Police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested 15 suspects over the looting of a warehouse in the area.

Some residents had on Sunday morning looted a warehouse belonging to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Agriculture in the Tasha area of Abuja.

But hours after the incident, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command said 15 persons had been nabbed over the looting of the warehouse.

“The FCT police command is fully informed about the impulsive attack on Agric Department Strategic food store located at Tasha, Abuja, on 2/03/2024 by some irate mobs, which resulted in the vandalism and looting of the warehouse,” the FCT Police Command said in a statement.

“The Command wishes to state that normalcy has since been restored to the environ and the situation is very much under control, as fifteen(15) suspects were arrested, including two local security guards employed by the warehouse management. Exhibits such as twenty-six (26) bags of maize, five motorcycles, and some vandalized aluminum roofings were recovered from the suspects.”

Sunday’s looting of the warehouse comes amid the biting economic hardship in Nigeria. Inflation figures have reached new highs, clocking 29.90 percent in January with the cost of living soaring since President Bola Tinubu declared an end to the payment of fuel subsidy.

His government’s floating of the naira further worsened the situation, sparking protests in several parts of the country.

The Federal Government quickly stepped in to cushion the impacts of the reforms, introducing palliatives and other measures. But they appear to have done little to address the problem. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) last week protested across the country over the government’s inability to meet the union’s demands in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal and the attendant hardship.

But President Tinubu is calling for patience for his government’s reforms to take root, insisting that there is no going back on the moves.

Amidst the food price hike and economic hardship besetting the nation, the government of Ukraine recently donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in Nigeria’s northeastern region, a development which Mr Peter Obi has now described as disheartening.

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the last election says it is while the gesture is laudable, it speaks volumes as to the failures of the nation to cater for its people.

In a thread posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Mr Obi asserted that this development underscores a national disgrace that “stems from years of leadership failure, necessitating urgent reflection and a reordering of our national priorities and resource management and allocation”.

According to him, this act of human solidarity testifies to a rare generosity of spirit of the people of Ukraine, one which obi says should earn them greater global solidarity.

However, the former Anambra State Governor stressed that a situation like this emphasizes vigorously the importance of sound political leadership as the first concrete requirement for any nation desiring to develop and enhance the standard of living of its citizenry.

In his view, it is disheartening that Nigeria which once was an economically confident nation, blessed with vast arable land and abundant natural resources, now relies on a war-torn Ukraine for food assistance.

Below is the LP presidential candidate’s full statement on Nigeria receiving aid in the form of food, from Ukraine.

UKRAINE DONATES FOOD TO NIGERIA.

Let me begin by sincerely appreciating the war-torn nation of Ukraine for their generous donation of tons of grains to Nigeria thereby aiding our current fight against nationwide hunger.

As laudable as Ukraine’s kind gesture is, it speaks volumes for us as a people endowed with all needed human and natural resources, that a country officially prosecuting a brutal war of national survival with its powerful neighbor, Russia, is generous and kind enough with their food supplies to help us who are officially at peace.

For the people of Ukraine, this act of human solidarity testifies to a rare generosity of spirit which should earn them greater global solidarity. It demonstrates our shared humanity.

However, a situation like this underscores vigorously the importance of sound political leadership as the first concrete requirement for any nation desiring to develop and enhance the standard of living of its citizenry.

It is disheartening that our once economically confident nation, blessed with vast arable land and abundant natural resources, now relies on a war-torn Ukraine for food assistance.

This national disgrace stems from years of leadership failure, necessitating urgent reflection and a reordering of our national priorities and resource management and allocation. Instructively, Ukraine, with a population of 43 million on 603,728 km2, outshines Northern Nigeria, covering 744,249 km2 with a young, energetic population exceeding 100 million.

In 2015, Ukraine’s GDP per capita was $2125, compared to Nigeria’s $2680. By 2022, despite being at war, Ukraine’s GDP per capita exceeded $4000, while Nigeria’s regressed to $2184. Ukraine cultivates over 60% of its arable land, whereas Nigeria has over 60% uncultivated arable land.

Despite the conflict, Ukraine feeds itself, and exports agricultural products worth over $ 25 billion which is about the same value as our crude oil export earnings, and it serves as a strategic global food supplier, even providing aid to a peaceful yet unproductive Nigeria.

To overcome this embarrassment, we must aggressively reorder our priorities by investing resources in productive sectors like agriculture. Addressing insecurity is crucial for farmers to return to their fields, enabling a productive manufacturing sector and supporting small businesses.

In 4 to 5 years, this concerted effort can reverse the current trend, leading us toward a productive and New Nigeria that I believe is possible and within reach.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, says Sunday’s looting of a government warehouse in Abuja reflects the frustration of majority of Nigerians grappling under the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Adegboruwa, who was on Channels Television’s breakfast show, The Morning Brief, on Monday, said it is a message to the President and his economic team that there is a need to rejig the system to guaranty the survival of majority of Nigerians.

He said, “Across all state in Nigeria presently there is crisis of survival from the part of the people. So, it is not just this particular occurrence, a truck bearing foodstuff was randomly attacked and looted. I do not support this in any way at all because we must have an environment where we can secure lives and property.

“But it is a reflection of the fact that the economic policies of the present administration are not helping the people of the country and of course these occurrences showcase the frustration that people are going through.”

“You know what they say that we pray that we don’t get to a position where the poor will rise up to be eating the rich. I think there is a message to the president and members of his economic team that there is need to rejig the system in such a way that will allow for survival of the majority of our people.”

One of the policies of the Tinubu’s administration that has impacted the economy hugely with increase in cost of commodities is the removal of petrol subsidy. According to Adegboruwa, that policy has impacted negatively on the people. “Effect of the fuel subsidy removal has imposed hardship on the people in terms of moving from one end to the other. And of course, factories are closing down, there is high unemployment, cost of living is very high whilst the earning capacity remains the same or even lower,” he said.

Channels Television had reported that Abuja residents looted a warehouse belonging to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Agriculture on Sunday.

The warehouse was raided by the residents who carted away foodstuff and other items.

French lawmakers are expected Monday to anchor the right to abortion in the country’s constitution, in a global first that has garnered overwhelming public support.

A congress of both houses of parliament in Versailles starting at 3:30 pm (1430 GMT) should find the three-fifths majority needed for the change after it overcame initial resistance in the right-leaning Senate.

If congress approves the move, France will become the only country in the world to clearly protect the right to terminate a pregnancy in its basic law.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged last year to include enshrine abortion — legal in France since 1975 — in the constitution after the US Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the half-century-old right to the procedure, allowing states to ban or curtail it.

France’s lower-house National Assembly in January overwhelmingly approved making abortion a “guaranteed freedom” in the constitution, followed by the Senate on Wednesday.

The bill is now expected to clear the final hurdle of a combined vote of both chambers when they gather for a rare joint session at the former royal residence of the Palace of Versailles.

Few expect any difficulty finding the needed supermajority after the three-fifths mark was largely exceeded in both previous ballots.

When political campaigning began in earnest in 1971, “we could never have imagined that the right to abortion would one day be written into the constitution,” Claudine Monteil, head of the Femmes Monde (Women in the World) association, told AFP.

Monteil was the youngest signatory to “Manifesto of the 343”, a 1971 French petition signed by 343 women who admitted to having illegally ended a pregnancy, along with up to 800,000 of their compatriots each year.

‘Woke us up’

Abortion was legalised in France in 1975 in a law championed by health minister Simone Veil, a women’s rights icon granted the rare honour of burial at the Pantheon after her death in 2018.

But another leading feminist, Simone de Beauvoir, had told Monteil the year before that “all it will take is a political, economic or religious crisis for women’s rights to be called into question”, she recalled.

In that sense, “the behaviour of the US Supreme Court did women all around the world a favour, because it woke us up”, Monteil said.

Leah Hoctor, of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said France could offer “the first explicit broad constitutional provision of its kind, not just in Europe, but also globally”.

Chile included the right to elective abortion in a draft for a new progressive constitution in 2022, but voters rejected the text in a referendum.

Some countries allude to the right.

Cuba’s constitution guarantees women’s “reproductive and sexual rights”.

And several Balkan states have inherited versions of former Yugoslavia’s 1974 constitution that said it was a human right to “decide on the birth of children”.

Other states explicitly mention abortion in their constitution, but only allow it in specific circumstances, Hoctor said.

In Kenya, for example, the constitution says “abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law”.

Making history?

Most members of the French public support the move to give the right extra protection.

A November 2022 survey by French polling group IFOP found that 86 percent of French people supported inscribing it in the constitution.

Left-wing and centrist politicians have welcomed the change, while right-wing senators in private have said they felt under pressure to give it a green light.

One said her daughters would “no longer come for Christmas” if she opposed the move.

Macron on Wednesday celebrated what he called the Senate’s “decisive step” and immediately called for the parliamentary congress on Monday.

The last time one was called to change the constitution was in 2008, when lawmakers only just approved wide-sweeping reforms under former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Those changes included limiting a president’s time in office to two terms, as well as better safeguards for press independence and freedom.

In a bid to enhance regulatory measures, companies violating the newly instituted Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) policy in Nigeria now face substantial fines of N3 million for each offense, as disclosed by reliable sources.

The outlined offenses encompass failure to submit the EEL, non-registration of employees, corporate entities neglecting to renew EEL within the stipulated 30-day period, and the provision of false information on EEL submissions.

Introduced by President Bola Tinubu on February 28, 2024, the EEL aims to bridge wage disparities between expatriates and the Nigerian workforce while fostering increased employment opportunities for qualified local individuals within foreign-operated companies.

Under the policy, companies must adhere to stringent guidelines, with penalties ranging from N3,000,000 for failure to file EEL within the designated timeframe, register an employee promptly, or provide accurate information on EEL submissions.

Moreover, the handbook reveals that companies employing expatriates will be required to pay $15,000 for directors and $10,000 for other categories.

Issuing a notice, the Ministry of Interior declared the EEL card as a mandatory document akin to a passport, mandatory for expatriates entering or leaving the country.

Compliance with the policy is expected by April 15, 2024, as announced by the ministry on its official website. The EEL card holds significance for lawful exits and entries into Nigeria, emphasizing its pivotal role in the expatriate employment landscape

The remains of Nollywood actor Tolani Oyebamiji aka Sisi Quadri who died on Friday, March 1, has been buried in his hometown in Agbowo area of Iwo. Quadri died after a brief illness at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso. Chairman Odun chapter of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Marufudeen Lawal, said the deceased would be missed by his colleagues in the entertainment industry because of his endowed talents.

Lawal said the actor’s body was brought from Ogbomoso on Friday before his internment and prayers offered at an open field close to his house. He said the late Nollywood actor played major roles in the industry that would not make his lovers and followers to easily forget about him. “His death was shocking to us because we never knew he would pass away now. He did not inform us about his sickness, we would have assisted him. “We expressed our condolences to his family and loved ones and the entire state ,” Lawal said.

According to him, plans were on to partner with states governors in order to ensure that their colleagues benefitted from their Health insurance schemes. He, therefore, called on Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun to support TAMPAN members by ensuring they all enrolled on the state’s Health Insurance Schemes which would be of great benefit to them.

Popular veteran singer Paul Okoye known as Rudeboy, has expressed his deep sadness over the recent demise of Nollywood legend John Okafor, famously known as Mr Ibu.

The Nollywood industry was struck with grief on Saturday, March 2, when the news of Mr Ibu’s passing surfaced, leaving fans and colleagues in shock.

Rudeboy, who was actively involved in Mr Ibu’s final moments, shared his sentiments on social media, disclosing the emotional toll of witnessing the actor’s health decline.

The singer revealed that he had spent several weeks in the hospital by Mr Ibu’s side, hoping for a recovery.

Despite his efforts and unwavering support, Mr Ibu eventually succumbed to his illness.

Expressing his anguish, Rudeboy took to social media to question the divine plan.

He wrote;

“I slept in the hospital with you for several weeks just to be there with you and all… and you still left. God why?? #mribu. Aswear forget !!! Nothing dey for this life.”

Femi Falana, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has challenged the federal government to confirm or deny if petrol subsidy has been restored.

During his inauguration on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy.

This development has worsened the living conditions of Nigerians, as the disposable income of citizens continues to decline due to inflation.

In a statement on Sunday, Falana said Robert Dickerman, chief executive officer of Pinnacle Oil, claimed at a conference in Abuja that the federal government still pays N1 trillion every month for petrol subsidy.

The human rights activist said instead of urging Nigerians to continue to endure the hardship caused by the removal of subsidies on petrol, the president should go public about the state of the economic policy.

“During his inauguration on May 29, 2003, President Bola Tinubu announced the end of fuel subsidies and total deregulation of petroleum products. But at the recently concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) held in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Robert Dickerman revealed that the Nigerian Government still pays N1 trillion every month for petrol subsidy,” the statement reads.

“Mr. Dickerman who made the disclosure while participating in a panel discussion disclosed that a significant subsidy is still in place, adding that this has contributed to the affordable price of the product and potentially fueling smuggling activities to neighbouring countries.

“On its own part, the World Bank has alleged partial return of fuel subsidy in a report presented in Abuja last December. In justifying its claim then, the World Bank said that based on the official exchange rate then, the petrol should sell for around N750 per litre and not the N650 currently being paid by Nigerians.

“Curiously, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited has not deemed it fit to deny the serious allegation that fuel subsidy has been restored. Since there is no provision for fuel subsidy in the 2023 and 2024 Appropriation Acts, the federal government should, without any further delay, confirm or deny the serious allegation and end the opacity surrounding the importation of fuel from foreign countries.”

Falana also cited a February 2024 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advising the Nigerian government to completely phase out petrol and electricity subsidies in the country despite the president’s announcement.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to voice their concerns about the current economic challenges maturely and responsibly.

During the 29th pre-Ramadan lecture hosted by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni in Lagos, Shettima emphasized that the economic policies in place bring about difficulties, particularly affecting the less privileged.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Vice-President, also acknowledged that the upcoming Ramadan would pose severe challenges for many citizens.

In light of recent nationwide protests highlighting Nigerians’ hardships, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured the populace, emphasizing optimism for the future.

Tinubu criticized the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for declaring a strike in the early stages of the administration, deeming it unacceptable.

Echoing the sentiments, Vice-President Shettima reiterated that while reforms may present challenges, the government’s aim is not to inflict hardship on its citizens.

He stated, “President Tinubu’s leadership acknowledges the forthcoming Ramadan will bring severe challenges. Our journey has been fraught with missed opportunities and failures, resulting in the current realities of rising living costs and economic uncertainty.

“However, we cannot continue on this path. Change is imperative, albeit difficult, especially for the disadvantaged. We have explored alternative options, but none offer a painless solution.

“Our administration is committed to improving the lives of Nigerians without deception. We recognize the need for Nigerian-centric solutions, guided by our unique context and not dictated by external interests.

“As alumni of this esteemed institution, I implore you to provide constructive criticism. Let us express our concerns maturely and responsibly. In times of hardship, let us turn to faith and prayer for guidance and perseverance.

“May Allah grant us the strength to endure and the wisdom to navigate these challenges during Ramadan.”

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has issued a one-week deadline to all private airline operators in the country to account for the sum of N4bn given to them by the Federal Government to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic or refund same in the absence of justifiable evidence of how the amount was spent.

The committee, chaired by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party from Osun State, Bamidele Salam, issued the ultimatum on Friday at the resumed investigative hearing into the alleged mismanagement of the COVID-19 intervention funds by ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

The PUNCH reports that the committee is investigating over 56 MDAs for alleged mismanagement of the intervention funds.

The committee said, “All private airlines that received COVID-19 relief funds designated to support the aviation sector are to refund the allocated funds to the Federal Government treasury if they fail to give justifiable evidence of how the money was judiciously spent within a week.”

The committee lamented that in spite of their appearance, many airlines and industry stakeholders, including Aero Contractors, Azman and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, could not convince the lawmakers satisfactorily how the funds given to them were expended to manage the COVID-19 pandemic challenge.

The Marketing Manager of Azman Airlines, Odum Uju, who represented the company at the hearing, admitted receiving N367.90m purportedly allocated for various operational expenses, including aircraft maintenance, spare parts, fuelling, forex purchasing, and insurance premium paid while the Station Manager of Aero Contractor, Abdulmalik Musa, said the company received N217.35m from the Federal Government to manage the threat of the coronavirus.

The representative of the Aero Contractor Airline, however, said the fund was used for airport handling and facility payment, fuelling, onboard catering payment, pilot training payments, and lease rental payments.

Reacting to the submissions, a member of the committee and former pilot with the Nigerian Air Force, Ojuawo Adeniyi from Ekiti State, faulted the submissions, saying the services claimed by the operators were applicable only during the regular operations of airlines.

Subsequently, a motion was moved by the member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State, Akiba Bassey, for the refund of N4bn to the Federation Account should the airlines fail to give the committee a satisfactory account of how they spent the COVID-19 intervention funds and same was unanimously supported by his colleagues.