🗞️ No one in Nigeria is going to the moon 🚀
This episode was sponsored by my podcast! Just published the first episode so far and it’s fine - I like the content but the presentation needs work. Think of it as a “concept validation” episode. It’s about the history of petrol subsidies, where we are now and other countries doing subsidy removal better. Listen here (or wherever you listen to podcasts)!
In this edition
Ministers moving a little weird
Doctors are on strike
Climate problems
Climate solutions
More on Niger Republic
This episode is 2,100 words (approx. 7 min read)
COVID: still here
Virus expert, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, said COVID-19 is still spreading in Nigeria. - Guardian ng
Nigeria's labs stopped testing for COVID-19 a year ago and he is concerned about the implication.
Coincidentally, last week, the National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, was warning its staff to take all precautionary measures because of a “strange cold virus” circulating in the hospital community. What could it be 🤔
Doctors on strike
On August 10th, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended their nationwide strike. They had presented a list of demands to the Federal Government, and the fulfilment of these demands would dictate whether the strike would continue or not.
However, Enugu and Ogun state’s sectors of the association are not interested in this decision.
In Enugu, doctors at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu continued theirs and are still at it.
The doctors have declared that they will not resume their duties until the hospital management settles the unpaid salaries of their colleagues and guarantees job security for all doctors.
They feel that even though they are doing important work, they are being treated like temporary workers. The hospital management says they can't make these changes because of government rules and budget issues.
In Ogun State, a group of 450 doctors in Ogun State's government-run hospitals are planning to go on strike starting from September 1
Petrol and climate disasters
A significant amount of crude oil has spilled in Bodo City, Rivers State. The spill was caused by a leak from the Trans Niger Pipeline, which is operated by Shell.
This is the sixth spill in the past year in the area, all linked to the same pipeline.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) attributes a recent oil spill to equipment malfunction. They’re working to ensure the companies causing these spills are held accountable for environmental harm in Ogoni, Bodo, and the Niger Delta region, and discourage future spills.
The organisation urges the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to investigate the spill in collaboration with Shell and others, emphasising the importance of prompt action.
Shell’s reps say they’ve started “investigating” the situation along with YEAC-Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s petrol consumption has dropped by 16.8%. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed daily petrol consumption fell to 52 million litres from 64.96 million litres in June.
And due to a drop in the amount of petrol Nigeria is producing (caused partly by the spills and petrol smuggling), Nigeria lost about N249 billion in crude oil revenue
More smuggling news: The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 40 people who were suspected of illegally mining coal.
Environmental disasters
Kwara & Kebbi relief
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) began giving out relief supplies to people affected by the 2022 flood in Kwara and Kebbi State.
The Governor's representative launched the distribution, and items like farming tools, food, sewing machines, and mosquito nets were given to the victims.
The NEMA Director General mentioned that the flood had caused much damage last year, displacing people and ruining their farms and other means of livelihood.
The government-approved finances will also support over 600,000 households across the country that were affected by flooding disasters in the past year.
Similarly, NEMA helped around 9,100 people who were affected by floods in Kebbi in 2022
Solutions (?)
President Tinubu has launched a project called the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to reduce reliance on petrol and change how transportation works in the country.
The goal of the initiative is to have more than 11,500 vehicles that can run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and to provide conversion kits for around 55,000 existing vehicles that currently use regular petrol.
This initiative will also help local manufacturing, create jobs, and make transportation cheaper.
The plan includes setting up workshops in different parts of the country and providing training for people to work with CNG technology.
The project's main focus will be on public transportation and student transportation. This initiative is part of a bigger effort to reduce pollution and provide more affordable transportation options due to the high cost of fuel.
Tinubu also inaugurated a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs while minimising environmental pollution and global warming caused by fossil fuel vehicles.
Bribes and stuff
Diezani charged in UK
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been charged by the UK police with bribery- Reuters
They believe she accepted bribes to give out valuable contracts related to oil and gas.
She's presently facing investigations in Nigeria and the United States. The charges include benefits like cash, expensive cars, private jet flights, luxury holidays, and the use of fancy properties in London.
Her assets tied to the alleged offences have been frozen, and the US Department of Justice has recovered assets worth millions of dollars.
Bawa’s 3rd month in DSS custody
On June 14, Tinubu suspended Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow for a proper investigation into his conduct while in office.
A few hours after Bawa was suspended, he honoured the invitation by the Department of State Services (DSS). Since then, he has been in their custody since - it’s been over 70 days
Last week, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, noted that the security service ought to have released the suspended EFCC chairperson since they haven't made any no criminal charges against him.
Femi Falana explained that the law does not allow holding a suspect for more than a certain period without trial.
Latest on Niger coup
Last week, we explained what’s happening in Niger and the global implications coup in the country. Every invested party has been looking for ways to “punish” the coup leaders and force their hand, and one of the ways that they have chosen is sanctions.
After a coup took place in Niger several countries imposed sanctions including the EU, the US, the world bank, Canada, ECOWAS and West African Monetary and Economic Union.
ECOWAS suspended all commercial transactions with Niger, freezing its state assets in the regional central bank, freezing assets of the state and state-owned enterprises in commercial banks, and suspending financial assistance with regional development banks.
ECOWAS’ decision has greatly affected Nigeria, especially states bordering Niger
The sanction stopped trade between the countries, causing a loss of income for traders and people who rely on it, like traders in Niger state.
Cattle trading is typically a lucrative business between the two countries, and now it's almost impossible.
The people are asking their leaders to find a peaceful solution instead of going to war.
The Nigerian President, Tinubu, who is also the leader of ECOWAS was contemplating war but is now trying to resolve the coup without violence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) & former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike (if you can believe it) has banned street trading activities within Abuja - says it’s causing theft. There was no mention of how Wike plans to support the people whose source of livelihood he just eliminated.
More on ministers: culture
NYSC management confirmed that the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, is currently a member of NYSC
This confirmation followed a claim by a civil society organization called the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) that she is doing youth service while being a member of President Bola Tinubu's cabinet.
HURIWA had raised concerns about her holding a ministerial position while being part of the NYSC. The organisation questioned how she was confirmed as a minister without proper screening about her NYSC status.
Note: People over 30 years of age are not allowed to be in the NYSC program- those over 30 typically would receive a certificate of exemption. During Buhari’s presidency, a minister was expelled when it was revealed that she had not done NYSC.
There have been no reports about how the government intends to play this, but before the revelation, one of the things Hannatu Musa-Musawa was working on as the first order of culture business was getting songwriters to create a “theme song” for Nigeria (not to be confused with the national anthem). Maybe she can get one of her NYSC roommates to write it.
Terrorism
In fighting
Terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP fought last week. Their clash led to the death of 41 terrorists.
A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, Zagazola Makama gathered that the ISWAP terrorists who came on several canoes attacked the Bakoura Buduma-led faction of Boko Haram in the axis of Duguri in Kukawa Local Government Area
Clashes between Boko Haram and ISWAP became increasingly common and intense notably in Borno state’s Sambisa forest and the Lake Chad region.
Boko Haram frees captives
The terrorist group Boko Haram released 48 kidnapped women in Nigeria. The kidnappers had demanded money from their families, and after paying a ransom of N50,000 each, the women were released. - Guardian ng
Universities
Revisiting the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill
A group called The Women's Network is urging President Tinubu to reprise the sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill which outlines clear consequences of teachers sexually assaulting students in universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions
They spoke out after The University of Calabar suspended Cyril Ndifon, who was the dean of the law faculty for sexually harassing female students.
They want a serious investigation and punishment for the professor to set an example for others.
The sexual harassment bill has been in and out of the Senate since 2019
Borno governor gives scholarships
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno approved N308 million Naira in scholarships to help 14,416 low-income students in the state pay for their education.
The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, Malam Bala Isa, announced this during a press conference. The money will be given to 2021/2022 students to pay their outstanding fees, and also to support the 2022/2023 enrolees.
Babagana Zulum is also providing well-being support. He said his government will continue to give bags of beans and rice to people who are struggling and to communities affected by terrorism- Guardian ng
According to him, his government has supported 100,000 households in different local governments in Borno, but they don’t intend to stop.
The government, he said, will help an extra 300,000 households
Free to talk? Nope
The Kano State police arrested three more people who were involved in chanting “disrespectful” slogans against the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero. - Punch
They said the suspects “disturbed the peaceful gathering” by chanting provocative slogans against the emir, who attended the ceremony.
The commissioner of police, Usaini Gumel said that the traditional institution must be respected (lol)
He stated, “Whoever tries or is attempting to sponsor in any way the traditional institution’s ridiculing will be arrested, investigated and made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly placed (lmao)
Other News
The Federal Government has inaugurated a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) as part of efforts to combat environmental pollution and global warming caused by fossil fuel vehicles Guardian ng
UNILAG says they increased their fees once, not twice - Channels
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has planned to immunise 181,000 children against six killer diseases in Borno State - Guardian ng
A “Stop-and-Search’’ operation by operatives of the NDLEA on the Lokoja-Abaji (FCT) Highway has yielded 20 million counterfeit dollars - The Cable
The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday allegedly opted for a plea bargain after his expected arraignment by the court stalled again. Guardian ng
India’s moon landing - CNBC
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has launched a manhunt for a Lekki Lagos-based drug dealer, Sowunmi Ayodeji Kayode, who is now on the run after driving his luxury car to crush an NDLEA officer in his bid to escape arrest - Leadership
Heavy Truck section of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) within the South-South/South East corridor, comprising 11 states, is losing over N194.4 billion yearly to illegal and multiple taxation - Guardian ng
The newly inaugurated minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised that the Federal Government will provide reliable and accessible power supply to homes and schools across Nigeria - Premium Times
ASUU has urged the new administration of President Bola Tinubu to further delay ensure payment of the eight months withheld salaries of the lecturers are paid - Tribune