FG declares Wednesday public holiday to celebrate Workers’ Day

The federal government has declared Wednesday as a public
holiday to mark the Workers’ Day celebration.





 



Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the
public holiday in a statement on Tuesday.



 



The minister, who reiterated the need for excellence,
efficiency and equity in all spheres of labour, reaffirmed President Bola
Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation,
productivity, and inclusivity in the workplace.



 



“In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on
ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that
the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the
safety and well-being of all citizens,” the statement reads.





 “Let me reaffirm Mr.
President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where
every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.”



 



Tunji-Ojo called for proactive measures to mitigate the
adverse effects of climate change.



 



The minister said this can be achieved through synergy in
implementing sustainable practices and policies that promote well-being in the
workplace and in building a nation guided by integrity, diligence and
compassion.



 



He also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the present
administration’s renewed hope agenda.



 



 

Sack Adelabu, Mele Kyari now or face nationwide protest – NANS to Tinubu

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has
urged for the removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)
of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Minister
of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.





 



NANS is concerned about the challenges faced by Nigerians as
a result of inconsistent electricity supply, high tariffs, and the ongoing fuel
crisis.



 



NANS has made the decision to organize a nationwide protest
on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, and has asked for the support of fellow Nigerians.



 



In a joint statement endorsed by Senator Akinteye Babatunde
Afeez, the Senate President, NANS Headquarters, and the heads of its 5 regions,
it was expressed with concern that both Kyari and Adelabu’s leadership roles
have played a part in the mismanagement and mishandling of crucial energy
resources. This situation has been observed to have exacerbated the nation’s
current state of turmoil, as noted by many Nigerians.





 



“To amplify our message and ensure widespread participation,
we have strategically organized the protest to take place across various zones
of the country. Each zone will host its demonstration at designated locations
to maximize visibility and impact.



 



“Zone A: Abuja Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
Zone C: Airport Road in Abuja. Zone D along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Zone F
along Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge and ⁠Zone
E along the Wuntin Dada- Bauchi-Jos Road.”



 



“We firmly believe that the removal of Mele Kyari and
Honourable Adelabu is essential to address the root causes of the fuel scarcity
and electricity crisis.



 



“We demand accountability, transparency, and decisive action
from the government to alleviate the plight of the Nigerian students.

Binance executive will be smoked out of hiding, extradition underway— Interpol

 



The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)
says plans are underway to extradite Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance regional
manager for Africa, to Nigeria for prosecution.

 

Garba Umar, vice president of Interpol (Africa) executive
committee, spoke on Tuesday during Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily
programme.

 

Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial
crime compliance, were charged with tax evasion and money laundering by the
federal government.

 

The duo were arrested and detained on February 28.



 

However, on March 22, Anjarwalla escaped from a guest house
in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, where he and Tigran Gambaryan, his colleague,
had been kept by the federal government.

 

Anjarwalla was said to have escaped after guards led him to
a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the Ramadan fast.

 

The Binance regional manager, who is said to hold British
and Kenyan citizenship, reportedly fled Nigeria with a passport from the East
African country.

 

Last week, reports suggesting that the Kenya Police had
arrested Anjarwalla surfaced.

 

The Interpol official did not confirm the reports but noted
that Kenya is where the fleeing crypto chief was last seen.

 

“I’m not aware but what I can tell you is that the last
destination I know on my record of this guy when he fled (Nigeria) was Kenya. That
I can confirm to you,” Umar said.

 

Umar added that Interpol has contacted all countries where
Anjarwalla was believed to have transited and “we got some certain information
which is not possible to share on this platform”.

 

“Rest assured, we located where he was, how he boarded, all
information about him and how he landed. We have done that to make sure that he
doesn’t escape justice,” he added.

 

Umar added that the Binance executive will be returned to
Nigeria to face trial once a red notice has been issued and circulated to
concerned countries.

 

“Now, it is not only morally right but it is legally right
for the country to get him apprehended, inform the requesting country that ‘the
fugitive you are looking for has been apprehended and is in our custody. Can
you come and take him over?’” Umar said.

 

“This is the process. He may be in Kenya, he may be in
hiding, he might have even left Kenya but because of the notices we have given,
wherever he is, he will be smoked out.”

 

Gambaryan is currently in the custody of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after his arraignment.

 





Recently, Yuki, Gambaryan’s wife, appealed to the federal
government to release her husband, saying he had no influence on Binance’s
corporate decisions.

Investors showing interest in electricity sector since tariff hike- Adelabu

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, says investors are now
showing interest in the electricity sector because the federal government
increased electricity tariff for Band A customers.





 



On April 3, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission
(NERC) approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band
A classification.



 



The commission said customers under the category, who
receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will now pay N225 per kilowatt
(kW), starting from April 3 — up from N66.



 



Appearing before the senate committee on power on Monday,
Adelabu said the federal government could not afford to pay subsidies on power
anymore.



 





 “The government will
be needing about 2.8 trillion to subsidise electricity this year, and we look
at the government budget itself, we look at the provision for subsidy, we
discover and confirm that the government could not afford to pay,” he said.



 



“This government budget is 28 trillion naira. N2.8 trillion
is a subsidy for power separately. It is over 10 percent of the budget, which
is not realistic for us to ask the government to pay.



 



“For this sector to be revived, the government needs to
spend nothing less than $10 billion annually in the next 10 years. This is
because of the infrastructure requirement for the stability of the sector, but
the government cannot afford that.



 



 “And so we must make
this sector attractive to investors and to lenders. So for us to attract
investors and investment, we must make the sector attractive, and the only way
it can be made attractive is that there must be commercial pricing.



 



“If the value is still at N66 and the government is not
paying subsidy, the investors will not come. But now that we have increased the
tariff for A Band, there is interest shown by investors.”



 



Adelabu said more than N1.3 trillion is being owed to
generating companies.



 



“There has not been funding for this subsidy. And this has
culminated into each debt yearly now for the operators in the industry,
especially the generating companies and the gas supply companies,” he said.



 



 “As of the last
estimate, we said 1.3 trillion naira is being owed to the five generating
companies, while the legacy debt of the gas supply companies stood at $1.3
billion in 2023.



 



“The total tariff, the total subsidy for the tariff, was
supposed to be N720 billion. The government only funded N400 billion living a
total of over 300 billion brought forward to 2024.



 



“And at the current pricing regime, we estimated that it
will retain the tariff at current rates.”



 



Adelabu added that the high indebtedness is the reason the
government removed subsidies on electricity tariff.

It’s not too late to discontinue Lagos-Calabar Highway project – Peter Obi advises Tinubu

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr
Peter Obi, has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for going on with
the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project in defiance of public
outcry.





 



He expressed displeasure that the government is embarking on
a project threatening jobs at a time of rampant unemployment.



 



According to him, it’s not too late to discontinue the
Lagos-Calabar highway project, adding that urgent necessities are nationwide
security, poverty eradication, healthcare, and education, especially for the
poor and underprivileged.



 



Obi described the reported demolition of businesses and
residences in the designated right of way for the project as insensitive and
heart-wrenching.



 





He lamented that livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime
investments wasted, and jobs disappearing as a result of the demolition.



 



In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, the former Anambra
State governor said that the hasty flag-off of the project defies the
widespread outcry by the public, especially business and property owners
directly affected by the project.



 



He said: “Contrary to reason and the necessity for
compassion in public policy, the federal government has commenced the
controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.



 



“The outcry against this project has been overwhelming due
to the current situation in the country. However, reports as of yesterday
indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right
of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.



 



“The sight of this insensitive demolition is
heart-wrenching. Livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime investments are
being wasted, and jobs are disappearing as bulldozers roar through. The homes
of the elderly are being overturned by the power of bulldozers.



 



“This hasty flag-off defies the widespread outcry by the
public, especially business and property owners directly affected by the
project. Nobody knows the outcry that will accompany this project as it
progresses towards poor rural landscapes.



 



“Thousands of jobs are about to be lost, with investments
above $200 million at risk. Over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality
sector face imminent extinction, along with 80 small businesses and their 4000
mostly youth employees.



 



“At a time of rampant unemployment, the government is
embarking on a job-losing project. The economic losses currently observed are
primarily limited to the initial kilometers in the Lagos area.



 



“However, the 700 km stretch of this road will pass through
rural regions where affected individuals lack the voice, power, or influence to
assert their rights. Significant sections of the public have questioned the
process preceding the project’s approval, yet the government remains deaf to
reason and caution.



 



“While acknowledging the economic value of the road, its
conception dating back to Tafewa Balewa’s time, several parameters have
changed. Insecurity and poverty are rampant, placing this project lower on
today’s national priorities.



 



“It’s time to question the rationale and timing of this and
similar projects. The nation is in its worst economic state in history, with
poverty and hunger spreading. The basic necessities of life are beyond reach
for most Nigerians.



 



“This is a moment when a committed government cannot embark
on non-essential projects. Existing highways urgently need maintenance, and
insecurity makes travel unsafe.



 



“Just a few days ago, many lives were lost, and over 70
vehicles were burned in a fuel tanker explosion that occurred on the East-West
road in Rivers State. This tragic accident was primarily caused by the
extremely poor condition of the road, which has been neglected for years and
urgently needs attention. Our economy is struggling, and our health
institutions are ill-equipped. Why embark on an expensive new highway project
when there are close to 50 abandoned federal highway projects across the
country?



 



“The urgent necessities are nationwide security, poverty
eradication, healthcare, and education, especially for the poor and
underprivileged. It’s not too late to discontinue the Lagos-Calabar highway
project.



 



“We cannot afford another expensive abandoned project.
Nigeria’s urgent development needs are more real and essential. We do not need
landscape decoration escapades.”

‘Terrorism financing’: Court chides FG for lack of diligent prosecution in Tukur Mamu’s case

 A federal high court in Abuja has reprimanded the federal
government for lack of diligent prosecution in the charge filed against Tukur
Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald newspaper.







 



At the court session on Monday, David Kaswe, prosecution
counsel, was unavailable despite having entered his name on the cause list,
indicating his presence.



 



Abdul Mohammed, Mamu’s counsel, urged the court to stand
down the matter to await Kaswe’s return.



 



However, the prosecution lawyer was still not in court when
the case was called again after the judge had delivered a judgment.



 





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Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, expressed surprise over
“the miraculous disappearance” of the federal government’s lawyer in court.



 



“I am also aware that the prosecution was in court this
morning, but as to the miracle of the disappearance of the prosecution as at
the time this matter comes up for hearing is beyond my understanding,” Ekwo
said.



 



“This antic of the prosecution is only being tolerated in
today’s proceeding.



 



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“If the prosecution demonstrates that they are not ready to
prosecute this matter either diligently or expeditiously, the court will make
the right decision at that point.”



 



MAMU ASKS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO KUJE PRISON



 



Mamu’s lawyer moved an application to transfer his client to
the Kuje correctional facility.



 



He said the prosecution had already responded to the motion.



 



In the application, the defence counsel said the Department
of State Services (DSS) has refused to obey a previous court order which
directed that Mamu should be allowed access to his doctors.



 



He said Mamu would get proper medical attention in Kuje
prison.



 



“This application is brought so that we will take the
defendant to the prisons because they always obey court orders there so that if
we go there, he will have access to his medical officer,” he said.



 



“It is completely within the discretion of the court and we
do not want to bring an application for contempt as that will take time.



 



 “Therefore, we want
the court to vary the order and the defendant will stay in the Kuja correctional
facility. That is what we are asking for.”



 



The judge adjourned the matter until May 20 for ruling on
Mamu’s application.



 



BACKGROUND



Mamu is standing trial for allegedly aiding the terrorists
who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.



 



After his arrest in 2022, the federal government said
$300,000 was found in his possession.



 



He was arraigned in March 2023 by the office of the
attorney-general of the federation (AGF) on a 10-count charge bordering on
terrorism.



 



However, in March, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts
and denied having allegiance to the terrorists.



 



Mamu is alleged to have received $120,000 as ransom payments
on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.



 



The monies were said to have been received from families of
hostages kidnapped during the train attack.



 



He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications
relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.



 



The federal government also tagged the $300,000 found in
Mamu’s possession after his arrest as terrorist funds.



 



Mamu, an aide to Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric, was
involved in negotiations for the release of the passengers abducted during the
attack on a Kaduna-bound train.

NANS calls for end of petrol scarcity

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has condemned the fuel scarcity being experienced in parts of the country.




NANS, in a statement by the Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, on Sunday, noted that the development is unacceptable bearing in mind the economic situation in the country.




The student body wondered why fuel supply has deteriorated under the nose of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL.




“President Bola Tinubu oversees the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, tasked with directing petroleum resources and activities in Nigeria. At the helm of the NNPCL stands Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), whose tenure has been marked by the worst fuel crisis in recent memory. Nigerian students have never witnessed such prolonged shortages and disruptions to fuel supply, and we refuse to accept this as the new normal.




“The consequences of this fuel crisis are dire, with electricity supply remaining unreliable, prices soaring, and essential services paralyzed. Nigerian students, along with the rest of the population, are bearing the brunt of this crisis on a daily basis. We demand immediate action from the NNPCL to resolve the fuel crisis and restore stability to our nation.




“This includes transparency and accountability in providing information about the state of fuel supply and distribution. The NNPCL must also improve infrastructure and logistics to ensure the efficient distribution of fuel across the country. Bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain must be addressed promptly.




“Additionally, the NNPCL should engage with stakeholders, including student representatives, to understand the impact of the fuel crisis and collaborate on solutions. If Mele Kyari fails to take decisive action to resolve the fuel crisis, we call for his resignation or removal from office.




“Nigerian students cannot afford to suffer any longer under ineffective leadership. If the NNPCL fails to act swiftly and decisively to address the fuel crisis, Nigerian students are prepared to take mass action. It is time for the NNPCL to fulfill its mandate and prioritize the well-being of the Nigerian people. The future of our nation depends on it.”

Obaseki raises Edo workers’ minimum wage to N70,000

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has increased the minimum wage of workers in the state civil service to N70,000, beginning from May 1, 2024.




Obaseki disclosed this on Monday at the commissioning of the Labour House, built for the organized labour in the state.




The house was named after a former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole.




Obaseki said his administration would increase the new minimum wage for the state’s workers from N40,000 to N70,000.






He also promised to increase the monthly salary of workers to over N70,000 if the Federal Government approved q new minimum wage for its workers.




According to him, the details of the new minimum wage would be made known to the public during the celebration of this year’s Workers Day on Wednesday, May 1.

Tinubu govt lacks ability to solve Nigeria’s economic misfortune – Suswam

 Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, said the
government of President Bola Tinubu cannot change Nigeria’s economic fortunes.







 



Suswam made this statement in an interview on Channels
Television.



 



He said the Tinubu administration cannot take the country
out of the economic woe inflicted by his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.



 



“Well, it’s rather unfortunate right from the Buhari
Government where the mantra of ‘Change’ was the singsong. Unfortunately, people
didn’t ask what kind of change he was bringing into governance. Is it positive
change or negative change?



 





“What we experienced under those eight years were what
dovetailed into what we’re experiencing today because whatever foundation that
was built by the PDP was completely destroyed by that (Buhari) government.



 



“We now began a journey to the abyss. The state of the
nation, economically, is nothing to talk about, it’s unfortunate that the
current (Tinubu) leadership does not have what it takes to change the economic
fortunes of this country,” he said.



 



According to him, the removal of petrol subsidy, floating of
the naira, increase in electricity tariff, among other policies is evident that
the government is out to make things worse for the Nigerian masses.

Abuja Chinese Supermarket labelled all products in Chinese currency – FCCPC

 The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission
has revealed that all the products in the Abuja-based Chinese Supermarket were
labelled in Yen – the Chinese official currency.







 



The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Adamu
Abdullahi, made this revelation in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday.



 



The Chinese supermarket policy is against the law in Nigeria
and implies a violation of Nigerian law.



 



The commission said it is still considering appropriate
sanctions to be meted out against the owner of the supermarket, Liu Bei, for
not allowing Nigerians to shop at the facility.



 





He added that the owner has also been mandated to post an
open-to-all-customers notice.



 



Recall that Nigerians, last Sunday, kicked over the policy
of the supermarket restricting entry solely to Chinese nationals, excluding
Nigerians from patronising the establishment.



 



This report sparked widespread condemnation as Nigerians
voiced their concerns over the discriminatory treatment.



 



He said, “Yes, she came to the commission in time and we
went to the supermarket with her, she opened it and the discoveries were just
enormous.



 



The Chinese embassy and Chamber of Commerce were there
represented.



 



“We discovered that all the products were labelled in Yen
and that is the only currency they accept.



 



“That is against the law in Nigeria. we don’t sell products
in foreign currency. Everything sold in Nigeria should be in its currency.



 



Related News



FCCPC seals Abuja Chinese supermarket over discrimination
against Nigerians



Chinese Supermarket: CSO condemns alleged discrimination



FCCPC deploys operators to market over rising prices on food
stuff



“And then the issue of discrimination that they only allow
into the supermarket has been confirmed and we have now instructed that she
must put up a notice in front of that shop that says everybody can go into the
supermarket and shop.



 



“Also the issue of Yen and the display of prices. We are
discussing with her to put things right.”



 



The acting chairman said, “At the same time, we are also
discussing sanctions because a wrong has been done and bad behaviours lead to
consequences.



 



“So we would look at our law and find out what those
consequences are and apply them.



 



“There is a fine of N10m and then 10 per cent of last year’s
turnover for the company but we are still looking at the issues.”



 

Council polls: PDP sweeps 33 Oyo LGAs

 Candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have won all
the chairmanship positions in Saturday’s local government election in Oyo
State.







 



There are 33 local government areas in the state.



 



Our correspondent reported that the Oyo State Independent
Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, conducted the election on Saturday.



 



OYSIEC on Sunday declared PDP candidates as winners of the
election in all the 33 LGAs.



 





The results were announced at OYSIEC’s office in Ibadan, the
state capital.



 



Details later.

Lagos-Calabar highway: Umahi directs closure of Landmark beach, begins demolition of shanties

David Umahi, minister of works, has flagged off the
demolition of structures on the government’s right of way for the construction
of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.





 



In an interaction with journalists on Saturday, the minister
said no structure belonging to the Landmark beach resort was demolished, adding
that only shanties erected on the government’s right of way were affected.



 



“Landmark has unfortunately made so much noise about this. I
have revisited the place, and I can say none of his infrastructure is affected.
Just the shanties are affected and they are bulldozed already. We are passing
our coastal bridge within the right of way of the federal government,” he said.



 



“I have directed that the beach should be shut down for
tomorrow and there is no beach. The place is owned by people who are sand filling
it, and at the end of the day, there is no more beach.



 





“Those who are playing politics with it can go ahead. My job
is simple: to pass the coastal road. It’s in a right-of-way within the coastal
corridor which is the legitimate right-of-way of the federal government.”



 



The minister said those affected by the demolition will be
adequately compensated, adding that documentation will start on May 2-3.



 



Bolaji Ariyo, chief executive officer of Mami Chula Beach,
said he shared the project’s vision “even if it causes inconvenience for a
small number of people”.



“I understand when a government is promising to make life
easy for the entire Nigerians. Some of us are affected, no doubt about it, but
those affected are not up to 0.1% of the millions that will enjoy the coastal
roads,” Ariyo said.



 



“That’s why people like me have taken it to heart to also
support Mr President and the honourable minister to ensure that this road comes
to life.”



 



Employees of Landmark recently staged a protest against the
sand filling of the beach for the road construction.



 

‘I was lined up for execution’ – Gospel singer, Buchi recounts near-death experience

 Nigerian reggae Gospel musician, Buchi Atuonwu, has recalled
how he was miraculously saved from firing squad execution.







 



The singer revealed that he was lined up for execution
alongside others but he made a vow to serve God if he saved him and he was
miraculously saved.



 



During a recent interview with Channels TV, Buchi disclosed
that he was involved in vices that led him to be lined up for execution.



 



He said, “Coming from a peculiar background; a nightclub DJ
and at the same time a university lecturer and transiting to the choir of
churches, and having been involved in the campus confraternity, drug abuse, and
youth violence, my music has to be somewhat different. Influenced by that
background and also with an intention to make a change.



 





“So all those escapades led me to the stories that manured
the kind of songs I put out; gun-running, violence. I recently published a book
titled ‘My Weed And I.’ It talks about what weed could do to the mind of a
growing child and indeed adults as well.



 



“At a point in my life, we were lined up for execution. The
people who were to execute us were already kneeling before us ready to fire. I
called out to a God that I did know, ‘If you save me, I will serve you.’ Since
we don’t have all the time, let me just say that he saved me from that firing
squad. And I devoted my life to serving him.”



 

How Remi Tinubu saved me from media blackmail—Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, disclosed on Tuesday
that the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, once saved him from
media blackmail while he was in the Senate.





 



The governor, during a reception organized for the First
Lady, alongside other State Governors’ wives at Government House, Oke-Fia,
Osogbo, ahead of the Sod Turning of The Alternative High School for Girls, said
the first lady, then a Senator in the 8th Senate, was his saving grace after he
was caught sleeping by the media during plenary.



 



According to Adeleke, “I want to welcome you to Osun State.
You are a detribalise First Lady. I remember that she was my senior colleague
at the 8th assembly; there was a time when the media caught me sleeping in the
Senate, so they wanted to blackmail me. I told them how tedious our job is in
making bills and having several sleepless nights over Nigeria.



 



“We don’t sleep till 4 a.m. most times. They (the media)
were not listening to me, I almost fell for their blackmail. So I ran to Mama
(First Lady) when she was going to Lagos, I told her that I wanted to ask her
something. I said I was sleeping, and the media came to me that they saw me
sleeping, and it seemed they wanted to collect something from me.





 



“She told me, ‘Ma da won lohun’ (don’t answer them), let
them go and write whatever thing they want to write, tell them that you are a
human being because they have done that to her before. I made use of what she
told me. That helped me out of paying a lot of money. So anytime we have
issues, we always go to her because of her wealth of experience.”

One killed, two injured as gas tanker explodes in Ogun

One person has been killed, while two others sustained
injuries in a gas tanker explosion at Ita-Oshin, on the Lagos-Abeokuta
expressway.





 



Confirming the incident to journalists, Florence Okpe,
spokesperson of the Ogun command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said
the accident occurred at 4.10 pm on Saturday.



 



She said six people — all male adults — were involved in the
incident.



 



She added that the motor boy died in the accident.





 “A total of five
vehicles were involved, including two Nissan cars with registration numbers AAN
544 YC, LSD 993 CY, a Sino tanker marked T23771 LA, a Micra marked GDB 841 XR
and a Honda CRV without registration number,” NAN quoted Okpe as saying.



 





The FRSC spokesperson explained that the tanker suffered
brake failure, the driver lost control and crashed the vehicle into the road
barricade. The truck burst into flames thereafter.



 



She added that some vehicles and shops in the vicinity were
burnt as well.



 “The fire service
were contacted immediately and the scene was cordoned off to avoid secondary
crash,”  she said.



 



“The deceased was deposited at the State General Hospital
morgue, Abeokuta, and the injured victims were taken away by the families.



 



“FRSC operatives are still on ground managing the traffic
situation.”

Oyo LG election: Makinde casts vote in Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has cast his vote in today’s local government election.




Makinde voted at Polling Unit 1, Ward 11 in Ibadan North East Local Government Area in Ibadan.




He arrived at 10:17 am and voted five minutes later.




The election conducted by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, is being held across the 33 local government areas.

Okuama killings: Falana says army has no right to declare suspects wanted

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says the army has no right
to declare suspects wanted over the murder of 17 officers in Okuama community
of Delta state.





 



The army had declared eight suspects wanted, including
Clement Ikolo, a traditional ruler in the state.



 



Citing a previous lawsuit in a letter addressed to Lateef
Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice,
Falana said the duty of the troops is to send a formal report to the police
which is legally tasked with investigating alleged murder.



 



The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) faulted the army for
not observing due process, saying obtaining a court order precedes declaring
suspects wanted.



 





 “The authorities of
the armed forces should be made to realise that the Nigerian Army lacks the
power to arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any
offence whatsoever as they are not subject to service law,” Falana said.



 



“In several cases, the Nigerian Army has been ordered by
Nigerian courts to desist from subjecting unarmed civilians to any form of
harassment or intimidation whatsoever.”



 



Falana pointed out that murder is not a military offence to
warrant investigation by the defence headquarters and urged the AGF to instruct
troops to hand over investigation to the police.



 



The human rights lawyer also frowned at the army’s recent
occupation of Okuama community.



 



Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), said the
army is conducting a cordon-and-search in the community without infringing on
the rights of residents, and would vacate the area after conclusion of
investigations.



 



Falana said scores are alleged to have been killed in Okuama
and Igbomotoru communities by the invading troops, adding that a prolonged
occupation would trigger reprisal attacks.



 



The SAN appealed to Fagbemi to call the troops to order and
end all human rights violations on civilians in the communities.

FG announces $10bn diaspora fund to attract investment

The federal government has announced plans to set up a $10
billion diaspora fund to attract investment from citizens living abroad.





 



In a post on X on Thursday, Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of
industry, trade and investment, said the federal government is seeking bids
from asset managers to set up the fund.



 



The initiative, the minister said, is expected to support
critical sectors including infrastructure, health care and education to grow
the economy.



 



Uzoka-Anite said the fund will be guided by an advisory
board comprising limited partners, calling on eligible firms to express their
interest in its management.



 





 “The fund is part of
broader efforts to strengthen ties between Nigeria and its diaspora, promote
national development,” she said.



 



“Objective of the Nigeria diaspora fund; The fund will be
managed by Fund Managers that satisfy the criteria set out in the Expression Of
Interest (EOI). The Fund manager will propose Fund structures that will focus
on various sectors and stages of investments.



 



“Subject to the preferences indicated by fund managers, the
fund will contain multiple investment platforms designed to offer investors
different mechanisms for participating in Nigeria’s economic transformation.



 



 “This fund is a way
of encouraging remittances, attracting investments and facilitating
philanthropic endeavors aimed at supporting various sectors such as
infrastructure, healthcare, education and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.



 



“The launch of the diaspora fund will serve as an
opportunity to raise interest in and awareness of the fund: towards mobilizing
capital investment from the diaspora community.”



 



Uzoka-Anite said the fund managers will be responsible for
designing investment platforms focused on the aforementioned sectors.



 



INVESTMENT OF TEN
YEARS LIFE SPAN



The minister noted that the investment period is for three
to five years and a lifespan of 10 years — extendable by two years.



 



“The fund presents an opportunity for diaspora investors to
contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement,” Uzoka-Anite
said.



 



“As part of this process, a committee was set up to design and
develop the structure for a diaspora fund.



 



“Various stakeholders in the capital markets, investment
community and diaspora investors were engaged and also consulted on the
establishment of the $10 billion Nigeria Diaspora Fund.



 



 “The expected
investment period is for three to five years with follow on investments
thereafter. The life of the fund will be 10 years (extendable by 2 years).



 



“The launch of the diaspora fund is poised to raise
awareness and mobilize capital investment from the diaspora community, marking
a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable economic
prosperity.”



 



Uzoka-Anite also noted that the proposed asset offering
could take the shape of infrastructure, credit, and venture capital funds.



 



The minister said interested firms, including joint ventures
and greenfield funds, are encouraged to apply by May 6.



 



On April 3, the federal government said it plans to start
issuing domestic foreign currency-denominated bonds from the second quarter
(Q2) of 2024.



 



The federal government, on April 21, said plans are afoot to
issue a diaspora bond to boost remittances.

Tinubu to Dutch PM: Nigeria’s lithium deposits can power world’s clean energy future

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is well positioned to
power the clean energy future of the world, including Europe, with its
high-grade lithium deposits.





 



Tinubu spoke on Thursday during a meeting with Prime
Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, at his official residence in The Hague,
according to a statement by Ngelale Ajuri, the presidential aide.



 



Tinubu said Nigeria offers immense opportunities across a
pool of sectors, adding that his administration is deepening reforms to enhance
the investment climate.



 



He said Nigeria seeks robust, balanced, and mutually
beneficial partnerships that will spur value-addition in areas like solid
minerals.



 



 “Taking a holistic
view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across
trade spheres but especially in solid minerals, where we have high-grade
lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world,”
Tinubu said.



 



“There is excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria.
The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative
exploits in other areas.



 



“We have an extremely dynamic youth population in Nigeria.
It is a young country. 70% of our people are under the age of 30, and when we
are referring to 200 million plus citizens, it represents both a massive
workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.



 



 “If our young people
know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build
our nation to greatness.



 



“Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will
be a benefit to Europe, and irregular migration will no longer be a source of
fear in Europe if we partner effectively.



 



“This is what we want and it is why we are adamant about
providing student loans and new credit opportunities to not only enhance the
skills of our people but also to ensure that they can access a higher quality
of life within their legitimate incomes.



 



“We will transform our economy, and our young people will be
the reason why.”



 



Responding, Rutte said Tinubu’s economic reforms have
engendered greater confidence in the Nigerian economy by international
investors.



 



He said Dutch investors have recently activated another set
of $250 million worth of new investments over the next few months, including a
$100 million investment in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos
state.



 



“You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions
it can bring in dealing with problems of development,” the prime minister said.



 



“I saw you take the courageous decision to deal with fuel
subsidies and other reforms, and we are interested in what allowed you to take
the decisions that many before you could not take.



 



 “And you took those
decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination and your stand in
ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment in leadership.”



 



Tinubu also assured of his commitment to develop the
partnership between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria, adding that symbiotic
economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual
prosperity.

We must reclaim Ondo for PDP, says Agboola Ajayi after winning guber ticket

Agboola Ajayi, the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) gubernatorial primary poll in Ondo, 
has described his election as a ”victory for democracy”.





 



Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the deputy governor of Bayelsa, who
chaired the electoral committee that supervised the poll, announced Ajayi as
the winner of the election in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday.



 



Ewhrudjakpo said Ajayi scored 264 votes to defeat other
aspirants.



 



In his acceptance speech after winning the party’s ticket,
Ajayi said the election was transparent, free, fair and devoid of rancour.



 





The former deputy governor of Ondo commended the electoral
committee for being objective in the process.



 



He commended other aspirants in the election and urged them
to join hands with him to rescue the state from the misgovernance of the All
Progressives Congress (APC).



 



“There is no victor, no vanquished in the election and I
solicit your support to ensure that our party returns to power in the November
governorship election,” Ajayi said.



 



“Let’s join hands together and speak with one voice and work
towards reclaiming Ondo for PDP.



 



“I thank you for the process and let me also commend the
national leaders of our party for putting in place a transparent process to get
to this level that is the difference between the PDP and other political
parties in Nigeria and Africa.



 



“But let me say this to all our party leaders No victor, no
vanquished, all of us are winners and it’s a victory for democracy.



 



“I’ll try my best, I’ll do everything to see that every
aggrieved member is reconciled so that we can push for the victory together.”

US Report on 2023 polls: We remain committed to democracy — PDP, LP

The two main opposition political parties, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), have restated their
commitment to the development of democracy in Nigeria despite its shortcomings.





 



They said this in seperate reactions to the latest report by
the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, US Department of State, on
the 2023 general elections, yesterday.



 



National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo
Ologunagba, in a chat with Vanguard said, “I am yet to read the report. But one
thing we, as a party can assure Nigerians is that we remain committed to the
advancement of democracy in our country.



 



“We are also committed to ensuring that our country does not
become a one-party state or slide into dictatorship.”



 





Speaking in a similar vein, his counterpart in the Labour
Party, Obiora Ifoh, said, “With all said and done, take solace in the fact that
the report was fair enough to admit that there were irregularities including
but not limited to: vote buying, ballot box snatching, intimidation and
physical attacks on our party supporters especially in Lagos.



 



“The report was magnanimous enough to note that supporters
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) suppressed votes in areas dominated by
our supporters during the March 2023 governorship election in Lagos.



 



“To say the outcome of such an election reflects the
majority view of Nigerians is left for the people to judge.



 



“Our commitment to the development of democracy in Nigeria
remains unshakable.”

Electricity: It pains me Nigeria can’t power one major city – Peter Obi

 Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr
Peter Obi, says it pains him much that Nigeria cannot boast of electricity to
power even one of her major cities, while Tanzania has succeeded in powering
all their major cities.







 



Obi said that while a World Bank report showed that about 70
per cent of 40 million Tanzanians living in rural areas have received access to
electricity, regrettably, Nigeria’s situation remained the opposite.



 



The statement comes amid a report that Tanzania, an East
African nation, recently shut down five hydroelectric stations to reduce excess
electricity in the national grid.



 



According to the report, their decision to shut down power
stations came after production became enough to power their major cities and
give electricity access to the rural dwellers.



 





However, Obi, in a post on his X handle on Friday, said the
government must sanitize and rescue the sector for the good of the nation.



 



He said: “Yesterday, I read a report in the Media on how
Tanzania, our East African fellow nation, recently shut down five hydroelectric
stations to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.



 



“Their decision to shut down these power stations stemmed
from the fact that their electricity production was already enough to power
their major cities and give electricity access to the rural dwellers.



 



“In pain, I wondered how our nation, the giant of Africa,
could not be able to power even one of the major cities, for example, the
capital Abuja, while Tanzania has succeeded in powering all their major cities.



 



“A World Bank report showed how strong political will and
commitment have been responsible for rapid electricity access in Tanzania which
has seen electricity access move from 7% in 2011 to almost 40% (37.7%) in 2020,
during which about 75% (73.2%) of urban dwellers gained access to electricity
and about 25% (24.5%) of rural areas gained access to electricity.



 



“A similar report in June 2023 showed that about 70 per cent
of 40 million Tanzanians living in rural areas have received access to
electricity, signifying a monumental growth in the sector, while regrettably
Nigeria’s situation remains the opposite.



 



“In Nigeria, 60% of our over 200 million people live without
access to electricity, according to a 2022 Energy Progress Report.



 



“Considering the economic loss resulting from the lack of
access to electricity in our nation, which remains immeasurable and with the
recent electricity tariff increase, one would expect that we would be able, at
least, to power one major city in each geo-political zone soon, and increase
our overall access both in the urban and rural areas.



 



“The government must, therefore, sanitize and rescue the
sector for the good of the nation.



 



“If Tanzania could achieve such a milestone in power generation,
then Nigeria can do it even better, with competent and committed leadership.



 



“A stable power sector is very critical for the journey to a
New Nigeria, to which we remain committed.”

FG, states owing March, April workers’ wage award – TUC

The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has decried the delay by federal and state governments in paying the workers’ wage award for March and April 2024.




TUC President Festus Osifo called out federal and state governments while briefing the media on the fallout of its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.




According to Osifo: “The last wage award paid to workers was in February 2024. That of March and April 2024 has not been paid as we speak, we call on government to release it so that when salary is coming in, the wage award should be paid too.




“While a number of states have been up and doing in terms of remitting the wage award, states like Benue have been lagging on workers’ welfare. Anambra is also culpable for this payment. We thought that since it is one state being led by an economist, he should be able to put on his thinking cap. Imo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi and Katsina are equally lagging seriously.”




He disclosed that they also reflected on the recent increase in electricity tariffs, which he described as too hasty.




“There are provisions that ought to have been followed before you increase the electricity tariff, and there ought to be stakeholder engagement, but in this case, it was not done.




“Today, electricity tariffs are being increased when some people are still using estimated billing. We have expected that by now every single house in Nigeria should have a pre-paid metre; we insist that there must be stakeholder engagement to arrive at a critical decision like this,” he stated.




On the inability of the Port Harcourt refinery to kick off operations by April as promised by the Federal Government, the TUC boss said it was one of the reasons for the resurgence of fuel queues in parts of the country.




He said: “Sometime last year, TUC visited the Port Harcourt refinery and government told us that by April the refinery would start production, but to date, nothing is working there. We urge government to do everything possible to make it operational.”




He added: “We call on the government to tame insecurity because farmers are no longer farming, we see what is happening in Benue and Jos. People need to go to farms to cultivate; that is what will reduce the price of goods and other commodities in our market.”




He further disclosed TUC’s position on the minimum wage, saying: “We insist that the only way to reflate your economy is when people have money to purchase items. When people lack purchasing power, the effect is that manufacturers will produce and keep on the shelf. So the Minimum Wage Committee should hasten up to unveil a new minimum wage.”

Senator Ayogu Eze is dead

Senator Ayogu Eze from Enugu State is reportedly dead.




Born in 1958, he was aged 66.




The Senator represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.




A source told newsmen that Eze, a former Senate spokesman, died in an Abuja hospital after a protracted illness.




According to the source, the late Senator has been down, a situation that made him unable to attend his child’s wedding ceremony held earlier in the year in Lagos State.




He was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before he defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he ran for Enugu State governorship election.




In the Senate, he was appointed chairman of the senate committee on Information and Media, making him the official spokesman of the senate in 2007.




After his reelection to the senate in 2011, he was appointed chairman of the committee on works.




Eze also served as a member of committees on Police Affairs, National Planning, Marine Transport and Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs.




In May last year, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Eze and five others as Federal Commissioners for Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.

ESN not harassing Northerners in Southeast – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday said the Eastern Security Network, ESN, is not harassing Northerners and Fulanis in the Southeast.




IPOB said there are Northerners going about their legitimate businesses in the Southeast without being harassed.




The group was reacting to claims by the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, that ESN was involved in mass killing of Fulani cow and Northerners.




Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, described NEF as bunch of hypocrites and crisis instigators who seldomly speak the truth.




A statement by Powerful reads: “The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the indomitable and charismatic leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to the statement credited to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) accusing IPOB of harassing the Northerners in the East and mass killing of Fulani cows. The Northern Elders Forum are a bunch of hypocrites and crisis instigators who seldomly speak the truth.




“For public records purposes, IPOB and ESN are not attacking Northerners including law abiding Fulanis in the East. There are many responsible and law abiding Northerners including Fulanis doing legitimate businesses in the East without anyone harassing them.




“However, IPOB/ESN are pursuing criminal elements and terrorists in our bushes, forests, and farmlands who are terrorizing our people, raping our women, killing our farmers and destroying our farmlands and communities.




“On the mass killing of cows in the East, IPOB/ESN takes responsibility for slaughtering the cows that these terrorists are using as conduits to occupy our farmlands and destroying our crops just to send the message that we don’t want terrorists in our bushes and farmlands. Moreover, open grazing has been banned by the South East Governor’s Forum since 2020.




“There are houses for rent in all the cities and towns in Biafra Land. There is no region that has houses more than the East in Nigeria. Any Fulani who is interested in doing a legitimate business should rent a house or properties like other citizens and not to go and occupy bushes and graze in people’s farms.




“If the Northerners that are doing legitimate businesses in the cities should allow the Northern Elders Forum to refer to them as being harassed by IPOB because they are the sophisticated terrorists, mass murderers, rapists and kidnappers in the Biafra forests and bushes, they will continue to be harassed by ESN until they vacate and and stop coming into our territory.




“Their notorious activities in every part of Nigeria are in the public domain. ESN and IPOB do not romance with or pamper criminals and terrorists.”

Father arrested for ‘writing’ UTME for son

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says
cases of people having double national identification numbers (NIN) made
impersonation possible in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
(UTME).





 



The statement from the exam body came after a father and his
son were arrested for alleged impersonation in the ongoing UTME.



 



The father, whose name has not been disclosed, was said to
have impersonated his son to help the latter pass the university entrance
examination.



 



Ishaq Oloyede, registrar of the Joint Admission and
Matriculation Board (JAMB), confirmed the development in an interview on
Wednesday.



 





Oloyede inspected the Kaduna State University (KASU)
Computer Based Test (CBT) centre after which he spoke to the press.



 



He said it is unfortunate that some parents have descended
so low in morals to the extent of resorting to such shameful acts.



 



“Two of them are now in custody. I can’t understand what the
father will tell his son when they are locked in the same cell,” Oloyede said.



 



Oloyede said the 2024 examination recorded huge success,
except for a few cases of impersonation.



 



He said impersonation became possible because some people
now have multiple NINs.



 



“For those who engage in cheating, they should know that it
does not pay. The technology is helping us to check that. Across the country,
most of the problem we have is impersonation,” he said.



 



“For instance now, we say we have NIN. We now have cases of
people with two NINs. That has defeated the purpose of identity verification.
We will take that up with NIMC; that there are people who have two NIN.”



 



Oloyede said a total of 1.94 million candidates sat for the
2024 UTME.



 



He added that those who have missed the exam for reasons not
caused by JAMB should forget about it.



 



The registrar said the board cannot spend millions to
reorganise a session for candidates who missed it due to their recklessness.



 



“Most of those candidates who missed the UTME are students
from hostels who were made to register through schools because of the money the
schools want to collect from the parents in the name of JAMB, They would now
put 30 students in one bus,” he said.



 “They will now be
dropping them in different locations. By they get to the last student’s centre,
he is already late for the exam. You will now see the principal writing to me.
What business do I have with a school?



 



“Even a religious body wrote to me that ‘the following 100
candidates, I want them to write their exams on a particular day of the
examination’. They were even deciding for me the school to post the candidates.
How is that possible?”



 

‘Filed out of time’ — EFCC withdraws appeal against order restraining Yahaya Bello’s arrest

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
filed a notice of withdrawal to discontinue an appeal against an order of a
Kogi high court restraining the agency from arresting Yahaya Bello, former
governor of the state.





 



In the notice filed on April 22, the EFCC said the
withdrawal is predicated on the fact that events have overtaken the appeal.



 



The commission also admitted that the appeal was filed out
of the time allowed by law.



 



“The appellant herein intends to and do hereby wholly
withdraw her appeal against the respondent in the above-mentioned appeal,” the
notice reads.








“This notice of withdrawal is predicated on the fact that on
the 17th of April 2024, the application filed by the appellant herein was
overtaken by the decision of the same high court of Kogi state….



 



“The orders made ex parte by Jamil on the 9th of February
2024 in said suit which is the subject of this appeal, was made to last pending
the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice which was
finally determined by Jamil on the 17th April 2024.



 



“Furthermore, the notice of appeal was filed out of time and
we, therefore, pray that the appeal be struck out for being filed out of time
and incompetent.”








BACKGROUND



On February 8, Bello instituted a fundamental rights
enforcement suit, asking the court to declare that “the incessant harassment,
threats of arrest and detention, negative press releases, malicious
prosecution” of the EFCC — “without any formal invitation — is politically
motivated and interference with his right to liberty, freedom of movement, and
fair hearing”.



 



The former governor also sought an order “restraining the
respondent by themselves, their agents, servants or privies from continuing to
harass, threaten to arrest or detain him”.



 



On February 9, the Kogi high court granted an interim
injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest,
detain, prosecute Bello, his former appointees, and his staff or family
members, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating
motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights”.



 



On March 12, the EFCC filed an appeal against the interim
injunction because the court could not stop the commission from carrying out
its statutory responsibility.



 



The Kogi high court delivered judgment on the substantive
motion on notice on April 17 wherein Isa Jamil Abdullahi, the presiding judge,
granted an order restraining the EFCC “from continuing to harass, threaten to
arrest or detain Bello”.



 



However, Abdullahi directed the commission to file a charge
against Bello before an appropriate court if it had reasons to do so.



 



The judgment coincided with the recent “siege” laid on the
Abuja residence of  Bello by EFCC
operatives seeking to arrest him.



 



The commission had also obtained a warrant of arrest against
the former governor from the federal high court in Abuja.



 



The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering
on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to
the tune of N80.2 billion.



 



At the scheduled arraignment on April 18, Bello was absent.



 



At the court session, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello,
told  Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge,
that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the warrant of arrest in the first
instance.



 



He referenced the February 9 interim injunction issued by
the Kogi high court, adding that the appeal filed by the EFCC is still pending.

Anambra community rejects newly elected monarch, urges Soludo to cancel election

Crisis is gradually brewing in Ihite Community of Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following a disagreement over selection of a traditional ruler.




Already, some members of the community led by the community’s traditional council have disowned a new king, Mr Timothy Ifurunwa, who was last weekend elected by a section of the community, under the prompting of the President General, Mr George Madu.




The community is correctly polarized into factions, with many stakeholders rejecting the process that led to the selection of Ifurunwa as king.




The community’s traditional council has petitioned Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, urging him to intervene to avert crisis in the community and to also disregard the process that led to the selection of Ifurunwa.




In the petition signed by their lawyer, Barr N.I Onyeakpa, and chiefs Ahamkonye, Daniel Ifemkpa, Anudu Ephraim and Geoffrey Okeke, the traditional council accused the president general of the community, George Madu, of jettisoning the constitution in the selection, just to favour his candidate.




Parts of the petition read: “Ihite town in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State lost their Traditional Ruler Igwe, B.O. Ofu in 2020.




“Under Ihite native law and custom, after two (2) years of transition to glory by the Royal father, there shall be a joint meeting of the Ihite traditional council and the town union wherein the two important bodies in the town will discuss on how a new king or traditional ruler of the town should be elected.”




Onyeakpa urged Soludo not to issue a certificate of recognition to the newly elected monarch, Ifurunwa.




He said it was a surprise to the community that Madu could continue with a selection process, even when his authority to singlehandedly select a monarch and sidelining the traditional council of the community was still being determined by the court.




He said: “Our clients filed Suits in both customary court and Magistrate court challenging the purported dissolution of Ihite traditional council by the President General, and illegal process of selection, nomination and screening of a would be traditional ruler of Ihite without reference to the traditional council of Ihite.”




Two members of the traditional council who spoke with journalists, Chief Geoffrey Okeke and Onowu Dominic Ahamkonye, called on Soludo to a nullify the process, and not to be deceived into issuing certificate of return to the new monarch.




Meanwhile, in his reaction, the president general of the community, Madu who spoke to journalists, insisted that the process was right.




He said there were only a few disgruntled people in the community who were unhappy, insisting that the process was transparent.

BREAKING: Tinubu approves take-off of N100bn consumer credit for Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of the N100 billion Consumer Credit Scheme for Nigerians amid escalating economic hardship in the country.




Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.




He stated that interested Nigerians are expected to visit the portal of Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation before May 15, 2024.




“Consumer credit serves as the lifeblood of modern economies, enabling citizens to enhance their quality of life by accessing goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time. It facilitates crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, which are essential for ongoing stability and the pursuit of their aspirations.




“Individuals build credit histories through responsible repayment, unlocking more opportunities for a better life. The increased demand for goods and services also stimulates local industry and job creation.




“The President believes every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility, with consumer credit playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision.




“The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) achieves its mandate through the following: Strengthening Nigeria’s credit reporting systems and ensuring every economically active citizen has a dependable credit score. This score becomes personal equity they build, facilitating access to consumer credit, Offering credit guarantees and wholesale lending to financial institutions dedicated to broadening consumer credit access today and Promoting responsible consumer credit as a pathway to an improved quality of life, fostering a cultural shift towards growth and financial responsibility.




“In line with the President’s directive to expand consumer credit access to Nigerians, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has launched a portal for Nigerians to express interest in receiving consumer credit.




“This initiative, in collaboration with financial institutions and cooperatives nationwide, aims to broaden consumer credit availability.




“Working Nigerians interested in receiving consumer credit can visit www.credicorp.ng to express interest. The deadline is May 15, 2024.




“The scheme will be rolled out in phases, starting with members of the civil service and cascading to members of the public,” the statement said.




Recall that two months ago, a presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced that the Federal Executive Council had given the nod for the establishment of the Consumer Credit Scheme.




He said the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will lead a committee that includes the Budget Minister, Attorney-General, and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance to make the scheme a reality.




In March, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, said the Nigerian government would unveil its proposed N100 billion consumer credit loan in a few days.