FMBN records ₦6.5 billion Q1 surplus

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria on Monday confirmed a ₦6.5 billion surplus in the first quarter of 2025.

FMBN managing director and chief executive, Shehu Osidi, disclosed this while welcoming Nasir Gawuna, who has assumed duty as the new board chairman in Abuja.

Mr Osidi described the surplus as proof that current management policies are effective and the Bank is moving in the right direction.

He added that loan approval nearly doubled, rising from ₦39.7 billion in 2023 to ₦71.5 billion in 2024, increasing access to housing finance.

“Since the executive management team took over in February 2024, the bank has recorded remarkable progress aligned with our shared vision,” he said.

He noted that teamwork had led to significant strides in strengthening the institution’s capacity and performance.

FMBN cleared a four-year backlog of unaudited accounts within nine months – from 2018 to 2021 – reflecting transparency and better governance.

Mr Osidi said the bank’s overall financial performance had significantly improved under the new leadership.

“In 2024, we posted an operational surplus of ₦11.5 billion – the highest in over three decades,” he stated.

He added that prudent management and expanding operations placed the Bank on course for another surplus in 2025.

“Already, we have recorded a ₦6.5 billion surplus in the first quarter of 2025, a clear sign of progress,” Mr Osidi said.

According to him, loan approval rose from ₦39.7 billion in 2023 to ₦71.5 billion in 2024, allowing more Nigerians to benefit from housing loans.

He further revealed that under the National Housing Fund, collections grew by ₦3 billion in 2024, reaching a total of ₦103 billion. This was an increase compared to ₦100 billion collected by the Bank in 2023 under the same scheme.

FMBN also registered 658 employer organisations and 178,619 employees in 2024, up from 556 and 113,577 respectively in 2023.

“These achievements are the outcome of strategic planning and consistent effort,” he said.

Mr Osidi explained that the bank had adopted a new business approach and was challenging outdated practices.

“For example, on June 3, 2024, we launched seven Recovery Task Teams composed entirely of FMBN staff,” he stated.

He said the teams were deployed nationwide to recover delinquent loans, based on the belief that internal staff perform better.

“As a result, ₦10.9 billion in bad loans was recovered in 2024. That figure has since grown to ₦18.9 billion. An additional ₦3.1 billion was recovered through routine recovery activities during the same year.

“Technology and customer service are now key priorities for the executive management,” Mr Osidi stated.

He revealed that the bank aims to use digital tools to accelerate loan approvals and improve service delivery.

According to him, the Bank is also preparing to launch new products by the end of the second quarter of 2025.

“These products are designed for the Diaspora, non-interest, and informal market segments. To this end, we’ve secured approval from the CBN to implement non-interest ethical mortgages,” he noted.

This move responds to demand for alternative housing finance models aligned with ethical and religious values.

FMBN is also engaging with NIDCOM and the CBN for the rollout of the Diaspora NHF Mortgage Loan.

The product will enable Nigerians abroad to invest in property and own homes in Nigeria.

Serving as AfDB president greatest honour of my life, Adesina says

Akinwunmi Adesina, says serving as president of the African Development Bank is the greatest honour of his life.

Adesina said this at a breakfast meeting held for the media to declare open the AfDB 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan.

“It has been a decade of relentless purpose, of enduring passion, and of tireless service. I thank you for walking on this journey with me,’’ he said.

Mr Adesina, a Nigerian development economist and agricultural development expert became president of the bank 10 years ago.

This was after serving as Nigeria’s agric minister from 2011 to 2015, transforming the sector by attracting private sector investments as well as supporting youth and small and medium enterprises.

Mr Adesina is dedicated to transforming agriculture in Africa from a subsistence activity to a viable business that attracts investments.

He is also passionate about ending poverty, hunger and malnutrition in Africa and lifting millions of people into the middle class.

“When I was elected in 2015, I did

not have any grey hair then. Now my hair has turned several shades of grey. Grey from 10 years of unrelenting drive to push Africa forward. Grey from our tireless efforts to turn the Bank into a globally respected financial institution where it was ranked as the best multilateral financial institution in the world.

“Grey from leading the Bank to achieve the largest capital increase in its history, raising the capital of the Bank from 93 billion dollars in 2015 to 318 billion dollars today – an unprecedented achievement.

“Grey from leading the Bank to achieve the largest capital increase in its history, raising the capital of the Bank from 93 billion dollars in 2015 to 318 billion dollars today – an unprecedented achievement,” Mr Adesina explained.

The economist added, “Grey from leading the Bank to achieve the highest replenishment of the African Development Fund in the history of the Fund, as we successfully raised 8.9 billion dollars for its 16th replenishment.’

“Grey from working side by side with my staff to lead on global financial innovations such as the launch of hybrid capital instruments and synthetic securitization, becoming the first ever multilateral financial institution to do so globally.”

Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel

Members of the World Health Assembly on Monday agreed on the new WHO global traditional medicine strategy to take forward the development of evidence-based practice of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine into the next decade.

The 78th WHA, WHO’s highest decision-making body, which opened on May 19 and runs through May 27, brings together delegations from 194 member states, including Nigeria.

In arriving at the strategy, member states debated crucial components for inclusion.

Such included establishing a robust evidence base for traditional medicine practices, developing mechanisms for regulation and safety, creating integrated health-care service delivery models where appropriate, and ensuring qualified practitioners.

With this strategy, the member states explicitly recognised not only the role of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples but also the upholding their rights, while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the context of TCIM.

Under the 2025-2034 strategy, WHO will assist member states in strengthening the evidence base for TCIM, bolstering safety, quality and effectiveness, and, where appropriate, facilitating its integration into health systems while optimising cross-sector collaboration.

Implementation and monitoring of the strategy are key elements.

WHO will support member states in implementing and adapting the strategy, providing guidance and technical assistance as needed.

The new strategy aims to unlock the full potential of TCIM to improve global health and well-being in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage.

In a related development, member states agreed to announce World Prematurity Day as an official WHO health campaign.

The campaign would complement efforts to improve prevention of preterm births and ensure lifesaving health care for babies born early or small.

Preterm births are defined as births that occur before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

Related complications, which include difficulties breathing as well as infections and hypothermia, are the leading cause of death amongst children aged under five years.

Those who survive could face significant and long-term disability and ill health.

Nigeria, others commit to accelerate action on health

Nigeria and other members of the World Health Assembly on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to protect and invest in the global health and care workforce,

They also pledged to identify specific actions to address national shortages of health and care workforce conditions of work, and the increasing rates of health worker migration.

The 78th WHA, WHO’s highest decision-making body, which opened on May 19 and will end on May 27, brings together delegations from 194 member states, including Nigeria.

The Assembly reviewed the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030, which highlights a slowdown in progress and an increase in the projected global shortfall in health workers to 11.1 million by 2030, up from the 2022 estimate of 10.2 million.

Countries adopted a resolution – sponsored by Nigeria, Germany, Morocco, the Philippines, and Thailand – calling for accelerated investment in health professionals’ education, job creation, and retention; improved working conditions; and a harnessing of the potential of digital technologies and AI in support of health workers.

The assembly also considered new data and recommendations on the international migration of health workers and how to strengthen ethical recruitment in alignment with the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.

A record 105 countries reported on international migration.

Russian Invasion: UN calls for end to daily killings in Ukraine

The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, has called for an immediate end to the daily killings and destruction in Ukraine after the deadly weekend attacks.

Mr Türk made the call in a statement on Monday following a weekend of deadly attacks that left at least 14 civilians – including three children – dead and dozens more injured across the country.

The majority of those killed and injured were in major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, or in populated areas in other regions.

Meanwhile, large numbers of long-range drones launched into Russia by Ukrainian armed forces injured at least 11 civilians over the weekend, according to Russian authorities.

Mr Türk, however, underscored the urgency for an end to hostilities.

“It is time to put an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to commit to – and implement – a comprehensive ceasefire that stops the daily killing and destruction, and to start genuine peace negotiations, built on respect for international law,” he said.

He highlighted that – even amid ongoing hostilities – people deprived of their liberty must be protected.

According to him, summary executions, torture and all forms of inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners are always prohibited, in any circumstances, and must stop immediately.

In addition, civilian detainees should be released as soon as the lawful reason for their detention ceases to exist and their protection against refoulement must be ensured, he said.

The UN official welcomed the recent exchange of prisoners of war and civilian detainees.

Eight hundred eighty prisoners of war and 120 civilians from each side were exchanged. Most of the civilians appeared to have been detainees, but details on individuals included in the exchange are not available.

“Many families can now breathe a sigh of relief because their loved ones have finally returned home. At the same time, other families have lost relatives and their homes, as their communities across Ukraine came under attack,” Mr Türk said.

In a separate statement, UNICEF expressed deep concern for the impact of the latest attacks on Ukrainian children.

Nigerians in Dubai lose life savings as Ponzi scheme disappears overnight with multimillion-dollar investors’ funds

No fewer than three Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates have been scammed of their life savings after a UAE-based Ponzi scheme Gulf First Commercial Brokers ran away with multimillion-dollar funds belonging to scores of investors, Peoples Gazette can report.

The Dubai-based Nigerians— Usman Jimeta, Kelvin Nnadozie and Ronke Oladiran— were among the victims who were left in limbo after operators of the scheme disappeared without any notice.

“We went there four times since they suddenly shut down last month, but we didn’t meet anyone,” Ms Oladiran told The Gazette on Friday. “They just vanished overnight.”

While Mr Jimeta said he was robbed of his savings to the tune of $17,000, Mr Nnadozie and Ms Oladiran did not reveal the specific amounts lost to the scheme.

Khaleej Times, a popular newspaper based in UAE, reported the Ponzi scheme— with a physical office at suite 302 Capital Golden Tower in Business Bay—had a total of 40 workers until its unexplained disappearance last month.

The report further noted many of the people scammed by the scheme were Indians who were assured of safe returns after the scheme aggressively pushed them towards Sigma-One Capital, an unregulated online platform.

The Nigerian said that many investors were convinced to invest in the scheme through several means, including phone conversations and meetings with some staff members, expressing shock over operators’ unannounced disappearance.

This development came weeks after thousands of Nigerians also lost their money worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to a cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) scheme, resulting in widespread hysteria on social media.

The Ponzi scheme, disguised as a digital trading investment platform with an office in Ibadan, claimed to double the deposit balance of investors within 40 days as investors were asked to refer new people to increase their trading signals by 12 per cent.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) later confirmed the funds related to the scheme were traced to at least three to four countries and some perpetrators arrested, identifying foreigners as principal operators.

However, the anti-graft agency said it would not be able to restore every Nigerian scammed by the scheme.

Plateau govt. releases N2 billion counterpart funds to boost agro-business

The Plateau government has released N2 billion as counterpart funds for the implementation of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in the state.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang disclosed this at the inauguration of the construction of three agro-logistic centres in the state on Monday in Jos.

The governor said the move aimed at boosting agro-business and rural infrastructure in the state.

Mr Mutfwang explained that the agro-logistic centres would be domiciled in Mangu, Shendam and Bassa local government areas.

“It took us quite a lot of financial engineering to be able to put these funds together; it is not easy to just release N2 billion with the current scarce resources.

“But because of the importance and impact of the project to our people, we took the hold step and released the funds.

“Let me say that this is a project that commenced in 2021, and by the time we came in in 2023, nothing had been done, and we started afresh,” he said.

The governor said his administration had enacted some laws and created some special agencies that would enable the smooth running of the project in the state.

He called on the chairs, traditional rulers and the people of the benefiting LGAs to take ownership of the project by ensuring that the contractors deliver quality jobs.

“We can not spend huge money and not get value for money; I will never agree to any contractor to cut corners,” he said.

The governor further assured the state’s people of his commitment to serving them with diligence and accountability.

In his remarks, Aminu Mohammad, the national coordinator of RAAMP, commended the Plateau government for its commitment to implementing the project in the state.

Mr Mohammed, represented by Salisu Abubakar, said the project is implemented in 19 states with the support of the World Bank and the Agence Française de Dévelopement (AFD).

He said the project, particularly the agro centres, would improve service delivery to farmers and agro-processors.

“RAAMP has come to stay, and we are expecting additional funding of over $575 million for another phase,” he said.

Daniel Temsen, RAAMP coordinator in the state, said the project had constructed 331-kilometre roads and 45 drainage systems across rural communities.

Mr Temsen thanked the governor for releasing the counterpart funds and called on the contractors to deliver the projects within specifications.

Election of Adesina’s successor tops agenda as 6,000 AfDB delegates meet in Abidjan

No fewer than 6,000 delegates have converged in Abidjan for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s 2025 annual meetings.

A key highlight of the meeting will be the election of a new AfDB president to succeed Akinwumi Adesina, whose second five-year term ends on August 31.

The event, which will officially open on Tuesday, marks the opening of strategic discussions with the theme: “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”

Participants include African heads of state and governments, finance ministers, Central Bank governors, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society representatives.

The theme calls for stronger mobilisation of Africa’s vast human, financial, and natural capital to drive inclusive growth, economic transformation, and sustainable development across the continent.

According to the event programme obtained by journalists, the meetings come amid major shifts in global trade, with 47 African countries affected by new U.S. tariffs and adjustments to development financing flows.

“In this context, participants are expected to deliberate on strengthening regional markets, deepening value chains, and positioning Africa as a self-sustaining global player.

“Sessions throughout the week will address financing infrastructure, climate action, food security, digital innovation, and private sector engagement.”

Outcomes from the meetings will help guide policy frameworks, partnerships, and investment strategies that reflect Africa’s evolving economic landscape.

Nineteen killed in Israeli strike in northern Gaza

No fewer than 19 people have been killed in an Israeli attack in northern Gaza, local media reported on Monday.

Several people were injured when Israeli fighter jets shelled a house in Jabalia, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Minors are said to be among the dead.

The Israeli military said it was investigating the report.

In a separate statement posted on Telegram, the military said “operational activity against terrorist organisations” continues across the Gaza Strip.

Over the past 48 hours, the air force struck more than 200 targets across the war-torn coastal enclave, it said.

This included “terrorists, weapon storage facilities, sniper and anti-tank missile posts, tunnel shafts, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites.’’

More than 50 people have reportedly been killed in the Gaza Strip amid the Israeli attacks since last night.

The Israeli military reported renewed shelling from the Gaza Strip, with two projectiles said to have been fired from southern Gaza coming down in the Palestinian territory.

At the same time, another was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.

There were no initial reports of injuries or damage.

Since the start of the Gaza war, members of Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip have fired thousands of rockets at Israel.

Defence chief Musa tasks AU-PSC on Africa’s stability

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa [Photo Shettima]
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has called for Africa’s unity and collective voice towards ensuring continental security and development.

Mr Musa made the call on Monday at the induction of the Military Staff Committee (MSC) of the African Union Commission (AUC) Retreat for member states held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The CDS was represented by AVM Bashiru Mammanthe, the commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi.

The MSC comprised senior military officers from the AU’s 15-member Peace and Security Council (PSC) countries.

AU-PSC is the highest multilateral institution on the continent, charged with providing a continental approach and mechanism for addressing matters of continental peace and security.

Mr Musa said the PSC was a critical component of the AU-PSC framework and that Nigeria was pleased to identify with the vast and diverse pool of experience that the MSC represents.

“This gathering and the deliberations will affirm a collective commitment to fostering a more secure, stable, resilient and prosperous Africa, laying the foundation for a brighter future for our continent.

“In the face of growing nationalism across the globe, it is expedient that Africa seeks to galvanise itself to weed the continent from dependence and undo external influence,” he said.

The CDS said he believed that entrenching stability and sustainability through security on the continent was fundamental to Africa becoming independent and free from external influence.

“So, your collective voices must be strong and unified as we provide strategic guidance on key issues like conflict prevention, peacekeeping and strategic defence policies, shaping a safer, more stable Africa.

“We must seek to muster our relevance by deepening our understanding of global security dynamics and fostering collaborative approaches that will enable us to deliver invaluable contributions to the PSC,” he said.

Brig.-Gen. Abu Conteh, chairman of PSC, said the induction was timely, taking cognisance of the evolving security threats from armed conflicts, terrorism, cyber warfare and transnational crime on the continent.

Mr Conteh explained that the threats were exacerbated by worsening climate change, which continued to test the continent’s resilience and coordination.

“It is, therefore, timely and necessary that we revisit, understand and reaffirm the core mandate and working methods of the MSC, which serves as the military advisory body to repel such security threats.

“The MSC function is not generally technical but rather strategic and deeply rooted in the values of African solidarity and ownership of these processes.

“Let us use this opportunity to share experiences from our respective sub-regions, build strong synergy and collectively elevate the role and visibility of the MSC within the African Peace and Security framework,” he said.

Good governance is not prayer point

On Saturday, May 18, 2025, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, addressed citizens in a state-wide broadcast. His message was not about new strategies for rebuilding the war-torn state. It was not about education, healthcare, or employment. It was not even about holding the federal government accountable for the shambolic ways it has prosecuted the war against Boko Haram so far. He asked the citizens of Borno State to fast and pray on Monday, May 19. He asked them to kneel before God. To bow their heads. To speak in tongues. Maybe. He asked citizens already exhausted by prayer to pray some more.

Don’t get me wrong. Prayer is good. Fasting is one of the noblest acts of faith. But governance is not a religious rite, nor is it what the much-loved Fela Anikulapo Kuti called “In Spiritum Heavinus” in his 1978 song, ‘Suffering and Smiling’. It is not a prayer point. And when rulers like Zulum offer prayer as policy, they are not seeking divine intervention; they are running from responsibility.

In the 1980s, as sophomore students at the University of Jos, we were often told the story of how European missionaries arrived on African shores. They asked our forebears to close their eyes and pray. When our forebears opened them, the missionaries had confiscated the land and seized control of the lives of our forebears, kith and kin.

It is a well-worn tale credited to the late Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu. But it tells the truth about our rulers. They surrender their power of action to the rituals of piety. They confuse the governance chamber with the pulpit. They convert governance into prophecy. And when policies fail, they turn to rosaries and tasbih rather than roll up their sleeves for hard work. Zulum, a professor of engineering and one of the country’s more educated governors, should know better. The citizens of Borno State do not lack faith. They lack security. They lack roofs over their heads. They lack clean water, access to schools, hospitals, and jobs. The last thing they need is another “Prayer Day”.

But he is not alone in this moral cowardice. In April 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State organised statewide prayers to tackle insecurity. His predecessor, Ganduje, did the same in 2021, inviting Islamic clerics to recite verses to ward off bandits. In 2020, the then-President, Muhammadu Buhari, asked citizens to pray for our country’s “healing” as the economy tanked under inflation and mismanagement. Two years earlier, he declared June 28 a national day of fasting to ask God for peace during the herdsmen’s attacks on farmers.

Not a single herdsman was arrested. Not one victim was compensated. In 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan asked citizens to fast and pray for divine intervention against Boko Haram. By 2014, over 200 girls were abducted from Chibok. In 2001, during one of the early spikes in fuel prices and the civil unrest that followed, President Olusegun Obasanjo gathered religious leaders in Abuja for national prayer. The price hike stayed. The anger festered.

It has become a cycle. Crises emerge. The state fails. The government calls for prayers. Nothing changes. This habit of replacing governance with supplication is unserious. It is dangerous. And it exposes a deep bankruptcy of ideas at the top. Borno State has been at the epicentre of Nigeria’s security crisis for over a decade. Boko Haram was born there. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced.

Thousands killed. Infrastructure destroyed. Children orphaned. Girls kidnapped. What the Borno needs is action, not amens. It needs well-equipped security forces. It needs police presence in rural communities. It needs functioning IDP camps with decent sanitation. It needs roads to transport food and medicine. It needs solar-powered schools and mobile health clinics. These are the duties of a state. Not just prayer rallies.

Zulum has a responsibility to secure lives and property. He is not the Chief Imam of the Government House. He is the elected Governor of Borno State, who is paid and protected by the citizens’ taxes. To call for prayer in the face of failure is not leadership. It is abdication. Of course, some will argue that prayer works. It brings comfort to a grieving people. That faith can move mountains.

Yes, prayer works, but not as an excuse for laziness. Even the holy books, which say that “faith without works is dead”, also command action alongside devotion. What our rulers have perfected is not faith. It is the fatalism of the worst kind. They blame “spiritual forces” for bad roads. They say “God will provide” where budgets are looted. They speak of “the will of God” when children die in collapsed classrooms. They wash their hands like Pontius Pilate and ask the people to wait on the Lord. It is not just cynical. It is criminal. Governance is a secular calling. Religion may guide personal conduct, but it cannot replace statecraft. Rulers do not pray bullets away. They do not fast terrorism into remission. They do not tithe their way out of poverty.

They rule; they govern.

This growing trend of religious escapism among our rulers is a colonial hangover. It reveals a mental dependency that refuses to confront problems with modern tools. This is how my friend and kindred poet, Sodiq Alabi, captures it: “While our academics and intellectual debate decolonisation and decoloniality, we’ve got a professor governor declaring prayer days to combat insecurity in the state. This is part of the problem”. The sadder aspect of all of this is that it is easier for the governor to call citizens to pray than to call the Commissioner of Police to order. It is easier to fast than to fight corruption. It is easier to weep at vigils than to work at midnight.

Governance is hard work. It requires a plan. It requires a team. It requires metrics. It requires courage. Zulum has, in many quarters, earned a reputation as one of the few northern governors possessed of both vigour and vision. His tenure has not been without moments of commendable courage: visiting desolate IDP camps in the dead of night, overseeing the reconstruction of shattered communities, daring to rebuke soldiers accused of preying on the very citizens they were sent to protect, and sending aid agencies taking advantage of the violence to make war profits packing.

These gestures, rare in a region hollowed out by indifference, once set him apart. But now, he appears to be succumbing to the soporific comfort of ritualised faith; the kind that replaces action with incantation, and policy with piety. It is a tragic drift. For when men like Zulum begin to fold their hands in resignation and retreat into the shadows of spiritual escapism, then the last flickers of hope in governance risk being extinguished.

It is precisely because he was once different that his recent retreat must be called out, not with cynicism, but with the urgency that leadership demands. If even Zulum, once regarded as a symbol of resolve, is beginning to lose faith in his own capacity to act, then it signals a far deeper malaise that suggests that our country is in itself adrift.

In other parts of the world, religion does not substitute for public policy. After the 9/11 attacks in the United States, there were prayers, yes. But there was also a restructuring of the Department of Homeland Security. There were inquiries, funding bills, arrests, security measures, and intelligence reforms. In Rwanda, after the genocide, President Paul Kagame didn’t merely ask citizens to fast. He introduced sweeping reforms in justice, education, and policing. He mobilised the diaspora. He invited investors. He rebuilt with fierce urgency. Our rulers cannot continue to do less and expect more. They cannot continue to avoid accountability by appealing to the divine. They must stop turning public failure into a sacred ritual.

The citizens of Borno are not spiritually dead. They are alive and have survived more than most Nigerians. They know God. They honour Him. But they also want to live. They want to see their governor build more schools. They want him to secure the roads. They want to return to their farms. They want their children to grow up without hearing gunshots at night. They did not elect a pastor. They elected a governor. Zulum should act like one. Calls for prayer will not stop the violence. They will not stop the hunger. They will not fix roofs or pave roads.

They are the political equivalent of tossing a coin into a wishing well. Rulers must stop hiding behind the veil of piety. If Zulum has run out of ideas, he should say so. If he cannot face Abuja, he should admit it. If governance has overwhelmed him, he should not pretend that fasting will solve what failure has created. The time has come to strip the altar from the office. While the mosque stays sacred, the church also continues to live up to its sacred purposes. Both should do their work: Pray. The governor’s office is a place of policy, not praise and worship.

This is not an attack on religion. This is a plea for leadership.

Our country is not lacking in faith. It is drowning in corruption, incompetence, and neglect. And citizens cannot keep pretending that God will come down to fix what our rulers have broken and hide in plain sight to fix. When prayers replace plans, people die, and the country goes into oblivion. When fasting becomes a substitute for foresight, the present bleeds hopelessness for the future. When rulers kneel in sanctimony and refuse to rise to their responsibilities, history will bring out its Koboko and whip them.

This bears repeating: governance is not a prayer point. It is a job.

Zulum should do his job.

Dangote beats MTN, DSTV, AZAM to emerge as ‘Most Admired African Brand’

It was another historic milestone for pan-African investor Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Industries Limited over the weekend, as they garnered three prestigious accolades at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards, held at the iconic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

Dangote Industries Limited was named Most Admired African Brand, following an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries.

The company was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African firm to receive this distinction.

The induction recognises Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.

President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership in driving impactful industrialisation, establishing a world-class African brand, and reshaping the continent’s economic future through a benchmark, homegrown enterprise.

Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for building sustainable, globally respected brands.

Reacting to the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflect the unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation that define the group’s journey.

He added that they are a testament to the dedication of the company’s outstanding team, partners, and stakeholders, who continue to believe in the mission to drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.

“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our Founder and President, Aliko Dangote for building a purposeful world-class industrial brand that has exceptionally transformed African lives and the African narrative.

“This accolade celebrates not only his visionary leadership but also his tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise on the global stage. His legacy is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa,” he said.

Noting that the recognition would further inspire the company to push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond, Chiejina reaffirmed Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.

In his keynote address, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Claver Gatete, praised Aliko Dangote, the Hall of Fame inductees, and the Brand Africa laureates for advancing the African agenda.

He highlighted the alignment between Brand Africa and the ECA’s mission to promote inclusive industrialisation, regional integration, and private sector-led growth. He also called for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and the establishment of a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to identify, finance, and globalise Africa’s most promising brands.

“I wish to particularly acknowledge MTN, Dangote Group, mPesa and Ethiopian Airlines for consistently maintaining their distinguished positions among the “Most Admired African Brands” category and continuing to set benchmarks in brand leadership, innovation and continental impact,” he said.

According to the organisers, the 2025 rankings reveal a stark contrast between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty. While 68% of Africans expressed belief in the continent—up from 64% in 2024—only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, marking a historic low and down from 14% in 2024.

The report indicates the urgent need for homegrown brands to translate belief into consumer loyalty, and for Africans to more actively support Made-in-Africa products and enterprises.

“It is disappointing to see the sharp drop in African brands, which mirrors the ranking of non-African nations as the most influential in Africa,” said Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa. “It’s a wake-up call for Africa—and a barometer of the continent’s lagging industrialisation agenda. It’s not enough for Africans to say they believe in the continent—they must buy made-in-Africa. For that to happen, African brands must invest in R&D, continue to innovate, deliver quality, and use authenticity as a differentiator.”

Senate condemns opposition for calling national assembly ‘rubber stamp’

Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele on Sunday opposed key opposition parties in the country for labelling the national assembly a rubber-stamp parliament.

Mr Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, said if the national parliament was a rubber stamp, it could not have held over 39 meetings with the executive arm to remove all grey areas in the Tax Reform Bills 2024 before they were eventually passed.

The national assembly, he said, had, at its inauguration on June 13, 2023, embraced strategic engagement and partnership to address thorny national issues in the pursuit of the country’s vital and peripheral interests.

Despite its non-adversarial approach to the legislative business, the APC politician noted that the parliament has been under sustained public criticism.

This is with leading opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democracy Party, Labour Party and New Nigeria People’s Party, describing it as a rubber-stamp legislative institution.

Mr Bamidele first cited the case of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, which he said were initiated in November 2024 but finally scaled through legislative scrutiny six months after.

“If we are actually a rubber-stamp parliamentary institution as most opposition political parties have claimed, the bills would have been passed within one week or two weeks after they were laid before us.

“In the process of passing the bills, both executive and legislative arms held over 39 engagements to trash grey areas in the Tax Reform Bills, 2024 before both chambers of the national assembly eventually passed the bills.

“But people do not know all the efforts and sacrifices we made to ensure the effective delivery of public goods. They were only eager to label us a rubber stamp when the bills came from the executive,” stated the politician.

Mr Bamidele explained that the federal parliament invited the executive to thrash out grey areas in the bills at different times.

He also cited the case of the 2025 Appropriation Act, which was laid before the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 18 2024, but passed on February 13, 2025.

Mr Bamidele explained that if the parliament was a rubber stamp, it could have hastened the passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bills by the end of the 2024 fiscal year.

Russian Invasion: Putin is crazy, killing innocent Ukrainian civilians, Trump says

President Donald Trump has lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin for “needlessly killing” Ukrainian civilians.

The U.S. president described the Russian president as “absolutely crazy”.

Mr Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Monday, expressed displeasure with Mr Putin amid a recent barrage of missiles launched at Ukraine.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!,” Mr Trump said.

He added, “He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine for no reason whatsoever.

“I’ve always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!’”

About 12 persons were killed and scores injured as Russia fired 367 drones and missiles into Ukraine late on Sunday.

Mr Trump also berated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he “is doing his country no favours by talking the way he does”.

“Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop,” said the U.S. president.

He added, “This is a war that would never have started if I were president. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s war, not “Trump’s,” I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires that have been started through Gross.”

New York celebrates Africa’s unity, diaspora contributions with flag-raising

New York City joined the rest of the world on Sunday evening in commemorating Africa Day 2025 with a symbolic and colourful African Union flag-raising ceremony at the historic Bowling Green.
The event, which marked the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the AU, was attended by African diplomats, city officials and community leaders.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the African Group of Consuls General chair in New York, Nigeria’s consul general, Abubakar Jidda, said the annual commemoration reaffirmed African identity, unity and collective resolve to advance the continent’s development.

Mr Jidda said the event was also a vibrant celebration of Africa’s diversity and its diaspora’s contributions, underscoring global solidarity with Africa and its diaspora.

“For us, the flag-raising is more than a ceremony,” Mr Jidda stated. “It is a representation of our unity and common identity, all embedded in our shared values and determination as a people.”

Mr Jidda emphasised the critical role of the African diaspora in the global arena, applauding their contributions to their home countries and host communities, particularly in cities like New York.

The Nigerian envoy praised New York City as a place where the African diaspora had flourished across critical sectors.

“This city has given the platform for the diaspora community to thrive in fields such as academia, medicine, business, finance, arts and entertainment,” he said.

Mr Jidda highlighted the continent’s developmental roadmap and reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to Agenda 2063, which envisions inclusive growth, sustainable development, peace and security and prosperity across all African nations.

He said the ceremony served as a platform to reflect on Africa’s progress and the resilience of its people while calling for stronger solidarity among African nations and their global partners.

“We must continue to build bridges not just between our home countries and the diaspora but also across communities worldwide,” he noted. “Let us continue to stand together in unity and hope for the good of our dear continent,” the Nigerian diplomat said.

The event, which drew a distinguished audience, including Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, UN deputy secretary-general Amina Mohammed, and several African Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the UN, highlighted the enduring connection between Africa and its diaspora.

Mr Adams praised the African community in New York City for its vibrancy and vital contributions.

“New York is proud to be a home for the African diaspora,” he said. “You enrich our culture, economy and civic life. Africa Day is a celebration of your strength and heritage.”

Fatma Kyari-Mohammed, the AU permanent observer to the UN, said Africa Day “reminds us of our journey, our dreams, and the imperative to secure justice for past wrongs while building a future filled with opportunity and dignity”.

UN condemns Russia’s deadly strikes in Ukraine

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has deplored a deadly wave of Russian missile and drone strikes that reportedly killed at least 13 civilians and injured 65 others.

HRMMU, in a statement on Sunday, warned that the attack underscores the grave risks of using powerful explosive weapons in populated areas.

According to the UN mission, the overnight assault from Saturday into Sunday —one of the largest of its kind since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 —resulted in civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure across 10 regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv.

At least three children were among those killed, and nine children were reported injured. The mission is currently working to verify the full extent of the casualties and the broader impact of the attack.

“With at least 78 people reported killed or injured across the country, last night’s attack tragically demonstrates the persistent deadly risk to civilians of using powerful weapons in urban areas, including those far away from the frontline,” Danielle Bell, HRMMU head, said. “It is yet another addition to the staggering human toll this war continues to inflict on civilians, with more families across the country now grieving their losses.”

Matthias Schmale, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, also voiced deep concern over the civilian suffering.

“I am horrified that yet again civilians – among them children – were killed in last night’s massive attacks,” he said in a statement posted on the social media platform X. “Across Ukraine, no place is safe. Homes and civilian infrastructure were hit. Grateful to humanitarian NGOs and state services who are immediately supporting affected people. Civilians must never be a target.”

Ukrainian authorities reported that the Russian armed forces launched at least 367 missiles and loitering munitions during the night in a coordinated attack with air, sea and land-based systems.

The strike followed a similar assault the previous night, mainly targeting the Kyiv region.

HRMMU noted that the use of long-range weapons in urban areas has been a major driver of civilian casualties in March and April.

While the number of casualties in May had been somewhat lower than in April before the latest attack, the toll from this weekend’s strikes will add to the monthly figures.

Flooding: South-South states take precautionary measures as NiMet predicts heavy rainfall

Governments in the South-South region, particularly Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa, are taking precautionary measures to avert widespread flooding and mitigate its impact on vulnerable communities.

The measures were sequel to a warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that heavy rainfall might cause severe flooding across 30 states.

In Edo, the Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA) has ramped up mitigation efforts in flood-prone areas, such as Ekenwan Road, Uselu, Upper Mission Extension, and Auchi.

According to the agency’s chief executive officer, Ahmed Momoh, the desilting of major drainage channels and sensitisation campaigns have commenced.

“We are working closely with the state’s Ministry of Environment, local authorities, and community leaders to curtail early warning and educate residents on evacuation protocols,” Mr Momoh said.

In a complementary effort, the state has unveiled a six-month work plan under the €175 million EIB-funded Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

The initiative targets gully erosion, land degradation, and flood vulnerability across Edo.

Mr Momoh noted that 10 per cent of the fund would be accessible during the initial phase, provided benefiting states meet key administrative benchmarks.

He said the state government has committed N500 million in counterpart funding to fast-track implementation.

In Delta, the state government has set up internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in flood-prone localities in Isoko North, Bomadi, Ughelli South, and Asaba and activated its flood disaster preparedness mechanism.

The state’s commissioner for environment, Jamani Ejiro, emphasised that the indiscriminate dumping of waste and selling of water channels for building purposes were the major cause of flooding in the metropolis.

A Flood Disaster Management Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government has also been activated, comprising commissioners and heads of emergency response agencies.

“We are prepared. Delta is a floodplain, and we always take precautionary steps even before NiMet’s seasonal predictions,” Mr Ejiro added.

In Bayelsa, residents call for proactive action as flood fears mount. In 2022, floods displaced over 1.3 million people, and as such, anxiety is growing as water levels rise in the Epie Creek and the River Nun.

Residents of flood-prone areas in Yenagoa, such as Azikoro, Ekeki, Swali, and Amarata, are urging the state government to act swiftly.

Environmentalists like Jude Jack and Godwin Ekubo appealed for stricter waste management laws and proactive drainage clearing.

They warned that plastics and construction materials blocking gutters compounded the flooding risk.

Responding to these concerns, Omuso Omuso, director-general of Flood and Erosion Control in the state, said the “Prosperity Administration” in Bayelsa had instituted systematic cleaning of drainages and is committed to reducing the impact of floods.

“We cannot eliminate flooding completely due to our geographic location, but we can minimise its damage through preparedness and coordinated response,” Mr Omuso said.

He added that the newly created flood control agency, in collaboration with the Ministries of Works and Environment, was already operational and addressing high-risk zones.

Nigerian listed companies paid N1.1 trillion dividends in 2024: SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says listed companies on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) declared N1.1 trillion in dividends to shareholders in 2024.

The director-general of SEC, Emomotimi Agama, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that N1 trillion had already been paid to shareholders out of the N1.1 trillion declared.

According to him, this reflects improved market confidence and investor returns.

He said the commission, between January and December 2024, had approved N3.68 trillion in new issues.

“This comprised N59.82 billion in fixed-income issuances and N3.62 trillion in equities, reflecting strong investor appetite and issuer confidence in the equity segment of our market.

“For the period spanning January to April 2025, we have so far approved new issues valued at approximately N446.38 billion.

“Of this amount, N265.90 billion was raised through fixed income instruments, while N180.48 billion was mobilised via equities,” he said.

Speaking on mergers and acquisitions, Mr Agama said the commission in 2024 approved 11 transactions with an aggregate value of N320.36 billion.

“Most notable of these was the acquisition of a 58.02 per cent equity stake in Guinness Nigeria Plc by N Seven Nigeria Ltd., valued at over N103.7 billion.

“There were also three corporate restructuring transactions, two share capital reconstructions, one takeover, and four registrations of securities.

“Among the notable corporate restructuring transactions was the scheme of arrangement involving Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, valued at over N105 billion, and the share capital reconstruction by Transnational Corporation Plc, which saw a one-for-four share consolidation amounting to N5.08 billion,” he said.

He said the commission had approved three major transactions year-to-date worth N38.53 billion.

“This includes two takeovers and one corporate restructuring. While no mergers have been recorded within the review period, the pace of market activity remains steady, with continued interest in strategic consolidation and reorganisation across key sectors.

“These activities reflect continued strategic realignments within the market,” he said.

On collective investment schemes, Mr Agama said it recorded robust expansion with a combined net asset value of N3.84 trillion as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

“Registered mutual funds reached 184 in number, with a combined net asset value of N3.84 trillion and over 800,000 unitholders.

“Privately managed portfolios and products grew to 444 vehicles with assets under management totalling N4.69 trillion. In aggregate, 82 active asset management firms oversee N8.53 trillion in investments.

“These figures reflect a maturing market where professional fund management is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of capital formation and wealth creation.

“These figures are indicative of sustained activity in the market, particularly as issuers continue to leverage both the debt and equity segments to finance growth and investment,” he said.

NDLEA arrests British, Nigerian drug traffickers, recovers N3.8 million cash

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two British nationals, Mhizha Alexander and Ayedipe Andrew, for attempting to smuggle illicit drugs through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday that two Nigerians, Shonowo Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro, were also arrested in connection with drug smuggling into Nigeria.

He said 92 bags of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 51.10kg, were recovered from them by the NDLEA operatives at the airport.

Mr Babafemi also said one of the suspects, Mr Alexander, was intercepted with the consignment upon his arrival at the MMIA on a Qatar Airline flight from Doha, based on processed intelligence on Thursday, May 15.

He added that Mr Alexander was allowed to pass through the security control unhindered and closely monitored by NDLEA operatives to the car park.

“The owner of the cargo, Ayedipe Andrew, who is a Nigerian British, was waiting in an SUV along with his relation Shonowo Imole and the driver of the vehicle, Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, to receive the courier.

“The NDLEA operatives, tracking them, however, swooped on them as they attempted to drive out of the airport car park, arresting them with the drug exhibits in the vehicle.

“In his statement, Alexander confessed that he was recruited during his vacation weeks ago while he was promised 1,300 British Pounds after a successful delivery of the consignment in Lagos.

“The arrowhead of the syndicate, Ayedipe Adejuwon, confessed that he arrived in Nigeria a day earlier from South Africa through Ghana,” he said.

Mr Babafemi, however, said a follow-up operation at their apartment in Lekki led to more discoveries.

According to him, at the point of his arrest, N93,000 and 17,200 South African Rand were recovered from him.

“A search of his Lekki apartment led to the seizure of N3.8 million cash, an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max and four laughing gas (Nitro Oxide) canisters,” he noted.

Athletics club’s founder seeks SWAN’s support for election into AFN board

The founder of Samkey Athletics Club, Samuel Oredipe, has called for the support of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria as he aspires for the South-South zonal position on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Mr Oredipe, who is also the Director-General to the Bayelsa State Government on New Media, made the call on Saturday in Abeokuta while addressing journalists.

He said he was contesting the position of the South-South zonal representative on the board of AFN and would need the support of SWAN to coast to victory.

Mr Oredipe emphasised that the association is his primary constituency, hence the need for their support in propagating his antecedents and gospel across the country and beyond.

He said that he was contesting the position to contribute his experience to the growth of athletics in the region.

He said, “I’m coming into the AFN board with innovation, inclusiveness, and grassroots development plans, as I believe regular competitions in the region will help discover, nurture, and grow young athletes.’’.

Responding, Benjamin Isaiah, SWAN National President, Benjamin Isaiah, extended the association’s solidarity to Mr Oredipe, commending him for the bold steps to go into sports politics.

Mr Isaiah stressed that the move would serve as inspiration to other journalists across the nation.

He said that the association would give him the support he needed to win the contest, adding that his presence on the AFN board would benefit the association immensely.

He stated, “Your going into sports politics will serve as an inspiration to other journalists across the country.’’

The president said that henceforth, the association would ensure that it was represented on the boards of all sports federations to protect its interests.

He said that the representation of the association on the boards of sports federations must not be limited to media officers only.

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