Taliban Officials Set to Attend UN Climate Conference Amidst Global Scrutiny

Baku, Azerbaijan - In a significant development, Afghan Taliban officials are set to participate in the United Nations COP29 climate summit, which begins next week in Baku, Azerbaijan. This marks the first time Taliban representatives have attended a major UN climate conference since the group seized power in 2021.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry announced that officials from the National Environmental Protection Agency, now under Taliban control, have already arrived in Azerbaijan. While Afghanistan’s government remains unrecognized by UN member states due to its severe restrictions on women’s rights, the Taliban officials were invited by Azerbaijan as observers, enabling limited participation in peripheral discussions and bilateral meetings.

Unrecognized Status Limits Participation

Since retaking power, the Taliban have been excluded from formal UN proceedings. The UN General Assembly has not granted the group Afghanistan’s seat, citing their controversial policies, including banning women and girls from education beyond the age of 12 and imposing strict morality laws.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Bureau of the COP has also deferred Afghanistan’s formal participation in climate negotiations since 2021, effectively sidelining the country from global climate talks. Despite this, Taliban officials have attended regional forums in China and Central Asia and participated in UN-led meetings on Afghanistan in Doha.

Afghanistan’s Climate Crisis

Afghanistan is among the nations most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This year alone, flash floods have claimed hundreds of lives, while a severe drought has deepened food insecurity in the largely agriculture-dependent nation. Subsistence farmers, who form the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy, are struggling with dwindling resources and an escalating humanitarian crisis.

"Afghanistan is one of the countries that is really left behind on the needs that it has," said Habib Mayar, deputy general secretary of the g7+, an intergovernmental group of conflict-affected nations. He added, "There is lack of attention, lack of connection with the international community, and then there are increasing humanitarian needs."

Broader Implications

The Taliban’s attendance at COP29 underscores the delicate balance of addressing global climate challenges while navigating complex geopolitical and humanitarian issues. Their participation, limited as it may be, raises questions about the international community’s willingness to engage with unrecognized governments on issues that transcend political divides.

As Afghanistan grapples with the dual crises of climate change and humanitarian neglect, its participation—albeit as an observer—may offer a rare platform to advocate for the country’s environmental needs. Whether this signals a shift in international engagement with the Taliban remains to be seen.

I’m scared of returning home, Nigeria’s failed heathcare killed my mum – US-based


President of the Bini Club of Houston, United States, Lydia Aguebor, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI on her struggles in search for greener pastures, community leadership in Houston, and why she is scared of returning to Nigeria because of the way her mother died

How will you describe your stay in the US?

I’m a mother of three beautiful children in the US. I relocated to America in 2005. When I first settled here, it was quite challenging because I left my comfort zone to come to a land where I knew nobody. Settling here came with its challenges. I came here to start from scratch. It was a lot of battles. Basically, it was tough for me in terms of job search and career. I studied Law at the University of Benin. And being in the US requires you to have licences for the things you do.

What kind of challenges did you experience?


There were only menial jobs to do in the beginning. Even, there were jobs that I didn’t get because of overqualification. When I submitted copies of my resume to some places, they would tell me I was overqualified for the job. They called it a college degree here, and I was asked to lower my qualifications. I had to do it because I needed jobs to make money. After all, bills were mounting. I started working with a fast food outlet where chickens were sold. I did that for a year. Then I worked for the State of Texas for eight years. Then, I began working on my papers. I wasn’t really happy with what I was doing. Later, I decided to start my business.

You said you didn’t like some of the things you did at scratch. What were they?

When I worked as a cashier or more or less of an attendant at a fast-food outlet, I would pass the money to another person in the inner lobby who would bring the order for me to give to the customers. I also worked as a cashier at a place called Target like a grocery store. It could be likened to ShopRite in Nigeria.

Why did you leave Nigeria in 2005?

I never worked before leaving Nigeria. I was a full-time housewife. I started coming to the US in 2002 when I was a law student at the University of Benin. Anytime I came to the US, I just loved it and dreamed of settling there. So, I came here in search of greener pastures.

What kind of business did you venture into?

I started a legal business. It started in my living room. The company was about helping people file their travel and immigration documents. When my client base was increasing, I moved on to get a place. I still couldn’t afford an office for myself. I had to pair up with someone. I only just had a chair, desk, and printer in that office. I started my business in June 2014.

What factors contributed to your business growth in the US?

The whole factor was narrowed down to the clients in my community. I knew the people I wanted to render services to. I did the feasibility study to know the kind of people to attract to my business. I started giving out fliers. My clients were mostly Nigerians, Africans, and Hispanic communities like Mexicans. Basically, I targeted the immigrants. They were the markets I was looking at. These people needed the services I offered. Apart from that, I gave them good service. I had a passion for helping and serving people. This made my business grow because I began to get referrals. When immigrants came to the US looking for a way to stabilise themselves and get their papers, people referred them to me based on the good services I rendered to them or their relatives. If I wasn’t doing good jobs, I wouldn’t get those referrals. These helped my company.

How did you come about being a community leader?


I’m from Edo State. Therefore, I’m the President of the Bini Club of Houston. I was born and raised as a Bini in Benin City. When I relocated to the US in 2005, I first settled in Dallas for a year, before I moved to Houston. Then, in 2006, I wanted to associate with my people and tell them what I did for a living. That was when one of my aunties introduced me to the Bini Club of Houston. I registered as a member and in the following year, I became their secretary through election. I served as the secretary for eight years to different administrations. It was a two-year tenure, so I had four tenures. Two years ago, I became the vice president. When the president was leaving this year, I ran for the office. I emerged as the first female president of the Bini Club of Houston. This is just my 11th month as the president.

How long has the Bini Club of Houston been in existence?

It has been in existence for 35 years.

Can you discuss some of the secrets that make Nigerians survive in the US?

Hard work is number one. There was a client from East Africa. I can’t recall whether he was from Kenya or Uganda. He told me that Nigerians were smart to the extent that anywhere in the world you go to and Nigerians are not there, leave the place. He said if you get anywhere and there are Nigerians there, then stay there because there must be something good in that place. In the US, other immigrants look up to us as models. Our survival rate is high. We are purpose-driven. Another factor that contributes to this is family. The fact that we leave people at home who we must not fail makes us to be focused and hardworking. Nigerians are family-oriented, not stand-alone people. We don’t want to fail our people because we have a name to protect. We also care about integrity and doing this becomes a legacy for our children. Our children are ranked among the best in academics, business, tech, and other endeavours in the US. even, the Americans can’t fathom this.

Nigerians in the diaspora say that it is not always greener on the other side. Do they say this to discourage those at home not to come and join you abroad?

That word is 100 per cent correct. America is not a bed of roses. I told you when I came here as a trained lawyer, I had to begin as a cashier. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t do that in Nigeria. But coming to the US to succeed requires a process. The mentality we get from our people is that they think when you get to America or other places, you will just start making money, but it isn’t like that. You have to start from scratch. Whoever you are, America will humble you. We’re not saying that word to scare people away from relocating. It is just the reality. The reason is that as a professional in Nigeria maybe a doctor, engineer, or lawyer, you need to get your certifications here. This requires a lot of processes with money. For some people, their immigration status prevents them from working as a professional, so we take all of these into consideration and say, ‘it is not always greener on the other side.’ We pay bills. The first thing is to regularise your papers and we have many ways of doing that. The lucky people were those who came in with a visa lottery and that has been blocked for Nigerians.

How do you cope with pressures from relatives who need financial assistance from home?

We’re Nigerians and have to cope. I have a lot of relatives because my father was a polygamist. I’m number 10 of 24 children from eight mothers. By God’s grace, I can say everyone is successful because the family is big. However, there are still relatives, friends or other people who will come for one help or the other. Notwithstanding, my principle is to teach people how to fish not give them fish when they seek help. I prefer to help people with lasting solutions, not giving stipends here and there. With that, I don’t put unnecessary burdens on myself. This is different from just occasional giving like the festive periods because we are used to it. It is who we are. I learned that things are expensive in Nigeria now so it’s my responsibility to also try and give people more than what I gave last year.

How do you feel when you hear about the economic hardship in Nigeria?

It’s not a pleasant feeling at all. I feel bad. I think of how people survive in Nigeria. Honestly, I don’t understand. I hear people can work for months in some organisations without being paid. How do they cope? You can’t do that in the US. There are bills to pay. I own my home here, but I pay my mortgage every month. If I’m working for someone and I don’t get paid, it means I’ll be evicted from my house, my electricity will be cut, I won’t have food and others. It is a month-to-month country. My heart bleeds for people back at home. I don’t understand why the government treats citizens like that. I hear about the disturbing unemployment rate. I don’t understand how those who have jobs even cope because I was told a bag of rice is around N120,000.

As an American citizen, what are your thoughts on the election that returned Donald Trump?

For me, it is what is good for America that I stand for. I am a businesswoman, so I stick with what is good for the US. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have their qualities but it’s for the American people to decide who they prefer. I voted as a US citizen but won’t tell you who I voted for. American politics is interesting. We don’t have a choice but to embrace Trump as our president. We’re optimistic that he will do better than the last time he was there. Just like when President Bola Tinubu came in as president of Nigeria, a lot of people didn’t want him but he’s there today. There’s nothing anybody could do about it but to respect the process.

Will you lend your voice to the japa syndrome for Nigerians to search for greener pastures around the world or sit at home to survive?


It would have been better for all of us to stay back and use our skills to build Nigeria, but successive governments have proved that they don’t want to support the people. The skills that we’re taking to diaspora are the skills we should have used for our country. For me, if anybody has the opportunity to better their lives somewhere else, it is a welcome development. And there are still people who don’t want to go anywhere but make Nigeria great; that’s also good. We just have to do what is best for our lives as Nigerians.

What project do you have for the people back at home?

I have an initiative called Lydia Aguebor Foundation. I attended Idia College for my secondary school. I finished in 1988. Our alumni is strong in Houston and we give back to our community. So, I started my foundation when I turned 50. I will be 53 next month. So, I used that foundation during my birthday to sponsor students who are brilliant but can’t afford their WAEC fees. I paid for their WAEC fees. I will do it again this year. I also give them money to buy their sandals and backpacks.

Do you plan to relocate to Nigeria in the future?

I can’t decide that yet. Nigeria is my country. I love Nigeria. I’m always happy when I come. That’s the only time I don’t have to work. I make sure I eat all the organic foods that I’ve missed in the US. Having said that, I don’t know if I’ll settle in Nigeria. Maybe I can come when everything gets better. Security and healthcare are a big deal for me. I don’t see that yet in Nigeria. My mother died in 2022 in Nigeria because they removed the oxygen she was using before they could transfer her from one hospital to another. This always gets me emotional when I remember. Imagine, my mother was on oxygen and a particular hospital said they could not take care of her again. So, they took away their oxygen. How did they want her to survive from one point to another? I usually think that the poor healthcare system in Nigeria killed my mother. All of this gets me scared of coming back to Nigeria. But, when the government makes the country better, I’ll come. If the economy is stabilised, all of us in the diaspora will come back home.

Port-Harcourt Refinery Shuts Down Momentarily, Only 'Crude Distillation Unit' Running And Cannot Produce PMS

The Port-Harcourt refinery of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has shut down operation "at the moment" with only its non-petroleum unit running which is the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), SaharaReporters can report.

The CDU produces naphtha, kerosene and diesel but cannot produce the component which is needed for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, top sources at the refinery disclosed to SaharaReporters on Saturday.

SaharaReporters has been monitoring developments at the refinery since Tuesday when the NNPCL initially claimed the refinery was up and trucking out PMS to the Nigerian public.

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported that only the old section of the Port-Harcourt refinery was working and it was blending "Crack C5 with the Naphtha" and trucking it out as Premium Motor Spirit, which some staff warned would have an "effect" on vehicles.

The top sources had clarified to SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the NNPCL came up with the idea of blending Crack C5 with the Naphtha from the primary units because the secondary units are not ready yet.

The sources had said that though blending is a standard practice and that PMS is a blend of products, “but the blended products are reformate. Gasoline is produced from the secondary units of the process plant. These secondary units are yet to be commissioned."

Giving an update to SaharaReporters on Saturday, a top official said only the CDU was running at the moment and could turn out only naphtha, kerosene and diesel.

"The Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) is still running but the operation of the depot is shut down at the moment. The CDU produces naphtha, diesel and Kerosene but cannot produce the component for the production of PMS," the source revealed.

"All these products cannot serve the masses as the production of these products are in small quantities even if the plant runs at 100% throughput. The processing plant of 150,000bpd capacity will commence operations in 2026; that is if money is made readily available to meet the timelines because at the moment the project has exceeded $2billion."

SaharaReporters on Tuesday reported that NNPCL confirmed its exclusive reports that only the old Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State is working and that the refinery is not trucking out PMS but blended gasoline.

The NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement had said that the old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, and that it produces Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha), blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol daily.

Confirming SaharaReporters’ stories, Soneye in a statement on Tuesday evening, said, “The Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery.

“This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.

“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products.

“For clarity, the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90%. The refinery is producing the following daily outputs:

“Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol); Kerosene: 900,000 liters; Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters; Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters; Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes.”

Soneye had added, “It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.

“Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.

“Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements."

P’Harcourt refinery halts operations, loading bay empty

The fanfare that greeted the resumption of activities at the Port Harcourt Refining Company on Tuesday may have melted away leaving the hope and expectations of many Nigerians hanging.

A visit by Saturday PUNCH to the refinery on Friday revealed that there was no activity on site, as some workers met by our correspondent claimed that the refinery was undergoing calibration which might last till next week.

The Port Harcourt Refinery has faced numerous delays and missed deadlines to resume operations.

Upon visiting the Port Harcourt Refinery Area 5, our correspondent observed no signs of activity.

An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the loaded trucks contained “dead stock”.

A man identified as Fatai Hamzat has been found dead in his apartment on Oremeji Street, Ijeun Tuntun, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Ogun State Police Command informed PUNCH Online on Saturday that Hamzat’s body was discovered around 7am on Friday.

“I had just returned from church when I noticed Azeez’s motorcycle parked in the compound. I went to check on him, but his door was locked from the inside,” one neighbour reportedly told the police, as revealed in a wireless message obtained by PUNCH Online on Saturday.

After repeated knocking with no response from Hamzat, our correspondent learnt that neighbours, including one Ogunsola, forced open a window.

Inside the apartment, they allegedly found Hamzat’s body hanging from a rope tied to the ceiling fan.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed that the body was taken to a nearby hospital morgue for an autopsy.

“The deceased was found hanging in his apartment after several attempts to reach him failed. An investigation into the incident is ongoing,” Odutola said on Saturday.

A man named Dada Adesonye died in a similar circumstance after hanging himself from a tree in the Afami area of Imasayi, Yewa North Local Government Area, on October 18, 2024.

The Police said the victim’s body was found by a worker in the area in the early hours of October 18, 2024.

Similarly, on August 29, 2024, 32-year-old Olúwaṣeun Shorinola was found dead by his wife in their apartment in the Kémta area of Abeokuta.

His body was reportedly hanging from a wall.

PUNCH Online reports that these incidents have raised concerns about the rising number of suicides in the state.

Syria’s rebels seized most of Aleppo on Saturday as their sweeping advance ousted Russian forces from at least three military bases around the city.

Opposition fighters raced through Aleppo, Hama and Idlib provinces in a lightning advance that has stunned Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

By Saturday night, the rebels had entered the city of Hama in one of the most significant crises for the Syrian government in the country’s 13 years of civil war.

Fighters broke through government lines in the west and pushed deep into Syria’s second-largest city of Aleppo on Friday night, appearing in photographs outside the city centre’s medieval citadel.

“I am a son of Aleppo and was displaced from it eight years ago, in 2016. Thank God we just returned. It is an indescribable feeling,” said Ali Jumaa, a rebel fighter, in television footage filmed inside the city.

The Syrian army on Saturday admitted that rebels had captured large parts of the city, and said regime forces had staged a temporary withdrawal to prepare a counter-offensive.

Dozens of towns and villages changed hands in the advance, and several Syrian military bases fell or were abandoned, including sites which had been used by Russian forces fighting to keep Assad’s regime in power since 2015.

As the rebel offensive accelerated, Russian forces were reported to have withdrawn from their base in the Al-Suqaylabiyah area in the northern Hama countryside, and also to have left Hama air base

Rebels also took Kuweires airbase east of Aleppo, which houses a military flying institute and is reported to have housed Russian troops and electronic warfare units.

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, on Saturday held urgent talks by phone with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, discussing the situation in Syria.

“Both sides expressed serious concerns at the dangerous development of the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic in connection with the military escalation in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces,” the ministry said.

Analysts predicted Assad’s forces could be forced from the entirety of Aleppo and Hama provinces by the end of the weekend.

Charles Lister, of the Middle East Institute think tank, said the rapid developments were “quite literally an earthquake within the 14 years of Syria’s crisis”.

“Assad is looking more vulnerable than ever. An absolute collapse,” he added.

Russian planes were also accused of killing at least 20 people in Aleppo in an air strike on a roundabout where rebels had toppled a statue of Assad’s late brother, Bassel al-Assad.

The offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group and its allies has reignited front lines which had been largely static for more than four years.

As the group swept into Aleppo from the west, the rival Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), moved into the city from the east and took control of Aleppo’s international airport, after Syrian regime forces left.

However, by Saturday afternoon, the SDF, which has received significant US backing to fight Islamic State militants, was said to have handed the airport over to the other rebels.

One fighter posted a video of himself on a “tour” of the facility, offering the “good news” to our “brothers in the liberated areas”.

On Saturday, rebels also released a video saying they had captured the Abu al-Duhur air base, about 28 miles south of Aleppo. The air base changed hands and was destroyed earlier in the civil war. It has been held by the Syrian government since 2018.

The offensive has gathered momentum after apparently facing little organised resistance from the Syrian government forces, who had melted away, according to monitors.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has lent heavy support to Assad since 2015 and Russian air power was pivotal to the Syrian government’s success in regaining control of its major cities during the civil war.

Russia’s port on the Syrian coast, at Tartus, is critical to its operations in the Mediterranean and in Libya, where Moscow is backing the military strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar.

Jalel Harchaoui, of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said: “While I’m not predicting Russia will abandon Tartus or Latakia, the proximity of Suqaylabiyah, less than 100km from Tartus, must be noted here.

“Any potential loss by Moscow of these ports would reshape the fate of the Haftar family.
“Russia’s extremely pleasant and comfortable circumstances in Libya have been logistically anchored in its secure bases in Syria.

“If this Syrian foundation were to falter, Moscow would become compelled to view its Libyan engagement as less natural and more costly.”

Rebel groups were ousted from Aleppo in 2016 with the help of Russian air power and Iranian forces, after a brutal four-year siege.

Inside Aleppo, schools and government offices were closed as most people stayed indoors, according to Sham FM radio, a pro-government station. Bakeries were open.

Social media posts purported to show the rebels outside the city’s citadel, and cellphone videos showed them talking with residents they visited at home, seeking to reassure them they will cause no harm.


The Syrian military said its withdrawal from Aleppo “is a temporary measure and (the military central command and armed forces) will work to guarantee the security and peace of all our people in Aleppo”.

Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who fled Aleppo in 2016 and returned on Friday night after hearing the insurgents were inside, told Associated Press he had “mixed feelings of pain, sadness and old memories”.

He said: “As I entered Aleppo, I kept telling myself this is impossible! How did this happen?”

He said he strolled through the city at night, visiting the citadel, where the insurgents raised their flags, a major square and the university of Aleppo, as well as the last spot he was in before he was forced to leave for the countryside.

A rebel fighter said he had returned to the city for the first time in 13 years, when his older brother was killed at the start of the war.

Mohammad Al Abdo said: “God willing, the rest of Aleppo province will be liberated” from government forces.”

Yesterday, after visiting the Almajiri school in Yola, I met with the students of Saint Augustine College, Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa state and provided them with learning equipment in the form of 10 laptops and a printer to enhance their literacy in computer science and information technology.

Supporting education by equipping students with the right tools and resources is not just a responsibility but a necessity for building a better future. Their enthusiasm for learning was both encouraging and inspiring.

I am convinced that initiatives like this are vital for empowering the next generation, bridging the digital divide, and fostering innovation and excellence in our schools.

This is the type of commitment we need for sustainable growth and the advancement of our society.

A new Nigeria is indeed POssible!!!

-PO

REVIEW OF CRITERIA FOR CONCESSIONAL DEPLOYMENT/RELOCATION APPROVAL FOR MARRIED FEMALE CORPS MEMBERS

CIRCULAR

I am directed to inform you that Management has approved the review of criteria for the approval of concessional deployment/relocation of married Female Corps Members.

2. Accordingly, State Coordinators are to henceforth follow the under-listed guidelines in processing requests for relocation;

a. Changing a maiden name to that of a spouse is no longer a requirement for the approval of such request by Married Female Corps Members.

b. Other requirements remain as they were.

3. While State/FCT Coordinators are to ensure strict compliance with the above directives, Directors (Area Offices) are to monitor the implementation.

4. Thank you.


Abubakar Mohammed
Director (Corps Mobilization)
For: Director General.

Nigeria’s first private TV station, Desmims Independent Television (DITV), and Alheri Radio, the oldest private radio station in Northern Nigeria has suspended operation over ‘harsh economic conditions.’

In a statement signed by Idris Mustapha, the acting General Manager and Chairman of the Management Committee and released to journalists in Kaduna over the weekend, the decision was attributed to the rising cost of power, which has made running the station unsustainable.

“The escalating cost of power has made it impossible to operate the station effectively and the financial strain is further compounded by harsh economic conditions.

“Many businesses that previously utilized the station’s services are reportedly unable to meet their financial obligations, significantly impacting revenue generation.

“The suspension of DITV and Alheri Radio, recognized as Nigeria’s first private television station and one of its oldest private radio stations with a loyal Hausa-speaking audience, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s media landscape.

“The management assures the public that normal transmission would resume once the financial situation improves and expressed regret for the inconvenience the suspension may cause its millions of viewers and listeners,” the statement said.

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has replied former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), who said that he (Gowon) pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha not to execute him.

Obasanjo was one of those imprisoned by the regime of Abacha over an alleged coup plot to overthrow Abacha.

Speaking during the first ever Plateau Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival at 10 Commandments Prayer Altar in Du, Jos South LGA of the state, at the weekend, Gowon said he pleaded with Abacha to spare Obasanjo.

Aside from Gowon and Obasanjo, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, former governors, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, Boni Haruna (Adamawa State) were among dignitaries who attended the event which held from Friday to Sunday.

In his remarks on his efforts to stop Obasanjo’s execution, Gowon explained that he wrote a letter to Abacha, telling him that God made him a leader to do good, not evil, and therefore sought clemency for Obasanjo.

According to him, he sent the letter to Abacha through his (Gowon) wife to deliver to Abacha in Abuja in the night, adding that things took a different turn after that letter.

He then expressed his joy that Obasanjo did not only leave prison after spending three years in prison before his release following the death of Abacha in June 1998, but went on to become the nation’s president in 1999.

Reacting to Gowon’s revelation the next day (at the same Christmas carol), Obasanjo said he was not aware that Gowon made such effort until he mentioned it that day at the carol.

He said he knows that many people made different efforts for his release and after that, he went round to thank them within and outside the country.

“I want to acknowledge my boss, General Yakubu Gowon. Yesterday he made a revelation and I have to thank you specifically for that. When I came out of prison, I had the opportunity to thank friends, inside and outside the country who contributed to appeal and pray for my release from prison.

“And I went round the world thanking those that have been appealing and praying for my release from prison. But I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday; I thank you for that,” Obasanjo said.

Meanwhile, he thanked Mutfwang for his developmental efforts and peace initiative and urged him to continue to do more for the people of the state.

Recall that Obasanjo and former Head of State, Late Murtala Mohammed, overthrew Yakubu Gowon in a coup on July 29, 1975.

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigerians were living a good life that was fake and capable of leading the country into a total economic collapse before his administration came on board to remove the fuel subsidy.

Tinubu had on May 29, 2023, on the day of his inauguration into office, announced the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The President explained that the need to salvage the future of the country and rescue it from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the controversial fuel subsidy and unify the exchange rates.

He spoke at the weekend during the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State.

The President, represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, said that his administration was not unaware of the consequences of the tough decision to remove the subsidy

“As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies.

“The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians. We are all aware of the fact that the poor and average Nigerians were the sufferers of what was supposed to give them succor and improved standard of living.

“Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken.

“The need to salvage the future of our children and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates,” he said.

Tinubu, who further noted that the policy of the fuel subsidy removal was already yielding results, stated that the country’s economy was also improving daily.

According to the president, while Nigeria’s macro economy is improving beyond expectations, the micro-economic framework is gradually stabilizing by shaping the country from consumption-driven to production economy.

The President called on the graduands to join hands together with his administration “to recover our lost glory and virtues.”

He also condemned the mass exodus of the youths leaving the country to seek “proverbial greener pastures,” observing that their action has led to brain drain in all sectors of the nation’s economy.

“Many of our youths have chosen the supposed easy option of emigrating to the proverbial greener pastures where their citizens had rolled up their sleeves to bring their nations back from the brinks in their times of trouble.

“Our intellectuals and experts on whom the nation has massively invested huge resources to train in the interest of our country are migrating overseas in large numbers at a time their services are most required at home.

“It is heart-rending and the syndrome is not the solution to our problems. We are not Nigerians by accident, and I believe that the Almighty God who made us Nigerians has given us the required wisdom to turn things around for our betterment.

“The present challenges call for a high degree of patriotism and I can assure all Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel. After rain comes sunshine. The brighter days are almost here. The Renewed Hope Agenda is on track and we shall not deviate on the path of better and greater Nigeria,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said that there were a total of 6,405 graduates across nine schools of study from the combined 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions convocation.

Oladiji said that 519 graduands had First Class, 3,408 got Second Class Upper; 2139 had Second Lower Class, while 339 graduands were in the Third Class category.

She said that the university’s mandate was to carry out adequate learning and teaching, with research works, for development of the society, adding that the institution had had landslide victory and achievements, cutting across human endeavours.

The Northern leaders have allegedly paid all their influencers huge sums of money—I'm talking about 100 million naira and above. From what I heard, the lowest amount collected was 100 million naira.

Let me make this clear: if that bill does not pass, we will all go our separate ways, and you’ll wish you had supported it.

The regional system will be activated automatically. We Yorubas refuse to be part of backwardness. This is the same mindset that made you resist polio vaccines, and we won’t let you drag us down again.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended Ezeokoli Sylva, a 59-year-old businessman, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 700 grams of cocaine concealed in his stomach.

Ezeokoli was returning to Nigeria after 35 years in Brazil.

The suspect, who returned from São Paulo, Brazil, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on 29th November 2024, expelled 29 wraps of cocaine during excretion observation after a body scan revealed the hidden substances.

NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday said the 59-year-old Ezeokoli was arrested on Friday 29th November 2024 at the E-Arrival hall of the Lagos airport upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil on Ethiopia Airlines flight via Addis Ababa.

“When he was taken for body scan, the result confirmed that the suspect had foreign objects concealed in his stomach. As a result, he was placed under excretion observation during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 700grams.

“In his statement, the suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes and clothes. He added that he bought the illicit consignment in Sao Paulo to resell in Nigeria with a view to raising substantial capital to boost his business,” Babafemi said.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to leave France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, BNC, alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Recall that President Tinubu left Abuja on Wednesday last week on a three day official visit to France on the invitation of the French President Emmanuel Macron.

A statement issued on Sunday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the presidential BNC, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town.

It further stated that President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa will engage in substantive talks on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including bilateral, regional and international matters.

According to the statement, “Building on the commitments from their June 20, 2024, meeting in Johannesburg shortly after President Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term in office, the two leaders will review the progress achieved since the 10th session of the BNC held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021.

“The 11th session of the BNC will feature deliberations across eight working groups, each focusing on a specific area of mutual interest. These include political consultations, consular and migration, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments.

“At the high-level meeting, officials of both countries will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.”

It further stated that the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission was established in 1999 to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The first session at the Heads of State level was held in October 2019 in Pretoria.

“The BNC provides a platform for sustaining high-level dialogue and promoting cooperation in critical areas such as diplomacy, economy, trade, security and other areas of mutual interest.
“This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa,” it stated.

After a long wait all year, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has announced the launch of a dual-tranche Eurobond offering under its Global Medium Term Note Programme to finance the country’s 2024 fiscal deficit.

According to documents seen by BusinessDay, the government will be issuing $500 million worth of the bonds.

The two tranches of the Eurobond are, 6.5-year bond with a coupon rate of 10.125 percent and the second tranche is a 10-year bond with a coupon rate of 10.625 percent.

The last time Africa’s most populous nation tapped the international debt market was in March 2022, when it raised $1.25 billion at a rate of 8.375 percent through a seven-year Eurobond.

Eurobonds are dollar-denominated debt which is an important source of foreign capital used for development finance. This issuance can serve as a succour for the country’s volatile currency and uncertainties like silence from the fiscal side, poor reserves, low oil production others could cause damage to the credibility of the Nigerian economy.

The bonds are expected to settle on December 9, 2024.

The proceeds from the Eurobond will be used to fund critical infrastructure projects and support economic growth.

This Eurobond issuance marks another significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its funding sources and attract foreign investment.

Wale Edun, minister of finance had announced plans for the federal government to issue $1.7 billion Eurobond as part of an external borrowing plan to strengthen the country’s finances and support economic reforms last month.

He said, “The first objective is to complete the federal government’s external borrowing program with the approval of the $2.2 billion financing package, which will include access to the international capital market through a combination of Eurobonds and Sukuk bonds—approximately $1.7 billion from the Eurobond offer and $500 million from Sukuk financing.

He disclosed this to State House correspondents on Thursday after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

According to him, the financing package will be raised through a combination of Eurobonds and Sukuk bonds, with approximately $1.7 billion expected to come from the Eurobond offer and $500 million from Sukuk financing.