Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper has shown that the Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has abruptly disengaged 230 civil servants in the service of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for alleged abscondment. Sources said that over 85 percent of those that have been disengaged are senior medical personnel in the Health Management Board, serving in various hospitals and health facilities across the capital city. It was learnt that the disengaged civil servants have not received letters showing their new status and that their April salaries were abruptly stopped even before they got the news of their disengagement, only from social media platforms, where their names were listed. Some of those affected told our reporter that they could not believe that the civil service commission, with highly educated people would dabble into such a joke of the year. They said that the issue of abscondment by 230 civil servants is a coinage that would not fly, adding that they have been regularly attending their duties at work and have never received even a single letter of query or verbal query from either their immediate bosses or the civil service commission itself. “I don’t believe the civil service commission would play such a serious ignorant game against the known civil service rules in Nigeria,” one of them said. “I still believe that this is one of the fake news items coming from some lazy young people who just woke up from sleep this morning,” another civil servant who was affected quipped. Meanwhile, the leadership of some unions had asked their members who have been affected to remain calm. One of them sent an urgent message to members with the following words: “Good morning my Dear comrades. “It has come to our notice that the civil service commission just decided to disengage the following staff (list attached) from service without any reason. “We call on all affected members to remain calm. We will follow up the matter and get back to you before the end of the day .Thank you.”
Governors of Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi States, under the auspices of North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) have risen to find urgent solution to the return of Boko Haram Insurgency and other criminal activities to the region in full force. At its 11th meeting today, May 1, in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, the governors expressed concerns over renewed security challenges in the region. Addressing the Forum, the host, Governor Mai Mala Buni stressed the need for enhanced collaboration among member states, the Federal Government and security agencies to address the resurgence of Boko Haram activities effectively. “We must act swiftly to consolidate the gains we have achieved over the years. “It is essential for us to share our resolutions with security chiefs and relevant federal agencies to deepen our synergy and ensure a timely response to emerging threats.”
Governor Mai Mala Buni expressed confidence in the Forum’s ability to review past resolutions, assess progress and devise workable alternatives to achieve set objectives. The Governor acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice of security personnel and local vigilante groups. The Governor stressed the importance of maintaining the progress achieved in peace, security, and socio-economic development across the region. He emphasized the need for the states in the region to reduce dependence on federal allocations by unlocking the region’s economic potential. “With our rich arable lands and vast population, we must prioritize agriculture to ensure food security and create employment opportunities for our youth. Making agriculture attractive and profitable through mechanization and adequate inputs is our moral obligation as leaders.” Governor Mai Mala Buni commend President Bola Tinubu for his dedication and unwavering commitment to leading the nation through these difficult times. “His policies and programs are crucial for building a strong, united, peaceful, and economically prosperous Nigeria.” The chairman of the Forum and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, assured that the Forum would continue to support security agencies in addressing the security threats. He called on the citizens to embrace agriculture while adhering to NIMET’s warnings against flooding. The Forum reiterated its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and finding sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the North East region.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched what it called “comprehensive investigation” into N100 billion released by the Federal Government for disbursement as student loans under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). In a statement today, May 1, the anti corruption agency said that the investigation is prompted by recent media report alleging that no fewer than 51 tertiary institutions were implicated in illegal deductions and exploitation related to the NELFUND scheme. It said that the institutions were alleged to have made unauthorized deductions ranging from N3,500 to N30,000 from each student’s institutional fees received through the loan fund. The statement by the ICPC spokesman, Demola Bakare said that preliminary findings revealed a significant gap in the financial records of the disbursement process.
“While the Federal Government reportedly released N100 billion for the scheme, only N28.8 billion was disbursed to students, leaving an unaccounted sum of N71.2 billion. “The Commission confirmed that its Chairman’s Special Task Force immediately swung into action upon receiving the report. “Letters of investigation and invitations were dispatched to key stakeholders, including the Director General of the Budget Office, the Accountant General of the Federation, and senior officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria.” The statement said that the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of NELFUND were invited to provide documentation and explanations relevant to the case. According to the Commission, the responses received were critically analyzed, and interviews were conducted with the concerned individuals. According to the ICPC, its strength of investigation revealed that the total money received by NELFUND as of March 19, 2024, was N203.8 billion. “The breakdown showed that N10 Billion was an allocation from the Federation Allocation Account Committee, N50 billion was from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, N71.9B was from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, while another N71.9 billion was also from the same Tertiary Education Trust Fund.” ICPC, however, found that the total amount disbursed to institutions from inception to date is about N44,200,933,649.00, while a total of 299 institutions have benefited from the funds released. To date, the total amount disbursed to 299 beneficiary institutions stands at approximately N44.2 billion, with 293,178 students having benefited from the fund. The ICPC confirmed that a clear case of discrepancies has been established in the administration of the student loan scheme and announced that its investigation will now extend to beneficiary institutions and individual student recipients.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman has given assurance of the efforts being made by his commission to develop resilient and sustainable financial models as a way of addressing the rising cost of performing annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia. He said: “The Hajj industry faces increasing pressures, from fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising service costs to evolving regulatory landscapes. These challenges have made the pilgrimage increasingly expensive for our Nigerian brothers and sisters. “Therefore, developing resilient and sustainable financial models is no longer an option but a necessity to guarantee affordability, efficiency and integrity in Hajj operations.” Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, who spoke today, April 30, at the second national stakeholders Summit of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah industry in Abuja, said that the Commission had embraced all the responsibilities and challenges with courage and commitment. “I am pleased to report a significant milestone in our sustainability drive: the successful on-boarding of three additional partner banks into the Hajj Savings Scheme – Alternative Bank, TAJ Bank, and Lotus Bank. “This expansion is not just symbolic—it is strategic. These institutions bring with them innovative, ethical, and non-interest financial solutions tailored to the needs of intending pilgrims. “Their inclusion reinforce our Hajj Savings Scheme, giving more Nigerians the opportunity to plan their pilgrimage with convenience, foresight, and financial discipline. “With these banks now on board, we are widening the reach of the Hajj Savings Scheme, promoting financial inclusion, and laying a strong foundation for a sustainable Hajj financing model.” NAHCON boss expressed confidence that the stakeholders summit would provide practical administrative and operational frameworks for Hajj financing in Nigeria. “Looking ahead, NAHCON, in its role as the regulator of Hajj affairs in Nigeria and the Hajj mission for our pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is fully prepared for the 2025 Hajj operations. “The Federal Government of Nigeria has licensed four airlines for the airlift of over 40,000 pilgrims, excluding more than 14,000 traveling with tour operators. “The inaugural flight is scheduled for May 9th, 2025, and with the grace of Allah (in sha Allah), we anticipate seamless operations. “We are united in our commitment to provide effective and efficient services to the respected guests of Allah (DUYUFUR-Rahman), thereby reinforcing the renewed hope for Nigerian pilgrims. “I assure all major stakeholders that NAHCON, under my leadership, is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships, collaborations and teamwork to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj operations.”
Additional eleven new private universities have been approved with the nation’s education minister, Dr. Maruf Alausa presenting provisional licences to them today, April 30. These bring to 159, the number of private universities in the country. The new universities are City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi, FCT, Abuja; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annex and Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State. Others are Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State; Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo State; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State. Dr. Maruf Alausa, while presentating the licenses to representatives of the new universities, said that a true university should be a hub for education, talent development and innovation. He said that such University needs to be supported by competent staff and modern facilities, and prioritizing research and extending beyond local boundaries to global relevance. He advised private universities to lead in academic excellence and align with national goals in STEM and technical education to address the shortage of skilled professionals in key sectors like healthcare and engineering. He also called for collaboration among universities, both locally and internationally, to enhance resources, credibility and programme diversity. He encouraged them to be bold, visionary, and proactive in transforming Nigeria’s higher education. “We are therefore charging all private universities, especially the new entrants here today, to align with our national priorities of expansive STEM education. “In addition to STEM, we do have science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and education sciences, as well as our technical and vocational education and training agenda. “These are the pillars upon which Nigeria will build its future workforce and industrial competitiveness. And the issue is the urgency of skilled professions in areas such as nursing, pharmacy, doctors, physical therapists, and competent engineers. We are more than enough social science graduates, with due respect, but we have to be realistic here. “What Nigeria needs now are programme solvers, graduates with life skills that can power industries, build infrastructures, and improve the lives of engineers. Furthermore, the future of higher education is collaborative. “I challenge private universities to form strategic alliances among themselves, share best practices, and even consider majors where feasible. “These partnerships can help pool resources, expand programme offerings, and enhance academic credibility. Beyond local collaboration, we also encourage you to forge affiliations with reputable foreign universities. “I have travelled widely across the globe and know that Nigeria is an attractive destination for transnational education.” This was even as the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad described the event as a significant progress in improving access to tertiary education. He called on them to uphold academic integrity. “These represent a significant extension of our universities’ carrying capacities and promote healthy competition and the development of Nigeria.” Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, congratulated the promoters of the new universities for the establishment of the institutions. He said that private universities play a vital role in complementing the existing ones, and that the process of establishment has evolved, with 159 private universities now in existence, including the newly approved ones. He said that the Commission recognizes the significance of private universities in enhancing access to tertiary education, noting that the provisional license is granted for three years, after which a substantive license will be issued. He advised the universities to deploy the necessary resources for their commencement and encouraged them to find effective ways of implementing the CCMASS. Ribadu charged them to adhere to NUC regulations, adding that each of the new universities has been attached to an already established institution for mentorship. Also speaking, JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, advised the institutions to exercise integrity and sincerity, not imposing religious beliefs on candidates.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially confirmed that the results for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will begin to be released from today, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The examination, which was held from April 18 to April 28, 2025, saw thousands of candidates across Nigeria participating in the computer-based tests, seeking admission into various higher institutions in the country. In a statement issued by JAMB, candidates are advised to check their results via SMS and later on the board’s official result-checking portal. The examination body advised all candidates to remain calm and await official communication through their registered phone numbers. How to Check Your 2025 UTME Result: Via SMS: Send “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number used for registration. Ensure you have at least ₦50 airtime on your phone. JAMB also reminded candidates that result checking is free via the official channels and warned against using third-party websites to avoid falling victim to scams. As the result date approaches, candidates are encouraged to stay informed through JAMB’s official channels to avoid misinformation.
The chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Alikoa Dangote has said that the company generated over 75,000 jobs for Nigerians in its value chains. This is even as the company increased its turnover by 51 per cent to N665.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024. This is against the corresponding figure of N441.5 billion recorded for the 2023 financial year. Aliko Dangote, who was represented at the 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company by Mrs. Bennedikter Molokwu, said that the company’s performance in 2024 was impacted by various macro-economic challenges, but that despite that, the future of the company is very bright. Dangote said that the company’s outlook for 2025 and beyond is to build a sustainable business, target the production of 1.5 million metric tonnes of refined sugar annually and at the same time. Shareholders at the AGM applauded the Board and management of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc for maintaining its leadership in the Nigerian sugar industry, despite prevailing economic challenges. The shareholders acknowledged Dangote Sugar as one of the largest sugar refineries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the leading player in Nigeria’s sugar sector. This position is underpinned by a combined installed refining capacity of 1.49 million tonnes per annum. President of the Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders, Dr. Farouk Umar, commended the company’s performance in its 2024 report. He said that despite numerous economic hurdles, the company has remained on a solid growth trajectory. “Our turnover of N665.6 billion represents a 51% increase compared to N441.5 billion in the same period in 2023. Earnings per share rose from N6 to N15.80. In the current economic climate, many companies are struggling to grow revenues or maintain profitability. We must commend the Board for their efforts in expanding operations and increasing shareholder value. Alhaji Dangote has pledged that the company will make Nigeria self-sufficient in sugar production,” he said. President of the De-Impressive Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, Pastor Olagoke Samson Olusegun, praised the Chairman, Aliko Dangote, and the executive team for steering the company to higher levels of success. Also speaking, the Chairman of the Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria (TSAN), Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar, acknowledged the economic difficulties facing businesses in Nigeria. He described Dangote Sugar’s performance as commendable and expressed shareholders’ confidence in continued profits and dividends. Another shareholder, Mr. Patrick Ajudua, attributed the company’s sustained success to its adaptability and ability to weather economic headwinds. He said that Dangote Sugar has come of age and is poised for even greater achievements. Several shareholders also lauded the company’s impact on broader society through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which they said have benefited not only shareholders but Nigerians at large. Group Managing Director/CEO of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Ravindra Singh Singhvi, reiterated the company’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production for Nigeria, with a target of producing 700,000 tonnes of sugar locally within the next five years. Executive Director, Hajiya Mariya Dangote noted that the company is expanding its Backward Integration Projects (BIPs) and commissioning a new power plant, among other projects, to enhance operational efficiency. In the Chairman’s statement contained in the Annual Report & Accounts, Aliko Dangote stated that the company remained focused on its strategic initiatives during the year, despite persistent volatility and external pressures. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards of corporate governance.
Suspended senator representing Kogi Central , Natasha Akpoti -Uduaghan decided to bring herself to sordid spotlight again by hurling into public space an asinine piece entitled “Satirical Apology Letter” and addressed to Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate.
In the ill-advised and inelegant piece of insolence against the Nation and its institution, Natasha attempts to wax intellectual by introducing the concept of satire into the uncouth letter . It is obvious that she has almost no knowledge of the concept and its import. Satire implies criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way in order to make a political point. And so in this piece of absurdity , who is she criticizing or which idea is her target of intention. The vile piece is nothing more than serialized lies and calculated deception.
The so-called apology letter is a burlesque, a parody and not a satire as she ignorantly claims. Burlesque is an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something especially in a literary or dramatic work. It is a device in communication which fits her skewed thinking in this circumstance. Unfortunately in her hysteria and swashbuckling, she does not pay attention to learning.
The above framework fits what Natasha has been doing these past few months. She has proven herself a poor drama queen who is very poor at interpreting scripts yet presents the public with absurd dramatic optics with the intent to manipulate them. Her works so far have remained bland and unconvincing despite her concerted efforts. Her theatrical outputs are tasteless, insipid and vacuous of any mental deposit.
It is sad that even though they credit her as being a lawyer, no action of hers reflects that any learning from that noble discipline was acquired by her even inadvertently. She is lawless, undisciplined, unbridled in her tongue and bereft of logical reasoning. Her public conduct flies ethics and moral values in the face. So what type of lawyer is she ? Pity!
If she were a lawyer, she would have been familiar with the law of evidence. She would also have known that he who alleges must prove . But Natasha has continued to dish out random narratives that are far-fetched in evidence and even logic. Sometimes the storylines are so childish that people are forced to see her actions as that of an “agbaya”; a Yoruba usage loosely referred to an old person who acts childishly with not much sense. And to know that this person was a member of the highest legislative body in the land until her suspension puts this nation on a questionable threshold in the leadership recruitment process.
In her malevolent, malicious and deceptive letter which is replete with pun, Natasha proves that she had a chequered upbringing that was far from decent and the manifestations are what she is grappling with. Her petulant nature , her ease with fabrication of lies, the consistent introduction of new allegations like “private dinner behind closed doors” and her use of lewd puns like “erection” for “election” summarize her as debased and lacking in moral values.
In her over- bloated, ego she calls herself a stubborn woman. Is it a virtue? Even though she is likely to claim that, the stubbornness is about her strength of character, she knows that she is economical with the truth if she nurses such an assumption. Her past records are in clear dissonance with such assumptions and so would not support such claims. And let no one talk about change or repentance. It is easy to spot those cut for repentance when one sees them. She does not bear any such value.
She signs off her inane letter with “Yours in eternal resistance”. Interesting. It is obvious that she is yielding to populism rather than sense and playing to the gallery. May I kindly remind her of an adage which submits that “a dog that is destined to get missing will never hear the hunter’s whistle”. Before she construes this as a threat to abduct her, this adage refers solely to her political career which she is railroading to destruction because of untamed conduct and bloated ego.
The last lines, “Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken tell the story of a young woman who lives in delusional cravings and fabricates false narratives as a habit to satiate whatever is hounding or haunting her.
In this interview in Abuja on Saturday 26th April 2025, Mr. Abdullahi Usman, signatory to the Consent Letter which El-Tahdam Exploration Limited presented to the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) for license says he has no authority to sign the document. He narrates how the Chairman, Yauri Emirate Mining Committee, Mr. Abdullahi Mai Akwai, summoned and misled him to sign the Consent Letter. He commended the Emirate Council for prompt investigation and disciplinary action taken to restore dignity of the community, while warning operating companies to obtain documents through authorized channels. Usman, who was suspended while investigations progressed, thanked the emirate authorities for diligently investigating the issue and restoring his office upon discovering that he was misled to sign the controversial document. Usman, a native of Libata, Yauri Emirate, preferred to respond to questions in Hausa language. The information he transmitted was then translated into English and adopted by him. He spoke to Francis Kadiri in Abuja, on Saturday. Excerpts. You are in the eye of the storm for signing a Consent Letter which a mining company (El-Tahdam Exploration Limited) presented to MCO for license, claiming it obtained the consent document from Libata Community. What is your role in this controversy?
I want to begin that I am a devout Muslim, and this means that I do my best to live according to the injunctions of Almighty Allah as contained in the Holy Quran. Although I am secretary to the Village Head of Libata Community, I carry out instructions of the Village Head which he sometimes delegates through some members of his council or through whoever he deems fit.
As Secretary to the Village Head, do you have authority to sign Consent Letters?
No, I do not have the power to do so.
Who has authority to sign Consent Letters?
Only land owners have the power and authority to sign while traditional rulers sign as witnesses.
So, why did you sign the Consent Letter that suggests that Libata Community granted consent to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited?
That is what I was trying to explain to you.
In Libata, we have a leader, he is the Village Head, but there are also some senior officials through whom the Village Head may give instructions. The Chairman of the Mining Committee of Yauri Emirate is among the senior officials through whom the Emir can delegate responsibility or pass a message. The official is the chairman of Yauri Emirate Mining Committee. So, on that fateful day, I was summoned alongside some other people by the Chairman of the Mining Committee. We went to meet him. He told us that there is an instruction from above to sign a Consent Letter, and also to append a date. As expected, I am a loyal staff of the emirate and I had no reason to doubt him. So, we all signed the document. While signing the document, we were instructed to backdate it, and we did because we believed that the instruction was handed down from above. Trouble started after some days, and we were summoned to Birnin Kebbi. When we got to Birnin Kebbi, a government official alongside Members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly questioned us as part of their investigations, and challenged our authority to sign Consent Letter. The official made it clear to us that the land in respect of which we signed Consent Letter had been granted to a mining company known as Three Crown Mines Limited. He told us that we acted on behalf of the community, and that we have no authority to do so because we are not the owners of the land, and that nobody instructed or authorized the Mining Committee Chairman to ask us to sign the Consent Letter. In all sincerity, I am not a landowner, therefore I cannot give land. I can only give what I have. The land in question is not a community land, it belongs to individuals.
We explained to him that we were only being loyal to constituted authority, and that we believed that we were protecting the interest of the emirate. To cut the story short, we were all suspended, including the Chairman of the Mining Committee of Yauri Emirate, and then investigations commenced.
Was your name on the Consent Letter you signed?
Yes, my name was on it.
Do you by any means have any prior knowledge that your name will be on the letter?
Not at all! I was surprised to find that my name was on it. Moreso, I had thought that the Consent Letter referred to a different land.
What was the outcome of the investigation?
The investigations established that everything was planned and executed by the Chairman of Yauri Emirate Mining Committee without the knowledge of the emirate. He was the one who summoned me to sign the Consent Letter. Although all those involved were initially suspended, but those who were found innocent were restored to their positions after the investigations.
Are you aware that the document you signed was presented to a government office as part of requirements for a mineral licence?
Yes. However, it is clear that I was misled to fill and sign the consent form (as land owner) in favor of El-Thadam Exploration Limited, which the company used to apply for license as a result of which Exploration License N0. 45689 was granted to the company. The same consent agreement was also used to obtain Mining Lease. I became aware of this when another mining company, Three Crown Mines showed that they had been granted consent over the same land. And the Land Owners had earlier given its consent to Three Crown Mines Limited over the land, and endorsed by the community.
So, what are you doing to correct the error?
I am now aware that there was no order from above authorizing the Chairman of Mining Committee to instruct me to sign the Consent Letter. I took some steps to inform relevant stakeholders including the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) that the Consent Letter in pocession of El-Thadam should be disregarded because it was signed by an authorized person. I wrote a letter dated 13th August 2024 to the MCO detailing the true position of things. So, in order to set the record straight, I have sworn an affidavit stating how I was misled by a superior official and I want the public to be aware of this.
I made it clear in the affidavit that it is necessary to set the record straight regarding the consent which I was misled to sign. This information is verifiable even from the suspended Chairman of the Mining Committee. I am sure that he will admit that I acted on his instruction without knowing that he was not authorized to instruct me.
How do you feel about the face off between two mining investors?
I am not happy that there is disagreement between Three Crown mining and El-Thadam Exploration Limited, and I believe that truth will lead to justice. This is why I have recounted all I know about he issue. I have also been part of the efforts of the Yauri Emirate Council to resolve the case amicably even though the case was in court. In respect of theses efforts, I am in Abuja alongside some other stakeholders to provide genuine information on the issues that led to the issuance of the Consent Letter toward amicable resolution of the issue. The Committee Chairman will agree that those facts were grossly misrepresented. I stated in the affidavit I swore that I was given the impression that the land in respect of which my consent was sought and obtained, was different from the actual one.
Who are the stakeholders and how have you sensitized them?
I have with me copies of the affidavit of facts that I swore to, at the Federal High Court in Kebbi. Together with the some stakeholders from Yauri emirate, we have delivered the document to the stakeholders. They include the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MoSMD); The Director General, Mining Cadsatre Office (MCO); the Inspector General of Police (IGP); the Director General, Department of State Security Service (DSS); The Commandant, Mining Marshalls at the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp; the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). In addition to efforts made at the federal level, I also made efforts at the state level alongside stakeholders including the Yauri Emirate Council. I delivered the same document to the office of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State; the Speaker, Kebbi State house of Assembly; the Hon Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State; Federal Mines Officer, Kebbi State; Mines Environmental Compliance (MEC) Office in Kebbi State; DSS, Kebbi State; Civil Defence, Kebbi State; and the Kebbi State Ministry of Mines. So, those are some of the efforts I have made together with stakeholders to correct the anomaly, to build peace and harmony and ensure economic development of Yauri emirate.
Information making the rounds has it that France has received a go-ahead from President Bola Tinubu to establish a French military base in Nigeria as part of efforts to enhance military cooperation between the two nations. According to Huhuonline.com, three Aso Rock sources, who preferred anonymity, because of the highly classified and sensitive nature of the issue, confirmed that the French military base will be established in the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under the guise of a language academy to teach French to Nigerian military personnel. The sources said that President Tinubu, who had been under pressure from French President, Emmanuel Macron, finally assented to the deal during his latest visit to Paris, France, early this month. Asked why President Tinubu would prefer to disguise such a project with significant strategic and security implications for Nigerian sovereignty and national security, one of the sources said that the President is anticipating a huge backlash and strong opposition from the National Assembly, but added with a taint of sarcasm that Tinubu will eventually get his way, saying: “this is Nigeria and nothing no pass arrangement.” The sources explained that the French military base will be sold to the Nigeria public as an initiative that is built upon previous collaborations, such as the inauguration of a similar French language laboratory at the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, in January 2024. The emphasis on French language training is strategic, considering Nigeria’s position in West Africa, surrounded by Francophone countries, which are becoming increasingly hostile and belligerent towards their former colonial master, France. The source further explained that Tinubu will make the case to lawmakers that, enhancing French language proficiency among Nigerian military personnel is a means to improve interoperability with the armed forces of neighboring French speaking states; as well as strengthen integration within regional and international organizations where French is an official language. The Kaduna laboratory, financed by the French Directorate for Cooperation in Security and Defense (DCSD), aims to provide language training for Nigerian military personnel. The facility was inaugurated by the French Defense Attaché, Colonel G. Dujon, and his deputy, Lieutenant-Colonel R. Chauvancy, in the presence of Major General JO Ochai of the NDA. But the Aso Rock sources explained that unlike the Kaduna academy which focuses solely of teaching French to Nigerian military personnel, the language training initiative of the Abuja academy will complement broader security and defense cooperation between France and Nigeria, which includes support for Nigeria’s army, navy, and police forces. The cooperation focuses on areas such as maritime security, internal security, and civil protection, aiming to bolster Nigeria’s capabilities in these domains, according to a statement on the website of the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. “The proposed language academy in Abuja represents a continued commitment to strengthening military ties and enhancing the operational capabilities of Nigerian forces through improved communication and collaboration with Francophone partners,” the statement noted. Huhuonline.com however gathered that the planned language academy will be a major outpost of the new French Africa Command (CDT Africa) created by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in April last year. The CDT Africa, headquartered in Paris is led by Brigadier General Pascal Ianni, former press attaché of the Chief of the General Staff of the French Armed Forces. This new command structure, attached to the Joint Operations Staff, is responsible for “the preparation and conduct of joint operations or operational engagements in all environments and in material or immaterial domains,” focusing on Africa. The CDT Africa will oversee all French military bases in African countries, subordinating them to the planned French military base cum language academy in Abuja. This comes despite President Macron’s earlier intentions to reduce the French military presence in Africa. Huhuonline.com checks reveal that at a recent parliamentary hearing, French Army Chief of Staff, General Thierry Burckhardt said that reducing the military presence in Africa would compromise France’s ability to gather intelligence and exert influence in information warfare, as well as undermine its ability to rapidly deploy military power, if and when necessary. Burckhardt suggested increasing the civilian component of France’s presence to make its military footprint less visible, given the increasing hostility of former French colonies to French soldiers and military bases in their countries. To which end, France is considering decreasing French military personnel in Gabon from 350 to 100; Côte d’Ivoire from 600 to 150. In Chad, the number will drop from 800 to 300. However, the reductions do not extend to the bases themselves, nor to the naval, air, and special forces installations in these countries. France also maintains a significant military presence in the Indian Ocean, including bases in Djibouti, Mayotte, Réunion, and Mauritius. French media reports indicate that the newly created Africa Command will focus on providing military and intelligence support to local partners fighting rebel groups. In early 2024, France increased financial assistance to many of its former colonies, including Cameroon, Togo, Benin, the Central African Republic (CAR), Congo (Brazzaville), and Equatorial Guinea. This assistance is provided de jure or de facto free of charge. France already supports the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in its fight against Boko Haram through intelligence and operational cooperation, working from N’Djamena. France is also part of the International Support Group for Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery & Resilience of the African Union and the Chad Basin Commission. Many experts believe Paris is strengthening its ties with Abuja as leverage as it recovers from the shock of recent events in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, whose leaders have expelled French soldiers from the countries and dismantled French military bases. These experts fear that France will try to leverage its relationship with Nigeria to destabilize the West African sub-region as it is already being accused of arming and backing terrorist groups to destabilize countries that seek to break away from French hegemony. Nigeria is France’s leading trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, and the 4th largest in Africa, behind Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. In 2024, Nigeria accounted for 20% of France’s trade with sub-Saharan Africa, amounting to €3.53 billion. France has a bilateral trade deficit of €2.3 billion. In 2024, French exports to Nigeria rose steeply, from €528 million to €611 million, or a 16% rise, in the first year of rising French sales to Nigeria in 9 years. Manufactured products represent almost the totality of France’s exports to Nigeria, with agrifood products being the leading export at around 30%. France is Nigeria’s 9th-largest supplier, between Germany and Brazil. Petroleum products represent 95% of French imports from Nigeria. France’s foreign direct investment stock in the country, which stood at €7.2 billion in 2021, is ahead of that of the United Kingdom and the United States.
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Governor Mai Mala Buni expressed confidence in the Forum’s ability to review past resolutions, assess progress and devise workable alternatives to achieve set objectives.
Natasha’s Puerile Apology Letter, By Gbenga Oshinowo
Suspended senator representing Kogi Central , Natasha Akpoti -Uduaghan decided to bring herself to sordid spotlight again by hurling into public space an asinine piece entitled “Satirical Apology Letter” and addressed to Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate.
In the ill-advised and inelegant piece of insolence against the Nation and its institution, Natasha attempts to wax intellectual by introducing the concept of satire into the uncouth letter . It is obvious that she has almost no knowledge of the concept and its import. Satire implies criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way in order to make a political point. And so in this piece of absurdity , who is she criticizing or which idea is her target of intention. The vile piece is nothing more than serialized lies and calculated deception.
The so-called apology letter is a burlesque, a parody and not a satire as she ignorantly claims. Burlesque is an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something especially in a literary or dramatic work. It is a device in communication which fits her skewed thinking in this circumstance. Unfortunately in her hysteria and swashbuckling, she does not pay attention to learning.
The above framework fits what Natasha has been doing these past few months. She has proven herself a poor drama queen who is very poor at interpreting scripts yet presents the public with absurd dramatic optics with the intent to manipulate them. Her works so far have remained bland and unconvincing despite her concerted efforts. Her theatrical outputs are tasteless, insipid and vacuous of any mental deposit.
It is sad that even though they credit her as being a lawyer, no action of hers reflects that any learning from that noble discipline was acquired by her even inadvertently. She is lawless, undisciplined, unbridled in her tongue and bereft of logical reasoning. Her public conduct flies ethics and moral values in the face. So what type of lawyer is she ? Pity!
If she were a lawyer, she would have been familiar with the law of evidence. She would also have known that he who alleges must prove . But Natasha has continued to dish out random narratives that are far-fetched in evidence and even logic. Sometimes the storylines are so childish that people are forced to see her actions as that of an “agbaya”; a Yoruba usage loosely referred to an old person who acts childishly with not much sense. And to know that this person was a member of the highest legislative body in the land until her suspension puts this nation on a questionable threshold in the leadership recruitment process.
In her malevolent, malicious and deceptive letter which is replete with pun, Natasha proves that she had a chequered upbringing that was far from decent and the manifestations are what she is grappling with. Her petulant nature , her ease with fabrication of lies, the consistent introduction of new allegations like “private dinner behind closed doors” and her use of lewd puns like “erection” for “election” summarize her as debased and lacking in moral values.
In her over- bloated, ego she calls herself a stubborn woman. Is it a virtue? Even though she is likely to claim that, the stubbornness is about her strength of character, she knows that she is economical with the truth if she nurses such an assumption. Her past records are in clear dissonance with such assumptions and so would not support such claims. And let no one talk about change or repentance. It is easy to spot those cut for repentance when one sees them. She does not bear any such value.
She signs off her inane letter with “Yours in eternal resistance”. Interesting. It is obvious that she is yielding to populism rather than sense and playing to the gallery. May I kindly remind her of an adage which submits that “a dog that is destined to get missing will never hear the hunter’s whistle”. Before she construes this as a threat to abduct her, this adage refers solely to her political career which she is railroading to destruction because of untamed conduct and bloated ego.
The last lines, “Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken tell the story of a young woman who lives in delusional cravings and fabricates false narratives as a habit to satiate whatever is hounding or haunting her.
Gbenga Oshinowo wrote in from Abuja.