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Articles by Jackson Ugbechie
OPINION | Okowa’s Magic Wand in Asaba, By Angela Okafor
*Asaba, Delta State's capital city... Governor Ifeanyi Okowa came to power in 2015 with a strong pledge to develop Asaba the capital of Delta state. Not many people took him seriously for one obvious reason. They did not believe him. Politicians are masters of tricks and empty promises. Whether on the campaign podium or inauguration stand, they say whatever thing that catches their fancy, all to deceive the “gullible” masses.
OPINION | Abdulkareem and His Revival at Unilorin, By Best Agbese - METROWATCH
*Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem In those days, the graduates of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) pranced the land with mercurial elegance as proud products of one of Nigeria’s best second-generation universities. But this aura suddenly faded and over the years graduates of the varsity faced character discrimination in the labour market.
Dollar drought: Neither CBN nor Emefiele
By Jackson Ugbechie There is dollar drought in Nigeria. It has become the biggest challenge for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in recent memory. To its credit, the CBN is fully aware of this and its grim implications on the economy and the apex bank has been tinkering with different strategies to shore up dollar reserves and ultimately save the naira.
OPINION | Dollar Drought: Blame Not CBN Nor Emefiele, By Jackson Ugbechie
*The CBN head office, Abuja. There is dollar drought in Nigeria. It has become the biggest challenge for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in recent memory. To its credit, the CBN is fully aware of this and its grim implications on the economy and the apex bank has been tinkering with different strategies to shore up dollar reserves and ultimately save the naira. Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of CBN, obviously has grown more grey hairs trying to contain the dollar scarcity.
SERAP Asks Buhari to ‘Probe Alleged Misuse of N4.5Bn COVID-19 Funds by Kogi Govt’
(News Release) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support the Kogi State government obtained from the Federal Government, including N90,720,000 reportedly spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.” SERAP stated that...
Nigeria: Buhari, Emefiele Spark Nigeria's Rice Revolution
The recent celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP, in Kebbi State by the Federal Government spearheaded by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, was a breath of fresh air. President Muhammadu Buhari must have gushed with joy by reason of the event witnessed by many governors and members of the international community.
Buhari, Emefiele spark Nigeria’s rice revolution
By Jackson Ugbechie The recent celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP, in Kebbi State by the Federal Government spearheaded by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, was a breath of fresh air. President Muhammadu Buhari must have gushed with joy by reason of the event witnessed by many governors and members of the international community.
Monguno and a nation’s conscience
By Jackson Ugbechie The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, a retired Major General, has been a subject of deprecation by a few Nigerians. But to many others, the urbane NSA is the archetypal conscience of the nation, the voice of the people and a patriotic public servant who chose to act when others were numbed to morbid silence borne out of selective amnesia.
Brig-Gen. Adelokun Eyitayo Takes over as GOC 7 Division
By Yakubu Uba Brig-Gen. Adelokun Eyitayo has formally assumed duty as Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, and Commander Sector 1 of Operation Lafiya Dole. Addressing troops shortly after taking over on Monday in Maiduguri, Eyitayo said as someone familiar with the terrain, he remained committed to do more on the successes recorded by his predecessor. Eyitayo tasked the troops on more zeal and commitment needed to crushed the terrorists.
OPINION | Missing Billions: Monguno as Conscience of the Nation, By Jackson Ugbechie
*Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), Buhari's NSA. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, a retired Major General, has been a subject of deprecation by a few Nigerians. But to many others, the urbane NSA is the archetypal conscience of the nation, the voice of the people and a patriotic public servant who chose to act when others were numbed to morbid silence borne out of selective amnesia.
Nigeria: Buhari, Emefiele and Nigeria's Rice Revolution
Jackson Ugbechie x-rays the Anchor Borrowers Programme launched five years ago by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and concludes that it's one of the best policies of the Buhari government as an antidote to unemployment The recent celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Anchor Borrowers' Programme (ABP) in Kebbi by the Federal Government spearheaded by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was a breath of fresh air.
AANI Holds 2021 AGM, Elects New Executive Members
(Press Release) The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) on Saturday, March 6, held its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the year 2021. at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. During his welcome address, the President, IGP Mohammed Dikko Abubakar (rtd), thanked members for finding their commitment to the Association as manifested in the large turnout.
OPINION | Buhari, Emefiele Spark Nigeria’s Rice Revolution, By Jackson Ugbechie
*The CBN head office, Abuja. The recent celebration of the 5thanniversary of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) in Kebbi by the Federal Government spearheaded by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was a breath of fresh air. President Muhammadu Buhari must have gushed with joy by reason of the event witnessed by many governors and members of the international community.
Nigeria: Cryptocurrency - CBN and National Security
Abuja — The ban on digital currency is in order. Nigeria's reserve bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has at last taken a decisive position on the 11-year-old digital currency now a subject of dispute around the world. Cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency (money) which operates independent of third-party oversight or regulation. This insulates it from regulation by banks or governments. It has no value, it's not a legal tender by its nature, like the naira or dollar.
10 Bandits Killed in Katsina during Fierce Gun Battle with Nigerian Troops
*Maj-Gen. John Enenche, spokesman, Defence Headquarters. By Sumaila Ogbaje The Defence Headquarters says Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have eliminated 10 bandits, arrested their collaborators and informants as well as recovered cache of arms in different encounters in Katsina State. The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, in a statement on Tuesday, said the troops had increased momentum of operations against bandits in the North Western zone.
Ohaneze Ndigbo: Moghalu Tasks Obiozor on Partnerships
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, on Monday urged the new President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, to foster effective partnerships with other ethnic nationalities. Moghalu, the Convener of To Build A Nation (TBAN), made the call in a congratulatory message to Obiozor. A copy of the message was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka.
OPINION | 2021: As Emefiele Focuses on Economic Recovery, By Jackson Ugbechie - METROWATCH
*Nigeria's CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has his job cut out in 2021. With an economy steeped in recession courtesy of covid-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS protests, which was turned to a vehicle for destruction by hoodlums, what is needed now is the courage to act. Emefiele must take certain actions to rescue the economy. But his efforts alone, no matter how gallant and brilliant, are not enough.
OPINION | General Buratai’s Defiant Audacity in Leadership, By Philip Agbese
*Gen. TY Buratai (m), flanked by his commanders “Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.” -Karl von Clausewitz In Nigeria, audacity in leadership also requires a great dosage of defiant courage. It is because in this part of the world, majority of the people are more atoned to failed leadership predominantly. It sounds odd, but such persons delight in dubiously exploiting failed leaders for personal benefits at the detriment of the whole system.
OPINION | RIGHT OF REPLY: PHRC EPC Rehabilitation Contract Tender - Separating Facts from Fiction, By NNPC
Dripping with prejudice, the group in the publication laboured albeit unsuccessfully to cast aspersion on the entire system in an unmistakable attempt at disrupting the ongoing process for the award of the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
OPINION | How Politicians Hijack 13% Derivation, NDDC Benefits from Oil Communities, By Michael Owhoko
Contrary to widely held view that core oil producing areas in the Niger Delta are benefiting from 13 percent derivation and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects, there is no impact of these interventions in the areas. Instead, state governors, government officials and politicians at both federal and state levels take advantage of vulnerability and gullibility of these oil communities to divert these benefits to their preferred locations, leaving the core oil communities to fate.
OPINION | Benedict Peters, a true Nigerian Export, By Jackson Ugbechie - METROWATCH
In a season when some Nigerians are being demonised across the world as agents of crime and criminalities, we cannot but raise our glasses to salute the likes of Adewale Adeyemo, Joe Biden appointee as Deputy Treasury Secretary; Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu, the Nigerian-American medic who was one of the brains behind the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Dave Umahi’s Defection from PDP to APC
*Former VP candidate in Nigeria and former governor Peter Obi. (News Release) Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has finally spoken on the recent defection of the Governor of Ebonyi State from PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that such political dramas should not form the focus of Nigerians, when the country is facing severe economic recession.
Boko Haram's Killing of Borno Rice Farmers Act of Cowardice, By Lai Mohammed - METROWATCH
2. As you are all aware, the month of October witnessed the EndSARS protest by the youth, who were calling for an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protest, which started peacefully, later degenerated into violence after it was hijacked by hoodlums. 3. What were the EndSARS protesters asking for? Their five demands were: i) Immediate release of all arrested protesters.
OPINION | Roadway Construction Etiquette: The Lagos Ibadan Expressway Example, By By Gbenga Onabanjo - METROWATCH
*THE LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY: Work still dragging on, but with completed portions failing already.. It was big relief to witness the commencement of rehabilitation and construction works on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after a long-drawn tussle between Bi-Courtney Ltd, which was commissioned to Build, Operate and Transfer the 100-kilometre road by the Obasanjo/Jonathan administrations. Works had been going on to expand the expressway to either a six-lane expressway or a 10-lane expressway.
OPINION | Emefiele Deserves Garland, Not Guillotine, By Jackson Ugbechie
*Nigeria's CBN governor, Emefiele. The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is once again up against a special clan made up of Nigerians and non-Nigerians. They are the dollar doublers who profit largely by working to make the naira get weaker against the dollar and other currencies in the forex market.
Edo Govt Begins Screening, Revalidation Exercise for Pensioners in 18 LGAs
*Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. The Edo State Government has announced the commencement of the revalidation exercise for pensioners in the 18 Local Governments Areas (LGAs) of the state, in furtherance of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state.
OPINION | And in Lekki, the Truth Died, By Philip Agbese - METROWATCH
Some people tell me, this land of Oduduwa has been polluted and defiled with blood seeking for the offenders. They say the gods are angry and seeking vengeance on the enemies. Others tell me, there were blood stains or dead bodies at Lekki. Unclear shaky fingers are pointing at massacres in Lekki, which are invisible in every sense. The fury in me and my patriots is much; we must be our brother’s keeper; it’s a divine command.
Nigerian youths and Emefiele
By Jackson Ugbechie Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele, has come under attack recently. Reason? The CBN applied and obtained court order to freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a corporate entity in the wake of the recent #EndSARS protests across the nation.
OPINION | Emefiele and Nigerian Jouths: An Appraisal, By Jackson Ugbechie - METROWATCH
*CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has come under attack recently. Reason? The CBN applied and obtained court order to freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a corporate entity in the wake of the recent #EndSARS protests across the nation.
Border Closure: Dangote Says Bloomberg Report on Sole Export Exemption to it Misleading - METROWATCH
(News Release) Contrary to reports by Bloomberg that Dangote Cement was granted sole approval to export cement through the land borders, information has emerged that other companies also got approval to export through the land borders. Nigerian Customs Service has reportedly revealed that BUA Group and a gas company have also received presidential approval to move goods across the land borders.
Nigeria: Emefiele and His Critics
Abuja — The CBN's forex restriction policy is for the country's good. Have you noticed something lately about Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)? Perhaps, you haven't. But if you check the headlines, you would see a resurgence in criticisms of his leadership style. You would observe an emerging pattern in a section of the media, all trying to malign the central banker who has summoned the boldness to tell Nigerians the truth.
Nigeria: Emefiele As Nigerian Farmers' Best Friend
When in May, this year, President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed Godwin Emefiele as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the loudest commendation came from Nigerian farmers. It was not for nothing. Emefiele has through the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP, launched in November 2015 byPresident Muhammadu Buhari re-written the sour narrative on local agriculture. ABP is a low-interest loan scheme which gives ample room and flexibility for payment.
Emefiele and the burden of a prophet
By JACKSON UGBECHIE – Dateline June 2015: Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, banned importation of 41 items which the apex bank classified as ‘not valid for forex’. These items ranged from consumables like rice, poultry products, vegetables and processed vegetable products to building materials like cement, roofing sheets, etc. The aim was to encourage local manufacture of these items, all of which can be produced locally.
OPINION | Why They Are after Akpabio
"Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio Since his appointment as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, a lawyer, senator and former governor of Akwa Ibom State has come under the most virulent attacks and orchestrated media lynching. The same man who was the toast of the Nigerian media and even political associates and opponents on account of his uncommon leadership that wrought uncommon transformation in his state has suddenly become the subject of media hounding.
Ex-Zamfara Gov Yari Denies Assault Of FAAN Official, Breaching Covid-19 Protocol
The immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari has described as false claims by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that he assaulted an airport official and also breached Covid-19 protocols at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano. In a statement signed by his Media Consultant, Mayowa Oluwabiyi, Yari said FAAN lied and the incident never happened.
Nnamdi Okonkwo: The Reformer At Fidelity Bank, By Jackson Ugbechie
Nigeria is not in short supply of innovators and reformers. They abound in all sectors. In the banking sector, Nnamdi Okonkwo, is one of them. As the chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank, Okonkwo, a multi-discipline banker, has demonstrated a rare know-how of what modern banking should be. He has broken all growth forecasts, driving his bank from a marginal financial institution into the national mainstream banking hall of fame, and one of the most-preferred banks on the continent.
Access Bank: Between fact and fiction – Realnews Magazine
By Jackson Ugbechie ONE noble attribute of the average African is that he or she seeks the opportunity to do good. The African man is his brother’s keeper. This finds strong expression in an Igbo adage: “Let no one leave his kindred behind.” Access Bank and its Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, just did that as Nigeria and indeed the rest of the world buckle under the Covid-19 pandemic.
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