₦airaland Forum

Nigerian popular businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest has endorsed the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the second term.

Cubana Chief Priest via his Instagram page urged Lagosians to give Sanwo-Olu one more term to perfect his amazing plans for the state.

He added that the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate has done better than his bad.

Cubana Chief Priest described Sanwo-Olu as a good leader who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share.

He further stated that the governor’s role to ensure the safety of the entire Nation during the Covid 19 was top-notch.

Cubana Chief Priest wrote: “One Good Turn Deserves Another @jidesanwoolu Good Is Far Bigger Than His Bad, Nobody Is Perfect, I Vividly Remember His Role To Ensure Safety To The Entire Nation During Covid 19.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/cubana-chief-priest/

There is no gainsaying the fact that the 2023 general elections were fraught with electoral irregularities. From late commencement of voting to failure to upload election results on the BVAS, and then from violence in some areas and accompanying disenfranchisement of a number of registered voters.

The most prominent of these electoral irregularities is rigging. While it is true that the results may have been rigged, but, knowing that it takes two to tango, what really is rigging and how is it actualized?

Rigging, according to Cambridge Dictionary, is the act of arranging dishonestly for the result of something, for example an election, to be changed. This may involve ballot rigging, where there are more votes, or falsifying, reducing, or changing figures to suit a political party.

It may also be bribery, threats, undue influence, intimidation and other acts of coercion exerted on voters.

Nigeria has historical cases of rigging. After allegations of massive rigging in the 1965 elections, the country’s western region was engulfed in the infamous “Operation Wet-ie” riots. And since 1999, when the country broke with military rule, five elections have been conducted all of which have been tainted by controversy.

Yet, there are two instances in Nigeria where the voters got what they wanted: firstly, the June 1993 presidential election, even though it was annulled, and secondly the 2015 presidential election where the then incumbent Goodluck Jonathan conceded to current President Mohammadu Buhari.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/obidients-and-their-loud-wail-of-rigging/

As the conversation about rigging of the presidential election continues, Nigerian controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has described the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi as a boy.

Portable in a video on his Instagram handle said Obi started crying after he was defeated because he is naive about the Nigerian constitution.

The Zazu Zeh crooner added that Obi hoped to break the curse by becoming the first president from Igbo land but the president-elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu showed him the meaning of ‘Asiwaju’.

The 28-year-old singer further stated that Tinubu broke the jinx, 30 years after and urged the Yoruba to desist from being an obstacle to their father, brother, son, and daughter’s success.

Portable described the President-elect as a lover of good things and a father to all.

The Ogun-born singer accused the main opposition parties and some politicians of keeping the new currency and fuel to deny Tinubu victory in the just concluded election, unknowingly to them that he uses grace.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/portable-2/

The issue of the growing number of out-of-school children is a major embarrassment. It’s really been a disaster and has caused more harm than good in the lives of school children.

Apparently, there is no reason why so many children should be out-of-school, particularly in the North East and North West, which has now spread all over the country, even growing number of unemployment, bankruptcy in the level of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, many parents are unable to cater for their children.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/only-political-will-can-end-out-of-school-children-problem/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar won the last Saturday election having scored the majority of lawful votes cast by Nigerians at the polling units.

The main opposition party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu, as the winner.

Recall that NRTC had earlier reported that INEC declared Tinubu as the president-elect after polling 8,794,726 votes to win the 2023 presidential election.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced the former Lagos State Governor as the winner at the International Collation Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

But the main opposition on Thursday said the election was marred by deliberate malpractices which includes the non-use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System and INEC’s refusal/failure to transmit directly the results from Polling Units to its Server/Website.

The statement added that the party...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/atiku/

The president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reacted to the claim by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, that he won last Saturday’s presidential election.

Tinubu in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, said Obi did not win because he did not fulfill the minimum requirement of the constitution which requires a spread of 25 percent in two-thirds of the states of the Federation.

Earlier today, Obi, in a press conference broadcast, affirmed that he won the election.

Reacting to Obi’s claim, he said Obi did not even come close to winning with his divisive rhetoric.

Keyamo advised the former Anambra State governor to stop misleading Nigerians, noting that Tinubu won the election and not him.

He further added that the President-elect has extended a hand of fellowship to the defeated candidates, including Obi, to join hands with him in building the nation.

According to him, Obi should...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/obi-3/

The emergence of Bola Tinubu as the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was riddled with many twists and turns and in order to ensure the sustainability of the country’s democracy, lessons has to be learned.

INEC [/b]Chairman, [b]Prof Mahmood Yakubu who declared the results, said Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 6,984,520 votes. While Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) got 6,101,533 voted, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) trailed with 1,496,687 votes.

Here are some lessons to be learned therein;
The Youth Factor

Tinubu as pledged to work with the youth in order to resolve their disenchantment with the country. The youth factor was a major reason behind the slim margins, with many choosing Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“Now, to you, the young people of this country, I hear you loud and clear. I understand your pains, your yearnings for good governance, a functional economy and a safe nation that protects you and your future.

“I am aware that for many of you, Nigeria has become a place of abiding challenges, limiting your ability to see a bright future for yourselves.

“Remodelling our precious national home requires the harmonious efforts of all of us, especially the youth. Working together, we shall move this nation as never before,” Tinubu said.

Ethnicity...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/tinubu-lessons-learned-from-victory/

This is a case study of the “African Giant” also known as Burna boy.

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu is a Nigerian artist who goes by the stage name Burna Boy. Lately, he has been the subject of widespread criticism because of his chastisement of anything Nigerian.

During the #EndSARS protest which begun on 20 November 2021, Burna Boy was eerily silent. While other celebrities like Falz, Davido and Banky W came out en masse to protest against police brutality, Burna Boy maintained his silence. Until he was called out on Twitter, where he responded by revealing a billboard advertisement supporting the movement, which he had sponsored.

Recently, Burna Boy has been called out for refusing to participate in the ongoing elections. He has not even done so much as post anything about the elections on his social media pages.

When he was attacked on social media, he responded saying, “I don’t know why it’s such a big deal to some Nigerians that I’ve not been vocal about the elections,” he wrote on his Instagram stories. “Personally I don’t have a candidate that I believe in. I’ve never supported any political party or candidate in my life because I don’t want to make you vote and then blame me when the person f**ks up as usual. That being said, I hope all votes count and the best man wins.”

https://newsroundtheclock.com/burna-boys-arrogance-a-case-study/

Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has revealed why he did not vote in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections held across the country.

Giving the reason via his Instagram handle on Monday, he said he had international shows outside the country planned one year before, to secure the date and venue.

He added that changing the venues due to the election date would cause logistical problems for him and the crew.

Basketmouth appreciated every Nigerians that voted as well as his true fans that understood and still came out for him.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/basketmouth/

The long awaited elections is here. Activities are geared up to ensure that the elections are successful. President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the process will be a free and fair one. He has also assured that the electorates will be protected today and on March 11, when the governorship elections will be holding. Let us take a look at some tips for voters as the gear to the polling booth today.

Ensure you are with your pvc
Your permanent voter’s card is your passport to voting in the elections. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mamood Yakubu, has said no pvc, no voting. Hence, it is important you guide your pvc jealously as you go into the polls.

Wear comfortable outfits
It is important that you wear clothes that would make you comfortable. A sneakers or other comfortable wears will make your movement easier as there are restrictions on using means of transportation for voters. This is why you have to be close to your polling unit.

Charge your devices
We are not oblivious of the power situation in the country. Hence, it is necessary that you charge your phones fully and even carry a power bank along if your phone’s battery is not full. During elections, ensure you communicate any discrepancies to the right authorities.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/5-tips-for-voters-in-the-elections/

Ahead of Saturday’s general elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged members of the public to report any case of vote buying or selling, or other evidence of financial malpractices designed to compromise the electoral outcome through these hotlines.

Citizens can report financial malpractices by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store.

“Additionally, the public can reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng.”

Apart from reporting financial malpractices, EFCC has also deployed its operatives to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to combat vote-buying.

This measure was taken as part of efforts to ensure the integrity of the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/report-anyone-trying-to-buy-or-sell-votes-efcc-2/

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it has put in place a “robust” plan for the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from mid-February to March.

The company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Deen Muhammad, in a statement on Monday, noted that the plan is part of its concerted efforts to sustain the supply of petroleum products nationwide.

“Latest updates released on Monday show that NNPC Limited has a total of 1.805 billion litres of PMS stock, representing 805.35 million litres in all the land depots nationwide and 1,000.20 million litres on marine vessels, which is equivalent to 30.09 days sufficiency,” the statement reads in part.

“An additional PMS supply of 884 Million Liters is also expected into the country by 28th February, 2023.

“For March 2023, a total of 2.3 billion litres of PMS is expected into the country, while about 2.5billion litres, which is equivalent to 42 days sufficiency, will be the closing stock for the month under review.”

NNPC assured motorists that it has adequate and sufficient volumes on all land depots as well as marine vessels.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/nnpc-we-have-1-8bn-litres-of-fuel-for-feb-march/

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed strong criticism of the naira swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to the economic policy expert, rather than focus on fiscal and monetary policy, the Federal Government is using the apex bank to target political “criminals it knows”.

Ezekwesili made her position known on Sunday during a live appearance on Channels Television’s The 2023 Verdict, a special election programme.

Dissecting the controversial CBN directive touted as addressing vote-buying and illicitly hoarded funds, she argued that it was crucial for the apex bank to be thoughtful about “what are we solving for?”

If one is solving for less cash in “our society” as the medium of exchange, she says, the thing to do is plan properly for the transition.

“But there’s a second thing that we seem to be solving for which has now taken ascendancy over the monetary policy. We are using the central bank to solve the problem of criminality in our politics,” she stated.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/ezekwesili-slams-fg-over-naira-swap-policy-says-it-target-criminals-it-knows/

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will build on his eight years achievement if elected as president of the country on Saturday 25th of February, 2023.

President Buhari said Tinubu is reliable, a true believer in Nigeria who loves the people and the development of the country.

Buhari on his Facebook page called on Nigerians to cast their votes for the former governor of Lagos State.

The President added that he was fully aware of the current hardship the citizens are facing as a result of some policies of the government which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country.

While assuring Nigerians of light at the end of the tunnel, he appealed for further exercising of patience, saying his led administration will took appropriate measures to ease the hardships.

Buhari wrote: “Fellow Nigerians, I want to use this opportunity to once again thank you for electing me to be your President on two occasions.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/buhari-3/

A screenshot of the claim.

A widely circulated claim stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) to raid the house of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the Saturday 25th of February election.

The claim which was published by https://igbotimesmagazine.online/2023/02/18/breaking-news-president-buhari-ordered-efcc-to-raid-tinubus-house-and-400-billion-of-the-new-money-was-recovered-from-his-underground-house/ stated that N400 billion of the new currency was recovered from Tinubu underground house.

The website added that investigations are still going on as to which bank manager made such money accessible to Tinubu, saying the APC presidential candidate holding 400 billion alone is synonymous with holding the entire money printed for the whole of Nigeria.

A click on the link shows that there’s no other information provided about the claim. Further checks show that the website is not safe.

President Buhari and Ahmed Tinubu

President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in 2015 under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress(APC) for his first tenure and was reelected in 2019 under the same platform.

Buhari was a former retired Nigerian Army major general who served as the country’s military head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, after taking power in a military coup d’état.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/nrtc-check/

“Love conquers all”, is a biblical phrase that has become an all-time favorite of Nigerians irrespective of religion.This saying will be put to test with the current cashless situation in Nigeria. Will love overcome the current cash flow problem?

The Alarming Situation

The current situation in Nigeria becomes more alarming with each passing day. Survival alone has become such a hassle not to mention love. The just-concluded Valentine’s celebration is a blaring example of how the cash flow problems have deeply affected the lifestyle of Nigerian citizens.

Valentine’s days widely celebrated in Nigeria with elaborate displays of affection and the exchange of gifts between loved ones had taken a somewhat grey undertone this year. The subdued note of this year’s celebration can only be attributed to the country’s current situation. If love can be affected by the cash flow, then there is no doubt that the lives of Nigerians have been altered too and not in pleasant ways.

Interview Session

Speaking with Mrs Clarina, she clearly expressed the toll the cashless situation has taken on her and her family. She stated that the only upside to this situation is that it enables her save because now she avoids spending and only buys necessities like foodstuffs, for her the downside far outweighs the good as her children have to go without some basic needs.

She lamented that the situation is even worse for the average man on the street with no form of formal education, no bank account and no access to cash. She says “Valentine can wait till these pressing issues are addressed” in response to the question of how the naira policy have affected her valentine.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/love-in-times-of-cashlessness/

Over the past decade, the Nigerian music industry has witnessed exponential growth. With this growth has come an increasing desire for international visibility and dominance and recognition at the Grammys. This prestigious event is considered music’s highest recognition.

Historic Night at the 65th Grammy Awards
On Sunday 5th February 2023 at the 65th Grammy Awards; Nigerian artist Tems; won the Best Melodic Rap Performance category. This was for her contribution to the hit song Wait for U with Future and Drake. In doing so, she made history becoming the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy.

It was a phenomenal feat for Tems. Particularly given that she started music professionally in 2018 after she quit her job to pursue a career in music. However, Nigeria is not new to the Grammys. 12 in total have clinched the awards to date in different categories either as original works or collaborative efforts.

Sade
Although Tems became the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, it could be argued that the first Nigerian female singer (with British citizenship); to achieve the feat was British-Nigerian singer, Helen Folashade Adu. Simply known as Sade. Sade won her first Grammy in 1986.

She holds the title of the first artist of Nigerian origin to win the prestigious award. Her first Grammy was in 1986 for Best New Artist. This was followed in 1994 with No Ordinary Love for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

She earned her third Grammy in 2002 with Lovers Rock in the Best Pop Vocal Album. Won her fourth in 2011 with Soldier of Love for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Total haul for the Ibadan-born, Ondo State indigene is four Grammys.

Sikiru Adepoju
The second Nigerian to win a Grammy is Sikiru Adepoju, a percussionist and recording artist. He first won a Grammy in 1991 as a part of Mickey Hart’s group Planet Drum. The title album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/the-history-of-nigerian-artists-at-the-grammys/

Although this new notes scarcity has caused a lot of Nigerians some forms of hardship, such queuing for many hours at ATM galleries, hustling for new notes, or their being unable to spend the cash on things they need or want, it has also served as part of the dynamic of better money management in a way we did not really expect. Every bad experience has inherently good lessons to it.

According to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the redesign is also expected to strengthen the economy, reduce the expenditure on cash management, promote financial inclusion, and enhance the CBN’s visibility of the money supply.

Here are five lessons to learn from this new notes scarcity
Tracking of expenses has become easier

Since this new notes scarcity, if you have been spending your money or buying stuff via USSD/internet mobile banking, you can see all your transactions in one place and know what is eating your money.

You may have started focusing on your needs, not wants...

https://newsroundtheclock.com/5-lessons-to-learn-from-this-new-notes-scarcity/

In an interview with Express Radio, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed his distress with the state of the nation. Ganduje has expressed dissatisfaction with the Naira Redesign Policy. The Federal government has refused to abide by the Supreme Court’s order and is still going ahead with the ban on old Naira notes.

In the interview conducted in Hausa, Ganduje is quoted saying,” A person who contested multiple times was finally elected into power. After being elected for a second tenure, he is now trying to cripple the very political party that brought him into power.”

He added,” This is bad timing. What is the point of this policy?” The Governor also went on to wonder why the policy was not introduced earlier or better still, after elections.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/ganduje-seemingly-shades-president-buhari-in-cryptic-message/

Over the years, there are three words that have characterized the anger of many Nigerians: misdirected, misguided, and destructive. Yet, this anger has yielded us nothing, and in the worst way possible, it has brought us way backward and portrayed us as citizens unable to articulate our anger into meaningful actions.

Many Nigerians have the peculiar characteristics of getting angry at anything, even the seemingly little thing; for instance, they may get angry at the cab driver who refuses to give them their 10 naira change, or even at a young boy who refuses to add ‘uncle’ or ‘brother’ to their names.

A typical Nigerian may even get angry at someone who buys a new Range Rover because the former believes that the latter is inconsiderate. You know that the masses are suffering.

A typical Nigerian may be angry because he gets caught cheating or cannot use other people’s good offices to get what he wants. Or he may get angry at someone who is able to use someone else’s good offices to get what they want. Nigerians’ waves of anger are multifaceted and always fascinating to behold.

In fact, these present times have even aggravated our anger. The prevailing circumstances around us (for instance, fuel and naira scarcity, inflation, insecurity, unemployment, etc) often get us angry, but it seems we have also bottled up this anger and always carried it with us wherever we go.

According to Aristotle, in his classic work The Art of Rhetoric, he wrote: “ANYBODY can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody’s power, that is not easy. ”

From my personal experience and other people’s, I have come to realize that while it is human to be angry, it is foolishness to be perennially angry without making efforts to address things that trigger our anger.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/2023-election-how-nigerians-can-be-angry-reasonably/

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has warned those rejecting old naira notes to desist or face prosecution.

Sanwo-Olu said the rejection of old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court.

The governor made this known in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso on Wednesday.

Sanwo-Olu’s warning comes after the Supreme Court adjourned the case on the naira swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) till February 22 for a hearing of the consolidated suits by 10 states.

The statement read in part, “When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/sanwo-olu-reject-old-naira-face-prosecution/

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has threatened to sanction banks and businesses rejecting the old naira notes.

The governor cited a Supreme Court interim injunction that allowed the use of old notes alongside new ones until the old ones are phased out.

Governor Ganduje said he noticed that some businesses are rejecting old notes, worsening the situation due to the lack of new notes.

The governor emphasized that the old notes are still legal tender and that the government may revoke the licenses of businesses that do not comply.

“Business and economic activities are seriously affected by the naira redesign and unfortunately some self-centered individuals are cashing on the situation to cause further hardships on the people by not accepting the old naira notes during transactions,” the statement added.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/ganduje-threatens-to-sanction-banks-businesses-rejecting-old-naira-notes/

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The secret service also asked Fani-Kayode to report back to its facility on Wednesday.

Earlier on Monday, the secret service invited the Director of Special Projects and New Media of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for questioning and grilled him for about seven hours.

The APC chieftain had appeared at the DSS office in Abuja to answer questions on the allegations he made about some army generals plotting with some presidential candidates to scuttle the 2023 general elections and carry out a coup against the government.

Earlier today, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed that Fani-Kayode had reported at the headquarters of the secret service.

The DSS spokesperson had explained in a statement that the former minister reported to the service at 9:00am in response to the invitation extended to him.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/fani-kayode-released-on-bail-asked-to-report-on-wednesday/

Controversial title given today is Valentine’s day also known as Saint Valentine’s day, the annual celebration of love. However, as we navigate a world where there is increased uncertainty, daily challenges in terms of the cost of living and the affects this has on our mental health. Is Valentine’s day necessary? Does it provide more harm than good given the pressure to keep up with others in terms of consumerism in purchasing lavish gifts and to create the perfect day.

Valentine’s Day Proposal
Long before I met my husband, I recall the dreaded feeling whenever Valentine’s day came around. As a singleton and growing up in a strict, Nigerian household in the UK. There were no parties, no going-out with friends and absolutely no boyfriends were allowed.

Needless to say, I obviously was not in a relationship, so Valentine’s day was certainly not for me at the time. I knew that if I partake in such affairs, my parents will surely send me on the first plane to Nigeria as punishment! School and university education came first.

In fact, the first time I actually participated in this annual occasion, was when my husband proposed to me on Valentine’s day back in my mid-twenties, some 15 years ago. Some would say great result for the girl who never had anything to do with Valentines and an inspiration for those who have practically given up on finding love!

https://newsroundtheclock.com/is-valentines-day-necessary/

Nollywood actresses Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Iyabo Ojo have joined the bereaved mother of a 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran, to demand from the authorities of Chrisland International School, Opebi branch cause of her daughter’s death.

The deceased mother who cried out in a video, asking parents to join in her quest for answers from the authorities, stated that she needed closure over her daughter’s death, pleading with the school to reveal the absolute truth of how her child died.

In a video obtained by NRTC, she explained that her daughter was healthy before she went for the inter-house sport, saying her daughter couldn’t have suddenly slumped and died of cardiac arrest according to the school’s management claims.

Reacting to the video, the movie star, Mercy Johnson pleaded with the Chrisland school management to give the full disclosure of what exactly transpired and led to the girl’s death as demanded by her mother.

Johnson, who said she was responding to the cries of a mother going through the worst pain ever, said no parent deserves to go through such pain.

While commiserating with the family over the death of their first child, she informed the Chrisland school authorities that every concerned parent was awaiting their details of how Whitney died.

She wrote: “I’m responding to the cries of a mother going through the worst pain ever. A mother who wants to know how her child died so suddenly.

“No parent deserves this, no one. Since I saw this heartbreaking video this morning. I’ve called to plead with the school @chrislandinsta to do as Whitney’s mum has cried for and release the full details of what happened to her daughter. We are all waiting.

The Ekiti State Government has applied to be joined as a co-plaintiff in a suit against the Federal Government at the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the naira redesign policy and the deadline issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the swap of old notes for new ones.


The Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN, filed the application for joinder at the Supreme Court on Friday seeking three reliefs.

The suit with the number SC/CV/162/2023 has Attorneys General of Kaduna State, Kogi State and Zamfara State as Plaintiffs while the Attorney General of the Federation is the Defendant.

The three reliefs being sought by the Attorney General of Ekiti State are: Leave of this Honourable Court to join the Applicants as a Co-Plaintiff in this suit; An Order of this Court joining Attorney General of Ekiti State as a Co-Plaintiff in this Suit; And for such order or further ordered that this Honourable Court may seem fit to make in this circumstance of this suit.

Some of the grounds upon which the application was premised include an acute shortage in the supply of naira notes in the State since the announcement of the policy by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The applicant, Ekiti State Government, averred that the directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria has affected the livelihood and has inflicted excruciating pain and hardship on all Nigerians, including citizens of Ekiti State.

The state government equally averred that the directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria has also adversely affected the revenue, levies and taxes accruable to the coffers of the Ekiti State Government as economic activities in the State are now completely paralyzed.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/naira-crunch-ekiti-sues-fg-to-join-supreme-court-suit/

This is the pilot episode of the News Round The Clock (NRTC) English established to lecture our readers, audience and populace about the quintessence of impeccable vocabulary, word structure and grammar.
For the debut episode of NRTC English, the title is, ‘Madam, can I pay in instalments, not instalmentally?’

If you pay for something in instalments, you pay small sums of money at regular intervals over a period of time, rather than paying the whole amount at once. Instalmentally, therefore, is un-English.

You may have ordered (not ordered for) the goods (always written in the plural, like surroundings, headquarters, savings, premises, outskirts, rites, belongings, earnings) from a store. However, you may have also made an order for (as a noun) some stuff (not stuffs).

‘Stuff’ belongs to the same category of noncount nouns (like equipment, cutlery, information, advice, feedback, furniture, luggage, and damage). Adding ‘s’ to these nouns results in (not result to) ungrammaticality.
Finance experts have often emphasized (not emphasized on) bulk purchases of goods. Emphasize is directly followed by an object, without any intervening preposition. It belongs to the same category of verbs like leverage (not leverage on), demand, seek, solicit, and request (as verbs, they are never used with ‘for’). However, they can take ‘for’ when they are used as nouns, just like we can have ’emphasis on’ bulk purchases.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/nrtc-english-madam-can-i-pay-in-instalments-not-instalmentally/

The advent of banking has changed the dynamics of our lives. It has enabled us to carry out financial transactions like saving, sending and receiving money, purchasing goods or making payments online with our debit cards, and getting loans for personal needs and small/scale businesses. These are the core services of banks which are collectively called banking.

However, the recent naira scarcity seems to show that most Nigerians are largely unbanked or are not into banking. At best, they have some money in banks and believe that they are banking while in the truest sense they are far from banking.

Banking has become a part and parcel of our lives. Yet, it requires astuteness, shrewdness, and adaptation to do the business of banking. These days, it is not enough to have bank accounts; it is equally important to understand how this money can be put to work in a way that provides comfort for the owner and ease him of the financial stress. This financial comfort is the essence of banking, the ideal banking.

Since the new naira crisis has caused a lot of people to queue in the sun, waiting for their turns to withdraw money from the ATMs, I often wonder whether this is what banking entails. Ideally, I feel getting my money should not subject me to this level of trauma. I have not withdrawn or used the POS for the past two weeks (and I’m not proud of this); but I have been able to get everything I want via exploring the options that banking provides.

Banking in the new-naira era
Banking in this new-naira era requires Nigerians to believe that they can get everything they want with little or no stress. It is in believing in the possibility that they can buy or get anything they want even though it appears daunting. Banking is simply banking on other people’s good graces.

To bank effectively, one must begin to ask some fundamental questions. Why do I need this money? How can I get this stuff with less stress? Is there any substitute for the item on my list? Is there a way I can make a transfer for my groceries? Is there a way I can avoid POS and ATMs?

https://newsroundtheclock.com/new-naira-banks-banking-and-the-unbanked/

River State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has hailed the Supreme Court for halting the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, plan to ban the use of N200, N500, and N1000 old notes from February 10, 2023.

While commending the government of the three states that filed the suit, Wike said Rivers State Government will join hands to fight suit against the Federal Government.

Wike who spoke during the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area said PDP in the state is not in support of the policy.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/wike-hails-supreme-court-for-stopping-fg-cbn-on-implementing-old-naira-deadline/

Last year, the future seemed so bright for the All Progressive Congress’ Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Today, not so much.

The party flagged-off its presidential campaign rally in Jos, Plateau state stadium to a stadium filled to the brim. The flag-off ceremony was led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Over 2000 members of APC Presidential campaign Council attended the event. The rally was hosted by Governor Simon Lalong, who also doubles as the party’s Campaign Council Director General (DG).

In a statement given in London during his medical trip, President Buhari expressed optimism of his party winning the upcoming elections. “What are the chances of my party not winning the election? We are going to win the election.”

We are currently at a crucial juncture, concerning the upcoming elections. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening these past few days.

President Buhari is a revered leader in the North but his trips to his home state, Katsina and Kano have proved that to be false. His convoy was stoned during his visits.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/the-incumbent-party-are-not-doing-what-it-takes-to-retain-power/

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has denied promising that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will fix power supply issues in six months.

Several reports claimed that the Minister of Works and Housing promised in the lead-up to the 2015 election that if voted in, the APC would solve Nigeria’s power challenge. The reports went further to claim that Fashola urged Nigerians to “stone” him if the promise was not kept.

But the minister has denied making such a statement, describing it as a “lie that I allowed”.

“One of the things that were said about me was that I said we would electrify Nigeria in six months,” Fashola said during a Channels Television’s election show The 2023 Verdict on Monday.

“It was a lie that I allowed to run until the day I asked my media men to play the tape back and since then that lie has gone.”

The minister said he could not have made the comment since the tone did not align with his personality.

“I know that in the way I speak, I don’t use words like stone. I am not even a violent person. Stone is violence. I don’t use those kinds of words. They are not part of my vocabulary,” he added.

Fashola also decried the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira swap policy, saying public officeholders should review their plans if they are not producing the right results.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/fashola-denies-promising-apc-will-fix-power-in-six-months/

Twitter’s CEO, Elon Musk, has said that Twitter has some financial challenges and is trending to breakeven.

The billionaire owner, who is also the CEO of Tesla and Space X, said this in a tweet on Sunday that the past three months have been challenging for him as he had to save Twitter from Bankruptcy.

He tweeted, “Last 3 months were extremely tough, as had to save Twitter from bankruptcy, while fulfilling essential Tesla & SpaceX duties. Wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone. Twitter still has challenges, but is now trending to breakeven if we keep at it. Public support is much appreciated!”

“To be extra clear, Twitter is definitely not financially healthy yet, but is trending to be so. Lots of work still needed to get there,” he added in another tweet.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/elon-musk-says-twitter-is-trending-to-breakeven/