A businessman, Sir Edwin Umealo, has been murdered by some yet-to-be-identified assailants at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Umealo, who hailed from Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state, had attended a meeting in one of the communities in the state and was returning from the meeting when the assailants trailed his vehicle and struck.
The reason for the attack has not been ascertained but a close family source who did not want his name mentioned because of the sensitive nature disclosed the news to journalists on Thursday.
According to the source, the slain businessman, popularly called “Sir White” by his friends and business associates, was killed at 7pm last Sunday as he was driving to his Asaba, Delta State residence after the meeting.
It was further gathered that his assailants, after shooting him, allowed him to die in the pool of his blood in his SUV car without taking any valuable.
“His car, handsets, cash and other valuables that were with him were left intact when the Police came and took his corpse to the mortuary. Family sources believe he must have been trailed from where he attended the meeting,” the source added.
Umealo who is a businessman at Ogboefere Market, Onitsha is married with four children.
The Anambra State police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, has yet to respond to text messages and calls to his mobile line when contacted for confirmation on the matter as of the time of filing this report at about 8:24pm on Thursday.
"When I tell people how difficult it is to develop Africa, you now understand what it means."
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has accused youths of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of the state of destroying a multi-million dollar Coconut Plantation in the state.
The governor described the destruction as an “extremely unfair” action against the state government’s investment drive.
Mr Emmanuel who said the incident occurred at a time the state government was about concluding negotiations with foreign investors on the coconut plantation and its refinery urged youth leaders in the state to rise up and condemned the action.
The governor stated this Tuesday while commissioning a 16.71km Abak Ifia – Ikpe Mbak Eyop Road which traversed two local government areas —- Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara —- in the state.
“Today even with all these developments we’re trying to put on ground, people are trying to destroy it. We woke up this morning and the entire coconut plantation that we did that has been fruiting already with fruits.
“The youths of Eastern Obolo went and destroyed all those coconut plantations. A multi-million dollar project is all gone and we have a refinery. So when I tell people how difficult it is to develop Africa you now understand what it means.
“Each of those seedlings, if you go and price them how much in dollars, tell me what the government would do to provide employment and uplift the economic well-being of the people.
“If you can have such a fantastic idea and over 350 people are working in that farm, not even one is from my village. They are all from the three local government areas – Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin,” Mr Emmanuel said.
The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Odiko Macdon confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, but said no arrest had been made.
He said the police were investigating the incident.
An indigene of Eastern Obolo, who requested that his name should not be mentioned in the report because of concern for his safety and security, admitted that part of the plantation had been destroyed but not the entire coconut plantation as claimed by the governor.
He said indigenes of the area were protesting the ongoing remapping in the state, a development he claimed had seen some oil producing communities in the area being ceded to its three neighbouring local government areas including Onna, where Governor Emmanuel hails from.
A staffer of the plantation also confirmed the destruction of parts of the plantation, particularly the one in the Eastern Obolo.
He told PREMIUM TIMES that the destruction had to do with the ongoing remapping of the area.
Background
Governor Emmanuel as part of his industrialisation drive, inaugurated in 2017 the St. Gabriel Coconut Factory in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The governor while inspecting the project in May 2021 said it would create 1, 300 direct and over 3, 000 indirect jobs when completed.
During the commission of the project in May 2022, Mr Emmanuel said the revenue base of the state would rise, describing it as a major foreign exchange earner, Vanguard newspaper reported.
The state government had earlier in 2020 began the distribution of thousands of coconut seedlings to schools and organisations in the state in its effort to ensure sufficient supply of coconut to the refinery.
Speaking during the Tuesday road commissioning, Mr Emmanuel wondered what he would do with the refinery when the coconut plantation is destroyed.
“What am I going to do with the refinery, am I going to carry it on my head?” he said the crowd which came out to witness the commissioning.
He told the people that he was not meant to dampen their spirit and urged them to protect government assets in their areas.
“This week we will also be commissioning some power projects. Please protect those assets. Let the people living within those areas know that if you remove one cable you’ve rendered the whole community in darkness. It will not only affect you, now they are going to render thousands of people unemployed. I don’t know how that benefits people,” the governor said.
Following the disturbing news on the death of popular Nollywood actors, Saint Obi and Murphy Afolabi, another actor, Chikezie Uwazie is dead.
The actor, reportedly died in the United States of America few days ago after a second brain surgery.
One of the leading stars of the early 2000s, Chikezie Uwazie left Nigeria for the United States over seven years ago.
Before he relocated, he featured in several Nollywood flicks including the movie, “Musical Whispers”, a film on Autism, produced by Ebele Okaro and directed by Bond Emeruwa. He was also in, “Village Destroyer” alongside Osita Iheme, Ugo Ugbor, and “Last Kiss”, where he acted alongside Emeka Ike, Ini Edo, Ejike Asiegbu and Mercy Johnson Okojie, among several other movies.
His colleague, Obey Etok Chima posted the news of his passage on her Facebook on Sunday. She wrote, “I can’t imagine am posting this. Chikezie Uwazie goneeeee. After a 2nd brain surgery. Gini na emezi. Am so shocked to get this news this evening. Just got this from our IMSU alumni platform. I thought you told me you were going to the states for greener pastures. You promised to come back some years back but I didn’t see you. Can’t believe you are gone but God knows best. Rest on Chyko”.
Uwazie’s death is the third in Nollywood within the last three days after St. Obi and Murphy Afolabi.
Over 500 Nigerian students who fled to Egypt from Sudan have been ordered back to the crisis-ridden country.
This is as a result of the misconduct of two students who reportedly tried to beat security checks at the Egyptian airport.
Due to the closure of Sudanese airspace, the Federal Government made provision for Nigerians in Sudan to travel to Egypt by road from where they are to be flown back to the country.
But the Egyptian authorities denied them access into their country for over a week, leaving the Nigerian citizens stranded.
A batch of stranded Nigerians have since been evacuated back home, with efforts ongoing to rescue more.
In a recording obtained by Daily Trust, on Friday, a government official was heard saying two students who failed to provide passport or Emergency Travel Certificate were instructed to stay back, but they sneaked in to join their colleagues who had been cleared.
“Our children have spoiled the efforts that the Federal Government is putting in place to airlift them. All the students that have passports were allowed to move to the Egypt airport and those that do not have were asked to wait behind and an ETC will be issued to them as a formal document for them to travel. Out of impatience, two students without passports or ETC sneaked in.
“Now, the two students were discovered at the Aswan airport and the Egyptian authorities are angry. Now, all the stranded Nigerians have to go back to Sudan. They conveyed over 500 Nigerians and everyone will go back to Sudan. They will have to get an exit permit and then get another permit back to Egypt. This will cause a delay of almost 10 hours.”
The official also said that the issue was on the whereabouts of a little child could not be ascertained.
“Also, in the midst of the confusion, a child sneaked into Egypt. We cannot find him. Legal actions would be taken against the two students.”
[i]Meanwhile, evacuation process is ongoing smoothly at Port Sudan and some other places.
Sources told Daily Trust that boarding was ongoing at Tacko Airport in Port Sudan. MaXAir and Azman flights are on ground to evacuate 800 Nigerian citizens.
Akpabio will emerge President of 10th Senate - Ganduje assures
Former Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio has been endorsed as the president of 10th Senate by the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said in a video.
Ganduje, who also confirmed that governors of the ruling party have agreed to zone zone the next Senate Presidency to the South-south geopolitical region of the country.
He spoke against the background of the raging battle for the position of the senate president and speaker-ship of the 10th National Assembly among the elected members.
But, in a video circulating on the internet by African Independent Television (AIT), Ganduje claimed APC governors have decided to throw their weight behind Akpabio, who is from the South-south.
As shown in the video, Ganduje spoke during a meeting between some of his colleague and some individuals.
Loans to Kano govt must now be with my approval - Governor-elect Abba Yusuf He added that the party will ensure that its proposed zoning formula is carried through.
“The Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will come from the South-south and no other person than the former governor of Akwa Ibom , the uncommon governor, the uncommon minister who will be the uncommon president of the senate,” he said.
“We have resolved that, so we are giving you assurance. We are waiting for the deal day to be the Senate President of Nigeria.”
Speaking at the meeting, Ayade thanked the APC governors for zoning the senate president to the South south.
THE Federal Government has said that the cost of electricity consumption in Nigeria is the cheapest and most defaulted by consumers in the world.
According to the Government, electricity is highly subsidized in Nigeria by the federal government which made its cost to be cheapest across the globe.
Speaking in Abuja during an interactive session with the Senator Gabriel Suswam, PDP, Benue North East led Senate Committee on Power, the Minister of State for Power, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu backed up his claim by making comparative analysis of cost of electricity in Nigeria with those of the neighbouring countries.
The Minister who was accompanied by heads of various agencies in the Power sector said, ” Cost of electricity in Nigeria is the cheapest across the globe , particularly gas to Power , which is highly subsidized .
“For example, while cost of electricity in Nigeria is 15 cent per kilowatt, it is 42 cent in Niger Republic, 23 cent in Republic of Benin, 25 cent in Mali, 28 cent in Senegal, 27 cent in Burkina Faso etc.”
Aliyu lamented that while government was doing everything possible to make electricity affordable and available for Nigerians, many of the ordinary consumers and even critical agencies of government, default in payment of bill.
On his part, the Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN), Engineer Sulyman Abdulaziz said that high rate of defaults on electricity bills by critical government agencies led to disconnection of Electricity Distribution Companies ( DISCOs) in Kaduna and Kano from the National grid recently.
According to him, though they have been temporarily reconnected but must make payment through the affected DISCOs to TCN within the 60 days grace given.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gabriel Suswam and other members like Senators Adamu Aliero , Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, among others on the way forward, suggested that there should be deduction from source, electricity bills of such agencies by the Ministry of Finance .
Senator Suswam who noted that one of the complaints made by the DISCOs , particularly those of Kaduna and Kano was enormous debt incurred by them from electricity bills defaulters, said, ” The DISCOs as stated in the written complaint specifically mentioned military formations across the country, Educational Institutions, State Governments etc.”
Americans stuck in Sudan express anger at U.S. government for being abandoned: CNN
"To be honest with you, the State Department was useless, utterly useless throughout this entire period," said Imad, who asked to withhold his last name, and whose parents were traveling from Khartoum to Egypt.
NEW YORK, April 28 (Xinhua) -- As the crisis in Sudan continues to unfold, there is mounting anger among Americans who feel abandoned by the U.S. government and left to navigate the complicated and dangerous situation on their own, reported CNN on Thursday.
"Despite a number of nations evacuating their citizens, the U.S. government has continued to say that the conditions are not conducive to a civilian evacuation," said the report. "All U.S. government personnel were evacuated in a military operation this weekend. U.S. officials have said they are in 'close communication' with U.S. citizens and 'actively facilitating' their departure from Sudan."
[b]However, CNN spoke with multiple people whose family members are among the "dozens" of Americans who want to leave Sudan, and they said the State Department has provided "barely any assistance" since the deadly violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out more than a week ago.
"To be honest with you, the State Department was useless, utterly useless throughout this entire period," said Imad, who asked to withhold his last name, and whose parents were traveling from Khartoum to Egypt. "We expected the Department to provide some kind of guidance, but the guidance was the template, just shelter in place, no critical information being provided."
The interviewees also pushed back on the argument made by U.S. officials that they had warned Americans not to be in Sudan. The travel advisory level has been Level 4: Do Not Travel since June 2021, and the State Department has consistently advised Americans to "have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance." However, there were no recent security alerts explicitly advising Americans to leave the country.[/b]
Edo State government has threatened to probe, arrest and dismiss any head of local government administration (HOLGA) or council personnel involved in shady deals, resulting in the declining internally generated revenue (IGR).
The deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, made the declaration yesterday at the Government House, Benin City, during a close-door meeting with HOLGAs and local government liaison officers.
Also in attendance were leaders of the three recognised transport unions: Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and ANNEWATT.
Shaibu said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may be invited by the state government to look into the affairs of the councils.
He said, “Only incompetence, abuse of office, lack of accountability and truancy, among others, can result in the 18 local government councils generating a paltry sum of N3 million monthly as internally generated revenue.”
He said the IGR profile of Egor local government alone was N1 million while the remaining councils generated N2 million, describing it as criminal and unacceptable to government.
“It is also impossible for motorcycles and tricycles to generate more revenue than cars and buses put together.
“We will invite EFCC to investigate your activities for the period under review and whoever that is culpable of any mismanagement be sacked, arrested and be made to face prosecution in a competent court of jurisdiction,” Shaibu added.
However, the deputy governor directed HOLGAs and the liaison officers to immediately constitute a credible revenue task force across the 18 LGAs to ensure proper collection of revenue for the purpose of accountability forthwith.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has acknowledged the private conversation between him and the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, took place.
The former Anambra governor, however, debunked describing the presidential election as a ‘religious war.’
Obi made the admission when he was featured on Arise Television as a guest on Monday night.
When asked if the phone conversation actually took place or if another propaganda aided by artificial intelligence, the politician admitted consulting with the fiery preacher but did not at any poll referred to the poll as a religious war.
He also described himself as the only non-Muslim governor, aside from erecting mosques, who has sent more people for pilgrimage in Mecca than other state leaders.
He said, “Call it whatever you want to call it. Whatever anyone wants to make of it. I am not a religious bigot. Do you think I can just pick a phone and say ‘religious war’? No, I was even begging the bishop to help me ask his people to vote, which was what I was doing for six months – begging. I wasn’t saying ‘catch him’, ‘kill him’, ‘force it’. I was even begging. That shows that I continued to look for votes by begging. There were so many things we tried to do but they were not okay.
“Let me tell you. Those who have been trying to manipulate Nigerians have been doing it. But it is coming to an end. The people they have been manipulating are dying of hunger. They will soon know who is the religious or tribal bigot. I am not one. I have just given you an example of how I built mosques. Till today, no non-Muslim governor has sent more people to Mecca than me.
“I can never say it (poll) is a religious war. Because it is not. There was a conversation. But I never said it was a religious war. What for? I am surrounded by people. If there was ever an instance where the presidential candidate and his deputy work as brothers, it is me and Datti. And I know and we never stop talking about it.
“For the first time in the history of Nigeria, we have a presidential candidate, running mate and party chairman who were born after Nigeria’s Independence. We must save this country and he (Datti) knows my commitment to it. I can’t do all these with the background of religious war.”
The leaked phone conversation between Obi and the Winners Chapel Bishop, which has been rechristened ‘Yes Daddy’ by critics had trended on social media in the last two months.
The audio was said to have been recorded a few days before the February 25 presidential poll.
In the viral audio, the LP poster boy was heard pleading with Oyedepo to help sway the full support of Christians in the Southwest and Kwara State.
While stating that he was already working on winning votes in Kogi and Niger states, the former Anambra governor described the 2023 presidential election as a “religious war” that must be won in the purported conversation.
The preacher, on his part, was heard saying, “In Jesus’ name, we are going to get a bright tomorrow.”
In response, an emotional Obi replied, “Amen Daddy. When I hear these prayers, it is very dear to me and like I keep saying, if this thing works, you people will never regret the support.”
Continuing the conversation, the cleric said, “We look forward to God’s intervention,” to which the Labour Party candidate quickly responded, “Thank you, Daddy. Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the Southwest and Kwara. The Christians in the Southwest and Kwara. This is a religious war.”
Although two of Obi’s spokespersons, Kenneth Okonkwo and Valentine Obienyem, partially admitted that the conversation happened, they argued that it was doctored to fit the narrative that the LP flag bearer is a religious and ethnic bigot.
Obienyem specifically claimed that ‘our Nnewi prodigal brother’ is responsible for the leak. To date, the Nnewi brother has yet to be unmasked.
For weeks, social media influencers made a series of satirical tweets to mock the former governor who he repeatedly called a ‘liar’ and a ‘desperate’ politician.
Anambra Governor, Soludo Threatens To Cut Salaries Of Workers Observing Monday’s Sit-At-Home
The governor issued the threat on Monday while addressing Anambra State workforce at the May Day Workers celebration held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital.
The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has threatened to cut salaries of workers in the state who skip work on Mondays because of sit-at-home initially issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the entire South-East region of Nigeria.
The governor issued the threat on Monday while addressing Anambra State workforce at the May Day Workers celebration held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital. The governor said that Monday sit-at-home had become an excuse for workers to avoid working on Mondays, warning that it could not continue.
Governor Soludo, who recently increased workers’ salaries by 10 percent said, “You cannot be working for just four days a week and earn full salaries. We must get back to working on Monday for the government. If we do not go to work, we must not get our full salary. We must be paid proportionally to the number of days we work. If we must continue not attending work on Monday, we must direct Saturday work.
“You must do your work and we cannot be working for 70 per cent and earn 110 per cent. We will cut your salaries when you fail to come to work on Monday.”
He added that the state government had been running on a N88 billion budget deficit for the past one year, explaining that the 2023 budget was predicated on N4 billion internally generated revenue every month but the state has been generating only N2 billion.
Governor Soludo further said that the state government was supposed to be getting N5 billion from the federal government but it was getting less.
He therefore called on the workers to braze up and work towards generating revenue to the state government in order to take care of the workers’ welfare and other state's pressing issues.
Governor Soludo, who said that there was pressure on him to increase salaries and downsize the workforce, urged labour leaders to study the proposal.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has announced President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the postponement of the May 3rd 2023 population and housing census.
The Minister in a statement in Abuja on Friday morning, said a new date will be determined by the incoming administration.
The statement read: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for 3-7 May 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming Administration.
“The President gave the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday (28 April 2023).
“In arriving at the decision to postpone the Census, the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last Census, to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people.
“The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, conduct of first and second pretests, the recruitment and training of adhoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures, appreciable progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
“He also commended the methodology being put in place by the Commission to conduct accurate and reliable Census, especially the massive deployment of technology that is capable of delivering world class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses.
“The President further directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census in order to sustain the gains already recorded and provide the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements.
“The meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.”
The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday, played host to some Americans who traced their root to the Kingdom of Ile-Ife.
The Americans were led to the Ooni by the Asoju Asa of Ile Oodua, Ambassador Dotun Taylor.
The Ooni stressed the excitement that comes with identifying with the root of one’s origin.
“If you take a closer look at yourselves in comparison to your kinsmen and women here, you will agree with me that there is no difference between us.
“The only difference is that my own forefathers missed the boat that yours caught up with.
“So, my dear children, you are welcome home and I pray that the meaningful names you are being bestowed with today will manifest in all your endeavours.
“Luckily for you, your source (Ile-Ife) which is within the Federal Republic of Nigeria is filled with lovely people and it’s a very safe environment,” Ogunwusi said.
He urged them to increase their economic presence in Ile-Ife and exploit the various opportunities for investment.
Early, Taylor explained that the visitors are convinced that they are of African origin after a scientific test, popularly known as “Ancestral DNA”, confirmed that they have a high concentration of the African gene.
“Kabiyesi Alase, this is the product of your consistent investment in the promotion of our prestigious culture and preservation of the Yoruba history.
“This is the commencement of a process that will lead to the naturalisation of foreigners who are of black origin to becoming Nigerians and particularly Yoruba sons and daughters.
“We are working with all needed authorities in this regard including the Ministry of Interior and the traditional institution under the leadership of our father, the Ooni,” Taylor said.
Speaking on behalf of the Americans, Mrs Delzora Dotson, who is now to be addressed as Mrs Delzora Omotilewa Dotson, described the experience as worthwhile.
Dotson said she can’t wait to tell her friends and family members about her discovery.
“Right now, I am feeling the connection of origination and I am happy to be back home,” she said.
Ex-Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Publicity Secretary, Ibegbu Calls For Extension Of Buhari’s Administration
April 26, 2023
He warned that conducting the national census now will be too controversial and inimical to the nation.
Chuks Ibegbu, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called on the National Assembly to extend President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by three months, beyond May 29, 2023.
Ibegbu, who made the call on Wednesday in an interview with Daily Post, asked the National Assembly to call up the provisions of the doctrine of necessity to extend Buhari’s tenure, adding that the May 29 inauguration of the ‘President-elect’, Bola Tinubu, was not sacrosanct.
Ibegbu said, “The National Assembly should make a resolution to extend Buhari’s tenure by three months as nothing is sacrosanct about May 29.
“In fact, May 29 is a minus in the history of Nigeria as it stands for past tragedies in Nigeria’s history. We should go back to October but the doctrine of necessity can be adopted in three months, and the heavens will not fall.
“Three months would allow all court cases on election matters as heavens will not fall.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s immediate past spokesperson also said that the Nigerian government should postpone the proposed national census and allow a new government in Nigeria to organise it.
He warned that conducting the national census now will be too controversial and inimical to the nation.
Ibegbu further advised that all court cases on electoral matters should end before the swearing-in of the elected officers, pointing out that it would be “distracting to such officers if they are sworn in and court cases against them persist.”
•Throws light on president-elect’s link with Guinea
By Onuoha Ukeh
A few days after a viral video showing President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a helicopter belonging to the Guinean government surfaced, the man at the centre of it all, Amb. Ousmane Yara, has exclusively revealed to Daily Sun what transpired.
In a chanced meeting with Daily Sun in a highbrow Abuja hotel on Sunday, Yara opened up on the relationship Tinubu, former Guinean President, Alpha Conde and him had.
He also shed light on Tinubu’s special recognition by the Guinean government under Conde.
Yara, a Guinean, who is Ambassador African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, told Daily Sun that the viral video was shot sometime in 2016 when Tinubu visited Guinea as guest of then President Conde during the country’s independence anniversary celebration.
He said that Tinubu, him (Yara) and Sanwo-Olu, who was not governor then, were travelling in the helicopter from Guinean capital to Mamu, in the Fula region of the country, to attend independence anniversary celebration, as, according to him, then President Conde used to move the state function related to the anniversary from region to region every year, when he was in power.
Yara revealed that Tinubu first visited Guinea in 2015 after he hosted former President Conde in Lagos earlier. According to him, the president-elect’s attendance of Guinea’s independence anniversary celebration in 2016 was his second as guest of former President Conde.
He said: [b]“Through one of Tinubu’s aides at that time, who is now a minister in the government of Nigeria, I facilitated a meeting between President Conde and Tinubu. President Conde was going for reelection, for the second term, in office then in 2015. He came to Nigeria to see Tinubu, who organised a dinner in his honour. At the dinner, Tinubu invited many Nigerian businessmen and others.
“President Conde then invited Tinubu to Guinea about one month to the election for his second term. Tinubu honoured the invitation and came with a team of economic experts and businessmen, who took time to discuss with Guinean government officials how the country could better harness its resources for economic prosperity and development.
“Tinubu spent only one day and travelled to London from there, but left the team he came with to continue engagement with Guinean officials on how to transform Guinea. The team and Guinean government officials worked for three days, and came up with an economic roadmap.”[/b]
Amb Yara said that thrilled by Tinubu’s support for his reelection and for bringing the team that worked with Guinea officials to chart an economic and development agenda, President Conde invited Tinubu to the independence anniversary in 2016.
“President Conde invited Tinubu to the independence anniversary. Since the official function at every independence anniversary was done in different regions, Tinubu was required to fly from the country’s capital, in a helicopter, to Mamu, where that year’s event held. That was the video being circulated. At the independence anniversary celebration, President Conde gave Tinubu the honour and privilege of a president, in appreciation of what he did for him during his reelection bid and towards economic development of Guinea.”
Yara said it was in order to show appreciation to Tinubu that former President Conde gave him a “Special Envoy” status.
“Conde recognised Tinubu as a pan-Africanist and saw him as a special envoy,” Yara said.
The AU Ambassador said that governments extend honorary citizenship to important people who may not be their citizens as a mark of recognition of their contributions to socio-economic and political developments in the countries, which does not make such persons citizens of the countries.
Daily Sun findings from Wikipedia is that honorary citizenship is a “status bestowed by a city or other government on a foreign or native individual whom it considers to be especially admirable or otherwise worthy of the distinction. The honour usually is symbolic and does not confer any change to citizenship or nationality.”
Yara said Tinubu, being a friend of Conde, is not strange as individuals and politicians all over the world have presidents as friends.
He revealed that many Nigerian politicians and businessmen were friends of Conde when he was in power, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari, who hosted the former president in Abuja.
[b]Amb. Yara, in a bid to authenticate what he said, put a video call through to former President Conde, who has been living in Turkey since he was ousted from office in 2021.
Conde, answering a question on his relationship with Tinubu, said: “Tinubu is the biggest pan-Africanist I have seen. Before I met Tinubu, I had noted his accomplishments, right from when he was governor. I see him as a ‘Lion of Africa’ because of his contributions towards the stability and development of Africa. He has always supported African presidents who were pan-Africanists in disposition and others.”
Conde confirmed that he recognised Tinubu as ambassador extraordinaire (special envoy) of Guinea, while promising to speak in details about the president-elect in due course.
The former president expressed confidence in the ability of Tinubu to do well as president.
He noted: “I am convinced that Tinubu’s leadership will be good for Nigeria. Nigeria is a country other West African nations look up to. I am happy for Tinubu. Anything he may require of me to make his government successful, in my personal capacity, I will willingly do. He helped us in Guinea and I will never forget that. Nigerians should pray for the success of Tinubu’s government because his leadership will be impactful.”[/b]
At least 21 bodies have been found in southeast Kenya in connection with a cult leader who told his followers to starve themselves and kill their children to ‘meet Jesus,’ local officials say. It’s feared the death toll could reach more than 100.
Police confirmed on Saturday that at least 21 bodies have been recovered so far from shallow graves in the Shakahola forest near Malindi, a coastal town about 100 kilometers northeast of Mombasa. Many are believed to be children.
In one grave, investigators found the bodies of three children with their father on one side and their mother on the other side. Another grave contained the bodies of a woman and a girl, both facing each other. All appeared to have died in recent weeks.
Police have identified at least 58 suspected graves on the grounds of the Good News International Church, raising fears that the death toll will rise significantly. One Kenyan media outlet reported that more than 100 people may have been buried in the graves.
“We have not even scratched the surface which gives a clear indication that we are likely to get more bodies by the end of this exercise,” a police source told the AFP news agency.
15 members of the church were previously rescued but four of them died before reaching the hospital. Those four are likely in addition to the 21, which would raise the death toll to at least 25. Other followers fled when police arrived and have not yet been found.
The investigation began in late March when two boys were found dead after being starved and then suffocated by their parents. A tip led police to Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, who allegedly gave them ‘advice’ on how to go to heaven and meet Jesus.
“We went for an operation in Shakahola after receiving information that there is a person who is radicalizing people – or rather brainwashing people – that they should starve their children to death so that they can see God in the future,” police investigator Charles Kamau said after the pastor’s arrest in late March.
Mackenzie and six of his followers remain in police custody, but the cult leader is now on a hunger strike himself. “He has not taken even a glass of water,” a police source told the Daily Nation newspaper on Saturday.
Mackenzie, who previously told a reporter that “education is evil,” was also arrested in 2017 after police raided his church and rescued more than 90 children, some of whom described his teachings as satanic while others defended him with quotes from the Bible. Mackenzie was later released and moved his church to Shakahola.
The group said the APC leadership cannot be entirely unmindful that a Muslim Senate President would affect the overall desired stability in the country.
Socio-political group, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of Senate President to the South-South geopolitical zone in the interest of equity and fairness.
In a statement by the group’s spokesman, Ken Robinson, PANDEF said it is only “proper” for the ruling party which has a majority of Senators-elect, to zone the highly coveted position to the South-South zone.
The APC won majority of the legislative seats during the elections with over 55 Senate seats out of 109 and over 160 out of 360 House of Representatives seats.
Many APC chieftains and legislative member-elect have expressed interest in the highly coveted positions in the red and green chambers. They include Orji Kalu, Jibrin Barau, Godswill Akpabio, Dave Umahi, Ahmad Lawan, Ali Ndume, Abdulaziz Yari, Osita Izunaso, amongst others.
The party is expected to release its zoning formula after the Ramadan fast, according to Senate Spokesperson, Ajibola Bashiru.
PANDEF, which is led by elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, argued that the last time someone from the present South-South States occupied the office of Senate President was during the 2nd Republic (1979/1983), when the late Senator Joseph Wayas, from Cross River State, was elected, first in October 1979, and, again, in October 1983, before that Republic was truncated on 31st December 1983.
“In the present dispensation, since 1999, the South-South Zone has not had a turn in the Office of the Senate President. The Region has had stints at the lower levels of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, between 1999 and 2007, under the Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, and the Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, both from Rivers State. Currently, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, from Delta State, is Deputy Senate President.
“Ostensibly, the South-South Zone has an unassailable reason to step up to the Senate Presidency, after twenty-four years of our current Democratic experience. No contrary arguments can stand against this South-South position.”
The group said the APC leadership cannot be entirely unmindful of the fact that a Muslim Senate President would bring further imperilment to national order, affecting the sorely desired overall stability.
“PANDEF, therefore, implores the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with other key stakeholders of the APC, and, indeed, all Senators-elect of all parties, and the party hierarchies, to support the ceding of the incoming Senate Presidency to the South South zone. This is, unarguably, the fair and proper thing to do, at this time of our Country’s political progression,” the statement partly read.
20,612 foreign nationals sought asylum in Nigeria from January 2017 to December 2022, The PUNCH has learnt.
According to data obtained from the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period under review, most asylum seekers originated from Cameroun, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Lebanon.
The data reveals that 8,700, 4,835 and 1,033 persons sought asylum in Nigeria in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Also, 2,788, 1,662 and 1,594 persons requested asylum in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Furthermore, at least 17,356 persons registered as urban refugees within the six years.
Findings revealed that the refugees were drawn from 41 countries, mainly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Syria, Turkey, and Mali.
The refugees, predominantly children, reside in cities such as Lagos, Ijebu in Ogun State, Abuja, Kano and others nationwide.
As of June 2022, 78,321 refugees in Nigeria were from Cameroon, the most common country of origin of refugees, most of whom are fleeing from protracted violence in the ongoing Ambazonian War between security forces and armed groups.
Between 2018 and 2022, the number of refugees from Cameroon arriving in Nigeria saw a sharp increase, with the majority settling in Cross River, Taraba and Benue states.
According to rights groups, over 700,000 Cameroonians have been displaced since the war broke out in September 2017.
For Syria, the events leading up to the eventual government takeover by the Taliban in August 2022 turned millions of citizens into refugees and asylum seekers worldwide.
“Trends indicate a minimal desire for repatriation among urban refugees (only two repatriated over a three-year period),” the United Nations said.
As a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention, Nigeria grants refugee status and asylum to deserving parties fleeing persecution and conflict from their respective states.
In May 2019, the Nigeria Immigration Service produced the first set of Convention Travel Document—also called Refugee Passport—to be issued to refugees under the protection of Nigeria by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
The CTD enables affected persons to reside in Nigeria lawfully or any of the remaining 148 countries that are signatories to the treaty.
However, “during mass movements of refugees, usually as a result of conflict or violence, it is not always possible or necessary to conduct individual asylum procedures and interview every asylum-seeker,” says the UNHCR.
Consequently, experts argue that the growing number of refugees and asylum seekers heightens Nigeria’s security risks and puts enormous strain on its creaking infrastructure system.
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, has expressed concern about the insufficient information on housing in the state.
He expressed this concern at the inauguration of the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation Board recently.
In a statement released by the Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, the governor, who bemoaned Nigeria’s millions of housing deficit, said that Anambra lacked adequate housing data.
The statement noted that the board, which was tasked with disrupting the system in a way that was consistent with the governor’s transformation agenda and the yearnings of Anambra people for proper housing, was chaired by the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Emeka Sibeudu.
“Your functions ascribed to the corporation are so vast but we know everything about the commission is building housing estates, and all I am asking is that this is the time to build quality houses for Anambra people.
“The current estates are not what one would expect in a state such as Anambra. Our estates should be built with complete streets and pedestrian walkways. There can be no estate without pedestrian walkways. We appear to be the only people on the planet who do not build where people walk. It is not a livable estate if it is missing. People should be able to get out of their homes and go for a walk,” the governor stated.
According to Soludo, the goal is to create model estates with modernisation and expand to mass housing for workers and low-income earners.
He added, “We want our estates to be models in terms of drainage, pathways, a clean and green environment, having waste disposals. It should be a complete and end-to-end modernisation process.
“I would like to believe that in the future, this corporation will expand from building commercial houses to a mass housing development for workers, middle to low-income earners, and so on.”
The governor reiterated his desire to have a housing development specifically for the elderly, saying this demographic was often neglected and many of them endure feelings of isolation and silently die from their circumstances.
The Chairman of the board, Emeka Sibeudu, expressed his gratitude towards the governor for involving them in his transformation agenda.
He further assured that his team would be committed and determined in executing their duties.
Imo: Labour Party has changed, delegates are selling votes for dollars, Sam Amadi fumes
The Imo state Labour Party gubernatorial primary election is scheduled to hold today in the state.
MICHAEL NDU-OKEKE • APRIL 15, 2023
Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) and a Labour Party gubernatorial aspirant for Imo state, has decried the state of affairs in the party ahead of the Imo state primary election.
Mr Amadi, in a signed statement, made public terms and conditions for his continued participation in the Imo state Labour Party governorship primary elections.
He stated his resolve not to partake in the “ Open Bazaar for delegates “or be a part of buying and selling of delegates which appears to be the norm ahead of the Imo state Labour party gubernatorial primaries."
Speaking on his decision to join the Imo gubernatorial race under the banner of the Labour Party, Mr Amadi believes the party, under the leadership of Peter Obi, stands a chance to wrestle power from Hope Uzodinma’s stranglehold in the state.
However, according to his statement, his hopes have been dashed by the events leading up to the gubernatorial primary election.
“Today, as the delegates decide on the candidate for the party. I wish them the wisdom and the courage to vote right. I must note that the events of the last few days are dashing my hope that the party is ready to be a vanguard of change that will mobilise Imo people against the Hope Uzodinma administration.”
“ I must state clearly that I will not participate in the buying and selling of delegates in any form. I have offered myself, my integrity, my competencies, and my courage to dislodge Hope Uzodmobilise to mobilise the people to build a new Imo that is secured, prosperous, and accountable.”
“ I will not give anyone one kobo. I have given everything. I have dedicated myself entirely to being an exemplary Chief executive of the state. I am coming to serve the people and to sacrifice everything to make Imo the most successful black state in the world.”
The Imo state Labour Party gubernatorial primary election is scheduled to hold today.
OBI of Anwai/Umuagwu, near Asaba, Delta State capital, Mohammed Nduka Elunor, and hundreds of his subjects, yesterday, barricaded the entrance to Government House, protesting against killing of citizens, including security personnel, by suspected IPOB members and other criminal elements.
The protest, which lasted about an hour, caused heavy gridlock as vehicles plying the road and other road users were denied access into and out of government house.
The protesters were led by a woman with a smoking pot of fire balanced on her head. They danced and displayed placards with inscriptions, such as: “Stop the killing of Anwai, Asaba”, “Rid Anwai Asaba of hoodlums and bandits” and “Government acquired land in Anwai, Asaba is now safe heaven for hoodlums”, among others.
The monarch, while addressing the Chief of Staff, Ovie Agas, who represented the government, complained that the hoodlums were killing his people and destroying their property unchallenged, following government’s refusal to develop the 100 hectares of land acquired for the construction of 700 units of low-cost Housing estate since 2012, which they now used as hideout.
He urged the state government to de-acquire the unused part of the 100 hectares of community land.
“We are deeply troubled and saddened that up till now the state government has not responded to our plea to de-acquire the unused vast portion of the 100 hectares of our community land, which purpose has failed irretrievably,” he said.
While expressing displeasure over the development, he called on stakeholders to intervene by ensuring the land is returned to the original owners, even as he expressed “dismayed that developers had started selling the land at N3.5m per plot to people from across the Niger and environs, contrary to the purpose of the acquisition by Delta State.”
The land, he told the state government, had remained underdeveloped and overgrown with weeds and trees, making IPOB fighters and other criminal elements to find it a safe heaven.
Responding, Agas assured the protesters that government would speedily look into the matter with a view to finding lasting solutions to it. He commended the protesters for the peaceful protest.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Tuesday stressed that nobody can stop, President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from becoming Nigeria’s next President after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
He advised those thinking they would rob Tinubu of his mandate to have a re-think, insisting that Tinubu can’t be stopped.
The Governor stated this in Abakaliki, when the Speaker of Ebonyi State Assembly and Governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Nwifuru was in the Governor’s office to present to the Governor his INEC Certificate of Return and appreciate the Governor for his support which gave him and the All Progressives Congress victory at the recently concluded governorship polls.
Umahi called for an end to extreme and bitter politics adding that Tinubu’s victory was divinely ordained by God
He said: “There is no power or force that will remove Tinubu from being the President, because the time God would have stopped him, God allowed him.
“Because God allowed him, no man can stop him. And this extreme politics should be deemphasized in Nigeria so we can move forward, in a better Nigeria."
Governor Umahi dedicated the victory of the All Progressives Congress in the State and across the country to God.
He maintained that those seeking to upturn the victories at the tribunal were simply wasting their time and resources, adding that the Party merited all it got at the polls.
Turning to the Governor-Elect, Governor Umahi praised the qualities and character of Nwifuru, stressing that his election was built upon the platform of equity, peace and love in Ebonyi State and nurtured by all men of good will.
He maintained that should the election be held again, the APC will still carry the day.
“When people say they are going to Court or going to tribunal, I will just laugh.
“The PDP got the little number they got in our State because the election became local in the sense that they had House of Assembly members from the various localities that were making efforts to also win.
“That’s why they got eighty thousand, against our One hundred and ninety-nine thousand votes; a clear difference of almost One hundred and twenty thousand.”
Governor Umahi further urged the Ebonyi Governor-elect to consider for appointment into his team, younger generations.
He noted that the youths should be given more opportunities to contribute their knowledge to governance.
He also made a case for increased number of women appointees in the coming administration, up to 50 percent.
Presenting the Certificate of Return to the Governor, Nwifuru described the Governor as “the man that made all that happened to happen,”
He appreciated the Governor for standing strong for equity and justice in the State.
Nwifuru added: “Your Excellency, I am here this afternoon to present to you the Certificate of Return issued to me by the Independent National Electoral Commission on that fateful day made by the Lord, the 29th day of March 2023, while you were away.”
Aggrieved Nigerians Write Anti-Graft Agency, EFCC To Arrest Comedian, Sabinus For Promoting Fraudulent Ponzi Scheme
Some Nigerians have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest Nigerian comedian, Emmanuel Chuwkwuemeka Ejekwu popularly known as “Sabinus” for endorsing and advertising a Ponzi scheme company, AI Mining, which has allegedly defrauded many people.
The celebrity had in different videos promoted the platform, prompting people to invest in it. He was also one of its ambassadors.
The Ponzi-like initiative is allegedly owned by one Chiamaka Glory.
A check by SaharaReporters on the app showed it had crashed, leaving investors due for payment stranded.
Some subscribers who invested in the scheme are lambasting Sabinus for promoting it.
The comedian it was gathered has been silent since the app crashed.
“Prior to mischievous scam activities carried against many innocent Nigerians by a company named AI MINING on 30th of March, 2023, whose ambassador in Nigeria is one Mr Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ejekwu, a comedian celebrity popularly called Mr Funny / Sabinus,” a petition by some Nigerians to EFCC read.
“We want this body to invite Mr Funny Sabinus Chukwuemeka to reveal the identity of the people behind AI MINING since he can't be contracted by ghosts.
“We are also using this letter to tell you to help reveal the real identity of the entities behind the license/ certificate issued to AI Mining operating at Church gate Towers Abuja 2nd floor.
“Sequence to this also, we want the anti-graft agency to extend invitation to the General Manager of NTA, FAAJI FM, WAZOBIA to also reveal the identity of people that contracted them to run series of jingles for them under the company named AI MINING, that made millions of innocent Nigerians to invest on their platform leveraging on the integrity of those stations.”
One of the scammed investors told SaharaReporters, “Please help us, poor masses are dying because any borrowed money to invest because of all the evidence provided by them with TV and radio stations that advertised to them.
“We got the advert on NTA, Wazobia, Silver Bird and Sabinus and other means about AI mining, that it is real and genuine, so many people because it was coming from national television stations keyed into it. After some months that many Nigerians have invested a huge amount of money, they closed the app and refused to return people's money.
“Many borrowed money for that investment, many used their hard earned money to invest and a lot are dying because of their huge amount they invested. Help us please.”
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has allegedly mocked supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
An Easter message by the governor, which was posted on his Facebook timeline, had wished Anambra people a happy Easter celebration but added that a headless mob killed Christ because of their emotions, which collided with the truth embodied by Christ.
Soludo had in a piece written in November 2022 described Obi’s supporters as a headless mob, fueling the insinuation that the use of the words again in today’s Easter message may have been in mockery of Obi’s supporters known as OBIdients.
The comments had fuelled anger among OBIdients who reacted by attacking Soludo in the comment section of his post on Facebook.
The message posted by the governor on his timeline read: “Christ is risen, hallelujah! Our Lord brought the inconvenient truth about salvation.
“The headless mob mocked, condemned and crucified Him. Some 2000 years after, the truth, embodied in the risen Christ and His message of salvation and eternity, still endures.
“History teaches us and the experience of our Lord confirms that whenever strong fleeting emotions collide with the truth, emotions triumph temporarily but ultimately the truth prevails.
“May the resurrection power encourage all those with the wisdom and courage to stand up for the inconvenient truth at all times. Truth will always prevail. In the end, no history book has ever been written in honour of the emotive critics or the headless mob.
“May Anambra and Nigeria always win. Happy Easter to us all!"
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has kicked against the renewed call for the release of leader of outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra.
Spokesperson of the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in a statement, said the calls for Kanu’s release without trial by Ndigbo leaders and groups have grown louder since the February 25 presidential election.
The northern group pointed out that groups such as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo have joined in the “campaign of blackmail” using Kanu’s release as a precondition for Ndigbo cooperation with the incoming Tinubu administration which they never voted for and are in no way material to its victory at the polls.
To this end, the group, therefore, condemned the renewed calls for the undue termination of the trial of Kanu by Ohanaeze and other Ndigbo leaders and groups, describing it as insane, unreasonable, unwarranted, thoughtless and unrealistic.
It reiterated its calls on the federal authorities to disregard such “unpatriotic” calls and remain resolute in seeing the prosecution of Kanu to its logical conclusion so as not to set the bad precedent of regional leaders interfering with the course of justice.
The CNG alerted the incoming administration on the dangers of falling for the antics “aimed at causing mishaps and unnecessary devastation and driving Nigeria over the brink into a catastrophe”.
It added: “Instead, the President should remain resolute in ensuring the diligent prosecution of Kanu, his sponsors, backers and collaborators in the heinous crimes against the Nigerian state and innocent Nigerian citizens.
“In order to prevent a descent into anarchy at this day and age, and to forestall mass killings, untold sufferings and atrocities, the federal government must not accede to the current pressure by Ohanaeze and its ilk to secure the unconditional release of the leader of a group that has been duly proscribed as terrorist.”
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but was granted bail in April 2017.
He fled the country after an invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, by the Nigerian military in September of that year.
He was re-arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021, about four years after he fled the country.
EXCLUSIVE: First anti-aging pills to hit shelves in 2028, expert predicts - as Silicone Valley races to conquer death
ChatGPT boss Sam Altman has invested $180 million in anti-aging biotech firm
Jeff Bezos invested $3 billion in anti-aging start-up
Pills that can help a person reverse the effects of aging could be on the market in the next five years, according to an expert.
Sam Altman, 37, was revealed to have funded biotech startup Retro BioScience to the tune of $180million last month. He is the latest in a long line of Silicon Valley billionaires to throw their considerable wealth behind the science of aging.
Amazon's Jeff Bezos is reported to have invested $3billion in life-extension startup Altos Labs. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel invested in the Methuselah Foundation, which has the goal of making '90 the new 50'.
With all these resources being thrown at curing aging, Andrew Steele, the author of the 2020 book 'Ageless: The new science of getting older without getting old', believes pills to prevent aging may be on pharmacy shelves within five years.
He points to existing medications — such as the diabetes tablet metformin - that could be retooled as anti-aging treatments in the 'very, very near term'.
Steele said: 'With these billionaires, I'm sure some of them are doing it purely for personal gain — they've got all this money and they can't possibly spend it in a single human lifetime.
'But... if you're a savvy investor, you can see that anti-aging medication is a huge business opportunity because the potential market is every living human.
'I think it's going to be the biggest revolution in medicine since the discovery of antibiotics — and as a savvy business person, you want to be on the leading edge of that revolution.'
While aging does not directly kill people, older people are at risk of many deadly diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer.
Has the elixir of youth been sitting on medicine cabinet shelves all this time?
Researchers might have found a way to teach someone's body to refresh their old blood
Around 100,000 people die from age-related diseases every day, according to the World Health Organization.
Mr Steele says: 'Aging is the greatest humanitarian challenge of all time.
There are '20 to 30' companies developing new drugs known as 'senolytics' which kill aging cells in the body, he explained.
In mice, these drugs cause elderly animals to become lively and healthy suddenly.
'Many of these drugs are drugs that we already understand and use for different purposes, so we don't have to develop new medications,' Mr Steele said.
An example of a senolytic treatment is the combination of datasinib, used for chemotherapy, and quercetin, a molecule found in fruits and vegetables.
Used together, they remove aged 'senescent' cells responsible for many of the problems associated with aging.
Another potential general anti-aging drug is metformin. First approved in 1994 for type 2 diabetes, the drug has shown promise extending lifespans by improving blood vessel health.
'Some of those companies are trying to develop new and more effective drugs that could do the same thing better,' the author said.
'That's the sort of thing that's very, very close to clinical realization. And I'd be shocked if in five years we don't have some senolytics in the clinic.
'It probably won't be for aging at first. It'll be for a specific disease - and maybe in 10 years, we'll use it for aging.
'These things are very, very near term.'
Jeff Bezos's investment in Altos Labs — the biggest biotechnology company launch of all time — is a longer shot, Steele believes.
Dr Andrew Steele is the author of Ageless, a new book on life extension (Tran Nguyen)
Dr Andrew Steele is the author of Ageless, a new book on life extension (Tran Nguyen) The firm specializes finding and developing cell therapies that can halt and eventually reverse the process of aging.
Mr Steele says: 'This relies on a process called cellular reprogramming. It's been shown to work on cells in a dish, and there's some evidence it works in mice - but it's an incredibly complicated piece of science.
'It's like science that seems to have fallen through a wormhole from the future - and even if it does work, do we have the biological applied understanding in the 2020s to turn that into a workable treatment?'
When Altos Labs was announced, Elon Musk quipped on Twitter about the Amazon mogul: 'If it doesn't work, he's gonna sue death!'
With labs launching in America and Cambridge, the company is reputed to pay scientists poached from the world's top universities salaries of up to a million dollars a year.
Steele says that, realistically, treatments we are likely to see in the near term will extend 'healthspan' by dealing with age-related diseases — delaying the onset of problems such as dementia.
Dr Cathy Slack, a biologist from the University of Aston, in the UK, agrees, telling DailyMail.com: 'The goal is to increase the number of years of healthy lifespan rather than extending the late-life period of poor health.'
She said there are now 'many' published studies that show that genetic or environmental changes can extend a healthy lifespan.
She says: 'Many of the biological systems that have been shown to play a role in healthy aging in these animal models are also present in humans and perform similar functions - so there is every reason to believe that these same processes are impacting on human aging.
'The ultimate goal is really to try and manipulate these systems during human aging to maintain health and quality of life.'
Dr Slack believes that successful treatments are likely to be a combination of drugs and lifestyle changes - and look holistically at all the diseases that afflict people in later life.
She says: 'Historically, we have viewed the various diseases associated with older age as distinct entities - so research tends to focus on each one rather than looking at them more holistically together as a direct consequence of biological aging.
'We already know that there are lifestyle changes that will help to maintain multiple aspects of heath during aging.
'Exercise, for example. But supplementation with drugs that target multiple physiological parameters of aging could have a huge impact on quality of life for older adults.'
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the calls for interim government are unconstitutional.
Musa Danmadami, director, defence media operations, spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly briefing on military operations across the country.
He said those calling for an interim government are trying to be mischievous, adding that the constitution does not provide for such a situation.
“On the issue of interim government, it is rather unfortunate. An election has been conducted and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is mandated has announced a president-elect,” he said.
“It is not our responsibility to speak on that issue but I know that several calls have been made from the presidency that there is nothing like interim national government.
“So I think people were just trying to be mischievous. It is unconstitutional and all of us know that.
“The constitution does not provide for an interim national government and that is the point the presidency has been hammering on and that is our stand.
“It is unconstitutional so anything unconstitutional as far as I am concerned is not applicable.”
Danmadami said the military is ready to provide support in two states where elections were declared inconclusive.
He said the military is still working around the clock to make sure there is peace and security in the country.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April 15 for the conduct of supplementary elections in Kebbi and Adamawa states.
The development took place in Abuja on Thursday during an emergency meeting of the LP National Working Committee (NWC).
Some members of the National Working Committee of the Labour Party (LP) led by the Deputy National Chairman of the party (South) Lamidi Apapa have taken over the affairs of the party following a court judgment restraining Julius Abure and three others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
The development took place in Abuja on Thursday during an emergency meeting of the LP National Working Committee (NWC).
Lamidi said he is now the Acting National Chairman of the party while Saleh Lawan is the Acting National Secretary.
According to him, Abure and the three others must vacate the order of the Federal High Court retraining them before further action can be taken on the leadership of the party.
The emergence NWC meeting also reinstated Executive Council members from Ogun State, Rivers State, and Gombe State.
During the meeting, Lamidi also reversed the suspension of Eragbe Anslem as the National Youth Leader and Yomi Arabambi as the National Publicity Secretary.
Investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners has published its annual ranking of African cities with the most wealthy residents in its Africa Wealth Report, in collaboration with New World Wealth.
The report provides a comprehensive review of private wealth in Africa, including trends in high-net-worth individuals, luxury and wealth management, as well as expert insights on investing in Africa, the migration sector investment and economic mobility on the continent.
The following ranking is based on the number of millionaires (in US dollars) living in these cities:
Johannesburg (14,600)
The city of Johannesburg, established during the Witwatersrand Gold Rush of 1886, holds the title of being the richest city in Africa. Its affluence is primarily centered in Sandton, where the JSE, the biggest stock exchange on the continent, and the headquarters of many major African banks and corporations are located. The city's principal industries consist of financial services, encompassing banks, and professional services, such as law firms and consultancies.
Cairo (7,400)
Situated on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo holds significant historical importance and is renowned as one of the most crucial cities globally. It also boasts the highest number of billionaires of any other African city. Cairo's primary industries encompass financial services, telecommunications, retail, tourism, and basic materials.
3. Cape Town (7,200)
The urban center boasts Africa's most luxurious neighbourhoods, namely Clifton, Bantry Bay, Fresnaye, Llandudno, Camps Bay, Bishopscourt, and Constantia. These areas have the highest prime residential rates on the continent, comparable to cities like Washington, D.C., or Berlin. Additionally, the city is host to top-end lifestyle estates like Steenberg, Atlantic Beach, and Silverhurst Estate. The major industries thriving in the area are real estate and fund management
4. Lagos (5,400)
With regard to its population, Lagos stands as the most populous city in Africa and serves as the primary economic centre for West Africa. The affluent neighbourhoods of Lagos consist of lkoyi and Victoria Island. The major sectors of the city's economy include basic materials, oil and gas, transportation, and financial services.
5. Nairobi (4,700)
One of the world's fastest-growing cities, Nairobi serves as the economic hub of East Africa. Some of its affluent areas are Runda Estate, Lavington, Kitisuru, Karen, and Muthaiga. Nairobi's major industries comprise financial services, real estate, tourism, media, clothing, textiles, processed foods, beverages, and cigarettes.
Release Nnamdi Kanu, create 6th S’East state – Ohanaeze makes four demands from Tinubu
As Nigeria draws closer to May 29, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Wednesday, issued four demands the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, must meet to pacify Igbos.
Ohanaeze Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said Tinubu should release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, unconditionally.
Isiguzoro said releasing Kanu would restore peace and security in the Southeast.
He noted that Tinubu must ensure the Southeast produces the next Senate President of Nigeria.
Speaking with DAILY POST, the Ohanaeze chieftain said Tinubu must ensure the actualization of the sixth state in the Southeast.
According to Isiguzoro: “Tinubu is a progressive, he’s a strategist; Tinubu’s government would not be like Buhari’s government.
“The only problem Tinubu has is age on his side, and most of the people who made Buhari not to succeed are queuing behind him because of some of the challenges he’s having following the 2023 election.
“Tinubu must pacify the Southeast with four charter of demands for the region to accept him as President of Nigeria, and for Ndigbos to stand tall and defend his mandate.
“The first is that Tinubu must unconditionally restore peace and security by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, whether he would grant him a presidential pardon from the Eagles Square during his acceptance speech or use the power of the presidency to get him released to restore peace and security in the Southeast.
“Secondly, Tinubu must start the healing process by ensuring that he balances the Muslim-Muslim ticket by giving a Christian from the Southeast the president of the senate. Whoever would be the Senate President must not be ranking Senators who don’t have the character to protect the interest of the country.
“We are calling on the senate to amend their rules and allow first-timers because those who are ranking Senators have dubious characters and can’t represent the interest of Ndigbos.
“Thirdly, Tinubu must put political structures on the ground to ensure that Ndigbo feel the promise that Buhari made to us secretly that he would ensure the region gets a sixth state; Ohanaeze already has a plan for it.
“The President-elect must ensure that all the economic gateways across the country including the reopening of the Calabar wharf, dredging of the Azumiri River, granting IPOB members amnesty, and compensating families killed over the years.”
Nigerian dancehall artist-turned-prophetess, Madrina, formerly known as Cynthia Morgan, has declared that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, is already in Aso Rock “spiritually.”
She released the prophecy via her Instastory on Sunday. Her prophecy is coming against the backdrop of protests by some groups to stop the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect.
She urged the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, to brace up, adding that unseating Tinubu would be a herculean task.
Madrina said, “In as much as I like justice…Trust me spiritually Tinubu is already sitting down [at Aso Villa]. I no fit talk watin my eyes see lol.
“I wish really Peter Obi the best. It’s going to take alot to unsit Jags.”
She said she now understood what the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Paul Adefarasin meant in his controversial prophecy that Saul will come before David.
She berated the Labour Party for distancing itself from the plane incident at the Abuja airport, adding that it was revolutionary and if Peter Obi was going to unseat Tinubu, he would need more of that.
Madrina said, “Some people want to be Nelson Mandela without going through what Nelson Mandela went through. Abeg make May 29th come make I rest.”
Politics / Gunmen Kill Businessman, Edwin Umealo, In Anambra by EcoBrick: 9:51pm On May 18, 2023 