NIGERIAN NOTCH

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Saturday, unveiled his future plans aimed at promoting the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene. A Speaking during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Akpabio unveiled new plans aimed at promoting their future aspirations church, he exalted God for upholding the diocese since its inception and for constantly blessing the church. Akpabio, who was accompanied by his wife, Unoma, Senator Eteng Williams, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, among numerous others, expressed admiration for the accomplishments of the Diocese, highlighting the establishment and growth of numerous schools and organizations within the Diocese.  He commended the Diocese for its achievements in the area of spreading the word of God, saying, "We have collectively achieved a lot. I pray the Lord keeps all of us to continue winning more souls into the Catholic fold. I will like to see more

A Lagos-based businessman, Chief Anthony Obidulu, has accused one of the new-generation banks of deceiving the court with false information on a loan owed it, to claim ownership of the company. Consequently, the company, according to him, had been sealed for seven years, following a procurement of a court order by the bank to take over it. Briefing journalists, in Okota, Obidu who is the Chief Executive Officer of the company, lamented that the action crippled the company and rendered 300 direct employees and more than 2,800 persons in its distribution chain jobless.. Appealing to the Federal Government to intervene to checkmate what he described as alleged crookedness with which some commercial banks in Nigeria had adopted to manipulate accounting books relating to loans, he revealed that “ our company is a victim of such crookedness and we would want Nigerians to beware of such obnoxious tendencies of the banks.” Explaining the company’s travail, he said, ”Our company is

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly under his leadership, to continue to partner with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in the provision of infrastructure for the people and the improvement of the economy.  Akpabio stated this while commissioning some urban and farm roads in Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim Local government areas of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District on Friday. A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted him as saying, "the commissioning of these roads today, is a clear demonstration of the fulfillment of this current administration to our people that their lives would be bettered through the provision of physical infrastructures like good road network, hospitals, water and empowerment of our youths and women. "The Senate under my leadership will continue to support and collaborate with the current administration to ensure that our people at the gras

The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has approved the posting of dedicated Police Public Relations Officers, PPROs and Deputy Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The statement said these appointments were meant to strengthen community engagement and strategic communication. It reads: “The newly posted officers and their respective portfolios include CSP Isuku Victor Edailokun as Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters Abuja; DSP Ukandu Joshua to PPRO Ebonyi; ASP Buhari Abdullahi to PPRO Gombe; ASP John Timfon to PPRO Akwa-Ibom; and ASP Hundeyin Isaac Sewanu to PPRO Ports Authority Police (Western) Lagos. “The Inspector General of Police hereby reiterates his commitment to standardising and repositioning the Force in line with his vision statement while wishing the newly posted officers success in their new roles.” Adejo

- Calls On Media Agents Of Politicians to desist from using Old Video to peddle mischief, political hatchet job, and propaganda against the Senator.     ▪︎ Calls on the public not to get distracted by an issue that no longer exists.  The Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group Ltd , Dr Comas Maduka, has called on agents of politicians to stop the mischievous penchant of recycling old videos of his then business dispute with Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah CON which he said has since been resolved over 11 year ago.  It is common knowledge that, in recent times , political detractors for want of smear materials to use against the rapidly rising profile of the Distinguished Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District,resorted to recycling the old video of the Coscharis Vs Ifeanyi Ubah saga which was since resolved several years ago with a payment by Access bank to the Senator and a nondisclosure agreement signed by all parties.  Worried by this development, the CEO of Co

The depreciation of the Nigerian currency(Naira) in the past few months, have hit the West African market region’s local currency as trans-border traders have started rejecting the currency. Findings across the Seme border show that the traders on both sides are now preferring either the CFA or the domestic currency of the non-francophone countries. Hitherto, Naira ruled the sub-region as the dominant currency accepted as a medium of exchange by traders across the borders due to the high volume of trade between those countries and Nigeria. The Nigerian currency traded in the status of convertibility in the unofficial payment systems of the countries. However, findings indicated that the Naira began sliding from that status in February, hitting the point of outright rejection in March 2024. Some of the traders interviewed included Nigerians. They lamented that holding Naira has become a huge risk as the value keeps depreciating since last year with the worst rate of deprecia

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed in March to 6.1 percent, the statistics agency announced on Friday. Unemployment had hit an annual rate of 5.8 percent in February. Statistics Canada said in a statement that employment declined in the hospitality and food sectors, in wholesale and retail trade and in the professional, scientific and technical services sectors. Jobs were added in health care and social assistance. The average hourly wage rose 5.1 percent in March, compared with the same period in 2023. The employment rate — the segment of the population aged 15 and over who are employed — fell for the sixth month in a row due to a population boom and now stands at 61.4 percent. “The Canadian labor market is beginning to show more cracks,” Desjardins Bank economist Royce Mendes said in a note. “The economy shed 2K jobs in March, undershooting even our below-consensus call.” Mendes said he expects the Bank of Canada to announce next week a plan to lower interest rates in the

FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike says the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ART) project is now 97 percent completed and would be ready for commissioning by May 29. The minister disclosed this on Friday after an inspection tour of the Metro Station in Central Area and the station at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Describing the project as a “dream come true”, Wike said President Bola Tinubu had approved the schedule for the inauguration of projects to celebrate his one year in office. He said; “We are very happy. We are almost 97 per cent completed. All works are ongoing to make sure that the May delivery date is a reality. “I believe this is one of the projects Mr President would like to inaugurate, because it is very key to the development of the economy.  “For me, it is a dream come true, and we are happy that after all said and done, the metro line will be put to use for Nigerians, come May 29″. The minister, who took a 30-minute ride from the Metro Station to

Mr. Bamanga Jada, the Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), has addressed misconceptions surrounding the departure of international oil companies (IOCs) from Nigeria. Contrary to media reports, Jada clarified that rather than leaving the country, IOCs are strategically divesting into deeper waters and selling off offshore operations. He emphasized that these companies have a longstanding presence in Nigeria, spanning decades, during which they have played a significant role in developing local capacity and transferring technology to Nigerians. During a televised interview in Lagos, Jada highlighted that IOCs are shifting their focus towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, particularly gas exploration in deeper waters within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He noted that companies like Shell are reducing investments in hydrocarbons to prioritize environmental concerns, aligning with global efforts to mitigate emissions and promo

… faults prosecution style, accuses DSS of denying him fair trial The team of lawyers representing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, said they would not oppose the adoption of a political solution to resolve the protracted case between the Federal Government and their client. The lawyers, led by Kanu’s special counsel, Mr. Alloy Ejimakor, stressed that section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, empowered the trial judge to recommend reconciliation, otherwise referred to as “political solution” for the resolution of such matters. “The provision of that section is not limited to civil matters alone. So, anyone that puts the issue on the table, we will consider it. Political solution makes better sense than prosecution. “However, it is for the government to put it on the table, then we will consider it. Having said that, our duty first is to defend him and not to play politics. Right now, what is on our table is to fight for h

Barely 48 hours after it increased electricity tariff for customers in Band A, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has imposed a N200 million fine on the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, for increasing tariff for customers that are not on Band A. Band A customers are those who receive a minimum of 20 hours of power supply per day. Customers outside this category have complained that their rates have been increased by AEDC without the 20-hour supply in contravention of NERC’s order. In a statement on Friday, the Commission said AEDC has been fined ₦200,000,000 for failure to comply with the prescribed customer band classifications for tariff billing. “This decision follows a detailed review and customer feedback, which revealed that AEDC had applied the new tariff to all customer bands, contrary to the order, which was designed to ensure fair billing practices. “AEDC is therefore mandated to: a. reimburse all customers in Bands B, C, D, and E,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged that Nigeria is still grappling with high inflation, but insisted that overall economic indicators are pointing in a positive direction under his administration. The President spoke on Wednesday night when he hosted members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and the Independent Campaign Council to Iftar at the State House in Abuja. Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, Tinubu said taming inflation remains a key priority. However, he expressed optimism that the broader economic landscape is improving. The President also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the economy is being steered onto the path of sustainable growth and broad-based prosperity for Nigerian families in all parts of the country. “The economy is looking much better. Yes, we have challenges with inflation, but we will bring it down. When the exchange rate was going haywire, it looked like we were asleep, but we worked on it diligently

The Police Command in Katsina State has dismissed as false, the report making the rounds in social media that eight persons died in a stampede during distribution of palliatives. This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abubakar Aliyu, on Thursday in Katsina. “Katsina State Police Command is aware of the recent misinformation making the rounds in social media alleging the deaths of eight people at GRA Katsina as a result of a stampede. “We wish to categorically clarify the misinformation in circulation,” he said. He revealed that: “Following a thorough investigation and verification of the facts surrounding the matter. “We can confirm that on the April 3, 2024, a former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Yakubu Lado-Danmarke, shared alms/palliatives to some members of the public at GRA Katsina. “As a result of which the venue of the distribution was heavily crowded thereby obstructing vehi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will today, arraign popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over naira abuse and failure to declare his firm’s activities involving N180.7 million. The anti-graft agency, yesterday, filed the charge against the social media celebrity, through its counsel. He was, meanwhile, kept in a separate cell. The planned arraignment followed yesterday’s arrest of Bobrisky a day earlier for alleged Naira abuse. In the charge marked FHC/L/244c/2024, the EFCC listed six counts against the defendant. In the first four counts, the defendant was accused of naira abuse. While the 5th and 6th counts accused him of offences connected with his company, Bob Express. The six counts read in part: “That you, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, on March 24, 2024, at Imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the total sum of N400,000 notes by spraying the same. “

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has written legal luminary, Femi Falana SAN on his petition over the suspension of the Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Abdul Ningi. Akpabio, through his counsel Kalu Uche SAN in a reply addressed to Falana and Falana Chambers queried why Ningi’s lawyers accused him of sole culpability in the suspension of the federal lawmaker. The Senate President wondered why the decision of the Upper Legislative Chamber to suspend one of its members, would be termed as a unilateral decision, stressing that as the Presiding Officer, his roles are clear to the running of the legal mandate of the Senate. Akpabio also demanded court pronouncements on the unconstitutionality of suspending members of legislative houses, which Ningi’s lawyer alluded to in the said petition.  He maintained that Ningi’s suspension was done in accordance with the Senate’s rule book, which is legal and constitutionally recognised. The Senate Pre

The Federal Government and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) have set up an initiative called Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) which is committed to up-skilling, licensing, and empowering 10 million artisans in Nigeria over the period of two years.  The initiative is led by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.  Our correspondent learnt that the aim is to create a focus on blue-collar jobs, asides the white-collar ones in order to align with global shifts favoring skilled labor due to technological advancements.  This will also empower artisans through tech-enabled skills training, licensing, access to essential toolkits, and promoting industry standard excellence.  The need to skill-up artisans in Nigeria   Nigeria’s population surpasses 220 million, with unemployment persisting, therefore, projections suggest the labor force will exceed 67 million by 2022, highlighting the need for ample job opportunities.   By training artisans, (skilled craft

Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, has arrived the federal high court in Abuja for arraignment over allegations of money laundering. On February 28, Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, were detained by the Nigerian authorities. Although Anjarwalla has escaped from the custody of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA), both executives, alongside Binance, are expected to be charged in court by the federal government for tax evasion and money laundering on Thursday. Wearing a black T-shirt on green pants, Gambaryan was brought into court at about 9:19 am by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and backing on the recently concluded APC southeast mega rally and colloquium which held in Nnewi, Anambra state.  Senator Ubah on wednesday April 3, 2024, paid a scheduled visit to Nigerian President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.  During the visit, he felicitated with President Tinubu on his 72nd birthday and also commended him for his support during the just concluded Anambra South Colloquium and Mega Empowerment Rally that took place in Nnewi. He also applauded him for his efforts in promoting peace and unity in Nigeria, as well as his commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through various programmes and initiatives of his administration.  During the visit, which coincided with the visit of Nigerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio to w

Gospel artiste Nathaniel Bassey has petitioned Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and prosecute four individuals who falsely accused him of being the father of Mercy Chinwo’s child. Bassey’s legal representatives submitted the petition on April 1, 2024, alleging criminal defamation and cyberstalking against the individuals identified as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and Dj Spoiltkid. Last week, these four social media users alleged that Bassey fathered the child of fellow popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, leading to the spread of the false accusation on X (formerly Twitter). Bassey’s legal team stressed the severity of the matter, highlighting how such baseless accusations not only damage Bassey’s reputation but also have far-reaching consequences on both personal and professional fronts. The petition read, “Our client is a gospel music minister whose songs and ministrations have impacted the lives of so many from different walks

Former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Wike, had at a media parley, in Abuja, on Tuesday, described Secondus, Sekibo and other PDP leaders in Rivers State as “expired politicians and buccaneers” for their support for Fubara, with whom he was engaged in a political feud. Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Secondus though his Media Adviser, Mr. Ike Abonyi, in Abuja, said Wike’s performance at the media engagement was an exhibition of “his well-known trait of being economical with the truth, harbinger of half-truths and a mastermind of outright falsehoods just to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public to believe his brew by playing to the gallery and drawing some unwarranted applause and attention.” Secondus further described Wike, his former political ally as, “a showman noted for his double-speak, twisting of facts to score some cheap political poi

The Naira, yesterday, appreciated to N1,260 per dollar in the parallel market, from N1,270 per dollar on Monday. Similarly, the Naira appreciated in the NAFEM to N1,262.85 per dollar. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,262.85 per dollar from N1,278.58 per dollar on Monday, indicating N15.73 appreciation for the naira. Consequently, the margin between the parallel market rate and NAFEM narrowed to N2.85 per dollar from N8.58 per dollar on Monday.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure on Wednesday morning allegedly escaped assassination attempt on him at his Abuja residence. His residence was also gutted by a mysterious fire which started a few minutes after 1AM while Abure and the members of his family were asleep. This was disclosed in a statement by the Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh. According to Ifoh, a member of the family who narrated the incidence, said the family was woken up by neighbours and security men living in the compound who raised the alarm. “The entire family were trapped as the inferno had reached the staircase making it impossible for Abure and family to escape. “However, it took divine intervention for the national chairman and his family to escape after neighbours and security men gallantly pulled down one of the windows upstairs making ways for the family to escape. “Men of the Fire Service arrived shortly after Abure and his family w

…Says he’s gravely ill, shouldn’t be allowed to die in detention The family of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written an open letter to South East Governors, seeking their immediate action and intervention to secure his release. This is coming barely one month after the family had accused Igbo political elite of abandoning the IPOB Leader to his fate. Prince Emmanuel Kanu who wrote the letter on behalf of the family, raised the alarm that his brother “is gravely ill”, and should not be allowed to die in custody. He said that history would not be kind to the Governors if they keep quiet and do nothing to secure Kanu’s release who has been unlawfully incarcerated since June 2021. Prince Emmanuel said his brother’s arrest and continued detention were politically motivated and aimed at suppressing his voice as a freedom fighter. He insisted that his brother committed no crime by seeking justice for the marginalisation Igbo tr

The Katsina State Government has refuted claims by the Debt Management Office, DMO, that the Governor Dikko Umaru Radda-led administration has collected fresh loans, to worsen their prevailing debt crises. A report recently published by DMO indicated that Katsina under Governor Radda, together with some other states of the federation, collected fresh loans, to worsen their prevailing debt crises. However, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the spokesperson to Governor Dikko Radda, in a statement released to newsmen faulted the report. According to the statement, the Governor Radda-led government has preoccupied itself with repaying subsisting loans secured by previous administrations, since it came on board. The statement maintained that not a single new loan has been collected by the present All Progressives Congress, APC, government in Katsina, under Governor Radda. “This is not to say that the state government will not borrow whenever the need arises. It could borrow to improve the

…to pay gratuities soon Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has said that he is not weak and that his action of implementing the Presidential resolution is a mark of respect for Mr. President and should not be taken as weakness if not he will surprise those thinking in that direction. Governor Fubara stated this on Wednesday at Government House Gate when he addressed members of Rivers State Local Government Workers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) who were on solidarity and thank you visit. He noted that the resolution he is implementing is not constitutional, but a political solution to the crisis that erupted in the state some time ago. “But let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to follow will be taken for my weakness I will surprise them.” Fubara further assured the workers of the immediate implementation of their promotion, payment of gratuities and the implementation of consolidated salary for grade lev

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law. This development follows individual reviews by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report from the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund. More details to come…

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has unveiled plans to raise up to N1.8 trillion through new issuance and reopening of federal government bonds over the next three months, amidst the country’s burgeoning debt stock/ Recall that Nigeria’s total public debt stock more than doubled to N97.3 trillion as at 2023 over the level in the previous year, showing an increase of 118 per cent year-on-year from N46.25 trillion as at December 2022 to N97.3 per cent in December 2023. This is as it has opened the offer for subscription of the April Savings Bond. The debt office in the bond issuance calendar for the second quarter of 2024 said it plans to raise between N300 billion to N600 billion every month between April and June this year. According to the calendar, the DMO plans to open a new five year bond this month through which it will raise between N100 to N200 billion. Also, it plans to reissue the 7-year 18.50 per cent FGN FEB 2031 paper and the 10-year 19.00 per cent FGN FEB 2034

As tourists visiting beautiful places during vacation or on random official trips, it is pertinent to know there are dangerous cities in the world to be cautious. There are beautiful and safe countries to visit, boasting friendly cities such as Iceland, New Zealand, and Portugal among others. It is, however, important to know that dangerous cities also exist due to factors like crime rates, political instability, socioeconomic conditions, and more. With over 4,416 cities in the world, there are seemingly endless places to travel to and cultures to experience around the world. The world’s 50 most dangerous cities are located in 11 countries including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Africa, the United States, and Venezuela.  Brazil has the most cities on the list with 17, followed by Mexico with 12. Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela are the only countries with cities in the top ten most dangerous cities.  Among the ten most

President Bola Tinubu was among world leaders who attended the swearing-in of the newly elected President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, in Dakar on Tuesday.

The former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi has described the Nigerian government borrowings as unproductive. Obi stated this in a statement via his verified X handle on Tuesday. According to him, Nigeria’s public debt keeps increasing with little or no impact on the country’s economy. The former Anambra governor said the last administration incurred huge debt especially with the N30 trillion ways and means from the central bank. He said the last administration could have ended the nation’s borrowings, adding that the debt failed to yield value addition to the country. Obi said, “I remain concerned about our borrowings, considering their galloping situation over the years, and its concomitant effects on the economy. “More worrisome is the fact that there has been no corresponding visible usage or investments as required by the law, to show their impact on the nation.” Obi’s reaction comes against the backdrop of the country’s debt profile released by