Category: The Nation – Nigeria

At this season of Nigeria’s 65th independence celebrations, yours sincerely considered it sad to note that the refining of the country’s most precious endowment is creating a recurring but disruptive albatross to the growth and general economic wellbeing of the nation.

Days past, the purportedly resolved tango between Dangote Refinery and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers/ Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria – NUPENG/PENGASSAN by the federal government remains another sour spot in efforts to revive a corruption-induced near comatose petroleum industry.

Before forging ahead, yours sincerely considers making a necessary confession as a prelude to today’s piece: And this has to do with my not particularly being a big fan of Aliko Dangote because of the business tradition that capitalists like Aliko are ruthless money men that are always ready to decimate any seen or unseen obstacles on the paths to achieving their profiteering goals. Unimaginable wealth creation antics of investors like Alikos of this world could sometimes be system compromising. They, in pursuit of wealth, usually don’t accept ‘NO’ for an answer.

Notwithstanding, the foregoing would not detract from applauding the significance of investments of the Alikos of this country in creating gainful employment for millions of Nigerians – contributing to national development and growth in the process. Sadly, other immensely rich Nigerians keep their wealth in the banks, making fat interest earnings far from the prying eyes of the public.

Consequent upon this, there’s the need for a dispassionate scrutiny of the industrial tango between Aliko’s Dangote Refinery and NUPENG/PENGASSAN so that in a civil polity, a clear boundary, moving forward, can be set between a private growing concerns, labour union activism and national security cum interests.

What’s at issue is NUPENG-PENGASSAN’s nosy intrusion, under the guise of protecting members’ interests, in the way Aliko chooses to manage his $20 billion refinery business. It is quite possible that the accusation of unfair treatment of Nigerian workers at the expense of expatriate employees, particularly Indians, who are reportedly being paid fat wages, might have added to the industrial animosity against the refinery. The overzealous reaction of the trade union stands condemned. Let it sink at the moment that, until when Rabiu’s BUA petroleum refinery is fully completed and functional, and even after, every necessary governmental support must be accorded Aliko so as not to send a wrong signal to the world that this country can forsake her critical investors at their moments of needs.

Kudos to the government’s team led by Mr. Wale Edun, the Honourable Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, for reaching a seeming denouement on the impasse before it spiralled out of control. It is good to know that the sacked 800 staff of the refinery will be reabsorbed and redeployed to other investment projects of the Dangote Group.

But the key issue of what happens is that a trade union body tries to hold a huge investment such as the Dangote Refinery by the jugular while hiding under freedom of association guaranteed by the grundnorm and even the ILO Convention. It’s Aliko Dangote’s company today, but who knows whose company’s turn will be affected tomorrow.

PENGASSAN leadership acted, while its encounter with the refinery lasted, as if another name for unionism is lawlessly putting a nation under siege. Its leadership acted as if they were motivated by other interests other than that of the affected workers of the refinery.

It is evident that a clear line exists, and must continue to exist, between labour rights and national interests. However, going forward, the Federal Ministry of Labour must step up its advocacy efforts in this area. Such action is crucial not only to raise public awareness but also to prevent the kind of unnecessary panic caused by oil workers’ unions, who recently threatened a nationwide shutdown of petroleum and gas supply during their dispute with Dangote Refinery, despite lacking the authority to carry out such a threat.

Undoubtedly, workers have the right to organize, protest and strike as stated in the combined reading of section 40 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees the right to freedom of association, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98 of which Nigeria is a signatory, allowing voluntary workers will to join trade unions. But like every other inalienable rights, this right to associate with a trade union to protect employees’ rights and possibly embark on a strike action where necessary as a legitimate tool of collective bargaining, is not absolute.

There are constitutional proviso, including restrictions to protect public safety, order, health, morality, and national security. It should also be noted that the Trade Disputes Act lays down strict condition precedent that must be met before a strike can be lawfully embarked upon by a labour union. These include conciliation, arbitration, and reference to the National Industrial Court. It is doubtful that NUPENG-PENGASSAN ever fully explored these areas before putting the refinery, albeit the nation on avoidable siege with their strike.

The trade unions mischievously pretended to forget that petroleum and gas supply under the law are classified as essential services which they lacked the powers to disrupt because doing such is not only criminal but also inimical to national survival and an act of economic sabotage that can cripple the nation’s vital activities.

Even the International Labour Organization, despite guaranteeing the right to strike, equally accepts restrictions where services are ‘essential to the life, personal safety, or health of the population.’ This fully describes directly or incidentally what Dangote’s refinery does. The law governing essential services to protect national security is very handy for the government to deploy next time this happens.

PENGASSAN should be schooled on the reality that the country is no longer under military rule when the unions were effectively deployed to combat military dictatorship. At this point in time, the country is under a constitutional democracy premised on Professor A.V. Dicey’s well espoused doctrine of the rule of law. Thus, the rights and limitations of employers and employees exist and, in this particular instance, must be obeyed by the parties involved to halt any ugly tide of human and economic disruptions.

Can anyone deny the staring fact that we’re in this mess because in sixty-five years of being an independent entity, we as a nation have four government-owned refineries. But as of today, none of the refineries is working at anything near satisfactory? Yet, every budgetary season, we set aside money for turnaround maintenance, usually in hard currency, but nothing positive ever comes out of this waste of public funds.

Recently, the immediate past Managing Director/CEO of NNPCL, Mr. Mele Kyari, and some of his top executives were reportedly invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over misappropriation of money allocated for the Port Harcourt refinery. Nothing has come out of that invitation. Another sad thing is that some Nigerians employed to work in these refineries who are members of these trade unions collect salaries and allowances and were sent on training programs abroad for doing nothing.

Some of them have actually retired and paid gratuity and pensions for decades of unproductivity. This sorry state is being replicated in Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills and others where trillions of the nation’s hard earned money are daily wasted by unionised staff idling away. The oil cabal and allies masquerading as trade unions holding our petroleum industry hostage should look elsewhere, forthwith.

If a globally renowned capitalist, riding on our collective ineptitude and tomfoolery and having enjoyed scandalously discretionary forex rate approvals from the Federal Government, was able to successfully build one functional refinery with 650,000 bpd capacity, we should do everything to support him to make it work in our collective interests.

Yours sincerely believe our trade unions should, as a matter of necessity, be encouraged to discharge their duty of protecting worker’s interests; but this should preferably be done with dignifying poise devoid of ulterior motives. This is what can make Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the father of Trade Union Movement from Guyana, turn in his grave in admiration for what the movement is doing in this country.

Nigerians will be better off to see this privately-owned Dangote refinery succeed so as to insulate the nation from avoidable waste of scarce forex expended on sometimes phantom, but most times, avoidably needless fuel importation with catastrophic consequences on the wellbeing of the economy. My humble submission!

Meron Tessaw, a Strategy Consultant and co-founder of Ethio IQ, has harped that deploying business strategy and technology to classrooms can create life-changing educational opportunities and transform learning across Africa.

She disclosed this in a statement recently, stating the need for African education systems to embrace business-like discipline and innovation to achieve scalable impact and lasting student success.

She disclosed that Ethiopia’s educational sector had long battled severe challenges, with national Grade 12 exam failure rates reaching as high as 95 to 97 percent between 2014 and 2016.

This situation, according to Tessaw, created hopelessness for many students and families, as overcrowded classrooms and scarce resources left them without the support needed to succeed.

‘In education, we cannot rely on passion alone. Education is not just a social mission; it is a system that needs strategy, accountability, and innovation to thrive,’ Tessaw noted.

‘When we apply the same discipline that drives successful businesses to classrooms, we create life-changing opportunities for students.’ She added.

The expert explained that her stance is informed by the work of Ethio IQ, an EdTech startup she co-founded, which applies personalized and data-driven learning approaches to support students.

She assertedin her statement that in 2023, the company recorded a 100 percent pass rate among its Grade 12 students, a turnaround that the expert attributes to structured strategy and evidence-based methods.

She said, ‘The impact of this model has also been recognized beyond Ethiopia. Ethio IQ was recently selected by the Mastercard Foundation and Reach for Change EdTech Fellowship, receiving USD 60,000 in equity-free venture funding to expand its approach nationwide.’

Tessaw, who is also a Strategy Consultant at Bain and Company in Seattle and recipient of the 2023 AAUW International Master’s/First Professional Degree Fellowship, emphasized that her experience in ‘go-to-market and product strategy’ has shaped her vision for education.

‘Business and education are not opposing forces; they are complementary. The same strategies that transform corporations can also transform classrooms, and that is the future we are building,’ she remarked.

As Ethio IQ expands its services to reach younger students and incorporate local language classes, Tessaw believes its experience demonstrates that with the right mix of strategy, accountability, and innovation, Africa’s education systems can chart a new course and deliver lasting change for learners.

Beyond her work with Ethio IQ, the strategist continues to draw on her global consulting experience and academic recognition to advocate for education reform, making her a leading expert on how business strategy can drive social impact across the continent.

Afenifere, a pan- Yoruba socio-political, has described the recent attacks on communities in Kwara and Kogi states as an attempt to destabilise the country, by people it described as territorial expansionists, terrorists, and disgruntled elements.

The group, in a statement, Friday, raised concern in a statement, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, Oyo State, condoled with Kogi and Kwara, over the calamities, including a recent boat mishap and flooding incidents.

The group maintained that the sacking of communities in Kwara and Kogi, as well as other parts of the Middle Belt, were grim reminders that terrorism in those areas posed serious threats to the South-West and the entire country, it therefore, expressed ‘deep sympathy’ over the boat mishaps and flood disasters that occurred in the two states recently.

‘The method of operation of the terrorists in Kwara went beyond those who are kidnapping for ransom or are just interested in finding fodder for their livestock.

‘The types of weapons they use, the derring-do manner with which they attack and the intensity of the damage they cause clearly indicate that they have very powerful people sponsoring them both locally and internationally.

‘The usage of the adjective ‘very’ here was deliberate with a view to underlining the deep involvement of powerful interests locally and internationally in the life-taking experiences we are having presently. So-called ‘illegal miners’ etc. could be suspected here,’ said Afenifere.

Afenifere further decried the invasion of Kwara communities, where lives were lost, properties destroyed, and socio-economic activities disrupted. ‘However, those supporting, collaborating and sponsoring the evil doers need to remember that when the country is destabilised, they are not going to be immune. What is happening in Afghanistan presently and what has been happening since the unwarranted ouster and murder of Muammar Ghadaffi of Libya should serve as lessons.

‘It is on record that since Ghadaffi was ousted, Libya has not known peace. As for Afghanistan, it is as though the government of that country wants to strip Afghan women and girls of their rights to those things that are basic to human existence – education, work, freedom of movement and participation in public life.

‘From August 2021, when Taliban took over government in that country, it has come up with over 70 decrees violating the rights of girls and women, especially their right to education, according to Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.’

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a retired Director (Administration and Finance) at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Garba Mohammed Duku, to either refund N1, 592,750,000 (N1.6b) to the coffers of the Federal Government or spend the next four years in prison.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order yesterday after convicting Duku, said to have retired from the AMMC in 2014, of the offences of corruption and money laundering, on a six-count charge brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Duku, who looked well-fed with glowing skin, was said to have committed the offences between 2012 and 2013, when he converted funds totalling N318,550,000 transferred from AMMC into his personal account domiciled with Fidelity Bank Plc.

Justice Omotosho found that Duku received N56,250,000 into the Fidelity Bank account on July 23, 2012; N71m on December 2012; N53m on December 7, 2012; N54m on December 2012; N46m on March 8, 2013 and N36,300,000 on March 21, 2013.

The judge found that not only was the defendant unable to justify the payment of his employer’s funds into his personal account that he opened just a year earlier (2011) and became dormant immediately he retired, he also failed to provide convincing evidence for what official projects the funds were deployed for.

Justice Omotosho noted that the manner the defendant withdrew the funds hastily in tens of millions, some of which were sent to bureau de change for conversion to United States dollars, betrayed a sinister motive.

The judge found that the defendant, in his statement to the ICPC, claimed to have handed some of the funds in dollars to some of his superiors; a claim the court said he failed to support with evidence.

Justice Omotosho also noted that some of his subordinates, called as prosecution witnesses, claimed to have been directed to issue certificates of completion for projects they did not inspect; a claim, the judge said the defendants also failed to disprove.

He faulted the defendant’s lawyer’s argument that the funds in question were appropriated for, noting that most of the funds appropriated by public officials in the country are mostly monies duly budgeted/appropriated for projects.

Justice Omotosho found that the prosecution established all the relevant ingredients relating to the offences charged and proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, as required under the law, with the three witnesses called.

He also found the defendant failed to dislodge the case of the prosecution through his sole witness, which was himself.

The judge accordingly convicted the defendant on all counts.

In his allocutus, the defendant, who said he could not fully recollect all that happened while he was in service as at when he made statements to the investigation some years later, prayed the court for mercy.

The judge proceeded to sentence Duku to four years imprisonment per count with an option of fine, which must be an equivalent of five times the amount listed in each count.

Four count one, he is to refund N355m; count two, N230m; count three, N270m; count four, N266.25m; count five, N280m and count six, N191.5m.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on today travel to Jos, Plateau State, to attend the funeral prayers of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

According to a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President will also use the occasion to engage with religious leaders across the North at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Saturday, October 4, for Jos, Plateau State capital, to attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

‘The President will later address Church Leaders across the North at the headquarters of the COCIN Church in Jos’, the statement said.

President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Lagos later on the same day after the engagements in Jos.

Former beauty queen and banking professional, Olamide Olayinka, has made a bold entry into Nigeria’s luxury gifting market with the launch of her brand, Ajoké Prestige.

The two-time pageant winner and commercial model, who later built a career in the banking sector, said her transition into entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to create value while leveraging her diverse experiences.

‘Life itself is a risk – none of us are leaving this world alive, so why cling to false stability?’ she told The Nation.

‘Banking gave me discipline, pageantry gave me creativity, and I’m merging both worlds now to build something lasting with Ajoké Prestige.’

Positioned as more than a gifting service, Ajoké Prestige offers what Olayinka describes as ‘memories in a box.’ Each curated package blends contemporary elegance with African artistry, tailored to reflect the personality and story of the recipient,’ Olayinka said.

The festive season will mark the brand’s first major test, but Olayinka said Ajoké Prestige is designed for year-round impact. ‘One of the misconceptions is that gifts are only for December. True appreciation and celebration should happen all year round,’ she noted.

Furthermore, Olayinka envisions scaling the business beyond Nigeria. ‘In the short term, we’re positioning ourselves as the go-to brand for premium gifting in Nigeria. But the long-term vision is much bigger – I see Ajoké Prestige expanding across Africa and eventually going global,’ she said.

Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, reaffirmed its leadership in Nigeria’s welding and oil and gas training sector by hosting the nation’s first-ever National Welding Road Show, showcasing innovation, skill development, and continental collaboration in modern welding technologies.

Organized by the Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW) in collaboration with the Welding Federation (TWF) of Africa, the road show engaged PTI’s welding community in an interactive session exploring the TWF Welder Training Qualification syllabus-an African-focused framework designed to keep welders competitive and globally relevant.

Delivering his keynote address virtually, Engr. Bijimi Gaiya Chairman of NIW’s Certification and Training Committee (CTC), applauded the enthusiasm of PTI students and described the road show as part of NIW’s ‘Rebuild, Reclaim, and Rebrand’ initiative aimed at repositioning the welding profession.

In her remarks, Engr. Grace Erhimona, former PTI Director and Vice Chairman of NIW CTC, commended PTI for ‘setting the pace yet again.’

She credited the institute’s success to continuous capacity-building support from agencies such as PTDF, NDDC, and NCDMB, but also drew attention to infrastructural gaps revealed during the event, especially in specialized process techniques such as gouging, buttering, and hard-facing.

She appealed to the intervention agencies to further support PTI and sponsor its welders and instructors for future TWF Continental Welding Competitions noting the motivational and technical benefits such exposure provides.

Speaking with journalists, Ayo Adeniyi, Executive Director of The Welding Federation, described the PTI event as ‘a success story that connects skills with opportunity.’

He thanked PTI’s management, led by Engr. Dr. Samuel Onoji, as well as past directors and industry professionals including Dr. Jimba Bankole, Engr. Jerome Peter, and Engr. David Adidi, among others, for their contributions to the road show’s success.

Adeniyi urged government intervention agencies to recognize Africa’s fast-evolving welding ecosystem and align with TWF’s ‘African Content Support Programme, which promotes research, innovation, and manpower development across the continent.

He appealed to PTDF, NDDC, TETFUND, and NCDMB to establish dedicated funding to enable Nigerian experts and academics to participate in the annual TWF Assemblies, held across Africa each March or April.

He lamented that while Nigerian academics actively engage in welding research throughout the year, many are unable to attend these continental gatherings due to lack of funds or delays in their release-an issue he said continues to dampen morale within the academic welding community.

From being the first institution dedicated solely to oil and gas manpower development, to becoming the nation’s first approved welding training body, and the first national institute to participate-and place second-in a continental welding competition, PTI continues to raise the bar.

The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations at the Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, has commended the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s effort towards transforming sports with the creation of the National Sports Commission, (NSC).

The top Edo State sports official, emphasized that the growth in Nigeria’s sporting firmament could not have been possible without the Renewed Hope agenda of the President, adding that the leadership of the NSC under Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Honourable Bukola Olopade, has helped in accelerating process.

Mrs. Chikere also commended on President Tinubu, on the creation of the National Institute for Sports, (NIS), led by the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Director General, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

‘The appointment of the former deputy governor Comrade Philip Shaibu as the Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), is another master stroke by Mr. President. As you know, the NIS is embarking on training the trainers who in turn will train our future world champions,'[i] she said in an interview with First ZealMediaCast Blog.

Mrs. Sabina Chikere, strongly believes that this move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the drive by the NIS Director General will help the sports economy of Nigeria to blossom.

She further explained that the reward system put together by President Tinubu for outstanding athletes who bring laurels to the country has been a major boost for Nigeria athletes, adding the nation’s foremost citizen must intensify in his efforts to take sports to greater heights.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Chikere is also full of praises Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, for his unfaltering and unending support towards development in the state.

She stressed that since the assumption of office by Governor Okpebholo, the Edo State Sports Commission under Honourable Amadin Enabulele, has been fully funded.

Mrs. Chikere went on to highlight the strong bond in the State’s sports Commission, stating that it’s the reason behind the successful administration of sports in the ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’ as Edo is fondly called.

She listed some key sporting development already put in place by Govern Okpebholo which includes: setting up of the Sports Association board ;funding of the National Sports Festival and National Youth Games as well as the plans to establish a mini stadium in all 18 Local Government Areas.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) FCT Command says it apprehended more than 250 commercial vehicles in just two days for overloading, as it begins full enforcement of safety regulations in the territory.

The FCT Sector Commander, Corps Commander Felix Theman, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Education Officer, Mrs Helen Ntaji, on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enforcement, which started on Oct. 2, specifically targeted the practice of carrying two passengers in the front seat of taxis.

Theman said that the two-day figure demonstrated the scale of violations in the FCT, in spite months of sustained engagement and education to transport unions.

He explained that his top priority since assumption of office had been restoring passenger dignity and safety, noting that enforcement was the most civil way to ensure compliance.

According to him, overloading makes the use of seatbelts impossible, weakens vehicle suspension and tyres and limits driver control in emergencies.

Theman added that the command’s operation was being carried out in collaboration with mobile magistrate courts to ensure immediate prosecution of offenders.

He said that full activation of mobile courts across the FCT would begin on Oct. 6 to intensify the enforcement.

The commander also warned drivers operating vehicles below minimum safety standards to upgrade them or risk outright impoundment.

He hinted that transport unions had pledged full support for the initiative and urged passengers to cooperate to protect their rights to safe and dignified transportation.

Antoine Semenyo scored twice as Bournemouth came from behind to beat Fulham in stormy conditions and move up to second in the Premier League table.

Ryan Sessegnon had given Fulham the lead when he ran onto a through ball from Samuel Chukwueze before clipping the ball over Cherries keeper Djordje Petrovic.

But Bournemouth levelled when Semenyo got the ball on the left wing, beat several players and stopped the ball going over the byeline before slotting a shot through Bernd Leno’s legs from a tight angle.

Then substitute Justin Kluivert got the ball in the centre circle, charged forward and unleashed an unstoppable strike from 25 yards to put Bournemouth ahead.

As Fulham pushed forward for an equaliser in stoppage time, Semenyo capped a superb individual night with his second goal – to go with an assist – after finishing off an emphatic counter-attack.

Until the 70th minute, the game looked as if it was going to end in an instantly forgettable goalless draw as both sides struggled to create much in the wind and rain of Storm Amy.

Bournemouth are now second in the Premier League table, just one point below Liverpool – although everyone else has yet to play this weekend.