INSTANT NEWS

Italian football legend Fabio Cannavaro has disclosed that he rejected an offer to manage the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had announced plans to appoint a foreign coach for the team following a disappointing run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Cannavaro Confirms Approach by NFF

Cannavaro confirmed that he was approached by the NFF to take charge of the Super Eagles. However, the former Juventus and Real Madrid defender expressed his desire to focus on coaching opportunities in Europe for now.

Prioritizing European Coaching Opportunities

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cannavaro stated, "I had offers from Nigeria [national team] and Iranian clubs, but I want to wait for Serie A and European clubs until December. After that, I may start travelling again." This indicates that Cannavaro is holding out for a coaching position in Europe's top leagues.

Augustine Eguavoen to Lead Super Eagles in Upcoming Qualifiers

In the meantime, Augustine Eguavoen will take charge of the Super Eagles for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. The search for a permanent foreign coach continues, with Cannavaro's revelation providing insight into the NFF's efforts to attract top coaching talent.

Nigerian youngster Taiye Abdulateef has made a significant move in his football career, signing a four-year contract with Greek giants Olympiacos. The talented striker joins the UEFA Europa Conference League champions from Unicorns Football Academy, owned by Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi.

A Dream Move for Abdulateef

Abdulateef will begin his Olympiacos journey with the U-19 team, with the expectation of graduating to the first team in the near future. The young striker is eager to make a meaningful impact with his new club and hopes to achieve great success.

Paving the Way for Others

During his unveiling ceremony, Abdulateef expressed his desire to pave the way for other players from the Unicorns Football Academy in Ilorin. He is determined to make the most of this opportunity and inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

Awoniyi's Vision for Player Development

Taiwo Awoniyi, owner of Unicorns Football Academy, emphasized the importance of providing the right environment for players to grow and progress. He believes that Olympiacos offers the ideal setting for Abdulateef to develop his skills and reach his full potential.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said he brought the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Asue Ighodalo, because he needed a competent hand to pilot the affairs of the state.

Obaseki said electing an incompetent governor would be a disservice to the people of Edo State.

He spoke during PDP’s campaign in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

The governor explained that he brought Ighodalo to continue the good works of his administration.

According to Obaseki, Ighodalo is not a “push-and-start” candidate.

Obaseki said: “Asue Ighodalo is not a ‘push-and-start’ candidate. The state needs competent hands to pilot its affair, given the level of suffering currently ravaging Nigeria today.

“So, it will be a big disservice to the state to elect somebody who is grossly incompetent and incapable of managing it.

“Edo is already enjoying good governance and that is why I brought Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie to continue the good work I am doing.”

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, has inspected a burnt major store at the state-owned Specialist Hospital, Yola, alleging the likelihood of sabotage.

It became public knowledge towards evening on Tuesday that a store of the hospital containing furniture and equipment was torched earlier, in the night of Monday, September 2.

Observers of happenings at the hospital who were quick to recollect that the same store was destroyed by fire in June 2021, concluded that sabotage was likely.

Governor Fintiri voiced the same opinion when he visited the place on Tuesday, saying the Specialist Hospital Yola is a “collective heritage that should be collectively guarded.”

Urging the public to be vigilant against “saboteurs seeking to undermine the well-being of society,” Fintiri said his administration on its part remains steadfast in prioritizing the health sector to ensure the welfare of the people.

Fintiri was accompanied to the scene of the fire by Deputy Governor Kaletapwa Farauta, Secretary to the State Government, Auwal Tukur, among other government officials.

The state Commissioner of Health, Felix Tangwami who was also on the entourage, assured that the affected building is a passive storage for equipment and its destruction will not hamper the provision of health services

The United Nations Children’s Fund , UNICEF has expressed concern over the low intake of iron and folic acid supplements by pregnant women in Bauchi State.

Nutrition Specialist with UNICEF, Philomena Irene, made this known on Tuesday during a one-day inception meeting focused on scaling up Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.

Citing the 2018 National Demographic Health Information Survey (NDHIS), Irene revealed that only 23 percent of the 381,364 pregnant women in Bauchi State receive iron and folic acid supplementation, a critical measure to reduce the risks of low birth weight, maternal anemia, and iron deficiency.

This is as she disclosed that under the new scale-up initiative, Bauchi State has received 134,280 bottles of multiple micronutrient supplements, MMS, with additional supplies expected as the project progresses.

The Nutrition specialist stated further that UNICEF will collaborate with the Bauchi State Government to ensure MMS is incorporated into the state’s annual procurement plans, adding that funds for MMS procurement will be allocated through the Child Nutrition Fund.

DAILY POST reports that the life-saving initiative organised by the state government in collaboration with UNICEF and Alive and Thrive, is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, BMGF.

“We are here today to launch the scale-up of multiple micronutrient supplements with the aim of improving pregnancy outcomes in Bauchi State,” Irene stated.

She further explained that the initiative will strengthen antenatal care platforms, enabling the delivery of high-impact maternal nutrition interventions across the state.

Irene added that it will also build the capacity of health workers to accurately forecast and manage MMS distribution to pregnant women using the Logistics Health Management Information System (LHIMS) and DHIS 2 platforms.

“The scale-up of MMS for pregnant women aligns with Nigeria’s goal to reduce anemia among pregnant women by 40 percent by 2025 and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of reducing anemia among pregnant women by 50 percent by 2030.’’

Irene assured me that UNICEF will continue to support the Bauchi State Government in mitigating anemia in pregnancy and extending MMS coverage to all pregnant women in the state

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has expressed dismay over the increment in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also referred to as petrol, saying it is a betrayal of Nigerians, especially the working class.

President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the reservations on Tuesday, saying part of the reasons why the union accepted the N70,000 minimum wage was as a result of an understanding that there would be no further increase in the price of fuel.

Nigerians woke up to a sudden increase in the price of fuel from the official price of N617 to N897 per litre on Tuesday.

The development, which has thrown many Nigerians into confusion, prompted a reaction from the labour union, which has been entangled in a terrorism-related crisis with the Nigeria Police Force.

Ajaero threatened that in the coming days, the appropriate organs of NLC will be meeting to make appropriate decisions which will be made public.

Ajaero’s statement reads in full: “We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.

“We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) or N70,000 (at old PMS rates). We opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians.

“But here we are, barely one month after and with government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain.

“It is both traumatic and nightmarish. Yet, when we told government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, its front-row cheerleaders sneered at us, saying we did not understand basic economics.

“But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances we were given by the leadership of the National Assembly on the 250% tariff hike—that it had been dealt with and there was no need to openly engage the Minister of Power who was at that meeting.

“Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.

“The combined effects of government’s ferocious right-wing market policies brought Nigerians and Nigeria to their all-time low and led to the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.

“Rather than make amends, government arrested and hounded into detention some of those who took part and some of those who had nothing to do with these protests, charging them with criminal conspiracy, subversion, treasonable felony, terrorism financing and cybercrime with an intent to overthrow the government of President Tinubu.

“The police and other security agencies have since been on a rampage terrorising the citizenry in pursuance of government’s agenda of muzzling lawful dissent.

“In brazen pursuit, they have defamed and libelled not a few individuals. They have gone as far as appropriating the statutory roles of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in resolving trade dispute matters and issues considered outside the jurisdiction of the security agencies.

“That the government is on rampage in the face of stifling conditions of living is an understatement but we promise Nigerians that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress will not be cowed into submission. Together with civil society, we brought about this democracy when some of the actors in power today were conspiring with the military on how to perpetuate their hold on political power.

“When the State and the security forces picked on us in a hybrid war, we had our suspicions. We knew they were up to something sinister and needed to distract/divert our attention or possibly frighten or weaken us before they came out with it so that we would not have a robust response.

“Now that the chickens have come to roost, we were right in our suspicions. However, we want to let Nigerians know that the clandestine/surreptitious increase in the pump price of PMS is the first among the equally sinister policies government has up its sleeve.

“On our part, we stand resolute with the people and will neither be distracted nor intimidated by the government or its security agencies. We insist that government cannot criminalise protests or basic rights in the domain of the citizenry. Accordingly, we demand the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the pump of PMS across the country;

“Release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted on the assumption of having participated in the recent protests; halt the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped-up charges; and reversal of the 250% tariff hike in electricity.”

“It should stop the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment; end policies that engender hunger and insecurity; and halt to government’s culture of terror, fear and lying.

“We are guided by our belief in our country and the need to secure and sustain its sovereignty, integrity and welfare of the people. In the coming days, the appropriate organs of the Congress will be meeting to take appropriate decisions, which will be made public

Nantes winger Moses Simon has emphasized the importance of the Super Eagles starting their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a win. The team will face neighboring Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.

Avenge Past Defeat

Simon is keen on avenging the Super Eagles' 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June. He believes that securing a win this time around is crucial for the team's morale and momentum.

Meet Expectations

The winger acknowledged that all Nigerians are expecting a win, and the team will do their best to deliver. "The best Nigeria needs is to find a win, this is the most important thing," Simon stated, highlighting the significance of starting the qualifying campaign on a positive note.

A Winning Mentality

Simon's comments reflect the team's determination to succeed and make a strong start to their AFCON qualifying journey. With the support of the fans and a strong team spirit, the Super Eagles are poised to take on

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two old rivals, Manchester United and Liverpool, at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. Manchester United comes into the game after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton and a 1-0 win against Fulham in their first two Premier League games of the season.

Injury Woes for Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund will miss the game due to injury, joining Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelof on the sidelines.

New Era for Liverpool

Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, has started the season strongly with two wins against Ipswich Town and Brentford. Slot has a full squad to choose from, except for Curtis Jones, who is a doubt due to a groin injury, and new signing Federico Chiesa, who joined the club on Thursday.

Historic Opportunity for Slot

A win at Old Trafford would be a statement victory for Slot, making him the first Liverpool manager to win his first league meeting against Manchester United since Bob Paisley in 1975. Can Slot write his name in the history books by beating Manchester United in their own backyard?

Kick-Off Time

The highly anticipated match kicks off at 4 pm Nigerian time, setting the stage for an exciting encounter between two Premier League giants.

Ray Parlour, a legendary Arsenal midfielder, has strongly criticized referee Chris Kavanagh's decision to send off Declan Rice during the Gunners' 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.

Controversial Red Card

Parlour took to social media to express his outrage, calling the decision an "absolute joke" and a "disgrace." Rice received his second booking in the second half, leading to his dismissal, which significantly impacted the game's momentum.

Game-Changing Moment

The match had started positively for Arsenal, with Kai Havertz scoring in the first half courtesy of a fine pass from Bukayo Saka. However, Joao Pedro's equalizer for Brighton after Rice's red card turned the game around, leaving Arsenal fans and sympathizers frustrated.

Parlour's Reaction Echoes Fan Sentiment

Parlour's reaction resonated with many Arsenal fans, who felt the referee's decision was unjust and influenced the outcome of the game. His tweet succinctly captured the emotions of those who felt the red card was an unfair call.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has voiced his worry for manager Erik ten Hag as the Red Devils prepare to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. Neville's concern stems from the potential consequences of a heavy defeat, which could put additional pressure on ten Hag.

Call for Team Changes

Neville has urged ten Hag to make changes to his team, specifically advocating for summer signing Joshua Zirkzee to start against Liverpool. This suggestion comes after Manchester United's disappointing result against Brighton last weekend.

Cautious Optimism

Despite his concerns, Neville believes Manchester United has a habit of delivering results when it matters most under ten Hag's leadership. He doesn't anticipate a significant defeat against Liverpool and thinks United will rise to the occasion.

Pressure on ten Hag

Neville acknowledges that ten Hag is under pressure this season, and a positive result against Liverpool would be crucial in alleviating some of that pressure. The highly anticipated match kicks off at 4 pm on Sunday.

Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has disclosed that Victor Osimhen has made it clear he no longer wishes to play for the club. Despite efforts from Chelsea and Al-Ahli to sign him, Osimhen's transfer failed to materialize on deadline day.

Osimhen's Exclusion from Napoli's Squad

As a result, Napoli has excluded Osimhen from their Serie A squad and stripped him of the number nine shirt. Manna explained that Osimhen's desire to leave has been evident since the end of last season.

Failed Transfer Negotiations

Manna revealed that Napoli attempted to make Osimhen happy by negotiating his transfer, but ultimately, the deals with Chelsea and Al-Ahli fell through. The club has since moved on, signing Lukaku and retaining Raspadori and Simeone.

Uncertain Future

Osimhen's future remains unclear, but a potential move to Saudi Arabia is still possible, with the transfer window in the Asian country remaining open.

The Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has successfully elected a new 39-member State Executive Committee with a former Commissioner for Housing in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike as the new Chairman.

The winners were announced by the six-man PDP Enugu State Congress Electoral Committee led by Toni Iyoha.

Others elected during the peaceful state congress in the state capital, which also had Governor Peter Mbah as one of the delegates, were Barr. Stephen Oruruo, Deputy Chairman; Chukwudi Nnadozie, Secretary; Patrick Okoh, Treasurer; Fide Odoh, Legal Adviser; Peace Patrick, Woman Leader; Hon. Ejike Itodo, Financial Secretary; Tobias Odinwakpa, Auditor; Uche Obute, Publicity Secretary; Engr. Onyinye Adibe, Organising Secretary; Hon. Benneth Ajah, Youth Leader; Nnamdi Nwafor, Vice Chairman (Enugu East Zone); Fabian Onah, Vice Chairman (Enugu North Zone), and Ernest Nweze, Vice Chairman (Enugu West).

Also elected were Uche Ugwueze, Assistant Auditor; Tony Nwoye, Assistant Legal Adviser; Ukamaka Alinta, Assistant Financial Secretary; Chidiebere Okoh, Assistant PRO; Kenechukwu Ejimofor, Assistant Secretary; Zara Obodoeze, Assistant Woman Leader (Enugu West Zone); and Christopher Ani, Assistant Youth Leader (Enugu East Zone).

Barr. Lovina Eneh, Assistant Organising Secretary (Enugu West Zone); Engr. Lawrence Okafor, Assistant Treasurer (Enugu West Zone); Barr. Duke Nwafor, Assistant Secretary (Enugu East Zone); Theresa Ogbodo, Assistant Woman Leader (Enugu East Zone); Hon. Ejike Ilo, Assistant Youth Leader (Enugu West Zone); Eneali Amobi, Assistant Organising Secretary (Enugu East Zone); Cosmas Ugwu, Assistant Treasurer (Enugu North Zone); Martins Ugwuamadieze, Assistant Secretary (Enugu North Zone); Ngozi Ezeja, Assistant Woman Leader (Enugu North Zone); Hyginus Nwachukwu, Assistant Youth Leader (Enugu North Zone); Tony Nwagbo (Assistant Organising Secretary (Enugu North Zone); and Ikechukwu Agbo, Assistant Treasurer (Enugu East Zone).

Nnanna Orjibe, Anayo Chude, Emmanuel Igbokwe, Lilian Ugwoke, Chukwuma Nwagbo, and Alphonsus Nweze were elected to serve as Ex-Officio.

Speaking on behalf of the new State Executive Committee, the newly elected Chairman, Dr. Chukwunweike, promised to lead the party on the path of loyalty, equity, and fairness in order to consolidate the party’s hold on the state, noting that the first task before the new state executive would be to ensure that the party retains the chairmanship of the 17 local government councils of the state in the forthcoming council election.

“I want to assure our party leaders and the entire state that wherever the past executives stopped, we are going to develop the party further from there. If there is anything that went wrong, I assure you that it will be rectified and PDP will be stronger in Enugu State.

“It is also obvious that in few weeks time, we are going to elect our local government chairmen and councilors. We will work hard to ensure that we continue to retain 17 of the 17 councils.”

On her part, the new state Woman Leader, Hon. Peace Patrick, promised to ensure that women are accorded their due in the scheme of things, while also rallying them to support the government and vision of Governor Mbah.

Earlier in his valedictory address, the outgone Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, thanked party leaders and faithful for their support to the former Executive Committee, which he led, promising to continue working hard for the success of the party and the Mbah-led Administration.

The congress witnessed a large turnout of party stalwarts and members

The International Press Centre, IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, has decried the detention of a Kano-based journalist, Muktar Dahiru of Pyramid FM in prison.

Dahiru was allegedly arrested and detained for sharing contents assumed to be offensive by the Kano State government.

DAILY POST learnt that the journalist was arrested by the Police on Thursday, August 29, 2024 for content shared on his Facebook page.

The Executive Director IPC, Lanre Arogundade in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, condemned the arrest.

“This action is highly condemnable as it constitutes a despicable abuse of power,” the statement said.

Arogundade further stated that the journalist ought to have been granted bail in the first instance.

“As it is, it seems he is being punished without proper trial,” the IPC added.

Dahiru was reportedly remanded in prison for sharing media content deemed critical of Kano State government officials, including Governor Abba Yusuf and the reinstated emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi

Famous American rapper and radio personality, Isaac Freeman, professionally known as Fatman Scoop, is dead.

Rapper Fatman Scoop died at 53 after suffering a medical emergency on stage during a concert.

Announcing his death on Saturday, his tour manager said he was ‘lost for words.’

A viral video on social media showed the moment Scoop collapsed on stage in Hamden Town Center Park, Connecticut, on Friday, and was rushed to hospital.

He was seen struggling after he climbed the stage at his final show before disappearing from view, as medics raced to revive him

Arsenal legend David Seaman has bid farewell to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who completed a £25m move to Southampton on Friday. Seaman took to social media to wish Ramsdale the best of luck in his new endeavor.

Gratitude for Ramsdale's Contribution

Seaman expressed his gratitude for Ramsdale's significant contribution to Arsenal's return to the UEFA Champions League. He praised the 26-year-old's match-winning saves, acknowledging that his efforts will never be forgotten by the Gunners' fans.

Wishing Continued Success

Seaman looks forward to watching Ramsdale's progress at Southampton and wishes him continued success in his career. He also jokingly mentioned meeting up with Ramsdale on the golf course soon, showing their friendly relationship.

Ramsdale's New Chapter

Ramsdale has signed a four-year contract with Southampton, with an option for an additional 12 months. This move marks a new chapter in his career, and he will be eager to make a positive impact at his new club.

Arsenal vs Brighton: A Clash of Unbeaten Sides

Arsenal and Brighton have both won their first two games of the season, setting up an intriguing encounter at the Emirates. Arsenal's narrow win at Aston Villa last weekend could have easily gone the other way, and Brighton will be eager to capitalize on any complacency. If the Gunners don't start strong, Brighton might take advantage and secure a surprise result.

West Ham vs Man City: Can the Hammers Stun the Champions?

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City has won two from two, but their trip to West Ham could be a challenge. The Hammers have bounced back from an opening-day loss with a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace and look to be finding their footing under Julian Lopetegui. City will need to be ruthless to avoid dropping points at the London Stadium.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: A Tricky Test for the Blues

Chelsea's 6-2 thrashing of Wolves last weekend was an encouraging display, but their 2-1 loss to Servette in the UEFA Conference League play-off second leg brought them back down to earth. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, desperately needs points on the board, making this a potentially tricky fixture for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen's proposed transfer to Chelsea has fallen through, leaving his future uncertain. Despite interest from Al Ahli, Osimhen was unable to reach an agreement with the Premier League club.

Frozen Out at Napoli

Osimhen has been frozen out by Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who has brought in Romelu Lukaku to lead the attack this season. This has further complicated Osimhen's situation, making a move away from Naples increasingly likely.

Al Ahli's Attractive Offer

Al Ahli remains keen on signing Osimhen, offering Napoli a transfer fee of €75-80m. The Saudi Arabian club has also proposed a four-year contract to the player, worth £33.6m (€40m) per season, or £646,154 per week, tax-free.

Time Running Out

With the Saudi Arabian transfer window closing on Monday, September 2, Osimhen's options are dwindling. It appears unlikely that he will remain in Italy, but a move to Al Ahli may be his most viable option at this stage.

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The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2023 election in Enugu State, Ray Kene Ogbodo has urged Governor Peter Mbah of the state to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000.

Ogbodo said this through a press statement made available by his media aide, Mr Azubuike Akam on Friday, while reviewing Governor Mbah’s 15 months in office.

The former guber candidate, who commended the governor for raising the bar of governance with his laudable projects and style of leadership, said the workers’ deserve the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage in line with economic realities in the country.

He stated that over the past 15 months, he had given the Governor time to settle down to proper governance and therefore observed from afar.

“However, now is the right time to appreciate the Governor on his leadership style, appraise his work and anticipate what is to come from the Governor,” he stated.

“The Mega Asphalt Plant project is unprecedented, the thought of it is not ordinary, it’s simply out of this world for a State Governor to come up with such project

“With that, Mbah means business in Enugu, he doesn’t want to fail himself, his supporters and the people of Enugu State,” he said, adding that he would support any policy that would bring Enugu people out of abject poverty.

He expressed belief that Mbah would take Enugu to the next level as he has deviated from the style of the past government in the state.

On the minimum wage, he said, “I appeal to the Governor to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000 to cushion the effects of high cost of living on workers.

“There is no better time than now to increase workers’ salaries. We promised and talked about N50,000 then because we knew things were difficult, but now, things are worse than it was when we were campaigning.

“So, I urge the Governor to implement the N70,000 minimum wage as approved by the federal government.”

Ogbodo, who said he believed in social capitalism, stated that the new minimum wage “will go a long way in uplifting our people from abject poverty of the pocket, mind, body and soul.

“Our people are suffering and languishing in poverty, they deserve a decent and better life. Our Governor can help to ease the pain for our people.”

“As I appreciate and commend the Governor, I look forward to a multi-facet economy in Enugu, modern infrastructure in urban and rural areas, improvement in agricultural sector, diversification of energy sector by investing in renewable energy, improvement in the transportation system, delivering a cleaner and welcoming environment that will make Enugu State the destination of choice for private investors,” he concluded

 

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has explained why the introduction of Compress Natural Gas is a game changer in Ogun State and across the country.

The Governor, in this interview with journalists also explained that the conversion of the state’s buses to CNG buses was helping greatly to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and also positively projecting the renewed hope agender of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Excerpts!

Your Excellency, you were one of the governors who led the private sector to meet with President Bola Tinubu after the fuel subsidy removal last year, where the president spoke about the introduction of the CNG alternative. On Wednesday, we saw you riding a CNG bike. Was that for pleasure, or is the CNG initiative here with us?

Yes, you saw me riding the CNG bike, but let us take some steps back. Sometime last year, we launched our CNG Mass Transit Programme, which was basically the conversion of some of our state-owned buses to become CNG powered. This was because we knew that the president was going to deregulate, and this was the posture of all the presidential candidates before the elections. Hence, the state government, as a responsible entity, had to move in that direction; Thus, we started that programme, knowing full well that as soon as the vision became a reality, it would affect the cost of transportation of people, goods, and services.

So, what we did last October was to actualize and domesticate the Renewed Hope Initiative to begin to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. That was our Phase 1, and Wednesday was Phase II, which was our E-Mobility Launch, showcasing electric motorbikes, electric tricycles, CNG tricycles, and electric vehicles.

Yes, you saw me riding a bike; I used to ride one back in the day when I was much younger. More importantly, what we are trying to achieve is to drastically reduce the cost of transportation because when you deregulate, particularly at this period when our people are agitating about food prices, one of the major elements that contribute to inflation is the cost of transportation.

I recall today, Thursday, someone called to say he bought yam in Lagos at a particular price, which was quite higher than what it was at Ikire. You find that the difference between the price in Lagos and that of Ikire was because of the cost of transportation. This is what we set out to achieve, and I can see that we have been very successful in that objective. When we launched our CNG buses, it crashed the cost of transportation for our people within Abeokuta and between Ogun State and Lagos and actually forced down fares from the Mowe-Ibafo corridor to Lagos.

Now, let me give you a practical example so you can properly understand the impact. On Wednesday, we launched the e-bike, and those e-bikes have no engines. All they have is a battery that makes them practically noiseless. The emissions are zero, which means that we are not polluting the environment in terms of environmental impact.

We are now going to reduce the cost of transportation by around 45 per cent. All that these e-bikes need is to have their batteries charged. Once charged, they will power the bikes for about 75 kilometers on a single charge. We have charging stations located around the state where riders can charge within two to three minutes, thereby creating another small economy for those at the sub-stations. In one breath, we are reducing the cost of transportation; in another breath, we are reducing pollution and building a small economy for those who would be managing the substations.

Let me give you another example. We also launched on Wednesday a particular CNG-powered tricycle that previously travelled about 120 kilometres on fuel that would cost about N14,000. The one we launched will travel the same distance on CNG that will cost about N2,000 to power. As I said, all we do in Ogun State is to domesticate the Asiwaju solution, which means that regardless of the level of inflation, this will provide the cushioning effect that will reduce the cost of transportation.

Why is it that it is only Ogun State doing this? It is supposed to be done by all 36 governors and the FCT to ameliorate the effect of the subsidy removal?

Well, for us, we occupy a strategic position in the country. We are the closest to the financial capital of Nigeria. I also enjoy an advantage: I have a large number of gas stations in my state. The gas pipeline that goes all the way to Ibese, passes through my state, leading to the proliferation of industries in Ogun State because of access to power. So, for me, I took advantage of that.

It is not because of any special funding; we have not been given any special funding by the Federal Government. It is just because of the strategic location of my state and proximity to Lagos. I realized that it was important for me to immediately cash in on this initiative and provide an alternative means of transportation that will cushion the effect of the deregulation that was brought to a stop; the monster that consumed N500 billion to N600 billion a month in fuel subsidy as of then.

As far back as about two months ago, there was a report that the Federal Government was going to give N10 billion to each state for CNG mass transit to reduce transportation costs. Are you saying that the money has not been disbursed?

You see, the problem with the average Nigerian is that we are very impatient. From the announcement of a policy to its implementation, it takes a period of time. They are working assiduously to ensure that what we are doing in the state is replicated across the country. But let me tell you something: the CNG case is not like the COVID case, where one size fits all. It takes some time to identify the type, make, and model of vehicles, so it is taking that much time to put a system in place. I know they are working on it, such that they log onto their site and indicate the model of vehicle and where you are. At the appropriate time, they will allocate a time for you to bring your vehicle for conversion to CNG. So, as time goes by, it will become commonplace in Nigeria.

Rest assured that even though I am not trying to speak for them, I have knowledge of what they are working on. You can imagine what we have done in Ogun State, which is a state of about 5,000,000 people, compared to the whole of Nigeria, where we have a population of over 200 million. I am sure that in a few months, we will begin to appreciate the progress in many states. They are working on this CNG conversion, and the president is particularly keen on ensuring that this scheme is successful.

Apart from the CNG buses, we understand that some transport organizations and unions are supposed to receive some subsidy also for CNG-enabled vehicles to help them with their transport businesses, and about three million households are supposed to receive about N50,000 each. What are you doing to reduce the pressure on private individuals? Give us a sense of what is going on, especially with the hunger and the protests today?

What I will say to Nigerians today, boldly, is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has only been in office for a year and perhaps three months. It takes more than 15 months to reverse a trend that has permeated for a few years before his assumption of office. He has declared his principles and policies, and as soon as he was inaugurated and assumed office, he began implementing these audacious policies. These are policies that previous administrations were perhaps not bold enough to implement.

These policies have been applauded by development banks and organizations all over the world. It will take time for their impacts to begin to be felt by the common man. He has promised, and on Wednesday, the Minister (of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy) told all Nigerians that the President is aware of the current realities and is working assiduously to ensure that he lives up to the expectations of our people.

When he assumed office and declared that there was no going back to deregulation, he immediately began giving wage awards to all public servants. Only recently, he signed the Minimum Wage Act. That is a serious commitment. He has begun implementing the Students’ Loan Scheme. When last in the history of Nigeria did we see the disbursement of students’ loans to students of tertiary institutions? The FG is also implementing schemes for the elderly across the entire country and wards, and these schemes are ongoing. The president is giving out food palliatives through us governors, knowing that the impacts of the policies are being felt. Now, the FG is removing import restrictions on certain food items, and as of this week, rice should begin to be sold to people at N40,000 per bag. He has provided agricultural inputs, fertilizers, maize, corn, sorghum, all within one year! What more do we expect from a man who has a proven track record? He was governor of Lagos State for eight years. Lagos is the size of many African countries put together.

You will agree that the current issue of inflation is not applicable to Nigeria alone. Yesterday, there was a protest in Ghana, a protest in the UK, and not long ago, in Kenya. Inflation is rising all over the world. As much as I appreciate that elected officials must look out for the well-being and welfare of our people, our President is doing his very best and is committed. I believe that what we must do is allow him time so that we can see the impact of these policies.

The Naira has stabilized, and with the recent intervention of Mr. President in the Dangote/NNPC issue, which was made to appear like a controversy, that crude must be sold to Dangote Refinery and other refineries in Naira, you will see the reduction of pressure on the Naira and Dollar, and I am sure that you will see instant relief. That will reduce the exchange rate, and over time, you will see the multiplier effect on the economy.

The truth is that what we are going through now is like the pain of a woman who is trying to give birth. She will go through a lot of pain, but at the end of the day, when she gives birth, everyone is happy. So, I want to plead with Nigerians to give Mr. President and all of us time as well. He is doing everything he can, knowing that his number one role is to put food on our table. They are the ones who brought him into office, and he has said it so many times that, ‘Look, don’t pity me. I asked for this job. I campaigned for it. I invested to be President, and this is the only job I have.’

There are those who would be asking whether the cost of governance is one of the areas where the people would know that the government is listening to the agitation of the poor. There is this belief that we spend far too much on those who are in power while poverty is high in the country. Is there anything the government of the day will be doing in that respect?

Well, without a doubt, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is a considerate one. This is the first time, and I am glad that my brother, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, who spoke with you earlier, alluded to such things, even though I do not agree with everything. He said that this government is a responsive one.

This is the first time there would be protests or civil disobedience, and the government would go all out to ensure that they engage with diverse groups, explaining to them what the government is doing, what it has done, and what it intends to do. By doing so, they are providing moral suasion, and different groups came out, dissociating themselves from the protests. That clearly indicated that this administration is responsive to the needs of the people. So, I don’t think I need to say anything other than that.

The voices and cries of our people are being heard from the local governments to the state governments and to the Federal Government, and we are all working together. Last week, we met with Mr. President; we hold the National Economic Council meeting once a month to discuss the economy of the country and review our activities. I can tell you that the Nigeria of our dreams is just on the horizon. So, regarding the cost of governance, we have heard that you, and Mr. President has directed that public servants should buy locally made vehicles, and such vehicles must be powered by CNG. Look, this is the first time we have a president who has his fingers on the button.