TINUBU’S RENEWED HOPE AND CIVIL AVIATION TRANSFORMATIONAL FOOTPRINTS By Michael Ado

TINUBU’S RENEWED HOPE AND CIVIL AVIATION TRANSFORMATIONAL FOOTPRINTS

By Michael Ado

To still state that President Tinubu’s reform programs are working in all sectors is overemphasizing realities.
To add that they are positively impacting the everyday life of the citizens and residents of the country is an understatement.

Truth is, however, that there is need for sectoral analysis for a point-by-point understanding of the impact of the Renewed Hope initiatives. Through that, citizens and even the international community can better appreciate what is happening in Nigeria, and the point-men who are making those things happen.
The Nigerian civil aviation corridor has suffered years of neglect, leading to a comatose state.

The long-standing infrastructural decay and systemic neglect, occasioned by endemic and widespread corruption and abuse, rendered the civil aviation compliant to numerous sectoral dysfunctions.
Some of the identified challenges, which otherwise negatively impacted the growth of the sector, limiting safety and its overall efficiency, prompting calls for reforms and increased investment, include aging airport infrastructure and inadequate facilities, safety issues like bird strikes, runway skids, and ageing aircraft fleets, coupled with high operational costs, foreign exchange scarcity, and blocked funds for foreign airlines.

There were also challenges of inconsistent regulatory policies and lack of effective oversight, with acute manpower shortage and grossly inadequate trained professionals, caused by several years of neglect and airlines failing to invest in training programs.
Militating against the sector also was the challenge of inconsistent and unreliable foreign exchange, which was equally scarce and inaccessible to foreign airlines, resulting in flight suspensions and increased fares.

While associated with the challenge was high cost of operation due to rising cost of jet fuel prices and other operational costs, contributing to increased air ticket prices. And because of limited space and various role conflicts, there were constant rivalries between government agencies, such as FAAN and NCAA, hindering effective collaboration and oversight with incessant noncompliance issues, especially from some private jet operators operating chartered services without proper licenses, and rendering consumers liable to several abuses, poor treatment, including flight delays, cancellations, and lack of transparency in pricing, without any form of established protection.

However, with the assumption of Captain Chris Najomo as the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), all these have changed.

A man determined, like William Blake, not to resolve all contradictions but to live with them and rise above them, Captain Chris came with the Midas touch of positive solutions.

Mindful of the challenges, Capt. Najomo set out first to address the lingering infrastructural deficit, thereby upgrading the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) through the installation of airfield lighting systems at Murtala Muhammed Airport’s Runway 18R, reducing flight delays by 25%, coupled with the completion and commissioning of long-abandoned projects, such as the NCAA Regional Office in Port Harcourt and the Kano Regional Office, enhancing the NCAA’s operational capabilities.

The introduction of airport concessions in 2025, which saw the private sector into full participation in the modernization of the airport infrastructure, became the icebreaker leading to the rapid boost and enhancing operational efficiency, attracting significant investment, improving consumer experience.

It is noteworthy that Capt. Chris also implemented various measures aimed at instilling probity, accountability, and transparency into the regulatory dynamics of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), including the establishment of a Consumer Protection Directorate to address issues like flight delays and cancellations, and the Consumer Protection Portal to address passenger complaints and improve service quality, showcasing his commitment to consumer welfare, and expanding access and availability through the development of new airports, such as the Ogun Gateway Airport, which has since commenced commercial operations, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Another novel masterpiece is the implementation of various initiatives to enhance safety in Nigerian aviation, such as the establishment of the Flight Data Analysis Centre (FDAC) to detect anomalies and prevent safety challenges, as well as the prompt implementation of aircraft entry policy to allow smaller airlines to operate with fewer aircraft, fostering competition and growth.

A forward-thinking administrator, Captain Najomo also recertified two notable international airports, namely the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), thereby bringing to an end over 160 compliance issues, and demonstrating Nigeria’s capacity, leadership, and commitment to global safety standards.

These reforms, and the filling in of infrastructural gaps, have not just greatly added value to the sector but have become a springboard of attraction, building confidence, ensuring reliability, and bringing in many foreign direct investments, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), which are presently relentlessly driving inclusivity and growth in the aviation sector.

The various citizen-centred concessional arrangements include terminal concessions at major airports and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models and arrangements for cargo terminals and maintenance hangars.

While improving the overall efficiency, safety, and competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation sector, the various reforms also aim at repositioning the sector for formidable growth and development, enabling it to contribute not less than 2.5% to Nigeria’s GDP by the end of this year and supporting the employment of over 200,000 youths, while also stabilizing the finances of the sector through the “no pay, no service” policy, compelling airlines to settle their debts to the NCAA, significantly improving the agency’s financial health, and establishing a culture of collaboration and understanding between management and workers, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in the aviation sector.

Through the superlative resounding performance of Captain Chris Najomo, through sound and articulate demonstration of leadership and dedication, he has made positive impact on the Nigerian aviation sector, prioritizing safety, consumer protection, and regulatory excellence, thereby justifying the trust of Mr. President, and proving once again Mr. President’s efficiency and capacity for placing a square peg in a square hole, and getting the right people for the job, not necessarily out of sentiments but based on merits, innovation, and results.

There is no doubt that the NCAA is getting it right. More than right in Captain Chris Najomo’s agency, demonstrating team spirit, cohesion, unity of purpose, appreciation, and assimilation of the leadership of their MD, while positively aligning with the Renewed Hope Mandate of the Civil Aviation Sector for the overall growth of the economy and national development sustainability.

*Ado writes from Lugbe, Abuja.

APPRAISING DANTSOHO AND HIS PORTS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY By Joseph Onwe

APPRAISING DANTSOHO AND HIS PORTS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

By Joseph Onwe

Nigeria is experiencing rapid change anchored on the Renewed Hope Initiatives of the transformational leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Associated with the pragmatic leadership which is bringing about systemic and generalized changes in all facets of national life and all sectors of the economy, is the superlative positive volte-face experienced at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), under the distinguished visionary directives of Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.

Surmounting several challenges, which before now militated against the overall efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports, consequently resulting in a decline in trade and economic growth, notably infrastructural deficits due to aging port infrastructure and inadequate facilities, traffic congestion and gridlock on the main access roads leading to the ports, and inadequate truck handling systems leading to delays and increased costs, and a growing endemic corruption and inefficiency, with the poor management of empty containers adding to environmental risk and avoidable health risks, Dr. Dantsoho’s sagacity has led to the implementation of various initiatives.

With several years of outstanding, strong, and unwavering focused leadership, Dr. Dantsoho has demonstrated effectively his desire to actualize strategic action plans and consider key factors for a robust and effective transformation of the Nigeria Ports Authority.

An apostle of clear goals and objectivity, his well-defined, measurable, and achievable goals align with President Tinubu’s vision and mission as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Mandate.
An effective result-oriented leader, his devoted inspiration, motivation, and guidance has stimulated collaboration and a strong team spirit, thereby enhancing the achievement of strategic objectives.
His objective involvement and buy-in from relevant stakeholders has notably transformed the ports into a positive beehive of economic activities and sustainable growth.

A devoted administrator with several decades of selfless and productive service to the nation, Dr. Dantsoho’s adequate and efficient allocation of financial, human, and technological resources to support strategic initiatives has gained him the respect and admiration of all.

To further entrench the spirit of excellence and reliability, Dr. Dantsoho introduced result-based Performance Metrics and Accountability indicators which hold employees accountable for results.
Known for his effective communication, the introduction of regular tracking of progress, identification of deviations, and adjustments to stay on course has aided the ports in responding to changing circumstances, such as market shifts or unexpected obstacles.

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho’s leadership of the NPA represents resounding significant achievements through strategic initiatives which have transformed the agency and improved the efficiency of port operations.

An intentionally committed administrator, Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership is indeed modernizing port infrastructure, promoting trade facilitation, and encouraging private sector participation through public-private collaboration.

Notably poised to become a major player in the regional maritime industry, driving economic growth and development in Nigeria, Dr. Dantsoho since his appointment in July 2024 has remarkably improved the revenue of the NPA by 111%, from a low ₦424.2 billion in 2023 to an outstanding ₦893.6 billion in 2024, thereby reemphasizing remarkable growth and reechoing the testament of an effective management guru and strategic planner.

Through his systematic and forward-looking initiatives, Dr. Dantsoho has brilliantly transformed the NPA through consistent, comprehensive port modernization projects, including the reconstruction of the Tin Can Island Port Complex and the rehabilitation of other critical port infrastructure.

Dr. Dantsoho’s initiatives foster operational efficiency, reduce congestion, and increase cargo handling capacity.

Building on the new digital age, Dr. Dantsoho through his ingenuity introduced a robust Port Community System (PCS) and National Single Window (NSW) to streamline port operations, reduce bureaucracy, and eliminate corruption.

These digital platforms have improved the efficiency of cargo clearance and enhanced transparency, recording an upbeat increase in cargo throughput, with a 45.1% growth in cargo traffic and a 9.7% increase in container throughput.

This growth is attributable to improved operational efficiency and enhanced trade facilitation initiatives.

Dr. Dantsoho’s leadership has attracted wide accolades and recognition regionally and internationally, earning him election as the President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) and Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), a recognition that underscores his commitment to promoting regional cooperation and best practices in port management.

Through his leadership of the strategic forum, he prioritized the implementation of various trade facilitation initiatives, including the automation of port operations and the introduction of electronic payment systems, thereby reducing transaction costs and fostering an admirable business ambience; this, coupled with infrastructural development, including the construction of new ports and the rehabilitation of existing ones, has decidedly increased port capacity and improved operational efficiency.

Dr. Dantsoho has launched initiatives that aim at encouraging private sector participation in port operations, including the development of new terminals and logistics facilities, with the intention of leveraging private sector expertise and investment to enhance port efficiency and competitiveness.

Indeed, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has demonstrated proficiency and genuineness in his strategic action plans and the management of the ports, attracting public interest and appreciation, and proving what happens when productivity and success meet the right person.

Onwe is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

Nigeria dominates Sub-Saharan Africa in 2026 university rankings with 24 institutions

Nigeria has taken the top spot in Sub-Saharan Africa’s higher education rankings, with 24 universities listed in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

This makes Nigeria the most represented country in the region, ahead of South Africa, which has 13 universities on the list.

The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa Insights 2026 report, released on Thursday on THE’s website, shows that the region now has a record 55 universities from 14 countries in the global rankings, which is a significant rise from just 10 universities less than ten years ago.

The report described this as a “moment of celebration” for African higher education, noting that universities are improving not only in number but also in quality and global visibility.

South Africa still leads in performance, with four universities ranked among the world’s top 500. The University of Cape Town is Africa’s highest-ranked institution at 164th globally, its best-ever position.

The University of Johannesburg also reached a major milestone by entering the global top 400 for the first time, while the University of Pretoria returned to the 501–600 range after some years.

For Nigeria, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos both entered the world’s top 1,000 universities for the first time.

Ghana’s University of Cape Coast and Uganda’s Makerere University also featured in the same range, marking steady progress for West and East Africa.

Other countries also improved their presence. Ghana now has four ranked universities, while Botswana has two. Kenya and Tanzania maintained two each.

Senegal made a debut in the rankings through Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar marking a new era for Francophone Africa.

The report showed how fast the region has grown in the rankings over time. From just 12 universities in 2017, the number has grown steadily to 18 in 2020, 25 in 2022, 43 in 2024, and now 55 in 2026, the highest ever.

Times Higher Education’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Phil Baty, said Africa’s progress is not just about numbers but quality.

“We are not just seeing improvements in representation; we are seeing improvements in quality too… a great opportunity to build on the momentum and make sure Africa’s universities are ready to drive innovation and development,” he said.

The top 10 universities in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa Insights 2026 report include:

1. University of Cape Town (=164 globally)

2. Stellenbosch University (301–350)

3. University of the Witwatersrand (301–350)

4. University of Johannesburg (351–400)

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (501–600)

6. University of Pretoria (501–600)

7. University of the Western Cape (601–800)

8. Makerere University (801–1,000)

9. University of Cape Coast (801–1,000)

10. University of Ibadan / University of Lagos (801–1,000)

The report also noted that the global higher education system is changing. Some of Asia’s top universities, such as Tsinghua University and the National University of Singapore, have slowed in growth, while many US and European universities are facing challenges from funding cuts and political pressure.

These changes, the report said, create a new opportunity for Africa to rise further by focusing on research, innovation, and strong international partnerships.

PUNCH Online reported that the University of Ibadan also topped Nigeria’s domestic rankings for 2026, moving up from fourth position in the previous year to become the nation’s best university.

According to the PUNCH Online report, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 noted that UI and the University of Lagos share the same global ranking band (801–1,000), followed by Bayero University, Covenant University, and Landmark University in the 1001–1200 range.

The PUNCH Online report also highlighted that Nigerian universities performed differently across the five indicators used by THE: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry impact.

The University of Lagos scored highest among Nigerian institutions for research quality, Bayero University topped the list for international outlook, while Covenant University led in industry engagement.

Lutheran Church of Norway apologises to gay community for past discrimination

The Lutheran Church of Norway on Thursday apologised to the country’s LGBTQ community, at a gay pub in Oslo, for the discrimination and harassment it subjected them to in the past.

“The Church of Norway inflicted shame, serious harm and pain on gay people,” said Olav Fykse Tveit, presiding bishop of the Church of Norway, in a speech at the London Pub, a prominent venue for the gay community.

“It should never have happened and to them I say today: I’m sorry,” he said, acknowledging that the “discrimination, unequal treatment and harassment” caused some to lose their faith.

In the 1950s, the church said gay people were a “global social danger” and qualified their acts as “perverse and despicable.”

Over time, the Church of Norway — which has 3.4 million members, representing over 60 percent of the Norwegian population — has adopted a more liberal approach.

It has allowed gay pastors since 2007 and religious unions for same-sex couples since 2017.

Thursday’s apology was “strong and important” but comes “too late for those of us who died of AIDS … with hearts filled with anguish because the church considered the epidemic to be God’s punishment,” said Stephen Adom, leader of Norway’s Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity.

“We are seeing a populist and conservative Christian wave sweeping across country after country. In the United States, in Hungary, but also in Norway, it is becoming increasingly accepted among religious and political leaders to denigrate the human diversity of identities and bodies,” he lamented.

The London Pub was one of two bars targeted in a shooting that left two dead and nine injured during Oslo’s Pride parade on June 25, 2022.

The perpetrator, Zaniar Matapour, a Norwegian of Iranian origin who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, was sentenced to the maximum penalty, 30 years in prison which can be extended indefinitely, for committing an “aggravated terrorist act.”

In 2023, Tveit himself participated in the Pride parade, a first for a Church of Norway presiding bishop.

According to a survey conducted by the Opinion Institute for the Church of Norway, 65 percent of respondents said it was “high time” for the institution to apologise to gay people.

Other Protestant churches in England and Canada have issued similar apologies in recent years.

AFP

China defends Russian oil imports, slams US ‘bullying’

China said Thursday that its purchases of Russian oil were “legitimate” and decried recent “unilateral bullying” measures by the United States as the trade row between the two countries continues to intensify.

Trump said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised him New Delhi would stop buying Russian oil, and that he would get China to follow suit.

Trump has accused both China and India of funding the three-year Ukraine war through the purchases, and has also demanded that European allies immediately stop buying oil from Russia.

India neither confirmed or denied it was shifting its policy.

Asked on Thursday about Trump’s intention to pressure China further, Beijing’s foreign ministry defended its “normal, legitimate economic, trade, and energy cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia”.

“The actions of the United States are a typical example of unilateral bullying and economic coercion,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing.

If China’s interests are harmed, it will “take firm countermeasures and resolutely safeguard its sovereignty”, he warned.

Beijing and Moscow are key trading partners, and China has never denounced Russia’s war, nor called for it to withdraw its troops.

Kyiv and Western governments have long accused Beijing of providing political and economic support for Moscow.

– ‘Profoundly detrimental’ –

Beijing on Thursday also criticised recent US moves to expand export controls and impose new port fees on Chinese ships, saying the measures had a “profoundly detrimental” impact on trade talks between the two superpowers.

While tensions between Washington and Beijing have de-escalated from their peak, the truce remains shaky.

After Beijing imposed fresh controls on the export of rare earth technologies and items, Trump said he would roll out an additional 100 per cent tariff on the country’s goods from November 1.

The United States announced in April it would begin applying fees to all arriving Chinese-built and operated ships after a “Section 301” investigation found Beijing’s dominance in the industry was unreasonable.

Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 enables Washington to impose trade penalties on countries whose practices are deemed unfair or harmful to American commerce.

Beijing responded last week by announcing “special port fees” on American ships arriving at Chinese ports. Both sets of fees took effect Tuesday.

Commerce ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian said Thursday the US moved ahead with the measures while “disregarding China’s sincerity in consultations”, causing “severe damage to China’s interests… (and) a profoundly detrimental impact”.

“The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction with and resolutely opposes the series of actions taken by the US side,” He Yongqian said.

She urged Washington to “immediately rectify its erroneous practices” and respect the outcomes of recent trade talks.

AFP

How Nigeria can achieve sustainable, renewable energy — EU

As Nigeria moves to strengthen renewable energy manufacturing and champion local content, the European Union on Thursday said that creative partnerships between the public and private sectors, including research and innovation ecosystems, are key to achieving the country’s clean energy goals.

Describing how innovative breakthroughs are reshaping the global energy landscape, the EU praised Nigeria’s abundant and exceptional human talent and natural resources, describing them as critical ingredients for building innovation ecosystems.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, who was represented by the Deputy Ambassador, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, disclosed this during the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum in Abuja, according to a statement by the EU.

He highlighted how over €200 million in grants from the EU has continued to strengthen the country’s power sector since 2008.

He said, “Our most recent energy sector programme, launched in 2021 with a €100 million (₦175 billion) budget, is aimed at adding 400 megawatts of new renewable capacity by 2027, directly benefitting more than five million Nigerians.”

Mignot noted that innovation that accelerates inclusive energy and digital transformation processes has become an essential intergenerational process and an integral part of political legacies that will be duly recognised by future generations.

Explaining how proper synergy between the public and private sectors and research and innovation ecosystems works, he said, “The public sector brings the policy frameworks; the private sector brings agility and technical expertise; research institutions bring insight and innovation.”

Further stating that effective policies and regulations, together with strengthened capacity building, are essential to scale energy solutions sustainably, he added, “Across rural Nigeria, off-grid renewable solutions are transforming lives. Mini-grids and solar home systems, powered by creative public–private partnerships, are lighting homes, energising small businesses, and expanding opportunity.

“Research institutions must continue providing evidence-based insights on energy demand, consumer behaviour, and resilient business models to ensure that innovation truly serves local communities.”

Reiterating the EU’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy security and economic resilience, especially through programmes like GET.invest Nigeria and the EU’s Global Gateway, he said, “The EU remains deeply committed to supporting these efforts through direct research grants, local capacity development, and mobilising private investment, demonstrating a shared vision for sustainable energy access, clean industry, and inclusive growth.

“Whether for large grid-connected solar farms or small decentralised systems, our shared path depends on harnessing Nigerian ingenuity, industrial potential, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Hailing Nigeria’s advancement in the era of the green and circular economy, Amb. Mignot added, “The pace of this journey toward sustainable, accessible energy will depend on how successfully the public sector, private sector, and innovation ecosystem work together.”

PUNCH Online reports that Nigeria is currently working towards making significant strides in renewable energy, driven by government initiatives and international investments. The country aims to become Africa’s renewable energy hub, with a projected investment of over $410 billion by 2060.

Nigeria’s energy transition plan includes developing nearly 4 GW of local solar factory capacity, reducing reliance on imports, and creating jobs. The government has signed agreements worth over $400 million for renewable energy manufacturing and infrastructure deals, including solar panels, smart meters, and battery storage.

Additionally, Nigeria is promoting distributed renewable energy, with projects like mini-grids expected to reach 1.5-2 million rural customers.

The country has significant potential for solar and wind energy, with notable projects like the 140 MW Qua Iboe Power Plant and the 10 MW Katsina Wind Farm. Despite challenges like inadequate infrastructure and high costs, Nigeria’s renewable energy capacity is expected to grow, with projections indicating a compound annual growth of 9.88% from 2024 to 2034.

Jonathan mourns late Kenyan leader Raila Odinga

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has mourned the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, describing him as a true African patriot and a symbol of democratic struggle on the continent.

Jonathan, in a statement titled “Adieu H.E. Raila Odinga” shared on his official X account on Thursday, paid glowing tribute to the late Kenyan statesman, whom he hailed for his courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to democracy in Africa.

PUNCH Online, in an agency report titled “Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga dies in India”, reported that Odinga, 80, died in India after collapsing during a morning walk, leading to widespread mourning across Kenya and the continent.

Reflecting on Odinga’s legacy, Jonathan described him as a leader who placed service above self and who embodied the hope of a united, progressive Africa.

“I am saddened by the news of the passing of H.E. Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya and a distinguished African statesman whose life symbolised resilience, courage, and democratic struggle in Africa.

“Kenya has lost a patriot, and our continent has lost a great leader, one who understood that leadership is not about self, but about service; who believed and looked forward to Africa’s greatness and ascendancy”, the statement partly read.

The former Nigerian president further celebrated Odinga as a fellow advocate of democracy and a devoted pan-Africanist whose impact would continue to resonate across generations.

He prayed for history to remember Odinga kindly and for Africa to draw continued inspiration from his legacy.

“I honour him not just as a brother in the cause of democracy, but as a committed pan-Africanist whose light will continue to shine.

“May history remember him kindly, and may Africa continue to be blessed by his hope, wisdom and sacrifice”, Jonathan’s statement concluded.

Indonesia sacks Kluivert after World Cup miss

Patrick Kluivert’s stint as Indonesia coach is over after they “mutually” agreed to part ways Thursday following a failed bid to reach the World Cup.

Indonesia’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in North America next year ended with defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the past week.

The 49-year-old Netherlands and Barcelona great, who was only appointed in January, was in charge for just eight matches.

He won three of his games in charge, losing four and drawing one.

Writing on Instagram, Kluivert called it “an unforgettable journey”.

He added: “Even though I’m deeply disappointed and sorry for the fact that we didn’t make it to the World Cup, I’ll always be proud of what we built together.”

The Dutchman took over following the controversial sacking of South Korean Shin Tae-yong.

The former striker signed a two-year contract at the start of the year, tasked with taking Indonesia to their first World Cup since gaining independence in 1945.

The Football Association of Indonesia, PSSI, said Kluivert’s departure was “through mutual termination”.

“This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme,” it added.

The statement did not name Kluivert’s successor.

Amsterdam-born Kluivert retired as a player in 2008 after a stellar career that started at Ajax, where he won the Champions League, before moves to AC Milan and Barcelona.

Kluivert’s managerial career has not been nearly as spectacular.

His previous coaching role was in charge of Adana Demirspor in Turkey for five months in 2023.

Before that he was caretaker manager of Curacao in 2021.

He was also number two to Louis van Gaal with the Dutch national side in 2012-2014.

AFP

Olusegun Alebiosu’s Leadership Questioned as Fraud Scandals Rock First Bank

…Cases of Customers’ Funds Illegally Accessed Become Worryingly Frequent in First Bank

Banking thrives on trust — depositors rely on their banks to safeguard their money, while banks are expected to put robust measures in place to uphold that trust. However, in the case of First Bank under the leadership of Managing Director Olusegun Alebiosu, that trust appears to be eroding fast.

Once regarded as a financial fortress, First Bank is now facing allegations of rampant fraud, with both internal and external perpetrators reportedly having unfettered access to customer accounts. The situation has raised alarm across the industry, as fraud incidents within the bank have become increasingly frequent since 2024 — the very year Mr. Alebiosu took over.

First Bank, Nigeria’s oldest bank, has historically enjoyed a reputation built on customer loyalty and decades of reliability. But that image has been badly tarnished in recent months. According to industry watchers, the level of fraudulent activity is unprecedented, with some linking the escalation directly to lapses in the bank’s current management structure while some were of the notion that it is due to the incompetence of those at the helms of the bank affairs.

There has been so many issues with unauthorised transfer of deposit and withdrawal associated with the bank in recent times. This write up will be mentioning two of such incidents; one of such is the case of a customer whose video was posted on social media sometimes in July when she stormed a branch of First bank in Ibadan, Oyo State after her savings of N949,000 vanished from her account. In the video the distraught depositor was heard saying that her account was emptied without any form of notification like sms alert or email and while they were told to exercise patience the branch manager invited policemen to come and arrest them.

Similar incident is that of Charles Mary, a struggling entrepreneur, who is a customer of the bank. According to her a client paid a certain amount into her account on Friday 18th July, meant to execute the supply of certain materials, she decided to withdraw some money to pay for some of the materials needed through the First Bank ATM machine in Opebi around 5pm of the same day.

She explained that the ATM machine of First Bank at that branch did not dispense and she removed her card after few seconds and to her surprise she started receiving alerts while still in the vicinity of the bank.

To her surprise her account was not debited the amount she hope to withdraw from the ATM, instead debit alerts of five hundred thousand (500,000), two hundred thousand (200,000), ninety nine thousand (99,000) and fifty thousand (50,000) naira were received, without her compromising her account details in any form.

Findings revealed, it has become a pattern in First Bank, as customers details are exposed to activities of fraudsters, going by recent occurrence, many staffs of the bank are found to be working with these set of people.

Investigation shows two patterns that the fraudsters have been employing, the first style is that where alerts are not sent during and after the act, while the second is the illegal transfers and deduction being effected after closing of work on Friday so any action will wait till Monday since financial institutions don’t work on weekends.

While some customers are abandoning their account after transferring to other banks, some believed the bank will soon get it right. For many customers that are still holding on, the question on their minds remains: Can First Bank under Olusegun Alebiosu still guarantee the safety of their money?

Schools charging fees in foreign currencies should be shut — Minister

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, says Schools in Nigeria charging tuition fees in foreign currencies should be closed.

Alake made the call at the Nigeria Gold Day Celebration on the sidelines of the 10th edition of Nigeria’s Mining Week, themed Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He criticised the practice and described it as a part of the leakages and loopholes in Nigeria’s economy, threatening its growth.

“I am still going to make a proposal to the Federal Executive Council that all those schools in Nigeria that are charging in foreign currencies should be closed.

“These are some of these leakages and loopholes that we say exist in our economy that people do not really take these things very seriously,” he said.

“If you look at the foreign currency that goes into some of this, it is humongous

“If your child is attending a school in Abuja or Lagos or somewhere in the country and is paying 10,000 pounds or 10,000 dollars as their fees, that means you will be looking for naira to go and buy dollars.

“Driving the value of dollar up, whereas this school is in Abuja in Nigeria, you can’t go to UK, establish a school, and then be charging naira, it’s not done.

“It’s only in this country that I see so many contradictory things that really demolish the economy,” he said.

The minister said the Federal Government was introducing various measures, including digital mechanisms, to ensure that all leakages in Nigeria’s gold value chain were blocked and every loophole sealed.

He said the move would reduce room for interpersonal transactions, thereby reducing the propensity of corruption, which would further position Nigeria’s gold as one of the global pillars of means of exchange of value.

He said the Federal Government’s National Gold Purchase Programme (NGPP), implemented through the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), was designed to shore up Nigeria’s foreign reserves and strengthen the naira.

Alake explained that the NGPP, a component of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative, allows the government to buy gold directly from artisanal miners in naira, rather than spending foreign exchange to purchase gold internationally.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of SMDF, Fatima Shinkafi, said that, unlike global trends, gold exploration funding in Nigeria was on an upward trajectory.

Shinkafi explained that, within the broader macroeconomic context, gold serves as a safe-haven asset and encouraged conference participants to explore Nigeria’s gold opportunities.

“We implore everyone here to examine Nigeria’s gold resources and support the minister’s efforts to make Nigeria a premier destination for junior miners.

“In another year or so, let’s look at Nigeria’s Gold Day 2025 as a pivotal turning point, “ she said.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Mining Week, holding from October 13 to 15, is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the VUKA Group.

(NAN)