From tomorrow, July 3, 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will begin quote offers for naira-settled OTC FX Futures (NSOFF) contracts with tenors between 13 and 60 months until June 28, 2024.
The apex bank added that offer quotes for contract tenors between 13 and 24 months will be discontinued as the CBN focuses solely on the 25 to 60 months NSOFF contracts during this period.
To meet short-term hedging requirements, market participants can now turn to the FMDQ naira-settled Exchange-Traded FX Futures (NSEFF) contracts, to be introduced by FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited in the FMDQ Exchange-Traded Derivatives (ETD) Market on July 12, 2023.
Additionally, Futures Banks will soon provide quotes for NSOFF contracts with tenors ranging from one to 12 months, with the specific date to be communicated by the Exchange.
From July 3, 2023, NSOFF contracts with terms of maturity of 13 to 60 months will be valued based on the executable offer quotes provided by the CBN and Futures Banks on the relevant valuation dates.
NSOFF contracts with terms of maturity of one to 12 months will continue to be marked-to-market using the NAFEX rate as the reference. The bank said that the move is aimed at facilitating long-term foreign exchange risk hedging for market participants.
Naira-settled OTC FX Futures (NSOFF) contracts are financial instruments offered in the Nigerian financial market. They allow market participants to hedge against foreign exchange risks associated with fluctuations in the value of the Nigerian naira against other currencies.
The NSOFF market provides participants such as banks, corporations and institutional investors with a mechanism to manage their exposure to currency fluctuations.
By entering into these contracts, they can mitigate the potential adverse effects of exchange rate movements on their business operations, investments or financial positions.
The recent announcement regarding the resumption of quotation of offer quotes for NSOFF contracts signifies changes in the availability of these contracts based on their duration, aiming to provide market participants with more options for managing their forex risk exposures.
The NSOFF contracts are settled in naira, the local currency, and are traded Over-The-Counter (OTC), meaning they are not traded on a centralised exchange, but rather directly between parties.
These contracts have specific durations, typically ranging from 13 to 60 months, during which the parties agree to exchange a specified amount of currency at a predetermined price at the contract’s maturity.
[Guardian]
The Archbishop of the Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma has urged the current Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu not to engage in selective probe of the immediate past administration.
He said the probe should be thorough and all encompassing.
DAILY POST reports that upon assumption of office, President Tinubu ordered the removal of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as well as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa. Both of them are being interrogated by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Archbishop Chukwuma is of the opinion that the probe of the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration should go beyond the duo.
The Church leader also lamented that the government removed fuel subsidy without putting in place any measure to ameliorate its effect on the masses.
Chukwuma said this in an interview with journalists shortly after his last presidential charge as the Bishop of the Enugu Diocese Anglican Communion.
He spoke at the Synod of the Diocese ongoing at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu.
He said the theme: ‘Continue in the Faith’, taken from Colosians 1:23 was prompted by the Holy Spirit in line with the happenings in Nigeria.
The Church leader lamented the government removed fuel subsidy without putting in place any measure to ameliorate its effect on the masses.
“The country is in a very difficult time and many people’s faith is being affected, particularly, even now that we are facing the issue of oil subsidy removal; people are suffering because of inflation, income is no more measurable to spending.
“And the government is not doing anything to alleviate or cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
“The high cost of fuel, high cost of food, the cost of building materials, the high cost of transportation, frustration everywhere, unemployment, brain drain, the high exchange of Naira to dollar, all these things are affecting the faith of the people.
“As I am rounding off my episcopacy, I am encouraging our people not to allow these things to affect them, but they should continue in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do not look at the problems but look at God who will always provide for His people and even soften the heart of the leaders.
“When there is no faith, it leads to frustration, it leads to people committing suicide. But continuing in the faith will help people to survive,” he advised.
On anti-corruption, he said for the government to be taken seriously, all those who have one question or the other to answer must be called to account.
He added that, “There is wanton embezzlement of public funds; people are grabbing things of this country for themselves but the government is not probing the right people, but just scratching anti-corruption and probing on the surface.
“There is a need for equity where the Nigerians can now say ‘yes, there is a country that belongs to all’. But where there is no equity, where there is no justice, where there is no love, where there is nepotism, tribalism and religious bigotry, people lose faith in the country they belong.
“So my appeal is, let the government create an atmosphere of comfort, by cushioning the effect of subsidy removal, they should be sincere in governance, make sure that nobody is left out, inclusive governance.
“Nigerians should not lose hope, they should pray for the leaders to know that they have come to serve and not to sap.”
[DailyPost]
The list containing the names of ministerial nominees in the President Bola Tinubu administration is ready and undergoing final security checks, PUNCH reports.
The source, who did not reveal the names or number of those being considered for ministerial offices, said the Department of State Services and members of the Presidential Strategic Team were running final checks on the people who had been listed as possible ministers.
“They have the list already. Several names have been written against their respective offices. But they just have to find out and do some checks on a few of these names. That’s what is delaying the list. They are being very strategic with this,” the source said.
Should the Tinubu administration proceed with the appointment of ministers of state, 44 names are expected to be sent to the 10th Senate for screening and eventual approval.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that politicians had been flocking the President’s private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, jostling for ministerial slots, especially during the Eid-el-Kabir holidays when Tinubu was in Lagos.
“I learned that Tinubu’s ministerial list is almost done. He kept a core of ministers to himself, heavily influenced by the kitchen cabinet of his special advisers. Politicians are in Bolekaja over the rest. It’s a slugfest now,” a source had disclosed to our correspondent on Monday.
In March, the then Special Adviser to the President-elect, Dele Alake, had said Tinubu would constitute his cabinet within one month of assuming office.
Alake said this was in line with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution mandating presidents-elect and governors-elect to submit the names of their ministerial and commissioner nominees within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or the respective state Houses of Assembly.
He had said, “I told you in an earlier interview that it didn’t take Asiwaju more than three weeks to form his cabinet as a governor. That was as at that time. I think 60 days is even too much.
“A month, maximum, is enough for any serious government to form its cabinet and put the structure of government in place after the swearing-in.”
However, Alake, who is now the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, there are fresh indications that the President may send the list of his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly this week after the lawmakers resume from the Sallah break for their legislative duties.
The development is coming one week after the 10th Senate and House of Representatives adjourned their legislative activities to embark on recess till July 4.
This was confirmed in two separate interviews with a former coordinator in the dissolved All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, Dr Ene Ogbole, and Director of Publicity for the APC, Bala Ibrahim.
Speculations on who will make the ministerial list have generated heated debates and growing anxiety among Tinubu’s campaign members and party loyalists since he assumed office on May 29.
The President has, however, kept everyone guessing as he has clutched the list tightly to his chest and away from even closest allies.
Speculations were rife last week that some APC governors might be granted the liberty to nominate more than one person as ministerial nominees with the consent of the President.
According to a source, there is a likelihood that the ministerial list may be submitted to the Senate for confirmation this week and for the cabinet to be in place later this month.
Reacting to the growing anxiety over the list, Ogbole told our correspondent that she had it on good authority that the President would forward his ministerial nominees list to the Senate for screening shortly after the legislators return from their recess.
The former campaign director also urged Nigerians not to put too much pressure on Tinubu, saying he had another 30 days to do so in line with the new law signed by his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, which mandated him to unveil his ministerial list within 60 days of assumption of office.
Ogbole stated, “The ministerial nominees you talked about are still in the process. I, however, don’t think the President needs up to 60 days to unveil his cabinet.
“He’s trying to get the right things done. You know the 10th National Assembly has just come on board and they were on recess for the Sallah break. As the break is now over, I can assure you that you will begin to hear names being rolled out.
“Asiwaju is still on track. He is a man of his word. And I can assure Nigerians that he’s not going to do anything short of his promises. He has also signed two or three bills into law in less than 30 days in office. That is legendary.”
Bala also shared Ogbole’s sentiment and asked Nigerians to cut the President some slack.
The APC image maker also expressed conviction that unlike his predecessor, Tinubu did not need up to 60 days to announce those he intends to work with.
He stated, “The President still has time on his side to carefully choose his team. He is not under any kind of pressure. I don’t see any on his side. You can even see how the President extended his stay by moving from Paris to London.
“Does he look like somebody under pressure? If there is any pressure, he would have run back long before his arrival. However, we are optimistic that he will present his ministerial list after the Sallah break.”
The economy is in a bind, inevitably spurring the call by the Tinubu administration for sacrifice on the part of the citizenry to pull the nation out.
On his inauguration day, President Bola Tinubu removed subsidy on petrol that had cost the nation trillions of Naira as part of the sacrifice.
He has since followed up with the merging of the multiple foreign exchange rates, a situation that has led to the depreciation of the Naira at the official window.
The implication is not lost on the citizenry who now have to cope with the attendant inflation.
And arising from the foreign exchange rates merger was the announcement last week that electricity tariff would go up as power distribution companies said the concession they were getting from the official window was gone and this would raise their cost of production.
The announcement has since been reversed but the hike is only a matter of time as the reversal came about because due process was not followed and the tariff had not been approved by the authorities
Also last week, indications emerged that vehicle owners will have to pay yearly for proof of ownership contrary to the outgoing era that makes the payment one-off in the life of a vehicle.
Other belt-tightening measures to free funds for government to meet its obligations may soon follow.
But amid the call on the citizenry for sacrifice to pull Nigeria out of the woods, many people are worried about jumbo cost of governance occasioned by what some call questionable budgetary allocations by government at different levels.
For instance, the Buhari administration made provisions of N11.92 billion for feeding and foreign trips of the President and Vice President in the 2023 Budget of the Federal Government which Tinubu and VP Shettima have now inherited.
A breakdown shows that N331.79 million would be spent on the President’s feeding while that of his deputy is N176.92m.
When put together, the nation would be spending N508.71 on food and refreshments for their President and VP at the end of the fiscal year.
Local and foreign trips for the President and his vice would cost over N3 billion.
N2.49 billion was earmarked for the office of the President while his deputy gets N846.61 million.
Also included are N1.58bn earmarked for aircraft maintenance and N1.60bn allocated for overhauling of Gulfstream GV and CL605 aircraft engines.
10 aircraft
Sunday Vanguard recalls that in the heat of the criticism generated by the huge budgetary allocation for aircraft maintenance during the Buhari administration, then spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said there were 10 planes in the presidential fleet.
They include two AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters, two AugustaWestland 101 helicopters, two Falcons 7X, one Hawker Sidley 4000, Boeing Business Jet, Boeing 737-800 or NAF 001, one Gulfstream 550, one Gulfstream V and one Gulfstream 500.
It could not be established if any aircraft was added to the fleet between when the former presidential spokesperson made the disclosure and now.
Economists argue that even rich countries like the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) don’t feed their President and Prime Minister respectively, saying it is an anomaly for a poor nation like Nigeria to vote humongous funds to feed its leaders.
They also contend that very few countries across the world maintain as many as 10 planes in their presidential fleet as Nigeria does.
For instance, according to them, when the leaders of some of these countries use planes in the presidential fleet for personal purposes, they pay.
Nigeria’s bureaucracy is also seen as bloated, thus consuming a large chunk of government revenues.
For example, the National Assembly, NASS, in the 2003 Appropriation Act, was allocated N328.1 billion, the highest in 23 years.
A breakdown shows that the funds were tied to several purposes, with some still generating ripples.
One such is N16, 520, 653, 763 budgeted for Senators and members of the House of Representatives’ aides.
There is also N8.5billion for National Assembly liabilities, the details of which weren’t spelled out.
Also, N100 billion was approved for Zonal Intervention Programmes, ZIPs, otherwise known as Constituency Projects.
The money, which is for the 469 federal legislators, has been an issue of controversy as lawmakers are often accused of mismanagement of funds meant for such projects.
Only last week, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, appointed 33 aides, bringing the number of his appointees to 35.
Abass argued that the appointments would ensure effective delivery of his agenda for the House. The last occupant of the office had no fewer than 33 aides.
In 2016, a NAN report pegged the number of legislative aides at 2,570.
According to the National Assembly Act, each lawmaker is entitled to five aides.
The Act says the Senate President is entitled to 45 aides, his deputy 30 and 20 each for principal officers.
For the Speaker of the House, the Act provides 35 assistants for him, Deputy Speaker, 15, and 10 each for the six principal officers.
Consequently, there are fears that by the time Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other principal officers of the National Assembly finish appointing their aides, Nigeria’s leaders at the NASS level may end up having over 1, 000 aides.
Now add this to the cost of running the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the federal level.
State level
Across the states, the situation is not entirely different as new governors have so far retained the bloated bureaucracy of their predecessors.
All these are happening in a nation facing a N77 trillion debt crisis.
Only recently, the Debt Management Office, DMO, warned the Federal Government against additional borrowing, saying 73.5 percent of revenue generated this year would be used to service debt.
According to the DMO, the projected FGN Debt Service to Revenue ratio of 73.5 percent for 2023 is high and cannot support higher levels of borrowing, and is also a threat to debt sustainability.
Consequently, it advised government to focus on increasing revenue generation.
Slim government
Some concerned Nigerians told Sunday Vanguard it would be wrong for the Tinubu administration to tell Nigerians to make sacrifices and still ignore the urgent need for reduction in the cost of governance.
The authorities, drawn from key sectors including the academia, however, suggested ways government can reduce the size of governance and plug leakages.
In an earlier interview with this paper, the Labour Party, LP, last Thursday, accused the ruling party at the federal level, the All Progressives Congress, APC, of showing early signs of continuing “the wasteful lifestyle” of its predecessor.
Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said it was an irony that the administration would ask Nigerians to “tighten their belts and make sacrifices” while living in opulence.
On his part, Chairman, HEDA Resource Centre, Mr. Olarenwaju Aregbabo, said there is no better time to reduce cost of governance but now.
Budget
Aregbabo said: “It is really a very serious issue that we must actually contend with. It is a concern. Unfortunately, we focus much on the Presidency, beyond what we also have at the state level. We have state governors who have allocations outside the security votes. At the federal level, apart from the budget for food in the President’s house, there is also an allowance given to the President and the Vice President to take care of whatever it is they have to take care of daily.
“In advanced countries, if a President is inviting anybody to lunch or dinner, it is from his or her pocket and not from the government purse. It is not for the President to create a situation where you have money going for everything.
“It is very important that we continue to bring this out in the open. A number of those who are meant to talk about this are not talking because they also benefit from it. So, for the few of us who are really concerned about it, it’s necessary that we keep raising questions.
Oronsaye Panel report
“As it is now, Nigeria cannot afford an increment in the salaries of public office holders, except government knows what most of us don’t know.
“I support to some extent, the implementation of the Oronsaye Panel report on merging of agencies. That is why many public servants can afford to stroll into the office and stroll out when they like. Most of them don’t have any purpose for being in the office. And, when you merge some of these agencies, they become better.
“There is a need for a complete and holistic assessment of the workforce in the country. The multiplicity of Ministries, Departments and Agencies creates room for ghost workers.
“There is a need to know the real cost of services because many parts of our budgets are heavily padded and this makes it possible for them to replicate what is in the budget every year without monitoring what was implemented and what was not implemented.
“If we can block the leakages and ensure that the services we pay for are needed, they will improve.’’
Wasteful spending
Making his position known, Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, said: “If the new administration headed by President Bola Tinubu is committed to reducing the cost of governance in Nigeria, he must not repeat the mistake of wasteful spending and flamboyant governance in this country. We have suffered at the hands of some few political elites who have squandered the resources of this country at local, state and national levels. Therefore, if Tinubu is interested in reducing the waste and diversion of taxpayers’ money, he must cut wasteful spending.
“We expect that Tinubu will block those leakages and make governance more efficient by reducing the large number of unproductive political appointees. He must deal with this issue as quickly as possible so that government can deliver good governance to Nigerians. Doing this will make Bola Tinubu one of the best-performing Presidents.
“He has to minimize spending and make government effective as well as transparent. If he continues like the previous administration, it means there is no difference between him and the previous governments who failed to deal with these issues.
“For example, we do not need to have this flamboyant and large number of aides that are unproductive and without clear roles. Some state governments have thousands of aides. What we need is the creation of a viable economy and job opportunities for people to be gainfully employed. We have seen how a former Rivers State governor appointed several aides. Today, they have all lost their jobs. If he had used the resources to put in place infrastructure, create jobs, boost industrialisation and manufacturing, it would have been useful for Rivers State people and government.”
Unnecessary expenditure
On his part, Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr Monday Ubani, said: “If we don’t change the idea of unnecessary expenditure on governance, we won’t have enough money to develop infrastructure. Currently, there is no standard road in Nigeria. One cannot take off from Lagos to the East on a smooth ride or Lagos to Abuja. The railway system is non-functional. There is no internet-connectivity. It is the same for electricity. The moment we don’t have money to make investments that would attract investors, we will remain where we are because the Dollar will always be higher than Naira.
“I thought this government would do something in terms of expenditure but I cannot see prudence. He has removed fuel subsidy, which has made prices of things skyrocket. The World Bank has also said that over 40 per cent of Nigerians will relapse into poverty due to the removal of subsidy. Our government has to be certain of what it does because a lot of people are living in abject poverty. Any position that has no relevance to our economic growth should be done away with.”
Economic analyst and Vice Executive Chairman, High Cap Securities Limited, David Adonri, said: “I am surprised that the cost of governance inherited by this administration has not been reduced and expenditure rationalised. If we intend to heal our economy or initiate a process that would enable it to recover quickly, the cost of administration has to be drastically reduced because policies that were recently introduced like the unification of exchange rate and removal of fuel subsidy are going to drive up inflation.
Financial stability
“The only means through which the Federal Government can manage the situation, especially as it affects its financial stability, is to reduce expenditure drastically. With inflation, government will have to pay more for a lot of goods and services. If expenses are not rationalized, government will go into debt, leading to an increase in economic deficit. The current administration needs to go back to the drawing board to see how it can cut costs in all areas.”
Lending his voice, a senior lecturer at Lagos Business School, Dr Austin Nweze, said: “Whatever thing a leader does is based on his personal value system. John Adams said there are two types of education: the first teaches a person how to make a living and the second teaches one how to live. The second type of education is based on one’s value system. If your value system is a life of opulence, it will show in your character, the same goes for being prudent.
“The government that we have is that of state capture, they are not interested in what happens to the economy and the well-being of the citizens. The cost of governance is high and people who invested in their elections want to recoup their money. To cut down the cost of governance, you have to invest it in health, education and entrepreneurship. Invest in those things that would generate wealth for the people, not what will take away wealth from the people. Currently, there is between 30 and 33 per cent adult unemployment and over 55 per cent youth unemployment. How does such an economy grow? By making sacrifices from the top, domestic production can be increased for the economy to take off. There has to be a deliberate attempt to revive the economy by cutting the cost of governance. The sacrifice has to come from the political class who live an ostentatious life or what I will also call a life of opulence.”
Don’t compound woes of Nigerians, CSOs warn
Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, advised the current administration not to toe Buhari’s path.
Specifically, Convener, Nigeria Youth Coalition, NYC, and Yoruba Council Worldwide, YCW, Oba Oladotun Hassan, urged Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, begin to stand by his campaign promises.
His words: “I will serve a strong note of caution that Mr. President shouldn’t go the same way his predecessor operated.
“And the reason we elected him is for him to heal our wounds. So, he should see himself as a healer, rather than adding more salt to our injuries. We need to reduce costs. The removal of subsidy is there and we are still bearing it because of his appeal for patience for us to be on the same page with him.
“He shouldn’t compound our woes. In as much as the out-gone President presented a budget, he should as a matter of urgency, review the budget as regards the cost of governance. ‘’
Also, the Convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, questioned why the President and political appointees spend so much money on things that do not improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
He said: “Nigeria is one of the poverty capitals of the world, which is very unfortunate. You saw the President’s convoy upon his return from London. Why should the President of the poverty capital be driving a 120-car convoy? It makes no sense.
“Why should we even be buying vehicles for politicians and civil servants in the country? Nigeria is too broke for our politicians to be living extravagantly. People are no longer going into public service for service. People are going into public service for luxury and leisure.
“Everything should be sacrificial. You should stop paying salaries to politicians. It makes no sense. We should not be buying official cars for public servants. Except maybe the Ministry of Health where they need an ambulance and police where they need patrol cars to chase armed robbers and the Ministry of Works where we should have heavy-duty vehicles to repair our roads”.
On his part, Professor, Williams Ijoma, said: “Nigeria’s present reality requires nothing short of a holistic reform of its governance structure, system and process. Such efforts must, of necessity, begin with drastic reductions in personnel and overhead costs. If we are to survive as a nation, we must turn this moment of profound crisis into an opportunity to make the hard choices we have long deferred but can no longer avoid.
“As part of the cost-cutting measures, federal and state governments should reduce the size of their cabinets through amendment of the constitution and limit the number of advisers and assistants. Bills pending before national and state assemblies seeking to set up new agencies of government should be rejected. The report of the Steve Oronsaye Panel should be revisited and strictly implemented.’’
Says 'I was thrown under the bus'
The standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo, during the March 28 governorship election, Senator Teslim Folarin, on Saturday, said he lost his bid to govern the state due to what he termed “political arrangement” for the party to win the presidential poll for President Bola Tinubu.
Describing the APC as the strongest party in the state, having won the three senatorial seats of Oyo South, Oyo Central and Oyo North, including nine federal constituency seats out of 14, he declared that “I was thrown under the bus” as part of the high wired politics and intrigues of our party to secure victory during the February 25 presidential election.
Folarin made this disclosure in Idigbaro, Ologuneru area of Ibadan while addressing APC members during a reception and victory party held in honour of a member, representing Ibarapa/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Remi Abasi Oseni.
Speaking in Yoruba, he stated: “If we are talking about the strongest party in Oyo State today, it is APC. We won three senatorial seats and nine out of federal constituency seats. Our people are already in the election tribunal and I can tell you that we would win two more federal constituency seats. On the governorship election, we were thrown under the bus.”
According to Folarin, “In politics, if I am asked to choose between governorship and presidency, I will choose the latter. We have taken the presidency and our president, Senator Bola Tinubu is doing well. Things are hard now, but I want Nigerians to bear and exercise patience because better days are coming soon.
“Let us stand with this government because it is our government. This is because if there’s a problem in the future regarding governance, they will say we need to call the Yoruba to fix it. Two things are constant in my life, which are Islam and politics. My own level has passed the fact that I have to become the governor before thanking God.”
Speaking at the event, Oseni expressed his gratitude for the support and love he received during and after his election, just as he promised to provide qualitative representation to his constituency in the House of Representatives.
He posted: “Nigerians should be patient with President Tinubu because he has the capacity to address the nation’s challenges and turn Nigeria’s situation around for good. I’m pleading with you to give him maximum support for him to succeed.”
Dignitaries, who graced the occasion include, Senator Teslim Folarin, former deputy governors of Oyo State, Iyiola Oladokun, Moses Alake, Shina Alabi, chairman of the APC in Oyo South senatorial district, Honourable Mojeed Olaoya, former chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Mr Ademola Omotosho, traditional rulers, clerics, among others.
Pop artiste Ahmed Ololade aka Asake is on cloud 9 at the opportunity to headline his concert at the prestigious O2 Arena.
The highly anticipated event, scheduled for August 20, 2023, will take place at the renowned London venue, capable of accommodating up to 20,000 fans.
Asake recently paid a visit to the illustrious O2 Arena to personally witness the grandeur of the venue and make necessary preparations for his upcoming concert.
During an interview conducted on-site, the budding artist expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude, emphasising that this milestone is a realization of a lifelong dream.
With excitement beaming from his face, the ‘Yoga’ crooner described the opportunity to headline at the O2 Arena as nothing short of a dream come true.
Asake said he had often envisioned this moment, and now seeing it transform into reality has left him in awe.
Looking ahead, the talented artist shared his ambitious aspirations.
He said that his ultimate goal after a successful show at the O2 Arena is to captivate an audience of 40,000 at a larger venue.
Asake expressed determination to eventually conquer the grandeur of Wembley Stadium, renowned for its capacity of 90,000 spectators.
The news of Asake’s upcoming O2 Arena concert has generated significant anticipation and excitement among his ever-growing fanbase.
Twitter Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk, has set temporary limits on the social media platform to address extreme levels of data scraping and system manipulation.
Musk who made the announcement on his Twitter page on Saturday said Verified accounts are temporarily limited to reading 6,000 posts a day, adding that the unverified accounts and new unverified accounts are limited to reading 600 posts a day and 300 posts per day, respectively.
He said, “To address extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation, we’ve applied the following temporary limits:
– Verified accounts are limited to reading 6000 posts/day
– Unverified accounts to 600 posts/day
– New unverified accounts to 300/day,” tweeted Musk on Saturday hours after the social media platform was suffering from a global outage.
His clarification came as millions of users across the globe suffered a major outage globally, which prevented thousands of users from accessing the social media platform.
According to the outage monitor website ‘Down Detector’, more than 7,000 users reported issues with Twitter.
The Anambra State Government says it has commenced the installation of clock-in devices in public health facilities to curb absenteeism and ensure that health workers take their duties seriously.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this in Awka while speaking at a meeting with administrators of public hospitals in the state.
Obidike observed that during some of his unannounced visits to hospitals, many health workers were absent while some health facilities did not open for services.
According to him, such an attitude has contributed to mortalities recorded in the state and hindered progress in the health sector.
The commissioner said the device would end absenteeism and indolence among health workers.
He said Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration takes healthcare seriously and wants residents to have access to quality health services at the primary health centres, general hospitals and tertiary health facilities.
“This is part of the reasons for the installation of the clock-in device in all government hospitals; it is to ensure that healthcare workers are at their duty posts to attend to the health needs of the people.
“The device will also be used to monitor the hours health workers put in each day and that will subsequently determine their monthly salaries and allowances.
“The goal is to eliminate maternal and infant mortalities, as well as restore the confidence of our people in the healthcare services we provide in the state,” he said.
The commissioner also said the government was digitilising healthcare services through telemedicine as well as strengthening the referral system among the hospitals in the state.
“We are establishing the ‘Hub and Spoke’ approach for proper networking among the hospitals. Telemedicine will also allow primary healthcare centres to have access to different doctors.
“We are strengthening at least one general hospital in each local government area so that primary health centres can refer patients when the need arises.
“The state government is doing all it can with limited resources and as healthcare providers, we cannot afford to fail,” he said.
Obidike urged the hospital administrators to hold weekly clinical and mortality reviews and report findings to the ministry for appropriate action.
NAN
The Lagos chapter of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN), has announced a new price list for PoS transactions in the state.
In an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Stephen Adeoye, the spokesperson of the association, said the measure was put in place to deter fraud and curtail “agents who still overcharge.”
He said the uniform fee structure would prevent a recurrence of what happened during the cash scarcity period, where agents overcharged customers without any regulation.
For withdrawal, Adeoye said, agents in the state are now mandated to charge N100 for an amount between N1000 – N2,400; N200 for N3,500 to N4,000; and N300 for N4,100 to N6,400.
Adeoye said withdrawals from N6,500 to N7,900 will attract a fee of N400; while a charge of N500 will be for transactions from N8500 to N10,900.
Others are N600 for N11,000 to N14,000; N700 for N14,500 to N17, 900; and N800 for N18,000 to N2o,000 for withdrawal.
“Some still overcharge customers and we don’t want that. All of us want things to be easier for our customers and the country as a whole,” he said.
“That’s why we have brought out this list. Depending on your area, you can decide to lower it for your customers but it shouldn’t be more than the fees in the list.
“We expect agents to paste the fee structure in their locations. To enforce this is easier because we have a good relationship with the Lagos police command and very soon a task force will be set up to work along with the force.”
Adeoye added that for deposits and transfers, agents can now charge N100 for N1,000 to N4,900; N200 for N5000 to N10,900; N300 for N11,000 to N20,900; N400 for N21,000 to N30,900; N500 for N31,000 to N40,000; and N600 for N41,100 to N50,000.
[TheCable]
President of Guinea- Buissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo says the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supports President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reposition the giant of Africa.
President Umaro, the Chairman Authority ECOWAS Head of State and Government, said this during a private visit to Tinubu on Saturday in Lagos.
He said the economic steps so far taken would not only be for the good of Nigeria but the entire West Africa.
Addressing newsmen after the visit, Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy to the President, said the visit was strictly private.
“It was a meeting between two African brother presidents, and it was very cordial. Of course, the visiting president appreciated the steps taken by President Bola Tinubu within the last one month.
“He said he is ready to cooperate with Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu at all times, just as the rest of the world have commended him over his recent policies.
“They also spoke of the ECOWAS head of government meeting which is imminently coming up and also spoke on other areas of cooperation,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Alake, among others.
The Guinea-Bissau leader left after the over three hours private meeting.
[DailyPost]
More...
The Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign in the February 25, 2023 election, has raised alarm over alleged attempts to alter the original results of the Federal Capital Territory to satisfy sinister motives.
Manager of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze subsequently warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC against tempering with IRev as it concerns the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
He said this in a tweet on Saturday. Obaze said that intelligence reaching the Campaign office shows that INEC is trying to yield to pressure to tinker with the results of some states including the FCT to enable the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to be in good standing.
A statement from the Obi-Datti Media Office signed by its Head, Diran Onifade, quoted Obaze as saying, “According to our source, INEC is tempering with the machines used in the election to adjust FCT results to give the APC candidate, the much-needed 25%, which he did not get as per the initial INEC declaration and for which he is being challenged at the Presidential election tribunal.
“It’s not clear how the Electoral Commission can brazenly carry out such bizarre action but given the abracadabra they did to announce the APC Candidate winner by 4 a.m., there is nothing to be taken for granted.
“Mr. Obaze warns that INEC and the ruling APC may be taking the adherence to the rule of law and due process disposition of Nigerians in general and the Obidient Movement in particular for granted, but it would be courting catastrophe for them to want to pour salt into an open wound inflicted on Nigeria’s electorate.”
Obaze, a retired United Nations diplomat reminded INEC that what they are trying to do is tantamount to raising a dead horse and that whether reports were fake or real, the commission should know the level of public confidence in them has long been eroded.
[Vanguard]
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Department of State Services to hasten the investigation into the cases involving the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele was arrested on June 10 by officials of the DSS over charges surrounding terrorism financing, while Bawa was arrested over allegations of abuse of office.
Falana made the call while featuring on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme on Friday night
He said, “Under the administration of Criminal Justice Act if you’re going to detain a Nigerian beyond 24 hours in places where there are no courts within a radius of 40km{like Lagos and Abuja), you’re required to approach a Magistrate court to ask for a remand order to allow for investigation.”
Falana said that even if the DSS has obtained a court order to detain Emefiele and Bawa, the order cannot last for long.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria urged the Nigerian government to handle the cases in line with the provisions of the law to avoid a situation whereby loopholes are exploited.
“As far as I’m concerned, investigations should be speedily conducted, more so where allegations are made. I do not expect any delay in the investigation of the very serious allegation that has been made,” he mentioned.
“In the case of Emefiele, the State Security Services last year alleged his involvement in terrorism financing. Please, quickly do something about that. With respect to money laundering and other offences, take them to the appropriate agencies of the government.
“In the case of Mr Bawa, we haven’t been told the offences he committed. I cannot speak very confidently with respect to the gentleman except to ask the government or the agencies involved to speed up an investigation and have them arraigned if they are indicted.”
The SAN stressed that if the appropriate legal procedures aren’t met to keep them in detention, the duo should be granted bail.
ON May 29, no fewer than 18 fresh men took over the governance of the country as governors. The new state helmsmen include Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Alex Otti (Abia), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Siminialayi Fubara (Rivers), Sherrif Oborevwori (Delta), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
The rest are Abba Yusuf (Kano), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Umar Bago (Niger), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Kefas Agbu (Taraba) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Most of the governors inherited an avalanche of challenges including insecurity, huge debt, backlog of unpaid workers’ salaries and retirees’ pension, dwindling revenues, rising poverty and unemployment among the citizenry.
Thus, the governors assumed power on a promising note amid high expectations among the populace.
One month after, the governors have embarked on the huge task of surmounting the challenges in ways that elicited kudos and knocks for a host of them.
Fubara demonstrates loyalty to Wike in Rivers
In Rivers, Governor Siminialayi Fubara, who said he is “unapologetically 100 per cent loyal” to his benefactor and immediate past governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, irrespective of whatever anyone says, has tried to demonstrate his loyalty in the last 30 days.
Within one month in office, he has demonstrated this unreserved loyalty to Wike by not only building his cabinet around the same men Wike engaged but also gave them the same portfolio they handled in Wike’s time.
In the 15 cabinet members Fubara has announced so far, Prof Zachaus Adango remains Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice as he was in Wike’s administration. Others who retained the portfolio they held under Wike include, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, Education commissioner; Isaac Kamalu (Finance), Alabo Dax George Kelly (Works), Chris Green (Sports) and Mrs. Inime Aguma (Social Welfare & Rehabilitation).
With Wike’s men firmly occupying the most sensitive slots, some critics said Fubara’s government is Wike’s 3rd Term. However, the governor insisted that the idea was in tune with the vision of building a prosperous Rivers State on the agenda of continuity and consolidation.
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In his first 30 days in office, Fubara was busy monitoring and evaluating ongoing projects, assuring that he would get them completed.
However, one of his most outstanding feats within the period was intervening in one key development quarter, the state secretariat, which Wike neglected.
Under Wike, Rivers civil servants at the State Secretariat worked in piteous condition with lifts in the highrise structures broken down, and there were no power supply and water.
But within 48 hours of being sworn into office, Sim visited the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, assuring he would fulfill his campaign promise of giving priority to the welfare of civil servants in the state, including revival of the fading complex infrastructures.
Shielding his predecessor from blame, Sim noted that the state government had previously spent much money on water supply in the secretariat but there were no results justifying the funds released as he called for investigation into how the funds were utilized. Meanwhile, work is said to have commenced towards restoring water supply and other utilities.
Mutfwang’s steps on the Plateau
In Plateau, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who was elected on the platform of the PDP, had a handful on taking over. The bandits’ coordinated attacks on communities in three local government areas of Mangu, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi, which escalated before he came into office were sources of concern.
He started by visiting the displaced persons in the various camps in the local councils, sympathized with them, and assured them that efforts are being intensified to ensure improved security for their early return to their homes.
He also met with stakeholders in the security sector to discuss ways of fighting insecurity.
He made some appointments such as Director of Press and Public Affairs, Secretary to the State Government, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Private Secretary, Chief of Staff, and Special Advisers.
Governor Mutfwang adhered to the 9th State House of Assembly’s recommendation to suspend the chairmen of the 17 LGAs of the state due to their inability to make available records of their income and expenditure to the House.
Shortly after that, the governor approved the constitution of a nine-man Task Force on recovery of auctioned government property and charged them to identify/trace all government properties that were purportedly auctioned across the country, ascertain whether or not due process was adhered to in the exercise, recover all government assets that were purported/or inappropriately acquired by individuals/groups/or corporate entities.
Inability to form cabinet mars Idris’ performance in Kebbi
Governor Nasir Idris was sworn in as governor of Kebbi State amid fanfare and high hopes from the civil service and business circle because he was the first home-bred politician in the history of the young state to occupy the position.
Since assuming power, some of the tasks carried out by Idris include inauguration of the state House of Assembly where Muhammad Usman (Ankwai) emerged as speaker; approval of funds for water treatment and other plants required to give 24hrs water supply from the main public water system to all those connected to it in Birnin Kebbi and environs, and appointment of 30 political aides, chief of staff, secretary to the state government, special adviser on media and publicity and Chief press secretary among others.
However, Idris has come under fire over what many described as lopsided appointments especially the appointment of his father-in-law as chief of staff.
He is also being accused of trying to favour people from the state capital. The governor is said to be under pressure to please members of his campaign team, and political helpers like former AGF Abubakar Malami who contributed directly to his success at the polls.
The governor is yet to send his nominees for commissionership to the assembly.
Aliyu restoring hope in Sokoto
Before Dr Ahmad Aliyu took over as governor of Sokoto State critical sectors such as water, power supply, Environment, hygiene were neglected. There was lack cash allocations to ministries and parastatals.
The Governor has set up a committee for the restoration of water supply to the state capital and its environs.
He also restored power supply to many public hospitals including the state specialist hospital which spent 9 months without electricity.
The situation prompted the Governor, in company of his press secretary, Abubakar Bawa, to pay an unscheduled visit to hospital in the odd hours of the night in Keke NAPEP (motorized tricycle).
Other impactful activities the governor carried out include evacuation of refuse in many areas of the state capital including the famous refuse dumping site at Police AIG zone 10 (Marina area) in the state metropolis.
The Governor was at the state Orphanage home which operates for over 10 months without cash allocation, a situation which forced many orphans to engage in manual labour to survive
The home has been in shambles for years due to absence of social amenities.
Aliyu’s policies selective — PDP
However,the opposition PDP in the state has accused the Governor of being selective in his administrative policy, and judgemental on issues.
The party through its Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, accused the Governor of incompetence in handling the affairs of the state especially on the dissolution of over 13 traditional rulers who were recently turbaned by his Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Muhammad Saad Abubakar III.
The PDP also faulted the Governor on his refusal to pay salaries of some political appointees of the immediate past administration despite being in office up to May 28.
According to PDP, Governor Ahmad Aliyu has disenfranchised civil servants in the state since he cancelled appointments of permanent secretaries and director generals made by the administration of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
“Many offices remain vacant and since the Governor made the pronouncement civil servants no longer have the passion to report to their offices for work.
“How will people in statutory offices work when committees have taken over their schedules? A committee has taken over at the water board, another committee has also taken over the responsibilities of the state environmental protection agency,” PDP officials said.
Radda adopt no nonsense style in Katsina
In Katsina, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has been making efforts to lay a solid foundation and successfully implement his administration’s programmes.
In the last 30 days, the efforts of the former SMEDAN boss who is posing as a no nonsense governor has been widely commended.
His first set of appointments, consisting of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Principal Private Secretary and media aides have been applauded based on competence of the appointees.
The Governor’s media team, particularly, made up of the Director General Media, his Chief Press Secretary, and Senior Special Assistant on New Media have been adjudged to be outstanding. They have demonstrated professionalism and a complete departure from the old order as they unhesitatingly communicate to the press activities of the government promptly.
To discourage mediocrity and ensure effective public service delivery in the state, Governor Radda directed all permanent secretaries to sit for a competence aptitude test.
Similarly, on the recent call for recruitment of more teachers and granting of permanent offers to teachers under the S-Power scheme, the Katsina new Governor has directed that the exercise should strictly be subjected to an aptitude test.
Security
As part of efforts to restore peace, protect lives and properties from the menace of terrorists in the state, Gov. Radda during a recent visit to the Chief of Naval Staff in Abuja disclosed that plans have been concluded for Katsina State to adopt a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) modelled after that of Borno State. He requested the support of the military in training the proposed CJTF to ensure professionalism.
Radda also visited the National Institute for Security Studies with the objective of building security-centred synergies on how banditry and other kidnapping-related activities in Katsina State could be brought to an end.
The governor has also commenced moves to boost the state’s internally generated revenue and end total dependence on federal allocation. Governor Radda held an emergency meeting with all the revenue-generating agencies in the state where he explicitly expressed his firm determination to restructure the State’s Board of Internal Revenue for effective revenue generation.
He said the initial targeted benchmark for the state’s IGR should be enough to cater for the salaries of the state workforce.
Kefas tampering with status quo in Taraba
The 30 days of Dr. Agbu Kefas as governor of Taraba, have witnessed a shift from status-quo in governance of the state.
First among his long list of engagements was hosting the first ever youth, economic and security summit to galvanise support and inject new ideas to get the state working. The week-long event drew in experts and investors from across the country in what watchers of the state’s polity described as unprecedented.
He has injected breathe of fresh air in the education sector.
Gov Kefas has toured numerous primary and secondary schools within the state to ascertain their state and has also shut down those that are not conducive for learning.
This singular act has increased his goodwill among citizens of the state and his actions have witnessed praises even from opposing parties.
Added to this was the life he has injected into the state civil service, following his unscheduled visit to ministries, which has made absconding workers sit up to avoid being axed.
Within the period under review, the governor has also engaged traditional rulers on the security situation in their respective domains which then necessitated the ban on mining activities across the state.
Added to this was the tour of some LGAs in the state where he had direct engagement with the people with a view to noting their concerns and executing projects in order of priorities across the state.
Eno demonstrating capacity, ability in Akwa Ibom
Within four weeks in office the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has demonstrated that he has the capacity and ability to pilot the affairs of the state and actualize his campaign promises.
On assumption of office on May 29, Eno embarked on a ‘thank you’ visit to Elders, political and religious stakeholders, youth groups, traders, and even churches and solicited for their support for his administration.
The move has endeared the governor not only to some aggrieved members and stakeholders of his party the PDP but also many stakeholders and supporters of major opposition parties in the state.
To actualize his A.R.I.S.E Agenda he knows that he must collaborate, and work with relevant stakeholders.
A few days ago he met with the leadership of the Akwa Ibom chapter of National Association of Students with Disability where he set up a N100m Education Fund to encourage and support those of them in tertiary institutions in the state.
Within the same period, Governor Eno met with the Forum of Pioneer Retired Permanent Secretaries and set up a three-man committee to look into the lingering issue of harmonisation of their pensions. The retired perm secs in turn assured him they will withdraw the court case they instituted against the state government.
Eno demonstrated commitment to keep to his campaign promise that he would follow in his predecessor’s footsteps by ensuring that uncompleted projects he inherited from the immediate past administration were all completed when he visited some of those project sites penultimate week.
Also, in fulfillment of his campaign promise, last week, he flagged of his first Road construction within the Uyo metropolis, the Ndiya Street and others around the popular Akpan Ndem Market.
When completed, Ndiya Street will have solar powered street lights, de-flooding drainages and pipe borne water.
Eno’s recent meeting with stakeholders from some local government areas aggrieved over the new State Map aimed at dousing the tension which the issue has generated also demonstrates his capacity to sustain the peace being enjoyed in the state.
Corroborating this governor’s effort, a clergyman, Reverend Richard Peters of the African Church in the state, asserted: ” In his quest to ensure peace and guarantee the growth, development and progress of the state, Governor Eno is building bridges, creating synergy across partisan lines.”
On his part a Chieftain of the PDP, Professor Emmanuel Onwioduokit, said: “One of the things that I praise him (gov Eno) for is his going into governance, and leaving politics behind. That visit he made to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’ is very significant. Also going to receive Akpabio at the Victor Attah Airport, when he came to Akwa Ibom is a very big statement.”
How Uba Sani fared in Kaduna
While assuming office Governor Uba Sani said he is prepared for governance and will cater for the welfare of Kaduna residents.
This was exemplified when the Governor ordered a full investigation into the alleged shooting in Sabon Gero community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State by the men of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, KADVS, during a demolition exercise.
It was reported that the KADVIS operatives who shot the citizens were trying to push back residents attempting to stop the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KASUPDA, from carrying out demolitions in the community.
According to the reports the operatives of the KASUPDA left 12 persons with gun shot injuries including women and children.
Governor Uba Sani, has ordered full investigation into the shooting in Sabon Gero community, expressed deep concern about the incident and directed the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the facts of the matter and ensure that justice was served.
This development has gone a long way in dousing tension and calming nerves, particularly in communities that had previously become apprehensive of the demolition exercise embarked upon by the previous administration.
Governor Uba Sani had also met with the old students of Federal Government College (FGC), Kaduna, over the annexation of the school’s land by former Governor Nasir el-Rufai administration.
The old students, under the auspices of Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) and Federal Government College Kaduna Old Students Association (FGCKADOSA), had staged a protest, at the College premises, calling on Governor Sani to restore the college’s landed property annexed by the El-Rufai’s government.
The Governor, after he personally met with the aggrieved, assured the old students that all work at the site would be halted until he personally visits the school to assess the situation, after which dialogue between the government and the stakeholders would continue.
The Governor has also constituted a high powered Committee to probe activities of the state government parastatals with a view to review their performance.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, will be the chairman of the committee, which would also be assessing the complete records of the heads of the parastatals to ascertain their qualifications and experiences.
Governor Uba Sani has said his administration has initiated dialogue with key stakeholders on the key challenges facing the state and the pathway to sustainable peace, progress and development, vowing that peace must return to the troubled communities.
His government, he said, requires peace and stability to realize the administration’s vision.
While commending the security agencies and community leaders for the progress so far made in restoring peace to some of the troubled communities, he urged all to redouble their efforts to ensure that peace and stability return to virtually all communities in Kaduna State.
LP’s Ozigbo, Pat Utomi, Ambode, Kwankwaso, Alimikhena, Wike, Others May Make Tinubu’s Ministerial List
AdminAhead of the unveiling of his ministerial nominees, reports have revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have settled for technocrats, politicians, and top career public servants.
The President, according to close allies, might have concluded plans to form a government of national unity, with emphasis on competence, where he would bring technocrats and politicians across the various political parties into his government and career public servants as members of his cabinet.
A close ally of the president, who spoke to Saturday Sun, said one of the names currently being considered for the ministerial slot for Lagos State is that of one of the immediate past governors of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, who reconciled with Tinubu recently. The source stated that Tinubu is impressed that Ambode refused to dump APC even when the temptation was high.
Another name being mentioned, according to the ally, who is a former governor, is the immediate-past Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola.
Both Ambode and Fashola are former governors of Lagos State and are also considered technocrats.
In Ogun State, the source said there are strong indications that Gbenga Daniel, a former governor and serving senator, may be offered a ministerial position and therefore resign from the Senate.
In Ekiti State, the name being mentioned for a ministerial position, according to Saturday Sun, is that of Senator Dayo Adeyeye, chairman of the South West Agenda for Tinubu 2023. Also, the immediate-past governor of the state, Dr. Fayemi Kayode, is being considered.
In the South East, a former senator from Anambra State, Andy Ubah, is among those being considered. Also, former senator Uche Ekwunife from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been mentioned.
Immediate-past governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, who is currently in the Senate, has been mentioned also for a ministerial position. The name of the former governor’s brother, Austin Umahi, also came up.
Competent sources said that in Edo State, names of former Senator Francis Alimikhena, who was defeated by Tinubu’s ally, Adams Oshiomhole, as well as Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who worked for Tinubu in the last presidential election, have been pencilled down for possible nomination into the President’s cabinet.
In Rivers State, immediate-past governor, Nyesom Wike, or former APC governorship candidate in the state, Tony Cole, may make the list.
In the North, former Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, Sani Bello and Simon Lalong, all former governors, are being considered by Tinubu.
It was also gathered that barring any last-minute changes, Rabiu Kwakwanso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), may join the cabinet as a minister. In the Labour Party (LP), Prof Pat Utomi and former Anambra State PDP governorship candidate, Valentine Ozigbo are being eyed for cabinet slots.