On Friday, Omoyele Sowore, Nigerian activist-cum-politician, accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of heading an administration of scammers.

Sowore was reacting to the disappearance of E-Naira which was launched by Buhari’s administration.

"Has it been replaced with T-Pain’s T-NAIRA? Government of Scammers.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that the nation’s external reserves have increased to $40.2 billion as of October 18, 2024.

Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mr. Muhammed Andullahi   disclosed this at   a briefing with foreign investors on the sidelines of the on-going annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington DC.

The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mr. Muhammed Andullahi, who made the presentation said that the current level of reserve could accommodate 14 .5 months of goods and services import or 18 months for only goods import.

He also disclosed that foreign exchange inflow into the country stood at $57 billion as of August this year.

He added that Capital Importation had nearly doubled to $6.9 billion as of August 2024, compared with $3.9 recorded in the 2023 Financial Year.

He also disclosed that   efforts to attract more remittances from Diaspora Nigerians was yielding desired results as it put current monthly remittances at $650 million.

According to him Diaspora remittances had reached a record $3.5 billion compared with a total annual performance of $3.2 billion in 2023.

He said CBN was on its way to achieving its target of $1 billion remittances, monthly.

He further stated that the interventions of the CBN   in the FX market had reduced to as low as 5 percent of the market turnover. 

He said that the apex bank might intervene from time to time in the FX market but it would make sure that the market does not become dependent on such interventions.

He added that from December, the market would witness the matching system and that players would see a more transparent trading where everyone would see who sold what and bought what.

He added that the nation’s FX market had been broken for about 10 years and what was being witnessed was the result of the long period of the broken market.

While fielding questions from investors, the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso assured investors that the present FX administration has been incentivized in such a way that Nigerians and investors who want to bring in FX would have no difficulties at all.

He said: “The issue of confidence of Nigerians in their currency, clearly a situation where interests have gone up, we expect that and it is happening that there will be more interest in the local instrument.  

“We find that something that is important for these   whole adjustments arose from the fact that now, Nigerians will be more inclined to produce locally because it is a lot cheaper for them to do so rather than depend on imported goods.   That is a good thing.

“Then regarding the harmonisation of the rates, those who used to send money to Nigeria no longer have the choice of having to find other unorthodox methods of sending their money home.

“I particularly refer to the remittances from the Diaspora. That is why we have had a major uptick in the level of inflows coming from that area.

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, the famous Nigerian singer, who is popularly known as Ayra Starr, has said she cannot date any of her colleagues.

She said her dream man is a billionaire who will sponsor her luxurious lifestyle.

The 22-year-old stated this in an interview with Coco Jones for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians issue.

Coco Jones asked: “Would you want to date someone who’s in your industry because they’ll get it?”

Ayra Starr replied: “In the dream world, it wouldn’t be somebody that is in the [music] industry. Probably just like a billionaire. On a yacht. In Dubai. In a thong [laughs].”

In recent years, the long-standing institution of marriage has experienced numerous transformations, mirroring societal changes, economic conditions, and evolving values.

One particularly intriguing trend emerging in some communities is the concept of men requesting “marriage lists” from multiple women.

This practice, driven by a desire to evaluate potential marriage costs, raises several questions about tradition, love, and the commodification of relationships.

Marriage lists are essentially detailed accounts of the financial demands associated with a prospective marriage. These lists may include dowries, gifts, and other financial obligations that a groom or his family must meet. Traditionally, dowries were a way to secure the financial future of a bride and her family, but in contemporary settings, they can vary significantly based on cultural, regional, and individual factors.

Men requesting these lists from various women aims to assess which marriage would be the most economically feasible. This practice can stem from a combination of personal financial constraints, cultural expectations, and the desire to make informed decisions in an era where economic considerations are increasingly important.

In many cultures, marriage is not just a union of two individuals; it is a significant financial transaction involving families. While in some societies, love and companionship are the primary motivations for marriage, in others, financial considerations play a pivotal role. The practice of comparing marriage lists could be seen as a practical approach to ensuring financial stability, but it also risks reducing the complex institution of marriage to a mere transactional relationship.

The practice raises several ethical questions. First, is it fair to women to be evaluated based solely on financial demands? This approach can reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate a culture where women’s worth is tied to monetary value. Additionally, it may lead to emotional detachment in relationships, prioritizing financial calculations over genuine compatibility and affection.

Moreover, this practice could create an environment of competition among women, fostering insecurities and undermining the foundational values of trust and love that are vital for a successful marriage.

On a practical level, the comparison of marriage costs can be influenced by economic realities. In times of financial uncertainty, individuals may feel compelled to prioritize financial security over emotional connection. This trend can also reflect broader societal changes, where economic factors increasingly dictate personal choices.

However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial considerations are valid, they should not overshadow the fundamental aspects of partnership—mutual respect, love, and shared goals.

While the practice of men requesting marriage lists from various women may appear to be a logical approach to navigating the complexities of modern relationships, it brings to light significant ethical, cultural, and emotional concerns. Marriage, at its core, is a partnership that thrives on connection and commitment, transcending financial considerations.

As society continues to evolve, it’s crucial to strike a balance between practical realities and the deeper values that define successful and fulfilling relationships. Ultimately, a marriage built on love and mutual respect will likely yield a more rewarding and lasting partnership than one anchored solely in economic calculations.

Some Nigerian police officers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been caught on camera engaging in a fight.

It was gathered that the incident occurred during the week at Elizabeth Estate, Abere in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

Nollywood actress, Olajumoke Amoke Olatunde George, popularly known as Jumoke George, has cited sexual demands and skin tone as reasons for her 14-year absence from the film industry.

The movie star, in a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV, said that movie directors often complained about her dark skin tone, suggesting she bleached her skin.

Jumoke, who returned to the entertainment scene a few years after a prolonged hiatus, recalled an incident where a director told her she was being blacklisted for refusing to sleep with them.

She said: “My skin tone was not the only setback I encountered in this business. The other reason why I did not get any roles or see the back of a lens for 14 years is because I refused to sleep around. Regarding my skin tone, they complained that I was too dark, and I would tell them to adjust the lighting to make me look lighter.

“You cannot push me into something I do not want to do. I will glow with this skin till old age, and don’t forget, black does not crack. I started having issues getting roles when the executives wanted a relationship in exchange for them. The pressure was immense, coming from more than 20 to 30 people.

“Another issue was that if you dated one of them, broke up, and moved on to someone else, they would discuss you among themselves. I told myself that as long as God exists, I would not find myself in such a space. I avoided it to prevent becoming passed around among them.

“I did not get any acting roles for about three years, and I did not understand what was happening. One day, I was at Feminar Cafe at LTV 8, and I met one of our directors—I won’t mention his name. I asked him why he wasn’t calling me for roles anymore, and he asked me, ‘Jummy, do you still want to feature in movies?’

“He then told me that their group of directors had decided not to give me roles. I asked why, and he said it was because I refused to sleep with them. He even asked what benefit I gained from refusing their advances. I just started crying, and he walked out. When I got home, I prayed to God to take control.”

The Senate, on Thursday, approved 15 per cent from the Consolidated Revenue Fund as source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions by member-states.

The approval followed consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties on the bills establishing the commissions.

Earlier, the lawmakers were divided over the source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions.

The disagreement emerged during the clause-by-clause consideration of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which serves as the structural template for other zonal commissions.

Central to the debate was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ recommendation that 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states be directed towards funding these commissions.

Several lawmakers, including Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), voiced concerns over the proposed funding model.

Abdullahi warned that the provision could lead to legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly allow its statutory allocation to be reduced.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments,” Abdullahi said.

Seeking to clarify the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, quickly intervened.

He explained that the 15 per cent allocation would not involve a direct deduction from the states’ funds.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of zonal development commissions by the Federal Government, is not about deduction at all.

“What is recommended as contained in the report presented to us by the committee on special duties and being considered by the Senate now is that 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would, by way of calculation by the Federal Government, used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15 per cent of which, as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the Federal Government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their development commission.”

Despite Barau’s explanation, several senators remained unconvinced and expressed their desire to contribute to the debate.

However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stepped in, asserting that the provision was constitutionally sound.

“We don’t need to debate whether 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states in a commission would be deducted,” Akpabio said, citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.

“Fifteen per cent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” he added.

Akpabio then called for a voice vote, and the majority voted in favour of the provision.

In his remarks following the passage of the consolidated bills, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the senators for their efforts in finalising the zonal development commissions.

He noted that these commissions would provide a foundation for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills passed include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 were previously passed.