Festus Osifo, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doubling down on some of his policies that have brought difficulties and challenges to Nigerians.

Osifo stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.

He said that what the president said during his media chat was just to inspire hope in Nigerians.

The TUC president also said that the labour union was not getting the credit it deserved from Nigerians.

Osifo said, “The commander-in-chief will always come and try to feature things that are doing well. I can say that from the media chat played time an again, we could realize that the president is doubling down on some of the policies he has put out there, but looking at it deeply, we all know, Nigerians know clearly that some of those policies have brought about difficulties and challenges that we are facing today.

“Our inflation analysts have said it over and over again that some of the policies led to the challenges we are facing today. Our exchange rate is N1,600 to a dollar depending on the parallel market. It is also these same policies that brought about the inflation that we have today. In reality what the president said, he was trying to inspire hope. But that hope is not in tandem with the economy we have.

“In all reality this is what governments all over the world do; when things are hard they come out to tell us that there is a better tomorrow. But what we now look at are those things that have been lined up, what are the parameters, what are the things done to stimulate the economy so that we will be as optimistic and the commander in Chief himself is or was as the case may be.

“We are told that the inflation will come down to 15 percent in 2025. We were told that our oil production will rise to 2.06 million barrels per day. We were told how much we will borrow to finance our budget. When you analyze them, what are the parameters put in place so that we can see that truly that there are actions that will match them up?”

[DailyTrust]

On 19 December, the House of Representatives closed for the year, drawing a curtain on a challenging period, which witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly.

In this review, DAILY POST examines some of the events that shaped the House in the just-concluded year.

Binance bribery saga

In May, the House faced allegations of bribery involving the CEO of Binance, Richard Teng.

In a post on X, Mr Teng alleged that his team, after meeting with the House Committee on Financial Crimes, was approached by unknown persons offering to “take away the trouble” of the company in exchange for money.

It could be recalled that two executives of Binance had earlier been arrested by the federal government on criminal charges.

The House Committee on Financial Crimes, chaired by Ginger Onwusibe (LP, Abia), was mandated to investigate a petition against the company.

Shortly before the bribery allegation, the Committee had threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the company’s executives for ignoring multiple invitations.

However, the bribery allegation led to the premature end of the Committee’s probe.

Saga over Samoa Agreement

In July, the debate over the implementation of the Samoa Agreement almost brought the Green Chamber into conflict with the Executive.

Following a motion by Aliyu Madaki, the lawmakers in the Green Chamber resolved that the Federal Government should suspend the implementation of the agreement due to the alleged inclusion of LGBTQ+ clauses.

However, the newspaper that published the report upon which the House based its resolution later recanted the story, as an ombudsman found it faulty and untrue.

Dissolution of Downstream and Midstream Committee

The clash of interests among members of the House of Representatives forced the leadership of the House to dissolve the ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee.

Initially, the joint committee was investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.

But following the decision of the lawmakers to engage in a media war to protect their interest, the House leadership decided that the committee was dissolved.

The committee was also marred by bribery allegations.

Change of National Anthem

One major landmark in the House was the decision to revert to the old National Anthem.

Ahead of the 25th Democracy Day, both chambers of the National Assembly unanimously passed a bill to adopt the old anthem once again.

The bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, was introduced and passed on the same day.

Subsequently, the President was invited to address a joint session of the National Assembly, where the new anthem was officially inaugurated.

Fubara vs Wike tussle divides House

The feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike caused divisions within the minority caucus in the House. Ikenga Ugochinyere led a faction loyal to Fubara, opposing Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.

In May, Ugochinyere led a group of 50 lawmakers to visit Fubara in Port Harcourt, a move that angered many pro-Wike lawmakers in the House. By June, Ugochinyere was referred to the House Ethics Committee for leading the visit.

Undeterred, Ugochinyere continued to lead a strong opposition against the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum. For weeks, he was the face of resistance against Wike’s influence.

Mass defection in Labour Party

Towards the close of the year, the Labour Party experienced a wave of defections in the House of Representatives. By the final count, six members of the LP caucus defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

DAILY POST had earlier reported how these defections threaten the strength of the LP as the third-largest party in Nigeria.

Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency, Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani constituency), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo) all left the party on the same day.

Later, Dalyop Chollom and Alfred Ajang, both from Plateau State, abandoned “Mama, Papa, and Pikin” and embraced the “broom” of the APC.

Death in the Green Chamber

In 2024, the House of Representatives lost three members.

The deceased members were Ekene Adams, Olajide Akinremi, and Isa Dangoyaro.

The year was marked by several moments of silence in the Green Chamber.

[DailyPost]

• SMEs, farmers exempted from payment

The Federal Government has kicked-off the implementation of the 2024 Withholding Tax Regulations.

The new regulations, approved in July last year and put into the gazette in October, took effect yesterday.

The revised regulations, titled: “Deduction of Tax at Source (Withholding) Regulations, 2024,” is intended to modernise the tax system, streamline compliance and address longstanding inefficiencies.

Announcing the commencement of the reforms on New Year’s day, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, outlined key features of the updated regime.

He said Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are now exempted from withholding tax compliance adding that the change is expected to ease administrative and financial challenges for these businesses, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.

Also, businesses with low profit margins will benefit from reduced withholding tax rates, which will enhance their cash flow and reduce operational costs.

In addition, manufacturers and producers, particularly farmers, are now exempted from withholding tax. This move is designed to strengthen critical sectors, ensuring their sustainability and growth.

The tax provisions are intended to curb tax evasion, minimise avoidance opportunities, and promote transparency in tax remittances.

The reforms streamline the process of obtaining credit for taxes deducted at source, making it easier for businesses to leverage such deductions. The regulations reflect emerging economic issues and align with international standards, ensuring Nigeria’s tax system remains contemporary and globally competitive and by providing clear guidelines on the timing of deductions and definitions of key terms, the new policy has eliminated ambiguities that previously made compliance difficult.

Oyedele, who spoke on the reform last year,  noted that “the previous withholding tax regime “had evolved into a complicated system over time, creating numerous challenges for businesses”.

The Withholding Tax (WHT) Regulations, 2024, is poised to significantly ease the tax burden on small businesses while introducing stricter compliance requirements to curb tax evasion.

As part of the reform, small businesses will no longer be required to deduct withholding tax on payments made to their suppliers.

However, to address potential tax evasion, tax deductions are mandated in the following situations: If the supplier lacks a Tax Identification Number (TIN); If the total payments to a supplier exceed N2 million in one month, except for transactions specifically exempted under the new regulations.

In cases where a supplier does not have a TIN, an alternative identifier must be provided: the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals or the RC number for companies.

Payments made under these circumstances are subject to the normal withholding tax rate, though this does not apply to investment income such as dividends, interest, or rent.

A small business is defined as any company or enterprise with an annual turnover not exceeding N25 million.

However, Oyedele explained that there is a draft proposal to raise this threshold to N50 million, pending legislative approval.

Under the new regulations, withholding tax is not applicable to payments to small companies with an annual turnover of N25 million or less, transactions involving manufacturing, agriculture, and other production activities, irrespective of turnover, sales in cash or instant electronic payments and other specific transactions listed as “exempt” in the WHT Regulations.

Businesses, including SMEs, are only required to file returns for months in which taxes were deducted at source in the preceding month. The returns must contain details as prescribed in the schedule of the regulations.

The regulations introduce penalties to ensure compliance. Failure to deduct tax where required will attract administrative penalties.

Also, non-remittance of deducted taxes by the due dates—21st of the following month for remittances to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or 30th for state Internal Revenue Services—will result in penalties and interest on the amount not remitted.

Oyedele said the new rules prohibit treating tax deductions at source as an additional cost for recipients, reinforcing equitable tax practices.

Key issues include ambiguities regarding compliance requirements, eligible transactions, applicable rates, and remittance timing, and excessive compliance burdens and strained working capital for low-margin businesses.

Also, the treatment of withholding tax as a separate levy, contributing to multiple taxation, the difficulty in obtaining refunds for excess withholding tax, leading to financial strain and the absence of an exemption threshold made compliance uneconomical for taxpayers and enforcement costly for authorities.

Another challenge experienced with the old withholding tax regime was the failure to address emerging economic realities, resulting in inequity and inefficiency in the tax system.

Oyedele said “the new regulations tackle these issues head-on, streamlining processes and reducing compliance burdens while promoting fairness and equity”.

What is Withholding Tax?

Tax withholding, also known as tax retention, pay-as-you-earn tax or tax deduction at source, is income tax paid to the government by the payer of the income rather than by the recipient of the income.

The tax is thus withheld or deducted from the income due to the recipient.

The term “withholding tax” refers to the money that an employer deducts from an employee’s gross wages and pays directly to the government. The amount withheld is a credit against the income taxes the employee must pay during the year.

[TheNation]

It has now become something of a yearly tradition that someone would share a video of hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of beggars lined up on one of the priciest real estates in Nigeria—Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Already always striking in Nigeria, the paradox of poverty and prosperity jars your eyes. These people queue up for hours, their bodies exposed to weather action accruing the circumstances that will take eventual tow. Usually taken at night, the video displays these panhandlers seeking charity in the unofficial presidential residence.

To be clear, Bourdillon Road is not unique in this respect. I grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State, and the sight of economically challenged people assembling in front of the house of well-to-do Muslims to beg for alms is not exactly rare. If you mingle with them, you will marvel at the complexity of the poverty that will make someone travel—as they claim—a considerable distance to beg. You will be surprised at the distance some of those who resume at Bourdillon have travelled just to fritter away time while expecting the man—or any of his affluent visitors—to extend them some handouts.

People like that come expecting to be given alms because their shared religion with the benefactor stipulates that moneyed people must transfer some income to the poor to maintain the munificence of providence. That explains why wherever you have Islam and poverty, you are guaranteed a nuisance of beggars. That is also why I think FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was wasting time when he started haranguing beggars in the nation’s capital. When religion validates panhandling, you cannot do away with the social tradition it engenders by making a noise. Rich and well-organised Islamic countries do not have this problem for self-evident reasons.

Going by Bola Tinubu’s admission during his recent presidential media chat, it turns out that he has been hosting these professional charity seekers for as long as 25 years! Some of those beggars must be familiar with the street layout and its changing appearance and perhaps have been a fixture there long enough to share a vicarious interest in Bourdillon Road real estate value. They probably do not consider the ungainly sight of themselves hanging around the varnished surface of one of the choicest real estate a blemish but, in fact, as part of the value it carries.

In a society where you can earn social credit through ostentatious performances of charity, the sight of many humans begging an individual for their survival attests to the benefactor’s valour and value. They index his popular support, allowing the man to establish a populist ethos that ultimately shores his political capital. The more the man’s political value rises, the higher the price of items associated with him (including the street he lives). However unseemly the sight of those panhandlers might be, they are part of Tinubu’s wealth and that is probably why he has not thought of doing anything about them. In his media chat, Tinubu sounded as if their besiege of his homestead was an inevitable social reality. It does not look like a tradition that is about to cease.

One would think that after all these years, he should have thought of reorganising the beggars that converge on Bourdillon Road. If people have been crowding your streets for so long, and in that spate of time, you have held leadership positions ranging from governor to the shady title of “governor emeritus”, at what point does it strike you that the sight of suffering humans in front of your house should be considered an eyesore and, therefore, restructured into something more dignifying of humans? Here is a man who has occupied leadership positions for a quarter of a century but refuses to come up with an original idea regarding how to do charity while simultaneously maintaining people’s dignity and public decency.

Rather than having them line up on the streets just so they can be handed a pittance after they have been deemed to have suffered enough, why not establish proper feeding centres in several zones in Lagos, where people can show up at scheduled times to pick whatever welfare items you want to give them? Philanthropy should not require that people be debased before they are fed. We get it, maintaining a crowd feeds your inner Narcissus, but what of the associated risks of that many people standing by the roadside? Then there is the issue of the public resources that would need to be regularly deployed to maintain security around that place. As he is president, security agents must have had to heighten surveillance activities around his house to ensure that mischief-makers do not hide among those beggars. Why the need for that much waste when there are far more efficient ways of doing things? He can redirect the people to the feeding centres where trained personnel will take care of the business smoothly and humanely. If he does not want to run a charity programme all year round, the centres can do it quarterly. What matters is that the “human” is not taken out of humanitarianism.

Looking at that sight, I have also wondered if Tinubu ever spares a thought for his neighbours who invested in real estate only to be forced to endure the nuisance of beggars invading the area, especially around festive periods. Prime real estate as a place like Bourdillon Road claims to be should ideally be typified by an aesthetically pleasing environment. Three factors typically differentiate quality real estate—access (to cultural centres and the added benefit of the nearness of transportation infrastructure such as the airport), appearance (serenity, clean and well-maintained environment, good air quality, etc.) and amenities (from excellent public schools to well-maintained public parks). If you live in a place like Bourdillon Road, the last thing you should ever wake up to see is the endless queue of beggars. Otherwise, what is the point of purchasing luxury?

Beyond his neighbours, there is something about the sight of people hanging around a president’s residence that does not speak well of his leadership capabilities. Maybe no one has nudged him to see it, but the impression that spectacle on Bourdillon Road generates is that Tinubu enjoys the sight of suffering humans and thrives in—and through— their poverty. If all these years, impoverished people hang around you and you remain comfortable enough to keep them just so they can be handed tokens of your large heart, then it means you have a pro-poverty mindset. Such a frame of mind is oriented toward cultivating poverty rather than stimulating abundance. That is why he could unproblematically relate the story of his “friend” who went from using five Rolls Royce to a far-less valued car and not consider the import of the nonsense he was saying. That spurious account was an indication that this is a man for whom poverty—of others, not himself—is an ideal.

If how he thinks this is the way fathers of actual prosperous nations like the United Arab Emirates imagined wealth generation, the country would not be the haven that drives Nigerian leaders to rob people to just to buy their luxury estates. The difference in their respective mindset largely explains why his approach to economic reforms is to first beggarise the nation. His reforms could have been activated with a view toward generating prosperity not a sadistic mentality that relishes seeing someone with five Rolls Royce reduced to nothing, but no. Thanks to his vision, Nigeria now has more beggars, on the streets, social media, public bureaucracies, and corporate offices, likely more than at any time in its history. You can hardly greet people online these days without getting a request from someone begging for money.

The Federal Government may cut its crude oil supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, reducing it from the current allocation of 300,000 barrels per day, except if there is a surge in Nigeria’s oil output, The PUNCH gathered on Wednesday.

This reduction is expected to take place as part of adjustments under the government’s naira-for-crude initiative following the coming onstream of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.

Both refineries currently operate at a combined capacity of about 135,000 barrels per day. The plants, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, commenced operations recently after years of neglect by successive governments, preferring fuel imports.

It was gathered that the planned reduction of crude to the Dangote refinery was also predicated on the necessity to ensure a sufficient supply of crude to all refineries.

Impeccable sources knowledgeable about the development disclosed the planned slash in crude supply to the Dangote refinery during a chat with our correspondent on Wednesday.

One of the sources who did not want to be mentioned because he was not permitted to speak with the press, confirmed to The PUNCH that, “It is clear that crude allocation to Dangote refinery and other local refineries will be reduced because all our refineries are coming back. Old Port Harcourt is working. New Port Harcourt is almost done. Warri just joined last week. “
Last year, the Federal Executive Council adopted a proposal by President Bola Tinubu to sell crude to the Dangote refinery and other upcoming refineries in the local currency.

FEC approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as a pilot.

Similarly, other refineries with lower capacity were scheduled to receive allocations.
Findings showed that the $20bn Lekki-based plant was allocated about 300,000 barrels per day out of the 450,000bpd approveby the government.

The agreement was designed to last six months in the first instance, pending further review by the Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency.

However, this agreement will undergo slight adjustments following the commencement of refining operations at the 210,000PortHarcourt refinery and the 125,000 Warri refinery.

The source stressed that the only solution to the impending crude supply cut was for oil production to improve.
The official added, “Warri is now onstream, too, and Kaduna is coming. So the current share of those 450,000 barrels will now be shared between all of them. Remember also that the BUA refinery is coming.

“So, it is very likely that the 300,000 barrels the Dangote refinery is getting currently will be reduced. The formula for how it would be shared is still sketchy, but it is almost certain that it would be reduced. NNPCL won’t deprive itself of crude oil.

“At least, if Port Harcourt will get 50,000 barrels. Other refineries’ share will be reduced to 250,000. New Port Harcourt will come. Warri, too, is still there. So the only solution to this thing is to increase production, which the government is working hard on.”

The government had redirected crude allocation of 445,000 barrels formerly disbursed to the Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt refineries following their shutdown to the Dangote refinery.

The official also stated that the government has stopped selling its crude on credit to local refineries for improved revenue collection.

“Another issue now is that the government will no longer sell its crude on a credit basis. You would have to pay before you can pick up crude products. The refiners are not happy about it, but revenue to the government is also important.”

The Dangote refinery may fall back on crude oil import, which is subject to international pricing.
Commenting on the latest development, the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria stated that the initiative was an intervention designed to address the foreign exchange market volatility and drive down the retail price of petrol, which has been achieved.

The CORAN Publicity Secretary, Eche Idoko, in an interview, however, argued that the coming onstream of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries is not expected to cut down allocation to local refineries.

He said, “The naira for the crude agreement was purely an intervention at the time to boost local production and then provide some cushion from the volatility of the foreign exchange market. It wasn’t so much about the crude but the FX.

“While I don’t know the mind of the government and regulators if one would infer from the solution to address the volatility, the coming onstream of the Warri and Port Harcourt refinery is to make sure the price of petrol remains affordable for Nigerians. You would agree with me that against all norms, the petrol price has dropped in the last month. We still expect that the price will drop further.

“If we go by this analogy, I don’t think it would change the announcement by the government concerning the naira for crude. However, the agreement signed for this deal stated that it was for refineries producing PMS, which only Dangote and Port Harcourt are currently doing. The one in Warri is not producing because it’s undergoing rehabilitation.”

Idoko pointed out that “this also indicates that there is a serious need for the upstream segment to ramp up production and produce more crude.”

Meanwhile, the national oil company may encounter new challenges in meeting local crude demands, with fresh indications that the oil firm is seeking an additional $2bn to stabilise its finances and invest in new oil infrastructure to boost crude oil production.

A report by Africa Intelligence recently stated the NNPC should announce in the next few days that it has finalised the new syndicated crude oil-backed loan.

Christened Project Leopard, the operation, it said, will enable the company to raise $2bn in total in exchange for crude oil.
This will push the volume of loans for crude to $8bn within four years. The country is still repaying these loans.

A few months ago, Oando loaned the NNPC $500m as part of another syndicated loan operation called Project Gazelle. Swiss group, Gunvor International and Nigeria’s Sahara Energy Resources, also took part in the $3.175bn operation, which was arranged by Afreximbank.

These deals have continued despite complaints from domestic refineries that the national oil firm is not meeting its quota.

The country’s average daily production stood at 1.8m barrels per day as of November 2024.

Last year, the Vice President of the Dangote Group, Edwin Devakumar, accused NNPCL of failing to meet its crude oil supply obligations under the naira-for-crude agreement.

Devakumar explained that the national oil company had committed to supplying the refinery with a minimum of 385,000 bpd under the crude-for-naira deal.

“We need 650,000 barrels per day, and NNPC Ltd agreed to supply a minimum of 385,000 bpd, but they are not even delivering that,” Devakumar stated.

The CORAN official also lamented the same issue, stating, “We trust that the government will listen to us for the naira for crude and address the issue of the non-availability of crude to local refineries. CORAN, as a body representing local refineries, is willing to work with the government in any way to increase the quota. Private refineries should also be allowed to own marginal fields.” 123m barrels crude

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has revealed that Port Harcourt Refinery, Dangote Refinery, Warri Refinery, and other functional refineries will receive 123,480,500 barrels of crude oil between January and June 2025, which is the total crude requirement of refiners during the period.The regulator estimated daily crude oil requirements for local refiners at 770,500 barrels per day and a monthly requirement of 23,812,000 barrels per month. 

The NUPRC said this in the Domestic Crude Oil Requirement and Crude Oil Production Forecast for the First Half of 2025 obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.

To meet the requirement, the NUPRC said it targets crude oil output to hit over two million barrels per day.

The production target is hinged on Project 1 Million Barrels, which was launched in October 2024.

The NUPRC is empowered by the PIA to ensure domestic crude supply to local refineries based on the ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ model.
The regulator said the move is under Section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and it is aimed at effective capacity utilisation of the nation’s domestic refineries by ensuring a consistent supply of crude oil.

The NUPRC said, “The forecasted daily crude requirement for Refineries which is 770,500 Bpd), is about 37 per cent of the forecasted first half 2025 average daily production of 2,066,940 Bpd.”

The forecast is for nine active refineries, according to the NUPRC.

A breakdown showed that the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals require 99,550,000 barrels from January to June 2025. The refinery’s daily requirement is 550,000mbpd while the monthly requirement is 17.05 million barrels. The facility, however, has an optimal capacity of 650,000bpd.

The Warri Refinery has the second highest requirement, estimated at 13,5875,000 barrels in the first half, while the daily and monthly requirements are 75,000bpd and 2.325 million barrels, respectively.

The Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company Ltd has an estimated requirement of 3,960,000 barrels. The refinery’s daily requirement is 66,000bpd and 1,980,000 barrels.

Port Harcourt Refinery Company Ltd (Old) has a daily requirement of 60,000 barrels per day, a monthly requirement of 1,860,000 barrels and a half-year requirement of 2,868,000 barrels.

Port Harcourt-based Aradel Refinery is estimated to consume 1,267,000 barrels in the first half of 2025 while the daily need of the refinery is 11,000bpd and 215,000 barrels monthly.

OPAC Refineries in Delta State has a crude requirement of 5,000bpd, 150,000 barrels per month and 900,000 barrels in the first half.

Imo State-based Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Ltd have a half-year requirement of 814,500 barrels, a monthly and daily requirement of 139,000 barrels, and 4,500 barrels per day.

Edo State-based Dupot Midstream Company Ltd has a half-year, monthly and daily requirement of 360,000 barrels, 62,000 barrels and 2000bpd, respectively.

Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Ltd has a half-year requirement of 186,000 barrels, a monthly requirement of 31,000 barrels and a daily requirement of 1,000.

NUPRC said, “It is leveraging the capacity of upstream operators to meet the target daily production of 2,500,000 bpd in the short term.

“This strategic initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to bolstering its domestic refining capacity and ensuring the sustainability of its oil industry.

“The first half of 2025 is expected to witness increased synergy between local refineries and producing companies, setting the stage for a more robust and self-reliant petroleum landscape in Nigeria.”

[Punch]

…Prays for peace, progress of state

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has expressed solid faith in the omnipotence of God to crush self-styled enemies of the state and its people.

Fubara spoke at the crossover into 2the 025 church service held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, yesterday. 

He raised a gallantry song, with the brethren picking up the lines, and singing along: “At the mention of your name (God), every knee shall bow. At the mention of your name, every tongue confesses. That you are Lord, you are Lord, you are King, you are King of kings.”

Fubara said the wordings of the song were not just consolatory but a charge to embolden the people to firm up their trust in God, who alone, can navigate the path to greater triumph in the New Year.
He said: “The Red Biro is still filled. It is still here with me. Every enemy plan will continue to crash,” and wished everyone a happy new year.

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, who conducted the service, recalled the many challenges, including conspiracy, blackmail, attacks, economic hardship and ill-health and near hopeless situations experienced in 2024 but quickly added that those troubles never overwhelmed the brethren.

Oko-Jaja said God has given a new song of triumph to those who are grateful to Him for the marvellous works perfected in their lives, admonishing them that in the New Year, God will faithfully uphold, deliver and ensure that they continue to live victoriously.

He prayed for peace, unity, progress and accelerated development of the State in line with the key targets of the state government’s 2025 Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development.

Highlights of the service included praise and worship, choir ministration, which ushered in 2025 at midnight Tuesday with shouts of ‘Happy New Year’ renting the air.

Those who joined the governor in the service include, Speaker, of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Oko-Jumbo; Chief of Staff, of Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, some members of the National Assembly, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Boma Goodhead, Anderson Igbiks, and Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Jaja.

Others were Senator Adawari Pepple, former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, Theodore Georgewill, Dr. Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja, members of the State Executive Council, some Local Government Council chairmen; elders; political leaders; and key stakeholders in the state.

[Vanguard]

A chief magistrate court in Kaduna has ordered the remand of Shehu Mahdi, a public affairs and political commentator, in a correctional facility.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Madhi in Kaduna over the weekend after he posted inciting content, including a video online claiming that President Bola Tinubu granted France the approval to set up a military base in northern Nigeria.

The now-deleted post was uploaded on December 14 and accompanied by a video of a Nigerian Army officer speaking Hausa while the background showed a foreign soldier.

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), and Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, have since debunked the claims as baseless.

Findings by CableCheck revealed that the claim that the French military has been deployed in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, to establish a military base in Nigeria is false.

At the court session on Tuesday, the DSS arraigned Mahdi before Abubakar Lamido, the presiding magistrate, on a two-count charge of conspiracy, aiding, and abetting terrorism.

The offences are said to be contrary to section 26(2)(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, and inciting public disturbances is contrary to section 78 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna state, 2017.

“In his ruling, Magistrate Lamido held that Mahdi remains in a correctional facility in Kaduna until January 14, 2025, for further hearing on the matter,” a statement by DSS said.

[TheCable]

Throughout history, religions and religious leaders have impacted the affairs of countries. For instance, the ‘Asian Miracle’ is in part explained by the discipline and work ethic integral to the Buddhist religion. Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and other religions have also helped to shape societies. This is why some have remarked that with so many Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, there is very little Christianity and very little Islam. It appears that in our country, religion is only capable of serving as a tool for division and exploitation. It is therefore refreshing to see a Tik-Tok video of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye delivering what could be termed a ‘palace sermon’ to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Ọba Ghandi Afọlábí Ọláoyè, Orumógege III. The ‘sermon’ was not about God or the Kingdom of God; it was about the Soun’s own domain. It is also, in a way, about leadership, although we will get to that later.

Since the former RCCG Pastor in Washington DC was crowned as Soun of Ogbomoso last year, he has been embroiled in a war of attrition with diverse interest groups within the community. The latest controversy began when the monarch appointed a ‘Palace Imam’, in a not-too-clever attempt to oust the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Dr Teliat Yunus Ayilara II, despite court injunctions restraining such action. It is even more interesting that there is no Mosque at the Palace where an Imam appointed by the monarch can lead prayer! “The fact that he (the monarch) is physically imposing, has considerable wealth and belongs to the IJGB (I Just Got Back) clan from America doesn’t mean he should disrespect his subjects or ride roughshod over us,” a prominent Ogbomosho indigene told me in response to Pastor Adeboye’s video I forwarded to him. “If he (the Soun) doesn’t heed the counsel of Pastor Adeboye, he won’t enjoy his reign.”

What the two contrasting views suggest is that all is not well in Ogbomoso, which is essentially the kernel of Pastor Adeboye’s message to the Soun, that he delivered publicly in Yoruba. It is about inclusion and the limits of temporal power. Although the Soun may be addressed as the unquestionable sovereign (Kabiyesi), Pastor Adeboye used a simple story to illustrate why the monarch must also recognize other “principalities and powers” in his domain if he wants to stay long and stay well on the throne. Interestingly, Pastor Adeboye prefaced his ‘sermon’ (delivered in four minutes) with apologies to non-Yoruba people who were with him during the encounter with the Soun. He said it would be disrespectful to address a Yoruba monarch in English. While still struggling with the interpretation, I discovered that Dr Lasisi Olagunju used the same intervention by Pastor Adeboye in his ‘Monday Lines’ column to address the issue of leadership in Nigeria. I have secured permission to reproduce his rendition of Pastor Adeboye’s message to the Soun:

Several years ago, there was an incident in a town called Ejigbo. It was noticed that the kings there died as soon as they ascended the throne. Then, it was the turn of a young man to be king. His case was a very precarious one. If he became king, he would die. If he refused to be king, it would be the end of his royal lineage in that town because he was the very last prince there alive. One day, the young prince was going to the farm in great sorrow. Then, he bumped into an old man because he was troubled. He begged the old man for forgiveness. “Omo aládé, kí ló dé?” (Prince, what is the problem?), the old man asked him. He told the old man his problem. “It is my turn to be king, but I don’t want to die.”

The old man listened to him; then told him it was a simple thing. ‘On the day of your enthronement, tell your drummers not to repeat the beat they used for your predecessors. They should change it.’ The old man then told the prince what his beat should say. Between them, it was a secret. The D-Day came. He became king. It was time for celebrations. The king came out to dance round the town. The witches of the town, devourers of the earlier kings, assembled as usual under their tree, waiting for the drumbeat.

The old beat was:

Eléjìgbò l’ó l’Èjìgbò;

Èmi nÌkan ni mo l’Èjìgbò.

(Eléjìgbò, the king, owns Ejigbo; I alone own Èjìgbò).

But by the time the drummers of the new king started beating the drum for him, they came with a new beat:

Eléjìgbò l’ó l’Èjìgbò;

T’èmi tì’e l’a l’Èjìgbò.

Eléjìgbò l’ó l’Èjìgbò;

Gbogbo wa l’a l’Èjìgbò.

(Eléjìgbò owns Èjìgbò; You and I own Èjìgbò. Eléjìgbò owns Èjìgbò; We all own Èjìgbò).

The witches exchanged glances. “This is strange! Who gave this young man this wisdom?” That was how the young king danced round the town. He was king and he was on the throne for a very long time. 

In his column, Olagunju said he took Pastor Adeboye’s intervention “as a sermon for all who think or take themselves to be owners of Nigeria.” Since conventional wisdom teaches that to whom you can whisper, you need not shout, I also believe Pastor Adeboye’s message was not only for the Soun but all those who hold positions of authority in our country. Otherwise, he could have quietly invited the monarch to Redemption Camp and deliver his ‘homily’ to him alone. But it is also a message that the Soun needs.

Even from Oba Ghandi’s public explanation regarding the crisis within his domain, it is evident that he may not be getting the right counsel. “Soun Ogunlola who founded the throne was a pure traditionalist; he worshipped Ogun deity. We Christians and Muslims are just intruding so to say; it originally belonged to the traditional religion worshipers so we should encourage religious harmony,” he said while dismissing the insinuation that the crisis is about religion. “I have refused to remove him (Chief Imam Teliat) despite him taking me to court. But I told him, ‘You can’t take me to court and be leading me in prayer’, We don’t go to court and become friends. You that took me to court your intention is to win, to win against the Oba, and you call yourself an indigene of this town. Such prayer can’t be answered, I believe. I am a pastor, if I take my member to court will I lead prayer, and such member will say amen?” The monarch further said: “I have been an alfa (pastor) for 32 years; I believe Imam Teliat was still wearing pants then. That is the truth. And as Christians, we don’t mount the pulpit to abuse a king, I don’t know your religion much but in Christendom, we don’t do that, although some pastors say nonsense too.”

When in September 2023 Governor Seyi Makinde announced the approval of Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, one of the first persons to congratulate him is the embattled Grand Chief Imam who called on all sons and daughters to “join hands with our Soun-Elect Prince Afolabi Olaoye in building a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous Ogbomosoland.” He ended his statement with a prayer: “May Almighty Allah bestow upon him, knowledge and wisdom, grant him long life and good health, bless his reign and increase Ogbomosoland in abundance.” So, whatever may be their differences now, the Soun should play his role as father of all. It is just as well that Pastor Adeboye ended his story to the Ogbomoso monarch with a familiar line in Yoruba adage: “Kabiyesi, half a word, as they say, is enough for the wise.”

Even if we discount the preeminent position he holds in Christendom in Nigeria, Pastor Adeboye is also a grand old man of 82, which means that he has been around long enough to have seen things. The Ogbomoso Kabiyesi would do well to listen to him. More importantly, other religious leaders could also learn a thing or two from this kind of intervention, especially those who have continued to use the pulpit to fan the embers of division and sow the seeds of discord in the land—just to earn the momentary applause of the mob. A multicultural nation like ours can only survive on mutual respect, inclusion and tolerance.

Now to the bigger picture. A crucial element in Pastor Adeboye’s story is the Yoruba Talking Drum that has been described as “Africa’s most essential and culturally significant instrument,” and an “assertive communication, healing, and empowerment tool.” It is often deployed to create sounds like words while connecting listeners with ancestors and sharing deep messages which perhaps explains its association with Yoruba palaces. The multivocality is where the Yoruba talking drum derives its power, a point of reference in African scholarship. This has given rise to a proverb: Kò sí ẹnì tó mọ̀ èdè àyàn, à fi ẹni tí ó mú ọ̀pá ẹ lọ́wọ́ (Only the man who wields the stick understands what the drum is saying). But the initiated, like the witches in Pastor Adeboye’s story, hear every word (and understand the embedded meaning) from the talking drum.

For nations, citizens are like those witches. They understand every drumbeat from their leaders. It is therefore a tragic error for a leader (political or traditional) to lose sight of his people, whether by neglecting their needs, failing to communicate effectively, or ignoring their perspectives. To situate that within the context of Nigeria, those who lead (at all levels and in all spheres) should understand that the old drumbeat must give way for the new, especially in this year 2025.

Reforms are good and quite necessary in critical sectors of our country today. But if citizens must sacrifice in the face of economic hardship, those elected to serve them cannot continue to live in obscene opulence. What is required is shared sacrifice which reawakens people’s faith in leaders and strengthens community bonds. In contrast, when leaders live like emperors and permit their children the indulgence of reviewing parades and inspecting guards of honour, it is a sign that they are still dancing to the old drumbeat.

The biggest mistake anybody in power, at any level, can make is to treat leadership as a position of authority rather than a responsibility to serve and elevate others. The inability to grasp that by a succession of elected and appointed public officials is why Nigeria is where we are today. But by recognizing the unique strengths of individuals from all backgrounds – whether based on race, religion, gender, ability, or experience – leaders can harness the full potential of the people for the advancement of their society. Therefore, to discard the old tune and embrace the new, Nigerian leaders must challenge their own biases and work to create a culture where discrimination and exclusion are not tolerated.

Now, let’s conclude with the message of the talking drum. Accountable leaders are always deliberate about the kind of tune that comes from their drummers. And they place the public good over their own indulgences and vanity while adhering to ethical standards. There may be no witches to deal with deviant inclinations, but in the fullness of time, the consequences of bad choices often become manifest.

I wish all my readers a most prosperous year 2025!

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed that inflation rates reduced spending power and dragged many Nigerians into poverty in 2024.

Makinde made this declaration in his New Year message aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) on Wednesday.

The governor, while addressing residents of the state, disclosed that Nigeria struggled with economic challenges throughout the just-concluded year.

He maintained that inflation rates reduced the people’s spending power and dragged more people into poverty.

Makinde, while speaking further, said that his government will do more for the people of the state in 2025.

He added that his administration would embark on decisive actions that would increase residents’ spending power and ease the economic strains they are currently facing.

The governor also stated that his administration would enforce the rule of law across different sectors.

He warned that more stringent measures would be taken against traffic offences in the state.

Makinde, while speaking further, maintained that the year 2024 tested the resilience of the people of the state.

He said: “What a year 2024 was! Our resilience as a people has been tested almost to the limit. We have faced economic challenges and social tragedies that have been the direct or indirect result of these challenges.

“We were shocked by the January 16, 2024, Bodija incident. We reacted by signing Executive Order 001, 2024, on the safe handling and storage of harmful substances in Oyo State. We also took steps to give support to those who were primarily affected by this incident. We will give them even more support in 2025.

“In December 2024, disaster again struck in our dear state as we lost 35 children to a stampede at Islamic High School, Basorun. We are still mourning this great loss.

“Throughout the year, we struggled with economic challenges as a nation. Inflation rates reduced our spending power and dragged more people into poverty than we were able to help escape poverty. Our hearts are heavy. Still, we are thankful. These tragedies have forced us as a government to go back to the drawing board and take a second look at our strategies, policies, and programmes.

“For example, following the Bodija incident, we took actions that further secured the lives of our people. We are more determined to put further measures in place to ensure that incidents like these never occur again.”

[DailyPost]

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said that the rumours of disagreement between him and the governors over local government autonomy were false. 

The president also emphasised the critical role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s development and prosperity, saying their leadership at the subnational level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity, and rapid national growth.

Speaking during a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort for the nation’s progress.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying, “You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you.

“The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands.”

President Tinubu called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.

Expressing his commitment to local government development and autonomy, the President stressed its importance for grassroots development and dispelled rumours of disagreement with the governors.

“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”

President Tinubu urged governors to prioritise agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.

He also urged the governors to take pride in their efforts and acknowledged their progress across the states.

“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.

Reflecting on his leadership journey in the last 19 months, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to thrive given the resilience and leadership demonstrated by the administration.

“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together. I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.

The President announced that he will be visiting Enugu State on January 4 as part of his planned visits to some states of the federation.

President Tinubu welcomed his declaration by ThisDAY newspaper as Man Of The Year.

He commended the newspaper for recognising “what they considered a failure initially, but is now a success.”

Speaking at the visit, the Kwara State governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, described ThisDay’s decision to name President Tinubu Man of the Year as a significant endorsement of the administration’s policies.

He noted that the acknowledgement from a media outlet known for critical media coverage during the campaign reflects the tangible progress made under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest.

“So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos and store them for the rainy day. So, in terms of agriculture, the policy is working. We’ll continue to deepen that and ensure we are 100% sustained in food security and feed the whole of West Africa,” he said.

The governor urged the president to visit various states to see the ongoing transformations and progress firsthand.

He assured the president of the steadfast support of the governors, particularly in contributing to local security architecture to further enhance the nation’s security.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term,” Governor Abdulrazaq said.

“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” the governor said.

[Vanguard]