₦airaland Forum

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over the National Assembly’s budget.

SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suit became necessary following their “failure to cut the unlawful National Assembly budget of N228.1bn, including the N30.17bn severance payments and inauguration costs for members.”

In the suit, the Defendants are President Muhammadu Buhari; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

He stated that the suit followed the move by the National Assembly to increase its 2023 budget from N169bn proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari to N228.1bn. While the approved budget shows an increase of about N59.1bn, the country’s budget of N21.83tn is based on a N10.49tn revenue, and an N11.34tn deficit.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/serap-sues-lawan-gbajabiamila-over-failure-to-cut-unlawful-n228-1bn-nass-budget/

The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to bear the CBN and Federal Government on currency redesign.

Peter Obi expressed optimism that the general populace and Nigeria will harvest the gains that come with the reforms.

According to him, “the currency redesign is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is an exercise that comes with some inconvenience and pain but it has significant long-term economic and social benefits.”

Recall that the scarcity of naira notes has caused many long queues inside and outside the banks across the country where many Nigerians are lamenting the crisis.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/bear-with-the-cbn-and-federal-government-on-currency-redesign-peter-obi-urges-nigerians/

Recently, one of the people on my contact list lamented, “how do we continue like this? How did we even get here as a nation?” From the texts on her status, I could read the intense sadness emblazoned on them, and in her other texts that screamed of anger.

Anger at the hike in prices of foodstuffs, queueing to collect our PVCs, even buying fuel that seems we have in abundance, and before the extension of the deadline on spending old naira notes, anger at how we had to queue to withdraw the new naira notes from ATMs that were not dispensing the new notes. Anger at everything that is not working well in this country: health, security, education, transportation, and you name it. She has every right to be angry, like every other Nigerian.

“A lot of things are wrong with this country,” another cried as I browsed through my news feed on Facebook. It seems everywhere I turn to on social media, there is a plethora of lamentations. Even among my friends, I realized that our conversation often dwelled heavily on the pervasive problems of this nation. I was at INEC Office in Ibadan the other day, a young promising man, who should be in his early thirties opined, after others had recounted the problems of the country to everyone’s chagrin, “the only thing that is certain about your living in this country is your death.”

While others laughed, of course they found it funny, in the way sad things are funny, the bandwagon effect forced a performative smile on my countenance. Every Nigerian knows that our smiles and laughter are shrouds of our collective pains.

It seems we Nigerians are adapting to every ugly reality that bedevils us. And contrary to what some people may think, adaptation is not a good trait. It pushes us against the wall and makes us keep fighting untill there is no strength to fight.

An ideal country should boast excellent healthcare, infrastructural facilities, high life expectancy, superb transportation and communication, decent education, and an improved standard of living and quality of life. These are the ethos that our leaders must strive to build, the hallmarks of any developed country.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/do-our-votes-even-count-in-nigeria/

Criminal proceedings against Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood have been discontinued, according to a statement released by Greater Manchester Police.

Greenwood was arrested in January last year after allegations surrounding videos and images surfaced online.

The 21-year-old was later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was due to face trial in November.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the charges were discontinued following the withdrawal of key witnesses.

A spokesman said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.

“In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.

“We have explained our decision to all parties.

“We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”

https://newsroundtheclock.com/mason-greenwood-criminal-charges-against-manchester-united-striker-dropped/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to consider postponing the old naira regime after the expiration of the February 10 deadline.

In a statement issued by his campaign organisation, Atiku said the vote riggers are seeking to push the CBN to extend till after the February 25 and March 11 general elections in order to achieve their aims.

He, however, urged the CBN to immediately review the measures it has put in place for the circulation of the new naira notes to alleviate the hardship currently faced by Nigerians, especially rural dwellers.

The former vice-president said, “The anti-democratic elements who are pretending to be democrats are the ones ganging up against the CBN because of the currency redesign and the cashless regime it seeks to enthrone. They have been scheming and lobbying day and night to frustrate the policy.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/atiku-alleges-vote-riggers-pushing-cbn-for-extension-of-new-naira-notes/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the current fuel scarcity in the country might affect logistic arrangements for the February 25 and March 11 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at a consultative meeting with the transport unions such as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), amongst others.

“The commission shares your concern about the fuel situation in the country and its impact on transportation on election day,” Yakubu told leaders of the unions.

“The truth is that our arrangement may be negatively affected by the non-availability of products.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/inec-reveals-fuel-scarcity-may-affect-election-logistics/

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has promised to “hit back” at the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over what he described as anti-party activities.

Wike, who spoke at the PDP Etche Local Government Area (LGA) campaign rally in Rivers State on Monday, accused the National Working Committee of the party of colluding with the opposition in the state.

The disclosure comes amid a months-long feud between the G5 or Integrity Group – made up of Wike and four other PDP governors (Benue, Oyo, Abia, and Enugu) – and the PDP leadership for its alleged disregard for equity, fairness, and justice.


Since the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate in May 2022, the governors have insisted that the North cannot produce both the standard bearer and national chairman, according to the party constitution.


Speaking in a mix of English and Pidgin, Wike told party supporters in Etche LGA that trouble had come.

“Those of them in Abuja that are talking about anti-party [activities], we have caught them now. They are the ones doing their anti-party [activities],” he said.

“I have caught them now and I told them anti-party begets anti-party. You know we carried these small parties to court for failing to do what the law says – APC, SDP.

“The people in Abuja that say they are national have gone to collude with them to write our lawyer a letter that they should take their hands off, in order to kill the cases we filed.”

Wike added that despite having told the state chapter’s counsel to “remove their hands,” he has no problem with the case dying.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/wike-slams-pdp-leaders-says-anti-party-begets-anti-party/

On 30 January 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari travelled to Kano to commission State and Federal projects. His convoy was stoned by an angry mob. As expected, there was heavy security but even this did nothing to disperse the mob.

The projects that were commissioned include the bridge at the Hotoro roundabout in the metropolis. The bridge was constructed to ease traffic on the busy road.

The videos that went viral show the roads littered with stones that were thrown at the convoy. A helicopter is seen flying overhead but even that was not left alone as bystanders hauled stones at it. Some roads were partially closed off. Some locals also report that billboards carrying the APC Presidential Candidate’s- Bola Ahmed Tinubu- poster were also destroyed.

This is coming after the President’s trip to his hometown of Katsina earlier, where he was stoned by angry protesters.

Some are already speculating that the attacks have something to do with the Naira redesign. In a statement, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, described the incident as an act of treason.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/president-buharis-kano-visit-ends-in-controversy/

Nigerian entrepreneur and businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana has urged the youths to adapt and give their life a new style.

The Chairman of Cubana Group said life was not about times of falls/failures, times it did not work out but how to be able to reinvent oneself.

Cubana on his Facebook page admonished youths to reassure themselves they are not a failure, urging them that mistakes are part of the growth process.

He said without failure growth is not achievable and that failure is part of growth.

Cubana added that a lot of people started life so poorly but along the line, reinvented themselves and came tops.

He further stated that businesses have their high times and low times, charging the youths not to dwell on punishing themselves for mistakes made unintentionally.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/reinvent-yourself-obi-cubana-charges-youths/

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered a probe into the death of nine persons in the Ojuelegba area of the State.

The victims died on Sunday after a container fell on a bus. Several persons were also injured in the incident and they are being treated in a hospital.

Hours after the mishap, Governor Sanwo-Olu while condoling with the families of the victims, assured of a thorough investigation into the matter.

“Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the people and government, sympathizes with the families of those who died today in the Ojuelegba truck accident,” the state’s Transportation Commissioner Frederic Oladeinde said in a statement.

“The accident will be thoroughly investigated so as to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents. We are working with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to install Vehicle/Truck barriers on the inward and outward sections of the Bridge.”

Sunday’s mishap involved an articulated vehicle carrying a 20ft container.

Investigations revealed that the commercial bus was picking up passengers at the bus stop along the Ojuelegba Bridge when the vehicle lost control and fell over the side of the bridge.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/sanwo-olu-orders-probe-into-ojuelegba-container-accident/

Hamisu Lamido Iyantama was born on November 13 1966. He is an actor, producer and scriptwriter. His unique last name, “Iyantama” has also allowed him secure a veteran role in the Kannywood industry.

Iyantama was born in Kano, Nigeria where he attended Dantata Memorial Primary School. Right from childhood, Iyantama was interested in theatre. This was what led him to audition and participate in school plays. At the same time, his talent for acting was honed. The first film he featured in is titled Bakandamiyan Ricikin Duniya.

Iyantama is a known actor but he is also a well-known business man and politician. He doesn’t participate from the sidelines as he has sought for the gubernatorial seat in Kano. He also travels far and wide, to import commodities to sell in Nigeria.

Furthermore, his company, Iyan-Tama Multimedia, carries out film production, commercial jingles and the likes. Iyantama’s contributions to Kannywood are immense and cannot be overlooked. Through his company, he was the first to facilitate the production of song scenes in Kannywood movies. His first success was Badakala, a song featuring in a Kannywood movie of the same name.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/notable-kannywood-celebs-iyantama/

Vivian Adeyemo recently caught up with Nollywood filmmaker and actress Bolu Essien. Star of Netflix chart topping series Becoming Abi.

In part one of the interview released last week, Essien discussed her inspiration for the hit Netflix show, how she combines motherhood with her career, destigmatising caesarean section births and more.

In part two of this exclusive interview, she discusses her future goals, challenges on making ‘Becoming Abi’ and plans for Season 2.

Future Goals
What were the key challenges faced on producing Becoming Abi?
I would refer to my experience in the corporate world which has shaped me tremendously. In the corporate field, you have your goals which you break down into tasks. When I was in writer’s mode, I was focused on delivering on a task. I approach challenges through a task based approach.

As an actor, I learnt a lot from my time as a student at the Identity School of Acting (IDSA) in London, which I attended in 2021. I also surrounded myself with people who were experts in their fields. So my approach was to take my goals as tasks and put together a team who are good at what they do, so that they can support my vision. In terms of funding, my husband and I used all our savings for the project. My husband did sit me down and said that he really believed in me, he said that even if this fails we can start all over again.

You’ve worked with some of the big and up and coming names in the industry, who would be your ultimate actor/actress to work with?
Viola Davis! She is a great inspiration to me as a black woman and as an actor, I would love to be in a mother and daughter role with her. Thinking of working with her inspired me to write a unique mother -daughter story which I have started working on.

Your trajectory is rising in the film industry, what’s your future goal?
I just want to continue telling stories. After the initial media rounds with Becoming Abi and the film doing well on Netflix, there is that unspoken pressure for actors to post more on social media. But that is not me, I’m a creator. I’m an actor but also a creator. I spend my time writing, creating shows. We have over eight different tv shows, scripts, films and game shows in production.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/part-two-of-exclusive-chat-with-bolu-essien-star-of-netflix-series-becoming-abi/

Nigerian gospel filmmaker/actor, Mike Bamiloye, has censured ‘actors/actresses’ in the movie industry[mostly Nollywood] for the romantic roles they played.

The founder and president of the film production company, Mount Zion Faith Ministries, on his Instagram page on Thursday, said the romance scenes are breaking down the actors and actresses “moral defences” as well as weakening their abilities to control their ‘lust.’

Bamiloye said most actors’ achievements were that they have kissed and romanced several ladies on film sets while most actresses ‘ own were where men have to kiss them and where they have to play love roles.

He added that playing a romantic scene before more than twenty people behind the camera is synonymous to playing love with a woman in the marketplace.

He wrote, “Hear me, actirs(sic) and actresses!

“Dear Movie-Maker,You think you are doing great movies? You think you are making money? You think you are getting popular?

https://newsroundtheclock.com/mike-bamiloye-slams-actors-actresses-over-romantic-roles/

Nigerian on-air personality, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu is currently under attack by former BBNaija reality TV stars over his comment about female housemates.

Recall that NRTC had earlier reported that Nedu, in an interview with Big Brother Naija “Level Up” housemate Doyin on “The Honest Bunch” said most ladies get on the BBNaija reality TV to have customers [men] amd sell “Kpekus” (Nigerian slang for female sex organ).

Many BBNaija stars in their various social media handles had described the content creator as an insane man over his sexism toward the BBNaija female housemates.

‘Shut up loser’— BBNaija’s Angel slams Nedu

Reacting to Nedu’s claim on “many ladies get on BBNaija reality TV show to sell ‘Kpekus’”, former Big Brother Naija housemate, Angel Smith, described him as a loser.

Countering further Nedu’s claim, the reality TV star on her Twitter page, said many women have come out of the house to become actresses, start businesses and build a solid brand.

Angel said she does not understand why men can’t just mind their business, saying it is so old and boring.

He wrote: “So many women have come out of big brother to become actresses, start businesses and actually have a solid brand but because y’all are so misogynistic and uninformed, you say rubbish.

“Every time it’s a man in the industry slut shaming women, you’re over 40. If you want a sugar daddy, then maybe get one. Nobody is stopping you.

“Look how happy he’s saying it. You people will shame women for having consensual sex and be surprised when men sexually assault women.

“Men are very jealous of women because I don’t understand why you’re upset about a grown woman’s vagina.

“That’s why blogs thrive on bringing down the women in big brother, some of the most hardworking people I’ve met, especially the ones you guys slut shame a lot, shut up losers.”

She added that the topic pisses her off so much, saying people will just come online and say women are having sex for money.

“Nawa o, so she bleeps for money and she’s oppressing us, don’t believe everything on social media” nobody is oppressing you, my dear, you’re just a jealous rat.” She said.

“It’s not our fault his wife gave him a B*stard”—Khloe knocks Nedu

https://newsroundtheclock.com/bbnaija-stars-knocks-nedu-over-his-kpekus-comment-on-female-housemates/

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has said the recent release of three redesigned naira notes has somehow reduced kidnapping and ransom-taking by armed men.

The CBN governor, who spoke after the apex bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, also said there is no going back on its January 31, 2023, deadline for the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.

“Truly speaking, at the margin, I may be wrong, but I think kidnapping and ransom-taking have somehow reduced. Security agents are doing a fantastic job.

“I think it (naira redesign) has slowed those people down because they know that if they collect old notes, nobody is going to collect it from them. So, it might as well as think of other ways,” he said.

Emefiele noted that the CBN remained focused on the weak and the vulnerable in society and would attend to them even after the deadline to ensure they have the new notes.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/emefiele-claims-naira-redesign-has-reduced-kidnapping-ransom-taking/

The Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the only presidential candidate with the capacity to move Nigeria forward.

Governor Ayade who is the APC senatorial candidate for Cross River North made the declaration at Ogoja, the political capital of Cross River North senatorial district during an electioneering campaign.

Ayade said Tinubu would make the infrastructural and economic development of Cross River a priority if elected.

“If Tinubu can fix Lagos, then Tinubu can fix Nigeria,” Ayade echoed.

Speaking at the rally where hundreds of former members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP defected to the APC, Ayade urged the people to vote for the APC from top to bottom to reciprocate his achievements in Ogoja, stressing that justice, equity, competence, and capacity to deliver demanded that Tinubu and Otu become president and governor respectively.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/ayade-confident-tinubu-can-fix-nigeria/

The New Year always comes with resolutions. People are always willing and ready to start afresh. January 1st always feels like one has been given a new lease on life. But by this time already, so many people would have already quit or forgotten about their resolutions. Why is that? Let’s find out.

1. Starting big
Instead, start small. Most people are guilty of taking giant strides. However, small but habits are easier to imbibe. There small steps are what will take you towards achieving your big goal.

2. Too many goals
Say you want to lose weight or start sleeping early. It’s easier to pick one of this and break it into tinier, achievable steps. When you pick the two and you fail, which you most likely will, you’ll just end up back where you started.

3. Procrastination
Majority of people are master procrastinators. Once you decide on a course of action, start as early as possible. The longer you wait, the more used to the waiting your body will get.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/why-your-new-year-resolutions-never-stick/

Olona Joseph Oluwapelumi, a 300-level student of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, in Ondo state, has committed suicide over alleged depression and financial constraints.

NRTC gathered that the deceased who was a student of Industrial Design hanged himself in his off-campus lodge, located in the Aule area.

Oluwapelumi’s dead body was found by his friend who visited his room yesterday morning but found out that the room was locked and after several telephone calls without answer, the door was broken.

The buckets with which he used to aid the action were seen in the room after they gained entrance.

Some of the deceased friends told journalists that the deceased had earlier posted on his Facebook page suicidal thoughts and messages seeking financial help to run his business.

According to his friends, the post on his Facebook page on October 8 read: “Suicide kinda answers all, it’s the only thing that listens and trusts You when You left all to your self “Good night and Goodbye”

https://newsroundtheclock.com/futa-student-commits-suicide/

Nigerian movie actress, Nancy Isime has quelled the ongoing debate on social media that she was unclad in the newly released Netflix series, Shank Town.

The series, Shank Town was released on the movie streaming platform, Netflix on Friday, January 20.

The series has received positive comments from pundits following it’s release, however, the scene featuring Nancy Isime exposing her derriere and bare breast has raised eyebrows and coerced social media users to engage in a debate.

While several netizens claim the actress was wearing a ‘body double’, others have opined that she indeed exposed sensitive parts of her body.

Equally, body doubles are often brought in if an actor doesn’t want to bare everything on camera.

The leading Nollywood actress has now taken to her Instagram platform to react to the ongoing debate.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/nancy-isime-reveals-exposure-in-new-movie-shank-town-was-a-body-double/

Nigerian economist, and philanthropist, Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu, has said his age was not a barrier to becoming Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of Standard Trust Bank and one of the youngest bank CEOs in Nigeria at thirty-four [34] years.

Elumelu made this known on his Facebook account with a throwback picture of himself at the age of 34.

The founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation linked his successes to hard work and luck, the factors he described as inextricable in success.

Elumelu said his successes and failures have always driven him to create opportunities for young people, saying he believes youths have the talent and the zeal to transform the world.

He wrote: “This is me – aged 34! I had just become CEO of Standard Trust Bank and one of the youngest bank CEOs in Nigeria. It was a time of fast-paced change in our industry, and reform-minded policymakers had opened up paths for consolidation and strengthening our sector. The competition was intense – but youth was not a barrier.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/how-i-became-bank-ceo-at-34-tony-elumelu/

Ebele Iyiegbu, wife of popular billionaire businessman, Obi Cubana, has tasked men to build up their women which will in turn be a great asset and a value to them.

Cubana’s wife popularly known as Lusheby on her Instagram handle said building women up is a waste.

Lusheby said she was replying to comments from men to an earlier picture of her and his pictures posted by her husband with the caption “Build her up…you will need her later”.

The mother of four[4] who noted that she was amazed at some of the comments by men about how to build women up said there are still good women in the society.

“Don’t get me wrong. Your comments are to some extent valid but I think it’s time we begin to shift our mindset on how these things work,” she said.

She maintained that women are a reflection of how men treat them, saying it is never easy for a good woman to walk away.

She said, “If you don’t like how she’s acting, take a look again at how you are treating her. This gender thrives on love and care. Take care of your woman and build her up!”

However, she enjoined women to change the narrative about them and become a woman that can be trusted and can build with her husband.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/building-women-up-not-a-waste-says-cubanas-wife/

Nigeria’s current realities are the culmination of over two decades of leadership mistakes and wrong choices, according to the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The former Minister of Defence shared his stance while addressing the London-based Chatham House, where he spoke on the topic ‘Nigeria’s 2023 elections: Service delivery and policy alternatives’.

“We can point fingers at all sorts of factors allegedly responsible for our situation, from coronavirus to global economic recession, from Western powers to international capital, etc.,” Kwankwaso said.

“But for me, we are where we are because of the mistakes and the wrong choices made by the very people entrusted with the business of governing Nigeria in the last 24 years.”

Kwankwaso, who is also a former Kano State governor, reeled off a list of challenges that he said the country is facing today, including insecurity, growing poverty, growing, and uncontrolled inflation, growing unemployment and despondency, decaying infrastructure, as well as a high rate of maternal and neonatal death.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/kwankwaso-laments-24-years-of-mistakes-brought-nigeria-to-where-it-is/

The spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Senator Dino Melaye, has vowed to sue the publisher of gistloversgram_mediahouse [a vawulence headquarters of celebrities gossip news and media] on Instagram over defamation of character.

Melaye who was replying to a picmix of him and two busty ladies posted on the Instagram handle of [gistloversgram_mediahouse] vowed to locate the publisher.

The former Senator described the publisher as an agent of the main opposition party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He said the publisher will not get away with the lies and unfounded story.

Melaye further added that the publisher should tender an apology letter within 24 hours or face the consequences.

He wrote: “I will sue you this time. Will locate you. I dont know any of these ladies. Agent of APC. You will not get away with your lies and unfounded story this time. Yiu just dialed the wrong number. Apologize within 24 hours or face the consequences.”

Gistloversgram_mediahouse on her Instagram handle posted a picmix of the former Senator with a caption, “I like fine picture sha. HARD WORK UNDER DINO NO BE SMALL. I DEY COME.”

https://newsroundtheclock.com/ill-sue-you-senator-melaye-tells-gistlover/

The spokesperson of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo has given a condition to withdrawing from the campaign of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Keyamo said he would quit his role if Tinubu asked him to withdraw his court case against Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Keyamo said Atiku should be arrested and prosecuted for alleged breach of the Code of Conduct Act, Money Laundering, Criminal Breach of Trust, and Conspiracy.

Keyamo was reacting to a viral video by a whistleblower, Michael Achimugu, who indicted Atiku.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/keyamo-issues-condition-for-leaving-tinubus-campaign/

Nigerian disc jockey and producer, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, professionally known as DJ Cuppy, has said she picked husband-to-be, UK boxer Ryan Taylor’s eyesight over any boxing match.

The daughter of Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola on her Facebook page Thank God for the recovery of her fiance’s eye.

Cuppy added that she was scared from ringside straight to A&E. DJ Cuppy, Nigerian entertainer reveals how her disc jockey career is affecting her academics

She wrote: “The LOML @Ryan_Taylor �♥️ THANK GOD your eye is recovering. You scared me from ringside straight to A&E �� …Sorry fans, I pick his eyesight OVER any boxing match ANYDAY! #SorryNotSorry.”

Recall that Ryan Taylor had quitted a boxing match in the first round due to a blow to the eyes from his opponent, Brandon Scott, known as Swarmz.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/i-pick-my-lovers-eyesight-over-any-boxing-match-dj-cuppy/

Andy Murray advanced into the second round of the Australian Open after beating Matteo Berrettini on day two of the Grand Slam tournament.

The 35-year-old displayed one of his most impressive performances in years to overcome the Italian 13th seed 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-6).

A former world number one who is now the 25th seed, Murray saved a match point at 5-4 in the decider. He won 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4 in a first-round match that was delayed for three hours because of serious heat in Melbourne.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/andy-murray-beats-matteo-berrettini-in-australian-open-first-round/

The Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday, said it did not invade the office of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In a statement, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, also said the secret police did not arrest the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Dismissing media reports of the purported arrest, the DSS spokesman described it as fake and misleading.

“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the round that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested its Governor, today 16/1/23. This is fake news and quite misleading,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Emefiele has resumed duty after his annual vacation abroad.

The CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi made this known in a statement on Monday.

“The apex bank governor resumed with renewed vigour to perform his duty ahead of the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the year scheduled for January 23 to 24, 2023,” the statement read.

“Mr. Emefiele remains committed to performing the task before him in line with his oath of office and the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/dss-clarifies-alleged-arrest-of-emefiele/

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says he is “flabbergasted” that President Muhammadu Buhari has not called the Department of State Services (DSS), to order over its alleged case against Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Recently, it emerged that the DSS had approached a federal high court in Abuja seeking a warrant to arrest Emefiele over allegations that he was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.

J.T. Tsoho, the chief judge, declined the application and held that the secret police did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.

There were suggestions that the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political given the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the elections.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the government must not be seen as engaging in “cheap blackmail”.

He said the secret police should file a proper charge against Emefiele so that he could enter into defense.

“I can say without fear or contradiction that Mr Godwin Emefiele is not in Nigeria, he hasn’t returned to the country because he has been quietly declared wanted by the State Security Service (SSS),” Falana said.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/falana-expresses-surprise-buhari-hasnt-cautioned-dss-over-emefiele/

Award winning Nigerian musician, Brymo whose real name is Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ has apologized for his controversial tweets about an Igbo president emerging in the 2023 presidential election.

The singer-songwriter a couple of days ago stated that the country does not need an Igbo president in the meantime.

He also urged the region to test the waters with the vice presidential slot before aiming for the presidency.

He went live on his Instagram account on Friday night to address the issue and clarify what led to his tweets.

Brymo said that issue started after he shared his opinion about author Chimamanda Adichie refusing national honours but accepting a chieftaincy title in her hometown, Abba, Anambra State.

He said, “It is very important you understand that this entire fracas began with me seeing in the media that Chimamanda Adichie refused some national honours and had picked up some traditional title in the East at home.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/brymo-apologizes-for-demeaning-igbo-presidency-statement/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied allegations of colluding with the electoral body to rig the forthcoming presidential election.

Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi said the claim that he was involved in the plot to rig the February 25 election was false.

Akinyemi in a statement “Rigging claim, letter to Britain: Obasanjo not responsible – Aide” made available to newsmen said his boss was not responsible for the viral stories on some “discredited platforms” on the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria.

He said the letter did not emanate from either his boss or himself.

The statement read, “Also, apart from the letters dated January 1, 2023, respectively, one, that which was addressed to the Nigerian youths and the other to Prof. Toyin Falola on his 70th birthday, there has been no other public or private letter written to anybody by the former President.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/i-have-no-rigging-plan-obasanjo/

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said rigging elections in Nigeria has become very difficult following the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Governor who described BVAS as a laudable development in the nation’s electoral process commended INEC for deploying technology to strengthen the electoral process and reinforce confidence.

Akeredolu said this in his office in Akure while playing host to the retiring Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Mr. Rufus Akeju.

The Chairman Southern Governor’s Forum stressed that technology has made rigging difficult, noting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will always emerge victorious in every election.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/nobody-can-rig-elections-akeredolu/

He’s well known as the richest man in Africa. But very few have taken a close look. Let’s have a look.

When we talk about billionaires, we often like to hear a grass to grace story. Alas, that is hardly the case with Aliko Dangote.

Aliko Dangote was born in Kano, Nigeria on 10 April, 1957. His grandfather, Sanusi Dantata, was a businessman and director of the Nigeria branch of Shell B.P. He comes from a long line of Allasawa, derived from “Alhassan” Dantata. Alhassan Dantata was Aliko Dangote’s great grandfather. He traded in Kolanuts and groundnuts and was a distributor of European goods. During his time, he was the richest man in West Africa.

All these is not to take away from the fact that Dangote is as hardworking as a person can be. Otherwise, he would never have gotten to where he is.

Early years

Upon receiving a loan from his uncle, Dangote moved to Lagos to begin trading in consumer goods like rice, sugar, cement, etc. From then on, he ventured into manufacturing. Today, the Dangote Group is one of the largest companies in Africa.

His brother, Sani, served as vice president of Dangote Group before his death in 2021. Dangote Group currently has Africa’s biggest cement producer, Dangote Cement. Other divisions include Dangote Flour, Dangote Sugar Refinery.

In 2016, Dangote commenced construction of his oil refinery. The refinery is said to be worth $19 billion.

It can be said that one key factor in Dangote’s success is his focus on manufacturing basic consumer products like salt and sugar. There is hardly a house you will go to and not find at least one Dangote product.

https://newsroundtheclock.com/i-spent-the-day-reading-about-aliko-dangote-this-is-what-i-learned/