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Global tariff war impacts Nigeria’s oil revenue target
…As oil price intensifies decline
•Bonny light hits new low
•Decline will continue this week – Analysts
•Global energy analysts give reasons for the decline
The renewed trade war between the United States of America, USA, and some developed economies has put more pressure on crude oil prices bringing more threat to Nigeria’s 2025 budget.
Global crude oil market closed lower with Bonny Light, Nigeria’s premium crude oil grade, dropping to $70.3 per barrel, weekend, indicating significant 13 percent decline since the 2025 budget was passed and trend to about 6.7 percent below the 2025 budget benchmark of $75 per barrel.
Industry experts told Financial Vanguard that the downward trend would continue this week given the root cause.
The renewed downward trend began early last week when US President, Donald Trump, signified his intention to sustain tariff war across selected major global economies.
This came at same time the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, OPEC+, decided last Monday to increase output for the first time since 2022, pressuring crude prices further down.
Oil industry analysts told Financial Vanguard that with N20.35 trillion or 56 percent of Federal Revenue expected to come from oil out of the N36.35 trillion revenue target, the decline in crude oil price has raised the possibility of increased budget deficit for the year, and possibly increase in borrowing to fund deficit spending.
International energy analysts had stated last weekend that oil prices settled down for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday after U.S. crude oil stockpiles posted a larger-than-expected build up, adding a further headwind as investors worried about OPEC+ plans to increase output in April and U.S. tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico.
According to reports from Investopedia, Oil markets have been rattled in recent days by President Trump’s imposition on Tuesday of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods. Trump also doubled tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent.
“Oil prices have been driven down from Monday’s OPEC+ decision to increase oil production starting in April. The gradual increases will unwind the production cuts the group of major oil producers committed to in November 2023.
“Lower oil and gas prices were a major focus for Trump on the campaign trail last year. He promised America would “drill, baby, drill” to reduce transportation costs and, ultimately, temper inflation. Oil prices have fallen steadily under Trump, with WTI down about 15% since his inauguration, and fuel prices have declined marginally over the past month.”
A survey by Reuters has revealed that Nigeria is pumping 70,000 barrels per day above the quote allocated by OPEC.
According to the survey, OPEC oil output rose in February, as Iranian exports held strong, despite renewed attempts by the United States of America to curb the flows.
“The OPEC nations pumped 26.74 million barrels per day last month, up 170,000 bpd from January’s revised total, the survey showed on Wednesday, with Iran and Nigeria posting the largest gains.
“OPEC’s biggest rise, of 80,000 bpd, came from Iran, the survey found, with output of 3.30 million bpd. This matched September’s figure which was the highest since 2018, the Reuters survey showed.
“The second-largest gain in output came from Nigeria where exports rose and domestic usage increased at the Dangote refinery. Nigeria is pumping 70,000 bpd above its OPEC+ target.”
Foreign news agencies reported that prices pared some losses after hitting multi-year lows earlier in the session – Brent sank to $68.33, its lowest since December 2021, and U.S. crude futures touched $65.22, its lowest since May 2023.
“Pulling prices down, U.S. crude stockpiles rose more than expected last week amid seasonal refinery maintenance, while gasoline and distillate inventories fell due to a hike in exports”, the USA’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.
According to the EIA, crude inventories rose by 3.6 million barrels to 433.8 million barrels in the week, far exceeding analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 341,000-barrel rise. Brent fell more than $2 after the data was released.
“The imposition of tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico by the U.S. sparked swift reprisals from each nation that increased concerns over a slowdown in economic growth and the consequent impact on energy demand,” Ashley Kelty, an analyst at Panmure Liberum, said.
JP Morgan analysts said a 100-basis-point slowdown in the U.S. GDP growth rate could potentially reduce global oil demand growth by 180,000 bpd, analysts said in a note.
For Nigerian energy sector analysts they key problem is with Nigerian government’s error in making benchmark projections on both oil price and output levels.
According to them “every year they make false assumptions and projections that are unrealistic. This, at the end of the day, leads to poor budget performance “Eventually, they will do what they always do, borrow more and increase the budget deficit”.
It’ll settle after White House chaos – Prof. Iledare
Speaking to Financial Vanguard on the global oil challenge Prof. Wumi Iledare, a Professor Emeritus in Petroleum Economics and Policy Research, said, “There seems to be higher than projected inventories of crude oil stockpile in the US because of lower than estimated demand. This is pushing pressure on the long term price trend fueled also by the wait-and-see positioning on where Trump’s propensity to tariff will lead the global economy.
“Of course, since the economy of Nigeria is too linked to government spending, there may be some adverse impact if the crude oil price continues to decline, it reduces government revenue for funding projects that matter to the economy.
“But I am confident the price will rebound after these Trump things are settled, after the tariff uncertainty and the ineptitude and chaos from the US white House”.
False budgetary assumptions leading to poor budget performance
According to oil policy expert and CEO, AHA Consultancies, Mr. Henry Adegun, the government makes the same mistake every year when making projections.
“Every year they make false assumptions and projections that are unrealistic. This, at the end of the day, leads to poor budget performance because they don’t have the fundamentals correctly. What we expect them to use are figures that are realistic.
“It has become normal for us to overestimate the barrels that we produce and then we have to borrow money to finance the budget. They rely on false projections that are unrealistic and that are not based on any facts and figures.
“Eventually, they will do what we always do, borrow more and increase the budget deficit”, he added.
Adigun explained that while the country has the potential to produce two million barrels of oil per day, he pointed out that this was not possible in the short term.
More borrowings, wider deficit looms
In a note to Financial Vanguard on the Implications of the budget benchmark assumptions, former Technical Adviser to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Dr Dauda Garuba, said the government would have to resort to additional borrowing to fill the gap that would be created by drop in price of oil.
Garuba noted that poor implementation of the budget would push more Nigerians into poverty and lack.
He stated: “The implication will be poor budget implementation or external borrowing. Neither of the two results is good for Nigeria, given that it will further push the country into the abyss of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment”.
Non-oil revenue may plug the gaps – Zera Advisory
On his part, Partner, Zera Advisory, Joe Nwakwue, said it was most unlikely for the government to achieve the projections on oil price and production volumes.
He stated: “It’s certainly a stretch. Most unlikely, we would achieve both volume and price targets going by current trends. “However, there has been a significant uptick in non-oil revenue generation. I hope these improvements will address the shortfall in oil revenue.
Specifically on the 2.06 million barrels per day projection, Nwakwu said: “It is very unlikely, given we are already in March. Volume growth takes time and resources, and resources and resources take time to mobilize”.
[Vanguard]
Bolaji wins gold in international para-badminton tourney — second time in two months
Eniola Bolaji has won gold medal in the women’s SL3 category of the Spanish para-badminton International 2025.
The 19-year-old defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna 2-0 in the event’s final on Sunday in Victoria, Spain.
Bolaji easily won both sets with identical 21-15 scorelines in the one-sided final, which lasted only 29 minutes.
The victory was the teenager’s second international tournament triumph in just two months.
She had also won a gold medal at the global para-badminton championship held in Cairo, Egypt, at the end of January.
Over the past two years, Bolaji has participated in 11 international championships, winning all of them.
Team Nigeria had six representatives at the Spanish para-badminton tourney level 2. The list included Okoro Chinyere Lucky, Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift, Eze Chukwuebuka Sunday, Nnanna Chigozie Jeremiah and Bolaji
Following their outing in Victoria, Bolaji, alongside Jeremiah and Eze, will head to Toledo, Madrid, for the more prestigious Spanish International level one para-badminton championship scheduled from March 12 to 16.
[OPINION] Echono’s three-year blitzkrieg in TETFund - Tunde Olusunle
One very well reasoned appointment into a very critical government department in recent years, is bound to be the “conscription” of Sonny Togo Echono to the leadership of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND). The last five years of his most eventful public service career were spent as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education. On a daily basis, he engaged with Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, owned by the federal government. Added together, we are speaking here of well over 100 such institutions, with the federal government hosting this tripod of institutions, universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, in most of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT). Echono’s office distilled the needs of these citadels of knowledge and activated the bureaucracy of the ministry to tend to their operational requirements.
Following his retirement from service early 2022, Echono momentarily reclined into his couch to savour desired rest and rejuvenation after a racy and most eventful career. Before his last port of call in the Federal Ministry of Education, Echono’s career which began as an architect with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 1987, had taken him through several key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs), availing him multisectoral experiential rootedness across the public service. He had served variously in the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit, (BMPIU), and the ministries of Defence; Water Resources; Environment; Agriculture and Power. He had therefore planned to shuttle between his address in Nigeria’s capital city and his countryside abode in the Idoma heartland in Benue State, which he cherishes dearly.
Duty, however, beckoned within weeks of his retirement. Echono, seasoned architect, experienced public servant, consummate patriot, was appointed Executive Secretary of TETFUND. He formally assumed office on March 18, 2022. The scheme was established by the federal government in 2011, with the primary responsibility of disbursing, managing and monitoring the deployment of education tax remitted to government-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Public tertiary institutions were hitherto poorly funded. This situation, expectedly, had very negative impact on knowledge dissemination, periodically engendering unrest in the institutions. TETFUND is supervised by the Federal Ministry of Education, Echono’s last official post. This naturally has ensured smooth and seamless collaboration between the parent ministry and its parastatal, since the onset of the Echono dispensation.
Three years into his five-year stewardship, Echono continues to chalk up milestones for the organisation. It was not going to be “business as usual” under his watch so he began with desirable “housekeeping” by addressing the work ethic in TETFUND. Previously perceived as a “cash cow,” entrenched interests had constituted themselves into a cabal which determined the award of contracts to predetermined interests. There were also murmurs and talks about stealing and underhand dealings which cast the organisation in bad light in the public sphere. Steeped and stewed in the ethos of due process and public procurement, Echono moved speedily to bring his imprimatur to bear on the workings of the organisation. He has since striven, gradually and unobtrusively, to straighten the administration of TETFUND and realign its operations with its core mandate.
Such revolutionary novelties in an organisation previously steeped and stuck in its ways were not going to make new friends for Echono. Fifth columnists in the system and their external collaborators, periodically engineered phoney petitions to anti-graft agencies, notably the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, (ICPC). They equally generated submissions to the nation’s parliament contending in one particular instance, that an accumulated allocation of over N2 Trillion to TETFUND over the years, could not be accounted for! The ever calm Echono has always responded to such claims and invitations to clarify the issues with impeccable documents and records. These have serially deflated the schemes and mischief of faceless rabble rousers.
Sonny Echono’s regime has brought a fresh air of activism into the endeavours of TETFUND. The federal government has also continued to reaffirm its faith in the establishment via regular upward reviews of its budgetary allocations. TETFUND continues to renew, or open fresh, possibilities for collaboration between it and a plethora of organisations. Callers at the Abuja headquarters of the organisation over time, have included the Senate and House Committees on Tertiary Institutions. Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his Cross River State counterpart, Bassey Otu, have also visited TETFUND seeking partnership. Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has also been a guest of Echono’s TETFUND. Musa exercises oversight over the Nigerian army, navy and airforce. Over the years, the military has continued to reinvent its training institutions many of which are degree awarding citadels today. Musa believes there are areas of potential cooperation between the military and TETFUND, and has begun a conversation around this. The Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), recently followed the precedence of the military, when its Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, led a team to TETFUND. The FRSC canvassed support for its training institutions to enhance the capacity and professionalism of road safety personnel across the country.
Simultaneously, Echono is regularly on the road with his own officials, knocking on doors of MDAs whose partnership can strengthen the enterprise of TETFUND. Among several others, he has in recent months, led delegations to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, (NEITI). Echono is equally a much sought-after speaker these days at university convocation lectures and similar public engagements. These have availed him the platform to address burning issues in Nigeria’s all-important educational sector. Echono’s Convocation Lecture at the Federal University of Technology, (FUTO), Owerri, Imo State, last December, was titled *Impact of Leadership Selection on Governance in Public Universities in Nigeria.* At a similar event at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State last January, Echono spoke on *TETFUND and Educational Development in Nigeria: The History, the Treasures and the Future.*
Echono addressed the subject *University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,* at the Convocation ceremony of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in February. He has deployed these speaking opportunities to address issues of inadequate funding in tertiary institutions, and to restate the imperative of the payment of tuition fees in public universities. This, he has regularly maintained is crucial to support that critical level of the educational hierarchy. Echono has canvassed synergy between institutions in the areas of research, innovation, alumni obligations and student exchange to broaden the worldview of young scholars. He has equally admonished on the inescapability of full autonomy in public universities, if educational standards must improve and be sustained. The acquisition of quality literacy never comes cheap, he has consistently maintained.
Elsewhere, Echono has decried the penchant of many Nigerians who were sponsored abroad on public resources, but refusing to return home to contribute to national development. Many such nationals opt to stay back in foreign lands, against the spirit of their scholarships. Echono regards this as a dimension of the pervading *japa* syndrome, the abscondment abroad of Nigerians fleeing excruciating socioeconomic conditions at home. Last November, TETFUND under Echono stopped government funding for intending foreign students. This should mitigate the double-sided loss of the country’s fiscal and human resources, respectively. At an August 2024 *Conference on Digital Pedagogy and Fundable Research Writing,* Echono criticised the arbitrary upgrading of Colleges of Education into Universities of Education, by governments at various levels. His contention is that the country remains in short supply of teachers and instructors at the foundational level of education.
Sonny Echono has also criticised the continuing politicisation and corruption inherent in the appointment of Vice Chancellors in Nigerian universities. In one of his public presentations, he abhorred political interference and financial inducement in leadership selection processes in our universities. These factors he observed are combining to erode the sanctity of the hallowed university system. Echono expressed worry about the fact that competition for appointment into principal offices in universities has become a lucrative venture which has made members of governing councils prone to fiscal inducement. Echono has received several awards through the years including that of the national honour of *Officer of the Order of the Niger, (OON).* He has demonstrably distinguished himself beyond the the half line of his present assignment. He can be trusted and should be continually supported to consolidate on his legacies in the years to come.
Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja
PHOTOS: El-Rufai visits Atiku, Aregbesola, Tunde Bakare
Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, paid visits to Atiku Abubakar, Rauf Aregbesola and Tunde Bakare during the weekend.
The visits to Aregbesola, the former interior minister and ex-governor of Osun; and Bakare, founder of the Citadel Global Community Church (formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly); were in Lagos, while the visit to Abubakar, standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, was in Adamawa.
“After tonight’s Itfar (breaking of fast), I received in audience, former Governor of Kaduna State, @elrufai former Governor of Adamawa, Jibrilla Bindow and Musa Halilu, Dujima Adamawa. Our robust discussions were the dessert of the meal. -AA #RamadanKareem,” Abubakar shared on his X page.
El-Rufai, who served as governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has hinted at pitching his political tent elsewhere ahead of the 2027 presidential poll — after criticising the APC publicly.
The former Kaduna governor previously met with members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to “strategise ahead of the 2027 elections”.
In January, the APC in Osun expelled Aregbesola over anti-party activities after the Omoluabi Progressives, Aregbesola’s political group, quit the party.
Abubakar, a former vice-president and PDP chieftain, has spoken of building a coalition that would give the ruling APC a run for its money in the next presidential election.
See pictures from el-Rufai’s visits below.




[PRESS RELEASE] Fire Outbreak at Geometric Premises Contained
1. There was a fire outbreak early this morning in a temporary building in the premises of Geometric Power, Nigeria's foremost integrated power company, located in the Osisioma Industrial Layout, Aba, Abia State. The building was used by a defunct South African electricity firm known as Group 5 during the construction of facilities in the integrated power company and has been of little use in over 12 years.
2. Though the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, it was contained by the Geometric Power staff before the arrival of the Abia State Fire Service which responded promptly to the emergency call.
3. Geometric Power management commends its staff members for their vigilance and gallant efforts in containing the fire and the Abia State Fire Service for its swift response and professionalism.
4. The management also appreciates members of the public for their concern and support.
5. Geometric Power assures the public of their commitment to work assiduously for constant, quality and affordable electricity in the Aba Power Ring-fenced Area and elsewhere for the rapid socioeconomic progress of the Nigerian nation.
Signed
Management.
Transcorp Group Records Outstanding Growth in FY 2024; Revenue Increases By 107%, PBT by 132%
Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp” or the “Group”), Nigeria’s leading listed conglomerate has announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Consistent with its results track record, the Group sustained its strong growth trajectory across its financial indicators, reinforcing its market leadership and strategic positioning.
In its audited results, Transcorp reported significant year-on-year growth, with a revenue of N408 billion as at December 31, 2024, representing a 107% increase over the revenue of N197 billion in the previous year.
Highlights of Transcorp Group Results:
- FY 2024 Revenue increased by 107%, rising to N408 billion from N197billion of 2023.
- Profit before Tax grew by 132% to N7 billion, compared to N58.8 billion in the previous year.
- Profit after Tax improved 188% year-on-year to N1 billion in 2024, from N32.6 billion in the same period last year.
- Operating Income grew by 83%, to N0 billion in 2024, up from N81.4 billion in the corresponding period in 2023.
- Operating Expenses saw an increase of 105% year on year, to N8 billion in 2024, reflecting the impact of inflation and strategic investments in operational capacity.
- Net Finance Cost decreased by 45% to N4 billion, owing to the complete repayment of foreign currency loans.
- The Group’s Gearing Ratio reduced to 21% from 32% showing positive financial leverage.
- Earnings per share of the Group were N45 compared to N0.40 in 2023.
- Total assets expanded by 42%, increasing from N9billion in December 2023 to N751.6 billion at the end of 2024.
- Shareholders’ Funds grew by 45%, from N3 billion in December 2023 to N271.7 billion by year-end, supported by profit accretion to retained earnings.
- Declared N10.1 billion full year dividend, representing N1.00 per ordinary share in 2024.
Speaking on the results, Dr. (Mrs) Owen D. Omogiafo, President/Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp, commented, "Our 2024 financial performance reflects the sustainable value creation strategy of Transcorp Group. We have been able to consistently record impressive growth across all indices year on year, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment. In the sectors we operate, we have delivered consistent growth by leveraging operational efficiency, strategic investments, and an uncompromising focus on value creation for our shareholders. Looking ahead, we will deepen our growth trajectory by seizing emerging opportunities, and strengthen our position across Nigeria’s power, hospitality, and energy sectors, even as we consider more sectors that take us closer to our purpose of improving lives and transforming Africa.”
Transcorp is dedicated to its transformation agenda, emphasizing sustained growth and a relentless pursuit of long-term value for shareholders.
About Transnational Corporation
Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp Group”) is one of Africa’s leading, listed conglomerates, with strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors, driven by its mission to improve lives and transform Africa.
Transcorp’s power businesses - Transcorp Power Plc. and TransAfam Power Limited – provide approximately 20% of Nigeria’s installed power capacity.
Transcorp is committed to developing Nigeria’s domestic energy value chain, through its investments in OPL28 and its renewable energy drive through Transcorp Energy Limited. The Group’s hospitality business, Transcorp Hotels Plc, owns the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria’s flagship hospitality destination.
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] Federal Government adopts TASUED Ogun State as Federal University
The Federal Government has adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State as a Federal University.
Established by the Ogun State Government in 2005, TASUED holds the distinguished position as Nigeria's first specialised university of education. It was named after Dr Tai Solarin, a revered activist and the founder of Mayflower School in Ikenne.
As a federal institution, TASUED will be the first federally owned tertiary school in Ogun East senatorial district. With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment.
President Tinubu approved the adoption on Friday and thanked the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over the school, one of the state's best educational assets.
"It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who began the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria and Dr Tai Solarin, who spent most of his life educating our children and impacting patriotic and leadership lessons in them at Mayflower School in Ikenne", President Tinubu said.
"It is also in honour of the Awujale of Ijebuland, who played a critical role in preventing the university's closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment," he added.
Awolowo and Solarin were celebrated figures from the Eastern Senatorial District of Ogun State, encompassing Ijebu and Remo.
President Tinubu emphasised that TASUED's transition into a Federal University of Education is a strategic step in the Federal Government's commitment to bolster teacher education and enhance the quality of instruction across all educational levels.
With TASUED's new status, the Federal Government oversees three education universities. Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri and Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo are the country's other two universities of education.
For His Radical Educational Reforms and Devt Strides, Ekiti University Confers Honorary Doctorate on Gov Mbah
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has bagged the prestigious Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) degree from the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ekiti State, for his inspiring leadership and contributions to the advancement of quality education in Nigeria.
This was even as the governor, who bagged the honorary award at the maiden convocation ceremony of the state-owned university in Ikere-Ekiti at the weekend, reiterated his administration's resolve to continue to transform the education sector in Enugu State and set exemplary steps through innovative and experiential learning model.
Mbah stressed that although the gains of investments in education take many years to crystalise, his administration's reforms and huge investments in education was driven not by public acclaim, but by the conviction that the highest legacy was to equip Enugu children and the youth with quality education that imbue them with the requisite knowledge and skill set to compete on the global stage.
“This award is a reminder that there is no greater honour than service. It is an inspiration to re-commit to the governance values that underpin our modest achievements in Enugu State.
“These values are shaped, particularly, by the conviction that education is the best legacy to bequeath to the emerging generation,” he added.
The governor, who has consistently dedicated over 33 per cent of the state's annual budget solely to education, maintained that the achievements recorded in the quality of output in the education sector through the deployment of huge resources had reflected in the ongoing construction of 260 Smart Green Schools for experiential learning in the state.
He explained that this education model emphasises experiential learning that imbues children with problem-solving skills over rote learning.
While stressing the university’s motto, “Learning for Self-Reliance,” Mbah said this should resonate with all levels of government nationwide in the face of shrinking international funding by some world economies, saying it was time to press the inventive button as a nation.
He noted that despite the BOUESTI being at its formative years, the university had made giant strides by nurturing an environment that was conducive to learning.
“This clearly underscores the university’s firm belief in the primacy of human capital development. Although established in 2020, it is heartwarming that this university is emerging as a formidable platform for science and technological renaissance.”
Commending the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his enduring reforms and sustained investment in education, Mbah charged the graduands to wear the toga of the university with pride and dignity, urging them not to severe links with the institution as alumni.
While conferring the highest degree on the governor, the university's Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said the degree was strictly meant for lawyers of distinction, which Mbah had clinched by merit.
He described the governor as a rare breed in the entrepreneurial space, who was presently disrupting the Nigerian leadership space through his innovative style of governance.
How The Courts Stopped Illegal Suspension Of Legislators In Nigeria - Femi Falana, SAN
1. In 2010, our law firm handled the case of Hon Dino Melaye & 10 other legislators who were suspended for accusing the Dimeji Bankole-led House of Representative of wallowing in corruption The Federal High Court declared the suspension of the legislators illegal and unconstitutional and ordered the payment of their withheld salaries and allowances.
2. In 2012, our law firm also handled the case of Honourable Rifkatu Danna, the only female member of the 31-member Bauchi State House of Assembly. Danna was suspended in June 2012 for allegedly making uncomplimentary remarks when she challenged the lawmakers’ decision to approve the relocation of the headquarters of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. But the Bauchi State High Court declared her suspension illegal and ordered the Bauchi State House of Assembly to reinstate her and pay her withheld salaries and allowances.
3. In 2017, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed against the judgment of the Bauchi State High Court in respect of the illegal suspension of Honourable Rifkatu Danna. The Court upheld our submission to the effect that the suspension of the legislator constituted a breach of the right of the Bogoro Constutuency to be representated by her in the state house of assembly. The Court equally held that the decision of the House to withhold the salaries and allowances of the legislator was illegal as she was not an employee but an elected member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.
4. In 2018, our law firm equally handled the case of Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives who was suspended for 180 days for accusing the Yakubu Dogara-led House of padding the 2016 national budget. The Federal High Court nullified the suspension and ordered the payment of the withheld salaries and allowances of the legislator.
5. Based on the case of the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly v Honourable Honourable Rifkatu Danna (2017) 49 WRN 82 which is the locus classicus on the subject matter, the 2017 suspension of Senator Ali Ndume by the Bukola Saraki-led Senate was annulled by the Federal High Court. The case filed on behalf of the Senator his lawyer, Marcel Oru Esq.
6. In the same vein, the 2020 suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was declared illegal and unconstitutional by the Federal High Court. The case was filed on behalf of the Senator by Edward Omaga Esq.
7. Sometime in 2020, the Jigawa State House of Assembly suspended a lawmaker, Hon. Sani Iyaku, over alleged criticism of the state governor, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Badaru who was on a visit to Hadejia town for a wedding ceremony. Honourable Iyaku challenged his suspension in the Jigawa State High Court. The trial Judge, Justice Ahmed ruled that the action of the Assembly did not comply with order 15 rule 74 (2)(c) and (3) a, b of the state House of Assembly standing orders 2017 and therefore declared the suspension illegal, inappropriate, null and void. The court also directed that the defendant be paid his three months allowances withheld to the tune of N3 million.
8. On November 18, 2020, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, Ondo State dismissed the motion for stay of execution filed by the state House of Assembly against the judgment of the High court reinstating the three suspended members of the state assembly. The Presiding Judge, Justice Folayemi Omoleye, queried the appellants for bringing a frivolous appeal before the court, directing that the lawmakers should be reinstated immediately to resume their legislative duties.
9. On August 13, 2024, the same court reinstated Hon. Iroju Ogundeji as the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly. In a unanimous ruling, Justices Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye, Frederick Oziakpono-Oho, and Yusuf Alhaji Bashir affirmed the decision made by Justice Akintan Osadebey, which reinstated the two-term legislator representing the Odigbo state constituency.
10. In the past five years, the High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, and the National Industrial Court nullified the illegal suspension of members of the Houses of Assembly of Kogi and Edo State respectively.
11. In March 2024, the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP; Bauchi) for three months for alleging that Nigeria's 2024 budget was padded. The Senator instructed our law firm to challenge the suspension in the Federal High Court. We wrote to the leadership of the Senate to review the suspension in view of the illegality of the action. As we were preparing to challenge the suspension in the Federal High Court, the Senate recalled Senator Ningi and paid his withheld salaries and allowances.
12. In view of the definitive pronouncements of the several High Court and the Court of Appeal on the illegality of the suspension of elected members of legislative houses in Nigeria, the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is the height of legislative recklessness. The illegal suspension should be lifted without any further delay. Since the Federal High Court had restrained the Senate Ethics Committee from hearing the complaint against the embattled Senator pending the determination of the motion on notice the Senate ought to have stayed action in accordance with the rule of law.
13. Finally, the official impunity of suspending legislators at the whims and caprices of leaders of the federal and state legislative houses must not be allowed to continue in Nigeria.
Femi Falana SAN
[OPINION] Reward for Betrayal - Gabriel Agbo
Treachery This is being false or disloyal to a friend or to a cause. It is also being deceptive; not to be relied upon. Treacherous actions always attract curses upon the person(s) involved and on their next generations. Unless the cause betrayed is ungodly itself.
And this is why we must always be very careful of the way we live. The word of God says that whatever a man sows, that he must also reap. You cannot act treacherously without reaping the punishment. If the reaping does not come immediately, still know that it will surface later.
There are people that just enjoy being deceptive or selling out. They can never be true to a friend, to an associate or to a cause to the end. They love to betray anything and everything. They are slippery. They will pretend to be loyal only to go behind and betray the cause.
They will dine with you, study your weaknesses and strengths, and then effortlessly, hand you over to your enemies. Look at Judas Iscariot. He was an official of Jesus’ ministry. He ate with him, prayed with him and in fact, was the treasurer of the ministry. But he chose to betray his master for money. Even when Jesus predicted his betrayal, Judas also like the other apostles, asked, “Master (teacher). Am I the one, am I?”
But after all this, he still went ahead and did what he had decided to do. A treacherous person is always heartless, conscienceless, dangerous and godless. They are always the most dangerous people to deal with; because you can never know what is in their mind, unless the Spirit of God reveals it to you.
But Jesus also has a word for the betrayer (treacherous person). He said that cursed is the man that will betray him. That it would be better for the person if he had not been born. And you saw how Judas the betrayer ended. He hanged himself; even without enjoying the ‘gain’ of his treachery. There is always a curse on deceptive, false, treacherous people. And it often goes generational.
Let’s further look at the generational consequences of this sin by Judas. Peter while addressing about 120 believers after the ascension of the LORD said that, the home of Judas will be desolate, with no one living in it and that his position will be taken by someone else.
Read it, “Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, Speaking through King David. Judas was one of us, chosen to share in the ministry with us.
“(Judas bought a field with the money he received for his treachery, and falling there, he burst open, spilling out his intestines. The news of his death spread rapidly among all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means ‘Field of Blood’).
“Peter continued, ‘This was predicted in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ And again, ‘Let his position be given to someone else”Acts 1:16-20
This was terrible! Now, can you see the generational dimension? The consequences of the sin will not only be on the culprit – Judas, but also on his home. Home means family, house, quarters, residence, a dwelling place. And it can also be a place of birth, home town, native land, etc.
The bible said that his home will become desolate (uninhabited, deserted, barren, austere, forbidding, miserable, unhappy, depressed, wretched, and dejected). God! Just for the sin of betrayal by one indiscreet man? Are you a betrayer??
Let’s also see few more examples from the bible: Ham/Canaanites After the flood, one day Noah was lying in his tent naked and drunk. His youngest son - Ham saw his father in that mood and instead of covering him or even minding his own business, he derided his own father, went outside and told his brothers.
Now, his wiser brothers Shem and Japheth immediately, covering their eyes, went and covered their father’s nakedness. When Noah woke up from his drunkenness, he learnt what Ham had done and promptly cursed him and his descendants,
“When Noah woke up from his drunken stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done. Then he cursed the descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham: ‘A curse on the Canaanites! May they be the lowest of servants to the descendants of Shem and Japheth.”
Genesis 9:24-25. Noah expected his youngest son Ham to have given him that respect and honour as a father or even as an elder, and at least cover his nakedness, but he didn’t do that. Instead he made a mockery of the whole thing.
His father felt betrayed and as a result released this generational curse upon Ham and his next generations. Ham was disloyal and unconsciously sealed the destinies of his children and subsequent generations. Why would one mock or celebrate the nakedness (weakness) of his/her own parents?
Parental curses are very strong and always go generational. So many people are today suffering from parental generational curses.
Truly, it is one of the most effective I have ever seen. It is like whatever you do to your parents must come back to you. Your children will do the same to you.
I have always heard people say that their children are doing exactly what they themselves did to their own parents. It’s like a ‘standing curse’. Even the bible further said that for you to live long and for it to be well with you, you must treat your parents well.
Yes, very well. We must respectfully, with love and gratitude, treat our parents and elders very well. (Even if you think they are bad people). So many blessings come through this. Their blessings as well as curses are very sure and generational. What is your current relationship with your parents?
Your mentors, helpers, relations, spiritual parents? Are you treating them well? If not, go look for them. Take care of them now! We will continue next week.
God bless you!