A section of the media often perceived as critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his administration, and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken an unexpected and commendable decision.

ThisDay Newspaper, through its Board of Editors, has named President Tinubu its Man of the Year 2024. In their statement, the editors noted: “In the face of mounting challenges and hardships, the President has remained determined and unfazed, marching on with audacious reforms to transform Nigeria.” They concluded that no individual, on a fair balance of scales, could challenge the President’s impact in 2024.

This decision is a laudable demonstration of journalistic integrity. It speaks to the critical role of the media in promoting a fair and egalitarian society. When viewed in the context of public perception, particularly of ThisDay and its sister outlet, Arise News, this recognition is even more significant. Owned by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, both platforms have been regarded as highly critical of the Tinubu administration, a perception that has fueled skepticism in certain quarters.

This honor on President Tinubu as Man of the Year, tells of how ThisDay challenges this narrative and reinforces the media’s commitment to recognizing merit and leadership beyond biases.

In their evaluation of President Tinubu, the editors wrote: “From merely providing leadership to introducing very unpopular but promising reforms, Tinubu has proven to be a daring and gritty leader, driven by conviction rather than sentiment.”

They mentioned key reforms, including the removal of the petroleum subsidy, floating of the Naira, fighting for local government autonomy, proposed tax reforms among others. 

They, however, acknowledged missteps in Mr. President’s early days, but ThisDay noted that Tinubu has remained focused on his goals, undeterred by external noise and criticism.

Unfortunately, some public officials avoid platforms like ThisDay or Arise News, labeling them as “oppositional” media. This mindset creates undue pressure on media houses to align with political narratives instead of maintaining their role as independent truth tellers.

Despite these challenges, ThisDay and Arise News have built formidable reputations, sparking national conversations and holding leaders accountable. Their willingness to critique and, at the same time, recognize the administration’s achievements, all these tells of their professionalism.

The decision to honor President Tinubu after rigorous scrutiny is simply telling us that criticism and recognition can coexist in responsible journalism. It also encourages leaders to strive for excellence, knowing their efforts will be acknowledged regardless of past criticisms.

What ThisDay’s choice brings to fore is that the media has no role to cheerlead the government or act as an unrelenting adversary. Instead, it is to critically evaluate leadership and promoting societal progress through balanced reporting.

As I congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this recognition, I must commend ThisDay Newspaper and its Board of Editors for this bold and professional decision. It challenges stereotypes, reinforces the media’s role as an unbiased observer, and sends a powerful message: leadership and achievements should be recognized, regardless of perceived alliances.

On a final note, as citizens, we must support and protect the independence of our media for the collective good of society. Thank you, ThisDay Newspapers, thank you, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, for reminding us that the media has an unmistaken role in shaping a better Nigeria.

One bright afternoon, some years ago, I decided to make a quick stop at my favourite shoes-and-bags shop on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. As I approached the shop, I noticed an armed guard at the entrance. He was carrying a familiar gun – the intimidating but innocent-looking big thing only a certain agency in Nigeria bears. Oh, a DSS (Department of State Services) personnel was on the premises. A DSS guy shopping for his lady or a DSS lady taking time off to buy high heels and a nice clutch? I stepped in and lo and behold, testing a nice blue pair of eye-popper heels was a DSS lady of note and record. Go on, guess all you want. I ain’t helping or telling.

Is this a story about high-heeled shoes? Nah. It’s a story about DSS, DSS guns, DSS and the Nigerian media and their tough marriage. 

So at this year’s conference of the International Press Institute, Nigeria chapter, I was looking forward to seeing dozens of the DSS ‘designer guns on display. Maybe I’d even get to touch one, I thought. And why not? The DSS chief, yeah, the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, was going to deliver a paper and I was on the panel that would discuss that paper. So I got to the venue early. Didn’t want those hard poker-faced-dudes getting there before me. But there was no gun in sight. What the heck? Was he standing us up, sending a rep? He came himself and when he did, the guns were still missing. Nobody was wearing a black shirt or an overall with bold DSS inscribed on it. What’s going on here?

When Mr. Ajayi finally got on the podium (he, himself, looking like a bank CEO), he explained why the guns were out of sight. It was a long counselling session, the kind a wife gets even when she’s the one who woke the husband up with: “Honey, we need to talk.” His topic was: “Dissecting the frosty relationship between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies.” He read from no notes, speaking directly from his heart. His message was clear, delivered in stern terms and tone.

There’s no frosty relationship (I added “Honey” in my head). The DSS is the DSS. It’s a security agency. It’s a secret police.

DSS protects its information

The media looks for information

Breaking news can break security

The choice of words the media uses can damage things

The media throw ‘it’ out there. 

The DSS keeps it away from getting out.

So, how do these two people who are brought up differently, trained differently to live lovingly in their federally and nationally arranged marriage? even the Bible says two cannot work together except they agree. Wait, maybe that’s the key to the resolution. Agreement. For this marriage to work, the Media and DSS will have to agree on their differences and how to live with them.

Even if the DSS Chief insisted that there is no such thing as a frosty relationship between the newsroom and security, this couple still needed to sit down and agree on the knotty issues. If a wife says it is not well and the husband says it is well, then we need to find out what’s in the well. If a husband says it is full and the wife says it is empty, we need to check the cup and look at why the two are seeing different things.

First, can the DSS be more open, and ….em… em perhaps un-scrap the scrapped office of the DSS spokesperson. Wha-a-t? Tosin Ajayi almost blew something. A secret police with a spokesperson? How does that add up? The DSS is like a sacred masquerade or ‘Oro’. It does not talk anyhow everywhere. The DSS is like a circumspect Yoruba Oba, he must not eat in public. Ok, those are my words, my understanding of the seriousness of the situation. The media want answers, voices in their stories, operating within deadlines that must be met. How do we deliver our stories when DSS doesn’t want to be seen? Tosin Ajayi said all of that can be arranged without the office of the spokesman of DSS. Seriously? What changed? Well, I learnt that this new Sheriff is a thoroughbred secret cop who rose through the ranks, not a politician or political appointee who got lucky. No, Ajayi started as a rookie, and after three decades-plus of service, he’s here determined to restore the dignity of the service. The  mask must stay on and the masquerade must stay in the grove unless there is reason for it to visit the people.

Do you see why this relationship is rocky, if not frosty? Journalists are excited by  masks. They want to know who is behind the mask. What’s the mask made of and indeed what goes on in the grove? Why does the masquerade speak in a guttural voice? Does it have a cold or it just wants to confuse the populace? Secrets and secret hunters can hardly ever be on the same page. That is why the innocent-looking DSS guns are out of sight and the bold DSS labels are now covered by long cloaks. Tosin Ajayi doesn’t want his men in our faces even when they are all over us. A masquerade who goes to the village market every day will soon lose his mask to little boys who would think he’s one of them and not a spirit.

That was why they were all dressed like bankers at the IPI Conference. But we, yes editors, knew they were not one of us. I know they also knew we were not one of them. They did their thing and we did ours. Come to think of it: Wasn’t that what the new DSS Chief’s presentation was about?

Seriously, the media and the DSS both want the same thing, a safe environment, safe nation. The two just use different routes to the market.

Different training, different ways of life for two different professionals expected to work together. Tough but doable.

The boss at the Yellow House comes across as a man who came into this job prepared. He knew the service he joined more than 30 years ago and he didn’t like the turn it took somewhere along the way. He’s a man on a mission, determined to keep the Secret in the State Service while maintaining a smart and smooth relationship with the newsroom.

The only way for this marriage to stay on the happily-ever-after lane is mutual respect and understanding of what each party brings to the table. I can still see the D-G, DSS in his impeccable suit as he told us to stop shaking the table. We’ll try, sir, but shaking the table is what we do. We’ll just try to do it within the ambits of the law, respect the space of the sacred grove and the New Sheriff’s masquerade.

. Egbemode is a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

A devastating incident has shaken the community in Rivers State, Nigeria, where a woman named Jessica has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a teenager. The victim’s mother alleges that Jessica’s husband, Ebuka, had previously raped the teenager, and in a twisted turn of events, Jessica accused the teenager of sleeping with her husband.

The brutality of the assault is shocking, with reports indicating that Jessica stripped the teenager, inserted pepper into her private parts, and beat her up. The victim’s mother promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to Jessica’s arrest. A rights group, Centre for Basic Rights Protection And Accountability Campaign, has condemned the alleged torture and demanded a thorough investigation.

The police spokesperson has promised to look into the matter, and efforts are currently underway to locate Jessica’s husband, Ebuka, for further investigation. This incident should spark a broader conversation about domestic and child abuse, highlighting the need for education, awareness, and accountability.

Where Is the Minister of Women’s Affairs in This Case?

The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has a crucial role to play in addressing the allegations of assault in Rivers State. As the head of the Ministry, she is expected to advocate for systemic reforms to address the lack of urgency in handling domestic and child abuse cases. This includes pushing for stricter oversight of law enforcement agencies and mechanisms to ensure swift and fair adjudication of such matters.

The Minister should take immediate action to condemn the assault and express solidarity with the teenage victim. She should demand justice and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Furthermore, Suleiman-Ibrahim should ensure that the victim receives necessary medical, psychological, and legal support. This would involve collaborating with relevant agencies and organizations to provide the necessary assistance.

To address the root causes of domestic and child abuse, the Minister should advocate for systemic reforms. This includes continuously pushing for stricter laws and penalties for perpetrators of domestic and child abuse. Additionally, she should launch sensitization and awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of reporting domestic and child abuse cases.

The Minister’s role is not limited to advocacy and reform. Collaboration and partnerships are crucial in addressing domestic and child abuse cases. Suleiman-Ibrahim should work with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to ensure that the state government takes concrete actions to address the case. She should also engage with law enforcement agencies to ensure that they take domestic and child abuse cases seriously and investigate them thoroughly. Furthermore, she should partner with civil society organizations that specialize in supporting victims of domestic and child abuse.

Suleiman-Ibrahim should emulate the bold and aggressive approach of her predecessor, Uju-Ken Ohanenye, who was known for her uncompromising stance on women’s rights and social development issues. The Minister should be vocal and unrelenting in her pursuit of justice for the teenage victim and demand accountability from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

This is not the time for family begging or settlement outside the court. The case must be taken to court as soon as possible, and the perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions. The Minister should ensure that the victim and her family receive the necessary support and protection throughout the trial.

To ensure that justice is served, it is imperative to put huge pressure on the police to investigate the case thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Minister should demand regular updates from the police and ensure that they are taking concrete actions to address the case. Suleiman-Ibrahim should also mobilize the public to demand justice for the teenage victim and ensure that the case is not swept under the rug.

Where is the Governor?

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has a critical role to play in ensuring that justice is served in this case. As the chief executive of the state, he has the power to put more weight on the actions of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The Governor should take immediate action to condemn the assault and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The delay in the police response and the systemic challenges in handling cases like this have raised serious concerns. The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as the chief executive of the state, must take immediate action to ensure this case does not fade into obscurity. Public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary has often been eroded by reports of compromise, such as police allegedly pressuring families to drop cases or courts failing to push aggressively for justice.

Governor Fubara’s involvement could help ensure transparency and accountability, compelling law enforcement to act decisively and ensuring that the judicial process remains focused and unbiased. His intervention would send a strong message that the state prioritizes justice for victims of abuse and will not tolerate negligence or compromise.

Governor Fubara should work closely with the Minister of Women’s Affairs to ensure that the state government takes concrete actions to address the case. He should also engage with law enforcement agencies to ensure that they take domestic and child abuse cases seriously and investigate them thoroughly. Furthermore, he should provide the necessary resources and support to ensure that the victim and her family receive the necessary assistance throughout the trial.

Where is the Police? How Far?

Arresting the accused is only the first step; ensuring justice for the teenage victim requires a comprehensive approach. There is need for forensic evidence, such as a medical examination using a sexual assault evidence kit. This process is essential to document physical evidence, establish facts, and strengthen the case against the alleged perpetrators in court. Without these critical steps, the case risks being undermined by insufficient evidence.

The Rivers State Police Command has a responsibility to investigate the case thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice. However, the police have been slow to act, and their response has been inadequate. The police should provide regular updates on the progress of the investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The police should also ensure that the victim and her family receive the necessary protection and support throughout the trial. This includes providing security and ensuring that the victim is not intimidated or harassed by the perpetrators or their associates. 

The Rivers State Police Command’s delay in providing updates must cease, as it underscores the pressing need for institutional accountability. Both the Minister of Women’s Affairs and the Rivers State Governor have critical roles to play in addressing these lapses. Their leadership should focus on holding law enforcement agencies accountable, ensuring timely and transparent communication, and driving reforms that enable justice systems to operate efficiently and effectively in protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals.

Where is the Court?

Nigerian courts, often criticized for being lax on cases of domestic violence, child abuse, and female assaults, must change this narrative. The judiciary has a critical role to play in ensuring justice is served in such cases. Courts must act swiftly to hear cases, hold perpetrators accountable, and set a precedent that these offenses will not be tolerated. Additionally, the judiciary must guarantee that trials are fair and transparent, while ensuring the victim and her family receive the necessary support and protection throughout the legal process. This shift is essential to restore public confidence and protect the rights of vulnerable individuals.

Where is the Medical Support?

Medical support is crucial in aiding the police and courts to ensure justice in abuse cases. Trained nurses and doctors must conduct thorough forensic examinations, utilizing sexual assault kits to preserve critical evidence such as DNA and physical injuries. This evidence is vital for building a strong case against perpetrators and ensuring accountability.

Hospitals and medical facilities have a responsibility to provide immediate medical attention to victims, ensuring they receive necessary treatment and care. Beyond physical health, the medical community must offer counseling and psychological support to victims and their families to address the trauma associated with abuse.

Collaboration between medical professionals, law enforcement, and the judiciary is essential. Medical teams must provide detailed documentation, expert testimony, and other evidence to strengthen the prosecution’s case. This partnership ensures the courts have the tools needed to deliver justice and protect vulnerable individuals. Strengthening this cooperative framework is key to safeguarding victims and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

No Leniency for Serious Crimes

To ensure that justice is served, it is imperative that perpetrators of domestic and child abuse are held accountable for their actions. Convicts must not be given fines as a replacement for prison sentences, as this can be seen as a lenient punishment for serious crimes. Instead, perpetrators must face the full force of the law and receive punishments that reflect the severity of their crimes.

Rehabilitation Through Counseling

Perpetrators must be provided with counseling and rehabilitation programs while they are in prison and after their release, to address impulsive acts and prevent reoffending. This is crucial in helping perpetrators to understand the impact of their actions and to develop healthy relationships and behaviors. Counseling and rehabilitation programs can also help to reduce the risk of reoffending and create safer communities.

Addressing Female Perpetrators

This is particularly important for female perpetrators, such as the woman who used pepper in the Rivers State assault case, who must be punished accordingly and receive counseling in anger management to address their behavior. Female perpetrators must be held to the same standards as male perpetrators and receive the same level of accountability and rehabilitation. By doing so, we can create a society that values justice and equality for all.

Support and Protection for the Victim and Her Mother

The Rivers State Government must ensure that the female teenager, a victim of alleged rape and brutal assault, and her mother, who has also been traumatized by the incident, receive comprehensive support and protection. This includes providing trauma counseling, supportive services, protective measures, and safe shelter to enable them to heal and rebuild their lives.

The teenager and her mother have been through a horrific ordeal, and it is essential that they receive the necessary care and support to recover from their physical and emotional trauma. The government must take immediate action to provide them with the resources they need to rebuild their lives and ensure their safety and well-being.

Creating a Safer Society

By holding perpetrators accountable and providing them with the necessary support and rehabilitation, we can create a safer and more just society for all. This requires a collaborative effort from law enforcement, the judiciary, social services, and community organizations to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that victims receive the necessary support and protection. Together, we can create a society that values justice, equality, and the well-being of all individuals.

Educating, Protecting, and Seeking Justice for Our Communities

The Rivers State assault case highlights the urgent need to safeguard women and children from domestic and child abuse. Education is key: we must inform ourselves, families, and communities about reporting domestic and child abuse cases.

To foster a culture prioritizing safety and well-being, collective effort is necessary. This includes educating children and adults about healthy relationships and boundaries, encouraging victims to speak out and seek help, providing support and resources for victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and advocating for systemic reforms.

For far too long, the police and the courts have failed to take cases of domestic and child abuse seriously, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished and victims to suffer in silence. It is time for a change. Families must stop accepting begging and apologies from offenders, and instead, demand justice and accountability.

The culture of settling cases out of court or accepting compromises must end. Traditional chiefs and community leaders must stop telling families to “forget” or “move on” and instead, support victims in seeking justice. The police must avoid compromises and instead, thoroughly investigate cases and bring perpetrators to justice.

It’s Never the Child’s Fault: we must stop blaming the female child, especially female teens, for cases of domestic and child abuse.

Ultimately, we must break the cycle of silence and impunity by working together. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our communities to take action and demand justice for victims of domestic and child abuse. It is our collective responsibility to create a safer and more just society for all.

A Culture of Forgetting Cases Must End

In Nigeria, societal tendencies to beg families to “forget” abuse cases or settle disputes outside the legal system often derail justice. This cultural practice, combined with reports of compromised law enforcement and judicial processes, further marginalizes victims. For this case to stand as a turning point, decisive action must be taken to prevent it from being swept under the rug.

A Call for Justice and Systemic Transformation

This case serves as a critical reminder of the need for comprehensive reforms in how abuse cases are handled. The combined efforts of the state governor, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, law enforcement, and the judiciary are essential to ensure justice for the teenage victim.

Governor Fubara’s immediate involvement, alongside proactive leadership from Suleiman-Ibrahim, could set a precedent for handling such cases with urgency and fairness. Advocacy groups and the public will continue to monitor the situation, pushing for systemic changes that prioritize justice and protect vulnerable individuals. Only through such collective action can trust in the justice system be restored and societal attitudes toward abuse cases be transformed.

Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders, famously described Nigeria as “a mere geographical expression” in his seminal book Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947). By this, Awolowo highlighted the artificial nature of the Nigerian state, created by colonial Britain in 1914 through the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates. His observation pointed to the lack of a unifying national identity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups, which makes most Nigerians more disposed towards their ethnic groups ahead of the Nigerian nation.

Several other Nigerian leaders, through their actions and words, keep echoing this perspective, making it a reference point in discussions about Nigeria’s unity, governance, and the challenges of nation-building. Our leaders, rather than seek the higher ideals of building a more united Nigeria by nurturing a shared identity and common purpose among Nigerians, they mindlessly tread the path of ethnic glorification. Over the decades, up until the present administration led by President Bola Tinubu, their words and actions have the effect of predisposing the people to their tribes ahead of the country. Sadly, the nation’s political and social landscape was, and remains, fragmented by social, religious, cultural and political differences.

So, when recently Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Conservative Party leader, in her altercations with Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima over her negative references to Nigeria, echoed this perspective to the effect that she identifies more with her Yoruba ethnic group than with a broader Nigerian heritage, nearly everyone came down on her. Like many Nigerians, Shettima viewed her usual reference to her experiences in Nigeria to depict corruption and bad governance, as denigrating her country of birth. He even suggested that if she was not proud of her Nigerian heritage, she could “remove the Kemi from her name.” That was the beginning of a new perspective in the altercation that led Badenoch, who was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents, to explain that her cultural identity is deeply rooted in her Yoruba ancestry. “While I acknowledge my Nigerian heritage, my primary identity is Yoruba. That’s where my sense of belonging lies,” she stated.

Her remarks had ignited controversy, drawing both praise and criticism from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. Most others were dumbfounded, mainly because it is largely a fact of our national life.The question is: was Badenoch really undermining efforts to promote national unity in Nigeria, a country already grappling with significant ethnic and regional divides, or was she simply stating the obvious facts of our national life? Was her prioritization of ethnic identities over a collective national consciousness, a denigration for Nigerians.

Several decades since Awolowo’s statement, many Nigerian leaders, through their words and actions, have affirmed that characterization that Nigeria’s political reality remains shaped by regional and ethnic loyalties. While Badenoch’s comments were personal, they bring to light a troubling reality—that the actions of Nigerian leaders often reinforce ethnic divisions and undermine the sense of a unified national identity. This anomaly is fueled by the tendency of Nigerian leaders to prioritize their ethnic groups in appointments, resource allocation, and project locations. Such favoritism sends a message that ethnic identity matters more than national identity, leaving citizens to see themselves through the lens of ethnicity rather than as Nigerians.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration provides a contemporary example of this phenomenon. Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has faced criticism for his appointments, which many argue, reflect a bias toward his Yoruba ethnic group and the South-West geopolitical zone.

While some of these appointments can be justified based on competence, the overwhelming dominance of Yoruba figures in key government positions has sparked allegations of favoritism. This pattern is not unique to Tinubu’s administration but is a recurring feature of Nigerian leadership. Past presidents have also been accused of favoring their ethnic or regional groups in appointments, perpetuating a cycle of mistrust and alienation among the country’s over 250 ethnic groups. By appearing to prioritize ethnic loyalty over national unity, Nigerian leaders inadvertently encourage citizens to align more closely with their ethnic identities.

Beyond appointments, the location of developmental projects also reflects ethnic favoritism. Under Tinubu, there has been an increased focus on the South-West region, to the detriment of other areas. This imbalance is a continuation of a trend seen in previous administrations, where leaders prioritize their regions in the distribution of resources and infrastructure, thereby deepening perceptions of exclusion and marginalization, particularly in regions like the South-East and the Niger Delta, which have long felt sidelined in national development.

When leaders use their positions to benefit their ethnic groups disproportionately, they reinforce the notion that Nigeria is not a truly united nation. This fuels a fragmented identity, where individuals, like Badenoch, see themselves first as Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa before identifying as Nigerians.

While Kemi Badenoch’s preference for her Yoruba identity may reflect her personal journey, it is actually a fact of our national life. The actions of leaders who prioritize ethnicity over national unity have normalized divided loyalties, eroding the collective sense of being Nigerian. So, Nigerian who love to live in denial, have largely been hypocritical in criticising Badenoch and her statement. If, indeed, Nigeria is to move forward as a united and prosperous nation, its leaders must rise above ethnic biases and govern with fairness, equity, and a true commitment to national unity. Only then can the anomaly of divided identities be addressed, and the dream of a united Nigeria realized. After all, Chief Awolowo’s statement did not foreclose the possibility that the ethnic nationalities cannot find common grounds beyond their cultural, political and religious differences.

Sheddy Ozoene is the Editor-In-Chief of People & Politics.

…describes NNPCL stoppage of supply of crude oil to Dangote as false

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery to verify its operational status.

This development follows Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) suggesting the refinery would not function effectively. 

According to the former president, SPDC, which was approached to acquire equity in the refinery, expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations.

Obasanjo further alleged that NNPCL has been misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s functionality.

Responding to the claims, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, respectfully invited the former president to visit the facility, emphasizing the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability. 

Soneye said: “Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”

Soneye also invited Obasanjo to join the NNPCL in its determination to guarantee the country’s energy security.

“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians. 

“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated,” he said.

Soneye explained that the NNPCL did not only carry out a turnaround maintenance on the plant but it embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery.

He said: “As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. 

“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.

“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.”

He added that NNPCL has evolved from being a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability.

He said owing to the transition, NNPCL has also moved on from being a loss-making organization to profit -driven international energy firm.

The new NNPC Limited, he said,  is committed not only to enhancing these refineries but also to maintaining them to global standards. 

Soneye noted that NNPCL will ensure their sustainable operation and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s energy security.

He said: “Regarding his recent comments, we would like to respectfully clarify the current state of the NNPC. 

The NNPC has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a government corporation into a private entity—NNPC Limited. 

“This transition has marked a significant shift from being a loss-making organization to a profit-oriented global energy company.”

“We deeply respect and hold President Obasanjo in the highest regard as a distinguished statesman who has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation.

 “He has every right to share his perspectives on national issues, and we value his insights and counsel.”

He said: “We remain grateful for his leadership and enduring commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our great nation.”

Soneye, who was also requested to react to a media report that NNPCL was to stop the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery said, “No need to respond to falsehood.”

British grime star, Stormzy has been banned from driving for nine months after being caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel of his Rolls-Royce Wraith in west London.

The 31-year-old rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, pleaded guilty via a letter to the offence, which occurred on Addison Road, West Kensington, in March last year, BBC reports Thursday.

Sky News also stated that District judge Andrew Sweet, presiding at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, criticised Stormzy’s “dangerous and irresponsible” actions, noting that his driving record was “not good”

According to multiple reports, the judge added six points to the rapper’s licence, resulting in the automatic disqualification, and imposed a fine of £2,010. 

“Get rid of your tints and get off your phone,” the off-duty officer reportedly told Stormzy after knocking on his tinted passenger window, according to accounts shared in court, says The Guardian.

The grime star had initially denied the charge but later wrote to the court to change his plea.

This incident follows a pattern of driving infractions for the award-winning artist.

Prosecutor Alice Holloway revealed that in October 2023, Stormzy was stopped while driving a Lamborghini Urus with front windows illegally tinted to only 4 per cent light transmission, far below the legal requirement of 70 per cent.

At the time, Holloway stated, the vehicle’s condition posed a risk to “vulnerable road users.”

Despite prior warnings, Stormzy was caught driving the Lamborghini on Coombe Lane, Kingston upon Thames, before finally removing the illegal tints.

Stormzy’s lawyer, Peter Csemiczky, emphasised his client’s acceptance of responsibility and willingness to comply with the law.

“He apologises and acknowledges his mistakes,” Csemiczky said, adding that the offending tints have now been removed.

Stormzy, a towering figure in the grime scene, has made headlines not just for his music but for his cultural impact.

Sky News added that he became the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury in 2019.

However, this latest legal setback underscores the consequences of repeated traffic violations, regardless of status or celebrity.

The rapper did not appear in court for the hearing.

Grime is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) that emerged in London in the early 2000s. It developed out of the earlier UK dance style UK garage.

The name “grime” was coined by journalists who initially termed the music’s sub-bass heavy sound as “grimy”, which subsequently became “grime”.

[Punch]

As 2025 unfolds, sporting bodies worldwide are gearing up for a year filled with excitement, ranging from the intense drama of football tournaments to the high-speed thrills of Formula 1, offering something for every sports enthusiast.

Here are ten major sporting events to look out for in 2025:

African Cup of Nations (AFCON)

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and will feature 24 teams from across the continent, including some of the most successful footballing nations in Africa.

The teams set to compete in the AFCON tournament include Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, defending champions Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Benin Republic, Tanzania, Botswana, and Mozambique.

The tournament is expected to showcase the finest African football talents, with Morocco returning as the host after initially being scheduled to host the tournament in 2015.

2025 Rugby World Cup (Women)

The 2025 Rugby World Cup (Women) will be hosted in England from August 22 to September 27, 2025, across eight venues, with the final set to be staged at Twickenham Stadium. Qualified teams such as the USA, England, New Zealand, France, and Canada will compete in what is set to be the largest-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup, which has expanded from 12 to 16 teams in order to increase the visibility and growth of the women’s game across the globe.

With qualification still open through the WXV series and other regional competitions, the full list of participants will be finalised as the year progresses.

Tour de France

One of the prestigious cycling events in the world, the 2025 Tour de France, will be held from July 5 to July 27 next year, where cyclists will compete for the coveted Yellow Jersey awarded to the overall leader of the race.

The race will feature strong contenders like Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Primož Roglič.

UEFA Women’s Euro 2025

The 14th edition of the UEFA Women’s European Championship will be held in Switzerland from July 2 to July 27, 2025, and will feature women’s national teams from across Europe competing for the continental title

Countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Germany have already qualified for this tournament, while others will qualify through a series of qualifying matches.

FIFA Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled for June 15 to July 13, is another sporting event to look out for in 2025.

The competition will be the first edition to host 32 teams from around the world against the previous 7 team competitors, and it is the first time the tournament will be held in the United States.

Participating teams are expected to qualify based on their respective continental championships, such as Europe (UEFA Champions League winners), South America (Copa Libertadores champions), Asia (AFC Champions League winners), Africa (CAF Champions League winners), North America (CONCACAF Champions League winners), Oceania (OFC Champions League winners), and host country representatives (likely the MLS champions from the US).

2025 Ryder Cup

Golfers around the continent will meet at the Bethpage Black Course in New York, USA, from September 23 to September 28, 2025, to compete in the 2025 Ryder Cup. The competition will feature Team Europe and Team USA, featuring 24 of the best golfers from each continent.

Golfers qualify for the Ryder Cup based on their performance in various competitions leading up to the event, including the PGA Tour, European Tour, and major tournaments. Captains for both teams select the final members from the top-ranked players or as “wildcard” picks.

Wimbledon Championships

One of the oldest and arguably most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, The Wimbledon Championship, will be held in London, England, from June 30 to July 13, 2025.

2025 World Aquatics Championships

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships is scheduled to take place in Singapore from July 11 to August 3, 2025. The competition includes various aquatic sports such as swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo, and open-water swimming.

The event is a key qualifier for athletes aiming for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, making it especially important for those in the swimming and diving categories.

Monaco Grand Prix (Formula 1)

The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will take place from May 23 to May 25, 2025, in the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, Monaco.

The sporting event is expected to attract a crowd of celebrities, royal figures, and business magnates.

2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in India, is an event to look out for in 2025.

[Vanguard]

Nigeria’s northern geopolitical neighbour, Niger Republic, was effectively an annex of our country under the rulership of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari. At every given opportunity, Buhari never failed to advertise the consanguineal connectivities between him as an individual, and Niger Republic, and indeed between his traditional sociocultural origins in Daura in Katsina State, and Maradi prefecture in Niger Republic. He confirmed he had cousins across the Nigerian border and even threatened to relocate to Niger if he suffered any discomfiture from Nigerians, as he disembarked from office in 2023. Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart who shares a slightly moderated first name with him, Mahamadou Issoufou, both signed an agreement in July 2018, for Nigeria to extend oil pipelines to Niger, and to build a refinery in that country, at the cost of $2Billion, fully bankrolled by Nigeria.

Under Buhari, a 286-kilometre long rail line to connect Nigeria and Niger, was approved by Buhari’s federal executive council, (FEC), in September 2020. The Kano- Katsina- Jibiya- Maradi rail link is costing Nigeria a staggering sum of $1.959 Billion. Buhari’s successor, Bola Tinubu inherited the project which was 35 per cent completed in 2023, and is proceeding with its completion. It should be ready before the end of 2026. The June 2021 edition of a publication which goes by the name The Africa Report, indeed asked a rhetorical question, occasioned by Buhari’s obsession with Niger, and Nigeria’s glaring economically lopsided investments in the desert nation. The document inquired: “What is it about Buhari’s passion for his northern neighbour, the Republic of Niger? Is it economic or commercial logic, altruism or just family and ethnic ties?” Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina in a February 10, 2021 edition of Arise News proffered that: “Jibiya and Maradi constitute a significant trading core between Nigeria and Niger Republic dating back many centuries. This vital infrastructure will establish an end-to-end logistic in railway transport services before northern and southern sections of the country, reaching Nigeria’s southern ports of Lagos and Warri.”

Added to these prodigal investments in a virtual wasteland was Buhari’s procurement of sports utility vehicles, (SUVs) valued at $2.7million for senior government officials in the employ of Niger Republic, in August 2021. Buhari during his years as helmsman, practically developed Niger with Nigeria’s commonwealth at a time Nigerians were suffering, and are still groaning from the buffeting spinoffs of multisectoral lack, deprivation, hunger, insecurity and despair, precipitated by his leadership. Ochereome Nnana, respected columnist with Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper, provided insights into Buhari’s consangiunity with Niger Republic in the November 25, 2020 edition of his column. His words: “Buhari is a first generation Nigerian whose father, Ardo Adamu Buhari, a dock seller, migrated from Niger and settled in Nigeria. He married Zulaihat, a Nigerian woman who bore Muhammadu Buhari for him.”

Establishing this foundation is imperative for our investigation of the subsisting diplomatic fissions between Niger Republic and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS), on one hand. There is also the estrangement of Niger, with Nigeria which President, Bola Tinubu, doubles as ECOWAS Chairman, in another breadth. Tinubu’s leadership of the regional grouping was renewed for a second term, at a meeting of leaders of member countries last December. The Niger Republic/ECOWAS/Nigeria stalemate which began in 2023, has stretched into a second year. Specifically on July 26, 2023, the commander of the presidential guard in Niger, Abdourahamane Tchiani, arrested and detained the incumbent democratically elected President, Mahamadou Bazoum. Tchiani proclaimed himself the new leader of a new military adventurers in that country. The coupists suspended the country’s Constitution and refused entreaties to reinstate the ousted President. Nigeria’s President, Tinubu was barely two months in office at the time, and had just assumed the leadership of ECOWAS, shortly before eruption of the Nigerien crisis. He threatened that Nigeria may consider leading an ECOWAS force to dislodge the mutineers if they didn’t restore Niger Republic’s Constitution and President Bazoum.

Tinubu despatched President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic to Niamey to mediate in the governance crisis in the brother West African country. A wholly Nigerian delegation led by Nigeria’s former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, was also emplaced by Tinubu on the same impasse. This bouquet of diplomatic engagements, however, yielded no tangible results. Rather, Tchiani and his colleagues dug in. They were emboldened by precedents in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali, where the military establishment had upset the apple cart of popular governance in the west coast and formed new alliances with Russia, as counterpoint to their erstwhile colonisers, France. Alongside Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger has since exited ECOWAS and formed a three-nation mutual defence partnership which they christened the Alliance of Sahel States, (ASS).

If you ask me, the onset of the Nigerien crisis was a most appropriate opportunity to engage and test former President Muhammadu Buhari’s touted relationship with the northerly nation. If he was not specifically beckoned upon by Tinubu to avail his immediate successor his services, it would not have been out of place for Buhari to offer himself to help out with the Nigerien face-off. He shares the same sociocultural background with the Nigeriens across our borders. As President, Buhari clearly and needlessly over-romanced Niger Republic at the expense of our national till. He did so much for that country with funds borrowed in the name of Nigeria, which will be continously serviced for decades to come by successor generations. He should be confident of a red carpet if he was to mediate in the logjam. While Buhari played Santa Claus in Niger, the educational, healthcare, agricultural, defence, infrastructural sectors in Nigeria were grossly under-funded. We are talking about the blind investment of well over $4 Billion frittered in the sands of Sahara desert.

Say what you like about him, Olusegun Obasanjo the first democratically enthroned President of Nigeria’s fourth republic has continually acquitted himself as a preeminent leader and statesman, in and out of office. His stature looms large, his tentacles embedded in time and space. While on a visit to Nigeria July 16, 2003, former President Fradique de Menezes of Sao Tome and Principe, was deposed by the military back home. A flustered Obasanjo who wouldn’t brook such a putsch especially when the victim was his guest, held Menezes by the hands, took him in his aircraft and flew him back home to Sao Tome. The typically humorous Obasanjo reassured his guest as much as possible in the course of the trip, that he will be restored. Obasanjo jokingly said to his beleaguered Sao Tome counterpart: “If there is shooting within the perimeters of the airport at the point of the descent of my plane, my pilots will abort touchdown and head back to the skies,” as he tried to crack up his brooding guest. By July 23, 2003, one week after Menezes’s initial dislodgement, Obasanjo reinstated him to the delight of the international community.

Mathieu Kerekou and Boni Yaya, both former Presidents of the Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s western neighbours, were regular guests of Nigeria during the Obasanjo years. They often never had to fly and just drove to meet their host in Badagry in Lagos State, or Otta in Ogun State. In response to cross-border robberies, smuggling and child-trafficking considered injurious to Nigeria’s peace and economy, Obasanjo never spared any chance to padlock the Nigeria-Benin borders. The attendant socioeconomic asphyxiation of these border seal-ups to Benin Republic, compelled regular entreaties by successive Beninoise governments to Nigeria. The sing-song was always for Nigeria to conceive of and treat the small French-speaking country as its 37th state. Such was the worth of Nigeria in regional politics. Obasanjo continues to be called upon across the world, to add width to issues of democracy, politics, governance, peace and international affairs. That is an essential patriarch.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has recently been on the road across West Africa as Special Envoy of ECOWAS. He has been leading mediation talks across the subregion, especially in Mali, one of the rebelling member countries of the body. Indeed, Jonathan is Chair of the “West African Elders Forum,” a senior advisory body committed to peace and stability in West Africa. In August 2022, Jonathan led the “Electoral Observation Mission” of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, to monitor the presidential polls which produced William Ruto as president of Kenya. In January 2024, Jonathan headlined a group of multidisciplinary experts from across the Commonwealth to observe the elections in the Asian country of Pakistan. The brief of the body was to offer independent and comprehensive assessment of the electoral process in the country on that occasion.

Buhari’s deputy during his time as President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, was in July 2023, less than six weeks after he left office, appointed Global Advisor to Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, (GEAPP). The body is an agglomeration of philanthropists, local entrepreneurs, governments and financing partners. Last August, Osinbajo and Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP), at the 2023 presidential election, were guests of the 2024 “Democratic National Convention” in Chicago in the United States. The National Democratic Institute, (NDI), organisers of the convention is a nonprofit, non-partisan organisation pushing democratic values around the world. These are just aspects of concerns and engagements to which Osinbajo has been adding vistas since he departed Aso Villa in May 2023.

I’ve always wondered what worth, what value Buhari, one of Nigeria’s most privileged public officers of all time, has ever impacted to the broad gamut of governance and politics in Nigeria. At various times, Buhari was Military Governor; Federal Commissioner, (more contemporaneously Minister); Military Head of State and civilian President. Despite this string of enviable adornments, I’m yet to see Buhari present a paper at any conference; lead a cerebral discussion at any forum; or headline a symposium or conference on the national question. I’m yet to see his memoirs or autobiography where he shares perspectives on the special privileges Nigeria has availed him and how he has in turn been beneficial to the national cause. I’m tempted to conclude that Buhari unimaginatively, unforgivably frittered the collective calendars, the patrimony and emotions of Nigerians, especially during his eight year reign, better branded “Nigeria’s years of the locusts.” Buhari had little to offer and he offered nothing.

Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), teaches Creative Writing at the University of Abuja.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed his successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, rejected a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries in 2007.

Obasanjo spoke in an interview with Channels Television, on Thursday, where he highlighted the challenges faced with Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries during his presidency.

The former president said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited was aware of its limitations in managing the nation’s refineries but still informed Yar’Adua that the oil company can operate the refineries — leading to his successor rejecting Dangote’s offer.

Obasanjo also said he sought external help to rehabilitate and manage the facilities but faced resistance.

“When I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t,” Obasanjo said.

“Later on, I called them. I called the boss of Shell to come and tell me what the problem was and he gave me four or five reasons.

“He (Shell boss)  said, first of all, they make a major profit from upstream, not from downstream. He said they run downstream just to keep their head above water.

“Two, our refineries were too small: 60,000 barrels, 100,000 barrels and I think 120,000 barrels. He said that at that time, the average refinery was going for 250,000 barrels.

“Three, he said our refineries were not well maintained. Four, he said that there was too much corruption around the activities of our refinery and they would not want to get involved in that.

“After that, Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries.

“My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. 

“He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they could run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.”

‘$2BN SPENT ON REFINERIES BUT NO RESULT’

The former president also said he is confident in Dangote’s ability to manage his privately owned refinery effectively, contrasting it with the government’s inefficiency.

Obasanjo also expressed frustration over the mismanagement of the refineries, adding that despite the amount spent on them since 2007 no results have been made. 

“I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refinery and they still will not work,” he said.

“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. But here we are, over $2 billion squandered, and the refineries still won’t work.”

On December 31, 2024, Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the NNPC, said the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Delta state was now operational.

On November 26, the NNPC said the Port Harcourt refinery had officially commenced crude oil processing.

[TheCable]