The letter signed on the prosecutor’s behalf by Mark P. Dillon, Head of the Information and Evidence Unit, read in part: “On behalf of the Prosecutor, I thank you for your communication received on 13/09/2021, as well as any subsequent related information.”

“The preliminary examination of the petition is considered complete. Under Article 53 of the Rome Statute, the next step in the judicial process is for the Prosecutor’s Office to prepare and submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorisation to open an investigation on Nigeria.”

“Once submitted, the request will be made publicly available on the Court’s website: www.icccpi.int.”

“Your communication will be forwarded to the relevant team to be analysed, together with other related communications and other available information, in the context of any future investigations. We thank you for your interest in the ICC.”

SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said: “By this decision, the ICC prosecutor has taken a significant step toward ensuring that those suspected to be responsible for grave crimes against Nigerian schoolchildren are exposed, and held to account.”

“The victims of these crimes deserve justice. Impartial justice and reparation will deal a decisive blow to impunity of perpetrators, and improve access of Nigerian children to education. SERAP will work closely with the ICC to achieve these important objectives.”

https://worldtopnewsng.com/icc-prosecutor-seeks-investigation-into-abduction-of-nigerian-schoolchildren/

He said Idris reported that on getting to a sharp bend in Konar Barau along the Tegina-Minna Road, suspected bandits in military uniform kidnapped 13 of his passengers and his motor boy.

He said the gunmen also dispossessed the driver of about N131,500.

The commissioner said an “aggressive manhunt” for the hoodlums had commenced, as he solicited the support of residents, especially those in the rural areas.

READ ALSO: New Owners Of Newcastle Sack Coach Steve Bruce

“We appeal to residents to volunteer reliable information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in the state.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/bandits-intercept-three-vehicles-kidnap-over-30-travellers-steal-cows/

2021: Dangote Emerges Most Valuable Brand In Nigeria For The Fourth Time

Of the seven metrics according to the report, Dangote brand came atop in five, beating MTN to a distant second. The ratings were made public, over the weekend, at the annual top corporate brand evaluation report by TOP 50 BRANDS NIGERIA.

The annual top brands league table which has become like a report card with which top corporate brands have a feel of their ranking in the market is done with a special purpose model, the Brand Strength Measurement (BSM Index), a model that tests a brand’s ability deliver on its promise to its consumers from the consumer’s points of view. It is a qualitative, non-financial evaluation of top corporate brands in the country which is done annually.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/2021-dangote-emerges-most-valuable-brand-in-nigeria-for-the-fourth-time

Account & Phone Numbers Featured In Squid Game Are Real, More Errors Exposed

Among these errors picked up by observant viewers, one of the most curious is that a phone number appears on screen which is a real number and its owner has received thousands of calls.

Errors in Squid Game
Spoiler alert! If you’ve not yet seen the series, you may want to watch it first and then come back to see if you spotted any of these.

Viewers have picked up on numerous continuity errors, particularly relating to characters’ identities. For example, participant 61 appears as a woman shortly after a man was 61, while the reverse happens with No.88.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/account-phone-numbers-featured-in-squid-game-are-real-more-errors-exposed/

Nigerians Return To Using Of Firewood, Charcoal, Sawdust As Marketers Project N10,000 For 12.5kg Cooking Gas By Dec


He said, “Today (Saturday), the price has risen to N7,500 and N8,000. The skyrocketing price of gas is our fear and what we are trying to avoid. Early in the year a 20-metric ton of gas was selling for below N5m but today, the same tonnage sells for N10.2m. As long as there is that supply shortage, the available quantity and the dynamics of supply-demand will keep pushing the price higher.”

Lamenting poor patronage of NALPGAM by customers due to the high price, Essien said the association was concerned that more Nigerians were being forced to return to coal, sawdust, kerosene, and other dirty fuel as “the price of the cooking gas has suddenly gone up.”

He, however, said the association was interfacing with the government, stakeholders, producers and importers to see how the situation could be addressed.

Essien added, “We are also meeting with the marketers vide moral suasion not to capitalise on the situation to inflict more pains on citizens by increasing the cost of gas in their locations though they are equally expending huge cost to have cooking gas at their locations.”

NALPGAM secretary also decried the gradual rise in the cost of cylinders over the years, maintaining that all the raw materials used by the two cylinder manufacturing plants in the country were imported.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/nigerians-return-to-using-of-firewood-charcoal-sawdust-as-marketers-project-n10000-for-12-5kg-cooking-gas-by-dec/

The minister in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria had also stated that Nigeria had graduated from ordinary fake news to “deep” fake news which according to him was being used to wage war against the government and its officials.

He had also said that at the beginning, purveyors of deep fake news were largely unknown online publications, adding that it was, however, unfortunate that otherwise reputable publications and some mainstream media had joined the bandwagon while adding that citizens found guilty would be sanctioned.

Recently, the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), a Commission under the ministry of information and culture had issued a circular to Television Stations across the country to avoid glorifying activities of bandits.

In the budget which was analyzed by our correspondent, it was realized that N55,642,215 would be used for “Special enlightenment campaign on Government’s Programmes and policies, testimonial series to gauge impact of government policies on the citizenry.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/nigerian-govt-budgets-n104m-to-combat-fake-news-hate-speech-others/

Facebook, Instagram Down Again For Some Users


Facebook-owned Instagram, the photo and video sharing platform, also acknowledged that “some of you may be having some issues using Instagram right now.”

It apologized, saying: “We’re so sorry and are working as quickly as possible to fix.”

https://worldtopnewsng.com/facebook-instagram-down-again-for-some-users/

Meanwhile, rumours about Tinubu’s death peddling in public domain weeks after his arrival in UK disappeared following President Muhammadu Buhari’s visitation to the APC leader and that of other stalwarts in the ruling party including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Kano, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun counterparts, who also showed the man solidarity during his stay abroad.

Besides, Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is one of Tinubu’s political son, as well as a group of senators representing Lagos as well as other states, Lagos House of Assembly members led by Speaker of the House, Mudasiru Obasa, and cabinet members of Lagos state government, including the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, Chief of Staff to the governor, Tayo Ayinde, and other political appointees also paid the man a homage.

Few days before his return, Tinubu was sighted on the street of London with a caucus of Northern lawmakers who were in the UK to solidarise with the man and discuss matters relating to the country’s security and presidential zoning ahead of 2023 election.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/breaking-tinubu-returns-from-medical-treatment-overseas/

10. I am sure many of you will be relieved as my last budget speech in October 2020 lasted over fifty minutes.

11. Still, over the next few minutes, I will provide key highlights of our 2021 performance as well as our proposals for 2022.

PERFORMANCE OF THE 2021 BUDGET

12. The 2021 ‘Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience’ is based on a benchmark oil price of 40 US Dollars per barrel, oil production of 1.6m b/d, and exchange rate of 379 Naira to US Dollar. Furthermore, a Supplementary budget of 982.73 billion Naira was recently enacted to address exigent issues in the Security and Health sectors.

13. Based on the 2021 Fiscal Framework, total revenue of 8.12 trillion Naira was projected to fund aggregate federal expenditure of 14.57 trillion Naira (inclusive of the supplementary budget). The projected fiscal deficit of 6.45 trillion Naira, or 4.52 percent of GDP, is expected to be financed mainly by domestic and external borrowings.
14. By July 2021, Nigeria’s daily oil production averaged one 1.70million barrels (inclusive of condensates) and the market price of Bonny Light crude averaged 68.53 US Dollars per barrel.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/president-buhari-presents-n16-39trn-budget-for-2022/

In its latest report published March 9, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG)of the Global Fund said Zenith Carex committed the fraud within a period of two years between 2017 and 2019.

The revelation builds on previous yearly reports by the OIG accusing Nigerian companies and government agencies of abusing millions of dollars of the Global Fund aid.

Nigeria responded to some of the allegations over the years by ordering probes by the antigraft agencies, EFCC and ICPC. Nigerian authorities in some instances faulted the findings of the OIG, noting the need for the setting up of an independent committee to review its reports.

These allegations, however, could result in an indefinite termination of such donations to Nigeria if left unchecked, anti-corruption campaigners said.

The OIG safeguards the Global Fund’s assets, investments, reputation and sustainability through its audits, investigations and advisory work.See also See 5 Banks That Open For Services On Saturday In Nigeria

Its latest report detailed how Zenith, a sub-contractor of Chemonics International (Chemonics), who managed an integrated supply chain for Global Fund Principal Recipients in Nigeria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), allegedly inflated distribution invoices up to ten-fold and misrepresented the services executed, resulting in a $3 million overcharge.

Chemonics, a global development firm based in Washington, has worked with the Global Fund on technical assistance and logistics projects in 12 countries.

In Nigeria, via third parties such as Zenith Carex, Chemonics manages central and regional warehouses, Long-Haul distribution between warehouses, and Last Mile Distribution to 16,000 health facilities, for both pharmaceutical and cold chain commodities.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/zenith-carex-international-in-big-trouble-over-alleged-3-million-fraud/

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp Are All Down

Worldtopnewsng.com was able to confirm that Instagram’s platform flashed up a “couldn’t load posts” message when trying to access people’s pages, while Facebook’s newsfeed simply… refused to load. DownDetector, meanwhile, confirmed that WhatsApp has been experiencing outages in the US and abroad, with users in United Kingdom, Russia, Barcelona, Nigeria, Turkey and Trinidad all reporting that their access has been shut off.

Per DownDetector, WhatsApp along with every other service named here seem to have experienced their respective outage around 11:40 AM, ET.

It’s also worth noting that all of the usual channels that Facebook typically uses to report platform issues were also knocked offline on Monday morning. These include the page where Facebook’s third-party developers publicly disclose potential platform issues as they emerge and the page where Facebook’s own engineers do the same. As of this writing, both are still inaccessible. So, if any of you are trying to get in contact with any of these platforms, it ironically seems like Twitter might be your best bet.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/facebook-instagram-and-whatsapp-are-all-down/

Robbers Attack Wema Bank In Iragbiji


The Public Relations Officer of the Osun Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Daniel Adigun, confirmed the incident.

Tuesday’s attack is coming about one month after robbers stormed two commercial banks in Iree, Osun State, wreaking havoc on customers and members of staff of the banks.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/robbers-attack-wema-bank-in-iragbiji/

“What I am thinking here is best to talk to the governor of the central bank, and how we can allow the Chinese banks to run office here and now, they are doing the feasibility studies on that,” he said.

“I am working hard that in the bi-national meeting, I hope we can make a big decision and give a big push to let the banking industry and insurance industry because financial integration and institutions are key,” the envoy added.

According to Mr Jianchin, the Chinese embassy would honour 50 Nigerian employees of Chinese companies in Nigeria for their outstanding performance and contribution to strengthening diplomatic ties.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, also lauded the Nigeria-China relations which have recorded great successes over the past five decades.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/china-to-start-banking-operations-in-nigeria/

“iOS 15 helps users stay connected while sharing experiences in real time, gives them new tools to help reduce distraction and find focus,” are a few of the perks that Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi told their website.

“[iOS 15] uses intelligence to enhance the photos experience, and, with huge upgrades to Maps, brings new ways to explore the world. We can’t wait for customers to experience it.”

One of their biggest changes comes to FaceTime, the video calling function of Apple, as now Portrait mode is available, a grid-view is now available on group calls, and now non-apple users can join FaceTime via a link.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/apple-releases-ios-15-brings-powerful-new-features/

Speaking to one of our correspondents on Tuesday, the Vice-President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Julian Ojebo, said the rate of migration might double in the coming weeks since doctors were not given the right remuneration.

Ojebo argued that the doctors migrating to Saudi Arabia might even be more than those moving to the UK.

He said it was unfortunate that the government had failed to address the plight of doctors and meet their conditions for calling off the strike which began on August 1, 2021.

Ojebo stated, “If 353 Nigerian doctors have been licensed in the last 100 days, I am sure the figure will double within the next one month. The strike has opened the eyes to the doctors that Nigeria does not care about them.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/uk-employs-353-nigerian-doctors-in-100-days/

Edo Begins ‘Operation Show Your Vaccination Card’, Bars Civil Servants, Others From Secretariat

Other team members took charge of other entry points; those who provided their vaccination cards were granted entry while others who could not provide it were asked to go back home.

The monitoring team also scanned the cards to be sure that they were genuine before allowing its holders into the secretariat.

Some civil servants said they were taken by surprise and did not bring their cards with them, while those who had it in their offices had to send their colleagues to bring it to them at the gate before they were allowed in.

Others who refused to go home despite being refused entry were seen loitering around the perimeter fence, discussing the action and the effects on them.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/edo-begins-operation-show-your-vaccination-card-bars-civil-servants-others-from-secretariat/

Actress Bimbo Oshin Loses Husband, Dudu Heritage

Dudu Heritage, husband of popular Nollywood actress, Bimbo Oshin, is dead.

Born Ola Ibironke, the socialite died on Sunday evening. However, the cause of his death is unknown.

READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE! Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu Set To Quit PDP

https://worldtopnewsng.com/breaking-actress-bimbo-oshin-loses-husband-dudu-heritage/

Fireworks, Celebratory Firing: Taliban Proclaim ‘Full Independence’ After Last US Troops Depart From Afghanistan

“Thank God all the occupiers have left our country completely,” tweeted Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban’s political office in Qatar.

“We made history again,” tweeted Anas Haqqani, a senior official in the group. “The 20-year long occupation of Afghanistan by the United States & NATO has ended tonight …”

Videos of spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addressing a group of fighters at Kabul airport were also posted online. ​​​​​​​

https://worldtopnewsng.com/fireworks-celebratory-firing-taliban-proclaim-full-independence-after-last-us-troops-depart-from-afghanistan/

Following a day of speculation, Manchester United released a statement shortly before 17:00 BST to explain that Ronaldo will wear red again, once a few final details are ironed out.

“Cristiano, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal.”

“In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.

“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.”

https://worldtopnewsng.com/breaking-cristiano-ronaldo-makes-shock-return-to-manchester-united/

Taliban Forms New Govt, Appoints Finance Minister, Intelligence Chief, Kabul Governor

Additional information:
Gul Agha Ishakzai is the head of the Taliban’s financial commission and is part of a recently created Taliban council that coordinates the collection of zakat (Islamic tax) from Baluchistan Province, Pakistan. He has also collected money for suicide attacks in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and has been involved in the disbursement of funds to Taliban fighters and their families.

A childhood friend of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar (TAi.004), Gul Agha Ishakzai has served as Omar’s principal finance officer and one of his closest advisors. At one time, no one was allowed to meet Mullah Omar unless approved by him. He lived in the presidential palace with Omar during the Taliban regime.

In December 2005, Gul Agha Ishakzai facilitated the movement of people and goods to Taliban training camps; in late 2006 he traveled abroad to obtain weapon parts.



SADR IBRAHIM
Among a slew of active field commanders, Ibrahim Sadr earned a reputation as a long-serving Taliban military commander before handing over the reins to Mullah Omar’s son. Sadr is a battle-hardened Pashtun commander from the Alokozay tribe.

Sadr Ibrahim was designated for acting for or on behalf of the Taliban.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/breaking-taliban-forms-new-govt-appoints-finance-minister-intelligence-chief-kabul-governor/

If US or UK Were To Seek Additional Time To Continue Evacuations, The Answer Is No, Taliban Spokesperson Says


President Joe Biden on Sunday said the US is considering extending the deadline, pledging that any American who wants to leave Afghanistan will be evacuated.

Migration due to economy, not Taliban

Asked about the scenes at Kabul airport, with Afghans desperate to flee the country after the Taliban took over, Shaheen insisted it was not fear of the Taliban driving them, but economic migration.

“I assure you it is not about being worried or scared,” he said, although the rush only began when the Taliban victory seemed imminent.

“They want to reside in Western countries and that is a kind of economic migration because Afghanistan is a poor country and 70% of the people of Afghanistan live under the line of poverty so everyone wants to resettle in Western countries to have a prosperous life. It is not about (being) scared.”

https://worldtopnewsng.com/if-us-or-uk-were-to-seek-additional-time-to-continue-evacuations-the-answer-is-no-taliban-spokesperson-says/

The statement further said all banking, financial, and customs activities will begin soon.

Urging the technical staff to swiftly resume duties, the Taliban statement further said officials of other departments of the Finance Ministry should wait for the decision of the Economic and Financial Commission of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for a future course of action.

Addressing a gathering at the ministry, the Taliban’s key leader Khalil Haqqani said political leaders of Panjshir — the last province still not fallen to the Taliban — have surrendered to the Taliban.

Meanwhile, the local radio Salam Afghanistan reported that an array of top Taliban leadership has arrived in Kabul for consultations over future government setup.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/taliban-notify-government-servants-banks-forex-market-to-return-to-jobs/

DSP Omo-Agege, Keyamo Crisis Deepens As Delta APC Accuses Labour Minister Of Anti-Party Activities

The party chieftain further disclosed that the Minister is not alone in this as they gathered that it was a gang up with the likes of former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei and Great Ogboru to disgrace the DSP Omo-Agege.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/dsp-omo-agege-keyamo-crisis-deepens-as-delta-apc-accuses-labour-minister-of-anti-party-activities/

Recall that the bandits released 28 of the students on Sunday, July 25, after N50m ransom was paid, and 20 days in captivity.

The students were 121 in number, according to the president of the Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Jangado, who is also the proprietor of the school.

They were kidnapped in the early hours of July 5, 2021 around 2am at the school premises along the Kaduna-Kachia highway, Damishi, in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/breaking-bandits-free-15-kaduna-baptist-students/

Lady In Trouble For Allegedly Selling Her Photographs and Facebook Account To Fraudsters

Together with other members of her team, they are said to have “targeted the elderly from at least in or about 2014 through in or about 2018” according to Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York per a press statement dated July 1st, 2021.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/lady-in-trouble-for-allegedly-selling-her-photographs-and-facebook-account-to-fraudsters/

China Can Play Important Role In Rebuilding Afghanistan, Taliban Spokesperson Says

Shaheen noted that the advance of the Taliban represents the uprising of the public against an imposed administration and said the group’s speedy grasp of the country legitimizes the takeover of the administration.

Rejecting worries regarding the freedom of women under the Taliban’s administration, Shaheen claimed that the group will preserve women’s right to education and work.

He also called on international economic and monetary institutions to provide funding to the new administration.

The Taliban spokesman said Afghanistan will not be used against countries in the region for offensive purposes because it would not serve their interests.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/china-can-play-important-role-in-rebuilding-afghanistan-taliban-spokesperson-says/

The student added: “It’s sad, we lost a rugged education rights activist, he fought until he was killed, we’ll forever miss him.”

Until his death, he was the Lagos State Coordinator of Education Rights Campaign (EDC).

The message read:

“Omomewa walked through LASU gate for freaking years. Even when there was crazy struggles and we all had to run for safety, Mewa stood on his ten toes for us.”

“Mewa was our voice when our voice was cracked, he protected us from Marshals, from crazy management policies. He was always there every freaking day and time. And today the same LASU gate was unsafe for him again. Gooooood.”

https://worldtopnewsng.com/exclusive-education-activist-nurudeen-omomewa-shot-dead-at-lasu-gate/

Alleged Impropriety: Heritage Bank Faces Imminent Collapse

It is revealed that, against that background, panic withdrawals have hit the bank fuelling speculations that the bank is moving down towards imminent oblivion as natural death is staring the bank directly in the face.

Findings revealed that, even the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), has severally swooped on the staff of the bank apparently in respect of their failure to remit the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), the fund to the appropriate quarter.

With the development, observers, some of whom are either stakeholders, depositors and

other customers have resorted to moving their money from the collapsing financial institution to other ones that are believed to be on secured ground for fear of losing their personal heritage to the Heritage Bank.

Now, that Heritage Bank is in the eye of the storm again, it is being rumoured in some quarters that, the Federal Lawmaker has been contacted again to use his influence and contacts in the House of Representatives to ensure that Mike’s neck is saved from the hangman’s noose.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/alleged-impropriety-heritage-bank-faces-imminent-collapse/

The situation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul has become increasingly chaotic as embassies in the country shut down, sending staff members streaming to the airport, joined by tens of thousands of Afghans desperate to get out.

US officials said seven people have died, including some who clung to an American military jet and fell to the ground as the plane took off, the AP reported.

Bystander video from the scene shows hundreds of people running across the tarmac, and people sitting on top of a passenger jet, although civilian air travel is on hold, with air travel reduced to military operations.

Taliban holding off, with US in control of airport

The scene has grown more desperate since the Taliban rolled into Kabul on Sunday, unimpeded, and announced they now control the country, marking a return to power 20 years after US forces invaded following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/us-reportedly-meet-with-taliban-agree-to-allow-kabul-airport-evacuation-to-proceed/

COVID-19 Continue To Spread In Nigeria, Reports More Than 2000 Cases, More Deaths Within 72-hour

As Nigeria’s confirmed cases continue to rise, authorities have expresses concerns and put measures in place to tackle the third wave of the pandemic.

These include the reintroduction of the initially relaxed protocols such as the restriction of crowds in places of worship and social gatherings, as well as maintaining social distancing and mandatory use of face masks in public places.

Apart from the move by the authorities, the fight against COVID-19 has continued to receive a boost in Nigeria with the delivery of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The single-shot J&J vaccine – received on Thursday – was acquired through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), with support from Afrexim bank.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/covid-19-continue-to-spread-in-nigeria-reports-more-than-2000-cases-more-deaths-within-72-hour/

Financial Fair Play
PSG’s business this summer has led to questions being asked, with Messi following Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum to the Parc des Princes.

Europe’s other elite clubs have been left scratching their heads and asking questions, seeking an explanation from UEFA as to how they are able to sign so freely with Financial Fair Play being in place.

Ramos, Donnarumma, Wijnaldum and Messi have all joined the club as free agents.

https://worldtopnewsng.com/lionel-messi-reaches-agreement-with-paris-saint-germain/