Senate President, Godswill Akpabio is renown for his arrogance and hubris. So, when he tendered a public apology to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on the floor of the senate Tuesday, the stakes must have been very high. With a faceless but popular blogger running a vicious campaign against his family and threatening not to stop until Akpabio apologised to a female colleague he needlessly demeaned, it was obvious something would have to give. And the public statement, issued by a group of powerful women on the same issue, must have persuaded even a man like Akpabio that he had carried his offering beyond the sacred place.

The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to speak before being recognised, an action that drew sharp reprimand from Akpabio. Despite her apologetic tone, Akpabio would not let it pass. He retorted with the biting remark that the Senate is not a “nightclub”. But commonsense has prevailed. On Tuesday, Akpabio said he would “not intentionally denigrate any woman and I always pray that God will uplift women.” He then added: “Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologise to you…I do not mean any harm. People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward. Social media handlers should practice with decorum. We won’t out of anger regulate social media.”

I am impressed by how Akpabio handled this situation and I commend him for it. He hasn’t always displayed such wisdom when dealing with matters of alleged indiscretion. Many Nigerians still recall his altercation with Dr Joy Nunieh in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his stewardship as Niger Delta Minister. But it is unfortunate to hear that Akpabio’s wife was dragged into what does not in any way concern her. Those who purportedly called to denigrate her exhibited the same traits they accuse Akpabio of. They obviously have no respect for women. No matter how we feel about issues, certain lines should not be crossed. I hope Akpabio has also learnt sufficient lessons from the experience.

On Monday, 24 hours before his apologies, a group of respected female professionals in the country under the aegis of Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), released a public statement on what they described as a “disheartening display of disrespect and gender bias” by Akpabio. Signatories included Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, Aisha Waziri, Amina Salihu, Asmau Joda, Ene Ede, Ene Orgah, Fatima Akilu, Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan, Mairo Mandara, Maryam Lemu, Maryam Uwais, Nguyan Feese, Rekiya Abaji, Sa’ida Sa’ad, Saudatu Mahdi, Ummahani Amin, Zainab Salihijo and Zaynab Musa. Other women coalitions, ‘WOMANIFESTO’ led by Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi and FLEADERS, led by Bridget Obi and Nana Kazaure, had also made strong statements decrying what they described as the intimidating tactics of Akpabio.

Although the VIEW statement was anchored on how the senate president compared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct to behaviour suited to ‘a nightclub’, they added that “This is not the first instance of such behaviour from Senator Akpabio; he recently silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similarly dismissive manner, underscoring a troubling pattern.” After highlighting the hurdles Akpoti-Uduaghan overcame to get to the Senate (she defeated the political machine of the ‘White Lion’ of Kogi State now on the run), the group then addressed the fundamental issue in this controversy: “The exclusion or undermining of voices like hers can lead to governance that overlooks the needs and experiences of at least 50% of the population, reducing the overall quality and responsiveness of political decision-making. The contribution of the female voice in governance is not just a matter of fairness; it is a democratic imperative. Senator Akpabio’s censure of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must be addressed seriously. This is a call to action for the Senate to uphold norms of respect and equity and to hold itself accountable.” 

Before I address what has become an institutional problem, let me state clearly that I do not subscribe to the erroneous notion that the leadership of a National Assembly controlled by the ruling party should be acrimonious in their relationship with the executive. In the United States from where we borrowed the presidential system of government, lawmakers from the ruling party collaborate with their president in the interest of the country without compromising their own integrity as an independent arm of government. But the leadership of an institution with the power of oversight on issues of transparency and accountability cannot be slavish in its dealings with the president. That is the challenge of the moment in Nigeria. I dealt sufficiently with that in my February column, ‘Akpabio: A Man for Every New Season,’ after he dissed President Muhammadu Buhari whom he served as Minister simply because the incumbent President Bola Tinubu facilitated his elevation to the office of Senate President.

While Akpabio may have apologised to Akpoti-Uduaghan, it is increasingly becoming a fad, especially in the Senate, that those who make laws for the rest of us can only find relevance in denigrating Nigerian women. It did not start with Akpabio. In presenting a motion to mark the International Women’s Day 2016 eight years ago, then Senator (now First Lady) Oluremi Tinubu argued, “We represent courage and resilience; without us (Nigerian women) I don’t think this country will move forward.” But the significance of the motion was lost on most of her male colleagues who trivialised the issue. Making his contribution, then Senate Leader, Ali Ndume (who is now facing persecution from his own party for being critical of the president), said: “I urge men to marry more than one wife. The first care of a woman is marriage. Men should take care of women by not just befriending them, but by going further to marry them. I know there is nowhere in the Bible that prohibits marrying more than one wife. Starting with the senate president (Dr Bukola Saraki) I ask him to consider marrying more than one wife.”

On a day the United Nations invested the theme, ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’, Ndume made a formal request in plenary: “As a sign of respect for women, let’s urge men to marry more than one wife.” His prayer was seconded by Senator Suleiman Nazif. But Senator Binta Masi Garba did not allow the insult to go unchallenged: “We are not sex objects. Bible is in support of one man, one woman. We want gender parity where women and men can work side by side,” she said.

When those responsible for making our laws do not consider women as equal but rather mere consorts, we have a huge problem. A week earlier, in his contribution to the motion by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, advocating the need to patronise products made in Nigeria, Senator Dino Melaye said most memorably: “We must reduce the allocation for made-in-Nigeria goods and services to the basics. What are those factors limiting the production of these goods? We must tackle them. We must also begin to look at our legislation, then, we will begin to talk about made-in-Nigeria goods. We will also move to encourage made-in-Nigeria products and begin to talk about made-in-Nigeria women…”

The foregoing illustrates that the issue of disrespect for women goes beyond the person of Akpabio. It is institutional; even though the House of Representatives has shown more decency on the issue. On 15th March 2015, the Senate voted to dismiss the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, 2016, sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi who was then Minority Whip. The bill sought to accord women rights equal to those of men in various spheres of life and to prohibit certain discriminatory practices. Interestingly, those who opposed the bill used religion as cover. While Senator Ahmad Rufa’i Sani cited the Quran to oppose it, Senator Emmanuel Bwalcha found his own justification in the Bible. The bill has been tabled at different times since then and has met not only rejection but ridicule by Senators. It therefore came as no surprise that not a single male senator thought it fit to censor Akpabio when he made the disparaging remark about Akpoti-Uduaghan in plenary.

I once referenced a 2013 piece ‘How Nigeria legalizes discrimination against women’ by Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa, currently Chief of Staff to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. Then pursuing his doctorate at Harvard Law School, Aminu had argued that the language used by the Nigerian constitution “is not gender neutral, perhaps because it was written by men.” For example, according to Aminu, “the pronoun ‘He’ appears in the 1999 constitution about 235 times.” Again, under our criminal law, he further pointed out, a man cannot be deemed to have raped his wife because, “Section 182 of the Penal Code provides that ‘sexual intercourse by a man with his OWN (emphasis mine) wife is not rape if she has attained puberty’”. Section 55 (1) (d) even recommends that a man should keep in the house what my wife called ‘Dr Do-Good’ (when our children were growing up) “for the purpose of correcting his wife”. 

Therefore, before we reduce this serious conversation to the banality of whether a ‘side chick’ (whatever it means) is part of the ‘constituency projects’ of our distinguished senators, we must call out the chauvinism and prejudice that drive public engagement in Nigeria. I concede that a patriarchal society such as ours revolves around the ‘man of the house’. But for us to develop as a nation, we must begin to cede to our womenfolk the rights and respect they are due. And these are rights and respect they have earned. In both the private and public sectors, Nigerian women have proven to be as good, if not better, than their male counterparts. We see that in many areas, notwithstanding the fact that the system is skewed against them.

It is a paradox that within Nigerian culture, as well as both Christianity and Islam, the mother is elevated to a distinct place of honour and respect. Yet, our elected legislators as influential policymakers, professing to be patriotic Nigerians and devout faithfuls, continue to denigrate and trivialize the voice of the female gender. It is therefore time to intentionally embrace our rich diversity, if only to create a fairer, more formidable, and resilient society. We must expose the misogyny that pervades in our public engagements and ensure that no voice is silenced. This shameful misconduct must stop, if we truly want a more meaningful, productive and inclusive Nigeria.

2024 Teens Conference: The Power of Music

In his ‘Introduction to the Book of Psalms’ published in 2002 as part of a series of little literary paperbacks to some books in the Bible, Paul David Hewson, popularly known as Bono, spoke to the power of music. The globally renowned activist and leader of the rock band, U2, had been invited to write the introduction by the publishing house that presented individual books from the King James Version of the Bible as separate volumes. “Explaining faith is impossible…Vision over visibility…instinct over intellect…A songwriter plays a chord with the faith that he will hear the next one in his head,” Bono wrote. “One of the writers of the psalms was a musician, a harp-player whose talents were required at ‘the palace’ as the only medicine that would still the demons of the moody and insecure King Saul of Israel; a thought that still inspires, if not quite explaining Marilyn singing for Kennedy, or the Spice Girls in the court of Prince Charles…”

Bono then went on to expand on the uplifting powers of music: “Psalms and hymns were my first taste of inspirational music. I liked the words, but I wasn’t sure about the tunes–with the exception of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd.’ I remember them as droned and chanted rather than sung. Still, in an odd way, they prepared me for the honesty of John Lennon, the baroque language of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, the open throat of Al Green and Stevie Wonder–when I hear these singers, I am reconnected to a part of me I have no explanation for…my ‘soul’ I guess.”

I doubt if Pastor Evaristus Azodoh, a consultant urologist and ‘old Soja’, is a fan of Bono. But in choosing ‘The Power of Music’ as the theme for the 2024 edition of The Annual Teens Career Conference of The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Abuja, he argues that “Music is more than just melodies and lyrics; it has the power to uplift, inspire, and transform.” For this year, former Cross River State Governor, Mr Donald Duke, a lawyer and saxophonist of high repute, is a special guest among other confirmed speakers, including Dare Art Alade, an award-winning singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur and Mrs Bukola Bekes, a respected gospel artiste and music minister at the RCCG, City of David Parish, Lagos.

Specifically, the objectives of the Teens Career Conference are to: Teach the teenagers to take responsibility for their future; Have their imagination fired through interaction with accomplished professionals in the society; Make them realize that no matter the odds, they can reach their goals, and get them to understand that God still intervenes in the affairs of men. Although a Christian programme, physical participation at the Conference is open to teens and youth of all religious backgrounds from Abuja and the environs.

Speakers at previous editions of the Conference include UBA Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu, CFR, wife of the former Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, ace comedian, Mr Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Mrs Serah Alade, former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chair, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, former PENCOM Director General, Ms Chinelo Anohu, Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Nollywood actress, Linda Ejiofor (who was joined by her husband, Ibrahim) and wife of the late former Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Mrs Charity Shekari. Others are former House of Representatives Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara, former Deputy European Union Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Robert Young, former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi as well as Ms Dorota Oakley Matuszyk, Ms Juliet Lamin (now of blessed memory), Dr Helen Paul, Messrs Samson Itodo, Seun Onigbinde, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Chinedu Azodoh, J.J. Omojuwa and Mrs Omowale David-Ashiru.

Participation at this hybrid event is strictly by online registration. Interested teenagers and young adults who seek to attend can register at the Conference website: www.rccgteapteens.ng

No patriotic Nigerian should be delighted at the grave challenges facing the 650 barrels per day Dangote Refinery in Lagos. The challenges make efficient operations very difficult. Though Nigeria is a major oil exporter, the refinery commissioned early last year is now compelled to import crude from Brazil. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority ( NMDPRA) has accused it of producing substandard automative gas oil (AGO), and, worse, of having no licence for operation.

Frustrated at the turn of events, Aliko Dangote, founder and chairman of the $19 billion industrial complex in Lekki comprising a refinery, a petrochemical company and a fertilizer plant, has been reported to ask the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to purchase the refinery so as to end the widely held belief that he wants a monopoly of the petroleum downstream market in Nigeria.

Dangote need not give up on the refinery. He should rather learn from Bart Nnaji, the erstwhile Minister of Power who waited for 20 years till February 26, 2024, to commission the 188 megawatt Aba Independent Power Project, Abia State. If Nnaji could wait for two decades because of the obstacles by highly placed Federal Government officials between 2012 and 2015 to get the project on stream, Dangote, who has so far lost only one year, should brace up for more challenges.

Both the Aba Independent Power Project and the Dangote Refinery are what Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras, two American globally renowned organizational leadership scholars, would describe as having big hairy audacious goals (BHAGs). A business with a BHAG is designed to make a dent in history, to paraphrase Steve Jobs, the late Apple co-founder and chairman. Considered unrealistic, if not an outrageous thought, at the beginning by most people, such a business frequently solves a problem in a significant and innovative way to the applause and admiration of the same initial sceptics. This is what Jack Welch and his team at General Electric came to call in the 1990s stretch, a term that has since become famous in both the business literature and management schools worldwide.

By the time Nnaji started the Aba project, there was no private sector involvement in the electric power sector in the country. Power was on the exclusive list. Not even state governments were permitted by the extant law to get involved in electricity generation, transmission, or distribution. It was not until 2005 that the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration enacted the Electric Power Sector Reform Act that ended Federal Government’s monopoly. Still, Nnaji accepted the challenge from then-World Bank President James Wolfonsohn and then-Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to build a gas-fired power plant in Aba to provide electricity to industries in the commercial city who were in desperate need of constant and quality power supply. The main challenge was not raising the funds from local and international sources or the bricks and mortars of building a power plant but upending the status quo in the power sector. The first mover disadvantage can be paralyzing.

The Dangote Refinery is a BHAG in its own right. By the time it was initiated, the biggest refinery in  Nigeria was the 150,000BPD New Port Harcourt Refinery, followed by the 125,000BPD Warri Refinery, and then the Kaduna 110BPD Refinery. The Old Port Harcourt Refinery, built in the 1960s,  could process only 60,000 barrels per day. All are Federal Government owned, and have for decades been in a mess due to official incompetence and corruption. Nigerians keen on setting up refineries have always gone for modular ones, that is, small or mid size refineries to produce a few petroleum products like petrol, aviation fuel, AGO, and low pour fuel oil, in contrast to the standard refineries owned by the Federal Government that can produce a wide range of products and on a large scale. So, for Dangote to opt for a 650,000BPD refinery is truly audacious. It is a quintessential BHAG.

The refinery is creating employment for thousands of Nigerian workers, suppliers, distributors, consultants and even street food vendors, in addition to generating money for the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government as well through tax revenue. Lands and properties around the location have been appreciating significantly in value. Therefore, it is in the public interest that the Dangote Refinery survives. The idea of selling it to the NNPCL should be perished immediately because there is no assurance that it won’t go the way of the state-owned refineries.

If Nnaji could endure all manner of things and still triumph, Dangote should be inspired by his example. In fact, all BHAGs face severe challenges. In their famous book, Built to Last, Collins and Porras recall how the building of the wide-body 747 plane forced Boeing to downsize its workforce by 60%, among other challenges. Yet, it persevered, and Boeing 747 aircraft became a game changer in global aviation in every sense. There are many other examples of grave challenges which were overcome by different businesses  cited in the book.

In Nigeria, challenges in the path of BHAGs can be both ridiculous and personal, hurting the public good. At the combined 7^th and 8^th graduation of Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, last June, Nnaji told the stunned audience how in an attempt to get at him the government abandoned the 760KV Supergrid network the government approved when he was the power minister. The project was meant to provide energy security, apart from creating another transmission network for a nation of 200m and radically boosting power availability throughout our large nation. The country is today still stuck with the sole transmission network which is old, poorly maintained, fragile, and collapses once it is loaded with up to 5,000MW, resulting in nationwide blackouts.

Once Nnaji left office, the government announced the cancellation of the management contract between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Manitoba Hydro Power of Canada on suspicion that Nnaji owned this firm that was set up by the Canadian province of Manitoba in 1961 when he was only five years old. A person was dispatched to Manitoba to provide documentary evidence to nail him! The Presidential Task Force on Power, of which Nnaji was the founding chairman, was abolisged no sooner than he resigned without an alternative provided. The Roadmap for Pwer Sector Reform, a document for the development of the electricity sector for the next 10 years that would see Nigeria produce 20,000MW from 5,000MW, was dumped shortly after he left office without an alternative provided. The nation is worse for it today. You can now imagine the frustration he was subjected to at the Aba power project. Still, he survived all this. Dangote has to learn resilience from the former power minister.

Despite his denial that he is a monopoly freak, the BUA Group, with which the Dangote Group has been in a fierce business fight,  has in the last few days been asking Aliko Dangote to become more tolerant. A few years ago when I was carrying out a research on the cross-cultural challenges facing Nigerian internationalizing firms and wanted to use the United Bank for Africa and Dangote Cement as a case study, I was surprised to learn that I had been blacklisted by the Dangote consortium for pointing out in 2013 the incorrectness of the claim by Dangote Cement agents that the major cause of building collapses in Nigeria was the cement brands used. Yet, when a senior professor at Howard University, the most respected historically Black university in the United States, inquired from me in 2019 if Aliko Dangote was deserving of an honorary doctorate from the institution, I not only supported it but provided a vital contact to the businessman. 

The Dangote Refinery needs support this time. 

Adinuba, Anambra State Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment (2018-2022),  is a management researcher in Lagos.   

Let's begin with the profound words of Pan-Africanist scholar PLO Lumumba, PLO, profoundly posited: "Religion has been used to manipulate Africans into poverty"

From my personal experience and observation; the more religious a person is, the more dangerous he is. Because religion carries with it deep-rooted prejudices that cause conflict, mistrust, and oppression. When you use religious faith to determine what is true, then you open yourself up to delusion. The more religious or “faith-full” someone is, the more likely it is that they will hold destructive, delusional beliefs as truth.

Here is a good example of the challenge: for example, the thing about a delusion is that it is often very difficult to crack from the outside, and intelligence is no defense from the inside against delusion. So, it is this herd mentality, that I think has gotten perverted into religions. Ultimately, religious differences increasingly, cause mistrust, animosity, misunderstanding, and conflict.

More than any other factor, religion divides us mostly when it tells us that it alone codifies true rules for determining what is right or wrong. We are then led to believe that the actions, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of others are inconsequential when they appear to contradict our understanding of the proper religion of our choice.

We become less empathetic, less tolerant, less merciful, less gracious, less generous, and less humble when we believe that our religion's morals, cosmology, or manner of thinking are more correct and righteous. We become less connected to the people, animals, environment, and even ourselves when we believe that religious influence renders the influence of those things less important.

Although this might sound idealistic, human beings, if united, could overcome enormous obstacles. Yet, here in the 21st century, religious differences are still dividing us, holding us back from reaching our full potential. Human unity and peace are made unattainable because religion segregates people into clusters of believers and "nonbelievers". 

Religion instills in people the idea that those who differ with their religious beliefs are evil and undeserving of association, or even of their humanity. I was raised in Christianity; I am no longer comfortable with the resultant realities of religiosity because religion instilled certain values into me that it never intended to, through its examples of superstition, irrationality, and dishonesty.

Religion, especially such as the Wahhabism and Pentecostal brands of Islam and Christianity respectively, have continually demonstrated a potency of reducing the masses to illogical complacency.

Consequently, I have learned not to equate belief with knowledge. Belief starts where knowledge stops. They do not shade into each other; no matter how fervently you believe something, you cannot claim to ‘know’ it, unless you can demonstrate it in a way that can be ‘known’ by those who do not believe it. I have learned that it is dangerous to accept irrational claims at face value and that implausible claims, especially relating to the supernatural, would require particularly plausible evidence.

Asked about his thoughts on the future of religion in our growing civilization, Stephen Hawkings responded even in his state of paralysis which is ironically assisted by technology, he posited: "Religion was an early attempt to answer the questions we all ask: Why are we here, where did we come from? Nowadays, Science provides better and more consistent answers but people will always cling to religion because it gives comfort and they do not trust or understand science"

Additionally, faith is impossible to deal with logic. The tragedy of our time is that we seem to rely more heavily on faith than logic and this is perhaps the catalyst for majority of the word in our society and country today. The Government and leaders seem to take the masses for granted knowing the masses can always be manipulated for them by the religious leaders. As such, it is the process of distribution of patronage to the religious leaders that often instigates the many religious tension in our society and country.

In conclusion therefore, this is a clarion call to our revered faith leaders across the different religious bodies in Nigeria to come together and advance interfaith collaboration for peace-building and peaceful coexistence amongst people of divergent creeds. Particularly at a time like this when we are at a crossroads and difficult period given the relationship that exists between politics and religion cannot be over-emphasized in Nigeria's polity since the evolution of a sustainable democracy has heightened the relevance of religion in our society. Religion has been identified as one of the factors that have divided the people of Nigeria who are divided already.

Finally, while reflecting on questions asked some four decades ago by the Ozzidi king Sonny Okosun "Which way Nigeria is heading to? I love my fatherland. I want to know which way Nigeria is heading to.?" The questions asked in that song are still relevant. 

Last week, Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) stirred the hornets’ nest when a letter addressed to the Lagos State branch of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria hit the newsstand. Dated Friday, July 19, 2024 and signed by its Head of Operations, Ayokunle Akinrinmisi, LASPA's letter intimated the PFN that vehicles parked on designated streets by PFN and its members would be charged certain fees on a hourly basis while indiscriminately parked vehicles would be enforced upon; meaning, they would be clamped and or towed. Bedlam! 

Why single out only churches and its members? Quickly, LASPA recanted and retraced its footsteps “to clarify the matter” in what appeared as an explanation of its true intentions or the actual information it meant to convey in its first letter, which was so unprofessionally couched. Or was LASPA's second letter an afterthought or bowing to pressure? Before we take a look at how a news medium reported the matter, let us quickly discuss two important events on the international scene.

The first was the decision of President Joe Biden of the United States of America not to seek re-election, thus paving the way for Vice-President Kamala Harris to have a shot at the presidency. Destiny can be uncanny! The daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father could as well become the first woman to be elected president of the US. Who saw this coming? Many had thought Hillary Clinton was it but, as they say, man proposes but God disposes. Kamala’s candidacy has immediately thrown confusion into Donald Trumps’ camp; not minding the bold face statement that Kamala would be easier to defeat than Biden!

The second event was the election of Paul Kigame for another seven-year term. Kigame has been in power since 2000, meaning he has already spent 24 years in office! How many of us are aware of that? All we hear is how he has turned Rwanda to paradise one earth. Originally, the Rwandan constitution prescribed a two-term limit for the president but in 2015, Kigame engineered a constitutional referendum that allowed him a third seven-year term and the ability to run for further two five-year terms thereafter! How many years in all? Kindly do the arithmetic!

 If this man is not a budding dictator or a full-blown one already, then, I don’t know who is! The earlier we begin to interrogate Kigame's media hype and orchestrated international acclaim, the better for all of us. Josip Broz Tito was, for decades, successful in papering over Yugoslavia's cracks; he was charistamic as well as authoritarian and even championed and led the non-aligned movement or the Third Force, as some called it, which is now dead. But after Tito's long reign, what fate befell Yugoslavia? After Kigame, what fate awaits Rwanda and its people?

Back to LASPA. The report in a news medium ran thus: “Lagos State Government has denied media reports that worshipers will be charged for parking around churches. According to an earlier report, in a 19 July letter by the Head of Operations of Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), Ayokunle Akinrimisi, which was directed to the state branch of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the government informed the body that vehicles parked by the church and members on designated streets would be charged hourly while indiscriminately-parked vehicles would be enforced accordingly.

Akinrimisi reportedly wrote : ‘I am directed to inform your revered organization that LASPA will be commencing its on-street parking scheme at designated streets within the Lagos State metropolis. In view of this, I am using this medium to inform your eminence that vehicles parked on designated streets by the church and its members will be charged hourly and indiscriminately-parked vehicles will be enforced upon accordingly. Consequently, we advise that this piece of information be adhered to as a law-abiding organization’.

But, in a statement on Sunday (21st July), LASPA’s General Manager, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, said the state’s parking policy would affect all motorists who intend to utilize the agency’s newly-created 1,800 parking slots. According to her, the parking policy is designed to mitigate parking-induced traffic congestion across the state.

Adelabu further said: ‘To clarify the matter, LASPA wishes to emphasize that (the earlier) information is inaccurate and does not reflect the true intent of our communication. The Lagos State Government is not imposing parking fees on churches or worshipers for parking on streets around religious institutions. Rather, LASPA is implementing the Lagos State Parking Policy to mitigate parking-induced traffic congestion across the state. Like many other major cities worldwide facing similar challenges, Lagos is experiencing a high demand for parking space that exceeds the available supply. Therefore, we are adopting a regulated on-street parking model to better manage parking resources efficiently.

'Earlier this year, the governor approved the introduction of regulated on-street parking, which was announced during a stakeholder’s forum held on 14 February, 2024 at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.

‘As part of our efforts to inform stakeholders, including religious organizations who were adequately represented at the forum, about the upcoming implementation in October, LASPA communicated with umbrella bodies representing these groups. One of such correspondences was referenced in a news release making the rounds. 

'It is important to clarify that no specific religious group is being singled out by this policy. Our aim is to ensure all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the implementation of the regulated on-street parking scheme. Additionally, Lagos State Government has designated and lane-marked suitable roads for on-street parking across major zones such as Ikeja, Surulere, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, creating approximately 1,800 additional parking slots. 

'The communication sent to religious institutions serves to notify them of their respective roles and the financial aspects of utilizing these designated parking lots. The management of these facilities will be overseen by concessionaires under the regulation of the Lagos State Parking Authority' ”.

No apologies for sending out “inaccurate” information that did not "reflect the true intent" of their communication! We can all see what harm or damage can be caused when proper communication is lacking. Anyone not at the so-called stakeholders’ meeting at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja and who never chanced upon the information on on-street packing would be at sea understanding LASPA’s first letter. 

Background information on the new policy would have helped to clarify matters. Also, the letter should not have been personalized the way it was done. There was no other interpretation to give to the first letter the way it was couched and addressed than the one widely and wildly circulated. LASPA should send those writing its press statements for refresher courses. A stitch in time…

That said, I do not think LASPA has apologies to offer to those who indiscriminately park their vehicles in the wrong places. In fact, such people and organizations should be penalized - and they include churches and mosques but are not limited to those. Our people travel abroad and see how orderly those places are; they go there to enjoy the facilities and orderliness but would not obey rules and regulations that would make our own place look like those overseas countries. 

Churches and their members are guilty of parking indiscriminately right on the road. This should not be so. When building your structure, provisions should be made for parking space right within your premises, not outside of it where you obstruct traffic and cause inconveniences and untold hardship to other road users. Because there is no consequence for bad behaviour, impunity, lawlessness and disorderliness reign supreme here. The law on orderliness must be enforced without minding whose ox is gored.

The mosques are even worse than the churches in some respects. On Fridays, they spread their mats and rugs right in the middle of the road to observe their Jumaat prayer. They have absolute disregard for road users. Their own comfort is what matters to them and nothing more. Worse, they get angry, even violent, if you dare demand your right of way. I read a post recently of a woman who ran into a crowd of such worshipers in Lagos and was not only ordered to detour, she was also forced to cover her head before being allowed to take another route out of the place. Such madness! 

Events centres are another group of lawless people whose customers park their vehicles indiscriminately. Who approved and why approve such places in the first instance? Are the agents and officers of the Lagos State Government not the culprits? The rot in those agencies stinks to high heavens! Along the streets where I have my church at Owo-ade and Bakare street, Off Ori-ola street, Alapere, Ketu, houses newly constructed have no parking space within their premises. They park right in the streets! Who gave them approval? Is it not the Lagos State Government?

Not all buildings in Lagos comply with building regulations: How do they cut the corners? The depth of corruption in the Lagos building sector cannot be washed away by the sea! The jungle and urban slum that Lagos has become is due to the lawlessness of the citizens as well as the corruption embedded in the Lagos State government machinery. Lagos State Government itself builds roads without making adequate provisions - or none at all - for bus stops and parks. So, motorists park indiscriminately everywhere!

Most of the time, the lawlessness of the “Danfo” drivers, the Kurupes and Keke Marwas, not to talk of the Okadas, can be excused because you ask yourself, “Where are the bus stops and parks designated for them by the Lagos State Government"? The new bridge at Pen Cinema, Agege, where I live, has become an eyesore and a den of robbers. The situation there is worse than Fela’s Ojuelegba where confusion breaks bones! No provisions for bus stops and parks.

 Lagos state Government, then, must first remove the log in its own eyes before it can point at the speck in the eyes of others.

The National Assembly has commenced a seven-week recess and will reconvene on September 17th, 2024.

This was announced after plenary on Wednesday.

Naija News reports both chambers of the Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives, will be on break for seven weeks which is their yearly recess.

Details later…

[NaijaNews]

European Champions Real Madrid have emerged the first football club in history to surpass €1billion ($1.085bn) in revenue a season, according to the club’s annual account for the 2023-24 season.

The club’s revenue, excluding player transfers, reached €1.073bn ($1.16bn), representing a 27 per cent increase from the previous year despite ongoing stadium renovations.

Madrid also reported a profit of €16million ($17.3m) for the fiscal year, with a net worth of €574m ($623m) and net debt of just €8m ($8.6m) as of June 30, 2024.

The team claimed to be the first football club to exceed €1bn in revenue.

In the previous campaign, Madrid enjoyed substantial success on the field, securing the Champions League title, their sixth in a decade, along with La Liga and the Super Cup.

The basketball team also excelled, capturing the Spanish league title, King’s Cup, and Spanish Super Cup while also reaching the Euro-league finals.

Nytimes com reports that the club’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) surged to €144m ($156m), marking a 71 per cent increase from the previous year.

This represents 13 per cent of total revenues, up from 10 per cent previously. When including player disposals, the EBITDA for the 2023-24 year is €156m ($169m), comparable to the €158m ($171m) reported for the 2022-23 financial year.

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium renovation continues to advance, with a total investment of €1.163bn ($1.262bn) to date as the final phase of the project, including the completion of the VIP area, events spaces, and other commercial ventures, is anticipated to be completed in the 2024-25 financial year and this is expected to drive further revenue growth.

Madrid say they are planning to build on their commercial success.

The upcoming season will see the introduction of Kylian Mbappe to the squad, who joined on a free transfer after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired earlier this year.

[Leadership]

Leading opposition parties, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other prominent Nigerians have rejected the Senate’s bill to repeal the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2017, to make provision for registration of not just Nigerians but all other persons resident in Nigeria.

The Senate passed the bill for a second reading on July 2, 2024, without a serious debate even though it seeks to broaden the eligibility criteria for registration to include those who are not citizens of Nigeria. 

Daily Trust reports that the bill titled, ‘National Identity Management Commission (Repeal and enactment) Bill 2024 (SB. 472),” is sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin (Kano North).

The bill seeks to give persons resident in Nigeria the right to obtain and use National Identification Number (NIN) and utilise it as a recognised form of identification.

It also seeks to replace criminal penalties with administrative enforcement measures to encourage compliance with NIN usage requirements without imposing “undue legal consequences” on individuals.

A copy of the bill obtained by Daily Trust showed that apart from the controversial clause of inclusivity, universal coverage and broadening the eligibility criteria for registration, it also seeks the registration of registrable persons within Nigeria and at licensed centres outside Nigeria. 

Part 1 (2) of the bill which is titled, ‘Application’, in subsection (1) says, “This Act shall apply to registration of registrable persons within Nigeria and at licensed centres outside Nigeria, and the management and operation of the National Identity Database and related matters.” 

Subsection (2) says, “Without prejudice to (1), this Act shall apply whether or not an act qualifying as an offence or contravention of this Act is committed in Nigeria by any person, irrespective of nationality.”

Similarly, Part V1 (17) of the bill titled, ‘Registrable Persons’, says, “Every citizen and resident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be entitled to obtain a National Identification Number by undergoing the process of enrolment in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”  

Part V1 (18) titled, ‘Registration of Registrable Persons’ among other things provides that “The Commission shall take special measures to enrol, and issue National Identity Numbers to such persons who do not have any permanent place of residence and such other categories of individuals as may be specified by regulations.”

It also aims at establishing a National Identity Database and the National Identity Management Commission charged with the responsibilities of maintenance of the National Database, the registration of individuals, and the issuance of identity credentials, among others. 

How it scaled second reading 

Supporting the bill, Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) said it is aimed at enhancing the NIMC’s regulatory capacity for more effective oversight and regulation of the Nigeria ID System.

The lawmaker said, “The objectives of the bill are as follows: Expanding the scope of registrable persons by broadening the eligibility criteria for registration under the Nigeria ID System to ensure inclusivity and universal coverage.

“This allows all persons resident in Nigeria to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) and utilise it as a recognised form of identification.

“Streamlining the sharing of personal data by incorporating robust data protection measures to not only safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ data but also to foster trust among citizens in the landing of their information.

“Enhancing administrative enforcement powers. The efficiency and effectiveness of the NIMC’s enforcement powers will ensure timely and accurate compliance with ID registration requirements.’’

But opposition parties, CSOs and others who reacted in separate interviews told Daily Trust that the bill sponsored by a senator who is a member of the ruling party (APC) is suspicious, alleging it has a political undertone. 

Move suspicious – PDP

The leading opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the bill saying it is suspicious and of no economic value, especially at a time Nigerians are going through economic hardship. 

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Ibrahim, told Daily Trust that there are more important things the National Assembly can do to assuage the economic impasse facing the people than the issue of NIN. 

“The Senate cannot think of people-oriented policies that will alleviate the suffering of the people, instead they are talking about things that are irrelevant at this point in time. 

“Getting everyone including non-Nigerians to get NIN is suspicious. What is the motive? Why are they more concerned about this type of policy and giving it expeditious attention that it will even emanate from the Deputy Senate President? It leaves much to be desired. 

“So as a party and people who are with the ordinary citizens and the voice of opposition, we are not in support; we do not see any sincerity in it,’’ he said.  

It’s a wrong move – LP

Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) said the move by the Senate to amend the NIMC Act to ensure that all persons residing in Nigeria obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) should not be allowed to see the light of the day. 

The Chief Spokesman of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2023 general election, Dr Yunusa Tanko, told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that the bill must be thrashed. 

“You cannot register those who are not Nigerians as if they are citizens of Nigeria; that will be wrong. This is an issue of serious concern. That is where it will create controversies. 

“It will be wrong if they are trying to adulterate our database with the identities of non-Nigerians. Are all persons resident in Nigeria, Nigerian citizens? No.”

It has a political undertone – Hon. Mikko

A former member of the House of Representatives and ex-governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Bernard Mikko, told Daily Trust in a telephone chat that the bill has a political undertone. 

Hon. Mikko said, “It is wrong. It should be a resident permit which is temporary; not NIN which is permanent. There should be a clear distinction between a resident and a citizen of Nigeria. 

“A citizen has an obligation and duty of taxation, cultural identity and all that, while residents do not. A citizen can vote and be voted for. Is the bill trying to say that aliens can vote in our country? These are the issues. 

“The issue of universal coverage in the bill, universal being global, which means everybody irrespective of whether you are from Togo, Niger, Cameroon, should be de-emphasised.

“Let them not put any political undertone to rig elections. We have to define who is a Nigerian citizen so that we don’t bring people through our porous borders into Nigeria to come and compromise our already dwindling, collapsing infrastructure for planning.”

It’s a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty – CSOs 

Similarly, some CSOs have rejected the bill. The Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the move is a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, adding that the bill is a very sensitive issue that should be handled with utmost caution.

He warned the National Assembly not to hurriedly pass the bill without considering its larger implications. 

“Taking a cue from what is obtainable in advanced countries of the world, Nigerians need to ask the proponents of the bill some critical questions before buying-in into the idea.

“First, does allowing foreigners the right to obtain the National Identification Number automatically confer on them full Nigerian citizenship, according to the proposed bill? If the answer is yes, then, we strongly believe that it is a step in the wrong direction.

“Because, no serious nation affords foreigners the privilege of just picking up its citizenship without going through some rigorous processes of due diligence.

“Second, the government needs to clearly spell out the procedures and requirements for obtaining the NIN by foreigners, and the limits of the rights and benefits accruing to foreigners who hold Nigeria’s National Identification Number.

“Third, before jumping into hasty passage of the law and its implementation, there is need for the government to tidy up its immigration policies, ensure that its land, air and sea borders are adequately policed and ensure that officers of the Nigerian immigration service and other relevant security agencies are fully alive to their responsibilities,” Zikirullahi said.

He said failure to put these measures in place before contemplating such a law will not only constitute a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, but is a recipe for aggravating the already precarious level of insecurity in the country.

A Senior Communications Officer at Yiaga Africa, Mr Mark Amaza, said, “We don’t believe it necessarily means that it will enable them to vote considering the fact that the constitution is clear on who is qualified to vote in Nigeria. 

“We have the opinion that the law should also be amended to allow other forms of identity to be used to access the polls, not necessarily the voter card, considering how that has been problematic in the election.

“Many citizens have been disenfranchised from voting for lack of having a voter’s card for no fault of theirs. So, it’s also good that as this law is being debated, that this is also kept or put into consideration.”

However, speaking on the development, Mr Tunde Salman, the Team Lead/Convener of Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria, said, “I don’t see any problem in it, especially as INEC voters register is not linked to it. 

“Now, with many ongoing initiatives by the President Bola Tinubu administration, such as student loans, consumer credits, and grants that will require background checks, I think there’s a need to think through the proposal to address whatever gaps identified in the existing NIMC legislation.” 

The Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives, Bismarck Rewane has said the adjustment of the Asymmetric corridor around interest rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Committee will reduce the pressure on Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange.

The renowned economist disclosed this on Tuesday on Channels Television while reacting to CBN’s hike in interest rate by 50 basis points to 26.75 percent.

He explained that the real deal is the MPC’s adjustment of the Asymmetric corridor around the Interest rate to +500/-100 from +100/-300 basis points.

He noted that this move would increase the cost of banks’ borrowing and deter borrowing from CBN to buy foreign exchange.

He added that the decision will boost Foreign Portfolio inflows in Nigeria.

“The interest rate increase is 50 basis points. The real deal is the Asymmetric corridor adjustment. What this means is that banks have been borrowing from the Central Bank to buy foreign exchange from the Central Bank. Before they were borrowing at 26 percent.

“As of today, they will be borrowing at almost 32 percent. That difference is almost 5-6 percent. It means the cost of borrowing has gone up astronomically, this means a deterrent to borrowing from the CBN to buy FX.

“That should reduce pressure on the foreign exchange rate. It is a subtle way of telling banks to stop robbing Peter to pay Paul”, he said.

Recall that the CBN raised interest for the fourth time in 2024 to 26.75 percent amid efforts to tackle core and food inflation which stood at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively.

[DailyPost]

• Koko hands over new staff clinic, five other completed projects to successor

Immediate-Past Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko has said the agency generated N541 billion in the first half of the year.

He said the agency also remitted N255 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF) within the first six months.

Koko said the performance of the agency in the first half of the year surpassed its year-on-year total revenue generation and remittances in any year, putting the cumulative revenue of the NPA between 2022 and the first half of 2024 at N1.423 trillion

According to him, his administration put in place sustainable reforms, especially a drastic improvement in the Turn-Around-Times of vessels and trucks in Apapa and TinCan ports.

He, however, said he is handing over a new staff clinic and five other completed projects to his successor for inauguration.

He confirmed that the NPA raised staff salary during his tenure, even as he pleaded with them (members of staff) to cooperate with and redouble their commitment to his successor.

The outgoing NPA MD, who dropped the hints in his valedictory remarks at the handover to his successor Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos, said he felt fulfilled for improving NPA better than he met it.

He said: “We recorded an unprecedented growth in revenue generation and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) from Revenue of N381 billion in 2022 and N501 billion in 2023 to N541 billion in the first half of 2024 and remittances to CRF increasing from N93.4 billion in 2022 to N206 billion in 2023 and to N255 billion in the first half of 2024 – surpassing our year-on-year total revenue generation and remittances in any year.

“With unprecedented tax remittances to the Federal Government ranging up to N60 billion in the period of my stewardship, we raised the bar higher.

“Our hope and prayers are for the new management to continue on this trajectory and surpass it. But we were also deliberate on dialogue and driving reforms.”

He listed some of his achievements in office to including all-round port efficiency.

Koko said: “We hit the ground running with the necessary approvals to get the Lekki Deep Seaport fully operational to retake the lost transit and transshipment cargo.

“Promoted the non-oil export drive of the President by setting up ten (10) Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), mainstreaming it to the NXP and e-call up system to facilitate exports, and the result is evident in the attainment of a foreign trade surplus, as highlighted in the NBS report for Q1 2024.

“Upgraded data center, servers, storage, and business continuity; established a data recovery and protection unit with an up-to-date data protection audit certification.

“Digitised staff attendance for accountability and improved productivity; ensured the sustainability and free flow of cargo by clearing the decade-long traffic gridlock menacing the Apapa and Tincan Island port complexes, and its environs.

“Provided aids to navigation such as buoys, fenders, and bollards across all the ports, and also enhanced seaside operations by providing marine crafts, pilot cutters, tugboats, mooring boats, etc to improve port efficiency.

“These led to a reduction in both vessel and truck turn-around times. The vessel TAT went down from an average of 6.5 days to an average of 5 days, while truck TAT went from an average of 10 days to a few hours.”

Koko also said he was happy to have attained 100 per cent Ease-of-Doing-Business rating by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

He said: “We also restored service boat management  contract with attendant boost in revenue;

“Concluded the consultancy for the deployment of a Vessel Tracking System in conjunction with NLNG Shipping;

“Secured FEC approval for the expansion of the Snake Island Port and a willing private investment to the tune of $300m on this project;

“Secured FEC approvals for the development of new ports such as ports of Ondo, Badagry, Burutu, and Snake Island expansion project, amongst other proposals that have reached advanced stages of review and approval;

“Consultancy for the development of the 25-Year National Ports Masterplan to guide investment and port expansion plans;

“Attained a 100% ease-of-doing-business rating by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), despite having the most number of reforms;

“In addition to the aforementioned, we were also able to conclude with the FMMBE/BPP on the deployment of the Port Community System (awaiting a few processes before seeking FEC approval), and its corollary, the National Single Window, as well as propel the subject matter of port modernization to conclusive stages with the signing of the mandate letters for the reconstruction of TinCan Island and the comprehensive rehabilitation of Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri, and Calabar Port complexes, respectively.”

On the six projects being handed over to his successor for inauguration, Koko said: “We have also completed some key projects that are ready for commissioning. These projects are crucial to staff development and improved efficiency.

“Some of them include; the Staff Clinic at Lagos Port Complex; inter-agency building at TinCan Island Port to accommodate agencies in the port in one place to enhance operational efficiency; security mobile scanners at the Lagos Port Complex; administrative buildings of the Tincan, Warri, and Rivers Ports; Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria’s Headquarters; upgraded Revenue Invoicing Management System (RIMS 2.0); and employees e-medical records management”.

“Let me begin by appreciating all of you for the life-applicable experience of the last eight years of my sojourn in the NPA.

“Looking back, I would like to summarize this tremendous phase of my life as a learning curve and an abiding history or experience.

“As I bow out today, I feel fulfilled for two reasons. Firstly, by working with all of you here, we have repositioned the authority for greater operational efficiency and unprecedented revenue generation and remittance to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Secondly, my sense of fulfillment derives from the fact that we have achieved a lot and have made the Authority far better than we met it, and now handing over to a management team of distinguished professionals with the requisite character, competence, and capacity to sustain and indeed surpass the current performance trajectory.

“As many of us are aware, the Authority under the management team I was privileged to lead was able to position the Authority for improved efficiency, revenue generation, accountability, and adherence to international best practices in port management and operations.”

He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for “the incredible opportunity to serve as the MD of the NPA”.

Unveiling his plans for port rehabilitation and modernization, Dantsoho said that priority will be given to total automation of NPA processes and adequate staff welfare.

He said: “We will continue the digital transformation of the Authority and reinforce the current efforts at deploying the Port Community System (PCS) which we believe is key to our dream of total automation of our processes, thereby eliminating leakages and corruption.

“The current efforts towards infrastructural renewal and development will be enhanced. In particular, we will drive: Port Rehabilitation and Modernization

“We will pay attention to the logistics that surround the arrival of cargoes along the port corridor, their receipt at the terminals and loading onboard ships in the most efficient way and also cargo evacuation from our ports.

He listed other targets as follows:

* Deep sea Ports Development, in order to unlock the full potential of the economy;

 * Promotion of transparency, accountability and Ease of doing business in our ports;

   *We shall enhance collaboration and communication between sister agencies and promote stakeholder engagement.”

[TheNation]

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has called for an independent audit of why the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited capped its investment in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery at 7.2 per cent instead of the planned 20 per cent.

This was as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, denied owning a blending plant outside Nigeria on Tuesday.

The comments were coming amid the controversies surrounding the Dangote refinery.

Ezekwesili said she had earlier decided not to speak on the Dangote refinery-NNPC saga while reacting to the matter through her official X handle.

 “However, as more and more information filtered out from both parties, we can reasonably conclude that something seriously murky has gone on and needs to be fully unravelled for public accountability. And urgently, too,” she stated.

The former minister added, “How can a project that by all definition attained the stature of a ‘national interest project’ be marred in this depth of embarrassing controversy that is playing out in the full glare of the local and international investing community?

“Did the Nigerian government not tell us it borrowed $3.3bn from Afriexim-Bank to take a stake in the Dangote refinery?”

Ezekwesili recalled that during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, she used to tell the NNPC that it could not continue to run as a federation on its own.

“When we were in government, I often told the NNPC leadership that they cannot carry on as though there is a ‘Federal Republic of the NNPC’ just because they think of themselves as ‘the goose that lays the golden egg’.

“The opacity of the NNPC was the reason we took great delight in designing the multi-stakeholders Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency International in those early 2000s that I pioneered as Chairperson.

“We went above global minimum voluntary standards of transparency requirements by entrenching ours in an Act that established NEITI as the transparency regulator of the oil and minerals sector,” she explained.

She called on President Bola Tinubu “to immediately use the instrumentality of NEITI to launch an independent audit of the Dangote refinery-NNPC transaction to offer the public the true state of play.”

The PUNCH recalls that the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, recently revealed that NNPC’s investment in his refinery was 7.2 per cent and not 20 per cent, as speculated.

“The agreement was actually 20 per cent which we had with NNPC, and they did not pay the balance of the money up till last year; then we gave them another extension up till June (2024), and they said that they would remain where they have already paid, which is 7.2 per cent. So NNPC owns only 7.2 per cent, not 20 per cent.” Dangote stated.

NNPC confirmed this, saying it decided not to invest further in the refinery.

Kyari denies plant

Meanwhile, the NNPC’s boss said on Tuesday that he does not own a blending plant outside Nigeria, reacting to claims by Dangote that some officials of the national oil company own blending plants in Malta.

Amid the crisis surrounding his $20bn refinery, Dangote had said, “Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people, and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta. We all know these areas. We know what they are doing.”

Reacting to this in a post on his X handle, Kyari said he had been inundated with calls from family members and friends, asking if he truly owns a blending plant in Malta.

The NNPC helmsman said he does not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world, except for a local mini-agric venture.

He also said he is not aware of any employee of the NNPC that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.

“I am inundated by enquiries from family members, friends, and associates on the public declaration by the President of Dangote Group that some NNPC workers have established a blending plant in Malta, thereby impeding procurements from local production of petroleum products.

“To clarify the allegations regarding the blending plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world except for a local mini-agric venture, neither am I aware of any employee of the NNPC that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.

“A blending plant in Malta or any part of the world does not influence NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.”

The NNPC boss threatened to sanction any official of the company involved in such acts if they truly existed.

“For further assurance, our compliance sanction grid shall apply to any NNPC employee who is established to be involved in doing so if availed, and I strongly recommend that such individuals be declared public and be made known to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions because of the grave implications for national energy security,” he stated.

Dangote has been speaking up following allegations by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, that the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery had higher sulphur content than imported ones, a claim Dangote described as an attempt to demarket his refinery.

Ahmed had also said the country would continue to import fuel to stop the Dangote monopoly.

[Punch]