General News
OBJ, Others Acting Like Motor Park Touts-FG
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday condemned some politicians parading themselves as statesmen and senior citizens whereas, they are by their utterances, “ordinary politicians and motor park touts.”
President did not mention names, but the remarks is believed to be reference to former President Olusegun Obasanjo statement that Nigeria was facing economic problems due to the failure of the present administration to plan for a rainy day.
According to President Jonathan, such politicians could not be described as statesmen because of the big offices they occupied before but by virtue of what they brought to bear on the nation.
Jonathan spoke while playing host to a delegation of the Tanko-Yakasai-led Northern Elders Council in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
But Obasanjo had told Iyalodes and eminent women leaders from the South-West, who visited him at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Monday, that the nation’s reserves which as of 2007 stood at $67bn had been depleted by the Federal Government.
The former President had earlier written an open letter to Jonathan in which he accused him of tribalism, condoning corruption and training snipers.
But a visibly angry Jonathan told the Northern elders that some people were hiding under big names to create problems for the country.
Jonathan also said that such people were in the habit of making unguarded statements with the aim of creating enmity.
The President said, “Some people call themselves statesmen but they are not statesmen, they are just ordinary politicians.
“For you to be a statesman, it is not because you have occupied a big office before but the question is what are you bringing to bear on the nation?
“Are you building this country? Or are you a part of the people who tell lies to destroy this country; to create enmity and make people who ordinarily would have been living together to fight themselves?
“Are you planning to set the country ablaze because you did not get that particular thing you want?
“At the appropriate time, Nigerians will know all of them even though I know most of such people. The younger ones do not know.
“Some people, including those with big names, are hiding under some clogs and creating a lot of problems in this country.
“They are making provocative statements that will set this country ablaze. How can someone tell me that such people are senior citizens. They are not senior citizens and they can never be. They are ordinary motor park touts.
“If you are a senior citizen, you will act like one. It is not because of the offices we occupy, it is by divine grace and providence that some of us occupy these offices. But what role are you playing to build this country?”
Jonathan also used the opportunity to assure the delegation that he was not against the Northern part of the country.
He said whenever he heard about such accusation, he always turned to Vice- President Namadi Sambo who is from the North to ask if, indeed, he is anti-North.
The President listed his Principal Secretary, Hassan Tukur, and his Chief Detail simply identified as Yusuf, as some of his close aides from the North.
Jonathan said because of his background, he believed that the only thing that could liberate individuals was education.
He said that was why he insisted that nine out of the 12 new federal universities be located in the North.
Jonathan said, “I used to tell Nigerians that I come from a background people refer to as the Talakawas; I come from that level and I am here today talking to Alhaji Jimeta because I went to school.
“And I said the only thing that can liberate an individual or a group of individuals is education. If I had not gone to school, I wouldn’t have been here to talk to big people like these.
“If you didn’t go to school, you wouldn’t have spoken the way you spoke, you would have looked for somebody to interpret. This is what I believe. I don’t play politics with it. It has been my policy that I don’t play politics with education.
“When I came on board, I said even though as a country we have the policy on paper, every state must get a Federal Government university.
“Out of the 12 federal universities created, nine of them are in the North while three are in southern Nigeria. The only three states that had no federal university were Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Ekiti.
“Those who were in charge of the university establishment were not fair. For us to liberate ourselves, we must go to school. If I hate the North, would I have done that?
“We talk about Almajiri education, we felt we must change. Luckily, we initiated it but now state governments are keying into it.
“I know that it was education that liberated me. I would have been a local canoe builder like my father and grandfather. But I am here because of education and I feel if we must liberate Nigerian children whether they are from Zamafara, Bayelsa, Kebbi or Delta state, they must be educated. I feel we must enter the North by aggression through education.
The President also referred to a newspaper publication (not The PUNCH) which, he said, indicated that the Federal Government awarded a few projects for the North-East and a chunk for the South-South.
He said he had reproduced copies of the publication and distributed them to ministers with a directive to ascertain whether indeed projects were skewed in favour of a particular geopolitical zone.
Jonathan added that he directed the ministers that if the report was indeed true, they must explain the reason(s) to him.
He said despite all the negative campaigns against him and his government, he would not cheat any part of the country.
The President said, “For the people who want to paint us in all kinds of colour, we will explain to Nigerians. There are a lot of documentations we will show Nigerians.
“Let me reassure you that this administration is working with your sons and daughters; we will not exploit any part of this country; we will not cheat any part of this country.”
Jonathan also stressed the need for peace and unity in the country, saying there could be no development without the two factors.
He said he was saddened that young Nigerians were seeing the country as a divided one.
The President said, “I feel sad that our younger ones are beginning to see Nigeria as if we are so divided. A Nigeria that a Muslim and a Christian cannot sit down together.
“I was told that the driver of the late Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, was a Christian. Our people lived together in those days. Why not now that we have even modern ways of life?
“Any country that its citizens see themselves through their tiny tribal enclaves cannot go anywhere.”
Yakasai had in his remarks said it was important for all Nigerians to appreciate the fact that the country was crafted in such a manner that no one section could rule without the support of the other.
He recalled that it was the North that endorsed the principle of power shift which brought about the Presidency of Obasanjo and Jonathan.
He said it behoved on all Northerners and indeed, other Nigerians to continue to respect the principles of democracy.
Yakasai said, “Northern Elders Council believes in peaceful co-existence and extension of hands of fellowship to brothers and sisters from the other side of the nation.
“It is unpatriotic for anybody to instigate people against any person or peoples because of a temporary gain.
“Politics of insult, blackmail and castigation of individuals will not take this country anywhere.
“We therefore believe in peaceful co-existence among Nigerians and by working together shall we move the country forward.”
Ossai Ovie Success, special assistant on Media to the Governor of Delta State, has defended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu over the backlash trailing her recent advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses.
Ossai Ovie Success, special assistant on Media to the Governor of Delta State
The controversy followed a viral video in which the First Lady urged unemployed Nigerians, particularly women, to consider starting businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli, noting that such ventures require little start-up capital.
Her remarks sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians arguing that government officials should focus on creating jobs rather than encouraging citizens to take up petty trading.
Reacting to the criticism in a post shared on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Ossai said he was surprised that many people looked down on the akara business, insisting it can generate more income than some white-collar jobs.
According to him, an akara seller operating in a strategic location can earn substantial profits with just a few hours of work daily.
“Akara business is better than a bank job sometimes. If you fry akara in a good location, after all costs, you make N20 per akara and sell 500 pieces every day,” he wrote.
Ossai estimated that such a business could generate about N10,000 daily, translating to approximately N60,000 weekly and N240,000 monthly, while noting that some operators earn well above N1 million every month.
“How much again is a bank job? Ask yourself,” he said.
The Delta governor’s aide also argued that the business is not as demanding as many people assume, saying it typically requires only a few hours of work each day.
“Before I forget, know that akara business is not a 6-to-6 job. It’s about three hours daily.
“I am disappointed in those looking down on akara business,” he added.
The remarks add to the growing debate sparked by the First Lady’s comments, with supporters describing entrepreneurship as a practical means of livelihood, while critics argue that the government should prioritise policies that create sustainable employment opportunities for Nigerians.
General News
EVC NCC, Aminu Maida, to Lead Speakers @ Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would be the Special Guest of Honour at the 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026 scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The theme of the Roundtable is: Fintech: Driving the Future of Digital Financial Ecosystem in Nigeria.
Dr. Aminu Maida was appointed the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
Maida holds an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College, London in 2002 and in 2006, he bagged a PhD in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, United Kingdom.
Between 2018 and 2019, Maida completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship (FinTech Pathway) program at the Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Until his appointment by the President, Dr. Maida was the Executive Director, Technology and operations at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), the country’s central switch company owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all licensed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria.
At NIBSS, Maida was responsible for holistically spearheading the technical and operational standardisation of all devices deployed in the financial system in Nigeria for interoperability.
Maida led a dynamic team that ensured that all terminals used in the e-payment industry and all devices deployed in Nigeria would accept all cards issued by banks and other licensed card schemes without discrimination.
Prior to his appointment at NIBSS, Maida was the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at the Nigerian-based FinTech Arca Payments Network and Senior Manager at Cisco Systems, United Kingdom.
As a seasoned technical professional with over 15 years of multi-functional and international experience in FinTech & Telecoms & Enterprise Technology, Maida between 2010 and 2014, worked as a Network Design Consultant at EE, part of BT Group, and one of the largest mobile communications companies in the UK.
He was also at some point (2006-2010) a System Engineer at Ubiquisys, a leading company in intelligent 3G and LTE small cells, which is now part of Cisco.
Maida, a professional par excellence, combines a broad range of experiences, making him technically strong and commercially sound.
Reacting, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Business Journal Media Group, Prince Cookey said:
“Dr. Aminu Maida came to the NCC at a time Nigeria needed strategic repositioning of the digital economy landscape and telecom regulation in the country. He has positioned NCC as a leading voice in the digital space and telecom regulation in Africa and around the world.
Accordingly, stakeholders attending the 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026 would be looking forward to a robust conversation on the State of the digital economy, fintech market and the numbers on financial inclusion today and tomorrow.”
Cookey added that Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) will also be on board as Special Guest of Honour while Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) will Chair the event.
Mr. Emmanuel Ovaga, Managing Director/CEO, PufferPay Limited will deliver the keynote paper at the Roundtable while Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, President/Chairman of Council of NCRIB is Guest of Honour.
Distinguished members of the Panel include:
- Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE)
- Mrs. Idu Okeahialam, Group Managing Director/CEO, Royal Exchange Plc
- Mr. Jide Orimolade, Managing Director/CEO, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited
- Dr. Obioha Oti, President, Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN)
- Mr. Sarafadeen Fasasi, President, Association of Financial Inclusion Agents of Nigeria (AFIAN)
The revolutionary success story of Moniepoint, Opay, PalmPay, Flutterwave and others in the digital payment system in Nigeria represents a positive expansion of the financial services sector in the country.
With millions of Nigerians and businesses lacking access to basic financial services, the importance of Fintechs remain sacrosanct in achieving substantial level of Financial Inclusion and expanding the frontiers of the industry.
According to AI Overview, Fintechs in Nigeria have revolutionised the financial landscape by dramatically increasing access to banking services, driving, for example, a 20% increase in financial inclusion and helping to bring the banked population to roughly 63%. These firms have introduced faster, affordable digital payments, lending, and investment services, forcing traditional banks to adopt digital transformation.
On investment, AI Overview stated: “Fintechs in Nigeria dominate the tech landscape, securing 35% of total tech funding ($2 billion total) in 2024, with over 430 companies attracting roughly 36% of all African fintech investment. Despite global challenges, the sector remains highly resilient, driven by high demand, with significant deals including Moniepoint’s $110 million series C.”
The 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026 aims to underscore the positive contribution of Fintechs in deepening Financial Inclusion, expanding access to financial services and contributing to economic growth in the country.
Expected participants at the Roundtable include regulators, operators from key sectors of the economy, media and members of the public.
(LASTMA) has launched a new toll-free short-code hotline, 3367, to improve emergency response, enhance traffic managemestrengthen accountability across Lagos State.
The new platform replaces the agency’s previous long-service code and provides a simpler and more accessible channel for residents to report traffic-related incidents. The service is available at no cost to subscribers on MTN, Glo and Etisalat (T2) networks.
Motorists and other road users can use the hotline to report vehicle breakdowns, road crashes, disabled trucks, stranded tankers, traffic obstructions and other emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
The platform also allows members of the public to report the conduct and professionalism of LASTMA personnel, a move aimed at promoting transparency and accountability within the agency.
To ensure wider accessibility, callers can communicate with hotline operators in English, Yoruba or Pidgin English, helping to eliminate language barriers and encourage greater public participation.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager, LASTMA, described the launch as a major milestone in the agency’s efforts to build a safer, more efficient and technology-driven traffic management system.
He said the hotline reflects LASTMA’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions to tackle transportation challenges while strengthening collaboration with residents.
According to Bakare-Oki, the 3367 hotline provides Lagos residents with a direct, convenient and free channel to report incidents requiring urgent attention, noting that the growing complexity of Lagos as a major African megacity demands a proactive and technology-enabled approach to traffic management.
He assured residents that all reports received through the platform would be handled professionally and confidentially before being forwarded to the appropriate operational units for prompt action
Bakare-Oki urged the public to make effective use of the hotline to support road safety, improve accountability and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable transportation system across the state.
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