Business

Ahiamakara Demolition: N139m Compensation Tears PHALGA Community Apart … EFCC Quizes Factions

Published

8 years ago

April 18, 2018

The sum of N139million paid to Rebisi Central Age Group by the Rivers State Government as compensation for the demolition of Ahiamakara market at Waja area of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State is currently causing crisis among three groups in Rebisi Kingdom.
The Tide gathered that the two opposing camps in Rebisi Council of Chiefs and Elders are at loggerheads over the compensation sum of N139 million paid for the demolition of market shades being managed by a socio-cultural organisation, Rebisi Central Age Group.
The Tide source hinted that the N139 million is now a subject of investigation by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The sources further hinted that all the groups have been invited by the anti-graft agency for questioning.
Those invited include the leadership of Central Age Group and the other chiefs led by Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Eze Uche Elikwu.
It was also learnt that the Rebisi Central Age Group headed by Elder Bennett Amadi as president general, Sunny Chuku as Secretary and Godspower Owhonda as treasure, respectively were petitioned by Rebisi Owhor Holders Council and Elders and Chiefs of Rebisi Kingdom in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The chiefs, in a petition by their counsel, U.G. Nwokocha alleged that the leadership of the age group and others tampered with the sum of N139 million paid as compensation by the state government for the acquisition of the said expanse of land and the payment was made through Zenith Bank into the account of Rebisi Central Age Group domiciled at First Bank of Nigeria PLC.
The petition urged the financial crimes agency to stop those concerned from the disbursement of the said sum of money, stressing that if not stopped, nothing would be left for the entire Rebisi Kingdom as they claimed that the demolished property was owned by the entire kingdom but managed by the Central Age Group.
It was also gathered that two weeks ago, the leadership of the Rebisi Central Age Group summoned a meeting of all Chairmen and secretaries of age groups affiliated to the Central Age Group and informed them that the President was made to sign an undertaking by the chiefs and elders headed by Nmerukini and Elikwu to return the sum of N69million to his group of chiefs and elders’ council.
According to the sources, this threat made the president general, to transfer the sum of N69 million from the coffers of the Central Age Group to the chiefs headed by Chief Nmerukini and Elikwu after the disbursement of N1.5million to each age group affiliated to the central age group.
It was on that note that the other group headed and a contender to the throne of Eze Apara Rebisi, Eze Victor Worluchem petitioned the Rebisi Central Age Group and other chiefs to return the said sum of N139 million to Rebisi kingdom.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the President General of Rebisi Central Age Group, Benneth Amadi confirmed that he was invited by the EFCC, last Thursday, and explanations were given as the area concerned was managed by the group.
Amadi regretted that the compensation had brought so much interest, but added that all along the Rebisi Central Age Group has been managing the stores and expanse of land which the money was paid for.
He argued that the expanse of land belongs to the Central Age Group, adding that the group has a judgment to that effect.
Nmerukini and Elikwu could not be reached for comment, but one of the chief whose counsel wrote the petition,Chief Cyprian Worenwu confirmed that they were all going to EFCC to sort out the issue.
He vowed that the alleged Eze Apara Rebisi Chief Victor Worlechem and his group of chiefs and elders would ensure that all legal means were exhausted to get the compensation to the owners.
‘’Our prayers is to the further sharing of the N139million and the N69million handed over to Eze Elikwu and Chief Nmerikini be retrieved immediately because the money was meant for all Rebisi indigenes and not a particular group.
When contacted, the Head, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt zone of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale confirmed that the commission was still investigating the matter, adding that those involved were also in the office of the commission for another round of interrogation, yesterday.
Oyewale said the commission would give those involved fair hearing while investigations are still on.

Transport

Nigeria Rates 7th For Visa Application To France —–Schengen Visa

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria was the 7th country in 2024, which filed the most schenghen visa to France, with a total of 111,201 of schenghen visa applications made in 2025, out of which 55,833, about 50.2 percent submitted to France

Although 2025 data is unavailable, these figures from Schengen Visa Info implies that France is not merely a preferred destination, but has been a dominant access point for Nigerian short-stay travel into Europe.

France itself has received more than three million Schengen visa applications, making it the most sought-after Schengen destination globally and a leading gateway for long-haul and third-country travellers. It was the top destination for applicants from 51 countries that same year, including many without visa-exemption arrangements with the Schengen Zone, and the sole destination for applicants from seven countries.

Alison Reed, a senior analyst at the European Migration Observatory said, “France’s administrative reach shapes applicant strategy, but it also concentrates risk. If processing times lengthen or documentation standards tighten in Paris, the effects ripple quickly back to capitals such as Abuja.”

The figures underline that this pattern is not unique to Nigeria. In neighbouring West and Central African states such as Gabon, Benin, Togo and Madagascar, more than 90 per cent of Schengen visas were sought via French authorities in 2024, with Chad, Djibouti, the Central African Republic and Comoros submitting applications exclusively to France.

“France acts as the central enumeration point for many African and Asian applicants,” said Manish Khandelwal, founder of Travelobiz.com, which reported the consolidated statistics. “Historical ties, language networks and established diaspora communities all play into that concentration. But volume inevitably invites scrutiny, and that affects refusal rates and processing rigour.”

That scrutiny is visible in the rejection statistics. Of the more than three million French applications in 2024, approximately 481,139 were denied, a rejection rate of about 15.7 per cent. While this rate is lower than in some smaller Schengen states, the sheer volume of applications means France contributes significantly to the total number of refusals within the zone.

For Nigerian applicants and policymakers, one implication is the need to broaden engagement with other Schengen consular hubs. “Over-reliance on a single consulate creates what one might call administrative bottleneck effects,” said Jean-Luc Martin, a professor and expert in European integration and mobility law at Leiden University. “If applicants from Nigeria default to France without exploring legitimate alternatives in countries like Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, they expose themselves to systemic risk

Martin added that the broader context of Schengen visa policy is evolving, with the European Commission’s preparing roll-out of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) aimed at harmonising pre-travel screening across member states.

For Nigerians seeking leisure, business or educational travel to Europe, these trends suggest that strategic planning and consular diversification could become as important as the completeness of documentation and financial proof. Governments and travel consultancies in Abuja, Lagos and beyond are already advising clients to explore alternative consular pathways and to prepare for more rigorous screening criteria across all Schengen states

By: Enoch Epelle

Transport

West Zone Aviation: Adibade Olaleye Sets For NANTA President

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Prince Abiodun Ajibade Olaleye, a former Welfare Officer and Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of Vice President of NANTA Western Zone, ahead of the zonal elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

In a New Year message to members of the association, Olaleye expressed optimism about the prospects of the travel and tourism industry in 2026, despite the economic headwinds and migration policy challenges that affected operations in the previous year.

He acknowledged that reduced patronage and declining trade volumes had placed significant financial pressure on many travel agencies, but urged members to remain resilient and forward-looking.

According to him, the challenges confronting the industry should be seen as opportunities for growth, innovation and institutional strengthening.

He stressed the need for unity and collective action among members of the association, noting that collaboration remains critical to navigating the evolving global travel environment.

Unveiling his vision for the NANTA Western Zone, Olaleye said his aspiration is to consolidate on the achievements of past leaders while expanding the zone’s relevance, influence and impact “beyond imagination.” He promised a leadership focused on commanding excellence, improved member welfare and stronger stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience in previous executive roles within NANTA, the vice-presidential aspirant said he is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the association, particularly in areas of member support, public engagement and institutional growth.

“I believe that together, we can take our association to greater heights and build a stronger, more prosperous NANTA Western Zone that benefits all members,” he said, while appealing to delegates for their support and votes.

Olaleye concluded by offering prayers for good health, peace and prosperity for members in 2026, expressing confidence that the new year would usher in renewed opportunities for the travel industry and the association at large.

By: Enoch Epelle

Business

Sugar Tax ‘ll Threaten Manufacturing Sector, Says CPPE

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that renewed calls for a sugar tax on non-alcoholic beverages could hurt Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, threaten jobs and slow the country’s fragile economic recovery.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said while public health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases deserve attention, imposing an additional sugar-specific tax was economically risky and poorly suited to Nigeria’s current realities of high inflation, weak consumer purchasing power and rising production costs.

Yusuf who insisted that the food and beverage sector remains the backbone of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, said the industry supports millions of livelihoods across farming, processing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail trade, and hospitality.

He remarked that any policy that weakens this ecosystem could have far-reaching consequences, including job losses, lower household incomes and reduced investment.

Yusuf argued that proposals for sugar taxation in Nigeria are often influenced by global policy templates that do not adequately reflect local conditions.

According to him, manufacturers in the non-alcoholic beverage segment are already facing heavy fiscal and cost pressures.

“The proposition of a sugar-specific tax is misplaced, economically risky, and weakly supported by empirical evidence, especially when viewed against Nigeria’s prevailing structural and macroeconomic realities.

“Existing obligations include company income tax, value-added tax, excise duties, levies on profits and imports, and multiple state and local government charges. These are compounded by high energy costs, exchange-rate volatility, elevated interest rates and expensive logistics,” he said.

The CPPE boss noted that retail prices of many non-alcoholic beverages have risen by about 50 per cent over the past two years, even without the introduction of new taxes, further squeezing consumers.

Yusuf further expressed reservation on the effectiveness of sugar taxes in addressing the root causes of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu