President Bola Tinubu made a notable appearance in the green chamber of the House of Representatives today, arriving at 12:31 pm for a joint session with the National Assembly to address the lawmakers and unveil plans for an upcoming 2024 Supplementary bill.

The session was attended by high-profile figures, including Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress; Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the governor of Borno State; former deputy Speaker Patricia Etteh, and other dignitaries. 

In his speech, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to focus on building a nation for future generations, highlighting the responsibility of the current administration to lay a solid foundation for prosperity and stability.

According to Vanguard, the President also said in his address that he would soon introduce the 2024 Supplemental Bill.

In addition to discussing future legislation, the session also served as a platform for the official flag-off of the new National Anthem, following President Tinubu’s assent to the bill.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio mentioned that the President’s visit was to address the lawmakers and commission the National Assembly Library.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas clarified earlier misconceptions about the purpose of President Tinubu’s visit.

He apologized for the misinformation that was initially circulated, explaining that the President’s engagement was primarily to inaugurate the new National Anthem.

Briefing the lawmakers, he thanked them for their efforts in sustaining the nation’s democracy for over two decades.

He said, “Out of respect, I want to say thank you very much. This is the institution building the country. 

“Our friends, old and new, to every Nigerian, I say congratulations on 25 years of unbroken democracy.”

According to the President, the new National Assembly represent the diversity in the country.

He also commended the federal lawmakers for collaborating with the executive in building the nation, saying no foreign aid will be enough, and All Nigerians must work to make the nation for generations yet unborn.

Significant discussions and speeches were postponed to June 12, which is recognized as Democracy Day in Nigeria.

Joseph Aloba, Mohbad's father, stated that he will disclose the identity of the individual purportedly responsible for Mohbad's death after a DNA test has been performed on Liam, the deceased singer's son.

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, and was buried the following day. On September 21, his body was exhumed by police for an autopsy.

Eight months later, the autopsy failed to determine the cause of death as the singer’s body had decomposed when tests were conducted.

Mohbad’s demise has continued to elicit discussions on social media, including questions about his son’s paternity.

Aloba also refused to rebury his son until a DNA test confirmed Liam’s biological father.

He recently suggested that a potential DNA test on Liam could have been a factor in the singer’s death.

But in another interview with Oyinmomo TV, Aloba accused Omowunmi, Mohbad’s wife, of infidelity while claiming he knew who killed the singer.

Aloba alleged that Omowunmi also influenced Mohbad against the management of Marlian Records, his former label.

“Cynthia (Omowunmi) is supposed to be called a liar. There is no single truth that comes out from her. She says ‘because I did not give daddy placenta since then he has been…’. Liam has bowed legs. People started calling my attention to the physical traits of Liam, saying “We do not have curved legs in our family. So where did Liam get his curved legs,” he said.

“I wanted to name the boy Victor. I did not know where they got the name Liam from. But they told me there was no more name. Liam is an Islamic name and we do not have Islamic in my lineage.

“We are talking about DNA they did not do it and they want us to bury Mohbad. We must know if the child is ours. If he belongs to our bloodline.

“Mohbad has always been talking to me about one king. If people want to look for who killed Mohbad, they should wait after the DNA test.”

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has stated that she will not revert to the old national anthem newly signed by President Bola Tinubu.

Ezekwesili who disclosed this in her X handle on Wednesday, stated that no one will suppress her right to dissent an obnoxious ‘law’ that is repugnant to all.

In the post which she tagged ‘Public Service Announcement’, she wrote, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili shall whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing:

“1. Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

“2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leader’s right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice reign.

“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.
“Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem.”
In another post, the former Minister, stated that she actually thought the revert to the Old Anthem was a joke and wondered why it was a priority for the government.

“I frankly thought it was a joke and gave it no attention. With all the horrible indicators on the state of governance? So, it is a new National Anthem that is their priority?
“I frankly thought it was a joke and gave it no attention.

“What an egregious case of “Majoring in the Minor” this is! Wow!.”

She urged Nigerians to rise up and fight for themselves as none of their leaders will fight for them.

“Again, no one is coming to save us, Citizens of Nigeria. We’re all we have.

“We all must someday decide to collectively save ourselves and this country from these overpaid, unethical, incompetent and incapable “Lawbreakers” in the @nassnigeria and their similarly characterized collaborators in the Executive and Judicial branches of Government across this Land.

“The Citizens of this country must understand this absolute truth by now that the Political Class is the biggest curse on this country,” she posted.

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.”