By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, says having a male child to sustain his family name and business empire is not his priority.

He noted that he has three daughters doing well.

Mr Dangote, 69, who is the president of Dangote Group and Dangote Refinery, made the statement during an interview on Arise TV, on Tuesday.

Asked if he was making efforts to have a son to sustain his legacy, Mr Dangote said, “That’s not really my priority. Let me say it blurntly. It is not really my priority. God controls everything. Sometimes you can pray to have a son but the son could be the one to drag the family name down.”

The Africa’s richest man further said he didn’t think a son would do better than the three girls he already has.

“Sometimes when God does give you a something don’t push it. I don’t think a son would have done better than the three girls I have,” he said.

Mr Dangote’s three daughters; Fatima, Halima and Mariya are holding key executive and leadership positions in the Dangote Group.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently meeting behind closed doors at the Imo State Governors’ Lodge in Abuja, amid rising political tension over the “rainbow coalition” being promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The meeting, which began on Tuesday, is understood to be centred on recent political realignments that party leaders fear could undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interests and weaken APC candidates at all levels.

It was gathered that the governors are expected to issue a statement distancing themselves from any political alliance or arrangement that could work against the President or the ruling party.

The move is widely seen as a direct response to Wike’s coalition, which has reportedly set some APC governors against the FCT minister. The governors are particularly aggrieved over allegations that Wike is sponsoring candidates who lost in the APC under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC governors are said to be determined to draw a clear line between legitimate political engagement and actions that could damage the party’s electoral fortunes.

As of the time of filing this report, the meeting was still ongoing, and no official communiqué had been issued. A statement is expected shortly.

More details later…

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Oil prices climbed on Monday after talks on the Strait of Hormuz were postponed and Saudi Arabia shut down a major oil pipeline.

Brent crude for November delivery gained nearly three per cent to $107.60 per barrel, approaching the $110 level.

The increase came after prices edged lower on Friday following sharp gains in the preceding days.

Oman announced on Sunday that planned talks between Iran and several Gulf States over the Strait of Hormuz had been postponed.

Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi said the postponement aimed to create conditions for consensus.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has come under pressure following disruptions to major shipping routes and attacks on its oil infrastructure.

The kingdom suspended operations on its East-West pipeline as a precaution after drone attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions.

The pipeline carries oil from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea and provides an alternative export route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts warned that any further reduction in Saudi oil exports could drive crude prices higher.

Brent crude has gained nearly 80 per cent since the start of the year, although it remains below its late-April peak of more than $126 per barrel.