Who Is Jennifer In Divorce Tango With Ex Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku?

February 1, 2022

Very few people know Jennifer ‘Jamila’ Atiku Abubakar until the bubble bust on their marriage, as the Igbo woman is seeking for divorce.

Jennifer is believed to be instrumental to the achievements of the former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Today, February 1, Jennifer made a full announcement on their separation and her reasons.
She said that there was a breakdown in their marriage and that her continued stay in the United Kingdom with their kids and different issues caused the current storm in the marriage.
Jennifer was born in Onitsha, Anambra State as Jennifer Iwenjiora.
She bagged her first degree in Political Science and Communications, a Masters in International Politics with a concentration in International Law and Communications, and a doctorate degree in International Relations from the American University in Washington D.C.
She was a news correspondent with the NTA in the 1980s.
Jennifer first met Atiku Abubakar in 1982. She relocated to the United States in the late 1980s where she became a US citizen.
She got married to a man named Douglas to whom she bore her first son, Anthony Chuka Douglas but the couple soon divorced.
She became re-acquainted with Atiku Abubakar in the 1990s and they got married.
Jennifer embraced Islam and changed her name to ‘Jamilah’.
She was the subject of a financial indictment by the US govt where she was believed to have helped Atiku bring over $40 million in suspect funds into the United States through wire transfers sent by offshore corporations to U.S. banks accounts between 2000 and 2008. She however denied the claims.
It is alleged that Jennifer also helped her husband establish the American University of Nigeria (AUN) with the transferred funds.
She is named after one of the administrative buildings in the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
Jennifer is a legal practitioner and is the Managing Partner at Miyetti Law, an Abuja-based private Law firm. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Miyetti Quarterly Law Review.
She took up a job as Assistant Professor of Political Science at the American University of Sherjah, UAE in 2008.
As a philanthropist, she is the founder of an Abuja-based NGO called GEDE foundation.
She has three children. Her first son, Anthony got married in Dubai in 2018.

CBN Boss Advises Rice Millers To Embrace Backward Integration Policy

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2022

Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has advised rice millers in the country to embrace the Bank’s backward integration initiative.
He said that initiative is aimed at conserving foreign exchange reserves, revamping local production capacity and creating employment.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Garewa Rice Mill in Kano, Kano State, today, February 1, Emefiele stressed the need for rice millers in Nigeria to get involved in paddy production to guarantee sustainable supply of paddy to their mills and also complement the supply from the smallholder farmers through the CBN’s partnership with the Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) and prime anchors.
According to him, the number of rice mills in Nigeria had grown from less than ten, with a combined capacity of less than 350,000 metric tons, prior to the launch of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) in 2015, to over 60 integrated rice mills, with a combined capacity of about 3 million metric tons as at January 2022, with about 10 more mills scheduled to be commissioned later this year.
The Governor said that the increasing number of rice mills, which are being complemented by hundreds of small-scale mills located in every State of the Federation, attested to the conducive environment the CBN has been able to create in the rice value chain through its initiatives and stakeholders’ collaboration.
While stressing the need to match the increasing milling capacity of rice nationwide with increased paddy production, Emefiele charged millers to take advantage of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and the Private-Sector Led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (P-AADS) of the Bank.
He added that P-AADS provides long-term financing option to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance their respective production plans.
He said that the quality of milled rice in Nigeria could match most foreign brands, even as he expressed gladness that the Bank’s collaboration with the fiscal authorities has helped to curtail the proliferation of Nigerian markets by sub-standard imported rice varieties. He enjoined Nigerians to heed the call of President Muhammadu Buhari to “produce what we eat and eat what we produce,” by patronizing rice brands milled in Nigeria,
Emefiele said that the resuscitated Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) will facilitate grading, sorting, quality assurance and storage infrastructure for key agricultural commodities and also enhance price discovery for smallholder farmers.
According to the CBN Governor, the exchange will provide aggregation hubs for millers to enhance paddy off-take and grow to providing future for millers and farmers to lock in prices and operate under a controlled price regime.
In his remarks, the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked the CBN Governor for not only extending ABP facilities to Kano, but also assisting the State in the area of infrastructural development of facilities, such as the Tiga and Chalawa hydro-electricity dam projects.
This was even as the Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, eulogized the CBN Governor for empowering youth and creating wealth in the country.
The promoter to the rice mill, Alhaji Isa Garewa commended the vision of the CBN Governor on initiating the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which has turned out to be the saving grace of Nigeria, especially with the outbreak of the Corona virus (COVID-19).

I Wanted Atiku To Divorce Me Because Our Marriage Has Collapsed – Jennifer

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2022

On June 26, 2021, I asked His Excellency to grant me a divorce in light of the breakdown of our marriage.
And, during that period, I told his Excellency that I remain at his Excellency’s service to continue to assist him in his activities even If I am no longer married to him.
The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom, to look after my children and several other long-standing issues.
These were contained in a lengthy statement issued by Jennifer, one of the wives of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, currently in divorce imbroglio with him.
Jennifer, who said that she needed to tell the world her own side of the story, stressed that she did not pack up the union because of another woman that her husband married and who had had a child for him.
Jennifer said that she knew the status of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23, 2019 election as a Muslim, and his religious rights to marry another woman, adding that she was also not after the properties of the former VP.
She claimed to have known about the new wife and to show that she was not against it, actually invited her to her home in Dubai, and went ahead to congratulate her when she gave birth to a baby.
According to her, she the major reason for seeking for divorce is over issues, particularly her refusal to relocate to Nigeria from UK, where her children currently reside.
“The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom, among other long-standing issues.”
She gave details of how her husband had ill-treated her and family members since she took the decision.
Full text of thestatenent read:
For some time now, especially in the last few weeks, there has been a whole lot of rumours and in circulation about the state of my marriage to his Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa, GCON. The stories got more vicious as they continued to circulate. I deem it necessary to defend myself against the calculated propaganda to malign my character and position me in a bad light and damage my name. Without resorting to nonsensical talk, I would address the two key issues at hand:
(1) That I asked for a divorce because His Excellency got married again.
(2) That I sold his Excellency’s house in Dubai.
That I asked for a divorce because His Excellency got married again
• On June. 26, 2021, I asked His Excellency to grant me a divorce in light of the breakdown of our marriage. And, during that period, I told his Excellency that I remain at his Excellency’s service to continue to assist him in his activities even If I am no longer married to him. Suffice it to say that several friends of his Excellency tried to mediate in this matter. I thank them most graciously and remain grateful for their efforts, Peter Okocha, Senator Ben Obi, Tunde Ayeni, Captain Yahaya, and Senator Ben Bruce.
• The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom, to look after my children and several other long-standing issues. I needed to play the role of a mother at this time to the children who have gone through the absence of both father and mother growing up; especially, with the passage of my elder sister who used to look after them. Furthermore, in light of COVID-19 times, choosing to stay with the children was non-negotiable. And, in line with Northern culture, the new wife takes up the baton so I can also focus on giving the kids more care.
• Despite not informing us officially according to northern/Islamic culture, I knew about his Excellency’s new wife from the time Excellency was dating her and when his Excellency eventually married her. I have graciously invited our new wife to my son’s wedding in Dubai in 2018 without any ill feelings and congratulated his Excellency when our new wife gave birth.
• I was already aware that His Excellency had gotten married to our new wife but that did not deter me from supporting His Excellency and indeed, we went through a most rigorous electioneering campaign and garnered massive support for his election in 2019.
• That His Excellency married a new wife was never the cause of our problem as many have said. His Excellency is a Moslem and I have never questioned him about his wives or intended.
I hope this brings this issue to rest as I did not leave the house because of his new marriage.
Moving out of the matrimonial Home in Asokoro and Yola
• The matrimonial home in Asokoro where we reside was gifted to me by him even before we moved into that home from a previous residence. Indeed, His Excellency caused his Private Secretary to process the DEED of assignment documents for the house, which he did and handed me the documents. I then commenced processing the title to the property.
• During the initial mediation discussion, Excellency denied that he gifted the house even after I showed him the document with the signatures of his aide, his Excellency asked me to give him the deed of gift. “When I asked him, where will I and the kids stay when we come to Nigeria?”, he told me that since I am the one that asked for a divorce, I should find a place to stay, and subsequently, I moved out.
• His Excellency further gave orders to have my nephews living with me in the house ejected within an hour of his order and gave orders that I and my family members are not allowed to enter the house. Hence, during my last visit to Nigeria in December 2021, I stayed at a hotel. I have long released these assets to him and hereby reiterate that the titles are at his disposal to pick up whenever he deems fit.
Dubai Home
• There has been a lot of speculation on the Dubai home. For a while now, I had purposely stayed away the Dubai until I took custody of that property September 2021 after his Excellency reneged on his word to give the current value of the said property in exchange. When I came to Nigeria, in early September, 2021. I asked to have a private conversation with His Excellency. During that conversation, I informed his Excellency that once I get back to the United Kingdom, I will go to Dubai and take over the house. He subsequently departed for his medical trip to Germany refusing to address any of the issues I privately wanted to conclude with him outside of third parties.
• I subsequently travelled to Dubai, and took custody of the said property. Once I did that, on 18 September 2021, His Excellency sent me a text and I quote: “I hear you have moved to Dubai to take over the house. I am still in Germany for my medicals. Make sure all my properties including (redacted) are intact so I can collect all my properties. I wish you well’.
• I responded to him: “ Excellency, I am left with no other option as we need to get on with our lives amicably. I hope your medicals are coming up good. I wish you well too’.
• On 19th September, 2021 in response to his text that I am not being amicable and I quote ”Good morning, with due respect, Excellency, I told you on Saturday before you left for Germany, that I was going back to UK, take [our son] back for his test, then come to Dubai. I reiterated that day the need for an amicable resolution. I maintain that stance and remain at your service Your Excellency’.
• Further on Tuesday, 21 September, 2021, I asked His Excellency in another text whether he wanted me to pack up his clothes and give them to Rahim (his driver) since the driver on his instructions was moving his cars. I also asked Excellency in that text whether he wanted me to have Rahim pack up his office. Then his Excellency sent me a text back and asked: ‘So it’s true you have sold the villa?’
• Subsequently, His Excellency sent the driver to take possession of all the cars.
The truth subsists with regard to the Dubai house. I will make no further comments on it because it is the subject of litigation filed by his Excellency against me.
I need to also put on record that if I wanted to take His Excellency assets, I would not have returned to him his property documents in Abuja and Jos and document, allowed the driver to collect his cars, gave up the house in Asokoro and Yola.
The last time I was in Nigeria I called to have the Asokoro and Yola documents delivered to him. It was never picked up and I still state that Excellency is free to send someone to have the documents picked up anytime he deems fit.

Nnamdi Kanu Surrenders, Asks IPOB Supporters To Embrace Peace

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2022

The Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has surrendered and called on the members of IPOB to embrace peace by availing themselves in the ongoing peacemaking process.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, revealed the latest Kanu’s stand against the background of his IPOB violent activities in the Southeast. The Counsel spoke to newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital yesterday after a visit to Kanu last Thursday at the Department of State Security (DSS), detention facility in Abuja.
He quoted Kanu saying that the peace process is important because enemies have been trying to cause disharmony regarding the struggle for the actualization of Biafra.
Ejiofor said: “Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deeply appeals to UmuChineke to avail themselves of the peace initiative presently ongoing and not to be distracted anymore. He further implored all UMUCHINEKE to keep their eyes on the ball because enemies are struggling in vain to entrench disharmony.
“Onyendu reiterates that the ongoing interventions towards peaceful coexistence must be respected, encouraged and abided by. His call for unity among the entire UmuChineke at all levels, who believe in his peaceful message cannot be overemphasised.
“Further, Onyendu extends his warm regards to millions of his fans and followers who have equally remained consistently resolute and focused. He is convinced that the present situation will only last a while and he will emerge victoriously.
“He also used the opportunity to offer special prayers for me in commemoration of my birthday, as he believed most strongly that the future is crystal bright and holds many good tidings. Consistent with our usual request, we crave your relentless prayers and supplications to the Almighty Chukwuokike Abiama. It will surely end in Praises,” Ejiofor said.

Source: Vanguard.

CBN Disburses N23.2 Billion To 28 Beneficiaries Of New 100 For 100 Policy

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2022

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has formally launched the 100 for 100 policy on Production and Productivity (PPP), with the presentation of commemorative cheques worth N23.2 Billion to 28 beneficiaries, through seven Participating Financial Institutions.
Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries, which comprised 14 companies in the manufacturing sector, 12 in the agricultural sector, and two in the healthcare sector, at the Bank’s head office, Emefiele said that the 100 for 100 PPP was designed by the CBN to stimulate investments in Nigeria’s priority sectors with the core objective of boosting production and productivity.
He said that these will aid Nigeria’s efforts to stimulate greater growth of the economy and create employment opportunities.
According to him, the formal launch of the 100 for 100 policy for the Scheme’s developmental component underscored the critical roles in building new blocks for economic growth, improving production expansion, reducing reliance on imports and fostering growth on non-oil export, particularly as the country’s national growth was highly dependent on a strong and competitive businesses.
“Under the initiative, every hundred days, manufacturers in critical sectors that seek to engage in greenfield projects or in expanding their existing facilities will have access to cheaper forms of credit at single digit rates, as well as foreign exchange to procure plants and machineries.”
He said that the programme has the potential of significantly accelerating manufacturing output, promote further diversification of the economy and enable faster growth of Nigeria’s non-oil exports, Emefiele expressed confidence that the PPP will help to reduce the country’s over-reliance on imports, and stimulate productivity in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, extractive industries, logistics services, trade-related infrastructure and renewable energy.
He said that the scheme aimed at creating more than 20,000 jobs and expected to generate over US$125.80 million in foreign exchange earnings.
He explained that only 79 out of an initial 243 applications valued at N321.06 billion spread across key sectors of the economy, were submitted by the banks, out of which only 28 companies with projects that had clearly articulated proposals were eventually selected for funding valued at N23.20 billion.
Also speaking at the launch, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige lauded the CBN Governor for what he described as laudable initiatives, which he said aligned with the Federal Government’s goal of creating jobs and lifting people out of poverty.
He said that the Nigerian economy is yet to be fully diversified, even as he called for greater collaboration between the fiscal and monetary authorities, adding that such partnership is vital to ensuring economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Dr, Habiba Lawal said that the ingenious initiative is coming at a time the country is exploring means of economic diversification aimed at reversing its overdependence on importation as well as galvanizing local production of goods and services that would trigger employment generation, wealth creation and poverty eradication.
In their separate remarks, the President of the Manufactures’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Mansur Ahmed and the Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who doubles as the Chairman, Body of Bank Chief Executive Officers (CEOS), commended the initiative and pledged their readiness to collaborate with the CBN to ensure its success.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of symbolic cheques to the beneficiaries, through seven Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) – FCMB, Fidelity, Keystone, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank.

63-Year-Old Woman Delivers Baby Boy In Ekiti

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2022

A 63-year-old woman, Mrs. Temitope Ogundipe, has been delivered of a baby boy through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) at Olives Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

Ogundipe said yesterday, January 31 in Ado-Ekiti that she was full of joy because of the baby.

She said that faith in God and support from her husband kept her going after many years of childlessness.

According to her, she had tried to have a child for many years and had gone to many hospitals for solution to her childlessness, but all proved abortive.

“I have tried this IVF before now and it failed. It was a friend who introduced this particular hospital to me.

“I had to come all the way from Oyo State to Ekiti for the IVF,” she said.

She appreciated the Medical Director of Olives Specialist Hospital, Dr Adebayo Adeniyi, for his words of encouragement, calmness and support throughout the process of the IVF.

Ogundipe called on women looking for “this kind of precious gift” not to lose hope and said “if God can do it for me at the age of 63 years, He can also do it for them.”

She advised young women with problems of childlessness to seek help from specialists as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the medical director of the hospital has expressed happiness over the delivery of the baby, and ascribed the success to the Almighty God and the entire dedicated medical team.

“The hospital has recorded significant successes in IVF treatment within a short time.”

He appealed to government to subsidise IVF treatment and said infertility should be seen as a disease that deserved adequate attention like other chronic diseases through the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS) coverage.

“This will go a long way in assisting couples who are unable to access IVF because of the high cost,’’ he added.

Source: NAN.

I Could Have Achieved Much But For The Reasons Beyond My Control – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that his government could have achieved much for the country if it were not because of the reasons beyond his control.
He said however that despite the enormous problems inherited when he assumed office almost seven years ago, he can look back with satisfaction that his administration has kept faith with the people and has done well even amid dwindling resources.
President Buhari, who spoke last night at a dinner in honour of the 2022 Committee of Business, Political, Media and Civil Society Leaders, insisted that his government would have fared better “if we had secured the support of most of you that are here today, knowing that while government comes and goes, the country must remain and thrive.”
The President wished that the group had convened earlier, even as he advised them to try and accommodate a few more interests in their next meeting as they take a ”deeper dive into our national challenges and proffer workable and sustainable solutions for the near, medium, and long term.
“As we all know, I have been very critical of the Nigerian elites, essentially because some of us have not always demonstrated that we can rise above personal gain, political partisanship as well as ethnic and religious differences when the situation demands that we all speak and or act as one in the interest of our country.
”There are also many among our elites for whom profit remains the only motivation for any and every enterprise.
”But now, I feel heartened that a more collaborative social enterprise model for resolving our common challenges is being forged.
“I am delighted that members of the Nigerian elite have woken up to the fact that the task of changing this society is a task for all of us, whether we are in the private or public sector. Knowing that, we have enormous challenges as a nation, but they are not beyond our capacity to overcome if we embrace a new approach.
”I must commend this initiative and its conveners. This is the kind of spirit I have always advocated because it is what we need at this time as we seek to build our society for peace, security and prosperity through dialogue while narrowing the gap between rich and poor.
“We cannot retreat to our ethnic cocoons, nor can we continue to seek solace in our past. We must champion the idea of a Nigeria where every citizen would be proud to call their own. That is the charge before you.”
The President lauded the group for rising above all ethnic and religious divides for the common good, describing the feat as ‘‘fantastic’’.
Expressing delight on the new consciousness by the Nigerian elites to work together with the political class and civil society to build a better Nigeria, President Buhari noted that building consensus around issues of the economy, national security, governance and such other critical areas of national life is a sure path to the future we seek to build.
Buhari said that he is gradually entering his final year in office, saying: ” it is a period I intend to spend not only on consolidating on the achievements of the past seven years but also to leave a legacy for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.
”It is our desire to finish strong in the next 16 months and ensure all hands are on deck for the last lap. We are doubling our efforts against all forms of insecurity, equipping our armed forces and strengthening the police.
”We are determined to continue the war against corruption and fight poverty, we remain focused on building an all-inclusive economic opportunity for all citizens.”
President Buhari used the occasion to wish politicians, at the dinner, interested in elective positions in the 2023 polls the best, advising that ”there is nothing better than experience in leadership.”
The Convener of the Group and Chairman of THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena said with Nigeria facing a ”historic transition like no other”, and with crisis across Africa and at home, the 2022 Committee emerged to ”defend the national interest.”
”The 2022 Committee was put together to defend Nigeria in a time of crisis and in a time of transition, we must defend the national interest.’’
He said that membership of the group has been carefully selected from the business community, investors, governors, security sector and elder statesmen.

To Survive Distressed Economy, Embrace Saving Culture, Eagle Online Publisher Advises

Greenbarge Reporters

January 31, 2022

The Managing Editor/CEO of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online newspaper, Dotun Oladipo, has advised Nigerians to embrace saving culture as one of the strategic approaches to survive what he called “current distressed economy.”

Dotun, who spoke yesterday, January 30 at the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of a non-governmental organisation, Ikhwan Mutual Forum, in Lagos, emphasized cultivation of saving culture, no matter how small the amount, would impact positively on a family in the long run.

Dotun Oladipo, who is the immediate past President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), discussed the theme: “Surviving the challenges of Family Upkeep, Harsh Economy and Rising Cost of Living.”
He said that for every family to survive and thrive under the harsh economy, serious attention must always be paid to daily cost at homes and in the offices, with a view to whittling down expenses and maximise the benefits of every spending.
The media entrepreneur stressed that the country’s present economic situation did not permit only husband to belong to the working class, but it is more advisable that both couple are productively engaged and empowered.
He said that the family must be calculative in going about this, adding that aspiration for one of the couple to be self-employed was very key so as to really reap the benefits of the self-reliance.
For the couple to be calculative, The Eagle Online Publisher restated: “One of the two, (husband or wife) should be free, be self-employed to make more money.”
The publisher took a look at the effects of factors such as climate change and health challenges on socio-economic life and declared that the global financial system is not getting better.

He said that such should be the reason why the heads of families should be self-disciplined in thought and prudent in spending.
The media practitioner said that individuals must be realistic and disciplined in their finances, adding that nobody could be too big than his source of income.
Dotun Oladipo said that to forge ahead in this hard time, Nigerians should be creative, work out better alternatives, avoid imitating others blindly as well as not being wasteful.
This was even as an Assistant Director in the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abdul Razzak Misbahudeen, said that the state of the economy in the country called for families to be prudent in spending, focus on needs instead of wants, as well as prepare the family’s budget.
Alhaji MIsbahudeen advised members of the Ikhwan Mutual Forum to device collective efforts for individuals to cater for their needs.
Working on alternative sources of income that can take care of heavy expenses, he advised, is also a positive approach under the troubled economy.
He advised parents to encourage their wards to acquire vocational skills, side by side with the formal education, adding that the young ones should be trained to aspire to be job creators.
In attendance at the event, which featured the group’s first business session for the new year, were the Group Business Deputy Editor of The Nation newspaper and Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Taofik Salako; Tajudeen Balogun, Deputy Editor, The Eagle Online and the group’s Secretary; a Public Relations expert and part time-Lecturer at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Abdul Ganiyu Olowu; Alhaji Abdul Wasiu Yusuff, a school administrator; Abdul Wasiu Oyeniyi; Abdul Akeem Adeleke; Dhikrullahi Alimi; and private entrepreneurs among other members and participants.
Also in attendance was the wife of the Publisher of The Eagle Online, who is also the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited and CEO of Aya’ba Stores, Mrs. Taiwo Oladipo.

MTN Announces Loss Of 8 Million Subscribers In 2021

Editorial staff

January 30, 2022

Giant Telecommunication Firm, the MTN Nigeria has announced the loss of eight million subscribers last year, 2021. The number of subscribers declined from 76.5 million in 2020 to 68.5 million in 2021.

This is contained in the Firm’s audited report for the full year ended December 31, 2021, obtained from the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).

The report reveals that active data subscribers grew 5.3 per cent in the same period to 34.3 million active subscribers in 2021, from 32.6m in 2020.

In terms of revenue, the telecom giant recorded N1.65 trillion for the year ended 2021, compared to N1.34 trillion obtained in the previous year.

The firm’s voice revenue grew by 8.4 per cent to N971.44 billion in 2021, from N895.97 billion in 2020.

Similarly, the data revenue grew by 55.3 per cent to N516.14 billion, from N332.4 billion in 2020.

Its profit after taxation jumped 45.5 per cent to N298.65 billion in 2021, from N205.21billion in the corresponding period.

In the report, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola described MTN performance in the past year as ‘quite significant.

Toriola said: “We commemorated our 20th anniversary with a celebration of our customers and all the stakeholder relationships that enabled our journey. In addition, we made good progress towards our ambition 2025 objectives, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the business.

“During the year, our total contribution to the Government through direct and indirect taxes was N669.2bn, up 83.4 per cent, representing approximately 40 per cent of our total revenue. “We extended our interventions, in response to the challenges to our nation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a further N1.5 billion to the Coalition Against Covid-19 (can Ovid) in support of efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.”

Bauchi Governor To Atiku: Go And Rest And Allow Me To Contest 2023 Presidency

Editorial staff

January 30, 2022

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has asked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to go and rest and allow him to run for Presidency in the 2023 election as he is already old.

Governor Bala Mohammed, who spoke while receiving the report of a Contact and Consultation Committee headed by Senator Adamu Gumba, which he established for his presidential ambition said: “I told him (personally) that in this game, I know he’s the most senior, he’s very qualified but because of his age and fatigue that he has suffered so much for Nigeria, he should allow his younger brother to be his spare tyre not to take over just like that.

“But if Nigerians (still) prefer him, I will support him. I am not too desperate but he should know that Nigerians like me too. And whatever he wants, I will do it for him, so this is our agreement, he has the highest respect from me.

“There is no need for us to be greedy; of course, my presidency will not cause division.

“You can see that at the heat of the time, my elder brother, Malam Adamu was going round, we invited our elder statesman, the one that we respect so much, the Waziri Adamawa (Atiku Abubakar), we named a road after him.

“We invited him to Bauchi and we interacted with him.”

Bala Mohammed, who was once minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that Nigerians are disillusioned and in poverty, and that the selection process is one of the problems in the country.

“We have a lot of insecurity, we have a lot of poverty, people are disillusioned, governance has never been like before, even the centre is confused because our leadership recruitment is very poor. And today, for some of us that know, we have been trained in this job as federalists, we know the civil service, we know the bureaucracy, we know the institutions of the federal government and the states, we know the parliament, we know the politicians and the politics, so we should be given the opportunity.

“Reward system has never been so poor, politics is not the winner takes all. Even before we come in, we will make sure that there is complete redistribution of the national resources. There must be equitable distribution; nepotism should be done away with.

“We have so many positions other than the presidency which will make all the federating entities to be happy.

“All the presidential aspirants from all the sections of the country are eminently qualified, so we should be left to discuss with each other. At this moment, we should be most concerned with our unity and the economics of the country.

“It will not just be the group of Bala Mohammed, we will change the narrative, we will make sure we get the best and those people that that will be going back to their micro-constituencies to drop something. Not those kind of people we have today that are sitting in Abuja, we don’t see them. We have to change the governance, the selection, the distribution, the mannerism and the reward system, this is how we need to do it.

“I am happy that I see so many people joining the PDP because that is where the hope is. We should be able to come into politics with hindsight of mandate from the people.”

The governor said that he is aware that even in Bauchi, people are divided over his decision to run for the Presidency, adding: my elder brother, Bala Hadith had the courage to tell me that people of Bauchi don’t want me to go to the center and I appreciate him. This is because this is the opinion of Bauchi people which is the appreciation of what we are doing together. Bauchi can be better if I’m at the center.

“But, certainly, we have to manage the two together (Bauchi and the Presidential campaign). I told my younger brother and my colleague (deputy governor) that he should not be happy to send me forth so that he will take over the governorship. I will do the two together.

“One of my brothers, a formidable and astute politician, Matawalle Sokoto (Aminu Tambuwal) did it before, so we are going to also test it. And I will not give (the governorship seat) to hold forth, such a big man, he will not give me back when I come back, but if he will give me, I will give it to him.

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