Business

” There is no way we won’t buy the project vehicles” – Senators, Reps insist

Published

10 years ago

February 7, 2016

Against all odds, The Senate and the House of Representatives on Saturday said they would go ahead with the purchase of exotics for its members despite critics from the Nigerian citizens and past leaders.

Members of both chambers of the National Assembly, who spoke to our correspondent separately, stated that lawmakers needed the vehicles to function efficiently.

The Senate plans to procure cars worth about N4.7bn, the House will spend between N3.4bn and N4.2bn on choice brands for its 360 members.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, told one of our correspondents that the leadership of the upper chamber was expecting the invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari over the plan to purchase ‘project vehicles’ for the use of the various committees.
Buhari had during the last presidential media chat pledged to initiate a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on the issue but the parley had yet to hold several weeks after.

But the Senate spokesperson said since the proposed meeting was an initiative of the President, the leaders of the red chamber would wait until they were invited.

Abdullahi said, “ for the use of the committees. It is the consideration of the 2016 budget at both chambers that has delayed it. The money has to be appropriated for. We are still buying the vehicles”

He added, “There is no way we can exercise our legislative functions especially in the area of oversight, using our personal cars.

“We need official vehicles to move around the country because we do not have to rely on government agencies under our supervision for such logistics if we really have to carry out an unbiased exercise.

“Nigerians should also note that we are not asking for too much by requesting for Sport Utility Vehicles as official vehicles because there is no senator or members of the House of Representatives that cannot afford one. To us, it’s not a luxury but a necessity to do our work better.”

Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya, said it was important for the National Assembly management to buy the project vehicles for lawmakers who would need them to carry out oversight functions.

He said, “ I don’t know what people mean by exotic cars because I have personal vehicles that are better than what the National Assembly is proposing to buy for us.

“You will find out that a minister uses four cars. They fuel those four cars for any of his trips. Senators get vehicles once in four years and any vehicle used on Nigerian roads for four years cannot be handed over to another senator to use. It is not possible.

“We are asking for only one car for our official use, to do our oversight, to go round the country. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Also, the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, said Buhari was not opposed to the National Assembly purchasing cars to carry out official assignments.

He said, “There is no way the executive will expect us to use our personal vehicles to do official work in the legislature.

“The problem is that the media is blowing the issue out of proportion. The amount being quoted was a far cry from what would be needed to purchase the vehicles.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas Resources, Senator Bassey Akpan, also said the purchase of project vehicles was crucial to the success of the parliament, if the nation was really interested in quality legislative activities.

He stated that a lawmaker needed more than a vehicle to effectively carry out his or her oversight functions across the country.

For the House of Representatives, findings showed that aside the 360 units (one to each member), additional customised vehicles would be added to the fleet of the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Yusuf Lasun; the Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila ; the Chief Whip, Mr. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; the Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, and other principal officers in both the majority and minority caucuses of the House.

A senior official of the House told one of our correspondents that it also depended on the passage of the 2016 budget by the National Assembly.

The source said, “We are waiting for the budget to be passed. All the votes for the year are captured in the budget. As soon as the budget is passed and funds are released, the issue of cars should become a thing of the past.

“We are over-flogging this car issue as if it is the most important challenge facing our nation today.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, was emphatic that the House would buy cars for its members as it had been the tradition over the years.

He confirmed that lack of funds had put the car project on hold for a while.

Namdas said, “There are no releases yet; we are waiting for money.

“What is a fact is that the House will certainly buy operational vehicles for members to use while going on oversight visits.

“We have explained repeatedly that these cars are the property of the National Assembly. We do not expect members to trek to project sites for inspection.

“Or, are we saying that the same agencies we are to oversight should provide vehicles to convey members to sites?

“We have to appreciate the need to seriously empower the legislature to function as an independent arm of government in a democracy.”

Business

Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing Felicitates Olofin of Ilisan Remo on 86th Birthday

Published

54 minutes ago

May 11, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing Felicitates Olofin of Ilisan Remo on 86th Birthday

The Borokinni of Ilishan Remo, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing KOF, has extended warm birthday felicitations to the Olofin of Ilisan Remo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Barr. Michael Olufemi Mojeed Sonuga Daniyan II, as the revered monarch celebrates his 86th birthday anniversary.

In a statement released to commemorate the royal father’s birthday, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing described the monarch as a symbol of peace, wisdom, progress, and exemplary royal leadership, whose reign has continued to bring honor and development to Ilisan Remo.

According to him, since ascending the revered throne of his forefathers, the Olofin has consistently demonstrated purposeful leadership and unwavering commitment to the unity, growth, and cultural advancement of the kingdom, while fostering peace and harmony among the people.

He further noted that the monarch’s reign has inspired pride and confidence among indigenes of Ilisan Remo both at home and in the diaspora, adding that Kabiyesi’s dedication to community development and preservation of tradition remains highly commendable.

The Borokinni prayed for continued divine grace, sound health, long life, and greater wisdom for the royal father as he continues his impactful reign on the throne of his ancestors.

“On behalf of my family, associates, and well-wishers, I heartily congratulate His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Barr. Michael Olufemi Mojeed Sonuga Daniyan II, the Olofin of Ilisan Remo, on the joyous occasion of his 86th birthday. May Almighty God continue to strengthen Kabiyesi with peace, sound health, and many more years of fruitful reign,” he stated.

Business

Aliko Dangote Foundation, WEF Unveil 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows

Published

17 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Titans and Trailblazers: Nigeria’s Great Entrepreneurs from Abiola to Dangote — The Story of Wealth, Influence, and National Impact. By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

Aliko Dangote Foundation, WEF Unveil 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows

…Spotlighting Africa’s Next Generation of Change Leaders

World Economic Forum (WEF) in partnership with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has announced the 2026 cohort of the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Aliko Dangote Fellows, highlighting a new generation of African leaders committed to expanding opportunity and strengthening institutions across the African continent.

The Fellowship serves as a critical bridge between Africa’s emerging changemakers and the global Young Global Leaders network, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development. The YGL Aliko Dangote Fellowship supports high-impact African leaders by enabling their full participation in the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) programme and broader WEF activities.

WEF said the 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows represent diverse professional backgrounds spanning healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, and advocacy across sub-Saharan Africa. The newly selected fellows are Dr. Esperance Luvindao; Charlot Magayi, Founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves; Rewa Udoji, Founder of Cranstoun; Dr. Stephen Modise; Dr. Musa Kika; Hatim Eltayeb; Kemi Lala Akindoju; and Vimbai Masiyiwa.

With a strong emphasis on empowering women leaders, the Fellowship is designed to support Africans shaping solutions to pressing social and economic challenges while strengthening leadership capacity across key sectors.

Over the past 14 years, the Aliko Dangote Foundation–powered Fellowship has supported more than 130 young African leaders, providing access to Davos meetings, executive education opportunities, and influential peer networks that amplify African voices on the global stage.

Commenting on the announcement, Fatima Aliko Dangote, Trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and Group Executive Director, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, described the 2026 fellows as “leaders who will expand opportunity and strengthen institutions, advancing Africa on its own terms.”

She added: “Africa’s future will be defined by the strength of its people. When the right leaders—especially women—are empowered and given a global voice, they do not just lead; they reshape what is possible. That is why we invest in people: because it is the surest path to lasting global prosperity, stability, and self-determination. The 2026 cohort embodies this vision.”

According to her: the 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows represent that future leaders who will expand opportunity and strengthen institutions, advancing Africa on its own terms while helping define a world whose future will be shaped by the continent.

She explained that the idea behind the YGL Aliko Dangote Fellowship is to cultivate, empower, and support exceptional African leaders under 40, ensuring they have the resources to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) community. It specifically aims to accelerate their impact on the continent and globally.

Details of the new fellows in the announcement indicated that; Hatim Eltayeb, is the Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Academy, strengthening one of the continent’s most important leadership institutions; Dr Esperance Luvindao, Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, combining clinical experience with digital health and grassroots innovation; Charlot Magayi, the Kenyan founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves, linking clean energy, public health and livelihoods; Dr Stephen Modise, Botswana’s Minister of Health, bringing a data-driven approach to public health reform.

Dr Musa Kika, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, using law to defend constitutionalism and civic space; Rewa Udoji, the Nigerian artist and finance professional whose work bridges culture, capital and women’s economic literacy; Kemi Lala Akindoju, the Nigerian producer and actor helping reshape the creative economy through talent development, financing and more grounded storytelling; and Ms Vimbai Masiyiwa, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Batoka Africa, building a model of tourism rooted in sustainability, community ownership and women’s empowerment. Together, they reflect the range of leadership the fellowship is designed to support public leaders, entrepreneurs, institution-builders and cultural actors already shaping systems in very different ways.

It would be recalled that Aliko Dangote YGL Fellowship has supported more than 90 Fellows from over 25 African countries, thus enabling full participation in the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders programme through access to convenings, executive education, peer networks and global platforms.

Over that period, Fellows have taken part in more than 400 engagements across Annual Meetings, regional summits and learning modules, contributing to debates on finance, climate, health, technology and governance.

Business

Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes Partnership with Dangote Group on Africa Investments

Published

17 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes Partnership with Dangote Group on Africa Investments

The President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has held a high-level meeting with Nicolai Tangen, the Chief Executive Officer of Norges Bank Investment Management, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund manager, overseeing assets valued at approximately $1.9 trillion.

At the meeting, the Norwegian investment institution expressed strong interest in partnering with Dangote Group to expand its footprint across the African continent, with a focus on strategic sectors including power, energy, renewables, agriculture, fertiliser and cement.

Also present at the meeting were Svein Tore Holsether, Chief Executive Officer of Yara International, one of the world’s leading fertiliser and agricultural companies, and Terje Pilskog, Chief Executive Officer of Scatec, a global renewable energy company.

The engagement shows growing global investor confidence in Africa’s industrial and infrastructure potential, as well as the increasing role of indigenous conglomerates such as Dangote Group in driving large-scale economic transformation.

For Dangote Group, the potential partnership represents a significant opportunity to deepen its investments across key sectors critical to Africa’s development, particularly in energy transition, food security and industrial capacity expansion.

The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, widely regarded as a benchmark for global institutional investment, has in recent years shown increased interest in emerging markets, with Africa seen as a frontier for long-term value creation.

The collaboration between the fund and Dangote Group could unlock substantial capital flows into critical infrastructure and industrial projects, further accelerating economic growth and regional integration across the continent.