Economy
Restructure: South East don’t need 3 mushroom seaports. It needs one standard seaport —Ugochukwu-Uko
The founder and president of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Mr. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, has lent his voice to the ongoing conversation on restructuring Nigeria.
Mr. Ugochukwu-Uko made the remarks during an interview with News Band over the weekend.
Speaking, Ugochukwu-Uko opined that the South East region does not need 3 mushroom seaports.
He said, rather, that the region needs just one standard seaport to thrive.
He condemned those plotting to hurriedly build mushroom structures called Seaport in Abia, Imo and Anambra States.
According to him, the move is tantamount to insulting the intelligence of the good people of the region.
Ugochukwu-Uko also spoke about the raging state police saga, issues surrounding a new constitution, restructure, self-determination agitations, et al.
Read excerpts of the interview below:
The Federal government is tinkering with the idea of State Police to tackle the insecurity in the country. What’s your position on this?
What the country truthfully needs is a holistic restructuring of the polity via a new people’s constitution. Regional police forces will better serve the needs of the country.
36 or 37 police formations maybe too unwieldy and difficult to manage, given the level of training given the intakes and resources available to each State. 6 or 8 Regional Police force will best serve the purpose. 37 different Police forces will definitely be too untidy. Those still opposing wholesome restructuring of Nigeria are the ones advocating for 37 seperate Police forces. They are looking for a short cut to solving the problems unitary structure foisted on the country. They are cutting corners.
If we take that route we may regret the error. Power devolution and true federalism via a new people’s constitution is the best option for the future.
The National Assembly has set up a committee to review the Nigeria’s constitution. The committee has called for memoranda from the public. What’s your view on this?
Complete waste of time and resources. Nigeria simply needs a new constitution.
Recently, a Yoruba group agitating for self-determination stormed the Oyo House of Assembly. Also, an Ijaw group is agitating to secede from Nigeria, when you add these to IPOB, where is Nigeria headed?
I am not conversant with the frustrations of Yoruba and Ijaw agitators. I can only speak on the South East agitators and I can tell you that they are scared of the future of the country under this 1999 constitution. They don’t want their own children to go through what they faced. The Yoruba and Ijaw agitators may have similar reasons. That’s why we need a new people’s constitution anchored on justice and equity.
What’s the difference between amendments to the 1999 constitution and a brand-new constitution?
Thank you. I organised seminars for Igbo youths all over the country between the 1980s and the 1990s, and I discovered that the younger generation Ndigbo who are not very educated and do not have classmates from UI, ABU, BUK etc. seem locked out from the Nigerian project unlike the educated Ndigbo who can always survive one way or another, no matter what.
These ill-educated fellows are easily convinced that they’d have a better deal in a new country where they’ll be treated right with dignity.
They start contributing monthly dues and start dreaming for a new country where they will not be marginalised and oppressed.
But the Igbo elite can wangle their way and penetrate the system.
I found out during the question and answer sessions of my IYM Monthly seminars for Igbo traders in the 1980s and 1990s, that fear of tomorrow drive the Igbo younger generation of a particular steak to believe that the grass is greener in a new country.
They’ll lament how they feel like unwanted people in their own country. How everything is skewed against them because their parents fought and lost a war in 1970.The bitterness in their hearts inspired Ralph Uwazurike to establish MASSOB 25 years ago.
Deliberate denial of critical Federal government driven infrastructure in the region for over five decades, seem to suggest scorched earth policy and war of attrition against the region. People of the region felt mistreated and helpless.
Accordingly, some folks exploit this situation to tell them that Nigeria as presently constituted will never give them justice. That they’ll remain permanent onlookers and spectators in the Nigerian enterprise.
The unitary constitution makes it difficult for any kind of positive change. The unitary structure gave birth to the agitation. The strategy of containment deployed against the agitators deepened their fears and frustration and only convoluted the crisis.
The unitary structure is at the root of the feeling of alienation and exclusion that feeds the resentment, which in turn drive the agitation.
So a new people’s constitution will go a long way in creating a feeling of inclusion and incorporation that will douse or remove their fear of tomorrow. Making it harder for agitators to recruit new followers.
Constitutional amendments will only introduce minor changes, retaining the same old features that inspired the fears that breeds agitation. Nigeria needs a new people’s constitution.
Infrastructure such as?
Functional commercial Seaport for example. There are over two dozen Seaports on inland water ways such as South East Nigeria, all around the world. Google it.
All that may be needed is dredging, that’s all.
Container ships from intercontinental waters off- loading goods from China and other far-off nations at Oguta or Onitsha Seaport, will bring closure and resolution to the agitation faster than anything else.
Plotting to hurriedly build mushroom structures called Seaport in Abia, Imo and Anambra, will be insulting the intelligence of the good people of the region.
They need one standard Seaport to make them feel like they are actually part of Nigeria. They don’t need three Mushroom Seaports. They believe that the proposed tiny Seaport is designed for small steamers, boats and fishing trawlers. They know such ungodly plots are only planned to foreclose standard Seaport in the future by those who swore to block every positive infrastructure that will boost the economy of the region thereby foreclosing the commercial development of the region.
That will hurt the people of the zone, who are great traders who lament that it is cheaper to bring in a container from China to Lagos, than from Lagos to Onitsha, Nnewi or Aba.
Our people deeply resent the frightening idea by political leaders from the zone who are supporting the idea of useless mushroom Seaports in every state.
They are seen as black sheep who are willing to destroy the future of the region in place of their Vice-presidential dreams.
Nobody knows exactly what is still delaying the cargo wing of the Enugu International Airport.
A functional Clearing and Forwarding wing handling Cargo from all over the world decongesting Lagos, will transform the region.
These are some of the things the youth of the region believe their political class should have attracted to their region long before now.
The region have been stagnant since 1970. Those gleefully announcing the reactivation of the 120 years old Port Harcourt-Aba railway ( six years after completion of the railway to Niger Republic) do not know that our people feel insulted that we are expected to be jubilant and in a celebration mood. Sad.
Genuine power devolution, via a new people’s constitution and core infrastructure denied the zone for decades, will bring closure and resolution. The authorities have been erroneously struggling to crush the agitation without addressing the issues that led to the loss of faith driving and alienation and anger.
People of the region do not feel carried along. They believe Nigeria has consistently mistreated the region since 1970.
They also feel very bitter about the selfish hustle by their political leaders who they suspect are placing self-interest over and above group interest by discreetly taking sides with Agendists and conspiracy theories who plot on building very low-quality Seaport that will not serve the purpose of allowing South East trade directly with the world which is the sole desire of the people of the region.
Ndigbo are already very angry with the uninspiring idea of largely ubused Ebonyi International Airport, Anambra International Airport, Enugu International Airport and Imo Airport, yet travellers troop to Lagos and Abuja before they can travel out of the country.
Replicating such offensive “wayo” in hurriedly building useless and unhelpful Seaports planned by the Governors of Abia and Imo just to foreclose and block the building of global standard Seaport in the future, will deeply hurt Ndigbo. Our people are watching.
Will these stop the agitation?
Answer: Of course. Nnamdi Kanu presented these items at the meeting with the South East Governors on 30th August 2017. A new people’s constitution. Functional standard Seaport in the South East. East West railways, Functional International Airport with cargo wing etc. I was at the meeting.
It is not true that it is impossible to have a seaport for large sea vessels in the South East. Youths of my region believe that those driving that argument, are folks who are averse to any real development coming to the region. There are people who are scared of seeing AlaIgbo explode with positive economic growth.
They know what a Seaport will do to Igboland. They fear that Ndigbo, masters of commerce, will become uncontrollable. They fear they may no longer contain Ndigbo. They prefer the unholy manner Ndigbo are scattered everywhere as unwanted scavengers, harassed mercilessly to no end.
One large Functional Seaport will change our tomorrow. That’s what the people want.
Is Igbo President still feasible?
I was the first to march for that 22 years ago. My idea then was to stimulate the idea so politicians will articulate a road map. I have played my path. I have no interest whatsoever in partisan politics. The politicians should work that out.
Why do you distance yourself from politics?
Because it is impossible for an activist to seek power and remain true. The conflict of interest will make one compromise his or her earlier noble principles in favour of self advancement. I choose to advocate for the restructuring of Nigeria from an unbiased perspective.
Nigeria will not make progress under this centralised unitary constitution choking the land. The people advocating constitutional amendments are folks scared of a new people’s constitution. But they really have nothing to fear.
150 years ago, Just as President Abraham Lincoln was about to sign the proclamation abolishing slavery, powerful team of Southern farmers lobbied against end to slavery. They feared their farms and plantations will collapse and Americans will starve.
But they were so wrong. Lincoln went ahead and ended slavery. Not a single farm or plantation ever shut down. So it is with folks opposing wholesome restructuring of Nigeria via a new people’s constitution.
Their fears are unfounded. They will not loose any of their privileges. No region will be shortchanged. Rather a new people’s constitution anchored on true federalism and power devolution will establish a stronger, united Nigeria.
Like the American slave masters, their fears are unfounded.
The current unitary structure is responsible for unemployment, sleaze, bad governance, nepotism, mediocrity, sectionalism, mismanagement of resources and prebendalism which have held the country hostage for too long.
Constitutional amendments will not restore confidence in the country as a new people’s constitution will.
Economy
Fidelity Bank Resumes International Transactions on Naira Debit Cards

Tier-one Lender, Fidelity Bank Plc., has announced the resumption of international transactions on its Naira Debit Cards.
This recommencement gives customers the freedom to make seamless payments abroad, online, and at ATMs outside the country.
The Divisional Head of eBanking, Fidelity Bank, Ifeoma Onibuje, shed light on the development.
Onibuje said: “We are delighted to inform the public that Fidelity Naira Cards are now enabled for global use.
“This means that our travelling customers can now utilize their Naira Debit cards outside the country to shop, spend and withdraw internationally without hassles.”
“Consequently, our customers can now spend up to $1,000 quarterly for international POS and online transactions; and withdraw up to $500 quarterly on international ATMs.”
The announcement offers Fidelity Bank customers another way to complete international transactions, in addition to the Bank’s existing foreign currency debit and credit cards.
The bank stated that it further reinforces its commitment to delivering solutions that fit seamlessly into customers’ lifestyles.
With Fidelity Bank’s VISA and Mastercard Naira Debit Cards, Nigerians can now enjoy effortless global access.
Beyond payments, Fidelity VISA cardholders, one of the variants of the bank’s card offerings, also enjoy premium travel and lifestyle benefits.
The benefits range from airport lounge and spa access via the Visa Airport Companion App, to fast-track immigration lanes and 20% discounts on SIXT car rentals worldwide.
This move, the bank said, also reflects its commitment to provide secure, convenient, and reliable banking services that empower customers in Nigeria and beyond.
The bank noted that it has deliberately made the process of getting a Fidelity Naira card seamless.
It stressed that customers can easily apply for their Fidelity VISA or Mastercard Naira Debit card via the Fidelity Mobile App or simply visit the nearest Fidelity bank branch to request for one and they can start transacting globally with ease.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Celebrity/Entertainment
How Nigerian TikToker Geh Geh Made ₦45 Million in One Night

A Nigerian TikTok sensation known as “Geh Geh” has stunned the internet after pulling in over $30,000 from a single live session that attracted more than 177,000 viewers.
The young entertainer, who calls his platform the “University of Wisdom and Understanding,” has quickly built a cult following with his raw and unfiltered lectures about women, money, and survival in Nigeria.
During the live broadcast on Thursday, August 21, viewers showered him with virtual gifts that he later calculated to be worth over $30,000.
The milestone instantly pushed him into the spotlight as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising online personalities.
Reacting in disbelief after the stream, Geh Geh said:
“More than 177,000 people watch my lectures today. Jesus! University of wisdom and understanding, the only university where once you graduate, woman go fear to ask you for money.”
Despite not having a formal education, Geh Geh proudly calls himself “the first illiterate to find a university in the history of Nigeria.” In a video after the viral live, he reminded fans of his humble background:
“I no be graduate too, but by the grace of God, I don find school. I be orphan, but now Nigerians don show me love.”
The TikTok star admitted he was overwhelmed by the generosity of his supporters.
“See gift I made over… more gift when they give me today is worth about $30,000. I no go take this love for granted, because I no really do anything for am.”
His rise has been hailed as proof of how social media is transforming lives in Nigeria. With no degree, no rich background, and no industry connection, Geh Geh has managed to build a fanbase that now calls themselves “students” of his unusual university.
Still, his controversial views on women and relationships continue to spark heated debates. While some dismiss his advice as reckless, others insist his boldness speaks directly to Nigeria’s frustrated youth.
Reflecting on his sudden fame, Geh Geh compared himself to great thinkers:
“If Nigeria be country wey value great people, by now them suppose dey compare people like me with Aristotle, Wole Soyinka, Einstein… but I thank God say people dey see my head and my own difference.”
From an orphan with no prospects to a viral star earning in dollars, Geh Geh’s story has become one of digital empowerment.
His journey shows how platforms like TikTok are creating new forms of fame, money, and influence for Nigerians especially those once written off by society.
Africa
UK Dominates Nigeria’s Q1 2025 Capital Inflows With N5.5tn — NBS

The United Kingdom has once again cemented its position as Nigeria’s leading source of foreign capital, accounting for more than N5.5 trillion in inflows during the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Figures from the Capital Importation Report show that capital from the UK rose to $3.68bn (N5.52tn) in Q1 2025, representing 65.26% of Nigeria’s total $5.64bn inflows for the quarter.
This marked a 29.2% rise from the $2.85bn recorded in Q4 2024 and more than double the $1.81bn inflows seen in Q1 2024.
This underscores Britain’s dominance in Nigeria’s external financing profile and highlights the strong bilateral financial ties between both nations.
Breakdown of Q1 2025 Capital Inflows by Country
United Kingdom: $3.68bn (65.26%)
South Africa: $501.29m (8.88%)
Mauritius: $394.51m (6.99%)
United States: $368.92m (6.54%)
United Arab Emirates: $301.72m (5.35%)
Together, these top five countries accounted for over 92% of Nigeria’s capital inflows, reflecting both the concentration of Nigeria’s foreign investments and the risks of over-dependence on limited markets.
Other contributors included:
Cayman Islands: $114.76m (up sharply from $0.64m in Q4 2024)
Belgium: $70.54m
France: $47.33m
Netherlands: $42.68m (down significantly from $425.61m in Q4 2024)
Singapore: $36.79m
Overall, capital importation into Nigeria stood at $5.64bn in Q1 2025, up 10.9% from Q4 2024’s $5.09bn, and a remarkable 67.1% higher than the $3.38bn recorded in Q1 2024.
The NBS noted:
“Capital Importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom with $3,681.96m, showing 65.26 per cent of the total capital imported.”
A separate survey by Strategy Management Partners (UK) reveals that British companies are increasingly targeting Africa as a strategic growth frontier.
50% of UK firms with annual turnover above £20m are already operational in Africa and planning expansions.
Another 28% of executives said they are interested but remain cautious about entry strategies.
Africa’s appeal lies in its resource wealth and demographic potential:
30% of the world’s mineral reserves
8% of natural gas reserves
12% of oil reserves
65% of the world’s arable land
Projected to host 25% of the global workforce by 2035
Seven key sectors remain magnets for foreign capital inflows into Nigeria and Africa at large:
1. Technology
2. Oil & Gas
3. Power and Renewable Energy
4. Agriculture
5. Manufacturing
6. Infrastructure
7. Strategic Minerals
Analysts warn that while Nigeria’s reliance on UK-driven inflows reflects strong global confidence, the concentration of sources exposes the economy to external shocks if investor sentiment shifts in these countries.
Diversification of investment partnerships particularly within Asi
a, the Americas, and intra-African trade will be crucial to ensuring long-term resilience in capital inflows.
Africa
U.S. Govt Reacts to Nigerian Minimum Wage

The United States government has said that Nigeria’s new N70,000 minimum wage has lost real value due to the sharp fall of the naira, leaving millions of workers trapped in poverty.
According to the 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, released by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, the wage translates to just $47.90 per month.
The report noted that currency devaluation and weak enforcement have undermined the wage increase.
The report also revealed that many states are yet to implement the new wage law. Several governors cited financial challenges as the main excuse.
Even where the law exists, compliance remains poor because of limited labor inspectors and weak oversight from authorities.
Wage Devaluation and Exclusion
The report highlighted that firms with fewer than 25 workers are excluded from the minimum wage law, leaving millions of employees without protection.
This also explained that about 70 to 80 percent of Nigeria’s workforce operates in the informal sector, where wage and labor rights are almost never enforced.
This means a majority of Nigerians continue to earn far below the national benchmark, despite the government’s approval of N70,000 as the new minimum wage.
The U.S. report stressed that the naira’s sharp decline, trading above N1,500 to the dollar, had worsened the wage erosion. This has left workers unable to afford basic needs, pushing many deeper into poverty.
Human Rights and Labor Challenges
The document pointed out that weak enforcement of labor laws contributes to worsening poverty levels in the country.
Workers in the informal sector, such as street vendors, artisans, and small traders, rarely benefit from labor protections.
The report also noted that Nigeria’s minimum wage is rarely sufficient to cover basic food, housing, and transport needs.
This has further exposed structural gaps in the government’s approach to economic reforms and poverty reduction.
Governors Push Investment Platform
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has launched a new investment initiative called NGF Investopedia.
The platform seeks to attract capital flows into bankable projects across all 36 states, with the goal of tackling Nigeria’s annual $100 billion infrastructure financing deficit.
The launch event in Abuja gathered governors, international partners, and investors. The forum described the platform as a long-term strategy to unlock growth opportunities across states and strengthen Nigeria’s subnational economies.
NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, said Nigeria must urgently leverage its human and natural resources to address poverty and joblessness.
“Here is Africa’s largest economy, endowed with abundant human and natural resources,” he said, stressing that state governments must play a bigger role in attracting investments and supporting local industries.
A Widening Gap
The contrast between the U.S. report on wage decline and the governors’ push for investment highlights Nigeria’s economic paradox.
While authorities promote foreign capital inflow, millions of workers continue to survive on wages that have lost most of their value.
With inflation rising, food prices soaring, and the naira weakening, the gap between earnings and cost of living keeps widening.
Unless enforcement improves and the informal sector is integrated into wage protections, the N70,000 benchmark may remain symbolic rather than effective.
Economy
Global Card: Fidelity Bank Hits Milestone As Fidelity Naira Card Accepted Globally

Fidelity Bank may have hit another milestone the Fidelity Naira Card is now accepted globally.
This was disclosed in a message sent to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) via email on Monday.
According to the statement entitled “Your Fidelity Naira Card Now Works Globally; Shop, Pay and Withdraw with Ease!“, customers can buy favourite global brands online using their Fidelity Naira Card.
The band also stated that they can equally pay at POS terminals abroad and make cash withdrawals at ATMs as they travel.
The message reads:
“We’re excited to let you know that your Fidelity Naira Card is now enabled for global use — so you can shop, spend and withdraw internationally with confidence.
“Here’s what you now enjoy every quarter:
Channel |
Transaction Limit |
ATM Withdrawal abroad | $500 |
Online/Web & POS Payments | $ 1,000 |
“What does this mean for you?
- Shop your favourite global brands online
- Pay at POS terminals abroad with ease
- Withdraw cash at ATMs when you travel.”
The statement, however, noted that the $1,000 quarterly limit applies to all international transactions combined, including ATM withdrawals, online purchases, and POS payments.
The bank urged customers who may need assistance with setting card limits or activating their cards for global use, to contact the bank’s customers care “Centre Trueserve”, which is available round the clock, whether in Nigeria, or outside the country.
“Your world, your card — spend smart, spend globally with Fidelity,” the message concludes.
-
Featured4 days ago
Your Attacks on Peter Obi Are Petty, Stop It! Chekwas Rebukes Soludo
-
News4 days ago
Tension in Anambra community as senior police officer shoots kinsman dead
Colleagues, others try cover-up; victim's family fights back
-
News7 days ago
Anambra South Bye-Election: APC Chief Rescues Deputy Gov Caught In Vote Buying From Angry Youths
By Chuks Collins, Awka
-
News5 days ago
Nigerian visa applicants must provide 5-yr social media history — US embassy
-
Celebrity/Entertainment23 hours ago
How Nigerian TikToker Geh Geh Made ₦45 Million in One Night
-
Analysis6 days ago
Systemic Sabotage: How APC, INEC Colluded To Undermine Amamgbo’s Senatorial Bid
By Arthur Ezechukwu
-
News3 days ago
Terrorist Organisation: APC, PDP Members in US, UK, France Risk Deportation
-
Celebrity/Entertainment5 days ago
Why single mothers can’t raise boys into proper men — Jim Iyke
-
News7 days ago
BREAKING: Troops arrest Nigeria’s most wanted terror kingpin
-
News2 days ago
Vandal electrocuted while vandalizing Aba power infrastructure