National
Asari Dokubo, Jack-Rich sue for peace in Rivers, urge support for Tinubu
Chief Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, and Tein Jack-Rich, a humanitarian and politician, both sons of Rivers, have called for peace in the midst of the current political turmoil in the state.
The two Niger Delta strongmen, who made the call on Friday when Jack-Rich paid Dokubo a courtesy visit at his home in Obuama, Degema Local Government Area (LGA), of Rivers, also called for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dokubo, who noted with concern the political impasse in the state, said tho yhuugh it was normal to have disagreements, the leaders should not continue on the “path of bearing grudges against each other’’.
He said Rivers people could not also afford to be left behind at the federal level, and so must take advantage of Tinubu’s inclusive government, and give the president all the support he required to succeed.
The Niger Delta warlord, who further dispelled rumours of a rift between him and the president said though he was not happy about certain things, he however, had put all that behind him and would continue to support Tinubu in his quest to restore the dignity of Nigeria.
“I am not a regular politician; I am just a friend of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am not looking for appointment, but those seeking appointment made sacrifices and are looking up to me to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain.
Dokubo, who recalled that his friendship with Tinubu dated back to the early 90s, said he had complete faith in the president’s capacity, leadership qualities and his passion for equity and justice.
“I will not do anything that will cause the president pain, and so those around me can be rest assured that I am indeed a great supporter of the president,’’ he said.
He further explained that though he also had some disagreements with Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, they had managed to resolve their differences and had agreed to work together in the best interest of Rivers.
Dokubo therefore, called on Fubara and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to settle amicably whatever differences they had, and work together to ensure that Rivers people enjoyed the dividends of democracy, both at the federal and state levels.
“And as our brother (Jack-Rich) said, we must always move forward and work for the good of Rivers,’’ he appealed.
Speaking earlier, Jack-Rich lauded Tinubu for his timely intervention in the political crisis in the state.
He said the president’s intervention had doused further tensions in the state, and restored confidence of hope for the people and also investors.
“When it comes to the issue of Rivers, we are stakeholders and our interest is for the peace, economic survival, political and economic inclusion of Rivers.
“Sometimes friends fight, parents and children might have disagreements, and they express such in their own ways; I am appealing to the FCT minister and our governor to work out their differences.
“Crisis will drive away investors, and if there are no private investments, capital investments, there cannot be economic growth and our youths won’t be employed.’’
Jack-Rich therefore, called for calm and understanding from both parties, for the sake of Rivers and the people.
He pledged to join forces with Dokubu to achieve lasting peace between Wike and Fubara for the sustainable development of the state so opportunities could be harnessed by the people at all levels.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
National
Nigeria Advocates for Collaborative Border Control Efforts with Sahel and West African Nations
Nigeria is seeking enhanced collaboration with Sahelian and West African nations to facilitate effective information and data sharing for improved border control measures.
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Border Security Summit in London, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for regional cooperation.
“There is a critical need for countries within the Sahel and West African subregions to collaborate more effectively for better international partnerships and information dissemination,” he stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of proactive strategies to not only address ongoing issues but to prevent future occurrences. “The major takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on proactivity rather than mere reaction, as nations increasingly aim to criminalize irregular migration.”
He described the summit as a significant opportunity for border control ministers to collaborate in safeguarding their nations’ borders.
The minister pointed out that organized immigration crimes are not confined to individual countries but are a collective issue requiring shared solutions. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating border-related crimes through the implementation of effective strategies.
“Nigeria has developed a comprehensive border control solution, recognizing that we are not just a transit point. Our systems have been automated with numerous measures introduced to secure our borders and eradicate irregular migration,” he affirmed.
“We cannot afford to lose the battle before it begins, and we are confident that, through this summit, we can present a united front to effectively tackle this challenge,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its immigration policies and collaborating with global partners to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.
According to NAN, the summit convened over 30 world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to address significant issues related to border control and organized immigration crime (OIC). The event served as a platform for international cooperation on migration policies, security threats, and strategies to counter illegal immigration activities. (NAN)
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.