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Niger State drags Attorney-General to Supreme Court over 13% derivation
By Ebere Agozie
The Niger State government has dragged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to the Supreme Court over omission in the 13 percent derivation.
In an originating summons sighted at the apex court, Niger state government through its counsel Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, seeks the interpretation and application of section 232 (1) & (2) of the Nigerian constitution.
The suit seeks the inclusion of Niger state in the 13 percent derivation as enshrined in the Enactment of Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc.) Act, 2004.
He wants the court to determine whether Niger State does not qualify to be classified among the states that that produce natural resources and therefore entitled to thirteen percent derivation within the meaning of 162(2) of the 1999 constitution.
The subject matter of the suit is the failure of the federal government to include Niger State among the beneficiary states of the 13 percent derivation.
It is also about the omission of remitting same proceeds of fiscal revenue generated and accrued through Hydroelectric Power dams in Niger State, the territory and part of the resources of Niger State to the overall electricity generation to the national grid in Nigeria since 1968 till date.
Ndarani argued that the State hosts four major hydroelectricity dams: Kainji Dam, Jebba Dam, Shiroro Dam and Zungeru Dam, which serves as a power house for electricity supply to various states in Nigeria.
He also said that through these power stations, the Federal Government extends electricity supply to the Republics of Benin, Togo and Niger
He averred that the attorney-general was brought before the apex court because he has an oversight legal advice function over advising and representing the Accountant-General.
The Accountant-General has the constitutional role of preparing the Nation’s Financial Statements arising from collection and receipts of income, fees, rentals and taxes and payment out of the Federation Account.
That the attorney general at all times is charged with legally advising and representing the Auditor-General of the Federation and the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission that oversees revenue accruing to, and disbursement of such funds from the Federation Account.
He said that the defendant represents and advises the president on all legal matters involving the functions of the president but has failed over the years in its duties.
This, according to him, should have been to ensure equitable distribution of resources in conformity with the current realities, particularly, in relation to the enormous fiscal revenue generated by Niger state.
The learned silk averred to the fact that Niger State is a purely agrarian state as the inhabitants are subsistence farmers whose produce are enjoyed across the state and beyond.
He noted that the fact that as a result of the large expanse of the land occupied by the dams, a large population of the citizens and residents of Niger State are denied the opportunity of engaging in agricultural activities.
He said that Niger state, host to the dams which were established in 1968 and have laid the golden eggs has been a victim of incessant and continuous flooding in recent years and still counting.
This has resulted in wanton loss of human lives and livestock as well as destruction of properties, leading unavoidably to displacement of many residents from their homes.
He claimed that Physicochemical/Microbiological Impact Assessment Report conducted by the state government showed the level of degradation in the affected areas.
This represents an impending danger that looms large in the horizon for the state over the coming years if urgent stringent environment protection measures are not taken.
To the chagrin, detriment, continuous exploitation and utter impoverishment of the people of Niger State, the defendant continuously and continually whisked off profits from the state.
The federal government should not be only concerned about benefiting from the dams located in the territory of the state without a care for its people.
He said that unfortunately the office of National Bureau of Statistics had no information on the volume of electricity by megawatts generated by the dams since 1968 and 2019, except for those of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
They gave the NBS’s computation of the volume of electricity by megawatts generated into the national grid from 2020 – 2023 as follows:
“The sum total megawatt generated in 2020 is equal to 2,232,706.27, 2021 equal to 2,632,348.00, 2022 equal to 2,830,002.96 and in 2023 equal to 2,658,612.96.
These dams have generated fiscal revenue which has been controlled by the federal government and have been indisputably redistributed equally amongst the constituent states without considering the host (Niger State) since 1968 till date.
Ndarani stated that Niger state and its citizens and residents suffer continuous exploitation, neglect and ravaging flood owing to the power generating activities of the federal government and its agencies.
Conversely, the federal government continues to enjoy the profits from the dams, leaving the state in penury and misery.
He added that the pitiable, miserable and hopeless plight of the Niger State indigenes and residents alike cannot be over emphasized
In spite of the misfortune of Niger state at the hand of the federal government, the federal government has also paid no attention whatsoever to the adverse environmental impacts of the activities of the power generating companies at the dams.
It is such a sorry state of affairs that not even the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has put any program in place to ameliorate the sufferings of Niger state’s citizens and resident
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Golden Nsogbu Unveils Nsogbu TV: The New Powerhouse Set to Shake Up Nigeria’s Entertainment Scene
Lagos is about to feel the heat as Nsogbu TV, a brand-new YouTube-based entertainment platform, officially launches with a bang! Founded by serial entrepreneur and music mogul David Ewofobe, popularly known as Golden Nsogbu, the channel is already making waves with promises to redefine the way fans consume music, comedy, and lifestyle content.
Described as a “Power House” for fresh talent and premium entertainment, Nsogbu TV is setting itself apart with an irresistible lineup of music videos, hilarious comedy skits, exclusive celebrity interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage fans won’t find anywhere else.
“We are not just creating a YouTube channel; we are building a global entertainment hub,” Golden Nsogbu declared. “From music lovers to comedy fans, there’s something for everyone. Nsogbu TV will soon be the name on everyone’s lips.”
And he isn’t doing it alone. Golden Nsogbu has teamed up with ace comedian IGoSave (Otaghware Otas Onodjayeke) as Creative Director, alongside a host of talented creators ready to take Nigerian entertainment to new heights.
The platform’s official teaser video, fittingly titled “POWER HOUSE🏠”, has already given fans a taste of what’s coming, sparking excitement across social media.
With its headquarters in Lagos, Nsogbu TV is positioning itself as a launchpad for young creatives while also delivering high-quality content that resonates with global audiences.
🎥 Check out Nsogbu TV’s launch video here: Watch Now
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @NsogbuTV
Membership Drive — August: Month of Membership 2025/2026
By Prince Adeyemi Aseperi-Shonibare
Charter President, Rotary Club of Ikeja Alausa
“Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the element which holds it together.” — Paul Harris, Founder of Rotary
This August, Rotary clubs worldwide celebrate Membership Month — a time to reflect on why we joined, how we serve, and who we will invite next. Membership is the heartbeat of Rotary. Without new minds, fresh energy, and diverse perspectives, even the most vibrant club risks losing momentum. If you have yet to invite a friend, colleague, or family member to join, you may be withholding one of life’s greatest gifts: the opportunity to serve humanity through fellowship.
Rotary is not just a meeting. It is a movement, a mindset, and a lifestyle of purpose — a passport to significance and a front-row seat to impact humanity.
We are 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries and territories, united by a single motto: Service Above Self. Membership begins with one simple act — an invitation.
“The true measure of a Rotarian’s leadership is not in holding a title, but in multiplying our tribe” “When everyone bring one, and you’ve changed a life. Bring many, and you’ve changed the world.”
Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus: A Magnetic Invitation
The most compelling way to introduce someone to Rotary is through action. The 7 Areas of Focus are powerful entry points for potential members:
1. Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention – Promoting dialogue, resolving disputes, and fostering understanding.
2. Disease Prevention and Treatment – Fighting polio, tackling malaria, and expanding access to healthcare.
3. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene – Providing clean water and proper sanitation for healthier communities.
4. Maternal and Child Health – Reducing mortality and empowering mothers through quality care.
5. Basic Education and Literacy – Combating illiteracy and fostering lifelong learning.
6. Community Economic Development – Creating jobs, supporting entrepreneurship, and reducing poverty.
7. Supporting the Environment – Protecting ecosystems, promoting sustainability, and addressing climate change.
When people see Rotary in action — planting trees, building schools, equipping hospitals, or supporting mental health — they see a cause worth joining.
Meetings That Inspire
Rotary meetings should be engaging, uplifting, and relevant. Keep them concise and full of energy. Vary formats with outdoor fellowships, club visits, service days, and inspiring guest speakers. Hybrid meetings are vital in today’s busy world — reliable internet, quality audio-visual tools, and inclusivity ensure every member stays connected, even when attending from office or outside the country.
Caring for Our Own
A strong club does not only serve the community; it also cares for its members. Reach out to those who miss meetings. Make every member feel valued. Rotary is a family — and families look out for one another.
Why Members Leave — And Why They Stay
Members leave when they feel disengaged, meetings lack energy, onboarding is weak, culture is unwelcoming, or flexibility is absent.
Members stay when they find meaningful service, global fellowship, personal growth, flexible structures, and a shared purpose.
Inviting People Into Rotary
Lead by example. Share Rotary stories. Use social media. Invite community leaders. Showcase our projects in maternal health, peacebuilding, and the environment. Host open events. Involve families. Show them a project in action. And never underestimate the power of asking: “Would you like to join Rotary?”
The Benefits of Rotary
Rotary membership opens doors to global friendship, leadership growth, professional networks, international experiences, purposeful living, recognition, and the joy of leaving a legacy. As RI Past President Barry Rassin said: “Rotary is a gift. You don’t keep a gift this good to yourself.”
This Rotary year, let us shine our light brighter, welcome more members, and extend the most valuable gift — the invitation to a life of service and fellowship.
Be the reason someone says, “Joining Rotary changed my life.”
Come and join Rotary with me. See what we do, feel the fellowship, share in the service, and be part of a story bigger than yourself. Let every Rotarian bring at least one new member. My personal goal this year is to bring ten. It is possible, it is necessary, and it is how we keep the Rotary light shining.
Fellow Nigerians, and friends of Nigeria abroad,
They said the APC was not popular with the people. They said its strength was only in government houses, not in the marketplace, not in the villages, not in the hearts of men and women who rise each day to labor under the hot sun. Yet the people have now spoken, and their voice is louder than the rumors of social media, stronger than the whispers of drawing rooms.
In the bye-elections of this past weekend, sixteen seats were set before the people. Out of these, the APC took eleven, stretching across Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Taraba, Ogun, Kogi, Edo, Adamawa, and Niger. One more stands in contest, and there too the APC leads.
APGA secured two seats in Anambra. The PDP held one in Oyo. The NNPP claimed one in Kano. But the others—ADC, SDP, Labour—were nowhere to be found. Not a single seat fell their way.
So I ask: how do you define popularity? By the clamor on Facebook? By the trend on Instagram? By the fury of TikTok or the storms of X? No. Popularity in a democracy is measured by ballots cast, by hands inked, by real people walking to the polls to say with their vote: this is who we trust.
In America, they speak of midterm elections, a verdict passed halfway through a presidency. There, such elections measure the strength of the president and the staying power of his party. Nigeria has no midterm Congress. But these bye-elections, spread across thirteen states and five geopolitical zones, are our closest equivalent. And their meaning cannot be ignored.
Many thought the ADC, older in years than the APC, would rise with its new converts and prove itself a rival. Many thought the PDP would mount a strong wave. But the verdict of the ballot tells a different story. The PDP lives, but it fights to hold ground. The ADC, SDP, and Labour remain shadows, not yet substance. The NNPP, for all its color, remains a Kano river, not a national sea.
The APC, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not only stood but has been endorsed. For all the cries, for all the bitter words against his reforms, the people have answered with their votes: they are willing to endure the hard medicine if it promises a better tomorrow.
What then is the road ahead? It is clear. The APC stands as the party to beat in 2027. The opposition must gather itself, must bind its wounds, must cease from fighting in fragments if it wishes to rise as a true alternative.
But for now, let it be recorded in the annals of our young democracy: that on the 16th of August, 2025, the Nigerian people spoke with ballots, not hashtags; with votes, not noise; with courage, not despair. And their verdict was plain.
The APC is not a party of rumor, but a party of the people.
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