Worried by the endemic cases of sexual and gender-based violence traced to unlawful marriages known in the local parlance as ‘aure leather’ the Gyel district of Jos South local government area of Plateau State has taken the lead in reducing the number of items required for the traditional marriage rite to enable young men to afford the cost and get married legally.

The gesture is also to give women the pride of place in their respective homes and ensure that disagreement over nonpayment of dowry does not degenerate into violence in the homes.

This is as a call is made for the curbing of indiscriminate mining which is said to contribute to the prevalence of alcoholism and sexual and gender-based violence in communities.

Speaking during a panel discussion organized by the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection, WRAPA in commemoration of 2024 International Women’s Day for stakeholders from the Berom tribe in the State, the District Head of Gyel (a Berom enclave), Da Nga Dangyang through his Secretary, Rwas Jonathan pointed out ways that women inclusion are ensured in their community saying there is a bye law to ensure enforcement.

He said “The Gyel Traditional Council has developed a bye-law which gives women the opportunity to be in the traditional council, determine the type of punishments given to anyone who is involved in any form of violence, spells out ways to mitigate insecurity.

“The Council has reduced bride price to N30,000 because it was discovered the high rate of the bride prices were the cause of unlawful marriages and the reduction has swelled up the number of legitimate marriages in the District. The bye-law also says women who don’t work should be given a percentage of their husband’s salary.”

A Berom elder, Da Dauda Gyemang insisted that the rich culture of the Berom nation especially on family life is being eroded by indiscriminate mining activities which make very young people get quick money to indulge in alcoholism and early marriages.

His words, “One major activity going on on the Plateau now is illegal mining and very young people drop out of schools to engage in it. They get quick money without the capacity to utilize the money. They go into drinking and begin to cohabit in the name of marriage. This is very risky, some parents are even encouraging their children not to go to school but to go for this mining at the age of 10; 15 years, many of them go into drinking and marriage.

“So, as a man, he is always drunk and cannot even perform his duties as a man and when the girls don’t get the satisfaction they desire from their men, they get along with the available person that can meet their needs. When a man cannot perform and he sees his wife is not faithful, he vents the annoyance in the form of beating and other forms of violence.

“We have been advocating for organized mining with financial literacy so that the youths can be guided on how to make use of their money and even pay taxes to the government. When this is done, the rights of the men and the women would be protected as this organization is advocating.”

Earlier, the panellists, Dr Dachollom Jambol (Chairman of Berom Elders Forum), the Gwom Rim (Chief of Rim), HRH Gyang Dahoro, President of Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation, BECO, Da Gyang Dudu, President of Berom Youth Moulders Association, BYM, Barrister Solomon Mwantiri, and Chairman of Berom Districts Development Association, Da Silas Pwajok, moderated by Mr Steve Aluko denounced all forms of SGBV saying they are strange to the Berom culture.

The speakers commended the Gyel District for the initiative and reiterated that the Berom culture does not encourage domestic violence as there were laid down rules to checkmate such but blamed the negative impacts of civilization which alienate parental and community inputs in the choice of marriage partners and called for mentorship and discipline in society.

The State Coordinator of WRAPA, Mrs. Jummai Madaki noted that the event aimed at promoting women’s inclusion as a fundamental right and a smart approach that supports inclusive communities as a catalyst to development and has as its goal, the encouragement of men and boys to become key allies and actors in the fight against SGBV through community-based dialogue in a panel format.

In his remarks, Nanle Gujor, the Secretary of Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives, PIDAN, the umbrella body of all the indigenous Development Associations in the State, said the rest of the tribes and native Associations should emulate the Gyel District and reduce exorbitant bride prices. Rev. Christopher Damsher asked that religion and culture collaborate to find a balance in curbing SGBV.

Meanwhile, participants including people living with disabilities, the youths, women, and others condemned violence against women and girls, agreed to replicate the Gyel District bye-law in the whole of Berom land, asked that harmful traditional practices be abolished, and called for the upholding of traditional practices that promote community wellbeing.

Programme gulps N2trn in 21 years

21 years after senators and members of the House of Representatives forced the Executive to insert Special Intervention Projects (SIP), known as constituency projects, into the budget, it has been one problem after the other every year.

Constituency projects, which have a yearly budget of N100 billion, were established by the Obasanjo administration with the hope of bringing government closer to the people, especially those in the rural areas, just as it was not designed for lawmakers to determine directly what projects should go to their constituents or to be the ones who should provide contractors.

With this in mind, it was agreed that the Federal Government should set aside the huge sum of money to finance constituency projects and to ensure implementation through the Office of the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in agreement with lawmakers.

N2 trillion spent

Records have it that at least N2 trillion has been spent on constituency projects from 2003 to date, even as Sunday Vanguard gathered that N95 billion and N100 billion had been allocated to the projects every year and shared among the 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives.

In sharing the funds, however, they consider ranking like in the Senate where there are two presiding officers, the President of the Senate and the Deputy Senate President, and eight principal officers: Majority Leader; Deputy Leader; Chief Whip and Deputy Whip.

Others are Minority Leader; Deputy Minority Leader; Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip. All these get higher share than ordinary members. It could be N500 million multiplied by eight while presiding officers get higher than principal officers.

As gathered, while presiding and principal officers could get N500 million and above, no senator gets less than N200 million, especially those who have been around and not principal officers.

Question

Must senators be treated differently against the backdrop that they were all elected each to represent a senatorial district?

First, constituency project is not part of the roles assigned to lawmakers by the nation’s Constitution.

The constitutional mandate of the lawmaker is espoused around lawmaking, representation and oversight functions.
By way of expansion, other ancillary duties may be added but not constitutional.

Consequently, the lawmaker has no business engaging in project award or execution.
It’s the job of the Executive.

National Assembly members are constitutionally empowered to make laws for the country and to act as checks and balances on the Executive and not to execute constituency project.

One can assume that constituency project is a new convention but many have argued in this circumstance that it is organized fraud.

“Otherwise, how do you explain the disparities in the allocation of constituency projects?” a critic said.

Brick wall

Moves by the Senate to legalise constituency projects last year and to increase the vote from N100 billion yearly were jettisoned on the grounds that such venture will interfere with the provisions of Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended which vest the power of appropriations in the Legislature.

The contentious Bill, sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC,Jigawa North-West), was stopped at plenary as it failed to move to second reading.

Hussaini had explained that constituency project is not peculiar to Nigeria as, according to him, it was an effective way of ensuring equitable distribution of development across the country.

He added that it helps to draw governance and dividends of democracy closer to the grassroots.

Bogus salaries, allowances

Recall that Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, had, in March 2018, spoken about alleged bogus salaries and allowances of lawmakers when he revealed that every senator gets N13.5 million monthly as running costs and about N200 million as constituency vote.

According to him, implementation of constituency project is an avenue “for theft and corruption employed by lawmakers”.

Sani had said at that time: “I think what we can say is that the running cost of a senator is N13.5 million every month”. 

According to him, while there is no specific instruction on what the fund should be used for, lawmakers must provide receipts to back up their expenses from the running cost.

He added that the running cost is in addition to funds earmarked for each senator for constituency project.
“But what I am saying is that the money (N13.5 million per month) must be receipted for what you do with it. But what you are given to go and spend without accountability is N750, 000”, the senator said.

“The constituency project itself is given on a zonal basis and almost every senator will go with a constituency fund of about N200 million, but it is not the cash that is given to you.

“You will be told that you have N200 million with an agency of government for which you will now submit projects equivalent to that amount. And it is that agency of government that will go and do those projects for you.

“Now, corruption comes when the projects are not done and the money is taken. But right now, it is difficult to do that because NGOs and transparency groups have come into it. They track every allocation made to you and where they are being used. 

“So, it’s becoming difficult for what used to happen in the past to happen now. But I can tell you that I would love a situation where we do away with running cost, constituency projects and leave senators and members of House of Reps with salaries”.

Obasanjo, Buhari, Jonathan take positions

Obasanjo himself who started constituency project in 2023 once described it as nothing but corruption, saying, “You and I know what constituency project means, it is simply corruption.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari echoed similar claim in 2019 when he said the impact of the trillions of Naira voted for constituency projects could hardly be seen in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan had said “don’t put the goat where yam is because the goat will eat the yam” in apparent reference to corrupt acts dogging constituency projects.

N500m vs. N75m 

On Tuesday on the floor of the Senate, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North) alleged that senior senators got N500 million each in the 2024 Budget for constituency projects while other senators got only N75 million.

Jarigbe’s claim was made during a session on the allegation made by another senator, Abubakar Ningi, that the 2024 Budget had been padded to the tune of N3.7 trillion.

Speaking during the rowdy session, Jarigbe said, “I thought that when the Chairman of Appropriations spoke, it was as clear as crystals that there was a misunderstanding of the figures.

“When he came up with the GOEs and all the agencies on first line charge, there is no difference between the figure he reeled out and the figure purported to be padded.

“I thought with that, the allegation would have been rested by Senator Ningi saying that this N3.7 trillion was not part of the budgetary provisions printed out for us. That would have settled this matter. 

“We are going forth and back on these issues and coming up with the issues of budget and individual issues concerning what came to our various constituencies.

“If we want to go into those issues, all of us are culpable. Some senators here, so-called senior senators, got N500 million each. I am a ranking senator, I didn’t get. Did I go to the press? Most of you got.”

Report

To buttress the claim that constituency projects for lawmakers were enmeshed in corruption, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, in April 2022, issued a report on how National Assembly members were diverting funds for constituency projects.

The ICPC alleged that senators diverted money meant for their senatorial districts to non-existing projects, thereby denying their constituents from reaping dividends of democracy. 

The anti-graft agency said it uncovered how the National Assembly illegally added N20 billion to N100 billion annual constituency projects.

The ICPC, in its ‘interim constituency and executive projects tracking report’, revealed how the National Assembly embedded additional projects into the 2021 mandate budget of MDAs, which, in a long way, affected budget performance, as well as distorted developmental planning and implementation of the 2021 fiscal year.

In the report, the ICPC cited other areas of infractions where lawmakers allegedly awarded contracts to themselves, children or to proxy companies.

The report read: “Budget insertion remains one of the egregious, yet illegally acceptable phenomenon that has distorted the nation’s developmental planning and implementation of developmental programmes.

“In addition to the N100 billion appropriated annually for constituency projects, the National Assembly embedded additional projects into mandate budgets of MDAs. This is done to increase the project portfolios of concerned legislators and their influence on MDAs. The value of the insertion was in billions. 

Duplication

“Analysing the 2021 National Budget alone across key sectors of education, water resources, health, power, science and technology, environment, works and agriculture, we found duplication to the tune of over N20 billion.”
The report pointed out that the “contract for the construction and renovation of blocks of the classroom at a University Staff School in Taraba executed by a company owned and operated directly by a lawmaker”, a project ICPC alleged was “haphazardly nominated, appropriated and executed in locations that have no need for such projects.”
In another development, ICPC alleged another contract infraction in the supplies of water rigs by a particular company to be executed in Taraba.

The commission alleged that “just two days after the award of the contract, ‘the said company’, wrote to the executing agency, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, informing it that it was involved in some sort of arrangements with its sister company in respect of the execution and requested that the contract sum should be paid into the bank account of the company owned by the sponsoring legislator.

“Funding was, therefore, made to the said company owned by the sponsoring legislator.”

Children

In the report, the ICPC revealed that it was able to track a contract for the supplies of 686 water pumping machines to Kebbi awarded to a particular company owned by the children of a lawmaker.

The report read: “Various other projects were awarded and executed in Kebbi by three other companies owned and operated by the biological children of the sponsor.” 

Similarly, the ICPC said that it was able to track the project for the supplies of 19 units of 500KVA transformer to Delta State, two of which “were stolen and sold by an aide of the sponsoring lawmaker, while one was found kept in a private house since 2018.

ICPC stated: “While the culprit is on the run, the lawmaker has agreed to an undertaking to purchase and deliver to the commission the two transformers”.

The commission also cited the project valued at N149m for the training and empowerment of women and youths in Abaji allegedly awarded to a relative of the sponsoring legislator.

It was also replicated in Katsina where the sponsor single-handedly executed the contract after which the project said to have been valued at N49m was changed from its form and devalued by the lawmaker.

In another case, the supply of tricycles to Rivers State was an empowerment project where the sponsor allegedly used one of her cronies as the contractor. 

ICPC alleged that “while the contract was never performed, the sum (N30m) was fully paid and shared”.

Projects cited on personal properties

The agency also revealed that some sponsoring legislators sometimes site projects on personal properties, which technically vests legal possession and ownership to them.

An example was cited of the diversion of funds for an agricultural empowerment project in Osun State to a training programme on cattle rearing and the actual supply of cattle.

The Bill of Quantities, BOQ, according to the ICPC report, indicated procurement and distribution of 250 cattle to beneficiaries.

The report said: “While the intended beneficiaries were trained, no cattle were given to them; instead the lawmaker established a private ranch using the cattle procured with government’s fund.” 

In Bayelsa, the commission alleged that the investigation led it to another youth empowerment scam carried out by the sponsoring lawmaker.

It alleged that some of the beneficiaries found in the list were randomly contacted, even as none of them acknowledged ever receiving any grant.

Rumble in the Senate over ‘N3. 7 trillion budget padding’

John Alechenu takes a look at what transpired during Tuesday’s plenary following the allegation that N3 trillion was inserted into the 2024 Appropriation Act.

“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it” – George Santayana.

In the eye of the storm 

The 10th Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio was in the eye of the storm last week following allegation of impropriety surrounding the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Act.

The allegation was made by the erstwhile Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi South).

In an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC, Ningi, among other things, alleged that two versions of the 2024 Budget were in operation and that a whopping N3.7 trillion could not be traced to any line item.

As is to be expected, the media and the general public feasted on the interview and fingers pointed in the direction of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senators who felt the integrity of the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general had been called to question plotted their revenge and prepared for a collective response. 

Many Nigerians were expecting Ningi to produce evidence to pull the plug on Akpabio and his fellow principal officers when plenary resumed on Tuesday.

The Senate President and his backers equally waited for the opportunity to put Ningi in his place after establishing the previous night that he acted alone.

This is not the first time allegations of budget padding were leveled against the leadership of the National Assembly.

Recall, in 2006, during the 8thNational Assembly, then-Chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumuni Jibrin, after falling out with then-Speaker Yakubu Dogara, accused the House leadership of padding then-budget to the tune of N40billion.

Jibrin was referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges; he refused to make an appearance. He was tried and convicted in absentia.

He was subsequently suspended from legislative duties for 180 days but was later pardoned and recalled before the expiration of 180 days.

Interest

Ningi’s allegation is the first of its kind in the Senate.

This, perhaps, partly explains the interest it generated.

The lawmaker, who is a ranking member as well as a leading member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spiced his allegation with regional flavour when he also alleged that the 2024 Budget was skewed against the North.

Undeterred by a rebuttal issued by a presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Ningi addressed the Senate Press Corps and insisted he had facts and figures to back his claim, adding for effect that threats of suspension do not scare him. 

The stage was thus set for what many considered a testy moment for the Akpabio Senate presidency.

Session

Despite pressures from some of his colleagues for an executive session, convinced that he had nothing to hide, the Senate President opted for an open session which was beamed live on television.

One thing was missing, Akpabio’s trademark banter with colleagues. It was no time for jibes, a lot was at stake. Tuesday’s proceedings were watched across the globe.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Olamilekan, was recognised to present his motion under matters of privilege, and the motion was duly seconded, several senators were given room to speak for and against.

The provocateur, Ningi, was given ample opportunity to defend himself, substantiate his claims, and even level more if he had. 

It was an anti-climax when he stood and recanted some of the things he was quoted to have said in the contentious interview.

He went on to say only he had details of the findings of the consultants hired by the Northern Senators Forum to review the budget.

After dramatizing and displaying a horde of files and documents, Ningi could not substantiate his allegation of padding or infraction in the budget; instead, he digressed and started talking about the number of aides appointed by the Senate President and his take-home pay. However, another matter stirred public debate.

Senator Agom Jaribe (PDP, Cross River), while contributing during the debate, alleged that some ranking senators received N500 million each for constituency projects while others were discriminated against.

The Senate descended into near chaos for almost 30 minutes before calm was restored. 

Sentiments

One thing was however clear: Different sentiments were whipped into the debate on the allegations but the Senate was united in doing what it felt was the right thing in accordance with its Standing Order.

Hence, the prayers of Olamilekan’s motion were amended and subsequently passed.

Ningi was suspended for three months.

The emptiness of Ningi’s allegations and the prompt response of the Senate to tame the misinformation have spared Akpabio from public ridicule because, since the National Assembly is becoming synonymous with budget padding, many people were expecting the Senate President’s political career to be nailed based on his colleague’s allegations.
But Akpabio scaled the hurdle and this has once more amplified the confidence of his colleagues in his ability to paddle the canoe of leadership in the Red Chamber.The submission by the Senate that Ningi had no case and was clearly on another mission was enunciated by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele, who was blunt in his presentation.

Coup

Bamidele likened Ningi’s allegations to a failed civilian equivalent of a military coup.
He expressed the view that some senators were yet to put behind their electoral defeat in the race for top leadership positions hence the scheming to truncate Akpabio’s tenure. 

To his credit, the Senate President didn’t betray emotions as he allowed his colleagues express themselves during the session. Even when the session temporarily became rowdy, a practice which is common with democracies across the globe especially in the developing world, Akpabio stood up, cited Order 6. 3 of ‘The Senate Standing Orders 2015 (As Amended)’, which reads: “Whenever the President of the Senate or the Chairman rises during a debate, any Senator then speaking or offering to speak shall sit down, and the Senate or the Committee shall be silent so that the President of the Senate or the Chairman may be heard without interruption.”

The rule also empowers the Senate President to order the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort a senator out of the chamber if he/she chooses to be disruptive after this intervention.

It is worthy of note that Senator David Mark, as Senate President, invoked this rule only once in his eight years on the exalted chair.

Akpabio’s handling of the allegations of budget padding sent a message to watchers of the Senate that the era of using trumped-up charges to commence impeachment proceedings against presiding officers better known as the era of the infamous “banana peels” has been confined to the dustbin of history.

As a trained lawyer and firm believer in the rule of law, Akpabio allowed the Senate Rules to take their course in attending to Ningi’s allegations, which were ab initio dead on arrival. 

A former senator who represented Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, recalled how he was almost suspended during the 8th Senate for revealing his earnings and that of his fellow senators.

While reacting to Ningi’s suspension, he said all senators are equal in the eyes of the law but that this was not the case in reality. He told Sunday Vanguard there are written and unwritten laws and conventions senators are expected to abide by. He described suspension as a not too pleasant experience because it literally means “being shut out of the National Assembly and your legislative functions and denied your emoluments, rights and privileges for the period of the suspension”. He noted that, as a nation, we need to set out priorities right in order to move forward.

Akpabio as presiding officer of the 10th Senate didn’t mince words when he described the incalculable damage being done to the National Assembly as an institution each time allegations, which lack basis in fact, are made especially by fellow lawmakers whom he believes ought to know better. Nigerians are hoping that the 10thNational Assembly will grow beyond petty politics and settle down to making laws that will improve the security and welfare of citizens.

Anambra State Local Government Service Commission has sacked six Deputy Directors, who have fake certificates.

The Chairman of the commission, Mr. Vincent Ezeaka, also said that it uncovered 210 suspected ghost workers in the system.

He said: “The affected directors were alleged products of Imo State University, and as I speak, our investigators are expecting more responses from other universities across the country.

“The action is part of the commission’s quest to enthrone professionalism and eradicate all forms of corruption in the council system.

“As for the ghost workers, who cut across the 21 local government areas of the state, we have removed them from the workers’ payroll.”

Ezeaka said the discoveries were made possible through a dedicated back-to-back personnel audit and the deployment of staff biometrics identification and verification, using a state-of-the-art clock-in-clock-out digital attendance register.

According to him, the exercise brought to the fore the numerical strength of the physical staff in the Unified Local Government System of Anambra State, adding that certificate screening had become a continuous exercise.

He said that having completed the screening of Grade Levels 15 and 16, the certificate screening of Grade Level 14 and below shall commence in earnest, explaining that it was all aimed at flushing out fraudsters and all forms of certificate racketeering in the local government system.

Ezeaka lamented what he called the unrestrained looting and mismanagement of local government funds, which, he added, had become a thing of the past since all local government accounts had been linked to a dedicated tracking system, continuously monitored by security agents for the recovery of looted funds and prosecution of culpable officers.

Ezeaka commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for supporting a digitally smart local government system that birthed the clock-in-clock-out electronic attendance register.

The internet outage which hit Nigeria and some other African countries may persist for up to five weeks, according to the latest reports.

In an update yesterday, one of the undersea cable companies affected by the service disruptions, MainOne, said that the situation might persist for two to three weeks for the problem to be fixed.

It explained that investigations revealed that the fault came from an external incident that resulted in a cut on the submarine cable system in the ocean.

MainOne said the rectification of the fault, retrieving necessary spares required for repair, “sailing to the fault location for the repair work might take one to two weeks, while about two to three weeks of transit time may be required for the vessel to pick up the spares and travel from Europe to West Africa once the vessel is mobilised”.Massive internet outages have been reported in Nigeria following damage to international undersea cables supplying connectivity.

Telecommunications companies and a number of banks which rely on the affected cables for internet services have been affected by the outage. According to reports, the damage affected major undersea cables near Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and has led to internet downtime across West and South African countries. The undersea cables affected are the West Africa Cable System (WACS), the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), MainOne, and SAT3.

However, Glo 1, owned by Nigeria’s leading digital services company, Globacom, was not affected by the damage and has continued to operate normally. Data users, internet service providers and financial institutions which run on Glo 1 have continued to operate normally.

Industry analysts believe the ‘sturdy’ nature and resilience of Glo 1 International Submarine Cable is the reason the damage did not affect the cable.

In the world of boxing, tales of rags-to-riches journeys often captivate audiences, but few stories rival the meteoric rise of Anthony Joshua. From his humble beginnings in the ring, marked by a meager £15,000 payday for his inaugural professional bout, to his staggering career earnings totaling £500,140,000, Joshua’s journey is a testament to unwavering resilience, unyielding dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Before the glitz and glamor of the professional circuit, Joshua honed his craft in amateur boxing, amassing accolades and acclaim that foreshadowed his future dominance.

With an impeccable amateur record and a 2012 Olympic gold medal adorning his chest, Joshua transitioned seamlessly into the professional ranks, signaling the dawn of a new era in heavyweight boxing.

Emanuele Leo was his first opponent in the pros and he was quickly secured his first pro paycheck by knocking Leo out in the first round at the 02 Arena pocketing £15,000 for the bout.

Joshua went on to earn £50,000 in his next two fights which he won by knockouts against Paul Butlin and Hrvoje Kisicek. He followed that up with a £75,000 pay-day against Dorian Darch who also fell victim to Joshua’s knockout power.

His first million-pound purse would wait till his 8th professional bout against Konstantin Airich who he also dispatched by TKO and bagged a £1m purse. Joshua steadily climbed the ranks, each triumph contributing to his burgeoning reputation and financial standing.

Joshua’s ambition had always set him apart from his peers. In a candid interview dating back to April 2017, Joshua spoke of his aspirations to not only conquer the boxing world but to transcend it, aiming to become the sport’s first billionaire.

“When I first started, the aim was to become a multi-millionaire,” Joshua said.

“But now there are ordinary people, grandmas and granddads, who are worth millions just because of property prices. So the new school of thought is that I need to be a billionaire.”

Joshua went on to earn £1m from four other fights and £2m from wins over Kevin Johnson and Gary Cornish before a £3m purse for his win over Dillian Whyte and a total of £14.5m from his next three bouts.

However, it was his resounding victory over Wladimir Klitschko in the same month that catapulted Joshua into boxing stardom. Not only did the win secure his status as a heavyweight champion, but it also significantly boosted his earnings, with a staggering £15m purse attached to the fight.

His rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr., which saw him reclaim his titles from the American who handed him his first loss, brought in a monumental £66m payday, a testament to his enduring appeal and drawing power.

Joshua’s highest purse from a bout was made in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk which he lost by split decision. In the first bout, Joshua earned £20m and in the rematch in Saudi Arabia, the two-time heavyweight champion bagged a whopping sum of £70m.

Undeterred by setbacks, such as his defeats to Usyk, Joshua showcased his resilience by bouncing back with triumphant victories in his next four fights which saw him earn a total of £86 with the biggest pay coming from his most recent fight against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia where he pocketed £40m.

Each victory not only added to his legacy in the ring but also swelled his bank balance, underscoring his status as one of boxing’s most bankable stars.

Looking ahead, Joshua’s sights are set firmly on the horizon, his appetite for success as voracious as ever. With a record of 28-3-0 (25 KOs), the 34-year-old now has his sights set on becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.

There are indications that the Defence Headquarters is preparing to release the names and pictures of the new set of wanted terrorist and bandit leaders.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that this was following the elimination of top terrorists and bandit leaders on the watchlist of the military and the emergence of a new crop of leaders.

The DHQ had in November 2022 declared no fewer than 19 bandit leaders wanted with a bounty of N5m on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest.

Prominent among those declared wanted were Bello Turji from Fakai village, Zamfara State; Ali  Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from  Kuyambara village in Danaadau Maru LG of Zamfara State; Ado Aliero, from Yankuzo village, in the Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State; Halilu Sububu from Sububu village, in the Maradun  LGA, Zamfara State.

Also on the list were Sani Dangote from  Dumbarum village,  Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Leko (Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State); Dogo Nahali (Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State); Nagona from  Angwan Galadima in the Isa Loa area of Sokoto State;  Monore from Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele village in the Zuri LGA of Zamfara State; Baleri from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State and Mamudu Tainange from  Varanda village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and others.

A source told our correspondent that the military was planning to release a new list of wanted terrorists.

The source noted that work was ongoing on that. 

“The authorities are working on a new list of another wanted terrorist and bandit leaders. It will also contain their pictures. Their lists are being compiled.

“We will urge Nigerians to cooperate with us to enable us to neutralise them as we have done in the past. There should be a bounty on them but I can’t say how much. Don’t worry; it will be released to the public very soon,” the source hinted.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed that work was ongoing on the new list.

“We are working on the list. It will be out soon,” he said.

Sunday PUNCH reports that the military had during several operations across the various theatres of operations killed many terrorist and bandit leaders.

This includes a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Boderi who allegedly orchestrated many high-profile kidnappings, including those of Yauri schoolgirls, Greenfield University, and the Nigerian Defence Academy attacks.

Boderi was said to have been killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in February 2024.

Between February 1 and 28, 2024, the troops killed 10 terrorist kingpins.

The terrorist kingpins are Ashiru, Kachambi, Dogon Rakumi, Sulen Nagala, Laushi, Bangis, Alhaji Kabiru, Alhaji Baldu, and Baban Yara.

  In July 2023, a bandit leader in Zamfara, Dogo Gudali, was killed by the troops.

Similarly in January 2023, a bandit kingpin, popularly known as Alhaji Shadari, and some of his gang members were killed in Zamfara State.

The Lagos state Police Command has arrested one Adepoju Ifedayo for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old sister.

This was made known in a statement shared by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on his X account on Saturday.

Sharing a picture of the suspect, Hundeyin wrote, “Adepoju Ifedayo reported to the police that his neighbour allegedly defiled his 13-year-old sister.

“Investigation showed that he indeed was the culprit but was trying to divert attention.

“Following the survivor’s claim that she sighted a firearm in his room, a search was conducted in his apartment, leading to the recovery of two locally made firearms and three live cartridges – another count: unlawful possession of firearms. Investigation is ongoing.”

No fewer than 16 military officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army were on Thursday killed by unknown gunmen in riverside Ijaw and Urhobo communities of Delta State.

The murdered security personnel include the commanding officer of 181 Battalion, two Army Majors and 13 soldiers.

As at 6pm on Saturday, 14 corpses of the fallen soldiers had been recovered by the Army.
The corpses were brought to the jetty of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in Bomadi, the headquarters of Bomadi local government area of Delta State, awaiting further directives by superior authorities.

Most of them were beheaded and dismembered by the killers. Images of the mutilated bodies of the soldiers being recovered were being circulated on social media, adding to the tension in the communities.

The troops, who were deployed to quell the crisis between an Urhobo community, Opuama and Ijaw community, Okoloba in Ughelli South and Bomadi local government areas of Delta State, respectively, were ambushed by the rampaging fighters of both communities.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that an unspecified number of indigenes of the communities have also lost their lives in the consequent invasion by another set of angry troops.
Already, the communities have been deserted as further reinforcement of troops have been made into the troubled spots on the order of the General Officer Commanding, 6th Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Jamal Abdussalam.
Abdussalam has also relocated to the war-ravaged areas.

Though LEADERSHIP Sunday could not ascertain the circumstances leading to the crisis between the two communities, impeccable security sources revealed that the initial team of soldiers deployed in the areas were murdered by the irate local fighters.

The fate of the preliminary team led to further reinforcement of troops, led by the commanding officer of 181 Battalion, Bomadi, the headquarters of Bomadi LGA, who were also ambushed and murdered.

Consequently, a killing spree engulfed Okuama and Okoloba communities, leaving in its trail death of uncounted civilians.

Six military gunboats have been anchored at the waterfront of Opuama community.
The director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who confirmed the killing of the military personnel, said the personnel were deployed for a peacekeeping mission to the two warring communities.

In a statement yesterday, Tukur said the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, has ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of all those involved.

He said, “The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi local government area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi local government area of Delta State on peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta

State who were reportedly surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.

“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime.
“The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.”

DHQ Orders Arrest Of Delta Youths For Killing 4 Officers, 12 Soldiers On Peace Mission
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the killing of one Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers in Delta State and ordered the arrest of those behind the killing.
The acting director, Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau said the troops were attacked by some community youths and killed on Thursday.

He said the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi local government area of Delta State responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa in a response has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime.

The statement added that the ugly occurrence has been reported to the Delta State government for further action.

He however, reiterated that the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

“So far, few arrests have been made while steps are in place to unravel the motive behind the attack,” he said.

Community Leader Faults Army

Meanwhile, the vice president general of the Okuama community, David Akata, has accused the Nigeria Army of invasion of the community saying that the “unknown gunmen” who turned out to be Nigeria Army, shot sporadically at anyone in sight leaving three indigenes dead and several others injured.

He disclosed that his community recorded three casualties with many others injured and houses set ablaze as the armed men in military uniforms allegedly wreaked havoc in Okuama community from a speedboat.

According to Akata, “The armed men suspected to be Nigeria Army on Thursday, March 14, carried out the genocide on the citizens of the community by setting their buildings and properties ablaze with chanting of war songs.

“We woke up to see our community surrounded with men in military uniform numbering in their tens and without just no reason started shooting at sight leading to the death of three promising youths of the community and several others injured from gun bullets.

“The same military men repeated their genocide actions on the innocent and law-abiding citizens of the Okuama community on Friday, March 15, 2024, leaving many buildings in rubbles as they carried offensive arson on the community buildings.

“As I speak, the number of persons who died in the barbaric attack could not be ascertained as many of the aged men, women, and youths fled into the nearby bushes and, and we suspect that some women and children might have drowned in the river because many ran into the river out of panic.
“This is disheartening that the Delta State government and security operatives in the state with a lackadaisical approach have not been able to quell the crisis between the two communities. We entered a peace accord with the state government and security operatives in the state.
“We stand by the accord but often times the Okoloba people harassed our people by assaulting them, and our pleas on the state government to expedite action and called the Okolobians to order fell on deaf ears allowing the Okoloba community people to use their mercenaries in military uniforms and bandits to kill our people,” he lamented.

Men ln Army Uniform Set Ablaze Delta Community, Three Killed
Okuama community in the Ughelli south local government area of Delta state has been allegedly raised down by men in military uniform.

The raid has resulted in the death of three young men, with many reportedly injured while other women and children were displaced and unaccounted for.

The men in military uniform were suspected to have come from Okoloba community
Tension has been building up since January 27, 2024 when some youths from the neighbouring Okoloba, Bomadi local government area allegedly ambushed and killed three Okuama youths returning from Okwagbe over an age-long land dispute.

It was further gathered that the crisis arose from the killing of Masers Igho Meshack, Godspower Awusa, and Okiemute Agbabuleke in cold blood and with their bodies dismembered on January 27.

Speaking with journalists from his hideout, the vice president general of Okuama community, Mr David Akata disclosed how some men in military uniform, well-armed, invaded his community in the early hours of March 14, 2024, with a gunboat.

According to him, the unknown gunmen arrived in the community at about 8am and started shooting sporadically at anyone in sight leaving three killed and several injured and are currently receiving medication in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

Speaking further, Akata hinted that a troop suspected to be men of the Nigerian Army on Friday, March 15, 2024, carried out what he termed a genocide on the innocent citizenry of the community by setting their buildings and properties ablaze while chanting war songs.

“Our people woke up that morning to see our community surrounded by men in military uniform numbering over 60 personnel and without provocation they started shooting at sight leading to the death of three promising youths of the community and several others sustaining injuries from gun bullets.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Command, DSP Bight Edafe, confirmed the crisis in the area and the reported deaths but said the command was not aware of any invasion by security personnel.

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun as a cerebral monarch and an amiable personality, saying the monarch would be given a befitting burial.

The governor stated this at Alli Iwo compound, Ibadan, after the Salat al’Janazah for the late monarch, noted that Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great monarch.

He noted that the late Oba left legacies and beautiful memories in terms of developments attracted to Ibadanland and that the government will leverage the legacies to chart a greater course for the city and the state.

Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal eulogised the late monarch as an intellectual and accomplished politician before his ascension to the throne of his forebears, saying he brought his wealth of experience to bear on the throne.

He said: “We can describe the late monarch in many ways. First, he was one of the few cerebral individuals to become Olubadan of Ibadanland. He was very educated and an intellectual.”

He took issues intellectually and, for that reason, we know that we have lost a monarch.”

“Secondly, he was a politician of note. He was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003, and he climbed the ladder to become the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

“Moving forward, his legacies, memories will chart a course for us, not only in Ibadanland but in Oyo State and Nigeria.”
“He was an amiable man as we all know. He was very jovial and friendly and we pray to Almighty Allah that he will meet His creator in peace.”

The governor assured that the late Oba Dr Balogun will be honoured by the state, saying that the state government will be fully involved in whatever programmes will ensure that he is given a befitting burial.

“Let me assure you on behalf of His Excellency that whatever it will take to give the late monarch a befitting burial, the state government will do it.

“For now, the Muslim rites have been done and we believe that, moving forward, whatever programme that will follow will have the involvement of the state government,” he added.

Governor Makinde also expressed the confidence that with the seamlessness in the Olubadan Chieftaincy System, the next Olubadan will step in and take the mantle of leadership to move Ibadanland to its next level.

He said: “Now, the ascension to the throne of Olubadan has always been peaceful and we pray that whoever is coming in as Olubadan of Ibadanland, will take the mantle from where Oba Balogun dropped it.”

Some lawyers in the country have passed a vote of confidence on the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, following calls for his sack or resignation.

The lawyers described the call for his sack as the handiwork of mischief makers and also condemned them for making allegations that cannot be aubstantiated against the INEC chairman to blackmail him.

The lawyers under the auspices of Consortium of Nigerian Lawyers, in a petition addressed to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak, through the High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, said the malicious claims of bribery and corruption were propagated by faceless individuals.

“We, the undersigned Nigerian lawyers, write this petition with great concern and urgency regarding the unsubstantiated and fake allegations made against Mallam Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We implore you to address this issue and rectify the damage caused to Mallam Yakubu’s reputation and the sanctity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

“The allegations in question, as reported by the conspiracy-driven news outlets and social media, claim that Mallam Yakubu engaged in corrupt practices and has accepted bribes. These malicious claims were propagated by faceless individuals who lack any form of credibility or substantiation for their accusations. It is clear that these allegations are baseless and intended solely to tarnish the reputation of Mallam Yakubu and undermine the integrity of INEC,” they said.