General
2023: CNPP, CSOs Give Emefiele April 21 Deadline to Resign or….

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some political parties in the country and civil society organisations are threatening a showdown with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, over his alleged intention to contest for the post of president of the country in 2023.
There have been rumours that the CBN chief is planning to rule the country next year under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the national convention of the party last month, his campaign posters adorned the venue of the exercise in Abuja, causing many to raise an eyebrow because he should be non-partisan, increasing calls for his resignation.
Worried by the precedence his action may create, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and others have concluded plans to occupy the CBN headquarters in Abuja until Mr Emefiele resigns or denounces his purported presidential ambition and halts the activities of his support groups who they claimed are sources of distraction to his duties.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja by the Secretary-General of CNPP, Mr Willy Ezugwu and the National Secretary of the Coalition Of National Civil Society Organisations, Mr Ali Abacha, the groups noted that their “action has become necessary to save the Nigerian economy from total collapse.”
Giving reasons for the move, they said “it has become imperative to minimize the stress on the economy and to ensure that the relevant laws in the country are respected to the letter.”
According to them, “Section 9 of the CBN Act, 2007, clearly stated that The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote the WHOLE OF THEIR TIME TO THE SERVICE OF THE BANK and While Holding Office Shall Not Engage In Any Full Or Part-Time Employment Or Vocation Whether Remunerated Or Not except such personal or charitable causes as may be determined by the Board and Which Do Not Conflict With Or Detract From Their Full-Time Duties…”
“Evidently, the law that established the CBN had foreseen that any iota of distraction or divided attention, however minimal, can spell doom for Nigeria’s economy, particularly with the deafening level of obviously sponsored clamour by different groups urging the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to join the presidential race. It is clear that this is a source of distraction for the Governor of CBN at this time.
“Secondly, an important institution like the CBN should NEVER be headed by politically ambitious persons and it was for this reason that the CBN Act stipulated that The Governor and Deputy-Governors shall be persons of recognized financial experience… and not politicians of recognized political experience.
“Finally, if Mr Godwin Emefiele, who is eminently qualified to run for president, wishes to pursue a political career, Section 11(3) of the Act prescribed that The Governor or any Deputy Governor may resign his office by giving at least three months’ notice in writing to the President of his intention to do so…
“The question is, has the CBN governor transmitted a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari notifying him of his intention to leave office in three months from the date of the notice?
“We, therefore, call on the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to immediately resign or publicly denounce his purported presidential ambition and order groups causing a distraction to the performance of his full-time duties to stop forthwith.
“He should immediately authorize relevant government agencies to clean up his posters which are conspicuously displayed around the CBN headquarters, in other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and in most cities across the country.
“If these are not, by Thursday, April 21, the CNPP in conjunction with the civil society coalition will be occupying the CBN headquarters until Mr Emefiele resigns or denounces the purported distracting ongoing 2023 presidential campaign on his behalf by groups.
“It is noteworthy to state that the Nigerian economy has suffered enough stress, while the cost of living is becoming much more unbearable for the masses, and further distraction of the CBN governor’s full-time duties as stipulated by law will be strongly challenged on all fronts from April 21, 2022, since section 9 of the CBN Act 2007 (as amended) is unambiguous.
“We wish to reiterate that Mr Godwin Emefiele is eminently qualified to run for president of Nigeria but it has to be in absolute compliance with the laws of the land, especially the sections 8, 9 and 11 of the CBN Act 2007 (As amended)”, the CNPP and the CNCSOs stated.
General
Lafarge Africa Champions Sustainable Practices for Cleaner Environment

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A notable cement maker in Nigeria, Lafarge Africa Plc, has scaled up action to beat plastic pollution through circular economy.
The company, in commemoration of World Environment Day 2025, reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.
In a statement, Lafarge Africa said one of its strategies of addressing the waste pollution is by adopting scalable and circular economy practices across its host communities in Lagos, Sagamu, Ewekoro, Ashaka and Mfamosing.
Another is by designing impactful initiatives and engaging in vital awareness campaigns on waste segregation and PET bottle recycling, demonstrating how plastic waste can be recycled and transformed into useful items.
During this year’s World Environment Day themed Beat Plastic Pollution, the cement miller held environmental sensitization campaigns at its Ashaka and Ewekoro factories.
It also carried out tree planting activities in communities like Lapeleke in Ogun State and Mfamosing in Cross River State to support ecosystem restoration and climate action efforts, as well as a clean-up exercise at the community markets.
“At Lafarge Africa, we have never believed in doing business at the expense of the environment. We continue to rethink our processes, invest in innovation, and ensure that sustainability remains at the core of our strategy.
“I am proud to say that we continue to lead the way in circular economy solutions through Geocycle,” the chief executive of Lafarge Africa, Mr Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said.
On her part, the Director of Health, Safety and Environment at Lafarge Africa, Ms Rachael Ezembakwe, said, “We are focused on minimizing our footprint and ensuring that our operations do not become a burden to the communities we serve.”
“Let us all remember that we are protecting the environment not just for ourselves, but for the future of our children,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Ms Titilayo Oshodi, noted that while Lagos State government continues to drive waste reforms through education, behavioural change and recycling incentives, partnerships with companies like Lafarge Africa are essential to scaling impact.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Environment in Cross River State, Mr Moses Osogi, expressed gratitude to Lafarge Africa for its continued commitment to protecting the environment; acknowledging the company’s numerous initiatives to help create healthier, more resilient communities for present and future generations.
General
Airtel Employees Clean up Elegushi Model Market to Promote Circular Economy

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Employees of a leading telecommunications provider, Airtel Nigeria, recently cleaned up the Elegushi Model Market, Jakande, Lekki, Lagos, as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Environmental Week themed Ending Plastic Pollution.
This initiative, supported by the Ecobarter Company and carried out under the #UnPlasticAfrica campaign, spanned six states of the federation, with Airtel employees, community leaders, government partners, and market communities mobilised in a united effort to combat plastic pollution.
With the Lagos market cleanup, Airtel staff and community members joined forces to remove plastic waste and sensitize the locals on individual contributions towards a plastic-free environment.
To support sustainability and align with Lagos State’s ban on single-use plastic, large bins for refuse sorting as well as parasols, and reusable tote with #UnPlasticAfrica messaging were distributed to traders and their customers in the market to encourage behavioural change.
Recall that the Airtel Nigeria World Environment Week campaign began on June 4 with an employee seminar led by Mr Balsingh, followed by market clean-up exercises at Bodija Market, Oyo State; Oba Market, Benin City, Edo State; Wuse Market, Abuja; Artisan Market, Enugu State; Yankaba Market, Kano State; and finally, Elegushi Model Market, Jakande, Lagos.
“True environmental care starts with action: keeping our gutters and surroundings clean and ensuring that plastic waste never finds its way into our canals and waterways.
“The Elegushi market community has shown remarkable leadership by welcoming this initiative, and we are proud to have partnered with them to make a tangible difference as we commemorate World Environment Day 2025.
“We believe that this effort will spark a ripple effect, inspiring communities across the nation to take bold steps towards a cleaner, healthier Nigeria,” the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, stated at the clean-up exercise.
Also, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Femi Adeniran, highlighted the critical importance of community participation in safeguarding the environment and commended the market leadership for their openness and commitment to such impactful initiatives.
In her remarks, the president of the Elegushi Model Market Traders’ Association, Mrs Simbiat Ronke Lawal, thanked “Airtel Nigeria and all the volunteers for coming to our market to help clean and support us.”
“This has really helped us and made our market a better place. We are incredibly happy and promise to sustain what you have started here today,” she grinned cheerfully.
General
Navy Recovers Over 100,000 Litres of Fuel from Illegal Refineries in Rivers

By Adedapo Adesanya
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have dismantled five new illegal refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.
It was disclosed that the sites used for illegal bunkering activities in the area had 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.
The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, disclosed that the operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities at ONELGA was conducted on June 14, 2025, by NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team.
According to him, “On June 14, 2025, the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder successfully conducted an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area.
“The NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on credible intelligence, deployed personnel and assets to conduct anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area.”
The Commander explained that during the operation, the team discovered a newly activated illegal refining site.
According to him, “The team identified and dismantled 5 illegal refining sites with 62 ovens, 21 reservoirs and 55 dugout pits containing approximately 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, 83,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene.”
“The products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team,” he added.
Commodore Aniaku has, however, restated that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, which he noted pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.
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