Sherifdeen Al-Kadriyar, one of the uncles of the murdered victim of last week kidnap in Abuja, has narrated how the family was informed of Nabeeha’s death.

Daily Trust had reported how Nabeeha, her father, alongside sisters were abducted in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Tuesday night.

An uncle of the deceased, Alhaji Abdulfatai, who led policemen to rescue the abductees, was gunned down by the bandits.
Also, two among the three injured policemen hit by bullets during the fire exchange reportedly died.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Nabeeha’s uncle, who has been involved in rescue efforts, said the bandits were infuriated when they told them they had raised half of the N60 million ransom.

According to him, “On Friday which was the day the deadline they gave us lapsed, they called and we tried to plead and negotiate with them that we were only able to raise close to N30 million. After back and forth, they instructed us to come and receive a ‘message’ at a location in the night.

“But when we got there around past 10 pm, what we saw was shocking. Nabeeha and three other victims were brutally murdered and we have to go with our corpse and leave the other three bodies there who might also be victims of failed negotiation because we believe their people are also coming for them. It was a heatless scenario”, he said.

Sherifdeen added that “they later called and warned that they would be killing the rest siblings if the ransom which they have increased to N100m, N20m each for the five of them remaining is not met on the next deadline on Wednesday.

“They rejected the close to N30m that we took to them. They were furious and resulted in further insults and threats that we were even pleading with them for N65m or N70m which we don’t even have”, he added.

Sharafadeen called on the state and federal government to come to the rescue of the remaining five siblings and all the captives still in the custody of the bandits to avoid a similar fate like Nabeeha.

Meanwhile, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has emphasised that the police and other security agencies had been on the matter to rescue the abducted persons.

In a statement, Adejobi said Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General, had directed that tactical intelligence units be expanded in order to combat kidnapping.

“In the wake of the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, it is vital to state that the Police Force has already initiated a comprehensive plan of action. The Force Headquarters is diligently coordinating efforts to address this and prevent any further occurrence, as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims.

“However, the sensitivity of the situation necessitates discretion, and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.

“The NPF is actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation. The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity.”

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami has disclosed that his friend has offered to pay N50m to rescue five sisters abducted by gunmen in Abuja.

The Nation reports there was outrage over gruesome killing of a young lady identified as Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar by the gunmen who abducted her and five other sisters.

Najeebah and her sisters were abducted on January 9, alongside their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar.

She has been laid to rest according to Islamic rites on Saturday.

Nabeeha was a 400-level student of biological science, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Others abducted include: Najeebah (500 level, Quantity Surveying), Nadheerah (300 level, Zoology)

It was gathered that the gunmen later released their father, asking him to go get N60m as ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12.

In a bid to raise money, Nigerians were urged to donate whatever they have into a bank account, but not enough money was gathered as of Friday.

Consequently, the hoodlums reportedly killed the oldest of the six girls, Najeebah, and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury.

Pantami, confirmed the killing of Najeebah on Saturday night.

He said he had spoken with the father of Najeebah over the remaining kidnapped girls.

Reacting on Sunday, January 14, Pantami on his verified social media page in a terse statement said: “Alhamdu lil Laah! I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals.

“However, since it becomes clear, we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the 5 remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.

“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira of the 60m immediately.

“I conveyed the account number of the father of pur daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly. Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members in sha Allah.

“May the Almighty Allah reward the bother and friend with Jannatul Firdaus for the donation. May He also reward all those who contributed in any way with Jannatul Firdaus, too.

“May He also forgive Nabeeha and rescue her sisters. May the Almighty also help our security agencies to bring an end to these challenges. May Nigeria be a better place for all of us. I love Nigeria. #Najeebahandhersisters.”

SaharaReporters on January 5 reported how Edu asked the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to send public funds to a private account, according to a letter obtained by the newspaper.

An activist, Deji Adeyanju, has said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is guilty of transferring money into private accounts following the recent scandal involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

SaharaReporters on January 5 reported how Edu asked the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to send public funds to a private account, according to a letter obtained by the newspaper.

The private account belonged to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, identified as a project manager by the minister.

A letter from the minister with reference number: FMHAPA/HQ/OHM/S.208 to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Madein dated December 20, 2023, asked that over N585 million should be sent to a private account.

The letter signed by the minister, Dr Edu, was titled ‘Mandate for Payment of Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States Respectively’.

It read, “I hereby approve the payment of the cumulative sum of five hundred and eighty-five million, one hundred and eighty-nine thousand, five hundred naira (N585,189,500.00). These are payments for programmes and activities of the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups.”

The details show that N219,429,750.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom State; N73,828,750.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Cross River State; N219,462,250.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Lagos State while N72,468,750.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Ogun State.

The letter said the payment of N585,189,500.00 –the total sum – should be made to a UBA account: 2003682151 belonging to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

“This payment should be made from the National Social Investment Officer account with account number: 0020208461037 to the Project Accountant’s details listed above,” it added.

Adeyanju while featuring on Arise TV on Sunday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to limit its investigation to the poverty alleviation ministry.

According to Adeyanju, Edu “is just one among the ministers”.

He said, “Even what she said in the heat of the moment was that it is common practice. All the ministers do it; there is nothing that Betta has done that they are not doing. Quote me anywhere today that even NNPC transfers money to private accounts.

“I can provide you audited and classified transfers from NNPC into private accounts.

“CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) transfers money (into private accounts). Even this set of people that have taken over from the crooked (Godwin) Emefiele administration; these new guys are transferring money into private accounts.”

He noted that if the EFCC “wants to fight corruption, they should not just pick up an individual but it should cut across the board.”

He insisted that he had evidence to substantiate his claims.

President Bola Tinubu has set up a special panel to probe the National Social Investment Programmes, which were under suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Allievation, Betta Edu.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced this in a statement on Saturday evening.

According to the statement, the president tasked the panel headed by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, to carry out a thorough audit of the programmes, which he had earlier suspended.

“Sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s six-week suspension of the four (4) programmes under the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), President Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Special Presidential Panel, which will be led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.”

“This Special Presidential Panel is tasked with immediately undertaking a comprehensive review and audit of existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of the social investment programmes with a view to implementing a total re-engineering of the financial architecture of the programmes with detailed modification to procedures guiding the programmes’ implementation moving forward.

“The Special Presidential Panel, which is comprised of ministers representing strategic sectors and will ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the reform effort, is made up of the following members:

(1) Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance – Chairman

(2) Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare – Member

(3) Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Member

(4) Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation – Member

(5) Honourable Minister of Communicatons, Innovation and Digital Economy – Member

(6) Honourable Minister of State for Youth – Member

“President Tinubu anticipates that this Special Presidential Panel will validate the confidence reposed in it by winning back all lost public confidence in these vital programmes over the years by ushering in a new era of operation based on open and accountable governance frameworks that will prove impervious to abuse and incompetence for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households across our nation.”

By Adedamola Ogunbewon


The Dangote Refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world, located in Nigeria’s commercial hub, began operations on Friday, January 12.

This followed the delivery of six million barrels of crude supply to the refinery this week.


Here’s a timeline of the refinery’s operations:

1. Excavation works began on the site in 2016 with maximum support from the APC-led federal government.

2. ⁠NNPC got a 20% deal in 2021 at 2.76bn to have some say via crude supply agreements.

3. Plant is Africa’s largest refinery with a capacity to refine about 650,000 barrels of crude per day.

4. First crude of 950,000barrel received on 7th of December, 2023

5. The refinery will prioritize local supply feeding all Nigerian demands before excesses will be exported.

6. Expected to cater to over 12% of Africa’s product demand, potentially reducing petroleum imports across the continent by 36%.

7. Upon reaching full operational capacity, the facility is anticipated to produce a daily output of 327,000 bpd of gasoline, 244,000 bpd of gasoil/diesel, 56,000 bpd of jet fuel/kerosene, and 290,000 mt/year of propane/LPG.

8. Plans in place by the company to have the $20bn facility listed on the already booming Nigeria Stock Exchange.

By Olaniyi Apanpa


The Supreme Court, on Friday, reinstated Abba Yusuff as Kano State governor thereby setting aside the decisions of the lower courts that earlier sacked him.

Yusuff, a candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, was declared winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state beating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nasir Gawuna.

Unsatisfied, Gawuna petitioned the Governorship Election Tribunal asking the court to annul Yusuff’s victory.

The tribunal set aside Yusuff’s victory after declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid.

It held that the deducted votes were from ballot papers that were neither stamped nor signed.

The governor then approached the appeal court for redress.

The appeal court upheld the tribunal’s decision and faulted the lower court for not disqualifying the governor.

The appellate court said the governor was not properly sponsored by the NNPP, thus violating the provisions of Section 177 (c) of the constitution.

The court declared Gawuna of the APC winner of the election.

However, at the Supreme Court, Justice John Okoro ordered that all the ballot papers from which the appellant votes were deducted should be restored to the governor.

He said the said paper contains the logo of INEC and the coat of arms as prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act.

He also held that the issue of party membership is an internal affair of the party.

Yusuff’s final road to victory can be likened to that of a former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Wike, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, was sacked by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in 2015 after the candidate of the APC, Dakuku Peterside, petitioned that the poll was marred with irregularities.

The tribunal ruled that another election be conducted within 90 days.

Wike, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was again unsuccessful in his appeal at the court of appeal.

Before that, Wike had challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal that sacked him, but it was dismissed for lacking merits.

However, at the apex court, Wike’s victory was affirmed.

The Supreme Court held that both the APC and its candidate failed to prove their case of malpractices and non-compliance as required.

For Both Wike and Abba Yusuff, hope was almost lost when their victory finally came.

At a thanksgiving service after the Supreme Court verdict then, Wike said openly that most of those who were rejoicing with him, including religious and traditional rulers as well as politicians had already lost hope before the victory came.

The same scenario played out in Kano where broom-wielding members of the APC were already waiting to symbolically sweep the feet of Yusuff and his red cap-wearing supporters from the state.

The victory is indeed like Wike, like Yusuff

There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy: hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny. – Frederick William Robertson

Daniel Bwala, a staunch critic of President Tinubu, his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been seen frolicking with the President in recent days, which has infuriated the public.

For his past statements against the APC, Bwala, who was a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council during the 2023 elections, has now drawn backlash.

He was an APC member until he defected to the PDP in 2022. He would later cite the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as the reason for his exit.

While announcing his decision on X on July 10, 2022, Bwala wrote: “Tonight I officially resigned my membership of @OfficialAPCNg on principles and conviction that I hold so dear. At this time of our national existence, our efforts and energy should gravitate towards uniting our people.”

There are now speculations that he may return to the APC. He held a meeting with President Tinubu on Wednesday “to show appreciation and support for the bold decisions he is taking to deal with the crisis confronting [the] country”, and he revealed that he would support Tinubu without apologies, even if it meant going back to the APC.

Amid ongoing controversies surrounding Bwala’s recent interactions with the President, FIJ revisits five times in the past when he criticised the APC-led administration.

‘EVEN IF YOU GIVE TINUBU 30 YEARS, NOTHING WILL WORK‘

On December 25, 2023, Bwala expressed scepticism about President Tinubu’s ability to deliver within his four-year term. He argued that waiting for significant changes under Tinubu’s administration might not be feasible.

Bwala said, “When people talk about being patient and waiting, you have to look at the time frame the public officer is expected to execute the work. The President has just been voted into a term of four years. He is eight months into the term, which constitutes 31.8 percent of the total time that he has. He has less than 70 percent time in government; when is that going to happen? When President Buhari took over in 2015, it was the same language, and we patiently followed and he finished the first term and finished the second term. When there is a fundamental problem with policy, time is irrelevant; 30 years, it will not work.”

‘TINUBU’S CABINET MEMBERS WON’T PERFORM MORE THAN 15%‘

In August 2023, Bwala said that the cabinet members appointed by Tinubu would not perform beyond 15 percent because the President seemed more focused on politics than governance.

“I feel that when it comes to the number of ministers, he (Tinubu) was more particular about politics than governance. The number of governors in the cabinet and the portfolios assigned to some individuals were purely political. I don’t have an expectation of a performance that is going to be beyond 15 percent, looking at the cabinet members,” he said.

‘TINUBU IS PRESIDENT-SELECT, NOT PRESIDENT-ELECT’

In May 2023, Bwala said Tinubu was the ‘president-select’, and not the ‘president-elect’. He said Tinubu was selected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as their preferred candidate.

His words: “Now we are in court to say that it was a rigged process. As long as there is no final determination of the matter, we have every right under law, equity and justice to hold the opinion that we express that he is a president-select and not a president-elect.”

‘THE PDP CLEARLY WON THE ELECTION BUT APC RIGGED IT‘

Following the 2023 presidential polls, Bwala said his party won the election and alleged that the APC rigged it to emerge as the winner.

Bwala, who disclosed this in an interview with Arise TV in March 2023, said, “We clearly won. In fact, if these results were allowed to be read from the result sheet, we won with over 1 million vote. Nigerian people voted PDP as the winner of this election, but history and posterity is the one that will judge.”

‘JOINING APC MAKES THE HUMAN BRAIN STOP WORKING’

Bwala made a post on X in November 2022: “The human brain is unique and miraculous. It works and functions optically 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, until you join APC, then it stops working.”

Since his post resurfaced on Thursday amid his unabashed declaration of support for the APC, Bwala’s cognitive abilities have been questioned by Nigerians.

An X user with the handle @chymaker wrote, “His brain stopped working.”

Another X user @Morris_Monye, wrote, “There’s something wrong with this man’s brain.”

“Your brain didn’t take that long to stop working. Either you forgot to go for an annual checkup or your network is not as strong as you think. Whatever the case is, learn to clean your mouth,” wrote @Gary_Mazi.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is currently meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Fubara arrived at the Presidential Villa on Thursday evening and went straight to the office of the President for the closed door meeting.

Fubara has held several meetings with Tinubu since his face-off with his predecessor, who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, began.

At the last Aso Rock meeting, the governor signed an 8-point agreement, which was meant to resolve the dispute with Wike, but the crisis is far from being over.

After signing the agreement, Fubara launched a live band, a style peculiar to his predecessor, and a song, “Dey your dey”, went viral.

The song, which literally translates as ‘respect my boundaries as I respect yours, aptly describes the present relationship between him and his predecessor.

The song depicts a strong message to Wike’s camp to stay on their lane while the former maintains his.

Days after the release of the song, Fubara attended a crossover church service at the Saint Paul Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, where he had said, “What they want is this red biro but it is still with me. We are the winners because we are still signing with the red biro. As long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State.”

This has been described by observers as a veiled mockery of Wike although the governor did not mention his name directly.

Responding at a gathering, Wike, who also abstained from mentioning his successor’s name, said, “We will soon know who is in charge.”

kessler53:
I only took my NIN slip, and while there they captured me again

A former federal lawmaker and human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s cost-cutting directive on travel expenses, urging state governors to follow suit.

LEADERSHIP reports that President Tinubu approved a directive to slash the size of official delegations for foreign and domestic trips by up to 60% for top government officials.

Taking to his X account (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Shehu Sani described the initiative as a right step in the right direction.

He wrote: “The 60% slashes in foreign and local travel expenses of the President, VP and other top Government officials is a commendable step in the right direction.

“Cutting the cost of Governance is indispensable in any serious economic reform. We are beginning to remind ourselves that we are a developing country with multiple economic needs and realising the urgency to cut wastage and extravagance.

“State Governors should follow suit and plough the proceeds to basic or vital needs of their people.”

By Alade Abayomi Adeleke


Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure as Nigeria’s leader came to an end on May 29, 2023, after he handed over power to his successor, President Bola Tinubu.

During his administration, Buhari was surrounded by a number of influential men and women who played key roles in his policies, projects and politics. Some of them were his relatives, aides, ministers, governors and senators.

As the Buhari era fades into history, we take a look at where these ten most powerful (wo)men are now and what they are doing:


– Aisha Buhari: The former first lady of Nigeria was a vocal advocate of women’s and children’s rights, as well as a critic of some aspects of her husband’s government. She also published a book titled Essentials of Beauty Therapy: A Complete Guide for Beauty Specialists. After leaving the presidential villa, Aisha Buhari relocated to London, where she is pursuing a PhD in International Relations at the University of Westminster. She also runs a charity foundation called Future Assured, which focuses on health, education and empowerment of women and youths.


– Tunde Sabiu: The nephew and personal assistant to President Buhari was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the presidency. He was accused of being involved in several shady deals and contracts, as well as having undue influence over the president.

He was also appointed as an assistant director in the National Intelligence Agency, a move that sparked outrage and suspicion. After Buhari’s exit, Sabiu was arrested and charged with illegally owning a shotgun and hundreds of cartridges. He was granted bail, but was re-arrested by the secret police outside the court. His trial is still ongoing.


– Godwin Emefiele: The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was one of the longest-serving and most powerful appointees of Buhari. He supervised an interventionist currency policy that propped up the naira by pumping billions of dollars into the foreign exchange market.

He also introduced a multiple exchange rate regime to mask pressure on the naira and avoid devaluations. He was suspended by President Tinubu on June 9, 2023, and replaced by Folashodun Shonubi, a former deputy governor of the CBN.

Emefiele was also arraigned and remanded in prison for procurement fraud, involving the award of contracts worth over N500 billion to companies linked to him and his associates. Although, on January 8, 2024, an Abuja court gave a judgement preventing his re-arrest, also issuing a N100 million fine against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for his prolonged detention without trial.


– Ibikunle Amosun: The former governor of Ogun State and two-term senator was a close ally and supporter of Buhari. He was instrumental in delivering the southwest region to the APC in the 2015 and 2019 elections. He also initiated and executed several infrastructural projects in Ogun State, such as roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.

After completing his second term as governor in 2019, he returned to the senate to represent Ogun Central district. He was also appointed as the chairman of the senate committee on capital market.


– Rotimi Amaechi: The former governor of Rivers State and minister of transportation was one of the most loyal and vocal members of Buhari’s cabinet. He oversaw the revival and expansion of Nigeria’s rail network, as well as the development of the maritime and aviation sectors. He was also a key figure in the All Progressive Congress, and was the director-general of Buhari’s campaign organization in 2015 and 2019.

He resigned as minister in 2022 to contest for the presidency under the APC. He came second in the party’s primaries, losing to Tinubu. He is currently the leader of the opposition in the senate, where he represents Rivers East district. He is also pursuing a law degree from the University of Port Harcourt.

The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, is yet to formally hand over to the Permanent Secretary, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered on Monday evening.

As encapsulated in the statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the suspended Minister was “directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.”

Barely 15 minutes after the announcement, our correspondent, who visited the ministry, learned that the minister left the office on receipt of the suspension letter, which was delivered by an official from the State House.

It was further gathered that all the security and protocol officers attached to the suspended minister have been recalled back to the official headquarters, in line with the modus operandi of their organisational services.

An official of the Ministry who is conversant with public service operations informed our correspondent that the Permanent Secretary cannot act on a mere report trending on social media but must receive an official memo on the suspension and subsequent directive.

When our correspondent visited the office of the Permanent Secretary barely 20 minutes after the announcement of the Minister’s suspension, one of the personnel attached to his office on the 5th floor of Phase 1 of the Federal Secretariat explained that the Permanent Secretary was busy and hence could not attend to newsmen.

When informed that there was a letter of suspension sent from the Presidency to the Minister, he said, “The Perm Sec has not seen the letter. He’s a man of due process.”

During the surveillance of the Ministry located on the 6th floor, our correspondent observed that the Minister’s office was locked and all the chairs being used by her advisers had been evacuated from the office corridor.

Some of the staff who were seen gathering in clusters were overheard discussing the development.

While none of the federal workers from other ministries located within the Federal Secretariat declined to grant interviews when approached, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) FCT Council, Comrade Abe Fisayo Makanjuola, expressed excitement over Mr. President’s directive.

He said, “It’s the right development because the president is just coming into power; we have one year to assess him fully, and he has started on a very good note.

“The diversion of money is a very bad thing to do by the Minister who has just been appointed, and if eventually an investigation is concluded and we find out that it is true, the president has taken the right step in the right direction by suspending her while the investigation is still on.

“This is a very good thing to do, unlike what we had in the former regime, where, in a series of scandals, nobody was talking, nobody was suspending anybody.

Look at the former Minister of Aviation (Hadi Sirika); what of the investigation labelled against him has been done? Well, he’s not part of Tinubu’s government presently, but it’s still the APC government.

“We believe the Presidency can still extend that particular long arm of the law to that particular personality and other notable Nigerians who have been involved in the act for that very long time. We hope to see better things in the days ahead,” he noted.

On his part, a federal civil servant, Christopher Emmanuel, observed that the issue of the diversion of funds into private accounts is still an allegation.

He said, “It’s an allegation right now until the court says that the woman (the minister) is guilty. But the decision made by Mr President is a good one in the right direction because the Ministry of Humanitarian has messed up; they need sanity in that entire ministry.

“The Ministry is young, so as a result of that and for the record to be set straight, the suspension of Betta Edu is a good thing that could happen in Nigeria. Like before, they will tell the president that they should suspend some ministers who do not perform.

“They will not listen, but this president is a listening president, and this decision is okay with me as a person.”

Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, is so hopeful of victory in Kano State that its local chapters have started distributing celebration dresses to members.

Local chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have distributed new party dresses to members for a planned swearing-in of its candidate, Nasir Gawuna, ahead of the Supreme Court judgement on the governorship election in the state.

The development followed fasting and animal sacrifices observed over the week by members of the APC and those of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state. The two parties had asked their members to pray for a favourable Supreme Court judgement.

The NNPP called on its members to fast for the success of its candidate and current governor of the state, Abba Yusuf, while supporters of the APC candidate, Nasir Gawuna, engaged in reciting the Qur’an and sacrificing animals at their bases.

Kano, the most populous state in northern Nigeria, is a predominantly Muslim state and the APC and NNPC have been at loggerheads to govern the state. The NNPP candidate was declared the winner of the March 2023 governorship election in the state but the APC challenged the declaration and secured victory at the tribunal and the Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court, Nigeria’s highest court, is expected to give a final ruling on the matter this week.

On Sunday, PREMIUM TIMES saw many members of the APC in Fagge Local Government Area distributing the new dress adorned with President Bola Tinubu’s cap symbol. The party leaders urged members to fast-track sewing the cloth in anticipation of a favourable Supreme Court judgement. Such dress is popularly called aso-ebi across Nigeria when members of a group agree to wear the same dress for an occasion.

Some of the APC members said that they are confident that the Supreme Court judgement will favour their candidate just like that of the appeal court.

One of the APC members, Faisal Ibrahim, said he had sewed his clothes waiting for the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Gawuna as the governor of Kano.

“I have finished preparation for the swearing-in ceremony and I am confident of victory because the evidence we (APC) relied upon and won the cases at the Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court are relevant also at the Supreme Court.

“When you follow the evidence tendered by our party at the initial courts from the beginning you will conclude that victory is by our side. This gave me the courage to prepare for the swearing-in ceremony,” Mr Ibrahim, an APC member from the Fagge D1 ward, said.

One of the party leaders in Fagge D1 ward, Ahmad Dangwarzo, said they have distributed many such dresses to their members across the state for the planned swearing-in ceremony of Mr Gawuna.

“The APC leaders across the state are distributing different kinds of clothing in their respective council areas and we are confident of winning at the Supreme Court unless the constitution is changed but nothing will change the judgement of the previous courts,” Mr Dangwarzo said.

Also, the North-west APC supporters group in a statement signed by Abdullahi Ganduje’s former Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, said they have mobilised their followers to welcome Mr Gawuna to the state ahead of the Supreme Court judgement.

“The Director General of the Confederation of APC Support Groups (CASG), Engineer Kailani Muhammad, mobilises APC supporters from across seven North-west states, in anticipation of the judgement favouring All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Engineer Muhammad believes that, without any intent for court contempt, we are hopeful, praying and committed to believing that, the case before the Supreme Court will favour our gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates, His Excellency Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo respectively.”

“While commending the National Chairman of APC Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, as one of the main brains and architects behind APC’s victory at the Tribunal and Court of Appeal, the Director General believes that both Gawuna and Garo would be loyal to the National Chairman, the party and democracy in general.

“It is due to our fervent prayers and belief that we are hopefully hopeful that APC will emerge victorious at the Supreme Court. That is why I am saying, on behalf of the members of the Confederation of APC Support Groups that we have started mobilising our members from the North West zone, comprising 7 states, to celebrate and support the upcoming administration of Gawuna-Garo,” Mr Anwar said in the statement.

While the APC members have made arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony of their candidate, the NNPP is yet to reveal its plans.

The Supreme Court has set Friday to rule on the matter.

The Presidency at the weekend kept mum notwithstanding the uproar trailing the alleged approval by President Bola Tinubu for palliatives worth N200 million and N100 million respectively to Senators and members of the lower arm of the National Assembly.

Specifically, President Tinubu’s administration is reported to have approved Christmas package for the federal lawmakers to distribute to their constituents ahead of the festive season.

Curiously, some lawmakers have also allegedly refuted the reports that they have all begun receiving the Federal Government’s gesture via palliative supplies for their constituents.

The Presidency has neither confirmed the veracity or otherwise of the reports that has continued to dominate discussions in the public space at the weekend.

President Tinubu’s Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, could not be reached for comments at press time, Sunday. Similarly, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy did not pick calls nor reply to a text message by The Guardian to confirm the palliative gesture allegedly authorised by President Tinubu.

In the same vein, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz did not reply to The Guardian’s text message on the matter.

The presidency has said that it is investigating the transfer of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

This is just as some civil society organisations called for the sacking of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, for directing the payment.

They asked the president not to condone impunity, demanding that Edu be removed as minister and made to face interrogation by anti-corruption agencies.

“The matter is under investigation,” the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told Daily Trust on Saturday.

“Appropriate Action will be taken thereafter,” Onanuga added.

In a viral document signed by her and directed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Edu directed the disbursement of N585.189 million into one Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu’s private account.

The leaked document revealed that the money was paid into Oniyelu’s account.

The minister had, in a statement on Friday by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Zubair, said the payment followed due process.

Zubair had explained that the money was paid into Oniyelu’s account because she currently serves as the project accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups. He said it is legal in the civil service for a staff member, to be paid, use the same funds legally and retire same with all receipts and evidence after the project or programme is completed.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) Global Resource Initiative, Buna Olaitan Isiak, urged Tinubu “to set up a panel to probe the matter so as to set precedence for future culprits.”

“Payment of humongous public funds into a private account is purely corruption no matter the merit of her (Edu’s) defence. This is a violation of all the anti-corruption laws of Nigeria.

“The development is an opportunity to test the sincerity of President Tinubu on his willingness and determination to fight corruption and the readiness of his government to depart from the past ways of doing things.

“By now, Betta (Edu) should be a guest of relevant anti-corruption agencies to answer questions about how our funds escaped to a private account. It is not too late to act,” he said.

In the same vein, the national chairman of the Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihekaire, said the president must query the minister and take action against her if she is found wanting to serve as a warning to other government officials.

“If the law prohibits a certain amount of money to be paid into an individual account, the law must be followed. We must not get to the level in this country where certain individuals would do things because they’re in power. It’ll lead to a situation where you have impunity and where people will not have regard for the constitution and laws of the country.

“If I’m to be in charge, she should be queried. We must avoid a situation where people in power will do things and get away with it,” he said.

Executive Director, Investigation, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT),Tega Oghenedoro, described Edu’s act as a “face of youthful mis-governance” and urged President Tinubu to sack her and hand her over to anti-graft agencies.

“It’s sad that a lady of 37 years appointed into such office, who should be leading the debate on why youths should be considered for more high profile positions, has made herself a willing tool into a bad name on why youths and women should not even be president of Nigeria.

“The statement from the Accountant-General of the Federation clearly, stating that Betta’s action was wrong, is also more than enough to send her packing and hand her over to EFCC for investigation and prosecution,” he said.

National Coordinator, Good Governance Team, Tunde Salman, said anti-corruption agencies should do the needful without waiting for any presidential fiat since Edu “has no ministerial immunity”.

A Nigerian professor based in the United States, Farooq Kperogi, in an essay he posted on his X handle yesterday, said President Tinubu would lose the moral right to fight corruption “if he does not fire Edu forthwith and bring her to justice.”

He cited Section 713 of the Nigeria’s Public Sector Financial Regulation Act which stipulates that public money should not, under any circumstance, be paid into private bank accounts and that any officer who pays public money into a private bank account is deemed to have done so with fraudulent intentions.

Kperogi stated: “Unfortunately, some of the crimes Muhammadu Buhari’s people committed in his eight-year reign are reappearing now.”

Kperogi decried that Edu was treading the same path of her predecessor, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

“This is a momentous moment for Tinubu. If he does not fire Edu forthwith and bring her to justice, he has already lost the moral high ground to try Muhammadu Buhari’s corrupt honchos.”

Against the backdrop of the promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his New Year address that his administration will implement a “national living wage” this year, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised a team to negotiate with the government.

The subsisting minimum wage, negotiated in 2018, expires in April 2024.

Each agreed minimum wage has a five-year lifespan. Therefore, the lifespan of the current national minimum wage will soon be over. Tinubu had said in the address: “The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected.

“It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.” In this interview, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, highlights the indices that will be looked at before arriving at an acceptable figure for minimum wage, hinting that the next minimum wage may not be less than N200,000 if Labour has its way. Excerpts:

The current minimum wage will be due for review soon. What is the situation on the setting up of the committee for the exercise?

The committee has not been set up but we have submitted all the names of the labour team. We thought that the government would have, on the first week of December 2023 or the last week of November, constituted the committee but, as of today (last Thursday), the committee has not been constituted. That is the situation but we have submitted the names, of those who are supposed to represent labour in the committee.

During the time Labour and the government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, there was a time frame for the minimum wage to lapse and a new one to take effect. What happened?

I am sure you have read our New Year message. The government virtually reneged in all the agreements including the N35,000 (petrol subsidy palliative) wage award on which they paid only one month. They are going to start the year with the payment of the arrears. That is where we will start from; we have to start from where we stopped moving forward.

Last time you spoke about the new minimum wage, you analyzed the economic indices and said that the new wage would not be less than N200,000. Do you still maintain that position or is there any change?

Well, I didn’t just say N200,000. I tried to figure out the value of $200 then. So, if you are looking at the constant variables from the point of view of two hundred dollars, you will discover that a dollar is around a thousand two hundred naira now. You have to adjust based on the prevailing circumstances.

Assuming you are meeting with the government, what will be your proposal?

These are some of our strategies, we don’t put our proposal on the pages of newspapers for the other parties to know, but I have given you a hint of what we are looking at. We are going to dust all that we have, it will be public knowledge when it is done; it’s not going to be abortion before pregnancy.

What are the things the Organized Labour would be considering while negotiating for the new minimum wage?

A lot. We have said it before. Cost of living, devaluation of the currency and the labour market vis a vis the countries that share the same value with us: The oil-exporting countries and some other countries that share the same economic indices with us. All those issues must come into play.

Looking at all the indices you have mentioned, what will be the proposal or projection of the NLC?

The projection is what I have told you. I have mentioned it to you. I have mentioned the value of the currency as of today. I mentioned about $200 and the value, we discussed it.

When is the new minimum wage supposed to take effect?

Well, it depends. Maybe it will take effect in April.

Is it the time the lifespan of the current minimum wage will expire?

Exactly

How long does the negotiation between the government and Labour last now that the government has not set up the committee? Do you see the government and Labour arriving at a particular amount before April?

It depends on the seriousness of the government, but negotiations could be concluded within one week.

As of the first of January 2024, available information showed that the government had paid for only one month of the wage award of N35,000. Is there any guarantee that the government will pay any amount higher than the current minimum wage now that the wage award appears problematic?

The issue of wage awards is not problematic. It was not imposed on the government. It was willingly covenanted to but immediately they attacked me, from the Labour circle we don’t know whether it was deliberate, they reneged in almost all the agreements. But now that I am back from the hospital, I am going to take them up. It is an agreement and we have to respect the sanctity of the agreement. So the arrears must be paid. Whatever that might be the circumstances that they didn’t pay, they have to pay and from there, we move on.

Since the Federal Government reneged on the agreements, has Labour reminded the government to find out the reason behind its inability to pay?

Well, the issue of implementation varies. When you talk of Labour, it is wide. Labour includes so many sectors of the economy. Some are paying, some may not be paying. So it depends on the sector, those in the private sector, those in the public sector. There are unions in every sector. So if a union, maybe in the food industries their management is not paying, they must remind them, that it’s not a blanket thing, both private and public.

Maybe by this January, we will look at the whole aspect of it and know the percentage of compliance; it’s not a blanket thing. We are talking of three months now basically for those in the public sector. That is the situation.

Gentlesoul2021:


She's now a landlord. She has been gifted a 3 bedroom bungalow

By Dennis Naku


The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, visited the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Victor Giadom, raising speculation of another round of political realignment.

Wike, who arrived in Port Harcourt, was hosted by Giadom in Bera, his country home in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.

The immediate past Rivers State governor expressed happiness to have mended fences with his estranged friend, Giadom, who was Commissioner for Works under former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Wike, in a video seen by our correspondent, boasted that the person in charge would soon be known.

The former governor has been at loggerheads with the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

The situation led to a situation where lawmakers loyal to the minister served the governor an impeachment notice.

With the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, however, the lawmakers who defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party have withdrawn the impeachment notice.

But during the visit, Wike said, “Forget about these hungry noisemakers on the road. When the time comes, we will know who is in charge and who is not in charge. There is a time for everything.

“This is not time for politics. When the time comes, we will know who is who. If you like, abuse me as you want. If you like, employ everybody on social media. I have never bothered myself one day to know who is abusing me.

“Politics will come. We didn’t contest elections based on social media. We spoke to the people; they listened and believed in us”.

Speaking on his visit to Giadom, Wike said he was not in Bera (Giadom’s hometown) for politics, saying his visit should not be misinterpreted.

He stated, “I came here to visit my friend, Giadom. Let nobody misinterpret why I came here. That is why I came with PDP and APC leaders. It is a private visit to my friend”.

The FCT Minister however explained that Giadom had gathered his people to show he was still politically relevant, stressing that politics was about impacting positively on the people.

“I have never been in doubt about your capacity (referring to Giadom) to relate with your people. Politics is about impact. If you want to be a successful politician you must impact your people so that when you call them they will answer you,” Wike said.

Wike further said he is loved and valued by many across the country because he served the people, which is why many times people want to take pictures with him.

On his realignment with Giadom, he said: “Party will come and go and friendship will remain. We have made our mistakes, we are all humans but friendship remains.

“When I was appointed a minister, Victor Giadom led a team to congratulate me. It does not matter where you belong what is important is the interest of Rivers. If you want to be a successful politician, greedy ones will not like you.

“Nobody has done well in politics without enemies. Those who hate you are in the minority. Those who love you are in the majority”.

Wike stated that it was during his tenure as Rivers Governor that people heard much about the state, even as he vowed to continue supporting the Tinubu-led government.
He added, “When I was governor, Nigeria heard about Rivers State. That is what I have always preached. So, nobody should be afraid. I have no regrets when I stood by with my colleagues and friends that the presidency must go to the south.

“There was nothing I was not offered. But I said no. That is why I will continue to support the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. As I am going back home, I am going with the satisfaction that my friend is back.

“This visit I came today will cause a lot of trouble. Some people will start visiting now. Follow who knows the road. Continue to support Victor and all your leaders who mean well for all of you.

“For the first time in history, Ogoni man is the chairman of works. I am happy that Ledum Mitee is a member of the NNPCL. Let nobody do community problems. When you do that development will not come”.

Speaking earlier, Giadom described Wike’s visit as the homecoming of a brother, a friend and a leader and assured him that they would support a team he would lead in Rivers.

Giadom said, “Today is a homecoming of a brother, a friend and a leader. I stand here on this ground to let you know that we have lived well, paid our dues and contributed to the development of this place.

“Be assured that we will support the team you will lead in Rivers to provide support for our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the main reason we are all here today. This place nobody can challenge any visitor on this soil. We are in firm control of this place.”

Some of the prominent politicians present were, Senator Barry Mpigi, Senator Allwell Onyeso, Senator Philip Adudua, Chief Dan Orbih, Sen Samuel Anyanwu Amb Desmond Akawor

Senator Sandy Onoh, Ambassador Maurine Tamuno, Felix Obuah, RT Hon Dumnamene Dekor, Hon Felix Nweke, Hon Emma Deeyah and Hon Igo Aguma.

By Cletus Ukpong


The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu, on Friday, admitted as genuine a 20 December 2023 memo which shows that she requested the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer public fund – N585.2 million – into a private account of an official in her ministry.

The transfer contravenes various sections of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which are meant to prevent fraud and other forms of corruption.

According to the minister’s memo, the fund in question was transferred from the National Social Investment office account and is meant for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states, under the federal government poverty intervention project called Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

Mrs Edu said in the memo that the official, Bridget Oniyelu, whose private account with the United Bank of Africa the N585.2 million was paid into, is the project accountant.

The minister said in the memo that N219.4 million is to be transferred to the vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom State, N73.8 million to Cross River State, N219.4 million to Lagos State, and N72.4 million to Ogun State.

The memo has gone viral on social media, while Mrs Edu has been trending for about two days now on the microblogging platform.

Minister Edu’s memo adds another layer of scandal to the ongoing EFCC investigation of the suspended National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, over alleged N37.1billion fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

Mrs Shehu, in December, said over 1.5 million households in the country have received N20,000 from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme of the federal government.

The fraud allegations now taint the government intervention programme.

Mrs Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, is being investigated by the EFCC for alleged fraud.


Edu reacts to leaked memo

Through her media aide, Rasheed Zubair, the minister claimed the memo was leaked as part of a plot to blackmail her.

“It is glaring that the same sponsored disgruntled elements who, in the past few days have been trying to smear the Honourable Minister, Dr Betta Edu and stain her integrity because she alerted the government on the ongoing N44.8 Billion Fraud in NSIPA. These elements have been trying to link her to a phantom fraud and are behind this latest misadventure,” a statement on Friday from the minister’s media aide stated.

“The evil motive of the mischief-makers behind the circulation of the memo is well-known and should be ignored.

“Of note is the fact that since assumption of duty about five months ago, the Minister has religiously visited different parts of the country like Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Lagos Cross River etc, and this is done to ensure she delivers on her mandate, she remains focused unbiased and committed to duty,” the statement added.


Questions for the minister

The minister’s response to the leaked memo, however, failed to address some pertinent questions, begging for answers:

1. Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009 do not empower Minister Edu to originate payment requests directly since she is not the ministry’s accounting officer. By making a permanent secretary the accounting officer of a ministry, the intent of the law is to insulate government business from politics and allow government affairs to run smoothly and professionally on some sets of rules and guidelines which political officeholders may not be familiar with.

2 Chapter Seven, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which emphasises separating public and personal money in government transactions, states that “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account (Minister Edu clearly violates this section).”

The section, in addition, says, “Any officer who pays public money into a private account is deemed to have done so with fraudulent intention.” It is very clear that the intent of the law here is to prevent fraud in government business.

3. Why would the minister pay such a huge amount of money to a civil servant instead of electronically paying the beneficiaries directly? What is the mechanism in place for accountability?

4. By Nigeria’s Financial Regulation 2009, only the Minister of Finance is empowered to issue warrants for disbursement of appropriated funds. Why is the Humanitarian Affairs Minister playing that role here?

5. Why is Mrs Edu the one initiating a request for payment of public funds when she is not the accounting officer of her ministry or his appointed representative (as stipulated in the financial regulation)?

Protesting women on Friday afternoon burned down the house of the District Head of Bokkos town in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state, Michal Monday Adanchi.

According to a source from the area, the incident occurred around 12:30am.

The source said the women burned the house following the arrest of some members of the community for their alleged involvement in the recent killings in the area, adding that the traditional ruler’s residence and his administrative office were burned down.

“The incident began at the police station where they expressed their anger over the arrest of some members of the community. After leaving the police station, they proceeded to the house of the traditional ruler, protesting that he was a sellout. A few minutes after reaching the house, they set it ablaze,” the source said.

Our correspondent learnt that soldiers had arrived the area and dispersed the protesting women.

The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, said he would call the DPO of the area and got back to our correspondent.

The state police command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of eight persons in connection with the recent attacks in Bokkos and Barikin Ladi LGAs.

Daily Trust reports that about 23 villages were attacked on the Eve of Christmas, where more than 150 people were killed and hundreds of houses razed.

Telecommunications services’ subscribers may soon start paying higher for calls and data as operators “earnestly” seek the federal government’s nod to increase telecom tariffs in the country.

If the telcos’ request is granted by FG, Nigerians will pay between 10 and 15 per cent more than the current tariffs, sources at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy told our reporter in confidence.

The telecom operators had been “Pleading with the government since November to approve their request to alter upward the current call and data tariffs, but don’t want them to do that until things normalise in the New Year”, a source at the ministry told Daily Trust on Thursday.

Asked to clarify on “until things normalise” statement, the source alluded to when the 2024 budget becomes operational and works start in earnest.

The source said there were still “Ongoing considerations and discussions to see how the increase will not affect poor Nigerians too much”.

NCC’s spokesman, Mr Reuben Mouka was not available for comment when our reporter called his line. A message sent to him was also not responded to.

But the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida had hinted in December that telecom operators were seeking approval to increase tariffs.

Maida told executives of Nigerian Association of Information Technology Reporters (NITRA) in his office that the government would not accede to telcos’ request for tariff review until the network was improved.

The Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo did not answer calls made to his mobile line. He also did not respond to a message sent to him as of the time of filling this story.

Daily Trust reports that despite high inflation rates, telecom companies have not adjusted their prices for years. But the telcos have reduced their data value, according to many of their customers.

Speaking with Daily Trust on phone, the President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo said the association would resist any attempt by telcos to review tariffs upward.

“Telecom services are poor Nigerians’ lifeline, any attempt to increase tariffs now will amount to killing Nigerians economically, and will resist it with all legal means”, Ogunbanjo said.

He claimed telcos have nothing to justify any increment as the government has already looked into their complaints of high duties, forex scarcity and others.

Daily Trust reports that telecommunications companies in Egypt had in December 2023 increased the prices of mobile recharge cards and selected prepaid plans by 15 per cent.

Ekaete Bassey


Following an exposé by undercover journalist, Umar Audu, revealing his detailed acquisition of a degree from a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and subsequent undetected deployment to Cross Rivers State for the NYSC programme, there has been a strong reaction among Nigerians.

The report, which has since gained prominence, led the federal government to promptly suspend the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.

The government also announced intentions to extend this sanction to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Niger Republic.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Augustina Obilor-Duru said in a statement on Tuesday, January 2, that the report lent credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a degree.

He said: “This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.

“The Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and with effect from 2nd January 2024 is suspending evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”

Reacting to the decision of the federal government, Zubby Micheal applauded the development while commenting on an Instagram post, saying that many “mugus” have been parading doctorate titles.

On Channels Television’s “Politics Today”, the Education Minister, Tahir Mamman, who appeared as a guest on Wednesday, January 3, vowed to go after citizens utilising fake certificates obtained from foreign countries to secure employment in Nigeria.

Describing such individuals as “criminals” involved in a criminal chain, Mamman insisted they ought to be arrested and not empathised with.

He said: “They are criminals and you know there is no timeframe to criminality. We will trace them. As long as we can lay our hands on their institutions and they are right here with us, certainly, the security agencies will go after them because they are criminals.”

“We are not going to stop at just Benin and Togo. We are going to extend the dragnet to countries like Uganda, Kenya, and even Niger here where such institutions have been set up.

“We will not stop at the suspension of certificates from Togo and Benin Republic alone. We are going to extend the suspension to other countries where such institutions operate.”

The development comes just after many entertainers got awarded degrees, including honourary doctorates from various universities in the Benin Republic.

Below is a list of entertainers including singers and actors who bagged degrees from the universities in the aforementioned countries.


Ayra Starr

Mavin star girl, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe aka Ayra Start attended Les Cours Sonou University in Benin Republic and received a BA degree in International Relations and Political Science at age 18.

“I made sure I got into school early because my goal was to be a teenage pop star. So, I got into school early. So I got into the university. I schooled in Benin Republic. My course was three years old. I graduated at 18.

“I have a degree in International Relations and Political science. Though, I’m thinking of getting another one,” said the “Rush” crooner in an interview with “Nairobi News”, in Kenya.

Besides Ayra Starr, the others listed were awarded honorary doctorate degrees. They include:


Kafayat Shafau

2020 saw sensational dancer, Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, also referred to as Kaffy, receive an Honourary Doctorate Degree for her remarkable role in the African dance industry from Escae Benin University in the Benin Republic.

Taking to Instagram to share the good news, the mother of two wrote: “I’m humbled to be decorated this afternoon by Escae Benin University with an Honorary Doctorate in recognition as a “pioneer in the business of dance in Africa”. This award is not just for me but for an institution. That institution is the dance industry.”


Mike Ezuruonye

In June 2021, popular actor and filmmaker, Michael Ezuruonye, also received an Honourary Doctorate of Arts and Literature from ESTAM University, Seme Campus, located in the Republic of Benin.

He shared the news on his Instagram page, expressing excitement and gratitude to his fans while identifying himself as Dr. Michael Ezuruonye.

“It’s cause of you my fans, supporters and good people this happened. Dr Michael Ezuruonye loves you all.”


Martins Okey Justice

Along with Mike, singer J. Martins bagged an honourary doctorate from the same institution.

Posing with the actor, Jay Martins in a post via his Instagram page wrote: “Ladies and Gentlemen say hello to the new Doctorates in town my humble self & my brother @mikeezu from Estam University Benin Republic

A very big Thank you to all my supportive fans it’s because of you that I have come this far and I do not take you guys for granted so when next you see me remember to add Dr Martins Okey Justice aka J.Martins

Have a beautiful weekend everyone”.


Alexx Ekubo

In August of the same year, Alexx Ekubo received an honorary doctorate in Arts and Culture from Benin Republic’s Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Geston University.

The Nollywood act took to Instagram to share a picture in a ceremonial graduation gown with the caption: “Introducing, Dr Alexx Ekubo. Thanks to the governing council of the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Geston (ISCG UNIVERSITY) for conferring on me a Doctorate (Honorary) Degree in Arts & Culture”.


Peter Okoye

In June 2022, Peter Okoye aka Mr P, one-half of the well-known singing duo Psquare, received an honorary doctorate from the Escae-Benin University in the Benin Republic.

He was conferred Doctor of Arts by the school which he described as a “distinguished educational institution.”

Via his Instagram page, he shared the news, stating: “Dear Team P! It’s a great honor to be decorated by a distinguished educational institution, Who have recognised my contribution to Dance and Music as well as my support for the youth in the entertainment industry.”


IK Ogbonna

Popular Nigerian actor, Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna aka IK, received an honorary degree in June 2022.

A Doctorate (Honorary) Degree of Arts in Leadership and Development was granted to IK by the Institut Superieur De Technologies Et De Management, Togo.


Ireti Doyle

Ireti Doyle, who starred in Wedding Party, was included in the 2022 academic honour roll.

The Benin Republic’s Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion University awarded the seasoned actress an honorary doctorate in August.

The actress acknowledged that although she did have a “healthy expectation of receiving accolades,” an academic honour was not what she had in mind.


Bob Manuel Udokwu

Another famous Nigerian actor, Bob Manuel, received an honorary doctorate from the same Cotonou-based University.

The Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion University awarded the former Guinness Ultimate Search games master a Doctorate Degree in Arts and Culture.

Ireti Doyle disclosed the news as she shared photos from the ceremony on her Instagram page.


Pete Edochie

Veteran actor and seasoned movie star, Pete Edochie received a double honourary doctorate from the International School of Technology and Management (ISTM) University, Togo in September 2023.

The 76-year-old movie stalwart bagged a Doctorate in Literature, a Doctorate in Arts, and a lifetime achievement at the Togo-based varsity.

The Lagos State Government has called for the arrest and trial of six northern candidates participating in the Nigerian Army recruitment process who claimed to be indigenes of the state.

A viral video surfaced earlier on Wednesday showing six candidates in the recruitment process, who hailed from Kaduna State, claiming Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos Island Local Government Area, and Oshodi Isolo Local Government Area, respectively, as their local governments of origin.

By claiming to hail from Lagos, the candidates intended to secure the slots designated to Lagos State indigenes.

The video sparked reactions from indigenes of Lagos, with many saying that Lagosians are being short-changed in the recruitment process.

Responding to an inquiry by The PUNCH in a telephone chat on Wednesday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the matter had not been officially reported to the state government.

He, however, said any attempt by a non-Lagosian to claim Lagos indigeneship was criminal and demanded that the police should arrest and try the culprits if found culpable.

“We don’t have the report yet. But it is criminal to attempt to claim that you are from Lagos when you are not. It is what the police should take up, arrest the said candidates and try them,” Omotoso said, adding that “it is perjury and is punishable under the law of the land.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army confirmed the arrest of the six candidates.

A statement on Wednesday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the arrest of the candidates was a testament to the transparency and credibility of the recruitment process.

The statement read, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a circulating video on social media depicting the arrest of some fraudulent candidates of the ongoing 86 Regular Recruits Intake, who were caught attempting to short-change indigenous candidates of Lagos State through dubious means.

“The NA wishes to state that the arrest of the fraudulent candidates was a result of the commitment of the NA to upholding a transparent and credible recruitment process in line with its core values of integrity and fairness. The video is a pointer to one of the processes to which the candidates were subjected to ensure only true indigenes of a particular State are recruited, using the slots of that state and non-indigenes.

“The video in itself, therefore, clearly shows that the process is transparent, as the State Representative, who is a prominent member of the recruitment team has been part and parcel of the process and was given unhindered access to do her job by scrutinizing the candidates’ State of origin, to ascertain the genuineness of their indigeneship claims.”

Onyema said an investigation will be conducted to determine fraudulent activities and to identify those behind the fraudulent act.

“The state representative must identify non-indigenes amongst candidates applying for recruitment and this is applicable in other states of the federation.

“We wish to inform the general public that the fraudulent act perpetrated by the three candidates who attempted to secure vacancies designated for candidates with Lagos State indigeneship is a serious breach of our recruitment process and will not be condoned.

“We want to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the extent of these fraudulent activities and to identify any individual(s) or unscrupulous syndicate(s) involved. We are dedicated to ensuring that only the most qualified and deserving candidates are selected to serve in the NA,” the statement added.

He assured that the Army would work in synergy with relevant authorities to bring those being the act to book.

Onyema, however, warned other candidates seeking to manipulate the process, saying that they would be punished in accordance with the law if caught.

He said, “The NA will continue to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for this misconduct are held accountable. The culprits involved will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency. The NA is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in this matter.

“Consequently, we urge all prospective candidates to adhere to the principles of honesty and integrity throughout the recruitment process, as any attempt to manipulate the recruitment process will be met with the full force of the law.

“The NA remains resolute in its mission to recruit the best and most deserving individuals to serve our nation. We appreciate the support and cooperation of the public, as we work to maintain the integrity of our recruitment process.”

A former Minister of Communications and former General Officer Commanding, Three Armoured Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd.), has called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to investigate what he described as “the violation of the constitutional rights of indigenes of Lagos State.”

Olanrewaju stressed that the incident is “procedurally wrong, constitutionally and democratically unacceptable, and it is a big slap on the national goal of achieving peace and unity of the country.”

“As for the ruling Lagos State government and responsible agencies, including Governance Advisory Council of All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, they are implored to step in and stop those who dish out fake indigene identity to non-indigenous residents in Lagos State in general,” he added.

The former GOC, in a statement on Wednesday, who noted that “Our IBILE indegenship application conditions are too porous and susceptible to abuses,” said “the Chairman of the Oshodi-Isolo LGA must step aside for thorough investigation to take place. He cannot investigate himself.

“Second, the Executive Governor/Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice are both respectfully requested to present an enabling law to the House of Assembly to be passed on ‘The Verification System Unit’ that is autonomous and staffed by IBILE Indigeneous Staff, and established in the five Divisions of the state.

“Its function is to liaise with the Armed Forces and link with Governor’s Office, Alausa. They will deal with recruitment and follow up with the interview processes and monitor those shortlisted for admission into the Armed Forces. This is what most of the states in the north do now. If this approach is fine-tuned properly, the law will help to reduce abuses associated with Lagos State slots allocated to it.

“This method is doable and feasible, provided there is collective action and purposeful desire and political willpower.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, said mismanagement by the previous administrations had forced Nigeria into a debt burden the coming generations would have no option but to pay.

A statement by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, indicated that the elder statesman spoke during an engagement with 2023 awardees of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, an initiative of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

Obasanjo during his reign as the President in 2003 secured a debt relief for Nigeria likewise his counterpart from Algeria at the same period.

The Ota farmer, however, said with the level of mismanagement of the previous debts written off for the country, it would be almost impossible for any administration to get similar gesture in the continent.

Obasanjo declared that the debts were a trap that no individual or nation should fall into as it constitutes an albatross on any economy.

The former President, who asserted that leadership was the number one problem facing the continent said “the coming generations will have no choice but pay the current debt being incurred by different countries in the continent.”

He commended Pastor Oyakhilome for the efforts being put into building leaders, adding that the nation needed more people like him to address the leadership crisis facing the continent.

Highlighting the qualities a leader during the questions and anwers session, Obasanjo said, “a leader should be able to set good examples, being bold and courageous when making decisions, accepting mistakes and learning from them as well as having a realistic dream.”

Meanwhile, Obasanjo has assured that the country’s socio-economic situation could be better in another four years or thereabout with prayers and thanksgiving.

He made this disclosure at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogun State 5th thanksgiving service of his conferment as the Asiwaju Onigbagbo, Ogun State, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta on Tuesday.

The former President said that it was a clear indication that the socio-economic situations of the country were not in good stead, “but, mercy has been with us and if that is so, why should we not thank God.”

“Think about it. If you have breathed the free air of God, you should have cause to thank God. So, things are bad, they may be good in a space of what…four years? and who knows for Nigeria, things that are bad today, may be good tomorrow.

“That is our prayer and that is why we must never stop thanking God. In all situations, give thanks to God”, Obasanjo told the congregation.

The former President thanked brothers and sisters in the vineyard of God for their continuous and persistent prayers for the country..

He added, “It is such a difficult time. And when they are talking of being in fellow of mercy, mine is more than a Fellow of Mercy, mine is Fellow of Grace and Mercy of God, any one that is not enjoying this should put up his hand. If that is so, why should we not thank God?”

By Agency


A senator from Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has appealed to Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu’s administration more time to fix the economy.

Mr Uzor-Kalu, a former chief whip of the Senate, acknowledged that Nigerians were going economic hardship.

The senator spoke on Tuesday in Koli-Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State when he visited the chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoro-Emegha.

Mr Kalu, a former Abia State governor, said Mr Tinubu was working hard to reposition the country’s economy and restore its lost glory, adding that Nigerians should give the president time.

“The APC government is cutting the cloth into pieces. Before you sew a cloth you will first cut it into pieces; so, Tinubu is busy cutting the cloth into pieces.

“So, give us another three years or two years; people are suffering. We understand that, give us more two years for the cloth we want to sew to be sewn very well,” Mr Kalu said.

The senator spoke on why the National Assembly added billions of naira to the 2024 budget.

“We said that we are going to do a census and Nigeria has put several billions of naira in planning for the national census in 2023, and if we did not vote money for the conduct of the exercise, Nigeria will be losing about N289 billion,” he said.

The senator urged Nigerian youths to be agents of positive change, by shunning social vices and any act that is capable of breaching the peace and security of the country.

Henry Tyohemba


The Federal Government has announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

The suspension followed an investigative report by an online newspaper, which unravelled a Cotonou-based University, which issued a degree certificate to an undercover Journalist within six weeks.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, the federal government lamented that “some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.”

The government said the suspension will remain in place pending the outcome of an investigation involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria and the two countries as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

The Ministry, therefore, called on the general public to support its efforts, show understanding and provide useful information that will assist the Committee in finding lasting solutions in order to prevent further occurrence.

The statement reads in parts; “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to the commendable work of investigative journalism that led to the publication by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper dated 30th December 2023 titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks, participated in NYSC scheme.

“This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.

“The Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and with effect from 2nd January 2024 is suspending evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”

The Ministry also said it has commenced internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied.

“The issue of degree mills institutions, i.e institutions that exist on paper or operate in clandestine manner outside the control of regulators is a global problem that all countries grapple with.

“FME has been contending with the problem including illegal institutions located abroad or at home preying on unsuspecting, innocent Nigerians and some desperate Nigerians who deliberately patronize such outlets. Periodically, warnings have been issued by the Ministry and NUC against the resort to such institutions and in some instances, reports made to security agencies to clamp down on the perpetrators.

“The ministry will continue to review its strategy to plug any loopholes, processes and procedures and deal decisively with any conniving officials,” the statement added.

Israel is withdrawing some forces from Gaza to shift to more targeted operations against Hamas, and is partially returning reservists to civilian life to help the economy as the war looks set to last well into the new year, an Israeli official said.

The official said toppling the Islamist faction remained an objective of the offensive in the Palestinian enclave, and that some of the five brigades withdrawn will prepare for a possible flare-up of a second front against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Asked by reporters about a troop reduction, Israel’s military spokesperson said two reservist brigades would be released this week.

Since launching the war in retaliation for the cross-border Hamas rampage of October 7, Israeli officials have said they would wage it in three main stages. The first was intense shelling to clear access routes for ground forces and encourage civilians to evacuate. The second was the invasion that began on October 27.

With tanks and troops having now overrun much of the Gaza Strip, largely asserting control despite Palestinian gunmen continuing their ambushes from hidden tunnels and bunkers, the military is moving to the third stage, said the official, who could not be named in print given the sensitivity of the issue.

“This will take six months at least, and involve intense mopping-up missions against the terrorists. No one is talking about doves of peace being flown from Shajaia,” the official told Reuters, referring to a Gaza district ravaged by fighting.

In addition to the 1,200 people killed on October 7, Hamas took some 240 hostage. Israel is also determined to recover the 129 still held in Gaza. Qatari- and Egyptian-mediated truce efforts have raised the prospect of some of them being freed.

The shift appeared to correspond to pressure from Israel’s top ally, the United States, to review tactics and do more to protect non-combatants.

Israel initially drafted 300,000 reservists – some 10 per cent to 15 per cent of its workforce – for what looks set to be its longest-ever war. Government sources have said between 200,000 and 250,000 reservists were still mobilised and absent from jobs or studies.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the deployment of reservists would be crafted “in a way that it can be refreshed, the Israeli economy can function, families who are waiting for their loved ones can return to their routines.”

Local media have reported that several military divisions were deployed throughout Gaza.

The official added that some of the troops pulled out of Gaza in the south would be prepared for rotation to the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Israel has warned that, if Hezbollah does not back down, a full-on Lebanon war looms. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have also been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel.

“The situation on the Lebanese front will not be allowed to continue. This coming six-month period is a critical moment,” the official said, adding that Israel would convey a similar message to a U.S. envoy conducting shuttle missions to Beirut.

In Gaza, the Israel-Hamas war has inflicted unprecedented devastation, with the health ministry reporting almost 22,000 fatalities, many of them civilian. Israel says it has killed more than 8,000 Palestinian fighters – suggesting that, by its own accounting, Hamas retains core personnel. Pre-war Israeli assessment were that the group had around 30,000 fighters.

The Israeli military announced on Saturday it was sending some reservists home as part of what top commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi has deemed a “reconfiguration” of forces.

“From the first moments of this war, we said it would take long,” Halevi told troops on Tuesday. “Will we ultimately be able to say there are no more foes around the State of Israel? I think that is overly ambitious. But we will deliver a different security situation – safe and, as much as possible, stable too.”

Israel has listed 174 soldiers – many of them reservists – as killed in Gaza fighting and nine on the Lebanese border.

By Seun Opejobi


Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has taunted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, over the power tussle in the state.

Fubara vowed never to cede power to Wike and those willing to push him out of office.

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads over control of Rivers State resources and political structure.

To stop the crisis from spreading further, President Bola Tinubu had mandated Wike and Fubara to sign a peace pact.

However, Fubara vowed never to relinquish his office because he would continue to ensure development in the state.

The governor spoke during the crossover service at St. Paul’s Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo Town on 2024 New Year’s Eve in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

According to Fubara: “I want to urge everyone of us here, don’t be frightened. What they want is this red biro; it is still with me.

“They have failed. You are the winner; we are the winner because we are still signing with the red biro. And, so long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State.

“I wasn’t the governor when I stood for you; I will continue standing with you.”

A chilling account of how communities were attacked in three local government areas of Plateau State was given on the floor of the Senate at the weekend.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) held the Red Chamber spellbound when he told his colleagues how almost 200 people were massacred by bandits.

According to him, the bandits deposited their arms at different points within the communities ahead of the attacks.

Ningi, chairman of the Northern Senators’ Caucus, said he got the details during his 72-hour visit to the state.

He met with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and visited hospitalised victims in Jos, the state capital.

He said: “The stories I heard about the attacks were mind-boggling.”

“I was in Bauchi for my Christmas break when the news broke and instantly, on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum, I moved into the Plateau.

“I had two sessions with the governor. What happened in Bokkos was unprecedented. The attack was by a catchment of bandits, over 400 of them moving at a go. The stories I heard were mind-boggling.

“First, there was a rumour of this attack. Second, the governor tried to make this information available but they didn’t take him seriously.

“I was at JUTH (Jos University Teaching Hospital) and you could see a three-month-old with a gunshot wound. Three months! Some were beheaded. This is unprecedented…

“What was discovered is that these marauding bandits were not moving with weapons. Those weapons were domiciled in certain locations.

“All they did was to come and pick them. That means there’s something behind what is happening in Plateau.

“Who are these people and why are they doing it? Because if you go there, you would think it’s a religious war.

“There’s something behind it that this Senate must unearth. It’s a very terrible phenomenon.

“The National Assembly members are shown the way out after four years and we even have a recall item in the Constitution.

“If you cannot deliver, our constituents will be asked to recall us and every four years we also go for elections.

“We can’t keep doing all these things all the time and no results. This insecurity is pervading the entire Northern atmosphere.”

Ningi spoke while seconding a motion by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) on the Plateau mayhem.

The Senate ratified the motion with a resolution to summon the Service Chiefs.

Also to be invited are National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Magaji Bichi; Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

The Senate observed a minute silence and resolved to send a high-powered delegation to the state.

The Senate called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to direct its agencies and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide building materials to the victims with immediate effect to enable them to return home and decongest the IDP camps.

The Red Chamber also urged the IGP to complete the mobile police barracks in Barkin Ladi.

It urged the Chief of Defence Staff to establish a mobile military base in Kerang Village, in Mangu Local Government Area, which “is a border point and an entry route for the criminals who commit these barbaric acts and escape freely”.

The Senate further urged the military to deploy intelligence and aerial surveillance in the affected local government areas and their environs.

It also urged the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, “to immediately take action in putting a check on illegal miners and mining activities in the country, especially the crisis-prone regions.”

Additionally, the Senate urged the Plateau State Government to “strengthen its environmental mining laws to check the excesses of illegal miners in the state” as well as “to upscale dialogue between traditional and religious leaders, especially in the affected crisis areas, to find non-kinetic solutions towards curbing the crisis.”

It also resolved to issue such further directives as deemed expedient in the circumstance to ensure compliance with its resolutions.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the killings as a “very unfortunate, barbaric and terrible tragedy for Nigeria”.

He said it was “a black Christmas for the country because the level of killings was unprecedented and the number of villages affected simultaneously was also unprecedented”.

“It is very clear that these attacks were very well coordinated and therefore we believe there was failure of intelligence and failure of timely reaction and the Senate is taking this very seriously.”


Father, son, vigilante killed in fresh attack

Three persons were killed in the attack by assailants in Durbi village of Shere district, Jos East Local Government Area on Saturday night.

Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, Markus Nyam, said the attackers invaded the village and killed a father and his son.

Nyam also said a member of the vigilantes, who engaged the assailants, was killed as the attackers fled.

The Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven personnel responded to the community’s distress call, preventing the attackers from causing more damage.


COAS: arrests made

Lt-Gen. Lagbaja said some suspects in the Christmas Eve killings have been arrested and that security agencies are on the trail of others.

He led other Service chiefs on visits to the communities at the weekend.

Addressing members of one of the attacked villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Gen. Lagbaja said: “Some people have been arrested. We will not reveal their names now because the investigation is still ongoing.

“We are still on the trail of some other people. We desire to round up everybody involved in this carnage in line with the directive of Mr President to ensure lasting peace in Plateau.”

He said the Federal Government was working to ensure that all the displaced persons returned home and that the communities were provided adequate security.

“We need your support as a people. We need the cooperation of the people to help the troops to succeed. Help us with information, and provide support to these troops.

“We are working towards ensuring all the displaced return to their ancestral homes as quickly as possible. Accept our condolences and our assurance that going forward this will not occur again,” Gen. Lagbaja said.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, accompanied by his Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation counterpart, Betta Edu, told Governor Mutfwang that the visit was on the directive of President Tinubu.

He said: “We are here on the directive of the President to commiserate with you and assure you of total commitment toward securing the lives and property of the people.

“I want to assure you that this incident will not occur again; these criminals will be crushed soon.”

Matawalle assured the governor that the humanitarian needs of the victims would be addressed.

“This is why the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs joined this delegation; she is expected to ascertain the humanitarian needs of the people,” he said.

A traditional ruler, Edward Bitrus, said it was the “saddest Christmas in all my 70 years in life”.

“We have been living peacefully in our community. I then wonder what led to these killings.

“Our children may not resume schools in January because the economic bases of the families have been razed by the attackers.

“Our investment in dry season farming has become a waste because the owners of the farms have been killed or displaced.

“Government must fish out these attackers so that victims will get justice,” he said.


Police deploy more men

Plateau Police Command said it has deployed more men to the troubled areas.

The spokesman, Alfred Alabo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said in a statement: “As part of measures to protect lives and properties in the affected areas, the Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, has placed a ban on all forms of late-night spiritual and social gathering in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Mangu Local Government Areas.”

Also, the Plateau State Tourism Corporation & organisers of the Jos Christmas Festival announced the cancellation of all remaining events at the Jos Christmas Festival.

By Adekunle Sulaimon


Doyin Odebowale, the former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the former governor was weak in matters involving his wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.

Odebowale, who claimed to have been a friend with the former governor for over 30 years and was responsible for writing his campaign materials the first time he contested and lost the governorship election in 2012, made this known on Saturday during an interview with media personnel, Segun Olawoye.

He also claimed to be the last person who convinced Akeredolu to contest for governor in 2011 despite his friends’ defiance because he was an irascible person.

According to the late governor’s aide, he confronted Anyanwu-Akeredolu while minding their cultural differences when she issued a threat to deal with Olubunmi Ademosu, who was a special adviser to the late governor.

He stressed that he was not pleased with how she was captured on tape accusing her husband’s special adviser on public and inter-governmental relations of giving him concoctions to manage his poor health.

Recall that the First Lady had accused Ms Ademosu of an ambition to become deputy governor should the governor become incapable of completing his tenure.

Odebowale further said, “You may blame this woman for indiscretion. Marriage is a scam. I hate co-habitation. I respect my wife, but she cannot tell me not to relate with people.

“On his wife’s management, Aketi was a weakling.

“She was acting like she had more stake in Aketi’s family than anybody. What point was she proving? I knew Aketi was not sleeping with anybody.”

“No office as the office of the First Lady. Aketi shouldn’t have allowed it.”

Dispelling the rumour that the announcement of Aketi’s death was delayed, the former aide said he was only aware of Akeredolu’s death when his phone was spammed with calls for confirmation, adding, “I had to ring his immediate younger brother, Prof Wole Akeredolu who lectures in LASU. I asked if he had heard of Emperor (that is what we call him in a close circle). He said he still spoke with him on Christmas Day, making him the last person who spoke with him before his death.

He maintained his four children were not even aware of his death until the news broke.

While also clarifying the rumour on having anything to hide after Akeredolu’s death, prompting his early resignation, Odebowale refuted squandering the state’s fund and intimated that his action was borne out of his love and loyalty for his late boss and that there was nothing needed of him to continue in the new dispensation of the present governor — Lucky Ayedatiwa.

“I have nothing against whosoever is in office now. I have nothing left to do in the office when the person who brought me there is no longer there. I can’t remain in that space and pretend.

“I can’t be as committed as I was with Akeredolu because I got all his support. It was not politicking. He gave me the wings to fly. He was my brother like a family,” he added.

Odebowale, along with the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Aminu Raimi, and the Special Assistant on Photography to the former governor, Olawale Abolade, resigned following the death of Akeredolu in Germany on Wednesday.

Vincent A. Yusuf (Abuja), Ibrahim Musa Giginyu (Kano), Abdullahi Izma Yamadi, Idris Mahmud (Katsina) & Magaji Isa Hunkuyi (Jalingo)



Merchants from neighbouring countries and beyond are mopping up grains harvested by Nigerian farmers, investigation by Daily Trust Saturday has revealed.

The merchants from the African sub-region and other places are scrambling for farm produce for various reasons.

According to pundits, this nationwide grain scramble has resulted in prolonged price increases for important grains, such as maize, millet, sorghum, rice, ginger, hibiscus (zobo) and other oil seeds, such as soybeans and sesame.

The situation has pushed prices to record levels even during harvest periods, raising concerns that many Nigerians battling inflation (now at 28.2%) may be unable to purchase food during the lean season when prices typically skyrocket.

Sources said most of the merchants from outside the country usually came with hard currencies, such as the US dollar, and as soon as they approach bureau de change operators, they smile to village markets with bags filled with naira notes, edging out home-grown merchants.

Our correspondents across the states report that many foreign nationals are purchasing grains and other crops, which is why prices remain high, even at harvest.


Katsina

In Katsina, our correspondent said that from Jibia to Dankama in Kaita Local Government Area, Mai’adua to Zango and Baure local government areas bordering Niger Republic, grain merchants move from one local market to another, struggling to buy the produce in large quantities.

The grains most needed are maize, millet, sorghum and beans, as well as sesame and hibiscus.

Prices of maize, millet and guinea corn at Jibia, Kaita, Mai’adua, Daura, Zango and Baure local government areas, at the moment is between N50,000 and N55,000 per 100kg bag. And it is expected that with the current scramble for grains, the prices are likely to rise in the coming weeks.

Ali Maje, a grain dealer in Katsina Central Market, said that if someone insists on old prices, he stood a risk of not getting the commodity because merchants are coming with a lot of money who waste no time in bargaining as they are ready to buy at whatever price.

Niger Republic, one of the neighbouring countries that buy farm produce from Katsina markets, has over the years been a business partner of Nigeria until its recent political crisis that attracted economic sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

But despite the embargo, findings revealed that scramble for Nigerian grains continues.

Waisu Muhammadou, a Nigerien grain merchant, told our correspondent that maize, sorghum, soybeans, cocoyam and potato were the major produce being transported to Niger Republic on a weekly basis.

“For over 10 years I have been buying grain and other food items from Dandume, Sheme, Yankara, Kafur, Charanchi, and sometimes, Giwa in Kaduna State weekly and transport same to Tasawa, Maradi and Damagaram markets,” he said.

Muhammadou added that the sanctions placed by ECOWAS on their country has hampered the smooth running of their business as they have to rely on Nigerians to send in goods for them through diverted discreet routes.

“We are not finding it easy now because of ECOWAS sanctions. And high demand of food has put us on our toes to smuggle in food items from Nigeria despite the huge cost and dangers involved,” Muhammadou said.

He further said the rumoured plan by Nigerien authorities to change the country’s currency had made merchants to store their money in farm produce; hence the mad rush for Nigerian farm produce.

“Food items such as pumpkin, tomato casia tora, lemon and other fruits find their way into Niger through Illela in Sokoto State to Tawa, Kwonni and Tilaberi markets,” he said.

Another merchant from Mali, Sa’idu Abdullahi, said that unlike Niger Republic, there was no restriction of trade between the two countries.

“The major products we buy from Nigeria are Chilli pepper, palm and tamarind. We source them from Charanchi Dandume, Bakori and Funtua markets,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the crops were mainly used by cottage industries in Mali as raw material.

Garba Salisu, a grain dealer in Dandume market, said Ghana too was one of the countries buying food items from Nigeria.

He said, “In Ghana there is high industrial demand for soybeans and maize from Nigeria, and merchants from there buy them in large quantities from Katsina markets and Dawanau in Kano State. Beside the grains, desert dates, gingerbread palm and other wild fruits are being transported to Ghana weekly.”

Salisu added that merchants from Ghana, Benin, Mali, Niger and sometimes Togo were part of the weekly hustle and bustle in most Katsina markets.

“We cannot do without them; and in some cases, we send goods to those countries and get paid in the subsequent weeks,” he said.

He called on the authorities of ECOWAS to reconsider its stand on Niger Republic, saying that economic activities between the two countries have been seriously affected.

Abdullahi Umar, a bureau de change operator in Kano, said foreigners made double gain with their dollars.

“They get their dollars from somewhere and come to Nigeria with it; and of course you know how bad the value of our naira is. So, once they change their dollars and collect naira, they go to markets and do business. It is like getting the commodities as bonus,” he said.


Foreign farms having field day in Kano

In Kano State, the rate at which foreign firms are buying agro commodities after the 2023 wet season harvest is currently generating a lot of concern from stakeholders and other agro commodity users.

Findings by Daily Trust Saturday revealed that several merchants have stormed agro commodity markets in the state, mopping up sesame, how neighbouring countries, others feast on nigeria’s cheap grains


how neighbouring countries, others feast on nigeria’s cheap grains

Our correspondent further gathered that many of such companies have already established their cleaning and grading outlets in most grain markets, especially Dawanau International Market.

A source at Dawanau international grain market told our correspondent that the act has caused a serious hike in the price of such commodities.

According to the source, a bag of sesame is now selling between N85, 000 and N100, 000 and a tonne of soybeans is selling for over N400,000.

Findings have also revealed that due to the activities of foreigners, some commodities have now become hot commodities sort by many companies; and due to the mad rush for the commodities, their prices have gone high and the commodities very scarce.

A merchant in Dawanau International Grains Market, Alhaji Abdu Musa Gwagwarwa, said the act of the companies had established a serious concern that many people have become scared of the aftermath of this move by the companies, and possible food shortage is being forecast.


Chinese too in the markets

In Taraba, our correspondent gathered that Chinese nationals are also making bulk purchase of farm produce in grain markets across the state.

Finding revealed that soybeans and maize are the major farm produce the Chinese are buying.

Daily Trust Saturday learnt that the foreigners are in some cases physically involved in the purchase of the farm produce, while in some cases, they use middlemen.

Markets where these nationals are involved in the purchase of farm produce include Mutumbiyu, Maihula and Garba-Chede .

Before the coming of expatriates into the grain business, a 100kg bag of soya beans was sold at N29, 000 but the price has jumped to between N32,000 and N34,000 per bag.

Price of maize has also gone up from N28, 000 to N35, 000 following demand of the produce by the Chinese nationals and other middlemen.

A farmer at Maihula, Tanimu Ali, told our correspondent that the coming of Chinese nationals into the grain business was a welcome development because they are mopping the commodity from the market.

He said that this year, farmers witnessed a bumper harvest of soybeans leading to the crash in the price of the commodity.

Tanimu further said farmers had produced very much quantity of soybeans, and there were less demand for the produce.

“The coming of foreigners to buy soybeans and other farm produce has brought relief to us because we have surplus of it and white beans as a result of the bumper harvest we witnessed,” he said.

Umar Muhammed, a farm produce trader at Mutumbiyu grain market, told Daily Trust Saturday that the coming of foreigners has stabilised the price of soybeans in the market and other farm produce in the state.

He said the foreigners were more interested in buying soybeans, maize and dried cassava, adding that the involvement of foreigners in buying farm produce has helped in giving the commodity a good price.

According to him, shortly before the coming of foreigners to grain markets, a100kg bag of soybeans was sold at N28,000, but now, the price has gone up to N34,000.

Ali Maihula, a large scale farmer said, “We are happy that foreigners and other middlemen are buying soybeans in large quantities. That has increased the price of the produce,” he said.


Encourage irrigation and make farmers rich – Experts

Some experts have said that government at all levels, and Nigerians should look at the recent development from positive perspective instead of lamentation.

Dr Murtala Abdullahi Kwara from the Department of Economics, Umar Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, suggested immediate interventions and incentives to irrigation farming.

He also suggested commitment to agriculture and other non-oil sectors as the only alternative to the current rush for grains.

Kwara said unless this is done, the mop up may trigger another regime of hunger and malnutrition in the country.

“There is also the need for an urgent provision of improved seeds that are weather- friendly, accessible and affordable and that conform with the soil of each given area to attain food sufficiency that guarantees health, education, economic growth and all other forms of security Nigerians desire,” he said.

He said the government at all levels must remain committed to reducing poverty, provide support to sectors like agriculture, which is the second largest employer of labour,

He said anything short of this would be detrimental to the wellbeing, peace, prosperity and economic growth of Nigeria, which will no doubt trigger hunger and starvation.

An economist, Mr Musa Abubakar, said while the development is a plus to the Nigerian economy if properly organised, it is a minus to many households who would be affected by rising prices.

He said it was very vital to have a balanced and calculative analysis of the situation, adding that instead of exporting raw produce, Nigeria should concentrate on exporting finished goods.

Another economist, Abdullahi Aminu, said the government at all levels should guarantee security, provide mechanise farming implements and encourage citizens to embrace farming.

“Personally, I see the scramble as a positive development because we have been crying that there is no foreign exchange.

“Now, foreigners are coming with hard currencies and some people are complaining. I think what the government should do is to formalise the process.

“Government should encourage processing of the produce here in Nigeria, encourage people to establish cottage industries, and the hard currency inflow should be through the banking system,” he said.