₦airaland Forum

Richtaiwo:
In other words, Jubrin should tell Tinubu to direct judiciary to release Nnamdi Kanu the ipob terrorist. Spoken like a typical ipob illiterate. So Tinubu should interfere with the judiciary in the discharge of their constitutional duties, and turn around to accuse same Tinubu of such interference. The earliest time the Albino hunchie will be free is 2058.

A new data of comparative analysis of Nigeria’s three biggest music stars, Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid has surfaced online with Wizkid edging both Davido and Burna Boy.

Instructively, the estimates and figures used in the analysis are based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate.

Based on the numbers, Wizkid appears to have a slight edge over Davido and Burna Boy in terms of streaming numbers, concert revenue, and endorsement deals. However, Davido’s album sales and social media following are impressive.

Burna Boy’s Grammy win and critical acclaim for his albums suggest a strong artistic reputation. Ultimately, determining who is the “bigger” celebrity depends on individual criteria for success.

Here’s a comprehensive comparative analysis of Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s numbers:

*Streaming Numbers:*

– Davido: 4.5 billion streams on Spotify, 2.5 billion views on YouTube

– Wizkid: 6.5 billion streams on Spotify, 3.5 billion views on YouTube

– Burna Boy: 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, 1.5 billion views on YouTube

*Concert Revenue:*

– Davido: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Accor Arena (Paris), and Barclays Center (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $50-$100

– Wizkid: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Rogers Arena (Vancouver), and Brooklyn Steel (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $60-$120

– Burna Boy: Sold out shows at O2 Academy (London), Fillmore (Miami), and Terminal 5 (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $30-$70

*Earnings from Endorsement Deals:*

– Davido: Estimated $1 million – $2 million per deal (MTN, Guinness, Pepsi)

– Wizkid: Estimated $2 million – $3 million per deal (Pepsi, Nike, Cîroc)

– Burna Boy: Estimated $500,000 – $1 million per deal (Star Lager, Glo, Pepsi)

*Album Sales:*

– Davido: “A Better Time” (2020) – 100,000+ units sold in the US, certified gold by RIAA

– Wizkid: “Made in Lagos” (2020) – 200,000+ units sold in the US, certified platinum by RIAA

– Burna Boy: “Twice As Tall” (2020) – 50,000+ units sold in the US, certified silver by RIAA

*Awards and Recognition:*

– Davido: 2 BET Awards, 2 MTV Africa Music Awards, 1 MOBO Award

– Wizkid: 1 Grammy Award, 3 BET Awards, 4 MTV Africa Music Awards

– Burna Boy: 1 Grammy Award, 2 BET Awards, 3 MTV Africa Music Awards

*Social Media:*

– Davido: 29.7 million followers on Instagram, 15.5 million on Twitter

– Wizkid: 18.6 million followers on Instagram, 13.2 million on Twitter

– Burna Boy: 17.5 million followers on Instagram, 9.4 million on Twitter

*Net Worth:*

– Davido: Estimated $20 million – $30 million

Wizkid: Estimated $30 million – $40 million

Burna Boy: Estimated $10 million – $20 million

Bobloco:
Reno Omokri is nothing but a rabble rouser

Shomek:
Have you patronise one them before ni

tsdarkside:
he is a politician....this is what they do....
they dont mind to dine with the devil to win....

but when it gets too dangerous for them they will drop you like a bad habit....
who is cownunu today....??

he is still in prison and the world doesnt care....
they are busy with russia,china,iran and others....

Tax Protests: Kenyans berate Nollywood Actress Destiny Etiko for ‘insensitive’ post

"I don't even know how that post concerns Kenyans. Honestly, I have no idea why it would concern Kenyans.”

Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has faced backlash from Kenyans over a social media post they found ‘insensitive’ in light of their recent protests against proposed tax increases.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Kenyans protested against a now-withdrawn finance bill proposing new taxes. The protests saw several deaths while many others sustained various injuries.

On Wednesday, Etiko, on her Instagram page, shared a screenshot highlighting Nigerians’ resilience in the face of their struggles.

The actress’ post read: “Nigerians are among the most patient people in the world. Looking at the situation in the country, we still wake up with smiles and continue pushing every day. Nigerians are VIPs.”

Backlash
However, Kenyans who felt the actress aimed a jab at them regarding their tax hike protests criticised and lashed out at her in the post’s comment section.

Carol Ndago advised the 34-year-old actress to stick to BBL procedures, noting that Kenyans reject any call for patience.

Another Kenyan citizen, Harriet Sellasie, suggested that the actress continue to endure Nigeria’s hardships instead of advising Kenyans.

Sellasie’s comment read: “Continue to be patient as you suffer in your motherland while a few people enrich themselves and the rest of you languish in poverty. I’m proud to be Kenyan, and we fight for what is just. Our president has conceded in the fight against the Kenyan Finance Bill. Power belongs to the people.”

Furthermore, Luvv Vanneyy emphasised that Kenyans are educated and deserve fair employment with adequate pay rather than resorting to theft and fraud like Nigerians.

“We’re not dwelling on the theft and fraud that your fellow brothers and sisters are committing here in our country. Your whole generation is flocking to our country; take them and be patient with your broken and uneducated government. Your brothers are busy stealing from older women and men. Speak for yourself”, Vanneyy said.

Like Sallasie, Vanneyy, and Ndago, other Kenyan citizens who commented criticised the Enugu-born actress, suggesting that she (Etiko) and Nigerians were unaware of their rights due to illiteracy.

Naini Esther wrote, “We always support your films and your music, but when it comes to matters concerning our country, that’s where we draw the line. You must withdraw your statement.”

Those were just a few of the comments by Kenyans on the post.

Apology
Reacting to the backlash, Etiko, who has a huge Kenyan following, clarified that she did not intend to mock Kenyans, nor was she aware of the ongoing protest.

The alumna of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), in a video shared on her Instagram page Friday, stated that she did not know the situation Kenyans were facing when she made the post.


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Destiny Etiko (@destinyetikoofficial)

Etiko, who gained fame for her role in ‘Idemili’, produced by Ernest Obi in 2012, noted that she did not specifically mention Kenyans in her post.

She said: “My attention was drawn to something, and I thought, let me address it because I don’t even have time for this kind of thing. But I needed to clarify this because I want Kenyans to understand. Firstly, I’m swamped and barely have time for myself. I haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been so occupied. I had no idea that Kenyans were having issues. I came across a post about what’s happening in Nigeria right now, and everyone in Nigeria can attest to the situation because everyone is feeling it.

“So, I saw a post on someone’s page, and I shared it. I removed the name and reposted it because it reflects what is happening, and I felt it was important to share and commend us for our strength. This morning, I received a call to check what was happening. They’re criticising me for mocking them and mocking you all for what? I wasn’t aware of any issues. I did not author the write-up; it was copied from Uncle P’s page. You can still go there and verify. So, why am I being accused of mocking Kenyans?”

Etiko admitted she considered taking down the video but hesitated, fearing it might be perceived as mocking Kenyans.

The 2016 winner of the Most Promising Actress at the City People Entertainment Awards reaffirmed her affection for Kenyans, clarifying that the post was unrelated to them.

“I don’t even know how that post concerns Kenyans. Honestly, I have no idea why it would concern Kenyans. I’m just applauding Nigerians because we are a strong people. We go through a lot every day, but we wake up vigorously and move around smiling and happy.

“Even when things go wrong, we understand. The one who wears the shoe knows where it pinches the most. We understand, but we remain strong. Let’s say you guys are having issues or fighting; why should that affect me here? Please, I want to clear the air.”

Since her debut in Ernest Obi’s ‘Idemili’ in 2012, Etiko has starred in several movies, including ‘My Offsprings’, ‘Billionaire Housewife’, ‘Beyond Conception’, ‘Force of Fight’, ‘Braveheart’, among others.

Imminent Mass Hunger Looms In Nigeria's North-East Over Funding Gap – UN

In April, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Nigeria jointly launched a $306 million appeal aimed at assisting 2.8 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

The United Nations has issued a warning about the escalating food insecurity crisis in Nigeria's northeastern region, which is grappling with the devastating impacts of ongoing insurgency.

According to the UN's resident coordinator, the humanitarian agency is facing critical challenges in securing the necessary funding to address the severe food shortages that threaten to trigger widespread hunger and potentially fatal consequences.

In April, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Nigeria jointly launched a $306 million appeal aimed at assisting 2.8 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

The regions have been severely affected by a 15-year Islamist insurgency, with the appeal targeting the lean season, the period of highest food scarcity.

Mohamed Malick Fall, head of OCHA, told Reuters that despite Nigeria's initial commitment of $11 million and another $11 million from the UN's central pool, reaching the target was challenging due to hesitancy among international donors.

"We are far from where we want to be. That is something we are confronted by even beyond the lean season which is that we have noticed that humanitarian assistance to Nigeria is shrinking.

In the best-case scenario, Fall expects to receive just $300 million, a sharp decrease from the $500 million obtained last year, citing the economic effects of COVID-19 on major donors as the primary cause for the decline.

"Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan have all emerged in the past two years which makes it difficult to maintain the same pace of funding," Fall said.

The situation is further worsened by Nigeria's most severe cost-of-living crisis in decades, with inflation surpassing 33% and food prices rising over 40%.

However, he warns that without immediate intervention, the consequences of food insecurity in Nigeria's northeast could be "catastrophic."

Meanwhile, UNICEF data from April indicates that over 120,000 children have already been admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition in the region, surpassing the annual target of about 90,000.

"The cost of inaction has many folds with the most pressing being an excess mortality among children," Fall said.

Army begs Nigerians to pray for military to overcome security challenges

Nigerians were also urged to provide the military with as much information as possible to enable them to win ongoing battles against insecurity.

The director-general of the Land Forces Simulation Centre (LFSC), Maj.-Gen. Usman Yusuf has urged Nigerians to continue praying for the Armed Forces to overcome the security challenges facing the nation.

Mr Yusuf made the call while speaking with journalists at a special Juma’at prayer held on Friday in Abuja in commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024.

“I urge Nigerians to continue praying for the country, our leaders, and Almighty God to guide them,” he said. “And to also pray for the Armed Forces to overcome all the security challenges we face.”

He also called on Nigerians to provide the military with as much information as possible to enable them to win ongoing battles against those threatening the country’s security.

“We also beg Nigerians to give us as much information as they can give us so that we can win these battles as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mr Yusuf said the special Juma’at prayer was to kick-start activities lined up for the week-long 2024 NADCEL commemoration, which ends on July 6.

The Brigade Imam, Guards Brigade, Capt. Salisu Musa, who led the Juma’at prayer on behalf of the Director of Islamic Affairs, urged parents to train their children with the fear of God.

Mr Musa said the insecurity, such as terrorism, emanated from a lack of proper religious training, adding that those involved in such acts lacked the fear of God and sympathy of humanity.

He said there was a need to continue preaching that every member of society should become a potential preacher and counsellor.

NADCEL is an annual event organised to celebrate the journey and achievements of the Nigerian Army since its establishment 161 years ago.

Whitemoney in hot water after unpopular revelation

When you are a celebrity you can get away with many things. This must have been the thought on Hazel Oyeze Onou a.k.a Whitemoney’s mind when he revealed in a podcast interview about how he treats his staff. But he got it all wrong.

And hell was let loose on him faster than he could blink an eyelid.

The reality TV star told EchoRoom, a podcast that he pays his staff five years in advance in salary. As if that wasn’t worth gasping about enough he also claimed he has a staff strength of 150 people. Even the interviewer had to do a doubletake to keep a straight face.

His reason, “Yes it is true. I operate on that system because it helps me take my mind off things, because I’m a multi-versatile person, I do a lot of things and I can easily get carried away.”

Then he was asked how many staff members he has. He replied, “Currently 150.”

The comment section went to overdrive with an overkill intent. Even those who could fathom the BBNaija winner having a staff of 150 could not veil their sarcasm well enough. For others, it was open season for them as shots of all sorts were fired at him.

Some reactions

@jacqmiracle, “Whitemoney and white lies are like 5 & 6..

@viola_concept lienus, “5 years in advance? Common . No one even pays one year in advance.”

@petezslim, “ This one just go podcast go Dey lie up and down , you fit get 1,000,000 staff self but saying you have paid them 5 years in advance, stop na , stop.”

@beata_likela, “This lie is out of this world. I don’t believe any employee would prefer to be paid a lump sum of 5 years’ salary and continue working without receiving anything on a monthly basis for a consecutive 5 year period. So, no increments for 5 years, or are the anticipated increments already included in the 5 years payment package? Is he responsible for making the payments himself? Why not employ someone to make the payment too.”

Anguldi:
25.7B in 2011, that money still loud till today oOoOO

Supreme Court Affirms Conviction Of Ex-Bank PHB MD Atuche

The court held that the appellant had not given it any reason to tamper with the concurrent finding of the two lower courts.

After about 13 years of trial, the Supreme Court, on Friday morning upheld the conviction of the former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc, Mr Francis Atuche.

In the unanimous judgment read by Justice Moore Adumein, the Supreme Court held that the appellant, Francis Atuche, did not attempt to dislodge the finding of the trial court and the Court of Appeal on his credibility.

The court in relying on its previous decisions to the effect that where the decision of a trial court on the demeanor of a party or witness is supported by the documentary evidence tendered, an appellate court has no business in tampering with the decision of the court.

In conclusion, the court held that the appellant had not given it any reason to tamper with the concurrent finding of the two lower courts.

Mr. Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth and one Mr. Ugo Anyanwu had been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2011 before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court in a prosecution that was handled by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro on behalf of the EFCC.

The trio were arraigned on a 27 count amended information over a N25.7 billion fraud.

On June 16, 2021, Justice Okunnu in a judgment that lasted about 12 hours, convicted Atuche alongside a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu.

The court convicted the duo on 21 of the 27-count amended charge of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing brought against them by the EFCC.

Justice Okunnu held that the EFCC successful proved its case against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt.

Atuche and Anyanwu were sentenced 12 years and and 10 years respectively by the High Court.

However, it was reduced by the Court of Appeal, with Atuche getting six years while Anyanwu got eight years.

She freed Atuche’s wife, Elizabeth on the grounds that the EFCC failed to link her to the crime. The court insisted that suspicion no matter how strong cannot take the place of fact.

The judge held that it was not proven that she was aware of the source of the funds she received into her account from her husband and she had no powers to take any decision to influence the transaction.

The convicts were to serve their jail terms at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Facility in Lagos.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the convicts approached the appeal court and on the 23rd of June, 2022, the Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction of both men.

The appellate court also clarified that Atuche’s jail term, as handed down by the lower court, is six years concurrently, rather than 12 years.

The Justices, however, reduced Anyanwu’s sentence from 10 years to eight years.

They also upheld the discharge and acquittal of Atuche’s wife, Elizabeth.

On further appeal to the Supreme Court, the apex court earlier this year heard Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun leading Chief Anthony Idigbe and Prof. Fidelis Oditah in the appeal which was initiated by Mr. Atuche against his conviction, while Dr. Kemi Pinheiro who held the fiat of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation led the team of lawyers representing the State including Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastine Hon.

The unanimous decision of the Supreme Court this morning brings to finality this criminal charge after over thirteen years.

Mercury Maritime Concession Company, the lead promoter of the $27.29bn Escravos Deep Seaport Industrial Complex Project in Warri, Delta State, said it has received approval and revalidation from the Delta State Government.

The developer added that in addition to the state government revalidation, it had received assurance from the Federal Government that the revalidation on the earlier provisional approval would soon be granted.

The Chairman of MMCC, Rear Admiral Okoja, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Apapa, Lagos on Wednesday.

Earlier, this month, The PUNCH reported that MMCC said the country may lose $27.29bn investment in the project by the end of June.

The company blamed the prolonged delay on both the Federal and Delta State Governments’ failure to give final approval for the project’s take-off.

The company stated then that EDIB International of Hong Kong had expressed willingness to invest in the project as the financial partner for the port project that would be located on 31,000 hectares of land in Escravos (Gbaramatu Island/Omadino) Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

However, giving an update on the project on Wednesday, Okoja stated that the firm had got the assurance that the revalidation from the government would soon come.

“We have received a revalidation from Delta State Government, which was communicated to us early this week. We are also in touch with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the supervisory ministry for this project and they have assured us that the revalidation of the Federal Government would be granted before the expiration of the June deadline that the project financier gave us,” he said.

Okoja reiterated that the revalidation of the state’s pledge of 31,000 hectares of land in Gbaramatu Island/Omadino, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state for the commencement of the project was a crucial step towards its realisation.

He said the project would run across eight ministries, including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Ministry of Power.

Addressing some of the concerns raised by the Nigerian Port Authority about potential monopolies and the need for document regularisation, Okoja said, “The NPA is just an agency; we are dealing with the project at the government and ministerial levels. Our project is professionally driven and backed by extensive maritime expertise.”

Giving insight into the deliverables of the port project, a director at MMCC, Ausbet Udebu, said the project involved one deep seaport, inland ports in seven states, building of an intermodal transport system for cargo evacuation.

He added that it would include 45km of coastal roads and 150km of rail line that would connect the existing Warri-Ajaokuta-Itape railway and 600km of marine network.

He said there would be an independent power infrastructure that involves 2,000 megawatts of independent power project, two 500 megawatts of IPP in two inland ports, and five 250 megawatts of IPP in five inland ports.

Group urges Atiku to contest presidency in 2027

“Atiku will bring his experience in private business to fore in the running of the economy of the country.”


The Nigeria Youths For Atiku (NYFA), a support group of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged him to give the presidency another shot in 2027 .

The president of NYFA, Gold Emmanuel, in a statement on Wednesday by the group’s director of publicity, Dare Dada, said that the support group arrived at the call at its annual convention in Lagos.

Ms Emmanuel said that NYFA remained a leading support group for Mr Abubakar with solid grassroots bases across the 36 states in Nigeria.

According to her, the national leadership of the group has highlighted some of the key personal achievements of the former vice president and found him worthy to lead the country.

She said that these achievements included the fact that Abubakar had been running one of Nigeria’s international universities successfully and other businesses successfully.

The president said: “We are of the opinion that anyone seeking public office must first of all be successful in private business.

“Atiku will bring his experience in private business to fore in the running of the economy of the country.

“He will correct the current economic distortions brought about by bad policies of APC-led government, a man with vast experience both in private and public enterprise needs to be in the saddle come 2027,” she said.

Ms Emmanuel further said Mr Abubakar’s philanthropic gestures were a remarkable trait of a great leader.

“His desire to see to the education of some of the Chibok girls ,who were rescued years back without making it a publicity item is commendable,” she said.

On the current economic hardship being faced by Nigerians, the president assured that Mr Atiku was capable of navigating Nigeria in the right economic direction, if given the opportunity to run the affairs of the country.

She emphasised the need for a passionate Nigerian President, who understands the economic and the political dynamics of the country.

“Alhaji Atiku paraded the best economic blueprint during the 2023 Presidential campaign,” she said.

Ms Emmanuel said that ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)” had stolen “many of Atiku’s programmes, some of which, they claimed, were being implemented wrongly.

Mr Abubakar has been running for the office of the president unsuccessfully each election year under different political platforms after serving as vice president between 1999 and 2007.

He contested the 2023 general elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in which he came second, losing to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

Emirate Tussle: Flag of authority hoisted at Aminu Ado Bayero’s mini palace

Amid the Kano emirate tussle, traditional and official flags have been hoisted at the Nassarawa mini palace which the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero currently occupies.

DAILY POST reports that the flag signifies the presence of an emir once raised and it’s also a symbol of authority.

It is often raised every day by 6am and taken down by 6pm and remains down when the emir is officially outside the palace or travels.

The flag was set up early Wednesday morning with the iron rod but the flag was brought later in the evening. Finally, it was raised by 6 am on Thursday.

DAILY POST reports that the two embattled emirs, Aminu Ado Bayero and Muhammadu Sanusi II are still observing and exercising all traditional rites in their various palaces as they clinch tightly to the Kano Emirate throne.

Peter Obi’s ‘misinformation’ can ignite Kenya-style protest, says Tinubu’s apologist Omokri


Look at the types of things Peter Obi has been posting on social media,” Mr Omokri said.


Reno Omokri, President Bola Tinubu’s apologist, has accused Peter Obi of the Labour Party of pushing out information that could “ignite” protests like the one in Kenya.

The anti-tax protests have left about 23 dead as police opened fire on demonstrators.

“Let us not be aloof and say it cannot happen in Nigeria. Look at the types of things Peter Obi has been posting on social media,” Mr Omokri said. “They are getting increasingly alarming. Working in tandem with Arise TV, this steady dribble of propaganda and misinformation can ignite a Kenya-style protest if left unchecked.”

In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr Omokiri, a former presidential media aide, urged Mr Tinubu not to be like former President Muhammadu Buhari, who mishandled the #EndSARS protests in 2020.

Mr Omokri urged Mr Tinubu to make a conscious effort to stay up-to-date with trends and political discussions on social media and conventional media and use the information in governance.

“Please do not allow your aides to cage you and give you only news that they have carefully curated and sanitised. Be on social media yourself to keep tabs on what influencers are saying. Watch the morning TV shows personally, especially the ones notorious for being against you and your government,” Mr Omokri said.

He added, “Read the papers and popular columnists firsthand. Listen to grassroots radio stations. In short, don’t isolate yourself from your people. Watch, hear and read what the media is feeding them and what is trending. Then, use that information to be proactive in your policies and pronouncements.”

Mr Obi is yet to respond to Mr Omokri’s criticisms and accusations. However, some Nigerians on X disagreed with Mr Omokri, who accused Mr Obi of inciting protests against Mr Tinubu’s government.

“If you wanna advise your paymaster, kindly do so and not bring the innocent man, @PeterObi into you mess. Leaving behind yourself, @renoomokri who has been inviting and exciting tribal unrest between Igbos and other ethnicities. Continue, your records are waiting publishing,” @Ritzy_Iyke said.

Another X user, @West_tekena, dug out Mr Omokri’s past as a notorious fake news peddler while serving as Mr Jonathan’s media aide.

“Your article is a hypocritical attempt to pose as a democracy advocate, given your history of spreading misinformation. Your concerns about unrest and calls for engagement ring hollow, and your selective memory and silence on past excesses make your credibility zero,” @West_tekena said.

As media aide to Mr Jonathan, Mr Omokiri was exposed for creating a fake X handle, Wendell Simlin, in an attempt to link former Central Bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Communities in the Niger Delta have threatened to cripple oil production in the region if the Federal Government continues to remain adamant over the growing clamour for the release of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021.

But despite appeals and even Court orders for his unconditional release, the IPOB Leader currently standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, is yet to regain his freedom.

Speaking under the aegis of Association of Niger Delta Upland Communities, the oil-rich region, called on the Federal Government to quickly initiate moves for political solution to Kanu’s matter.

The association in a statement signed by its President, Isah Mohammed Obiri; and Secretary, Wisdom Oteyi, respectively, threatened to stop oil production in Niger Delta until Kanu who it said, is unjustly persecuted, is released.

A copy of the letter sighted by Vanguard read: “This is a prompt reminder to the Federal Government of Nigeria to acknowledge that our 14-days ultimatum is rapidly approaching. We remain steadfast in our commitment and determination to implement the plans we have outlined.

“Once again, we urge the Federal Government to initiate peaceful discussions with our leader for resolution.

“Please be informed that the Rumuekpe Manifold, which accommodates the storage of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, will continue to be non-operational until our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is released from the custody of the DSS facility.

“This decision entails the permanent closure of all the oil wells associated with the following pipelines: Kolo Creek, Adabawa, Oguta/Assa Trunkline, Owasa oil pipeline, Obelle oil pipeline, Rukpkou oil return to Rumuekpe Manifold, Total Om! 58 Oil Pipeline, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited oi! pipeline return to Rumuekpe Manifold, as well as other oil facilities including the largest Microwave, Flow Station,Total Metering Station, (NDPR) Metering Station across the Eastern zone with the map of the eastern zone oil companies operation hooked to Rumuekpe Manifold and operations of oil companies within the Bonny Terminal (Rumuckpe Manifold).

“This shutdown has been in effect since September 21, 2023, leading to significant financial losses for the Federal Government amounting to over N14.5 trillion over the past eight months.

“The marginalization and conspiracy aimed at suppressing the Igbo Biafran people must cease immediately. We are united by blood and as one family. Injustice towards our leader is injustice that affects us all.

“They accused those behind Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya of responsibility for the tension associated with his continued detention, and threatened to exposed them.

“The individuals who orchestrated the extraordinary rendition of our leader, solely because his enlightening messages challenged the status quo, are the true adversaries of Nigeria. This conspiracy aims to suppress our leader whose insights have awakened the masses.

“We implore all conscientious citizens to stand up and protect our leader using our abundant natural resources until he is liberated.

“The identities of those responsible for this disgraceful act against an innocent man, whose wisdom could benefit all, are causing widespread suffering. In the forthcoming press release, their complete names will be disclosed.”

A court in New York on Wednesday sentenced former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez to 45 years in prison after he was convicted of trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.

Anti-Hernandez protesters gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse ahead of sentencing brandishing placards decrying the former head of state’s crimes.

The sentence, which also included an $8 million fine, was less than the life imprisonment that prosecutors had sought — although Hernandez’s age, 55, means he may die behind bars.

Hernandez, who US federal prosecutors said turned his Central American country into a “narco-state” during his presidency from 2014 to 2022, has previously indicated through his legal team he would appeal his conviction.

Hernandez was convicted in March of having facilitated the smuggling of some 500 tons of cocaine — mainly from Colombia and Venezuela — to the United States via Honduras since 2004, starting long before his presidency.

Hernandez used the drug money to enrich himself, finance his political campaign, and commit electoral fraud in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections, prosecutors said.

He was extradited to the United States in 2022, accused of aiding drug smugglers in return for millions of dollars in bribes.

Hernandez follows in the footsteps of other former Latin American heads of state convicted in the United States, like Panama’s Manuel Noriega in 1992 and Guatemala’s Alfonso Portillo in 2014.

A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has discharged and acquitted Dr Farah Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives, of criminal charges brought against him by the Rivers State Government.

Dagogo was arrested on April 28, 2022, in Port Harcourt when he appeared for screening as a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had declared him wanted, alleging he sponsored thugs and cultists to disrupt the PDP screening exercise for National Assembly and State Assembly aspirants.
Dagogo vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that they were fabricated to prevent him from contesting the governorship position.

In his ruling on Monday in suit no. PHC/1440/CR/2022, Justice Chinwendu Nworgu of the Port Harcourt High Court expressed dismay at the prosecution’s lack of diligence and subsequently discharged and acquitted Dagogo of all charges.

Dagogo had been on bail since June 2022 after spending 63 days in detention.

Speaking after the court session, Dagogo’s lead counsel, Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, stated that the ruling had completely freed Dagogo of all encumbrances, emphasizing that the case cannot be resurrected in any court of law in the country.

“The matter has just ended. The court dismissing the charge and discharging and acquitting the defendant which is Hon. Doctor Farah Dagogo. And this is premised on the fact that there is absolute lack of diligent prosecution

“The prosecution has lost its steam and so because of that, the court cannot forever keep an accused or defendant perpetually attending the court, restraining his movements and stopping him from using his precious time and subjecting everything about him to abysmal waste.

“As a result of that, the court, after its consideration, struck out the charge and then discharged and acquitted the defendant. That means that no means or form of other charges can be brought up in any court of law against Hon. Doctor Farah Dagogo as a result of this charge.

“Any further action taken will be seen as double jeopardy because of the fact that decision has been taken in this matter. In order words, the decision has rested the case fully and finally, not to resurrect again.”

Graceds:
Everything na showbiz

Residents of Torough community in Ukum Local Goverment Area of Benue State are now selling their farm produce to raise the N20 million tax slammed on them by bandits or face serious attack.

Sources in the community told journalists that the local militias have threatened to unleash an attack on the community if the money is not paid in the next few days.

As a result of the threat, our correspondent learnt that residents of the community had shared the amount with each house to contribute N50,000.

One of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being killed said, “Already, the money has been shared according to household, but the least amount is N50,000.

“Some have started disposing of their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have contacted their relatives outside to raise the levy so as to avert the attack of the bandits.”

The source added that nobody in the village, including the village head, would dare report the matter to the security so as not to anger the local militias.

Another source hinted that the authority of the local government is aware of the development.

Ukum LGA is the flashpoint of criminality in the state where killings and kidnapping reign supreme.

Recall that prominent people, including the state Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Abo, as well as past local government chairmen, have at one time been kidnapped in the local government.

When contacted, chairman of the local government, Victor Iorzaa, confirmed the development and said that he had reported the situation to the police and state security council.

The chairman identified a notorious militia leader, Full Fire, as the person behind the development

Iorzaa said, “The report is true, and the person behind it is Full Fire. He was the person that connived with Fulani recently to attack our people; he has been working with Fulani people and terrorising the area for the past five years.

“He is a bandit. If you remember, two weeks ago, the military launched an attack on his house.

“The people of the area are living in fear that the community is the most troubled place in the LG. If one is going to the village, don’t be surprised that before you get there, the person will be attacked.


“I have reported the matter to the police and also the state security council. Full Fire lives at the border community with Taraba State. ”

While commending the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, for his efforts at combating crime in the state, the local government chairman also applauded security operatives for curtailing the excesses of the militias.

He added, “But security operatives are doing their best to curtail them.”

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, said if such a thing happened, it would not have been reported to the command.

Also, the Security Adviser to the Governor, Joseph Har, said bandits were on the run in the state and could not have the luxury of collecting tax from the villagers.

Har said Alia’s administration was doing everything possible to mitigate activities of bandits, kidnappers, and militias, amongst others, in the State.

Har said, “The issue of this illegal levy has become a common practice with bandits everywhere worldwide because they use it to survive. However, only an irresponsible government will fold its hands to allow that callous thing to happen.

“The criminals have been having a very tough time recently, and they are really having the heat and can’t have the balls to wait and collect any tax.

“Most of them have fled their camps (you can find out) and we intend to sustain the momentum until we run them down or they surrender. There is reduction in the impunity of these bandits and the basket will get filled again.”

bro4u:
Traditional marriage in Lagos hotel? What happened to the bride's village??

ruggedboych:
arrant nonsense what's that great grandpa doing in that event, this man have been galivanting lately

he's supposed to be in retirement home at his age

We want Ministry of Livestock Development – Miyetti Allah

The Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has rejected a bill that seeks to establish a national agency for the regulation and management of ranches in Nigeria.

MACBAN’s national president, Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, announced the association’s opposition to the bill at the weekend while speaking to newsmen in Damaturu, shortly after the inauguration of the state executive council of the association.

He said that a Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development should be created instead.

“The entire livestock value chain issues can be addressed holistically rather than what is going on now at the National Assembly, working to create a bill for animal husbandry or ranching,” he stated.

Ngelzarma opined that issues of production, processing, marketing, transportation and security-related issues can be addressed if there is a full-blown ministry dedicated to that purpose. He then called on President Bola Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the Livestock Reforms and Mitigation Committee, headed by the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, which was set up to seek a lasting solution to the perennial farmers-herders conflict in rural areas.

“We submitted Jega’s report on livestock reform and mitigation sometime last year. We are looking forward to the President establishing the implementation committee so that implementation of that report starts in earnest,” he said.

Meanwhile, a bill for an act to ban open grazing and establish ranches as an antidote to the perennial clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders in Nigeria scaled second reading after a slightly heated debate in the Senate.

BREAKING: Robbers Invade Estate In Nigerian Capital, Abuja, Kill Army Brigadier-General


The police in the FCT confirmed that the attack occurred on Saturday around 3am saying the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered "a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding this regrettable event."

Dare-devil robbers have attacked Sunshine Homes estate in the Lokogoma area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, killing a Nigerian Army's retired Brigadier General, identified as Uwem Harold Udokwere.

The police in the FCT confirmed that the attack occurred on Saturday around 3am saying the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered "a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding this regrettable event."

The statement signed by SP Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer, said, "In response to the tragic and unprecedented attack at Sunshine homes estate by armed robbers, resulting in the untimely demise of one Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere (rtd.) on June 22, 2024, at approximately 03:00 a.m, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Benneth Igweh has promptly ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding this regrettable event.


"Expressing profound condolences to the bereaved family, CP Benneth Igweh assures the family and the public of swift justice, with every effort in conduit to ensure the perpetrators of the atrocious act are apprehended and brought to justice."