By Adesina Soyooye
The people of Kogi State, Nigeria, are in a celebratory mood. One of their daughters, Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo, has been appointed by US President-elect, Joe Biden, as Associate Counsel to President-elect.”
She is the daughter of Prof. Zachaeus Olorunnipa from Igbo- Bunu, Kabba-Buni LGA, Kogi State.
Her elder brother, Tolu, is, currently, the White House Correspondent for Washington Post.
She is the third Nigerian to be appointed into office by the incoming President Biden.
By Charles Igbo
A prominent son of Anambra State, Senator Onyeabo Obi, is dead.
Senator Obi was Lawyer and a Life Bencher. He was also a former President of Otu Oka Iwu
Unconfirmed reports say he died of COVID-19 complications Tuesday evening.
His younger brother, Zik Obi, announced his passing in a statement Wednesday.
He said: ” Good morning All.
Pending a formal announcement from the family later today, I wish to personally inform members of Otu Oka Iwu, that my eldest brother and past President of Otu Oka Iwu and Bencher, Senator Onyeabo Obi, Os’oji Nnewi, passed on to greater glory yesterday at the age of 82.
We are grateful to God for his life.
The late Obi, born on November 20, 1938, was an international business lawyer of Council ( and Vice Advisory Committee on Rules of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.)
He was a son of the late Zikist, Chief Z.C. Obi.
By Akinwale Kasali
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has disclosed his intention to run for the 2023 Presidency. He wants to succeed his father and friend, President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor of the Confluence State said he is going into the race to liberate Nigeria, urging Nigerians to join hands with him in the struggle to free the country from the myriads of challenges confronting her.
He, however called on Nigerians to support President Buhari in his efforts so far since assumption of office in May 2015, adding that his mission in 2023 would be to consolidate on Buhari’s achievements.
“I want everyone to join me in the struggle to liberate this country. We must seize this golden opportunity to save our nation,” Bello said.
“By the grace of God, I’m ready to lead and I will provide all the quality leadership that is required in the country.
“Let us do our bit to support the current administration and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to save this country. Those that are leading today, I can assure you that apart from Mr. President and very few others, there are those who do not have the interest of the country at heart. They don’t care about us and that is the truth.”
Governor Bello has been gaining support, as the Kogi State House of Assembly has also came out to drum up support for Bello’s presidential ambition after the Speaker of the House, Matthew Kolawole, announced the state lawmakers are set to begin a systematic consultation tour to other states for the Governor this week as regards his Presidential ambition.
Kolawole said he and his team will begin the sensitization tour with visit to states in the North Central where they will meet with their colleagues to solicit their support for Bello.
According to the Speaker, the states they are expected to visit include Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna and Kwara States in the first lap of the tour.
By Akinwale Kasali
Former Military Governor of Lagos and Imo State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu has died of Covid-19 complications.
For months now, the late Kanu has been battling with an unknown ailment before he gave up the ghost at about 3am in Lagos today.
It was gathered that Admiral Kanu had gone home to the east during the Christmas season for the introduction ceremony of his daughter who was getting married.
Family Sources revealed that he had a mild cough but his condition deteriorated suddenly.
He was flown back to Lagos, and was diagnosed of Covid-19.
He was said to have been in intensive care, with oxygen, before his demise.
A native of Ovim, Abia State, Admiral Kanu was an accomplished military officer and had a successful tenure in the Nigerian Naval.
Kanu was a graduate of National Defence Academy, India, where he served in various leadership positions both in core naval postings and in special assignments. He was a Member of the Supreme Military Council (1975 –1976), first Military Governor of Imo State (1976 –1977), Military Governor of Lagos State (1977 –1978), Member of the Supreme Military Council (1978 –1979), Member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, AFRC (1986 –1989), Member of Special Committee on Review of the Report of the Political Bureau (1988) and Chairman of Special AFRC Committee on Creation of Local Governments.
He retired honourably in October 1990 and was a Maritime Consultant before he passed.
In retirement, the first class graduate of Sandhurst Military Institute in UK, was running a successful shipping and maritime company called RAGNK Ltd, with head office in Victoria Island Lagos.
At one point, he was a Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, among other private sector institutions.
Kanu was a prominent member of Ndigbo Lagos, and an influential member of NADECO.
By Tosin Olatokunbo
The new managing director, Coca Cola Nigeria, Alfred Olajide has promised to work with other partners to turn the company around. Olajide was appointed new Vice President and Managing Director for Nigeria Operations, to replace Yebeltal Getachew whose tenure ended December 31, 2020.
The beverage firm appointed Alfred as the chief executive of its Nigeria’s branch, the third time it has changed its leadership in two years.
Responding to his appointment Alfred said; “These are very exciting times for the global Coca-Cola business, and I look forward to contributing my own quota to a business I love so much, especially at such an interesting time as this. Nigeria is a huge market, and I am optimistic about the growth we can achieve together with our bottling partners”.
The company said, the appointee brings several years of experience to bear in his new role, nine of which were at The Coca-Cola Company having served in different capacities across the African Continent including Franchise Director for Cluster Markets in the Southern and Eastern Africa Region, Director of Revenue Growth Management in the East and Central Africa Region, and Strategy Head for Nigeria Franchise.
In August 2020, Coca-Cola announced a global restructuring aimed at furthering the leading beverage company’s aspiration to emerge stronger amidst a fast-changing global business environment. The new structure sees its erstwhile 17 Business Units compressed into 9 Operating Units focused on strategic local and regional business objectives supported by the company’s newly created Platform Services.
Announcing the change in structure, Company Chairman and CEO James Quincey, noted that the changes in the company’s operating model will shift marketing to drive more growth and “put execution closer to customers and consumers while prioritizing a portfolio of strong brands”.
According to the company’s website, Alfred holds a First-Class Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and an MBA from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. His extensive experience in leading market growth, strategy and operations management built from years in management consulting and FMCG will undoubtedly help drive business growth, strategy formulation, and market execution, in the Coca-Cola Nigeria Franchise Operations.
He is passionate about leading with impact and empowering young talent for growth. In his free time, he enjoys running, playing soccer, tennis and spending time with his family. He is also an ardent sportsman.
The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace Anthony Obinna, has urged Governments and Security Agencies, especially, in Imo and Anambra States, to show the same commitment and use same method they used to rescue the abducted Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri, Bishop Moses Chikwe.
The Bishop was kidnapped in Owerri and held for a week, along with his driver, before they were rescued.
Obinna spoke during the funeral service in honour of the Emeritus Bishop of the Diocese of Orlu, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gregory Obinna Ochiagha at the Holy Trinity Catholic Cathedral, Orlu, where he thanked Governors Hope Uzodinma, Willie Obiano and Security Agencies for rescuing Chikwe.
It was a floodgate of praises for the late Bishop, opened by President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, both of who described Bishop Ochiagha as a true shepherd of Christ.
In a message read on his behalf by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, President Buhari condoled the Catholic Communion, especially the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, and prayed for the repose of the soul of Bishop Ochiagha.
It was also an opportunity President Buhari used to acknowledge that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria accommodates all Nigerians irrespective of creed or religion and that in 2021 Nigerians will witness a positive turn around in all ramifications.
Governor Uzodimma who attended the burial with the wife, Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, described the late Bishop as “the love of Christ personified who was a spiritual father to many” including himself.
He added that Bishop Ochiagha built for himself a treasure in heaven and left a lot of lessons to be learnt in his holy life.
Uzodimma said: “Bishop Ochiagha lived a life of chastity, purity and holiness in God with which he inspired many as a priest. Bishop Ochiagha lived a faithful life of service to God and humanity and as the Bishop of Orlu Diocese he strengthened the Catholic Church in Orlu and expanded the scope of Christianity in Orlu and beyond.”
The Governor seized the opportunity to warn criminals to desist from harassing men of God who are committed to the spiritual growth of the society, noting that “Government will not fail to live up to her sworn responsibility of protecting lives and properties of her citizens.”
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The Governor who acknowledged that the late Bishop had finished his race on earth and from the testimonies of many, had won the crown of glory, asked the audience how prepared they are to live their lives and run their races like the late clergy.
The message from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria read by their Secretary, Bishop Augustine Akubueze was no less gratifying about the pious life Bishop Ochiagha led.
His brother Bishops eulogized his contributions in the expansion of Catholic faith in Nigeria and beyond and described him as “a shepherd who cared for his flock”. They said “Orlu will not forget him in a hurry”.
The Catholic Secretariat used the opportunity to enjoin Government at all levels to run an open administration that will enable them listen to the cry of Nigerians rather than take them for granted. They said that was one of the messages preached by late Bishop Ochiagha.
The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Province, Most Rev. (Dr.) Anthony J. V. Obinna, who presided over the funeral Mass and the interment of late Bishop Ochiagha thanked those who found time to attend the burial and described it as an honour done the late clergy.
He thanked, profusely, Governors Uzodimma of Imo State, Willy Obiano of Anambra State and the security agencies for their efforts in rescuing the Auxiliary Catholic Bishop Owerri Diocese, Most Rev (Dr.) Moses Chikwe who was kidnapped at the same time Bishop Ochiagha died.
He appealed to the Government to rely on the same attention and measures deployed for the rescue of Chikwe to deal with the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry in Imo State and Nigeria in general.
Highlights of the funeral programme was the launching of a book titled, “Man Endures What He Creates” written by late Bishop Ochiagha. The book was to be launched on January 6, 2021 to mark his 60th Priestly Anniversary and 40 years of Episcopacy.
Those who attended the funeral include the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Lalong, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Paul Emeziem, Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Ijeoma Agugua, Senators, former Governors of Imo State, 36 Bishops among others.
Nine Police State Commands, including Imo and Oyo State Commands, have been given new Police Commissioners.
A release signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aremu Sikiru Adrniran, said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, ordered the posting/redeployment Commissioners of Police to State Commands/Formations.
The new CP for Imo Police Command is Nasiru Mohammed, while that of Oyo State is Ngozi Onadeko, fdc.
The new postings are as follows:
*Kebbi State –CP Adeleke Adeyinka Bode, mni
*SPU, FHQ, Abuja – CP Philip Maku
*Sokoto State – CP Ali Janga Aji
*Armament, FHQ, Abuja – CP Ohikere S. Idris, fsi
*CMDT Police College Ikeja – CP Daniel Sokari-Pedro, mni
*Port Authority Police (PAP), Western, Lagos – CP John O. Amadi, mni
* Oyo State – CP Ngozi Onadeko, fdc
*Enugu State – Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu
*Border Patrol, FHQ, Abuja – CP Haladu Musa Rosamson, fdc
*Cross River State – CP Sikiru Akande
*Ebonyi State – CP Aliyu Garba
*Airport Command – CP Abubakar Umar Bature
*Department of Operations, FHQ – CP Yusuf Ahmed
*Adamawa State – CP Aliyu Adamu Alhaji
*Training and Department – CP Babaita Ishola
*CP Imo State – Nasiru Mohammed
*CMDT Police Detective College Enugu – CP Alexander Nengi Wannang
*Delta State – CP Mohammed Ali
*Counter Terrorism Unit, FHQ, Abuja – CP Olofu Tony Adejoh
*Peacekeeping, FHQ, Abuja – CP Sadiq Idris Abubakar
*Force Public Relations Officer – CP Frank Mba
By Ayodele Oni
The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), has called on the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to postpone, indefinitely, resumption of schools.
Students and parents had been warming up, and looking forward to resume academic activities as from Monday, 18th January as earlier announced.
However, social media was awash on, Tuesday, that resumption of schools had been postponed indefinitely due to continued rise in cases of Covid 19 in the country.
NANS, in a statement released by its President, Sunday Ashefon, on Tuesday stated: “We commend the consistent efforts of the federal government in galvanizing the entire country to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and in doing everything to access vaccines for Nigerians.
“Rather than postpone schools’ resumption, it has become imperative to address the alarming spread of COVID-19 and rising cases of deaths from a position of environmental strategy and human coordination since the lockdown mechanism can no longer be a mitigating option in the face of our economic reality.
“Therefore, and at this juncture, the federal government must quickly come to a place of understanding that the majority of Nigerians are living in unorganized environments and structures that are not helping to curb the spread of the virus.
“Accordingly, the Federal Government is immediately urged to rethink its approach and take only actions that can get more Nigerians into coordinated and regulated systems, like schools and offices, where hours of wearing face masks and complying with COVID Safety protocols can be guaranteed to curb the spread.
“As student representatives and stakeholders, we make bold to state that having students and lecturers on campuses and in schools that are regimented and regulated environment, will help to raise consciousness and the bar of compliance with COVID rules.
“Consequently, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is undertaking to prevail on students union bodies to set up Students Task Force Against COVID-19 in every school, while asking the Federal Government to rejig its basic COVID Guide for school resumptions.
“School resumption will also help the students, teachers, and lecturers to avoid social gatherings, regular travels while concentrating on the task of teaching and researching, which can also help to trigger the need to have a new alternative and approach to fighting the pandemic
“While COVID-19 is a global pandemic being addressed across different climes, the time has come for us in Nigeria to address this virus based on our peculiarities and limitations.
“We are open to a dialogue with the federal government should there be a need for cross-fertilization of our ideas and logical arguments.”
By Uche Mbah
The President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, has been named by the French Prime Minister, Emmanuel Macron, as the champion of the African “Green Wall” initiative, The Source gathered.
In a tweet by Adesina on his verified Twitter handle,
“I am greatly honored to be named a Champion of Africa’s “Great Green Wall” initiative, by President
. It is a wall worth building to save the Sahel of Africa from climate change & desertification.
@AUC_MoussaFaki”, he tweeted.
The African Union is leading Africa’s flagship initiative to combat the increasing desertification aiming to effectively transform millions of African lives by creating a wide green landscape across North Africa, according to Wikipedia. The initial idea was to create a line of trees from east to the west bordering the Saharan Desert. Later it evolved into that of a mosaic of interventions addressing the challenges facing the people in the Sahel region and the Sahara.
By Tosin Olatokunbo
Nigeria’s electricity Distribution companies, DISCOS made a whopping N362 billion from electricity consumers in the first nine months of last year, despite constant power outages in the country, according to a recent figures released by the companies.
Many Nigerians have decried the power situation in the country, unacceptable urging the distribution companies to improve on their services.
A report by The Guardian, last December, said the nation experienced 84 grid failures within seven years, between November 1, 2013, and December 2020. Each time this happened, discos had blamed the power situation on the obsolete, analog system being used by the TCN.
In spite of this, distribution companies under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, the umbrella body for the 10 private Discos in the country, said they achieved 70 per cent revenue.
According to ANED, the breakdown shows that the companies collected N130 billion in the third quarter of 2020 from N105bn in Q2 and N125bn in Q1. The revenue rose to over 76 per cent in the Q3 the power firms said.
ANED said the development has encouraged them to work more to provide improve electricity for consumers, despite the corona virus pandemic.
The power firms said “The Discos are back on track on their performance improvement after the fall due to the pandemic. Indeed, in September 2020, Discos collection reached a new record of N44.5bn,” it said.
“Due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular during the Q2 2020, the ATC&C (Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection loss KPI (moving average) keeps increasing and is now at 46.1 per cent.
“Paradoxically, the MYTO financial model that determines the tariff has not been adjusted and still considers average ATC&C losses of about 20 per cent for this year.
“The huge gap between the reality and the fiction of the MYTO model is creating a huge shortfall and the real revenue collection is far from the minimum remittance obligations.”
Their major problem the companies said, are generation and transmission companies, which have failed to generate and transmit more power into the grid.
“Since 2015, there has been no significant improvement in the energy generated and wheeled by TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria), that is finally received by the Discos. It continues to be flat and is only affected by seasonal effect between the dry and rainy seasons.
“The Disco’s uncertainty on the energy to be received from TCN has become a major threat and it will hurt the core of their Performance Improvement Plans as many of them are based on the projections done by NERC at June’s minor review,” ANED said.
