I HAVE attended a few African Union, AU, Heads of State Summits and always came away with the impression that the agenda is always overloaded. But three things struck me about the July 16, 2023 meeting in Nairobi. First, its modest three-point objectives; fast-tracking the integration process in Africa; examining the Division of Labour among the AU, Regional Economic Commissions and states, and considering the AU Institutional Reform. The second thing that occurred to me is that Africa may be weighed down by volumes of speeches, presentations and neo-liberal theorisations rather than practical plans that would quicken integration.

 My third conclusion is that Africa can achieve integration and development faster if Nigeria were awake. The Summit’s theme was the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, and the integration of the continent. To me, the most basic needs for these are the removal of visa requirements and the free movement of people and goods by the cheapest and most sustainable means possible. In my analysis, the most immediate need of Africa to ensure integration is the construction of a coastal railway from Nigeria through Mauritania, Morocco, Tanzania, South Africa and Cameroun, back to Lagos. The entire African coastline is 30,500 kilometres linking 38 of our 55 countries. It means that single rail project leaves out only 17 African countries. A second  line from Cape to Cairo would link up additional countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia,  Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Chad and Sudan.

We should learn that China is on the way to becoming the largest economy in the world not by conferences and declarations, but through clear-headed thinking, praxis and punishment of crimes. China has, for instance, a railway network with 73 routes, connecting it with countries like Russia, Belarus, France, Poland, Kazakhstan, Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic. Freight trains on these routes make an average 3,600 trips per quarter. The point about railways is not just about the mass movement of  persons and goods, but also the fact that its construction in itself, generates massive economic activities and mass employment.  Who says in building a trans-African rail system, we cannot insist that it should be built by Africans even if we require foreign support?

Building railways is not rocket science. When the TAZARA or Tanzam Railways linking Tanzania with Zambia was built between 1970 and 1975, the Chinese and Africans who built it did not have much experience. But after Europe and the United States declined to assist in building this railway, also known as the Uhuru (Freedom) Railway which was to make the continent less dependent on the ports of Apartheid South Africa, the Chinese and the Africans  applied themselves and  built it. The tragedy is that while after the TAZARA, the Chinese persevered and built more railways making them experts today, the Africans relaxed and eventually, we lost those with the skills to build and efficiently run railways. Despite this, we can begin again with building the African railways.

The issue of the fundamental need for  free movement of Africans and goods is where Nigeria with its frequent, unnecessary and ineffectual border closures, hurts African integration most. Kenya rose to the occasion at this month’s meetings by announcing its plan to progressively abolish visa restrictions for African citizens. Rwanda had shown the way years ago when all the entry requirement of an African, is the passport of a fellow African country. The East African Region has also progressed with the idea of allowing people within the region to cross borders, not with passports, but identity cards! The African Union, like the European Union, should allow its citizens to freely crisscross countries in the union, buying, selling and offering services.

The main message of Mr. Antonio Pedro, the Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, ECA, is value addition and the emergence of strong  regional value chains that would break the continent’s dependence on raw material exports. Perhaps the most culpable country in this regard is Nigeria which after 66 years, does the same thing; the exportation of its crude oil with no value addition. The near criminal nature of the country’s situation is compounded by the fact that it does not even know how much oil it produces daily.

Nigeria’s oil exploitation is so prodigal that it pollutes the entire environment including the land, waters and air, flares its gas and is the only oil exporting country incapable of refining its petroleum product needs. If Nigeria were to add value to its oil production by refining, it would earn  far more money and save the continent the huge foreign exchange some African countries spend importing petroleum products.  The country also has the potentials of leading the continent in value addition to commodities in general. One of the objectives of the meeting is the need for AU institutional reforms. Rwandan President Paul Kagame leads this process. The AU system has generally been weak, but was partly strengthened by the African liberation fighter and former South African Foreign Minister, Dr.Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. As the Chairperson of the AU Commission from 2012  to 2017 she insisted on professionalism, human and gender rights and food security.

One of her lasting legacies was to kick Egypt out of the AU after the General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi coup. The general was brutal and employed torture, hangings, forced disappearances and mass imprisonments to hang on to power. One of the tragedies of Africa was not just the admission of General Sisi into the AU, but also his election as the Chair of the continental body in 2019. Zuma’s biggest gift to Africa is the Agenda 2063 Plan. Unfortunately for the continent, she left to run for the presidency of her country and the Plan became wobbly.

Her successor and current Chair, HE Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, does not have the independent-mindedness of Zuma. If anything, he is beholden to France and the Chadian military dictatorship. He controversially admitted Israel into the observer team in the AU. It took the insistence of South Africa to kick out the Israeli envoy. The AU is against coups and the unconstitutional seizure of power. Sanctions are carried out against violators. But when General Mahamat Deby on April 20, 2021 overthrew the Chadian Government, Moussa Faki shielded him from sanctions while then Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari rolled out the red carpet to receive the coup plotter in the Aso Rock Presidential Palace. Nigeria is in a good position to use its size, power and influence to oppose not just military, but also civilian coup plotters like Cote d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara who is in an unconstitutional third term in office. If Nigeria wakes, Africa will rise.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has earned public accolades over the measure taken to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

Naija News reports that Umo, in a post via Twitter page, announced that his administration is partnering with Innoson Motors to provide palliatives, especially on transportation, due to the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

He wrote: “I’m excited to partner with @innosonvehicles, Nigeria’s first indigenous auto manufacturing company led by Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, CON. Our collaboration aims to provide palliatives, especially in transportation, for our citizens affected by the removal of fuel subsidy.

“I am grateful to Chief Chukwuma for his support and commend his indomitable spirit in establishing the first indigenous auto manufacturing company.

“Together, we will work to alleviate the plight of our people and foster growth and pride in our nation”

Reacting to the post, many Nigerian commended the governor for taking a good measure towards alleviating the difficult situation of the masses.

A video showing the terminal ‘C’ managed by Port and Cargo Limited at the Tin-Can Island of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) up in flames, with cargoes worth millions of Naira being destroyed, has surfaced on the internet.

Naija News reports that the incident occurred on Thursday, July 20th.

Although, details on the cause of the fire mishap are still sketchy, it was gathered that emergency responders appeared at the scene to battle with the fire.

Meanwhile, every attempt made to speak with the management of Port and Cargoproved abortive as of the time this report was filed.

Watch video below;

A non-governmental organisation, Face Of Waziri-Nigeria (FOWN), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was making frantic effort to frustrate at least two of the Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to resign, so as to make mess of the judicial panel.

The Director General of the group, Comrade Bukky Adeniyi, made the allegation in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, July 21, 2023.

Adeniyi stated that given the existing legal proviso, which necessitated a replacement and retrieval in case any Judge resigns and consequently translates to buying time beyond the stipulated time by the Supreme Court, was a ploy to make the case statute barred and of no effect.

FOWN noted that the alleged surreptitious move made by President Tinubu was to make the Justices resign and the target was at ensuring the time frame of 180 days elapsed before the case is concluded by the panel.

The statement reads, “the Justice has not resigned at the moment but we have it on good authority that Mr. Tinubu and his team are seriously working hard to threaten and frustrate one or two of them to resign so that the panel will be bereft of jurisdiction at this stage.

“This will lead to replacement and retrieval de novo. In which case, it will be statute barred once outside the 180 days stipulated by the constitution and attendant of which ends the matter, because Supreme Court cannot extend time.

“At the moment Tinubu is pressuring the tribunal. He wants two judges to withdraw or resign from the panel,” FOWN stated.

The group also cited a former PDP Governor from the South-South turned “APC lackey having allegedly helped to rig elections in Tinubu’s favour within the zone” is now being used to hoodwink the Justices to give favourable decision.

“A particular Governor formerly with the PDP but now in APC sequel Tinubu’s blessing from South-South is delegated to use document of money exchange between the government of that state and one or two of the justices in the past for judgement favour then, as a proof to harass and intimidate the justices to shift the judgement of the Tribunal in their favour.

The group, however, raised some poser on the matter: “How do you explain if at all such money exchange occurred in the past, to now want to use such to blackmail the Justice?

“Did the Justice or Justices demand for money the governor gave then or was given as thank you? In whatever case, the Tribunal matter is different from whatever transaction they had together in the past,” he added.

In its resolve to ensure justice is served without undue interference, the group also explained how Tinubu has tried again to shroud in secrecy his Chicago State University saga having known that the truth, if revealed, will further worsen his plight.

“He faulted the recent move by the counsel to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to subpoena the institution on the need to ascertain authenticity of documents relating to his attendance at Chicago State University.

Recall that Atiku had in a petition dated July 11, 2023, by and through his attorneys, requested the court to “issue subpoena commanding a corporate representative of Resident Chicago State University (Respondent) to appear for deposition upon oral examination of the topics set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto at the offices of Dechert LLP at 35 West Wacker Drive, Suite 3400, Chicago, Illinois 60601 on July 21, 2023 at 9.00am.”

The respondent is expected, amongst other things to, “testify and give evidences and in support thereof states as follows: “That non-party Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently the President of Nigeria and is facing various court proceedings concerning his election and the authenticity of documents relating to his attendance at Chicago State University; “That Mr. Tinubu had previously asserted that he attended various educational institutions located in the Chicago area, including but not limited to Chicago State University;

“To test the truth and veracity of Mr. Tinubu’s assertions, Petitioner must depose a corporate representative of Respondent Chicago State University (Respondent) regarding educational record or lack thereof, from respondent;

“To identify and determine if Mr. Tinubu attended above-mentioned institution, petitioner needs deposition testimony regarding the following information, as outlined in Exhibit A, including but not limited to admission information pertaining to Mr. Tinubu, proof of enrolment and attendance of Mr. Tinubu, and any degrees Mr. Tinubu attained from the Respondent.”

The Kano State Police Command, on Thursday, disclosed plans to begin a clampdown on blacksmiths in the state engaged in the fabrication of weapons for criminals.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Gumel, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the efforts of the police toward dislodging hoodlums from Dala Hills in the Dala Local Government Area of the state.

“You can see the various types of knives on display and anybody, who looks at these knives would know that they were not fabricated for domestic use but rather for committing violence on human beings.

“From the edges of the knives, they have the semblance of jackknives, only be used by officers of conventional services, comprising the military and the police.

“Currently, our artisans, blacksmiths are now producing these weapons without minding the consequences but all they know is to produce and sell them to criminals at give-away prices. Thereafter, the criminals arm themselves with the weapons, which they use to attack innocent citizens and kill if they refuse to surrender their property.”

The CP disclosed that he had sent an invitation to blacksmiths for dialogue, during which they would be educated on the dangers of fabricating weapons for members of the public.

“If a customer comes to you, it is mandatory for you to confirm his trade, whether he is a butcher and what he intends to do with the weapons that he is ordering to be fabricated for him,” the CP said.

Tinubu has presented a motion to dismiss a subpoena filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chicago, in response to a fresh petition from the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

On July 11, Abubakar filed a petition seeking more information on Tinubu’s academic history at Chicago State University.

The documents requested by Abubakar and his lawyer, Angela M. Liu, include Tinubu’s university admission record, attendance dates, degrees, awards, and other honours. Abubakar stated the goal of the subpoena was to “test the truth and veracity of Mr. Tinubu’s assertions.”

However, in response, Tinubu’s lawyer, Victor P. Henderson, on July 19, requested the court to reject the petition, arguing that no judge had heard and approved the subpoena from Atiku.

Henderson also criticized the timeline given for compliance only six days which he pointed out was shorter than the 14 days stipulated under Rules 219 and 137 of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules.

Furthermore, Henderson criticized Abubakar for engaging in an “improper fishing expedition about a foreign public official utilizing the Illinois court’s subpoena power.”

Naija News understands that the former Vice President is challenging Tinubu’s declaration as the winner of the 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).a

The Anambra State Government says it has handed over 19-year-old Mmesoma Ejikeme, who forged her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result, to a psychotherapist for a three-month guidance and counselling

The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, disclosed this at a press briefing in her office in Awka, on Thursday.

Chuma-Udeh said Mmesoma would undergo a therapy class for three months as recommended by the state panel, which probed the UTME forgery case.

Mmesoma, a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, recently made the headlines after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board called her out for fraudulently manipulating her UTME score from 249 to 362, thereby falsely parading herself as UTME top scorer for 2023.

Before admitting the forgery, Mmesoma had engaged JAMB in accusation and counter-accusation, with the exam body slamming a three-year ban on her.

On Wednesday, she appeared before a panel of the House of Representatives in Abuja, where she tendered an apology to the exam body and pleaded for leniency.

While briefing journalists on Thursday, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education recalled that a panel set up by the state to investigate the matter recommended that the teenager should be made to undergo a psychological counselling and therapy.

Chuma-Udeh said, “We considered what Mmesoma did as ‘juvenile delinquency’ to which any child could fall victim. So, we are not going to throw the baby away with the bath water. She is now under a psychotherapist counsellor who will take her on therapy for three months after which the state government will appeal to JAMB management on behalf of her to reconsider one or two things.”

The commissioner commended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for approving the psychotherapy class for Mmesoma.

Monarchs in Ondo State, under the auspices of De 130 Krown Obas, on Thursday, organised a prayer session for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who has been sick for some months and has gone abroad for treatment.

The group, which comprises some first-class and second-class Obas in the state, also condemned the way some people in the state were allegedly playing politics with the health of the governor, saying such must stop.

The chairman of the group and Molokun of Atijere in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Oba Samuel Adeoye, while speaking at the end of the session held in Akure, said, “The purpose of today’s meeting is to organise a special prayer for our governor because we are all aware that our governor has health challenges.

“As traditional rulers, we believe that there is a need for us to organise this special prayer, we can jointly pray for our governor to have a quick recovery so that he can join us as soon as possible.

“Our governor is a good person and he had done so much for us. Since he came down with some health issues some months ago, we have not been happy. We feel it is necessary as kings to pray for him so that God would grant him quick peace.”

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association and Olupe of Ipe Akoko, Oba Francis, Apata, in his remarks, said, “Several bodies have been praying for his (Akeredolu’s) quick recovery, the council of the Obas in Ondo State has also prayed for his recovery, we believe as a constituted body, there is need for us to pray for his quick recovery and that is why we decided today to pray for his quick recovery.”

The PUNCH reported that Akeredolu had last month transmitted power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to stand in as acting governor, while he took a three-week medical leave.

He later wrote the state House of Assembly to ask for an extension of the sick leave.

Ekiti Assembly on Thursday confirmed all the 21 Commissioner-Nominees by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

When Speaker Adeoye Aribasoye sought to confirm the nominees by voice vote one after the other, the legislators present at the plenary answered in the affirmative.

Aribasoye explained with the confirmation of their nomination, the nominees have become commissioners-designate.

He said the executives can proceed to swear them into office and hand them portfolios.

The commissioners-designate are Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye; Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo; Mr. Seun Fakuade; Chief Folorunso Olabode; Mr. Gold Adesola; Dr. Kareem Akande and Prof. Patrick Tedela.

Others are Prof. Ojo Bakare; Mr. Kolawole Ajobiewe; Mr. Kayode Fasae; Mrs. Tayo Adeola; Prof. Bolaji Aluko; Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade and Otunba Dolamu Adeniyi

Others include: Karonwi Oladapo, Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, Mr. Ojo Atibioke, Mrs. Tosin Aluko, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Mr. Adesola Adebayo and Mr. Oluwafemi Awe.

The motion that the Governor be empowered to appoint ten Special Advisers was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Tolu Ige (Ekiti Southwest 2) and seconded by Hon. Oluwayomi Ayorinde (Ido/Osi 2).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has complied with a Supreme Court order to recognize the Youth Party (YP) as a registered political party in Nigeria.

The YP was deregistered among others by INEC in 2020 for “failing to meet the criteria provided for by section 225(a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended)”.

However, the party challenged the deregistration in court and the Supreme Court ruled in its favour in December 2022.

The Supreme Court’s ruling ordered INEC to reinstate the YP as a registered political party and to allow it to participate in future elections. INEC has now complied with the court order, making Nigeria’s political parties increase to 19.

The YP is a relatively new political party, having been founded in 2018.

The party’s objective includes to “encourage the Nigerian youth to be organized politically to determine the Nigeria of their future” and its participation in future elections could help increase the number of young people in elected office and to bring about more progressive policies.

Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee, announced YP’s reinstatement on Thursday after a meeting of the commission’s management in Abuja.

“Following the Commission’s decision to deregister some parties in accordance with Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Youth Party approached the Federal High Court and secured an Order restraining the Commission from deregistering it.

“On appeal by the Commission, the Court of Appeal set aside the Order of the Federal High Court and on further appeal by the party, the Supreme Court set aside the deregistration of the party.

“Based on the judgement of the Supreme Court, the Commission interfaced with officials of the Youth Party on the modalities for its operation based on the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.

“Consequently, the Commission has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria,” said Okoye.