A bill seeking to include Anambra among States in the Niger Delta Development Commission was on Wednesday, February 28, thrown out by the senate.

The Bill titled: A Bill for an Act to amend the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act to make provision for the inclusion of Anambra State as one of the member state and for other connected matters thereto, 2024” was sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye of Anambra state.

He stated that Anambra deserves to be a member of NDDC States having been collecting 13 per cent derivation since 2021 on account of oil production in the state on yearly basis.

Some senators debated against the bill by pointing out that states like Kogi and Lagos are not covered by NDDC operations despite being oil- producing States.

Senator Jibrin Isah popularly known as Echocho also noted that NDDC by its name, is more of a regional or geographical intervention body and not just an amalgam of oil producing states.

Nwoye responded by saying:

“Mr President and distinguished colleagues, Anambra as an oil producing state has been collecting 13% derivation from oil exploited from her wells by the federal government since 2021 and eminently deserves to be included in the operational radius of NDDC.

“Kogi State was also declared as an oil producing state but has not been collecting any 13% derivation.”
This was countered by Senator Isah who asked Senator Nwoye to limit his argument to Anambra State and allow the Senate to decide the fate of his bill.

He said;

“Senator Nwoye with all due respect, please stop dragging Kogi State into your argument for membership of Anambra State in NDDC. Kogi State is an oil producing State and has also been collecting 13% derivation since October 2022.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio who intervened, stated that if the argument of Senator Nwoye on proposed membership of Anambra State in NDDC is to be accepted by the Senate, then Lagos State which has two oil wells in Badagry, will also advocate for membership of the commission.

He also said that if NDDC is considered to be a geographical or regional interventionist body, Anambra State is qualified to be a member on account of its proximity to Niger Delta area. The Senate President further stated that the National Boundary Commission should be allowed to so decide.

Senators at the plenary voted against the bill when it was put to voice vote and it was subsequently threw away.

An area court in Yola, Adamawa state's capital has remanded a driver identified as David Donald in prison for cheating a woman of over five buckets of local alcohol, burkutu.

Police prosecutor, Sgt Kabiru Abubakar told the court that the defendant ordered five plastic buckets of burkutu and two plates of fish pepper soup at a local joint in Yola on February 21, 2024, worth N6,600, refused to pay and attempted to escape.

He was arrested after Felicity Sunday and Linda Ali, the complainants, reported the matter to the police.

Before being remanded, Donald who is from Karim Lamido LGA in Taraba State, pleaded guilty to cheating contrary to Section 302 of the Penal Code.

A former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central in the Senate, Senator Sani Shehu, has claimed that former President Muhammadu Buhari destroyed Nigeria’s economy, saying the former president is responsible for the current economic hardship in the country.

Sani stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

He said some of the economic policies that President Bola Tinubu is implementing now, which triggered the economic hardship, should have been implemented by Buhari.

The Kaduna senator said former President Buhari failed to implement the policies, which consequently allowed the economy to deteriorate.

Sani said, “We must be very factual and realistic with ourselves; the problem we find ourselves today, originated, was engineered, fabricated and sustained by the Buhari administration.

“The Buhari administration, institutionally, fundamentally destroyed the Nigerian economy,” he addded.

Sani absorbed Tinubu’s blame for the current situation, noting that, having said he (Tinubu) would implement the policies he has implemented so far during the campaign, Tinubu did not deceive Nigerians.

He said, “When Tinubu took over, he knows there is not going to be subsidy and to be realistic, he was very frank during his campaign. I am going to remove subsidy and whatever protest that will come out of it I will not back down’ and then people went ahead and voted for him, so he has not deceived Nigerians.

“Now he is in power, we are paying the price for the mistake of the past, for the failure of the past and for what we have refused to do in the past, so this is the reality,” he said.

Recall that some Nigerians in some states have taken to the streets to protest the situation over the economic hardship occasioned by some of Tinubu’s policies, especially the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of forex rate.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also joined the protest over hardship on Tuesday with a nationwide action.

But, Sani said the NLC has the right to protest, adding that the protest to be wary of is not that of the NLC but the one that may be carried out by unorganised civil society.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Muyiwa Adejobi, says the security situation in Nigeria is getting better.

“The security situation is getting better; I don’t agree that it is getting worse. It is improving,” Adejobi told newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday.

He stated this in Ibadan for the presentation of awards to the overall winner of boxing and archery competitions in the 14th Biennial Nigeria Police Game (BIPOGA 2024).

He said that most of the unfortunate incidents of insecurity being circulated on social media were old stories.

“They are being recycled to make people believe they are new or current incidents. Actually, they are not.

“You cannot see any conventional media house publishing these stories the way we have them on social media.

“The security situation in Nigeria is not bad. Let us always analyse the situation based on empirical facts and not just on speculation,” he said.

Adejobi said that the Nigeria Police Force collates data and has information on the security situation from all its offices.

“We shall tell Nigerians if the security situation is worrisome.

“We have issued statements to tell Nigerians that most of the kidnapped cases were fake and have given instances and even paraded some suspects for Nigerians to know.

“It is not in all situations that these incidences are real; some people fake and plan kidnappings to get ransom from their families.

“Let us always differentiate between the real and staged kidnapping,” he said.

Adejobi said that the force was not denying the fact that there are isolated cases of incidences of insecurity, but pointed out that the force had arrested and neutralised many kidnappers.

He said that the police and other security agencies in Nigeria would continue to collaborate towards securing the country. (NAN)

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, appealed for patience from Nigerians over the current economic hardship in the country, giving the assurance that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

The President said he was fully aware and took responsibility for the difficulties Nigerians had been subjected to on account of government policies.

He said he would not complain but welcome all criticisms since he was the one who asked to be Nigeria’s President.

The President spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during his visit to the leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere,

He also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed on in December following a protracted battle with cancer.

The fuel subsidy removal and other economic reforms instituted by Tinubu have attracted public censure following the high costs of living, food inflation and other side effects.

The situation compelled the Nigeria Labour Congress to hold a nationwide protest on Tuesday.

The congress also threatened further mass action if the government failed to address the economic crunch within two weeks.

However, addressing public concerns over his economic policies, the President said, “Nigeria will survive the current economic challenges. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I requested the job, and I am not complaining about it. I take full responsibility.”

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled, ‘President Tinubu: I take full responsibility for the nation; we are building an efficient Nigeria that is inclusive and fair to all Nigerians.’’

Tinubu emphasised his commitment to leading Nigeria towards economic and social prosperity, saying, “We are meeting our obligations to the international community. To lenders, we have not defaulted, and we are not going to default. We are navigating the twists and bends on the road to Nigeria’s prosperity.”

On reforming Nigeria, the President said his task would be to ensure fiscal and true federalism, as well as the broad-based manifestation of the philosophy of “what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”

He acknowledged the understanding and support of all Nigerians in the face of the harsh but temporary economic conditions, assuring them that their patience and perseverance will not be fruitless.

“But, through perseverance, Lagos emerged as the fifth largest economy in the entire continent of Africa. We must manage this moment with wisdom and grow Nigeria responsibly.

“I campaigned for this office to serve Nigeria’s interests and I was elected. Some said I would not last in the tribunal and came up with all sorts of predictions, but even when in court, I remained focused.

“We cannot allow Nigeria’s economy to be exploited. We cannot abandon our economy to marauders. I am determined to re-engineer our finances and curb selfish interests permanently,” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of Afenifere, Pa Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who read the address of Pa Fasoranti, commended Tinubu for his commitment to Nigeria’s progress and expressed support for his administration’s efforts.

“You have kept your word to return to this place where we all prayed for you, and this shows that you are a man of your word,” the elder statesman stated.

Pa Fasoranti asked President Tinubu to be fair and courageous, declaring that such traits were the hallmark of the Afenifere family.

“Today, you are carrying our flag. We are noted for integrity, competence, fairness, and courage. Your performance so far has shown that you understand the full gravity of your mandate, which is to show the Nigerian people that a good government is possible,” he said.

Fasoranti also charged the President on institutional reforms, saying, “Mr President, please also seek institutional reforms that would strengthen our federation and make Nigeria safer and more prosperous. Try and balance the budget and execute capital projects that would create more employment. We thank you for welcoming the idea of state policing.’’

He added, “We want each of the geopolitical zones to have greater responsibilities for security, food production and infrastructural development. Since the removal of fuel subsidy, which was costing Nigeria $10bn yearly, the state governments have been receiving hefty allocations from the Federation account.

“Mr President should persuade the governors to allow this change of fortune for the states to reflect at the grassroots so that life can be better for our people. They should not just buy rice and yams for the people. They should create employment, improve education and build new infrastructures. Today, life is truly challenging for most people and the state governments have an important role to play to transform society.”

Fasoranti received the President in the company of some Afenifere leaders, who included a former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Chief Kole Omololu, among others

Earlier, the President paid a condolence visit to Akeredolu’s family in Owo also visited the palace of the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III.

Speaking at the palace of the monarch, Tinubu eulogised the late Akeredolu as a statesman and a distinguished legal luminary who served his people with unwavering dedication.

“We lost an illustrious son. Akeredolu was very close to me and an ally. He was a son of the soil, and I have come to pay homage,” the President said.

He extended his prayers for the good health, progress, and prosperity of the traditional ruler and the community and thanked the people of Owo for their support to the bereaved family.

Accompanied by the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Tinubu also commiserated with the Akeredolu’s widow, Betty, the children, and other family members.

Addressing the widow and the family members, Tinubu said, “God will be with you. Your children will do well in life. May you all end well. May God be with you and uphold you,”

The wife of the late governor expressed appreciation for the President’s visit, describing Tinubu as a good friend and brother to her late husband.

She also thanked the South-West governors for their contributions to the burial of the late governor. She particularly thanked Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for single-handedly repatriating the remains of Akeredolu back to Nigeria.

She said, “On behalf of my family, I appreciate Mr. President. We understood he couldn’t attend the burial ceremony due to the dictate of Yoruba culture. He couldn’t have attended the burial of his younger brother.

“Coming today (Wednesday ) is a big deal because we are in a better atmosphere. I also express my profound gratitude to the southern governors for their immense financial contributions to the burial, most especially, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who singlehandedly brought Aketi’s remains back to Nigeria. We appreciate this huge show of love and we are grateful and forever indebted to him.

“I requested that Mr President see where Aketi has been laid to rest and he followed me. We are deeply grateful to Mr. President for coming. He is indeed Aketi’s brother and friend.

“I told Mr. President, yes, Aketi has left but he lives because he left behind legacies. It is our wish that those legacies continue and are built upon where necessary.”

Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, has called on the Nigeria Police to summon the wife of his deceased son, Omomunmi, to provide insights into the death of his son.

He disclosed this in a statement signed by the family and sent to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday.

PUNCH Metro had reported that Aloba filed a suit seeking to call more witnesses in the bid to unravel the cause of the death of his late singer-son.

In the application signed by his legal team, the witnesses requested to testify before the court include, “Ayobami Fisayo aka Spending; Boluwatife Adeyemo aka Darosha and Ibrahim Owodunni aka Prime Boy; all of whom were with the deceased at the material time.”

It was noted that the testimonies of the witnesses in the ongoing inquest would provide more factual, evidential, and better light on the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s death.

Meanwhile, the Aloba family in a statement sent to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, Mohbad’s father said Omowunmi’s testimony could also be instrumental in shedding more light on the circumstances leading to the death.

The statement read in part, “It has come to our attention that Omomunmi Adebanjo, the wife of the late Mohbad, has expressed her knowledge of critical information related to his death. We urge the relevant authorities to extend an invitation to Omowunmi Adebanjo to provide her testimony and insights into this tragic event. We believe that her cooperation and testimony could be instrumental in shedding light on the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s demise.”

While citing the sensitive nature of the matter, he also urged the police to provide security to ensure her safety whenever she comes forward to share her knowledge with the authorities.

“We implore you (the police) to prioritise this investigation and take swift action to uncover the truth behind Mohbad’s death. The Aloba family and the public deserve closure, and justice must prevail,’ the statement added.

While noting that another sitting at the coroner inquest was coming up in a few days, he stated that “the opportunity is still there for you to go and tell them the truth you know.”

The deceased singer’s father also disclosed that he had filed a suit seeking a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test for his grandson, Liam, at the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Mohbad’s wife, Omowunmi, recently stated in an Instagram post that she had since November been waiting for a court order to proceed with the paternity test.

While stating that he owed Liam a duty to protect him, Mohbad’s father added that the move was to resolve the issues surrounding his paternity for future purposes.

He said, “Since the issue of Liam Aloba’s paternity is in the public domain, especially on social media, this information will continue to be there for now and maybe forever. As a grandfather to Liam Aloba, I owe the duty of protecting him now, and the future is at stake if the issue of paternity is not resolved now, and it will hurt her and the son in the future. Anyone can call him any bad name which I will not want that to happen to him now or in the nearest future. Wunmi Adebanjo, as a mother to Liam Aloba too, it is my thinking and belief that you will not like a situation where, in the future, people will use or call Liam Aloba any unpleasant name.

‘Since she wants a court order to do the DNA, my legal team has approached the court in that regard, the suit has been filed. Her legal team should do the needful whenever the court serves them by not frustrating the process so that Liam Aloba, whether he is my grandson or not, deserves the right to a good life without any blemish to his name and his existence on earth. If this is the only thing you can do to save him from future embarrassment, please do it for him as a mother; let him have a peaceful life to live.”

Mohbad died on September 12 at the age of 27, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

Being a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022.

The Lagos State Police Command had on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley, and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, amongst others.

The body of Mohbad was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had tweeted in September 2023 that an “autopsy has been concluded” and the police were “awaiting result.”

In the course of their probe, the police declared Primeboy wanted on October 4, 2023, after which he turned himself in two days after.

Meanwhile, Aloba, in November 2023, had stated that nobody should collect his son’s body for burial without his authorisation.

In an interview with PUNCH Metro in December 2023, Hundeyin reiterated that the command had not received the report of the autopsy conducted on Mohbad from the pathologists.

Special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has warned that cryptocurrency trading platform, Binance will destroy the country’s economy if it is allowed to continue to arbitrarily fix the country’s foreign exchange rate.

Making this assertion on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Onanuga argued that Binance was capable of destroying the country’s economy if the government dues not take decisive actions against the platform.

Naija News reports that Onanuga encouraged Nigerians to stop patronising the parallel market for FX rates, saying the website of the apex bank is the only legal platform.

He said, “If we don’t clamp down on Binance, Binance will destroy the economy of this country. They just fix the rate, We have saboteurs. Look at what Binance is doing to our economy. That is why the government moved against Binance. Some people sit down using the cyberspace to dictate even our exchange rate, hijacking the role of the CBN. They just sit down and fix anything they like. It’s a sabotage and we are trying to prevent that from happening henceforth.

“The parallel market is not the real gauge of Nigeria’s economic health. The parallel market is an illegal market. I don’t even know why Nigerians and the media are feeding on the parallel market. That is not where we should go; what’s the CBN rate? As at Friday, the rate for the dollar was about N1600. Even in the so-called parallel market, the exchange rate is stabilizing there and that is what this needs. Our economy is too much dollarised. Importers are looking at the exchange rate and using it to fix prices, some of them arbitrarily, some of them actually profiteering.”

His comment comes as President Bola Tinubu led the government’s continued effort to revive the plummeting value of the country’s currency.

The lingering economic hardship may be compounded as telecom operators insist on increasing their tariffs. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has been advocating for a tariff hike, citing rising operational costs.

In a recent meeting with the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, ALTON Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, argued that the tariffs set by the regulator were insufficient in light of escalating operational expenses.

He pointed out that, unlike the telecoms sector, other heavily regulated industries like power and insurance had seen price increases to reflect macroeconomic changes and the increased cost burden on operators.

While noting that the current price of services as pegged by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is unsustainable, the ALTON Chairman said: “Insurance prices have risen 200 per cent with power raising prices by over 40 per cent.

Telecommunications is the only sector that has not experienced a pricing regulatory framework review raising prices notwithstanding local and global macroeconomic realities.

“Not only has this impaired investor confidence and depleted available investible funds necessary to optimise infrastructure for improved service delivery, but it also threatens the very sustainability of our members’ operations.”

He also noted some challenges such as multiple taxation and deficiency in infrastructure. Industry players had urged the Federal Government to prioritise investment in telecoms infrastructure to aid the digital economy in the country.

They said the government should woo foreign investors into Nigeria and also encourage the local investors to put their money into infrastructural development, especially in the rural areas.

It is believed that opening up the rural areas will expand broadband and consequently improve the digital economy. Meanwhile, the telecoms operators have said they are investing in infrastructure to improve the quality of service as well as the quality of experience for all subscribers.

They said: “This is evidenced by the continued investments in network coverage and capacity to improve overall quality of service for the benefit of our esteemed customers.”

Adebayo urged the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to collaborate with the operators to tackle the challenges affecting the industry, especially the infrastructure challenge, while urging the government to come up with policies that would make the business easy for them.

“However, as the Honourable Minister may be aware, ALTON’s members have continued to encounter strong macroeconomic headwinds, which have occasioned tough operating conditions, leading to a decline in CAPEX (domestic) and foreign direct (capital inflow) investments into the industry by 30.37 per cent and 46.9 per cent respectively between 2021 and 2022.

“It is ALTON’s considered view that many teething investment-impacting causal factors need to be definitively addressed to help deepen investment with the overall objective of driving increased CAPEX deployment for overall QoS improvement in line with the targets of the strategic plan to achieve 50 per cent improvement in QoS by the end of 2024,” he said.

Speaking on the damages done to telecoms infrastructure, Adebayo said there was a need to curb the acts by vandals, saying all these have been the factors that may make them increase their tariffs.

He said: “Telecommunications serves as an ‘enabler’ for all other critical infrastructure and infrastructure sectors vital to national productivity and security.

“To function optimally, telecommunications infrastructure relies on complex and interconnected support ecosystem consisting of fiber, satellites, towers, base stations, switches, data centers, etc., which need to function uninterrupted for delivery of optimal QoS.

“There have, however, been incidences of adverse cross-sectoral impact on QoS arising from damage to such infrastructure due to excavation during civil works such as road construction, deliberate/negligent vandalization and sabotage as well as theft of cable, equipment, and supplies such as diesel, generators and batteries, undue delay in issuance of site approvals for new towers/base stations as well as harassment of staff /site access denial by state/local agencies to enforce levy payments.”

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the frequent collapse of the national grid with a view to proffering a lasting solution for the recurrent power outages.

This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) at plenary on Wednesday.

The House insisted that sustainable energy is essential to any modern economy, and Nigeria is no exception, as stable electricity supply ensures that industries remain viable, powers homes, and facilitates significant economic growth and industrial progress.

Osawaru expressed worry that in a space of one week in the month of August 2023, Nigeria recorded three national grid collapses, the national grid collapsed twice within six hours and on the August 19, 2023, another system collapse was recorded.

“Also worried that frequent grid collapses this year have negatively impacted the economy, reducing industrial output and raising manufacturing expenses, Firms are forced to invest in alternate power sources, thus, raising operational costs and leaving end users with exorbitant prices, which citizens cannot afford, especially with subsidy removal effects.

“Recalls that the nation is currently facing its worst form of insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, the collapse of the National grid will embolden criminal activities and security facilities such as the Vigiscope App, Police Situation room App, all Police Commands control rooms can be compromised during the dark hours, tracking devices that need power to reach telephone lines can be hampered.

“Cognizant that if the frequent national grid collapses are thoroughly investigated and solutions proffered, it will end the continuous system collapse, boost the economy and reduce the suffering of the citizens,” he stated.

Also at plenary, the House urged the Federal Government to improve on short-term food subsidies, assistance to farmers, especially those engaged in dry season farming, improved supply chain control to reduce wastage, and short-term price control.

This was as the House adopted the motion moved by Hon. Chike John Okafor, who acknowledged the spreading issue of food scarcity in Nigeria and the impending nutritional dangers that accompanies it.

“As we approach the farming season, it is imperative that we take immediate action to avert a worsening crisis and ensure the availability of food and well-being of our citizens.

“The current state of food scarcity in Nigeria poses a grave threat to the health and livelihoods of millions of our people. Insufficient access to nutritious food not only leads to hunger and malnutrition but also exacerbates existing health conditions and undermines the overall development of our nation.

“Worried that Nutrition and Food is the most important existential challenge in Nigeria today, because 24.9 Million Nigerians are presently in an acute/critical stage of hunger, and this is considered to be an emergency, while 85.8 Million Nigerians have insufficient food consumption and out of this number, 47.7 Million Nigerians have a crisis or above crisis level in terms of food-based survival margin.

“Also worried that peaceful protests is taking place now in some states with citizens groaning due to hunger and demanding immediate government intervention,” he said.

Air Peace has announced N1.2 million on its London route for Economy class effective from March 30.
A statement by the airline’s Corporate Communications Lead, Mr Stanley Olisa also said Business class tickets can be got for N4 million.

According to the statement, “The flight schedules for Air Peace London route are now available on our website, and we are crashing the price of flight tickets.

“A return economy class ticket goes for N1.2 million, while a return business class ticket sells for N4 million. Nigerians studying in the United Kingdom can also now access their special 15 percent rebate on the already reduced economy fares.”

The airline had announced a special fare for Nigerian students in the UK when it hosted travel agents in Lagos in preparation for the launch of the London route.

Olisa also disclosed that London would be the airline’s seventh international destination since kicking off operations, almost 10 years ago.