The house of representatives has asked the ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy to suspend the approval granted to telecommunications companies (telcos) to increase tariff by 50 percent.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday following the approval of a motion of urgent public importance.

The motion was sponsored by Oboku Oforji, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa state.

In January, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved telcos’ request to increase tariff since the last review in 2013.

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, had said “the new tariff would allow telecommunication companies to be able to invest in new infrastructure and improve connectivity”.

Moving the motion, Oforji said tariff approval is not justifiable as consumers are grappling with economic hardship and poor network service delivery.

The legislator said telcos must improve their service delivery, and address the “poor network” before increasing their tariff.

“The far-reaching effects of these price hikes will deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower-income families the hardest,” he said.

“Affordable connectivity is a must for progress in critical sectors like digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture and e-governance. Informal sector workers who depend on affordable mobile data to access gig work opportunities may find it harder to stay connected.

“Those small businesses, which rely heavily on affordable telecommunication for operations, marketing, and customer engagement, will face additional financial burden. Imagine a scenario where a 10 percent increase is approved.

“It is estimated that a 10 percent increase in telecommunications costs would reduce small business profitability up to 7 percent, potentially leading to the closure of businesses.”

Opposing the motion, Dominic Okafor from Anambra state, said a tariff hike is necessary for improved service delivery.

He said telecom companies should be allowed to raise tariffs, though not by as much as 50 percent.

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.

Subsequently, the house asked the ministry of digital economy and the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) to “suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improved”.

[TheCable]

Less than a month after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America, there have been renewed concerns about whether Donald Trump’s presidency would signal the end of what is often called ‘the American Century.’ The phrase was coined by Time founder and publisher, Henry Luce, the son of a missionary, in a February 17, 1941, editorial in Life Magazine, a sister publication he also founded. Captioned “The American Century,” Luce made a strong plea for America to forsake isolationism and enter World War II to defend democratic values. He argued that under American hegemony, democracy and other American ideals would “do their mysterious work of lifting the life of mankind from the level of the beasts to what the psalmist called a little lower than the angels.” Essentially, Luce urged the USA to assume the role of the world’s Good Samaritan by championing the spread of democratic values across the world.

Luce talked about the ‘American Century’ rather than ‘American Empire’ (as we had with the British empire from 1815-1914) because he felt the missionary power conferred on the country by history was global rather than territorially defined. America seemingly heeded his advice and its involvement proved decisive in ending the Second World War. America also played a crucial role in the reconstruction of Europe after the war through the Marshall Plan. The country’s influence further grew during the Cold War (1947-1991) when it led the Western alliance against the Soviet-led Eastern bloc. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States remained the world’s only superpower, and became the hegemon, or what some termed a hyper-power.

Given the global pattern of the rise and decline of great empires and societies, predictions of an imminent decline or collapse of the American Century have a long history. In fact, the twentieth century has witnessed the decline or collapse of at least seven great empires – Mandarin China, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Turkey, Japan, the British empire, and twice over in the case of Tsarist and Soviet Russia. After the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001 that led to the death of almost 3000 people, mostly Americans, people thought the event was going to accelerate the decline of the only remaining military superpower. America recovered well from it. But talks about its decline, especially with the rise of other poles of economic power – China, the European Union (which was not really seen as a threat until Trump) and recently, the BRICS countries, the old concerns about the possible decline or even a dramatic collapse of the American Century, became revived.

Even before he was sworn in as America’s 45th President on January 20 2025, Trump’s rhetoric had been a source of global concern. The grandiloquence and flurry of Executive Orders, including the use  (or threat of the use) of tariffs even against countries regarded as America’s closest allies such as Canada and the European Union, have raised concerns of how reciprocal response by the affected countries what would affect the world order and America’s global influence.

There are four possible responses against Trumpism that we should watch out for:

One, in international relations, there is what is called the ‘Balance of power theory’. This basically argues that states threatened by a hegemonic power could secure their survival by bandying together to prevent that hegemon from dis-equilibrating the system or to restore equilibrium if the hegemon temporarily succeeds in upsetting the system’s balance.  This presupposes that states threatened by Trump, (and this is virtually all states of the world – old foes and traditional allies alike), may gang up to prevent him from having his way. For instance, Donald Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland – an Island owned by Denmark, a member of the European Union. In response, the EU leaders said they would defend Greenland. In such a scenario one can surmise that if push comes to shove, they will not reject help from America’s traditional enemies, including those President George W Bush referred to as “axis of evil” in 2002. President Bush at that time was referring to Iran, Ba’athist Iraq, and North Korea.

Regarding Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on both its traditional allies and traditional foes, not only is there the possibility of retaliatory response, that threat alone, even if not implemented, could lead to many countries,  taking measures to ensure they forever drastically reduce their reliance on the US – militarily, economically and even culturally. This scenario could paradoxically present opportunities for Africa as countries loosening their ties with the US will look to new frontiers and new markets.

Two, the response of America’s institutions to some of the actions of Trump would also be of interest. America’s institutions have over the years proven themselves to be resilient but some have argued that the country has not had any President in the mould of Donald Trump who seems determined to have his ways in a monarchical fashion. For instance, one of the first actions of President Trump after his second coming was to fire more than a dozen justice department lawyers who worked on two criminal cases against him. The lawyers were fired after Acting Attorney General James McHenry concluded they could not “be trusted to faithfully implement the president’s agenda because of their significant role in prosecuting the president”. Some have sneered that this sort of vindictiveness is usually associated with the so-called Third World countries. Similarly, the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration — both legal and illegal — has resulted in at least 10 lawsuits, seven of which challenged his Executive Order revoking universal birthright citizenship. There are also litigations on Trump’s Budget Freezes and Firings. The crucial question here is whether American institutions will triumph or whether Trump’s willpower will weaken those institutions to the extent that democracy and the principle of freedom on which America fought and won the Cold War would lose their attractions as organizing elements of American power. If American institutions prevail, it will diminish President Trump’s presidency and his global respectability; if Trump triumphs, it will diminish America’s institutions.

Three, there have been suggestions that many of Trump’s harsh rhetoric, including on the use of tariffs, could be mere brinkmanship. Brinksmanship as a bargaining strategy is usually associated with John Foster Dulles, the US Secretary of State from 1953 to 1956 during the Eisenhower administration. Dulles defined this policy thus:  “The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art.” During the Cold War, it was used as a policy by the United States to coerce the Soviet Union into backing down militarily. Trump has used the threat of tariffs against Canada and Mexico as bargaining chips to get what he probably considers as better deals when these countries countered with their own tariff threats. There are however two main dangers with using brinksmanship as a bargaining strategy – the target state may call the bluff, and if the threatening state is unable to implement its threat, future threats will fail to serve as deterrence to unwanted behaviour. The second danger is that if threats become merely seen as brinksmanship, states will develop counter-strategies that will mute the potency of future threats as bargaining chips. For brinksmanship to work, the threat must be credible. If Trumpism leads to the forging of a new global coalition to stop him from disequilibrating the system, then brinksmanship will lose its shine as a bargaining strategy.

Four, Trumpism could lead to an acceleration in the prestige of institutions such as BRICS whose avowed objectives include the creation of a multipolar world that will either drastically reduce or overthrow the current American-led Western system of global governance and security.  BRIC, as an acronym, was coined in 2001 by then Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O’Neill to underline the growth potentials of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. It became BRICS when South Africa joined the group in 2010. In 2023, six countries – Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia  – were invited to join the group transforming it into  BRICS+. Together, the BRICS countries account for more than 40% of the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy. The 16th Summit of the group held in the Tatarstan city of Kazan, Russia, from  22–24 October, 2024, and themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,”  endorsed the reform of the United Nations Security Council. It also agreed to explore the feasibility of creating an autonomous cross-border settlement and depository system (away from the current Western-driven SWIFT system) and the possible utilisation of national currencies, payment tools, and platforms. There were equally proposals for the invigoration of the group’s New Development Bank (NDB), which was established in 2014, with the aim of providing member countries with greater financial autonomy and resilience against external shocks. At the Kazan Summit, the group announced that Nigeria, along with twelve others, had become partner countries to the BRICS+.  The other twelve are: Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

In addition to BRICS, any attempt to acquire or seize Greenland or embark on trade wars with the European Union could potentially turn it into an adversary with shared interest in whittling down America’s power and global influence.  If this happens, the US would be up against a very formidable group of 27 member states with an estimated population of 449 million, an estimated nominal GDP of $19.40 trillion in 2024 or $28.04 trillion (PPP) representing about one-sixth of the global economy.

The EU is often described as a sui generis political entity because it combines the characteristics of both a federation and a confederation. A possible collaboration between BRICS and the European Union would be a frightening scenario for America’s global leadership and influence and could mark the beginning of the end of the American Century.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jideofor Adibe is a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State University and founder of Adonis & Abbey Publishers (www.adonis-abbey.com). He can be reached at: 0705 807 8841 (WhatsApp and Text messages only).

• Presidents, Governors, others pay tribute to former GMD Access Holdings

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the late Herbert Wigwe was a firm believer in and supporter of his administration’s development programmes since inception in 2019.

He said the State has felt the absence of the late Group Managing Director of the Access Holdings, very strongly, since his passing in the last one year.

He said there are projects that would have been delivered faster if Wigwe, the co-founder of Access Holdings, was alive, noting that "across the states there are projects with Herbert Wigwe’s footprint."

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during the First Year Memorial Service in honour of Wigwe, his wife Doreen, and son, Chizi, organised by the Access Holdings at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The memorial service was attended by the late Wigwe's family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones, as well as President Emmanuel Macron of France; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governors Sanwo-Olu and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; present and former public office holders; captains of industries; renowned bankers; and business tycoons.

It would be recalled that Herbert, Doreen and Chizi lost their lives alongside the former Chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX), Bimbo Ogunbanjo, in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert near the California-Nevada border in United States on February 9, 2024.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, while paying glowing tributes to the late Group Managing Director of the Access Holdings, one year after his death, described the late Wigwe as a believer in the works of his government.

The Governor said the late Wigwe was a builder of not just businesses but also people, ideas and the future, adding that his death was a reality “we never prepared for.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu described Wigwe as a visionary who believed in Nigeria and Africa’s capacity to rise above challenges, adding that he was not just a friend but a brother with whom he shared the vision of good governance and passion for the people together.

He said: “He lived perpetually in the present and the future. He believed in actions, not just words. I saw him transform vision into reality. When others hesitated, he moved. When others saw obstacles, he saw opportunities. He truly believed in Nigeria and Africa.

“He was a builder of men and businesses, turning visions into reality. His absence is deeply felt in Lagos State, as there are projects today that would have progressed faster if he were still with us. Herbert made my work easier by mobilising partners and funding for state projects."

Speaking earlier, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said Wigwe’s impact was not confined to the “boardroom and balance sheet.”

President Tinubu, in his tribute delivered by Edun, described the late Wigwe as more than just a banker but a builder of dreams and institutions.

“Herbert embodied vision, excellence, and generosity. He was deeply committed to uplifting society. His impact was felt in the lives he touched, opportunities he created, and hopes he inspired,” he said.

President Emmanuel Macron also praised Wigwe as an exceptional entrepreneur and a friend of France.

“He made significant contributions as Chairman of the Nigeria-France Business Council, strengthening the bilateral relationship and friendship between France and Nigeria,” he noted.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo highlighted Wigwe’s resilience and dedication to partnership, noting that "despite his success, he remained accessible and committed to nurturing relationships. He understood that true leadership involves building both institutions and people. His legacy is a testament to what Africans can achieve through vision, determination, and collaboration."

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

SPECIAL ADVISER - MEDIA AND PUBLICITY

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, has expressed concern over the silence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the alleged padding of the 2025 budget.

The party pointed out that the 2025 budget contains some scandalous items in the office of the Commissioner for Finance. 

Speaking via a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, the party insisted that the people of the state deserve explanation on the ₦11.5 billion allocated to the Ministry of Finance as security vote.

They insisted that ₦250 million as “Honorarium and sitting Allowance in the Ministry of Finance” and the procurement of SUV worth ₦230 million for Commissioner of Finance is insensitive.

Peretei subsequently called for the sack of the Financial Commissioner over the development, stressing that the funds belong to the people of Ondo State.

He said, “The Ondo State 2025 Appropriation Act contains some scandalous items in the office of the Commissioner for Finance that have been the subject of public agitation in the last two weeks.

“The Lucky Aiyedatiwa government has maintained such a deafening silence and complicity that are making tongues wag, if indeed there is more to it that meets the eye.

“The N11.5B Security Vote in the Ministry of Finance captured in the 2025 Approved Budget has not been explained to the people of the State, in spite of the public outcry.

“The provision of N250M as Honorarium and Sitting Allowance in the Ministry of Finance is another padded item in the budget for the enjoyment and pleasure of the Commissioner.

“Perhaps, the most insensitive of the items is the procurement of 1 No Toyota Prado SUV Jeep for the Honorable Commissioner for Finance at a princely sum of N230M.

“In view of the above approved Budgetary allocations, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ondo State Chapter believes that Mrs Isaac Omowunmi, the Ondo State Commissioner for Finance must be sacked immediately, for criminally abusing her office. Her claim of being a UK trained Accountant falls flat on its back, if all she can do is to fleece the people’s Treasury. The supposed Gatekeeper of our Treasury.

“If Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa fails to relieve the Commissioner of her duties, having failed the people of the Sunshine State, steps will be taken to prove that, what is at stake is the people’s funds.”

[NaijaNews]

The Opposition Coalition has said no Supreme Court judgement had been delivered against the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and the Speaker, Oko Jumbo as it was being made believe by some disgruntled elements.

Clarifying today’s Court verdict, the opposition lawmakers also said contrary insinuations and rumour churned out in certain quarters, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Oko Jumbo is still in charge and control of the Rivers state House of Assembly.

The Opposition lawmakers, Coalition through its Spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere said, it was rather in favour of Governor Fubara as it was predicated on his withdrawal of the appeal through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali SAN.

According to him, Fubara did not lose any case at the Supreme Court, he withdrew his appeal over the 2024 budget which was already spent, executed.

Ugochinyere noted that no Court has ruled anything in favour of Pro Wike Sacked lawmakers, stressing that the Governor withdrew his appeal on the 2024 budget due to the fact that the 2024 budget has expired and the Supreme Court struck it out.

The federal lawmaker, assured Nigerians, particularly Rivers State people, that Victor Oko Jumbo is still an authentic speaker and nothing can change that, urging them to disregard the political propaganda peddled by some sour losers who are not still being delusional.

Ugochinyere tasked the media on truthful reportage by verifying facts before reporting legal issues.

He urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain focused on delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State and ignore political shenanigans.

He said; “Today the Supreme Court ruled on the Appeal over the 2024 budget voluntarily withdrawn by Gov Fubara because 2024 budget cycle have ended and no need Wasting time discussing a budget that have been fully spent and implemented.

“The sacked, disgruntled Martin Amaewhule and the Pro-Wike group are jubiliating, out of ignorance of what informed the decision of the apex court. For their information and others who care, the Supreme Court judgement was sequel to the withdrawal of the appeal by Governor Fubara through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali SAN. Governor Fubara in the notice for withdrawal of the case, informed a 3-man panel of Justices of the Court that events have overtaken his suit.

“For those who don’t know such events as mentioned by His Excellency, Governor Fubara include inter-alia that the 2024 budget for instance, has been fully executed and exhausted with 2025 Appropriation in effect, hence the case is statute-barred.

“Also, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Oko Jumbo is still in charge and control of the legislature in the South-south state as the pro-Wike sacked lawmakers and their gang leader, Amaewhule remained removed from office.”

[Dailypost]

On Thursday, during the plenary session at the house of representatives, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker and chairman of the constitution review committee, said the lower legislative chamber received proposals for the creation of 31 new states.

The 10th national assembly is currently in the process of amending the 1999 constitution and has received several proposals, including that of state creation.

A constitutional amendment is a formal modification to the text of the written constitution of a nation to correct or revise its original content to suit the interests of the people of that nation.

The Nigerian constitution makes provisions for amendment when there is a need to do so. The requirements for amendment of the constitution differ depending on the section in question.

The requirements for the amendment of most sections of the constitution involve two-thirds of members of the senate, and house of representatives voting in support of such an amendment and 24 houses of assembly supporting such an amendment.

However, some sections of the constitution, which deal with the creation of a new state, local government, or boundary adjustments, require additional conditions.

Here is the process for passing a constitutional amendment bill and the additional conditions for state creation.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION? 

There are several processes involved in amending the constitution.

First, proposals to amend the constitution are submitted to the national assembly as bills. While these bills can originate from citizens, they must pass through lawmakers.

The bills will be sent to the respective (senate and house of representatives) rules and business committees where they are scheduled on the order paper.

The full titles would be read out for the first reading at the bills’ presentation, which signifies the start of the legislative process.

The bills will then be read the second time and the general principles debated during plenary, after which they are referred to the committee on constitutional amendment.

The bills will be reviewed by the committee, and in many cases, public hearings are organised to enable stakeholders to make contributions.

The committee will subsequently decide which proposed amendments to adopt or reject. Afterwards, the reports on the bills are submitted before the house and adopted.

The lawmakers will vote on each specific item on the bills. Here, the proposals to amend the constitution are presented in the form of clauses.

Each house (senate and house of reresentatives) will then use e-voting (not the voice vote) to vote in favour or against the bill.

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When e-voting is not available, the house can go into division. This way, the speaker calls each lawmaker to say whether he or she agrees with the bill or not. This is to meet the requirements of section 9(2) of the constitution which outlines the procedure for altering the provisions of the constitution.

This is done to ensure that the total number of senators or house of representatives members in attendance did not fall below the minimum number of two-thirds required to pass a constitutional amendment bill.

The votes are then collated and counted.

It is important to note that for a bill to scale through, it must be concurred by both the senate and house of representatives. This implies that the constitutionally required number of each chamber must have voted in support of the bill.

After that, the bills are transmitted to the state houses of assembly by the clerk of the national assembly for their concurrence.

According to the aforementioned sections 9(2), two-thirds of all the state assemblies need to approve the bills — that is 24 states will be required for each amendment to be approved.

When two-thirds of the state assemblies approve each clause by simple majority, everything returns to the national assembly.

According to section 58 of the constitution, bills require the president’s assent.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE CREATION?

For amendments proposing the creation of a new state, the constitution demands stringent conditions that must be fulfilled before the process explained above applies.

Section 8(1) states as follows: An act of the national assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if:

“(a) a request, supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new State) in each of the following, namely;

“(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives,

“(ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

“(iii) the local government councils in respect of the area are received by the National Assembly;

“(b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for creation of the State originated;

“(c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the States of the Federation supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly; and

“(d) the proposal is approved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”

No state has been created since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

During the Thursday plenary, Kalu said the “proposals should be re-submitted in strict adherence” to the requirement of section 8 of the constitution and must reach the committee by March 5.

[TheCable]

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, dismissed claims that he failed to support President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, stating that he has moved on from such allegations.

Tinubu, backed by the All Progressives Congress, won the election against the main opposition candidates — Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

El-Rufai, a key APC chieftain, has been at the centre of political discussions, recently asserting that his views on governance would remain unchanged regardless of his role in the Tinubu-led administration.

On Sunday, an X user, Yusuf Tukur, tweeting as #realYusufTukur, claimed that Tinubu and his allies had actively sought El-Rufai’s support before the election but later accused him of not backing the president.

“When they were desperately seeking El-Rufai’s support, #officialABAT and his goons were everywhere singing Malam’s praises. Given their penchant for ingratitude, however, they’ve turned around to claim that Malam didn’t even support PBAT. But these testimonies say otherwise,” the tweet read.

In response, El-Rufai stated via his X handle that he had no personal expectations from his political actions, adding that the unfolding events were simply a reflection of human nature.

“We did what we did for God, country, and party, expecting nothing in return. What is unfolding is merely another life experience and part of human nature. We have moved on, but their conscience won’t let them sleep well. Thanks anyway,” he wrote.

Further clarifying his stance on governance, El-Rufai had said he does not subscribe to political pretence, likening certain politicians to actors.

“Truly, I don’t know how to pretend. Being a Nollywood actor in governance is for some others, not for some of us,” he remarked.

[Punch]

From the bustling streets of Lagos to the grand stage of the Super Bowl, Moro Ojomo has written his name in history after leading Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl triumph.

On February 9, 2025, before a roaring crowd, Ojomo and his Philadelphia Eagles soared to victory, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

Though a hard-fought win, it secured the Eagles’ fifth NFL title but also served as sweet revenge for their Super Bowl LVII defeat at the hands of the same opponent.

Moro Ojomo’s journey to stardom

Ojomo’s story is one of astounding transition. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he crossed the Atlantic at the age of seven, as his family relocated to California in 2009. His father served as a pastor, while his mother worked in the information technology sector. During his seventh-grade year, the family moved again, settling in Houston, Texas.

Attending Katy High School, Moro Ojomo was two years younger than most of his classmates, having begun his education at the age of three in his home country. He did not participate in varsity football during his freshman or sophomore years and admitted that, at the time, he had yet to develop a proper workout routine. However, after his sophomore year, he became dedicated to weight training and running, eventually securing a spot on the varsity team as a junior. His efforts paid off, as he earned All-District honors as a defensive lineman by the end of the season.

After starting the fall as a third-stringer, he gained confidence with more time on the field.  He worked his way into a starting role and ended the season earning all-district honors. Then, in his senior year, he became one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the state.

“Nothing comes in life without hard work. I know that,” Ojomo said then as quoted by JokersMag.

“That’s why my story is a lot different than a lot of these kids who’ve been good all their years in high school. They’ve been ‘The Guy’ ever since junior high. I know what it’s like to compete for a starting spot. A lot of these kids don’t know that.”

During his five-year tenure with the Longhorns—a journey that spanned the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic—Moro Ojomo amassed 95 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks.

In January 2023, when he declared for the NFL Draft, he expressed his enthusiasm for the road ahead.

“I am incredibly excited about what the future holds,” he wrote.

However, as draft day unfolded, his initial optimism gave way to anxiety. By the time the seventh round was halfway through, his name had yet to be called.

“I thought it was over.”

Then, with only 11 picks remaining, his phone finally rang.

On the other end was Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman—someone well acquainted with the trials of overcoming adversity.

“We’re gonna take you here, man,” Roseman told him.

“We can’t believe you’re here in the seventh round. We know you’re gonna show the world what kind of player you are… and we’re excited to get you.”

In the background of the recorded call, his sister’s joyful shrieks echoed the moment’s significance.

Katy High School head coach Gary Joseph later reflected on the resilience that defined Moro’s journey.

“The kids who you’re really proud of are ones who are self-made football players,” Joseph said.

“They work with what they have, and he’s one of those kids. He worked. It wasn’t a fluke.”

As a rookie, Moro Ojomo played just 6% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps. But in 2024, he earned a more prominent role on the field.

And when the stakes were highest, he delivered—recording his first NFL sack in the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.

His belief in himself had never wavered, not even years earlier.

“People used to laugh at me in sophomore year when I told ’em I was gonna start,” he had said back in 2018. “They’re gonna realize it when I do what I plan to do… They’re gonna be like, ‘Wow, we really missed on this one.’”

Playing in every regular season game and all four playoff contests, he racked up 20 tackles and etched his name into Eagles’ history with his first career sack during the NFC Divisional clash against the Los Angeles Rams.

Remarkable Super Bowl Performance

In the Super Bowl itself, Ojomo was a force to be reckoned with. His two tackles and a crucial tackle for loss contributed to the Eagles’ defensive dominance, a performance that stifled the usually explosive Patrick Mahomes and kept the Chiefs scoreless for a remarkable stretch of nearly three quarters. He played an important role in the Eagles’ defensive strategy, helping to contain one of the most potent offenses in the league.

Ojomo joins the Hall of Fame

Ojomo’s victory is more than just a personal triumph; it’s a testament to the growing influence of Nigerian athletes in the NFL. He joins a distinguished group of players like C.J. Uzomah, Chukwuebuka Godrick, Chris Oladokun, and Charles Omenihu, all of Nigerian heritage, who are making their mark on the gridiron.

Ojomo’s Super Bowl ring goes beyond being a symbol of his individual achievement, but a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the globe.

Vanguard News

Tighter immigration rules appear to be on the horizon as Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, has promised tougher measures to address the growing number of illegal foreign workers in the country.

Since becoming prime minister last July, Starmer has initiated reforms to the UK’s immigration policies.

Analysts say his approach is “firm but fair” compared to Rishi Sunak, his predecessor, and Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party.

However, stricter immigration measures proposed by the Tories, and Reform UK, a political party gaining traction, have forced the prime minister to apply more pressure on his policies to retain his popularity.

“Too many people are able to come to the UK and work illegally. We are putting an end to it,” Starmer tweeted on Monday.

Starmer’s tweet came as the Home Office said it is launching a fresh wave of immigration raids for illegal working.

The UK agency also boasted that it had a record number of deportations, saying both illegal working visits and arrests since Labour came to power had soared by about 38 percent compared with the previous 12 months.

“They drove up immigration numbers; we will get them down,” he said.

[TheCable]

The prolonged financial dispute between Nigerian banks and telecom providers over unpaid USSD fees has reached a crisis point. Telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, are owed a staggering N250 billion by banks, a debt that has accumulated over six years. This unresolved issue threatens not only the financial viability of USSD services but also places additional cost burdens on consumers through increased telecom tariffs.

To say that it is a growing debt crisis cannot be pooh-poohed by mere waves of the hands as the USSD debt issue dates back to 2019, when telecom companies initially reported that banks owed them N32 billion. By March 2021, the debt had grown to N42 billion, and by November 2022, it had reached N80 billion. In June 2023, the amount doubled to N120 billion, and by October 2024, the debt had exceeded N200 billion, eventually ballooning to the current N250 billion.

Despite this, banks continue to make massive profits from USSD transactions. In the first half of 2024 alone, the total value of USSD transactions reached N2.19 trillion, accounting for 45.3% of the total transaction value of N4.84 trillion recorded in 2023. While banks benefit from this service, telecom operators remain unpaid, leading to increased operational costs.

Without a doubt, the debt crisis is affecting consumers. For instance, telecom providers have been forced to raise service charges to offset their losses. The rising cost of network maintenance, coupled with the increasing prices of diesel, equipment, and other essential materials, has driven telcos to seek ways to remain profitable. This has resulted in higher call, data, and SMS tariffs, ultimately transferring the burden onto Nigerian consumers.

With inflation at 33.95% as of June 2024, and the cost of living already unbearably high, the last thing Nigerians need is a further increase in telecom service charges. Many low-income earners rely on USSD for essential transactions such as money transfers, bill payments, and airtime purchases. If telecom operators keep raising tariffs due to unpaid debts, the most vulnerable Nigerians will be priced out of financial services, undermining the financial inclusion efforts the government has championed over the years.

Against the foregoing backdrop, the role of USSD in financial inclusion cannot be said to have being overstated in this context.  This is as USSD technology plays a critical role in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, enabling millions of Nigerians, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to access banking services without an internet connection. According to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), over 44 million Nigerians use USSD-based banking services regularly.

For many Nigerians without smartphones or internet access, USSD is the only means of accessing financial services. If telecom operators continue to raise tariffs, the cost of performing simple banking transactions will increase significantly, discouraging many from using formal banking channels. This could push more people into the informal cash-based economy, reversing the progress made in driving financial inclusion.

At this juncture, it is expedient to ask about the way forward. To not a few Nigerians, particularly those who are conversant with the issue, regulatory interventions is the way forward. 

It will be recalled at this juncture that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have made several attempts to mediate between banks and telecom operators. In May 2023, when the NCC granted telecom providers permission to disconnect banks from USSD services due to non-payment of debts. However, this move was reversed after CBN intervention.

Despite regulatory efforts, banks have yet to clear their debts. As the imbroglio seemingly remains irresolvable, it is not a misnomer to opine that there is a pervading fear among Nigerians that telecom operators might be forced to suspend USSD services entirely, affecting millions of Nigerians who depend on it for financial transactions.

Without a doubt, it would be a huge relief for consumers if banks pay the debt as soon as possible as the debt is a growing debt that keeps mounting by each passing day. 

If banks fulfill their financial obligations and settle the N250 billion debt, it would provide immediate relief to telecom operators, allowing them to stabilize or even reduce tariffs. This would directly benefit Nigerian consumers in several ways. For instance, there would be reduced cost of transactions. This is as telecom operators would no longer struggle to compensate for unpaid debts through higher service charges. Not only that, USSD transaction costs could stabilize or even decrease, making banking more affordable for all Nigerians.

In a similar vein, there would be improved financial access for low-income earners as millions of Nigerians, particularly those in remote areas, rely on USSD for banking. Without a doubt, settling this debt would prevent further price hikes, ensuring financial services remain accessible to the most vulnerable populations.

Also, there would be enhanced banking efficiency. This is as banks also stand to benefit from continued USSD service, as it enables seamless transactions for their customers. In fact, if USSD services become too expensive or get suspended, many Nigerians would be forced to visit physical bank branches, increasing congestion and reducing efficiency.

In a similar vein, there would be increased mobile penetration and digital growth. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as Nigeria’s digital economy relies on affordable telecom services. Therefore, by settling their debts, banks can contribute to the broader goal of expanding digital access and fostering economic growth.

Given the foregoing backdrops, it will not in this context be considered a misnomer to plead to banks to act responsibly over this growing and lingering debt. 

Banks must prioritize the settlement of their USSD debts to ensure the sustainability of digital financial services in Nigeria. By paying what they owe, they will not only ease the financial burden on telecom providers but also prevent unnecessary tariff hikes that hurt consumers.

As financial institutions benefiting from the USSD ecosystem, banks have a moral and financial responsibility to support the system that has helped drive financial inclusion across Nigeria. Failure to do so may lead to service disruptions, higher telecom tariffs, and greater financial exclusion for Nigerians.

In fact, the ongoing USSD debt crisis is not just an industry issue, it is a consumer issue. Millions of Nigerians depend on USSD services for financial transactions, and the rising costs of telecom services due to banks’ refusal to pay their debts is a burden they cannot afford. As inflation continues to rise, and Nigerians struggle with the high cost of living, it is only fair that banks step up and clear their outstanding obligations.

The CBN, NCC, and other regulatory bodies must ensure full compliance and hold banks accountable for settling this debt. Only then can telecom operators operate without passing unnecessary costs onto consumers, and only then can Nigerians continue to access affordable financial services.

Without resort to exaggerating the issue, it is expedient banks act now before the situation worsens. The longer they delay, the more Nigerian consumers will suffer. It is time for banks to pay up and ease the burden on telecom providers and consumers alike.