Edo PDP Chairman Freed From Kidnappers Den

The Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has regained his freedom after eleven days in captivity. According to Senator Odion Ugbesia, Aziegbemi arrived his residence at about 3am on Tuesday, March 26. It was still unclear if any ransom was paid for Aziegbemi’s release as at the time of writing this report. Recall that Aziegbemi kidnapped on the March 16, 2024 by some unknown gunmen a few metres from his residence off the GRA in Benin City, the Edo state capital. He was said to have been trailed by his abductors who were said to be in two Toyota Corolla cars, overtook his jeep along Odaro Street off Country Home road close to his house at about 11 pm Friday.

NSA confirms Binance executive’s escape 

The National Security Adviser’s Office has confirmed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a detained executive from Binance, has fled from custody.  Anjarwalla, implicated in an investigation into Binance’s operations, escaped last Friday, as per the ONSA’s announcement on Monday.  This confirmation follows an earlier report by Starnews Ng detailing Anjarwalla’s escape.  Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication at ONSA, affirmed the development in a statement, disclosing that preliminary findings indicate Anjarwalla departed Nigeria using an illicitly obtained passport.  Efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitive. The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem ANJARWALLA, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024. “Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect. Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect. “Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport. ” Mijinyawa noted that those responsible for the custody of Anjarwalla had been arrested. He noted that the investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his escape. “The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention. “Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform. “Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts. The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024” the statement added. He urged Nigerians and the international community to help with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect. Mijinyawa said, “We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.” Financial Times had on February 28 reported that two executives of the company were arrested and detained after they flew into the country as a result of a ban on their website.

1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV, says APIN

An estimated 1.9 million Nigerians are living with the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Nigeria is one of the three countries in the world with the highest burden of the virus. A public health voluntary service initiative, APIN, made the disclosure at the weekend. persons. Speaking during the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U)/ International women’s day media roundtable, the Senior Technical Advisor, Prevention & Community Services APIN , Dr Olubunmi Amoo, stated that the group has a variety of women-focused interventions. Dr Amoo stated that the interventions ranges from Cervical Cancer screening, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, HIV testing and treatment, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programming, and Economic Empowerment activities. Speaking further she said that the successes and results from these programs are helping to give women voices in their households and the society at large, while ensuring their health and wellbeing. Delivery the welcome address, the Associate Director, Human Resources & Administration APIN, Mr Luke Onu and Deputy CEO (Programs), Dr Jay Osi Samuels, remarked on the need to specifically target women in public health interventions, as well as other areas including governance, economic empowerment and leadership, a practice which APIN is committed to. The duo also appreciated the media for their support so far and encouraged them to continue to amplify messages on women’s inclusion on their platforms. Also speaking in the occasion, the Communications and Media Specialist APIN, Mrs Emerald Awa-Agwu, stated that APIN introduced the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) campaign, aimed at increasing HIV testing, adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and uptake of viral load services to achieve an Undetectable viral load. Awa-Agwu informed that people Living with HIV who take their ARTs consistently can achieve an undetectable viral load. This means that the amount of HIV in their blood is too small to be detected by standard HIV tests. At this point, they are also unable to transmit HIV, Hence the name Undetectable =Untransmittable (U=U). Speaking further she said ” APIN Public Health Initiatives, addresses diseases of public health importance and mitigates their impact using cutting-edge approaches in public health program management, capacity building, research and health information management in partnership with other stakeholders. “The organization started out as a project of the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in 2000 but became an independent NGO in 2007.

IPOB: Kanu’s family insists he needs cardiologist

The family of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has raised fresh concern over his continued failing health, saying he needs urgent medical attention to avert a major health crisis. This is as the family sought to know those benefiting from the alleged whopping N800 million that the Federal Government spends as the cost of bringing him to court any time he is to make appearance. Spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu in a statement on Sunday said the family heard that the Federal Government spent N800 million each time he was brought to court. His words:” Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has finally become a money-minting venture for a few corrupt individuals in the corridors of power. “We heard that Government spends N800 million each time he is brought to court. Then, we want to know who the beneficiaries of the said money are? “Government should tell the people who collects and spends the money, and on what. “Our fear is that if it’s true that such humongous amount of money were spent on bringing him to court any time he is to appear, then it may be impossible to grant him bail any time soon because the cabal benefiting from his continued incarceration may not be willing to let go of their oil well.” The family which recently berated the Igbo political class for allegedly abandoning their son, expressed deep worry over his health condition. “We just got information that he is critically down. He has not been granted access to his personal doctors, and he urgently needs cardiologist. He should not be allowed to die in DSS custody”. The family, once again, called on the international community, to prevail on Nigeria to release the IPOB Leader who, it said, “is unjustly held for demanding the freedom of his Biafra people “. Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, (DSS), since June 21 when he was abducted and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya.

Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Custody, Flee Nigeria

A key Binance executive detained in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and other charges, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has reportedly escaped custody. According to PREMIUM TIMES, Anjarwalla, 38, managed to flee on Friday, March 22, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held. The escape occurred when guards allowed him to visit a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers. The dual British-Kenyan citizen is believed to have left Abuja aboard a Middle Eastern airline, raising questions about his departure despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport. Efforts are underway to determine Anjarwalla’s destination and facilitate his return to custody. An Immigration official revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that Anjarwalla escaped using a Kenyan passport, sparking inquiries into how he acquired the document given that his British passport was in official custody. This has led to speculation about the oversight and privileges granted to the detainees, including phone access, which may have facilitated the escape plan. The National Security Adviser’s office, through Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication, acknowledged the incident but has yet to provide further details. Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, leading to a series of legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange. Following Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders, the duo’s detention was extended to prevent evidence tampering. Charges against Binance and the executives include failure to register for taxes and issue invoices for VAT, as well as aiding subscribers in evading taxes. This incident comes amidst a broader crackdown by the Nigerian government on financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorism financing, with Binance allegedly being used for such activities. The government claims that over $21.6 billion was traded by anonymous Nigerian users on Binance, contributing to economic destabilization and Naira depreciation. The saga adds to Binance’s legal woes, following a guilty plea to money laundering charges in the US and a significant settlement with the Department of Justice. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s trial in the US has also been delayed, casting a shadow over the cryptocurrency giant’s operations globally.

Kaduna Governor, Sani Speaks On Gumi’s Involvement in School children’s Release

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, on Sunday, revealed that Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the release of abducted Kuriga pupils. Sani revealed this days after Gumi offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils. The governor while speaking on Channels TV, said all the 137 schoolchildren abducted on March 7, 2024 from the Chikun Local Government Area of the state by bandits have been rescued by the military. According to Sani, the rescue mission was carried out by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers. The governor described as speculations, talks in some quarters that ransom was paid, stressing that Gumi was not involved in the rescue of the pupils. Sani said, “All those speculations you are hearing today are figment of some people’s imagination. I can tell you that without any fear of contradiction. There was nothing like Gumi in this operation. I can tell you. I won’t undermine the efforts of our Armed Forces.”

Enthronement Process of New Olubadan Begins Tuesday

The process to enthrone the new Olubadan of Ibadanland is set to commence on Tuesday. According to Ibadan tradition, the Olubadan Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday to begin the enthronement process of a new monarch that will occupy the Olubadan stool after the demise of the former Olubadan. The passing of Oba Lekan Balogun, who died aged 81 on March 14, 2024 after ruling the ancient city for two years, has made the revered throne became vacant.  In accordance with tradition, the meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council, is billed to hold at the residence of the most Senior High Chief, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, former Oyo State governor, at his Bodija residence. According to a source, the Olubadan Advisory Council will at the meeting nominate the successor to the late monarch, High Chief Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. The traditional practice of nomination of a new Olubadan by the Advisory Council, according to the source, is usually done after the eighth-day Islamic prayers for the late monarch, which was held on Friday, March 22, 2024. The source disclosed that soon after the nomination, a document of affirmation of Olakulehin’s nomination would be sent to Governor Seyi Makinde, through the Office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. Two lines have historically, on a rotational basis, been producing the occupants of the Olubadan stool. They are the Otun Line (Civil Line) and the Balogun Line (Military Line). The immediate-past Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, who joined his ancestors on Thursday, March 14, 2024, after two years on the throne, was produced by the Otun Line.

Bill Mandating government officials’ children to attend public schools Set to be transmitted to National Assembly

A private bill seeking to prohibit government officials from sending their children to private schools and also using private hospitals, both within and outside Nigeria, is set for transmission to the National Assembly for legislative action.  The bill Proposes that public officials “shall patronise public education system for the education of his/her child or ward at nursery, primary, secondary and first-degree university levels.” The bill, sponsored by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 election, Dumebi Kachikwu, also proposes that “No public officer shall patronise any private hospital within or outside the country for the treatment of any sickness or disease for himself, spouse, child or ward, no matter how grievous or life-threatening or debilitating the disease or sickness confronting the public officer, spouse, child or ward may be or appears to be, provided that where it is established that the public health institution in Nigeria may not be able to treat such sickness or disease, owing to lack of necessary materials or personnel.” It further proposed that where public health facilities cannot take care of the ailment of a public official or their family members “such a public officer may, on his own expense, upon the express permission granted therefore by the Senate, seek treatment in private hospitals within or outside Nigeria.” Furthermore, it proposed that “No public officer shall enroll or register his child or ward in any private school within or outside the country for the purpose of acquiring education at nursery, primary, secondary and first-degree university level.” A copy of the bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to place restriction on certain activities of public officers and directors of specialised businesses and for other matters connected therewith,” was made available to newsmen on Sunday. Speaking on the bill, the sponsor of the bill, Kachikwu, said, “The bill also proposes that civil and public servants are not allowed to have police escorts or protection except when a competent court has ruled that a threat to life exists and the police protection is for a maximum period of three months renewable for a period of one month by the order of a court. “Only the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, governors, their deputies, Speakers, Speakers and Deputy Speakers and state Houses of Assembly and the Chief Judges of the different courts shall be entitled to police protection. “This also applies to directors of companies that require a government license, permit or lease to operate such as banks, telecom companies, oil and solid mineral mining companies, broadcast houses.” Section (1) (i) of the proposed law reads, “The objective of the bill is to promote patriotism among public officers by encouraging public officers to patronise public education system and public health institutions for the education of their children and healthcare services. “To promote confidence in the public education system and the public health system as public officers driving the sectors would devote time, energy, intellect and resources in providing efficient and effective education and healthcare service delivery for the citizens. “To ensure that directors of specialised businesses patronise public education system and public health institutions for the education of their children and healthcare services with a view to preserving foreign exchange earnings of the country and build confidence in the nation’s education and healthcare delivery system.” Under general restrictions, the bill provides that “No public officer shall travel by air for any official assignment within the country except it is proven that restriction of such a travel by air shall impact the national security and well-being of Nigeria,” and any public officer who violates this provision or “who has a generator or borehole in his house or

Women’s Month: Stakeholders to champion financial independence for women

By Daniel Okejeme Still in the spirit of International Women’s Month, stakeholders have been called to champion more financial independence and empower women. Lead Consultant for Senema Production (SP),Emmanuel Ohimokhare, who made this call said that people seem to focus more on the issue of gender based violence and equality while neglecting one of the most important challenge, which is women empowerment. He made the statement during a workshop organized by SP in conjunction with the Taipei Trade Office in Abuja, titled ‘Empowering Women in the Media, Strategies for thriving in today’s economic landscape’. Citing digital space utilization training as one of such empowerments, Ohimokhare advised female journalists to key into the dynamic transformation going on in the media landscape for high- quality journalism and media businesses. He said, “Women in journalism who are yet to embrace the digital space are missing out on the number one thing that will benefit their career journey. Learn from the younger generation who understand the impact and visibility digital space bring when leveraged on. “Journalism is dynamic. Some years back, there was nothing like social change journalism or investigative journalism, but now it has evolved. “We want this workshop to empower the women financially, making them more financially independent,” he said. In her speach, Brand Manager and Social Media Expert, Esther Ilesanmi, stated that social change journalism can affect the growth of media in Nigeria through audience engagement by covering stories that address pressing social Issues, people are often drawn to content that resonates with their values and concerns. Ilesanmi advised that trust should be built through involving in social change Journalism focuses that focuses on providing accurate and Impactful information about societal issues. She said, ” Diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional advertising, media businesses can explore subscription models, events, sponsored content and grants to sustainably monetize their content. “Other opportunities for growth investment in talent and training are investing in the skills and professional development of journalists, particularly women, which is crucial for enhancing the quality and impact of social change journalism.” Ilesanmi informed that negative stories trend more than innovative stories because people like to hear bad stories. Some of the good stories out there don’t get the expected outreach come to bad news.What we need to do as media people is to infiltrate the system with many more good stories so as to shape the narrative and ideologies of people.

Fani-Kayode Reacts To Terrorist Attack On Moscow City Hall

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia, which led to significant loss of life and injuries. On Friday, gunmen dressed in camouflage infiltrated a concert venue complex in Moscow and began firing upon unsuspecting citizens. A viral video footage from the Crocus City Hall, currently circulating on social media, depicts the extensive complex, housing both the music hall and a shopping centre, engulfed in flames, with smoke rising into the air. The death toll from the unfortunate incident was declared to be over 60 by Russian investigators, with health officials confirming that 145 people sustained serious injuries. Reacting to the sad incident via his official X page on Saturday, Fani-Kayode said the attack was cowardly, horrific and brutal. The former minister condoled with President Vladimir Putin and the people of Russia over the terrorist attack. He wrote: “I join millions all over the world in condemning the cowardly, horrific and brutal attack by terrorists in Moscow last night, and my heart goes out to President Vladimir Putin and the people of Russia.”