Gunmen have ambushed a vehicle transporting the corpse of late Ugwuanyi Israel along with family members from Lagos to Nsukka for burial in Enugu State.
The abduction occurred along 9th Mile Road in the Umuoka community, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The assailants not only seized the body of the deceased but also abducted all the family members accompanying it.
The incident has raised concerns about the condition of the deceased’s body, given the potential delays in securing the release of the family.
A family source revealed that the kidnappers have established contact with the family and are demanding a ransom of N50 million for the release of the abducted individuals.
The family expressed fears that the corpse might decompose before the kidnappers release them.
“His corpse was on its way from Lagos yesterday (Sunday) when the vehicle conveying his body was halted by kidnappers and people in the vehicle alongside the driver were all kidnapped atUmuokaUdi LGA of Enugu State.
“They called Monday morning to inform us to look for N50 million.
“Our fear is that the corpse will decompose before they release them. We don’t know what to do because our community people in Lagos spent so much money on the sickness of Israel,” a family source told The Nation.
Operatives of the Ilorin, Kwara State Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested two Chinese over illegal mining activities in the state.
The suspects, Xiao Yi, and Duan Yahong were arrested on Sunday, according to a post on the EFCC’s official X handle.
The post stated that the two expatriates were arrested alongside two Nigerians, Mumini Jamiu and Israel Nwachukwu suspected to be accomplices in the illegal business.
The development, according to the commission, brings to 48 the total number of persons arrested for suspected illegal mining activities within the last two weeks in the state.
“The suspects were trailed to their mining sites located at Isolo in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, where they were arrested on Sunday after days of surveillance by the EFCC operatives.
“Jamiu, a driver, was arrested while conveying a truck loaded with solid minerals from Banni in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State to a Chinese company in Lagos without lawful permit.
“Items recovered from the suspects include a truck with registration number JJJ 386 XT containing substances suspected to be solid minerals, phones, and travel documents,” the statement added.
Cement Manufacturers have agreed to sell a 50kg bag of cement at a retail price between N7,000 and N8,000, depending on location nationwide.
However, the manufacturers stated that the price drop from the current market price would depend on the fulfilment of certain government interventions to ameliorate critical challenges faced in the industry.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi disclosed this after a meeting with leading manufacturers yesterday in Abuja.
The meeting was against the backdrop of the ballooning price of the commodity to approximately N13,000 in several retail stores in the Federal Capital Territory, and Enugu, indicating the impact of inflation within the country.
Findings by our correspondent indicated that the price hike was attributed to the increase in wholesalers reselling to retailers and the escalating inflation rates.
But at the meeting directed by President Bola Tinubu, Umahi lamented the current rate stating that it was abnormal and detrimental to economic prosperity sought after by the current administration.
Reading the communique, the minister said certain issues including smuggling, bad roads, high energy costs, and the Forex crisis caused the high prices but stressed that manufacturers have expressed their readiness to be willing to bring down the prices in the future.
He said, “The cement manufacturer has noted to the government that the present high cost of cement in the market is very much abnormal in some locations nationwide. Ideally, they noted that cement price, and retail price to a consumer should not cost more than between N7,000 to N8,000 per 50 kg bag of cement.
“Therefore, the government and the cement manufacturers, which are DangotePlc, BUA Plc and Lafarge Plc have agreed to have their cement price nationwide between N7,000 to N8,000 naira per 50 kg pack of cement, depending on the locations, which means that this price depends on the locations.
“Going forward, the government advised manufacturers to set up a price monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the prices that are set today.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is currently quizzing a former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, over shady transactions running into billions of naira while he was in office.
The former governor was seen arriving at the Ilorin office of the EFCC yesterday morning.
The anti-graft agency invited him and he is currently answering questions relating to how his administration spent the funds.
It was reported that Ahmed was governor of Kwara State between May 2011 and May 2019, before handing over to the incumbent, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Ahmed was once interrogated in May 2021 by a crack team of operatives at the EFCC headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja, the nation’s capital, in connection with the alleged diversion of funds to the tune of about N9 billion from the coffers of the Kwara State Government.
The money was alleged to have been diverted during Ahmed’s tenure as governor of the state, and when he served as the Commissioner for Finance in the administration of ex-Governor Bukola Saraki.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company yesterday said it will disconnect electricity in the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government’s Ministry Department and Agencies over N47,195 billion outstanding debts as of December 2023.
AEDC made this known on Monday in a report made available to newsmen.
Some of the affected MDAs are Chief of Defence Staff – Barracks and Military Formations owing N12bn, FCT Ministry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of State Petroleum, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture.
Others are the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ministry of Education, CBN governor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Interior, Head ECOWAS, and Ministry of Transport, among others.
While issuing a notice of disconnection to the affected MDAs, AEDC said, “The Management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has given a 10 days’ notice to 86 Government to pay up the N47.1bn electricity debt they owe or risk disconnection.
“The Abuja Electricity Distribution PLC is constrained to do this publication with the details of Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies with long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply in that our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired results.”
The firm also urged the MDAs to pay up before the disconnection time slated for Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
“The relevant MDAs are hereby given notice that the AEDC shall, after the expiration of 10 days from the date of this publication, that is, after Wednesday, February 28, 2024, embark on the disconnection of our services to them until they discharge their obligations to us by paying their debts.
In 2019, it was reported that The Federal Executive Council approved the inclusion of the presidential villa in the eligible customer policy to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the villa.
This was made known by Hakeem Bello, special adviser on communications to the then Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, who said the approval aimed to improve the electricity supply and distribution in the country.According to him, the approval was made at the FEC meeting in response to a memorandum submitted by the minister seeking approval to include the presidential villa in the distribution expansion programme earlier approved by the council.
The eligible customer regulation, which was issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in mid-2017, permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the electricity generation companies (GenCos), other than distribution companies (DisCos), in line with the provisions of section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.
The programme seeks to enable unutilised 2000 megawatts (MW) from the GenCos to be distributed to targeted metered customers.
“The Ministry had earlier obtained approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) following its letter to the Bureau intimating it of the Council’s approval of the Distribution Expansion Programme with the intention of the Ministry to procure civil works that would facilitate uninterrupted power supply to the Aso Rock Villa and curb the present erratic supply of power in spite of the availability of power by the Generation Companies (GenCos),” Bello said.
“The project to be executed by Messrs Dextron Engineering Limited, has a completion period of six months under the Distribution Expansion Programme. An arrangement has also been put in place such that a GenCo, North-South Power Company Limited, will procure the dedicated supply to the Villa from the National Grid while the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has indicated interest in ensuring the success of the project.”
A fresh crisis in the petroleum downstream sector appears imminent as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said it has directed all its members to withdraw their petroleum trucks from product-loading activities from Monday, February 19, 2024.
The decision by the association follows operational high operational cost in the industry which has led to its request for oil marketers to review freight charges.
This disclosure is contained in a letter titled dated February 15, 2024, which was signed by its National President, Othman Yusuf, and addressed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
The letter titled ‘Notice of withdrawal of operation’ was also sent to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Department of State Security (DSS) and the executive secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (NEMAN).
NARTO had said despite the deregulation of the downstream sector, oil marketers have refused its request to review the rates.
It stated that it can no longer continue with operations due to the state of the economy.The association said several efforts made to get the freight rates for their operations reviewed have had no positive results.
The statement from NARTO reads, “We are deeply constrained to seek the support and understanding of your Union and members towards the excruciating challenges petroleum trucks owners are facing with the high operational costs in the Industry.
“As you are already aware of several efforts we have made to secure negotiations for appropriate and commensurate freight rates for our operations from all conceivable authorities concerned in the industry, most especially the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria but which have received no positive responses from them.
“We have no other options but write to inform you that the NARTO National Executive Council (NEC) has resolved to direct all our members not to make their Petroleum Trucks available for Petroleum Products loading activities with effect from Monday, 19th day of February 2024.
“In the light of this directive, we implore all our employees (Petroleum Truck Drivers), who are your members to show maximum cooperation, support and understanding to our collective efforts for continued sustainability of the Petroleum Haulage business and effective service delivery by ensuring adequate and immediate compliance.
‘’There is definitely no way we can continue in this business within the context of the current economic situation in the country.’’
President Bola Tinubu and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on Sunday met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for discussions on comprehensive strengthening of bilateral ties in all fields.
A statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President Media & Publicity, disclosed that while speaking at the meeting, Tinubu emphasized the strength of Nigeria’s economic potential and influence, saying that the country is witnessing a leap forward, despite some short-term reform pains, as his administration is removing all encumbrances to business.
He also informed the South American leader that his administration is investing in critical sectors of the economy like healthcare, education, and agriculture to ensure the welfare of all Nigerian citizens and to create sustainable economic prosperity for future generations.
Tinubu stated: “We have a very vibrant population of young Nigerians who are trainable, dependable, and should be empowered. The economic potential of Nigeria is enormous. We are ready to break all the walls standing in our way to progress.
“We are ready to fight corruption from top to bottom. We are ready to invest in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and others. I have one of the most dedicated teams on agriculture,” the statement quoted President Tinubu as saying.
Assessing Nigeria’s natural and human resource wealth akin to Brazil’s, President Lula da Silva said Africa’s largest economy and South America’s largest economy have a long and interesting history together.
The Brazilian leader said Nigeria and Brazil once had a trade volume of more than $10 billion in the past, which has now plummeted to $1.6 billion, emphasizing that he is determined to strengthen bilateral relations.
“I am back to try to restore; to reclaim our good relations with Nigeria. I cannot imagine that a country of 216 million people and another of 213 million people do not have strong relations.
“Mr. President, I am 78 years old. You are 71. What keeps me energetic is that I fight for a cause. The cause of my nation and people. A great cause is the elixir of sustained vitality for experienced leaders.
“Nigeria and Brazil need stronger relations from the academic viewpoint; from the cultural viewpoint; from the commercial viewpoint; from the agricultural viewpoint; from the industrial relations viewpoint, and from trade relations viewpoint.
“It is meaningless that there are no direct flights from Lagos to Sao Paulo and vice versa. I cannot understand that. We have to sit at a table and find a solution for that. In aviation, there are many areas of potential collaboration with our manufacturers who seek to have a greater presence in Africa, “Lula Da Silva said.
Responding, Tinubu said Nigeria is ready to deepen ties with Brazil, noting that it is a “legacy of what can be done together to change the future for countless millions of our citizens”.
“We are stopping at nothing to remove all encumbrances to business. Red tape is being shredded around us. There is nothing we will not do to manifest the great potential of our nation. We are fighting corruption from the bottom to the top. We will prevent it, and we will remediate.
“We are very aware of your progressive legacies of social security provision, infrastructure, and reforms in Petrobras. We are in the process of implementing similar reforms in the NNPCL. We are focusing on investment in new production and new energy sources. We are investing in research, and we are removing obstacles to further partnerships in all areas of operation. There is opportunity for both companies in partnership,” he posited.
While identifying solid mineral exploration, agriculture, education, and healthcare as areas of immediate concern, Tinubu, who also emphasised that the will of the two leaders to collaborate is firmly established stated: “I agree that our countries must now have direct air links. I will form a committee of cabinet members who will work directly with your cabinet ministers, and they will urgently form a joint plan of action for the benefit of our two great countries. We may have missed opportunities in the past, but we now look ahead.
In the grand finale of the 1984 African Nations Cup, Nigeria scored first in the first half and ended up as losers. That was exactly what happened on February 11, 2024. William Troost Ekong’s header was not enough to give the Super Eagles glory.
Muda Lawal beat Indomitable Lions goalkeeper, Joseph Antoine Bell, ten minutes into the game, forty years ago. Rene N’Djeya responded in the 32nd minute before second half goals by Captain Theophile Abega and Ernest Ebongue gave Cameroon a 3-1 advantage.
Joseph Antoine Bell
In 2024, Ekong’s opener was cancelled in the second half and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire powered on to win earn a 2-1 victory that denied Nigeria another gold. The 1984 grand finale was in Abidjan, host of the 2024 final.
Remarkably, both grand finale games were played at stadia named after incumbent Ivorian leaders. Felix Houphouet – Boigny Stadium was the venue in 1984. Allasane Ouattara Stadium hosted in 2024.
In 1984, Green Eagles finished as runners – up in their group. Group leaders, Algeria, did not advance to the grand finale. In 2024, Guinea Equatorial topped the group, Nigeria placed second. The group winners were kicked out before the final.
Stephen Keshi who captained Nigeria in 1984 was a central defender. Ekong played the same role in 2024. In the 1984 semifinals, Keshi scored from the penalty spot against Egypt during regulation time. Ekong did it against South Africa in 2024.
Stephen Keshi
The 1984 semis against the Pharaohs went into penalty shoot out. Ademola Adesina, of Yoruba background, missed for the Eagles. In 2024, Bafana Bafana dragged the semis into penalty kicks. Ola Aina, from the South – West, missed.
In the 1984 edition, the Eagles used two goalkeepers, Peter Rufai and Patrick Okala. In 2024, the Eagles featured Stanley Nwabali and Francis Uzoho. It is interesting that Rufai and Nwabali have Rivers State connections.
Rufai lived in Port Harcourt, as Peter Jaja. An Idimu, Lagos prince, he was born to a Rivers woman. Nwabali, hails from the Egbema part of Rivers State just like former Inspector General of Police, Chief Mike Okiro who once served as Lagos State Police Commissioner.
When Nigeria faced Cameroon in 1984, the first goal was scored by a Yoruba, Muda Lawal. When the two countries met again in 2024, Ademola Lookman, from the South – West got the opening goal.
In 1984, the Eagles had a player with Paul as first name. Forty years later another Paul came. Paul Okoku and Paul Onuachu played youth football in Lagos before rising to the top. The other Paul in 1984 was a surname, Kingsley Paul.
The referees for the duel against Cameroon in 1984 and 2024, respectively, were from North Africa. Ali Bennaceur of Tunisia was in charge at the Felix Houphouet – Boigny Stadium while Morocco’s Redouane Jiyed handled proceedings at the Allasane Ouattara Stadium.
There was the Egyptian touch in 1984 semi finals where Green Eagles beat Pharaohs through penalty kicks. In the 2024 penalty shoot – out with Bafana Bafana, the man at the centre was Amin Omar of Egypt.
Rigobert Song was Manager when the Indomitable Lions lost to Green Eagles at the Felix Houphouet – Boigny Stadium. Forty years earlier, the Cameroonians were in Cote d’Ivoire with a player, Dagobert Ding, when they confronted Nigeria at the same stadium.
The Ivorians have a similar group stage story. In 1984, they lost two of their matches and one of the victors advanced to the grand finale. Egypt defeated the Elephants 2-1 while Cameroon humbled them 2-0. The Indomitable Lions played in the final against Nigeria.
In 2024, Cote d’Ivoire lost 1-0 to Nigeria in their second group match, after a brilliant 2-0 start against Guinea Bissau. The worst happened in the next match when Guinea Equatorial pounded the hosts 4-0. That disaster which led to the dismissal of French coach, Jean – Louis Gasset became a blessing as the Championships progressed.
Yousouf Fofana, at 17, was the youngest player at the Cote d’Ivoire 1984 African Nations Cup. He later won the trophy, in 1992, in his last attempt. Simon Adingra was voted Young Player of the Tournament in 2024. He won in his very first attempt.
From one Fofana in 1984, the Elephants paraded two more, goalkeeper Yahia Fofana and Seko Fofana in 2024. What one Fofana could not do in 1984, two Fofanas achieved forty years later.
The Green Eagles who played in the 1984 grand finale were all based at home. And they were led by a Nigerian, Adegboye Onigbinde, who threw away his foreign name, Festus. The coach had no African Nations Cup experience and was not given much chance.
The Super Eagles of the 2024 grand finale were all based outside Nigeria. Manager Jose Peseiro, wore Nigerian traditional attire to Abidjan, had no African Nations Cup experience and was given little respect before the championships by Nigerians.
The operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested one Ulagu Philemon Chukwuma ‘m’ 29 years for masterminding the kidnap of his boss’ son, Justin Nwakwo ‘m’ 12, on February 10, 2024, in Jabi, Abuja.
Philemon, a domestic worker, who serves as a Chef to the Nwakwo family, was arrested by officers of the Utako Police Divisional Headquarters who were following up on investigations to rescue the abducted boy and also to arrest the perpetrators.
According to a statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, investigations by the Police revealed that the principal suspect, who has since confessed to the crime, conspired with one Mc Donald Arinze, currently at large to commit the crime.
Adeh said the suspects had earlier forcefully obtained a cash sum of three million, nine hundred thousand naira (3,900,000) as ransom from the victim’s father.
She said: “The arm of the law however caught up with the criminals following intensified efforts by the Police. The boy was rescued unhurt and reunited with his parents. The cash sum earlier extorted was equally recovered.
“While effort is still ongoing to apprehend the suspects at large, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Benneth C. Igwe, psc, mni, wishes to reiterate his unflinching commitment to ensure the safety of all in the Territory.
“He equally encouraged residents to involve the Police in the profiling of their domestic workers, noting the new trend and pattern of kidnapping by domestic workers. He urged residents to report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines; 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883; PCB: 09022222352.”
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said that the country is in dire need of urgent solutions, emphasizing the need for leaders and citizens alike to reassess and revitalize the country amidst ongoing challenges.
He urged Nigerians to engage in honest introspection and collaborate in the nation’s restoration.
Tambuwal also reiterated the importance of empathy in leadership, highlighting the accountability that comes with trust.
He said: “Nigerians are going through serial challenges of hardship. We need soul searching to drive to find solutions to current realities.”
The former governor of Sokoto state said he deliberately chose to remain silent for nine months on the state of the Nigeria nation, saying he was on sabbatical.
He noted: “My quiet mood is my state of mind. I simply chose not to speak. When you are involved in something and the unexpected happens, you remain quiet. I have been introspective.
“We should all ignore partisanship of all sorts and return to the basis as citizens ready to demonstrate the needful for the country.”
Tambuwal made the remarks in Sokoto while speaking to journalists who he also charged to step up to their professional responsibility to make the country great.
He stated: “Nigeria needs you most at this trying moment. You are not doing enough. You have more than enough space to x-ray the country in defence of public and national interest. You are watchdogs and the voice of the voiceless. You need to hold and make the system drivers accountable.
“Journalism is service to humanity in the interest of the nation. Nigeria needs every one of us as a driver. The country is in the ICU for resuscitation.
“Is now that the country needs your professional strength for the needed change. We need to collectively give hope to the country and its citizens.”
Tambuwal said he was an active co-founder of APC but decided to leave for obvious foreseen situations.
He said: “My leaving the party in 2018 was signalled by foreseen situations that were not in tandem with realities.”
The Senate has assured Nigerians that it was doing necessary oversight activities to ensure that there is no hike in petroleum pump prices and electricity tariffs, despite the falling value of the naira against major world currencies.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, gave the assurance in an interview with journalists in Abuja.
When questioned about the Senate’s response to concerns regarding potential increases in electricity tariffs and fuel prices, due to high petroleum landing costs and the Federal Government’s indebtedness to electricity generating companies, he affirmed that the Senate was committed to preventing Nigerians from facing exorbitant costs for electricity and fuel.
Recall that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had last week hinted that Nigeria was not likely to sustain the current electricity subsidy.
He explained that the indebtedness of the country’s power sector to electricity-generating companies (GenCos) and gas companies (GasCos) had risen to over N3tn.
It has also been reported in the Media that due to the prevailing black-market rate of about N1,600 per dollar, the landing cost of petrol has soared to about N1,009 per litre, marking a substantial increase from N720 per litre recorded in October 2023.
Adaramodu said: “The issue of petroleum matter and that of power, especially the two, one, if you can just recall, the Senate, especially has instituted Committee probes into the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and even the oil sector generally and then we are awaiting the reports.
“The reports will determine our own approach to what we are going to advise or what we are going to compel the executive to do about this issue.
“On the issue of power too, a Minister can come out and say whatever he would like to say, which is as it applies to his ministry, but the minister is not the last voice on such issues.
“The presidency is there and even our own side, we have a committee solely responsible for power matters.
“Appropriately, those committees will swing into action and then, they will brief the Senate accordingly, and from their briefing, we would take a position
“When these committees swing into action, it’s not going to be the committee members alone that will be thinking and be talking.
“They are going to meet with very critical stakeholders and users of electricity, which are Nigerians, and users of petroleum products, which are Nigerians too, and then from there, we take it up.
“What I want to assure Nigerians is that the 10th Senate will not abandon them because it means that we have abandoned ourselves. We are not here on our own.
“There’s nothing that happens to one Nigerian that does not happen to us and because of that, we feel it even more than any other person because we are the very close people to our people.
“When they yawn, we feel the malaria and when they take even Panadol, we feel the relief.”
The Senate spokesman also insisted that the Senate would intervene appropriately on the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He said: “On the issue of the NLC strike, we learnt that the Federal Government has been meeting with them and yes, there’s an analogy, which I want to draw.
“When a child is crying for food, and the father is going up and down to ensure that food is provided for the child, if the child cries too much, by the time the food comes, the child will be too weak to eat the food. So it’s an analogy and I’m very sure that is what is taking place now.
Residents of Naze in Owerri North LGAs have expressed concern over the activities of some youths, who are illegally excavating sand inside the premises of Naze Secondary School, thereby creating a very deep and dangerous burrow-pit inside the school.
According to some concerned residents, the dangerous burrow-pit poses danger to the students, under aged children and the school’s buildings.
Besides, they are also afraid that some persons could see the burrow-pit as a dumping ground for refuse, including dead bodies. Some of them told STATESMAN that some criminal elements could also use the burrow-pit as a hideout, after carrying out their criminal activities elsewhere.
They, therefore, called for speedy investigation and intervention by the Imo State Ministry of Education, the Secondary Education Management Board and Imo State Environment Transformation Council (ENTRACO), among other relevant authorities.
Speaking to STATESMAN on the ugly development, a native of Umuakali Naze and concerned mother, Barrister (Mrs) Hope Ugboku Bendaniyah, disclosed that the illegal, massive sand excavation going on inside Naze Secondary School, if not checked, could result in disaster, as well as lead to high rate of crime in Naze and the neighbouring communities or towns.
She also appealed to Owerri North Town Planning Authority, Owerri Capital Development Authority, Imo State Ministry of Health/Health Management Board and other relevant agencies of government to wade in urgently.
Hear her: “The most agonizing thing about this dangerous burrow-pit is that, it is situated right in the middle of human habitations in the community, with very close proximity to residential houses.”
“We, the residents within its closest proximities feel most concerned because, we now leave in terror and agony, in anticipation of the dangers and negative consequences of this monster in the nearest future and during rainy seasons, which range from the dangers resulting from massive flood that may carry off our under aged children, the very old, and the sickly into this pit of death, to the dangerous gullies and subsequent landslides, to the detriment of surrounding buildings and roads that will surely be.”
Barrister Bendaniyah, who is also the State Legal Adviser to many APC women and non women groups in Imo State, insisted that the burrow-pit would fast become a paradise of convenience for lazy refuse disposers.
“Criminal elements will convert it into a past and convenient way of disposing criminally murdered corpses, aborted fetus and unwanted children, born to prostitutes and irresponsible mothers, students of the school will also have their own fair shares of troubles in all these hazards enumerated,” she further told the reporter.
Findings, however, revealed that the burrow-pit, where sand is excavated for the on-going road construction project of the old Owerri-Aba Road, is now abnormally deep and dangerously encroaching into Naze Secondary School premises because of the nefarious activities of some individuals, who are diverting the excavated sand from the burrow-pit for their private/ personal uses. It was discovered that some persons, with the backing of some politicians in the area are excavating the sand for sale, thereby, endangering the lives of persons and buildings in the vicinity.
For instance, there is allegation that a youth leader in the area is seriously involved in the illegal excavation of sand from the burrow-pit for sales.
According a source, money made from the excavated sand is shared between the youth Leader and his alleged political godfathers.
Other residents, who spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity disclosed how the area where the burrow-pit is sited, had been in contention between Umuakali and Umuosu villages.
They also alleged that some of the remote reasons for sitting the burrow-pit is to use it to alienate some portions of the school land, by some influential natives and subsequently, annex such alienated portions for sale and conversion into personal enterprises.
They also appealed to Governor Uzodimma to wade into the illegal, personal excavation of sand from the burrow-pit inside Naze Secondary School to forestall future crisis and calamity.
Nigerian Douye Nomayo has received the prize for best overall performance in the School of Health & Psychological Sciences at City, University of London.
The Medical doctor who graduated with a distinction received the prize after obtaining a Masters degree in Health Policy from City, University of London.
Before migrating to the United Kingdom, UK, Nomayo worked at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for nine years.
Nomayo in a press statement said she decided to pursue a second degree in Health Policy because of her interest in public service.
Nigerian Douye Nomayo
“During my time spent working in the hospital, I saw the suffering people went through to access healthcare, due to high cost or unavailability.
“I realised that healthcare practitioners must get more involved in politics in order to get problems in the health sector on the political agenda quickly. I set out to understand the financial and political aspects of policy-making in healthcare and learnt how to formulate, evaluate and improve on existing policies.
“Several countries have gone through health system reforms and their experiences can be leveraged upon to produce changes that will be financially feasible and acceptable to both healthcare providers and the Nigerian population,” she said.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has said the economic hardship and the rising prices of fuel and other commodities could lead to social unrest in Nigeria.
In its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024 released on Saturday, the AfDB said internal conflicts and violence could also result from rising prices for fuel and other commodities.
According to the financial institution, Ethiopia, Angola and Kenya could also experience social unrest following the rising cost of living and high prices of food items.
The AfDB projected Africa’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 per cent recorded in 2023, adding that the growth on the continent will rebound to 3.8% in 2024.
However, the bank cautioned that an increase in fuel and commodity prices occasioned by currency depreciation or subsidy removal in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia could trigger internal conflicts.
It stated, “Internal conflicts and violence could also result from rising prices for fuel and other commodities due to weaker domestic currencies and reforms.
“For instance, the removal of fuel subsidies in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria and the resulting social costs has led to social unrest driven by opposition to government policy.”
Also, the AfDB said the rise of geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, in addition to the El Nino phenomenon, may trigger supply chain disruptions, which could aggravate energy and food inflation across the world, with Africa more vulnerable to these shocks.
Naija News reports that the rising cost of living in the country has led some Nigerians to hit the streets in some states in recent times in protest.
The protest over increasing hardship started in Minna, Niger State, on February 5, with many other states such as Kano and Ogun holding similar protests after.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday, expressed confidence that his political camp would defeat any opposition in the 2027 elections.
The former Rivers State Governor who has been in a face-off with his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, stated this during a thanksgiving service by a federal lawmaker, Senator Barinada Mpigi in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area of the state.
The FCT Minister claimed that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), are united in Rivers State ahead of the next general elections.
He said, “With the forces we have, I don’t know of anybody who can challenge us. I can tell you it is like tomorrow is 2027. For me it is still very far, I can’t wait.
“The two leadership of the party, APC is here, PDP is here; where can you find that leadership unity? Which state? It is only in Rivers that you can find that unity.
“And that is what many people don’t like. When they see people united and working together, they find how to make sure they are divided, but since we know, we have refused to be divided”.
Recall that Rivers State was recently in a political crisis following alleged moves by Wike to impose decisions on the current administration.
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, Sylvanus Namang, is dead.
It was learnt that Namang was shot dead in Pankshin town, Pankshin Local Government Area of the state.
According reports, the deceased left home on Saturday to attend a burial in Pankshin, where he was suddenly killed outside his hotel room in the area by hoodlums who opened fire at him around 7:30 am.
Confirming the incident, an APC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Namang died from injuries sustained in the attack.
He stated that the late Namang was a dependable ally and deeply committed to the development of the APC at the grassroots and state levels, adding that the party would issue a statement regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku, has been forced to close down following incessant attacks on students by hoodlums.
The Rector of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu announced the closure of the institution during the weekend.
According to her, students are expected to resume academic activities on Monday, February 26.
The Students Union Government, (SUG), of the school also issued a statement ordering all students in the hostels to comply with the management’s directive to proceed on semi semester break.
Reports from Ogwashi- Uku said most of the hostels outside and inside the campus have been deserted over fears of attacks by hoodlums.
Some students have lost handsets and laptops to the hoodlums, while some females have been raped.
An eyewitness who gave her name as Chisom Gladys, narrated how the hoodlums attacked the students.
“They went to the first room, bending the steel protector and pulling out the rods in the casement window in order to gain entrance and proceeded to rob the boy who stays in the room.
“If they had continued breaking down the doors like that, they would have come across my room, but it seems they noticed that most of the persons staying in the first block of the hostel were girls, so they switched to the second block which was occupied by boys and that was how I escaped being robbed.
“They robbed the first room in the block, carting away phones and other valuable properties and it was in the second room that they shot the boy residing there on the leg.
“According to what we heard coming from the room, the boy was shot twice, but the first bullet failed to penetrate his body, while he was able to extract the second bullet from his leg by himself before the police arrived and took him to the hospital hours later.
“The last room that was robbed was occupied by a boy who happened to be sleeping on his corridor because of the heat. Immediately he woke up and saw the robbers, he tried to run inside the house but he was caught and beaten thoroughly with cutlasses and other weapons.”
It was gathered that the state Commissioner of Police, AbaniwondaOlufemi, has summoned the area commander and the divisional police officer in Ogwashi-Uku over the matter.
Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure has vowed to sue the party’s national treasurer, Oluchukwu Oparah for allegedly defaming his person, reputation and character.
Abure made this vow in an interview with Arise Television, during his right of reply to the claims of Oparah.
The Labour Party chairman said Oparah only made the claims to mislead the public and destabilize the party.
Abure said, “She has come to lie and to misinform members of the party in order to bring us and the party to disrepute. She was in this studio and said she never had access to the account and didn’t know how the account was run and so, I came here with these checks that she co-signed.
“Those checks that were signed between February and march 2021, but these are public documents that you can get from the bank and so you can ask her to bring the evidence that those monies were withdrawn without her signature.
“I must also state that beyond a right of reply, if not that there was an insistence that I should reply, ordinarily I will get people to reply and put all the facts before you. But I decided to come and make a few clarifications.
“My lawyers are working and by today, those cases of defamation will be filed against Oluchukwu Oparah who came on national television to defame my reputation and bring down my person.
“There is no way I would have taken this for granted. By today or tomorrow, my lawyers will file. I find it very embarrassing that it is even those within the party that are being used to destabilize the party.”
Abure also provided some cheques, which he said were signed by the national treasurer, who had claimed that she has no idea of what is going on with regards to the party’s finances.
He said “First and foremost, I need to make it abundantly clear that I am the first national chairman of the party that has been able to make and ensure that we have financial records in the office.
“Before my assumption as the national chairman in 2021, there were no financial records in the office. Oluchi Oparah has been the national treasurer of the office from 2014 till date. I will challenge her to bring all her records from 2014 till 2021 before I assumed office in 2021.
“I must make it clear that I have never at any point in time stopped or prevented Oluchi Oparah from carrying out her duties as National treasurer of the party. Today, it is no longer in vogue that people will pay into the treasurer’s account. People do direct transfers.
“I must also put on record here that it is not true that the party has collected over 3.5 billion. I need to make it clear that we already have audited reports made by a certified auditor of the party who has reviewed all the records and we have all the audited statements of accounts from 2022 to 2023.
“The total money that entered the party in summary between 2022 and now is 1.3billion. We also got 700 million which were the campaign funds that went straight to the campaign organizations for the campaigns. So, I didn’t know and I cannot reconcile where she got the 3.5 billion that she talked about.”
“We have three accounts. One in zenith, fidelity and one in UBA and then the signatories are myself as A signatory, national secretary as B signatory and the national treasurer as signatory C.
“The party came under attack just after the 2023 elections, obviously the intention is to destabilize, disorganize and take over the leadership of the party and therefore destroy the very foundation of the party so that there will not be credible opposition in the country. It is clear and very obvious that a lot of people are being used to disrupt the party.”
Meanwhile, Abure debunked the claims that he has plans to run for governorship in Edo state.
He said, “In Edo state for instance, I must say here that I am not interested in the gubernatorial race and I am not going to run.
“I feel like the process must be transparent, open and must be competitive and I feel the reason we have bad leadership is because all other political parties have lacked internal party democracy and therefore the best cannot come out of the parties, that’s why in Edo state, I have that responsibility to do that for the people of Edo that they get the best.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured Nigerians that the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration will soon yield positive results.
Wike gave the assurance on Sunday during a thanksgiving service organised by Senator Barinada Mpigi in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The minister called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s economic reform policies to address the economic hardship and poverty in the country.
According to Wike, it won’t be easy to turn the fortunes of the nation around in a short time frame, following the bad economy inherited by President Tinubu.
He said: “God in His infinite mercies will continue to give us the strength to work together to support Mr President. So many people in this country hardly remember yesterday, we are in a rush – we have problem, but have you asked yourself how was yesterday? Decisions of Mr President, if we are patient by the end of the day, we will get to where we want to get to.”
The event was also attended by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, among other dignitaries.
The Organised Labour is prepared to lower its demand for N1m minimum wage for workers in the country, in line with realities on the ground.
The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and a member of the labour unions, Akeem Ambali, stated this in an interview.
Recall that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, had in a recent interview said the rising inflation in the country might push organized labour to demand N1 million as minimum wage.
Speaking with newsmen, Ambali, who is also a member of the Minimum Wage Committee, said the organized labour has shifted its ground on the N1 million proposed minimum wage.
Ambali said one of the principles of collective bargaining allows all parties to look into all factors before an amount would be agreed on.
He stated that the shift in position will likely be communicated to the Federal Government during the second meeting of the tripartite committee on the minimum wage on Monday and Tuesday.
He said: “The principle of collective bargaining allows compromise, once the parties look at all factors to ensure an agreeable amount is reached.
“The second meeting of the minimum wage committee has been slated for Monday and Tuesday.
On the timeline of March for the expiration of the current minimum wage, we hope that the committee, the Presidency, and the National Assembly will expedite action to ensure that the new Minimum Wage Act would have come to replace the old one by April 1, 2024.”
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Rev. David Ajang, has urged the Federal Government to urgently take steps toward tackling hunger and the security challenges currently confronting the nation.
Ajang made the call on Sunday at a Thanksgiving Mass organised by the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, held at St Aloysius Catholic Church, Doma.
The bishop said tackling insecurity and hunger would not only promote peace but would significantly improve the living standard of Nigerians.
“This is a critical time; security is a big problem and the second one is hunger.
I think something is needed to be done” he said.
The cleric, who quoted various verses in the Bible, called on Christians and Nigerians in general to eschew evil, adding that such move would enable them inherit God’s kingdom.
Ajang also urged Nigerians to use their God’s given talents toward promoting peace and development in the nation.
He admonished Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun cyber and all forms of crime.
“Before now people were doing Yahoo in hiding, but today a lot are proud of doing yahoo in the open
”Young people must desist from all forms of crime, that way our society will be better,” the bishop advised.
He urged Christians to regularly show gratitude to God at all times, to attract God’s favour and blessings.
The bishop assured the deputy governor of his support and constant prayers for God’s guidance as he support his principal in running the affairs of the state.
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has accused a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, of committing so many economic offences during his time in power as the head of the country’s apex bank.
The atrocities the Senate President accused Emefiele of committing include illegal possession of firearms, printing naira notes without authorization, and others which put Nigeria in an economic mess.
He said there is hunger in Nigeria today because of the type of policies and actions taken under Emefiele’s watch during the past administration.
Akpabio, however, submitted that despite the damages caused by the past administration, the government of President Bola Tinubu is battling to ensure Nigerians can sleep with their eyes closed and eat three square meals a day.
While appealing for patience from Nigerians, Akpabio, who spoke personally during a recent event, said the current leadership would get to the bottom of everything and turn things around for the better.
He said the damages that have happened in Nigeria for so many years can not be corrected in just six months.
Recall that Emefiele, after he was removed from office by President Tinubu, is currently standing trial before a court on charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit felony.
Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), on Saturday, said he is surprised the South Eastern part of the country has remained quiet amid the worsening economic hardship facing the country.
This is even as he urged the President to buy food, flood the market and feed the people before things get too late.
Yusuf made this known on Saturday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme.
There have been agitations against the increasing hunger in some parts of the country, most of them from the south west and northern part of the country.
However, Yusuf found it surprising that the South East has remained calm.
He said: “I honestly don’t know why the South East is quiet, uncharacteristically quiet. But the President needs to find out. The North is where I know I live; even my heritage is. The silence in the North is more lethal than anywhere else in the country. And the President needs to listen to that.
“The silence in the North, from the people of the North, in spite of the suffering people are going through, is more lethal than people coming out.
“We are going into the month of Ramadan, people are going to pray. We ask the President to buy food, flood the market and feed the people before things get too late.
“The whole country is suffering. There’s hunger in the land. We hope you listen. Don’t listen to your advisers. Bring a whole lot of money for food, don’t wait for the governors.”
Six people have been killed while five others were abducted in an attack by bandits on Kwasam community, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A resident of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said in a telephone interview on Saturday that the incident happened a few minutes after 10pm on Friday.
He said the bandits came in large numbers and were armed with sophisticated weapons.
According to him, on arrival, the bandits abducted two people, who at gun point, led them to the residence of one Mr. Zakariya Markus, a retired director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), his younger brother and wife.
He said as the bandits were leaving the community with the five abducted persons, the residents rushed out in an attempt to rescue them.
However, the bandits started shooting sporadically at them and in the process, six people were killed, while two others were injured.
He said: “The village came under attack by Fulani men a few minutes after 10pm on Friday. When they came, they picked two people, who at gun point, led them to the residences of Mr. Zakariya Markus, a prominent man in the community, who happened to be a retired director of the CBN and kidnapped him.
“After picking him, they moved to their family house and picked his younger brother, Mr. Monday Markus and the wife.
“So five people were kidnapped, but as the kidnappers were leaving the community with them, residents rushed out to pursue the criminals in an attempt to rescue the victims.
“But the bandits were shooting sporadically at them and in the process, six people were killed, while two others were injured.”
According to him, those killed included DanmasaniGwaska, Mrs. Giwa John, KapishiBarmu, GanyaUbangida, ShigamaSalisu and GaniMagawata.
Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, could not be reached when contacted as his telephone was not connecting.
The Lagos State Government will on Monday, February 19 commence the full enforcement of the ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam food containers all over the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, TokunboWahab, disclosed this on Friday while meeting with all market leaders in the state at the BlueRoof in Alausa, Ikeja.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the ministry’s spokesman, KunleAdeshina.
According to the statement, the commissioner said that enforcement officers from LAGESC/KAI, Environmental Health Officials and LAWMA Police and the Ministry would go after all those having the styrofoams in their shops, stores or outlets and confiscate them.
“I would like to appeal to all our traders to desist from selling on the railway lines and all the roads. Also, we must stop littering our market with waste. We must segregate our wastes in our respective markets; bag our wastes and ensure we patronise PSP operators,” the commissioner said.
The Olu of Owode in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba KolawoleSowemimo, has been suspended for two months without pay.
A viral video in early January showed the royal father decorating a popular fuji musician, WasiuAyinde, with new notes of N1,000 .
The council moved against Sowemimo for publicly degrading Nigerian currency, an offence that contravenes the law of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).
However, during the Egba Traditional Council meeting chaied by the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba AdedotunGbadebo on Friday, ObaSowemimo was suspended.
The meeting in a joint resolution adopted the suspension of the monarch following the recommendation of its Ethics Committee which declared that during the period of his (Sowemimo) suspension, he should not parade himself as a traditional ruler.
It was further gathered that the resolution emphasised that Sowemimo should not be invited or seen at any government or public function as a traditional ruler, and for three months should not receive any payments
The Chairman of a three-member Ethics Committee of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba SakaMatemilola, who read the report of the committee, said that the committee came to its decision after examining the viral video in which Sowemimo breached the ethics of a Yoruba traditional institution by defacing Nigeria’s currency.
The committee chairman, who is the Olowu of Owu, said findings revealed that the embattled traditional ruler was seen holding strewn naira as a bead and hanging onto the neck of a musician in public.
The chairman added that a lot of public condemnation of the act inundated the council with derisive comments on the traditional institution, stressing that the said Oba’s action is in contradiction of Section 21(1) of Central Bank Act, 2007.
The suspended monarch confirmed the development on Saturday, stating that he was suspended due to the way he spent money on a musician.
“They said the suspension was due to the way I spent money on one musician.
“And when I was asked if I had anything to say, I stood up and apologised for whatever I had done wrong and the suspension which was earlier announced to be for three months without salaries was reduced to two months.
“I totally accept the verdict of the council because it is the person that we love that we chastise, so I am good with the decision,” he said.
Reacting to the video in a statement signed and directed to the monarch, Director General, NOA, LanreIssa-Onilu, said the display was an abuse of the national currency that attracts imprisonment, fines or both.
The Imo State Technical Working Group for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine introduction has been inaugurated.
Performing the inauguration ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Rev Sister Joannes Uzoma said that Imo State was one of the states selected in the second phase for the introduction of the novel vaccine.
In her exposition,she stated that cancer was one of the deadliest diseases, cervical cancer being the second most killer disease for the women folk.
In her exposition she described cancer as a development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. She declared that cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world.
She qouoted research in Nigeria as pinpointing cervical cancer as the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years. In 2020, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer.
She further revealed that virtually all cervical cancers are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV).
On the type of vaccine available for the health programme coming up in May in the State,the Executive Secretary of IMPHCDA said that a single dose of Gardasil 9 was approved by NAFDAC for Nigeria.
She emphasized that the HPV vaccine is most effective when given to girls and boys before they become sexually active, which is why it is recommended for girls aged 9-14 years old.
According to her, WHO estimates that cervical cancer could be the first cancer to be eliminated if 90 per cent of girls are vaccinated against HPV, 70 per cent of women are screened, and 90 per cent of women with the disease receive treatment and encouraged parents, guardians and those in positions of care to present their wards for the vaccination.
Speaking on the role of the HPV Technical Working Group (TWG ),the Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Odom stated that the Group will be responsible for the mapping of all relevant HPV stakeholders. They will also provide coordination, management and planning for all stakeholders meeting throughout the Introduction and provide overall guidance in the smooth running of the operations rooms during the introduction of the HPV vaccine amongst others.
The DPO in charge of Ikeduru Divisional Police Headquarters, CSP Goodluck Ohiole, has visited the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha, at the Assembly complex to chat a way forward for the Constituency.
In his speech, Hon Johnleoba, thanked the DPO and specifically appreciated the Imo State Commissioner of Police , CP Danjuma Aboki, for assembling a team of dedicated and committed officers that are working round the clock to rid the state of criminal elements, especially, tackling the menace of arm robbery, kidnapping, car-snatching and challenge of “unknown gunmen”.
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Police, Imo State Command for its efforts in ensuring security and safety of lives and property of citizens in the state, pointing out that they have almost become issues of the past.
The lawmaker appealed to his constituents to continue to resist the urge to commit crime and to report suspicious activities to the police, appealing to them to continue to support the vision driven leadership of his Excellency Governor hope Uzodimma.
According to the Ikeduru Lawmaker, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Commerce and Industry, his efforts are geared towards forming a synergy with the Police, by providing security backup.
“So you can consolidate in carrying out your assigned duties, in protecting lives and property, as DPO in Ikeduru Police Division. The responsibility of securing lives and property in Ikeduru Local Government should not and cannot be left alone in the hands of the Police.”
The Lawmaker said, pointing out that collaborative effort should be encouraged so as to achieve optimum results.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to pray for his mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan and his family following the death of his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein.
Jonathan said the death of Madam Obebhatein traumatised their mother.
He spoke during the burial of Madam Obebhatein in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday.
Jonathan noted that Madam Obebhatein, who died aged 70 on January 11, 2024, was his only surviving sibling from his aged mother.
According to him: “Death, as they say, is something we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters. Yes, we will all die someday but the time matters.
“My elder sister died at a time that we can gather these celebrities to celebrate her, but that our mother is to mourn her is the nasty aspect of the whole thing.
“My mother has lost her first child that ought to mourn her when God calls her. I have to sincerely thank the Bayelsa State First Lady and other women who came around her because I was then in London.
“If you knew what she used to be and what she is now, you would know that she is still traumatised. So continue to pray for my mum. God will see us through. I thank you.”
The Lagos State Government has warned that it would start penalizing house owners found guilty of renting out their apartments at exorbitant fees.
This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who stated that the government would wield a big stick on allottees who engaged in sharp practices.
Akinderu-Fatai said residents of various state housing schemes have filed complaints about the high rent being charged by homeowners, adding that the state government will withdraw allocation from culpable homeowners.
The Commissioner said: “The essence of asking allottees to make a five per cent down payment and spread the remaining amount for ten years was to make life bearable for Lagosians.
“This is what Mr Governor wants to achieve, but some people seem to be taking Mr Governor’s magnanimity for granted. They are renting those apartments out to make money. The question is why do people try to inconvenience others when the government intended to make life bearable for citizens?”
Akinderu-Fatai called on the facility managers and association members in the estates to report culpable allottees to the ministry, adding that those homeowners would forfeit their apartments with their payment refunded.
The commissioner assured that the State Government will continue to cater to the needs of first-time buyers who are in dire need of such accommodation facilities through outright purchase and rent-to-own platforms.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, AbdulhafisToriola, an engineer, said a lot of complaints have been received from some of the estates that some homeowners harbor people of questionable character, hence posing a threat to residents.
He noted that the ministry, as a matter of urgency shall investigate and take the right step towards safeguarding the lives and prosperity of residents in the affected estates.
The Permanent Secretary also urged allottees to take ownership of joint facilities and follow the rules put in place to maintain the estates.
Reactions have trailed proposal by the Federal Government to remove its financial assistance for electricity in the country.
This move, as made known, recently, has thrown Nigerians into a deep anxiety as it would jeopardize many areas of daily income by the citizens.
Hoteliers, shop owners, artisans and other residents who make use of electricity supply for their daily business have expressed worry that there would be an increment in electricity tariffs if the government removes the subsidy as it has announced.
A hotelier in Owerri, Uchenna Njoku, described electricity as a social service that helps the well-being of Nigerians in various ways.
“Electricity is the only thing we are relying on, in this critical time. If government removes the subsidy, how else can we cope?”, he asked.
A Saloon owner; Chioma Ngoka, Andy Nwogu and the former Senior Legislative Aide to ex- House of Representatives member for Orlu, Orsu & Oru East; Hon. Unamma Olemgbe, pleaded with the Federal government not to remove the subsidy and that it is not the right time to take a such decision.
The Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election committee for Edo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma on Saturday declared Hon. Dennis Idahosa as winner of the primary election conducted in Edo State.
Announcing the result after collations, Governor Uzodimma said; “And the primaries have been duly collated and results returned to our secretariat.”
Governor Uzodimma was flanked by his deputy and Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, former deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs Titi Laoye- Tomori, and other members of the committee.
He disclosed that earlier there was some kind of misinformation as to the venue and (or) the secretariat of the primary election, but clarified that the Party secretariat remained where the results were expected to be collated and announced.
The Chairman who is also the Imo State Governor said following agreement by all stakeholders, after a reasonable dialogue, a direct primary method was adopted that eventually led to the primary election being conducted in the eighteen (18) Local Government Areas of Edo State and one hundred and ninety two (192) electoral Wards of the State.
After announcing the result, the primary election committee Chairman drew the attention of the party faithful and delegates to the need for affirmation of the result by the delegates who cast the votes.
He said: Having declared the result, I want to take a motion from the delegates, so we can affirm the result by the delegates as a true representation of what transpired in the field.”
Consequently a delegate, one Mr Charity from Obiihkor moved the motion thus: “I hereby move that the primary election which took place today, 17th of February 2024, across the 192 Wards, in the 18 LGAs of Edo State was conducted in accordance with the party constitution, that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner and the total votes cast was 42, 381, out of which Hon. Dennis Idahosa scored majority of lawful votes cast.”
He was also seconded by another delegate, Mr. Charles Orosanye from Okada Council while there was no dissenting voice when the Chairman called for counter motion.
After the motions were heard, Governor Uzodimma requested for voice vote affirmation by their fellow delegates which they unanimously
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advised President Bola Tinubu to throw in the towel if he cannot provide a sustainable solution to the problems plaguing the nation.
The PDP Governors who gave the advice in a statement at the weekend reminded the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of the need to be guided by the fact that it is (APC) that sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria, not to compound them or shift blame and use propaganda to confuse issues.
The Governors noted that the hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians have no tribal, religious or party colouration, stressing that “a hungry man is an angry man”.
Accordingly, the governors said while all tiers of government have a role to play, the APC led Federal Government has a disproportionate role to mobilise Nigerians and all organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions, adding that “If it cannot do so or is unable to do so, it should graciously throw in the towel.”
The PDP Governors pointed out that the buck ultimately stops at the President’s table as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Chief Salesman and leader of Nigeria.
However, they promised to continue to work collaboratively with the President in finding lasting solutions to “a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015”.
The Governors also frowned at the Minister of Information, APC Governors’ Forum and other officials of the APC-led Federal Government who criticised the PDP-GF for their suggestions, advice and “patriotic intervention on the way forward for the country in a communique issued at the end of their recent meeting in Abuja.”
“Attempts by the Minister of Information, APC Governors’ Forum and other officials of the Federal Government who criticised the PDP Governors’ Forum for their patriotic intervention should be guided by the fact that the APC sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria not to compound them or shift blame, or grandstand or use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues.”
“PDP governed States are comparatively the best in Nigeria in terms of developmental policies, programmes, and projects that benefit their States positively, regular payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and minimum wage to their workforce.
“State governments that are delinquent on these issues are not of PDP extraction. It is false to say so.
“Even the food crises are exacerbated by insecurity and high exchange rate issues, among others, which are largely federal subjects.
“The PDP Governors as stakeholders in governance would continue to work collaboratively with Mr. President to find lasting solutions to a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015. We believe in co-operative Federalism.
“We are not in doubt that he is trying his best. We only hope and pray that his best is good enough to take Nigeria out of the woods in the shortest possible time”, they said in the statement signed by Hon CID Maduabum, Director-General of PDP Governors’ Forum.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reopened Sahad Stores, a supermarket located in the Garki area of Abuja.
A Saturday visit by Channels Television to the supermarket revealed that business activities are gradually picking up after it was sealed on Friday.
On Friday, the supermarket was sealed by an enforcement team, for engaging in “misleading pricing and lack of transparency in pricing”.
The FCCPC in a statement said investigations revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves and charged higher prices at checkout.
The commission said the investigation included all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja, in a bid to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues and implement corrective measures across the entire chain.
According to the agency’s acting executive Vice Chairman, AdamuAbdullahi, the commission had invited members of the supermarket management to defend themselves, but they failed to show up.
But he said following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices, “the FCCPC reopened the store on February 16, 2024, at about 7:00 pm.”
“Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times,” the statement read.
“The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights.
“The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices. Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors.
“The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment.”
The Methodist Church Nigeria has commended the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for contemplating the establishment of state police to curb the growing rate of insecurity across the country.
This was, even as the Church called on President Tinubu, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia and relevant agencies to come to the aide of the people of Agatu, Otukpo and Apa Local Government of Benue State, who have come under sustained attacks from Fulani herdsmen for the past weeks.
Rising from a 3-day apex Leadership and Prayer Retreat for the Dioceses in the
Northern Region held at the Norcross Memorial Cathedral, Otukpo, Benue State, weekend, the church also urged the government to ensure that the state police be properly equipped and funded, when established.
Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba (JP), signed the Communique at the end of the retreat.
According to the Communique, the leadership of the church called on the “government at all levels to rise up to the challenges and do all within her powers to make life comfortable for the masses”.
While condemning unprovoked attacks and killings of innocent citizens in some communities within Apa, Otukpo, Agatu and other parts of Benue State, the religious body also called on the government and the security agencies to do the needful in bringing the situation under control.
The communique partly read: “That the Retreat encourages all Methodist Leaders and Members to join forces with the Prelate, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba (JP) in prayers and crystallizing our vision for building the Church.
“That the Retreat encourages all Christian faithful to intensify prayers for divine interventions in the affairs of our nation Nigeria, especially in the area of insecurity and the economic hardship facing the masses.
“That the Retreat calls on the Government at all levels to rise up to the challenges and do all within her powers to make life comfortable for the masses.
“The Retreat decries and condemn the unprovoked attacks and killing of innocent citizens in some communities within Apa, Agatu Local Government Councils and other parts of Benue State and calls on Government and Security agencies to do the needful in bringing the situation under control.
“That the Government should utilise the proceeds of fuel subsidy to create jobs and put up measures that can ameliorate the suffering of the masses.
“The Retreat commends the Government on the decision to allow the State Police to come to existence and encourage that they should be properly equipped and
funded.
“That Government should ensure that our borders are tight, so as to check its porousness to stop the influx of criminal elements from our neighbouring countries who may pose security threats to the Nation.”
Recall that President Tinubu, on Thursday, set up a committee made up of state governors and federal government officials to work out modalities for the establishment of the long agitated state police, its funding and equipment.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued health safety guidelines for the heatwave currently being experienced in parts of the country.
The association made the advisory in a message posted via its X handle on Saturday.
The advisory, titled, ‘Stay safe in the heatwave,’ read, “As temperatures soar, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and take care of ourselves.”
The association warns “that the extreme temperatures could provoke ill health, endanger eutherian and may cause death. Staying safe in hot weather is essential for your well-being. Let us look out for each other and take the necessary precautions to stay healthy.”
The tips are as follows:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can contribute to dehydration.
Wear loose, light-weight and light-coloured to help your body stay cool.
Seek shade: Limit your time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must be outside, seek shade whenever possible.
Take cool showers or baths as they can help lower your body temperature and provide relief from the heat.
Know the signs of heat-related illnesses: Be aware of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid heartbeats and confusion. Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had said that the excessive heat being experienced in the country presently would remain for a while.
The agency, in the post, also outlined the weather implications and guided the public on how to manage the situation.
“Air Temperatures hit 41°C over the North and 39°C over the South with model projections indicating temperatures to remain high in the coming days,” NiMET said.
The agency listed the implications of the heat, noting, “This could also cause fainting; chickenpox disease, measles, heat rash, weakness of the body, slight fever, and dry lips; heat-related illnesses; respiratory issues; and increased vulnerability to chronic conditions.”
However, NiMET advised citizens to ensure adequate fluid intake. seek shade, use fans, and wear light, breathable clothing to reduce exposure to high temperatures, amongst others.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), on Thursday re-arraigned Uche Chigozie, a professor, and three companies before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N1.47 billion.
Visionary Integrated Consulting Ltd., Nemad Associates Ltd., and Revamp Global Enterprises are the companies.
The defendant was alleged to have converted the sum through the account of Visionary Integrated Consulting Ltd. (second defendant).
Chigozie is standing trial before Justice Isaac Dipeolu on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, stealing, and money laundering.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts since the other defendants are not physical persons.Chigozie was first arraigned in August 2023, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, and had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Oweibo was later transferred out of the Lagos division, and the case was transferred to the new judge, Dipeolu.
Following the defendant’s plea on Thursday, defence counsel, Mr. Edudo Mefo, urged the court to allow the defendant to continue on an earlier bail granted by the court on Aug. 7, 2023. But the prosecutor, Mrs Chineye Okezie, urged the court only to allow the defendant to continue on his existing bail, if the defence counsel would undertake to ensure his attendance in court.
Okezie explained to the court that the defendant had been absent on certain occasions, which she claimed had caused some “drama”. Therefore, the prosecutor insisted that she would not oppose it if the defence counsel made that undertaking.
In response, the defense counsel told the court that when the defendant was first granted bail, his sureties included his biological father and a legal practitioner.
He told the court that he was willing to add to the number and undertook to ensure the defendant’s attendance in court. Following the parties’ agreement, the court adjourned the case until March 13, for trial.
In the charge, Chigozie was alleged to have conspired with the other defendants to use the sum of N1.47 billion belonging to the Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria.
The EFCC said they should have known that the money formed part of the proceeds of their unlawful fraud activity.
The defendant was also alleged to have retained the sum of N197 million in his bank account, part of the proceeds of an illegal act of gratification.
He was alleged to have used the sum of N120 million to acquire a property in his name, at the Gwarimpa area of Abuja and another N200 million to acquire two properties in Owerri, Imo State. The defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sum of N90 million to acquire several plots of land in Owerri.
The Police Service Commission, (PSC), has fixed Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 for the Computer Based Test (CBT) for successful applicants who scaled through the just concluded credentials and physical screening exercise held across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, in a statement on Thursday, said a total of 171,956 applicants who were successful from the screening exercise are expected to take part in the CBT.
Candidates for the aptitude tests are applicants for the General Duty positions.
The 43,778 applicants who were successful from the specialists cadre during the screening exercise are expected to go through practical tests at a date to be announced soon.
The statement said the Commission, after the meeting of the Police Recruitment Board on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, approved that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), should conduct the CBT for the police applicants because of its longstanding pedigree in such examinations.
In the General Duty cadre, 315,114 applicants were invited for the screening exercise out of which 171,956 were successful and shortlisted for the JAMB CBT.
“The 171,956 applicants shortlisted are made up of 25,818 females and 146,138 males.
“Kaduna State will be presenting the highest number of candidates for the tests with12,343 followed by Bauchi with 10,911, Benue, 10,532 and Katsina,10,457,” the statement said.
In the same vein, Anambra has the least number of candidates for the aptitude tests with 343 applicants followed by Lagos, 504 and Ebonyi, 600.
Successful candidates from the computer based tests will be required to appear for medical examinations before they proceed for training.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the proposed education loan scheme, stating that it will leave students in inescapable debt
ASUU, following its National Executive Council meeting at the Niger Delta University in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, expressed dismay on Thursday over reports that detailed the unfulfilled commitments of the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
These commitments were intended to resolve the longstanding issues that prompted the union to initiate a nationwide strike from February to October 2022.
ASUU maintained its stance that the Students Loan Scheme, advocated by international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, would deprive public universities of necessary funding.
The statement read, “For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC of ASUU reiterated its rejection of the Students Loan Scheme, which is being promoted by international money lending agencies such as IMF and World Bank.
“Nigerians should be aware that the scheme is a way of starving public universities of funding and a ploy to divert public funds into private universities owned by politically exposed individuals and their friends.
“NEC further observed that the students’ loan scheme will mortgage the entire university system and keep our promising students in perpetual indebtedness. If the scheme could fail in some better-managed economies, there is no guarantee that it will succeed in Nigeria where unbridled corruption, nepotism, and other unsavoury tendencies conspired to kill the Education Bank project after over five years of its existence.
” ASUU, on the other hand, proposed that to truly invest in the future of Nigerian students, both state and Federal Governments should offer grants and scholarships and reintroduce the Needs-Based Budgeting System to the university structure, for enhanced efficiency. That Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced during a meeting with a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by its President, Lucky Emonefe, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, that the Federal Student Loan Scheme is expected to launch in the next two to three weeks.
Last week, the National Vice Chairman of APC in South East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, with his formidable team, paid a Courtesy Visit to Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, at his palace, where he assessed the First Class Monarch as a man of excellent qualities.
Indeed, it is on record that Arodiogbu since he assumed office as National Vice Chairman of APC in South East, had consulted worthy Igbo leaders on ways forward for the region, saying his visit to the Paramount Traditional Ruler was germane given to the sterling role the Igwe plays in the development, peace and advancement of Igbo Land and Nigeria.
Arodiogbu submitted that APC is a party that respects Traditional Institutions, seeks advice on matters affecting their people within their domain.
According to the Imo State born pragmatic politician, humanist and medical doctor, “we have come here to associate ourselves with one of the finest Traditional Rulers in Igbo Land and given such pedigree as paraded by the Obi of Onitsha, we know that Igwe Achebe is a man of several exceptional qualities, qualities men like us would always love to associate with”.
He added “in my consultation into Igbo Land, to make the APC an acceptable party in the South East, we must consult the likes of Igwe Achebe, owing to the strategic importance of his Throne and the good people of Onitsha. Igwe, let me state that the APC under my watch will always respect and consider Traditional Rulers as important storehouses of wisdom and would regularly seek out such priceless counsel at all given time. I must say that I am indeed awed by the level of intelligence and background knowledge of the Obi of Onitsha on various topical issues of Nigeria, especially in the spheres of economy and security.”
While reiterating his firm commitment to adding to the political, social and economic advancement of South East and Nigeria, Arodiogbu wished Igwe Achebe good health, long life and peace within his domain.
Welcoming Arodiogbu and his team to his palace, Igwe Achebe thanked them heartily
for visiting him, even as he wished them well.
Those who accompanied the National Vice Chairman of APC in South East on the August Visit included the Zonal Organizing Secretary, Dozie Ikedife, Senator who represented Anambra North, Emma Anosike and the Vice Chairman, Anambra APC North, Emma Ekwuaju.
