₦airaland Forum

Music mogul Don Jazzy is adding a new beat to his empire: football. Sources reveal that Jazzy, the acclaimed producer and founder of Mavin Records, is launching Supremos FC, a team set to compete in the inaugural season of Lagos Liga.

This move marks a surprising crossover for the hitmaker, known for working with talents like D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Ayrra Star, and more.

Insiders suggest Jazzy aims to replicate his music industry success on the pitch, leveraging his knack for spotting and developing talent.

Supremos FC will face off against other high-profile teams in Lagos Liga, including squads owned by tech entrepreneurs and business leaders. The league boasts a staggering N50 million prize money, the largest per-game payout in Nigerian football history. Twelve teams will participate in this 2024 edition of the league.

With Don Jazzy’s proven track record and the allure of a massive prize pool, expectations are high for Supremos FC. Will his team top the charts in Lagos Liga? Football enthusiasts and music fans alike are eager to see if his winning streak continues.

From what we hear, Don Jazzy’s Supremos will go head-to-head with some serious contenders in the Lagos Liga. So far, these are some of the clubs and founders making waves: Firecrackers FC, owned by tech entrepreneur Stephanie Etiaka, is generating buzz as a potential powerhouse. Applebee FC, founded by Nnazilim Egbuonu of Travelbeta, is another team expected to make a strong showing. Other notable clubs include Jarus FC, established by Sir Jarus, the CEO of Jarus Homes; Mavbrooks SC, founded by career accountant & entrepreneur Ayodeji E. Olowe; and Superstar FC, with tech entrepreneur Seye Bandele at the helm.

With such a diverse and driven group of founders, is it safe to say the Lagos Liga could be the thrilling showcase of football talent and entrepreneurial spirit the Nigerian and African football scene has been missing? The season finale will tell.

Dangote Refinery asks Court to void import licenses of NNPCL, Matrix, and four others in N100 billion case

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to void import licenses issued to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products that are already being produced by Dangote without shortfalls.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, Dangote Refinery is also seeking N100 billion in damages against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allegedly continuing to issue import licenses to NNPCL, Matrix, and other companies for importing petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria, “despite the production of AGO and Jet-A1 that exceeds the current daily consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria by the Dangote Refinery.”

Joined as defendants in the case are NMDPRA, NNPCL, Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited (1st to 7th defendants).

Dangote Refinery’s Claims in Court

In its originating summons dated September 6, 2024, and exclusively seen by Nairametrics, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, asked the court to declare that NMDPRA is allegedly in violation of Sections 317( and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.

He stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

He also urged the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for not encouraging local refineries such as Dangote Refinery.

In an affidavit deposed by Ahmed Hashem, the Group General Manager of Government and Strategic Relations at Dangote Refinery, he submitted that the import licenses granted to other companies by NMDPRA for the importation of AGO and Jet-A1 are crippling the plaintiff’s business, to which it has committed substantial financial resources in billions of US dollars.

He noted that the plaintiff’s products are largely left unpatronized due to the alleged actions of NMDPRA.

He stated that NMDPRA has threatened to impose and demand a 0.5% levy on the plaintiff on wholesales and off-takers, as well as another 0.5% levy on wholesales to the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) via a letter dated June 10, 2024, contrary to statutory provisions that limit the implementation of levies on transactions within Free Zones.

He emphasized that the foundational purpose of establishing Free Zones is to foster competition, attract foreign investment, and create tax havens.

He further stated that there is an alleged grand conspiracy and concerted effort by International Oil Companies and interests, in conjunction with the defendants, who are unhappy that Nigeria has an indigenous refinery ready to solve the lingering energy crisis and save the economy.

“The intervention of the Honourable Court has become necessary in order to stem the incessant violation of statutory provisions by the 1st Defendant in favor of other entities such as the 2nd to 7th defendants,” the plaintiff stated.

The refinery’s legal team stated that the plaintiff is greatly distressed, and its investments risk being jeopardized unless the Honourable Court intervenes.

He sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from further issuing and/or renewing import licenses to the 2nd to 7th defendants or other companies for the purpose of importing petroleum products.

In addition to a restraining order against the import licenses of the affected companies, the plaintiff sought “General damages in the sum of N100,000,000,000 against the 1st Defendant (NMDPRA) and an order of court directing the 1st Defendant to seal off all tank farms, storage facilities, warehouses, and stations used by the defendants for the storage of all refined petroleum products imported into Nigeria.”

Other reliefs partly sought by the plaintiff are as follows:

A declaration that by the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act (NEPZA), Sections 23(h) and 55(1) of the Companies Income Tax Act (CIT Act), Paragraph 6 of the Second Schedule to the CIT Act, Regulation 54(2)(a)(i) of the Dangote Industries Free Zone Regulation 2020, and the Finance Act, the plaintiff, being an entity duly registered as a Free-Zone Enterprise, is exempted from all federal, state, and local government taxes, levies, and other rates.

A declaration that it is against the NEPZA Act, CIT Act, Finance Act, and Dangote Industries Free Zone Regulation 2020, as well as legislative intent, for the 1st Defendant to impose or threaten to impose on the plaintiff an additional financial obligation of a 0.5% levy meant for off-takers of petroleum products directly and an additional 0.5% wholesale levy in favor of the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).

An order of mandatory injunction directing the 1st Defendant to withdraw immediately all import licenses issued to the 2nd-7th defendants and other companies other than the plaintiff and other local refineries for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products into Nigeria.

An order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from imposing and demanding a 0.5% levy meant for off-takers of petroleum products directly and an additional 0.5% wholesale levy in favor of MDGIF or any other levy or sum against the plaintiff.

What Transpired in Court

At the resumed sitting before Justice Inyang Ekwo, George Ibrahim SAN, counsel for the plaintiff, informed the judge that there is a development in the case as the parties are trying to settle.

“My lord, there is a development in this matter, which the lead counsel, James Onoja SAN, has asked me to bring to the court’s attention. At the time we were trying to serve the originating summons on the defendants, they started discussing,” he said.

He requested an adjournment to allow the parties the opportunity to reach a settlement.

He suggested the court should adjourn for either a possible report of settlement or a report of service.

“Case adjourned to January 20, 2025, for report,” Ekwo responded.

What You Should Know

Recall that Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, had announced his willingness to sell his multibillion-dollar oil refinery to the state-owned energy company, NNPC Limited.

This decision came amid escalating disputes with regulatory authorities and equity partners, prompting reflection on his investment choices in Nigeria.

Dangote was also seen alleging the importation of substandard petroleum products into Nigeria by others.

Nairametrics previously reported that the federal government later granted marketers the license to buy petroleum products directly from Dangote refinery following NNPC’s decision to quit as the middleman between the two parties.

I am privileged to join other Nigerians of goodwill to celebrate a highly respected leader and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary.

In a time of hate, you stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division, you stood for unity.

Your life of service to our great nation, Nigeria, stand as one of sacrifice, leadership, and unity.

Your steadfast commitment to preserving the peace and sovereignty of Nigeria during a challenging period in our history will forever be remembered and revered.

Your exemplary leadership and statesmanship remain an inspiration to younger and many generations of Nigerians.

As we celebrate this milestone, I pray that God continues to grant you good health, wisdom, and the grace of true fruitfulness.

May your legacy continue to guide us as we strive to build a more united, prosperous, and just Nigeria.

Happy 90th birthday, Sir. -PO

The Transmission Company Of Nigeria hereby states that the national grid experienced a temporary disturbance at about 8:15am, today, 19th Oct. 2024.

According to the report from the NCC, the bus section of a current transformer exploded at 330kV Jebba Transmission Substation and as expected, the protection system was activated, and this promptly opened the busbars to curtail the explosion, thereby preventing outbreak of fire and further damage to adjacent equipment.

The action of the protection system led to a temporary disturbance on the grid.

Our engineers at Jebba have successfully carried out switchings, isolating the faulty current transformer. They have equally reconfigured the busbar arrangement, restoring power supply to the station, and other parts of the grid.

Ndidi Mbah
GM, Public Affairs
19/10/24

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ucheagu:
Nice editing, keep up

Notice: Please be informed that our branches nationwide will close to customers early on Friday, 11th
October, 2024.

⚠️ Our digital services will be unavailable from 10 PM, Sun, 13th Oct to 9 AM, Mon, 14th Oct due to a scheduled transition.

During this period, we encourage you to take advantage of our secure and convenient digital channels for your banking needs.

Update On Transition To A New And Robust Core Banking Application System

Dear Customer,

Following our recent notification on the transition to a new and robust suite of Finacle Core Banking Application Systems, we would like to update you that this transition has taken a little longer than planned.

As a result, all Banking Channels, including our Branches, originally scheduled to reopen at 9:00 a.m will now open at 12.00 noon today.

We understand that you rely on our services to carry out important financial transactions, and we apologize for every inconvenience this disruption to our banking services might cause you. We ask for your continued support as we complete this transition.

GT Bank, please!!!!!!! I've finished eating already, please. I cannot face this embarrassment. This waiter has come here thrice and I said I'm not done. This is fuckinggg insane. I can't transfer nor withdraw. Why are Nigeria banks this irresponsible and unfortunate? @gtbank

@gtbank @gtbank_help What is actually going on? you’ve left people stranded, businesses have to be conducted, current time 12:20pm and your Anthony branch is yet to open to solve all these people’s complaints 💔 Please fix your servers or whatever the issue is🙏🏽

SYSTEM RESTORED

Dear Valued Customer,

We are pleased to inform you that access to our digital channels has been restored and you can perform transactions conveniently via your preferred platform.

We appreciate the patience you showed during the IT Infrastructure upgrade and apologize for all the inconveniences you had to bear.

Please be assured that we are committed to providing you with exceptional service and the new IT Infrastructure we have deployed will enable us do that going forward.

Thankyou for choosing to bank with us.

No Bra Day is an annual observance on October 13 on which women are encouraged to go braless as a means to encourage breast cancer awareness.

No Bra Day was initially observed on July 9, 2011, but within three years it had moved to the 13th day of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October. Users on social media are encouraged to post using the hashtag #nobraday to promote awareness of breast cancer symptoms and to encourage gender equality.

Some users on social media sites also encourage women to post pictures of themselves not wearing a bra. Some women embrace No Bra Day as a political statement while others prefer the comfort of discarding what they view as a restrictive, uncomfortable garment.

#NoBraDay is not an opportunity to see breast. It is an international observance on Oct 13th to remember the victims, celebrate the survivors and create awareness about breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women

It is the leading cause of cancer death among women. It was previously known to be commoner in women greater than 35 but recently, Breast Cancer is becoming increasingly common in younger women.

Risk Factors
Age
Family History of breast cancer
Smoking and Alcohol intake
Obesity

Dietary Factors/Excessive Processes foods
Early Menarche
Low parity
Failure to breastfeed
etc

What are the Signs/Symptoms?

Painless lump
Change in breast size/shape
Nipple retraction/inversion/discharge
Breast Skin Changes/Ulcers
Lump in the axilla
Etc

What can you do as a woman?
Self Breast examination is a very useful method for early discovery of lumps which could be cancerous. A self breast examination should be done every month on the 3rd-5th day after the first day of menstruation.

This is because the breast is less tender and lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle. If you pick any lump during this examination, kindly proceed to see a Doctor for further evaluation which may include Ultrasound Scan, Mammography or Histology.

When picked early enough, breast cancer may be curable by Chemotherapy alone or Chemotherapy+Surgical Intervention but late presentation inevitably leads to death. Early diagnosis is key. Tell your sisters, wives, mothers, nieces and daughters.

iwaeda:
Mods pls who is deleting my comments. We should not say the TRUTH again. T-Pain is causing inira, irora plus maximum pains. Nlfpmod people are hungry

PUBLIC NOTICE

The entire procedure for visa clearance issued by the NDLEA as required by some countries is currently undergoing review and the requirement for a married woman to present a letter of approval from her husband to travel is one of the items that the Agency has since jettisoned as a non-mandatory item on the list.

The inclusion of that item abinitio arose following some ugly developments in some source countries. Members of the public are assured that the item has been deleted from the list of requirements in the ongoing review exercise, which will be made public in the coming days.

Femi Babafemi Director,
Media and Advocacy
NDLEA National Headquarters, Abuja Thursday 10th October 2024.