₦airaland Forum

A Spain-based Nigerian man, Gabriel Anthony Patrick, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for ingesting 96 pellets of cocaine, which he excreted while in the custody of the Agency.

The Director, Media & Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday, that the suspect, a native of Nike in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, was arrested on Friday, November 26, during an outward clearance of Turkish Airline at the boarding screening area of the airport enroute Abuja-Istanbul-Madrid.

“He had travelled to Germany in 1996 for two years on asylum after which he relocated to Spain in 1999 where he currently holds a residence permit and works as a driver in a food manufacturing company,” Babafemi said in the statement.

“He claimed he came into Nigeria on 17th November to sell cloths and car spare parts he shipped to Lagos earlier.

“He however said he couldn’t sell his consignments, which cost him 4,000 Euros excluding the cost of shipment because they were priced below the cost price at Ladipo market in Lagos and he needed to travel back to Spain to resume work after the expiration of his annual leave.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/ndlea-arrests-spain-based-man-with-cocaine/

The former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, says for the Igbos to get the presidency in 2023, they would have to kneel, prostrate and beg other parts of the country so as to produce a president in 2023.

The elder statesman who made the pronouncement at an event in Abuja, said the quest to have an Igbo president in 2023 has become such a serious matter that the South-East was ready to “kneel down, even prostrate and beg in order to get the opportunity to become Nigeria’s President come 2023.”

Ezeife who was a guest at the United for Better Nigeria Initiative National Convention in Abuja on Saturday, said there was no better time for Ndigbo to produce a president in Nigeria and as such, they were prepared to do anything to achieve their aim, even if they have to go the unorthodox way.

Ezeife, however, noted that one of the ways to put an Igbo man in power come 2023 was for the region to swallow its pride and start begging every other region for the presidential seat.

“We are prepared to prostrate and beg for the president in 2023,” he reiterated.

“So I found Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and other groups in this place talking about the need for federal character.

“If you do it that way, there will be unity, if there is fairness, equity, justice, you will have unity and progress.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/igbo-presidency/

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism by appointing more northerners into critical national positions to the detriment of the Southern part of the country.

The apex northern group which made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said Buhari’s key appointments since coming into power in 2015 has been skewed to favour the north, while neglecting other parts of the country.

The CNG, however, lamented that despite majority of Buhari’s “sensitive and critical” appointments going to the north, the region has not benefitted much as it is still reeling from poverty, underdevelopment, insurgency and banditry.

“Since coming to power in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed more northerners into critical positions but to what effect has these appointments been for the North?

“We all can testify that the North has been the major casualty of the policies of the Buhari administration while the South is the major beneficiary.

“The appointment of northerners into critical positions cannot be a yardstick for judging a people’s development or prosperity as we are all witnesses to the fact that the North is still wallowing extreme poverty, underdevelopment, banditry, kidnappings and insurgency.”

https://newsroundtheclock.com/cng-accuses-buhari-of-nepotism/

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has urged world leaders to close ranks and work together to tackle common challenges affecting humanity in every part of the world.

Buhari who made the appeal at in his address at the EXPO 2020 currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said Nigeria was ready to explore partnerships with investors to make the country better.

In the statement issued by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Buhari called on leaders to work together to make the world a better place.

“The concerted efforts by world leaders, working together, enabled us to limit the catastrophic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement reads.

“Such level of continuing understanding and pragmatic partnerships will be required and must be reinforced to ensure that our world is a better place that addresses humanity’s common challenges to guarantee sustainable development and progress for the global community.

“Therefore, the Nigerian delegation is participating in this EXPO with great prospects for positive outcomes, while assuring the world of our determination and readiness to partner with relevant investors in our bid to tackle a number of challenges to make Nigeria a better country.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/buhari-urges-world-leaders-to-tackle-challenges/

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has been thrown into a monumental scandal as it has been uncovered that it spent over N125.7 million to drill eight boreholes in eight communities in Kebbi State.

The costs of the contracts, which appeared to be inflated saw the ministry spending between N18.213 and N11.611 million on a single borehole.

The Works and Housing Ministry in an FOI response signed by Mr. Ode Martins, the Director Planning Research and Strategy, obtained by MAWA Foundation, claims to have paid N18,213,000.00 to construct a single borehole at the Goru Fulani Settlement located at the Benin Kebbi Local Government of Kebbi State.

The ministry in a meeting held on November 30, 2020, attended by Mr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary and other Directors, endorsed Messrs. Alliance Trading Company Limited, to undertake the construction and hence awarded one of the contract to her.

Mr. Wilfred Ezekama, who owns a hydrology firm, speaking to the Foundation, said drilling a borehole in Kebbi does not cost beyond N7 million.

He, however, added that the amount should cover drilling and casing, installation of a solar-powered submersible pump, steel tower for the tanks, tanks, pipes, joints, and suckers, installation, and labour.

It is not however clear, the factors considered by the Ministry of Works and Housing in arriving at the contract price.

Meanwhile, the projects were undertaken under the 2020 Zonal Intervention Projects provided in the 2020 Amended Appropriation Act.

Other projects carried out were the drilling of deep borehole and overhead tanks in Gulumbe, Birnin Kabbi Local Government Area, Kebbi Central Senatorial District, of the state, which was done by Messrs Puranova Nigeria Ltd at the cost of N17,999,000.

Also, the drilling of deep boreholes and overhead tanks in Tilli and Raha Villages, Bunza Local Government Area, Kebbi Central Senatorial District, done by Messrs Iramak Nigeria Ltd at the cost of N18,111,111.

A similar project was carried out in Aliero Local Government Area in the same Senatorial District by Messrs Abmusta Construction Limited at the cost of N17,992,000.

The project carried out in Agwada and Jandutsi Villages, in the Jega Local Government Area, of the same Senatorial District was done by Messrs Adza Procurement Ltd at the cost of N18,430,222.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/works-ministry-spent-n125-7m-to-drill-boreholes/

A 12-year-old student of Dowen College in the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos State, has allegedly beaten to death by his mates in school who wanted to initiate him into a secret cult.

The death of the boy identified as Sylvester Oromoni Junior, was made public by his uncle via Twitter on Wednesday.

According to the boy’s uncle who simply identified himself as Perri, the victim was severely tortured to death by his fellow students in the college which charges N1 million as tuition fee, adding that the victim mentioned five names before he died on Tuesday

The uncle wrote:

“This is my 12 years old cousin that was beaten to death at a school that cost over N1m. They tried to put him in a cult, he refused and they killed him.

“He refused to blend and they literally beat him to death; it’s a boarding school in Lagos. They called my uncle that he wasn’t well, so he went there, took him and admitted him to a hospital in Warri.

“They called my uncle that he got injured playing football. Reaching the hospital, it was confirmed that he was bullied and beaten up, causing internal damages,” he wrote.

“That’s where he passed on, but confessed that they tried blending him into a cult. Dowen College is a disgrace. He mentioned five names before passing on yesterday.”

However, as the controversy trailing the death of the Junior Secondary School II pupil continues to rage on, a staff of the school has denied allegations that he was beaten to death by school mates who wanted to initiate him into cultism.

A member of the school management, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the victim only complained of leg pain before his parents picked him from the school last Tuesday.

“Indeed, the boy passed on while he went home from a leg injury; that was all he complained about after playing football until Sunday night that he mentioned that he was beaten.

“Other members of their family came to the school and they investigated and till today, we have no such evidence to back that.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/pupil-beaten-to-death-by-mates/

Not less than 15 passengers were reportedly kidnapped by terrorists allied to the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) on Thursday morning in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The incident, according to multiple reports, occured in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

A security source said the insurgents struck near Gumsuri village in Damboa, where they waylaid motorists and forcefully took them into the dreaded Sambisa Forest, with some staff of International Non-Governmental Organisations are among the victims.

The victims, said to be mostly young people, had reportedly left Damboa town while heading for Adamawa, on Wednesday, when they ran into a checkpoint mounted by the insurgents who were reportedly dressed in military camouflage.

“It is unfortunate that the insurgents continue their nefarious activities on the fringes of Sambisa forests, we have received reports that ISWAP kidnapped at least 15 persons (passengers) near Gumsuri village while allowing two others to go.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/iswap-terrorists-kidnap-passengers/

The unfortunate head injury suffered by Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, in a head clash with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, will effectively rul him out of the African Nations Cup (AFCON) coming up in January in Cameroon.

Following a successful surgery, he now joins Oghenekaro Etebo on the list of injured Super Eagles players who will miss the 2022 Nations Cup.

The doctor who operated on Osimhen, Gianpaolo Tartaro, described how and what had to be done to treat the substantial face injury after the successful surgery and also estimated his return to not earlier than 2-3 months

With Osimhen out of the Nations Cup, it begs the question, who can replace him in the squad?

Kelechi Iheanacho
If Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho is up to his element, he could grab the opportunity with both hands and become the go-to striker in the Eagles set up. But with the return of Odion Ighalo and the open preference of the veteran striker by Coach Gernot Rohr, it could be a big task for the former U-17 winner.

The Leicester City striker is coming off a strong season with the Foxes. His finest in the Premier League and the club should be structured around him rather than being treated as an afterthought.

Since Osimhen will likely be ruled out of the Nations Cup, Rohr will be hopeful that Iheanacho and Ighalo can form a working connection.

Paul Onuachu
Onuachu is a bit part player with the Super Eagles and has been used sparingly by Rorh due to his playing style. The coach seems not to know how to play to Onuachu’s strength and as such, has not been quite effective for national team as he has been for his Belgiam team.

His tall stature and distinct features make him a great Plan B. But would Rohr trust him as a starter to take Osimhen’s place?

David Okereke
Rohr has been hesitant to pass the baton to newcomers and integrate them into his plans. Now that Osihmen is out, he will undoubtedly have to rethink his approach with the likes of David Okereke being in hot form.

The Venezia striker is on a roll in the Serie A right now as he has taken a page from Osimhen’s book by scoring in his previous two games – against AS Roma and Bologna.

So far this season, Okereke has scored four goals in 12 games and has adapted well to the Italian top flight’s newcomers, but will Rohr take the risk of trusting Okereke to be his go-to hitman?

Cyriel Dessers
This season, the Dutch-born attacker who decided to play for the country of his mother, has been shattering records for Feyenoord. He is now showcasing his worth as an impact sub with four goals since late September.

After integrating swiftly in Dutch football, he went into this international break on a three-game scoring streak, and his hot form might make him crucial as the Africa Cup of Nations approaches.

In October 2020, the 26-year-old made his one and only appearance.

Taiwo Awoniyi
It’s ludicrous that Awoniyi was left out of the recent international break. What does it say about the manager’s opinion of the forward?...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/afcon-2022-seven-strikers-that-can-replace-osimhen-in-super-eagles-lineup/

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in Oxford, Michigan, after a mass shooting at the Oxford High School left three students dead and eight others seriously injured on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The Oxford High School students who lost their lives in the shooting were identified as Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Madisyn Baldwin, 17, according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

Eight others made up of seven students and a teacher, sustained various degrees of Injuries, Bouchard said, with three in critical condition, including a 14-year-old girl who was on a ventilator after having surgery.

The suspect, a sophomore at the school, was taken into custody without incident two to three minutes after authorities responded to the shooting, Bouchard said.

He is being held at Oakland County Children’s Village, a juvenile detention facility, and is on suicide watch where he is being checked on every 15 minutes, said an Oakland County executive.

At a news conference early Wednesday, Bouchard gave some more details about the shooting.

He said the semi automatic handgun used by the suspect has been recovered by law enforcement and was believed to have been bought by suspect’s father on Friday.

The weapon, a 9MM Sig Sauer SP2022 pistol was loaded at the time it was confiscated, and still contained seven rounds, Bouchard said...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/mass-shooting/

The jailbreak that took place at the Jos Prison in Plateau State on Sunday, November 28, was the fifth of such incidence in the last two years, raising a question as to how secure Nigerian prisons really are.

Whenever these jailbreaks occur, hundreds of inmates are freed and let loose into the larger society, and though the authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) would blow hot and vow to recapture all the inmates, success has often eluded them.

A countdown will look thus:

On October 19, 2020, as the country was engulfed in the #EndSARS protest that rocked the entire country, heavily armed gunmen in their hundreds, simultaneously attacked two correctional facilities in Benin City and Oko, Edo State, setting free about 1,933 inmates.

On Easter Sunday, precisely April 4, 2021, unknown gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked the Owerri Correctional Center facility and set free a whopping 1,844 inmates, and though the authorities of the NCoS claimed that majority of them had been recaptured, Nigerians are yet to be convinced.

Some of the escapees had even found their ways to neighbouring countries as six of them were reportedly arrested as they tried to sneak into Ghana. Twelve of the escapees were also said to have been arrested as they tried to sneak into Benin Republic.

Again, on September 12, 2021, not less than 240 inmates of the Medium Security Correctional Center in Kabba, Kogi State, escaped when gunmen invaded the facility. A few days later, the NSoC claimed that 114 of the escaped inmates had been recaptured.

This was to be followed by another attack on October 22, 2021, at the Okitipupa Prison in Ondo State where about 58 inmates were freed. Till date, there has been no record of any re-arrest of the escaped inmates.

It was the turn of the Abolongo Correctional Center in Oyo Town, Oyo State, on October 22, 2021, when gunmen broke into the facility with little or no resistance, and freed the hundreds of inmates.

Again, the authorities, led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while on an inspection tour of the Abolongo Prison, admitted that 907 inmates had escaped and vowed that all the escapees would be arrested and brought back to the facility.

“From a headcount that we took, 907 inmates had escaped but 446 have been recaptured, while 69 never left the facility. I want to tell the fleeing inmates that for their own good, they should retrace their steps and go back to the Correctional Center before we go after them as that would be bad for them,” Aregbesola said

Among those said to have escaped from the facility was the notorious Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili, who was said to be the brain behind the killing of residents of Isheyin and Eruwa towns, before he arrested.

Another prominent inmate who escaped from the Abolongo Prison was self-confessed serial killer, Sunday Shodipe, and till date, no one is sure if the two gangsters have been rearrested.

Beyond the prison breaks that have rocked Nigerian in the past two years, the jailbreak that occurred at the Jos facility is one that will, perhaps, raise a lot of questions going by the fact the facility is by far, one of the most secure prisons in the country.

For those who do not know the Plateau State capital city or are not very conversant with the inner towns, the Jos Prison is surrounded by facilities belonging to security agencies and as such, should be well fortified.

The Zonal Headquarters of the Directorate of State Service (DSS) and the Plateau State Police Command Headquarters borders the prison from the rear, while a police barracks and the State Police ‘A’ Division Headquarters are to the west of the prison.

The Headquarters of the State Task Force (STF), codenamed Operation Safe Have, is located about kilometer from the Jos Prison, a distance of not more than five minutes, while the Plateau State High Court Complex, with its array of security personnel, lies just a few meters from the prison.

Ordinarily, the Jos Prison should be a really safe center, and not a place where misguided miscreants would find joy in invading, and in broad daylight.

For the gunmen to infiltrate such an area and attack a prison at a location known to be a no go area for ordinary civilians who have no business there, is something Nigerians and the government should interrogate seriously.

Shortly after the jailbreak became public knowledge, the spokesman of the Nigerian Custodial Centre, Francis Enobore, released a statement where he claimed that some of the gunmen were “trapped within the Medium Security Custodial Center, after invading the facility following a reinforcement of security personnel.”

As Nigerians looked forward to a total annihilation of the supposed trapped criminals, Enobore, apparently realizing that he could not hide the truth anymore, issued another statement, admitting that nine of the inmates were killed in the cross fire, and that one gunman also died

https://newsroundtheclock.com/jos-prison-break/

After a week-long wait, experienced German coach, Ralf Rangnick, has been confirmed as the interim manager of English Premiership giant, Manchester United, with the deal running till the end of the season, replacing the recently departed Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

Reports also suggests that an agreement has been reached with Locomotiv Moscow, Rangnick’s last employer where he served as Head of Sports and Development, to allow him depart from the Russian club mid-season.

The 63-year-old, who is widely regarded as the father of modern coaching in Germany, agreed on a six-month deal until the end of May.

He will have a further two years in a consultancy role which seems to be the part that excites most Manchester United fans the most. However, work permit reasons mean he will not be in charge in time for the weekend’s game against Arsenal.

Where are Man United right now?


Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer parted ways after a 4-1 mauling at Vicarage Road to Claudio Ranieri’s men.

Manchester United dropped to 8th place on the league standings after the defeat and seem far away from a title challenge, which fans and spectators thought they would be doing this season.


However their poor league form and early exit from the Carabao cup is quite the opposite of the Champions league run. An opening day defeat to Young Boys has been their only Champions league defeat so far and have confirmed a place in the round of 16 after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho secured them a 2-0 victory over Villareal midweek.

Their performances have however been far from impressive so far this season which is something they hope the new manager would be able to improve on.


Who is Ralf Ragnick?


For all of Manchester United’s recent mistakes and past failings, appointing Ralf Rangnick as their new interim manager is not one of them.

The German manager is one of the most experienced and deepest thinkers in the game, and will bring a wealth of know-how to the table in terms of how United should operate.

He has developed a firm understanding for how a football club should run, and also played a direct role in unearthing some of the most familiar names now plying their trade in European football such as Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea’s Timo Werner and Bayern Munich’s center back, Dayot Upamecano.




He has also managed the likes of Hoffenheim and Schalke, among other clubs in the past, spent several years connected with the Red Bull franchise, overseeing the rise of both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.

He was the Director of Football at both clubs in 2012 and played a key role in the overall operation of the pair. That hands-on experienced and strategic footballing knowledge will serve United very well indeed.


Can Ralf Ragnick turn Man United fortunes around?


After the departure of Jose Mourinho in 2018, Manchester United have been in disarray and needs someone to steady the ship and oversee a rebuild.

After a successful stint as interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer was given the keys to do just that. Considering the squad the club now has at its disposal, it can be said that the rebuilding process was a successful one and it was time for them to challenge for trophies which is where Ole came short of this season.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/what-will-ralf-rangnick-bring-to-manchester-united/

A barely two months after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was arrested on Tuesday at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, and moved to a nearby EFCC office.

Fani-Kayode, who was in court for the trial of an alleged forgery case against him, was walking out after the case was adjourned till January 24, 2021, when he was approached by an EFCC investigator, arrested and moved into custody.

An EFCC investigator, Mr Shehu Shuaibu, confirmed the ex-minister’s rearrest, saying he was being quizzed over false documents.

Meanwhile, this came barely one week after news had it that the former minister was arrested for forging a medical report during his trial for money laundering at the Federal High Court, in Lagos.

However, Fani-Kayode denied the reports that he was arrested by EFCC operatives on Tuesday, November 23.

Taking on his Instagram page later on the same day, he stated that he was only ‘invited’, contrary to reports that he was arrested, noting that he was granted bail on self-recognition.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/efcc-arrests-femi-fani-kayode/

Following the discovery of a new variant of the Covid-19 Omnicron, by South African scientists, the UK government has imposed temporary travel restrictions on six African countries.

The countries are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini, and travellers from the affected countries will not be allowed into the UK shores from Friday.

The new coronavirus variant, B.1.1.529, has already recorded 59 cases three days after its discovery while infections have been confirmed in South Africa, Hong Kong, and Botswana.

In a statement on Thursday by UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, said “the UK Health Security Agency is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we’re taking precautions now.”

“From noon tomorrow, November 26, six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine.”

Also Read: WHO renames new Covid-19 Variant ‘Omicron’

“The B.1.1.529 variant Omnicron could be the most lethal and worrying yet. This is because of its awful spike mutation profile which scientists fear could help it evade immunity. Early reports suggest it is capable of reducing vaccine efficiency to just 30 per cent.

“The first indications we have of this variant are that it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and that the vaccines we currently have may be less effective.

“We will ask anyone arriving from these countries from 4 a.m. on Sunday to quarantine themselves in hotels,” Javid said.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/uk-imposes-travel-restriction-on-six-african-countries/

President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has been the only regime in the history of Nigeria to provide workable solutions to farmers-herders clash, according to Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President.

Shehu who made this assertion on Friday while presenting a paper at the 10th year anniversary of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, said only President Buhari has demonstrated the political will to tackle the recurring herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country since independence.

In the paper titled “Fake news: Challenges of information management,” Shehu said:

“The Buhari administration is the only government of Nigeria that has put forward a workable solution to the herder-farmer challenge in all the years since independence.

“The threat to civilians and peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and religious groups from farmer-herders clashes, banditry and land disputes are of serious concern to the Buhari government.

“It is incorrect, however, to assert that the government has or is doing nothing to address the threats.

“Firstly, there are ongoing efforts for the establishment of cattle ranches to prevent or curtail open grazing, the practice that brings herders and farmers into conflict.

“This is an age-old problem facing Nigerian Governments since the colonial days. However, matters of land distribution are dealt with at state level.

“This means willingness has to be shown by state governors to drive the process forward. The Federal government launched a plan last year to work with states to address these issues together.

“Unfortunately, this has been lacking in some states and with regards to the long and determined battle waged against Boko Haram, Nigerians are aware of the efforts made by this government.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/garba-shehu/

A new variant of Covid-19 recently discovered by South African scientists, has been renamed ‘Omnicron’ by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The world health body said in a statement on Friday that the “recently-discovered B.1.1.529 strain of Covid-19 is to be a variant of great concern, hence renaming it Omicron.”

“Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in Covid-19 epidemiology, the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern, named Omicron,” the UN health agency said in a statement.

In the interim, EU officials have been holding emergency meetings over the variant and agreed to urge all 27 nations in the bloc to restrict travel from regions where the strain is likely to mutate faster.

“Member States agreed to introduce rapidly restrictions on all travel into the EU from seven countries in the Southern Africa region: Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe,” European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted.

“This is not a formal decision but a recommendation. It is up to each member state to take its own decisions,” an EU official.

Many EU member states had already gone ahead with flight suspensions from some or all of the seven African countries while others are expected to follow suit over coming days.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/covid-19-new-variant-named-omnicron/

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to leave a secure and safe Nigeria for the future generations in the country.

Buhari stated this on Friday during the burial of the slain Nigerian Army officer, Brig.- Gen. Dzarma Zurkushi, and seven other soldiers in Yola, Adamawa.

Zirkushu, who was the Commander of 28 Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai in Chibok, Borno State, and the seven soldiers were killed by the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an attack on Askira Uba local government area of the state on November 13.

Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, expressed sadness over the death of the gallant officers.

“The tragic loss of our gallant soldiers is not only to the family of the deceased, but to the country and the armed forces at large.

“My desire is to bequeath to future generations of Nigerians a secured and safe place in which each and every child will be able to ventilate their aspirations and live in peace and tranquility.

“I express gratitude for the rare display of gallantry which the deceased exhibited in their quest to protect the country in the war against terrorists,” Buhari said.

In his remarks, the Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, described the death of Zurkushi and other soldiers as a major setback in the counter-insurgency campaign.

He said: “For us in Adamawa, it is a dark day and one of the most awful in Nigeria’s campaign against terrorists.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/president-muhammadu-buhari/

A 30-year-old woman, Fatima Lawali, who supplies ammunitions to bandits operating in forests in Zamfara State has been arrested by the State Police Command.

Lawali, according to the state Police Commissioner, CP Ayuba Elkanah, while parading the suspect on Friday, said she was arrested while trying to smuggle 991 ammunitions into the camp of a notorious bandit leader who has been on security agents wanted list.

CP Elkanah, who paraded the suspect at the Command headquarters is Gusau, said she was nabbed on her way from Sokoto to deliver the weapons to the bandit leader known as Ado Alero, in a forest in the state when she was arrested.

Briefing newsmen during the parade of the suspect, the Police boss said:

“On 25th October, 2021, at about 0930hrs, Police Tactical Operatives of the Command in collaboration with FIB/STS led by DSP Hussaini Gimba on Tactical Operations in the state, arrested one Fatima Lawali, F, a native of K/Namoda LGA of Zamfara State,” the police commissioner said.

“Fatima specialised in supplying arms and ammunition to Bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger states.

“The suspect was arrested at Gada Biyu area, under Bungudu LGA with nine hundred and ninety-one (991) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition conveying from Dabagi Village in Sokoto State to be delivered to a notorious bandits’ kingpin called Ado Alero who has been terrorising Zamfara and neighbouring states.”

CP Elkanah noted that the Police Tactical Operatives carried out tactical operations at different bandit enclaves in the state following interrogations of the woman and other suspects arrested.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/woman-who-supplies-ammunitions-to-bandits-arrested/

Yea. Them try!

Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) has bought over Honeywell Group Limited (HGL) for the sum of N80 billion, as announced in through a joint press release.

The two companies have also signed an agreement to which Flour Mills will acquire Honeywell Group’s portfolio company, Honeywell Flour Mills PLC (HFMP).

According to the press release, Honeywell Group Limited has agreed to sell a 71.69% stake in to Flourmills of Nigeria.

It stated:

“For the proposed combination of FMN through its affiliates and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (“HFMP”), a portfolio company of HGL; at a total enterprise value of NGN80 billion, HGL will dispose of a 71.69% stake in HFMP to FMN.

Enterprise Value includes the debt of the company. Honeywell Flour Mills currently has a market value of N29 billion”

The press release also mentioned that the transaction will create a stronger company in the food industry.

“The proposed transaction will combine two businesses with shared goals and create a more resilient national champion in the Nigerian foods industry, ensuring long-term job creation and preservation.”

Also Read:

The press release further stated that the final equity price per share payable will be determined based on HFMP’s adjusted net debt and net working capital at the date of completion.NRTC Business Pot​pour​ri

“The country and its food security agenda will benefit from both companies’ focus on developing Nigeria’s industrial capability, its agricultural value chain and specifically backward integration of the food industry.”

Honeywell currently has a debt balance of N78.5 billion and a cash balance of N27.3 billion as of the latest results. Flour Mills is also debt-laden with about N142.8 billion in debt and N52.6 billion in cash. It is unclear how Flour Mills paid for the acquisition.

Included in Honeywell loans is a N10.4 billion loan from First Bank, N2.3 billion from Bank of Industry, N6.2 billion from Fidelity Bank, and N3.5 billion from Polaris Bank.

This is based on its last audited accounts for the period ended March 2021. Flour Mills, on the other hand, owes about N50 billion in several intervention loans to Bank of Industry and the CBN. The company also has another N68.6 billion in commercial papers and bonds.

Speaking on the transaction, Honeywell Group Limited Managing Director, Obafemi Otudeko stated:

https://newsroundtheclock.com/flour-mills-buys-honeywell-flour/

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has kicked against plans by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidies in 2022.

The NLC, in a statement issued on by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in Abuja, entitled: ”Nigerian workers refused to take the bait,” said the body of Nigerian workers will not accept any attempts to end subsidy regime.

According to the NLC, it is injustice for the FG to pay propose a payment of 40 million Nigerians N5,000 as palliative, to cushion the effect of astronomical increase in the price of petrol.

He said that the total amount involved in what he called ‘queer initiative’ was far more than the money government claimed to spend currently on fuel subsidy.

“The NNPC GMD said that the price increase would be consequent on the plans by the Federal Government to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, also commonly referred to as petrol or fuel.

“The grand optimism of the NNPC GMD was predicated on the claims that the removal of fuel subsidy is now backed by an act of parliament probably the Petroleum Industry Act which was recently signed into law,” the NLC statement said.

It further slammed the FG for aligning with the International Monetary Fund who had clamoured for a complete removal of subsidies.

“The response of the NLC is that what we are hearing is the conversation of the Federal government with neo-liberal international monetary institutions.

“The conversation between the government and the people of Nigeria, especially workers under the auspices of the trade union movement on the matter of fuel subsidy was adjourned sine die so many months ago.

“Given the nationwide panic that has trailed the disclosure of the monologue within the corridors of government and foreign interests, the NLC wishes to maintain its rejection of deregulation based on import- driven model.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/nlc-kicks-against-govts-plan-to-remove-fuel-subsidy/

cool

Fiery lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has lashed out at Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, calling him an executive rascal following his comments on the #EndSARS report published by the Lagos State Judicial Panel.

Mohammed had criticized and picked holes in the report which was submitted to the Lagos State Governor last week, claiming it was fake and riddled with discrepancies.

However, Falana, in a statement titled “FG Is Not Competent To Reject The Report Of Okuwobi Judicial Commission Of Inquiry,” responded to the Minister’s comments over the lack of originality of the report, accusing the Minister of “executive rascality”.

The statement also accused Mohammed of arrogance due to his dismissal of a panel approved and constituted by the Federal and State Governments in the wake of the protests in 2020.

“On November 18, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari held a meeting in Abuja with Mr. Anthony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State.

“During the meeting, President Buhari said that the state governments in the country would have to take steps on the reports of their panels before the Federal Government acts on the recommendations.

“In particular, the President said, “We at the federal have to wait for the steps taken by the states, and we have to allow the system to work.

“We can’t impose ideas on them. Federal Government has to wait for the reaction of the states.

“But in an utter display of executive rascality, Mr Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information has overruled the President by rejecting the report of the Lagos Panel on behalf of the Federal Government.

By not waiting “for the reaction of the states,” the Minister has overruled the President of the Republic.,” Falana railed.

Falana also accused Lai of repeating “the jaundiced views of a couple of aggrieved individuals. The two individuals have tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to discredit the findings and recommendations of the body.

“In a desperate attempt to mislead the Governor, both aggrieved persons have been campaigning for the total rejection of the report because of the so-called discrepancies and inconsistencies contained in the document.

No doubt, these individuals are entitled to express their opinions on the report of the Commission. But the call for the rejection of the report is illegal in every material...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/femi-falana-calls-lai-mohammed-executive-rascal/

First City Monument Bank says over 2,000 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises have benefitted from its empowerment initiative for women-owned businesses, known as SheVentures since it was launched in March 2019.

A statement from the bank said the benefits of the initiative cuts across mentoring, capacity building and zero interest loans, ranging from N500,000 to N5m.

It stated that the FCMB SheVentures, with a feature of zero-interest rate for a period of three months, was anchored on supporting women with vision.

The bank said women must possess confidence, independence and courage to fulfil their aspirations.

“SheVentures is designed to engage, inspire and equip potential and existing women entrepreneurs to take bold steps that would enable them become much more competitive, productive and profitable thereby contributing significantly to national development,” it stated.

While speaking at an event in Lagos to celebrate the one-year anniversary of FCMB SheVentures, the Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr Ladi Balogun, described the initiative as a game changer in the quest of the lender to upscale the performance of SMEs.

Balogun stated, “We are a focused bank with big ambitions. Many of the big companies we know today that FCMB has had the privilege of supporting in one way or the other started off as small companies with big aspirations and many of them have gone on to become household names in oil and gas, technology, food and beverage as well as other sectors.

see full story here:

https://punchng.com/fcmb-empowers-over-2000-female-entrepreneurs/

Lemme sip alcohol and mind my business...

Not bad.

First City Monument Bank says over 2,000 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises have benefitted from its empowerment initiative for women-owned businesses, known as SheVentures since it was launched in March 2019.

A statement from the bank said the benefits of the initiative cuts across mentoring, capacity building and zero interest loans, ranging from N500,000 to N5m.

It stated that the FCMB SheVentures, with a feature of zero-interest rate for a period of three months, was anchored on supporting women with vision.

The bank said women must possess confidence, independence and courage to fulfil their aspirations.

“SheVentures is designed to engage, inspire and equip potential and existing women entrepreneurs to take bold steps that would enable them become much more competitive, productive and profitable thereby contributing significantly to national development,” it stated.

While speaking at an event in Lagos to celebrate the one-year anniversary of FCMB SheVentures, the Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr Ladi Balogun, described the initiative as a game changer in the quest of the lender to upscale the performance of SMEs.

Balogun stated, “We are a focused bank with big ambitions. Many of the big companies we know today that FCMB has had the privilege of supporting in one way or the other started off as small companies with big aspirations and many of them have gone on to become household names in oil and gas, technology, food and beverage as well as other sectors...

See full story here:
https://punchng.com/fcmb-empowers-over-2000-female-entrepreneurs/

Nice one.

Wow!

Things we love to see. Great!

The Federal Government of Nigeria has insisted that there was no massacre at the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020, when soldiers opened fire on harmless protesting youths.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, completely rubbished the report of the panel set up by the Lagos State government to probe the #EndSARS protests and consequent events that followed at the tollgate.

Mohammed, during a media briefing, insisted that the reported killings at Lekki Tollgate was a ‘phantom massacre’ that never existed.

The Minister went on to highlight portions of the report which he said were inconsistent and a folly on the part of the panel that could have warranted tagging it a massacre.

Mohammed issued a detailed rejoinder to the #EndSARS report published by the Lagos State judicial panel, saying the report “cannot be relied on in court and will be thrown out due to these discrepancies.”

“There is nothing in the report to make us change our stance that there was no massacre at Lekki on Oct 20.

“For us to change our stance, it means all investigations must be presented to the court and must stand to scrutiny,” the Minister said.

Also Read: FG will address #EndSARS report soon – Adesina

He further mocked the parents and families of victims who refused to testify due to witch-hunt and victimisation.

“We urge all victims to speak out and it is untenable to say families are scared; will the same families want to collect compensation when they refuse to testify?

“Any parent who refuses to testify the death of their kids is not worth to be called a parent.”

According to him, the report was published in order to embarrass the Federal Government despite its stance against the abuse of citizens as evidenced by the disbandment of the infamous SARS division of the Nigerian Police Force.

“We reject the notion that the Nigerian Army massacred innocent protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“The report was circulated to embarrass the FG; the FG will never condone an abuse on the rights of Nigerians. This is why the FG disbanded SARS and called for investigations across all the states.

“The report said the military fired at protesters which was clearly not the case. The panel said only one of the post-mortem had gunshot wounds only to contradict itself that nine persons died with gunshot injuries.

“One of the persons who allegedly was shot did not testify at the panel. Where are the family members of those who are reportedly killed? If the panel is recommending compensation, who are the families?

“How can a judicial panel convince anyone that the casualties listed are not fictitious names? No surnames, yet confirmed dead. Why is the panel fixated on this phantom massacre?...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/there-was-no-massacre-at-lekki-tollgate/

Fiery lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), who was a member of the Lagos State #EndSARS probe panel, has cried out over threats to his life.

Adegboruwa was part of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters set up by the Lagos State that recently submitted its report to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Adegboruwa who raised the alarm on Monday, said alleged that his life is being threatened by unknown people over the report released by the panel.

The 309 page report stated that protesters were killed at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020, with the panel report indicting the Nigerian Army and Police for complicity in the incident.

Despite the vicious attacks from suspected agents of the government, Adegboruwa maintained his stand on the integrity of the released report.

Adegboruwa who represented the civil society organisations on the panel, said members were being unfairly persecuted by some state government officials.

In the statement titled, “Nigerians Should Hold Government Responsible if Anything Happens to Me,” Adegboruwa said:

“Since the <a href="http://<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Febunolu.adegboruwa%2Fposts%2F10225757294462662&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="297" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share">submission of the report of the Lagos #EndSARS Panel, there have been lots of threats and attacks, by those suspected to be agents of the government, upon me, especially in the media.

“I have not committed any crime beyond joining other eminent Nigerians with unblemished integrity, to accept the nomination of government on behalf of my constituency, the Nigerian Bar Association and the civil society and indeed the masses of our people, for a national assignment.

“Two prominent lawyers of the government have openly incited opinions against me on national television, with mindless accusations.

“I have however refused to be intimidated or bend to the tactics of government to be silenced.

“I urge the good people of Nigeria, my professional colleagues in the Nigerian Bar Association, my comrades in the civil rights movement and the people of Nigeria, to hold the government responsible should anything happen to me.

“Just last night, one of the prominent EndSARS protesters who testified before the Panel, Miss Kamsiyochukwu Ibe, was attacked and dealt serious machete blows, in what was clearly an attempted murder, as reported by her counsel, with very disturbing photos.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/adegboruwa-alleges-threat-to-life/