Mujahid Asari Dokubo is a former president of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide. In this interview, he speaks on the scrapping of Ministry of Niger Delta, political crisis in Rivers State and why the South-South will align with the North in 2027, among other issues.

What are your thoughts on the decision of the Federal Government to subsume the Ministry of the Niger Delta under a new creation called the Ministry of Regional Development?

Sadly, this decision was taken by the government led by President Bola Tinubu, who was in the trenches with most of us during the struggle for the restoration of democracy after the annulment of the June 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola. We fought together and tirelessly and a lot of people lost their lives.

President Tinubu was at the forefront of the struggle and since then he has been speaking on restructuring the Nigerian state and giving rights to all the component units of Nigeria. This decision is a betrayal of the people of the Niger Delta. There has been this culture in Nigeria of trying to shortchange the people of the Niger Delta and robbing us of our gains.

Before independence, the Ijaws and Ogonis made it very clear that for us to be part of Nigeria, Nigeria must be negotiated on our terms. We made it very clear to the British and they set up a commission to look into the fears of the so-called minorities in order to address them.

After going around the country, the commission came up with a special area for the people of Ogoni and the people of Ijaw and this special area was established in such a way that the government at the centre was to provide five per cent, the Eastern Region was to provide five per cent and the Western Region to provide five per cent and this was a special area.

After the first military coup and the declaration of Nigeria as a unitary state under Decree 32 promulgated by General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Nigeria looked at our face and abolished a constitutionally established authority, and in its place, every drainage outside the Niger Delta was made a River Basin Authority and they equated this same authority with the Niger Delta Area Authority, a special mandate area for Nigeria to become independent.

The independence of Nigeria was predicated on that report that we, the Ogonis and Ijaws should be part of Nigeria. Having done that, President Olusegun Obasanjo came in 1999 and redefined what Niger Delta is because Niger Delta became oil producing areas.

So, Abia, Imo, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River became Niger Delta. He diluted the meaning of the Niger Delta but the Niger Delta was created by River Niger and its tributaries. Nigerians always look for something that does not exist in reality.

What issues do you have with President Tinubu since you said he has disappointed you?

I want to say that my opposition to the scrapping of the Niger Delta Ministry has nothing to do with my relationship with President Tinubu. I’m just an individual and my relationship with him is personal.

I’m a representative of my people and I was chosen and elected by my people to lead them based on a broad-based grassroots movement, the Ijaw Youth Council.

Like I said before, we were in the trenches with President Tinubu and he is the last person we expect to have taking this decision. The ministry came into be on the blood of the people of the Ijaw nation.

I was incastrated in 2005 and the struggle started after the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was also incastrated and oil production came down to 700,000 barrels per day. In other to appease Ijaw people, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua started with a 7-point Agenda and one of items in the 7-point Agenda was the issue of the Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Ministry was created by President Yar’Adua.

As I said earlier, the people of Ijaw and Ogoni said during independence that for them to be part of Nigeria, the issues of underdevelopment of the two nationalities must be addressed and at that time oil was discovered mostly in the territories of these two nationalities.

And the British Government set up the Niger Delta Development Authority; the Federal Government to contribute five per cent, Eastern Region to contribute five per cent and Western Region five percent.

The government of Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa adhered to its contribution of five per cent but the Eastern and Western regions, like what is happening today, refused to contribute.

After the civil war, they proceeded to create what they called the river basin development authorities for every drainage found in other parts of the country, and they gave them all kinds of fanciful names.

They converted this special area, which was an authority that was embedded in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and equated it with the so-called river basin development authorities they have created.

They destroyed the character and nature of the Niger Delta Development Authority. Yar’Auda came into power and decided to create Niger Delta Ministry because when Obasanjo was in power as head of state, he promulgated through military decree the Land Use Act and confiscated the land of our people and our resources.

After doing that; in his second coming, he created a Niger Delta in his head that does not exist because Niger Delta is supposed to be the tributaries that empty into the Atlantic Ocean. He created a Niger Delta by bringing Imo, Abia, Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River into it but these are not Niger Delta.

The wishes and caprices of a leader do not amount to the law of the country… They want to make us look little, but each time they try it, they expose themselves

Don’t you think that this latest development will make the ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be more efficient?

We are talking of law and not effectiveness. The wishes and caprices of a leader do not amount to the law of the country. The NDDC was created by a law. It was not created by the wishes and caprices of a leader that when he decide on an issue it becomes law.

Who decides what is effective and what is not effective? Everything about Nigeria is inefficient because of corruption and all institutions are affected by corruption. So, nobody will say that it is always the Niger Delta that is not efficient.

I called for the scrapping of NDDC last year and the return of Niger Delta Development Area, which was the right nomenclature for that body called NDDC and then create a special authority as it was before for the Niger Delta.

Having said that, they have created the South East Development Commission, North East Development Commission and all the development commissions, where is the money going to come from?

The money of the Ijaw, Ogoni, Urhobo, Itsekiri and Igbo people, and they tell us that oil is no longer important in the world but it is our oil money they are using.

They want to make us look little but each time they try it, they expose themselves. What we are saying is: Who decides what is efficient in Nigeria? Is our railway efficient?

You worked for the President during the election and you even composed songs for him; have you had the opportunity to speak with him on these issues or has the line of communication broken down between you and the President?

I supported Mr. President because I knew him before he became a senator. I knew him before he became governor and I knew him before he became president and God willing, if we are alive, I will also know him when he seizes to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But what I’m trying to say is that this is not about me as an individual called Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.

It is about my people and when I’m speaking about my people, take me out of the way because I’m an individual. My relationship with President Tinubu was very robust and at all times; the benefit I gained from that relationship was like a one-way traffic and from Tinubu alone.

His coming out for president was the only time I was able to pay him back and I did. And even if he comes out tomorrow, I will still do it because at the time Obasanjo buried me alive, he stood by me and I’m not going to be in a hurry to forget about that. But that is personal between both of us.

You talked about the line of communication, there is an Islamic preacher, who said that when somebody becomes an emperor, an emir or a sultan, satan becomes his best friend and adviser because satan will always be there, whispering in his ears.

You said the conversation is not personal but a lot of people will disagree with you because you said if President Tinubu fails, we should hold you responsible. Should your people hold you responsible for the fact that their ministry has been scrapped?

I still stand on that statement and that is why I am crying out because I’m vigorously liable for any infraction of the expectation of the Nigerian people, not just the Niger Delta people.

After all, I stood in front of everybody and I’m not going to deny what I said. Even if it is tomorrow, President Tinubu encounters any problem or difficulty; I will still stick out my neck and stand because if he had not stood for me, I would have been dead by now.

Obasanjo would have killed me if not for people like Ahmed Bola Tinubu who stood by me and did everything for me. So, I’m not going to be in a hurry to forget that.

Would you say President Tinubu is succeeding or failing given the reality in the country today?

Again, you said you spent a lot of money to support him and you are not benefiting anything, what would you like to benefit from him? If you have listened to my broadcast in full, I met President Tinubu both on camera and behind the camera and he asked me:

Are you interested in pipeline contract? I told him that I am not interested in pipeline contract but I can assist those who are doing the pipeline contract in any way I can for his government to succeed. So, I never said that it was a personal gain that I was looking for. I clearly said in all my broadcasts that my needs are very small.

What I’m trying to say is very clear; Tinubu becoming president, I should be able to tell him the truth, particularly what is happening in Rivers State, where President Tinubu is supporting Nyesom Wike to destabilise Rivers State. As a stakeholder in Rivers State, I feel disappointed that the President has allowed his minister to procure judgements and threatening the people of Rivers State.

What they are trying to do is that they are going to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara and nothing will happen but I’m saying that if they remove Fubara, something will happen. That is what I’m talking about because I’m not talking about any personal benefits. I cannot be appointed as a minister.

I cannot be appointed to any board and I did not lobby for anything. So, it is not personal as I said. Yes, I emptied my bank account and I spent over $2 million and I cannot even count in naira what I spent and I did not take anything from him or anybody except Tein Jack-Rich, who gave me N300 million.

You recently said you are going to work with the North does that mean that you are no longer taking your relationship with the President forward?

I think you are misquoting me. What I said was very clear that our fathers worked with the North and from what Obasanjo and Tinubu have done to us, we the younger generation will go back and align with the North because General Sani Abacha and Tafawa-Balewa created Bayelsa, put in place Niger Delta Development Authority. For us, our relationship with the North is far better than our relationship with any other region.

[NewTelegraph]

President Bola Tinubu-led government, on Wednesday, announced the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the passing in a statement.

Onanuga stated that Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

Here are things to know late COAS Lagbaja:

– Lagbaja, was born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on 28 February 1968.

– He was the 23rd Chief of Army Staff.

– He attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School Osogbo between 1973 – 1979

– He attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986 and obtained West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).

– He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 12, 1987 as a member of 39th Regular Course.

– He was commissioned as 2Lt on September 19, 1992 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

– He holds a Bachelor’s in Geography from NDA Kaduna and a Master’s from U.S. Army War College.

– Until his elevation as COAS, Lagbaja was the chief of operation (Army) and had served as General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kaduna, and 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu.

– Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

– Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and two children.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the owner of the dogs that allegedly killed a security guard in the Pinnock beach estate in the Lekki area.

Naija News reports that this comes after a video of three dogs wandering freely over the lifeless body of the security man made rounds on social media.

An X user who shared the post said the security guard at the estate was attacked by the dogs that escaped from their owner’s property.

The post read, “Someone’s dog at pinnock estate attacked a security guard and killed him, I can’t take Nigerian dog owners serious, I hope the family of the security sue them of every penny they own in this life. Nigerians who own guard dogs have no idea how to handle them and neither are the dogs trained. I really hope those dogs are killed and the owners rot in jail or pay through their nose.”

Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the owner of the dogs has been arrested and is currently in their custody.

“Dog owner has been arrested and is in our custody,” the police spokesperson wrote on X alongside images of the provisions of the law on manslaughter.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

President Tinubu made this known in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga

He said he looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

“Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.”

According to Onanuga, Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

The United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has vowed to deliver a strong country that Americans would be proud of.

Trump thanked Americans for voting him as the 46th president of the US.

Delivering his victory speech in Florida, Trump described his win as a “historic victory,” stressing that his movement has achieved an unprecedented political feat.

The President-elect promised to usher in a “golden age” for America.

He said: “This is a movement like nobody has ever seen before, and frankly, this was, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time. There’s never been anything like this in this country, and now its going to reach a new level of importance because we are going to help our country heal.

“We overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible.

“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president.

“I will not rest until we have delivered this strong, safe, and proud America that our children deserve and that you deserve.”

In a unique and somber celebration, Sean "Diddy" Combs, the influential American rapper and music mogul, marked his birthday behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Despite his current legal troubles, Diddy was able to connect with his children over the phone, allowing for moments of family unity amid challenging circumstances.

Diddy, who has built a successful career over decades and inspired millions worldwide, reportedly engaged in heartfelt conversations with his children, who rallied around their father during this difficult time. The calls allowed Diddy to share birthday wishes and words of encouragement, providing a sense of normalcy and closeness despite the physical separation.

The hip-hop icon’s legal issues have attracted significant media attention, with fans and industry insiders alike showing support for the star and his family. While details surrounding Diddy's case remain limited, this birthday connection demonstrates his enduring commitment to his loved ones.

Supporters around the world have been vocal, expressing their hope for a positive resolution in his legal matters, while industry figures continue to highlight Diddy's cultural contributions and influence. The rapper’s birthday, even under these conditions, served as a reminder of the importance of family bonds and resilience.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it does not import adulterated premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer of NNPC, spoke on Tuesday while responding to protesters demanding the removal of Mele Kyari, the company’s group chief executive officer (CEO).

According to NAN, civil society organisations stormed NNPC headquarters in Abuja to protest the hike in petrol price.

Soneye challenged anyone to provide evidence that NNPC is importing adulterated petrol.

“The NNPC Ltd. does not import adulterated fuel. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, they should bring forward samples of any such fuel imported by NNPC Ltd,” he said.

“We have more pressing projects to accomplish to ensure energy security for our nation.”

On November 3, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.

Dangote refinery made the claim after some oil marketers said the refiner’s product is higher than imported petrol.

Also, Soneye said Kyari is not responsible for the increase in petrol price.

NNPC raised the price of petrol from N855 per litre in September to N998 per litre on October 3.

On October 28, NNPC increased the pump price for the second time last month to N1,025 in Lagos, and N1,050 in Abuja.

Soneye said only those without knowledge would blame the CEO for the price increase.

“If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase,” he said.

“In fact, the GCEO ensured that Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.”

Soneye said despite the protests, NNPC would not be distracted from achieving the goal of implementing President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap for energy security in Nigeria.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has informed Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited and other oil marketers that the deregulation of the downstream oil sector should not be used as a justification for the importation of off-spec petroleum products or the undermining of Nigeria’s national interests.

The refinery made this statement on Tuesday, in response to remarks by Robert Dickerman, the CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, concerning the importation and blending of petroleum products, which the Pinnacle boss boss framed within the context of a “deregulated commodity market.”

On Sunday Dangote refinery tackled the firm for setting up a blending plant around its facility in Lagos, with the intention of selling substandard petroleum products to Nigerians.

Though the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dickerman, refuted the claim, the Dangote refinery said that his argument for a deregulated market could not obscure the serious implications of his actions which, it claimed, threatened the integrity of Nigeria’s energy sector and endangered the welfare of its citizens.

While reiterating its support for deregulation and industrialisation, Dangote emphasised that this support is grounded in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from exploitation.

The refinery affirmed that the health and safety of Nigerians should never be compromised in the pursuit of profit.

“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company has long been an advocate for deregulation and industrialisation in Nigeria, but our support is rooted in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from any exploitation.

“Unlike Dickerman’s view, deregulation should not be a licence for the importation and distribution of off-spec products or the subversion of national interests,” it said.

The company also noted that, as an American, Dickerman should be well aware of how his own country protects its industries.

It pointed to several recent examples from the United States to underline the point. For instance, US President Joe Biden recently opposed the sale of US Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel, stressing the importance of maintaining strong American steel companies supported by American workers—an example of protectionism that prioritises national economic interests over short-term profit.

Similarly, the US has taken action to restrict the use of Chinese-made cranes in its ports, citing national security concerns, according to the refinery.

The US has also imposed a 100 per cent tariff on electric vehicles and a 50 per cent duty on medical equipment imported from China, further demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding domestic industries.

The United States has also ramped up efforts to boost its own production of computer chips and medical supplies, driven by national security concerns and the need for economic self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, during his presidency, George W. Bush used anti-dumping laws to impose tariffs on a range of Chinese goods that were considered to be unfairly priced, the facility argued.

“It is therefore perplexing that Dickerman, with all his experience in the US market, would advocate for the importation and blending of petroleum products to Nigeria under the claim of deregulation and a free market.

“The fact is that he had deceitfully approached us and pleaded that we extend the pipeline from our refinery to Pinnacle’s tank farms for the purpose of blending our high-quality products with their imported products and selling them to Nigerians.

“We categorically rejected his request to extend our pipeline to their tank farms for such devious purposes because it would be a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust. The health and safety of Nigerians cannot—and should not—be compromised for profit,” it stated.

The company also raised concerns over Pinnacle Oil’s decision to lease its tank farms to a company without any retail outlets in Nigeria, questioning the strategic intent behind such actions, particularly given that the farms are located just 500 metres from Dangote’s refinery.

It expressed its vigilance regarding the coordinated efforts to undermine the Dangote Refinery, drawing parallels to the fate of refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery called on the government, patriotic Nigerians, and local businesses to remain steadfast in defending the country’s sovereignty and economic independence.

“The choice we face is between fostering industrialisation or allowing Nigeria to remain a dumping ground for inferior products while exporting jobs.

“For nearly three decades, cartels and their collaborators have sabotaged efforts to develop Nigeria’s refining capacity, keeping the country dependent on imported products. The time has come to end this cycle of exploitation and ensure that Nigeria’s energy sector works for the benefit of its people,” it added.

Reiterating its belief that a strong, self-sufficient energy sector is vital for Nigeria’s economic growth, Dangote affirmed that it will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect both industries and the well-being of all Nigerians.

The company also expressed its support for healthy competition that drives innovation and quality, and looked forward to the upcoming commissioning of the four state-owned refineries, as promised by the NNPCL.

“At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes self-reliant in petroleum production, and we welcome competition that drives innovation and quality.

“However, we will never allow the continued importation and blending of petroleum products, nor the deliberate destruction of our national economy. We believe that a strong, self-sufficient energy sector is vital to Nigeria’s economic growth, and we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect our industries and the well-being of all Nigerians.”

“We eagerly anticipate the coming on stream of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries before the end of this year, as promised by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari. This milestone will not only end all baseless rumours of monopoly but also position Nigeria as a refining hub for petroleum products in Africa,” it concluded.

A Two-Year-Old Girl has reportedly been assaulted to death in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State.

The incident was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, Superintendent Ahmed Wakil, in a press statement issued on Tuesday.

Wakil revealed that the crime took place on November 5, 2024, and was reported at the Ningi Divisional Police Headquarters.

“The lifeless body of a two-year-old girl was discovered beside a mosque on Deneva Street, Ningi LGA, showing signs of assault,” he stated.

“Upon receiving the report, detectives were dispatched to the scene, and the child’s body was taken to General Hospital Ningi, where a medical examination confirmed severe injuries from penetration, leading to her death.”

Bauchi State Commissioner Of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, has condemned the crime, describing it as a horrific and heinous act.

The PPRO stated that the commissioner has directed the Divisional Police Officer to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.

“He also urged parents and guardians to ensure their children’s safety and avoid letting them roam unattended,” Wakil added.

The Police Command also appealed to the public for any information that could assist in locating and prosecuting the perpetrators of this tragic crime.

A newly promoted officer of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) simply identified as Opatola attached to Iwo division has reportedly slumped and died after receiving salary.

The Nation learnt that Opatola died in the division’s rest room on Monday after working a while in the office.

A source, in the command who do not want to be named, said the officer who was promoted and decorated last week resumed duty hale and hearty before his death.

According to the source: “We all saw the alert of our salaries almost same time with the deceased and we were all disappointed.

“We discussed it. He was visibly worried. The officer was hale and hearty when he resumed for duty, he attended to a few cases.

“Thereafter, he excused himself to visit the rest room. It was after some minutes that some of his colleagues who didn’t hear from him, went in to check him in the restroom. He found him on the floor, he was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.”

Another source said: “it is so disheartening that a newly promoted Opatola slumped and died few days after he was promoted. We guess that disappointment from his salary aggravated his underlying ailment which resulted to his death.”

Efforts to get the reaction of Osun Command NSCDC spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke were abortive.

She did not respond to calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report.