With news filtering in that Cubans chief priest has been nabbed by the EFCC, here is a reminder of what constitutes naira abuse.
Naira notes: Nine practices that could land you in trouble
Below are the ways you can abuse the naira:
Spraying: It is illegal to spray banknotes at events.
Writing: Writing on banknotes is prohibited by law.
Stapling: Stapling banknotes is prohibited by law due to the potential for corrosion caused by the pins.
Tearing: Tearing banknotes is also illegal.
Dancing or stamping on naira: Dancing or stamping on naira banknotes is prohibited by law. Getting oil or ink on the banknotes can be considered a form of defacing.
Selling: Selling currency banknotes is illegal.
Mutilation: Anyone caught tampering with the naira note will face legal consequences, as stated in the CBN Act Section 21.
Rejecting the naira: Rejecting the naira is strictly prohibited by law (Section 20, Subsection 5).
Money bouquets: In February 2023, the CBN also identified money bouquets as a type of naira abuse.
In a video shared by Special Adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on his X account, Dangote Refinery rolls out diesel by road and sea from its complex in Lekki, Lagos. It's a new dawn for our country, an importer for decades of refined products.
RE: REPENTED BOKO HARAM MEMBER ENLISTED INTO NIGERIAN ARMY SLITS WOMAN'S THROAT IN ENUGU BARRACKS, HIDES CORPSE
The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a publication by Sahara Reporters on 13 April 2024 tilted, "Repented Boko Haram Member Enlisted into Nigerian Army slits Woman's throat in Enugu Barracks, Hides Corpse."
Much as it is highly regrettable that a young lady lost her life in the hands of a man with whom she was in an amorous relationship, the incident should not be latched on to insinuate a laughable claim that the dastardly act was committed by a repentant Boko Haram recruited into the Nigerian Army.
It is pertinent therefore to clear the air on the allegation as insinuated by Sahara Reporters.
The NA has at no point in time, either in the past or present enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength. However, considerations were given to Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East distinguished themselves morally and patriotically. Such members of the CJTF must have also shown commitment, dedication and loyalty to the service and the nation.
The sad incident of the gruesome murder of Miss Hauwakulu Tabra by Private Adamu Muhammad occurred on the night of Thursday 11 April 2024 and her corpse was discovered within the barracks on Friday 12 April 2024. Preliminary investigations revealed that the late Hauwakulu Tabra was actually murdered by the said soldier, who is presently in detention for further investigation to unravel the motive behind his actions.
The Nigerian Army extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased Miss Hauwakulu Tabra and also emphatically assert that at no time has the NA enlisted repentant Boko Haram members into its fold as mischievously insinuated.
The general public should be rest assured that justice will be served, as the NA will not condone any unprofessional conduct or indiscipline within its ranks.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Major General Director Army Public Relations 14 April 2024
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Niger’s capital to demand the departure of United States troops, after the military government further shifted its strategy by ending a military accord with the US and welcoming Russian military instructors.
Marching arm in arm through central Niamey on Saturday, the crowd waved Nigerien flags in a demonstration that recalled anti-French protests that spurred the withdrawal of France’s forces from Niger last year after the army seized power in a coup.
One hand-written sign in English read “USA rush out of Niger”, in a show of support for the military government and its decision in mid-March to revoke an accord that had allowed around 1,000 US military personnel to operate on its territory out of two bases.
“We’re here to say no to the American base, we don’t want Americans on our soil,” protester Maria Saley told the Reuters news agency on the sidelines of the march.
The crowd was also heard chanting “Down with American imperialism” and “The people’s liberation is on the march.”
Until the coup, Niger had remained a key security partner of France and the US, which used it as a base as part of international efforts to curb a decade-old rebellion in West Africa’s Sahel region.
In March the country suspended its military agreement with the US. The US military had some 650 personnel working in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress. The US military operates a major airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.
A drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez was also built at a cost of more than $100m. Since 2018 the base has been used to target ISIL (ISIS) fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.
Ties with Russia Meanwhile, France also agreed to withdraw its troops last September in the wake of the July coup that overthrew democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The new authorities in Niger joined military-run governments in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso in ending military deals with one-time Western allies, quitting the regional political and economic bloc ECOWAS and also fostering closer ties with Russia.
The arrival on Wednesday of Russian military instructors and equipment was further evidence of the military government’s openness to closer cooperation with Moscow, which is seeking to boost its influence in Africa.
A few Russian flags were visible at the protest, but some citizens told Reuters on Friday they did not want the welcome Russian defence assistance to lead to a permanent presence in Niger.
“We must not subsequently see the implementation of Russian foreign military bases,” said Abdoulaye Seydou, the coordinator of the M62 coalition of civil society groups that led anti-French protests last year.
His concerns were echoed by student Souleymane Ousmane: “This is how the French and the Americans and all the other countries settled in Niger – from military cooperation, they ended up occupying large parts of our country,” he told Reuters.
It is still unclear, however, if or when the US troops will leave.
I warned people when the mockery started that it would backfire. It has now backfired splendidly. They have now ended up making a mockery of Aba made in Nigeria shoes.
You don’t seem to get what I’m saying, which is that ANY NIGERIAN who insults a person for using MADE IN NIGERIA products, is a low IQ imbecil.e with foam where his brain ought to be.
Why don't you go after the people that started mocking Reno...
Only a dumb person would say a special adviser to President GEJ is broke. People close to GEJ made out like bandits when GEJ was in power. As we speak now, that dude might even be somewhere in Europe or America enjoying himself. How much is a shoe that he would not be able to afford a good one. Nigerians are easily distracted by nonsense.
Trailblazing Ownership: Eni Aluko Becomes First Black Female Football Club Owner in Italy
In a groundbreaking move, Eni Aluko, a former sports director for Aston Villa and Angel City, has become the first black female football club owner in Italy. Aluko is part of a $100 million ownership group, known as Mercury 13, that has acquired a majority stake in FC Como Women, a club based in northern Italy.
Aluko, who has primarily focused on football broadcasting since her retirement, has now ventured into sports ownership, joining the Mercury 13 group. This move not only makes her the first black woman to own a football team in her native Italy but also serves as an inspiration for black sports investors and black ownership in general.
The Mercury 13 ownership group has pledged to invest $100 million in women’s football teams across Latin America and Europe, reflecting the growing interest and investment in the sport. With Aluko’s majority ownership of Como FC, the group is positioning itself to build a stable of women’s clubs, capitalizing on the increasing popularity of the women’s game.
Aluko’s journey to club ownership is a testament to her passion for the sport and her desire to make a lasting impact. As a former sports director, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, and her involvement is expected to further elevate the profile of women’s football in Italy and beyond.
This landmark acquisition by the Mercury 13 group, with Eni Aluko at the helm, represents a significant milestone in the history of Italian football and the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the sport.
rinzaugustine: what is your source mr man , very simple 6 year old child question and you are dancing in circle
Can't you see that's a book by a calabar man, or do you want me to go and fetch you the name of the book? I see people have been spoonfeeding you on the thread.
rinzaugustine: you expect a sane mind to believe this ogbomosho piece of trash printed from a business center? You are a Nairaland clown…Agbado trash without source again. Bitterness towards more successful people can never translate to common sense
It is a fundamental error for Allen Onyema to see British Airways, Virgin, KLM, Lufthansa and other European airlines in that class as his competition. Those airlines are in the upper range of the global aviation industry and will nearly always be full on the Lagos-London, and Abuja-London routes. Why? Because Nigerians have become used to them and even see them as a status symbol. I don't support that. However, I am a realist.
The chief competitor for Air Peace will be lower-budget airlines, that can even sell tickets at a loss to squeeze out a rival. Airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, Royal Maroc, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, RwandAir, etc.
During the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, I helped buy tickets for Nigerians fleeing South Africa, and the prices I saw for RwandAir do not make sense, even today. Those guys can charge almost nothing. It is hard to beat their price.
And the reason these airlines listed above can offer rock-bottom prices is because they have the support of their governments.
Without the support of the Nigerian government, Air Peace WILL lose the price war on the Lagos-London route. And they will lose not to British Airways (which is not a national airline). They will lose to Ethiopian Airways, Egypt Air, RwandAir, or Royal Maroc.
If you go on Expedia right now, the only advantage that Air Peace has over these other non European airlines is that they offer a direct flight. Other than that, they are beaten on price. Will Nigerians pay higher for a direct Air Peace flight?
The cheapest Lagos to London flight on Expedia is from RwandAir. Then Air France. Then Egypt Air. Ethiopian Airlines follows closely. Next is Kenya Airways.
Let me shock you. Air Peace is not even on Expedia. And Expedia is the world's largest seller of airline tickets. In 2023 alone, they sold a staggering $12.08 billion worth of airline tickets and hotel rooms. More than any website.
Now, why am I saying this? The Federal Government is negotiating to get Emirates back into Nigeria. Why? Do they realise that Emirates is one of the most powerful airlines in the world, with a revenue of $29.3 billion for the financial year 2022-2023?
What is the benefit of Emirates returning to Nigeria for our country? Already, Air Peace is losing the price war for the Lagos-London route to RwandAir, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines and Royal Maroc, and you want to introduce Emirates into the mix?
I know Emirates very well. It is probably the best managed airline on Earth. They can afford to sell tickets for a route at a sustained loss until they destroy their competition. They have the revenue and the reserves to sustain a temporary loss. If they return to Nigeria, Air Peace may become a sardine competing with a barracuda.
Let us think this thing through. Except we do not want Air Peace to survive. Is it more important for Nigeria to get Emirates back than for Air Peace to succeed?
I think our focus as a nation should be looking for ways to confer as many advantages as possible to Air Peace in this price war, so that they can succeed and turn a profit. The aviation industry is brutal. The profit margins are slim if you are not as big as BA or Emirates.
Again, I urge that we should think this through. I know that Emirates left under Buhari because of inability to repatriate their revenue from Nigeria. Maybe that is the way to help Air Peace win this war. Perhaps Nigeria may make it not too hard, but also not too easy for foreign airlines to repatriate their revenues. That small ojoro, or mago-mago, can give Air Peace all the edge she needs to win this price war.
How do you think all these other government-linked airlines are able to offer such ridiculously low fares? Their own governments do small wayo to help them. Let us not be naive!
Reno Omokri
Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus
For Area Scatter, Crossdressing was more than just a wardrobe change.
When we think of cross-dressing in Nigeria, names like Bobrisky, James Brown and Denrele Edun immediately emerge.
Yet, what many, especially, the younger generation, don’t realise is that cross-dressing has quite a history in Nigeria, which is often overlooked.
Before the rise of today’s cross-dressing ‘icons’, Nigeria had its pioneer back in the 1970s: Uzoma Odimara, better known as Area Scatter.
But what would crossdressing in the 1970s look like?
Here is what Odimara, the first Nigerian crossdresser in the 1970s, looked like.
Odimara, or as he was fondly known, Area Scatter, commanded attention.
He adorned himself in exquisite attire of a women’s blouse and matching wrappers with a pair of beautiful moderate heels; despite his looks that blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity, he was a sight to behold.
For Area Scatter, Crossdressing was more than just a change of wardrobe; it was a performance art.
But it wasn’t just his appearance that set him apart; it was his attitude; his gestures were also a wonder to many, who for the first time, would experience what we now know as crossdressing, In a time when the concept of cross-dressing was still developing in Nigeria.
But beyond his appearance and gestures, he was also an entertainer to the core; He would play his ornamental thumb piano, singing in a rich, smooth voice, and entertaining his audiences with unique dance moves.
Soon, Area Scatter gained fame among the people and the royals, as he performed from markets to palaces at his time.
Indeed, it wasn’t just his music that enraptured audiences; it was his entire persona. Social media recent clips of Area Scatter performing for local rulers and intrigued crowds have further spurred more interest in his unique personality.
Life Born in Imo State, little is known about Area Scatter’s early life. He was reportedly a civil servant who vanished during the Nigerian Civil War, only to reemerge with a new identity.
Many believed he spent seven months and seven days away from public sight only to be reinvented as a beautifully adorned woman.
Scatter’s rise to fame in the late 1970s stemmed from his unconventional approach to entertainment.
He flaunted a striking style, braiding his hair, donning makeup, and strutting in heels, all while captivating audiences with his melodious voice and charismatic presence.
His performances as a cross-dresser, actor, comedian, and musician aimed to challenge societal norms and promote tolerance for gender diversity.
Renowned throughout Imo State and the South-east and gaining international attention, Area Scatter’s thumb piano performances were legendary, adorned with distinctive skulls and crossbones.
During his lifetime, he frequented NTV (now known as the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA) channel 6’s Ukonu’s Club, and he was the leader of the ‘Ugwu Anya Egbulam’ musical group. One of his famous catchphrases was: “If I’d lied to you, may I bathe without clothing”.
Tragically, Area Scatter’s life was cut short by a ghastly motor accident. Still, his legacy as a pioneering cross-dressing performer resonates with the likes of contemporary cross-dressers in Nigeria.
It has been over five decades since his death. However, crossdressing has become a trend in Nigeria, with personalities like Denrele continuing to challenge gender norms with their distinctive styles.
In contrast, others like Bobrisky, James Brown, and Jay Boogie have pushed boundaries further, embracing feminine appearances amidst controversy.
Gunmen attacked a police checkpoint on the Abakaliki/Enugu highway on Thursday, killing a policeman and setting a police patrol van on fire.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred at the Ishieke Junction, on the outskirts of Abakaliki metropolis.
Sources in the area said the gunmen also abducted another cop, but this could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, however, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to our correspondent.
Ukandu said the incident occurred on Thursday at about 7.15am and that hoodlums in a Sienna car attacked the police checkpoint at the state’s Ishieke junction.
He noted that the officers were able to repel the attackers, adding, however, that one of the officers was “fatally wounded,” and a patrol car was set ablaze.
He said, “Today, April 11, 2024, at about 7.15am, hoodlums in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle attacked the police checkpoint at the Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi LGA of Ebonyi State.
“The hoodlums shot sporadically at the officers, who engaged them fiercely and were able to repel them. However, one of the officers was fatally wounded, and a patrol vehicle was set ablaze.”
The police spokesperson added that an investigation is ongoing and normalcy has been restored in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police immediately deployed police operatives to the scene, and they are on the trail of the hoodlums. Meanwhile, calm and normalcy have been restored to the area.
“The CP is using this medium to call on well-meaning individuals in the state to avail the command with useful information that will aid in apprehending the fleeing hoodlums while noting that the command remains resolute in its fight against crime and criminality and the protection of lives and properties,” Ukandu said.
Shut up. Does that post look like opinion to you.. an opinion article would be indicated right under the name of Ibo Ekott if it was. Since you can't read neither can you comprehend, I have included a screenshot of where you can download the link to the US Gov document.
Even Nnamdi Azikwe knew that France was supplying the rebels with ammunition via aid/food planes.
The Obidient movement are normally very dumb. He still is clueless despite all the links and posts. You are trying to educate someone with an empty skull. Goodluck to you lol.
If I were your governor I will break that olumo rock and other rocks in the brown roofarian republic to know if we can find food inside and stop this ebi npa wa madness
Everybody is Ewedu to you when you get slapped with the truth. Sorry Mr Akpu and bitter leaf soup.
Politics / Naira Notes: Nine Practices That Could Land You In Trouble by adamusuleiman1: 6:42pm On Apr 16