Recent media criticisms questioning the breadth of experience and business acumen of Mr. Massad Boulos, the incoming Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, are not only misguided but also dismissive of the remarkable track record of both the man and the companies he has been instrumental in nurturing.
For instance, SCOA Nigeria PLC, where Mr. Boulos serves as Managing Director/CEO, is far from being just another company. It is a formidable force in Nigeria’s industrial and economic landscape. With roots spanning over four decades, it holds the distinction of being the first European automotive assembly plant in Nigeria.

In the 1970’s, SCOA Nigeria PLC made a name for itself by assembling Peugeot 404 and then 504 pickup trucks at its assembly plant at Apapa, Lagos and service center at its Lapal House facility on Lagos Island. Today, the company continues this proud legacy, assembling, distributing, and marketing M.A.N trucks and buses, power generators, tractors, agricultural equipment, industrial equipment and other heavy-duty construction and mining machinery critical to Nigeria’s key sectors.

SCOA Nigeria PLC’s clients include some of the most prominent and respected names in Nigeria’s construction industry, such as Julius Berger—widely regarded as the nation’s leading construction firm—Lafarge Africa PLC, a major cement producer, the Chagoury Group, renowned for developing the prestigious Banana Island, a premier residential enclave in Lagos, the DANGOTE Group, and many others.
Beyond trucks, SCOA Nigeria PLC is a trusted supplier of concrete, road construction and mining equipment, partnering with leading infrastructure companies to drive Nigeria’s development. For example, Julius Berger relies heavily on SCOA’s equipment for large-scale projects, including the 376km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway and the 43.6km Lagos-Shagamu stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano Highway. Similarly, Hi-Tech Construction, currently working on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto road network, depends significantly on SCOA PLC for the machinery and technology required to execute these ambitious projects, aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade across Nigeria’s southern, central, and northern regions.

Similarly,SCOA PLC has also been instrumental in the development of Eko Atlantic City, a groundbreaking urban project built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. This visionary initiative, designed to address Lagos’s urbanization challenges and promote sustainable development, has been made possible in part by state-of-the-art machinery supplied by SCOA. Notably, Eko Atlantic City is set to host the United States Embassy, projected to be the largest of its kind globally upon completion, further underscoring the strategic importance of this landmark project.
In fact,SCOA Nigeria PLC’s impact extends beyond Nigeria’s shores. As a member of the FADOUL Group - one of the largest and most successful family-owned businesses in Africa - its influence spans across West and Central Africa. The FADOUL Group, established in 1966, operates numerous successful enterprises, employs over 20,000 people, and is valued at over $1 billion, with hundreds of millions of USD in assets. This legacy highlights the scale and scope of the operations under Mr. Boulos's leadership.

Contrary to unfounded claims in certain media outlets, the suggestion that Mr. Boulos is not a billionaire is both baseless and misleading. As President-elect Donald Trump rightly described, Mr. Massad Boulos is a “deal-maker,” a characterization grounded in fact. His proven ability to negotiate and execute complex international transactions has facilitated significant partnerships between Nigerian, German, and French businesses, delivering substantial value and mutual benefit.

As a Non-Executive Independent Director of SCOA Nigeria PLC since 2012, I have witnessed firsthand Mr. Boulos's instrumental role in driving the company’s success. His ability to navigate the complexities of international commerce, exemplified by the supply of a significant fleet of trucks to Lafarge Africa through a tripartite arrangement between a logistics firm, GPC and Union bank plc , has earned him widespread recognition and respect.
Mr. Boulos’s leadership has not only been vital to SCOA PLC’s achievements but also to the broader international business successes of the FADOUL Group. This is precisely the kind of experience and strategic vision he brings to his new role as Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to President-elect Trump.
As noted in a press release by Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman, attempts to smear Mr. Boulos's reputation are part of a broader effort by opposition elements to undermine President-elect Trump’s nominees. The truth remains that Mr. Boulos played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Arab-American and Middle Eastern-American vote, contributing significantly to the Trump-Vance victory—an achievement that underscores his political and organizational acumen.

Efforts to denigrate Mr. Boulos's qualifications and achievements are not only futile but also a disservice to the facts. Mr. Boulos’s expertise and accomplishments are well-suited for his new role, where he will undoubtedly deliver impactful results on behalf of President-elect Trump and the United States.

Magnus Onyibe,
Non-Executive Independent Director and Chairman of Audit Committee,
SCOA Nigeria PLC,

In 2021, the veteran singer was ordained as a bishop at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of God in the Iju area of Lagos State.

Speaking to newsmen on Friday in Lagos, the musician explained that the church leadership received divine instruction regarding his ordination.

He shared that the instruction, delivered divinely to the church leaders, came years before he accepted the ordination.

According to him, “The Almighty God told me that I should be made the first bishop of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of God. He told the leaders of the church.

“God said this because I am the only musician who has consistently used hymns in my music and performances, and through this, I have won many souls for Christ.

“You know my music is often based on hymns.

“And I tried to avoid the ordination for a while until God finally got me arrested.”

Reflecting on his career, Peters expressed satisfaction with his progress and thanked God for guiding him through the years.

“I am fulfilled; I am content. The only thing I now ask my creator for is to keep enlightening me with His word and to grant me the grace to draw closer to Him.

“There is absolutely nothing I want to ask for now except to continue thanking God for my achievements by His grace.

“When I think back to those I started this journey with, who are no longer here, I remain grateful to my creator.

“As for what my fans can expect, I will only say they should expect something unusual very soon,” he said.

[NaijaNews]

I was quite ecstatic about Kemi Badenoch’s miraculous slaying of the Goliath of the British establishment and emerging as the head of the Conservative Party and is now leader of the Opposition. I felt disappointed by the rather lukewarm reception of this great news, especially in Nigeria and Africa. I drafted this opinion piece and I decided to seek the opinion of my good friend, Dipo Salimomu who has lived in England and understands the issues. I felt his criticisms would be useful. Nothing prepared me for the response I got from him.

After reading the draft, he called to say he did not have much to add but could I take a look at a short video he had just sent to my WhatsApp? I opened and played the video and could not believe my eyes. There, right before me was a young lady, Kemi Adegoke, with whom I had shared a Tedex-Euston platform in 2017. Pat Utomi had been at the same event too. I had been struck by her eloquence and clarity of thought but that was it.

At that event, at only 30 years old, she had spoken about her journey into politics barely 15 years after returning to the UK at the age of 16. She spoke of her experience with white British teachers who had discouraged her from contemplating going to Oxford because she would be boxing well above her weight. She said that when she informed a white female Member of the Labour Party of her plan to join the Conservative Party, the lady had considered it a sign of ingratitude and a lack of appreciation of what the Labour Party had done for people of her kind. In the end, she said, she had joined the Conservative Party because its ideology aligned with her personal beliefs. Barely seven years later, Kemi now sits at the highest pedestal of a Party she joined barely 10 years ago. This is a feat that is moment defining and will remain a major marker in the future of British politics.

Truth be told, at the beginning, when I heard that one Kemi Badenoch, a British woman of Nigerian descent, had thrown her headgear into the ring to contest for the position of Leader of the Conservative Party in July this year, I must confess that I sneered: “What kind of gra-gra is this,” I said to myself. I imagine that millions of people of African descent living in the United Kingdom and beyond felt the same. I was convinced that perhaps she simply wanted her name on the list for history. I recalled the story of the tortoise who was to be carried away in exile. As he was lifted up by, he had pleaded to be put down for just a few minutes. “I am not quarrelling with my exile,” he said, “but just put me down, please.” When his captors reluctantly did, he scratched the ground with his paws and turned, saying: “Ok, I am ready for exile. You can carry me.” Asked why he had wasted their time, he replied: “I want my descendants to know that their forefather did not go on exile without a fight.”

How Kemi pulled this great feat off, definitely requires far more attention than we are prepared to concede to her. On personal reflection, I scratched my head, paused and reflected: Kemi was born a year after I arrived at the University of Bradford for a postgraduate degree. The landscape of British public life from where I stood, was almost totally denuded of black presence in either academia, economics or politics. Bradford itself then was a sleepy environment with a very high Asian population running corner shops. There were hardly any black heroes or heroines not to talk of British citizens of Nigerian descent. In Long Tennis, Mr. David Imonite had made a brief appearance in Wimbledon in 1979. I had begun to support Nottingham Forest Football Club because of Viv Anderson, the first black person I saw playing football at that level. Later, John Barnes followed, with Liverpool later. Then came the greatest decathlete of all time, Daley Thompson, followed by the sprinter, Linford Christie, the heavyweight boxer, Frank Bruno, and Lennox Lewis along with others. Sports, and to some extent, music (Sade Adu) would remain the main theatre of action for many British citizens of colour.

The walls of British politics, hitherto seeming impregnable, cracked open slightly when the 1987 elections saw Diane Abbot, Paul Boateng and Bernie Grant emerge as Members of Parliament under the flag of the Labour Party. Then, a lull followed, until 2017, where there was a surge in black representation in the Parliament. Six British citizens of Nigerian descent won six seats (Chi Onwurah, Bayo Alaba, Kemi Badenoch, Taiwo Owatemi, Florence Eshalomi, Kate Osamor). Nigerians still blew muted trumpets.

It is from this Class of 2017 that Kemi forged her way through to become an insider in just about five years. Her speed of progress is phenomenal by any measure. She had no visible name recognition, experience, age or even resources. Like Oscar Wilde, the controversial Irish writer, who was asked by Immigration what he had to declare, Kemi can only declare genius! Against the run of play, she is today the Leader of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom, and Leader of the Opposition. Coming from a background where patriarchy holds supreme, many men are still holding their breath. After over a hundred years of presence, no black person has accomplished anything close to this. The drums ought to roll out.

There is a need to pause and remember. This is the Conservative Party of Margaret Thatcher. This is the party that celebrates its 190th anniversary this year. To ascend to the top of this Party at the age of 44, is by any measure, an historic achievement. To do so as a woman and a black woman at that, the daughter of immigrants, and a wife and a mother, is worthy of celebration. Kemi’s ascendance is special. It points at the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead for those who dare. It is often the case that some doors are closed but not locked. When that right moment comes, you need boldness, courage, character and self-belief and of course, the grace of God.

Kemi’s selection by her peers has elicited comments and controversy, and rightly so. Some people have accused her of throwing her country, Nigeria ‘under the bus’ at the slightest opportunity. This is no doubt an exaggeration by her opponents. But let’s face it. To be thrown under a stationary bus should not be a matter of concern at all. Should we not be worried about the corruption that has become a swamp out of which we have been unable to swim? Should we not be worried that in our own country, we are still raising roadblocks against gifted men and women because of their faith or ethnicity? I am surprised that even some of her critics who have cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have found it convenient to condemn her for calling out Nigeria’s cancer of corruption. Nigeria’s dirty laundry will not be cleaned by outsiders or by self-deceit. From where she stands today, as a former Secretary of State for International Trade, Kemi likely knows more about the state of our sleaze than even we are prepared to admit. There are, of course, other critics who seem to be driven by envy.

Having said this, Ms. Badenoch must also know that she should not stray too far from her natural constituency, as every politician soon learns. She has shown that her identity does not define her, but she cannot either ignore that she is black and the daughter of immigrants. Not only because it would smack of self-hatred, but it would rob her of the authenticity and largeness of spirit required of all transformative leaders. Good diplomacy must ensure a smooth relationship between her and Nigeria. She needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs her very much.

And, it must be mentioned, the revolving doors in established hegemonies often run out of oil, become creaky or stop revolving for certain people after some time. How she handles this great opportunity and challenge, will determine how others like her get a chance to enter the door. As she fights her way within the establishment, she must ensure that her doors are open to women and other immigrants who are seeking a life in politics. She would do well to adequately acquaint herself with the history of the black struggle in British public life, and especially in politics. Despite the ideological differences which may exist, advancing the cause of those who consider themselves outsiders to British society should be taken seriously. She has some experience from her time as a former Minister for Women and Equalities. Her criticisms of existing populism must be constructive and helpful to all. She needs to be patient with those who have come from a long history of painful history of racism. It will not be wise to assume that the system has opened all her doors. This is the responsibility of leadership, to inspire and have empathy. She should not be tempted to ignore that the reinforced concrete that holds the structural injustice against those who feel left behind is still deep-seated in British society. She should resist the temptation to think that there are opportunities everywhere, it is just that the poor do not see them. It’s more than that.

Looking through a wider lens, African immigrants are poised to play a very significant role in global politics well beyond Africa. 

Nigeria needs to strategically position herself and take the lead in establishing and nurturing relationships with her sons and daughters in the diaspora. 

Often, immigrants hold the rough end of the stick and are endurers of structural injustices in the societies in which they find themselves. Nigeria need not see them as simply ‘remittances donors’. In my view, the organisation, Nigerians in Diaspora, should be restructured, and headed by a former Ambassador or a Nigerian who has an international Rolodex and can operate at the highest levels of global soft diplomacy. The commission could serve as a lighthouse, identifying and pointing out Nigerians of great achievement in whom the country should believe and invest. Such a head could help Nigeria identify where and how to seek (I nearly said, steal) technological assistance and collaboration whether in Russia, China, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom. It was patriotism that enabled Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan to steal nuclear technology secrets from the Dutch company where he worked to enable Pakistan, Iran and North Korea to have nuclear weapons today. Developing nations with ambition must deliberately invest in their citizens in diaspora. I hope that Nigeria takes Kemi quite seriously for its own interest.

The world is in a tensive flux now. As white populations reduce in Europe and other parts of the world, we are witnessing an upsurge of hate in both fringe and mainstream politics. Populist mobsters weaponize identity and deploy the scare mongering rhetoric of hatred, especially against immigrants, both on the streets and on the pages of social media. Kemi’s victory suggests that along with rejecting the soft bigotry of low expectations, black people must not allow one single identity to define them, no matter the structural architecture of racism. Skin colour is surface thin, but it can be devastating as a weapon of exclusion. Kemi has shown that these walls are not static. They may be tough but they can be overcome.

That said, the modern world is very complex and no matter how noble the black agenda might be, it cannot succeed on its own. The challenge is to move away from blind and reductionist ideologies, and the suffocating nihilism which arises from self-pity or even self-hate. This is the lesson that great men like Mahatma Gandhi, Rev. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have taught us. They tried to take their people away from self- consuming single-story narratives of oppression and prying open their worldviews and the lens through which their experiences are filtered and interpreted, despite the objection of a huge segment of their own people. Often, they paid the price with their lives.

Wimbledon needs a very special recognition as a sacred spot for Africans. It was in Wimbledon that Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win the Men’s Tennis title in 1975. It is there that our own David Imonite became the first black African to compete in Wimbledon in 1979. It is with the Wimbledon Football Club that John Fashanu became the highest signing in 1984 and went on to play for that Club for nearly ten years. It is in Wimbledon that the William Sisters held the world spell bound as they both competed against one another and shared the prestigious titles between themselves in 2002, 2003, 2008, and 2009. It is not an accident that it is Kemi’s place of birth!

So, Kemi, accept our congratulations and prayers as you make history. Please work hard but conserve your energy. Wear the shoes of a long-distance runner. And be mindful of presumed allies. Remember that some night, you do not know when the long knives may come out. All you need to do is just look at the shelf life of other women who have come after you. The work of a woman is never ended. Look back at the fate of your predecessors who are still around with you. Stay in touch with, compare notes or head-ties with big aunties like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Amina Mohammed and others. You never know. Never forget, whatever you may believe today, God brought you where you are and for a purpose. The race ahead is not for the swift or for the faint of heart. Please remember with God on your side, ‘You will run, but you will not get weary, the Lord will renew your strength’ (Is. 40: 31). Well done, and Godspeed. We await the coronation.

. Kukah is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and founder of the Kukah Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says President Bola Almed Tinubu muscled the two chambers of National Assembly with the conferment of GCON on them.

Akpabio, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Public Lecture and Book Launch organised to mark the birthday of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, mocked Fubara’s handling of the ongoing political crisis in the state.

The Senate President said any President that wants to survive like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must hold the speaker and the Senate President very closely the way Tinubu is holding them.

He said the only place that can hurt a governor is the House of Assembly and no court or democracy can stop that from happening.

He said, “Recently he conferred on us GCON, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, whether he loved it or not he did it. He muscled the two Chambers together.

“For those of you, who may not understand politics, we were taught that the parliament can turn a woman into a man and a man into a woman. As a governor my greatest fear was my House of Assembly.

“So because of that I never travelled anywhere without my Speaker. Any time I didn’t see him for a day, I would send somebody to his house to invite him to come and have a launch with me and I used ideas to look at his face to know whether he was happy with me or not.

“The only place that can hurt a governor is the House of Assembly and no court or democracy can stop that from happening. Any President that wants to survive like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must hold the speaker and the Senate President very closely the way he is holding us.”

Akpabio, who also launched a book on Wike, wondered why despite all resources at the disposal of Fubara, he had not been able to poach some of the 27 lawmakers in the camp of Wike.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State said people must rise to condemn politics of betrayal and treachery, noting that such political orientation was affecting sustainability in governance.

He said despite all the insights contained in the lecture delivered at the occasion by the Guest Lecturer and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, he did not address the critical issue of sustainability.

“He said: “I do not know what is happening in Rivers State but I hope that the successor to Wike realises the fact that no matter how the bird flies, the legs are pointing to the ground.

“Something must be wrong. Today is not for politics. Today is for Nyesom Wike. But sometimes I wonder, I would never be the governor given the resource of Rivers State and then I disagree with my House of Assembly and I am not able to poach at least one member out of the other group. If I do not do that, it means that there is something wrong with my political philosophy.

“I do not care what people say, we must try to stop this politics of betrayal, and politics of treachery because it does not allow for good succession. Prof Julius, in everything you said here, the word that was missing was ‘sustainability’.

“You cannot have sustainability in good policies and governance when the person taking over from you is interested in not destroying you alone but destroying everything that you built. If you are a politician, note, you must have opposition as people oppose you, they are also the step you can use to go higher.”

Akpabio, however, said when politicians served with dedication, passion, confidence and with open heart God would eventually lift them higher.

Turning to Wike, he said he did not become the FCT Minister by chance, but that the position came because of the hard work he put in when he was the governor of Rivers.

[DailyTrust]

Taraba South Senator, David Jimkuta has asked political leaders to always remember their primary support base and constituents in spite of their newfound status in life.

Jimkuta who recalled his days as an Okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) spoke earlier in the week at the Nigeria Law School, Bwari in Abuja where the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike had donated seven vehicles to the school and also flagged off the construction of 10 sets of 4-bedroom bungalows for staff.

The Taraba senator who is the Senate Committee Chairman on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters said the minister as a lawyer has done well to have remembered his alma mater.

“I like what you are doing. Me, before I became a senator, I was once an Okada man and it is in the same spirit that I gave them bikes. As a politician, I give to them because that’s my primary constituency.

So, what you are doing here, you are encouraging your primary constituency and it is commendable. It’s not politics. Whoever says it’s politics, let him go and try his own luck.

“Honourable Minister, we appreciate you and we support what you are doing in the FCT”, he stated.

Against the odds

At the primary election of his All Progressives Congress APC, Jimkuta had won the party’s nomination, polling 170 votes to defeat his rival, Danjuma Shiddi.

As of then, Shiddi was the incumbent member representing Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

However, Jimkuta’s name was not submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. Shiddi’s name was submitted.

Jimkuta promptly challenged the decision at the Federal High Court in Jalingo but he lost Shiddi. Then he went to the appellate court where he won. Shiddi took the case to the Supreme Court where Jimkuta also won and his name was ordered returned on the ballot.

Jimkuta would go on to cause the greatest upset in the actual Senatorial election where he defeated the then incumbent governor of the state, Darius Ishaku who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

In that election, Jimkuta polled 85, 415 votes to defeat then Gov. Ishaku who scored 45,708 votes.

[Vanguard]

The federation account allocation committee (FAAC) says it shared N1.72 trillion among the three tiers of government in November 2024.

The amount shared represents an increase of N310 billion compared to the N1.41 trillion shared in October.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry of finance said the FAAC announced the disbursements at its December meeting in Abuja, chaired by Wale Edun, minister of finance.

FAAC said the gross total was N3.14 trillion while the distributable amount was N1.72 trillion.

The committee said from the distributable amount inclusive of gross statutory revenue, value-added tax (VAT), electronic money transfer levy (EMTL), and exchange difference (ED), the federal government received N581.85 billion, states received N549.79 billion, and the local governments got N402.55 billion.

FAAC added that the oil-producing states received N193.29 billion as derivation, (13 percent of mineral revenue).

It added that the sum of N103.3 billion was given for the cost of collection, while N1.31 trillion was allocated for transfer intervention and refunds.

For gross revenue, the VAT available for November 2024 was N628.9 billion as against N668.2 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in a decrease of N39.3 billion.

“From that amount, the sum of N25.1 billion was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N18.1 billion given for transfers, intervention and refunds,” the committee said.

“The remaining sum of N628.9 billion was distributed  to the three tiers of government, of which the federal government got N87.8 billion, states received N292.8 billion and local governments got N204.9 billion.”

GROSS STATUTORY RECORDS HIGHEST REVENUE 

Also, the gross statutory revenue of N1.82 trillion received for November was higher than the sum of N1.33 trillion received in the previous month by N490.3 billion or 36.7 percent.

From the stated amount, the sum of N77.5 billion was allocated for the cost of collection and a total sum of N1.2 trillion for transfers, intervention and refunds.

The remaining balance of N455.3 billion was distributed as follows: the federal government received N175.6 billion, states received N89.1 billion, and N68.7 billion was allocated to local governments.

FAAC said N121.8 billion was given as 13 percent derivation revenue to mineral-producing states.

In addition, the committee said N15 billion from EMTL was distributed to the federal government (N2.2 billion), states ( N7.5 billion), and local governments (N5.2 billion), “while N0.0627 Billion was allocated for Cost of Collection”.

From the exchange difference of N671.3 billion, the federal government received N316 billion, states got N160 billion, the sum of N123 billion was allocated to local governments, while N71.4 billion was given for derivation (13 percent of mineral revenue).

FAAC also said oil and gas royalty and CET levies recorded significant increases, while excise duty, VAT, import duty, petroleum profit tax (PPT), companies income tax (CIT), and EMTL decreased considerably.

[TheCable]

Lt. Changfe Maigari has made history as the first female pilot in the Nigerian Navy (NN) since its inception in 1964.

Maigari, who is married with a daughter, hails from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau but was born in Kaduna.

Her remarkable journey began in 2016 when she graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant.

Subsequently, she served aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship Unity.

Maigari was presented with the ‘Pilot Wing’ award during the 2024 NN Ceremonial Sunset at the Naval Training Command Headquarters (HQ NAVTRAC) in Ebube-Eleme, Rivers, on Friday.

In an interview with NAN on the sidelines of the event, Maigari said that she achieved the milestone after completing her basic pilot training and fulfilling all requirements.

“I grew up in a military environment as my father was an officer in the Nigerian Air Force.

“From an early age, I aspired to become a military pilot and when the opportunity to join the navy arose, I did not hesitate.’’

She recounted how her dream of becoming a naval officer materialised when she was selected among the first group of 20 female regular cadets trained at the NDA.

Maigari said she graduated in 2016 as the Best Graduating Cadet in Academics, earned the Gold Medal Navy award, and in 2019, completed her Sub Lieutenant Technical Course as the overall best.

“There were moments during my training when it seemed I might not succeed in my studies or flight procedures, but I persevered.

“Becoming the first female pilot in the Nigerian Navy feels surreal and a significant milestone, not only for me but for all my female colleagues who can draw inspiration from this achievement.

“I also hope my success motivates young civilian girls aspiring to join the military, particularly the Nigerian Navy, to persist because perseverance can overcome any challenge in life,” Maigari advised.

She expressed gratitude to God, her colleagues and her family for their unwavering support in helping her to achieve the milestone of becoming the first female pilot in the Nigerian Navy.

Presenting the award, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, commended Maigari and other award recipients for their exemplary achievements.

He highlighted that the sunset ceremony was a longstanding naval tradition marking the conclusion of the year’s activities.

“It is a moment to reflect on our 2024 accomplishments, strengthen comradeship and honour personnel who distinguished themselves through hard work.’’

The navy chief spoke on the navy’s significant strides in combating oil theft, pipeline vandalism and sea piracy, among other maritime crimes, in 2024.

“In January, the navy launched Operation Delta Sanity which successfully curtailed oil theft and maritime crimes, increasing Nigeria’s daily crude oil production; several oil companies reported achieving a 100 per cent terminal factor.

“Two new naval bases were established in Enugu and Makurdi; the Shagunu outpost was operationalised; we also incorporated a maritime component into Operation Fansar Yamma in the North West.’’

He listed advancements in fleet recapitalisation, including the acquisition of two 32-metre fast patrol boats, an offshore survey vessel, and two helicopters in June.

“In November, three additional helicopters were launched and two 38-metre Sea Eagle fast patrol boats were delivered.

“By January, we expect delivery of three 46-metre fast boats from China, while two 76-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels under construction in Turkey are nearing completion.

“Our indigenous shipbuilding efforts include two 38-metre Seaward Defence Boats, three tugboats and several patrol boats, all scheduled for delivery in 2025,” Ogalla said.

He also noted upgrades to barracks in Lagos, Benue, Enugu and Ogun States, as well as ongoing construction of additional housing for personnel in Navy Towns located in Abuja and Lagos.

Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers lauded the Nigerian Navy for its efforts in combating oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

He acknowledged the immense challenges posed by criminals in sabotaging the nation’s economy through attacks on oil and gas facilities.

“Eliminating these illegal activities in our maritime environment is no small task, especially as 90 per cent of our oil and gas infrastructure is located in the Niger Delta swamps.

“The Rivers Government has always supported and collaborated with the Nigerian Navy and will continue to do so to facilitate its operations in the state.

“As we approach 2025, Nigerians have high expectations and it is vital that we work together to confront and overcome the challenges ahead,” Fubara said.

Philip Stevens, 66, from Ringwood, Hampshire in the UK, has received a £70,000 ($88,000) settlement after a medication prescribed for restless leg syndrome caused life-altering compulsive behaviours.

Shropshire reports on Friday that the settlement, agreed upon without liability being admitted by his GP, highlights serious concerns about the lack of proper warnings regarding the potential side effects of certain medications.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995, Stevens’ health worsened in 2015, forcing him to retire.

In 2017, he was prescribed Ropinirole—a dopamine agonist—to treat a tremor in his left leg that disrupted his sleep.

However, his GP did not inform him about the drug’s potential side effects, which include impulse control disorders such as compulsive gambling and shopping, according to NHS guidance.

Before and After

According to The Independent also on Friday, before taking Ropinirole, Stevens enjoyed occasional, calculated bets at horse races.

Yet, after starting the medication, his gambling spiraled out of control.

“I started betting on anything I could and even woke up in the middle of the night to place bets,” he recounted.

Over four years, he spent thousands of pounds on gambling websites, often disregarding any chance of winning.

The compulsive behaviours extended beyond gambling.

The sextagenarian began shopping obsessively for clothes, hiding purchases from his wife, and undertaking frequent three-day fishing trips, accumulating vast amounts of fishing equipment.

“Things I once enjoyed became obsessions,” he said.

In October 2021, during a review, a neurologist questioned him about side effects and advised him to stop taking Ropinirole immediately.

However, no guidance was provided on how to taper off the drug safely, leading to withdrawal symptoms including paranoia, hallucinations, and exhaustion.

At one point, he asked his children to take DNA tests, convinced they weren’t his.

The emotional toll led him to the local mental health crisis team in 2022.

Despite overcoming the compulsions, Stevens says the shame and withdrawal symptoms have left him mentally drained.

“I am not the same person as I was pre-Ropinirole,” he shared. “But my marriage has survived, and I am starting to look forward rather than back.”

Legal Action

Angharad Vaughan, the medical negligence solicitor representing Mr. Stevens, criticized the delayed recognition of the drug’s side effects.

“It is shocking that it took so long for a medical professional to flag these issues,” she said.

Leigh Day solicitors, who handled the case, hope this settlement prompts greater transparency from medical professionals about the risks associated with medications like Ropinirole.

The agencies report that NHS warns that dopamine agonists can cause impulse control disorders, advising patients to seek help if they experience compulsive gambling, shopping, or binge eating.

Yet, cases like Stevens’ underscore the importance of proactive patient education to prevent such devastating consequences.

For Stevens, the settlement represents a step towards rebuilding his life. “Maybe one day I will believe that what happened to me wasn’t my fault,” he concluded.

[Punch]

Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and media mogul Mo Abudu have once again been recognized in Forbes’ annual 100 Most Powerful Women in the World list, solidifying their status as global powerhouses.

Okonjo-Iweala ranks 89th on the prestigious list, marking her eighth appearance. She was previously featured in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2023.

Abudu, who ranked 97th, celebrated her fourth consecutive year on the list.

The founder of EbonyLife Media expressed her gratitude and pride, saying, “I am deeply humbled to feature once again on the Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list. It is an incredible honor to represent the media and entertainment sector, to stand as a proud Black woman, and to fly the flag for Nigeria and Africa on this prestigious global platform.”

She extended congratulations to her fellow honorees, particularly Okonjo-Iweala, stating, “A huge congratulations to all the phenomenal women on this list! A special shoutout to my dearest sister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose unwavering brilliance and leadership inspire us all year after year.”

Abudu highlighted the significance of global recognition for women of color and those from developing nations. “Representation matters. When we see women of color, women from developing nations, and women breaking barriers in all industries recognized on a global stage, it reminds us of what’s possible. It’s a call to action for us to continue breaking ceilings, forging paths, and lifting others along the way,” she noted.

She also expressed appreciation to Forbes, saying, “Thank you, Forbes, for celebrating the power, resilience, and impact of women worldwide. Here’s to more women rising and rewriting the narrative.”

Abudu first appeared on the list in 2021 at 99th place. She climbed to 91st in 2022 and was ranked 98th in 2023 before making this year’s list at 97th.

Other Africans on the 2024 list include Judith Suminwa Tuluka from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mpumi Madisa from South Africa, and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list celebrates trailblazing individuals making transformative impacts across business, politics, entertainment, and technology.

Below is the top 10 women who topped the list of the 2024 most powerful women in the world.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank
Giorgia Meloni, prime minister of Italy
Claudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
Abigail Johnson, CEO of Fidelity Investments
Julie Sweet, chairwoman and CEO of Accenture
Melina French Gates, philanthropist
Mackenzie Scott, philanthropist
Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup

See list of 11-100 here.

[Vanguard]

The court of appeal in Abuja has set aside the judgment restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.

The three-member panel, on Friday, ruled that the subject matter of the state’s appropriation bill is not within the jurisdiction of the federal high court.

The Hamman Barka-led appellate court held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter and issue an order contained in the judgement.

The court upheld the argument of Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to the Rivers state government, that the federal court has no authority to entertain dispute about states’ revenue.

The appeal court said the listing of federal agencies in the suit does not confer the jurisdiction on the federal high court.

The judge said “the trial court lacked the subject matter jurisdiction to entertain the suit. The suit is struck out and all orders made therein are set aside for want of jurisdiction”.

JUDGMENT OF LOWER COURT

In October, a federal high court in Abuja restrained the CBN from further disbursing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.

Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted house of assembly.

Abdulmalik had issued the order while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers state house of assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

The judge ruled that Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers governor, was wrong to have presented the state’s 2024 appropriation bill to a five-member assembly “that was not properly constituted”.

In December 2023, Fubara presented an N800 billion budget estimate to the Edison Ehie faction of the house of assembly.

The presentation of the budget titled ‘Budget of renewed hope, consolidation, and continuity’ took place at the government house.

Only five lawmakers loyal to Fubara were present during the budget presentation.

The lawmakers in Amaewhule’s faction rejected the budget presentation and instituted a suit against Fubara.

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

[TheCable]