders killed some of our boys who were returning from a mining site.

“Our people came out to confront them but soldiers came and escorted them and their cows to their settlement but within a short time, some IDPs taking refuge in Mangu were passing and they attacked them. They managed to escape and brought the report to us.

“This provoked our people who made efforts to go back to Ruga. My brother and I joined others to go there but the soldiers returned and tried to stop us while the Fulani herders retreated to Derkong, a Muslim community where they hibernate and come out to attack people.

“When some of our boys refused to step back, the soldiers opened fire and a bullet hit and killed my brother, Joel.

“While we were running, I couldn’t return to my village, so I went to my brother’s house at Kwahaslahir where we witnessed a complete destruction of property. The COCIN Church and houses were burnt. Julius clinic was also burnt and we heard patients were there.

‘’I can’t say if the patients were killed but I had to sleep in the bush at night so that I will not be burnt in the house. I managed to dodge the Fulani herders, Muslim youths and soldiers to return to Mangu where I am speaking with you from.

We’ve arrested 9 suspects – Police
Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 4, Ebong Eyibio, through the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, said nine suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

“I have ordered the deployment of additional Special Intervention Personnel to Mangu LGA to be commanded by the Area Commander, Pankshin, to restore normalcy in that area. The command is grateful to inform you that the situation as at today, is under control and so far, nine suspects have been arrested.

‘’Exhibits recovered from them include dangerous weapons such as machetes, kegs containing petrol, and other items. The area remains highly secured by security forces and strict compliance to the curfew is being complied with.

“We called on the leadership of both faiths to call their followers to order and ensure total compliance with the government-imposed curfew. Both parties have promised to comply in the interest of peace in their communities. So far, over 10 corpses have been recovered from various locations, two injured persons currently receiving treatment at the hospital, one car and 10 houses were burnt down.”

We won’t tolerate further security breaches – Gov Mutfwang

Also, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, denounced the recent security breach that claimed numerous lives in Kwahaslalek community and various parts of Mangu LGA

A statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, said the governor will not tolerate any further breakdown of law and order in any part of the state and urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to “guarantee absolute peace across the state.”

Bere said: “The governor extends heartfelt condolences to grieving families, affected communities, and those injured in the unfortunate incidents. Governor Mutfwang further conveyed sympathy to the residents of Mangu LGA and other affected communities, and urged them to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities for swift intervention.

“However, he implored the communities involved to refrain from taking the law into their hands, and restated the state government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the security of all citizens. He acknowledged the crucial role played by security agencies in restoring calm and called for continued collaboration between them and the government to provide maximum protection to all citizens.”

Tension in Kerang as security men kill woman, shoot 3 others

In spite of efforts to contain the insecurity, security men allegedly shot and killed one Rejoice Puttu at Kerang community in Mangu LGA, a sibling and community members confirmed.

The elder brother to the deceased, identified as Clifford, told Vanguard on phone that the sister was killed this afternoon (yesterday) while returning from the farm.

He said: “The military men just shot dead my younger sister, Rejoice Puttu, this afternoon opposite COCIN RCC Kerang. She was coming back from the farm without knowing that military men from the Air Force Base in Kerang came to town in the name of enforcing the curfew.

“They saw some okada men going about their businesses, they started beating and shooting sporadically in the name of scaring people. When my sister heard the gunshots she turned to run but they shot her in the back and she died on the spot. The community boys and some policemen tried to convey her to the Pebang hospital but she had already died.

“My younger brother was macheted by the same military men at Mangu town yesterday when he was making efforts to leave Mangu for Kerang. He was taken to the hospital and he didn’t even know that our sister had been killed until I called to inform him.

‘’My worry now is that we are not able to go pick her corpse to the mortuary and the people at Pebang hospital are calling us to come.

“I am looking for a way of getting a security escort to go there to retrieve her corpse. The world should know that the military is going from house to house hunting people, with cutlasses, I have posted my sister’s corpse on social media for the world to see what the military is doing to my family.”

Another resident, Joshua Plangdi, confirmed he witnessed the situation and added: “Apart from Rejoice who died, three other boys were shot and are now in the hospital. People are just sitting in front of their houses and different sets of security personnel from the Air Force Base and Mangu town are coming in to harass us. It was their bullet that killed Rejoice and injured others.”

NIO calls for restraint over killing of members

Reacting to the present state of affairs in the area yesterday, the Ngwang Ishi O’Tarok, NIO, one of the tribes in Plateau State, called for calm, following the burning of five members of the Tarok family in Mangu, and asking that no one takes the law into one’s hands.

Nangor Ndam, the National Secretary of NIO in a statement, said: “The attention of the NIO leadership has been drawn to various social media platforms about the burning alive of a Tarok family of five in Mangu yesterday, following the unfortunate outbreak of crisis.

“NIO wishes to inform Tarok sons and daughters that the leadership of NIO, led by Amb. Nanpon Sheni, is fully aware of this incident and has been in contact with the security agencies handling the investigations.

‘’The NIO President has also been in touch with his counterpart, the President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA, for a full briefing on the situation in Mangu.

“The leadership of NIO calls on all Tarok sons and daughters to remain calm and law-abiding, while investigations continue. There should be no cause for retaliatory action as security agents are on top of the situation.

‘’NIO assures the Tarok Nation that it shall continue to work to protect them and their interest in full
collaboration with appropriate security agencies.”

We remain neutral-DHQ

Following accusations in a trending video that Wednesday’s attack and killing of over 30 persons in Mangu LGA and burning of houses, despite the curfew in place, was made possible because of collaboration by security agencies, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, yesterday, said the military remains neutral and committed to protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

A statement by Brigadier Gen Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, denied the allegations made in the video saying “we will deal with anybody found disobeying the law without bias or prejudice.”

While calling on the public to support ongoing military operations aimed at decimating non-state actors operating in these troubled areas of the state”, the defence scribe said: “We will not be distracted by baseless accusations and remain steadfast in our commitment to restoring peace and security.

The statement read: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has been drawn to a malicious video made by the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Mangu Chapter, Reverend Timothy Daluk.

“The video has been circulating in the media, aiming to malign military personnel deployed to address the security challenges in the Mangu general area.

“The video made baseless and untrue accusations, claiming that the military is biased and supports a particular group against others.

“We categorically state that these accusations hold no truth, are malicious and lack any reasonable foundation.
“It is important to recall that on 23 January 2024, there was a breach of security in the Mangu municipal area, resulting in the Government of Plateau state declaring a 24-hour curfew.

“Troops of Operation Safe Haven were reinforced in Mangu to enforce the curfew and bring the situation under control, thereby preventing its spread to other areas.

“The troops have carried out their duties professionally and in accordance with the rules of engagement.
“They have successfully arrested criminals involved in looting and burning of properties, as well as recovered weapons.

“It is deeply disturbing that a religious leader, who is expected to demonstrate high levels of moral judgment and truthfulness, has resorted to spreading falsehoods about the military and its personnel.

“We strongly caution individuals involved in making malicious comments against the military to cease such acts.
“Henceforth, any person found spreading falsehoods will face constitutional redress, regardless of their status in society.”

DHQ to invite CAN chairman accusing military of aiding killings

In the viral video, Daluk said: “I am here to report the situation happening in Mangu Local Government for the whole world to understand. What is happening in Mangu at this particular point in time, the military are the ones sending our people away for the militia to burn their houses.

“At this particular point in time, they have sent every Christian away from the new market, thereby leaving the Muslims to come and burn their houses.”

However, responding following an inquiry, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said: “DHQ is in the process of reaching out to him to come and substantiate the claims. It is not unusual for emotions to cloud people’s judgment when they have been confronted with a very traumatising experience.

“We will get to the bottom of his allegations after we have an audience with him. All the same, the military will continue to discharge its duties professionally and in line with the best international standards.”

Reps Speaker to meet Tinubu, seeks end to Plateau killings

Disturbed by the rising killings, speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, said it is devastating to read the news about renewed attacks and hostility in communities around Mangu LGA.

He said he would meet with President Bola Tinubu on the matter, adding that the House will take a strong position when it resumes from the Christmas and New Year break next Tuesday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the speaker said “enough is enough” on the Plateau killings.

Speaker Abbas added that on resumption on January 30, 2024, the House will kick-start plans to organise a security submit to find lasting solutions to the security challenges in the North and other parts of the country.

[Vanguard]

As a way of building the capacity of learners on creative thinking, Ogun State government has trained 500 selected senior secondary school students on computer literacy to create content, towards enhancing digital knowledge.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, while speaking during the opening of a 4-Day capacity building for the students, tagged, ’’Build-A-Thon Programme’’, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in conjunction with the Ministry, said the initiative was an avenue to take the state to a greater height.

Prof. Arigbabu, in a statement made available to newsmen by Mr. Ayoola Obadimu, Press Officer, MOES&T, pointed out that the training would provide opportunities for the students to develop their talents, relate and learn from one another, share experience, as well as become technology experts, hinting that the training was ongoing simultaneously in Imo and Maiduguri states and be replicated in all the 517 secondary schools in the state.

"If we develop children in this way, most of our problems will be easily solved. To me, this is the beginning of many good things to happen in the country. We want to catch the students young, starting from this stage; they are being developed as critical thinkers, problem solvers and technology experts", he said.

Also speaking, Minister for Communication, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, represented by his Special Assistant, Mrs. Banke Ajagunna, stated that the event would enable students get more involved in technological revolution.

Earlier, Director of Education, Science and Technology in the Ministry, Mr. Sunkanmi Ogunpola, explained that the programme was introduced to create an avenue where teenagers could grow up to be problem solvers.

Two of the benefiting students, Oluwatomi Talabi of Anglican High School, Ibara and Anjolaoluwa Adebowale of Lafenwa High School, both in Abeokuta, appreciated the Federal and state governments on behalf of other learners for the laudable initiative, describing the programme as an agenda to secure the future generation of the country.

The tectonic plates of international relations were not just trembling in January 2024; they had been grumbling for months. The tremors first became apparent on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2023. Ryan Shaban, in the January 2024 Eurasia Strategy Insights report, described the scene of the first UNGA emergency session held in 26 years, where a resolution demanding an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza exposed a starkly fractured world. 153 out of the UN's 193 member states voted in favour of the resolution -- highlighting a shift in the global power dynamic. The United States, for the first time in recent memory -- which voted alongside 9 other countries that opposed the resolution -- seemed to be on the outside looking in; its grip on the international political order loosening. This undercurrent of multipolarity, which has now bubbled into January 2024, has promised to reshape the international stage in unpredictable ways this year.

For those of us here in Nigeria, the tremors in December should have been a reminder that in the global order, alliances are fluid and interests diverse. 

This is why, with the North-South divide at Davos, the newly expanded BRICS+ flexing their muscles globally, the US-China diplomatic dance in Africa, and the lessons of African excellence from the ongoing African Cup of Nations — the message has become clear: the old world order has changed — and Nigeria must be intentional and strategic if it wants to play a prominent role in the new global order.

Here are three geopolitical trends that Nigerians should pay attention to on the international stage in 2024.

NORTH VS SOUTH, DAVOS VS KAMPALA

The World Economic Forum in Davos brought together leaders from the established powers of the global North to discuss pressing international issues like climate change, economic inequality, and technological disruption. At the same time, the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Uganda gathered representatives from about 120 nations — many of which are developing countries that belong to the global South — to advocate for their interests and priorities on the international agenda.

These contrasting events underscored the evolving landscape of international relations. The global South, once largely on the periphery of the global order, is now playing an increasingly assertive role. Developing countries are becoming more vocal about matters that affect their national interests — and collaborating to advance these shared interests.

The juxtaposition of the cold, wintry forum at Davos, and the warm, sunny summit in Kampala also highlighted the key areas of divergence between the interests of the global North and the global South. Going into 2024, the North is focusing on cold hard issues like economic growth, the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the free market system. On the other hand, the South is prioritising optimistic objectives like sustainable development, poverty reduction, and access to resources. These differences in priorities may lead to increased tensions this year— or, they can serve as launchpads for collaboration on the international stage.

As the world continues to evolve rapidly, it is important to bridge the divide between the global North and South. Developed and developing countries need to find ways to communicate and cooperate on common challenges in order to build a more inclusive and equitable international order.

This is why, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Nigeria's calls for a democratisation of the international order could not have come at a more appropriate time. While speaking on a panel titled "Securing an Insecure World," our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, argued that the current structure of the United Nations Security Council, with its permanent members and veto powers, is outdated and hinders effective decision-making on critical issues that affect the global South.

Responding to a question on what the global North must do to accommodate the interests of the global South, the Foreign Minister criticised the veto power held by the five permanent members, which he described as undemocratic — stating that these powers prevent the passage of resolutions on pressing conflicts. He also called for a number of reforms, including the creation of new permanent seats for countries like Nigeria — which would better reflect the realities of the 21st century.

Now, Nigeria must see how it can work within the established international framework to lead this democratisation process —understanding that this change will not be served à la carte and that the only thing that remains constant on the international stage is that every country, even our allies, are self-interested.

BLINKEN, CHINA, AND BRICS+

In another major trend, geopolitical analysts are also closely monitoring the growing influence of China and BRICS+ nations on global affairs. To put this into perspective, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with a projected 43% of global oil production under their belts, BRICS+ nations are poised to challenge the West's dominance in the financial sphere through the creation of a new institutional development bank and their de-dollarisation agenda. This move could potentially reshape the global financial landscape and offer alternative financing options for developing countries.

China, specifically, with its expanding influence in the global South, will also have a major impact on the future of international relations. For instance, following the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visits this month to Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and Ivory Coast—in response, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, announced a four-state visit to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Angola, and Nigeria.

For both superpowers, their visits to Africa were strategically motivated. China was sending a signal regarding the future trajectory of Africa-China collaboration. While the United State’s visit was aimed at securing and strengthening its already existing partnerships across the continent.

For us here in Nigeria, we must see the visit of both Wang Yi and Blinken to Africa as a reminder that the global superpowers have growing or declining strategic interests on the continent. Hence, we must evaluate our strategic alliances on a case-by-case and issue-by-issue basis. As the foremost political, economic, and military force in the West African subregion, if we want to maintain our strategic relevance, every decision that we take must adhere to our longstanding commitment to multilateralism and non-alignment.

Moving forward, our foreign policy must be primed to monitor the growing influence of BRICS+ on the global financial system, in order to take early advantage of any benefits that might arise from such a system. As we do this, we must also maintain a strong relationship with the West that prioritises our development objectives and overall national economic and security interests.

AFCON AND SOFT POWER

The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Ivory Coast serves as a powerful reminder that the world will pay for and pay attention to well-organised African entertainment, and will tune in to watch African excellence. With a staggering 6000 media accreditation applications – over 100% more than the 2022 Cameroon edition – the tournament has captivated global interest. This surge is further fuelled by a significant increase in financial backing from broadcasters across continents, promising a substantial viewership boost for this AFCON. This translates not just to amplified broadcasting revenue for CAF, but also to a crucial boost for football development across Africa.

Nigeria must see this AFCON’s success as a story of African excellence translated globally through entertainment. This is why we must look beyond the traditional avenues like security, economics, and diplomacy to exert our international influence. We already have an organic international reputation as a global superpower in the entertainment sector; it is time for us to turn this reputation into an actual National Softpower Strategy. 

Such a strategy should be driven by the global reach of Nigerian music and Nollywood. It should also focus on crafting a new and compelling international brand for Nigeria that amplifies our strengths, confronts our negative stereotypes, and opens new doors for beneficial international partnerships. It would be non-traditional diplomacy, but with the way the world is fast-evolving beyond non-traditional ways of doing things, a national ‘dancing diplomacy’ strategy — aka a Softpower Strategy — may not be such a bad idea.

First published in Daily Trust and Guardian newspapers on Thursday, January 25th,2024: https://dailytrust.com/from-superpower-to-soft-power-nigerias-diplomatic-dance-in-2024/ and https://guardian.ng/opinion/from-superpowers-to-soft-power-nigerias-diplomatic-dance-in-2024/

In what appears to be a landmark economic decision of the Bola Tinubu-led administration, the Federal Government last year, precisely on August 16, 2023 through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) secured a $3.3 billion emergency crude repayment loan, which according to the NNPC, was to help give support to the Naira and stabilize the Foreign Exchange market.

The curious thing about this transaction is that up till now, the Federal Government continues to keep mum about it, and the only information available to the public on the mega deal is coming only through unofficial sources from the NNPC.

The deal is supposed to be a crude-for-cash loan arranged by the African Export-Import Bank.

According to information available, a Special Purpose Vehicle called Project Gazelle Funding Limited is driving the deal, and it was incorporated in the Bahamas. 

The SPV is the borrower while the NNPC is the sponsor, with an agreement to pay with crude oil to the SPV in order to liquidate the loan at an interest rate that is a little over 12 per cent.

What is even more confounding about this deal is why the Federal Government would register a company in the Bahamas, knowing full well the recent scandal of the Paradise Papers that involved that country.

Curiously also, Nigeria’s current Barrels Produced Daily (BPD) is 1.38 million, and according to the Project Gazelle deal, Nigeria is to supply 90,000 Barrels of its daily production, starting from 2024 till it is up to 164.25 million barrels for the repayment of the loan.

Now, this is where the details get disturbing because Nigeria’s benchmark for the sale of crude per barrel in 2024 is $77.96. A simple multiplication of that figure by 164.25 will give us a whooping $12bn.

It is on this note that we are calling on the Federal Government to speak up on this shady deal. 

It is inconceivable that the Federal Government will lead the country to take a loan of $3.3b with an interest rate that is not more than 12 per cent, but with estimated repayment amounting to $12bn.  

That is a humongous differential of about $7b between what is in the details of the deal on paper and what indeed is the reality.

There are questions to be answered on the integrity of this deal, and we earnestly request the Federal Government to talk directly on these cloudy details behind the deal.

We therefore demand, on behalf of the ordinary people of Nigeria, that the Federal Government provides answers to the following questions.

1. Has the Federal Government accessed the loan?

2. Is the loan in the government’s borrowing plan as approved by the National Assembly?

3. Who are the parties to the loan, and what specific roles are they expected to play?

4. What are the conditions to the loan, including tenor, repayment terms, the collateral, and the interest rate?

5. And, lastly, why register an SPV in the Bahamas knowing the recent scandal of the country’s notoriety for warehousing unclean assets?

Signed:

Atiku Abubakar

Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007

25th January, 2024.

Nigeria’s currency fell to a record low of N1,416 per dollar at the parallel market following strong demand amid shortage as traders hoard the available dollars.

This indicated a 15.19 percent depreciation year-on-year when compared to N1,200 at the beginning of the month.

“Some people are hoarding the dollars waiting for when the demand will be high. Again, the market is uncertain of the next action by the government, a trader who gave his name as Aliu said.

At the official foreign exchange (FX) market, naira weakened by 0.41 percent as the dollar was quoted at N882.24 on Wednesday as against N878.61 closed on Tuesday at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), data from the FMDQ showed.

During the intraday trading on Wednesday, currency dealers quoted one dollar at N1,313, (high) on the spot and N700 lower rate. However, the rates were stronger than N1,336.05 and N701 per dollar respectively quoted on Tuesday.

The daily foreign exchange market turnover declined marginally by 3.18 percent to $56.60 million on Wednesday from $58.46 million recorded on Tuesday.

Yemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, on Wednesday declared that the national currency, the naira, is currently undervalued. Speaking at the launch of the NESG 2024 Macroeconomic Outlook report, he outlined the bank’s commitment to stabilizing the currency through genuine price discovery.

Cardoso emphasized a coordinated approach with fiscal measures to expedite the process, stating, “We believe that the naira is currently undervalued, and coupled with coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term. This coordinated approach will contribute to a more balanced and stable exchange rate.”

Highlighting collaborative efforts, he pointed to initiatives ensuring that all foreign exchange (FX) inflows pass through the Central Bank.

This coordinated effort, he said, would greatly enhance the bank’s FX flows and contribute to the accretion of reserves.

Cardoso attributed the expected stability in the foreign exchange market for 2024 to the reduction in petroleum products imports and the recent implementation of a market-determined exchange rate policy.

He said, “This reform is designed to streamline and unify multiple exchange rates, fostering transparency and reducing arbitrage opportunities. The resulting consistent and stable exchange rate will not only boost investor confidence but also attract foreign investment, elevating Nigeria’s appeal to global investors.”

[BusinessNg]

The social media group, Meta, has rolled out new features that will place further restrictions on how teens receive messages on Facebook and Instagram.

The company said the new measures being rolled out today build on its earlier policy restricting people above 19 from messaging teens who are not following them.

Meta said it is now turning off teens’ ability to receive DMs from anyone they do not follow or are not connected to on Instagram including other teens by default.

In addition, Meta is also making its parental controls more robust by allowing guardians to allow or deny changes in default privacy settings made by teens. Previously, when teens changed these settings, guardians got a notification, but they couldn’t take any action on them.

What Meta is saying

Announcing the new features to protect teens on its social media platforms on Thursday, Meta said:

• “To help protect teens from unwanted contact on Instagram, we restrict adults over the age of 19 from messaging teens who don’t follow them, and we limit the type and number of direct messages (DMs) people can send to someone who doesn’t follow them to one text-only message.
• “Today we’re announcing an additional step to help protect teens from unwanted contact by turning off their ability to receive DMs from anyone they don’t follow or aren’t connected to on Instagram – including other teens – by default.
• “Under this new default setting, teens can only be messaged or added to group chats by people they already follow or are connected to, helping teens and their parents feel even more confident that they won’t hear from people they don’t know in their DMs.
• “This default setting will apply to all teens under the age of 16 (or under 18 in certain countries). Those already on Instagram will see a notification at the top of their Feed letting them know we’re making these changes to their message settings.”

The company added that it is also making these changes to teens’ default settings on Messenger, where under 16s (or under 18 in certain countries) will only receive messages from Facebook friends, or people they’re connected to through phone contacts, for example.

More parental control

Meta first launched parental supervision on Instagram in March 2022 and since then has continued to add new features to help involve parents more in their teens’ online experiences.

These include the ability for parents to set time limits and schedule breaks, to understand when their teen blocks or shares they have reported someone, and to be notified when their teen changes their settings. The company is now adding more features.

“Now, parents using supervision will be prompted to approve or deny their teens’ (under 16) requests to change their default safety and privacy settings to a less strict state – rather than just being notified of the change.

For example, if a teen using supervision tries to change their account from private to public, change their Sensitive Content Control from “Less” to “Standard”, or – now – tries to change their DM settings to hear from people they’re not already following or connected to, their parent will receive a notification prompting them to approve or deny the request,” Meta said.

[Nairametrics]

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to improve their performance and do better in the final stages of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Tinubu’s message was conveyed to the national team through the Minister of Sports, John Enoh, who spoke to the players from Abuja via Zoom on Wednesday night.

According to Enoh, the President was not too impressed with the showing of the team during the group stage.

He said, “I had a meeting with the President yesterday. I went to the villa for something else and the President cornered me and said we (Eagles) managed to qualify and I said that’s how we are going to keep going until we win the tournament.

“He said that I should tell the players that he wasn’t too impressed with the last match but he knows that now that they are off the group stages, they are going to impress him more.

“That’s what the President told me and it means that the President is actually watching your matches. Would you believe this? And the President is urging you and also showing an understanding of the game because he knows that there is a lot of caution at the group stage and from the round of 16, you are going to be more impressive.

“I remember that in 2022 in Cameroon, Egypt as a country struggled to qualify but they went ahead to play the finals.”

Responding, team captain, Ahmed Musa, thanked the sports minister but also called on the President to come to see them play live, saying it would serve as a motivation to the players.

The Super Eagles will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the last 16 of the tournament on Saturday at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

[Leadership]