Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, has dismissed claims of family dispute over his late son’s property.

Naija News understands that a report online alleged that Wigwe’s parents filed a caveat at the Probate Registry, seeking to challenge the distribution of the late CEO’s estate as outlined in his will.

The caveat was reportedly filed under the direction of Pastor Shyngle, and supported by an affidavit from Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, who claims to be Herbert’s cousin.

This legal manoeuvre was directed at altering the directives set forth by the deceased regarding the administration of his estate.

The report also added that the father allegedly requested that 20 per cent of Herbert’s estate be allotted to him and other family members, a desire that contradicts Herbert’s will.

However, Pastor Shyngle, in a statement signed by one Emeka Wigwe for the family on Tuesday, refuted the claims, stressing that at no point had he or any member of the family requested 20 per cent of the estate of his late son.

The father further urged the platform to correct the inaccuracies in the report and to exercise greater diligence in fact-checking future stories.

He added that the family remains united, focusing on healing and growing stronger together.

The statement read, “We, the family of Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, wish to address a recent article titled ‘Family Dispute Erupts Over Estate of Late Banking Executive Herbert Wigwe’ published on October 13, 2024.

“This article has unfortunately spread widely across social and national media. While we recognize the role of the press in sharing news, it is vital that such reports are based on truth and accuracy.

“To clarify, at no point has Pastor Shyngle Wigwe requested 20 per cent of the estate of the late Herbert Wigwe. Neither has there been any such request by other family members. The article’s claim that this demand contradicts Herbert’s will is entirely false and misleading. The facts regarding the estate are already publicly available in the Probate Registry, where an affidavit clearly outlines the correct details. A simple search by your reporters would have revealed this truth.

“During this painful time of grief, our family remains united, focusing on healing and growing stronger together. We have no intention of engaging in a public defense because there are no sides to take. The only truth is that we are navigating this immense loss and will continue to do so with dignity.

“Herbert Wigwe’s legacy as a visionary banker and entrepreneur is what should be remembered. He transformed Access Bank into a national leader and devoted himself to empowering others through initiatives like The HOW Foundation, which focused on education and healthcare. These are the values that define his life and should be the focus, rather than unfounded speculation.”

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate for September 2024 rose to 32.70 per cent after slowing consecutively in the previous two months of July and August.

This was according to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The World Bank projected that Nigeria would experience a further rise in inflation rates in September 2024, largely driven by a significant hike in the price of petrol.

The latest inflation figure is a marginal increase of 0.55 per cent from the August 2024 figure of 32.15 per cent, reflecting ongoing price pressures across the country. 

Year-on-year, inflation has surged by 5.98 percentage points compared to the 26.72 per cent recorded in September 2023.

The report read, “In September 2024, the Headline inflation rate was 32.70 per cet relative to the August 2024 headline inflation rate of 32.15 per cent. Looking at the movement, the September 2024 Headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.55 per cent compared to the August 2024 Headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 5.98 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in September 2023 (26.72 per cent). This shows that the Headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in September 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., September 2023).

“Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in September 2024 was 2.52 per cent, which was 0.30 per cent higher than the rate recorded in August 2024 (2.22 per cent). This means that in September 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in August 2024.”

The World Bank, in its Africa’s Pulse report released on Monday, projected that Nigeria would experience a further rise in inflation rates in September 2024, largely driven by a significant hike in gasoline prices.

The report noted that the government’s decision to implement market-based pricing, which initially tripled gasoline prices in May 2023, led to an additional 40-45 per cent rise in fuel costs in September 2024.

This development is expected to exacerbate inflationary pressures, with transportation and production costs rising sharply, leading to higher prices for goods and services across the country.

This rise in inflation follows a trend that began in June 2024, when headline inflation peaked, influenced heavily by increases in fuel prices and the subsequent rise in transportation and production costs.

The higher cost of fuel has had a ripple effect on various sectors, pushing up the prices of goods and services across the country.

The report read, “While the inflationary effects of a weakened naira in the first months of this year and the removal of the gasoline subsidy in the second half of 2023 appeared to be gradually subsiding, a further increase in gasoline prices by 40-45 percent in September may reverse the disinflationary trend. The consolidation of macroeconomic reforms should support higher growth in the country in 2025.”

The NBS report also noted that food prices remain a key driver of inflation, with the food inflation rate climbing to 37.77 per cent in September 2024, a notable rise of 7.13 per cent from the 30.64 per cent recorded in the same period last year.

The increase in food inflation is largely attributed to rising prices of staples such as rice, maize, beans, and yams. Month-on-month, the food inflation rate also increased to 2.64 per cent in September 2024, up from 2.37 per cent in August.

Inflation is more pronounced in urban areas than rural regions, with urban inflation rising to 35.13 per cent in September 2024, up from 28.68 per cent in the previous year. In rural areas, the inflation rate reached 30.49 per cent, compared to 24.94 per cent in September 2023. Month-on-month, urban inflation stood at 2.67 per cent, while rural inflation was recorded at 2.39 per cent.

Among the states, Bauchi recorded the highest year-on-year inflation rate at 44.83 per cent, followed by Sokoto (38.74 per cent) and Jigawa (38.39 per cent). Conversely, Delta (26.35 per cent), Benue (26.90 per cent), and Katsina (27.71 per cent) experienced the slowest inflation rise. On a month-on-month basis, Sokoto saw the sharpest increase at 4.63 per cent, with Taraba (4.07 per cent) and Anambra (3.74 per cent) also showing significant rises.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile agricultural products and energy prices, rose to 27.43 per cent in September 2024, a 5.59 per cent increase compared to the 21.84 per cent recorded in September 2023. Significant price increases were observed in housing rentals, transport, and medical services.

The rise in inflation occurred after a consecutive drop, which was triggered by a decrease in food prices following the harvest period in Nigeria.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria last month voted to increase the monetary policy rate, which measures the benchmark interest rate, to 27.25 per cent.

This new rate, a move that stunned the financial markets, was an increase of 50 basis points from 26.75 per cent announced by the apex bank in July 2024.

Financial experts had expected that the CBN would either hold or lower interest rates following two consecutive months of declining headline inflation.

According to the CBN, the decision to raise interest rates was premised on recent events in the economy regarding inflation and the stability of the foreign exchange market.

The CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, mentioned the threats of food inflation, flooding in many parts of the country, and rising petrol and energy prices as reasons why further monetary policy tightening should be executed.

Some market analysts earlier said that factors such as the depreciation of the naira and the fuel prices would likely see inflationary trends re-emerge.

The Managing Director of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, during the firm’s recent Third Quarter Webinar Series, expressed concerns that there may be a re-emergence of the inflationary trend due to rising fuel prices, which impacts the services of goods and services.

Chukwu added that the effectiveness of the CBN’s tight monetary policy in curbing inflation remains uncertain, particularly in light of structural challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, high fuel costs, unreliable power supply, and logistical bottlenecks.

Commenting on the inflation figure on Tuesday, Dr Muda Yusuf, the Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, expressed concerns over Nigeria’s resurgence of inflationary pressures, particularly after months of relative respite.

He said, “It is troubling that we are witnessing a resurgence of high inflationary pressures after some few months of respite despite policy measures to tame inflation, especially on the monetary side. Purchasing power had continued to plunge over the past few months. The situation had been further exacerbated by the surging petrol price.”

He attributed the increase in inflation to factors such as the rising cost of petrol, depreciation of the naira, and surging transportation and logistics costs.

He noted, “the reality is that the dynamics driving inflation are yet to be effectively subdued. These factors include the depreciating exchange rate, surging fuel price, rising transportation costs, logistics and supply chain challenges, high energy cost, climate change including resultant incidents of flooding,  insecurity in farming communities and structural bottlenecks to production.

“These are largely supply-side issues. There is also the factor of seasonality of agricultural outputs which activates seasonal price surge in some food crops. Elevated inflationary pressures escalate production costs, weakens profitability, and dampens investors’ confidence.”

Yusuf urged the government to provide concessionary import duties for industrialists and prioritise the resolution of critical issues like power supply, logistics, and foreign exchange.

Also, he highlighted the importance of sub-national governments in addressing food inflation by improving rural infrastructure to ease transportation and access to markets.

He concluded by expressing hope that the proposed economic stabilisation measures currently before the National Assembly could provide much-needed fiscal relief.

However, he warned that without concerted efforts to tackle these fundamental challenges, taming inflation would remain difficult.

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has denied reports that the federal government plans to impose more tax or increase the amount of tax paid by Nigerians.

Adedeji made the denial on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa.

According to the FIRS boss, the tax reform bills sent to the National Assembly by the government of President Bola Tinubu are not intended to introduce new taxes or increase existing ones but to harmonize them.

“There won’t be additional taxes. The tax reform bills will not and are not intended to introduce new taxes or increase the existing taxes. It’s just to harmonise them,” Adedeji said.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Senator Musa also confirmed the tax reform proposals are not targeted at increasing individual or company taxes.

He, however stressed the need for the FIRS to embark on sensitization of Nigerians on the intentions of the tax reform bills.

“The chairman of FIRS has mentioned to us that no any increment in taxes on anyone, not only individuals but companies. That, we agreed.

“I think what they want to do is to strengthen the revenue base of the country and simplify the administration of taxes. There is the need for FIRS to embark on serious sensitisation on these bills. As far as we are concerned, we are representing Nigerians and we will do what Nigerians desire us to do on these bills,” the Niger Senator said.

Naija News reports President Tinubu had transmitted four bills to the two chambers of the National Assembly aimed at giving legislative frameworks to some proposals of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee headed by Taiwo Oyedele.

One of the bills titled, “The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024, is seeking the National Assembly’s approval to change the name, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

The naira has been listed among the worst-performing currencies in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024.

This is according to the latest edition of Africa’s Pulse, a new report by the World Bank.

As of the end of August 2024, the naira had depreciated by approximately 43 per cent year-to-date, making it one of the region’s weakest currencies alongside the Ethiopian birr and South Sudanese pound.

The depreciation of the naira is attributed to several factors, including surging demand for United States dollars in the parallel market, limited dollar inflows, and delays in foreign exchange disbursements by Nigeria’s central bank.

The World Bank’s report further highlights that demand for dollars, driven by financial institutions, non-financial end-users, and money managers, has exacerbated the pressure on the naira.

It noted, “By August 2024, the Ethiopian birr, Nigerian naira, and South Sudanese pound were among the worst performers in the region. The Nigerian naira continued losing value, with a year-to-date depreciation of about 43 per cent as of end-August.

“Surges in demand for US dollars in the parallel market, driven by financial institutions, money managers, and non-financial end-users, combined with limited dollar inflows and slow foreign exchange disbursements to currency exchange bureaus by the central bank explain the weakening of the naira.” 

This situation has persisted despite some foreign exchange market reforms introduced by the Nigerian government, including the liberalization of the official exchange rate that began in June 2023.

However, these efforts have so far been insufficient to stabilize the currency.

The naira’s struggle reflects broader economic challenges in Nigeria, including limited foreign currency reserves and ongoing inflationary pressures.

The report also notes that the naira’s depreciation has contributed to higher domestic prices, particularly for imported goods, compounding the difficulties for Nigerian consumers.

In contrast, some African currencies that faced challenges in 2023, such as the Kenyan shilling and South African rand, have shown signs of recovery this year.

The Kenyan shilling, for instance, strengthened by 21 per cent year-to-date by the end of August 2024, marking it as one of the region’s top performers.

Despite this, foreign exchange shortages and exchange rate pressures remain a significant concern for many African economies.

The PUNCH, however, observed that the naira appreciated by 5.69 per cent against the dollar on Monday, according to data from the FMDQ Exchange.

The exchange rate improved from N1,641.27/$1 on Friday, October 11 to N1,552.92/$1 on Monday, October 14.

Despite the naira’s recovery, foreign exchange turnover plummeted by 44.27 per cent, falling from $616.73m to $343.71m over the same period.

In its report, the World Bank offers a cautious outlook for Nigeria’s economic growth, projecting that its Gross Domestic Product will expand by 3.3 per cent in 2024 and slightly accelerate to 3.6 per cent in 2025-2026.

The report read: “Economic growth in Nigeria is projected at 3.3 per cent in 2024 and 3.6 per cent in 2025–26 as macroeconomic and fiscal reforms gradually start yielding results. Inflation peaked in June 2024 (at 34.2 per cent year-on-year) and decelerated to 33.4 per cent in July and further to 32.2 per cent in August.”

It also noted that following the Nigerian government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies in mid-2023, gasoline prices surged dramatically, causing a ripple effect on inflation across the country. The report notes that this policy change, which saw gasoline prices triple initially, further increased by an additional 40-45 per cent in September 2024, driving up transportation and logistics costs for businesses and consumers alike.

In July 2024, inflation reached 34.2%, and although it showed signs of easing in August, the recent hike in gasoline prices is expected to reverse this trend and potentially push inflation higher in the coming months.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, has revealed why she is unmarried at 54.

Speaking in a recent interview with her colleague, Emmanuel Ehumadu, the thespian disclosed that she is still single because her soul mate died.

According to her, her deceased lover was the person she could do forever with.

See their conversation below.

Host: “Are you married?”

Akintola: “No.”

Host: “Why?”

Akintola: “He died…The person wey me fit do forever for don die.”

Host: “So, you don’t think you can find another man?”

Akintola: “Do you know how long it took me to find him?”

She said she won’t allow herself to be pressured into getting married just to please people.

The actress, however, clarified that she believes in the concept of marriage but hasn’t found the right man to settle with since losing her soul mate.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that the increase in Nigeria’s revenue recorded in the 2024 fiscal year is being strategically allocated to various social intervention programmes aimed at improving the living standards of citizens and addressing pressing societal needs.

The minister said the social investment programme is targeted to impact 60 per cent of the poorest, reaching 20 million persons.

He also revealed a comprehensive proposed agenda for economic reform, which aims to reduce inflation, create jobs, and stimulate growth in key sectors of the economy.

At his October 1, 2024 address, President Bola Tinubu announced that the government’s revenue for the first half of 2024 (January to June) stood at over N9.1tn—more than double the N4.06tn generated in the same period in 2023.

Speaking at a panel session titled ‘Fiscal Reforms for a More Secure Future’ during the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Edun said the increased revenue is primarily being used to finance social programmes aimed at mitigating the impact of essential but challenging reforms that have affected the cost of living.

He said, “In terms of revenue, the number one place to look was inwards, domestic resource mobilisation. That’s where the government started. By the first half of this year, revenue had doubled.

“Aggregate government revenue was more than doubled. And that was achieved by applying technology very robustly.

“We have applied technology in a way that essentially reforms the civil service. Rather than waiting for compliance from government ministries, departments and agencies and government companies, we looked at what the rules and regulations were, how much a company was allowed to spend on its revenue, and then how much of its surplus it had to provide to government.

“The social investment programme is spearheaded by direct transfers to reach 60 per cent poorest in the population. And right now, 20 million households are being supported directly. And it’s going to rise to, well, 20 million people, four million households so far, and it will rise to 15 million households who will be paid directly by the government.

“That is how President Tinubu’s government is spending the money which is being yielded from better oil production.”

Edun also emphasised the government’s focus on agriculture, manufacturing, oil, and housing as vital drivers of Nigeria’s economy.

“We are looking to food production to help bring down inflation,” he explained.

“We aim to make food more available, affordable, and to reduce the cost of living for Nigerians.”

According to him, the interventions through direct cash transfers have reached 4m households already.

In the oil sector, Edun said the minister also discussed the government’s approach to the oil and gas sector, emphasising its critical role in generating foreign exchange.

Edun revealed that recent reforms have attracted significant investments, including an additional $10m from ExxonMobil and other key industry players.

“The oil sector is our first avenue for foreign exchange and global revenue,” he stated, expressing optimism about sustained contributions from local and foreign investors alike.

These measures, according to him, have encouraged Nigerian manufacturers to commit up to $4.2bn in investments, boosting the country’s economic prospects.

The minister also highlighted other initiatives, such as the student loan scheme and consumer credit made available to workers to enable them to purchase household goods or convert their vehicles to cheaper, cleaner Compressed Natural Gas fuel.

In the agricultural sector, the government is providing grants and loans worth up to N75bn to support one million small and micro enterprises.

For larger companies, Edun said an additional N75bn is being disbursed in tranches of N1bn per company at a nine per cent annual interest rate, helping them manage the cost of production and operations, particularly in light of the recent foreign exchange adjustments impacting their profit margins.

“This is how President Tinubu and his government are spending the increased revenue, which has been driven by improved oil production and macroeconomic reforms that are expected to save the country five per cent of GDP,” Edun explained.

“There is a broad array of social investment initiatives where these funds are being directed.”

Also speaking at the summit, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Ndiamé Diop, acknowledged the country’s significant revenue increase, noting that its revenue-to-GDP ratio is expected to improve.

He pointed out that in 2022, Nigeria spent 12.9 per cent of its GDP, but revenue covered only 7.6 per cent, leaving the country with a substantial fiscal deficit funded mainly through debt. “This trajectory could have led to a crisis,” Diop warned.

The ongoing reforms, he suggested, are essential to stabilising Nigeria’s fiscal position and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

“Bros, na wah for you oh. How person go dey call you, you no go pick call?”

“A beg. My head no straight these days.” 

“Are you okay? You sick?”

“I sick. I sick well, well, well.”

What is the matter? And your wife could not call family? These women! What is going on?”

“I sick oh. Because my salary can no longer take me home. Nobody is increasing salaries. They don’t even pay as at when due anymore. When I buy fuel, the thing evaporates in 24 hours. My heart is perpetually pumping up and down. My body aches. And Madam is putting me under pressure that we have not yet paid the children’s school fees. I am sick. I can feel it in my bones. Have you not noticed that the fuel we buy these days simply evaporates?

“My brother. Bros. Na wah.”

“Tell me where are we going in this country?”

“President Tinubu and his wife are certain that we are going somewhere that is good. Mrs. Tinubu made the point the other day that we, Nigerians are not seeing what the Lord is doing and that in two years, we will all see the truth.”

“Like Saul who became Paul on the road to Damascus. I beg. Let nobody deceive me. Na hungry I hungry, I am not blind oh. I can see what is going on in Nigeria. What is the Lord doing in Nigeria that Mrs. Tinubu is talking about? She goes to Ife, visits her alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University and donates one billion Naira. What does she do for a living?  Where did she get the money from? And then she says we, Nigerians must learn to work hard. Oh. Oh. These people. So, I don’t have one billion Naira because I am lazy? And then on top of it all, the Ooni of Ife erects a fake gold statue in her honour. Rochas Okorocha Iberiberism in Ife! And I am here, looking for quality fuel. This country is not okay, I swear.”

“E lo fokan bale. I believe that everything will be okay. President Tinubu is working on it. He is on a working vacation. From England to France. As a Christian, I believe that you will soon see what the Lord is doing.”    

“I can see what is going on. We must stop blackmailing God in this matter. I can see that the leaders of Nigeria do not care enough about us. They are going about in luxury jets, SUVs, yachts, and Nigerians are told to work harder and be patient. It is the slave master’s logic. And the President says he is on a working vacation. Okay, what working vacation? It is either you are on vacation which is legitimate, perfectly legitimate. But you are working and you are on vacation? What an oxymoron! And Mrs. Tinubu gets a statue in Ile Ife? As what?” Tell me.”

“As our wife. First Lady. Mother of the Nation. Yoruba wife.”

“I have told you. We are not okay in this country.” 

“But I disagree with you that the President cannot go on a working vacation? Mr. Bayo Onanuga has made it clear that the President can run this country from anywhere on the planet. If he so wishes he can leave France and go to Australia and stay there till the end of the year.”

“No. No.  No.  I disagree. Number One. Why must he always go to Britain and France? Number Two. It is not true that he can stay away from Nigeria for as long as he likes. Sections 145 and 146 of the 1999 Constitution are very clear. If he is going to be away due to vacation or incapacitation, he is required by the Constitution to hand over to his Deputy. Did he hand over to the Vice President? Did he inform the National Assembly? He just carried his bags and said he was going on a working vacation? President Tinubu is undermining the Nigerian Constitution.” 

“It is his prerogative. He is President. He can delegate as he wishes. The Nigerian President is a monarch. That is the truth.” 

“They say he is on a working vacation. I want to know what work he has done. He had to leave Britain just when that country was hosting business leaders from every part of the world to discuss the future of investment and Britain’s economic growth. It would have been a great networking opportunity for Nigeria. But our President left.”

“Again. You miss the point. The International Investment Summit in Central London was strictly by invitation. Elon Musk who wanted to be at the Summit, so desperately, was not invited. Other leaders in the world were not invited. The Summit is not a gathering of the tribes and former colonies.”

“Okay I get the point. Nigeria was not considered important enough. So what work did President Tinubu do or that you know that he did during this working vacation? Nigerians have the right to know” 

“No. You cannot order the President around. He is not your prisoner. He is a monarch. Get that straight. Why do Nigerians think that because this is a democracy, they can order the President and his wife around anyhow? What is wrong with us? In fact, we should count ourselves lucky. The people of Cameroon have just been told that it is a breach of national security to talk about the whereabouts of President Paul Biya. Biya was last seen in September when he appeared on television at a function in Beijing. He is 91 years old. He has been ruling Cameroon for more than 41 years, the second longest ruling monarch after Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. Tinubu is just two years on the throne, you are looking for him. Come on man, he is still better than Paul Biya. I dare say he is even better than President Buhari who spent a total of more than a year outside the country.”

“And is that good for Nigeria? I ask. Answer. Is that how anybody should run a serious country?” 

“Don’t worry yourself, Nigeria will survive. We will always survive. President Tinubu told us, have you forgotten? E lo fokan bale.” 

“I have my doubts. I am anxious. Which fokan bale is that? Very soon men will lose their wives because they will no longer be men at home. Wives will give up their husbands and homes will be ruined.” 

“Be patient bro. Two years.” 

“Two years, with this hardship?”

“Something will come up. Naija no dey carry last. Our God will never forsake us.” 

“Will you stop that crap? Let the Pastors say that on Sunday to their congregations. All these Pastors who ride limousines and private jets and they preach hope to their poorly-fed church members.”

“Touch not my anointed. Thou shall not speak ill of the people of God.”.  

“Very soon, I will stop going to Church. No more paying of tithes. I will use the money to buy fuel and food. The Pastors are still telling people Nigeria go better because people still go to their churches. When people stop showing up, then they will know that something has gone wrong with Nigeria.” 

“People will always go to church. The Pastors preach hope. Hope keeps us alive.” 

“Go and mark my words. Nigeria is heading to a crossroads where hope will no longer show the way, hope without purpose and direction means nothing. The road called hope must be paved with clear targets. Please where are we?”

“As we speak, I am on my lunch break at work, munching on something, thinking aloud with you” 

“I am angry”

“I believe. I hope that tomorrow is another day. Nigeria always survives. We can’t go on like this, yes. Something may change the course of our history. Look at Guyana, a country of 800, 000 people. As of 2009, that country was famous for eco-tourism and its rain forests. In 2015, Exxon Mobil found oil in large quantities in its coastal waters. Today, Guyana, a former British colony way back in 1796, is now an oil rich country, so rich the Prime Minister is promising people free money and free opportunities, the country’s colonial architecture is giving way to glass sealed buildings. It is a new day in Guyana. The Lord that did it for them in that country can do it also for us in Nigeria”

“Bad example. Bad comparison.  Nigeria already travelled through that road before. We found oil and the country scattered. What has oil brought us? It has brought to a point where we cannot even refine our fuel. Something that flows in some people’s father’s backyards. It has brought us to a point where a man from a state where there is no crude oil is now the one refining fuel for Nigeria making all the people who boast about our oil, na my papa get am, look truly stupid.”

“That is life. You can have something, talk about it and not know what to do with it. God has a hand in it. He will then bring somebody who can do it.” 

“You always talk back and forth, here and there. I do not know what your people are doing.” 

“Which my people? I don’t know them oh. I am just trying to be a good person?”

“You are a PDP man then?”

“Which PDP? Those ones that will fight from now till 2028. They will wake up after the 2027 elections have been won and lost”

“Are you cursing the PDP? The main opposition party in the country?”

“Let me quote Daniel Bwala jare. Kokoro ti n je efo, inu efo lo wa? The maggot that is spoiling the vegetable is inside the vegetable. Do you get it?”  

“I get it. No hope for the APC either. Things are so bad even Libya is now insulting Nigeria, in football.” 

Many persons that I know and that are dear to me have been celebrating their birthdays in the last week and one of them, Pastor Kayode Owolabi turns 60 on October 17. On October 10, Professor Is-haq Oloyede turned 70. He is the current Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Letters. He is also the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, the 8^th and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, former Chairman of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Committee of Vice Chancellors, and former President of the Association of African Universities. 

Oloyede is one of such Diamonds who have spent a lifetime excelling in whatever they do, from his emergence as a National Merit Scholar (a distinction I proudly share with him) to graduating with a First Class Honour  (we are in that boat together too), to becoming a Professor in 1995 (I left university teaching to become a talking head in the media). He later became the Vice Chancellor of his alma mater in 2007. Oloyede’s tenure as Vice Chancellor in Ilorin was regarded as the brightest moments in that University’s history. He is a focused, committed scholar and a man who pays great attention to details. He has proven his measure as Registrar of JAMB, a position to which he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016. In eight years, Oloyede has turned JAMB around and made it a success story. JAMB used to be an unprofitable government agency, a cesspool of corruption, but today, JAMB makes profit for the Nigerian Government and remains one of the success stories of Nigeria.  Under Oloyede’s watch, the institution has been sanitized.  

Oloyede is a perfect example of a good Muslim, a good citizen, a good scholar and a platinum-citizen representing Nigeria well. He calls me “the Deputy Governor” but that is a story for another day. I congratulate him on the occasion of his 70^th birthday. President Tinubu describes him as “an exceptional scholar, and an uncommon scholar who has shown rare commitment to financial integrity and accountability in public service”. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State where Oloyede hails from, says he “remains a leading light among many of his contemporaries and distinctly stands out for his integrity and thorough approach.” He deserves the accolades. 

DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd) marked his 65^th birthday over the weekend, Saturday, October 12. This is a good man who supported me in the days of struggle. He is a policeman. I am a journalist. But he is one good example of how a policeman can be your friend and I have no doubts that many who know Lakanu would attest to this fact. He is professional, firm, knowledgeable and dependable. With degrees in History and Law, (BA., LL B, B. L, LLM.) he belongs to the elite class of the Nigerian Police, one of those in that profession who could sustain an argument and an intelligent conversation. He rose, not surprisingly to the rank of a Deputy Inspector General of Police. He joined the police in 1986, and served as Commissioner in Imo and Ekiti. He was CP, Lagos Airport Command, AIG, Zone 7, Abuja. He was also Police Secretary.  The only reward for hardwork and distinction is more work. DIG Lakanu has since been recalled for more work by an appreciative government. He served on the Lagos State #EndSARS panel. He is now back in Abuja as a member of the Police Service Commission. He is the Akogun of Lagos. Congratulations, Akogun of the Universe! Live long. 

And finally, in two days, one of the persons closest to my heart in this world, Pastor Kayode Owolabi turns 60 on October 17. We grew up together. We shared dreams together. Our paths may be different. We are brothers, going back to the roots. Work demands would not permit me to travel to England, where he lives to celebrate his special occasion with him, but he is a man who deserves to be celebrated and he has earned all the successes that he has recorded. Kay, as I used to call him, he is now Pastor Kay, is one intense personality, he tells you he wants to achieve a goal, he will latch on to it and refuse to waiver until he reaches that goal. He is a very organized, and a deliberate man to the last detail. He used to tell me I am not making enough use of my talents. I think he pushes me too hard. But he means well. He has a generous and kind heart. Growing up together, his family was my family and mine was his too. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in History, he later obtained a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy (MILD). He worked as a banker for years. Then he found God or perhaps God called him to service as a man of His word. He is today the general overseer, Senior Pastor of the Everlasting Arms Ministries, shepherd and author, with headquarters in London. He is constantly travelling all over the world winning souls for Christ. He found his calling. But this is no surprise. His father, E. V. O. Owolabi was also a priest of the Anglican Church. Happy Birthday, Pastor Oluwakayode Babatunde Adeleke Owolabi.  God bless you. Your brother salutes you. 

Nigerian singer cum politician Olubankole Wellington, better known as Banky W, and his Wife Adesua Etomi-Wellington, are expecting their second child.

Adesua shared the news on her Instagram page on Monday.

The actress also posted photos of her baby bump with the caption, “First, we had each other, then we had your brother, then God sent you and now? NOW, we have everything.”

The couple already have a son, Hazaiah.

Reacting to the post on his wife’s page, Banky W wrote: “May our lives forever be a series of indisputable evidence and unquestionable proof that Jesus is alive, and that He answers prayers. Thank you, God. #SeeWhatTheLordHasDone”

Meanwhile, Banky W recently announced that he and his family have moved to the United States.

Naija News reports that Banky W announced this in a post via his official Instagram page.

Sharing photos via the social media platform, the 43-year-old rapper noted that they departed from Nigeria in pursuit of fulfilling his life’s purpose.

Bank W wrote: “For family. For faith. For finding purpose. For the next year of earning a Masters degree in Policy Management at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

“Wish us well”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has initiated a probe into the shocking mistreatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles at a Libyan airport.

CAF strongly condemned the lengthy delay faced by the team and coaches, describing it as unacceptable, and has been engaging with Libyan and Nigerian authorities. 

The African football governing body said it has escalated the matter to its disciplinary board for thorough investigation.

CAF promised to take decisive action against those found guilty of breaching its rules and regulations.

“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (”Super Eagles”) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities,” the statement reads.

“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”

The Super Eagles team was detained at the Al Abaq airport since Sunday evening, sparking outrage, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.

In response to widespread criticism, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from the qualifying match on Monday.