On Monday, January 13, 2025, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly hurrriedly impeached their Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa over alleged financial misappropriation and replaced him immediately with his erstwhile deputy, Mojisola Meranda.

The development ended Obasa’s nearly 10 years reign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and made Meranda the first substantive female Speaker in Lagos history.

The lawmakers also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, who was said to have been singlehandedly brought to the assembly by Obasa, making him a close confidant and ally.

The impeached speaker and Onafeko were reportedly behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the assembly over two years ago.

However, while Obasa’s impeachment came as a surprise to Lagosians, political watchers and critics saw it coming, with some saying the Agege representative has committed many ‘sins’ against the powers that be in the state. 

Political missteps

Obasa’s longstanding feud with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his contemptuous treatment of the governor during the 2025 budget presentation in November 2024, marked the beginning of his political predicament.

In what appeared like a show of power, Obasa reportedly delayed the budget presentation with a trivial discussion about celebration of 2024 Men’s Day. And rather than taking a moment to acknowledge the governor when he eventually entered the legislative chamber for the presentation, he ordered the session to proceed uninterrupted. 

To worsen the matter, his unapologetic declarations about his 2027 ambition overshadowed the session as his feud with the governor became more pronounced.
In the views of political observers, Obasa’s outburst was interpreted to mean a direct response to the purported endorsement of Seyi Tinubu by some groups for the foremost political office in the state.

According to reports, following the show of power, President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), invited him to a meeting where he was sternly warned and chastised for disrespecting Sanwo-Olu and mismanaging the politics of the state because of his ambition.

It is believed that Obasa’s fate was decided at the meeting, as the President reportedly said he knew what to do on the matter. 

Financial misappropriation allegations

Obasa has recently been accused of spending N17 billion to fix the assembly complex gate.

In his reaction to claims by a group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accusing the Assembly of spending the alleged amount on a gate, Obasa described the allegation as “fake news, spurious and funny.”

He said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over the 2027 polls which is still more than two years away.

The speaker further debunked the claim that the Assembly spent N200 million on its recently organised thanksgiving service for staff.

Reacting, Obasa said, “It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended N200 million on Thanksgiving which did not hold.

“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.”

Obasa has also been accused of financial mismanagement involving ₦44 billion allocated for vehicles and capital projects for over two years.

The allegation generated concerns and questions about transparency and accountability in the Assembly’s financial operations from critics, including lawmakers and residents.

According to available official records on the Lagos House of Assembly Budget Performance, in 2023, ₦30.19 billion was allocated for vehicles, including official cars, utility buses, and backup vehicles.

Another ₦13.33 billion was earmarked for vehicles in 2024.

However, investigations revealed that no vehicles were purchased in 2023, and only a small fraction of the 2024 allocation has been accounted for.

Questionable capital projects

Critics have also raised questions over alleged financial irregularities about how funds are allocated for projects.

Critics argued the ₦1.1 billion allocated for properties in 2023 was excessive, particularly when essential sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure are underfunded.

The ₦126 million allocated for properties in Abuja in the 2024 budget equally raised eyebrows, with critics questioning why the state’s funds are being spent outside its jurisdiction.

According to critics, these expenditures suggest a troubling pattern of fiscal mismanagement and misplaced priorities, fueling public anger.

Therefore, when the lawmakers suddenly moved for impeachment of Obasa yesterday, the smoothness and speed of the process suggest that there was a master plan, and not coincidence or on-the-spot decision.

Vanguard News

Fouad Oki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says Mudashiru Obasa’s impeachment as speaker of the Lagos house of assembly was necessary to hold him accountable for his actions.

Oki spoke on Monday when he appeared on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, in the aftermath of Obasa’s impeachment.

Earlier on Monday, Obasa was removed as the house speaker over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege state constituency I, became speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly in 2015. He was serving his third term as speaker.

Mojisola Meranda, the deputy speaker, was subsequently elected to lead the house.

Oki said anyone familiar with Lagos politics could have envisaged Obasa’s impeachment, noting that he had begun to see himself as an “emperor”.

The APC chieftain said events of the last three months had also suggested that Obasa’s days were numbered.

“He saw himself as an emperor. It became very obvious that there was a need for a change in the leadership of the parliament in Lagos,” Oki said.

“If you cast your mind back, you must have seen this coming in the last 18 months.

“Recall the events on the day when the governor presented the 2025 appropriation bill and the leadership of the party was invited to the convention.

“Not only was the governor kept waiting for over four hours, but the leadership of the party and all invited dignitaries were also kept waiting with no apologies or excuses. And when he came into the chambers, courtesies, too, were not extended to anyone.

“Rather, it was a situation or an event of letting people know that I am the emperor here. One of the ways to check such an irresponsible attitude is by calling his excesses to order.”

Oki added that the impeachment was done in President Bola Tinubu’s best interest to see that Lagos continued to remain pivotal in terms of his political leadership.

“Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering. In the wisdom of members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the president’s attention was called,” he said.

“The president, as father and leader, called a meeting wherein he tried to make sense out of the observations raised by elders of the party.

“Unfortunately, the president saw by himself a recalcitrant. I think that is what broke the camel’s back.”

[TheCable]

President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Enugu State on the heels of Governor Peter Mbah’s performance marks a paradigm shift in All Progressives Congress-led government at the centre’s disposition to opposition and South East in particular.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the 1936 presidential election in which he was seeking a second term in the White House, having won the previous election in 1932, America’s 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, expressed his indignation at a form of campaign he considered bitter. But the statesman, nevertheless, reaffirmed his belief that anyone worthy to be called the President of USA, should be able to rise above partisanship and adopt a wider worldview to build America.

In that important address at Madison Square, New York City, Roosevelt said, “I prefer to remember this campaign not as bitter, but only as hard-fought. There should be no bitterness or hate where the sole thought is the welfare of the United States of America. No man can occupy the office of President without realising that he is President of all the people.”
Regrettably, the dearth of this statesmanly disposition has been the bane of Nigerian politics and development, as leaders often see those who did not vote for them as nothing less than sworn enemies.
For instance, many easily point at the statements and actions following the 2015 presidential election as the lowest.

However, with his recent visit to Enugu state and other overtures, President Bola Tinubu appears determined to change the narrative, showing a much-needed capacity to differentiate and rise above an election and its bitter rhetoric and the leadership demanded of him as a president.

For various reasons, the South East has consistently given the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) the least support since 2015. Former President Muhammadu Buhari polled 198,248 in the South East in 2015 and 403,968 in 2019, his highest ever. Tinubu got 127,370 votes. So, Buhari got more votes than Tinubu is his first term.

Asked how he intended to unite the country and give every tendency a sense of belonging after a bitterly fought 2015 election, Buhari responded, “Constituencies that gave me 97 per cent cannot in all honesty be treated equally, on some issues, with constituencies that gave me five per cent, I think these are political realities…. I see this as really fair.”

Conversely, hear President Tinubu in Enugu: “Election is over and we have to move the nation forward and you have demonstrated that commitment, an irrevocable commitment towards human development. I don’t care which party you come from. You are my friend. You are doing well and very focused. We must build this house called Nigeria to not just satisfy our immediate need, but our tomorrow too.

“It’s not about difference in languages and place of birth. No one of us has control of the mother tongue. You are created by God and you found yourself in Enugu or Onitsha or you find yourself in Lagos. We are all a member of one big huge family called Nigeria, but living in different rooms in the same house. This house, we must build it. We must build it to satisfy our immediate needs, which is not going to be enough yet, but our tomorrow too.”

Nothing can be more presidential and statesmanly. Facts show that Tinubu has treated the South East better. For instance, Tinubu appointed Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla from Enugu State as Chief of the Naval Staff, while Senator David Umahi from Ebonyi State was appointed the Minister of Works and Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite as Minister of State, Finance.
Only recently, Nwakuche Ndidi Sylvester, who hails from Imo State, was appointed the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
But beyond appointments, the President has made commitments to lifting the South East in terms of infrastructure and optimising its natural blessings like gas for the good of the region and the nation. It is recalled that while ex-President Buhari embarked on an ambitious $1.9bn 248km Chinese loan-funded project from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic, the Eastern Rail Line, which traverses major towns and cities like Port Harcourt, Aba, Enugu, Otupko, Igumale, Makurdi, Kafanchan, Kuru, Bauchi, Gombe and all the way to Maiduguri, was neglected. This was a very sore point in the relationship between Buhari and the South East. Deputy President of the Senate and leader of the opposition at the time, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as well as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe were among those who led the opposition against the exclusion both in and outside the parliament.

In one of his interventions on the matter, an angry Ekweremadu told told the Senate, “All the loans for railway projects by the current administration, totally excluded this vital corridor. But the questions are: Why would loans taken on behalf of Nigerians and to be repaid by all Nigerians exclude more than a half of the country from the benefits of such loans? Why should the South East, South South, North Central, and North East pay for what they were inexplicably excluded from enjoying? Fairness and equity demand that every part of the country should be carried along”.
It was on account of such protests that Buhari’s subsequent loan request for railway projects was thrown out by the Senator Bukola-Saraki-led Senate in 2018. But the $30bn external loan request was returned by Buhari, again to the exclusion of the South East, but was approved by the Senator Ahmad Lawan-led Senate amid uproar.
It was, therefore, not surprising that those nagging matters resurfaced at the president’s roundtable with the people of South East during the visit. In his presentation, former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, while applauding the Tinubu Administration for completing the Port Harcourt – Aba Section of the Eastern Rail Line, appealed for the prioritisation of the remaining portions of the rail line to boost the region’s and nation’s economy.

On his part, the Secretary, Police Service Commission (PSC), Chief Onyemuche Nnamani who presented the zone’s requests, conveyed the region’s complaints about the many checkpoints and roadblocks that have negatively affected the economy of the people and increased security risk and traffic congestions. Also, Chris Ugo called for the development of the Anambra Basin to unlock the oil and gas reserves of about 30 billion cubic feet lying waste in the area.

Again, Tinubu’s reassuring words were a soothing balm to the hurting nerves of the region. “The question on the rail line is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical problems and I am going to do it. On the gas infrastructure, sure, gas is an alternative fuel and there’s no wasting of time but to invest more in it. We will do it together,” he said.
Following the Enugu visit, which has been variously described as a masterstroke in building Southern solidarity and national cohesion, it is expected that the region’s dispositions to his person will improve as 2027 approaches, especially if he is able to fulfil his promises.

Even President Tinubu, could not help but confess to the palpable warm reception and affection he got from Enugu residents, starting from the airport and through the streets and event venues. He confessed the solidarity and kinship saying “it is a great turn-up for me to be in Enugu. It is a joy and I feel relaxed and at home with you. It is a homecoming for me. This is a serious demonstration of what we can do together and what we can build together.”

But noteworthy is the president’s wisdom in anchoring his South East rapprochement on Governor Peter Mbah. The President was clear that the Enugu visit would be his first official function in 2025. He was also aware that it would be his first official visit to any of the 36 states of the federation since his inauguration on May 29, 2023. But he was convinced that the trip was worth it. Mbah has no doubt distinguished himself in less than two years as governor and is nationally acknowledged as one of the shining lights and beacons of hope in the present dispensation.

On that visit alone, the President symbolically inaugurated from GTC, Enugu the 30 completed and equipped Enugu Smart Green Schools out of 260 under construction across the 260 wards in the state.
At New Haven Junction by Bisalla Road, he symbolically inaugurated 90 completed urban roads in Enugu City. He equally inaugurated the 5,000 combined multi-auditorium and multi-functional Enugu International Conference Centre after 17 years of abandonment by previous administrations. Tinubu further inaugurated the most ambitious and sophisticated state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre for the surveillance of the entire state as well as a matching 150 smart patrol vehicles with AI-embedded cameras for the Distress Response Squad, which is a special police unit. This unit, according to the government, will wear body cams and work with hi-tech communication equipment to prevent and fight crime. Instructively, these are a tip off the iceberg of Mbah’s efforts.

It is also against this backdrop and the fact that he accomplished all these in 18 months that Tinubu’s stamp on his government can best be appreciated. Among other paundits, the President announced, “He (Mbah) is doing a fantastic job. I am glad that Enugu got a very good tomorrow, today. I salute Peter Mbah for his commitment to development. You are a good leader and you are my friend. We can go places together, in harmony, building Nigeria, building the future. You are a private sector person; we must encourage more private sector people to come into politics.”

The phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” gained prominence during Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 U.S. presidential campaign, thanks to strategist James Carville. It served as a directive to campaign staff, urging them to focus on key economic issues to sway voters. In a similar vein, the title of this piece—“Detty December: It’s the Currency Devaluation, Plain and Simple!”—is aimed at highlighting a core factor behind the recent surge in economic activities and festivities in Nigeria during December: the significant devaluation of the naira.

This devaluation prompted many Nigerians living abroad to return home to celebrate the holidays with their families, spurring an unprecedented wave of revelry and tourism. As I see it, this marks a tangible benefit of President Tinubu’s socioeconomic reforms. Without a doubt, December’s economic boom, particularly in Lagos, was fueled by diasporans’ spending and benefited various service providers, including hotels, car rental businesses, nightclubs, cruise operators, and food vendors. Even microeconomic activities saw funds trickling down the value chain, driven by the influx of diasporans escaping winter from overseas.

Until now, the positive impact of this devaluation had gone unnoticed or unacknowledged by many, especially critics who dismissed my earlier piece, “Governing Nigeria is Tough, But Tinubu is Achieving Remarkable Progress” (published in ThisDay on Christmas Day, 2024). In that article, I suggested that the Nigerian economy was beginning to thaw. However, some skeptics failed to appreciate the role the weaker naira played in the remarkable economic activities witnessed during December, particularly in Lagos.

With the naira trading between ₦1,166 and ₦1,750 to the dollar by December, the exchange rate was nearly four times what it was before Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. For diasporans, this provided a unique advantage. Take, for instance, a nurse or doctor in the UK who migrated (or “japa-ed”) and suddenly found their £1,000 paycheck converting to a minimum of ₦2 million at the rate of ₦2,000 to £1. Such individuals could easily afford a luxurious week-long stay in Nigeria, renting hotels or short-let apartments, hiring cars, enjoying boat cruises, dining out, and indulging in Lagos’ vibrant nightlife.

This windfall spending by diasporans, as highlighted in a recent revealing report, underscores the vital role currency devaluation played in creating the economic dynamism of December 2024. It’s a phenomenon that further validates the optimism expressed in my earlier commentary about Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.

By now, many readers may have come across the insightful analysis of Nigeria’s economic activities during December 2024, particularly in Lagos. However, for those who might have missed this remarkable report—which has gone viral on social media and received significant attention in traditional media—I will summarize its key points to provide context for the discussion on how naira devaluation has driven positive economic outcomes.

One of the reports, authored by Mr. Kayode Osebi, a consultant to the Lagos State government on taxation and revenue, was reportedly commissioned by the Lagos State government. While the accuracy of the research cannot be independently verified, the data aligns with the economic realities experienced during December. Below are the highlights:
• Inbound Passenger Traffic: Between November 19 and December 26, 2024, Lagos Airport (MMA) recorded approximately 550,000 inbound passengers, 90% of whom were Nigerians in the diaspora visiting for leisure and tourism.
• Tourist Origin and Destinations: The top five originating countries were the U.S., Canada, Italy, South Africa, and the U.K., while Lagos, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ogun States were the top destination states. Lagos alone hosted an estimated 1.2 million tourists, 60% of whom were local tourists from the South East and FCT.

The report also noted that insecurity in the South East and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presence in Lagos contributed to the influx of visitors.
• Hotel Revenue: Hotel bookings generated an estimated ₦54 billion ($36 million) in revenue, with 15,000 confirmed bookings in December. Guest spending on food and beverages amounted to ₦13.5 billion ($8 million), while the top 15 hotels accounted for ₦10.5 billion in bookings.
• Short-Let Apartments: Short-let apartment bookings were valued at ₦21 billion ($13 million) across 5,937 apartments, with an average daily rate of ₦120,000. Eko Atlantic ranked highest in residential bookings, while Banana Island recorded the highest estate bookings by value.
• Nightlife and Recreation: The top 15 lounges and nightclubs generated ₦4.32 billion ($2.7 million) in sales, with daily revenues averaging ₦360 million and table spends averaging ₦1.2 million. Beach and resort bookings brought in an additional ₦4.5 billion ($2.8 million), with Ilashe/Ibese and Elegushi beach houses leading in revenue.

Other highlights included:
• Event centers earning ₦1.2 billion ($804,000) from 1,175 bookings.
• Car rentals in the Eti-Osa area generating ₦1.5 billion ($937,500) from 750 high-end vehicle bookings, with daily rates reaching as high as ₦2 million.
• An additional ₦20 billion ($13 million) in revenue from recreational activities such as artist bookings, fine dining, boat rentals, and DJ services.

These figures, compiled by Mr. Osebi, align with another Lagos-based report titled The Economics of Detty December by GrowingNigeria.com. Both reports highlight the significant inflow of funds into the Nigerian economy during the festive period, particularly in Lagos, which served as the epicenter of the festivities.

What stands out most is the sheer scale of money injected into the economy by Nigerians in the diaspora. Instead of enduring the cold winters in Europe and North America, many returned home to celebrate with their families, spurring economic growth. Their spending fueled a near-carnival atmosphere, attracting Afrobeat enthusiasts and tourists from around the world, reminiscent of how reggae music was popularized globally in the 1990s by icons like Bob Marley.

The Bigger Picture.

To fully appreciate the significance of Detty December, it is essential to consider its broader economic implications. A summary of the referenced report captures it succinctly:

“Detty December has evolved from a simple season of family time and Christmas jollof into a global attraction for diasporans, tourists, and Afrobeat lovers. Whether through concerts, beach parties, weddings, or fashion shows, this cultural phenomenon has become a time to experience everything Nigeria has to offer. But beyond the good vibes, have you ever stopped to think about the economics of it all?”

This lighthearted description transitions into a deeper discussion about the massive inflow of foreign exchange into the Nigerian economy. Once converted into naira, these funds were used for lifestyle and entertainment, creating significant economic benefits, particularly for Lagos.
Clearly, Detty December in Nigeria did not commence in 2024. But the exceptional turnout and outcome of the celebrations last december have been exceptional. That is because of the naira devaluation under Tinubu’s watch. Not many commentators including the authors of the headlines hugging reports viewed the Detty December phenomenon from that prism.
Conventionally, nations prefer their currencies to be weak to boost exports and trade because the lower the value of a country’s currency, the more she will be exporting as lower costs attract importers. This can help stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve the trade balance.
Critics may argue that Nigeria need not devalue her currency simply because it has nothing substantial to export, except crude/refined petroleum products which in anycase the price is being determined by the Organization of Oil Producing Countries,OPEC.
I would argue that such a point of view is not exactly correct. That is because the huge number of Nigerian professionals in health care and Fintech migrating abroad are actually our exports. India and the Philipines generate enormous revenue from their human resources working in the diaspora.
The potentials of Nigeria’s diaspora population is evidenced by the CBN data cited by the authors/researchers of the Detty December survey where it was noted that over $20 billion was remitted by diasporan Nigerians back home in 2022 and reflective of how the economic landscape of Lagos was impacted for good last december.
In light of the above, is it not preprostrous that there was a time when the agenda of some of our political leaders during campaigns was making the naira exhange rate to be at par with the dollar i.e N1 equal to $1?
Thankfully, president Tinubu is not one of those romantizing the so called good old days of the naira exchange rate being higher than the pound sterling and dollar.

In conclusion, Detty December has showcased the untapped potential of Nigeria’s tourism sector. With the right policies and infrastructure, the nation could transform this seasonal boom into a year-round driver of economic growth.

Tragic December: Lessons for Nigeria’s Tourism Potential.

Before diving further into the economic gains generated by Detty December in Nigeria, it’s important to reflect on the tragedies that marred the same period. In my column titled “Tragic December: Why Can’t Palliatives Be Distributed Dangote Way?”, I addressed the unfortunate loss of over 70 lives in stampedes during food and palliative distribution events in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija between December 18 and 21.

These avoidable tragedies underscore the urgent need for Nigeria’s national and subnational governments to enact laws regulating the distribution of aid to prevent such disasters in the future. Similar historical incidents, such as the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago, prompted legal reforms in the U.S. to safeguard lives during public events. Nigerian lawmakers should take inspiration from such examples and establish regulations to prevent harm during public gatherings.

The heartbreaking losses during December meant that many families were plunged into mourning during what should have been a time of celebration. This stark contrast highlights the need to ensure that future festivities are not tainted by avoidable tragedies.

The Economics of Detty December.

Returning to the report titled “The Economics of Detty December” by a firm known as GrowingNigeria, the document reveals the massive economic boost generated by festive activities, particularly in Lagos. The editors highlighted how Detty December has evolved into a major economic driver, attracting foreign currency and stimulating various industries.

Key Insights:
1. Diaspora Contributions: Nigerians in the diaspora, carrying foreign currencies, are central to the December economic boom. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported diaspora remittances exceeding $20 billion in 2023, a significant portion of which flowed in during the festive season.
2. Tourism and Spending: Dollars, pounds, and euros exchanged at airports and POS machines across Lagos fueled spending on flights, hotels, events, and cultural activities. Custom-made outfits (aso-ebi) for weddings and events further benefited local artisans.
3. Ripple Effects: Industries such as hospitality, logistics, events, and even local crafts saw significant liquidity. As the report noted: “Detty December is more than a social calendar; it is a money-making machine.”

Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential by replicating Detty December financial boom nation wide.

The economic success of Detty December underscores Nigeria’s untapped tourism potential. However, the benefits are currently concentrated in Lagos. To fully harness tourism, the following steps must be prioritized:
1. Addressing Insecurity: The lingering insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions, must be tackled. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu must work to dissuade religious insurgents through persuasion and economic opportunities rather than relying solely on military force.
• Example from Islamic Countries: Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, despite being Islamic nations, have leveraged tourism as a significant income source. For instance, Saudi Arabia earned $36 billion from tourism in 2023, contributing 11.5% to its GDP.
2. Tourism as a Tool for Peace: By creating job opportunities in tourism, the government can redirect those involved in insurgency toward productive activities. Former militants could serve as tour guides or offer other services, as seen in the Middle East and North Africa.
3. Diversifying Tourism Beyond Lagos: Authorities should promote tourism nationwide, leveraging Nigeria’s vast cultural and natural attractions. Lagos should remain a hub, but other states with rich histories and unique landmarks must also be developed as tourism destinations.

Comparisons to Global Tourism Earnings.

Despite Nigeria’s size and cultural wealth, its tourism revenue in 2022 was only $17.3 billion, representing just 3.6% of its GDP. This pales in comparison to:
• Saudi Arabia: $36 billion (11.5% of GDP in 2023)
• UAE: AED 220 billion (11.7% of GDP in 2023)
• Egypt: $15 billion (2023)

With strategic planning, improved security, and proper investments, Nigeria could significantly increase its tourism revenues and reduce reliance on oil.

Detty December has proven that tourism is a viable path for Nigeria’s economic growth. The challenge now lies in extending its benefits nationwide while addressing the structural issues holding the sector back.
We can emulate Egypt which is an African country deeply rooted in lslam yet they welcome foreigners as tourists to live amongst them.

In Egypt for instance, there is a city known as Sham El Shek. It is a purpose built location for european tourists who have established their winter homes over there. Currently , owing to climate change effects, europe and north America -USA and Canada are frozen with the elderly ones anxious to relocate to countries with more clement weather.
The weather and environment of Sham El Shek is not different from what is obtainable in Kaduna and kano states in Nigeria.
There are even tourist locations such as Tiga Dam around Kaduna and Kano.
Ordinarily, the europeans spending their winter in Egypt could have done the same in Nigeria.
But they are unable to do so owing to insecurity imposed on the areas by religous extremists and bandits including herders-famers engaging in violent clashes.
The same panacea being proposed for the northern parts of Nigeria applies to the Unknown Gunmen , ravaging the south east also known as separatists and environmental rights activist who have become militants in the Niger Delta.
The faith based institutions and priests in those regions also have a role to play in persuading the angry Nigerians engaged in rebellion against our country in multiple guises, that it is time to give peace a chance so that we can all harness the immense potentials of our beloved country for the greater good of all.
Magnus Onyibe, a public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in the Delta State government, (2003-2007) sent this piece from Lagos, Nigeria.

To continue with this conversation and more, please visit www.magnum.ng.

Rhodes-Vivior stated this on Monday while reacting to the impeachment of the state’s House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

Naija News reported that Obasa was accused of financial misappropriation by the House. However, the Lagos political structure was in heat over the reported governorship ambition of Obasa clashing with that of the son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mojisola Lasbat Miranda, who represents Apapa State Constituency 1 of the Lagos State was sworn in as Speaker.

In his reaction on his X handle, the former Labour Party governorship candidate wondered why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not interested in financial misappropriation before the governorship ambition saga erupted in the state.

“It’s interesting that the EFCC just realized the corruption of APC Lagos politicians. It is not a coincidence that they all have ambition to become the next governor.

“Your principal has just indirectly communicated that Lagos is his birthright and that of his descendants, and every aspiring APC politician exists solely to further his interest and that of his family.

“I have said this before and will say it again. Lagos is bigger than him and we must remind him that Lagos is not his to bequeath,” he wrote.

[NaijaNews]

Lagos State House of Assembly has sworn in its first female Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Meranda took her oath of office after the impeachment of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on Monday during a plenary session.

She represents the Apapa 1 state constituency in the assembly.

She was first elected as a member of the House in 2015, representing Apapa constituency 1. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

Before her time in the House, Mrs Meranda served the Apapa local government in different capacities. She also worked in the private sector.

Her late father was a legislator at the local level before he became the Ojora of Lagos. Her mother is from the prominent Oniru family in Lagos. Her brother is the Oniru of Iru land, Oba AbdulWasiu Omogbolahan Lawal.

Mrs Meranda began her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary School before moving to Randle Primary School at Randle Avenue in Surulere from 1986 to 1992.

She attended Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School (1992-1996) and Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School (1996-1998), both in Surulere, where she was a library prefect and secretary of the press club.

She obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1998, according to her official House profile.

After her secondary education, Mrs Meranda obtained an advanced certificate in software development in 2005. She is also recorded as having attended Lagos State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration in 2013.

In 2018, she returned to school, enrolling at the University of Lagos.

In 2003, at the age of 23, she began working as a personal assistant to Dr. Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant on technology and special projects to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Between 2007 and 2008, Mrs Meranda worked in the oil and gas industry with Cirrus Nigeria Limited as a procurement manager.

She returned to politics in 2008, taking active roles in the Apapa local government, first as a senior special assistant on intervention and intergovernmental affairs to the then Chairman, Ayodeji Joseph, and later as a supervisory councilor for health.

In 2014, she joined Worthline International Services Limited as head of operations. Worthline was originally registered in 2012, with Mrs Meranda as a director.

And then in 2015, she was elected as a member of the House.

[YTheNation]

Boxing legend Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from the sport, bringing an iconic career to an end following consecutive losses to undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Speculation had been rife about Fury’s next move, with fans eagerly anticipating either a trilogy bout against Usyk or a long-awaited showdown with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.

Instead, the ‘Gypsy King’ has chosen to bow out of the ring, leaving an indelible mark on the world of boxing.

“Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,” Fury said in an Instagram video on Monday afternoon, addressing his millions of fans. 

“I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast. I’ve loved every single minute of it. I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side.”

His video caption read, “Thanks, it’s been a blast  thanks to everyone who helped out along the way! Happy new year . Jesus is king  now & forever.”

Fury’s first encounter with Usyk in May last year ended in heartbreak, as the Ukrainian powerhouse handed him his first professional loss via split decision, claiming undisputed heavyweight status.

In a December rematch, Fury fought valiantly but fell short again, this time losing by unanimous decision.

The defeats sparked widespread debate about Fury’s future, with many touting a blockbuster clash with Anthony Joshua as the natural next step.

Joshua himself expressed eagerness for the matchup, declaring on Sunday at The Ring Magazine Awards last week: “It has to happen this year.”

Despite the mounting anticipation, Fury has opted to step away from the sport he dominated for over a decade.

His decision caps a storied career marked by grit, charisma, and unforgettable moments inside and outside the ring, Eurosport reported on Monday.

[Punch]

The United States unveiled new export rules Monday on chips used for artificial intelligence, furthering efforts to make it tough for China and other rivals to access advanced technology in Joe Biden’s final days as president.

The restrictions build on curbs announced in 2023 on exporting certain AI chips to China, which the United States sees as a strategic competitor.

In recent years, Washington has expanded its efforts to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China, which can be used in AI and weapons systems, as Beijing’s tech advancements spark concern among policymakers.

“The US leads the world in AI now — both AI development and AI chip design — and it’s critical that we keep it that way,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters. 

The new rules update controls on chips, requiring authorizations for exports, re-exports and in-country transfers — while also including a series of exceptions for countries considered friendly to the United States.

AI data centers meanwhile will need to comply with enhanced security parameters to be able to import chips.

But the latest move drew industry criticism and warnings that it would hurt US competitiveness.

Semiconductor Industry Association chief executive John Neuffer said: “We’re deeply disappointed that a policy shift of this magnitude and impact is being rushed out the door days before a presidential transition and without any meaningful input from industry.”

He added in a statement that the rule could cause “lasting damage to America’s economy and global competitiveness” by ceding key markets to rivals.

Chip titan Nvidia said in a blog post that “while cloaked in the guise of an ‘anti-China’ measure, these rules would do nothing to enhance US security.”

– Trump decision? –

The rules make it “hard for our strategic competitors to use smuggling and remote access to evade our export control,” White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

They also create “incentives for our friends and partners around the world to use trusted vendors for advanced AI,” he added.

The new rules will take effect in 120 days, Raimondo said, giving the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump time to potentially make changes.

In its blog post, Nvidia stressed that the first Trump administration showed how the United States “wins through innovation, competition and by sharing our technologies with the world — not by retreating behind a wall of government overreach.”

Trump put heavy tariffs on China during his first presidential term.

However, his backers in Silicon Valley could also see the rules as an undue burden on their ability to export products.

On Monday, Nvidia shares slid around three percent in early trading while Intel lost 1.6 percent and Advanced Micro Devices fell by about 0.8 percent.

For now, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) said that pressuring countries to choose between Washington and Beijing could alienate partners and boost China’s position in the global AI ecosystem.

“Many countries may opt for the side offering them uninterrupted access to the AI technologies vital for their economic growth and digital futures,” said ITIF vice president Daniel Castro.

AFP