The video depicts a group of migrants on an overcrowded and unstable inflatable boat in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting the dangerous conditions they face while attempting to reach Europe, a common route for those fleeing poverty, conflict, or seeking better opportunities.
This scene is part of a broader trend of increased migration across the Central Mediterranean route, with record numbers of arrivals in places like the Canary Islands and Italy, often involving perilous journeys where many lose their lives, as documented by organizations like the Missing Migrants Project and Caminando Fronteras.
The migrants' plea for help and the presence of women and children underscore the desperation and high stakes involved, reflecting systemic issues such as economic hardship and political instability in their home countries, as well as the lack of safe and legal migration pathways.
Court Orders British Airways to Pay Nigerian Passenger N50m for Breach of Contract
Justice Ibrahim Kala of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has ordered British Airways to pay N50 million in damages to a Nigerian passenger, Mr. Stephen Osho, for breach of contract of carriage and unfair treatment.
Delivering judgment, Justice Kala held that Osho successfully proved that the airline violated its obligations under the international contract of carriage when it failed to provide the service for which he had fully paid.
The court found that the passenger suffered undue hardship, inconvenience, and financial loss as a result of British Airways’ conduct.
In its defence, British Airways argued that Osho was responsible for his own predicament and urged the court not to award compensation. Counsel for the airline further contended that, if any costs were granted, they should not exceed N60,000.
The court dismissed the argument as untenable in light of the facts before it.
Consequently, Justice Kala awarded N50 million in general damages against British Airways in favour of Osho.
The court further awarded N3 million as costs of the action, citing the expenses incurred, the protracted duration of the case, legal representation, summons fees, and the declining value of the naira.
The court based its decision on the Montreal Convention, 1999, as domesticated under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, which regulates claims arising from international air carriage.
While the Convention prohibits punitive or exemplary damages, it permits compensatory relief where passengers prove actual losses.
FG makes tax identification mandatory for banking, allied services
The Federal Government has made Tax Identification, (Tax ID) compulsory for people getting involved in banking and allied services in the country.
Consequently, all taxable Nigerians are to obtain a Taxpayer Identification when the new tax Acts come into force in January 2026.
The Tax ID is contained in the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Part II Section 4 of the legislation which was recently signed by President Bola Tinubu.
It says, “Every Taxable person shall register with the relevant Tax Authority and obtain a Taxpayer Identification Card (Tax ID) for the purpose of compliance with tax obligations.”
“Every ministry, department or agency of the federal, State or Local government shall register and obtain a Tax ID.”
Section 6 (1) of the Act also requires Non-resident persons who supply taxable goods and services to any person in Nigeria to obtain Tax ID, as they shall be obligated to pay tax in Nigeria.
Section 7 (3) empowers the relevant tax authority to issue Tax ID to a person who should have applied for an ID but failed to do so. The relevant tax authority is also empowered to refuse to issue a Tax ID to an applicant based on information available to it. In such a case, the authority shall inform the applicant of its decision within five working days.
Section 8 (1) (c) makes Tax ID a condition for entering into any contract with the Federal and State governments.
Section 8 (2) makes Tax ID mandatory for any person to operate a bank account or get involved in insurance, stocks or allied services in the country, once the Act comes into force from January 1, 2026.
The Act, however, provides an allowance to suspend or deregister the Tax ID, if the holder ceases to undertake trade or business, either temporarily or permanently.
Sector 10 (1) provides, “Where a taxable person temporarily ceases to carry on a trade or business in Nigeria, the taxable person shall notify the relevant tax authority of its intention to suspend its registration for tax purposes within 30 days of such temporary cessation of trade or business.
(2) “The Tax authority shall classify the Tax ID as ‘dormant’ and place it on suspension.
(3) “Where a taxable person permanently ceases to carry on trade or business in Nigeria, the taxable person shall notify the relevant tax authority of its intention to deregister for tax purposes within 30 days of such cessation of trade or business.”
Revenue Service Chairman’s enormous powers.
The Act for the Establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service, 2025, makes the Executive Chairman its Governing Board Chairman, leaving the occupant with enormous powers.
The Board shall consist of Ex-Officio members, including a representative of the Minister of finance, not lower than the rank of a Director, a representative of the Minister of National Planning; Attorney-General of the Federation; Minister of Petroleum; Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, (not less than a Deputy Governor); the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission; the Comptroller-General of Customs or his representative who shall not be below Deputy Comptroller-General; the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission; as well as Executive Directors of the Revenue Service to be appointed by the President.
The Chairman of the Service shall have a four-year term of office, which could be renewed for another four – year term.
Section 22 (a) of the Act provides that the Service shall be funded through 4 percent deduction of revenues it shall collect, except Petroleum Royalties.
A lady confronted a man who tried to toast her on the street, and when she refused, he insvlted her, calling her “ûselèss girl” and saying “like say I never f.ck you before.”
The video captures a public altercation where a man verbally harasses a woman after she rejects his advances, using derogatory language such as "useless girl" and implying a past sexual encounter, which aligns with patterns of street harassment documented in studies like those from Harvard Law Review (1993) and the NCBI, highlighting how such interactions often stem from systemic gender inequality and can escalate into public confrontations.
The incident occurs in an urban setting, possibly in a Middle Eastern country given the architectural style and attire, and reflects broader issues of gender-based violence, as noted in recent reports from South Africa where such violence is recognized not only as a social crisis but also an economic one, indicating the pervasive nature of these issues globally.
The response from bystanders, particularly the intervention by other men, underscores a shift towards challenging such behavior, which contrasts with historical norms where street harassment was often minimized or ignored, as discussed in feminist scholarship and media critiques that call for recognizing these incidents as part of larger systemic problems rather than isolated events.
Source:
A lady confronted a man who tried to toast her on the street, and when she refused, he insvlted her, calling her “ûselèss girl” and saying “like say I never fvck you before.” pic.twitter.com/GLetszFaqj
Abroad-based Nigerian couple celebrate their wedding anniversary in grand style
The X post by CHUKS (@ChuksEricE ) features a video of a Nigerian couple celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary in a humorous and culturally distinctive manner, dressed in matching outfits made from plaid fabric, which is a playful nod to Nigerian traditions where couples often wear coordinated attire for significant events.
The couple's celebration is set against the backdrop of their life abroad, as indicated by the term "Abroad-based Nigerian couple," highlighting the blend of Nigerian cultural practices with their expatriate experience, which is a common theme among the Nigerian diaspora who maintain strong ties to their heritage.
This type of anniversary celebration reflects broader trends within the Nigerian community abroad, where maintaining cultural identity and community bonds is crucial, as evidenced by discussions on platforms like Reddit where Nigerians share experiences of weddings and anniversaries in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of cultural continuity and community involvement even when living overseas.
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Abroad-based Nigerian couple celebrate their wedding anniversary in grand style😭😂 pic.twitter.com/xNjZ2U7XL2
Brand new $1M luxury yacht tips over and sinks just minutes after launching — forcing crew to jump overboard
Brand new luxury yacht Dolce Vento sinks within 15 minutes of launching off the coast of Turkey
A yacht worth nearly $1 million sank in the water off the shore of Turkey just 15 minutes after its maiden voyage as panicked passengers and crew jumped overboard.
Dramatic amateur video shows the vessel, the Dolce Vento, ease into the water off the coast of Zonguldak in northern Turkey’s Eregli district Tuesday before lurching to one side and slowly sinking into the depths.
Luxury yacht launching in Eregli, Turkey.
The Dolce Vento launched for the first time Tuesday off northern Turkey.
Luxury yacht sinking in Eregli, Turkey.
Within minutes, the $940,000 vessel started swaying in the water.
It was the first time the approximately 85-foot boat, worth around $940,000, was launched after being delivered to its owner from Istanbul.
The owner, captain and two crew members jumped overboard and swam to shore without injury, and the coast guard and port teams responded to set up a security perimeter around the foundering watercraft.
Passengers and crew, including the boat’s owner, sought refuge on the side of the sinking yacht before diving into the water and swimming to shore.
Officials at the shipyard said the cause of the sinking was under investigation, and that technical inspections of the yacht will be carried out to determine what happened.
The government acknowledged that the difficulties have hindered the smooth running of embassies and consulates in different countries.
The Federal Government says several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are facing financial and operational challenges, ranging from unpaid staff salaries to mounting debts owed to landlords and service providers.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He acknowledged that the difficulties have hindered the smooth running of embassies and consulates in different countries.
“The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers,” the statement read.
“It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian diplomatic missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations.
“The financial situation in our missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations.”
Ebienfa assured Nigerians at home and in the diaspora that the welfare of diplomatic staff and their families remains a top priority for the President Bola Tinubu administration.
He highlighted recent measures, including the approval and release of special intervention funds to ease the hardship faced by some missions.
The government stated that it has established a committee to assess the debt profiles of affected missions, adding that over 80 per cent of available funds have been cleared for payments, prioritising service providers, locally recruited staff salaries, and arrears owed to officers.
While noting that these missions are not exempt from the broader economic realities affecting Nigeria, the ministry emphasised that the budgetary shortfalls over the years have significantly hampered the effective functioning of missions and their ability to fulfil core diplomatic responsibilities.
See the full statement below:
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NIGERIA, ON THE FINANCIAL STATE OF NIGERIAN MISSIONS ABROAD
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to acknowledge the financial and operational constraints recently being experienced by several of our Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad. The Ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the Missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers.
It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian Diplomatic Missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations. The financial situation in our Missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations, which in turn have significantly impacted the optimal functioning of many of our Missions abroad, and the ability to deliver on their core diplomatic and consular mandates effectively.
The Ministry wishes to assure all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, and the international community, that the welfare of its staff and their families in the diaspora is of paramount importance to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The government is taking decisive and concrete steps to address the issues of fund allocation to all its Missions abroad. One such remedial measure was the approval and release of special intervention funds to cushion the effects of the hardship faced by some of the Missions.
To ensure that the monies remitted to the Missions are utilised judiciously and managed prudently in line with this Administration’s financial discipline policy, the Ministry set up a committee to assess and confirm the debt profile of the affected Missions with a view to ensuring that payments are justifiable and carried out based on equity and fairness to all those affected. Based on responses from Missions and documentary evidence provided, more than 80 per cent of the available funds have been cleared for payments, with priority given to service providers, salaries of locally recruited staff and arrears of claims due to officers, respectively.
The Ministry has also engaged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in obtaining refunds for the shortfall in Missions’ allocations in the 2024 fiscal year due to foreign exchange differentials associated with the new monetary policy and the harmonisation of exchange rates. To mitigate its impact, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has graciously approved the settlement of the shortfall. Consequently, the first tranche has already been remitted to all Missions, with some having confirmed receipt.
Similarly, the Second Semester Allocations have also been approved. The Ministry is engaging with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to facilitate the prompt release of Personnel and Overhead Cost Allocations to all Missions, starting this week, to clear outstanding Allowances and further alleviate the financial situation of the Missions. With these efforts, Missions have begun to stabilise.
In the same vein, the Ministry is also working diligently to develop a sustainable financial model for funding our missions abroad, which includes exploring innovative solutions and efficiency measures to ensure long-term operational stability. These efforts are integral to the broader public sector financial reforms being implemented by the Federal Government, aimed at enhancing fiscal governance and ensuring the effective allocation of resources.
The Ministry recognises the resilience and dedication of its diplomatic staff who continue to discharge their duties with commendable patriotism under these difficult circumstances. We also thank the host governments, service providers and our international partners for their understanding and continued cooperation. The Nigerian government remains unwavering in its commitment to providing the necessary support to all its Missions abroad with a view to enabling them to function at their full capacity.
We are confident that the current challenges are temporary and will be overcome through the concerted efforts of this administration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to robust and dynamic international diplomacy, as well as the unwavering protection and welfare of every Nigerian citizen worldwide.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru announced that starting in 2026, house and land agents will be prohibited from operating in Ebonyi State to curb rising rents. Agents are blamed for exploiting residents with fees up to N500,000 for properties they don’t own. From next year, agents cannot collect money from those seeking accommodation.
The post compares a sepia-toned 1971 photo of the user's grandmother, dressed in traditional attire, with a modern 2025 selfie, suggesting a striking resemblance that sparked online speculation about reincarnation or AI manipulation, a topic gaining traction with over 123 million views for similar themes in webtoons like "Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story" by 2025.
Historical context reveals Nigerian fashion, as seen in the grandmother's outfit, evolved through designers like Shade Thomas-Fahm in the 1950s, blending traditional fabrics with Western styles, a trend that may explain the stylistic continuity between the images, supported by the 17% growth of Nigeria's fashion industry from 2010-2019.
AI photo-editing tools, such as Canva Pro’s Magic Edit powered by Stable Diffusion, can realistically alter images to mimic historical styles, raising doubts about authenticity; a 2023 study from the Journal of Imaging Science and Technology noted 68% of participants struggled to distinguish AI-edited photos from originals, aligning with user comments questioning the post’s genuineness.
Both Parents Are Black; 4 Children Are Albinos Why is this?
The image depicts a Black couple with four children exhibiting albinism, a rare genetic condition caused by mutations in genes like OCA2 or TYR, which impair melanin production, with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern requiring both parents to carry the recessive gene, as supported by peer-reviewed studies in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
The probability of all four children inheriting albinism is approximately 1 in 625 (0.25^4), given a 25% chance per child when both parents are carriers, highlighting an extraordinary genetic coincidence rather than external factors or infidelity, contrary to some social media speculation.
Albinism prevalence varies globally, with higher rates in sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., 1 in 1,000 in Tanzania per WHO data), often linked to historical isolation and genetic drift, challenging the misconception that it results from mixed ancestry.
Ugandan gay man in the US furiously reacts after being denied entry at an Ugandan community event, leaving him deeply disappointed.
The video captures a Ugandan individual, known as Siazi or Keem Love, who identifies as gay and presents as female, being denied entry to a Ugandan community event in the United States on September 1, 2025, due to their sexual orientation and appearance, highlighting the export of Uganda's anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments into diaspora communities.
This incident is part of a broader trend where Uganda's 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposes severe penalties including life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality," has intensified persecution against the LGBTQ+ community, leading to increased discrimination and violence both within Uganda and abroad.
The event underscores ongoing struggles for LGBTQ+ rights in exile, as evidenced by social media debates and the individual's emotional reaction, reflecting a clash between cultural norms and human rights principles, and sparking discussions on the global impact of such laws on diaspora communities.
Ugandan gay man in the US furiously reacts after being denied entry at an Ugandan community event, leaving him deeply disappointed. pic.twitter.com/SEy1hkQI7V
In Kubwa, Abuja: A crippled man posing as a beggar for 5+ years has been arrested for allegedly molesting boys.
Shocking twist — police found over ₦20M in his account despite begging daily. Now in custody as investigations continue.
The X post from @abuja_gist describes the arrest of a man in Kubwa, Abuja, who had been posing as a beggar for over five years while allegedly molesting boys, highlighting a disturbing case of child sexual abuse in Nigeria, where such incidents are reported to be common, with UNICEF data indicating that one in four girls and one in ten boys experience sexual violence before age 18.
The revelation that the man, despite his disability and begging persona, had over ₦20 million in his account suggests a complex criminal network, possibly involving financial exploitation or other illicit activities, which aligns with reports of beggars in Nigeria being part of larger crime syndicates, as seen in a similar case in Lagos where a fake beggar was found with significant cash.
This incident underscores the broader issue of child sexual abuse in Nigeria, exacerbated by factors like child labor and street trading, and occurs in a context where LGBTQ rights are severely restricted, with homosexuality punishable by up to 14 years in prison, potentially complicating the legal and social response to such cases involving same-sex offenses.
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In Kubwa, Abuja: A crippled man posing as a beggar for 5+ years has been arrested for allegedly molesting boys. Shocking twist — police found over ₦20M in his account despite begging daily. Now in custody as investigations continue.#Abuja#Kubwa#TheAbujaGistpic.twitter.com/O8FVaQH23Z
The video features a man from Rivers State, Nigeria, showcasing a large snake he claims to have killed, which appears to be a forest cobra, a highly venomous species native to the region. The interaction is part of a comedic skit by "Mc Dave Comedian," highlighting local cultural practices and humor around wildlife encounters.
The forest cobra, known for its adaptability and presence in both forested and savanna areas, is often misunderstood and feared, leading to such dramatic encounters. Despite its danger, it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, controlling rodent populations, which is a fact often overlooked in local narratives.
In Nigeria, there is a lack of comprehensive animal protection laws, particularly for wildlife like the forest cobra, which means such actions are not legally penalized. This absence of protection contrasts with global efforts to conserve biodiversity, as highlighted by organizations like World Animal Protection, which advocate for stronger wildlife protection measures.
When bribery was an offence in Nigeria. Newspaper was 10 kobo in 1976. God bikooo
The 1976 Nigerian newspaper headline reflects a time when a ₦20 bribe (equivalent to about $50 today, adjusted for inflation using World Bank data) led to a judge's arrest, highlighting a stricter anti-corruption stance compared to modern Nigeria, where Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Nigeria 145th out of 180 countries.
The mention of the 10 kobo newspaper price (roughly 25 cents in 1976, per historical exchange rates) and the Sultan of Sokoto's stance against Universal Primary Education (UPE) ties to a pre-oil boom era when Nigeria's economy relied on agriculture, and education policy debates shaped regional disparities, with UNESCO data showing Northern Nigeria's enrollment lagging behind the South by 20% as late as 2015.
Dino Melaye’s post, posted on August 29, 2025, subtly critiques current governance by contrasting past accountability with today’s challenges, though his own political controversies— including allegations of corruption from a 2019 police siege over a shooting incident—invite skepticism about his moral authority, as documented in Wikipedia’s updated 2025 entry.
How Nigeria made monopolists instead of innovators
The developed nations of today were built on fair competition, where every citizen had a chance to thrive, not by government hand-picking a few to benefit from state-crafted policies.
As Feyi Fawehinmi, an author, noted in his review of Femi Otedola’s memoir “Making It Big”, in Nigeria, “you need not invent anything to become a billionaire. That is a waste of precious time.” This stands in stark contrast to wealth creation in other climes. In the United States, billionaires rose on the back of inventions, protected by patents.
“Many made fortunes based on their patents. Take Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph and the light bulb and the founder of General Electric, still one of the world’s largest companies,” wrote Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson.
Nigeria, however, tells a different story. In the 1980s, when the government banned the importation of lighting products, Chief Beyioku Adebowale, a late industrialist, launched a venture to manufacture fluorescent lamps. Sir Michael Otedola invested N2 million in the enterprise. But the government soon undermined its own policy, granting import licences to Indian competitors. Sir Michael lost everything he invested in the invention of Adebowale.
The lesson is glaring: Nigeria offers almost no incentives for innovation. Instead, it prioritises licences, waivers and protection for the politically connected, enriching a few at the expense of the many.
The monopoly model
Monopoly enriches a select few while throwing the rest into poverty. The American government understood this long ago, which is why it established antitrust law, designed to protect both consumers and businesses from the stranglehold of monopolies and cartels. Giants such as John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan lost their monopolies to the sword of antitrust legislation.
Nigeria, by contrast, entrenched monopoly through state backing. This gave a handful of businessmen unrivalled access to bank credit, while shutting out potential innovators.
Femi Otedola’s career is instructive. Government policy once gave him control of 93 percent of the diesel market, making him the darling of Nigerian banks. “When the going was good, Access Bank did everything to court me, practically begging to do business with me,” he recalls.
But when the 2008 financial crisis struck, oil prices collapsed and the naira depreciated; his $500 million diesel consignment was reduced in value to just $37. He became Nigeria’s largest debtor, owing around N222 billion, an amount so vast it nearly wrecked the nation’s financial sector.
The dangerous cost of crony lending
The figures reveal the fragility of Nigeria’s banking system. In 2010, Access Bank reported gross earnings of N91 billion, profit after tax of N11 billion, and total assets of N800 billion. Yet its exposure to Otedola alone was N25 billion, 14 percent of its net assets.
GTBank was no different. With assets of N1.2 trillion, it still had N38 billion tied up in Otedola, 18 percent of its net assets. As finance expert Abdulrauf Bello observed, “those were crazy exposures.”
Contrast this with the United States. During the nineteenth century, America experienced an extraordinary expansion of financial intermediation. By 1818, 338 banks held assets worth $160 million; by 1914, nearly 28,000 banks managed $27.3 billion. This intense competition meant inventors had easy access to affordable capital, fuelling industrialisation.
Nigeria, by contrast, channelled credit to a few state-backed monopolists rather than to innovators. Instead of financing the next Edison or Ford, Nigerian banks bet their balance sheets on a single oil trader’s gamble.
She slept with someone’s boyfriend and this is what they did to her
The X post by @Cleverlydey4u features a video where a woman appears to have facial scars, allegedly from an altercation with her best friend's boyfriend, as indicated by the caption "finally embracing the scars my bestfriend gave me because I mistakenly slept with her boyfriend...I want justice ."
However, the scars are likely makeup effects, as suggested by the context of other users' comments and the nature of similar content on social media platforms.
This type of content aligns with broader trends in Nigerian social media, where discussions around relationships, consumer rights, and cultural nostalgia are prevalent. The mention of "mistakenly slept with her boyfriend" could be part of a narrative exploring themes of betrayal and justice, which are common in entertainment news and social media discussions in Nigeria, as highlighted in recent reports.
The video's virality and the reactions it garners reflect the digital innovation and engagement with entertainment content in Nigeria, where platforms like TikTok and X are used to share and amplify such stories. The use of makeup to simulate scars might also tie into the growing trend of digital storytelling and the influence of visual media in shaping public discourse, as seen in the evolving landscape of Nigerian social media trends in 2025.
Otti assures timely delivery of Abia modular refinery project
Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has stated that he is committed to the timely realisation of the proposed 10,000 barrel per day modular refinery project in the State.
The modular refinery, which is located inside the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, Owaza, is being undertaken by the HSI Energies Group and is expected to provide 1000 direct jobs and countless indirect jobs to Abians.
Otti assured of his commitment to the realisation of the project when he received in audience, the Management of the HSI Energies Group led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ugwumba Okezie Nwosu who were in his office on Wednesday to give him the status update on the activities of the company preparatory to the commencement of work at the site.
He noted that the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park sitting on about 2000 hectares of land is capable of accommodating many industrial companies. He said that his administration has been busy providing a conducive business environment for businesses to thrive.
The State Chief Executive said that the vast area in the AIIP Owaza is designated for a gas-powered industrial ecosystem, including energy, logistics, housing, modular refinery, petrochemical plants, fertiliser companies and clean infrastructure.
He appreciated the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company for his wise decision to locate the modular refinery in the State having concluded preliminary works on the site, and noted that it would contribute to the growth of the economy of Abia State.
“Thank you for the work that you have done so far, bringing the HSI Energies into Abia state to build a modular refinery.
“Of course, we are not oblivious to the kind of time this takes.
“So, I think you’ve moved very well. Thank you very much. And it is because of the experience that you have,” Otti stated.
Briefing the Governor earlier on the activities of the company preparatory to the commencement of the Modular Refinery, the Group CEO, HSI Energies, Mr. Ugwumba Nwosu, said that the project had reached an advanced stage while equity sourcing, debt financing among others are in progress.
He said that the refinery would be developed in phases, and is expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities, boost the State’s Internally Generated Revenue and attract foreign direct investment.
The Group CEO, Mr. Ugwumba Nwosu stressed that the socio-economic impact of the refinery would be immense, ranging from training opportunities for Abians in the refining, oil and gas business to local access to petroleum products.
He further informed the Government team that the refinery is 10,000 barrels of oil per day, “that’s what the licence is. And for each 10,000 barrels per day, there will be about 1,000 direct jobs created in Abia State. We intend to get to 30,000 barrels per day.
“The only thing stopping us from going to 30,000 immediately is that we have to source the crude oil that we will refine. So, by the time we get to 30,000, that means 3,000 direct jobs and many indirect jobs.
“For each 10,000 barrels of oil per day refinery, the tax that will come to the Government’s internally generated revenue from tax will be about $68 million per annum.
“It will also bring in foreign direct investment of $300 million by the time we get to 30,000 barrels per day,” Ugwumba Nwosu stated.
He appreciated Governor Otti for the construction of the access road leading to the refinery and assured that construction would commence in the first quarter of 2026.
The Commissioners for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, his Finance counterpart, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu and other aides of the Governor were present in the meeting.
This is the boy who quenched the thirst of half a million Africans.
His name is Ryan Hreljac and he was born in Canada in May 1991. When he was a child, just six years old, his teacher told the class about how children live in Africa. Deeply moved by the fact that some even die of thirst while he could simply go to the tap and drink clean water Ryan asked the teacher how much it would cost to bring water to Africa. She mentioned an organization called “WaterCan,” which could build wells for about $70.
When he got home, he went straight to his mother, Susan, and told her he needed $70 to buy a well for African children. His mother told him he would have to earn the money through hard work and gave him chores that allowed Ryan to earn a few dollars each week.
Eventually, he saved up the $70 and went to WaterCan, where they told him the actual cost of drilling a well was $2,000. Susan made it clear she couldn’t give him all that money, but Ryan didn’t give up—he promised he would come back with the full $2,000.
He continued doing chores around the neighborhood to raise money, inspiring his brothers, neighbors, and friends to join in and help until they raised the necessary funds. In January 1999, the well was drilled in a village in northern Uganda.
Once the well was ready, Ryan’s school started to help, and they established contact with the school near the well. That’s how Ryan met Akana, a boy who fought to go to school every day. Ryan was so moved that he asked his parents to take him to meet Akana. In 2000, he arrived in the village, where hundreds of people greeted him, forming a corridor and chanting his name.
“They even know my name?” Ryan asked the guide, surprised.
“Everyone within 100 kilometers knows,” the guide replied.
Today, Ryan is 33 years old, runs his own foundation, and has brought over 400 wells to Africa. He is also responsible for providing education and teaching locals how to take care of the wells and manage water.
While we go through so many meaningless things, nothing is more righteous than paying tribute to a true hero.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered six banks to furnish the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police with details of account documents and all transactions, including inflows and outflows, linked to Omoyele Sowore from January 2024 to date.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after I-G ‘s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, moved an ex parte motion to the effect.
The I-G, in the motion, had told the court that Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, is being investigated on allegations bordering on terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities.
Justice Nwite, in a ruling, held that the application was meritorious.
“I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant and I have also gone through the affidavit evidence.
“I am of the view and so hold that the application is meritorious.
“The prayer is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge ruled.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G, in the ex parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, had sued Sowore and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation as 1st and 2nd defendants.
The applicant joined the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd as 3rd to 8th defendants respectively.
The I-G sought “an order directing the following banks; UBA Plc, GTB plc, ZENITH Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Limited, Moniepoint and Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited to furnished the applicant through the office of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit account opening package/mandate card, certified true copy of the statement of account reflecting transfers with account numbers of both inflows and outflows from January, 2024 till date.”
The I-G, in the five grounds of argument, said Sowore “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities.
“That the complainant had commenced investigation in the activities of the 1st respondent.
“That the accounts seeking to obtain the statement of accounts are the accounts which the 1st respondent is using for terrorism financing and money laundering.”
The applicant said there was need for the court to grant the relief sought for the purpose of investigation and that if the order was not granted, it would jeopardise the police investigation.
Also in the affidavit attached to the motion, Bassey Ibrahim, a police officer in the Legal Section, Force CID, alleged that his office received intelligence report that Sowore “is using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering and receives financial support from foreign partner for terrorism.”
Ibrahim averred that there was a need for the police to secure the order of the court to obtain the statements of the accounts to enable the office carry out investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities of the suspects.
“That the respondents will not be prejudiced or indemnified by the grant of this application.
“That I swear to this affidavit in good faith believing the content to be true and correct in accordance with the provision of the Oath Act, 2024,” he deposed.
NAN reports that no fewer than 26 bank accounts linked to Sowore, including Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and African Action Congress (AAC)’s accounts, among others, are being investigated. (NAN)
Equatorial Guinea president’s son convicted for selling national plane
A court in Equatorial Guinea convicted a son of the country’s president for illegally selling off a plane belonging to the national airline, a court official said.
The judge ruled on Tuesday that Ruslan Obiang Nsue, one of the sons of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, must serve six years in jail unless he compensates the state for the missing aircraft, supreme court press director Hilario Mitogo told reporters in a WhatsApp message.
The court convicted Obiang Nsue, 50, a former director of national carrier Ceiba Intercontinental, of selling the ATR 72-500 plane to a Spanish company and pocketing the cash.
He was placed under house arrest in 2023 on the order of his half-brother, the country’s vice-president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue — also a son of the president.
Mitogo said the court ruled that Obiang Nsue could avoid jail if he paid around $255,000 to the airline, along with damages and a fine to the state.
The court acquitted him on separate charges of embezzlement and abuse of office.
Obiang Nsue has also served as secretary of state for sports and youth in the oil-rich central African state, ruled for the past 46 years by his father, 83.
In a separate case targeting his half-brother, a French court handed Obiang Mangue a suspended jail sentence and a $35-million fine in July 2021 after convicting him of embezzling public funds.
Japanese police apologise at grave of wrongfully accused man
Japanese authorities bowed and offered flowers at the grave of a businessman to apologise for wrongfully charging him with exporting potentially sensitive industrial machines.
Shizuo Aishima and three other executives were arrested for illegal exports in March 2020. He died of stomach cancer in February 2021, five months before the indictments were dropped.
His family was at his grave in Yokohama on Monday to accept the apology. However, his wife said she could not forgive those who were behind the charge.
Aishima's company sued for damages before a Tokyo court in September 2021, which ruled that the indictments were illegal and ordered compensation of 166 million yen ($1.12m; £835,000).
The charges stemmed from Ohkawara Kakohki's export of spray dryers, a machine that can turn liquids into powder, and which can be used in the military.
The company said their business was not covered by export restrictions. Prosecutors withdrew the indictments in July 2021 citing "doubts" on the guilt of the accused.
"We sincerely apologise for the serious human rights violation caused by illegally requesting his detention and filing a prosecution, and for depriving Aishima of opportunities for medical treatment by inappropriately rejecting his bail request," said prosecutor Hiroshi Ichikawa.
Aishima filed eight bail requests, all of which were denied.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office did not appeal court ruling that ordered them to pay compensation. The ruling became final last 11 June.
They also investigated the cause of the wrong indictment. However, the families of the wrongfully accused said it failed to determine the real cause of the error and that the recommended punishments were too light.
Lagos Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of N246Million Linked To Ex-Army Properties Boss, Mohammed
The case stemmed from an earlier order by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who had granted an interim forfeiture of the shares and directed their publication in a national newspaper, calling on any interested parties to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited.
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth N246.3 million linked to a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major-General U.M. Mohammed (Retd.), after it was revealed they were acquired to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu delivered the ruling on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, following a motion on notice filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa.
The case stemmed from an earlier order by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who had granted an interim forfeiture of the shares and directed their publication in a national newspaper, calling on any interested parties to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited.
"Moving the application for the final forfeiture, Kofarnaisa told the court that the application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Nwike Fortune, an investigating officer of the EFCC," the anti-graft agency stated.
In the affidavit, Nwike explained that he investigated a petition from NAPL “regarding monumental fraud perpetrated by General U.M. Mohammed (Retd), Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi Abubakar, and Mr. Kayode Oladipupo Filani”, revealing that “investigation revealed that Mohammed, while serving as NAPL's Managing Director between 2015 and 2020, fraudulently sold company properties and diverted the proceeds for personal use.”
“In a bid to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities, he acquired shares in Awhua Resources Limited using misappropriated funds,” Nwike said.
“Some of the shares include: National Aviation Handling Company (N115,567,906); Oando Plc (N2,000,000); Dangote Sugar Refinery (N1,000,000); Vitafoam Nigeria Plc (N81,901,651) and University Press (N40,155,291).”
"It is in the interest of justice to finally forfeit the said shares contained in Schedules A, B, and C of this application, as they were acquired with funds that are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities," the EFCC said.
Justice Dipeolu, after reviewing the evidence and submissions, ruled that the prosecution’s case had merit and ordered the final forfeiture of the shares to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Background
In June 2024, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Nigerian Army authorities had finally issued a warrant to commit Mohammed to prison.
Mohammed’s warrant of committal to prison came a week after he was illegally put in Kuje Prison.
A top military source told SaharaReporters that Mohammed “was taken to Kuje without a proper warrant from the military tribunal that jailed him”.
“He has been kept in detention since January 2022 and was taken to Kuje Prison on May 2, 2024,” the source added.
According to the source, the military managed to “find the illegal warrant after Mohammed had spent a week in Kuje Prison”.
In October 2023, Mohammed, who was court-martialed for fraud and found guilty of stealing over $430,000, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Special Court Martial set up by the Nigerian Army also ordered Mohammed to return the sum of $2,178,900 and N1.65 billion to the Army properties and NAPL.
The Special Court-Martial had found the military officer guilty of 14 out of 18 counts brought against him, which included stealing, forgery, conspiracy, theft, and unauthorised diversion of army property.
In May 2023, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Mohammed was being court-martialed in Abuja for allegations involving fraud and theft.
Sources, however, told SaharaReporters that Mohammed had opened up a can of worms as the senior military officer narrated how former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.) allowed the sale of houses by the NAPL to politicians and Very Important Personalities (VIPs) at a ridiculous 75 per cent discount.
Japan denies Tinubu government’s claim on migration, special visa opportunities for Nigerians
The Japanese government issued the rebuttal in a statement about four days after the Nigerian presidency announced a special Japanese visa opportunity for Nigerians.
The Japanese government has denied the President Bola Tinubu administration’s claim of a newly created visa category allowing skilled Nigerians to relocate to Japan.
It said, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the claim of inclusion of immigration measures or special visas for Nigerian citizens in the new ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative launched last week was “untrue.”
The Japanese government issued this rebuttal in a statement on Monday, about four days after the Nigerian presidency announced that it had launched an initiative with the Asian country creating a new migration route for Nigeria.
This announcement was made during the 9th meeting of the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), which was held from 20 to 22 August in Yokohama, Japan.
The Tinubu government, in a statement issued last Thursday (21 August), claimed that under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – its new partnership with Japan – Nigerian citizens could benefit from a special dispensation visa to work in Japan.
It stated that Japan had designated Kisarazu, a city in the country, as the hometown for Nigerians, and would offer a special visa category for highly skilled, young Nigerians willing to live and work there.
It further highlighted that artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who were ready to upskill would also benefit from the special category.
Rebuttal But refuting the claim, the Japanese government stressed that the programme was focused solely on fostering community-level exchanges and did not include a new visa category.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Japan had no plan to allow immigration or give special visas to Nigerians and nationals of other African countries under the programme.
“There are no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special vis as for residents of African countries, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true,” it said.
Rather, it noted that “contrary to the facts” in circulation, the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ announced at the TICAD 9, “aims to strengthen exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments based on the experience gained through its previous projects.
“Under this program, JICA plans to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through various activities, including the organisation of exchange events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers,” the statement read.
Otti to revitalise Aba Textile Mills, International Equitable Industries, Afro Beverages, Star Paper Mills
Mr Kanu said that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria had approved Abia’s plan to take over Star Paper Mills in Aba.
The Abia government says it is poised to revitalise four moribund companies in Aba, including the Aba Textile Mills, International Equitable Industries, Afro Beverages, and Star Paper Mills.
Information commissioner Okey Kanu disclosed this at the Government House in Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of Monday’s Executive Council meeting.
Mr Kanu said that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria had approved Abia’s plan to take over Star Paper Mills in Aba. He said the recovery of the company would be followed by its revitalisation, alongside others, before selling them to private sector investors.
Mr Kanu said the revitalisation efforts would focus on providing jobs for Abia people and generating revenue for Abia. According to him, the state will retain enough shares in the companies when sold to private investors to ensure Abia people are not shortchanged by the managers.
The commissioner said that the Abia Health Insurance Scheme had exceeded its target in 2025, having registered 103,076 enrollees. He argued that the record showed the people’s faith in the scheme as capable of tackling their healthcare needs.
Mr Kanu stated that the commencement of registering residents in the informal sector for the scheme would be announced at a later date.
He stated that the government had established two new departments, the Abia Drug and Medical Commodities Management Agency and the Department of Nutrition within the Ministry of Health, to meet the needs of the people.
He also said that 121 Primary Healthcare Centres had been completed under Project Ekwueme, with 17 PHCs made functional and providing services. The commissioner stated that 33 were being equipped to make them functional, adding that during the programme’s third phase, another 50 PHCs would be brought into operation.
He stated that Abia had approximately 948 PHCs, hence their rehabilitation was being done in batches, with another phase scheduled to commence in October. He said that the state had recorded a higher number of residents using its health facilities, which was a sign of the people’s faith in the health system.
He stated that the improvement in equipment and personnel was key to inspiring the increase in the use of state health facilities. He said the state Ministry of Environment began house-to-house sanitary inspection services in the 17 LGAs on August 1 to encourage best hygiene practices.
“Defaulters will be prosecuted in line with the Abia State Environmental Laws,” he said.
Mr Kanu announced the approval of the Abia Health, Safety, and Environment Policy by the EXCO, designed to cater to the well-being of the state’s civil servants. He stated that the policy will be implemented with the approval 34 per cent, South Africa of the proposal by Governor Alex Otti.
Have you ever thought that cooking is not just a household chores but a chain that binds the family system together?
In the 1980s, when home cooking declined in the United States and the trend of ordering food from outside increased, some economists warned:
“If the government takes over the care of children and the elderly, and private companies also handle meal preparation, the family structure will weaken.”
At that time, very few people paid attention to these words.
But then, what happened?
In 1971, 71% of American households had a husband, wife, and children living together. Today, only 20% of such families remain.
Where did the rest go? To nursing homes, lonely apartments, or disconnected lives…
15% of women live alone
12% of men are alone within families
41% of children are born out of wedlock
Divorce rate: 50% in first marriages, 67% in second, 74% in third
This is no accident — it’s the social cost of shutting down the kitchen.
Home-cooked food is not just nutrition — it’s love, connection, and comfort.
When families sit together to eat:
Hearts grow closer
Children learn from their elders
Relationships soften and become warm
But when everyone eats alone with their own device… homes become rest houses, and families become as formal as social media friends.
Another drawback of outside food:
Low-quality oils
Artificial flavors
Addiction to fast food
Less food of poor quality at a higher price
The result? Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure at a young age!
Now, companies tell us what to eat, and pharmaceutical companies run a business of “keeping us healthy.”
Our elders used to carry their own cooked food even while traveling. Today, we consider it “easier” to order from outside even while at home.
There is still time — Light up the kitchen, not just the stove… revive relationships, love, security, culture, and health.
Anambra Awards N386m in Contracts to Firm That Was 6 Days Old at Bid Closure
The Anambra State Government has awarded nearly N386.3 million in contracts to a company that was barely six days old when it bid for the first deal. This firm was officially listed as inactive on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website when it secured the second contract.
Calyzid Ventures, incorporated on September 20, 2023, emerged winner of a N290.5 million contract to supply laboratory equipment to 17 general hospitals across the state in May.
According to the Anambra State procurement portal, the bid was opened on September 11, 2023 and closed on September 26.
FIJ found that the company was registered on September 20, 2023, just about a week before the bid closed. Despite quoting N316.5 million, the contract was awarded at N290.5 million which was the project’s budget ceiling.
Two other companies competed with Calyzid in the bidding process. The third company, Wills and Muncy, was registered on September 5, 2023, three weeks before the bid, and is also inactive.
The second bidder, Minek Multi-Care, was incorporated in 2006, according to the CAC records.
Procurement records show that the process was conducted through “selective tendering”, with “transparency and accountability” cited as justification. But evaluation documents gave all three bidders, including Calyzid Ventures, a financial score of 0.00.
FIJ observed that a 20-month gap followed between the September 2023 bid opening and the contract award in May 2025.
About a month after the state awarded the contract, in July, Calyzid Ventures received an additional N95.8 million from the state for another contract. This time the company was contracted to do “geophysical survey/mapping of 2,018.319 hectares of land” on behalf of the state.
The two contracts bring the total awarded to the firm to N386.3 million in less than two months. Both state and federal procurement laws require bidders to provide proof of incorporation, tax clearance, financial capacity and other statutory documents.
Per the Anambra State procurement law of 2011, all bidders must meet key eligibility requirements, including professional and financial capacity, necessary equipment and personnel, and legal standing.
They must not be insolvent, bankrupt or in winding-up proceedings, and must be tax and social security compliant.
Bidders can also not have directors with fraud-related convictions, and each bid must include an affidavit disclosing any conflicts of interest and affirming the truthfulness of all information provided.
A company can only be listed inactive on the CAC if it is not filing its annual returns on time or it does not provide the details of ‘persons with significant control’.
Sonnobax15: Make she go do Pay-charge for busy area .....+ Cold drinks,+ selling of small small phones accessories like ear piece and chargers,and POS join.....make she remove shame and pride and package am just the way I talk am....... Trust me,she go make am......
With that 3m,she no go even spend reach 2m self before her shop go balance...
Travel › Dangerous: Migrants Floating On The Mediterranean Sea Helplessly.. by Morbeta11(op): 12:27pm On Sep 06, 2025
