The Nigerian government is taking action to address the plight of Nigerian students facing potential deportation from Teesside University in the United Kingdom.

THE WHISTLER had reported protests held on May 22, by Nigerian students at Teesside University after university authorities issued them with deportation orders, citing alleged unpaid tuition fees.

A virtual meeting held on Sunday brought together Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), representatives from the Nigerian High Commission UK, the Nigerian Students Union UK, and the affected students themselves.

During the meeting, the affected students openly shared their experiences and expressed hope for a positive outcome.

The NIDCOM boss, urged the students to remain calm and avoid taking any actions that could violate the law. She also appealed to Teesside University to treat the students with fairness and consider their circumstances.

A delegation led by representatives from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and the Nigerian Students’ Union UK will visit Teesside University management. The aim of this visit is to negotiate and advocate for the students facing deportation.

The Federal Government has lauded Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Osun State government relaunched the free school feeding programme for school pupils.

The FG noted that Osun is the only state with an ongoing school feeding programme out of the 36 states of the federation.

A statement by the spokesperson to Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed on Wednesday that the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Dr Yetunde Adeniji, described the state government’s gesture as a rare show of love for the growth and development of the young ones.

“The SSA was speaking at the commencement of a pilot study ‘value for money’ of which Osun was selected for its passion and high standard in the running of the school feeding programme.

“Governor Adeleke has meanwhile re-launched the programme on a new note, reaffirming his belief that the young ones deserve all the support for orderly transition to youth rank.

“The O-Meal programme is ongoing even with more features. I am proud my state stands out among the 36 states on the O-Meal programme.

“I call on the opposition to at least see this new reality. We should put politics aside and commend this programme which benefits all pupils irrespective of political affiliations.

“Our administration equally reassures the Federal Government and the mandate ministry that Osun will continue to implement the programme under very high standard,” he said.

A 24-year-old bricklayer, Adedapo Ayobami, has been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly breaking into and stealing from the residence of a herbalist who allegedly provided him with money attraction charms.

According to Michael Adaralewa, the Osun State Commandant of the NSCDC, Ayobami, a resident of 13, Oja Oba in Osogbo, unlawfully entered a house in the Osunjela area of Osogbo and made away with a plasma television, ten cooking pots, two frying pans, two cable decoders, a solar panel with bulbs, curtains, and other household items.

In his statement to the police, Ayobami allegedly confessed that before the homeowner’s death, he was a herbalist who provided him with traditional soap to improve his financial fortunes.

Ayobami had been collecting the soaps on a monthly basis.

On May 23rd, after learning of the herbalist’s passing, Ayobami returned to the house, found the keys, and stole various items, intending to sell them to unsuspecting buyers.

The NSCDC commandant stated that Ayobami’s actions contravene Section 411 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, which deals with theft and related offenses.

The statement reads: “In his confessional statement, the suspect said, before the owner of the house died, he was a herbalist and he gave him traditional soap to improve his financial status.

“He would be collecting the traditional soap on monthly basis. He went to the herbalist’s house to collect the soap for the month of May, on getting there, he was told the herbalist had died, he went home disappointed.

“The following day Thursday, 23rd of May, he went to the herbalist’s house, checked where he used to keep his key while alive, opened the door and carted away Plasma television, cooking utensils, Solar Panel, bulbs, two different cable decoders and other household items.

“The Suspect, Adedapo Ayobami disclosed that he intended to sell the stolen items to unsuspecting members of the public.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has again, ordered the interim forfeiture of $1.4m allegedly tied to the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos granted the EFCC’s ex-parte application on Wednesday. The order freezes the funds held in the account of Donatone Limited, domiciled at Titan Bank Limited.

The EFCC suspects the money to be proceeds of unlawful activities. According to the affidavit filed by the EFCC investigator, David Jayeoba, the investigation suggests the funds may be linked to bribes and gratification received by Emefiele in exchange for facilitating access to foreign exchange (Forex) during a period of scarcity in 2021 and 2022.

He stated, “Between 2021 and 2022, when accessibility to Forex in Nigeria was difficult, several international entities operating in Nigeria had to resort to different means to source Forex.

“That Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi used the firm, to collect bribes and gratification on behalf of Godwin Emefiele, to get approval for accessing Forex. And that one of the entities (NP) paid a total sum of $26,552 million USD, into the account of a firm domiciled in Titan Trust account number 2000000500.

“That the said credits came into the account of firm on November 9, 2021: $6,450,000; November 5, 2021: $6,050,000.00; December 16, 2021: $5,400,000.00; December 23, 2021: $652,000; January 31 2022; $3,000,000.00 and September 21, 2022: $5,000,000.00.

“The investigation traced the funds to having been fixed into interest-yielding accounts, dissipated and laundered through a foreign account in Mauritius, and transported back to Nigeria under disguise.

“That of the total sum of $26, 555, 000.00 US dollars received by the firm, the balance standing in the said account as at today is the sum of $1, 426, 175.14 million USD.

“That it is the balance in the account that the applicant seeks to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which has been traced to be the proceeds of unlawful activities of (GE) and his cronies. And that investigation further revealed that the international entities sourcing for forex were pressured into parting with huge funds to access forex during the period.

“That the signatories to the account warehouse the sum of $1, 426, 175.14 million USD, sought to be forfeited are at large and are making frantic efforts to dissipate the funds electronically. And that based on our investigation findings, the funds sought to be forfeited are proceeds of unlawful activities of (GE) and his cronies. And that it is in the interest of justice to grant this application.”

This is the second such order against Emefiele this month. On May 25, Justice Yellim Bogoro of ordered the interim forfeiture of over $4.7m, N830m, and properties linked to the former CBN governor.

The court has ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper. This allows any interested parties to challenge the order within 14 days. The case is adjourned until June 25, 2024, when the court will hear arguments for the final forfeiture of the funds.

The properties forfeited in the interim include 94 Units of an 11-floor building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space, situate on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos, Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B. Lot twin completed property in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

President Bola Tinubu has announced that the Abuja Rail Mass Transit will offer free rides to the public until December 2024.

The announcement came during the commissioning ceremony of the newly completed project in Abuja on Wednesday, to mark the first anniversary of his administration.

During the event, President Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike for the “speedy completion of the project.”

Wike had declared that the Abuja Light Rail would operate freely for two months, starting on Tuesday, as part of a ministerial press briefing in Abuja.

The minister added that the initiative was introduced as a part of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for FCT residents.

However, Tinubu revealed that the free rides would now be available until the year’s end to enhance the mobility of Abuja residents and support the overall economic activity in the region.

Speaking earlier, Wike said his administration is aware of the difficulties residents of the territory pass through in order to commute from one spot to the other and is committed to changing the situation through the provision of adequate and modern transportation system

The newly commissioned rail project is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the transportation infrastructure in Abuja, and to ease traffic congestion and offer a reliable transit option for the city’s residents.

The Federal Government has appealed to organized labour to be considerate and patriotic with their demands in the ongoing negotiation for a new national minimum wage.

The FG appealed through the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, on Wednesday in Abuja.

During the Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage negotiation meeting on Tuesday, the Federal Government offered Labour N60,000 as the new minimum wage for workers.

However, Organized Labour rejected the offer and presented N494 000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.

Reacting, Onyejeocha said the federal government had consistently taken steps to secure a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers.

The minister urged labour to recognize that the nation’s economy was still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other economic distress.

Onyejeocha added that the government recognized that Nigerians’ economic challenges were complex and multifaceted and called for the collective effort of all stakeholders to overcome them.

The statement read, “We appeal to organized labour and other relevant stakeholders to be considerate and patriotic in their demands, recognizing that our economy is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic and other global economic shocks.

“We are committed to putting the people first and ensuring that our economic policies benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few.

“The government remains dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of our citizens, and it wants to urge all relevant parties to demonstrate patriotism and understanding.

“This is particularly during this critical period when the President, Bola Tinubu, is working diligently to revitalize the economy.” 

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to look into the circumstances that led to the recent sacking of about 600 staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance moved by the member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Mr Jonathan Gbefwi, on the floor during plenary on Wednesday.

Recall that the apex bank last week anchored its decision to lay off some of its staff members on the need to reposition the bank for effective operation.

Addressing the House, Gbefwi noted that the CBN as part of an extensive reform, has been downsizing the workforce “Which has affected close to 600 employees including directors and nearly all staff members in the Governor’s Directorate being terminated.”

According to him, the recent downsizing by the apex bank has raised significant concerns and controversies among stakeholders, including the affected employees, labour unions, and the general public.

He lamented that those affected by the CBN’s action are top-notch professionals whose skills may be lost to Europe and America, thus, leaving the country short-changed.

He said, “We are worried that these retrenchments, without any sort of fair hearings or panels, could cause the nation a lot in settlements. 

“A director’s tenure according to the civil service rules is two terms of four years or 60 years of service, whichever comes first. This makes them like permanent secretaries. The capacity being thrown away be easily replaced?

“The House is worried about staff morale and progression. People choose careers in civil service so that they can end careers like their superiors and mentors who trained them. Seeing their bosses being treated with disregard and like criminals will send a message that professionalism is not rewarded, as well as, meritorious service to our great nation Nigeria.”

Following the adoption of the motion, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary, mandated the Committees on Banking Regulations and Federal Character to look into the CBN reforms which led to the downsizing of staff members and report to the house within four weeks.

A former Director of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ahmed Umar has claimed that the naira redesign embarked upon by the immediate-past Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele did not have the approval of the Committee of Governors.

Umar made the claim at the resumed trial of Emefiele on Tuesday.

At the trial opening on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), fielded Umar as its first witness.

Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Umar told the court that his department in 2022 was directed to come up with the new design for the naira.

He said, “The management of CBN directed my department to come up with a memo on the design of the naira note sometime in August 2022.

“We prepared the bill with the Committee of Governors and passed it through the line Deputy Governor Operations, which he forwarded to the Governor and it was listed for consideration by the Committee of Governors.”

The ex-director, who told the court that he joined CBN 35 years ago and retired in July 2023, explained that the Committee of Governors comprised five members, including the CBN Governor as chairman.

The witness told the court that the naira redesign memo was presented to the Committee of Governors for their consideration/ review on October 26, 2022, but the committee did not approve it.

Umar said, “We humbly requested the implementation of the amendment. (But) the extract from the COG did not approve item one and item three. While item two was modified to include N200 denomination, the proposal for the exercise in 2023 wasn’t approved by the COG

“The procedure requires the Board of Directors to recommend to the President for design and form.

“The design shall be contained in the currency after the approval of the President then the production of the currency will commence.”

Justice Maryanne Anenih admitted in evidence the Certified True Copy of the memorandum filed by the Operations Department and marked it as Exhibit A.

The EFCC, in the charges, accused Emefiele of spending N4.4bn to print “coloured swapped N500 notes.”

The ex-apex bank chief, however, denied all the allegations, pleading not guilty.

Foreign exchange turnover increased by 81.59 per cent to $328 million as the Naira maintained its N1339.33 per dollar appreciation mark against the Dollar at the official forex market.

FMDQ data showed that FX transactions turnover rose to $328.32 million at the close of trading on Tuesday from $180.80 million the previous day.

The development signaled renewed activity and demand in the foreign currency market.

Meanwhile, at the parallel market section, the Naira appreciated to N1500 per dollar on Tuesday from N1520 the previous day.

Experts have attributed the Naira’s strengthening against other currencies to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in the foreign exchange market.

CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso in its 295th Monetary Policy Committee blamed the persistent FX crisis on seasonal fluctuations.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje has said most of the challenges President Bola Tinubu is facing were inherited from the previous administration.

Ganduje urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu as he addresses the challenges confronting them, ranging from the economy to insecurity.

He spoke in Abuja at the presentation of a book, “The 365 Days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency: Resetting the Strategic Foundation for a New Nigeria’.

The APC National Chairman pointed out that Tinubu’s hard decisions which had led to the fall of the naira and high prices of foodstuffs were beginning to yield the desired result.

According to Ganduje: “I want to urge Nigerians to show patience and understanding in this administration’s efforts to address some of these challenges ranging from economy, security, and other ones. This I believe has been highlighted by the authors in the book.

“The pronouncement of Emilokan (it is my turn) was made in my presence in Ogun State. I feel highly honoured to chair this book presentation to mark Tinubu’s one year in office. Let me also use the occasion to congratulate Mr President and all Nigerians on this occasion of the 365 days of this golden administration.

“There is no doubt that since his assumption to office, Mr President has faced so many challenges, many of which are global. Some are inherited. But there has been some progress.”