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Hardship, Insecurity: Tinubu, Govs, IGP, WIke, others in emergency meeting

President Bola Tinubu is in an emergency meeting with all the governors from across the federation, the Inspector General of Police, KayodeEgbetokun, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC) Chief NyesomWike and other stakeholders.

Vice President KashimShettima is also at the meeting, which commenced around 11:30am on Thursday.

The meeting, which is taking place at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, is not unconnected with the security and economic crisis ravaging the nation. The Federal Government had started releasing tonnes of assorted grains to the market to make food available, affordable and accessible across the country.Similarly, measures have been taken to arrest the rising criminal activities through synergy among the armed forces and other paramilitary organisations.

President Tinubu is expected to leave for the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia immediately after the meeting with the governors.

African leaders will meet in Addis Ababa for the annual summit to be used to tackle the many challenges facing the continent and decide on how best to bolster the AU’s intervention in its various crises.

Magu: FCMB bows to pressure, deposits N540m damages awarded to Prophet Omale

The First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has obeyed the order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja and deposited the N540million damages awarded to Prophet Emmanuel Omale into an interest yielding account of the Chief Registrar of the court.

The FCMB paid the money into an interest yielding account of the Chief Registrar in Premium Trust Bank on February 8, 2024 as directed by the appellate court.

The bank took the step in a bid to prevent contempt proceedings against its Managing Director, Mrs Yemisi Edun, for alleged disobedience to court order.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on February 2, 2024, ordered the FCMB to pay the N540million damages awarded against it by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for defaming Omale of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry and his wife, Deborah.

The appellate court also directed the FCMB to pay the money into an interest yielding account of its Chief Registrar within 48 hours of its enrolled order.

The development prompted the lead lawyer to Omale, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), to write a letter to the lead lawyer to FCMB, Prof Wale Olawoyin (SAN), informing him that he would not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings against the Managing Director of the bank if the money is not paid as directed by the appellate court.

Uche’s letter dated February 2, 2024 reads in part, “Consequently, the conditional stay of execution is hereby granted to the Appellant. The condition being that the judgment sum shall be deposited into an interest yielding bank account of the Court to be opened by the Chief Registrar of this Court within 48 hours of the grant of this Order.”

“May we also bring to your knowledge the fact that this conditional stay of execution was a consent order having been consented to by M.S. Hamza Esq. who held your brief for the Appellant.

“Wherefore we wish to state that if the said judgment sum of N540, 500, ooo. oo (five hundred and forty million, five hundred thousand naira) is not immediately deposited with the Court of Appeal as directed in the enrolled order of Court, we shall commence contempt proceedings against the Managing Director of First City Monument Bank, to commit her to Prison for disobedience to order of Court.”

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court in Abuja had in a judgment on October 4, 2022 held that the bank recklessly breached the duty of care it owe to the claimants – Omale, his wife and their church – by making false claim that former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu paid N573m the church’s account.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the FCMB filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, asking it to set aside the verdict of the lower court.

But the Court of Appeal in a ruling on February 1, rejected FCMB’s request for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal as prayed in a motion on notice it filed.

Instead, a three-member panel presided over by a Justice of the Court of Appeal (JCA), Justice Muhammed Shuaibu, granted a conditional stay of the execution of the judgment by ordering the bank to pay the judgment sum of N540million into an interest yeilding account in the name of the court’s Chief Registrar.

In an enrolled copy of the ruling, the appellate court said: “The application is granted as prayed in terms of the first prayer in the appellant’s motion filed on 3/11/2022.

“Consequently, conditional stay of execution of the judgment is hereby granted to the appellant.

“The condition being that the judgment sum shall be deposited into an interest yielding bank account of the court to be opened by the Chief Registrar of this court within 48 hours of the grant of this order.”

Tinubu orders security agencies to go after those hoarding foodstuff

President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) Yusuf Bichi to work with governors and go after those hoarding foodstuff.

Nigeria has been battling a rise in the cost of food items occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and insecurity among other factors.

But as part of moves to combat the development, the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said Tinubu has mandated the heads of these security agencies and the NSA to liaise with governors to look at the issue.

“First, the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police; and Director General of the State Services have been directed to coordinate with the state governors to look at this issue of those hoarding commodities,” he said after a meeting between President Tinubu and state governors on Thursday.

President Tinubu

“At this point that the nation requires food to be brought out to the people, so that we can control prices and put food on the table of most Nigerians, commodity sellers are busy hoarding these commodities so that Nigerians will suffer or they will make more money as a result.

“So, the governors and Mr President have taken this decision that security agencies will collaborate with state governors to ensure this ends.”

President Tinubu had ordered the release of grains to ease the rising cost of food items with the Federal Government mulling importation of food.

But Idris said that won’t be the case anymore.

“A decision has also been taken that in the interest of our country, there would be no need for food importation at this time. Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and be a net exporter of food items to other countries,” he said.

“We do not also want to reverse some of the progress we have seen in terms of food production in this country. What we are seeing now is just a temporary difficulty that will soon go away.”

Court remands tailor for stealing pot of soup

Court

An Ondo State Magistrate Court has remanded a 19-year-old tailor, Adua Fatogun, for stealing a pot of soup and other items worth N311,100.

The suspect was said to have committed the offence on October 12, 2023, at about 9 am at Ifeleye Street, Ayeyemi, Ondo town.

Fatogun was alleged to have stolen the property of Felix Ogunbolade, Adeqoga Aboodun, and Akinsete Adurayemi.

Fatogun pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of burglary and theft.

The police prosecutor, Bernard Olagbayi, said the offences contravened Section 383 and were punishable under Section 412(1), 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to prepare witnesses for trial.

The presiding magistrate, O. A. Omofolarin, remanded the defendant to prison custody and adjourned sitting to February 19, 2024, for trial.

‘Bandits have taken over our women’, man laments

Bandits

Attacks on rural communities in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria had taken another dimension as the hoodlums now concentrate on raping married women and girls in their family homes.

The bandits have also killed locals and committed other obnoxious crimes in Kalgon Kunci village of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, according to a local who craved anonymity.

However, the spokesperson to the Zamfara State Governor, Suleiman Bala Idris, reacted to the claim in an interview in Hausa, saying it was a sad incident and the state government was taking the right steps to end it.

The local, speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna, alleged that the situation had made 70% of the villagers relocate to other places.

According to him, “Previously, the bandits would come to our community, humiliate us, rustle our animals, and abduct people for ransom. Now, however, they would come in broad daylight and remain till midnight.

“They would be dressed in uniform carrying weapons. I swear it has reached a level where they would enter any house they like and rape women. If a woman resisted, they would abduct her, do whatever they want with her in the bush and bring her back after 2,3 or 4 days,” he alleged.

He said for over 10 years, no single policeman had been deployed to the area, a situation that allowed the bandits to humiliate members of the community.

“We are now under the control of these bandits. During the harvest season, they asked us to give them N15 million before we would harvest our farm produce. All households contributed and we gave them the money. Three days after, they stopped us from harvesting and set our farm produce on fire,” he lamented.

He alleged that they cried so that the authorities would come to their aid but to no avail. ” This has forced the majority of our people to migrate,” he added.

“Whoever has a place to run to, has left. People are leaving Kuncin Kalgo on daily basis,” he said.

The Zamfara State Government, according to the report, was taking the appropriate step towards putting an end to the menace.

Sulaiman BalaIdris, spokesperson of the Governor; said “The situation is worrisome and government is taking the right step to bring an end to it.

“Not only in that community but to bring a lasting end to this crisis by Almighty Allah’s grace,” he assured.

“You can’t force us to practice for 2 years before we relocate”– Nurses

Nurses in Oyo State have kicked against the recently released revised guidelines for verification of certificates for nurses across the country.

Nurses from different hospitals in the state staged a peaceful protest against the new guidelines on Thursday.

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) had in a recent memo dated February 7, 2024, outlined the revised guidelines and requirements to be met by all applicants seeking the verification of certificate(s) to foreign nursing boards/councils.

The council in the memo said that eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outrightly.

Nurses in Oyo State have described the new policy as anti-people.

The nurses while speaking called for a reversal of the new policy. Spokesman for the protesting nurses, Israel Fawole, said that nurses in the state have studied the circular carefully and observed imminent dangers and infringement to the rights of nursing professionals in the country.

Fawole, while addressing journalists at the entrance of the Nurses House in Ibadan, said that nurses in the state have rejected the recent additions to the verification guideline. He said the new guidelines not only demeans the profession, but is also absolutely unacceptable.

According to him, the new policy undermines the aspirations of new graduate nurses for professional development and opportunities.

“We have studied the circular carefully and observed imminent dangers and infringement to the rights of nursing professionals within Nigeria as well as the members rights of NANNM.  Thus, we vehemently reject the recent additions to the verification guideline as it not only demeans the profession but it is absolutely unacceptable, undermining the aspirations of new graduate nurses for professional development and opportunities.

“We suggest however, the Council makes the verification process much affordable and seamless without the need of a good standing letter nor two years post-qualification experience as stated, approved within 48 hours from application.

“Our attention was also drawn to the recent circular issued by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) with ref No: NANNM/FED/22/VOL.VI/12 and dated 13th February, 2024, where in the National leadership of NANNM wrote it had engaged the Registrar/CEO of the NMCN on series of meetings on 12th February, 2024 and is in consultation with relevant Government agencies on the subject matter, assuring its members nationwide and indeed the entire Nigeria Nurses and Midwives that the Association (NANNM) will stop at nothing in ensuring that their concerns raised are properly and promptly addressed, which we commend.

“However, this action group is of the believe that the National and state leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) should rather push for industrial action (nationwide strike) should its discussions with NMCN and other relevant Government agencies fall out, unfavorable to we, its members.”

Imo Police hunt for  hoodlums who attacked Okigwe correctional center, killed police Inspector

Imo State Commissioner of Police (CP) AbokiDanjuma, addressing Officers and men of the Nigeria Police, during on-the-spot assessment of damage done by hoodlums who attacked the farm settlement of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Okigwe, recently.

By Jude Onyenedogha…

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has deployed the Command’s Special Tactical Squad with the available resources and equipped to go all out, in synergy with the Military and other sister security agencies to hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attacks on Correctional Service Farm Settlements, Umualomoke and the residence of Dist. Senator Patrick Ndubeze, both in Okigwe, in the early hours of Monday February 12, which resulted in the release of seven inmates, and abduction of the officer in charge of the farm settlement, as well as shooting to death, a Police Inspector.

This was contained in a press statement endorsed, on behalf of the Imo State Police Commissioner, (CP) Aboki Danjuma, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye and made available to The Statesman.

According to the statement, the CP made the disclosure during his visit to Okigwe for  on-the-spot assessment of the ugly incidents, wherein he mandated the special tactical squad operatives to intensify efforts in ensuring that the officer in charge of the farm settlement was rescued unhurt and the fleeing inmates arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“While calling on the general public who may have any useful information that will assist the operatives in arresting the hoodlums responsible for the attacks to kindly report at the nearest Police Station or via 08034773600.

Imo State Commissioner of Police (CP) AbokiDanjuma, addressing Officers and men of the Nigeria Police, during on-the-spot assessment of damage done by hoodlums who attacked the farm settlement of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Okigwe, recently.
Imo State Commissioner of Police (CP) AbokiDanjuma, addressing Officers and men of the Nigeria Police, during on-the-spot assessment of damage done by hoodlums who attacked the farm settlement of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Okigwe, recently.

CP Danjuma encouraged the good people of Imo State to go about their lawful businesses without any form of fear, as the Command is on top of the situation and have emplaced adequate security measures to forestall future occurrence.

The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the State is adequately protected. He vowed that the hoodlums responsible for the attacks would be arrested and brought to book.

Otti suspends task force on relocation of spare parts market in Aba

Gov Otti

The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has suspended the task force on the relocation of mechanics and spare parts dealers from the Aba metropolis to the Ovom mechanic cluster in Obingwa LGA of the state.

The suspension was announced by the Deputy Governor of Abia, IkechuckwuEmetu while addressing the business community in Aba on Tuesday.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that Otti empathized with auto mechanics and spare parts dealers over the economic hardship in the country, the depreciation of the naira, and the consequent effects the economic downturn has heaped on their businesses.

He, however, reiterated the need for the relocation of the Mechanic and Spare parts dealers from the busy Aba metropolis to a more spacious Ovom mechanic cluster, noting that the Aba metropolis would be free of heavy-duty trucks if the traders were eventually relocated.

Deputy Governor Emetu urged them to remain law abiding as they go about their legitimate businesses and to support Governor Alex Otti.

 

Delta State Police Apprehend 3 Persons in possession of hard drugs

Hard drugs

The Delta State Police Command has apprehended three individuals, Lucky Emmanuel (40yrs), Enunwuune Snu (46yrs), and Jacob Efedeye (32yrs), in possession of hard drugs in Asaba, travelling in a Toyota Hiace.

They were found with three cartons containing 100 bottles of codeine and 400 sachets of tramadol.

Additionally, Fidelis Akpos (23yrs) from the Ewhu community in Ughelli South LGA was arrested on the Kwale-Ogwashi-Uku Expressway, carrying a locally fabricated pistol and two live cartridges concealed in a polythene bag along with smoked fish.

CP Ari Muhammed Ali confirmed the incident in a statement endorsed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe.

Delta community leader Agbofodo, sentenced to death in 2021, Passes Away In Enugu Hospital

The controversial leader of the Ekpan community in Delta State’s Uvwie Local Government Area, Newton Agbofodo, sentenced to death in 2021, has been reported dead at Park Lane Hospital in Enugu, Enugu State.

Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in Delta State, Sunday Oyakhire, clarified that the deceased person passed away not within the correctional facility but in the hospital.

Oyakhire said, “He died in Park Lane Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. He was ill and was in the hospital for almost two days before he died. He is still in the mortuary in the hospital.”

The late Newton Agbofodo, former Unuevworo (Prime Minister) of the Ekpan community, Newton Agbofodo, was arrested on June 17, 2016, and subsequently faced charges related to murder in court.

Accused of four counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and attempted murder, he was found guilty on all charges by the Delta State High Court 4 in Asaba. In 2021, he was sentenced to death by hanging.

EFCC nabs four brothers, 30 others for alleged internet fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four brothers and 30 others for alleged internet fraud.

EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He gave the names of the siblings as ChukwuebukaEgbo, ChibuikeEgbo, Francis Egbo and Victor Egbo.

According to him, the other suspects include Great Eze, AniCallistus, EkpeChigbo, Eze Eric, Nnaemeka Gabriel, George Tochukwu,Uche Divine and Chiamelie Ede.

Others are EnentaEbube, Treasurer Osinachi, EjiakorChidiebere, Kingsley Olisa, UgwuanyiEkpere, Uzor Godson, TochukwuFirminus, Ebuka Comas, Okwudili John, Samuel Otti, AgadaOlema, OdohNnabuike,

“The other suspects include Okeke Harrison, OriasotieMeshack, EkperechiEbube, Ugwu Sebastian, Eli Ogbonna, Martins Ugwu, Aloysius Alphonsus, Sunday Cross, ArohChinecherem and Miracle Obiora,” he said.

He said all-male suspects were arrested on Feb. 9 in an intelligence-driven sting operation at various locations within Enugu state. “Items recovered from them include mobile phones and different exotic cars.

“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Wigwe’s hometown Isiokpo declares seven-day mourning

Following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, his wife, and son, Isiokpo, his hometown in the Ikwerrre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has declared seven days of mourning to honour their illustrious son.

The declaration was announced by the Nye-Nwe-Eli of Isiokpo, His Royal Majesty, Eze Blessing Ahiazunwo Wagor.

Commencing on Wednesday, the seven days of mourning will entail the closure of all businesses on the first and last day, with operations limited to half-days on the other days.

Residents protest high cost of living in Sokoto

The protest in Sokoto is the latest in a series of street demonstrations over riding cost of living across the country.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the protesters marched from Tudun Wada area of the state capital to the front of Government House. Some of the protesters held placards, chanting “Beans is expensive”, “Maize is expensive” “Fuel is expensive” among others.

Nigerians are grappling with inflation and economic hardship that were exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies in May last year.

The prices of foodstuffs and other commodities have been soaring, which has led to the worsening of the already fragile economy of the country.

The country’s currency, the naira, has been witnessing a free fall with $1 exchanging for N1,500 as of Monday.

There were protests in Niger and Kano states last week while the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given a two-week ultimatum to the federal government to begin implementing policies that will assuage the suffering of Nigerians.

Addressing journalists, Abdullahi Muhammad, who led the protest, said the situation is pushing the people to the wall.

“It’s surprising how nobody is trying to bring the prices of commodities down. We elected these people hoping that things would be better but things are getting worse. We need price control to ensure stability in prices of goods,” he said.

He also accused traders of hoarding goods and unnecessarily increasing prices of commodities, calling on the government to put more effort in supervising businesses.

“A mudu of garri is N1,250 while a mudu of maize flour is N1,700. Traders are part of the problem because they are in the habit of increasing prices at will,” he said.

Another protester, Jabir Usman, called on the government at various levels and business people to fear God in their dealings.

A woman, who didn’t give her name, said the situation has compounded life for several households in the state.

“People want to get married but everything is expensive. Furniture is expensive for parents to buy for their children. A small bed is more than N500,000. A bag of cement is always increasing in price. Things are difficult for people, we want the government to help us find a solution,” she said in Hausa language.

Imo govt sponsors 107 Imo  graduates to Law School …Each graduate gets N500,000

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has approved the  sponsorship of 107  graduates  of the state to law school.

The state government would pay five hundred thousand Naira for each of the graduates as tuition ,totalling N53.5m.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy,  Barr(Mrs) Oby Amadiobi, said the gesture by the governor is to ensure that no imo indigene is denied the opportunity of attending law school as a result of lack of  funds.

According to her, the gesture is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of the state’s manpower in a critical area of human resources.

She enjoined the beneficiaries to ensure that they worked harder to justify the confidence that the governor has on them.

The statement recalled that Imo indigenes had always excelled at different bar examinations and charged the current set to follow the footsteps of their predecessors.

It pledged that the governor would also extend similar gestures to other core professionals in the realisation of his 3R mantra of reconstruction,  rehabilitation, and recovery

Corruption has really strangulated Nigeria’s progress: Arch Bishop Ugorji lament

By Jude Onyenedogha…

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has lamented that Corruption has really strangulated Nigeria’s progress.

This formed part of his speech during his recent Pastoral visit to Chimezie Catholic Parish, Mgbuisii, Ohaji/Egbema Local Council Area of Imo State.

He opined that Politicians wage Bloody Wars to get into Public Offices to steal our common patrimony with relish, as if Nigeria’s wealth is inexhaustible.

“Look at the level of insecurity in the land. People now find it extremely difficult to go to their Farms. This has sadly resulted to acute food shortages and massive hunger. The Nation’s level of Insecurity, Corruption, cost of Living, Ethnicity and Nepotism, has gone beyond Scale and Measure.”  The Prelate lamented.

He added that cost of living has equally hit the Skies and the Nation’s Highways are no longer safe, as ugly stories are told of how Travelers are mercilessly robbed, senselessly and mindlessly kidnapped and their Relatives extorted.

“It appears there is no foreseeable end of the suffering in our God-given land.

“A number of these kidnap victims are not usually lucky to tell the story of their ordeal in the hands of their Captors.

“Our living homes are not safe, either. People are attacked in their homes, killed, robbed or kidnapped.”

The Archbishop who became emotional, pointed out that Nigeria is obviously a sick Nation and events have shown that those managing the country’s affairs, appear to be overwhelmed, incapable, unwilling or simply do not know how to rectify the anomalies.

According to him, Nigeria is obviously a very sick Nation and possibly not only quarantined in the Intensive Care Unit but also on life support, as the sickness is prevalent in all sections of the Nation’s Life.

“We have sickness of segregation, nepotism, sectionalism, corruption, ethnicity, worthlessness of human life and a lot more.

“Most rural areas are treated as if they are not part of Nigeria. Our laws are flagrantly disrespected, even by those who are supposed to enforce it.

“Corruption is a moral rottenness. Our corruption index is very high and very frightening.

Arch Bishop Ugorji lamented further!

Unease, as father of slain Anambra Lawyer slumps, dies

The father of an Nnewi, Anambra State-based legal practitioner, Jude Oguejiofor, Principal Partner in Oguejiofor & Co Chamber, has slumped and died, after hearing abductors had killed his son.

The corpse of the late father was buried in his hometown Last Saturday amidst tears and fear.

It was recalled that Oguejiofor and his brother, a medical doctor, were ambushed and abducted on their way to see their parents on Sunday. It was gathered that the medical doctor was released later. However, while family members were making efforts to bargain for his release, the kidnappers contacted them and informed them of the lawyer’s demise.

It was learnt that the gunmen expressed dismay that the lawyer was in the habit of reporting their activities to the government.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “I normally followed Jude home to visit his parents. He has never had any issue with gunmen in the community. Infact, whenever I accompanied him home, they would search me but would not search Jude.

“When he went home with his brother who just bought a new Lexus Jeep, he didn’t have an issue with anybody until we heard that the two of them had been abducted.

“The gunmen later released his brother but held onto him, alleging he had been writing petitions to the Anambra State government on their activities.

“They promised he would be released as soon as they complete their investigations. However, they later contacted the family and told them to forget about the legal practitioner, adding that he had been killed.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said: “There’s no such report before me.”

In a reaction, the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) said it was deeply saddened and outraged by the assassination of one of its members.

It described Oguejiofor as a beacon of integrity and a pillar of the legal community in the Eastern region.

Condemning the act, EBF called on law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate the crime and bring the perpetrators to book.

Uzodimma commended for ensuring peace,  security in the state

By Ezinne Ude…

The State Coordinator, Institute for Crisis Resolution, Peace Building And Conciliation (ICRPC), Rev. Dr Austin Uchegbu, has commended the state governor, Sen Hope Uzodimma for his commitment to peace and security in the state.

Rev. Dr Uchegbu made the commendation during the Imo PeaceBuilding And Conflict Resolution, 2024 Conference, jointly organised by ICRPC and UFP, Imo State, with the theme: Mediation, Negotiation Skills, Conflict Resolution And PeaceBuilding, at Rockview Hotel, Owerri.

Dr Uchegbu who is also the Coordinator United for Peace Imo State, congratulated the governor, for the peaceful and successful election and inauguration of his second tenure in office, wishing him more peaceful and progressive next four years of regime.

“ As we thank His Excellency for his tireless efforts in tackling the security challenges in the state, this conference has come at a critical period to compliment his efforts in our contribution to a peaceful tenure of his second term, geared towards sustainable development” he said.

The ICRPC Coordinator said the mission of ICRPC was to build, strengthen and improve the crisis resolution and Peace Building capacities of practitioners, scholars and stakeholders, through professional development and certification, in addition to promoting best practices to foster crisis resolution management and Peace Building in Africa and beyond.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Amb. Engr Peter C. Ohagwa, Director Bureau for Peace and Conflict Resolution/ Comdr Imo Peace Corps, stated that the country is passing through a major humanitarian crisis that has resulted in more than seven million person displaced by insurgency in the North East since 2010 and maintained that something must be done differently to effectively address Nigeria current threats to peace and security before things fall apart.

Engr Ohagwa stressed that in order to curb the excess of insecurity in the major cities and communities, government at all levels should upgrade, train, equip Forestry Officers with arms and deploy them into forest to forestall continuous occupation of the forest by Bandits and Kidnappers.

The State Commissioner for Police, CP  Aboki Danjuma in his Paper Titled “ The role of Community Policing in Conflict Resolution and PeaceBuilding,” said that Community Policing involves collaboration between the Police and community that identifies and solves community problems with the police no longer the sole guardians of Law and Order, all members of the community become active allies in the efforts to enhance safety of the neighborhood.

He revealed that Community Policing was officially launched in 2004 as a strategy to help deal with emerging trends of conflicts.

Speaking on the Topic “ Peace Building And Non Violent Approach to Conflict Resolution – A General Appraisal”, HRH Eze Dr Goodluck Obi of Ofo Dim Ubulu Ihejiofo, Owerri West, in sustenance of peace in Nigeria, Imo State in particular, all should cultivate the spirit of non violent approach to conflict resolution which he said is adjudged by friends and foes alike as the best way to sustenance of peace where justice will flow like water and righteousness alike an unending stream.

On the topic “ The power of Mediation in conflict process” by Dr Solomon Ochepa Oduma Aboh of Kaduna State University and the topic “Conflict Transformation, Peace Building And National Development in Nigeria” by Dr Emmanuel Achus Jah of Nigerian Army University Biu Borno State, where the lecturers said that peace building encompasses efforts to build positive peace, in which underlying structural, relational, cultural, Political and economic drivers of conflict are addressed and transformed.

The highlights of the occasion were, induction of new members and Award ceremony.

Mama Boko Haram, two others bag 10-year jail term for N40 million fraud

A high court in Borno State on Monday convicted and jailed the trio of Aisha Wakil popularly known as Mama Boko Haram, Tahiru Daura and Lawal Soyade for 10 years.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission X account.

According to the statement, Justice Umaru Fadawu, who gave the ruling, found the defendants guilty on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining N40 million by false pretence.  

According to the charges, the EFCC accused the defendants of crime which contravenes Section (1) 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Counsel for the prosecution counsel, A.I Arogha presented four witnesses and tendered 17 exhibits before the court.

Consequently, Justice Fadawu, convicted and sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment for the offence of conspiracy.

The court further sentenced the defendants to 10 years imprisonment for the offence of obtaining by false pretence and ordered them to jointly pay the sum of N40m to Bashir Muhammad.

“The prison term shall run concurrently on the expiration of all prison terms imposed on the convicts by any court”, the Judge said.

The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began when a petitioner alleged that they swindled him of N40 million through a purported contract for the supply of five X-ray Machines 1900 with solar energy to a non-governmental organisation, Complete Care and Aid Foundation.  

They neither supplied the machines nor returned the contract sum to the petitioner.

The two-count charge read, “That you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyade whilst being the Chief Executive  Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete  Care and Aid Foundation, (a Non-Governmental Organisation) and Saidu Mukhtar (At large) sometime in Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Forty Million Naira (N40,000,000.00) from  one Bashir Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer of Duty Free Shop Ltd under the false pretence of executing a purported contract for the supply of Five (5) X-ray machines 1900 with solar energy which you knew  to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section (1) 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006  and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Hardship: Address food scarcity, corruption in your govt – PDP BoT tells Tinubu

Tinubu and PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, has charged President Bola Tinubu to address the economic hardship in the country.

It noted that the hardship occasioned by food scarcity in the country has led to restiveness and frustration across the country.

This was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday after its meeting in Abuja.

According to the communique: “The BoT expresses deep concerns over the biting economic hardship, high cost of essential life-enhancing commodities and alarming food scarcity in the country occasioned by the ill-implemented policies of the APC administration and which are already causing restiveness and agitation in various parts of the country.“The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration, especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

“Mr President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, a continuous fall in the value of the naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity and unemployment in the country.”

$6.2 million fraud: Ex-SGF, Boss Mustapha testifies in Emefiele’s trial, says Buhari’s signature forged to withdraw funds from Central Bank

The immediate former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha yesterday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that neither he nor former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the disbursement of $6,230,000 to international election observers.

At the resumed trial of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele at the FCT High Court on Monday, Onyeka Ogbu, a prosecution witness told the court that he was aware of a $6.2million payment request for international election observers.

He said Emefiele approved the payment of $6,230,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars) in cash for international election observers in the last 2023 general election.

Ogbu made the revelation while testifying at the ongoing trial of Emefiele.   

The former CBN boss is standing trial before Justice Muazu on 20-count amended charges bordering on corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of $6,230,000.00 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollar).

At the resumed trial on Monday, Michael, a former branch controller of the CBN, Abuja branch, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, identified the documents presented to him by the prosecution, adding that he worked on the documents.

According to him, on January 8, 2023, a request for $6,230,000 payment came to his office and documents for the disbursement of the money were approved by the then-CBN boss in cash for international election observers

Boss Mustapha appeared at the FCT High Court in Abuja as Prosecution Witness 2. The former SGF in his testimony said he knew nothing about the transaction up till the time he left office after serving for five years and seven months.

According to him, the document did not come from the office of the President.

Mustapha also said he never heard of any “Special Appropriation Provision,” saying he was only familiar with “appropriation” and “supplementary.” Mustapha said Buhari never concluded any of the correspondence he received from him with “Please accept with my highest regard”.

He said Buhari’s signature was forged, noting that the Nigerian Government has no business paying foreign election observers.

Mustapha said he did not know of the transaction.

Traditional ruler urges NAFDAC to rethink ban on alcohol in sachet, PET bottles

Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi, Olota of Ota, Ogun, has appealed to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to reverse its ban on alcoholic beverages in sachet and PET bottles below 200ml.

Adeyemi made the appeal while addressing factory workers protesting the ban of the products on Tuesday at his palace in Ota.

He said the government should reconsider the ban based on the several benefits of the products to the manufacturers and contribution to the economy.

It was learnt that workers under the Distillery Unions continued their protests around Ota where majority of their factories are located in Ogun on Tuesday.

The protesters marched through major roads in Ota, drawing the attention of passersby and those that patronised the products.

Adeyemi said there was need for NAFDAC to revisit its ban on alcoholic beverages below 200ml and PET bottles as the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.

He said the products could be exported to other countries to generate revenue and employment for the teeming youth.

“I think NAFDAC should have a rethink as these sachets and PET bottles could be exported to West African countries and European countries, which in return would earn revenue for the country.

“The regulator can make other laws to protect the health of Nigerians but not to impose a total ban on the products as this would increase the crime rate in Ogun and the country at large,” he said.

Adeyemi assured the people that he would inform the government about their grievances and plead for a review of the ban.

It was reported that the Enforcement Department of NAFDAC, Lagos, had on Feb. 2 carried out a two-day enforcement exercise in Ota, after the five-year directive to stop the production of alcoholic beverages in sachet and PET bottles below 200ml expired on Jan. 31.

Emefiele: Why we paid out $6.2m, by CBN Director

Emefiele

A Deputy Director in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Michael Onyeka Ogbu, has explained why the apex bank released $6,230,000 as payment to some international election observers prior to last year’s general election.

Ogbu, who is currently a Deputy Director and Head of the Service Delivery Division at the CBN, said the funds were released because the request documents contained evidence of approvals by the then President Muhammadu Buhari and erstwhile CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.

The deputy director said this while testifying yesterday as a prosecution witness in the trial of the former CBN governor.

Emefiele is facing a 20-count amended charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in which he is, among others, accused of engaging in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.

He is, in the amended charge, accused of forging a document, titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions, dated: January 26, 2023 with reference number SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) to the governor of the CBN.

Emefiele is alleged to have, on February 8, 2023, knowingly obtained by false pretence $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the SGF vide a letter, dated: January 26, 2023, with reference number SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive”. Ogbu, who was led in evidence by RotimiOyedepo (SAN), said he served as the Branch Controller until he was redeployed last September.

He recalled that on February 8, last year, there was a request for payment addressed to the Branch Controller.

Ogbu said after going through the documents and was satisfied, he minuted on it to the Head of Business Services Unit for processing and payment.

On whether the money was eventually released, the witness said: “Payment was eventually made. The $6,230,000 was paid on September 8, 2023. The payment was in cash.” At that point, Oyedepo handed the witness a bundle of documents, which Ogbu identified as the documents he referred to.

Identifying each of the documents one at a time, the witness said the first page “is the payment slip, which was issued at the point of payment from my bank to the person nominated to receive the payment”.

He added: “The second page is the memo from the Banking Services Department authorising the branch to make the payment of $6,230,000.“The third page is the request of the Director of Banking Services Department for approval of the Governor for the payment.”

The witness explained what pages four to six contained.

Ogbu told the court that the presidential approval was addressed to the then SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha.

Oyedepo was about tendering the documents when he noticed that some of them were not properly certified.

The laywer prayed the court to be allowed to tender them as they were with a promise to replace them later with properly certified copies, a request the defence lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), rejected.

He also urged the court to grant him a stand-down of about 30 minutes to get the documents certified, which Burkaa also rejected.

Burkaa argued that it was impossible for the prosecution to have the documents certified within the 30 minutes Oyedepo requested for.

He urged the court to instead grant an adjournment to allow the prosecution sufficient time to put its house in order, an option the judge, Justice HamzaMuazu, felt comfortable with.

With the agreement of lawyers to parties in the case, Justice Muazu adjourned till February 13 for continuation of trial.

Nigeria: Bolaji Agbede replaces late Wigwe as Access Holdings Acting G-CEO

Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.

This followed the death of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, son, and a former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimboloa Ogunbanjo on Friday in California, United States.

Wigwe
Wigwe

A statement made by the company’s Board of Directors and dated February 12, 2024, stated that the appointment was subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Further to its announcement dated February 11, 2024, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has today announced the appointment of Ms Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024.

“The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, read in part.

Until her recent appointment, Ms Agbede was the company’s most senior founding Executive Director in charge of business support.

She has nearly three decades of professional experience cutting across banking and business consultancy services. She commenced her professional career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank and served in various capacities within the commercial banking and operations functions rising to the position of manager in 2001.

Agbede joined Access Bank in 2003 as an assistant general manager and was responsible for managing the Bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies.

She became the head of human resources for the Access Bank Group in 2010, overseeing the human capital development of the Group. She held the position until June 2022 when she was appointed the executive director of Access Holdings after the bank transitioned to a holding company.

The University of Lagos alumnus began her professional career at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), where she rose from executive trainee in 1992 to a managerial position in 2001. She was once GTB’s relationship manager and vault custodian.

Ms. Agbede subsequently served as the Chief Executive Officer of JKG Limited, a business consulting outfit, in 2003.

Tinubu honours Super Eagles players, officials with MON, lands

President Bola Tinubu has awarded the members of the Super Eagles national team and their officials with the prestigious national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for their impressive performance at the just-concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament held in Cote d’Ivoire.

In further recognition of their achievement, the federal government, represented by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has also granted each member of the team a plot of land.

They are to also receive a block of flat with location yet to be announced.

President Tinubu, who received the National Football Team, expressed pride in the team, acknowledging their role in fostering unity within the country through their remarkable performance.Despite finishing second, he encouraged them to hold their heads high and maintain their team spirit.

William Troost-Ekong, the team’s vice-captain and most valuable player, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his support, expressing a desire to present a trophy rather than silver medal.

It was reported that Nigeria emerged Silver medalist in the biggest continental soccer showpiece on Sunday night, losing the trophy to the hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

The Nigerian team was received at the State House in Abuja yesterday, where they were conferred with the national honour awards and other gifts following their return to the country in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Master bakers begin nationwide strike February 27

The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria has said it would withdraw its service nationwide from February 27, seems the Federal government refuse to implement the agreement it entered into with the association in 2020.

It called for the immediate implementation of financial support palliatives for bakers as promised by the Federal Government as post COVID-19 support programmes for Small and Medium Enterprises for bakers who have lost over 40 per cent of their membership and still counting. It further called for the suspension of all forms of taxation on the bakery industry for now at the federal, state and local government levels.

A statement from the National President of AMBCON, Alhaji Mansur Umar, read on his behalf by the Kogi State Chairman of the association, Chief Gabriel Adeniyi, yesterday, noted that the decision to withdraw its services was due to the “multifarious increase in the prices of baking materials such as flour, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, petrol, diesel all occasioned by subsidy removal and forex deregulation.”

The association said, “Multiple taxations from several federal, state, local government agencies fees and levies, hike in business activities in Nigeria are also some of the reasons for the impending strike action.”

The statement partly read, “The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, reduction or total removal of import duties on major baking materials such as flour, sugar, butter, yeast etc as applicable to other commodities as have recently been done by the federal government and Provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders as well as reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar.”

Other demands outlined by the association included the development of cultivation and processing of wheat and sugar cane in Nigeria, and the removal of multiple taxations at all government levels.

The association also called for the setting up of a price control and monitoring committee as allowed by the constitution as amended and other conditions that will enhance the ease of doing business in the country.

Gunmen kill PDP House of Reps candidate

Gunmen have killed a former House of Representatives candidate from Anambra State, Jude Oguejiofor.

Mr Oguejiofor hailed from Orsumoghu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra but lived in Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Oguejiofor, also a lawyer, contested for the Ihiala Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat in the 2023 general elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Sources told our reporter that the politician was abducted around 1 a.m. last week, alongside his brother by some gunmen.

The incident happened in the Orsumoghu community where they had gone to see their aged parents.

But the gunmen later released his brother unhurt.

The brother is a medical doctor who recently came back from a foreign country.

A source close to the family, who asked not to be named, told our correspondent that the gunmen accused Mr Oguejiofor of writing petitions against them and their activities in the community.

“They said he had been writing petitions against them to the Anambra State Government,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the source said Mr Oguejiofor’s father fainted and died on Thursday last week when the gunmen contacted the family and informed them that they had killed the politician.

A lawyer, Chidi Ibekaeme, in his reaction, said that the lawyer could have avoided his community, given that he had been vocal about the rising attacks by gunmen in the area.

Mr Ibekaeme hails from Orsu-Ihiteukwa, a community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State which shares a boundary with the politician’s community.

“His (Oguejiofor’s) community is very volatile. The community is virtually run down and taken over by these criminals who say they are agitating for freedom,” he said.

When contacted yesterday, the police spokesperson in Anambra State he said he had no information on the incident.

Emeka Offor Distributes 40,000 Bags of Rice, Books to 200 Schools at Birthday

Foremost philanthropist and businessman, Sir Emeka Offor, at the weekend donated 40,000 bags of 50 kilogramme rice to widows and indigent people in 179 communities of Anambra State.

He also presented books in various disciplines to 200 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria, as a gesture to mark his 65th birthday.

Offor, who is also the founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), said his resolve to donate to mankind in various sector is to put smiles on the faces of the people.

While addressing those in attendant at the elaborate birthday celebration, Offor said: “I’m overwhelmed by the show of love from you all on my 65th birthday. I’m happy that the foundation I nurtured has grown and is providing shade for many.

“My donation of food stuff to indigents is to ensure that those who do not have should share what those who have can afford.“We’re also distributing books because it is the foundation of knowledge, and we will sustain this intervention. You do not need to have too much to put smiles on the faces of the people. The little that you have can be shared with other people.”

Earlier, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who was in attendance at the ceremony, extolled the virtues of Offor, describing him as the highest donor for the eradication of polio in Africa.

Soludo said: “We are here to celebrate a man and his ideas. You turned 65 today, and we use this opportunity to say congratulations. Your life has been a life of impact.

“No one is celebrated for the money he or she has in their accounts, but it is the impact you make in the lives of others with that money that matters. Sir E is rich. He can decide to spend his birthday in any island, anywhere in the world, but he choose to come here and spend it with widows.

“Nigeria is going through huge challenges at the moment. Cost of living is rising everyday, but here is a man who has dedicated himself to taking care of widows and the indigent folks. “We invite all other citizens of Anambra State that this is the time to share with the poor what you have. If you can’t provide for your community, you can provide for your kindred, or people close to you. That is our call today.

IPOB rejects Gov Mbah’s alleged plan to establish cattle ranch in Enugu

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has rejected plans by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to establish a cattle ranch in the Nimbo area of the state.

Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, said the group would never allow the establishment of cattle ranch in Enugu State and any other part of the Southeast.

Powerful recalled raising an alarm over Mbah’s alleged move to sell some community lands to Fulani herdsmen establish RUGA in November 2023.

In a statement he issued on Monday, Powerful said: “Subsequent to the plans by the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah to establish cattle ranch at Nimbo in Uzouwani community of Enugu State, we, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby advises the governor to stop his plans.

“The Enugu State government, in connivance with some community leaders, has mapped out some communities land to be sold to Fulanis. The names of the community leaders involved in such connivance will be made public soon.

“Enugu State citizens must know about the arrangements of Dr. Peter Mbah in giving away their ancestral lands for his political interests and compensation.

“IPOB is monitoring Governor Peter Mbah and his collaborators. They should understand that IPOB will not allow the establishment of any cattle ranch anywhere in Enugu State.

“If Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely interested in establishing a cattle ranch in Enugu State, such ranch must be managed privately by an Igbo businessman. Only Ndigbo are allowed to own cattle ranches anywhere in Igbo land. We don’t want to have Fulanis operating any cattle ranch in Alaigbo.

“ESN must be on an alert and wait for an order from the IPOB leadership to move into Nimbo Community in Uzouwani. We call on the community youths, community groups, and Enugu citizens to provide IPOB/ESN with any information of any proposed site for Fulani camp or ranch anywhere around Uzouwani. ESN will stop at nothing to ensure that Peter Mbah and his government don’t establish RUGA in any part of Enugu State.

“We are also informing South East Governors to shun any idea of establishing cattle ranch in any state in the South East Region. IPOB and ESN operatives won’t allow any establishment of Fulani camp in the name of cattle ranch in any state in the Biafra territory.”

Court Upholds Pretty Okafor’s Election As PMAN President

The National Industrial Court has upheld the elections of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) which was held on October 24, 2023, and saw the reemergence of Pretty Okafor as the President.

In a recent ruling, the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos affirmed the legitimacy of Okafor’s leadership.

In his ruling, Justice M.N Esowe stated that any defiance of the outstanding ruling constituted contempt of the court of competent jurisdiction.

The PMAN, in a statement, expressed its gratitude to the National Industrial Court for upholding justice and preserving the democratic process within the association.

“The court’s intervention serves as a resolute stand against illegitimate actions that could compromise the integrity of the performing musicians’ community. Pretty Okafor remains committed to advancing the interests of performing musicians in Nigeria, and this ruling further reinforces the association’s dedication to upholding the rule of law,” the statement read in part.

Inflation bites as table, sachet water producers shut down in Enugu

The Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) in Enugu State has announced a temporary shutdown of water-producing factories due to the high cost of production.

The decision was made following an emergency meeting on February 8, 2024, where the challenges confronting the association’s members were extensively discussed.

Starting from February 12 to February 15, 2024, all Table Water Producers in Enugu State, including those producing sachets and pet bottles, are required to suspend production.

The move is aimed at providing an opportunity for the association to seek viable solutions to the numerous challenges faced by its members, particularly in light of the harsh economic situation in the country.

The statement issued by ATWAP highlighted the following:

“The current harsh economic situation in the country, especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the production of sachet water in the state, was critically reviewed.  

“After hours of deliberations on the overwhelming challenges being encountered by ATWAP members, especially the over 500 per cent increase in the prices of raw materials and other factors of production, we have to come to this decision.

“Following the 500% increase in the prices of raw materials, which included, nylon, parking bags, purifying materials, procurement of water from boreholes located outside the city, diesel, high electricity tariff, haulage/transportation and other maintenance and staff costs, we had to close shop.

“Also, the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local governments within our areas of operations is also a factor,” it said.

What you should know. In response to the crisis, ATWAP Enugu State Chapter has resolved that starting from February 16, 2024, a bag of sachet water (20 sachets) will be sold at N300.  

This pricing adjustment is aimed at enabling producers to sustain their operations and rescue their businesses from total collapse. The resolution was unanimously endorsed by all members, with strict enforcement measures in place. Any defaulter or violator of this pricing resolution may face a fine of N200,000 per truck/driver caught by the ATWAP Task Force.

During the factory shutdown, members are advised to mobilize their staff for equipment cleanup, and the Task Force will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.  

While acknowledging the challenges, the statement appealed to the cooperation of dealers and consumers, soliciting understanding during this period to enable producers to remain in business.  

Nigeria’s economic landscape is grappling with the persistent challenge of inflation, reaching a double-digit high of 24.5% in 2023, marking a substantial increase from the 18.8% recorded in the previous year.  

Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adopting a hawkish stance on monetary policy, maintaining the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 18.75% and the Cash Reserve Ratio at 32.5%, inflationary pressures have refused to unwind.

Contrary to expectations, the inflationary surge appears to be rooted more in limitations within the productivity sphere rather than being solely driven by monetary factors.  

This distinction poses a significant hurdle for the CBN’s monetary interventions aimed at curbing inflation. The central bank’s efforts to tighten monetary policy through a higher MPR and increased Cash Reserve Ratio have not been as effective in quelling the inflationary tide.

This in turn has led to the crippling of over 2 million small and medium-sized enterprises in the country.  

Labour Party in Turmoil: Treasurer Demands Account of N3.5bn from Chairman Abure

Abure

In a new twist, the Labour Party, LP, is embroiled in turmoil as the party’s National Treasurer, MrsOluchiOparah, has called on the National Chairman, Julius Abure, to provide a detailed account of party funds amounting to over N3.5bn. This sum is derived from the proceeds of form sales and various fundraisers for the upcoming 2023 general elections.

Oparah voiced her demand during a press conference held in Abuja on Monday.

The treasurer has alleged that Abure obstructed her from fulfilling her constitutionally assigned duties to manage the party’s finances.

Furthermore, Oparah has asserted that the chairman has disregarded all efforts to allow scrutiny of the party’s financial records subsequent to the closure of the expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2023 general elections.

Stay tuned for more details…

 

FG declares woman who maltreated 10-years-old maid in Anambra wanted

The federal government has declared wanted and placed a two million Naira bounty on Mrs Adachukwu Kukelu Okafor who burnt the private parts and body of her 10-years-old maid. The incident which occurred in Anambra state went viral on social media with a video of the naked little girl with burns all over her body including her buttocks, private area, body, and face.

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye made the declaration at a press conference yesterday, February 12, in Abuja.

Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the suspect, believed to be a lawyer, has been evading authorities since the incident.

According to her, she has changed her contact information but continues to post on social media, asserting that no action will be taken against her. The Minister said: “I decided the keep quiet on the issue of Mrs Adachukwu Kukelu Okafor who burnt the private parts and body of her 10years old househelp with a hot knife and hot iron in Anambra state. I kept quiet because I thought it would have been solved by now but since it hasn’t, I have decided to wage into the issue.

“Some people wonder why the Women’s Affairs ministry always wages into issues but it is within my purview to get involved in anything that concerns women and children across the nation. So I will not listen anymore but would wage into any issue that concerns women and children across the country.

“With the President, we have right now, it’s time for Nigerians to fight for their rights and it can only happen with a President that listens and I don’t want Nigerians to miss out. So I am declaring Adachukwu Kukelu Okafor wanted.

“Please Nigerians, go out there, search for this woman, bring her out and hand her over to any police station. The Women’s Affairs Ministry is offering Two Million naira (N2 million) to anyone who finds her, hands her over to the police, helps the police in her capture or provides the information to the Women’s Affairs Ministry.

“We need the woman urgently because the girl is in pain and in the hospital, it could be your child or relative tomorrow so let’s not fold our hands.

“In a couple of days, this ministry would make a pronouncement on taking househelp that are less than 18 years, we are going to put a stop to it and need whistleblowers to give us information. Nigeria already has a law against taking underage maids, so we intend to implement it. “Nigerians can also come to us and report such cases or cases of people who withhold other people’s wages or money and you would see immediate action.”

 

Gunmen kill Imo-based lawyer on his way to Abia

Gunmen have reportedly murdered Victor Onwubiko, a legal practitioner based in Imo state and resident of Uturu in Abia state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night while the lawyer was returning to Abia State University, Uturu, where he resides.

According to a source, the tragic event occurred along the Okigwe/Uturu road between 8 and 9 pm on Saturday, February 10, during a notable kidnapping incident.

He said: “A lawyer who was later identified as Barr. Victor Onwubiko was killed by gunmen along Okigwe Road. He is based in Okigwe town in Imo state but is a resident of Abia State University Uturu.

“He was returning to Abia State where he also resides when he was ambushed by gunmen and killed along Okigwe/Uturu road.

“There have been series of kidnappings and killings along the road irrespective of the heavy security agents in the area.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said: “We are on top of the situation, I am going to issue a press statement on it.”

Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF, others urge President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu

Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), including prominent groups like Afenifere and Ohanaeze, have jointly appealed to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the release of Nnamdi Kanu is in the best interest of Nigeria.

In a communique issued after their meeting in Abuja, the leaders expressed concern over the potential repercussions of Kanu’s continued incarceration on peace and security in the Southeast region.

Part of the communique read: “The SMBLF condemns the continued incarceration of NnamdiKanu and its implication on peace and security in the South East.

“The SMBFL therefore calls on President Tinubu to ensure that rule of law is allowed to prevail on this matter and all court rulings on this matter are obeyed.

“The release of Nnamdi Kanu is in the interest of the entire country as the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has promised that they will work with him to restore peace in the region.”

The leaders, led by Chief Edwin Clark, condemned the establishment of an ethnic militia by Miyetti Allah KautalHore in Nasarawa State, warning against condoning such actions and emphasizing the need for maintaining the rule of law.

In addition to the call for Kanu’s release, the leaders expressed deep concern about the escalating insecurity across the country.

They highlighted dangerous conditions in Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Benue states, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

The leaders called for a comprehensive review of the national security architecture and urged increased federal government support for state and community policing efforts.

Prominent leaders in attendance at the meeting included the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Chief Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere; National President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Pogu Bitrus, and National Chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien.

The communique noted the presence of several elder statesmen, former governors, former members of the National Assembly, former ministers, and other leaders from the respective regions.

Kaduna LG chair gifts DPO N1m for rejecting kidnapper’s bribe

The Executive Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Hon. Nasara Rabo, has rewarded a Divisional Police Officer, Idris Ibrahim, with the sum of N 1 million for rejecting an amount of money offered by a suspected kidnapper to help truncate his investigation.

Ibrahim served as the DPO of Tafa in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Rabo who stated this in a letter of recommendation issued yesterday disclosed that the DPO made an arrest of a kidnapper on 22nd January 2024, who attempted to bribe him with huge amounts so that the investigation could be truncated or distorted the investigation process, but the police officer rejected the bribe and vow to allow the law to take it’s full course due to his patriotic principle and firm steadfast for justice.

“This singular effort you made has not only made the Nigeria Police Force proud but it had also made the good people of Kagarko Local Government Area, the good people of Kaduna State, and Nigeria at large, adding this is a testimony that with the calibre of officers like you in service insecurity and other criminality that bedeviled our society today will become history.

“Under the foregoing, my council and the management staff of Kagarko LGA hereby serve you with a formal letter of commendation and also present you with a token gift of one million naira as a morale booster to make you put more patriotic effort in dealing with criminality in the LGA and the country at large,” the chairman added.

Nasara urged all police personnel in the state to always uphold the ethics of the professional by refusing to be compromised in the discharge of their duties.

He further prayed to Almighty God to continue to encourage him to put in his best in the protection of the lives and properties of the good people of Nigeria.

In January, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command revealed details of how the Al-Kadriyar sisters and other abducted victims were rescued from the bandits’ den in Kajuru forest in Kaduna State by a joint team of policemen and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on Saturday night.

About 23 persons were abducted on January 2, 2024, in the Zuma 1 area of Kawu, in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

The police on Sunday confirmed that all the victims, including five sisters whose abduction had raised nationwide concerns, were rescued at about 11 pm on Saturday, and had since been reunited with their families.

Gunmen kill nine travellers in Katsina

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Sunday evening reportedly killed nine traders along Jibia/Batsari Road on Katsina State.

Residents reported that the traders were returning to their community from a local market in Jibia when they ran into the gunmen around 6pm.

It was learnt that the traders were being conveyed in two vehicles which the gunmen also burnt.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The traders left the market early enough after their trading on Sunday only for them to run into the gunmen between 5pm and 6pm along Jibia/ Batsari Road.”

Residents said the gunmen shot into the two vehicles conveying the traders, killing one of the drivers and the traders on the spot.

The gunmen also reportedly burnt down the two vehicles the traders were travelling in.

Residents further disclosed that sympathisers later deposited the corpses of the victims at the Jibia General Hospital, where their relatives picked them up yesterday morning.

The numbers of traders wounded in the accident and those abducted could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu, is yet to react to the incident.

The spokesman for the state police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, was also said to be at a meeting and he had yet to respond to the SMS sent to him on the incident.

Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Radda, however, maintained that there was relative peace in the state, attributing it to the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state. He made the remarks at the annual West African Social Activities organised by the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Katsina. The governor, who was the special guest of honour at the occasion, was represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs. He declared, “Your efforts are highly commendable. I urge you to maintain the laudable standard.

The historical role of ‘WASA’ serves as an avenue that fosters good relationship between the Nigerian Army personnel and host communities which has been serving its purpose in the state over the years.”

David Cameron blasts Trump’s NATO stance as ‘not sensible’

The UK Foreign Secretary said the remarks made by the Republican presidential frontrunner on Saturday were “not a sensible approach”, adding the Northern Atlantic military alliance was “more essential than ever” in a “very dangerous and uncertain world”.

European leaders on Monday decried Trump’s suggestion at a South Carolina rally at the weekend he would “encourage” Russia to attack any NATO country that does not contribute 2 per cent of its GDP to the alliance’s coffers.

Article 5 requires each of the military alliance’s 31 countries to come to the aid of any member who becomes a victim of an armed attack. It has been invoked only once, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attack on the US.Speaking to reporters as he visited East Kilbride, Scotland, Cameron said he was a “very strong” supporter of NATO, adding it was only getting stronger after the addition of Sweden and Finland this year.

“It is what helps to keep us safe and that is so essential in this world where we have seen Putin’s terrible illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Cameron said.

He said Britain wanted all countries to spend 2 per cent (of GDP) but added it was not “responsible or sensible to say some of the things that have been said”.

Downing Street was more reserved in its response towards Trump, saying the UK remained fully committed to standing with its allies to combat Russian aggression.

Asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was confident that the US would remain a dependable partner regardless of who wins the vote expected in November, his official spokesman said: “We’ve always worked with the US and we’ve worked with the US through a number of administrations and will continue to do so in the future.”

Trump on Saturday recalled to the rally how as president he told an unidentified NATO member that he would “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in cases of allies who are “delinquent”.

“You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?” Trump recounted saying. “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gottapay. You gotta pay your bills.”

The comments earned a rebuke from NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, who said any suggestion that allies will not defend each other “undermines all of our security”.

During his time in office, Trump repeatedly criticised European NATO members for too heavily relying on US military protection while failing to meet the agreed level of investment in their armed forces.

His outbursts were often directed at Germany and other major European economies, including France, who are still below NATO’s 2 per cent target. However, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago both are expected to meet the goal in the coming years, with Germany expected to pass the level this year for the first time since 1991.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Trump’s comments were “irresponsible”, telling reporters on Monday that Trump’s remarks “even play into Russia’s hands”.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country spends more than any NATO ally with 4.3 per cent of GDP on defence, said on a visit to Paris that there was “no alternative” to European security.

“Europe must become a safe continent,” he said, citing the slogan from the French novel The Three Musketeers — “all for one, one for all”.

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Wigwe: Rivers Reps seek probe of helicopter crash

Wigwe
Wigwe

The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the United States Government and its relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the cause of the helicopter crash, that killed the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son.

Also, they called on the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies in the country to join in the investigation.

Wigwe, alongside his wife and son died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, US.

Leader of the caucus, Dunamenne Dekor, made the call in a statement he made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday.

The statement read, “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we extend our deepest condolences to the Wigwe family and loved ones during this distressing time.

“Dr Herbert Wigwe played a prominent role in the financial banking community, education and welfare.

“His leadership at Access Holdings Plc has left an indelible mark on the industry.

“As we mourn the loss of our son; a nationalist, lover of Rivers State, and visionary and compassionate leader, we take solace in the very remarkable impact he made in the financial sector, education, and particularly his philanthropic lifestyle and belief that the well-being of a people is the only thing that has intrinsic value.

“The Caucus is calling on the United States of America and its relevant agencies, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all relevant institutions and agencies of government to thoroughly investigate the cause of this ill-fated helicopter crash in California and make public its findings.

“We fervently hope that the authorities will successfully locate and provide the necessary support to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and all those who have been impacted by this tragic event.”

NLC President Ajaero says labour may demand N1m as minimum wage due torising inflation

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, said with the rising inflation and high cost of living in the country, organised labour may end up demanding for N1 million as minimum wage from the federal government.

Ajaero who stated this during an interview session on Arise Television on Sunday, said the worsening economic hardship Nigerians were being made to go through due to unfavourable government policies has made the proposed N35,000 minimum wage by government unrealistic.

According to the NLC President, any minimum wage must reflect the country’s economic conditions, noting that as long as the dollar keeps rising against the naira, the demands for a higher minimum wage will be inevitable.

He added that even the initial N200,000 minimum wage proposed by labour is no longer tenable due to soaring price of food items and inflationary pressure in the economy.

“We may end up demanding for N1m as the new minimum wage if the naira continues to depreciate against the dollar,” Ajaero said.

“This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. The demand for labour is equally dependent on what is happening in society.

“You will remember that by the time we contemplated N200,000, the exchange rate was about N900. Today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more.

“Those are the issues that determine the demand, and they are equally affecting the cost of living, and we have always said that our demand will be based on the cost of living index.

“You’ll agree that a bag of rice is about N60,000 to N70,000. Foodstuff is getting out of reach. Now, will we get a minimum wage that is insufficient for transportation, even for one week? “You have to factor in these issues and that will determine the federal government’s commitment to this negotiation. It is not just that they want to give us a minimum wage.“The old minimum wage will be expiring by April and ordinarily, the federal government ought to have set up a committee six months before that time so that negotiation would have commenced but the federal government didn’t do that until (recently when) they inaugurated a committee and the committee has not sat.

“It appears we are going to work within one month or two to agree on a figure and I doubt how those ones are going to, especially when you look at the people that the federal government assembled as members of the committee.

“They looked at some of the governors that are not paying even the existing minimum wage and even they have a minister of budget who didn’t implement his minimum wage as a governor. “If you have these people in the government team on the issue of minimum wage, some of us have not seen a bright future in the work of this new minimum wage committee,” Ajaero said.

Tell Tinubu to tackle hunger, Kano emir urges First Lady

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has called on the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to press her husband, President Bola Tinubu, to address urgent issues like hunger, starvation, and insecurity plaguing the country.

The emir made the plea when Tinubu’s wife visited him in Kano on Monday

“Although we have several means of communicating to the government on our needs and requests, your way and means is the surest way to tell the President the actual happenings in the country,” Bayero, who spoke through an interpreter, told the First Lady. The monarch said the hunger crisis “has become more alarming and needs urgent attention.”

He also urged Tinubu’s wife to push the president to tackle escalating insecurity.

“The issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more serious should be done to take care of the threats,” Bayero stated.

The emir also voiced concerns over the Federal Government’s plan to relocate offices of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Central Bank of Nigeria from Abuja to Lagos.“We should be made to actually understand the reasons behind the relocation. I for one cannot tell the actual intentions of the government,” Bayero said.

He called on the government to “come out clean” and clearly explain the rationale behind the relocations.

The Emir also advised the First Lady to push forward her Renewed Hope Initiative Pet Programme, which aims to empower underprivileged Nigerians.

On February 6, Tinubu condemned a weekend attack in Zamfara and Kano states, where bandits went on the rampage.

A divisional police officer, an inspector, and a vigilante were reportedly killed during the attack in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State.

Similarly, in Kano State, unknown gunmen broke into the residence of a village head and killed him in cold blood.

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