By Eric Elezuo

Africa and Nigeria’s richest person, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has up his game in the billionaire’s list, clearing 18 huedles to become the 65th richws person in the world.

Dangote, who is the president of Dangote Industries Limited and the Dangote Refinery, achieved this feat inspite of the dwindling Nigerian economy, which has adversely affected the performance of the Naira against the dollar and other currencies of the world.

Dangote’s sporadic rise in the list of Billionaires is attributed to the final kickoff of the commercial activities of the 650,000bpd refinery.

The businessman increased his wealth to $28 billion after his $20 billion refinery located in Lagos commenced operations this year and produced premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, in September.

In its latest Top 500 Billionaires Index released on Thursday, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index revealed that Mr Dangote moved to a new level from the 83rd he was in 2022.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranks the world’s richest people daily. In calculating net worth, Bloomberg News strives to provide the most transparent calculations available, and each individual billionaire profile contains a detailed analysis of how that person’s fortune is tallied.

The index is a dynamic measure of personal wealth based on changes in markets, the economy and Bloomberg reporting. Each net worth figure is updated every business day after the close of trading in New York. Stakes in publicly traded companies are valued using the share’s most recent closing price. Valuations are converted to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates.

The report stated that Mr Johann Rupert of South Africa is 174 on the world list, with a wealth of $13.6 billion and Nicky Oppenheimer also of South Africa is number 224 with a wealth of $11.6 billion.

Other Africans on the list are South African’s Natie Karsh on number 297 in the world with a wealth of $9.25 billion, Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris on number 302 in the world with a wealth of $9.16 billion, and Naguib Sawiris also of Egypt with a wealth of $7.37 billion on number 407 in the world.

Ellon Musk and Jeff Bezos are the richest in the world with $242 billion and $210 billion, respectively in their kitties, while Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison followed, respectively with $204 billion and $185 billion on the world’s billionaires’ chart.

By Eric Elezuo

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has faulted the simultaneous foreign trips embarked upon by both President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Mr Obi was reacting in the wake of the reports that the Vice President has traveled to Sweden even as the President has been outside the country in the last two weeks, saying that the trips, coming when the country is grappling with domestic challenges, were concerning, lack common sense and fiscal responsibility.

However, the Presidency rose stoutly in defense of the president and his vice’s absence from the country at the same time, saying that said the absence of Tinubu and his deputy does not pose any vacuum in Nigeria’s leadership, adding that the two principal officers are “fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while away.”

Consequently in reaction to the Presidency’s justification, Obi, who is also a former Anambra State governor, on a post on his X handle, maintained that it was disturbing that Tinubu and his deputy weren’t in the country at a time when citizens need them most.

He wrote, “While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa, there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media yesterday, it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems.

“The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country. One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours.

“The untold hardship that has been unleashed on our people as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation.”

According to him, since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden.’

“He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over 2 hours. This would have saved time and the very scarce national resources we need critically at this time.

“Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about 4 times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event.

“It would take about 4 times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm. This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility and common sense that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty.

“This is the time to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the people and effective management of the nation’s scarce resources in alleviating the sufferings of the people,” he concluded.

Recall that Tinubu departed for the United Kingdom on October 2, 2024, for a two-week working leave. He later left the UK for France on Friday, October 11, for “another important engagement,” his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, tweeted.

Meanwhile, Shettima left Abuja on Wednesday for Sweden on a two-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation.

According to The Punch report, “the trips mark the second time both officers have been concurrently absent from the country since assuming office 17 months ago.

“Between late April and early May 2024, while Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Shettima left Nigeria, first to Nairobi to attend the International Development Association Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. However, the VP cancelled his trip midway and returned to the country.

“Tinubu returned to Abuja on 8 May.”

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s continuous visits to France has raised concerns about the President’s health. Many Nigerians have consistently asked the question, ‘where is the president?

By Eric Elezuo

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) secretariat in Abuja was beehive of activities on Friday when Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Retd), celebrated his 90th birthday anniversary, and with a State of the nation lecture, delivered by the President, African Development Bank (AfDB).

The event presented a pot pouri of eulogies, encomiums and appreciation to God for the nonagenarian’s life well lived.

In his speech, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who celebrated the former Head of State as he attains the remarkable age of 90, said he deserves to be celebrated nationally.

Obasanjo said he is thanking God on behalf of the former Head of State, whom he noted attained the age of 90 by the grace of God.

“This is a national celebration and you are worthy to be nationally celebrated while you are still alive,” Obasanjo said.

“I look at the galaxy of distinguished men and women around, only very few of them can claim to be eyewitnesses to your time in government not to talk of your time in the army.

“And because by the grace of God who has given you the longevity of life and who has given me a little bit to be following you, I will just thank God on your behalf that God has made you to reach 90.”

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, hailed Gowon as a symbol of ‘unity, humility and accommodation’ in the country.

He appreciated Gowon for coming to power at a time of necessity following the 1966 military coup.

The Sultan said Nigeria is lucky to have a statesman like Gowon live such long and healthy life.

He said, “He laid the foundation for continuity and stability, we owe him immense gratitude for the perseverance and tenacity in keeping this country in one piece and at peace with itself.

“Nigeria is exceptionally lucky to have a statesmen of his age in full consciousness. Not many countries are really lucky to have such statement that live this long and in relatively good health.”

Making his remarks as the keynote speaker, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, announced that the AfDB will establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria which is part of its support for young people.

“I am delighted to announce here today that just three days ago, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved $100million for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria,” he said.

Adesina said the move underscores AfDB’s resolve to support youths who he believes are critical to the development of the country.

On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated the former military Head of State, describing him as a model leader worthy of emulation, particularly for his pivotal role in steering Nigeria through the 1967-1970 civil war.

Reflecting on Gowon’s leadership during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent periods, Jonathan said, “We wish General Gowon well.

“For those of us around my age and others, when you hear his name, what comes to mind is the Civil War. I was about five years old and in primary school at the time. He led the country through those challenges.”

Jonathan also shared that he had gained valuable insights from Gowon during meetings with former heads of state, commending the former leader for his peaceful nature.

“He always prioritised the unity and progress of this country. A true test of a good general is during a war, and Gowon showed his peaceful disposition, feeling the pain of his people and doing what was right during the Civil War. Even in council meetings, I’ve listened to him and learned a lot from his wisdom,” Jonathan added.

In his congratulatory message, President Bola Tinubu, who self signed his tribute, on Saturday, described the elder statesman as a gentleman extraordinaire.

“On his 90th birthday (October 19), I pay special tribute to our elder statesman and former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon.

“General Gowon is a gentleman extraordinaire, one of the longest-serving Nigerian leaders.

“He did a lot for our country and served meritoriously in various capacities within and outside the military.

“As a brilliant officer trained at Sandhurst and reluctantly became Nigeria’s leader at 32, his life story has inspired many Nigerians.

“As the nation’s head of state, he significantly contributed to nation-building and development and can be rightly called the father of national infrastructure.

“It is on record that after the country’s civil war, his philosophy of “No victor, no vanquished” helped promote national healing, peace, and reconciliation.

“His most incredible legacy was the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, founded in 1975.

“Since I became President, General Gowon has been my counsellor, offering advice when needed.

“He was there for us when we had a misunderstanding with some of our Sahelian states, calling for moderation from all sides for the sake of ECOWAS unity.

“General Gowon’s life outside the office is also remarkable. After stewardship of the country, he acquired more knowledge, demonstrating that age and status are never barriers to seeking to be the best we can be.

“General Gowon has continued to deploy his “Nigeria Prays’ Programme in prayer and intercession for the country while also suing for religious tolerance, peace, harmony and stability in the land.

“This is a further testament to his belief in the unity and togetherness of Nigeria.

“We thank General Gowon for his leadership and his labour of service to Nigeria.

“His sterling example remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for us in government, encouraging us to do our best for our beloved country.

“We will continue to cherish his wisdom and wise counselling.

“I pray that God Almighty will imbue General Gowon with more wisdom and grant him good health and more years to continue to be useful to Nigeria and humanity,” President Tinubu wrote.

“His sterling example remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for us in government, encouraging us to do our best for our beloved country.

“We will continue to cherish his wisdom and wise counselling.

“I pray that God Almighty will imbue General Gowon with more wisdom and grant him good health and more years to continue to be useful to Nigeria and humanity,” President Tinubu wrote.

The event draw together notable dignitaries in Nigeria’s politics and socio-economic sectors including President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by former SGF Boss Mustapha; and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Other prominent attendees were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

General Gowon was Nigeria’s Head of State between 1966 and 1975 when he was overthrown by General Murtala Mohammed while on official assignment in Kampala, Uganda.

He is known among other things as the leader, who took Nigeria through a 30-months war against the secessionist, Biafra.