President Bola Tinubu has approved the change in the retirement age of medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the country from 60 to 65 years.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He added that President Tinubu has also approved the allocation and disbursement of funds necessary to settle their outstanding arrears.

Bature noted that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been tasked with officially submitting the approval to the Council on Establishment via the Office of the Head of Service for final confirmation.

He mentioned that the change in policy was communicated by Pate during an important meeting with the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, alongside crucial stakeholders in the health sector.

He stated that the coordinating minister has verified that the outstanding payments stemming from the adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are scheduled for disbursement.

Mr. Bature cited the minister’s statement indicating that President Tinubu has given his approval for the necessary adjustments to be made for both the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which are a result of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

He said, “The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon.

“The process to effect this correction is at an advanced stage, providing much-needed relief to doctors and other healthcare workers.

“This will particularly benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nationwide.”

[NaijaNews]

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have taken opposing legal positions regarding the former’s N100 billion import license lawsuit and allegations of monopoly in the oil and gas sector.

This is according to counter-affidavits and associated court documents exclusively seen and reviewed by Nairametrics amid the refinery’s suit.

The pending suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, seeks to void import licenses issued to some Nigerian oil companies by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

These companies include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A.A. Rano Limited, and four others.

Brief facts of the case  

In suit number, FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, dated September 2024 and first mentioned at the Federal High Court, Abuja, in October last year, Dangote Refinery is seeking N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licenses to NNPCL, Matrix, and other companies for importing petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria.

The refinery argues that these products are already being produced domestically without shortfalls.

The refinery’s lawyers, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and George Ibrahim, SAN, argued that NMDPRA allegedly violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing import licenses for petroleum products, which should only be granted when there is a proven shortfall in supply.

Days after the suit was filed and adjourned, three oil companies—Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A.A. Rano Limited, and AYM Shafa Limited—filed a motion urging the court to dismiss the suit.

They argued that only NMDPRA and NNPCL are legally empowered to determine petroleum product shortfalls in Nigeria, not Dangote Refinery.

Meanwhile, NNPCL’s counsel, Ademola Abimbola, SAN, filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the plaintiff erroneously sued “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation,” a non-existent entity, instead of the correctly registered “Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.”

Abimbola also argued that until NMDPRA decides to apply the Backward Integration Policy in the downstream petroleum sector, it is not under any obligation to restrict the issuance of petroleum product import licenses solely to cover shortfalls in local refinery production.

In its counter-affidavit and written address filed last Friday and seen by Nairametrics, George Ibrahim asked the court to dismiss NNPCL’s objection, arguing that a close examination of the originating summons, affidavit, and attached documents clearly shows that the plaintiff’s grievance concerns the “flagrant disobedience of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by a statutory body created to implement the Act.” 

Nairametrics reports that the matter is pending before Justice Inyang Ekwo, and the next proceedings have been fixed for February 5, 2025.

Amid the pending case, the FCCPC, on January 5, 2025, filed a motion on notice seeking the court’s leave to join as a “co-defendant” in the refinery’s lawsuit.

What FCCPC and Dangote Refinery Are Saying 

• In its motion and accompanying processes exclusively seen by Nairametrics, the FCCPC legal team, led by Barrister Olarenwaju Osinaike, stated that FCCPC is seeking to be joined as a necessary party to the present proceedings because its interest would allegedly be affected by the outcome of the suit.
• The Commission stated that the case involves whether preventing the oil companies in dispute from operating the said licenses would lead to anti-competition or monopoly in favor of Dangote Refinery, among others.
• He submitted that one of the main issues raised in the refinery’s originating summons allegedly “relates to anti-competition and monopoly in the petroleum industry sector.”
• He drew the court’s attention to the functions of the FCCPC, which, according to him, include eliminating anti-competitive agreements, misleading, unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable marketing, trading, and business practices.

“There are grounds from the plaintiff’s case for believing that the plaintiff (Dangote Refinery) is attempting to create a monopoly situation in relation to the production and distribution of petroleum products in Nigeria through the machinery of the court,” the FCCPC stated.   

The FCCPC contended that Nigeria operates a free-market economy, allowing individuals and entities to participate in various sectors without hindrance.

He submitted that the FCCPC Act, which established the Commission, obligates it to eliminate anti-competitive agreements and practices that may restrict other participants from engaging in the petroleum product distribution value chain.

“The extant spirit and provisions of the FCCPC Act do not permit monopoly behemoth activities in product manufacturing and distribution, including oil and gas,” the FCCPC stated.   

The lawyer highlighted that if the court eventually joined the Commission in the suit, it would seek its outright dismissal.

In its counter to FCCPC’s request to join the suit, seen by Nairametrics, Dangote Refinery responded that:

“It is not true that the plaintiff’s suit is monopolistic but solely aimed at revamping local refining of petroleum products in Nigeria.” 

Ibrahim submitted that his client was granted a license by NMDPRA under the Petroleum Industry Act to import, produce, and refine petroleum products.

He maintained that NMDPRA should only grant import licenses in line with Section 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Act, which permits the import of refined products only when there is a shortage in local production.

“Dangote Refinery is able to meet the daily consumption demand of the country,” he stated, adding that NMDPRA allegedly granted licenses to the defendants to import petroleum products contrary to Section 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act. 

“The Petroleum Industry Act does not give the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) authority to issue licenses or impose levies on the plaintiff,” he continued, describing the FCCPC as a “meddlesome interloper” that should not be allowed to join the suit.   

He further submitted that FCCPC has no business in a case revolving around the PIA—an Act of the National Assembly .

He stated that FCCPC should instead seek an amendment to the law if it has any grievance regarding the petroleum sector.

Nairametrics gathered that the court will make a pronouncement on FCCPC’s application amid the  proceedings.

What You Should Know 

• Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote had announced his willingness to sell his multibillion-dollar refinery to NNPCL, amid escalating disputes with regulators and equity partners, last year.
• Dangote had previously accused other importers of bringing substandard petroleum products into Nigeria.
• Nairametrics reported that the federal government later allowed marketers to purchase petroleum products directly from Dangote Refinery, following NNPCL’s decision to withdraw as an intermediary between the refinery and marketers.

[Nairametrics]

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has shared that she has a unique relationship with her mother.

The Mr Rebel crooner revealed that she shares everything she has with her mom.

Tems disclosed this in an interview with ET on the sidelines of the 67th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.

“What I have is hers [my mother’s]. We share everything I have,” she said.

On her Grammy win, Tems said: “I’m grateful to God. I’m thankful. I think it’s a blessing. I’m extremely blessed and favored. I just want to give that out in any way that I can.”

DAILY POST reports that Tems’ Love Me Jeje won the Best African Music Performance award at the Grammys on Sunday.

While accepting the award on stage, she dedicated it to her mother.

The singer has previously shared that she and her brother were singlehandedly raised by their mother.

[DailyPost]

Journalists by training and orientation suffer two major disabilities.  Insufficient grounding in sociological theories, the foundation of society, and avoiding core economic and business/accounting  courses  at school which lay them open to manipulation by vicious business men at in later years as practicing professionals. Unfortunately, humility is not often a virtue in display among highly qualified professional journalists. As students of society that routinely dine and wine with owners of society, they sometimes forget their place on the social ladder. They often put their hope and aspirations in the hands of vicious businessmen who see restless journalists as the only obstacle to turning society into an empire of slaves.

Stanley Macebuh, The Guardian pioneer managing director and editor-in-chief who promised to publish one of the best three newspapers in English-speaking Africa south of Sahara, and achieved the goal through unflawed exploitation of talents of first class young brains from our universities and those of the best young educated professionals from the then existing media houses to ensure the flagship was read ‘sooner than later’ was unarguably the man behind the success of The Guardian.

But Stanley knew very little about business and business’ dirty wars. He was a civilized man with a touch of human kindness. His goal was making the world a decent place for all. He did not think anyone would be opposed to this noble pursuit. But he was wrong because he never really understood that the economic status of a man determines a man’s position in society.

I walked up to his office around 6pm sometime in 1983 to report a crime. One of the new pool car drivers took his colleague’s car out without permission. When he returned 40 minutes later, he had replaced the car’s new engine with an old engine. When Stanley finally raised his head up from the script he was reading, he asked with sadness boldly written over his face: “How much do we really pay those poor boys?” as if all of us were not victims of capitalism, a euphemism for slavery. I also started to feel sorry for the criminal. But for Mr. Alimi, the experienced transport manager who had by 8am the following morning prepared the young man’s sack letter ready for collection, left to my humane MD/Editor-in-chief, the boy would have retained his job. Stanley Macebuh could afford not being ruthless precisely because it is not he but the much derided vicious businessman  that went to the bank to borrow money, cut deals and must be prepared to fight dirty publicly as most businessmen do.

Maiden Ibru, the current chief executive of The Guardian is not much different. Also a trained media practitioner with bias towards public relations, by orientation, she also cannot be vicious.

Just like Stanley who treated me like his graduate student from the Daily Times days all through his stay at The Guardian, I think I also know Mrs. Ibru fairly well.

As the Executive Consultant (Editorial and Advertising), the de facto chief operating officer of The Guardian from 2003 to 2008, Mrs. Ibru, the chief executive of The Guardian snubbed the tastefully furnished expansive chief executive office on the first floor preferring to spend the period in my scantily furnished and noisy office downstairs. After our daily round of meetings ranging from directors’ meeting, editorial content review meeting or editorial board meeting, she would return to my office where she ate the lunch procured for her from our cafeteria by Biola my secretary.  That was at a time lunch could have been ferried down from the Federal Palace or Sheraton, owned by her husband. Maiden is humble, kind and stands for the building of a more humane, just and compassionate society.

Mrs. Ibru  is the chief executive  who on her way to the office would stop by an accident scene,  ferry victims to hospital where she would pay for their care before returning to the office, of course with her day totally ruined.  Like Stanley she just wants to serve humanity in her own little way. Accepting Nduka Obaigbena’s award despite her well-articulated position on the contradiction between an arm of state institution giving award to other state institutions it is constitutionally empowered to keep on their toes is no doubt part of Maiden Ibru’s efforts to please others.

Maiden like many other decent and accomplished journalists is very vulnerable. That Obaigbena, a ruthless businessman and a veteran of many boardroom dirty wars including the ongoing one with his friend, Femi Otedola and First Bank, easily outwitted Maiden Ibru was not a surprise.

The way fiercely competitive and ruthless businessman Obaigbena outwitted Mrs Ibru is the same way businessman, Alex Ibru who held no hostages when alive, outwitted Stanley Macebuh and effortlessly eased him out of The Guardian. It is not different from the strategy adopted by the late Chief Aboderin to ease out of The Punch Sam Amuka (Sad Sam) who had to start the Vanguard at his garage in Anthony Village Lagos. Who would have thought Ray Ekpu and Malam Haruna Mohammed, after building the Newswatch brand for over 20 years would allow Jimoh Ibrahim, a controversial ruthless businessman to effortlessly take their well-nurtured baby away from them? Unfortunately, journalists with all the influence they wield, they are no match for calculating ruthless businessmen, unrestrained by any form of moral appeal when they choose to fight dirty.

As for the contest for superiority between The Guardian and Thisday, I think comparison can be odious especially when it is all about comparing apples and oranges.

A newspaper, we are told, operates at three different levels of society (Lade Bonuola).  The one operating above the level of society tries to set agenda for society to follow. That is the task The Guardian has set for itself since 1982 when it first set out “to produce the best and most authoritative newspaper Nigeria had ever seen, that would be committed to the principle of individual freedom where citizens have duties as well as rights, which will, at all times uphold the need for justice, probity in public life and guarantees equal access to the nation’s resources and equal protection under the law of Nigerian for all citizens”.  And the paper resolved to achieve the above through “factual reporting, and well-reasoned and mature opinion and editorials arrived at after an exhaustive and painstaking examination of issues” – (Dr Patrick Dele Cole in his preface to ‘Selected Editorials of The Guardian 1983-2003’ edited by Reuben Abati). The Guardian has remained committed to this creed.

The second type of newspaper operates at the level of society and merely reflects society and its idiosyncrasies for all intent and purposes. ThisDay is a newspaper that operates at the level of society and mirrors society through celebration of human vanity; it pioneered this from the birth of the fourth republic. As it has turned out, all those whose vanity were promoted in government and the banking sector from 1999 have all turned to be men and women with feet of clay.

And if further empirical evidence is needed to prove how Thisday smiles to the bank by celebrating vanity of Nigerians, the outing of Nigeria political economic and military elite in their flowing agbada and Babaringa wanting to be recognized for doing their job as governors, bankers and other professionals is all we need. ThisDay has continued to do what it does best-mirroring society through celebration of human vanity.

It is therefore apparent that there can be no basis for comparing The Guardian with ThisDay. Each from the onset clearly defined the nature of its service and commitment to society. And their past speaks for them.

Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau, has denied reports he accused the House Committee on University Education of demanding bribe from Vice Chancellors to pass their 2025 budget. 

An online newspaper had alleged that the lawmakers demanded about N480 million bribe to approve the 2025 their budget proposal. 

In  a letter of disclaimer addressed to the  Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on University Education,  Abubakar Hassan Fulata, titled “Disclaimer: Re: Investigation: Nigerian lawmakers demand N480 Million from universities to approve 2025 Budget”  Prof. Gusau described the allegation as baseless, malicious and mischievous and urged the lawmakers to discountenance the publication. 

Gusau said “the report, sub titled “targeting a stubborn VC”, the reporter specifically alleged that “the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Muazu Gusau, appears to have become a target for lawmakers. During the 16 January meeting the lawmakers threatened to “deal with” Mr. Gusau for being stubborn”

“The paper also alleged that it is unclear what Gusau has done to incur the lawmakers’ wrath but it seems he has refused to comply with their demands.

“At first, the intention of the University was to ignore the write-up in its entirety, but on a closer reflection, we have deemed it necessary to respond to the issues raised to foreclose any possibility of such jaundiced, misleading and vexatious insinuations being taken for the truth by otherwise discerning members of the National Assembly including your amiable self and other Honourable Members of the House Committees on Education.

“For record purposes, the Vice Chancellor, Prof: Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau was represented at the University’s 2025 budget defence by a team led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Dr. Lawal Sa’adu and during the exercise, the team enjoyed a robust, friendly and convivial session with the lawmakers. 

“We make bold to say that neither the DVC nor any member of the University team at the budget defence is a party to the information concocted by the media house and put out in the media space.

“We, therefore, urge you, Mr. Chairman and members of your Honourable Committee, to discountenance the malicious and mischievous write-up from the medium which has a proclivity towards sensational headlines and destructive journalism.

“Mr. Chairman, the Governing Council, the Vice Chancellor and indeed, the Management and Senate of the Federal University Gusau, openly acknowledge the praise-worthy support of your Committee and pledge to work assiduously to further cement such relationship in the interest of the overall development of the University and furtherance of tertiary education in Nigeria.” 

Hon. Fulata  and House of Representatives had also recently dismissed the allegation,  describing it as baseless and unfounded, urging the medium to ensure professionalism in its reportage.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for Paris, France, on a private visit en route to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

While in France, Tinubu will meet with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu departs for France ahead of the AU summit in Addis Ababa.’

It read, “In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will join African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12 to 16, 2025.

“The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the African Union summit.”

[Punch]

Comedian and actor AY Makun has expressed outrage over a doctored video circulating online which falsely depicts him kissing actress May Edochie.

The manipulated clip, created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerged after AY shared footage of himself and May travelling to the UK to promote his latest film, The Waiter.

Reacting to the controversy on Instagram, the award-winning filmmaker strongly criticised the misuse of AI to spread misinformation and harm others. He questioned why young, talented Nigerians are employing their skills for destructive purposes rather than positive innovation.

AY also referenced a similar case involving reality star Alex Asogwa who faced online misinformation. He urged youths to channel their AI expertise into uplifting and uniting the country instead of fueling negativity.

“Nigeria is rich with potential, and your unique skills—be it in art, music, technology, or entrepreneurship—can be pivotal in driving positive change. Instead of using your creativity to undermine those who are working hard to improve their lives and contribute to society, let’s focus on uplifting one another,” he wrote.

“It’s essential to recognize that every action has consequences. When we choose to sabotage others, we only perpetuate a cycle of negativity and destruction. At what point will we realize that unity and collaboration will yield far greater results than division? The other time, it was the poor @alex_unusual who is yet to come out of all the lies and narratives meted out on her person for choosing to always be a support a family who were a major part of her brand growth. Must you all chase away everyone working with me or trying to earn an honest living through me?”

He further emphasised the need for unity and collaboration, encouraging people to support each other’s hustles and celebrate achievements.

Makun and May Edochie are both facing challenges in their personal lives, with reports of turmoil in AY’s 20-year marriage to Mabel and May’s ongoing marital issues with actor Yul Edochie.

[Vanguard]

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued regulations on the procedure for tariff reviews.

The development comes a few days after reports had suggested that the electricity tariff will be reviewed upwards.

However, in its latest order signed by Sanusi Garba, chairman of NERC, the commission said electricity tariffs are to be reviewed every five years based on the provisions of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology.

The commission said all tariff assumptions are reviewed to ensure the industry’s viability and efficiency 

NERC added that one year before a major tariff hike, it would issue a notice to all licensees about its intention while requesting them to submit applications for the review of tariffs supported with necessary documentation within 120 days of the notice.

“The commission shall, one year before the expiration of the major tariff review order in force or as may be considered necessary, issue a notice to all licensees about its intention to commence the process for a major review of the existing tariff. 

“The notice shall be published in three national dailies and on the website of the commission.

“The Notice shall request for submission of applications for the review of tariffs supported with documentation that includes but not limited to audited financial statements, budgets, investment plans (in line with prevailing guidelines on Performance Improvement Plans), and proof of wide consultation with customers in the licensees’ service area concerning the proposed filing of the application for tariff review and any other information as deemed necessary by the commission.”

Also, the commission said for a review to be done, all applications from licensees must be completed and a consultation paper developed no later than 90 days after the deadline for the submission of the applications.

According to the regulator, the consultation paper developed by the commission shall outline the basis for the tariff review applications by the licensees.

The paper would also include their proposals on capital investments, service improvements, new connections, loss reductions, reset of tariff assumptions if any, and possible impact on rates payable by the affected customers.

“The consultation paper shall be published on the commission’s website and public notices issued soliciting comments with a timeline of 21 days for submission by stakeholders,” NERC said. 

“The commission shall within 90 days from the publication of the consultation paper review all comments and schedule and conclude a Rate Case Hearing, having regard to the stakeholders’ responses to the consultation paper.”

The regulator also said it would consider and approve a major tariff review order within 30 days from the date of the rate case hearing and proper consideration of the outcomes of the general stakeholders’ presentation.

“Any licensee whose tariffs have been reviewed shall communicate the outcome of the tariff review to its customers via its website and other communication channels,” NERC added.

On April 3, 2024, NERC approved a threefold increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

[TheCable]

It was a homecoming of sorts last weekend. The official assignment brought me back to Lagos, a state where I have schooled and worked before occupational mobility took me to Abuja 22 years ago. I was in Lagos at the behest of Francis Abayomi, Executive Director of Peace and Development Projects, the NGO that organized a retreat for staff of the Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution at the Niger Delta Development Commission. The event took place on January 31 and February 1, 2025, and I was the moderator.

For many years NDDC has been a byword for incompetence, cronyism and corruption but the story seems to be gradually changing under the leadership of the incumbent Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku. According to the Acting Director of the Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution at the Commission, Goddy Ogedegbe Esq, the MD/CEO is implementing transformative agenda, which has seen improvement in peace and security in the Niger Delta communities as well as service delivery, especially of social amenities.

In her keynote address titled “Crises Management: Embracing Inclusivity for Effective Shift from Transactional to Transformational Approaches”, the Director of Impact for Change and Development, Dr Naomi Akapan-Ita, said that over time, methods for resolving disputes have evolved into more versatile approaches that are widely accepted. These methods include various forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. In community-focused interventions, ADR can be particularly relevant, as it tends to be more flexible, cost-effective, and time-efficient than litigation. Additionally, ADR can help minimise divisiveness and facilitate productive outcomes.

 Furthermore, contemporary dispute resolution methods have expanded to include online dispute resolution, which involves using technology to manage conflicts, as well as hybrid processes that combine two or more methods, such as arbitration-mediation, mediation-arbitration, arbitration-mediation-arbitration to effectively address disputes. Her presentation highlights the shift in processes of dispute management and emphasises the importance of inclusivity in management strategies. Additionally, it examines Inclusive crisis management as a strategy for transitioning from Transactional to Transformational management of crisis. 

Akpan-Ita submitted, “A transformational approach is vital for successful peacebuilding, and the depth of inclusivity engaged in transforming a conflict impacts the level of acceptance of the outcomes. Communities require capacity building to ensure a comprehensive understanding of peacebuilding and inclusivity. This translates into shifting from transactional interventions, which focuses on immediate gratification, to transformational peacebuilding, which promotes win-win situations and fosters lasting peace among conflicting parties.”

After the presentation of her well researched paper, there were two panel sessions. The first was on upscaling and deploying practical approach for peace building at the community level. Discussants were the Executive Director of Journalists for Democratic Rights, Wale Adeoye; National Coordinator, West African Network for Peace, Dr Bridget Osakwe and Dr Akpan-Ita. The second panel session was on the relevance of ADR and the need for requisite knowledge and expertise for ADR personnel. Panelists included the keynote speaker alongside the Vice President of the Institute of Chartered Mediator and Conciliators, Omotayo Awomolo-Enujiugha, Esq. and senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State University, Associate Professor Tunde Akanni. Participants were thereafter given opportunity for experience sharing on their work. It is expected that knowledge and skill gained by the participants will help to improve their service delivery going forward.

After the hectic learning session of last Friday, Saturday was entire devoted to team bonding and relaxation. Organisers took us out for aerobic and keep fit exercises early last Saturday at the Ikeja Police College before we set out at noon for sightseeing. We were taken on the ride of the recently opened Blue Rail metro line. We commuted on the train from National Theatre Station to Mile 2. That afforded me the first hand opportunity to appraise the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s game changer to solving the notorious Lagos traffic jam.  We all got our Cowry Card, which we used to electronically access the train service. We were informed that eating and drinking are not permitted on the electronically powered train.

It was a smooth ride to and fro and the train stations were well resourced with civilian and security personnel. The stations are well lit and ventilated. I, however, will want better attention to be paid to the toilet facilities as some of them need repairs. I also noticed that the Cowry access cards sometimes fail to open the gate even when properly placed. I saw some of the Chinese who were contracted to maintain the infrastructure and I think that is well thought out as Nigeria’s maintenance culture is sub-optimal.

Our next port of call was the Wave Beach at Elegushi, Lekki. It was another beautiful relaxation spot. It has been some seven years since I last visited any of the beaches in Lagos State. So, I was very excited at another opportunity to visit the Atlantic Ocean and dip my feet in the ocean water as the tidal wave pushed water to the seashore. What an awesome experience! The lounge provided good food, drinks, music and games and I soaked in all these as well as the scenic view of the ocean. My ‘colleagues’ who were majorly from Rivers State were quite ecstatic as many of them were probably visiting Lagos Beach for the first time. We all turned to paparazzi taking selfies with our mobile phones while the event’s official photographer, Paul, was also kept very busy by the attendees with frequent calls to service. We left the beach around 7 pm after dinner. What a memorable day it turned out to be!

Little wonder Lagos reaped bountiful financial reward from “Detty December” of 2024 when most of the Nigerians in the Diaspora decided to holiday in the megacity. The truth is that the hospitality and tourism industry in Lagos is top-notch. Lagos is connected by land, sea, air and water. This diverse transportation system makes logistics easy. Very good hotel accommodation is available both on the mainland and island. Security is also very tight with no major issue with banditry and kidnapping. Tourism options are also very many. In my column on February 7, 2024, I wrote about my excursion to the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History (better known as John Randle Centre) located at Onikan, Lagos Island.

Badagry the ‘door of civilisation of Nigeria’ has lots of historical buildings of interest now converted into tourist attractions such as the Badagry Heritage Museum; the former District Officer’s Office built in 1863 converted into a museum in 2002 and contains slave trade history collections; first storey building in Nigeria; Anglican Missionary House built in1845. Topo Island Catholic Mission Ruins was established in the 1870s. Seriki Abass Slave Baracoon; Slave cell built by Brazilian slave merchants in 1840. St. Thomas’ Anglican Primary School, which is the first primary school in Nigeria founded in 1843 and the Velekete Slave Market was established in 1502.

It is noteworthy that there are now train services from Lagos to Ibadan via Abeokuta, which means three of the six South-West states have been linked by the railway, which now offers commuters alternative means of transportation. I do hope Nigeria’s water transportation can also be developed to provide commercial boat services connecting all the coastal states from Lagos to Bayelsa. This will help decongest the roads. Lagos State has set the pace in terms of integrated transport services, this is exemplary and commendable.