₦airaland Forum

How Arsenal missed signing Osimhen for free

Arsenal missed out on a golden opportunity to sign prolific striker Victor Osimhen in 2016 and yet failed to get him for free in January 2017, when he left Nigeria to join Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.

The 24-year-old Nigerian striker has been making headlines for his outstanding performances with Napoli since joining the Serie A side in 2020.

Osimhen made headlines in 2015 when he scored 10 goals to help Nigeria win the U-17 World Cup for a record fifth time. The young striker claimed the Golden Boot for his efforts, with Wolfsburg and Arsenal battling for his signature. Makesense media reports,

Wolfsburg won that battle in January 2016, as they agreed to a pre-contract deal with Osimhen. The move was finalised in January 2017. Arsenal were left to pay for not acting on time. Osimhen explained that he was actually invited to the Emirates by the English giants in February 2016.

“It’s true that a big team like Arsenal wanted me and I feel honoured to be invited over,” Osimhen told BBC Sport. “But personally I feel Wolfsburg is a ladder for me to reach my professional goals.

Yes Arsenal is a good team for young players but Wolfsburg is the best club for me. This is the best place for me to learn and develop because my heart is here with Wolfsburg… The club’s plan for my career is very encouraging and I believe with God on my side I can grow to become one of the best players in the world.”

Osimhen did not register a senior goal for Wolfsburg, but he’s flourished since leaving the German club, initially on loan, in the summer of 2018. The forward has scored goals for fun at Belgian side Charleroi, French outfit Lille and Champions League hopefuls Napoli.

Now Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are both expected to enter the transfer market this summer to sign a striker

Reports in Italy earlier this month suggested Premier League giants United were the favourites to sign the talent, but he won’t come cheap, as they might have to pay €150m to grab the in-form striker.

https://makesensepromotions.com/how-arsenal-missed-signing-osimhen-for-free/

Policeman guns down wife, lover, reports self

A police officer, identified as Mmutle, has been arrested in connection with the murder of his estranged wife and a 30-year-old man named Katlego, said to be his wife’s lover, in South Africa.

It was gathered that the warrant officer found his wife and the alleged lover having sex at an apartment belonging to her friend and gunned them down, IOL reported on Wednesday.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, said the incident took place on Tuesday evening, March 14, 2023 at iKageleng in Zeerust, North West province.

Suping said the warrant officer handed himself over to police on Wednesday. Makesense Media reports,

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the off-duty officer went to a house in Sandvlakte where he allegedly fired several shots and instantly killed a 30-year-old man and his wife, who was also a police officer, stationed at Kopfontein Port of Entry.

“Subsequent to the incident, the suspect handed himself in to the police and the firearm that was allegedly used during the commission of the crime was confiscated. The motive for the crime is unknown and investigations are underway,” he said.

https://makesensepromotions.com/policeman-guns-down-wife-lover-reports-self/

Ex-PDP Guber Candidate, LP Senatorial Candidate, Onitiri Dump Party For APC In Lagos

Ade Dosunmu, a former PDP candidate for governor, and Adesunbo Onitiri, a senatorial candidate for the Labour Party in Lagos Central, and have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to a source, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, has received the support of Onitiri and Dosunmu for his re-election bid.

At the Lagos Central Leaders Conference on Tuesday, the pair supported Sanwo-reelection. Olu’s

In April 2022, Mr. Adesunbo Onitiri, declared that he is set to contest the Lagos Central Senatorial seat, again, in 2023, after purchasing a form at the national headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja.

Again in October 2022, the renowned socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Labour Party (LP) to contest the forthcoming Lagos Central Senatorial election.




Onitiri said his decision was based on the party’s lack of internal democracy and to heed the call of Pa Ayo Adebanjo to support Peter Obi’s presidential bid.

Before his defection, Onitiri was a strong member of the PDP where he contested against Senator Oluremi Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2019 senatorial election in which he was narrowly defeated.

https://makesensepromotions.com/ex-pdp-guber-candidate-lp-senatorial-candidate-onitiri-dump-party-for-apc-in-lagos/

You wanted the lesser of three evils but you got the best” Seun Kuti tells Nigerians

Seun Kuti has taken to social media to address Nigerians after INEC announced Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

Seun wrote: “You wanted the lesser of 3 evils but you got the best! May the best lie win!! Let’s know those ready for the work. It starts today.

He also told Nigerians that celebrities are only using their support and resources to become citizens of other countries so their children would not have to exist with the children of other Nigerians. Makesense reports

source: https://makesensepromotions.com/you-wanted-the-lesser-of-three-evils-but-you-got-the-best-seun-kuti-tells-nigerians/

cc: mynd44 , seun

Police arrest Doguwa over alleged electoral violence in Kano

Alhassan Doguwa, majority leader of the house of representatives, has been arrested by the police for his alleged role in attacks in Kano state during the general election.

A source in the police said Doguwa was picked up on Tuesday at the Mallam Aminu Kano international airport while boarding a flight to Abuja.

The source said the police received a report in Tudun Wada alleging that Doguwa led the thugs that set ablaze the secretariat of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the area, with two persons feared dead.

“He is currently cooling off in the state criminal investigation department,” the source said

Earlier on Tuesday at a media briefing, Doguwa denied the allegation that supporters of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), were responsible for the fire that gutted the secretariat of the NNPP in Tudun Wada LGA of the state.

During the briefing, Doguwa also said he learnt that the police were looking for him but said he had not received any formal invitation.

“I never held a gun. I don’t even know how to hold a gun. I also never held any weapon throughout the election,” he had said.

https://makesensepromotions.com/police-arrest-doguwa-over-alleged-electoral-violence-in-kano/

INEC results: Atiku Abubakar wins Kebbi state

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been declared winner of the presidential election in Kebbi State held last Saturday, February 27.

The State Collation Officer, Prof. Usman Saidu, while presenting the result in Birnin Kebbi, said Atiku polled a total of 285,175 votes to defeat APC presidential candidate, who polled 248,088 votes.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), secured a total of 10,682 votes while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) scored 5,038 votes.

https://makesensepromotions.com/inec-results-atiku-abubakar-wins-kebbi-state/

El- Rufai Decries Poor Voter Turnout in Kaduna

Concern over the poor voter turnout in Kaduna State’s presidential and national assembly elections has been voiced by Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The governor urged people to vote in a chat with media when he was waiting to cast his ballot at PU 024, Anguwan Sarki GRA, Kaduna North LGA.

With the emphasis that “so far everything appears orderly across the state, all the reports we are getting are favorable,” he praised INEC for improvements to the voting process.

The governor however said, “This morning, we got report of one incident in Southern Kaduna where BVAS and ballot boxes were snatched and in Soba where two ballot boxes were also snatched”.

While lamenting the poor turnout of voters, El-Rufai said, “My only concern is low voter turnout, people are not coming out to vote. And I want to appeal to everyone to please come out and vote, because you have once in four years opportunity to pick your leaders and you should take it seriously. Makesense Media report

“It is the leaders that you select today that will run the affairs of your country for the next four years. So, please don’t stay back at home, come out and vote. And remember anytime you don’t come out to vote, you are giving opportunity to people you don’t like two more votes, because your vote will reduce the gap by one, but if you don’t come out, you are giving them by default two more votes.”


https://makesensepromotions.com/el-rufai-decries-poor-voter-turnout-in-kaduna/

Instead of using cash, politicians devise new method to buy votes – EFCC

Less than three days to the general elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says some politicians have come up with new ways to induce voters on election day.

According to EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, intelligence at the commission’s disposal has shown that the said politicians are planning to buy votes in kind rather than with cash.

Bawa made this known on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s amid the scarcity of the new naira notes experienced by Nigerians nationwide.

“We have intel that a lot of people have bought some items that they want [to use] to buy votes in kind not in cash. Some of these things are out there,” he stated.

“Politicians are also Nigerians. We too have a way of doing our own things. We have our own experiences in this as well.”










The EFCC boss asked all Nigerians to cooperate with the anti-graft agency in its efforts in fighting vote-buying in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.

He also urged the citizens to vote for people with integrity and ethical standard into elective positions.

According to him, vote-buying is a serious issue that affects the future of Nigeria and its citizens and must be stopped by all means.

When asked what hurdle the commission is facing regarding vote-buying, Bawa said, “I think the hurdle is if Nigerians are not buying into what we are doing. I think that is the biggest hurdle. Makesense Media report,

“Once we are united on that front because the office of the citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most powerful office in this country.

“We can all come together to ensure that the people we are voting into various elective positions are people with proven integrity and of higher ethical standard. The only way you can determine that those have genuinely sold themselves in what they will do is when they get into office.”

https://makesensepromotions.com/instead-of-using-cash-politicians-devise-new-method-to-buy-votes-efcc/

Sales Shrink As Currency Traders Slash Consumers’ Disposable Income

As economic hiccups continue to reduce purchasing power, and consumptions across all sectors of the economy, disposable income has shrunk with panic withdrawals from currency traders.

The charges imposed by money deposit banks and Point of Sales (PoS) on Nigerians who make use of their services for cash withdrawals is cutting into their purchasing power while putting more households in precarious conditions and biting harships.

Currently, PoS operators charge their customers an average of N2,000 on every N10,000 withdrawal. Similarly, most money deposit banks have programmed their ATMs to dispense only N1,000 and N2,000 per withdrawal to non-customers to charge N35 per on every withdrawal.

Against the backdrop of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) monetary policy of redesigning N1000, N500 and N200 notes to control excessive cash in the economy, consumers across the country are currently experiencing untold hardship as a result of the apex bank’s inability to inject the amount of new notes commensurate with the old notes, which has almost been completely withdrawn from the economy.

In addition, the unavailability of fuel in rural and urban areas has plunged an average consumer in double jeopardy.

The ongoing crisis has, in no small measure, affected person-to-person, person-to-business and business-to-business transactions across Nigeria.

On a visit to Oke-Arin, a popular grocery market on Lagos Island, Makesense Media learnt that the market, which used to be bustling with wholesalers, retailers and consumers, has become a ghost of its old self.

Speaking with Makesense Media, a wholesaler, Mrs. Funmi Isijola who deals in wines and spirits, said it has been so difficult to even sell 10 cartons of wine in a day due to scarcity of cash and challenges they encountered while using online banking.

“The scarcity of cash is a big challenge for us traders. I normally sell almost hundreds of cartons of wine daily, but since this change of currency started, it has been difficult to make sales. We are just managing; I have not sold up to five packs as I am speaking with you right now.

that the government finds a solution to this policy before it gets out of hand,” she said.

Another trader, who sells beverages at the same market, stated that, sales have dropped drastically as people now prepare to buy essentials rather than what they can do away with.

“I still believe that my coming to market today will not be in vain because as it stands, I haven’t been able to make any sales since I opened the shop. Today, being Thursday, we don’t open until 10am, coupled with the low scarcity of cash and even fuel is really contributing to low sales,” she said.

Corroborating the Oke-Arin scenario, a market survey carried out at Ikorodu Market, saw traders lamenting on low sales. A visit to a butcher’s shop simply known as Mr. Akeem, also confirmed low sales.

“You can imagine that we that are selling meat are complaining about lack of sales. What should other people say? We the sellers don’t even have enough cash to buy cows from the abattoirs. Another problem we are having is the challenges of transferring money online. We have encountered so many failed transactions which has resulted in us not collecting transfers from our customers and even buying,” he lamented.

In the same development, a pharmacist also noted that sales dropped for some days because people don’t have enough cash to buy medication.

On a visit to Ogba Park in Ikeja Local Government, Lagos, Olabisi, a commuter, explained her ordeal in trying to get cash to move around. She narrated how she almost got stranded at the bus park because she didn’t have cash to pay for a bus fair.

“I don’t understand where we are going in this country; I could not pay for my transformation fair yesterday because I ran out of cash. I decided to use the ATM but it wasn’t dispensing, I went to a POS vendor who wanted to charge me N300 on N1,000. I was at the bus stop for a very long time before I saw someone who paid for my fair,” she said.

A few commercial bus drivers, who also shared their encounters, said some passengers now offer to make bank transfers when they board the bus, which sometimes end in bitter disagreements.

https://makesensepromotions.com/sales-shrink-as-currency-traders-slash-consumers-disposable-income/

Edo govt extends free bus services

The Edo State government has announced an extension of its free bus service by all Edo City Transport Service buses to all its routes till Friday, February 24.

Makesense Media report gathered that, According to the statement made available by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, the government said the extension became necessary because the cash crunch experienced by the people in the state has remained unabated.

the statement reads, “The Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has extended the free bus service by all Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) buses till Friday, February 24, 2023.

“The extension became necessary because the cash crunch experienced by the people in the state has remained unabated.

While the government intensifies efforts to bring a lasting solution to this issue, the government calls on the people to remain calm and law-abiding as normalcy will be restored shortly.”

The Edo state government had on February 16 introduced a five-day free bus service to run till February 20 to alleviate the suffering brought on by the unavailability of the new naira to its citizens. However, due to the sustained crisis, the state, therefore, extended the free transport services till February 24.

https://makesensepromotions.com/edo-govt-extends-free-bus-services/

Flying Eagles defeated in U-20 AFCON opening game

Senegal defeated Nigeria’s flying eagles 1-0 in the Under-20 AFCON Championship opener on Sunday in Cairo.

Five minutes before halftime at the Cairo International Stadium, striker Soulaymane Faye broke the scoreless tie.

With Lamine Camara and team captain Samba Diallo orchestrating the WAFU-A champions’ midfield play, the Young Lions of Teranga got off to a strong start.

Senegal immediately made their intentions known by wreaking havoc in the Nigerian penalty box with striker Pape Diallo.

On the half-hour mark, after Camara’s inviting delivery, Nigerian goalkeeper Nwosu denied Pape Diallo with a header.

Faye’s close-range finish resulted from the lanky forward being the quickest to respond to Pape Diop’s low effort, which Nwosu turned into his path.

Makense Media report that, The Flying Eagles pushed harder for the equalizer in the second half, but Senegal defended well to keep a clean sheet, and Samba Diallo even came close to doubling their lead.

That was when his diving header missed the bottom corner of the Nigerian goal.

Changes by Nigeria in the second half, in the substitution of Halliru Sarki for Emmanuel Uchegbu and the introduction of Jude Sunday for Ibrahim Mohammad, could still not help matters.

To make matters worse, the Flying Eagles were reduced to 10 men following substitute Ahmed Abdullahi’s sending-off in the match’s closing stages.

The forward had replaced Olamilekan Adams, but a high-foot challenge on a Senegalese could only earn him a 90th-minute sending-off.

Senegal though missed two late chances earlier, through second-half substitute Mame Ngom.

He failed to hit the target twice when he beat the goalkeeper to the ball only to fire over the goal.

The Flying Eagles will now take on hosts Egypt on Wednesday at the same venue in their second group phase game.

The hosts had earlier in the day in the competition’s opening match drawn goalless with Mozambique.

https://makesensepromotions.com/flying-eagles-defeated-in-u-20-afcon-opening-game/

Oba Of Ojo Speaks On Abetting Cultism, Criminality In Lagos

Oba Adeshina Raji, the traditional ruler of the Iba community in Ojo, near Lagos, has denied reports that he was aiding and abetting cultism and other criminalities in the area.

Raji denied the reports in response to what he called baseless allegations that he was involved in cult-related crimes in the area.

He said:

MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN TO A MALICIOUS AND VICIOUS ALLEGATION TARGETED AT DENIGRATING MY IMAGE AND PERSONALITY.I AM A TRADITIONAL RULER WITH HIGH INTEGRITY AND I HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR NONSENSE, ESPECIALLY CRIMES.

Raji maintained that some unscrupulous people are using social media to tarnish his image and that he is not associated with a specific person who has been linked to criminal activities in Iba town.

AM IN NO WAY CONNECTED TO SUCH A PERSON. I AM SURE THAT THE SOCIAL MEDIA POST IS THE HANDWRITING OF MISCHIEF MAKERS AND SUCCESS HATERS, WHO ARE ONLY GOOD AT BREWING TENSIONS AND DOWNGRADING FELLOW HUMANS.MY HATRED FOR CRIMINALITY HAS SUSTAINED MY INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE SECURITY IN MY COMMUNITY, MAKING ME DONATE SOME ITEMS SUCH AS VEHICLES TO TRACK CRIMINALS IN THE IBA COMMUNITY.I HAVE ALSO SINGLE-HANDEDLY BUILT A MAGISTRATES’ COURT IN MY COMMUNITY WHICH I HANDED OVER TO THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT.SO, IF I AM AIDING AND ABETTING CRIMINALS, WOULD I HAVE DONE ALL THAT? I AM A KING WHO LOVES PEACE AND HATES VIOLENCE.

Raji recalled that the allegation against him surfaced on social media on February 12th, where he was accused of using a cultist known only as “Sholly” to commit crimes in Iba town.

The traditional ruler, who is also the Chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Garage Administrators, stated that he would never support criminality.

He, however, pleaded with Lagos State security agencies, including the State Security Service and the police, to intervene in the matter and apprehend those responsible for tarnishing his image.

https://makesensepromotions.com/oba-of-ojo-speaks-on-abetting-cultism-criminality-in-lagos/

Three police officers arrested over alleged judicial killings, others in Anambra

Three police officers arrested over alleged judicial k#llings, others in Anambra

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its has arrested three of its officers over allegations of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and judicial k#llings in Anambra State.

The force disclosed this in a statement by its public relations officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, February 17, 2023.

Makesense Media reports gathered that, According to the statement , “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has set up a special investigation panel under the IGP Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to commence investigations into the weighty allegations of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and extra-judicial k#llings leveled against its officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command on social media platforms.

In light of the serious allegations leveled against the officers - CSP Patrick Agbazue, officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anambra State Command; SP Nwode Nkeiruka, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and Inspector Harrison Akama attached to the RRS, they reported at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja today Friday 17th February, 2023, on the directives of the IGP for commencement of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the allegations for further necessary action, while the panel has been given a period of two weeks to come up with a report of investigations.

The Inspector-General of Police has assured that the findings of the investigations will determine the next line of action, even as he promises that the Force will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is done in the case and sanctions meted to any officers found guilty accordingly.”

https://makesensepromotions.com/hree-police-officers-arrested-over-alleged-judicial-kllings-others-in-anambra/

Naira Scarcity: Travellers stranded as protesters block the Benin-Ore-Lagos highway

Travellers stranded as angry Nigerians block the Benin-Ore-Lagos highway again over the scarcity of new naira notes.

This comes 10 days after the same area was blocked by youths protesting naira scarcity.

Makesense Media reports

https://makesensepromotions.com/naira-scarcity-travellers-stranded-as-protesters-block-the-benin-ore-lagos-highway/

Oba of Lagos speaks on declining Peter Obi’s request to visit him

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu says he bears no grudges and harbours no resentment towards the Igbo.

The monarch said this in reaction to his purported rejection of Labour Party, LP, Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, request to visit him.

A female supporter of the Labour party candidate had accused the monarch of rejecting the moves by Peter Obi to visit him at his Iduganran palace, Lagos Island.

Speaking when the former Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP, Abiodun Alabi paid him a courtesy visit in his place in the company of the new Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, Akiolu said Obi is free to visit him at his palace anytime he wishes to.

The revered monarch, while declaring that he has a cordial relationship with the Igbos in Lagos, added that the late President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief George Obiozor, was his close friend.

Makesense Media report that, According to Akiolu, “Nobody has written to me that any presidential candidate is coming to visit me.

“If anybody writes to me, I cannot deny them but as far as Peter Obi is concerned, whom I see as a complete gentleman, he has not approached me.

“I was always with the late Ohanaeze President, Obiazor, every weekend when he was alive and anytime I travelled to New York, he would always come to pick me up at the airport.

“So, I have no grudge against any Igbo man. I respect people and I don’t fear anybody,” Akiolu said.

He commended the former Lagos CP, Alabi for his performances during his tenure and urged the new CP to take the welfare of the police under him seriously and be nice to the people.

“Try to hold your religion. If you are a Christian or Muslim, practice your religion and look after the welfare of the people under you.

“I don’t take nonsense but I don’t have reservoirs of knowledge. From what I know about you, you will do well.

“Anything you do, do it with honesty. What you don’t want the citizens to do to you, don’t do it to them. I am giving you the assurance that we will cooperate with you,” Akiolu told the new CP.

Earlier, the Owhohunwa had told Akiolu he was at his palace to seek his royal blessings and professional advice.

According to him, “I have come for the professional aspect. You retired from the police service at one of the highest levels.

“The rich knowledge we can get from you is vital for my performance and I want to appeal to you to consider me as your son both from the traditional perspective and professional perspective and accept me with open hands.

“Whenever, I come, whenever I have challenges in the course of my duty, I should have a father to turn to. I will work to secure stable security for Lagos State, ” he said

https://makesensepromotions.com/oba-of-lagos-speaks-on-declining-peter-obis-request-to-visit-him/

cc: mynd44 , Lalasticala, Seun

2023 election: 400,000 security personnel to be deployed nationwide – IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman, said over 400,000 security personnel would be deployed for the smooth conduct of the general elections across the country.

The IGP made the disclosure yesterday at the 66th Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

He said out of this number, the police would provide over 300,000 personnel, while the rest would be sourced from complementary security agencies in the country.

While listing fuel scarcity and cash crunch as threats against the conduct of the elections, Baba assured that the situation will stabilise before the commencement of the exercise.

“We are very sure the situation of cash and petrol will stabilise before the conduct of the election,” he stated.

Reports gathered that, He further informed that an intelligence unit has been put in place to track and apprehend those who may engage in vote buying and those who may want to disrupt the exercise.

He said: “In aid of our efficient and informed human operational and logistics deployment plan, we have undertaken an election security threat analysis, which identifies and prioritised possible threats to the electoral process, in terms of location and specific personalities and groups across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The force is also leveraging on the outcome of similar exercises undertaken and shared with us by the Department of State Services and civil society organisations, particularly CLEEN Foundation. The operational plan of the Force is a product of these initiatives.

“From INEC records, there exists 176,846 polling units in 8,809 wards of the 36 states of the federation and FCT, where the elections will be conducted. The Nigeria Police, with the support of other security agencies, has perfected plans to deploy, in a coordinated and collaborative manner, to cover all these locations.

“The deployment will cover the National Collation Centre in Abuja, as well as other collation centres across states of the federation, the FCT and the 774 local areas of the federation. In view of the above, Nigeria police will deploy 310,973 personnel for the elections security operations.

This will comprise the conventional policemen, the mobile policemen, the special counterterrorism unit, the special forces, intelligence response team and other sections of the police.

“The manpower requirement for this exercise will be complemented by the military and other security agencies. In this regard, aside from the military and the DSS, other security agencies will contribute a total of 93,495 personnel for the election security operations.

“These include the Nigrian Security and Civil Defence, who will deploy, through the police, 151,000 personnel; the Federal Road Safety Corps, 21,000; Nigerian Correctional Service, 11,336; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, 9,447; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 350, totalling 404,106 to police the elections.

“With this layout, a minimum of, at least, two personnel, drawn from the above agencies, will be jointly deployed to man each of the polling units across the country, while the armed personnel will secure the public space, INEC facilities, vulnerable locations, border areas, as well as undertake armed escort duties for INEC personnel, materials and local and international observers.

“We, also, expect the military to complement this situation by providing armed protection to critical national assets, ensuring that the enforcement of movements are curtailed through the blocking of exit points and entry points to various states, local governments and so forth.”

On specific plans to stop those who may disrupt the exercise as well as deter vote buyers, Baba disclosed that a unique technical intelligence assets and special intelligence unit of the police, working with other security agencies and INEC, are in place to track and apprehend those who may plan to disrupt the exercise or intimidate vote buyers.

He said: “As part of efforts to address the menace of votes selling and buying, a special intelligence unit of the force has been constituted to clandestinely monitor the trend and work with EFCC, ICPC and INEC in identifying the network that may be involved in this illegality and apprehend them where possible.

“In addition, the unique technical intelligence assets of the force are also being deployed towards identifying adverse elements that may be planning to disrupt the process.

“Through this initiative, such elements will be identified real time, geo-located, isolated, arrested and brought to justice.”

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/poll-400000-security-personnel-to-be-deployed-igp-2/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwihp8T9_Jv9AhUmX_EDHYtKDfcQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw0-EHC1OqXyyI5nKO6jrS6I

youths attack police station after trigger-happy officer killed 70-year-old woman

Angry youths have attacked a police station after a seventy-year-old grandmother simply identified as Yerbure, was shot dead by a trigger-happy officer on a regular patrol in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

The incident reportedly happened in the Doubeli area of Yola on Thursday night around 9:45 pm.

According to Makesense Media, sources in the neighborhood said the incident has now triggered a riot, in which the angry youths have resulted in demolishing the Doubeli police station.

It was gathered that the incident started after policemen, who were on a routine patrol in the area, reportedly arrested a young man sitting in front of his compound.

The policemen wanted to whisk him away but the locals resisted and demanded an explanation, consequent upon which the police fired shots that hit and killed Yerbure.

Besides the grandmother, a young man in the same area also sustained an injury during the sporadic gunfire.

The remains of the woman have reportedly been deposited at the Specialist Hospital in Yola.

https://makesensepromotions.com/adamawa-angry-youths-attack-police-station-after-trigger-happy-officer-killed-70-year-old-woman/

Muslim-Muslim ticket act of God, give it a chance, Tinubu’s wife urges Nigerians

Wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has appealled to Nigerians to vote for her husband, Bola Tinubu, in the forthcoming election.

Makesense PM gathered that, Speaking at a town hall with the disabled community in Abuja on Thursday, she stated that there will be a turnaround when her husband is elected while building on the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari.

She therefore urged Nigerians to give the Muslim-Muslim a chance as the previous model did not succeed due to activities of evil.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation, trust me, what is happening now is just delivering pains, when a mother wants to deliver, what will happen? Labour, pain. So we are labouring right now to birth a Nigeria that is going to be great, I can’t wait to see that Nigeria.”

“I always tell people that they should try the Tinubu/Shettima ticket and if it does not work, it is democracy, you have the opportunity in four years to vote them out. But I believe that if you try it, you will not regret it.”

“God brought the Muslim-Muslim ticket to confound the wise and the naysayers who say we want Christian-Muslim ticket and still you will be complaining, then try this one that you tried one time and those evil of this nation shut it down but this one has come to stay and it will it stay, it will suffer.

https://makesensepromotions.com/muslim-muslim-ticket-act-of-god-give-it-a-chance-tinubus-wife-urges-nigerians/

I’ll never support a wicked man to be Nigerian President – Bishop Oyedepo

Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church has vowed never to render his support to any wicked politician who is nursing the ambition of ruling the country.

Oyedepo, who spoke while leading his congregation on prayer for the nation particularly for the February and March general elections, said God is angry with the wicked leaders.

Makesense PM gathered that, Speaking on alleged practice of nepotism by the Nigerian leaders, Oyedepo asserted that there are no tribes without citizens capable of leading the country.

He said, “There are no tribes and regions without competent men with the character and capacity to lead Nigeria and there are no tribes and regions without incompetent people. More often than not, it is incompetent people who get there.

“There are no tribes and regions in Nigeria without competent men with the character and capacity to lead Nigeria. The day I will support a wicked to reign in Nigeria will not meet me here. I am on God’s side.

“God is angry with the wicked every day, I can’t be in love with the wicked. If you are in love with the wicked, you are a hater of God. You hate God with passion”.

https://makesensepromotions.com/ill-never-support-a-wicked-man-to-be-nigerian-president-bishop-oyedepo/

Travelers Stuck As Nigerian Railway Corporation Rejects Old Naira Notes

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has refused to sell tickets to passengers carrying old Naira notes, stranding them.

According to Makesense Pm reports, the early morning train to Ibadan was nearly disrupted by protests following the NRC’s initial refusal to collect old Naira notes.

WHEN THE EARLY MORNING PASSENGERS BECAME AGITATED AND TENSION WAS BREWING, THE NRC WAS FORCED TO ACCEPT OLD NAIRA NOTES AND THE EARLY MORNING TRAIN WAS THEN ALLOWED TO LEAVE FOR IBADAN IN PEACE.HOWEVER, THIS AFTERNOON, WE WERE DIRECTED NOT TO COLLECT THE OLD NAIRA NOTES. THE 4 PM TRAIN JUST LEFT FOR IBADAN AND ABOUT TEN PASSENGERS COULDN’T BOARD BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE NEW NAIRA NOTES.WHY THERE WAS SO MUCH CONFUSION WITH THE MORNING TRAIN WAS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS WITH OLD NAIRA NOTES FAR OUTWEIGH THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH NEW NAIRA NOTES. BUT THIS AFTERNOON TRAIN THAT LEFT AROUND 4 PM DIDN’T EXPERIENCE SUCH CONFUSION BECAUSE ONLY TEN PASSENGERS HAD OLD NAIRA NOTES WITH THEM.WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW MORNING IS WHAT WE DON’T KNOW SINCE WE HAVE BEEN DIRECTED NOT TO COLLECT THE OLD NAIRA NOTES.WE HAVE SINCE THE SUSPENDED COLLECTION OF OLD NAIRA NOTES ON THE LAGOS MASS TRANSIT TRAINS. THE DECISION TO SUSPEND COLLECTION OF OLD NAIRA NOTES ONBOARD THE LAGOS-IBADAN TRAIN JUST STARTED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, AN NRC WORKER WHO WOULDN’T WANT HER NAME IN PRINT TOLD THE TRIBUNE ONLINE.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Eric Umezurike, Managing Director of First Fit Nigeria Limited and a train passenger, said that a Federal Government agency like the Nigerian Railway Corporation is better positioned to collect old naira notes and seamlessly exchange them with its sister agency, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to him;

IF A GOVERNMENT AGENCY IS REJECTING OLD NAIRA NOTES AT A PERIOD WHEN THE CASE WAS STILL PENDING IN COURT, WHAT WOULD BE THE EXPECTATIONS FROM MARKET WOMEN SUPERMARKETS AND PETROL ATTENDANTS.

Speaking to journalists at Mobolaji Johnson Station, some of the passengers who were unable to board the 4 p.m. train vowed to stage protests at the train station the next time they were denied access due to the issue of old Naira notes.

WE WON’T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY NEXT TIME WE COME HERE. THE TRAIN IS GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND BELONGS TO ALL OF US BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILT WITH TAXPAYER’S MONEY. EVEN IF GOVERNMENT COLLECT LOANS TO BUILD THE TRAINS, THE GOVERNMENT IS PAYING BACK THOSE LOANS WITH TAXPAYER MONEY.WE WON’T TAKE IT LIGHTLY NEXT TIME WE COME HERE AND THEY (NRC) REFUSE TO ALLOW US TO BOARD BECAUSE OF OLD NAIRA NOTES ISSUE, SOME OF THE PASSENGERS LAMENTED.

When contacted, NRC Lagos District Manager Engineer Augustine Arisa said he couldn’t comment because he was in Papalanto, Ogun State, for routine checks on the railway station.

I AM NOT IN LAGOS NOW. I CANNOT CONFIRM IF IT’S TRUE WE ARE NOT COLLECTING THE OLD NAIRA NOTES. I AM IN PAPALANTO, OGUN STATE FOR SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WORKS, ARISA SAID.

https://makesensepromotions.com/travelers-stuck-as-nigerian-railway-corporation-rejects-old-naira-notes/

Angry residents destroy POS operator’s stand in Delta

Angry residents in Warri, Delta state filed out this morning and destroyed a POS operator’s stand. According to the protesters, POS operators are extorting them due to the scarcity of New Naira notes.

Prior to the scarcity, POS operators charged N100 for every N5000 withdrawn but with the current scarcity of Naira notes, they charge as much as N1500 for every N5000 withdrawn.

Some of the POS operators claim they have to make their money back as they allegedly purchase the Naira notes from some bankers as well as fuel station attendants.

https://makesensepromotions.com/angry-residents-destroy-pos-operators-stand-in-delta/

cc : lasticala, mynd44, seun

derecho:
I know this isn't true.
APC always trying to taint the OBIdient movement.

Any attack against Igbos during elections will be reciprocated – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has warned against attacking Igbos during the forthcoming 2023 elections.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, warned that the group would reciprocate any attack on Igbos during the forthcoming elections.

Makesense Pm reports gathered that, In a statement, Powerful said IPOB would not stand by and allow anybody to threaten or attack Igbos during the elections.

According to Powerful: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to a threat from a small village Monarch in Yoruba Land to the effect that they will deal with non-indigenes, especially Ndigbo who doesn’t vote in the upcoming elections according to the wish of the monarch. This sort of threat tells you all you need to know about the Nigerian selection process, which they like to call an election.

“IPOB as a freedom movement do reaffirm our non-recognition and or participation of (in) the Nigerian electoral process because the results do not represent the will of the people, and this is why an idiot somewhere will have the gumption to threaten what they called non-indigenes and the Igbo nation in particular. While we Biafrans await a date for Referendum, nobody should threaten Ndigbo and Biafrans residing temporarily in other parts of Nigeria for any reason.

“IPOB want to state unequivocally that any attack in any part of Nigeria on the Biafran people or the Igbo Nation or their properties on account of the choice of individuals to participate and vote according to their conviction during this so-called election will be met with adequate and commensurate action.

“We urge men and women of good conscience in the North and West to caution their traditional rulers and politicians who want to use Ndigbo and Biafrans as scapegoats in this skewed election process to be very careful and retrace their steps. Gone are the days when Ndigbo will be threatened and intimidated during elections. As long as Biafrans have not been given the opportunity to exit Nigeria via a referendum, IPOB will not stand by and watch anyone Nigerian or non-Nigerian to threaten Buafrans or carry out such threats against us and get away with it.

“Even as IPOB do not wish to be drawn into the ZOO politics, nobody has the right to threaten Ndigbo or attempt to compel them to vote for a particular party or candidate. Any Biafran who wants to vote in this election has the right to vote for any party or candidate of his/her choice, and nobody should direct or threaten them to vote for a particular party in their community or state. If anyone threatens to attack Ndigbo and Biafrans or non-indigenes residents in your place, be rest assured that the people being attacked will not sit and watch their property and life being destroyed and will activate their right to Self Defence.

“We are urging Ndigbo, Biafrans and non-indigenes everywhere to be prepared to defend their property, family and their own lives during and after this election period. Do not allow anyone to use you or your family as a sacrificial lamb this time around.

“It is very imperative that we remind those who think highly of themselves and believe they will resort to violence and attack Biafrans that they do not have the monopoly of violence. Until Referendum is conducted and Biafrans exit Nigeria, those who have the habit of threatening and attacking Ndigbo must understand that it will not be business as usual this time around because their lives also will be in danger when they attack others.

“These nitwits believe that Biafrans are soft targets to threaten and attack at will well they should know that it will not be so this time around. These morons never threatened fulani not vote for any other party except their own party and their own person but rather directed their misguided outbursts against Biafrans and Indigbo. We dare them to attack NDIGBO and Biafrans this time around and see what will happen.”

Powerful urged Igbos to defend themselves “as long as Nigeria forced and kept us into this unwanted contraption, we are advising Biafrans to be fully ready to meet the coming challenge squarely and unwaveringly.”

https://makesensepromotions.com/any-attack-against-igbos-during-elections-will-be-reciprocated-ipob/

Igbos Will Vote For Tinubu Because Of Second Niger Bridge – Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi has stated that Igbos will vote for the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. Because of the Second Niger Bridge built by the President’s administration, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in the upcoming presidential election (retd.)
Umahi stated this on Tuesday at the APC South-East grand finale rally in Owerri.

According to the Governor, the Igbos will vote APC back into power because they are grateful for the accomplishments of Buhari’s administration.

Umahi said;

Igbo people will vote for the APC because of the Second Niger Bridge constructed by President Buhari’s administration.

Makesense PM gathered that, Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, also assured the party that his state would deliver for the APC in the February 25 presidential election.

Uzodimma said;

Imo people are grateful to Mr President. We sought your support for building of roads and fighting insecurity in Imo State and you approved (them). It is time to reciprocate that support by voting for the APC.

Tinubu, while speaking at the rally, promised that if he is elected into power, his administration would continue the developmental programmes of the President.

Tinubu said;

The PDP stole Nigeria’s treasury. President Buhari’s eight years is a retooling process. The PDP are liars. We will continue with developmental programmes of the APC, it will not stop.Imo is the destination for tourism, we will add value to real estate in Imo State, invest in education, build and reconstruct your roads in Imo. No more issue of ASUU strike. We will be prudent and manage revenue generation capacity, we will bring peace, we will work with the state to ensure security.

https://makesensepromotions.com/igbos-will-vote-for-tinubu-because-of-second-niger-bridge-umahi/

Police detain Abuja pastor preaching with AK-47

The Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, Abuja has detained the presiding pastor of House on the Rock (Abuja chapter), Pastor Uche Aigbe, for carrying an AK-47 on the pulpit.

Eyes Of Lagos reports that the Police have commenced an investigation on Aigbe after a video of him carrying an AK-47 surfaced on social media.

It was learnt that one Inspector Musa Audu handed his rifle to Aigbe.

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Sadiq Abubakar, made a recommendation to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to dismiss the police officer, Inspector Audu.

Audu, it was learnt, will be facing an orderly room trial for handing over his rifle to the Presiding Pastor, House on the Rock, Abuja Chapter, Uche Aigbe, on Sunday.

https://eyesoflagos.com/2023/02/13/breaking-police-detain-abuja-pastor-preaching-with-ak-47/

Ganduje shuts supermarket in Kano over refusal to accept old naira notes

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, has ordered the closure of Wellcare supermarket over its refusal of old naira notes from customers.




The government, who is against the naira redesign, had directed the continued acceptance of the old naira notes in the state.




On Thursday, the state government filed a suit against the federal government over the naira redesign.




Kano is seeking an order mandating the federal government to reverse the policy to recall the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes from circulation.




Speaking to journalists after the closure, Baffa Agudi, chairperson of the state’s consumer protection council, said legal action will be taken against the supermarket.




Agudi warned other marketers in Kano to be aware that the state government has not banned the use of old naira notes as legal tender.




He said any shop that is caught refusing the old naira notes will be dealt with decisively.




Responding to the closure, the management of the supermarket, in a letter to the governor, apologised for its action.




It pleaded with the governor to reopen its business premises.




“Due to the federal government policy on the New Naira Notes, we gave wrong instructions to our staff that from the 10th day of February, 2023, only the new approved Naira Notes are to be in circulation,” the letter reads.




“On an expansive investigation with our bankers, they declined to receive old Naira Notes on our behalf, unknown to all parties that the state has a policy that the old notes are to be in circulation.




“On this basis, we sincerely apologise for our actions and deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused the state.




“We humbly plead that our business should be re-opened for deserving members of the public as we undertake to receive ootenotes as valid tender to when the state issues and otherwise directive.




“Please do accept our regards and sincere apologies.”

https://eyesoflagos.com/2023/02/13/ganduje-shuts-supermarket-in-kano-over-refusal-to-accept-old-naira-notes/

Osimhen makes history after scoring in Napoli’s win against Cremonese

Victor Osimhen entered the history books as the first Napoli player to score in six straight Serie A games since Gonzalo Higuain following his second half strike against Cremonese on Sunday night.

Eyes Of Lagos facts gathered that, Former Argentine hitman, Higuain achieved the feat in the 2015/16 season.

Osimhen converted from close range as Napoli thrashed 3-0 at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona to extend their lead at the top of log to 16 points.

No player in Europe’s top five leagues has scored more in 2023 than the red-hot striker.

The Nigeria international has scored eight goals in his last six Serie A games.

The 24-year-old is currently the top scorer in Serie A with 17 goals from 18 appearances.

https://eyesoflagos.com/2023/02/13/osimhen-makes-history-after-scoring-in-napolis-win-against-cremonese/

Lack of Naira notes shutdown the Nigerian economy

The Nigerian economy is almost at a standstill as millions of Nigerians find it difficult to access both the old and new Naira notes


Makesense Promotions gathers that the lingering scarcity of both old and new naira notes has crippled economic activities nationwide and inflicted enormous pains on Nigerians, even as an aide to the President Muhammadu Buhari revealed that his principal was misled by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Ajuri Ngelale, in an interview monitored on TVC News, described as false the report by the CBN that it had supplied all bank branches in the country with sufficient amounts of the new notes.

Prior to the extension of the deadline for the exchange of old naira notes from January 31 to February 10, the President had defended the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, for adopting unorthodox economic models that put people at the heart of the apex bank’s policies. “Because the governor follows a model outside of the economic orthodoxy, he is labelled political, but the orthodoxy has proved wrong time and again,” Buhari said.

Owing to the naira redesign and the renewed cashless policy of the CBN, the non-availability of both the old and newly designed naira notes at all channels, including banking halls, Automated Teller Machine points and Point of Sale terminal operators across the country, has subjected majority of Nigerians to serious hardship, with many finding it difficult to access cash to buy basic things or transport themselves from one place to the other.

In what many have described as unprecedented in the history of the country, Nigerians now pay exorbitant charges to get the naira notes from PoS operators. As of Saturday afternoon, in some parts of Lagos, N5,000 old notes attracted N1,000 commission while N6,000 new notes attracted as much as N2,000 commission.

In the interview however, Ngelale said, “They (Nigerians) feel that the Federal Government of Nigeria is unintentionally or intentionally impoverishing them overnight. That is the perception they have, whether it is right or wrong.

“What we are working to do is to ensure that Mr President is given effective and true information and that the report that was given by the CBN that they have supplied all bank branches in the country with sufficient amounts of the new naira notes is absolutely false and it is evidential at this point.

“Mr President, being the pro-people defender and defender of the masses that he has always been and an upholder of social justice, did the right thing when intelligence reached him that he was getting false intelligence from the CBN, which was to extend the deadline from January 31 to February 10.

“Now, clearly, with the adjustments in the deadline, it was also announced that other agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission are also actively involved in the oversight of the distribution of the new naira notes to banking branches across the country as well as rural areas with cash swops with the over 30,000 super agents that are being sent out.

“So, there is an extra level of oversight and monitoring that is being done now and added to the process.”

He said the President would defend the masses no matter whose ox is gored, adding that he wouldn’t be opposed to an extension if it became necessary.

He added, “If he gets any intelligence that during the length of this 10-day window that the wrong things have been done or the right things have not been done and that the new naira notes have not been distributed among the people, Mr President has that option on the table of extending that deadline and that will be left to his discretion. Certainly, it is going to be based on what he sees happening across the country in the course of these seven days.

“We are heartened by the new information we received from the CBN that now over-the-counter collections of the new naira notes will now be made available to banking customers.”

Even though the President on Friday asked for seven days to solve the naira scarcity, many Nigerians are apprehensive about the extent to which the crisis could have degenerated at the end of the seven days.

As protests and anger continue to spread across the country over the scarce naira notes, coupled with pockets of attacks on banks and their staff members by furious customers, bank workers have expressed concerns over their safety.

The President, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees, Anthony Abakpa, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday said bankers were stressed due to the situation, noting that their work had become hectic.

He added, “Honestly, the situation is hectic, it is not a healthy environment at all. Even as a bank staff and an individual, the masses are angry because there is no cash available and their money is in the bank. The situation is worrisome.

“We will continue to engage and ensure that the safety of every individual working in the bank and insurance sector is upheld, and that is our demand.”

Similarly, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions called on security agencies to ensure the safety and security of bank workers and property.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that ASSBIFI President, Mr Olusoji Oluwole, in a statement on Saturday condemned recent attacks on some financial institutions, saying such endanger the lives of bank workers.

Oluwole stated, “We strongly condemn this act which is borne out of the propaganda against banks as the sole cause of the inability of the public to have access to cash across the country. We have seen a few videos of bank branches allegedly hoarding cash in their vaults.

“While we do not hold brief for these isolated cases or condone any verified bad behaviour, we expect the same sources of these videos to also project the many locations that have continued to provide cash to customers or have empty vaults due to the unavailability of cash. Unfortunately, we do not deem it security conscious for us to share videos or pictures of our vaults with the public as professionals.”

He said bank workers had in the past few weeks worked tirelessly, every day for long hours against the prescribed work hours, noting that such sacrifice was to ensure customers were able to deposit their old currency notes and make the new ones available for withdrawals at Automated Teller Machines.

He added, “This exercise has taken its toll on their health, work-life balance, and families while being faced daily with the fear of physical assaults by irate customers. While we assure the public of our commitment to ensure their pain is ameliorated, we appeal for calm and understanding at this time as we call on the security agencies to ensure the safety and security of our lives and bank property.”

Following the violence and protests that erupted in states like Ondo, Oyo, Delta, Enugu and some other parts of the country, the Nigeria Police Force has urged citizens to eschew violence.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “We appeal to our people to be patient and eschew violence as the government and all relevant agencies and stakeholders are working on how to resolve this problem.

“We also urge bank customers affected by the naira scarcity to be patient, and those attacking bank facilities should desist from such. It is illegal. Nigerians should be patient and not resort to violence. No one asked people not to protest; they could have held their protests with decorum and maturity without resorting to violence or attacking a police station.”

He said the violence in Ibadan on Friday would have escalated but for the timely intervention of the police.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday urged Nigerians not to vote for any candidate supporting the manner in which the currency redesign policy is being implemented.

Speaking at Opobo during the state chapter of the PDP’s campaign rally, he stated, “The primary target of this policy is to provoke Nigerians to embark on civil disturbance which they will capitalise on to say they cannot conduct election and push for enthronement of an interim government.

“No matter the provocation, I urge everyone to be calm. This election must hold because nothing will stop an Opobo man from becoming governor.” The governorship candidate of the PDP, Siminialayi Fubara, is from Opobo.

He also asked a former Minister of Transportation, Dr Abiye Sekibo, whom he had been at loggerheads with to explain why former President Olusegun Obasanjo sacked him from his cabinet.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, has warned that any commercial bank that refuses to dispense the new naira notes will have its land revoked by the state government.

He issued the warning on Friday afternoon in Maiduguri, the state capital, after visiting some banks to assess the difficulties residents have while trying to access the new notes.

He stated, “Any bank in Borno State that is not willing to ensure their ATMs are fully dispensing new naira notes to ease the suffering of our people, we will withdraw their land title immediately.

“We will only spare banks with genuine constraints that are verifiable. The new naira note and even the old ones are not available and that is adversely affecting commercial activities in the state and people are suffering.”

Zulum said he was unhappy seeing hundreds of people queuing at a bank, with only one out of 10 ATMs dispensing cash. He lamented that the state government had just released salaries of about N5bn but the banks were not paying customers.

He stated, “We don’t have any problem with the CBN policy or the withdrawal limit, they said individuals can only withdraw N20,000, but why can’t everyone have access to that N20,000? Yesterday, I was in Gubio with a population of over 70,000 people but it was impossible to source N100,000 in the entire local government, either new or old notes.”

The governor had last week directed the state’s ministry of finance to fast-track the establishment of the branches of Borno’s existing microfinance bank across all the 27 LGAs.

https://makesensepromotions.com/lack-of-naira-notes-shutdown-the-nigerian-economy/

Elon Musk’s Starlink now in Nigeria — first African country to receive service

The Elon Musk-owned firm confirmed this in a tweet on Monday, stating that Nigeria was the first African country to enjoy its services.

It tweeted, “Starlink is now available in Nigeria – the first African country to receive service.”

Nigeria is the 47th country in the world to get Starlink Internet services.







Starlink seeks to deliver a global broadband network, using a constellation of Low Earth Orbit to provide high-speed internet coverage with the capacity to penetrate rural and geographically isolated areas.

Before the announcement yesterday, discussion between spaceX and Nigerian authorities to launch its internet service in the west African country started in late 2021 albeit virtually.

The company started talks with the Nigerian Communications Commission to begin the process of pursuing all necessary licenses to bring Starlink, its satellite-based broadband services to Nigeria.

Having made substantial progress in the discussion, the Commission granted SpaceX’s request for a face-to-face discussion to gain better insights on the prospects of their proposal.

Led by SpaceX’s Starlink Market Access Director for Africa, Ryan Goodnight and supported by the company’s consultant, Levin Born, the company provided an overview of its plans, expectations, licensing requests and deployment phases during the meeting.

Makesense Promotions report that, After the presentation by SpaceX team, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Ubale Maska, who stood in for the EVC, said NCC will work on necessary modalities to ensure that it balances the need for healthy competition vis-a-vis the entry of new technologies, in order to protect all industry stakeholders.

“As the regulator of a highly dynamic sector in Nigeria, the Commission is conscious of the need to ensure that our regulatory actions are anchored on national interest.

“We have listened to your presentation and we will review it vis-à-vis our regulatory direction of ensuring effective and a sustainable telecoms ecosystem where a licensee’s operational model does not dampen healthy competition among other licensees,” Maska told the SpaceX delegation.

According to NCC, broadband penetration hit 47.36 per cent as of December 2022. Nigeria hopes to increase its broadband penetration to 50 per cent in 2023 and 90 per cent in 2025.

The ‘Nigerian National Broadband Plan: 2020–2025,’ reads in part, “The new Broadband Plan is designed to deliver data download speeds across Nigeria of a minimum 25Mbps in urban areas, and 10Mbps in rural areas, with effective coverage available to at least 90 per cent of the population by 2025 at a price not more than N390 per 1GB of data (i.e. 2 per cent of median income or 1 per cent of minimum wage).

https://makesensepromotions.com/elon-musks-starlink-now-in-nigeria-first-african-country-to-receive-service/

2023: You are making mistakes – Prophet Ariole knocks Christians for opposing Muslim-Muslim ticket

The General Overseer of Goshen Freedom Tabernacle, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Prophet Ariole, on Sunday, said Christians are making mistakes by kicking against the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The cleric said, “it’s an “aberration” and “rubbish.

He said this during a church service.

“Listen and get it right, your State is governed by a Christian but you are in pain,” he said.




Prophet Ariole noted that Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar where Christians go and enjoy themselves, were built by Muslims.

He said a presidential candidate that will favour Christians irrespective of religion and tribe will win the election.

“Go and prepare and cast your votes. If you don’t have PVC, go and pray to God, ‘let your will be done’.

“Your vote is your power and that’s why God is speaking to you. When you vote, God will bring your choice candidate to power,” he added.

https://makesensepromotions.com/2023-you-are-making-mistakes-prophet-ariole-knocks-christians-for-opposing-muslim-muslim-ticket/