₦airaland Forum

President Bola Tinubu says he remains committed to ensuring that peace thrives in Nigeria and the world.

Tinubu spoke during a visit to the Nigerian troops under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stabilisation force in Guinea-Bissau, according to a statement released on Saturday by Dele Alake, the president’s special adviser on communications and strategy.

According to the statement, Tinubu thanked the soldiers for their dedication and service to Nigeria and their host country.

He added that Nigeria would continue to support democracy in the West Africa sub-region and around the world.

“Nigeria is a giant that has made its mark in Sierra Leone and Liberia and other places. We count on your support for the defence of constitutional order. I heard your allowances have been paid up to date. Nothing else should make you angry. We will continue to build a virile force,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.

“We are proud of you. Proud of your loyalty. Nigeria depends on you. There will be peace and progress in our country.

“I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to supporting peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world.”

Al-Hassan Grema, commander of the troops, thanked Tinubu for his commitment and noted that he was the first president in Nigeria’s history to visit the soldiers outside the shore of the country.

TheCable reported that Tinubu was set to travel to Bissau, the capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, for the 63rd ordinary session of the authority of heads of state and government of the ECOWAS.

The summit which will open on Sunday will be Tinubu’s first international engagement within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29.

The 16 regional leaders are expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues including a report of the 50th ordinary session of the mediation and security council (MSC) covering security challenges faced by the member countries.

Other issues to be addressed include a report of the 90th ordinary session of the ECOWAS council of ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The report on the status of transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, memoranda on the ECOWAS single currency programme and the report on obstacles to the free movement of goods on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor will also be considered.

The acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police, Bankole Sikiru as the Head of the Interpol National Crime Bureau, Force Criminal Investigations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The posting follows his recent promotion to Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

The posting according to a statement by the Force spokesperson, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, is immediate.

According to the statement, “The IG has ordered the posting of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Bankole Sikiru to Head the Interpol National Crime Bureau, Force Criminal Investigations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“The Inspector-General of Police while reiterating his zeal to integrate and embrace multi-agency diplomacy in achieving his vision for the Nigeria Police Force, urged the Senior Police Officer to prioritize collaboration and cooperation with international law enforcement agencies and partners in combating transnational crime, while staying updated on emerging global security threats and trends, and adapting strategies accordingly.”

Adejobi added that the IG tasked Sikiru to ensure regular updates on Interpol activities, challenges, and achievements, so as to enable the Nigeria Police to provide necessary support and guidance.

Adejobi said Sikiru had served in various operational, investigative, and administrative capacities within the Force. This includes as DCP Interpol and CP Interpol, FCID Abuja, and CP Ogun State.

President Bola Tinubu will, on Saturday, July 8, depart Abuja for Guinea-Bissau to attend the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, in Bissau, the country’s capital.

The President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, revealed this in a statement he signed on Friday evening, titled ‘President Tinubu to attend ECOWAS summit in Guinea-Bissau.’

At the summit on Sunday, July 9, participants are expected to address memoranda on five pressing sub-regional issues.

They include “Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council covering security challenges faced by the member countries; Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea,” Alake revealed.

Other items slated for discussion include; the Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to the Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

Guinea-Bissau is the first African State the President is visiting since assuming office on May 29, 2023.

So far, he has visited Paris, France, where he participated in the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron from June 22-23.

From June 24 – 27, President Tinubu was in London for a private visit, where he reportedly met his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. So far, he has spent eight days on foreign engagements.

Some members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and other top government officials will accompany him.

The Nigerian leader is expected back in the country at the end of the meeting.

Anchor University, located in Ayobo, Lagos, has awarded a full scholarship to Miss Nkechinyere Kamsiyo Chukwu Umeh, who achieved the highest score of 360 out of 400 in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) nationwide.

The university, recognizing Nkechinyere as its Young Ambassador for the 2022/2023 academic session, announced that she will be able to pursue any course of her choice in the institution free of charge, along with other benefits associated with the full scholarship.

The announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor of Anchor University, Prof Oye Bandele, during a press conference held in Lagos on Thursday.


Furthermore, the vice-chancellor revealed that the university has granted tuition-free scholarships to the top 10 students in the same UTME from any Deeper Life High School across the country.

In addition, a significant percentage reduction in tuition fees will be offered to the next 50 students from Deeper Life High Schools who scored 250 and above in the UTME and gained admission into the university for the 2023/2024 session.

Prof Oye Bandele, a Professor of Educational Evaluation and Computer Education, explained that the purpose of rewarding NkeChinyere and others is to celebrate excellence and encourage healthy competition, hard work, and commitment among the students.

He commended the National Head of Deeper Life High School and the Education Secretary of the church’s group of schools, Mrs T. O. Malaka, for consistently producing well-rounded students and graduates.

The vice-chancellor also announced that Anchor University’s admission screening for the 2023/2024 academic session has commenced, assuring that the university will continue to recognize and promote excellence among its students and staff members.


He extended his appreciation to Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, for his efforts in elevating the organization and standing for truth.

He urged Nigerians to provide him with the necessary support and cooperation to further enhance university education and the economy as a whole.

The Chairman of the National Population Census, Nasir Kwarra, Thursday in Abuja, requested the release of the allocated N31 billion capital allocation, in the 2023 budget, for preparatory activities ahead of the exercise.

Kwarra also requested President Bola Tinubu’s approval for an additional N225.2 billion to cover training and fieldwork allowances, retraining of trainers, and the conduct of a second-class Trial Census. He also pegged the total cost of the exercise at N546.72 billion.

He was at the State House to brief the President on the Implementation Status of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, where he requested the issuance of a proclamation for a new Census date later in 2022 or early 2024.

The President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, revealed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled ‘Population Census: President Tinubu pledges support for NPC, calls for data integrity.’

The NPC Chairman noted that the Commission had trained 60,000 instructors who would further train enumerators and supervisors.

He said plans were being concluded for final training but were disrupted due to the transition programme for a new government and funding challenges.

This necessitated the postponement of the exercise by the immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari, he explained.

Kwarra also highlighted the funding challenges faced by the Commission, saying they were waiting on the President to support NPC and approve the conduct of the census.

He said the agency had demarcated the entire country, stating that only one or two places were left and that this would be done soon.

In a paper titled “Implementation Status of the 2023 Population and Housing Census,” the NPC requested the release of the allocated N31bn capital allocation, in the 2023 budget, for preparatory activities.

The Commission put the total cost of the Census, after a methodology review, at N546.72 billion.

Kwarra also requested the President’s approval for an additional N225.2 billion to cover training and fieldwork allowances, retraining of trainers, and the conduct of a second-class Trial Census.

President Tinubu was also asked to approve and convene a stakeholders’ meeting with the organised private sector and foreign partners to galvanise funds for the Census.

On the preparations made so far, the NPC Boss informed the President that Nigeria had developed a helpful database for national planning, infrastructure development and revenue generation for the government.

“NPC, having completed Mapping in March 2022, tested the market with the geospatial data by making it available to researchers at a ‘test price’ where it generated over N5 million through REMITA.

“To this end, with fully integrated spatial and statistical data, government geospatial policy and coordination, NPC can generate up to $14 billion and further save a lot of resources for the nation through automation of economic planning by 2028,” Kwarra said.

An Ogun House of Assembly member, representing Abeokuta South Constituency II, Igbalaye Ayodele has announced sponsoring of no fewer than 100 students from his constituency on scholarship to a university in the Republic of Benin.

Ayodele said the scholarship for his constituents to study at ESTG University in the Republic of Benin was part of his efforts to further promote education among the youths in the state.

The Media Adviser to the lawmaker, Adeyemi Obadimu in a statement on Tuesday, said the beneficiaries of the scholarship were selected after passing the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The lawmaker noted that his vision and mission are to foster unity among communities and improve the quality of education by championing academic brilliance.

He added, “As we all know, no better gift could be given to our children than a quality education. Education is a powerful driver of development and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty, gender equality, peace, and stability.

“You will recall that the scholarship scheme started six years ago with 50 students, but increased to 100 students this year, selecting the beneficiaries from all the public secondary schools in Abeokuta South.

“Over 300 students have benefited from the scheme. This is even, as I intend to increase the number of beneficiaries in the coming years Especially among secondary school students who want to gain admission into the university.”

One of the students, Adeola Oguniyi, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, prayed for more achievement and success for Ayodele.

Timehin Adelegbe, a member of the house of representatives, says Bola Adelegbe, his younger brother, who was abducted by suspected bandits is yet to be released despite the payment of a “substantial” ransom.

Adelegbe, who represents Owo/Ose federal constituency of Ondo, spoke on the floor of the green chamber on Tuesday while moving a motion on the need to address the “incessant killing and kidnapping” by suspected bandits in Ose LGA of the state.

The lawmaker said the victim, a former chairman of Ose LGA, was kidnapped on April 23.

THE MOTION

While leading the debate on the motion, Adelegbe, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said there have been “persistent” killings and kidnapping of citizens of Ijagba, Imoru, Molete, Arimogija, Ute and Okeluse communities in the LGA by bandits.

According to the lawmaker, bandits have held the communities in “perpetual siege and bondage” leading to wanton loss of lives, properties and farmlands.

He said 50 people have been killed with “several kidnapped and unaccounted for” in the last two years, including the recent abduction of one Isaac Ohimeren and his son Solomon.

He added that Ohimeren was murdered while his son was released after the payment of N400,000 ransom.

“In the same LGA, one of the foremost traditional rulers of the state, the late Oba Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon, was shot dead while returning from a function in the state capital on 26 November 2020,” he said.

The lawmaker said bandits are “operating unhindered in the forest reserve spanning about 10km behind Okeluse where they have converted to their permanent base”.

Following the adoption of the motion, the house asked the federal government to set up a “well-equipped and properly motivated joint security task force to curb the Okeluse forest reserve” to apprehend the culprits and end the killings.

The house further asked Olukayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to “urgently” dispatch enough personnel to the troubled communities to keep the attackers at bay and also take over the investigation on the whereabouts of the lawmakers’ younger brother

Mmesoma Ejikeme, the Anambra student who was accused of manually inflating her 2023 UTME result by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Wednesday confirmed that she received an automated text message from JAMB indicating that her score was 249.

Mmesoma made this known during an interview with Sunrise Daily on Channels Television which was monitored by The PUNCH.

JAMB’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, had earlier revealed that the candidate sent a series of messages to the board’s automated telecoms system, including the results showing an aggregate of 362.

Responding, Mmesoma said the only SMS she sent to JAMB was through its support system: “That’s the only SMS I sent there.”


Asked if she got any feedback, she said, “They didn’t reply. If they check their JAMB Support System, they would see that I sent a text message. They didn’t reply.”

On the claim that she used an Airtel line, Mmesoma replied: “Yes,” but she added it was “not through USSD code”.

“The one I checked through the USSD code is the one of 360 that I saw,” she explained further.

Responding to the claim that the feedback from JAMB showed her score as 249, she agreed.

“Yes,” she said. “After all was said and done, I now saw that I got 249. I sent them a text message there to know what really happened — the JAMB Support System. If they go to their system, they will see it there.”

The PUNCH reports that the embattled 19-year-old Anambra student has been in the news following allegations of UTME score forgery.

The Anambra State government has faulted the position of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in the way it has handled the development concerning the University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination result presented by Mmesoma Ejikeme.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, on Wednesday, said investigation was still ongoing on what transpired about the result when JAMB made a press release condemning the result as being fake.

Nwosu added that following the development, an eight-member committee of enquiry has been set up to thoroughly investigate the JAMB/Mmesoma matter and the findings of the Committee will be made public.

According to him, the committee members include, Prof. Nkemdili Nnonyelu as Chairman, other members are Prof. Mercy Okonkwo, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Prof. Maduabuchi Dukor, Prof. Jaja Nwanegbo, Rev. Sr. Prof. Mary-Felicia Opara, Rev. Cannon Dr. Uchenna Umeifekwem, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Managing Director, Anambra Information Communication Technology Agency.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Government has, for obvious reasons, been following the JAMB/Mmesoma Ejike matter with keen interest.

“It is important to note that Miss Mmesoma Ejike went to the office of the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh with her UTME result to protest that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board didn’t recognise her as the candidate with the highest score.

“The Commissioner in turn called JAMB to confirm her claim, but she was told that Mmesoma’s result was forged.

Nigerian wonderkid, Achunike Okafor has been honoured by Science Park High School at Newark in New Jersey, US, for his extraordinary performance.

Okafor received an International Baccalaureate diploma with a record-shattering 4.625 grade-point average from the school.

According to TapIntoNewark, an online newspaper, his GPA is the highest among Newark’s 2,649 graduates in the Class of 2023, and highest ever for the city public school district.

It earned him more than 40 scholarship offers, many from the nation’s top universities: Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Princeton, Penn State, Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, and Rutgers.

“I am grateful for the opportunities to attend such esteemed universities and to represent my family and community.

“I do not take lightly the privilege and responsibility to be among the few individuals selected for such honors,” Okafor said.

The 18-year-old plans to attend Harvard University to pursue a neuroscience degree.

“There’s absolutely nothing average him,” Science Park principal Darlene Gearhart said.


“Achunike is an extraordinary (person). He’s humble, driven, and industrious. He has always been a great kid. He is always eager to learn,” Gearhart said.

Superintendent of Schools Roger León acknowledged Achunike’s exceptional performance as a source of pride for Science Park High, the school district, and the Newark community.

“We are extremely proud of Achunike Okafor.




“His achievements are a testament to his perseverance, resilience, and dedication to excellence. We wish him continued success at Harvard, and look forward to more accomplishments from him in the future,” León said.

Achunike’s father Godfrey Okafor said his son’s achievements are also a source of family pride.

“We place a high premium on education in our home. Education, and continuing to learn in life, allows young people to provide for themselves and their families, and build their future,” Okafor, a high school math teacher, said.

Godfrey Okafor says his five other children, including two older sons and three daughters, are currently studying computer engineer and pharmacology, or enrolled at nursing school and law school.

Outside the classroom, Achunike was co-founder of his school’s Science Club; vice president of its Junior Student Council and its Stand & Deliver Club.


Also, a president of its Future Educators Club and Black Student Union; co-captain of its robotics team, and treasurer of its Environmental Club.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Tuesday said that Nigerians will be shocked if the board decides to reveal the details of the “forgery” perpetrated by Mmesoma Ejikeme, the candidate from Anambra State whom the board accused of manually inflating her UTME score.

Oloyede noted that the result paraded by Ejikeme was the template for a student who sat UTME two years ago.

In an interview with Premium Times, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin said, “If you scan the code, the candidate’s result will show. So I can say emphatically that the girl is parading a fake result. It is either she is being duped, or she is part of a syndicate manufacturing purported JAMB results.

“There are security features on our results, so I can emphasise that the girl is just trying to deceive the public. Her result is completely fake. Her claim that she printed the result from our site is a lie, and totally incorrect. If we should reveal all that we know, people will be shocked. So if people are looking for shortcuts to achieve an end, that is what would happen.”

JAMB said the matter has nothing to do with its system, saying nobody hacked into its system and that the result did not emanate from its system.

“The result she is holding is completely fake because we are able to track everything printed from our system”, it said.

Mmesoma was accused of forging her 2021 UTME result by the board on Sunday evening. She has since denied the allegations levied against her by the examination body, JAMB.

But JAMB insisted that she forged the result and placed a three-year ban on her.

The first Federal Capital Territory minister, Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, is reportedly dead.

The business titan aged 96 died on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

His death was confirmed by a member of the family, Oluremi Ajose-Adeogun, in a statement she wrote on behalf of the family which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday.

It read, “The family of Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun has announced the passing away to the eternal glory of their patriarch, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, FCIS, CON, JP.

“He was appointed as the Minister by the General Muritala Mohammed military government and was responsible for the Master Plan of Abuja during his time as the FCT minister.

“Before he was appointed as the FCT minister, Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun had served meritoriously as a two-term Federal Commissioner for Cooperatives and Supply in August 1975.

“He was later appointed as the Federal Commissioner for Special Duties, Federal Capital Development Authority,” the statement added.

Until his death, Ajose-Adeogun was the chief of Ita-Aladan, Obun Eko, Isale Eko, Lagos and he had a distinguished career at Shell Petroleum Development Company and also in Manufacturing and Real Estate.

Six persons have reportedly died in the course of the Hajj rites in Mina and Arafat, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

NAHCON’s Head of Medical Mission, Dr. Usman Galadima, made this known during a Stakeholders’ meeting in Makkah, on Sunday.

The deaths of the six pilgrims bring the total number of deaths at the 2023 Hajj exercise to 13.

In its report, the NAHCON medical team said Kaduna and Osun States lost two pilgrims each; Plateau, Borno, Yobe, FCT, Benue, and Lagos states lost one pilgrim respectively, while tour operators lost three pilgrims.



In his presentation, Galadima explained that a total of seven pilgrims died before Misha’ir – movement from Mina to Arafat, and back to Mina – while another six died during the Misha’ir.

He said: “Some of the challenges faced in Mina included increased pressure on the ambulance services, increased congestion in Mina, and poor sanitization”.

Galadima also disclosed that two Nigerians had been put to bed during the 5-days Hajj rites, while 93 emergency cases were being attended to, including three cases of Chickenpox.

The team also reportedly recorded five psychiatric cases, seven heat strokes, 12 severe malaria cases, and seven cases of diabetes emergencies.

Meanwhile, NAHCON’s Head of Aviation, Goni Sanda disclosed that the inaugural return flight to Nigeria had been scheduled for the 4th of July and would run till the 3rd of August, adding that both officials and pilgrims would be treated on a “first come, first to depart system”

He however stated that most officials may spend “nothing more than 45 days in Saudi Arabia to ensure smooth return of Nigerians home.”

INTERVIEW: Sex sells -- there’s a demand for it in Nollywood, says Ireti Doyle
Ireti Doyle is a Nollywood actress, producer, and writer. The 56-year-old Ondo-born entertainer recently made her debut as an executive producer in ‘The Hidden’, an African Magic original series. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle’s DEBORAH BODUNDE, Doyle speaks on the inspiration behind the series and her transition into a producer after nearly three decades of being in front of the camera. The actress also speaks about the evolution of the Nigerian film industry, the sexualisation of women in showbiz, and some of the biggest misconceptions people have about performers.


Tell us about ‘The Hidden’ and what inspired the storyline/plot of the series.

Ireti Doyle: To be honest, it was a synopsis I had written many years ago. It is one of many that I have in my drafts. The difference between the first synopsis and this one is that the first story was centered around teenagers and young adults. Same premise, but I had grown now and I was no longer in my 20s or 30s. This is no longer a teenager and young people’s story, this is grown folk. So that is how it evolved to being grown women living in a house and having their problems dealt with.

The inspiration was creating a central character that represented hope, represented a safe space, and second chances. It wasn’t too much of a challenge and in this instance, it was even easier because I created the character. The original story is mine but look out for everybody. Every character has a story, there is no filler character. Everybody has a story and it is all tied together. Our casting is brilliant. Each person sits comfortably and convincingly in the character that they are portraying.


How were you able to get into such an emotionally charged role?

Ireti Doyle: It has been nearly three decades in the industry and there have been several lead roles, some of them even bigger than this. Was it tedious getting into a high emotional state? After 28 years of acting, no. Getting into a high emotional state is just the name of the game that I play. I am an actor so that is what is expected of me. I did not particularly find it tedious playing Flo Ade. She is not the most complex of characters that I have played, if anything I wanted the audience to see through the eyes of the other characters. In season one, Flo Ade is essentially sorting out other people’s problems, she is a caretaker. It is abundantly clear that she has demons of her own but we did not get to delve into her problems too deeply in season one.


While embodying this character, were there any lessons learned?

Ireti Doyle: The lessons had been learnt. The Hidden is a composite of different people’s experiences. Some of them were mine, some of them belonged to other people and anybody who knows me well will recognise my story somewhere in the mix. I have lived quite a bit of life so the lessons had already been learnt. It was just more like sharing experiences and alternate ways of dealing with situations.

You mentioned that you have gone through life and this is part of what inspired the storyline. Would you say there are some similarities between you and the character you played?

Ireti Doyle: Yes there are several similarities. My life is an open book to those that are called me. It is not everybody that you are called to or that is called to you. It is not everybody that will come into contact with you and you will have a word in season for them or they will have a word in season for you. But I have had so many encounters with women and young girls who just feel drawn to me. We will get talking and we will get into deep waters and somehow we will leave each other feeling good about the situation. If not sorted, then at least enough to take the next step.

So I believe strongly that my life is shaped in a manner so that people can learn. Other people can draw lessons. Other people will look and say okay, if she can do it, I can too. And I believe that you do not need a big stage or a big pulpit to get that done. Just living your life and walking in your purpose will accomplish that. There are people that you don’t even know are watching and you will inspire them and give them hope. So I like to use my life lessons to teach, to inspire and to give hope to those who are called unto me.

What inspired your transition from being in front of the camera to being behind?

Ireti Doyle: I wanted more. Being an actor gives you huge opportunities, I won’t deny that being an actor has opened tremendous doors and taken me to rooms that I never thought I would have access to. But the real power is behind the scenes, when you produce and when you write. You have more control, you are in charge, you can influence the story and the process. For a long time now, I have been asking myself what is next? And I always tell actors, anytime I get an opportunity to speak to them that you will not always be the flavor of the month, your phone will not always ring. So if you are smart, you are going to look for ways to evolve yourself and move into different things. Fortunately for me, I can write, I can produce, and I have the experience.

So it was always only a matter of time and opportunity. What this has essentially done is that it heralds the next phase of my career. I am looking to do this again and again and again. And it affords me the opportunity to continue to do what I love to do but now more and more on my own terms.

This is my debut as an executive producer and that is what is new. So how is that journey? Way more than what I was expecting. When I talk with my friends and they ask me how it is going, I like to joke and say all I wanted to do was shoot. But when you transition from being in front of the camera to behind, that is when you realise that there is a whole lot that goes into film production. Full responsibility is on your shoulders, you have to make hard decisions, you have to manage money, you have to manage people, and still get the job done within budget and on time. So it was a huge learning curve but I managed to get it done without dropping too many balls.

How challenging is your transition to being an executive producer?

Ireti Doyle: That stretched me. As an actor, all you see is what is on the ground the day that you arrive on set. All you see is your script. There will be cameras, there will be extras, and there will be wardrobe and makeup. You just do your bit and you leave. It is when you go behind the camera that you now realise that the journey from script to screen is wide. I went for the top job as an executive producer, which means I had to have oversight of every single department. Also, compound that with the fact that the story is mine and so everything that was required to birth the story was in my head. So you have all these people, upwards of sixty highly talented and professional individuals all looking to you for answers and direction. It could be a bit daunting but I was prepared for this, the timing was perfect and I was ready.

My production team is some of the most delightful and professional people I have had the pleasure of working with. They understood the brief and delivered without having to be chased and without having to be overly supervised. Once it was clear what it was we were doing, everybody ran with it. Not only did they run with it, they kind of took the project personally. Everybody applied their special touch, they gave their A-game. I really salute my producer. She was awesome and literally made this first attempt really easy for me and enjoyable.

What are some takeaways you would like the viewers of The Hidden to enjoy from the show? And should we expect more productions?

Ireti Doyle: I really do not like to prescribe what people should take away from a piece of art because art is subjective. My intention when I was creating the show was some sort of challenge. If I walk into a random room and there are twenty people there, chances are that ten of them will call me Madam Sheila – my TV character name on Tinsel. That is a measure of the success of the show, the characters, and the degree to which the audience has connected. So there was just this quiet challenge to create a character that will take on such a huge persona and connect so tightly with the audience. That was my artistic ego and that is left to be seen.

I wanted to create a safe space, I wanted to create a strong female character whose strength was of a different kind. It is my opinion that the world has become such a hard place, so I wanted to create a character that portrays the strength of a different kind. Someone whose life has bashed a bit but as opposed to becoming bitter, becomes better. She takes her lemons and turns them into lemonade and uses that to nourish and nurture other people. I wanted to create a story that left the audience engaged and disturbed during the storytelling but at the end of the day, leaves one with a sense of hope.

It does not matter how bad it is or where you are coming from, life will always give you a second chance and you just need to reach for it. I think that’s the central theme of the entire series. Second chances.

Overall, I would like it to be entertaining. TV is supposed to entertain you. I would like for the audience to be invested in the characters. One of the things that we succeeded in doing was creating a vehicle for relatively unknown actors to shine, and this crop of actors shined so brilliantly. I am hoping they connect with the show and the stories and with the characters that we have created. Yes, please expect more productions.

How do you think the Nigerian film industry has evolved since you first started acting?

Ireti Doyle: We have evolved in leaps and bounds. I am so proud of our journey thus far. I am so proud of how far we have come, what has been accomplished, and the kind of collaborations that we are now involved in. I am so proud of all front liners, especially the women doing great things. It is a wonderful time to be involved.

Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. There will always be but there is no denying that we have come a long way and there is so much to be proud of. If we weren’t on the right track, we wouldn’t have the big streamers here. Everybody is here, this is a huge market. Our production values have grown exponentially and I am looking forward to the time when the artistic end of things like storytelling and the scripts will get even better. But we have evolved tremendously and the only people who cannot see it or hear it are the blind and deaf.

What has been your most challenging role as an actress and how have you been able to stay motivated through the years?

Ireti Doyle

Ireti Doyle: My most challenging role would have to be in the movie ‘1929’. That was based on the real events of the Aba women’s war. I played the women’s leader and I had to speak Efik but that wasn’t my greatest challenge. She was a warrior that led women to war. She was fiery, she was gusty, and physically it was a rugged shoot. The greatest challenge was that it was based on real historical events. You can’t mess that up. It is not a work of fiction so you can’t do it however you feel like. There are facts. There are historical facts that cannot be breached and I think that was my most challenging role. And if you look at it, the transformation was complete. Even when I saw the pictures I was shocked. There was absolutely no makeup so whatever transformations you saw on the outside were brought about by the emotions that were going on on the inside. It was hard work.

My passion for what I do has kept me motivated. You have to love what you do. I don’t care what it is that you do. If you don’t love it, I don’t see you sustaining it for almost three decades. So I don’t take it for granted and I feel truly blessed to have a job that I thoroughly enjoy and that I would do for free. For example, if I was in corporate Nigeria, I would look for opportunities to act even if I was not going to get paid and that would probably be my hobby. So first and foremost, passion. Also, the understanding and conviction that I am doing exactly what I was designed to do.

It does not matter how hard it is, it is not always rosy, you are not always in the executive producer (EP) role, and you are not always going to get the caravan. Sometimes you are going to get a bench under a tree, sometimes people will annoy you, and you will feel disrespected. But it does not matter how annoying any particular set gets, the thought of quitting has never crossed my mind. It has never crossed my mind that I am leaving Nollywood or I am going to stop acting. No, if anything I am wading into the waters even deeper.

What do you think sets Nollywood apart from other film industries all over the world?

Ireti Doyle: I think because we are not afraid to navigate the industry and when I say the industry, I am talking about the global industry as one combined. When we are navigating, we navigate as Nigerians. We are not ashamed of our ‘Nigerianess’. It shows in our stories, it shows in the way we tell the stories, the way we present the stories, and the way we build these stories to the world. We carry that Naija spirit, the best of the Naija spirit, with pride. I think that is what gives us a unique flavor. Is all of that good all the time? Maybe not. But there is no denying that it sets us apart. When the Nigerians arrive, you will know. So I think the fact that we carry that identity with us around with pride is one of the things that sets us apart.

What is your take on the sexualisation and objectification of women and children in showbiz?

Ireti Doyle: Sexualisation of children is a no. It is something that should not be allowed and there should be strict laws guiding that. I was online and there was a story that caught my eye about the arrest of an individual who had sexualised a minor. So I am glad to see that the authorities are doing what they are doing.

Now when you talk about sexualising women, that can be offensive because I am a woman. I ask myself these questions but then again sex sells and that is not because I condone it. Sex sells. It does and there is a market for it. There is a demand for it and for as long as there is a demand and a market for it, somebody is going to supply it.

How do we deal with that? First of all, deal with the people who are demanding it because if there is no demand there will be no supply. And it is not just show business, the world is wired in a particular way. I ask myself these questions all the time, you’re selling a car but why does there have to be a half-naked woman, half-clad woman lounging on the car? Why can’t you just sell the car on the basis of its merits? I don’t know why but that is what I think. There is a demand for sex and it sells. Let us not be hypocritical. Let us call it what it is. There is a huge demand for it and for as long as there is a demand, people will supply.

What are some misconceptions people have about the acting profession?

Ireti Doyle: I think one misconception is that actors and actresses are morally loose people. That is a big misconception and it is wrong. It is like saying all nurses cheat on their partners, it is wrong. It is a generalisation that has no basis in true facts. The second one which is kind of ironic, considering the fact that I am no longer married, is that performers cannot keep a home. That is also not true. Examples abound of performers who have been happily married for decades. Life happens. The same way it will happen to a banker or to a nurse or a doctor or a lawyer is the same way it would happen to a performer or someone in showbiz.

The difference is that we do not have the luxury of anonymity. Our lives are lived on the public stage so everything that we do becomes for public consumption. I think those are the two big misconceptions. There is a third one that irritates me and that is that actors are stupid. You can’t have an opinion on politics or governance or something. Then they tell you this is not acting. How condescending is that?

Actors are one of the most intelligent people you can ever find on the face of the earth. Why? They are widely read and knowledgeable people and that is why they can portray different characters convincingly. They have more than a working knowledge of most subjects.

What would you say has brought you this far in your career?

Ireti Doyle: I am always prepared. I never take it for granted because I have been doing this for x number of years and it has become second nature. I never say that I’ve seen this character before and say I don’t need to apply too much effort. No. I try not to take my talent for granted and I try to be prepared. Preparation is key. Attitude is also important and I don’t always get that right, I’m human. Sometimes I make mistakes, sometimes I offend people. But in this business and indeed in life in general, talent will get you into the room but your attitude and work ethic will determine how far you go.

And quite frankly, it costs way too much money to produce any creative piece for the producers to want to take on your bad attitude. So I have tried to the best of my ability and without selling myself short, without bending myself out of shape, to always exude the right attitude and maintain a very high work ethic. Again, taking each day as it comes. Taking the best of it, throwing away the worst of it and just learning to pivot and roll with the punches. Just being versatile and adaptable to change, disappointments, and rejection.

What are you most proud of about your career?

Ireti Doyle: Sometimes it gets tedious and it is not every time that you want to engage with the public. One thing that many people might not be aware of is that the average actor is shy and deep down inside they are introverts. Most of us put up this front. But I think the thing that makes me smile the most is my ability to connect with people. I am just going about my daily job and putting the art out there and then when I get feedback, people say this particular character or this particular struggle or this particular role touched them in a particular way or it gave them insight. It made them smile, brighten their day, and so on.

This makes me feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose because I think that is what I’m called to do; to communicate different messages at different times as they are presented to me. So yeah, connecting with people will be the one thing that puts a smile on my face beyond accomplishing each task placed before me better than I did yesterday.

There has been confusion at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, following the appointment of two persons as acting Chief Medical Directors for the facility within one week.

Sources in the hospital said Prof Oladiran Adegbehingbe was made the acting CMD of the hospital in a letter dated June 22, 2023, signed by Hassan Sallahu, Director Human Resources, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health.

Adegbehingbe was said to have assumed duty immediately he got the letter and was even at the ministry in Abuja on Monday where he was introduced to the officials.

The letter appointing him as the acting CMD read, “I am directed to convey the approval of the Permanent Secretary for your appointment as acting Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, with effect from Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

“The appointment is for a period of six (6) months within which all processes for the appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director would be initiated and concluded by the ministry.

“Similarly, and in the spirit of the agreement reached between you and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and other unions of the hospital, you are exempted from participating in the race for the appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director.”

But on Friday, Prof Afolabi Owojuyigbe, who succeeded the last substantive CMD, Prof Victor Adetiloye, returned to the hospital with another letter dated June 27, 2023, which addressed him as the acting CMD written by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Adebiyi Olufunso.

The letter asked Owojuyigbe to stabilise the hospital and hand over its management to Dr Adekunle Adeyemo, who was directed to take over in acting capacity on or before Friday July 7, 2023.

It read, “I have approved the appointment of Dr Adeyemo Adekunle, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, as acting Chief Medical Director, who will be in this capacity for a maximum period of six months in line with public service rules.

“You are therefore directed to hand over the affairs of the hospital on or before Friday, July 7, 2023 to the DCMAC OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.”

Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla Inc., says a temporary limit has been made to the number of posts users can read daily on Twitter.

The move seeks to tackle issues around “data and systems manipulation”, Musk, the chief technology officer (CTO) and chairman of the firm, said in a tweet on Saturday.

He said verified users will have access to 6,000 posts daily, while unverified and new users will be allowed to read 600 and 300 posts, respectively.

But Musk did not disclose when the temporary restrictions would commence nor for how long they would last.

“To address extreme levels of data scraping and system manipulation, we’ve applied the following temporary limits,” Musk tweeted.

“Verified accounts are limited to reading 6,000 posts per day. Unverified accounts to 600 posts per day. New unverified accounts to 300 per day.”

In a related tweet, the billionaire added that limits to users’ readership would be increased subsequently by about 33 percent.

“Rate limits increasing soon to 8,000 for verified, 800 for unverified, and 400 for new unverified,” Musk added.

Since Musk took over the microblogging platform, Twitter has introduced several features and changes.

In 2022, the firm came up with a subscription package for the verified blue tick mark.

In April 2023, Musk introduced a feature that allows media publishers to charge users on per article basis.

This followed the announcement that Twitter users will be able to monetise their content, including long-form text and hours-long videos.

Providing updates later in May, the Twitter chairman said the platform would take a 10 percent cut on content subscriptions after the first year.

The management of the University of Lagos, Lagos State, has reacted to the alleged sexual harassment of a postgraduate student of the institution by two senior lecturers.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that a Miss Jennifer Utulu, a postgraduate student of the university petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) against two of her lecturers over alleged abuse of office and sexual harassment.

The two accused lecturers with the Department of Creative Arts are Dr Felix Emoruwa and Dr Adebisi Ademakinwa (associate professor) who were said to have continued to frustrate Miss Utulu, as they refused to supervise her PhD thesis unless she agreed to their sexual requests.

In the petition filed by Utulu through her lawyer, Anna Ofunu Ikwuta, Esq. from the Graylaw Practice LP, the student accused the lecturers of stalling her postgraduate degree programme which she started in 2015/2016 academic session and ought to have completed in 2019 because she refused to have sex with them.

The petition dated June 23, 2023, and addressed to ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye is titled: "Petition against Dr Felix Emoruwa and Dr Adebisi Ademakinwa for abusing their offices by corruptly demanding sexual gratification from Miss Jennifer Utulu on account of supervising her Post Graduate Degree Thesis at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos contrary to Sections 12 and 14 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act No. 6 of 2003".

The petitioner's counsel, Ikwuta appealed to the anti-corruption agency to use the apparatus of government to protect her client from being threatened, harassed or harmed in any manner whatsoever while the investigation and prosecution of the case lasted.

Reacting to the report, the University Management in statement titled: "RE: UNILAG Postgraduate Student Petitions Nigeria Anti-Corruption Body, ICPC Over Alleged Sexual Harassment…" which was signed by Head, Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, said that the university had zero-tolerance for all forms of harassment - especially sexual impropriety, adding that it has a well-established policy against such.

The statement partly read: "The attention of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Management has been drawn to various online reports," about Postgraduate Student Petitioning the ICPC over sexual harassment.

"Management wishes to inform the public that an investigative panel was indeed set up to address the sexual harassment allegation levelled against two lecturers in the Department of Creative Arts.

"The six-man panel chaired by a Professor from the Department of Geosciences, has submitted its findings to the University Management for further action, in line with the University’s laid down procedure."

It has however, noted that "this procedure involves various arms of the University, and has numerous stages to ensure thoroughness and justice to all involved.

"Please note that the decisions reached on the allegations would be communicated through appropriate channels at the conclusion of the entire process.

"The University therefore takes this opportunity to reassure students, parents/guardians, staff, other stakeholders and the public, of its zero-tolerance for all forms of harassment (especially sexual impropriety), and has a well-established policy against such."

Sources said they spotted the former Nigerian leader at the Wellington Hospital in London, United Kingdom last Thursday.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has been spotted in a London hospital looking “pale” and “sickly”.

Sources said they spotted the former Nigerian leader at the Wellington Hospital in London, United Kingdom last Thursday.

“Buhari was spotted at Wellington Hospital in London; he looked pale and sickly. He was requested to take an MRI for an undisclosed ailment,” one of the sources said.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce clear and detailed images of the organs and structures inside of the body.

The Wellington Hospital is widely regarded as the largest private hospital in the United Kingdom. On its LinkedIn page, the hospital says it has four decades of experience providing private healthcare in some of the most complex areas of medicine and offers specialist support in neurosurgery, spinal surgery and orthopaedics.

SaharaReporters learnt that the hospital comprises a South Building, a North Building and a Diagnostics and Outpatients Centre along with the Platinum Medical Centre, which specialises in oncology.

The hospital is part of the HCA Healthcare group – an American company.

On June 20, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that former President Buhari, his “powerful” nephew, Mamman Daura and his private secretary, Sabiu “Tunde” Yusuf, had all left Nigeria for the UK.

SaharaReporters learnt that the three men, who once controlled cabals in the Presidential Villa, left the country in a private jet provided by billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

SaharaReporters further reported that they left the country following growing pressures from the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Services to arrest Sabiu who had been named in sundry corrupt activities in the last eight years.

Already with the DSS are the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.

“Former president Buhari, his nephew, Mamman Daura and Private Secretary Tunde Sabiu have all skipped town and are now in London. Daura and Buhari are resting in a hospital in London,” a top source had revealed.

“This was following pressures by DSS to arrest Mr. Tunde Sabiu upon finding out that he was involved in every corrupt activity that bled the Nigerian economy in the last 8 years,” the source added.

BACKGROUND

On Tuesday, June 13, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Daura had taken ill after news of the arrest of the suspended CBN governor, Emefiele, by the secret police, DSS got to him.

It was gathered that Daura’s sudden illness might be related to how he had protected Emefiele from prosecution for several years because of business dealings involving the sale of forex largely controlled by him (Daura) – one of the reasons he was labelled as Buhari’s powerful nephew.

However, Daura’s influence had waned over the years after he was forced out of the Presidential Villa, first due to a major fallout between him and the then First Lady, Aisha Buhari which led to his ouster from the “Defence House” where he held sway.

He later spent some time in the UK battling an undisclosed ailment that confined him to his Kaduna home for a long time.

Also, this newspaper on April 30 reported that ‘Tunde’ Yusuf, the personal secretary to Buhari who is in his 30s, was set to retire with huge retirement benefits from loot said to run into billions of dollars.

And to ensure he enjoys his loot, SaharaReporters learnt that Yusuf had secured a form of diplomatic immunity from prosecution through his appointment to the National Intelligence Agency, according to sources in the Presidency.

Regarded as one of the wealthiest young men in Nigeria today, Yusuf until his appointment by former President Buhari was said to be surviving on proceeds made from the sale of call cards in his native Daura, a sleepy community in Katsina State in the Northern part of the country, which is also Buhari’s hometown.

He is said to have got the name ‘Tunde’ after being likened to the late Tunde Idiagbon, Buhari’s second in command during his military regime in the early 1980s. Idiagbon was seen by many Nigerians as the de facto leader even though Buhari was the head of state. He was known to be powerful and strategic.

Yusuf is the son of Mamman Daura’s immediate younger sister, Hajia Halima, who died in 2018.

“To ensure he doesn’t get arrested by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), Tunde Idiagbon, as he’s popularly known has secured diplomatic immunity by his irregular appoint into Nigeria’s intelligence agency known as NIA and he’s already been transferred to the United Kingdom as his first foreign posting to manage his loot,” a source in the Presidency had told SaharaReporters.

Also, according to sources in the Presidency, Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf recently spent $100 million to help Kano-born oil billionaire Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, the executive chairman and CEO of holding company A. A. Rano Group, start Rano Air.

Rano Air is a licensed airline, incorporated in 2021 with its operational base in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. When it started, it proposed to operate in Nigeria and beyond but start with eight local stations - Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Yola and Asaba.

Yusuf ‘Tunde’ Sabiu is said to be the proud owner of several mansions in Abuja

“He recently shelled out $100 million to help start an airline known as Rano Air according to sources in the presidency and massively invested in fuel stations across Nigeria through the same outfit, Rano Oil,” a source had said.

Sources said Buhari’s nephew once had several accounts opened that house billions of naira in Nigeria.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele reportedly got him to reinvest the funds into three new banks,” one of the sources added.

During Buhari’s 77th birthday in December 2019, Yusuf reportedly wore a Patek Phillipe leather wristwatch valued at $99,995.00 – about N36 million at the time.

In June 2020, investigations by SaharaReporters indicated that a Senior Special Assistant to the President (Domestic), Abba Sarki and Yusuf, in collaboration with some Ministry of Power officials had pushed the government to commit to the purchase of a building for the Transmission Company of Nigeria at a grossly inflated price in Abuja.

Despite the Ministry of Works and Housing not giving approval for the purchase of the building, Sarki and Yusuf had pushed their cronies in the Ministry of Power further to actualise the purchase of the property for around N14bn to N17bn – a rate many times higher than the original cost of the building.

The plan, according to findings by SaharaReporters, was to in the end give the presidential aides access to the funds and thereafter give part of the funds to other partakers in the fraudulent scheme before pocketing the rest.

A top source in the Ministry of Power privy to the corrupt scheme had given more insights, saying, “This building is being pushed by Abba Sarki, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Domestic) and Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf for Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“Accordingly, the building will be paid (for) by the Federal Government, so the TCN was not directly involved. The Ministry of Works and Housing did not give approval to the request by the Ministry of Power.

“For TCN, they are comfortable where they are and the current building was built by PHCN/TCN superannuation fund. But the ministry is claiming the building was given to them by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

“The Minister of Power now wants to buy Gilmo building, which was a small building that cannot accommodate TCN’s staff at a highly inflated price of about N14bn to N17bn which would go to Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf and Abba Sarki.”

In a memo dated July 19, 2019, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing before it was split into two, Louis Edozien, the ministry responded to a request by the TCN for a dedicated and convenient office accommodation and thereafter established a joint committee to look it to all relevant issues on the subject.

Insiders had informed SaharaReporters that underground moves had been going on to achieve the target by the two aides of then President Buhari despite the administration’s claims to be waging a war against corruption and looting of public funds in the country especially by government officials.

Also on May 20, SaharaReporters reported that Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf allegedly colluded to grant licences for broadcast frequencies in the 600MHz spectrum band by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the twilight of the Buhari administration.

Aliko Dangote, the president of Dangote Group, has added $20.7 million to his wealth as at June 30, 2023, through investments in the industrial sector — cementing his spot as Africa’s richest man.

TheCable had reported that Dangote lost $3.12 billion following Nigeria’s decision to float the local currency and unify its exchange rate system.

According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the business mogul remains the richest man in Africa, despite the volatility of the Nigerian naira against the dollar.

In the billionaire listing released on Friday, Dangote, with a wealth of $15.6 billion, topped other Africans on the index.

This means Dangote’s wealth increased by 4 percent compared to his net worth valued at almost $15 billion in 2020, when he moved from 103rd position on the billionaire index to 63.

Hailing from Nigeria’s northern region, the serial investor has been the richest man in Africa for the 12th year running.

According to the index, Dangote is currently the 111th person and the only Nigerian on the list of the top 500 billionaires.

In May 2023, the billionaire inaugurated the Dangote petroleum refinery, an illustrious project expected to catalyse the transformation of Nigeria’s energy sector.

The inauguration came a decade after he announced plans for the refinery in September 2013, when he secured about $3.3 billion in financing for the project.

He also controls sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest cement producer, Dangote Cement, with interests in sugar, salt, fertiliser, and packaged foods.

Alongside Dangote, other Africans listed in the latest top 500 world billionaires index for the year 2023 include; Johann Rupert and family (South Africa, $13.3 billion), Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa, $9.0 billion), Nassef Sawiris (Egypt, $7.47 billion), Natie Kirsh (South Africa, $7.37billion) and Naguib Sawiris (Egypt, $5.93 billion).

The Defence Headquarters has given top officers who are seniors to the newly appointed service chiefs till Monday to voluntarily retire from service.

The order, which was contained in a memo dated June 26 and signed by Maj Gen Y. Yahaya on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, was directed to generals, brigadiers-general, air vice marshals, and rear admirals in the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Nigerian Navy, who are senior to the new service chiefs.

The development confirmed a report by The PUNCH that scores of top military brass would be retired following the appointment of new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu on June 19.

The retirement of the senior officers across the three services was in line with the long-standing military tradition that officers who were senior to the service chiefs would be retired.

It is a tradition in the military that when a junior is appointed as a service chief, senior officers, who are ahead of him or her, would proceed on retirement.

The understanding is that senior military officers are unlikely to take orders from their juniors.

Tinubu had announced the immediate retirement of General Lucky Irabor who was the Chief of Defence Staff; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieut Gen Farouk Yahaya; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and Air Marshal Oludayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff and replaced them with new military chiefs.

The new service chiefs are Maj Gen Christopher Musa who is the Chief of Defence Staff; the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla while Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar was appointed the Chief of Air Staff.

DIG Kayode Egbetokun was appointed as the acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. E Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Also, a former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, who was earlier appointed as the Security Adviser to the President, was elevated to the National Security Adviser.

While the new CDS is a member of 38 Regular Course, the COAS, the CNS, and the CAS are members of 39 Regular Course.

However, the DHQ in the memo with reference number DHQ/I5/PLANS/801/13 directed all officers with seniority on commission above that of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 39 to submit their applications for voluntary retirement from service with immediate effect.

This, it said, was meant to preserve and uphold the tenets of the military profession which values hierarchy and service discipline.

The memo, copied to the army, navy, and air force headquarters, read in part, “It would be recalled that the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed new CDS and Service Chiefs on June 19, 2023.

‘’In order to preserve and uphold the tenets of the military profession which values hierarchy and service discipline, it is important that all officers whose officer cadet courses run seniority above that of the current Service Chiefs disengage from the Service.

“Consequently, I am directed to respectfully request services to direct all officers with seniority on commission above that of NDA Regular Course 39 to submit their applications for voluntary retirement from Service with immediate effect. I am to add that affected officers are to submit their applications to their respective Service Headquarters no later than Mon July 3, 2023.”

When asked about the number of naval officers that may be affected by the directive on Thursday, the spokesperson for the army, Onyema Nwachukwu, said, “I am not able to generate such statistics now until it unfolds.”

In his response, the Nigerian Navy, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said, “I think on this, acting DDI, DHQ (Director, Defence Information) can be reached to speak for the AFN. Already there were speculations in some print media on this. Nevertheless once cleared and permitted, it’ll be disclosed.’’

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, declined comment, saying he is handing over to his successor on Monday.

Outgoing service chiefs hand over Friday
But the acting Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau could not be reached on the number of senior officers that may be affected by the directive as he did not respond to phone calls and a text message sent to his phone.

But commenting on the directive to the senior officers, retired Col Foluso Saka said it was time the military established a corps for retired personnel, adding that their experiences, especially those with technical skills, could still benefit the country.

Retired officers’ corps

He said, “I am aware it is the tradition of the military to retire some top officers when their junior is appointed but I am of the view that there should be a corps or something like a reserve for retired military personnel instead of asking them to just retire.

“The military can fall back on them should they need their services or be made to train and nurture the young ones. Their services, especially those highly skilled among them, should not be allowed to waste; they can be put to use for the benefit of the nation. A lot of resources have been expended on them to acquire the knowledge they have.”

A security analyst, Timothy Avele, said the retirement might not have an impact on the ongoing military operations across the country, adding that the security challenges facing the country required a modern approach.

He noted, “It won’t have much effect if they are being replaced with more technologically compliant young energetic officers. Times have changed; bearing the rank of a general is no longer enough to fight modern security challenges, though experience counts.”

In another development, the Nigerian Navy has announced the redeployment of 56 senior officers and one commodore.

Navy shake-up

The major shake-up in the Nigerian navy comes a few days after Ogalla took over as the chief of naval staff.

Ayo-Vaughan, the spokesperson for the navy, said the action was necessary to reposition the navy for optimum performance.

He said Olusanya Bankole, formerly the director of logistics of the defence space administration, had been appointed the chief of communications and information technology at the naval headquarters; while Alexander Bingel, formerly Director of Combat Policy and Tactics, is currently the Director of Logistics of Defence headquarters.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, formerly Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Naval Headquarters is now the Chief of Defence Civil Military Cooperation, Defence Headquarters while Rear Admiral Kennedy Ezete formerly Director Project Monitoring, Defence Headquarters, resumes as the Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters.

Rear Admiral Livingstone Izu, who was Director Manning at Naval Headquarters is the new Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Musa Madugu, formally Deputy Director of Special Operation Forces at the Defence Headquarters has been appointed as the Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot.

Rear Admiral Daupreye Matthew, the erstwhile Director of Innovation and Concept Development, at Naval Headquarters, is now the Director of Training, at Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Zakariya Muhammad, the former Director of Training, at Naval Headquarters, has been reappointed Chief of Training and Operations.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Nmoyem has been reappointed as Director of Human Rights Desks at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima formerly Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Plans.

The former Director of Plans, at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, has been appointed the Chief of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje who was the Director of Equipment Standardization and Harmonization, at Defence Headquarters has been appointed Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited.

Rear Admiral Sulaiman El-ladan, who was the Chief of Naval Engineering, at Naval Headquarters is now at the Defence Research and Development Bureau at Defence Headquarters as the Director of Marine Research, while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas formerly Director of Operations, at Naval Headquarters, is now reappointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standards.

Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi, the immediate past Director of Communications at Naval Headquarters takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command while Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, formerly the Commandant of Naval War College Nigeria, has been appointed Director of Operations, Naval Headquarters.

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria wants to create one million jobs for youths in the digital industry.

In a statement on Monday, Olusola Abiola, director of information in the office of the vice president, said Shettima spoke when he received a delegation from the Republic of Korea.

The delegation was led by Jang Sungmin, special envoy to the Korean President Yoon Yeol.

Shettima said Nigeria and Korea have a very robust bilateral relationship that is anchored on years of mutual trust and cooperation.

He said Nigeria is committed to strengthening relations with Korea, especially in promoting trade, technology transfer and maintaining global peace.

“A lot of Korean companies are doing business in Nigeria, especially in the area of oil and gas. Six of our LNG trains were constructed by Korean companies,” Shettima was quoted as saying.

“We are fully committed to a very robust relationship between our nations. We need to learn a lot from Korea, especially in the areas of manufacturing and agriculture. You are a success story worthy of emulation by all developing nations.

“Many years ago in the 50s and 60s, the Korean GDP was at par with many African countries but today, Korea is among the developed nations. This is partly due to the leadership and commitment of the Korean people.

“We are willing to partner with you in the area of technology because, by 2030, there will be a 65 percent global talent deficit with the US, Russia and Brazil suffering a six million talent deficit. I believe Nigeria is in a unique position to fill in those talent deficits because ours is a young nation.

“Seventy-five percent of Nigerians are below the age of 35, so we are soliciting for your partnership and support in digital skills training for our young people.

“We want to create one million jobs in the digital world. India earned $ 120 billion last year from global outsourcing and we are in a unique position to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector.

“We need the skills set, we need the technology to drive the process and yours is a technology that we can embrace.”

On the agenda of the new administration, Shettima said security and economic development are the focus of the government.

“The government will make it easier for Korean businesses and other foreign investors to do business in Nigeria,” he said.

“Korea has always supported us in the international fora and we have that obligation to reciprocate by supporting Korean businesses operating in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Sungmin congratulated Nigeria for the successful inauguration of the new government.

He also conveyed Yeol’s special invitation to Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Africa-Korea summit in South Korea.

He restated his country’s continuous support for Nigeria across different sectors.

“Korea’s collaboration with Nigeria can lead the 4th industrial revolution,” he said.

The World Bank says Nigeria’s government will save a total of N11 trillion from the recent petrol subsidy removal policy.

However, the financial body said more people would be pushed into poverty in Nigeria if the government does not provide palliatives to alleviate the effect of the recently implemented reforms.

In its latest report Nigeria Development Update (NDU) released on Tuesday, the Bretton Woods institution said over four million people were pushed into poverty between January and May 2023.

The bank, in the report, titled ‘Seizing the Opportunity’, said it was important for the country to implement a comprehensive reform package that encompasses a range of complementary measures, including a new social compact to protect the poor and most vulnerable, to maximise the collective impact on growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

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Since the assumption of the new administration, critical fiscal reforms have been initiated to address macroeconomic imbalances.

The World Bank believes this could be a window of opportunity that could have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians and establish a solid foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

“The removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange (FX) management reforms are crucial measures to begin to rebuild fiscal space and restore macroeconomic stability, and the opportunity should be seized to take further, necessary policy reform steps,” the report reads.

“In the first part of 2023, Nigeria’s economic growth weakened, and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell from 3.3 percent in 2022 to 2.4 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) in Q1 2023. The challenging global economic context has put pressure on Nigeria’s economy.

“However, domestic policies play a major role in determining Nigeria’s economic performance and resilience to further external shocks. The previous mix of fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policies, including the naira redesign program, did not deliver the desired improvements in growth, inflation, and economic resilience.

“The new government has recognised the need to chart a new course and has already made a start on critical reforms, such as the elimination of the petrol subsidy and reforms in the FX market.

“With the petrol subsidy removal, the government is projected to achieve fiscal savings of approximately N2 trillion in 2023, equivalent to 0.9 percent of GDP. These savings are expected to reach over N11 trillion by the end of 2025.”

‘COMPENSATE THE POOR’

The global lender said the recent reforms would have a more direct effect on the poor and vulnerable.

The bank, however, suggested that while policies are being implemented, measures should be put in place to lessen the effect on the poor.

According to the bank, in the immediate term, the removal of the petrol subsidy caused an increase in prices, adversely affecting poor and economically insecure Nigerian households.

“Petrol prices appear to have almost tripled following the subsidy removal,” the report reads.

“The poor and economically insecure households, who directly purchase and use petrol as well as those that indirectly consume petrol, are adversely affected by the price increase. Among the poor and economically insecure, 38 percent own a motorcycle and 23 percent own a generator that depends on petrol. Much more use petrol-dependent transportation.

“The poor and economically insecure households will face an equivalent income loss of N5,700 per month, and without compensation, an additional 7.1 million people will be pushed into poverty.”

According to the World Bank, many newly poor and economically insecure households will likely resort to consequential coping mechanisms, such as “not sending children to school, or not going to the health facilities to seek preventative healthcare or cutting back on nutritious dietary choices.”

The firm, therefore, suggested that “compensating transfers will be essential to help shield the most vulnerable Nigerian households from the initial price impacts of the subsidy reform, as without compensation, many households could be pushed into poverty by higher petrol prices and have to resort to coping mechanisms with long-term adverse consequences”.

“Similarly, the move to harmonise the FX windows will help to improve the efficiency of the FX market, unlock private investment, and reduce inflationary pressures, but it is crucial to complete this important reform by removing FX restrictions, clearly communicating how the new FX regime will operate, and implementing supportive monetary and fiscal policies,” it added.

‘POLICIES ARE TIMELY’

Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank country director for Nigeria, said the current move by the government to implement the long-anticipated reforms and efforts to harmonise the multiple FX windows,” are timely and crucial to set Nigeria on the path of economic growth”.

According to Chaudhuri, these reforms should be accompanied by compensatory actions to mitigate the short-term impact on the poor.

“Nigeria should now seize the opportunity to implement a robust, large-scale cash transfer program to provide quick relief to the poor, near poor, as well as low-income households which are most directly affected by higher petrol prices, as part of a broader compact to redirect scarce fiscal resources towards development priorities. “

Former Nigerian boxer, Jeremiah ‘Jerry’ Okorodudu, died at a private hospital in Lawandon, Lagos on Wednesday night after battling with foot ulcer that left him bedridden for weeks, The PUNCH reports.

Okorodudu’s wife, Adenike, confirmed the news of his death to The PUNCH.

However, Adenike said the hospital was not willing to release her husband’s corpse until the outstanding N600,000 medical bill is paid.

“He is dead now but we still need to pay N600,000 to get his body out of the hospital,” Adenike told The PUNCH.

He was aged 64.

The PUNCH reported last week that the Olympian was feeling better following several transfers from different hospitals, mainly due to lack of funds, before he was brought to the Lawanson hospital.

Secretary-General, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and the President, West Africa Boxing Union, Remi Aboderin, also confirmed that the Olympian had passed away.

“It is true about his death. I just confirmed it after you called me and I reached out to some colleagues,” Aboderin told The PUNCH.

“It is unfortunate that he died this way, and I am actually lost for words. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

The Vice President, Nigeria Boxing Federation, Azania Omo-Agege, told The PUNCH that he sent his wife some money on Tuesday for the hospital bills of the former boxer.

“I just sent them money yesterday (Tuesday). I sent them N100,000 and we were planning for the amputation (of his leg) on Friday, this is very sad,” he said.

Okorodudu represented Nigeria at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, where he competed in the middleweight category.

He was a gold medallist at the Oluyole 1979 National Sports Festival in Ibadan.

His medical predicament began in 2020 with a boil affliction that affected his mobility. He then had a successful surgery at Dans Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos.

But his health condition relapsed after he was diagnosed with foot ulcer and suffered a stroke.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a father, Gabriel Ekpiri, for selling his nine-year-old son for N400,000 in the Itu Local Government Area of the state.

The state Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon, in a statement, said the suspect was arrested by the Quick Intervention Squad of the command.

MacDon said the suspect, during interrogation, confessed to the crime and blamed his action on the economic hardship in the country.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durusinmi, has condemned the action of one Gabriel Ekpiri, of the Ekit Itam Akpan Obong, in the Itu Local Government Area, who sold his nine-year-old son for N400,000.

“The CP noted that the act was barbaric and totally unacceptable. The suspect who was arrested by the Quick Intervention Squad of the command has confessed to the crime. He blamed the devil and economic hardship for his actions.”

Meanwhile, Durusinmi decorated two Deputy Commissioners of Police DCP Baba Audu, Area Commander, Eket Area Command and DCP Lawal Mani of the Department of Operations.

The CP, while conveying the hearty congratulations of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, to the officers, charged them to double their productivity while playing their deputising roles in the state.

The elated senior officers, in their separate interview with journalists, thanked the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector General of Police for finding them worthy of being promoted and pledged their hard work and dedication towards the command

A Danish court has sentenced former Golden Eaglets star and FC Copenhagen of Denmark forward Akinkunmi Amoo to one year in prison for sexual assault
The news of his sentencing was confirmed in a tweet by former BBC World Football reporter, Osasu Obayiuwana.

Amoo was sentenced on Friday, June 23, 2023.

“Breaking: Akinkunmi Amoo, the @FCKobenhavn striker, was given a one-year jail sentence by a Copenhagen for sexual assault on Friday. Amoo is appealing the decision”, Osasu tweeted

The winger has been in the eyes of the storm when he was slammed with criminal charges by Danish authorities in April, July, and August 2022.

He was arrested on September 10, 2022, before being released on bail on October 7.

Details of the outcome of Friday’s trial were published by Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

The report partly reads: “This is the outcome of the trial, which has been going on for most of June, where a top player in Danish football has been charged with rape in a sexual relationship other than intercourse, as well as attempted rape and violations of two more women.

“It happens after he was found guilty of all three charges in the Copenhagen District Court by a dissenting magistrate on Friday afternoon, and it was a shaken man who received his sentence as he stood there in the middle of the room and listened to the outcome.

“An unconditional prison sentence for one year.

“In the same case, the name ban in the case was extended because the defense and the convicted appealed the verdict on the spot. Ekstra Bladet protested against the continued name ban, but the court did not accept it.

“It is not known when the appeal will go to court.”

The 21-year-old was part of the Golden Eaglets squad that finished fourth at the 2019 U-17 AFCON.

Also, he featured at the U-17 World Cup where the Eaglets got knocked out in the round of 16.

His good showing at the World Cup earned him a move to Swedish side Hammarby before switching to FC Copenhagen in January 2022 for 4.4m.

Last season, he made only two league appearances for the Danish outfit

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nuhu Ribadu, has officially assumed office as Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, taking over from Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd).

At a brief event held in Abuja on Monday, Ribadu expressed his commitment to fulfilling the expectations of Nigerians and ensuring the safety and security of the country.

“We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country, and we will make Nigeria peaceful because we believe the time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order, and uphold the rule of law just like any other country in the world,” Ribadu stated upon assuming office.

Recognising that securing the nation is an ongoing process, Ribadu stressed the need to build upon previous efforts while calling for the support of all stakeholders in discharging their responsibilities and highlighted the President’s commitment to securing every part of Nigeria.


“This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians and all friends of Nigeria,” Ribadu concluded, as reported by the NSA Office.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, previously served as the Special Adviser on Security to President Bola Tinubu on June 15, 2023. However, in an unprecedented shake-up within the country’s security architecture, Monguno was retired as NSA, and Ribadu was elevated as his replacement just four days later.

Ribadu, born on November 21, 1960, in Adamawa State, is widely known for his tenure as EFCC boss from 2003 to 2007.

During his tenure, he prosecuted and secured the conviction of Tafa Balogun, the then Inspector-General of Police, who was ordered to return approximately £150 million under a plea bargain arrangement.

Ribadu holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State and a Master of Laws Degree from the same university.

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed on Monday announced his voluntary resignation.

Rasheed disclosed this in an interaction with our correspondent and noted that he would be returning to the Bayero University Kano to continue his job as a lecturer.

The PUNCH reports that Rasheed was appointed as the NUC boss seven years ago during the tenure of the erstwhile minister of education, Adamu Adamu.

Under his tenure as NUC executive secretary, the commission approved the highest number of private universities.

The university system also witnessed the highest number of industrial actions.

Details later…

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu clocks 58, today, June 25.

The governor took to his verified Twitter handle to appreciate God for the gift of life.

He also thanked his family for their unflinching support of his career.

The tweet said, “It’s my birthday, and I am filled with gratitude to God for the gift of life. I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has been a part of my journey.

“Firstly, I want to thank my amazing wife and family. Your love, support, and unwavering belief in me have been my pillars of strength. I am blessed to have you by my side as we navigate this incredible journey together.”

The 57-year-old governor who came into power in October 2018 after succeeding former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, further reiterated his commitment and desire to continue t steer the affairs of the state in the right direction.

“I am also thankful to acknowledge the zeal and passion that drives me to serve Lagos diligently. Every decision I make, every policy I implement, and every initiative I undertake is fueled by my dedication to the progress and well-being of every Lagosian.

“On this special day, I want to extend my gratitude to the wonderful people of Lagos. Your support, constructive feedback, and resilience inspire me to work harder every day. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, and I am excited about what the future holds. May we continue to prosper, may our state flourish, and may our unity remain inviolable,” Sanwo-Olu tweeted.

Sanwo-Olu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying and a Master’s in Business Administration, both from the prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria.

He’s an alumnus of the Lagos Business School, London Business School, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, USA.

Sanwo-Olu started his political journey in 2003 as a Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to a former deputy governor of the state, Femi Pedro.

He also held several positions under the administrations of other past governors such as incumbent President Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, and Akinwunmi Ambode.

The business school graduate ran for the office of the state governor in 2018, under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In the 2023 gubernatorial elections, Sanwo-Olu was re-elected as the state governor for the second term, after facing staunch opposition from Labour Party’s candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

In his tweet, the governor appreciated all his well-wishers for their prayers.

“Thank you for the warm birthday wishes. Here’s to another year of service, growth, and transformation for Lagos!,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Photo of Mercy Aigbe at Hajj
Mercy Aigbe, the actress, has taken to Hajj for prayers, months after she converted to Islam.

Aigbe shared photos of herself in Mecca where she and her husband Kazim Adeoti travelled for Hajj.

“May Allah accept our supplication on this very special day as an act of ibadah,” the actress wrote.

In April, Aigbe announced that she had converted to Islam and taken a new name.

Long before this, the actress unveiled Kazeem as her husband, attracting mixed reactions.

Mercy Aigbe was in the public eye after Kazeem’s first wife accused her of “snatching” her husband.

Kazeem, however, defended his decision to marry a second wife.

He said Islam permits polygamy as long as the husband can take care of his wives and does not maltreat them.

Kazeem added that his first wife had relocated permanently to the US, leaving him with no choice.

“It is understandable that my first wife is unhappy about getting a second wife but she gave me no choice when she relocated permanently to the US,” he had said.

“I’m a Muslim and Islam permits me to marry more than one wife as long as I take care of them and I don’t maltreat them.

“I can stand before God and man that as a man, I have done my best not to maltreat them.”

See the Hajj photos below.

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Tinubu who broke silence on the arrest and detention of Emefiele on Friday, during an interactive session with Nigerians residing in France and neighbouring countries, said the financial system was rotten under Emefiele.

President Bola Tinubu says the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was suspended because of how he messed up the financial system of the country.

SaharaReporters had reported that the president had on June 9, suspended Emefiele to allow for investigation into some allegations levelled against him concerning his activities as the CBN governor.

President Tinubu who broke silence on the arrest and detention of Emefiele on Friday, during an interactive session with Nigerians residing in France and neighbouring countries, said the financial system was rotten under Emefiele.

He said “Then the financial system was rotten. Few people made bags of money and then you yourself, you stopped sending money home to our poor parents. Several windows. But that is gone now. It’s gone.

“The man is in the hands of the authorities. Something is being done about that. They will sort themselves out.”

SaharaReporters had also reported that the suspended Central Bank Gov., Emefiele was arrested by the Nigeria's secret Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged economic crimes, sabotage, incitement to violence, stealing of public funds among others.

The DSS in an affidavit of facts presented in court while seeking an order of court to detained Emefiele had listed these reasons for arresting him.

It said Emefiele was arrested “upon reasonable suspicion of committing acts which constitute a criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security dimension and undermining the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the DSS and the Office of Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) on Tuesday asked the Federal Capital Territory High Court not to grant bail to the suspended governor of the apex bank.

They argued that the suspended governor of the apex bank would flee the country if granted bail.





The DSS and the OAGF described Emefiele who is challenging his detention by the secret police as a “flight risk.”





In May, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Emefiele had already paid for studies abroad after being reportedly granted study leave by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.





Sources told SaharaReporters that Emefiele made payments through the apex bank, using six departments to avoid detection.





To avoid detection, Emefiele spread the payment through six departments in the bank, each paying for the flight, accommodation, study materials, schools fees and sundry individually, " one of the sources had said.





SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how the study leave would offer the apex bank governor an opportunity to flee the country before Buhari’s exit from office on May 29, 2023 amid corruption and terrorism-financing allegations against him.


SaharaReporters had reported that the country’s secret police, the Department of State Services, which made futile attempts to arrest and detain Emefiele in the past over the damning allegations against him, was not happy about the prospect of seeing the CBN governor evade justice.

“The DSS has kicked against the study leave reportedly granted to Emefiele as it means he will flee the country before May 29 when another government comes in,” the source had said.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, subsequently urged then-President Buhari not to grant any “study leave” to Emefiele, a few days before the inauguration of a new administration, saying the suspended CBN governor must remain in Nigeria to give full accounts to the incoming administration.

In March, a former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, said Emefiele’s life would be made miserable by the incoming administration of 'president-elect', Tinubu.

According to Sani, Emefiele’s life and activities under the incoming government will be like ‘Zebra in the hands of Tigers’.

Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly stated this a week after the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, declared Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

Considering the controversies that have surrounded the Naira redesign and cashless policy under Emefiele’s leadership in CBN and the fact that Tinubu alleged that the Naira redesign policy was targeted at sabotaging his presidential ambition, Sani said, “When Baba is gone, Emefiele will be like Zebra in the hands of Tigers.”

Meanwhile, at the resumption of hearing on Tuesday, the DSS and the OAGF stated their prayer to the court in separate counter-affidavits filed in a fundamental rights enforcement suit by the suspended CBN chief.


However, the OAGF in its affidavit dismissed the speculation that Emefiele was being held for terrorist-related crimes. It also said he was not being victimised for his involvement in politics and the botched naira redesign policy.

The OAGF stated, “Issues of terrorism financing and fraudulent activities are not part of the grounds for the arrest and detention of the applicant.

“The respondents have not violated the applicant’s right to live in any way, his life is not in danger. The respondents did not subject the applicant to any judicial adjudication to warrant the allegation of denial of a fair hearing.

“With the remand order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the said violation of the applicant’s right to freedom of movement does not arise.

“The respondents did not subject the applicant to any torture, the details of which have not been provided.”

Counsel for the OAGF, Tijani Gazal, urged the court to dismiss the suit by Emefiele, arguing that the embattled suspended CBN boss’ allegation of unlawful detention was unfounded.

According to Gazali, the suspended CBN governor was being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrates Court.

Mrs Stephenie Agbaje and her husband were so madly in love that they did not bother to go for a genotype test before getting married. They believed that their love and companionship would conquer whatever obstacle that would come their way. This was a costly mistake because both of them are carriers of sickle cell trait (AS).

They swirled in their love until the point when Mrs Agbaje got pregnant. She looked forward to a beautiful and fulfilling motherhood with a bouncing baby. But the sad news is that her child had sickle cell anaemia.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterised by abnormal red blood cells that take on a crescent or sickle shape and these irregularly shaped cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to a variety of health complications.

Over time, individuals with the disease may experience organ damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and spleen. And complications from the disorder can also lead to death. The treatment of sickle cell disease primarily focuses on preventing and managing these complications.

According to experts, Nigeria bears the highest burden of SCD globally and is the top sickle cell endemic country in Africa, with an annual infant death toll of about 150,000, representing more than 8 per cent of infant mortality in the country.

“Approximately 50 million people are living with sickle cell disease in the world, with Nigeria being the epicentre and home to about 4-6 million individuals with the disease.

Also each year, around 300,000 newly diagnosed sickle cell children are born worldwide, and at least 100,000 babies in Nigeria die from the disorder, making it the number one sickle-cell endemic country in Africa, as per 2014 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO)”, said Dr Annette Akinsete, Consultant Public Health Physician and the National Director/Chief executive officer of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria.

Living with sickle cell disease is a huge challenge both for the carrier and his loved ones. Individuals with the condition experience chronic pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that can affect their quality of life.

Hence the news that her child is a sickle cell patient, shattered Mrs. Agbaje and family. It was not what she bargained for in her first pregnancy experience. And from day one, she and her child passed through traumatising experiences.

However, Mrs. Agbaje and her daughter, who is now 23 years old, have lived to tell the story and provide support to other families. And it is in her bid to contribute in the fight against sickle cell that Mrs Agbaje has stepped up to use her personal experience of raising such a child with severe health difficulties and regret, to help other families who are trapped in the same boat.

She launched an organisation, Marvel Sickle Cell Foundation, that is now in the forefront of advocacy for over 17 years, educating people on everything about this disease.

Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Agbaje in a chat with DAILY POST said that the reality of her situation first dawned on her when the pregnancy test came out positive.

“I did a lot of fasting and prayer, expecting a miracle, but six weeks after my daughter was born, a blood test confirmed her haemoglobin to be SS. I was completely devastated. I felt like heaven had forsaken me. Within her first year, I found out that her condition was serious.

“Doctors said my child’s major complication was acute chest syndrome, which occurred during a crisis attack. And whenever it started, she would feel like her chest would divide into two.

“Whenever she goes through those attacks. I watch my child helplessly as she screams out in pain. I will cry and wish that I could help her bear some of her agonies but I can’t and on those times, I weep and ask God why my little girl has to go through so much agony,” Mrs. Agbaje said.

After all those trauma 23 years ago, Mrs. Agbaje, and her daughter, Marvellous, have come out stronger and are now ‘Sickle Cell Warriors.

They have decided to use their story to inspire courage, resilience, and hope in families battling the disease.

“My daughter is a survivor. She is a graduate of criminology from the National Open University, Akure campus. It’s been a bittersweet roller-coaster of emotions,” she reminisced.

“The peak of her crisis was her early and formative years when we were always in and out of the hospital, with bills to pay and issues here and there.

“The most recent challenge we had was when she couldn’t attend her convocation ceremony earlier this year because she was in hospital when her mates were jubilating on their awarded degree,” she added.

Indeed, the condition of Sickle cell patients in Nigeria is pathetic. This is not only because of their limited access to healthcare and treatment options but also of the social stigmatisation and discrimination they are made to suffer. According to Mrs Agbaje, she and her daughter experienced firsthand stigmatisation from family and friends.

And this is because society thinks that the sickle cell ailment is foisted on people by an evil force or via spiritual curses.

“My family deserted me and told me that they have never had a child with such health challenges in their lineage. Even someone once asked me why I was wasting my time and money on a child who would die.

“But I told her that everyone’s life is in God’s hands. Moreover, even healthy people die every day. So why should anyone try to taunt me by saying my daughter would die?

“Most African parents believe that sickle cell carriers are witches, or evil children sent to torment their families. But we shall continue to educate people to let them know the disease is not infectious. They are not ‘Abiku’ or ‘Ogbanje’. They are just victims of other people’s ignorance.

“I heard about a man who chased his wife and child away. I have also seen some fathers who accused their wives of getting such children from water spirits. A mother once asked me, ‘Why does my child fall ill just after I have collected my monthly salary?’

“It hurts to work throughout the month and use the salary to buy drugs for a sick child. The blood of a sickle cell carrier breaks down every 28 days, unlike other genotypes that break down every 30 days. That is why sickle cell patients always fall sick towards the end of the month.

“We can only keep educating them. Sensitization programmes are important to change the narrative. There are no evil forces anywhere. Their problem is purely science and genetics so we should pay more attention to our biological compositions like genotype so we can enjoy a healthy living,” she said.

Last Monday was World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, a day observed every year to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD) and its impact on individuals, families and communities worldwide.

And speaking on the theme, ‘Building and strengthening global sickle cell communities, formalising newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status’, Mrs. Agbaje urged Nigerians to recognise the first step to understanding the genotype in infants and adults in fighting sickle cell disease.

“Every Nigerian must be aware that they deserve to have a happy home and healthy children”, she said.

“No child should live in pain and health restrictions for the rest of her life. They should care because it is their civic responsibility to consider society in whatever decision they take.

“After all, the moment a child is born he/she becomes a member of the larger society and a responsibility of the society whether we like it or not.

“The society deserves a sickle cell-free society. Gone are those days when our parents got married without performing the necessary medical screening. I would advise every couple to check their genotype before getting married.

“Go to hospitals and be sure that both of you are compatible. Many marriages have broken up today because of this issue, and many children are suffering because of the mistakes of their parents.

“So don’t take that risk. Also, if you have a child or know anyone suffering from sickle cell disease, don’t stigmatise them. While they are still alive, please give them a reason to be happy”, Mrs Agbaje added.

Another expert, Ibrahim Rukayat, from the Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research & Training (CESRTA), University of Abuja, harped on the need for more newborn screening to help decipher their genotype.

According to her, early identification of the baby’s genotype through newborn screening allows for prompt diagnosis and management of the condition.

This, she said, involves hospital treatment, as well as counselling and health education to promote the baby’s survival and well-being.

She said babies born with the disease could develop complications and die within three to six months of birth.

“For instance, out of the 136 babies that we have identified, seven are dead already. So based on the quantity of the sickle cell genotype in their blood, humans differ from each other – the rate some people may respond to malaria is quite different from others – so early management is important,” she said.

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the achievements attained by Nigerian student, Ifeoma Amuche, who recently emerged as the best Graduating Student at South West University, China, and that of Aminat Yusuf, who emerged as the best-graduating student at the Lagos State University with a CGPA of 5.0.

Obi congratulated the duo on Friday via his Twitter handle, praising their dedication and commitment to achieving their set goals.

While congratulating Amuche, he noted that her outstanding academic results brought honour to the nation.

He said, “I congratulate Miss Ifeoma Amuche, a Nigerian student who recently emerged as Best Graduating Student at South West University, China. It takes immeasurable hard work and dedication to achieve such an academic feat, and stand out from the crowd.



“You have, by your outstanding academic results, brought honour to our nation and established yourself on the global stage. As a firm believer in education, I know there are no limits to how far one can go, by taking their education seriously.”

He added that the right investment has to be made in education in order to realise the full potential of ‘every Nigerian youth’. He also noted that we must put more effort into the education of the girl child.

“Every Nigerian youth will be able to attain their full potential if we make the right investments in education. Your outstanding achievement shows clearly that we must spare no effort in the education of the girl child, knowing that excellence is no respecter of gender,” he said.

Also, while congratulating Yusuf, he emphasised her commitment to hard work, determination, and focus.

He said, “I congratulate Aminat Yusuf, who has just emerged as the best graduating student at the Lagos State University. Her record CGPA of 5.0 is a tribute to hard work, determination and focus.

“She has demonstrated once again the immense possibilities of our nation. Her achievement shows the limitless possibilities open to the girl child in our drive for true greatness.

“More importantly, by her achievement, Aminat has demonstrated that in the New Nigeria that we look forward to, excellence is not a function of religion, gender or location on the national compass.

“Achievements such as this show, once again, that our drawback remains the breed of leaders who use ethnicity, religion and gender to divide our people and obstruct our national progress.”

He admonished both ladies to keep the flag of Nigeria flying.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says Indomie noodles manufactured in Nigeria is safe for human consumption.

The agency said the noodles do not contain ethylene oxide.

Health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan said they had detected ethylene oxide in Indomie’s special chicken flavour noodles.

Ethylene oxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical equipment and plastics. It is said to be a cancer-causing chemical.

Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said the agency would begin random sample tests of the noodles from May 2.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, the director-general said during the probe, samples of chicken flavoured instant noodles of various brands and the seasonings were drawn from the production facilities across the country.

She said the exercise was to ensure that the investigation was robust and cover other instant noodles brands manufactured in Nigeria, besides Indomie.

She said the agency also visited markets and retail outlets in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Kano and drew samples of instant noodles for laboratory analysis.

“The market visits served as surveillance for the presence of the Taiwan and Malaysian special chicken noodles in the Nigerian market,” she said.

“The samples drawn from production facilities and trade were properly packaged and delivered in good condition to our central laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos, where analytical activities commenced immediately in accordance with international standards and methods of analysis.

“The technique using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detector was deployed.

“A total of 114 samples of instant noodles and the seasonings were received.

“We did not only analyze for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol in the noodles and seasonings; we also analysed for other contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals in the samples.

“Ethylene oxide or its derivative was not found in any of the instant noodles produced in Nigeria and their seasonings.

“The level of mycotoxin and the heavy metals were within the internationally acceptable limit. Therefore, the noodles made in Nigeria are very safe to eat.”