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Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba has clarified her opinion on being the first Nigerian and African ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, casting doubt on Temi Otedola’s recent announcement as the brand’s first African ambassador.

Oluchi Onweagba took to Instagram to correct the record, presenting a throwback photo of herself as the first Nigerian ambassador for L’Oréal Paris and captioning it:

“LEGITIMATE TBT FIRST NIGERIAN REMAINS FIRST FOREVER. NOT A LOUD SPEAKER BUT COUNT ON ME TO SHOW YOU ALL RECEIPT.”

Oluchi Onweagba’s post is a clear response to Temi Otedola’s recent announcement, making it evident that there is a dispute over who holds the title of first African ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George has urged Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu an additional year to deliver on his promises and fix the country’s challenges.

Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, George acknowledged that Tinubu, as a first-time president, needs more time to implement his policies and convince Nigerians of his vision.

George reasoned that Tinubu’s lack of prior experience in the presidency warrants a grace period, citing that even former President Olusegun Obasanjo needed time to adjust in his first year in office.

“He (Tinubu) had never served at that level (presidency). Well… you will say he was part of the party (APC) that formed the government (of Muhammadu Buhari), but it’s a hell of a different thing taking over and now leading the team.

“To be fair to my conscience, he has had that one-year holiday of trying to study the failures of the past administration. I have given him that one year of grace because now he has seen it and lived there.

“I expect his ministers to have come back in one year with those areas of lapses. Even when Baba (Olusegun Obasanjo became president in 1999, he was still trying to figure out what happened there or vise-versa in his first year. Let’s give him more time,” he said.

Nigeria’s minister of information, Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu will implement more biting reforms to “shape” the country despite lingering economic hardship.

In an article circulated on social media platforms on Thursday, Mr Idris praised Mr Tinubu for keeping his campaign promises, removing the fuel subsidy, floating the naira, and other reforms, insisting that the president would make “more difficult decisions.”

The minister said, “More difficult decisions lie ahead before Nigeria is reshaped and growing economically to the benefit of its citizens and the wider continent of Africa.

“Tinubu has done what he promised on the economy: he has removed the fuel subsidy, floated the Naira, and instituted a raft of other reforms, including changes to the tax code and waivers for foreign investors in critical industries including mining, energy, and infrastructure.”

Mr Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, announcing immediate fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira. His dual policies saw fuel prices jump from N145 to N710 and the naira trade for around N1,500 to a dollar, while transportation and food costs shot through the roof.

Last month, Mr Tinubu marked one year in office on May 29, amid knocks and criticisms from Nigerians lamenting spiking food inflation, economic hardship and insecurity.

Experts and the International Monetary Fund have lauded Mr Tinubu’s economic policies. However, official records show that food inflation is 40 per cent.

Several market surveys by Peoples Gazette showed that food prices have spiked by over 100 per cent while the national minimum wage has remained the same.

Also, under Mr Tinubu’s watch, insecurity has remained unresolved as Boko Haram and bandits continue their killing spree and kidnapping for ransom.

Amnesty International said incessant abductions and killings in Nigeria showed the failure of President Bola Tinubu-led government in its responsibility to protect lives.

“Frequent mass abductions and killings are clear evidence of failure of authorities to protect the people,” the human rights organisation said.

The management of the University of Ibadan has elevated Ekiti First Lady Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji to the rank of an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Management.

The promotion, according to the management of the institution, is backdated to 2022.

The First Lady is due for the rank of full fledged Professor in 2025.

Reacting to her promotion, Dr. Oyebanji, in a statement on Thursday by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, described the feat as a “milestone, though long awaited which marks a significant step in her academic journey.”

She said: “I am thrilled to announce that I have been promoted to the position of Associate Professor of Educational Management at the prestigious University of Ibadan, effective from 2022.

“This milestone, though long-awaited, marks a significant step in my academic journey. I am grateful for the support from my faculty, department, and the recognition from the University of Ibadan.

“A heartfelt thank you to my wonderful husband, His Excellency Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and my children for their support. I also dedicate this promotion to all the women of Ekiti State and beyond who inspire me every day.

“Onward to even greater achievements as I graciously await the announcement of my Professorship next year by God’s grace!”

United States Files Forfeiture Action to Recover Over $5M of Funds Traceable to Business Email Compromise Scheme Targeting Massachusetts Workers Union.

The Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture action today to recover approximately $5,315,746.29 of funds alleged to be proceeds of a business email compromise (BEC) scheme and property involved in the subsequent laundering of the proceeds.

According to the complaint, in January 2023, a workers union based in Dorchester, Massachusetts, was defrauded out of $6.4 million after it received a spoofed email, which appeared to be from its investment manager. The email allegedly changed the beneficiary bank account of the $6.4 million payment.

The complaint alleges that the email had the intended effect of misleading the workers union into transferring funds to a bank account controlled by someone other than the intended recipient.

The complaint further alleges that the fraudulently obtained funds were then transferred through a series of intermediary bank accounts, with some funds transferred, or attempted to be transferred, to a cryptocurrency exchange or to various bank accounts located in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria.

Investigators were able to trace proceeds of the scheme to seven domestically held bank accounts, the contents of which were subsequently seized.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts; and Special Agent in Charge William Mancino of the U.S. Secret Service made the announcement.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Jasmin Salehi Fashami and Adrienne E. Rosen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lyons for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the forfeiture.

A BEC scheme is a type of sophisticated fraud scheme targeting businesses that use wire transfers as a form of payment. BEC schemes affect large global corporations, governments, and individuals, with current global daily losses estimated at approximately $8 million. Criminals compromise legitimate business email accounts through various hacking schemes, including social engineering and the use of malware.

Once a business email account is compromised, a fraudulent email is sent directing the recipient of the email to unwittingly transfer funds to an illicit account. Alternatively, criminals create “spoofed” email domain names to trick people into thinking they know the sender. An email domain name is the part of an email address that comes after the “@” symbol.

In email spoofing, one character in an email address is often changed or missing, thereby tricking the recipient. Criminals obtain and use privileged information to convince BEC email recipients that the transfer instructions are legitimate.

To avoid becoming the victim of a BEC scheme, verify that sender email addresses are accurate when checking mail on a cellphone or other mobile device before you open any attachments or follow any instructions, and never make any payment changes without verifying with the intended recipient by phone or in person.

If you think you have been a victim of a BEC scheme, 1) immediately contact your bank to request a recall or reversal as well as a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity; and 2) file a detailed complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center is run by the FBI and serves as the country’s hub for reporting cybercrime. Visit www.ic3.gov for updated information regarding BEC trends as well as other cyber fraud schemes.

A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation. The United States bears the burden of proving that the funds in question are subject to forfeiture in a civil forfeiture proceeding.

Lawmakers in the United States have accused the Nigerian government of taking Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive, “hostage”.

In a report by Bloomberg on Wednesday, the lawmakers in a letter dated June 4, urged President Joe Biden to help secure his release.

The report said Michael McCaul, chairman of the house foreign affairs committee and fifteen republican congressmen, wrote to Biden to have the case of Gambaryan referred to the office of the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

Gambaryan, a US citizen, is the head of financial crime compliance at Binance and has been held in Nigeria since February.

The executive and Binance are standing trial over money laundering allegations.

On May 17, a federal high court in Nigeria’s capital city refused to grant bail to Gambaryan, stating that he may likely “jump bail if granted to him”.

The bail refusal came two months after Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance regional manager for Africa, escaped from the custody of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) in Nigeria.

Anjarwalla was said to have escaped after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers during the Ramadan period.

“The charges against Mr. Gambaryan are baseless and constitute a coercion tactic by the Nigerian government to extort his employer, Binance,” the lawmakers said in the letter cited by Bloomberg.

“Following these charges, Mr. Gambaryan qualifies as a ‘U.S. Citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government.

“After two rounds of meetings, which were described as starting professional and then becoming increasingly hostile, the government of Nigeria took Mr. Gambaryan hostage.

“Mr. Gambaryan’s health and well-being are in danger, and we fear for his life. Immediate action is essential to ensure his safety and preserve his life.”

According to the publication, the letter was also addressed to Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, and Roger Carstens, a special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

Responding to the hostage allegation in a call with Bloomberg, Muhammed Idris, Nigeria’s minister of information, rejected the allegation that Gambaryan had been wrongfully detained.

“Nobody is being kept outside our laws and nobody’s life is in danger. They have committed a crime,” Idris said.

“We’re a responsible country and we have to ensure that everybody that is being investigated or is being tried under our laws is healthy enough to answer our questions.”

In April, Gambaryan was held at a guest house before formal charges were brought against him and Binance in an Abuja court.

He is accused alongside the crypto company of charges including non-payment of value-added tax and corporate income tax, and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform.

The executive is being held in the Kuje correctional centre.

On May 23 when the Binance executive last appeared in court, the hearing was adjourned until June 20 after his lawyer said he was too ill to proceed.

Political choice: I have learnt my lesson – Toyin Abraham

Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham says she has decided to keep her political affiliations private in the future, adding that she has learnt her lesson following a social media exchange that occurred online on Tuesday.

Abraham in a series of replies shed light on the promises made to her by President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election campaign.

The exchange began when a social media user identified as Otunba (@ManLikeIcey), wrote, “Maybe one day Toyin Abraham will divulge the plans Bola Tinubu shared with her to the public. I strongly believe we deserve to hear. Thank u @toyin_abraham1.”

In response, Abraham revealed that she had been assured of “good governance and happiness for everyone” by Tinubu’s camp.

“You asked me in a polite way so I will definitely answer you, of course, I was told and promised good governance and happiness for everyone and wish I believe,” she stated.

However, Abraham’s candour was accompanied by a cautionary note, as she expressed reluctance to bear the brunt of public scrutiny should the promises fail to materialize.

“If things didn’t go well why do I have to be the one to suffer for it because I remember I voted (ex-president) Jonathan and I was bullied but I didn’t put blame on anyone after everyone chose (ex-president) Buhari. So please why would they be cursing and trolling me every time,” she implored.

Otunba then probed further, asking, “Thank you for your prompt response. Do you believe he has failed at the moment in governance or not?”

Abraham replied, “I have faced my life and career cos I am not a politician and I’m not in government, I have learnt my lesson never ever to be open with my choice again.”

In 2023, Toyin Abraham shared pictures of meeting the then-presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Tinubu alongside the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Captioning the pictures, she wrote, “For the first time, I met the incoming president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he shared some of his ideas visions and strategies to solve the challenges before us as a nation. Listening to him renewed my hope and reaffirmed why he is my choice.”

helinues:
They did not even think through the consequences of them shutting down the national grid which would plunged Nigeria into darkness .

They realized it was a big bleeped up when some political elites who used to support their actions back down their support and ask them to be realistic and not to be wicked adding more hardship.

Government could have prosecuted them for that act alone , but instead bring them back to the table with must or.

Ajaero is the most useless NLC president in Nigeria. Most of his actions are not well thought

Jflex07:
This Reno no dey tire to fool himself on social media. All these blind support to Tinubu, yet nothing to show for it, not even an appointment. Foolish he-goat

Nigerians on social media have descended heavily on former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, after he linked the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, with the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

In a post on his Facebook page on Monday night, Omokri had lambasted the president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, saying the strike was uncalled for and would lead to the death of many premature babies following the shutting down of the national grid.

He however, shot himself in the foot as he went on to say Ajaero was working in ‘cahoots ‘ with Obi to frustrate and sabotage the government of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Do you know how many premature babies will die today because Joe Ajaero and his NLC shut down the National Grid? How many hospital emergency patients will perish? This is not a National Strike. This is a National Attack by the most politically exposed and partisan NLC President ever,” Omokri wrote.

“Ajaero is in cahoots with Peter Obi. And this is about 2027. Which country have you heard of where they shut down the National Grid as part of a strike? If there is a fire or emergency somewhere, what do we do? Nigerians ought to stand up against Joe Ajaero. He is taking the country down with him!

“How does shutting down the National Grid and putting Nigerians in darkness help the economy or workers? Aso Rock has generators. So does the National Assembly. Even Joe Ajaero has generators and is enjoying air conditioning.

“It is you that heat is finishing in your house. Meanwhile, factories cannot produce, and the economy is contracting.

“What you may not understand is that Federal civil servants are less than 0.3% of the population. If the NLC insists on an unreasonable ₦494,000 a month minimum wage, all that the FG will do is go on a massive sacking spree.

“The people who will suffer are the private sector, who employ more than 65% of Nigeria’s workers. Obviously, they will not be able to pay ₦494,000 a month and run their businesses profitably. So, they will increase prices for those not working and sack their workers, increasing unemployment.

“The NLC under Joe Ajaero knows that. They do not care. As long as they can sabotage the government and our economy to make Peter Obi look good, they will do it. It is all about 2027. It is not about you!”

But his post did not go down well with a lot of Nigerians who flooded his page to disagree with him.Read some of the responses here:

Sammy Etuk: “Unfortunately, you are very laquacious in your pursuit of an appointment into Tinubu’s government that is working hardship on Nigerians.”

Idy Kabash: “Reno, I still don’t understand your obsession with Peter Obi. The man has shown tremendous maturity by ignoring all your attacks on him but you will never back off. It’s a big shame on an adult like you.”

D’Akmbert Tah: “The federal government should do the needful, Mr Reno. What’s so hard here, just do the right thing and we’ll all be alright. The federal government is the one being insensitive here.”

Comrade Jaochim Chima: “You be mumu man. I knew that Peter Obi’s name must be mentioned for this trash to be complete. Anuofia.”

Gregory Akemson: “But you never told us how many Nigerians died throughout this hard times.”

Victor Akanbi: “They should give them what they ask for… politicians are collecting millions of naira but give workers token, no health care etc.”

ERNY: “Suicide everywhere because of economy frustration. NLC want to add more.
Let the fuel subsidy be brought back the way old anthem was brought. Then you see things will Normalize and cost of goods will reduce drastically and Service cost will depreciate too.”

Abraham Yalaju: “But you have not said anything about how many people that have died due to hardship after the remover of fuel subsidy or does the govt also care about how many persons that have died since the remover of fuel subsidy due to inability to feed or pay hospital bill, high cost of living and how many businesses that have crumbled since this govt came into power.

“When it comes to buying of SUV JEEP and spending bogusly on national assembly members and ministers there will be money but when it affects the common people it does not concern the government even if the policy will lead to the suffering or death of the common masses like the removal of fuel subsidy without proper consideration on it effect on the poor.

“Your hatred for Peter Obi will make God to keep promoting him and exposing the foolishness of his enemies until they are finally destroyed.

“Reno advocate for national assembly members and ministers to start receiving minimum wage if they cannot yield to the request of NLC if you truly love the country.

“Nigerians are dying of hunger, insecurity, inability to proper medical care. You are not saying anything about it. The only thing you know how to do is to come on line to support evil and to speak against Peter Obi who don’t have your time. Nigeria is bleeding now. Enough of sentiment.”

Moses Okon: “This irrésponsible man will never talk without mentioning Peter Obi. Any bad thing in Nigeria you want to link it to Peter Obi just because you want to paint him bad after you join Tinubu to steal his 2023 presidential mandate.

“Obi refuse to give you money that is why you are attacking him everyday on all your post because your being paid by Tinubu and his cohorts to attack Obi, promising you lot of things which they will soon fail you.

“You want Nigerians to hate Obi for nothing. Look at you, you have failed already.”

Ogbu John: “Mr Reno do you know the price of a bag of rice or beans? You’re not with the masses but always supporting your pay master interest.

“If you are fighting the labor leadership over their stand you are fighting all the workers which you will not succeed.”

God’sbreath: “More than a year that Tinubu removed fuel subsidy. We see how hard things are now in Nigeria. Some goods are times 5 of how we used to buy them in past years.

“Reno didn’t make any post to advise FG to increase minimum wages. Now that people can’t bear it anymore you’re here talking what we don’t understand. You know how many people that died because of hunger? Common sense isn’t come sha. Rubbish.”

Benjamin Okoko: “But you never tell us the statistics of how many Nigerians who died because of hardship/hunger and insecurity?

“You know the bitter truth of the whole matter but you just decided to do away with it.

“A times peace can be gotten through some hard decisions for it’s a risk not to take a risk!

“Now it’s no longer Peter Obi but NLC president! Mind you some things you do say here may hurt you in the mean future Sir!”

Benjy Alfred: “Even Reno is outside the country enjoying the western government! We that heat is finishing in our house are not complaining.

“We have suffered numerous hardship and survived, Let NLC and FG come to one umbrella and agree on favourable minimum wage not pushing blames on Ajaero.”

Khyrvxjzy:
i went to air peace site and i saw the number of aeroplane, Allen is around 150 billion dollars

I can tell you for free that there is no proof that Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest earning across the globe, says Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha,

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has called on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve their plans for a nationwide strike, emphasizing the need to adhere to legal procedures to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

This appeal was made in a statement signed by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, in Abuja on Monday.

The NPF acknowledged the right of organised labour to advocate for workers’ interests but stressed that any actions must comply with existing laws.

The statement came in response to the Federal Government’s recent declaration that the planned strike is illegal and premature.

The police view the proposed strike as a potential catalyst for increased tension and political instability.

Shelving the planned strike is seen as essential to preventing hardships on the public and maintaining national order and stability.

To reassure the public, the NPF confirmed that ample deployments have been made across the country to ensure that citizens can carry out their lawful activities without disruption.

The police encouraged the public to remain calm and go about their daily routines, while urging organised labour to prioritize dialogue and legal avenues to resolve their grievances responsibly.