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APC Forum addresses claims of Lopsided appointments by SGF from North-Central stakeholders

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The North-Central All Progressives Congress, or APC, Forum, has maintained that it based its accusations of unfair appointments against Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on grievances from North-Central zone stakeholders.

Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, provided the explanation on Tuesday in response to a statement by Terrence Kuanum, the SGF’s spokeswoman, characterizing the Forum’s accusations against Akume as untrue and deceptive.

In a statement signed by Zazzaga and issued following a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, the North-Central APC Forum accused Akume of giving preference to the Tiv people of Benue State in appointments made by the Office of the SGF.

Additionally, the Forum stated that the region is not seeing the effects of Akume’s tenure as SGF, which he claimed was allotted to the North-Central by the APC. The SGF was advised by the APC Forum to lead the zone and bring the whole North-Central region along in appointments.

Zazzaga threatened that if the SGF doesn’t alter his leadership style by bringing the whole North-Central along, the organization would organize demonstrations and agitation against him.

However, the North-Central APC Forum is being sponsored to target Akume and President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement issued Monday by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Public Affairs.

Although the SGF is not in charge of the President’s selections, the statement acknowledged that he has drawn numerous projects to the entire North-Central.

The statement added that Zazzaga had voiced the North-Central APC Forum’s pleasure with the SGF’s “purposeful take off of duties” since taking office during the North-Central APC’s third quarter meeting in Jos in 2023.

In a statement issued by Zazzaga during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the SGF of the North-Central APC Forum responded that the accusations of imbalanced appointments against Akume were based on grievances from APC stakeholders in the North-Central region.

The Zone A Peoples Assembly (ZAPA), a Benue organization, released a statement in August 2023 calling the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof. James Ayatse, to call the SGF to order over imbalanced appointments in favor of his Jemgbagh kinsmen of the Tiv ethnic group. The North-Central APC Forum cited this declaration.

Furthermore, Zazzaga pointed out that the SGF had strayed from the leadership style that caused the North-Central APC Forum to praise him in 2023.

“The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has been alerted to a statement entitled ‘SGF AKUME FOCUSED ON THE ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO HIM BY MR PRESIDENT, NOT DETERRED BY ACTS OF MISCHIEF MAKERS,'” which characterized claims of lopsided appointments against the SGF as misleading and untrue.

For the record, the North-Central APC Forum members aren’t troublemakers; we are legitimate APC members who genuinely care about the party and the nation. Our concerns regarding the SGF’s uneven and unbalanced appointment process were based on our observations, primarily on grievances from North-Central stakeholders.

It is documented that in August 2023, the Zone A Peoples Assembly (ZAPA), a group of Benue natives led by its president, Fannen Mondo, issued a statement requesting that His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof. James Ayatse, summon Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to rectify what it described as unequal appointments that favored the people of the Jemgbagh extraction of the Tiv nation in Benue State.

Additionally, the group criticized the appointment of Dr. Tyover Dajo, a member of the Akume Dajo family and a relative of the SGF, as Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune in the state’s Tarka Local Government Area (LGA). ZAPA claims that the SGF planned to replace Prof. Joseph Utsev, whom he had chosen as minister, with his cousin, Dr. Tyover Dajo, as Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune. At the moment, Prof. Joseph Utsev serves as the Water Resources Minister.

“We want to make it clear that Akume is not demonstrating good leadership and statecraft in the moves he is making in the recent past,” ZAPA stated in the statement, urging the Tor Tiv to call the SGF to order. It is now evident that he is purposefully focusing his allegiance solely on Jemgbagh, the little town from which he hails, rather than the greater Tiv race or even Benue State, where he is, in a sense, the highest official in the government.

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The SGF claimed that after praising him in 2023, we are now criticizing him. Should we remain silent if he modified his leadership style after we gave him a passmark in 2023? Are we not allowed to voice our opinions?

“Yes, we praised the SGF for his good leadership in 2023, but he later changed and began appointing only his own people, ignoring other North-Central residents.” As North-Central stakeholders, we cannot remain mute in the face of this aberration.

“We question, ‘Who then is making the recommendations for those appointments?’ since the SGF claims that Mr. President is the one making appointments.

They ought to disclose to us who suggested the Water Resources Minister, a relative of his wife. Appointments have even been made by the Water Resources Minister from the village where the SGF wife lives. Who suggested that the Chairman of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri’s Governing Council, the Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, the MD Shippers’ Council, and other individuals from his village be appointed?

Nigerians are being challenged to verify who is being appointed to posts in the numerous agencies that fall under the Ministry of Water Resources.

We don’t want to be too specific because the goal of our previous call was to get the SGF to adopt a new leadership style that would involve the entire North-Central zone. We want him to demonstrate leadership and bring the North-Central together.

“We are not supported by any organization or person, nor are we blackmailing him as his representatives asserted. We are merely expressing our worries as valid North-Central APC stakeholders.

However, if the SGF declines to lead our call, we will be forced to provide additional evidence to support our concerns. We will also stage protests to demand that he either resign from his current position on behalf of the North-Central or change his flawed leadership style; if he does not, we will demand his removal.

President Ramaphosa assumes G20 leadership, succeeding Brazil’s Lula

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Being the first African nation to serve as the head of this important alliance of the biggest economies in the world, South Africa has made history by assuming the G20 leadership.
During the G20 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday, the formal handover of leadership took place.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was formally sworn in as president by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and he pledged to prioritize Africa’s development needs and the Global South’s interests during his tenure.

“We will take advantage of this chance to raise the Global South’s and Africa’s development priorities in the G20 agenda,” Ramaphosa said.

He outlined three main goals for South Africa’s presidency: addressing issues of food security, promoting inclusive economic growth, and using innovation and artificial intelligence to advance sustainable development.

Ramaphosa stated that he intends to work toward greater global economic expansion while making sure that no one is left behind.

According to reports, South Africa is now the only African member of the G20, which is a group of the biggest economies in the world.

The African Union was admitted as a member of the forum in 2023, indicating a growing recognition of Africa’s role in global policymaking.

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Spain is a permanent visitor of the G20, which is made up of 19 nations plus the European Union. Prominent economies like the US, China, Germany, and India are among the member countries.

In addition to promoting industry, employment, and inequality reduction, South Africa, the first African nation to lead the G20, hopes to stimulate debate on important international issues.

“As South Africa, we commit to advancing the G20’s efforts to achieve sustainable development and higher global economic growth. We’ll do our best to make sure nobody gets left behind,” Ramaphosa said.

Nigeria now pre-profiles, monitors all border crossings – Tunji-Ojo

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All individuals entering or leaving the country are now pre-profiled and subject to real-time monitoring, according to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the information is synchronized from multiple airlines and security organizations worldwide.
He made this statement on Tuesday during the concluding ceremony of the second round of the international experts-led Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Knowledge Transfer Training on border management.

“The broad vision for a transformed Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) that addresses critical border security issues is now a reality,” he explained, referring to President Bola Tinubu.

“His deliberate investments in human capital development and infrastructure have started to greatly improve management and operations.”

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The President’s dedication to change and advancement was demonstrated by the technology improvement, according to the Interior Minister. He commended Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Comptroller-General of NIS, for her efforts.

“Everyone entering and leaving the nation is now pre-profiled and monitored in real-time from our recently constructed Command and Control Center, with data syncing concurrently from multiple airlines and security agencies worldwide.

“The advancements demonstrate President Tinubu’s dedication to reform and advancement, but they also open the door for creative thinking and teamwork to bring about significant change in Nigeria’s security environment.

“I am proud of the excellent work that the NIS team, led by Kemi Nanna Nandap, is doing in Africa regarding border governance, and the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President has truly ushered in a new era for Nigeria,” Tunji-Ojo continued.

In accordance with the Service’s mandate, 105 officers in all were trained and will be assigned to different border stations to carry out their duties.

Debate sparks as Ndume urges Senate to let Ifeanyi Ubah’s widow succeed him

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Ali Ndume, the legislator for Borno South, has been questioned by some Nigerians. He begged the Senate to permit the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to take his place as the representative for the Anambra South Senatorial District.
According to reports, Ndume maintained that it is essential to uphold Ubah’s goals and legacy via his family.
At Tuesday’s Valedictory session, which was held in memory of the late senator, Ndume made the request.

Ndume contended that this action would honor the late senator’s Senate contributions and guarantee continuity in his constituency’s representation, citing historical precedents.

Ndume’s proposal, however, drew criticism from Nigerians who questioned whether political positions are inherited or belong to families.

wrote: “I don’t understand…” @chimm_di replace him as per? His estate or a bequest from his family? This nation, Sev

@orefolayan wrote: “Is a Senate seat constitutional? Who is going to “succeed him”?

According to @kelvin_hartz, “A widow who ought to be m0urning her husband.”

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@adumaadand6 wrote: “So the Senate is now operating under a hereditary monarchical style of government? Does it need to be passed down as a family heirloom? What is happening in this country? Who thought she was qualified to make decisions for our nation? Do we currently use sentiments? What prevents her from going through the same procedure that the other senators did? Obtain a vote. Was it said that the people she wishes to represent said they wanted her? I have a lot of questions because this is something else.

According to @101fred, “Naija de turn family business small small.” These days, government jobs are inherited.

“You people in the North and soon Lagos are treating elected political positions as family inheritance, which is why El Rufai and others have their families and children in Federal Political offices,” @innocent stated. South East does not, however, condone such behavior. Keep your monarchical form of administration to yourself.

According to @augustine_vivian, “So politics in Nigeria has suddenly become family HERITAGE.”

“They are no longer bothered dishing it out in our faces; it’s a family business, so it’s not a matter of competence,” wrote @meyer7xx.

PDP official criticizes APC, compares them to bandits

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Michael Ogunsina, the acting publicity secretary for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, has said that the APC lacks the guts to approach Nigerians about holding another election.
Nigerians are eager to be free of the suffering caused by the APC in 2027, according to the PDP chieftain.
He asserts that the APC and bandits are the same in that they both bring grief and tears to their victims wherever they go.

In a statement released in Ibadan yesterday, Ogunsina made the declaration in reaction to assertions made by Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC, that the party will win the governorships of Oyo and Osun States after winning the election in Ondo State.

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But according to the PDP mainstay, Ganduje’s remarks are just wishful thinking, and Nigerians are fervently hoping they won’t encounter the APC again.

“There is no difference between the forest gangs known as bandits and the power band called APC,” he said. Both bring destruction, grief, and tears wherever they go.

The fact that our national grid is collapsing every hour as the APC leaders’ avarice for power and more power is growing is shocking and unfortunate. Where the APC and its government still find the bravery to address Nigerians about the election makes us tremble.

Telecoms struggle as revenue per user rops by 41%”

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The average revenue per user (ARPU) fell 40.87 percent to $1.85 in Q3 2024 from $3.12 in the same period the previous year, indicating a severe decline in the financial performance of Nigerian telecom businesses.

Given that telco revenues are still being squeezed by inflation and rising exchange rates, this fall emphasizes the negative effects of the weakening naira on the sector.

With an ARPU of $5.03 in Q1 2023, MTN Nigeria was the top-performing MTN Group company. However, in Q3 2024, its ARPU dropped to $2.09. From a $3 ARPU in 2023 to just $1.60 in the third quarter of 2024, Airtel Nigeria likewise saw a steep decline.

Airtel Nigeria reported a 46.87 percent loss in revenue to $755 million, while MTN’s service revenue increased by 33.6 percent in naira but saw a steep decline when converted to dollars. These declines have had an impact on the revenue growth of both firms.
Telcos have suffered significant foreign exchange losses as a result of the depreciating naira, which has been made worse by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s unification of the foreign exchange market in 2023. This has led to record-high inflation and increased operating expenses in Nigeria.

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Energy prices are skyrocketing—diesel prices have increased by 90%—and telecom companies’ finances are under increasing strain. In the first nine months of 2024, MTN’s operating costs increased by almost 96%, and Airtel has seen a comparable strain.
In response, both businesses have reduced their capital expenditures; MTN has done so by about 28%, while Airtel has done so by more than 36%. Telcos are investigating renewable energy sources and renegotiating agreements with tower providers to lessen their reliance on pricey diesel in an attempt to offset growing expenses.

Industry insiders caution that telecom companies might still experience financial difficulties if they don’t implement significant price increases or change their operational approaches. Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, stated that pricing is essential for survival, highlighting how urgent it is that the industry handle the mounting financial pressure.

Super Eagles’ defeat to Rwanda: Troost-Ekong takes accountability

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William Troost-Ekong, the captain, has taken ownership of the Super Eagles’ heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to the Amavubi of Rwanda in their last 2025 AFCON qualifying match on Monday, November 18.
At the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Nigerian team took the lead with a spectacular solo goal by Samuel Chukwueze, giving the Super Eagles a 1-0 lead.
But the situation drastically changed as the Nigerian squad struggled defensively and gave up two goals to the Rwandan team in rapid succession. The first goal was a well-executed free kick, and the second was the consequence of a defensive breakdown that gave the Rwandan attackers the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

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As a center-back throughout the match, Troost-Ekong expressed his profound dissatisfaction with the team’s defensive performance, feeling that he had fallen short in organizing and effectively leading the backline.

At the press conference following the game, he admitted, “Yes, you’re right, and I take responsibility.” Being the captain and the last man at the back, I am aware that we ought to have performed better. Our defense is weak today, and I have to make sure it is strong.

While his squad did show some skill and tenacity, he added, set pieces, like the free kicks that resulted in the goals, can be difficult for any team. Free kicks, like other set-piece situations, can cause problems for any side, and I believe that’s what happened today. Therefore, I accept responsibility,” he stated.

Wike Sanctions N70,000 Minimum Wage for FCTA Staff

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) employees now get a minimum wage of N70,000, as agreed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

The press secretary sent a statement to Anthony Odey, the head of the FCT Civil Service, on Tuesday that included this information.

It added that the improvement was made to alleviate the predicament of employees who work for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The statement ordered the Administration’s employees to receive the new National Minimum Wage of 75,000 naira immediately.

With effect from November 2024, the Minister also approved the payment of three months’ arrears to all Administration employees, according to the head of the civil service.

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The move was part of the Minister’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of the workers, the statement continued.

The gesture will further encourage the Administration’s entire personnel to support the Minister in carrying out President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Head of Service said.

Mrs. Adayilo expressed her gratitude to the Minister for consistently providing prompt approval for staff allowance payments.

Coalition blasts Obasanjo over criticism of Mahmud, call for his removal

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Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria, has been criticized by a coalition of civil society organizations, including The Transparency Network, Public Interest Initiative, Nigerian Justice League Initiative, and Foundation for True Democratic Governance and Freedom, for his recent demand that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other commission officials be fired.

Dr. Danladi Ceceko, the coalition’s spokesperson, said in a statement that Obasanjo’s own record of overseeing some of Nigeria’s most contentious elections means he has no moral authority to criticize Yakubu.

As part of the necessary electoral reforms in Nigeria, former President Obasanjo called for the removal of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and all other officials, according to a statement he made during a lecture at Yale University’s Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, Ceceko said.

Ceceko went on, “Obasanjo seems to think that Nigerians have forgotten the elections in 2023 and 2007, when his party’s nominees were proclaimed the winners in spite of claims that the elections were not held correctly. Should we tell the previous president that the person he fraudulently and controversially put in charge of the country in 2007 acknowledged corrupt practices and irregularities in the election at his inauguration?

“Is there any indictment more important than this?” he said further.

Because of his role in coup d’etats and electoral rigging during his presidency, the coalition harshly denounced former President Olusegun Obasanjo, calling him the “ultimate state captor.” They cited the elections in 2003 and 2007 as instances of his administration’s dubious electoral integrity.

The coalition referred to Obasanjo’s notorious claim that “even Jesus Christ can’t conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria,” calling him the “Father of do-or-die politics” and highlighting the absurdity of his recent remarks.

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Goodluck Jonathan, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Muhammadu Buhari, and Shehu Shagari were among the leaders that the alliance accused Obasanjo of sabotaging. They pointed out his open rupture of his membership card, his public repudiation of the party that helped him gain power in 1999, and his intolerance for criticism. They recalled his inability to look into the killings of political rivals, including Bola Ige, Marshall Harry, and Funso Williams.

“Obasanjo is the same person who planned the impeachment of incumbent governors with little legislative backing and tried to bribe lawmakers to obtain a third term,” the group said. Among other political moves, he attempted to arrest Ngige, the current governor of Anambra State. His current discussion on state capture and legitimate elections is dishonest.

The group also charged Obasanjo with rigging the outcomes of elections in the southwest to benefit the PDP, with the exception of Lagos, where Bola Tinubu’s political clout made it harder for him to do so. In order to influence legislative outcomes, they said he removed many Senate Presidents from the Southeast and engaged in dubious financial activities, turning the Nigerian Senate into a “laughing stock.”

“Obasanjo’s theatrics won’t influence Nigerians, who are fully aware of his past. The coalition said, “The faulty foundation he laid during his presidency is directly responsible for the current state of Nigeria.”

The fact that Obasanjo announced the election results while people were still casting their ballots was another reason they denounced him for his proactive involvement in institutionalizing corruption. During the general elections in 2023, they denounced his attempts to gather money for his presidential library and his cooperation with retired military leaders in order to take unlawful action.

No INEC chairman in Nigerian history, Ceceko emphasized, has worked as hard to reform the commission as Mahmood Yakubu has. He said, “Yakubu’s incorporation of technology into our nation’s election administration has been one of his greatest accomplishments.”

Ceceko also noted that INEC has adopted a number of reforms under Mahmood’s direction, such as easy-to-use portals for candidate nominations, the submission of polling agent lists by political parties, and the accreditation of both domestic and foreign media and observers.

In his lecture, which was pre-recorded and headlined “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” Obasanjo called the general election of 2023 a “travesty” and underlined that strengthening the country’s electoral system is a top priority.

The coalition emphasized how vital it is to thoroughly screen INEC’s commissioners and employees, since this is solely the duty of those in authority. In addition, the coalition emphasized that politicians such as President Olusegun Obasanjo are primarily responsible for appointing partisan individuals, and that if he had the nation’s best interests in mind, he would have fixed the anomaly rather than pointing the finger at Mahmud, who has no say in the question.

Obasanjo has no moral right to teach anyone, especially Nigerians, about leadership and administration, the coalition came to the conclusion. They were worried that he might now be organizing against INEC, undermining the significance of SIECS’s local government elections.

Obasanjo should consider his own legacy and ask for forgiveness for presiding over some of the most troublesome elections in Nigeria’s history, Ceceko advised.

Zakari Family Mourns Double Tragedy: Ex-NIA DG’s Son Dies Hours After Him

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Following the passing of Mubarak Zakari, the youngest son of the late Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari, the former Director-General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Zakari family has experienced two tragedies.
Hours after his father’s funeral, 34-year-old Mubarak died.

After serving as the Director-General of the NIA from 1995 to 1998 and as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in the early 1990s, Ambassador Zakari passed away in Abuja on Sunday morning at the age of 81.

The same day, his remains were taken to Katsina, his homeland, to be buried.

When Mubarak traveled to Katsina with his father’s remains, family members, and mourners, he seemed to be in good health, according to PRNigeria.

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According to family members cited by PRNigeria, Mubarak, who was very close to his father, was devastated by the loss’s emotional toll. Only a few hours after his father’s funeral, he died.

The family’s home in GRA, Katsina, hosted a funeral prayer for Mubarak on Monday.

The community and family are in sorrow as a result of the unexpected deaths, and many people are shocked by the course of events.

For his services to Nigeria’s diplomatic and intelligence endeavors, notably spearheading the nation’s counterterrorism campaigns under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ambassador Zakari was highly regarded.