Tony Aziegbemi, the Edo state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been released after being kidnapped by a gang of gunmen near his home in Benin City.
He was set free by his abductors in the early hours of Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Aziegbemi returned to his Benin City residence around 3 a.m.
Crusoe Osagie, the special adviser for media projects to the Edo State Governor, confirmed the release in a telephone conversation with Channels Television.
The former member of the House of Representatives represented the Esan North-East/Esan South-East federal constituency of Edo State. According to reports, his abductors, who rode in two Toyota Corolla cars, trailed him on the night of Friday, March 16, 2024, when they seized him.
The gunmen intercepted Aziegbemi’s sports utility vehicle (SUV) along Osaro Street, around 11 p.m. that night.
It is saddening how cheap life has become in this country today. It is now a daily occurrence to read reports of our fellow Nigerians who lose their lives while struggling for basic food to eat.
Just 3 days ago, I lamented the disheartening occurrence involving some of our children at Nasarawa State University who lost their lives in a stampede while hustling for government provided food.
Yesterday, another four people have also reportedly lost their lives in a stampede during an almsgiving zakat exercise for the poor in Bauchi State. These regular occurrences of stampede and struggle for food only reflect the depth of hunger and starvation in the country.
It also shows the level of desperation among our people. With food prices soaring higher every day and our nation continuing to wallow in unproductivity, our people now live their lives not knowing where the next meal will come from.
What is more concerning is the report of UNICEF projecting that over 30 million Nigerians will face acute hunger during the lean months, between June and August.
We now have a situation where our people are losing their lives to hunger before the projected timeline. The physical hunt and struggle for scarce food has become a life threatening adventure in itself.
We have never had it this bad in the nation as we do now, and unless very urgent actions are taken, the situation may get worse. I sincerely appeal to the government to release every resource, human and material, needed to end insecurity in the country, so that farmers can return to the farms, and with the government's support, ensure that our vast arable lands in the North are fully explored to feed Nigerians and export to the rest of the world.
I commiserate with the bereaved families of the dead and pray God to console them, and all of us, and grant them eternal rest. -PO
Re-insurgence of militancy in N'Delta, game play for 2027
No governor in Nigeria apart from Zulum understands their role as governor, they don't know why they are the Chief Security Officer of a state. FG should take me on the fact that ransom was paid to secure the release of schoolchildren
Cdre. Kunle Olawunmi Rtd, Former Commandant Defence Intelligence College, Abuja
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved the appointment of 168 assistants and 104 board members for the 15 agencies and commissions of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Borno State Government (SSG), Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, on Monday in Maiduguri.
He said the appointees comprised of nine Senior Technical Assistants (STA), 81 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 78 Special Assistants (SAs).
The SSG also listed 104 others as Chairmen and Board members of 15 agencies and commissions.
The appointment, the SSG said, was done based on powers conferred on the governor by the provisions of Section 208(2)d of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
“The governor congratulates the appointees and looks forward to their contributions to the development of Borno,” the SSG said.
Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange, has confirmed that its executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, is no longer in Nigerian custody.
The spokesperson for Binance, Samantha Fuller, disclosed this information to PUNCH Online via email on Monday.
The crypto exchange said its concern continues to be the safety and well-being of its employees, and it is actively collaborating with Nigerian authorities to swiftly resolve the matter.
“We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees, and we are working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to quickly resolve this issue,” said Fuller.
However, the spokesperson did not provide details on how the executive left Nigerian custody.
PUNCH Online reported that the 38-year-old British-Kenyan citizen fled on March 22 from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were being held.
The detention of Anjarwalla and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, unfolded after they arrived in Nigeria on February 26, 2024.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at Binance, and Anjarwalla, hailing from a British-Kenyan background and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, encountered detainment upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26.
The circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla’s escape remain unclear, as he allegedly took advantage of a visit to a nearby mosque for prayers during Ramadan to evade authorities.
Despite his British passport being in Nigerian custody upon entry, Anjarwalla reportedly fled using a Kenyan passport, raising questions about how he obtained it while in custody.
Earlier, PUNCH Online reached out to JNPR, the public relations agency that works for Binance executives, for confirmation on the matter.
The communications consultant at JNPR, Jessica Gois, stated, “I am currently seeking feedback from my clients. Unfortunately, I can’t share any information at the moment. As soon as I receive any updates, I will let you know.”
Authorities are now scrambling to ascertain Anjarwalla’s whereabouts and the specifics of his escape, with investigations underway to determine his intended destination.
Last week, the families of the executives said they would remain in detention for at least two more weeks in Nigeria.
The duo appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday, even though they were not charged with a crime.
This detention follows Nigeria’s recent crackdown on various cryptocurrency trading platforms.
On March 8, the exchange announced its decision to cease its naira-to-dollar exchange services in Nigeria due to a dispute with Nigerian authorities, who accused the platform of manipulating the country’s foreign exchange rate.
The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso, said that over $26bn in illicit funds had transited through the platform in the previous year.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said he will continue to defeat political harlots in Rivers State.
Wike spoke in Port Harcourt during a special Thanksgiving organised by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, to mark his birthday and his new position in the National Assembly.
Wike recalled that Chinda would have been his successor in 2023 because he was one of the best but he came under pressure.
According to Wike: “Pressure came on me at a time when we wanted someone who would succeed me. One of the very best I would have presented would have been Kingsley Chinda, not those Ikwerre people who were running around saying they wanted to be governor, that they could not serve a master and boy.
“But they are waiting on the road now to serve the boy. No real Ikwerre man says that and goes back. Chinda had told you not to bother yourself. In Ikwerre tradition, when you start beating the drum of wrestling, it is not at that time that the real wrestlers will come out.
“The real wrestlers will come in later, towards the end. Leave all these people who cannot stand ordinary hunger. Leave these political harlots; I will continue to defeat them. What you know, you know.”
It is comforting to hear that 287 school children abducted in Kaduna have been released. It is hard to imagine the mental pain and trauma the children must have gone through in the hands of their abductors.
The report of their release is however reassuring to the nation and their parents. I thank the government , the security agencies, and all those who made immense efforts to see that our children are released from captivity and reunited with their families.
Efforts should also be made, not just to release many of our people in the different kidnappers dens across the country, but to end the scourge of insecurity completely.
We must ensure that every Nigerian is safe in Nigeria, by not giving terrorists any operating space in our nation. No Nigerian should ever be a captive or hostage anywhere in his fatherland.
I encourage every Nigerian, in the midst of these dark and fearful nights in our nation where danger seems to be lurking on every corner, to remain hopeful for the new dawn of a secure and safe nation - the New Nigeria which is POssible.
Unidentified gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, an armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Saturday killed two police officers along old Gariki Road, Okigwe Council Area of Imo state.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, disclosed this to newsmen in a statement to newsmen in Owerri.
Narrating how it happened, the command said the gunmen threw dynamite at the officers while on security patrol. Two of the officers were killed and four officers survived the attack after an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.
According to the command, “The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN). The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack.
“On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma* alongside Commander Mopol 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack.
“More so, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and place watertight security to forestall any future occurrence.”
“The CP calls on the general public particularly the residents of Okigwe who may have any useful information that may assist the Police in the investigation to kindly do so by reporting at the nearest Police Station or via via 08034773600, 08103341610. He urges the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe. He urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State
“While empathizing with the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased officers, the Commissioner of Police reiterates in strong terms that the Command under his watch would not condone any form of attack on security personnel in the State. He assures them that the Command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators of this dastardly act are all arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the command said.
As the crisis in the Labour Party continues to fester, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party to desist from validating the "illegal Labour Party National Convention" scheduled for March 27, 2024.
In separate letters dated March 22, 2024, addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the LP National Legal Adviser and obtained by SaharaReporters, NLC warned that if the party did not desist and stop the Convention, it would sue the LP for contempt in view of the two valid judgements of the Federal High Court.
SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday, that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress picketed the offices of Labour Party nationwide, over alleged financial mismanagement by the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party.
SaharaReporters also reported on March 20, that the Political Commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) directed state chapters of NLC to mobilise members to picket all Labour Party offices nationwide over the lingering political crisis in the party.
NLC had accused the embattled National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure of unilateral decision to hold a national convention of the party, amid financial rascality and contempt for the leadership of the NLC.
Meanwhile, NLC in the letter cited that the proposed National Convention of the Labour Party is in violation of the valid orders of court in suit "Nos; (1) FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021; (2) FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014
Between; (1) Labour Party & 9 Ors Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors;
(2) Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & 8 Ors."
In the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, LP of the Falana and Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, the union specifically warned the National Legal Officer of LP that if the convention holds in violation of the orders of the court, it would not only institute contempt proceedings against him being party to the two judgements of the court, but will report him to the disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The organised labour also appealed to INEC chairman to restrain officials of the Commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for rule of law by attending the illegal convention.
Titled: "Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024," the letter addressed to Legal Adviser to LP partly read: "We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress on whose behalf we write this letter.
"It has come to our notice that Mr. Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a National Convention of the Labour Party on 27th March, 2024 at Abia, Abia State with the active connivance of some officials of the Commission under your able leadership.
"As you are no doubt aware, a National Convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgement of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as “an institutional political party founded, promoted and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers.” and thus ordered the factions to “convene an expansive and inclusive National Convention of the party.”
"Similarly, the plaintiffs in Suit no; FHC/ABJ/CS/ 491/2021 between Labour Party & 9 Ors. Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors. had approached the Federal High Court seeking inter alia; an order of injunction in favour of the plainiffs restraining the 1st (Barrister Julius Abure), 2nd (Umar Farouk) 3rd (Barr. Akingbade Samuel Oyelakin) defendants or any and/or all of the national officers appointed in any manner violative of the orders of the federal high court in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & Ors.
"In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday July, 23, 2021 ruled, “An order is hereby made for the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in other not to disturb the res of the matter pending further order of this Court.” Attached is a CTC of the Order.
"Worthy of note is the fact that you were the counsel on record and indeed represented the 1st to 3rd Respondents in the foregoing suit.
"In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to refrain yourself and properly advise your clients to desist from proceeding with the illegal national convention of the labour party scheduled for March 27, 2024.
"Upon failing, we shall institute contempt proceedings against you and the other defendants and report you to the disciplinary committee of the NBA.
"Whilst anticipating your cooperation and understanding, please, accept as usual, our professional regards."
CAN THE RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSESMBLY REMOVE THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION AND TRANSFER IT TO THE HOUSE?
BACKGROUND On Thursday February 15, 2024 at its 109th Legislative sitting, the House passed into Law, the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill repealed the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law, No. 3 of 2006 and further amended the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Law of 1999. The Bill was sent to the Governor for his assent and after the statutory 30 days, the House re-passed the Bill into Law on 22nd March, 2024.
The Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission was established by the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Law of 1999. Section 2 provides: “The Commission shall comprise a Chairman and four other members who shall in the opinion of the Speaker be persons of unquestionable integrity.
“The Chairman and members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Rivers State House of Assembly acting on the advice and recommendation of the House Committee of Selection and shall in making the appointment be guided by the geographical spread and diversity of the people of Rivers State.”
The above section was repealed by the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law No 3, 2006. In sections 2 and 3, the Amendment Law provides that: S. 2 “Section 2 of the Principal Law is amended by repealing subsection (1) and substituting the following subsection: “(1) The Commission shall comprise a Chairman and 4 (four) other members. S. 3 “Section 2(2) of the Principal Law is amended by repealing subsection (2) and substituting the following subsection: “(2) The Chairman and members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor subject to the confirmation by the House of Assembly and shall in making the appointment be guided by the geographical spread and diversity of the people of Rivers State.”
The import of the 2024 Amendment Bill passed into Law by the House is that the Governor will no longer have the power to appoint the Chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and the power of appointment shall be vested in the House of Assembly.
LEGAL ISSUES The first issue to consider is the Constitutional power of the Governor. Section 5(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that the executive powers of the State shall be vested in the Governor of that State.”
Further, section 176(2) provides that: “The Governor of a State shall be the Chief Executive of that State.”
This follows that the Governor is the Chief Executive Officer of the State Government and by the powers vested on him, is responsible for making appointments into various executive bodies, subject to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other statutes. All Commissions and other parastatals are executive bodies under the control of the Governor. The House of Assembly Service Commission is an executive body and as such, the Chairman and members can only be appointed by the Governor. The House of Assembly has no powers to make any appointment into an executive body as no statutory body is under the control of the legislature.
The Rivers State House of Assembly should not mistake the presence of the building of the Service Commission in its premises as conferring powers on the House to appoint the Chairman and members of the Commission.
The second issue to consider is the Constitutional alteration of 2023. In that alteration, the Third schedule was amended to include State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions, which invariably follows that a State House of Assembly Commission is one of State bodies established by section 197 of the 1999 Constitution.
Let’s be reminded that section 198 of the 1999 Constitution gives the Governor the power of appointment into various executive bodies, subject to confirmation by a resolution of the House of Assembly of a State. The job of the Rivers State House of Assembly ends with the confirmation of the appointees.
The alteration to the Third schedule, paragraph 1A provides that the composition, tenure, structure, finance, functions, powers, and other proceedings of the Commission shall be as prescribed by a law of the House of Assembly of the State. Notice that the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Commission is not listed.
Therefore, it can be safely inferred that the power to appoint the Chairman and members of the House of Assembly Service Commission lies with the Governor, as is the case with the other bodies listed under section 197 of the 1999 Constitution.
There is nothing in the Alteration that, by any stretch of imagination, can be inferred to confer the power of appointing the Chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission on the Rivers State House of Assembly, notwithstanding the fact that the law creating the Commission was enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Thirdly, is the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and its staff under the control of the State Government? To answer this question, we will take our voyage to section 318 of the 1999 Constitution. That section gives the definition of a Public Service of a State to mean: “the service of the state in any capacity in respect of the government of the state and includes service as: clerk or other staff of the House of Assembly; member of staff of the High Court, the Sharia Court of Appeal, the Customary Court of Appeal or other courts established for a state by the Constitution or by a law of a House of Assembly; member or staff of any Commission or authority established for the state by this Constitution or by a law of a House of Assembly; staff of any Local Government Council; staff of any statutory corporation established by a law of a House of Assembly; staff of any educational institution established or financed principally by a government of a State; and staff of any company or enterprise in which the government of a State or its agency holds controlling shares or interest.
The purport of this section is that the Assembly Service Commission is not an appendage of the legislature but under the control of the State Government. Even at the national level, the members of the National Assembly Service Commission are appointed by the President in collaboration with the National Assembly.
Fourthly, what is the position of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Law vis-à-vis the National Assembly Service Commission Act? Section 4(5) of the 1999 Constitution provides: “If any Law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of inconsistency, be void.”
Further, in A.G Bendel v AG Federation & 22 Ors (1982) 3 NCLRI, the Supreme Court held per Fatayi Williams CJN (as he then was) “neither a State nor an individual can contract out of the provisions of the Constitution. The reason for this is that a contract to do a thing which cannot be done without a violation of the Law is void.”
The fifth issue is: “can a statute revive a repealed statute?” In the case of Idehen v University of Benin, Suit No FHC/B/CS/120/2001, delivered on 19th December, 2001, the court held that: “Contrary to the contention of the University, the effect of a repealing statute is to erase the repealed statute from the statute book. When a statute is repealed, it ceases to exist and no longer forms part of the laws of the land. In other words, the effect of the repeal is to render the repealed statute dead and non-existent in law. Like a dead person, it cannot be revived.”
The court also held in Onagoruwa v IGP (1991) 75 N.W.L.R (pt. 193) 593 that in law, a non-existent statute is dead and cannot be saved or salvaged by the court. In Madumere v Onuoha (1999) 8 NWLR (Pt. 615) Pg 422, the Court of Appeal held that “the effect of repealing a statute is to obliterate it completely from the records of the Parliament as if it had never been passed. Such a law is to be regarded legally as a law that never existed…This means in effect that when a statute is repealed, it ceases to be an existing law under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
For the purpose of reviving your memory, the provision giving the Governor the power to appoint the Chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission under the repealed 2006 Law provides in its opening paragraph: “3. Section 2(2) of the Principal Law is amended by repealing section 2 and substituting the following section…” (emphasis mine)
Further, section 6(1)(a) of the Interpretation Act provides: “(1) The repeal of an enactment shall not- revive anything not in force or existing at the time when the repeal takes effect;” Please note that section 318(4) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “The Interpretation Act shall apply for the purposes of interpreting the provisions of this Constitution.”
It follows from the above that the House cannot repeal sections 2 and 3 of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law No 3, 2006 to revive the already repealed provisions of the 1999 Law.
CONCLUSION In conclusion, the Rivers State House of Assembly lacks the powers, legal or otherwise, to remove the power of appointment of the Chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission from the Governor and vest that power on themselves. The provision in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law, 2024 seeking to vest that power on the House is in clear contravention of the 1999 Constitution and therefore a nullity in the eyes of the Law. See the case of MacFoy v UAC (1961) 3 All ER 1169 where the court held that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. In that case, Lord Denning stated: “If an act is void, then it is in law a nullity. It is not only bad, but incurably bad. There is no need for an order of court to set it aside. It is automatically null and void without more ado, though it is sometimes more convenient to have the court declare it to be so. And every proceeding which is founded on it is also bad and incurably bad. You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stay there. It will collapse.”
Rt Hon Barr. Ehie Edison, Ph.D, DSSRS. Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House.
President Bola Tinubu has said the gradual appreciation of the Naira against the Dollar was due to a sustained effort to check forex volatility in the country.
The President called on Nigerians to support the initiative by patronising locally produced goods to further strengthen the value of the Naira and reduce hardship in the country.
Tinubu spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who addressed journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
According to the Presidency, there is already a noticeable measure being taken by the regulatory body to firm up the nation’s currency, which has started to yield results.
Speaking further on the Federal Government’s resolve to put the suffering of the masses to an end, Ngelale said the Tinubu administration wants to ensure that those industries and sectors that are massively employing people would be prioritized with respect to government intervention.
Ngelale said the plan has culminated in the approval of over N75 billion to be disbursed to 75 large-scale manufacturers across all states of the federation.
He said a larger chunk of the interventions would go to manufacturers who employ over 1,000 Nigerians in each of their facilities and industries.
According to him, the objective is to see that large-scale industries do not just refuse to fire people but actively increase and expand their hiring.
Ngelale said, “I’m certain that everyone seated here and indeed Nigerians at large have witnessed the seismic shifts that have taken place within the nation’s foreign exchange market over the last several days and the strengthening of the Nigerian naira against the United States dollar.
“This is clearly the direction all of us have wanted to head. And we are very sober to the fact that this is no time to rest or to clap. This is a time to deepen our efforts to dig in and to work harder, which is why His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a series of interventions to ensure that we see a mass strengthening of the Nigerian Naira against all other global currencies.
“One, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to communicate very clearly to our people, that there has never been a more important time in our history to actively agree together that we will patronize and purchase made-in-Nigeria products across all value chains across all sectors.
“There is an intentionality that we must have on this issue that we want a strong currency, we want the spending power of our people to go up. We want every naira and kobo we earn to be more valuable not just here. But when we travel abroad, the way to achieve that is by doing just this.
“In addition to that, His Excellency Mr President beyond the appeal to Nigerians to actively and intentionally make that decision every day to patronize made-in-Nigeria products and services across the board, he is also wanting to ensure that Nigerians fully understand that the momentum that we are now seeing with respect to the strengthening of our currency is not going to slow down.
“The efforts that Mr President has put in place with collaboration with other agencies of government, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, in dealing decisively with sharp practices on certain cryptocurrency trading platforms, dealing decisively with sharp practices within the parallel market of the foreign exchange ecosystem that these things are now yielding fruit.”
The presidential spokesman equally assured that Tinubu is intent on increasing the spending power of the people and dealing with the issue of minimum wage.
He said Nigerians should expect the momentum of the Nigerian Naira and its strengthening to continue.
“We understand that there’s still going to be volatility to some extent, but we are seeing a lessening impact of that volatility, and as we move forward with the interventions Mr President is making in the foreign exchange market and will continue to make we will see increasing stability.
“The last point we want to emphasize is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dealing decisively with the issue of the spending power of every naira and kobo that Nigerians are earning today.
“He is also ensuring that we bring a sustainable strength to the currency so that when we talk about a new minimum wage, because many of our people have asked when the new minimum wage is coming in, those negotiations are ongoing.
“But what we do not want is a situation in which the minimum wage continues to be what it has always been in the history of our country, which is a moving goalpost.
“If we do not get a firm grip on the value of our currency and it continues to be a volatile, devaluing asset, then whatever we do with the national minimum wage is going to essentially become a moot point, nullity. And so we are focused on ensuring that yes, we arrive at a new minimum wage that states can afford, and that will deal with all of the needs of Nigerian families across the country.
“But we also want to ensure that what we peg it at is sustainable over a number of years based on the long-term, you know, stability that we want to bring to the Nigerian Naira with the interventions we’re presently making.
“And this is the point that His Excellency Mr. President wants to emphatically make today.
“There is stability coming to the currency, we’re getting closer to it, and when the new minimum wage comes into effect, it is going to be one that will be sustained over a long period of time by a stable Nigerian Naira based on the interventions being made under his leadership.”
Ngelale noted that the Tinubu administration will prioritize manufacturers who employ higher number of people for government intervention.
He said this is important so that Nigerians who rely on large-scale manufacturers are protected.
He added: “We want to ensure that those industries and sectors that are massively employing our people are prioritized with respect to government intervention, which is why the President has approved over N75 billion to be dispersed to 75 large-scale manufacturers across all states of the federation.
“These are going to be manufacturers who employ over 1000 Nigerians in each of their facilities and industries. We are going to ensure that they have the support that they need at the large scale so that Nigerian families who rely on these large-scale businesses are protected.
“We want to see our large-scale industries, not just refuse to fire people but actively increase and expand their hiring at this difficult time.
“So the President is doing everything he can to ensure that he steps in to ease the burden on families while also ensuring that he holds the public sector and the Federal Government of Nigeria accountable to prudent spending, ensuring that we cut down drastically on travel expenditures, ensuring that with the temporary ban that is being put in place from April 1 on all but necessary foreign travel, we’re expecting to save over N5 billion per quarter.
“This is going to be one out of several initiatives the President is taking to ensure that we reduce waste in the public sector in such a way that we can actually steer these very needed recurrent resources into the hands of those who are doing important work on behalf of the Nigerian people”
The Senate has recently approved the Student Loans Access to Higher Education Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill of 2024.
This decision came after careful consideration of the report presented by Senator Mohammed Muntari, representing Katsina South and Chairman of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
Last week, the bill successfully passed its second reading, following a letter from President Bola Tinubu urging the Senate and the House of Representatives to repeal the existing Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill and introduce a new one.
The new act aims to streamline the implementation of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme, addressing various challenges such as the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF), eligibility criteria for applicants, loan purposes, funding sources, and procedures for disbursement and repayment.
Tinubu’s request came after the announcement of a temporary suspension of the student loan system, which was intended to provide Nigerian students in tertiary institutions with access to low-interest loans to support their studies.
In addition to this legislative action, a motion sponsored by Senator Adebule Oluranti representing Lagos West was debated, focusing on the urgent need to address the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
During the debate, Senator Oluranti emphasized the necessity of significantly reducing the alarming number of out-of-school children, estimated at 20 million according to UNESCO statistics.
Other lawmakers, including Senator Oshiomhole, urged the Senate to compel relevant agencies to disclose the percentage of out-of-school children in each state. This would help identify defaulting state governments that have neglected their responsibility to prioritize education, thereby endangering the welfare of citizens.
In response to these concerns, the Senate passed a resolution directing the judiciary in all 36 states to establish mobile courts for the enforcement of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act.
Furthermore, the Senate mandated its education committee to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to develop strategies for reducing the number of out-of-school children. They set a two-year deadline for the implementation of the UBE Act, underscoring the importance of ensuring access to education for all Nigerian children.
A former Kano State Governor and Presidential Candidate of the NNPP in the 2023 General Election, Rabiu Kwankwaso has this evening paid a solidarity visit to suspended Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi.
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has asked the House of Representatives to grant him the power to arbitrarily spend funds under the controversial “security vote” scheme.
Mr Wike, while appearing before the House Committee on FCT on Monday to defend the N1.1 trillion budget of his ministry, said he needs the security vote to tackle the insecurity currently ravaging the Nigerian capital.
The security vote is a controversial and corruption-ridden scheme often used by state governors to spend money arbitrarily without any form of transparency. Anti-corruption advocates have long argued that the security vote has become a conduit for siphoning funds.
“As a governor, my director of SSS can meet me and say ‘We need to carry out an operation this night’. We need N30 million to carry out that operation. I don’t need to meet the accountant, all I need to say is ‘go and take money there,” Mr Wike told the lawmakers.
The military had vowed to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of the gruesome murder of the army personnel
The Nigerian Ministry Of Defence Headquarters, otherwise known as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has dropped a cryptic message following the killing of 16 army personnel in a Delta Community.
The victims, belonging to the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, were killed in the Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
The slain officers were responding to a distress call to quel a communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities.
The deceased consisted of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers.
In a post on its social media account on Sunday, March 17, 2024, the DHQ shared a message that seemed to have a hidden meaning.
"The Audacity," the post simply read with a dark love emoji.
At face value, the message may be considered harmless, but some citizens have expressed worries given the history of the military in reacting to similar incidents.
Meanwhile, Army said some suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings.
Also, 14 bodies of the slain army personnel have been recovered from the Delta community in the early hours of Saturday.
Some of the recovered bodies were said to have been severed, with some beheaded while others had their stomachs and hearts ripped off.
The bodies of a Commanding Officer and two majors were seen floating by the river bank at the NDDC jetty in the coastal Delta community as others were separated on land.
Pulse reported that the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ordered a probe into the tragic incident to unmask the culprits.
We wish to inform you that our head office shall not be open for business today due to the unwarranted strike action by one of our in-house labour unions.
Customers can however access our services via our online payment platforms from the comfort of their homes on Kaduna Electric Customer Core app, quickteller, buypower, irecharge on www.quickteller.com, www.buypower.ng and www.irecharge.ng respectively. Our services are also available on Opay, Ruabam POS, MTN MoMo agents, Pay4Power, CoralPay and GTBank.
Customers can also visit our other offices and cssh centres spread across various neighbourhoods in Kaduna to lodge complaints, make inquiries or purchase meter tokens.
We sincerely apologise for all inconveniences caused.
Signed
Abdulazeez Abdullahi Head, Corporate Communication 13/03/2024
The office of the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has denied that an impeachment notice was served on the Deputy Governor.
Last Wednesday, the House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu, accusing him of perjury and leaking of government’s secrets.
The impeachment notice is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
There had been an uneasy calm between the deputy governor and his principal since last year when Shaibu declared his interest to join this year’s Edo governorship race.
However, the Assembly on Monday directed that the impeachment notice be published in national dailies (by substitution) as it has become to serve the deputy governor the letter in person.
In a letter dated March 12 to the House of Assembly on the issue, the personal assistant to the deputy governor, Charles Olubayo, also chided the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, for saying that the deputy governor refused to acknowledge the impeachment notice.
The letter reads, “The Office of the Deputy Governor, Edo State, wishes to draw your attention to the inaccuracies and misleading information that emanated from the plenary session of Monday, March 11, 2024, wherein Mr. Speaker directed that the impeachment notice be served on the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, through newspaper publications, The Nigeria Observer and other national dailies, ‘sequel to the refusal of the Deputy Governor to acknowledge the impeachment notice.’
“Mr. Speaker was quoted to have also stated at the said plenary that ‘the action became necessary because the Deputy Governor refused to acknowledge an earlier impeachment notice sent to him through the Clerk of the House.’
“We wish to state categorically that no impeachment notice was ever served on the deputy governor, let alone that he refused to acknowledge it.
“The deputy governor has been travelling out of Benin to Abuja since March 3, 2024, and has not returned to Benin since that date.
“The Clerk never saw the deputy governor whether in the office, at home or anywhere for that matter since the said date; hence, I was surprised that the House resolved to publish the impeachment notice in the Observer and other national dailies because ‘the Deputy Governor refused to acknowledge the earlier impeachment notice sent to him through the Clerk of the House.’
“One therefore wonders where the Clerk or his appointee served him the impeachment notice, but he refused to acknowledge it.
“Neither the Clerk nor any person sent impeachment notice to the deputy governor, which he refused to acknowledge.
“It is, therefore, our prayer that Mr. Speaker corrects the impression created in the public as the outcome of Monday’s plenary to avoid misrepresentation in this all-important matter.”
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has claimed not to be married to Judith Austin, his supposed second wife and mother of one of his sons.
He says the relationship between them is all about skitmaking, and maintains there is no legally recognised union between them.
His estranged wife May’s legal team, headed by Emeka Ugwuonye of Due Process Advocates, in a statement and video address, revealed that the 42-year-old made this claim in his court filing.
May had filed for divorce in August 2023 with details of the court proceedings being kept hush.
Ugwuonye said the ongoing case at the FCT High Court, Abuja, slated for a hearing on 5 March, faced an unexpected setback as the court session did not proceed, a circumstance Yul and Judy claimed credit for.
In light of this, Ugwuonye, who had initially kept the case details under wraps, now finds himself obligated to unveil the unfolding developments.
Detailing the developments in the case, May’s lawyer highlighted what he considered to be the defence strategy employed by Yul and Judy.
He said they denied being married and insisted that their relationship lacked any legal statutory recognition, claiming to be skit makers.
Citing Yul’s filing, May’s lawyer detailed how the actor denied his marriage to Judy.
He said Yul wrote, “That since the news of the birth of Star in June 2021, Gistlover, as a negative blog that thrives in fake and manipulated information for financial gains, has been negatively exploiting every movie or skit featuring me and Judy and generating social media traffic for financial gains.”
He said May’s initial petition highlighted an alleged traditional marriage ceremony between Yul and Judy on April 24, 2022, in Anambra State, as reported by Gistlover. In response, Yul categorically denied the claim, attributing it to Gistlover blog’s promotion of false information for financial benefit.
Yul and Judy deny the traditional marriage ceremony mentioned in May’s petition, insisting that it was a fabricated story fuelled by the blog’s penchant for fake news.
However, May’s lawyer noted that what was described as a skit-making relationship has produced two children and is about to get the third one.
Yul’s union with Judy has produced two children. In November 2021, Judy welcomed a son named Star Munachimso with Yul, and it is reported that the couple has since welcomed another child, a daughter.
According to May’s lawyer, the accused pair plans to argue that their social media content, including videos and posts, is part of a skit-making endeavour, drawing parallels with Oga Sabinus, a popular skit-maker known for his comedic content.
Ugwuonye also shared some details of the petition filed by May as well as relevant parts of the responses filed by Yul and Judith.
The Respondent (Yul) left Lagos for Enugu the following day, the 21st of April, 2022, a Thursday, and on Sunday, the 24th of April, 2022, the Petitioner found out again on social media via Gistlover Blog that the Respondent was performing traditional marriage rites with Judy in her hometown in Anambra State as at when the information was posted. (The Petitioner shall rely on the publication of this suit at the trial.)
The Respondent (Yul) categorically denies paragraph 10 (xviii) of the petition and states that the Gistlover blog publication was false and fuelled by Gistlover’s enterprise in fake news and chaos. Since the news of the birth of the Respondent’s child with the Co-Respondent in June 2021, Gistlover, a negative blog that thrives in fake and manipulated information for financial gains, has been negatively exploiting every movie or skit featuring the Respondent & Co-Respondent and generating social media traffic for financial benefits therefrom. The Respondent hereby gives the Petitioner the strictest proof thereof.
The Co-Respondent (Judy) categorically denies paragraphs 10 (xviii) &(xix) of the petition and states that the said Gistlover blog publication was false and fuelled by Gistlover’s enterprise in fake news and chaos. There was no traditional marriage ceremony between the Respondent and the Co-Respondent (Yul and Judy) on the 24th day of April 2022 or any other date. The Co-Respondent hereby gives the Petitioner the strictest proof thereof.
According to DPA lawyers, following Yul’s announcement of his second marriage, May had initially considered pressing a bigamy charge, which is a criminal offence of marrying someone while still legally married to another person, against Yul.
However, she was said to have decided against taking such a legal path out of fear of seeing her husband behind bars in the event of a successful outcome of such a case.
May’s lawyer said this prompted a shift in strategy. Instead of that, May opted to file for divorce and pursue damages for adultery against Judy, Yul’s alleged extramarital partner.
May’s lawyer said she resorted to seeking legal redress in court after the death of their son.
The lawyer added that May’s refusal to grant Yul intimacy demands since he had a second marriage eventually felt compelled to involve the law due to threats and aggressive behaviour from her estranged husband.
According to the DPA family law firm, contrary to speculations circulating on social media and in certain blogging circles, May did not file a bigamy complaint against Yul.
He said: ‘‘Each time bigamy was mentioned, she asked, “Will they arrest him?” And we would say: “Most likely yes.” She would refuse to approve it. You can understand that. Despite what Yul did to her, she didn’t want him arrested.
“The only option left was for May to file for divorce and to sue Judy for damages for adultery. Even at that, she didn’t want to rush it. It took until after the death of her child and Yul’s subsequent behaviours for her to file for divorce. As I have stated earlier, once May discovered the relationship between Yul and Judy, May refused to allow Yul access to her. She refused to allow him to have any intimacy with her.’’
According to May’s legal representatives, the misinformation stems from a blogger allegedly under the influence of Judy, who was said to have happened to be her relative.
May’s legal team emphasised that the focus of the case is on divorce grounds of adultery and the damages to be claimed from the alleged adulterous partner, Judy.
Yul and Judy have reportedly denied any marital connection, asserting that their relationship was confined to skitmaking, a claim that May disputes. But May insists they have done wrong.
“May Yul-Edochie has nothing further to prove. Yul and Judy admitted in their sworn statements that they had a child together. That is conclusive evidence of adultery, which is the basis of May’s petition. The law does not require a person to prove what the other party has admitted or conceded,’’ her lawyers said.
For the record, I was among those who found the Senate President's comments at the Wigwe Family Funeral in PH to be in poor taste. He began by lamenting that @PeterObi received greater applause than he (Akpabio) got & later told us to join him in consoling the widow who was lying in one of the 3 caskets in front of him. Jokes ? Political jibes at a solemn Combined Funeral? Methinks that was self-centred & totally insensitive
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 48 (Forty-eight) suspected internet fraudsters and herbalist for offences bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
They were arrested upon credible intelligence on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at various locations in Lokoja,
The herbalist, believed to be a spiritual godfather of internet fraudsters, was arrested with various charms.
Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, two motorcycles, 11 laptops, 83 mobile phones and charms.
The suspects, all male, between the ages of 17 -34 will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.
President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, as well as three Executive Directors of the Agency.
The suspended officials are Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, in charge of Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, overseeing Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, responsible for the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
In an official statement, it was disclosed, “President Tinubu has directed a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of the mentioned officials, relating to fraudulent misexpenditure totaling over N1.2 billion over the past two years. Some of these funds have already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.”
Subsequent to the suspension, President Tinubu appointed five qualified Nigerians to serve in the agency’s new management team in an acting capacity.
The appointees include Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the new Managing Director/CEO, Ayoade Gboyega as the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Umar Abdullahi Umar as the Executive Director of Technical Services, Doris Uboh as the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund (REF), and Olufemi Akinyelure as the Head of Project Management Unit for the Nigeria Electrification Project.
Emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability, President Tinubu urged the newly appointed officials to uphold the highest standards in the discharge of their duties. He reiterated his commitment to prioritizing the aspirations of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery, transcending the narrow interests of individuals entrusted with crucial responsibilities for the Nigerian people.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it was not worried about the threat of the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, seeking redress in court over the recognition of Asue Ighodalo as the authentic candidate of the party in the coming September governorship election in the state.
Shaibu last week stormed the national headquarters of the party and demanded that he be recognised as the authentic governorship candidate of the party.
The deputy governor had also raised the alarm that he was being threatened with impeachment for insisting that the right thing be done in the PDP in Edo State.
Recall that Shaibu and Ighodalo emerged as governorship candidates of the PDP in Edo State after parallel primaries were conducted in the state on February 22, 2023.
But the PDP had insisted that Ighodalo remain the only candidate of the party and had presented the certificate of return to him.
But speaking on the action and threat by Shaibu, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, told Daily Trust that the party is not deterred by the threat of the deputy governor.
He said, “We are not worried. We wish the deputy governor well on his journey to the court. We are waiting for him. We cannot continue to run this party like this. Is he the only one who contested the primary? Why is he going on like this?”
The PDP deputy spokesman said other aspirants who contested the primary have decided to rest their case and wondered why the deputy governor refused to be pacified.
He said, “There were ten of them that bought the form; the rest have accepted the reconciliation move of the party. Have you heard any of them say they were coming to the party to ask for a certificate of return? This is a recipe for a crisis. We cannot waste our time if someone is not ready for reconciliation. We have a legal department.”
Indomie jumps from N8,500 to N18,000; groundnut oil N7,000 to N11,000; bag of Irish potatoes N25,000 to N40,000
A market survey by Peoples Gazette at Mararaba, an Abuja satellite town in Nasarawa State, shows that Indomie, groundnut oil and Irish potatoes prices have increased by over 100 per cent in recent weeks.
Indomie Super pack, a popular noodles, sold for N8,500 earlier in the year, has hit N18, 000, increasing by over 100 per cent. Small pack of Indomie which sold for N5,000 now sells for N11,000.
A five litres of groundnut oil formerly sold for N7,000 now sells for N11,000.
In Jos, where Irish Potatoes is cultivated, a bag of Irish Potatoes which earlier cost N25,000 now sells for N40,000.
Two past market surveys conducted by The Gazette in February showed that prices of food items have increased by over 100 per cent since Mr Tinubu assumed office last year.
In the past weeks, protests over hunger and spiking prices have erupted in Niger, Osun, Ibadan and Lagos states as Nigerians urged the government to ameliorate their sufferings.
Mr Tinubu, in response to public outcry on the rising cost of food driven by skyrocketing inflation in the country, had directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grain, including maize, millet and garri.
He also charged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, State Security Service and Nigerian police to go after food hoarders.
The Nigeria Customs Service also distributed confiscated food items to Nigerians to ameliorate hunger in the country until a stampede during rice distribution led to the death of six in Lagos and stoppage of the exercise.
However, on Sunday in Abuja, a government owned warehouse was raided and food items looted by residents, while in Suleja, Niger State, Zaria in Kaduna State, trucks carrying food stuffs have need attacked and looted.
Did you know that before 1972, Nigerian driver seats were on the right side of the vehicle?
However, in April 1972, under the leadership of Major-General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria made a dramatic shift in its transportation system, moving from right-hand to left-hand driving.
Factors Influencing Change:
1. Increased International Trade As Nigeria's trade with surrounding countries, especially former French colonies, grew, right-hand driving proved troublesome. Drivers from these countries, who are accustomed to driving on the left, struggled to navigate Nigerian roadways. Switching to a left-hand drive enabled more efficient cross-border mobility and trade.
2. Globalisation Left-hand driving is more common, accounting for around one-sixth of the world's surface and affecting a quarter of its road networks. Furthermore, many major car manufacturers operate in countries with left-hand drives, which may have an impact on vehicle supply in Nigeria.
3. Alignment with Regional Trends Several West African nations had previously adopted the left-hand drive, and Nigeria's move was consistent with this regional trend, perhaps leading to deeper regional integration.
Challenges of transition Converting the whole fleet of vehicles, including buses, taxis, and personal automobiles, was an expensive endeavour. This financial burden landed disproportionately on regular residents, raising questions about affordability. The changeover also influenced the domestic auto industry, which was previously designed to produce right-hand-drive automobiles.
To address these difficulties, the government implemented the following measures:
Providing incentives for local manufacturers to switch to left-hand-drive vehicles.
Allowing for a transition time during which right-hand-drive automobiles might continue to be legally driven on roads.
30% of countries in the world, mostly in Europe, drive on the left (influenced mainly by historical factors) and 70% drive on the right (influenced by Napoleon, the US, and the practicality of waggons).
Ultimately, Nigeria's transition to left-hand drive in 1972 was a momentous and challenging decision. Despite the limitations, it attempted to promote efficiency, safety, and regional connectivity.
Fresh trouble seems to be brewing in Edo State chapter of the Labour Party, as one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the party, Kenneth Imasuangbon, who contested in last Friday primary, on Tuesday, demanded that the party leadership declare him winner of the primary election.
Recall that Olumide Akpata was declared winner of the primary election conducted by the Julius Abure faction of the LP, after he defeated Imasuagbon and four others on February 23.
However, the Lamidi Apapa faction had on February 22 written to the Independent National Electoral Commission that Anderson Asemota and Monday Mawah were the LP governorship candidate and running mate respectively in the state.
However in a fresh twist on Sunday, a United Kingdom-based legal practitioner, Hilton Idahosa, announced himself as the party’s third factional candidate, stating that the Apapa faction primary election of February 22 was postponed till February 24, which he won.
With Imasuangbon calling party leadership to recognise him as LP’s flagbearer, there appears to be more trouble for Edo LP.
Imasuangbon, popularly known as the ‘Rice Man,’ said the processes leading to the conduct of the ward congresses were corrupted by several irregularities, despite assurances from party leadership for a fair level playing field.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Benin, he gave a one-week ultimatum to LP leadership to reverse the decision on Akpata and declare him winner the primaries, or face legal action.
Condemning the processes of the LP primary, Imasuangbon said the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party were very strategic by picking their candidates from Edo Central senatorial district, noting that if LP was serious about winning the governorship election, it would have learnt from the other major parties.
He also said the processes were skewed by factional LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, and state chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi, to favour Akpata.
The statement reads, “I want to first of all use this opportunity to thank my well-wishers and staff of Pacesetters Schools for standing by me during my political sojourn. I also extend my thanks to Edo people and my supporters across the state.
“My interest in politics is to change the narratives of Edo and improve on the lives of the people. I want an Edo where jobs would be available, where food would be cheap, where our teeming unemployed youth will be meaningfully engaged, but the godfathers refused democracy to thrive in Edo.
“After 21 years in politics, I do not think it is proper or politically right for political parties to skew party primary to favour a particular candidate. I hope, one day, democracy will be allowed to thrive in Edo.
“Having worked hard in the last 21 years to impact on lives of suffering Edo people with my hard earned personal resources, it is unfortunate that anti-democratic forces would not allow the free will of the people to prevail. I am issuing a one-week ultimatum to LP leadership to reverse the recognition of Akpata as our party’s candidate. I should be declared winner.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigeria and other West African nations regarding trends in borrowing practices.
Traditionally, nations often relied on loans from the Paris Club, a group of creditor countries.
However, the CBN said it has observed a significant shift towards borrowing from non-Paris Club members and private lenders, such as banks and investors who buy government bonds.
The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management has warned that Nigeria is at a high risk of falling into debt distress and urged the federal government to look for ways of improving revenue generation.
Governor of the CBN, Yemi Cardoso, gave the warning in Abuja at the Joint World Bank/IMF/WAIFEM Regional Training on Medium Term Debt Management Strategy in Abuja on Monday.
Represented by Dr Mohammed Musa Tumala, Director of the Monetary Policy Department of the CBN, Cardoso noted that while this change in who countries owe money to might seem like a minor detail, he emphasised that it is a critical development with serious implications.
He argued that the way countries manage debt owed to the Paris Club may not be as effective for these new lenders. Cardoso expressed concern that this new debt landscape could pose a threat to financial stability and economic recovery for many countries.
Cardoso said, “Public debt dynamics are increasingly influenced by significant debt servicing obligations to non-Paris Club members and private lenders, including commercial banks and bond investors.
“This shift in the debt structure represents a critical evolution in the global financial framework, with profound ramifications for public debt management in our countries.”
He also stated that recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and natural disasters have put a strain on many countries’ finances, making them more likely to seek loans from diverse sources.
However, these non-traditional lenders might come with stricter repayment terms and potentially higher risks compared to Paris Club loans.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other developments such as geopolitical conflicts and natural disasters, the financial strain on our sub-region has escalated, posing a threat to their macroeconomic and financial stability and prospects for faster recovery,” he said.
Nigeria, despite being classified as having generally moderate debt risk, the CBN urged the federal government to remain cautious, particularly regarding potential liquidity risks. These risks, if not addressed effectively, could stem from weak revenue mobilization, a persistent challenge hindering debt sustainability and economic stability.
What the CBN is saying is that while Nigeria’s overall debt risk is considered moderate, the country still needs to be careful about its ability to pay back its loans (liquidity risk). This risk could become a problem if the government doesn’t collect enough revenue (money) in the future.
Dr Baba Yusuf Musa, Director General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management told journalists, “When you compare Nigeria with the rest of the world or peer countries, you realise that with the 37 per cent debt to GDP ratio, we still have room to borrow but the issue with the Nigerian debt is you don’t use GDP to pay debts rather you use the revenue to pay for any debt”
He added, “If you look at it from the revenue side Nigeria is at a high risk of debt distress in terms of our borrowing so what we need to do now is to step up our capacity to generate revenue, the more revenue we have, the less ratio of debt to revenue we have.”
WAIFEM, he said, is “very much in support of what the federal government is doing because there is a window for the government to raise more revenue, all that the people need to do is to support the federal government diversify the sources of revenue and of course generate more sources of revenue, once we have this we don’t have debt problem but rather revenue problem.
He added, “What the Medium Term Debt Strategy does is that it smoothens the debt service so that going forward when borrowing, you take into consideration the redemption profile that you have and the type of loans that you have in your existing portfolio and then it will enable you also to minimise the cost and risk the future loans will add to the debt portfolio.”
The coastal aborigines in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states (BRAC) have praised former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, for creating the states.
They described the ex-Head of State as their hero.
BRAC said they would forever remain grateful to Gowon for carving out the BRAC states from defunct Eastern Region in line with the yearning and cries of their fathers and mothers.
According to the BRAC states, Gowon is second to the Holy Spirit, by virtue of the respect they have for him.
They said those asking the former Head of State to apologise for his role in the civil war should have a rethink.
A statement by the General Coordinator of BRAC Coastal Aborigines, Doris McDaniels, in response to calls for Gowon to apologise over his role in the civil war, reads:
"It has been brought to our attention the recent insults directed at Gen. Gowon by Igbo apex groups, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)."
"We are deeply offended by their audacity in demanding an apology from Gen. Gowon for his divine role in leading Nigeria to a peaceful end of the war, and delivering the BRAC coastal areas and her people from the genocidal oppression of the Biafran soldiers, preventing further evacuation of the BRAC people from their ancestral homes of the oil rich coastal areas in anticipation of Biafra winning the war." McDaniels, who also urged the Igbo groups to address the atrocities committed by Biafran soldiers against the people of BRAC states, added:
"We are now known as BRAC: Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. We believe the people talking about Gen. Gowon are not telling the truth. They should speak the truth and hold their warlord, Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, responsible for starting a spontaneous, ill-prepared war with no strategy and planning, conscripting the BRAC states into his imaginary political Biafra Republic without their permission and consent."
"The Igbo groups know this to be true, but they have chosen to spread falsehood about Gen. Gowon’s peace mission to keep Nigeria united."
"We earnestly ask Gen. Gowon to ignore and forgive the false perspective and fabricated version of the Nigerian civil war presented by the groups."
"We assure him that the people of the BRAC states know the truth and appreciate the timely intervention of his leadership and his war generals and veteran federal troops to usher in peace."
Kano State government is reportedly making moves to return the aggrieved Commandant-General of the State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, who resigned from his position on Friday.
Daily Trust gathered that the state Council of Ulama – a delegation of well respected Islamic clerics have been sent to meet with Daurawa to pacify him.
A source familiar with the situation also told our reporter that the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, and the Chief Imam of National Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Ibrahim Maqari, were equally sent by the government to meet him.
Recall that Dauraw was with the Speaker alongside other members of the State Assembly when he resigned.
However, the outcome of the meetings with Daurawa could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Daily Trust reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano had criticised the modus operandi of ‘Operation Kau Da Badala’ – an initiative of the board aimed at fighting immorality in the state.
Daurawa resigned less than 24 hours after the governor’s criticism which stirred a lot of reactions and bashing from the public.
Sources close to the government had told this reporter that the governor is disturbed by the development.
“The governor is seriously disturbed. The damage has been done,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commander-General (DCG) of the Kano Hisbah, Dr Mujahid Aminuddeen, alongside other officials of the board recently met with the Governor.
Efforts made to reach out to the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, was not successful as calls put across to him rang out. Also text message sent to him wasn’t replied to as at the time of filing this report.
The reported deaths of actor and comedian John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu and ex-goalkeeper of the Super Falcons, Bidemi Aluko Olaseni, is a big loss to our creative and sports industries. These two great Nigerians have lived to give us happy moments in entertainment and the beautiful game. They will be sorely missed. I pray that the Almighty shall grant their souls a peaceful repose and comfort to the grieving families and the country. Rest in peace, Mr. Ibu. Rest in peace, Bidemi Olaseni. -AA
The Plateau Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service says it has not reduced the quantity and quality of food rations for inmates.
Spokesman of the command, Mr Godfrey Longdiem, stated this in Jos on Saturday while reacting to media reports that inmates at the Jos Custodial Centre protested over shortage of food on Friday.
He added that instead, the command was planning to change inmates’ menu because of current hike in prices of foodstuffs.
“The command wishes to clarify that it has no intention or plan to reduce the quantity or quality of inmates’ ration, but to supplement their meals as a result of the hike in prices of foodstuffs.
“Inmates are normally served rice four times in a week.
“Contractors, however, complained about incessant increases in prices of food items, particularly that of rice and consequently, they requested to serve rice twice a week and supplement with another food.
“This request did not go down well with the inmates, but the situation was later brought under control without harm or injury to anyone,’’ he stated.
Longdiem called on Plateau residents and Nigerians in general to disregard media reports that suggested an attempted jailbreak at the Jos Custodial Centre.
Politics / Edo PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi Regains Freedom by politicoNG: 8:32am On Mar 26