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Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect, has appointed Fred Itua, a journalist with The Sun newspaper, as his chief press secretary.
Itua’s appointment was contained in a statement personally signed by the governor-elect.
Okpebholo’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 12.
Itua boasts over 13 years as a writer, journalist, and communications consultant.
Until his appointment, he was the assistant political editor at The Sun newspaper.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, a Master’s degree in Media Arts from the University of Abuja, and is in the final stages of his PhD thesis in Development Communication at Veritas University, Abuja.
“Itua brings unparalleled expertise to the table, leveraging extensive experience covering national assembly, migration, health, anti-corruption, and environmental issues to provide profound insights into national and international affairs,” the statement reads.
“His commitment to lifelong learning and cross-cultural collaboration makes him a highly adaptable team player, ready to lead and innovate in multicultural settings.”
[TheCable]
Four Suspects Arrested For Stealing Aviation Fuel At Abuja Airport, - Offer Police Officer N500,000 Bribe
AFOLABI
Some suspects who were arrested for stealing aviation fuel from the Aerotan Hanger tank at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, have allegedly offered a N500,000 bribe to influence the investigation and prevent prosecution.
The suspects were arrested with a Honda salon car conveying fifty jerry cans of the fuel popularly known as Jet A1 by Sani and his men.
The police, however, rejected the bribe.
The spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, CSP Daramola Kazeem disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
The statement commended the police DPO and his team for rejecting the bribe brought forward by the suspects to evade being prosecuted.
The statement read, “The Divisional Police officer of the Airport Division of Abuja, SP Umar Sani and his team have arrested one Murtala Abdulahi 46 years old with a Honda salon car with Registration number LAGOS GGE 680 EL conveying fifty jerry cans of aviation fuel popularly known as Jet A1.
“The arrest was made possible when on routine patrol at the Airport landside when the vehicle was flagged down for routine checks in the middle of the night at about 0300hrs of 06/11/2024.
“The JET 1 according to the suspects was siphoned from Aerotan Hanger tank at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
"His confession led to the arrest of other conspirators, Abdulahi Jibril 26 years, Kabiru Hassan 25 years and Habibu Abdulrahaman 42 years in other parts of Abuja.
“The Commissioner of of Police in charge of Airport Command, CP Aminu Baba Raji psc has commended the DPO and his team for rejecting the bribe of Five hundred thousand naira (N500,000,00) brought forward by the suspects to evade being prosecuted.
“He said the rejection aligns with the ethos of the Nigeria Police as led by the zero corruption tolerant Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, NPM PhD.
“The product which street value is put at about Two million naira has been impounded while investigation is about concluding to enable arraignment of suspects in court.”
We Are Controlling The Country Now - MC Oluomo’s Son Says After His Father Became NURTW National President
AFOLABI
King West, the son of renowned Lagos transport leader MC Oluomo, has sparked reactions on social media after posting a photo of his father with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
The image, which King West posted on his Instagram story, captures MC Oluomo standing with President Tinubu in a setting adorned with Nigerian flags.
Accompanying the photo, King West wrote, “Nah the country we dey control now, no be only Lagos again,” signaling a perceived increase in influence that goes beyond Lagos State.
King West’s statement comes shortly after his father, MC Oluomo, assumed the role of National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), a prominent position within Nigeria's transportation sector.
In another caption, King West affectionately referred to his father as "The Beast" and expressed pride in his father's achievements.
2024 MTV EMAs: South African Singer, Tyla Beats Nigerian artists To Win Best Afrobeats Award
AFOLABI
South African singer, Tyla, shone brightly at the 30th MTV Europe Music Awards in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Sunday, scooping three trophies.
She fought off competition from Nigerian stars Asake, Tems, Rema, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr to win the Best Afrobeats Artist award.
She also won the Best African Act gong, defeating Ayra Starr, Asake, DBN Gogo, TitoM & Yuppe and Diamond Platnumz.
Tyla won her third award for the night; Best R&B Artist ahead of American superstars Kehlani, SZA, Tinashe, Usher and Victoria Monét.
She wrapped up the beautiful night with an acoustic performance of her hit song ‘Water.’
Meanwhile, Nigerian songstress Ayra Starr lost all her four nominations – Best African Act, Best New Artist, Best Afrobeats Artist and Best Push.
Earlier this year, Tyla defeated Nigerian artists to win the maiden Best African Music Performance category at the Grammys. She also won the Best Afrobeats Artist category ahead of Nigerian artists at the 2024 MTV Music Video Awards.
Governor-elect of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Fred Itua as his new Chief Press Secretary.
Okpebholo will be sworn in as the new Edo State Governor on Tuesday, November 12th.
Itua’s appointment which will take effect on November 12, 2024, marks the first official designation of the incoming administration.
Itua, a distinguished journalist with extensive experience, previously served as the Assistant Political Editor at The Sun newspaper.
His expertise and commitment to high standards in journalism and public communication will be valuable assets to the new administration as it prepares to deliver on its mandate for the people of Edo State.
The appointment underscores Senator Okpebholo’s commitment to fostering transparent and effective communication within his administration.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC has announced plans to auction assets belonging to defunct Heritage Bank.
These assets include landed properties and physical assets.
Bashir Nuhu, Director of Communication & Public Affairs at NDIC, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Recall that on June 3, the Central Bank of Nigeria revoked the license of Heritage Bank over weak financial stability.
The NDIC, acting as the liquidator of Heritage Bank, will oversee the sale across 36 locations from 4 December.
“The sale of landed assets is by competitive bidding and will take place at the 36 affected locations of the bank across the country, from Wednesday 4th December, 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise.
“This is vital for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants,” the statement read.
It also said that prospective buyers, including financial institutions, corporate bodies, and private individuals, are invited to participate in a competitive bidding process.
According to the statement, the sale extends to both the landed properties and chattels of Heritage Bank, with assets available for inspection before auction.
Furthermore, the NDIC will give preference to financial institutions willing to acquire properties and maintain operations at these sites, a move intended to sustain local access to financial services in areas previously served by the bank.
As of August, the NDIC said it has since reimbursed about 82.36 per cent of the total insured deposit to date.
Depositors with balances above N5 million received the insured amount, while the corporation promised to pay the remaining uninsured balances as liquidation dividends once the bank’s assets are recovered and debts settled.
President Bola Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has taken a swipe at the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, referring to him as a sore loser who undermines Tinubu's administration.
Onanuga’s comments come in response to Atiku’s recent statements condemning the administration’s economic direction and proposing alternative reforms.
In May, Atiku had stated that Nigeria's economy has deteriorated under Tinubu, falling short of the high expectations held by citizens. He accused the President of implementing a "cocktail of policies" without clear plans to achieve the economic transformation promised during his campaign. Earlier this month, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) outlined reforms he would have prioritized if he were president.
In a statement on Sunday, , November 10, Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s criticisms, asserting that they lack “realistic alternatives.” He argued that the Tinubu administration has made substantial progress, particularly in revenue generation, and expected commendation from Atiku for these achievements.
“We expect Atiku to commend what the Tinubu administration has done concerning revenue generation for the Federation,” Onanuga said. “Without factoring in oil sales, revenue proceeds generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service almost doubled in the first half of 2024, compared with the level Tinubu met in 2023.”
Onanuga added that state and local governments have benefited from these economic gains. “The states and councils are more prosperous because of it, as many states have increased the minimum wage for their workers to between N70,000 and N85,000,” he noted.
In reference to Tinubu’s controversial removal of the fuel subsidy, Onanuga argued that Atiku has not criticized this policy, acknowledging its necessity. “Notably, while Atiku peddles his economic fantasies, he has yet to denounce President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy because he knows that the reform was necessary and correct. We can only urge him to purge himself of the petty, derisive politics of a sore loser,” Onanuga stated.
Onanuga further claimed that Atiku has focused on undermining Tinubu’s administration instead of addressing issues within his own party. “Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion. We suspect he is envious of Tinubu’s position — an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times.”
Finally, he questioned Atiku’s understanding of Nigeria’s economic realities, stating, “Atiku’s economic analysis demonstrates a significant misunderstanding of Nigeria’s realities. His narrative, ‘What We Would Have Done Differently,’ indicates an inability to engage with the pressing economic realities being revitalized multidimensionally under President Tinubu’s leadership.”
Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the 'Obidient Movement,' expressed confidence in Peter Obi's potential to become Nigeria's president in 2027.
Tanko, who spoke during a symposium in Onitsha, Anambra State, noted that the Labour Party candidate was denied victory in 2023 due to alleged electoral malpractice but affirmed that the movement would be better prepared for the next election cycle.
Speaking at the one-day event, titled “Repositioning the Obidient Movement for Greater Impact,” organized by the Obidient Movement and Anambra State Support Groups, Tanko outlined the movement’s renewed focus on mobilization, structure, and youth empowerment. He stressed that a “new Nigeria” is within reach if citizens choose leaders committed to good governance and accountability.
“We are dedicated to promoting good governance and accountability,” Tanko said. “Obi has the potential to emerge as president in 2027 if we organize ourselves properly. We will ensure that our agents are thoroughly trained and prepared before the 2027 general election.”
Tanko emphasized that the movement aims to build a strong foundation for fair and credible elections. Reflecting on the 2023 elections, he noted that while critics accused the Labour Party of lacking political structure, Obi still garnered substantial support. However, Tanko claimed that electoral malpractice prevented a fair outcome.
“This time, history will not repeat itself. We will prepare thoroughly,” he assured the audience.
The symposium also highlighted the Obidient Movement’s plan to advocate for electoral reform through legislative efforts and public mobilization.
Tanko explained that they would bring their proposals to the National Assembly and rally public support in favor of fair electoral practices, both in the courts and on the streets.
“Even the North is dissatisfied with the current government,” he said. “We are committed to making a tangible impact by empowering Nigerian youths and advocating for justice, equity, and meaningful change.”
The Obidient Movement’s commitment, Tanko noted, is to establish a Nigeria where the power of the people is respected and where the right leadership can bring about genuine transformation for all citizens.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Olubunmi Johnson, for allegedly setting his wife, Kikelomo, on fire in their apartment on Fagbuyi Street, Ilogbo, in the Ota area of Ogun State.
PUNCH Metro learnt from an eyewitness on Saturday evening that the incident took place around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, following a domestic dispute.
While the exact circumstances leading to the confrontation remain unclear at the time of this report, the spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola told our correspondent that Johnson has been detained in connection with the crime.
Our correspondent learnt that a neighbour who witnessed the incident alerted the victim’s relatives, who then informed the police about what is now being investigated as an attempted murder.
Odutola told our correspondent that police officers from the Ilogbo Division quickly took action, resulting in the arrest of the 55-year-old suspect.
“The husband doused his wife’s body with petrol and set her on fire with a match. Witnesses to the incident immediately rushed her to the hospital.
“Upon receiving the report, our detectives quickly took action and arrested the husband, who has since been detained.”
PUNCH Metro reported a similar case of domestic violence in October 2024, when a 30-year-old man, Motunrayo Olaniyi, allegedly stabbed his newlywed wife, Olajumoke, to death at Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The incident reportedly occurred following a heated argument between the couple.
The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that during the altercation, Olaniyi stabbed his 25-year-old wife multiple times, locked her in the room, and set the room on fire.
The founder of the Daystar Christian Center, pastor Sam Adeyemi has advised men with concerns about their small manhood.
Adeyemi gave the advice on Sunday while addressing his congregation.
Narrating an incident that happened during his secondary school days, the 57-year-old preacher highlighted the absurdity of body comparisons.
Speaking further, the clergyman encouraged young men to focus more on inner growth, meaningful relationships, and self-acceptance.
“One of the major pressures we have is body image problems. It is terrible to compare your body with mine. Setting standards on what the body should look like and then you find out you fell short. It is so bad.
“I went to an all boys secondary school. I still remember a day that some of my classmates went somewhere and by the time they came back, we now found out what they went to do. They went with a ruler to go measure their private parts and to compare.
“Nothing destroys self image more than that. It is nonsense. If you are a young guy, let me encourage you because it is all over the internet now. You will see either medicine or a Chinese method of elongating your manhood.
“It is a lie, it is not the length that matters but the effectiveness, the skills and love for your spouse. So for God’s sake wait till you get married. Don’t let them kill you,” he said.
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The Nigerian government has announced the release of the results of the Professional Examination in General and Post Basic Nursing Programmes in 2024.
This was disclosed in a circular dated November 10, 2024, by the Nursery and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
A breakdown of the results showed that 18,139 candidates were successful, representing an 88 percent pass rate.
The statement noted that the heads of Nigeria’s nursing training institutions are hereby directed to check the result of their institution(S) online as of Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has approved the release of the results of the November 2024 Professional Examination in General/Post Basic Nursing Programmes.
“Summary of the results indicated that eighteen, thousand, one hundred and thirty Nine (18,139) candidates were successful, representing 88 percent pass.
“The breakdown is as follows: A) General Nursing Programme Twelve thousand, five hundred and thirty-four (12,534) candidates were successful, representing 88 percent pass; refresher program Forty-two (42) candidates were successful, representing 45 percent pass; Foreign Trained Nursing (FTN); One hundred and seventy-eight (178) candidates were successful in representing 43 percent pass; Post Basic Nursing Programmes Four thousand, five hundred and thirteen (4, 513) candidates were successful, representing a 96 percent pass rate and Community Nursing Programme.
“Eight hundred and seventy-two (872) candidates were successful, representing 74 percent pass”, the statement signed by the acting registrar of NMCN, Ngadi Alhassan, reads.
The Nigeria Army says troops have recorded success in the Niger Delta region as it dismantled over 43 illegal oil bunkering hubs, arrested 19 economic saboteurs and confiscated over 260,000 litres of stolen products.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, in a statement on Sunday, said the troops also demolished over 11 vehicles, 21 boats, as well as 11 motorcycles used for stealing crude oil in the region
According to the statement, in Rivers State, troops dismantled seven active illegal refining hubs around Abesa and Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), just as it confiscated over 60,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
It said the troops also destroyed several illegal bunkering havens, three fibre boats, five wooden boats, as well as recovered over 41,000 litres of stolen products.
It said in Buguma Creeks, four active illegal refining hubs, eight large cooking pots, massive receivers/reservoirs, three local boats stocked with over 12,500 litres of stolen products were destroyed.
According to the statement, several wooden boats with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were intercepted around Odagwa, Akwa, Oza West, Oyigbo,Obozur and Ayama general areas.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused Dangote Group and oil marketers of ganging up to rip Nigerians off in the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) pricing.
NLC disclosed this in a communiqué on Sunday after its National Executive Council Meeting held on Friday.
The Union noted that the current price of petrol, which stood between N1060 and N1,200 per litre, is higher than the market value.
According to the NLC, the high petrol price in Nigeria is an indication of the prevalence of cost padding and abnormal margins in the country’s oil and gas sector at the detriment of Nigerians.
The Union called on the Nigerian government to immediately activate the Port Harcourt refinery takeoff and other government-owned refineries.
“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol (PMS) in Nigeria.
“It was observed that there may be a gang-up against Nigerians by fat cats in the industry as the current price of the product
is significantly higher than the real market price.
“Padding of costs and abnormal margins seems to be the order of the day considering the revelations from the
ongoing controversy between Marketers and Dangote Group.
“It is entirely possible that Nigerian workers and masses are being ripped off by those who control the levers of economic power in Nigeria, which explains why the domestic public refineries may not immediately be allowed to come on stream.
“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the public domestic refineries in PH, Warri, and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream to break up the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have on the industry,” NLC stated.
Recall that in the past days, Petroleum marketers and Dangote Refinery have been enmeshed in controversy over petrol pricing.
DAILY POST reports that Dangote Group had announced that its petrol was sold at N960 and N990 per litre.
However, Petroleum Marketers had insisted that imported petrol is cheaper than Dangote Petrol.
But Dangote Refinery accused petrol marketers of importing cheap and substandard fuel, which was denied.
Recent data from the Major Energies Marketers Association showed that the landing cost of imported petrol stood at N971 per litre.
We get more dead bodies than patients, We can’t pay 70K minimum wage – Private Medical Practitioners Association
AFOLABI
The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, ANPMP, says private hospitals in Nigeria are folding up due to the ravaging economic downturn.
It also revealed that the nation’s economic situation has forced several Nigerians into self medication, resulting in organ failure and subsequently, death.
ANPMP’s Chairman, Dr Odia Festus Ihongbe in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, weekend, in Abuja, said that morgues were being filled up with dead bodies, while hospital beds were empty.
According to him, “people come only when it becomes critical and they just want you to do magic. And some want to die in the hospital, maybe because of confusion in their families.”
Dr Odia revealed that Nigerians now google their symptoms and buy “drugs from chemists until it gets to the terminal stage.
“Sometimes, we keep them outside and issue death certificates because if you don’t do that, they will come in and dump the body in your hospital and say they are going to look for money for burial”.
Odia further lamented that private hospitals cannot afford to pay the N70,000 minimum wage recently approved by the federal government, owing to poor revenue.
He said, “How will the private sector pay the N70,000 minimum wage?
“Meanwhile the private sector employs 80 percent of doctors and nurses and other scientists, so we are more in number.
“If you have like eight to ten cleaners in your hospital, that’s already about N800,000. Who will pay that money?”
“We provide services to 80 percent of healthcare services in Nigeria yet the government does not show concern about developing the private sector.
“They do more lip service than giving us required attention. Whatever affects health, affects the private sector more.
“You have to provide accommodations for your workers, pay salaries like any other businesses.”
He lamented that prices of essential drugs and hospital equipment have skyrocketed due to the forex crisis.
“We buy drugs and other heavy equipment and the prices of all these things are galloping everyday.
“For instance, the oxygen machine that we used to buy for N25,000 some years ago, went to about N100,000 and we raised the alarm.
“Now the same machine is over N1.5 to N2 million. How do we survive it? These are even minor pieces of equipment.
“Now, the interest rate in banks is something else and no bank wants to help us because it’s not a ‘sharp sharp’ business”, he lamented.
He further stated that the only way the Nigerian medical system would work effectively was through the national health insurance, which according to him, collapsed 20 years ago.
He said, “Where the Nigerian medical system would have worked is through national health insurance. This has been destroyed for over 20 years.
“For over 20 years, they could only cover 4 percent of the Nigerian population. Recently they said the insurance has increased from N500 to N700, how can N700 treat a person for a whole month?
“They know the truth, but they are acting like they are ignorant. Some months ago, we said we are not treating again, then they added N400.
“You can see that there is no seriousness. Between now and December, we will stop treating them. They should go and look for how to treat their patients.
“The way Nigerians are dropping dead every day is alarming. If we have resolved as a country to reduce the population of Nigerians through negative health index, let us come out openly and say it.
“Because Nigerians can no longer access healthcare. Paracetamol that used to be N250 is now N7000. I don’t know how they want Nigerians to survive.
“Ordinary syringe of N250 is now more than N7000 per pack. We are all confused. People are just dying and mortuaries are filled up”.
On the issue of minimum wage, Odia stated that “if health insurance is working and the government is paying when they are supposed to pay, the hospital will be able to settle these bills.”