British Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, who has been in the eye of the storm over controversial statements about Nigeria, once sought the help of people from the West African country to secure her parliamentary seat, PUNCH reports.

Badenoch (nee Adegoke) had in 2010 sought the support of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom in her bid to win a seat in the British parliament.

A campaign document which has been making the rounds on social media showed that during her campaign for Dulwich and West Norwood, she reached out to Nigerians while highlighting her roots.

She particularly pledged to uplift the image of the country through her position in the British political system.

In a message to her Nigerian supporters, Badenoch said, “I need your help. I’m running for parliament in the 2010 UK general elections. The race is very tight. Last year, a survey was carried out in this constituency by the News of the World and the forecast was that I would win. This year, things are a lot tougher as the party has dropped nationally in the polls. I need your help.

“In a recent BBC interview, a caller insulted me because I’m Yoruba. I was very disappointed that a Nigerian woman who claimed to have lived in London for 45 years had issues with me being Yoruba than with my political views and shamefully made her comments on national radio.

“We really need to get out of this mindset where we are fighting one another and try and support each other instead. Regardless of party allegiance, a Nigerian in parliament winning purely on merit and not because of her relatives or by buying the election will be amazing.”

She lamented that her generation had suffered enough from the mistakes of the past and it was time to retell the story.

“So I am asking for your help now to support a Nigerian who is trying to improve our national image and do something great here,” she added.

However, the UK-born Badenoch after winning the election, deployed her experiences in Nigeria, as a talking point to rally support for her policies.

She has been accused of exploiting her roots for political gains.

While in the race to succeed former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022, Badenoch lambasted Nigerian politicians for polluting the environment with degradation.

She said, “I grew up in Nigeria, and I saw firsthand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, when they use public money as their private piggy banks.”

“I saw what socialism is for millions. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.”

Also, in one of the interviews she had with the British media, she said she did not want the UK to experience what made her flee Nigeria.

“This is my country…I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from. I want it to get better and better, not just for me, but for the next generation,” she said.

Nigerians in the diaspora, including former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, accused Badenoch of using her Nigerian background when convenient and distancing herself when it suited her political ambitions.

Omokri, on his X page, gave instances when the UK disowned Nigerians during their downtimes, but embraced them at their best.

“Mrs Badenoch may want to acquaint herself with the case of former British star footballer, John Fashanu. When he was the darling of the football-loving Brits, he was called British, and he did not associate with Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue, stated that she had the right to express her opinions but could not diminish the value of the country.

In response, Badenoch’s spokesperson reaffirmed that she stood by her words.

“She is the leader of the opposition, and she is very proud of her leadership of the opposition in this country. She tells the truth. She tells it like it is. She’s not going to couch her words, and she stands by what she says,” the spokesperson said.

Operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have successfully apprehended a suspected online fraudster named Osang Usie Otukpa.

Otukpa is accused of masterminding a sophisticated scam that defrauded a total of 139 Australians, amassing approximately AUD 8,000,000 (about USD 8 million) in the process.

Otukpa was taken into custody at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, December 6, 2024, as he arrived from the United States. The operation to arrest him was executed with precision during a carefully coordinated stakeout by the EFCC operatives.

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, released an official statement detailing the nature of Otukpa’s alleged fraudulent activities. According to the statement, Otukpa operated under multiple aliases—Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto, and Kristin Davidson—to create a deceptive persona that he used to ensnare victims.

By leveraging social media platforms, he was able to attract potential investors to his fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme, known as the Liquid Asset Group.

The scheme was crafted to appear legitimate, luring Australians to invest their hard-earned money into what they believed to be profitable cryptocurrency ventures. However, it was later revealed that these investments were nothing more than a façade, with the actual intent of Otukpa being to divert the proceeds of these fraudulent activities into his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.

As investigations continue, the EFCC is preparing to bring charges against Otukpa in court, as they work to unravel the full extent of his operations and seek justice for the individuals affected by his fraudulent actions.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the ₦100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadline.

CBN, in a statement signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama, said it is essential to clarify the misinformation regarding the validity of the old ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 banknotes currently in circulation.

The apex bank reiterated that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.

It further advised the public to disregard any claims that the old series of banknotes will cease to be legal tender on December 31, 2024.

The statement reads, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 banknotes currently in circulation.

“In line with the Bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the ₦1000, ₦500, and ₦200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadline.

“We, therefore, advise the public to disregard any claims that the old series of the aforementioned banknotes will cease to be legal tender on December 31, 2024. We urge Nigerians to continue accepting all Naira banknotes (both old and redesigned) for their daily transactions and to handle them with care to ensure their longevity.

“Furthermore, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, such as e-channels, to reduce pressure on using physical cash.”

…Bonds Oversubscribed By Over 441% From Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission has said that the Federal Government issued six Sovereign Sukuk worth N1.1trn ($657.6m), to finance 124 Federal road projects covering over 5,820 kilometers across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who stated this during the ongoing 2nd International Islamic Capital Market Conference in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, said the success rate makes the Islamic Capital Market, ICM stand out as a resilient and innovative tool for mobilizing resources.

Agama described the issuance of sovereign Sukuk since 2017 as a key pillar responsible for growth of the ICM in Nigeria, adding that these issuances have consistently been oversubscribed, with subscription rates reaching as high as 441 per cent.

He disclosed that sub-national and corporate Sukuk issuances are also growing in Nigeria. Notable examples include Osun and Lagos states, Family Homes Ltd, and TAJ Bank Plc, along with private Sukuk issuances by three other sub-nationals saying that these instruments have been instrumental in funding school infrastructure.

“Beyond Sukuk, the ICM segment in Nigeria offers diverse investment opportunities. From one registered fund in 2008, the segment currently boasts of 14 registered Halal mutual funds with a net asset value exceeding N105bn as of November 2024. The NGX Lotus Islamic Index tracks 11 Shariah-compliant equities, while Nigeria’s first Islamic Real Estate Investment Trust – ChapelHill N-REIT – highlights the potential of real estate investments.

“The prospects for Nigeria’s Islamic finance industry are underpinned by key growth drivers, both global and domestic. Globally, demographic trends, economic diversification efforts in oil-dependent economies, and regulatory support have spurred demand for Shariah-compliant products.

“Locally, Nigeria’s large Muslim population, government-backed Sukuk initiatives, and growing investor awareness are driving market expansion. Emerging innovations in fintech also present further opportunities for market development. In that regard, the SEC registered the first Robo advisory firm in the Nigerian Capital Market in 2022. This Robo Advisor is focused on Shari’ah-compliant investments,” he said.

Agama said the success of the ICM in Nigeria is deeply rooted in its strategic focus on infrastructure financing, financial inclusion, and sustainability as the SEC’s engagement with the ICM dates back to 2004, when the SEC joined the Islamic Finance Task Force of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

The SEC Boss said this commitment was followed by the issuance of Islamic fund and Sukuk Rules in 2010 and 2013, respectively and later solidified in the Non-Interest Capital Market Master Plan (2015–2025), which outlines a 10-year roadmap for expanding the market’s depth and diversity.

According to him, “Adopted in 2015 as part of the broader Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan (2015–2025), the Non-Interest Capital Market Master Plan (NICMMP) has been central to the development of the ICM segment in Nigeria.

The document sets out a vision for the Islamic Capital Market – otherwise known as the Non-Interest Capital Market (NICM) in Nigeria – to contribute 25 per cent of total market capitalization by 2025, with Sukuk accounting for 15 per cent.

“The masterplan was further reviewed in 2021, to provide a renewed focus on deepening the ICM, through targeting 50 listings of sharia-compliant products with market capitalization of at least N5trn ($11bn) by 2025.

“The performance of the NICM Masterplan has been remarkable. Of the 15 initiatives outlined in the roadmap, nine had been fully implemented as of 2022, representing a 70 per cent success rate.

“Key achievements include improved public awareness, increased retail participation in Sukuk, and the introduction of the Non-Interest Pension Fund (Fund VI) through collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

“Another key achievement was the release of guidelines for taxation of Non-Interest transactions, in collaboration with the FIRS. This solved the challenge of double taxation hindering such transactions,” he said.

The SEC DG however said the growth of the ICM segment within a decade and half, has come with some challenges including limited public awareness of Islamic finance principles, paucity of tradable instruments, and regulatory alignment across institutions.

He said, “Capacity-building efforts, particularly in Shariah governance and compliance, remain critical to sustaining growth. These, of course, are critical areas the SEC is currently implementing strategies to address, with relevant stakeholders particularly in the public and private sector, providing targeted and effective solutions.

“Of particular interest is our ongoing effort to engage relevant stakeholders in the mortgage sector to develop Shariah-compliant housing finance solutions.

“This will create the needed impetus for developing Shariah-compliant Asset backed instruments to deepen our capital Market further”.

As the world looks into the future, Agama stated that the opportunities are endless as Islamic Finance is solving some practical challenges and needs of the Nigerian economy such as critical infrastructure deficit, financial exclusion, low mortgage penetration and disinterest in commercial financing opportunities due to faith-based and/or ethical concerns.

“This is the time to stake positions that will no doubt produce competitive returns and satisfy ethical and sustainability concerns.

“The table is set for investing. Foreign participants should take positions and increase stakes in tandem with domestic trends.

“This offers a significant opportunity to contribute to sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion in Nigeria and by extension the African continent” he added.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has reaffirmed his commitment to the installation of the newly appointed District Head of Bichi, Munir Sanusi, and his assumption of office at the Bichi palace.

Speaking on Wednesday during a solidarity visit by a delegation from Bichi, Emir Sanusi stated that despite recent disruptions, the installation would proceed as planned.

It can be recalled that last Friday, heavy security operatives, including personnel from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), reportedly blocked the Kofar Kudu Emir’s palace to prevent Emir Sanusi from accompanying the new Wambai of Kano and District Head of Bichi to assume his seat. The action led to restrictions on movement in and out of the palace.

Addressing the delegation, Emir Sanusi described the incident as a temporary setback.

“This incident is only a distraction. We do not know why it happened, and those involved have not provided any explanations. However, it will not stop anything.

I assure you that another date will be fixed for the installation, and your District Head will be brought to you peacefully.

Inform the public to remain peaceful and prayerful. Whatever the situation, peace and prayers will guide us through to the end.

With the respect the people of Bichi hold for Khalifa and Wambai Abubakar, there is no way a son of the Khalifa will be presented as Wambai, and they would turn their backs on him,” he said.

Leading the Bichi delegation, the Chairman of Bichi Local Government, Hamza Sule, expressed solidarity and dismissed rumors of opposition to the appointment.

He stated: “We are here to show our support and allegiance to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. There were rumors suggesting unrest in Bichi, but we are here to make it clear that we are fully supportive.

We are one hundred percent behind the appointment of Munir Sanusi as District Head of Bichi. We were in Bichi, waiting for the Wambai’s arrival, when we heard these unfounded rumors. As far as we are concerned, there is no violence or opposition, only celebration.”

The Bichi Emirate was one of the four new emirates created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje after the division of the old Kano Emirate. However, the emirates were later dissolved by the administration of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu, a Nigerian who wrote the West Africa School Senior Certificate Education 17 times, has earned a distinction from the prestigious London Graduate School in the UK.

Ahmadu, a Nigerian mental health advocate and accomplished professional based in the U.S., disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.

He said that he was also inducted as a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC) in Lagos.

Ahmadu said that the formal induction ceremony and certification workshop took place  in Lagos and UK on Nov. 26, where he was lauded for his exceptional contributions.

According to him, this dual honour highlights his inspiring journey from writing O’level examinations 17 times, due to family instability, to becoming a globally recognised figure in mental health advocacy and consultancy.

Ahmadu said his new accolades would significantly amplify his global impact, which would enable him to contribute further to addressing mental health challenges, particularly among Gen Z, teenagers, and adolescents.

“My Fellowship, the highest grade of membership in the Institute of Management Consultants, will position me as a thought leader equipped to provide innovative strategies in tackling depression and suicide.

“This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a step forward in the global fight against mental health crises.

“It’s a call to action to innovate solutions that inspire hope and resilience”.

The Institute of Management Consultants, in its nomination statement, praised Ahmadu’s “outstanding academic and professional standing and demonstrated commitment to creating, maintaining, extending, and promoting the highest world standards of management consulting practice.”

Ahmadu said: “My certification as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) will further enhance my credentials, making me to offer my expertise across over 50 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom,” he said.

He said that his personal story had resonated globally, inspiring millions.

“A childhood marked by instability saw me attend 16 primary schools and 14 secondary schools, yet I persevered, ultimately earning two honorary doctorates and publishing in mental health journals”.

On Instagram (@mr.voiceover), Ahmadu shared, “Nothing is impossible with God.

“I’m forever grateful for this life-changing moment and determined to keep pushing forward in this journey to make a positive difference in the world. Glory be to God almighty,” he said.

He said that Prof. David Iornem, Director-General of IMC Nigeria, during the induction, remarked that he (Ahmadu) exemplified the transformative power of resilience.

“His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly elevate global efforts in mental health advocacy and management consultancy,” said Iornem. (NAN)

A former governor of Edo State and current senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has declared that his son, Cyril, is qualified to serve as the commissioner for health in the state.

Oshiomhole stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

Cyril, a medical doctor, was nominated as the commissioner of health by Monday Okpebholo, the state governor and close ally of Oshiomhole, and was subsequently sworn in on November 19 at the Government House in Benin City. 

When asked if he supported his son’s appointment as commissioner, former labour leader Oshiomhole revealed that he had expressed his concerns to the governor at the time the decision was made.

His words: “He doesn’t work under me; maybe Governor Monday is grooming him. When I was in Edo, I stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps. I said no and supported another guy. The second time he wanted to try, I said no. This time the governor decided to pick him. He is qualified.

“I did express my concerns when I heard. I called him and expressed my concerns. I expressed those concerns to the governor that people might say this and that.

“Those were the reasons why I stopped him from contesting elections when I was in office but then I have to accept that in the world that we live in, you can only do so much to control your son but not when he is already of adult age.

“But the point must be made: I invested in my children’s education. I didn’t want them to go through what I went through. So, Dr Cyril is not just a medical doctor from ABU (Ahmadu Bello University), he went to do post-graduate in two universities in the US including Harvard and another university in Louisiana. He does something about public health.

“So, he is not having it because he is Oshiomhole; I will say he is having in spite of being Oshiomhole.”

President Bola Tinubu will present the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly next Tuesday, December 17.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement about the budget presentation today, Thursday.

He said President Tinubu will make the budget presentation at the House of Representatives’ chamber by 11 a.m.

He disclosed this during plenary session on Thursday.

Akpabio said senators would first converge on the Senate chambers before proceeding to the Chamber of the House of Representatives for the joint session.

Earlier, last Tuesday, President Tinubu submitted the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025-2027 to both the Senate and the House of Representatives last Tuesday.

Udengs Eradiri, governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections in Bayelsa state, has resigned his membership of the Labour Party (LP).

He disclosed his intention to resign in a letter dated December 8 and addressed to the party’s state chairman.

Eradiri said he “couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership”.

Eradiri added that he resigned to pursue his political career on a platform equipped to provide Bayelsa with the leadership it deserves.

 

“I wish to formally notify the party of my withdrawal as a member of the Labour Party,” the letter reads.

“I have come to this conclusion in order to pursue my political career with a platform that is ready and prepared to provide the kind of leadership that Bayelsa state earnestly deserve.

“I wish to appreciate the members of the party who believed in the vision for a better Bayelsa state and gave me the opportunity to be flag bearer as governorship candidate but unfortunately, we couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership.

 

“It was a great moment working together politically and transversing the nooks and crannies of the state in the quest for leadership and I wish the Party and its leaders well in their future endeavours.”

The house of representatives has resolved to investigate the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over reports that its officers aid and abet smuggling.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Sesi Whingan, a lawmaker representing Badagry federal constituency in Lagos, during plenary on Wednesday.

Whingan said the allegations against officers of the service were “deeply troubling”.

“Recent reports by Sahara Reporters on 18 November 2024 exposed the mass smuggling of over 2,000 cars carrying six million kilogrammes of rice through Badagry under the watch of Customs officers,” he said.

“Videos published by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo provided evidence of complicity by Customs officers in these illegal activities.”

He added that the allegations contravene the law establishing the NCS, noting that the agency is mandated to “prevent smuggling” and not enable it.

The lawmaker said some military officers seconded to the NCS have also been accused of complicity in the smuggling ring.

“Reports of brutality have emerged, including an incident along the Badagry-Seme Expressway on 1 December 2024, where officers from the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with soldiers, violently assaulted two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik,” he said.

“The victims were suspected of documenting smuggling activities, leading to threats against their lives and a standoff that required intervention from residents and the police.

“The actions of some officers within the Nigeria Customs Service contravene its core mandate, erode public trust, and raise concerns about the oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel.

“The complicity of customs officers in smuggling operations and the use of violence to intimidate civilians pose significant risks to national security, economic stability, and the rule of law.”

Subsequently, the house directed its committees on defence and customs to conduct a probe into the allegations against the officers.

The house resolved that the NCS officers and the attached military officials should be investigated, with the committees given six weeks to conclude their inquiry.

Earlier this year, an undercover investigation by Soyombo detailed how officers of the NCS allegedly update smugglers on the itinerary of their colleagues in a bid to facilitate the movement of smuggled goods.