Category: Nigeria

A recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has shown that Nigerian banks closed 234 branches and 649 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in 2020 leading to a decline in the country’s Financial Access Score (FAS) to 4.44 last year against 4.78 in 2019.

The global financial institution disclosed this in its Financial Access Survey (FAS) 2021 Trends and Developments. IMF is known to utilise two FAS indicators to monitor an item of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims to increase domestic financial institutions’ capacity to promote access to banking and financial services.

The number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and the number of ATMs per 100,000 adults are the two commonly used FAS indicators. According to details from the IMF report, Nigeria experienced reductions in these two FAS indicators, among others.

For sure, the pursuit of ‘financial inclusion’ or “access to banking and financial services” is a germane global policy; but the IMF indicators are rather archaic and otiose. In a world of fast-paced digitisation of financial services, further fast-tracked by the COVID-19 pandemic, applying number of (physical) bank branches as indicator of progress (or otherwise) is purely anachronistic. IMF says Nigeria experienced reductions in these two crucial FAS indicators, and so went further to highlight and ‘justify’ how the country has not fared well on a particular SDG target.

But, in point of fact, Nigerian banks made quantum leaps in such performance indices as number of bank customers, volume and value of transactions in the past couple of years covered by the IMF survey. Like in many climes, one of the crucial ‘gains’ from the COVID-19 outbreak was the massive embrace of e-Payment platforms, and digital transformation in Nigeria. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBBS) Plc amply portray this trend.

NIBSS’ data show that value of Nigeria’s e-payment (all channels: ATMs, POS, Mobile, Web, NIP and e-Bills) transactions increased by over 85 per cent, from August 2020 to August 2021, to hit N172 trillion. Between January and August 2020, the figure rose by N93 trillion. It should be noted that these sharp increases commenced effectively in the second quarter 2020—ironically during the ‘lockdown’ of parts of the economy owing to the ravaging pandemic. And this trend has been sustained.

This scenario is not isolated for Nigeria; indeed, it is about the same across the globe. Naturally, as more people embraced the e-payment platform for their banking transactions, (physical) bank branches were practically deserted and abandoned. In truth, many banks in Nigeria had, before the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, built a number of branches in various locations across the country. Today, many of these ‘new’ branches are yet under lock and key; indeed, lying fallow. Also, some banks are known to have shutdown many ‘loss making’ branches as part of their cost optimisation strategy in the face of emerging challenges in the local and global economy.

Some comparative analyses will bear out the above scenario. In the United Kingdom (UK), for instance, the number of ATMs peaked in 2015 at 70, 588, according to a study by the House of Commons’ Library (dated October 12, 2021). The report is titled: “Statistics on Access to Cash, Bank Branches and ATMs”. From that peak, it “has fallen each year since then to the July 2021 total of 52, 951,” says the report written by Lorna Booth. Going further, “between July 2018 and July 2021, the number of ATMs in the UK fell 12,986 or twenty per cent. There was a fall in the number of ATMs in all regions and countries of the UK,” the report asserted. The largest fall was in London (-23 per cent); and the least fall was in Northern Ireland (-15 per cent).

In the United States of America (USA), the number of FDIC-insured bank branches declined from 78,196 in 2017 to 77,134 in 2018; and dropped further to 76,837 in 2019. (Source: https://www.fdic.gov

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is one of two agencies that provide deposit insurance to depositors in American depository institutions; the other being the National Credit Union Administration, which regulates and insures credit unions.

In these two advanced economies (UK and USA), the number of bank branches and ATMs have been dropping. It is not obvious why the IMF survey did not showcase this trend in these leading economies, but chose to highlight Nigeria and others dropping on its so called Financial Access Score (FAS). Truly, the drop in number of bank branches and ATMs in Nigeria is strictly indicative of progress in ‘cashless economy’ and financial inclusion efforts. It rather attests to a record of achievement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) policies aimed at entrenching e-banking or digitisation, which is indeed the trend, across the globe.

It should be pointed out that even the massive use of ATMs is a counterpoise to the effective pursuit of ‘cashless economy’—as most Nigerians use the ATMs to spew cash for all manner of transactions. But not-withstanding whatever the IMF claims to be the intendments of its surveys, massive embrace of ATMs and ‘mushrooming’ of bank branches is retrogressive and antiquated. In line with what banking should be in the ‘New Normal,’ yours sincerely had, in a recent Webinar as a guest speaker, articulated the way forward in a presentation: “Developing Effective Strategies for Managing Financial Institutions in Post-COVID-19 pandemic era.”

During this webinar organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Lagos Branch, which recorded good patronage, I posited that gone were the days of massive branch network, imposing head office and branch buildings and large fleet of marketing cars as indices for size and ranking in the banking world. Who needs more bank branches, when a bank customer can open a bank account (while living) in Lagos and operate it from anywhere else in Nigeria; or even from outside of the country? Who needs imposing buildings and massive office spaces when many staff are being required to work from their homes (‘remote working’), and bank customers would rather consummate their transactions from the comfort of their bedrooms? Has branchless banking not become a reality? Truly, crowded bank offices and/or banking halls now belong to the very ugly past of ‘brick and mortar’ banking era.

Overall, rather than being driven by the hackneyed FAS of the IMF and its ilk, banks in Nigeria should build what Bill Gates (in his book: ‘Business at the Speed of Thought’) calls “Digital Nervous System” and connect every activity to it. This way, they will ensure consistent efficiency and exceptional service delivery underpinned by sustainability tenets. Not focus on ‘primitive’ branch expansion feint!
Marcel Okeke, an economist, wrote from Lagos.

 

Two explosions hit Uganda’s capital Kampala on Tuesday, injuring some people in what police termed “an attack” on the city, the latest in a string of blasts targeting the country.

“What we can say (is) this was an attack but who is responsible is a matter that is under investigation,” Uganda’s Assistant Inspector General of police Edward Ochom told AFP.

“The explosions took place near the Central Police Station and another took place near the entrance to Parliament, all in the central business district,” he said, adding that the injured had been taken to hospital.

The explosion near the police station shattered windows while the one near the entrance to parliament saw cars parked nearby burst into flames, he added.

“We have dispatched a team” to the area, Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita told AFP.

Kyle Spencer, the executive director of Uganda’s Internet Exchange Point, who heard the blasts, told AFP that the explosions had sparked panic among many people nearby.

“The road to parliament is closed off, there are people just crying, everyone else is just trying to get away from these areas,” he said.

“Everybody is evacuating office buildings and the buildings are locking up and not letting anybody inside.”

Parliament cancelled its Tuesday session following the attacks, asking members to avoid the area “as security forces are working hard to restore order”.

The attacks follow two blasts last month — a bus explosion near Kampala that wounded many people and a bombing at a roadside eatery in the capital that killed one woman.

Police said last month both those attacks were connected and carried out by the the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). They also warned that extremists were believed to be plotting a major new attack.

The ADF, historically a Ugandan rebel group, has been accused of killing thousands of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In March the United States officially linked the ADF to the Islamic State group.

Former Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll joined Championship club Reading on a short-term contract on Monday.

Carroll left Newcastle in the close-season after his second spell with the Tyneside club produced only eight Premier League appearances in two years.

The 32-year-old was without a team at the start of this season but has now agreed to link up with second-tier Reading until at least mid-January.

“This is a deal which we have been working on for some time and are confident it is the right move for both player and club,” Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told the club’s website.

“Andy is looking for a new challenge in his career and we need a player with his quality and vast experience.

“So this is a great match and I’m really looking forward to working with Andy over the next couple of months.”

Carroll was Liverpool’s then-record signing for £35 million ($46 million) from Newcastle in 2011.

But he endured an injury-plagued spell at Anfield, scoring only six goals in 44 league appearances.

Carroll, who has also played for West Ham, won nine England caps between 2010 and 2012, scoring twice.

He could make his Reading debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 15th November 2021

Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has revealed that fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP, rammed a bomb-laddened car into the convoy of Brig-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu.

Naija News had earlier reported that Brigadier-General Dzarma Zirkusu, a Commander of the Army’s Special Forces was killed by ISWAP terrorists in an ambush attack which also resulted in the death of other soldiers.

The terrorists had launched an attack against a military base in Askira/Uba LGA of Borno State.

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday while reacting to the attack, Ndume, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said the late General Zirkusu had become a problem for the terrorists group hence their need to take him out.

According to the controversial lawmaker, ISWAP fighters are regrouping in Borno North, which is the Lake Chad axis.

He stated that the Nigerian Army have been able to take out top commanders of the Boko Haram faction in recent times.

Ndume, however, pointed out that the intensity of the attack on Askira was worrisome, urging other security agencies to give the Nigerian Army the needed support.

No fewer than seventeen people under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are said to have picked nomination forms for the 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Nine out of the seventeen aspirants who are confirmed to be females have been screened by PDP at the National Secretariat, Naija News reports.

In the female list is the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi.

Recall that the Ekiti State governorship election is slated for June 18, 2022.

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned Southeast governors against refusing to act on the illegal arrest of youths across the region.

The group in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stated that the governors would feel the wrath of the people if they do nothing about the continuous clampdown on youths by security agents.

While urging the governors to release all “Biafran youths” in detention, the pro-Biafra group condemned the arrest of innocent youths and tagging them operatives of the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has reacted to the recent attack in the state by terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Naija News reports that the deadly sect on Saturday, November 13, laid ambush on men of the Nigerian army in Askira town in Askira Uba Local Government Area of the state.

A Brigadier-General and Commander of the army 28 task force brigade, Dzarma Zirkusu alongside three other soldiers were murdered during the attack.

The gallant soldiers including the commander were reportedly heading to Askira for reinforcement when the terrorist group ambushed them.

Commiserating with the family of the deceased and the entire armed forces, Babagana in a statement issued by Isa Gusau, his spokesperson, said the troops paid supreme sacrifices serving the nation.

The governor said the state is appreciative of the sacrifices of the fallen heroes.

Babagana said while the government will continue to provide support for the security men, there is a need to redouble efforts.

He lamented the insecurity status of the nation, saying that some insurgents do not want peace to be established amongst residents.

The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has described the allegation by a US-based non-profit organization, that the Nigerian government is a sponsor of terrorism, as disgusting.

In a statement released by Segun Adeyemi, the Media aide to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, the federal government stated that the allegation by the organisation is orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorism and banditry.

According to Lai Mohammed in the statement sent to obtained by Naija News on Sunday, the so-called Global Advocates for Terrorism Eradication (GATE) is a pesky irritant that should be ignored, especially because it is as confused as it is irresponsible.

Lai Mohammed said the fact that GATE, in making its absurd allegation, relied on the words of a thoroughly-discredited, fake-news-peddling former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer has shown the hollowness of its allegation.

The Edo State Government has condemned the assault on an elderly man and youths in the state, vowing to prosecute the perpetrators.

Naija News reports that a video had emerged on social media showing some thugs attacking and brutalizing individuals who are alleged to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akoko-Edo, Edo State.

The thugs, who were armed with canes, machetes and other dangerous weapons, were seen ordering the bloodied party members to sit on the floor.

In a statement sent to Naija News, the Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, stated that the perpetrators would be prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law.

He said the government frowns at all forms of violence and is particularly appalled with the contents of the viral video.

Former Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan’s 16 years of leadership from the Southwest and South-south respectively is enough reason for the Peoples Democratic Party to zone 2023 presidential ticket to the North, a party chieftain, Alhaji Lawal Usman said.

With a few more months to the 2023 general elections, PDP’s is still puzzled with the zoning of its presidential ticket despite the inauguration of a new National Working Committee.

However, Usman while addressing newsmen on Sunday, November 14, said the Northern region should get the party’s presidential ticket after allowing the other regions to lead the party in the previous elections.

According to the party chieftain, the North must be handed the ticket for the strategic interest of the party and the nation at large.

Usman insists that the party must give the ticket to the North for fairness and equity.

The National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Orbih, had condemned the attack on some party leaders in Akoko-Edo, Edo State.

Naija News reports that a video had emerged on social media showing some thugs attacking and brutalizing some leaders and members of the PDP in Edo State.

The thugs, who were armed with canes, machetes and other dangerous weapons, were seen ordering the bloodied party members to sit on the floor.

Reacting in a statement sent to Naija News on Sunday, Dan Orbih called on security agents to fish out and prosecute the thugs and those who aided them.

The former Edo State PDP chairman urged party members to go about their normal political duties and not take laws into their hands.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has geared up preparations for the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State 2022 governorship elections.

This is as the ruling party on Sunday (today) made public, in an official notice, the schedule for governorship polls, barely six and seven months to the exercise.

Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier fixed June 18, and July 16, 2022, for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections respectively.

The tenure of Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola is due to elapse next year, while his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi would be due to vacate the seat of power also in 2022 having served two tenure.

In the official notice signed and delivered to newsmen on Sunday, the National Secretary of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, APC revealed sales of nomination forms for both States will commence 16th and 18th November respectively.

The statement, however, did not confirm the cost of governorship election nomination forms for the party.

South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops have called for the immediate release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, the group lamented the continuous detention of the IPOB leader, noting that failure to let go of the Biafran agitator would squash the already established peace in the South-East region.

This is as the monarchs and respected clergymen commended IPOB for allowing the just concluded Anambra State governorship election to hold successfully and peacefully.

The statement signed by His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, JP, also thanked residents of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Security Forces, the National Peace Committee, and all the other actors who played major roles in the November 6 polls which was later extended with days for completion.

Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.

Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday missed the annual Remembrance service at the Cenotaph with a “sprained back”, further stoking fears for her health after she was forced to cancel a series of engagements on medical advice.

The ceremony, honouring the sacrifice of British and Commonwealth service personnel and veterans in conflicts since World War I, had been due to be the 95-year-old monarch’s first planned public appearance since she was forced to rest.

But just hours before the solemn ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London, Buckingham Palace announced she would not attend.

“The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today’s Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph,” a statement said.

“Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.”

Her eldest son and heir Prince Charles — who turned 73 on Sunday — placed a wreath on her behalf, as he has done since 2017 after a two-minute silence.

It is only the seventh time the Queen has missed the service in almost 70 years on the throne, with the previous six due to either pregnancy or foreign visits.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson later sought to allay public fears, saying he had an audience with her on Wednesday. “She was very well,” he told a news conference.

At a public event in Brixton, south London, on Thursday, one onlooker asked Prince Charles: “How is your mother?”

“She’s alright,” he replied.

Anxiety
The ceremony honouring fallen troops is close to the monarch’s heart: during World War II, she served as a mechanic on the Home Front and she is head of the Armed Forces.

Fears about the ageing monarch’s health have heightened in recent weeks after the palace was forced into admitting she had spent a night in hospital undergoing unspecified tests in October.

She then resumed “light duties”, but pulled out of a scheduled attendance at the UN climate change summit in Glasgow after being advised to rest. She sent a video message to world leaders instead.

A two-day trip to Northern Ireland was also shelved as was her appearance on Tuesday at the General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England which she heads.

Royal expert Penny Junor said it was “very sad for the Queen because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at.

“The public will be very sad and anxious to hear of yet another setback but clearly she must follow the advice and get herself well.”

‘The boss’
Queen Elizabeth II succeeded her father, King George VI, in 1952 and next year is her Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70th year on the throne.

She returned to her Windsor Castle residence, west of London, on Tuesday, after a long-planned weekend away at her Sandringham estate in eastern England.

The palace has previously said it was her “firm intention” to attend Sunday’s Remembrance event, which brought together veterans, their families and political leaders.

The Queen had earlier also pulled out of the separate Festival of Remembrance event on Saturday.

Royal Navy officer Ben Shread said: “It would be nice if the boss was here.

“If there is a reason she is not here it must be a very serious one. We all wish her well.”

Royal aides have blamed a busy recent schedule that had left her “exhausted” but she was recently seen driving in the grounds of Windsor.

She took a step back from work on October 20, the day after a reception at Windsor Castle where she chatted with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US billionaire Bill Gates.

She spent the following night in hospital, her first since 2013, where Buckingham Palace said she underwent “preliminary examinations”.

The monarch had appeared in strong form in public until recently, despite the loss of her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip in April.

She had attended official engagements almost daily, similar to her pre-pandemic workload, since returning from her traditional summer holiday in Balmoral, Scotland.

But she made the headlines recently after being seen walking with a cane, and The Sun tabloid reported she had stopped walking her corgis in recent days.

The queen is reported to no longer ride her horses, a keen passion, although she plans to be back in the saddle again after resting.

She is also believed to have given up drinking alcohol.

Being 30 means you ought to have got it figured out. While everyone seems to be on a 30 UNDER 30 list, making waves and history, the only waves you are seemingly making are to your hair and diet, or at a family function for being nowhere near on the path to fulfilment thereof. 

When you turned 25, you had hopes and dreams, aspirations and a drive, the will to do and break ceilings – concrete and glass, you knew that you could outrun Usain, then reality sets in and the one major life-changing thing you can’t wait to do is have a seat. 

Most people are either lucky and have it all together at 30 while some just have to wait their turn. But most times, it is hard to tell a 30-year-old who actually has not achieved anything other than just living and being a decent human that “It will get better” because it definitely will. But they do not really want to hear that. A part of them knows it will get better. Many pray for it and keep the faith and it is that faith that keeps them sane most of the time. But they also need to know that it is okay to break down. It is acceptable too!

So, while every one of your peers or your younger siblings mates even have husbands and wives of their own, children, businesses, articles written about them, books they have published become Lagos Times Best Sellers, here is what you who is 30, Single and Not Thriving YET can and should do.

SCHEDULE PITY PARTIES

This is the only way you can thrive; when you allow yourself to feel all the emotions. It would work better if you make an appointment, schedule it in your calendar as such “I gotta cry at 11:44 daily or weekly for just 30 minutes”. You can have this twice daily if you like, but it is a lot healthier if it progresses from twice a day to twice a week, then twice a month to only when you feel overwhelmed. Then you know you are making real-life progress and indeed thriving. 

GET TO WORK

While it is always a good idea to cry and shed a lot more light on just how unfair life is, you do have to get to work. You might have not ever thought of what exactly makes you happy, and you might think because you did not figure it out at 28, you are destined to fail. ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT. You have all it takes to make the most of all your choices now. You have a lot more experience, and in a way, you have tried and failed at certain things several times, so you already have a great headstart at finding out what will really become of you. Start, begin somewhere, believe that there is someone out there who needs what you yet have to offer. Understand and come to terms with the fact that what you have inside of you could change lives, could inspire millions. Just start and be sure not to stop, no matter how hard it is, you are only entitled to a break, a nap, but never a stop!

MOTIVATE YOURSELF

Sometimes, especially at 30, you learn not just how tough life is but how humans truly really are. While learning this, you may have shed a lot of people along the way, or those people just walked out on their own, either way, you feel all along. But the truth is, you are not. There are a lot of ways to reconnect to people and this time, not only would it be on your own terms, but you do get to carefully access exactly what you want from it and what you hope to give to it. If you cannot afford to connect because we all know that a 30 minutes trip in Lagos is traffic and 5k leaving your pocket, you can start the connections online. And no, not just Instagram and Twitter, right on Slack, Discord, Telegram or better yet, right in your religious organisation. Motivate yourself to go outside of your comfort zone, motivate yourself to dream and believe in yourself. Motivate yourself to understand that while there is not enough time, you do have all the time in the world as well.

“I am fully loaded/ I am fully grounded/ Ready for the people to know my name/ Many manifestations/ If I no believe in me, who I dey wait for?”

The slow-burning Afro-RnB melody sets up a portal into the utopia that embodies Stainless’ soulful melodies. Starting with the offering of Fruits, Stainless Ehimamiegho, unlocks conversations within his head in his aptly-titled debut extended playlist (EP) dubbed, Into My Head. It’s a soothing dialogue on hope, survival, and love. And the best part is…

After a very nomadic childhood that “took him everywhere” from the creeks of Enugu, to the plains in Aba, down to the echoing streets of Lagos, Stainless began to hone his sound from his life experiences, and the people around him. But it didn’t come easy to him at all.

“When I wanted to do music, no one took me seriously because I’m that kid that everyone thought would do regular career jobs. My mum and my brother – who was a bit into music at the time – supported me. But nobody thought I could take it seriously. When they began to see the consistency; because I was always recording, shooting and producing my own music videos, and even handled my music cover’s artwork, then they took me seriously. Then at that time people had started calling me for shows through my brother’s connection as well,” he says, his voice laden with nostalgia as he spoke with this reporter over the phone.

Growing up everywhere, including his college studies in the United States, also helped him to have a diversity of influences. Sonically, he was enthused by his mother playing “Michael Jackson in the house when I was much younger; also 2face; and also Ikechukwu while growing up in Aba; not to forget that my father was also a huge fan of King Sunny Ade” and business-wise, he “studied business admin in the United States, because I knew that music is a business at the end.”

Now, the young maverick jumps into waters that he is not only excited about, but is also savvy about its delicateness. Perhaps, it is his fiery wide-eyed enthusiasm towards the music, or divine providence or a culmination of both that unlocked his career-changing deal with Bankulli the A&R whiz and musician who has previously helmed acts like Don Jazzy, D’banj, among others into the spotlight.

“I have a cousin called Ewaen. So, while I was working on a project I was going to put out before this one, it felt like something was missing. Ewaen then set up a meeting with this guy who loved my sound and was going to introduce me to someone who would bring out the best in me. When he mentioned that I would be introduced to Bankulli I felt he was joking because out of everyone Bankulli has to attend to, why will he look my way? The guy went ahead to send my song to him and then he picked interest in me and asked that we meet. And that was it,” he notes.

Perhaps what gives Stainless his character is actually his indefatigable drive. From working in a care facility for elderly people, to raise money to support his family as a teenager, to hustling through the early days of his career, down to also being a masterful charcoal painter, Stainless has proven to have a solid outlook on life, one that is as strong as steel. And he translates this to his blooming discography.

While it remains weird that the singer’s real name is actually Stainless, despite his Edo heritage, it is more interesting to unravel the projections which he hones for himself.

“I want to have a sound that can influence people coming after me, a sound that speaks for itself. Like I said earlier, make this into a full blown career not just for the money. Basically, my goal is to create a sound that can influence people in Africa and also Africans in diaspora.”

On In My Head, he works with Seyi Shay, as the only collaboration on the project. However, he is optimistic about working with other contemporaries such as Burna Boy, Buju, Oxlade, Rema, and basically “anyone that wants to work” with him.

Stainless not only shows substance, he also shows style. And these are common knowledge as core recipes for longevity in the industry. In My Head is scheduled to be released shortly, and already the lead single dubbed, Liquor, is making the rounds already. “Well, it’s a bit of mixed emotions. I feel excited and curious to see how it will be received by people but above all, I’m confident it will go well,” Stainless comments, steadying himself for all the roses, or thorns, that this record will bring.

Stainless’ single, Liquor, is available on digital platforms HERE

Libya has overtaken Nigeria as Africa’s top oil producer, according to a new report by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

According to the data submitted by Nigeria to OPEC, Nigeria’s oil output fell to about 1.23 million barrels per day in October from about 1.25 million bpd in the previous month.

Libya’s oil production rose to 1.24 million bpd in October from 1.16 million bpd in September.

But according to OPEC secondary sources, Nigeria still pumps more oil than Libya.

The secondary sources estimate Nigeria’s production in October at 1.35 million barrels per day, a decline of 45,000 bpd from about 1.40 million bpd in September.

Libya’s output was put at 1.164million barrels a day, higher than the 1.149 million barrels a day in September.

Nigeria, whose oil minister is President Buhari, recorded the second biggest drop in output in October among its peers in OPEC, after Iraq.

The country’s production fell the most in the month, according to secondary sources.

The 13-member oil cartel said its total crude production averaged 27.45 million bpd in October, higher by 220,000 bpd month-on-month, according to secondary sources.

“Crude oil output increased mainly in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, the UAE, and Kuwait, while production in Nigeria, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea declined,” the sources said.

Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production rose to 9.759 million bpd, and the Kingdom was quite naturally the producer with the largest monthly increase.

Nigeria’s output was more than 200,000 bpd below its cap of 1.6 million bpd.

Nigeria has been struggling to reach its quota while frequent force majeure events have also contributed to the much lower production than allowed under the OPEC+ deal, reports oil.com.

At the end of October, Shell’s Nigerian unit declared force majeure on loadings of Bonny Light crude, following the shutdown of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by the operator, Aiteo Exploration and Production Limited.

Elsewhere among African members, the combined crude production in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea fell by 30,000 bpd in October from September.

The OPEC members that raised their respective production last month included all three producers exempted from the OPEC+ cuts—Venezuela, Iran, and Libya.

Venezuela boosted its oil production by 57,000 bpd per secondary sources in the OPEC report. Iran and Libya saw smaller increases of 10,000 bpd and 15,000 bpd. Since production at those three is not part of the OPEC+ deal, the 217,000-bpd output increase of OPEC-13 becomes even smaller when restricted to the 10 members part of the OPEC+ pact.

Chief Oluchukwu Ezeali, Ebonyi Commissioner for Projects, Monitoring and Evaluation says Gov. David Umahi’s achievements makes him suitable for the country’s presidency in 2023.

Ezeali made the submission when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He noted that that the governor’s infrastructural strides were uncommon.

The commissioner said that Nigeria was faced with myriad challenges and that many leaders had showed their capabilities, particularly at the state level.

“Governors such as Umahi have grappled with these challenges and impacted positively on the peoples’ lives.

“Umahi has corrected the erroneously held notion in politics that governance was about emptying the coffers to stakeholders.

“The governor’s prudence in handling resources is responsible for the unbelievable feat he has achieved in Ebonyi.

“He has transformed the state from a relatively unknown destination into a destination of choice,’’ Ezeali said.

The commissioner explained that the governor turned the hitherto comatose state civil service into a beehive of activities and restored work ethics and professionalism in the ministries and parastatal agencies.

“The governor’s direct labour approach to project execution has optimised the skills of state’s human resources at the Ministry of Works and also improved the skills and competencies of the workforce.

“The state’s Ministry of Agriculture has been galvanised to ensure large-scale food production through its direct engagement and subsidy initiative.

“Most Ebonyi civil servants are proud entrepreneurs of successful agro-allied businesses, thereby enhancing food sufficiency of the state,’’ Ezeali said.

The commissioner also noted that Gov. Umahi’s anti-corruption stance had become a reference point as the government’s income and expenditure profiles were brought to the public domain regularly.

“Umahi is the type of president Nigeria needs to build on the legacies of the present administration and to make life better for Nigerians,’’ Ezeali stressed.