Yesterday’s passing of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is another reminder to those in power about the ephemerality of life, the transience of power and the need to make a positive impact.
Here is a highlight of those who died in office and the intrigues around the absences of three of them.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010 at 51. He was President from 2007 to 2010.
He previously served as the governor of Katsina State from 1999 to 2007.
Yar’Adua left Nigeria on November 23, 2009, and was reported to be receiving treatment for pericarditis at a clinic in Saudi Arabia.
He was not seen in public again, and his absence created a power vacuum.
On January 22, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had 14 days to decide a resolution on whether Yar’Adua was “incapable of discharging the functions of his office”.
Amid alleged hijack of power by a cabal, the Senate on February 9, 2010, invoked the “doctrine of necessity” to transfer presidential powers to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, and declared him Acting President, with all the accompanying powers, until Yar’Adua returned to full health.
Yar’Adua returned on February 24, 2010, but died on May 5.
Akeredolu
Like Yar’Adua, Akeredolu’s absence resulted in a political crisis, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervening.
Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in yesterday, was accused of being disloyal to his boss, which he denied. This was as calls by his loyalists for him to take over grew.
Lawmakers had declined to approve moves by some members to pronounce Ayedatiwa as acting governor.
Following the President-mediate peace parley, it was agreed that the impeachment proceedings would be halted and that Aiyedatiwa would withdraw his court cases.
Also, the status quo was to be maintained at the party, House of Assembly and State Executive Council; and Ayedatiwa was to function as deputy governor and not as acting governor while remaining loyal to Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa was also required to ensure that the APC structure was not polarised and he was not to seek vendetta.
The state was on the edge amid jostling for relevance by political leaders since the return of Akeredolu from a three-month medical vacation in Germany on September 7.
Akeredolu, who had handed over to Aiyedatiwa while travelling abroad, did not step feet on Ondo soil since his return and assumption of power. He remained in his Ibadan home.
On December 12, it was announced that Akeredolu would return abroad on medical leave and that in his absence, Aiyedatiwa would assume the responsibilities of the governor in acting capacity.
He held forth until Akeredolu’s death yesterday.
Danbaba Suntai
There was also intrigue around Danbaba Suntai, the Taraba State Governor who was involved in a plane crash in October 2012. He died in Houston, Florida, in the United States.
Suntai, 56, was piloting a small plane when it crashed near Yola Airport in Adamawa State. It was claimed that he was not certified to fly.
After a brief stay at the National Hospital, Abuja, the injured governor was flown to a hospital in Germany.
He was later transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the State of Maryland, the United States. After spending a few months there, he was admitted to a rehabilitation centre for trauma patients in Staten Island, New York.
He was flown back to Nigeria on August 25, 2013, after 10 months of medical treatment overseas following claims by his supporters that he was fit to govern.
But after weeks of political crisis in the state based on claims and counterclaims over his health status by supporters and opposing camps, it was revealed that the governor was not healthy enough to live in Nigeria without adequate treatment or to govern a state.
He was subsequently flown abroad again for treatment, with his then deputy and acting governor, Garba Umar, continuing in acting capacity.
Patrick Yakowa
Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa served as governor of Kaduna State from 2010 to 2012 when he died in a helicopter crash at Ogbia Creek, Bayelsa State.
He was appointed deputy governor in July 2005 and returned as Kaduna’s number two citizen in the April 2007 election.
He was sworn in as governor on May 20, 2010, succeeding former Governor Namadi Sambo who had been sworn in as Vice President the day before.
Mamman Bello Ali
Mamman Bello Ali represented Yobe South Senatorial District between 1999 and 2007 and was the Chairman Senate Committee on Public Account.
He contested and won the governorship election in 2007 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was in office until he died in 2009.
He died of leukaemia while receiving treatment at a hospital in Florida, United States.
Shehu Kangiwa
Muhammadu Shehu Kangiwa was the first elected civilian governor of Sokoto State in the short-lived Second Republic. He held office from October 1979 to November 1981.
Known as the ‘Smiling Governor, he was popular for providing water, healthcare services, agricultural input and education at all levels and for running a transparent administration.
He died in November 1981 after falling from a horse while playing polo in the 1981 edition of the Georgian League.
With the demise of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday, things are sure to take a new shape within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State from now.
As the leader of the party and a two-term governor, Akeredolu held sway across the three senatorial districts.
Given that the constitution does not allow a vacuum, the swearing-in of the erstwhile deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the substantive governor became mandatory. Now that the once embattled deputy has taken charge, realignments are expected to begin in earnest.
For those absolutely loyal to Akeredolu, the lawyer-turned politician, particularly those serving in his administration, they may begin to witness a nosedive in their political profile having been embroiled in political war with the new governor in the last six months.
The crisis of trust that erupted between Aiyedatiwa and his erstwhile boss was staged by loyalists of both, and was partly fuelled by the ambition of some of them to succeed Akeredolu as governor. Now that power has shifted to Aiyedatiwa who has 14 months to complete the tenure, the new governor who has been pursuing his governorship ambition, is expected to take political decisions that will pave the way for his emergence as the APC flagbearer next year. This will obviously mean that he will reorganise the political machinery to the detriment of those disloyal to him.
According to reliable sources, Akeredolu had, at the early period of his second term, mentioned openly to close associates that Aiyedatiwa would succeed him having promised that power would rotate to Ondo South Senatorial District after his tenure.
But their relationship went sour when he went for medical treatment in Germany for three months during which his deputy acted as governor. Aiyedatiwa was accused of talking ill of his boss, assuring that he would not return to govern the state. The allegations developed to a frosty relationship between the duo which festered till Akeredolu’s death.
Now that Aiyedatiwa is in the saddle, he is expected to consolidate his hold on the party and lay the foundation for his emergence as the next APC governorship candidate in the April, 2024 governorship primary.
Ambitious serving members of the state cabinet including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Princess Oladunni Odu and Commissioner for Finance Mr Wale Akinterinwa who also hail from the same southern senatorial district, will now have a stronger Aiyedatiwa to contend with in the primary should they go ahead with their ambition.
Outside Akeredolu’s cabinet is Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim whose profile has been rising since last year. Also from Ondo South, Ibrahim has intensified his campaign to pick the APC governorship ticket. Others include Chief Olusola Oke, a veteran politician and Mr Ife Oyedele both who have been in the race in the past.
The chances of the political juggernauts were bright during the time of the crisis between Akeredolu and his deputy as it created a chance for them. But their platforms may have been weakened by the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as the governor.
Going by the Nigerian political culture which sees politicians gather around persons holding power, it may not be surprising that realignments will begin to happen in favour of Aiyedatiwa, particularly because of time limitation. The governorship election will hold in October next year while the governorship primary will hold in April.
The Nation also gathered reliably that the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has agreed in principle to zone the next governorship ticket to Ondo South Senatorial District. With the general unwritten agreement, politicians in the two major parties are expected to queue behind aspirants from the district who they believe are able to pull the required weight to win the tickets.
The six local governments in the district are Odigbo, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, Irele and Ese-Odo.
While the six local governments officially make up the district, the people of Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese-Odo, however, see themselves as the core Ondo South people having a tribal bond. With power shift, they see themselves as those who should produce the next governor instead of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo who are more of Ondo Central than South by tribal affiliation. Aiyedatiwa is from Ilaje.
Sen. Ibrahim, Oyedele and Oke are also from the Ilaje/Ikale/Okitipupa tribe. They will be the major gladiators within the party ahead the April primary, and will clearly determine the realignments that will start from now.
Aside the scramble for the governorship ticket, Aiyedatiwa is expected to reshuffle the cabinet to enable him bring in his loyalists. Already, some Akeredolu’s appointees have started tendering their resignations, realising that their service has come to an end with the passage of their leader. Conversely, others are pressing buttons to gain the attention and favour of the governor for appointments.
Going by the bitterness generated by the crisis between the new governor and his boss in the last six months, and with the role played by the House of Assembly under Speaker Olamide Oladiji, the equation may not favour his continued stay on the seat.
Aiyedatiwa is from Ondo South. The Speaker is from Ondo Central. The new governor is expected to pick his deputy from the north. Should he sponsor Oladiji’s removal, he will be calculative in replacing him, balancing the equation.
Already, the jostle for the slot of deputy governor has commenced underneath among politicians in Ondo North and South.
As Aiyedatiwa navigates the political landscape in critical decisions, it is hoped that he will be well guided and work hard to sustain APC as the ruling party.
No Christmas messages from 50,000 troops to families, says COAS
Kumuyi to churches: help those in need
Unity, peace, selflessness and hope formed the theme of messages to the Christian faithful by governors, other political leaders, religious groups and clerics as they celebrate Christmas today.
They also charged Christians to rededicate themselves to Christ, be their brothers’ keepers and pray for the nation to overcome its current economic and security challenges.
The governors were Babajide Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq(Kwara), Biodun Oyebanji(Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ademola Adeleke(Osun), Sheriff Oborevwori(Delta), Yahaya Bello(Kogi), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Abba Yusuf (Kano).
Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; former Senate President Bukola Saraki, All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim; Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Saliu Mustapha, were among the political leaders.
The religious groups and clerics were the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) in Ethiope in Delta State and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church William Kumuyi.
Olubadan of Ibadan, Lekan Balogun, Oluwo of Iwo Abdulrosheed Akanbi, Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission(FRSC) Dauda Biu and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), also rejoiced with Christians of the Yuletide.
Sanwo-Olu to Christians: emulate Christ
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, implored Nigerians, especially Christians, to embrace peace, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Urging Lagos residents not to lose hope due to the challenging times, the governor enjoined them to trust in God and have faith in the good intentions of the current administration.
The governor also called on Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ by making tolerance, meekness, sacrifice and humility their virtues.
He said: “As we celebrate Christmas, I am extending my best wishes to every Lagosian and Nigerians, particularly Christians across the State, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ. So, we must not forget the true essence of the season, which is to reflect on the birth of Jesus and its significance to mankind. We should seize the opportunity of the celebration to strengthen our love for one another by being kind and generous to the people around us.
“As we mark this year’s Christmas, I want to urge Lagos residents, particularly Christian faithful to continue to live in peace and harmony with believers of other faiths.
“We should emulate virtues of humility, tolerance, perseverance and compassion as exemplified by Jesus Christ, whose birth we are celebrating this season.”
•Abiodun: to Nigerian: be hopeful
Governor Abiodun advised all Nigerians, especially Christians not to allow the current economic challenges to dampen their spirit. He said that there is hope for economic turnaround.
The governor, who also urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirits of love, peace and goodwill. said the current hardship would soon give way.
He said: “On this joyous occasion of Christmas, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes to each one of you. It is a time when we come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and reflect on the values of love, peace, and goodwill.
“Christmas is not only a time for festivities and merriment but also a time for deep introspection and gratitude. It reminds us of the importance of unity, compassion, and the spirit of giving. As we gather with our friends and families, let us remember those who are less fortunate and extend a helping hand to them.
“We must all embrace the spirits of love, peace, and goodwill, especially during this Christmas season.
“There is hope. Just like Jesus sacrificed His life for Christians so that they can have life, the sacrifice Nigerians are making now will also yield bountiful benefits.
“Irrespective of the challenges we have, we do not have any other country we can call our own. At this time, Christians should show love to all people and support the government in its quest to find lasting solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the country.”
•Live like Christ, Abdulrazaq urges Christians
Governor AbdulRazaq, who also congratulated Christians in the state, reminded them that the season represents the birth of Christ.
In a statement, the governor said the birth of Christ heralded hope and urged Christians to act by the message of truth, love and peace that Christ preached.
•Oyebanji preaches peace
Governor Oyebanji, in his message, congratulated Christians for witnessing another Christmas. He implored them to put into proper use, the lessons of love and giving which the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises.
He described Christmas as a season for the demonstration of love for one another through giving.
His words: “Christmas is a season to give, as it symbolizes the time God gifted Jesus to the world, according to the Holy Bible. It is a season to express love and generosity to one another, especially, the needy and the less privileged in society.
“It is also a time for Nigerians to note that love for God and humanity is the foundation of religion. I urge Nigerians to use this season to build goodwill and be more united in the task of building a very strong and vibrant nation.”
The governor added that national development would become faster and easier when Nigerians see one another as brothers and sisters regardless of religion and tribe.
While noting the current economic challenges in the country, Oyebanji urged Ekiti people to be optimistic that 2024 would be a year of prosperity for the country and Nigerians.
•Adeleke, Oluwo preach fear of God,
Governor Adeleke and Oba Akanbi urged Christians to draw from the spiritual import of Christmas by sharing love and fostering harmony in their communities.
Adeleke said: “Christians must embrace the spirit of compassion and kindness that the season reflects. Osun people should appreciate the strength and prospects of unity in driving the needed progress for the state. Let’s use the season to renew bonds, lend helping hands and spread love without boundaries.”
Oba Akanbi described fear of God as the panacea for the socio-political challenges facing the nation.
“I urge Nigerians to open a new page of life dedicated to worship and fear only God in honour of the 2023
Diri urges peace, brotherliness
Diri of Bayelsa State implored the people of the state to foster peace, joy and brotherliness as they celebrate the Yuletide.
Diri promised that his government would continue to build on the legacies of peace and love in the state.
He said: “My message to us Bayelsans is that, on behalf of the prosperity administration, I urge us to promote peace, joy and brotherliness throughout this Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Your government of prosperity will continue to spread the message of love, peace, unity, hope and build a brighter future for our dear state that all of us have desired even before its creation.
“I pray and extend my warm wishes for a merry Christmas and a better 2024.
“At all times, we must proclaim the superiority of Jesus Christ. No power on earth can unseat the real governor of Bayelsa, who is Jesus Christ.”
•Mbah promises to lead by example
Governor Mbah urged all Nigerians to love one another and to live together in peace to advance the country.
Mbah, who also reaffirmed his desire to create a new Enugu State, reminded the Christian faithful and the nation that the true meaning of Christmas is love.
He said: “Love is the reason for Christmas, as we celebrate the height of love wherein God sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to be born as man for our salvation.
“Thus, as we commemorate His birth, let us likewise imbibe and exemplify the values of love, peace, harmony, selflessness, and being our brother’s keeper, as Christ had shown us by example.
“We can only create the Enugu State of our dreams and advance the country by sincerely pursuing these virtues.”
•Have positive mindsets, Bello admonishes Christians
Governor Bello of Kogi State urged Nigerians to embody God’s love for humanity and extend it to their neighbours during the festive season.
He emphasised that the season symbolises hope for humanity, encouraging citizens to maintain a positive outlook.
While acknowledging that the holiday is an excellent time to share the joy with family and friends, the outgoing governor said the season was a time for sober reflections and prayers for peace, unity, and togetherness.
Governor-Elect Ododo also urged residents of the state and other Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of nation-building and sacrifice.
“The commemoration of the birth of Christ is a period for deep reflection on the need to think and act in manners that bring glory to our nation,” he said.
•Oborevwori calls for peaceful co-existence
Governor Oborevwori congratulated Deltans and Nigerians as they joined the rest of the world in commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
He urged Christians to use the occasion to offer special prayers to God for a more peaceful, and united state and country.
The governor, who described Christmas as a season to show love and care for one another, urged Nigerians to eschew bitterness and work for the unity and progress of the country.
“I urge you all to make the most of this joyous occasion for serious introspection, complete spiritual rebirth, and dedication to coexisting peacefully and harmoniously with followers of other faiths.
“We must prioritise peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among citizens, particularly in light of the current security and economic challenges facing our nation,” Oborevwori said.
•Yusuf seeks prayers, progress
Yusuf of Kano State urged Christians to pray for the sustenance of peace, progress and political stability in the state.
The governor, while felicitating with Christians, also called on them to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity in line with the true teachings of Christ which emphasise tolerance, patience, care for the needy and love for one another.
He enjoined the people to continue to live in peace and adhere to traffic rules and regulations to avoid road accidents and protect the lives of every road user.
Yusuf also urged Christians to use the festive period to pray for unity, peace and prosperity for the state and the country.
•Economic recovery imminent, says Bamidele
Senate Leader Bamidele has assured that the country’s economy would soon recover from its present downturn.
He therefore pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Bamidele said this while celebrating Christmas with his constituents in Ekiti Central and distributed. He distributed 3,000 bags of rice to them.
He said: “As a federation, we may be witnessing difficult times currently. But we will walk into an era of economic boom, for which all Nigerians will glorify the Name of God Almighty. The time is no longer far. It will begin to manifest with the implementation of the 2024 appropriation, which the National Assembly will pass into law this week.
“All the committees of the National Assembly have concluded their hearings. They have equally submitted their reports to the Committee on Appropriations, whose members are now looking into the committees’ reports ahead of the plenary.
“After this Christmas holiday, the National Assembly will reconvene on December 29 to deliberate on the report of the Committee on Appropriations. Hopefully, before the end of this year, the National Assembly will pass the 2024 appropriations bill and also transmit it to the Presidency for assent.
“As a parliament, we are committed to maintaining our tradition of January-December budget cycle. Since 2019, we have kept to this tradition and will not allow anything to disrupt it to deepen the budget governance,”
Bamidele also preached peaceful co-existence among all ethnic nationalities across the federation, warning that no country could witness development progress in an atmosphere of ethnic disharmony.
•Barau, Kalu seek prayers for unity
Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin and Kalu also rejoiced with Christians and urged all citizens to intensify prayers for the peace, unity and progress of the country.
“I urge the Christian faithful, therefore, to remain steadfast in adhering to the tenets of Christ’s teachings on this Christmas, now and always. I equally enjoin all Nigerians to pray for and rekindle trust in the Renewed Hope Agenda for a brighter future under the purposeful, caring and humane leadership of the current administration,” Jibrin said.
Deputy Speaker Kalu said: “I enjoin Christians and other Nigerians to pray for the country amidst challenges and show love and kindness to one another, especially the less privileged. I also appeal for peaceful co-existence, which is needed for development to take place.
“I assure you that the future of the nation will be brighter under the purposeful, caring, renewed hope leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
•Be security conscious, Wike tells FCT residents
FCT Minister Wike urged residents of the nation’s capital to be security conscious and shun any act that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
He said: “On behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, I hereby extend my heartfelt greetings to all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory for the 2023 Christmas which is a season that transcends borders and, brings people together in a spirit of love, compassion, and goodwill.
“This festive season which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, holds immense significance for all of us as it symbolizes the birth of hope, the promise of renewal, and the enduring power of kindness. Amid our diverse backgrounds and unique journeys, we find common ground in the universal themes of love, generosity, and the joy of giving.
“Let us remind ourselves that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on individuals and families facing challenges.
“While security has been beefed up across the territory throughout the festivities, residents are also advised to be security conscious and reach out to the security agencies whenever you notice anything out of the ordinary.”
•Support prayers with positive actions, Saraki tells Christians
Former Senate President Saraki advised that all prayers for Nigeria should be backed with action.
This, according to him, will help in the achievement of Nigeria’s development
Saraki, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, noted that the prayers of religious groups like the Christians have sustained the country.
Saraki added that citizens who take time to pray for their country are demonstrating patriotism and that such commitment needed to be supported with positive attitudes like compliance with the laws of the land, and tolerance of people of other religions and those with different viewpoints on issues.
“ I believe that we all have to emulate Jesus Christ who represents positive actions by preaching compliance with the laws of the land, contributing to growing the wealth of the nation, performing our civic duties honestly and transparently, supporting the poor, helping to prevent any harm that may come to the nation and demonstrating the fear of God in all our activities. These are what Jesus Christ represents.”Saraki said.
•Let’s rekindle hope, says Fayemi,
Former Ekiti State Governor Fayemi, who noted that Christmas signifies a time for reflection and gratitude, advised all Nigerians to rekindle the “flames of hope and unity that underpin our nation.”
He said: “ It is a time to celebrate the values of love, compassion, and generosity which was illustrated by the birth of Jesus Christ.
‘’Despite our challenges, Christmas reminds us of the enduring power of faith, forgiveness, and resilience. Let us embrace this spirit and use it to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, foster peaceful coexistence, and rekindle the flames of national unity.
‘’I urge all Nigerians, irrespective of their differences, to use this special season to extend kindness and understanding to one another. Let us celebrate the joy of family and friends, share our blessings with those in need, and offer prayers for peace and prosperity for our nation.”
•Olawepo-Hashim calls for tolerance
Olawepo-Hashim, an industrialist, also felicitated the Christian faithful and the entire people of Nigeria as they joined the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, Olawepo-Hashim urged Christians and other Nigerians to, in the spirit of the season, uphold the principles of love, tolerance and sacrifice to sustain harmony, progress and advance the cause of humanity.
The frontline politician added that Christmas represents joy, peace, hope, love, and goodwill, all of which are very much needed in our country at this time when we are confronted with diverse challenges of development.
He said: “ In the true spirit of the season, let’s show love to our neighbours, kindness to the less-privileged and vulnerable, and tolerance to one another across the lines of faith, politics and ethnicity; in the spirit of the unique sacrifice and teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
“I urge fellow Nigerians to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in God’s ability to restore the lost glory of Nigeria”
The business mogul also admonished Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of the period and emulate Christ by fostering peace and unity in our Nation, while also tasking Nigerians on religious tolerance “since it is one way we as citizens can live in peace, harmony and love as taught by Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season.”
“More importantly, as we observe Christmas this year, let us all imbibe the essential message of Christ’s ministry and truly begin to love our fellow Nigerians as we love ourselves,” Olawepo-Hashim added.
*Olubadan urges tolerance, patience
Oba Balogun enjoined the Christians to take proper lessons from the birth of Christ as signified by the annual Christmas celebration.
The monarch recalled that the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ are full of lessons in tolerance, patience and love.
The Olubadan said the love of God for mankind upon which the coming into this world of Jesus Christ was predicated and whose birth the Christmas signifies, His life while on earth and his remembrance over 2000 years after his exit from the world are more than enough lessons for all.
Asking that the love which the whole thing about Christ and Christmas symbolises should permeate among the people, Balogun said: “Our love for one another should never be compromised for whatever reason. We should live for ourselves by being caring, concerned and ready to make sacrifice”.
•Kumuyi calls on churches to give to the needy
General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church Kumuyi called on Church leaders to help their needy members.
Kumuyi made the call yesterday at the ongoing December National Retreat of the Deeper Life Bible Church held at the Deeper International Life International Conference Centre, (DILCC), Mowe, Ogun State
The programme tagged “Emmanual’ brought together thousands of Christian faithful from parts of the country.
Kumuyi said although Deeper Life church has a lot of building projects, it will not execute them all at the expense of the poor, vulnerable, widows and other indigent persons.
Noting that Christmas is also a season to share love, the cleric encouraged the church and their leaders to make some money and resources available to give to the poor.
He added; “Let us give priority to the welfare of our members and those who are not our members.
.”I am looking for the dyeing, impoverished, vulnerable children and family, I am ready to support them. If you know them, tell your coordinator and leaders.
“We can give food items and show a little bit of love as we celebrate the birth of Christ”.
•50,000 troops in war front miss wishing loved ones merry Christmas, says COAS
Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Taoreed Lagbaja has said that over 50,000 troops of the Nigerian Army would miss wishing their families and loved ones Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in person.
He said it is not because they did not want to, but because they would be on duty across difficult-to-access towns, communities, villages and hamlets, across the country and beyond.
The COAS said this yesterday in his Christmas message to the troops.
In a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Lagbaja said the troops were “duty-bound to be deployed, while other families rejoice and celebrate together, sometimes not knowing if similar celebrations are going on in their own families.”
The COAS saluted the “troops’ undying faith in the Nigerian State in the face of adversity.”
He also commended their “unwavering dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
Lagbaja congratulated troops for making it this far into the year and for weathering every storm that came their way.
Lagbaja noted that judging by the policies and unfolding programmes of the Federal Government, the year ahead holds good prospects for Nigeria and the Army.
He disclosed that in the coming year, the Army would take delivery of more helicopters and other combat enablers to enhance its war against insurgents.
The COAS also disclosed that the Army Headquarters has initiated several welfare projects that would directly impact the lives of soldiers and their families.
•FRSC boss reassures motorists ACF felicitates with Christians
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Kaduna state of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and a diaspora group, Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), greeted Christians and called for prayers against the problems facing the country.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said a deserved return to mutual understanding, tolerance, cooperation responsible neighbourliness, peace and tranquillity in all Nigerian communities were needed.
It said: “The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) felicitates with Christians in all its national and State Chapters, as well as others in the nation and indeed the world over, on the season’s Christmas celebrations.
“ACF also wishes everyone a happy New Year in advance. No doubt, our communities variously face daunting existential economic challenges, social upheavals, poverty, inequalities, and political disagreements.
“No less, or even more worrying has been the insecurity bedevilling our communities due to the criminal activities of bandits, extremists and other misguided elements or social misfits in the society. ACF yearns for an end to all these problems. ACF is conscious, worried and prays for escape from all the challenges.
“In the spirit of the Yuletide ACF calls on all to fervently pray for a deserved return to mutual understanding, tolerance, cooperation responsible neighbourliness, peace and tranquillity in all communities specifically and for humanity in general.
“ACF also calls on all to pray for knowledge, courage, wisdom and empathy for our leaders, whether political, religious or traditional, as well as for our armed forces as they try to grapple with the challenges of the economy, insecurity, leadership and governance.”
Also, the Kaduna State chapter of CAN called for sober reflection on the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ as it brings hope to humankind.
It said: “CAN Kaduna State Chapter wishes every Nigerian happy Christmas celebrations and earnestly pray that Nigerians will be committed to observing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and seek to live peacefully with one another.
“Accordingly, Nigerians, and people the world over, ought to learn the depth of the love of God for giving humankind His son to save individuals by being one another’s keepers.
“While people celebrate, CAN prays for peaceful celebrations as people move from one place to another and hope that Nigerians all live as a family to confront any adversity that may destabilise the corporate existence of society.”
Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), in its message, expressed displeasure over the alleged imposition of a stooge as their traditional ruler by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
A statement by the TCO General Secretary, Lamela Lakorok, read: “Unfortunately, for the third time, the Tangale people are celebrating Christmas without a traditional ruler, following the decision of the Governor of Gombe State not to endorse the choice of the Tangale people, Dr Musa Idris Maiyamba, whom the people have chosen through an election process by the Tangale kingmakers. “
Corps Marshal Biu has reassured the motoring public of FRSC’s readiness to make the highways safe during the Yuletide period.
This was contained in his Christmas message in which Biu reiterated his earlier call for motorists to guide against bad driving.
He cautioned travellers against dangers that go with road travel in this period of increased human and vehicular traffic, stressing that people must show extra vigilance while using the road to overcome any form of carnage.
Calling on all road users to support the ongoing road safety sensitisation programmes by the FRSC, Biu said bad driving habit accounts for why the Christmas and New Year periods are the most challenging to the campaigns for safer roads.
He warned against offences like route violation, overloading, speeding, light signs violation and driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs which have been identified as being responsible for most crashes and deaths, especially during the Yuletide.
The Corps Marshall advised motorists to call 08052998090 or 09067000015 when in distress.
* Reflect on Christ’s teachings, Lagos CAN admonishes
The Lagos State Chapter of CAN also urged Christians to reflect on the teachings of Jesus Christ and not focus on merry-making.
The Christian body advised in its 2023 Christmas message, saying that the practice of the moral teachings of the advent of Christ to redeem mankind was of beneficial to society than indulging in lavish feasts.
“The King of Kings signified love, peace, solution to crisis and above all an access to our Salvation.At the point mankind is now, with a myriad of near insurmountable social problems, our attention should be focused on our helper in the ages past for solution and not in merriment,” Lagos CAN Chairman, Archbishop Stephen Adegbite said.
Adegbite, who described passive Christian living as a minus to society, charged Nigerians to pray for the nation and its leaders.
*IPAC urges Christians to imbibe virtues of Christ
IPAC also urged Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ and imbibe His virtues of love, peace, unity, and tolerance in their service to God and the nation.
The council, in a statement by its National chairman-elect, Yusuf Dantalle described Christmas as significant to believers, as it marked the divine birth of Jesus Christ.
Danielle urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the nation, particularly the security and economic challenges impeding progressive governance in the country.
“The council enjoins government at all levels to provide dividends of democracy to Nigerians to assuage their sufferings by section 14 (2)b of the 1999 constitution as amended which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, “ he said.
•Christians pray for Tinubu at Christmas Carol
Christians from different denominations celebrated the Christmas season at the weekend with prayers for the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The annual Christmas carol tagged: Created to Manifest His Glory was taken from Mathew 5: 15, and was organised by the Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023.
It featured gospel artists like Esther Igbekele, Segun Ajidara and Omotola Jaiyeola
National Woman Leader of the group, Toyin Aroyewun, said that the carol was aimed at appreciating God for the success of the 2023 elections that led to the emergence of Tinubu as President.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Asiwaju Project 2023, Lagos State, Lanre OLaide, said that the group engaged in prayers for President Tinubu to win the election.
“President Bola Tinubu has a lofty agenda that will help to address numerous challenges facing the country. I believe that as he rolls them out, things will normalise and we will all smile again,” he said.
Since the discovery of oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in 1956, Nigeria’s economic development has been intrinsically linked to oil revenue. However, the persisting threat of oil theft and vandalism of crude oil infrastructure has posed a significant challenge to the nation’s prosperity. Recognising the gravity of this issue, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) took a decisive action by awarding the contract for securing oil pipelines and preventing oil theft to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL). CHINAKA OKORO reports.
The move to engage TSSNL in safeguarding critical national infrastructure has proven to be a strategic decision, with stakeholders lauding the successes achieved in curtailing oil theft. The effectiveness of TSSNL’s surveillance and security measures has brought about a positive shift in the protection of the nation’s lifeline, prompting calls for the continued involvement of TSSNL in this crucial role.
The battle against oil theft requires not only robust security measures but also sustained commitment and expertise. TSSNL’s track record in mitigating risks associated with oil pipelines has positioned them as a reliable partner in preserving Nigeria’s economic backbone. As stakeholders advocate for the continued collaboration with TSSNL, the imperative of securing oil infrastructure remains at the forefront of efforts to ensure the nation’s sustainable development. In the development process of any society, certain assets contribute to the advancement of society and its people. These assets ensure economic or monetary benefits for the people. These assets could be regarded as operating assets, non-operating assets or leased assets, among others.
Experts have noted that “those possessions or assets that are known as national infrastructure are those facilities, systems, sites, information, people, networks and processes that are necessary for a country to function and upon which daily life depends.”
Critical national infrastructure serves as the backbone of a society, encompassing assets, services, and systems pivotal to economic, political, and social well-being. From schools and hospitals to industries and transportation networks, these elements collectively contribute to a nation’s resilience and prosperity. Among these, Nigeria’s crude oil industry takes centre stage as a crucial component vital to the nation’s economic stability, public health, safety, and security.
Regrettably, the vulnerability of critical infrastructure is heightened by the actions of individuals and groups with destructive motives. Deliberate acts of vandalism, theft, or sabotage pose serious threats to the proper functioning of essential systems, leading to economic losses, compromised security, and potential harm to citizens. In this context, safeguarding critical national infrastructure becomes paramount to maintaining national security and averting widespread disruptions.
Nigeria, being heavily reliant on oil revenue, faces unique challenges in securing its crude oil infrastructure. The concerted efforts of entities like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) play a crucial role in defending these vital lifelines. As attacks on critical infrastructure can have far-reaching consequences, protecting these sites becomes an integral aspect of national security strategy.
The ongoing battle against oil theft and vandalism requires a multi-faceted approach, combining advanced security measures, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with local communities. By recognising the intrinsic link between safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring the nation’s stability, Nigeria can fortify its defence against those seeking to undermine its economic and social foundations.
Nigeria’s struggle to meet its petroleum quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been a longstanding challenge, primarily attributed to the disruptive actions of non-state actors. These actors often claim marginalisation, neglect, or injustice as reasons for their agitation, leading to recurrent disruptions in oil production. Pipeline vandalism has become an unfortunate and persistent phenomenon, jeopardizing the nation’s economic stability.
Recognising the imperative of safeguarding its critical oil infrastructure, the Nigerian government, under the leadership of Managing Director Mele Kyari of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), took decisive steps to address these challenges. The initiation of measures to prevent production disruptions and protect oil pipelines marked a strategic move toward fortifying the nation’s economic lifelines.
In this context, the decision to contract out the surveillance of oil pipelines has proven instrumental in mitigating the impact of vandalism. The proactive efforts undertaken by the NNPCL, particularly under Mele Kyari’s leadership, have demonstrated a commitment to defending critical national infrastructure. The importance of sustaining this vigilance cannot be overstated, as oil lifelines remain central to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
As the battle against vandalism and production disruptions continues, it underscores the need for a comprehensive and collaborative strategy. Advanced security measures, intelligence gathering, and community engagement all play pivotal roles in fortifying the defenses of Nigeria’s vital oil infrastructure. By maintaining this vigilance, the nation can not only protect its economic interests but also ensure the stability and resilience of its energy sector in the face of persistent challenges.
In the past few years, the Mele Kyari-led management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has shown enough know-how in protecting Nigeria’s national wealth as it concerns the war against oil theft and its effects on national security.
Stakeholders such as Eshanakpe Israel popularly known as Akpodoro and Mayor of Urhobo land have been examining the successes of the NNPCL in securing the oil pipeline since contracting the security of the pipeline to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and the entire national security as it concerns the dwindling fortunes of oil thieves in the creeks of the Niger Delta region.
Interested parties, including Akpodoro, have been wondering how the security of the pipelines has become topnotch since Tantita was involved in securing the oil pipelines. Nigerians have been trying to unravel the magic wand applied as an elixir by the management of NNPCL to stem the tide of banditry in the Nigerian territorial waters vis-a-vis the national security situation.
It should be noted that before the Nigerian joint venture partner decided to cede security of the surveillance security contract of oil facilities in the Delta to TSSNL, the country’s wealth plummeted hopelessly as all enemies of the state became interested in illicit oil bunkering; which, ultimately exerted pressure on the national security architecture snowballing into other areas of national insecurity.
For instance, it is been alleged that money from oil theft formed part of what was used to fund banditry and other forms of insurrection in other parts of the country. For several years, the enemies of the state who vandalise oil pipelines and steal the national asset-crude oil- have been deploying the proceeds of their criminal endeavours to wreak havoc on society. It took Kyari’s NNPCL boldness to halt the trend and award the surveillance security contract to Tantita Security Services Limited as Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, also known as Tompolo as its Chief Executive Officer to wage war against political and business elites who seriously engage in oil theft by proxies. Such a development is said to have elicited several restiveness in some parts of the country.
The threat to national security became loudening when the illicit trade in oil theft boomed. Stakeholders alleged that foreign collaborators were recruited massively while the so-called security agencies bribed their way into the Delta region, paid returns to the authorities that posted them and ultimately undermined the security of the country.
Experts in the oil industry had raised the alarm of threats to security through the country’s waterways due to the compromise of national security by those who were paid to secure the wealth of the country. As good luck would have it, TSSNL became the game-changer when it was awarded the contract to secure the oil pipelines and Nigeria’s waterways. Not even the senior oil workers were exempted from the horrid phenomenon that once characterised the oil industry as most of them were alleged to have sponsored protests, overtly and covertly engaged and or aided oil theft vandalism in exchange for money.
Additionally and most importantly is the attitude of boisterous individuals who deliberately paint ethnic colourations in otherwise political confrontations and thereby issue threats to vandalise oil facilities in the creeks over conflict of interests which, of course, can be easily resolved through the intervention of notable political leaders in the country. Observers say the situation exerts much pressure on national security.
Experts in oil matters have said the negative impact of oil theft in Nigeria assumed international proportion as Nigeria became a hub for oil thieves across the globe until the Kyari-led NNPCL decided to recruit TSSNL for the rescue of Nigeria’s oil wealth ostensibly redirecting national security.
To salvage a situation in which the country’s wealth was being plundered through theft, criminalities, sea piracy, vandalism, sabotage, rent-seeking, insecurity and racketeering, the NNPCL brought in the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) to rescue the country’s oil wealth the enemies of the state. It is instructive to note that since TSSNL took over the security affairs of the pipelines, it has utterly dwarfed its contemporaries to whom other axes of the contract were awarded; thereby making Tompolo’s security firm the best among the pack It has achieved a whole lot of feats even in the face of sabotage, scandal, propaganda, jealousy and hatred-induced blackmail by some elements within the country’s security apparatus who have been edged out of illicit trade in the oil industry through the activities of TSSNL.
As a result of the commitment to securing Nigeria’s treasure, the country is currently enjoying relative peace on her waterways as TSSNL has pushed away the petroleum products rustlers to whom the oil wealth is a cash cow and bringing about hope in the future of Nigeria. The country’s quota among its peers in the Organisation of Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been steadily on the rise since last year when TSSNL chose to do the right thing having been empowered to so do.
Nigerians are exultant about the security situation in terms of pipeline safety engendered by TSSNL’s activities, even as they have praised the high productivity of the security firm. Again, the national security is near stable while the stability of the country’s wealth is on the increase. The Nuhu Ribadu-led Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President should maintain the current tempo for a better future.
Considering the success recorded in the security of this critical national infrastructure, critical stakeholders, and indeed, Nigerians have called for continued engagement of TSSNL to carry out surveillance of the oil pipelines. They, therefore maintain that “there is the need for expeditious renewal of the surveillance contract of oil pipeline awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).”
Fresh moves by MTN Nigeria to acquire the spectrum of the fourth mobile network operator, 9mobile, are generating anxiety as many dread the emergence of a monopolist in the sector. But the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it will not shut its regulatory prying eyes and allow consumers to be taken for a ride. LUCAS AJANAKU reports.
When his name was linked to a relatively unknown company, Teleology Nigeria Limited, in the wake of the crises that threatened the soul of a United Arab Emirates (UAE) telecom company, Emerging Market Telecoms Services Limited (EMTS) then trading in Nigeria as Etisalat, the entire industry went to sleep with two eyes closed. Adrian Wood became a household name in the telecoms sector having served as pioneer Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria. In just six months after superintending over the first call on the global system for mobile communication (GSM) in the country, he was quoted to have said that “business has been good” for the telco. It was believed that MTN, which paid $285 million for one of the four GSM licenses auctioned by the Nigerian Communications (NCC) in January 2001, hit profitability less than a year after it began operations. A non-executive director of the board of the company, Wood’s magic wand at the backend, it was thought, would be put to use as the emergence of Teleology Holdings Limited as the preferred bidder for 9mobile, offered yet another opportunity for him to prove his mettle. About six years after the takeover of 9mobile by Teleology, there is yet another fresh bid to acquire the spectrum of the company by MTN Nigeria owned by MTN Group of South Africa. The beleaguered youth-centric telco’s difficulties first came to light when its inability to continue servicing loans totalling $1.2 billion sourced in 2013 was reported to the NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by a consortium of Nigerian and foreign banks. Repeated failures to adhere to agreed repayment schedules had caused the banks to initiate take-over procedures, a move which caused its majority stakeholders, Mubadala Development Company of the UAE, to withdraw its shareholding in the company. While 9mobile has denied the acquisition move, MTN Nigeria source has insisted that indeed, there are talks in that direction. Public Relations Lead at 9Mobile, Chineze Amanfo was quoted to have said: “Our attention has been drawn to the speculated acquisition of 9Mobile spectrum by MTN. We would like to clarify that these assertions are entirely baseless and without factual merit. In the second quarter of 2023, 9mobile invested over N70 billion for ongoing network modernisation. Over 600 new sites, equipped with 4G LTE facilities for enhanced operations and market competitiveness were deployed alongside new broadband services to enlarge our fibre network across Nigerian cities. 9mobile remains focused on meeting the needs and aspirations of our growing customer base through our improved data rollout and innovative products and services.”
Lust for spectra
MTN Nigeria has been accused by insiders in the industry of having an insatiable appetite for grabbing spectra. It has acquired the spectrum of Visafone, the only surviving operator in the code division multiple access (CDMA) sub-sector of the industry. It was also said to have acquired that of Intercellular. Not too long ago, NCC approved the transfer and assignment of 10 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum in the 2.6 gigahertz (GHz) band from OpenSkys to MTN Nigeria. The transfer was effective from September 7, 2023, and will be up for renewal on April 17, 2033. MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola said the spectrum will enable the telco to roll out its network capacity more efficiently and enhance its sustainability priorities. “Not only will it help to support the growing demand for data in the country but will improve the overall Internet experience in line with our commitment to delivering quality service to our customers. “Importantly, this also aligns with our ongoing support of the federal government’s plan to deepen broadband penetration in Nigeria,” Toriola said. In May this year, NCC approved a spectrum lease transaction that allowed MTN Nigeria to lease 5MHz of spectrum in the 900MHz band and 10MHz in the 1800MHz band from Natcom Development and Investment Limited (NTEL) covering 19 states. The lease was effective from May 1, 2023. It will span two years and cost N4.25 billion ($9.2 million at the time), including taxes, regulatory fees and ancillary charges. In December 2021, MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications both gained access to 5G spectrum during the first round of the licensing process paying $273.6 million each. That spectrum enabled MTN Nigeria to launch its fifth-generation (5G) mobile internet services in seven cities in August 2022. It would be interesting to see what the acquisition of 9mobile spectrum will mean not only for MTN Nigeria’s subscribers but for the country as well. EMTS, trading as 9mobile now, was licensed in 2007, acquiring the Universal Access Service Licence (UASL) from the Commission. The licence enabled it to provide fixed telephony (wired and unwired/wireless), digital mobile services, international gateway services and national/regional long-distance services in addition to spectrum assignments in the 900 and 1,800 MHz bands. The telco later bought a 3G licence from Alheri Mobile Services Limited, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group, owned by businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The licence thus put the telco on the same pedestal as the incumbents such as MTN, Airtel and Globacom.
Reactions
The PR Lead in 9mobile has clarified that these speculations were ‘entirely baseless and without factual merit,’ saying the telco had invested over N70 billion for ongoing network modernisation; over 600 new sites, equipped with 4G LTE facilities for enhanced operations and market competitiveness were deployed alongside new broadband services to enlarge fibre network across Nigerian cities. “9mobile remains focused on meeting the needs and aspirations of our growing customer base through our improved data rollout and innovative products and services,” she said. An expert in the industry who spoke in confidence on the subject matter said the choice of the word “acquisition” by the reports remained strong and curious. “I know Spectrum leasing is something the regulator has considered. I have been seeing some sensational articles. Worldwide operators from time to time lease one another’s spectrum. Those transactions have never been considered as acquisitions,” the source said. Pressed further, he acquiesced to the fact that the understanding of lease in land matters is that the owner of the land allows another person to use it for a specific number of years specified by the agreement after which the land reverts, arguing that in “this case, it is even more intertwined because both can still use the same spectrum during the duration. So, even when 9mobile leases its spectrum, that will not mean cessation of offering services on its network as 9mobile. “Of course yes. Not only that, it still uses the spectrum in its operations. Spectrum is a range. Specific frequencies can be used in different areas. Network planning takes care of that.” On what 9mobile stands to gain in the deals, the source said: “That suggests 9mobile gets nothing out of such a deal. That should be the question if you ask me. It’s sort of confusing then why 9mobile should agree to that deal should it finally sail through. “Exactly; there must be a benefit to both parties. But we are only focusing on MTN, understandably,” the source said in a series of WhatsApp chats at the weekend. The National President of the National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOMS), Deolu Ogunbanjo has faulted the move by MTN Nigeria to swallow 9mobile, adding that it would make the former too powerful because it currently controls over 50 per cent of the entire industry subscribers. He was quoted to have urged the NCC to frustrate the transaction as it was capable of birthing the era of an oligopoly in the industry. “I must say that it is a bit surprising that MTN is now trying to talk to, you know, another mobile operator and in particular through the NCC to now acquire another spectrum belonging to another mobile network operator. I mean this should not be encouraged because MTN already has close to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s telecoms market subscription and then you have another mobile network operator with less than 10 per cent of the subscription. “Do you want them (to go) extinct? Why do you want to talk to them? Do you want to acquire them because by the time you do not get the spectrum, the next thing will be that you want to acquire them, meaning MTN will now have between 50 and 60 per cent of the total telecoms subscription in Nigeria and that is a form of oligopoly? It is an oligopoly in the sense that they will become three major players however a particular player now has a lot of influence which is more than 50 per cent. “That should be taken with a pinch of salt and should not be encouraged because MTN will become so powerful to the extent that it will now be dictating the pace of whatever it wants to do in the telecoms industry in Nigeria, that is what would obtain because it is having over 50per cent and getting close to 60 per cent of Nigeria’s total telecom subscription. “I do not understand why the mobile network operator in question is now allowing MTN through the NCC to have a shot at their spectrum,” Ogunbanjo was quoted to have said.
NCC reacts
The Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, Reuben Muoka said the Commission is not going to play the role of an interloper in a strictly business deal between two private entities. He, nonetheless, pledged to protect the interest of the subscribers against any predatory operators. He said: “We don’t react to an ongoing commercial decision of two operators. Our spectrum trading laws are there. NCC will not be reporting the progress of their negotiations or transactions. “You said we are not saying anything. Does it suggest they are getting the spectrum from NCC? “What will NCC say about the transaction between two companies? It is from them that you will get information and updates. “Ours is that if any of the parties seek information regarding the regulatory standing of the other, we shall provide if it sufficiently informs the commission why the information is necessary; otherwise, we won’t be in the room where the negotiation is going on. “They can only come when they consummate (their agreement) to seek approval. The rules are clear about spectrum trading with safeguards for subscriber interest. If the transaction will affect the industry negatively, NCC will be available to guide and advise with the application of the relevant rules. That is why the Commission is a responsible regulator. “If an operator becomes dominant, there’re responsibilities imposed on it to mitigate such dominance so the matter of a monopolist arising does not arise. “Also recall there was a time of exclusivity period which no longer exists. The important thing is to allow the industry to play by the rules. “It would amount to micromanaging for NCC to read about two companies negotiating under spectrum rules and jump in to start directing.”
There are, however, provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 which the NCC had invoked to stop the hostile take-over of Etisalat (as it was then called) by local lenders. “Accordingly, the Commission has drawn the attention of the banks to provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 Section 38: “Sub-section 1–The grant of a license shall be personal to the licensee and the license shall not be operated by, assigned, sublicensed or transferred to another party unless the prior written approval of the commission has been granted; “Subsection 2 – A licensee shall at all times comply by the terms and condition of the license and the provision of this act and its subsidiary legislation,” NCC had said in a statement. Ogunbanjo’s fears might not be baseless after all. According to NCC’s August subscriber stats posted on its website, of the total 220,715,961 subscribers, MTN has the largest number with 85,005,917 representing 38.58 per cent of the global system for mobile communication (GSM) market while 9mobile has 13,791,079 representing 6.26 per cent.
Long road to 9mobile metamorphosis
The road to the emergence of 9mobile has been long and tortuous. After the exit of the investors from UAE’s Etisalat, which had a 45 per cent stake in the Nigerian business, which said its exposure to Etisalat Nigeria related to services was worth 191 million UAE dirhams ($52 million) the search for new owners earnestly began. No fewer than 16 firms initially expressed interest and filed bids for the soul of 9mobile. The former Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Garba Danbatta under whose watch the crisis began, announced the five entities that emerged as bidders for 9Mobile. He listed them as Globacom, Airtel, Smile Communications, Helios and Teleology Holdings Limited. The five were part of the 16 firms that initially expressed interest and filed bids with Barclays of Africa, 9mobile’s financial advisor. They include MTN, ntel, Virgin Mobile from the United Kingdom and Vodacom of South Africa. Others are BUA Group, Morning Side Capital Partners, Obot Etiebet and Co, Blackstone Private Equity, and Hamilton and George International Limited. The NCC boss had said: “Five bidders have emerged for 9mobile. They have been allowed to access the data room of 9mobile to enable them to access the financial situation of the company and subsequently make bids for the takeover of the company. But the takeover must be in a regulated manner. “The CBN and NCC are supervising what is going on through an interim board jointly appointed by the NCC and CBN. We are going to do due diligence on the financial capacity of any potential bidder as well as the technical capacity. “In the final analysis, we would like to see a 9mobile taken over by a bidder who has the financial and technical capacity to improve on the operations of the telco and add value in the delivery of qualitative telecom services in the country.” Airtel pulled out of the bid for 9mobile. Globacom and Helios Investment Partners (LLP) submitted bids but failed to attach any cash for the troubled telco to Barclays Africa. Teleology Holdings Limited submitted a bid over $500 million while Smile Telecoms Holdings quoted close to $300 million. Effectively, only two companies made financial offers by the January 16, 2018 deadline. Going by the financial bid submitted by the two firms, Teleology Holdings Limited naturally emerged as the preferred bidder and Smile Telecoms as the reserved bidder.
Airtel, Smile dissent
Airtel’s U-turn came as a surprise to industry experts who had expected the company to push all the way through to become the largest operator in the country. It would automatically have grown from being number three to number one by increasing its numbers to 52 million for voice and 33.5 million for internet had it emerged as the preferred bidder. Airtel allegedly decided to pull out because “many things are not too plain with the entire process. Airtel is not interested in 9mobile because it sees little value in the company,” a source said. Another source said the Indian carrier did not have sufficient information to make an informed bid. “Airtel believes too many things are hidden about the health of 9mobile, and that it is too risky for anyone to buy the company. Things became compounded with the court case by Spectrum Wireless. Remember the Strive Masiyiwa case over the ownership of Econet which hurt the company for a long time,” an insider said. Spectrum Wireless, an EMTS shareholder–which owns the 9mobile licence–went to court against United Capital Trustees Limited–representatives of the debtors–to stop the constitution of an interim board for 9mobile after the take-over in July 2017. Although it lost the case, the Federal High Court later nullified the ex parte order and United Securities went on appeal. Smile Telecoms Holdings Limited decried the tardy manner in which Barclays Africa handled the sale of 9mobile. It called for a process review to uphold transparency. Smile wrote a letter addressed to Barclays Africa dated February 21, 2018, and signed by Templars; the company’s solicitors. It also expressed surprise and disappointment at how the selection process for the preferred and reserve bidders was conducted. Of particular concern to Smile was the fact that the selection of the preferred bidder was announced before the February 26, 2018 deadline. The company therefore asked for Barclays, to be a matter of fairness and urgency, to provide a proof that the company that has been selected as the preferred bidder has indeed satisfied all the conditions precedent to that selection. However, in its reply of February 26, 2018, Barclays Africa promised to “be in touch with Smile to discuss any updates on the Transaction, to the extent considered necessary.” It expressed gratitude for Smile’s continued interest in the transaction but noted that its clients exercised their rights at their sole discretion to pursue an alternative path to completion of the transaction. Barclays restated its willingness to explore transaction completion with Smile should the pending process not reach a satisfactory conclusion. Smile insinuated that Barclays Africa’s letter evaded the critical issues of due process and eligibility of the announced preferred bidder, wondering if the bidder was able to meet the laid down requirements for the transactions to reach an agreement on any financial accommodations with the syndicate lenders and the trade creditors. The requirement also entailed the preferred bidder to have firm, unconditional and committed funding for any cash payments and to provide a binding offer that is unconditional, excluding the formal licence approvals. NCC’s intervention came on the heels of news that Teleology Holding had emerged as the preferred bidder for 9mobile. The announcement was greeted with protests in some quarters. A non-governmental organisation, Business Renaissance Group (BRG) had protested against the process, accusing Barclays Africa of sending the letter to Teleology in a hasty and pre-emptive manner. The group stated that Barclays Africa jumped the gun in announcing a preferred bidder. It noted that in a meeting held with the interested bidders on January 26, 2018, Barclays gave the two finalists in the bid process – Teleology Holdings and Smile Telecoms Holdings – the opportunity to raise their bid within 30 days, extending the deadline to February 26, 2018. The group wondered why Barclays could not wait till the agreed date before the hasty announcement of a preferred winner. Also alleging bias against Barclays in the handling of the sale of 9mobile, BRG recalled that Barclays had earlier affirmed that any preferred bidder on selection would need to sign a Sales Purchase Agreement immediately and would have to instantly pay a non-refundable deposit of $50 million. It decried a situation where Barclays gave its preferred bidder 21 working days to pay the non-refundable fee of $50 million. The group further underscored its allegation of a less than transparent handling of the entire bid process by Barclays Africa by recalling that some of the earlier entrants, among them two major GSM network operators, had opted out of the process alluding to lack of transparency. It also claimed that, at least, two major vendors of 9mobile rejected the financial offers of the preferred bidder and had no confidence in the weak and unrealistic business plan presented. It wondered how such a bidder with questionable business plans would be able to sustain and improve the operations of 9mobile. BRG contended that the precipitated announcement by Barclays is indicative that the preferred bidder did not satisfy any of the precedent conditions. Sector analysts are waiting anxiously to see how the new MTN Nigeria push for the soul of 9mobile will pan out.
QUOTE
That should be taken with a pinch of salt and should not be encouraged because MTN will become so powerful to the extent that it will now be dictating the pace of whatever it wants to do in the telecoms industry in Nigeria. That is what would obtain because it has over 50 per cent and getting close to 60 per cent of Nigeria’s total telecom subscription. I do not understand why the mobile network operator in question is now allowing MTN through the NCC to have a shot at their spectrum
The proposed 2024 budget promises to be a watershed moment in the country’s development trajectory. The budget, envisioned as a catalyst for job-rich economic growth, macro-economic stability and elevated living standards, strategically allocates substantial resources into two cornerstone sectors: agriculture and power. In this analysis, Assistant Editor NDUKA CHIEJINA unveils the transformative possibilities and synergies embedded in these strategic allocations and how this presents a roadmap to a more prosperous future for the country
The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive budget of N589,570,823,967 for the agriculture and power sectors in 2024, showcasing the administration’s steadfast commitment under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The administration is resolutely focused on fostering economic growth, employment, and job creation, marking a significant departure from oil-centric strategies.
Agriculture as the bedrock of growth and food security
A substantial portion of the proposed budget, amounting to N252,692,377,292, has been earmarked for agriculture and food security. This allocation underscores the government’s dedication to cultivating a robust agricultural sector, poised to undergo transformative changes. Investing in pivotal areas such as irrigation infrastructure, enhanced seeds, and fertilizer subsidies holds immense potential for elevating agricultural output. This strategic move is expected to bolster food security, diminishing reliance on imports and ensuring the availability of affordable food for all Nigerians. Moreover, the surge in production will generate employment opportunities in farming, agro-processing, and related industries, contributing significantly to overall economic growth and job creation.
The allocation to research and development in agricultural technologies is a forward-looking initiative with promising outcomes. It has the potential to enhance crop yields, fortify resistance against pests and diseases, and optimise resource efficiency. This not only augments production levels but also ensures the sustainability of the agricultural sector amidst the challenges posed by climate change. Dr. Michael Ibrahim, an entrepreneur with an integrated farm in Nasarawa State valued at over N100 million, expresses confidence that this budget can markedly boost food production and reduce dependence on food imports. The potential impact of these strategic allocations heralds a new era for Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, setting the stage for sustainable growth and resilience.
He stated that: “With proper implementation, these investments in irrigation, improved seeds, and fertilizer subsidies can lead to a 20-30% increase in agricultural output within the next few years.” Dr. Ibrahim also sees the focus on research and development as a game-changer for the sector. “By investing in innovative technologies and climate-smart practices, we can not only increase yields but also ensure the long-term sustainability of our agriculture,” he noted.
Investments in storage facilities, transportation infrastructure, and market information systems will improve farmers’ access to markets, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing their competitiveness. This will lead to better incomes for farmers and encourage them to invest further in their agricultural activities. Additionally, supporting farmer cooperatives and associations can strengthen their bargaining power and ensure that they receive fair prices for their produce.
The budget recognises the importance of diversifying the agricultural sector beyond traditional staple crops. By promoting the cultivation of high-value cash crops and supporting small-scale farmers to engage in diverse agricultural activities, the government can increase export earnings and create jobs in rural areas. A member of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFAN), Ishaya Kabiru, believes the focus on improving storage facilities, transportation infrastructure, and market information systems will greatly benefit farmers. “These investments will give farmers better access to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase their incomes,” he said.
Power as the engine of economic progress
Strategic investments in storage facilities, transportation infrastructure, and market information systems are poised to revolutionise farmers’ access to markets, effectively curbing post-harvest losses and heightening their competitiveness. This transformative approach is set to bolster farmers’ incomes, fostering a cycle of investment in their agricultural pursuits. Furthermore, the reinforcement of farmer cooperatives and associations holds the potential to fortify their bargaining power, ensuring equitable compensation for their produce.
Spotting the imperative of diversification, the budget proactively promotes a shift beyond traditional staple crops. The cultivation of high-value cash crops, coupled with support for small-scale farmers diversifying their agricultural activities, presents an opportunity to boost export earnings and generate employment in rural areas. Ishaya Kabiru, a member of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFAN), expresses optimism, stating that the emphasis on enhancing storage facilities, transportation infrastructure, and market information systems will significantly benefit farmers by expanding market access, minimising post-harvest losses, and augmenting their incomes.
A substantial allocation of N336,878,446,675 to the power sector underscores the government’s resolute commitment to ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for all Nigerians. This financial injection holds the promise of substantial benefits for the nation. Diversifying the energy landscape by investing in renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro can significantly amplify the nation’s electricity generation capacity. This strategic move not only diminishes reliance on fossil fuels but also contributes to environmental sustainability and secures the nation’s energy future.
Simultaneously, upgrading and expanding the transmission and distribution network are poised to reduce transmission losses, ensuring the efficient delivery of electricity to consumers. This enhancement in infrastructure guarantees a more reliable electricity supply, thereby attracting businesses and investors and fostering overall economic growth. The ripple effect extends to rural areas, where providing reliable and affordable electricity can be transformative. It supports agricultural activities, enhances education and healthcare services, and stimulates economic development, ultimately leading to an improved quality of life for rural communities and contributing to poverty reduction.
Unlocking the combined potential of the synergy
The proposed budget allocations for agriculture and power are not isolated investments. They hold incredible potential for creating powerful synergies that can accelerate national development. Reliable and affordable electricity can power irrigation pumps, ensuring efficient water use and improved crop yields in agriculture. This will not only increase agricultural productivity but also promote sustainable water management. By providing reliable electricity, the government can encourage the development of agro-processing industries in rural areas. This will add value to agricultural products, reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, and generate additional income for farmers.
Renewable energy sources can power agricultural equipment and facilities, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, precision agriculture technologies, powered by electricity and digital infrastructure, can optimize resource use and promote climate-smart agriculture. Power experts also see the budget as a positive step towards achieving energy security and economic growth. Engr. David Osemdua, CEO of Flodasa Energy, a renewable energy company in Nigeria, believes the budget will accelerate the shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind. “The budget allocation for renewable energy is a welcome development and will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a cleaner environment,” he stated. He sees the upgrade and expansion of the grid as crucial for ensuring reliable electricity supply. “This will reduce transmission losses and improve the quality of power delivered to consumers, attracting businesses and investments,” he stated.
While the proposed budget allocations carry immense potential, their effectiveness hinges on critical factors. Transparent and accountable implementation is paramount, ensuring funds reach their intended targets and are utilized efficiently. Public-private partnerships can amplify impact by leveraging private sector resources and expertise, expediting the development of both agriculture and power sectors. Capacity-building for farmers and rural communities is vital to ensure they benefit from investments, adopt new technologies, and practices. Regular monitoring and evaluation are crucial for tracking progress, ensuring budget allocations achieve intended outcomes, and identifying areas for improvement.
Effectively addressing these aspects will unlock the combined potential of agriculture and power in Nigeria. Beyond immediate goals of job creation, macroeconomic stability, and poverty reduction, this effort establishes a foundation for sustainable and inclusive long-term development. The journey to transform Nigeria into a prosperous and food-secure nation has commenced. By seizing this opportunity and harnessing the power of agriculture and energy, Nigerians can collectively sow the seeds of growth and harvest a brighter future for their nation.
Looking beyond the numbers – challenges and opportunities
The budget’s impact extends beyond statistics, representing an investment in Nigeria’s future—a commitment to building a nation where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive. By empowering farmers, endorsing sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring reliable, affordable electricity for all, the government lays the groundwork for a more prosperous and equitable future.
However, achieving these goals requires not just financial investment but also a collective effort from all stakeholders. Public-private partnerships, civil society engagement, and individual responsibility are crucial in ensuring the budget’s benefits reach vulnerable communities, contributing to a fairer, more sustainable future for Nigeria. The proposed budget signifies a critical turning point in Nigeria’s progress, unlocking the potential of agriculture and power for sustainable development, ensuring food security, economic prosperity, and a brighter future for generations. Acknowledging existing challenges is essential. Global oil price fluctuations, climate change, and potential project delays pose hurdles. Equitable distribution of benefits necessitates careful planning and targeted interventions. While experts see potential in the proposed budget allocations, effective implementation, strong partnerships, and a focus on capacity building are crucial for delivering on promises. The budget’s success will be measured by its impact on the lives of Nigerians—increased food security, improved living standards, and a more prosperous future for all. Only time will unveil the outcome.
The unbundling and privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector aimed to establish a competitive market, drawing private investment to enhance power generation and ensure a reliable, cost-efficient power supply. Transcorp Group’s first investment in the Ughelli Power Plant via Transcorp Power Limited stands as a pivotal contributor to economic development. This strategic investment has invigorated the national grid, empowering it to power numerous homes and industries across Nigeria and West Africa, reports Assistant Business Editor COLLINS NWEZE
Despite the initial challenges accompanying the privatisation of the power sector, the past decade has witnessed the emergence of formidable power companies, both at the national and international levels. These companies have played a crucial role in achieving various milestones, such as the augmentation of installed power generation capacity, the expansion of the transmission network, widespread meter deployment, increased utility revenues, and a heightened demand for power sector equipment. This transformation has paved the way for extensive private sector investments and engagement across the entire value chain.
Over the course of a decade, Transcorp Group’s inaugural investment in the Ughelli Power Plant through Transcorp Power Limited has significantly elevated the national grid. Transcorp Power Limited (TPL), situated in Ughelli, Delta State, boasts a single-cycle 972MW installed capacity, making it the largest gas-fired power generating station in the country. With a mission to improve lives, TPL is at the forefront of energy generation, impacting millions in Nigeria and across Africa.
Having surpassed all requirements within the stipulated period, Transcorp Power received the certificate of discharge from post-privatisation monitoring. As of November 2023, year-to-date figures indicate that TPL has contributed substantially, sending out 2,857,950.40MWh (an average of 357MW daily), constituting 8.65 percent of the energy supplied to the national grid. In a noteworthy performance in November 2023, Transcorp Power Limited consistently dispatched an average of 438MW, securing the second position after Egbin. For the entire year-to-date of 2023, TPL holds a commendable fourth position in power generation rankings.
“TPL currently has a generation capacity of 500MW, and can generate enough energy to power 1.6 million homes daily. Since the privatisation of the power sector in November 2013, TPL has generated over 29,574,447MWh (29TWh) of energy to the national grid powering countless homes and industries in Nigeria and West Africa. TPL currently has a generation capacity of 500MW and currently generates 426MW on average daily in December,” report from the company said.
Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Power Limited, Peter Ikenga, in his comments noted that the Company’s journey has been one of resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to powering progress.
“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Transcorp Power Limited, we reflect on a decade of impactful contributions to the energy sector. I am immensely proud of our team’s dedication and the milestones we’ve achieved,” Ikenga said, adding that the anniversary is not just a testament to the Company’s past successes but a springboard for the future.
For the last decade, Transcorp Power has been an integral part of its host community, with several community-based projects aimed at improving livelihoods including a vocational skills acquisition program that has empowered over 200 recipients. The Transcorp Staff School which Transcorp Power Limited adopted following the takeover of the Ughelli Plant currently serves the community as well as its employees, guaranteeing a higher quality of education for the children in the community.
“We remain committed to driving positive change and being a catalyst for sustainable development. Thanks to our team, stakeholders, and the communities we serve for being integral parts of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next decade of powering possibilities and lighting up the path to a brighter future,” Ikenga added.
At the event which held in Warri, Delta State, Transcorp Power also celebrated its employees who have been with the company since inception and have contributed significantly to the achievements of the past decade.
Transcorp Power Limited has continued to receive recognition for its contributions to the power sector. The company recently won multiple international awards, including the Leading Power Generation Company Nigeria 2023 (International Business Magazine Awards 2023), Leading Power Generation Company Nigeria 2023 and Most Sustainable Power Company Nigeria 2023 (2023 World Business Outlook Awards).
Transcorp Power Limited (TPL) is a single cycle 972MW installed capacity power generating plant located in Ughelli, Delta State. It is the largest gas-fired power generating station in the country. Its mission is to improve lives, and we are leading the way in energy generation for millions of people in Nigeria and Africa.
Also, in May next year, the Central Bank of Nigeria, under the leadership of Olayemi Cardoso, in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria and various power distribution companies, is set to conclude 53 power projects valued at N122 billion. These projects, currently under construction across the nation, are poised to augment the country’s power infrastructure significantly. Upon completion, they are expected to contribute over 1,000 megawatts to the firm’s wheeling capacity. The initiative comes at a crucial juncture as Nigeria grapples with the imperative of meeting the escalating demands for electricity driven by rapid population growth.
Recognising this need, the stakeholders are strategically investing in diverse power projects to address the burgeoning energy requirements anticipated through 2030. Industry insiders predict promising prospects in areas such as distributed power generation, smart grids, and energy storage over the medium to long term. These innovations not only align with the evolving landscape of energy needs but also position Nigeria to harness opportunities in the dynamic and technologically advanced power sector.
Power investment and expansion programmes
In a strategic move, Transcorp Group recently acquired a commanding 60 per cent stake in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), solidifying its influence in the region. This acquisition seamlessly aligns with Transcorp Group’s overarching vision to empower Africa and act as a catalyst for the expansion of the continent’s industrial landscape. Under the leadership of Transcorp Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, the conglomerate’s market capitalisation experienced a significant upswing, providing the financial strength required to make electricity accessible to Nigeria and Africa’s burgeoning population.
Tony Elumelu, recognising that the lack of electricity presents a significant challenge for the continent, he strategically positioned Transcorp to bridge power supply gaps in Africa. Through a consortium, Transcorp Group not only acquired a substantial stake in AEDC but also orchestrated pivotal management changes. Christopher Ezeafulukwe, the Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Power, was appointed by the AEDC board to assume the role of the new Managing Director/CEO of AEDC; while Peter Ikenga, the current CEO of Transcorp Energy, succeeded Ezeafulukwe as the Managing Director of Transcorp Power. Elumelu utilised this portfolio realignment to further strengthen Transcorp’s foothold in the continent’s power sector, propelling economic growth with a reliable power supply.
In recognition of the transformative impact of addressing Nigeria’s power challenges, the World Bank emphasises that resolving the nation’s power problem presents an opportunity to address longstanding issues and stimulate economic growth. The absence of dependable power has been a significant constraint for citizens and businesses, leading to estimated annual economic losses of $29 billion, equivalent to about two percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Beyond Nigeria, West Africa grapples with one of the lowest electrification rates, with 220 million people living without access to electricity, compounded by some of the highest electricity costs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Transcorp’s strategic initiatives, therefore, position it as a key player in tackling these challenges and driving positive change in the region’s power landscape.
In the bustling city of Lagos, the battle against flooding and illegal land sales has reached a boiling point in many communities. Developers, driven by greed and disregard for official warnings, have continued to exacerbate the flooding problems, resulting in the displacement of countless families and individuals who dwell in these communities. HALIMAH BALOGUN writes that as government agencies continue to sound the alarm, resistance and apathy from developers have left many residents in a state of despair.
Lagos often referred to as Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence and State of Aquatic Splendour has a flooding crisis, and the consequences are far-reaching. The results impact public health and safety negatively. The flooding results from what experts described as a flawed drainage system and poor city planning.
One of the primary issues fueling the flooding crisis in Lagos is the unscrupulous actions of developers who knowingly build on flood-prone areas, disregarding environmental assessments and regulations. Worst still, the developers feign ignorance of the devastating effects of flooding on the socio-economic lives of the residents.
Flooding has some adverse effects, among which include loss of human life, property and infrastructure damage, road closures, erosion and landslide risks.
Generally, flooding is caused by heavy rainfall and climate change. It typically occurs when prolonged rain falls over several days when intense rain falls over a short period, or when a river or stream overflows onto the surrounding area. Flooding can also result from the failure of a water control structure.
Damaging flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Floods can occur within minutes or over a long period and may last for days, weeks, or longer.
Regrettably, developers do not take cognisance of the dangerous effects of the devastating tendencies of flooding on the environment.
By cutting corners to maximise profits, these developers have contributed significantly to the degradation of the city’s natural drainage systems, leading to widespread flooding during the rainy seasons.
Moreover, the illicit practice of selling lands without proper authorisation has further complicated the situation. In communities across Lagos, unsuspecting buyers have fallen victim to unscrupulous land sales, only to discover that the lands they have purchased are not legally recognised. As a result, many residents find themselves embroiled in legal battles, facing the looming threat of eviction from the lands they believed to be rightfully theirs.
Compounding these challenges is the blatant refusal of some developers to heed warnings issued by government agencies about building codes and compliance. Despite repeated directives to adhere to regulations aimed at mitigating flooding and ensuring the safety of structures, many developers have continued to flout these guidelines, leading to the proliferation of non-compliant buildings in vulnerable areas.
In response to these pressing issues, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has announced plans to demolish non-compliant buildings to address the threats posed by illegal developments and flooding which has become increasingly worrisome. This decisive action by the FHA signals a concerted effort to reclaim communities from the grip of dishonest developers and provide relief for residents who have borne the brunt of the flooding crisis.
During a tour of FESTAC Town up to the Abule-Ado area, a lot of abnormalities were observed, ranging from a reduction in the size of roads, blockage of drainage systems and canals and other flagrant defiance to property laws as construction work was ongoing at the sites.
However, the Deputy General Manager of Urban and Regional Planning for the zone, Francesca Michael-James said the Federal Government will not fold its arms and allow things to degenerate.
FHA’s decision
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA), South West Zone has disclosed plans to resume the demolition of illegal structures in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State, especially at Phase 2.
The FHA said some of the structures had earlier been marked for demolition as their owners had contravened safety rules.
This was disclosed during a press conference organised by the zone in Lagos.
The Zonal Managing Director, Hakeem Olugbenro, Deputy General Manager of Urban and Regional Planning, Francesca Michael-James and the Head of Land Survey, Lawal Umar-Salihu lamented the gross violation of government rules among homeowners in the town.
According to them, land-grabbing activities have grossly constituted the menace of illegal structures being witnessed in FESTAC Town, and the Federal Government is ready to checkmate the trend.
Some land speculators and land grabbers with their illegal structures have tampered with the original masterplan of FESTAC and this may adversely affect the environment in terms of flooding and other aspects detrimental to the well-being of FESTAC people.
The representatives promised that demolition of illegal structures will resume in earnest as notices have been served since August 2023.
The Zonal Manager, South West, Akintola Olugbenro said access to the affected area has been cumbersome because of encroachment and illegal development.
He said: “After so many years getting access to the property belonging to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in FESTAC Town has been cumbersome, especially in terms of encroachment and illegal development.
“This has become so wide, that it is turning the whole place into a slum. The FHA does not build slums like we are being tagged.
“A lot of illegalities have taken place in that place and we are trying to see how best we can fix this to enable people to live in a more serene environment. Unfortunately, we have so many unprofessional estate developers and illegal property dealers who have defaced the environment.”
Corroborating his colleague’s assertion, the Deputy General Manager of South West Zone, Francesca Michael-James lamented the fruitless efforts of the government in restoring normalcy to the area, saying, “We are trying to have a sustainable environment and give people a livable town. FESTAC is swampy by nature and why it was developed in phases was reduced to the costs of reclaiming it. For instance, the Phase 1 and part of Phase 2 were sand-filled. Our role is to provide housing for people to enhance their lives, whether commercial or private.
“From the second phase towards Abule-Ado, the sand filling and road levelling were done and we have to continue from there because FHA has a masterplan for the whole landed property, which was done in the 70s before the commencement of FESTAC Town.
Distortion of Master Plan
“What we have noticed in FESTAC Town recently is haphazard development and distortion of the Master Plan. However, the activities of land speculators and land grabbers have disrupted the plans, especially in terms of drainage and canals.
“In the Master Plan, we have the major artilleries, collector and minor roads. For example, the standard of the Right of Way is about 50 width which was observed by occupants of the 1st to fifth avenues but at several other places in the Town, what we have is a distortion of the Master Plan and landfilling or road leveling is no longer in place.
“We started demolition of an illegal structure last year but there was a public outcry and, in response to this, we halted the demolition exercise and convened a stakeholders meeting to address the outcry.
“In furtherance, we embarked on a study of the area by flying a drone to the areas under Federal Government acquisition after which we asked the stakeholders to halt existing construction work to redesign the place and minimise the effects on people,” she said.
The depreciation of the Naira at the official and parallel markets is taking a heavy toll on dollar borrowers’ businesses and profitability. The borrowers are not only battling with the scarcity of dollars in both markets but also paying high premiums for the same value of dollars borrowed. In a period of exchange rate volatility, businesses and individuals taking dollar loans are advised to de-risk the facilities by channelling the funds into operations that generate dollar revenue for easy repayment. Dollar borrowers are expected to properly assess and tackle currency risks associated with the loans to avoid default, writes Assistant Business Editor, COLLINS NWEZE.
Businesses face known setbacks emanating from poor power supply, infrastructure deficits and high credit costs which only a few operators can survive.
The top lists hardly included dollar shortage-induced currency risks faced by businesses that took dollar loans. One such borrower is the Managing Director of Outsource Merchants Limited, Chisom Obinna.
When the Lagos-based entrepreneur was in dire need of a loan to complete an ongoing import project, a family friend, who, in the first quarter got a huge payoff from a top oil company came to his rescue by offering him soft loans at zero interest.
The creditor, who was last year paid off by Addax Petroleum Limited, following a take-over deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), gave Obinna a $10,000 loan payable before this year’s end.
But the loan came with a caveat. It must be repaid in dollars, not naira. The creditor had explained that he needed to hedge his funds against currency risks given the rate at which the naira has depreciated in the last year.
The creditor said the confidence in the naira as a means of transaction settlement had significantly dropped after the local currency lost over 30 per cent of its value in 2022, and is projected to record over 40 per cent depreciation this year.
The naira has lost over 38 per cent of its value since June when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adopted a unified exchange rate structure and collapsed all rates into the Investors’ and Exporters (I and E) window.
“I had no option but to accept to repay the loan in the same currency it came: US dollars even though I needed a loan in naira. I knew the risks of paying back in dollars because of the currency risk, which is real but that was the only way I could access the loan. It cost us an extra N10 million to source the $30,000 loan during the period of repayment in October,” Obinna said.
The dollar crunch, triggered by a sharp drop in dollar revenue and reduced investment inflows from Foreign Direct Investments, forced the CBN to ration dollar supplies to key sectors of the economy, forcing many businesses whose input costs are in dollars to incur heavy costs.
The naira at the weekend, exchanged at N1, 160/$1 in the parallel market, and N890/$1 in the official market. This created an N270 premium between the parallel and official markets. The local currency has lost over 40 per cent of its value in both markets this year.
Aside from creditors insisting on lending in dollars and getting paid in dollars, some businesses whose input costs are priced in dollars also offer their services in dollars to hedge against currency risks. Others who cannot do so, are raising the cost of their products and services to absorb the high cost of dollar loan repayment.
Other services such as pricing and payment for private jet charter in dollars, allocation of 50 per cent salary for oil and telecom workers in dollars and house rents in several parts of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt priced in dollars have come to buttress the rising power of the dollar in domestic transaction settlement.
The Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Aerospace Limited, Chukwuerika Achum, said its three premium services, Vivajets, CharterXE and FlyPJX- designed to ease business jet booking and promote inclusive access to services- are all priced in dollars.
“The naira depreciation fears in sectors where inputs are in dollars have made us price our services in dollars to hedge against currency risks,” he explained during the launch of the service in Ikeja Lagos.
Bismarck Rewane, an economist said the naira crisis has increased the cost of aviation fuel (Jet A1) and raised operating costs for airline operators.
For instance, Jet fuel prices rose by 60 per cent to $2 per litre, up from $1.08 per litre in 2022. This has increased the cost of airfares, triggered lower demand for flights and weighed on revenue.
The Group Managing Director of C and I Leasing Plc, Ugoji Lenin Ugoji said the company is careful about taking dollar loans because of the risks associated with it, at this time.
He said the company had to increase its forex revenue and reduce dollar loans to avoid asset mismatch. “That decision gives C and I Leasing good stability to withstand turbulence,” he said.
Ugoji said the availability of foreign exchange for businesses will be a deciding factor in how well the economy performs in 2024.
He said many foreign investors were interested in coming into the country but they also want to be assured their investments in naira are safe.
He said: “The CBN remains in the best position to advise the government on the steps to take to overcome the ongoing forex crisis. However, businesses are advised to plan their forex transaction decisions wisely. There is nothing bad if 30 per cent of a company’s loans are in dollars, but it also needs dollar revenue to pay the dollar debt.”
Strategies to beat the dollar crunch
Nigerian banks that, a few years back, featured prominently in funding dollar transactions for clients are now turning their back on such deals as dollar scarcity persists.
Manufacturers are resorting to homegrown substitutes for imported raw materials to stay in business.
Currently, the pains and agonies of import-dependent businesses have continued to soar in an economy where people’s purchasing power is waning.
At the Ladipo Market in Lagos, motorists now buy locally-fabricated vehicle shock absorbers, brake pads and even engine oil as prices of imported versions go out of reach.
The Managing Director of Bendock Limited, Steven Abiodun said demand for foreign goods has dropped as prices soared with many Nigerians looking inwards for the closest substitutes of products and services.
“The naira exchange rate at the parallel market stood at N1, 160/$1 making goods and services linked to the dollar unaffordable for anyone with a legitimate cause. Importers have run out of options and face consumers whose income cannot accommodate new price hikes and are going for local substitutes,” he said.
Banks move to preserve Forex
To bridge the dollar supply gap, support local industry and preserve forex, commercial banks have commenced a Bank Verification Number (BVN) watch list for customers who diverted dollars disbursed for foreign trips to other uses.
The affected customers obtained Business Travel Allowance (BTA) and Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) for their foreign trips fraudulently or failed to follow set rules for such transactions.
Findings showed that banks are now publishing the names of the defaulting customers on their websites to show seriousness in the implementation of the sanctions.
A check on several banks’ websites showed that over 6,000 customers are booked by the lenders on a monthly basis for forex infractions.
The affected customers’ BVNs were also listed alongside their names in what banks tagged “PTA/BTA Defaulters’ List.”
The banks are also maintaining a list of defaulters, and applying sanctions specified by the CBN, including such defaulters not allowed to access forex from official windows in the future.
The CBN had called attention to incidents of customers presenting fake documents such as expired passports, invalid flight tickets or open tickets that are cancelled after they acquire forex.
To reduce forex diversion, commercial banks also commenced card-based dollar disbursements to travellers in need of dollars-PTA and BTA. The travellers were previously paid in cash.
While First Bank customers now use the First Bank Travel Card to access PTA and BTA, Access Bank customers rely on the Access Travel Debit Card and Unity Bank customers use the Unity Travel Card, among others.
The banks have equally cut PTA and BTA by 50 per cent from $4,000 to $2,000, even as they reduced requests to twice a year from once a quarter.
Aside from these steps, international school fees and upkeep requests are to be processed within 120 days from the date of approval.
Banks have also directed that all such applications are processed and disbursed subject to forex availability and proper documentation provided the account to be debited is sufficiently funded to cover the Form A charge and other processing fees.
Views from stakeholders
The Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc and Chairman of the Body of Banks’ Chief Executive Officers, Ebenezer Onyeagwu said banks are working with the CBN to ensure that all issues around Forex Forwards are resolved to strengthen the naira.
He said: “FX Forwards has been caged and the banking sector is moving. By the next two weeks, FX Forwards will end even as the banking industry is ready to support the CBN to achieve its goals of exchange rate stability.”
The Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Ike Chioke believes the incorporation of a long-term diversified strategy in fiscal policy is required to cushion shocks in various segments of the economy.
For him, the persistent pressure on the naira could have been minimised if a counter-fiscal policy had been developed.
“To reduce this pressure, an inward-looking policy (tax incentives, infrastructure development and production subsidy) should be emphasised to reduce the dependence on imported goods,” Chioke said.
He explained that the drop in Nigeria’s oil production and oil theft have reduced dollar earnings and worsened the naira decline.
He said: “As oil production dropped due to oil theft and insecurity, dollar earnings have also dipped,” he said.
Continuing, Chioke said: “In the meantime, authorities should double down on efforts to check insecurity, curb oil theft, tame inflation, anchor market yield on Monetary Policy Rate, and improve the business environment. The sustained high demand for FX in the parallel market due to lingering weak supply in the official market coupled with inefficient processing time would continue to undermine the objective of ongoing reforms in the financial markets.”
Head of Macro-Strategy at FIM Partners and former Global Chief Economist at Renaissance Capital, Charlie Robertson agreed with Chioke.
Robertson noted that the Nigerian economy has been going through a rough patch since 2014 when the price of oil crashed. He explained that a persistently high inflation rate means a persistently weak currency.
Robertson’s views, contained in his earlier advice to the CBN, urged the regulator to focus more on controlling inflation. “If the CBN can get inflation to three per cent and sticks there, then, in 10 years, the naira could be N400/N450 per dollar. So, it’s all about inflation and the central bank’s success in fighting it,” he added.
He said the exchange rate or the external value of the naira is the most important price in the Nigerian economy as a lot depends on how the exchange rate is managed, from the inflow of foreign investment to how much domestic industries invest and how many Nigerians are employed.
In emailed notes to investors, the Trading Desk Manager of AZA, a global forex trading firm, Murega Mungai said the depreciation of the naira will continue until there are regulatory sanctions against illegal forex dealers, especially exporters who fail to remit export proceeds to government coffers as spelt out in the CBN’s Foreign Exchange Manual.
The Managing Director of Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba said there was a need to recognise that the challenge with the forex market is supply-shortfall related and take critical steps to bring market and regulatory transparency.
He said: “Just like what you have when there is a food shortage. You need to open your grain reserves to boost supply and prices will adjust.”
Teriba said the government should look at ways to boost dollar supply, including allowing foreign investors to take equity in national assets to raise dollars that would boost naira. He also called for a competitive forex market, where everyone is on a level playing field.
“Aside from the banks, other players in the market, including bureau de change operators should have equal access to the market. Banks are not licensed to trade forex, but the CBN has given them that role and excluded BDCs that have the right license for the transactions. There should be freedom of entry and exit for even Fintechs to play in the market, and every dollar earned will add to the market liquidity,” Teriba advised.
The former Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uju Ogubunka said Nigeria’s trade balance has been weakened by its inability to produce and earn enough forex.
He said Nigeria must find new ways to boost production to earn more dollars and boost foreign reserves. Ogubunka, who is also the President of Bank Customers’ Association of Nigeria said aside from boosting production, there is the need to tackle insecurity to enable farmers to go to their farms.
He said such an effort will help increase crop yields and bring more dollar earnings for the economy that will firm up the naira to protect businesses and individuals that take dollar loans.
According to him, insecurity and political uncertainty are delaying several corporate investment decisions that would have brought in more dollars to the economy.
The President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Dr Aminu Gwadabe called for stiffer measures on platforms for cryptocurrency traders as they have become a conduit for diaspora remittances diversion. He called for the review of the financial architecture to include BDCs in the harmonised forex market.
Gwadabe said there was a need to encourage market participants to source forex from independent windows to boost liquidity. According to him, exchange rate unification can only thrive where the market participants are given an enabling environment and all players are treated fairly and equally.
CBN tackles forex market fears
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso said a thorough assessment of the economy revealed significant challenges, including high and rising inflation, inadequate foreign exchange supply; depreciation of the exchange rate, limited external reserves, weakened output and high unemployment.
These challenges, he said, have led to increased interest rates, discouraging investments in productive activities.
“Within the banking system, high inflation has affected asset quality and solvency ratios. Additionally, the persistent depreciation of the naira poses a significant risk for domestic banks with foreign exchange exposures,” he said.
Cardoso said: “Considering recent developments within our domestic economy, it is evident that we are facing significant macro-economic and social challenges. These challenges stem from a variety of factors, including adverse global shocks, unfavourable domestic imbalances, structural rigidities, and the unintended consequences of certain corrective policy measures implemented to restore and realign our macroeconomic landscape.”
For instance, the continuous decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production has further weakened its already inadequate economic diversification. This has led to a decline in government revenue and foreign exchange inflows, while simultaneously witnessing a growth in public expenditures and a deterioration in macroeconomic indicators, which has constrained its policy options.
Consequently, the country has witnessed the fiscal deficit and public debt increase, placing additional strain on external reserves and contributing to exchange rate instability.
To ensure stability, curb speculation, and restore confidence in the foreign exchange market, the CBN recently lifted the ban on 43 items from accessing the official foreign exchange market, allowing market forces to determine exchange rates based on the Willing Buyer – Willing Seller principle.
Cardoso noted that the 43 items were never outrightly banned by the government.
“The CBN had imposed restrictions on their access to foreign exchange in the official market. However, these restrictions resulted in increased demand for foreign exchange in the parallel market, leading to the depreciation of the exchange rate in that segment of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and widening the premium between the parallel and official market.”
“Studies show that during the period when the 43 items were restricted, there was a 51 per cent increase in trade evasion by importers accessing the foreign exchange market, resulting in a revenue drop of approximately $1.4 billion, or $275 million annually, between 2015 and 2019,” he said.
Other stakeholders said the most important determinant of the value of the naira is productivity and competitive state of the economy.
For them, other factors like terms of trade, inflation differential, public debt, current-account deficits, interest rates, political stability and overall economic health also determine the naira exchange rate which is central to what becomes of dollar borrowers and their businesses.
How an impatient motorist terminated the lives of Lagos street sweepers
There is a thin wall between life and death. In one breath, man is bubbly with life; in another, he is interred six feet in the bowels of the earth.
When two siblings – Adejoke Jimot Adefuye and Afolashade Odufuwa Florence – woke up early Monday, November 13, to carry out their daily routine as sanitation workers of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), they never envisaged that would be their last day on earth. They never knew that their lives would be cut short by a ‘reckless’ hit-and-run driver.
For the traumatised family, they wept uncontrollably on the day the duo was committed to Mother Earth. The two deceased LAWMA members of staff were indigenous to Isamuro Quarters in Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State. The duo had lost their mother and was still mourning her.
In the morning of the tragic incident, darkness hovered over the vicinity of the ever-boisterous Charly Boy axis, which witnessed an unusually chaotic traffic; with people commuting and plying their trade amid the confusion.
A driver, Jerry Ironkwe, had crushed the two workers, leaving in its wake death and agony.
Adorning the orange jumpsuits of LAWMA, the duo waking up very early each morning in the past six years of their employ by LAWMA as sanitation workers, had constantly put their lives at risk to keep the state clean. However, on this day that tragedy struck, their mangled bodies were recovered from the gutter on the highway. It was a gory sight. They must have squirmed in pain. Their heads battered, they lay in their pool of blood motionless.
Death is an inevitable phenomenon; an end that will come when it will.
When The Nation visited the community where the deceased workers lived, the atmosphere was gloomy. People gathered in threes and fours in sober moods; discussing the incident in hushed tones. Residents of Bariga Community were still puzzled over their neighbours’ deaths.
Reminiscing on the lifestyles of the two deceased, their neighbours said they lost women of inestimable values.
Sympathisers, including the lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Samuel Olufemi Apata, thronged the family residence on Onasanya Street, off Burahimo Allli Street, Ladi-Lak Bariga, to commiserate with the deceased’s families.
Apata described the death of the two LAWMA members of staff as a tragedy and a big blow to the community, even as he noted that the deceased persons were staunch members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the christian wake which was held at Ladi-Lak Primary School Compound, Bariga Lagos, sympathisers bade them farewell.
The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, eulogised the late sanitation workers for their unalloyed commitment to the authority’s vision of a cleaner and livable environment, for which they paid the ultimate price.
He said: “Words cannot adequately convey the grief we feel for the untimely passing of these dedicated sanitation workers. Adejoke and Afolashade were valued members of our close-knit community, and their exit left a big void.
“As we reflect on their service to the state, we are reminded of their diligence and their unwavering commitment to keeping the highways clean. Their tireless efforts contributed significantly to maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment for us all. Our thoughts are with you, and we want you to know that the entire LAWMA family stands with you during this challenging time.” The LAWMA boss presented cheques to the family, noting that the agency footed the cost of the burial.
The driver, who has since turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command, killed the sweepers who were discharging their duties around the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway of Lagos State.
The driver, according to the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin a Superintendent of Police (SP) was arraigned for manslaughter for ramming his car with registration number LAGOS EPE 984 DV. However, Ironkwe had been granted bail by the Magistrate’s Court sitting in the Yaba axis of Lagos.
The 45-year-old mechanic was arraigned before Magistrate L.Y. Balogun on three counts bordering on reckless driving. Ironkwe pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the police.
The police prosecutor, Chekwubeh Okeh, explained that the offences contravened and are punishable under Sections 18(1) and 20 of the Road Traffic Law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2012.
Following Ironkwe’s plea, Balogun admitted him to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
She, however, directed the police to duplicate the case file as well as send it to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and adjourned the case till December 13, 2023.
Eyewitnesses said the driver was evading arrest when he ran into the LAWMA workers.
Protesters who spoke with The Nation at the scene of the incident, accused officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) of chasing the driver who rammed into the LAWMA workers. But LASTMA and the Lagos State Task Force denied involvement in the unfortunate incident, adding that an investigation had commenced on the matter. A Bariga resident, Ruth Lijirin told The Nation that the two siblings were well-known to her, and she had helped them facilitate the job. Ruth said: “One of the siblings (Adefuye) celebrated her 60th anniversary on Sunday, November 12, and the other sister is about 65 years old.
“Their mother is late, and still in the mortuary. I was at the scene of the incident alongside the chairman of the community and the DPO of Bariga Police Station,” she said. Also, the National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Bariga Local Council, Kolade David Alabi was at the scene of the incident to appeal to the aggrieved workers and also to douse tension.
A member of the family, Mrs. Biola, who spoke with The Nation explained that the deceased workers had been working at the Lagos agency for six years. She said: “The name of the younger sister is Adejoke Jimot Adefuye; the older sister is Afolashade Odufuwa Florence. “The older sister was 65 years old while the younger sister was 60.
“They have four children each,” she added.
LAWMA reacts
A statement by the agency which was obtained by The Nation said: “The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) regrets to announce the tragic death of two of our esteemed sanitation workers, who were hit by a reckless driver, in the cause of discharging their lawful duties and rendering invaluable services to humanity around Gbagada axis.
“We wish to appeal to motorists for the umpteenth time, to drive with utmost caution on the highways, to avoid sad incidents such as this happening to our sanitation workers or anyone in the course of their legitimate duties. “The public is urged to remain calm as appropriate steps are being taken and necessary measures put in place. “Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the deceased, whom we love most dearly. May their souls continue to rest in peace.”
LASTMA, Task Force deny involvement
The Lagos State Task Force refuted reports that officials of the agency were involved in the car chase which led to the death of the two LAWMA members of staff. The Chairman of the agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said no Lagos State Environmental Task Force official was involved in the car chase. Jejeloye said none of the task force officials was posted out on that Monday morning for any traffic enforcement. He said they were deployed to Ile-Zik, Dopemu and Ikeja to maintain law and order during the NURTW protest. The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) also denied involvement.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, explained that a thorough investigation had been initiated to unravel the cause of the death of the LAWMA workers. Giwa noted that officers from Pedro Police Station had recovered the vehicle into their custody to aid further and thorough investigation. He noted that the driver with car registration EPE 984 DV is a traffic offender already captured by the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
Lawmakers angry
The Lagos State House of Assembly has frowned at the alleged recklessness of some motorists operating in the state just as they raised concerns over the activities of some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
At a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, the House invited the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi and Giwa to appear and give explanations on the incessant recklessness of drivers and the roles played by LASTMA officials.
Also invited, among others, was the General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba. The decision of the House followed a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ raised by a member, Temitope Adewale.
Noting that incidents involving recklessness of drivers and careless attitudes of LASTMA officials were on the increase. Obasa said: “In addition to the invitation of the affected top officials, there was a need to revisit the laws guiding transportation in the state.”
While the pursuit of a cleaner Lagos is commendable and necessary, experts who spoke it should not be at the expense of the lives of street cleaners.
A safety expert, Mr. Adebayo Samson, said: “Beyond condolences, prompt and proactive actions from the state government could do the magic of safeguarding street cleaners and also save many lives, especially those risking their lives to keep Lagos clean, safe and healthy.”
