Boss Picks

N170 New Petrol Pump Price: Nigerians Cry Out in Agony

Published

4 years ago

November 14, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

In a space of four months, the Nigerian petroleum industry, has remained inconstant, with the price of petrol undergoing three basic increments. Like a bolt out of the blue, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), announced the increment of the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from N147.67 to N155.17. This automatically conferred the rights upon marketers to sell to end users at between N167 and N170 per litre.

The new adjustment, which takes immediate effect from Friday, November 13,2020 was contained in a memo dated November 11, and signed by Ali Tijani of the PPMC.

The memo showed that the landing cost average for PMS has increased from N119 in September and October to N123 in November.

Similarly, the ex-coastal selling price for the month has also increased to N130 in November, from N125 in the previous months. While the body of Independent marketers have directed their members to sell at N162, they failed to realise that the least a station sold before now, was N161

It would be recalled that in September, the pump price of petrol was adjusted to N161 per litre after the Federal Government increased the depot price from N138.62 per litre to N147.67. Much as the Nigerian public lamented, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, maintained that the price was good, drawing comparisons with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In his Independence Day speech on October 1, Buhari was quoted as saying:

“We sell petrol at N161 per litre when same is sold at N168 per litre in Saudi Arabia; N211 per litre in Egypt; N362 per litre in Ghana; N362 per litre in Chad, and N346 per litre in Niger Republic. It does not make sense for petrol to be cheaper in Nigeria than Saudi Arabia.’’

Toeing his line, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, justified Buhari’s comparison, arguing that there was nothing wrong in making such a comparison.

“Some people have said why should we compare ourselves to Saudi Arabia with better infrastructure and higher wages. Our answer to that is very simple. Saudi Arabia has 34 million people while Nigeria has 200 million people. Saudi Arabia produces 10 million barrels of crude oil per day, while Nigeria produces at its best, 2.1 million barrel per day. Their population is about one-sixth of Nigeria’s population and they are blessed with more resources. Therefore, they can afford to pay higher wages and build infrastructure. Our argument must be put in proper perspective. As we have said, whatever money we make from the subsidy removal, we will invest in infrastructure development,’’ he said.

Subsequently, Nigerians had lived with the hike, coping with the post COVID-19 pandemic, which recovery from has remained abysmally slow, coupled with all other increments the populace has been burdened with by the Buhari government. Some of these hikes include electricity tariff, VAT of various kinds and others. It is also worthy of note that foodstuff, especially onions has become scarce.

As a result, a cross section of Nigerians, who spoke with The Boss expressed sadness at the turn of events, arguing that the government of the day has been busy taking the populace from one level of suffering to another.

Reacting to the new price regime, the Convener the Gravitas Group for Good Governance, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, said the Federal Government’s decision was the height of insensitivity, adding the those at the helm of affairs are without a conscience. He however, wish there is a purpose for the ‘provocative acts’

“The increment is the height of insensitivity. We live in a country without a government, and led by politicians and collaborators without a conscience. Those in charge of this country just don’t care. It is impunity of the highest order. I want to believe that the provocative acts unleashed on the people are for a purpose. They are driving Nigerians to the edge, and into severest anarchy, unfortunately,” he said.

In his own remarks, a staff of a federal government agency, who prefers anonymity, lambasted the government for failing to learn any lessons from the recent #EndSARS protests, adding that the politicians and elites do not have the interest of the people at heart.

“In the first place, the federal government has learnt nothing from the #EndSARS protest and the destruction that followed by deprived and hungry citizens. Secondly, the elites and politicians don’t have the interest of the people at heart. They are only after their pockets to the detriment of the majority of us thereby setting the stage for a revolution. As we’re all aware, those who the gods want to destroy, they first make mad. This government has gone overboard in this unprecedented maladministration,” the respondent said.

In the same vein, a Clergy, Reverend Enitan Shogbade, wondered at the efficacy of the subsidy removal, which the government has drummed into the ears of every Nigeria. He sees the new price regime draconian and wicked, asking who actually is fixing the prices since independent marketers are supposed to independently choose their own prices.

“I don’t understand this continuous increase in the pump price of petrol after we have been told that subsidies has been removed and price is to be determined by forces of demand and supply. The increase coming at this time is not only wicked, but also inciting as the masses are yet to recover from the twin evils of coronavarius lockdown and the recent protest against police brutality. This increase is another government brutalisation of the pauperised masses,” the Clergy voiced.

In the views of a social analyst, Ugochukwu Chukwunyere, the timing of the increment is unrealistic as the nation is grappling with ‘widespread unrest’ among other vices. He advised the government to take another look at the price regime before the nation relapses into anarchy.

“At a time when the nation is grappling with widespread social unrest, incessant strikes, banditry and economic downturns, the decision by the government to hike the price of fuel is most insensitive and callous to say the least.

“The citizens have been made to face a traumatic experience from the pandemic and curfew imposed as a result of the protests, so with the recent increase in petrol price, the public outcry may just fuel another unrest. It’s left for the leaders to take a wholistic appraisal to what direction the country is going before everything snowballs into utter confusion and total anarchy,” Chukwunyere said.

Below are some of the responses from Nigerians:

THE INCREMENT IS CRUEL AND HIGHLY INSENSITIVE – Tolulope A. Adegoke

The current development in the country by Federal Government can be best described as cruel and highly insensitive as it has already been met with ceaseless criticism and outrage among Nigerians; many of which lamented the bad economic conditions made worse by the sudden hike in fuel price.

The federal government increased the pump price shortly after power distribution companies announced a hike in electricity tariffs; forgetting that many Nigerians are currently struggling with the economic realities of the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted economic and social activities across the country. Put in mind that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is currently on a nationwide strike action and many other frustrating events that clusters within the country.

Insecurity, hike in fuel price, hike in electricity tariffs, corruption, ASUU strike among others would surely pave way to unavoidable outrage and unlawful acts on the sides of the Nigerian masses due to frustration. This means that, only the rich would be able to afford at least One fine square meal per day, while the underprivileged masses would languish in hunger, anger and penury!

These current issues in the country, would inevitably give rise to high rate of crime, as people would want to survive at all cost. Youths and young adults who are meant to be in school are unavoidably at home or on the street hustling for survival due to ASUU strike and would likely launch out again to vent their grievances to the Nigerian government, as the economy of the country at the moment is like shackles on the legs of the poor Nigerian masses; thereby restricting them from accessing prospects easily, and at the same time depriving them a healthy lifestyle.

In the same vein, many ‘aggrieved’ Nigerians are currently fed up with the ‘strange’ policies and situations of things in the country, as many with means would have no choice than to leave the country for greener pastures, else where which would in turn, lead to underdevelopment in the country as youths and skilled individuals who could have helped to build the country as the ‘hope of a brighter future’ are being frustrated out of the country due to harsh economic policies.

We all must remember that no flower thrives where there are no sunlights and adequate supplies of water. Also, no flower thrives when it is choked by its own thorns which were (originally) created or put in place to protect it.

We understand that the Federal Government is trying its best to develop and sustain the Nigeria’s economy, but we plead to the FG to kindly consider the poor masses who are still yet to recover from disruptions of the COVID-19 and #EndSARS protests under this current development so as not to build a ‘monster’ that would threaten and destroy its own territories in the nearest future.

BUHARI HAS SENTENCED NIGERIANS TO HUNGER, INSECURITY – Sani Said Baba

The Federal Government has just succeeded in setting the pace for unwholesome and devastating inflation because as oil prices move up, inflation which is the measure of general price trends throughout the economy, follows in the same direction. Sometimes I wonder from what source this government gets their advice. Otherwise, the president’s advisers should know that as the price of oil falls, inflationary pressure start to ease and consequently subsides. But the entire administrative machinery has overlooked this fact, and is pushing the Nigerian people into unending hardship.

It’s sad that a country that is ravaged by unemployment and hardship induced acts of criminality such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and so on should place yet another burden on the head of its citizens. With this fuel hike, the Federal Government has spoken in clear terms that Nigerians are not supposed to eat, go to school, stay secured, assess good health or live a good life. Buhari may have, by this hike weaponised the people for what may come. Nigeria needs help!

NIGERIAN ARE IN FOR A HARD TIME – Fola Oyenuga

I am expecting the law of diminishing returns to set into the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry given the almost monthly increase in the fuel price, but it seems it will not.

The talk of competition among major marketers thereby forcing down the price now is simply deceiving ourselves most likely because of the harsh business environment not helped by government agents and marketers bent on circumventing the system.

The deregulation of the oil sector is a conversation this country needs to hold, and those private investors, who had been granted licence, to building refineries need to live up to expectation or return those licences.

Meanwhile, Nigerians unfortunately have to brave for harder times.

THE TIMING OF THIS INCREMENT IS ILL-ADVISED – Raymond Nkannebe, Legal Practitioner

I think the projected price regime of PMS at ₦172, is one of the harsh realities of the removal of subsidy, by the Federal Government, on petroleum. However, the question is still begged whether the so called removal of subsidy is only in principle. I say this because, it is either government is still involved in some form of subsidy, or price fixing, as we still see the hands of the government, through its key regulatory agencies, determining the price at which PMS is sold. My understanding of subsidy removal, is that the price of the commodity, is fixed by market forces, and not by executive fiat as we’re witnessing with this latest price adjustment
These are some of the issues that many Nigerians are yet to disentangle.

Having said that, I think the timing of this increment is ill-advised. The economy is still under recession; the dust of the #EndSARS protests is yet to fully settle with civic agitations all over the place on issues such as freezing of bank accounts of some #EndSARS protesters; the rumoured regulation of social media; a bread levy in Kogi State, the endless ASUU strike and mass grumbling over electricity tariffs. What you get from all of these is a Nation on tinderbox, ready to implode at the slightest provocation.

We’re at a very precarious state in our journey through nationhood, and the entire country seems to be paying the price of years of leadership brigandage that has expressed itself in the oddity of the world’s 7th largest producer of oil, being unable to refine the resource for local consumption over the course of six decades. I don’t know how much Nigerians are willing to continue to pay the price. The times we live call for empathetic exercise of executive discretion, and all things point to the fact, that this Government is not getting it right. I hope this latest increment does not finally trigger the revolution that the #EndSARS protest, almost became.

GOVERNMENT IS INSENSITIVE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE CITIZENS – Itodo David, Clergy

Honestly, the government of the day is insensitive to the plight of the citizens. We just came out of the COVID-19 lockdown’ people’s job were closed for months, nothing worked, and no financial assistance to the masses as was promised.

As a matter of fact VAT was increased, electricity tariff was increased yet only #30,000 minimum wage is still a problem. Increasing this fuel again under how many days of the last increase is a bad omen. Everything will increase again as usual. Go to the market you will see the impacts of this fuel price hike. By December it would have reached #200 or #250 per liter. How long will this continue?

GOVERNMENT IS ADDING TO THE SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE – Samuel Iyanda, Teacher

This is not a good time to increase the petrol pump price knowing full well that any slight increase in petrol will lead to a corresponding increase in goods and services, including transportation.

I expect government to look towards alleviating the sufferings of the masses, and not add to them.
Therefore this is not a welcomed development as the citizens are already suffering a lot. Let the government have a second thought on the hike of this essential commodity.

THIS IS PURE EVIL AND THE MASSES WON’T TAKE IT – Victor Udoh, Journalist

It is unfortunate that some of us find ourselves in this lawless country which generates one issue after another everyday. It is sad to wake up to yet another increment on the price of fuel in as many days. The idea is absurd for an oil producing country as Nigeria. I still find it very difficult to believe that with all the challenges on ground the government will still increase the price of fuel; it a pity.

The government failed to understand that whenever the price of fuel goes up, every other thing follows automatically including food, transportation and essential services. We put the government there to serve us, and not the other way round.

No sane government would think of making the lives of its citizens this miserable at this time everything seems to be at a standstill. This is pure evil and the masses won’t take it.

Barely a month ago, there was an increment, so I don’t understand why it is necessary for another one so soon. Many people are to come to terms with independence day speech of Mr. President justifying the previous increment, and now this. What is the problem with this country? What is the way forward? Who have we offended as a nation? So many questions.

INCREASING PRICE OF PETROL IS ADDING INSULT TO INJURY – Henry Ukazu, Legal Practitioner

I think it is insensitive for the Federal Government of Nigeria to increase petrol price at this point in time when Nigerians are barely trying to survive. Nigerians are already suffering and feeling the heat of COVID-19, #EndSARS and unemployment. Increasing the price of petrol is like adding insult to injury.

I think this government has not been honest with their policies. They promised to reduce the price of petrol, but the reverse seems to be the case. They promise to create job opportunities, but unemployment has increased. The issue is not even increment in fuel price, but that Nigerians have no trust in the government. In fact, they increment looks like a scam. The Federal Government should look for ways to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians, instead of adding more pains.

I will strongly advise the Federal Government of Nigeria to reconsider the price and work on meeting the pressing demands of Nigerians which is opposed to increasing the price of petrol which is not an important issue.

NO RESPECT, SYMPATHY OR FEAR OF THE PEOPLE – Felicia Onyeanwula

Amid the growing unrest in the country, the President Muhammadu Buhari led government has considered it an appropriate response to add another shock to an already beleaguered populace by increasing the pump price of fuel to N168-170. It is unbelievable that while most governments around the world are trying to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their people, this particular group of aliens are looking for every means to increase the suffering of their people.

This is one more proof that this present administration and its political elites do not have any respect, sympathy or fear of the people. We might infer that the only thing to do is to continue speaking up and acting with determination to end this arrogance in government.

In all, every Nigerian, including those who wished to remained silent as a result of party affiliation and job description, believe that the increment is absurd, uncharitable and wicked, especially coming from a government that claims to be absolutely welfaristic.

Boss Picks

Massad Boulos: Inside Story of SCOA Nigeria CEO

Published

4 days ago

December 16, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Rising to the pinnacle of one’s career is not a mean feat. Becoming the chief executive officer of any organization, let alone a multinational firm, or by implication, a multi-dimensional company, is an achievement worth celebrating. It is even more legendary when the subject is internationally connected and has enduring links with notable figures, especially America’s President-elect, Donald John Trump, and is thriving without an iota scandal. Mr. Massad Boulos, the Chief Executive Officer of SCOA Nigeria, is that one person.

Born a Lebanese in 1971 to a Greek Orthodox family in Kfaraakka, Koura, Boulos has over the years, while growing, and through career trajectory, acquired three more national identities including American, French and Nigerian. These have projected to the category of international personalities, looked upon as fostering world peace and coexistence.

His name, which translates to Paul to the Apostle, in Arabic, betrays his religious inclination, but his close-knitted relationship with Arab Muslims and other Muslims of the world further cements his open minded attitude towards humanity even as he categorically and vigorously campaigned for Former President Trump, who is today the President-Elect, awaiting the coming of January 20 to become the 46th President of the United of America.

While the campaign and election lasted, Boulos prized himself as Trump’s ‘envoy’ to Arab and Muslim Americans, shuttling through the states of Michigan, Arizona and Florida to convince them that Trump is a better candidate, capable of bringing the Israeli/Hamas war to a sudden end. His efforts paid off as Trump won the election with a landslide.

“Our community in Arizona is so big and so important, we can make a difference. We can make sure we get that margin,” he was quoted as saying by Washington Post in August.

He has been a solid ally of Trump since 2018 when his son began to date Trump’s daughter, Tiffany. Both got married in 2022, and in December 2024, Trump, who described him as an ‘accomplished lawyer’, named him his Middle East advisor.

Going down memorylane, The Washington Post in September, captured the origin as follows: “The war, which began 11 months ago after Hamas-led militants carried out a stunning cross-border attack on Israel, has reduced much of Gaza to rubble. The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people and saw 250 dragged back into Gaza as hostages, according to the Israeli government.

“But months of negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have failed to deliver a cease-fire and hostage-release deal. Meanwhile, fewer than half the hostages have returned to Israel alive, while the war has given rise to starvation and disease throughout the enclave.”

A product of a political hegemony as his father and grandfather were prominent politicians, funding the Free Patriotic Front, Boulos however, chose the path of his father-in-law, Michel Zouhair Fadoul, who came into his life much later in existence, and became a truck seller; a profession he committed his very all, and rose to become the Head of its Nigeria axis. That is the SCOA Nigeria; a prolific truck manufacturing and marketing firm.

He however, had political stint as an ally of Michel Aoun’s FPM and represented it in Nigeria, where his business is domiciled.

It was reported that in 2009, the FPM shortlisted him, though by 2018, he was supporting Frangieh’s Marada. Consequently, hia appointment by Trump defines hia capacity to shuttle between both ideological prism, and bring harnessing in Middle East politics.

He said of the Israeli massacre and the subsequent and ongoing war, “Those massacres would not have happened if there was a strong president at the White House. The entire war wouldn’t have happened.

But Trump’s “clear and unequivocal position on this is that he is totally and absolutely against this war… And he’s totally and absolutely against the killing of civilians.”

The Trump Vance team captured his person as follows in a press statement by the Spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, while defending him over an avalanche of ‘fake’ information:

“The truth is Mr. Boulos is a highly respected businessman who has proudly served as the CEO of some of his family’s group of companies based in West Africa for more than 27 years and his family has employed tens of thousands of people around the globe.”

The statement further allocated the following achievements to Boulos:

• Mr. Boulos has degrees in both business and law.
• SCOA Nigeria PLC, a member of the FADOUL Group, is a well-known conglomerate that exclusively represents numerous global brands for decades.
• SCOA and the other family group companies have been very successful in the Nigerian market providing high-end products and specialized services to the largest companies in the country.
• SCOA is also part of the Fadoul Group, which is one of the largest privately-owned family businesses in West and Central Africa with a presence in 10 different countries since its founding in 1966.
• The FADOUL Group employs more than 20,000 hardworking people
• The Boulos and Fadoul family companies have developed into a family group with over $1 Billion USD in value and hundreds of millions in assets.

Soundly educated, Boulos, who moved to Texas as a teenager graduated from University of Houston-Downtown in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He moved to Nigeria to work for SCOA at the completion of his education.

Today, he is a notable shareholding authority in the conglomerate. Boulos, as a matter of principle, will say much about his Enterprises because he “made a practice of not commenting on his businesses”. He allows entities to make their own various conjectures.

A man of peace and saddled with the responsibility of keeping all and aundry qith arms length, Boulos reportedly has ‘links with Christian politicians and parties in Lebanon, including Suleiman Frangieh and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) both of which are Christian allies of Hezbollah, but maintained talks with opposition parties like the Lebanese Forces, says Wikipedia.

It was therefore, easy to portray Trump as supportive of “global peace” in the 2014 election campaigns.

As a positive identity and credential, Boulos has acted as an intermediary between the Palestinian Authority and its leader, Mahmoud Abbas and Trump.

Boulos is married to Sarah Fadoul Boulos, who was born in Burkina Faso in 1986? She lived in Houston, Texas, and was a student at Houston Baptist University until 1996, then moved to Lagos, Nigeria. She is a dance instructor, who in 2005 founded the aspirationally named Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria as a tiny studio in her garage.

More recently, she has been a franchisee of Creative Education International (CrEd) Lagos Island. As at 2020, she worked at La Pointe Delicatessen, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Together they have four children. While one of their son, Michael, is married to Tiffany Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, another son, Fares, is an actor.

Though he would be holding an important position for the American government come January 2025 when the administration of Trump is inaugurated, Boulos, who has undeniable roots in Lebanon had said his time like during the electioneering will be split.between South Florida and Nigeria, where he oversees his family’s billion-dollar conglomerate, SCOA Nigeria.

Boulos is a longtime proponent of the Grand Old Party (GOP), another name for the Republican Party, His support therefore, for Trump is rooted in both politics and family, and so believes in the Trump Vance Transition Team verdict that, “President Trump wants peace and prosperity for all people.

“President Trump will once again deliver peace through strength to rebuild and expand the peace coalition he built in his first term to create long-term safety and security for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.”

The count begins therefore, on January 25 as Trump resumes office.

However, the management of SCOA in a statement titled “Celebrating the Legacy of Massad Boulos Leadership at SCOA Nigeria”, to further project his image, and prove fake narratives wrong, noted as follows:

Recent media criticisms questioning the breadth of experience and business acumen of Mr. Massad Boulos, the incoming Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, are not only misguided but also dismissive of the remarkable track record of both the man and the companies he has been instrumental in nurturing.

For instance, SCOA Nigeria PLC, where Mr. Boulos serves as Managing Director/CEO, is far from being just another company. It is a formidable force in Nigeria’s industrial and economic landscape. With roots spanning over four decades, it holds the distinction of being the first European automotive assembly plant in Nigeria.

In the 1970’s, SCOA Nigeria PLC made a name for itself by assembling Peugeot 404 and then 504 pickup trucks at its assembly plant at Apapa, Lagos and service center at its Lapal House facility on Lagos Island. Today, the company continues this proud legacy, assembling, distributing, and marketing M.A.N trucks and buses, power generators, tractors, agricultural equipment, industrial equipment and other heavy-duty construction and mining machinery critical to Nigeria’s key sectors.

SCOA Nigeria PLC’s clients include some of the most prominent and respected names in Nigeria’s construction industry, such as Julius Berger—widely regarded as the nation’s leading construction firm—Lafarge Africa PLC, a major cement producer, the Chagoury Group, renowned for developing the prestigious Banana Island, a premier residential enclave in Lagos, the DANGOTE Group, and many others.

Beyond trucks, SCOA Nigeria PLC is a trusted supplier of concrete, road construction and mining equipment, partnering with leading infrastructure companies to drive Nigeria’s development. For example, Julius Berger relies heavily on SCOA’s equipment for large-scale projects, including the 376km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway and the 43.6km Lagos-Shagamu stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano Highway.

Similarly, Hi-Tech Construction, currently working on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto road network, depends significantly on SCOA PLC for the machinery and technology required to execute these ambitious projects, aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade across Nigeria’s southern, central, and northern regions.
Similarly,SCOA PLC has also been instrumental in the development of Eko Atlantic City, a groundbreaking urban project built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. This visionary initiative, designed to address Lagos’s urbanization challenges and promote sustainable development, has been made possible in part by state-of-the-art machinery supplied by SCOA. Notably, Eko Atlantic City is set to host the United States Embassy, projected to be the largest of its kind globally upon completion, further underscoring the strategic importance of this landmark project.

In fact, SCOA Nigeria PLC’s impact extends beyond Nigeria’s shores. As a member of the FADOUL Group – one of the largest and most successful family-owned businesses in Africa – its influence spans across West and Central Africa. The FADOUL Group, established in 1966, operates numerous successful enterprises, employs over 20,000 people, and is valued at over $1 billion, with hundreds of millions of USD in assets. This legacy highlights the scale and scope of the operations under Mr. Boulos’s leadership.

Contrary to unfounded claims in certain media outlets, the suggestion that Mr. Boulos is not a billionaire is both baseless and misleading. As President-elect Donald Trump rightly described, Mr. Massad Boulos is a “deal-maker,” a characterization grounded in fact. His proven ability to negotiate and execute complex international transactions has facilitated significant partnerships between Nigerian, German, and French businesses, delivering substantial value and mutual benefit.
As a Non-Executive Independent Director of SCOA Nigeria PLC since 2012, I have witnessed firsthand Mr. Boulos’s instrumental role in driving the company’s success. His ability to navigate the complexities of international commerce, exemplified by the supply of a significant fleet of trucks to Lafarge Africa through a tripartite arrangement between a logistics firm, GPC and Union bank plc, has earned him widespread recognition and respect.

Mr. Boulos’s leadership has not only been vital to SCOA PLC’s achievements but also to the broader international business successes of the FADOUL Group. This is precisely the kind of experience and strategic vision he brings to his new role as Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to President-elect Trump.

As noted in a press release by Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman, attempts to smear Mr. Boulos’s reputation are part of a broader effort by opposition elements to undermine President-elect Trump’s nominees. The truth remains that Mr. Boulos played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Arab-American and Middle Eastern-American vote, contributing significantly to the Trump-Vance victory—an achievement that underscores his political and organizational acumen.

Efforts to denigrate Mr. Boulos’s qualifications and achievements are not only futile but also a disservice to the facts. Mr. Boulos’s expertise and accomplishments are well-suited for his new role, where he will undoubtedly deliver impactful results on behalf of President-elect Trump and the United States.

Boss Picks

Celebrating a Man of Outstanding Excellence, Ademola Adeleke

Published

3 weeks ago

November 30, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

“Since I assumed office, I have devoted myself majorly to delivering on our five-point agenda. I deploy my network locally and nationally in support of our noble projects and programmes for Osun. I am elated that our contributions are being noticed” – Governor Adeleke

In May 2024, two historical events took place to further cement the tag of ‘Performing Governor’, for which the Governor of Osun State, Asiwaju (Senator) Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, is known, and justifiably so. They include the conferment of the Asiwaju of Edeland title on him by his community, represented by the Timi of Ędę, HRH Oba Adesola Munirudeen Lawal (Laminisa 1), as well as the best governor of the year award conferred in him by the Vanguard Newspaper.

The prestigious Asiwaju title was previously held by Governor Adeleke’s elder brother, Isiaka Adeleke, who passed away on April 23, 2017.

Today, two years into his administration as the Number One Citizen of Osun State, Governor Adeleke has proved all doubting Thomases wrong, and lifted the state from comatose to prominence with verifiable, welfaristic and people-oriented projects that speak for themselves.

Recall that while stating the reasons behind his award as the Governor of the year, the General Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Jide Ajani, has said the governor’s attention to Infrastructural development of the state, has been topnotch, with special emphasis to his approval of infra upgrades of several tertiary institutions in the state.

The governor, in his humility, dedicated the award to the entire people of Osun State.

“We watched the video with the Vice Chancellor listing several approvals and even with the Governor asking the University to look into what other areas of intervention the state should act on. That video excites our curiosity and we proceeded to investigate further by leveraging on our team on ground here in Osun as well as a team from the headquarters.

“We discovered what the Vice Chancellor said in the video was a tip of the iceberg. Osun is indeed a huge construction site. You have continued to complete abandoned projects. You have completed many inherited projects from your predecessors

“We have your records on roads, bridges, water, school and health center upgrades among others. We read your multi-billion naira infrastructure plan and its ongoing implementation. You did not play politics with the development of your state.

“It is the totality of your passion for development that convinced the judges to confer the award on you. It is our hope that this recognition will spur you to an even greater push to deliver on your governance agenda”, Ajani had said.

In response, the Governor acknowledged as follows:

“Since I assumed office, I have devoted myself majorly to delivering on our five point agenda. I deploy my network locally and nationally in support of our noble projects and programmes for Osun. I am elated that our contributions are being noticed.

“I dedicate this award to the good people of Osun state. They made our positive records a reality. We have the unconditional support and love of our people in our push to take Osun to greater heights. I will personally attend the conferment in Lagos.

“Our government is forging ahead with our systematic physical and stomach infrastructure agenda. We are working on a new airport, an inland beach resort, cocoa sector revival, upgrade of the free trade zone for agro-industrialisation, robust climate change agenda and digital economy programme. We are on a mission to place Osun on the path of sustainable development”, the Governor told the visiting delegation.

THE MAN, ADEMOLA JACKSON ADELEKE

Born of the Adeleke family of Ede in Osun State on May 13, 1960, Adeleke commenced his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Surulere Lagos State before he was privileged to relocate to Old Oyo State to continue his education at Nawarudeen Primary School, Ikire.

Adeleke was born Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke to a Muslim father and Nnena Esther Adeleke, an Igbo Christian mother. Like him, Adeleke’s father, Raji Ayoola Adeleke was a Senator and the Balogun of Ede land in Osun State. His father, Raji Ayoola Adeleke was also the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

On completion of his primary education, he moved on to The Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, Ede to begin his post primary schooling. In the later years however, he attended Ede Muslim Grammar School Ede, where he completed his secondary school education and subsequently relocated to the United States of America, joining his two older brothers, who were also studying there.

In the United States, he joined Jacksonville State University, Alabama, and studied Criminal Justice, with minor in Political Science.

To prove doubting Thomases, who wiped up controversies around his educational qualification, wrong, he went back to school and got enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2021.

A businessman and administrator of no mean repute, Adeleke was the humble Group Executive Director at his brother’s company, Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016, where his credible performances shot the company to enviable heights; a height it is still enjoying till date.

It is imperative to note that before he joined Pacific Holdings Limited, Senator Adeleke worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor from 1985 to 1989. His dexterity to work earned him a progression in career, and he berthed as Vice President at Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, US, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company. His meritorious stewardship lasted a period of five years, from 1990 to 1994.

Not a few has described Adeleke as the philanthropic capital of Ede, as his influence in aiding the less privileged and downtrodden remains top notch. He is a voracious believer in community development, and has not spared any expense to see that his community receives global influence.

Politically, Adeleke is a beacon of light and hard nut to crack, having remained an albatross to opposing powers and a reference point to ideal administration.

Shortly after he lost his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died in April 2017, he contested the Osun West 2017 Senatorial by-election after the death of his brother, emerging as the winner under the Peoples Democratic Party, where he decamped to from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Having emerged senator, Adeleke’s political influence waxed stronger, an on July 23, 2018, he emerged as the governorship candidate of PDP in Osun State after defeating Akin Ogunbiyi by seven votes. Efforts made to deprive him of the mandate was twated by the courts.

Adeleke’s lawyer in his defense claims his secondary school hasn’t come out to deny his testimonial asking the court to dismiss the Case. The court dismissed the suit stating that the plaintiff could not prove Adeleke’s forgery.

Adeleke ran for Osun state governorship election under the PDP against top contenders Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of APC and Iyiola Omisore of SDP on 22 September 2018. The election was declared inconclusive by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) while Adeleke was leading, and a rerun slated on September 27, 2018. The candidate of the APC Oyetola was declared winner after the run-off. Adeleke protested the result describing the election as a “coup”.

Much as on March 22, 2019, the tribunal sitting in Abuja declared Adeleke the winner of the election, the Supreme Court later affirmed Gboyega Oyetola as the authentic winner of the 2018 Osun State governorship election on Friday, July 5, 2019

Popularly known as the Dancing Senator because of his penchant to joyfully react to the sounds of music, Adeleke is uncle to one of Nigeria’s popular musicians, Davido.

Governor Adeleke is married to an equally successful businesswoman and a self-made boss. They are blessed with three children who are all entertainers. They are B-Red and Shina Rambo and a daughter, Nike Adeleke. He is the uncle of one Nigeria’s primus inter pares in entertainment, Davido.

As expected, Adeleke is moving Osun State to the greatest of heights as he promised, and many who know him agree that there are still very many more in the offing.

ADELEKE’S EXTRAORDINARY EASE OF DOING BUSINESS STRATEGY

The governor has shared good news on the ease of doing business in the state as follows:

In continuation of our administration’s effort to improve the state economy and encourage the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), we have completed the harmonization of multiple taxes and levies collected by different government departments, agencies, and ministries across all business sectors of the state economy including the informal sectors into a single bill. This Harmonized Bill curates all levies, which businesses are expected to pay on an annual basis as a single bill.

This initiative is to promote ease of doing business by ensuring seamless and convenient payment of levies and taxes due to individuals and businesses across the state in equal or unequal tranches and ensure the issuance of Harmonized Bill Certificate upon completion of payment of the total amount.

I hereby note to all business owners in Osun state both in formal and informal sectors that the official online payment channels for the state is pay.irs.os.gov.ng; POS machines in Tax stations across the state; commercial banks across Nigeria; and Money Transfer Services for those outside Nigeria.

In addition, we have also completed the deployment of Automation System for improved service delivery on payment of rent and lease on government properties; processing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) in 45 days; Electronic Affidavit System; Electronic State of Origin and Local Government Area of Origin portal; Mobile tax stations; Online Tax payment system etc.

ADMINSTRATION’S ACHIEVEMENTS AS SHARED ON NEW YEAR DAY

The governor declared as follows:

The good people of Osun state at home and abroad.

I greet you warmly with best wishes of a prosperous and blessed new year. I convey my intimate prayers that the new year will bring us new opportunities, progress and advancement as a state and in our individual lives.

I extend new year greetings to the elders of Osun state; to our royal fathers; to our religious leaders; to the young and the old; to professional elite, to artisans, to students and to womenfolk. Accept my sincere appreciation for your support before my election and for the last one year of my governorship of our dear state. I am humbled by your prayers and mass backing for our administration.

I remain firmly focused on the Five Point Agenda under which you, Osun people, elected us into office. We reaffirm our faith in the principles guiding the five point agenda which are transparency and accountability, open government, localisation, responsive leadership and attunement to citizens’ aspirations.

On the strength of the above, our government devised wholesale approach to governance such as:

●Dismantling bobby traps planted by our predecessor,
●Blocking leakages in public finance, ●Addressing the corruption and revenue diversion in the solid mineral sector,
● Restoring local government administration for grassroot development
● Embarking on mass water project provision
● Executing 91 kilometers of road construction
● Implementing free medical surgeries with over 50,000 beneficiaries;
● Total renovation of 31 schools
● Launching sport sector reforms
● Reviving the major commercial and industrial projects of the state
● Pushing for implementation of agric processing zone in Osun state;
● re-professionalisation of the public service;
● Strong attention to workers’ welfare;
● Tapping into tourism, entertainment and cultural potentials of the state;
● Ramping up efforts for a cargo and commercial airport for Osun state, among others.

Our administration achieved a lot by ensuring belt tightening, reducing cost of governance and denying ourselves many perquisites of office. As a Governor, my official expenditures are covered through the approval process rather than security votes, thereby assuring transparency and accountability.

As of today, our administration is struggling to purchase official vehicles for the state cabinet because the officials of the previous government bolted away with state vehicles. So our cabinet and other top officials have been using their private cars since we appointed them into office. Also, we are still working to renovate the official quarters vandalized by the officials of previous governments. Many of our top officials still operate from their private houses.

Despite the above handicap, our team is determined to continue to deliver on our electoral promises. I am glad to report with gratitude to God that we have remained responsive to the will and aspirations of our people. We get positive feedback and we are satisfied with our high approval ratings.

We are challenged to do more. We are prepared to make corrections where necessary as much as we will remain uncompromising when it comes to anti-corruption drive, transparency and accountability as well due process. As I always affirm, our tenure is married to rule of law and fear of God…

Adeleke is busy creating an Eldorado out of what remained of Osun State barely two years after he took over the driving seat.

Boss Picks

When Governor Adeleke Became Asiwaju of Edeland

Published

3 weeks ago

November 30, 2024

Eric

By Governor’s Office

OFFICIAL PROFILE OF GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE, THE NEW ASIWAJU OF EDELAND

Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state and the new Asiwaju of Edeland is a pan Nigerian by birth, by philosophy and by worldview. Born at Enugu as a son of independence on 13th May, 1960, the new Ede frontliner widely acknowledged as the Olosun of Osun is a tactical politician, a businessman, show business activist and a humanist within philanthropism. The ever lively, urbane scion of the Adeleke family of Ede North Local Government is an innovative entrepreneur, a grassroot political figure and a strong advocate of good governance, then as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and now as the Governor of Osun State.

From his childhood, the Asiwaju is a man of complex character, a young man with multiplicity of talents and an adult with widely praised open heart, strong will and constancy of adaptation to ideas and innovations. From his secondary education at Ede Muslim Grammar School to his sojourn to the United States and tertiary education at the Jacksonville State University, Alabama where he majored in criminal justice, the Ede frontliner demonstrated deep business interest, unconventional approach and a rare mastery of intricacies of politics, business and social life.

Despite hailing from a well to do family, the Asiwaju was in the United States and Nigeria, a man in search of opportunities for self growth and advancement. His passion for self development and business prosperity occasioned his joining the Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor between 1985–1989. He progressed to Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, US, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company where he served as Vice President from 1990 to 1994.

A suave businessman and administrator, he served as a Director of Guiness Nigeria Limited between 1992- 1999 where he contributed immensely to the expansion of the multinational company. He was later appointed Group Executive Director of Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016. Senator Adeleke is also an acclaimed creative Industry entrepreneur and mentor. As a talented creative figure, he mentored world rated ace musicians while his family members and children are leading stars in the global music industry.

As a man ever restless in pursuit of self growth and opportunities, the Asiwaju again opted to restart his educational sojourn which he suspended because of business and entrepreneurial preoccupations. In 2019 after he was rigged out of a governorship election he clearly won, Governor Adeleke, in a can do spirit, re-enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2021.

All along and considering his family background, the frontliner was for years both a political servant and leader, learning the rope from his father (Senator Ayoola Adeleke) , a second republic progressive Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, the First Executive Governor of Osun State. His business teeth were sharpened by his brother, the global business mogul, Dr Adedeji Adeleke while his political potency was strengthened by his sister, the Yeyeluwa of Edeland, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke- Sanni. The celebrant of today was eventually elected the President of the Adeleke dynasty, representing the sons and daughters of the great Adeleke family at home and abroad.

Having been thus fortified by his innate personality, his family background and his multifaceted experience, his political participation predated 1991 but he took the front seat in 2017 when he was elected with a landslide victory as a Senator for Osun West Senatorial District in 2017. His popularity reached a peak when he won the Osun 2018 governorship election before the open rigging and manipulation that was globally condemned.

As a man of steel character, the frontliner took the gauntlet again in 2022 and beat the incumbent to reclaim the stolen mandate of 2018. Imole as the Governor is popularly known has since been delivering on good governance, winning applause and praises from far and near.

In December 2023, he was honoured with a doctorate degree by the Valley View University, Accra, Ghana. The Vice Chancellor lauded the Governor’s multi-million naira education scholarship as a Senator, his sterling records on workers welfare as a Governor, his performance on infrastructure upgrades and his commitment to due process, rule of law and fear of God.

He has received several awards including the Governor of the Year Award by Champion newspapers in 2023, Sahel Standard Man of the Year in 2022, Vanguard Newspaper Governor of the Year on Infrastructure and a host of other recognition. The frontliner serves on several national governmental committees including being the representative of the South West on the National Minimum Wage Committee.

The new Asiwaju of Edeland is a strong family man, an avid sport lover, a man of God and a David of our time with incessant passion for praise singing and adulation of God Almighty.

Courtesy: Governor’s Office, 2024.