The federal government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has commenced the disbursement of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme to verified applicants.

The disbursement is coming barely two months after the agreement for the loan was sealed between the federal government and the Bank of Industry.

In a progress report posted on the trade minister’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Doris Aniete stated that an unspecified number of beneficiaries have received their grants, adding that by Friday, April 19, another significant disbursement will be made to a substantial number of verified applicants.

She said, “We are pleased to inform you that the disbursement process for the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme has officially commenced. Some beneficiaries have already received their grants, marking the beginning of our phased disbursement strategy.”

“By Friday, 19th April 2024, a significant disbursement will be made to a substantial number of verified applicants. It is essential to understand that disbursements are ongoing, and not all applicants will receive their grants on this initial date. However, rest assured that all verified applicants will eventually receive their grants in subsequent phases.”

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, had in February signed three agreements with the Bank of Industry that would unlock over N200bn funding for businesses in Nigeria.

The first agreement enables both parties to establish the FGN Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Intervention Fund in the sum of N75bn, while the second agreement is for the the N50bn Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS).

The scheme which is also known as the Nano Business Grant Support Section of the Presidential Palliative Program of the federal government would allow the sum of N50bn to be deposited as Grant and with BOI from time to time.

The third agreement would enable both parties to set up the N75bn FGN Manufacturing Sector Fund to be deposited by FMITI with BOI from time to time for the purpose of financing projects and activities falling within the parameters of the Fund.

Under the first agreement which is the N75bn MSMEs fund, the amount would be used to finance approved projects to support micro, small and medium-scale enterprises and serve as a cushion against the high cost of production, marketing and distribution of products arising mainly from infrastructure deficiencies and other ancillary factors involving MSMEs in Nigeria.

The operation and management of the Fund would be the responsibility of BOI in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Under the second agreement which is the N50bn Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), the amount would help to cushion the negative impact of the removal of fuel subsidy by the FGN, and the resulting increase in the pump prices of petroleum products in Nigeria on businesses.

The removal of subsidy had led to some unintended economic hardship on the citizenry of Nigeria.

In a bid to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, President Bola Tinubu had in a national broadcast made on 31st of July, 2023 introduced palliative measures to support families and businesses affected by the fuel subsidy removal.

The federal government, through the Trade Ministry, is establishing the Nano Business Grant Support Section of the Presidential Palliative Programme to protect and sustain the income of vulnerable nano enterprises from the shock of the economic downturn.

This is in furtherance of the attainment of economic revitalisation, employment preservation and generation, growth, and development of nano businesses throughout Nigeria.

The ministry has a target of at least 1,000 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country and the six council areas in the FCT, especially women and youth, thereby supporting the growth of nano businesses and improving the social well-being of households across the Nation between now and March 2024.

As the custodian of the Fund, BOI would leverage all its applicable expertise, business profiling and field infrastructure, branch and agent networks, partnerships, and plug-ins across financial institutions nationwide, technology and data management systems, third-party partnerships and institutional support.

Some of the target sectors/businesses include Trade (single retail marketers, corner shop owners, petty traders, market men, women, and youths in open market spaces); Food Services (Food and Vegetables Vendors), ICT (business centers operators, battery chargers, recharge cards vendors, call center agents); Transportation (Wheelbarrow Pushers, independent dispatch riders): Artisans (Vulcanizers, Shoe repairers, painters);Creatives (Makeup artists, fashion designers, drycleaners), and any other sectors as may be identified by the ministry.

For the third agreement, which is in respect to the FGN Manufacturing Sector Fund, the government’s target is to provide support for businesses in the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy nationwide.

This is in furtherance of the attainment of economic revitalisation, reduction in the cost of production, employment generation, and inclusive growth and development of the manufacturing sector throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As custodian of the Fund, BOI would leverage on all its applicable expertise, business profiling and field infrastructure, branch and agent networks, partnerships and plug-ins across financial institutions nationwide, technology and data management systems, disbursement and collections infrastructure where applicable, third-party partnerships and institutional support where effective to the target beneficiaries across all states in Nigeria.

The Fund would be utilized to support eligible manufacturing companies and afford same a cushion against the high and rising costs of production, marketing and distribution of products arising from, among others, infrastructural deficiencies and other ancillary factors affecting manufacturers and the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

The operation and management of the Fund would be the responsibility of BOI in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Kaka, the Brazilian football legend, has spoken out about his divorce in 2015, responding to a strange claim made by his ex-wife.

Kaka married his childhood sweetheart Caroline Celico, while playing for AC Milan in 2005 and they had a son and daughter together, before splitting a decade later.

Last week, it was reported that Celico claimed she left the marriage, because “he was too perfect for me”.

But Kaka, now 41, speaking on a podcast, as reported by Spanish outlet Sport, insists he did everything he could to avoid the split.

He said: “In 2015 I was married, and my wife at the time decided she didn’t want to be married anymore.

“She said, ‘I’m not happy and I attribute my unhappiness to marriage’.

“I was living in the United States, and she asked to go back to Brazil.

“Her words were, ‘I want to go back to Brazil, I want to live there and I don’t want to be married anymore’.”

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has pledged to continue voicing his significant apprehensions regarding the 2024 budget, emphasizing its crucial impact on the lives of citizens, particularly the impoverished.

In a statement via X on Tuesday, Obi argued that the budget’s numerous negatives have far-reaching implications for the nation’s development and the well-being of its citizens.

“It is evident that there are items in the budget that do not align with our current circumstances, and it is imperative to call for a review and appropriate virement. Allocating our scarce resources to high-priority areas of need is essential for the well-being of the nation,” Obi stated.

Obi took issue with several specific allocations in the budget.

He said, “Allocating N15 billion solely for the National Assembly hospital is unacceptable, especially when it exceeds five times the budgetary allocation to The National Hospital or the combined capital vote of our six major teaching hospitals across the nation.

He further listed the teaching hospitals including University College Hospital, Ibadan; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife; Jos University Teaching Hospital and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

“This disparity reflects a low level of care for the rest of society,” Obi asserted.

He also criticised the N15.3 billion allocation for the National Assembly library project and procurement of books, including the e-Library.

“Justifying a budgetary allocation of N15.3 billion for the National Assembly library project and procurement of books, including the e-Library, in a country without a National Library is very disappointing.

“The National Library has been under construction for the past 20 years, and its budgetary allocation for 2024 is less than 1B Naira, which makes the National Assembly Library budget 15 times more,” Obi wrote.

Furthermore, Obi expressed concern over the allocation of N10 billion for the Senate’s and House of Representatives car parks and the National Assembly Recreation Centre, while allocating less to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

He said, “Allocating N10 billion for the Senate’s and House of Representatives’ car parks and the National Assembly Recreation Centre, while allocating less to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, is concerning.

“In an era where science, technology and innovation are crucial for the nation’s future, such allocations demonstrate a lack of foresight and basic awareness of global trends and urgent national priorities,” he stated.

Obi called for a reassessment of priorities, a revisiting of the budget, and the elimination of frivolous expenditures.

“This level of insensitivity to the present situation and challenges faced by the people should not be tolerated by any development-minded nation. Every scarce resource must be directed towards productive sectors of the economy.

“It is time for our nation to reassess its priorities, revisit the budget, eliminate frivolous expenditures and channel our resources properly for the benefit of the people. No great nation is built on a foundation of waste and frivolity,” he declared.

At the backdrop of sustained rise in prices of staple food items in the market, Nigeria has recorded an unprecedented food inflation rate of 40 percent in March 2024.

Economists and financial analysts explained that the development would put more pressure on the purchasing power of average Nigerian and they also predict that the trend will continue for some months before stabilising.

The food inflation drove the headline inflation rate to 33.2 percent, up from 31.7 percent recorded in the month of February.

The figures released yesterday by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its Consumer Price Index, CPI, report for March 2024, represented a 2.09 and 1.5 percentage percentage points increases month-on-month.

But the analysts see a wider headline inflationary rise in this month to 34.6 percent, representing a 2.4 percentage month-on-month rise resulting from the recent hike in electricity tariff.

Electricity tariff hike to drive further inflation – CardinalStone

Analysts at CardinalStone Finance Limited, a Lagos based investment house, indicated that further inflationary upswing should be expected following the recent drastic hike in electricity tariff.

They stated: ‘’The inflation outlook is biased to the upside, a consequence of the recent implementation of a new electricity tariff. For context, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have hiked price for Band A customer from N68 to N225 per kilowatt hour.

‘’Nevertheless, we see some downside risk from the recent currency sustainability. ‘’Overall, we project inflation to print 34.6% in April 2024.’’

In the meantime, analysts at Alpha Morgan Capital said: “From our analysis, we project that inflation will further increase but at a continuously slower rate. We tie this prediction primarily to the recent monetary interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria in mopping up excess liquidity, curbing volatile exchange rate movement through various aggressive currency interventions, government fiscal policies, such as agricultural interventions, among others.”

Devpt is bad for businesses – NACCIMA

Meanwhile, OPS said that the persistent rising inflation could sound the death knell for small businesses in the country, with consequential loss of jobs and worsened insecurity.

Commenting, Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Sola Obadimu, said: “Persistent rising inflation is bad for business as well as for individuals.

“It erodes income in value terms and purchasing power becomes weaker for both individuals and businesses. Inventories will continue to grow.

“It is bad for planning purposes and breeds growing uncertainty. Cost of doing business continues to grow leading to higher cost of goods. It’s cyclical.

“Even when businesses or individuals tend to earn higher income, the value (in real terms) becomes lower.”

In his reaction, President of Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr Femi Egbesola, said the development will worsen survival of small businesses.

He stated: “The new and rising inflation rate, affecting largely food, essential commodities, raw materials, electricity and alternative power generation, transportation among others, will continue to worsen the survival and growth of SMEs.

It will, no doubt, squeeze out the meager working capital of SMEs and make us more vulnerable to extinction.

“Not all costs can be passed to the consumers but even at that, certain costs will be passed onto them, and since they also have had their disposable income eroded by inflation, sales of goods and services of SMEs will drastically drop. For an average citizen, their standard of living and welfare will significantly drop too.

“More Nigerians will suffer from hunger, and lack of access to basic necessities and amenities, worse of it is health and medical needs.

“Overall, the implications of this on SMEs is that many more businesses will die off and become ailing, job losses will increase as many more businesses will lay off workers.

“There will be an increase in bad loans as more SMEs will be unable to fulfill their loan obligations leading to decreased access to funding from banks that will be more averse to lending to SMEs particularly with the increased interest rate, now coupled with inflation.

“More insecurity will prevail in the land for many will look for alternative illegal ways of survival. More will migrate in the name of Japa.

“The extinction of more businesses will open doors for imported products to take their space which eventually will also stress the Naira exchange rate.”

In its CPI report NBS stated: “In March 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 33.2 percent relative to the February 2024 headline inflation rate which was 31.7 percent .

“On a YoY basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.16 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in March 2023, which was 22.04 percent.

On food inflation the bureau said: “The food inflation rate in March 2024 was 40.01 percent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.56 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in March 2023 (24.45 percent).

“The rise in Food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of the following items garri, millet, akpu uncooked fermented (which are under the bread and cereals class), yam tuber, water yam (under potatoes, yam, and other tubers class), dried fish sadine, mudfish dried (under Fish class), palm oil, vegetable oil (under Oil and Fat), beef feet, beef head, liver (under Meat class), coconut, water melon (under Fruit Class), Lipton tea, Bournvita, Milo (under coffee, tea and cocoa class).”

The police have launched a manhunt for Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, a suspected sponsor of the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan by some Yoruba Nation agitators.

The manhunt for Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, a widow of the business mogul and prominent politician, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, began after the emergence of a viral video in which she claimed responsibility for the violence on Saturday, April 13.

The armed agitators, clad in military camouflage, invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly complex located inside the secretariat and hoisted their flag on Saturday morning. They also attempted to breach the security of the governor’s office, before they were repelled by security operatives.

No fewer than 21 of the agitators were rounded up.

Those arrested were on Monday, April 15, paraded by the police with the arms, ammunition, camouflage and other items recovered from them.

Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, who paraded the 21 suspects, described the invasion as a criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism, which would be meted with adequate sanctions.

Although he did not mention the name of Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Security Matters, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said he was aware that she is leading a group of Yoruba Nation agitators. Owoseni, in a televised statement, acknowledged Mrs Onitiri-Abiola’s longstanding involvement in separatist movements and highlighted the need for security reform and youth engagement to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Prof. Banji Akintoye, who is the leader of another Yoruba group along with Sunday “Igboho” Adeyemo, in a statement on Saturday dissociated his group from the action. He alluded to the group as the one led by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola.

Subsequently, a viral video by Mrs Onitiri-Abiola claiming leadership of the group surfaced on social media.

The Oyo State Police Commissioner said the arrested suspects have been listing the names of their sponsors, adding that the police had visited some locations within Oyo State where some incriminating items were recovered.

The Commissioner urged parents and leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in activities that threaten public order, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to safeguard the state and nation.

•We don’t regret our actions —Defiant suspects

•Local security outfit discovers hideouts •

•Invasion is treasonable —Oyo govt

ONE of the suspects, who was among Yoruba Nation agitators that invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly and Governor’s office, on Saturday, Ayanwale Rofiayat, yesterday, disclosed that those who sponsored the invasion, promised to put an end to starvation in her life.

This came as the Oyo State Government, yesterday, described the invasion as treasonable.

Recall that some self-acclaimed Yoruba Nation agitators hoisted their flag on the building housing the state House of Assembly last Saturday.

The woman suspect was among other 20 suspects paraded by the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele in Ibadan.

Other items were displayed by the police. They include two security jackets, 30 pieces of torchlights, 49 bells, 5 horse tails, 7 pieces of walkie-talkies, two photographs of Modupe Onitiri Abiola, 261 belts, 12 Yoruba Nation flags, one Oodua Nation coat of arms, 405 live cartridges, 72 pairs of camouflage uniforms and others.

Speaking while being paraded, Rofiat said: “I’m from Igbo Ora in the Ibarapa zone of the state. The sponsors promised me and my entire family that they would empower us and that our future would be assured. Starvation would no longer be in our lives and that cost of living would automatically come down.”

She explained where they got the foreign military camouflage from saying, “The Army camouflage attire on me was given to me and other members when we converged on Ibadan before moving to the Secretariat.”

Another suspect, Mr Alabi Ogundeji, who is a 55-year-old lecturer at a Federal College of Education, said the membership of the Yoruba movement is spread across all Yoruba-speaking states.
Ogundeji said: “Our leaders went to all Yoruba-speaking states to serve officials letters written and we were given our copies.

“Then the proclamation was made and after the declaration, occupation, and notification to the world that Yoruba is an indigenous nation.”

We don’t regret ouractions—Defiant suspects

On his part, a 29-year-old phone repairer, Ademola Adeniyi, was defiant saying he didn’t regret his action.
Adeniyi said: “We all know that nothing is working in Nigeria and things are hard for everyone except those in government, we were at the Secretariat waiting for our leader to come and address us.

“We believe our leader knows much about the law and so we are not afraid to join when we were called upon. Our leaders told us that all challenges Yoruba are facing shall be addressed if we achieve our aim.”

Also, a septuagenarian, who was among the suspects, Mr Peter Adeyemo, had denied being a member noting that, he and his daughter went to Itamerin Market to buy some items and on their way back, they saw people gathered and inquired from a policeman, but was later rough-handled and arrested.

On the charms and amulets found on his body, Adeyemo, a furniture carpenter from Iwere Ile in the Ibarapa zone of Oyo State, admitted that he and his daughter were given some insignias including a flag found in possession of the daughter.

It’s a treasonable felony —Oyo CP

While parading the suspects, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebola Hamzat said: “On Saturday, 13/04/2024 at about 0855hrs, information was received that some men dressed in military-like camouflage, armed with pump action semi-automatic rifles, riding on motorcycles, were sighted moving into the main city from Olomi axis of Ibadan.

“At about 0915hrs, the hoodlums, later known as Yoruba Nation Agitation Group, were trailed to the State Secretariat, spreading from the Flyover to within the Premises of the Governor’s Office, and hoisted their Flag at the House of Assembly, proclaiming the creation of a democratic republic of the Yoruba.

“With Police re-inforcement, the miscreants were warned to dispatch. The agitators turned violent and opened fire on the Police and a detachment of Amotekun corps was present. The Police responded and were joined by Operation Burst Patrol teams and Personnel of other security agencies who suppressed the treason and dealt with the agitators in line with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

“A total of 21 Suspects were arrested, seven rifles made up of five English Pump Action semi-automatic rifles, two wooden double-barreled guns and other items of exhibits as displayed, were recovered.

“While declaring this act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism to be meted with adequate sanctions through purposeful prosecutions, the Command re-assures the good people of Oyo State that it remains solidly unwavering to the protection of their lives and property as constitutionally required by the laws of the land.”

Local security outfit discovers hideouts

Meanwhile, a local security outfit, Oluyole Security Surveillance Team, OSST, said it has uncovered another hideout of Yoruba nation agitators.

The hideout is located around the Fatusi and Shagari areas of the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.

Some items which were allegedly recovered from the agitators included military camouflage, bulletproof jackets, Torch Lights, Generators, Megaphones, and Standing Fans amongst other items.

Makinde commends security agencies for keeping peace in Oyo

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for keeping the peace in the state.

Governor Makinde stated this when he received the 46th General Officer Commanding the 2 Mechanised Division, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat in Ibadan.

The governor, who seized the occasion to throw light on the invasion of the Government Secretariat last Saturday by suspected Yoruba Nation agitators, explained how the effective security system in the state was able to bring the aggressors to their knees in no time.

Makinde said: “On what happened on Saturday, the Emergency Security Response was activated and it worked. The response was quick, and timely and I believe the hoodlums and miscreants met something that was beyond their imagination. Within one hour, everything was under control. 

“Everybody responded timely and we are grateful for the timely response.

“Concerning the unfortunate incident, what I can say is that we must win the war but we must also win peace. It is a challenging period.”

Speaking earlier, Maj. Gen. Onubogu said: “We are indeed in a period of security challenges and I want to commiserate with you and the good people of Oyo State over the invasion of the Secretariat by some self-acclaimed, irredentists on April 13, 2024.

“This incident is unfortunate as it shows that despite the peace that exists in Oyo State, there are still sons and daughters of South-West Nigeria who are bent on challenging Oyo State, the entire South-West as well as Nigeria as a whole.

“I have taken note of some of the gaps that preceded this incident and I want to assure you that under my watch, we will play our part to ensure that such a situation does not arise again. 

“As our adversaries have made their intentions known, it will be foolhardy for us not to refocus and ensure the people of Oyo remain safe.”

Invasion is treasonable — Oyo govt

Also reacting to the invasion, the Oyo State government described it as treasonable.

Addressing newsmen, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who condemned the act said there are better ways of agitation other than craving for bloodshed.

Oyelade said: “Attempting to barge into the hallowed chambers of the legislature and take it over with an arsenal of seven pump action submachine guns, over 700 live cartridges, is an act of terrorism.”

The commissioner further disclosed that sponsors of Saturday’s invasion had succeeded in leading them into serious trouble.

Treat invaders as coupists, YCE tells FG

Similarly, the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, has described the invasion of the Oyo State House of Assembly and State Secretariat as a coup just as it insisted that those involved in the act should be treated as coupists and punished accordingly.

Reacting to the invasion, Secretary-General of the YCE, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, said the elders condemned the act adding that the Federal Government should fish out perpetrators of the act.
Oyewole said: “The ill-fated mission of misguided persons in Military Camouflage/outfit to the Oyo State Government Secretariat Ibadan is bad.

“The Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, condemn this unlawful invasion in its entirety.

“Unequivocally, we stand to say that the nauseating act is a coup d’etat. It is barbaric and unwarranted. From reports and analysis, it is an ill-conceived action which was dead on arrival.

“We are of the position, in line with the laws of Nigeria, that all the people involved should be treated as coupists and punished accordingly. 

“Yoruba land and our inherited culture abhor violence.

“The Yoruba man, because of his Omoluwabi ethos, would maintain decorum and dialogue rather than take part in any forceful takeover.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria should, without delay, deploy its apparatus to fish out parties involved in the dastardly act by all means and mete out judgement commensurate with this dastardly act.

“Going by all indicators, Nigeria is ready for take-off to prosperity through proper planning and application of rules of engagement that will give our nation, the cutting edge we earnestly desire and deserve for our comfort and mutual prosperity. We condemn this unfortunate act in all ramifications.”

Invasion is act of treason —Bode George

Also joining in condemning the invasion by the Yoruba Nation agitators, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, yesterday, described the invasion in Oyo State as an act of treason. 

Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, George said: “You don’t just go and take up arms against your government, it is treason. That they called Amotekun and the police is something; if it were people from my old profession, they would have seen them as enemies and fired at them.

“I was completely very angry because that is not the way you talk to your government. What could have driven them into that? My conclusion is that they might not be educated. You don’t take up arms against your nation.

“It’s unimaginable; you brought guns and charms; were they dreaming? It’s unacceptable; it’s the highest breaking of the law of the land. You have your freedom of speech which is the most sensible way to approach this problem. The problem is that this thing never leaked to the intelligence of this nation.

“Agitators carried their weapons in military uniforms, and nobody stopped them on the road; you now see the urgent need for state police because they could not have been meeting somewhere if we are well organized like the state police.”

Abiola’s son slams Onitiri-Abiola for instigating invasion

On his part, the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President, Mr Jamiu Abiola, yesterday, faulted the invasion of Oyo State House of Assembly and the Governor’s Office by suspected Yoruba nation agitators. 

Abiola, in a chat with Vanguard, also said it was sad that a woman connected with his father, the late Moshood Abiola, could have declared the South-West region a Democratic Republic of Yoruba Nation, stressing that her call for secession was against all that MKO was known for.

His words: “I have never met her and I don’t think that she told members of the Abiola family because the family members I spoke to are furious about this. They are shocked. Our family patriarch, Chief Moshood Abiola, was well known for his strong belief in Nigeria’s unity and that was why it was easy for him to convince Nigerians from all regions to give him their votes.

“It is sad that a woman bearing his name could have made such a declaration, particularly now that the Nigerian President, Senator Bola Tinubu, is a Yoruba man who is doing a lot of what my father had wanted to do as Nigeria’s President.

“By doing that, we would be giving her declaration more attention than it deserves. We will ignore her just like most Nigerians have done.”

We’re not terrorists, youth group tells Ondo govt

Meanwhile, a group of Yoruba Nation Youths, both Home and Diaspora, yesterday, insisted that they are not terrorists but a legitimate group of youths demanding Yoruba Nation, self-determination and independence.

Governors in the South-West and some major stakeholders in the region have expressed their disapproval of the recent incursion of Yoruba Nation agitators into Oyo State.

Naija News reported last week that several individuals wearing masks forced their way into the Oyo State Government Secretariat, with some of them armed.

The agitators were said to have breached the government building after Ms Modupe Abiola Onitiri, the wife of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, allegedly made a declaration.

Ms Onitiri, who is currently residing outside Nigeria, reportedly declared herself as the President of a new Sovereign State called the Yoruba Nation in a widely circulated video.

Leaders in the South-West geopolitical zone have condemned the development and are taking steps to prevent any uprising in the name of agitation in the region.

Popular Yoruba nation agitators, such as Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, and Chief Banji Akintoye, have since distanced themselves from Onitiri and have called for her arrest.

However, some close associates of Abiola, who spoke with journalists on Monday, April 15, clarified that Ms Onitiri was not one of Abiola’s officially recognized wives.

The South-West states are taking the situation seriously and have issued warnings against any form of agitation or attempts to overthrow democratically elected governors in the region.

Onitiri Not Official Wife Of Late Abiola – Aide

Addressing journalists about Onitiri’s role in the agitation in the southwest region, Dr Wale Fasakin, an aide of the late MKO Abiola, stated that Onitiri, who pronounced herself the president of a new Yoruba Nation, is not one of the officially recognised wives of Abiola.

“She is not one of the officially recognised wives. The agitators are saying Oduduwa Nation. The Yoruba Nation she is talking about, I don’t know what she wants to achieve.

“Where does she get the power to organise such a thing? How can they organise such a thing?

“She is not one of the recognised official wives – the official wives are four – Kudirat, Simbiatu, Bisi, and Doyin. She may be Abiola’s wife but she is not one of the wives declared when he was campaigning.

“These were the people living in his house. When Simbi died, those living with him were three. Those are the three he referred to as official wives during the Hope 93 Campaign. So Onitiri is not one of the official wives,” Fasakin told reporters.

It Is Clearly An Act Of Terrorism – Oyo Govt

Governor Seyi Makinde’s led government of Oyo State has since condemned the actions of the Yoruba Nation agitators.

The government sternly berated the group for attempting to take control of the state secretariat, labelling their action a treasonable felony.

In a statement issued yesterday, the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that there were no fatalities during the confrontation with the agitators.

“Attempting to barge into the hallowed chambers of the legislature and take it over with an arsenal of seven pump action submachine guns, over 700 live cartridges, is clearly an act of terrorism,” Daily Trust quoted Oyelade saying.

The commissioner noted that the governor’s office and the State House of Assembly were invaded on Saturday, emphasizing that the sponsors of this invasion have put themselves in serious trouble.

Security Efforts

In a related development, the state police command paraded 21 individuals suspected to be Yoruba Nation agitators, while a joint security force cracked down on their hideout in Sanyo.

Naija News understands that the paraded suspects included a female and two elderly men in their sixties.

During his address, the state Commissioner of Police, CP. Adebola Hamzat, confirmed the arrest of the 21 suspected agitators and warned others with criminal intentions to leave the state.

Prior to this, a joint security operation successfully uncovered a hideout belonging to the attackers, resulting in the discovery of a cache of weapons.

Upon receiving information about the whereabouts of the agitators, the Oluyole Security Surveillance Team (OSST), led by Comrade Idowu, alerted other security agencies, including the Sanyo police station.

Acting on the provided intelligence, the police organized and apprehended the suspects as they tried to transport their weapons from Sanyo to an undisclosed location.

The operation also led to the discovery of another hideout of the agitators in the Shagari area. Naija News learnt that all seized weapons and other items are being held at the police station for further investigation.

Ondo Gov’t Frowns At Agitators

The event in Oyo State has prompted the Ondo State government to issue a strong warning to individuals who seek to disrupt the peace in the state by claiming to advocate for the Yoruba nation.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Information, Olugbenga Omole declared that any activities that threaten the current peace and unity among the state’s residents will not be tolerated by the government.

Additionally, Omole emphasized that the government will oppose any individuals or groups that undermine the initiatives of the federal government.

“We will arrest them here in Ondo. We will not support anybody that is against the federal government,” he said.

Secessionists Will Be Treated As Armed Robbers – Ogun Police

The Ogun State Police Command has labelled the suspected secessionists as armed robbers and stated that they would be treated accordingly.

According to the police spokesman, Omolola Odutola, even the leader of the self-proclaimed Yoruba Nation, has disowned them, further solidifying their classification as criminals.

Odutola said: “It has some political colouration because I don’t see how some people will just wake up one morning and start carrying knives and start disturbing the peace of a state. The ones in Oyo State, were all arrested.

“There is no cause for panic. We don’t know them, anybody that is arrested will be charged with sedition or treasonable felony because you can’t just come up with a country within a country.

“They are armed robbers who want to go and attack innocent people and give it a political colouration. We will deal with them squarely.”

Journalists who went around the state on Monday reported that the residents carried on with their regular activities during the day without any signs of panic.

Similarly, in the state capital of Abeokuta, no extraordinary security measures were observed.

Police Beef Up Security In Ekiti

Ekiti State Police operatives have reportedly enhanced security measures around the Government House in the Okesa area of Ado-Ekiti following the incident in Oyo State.

Naija News learnt that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has taken up positions in key areas that lead to the governor’s office.

This precautionary action aims to prevent any potential incursion by the Yoruba Nation Agitators, similar to the incidents witnessed in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Currently, the state capital in Ekiti State enjoys a serene and peaceful environment, reports revealed.

Reps S/West Caucus condemns agitators

In the meantime, the House of Representatives South West Caucus has expressed its disapproval of the attacks carried out on the Oyo State House of Assembly by certain Yoruba Nation agitators.

Naija News understands that the disapproval was conveyed through a statement issued by the Caucus’s leadership on Monday, jointly signed by its chairman, Rep. Abiodun James Faleke, Rep. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, and Rep. Taofeek Ajilesoro.

The lawmakers strongly criticized the actions of the self-proclaimed Yoruba Nation agitators, as it caused unrest and posed a significant threat to the peace and stability of the South West region.

The statement reads: “As representatives of the people, we stand firmly against any form of unlawful behaviour and violence that undermines the rule of law and the unity of our country, Nigeria. It is essential that all grievances and demands be addressed through peaceful and lawful means, respecting the rights and well-being of all citizens.

“We urge all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue, prioritize the welfare of our people, and work towards finding peaceful and lasting solutions to any grievances.”

Faleke, the Chairman of the South West Caucus, emphasized the importance of rejecting violence and lawlessness in society, urging everyone to embrace the values of peace, unity, and adherence to the rule of law.

“The South West Caucus remains committed to upholding the values of democracy, justice, and unity in our region and the country at large. Together, we can overcome challenges and build a better future for all,” he added.

The community of Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State was cloaked in mourning on Monday as the remains of the late Nollywood makeup artist, Abigail Edith Frederick, were laid to rest in her family home in Ikot Udoma.

The 24-year-old artist tragically lost her life in a boating accident on the River Niger, which also claimed the lives of five other film practitioners, including the notable actor Junior Pope.

The burial ceremony was a poignant affair, marked by the outpouring of grief from family members and friends who gathered to bid their final goodbyes.

Governor Umo Eno, who had visited the bereaved family over the weekend, ordered that Frederick’s initially buried remains by the bank of River Niger be exhumed and returned to her hometown for a proper burial.

This directive was part of efforts to provide closure to the family and honor the deceased in accordance with local customs.

In tribute to her memory, a candle-light procession was held, illuminating the evening as those who knew and admired Frederick celebrated her contributions to the Nollywood industry.

A Facebook user, Ubong David, who shared pictures from the burial on Monday wrote, “Today, the late Abigail Frederick, the Nollywood makeup artist who tragically lost her life in the ill-fated boat mishap, has been laid to rest at the family compound in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area.

“The funeral service was conducted by the Church of Christ, Ikot Udoma, and was attended by various dignitaries, including the Eket Transition Committee Chairman, Akaniyene Tommey; Commissioner for Tourism, Charles Udoh; SA on Entertainment, Moses Eskor; Godfada Uko, members of the Eket Transition Committee, Nollywood actress, Eve Esin, the Nollywood community, friends, and sympathisers.”

Eno had during his visit to the deceased’s family announced automatic employment to her elder sister and directed the renovation of the family house.

He said, “This is deeply unfortunate. A young girl, 24 years old, who finished her National Youth Service Programme just last year, and decided to pursue her passion.

“This is a reflection of our Arise Spirit. It shows that our young people are willing to go out there, not begging, not waiting for handouts, but to pursue their passions. Sadly, her life ended the way it did.

“Once I was fully briefed, I decided to come here personally with the full complement of Government to console and encourage the family.”

Eno had said going there meant the state cared. According to him, “You know Akwa Ibomites are like Americans. We don’t leave each other behind. The government will be with the family and support them.”

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, declared April 7 as National Police Day.

Vice President Shettima made the announcement during the inaugural awards and commendations event organized by the police force in Abuja.

Vice President Shettima, delivering a speech on behalf of President Tinubu titled “Courage Under Fire: A Bouquet for Our Police Force,” lauded the Nigerian police for their dedication amidst the country’s profound security challenges.

He attributed the resilience of the Nigerian people largely to the steadfast efforts of the police force.

During his speech, VP Shettima detailed the administration’s strong commitment to modernizing and professionalizing the Nigeria Police Force to align with national values and aspirations.

This commitment is showcased through substantial reforms, including training and capacity-building investments.

These initiatives are designed to equip officers with the skills and expertise needed to address modern policing challenges effectively.

Furthermore, the Vice President pledged continuous government support for enhancing police operations. This includes significant upgrades in equipment and technology to improve the force’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The establishment of National Police Day aims to recognize and celebrate the critical role and sacrifices of the police in maintaining security and enforcing the law throughout the nation.