Nigerian-South Africa AFCON Semifinal: High Commission Urges Caution
In anticipation of the Semifinal clash between Nigeria and South Africa at the on going African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has issued a stern warning to Nigerians residing in the host country. The advisory, titled “Safety Advisory for Nigerians During 2024 AFCON Semifinal Match Between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana,” emphasizes the need for Nigerians to exercise restraint and abide by the law before, during, and after the football match. Amid escalating tensions fueled by online provocations, the High Commission urged Nigerians to be vigilant of their surroundings and cautious of where they choose to watch the game, especially in public spaces. The warning comes in light of veiled threats circulating on social media directed towards Nigerians, including references to “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” and potential repercussions if the Super Eagles defeat the Bafana Bafana. Nigerians were advised to refrain from engaging in provocative behavior or loud celebrations should the Super Eagles emerge victorious. Instead, they were urged to maintain their reputation for good conduct and to report any instances of harassment or intimidation to the appropriate authorities. The Nigerian High Commission’s advisory underscores the importance of prioritizing safety and responsible behavior during this highly anticipated sporting event, urging Nigerians to support their team while remaining vigilant and law-abiding in the face of potential tensions.
Yobe State Declares Work-Free Day To Mourn Ex Governor
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has declared Wednesday, February 7, 2024, as a work-free day. The declaration aims to facilitate a three-day prayer session for the late former governor, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who passed away in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Governor Buni, emphasizing the significance of this period, urged the state’s residents to utilize the day in offering prayers for the peaceful repose of Sen. Ibrahim’s soul. The three-day prayer sessions are scheduled to take place at the Government House Mosque in Damaturu. Yobe State Government has officially taken charge of the funeral and condolence rites, demonstrating a commitment to honoring the memory of the departed leader. Governor Buni, accompanied by government officials and the late governor’s family, has been graciously receiving condolences from well-wishers within and beyond the state at the Government House, Damaturu.
Revenue Target: Senate Urges Customs to Aim Higher
Worried by the dire state of the Nigerian economy, the Senate has ordered the Customs Service to jack up its revenue target currently at N5.079 trillion to a higher value by mid-2024. Members of the upper legislative chamber insisted that this measure must be adhered to if the federal government hopes to wean itself of further borrowing. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Isah Jibrin stated this, Monday at a crucial meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi and top management of the revenue agency. He said, “first of all, Nigeria is saddled with a lot of debt obligations, and we need to wriggle ourselves out of that trap, and one of the ways to do that is internally generated revenue. Customs is one of the major providers of internally generated revenue, and as it is today, we expect them to play one of the major roles in this drive to reduce our debt burden. “We need to pay off what we are owing now and minimize additional loans we are going to take. Customs is in a very good position, if they are able to block all perceived leakages, they should be able to generate significant amount of income that will enable Nigeria get out of debt, at least partially. On concessions given to some sectors of the economy for example, agriculture, the Kogi East senator said it is for those who are into agricultural services, those who are into solid minerals and those whose services have direct impact on the economy. “If somebody is bringing agricultural equipment into the economy and you try to take something out of that person in a way of import duty, that will discourage the person, and that is what we are saying. It is not that anybody took that money or custom compromised in the course of their services. “Concessions were in the interest of Nigeria to encourage importers who are going into specific areas in the economy. There is a trade-off here between importers and the country, particularly the things you think you are generating. Talking about the rate of unemployment in Nigeria, which he described as “very high”, Senator Jibrin said “Customs is not the only employer of Labour. They can only employ the number they believe they can adequately take care of, and we are putting them under pressure to exceed the 1,600 benchmark. “We may not get beyond 2000, but for sure, we will get 1,6000 and like we all know, there are so many unemployed Nigerians out there, I will always say, it is difficult for the Nigeria Customs Service to absorb all unemployed Nigerians, but they can only employ those they can. Answering questions from the law makers, the CG, NCS also disclosed that the service is seeking approval from government to allow them give waivers to owners of smuggled cars to allow them regularise their payment of Customs duties. He said the approval is given they could say that within a window, say within 3 months, if you are in possession of vehicles that were illegally imported into the country or that have not paid duties, you have this opportunity to go to Customs House for assessment and payment of duties. This he said will be done after adequate publicity so that those who find themselves in such a situation can get their vehicles regularise through payment of duties. On the naira exchange rate, Adeniyi said he is equally pained by the volatility in the exchange rate regime. In fact, even if it stays high and people can predict that this is what it will take me to clear, perhaps it is not particularly too bad, but when it is so volatile, today it is X, tomorrow it is X+10, X+20, it does not make for adequate planning and things like that. “Correctly, it 8s the mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to fix the rate, either the one we use during Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF or the one we use for importation or the one used for payment of Customs duties. I have been in discussions with my minister. Perhaps what you are going to advocate is that there would be a meeting point between authorities of government that are in charge of monetary policy and those in charge of fiscal policies. “Personally, what I think we can do is to get a spot rate for a period of time. We can agree that for Q,Y 2024, this will be the spot rate for payment of Customs duties; we could say for the first half of the year”, he said.
EFCC Arrests Pastor for N1.3billion Fake Grants, Money Laundering
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested the General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi, for defrauding church members and other Nigerians to the tune of N1, 319,040,274.31(One Billion Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Forty Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Four Naira, Thirty One Kobo) by using fake grants from the Ford Foundation. Ebonyi was arrested for defrauding his victims, comprising Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs and individuals by advertising an intervention project through his NGO (Theobarth Global Foundation) claiming that the Ford Foundation was offering a grant of $20,000, 000 (Twenty Billion United State Dollars) to assist the less-privileged in the society. He allegedly beguiled his victims to subscribe as beneficiaries of the phony grant by asking them to pay for registration forms and clusters. Each subscriber was made to pay N1,800,000 (One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only. Through this arrangement, Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31. His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country. Investigations by the EFCC showed that Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant, relationship or business with Ebonyi. The Foundation pointedly disclaimed him and his NGO stressing that it had no link whatsoever with them. The Commission has also traced five properties he acquired as proceeds of his criminal dealings. Ebonyi is still reportedly reaching his subscribers on some social media platforms to market his spurious grant from Ford Foundation. He would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Iconic Cultural Figure Jimi Solanke Passes Away at 82
The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the sudden demise of the consumate story teller and iconic cultural figure, Mr. Jiminy Solanke. The 82-year-old dramatist, folk singer, playwright, and poet has passed away after a brief illness this Monday, February 5. The veteran artist who left an indelible mark on the global entertainment scene breathed his last en-route to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital. Born on July 4, 1942, in Ipara Remo, Solanke’s artistic journey commenced with the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by the eminent Wole Soyinka in 1961. Over seven decades, his contributions resonated from Western Nigeria Television to international festivals in Senegal and Algeria during the 1970s. Solanke’s versatility illuminated through memorable performances like “Death and the King’s Horseman,” “Kurunmi,” “Kongi’s Harvest,” “The Divorce,” and “Ovaramwen Nogbaisi,” earning him acclaim on both local and international stages. Fondly known as Baba Agba, Solanke was more than an actor – he embodied the essence of a quintessential songwriter, performer, visual artist, and storytelling maestro. Praised for being “a better singer than an actor,” he seamlessly intertwined acting prowess with musical brilliance. His influence extended beyond the limelight as Solanke founded and directed Ibudo Asa in Ipara Remo, leaving a lasting legacy. Survived by his wife, Chief Mrs. Toyin Solanke, his departure signifies the end of a significant era in Nigerian entertainment, leaving a void that echoes globally. Jimi Solanke’s remarkable impact on African arts will be remembered as a profound contribution to the cultural heritage of the nation.
Youths and Social Devpt Minister calls for Staff Welfare
Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, Youth Development Minister has appealed to the Permanent Secretary and the top management of the ministry to prioritize the welfare of the staff, ensure that all allowances are paid on time and ensure that workers are enabled to work at optimal level. The minister made the call this Monday, Abuja, while conducting the ministry’s first top management monthly statutory meeting. She said the ministry is one family working together for a common goal, which is to ensure that the interest of the Nigerian Youths are protected and their needs provided. Speaking further, she said, “One philosopher said that if you want to go far, you go together, but if you want to go fast, then you go alone. “We understand the importance of teamwork, and we want to foster the spirit of it here in our ministry,” she admonished. Speaking further, she said, “We are expecting a periodic update from all the departments on progress of their activities, while at that we should always know that our day to day actions here will determine the fate and future of this country”. Earlier, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayojide Olawale, expressed his appreciation to the staff for their co-oporation so far and prayed that their efforts shall be crowned with resounding success. He enjoined them to always try as much as possible and, to the best of their ability, do the right thing at the right time. Dr Dunoma Ahmed Umar, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry explained that the reason for the management monthly statutory meeting is to bring together the implementors of the ministry’s policies to synergize in ways to achieve success. He stated further that the purpose of the meeting is to review ministry’s activities, keep track of the programs that it is implementing, rate staff members’ performances and ensure that they undertake the programs of government, especially the inline with the government’s vision especially the renewed hope agenda. He said “we have competent and experienced staff who are always available to undertake and implement the programs of this administration and with the direction and support of our honourable minister and minister of state we are going to deliver. “We are going to ensure that we pursue our policies in line with the Federal Civil Service implementation plan 2025, focusing on its six pillars and synchronized them with the nation’s National Development plan. ” Among the the six pillars are capabilities building and talent management, we are going to train and retrain our staff to achieve high performance. We will also use performance management system to access our staff’s day to day activities to ensure quality performance. We will pursue paperless office as well as enhancing the welfare of our staff” he said.
Court orders Gov Fubara loyalists remain in prison custody
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, had ordered that the five loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to remain in prison custody, as the court refused to grant them bail. The federal high court, Abuja, rejected and dismissed their application for bail for lacking in merit. They were charged with terrorism offences by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and argued by Lukman Fagbemi SAN. The five defendants charged with terrorism are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. Refusing the bail application, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon held that they did not provide special circumstances to warrant their respective release from remand at the Kuje Prison in Abuja. The judge insisted that the defendants, especially Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele, failed to give cogent and verifiable evidence to back up their request for bail. Also, the Judge held that in their affidavits in support of request for bail deposed to by one Mariam Alawiye, an office assistant, she claimed to have obtained information and exhibits on the defendants from some persons but refused to share the identities of the persons with the court. Justice Olajuwon explained that an affidavit evidence must supply names of those who volunteered information about defendants in a criminal charge as stipulated by Section 115 of the Evidence Act. The Court held that rather than containing facts as required by law, the affidavit contained extraneous issues that are not relevant to persuade any court to grant bail. The Court disagreed with an assertions by the deponent that the defendants would not jump bail, commit any other offence or interfere with witness and investigation adding that claims were vague and hearsay because the deponent did not establish or produce any evidence. To compound the problem, the Judge said that the defendants are charged with terrorism offences which are not ordinarily bailable. In the application of Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Justice Olajuwon said that the claim of his 10 years of chronic hypertension and high blood pressure was not supported with any medical documents. Besides, the Judge held that the counter claim by the IGP that the sickness can be managed by medical personnel of the prison was not disputed While dismissing the bail request, Justice Olajuwon ordered them to remain in Kuje Prison from where they would be coming for their trial. The Judge subsequently granted accelerated hearing and fixed February 8 for opening of trial by the Inspector General of Police IGP. The IGP had on January 25 slammed terrorism charges on the five Port Harcourt-based men who allegedly invaded, vandalized and burnt down Rivers State House of Assembly last year. They were alleged to have committed the alleged terrorism offences during the wake of political upheaval that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year. In the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, police alleged that apart from burning down the State House of Assembly, some of them were said to have killed a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state. The police informants said to have been killed by the defendants are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi. They were also accused of using various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities. Specifically, they are alleged to have on October 29, 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt conspired to commit acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an offence punishable under section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. Part of the charges read, “That you, Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert conspired together to commit felony to wit: acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 26 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. “That you Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert and armed with dynamite, iron rods, lighters and other offensive weapons willfully and maliciously invaded, attacked and set fire on the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. ,
Former Yobe gov, Bukar Ibrahim buried in Saudi Arabia
The remains of former governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, have been laid to rest on Monday in Saudi Arabia. The funeral ceremony was held at the Grand Mosque, Masjid Al Haram, after the dawn prayers, according to Yusuf Ali, Senior Special Assistant, Communications and Strategy to Governor Mai Mala Buni. About 20 deceased were said to have been prayed upon after the dawn prayers at the Grand Mosque. The funeral prayers took place twice after the Fajr prayers. Ibrahim, who governed Yobe State from 1991-1992 and 1999-2007 before serving three terms in the Senate, died on Sunday while receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, at the age of 75. Buni expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a statement by the Director General of Press and Media Affairs, Buni spoke of the impact Ibrahim had on the state and its people, describing his passing as a “huge loss.” He called on the citizens of Yobe and friends of the state to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the Senator’s soul. “The late senator’s death is not only a loss to Yobe but to Nigeria as a whole, as he was a key figure in the country’s political landscape for many years. His tenure as governor and senator was marked by efforts to improve the lives of his constituents and to foster stability and growth in the region”, Buni said.
No plan to increase NYSC’ Allowance-FG
The Federal Government has said it is not certain there will be an increase in the monthly allowance of serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, made this known on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. Bio-Ibrahim said there are no immediate plans to increase the monthly allowance of corps members following the food inflation and increasing cost of living in the nation. The minister stated that the government would find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is well taken of. She said, “We can’t say for sure, we all understand that resources are dwindling, even oil revenues are not as they used to be but we will find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is taken of. ” Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2020, raised allowance for corps members from N19,000 to N33,000, about a year after he signed the new minimum wage bill into law in April 2019. Speaking further, the minister said the government has announced a reform of the NYSC scheme and is planning to make it a revenue-generating scheme and agency. She said, “When it comes to remuneration and looking totally at the holistic funding of the NYSC, we have announced a reform of the NYSC scheme itself. So, we want the scheme to go beyond that social programme of government to be that revenue-generating scheme and agency. “The reforms which transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare the corps members for the job market and to be decently and gainfully employed or to be employers of labour through entrepreneurship and of course, perfect matching into primary assignment and all the support they need in that career path.”
FG Says NYSC Will Soon Be Revenue Generating Agency
The Bola Tinubu-led federal government has unveiled a fresh plan to transform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a revenue-generating agency. The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, disclosed this during an interview with ChannelsTV on Sunday night. Asked if there were immediate plans to increase the monthly allowance of corps members, the minister said the government was working on reforming the NYSC scheme to reflect the present realities of the nation. “We all understand that resources are dwindling, even oil revenues are not as they used to be but we will find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is well-taken care of,” she said. “When it comes to remuneration and looking totally at the holistic funding of the NYSC, we have announced a reform of the NYSC scheme itself. So, we want the scheme to go beyond that social programme of government to be that revenue-generating scheme and agency. “The reforms which transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare the corps members for the job market and to be decently and gainfully employed or to be employers of labour through entrepreneurship and of course, perfect matching into primary assignment and all the support they need in that career path.” She noted that corps members were no longer posted to states deemed unsafe in the wake of worsening security conditions in the country. “As an immediate intervention of the government and the NYSC as an agency, we have actually stopped posting corps members to the very unsafe states. “We have been doing it. We have been doing it in the past. There are states we have not been posting corps members to to ensure their safety,” she added. According to her, the security of corps members requires collaboration with other agencies of government. “When it comes to security matters, it is a multi-sectoral approach. So, it is not the NYSC alone and the ministry that is involved. We are working with security outlets to ensure corps members are safe,” the minister said.