Google has partnered with Verve to make digital transactions on Google Play Store easier for Nigerians.

The firm noted that as from Wednesday (today), Nigerians can now use their Verve cards to make purchases on the Google Play Store.

It stated that under its new partnership, Google will process Verve transactions within Nigeria and the transactions will be undertaken in naira and treated as local transactions by the country’s banking institutions.

Commenting on the development, the Head of Retail and Payment Partnerships, Google Play, Anthea Crawford, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Verve, expanding Google Play access for more Nigerians. The introduction of local payments with Verve cards is a significant milestone, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access the apps they need.”

The Managing Director, Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude, added, “The integration with Google Play is a significant stride towards achieving Verve’s vision of promoting financial inclusion. We are excited to bring digital content and services closer to Verve cardholders, hence bridging the digital divide.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday said Nigerians lost their peace of mind following the “Subsidy is gone” comment made by President Bola Tinubu during his May 29, 2023, inauguration.

The labour congress in a statement jointly signed by the national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in Abuja, faulted the Tinubu administration over its “unfriendly” policies while adding that the administration had continued to treat Nigerians as slaves.

The NLC, however, noted that it would mobilise a nationwide strike on August 2,2023 should the government fail to meet all its demands namely the immediate reversal of all “anti-poor policies such as the hike in price of Premium Motor Spirit; increase in public schools’ fees; increase in Value Added Tax among others”.

The statement partly reads, “The Central Working Committee of the NLC observed that the Federal Government has shown enormous disdain and contempt for Nigerian people and workers having acted and continued to act without regard to the welfare and cries of the citizenry.

“That Government seems to have declared a war of attrition on Nigerian workers and masses without any care leaving them to the throes of hopelessness and helplessness; the Federal Government has refused to put in place safeguards to protect Nigerians from the harsh economic situation that its policies have inflicted on the people rather it has decided to insult the sensibilities of Nigerian masses by offering us N8,000 per family and offering themselves N70bn.

“That the Federal Government has frustrated and abandoned its own committee which was a product of social dialogue between the government and workers’ organisations in the country. While the committee has not met, the government embarked on unilateral actions and programmes.

“That since Mr. President’s “subsidy is gone forever” speech at the inauguration day; the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone; decent living gone increasing despair of unimaginable dimensions. That the federal government has continued to treat Nigerians as slaves and conquered people which it treats with impunity without any concern on the consequences.

“That the Federal Government has continued in an unholy mission of robbing the poor to pay the rich in Nigeria as typified by its continued frustration of the activation of the agreed alternatives to Premium Motor Spirit and new hike in prices of PMS to N617 per litre.”

Speaking further, the NLC noted that the Federal Government has continued to promote the “gang-up of the ruling elite against the Nigerian people and workers; churn out without relenting policies designed to emasculate Nigerian wor

signs 12-point communique

In line with the Federal Government’s drive to facilitate trade and improve Nigeria’s economy to become globally competitive, a delegation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), led by the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has paid a working visit to the Republic of Benin and signed a 12-point communique which aims to fully re-open the border between both countries, a statement signed on Tuesday by National Spokesman of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada revealed.

According to the Customs statement, “The Ag. CGC and his delegation visited the Nigerian Embassy on Monday, 24th of July and met with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

“Thereafter, they were received by the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, Mr. Alain Hinkati, Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control.

“They also visited Customs facilities at the port of Cotonou, where the Ag. CGC was taken through the processes and operations at the port.”

During the visit, the two chiefs engaged with stakeholders from both countries and their concerns were identified and effectively considered.

Notable among the concerns is the request to review the possibilities of reopening the border, as well as addressing the issue of administrative charges.

According to the Ag. CGC, “The visit is to deepen collaborations in mutually positive areas.

“The objective of the visit is for us to review friendship with the Customs administration of Benin and also to deepen collaborations in areas of common interest.”

“I saw the attention that was given to the port of Cotonou, the progress that is being made in reducing clearance time, ensuring that there is no congestion at the Port and, more importantly, using technology to drive operations of the Customs Administration”, he said.

“The attempt which Benin Customs has done towards trade facilitation is something that Nigeria Customs will also be doing particularly to look at where we can use our processes to reduce the cost and time of doing business.”

At the end of the meeting, a joint communique signed by the two delegations read as follows:

“The continuation of efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods and community products in particular;

“Facilitation of the issue of Laisse passe for a short stay in one of the countries of means of transport registered in the other country;

“The removal of barriers and other obstacles to legitimate trade and the establishment of Customs units when the traffic justifies it;

“Strict compliance with transit rules;

“Harmonization of the list of products prohibited by the two countries;

“The rapid integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo;

“Strengthening the fight against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing and the pooling of resources;

“Holding meetings twice a year to discuss matters of common interest;

“The reactivation of the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations;

“The revival of consultation frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector;

“Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance;

“and securing the international supply chain.”

Meanwhile, the Ag. CGC and his delegation had a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Benin, his Excellency Mr. Patrice TALON, on Sunday, 23rd of July, expressing the desire to initiate a new turning point marked by close collaboration in all areas.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the February 25 presidential election has insisted that Bola Tinubu was illegally declared President of Nigeria.

According to him, the declaration is unlawful and unconstitutional.

Atiku stated this in his final address to support his petition seeking nullification of Tinubu’s victory.

He maintained that Tinubu having personally admitted and as also confirmed by his witness that he forfeited $460,000 to the American government over the offence of narcotics trafficking and money laundering has no basis to contest for Nigeria’s Presidency.

Atiku dismissed the claim of Tinubu and his witness that he forfeited the $460,000 money in a civil court action.

The former Vice President argued that the definition and colour of “civil action” being given to the criminal forfeiture by Tinubu were of no moment and untenable because a United States of America Court acted on the indictment of Tinubu before imposing the forfeiture fine on him.

The final address endorsed by Atiku’s lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, read in part.

“The forfeiture of $460,000 by the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) to the United States Government (a competent authority in the instant case) is neither contested nor disputed by any of the Respondents. The feeble response of the Respondents is that there was no arraignment or criminal conviction.

“The verified complaint for forfeiture and the entire records of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division dated September 15, 1993, was indicated that the 2nd Respondent’s funds totaling $460,000, were seized as the funds which constitute proceeds of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

“The 2nd Respondent’s (Tinubu’s) sole witness Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, admitted under cross-examination when shown the American court judgment that the proceedings affected the 2nd Respondent, as his name was reflected in the records of the court.

“It is pertinent to observe that the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) evaded denying the forfeiture of the said sum of $460,000 U.S Dollars to the United States Government for narcotics trafficking and money laundering activities but engaged in the semantic distinction between civil and criminal forfeiture, as well as the defence that the offence was committed over 10 years.

“It is submitted, that forfeiture whether “civil” or “criminal” takes its source from the commission of a crime.

“The word “forfeiture” means – “the divestiture of property without compensation. The loss of a right, privilege, or property because of a crime, breach of obligation, or neglect of duty.”

“It is submitted with respect that in all the above definitions, the common thread that runs through all categories of Forfeiture is the imputation of a crime, leading to the seizure of property or money.

“It cannot be argued therefore that there was no imputation of crime or a finding of a violation of Penal laws relating to proceeds of drug trafficking or/and money laundering for which punishment was imposed.

“The 2nd Respondent’s forfeiture proceedings fall squarely within the prohibition and disqualification list contained in Section 137(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution as the proceedings constitute:

“…a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) OR for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal OR substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal, or.”

“No doubt and it is so submitted that the “United States DISTRICT COURT, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, EASTERN DIVISION qualified as a court (of record) and the forfeiture qualified as a punishment for criminal behavior or “Criminal activity” of 2nd Respondent. The Petitioners contend that the words “any offence (by whatever named is called)” and “substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him” as used are clearly elastic enough and indeed disqualified the 2nd Respondent in his quest to contest the Presidential election.

Atiku asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, to invoke Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution to nullify the declaration of Tinubu as president on account of his narcotics crime and remove as the president.

National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Salihu Moh. Lukman has resigned from office.

Lukman in a letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the current posturing of leaders of the party, including President Bola Tinubu, is at variance with his own core values.

Details later…

Abia State government says it will establish an innovation park and a modular refinery to accelerate economic development in the state.

Okey Kanu, the commissioner for information stated that plans were underway to build the park and refinery.

Mr Kanu disclosed this while answering questions from journalists after the State Executive Council Meeting at the Government House, Umuahia.

He said the decision to embark on the project was informed by the resolve of Mr Otti to fulfil his campaign promises to the people of Abia.

The commissioner added that the initiative would provide an avenue for the Abia government to address the issue of youth unemployment.

“A lot of investors are showing strong interest to partner government to establish the innovation park.

“The park will house an incubation centre. Those involved in manufacturing, logistics, power, modular refinery will form part of this park,” the commissioner explained.

On his part, the commissioner for petroleum and mineral resources, Joel Ogbonna, said efforts were ongoing to rehabilitate the road leading to the Osisioma depot to make the facility functional and accessible to oil marketers.

Mr Ogbonna said that the Abia government was making efforts to effect repairs on the vandalised Port Harcourt-Osisioma pipeline damaged by suspected vandals.

He added that plans were underway to set up a modular refinery in Ukwa West through public-private partnership as part of the government’s efforts to address the high cost of petroleum products.

He however blamed the high cost of petroleum products in the state on the non-operation of the Osisioma depot, and said marketers in the state now source products from Lagos and Porthacourt.

The events, powered by Air Peace in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), are to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Nigerian heroes in the fields of sports and diplomacy. They are to honor the 1976 Montreal Olympics Athletes, as well as the 1980 African Cup of Nations football team, both of which brought immense glory to Nigeria.

The events will take place on Friday, 28th of July, 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Federal Government has denied media reports that the tuition fees in Federal Universities have been increased in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, the government said the reports are inaccurate and incorrect.

Alake said the government is aware that some universities recently announced an increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.

He, however, said the universities only increased discretionary charges for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges, saying that the hike does not involve tuition fees.

The statement reads: “It was widely reported earlier this week across some news media outlets that the Federal Government had increased tuition fees in federal universities in the country. These reports are inaccurate and not correct.

“We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced an increase in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.

”However, the fact remains and we have confirmed that these are discretionary charges by each university for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees.

“Authorities of these universities even made this fact clear enough in explaining the rationale behind these new fees.

“For the avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.”

Alake said the president remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents has access to quality tertiary education.

He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, has access to quality tertiary education.

“In addition to the Students’ Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by President Tinubu last month, which will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September, the Federal Government will also strengthen other mechanisms to support indigent students.

“Parts of the government’s plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents’ financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants.”

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has revealed that there would likely be a rerun of the 2023 presidential election but forces behind the election results will stand firmly against it.

This was made known in a statement signed Tuesday and made available to TRIBUNE ONLINE by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin.

The cleric made it known that there are leakages in the judiciary which are not well packaged and will later expose the ruling party.

‘’As Nigerians await the tribunal judgment, there is no way to it, there are leakages in the tribunal as revealed by the Lord. The leakages are not well packaged and will expose the ruling party.

“The ruling party has also realised there are no two ways to it. There are cabals monitoring this tribunal and they are very desperate,’’ he disclosed.

He noted that if the election tribunal wants to be fair, the best is to call for a rerun but forces behind the case will do anything to ensure the election remains the as it is.

The religious leader asserted that the judiciary is supposed to raise the hope of Nigerians with a fair judgment but forces will seriously fight against the right judgment.

He however mentioned that an unfair judgment will make the judiciary and the independent national electoral commission (INEC) to be irrelevant.

‘’If the tribunal wants to be fair, the best is to call for a rerun but forces behind the case will want the election result to remain as it is. The point is the direction of what I see is a rerun of the election but the forces behind the election will want it to remain the same.

‘’This will knock the judiciary and make them to be irrelevant. It will make INEC not to be a body Nigeria can rely on. Of course, Judiciary will pay for it if it doesn’t go for it and INEC will pay for it in the future.

‘’What I see is a rerun but the power behind it will try to make it remain as it is. The tribunal is supposed to raise the hope of Nigeria and correct all the misconduct of the judiciary but the forces behind it will fight against the right thing,’’ he added.

Suspected kidnappers on Tuesday abducted the former Provost of Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta, Dr Ayodele Àjayi, his wife and driver.

It was gathered that the incident happened at about 7.17pm at Ikija village, Olodo area on the Abeokuta-Ibadan road in Odeda Local Government of Ogun state.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE further learnt that Mrs. Àjayi was later released by the kidnappers while they went away with the former provost and his driver.

A source informed that the activities of the hoodlums kept on increasing on a daily basis around the area, saying no fewer than five persons had been kidnapped in the last week.

The source explained that the gunmen came out of the bush and launched an attack on their victims.

“Just yesterday, the gunmen abducted five persons, but two out of them were later released.

“Also, last month, three people were killed. Among those who were killed was a popular businessman who operated a big farm along the axis.

“The Olu of Odeda in Odeda town, Oba David Olorunisola was almost kidnapped this week while his driver was shot and is still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

“We need help, this is getting too much. Our people are no longer safe, we need the government’s intervention and security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities”, the source said.

We don’t know identity of the victim yet – Police

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident to our correspondent, adding that the police and other security operatives are on the trail of the abductors.