Okolobi Gist Specials

 Tension as Cameroon  President sacks minister of defence and other top military officers hours after Gabon Coup. Following the coup in Gabon on Wednesday, August 30, Cameroon President Paul Biya made major changes to the country’s ministry of defence. Among the posts reshuffled were the delegate to the presidency in charge of defence, air force staff, navy, and the police. He announced the changes on social media platform, X. Biya aged 90 came to power in a coup d’etat in 1982 and has remained president since he rode to power. Also, shortly after the Gabon coup, Rwanda’s defence force (RDF) announced on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, that President Paul Kagame approved the retirement of 83 senior officers. According to the RDF, Kagame also approved the promotion and appointment of some officers to replace the previous office holders. Meetings between Rwanda’s chief of defence staff, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Rwanda, and the defence attach...

 General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Mohammed Takuti Usman has asked disloyal soldiers to leave.  Usman who called for loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the constituted authority on Wednesday, August 30, also asked soldiers to be professional and exhibit total loyalty beginning with the President down to the top echelon of the Armed Forces. While addressing soldiers at the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Nigerian Army GOC noted that there are some challenges, but they are not peculiar to the Brigade Command. He said;  “While we are looking at the challenges and how to solve them, you have to be disciplined soldiers, you have to be loyal soldiers. “When I mean loyalty, your loyalty must start with the Commander in chief of the Armed Forces who is the President. That’s first, and then down the ladder. Loyalty to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, down to your Brigade Commander. “You have to...

 President Bola Tinubu has condemned the coup carried out in Gabon in the early hours of today, August 30.  A group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television announcing they were “putting an end to the current regime” and cancelling an election that President Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared the winner.   While speaking to State House correspondents today, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed Tinubu’s belief that the rule of law and a faithful recourse to the constitutional resolution of electoral disputes must not be allowed to perish in Africa. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is watching developments in Gabon very closely with deep concern for the country’s sociopolitical stability and the seeming autocratic contagion apparently spreading across different regions of our beloved continent.  The president, as a man who has made significant personal sacrifices in his own life, in the cause of advancing and defendi...

 Designer of Nigeria’s flag Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi dies at 87 Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR), who designed Nigeria’s flag, is dead. According to his family, he passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 29, after a brief illness. One of his children announced his death on Facebook. “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you live a life with a landmark. Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): Great Man has gone.” Born on May 10, 1936, late Pa Akinwunmi attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan for his Primary education and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan for his Secondary education. He started his career as a Civil Servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan and later travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College. In 1958, during his stay abroad, Akinkunmi stumbled upon an advertisement in a national daily calling for the submission of designs for the Nigeria’s national flag in view of Nigeria’s imminent Independence fro...

Gabon Coup : Soldiers take power on live TV after president Ali Bongo whose family has been in power for 53 years is announced as election winner.  A group of top Gabonese military officers appeared on television early Wednesday morning, August 30 to announce that they had taken power following President Ali Bongo’s re-election.  Appearing on state television channel Gabon 24, the officers said they represented all security and defence forces in the Central African nation.  The soldiers said the election results were cancelled, all borders closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved. “In the name of the Gabonese people ... we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers said. Tensions were high after Saturday’s presidential, parliamentary, and legislative vote, which saw Bongo claim victory, extending his family’s 56-year grip on power.  The opposition claimed multiple electoral malpractices and have been p...

 Before we talk about the four cardinal points prayer, we need to know what is four cardinal points. Now generally the four cardinal points refers to the North, East, West and South.  Now this kind of prayer is done when you are in a desperate situation or should I say when you are seriously needing something within the shortest possible time and you don't want the devil to manipulate it any longer.  It is a kind of prayer that has a lot to do with your physical mental and spiritual powers, so if you are not strong in these three major areas you might find it difficult to consistently do it until you get the results you want.  It is a kind of prayer that involves constant meditation using the clock as your guide.  Now you know that the wall clock is designed in such a way that it has figures from 1 to 12.   Understand that before you start the four cardinal points prayer you need to fortify yourself spiritually.  You must not take alcohol within t...

  The Lagdo Dam and Flooding in Nigeria The Lagdo Dam is a hydroelectric dam located on the Benue River in northern Cameroon.  It was built in the 1970s and is the largest dam in Cameroon.  The dam has a reservoir capacity of 12.5 billion cubic meters and generates up to 750 megawatts of electricity. The Lagdo Dam has been credited with reducing flooding in Cameroon.  However, it has also been blamed for causing flooding in Nigeria.  This is because the dam regulates the flow of the Benue River, which flows through both countries.  When the dam releases water, it can cause flooding downstream in Nigeria. The most severe flooding in Nigeria caused by the Lagdo Dam occurred in the first quarter of 2023. The floods affected over 2 million people and caused billions of dollars in damage. The Nigerian government accused Cameroon of not properly managing the dam and releasing too much water.  Cameroon denied the accusations, saying that the floods were c...

 The Federal Government has said that it inherited a bad economy with an unacceptable high rate of unemployment.  Addressing journalists at the end of the inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, told journalists that his principal met a very bad economy with inflation at 24 percent. Edun also said that the Federal Government is not in a position to borrow money at this time, adding the emphasis is on how to create a macro-economic environment where both local and foreign investors will invest and increase production. He said;  “Per capital has fallen steadily, inflation is at 24 percent, unemployment is high; you know they are rebasing the way in which it’s calculated. “Either way, it is high and youth unemployment is even unacceptably high. These are the key metrics that we have met. We met a ...

 Niger Republic junta has cut off electricity and water supplies to the French Embassy in Niamey with no food deliveries allowed.  Turkish news platform, Anadolu, reported that the junta had also taken similar action at the French consulate in Zinder, Tera, Oualam, Ayorou, Dosso, Niamey, Filingue and everywhere else. It was gathered that President of the National Support Committee for the CNSP Elh Issa Hassoumi Boureima, asked all partners of the French bases in Niger to suspend all fuel supplies of water, electricity and food products. Boureima said; “We ask Nigelec and SPEN (SEEN)) to cut off water and electricity in the French Embassy, in the French consulates of Zinder and Niamey.  “In addition, any partners who continue to help the French in the process of supplying the goods and services will be considered enemies of the sovereign people.” This is coming after the expiration of the two-day deadline given by the military junta to the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, ...

 “Stop Placing Congratulatory Billboards For Me”- Wike Begs Well-Wishers The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to members of the public who place lamp post billboards, full-scale billboards, and other such adverts congratulating him on his appointment as Minister to stop forthwith. This was made known by the Director of Press, Office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, in a statement on Sunday. He said that "while the Minister deeply appreciates the warm wishes and support of the citizens, he kindly, but strongly requests that such billboards and advertisements be discontinued forthwith". The statement noted that "the Hon. Minister acknowledges the overwhelming outpouring of goodwill from the residents of the Federal Capital Territory and beyond and understands the sentiment behind these congratulatory displays and is genuinely touched by the show of support. "However, in the spirit of public service and commitment to his respon...

 Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri has said that the federal government will stop fuel importation in February 2024.  Speaking during a working visit to the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Eleme, Rivers State, Lokpobiri stated that Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations before the end of 2023, precisely in December, while Warri refinery which is also undergoing rehabilitation and will start refining petroleum products by February. The Minister who expressed happiness with the level of work done at the Port Harcourt refinery, said the $1.5bn rehabilitation work will ensure that the facility refines up to 60,000 barrels of crude per day when completed by the end of 2023. Lokpobiri said the essence of the inspection was to ensure the timely rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the completion of other refineries in the country at the scheduled dates. The Minister said;  “The essence of today’s inspection is to come see ...

 Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima says Nigeria did not apply to become a member of of BRICS – the economic and political Bloc formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Shettima speaking Friday, August 25, said; “So far, we have not applied for the membership of BRICS. And it is majorly informed by the fact that my principal President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a true democrat that believes in consensus building,” he told Channels Television on the sideline of the BRICS Summit which was held in South Africa. “There are so many variables that need to be taken into congnizance. We have to evaluate so many tendencies and issues that require engagements with the economic advisory council, the Federal Executive Council, and even the National Assembly before an informed decision towards joining the BRICS would be taken.” Shettima is representing Nigeria at the summit. The newly admitted countries would become full members from January 1.  Also read : Niger Junta Or...

 Niger’s junta has ordered the French ambassador in Niamey to leave the country within 48 hours, according to a statement by the Nigerien Foreign Ministry on Friday, August 25. In a statement published by Nigerien state-run broadcaster ORTN, the Foreign Ministry said the Ambassador Sylvain Itte had refused to attend a meeting scheduled for Friday with the country’s foreign minister. The ministry said Nigerien authorities had withdrawn Itte’s credentials in light of the refusal, also citing “other actions by the French government that are against Niger’s interest.” “France has taken note of the putschists’ request,” the French Foreign Ministry told AFP late Friday. “The putschists do not have the authority to make this demand, the ambassador’s approval comes only from the legitimate, elected Nigerien authorities,” the ministry said. Separately, the US State Department said in a statement late Friday it was told by Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs there were “images of letters cir...

 National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Lamidi Apapa, has said that only candidates endorsed by him can participate in November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo.   This is coming after it was reported that a court of appeal sacked the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise governorship candidates produced by Apapa’s faction for the election.   Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, August 24, Lamidi said;    “You will recall that on the April 5 the FCT High court restrained Abure and others from parading themselves as national officers of the party. As a result, the party appointed the Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, as the acting national chairman of the party pursuant to its constitution. “Sequel to that the party under my leadership wrote to INEC changing its date of primary election earlier scheduled by Abure from April 15 to Apr...

 President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians to vote out governors who are not performing up to expectation. Tinubu said this while responding to a request from some Islamic scholars who urged the Federal Government to monitor the distribution of palliatives given to states to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy. Responding to the appeal, Tinubu said he can't give order to the states as they are closer to the people. He also said Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) would get more palliatives. Tinubu said;  “The people reside in the states. Even if I set up a panel, I will have to go through the governors and the local governments. We will continue to talk to the governors. Nigerians must hold them accountable. “It’s unheard of that in a constitutional democracy; a president will sit here and give orders to states. I can only appeal to them to implement.  The people reside in the states, and if the governor is not doing well, the people must vote them out....

 The five BRICS developing nations have rejected Nigeria's application to join, announcing it will admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates, a move aimed at growing the strength of the bloc as it pushes to rebalance the world order dominated by the US and western countries. The expansion announced on Thursday, August 24, could also pave the way for other countries to seek admission. BRICS - whose acronym was originally coined by an economist at Goldman Sachs, currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. BRICS has pledged to address the grievances of member countries over a world order they feel favours the US more than other emerging economies. Economic sanctions imposed by the West on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and China's declining relations with the United States are spurring the bloc to turn BRICS into a strong counterweight to the West economically and politically. "BRICS has embarked on a new ch...

  Some Nigerians are reportedly stranded in the UK after paying scammers posing as United Kingdom (UK) skilled worker visa agents for non-existent jobs.  A Sky News investigation revealed that these job seekers paid huge sums of money to these agents to facilitate their trip to the UK on skilled worker visas.  One of the victims, Blessing, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, told the publication on the narrow corridor of a food bank that she is currently destitute in the UK despite being promised a job.  She said she arrived in the UK three months ago, after paying someone she referred to as an “agent” in Nigeria £10,000 to arrange a job.  She however discovered there was no job for her upon arriving the country.  Blessing, who now relies on handouts from a Nigerian food bank, said she did not make the application herself because it is difficult to tell real from fake in Nigeria. She said;  “It makes me feel as though I’m a fool. ...

 Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has banned street trading within Abuja.   Wike who issued the ban while addressing the leadership teams of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said it became necessary because corn sellers and street hawkers contribute to the insecurity and criminal activities in the nation’s capital.   He said;    “The important thing we must do is to ensure that Abuja is back to what it ought to be.  I moved around Abuja and found out there is total darkness in most of the places.  What we need to do is to ensure light comes back as soon as possible. “If you are in charge of sanitation, will call you at any time of the day. We shouldn’t allow motor parks all over the place. Something must be done as soon as possible.  If you cannot meet up my standard, say it now so that we can change you. “Street trading is prohibited.  People sel...

 United States President, Joe Biden has reacted to the death of Russian mercenary boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group. On Wednesday August 23, Russia’s agency for air transport said Prigozhin, leader of the private security outfit, was among the passengers of a flight that crashed and burst into flames immediately on Wednesday.  All 10 passengers aboard the plane were reported dead.  His death comes two months after he launched a mutiny towards the Kremlin which he changed his mind at the last moment after a deal was struck between him, Russian president Putin and Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko. According to Biden “little happens in Russia without the knowledge of Vladimir Putin” Speaking with CNN, Biden said he wasn’t surprised that the Russian mercenary may have been targeted. “You may recall, I was asked about this,” Biden said, referencing comments he made in July in which he said Prighozin should be worried about his safety following the f...

 The suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly opted for plea bargain. The Nation reports that as part of the out-of-court settlement terms, Emefiele will forfeit any illicit funds and questionable assets traced to him. It is however not certain if any illicit fund has been linked to him.  The report adds that Emefiele will also step aside as the CBN governor to enable the government to appoint a substantive holder. It was also gathered that Emefiele and his relations will withdraw all matters in court.  On Wednesday, August 23,  an Abuja Court struck out a suit filed by the embattled CBN governor challenging his detention. His siblings – George and Okanta – withdrew the two suits they filed against the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). Some highly-placed Nigerians were said to have interceded for Emefiele to make government accept the plea bargain offer. The turn of event on...