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Between Respected Primate Ayodele, Embattled Mele Kyari and The NNPCL Dogs* By Alade Kareem

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Growth In Oil Sector GDP Contribution Shows NNPC Strategies Working 

*Between Respected Primate Ayodele, Embattled Mele Kyari and The NNPCL Dogs*

By Alade Kareem

 

 

Ordinarily, the names of highly respected prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele and that of the embattled NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari should never appear together because the former is a tested and trusted man of God while the latter is a public servant who has been enmeshed in several mind-boggling scandals but for the greater good of Nigeria, both names are appearing together for the first time.

 

Between Respected Primate Ayodele, Embattled Mele Kyari and The NNPCL Dogs*
By Alade Kareem

 

Primate Ayodele had in a video that went viral yesterday advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Mele Kyari as NNPCL boss if he doesn’t want to experience another massive protest because according to him, Mele Kyari is one of those who are creating problems for the country.

These were his words

“One of the major important things Tinubu should do if he wants to see the prayers of Nigerians. He should sack the GMD of the NNPC. If it is possible, he should be sacked before the end of this month’’

This statement was indeed in the interest of Nigerians and not necessarily about Mele Kyari as an individual. With the recent crisis Nigeria has experienced in terms of scarcity of petroleum products and the several issues between regulators, marketers, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, it’s obvious Mele Kyari’s administration has done more harm than good to the federal republic of Nigeria therefore, the prophet recommending Kyari’s sack is in every way the right thing.

Sadly, Mele Kyari and his NNPC ‘dogs’ took Primate Ayodele’s message personally, launching an unnecessary and unsuccessful media attack against the personality of a prophet who doesn’t even look back at his critics. Once he shares a prophetic message, He doesn’t care about who ‘barks’ afterwards.

As a matter of fact, it was surprising to see that these NNPCL dogs couldn’t come up with intelligent and well structured materials to discredit Primate Ayodele, these lazy set of people, who would claim to be in their right senses, lifted an article shared by Femi Adesina, a former aide of Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 when the prophet warned his principal about the unity of Nigeria.

Of course, these dogs must have been paid to share these failed content exported from Femi Adesina’s failed attempt to smear Primate Ayodele’s name and it’s not surprising because that’s what NNPCL is about; anything that would make it look like something good is going on in the company meanwhile, there is absolutely nothing to see, NNPCL is literally an empty barrel under Mele Kyari’s administration.

Some of the things mentioned in the content have been thrashed out in 2021 when Femi Adesina mentioned it but for the purpose of schooling these unintelligent dogs, it’s important to once again address them again. They mentioned that Primate Ayodele said Goodluck Jonathan would win a second term, PDP would shock APC in Lagos, Boko Haram bombing south west, Kaduna’s election becoming difficult for El Rufai to win, to mention a few.

Primate Ayodele never said Goodluck Jonathan would win election in 2015, I wonder where these dogs were when Vanguard Newspapers published a detailed story on what Primate Ayodele said about Goodluck Jonathan’s fate in his second term bid. The man of God started talking about it since 2013 that Goodluck Jonathan’s victory is dicey and that He will not win.

(https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/my-warnings-to-the-nation-have-come-to-pass-primate-ayodele/)

On PDP Shocking Lagos in 2015, Where were these dogs when PDP nearly took Lagos from APC if not for the intervention of some leaders of the party in a crooked way. PDP won seats in the house of assembly which was unusual and till date, every political analyst still maintains that PDP was robbed off that election, was that not shocking enough that PDP shook APC’s stronghold?

On the Kaduna Election that Nasir El Rufai won, Primate Ayodele never said PDP would win, He categorically said it will be difficult for PDP to retain the state and this is on record in different publications in the media. I wonder how these ‘dogs’ reason!.

On the issue of Boko Haram bombing Lagos, the prophecy was shared in 2021 and if a man of God has made some revelations or warnings, the fact that it is yet to come to pass doesn’t mean it won’t and why should they even pray for such to come to pass? Lagos has become better over the years in terms of security and as we know, prophecies are not death judgment, they are warnings that can be averted if prayers and the needful are done so what are these dogs saying?

These unintelligent dogs said Primate Ayodele foretold that Atiku would become the next president of Nigeria before the 2023 presidential election. I am beginning to think these people are only doing these things intentionally, I don’t want to believe the English language is their problem or they simply don’t have the common sense needed for comprehension. They removed a part of Primate Ayodele’s prophecy and still even do it well, but to push their agenda, they quoted a statement that totally negates their conclusion. Primate Ayodele categorically said in the prophecy that Atiku is God’s choice but it is the vote of the people that would still determine. He further mentioned that he isn’t saying Atiku would win the election but God has chosen him. However, the people’s vote is the ultimate decider. He then mentioned that Nigeria will face hardship if Atiku doesn’t emerge. He stated that whoever wins would just add to the yoke of Nigerians as written in 1king 12 vs 14. Are these NNPCL dogs blind?

These were his words

‘’ ’Among these three candidates, Atiku has been given an assignment from God to fix the nation within four years. If God gives Atiku victory in this election, he is to use only four years for this special assignment. If he wins and refuses to do the will of God for the people, He will see the wrath of God. He will not complete his term because God’s anger will be placed on him. His assignment is to form an all-inclusive government, take care of security within six months, restructuring before his term ends, reduce petroleum price, fix the education sector, revive the economy. He must not start selling Nigeria’s property to his friends and if he does, he will see God’s anger. If God helps him to get there and he neglects all these policies, God’s wrath will be kindled against him. I am not saying Atiku will win the election, it’s only the people’s vote that can determine that but I am only saying what God sent me to say to Nigerians; Atiku has an assignment placed into his hands by God to fix the nation within four years. It’s your choice to vote for him or not but if he doesn’t emerge, the person that wins will only add to the yoke of Nigerians as it is written in 1king 12vs14. The people will suffer more than they have ever suffered in the past administrations.’’

They also stated that Primate Ayodele’s prophecy failed when Ifeanyi Ubah lost the last Anambra election to Charles Soludo. The same unintelligent mistake was made by these guys because according to their senses, Primate Ayodele saying victory surrounded Ubah meant he would win. I don’t understand how people can be so unwise!

These were Primate Ayodele’s words:

‘’YPP candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah is not ready to take victory, victory is surrounding him but he isn’t ready for it. They will ease him out technically, he is getting some things wrong except he does the needful. He has what it takes but he isn’t managing it, he is playing around the victory and people are not seeing him as well prepared for the election victory. The victory is close to him but he doesn’t know how to claim it.’’

If you must discredit anyone, you should do it with facts, you don’t have to lie to discredit someone who has done excellently well for Nigeria and other nations across the globe than you would ever attempt to do. Mele Kyari is a bone in the neck of Nigeria, what can he say he has achieved since becoming the GMD of NNPCL? How has his administration positively affected the country’s oil sector? There is nothing good about his administration and we even wonder why Tinubu still maintains an incompetent Mele Kyari.

Years ago, even though we used to have scarcity, Nigerians were always informed about the issue and the reason behind it but nowadays, Nigerians wake up to find queues at filling stations and for months, NNPCL would not deem it fit to resolve or inform Nigerians about what went wrong.

Instead of working on becoming better, creating a better oil and gas space for Nigerians, NNPCL prefers to squander money on propaganda rather than doing the job they should do.

I rest my case!

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A Wake-Up Call to Public Servants: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Bold Stand for Nigeria’s Revival

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A Wake-Up Call to Public Servants: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's Bold Stand for Nigeria’s Revival By George Omagbemi Sylvester

A Wake-Up Call to Public Servants: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Bold Stand for Nigeria’s Revival

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

 

At a time when Nigeria’s public service is plagued by inefficiency, lethargy, and endemic corruption, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has sounded an urgent clarion call to public servants: return to diligence, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to national development. His message, though direct and seemingly simple, strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s governance crisis and poses a fundamental question to every civil servant: What is your contribution to the rebirth of Nigeria?

 

Governor Oborevwori’s charge comes at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s history. The nation is on the brink of socio-economic collapse—crippled by mass unemployment, a failing naira, staggering debt levels, and institutional decay. In the face of this reality, Oborevwori’s words serve not just as a political speech, but as a necessary moral awakening. He dares to demand from public servants what Nigeria has lacked for far too long: accountability, productivity, and an ethic of service.

A Wake-Up Call to Public Servants: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's Bold Stand for Nigeria’s Revival
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” – Ralph Nader

Public servants, as the machinery of governance, are expected to be the vanguard of national transformation. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, many have become the very clog in the wheel of progress. From the highest federal agencies to the most remote local councils, stories abound of dereliction of duty, inflated contracts, ghost workers, absenteeism, and outright theft of public funds.

Governor Oborevwori rightly emphasized that without a dedicated, ethical, and service-oriented public service, no government policy, no matter how visionary, can yield fruit. Echoing this, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once noted, “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” And good governance cannot exist where public servants are more committed to personal enrichment than public service.

The Nigerian civil service, once regarded as one of the most professional in Africa during the post-independence era, has deteriorated to a bastion of inefficiency. A World Bank report in 2023 estimated that Nigeria loses over $18 billion annually to public sector inefficiencies and corruption. These are not just numbers—they represent schools not built, hospitals without medicine, roads abandoned mid-construction, and millions of dreams deferred.

In light of this, Governor Oborevwori’s statement is not a routine call to duty; it is a rallying cry for national redemption. “We must reawaken the consciousness of public servants to understand that they are not just employees, but stewards of national hope,” he stated.

“Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.” – Margaret Chase Smith

Nigeria is in dire need of such dedication. For decades, leadership has been reduced to a feeding trough for the political elite and their cronies in the bureaucracy. Meritocracy has been sacrificed on the altar of nepotism. Promotions are often based not on performance, but on connections and bribes. This cancer has metastasized across all levels of government.

The call for diligence must go beyond rhetoric. There must be a deliberate and structured overhaul of the public service system. Recruitment should be based strictly on competence. Training must be prioritized, and performance should be objectively measured. Those who fail to meet standards should be sanctioned without fear or favour.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” In Nigeria today, too many public servants are still asking what they can steal from their country. This mindset must change, and change fast. Governor Oborevwori’s words should be amplified across all states and ministries.

His administration in Delta State has shown promising signs. The state has recorded improvements in internally generated revenue, infrastructural development, and youth empowerment programs. These successes are not accidental—they are the result of focused leadership and a growing insistence on performance-driven governance.

“A nation is not defined by its borders or the boundaries of its land, but by the collective spirit of its people.” – Barack Obama

Nigeria’s greatness will never come from oil reserves or abundant landmass. It will come from Nigerians who are willing to build rather than loot; to serve rather than exploit; to lead with integrity rather than deceive with slogans. The public service is the engine room of this transformation.

Public servants must also embrace innovation and transparency. In an era of digital governance and open data, Nigeria cannot afford to operate a 21st-century economy with a 19th-century bureaucracy. Oborevwori’s call must be followed by practical measures: e-governance platforms, performance-based incentives, public service audits, and whistleblower protections.

Nations like Rwanda and Singapore rose from instability to prosperity not through divine luck, but through visionary leadership and a professional, efficient civil service. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, aptly observed, “Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and solutions and write our own story.” Nigeria must do the same—and it starts with the stewards of the state: public servants.

The Nigerian public deserves better. The citizens have endured years of broken promises, collapsing infrastructure, power outages, and unpaid pensions. They deserve a civil service that works for them—not against them. As citizens struggle with inflation and insecurity, it is unconscionable for government employees to remain indifferent or complicit.

Diligence must be revived as a national virtue. Patriotism must no longer be reserved for Independence Day speeches—it must be lived out daily in government offices, in the accuracy of data entry, the timeliness of memos, the fairness of policy implementation, and the integrity of budget execution.

Governor Oborevwori has lit a torch. It is now the duty of every true Nigerian public servant to carry it forward. Let every government worker ask themselves: If Nigeria’s success depended on my daily performance, what kind of nation would we have?

“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” – Plato

Let the message ring from Abuja to Asaba, from Kano to Calabar: public service is not a privilege to be abused; it is a sacred trust. Governor Oborevwori has reminded us of that trust. The question now is—will the Nigerian public servant rise to the occasion, or continue to dig the grave of a nation gasping for rebirth?

The world is watching. History is waiting. Nigeria cannot afford another decade of bureaucratic betrayal.

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DSO Or Die Trying: Why Nigeria Must Ditch The Past And Embrace A Digital Future

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DSO Or Die Trying: Why Nigeria Must Ditch The Past And Embrace A Digital Future By Tajudeen Adepetu

Background

In 2006, Nigeria joined the global mandate led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting. The goal was clear: improve broadcast quality, free up spectrum, enable more channels, and unlock economic opportunities across the creative and tech industries.

By 2015, the Nigerian government approved a White Paper to guide the Digital Switch Over (DSO), with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) leading implementation. But what was meant to be a bold leap forward has since stalled—crippled by bureaucracy, outdated policy, resistance from entrenched interests, and a lack of political will.

Now, nearly two decades after that global mandate, Nigeria is still stuck in limbo—while other countries have fully embraced the digital broadcasting era. This isn’t just embarrassing. It’s economically dangerous.

It’s time for a hard reset. The DSO must move forward—not on nostalgia, but on today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.

Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO): Time to Stop the Stalemate and Move Forward

Let’s be honest—Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project was meant to be a game-changer. It had the potential to transform our broadcast sector, boost content distribution, create new jobs, and elevate the viewer experience. But that dream has stalled. Why? We’re trying to build the future using the tools—and thinking—of the past.

It’s 2025. We can’t run a marathon with shackles from 2015.

The Rules Are Outdated. The Game Has Changed.

The DSO was guided by a White Paper written in 2015. That’s almost a lifetime ago in tech years. The world has moved. Back then, DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) was the star. Today, it’s DTH, OTT, streaming, and hybrid systems. We’re now living in an era where your mobile phone is your TV, your radio, and your cinema—rolled into one.

Yet Nigeria’s policy framework is still wired to old specs—forcing us to use outdated Set-Top Boxes, sidelining broadband integration, and ignoring global best practices.

This is more than inefficient—it’s self-sabotage.

The Real Risk? Getting Left Behind

If we don’t update our policies now, we risk building a digital infrastructure that’s obsolete before it’s even live. Millions of dollars will go down the drain. Creators and broadcasters will be stuck in tech that can’t compete. The global content economy will leave us behind.

Why should we be held hostage by outdated decisions when new opportunities are knocking?

Let the NBC Do Its Job

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is the body legally charged with steering this transition. So let them steer. Give them the power to modernize policy. Let them engage meaningfully with stakeholders. Shield them from bureaucratic drama and political landmines.

The NBC is not the enemy. Obstructing it doesn’t protect progress—it kills it.

Enough with the Infighting

Some are resisting the new DSO path because of old investments. That’s understandable—but it’s not sustainable. Legacy systems should never outweigh national growth. We need fresh strategies, not stale grudges. We need stakeholders who build, not bicker.

Let’s Talk About Set-Top Boxes

Here’s the truth: The DTT-only boxes being pushed are outdated. They’re limiting. They cut users off from richer, smarter content experiences. Today’s consumer wants flexibility—TV, internet, streaming, all in one device. Anything less is a disservice to both audience and industry.

We need hybrid STBs that reflect current tech realities. Anything else is a dead end.

What Needs to Happen—Now

Rip up the 2015 playbook. It’s done. It no longer fits the world we live in. Update the White Paper and align with today’s digital ecosystem.

Back the NBC—fully. Stop the noise. Give them the room and support to lead effectively.

Think forward, not backward. This is about future growth—not preserving outdated systems.

End the sabotage. We can’t keep slowing down the train over old battles. Progress doesn’t wait.

Talk like builders, not gatekeepers. Every stakeholder must commit to solutions, not gridlocks.

Final Word

This is not just a switch from analog to digital—it’s a test of Nigeria’s readiness to embrace the future. And right now, we’re flunking that test.

We don’t need another delay. We need bold leadership, policy courage, and a unified industry mindset. The NBC’s direction is right. They deserve our full support.

Let’s stop dragging our feet. Let’s stop arguing over yesterday’s hardware. Let’s build a digital broadcast system that actually works—for now and for the future.

Nigeria is home to Africa’s most influential creatives—filmmakers, musicians, content producers, and digital storytellers who shape global pop culture and drive billion-dollar industries.

From Nollywood to Afrobeats, Nigerian talent is setting the pace. Yet, the outdated handling of the Digital Switch Over is a disservice to this ecosystem. By clinging to obsolete policies and technologies, we’re choking distribution channels, limiting access to local content, and blocking the full monetization potential of creative work. In a country bursting with world-class talent, failing to provide a modern broadcast infrastructure isn’t just shortsighted—it’s sabotage.

Nigeria deserves better. And the time to act is now.

Opinion by Tajuddeen Adepetu
Broadcaster, Media-Tech Entrepreneur, CEO of Group8, Nigeria’s leading broadcast network: Owners of OnTV, Soundcity, Spice,Televista and a host of others

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Trump’s Tariff Trap: Why U.S. Trade Policy Spells Trouble for Nigerian Exports

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Trump’s Tariff Trap: Why U.S. Trade Policy Spells Trouble for Nigerian Exports

Trump’s Tariff Trap: Why U.S. Trade Policy Spells Trouble for Nigerian Exports

 

As President Donald Trump continues to champion protectionist trade policies, global markets are already bracing for impact. While much of the attention has been focused on China, Mexico, and the European Union, one less examined—but profoundly affected—victim of Trump’s aggressive tariff agenda is Nigeria.

Africa’s largest economy, already burdened by inflation, forex volatility, and limited industrial capacity, now faces an additional challenge: declining export access to one of its most important trade partners.

 

Trump’s Tariff Plan: A Snapshot

Trump has repeatedly promised to impose a 10% universal tariff on all imports if re-elected, and a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, with broader plans to reshape global trade dynamics under an “America First” banner. The move is touted as a way to protect U.S. industries, reduce reliance on foreign goods, and strengthen domestic jobs.

But trade economists warn that such a policy will create ripple effects across emerging economies, especially those like Nigeria that rely on trade openness to boost growth and foreign exchange inflow.

 

Nigerian Exports at Risk

Although the U.S. is not Nigeria’s largest export destination (India and the EU currently lead), it remains a strategic trade partner, especially for:

  • Crude oil and petroleum products

  • Agricultural exports (cocoa, sesame seeds, rubber, etc.)

  • Solid minerals and metals

In 2023, Nigeria exported goods worth over $3 billion to the United States, much of which was eligible for duty-free access under AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act). But Trump’s tariff model could jeopardize AGOA’s continuity or undermine its benefits, directly impacting Nigeria’s ability to compete in American markets.

“Tariffs will make Nigerian goods more expensive to U.S. buyers, reducing demand and hurting our exporters,” says Dr. Tola Adebayo, a Lagos-based international trade analyst.

 

The Oil Factor: A Double-Edged Sword

Crude oil forms the bulk of Nigerian exports, including to the U.S. But Trump’s energy policy, which favors U.S. fossil fuel expansion, could lower U.S. oil imports, shrinking Nigeria’s already narrow export window.

Add to that the rising competition from Latin American and Middle Eastern oil producers, and Nigerian crude could lose market share, particularly if tariffs distort existing trade flows.

“Even if oil isn’t directly tariffed, retaliatory policies or shifts in demand can affect us indirectly,” said Ngozi Obi-Ani, a trade and energy policy expert.

 

Manufacturing and Agro-Processing in Jeopardy

Nigeria’s non-oil exports—especially agricultural products like cocoa, cashew, and sesame—are slowly gaining traction in U.S. markets. But these products are highly price-sensitive. A sudden tariff will make Nigerian commodities less competitive, especially when rivals like Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia maintain cheaper access.

Moreover, U.S. tariffs could disrupt supply chains for Nigerian manufacturers dependent on U.S. machinery, parts, or technology, further stalling local industrialization efforts.

 

Impact on Employment and Forex Earnings

The knock-on effect of reduced exports is lower foreign exchange earnings, which Nigeria sorely needs to stabilize its naira and meet import obligations. It also threatens thousands of jobs in export-linked sectors, from agriculture and logistics to oil and gas.

“With youth unemployment already above 40%, a slump in export-driven sectors could worsen the crisis,” warns Folashade Yusuf, economist at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

 

A Call for Strategic Diversification

Analysts argue that Trump’s trade policies underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to diversify its export base, improve intra-African trade through the AfCFTA, and forge stronger ties with Asia and Europe.

“The world is shifting from globalization to regionalization. Nigeria must adapt quickly, build industrial capacity, and reduce dependence on traditional markets like the U.S.,” Adebayo stressed.

 

Conclusion: Nigeria Must Brace for Impact

Whether or not Trump returns to the White House, his tariff doctrine has already reignited protectionist sentiments in global trade. For Nigeria, the implications are clear: the need to strengthen competitiveness, diversify partners, and rethink trade policy is more urgent than ever.

Failure to act now may not just weaken Nigeria’s export economy—it could cost the nation its place at the global trade table.

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