The reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has offered a financial reward of ₦1million to anyone with credible information on the alleged looting of government property.

Speaking in a press briefing in Benin City on Friday, the deputy governor said he has evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last minute borrowing from financial institutions.

He called on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, ongoing Radisson Hotel project and last-minute appointments by the outgoing administration.

He said, “I have received disturbing reports of banks and other financial institutions, granting last-minute loans to Governor Godwin Obaseki. This is alarming, and not in good faith. Against that backdrop, I am issuing a strong warning to banks and financial institutions not to grant any loans or issue financial instruments to Governor Obaseki or any official of the state government in whatever capacity or office.

“Also, information at my disposal shows there are last-minute plans to siphon state’s fund using NGOs as a decoy, under the guise of supporting such organisations’ projects and activities.

“These actions undermine our state’s financial stability and potential mortgage of the future of Edo State. I dissociate myself and my office from any such dealings.”

He said there were reports of indiscriminate and clandestine appointments into the civil and public service with outrageous grade levels.

“I condemn these actions and dissociate myself and my office from any involvement. These appointments have not only undermined the civil service’s integrity but also perpetuated a culture of cronyism,” he added.

He also alleged that consultants were being appointed and their date of engagement was backdated, allegedly to justify outrageous expenditures.

The Federal Government‘s ambitious plans to reduce food prices through a zero percent duty and exemption from value-added tax on selected basic food items are increasingly facing challenges, as the average price of imported food items has soared to an alarming 878.3 price point index in September 2024.

This troubling increase reflects broader economic pressures that have impeded efforts to alleviate food inflation in Nigeria.

On July 8, 2024, the government announced a 150-day duty-free import window for essential food commodities, including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, aimed at mitigating the effects of food scarcity and price hikes across the country.

However, nearly three months after the announcement, the scheme has yet to take effect, primarily due to bureaucratic delays and the Federal Ministry of Finance’s failure to publish a list of qualified importers as required by guidelines issued by Customs in August.

At a recent press briefing, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun indicated that the government has ordered maize and wheat imports to help stabilize the food market. Nonetheless, the anticipated policy implementation has not materialized, and the prices of imported food continue to climb.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a significant rise in the average price of imported food, with a 30.6 price index increase from August to September 2024.

This reflects an 8.97 percent rise from the 806.0 average price index recorded in July 2024, when the duty-free import initiative was announced.

Year-to-date, the average imported food price has surged by 26.81 percent, highlighting a growing dependence on foreign food products amid domestic supply shortages.

The troubling trend of rising inflation has persisted throughout the year, with imported food inflation rates climbing from 26.29 percent in January to 34.83 percent in May.

The monthly analysis shows a continuous upward trajectory, causing concern among consumers and policymakers alike.

In the second quarter of 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released N547.7 billion ($823.19 million at the official exchange rate) to support food imports, marking a reduction of 20.6 percent from the $689.88 million allocated in the first quarter. Over the past six months, the CBN has disbursed a total of N1.73 trillion to facilitate food imports.

Operatives from the Enugu State Police Command, in their ongoing battle against kidnapping, killed two suspected kidnappers during a raid on their hideout on Thursday.

The operatives also rescued one victim and recovered their weapons, according to a statement on Friday, by the Command's spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.

Ndukwe said, "On October 17, 2024, around 8pm, operatives from the Enugu State Police Command's Anti-Kidnapping, Distress Response and Special Intervention Squads, raided a kidnappers' hideout in Nokpa-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area, following a diligently gathered actionable intelligence.

"Upon the operatives' arrival, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting a return of fire. In the process, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries."

"Preliminary investigations reveal that this criminal group had demanded a ransom of N40,000,000 for the release of the victim. The group is also found to be responsible for several kidnappings within Enugu metropolis and its environs.

"Some of their members had previously been arrested and arraigned in court, with firearms and ammunition recovered from them."

Ndukwe also disclosed that the buildings the criminals used for the criminal acts, including the present one, had been destroyed by the Enugu State government.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, commended the operatives' efforts and reiterated the command’s unwavering resolve to eradicate violent crimes in the state.

He called on the public to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to support the police in their efforts

Nigerians in the United Kingdom have been thrown into mourning following the death of a woman, Mrs Olubunmi Okeniyi, nearly a month after she relocated to the European country.

The woman, who relocated with her two children to join her husband, Jacob Okeniyi, reportedly died on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

A statement by the Nigerians in the UK on X claimed that Olubunmi arrived with her two children in Sunderland on September 16, 2024.

The tragedy brought to the fore concerns about the welfare of many Nigerians relocating to the UK. 

Members of the Nigerian community in the UK decried the spate of deaths of fellow compatriots shortly after they landed in the European country.

Early this year, another Nigerian, Saheed Wahab, died a day after relocating to the UK for his master’s degree.

Similarly, an unnamed Nigerian man reportedly died of a heart attack after he slumped and died in Hull City, two months after joining his wife in the UK.

In the message announcing Mrs Okeniyi’s demise, the community sought financial support after setting up a GoFundMe account to assist with burial expenses.

“With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Mrs Olubunmi Okeniyi, who tragically passed away on 13/10/24, at 4:30 pm in Sunderland, UK,” it wrote.

“Mrs Olubunmi, who arrived from Nigeria with her two sons on 16/09/24, is survived by her husband, Mr Jacob Okeniyi.

“We are urgently seeking donations to assist with her immediate burial, as her husband cannot afford the costs.

“Please support by donating through the link below.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, will be deeply appreciated during this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, providing more information about the incident, an X user, Godwin Ejeh, said the deceased was 49 years old and died of breast cancer.

According to Ejeh, who posted a statement purportedly issued by the Chairman of the Nigerians in the Sunderland community, the victim was sick back in Nigeria before joining her family in the UK.

She reportedly started the treatment for cancer upon arrival, but doctors advised that she was unlikely to survive it and that palliative care should be commenced.

“But due to their status here, the above care had to be carried out at home with medical personnel visiting her at home to give her care,” Ejeh wrote.

On the day of her demise, Mrs Okeniyi reportedly called her husband that she wanted to urinate. He and the children helped her to the commode after caregivers visited their home to offer normal routine care and left.

“As she was passing urine, her countenance changed immediately and they assisted her back to the bed and quickly called back her caregivers, who were already on their way. They rushed back but unfortunately, Mrs Okeniyi gave up the ghost around 4:30pm,” Ejeh added.

Ejeh said as of 10pm on Wednesday, the victim’s husband confirmed that a total of £5,800 had been raised.

“GoFundMe as of this evening stood at £3,557,” he added.

The Rivers State Government has approved a new minimum wage of ₦85,000 for its civil servants.

George Nwaeke, the state’s Head of Service, announced that Governor Siminalayi Fubara granted the approval during a private meeting with labour leaders and senior government officials.

Nwaeke confirmed that the implementation of the new wage would take immediate effect.

“He (Governor Fubara) has set a figure that is higher than the national minimum wage, approving ₦85,000.00. This is a significant development for civil servants in Rivers State, who have never had it this good since the state’s inception,” Nwaeke said.

When inquired about the payment of arrears, Nwaeke disclosed that a technical committee has been formed to devise a feasible payment plan that will also tackle issues concerning the outstanding arrears.

“The committee, which I will serve as Deputy to the Secretary to the State Government, will iron out the details regarding the payment of arrears and inform the public accordingly,” he explained

In response, Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Team, Chukwu Emecheta, commended Governor Fubara for fulfilling the expectations of Rivers State workers and appreciated his commitment to their welfare.

“For the governor to approve this new minimum wage amidst all the difficulties is a clear demonstration of his commitment to the well-being of the workers. We are overjoyed by this decision,” Emecheta remarked.

Similarly, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State, Alex Agwanwor, remarked that the new minimum wage would significantly ease the financial burdens faced by workers in the state.

“With Lagos and Rivers both approving ₦85,000, but given their differing IGRs, this places Rivers State at the forefront. The governor has proven once again that he is the most labour-friendly governor in Nigeria, and we fully support him,” Agwanwor said.

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has intensified his criticism of Nigeria’s economic situation under President Bola Tinubu, expressing deep concern over the nation’s weakening currency.

Igbokwe, who was an active campaigner for Tinubu during the 2023 elections, took to social media on Friday to voice his frustration following a recent report from the World Bank that declared the Nigerian naira as the weakest currency in Africa.

In his Facebook post, Igbokwe highlighted the paradox of Nigeria’s economic potential, stating that the country’s abundant resources and demographic advantages do not align with the current economic assessment.

Igbokwe wondered why the “currency of the most endowed and populous country in Africa with the most educated people, huge and fertile landmass, favourable weather and excellent talents among other advantaged factors, has the weakest currency in Africa.”

He attributed the dire economic situation to widespread nepotism and a self-serving approach to governance, lamenting that “almost everybody is working for themselves; nobody is working for this great country.”

This is not the first time Igbokwe has raised concerns about the administration’s policies. In September, he criticized the new electricity tariffs and urged President Tinubu to take action to alleviate the burden on citizens.

The NNPC Limited and Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture (NNPC-CNL JV) has announced a significant oil discovery with the successful drilling of the Meji NW-1 well in Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 49, located in the shallow offshore region of the Western Niger Delta.

The area, which now operates under the terms of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, remains a vital component of Nigeria’s energy production sector.

In a statement released on Friday, Chevron’s General Manager of Policy, Government, and Public Affairs, Olusoga Oduselu, confirmed the development, stating that the well was spud on September 2, 2024, and reached a total depth of 8,983 feet by September 13.

The well encountered approximately 690 feet of hydrocarbons within Miocene sands, extending the productive Meji field.

The drilling operations were completed on October 2, and the rig has since departed the location.

“This achievement aligns with Chevron’s commitment to advancing its Nigerian resources,” the statement read, highlighting that the discovery fits into the company’s broader global exploration strategy. This strategy focuses on “discovering new resources that extend the lifespan of existing production assets and reduce development cycle times.”

The discovery marks a positive development for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, reinforcing the offshore region’s potential.

The NNPC-CNL JV reiterated its commitment to partnering with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to ensure continued progress in the country’s oil and gas development.

“We remain dedicated to collaborating with the Nigerian government and stakeholders to support the growth of the oil and gas industry and the overall Nigerian economy,” the statement emphasized.

The Kano State Hisbah Board has confirmed the arrest of Auwal Danladi Sankara, the Commissioner of Special Duties in Jigawa State, for allegedly engaging in a romantic relationship with a married woman, Tasleem Baba Nabegu.

The arrest took place on Friday after Hisbah operatives caught Sankara in the act in an uncompleted building that reportedly belongs to him.

Hisbah, known as the Sharia police, made the announcement following intelligence tracking and a series of complaints received about Sankara’s alleged misconduct.

Abba Sufi, the Director General of the Hisbah Board, confirmed the arrest, stating, “Yes, it is true we have arrested Auwal Danladi Sankara with a married woman in an uncompleted building. Unknown to him, we were tracking him based on reports we received against him.”

The allegations surfaced after Nasiru Bulama, the husband of the married woman, lodged complaints with multiple authorities, including the Kano State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Bulama accused Sankara of engaging in illicit sexual activities with his wife, who is also the mother of his two children.

The Hisbah DG revealed that Sankara would face multiple charges in court on Monday, not only related to the alleged affair but also for operating illicit drug centers disguised as hotels, known by names including “Picklock” and “360.”

Sufi added, “We have been having problems with Sankara because he is operating illicit drug centers in the names of hotels, involving prostitution and drug addiction activities.”

The Senate has announced that the Federal Government is expected to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) following President Bola Tinubu’s return from his current overseas trip.

The MTEF serves as a crucial legal framework that outlines the budgetary template for the nation and is typically submitted to the parliament ahead of the annual budget presentation by the President.

President Tinubu has been on a two-week vacation since October 2, initially travelling to the United Kingdom before continuing to France.

During his absence, the House of Representatives expressed concerns regarding the government’s delay in submitting the MTEF and the proposed 2025 budget, citing a violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

In a motion presented by Representative Clement Jimbo, lawmakers highlighted the absence of the 2025 Budget Estimates, stressing that the National Assembly is only two months away from the conclusion of the 2024 fiscal year.

They urged the President to adhere to Section 11(1)(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates the timely preparation and submission of the MTEF and budget estimates.

Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that although the executive has not yet provided a specific date for the submission of the MTEF document, there is optimism that ministries and agencies will begin the process promptly upon the President’s return.

Adaramodu also indicated that Tinubu is expected to present the 2025 budget in early November, which would provide a clearer picture of the government’s financial plans moving forward.