Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed the only Christian leader in Nigeria that he thinks will make heaven in Nigeria. Obasanjo made this statement at the funeral service of the late Prelate in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. According to Obasanjo, the only Christian leader in Nigeria he is sure that will make heaven is the late Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria Dr Sunday Mbang, CON. Obasanjo said the late Prelate was not only forthright but he was not a man of emotions. Shortly after his release from prison amid pressure to become the President of Nigeria, one of the prominent Nigerians Obasanjo consulted across the country was the late Prelate Emeritus Mbang. Obasanjo said the late Prelate Emeritus was a man he always sought his advice because of his forthrightness. The former President added that when Governor Emmanuel Udom was at the helm of affairs in Akwa Ibom State and he wanted to seek Mbang’s opinion on any burning issue, he would visit Akwa Ibom State under the pretext of wanting to see the governor, but would visit the late Prelate Emeritus. Mbang was a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. The cleric was the first black President of the World Methodist Council. He died in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday May 16, 2023 at the age of 86.

  The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, who made a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily Friday, noted that another West African nation had a separate arrangement with the security outfit. “The Wagner Group, apparently, is in Mali today. The Malian government says this is an agreement between them and the Russian Federation,” Musah said. “We want to take them by their word, which means any sort of action that infringes on human rights or yeah, or devastation in our region by these private military contractors, we are going to hold the other countries of our region responsible for that.”   Asked if he meant Russia, the ECOWAS official stressed, “That’s Russia — (we will hold them) responsible, diplomatically. The West African region is just not Russia.” Musah stated that private military companies had been a feature of the African conflict scene for years. “Private military companies were involved in Sierra Leone. They were involved in Liberia during those civil wars, long ago. And even recently in the global conflict, there has been the use of private military companies,” he said. “The Americans are using them in Iraq; in Afghanistan, they use them, and others. What we are seeing is that these groups are not acceptable in Africa, even though they are there and we are going to hold their countries of origin responsible for any violations.” ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, appears on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, August 11, 2023. The ECOWAS commissioner also highlighted the current involvement of the Western forces in Niger, including France and the European Union (EU), adding that the region had also seen an influx of Middle Eastern nations such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, in like Russia and China. “What we are saying is that we are not going to allow West Africa to be an arena of proxy wars again. And that is our attitude to Wagner. It is not our option,” he said. “We do not want private military companies interfering in the conflict environment in the region because we know the consequences of their action.”

  The military high command has said with the support it now enjoys from the citizens, the days of criminal elements in the country are numbered. The Defence Headquarters noted that with the development, it is either the criminal elements surrender or get killed. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this in a statement on Friday. It partly read, “The uncommon cooperation, collaboration, and support received from citizens across the country are greatly assisting our operations to yield expected results. Nigerians are speaking up, and the military is doing something about it. “Given the active participation of citizens in exposing the activities of these evil elements. Their days are surely numbered to either surrender now or exit this world. The military would sustain the momentum. Therefore if you know something, say something and the military will do something.” He added that in the last few weeks, troops killed 38 terrorists and arrested 175 gunmen. During the week leading to August 11, 2023, the military neutralized 38 terrorists, arrested 175 gunmen/ criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborators, and 17 pipeline vandals. “The military also rescued 89 kidnapped hostages. Troops denied the oil theft saboteurs the sum of N607,346,750.00 being the value of seizures.” Buba also said between July 31 and August 3, troops arrested 18 suspected members of a criminal group in Borno known as ‘Malians’. “Between July 31 and August 3, 2023, troops responded to intelligence of a notorious criminal gang known as Malians hibernating at Bolori 2 general area, Jajeri Bayan Quarters, and Tudu general in Maiduguri Municipal City of Borno State. “The operation yielded results as troops arrested 18 suspected gang members. Troops recovered substances suspected to be cannabis, cough syrup, and five mobile phones.”

  The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, says ousted Niger president Mohamed Bazoum and his son being held by the country’s coup leaders are living under appalling circumstances. Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily Friday, Musah’s comments follow reports of threats by the putschists to kill Bazoum in the event of a military intervention of the Economic Community of West African States. “We are going there, if need be, to rescue President Bazoum who is living in very terrible conditions today. He is being denied medical attention, he’s being denied even access to his usual food,” he said. “His son, who is also in detention, has lost so many kilos already. They are being held in these inhumane conditions and we cannot just sit back idle and depend on the goodwill of these people who are disrupting the democratic process in the country.” Heads of state in the West African bloc came together on Thursday for an extraordinary summit held in Abuja to deliberate on approaches to deal with the putsch in Niger, opting to maintain the diplomatic route with military force still on the table. “Yesterday’s communique also made it very clear that this junta will pay dearly if anything happens to the safety, security, or the physical integrity of Bazoum, his family, or members of his government. That was clearly done,” Musah said. “We are not going to hold back because they are holding the president hostage. If they dare, if they should harm in any way, then they are going to pay very dearly for that. So, this is a tactic.”

  The body of a young nurse was discovered without a womb after a night outing in Ibadan. The nurse, Omoniyi Boluwatife, was found dead and evacuated by the Police in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Boluwatife, a graduate of Lead City University was on Tuesday inducted into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, according to reports. She had reportedly gone to celebrate her recent induction into the nursing profession at a nightclub on Tuesday night before she died. In a recent viral video, the body of Boluwatife was seen on the floor. A source who preferred to be anonymous told PUNCH Metro that prior to the night before the incident, Boluwatife had seen her mother off to the motor park after she travelled from Port Harcourt to join her in the celebration of her induction into the nursing profession. He added, “Boluwatife was a member of my church, in fact, she gave testimony about her graduation last week Sunday after she cleared the carry-over course delaying her graduation. “She is a gentle person and to hear the news of her death broke me,” he added. Reacting to the news of her death, the club where she reportedly went, Copacapana denied that the incident happened within their premise, adding that their management will not take responsibility for incidents that occur outside their premises. In a press statement that was made available to our correspondent on Friday, the management, said, “It saddens our heart to hear about the tragic event that happened to some customers after leaving our facility. “However, as a nightclub, we cannot take responsibility for incidents that occur outside our premises. Although, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. “Our nightclub prioritises the safety of all our patrons. Our venue is equipped with top-notch security systems making it one of the most protected facilities in the city of Ibadan. Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adewale Osifeso, proved abortive as calls and messages put to his telephone number were unanswered as of the time of filing this report.

  Burkina Faso’s junta-led government has suspended one of the country’s most popular radio stations after it broadcast an interview deemed “insulting” to Niger’s new military leaders. Radio Omega was immediately suspended on Thursday “until further notice,” Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo said in a statement. He said the measure was “in the higher interests of the nation.” The station, part of the Omega media group owned by journalist and former foreign minister Alpha Barry, ceased broadcasting after the statement was issued late Thursday. The channel had run an interview with Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, the spokesman of a newly-established Nigerien group campaigning to return President Mohamed Bazoum to power. The country’s elected leader was overthrown on July 26 by members of the Presidential Guard. Moumouni made “insulting comments about the new Nigerien authorities,” said Ouedraogo, who is also a government spokesman. His organisation “is clearly campaigning for violence and war against the sovereign people of Niger” and seeks to restore Bazoum “by every means,” he charged. Burkina Faso underwent two military coups last year, each triggered in part — as in Mali and Niger — by discontent at failures to stem a raging jihadist insurgency. It swiftly declared solidarity with Niger’s new leaders and joined Mali in warning that any military intervention to restore Bazoum would be considered a “declaration of war” against them. The Burkinabe authorities in recent months have suspended the French TV outlets LCI and France24 as well as Radio France Internationale and expelled the correspondents of the French newspapers Liberation and Le Monde. AFP

  Protesting Benue women mounted a roadblock on Makurdi/Laafia/Abuja federal highway on Friday, following the killing of five people by suspected herders. According to a local who simply identified himself as Sunny, five people were killed in separate attacks by suspected herdsmen in two communities in the Guma Local Government area of Benue State. Sunny who spoke to our correspondent on the phone said that three people were killed Thursday night at Ngban and another two at Nyian. Confirming the report, the security officer of Guma Local Government, Christopher Waku, said that five people were killed by suspected herders. Waku said, “Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi/Abuja federal highway since 5 am today, you can hear from the background how they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can move now. “The women are protesting the killing of five people yesterday (Thursday) night and this morning (Friday). He added, “Three people were killed at Ngban yesterday night and two people killed at Nyian this morning, the women have said that they are not going to leave the road until the governor comes and talks to them. I’m right now at the road the women are protesting waiting for governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.”

  In an exclusive report by PREMIUM TIMES, it has been revealed that Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has withdrawn his interest in being part of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, according to sources close to the Presidency. Sources within the presidency disclosed that during a meeting with President Tinubu on Tuesday, Mr. El-Rufai communicated his decision to forego the ministerial position and instead contribute to Nigeria’s development as a private citizen. The former governor also cited his commitment to his ongoing doctorate program at a university in The Netherlands as a reason for his withdrawal. During the meeting, Nasir El-Rufai also recommended Jafaru Ibrahim Sani as a potential ministerial nominee for Kaduna State, highlighting his potential contributions to the administration. Mr. Sani previously served as commissioner in three ministries in Kaduna State during Mr. El-Rufai’s tenure as governor. This development comes after the Senate’s confirmation of 45 ministerial nominees, during which Mr. El-Rufai’s confirmation was withheld, alongside those of two other nominees, due to security reports from the State Security Service. Upon learning of the Senate’s decision, Mr. El-Rufai swiftly arranged a meeting with President Tinubu to discuss his status. During their conversation, President Tinubu revealed that he had received critical petitions regarding Mr. El-Rufai’s nomination. The president requested a 24-hour grace period to review these petitions and the security reports before reaching a final decision. In response, Nasir El-Rufai expressed his decision to withdraw from ministerial consideration, suggesting that forces within the president’s circle were actively opposing his nomination. Previously, during his confirmation hearing, Mr. El-Rufai had disclosed President Tinubu’s invitation to work on resolving Nigeria’s power challenges. El-Rufai’s decision to withdraw is unexpected, considering the prominent role he was expected to play in addressing the nation’s energy crisis. It is unclear what led to this sudden change of course between the two prominent figures. With his ministerial prospects now abandoned, Mr. El-Rufai is set to refocus on his doctoral studies in public policy at the United Nations University, Maastricht. His associates have noted his initial intention to exit public life and concentrate on his academic pursuits upon leaving office as governor earlier this year. When approached for comment, Muyiwa Adekeye, the media adviser to Mr. El-Rufai, declined to provide further information.

  Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, has alleged that Philip Shaibu, his deputy, hatched a plan to kick him out of office. Addressing stakeholders in a video posted by AIT on Friday, Obaseki said Shaibu has become so desperate to succeed him, ahead of the Edo governorship election in 2024. “He (Shaibu) went to Abuja and was boasting that he has connections in Abuja, that he has people in the national assembly, that they are all with the president now, that they will take care of him,” Obaseki said. “That if he cannot get the ticket in PDP, he knows what to do. “I kept quiet and said I thought we were together. But what struck me, and I have never said this to anybody, is that after I proclaimed the house of assembly, we were now going to elect officers. “He was in Abuja, he came back that day. I am the chief security officer of this state. I get any information I need. But I have that responsibility to keep quiet and use the information properly. “My deputy called the leader in APC, telling that leader that during the elections on the next day, particularly speaker of the house of assembly, that he has five members who are loyal to him and that he would like the seven members of APC to work with his five members of PDP to produce the next speaker. “As far as I am concerned, that was not working in our common interest. “Why would the deputy governor seek to have another speakership candidate outside of what the governor wants? Are we working together? “That was when I knew we had a problem. That the deputy governor has become so desperate to take over that he would do anything, including carrying out a coup, against his governor. “How can you say you are loyal and you will do such a thing?” Obaseki said he has repeatedly told Shaibu to keep his governorship ambition in check because there is still a lot of work to be done before next year’s transition. BACKGROUND On July 28, Shaibu approached a federal high court in Abuja with a suit to prevent an alleged impeachment plot against him. In the suit, the inspector-general of police, state security service, governor of Edo, speaker of Edo state house of assembly, and chief judge of Edo state, were listed as first to fifth defendants, respectively. The deputy governor asked the court to restrain the governor, the speaker of the state assembly, and the chief judge, from “initiating impeachment proceedings or sanctioning any impeachment” against him. Shaibu accused the governor of preventing him from performing his constitutional duties. Reacting to the suit, Obaseki alleged that the court action taken by Shaibu was a preemptive move ahead of his defection to the APC. The Edo governor said there is no plan to impeach his deputy, while alleging that Shaibu has been actively engaging with members of the APC at the national and state levels to negotiate his way into the ruling party. On August 4, the court restrained Obaseki, the speaker, and other parties in the suit from initiating impeachment moves against Shaibu. On Thursday, the court restated that parties in a suit filed by Shaibu should maintain the status quo, pending the next hearing date.

  The Central Bank of Nigeria has released the Consolidated Financial Statements for the last seven years, making it the first time since 2015 that the apex bank will be making its book available for public scrutiny. The Consolidated Financial Statements, which were released by the CBN, are for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 financial periods. The CBN declared a profit after tax of N103.8bn in 2022, up from N75.13bn reported a year earlier. Also, the CBN owes JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs a combined sum of $7.5bn as of the financial year ended December 2022. Included as part of its liabilities is another $6.3bn owned in foreign currency forwards. The apex bank, however, stated it owes Goldman Sachs $500 million and JP Morgan $7 billion in what it classified as securities lending. The 2022 financial statement read, “The Group entered into a securities lending agreement with Goldman Sachs and J. P. Morgan and as part of the agreement, the Group pledged its holdings on foreign securities in return for cash. The cash received from Goldman Sachs is N0.23tn ($500m), 2021: N0.22tn ($500m), and JP Morgan N3.23tn ($7bn), 2021: N3.05tn ($7bn) is recognised in other foreign securities.” Securities lending forms part of the CBN’s total external reserves of about N14.3tn or $29bn using the official exchange rate of N494/$1 as of 2022. However, the apex bank also owes another N3.15tn ($6.3bn) in foreign currency forward which are forex obligations it needs to make to foreign investors. The financial statements uploaded on the CBN website is an indication that the apex bank, under the leadership of acting Governor Folashodun Shonubi, is ready to open its book to public scrutiny. The suspended CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, had come under attack for not releasing the financial statements to the public. The action of Emefiele is in gross violation of the CBN Act. statements to the public. The action of Emefiele is in gross violation of the CBN Act. Since 2005 when it started publishing details of its annual report on its website, the CBN never failed to publish the report until 2016, when it stopped the publication of the crucial documents. According to the CBN Act 2007, the apex bank is expected to publish its report within two months after the end of each financial year. “The Bank shall, within two months after the close of each financial year, transmit to the National Assembly and the President a copy of its annual accounts certified by the Auditor. “A report required to be submitted to the National Assembly and the President shall be published by the Bank in such a manner as the Governor may direct “The Board shall ensure that accounts submitted pursuant to this section shall as soon as possible be published in the Gazette. “The Bank shall as soon as may be practicable after the last day of each month makeup end publish a return of its assets and liabilities as at the close of business on that day, or if that day is a holiday, as at the close of business on the last preceding business day,” the Act reads. Analysts are of the view that the failure of the CBN to publish the report could send wrong signals to investors and others interested in understanding the state of the economy. President Bola Tinubu had appointed Jim Obazee as a Special Investigator to probe the activities of the CBN and other related entities. In a letter dated July 28, Tinubu said the appointment of Obazee, relying on the fundamental objective set forth in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution, was in furtherance of his administration’s anti-corruption fight. The appointment is with immediate effect, and Obazee is to report directly to the President. According to the letter signed by the President, the full terms of Obazee’s engagement as a special investigator will be communicated to him in due course. The President had directed Obazee to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and to work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on the assignment.