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The Federal Ministry of Works has directed Julius Berger, the contractor handling Section One rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, to evacuate the project site.
This followed a 14-day final termination notice issued to the company on Monday, dismissing any possibility of further negotiations.
The ministry said the termination was based on non-compliance with the reviewed cost, scope, and terms, stoppage of work, and refusal to remobilise to the site, as directed.
It noted that negotiations had been ongoing for several months without any significant progress.
A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, disclosed this information on Monday in Abuja, stressing that the decision was reached during a management meeting of the ministry at its headquarters.
Recall that the works ministry had in the last 13 months been in constant talks with the company, in order to reach an amiable position on the said alignment but to no avail.
The latest development follows an earlier threat by the minister to revoke the contract that was awarded to the company in 2018 when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in power.
While the Kaduna-Zaria section has been completed and the Zaria-Kano section is almost done, the Abuja-Kaduna section has recorded 27 per cent progress in six years.
At an event penultimate week, Umahi accused Julius Berger of playing politics with the highway to make the current administration look bad.
Despite these efforts, an agreement was not reached between both parties, with the construction company not attending the scheduled meeting on Monday.
The statement read in part, “Based on non-compliance with the reviewed cost, scope, and terms, stoppage of work and refusal to remobilise to the site, as directed, the Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day Notice of Termination to Messrs Julius Berger Plc for the Rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna), today, November 4, 2024.
“Nigerians may wish to know that the Contract for the Rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, which was divided into three Sections was awarded to the company on December 20, 2017, and flagged off by the former Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola at an initial sum of N155.75bn on June 18, 2018. Sections II (Kaduna – Zaria) and III (Zaria – Kano) were partially completed and handed over during the twilight of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Since then it has been one variation and augmentation or the other and finally, the present Minister of Works directed the redesigning and re-scoping of the Section I of the contract. The alignment was divided into two with one phase redesigned to be on continuously reinforced concrete pavement, while the remaining with asphaltic pavement.
“Approval for Section I, Phase 1 for a length of 38km on the concrete pavement was given to Messrs Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd, while the remaining 127km remained with the substantive contractor. Phase 1 was flagged off on October 17, 2024, with a 14-month completion period.”
Mohammed further explained that a request to rescope the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council but the contract’s terms were not agreed upon by the contractor.
He added, “Due to the stalemate of the contract and, most importantly, the desire of President Bola Tinubu, as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda infrastructure initiative, to see to the completion of this laudable project, also to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians plying the road, the ministry re-scoped it and got the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
“The award for the Re-scoping and Downward Review of Contract for the Rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) in favour of Messrs Julius Berger Plc from the sum of N797.26bn to N740.79bn was granted by FEC on September 23, 2024, and conveyed to the company on October 3, 2024.”
With the latest development, this means the Works Minister, David Umahi has revoked 11 contracts in 16 months.
[Punch]
Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has asked politicians and traditional rulers in the country to lead with the fear of Almighty God.
Cardinal Onaiyekan gave the charge in his homily at a mass in the chapel of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State in commemoration of Saint Charles Borromeo, the Italian Cardinal often described as the “loving reformer.”
He said leaders in various positions of authority should be conscious that the Almighty God gave them such leadership responsibilities, adding that they should lead in accordance with the will of God.
At the service were His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Sidedo, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, his chiefs and others.
Onaiyekan said he was elated that the monarch and several others in his kingdom were Christians.
He said: “Saint Charles Borromeo lived during the time of the Protestant Reformation, and had a hand in the reform of the whole church during the final years of the Council of Trent.
“Although he belonged to the Milanese nobility and was related to the powerful Medici family, Charles desired to devote himself to the Church. In 1559, when his uncle, Cardinal de Medici was elected Pope Pius IV, he made Charles cardinal-deacon and administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan.
“At the time Charles was still a layman and a young student. Because of his intellectual qualities, Charles was entrusted with several important offices connected with the Vatican, and later appointed secretary of state with responsibility for the papal states. The untimely death of his elder brother brought Charles to a definite decision to be ordained a priest, despite his relatives’ insistence. Soon after being ordained a priest at age 25, Borromeo was consecrated bishop of Milan.
“Charles took the initiative in giving a good example. He allotted most of his income to charity, forbade himself all luxury, and imposed severe penances upon himself. He sacrificed wealth, high honors, esteem, and influence to become poor.
“During the plague and famine of 1576, Borromeo tried to feed 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. To do this, he borrowed large sums of money that required years to repay. Whereas the civil authorities fled at the height of the plague, he stayed in the city, where he ministered to the sick and the dying, helping those in want.
“Work and the heavy burdens of his high office began to affect Archbishop Borromeo’s health, leading to his death at the age of 46.”
[Vanguard]
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has reacted after being accused of importing substandard Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) by Dangote Refinery.
Reacting, spokesperson of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike denied the allegation in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Monday.
Recall that Dangote Refinery on Sunday accused petroleum marketers of importing cheaper, substandard petrol into Nigeria.
However, reacting, Ukadike said the Dangote refinery’s claim is baseless and untrue.
According to him, the issue of bad fuel had been resolved in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“Months back, I remember one or two stations raised the issue of bad fuel; since then the issue has been addressed. Since that time, there have not been complaints that marketers imported bad fuel.
“I see the allegations of substandard fuel being imported into the country as unfounded and baseless,” he told DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that while NNPCL retail outlets sell PMS between N1025 and N1060, other filling stations sell between N1,115 and N1,300 nationwide.
Last week Friday, IPMAN hinted at plans to source cheaper petrol for Nigerians amid higher ex-depot prices of Dangote Petrol.
Recall that upon the lifting of Dangote Petrol on September 15, 2024, NNPCL hiked fuel prices. There have been several petrol price hikes since then, which took fuel to between N1,025 and N1,300 per litre.
Equatorial Guinea govt official arrested over 400 Sex Tapes With IGP, Ministers, Others’ Wives
AFOLABI
The Director General, National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sextapes of the wives of notable people in the country.
The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old Economist which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his sexcapades with different married women.
The videos reportedly include encounters with high-profile individuals, such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the Director General of Police’s wife, and about 20 of the country’s ministers’ wives, among others.
The footage, discovered in his personal office, was said to have been recorded with consent and has since been leaked online, causing a media uproar.
In a report by a local media platform, Ahora EG, since last October, Engonga has been involved in a sexual scandal unprecedented in the history of Equatorial Guinea.
The former ANIF DG better known as “Bello” had sexual relations with several women, some of them married, and filmed these intimate encounters.
The report read, “The most striking thing is that some scenes took place in his work office, including moments in which he is seen sleeping with a woman next to the National Flag. Based on this sexual scandal, the Executive has stated that the measure is a direct response to the acts that have affected the image of the country.
“With these new measures, the Government hopes to establish a clear precedent on the expected conduct of public officials in order to create a more respectful work environment in the public and private administration of Equatorial Guinea. For days now, erotic videos have been circulating on social media featuring Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA, better known as “Bello”, who is currently the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) and is currently imprisoned for alleged corruption issues.
“Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA is said to have filmed these scenes with the consent of the women themselves, which exonerates him from a possible crime of violation of integrity. In the videos, he is seen having unprotected sex with several women, including those married to powerful and well-known people in the country, but also with the most “diva and influential” single women in Equatorial Guinea. Some scenes take place in hotel rooms, houses, even in the protagonist’s office at the Ministry of Finance,” it added.
However, speaking on the viral sextapes, the Attorney General of the country, Nzang Nguema, has stressed that, although the images suggest that the women involved were not forced to participate, the law does not consider consensual sexual relations to be a crime, unless coercion or violence is proven. This highlights the importance of victims reporting situations of sexual abuse or assault.
Nguema also emphasised that the risk is not only for the women involved but also for their partners and the wider community, adding, “The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these sexual interactions makes the situation even more critical.
He further pointed out that the onus is on victims to come forward in cases of rape or assault, highlighting the need for an environment where people feel safe and supported to report such incidents.
Reacting to the development on Monday, Equatorial Guinea has decided to take action by immediately suspending all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries.
The government claimed that the decision was part of its “zero tolerance” policy towards behaviour that compromises the integrity of the public service.
The Vice President of the Republic, Nguema Mangue, has pointed out that these behaviours constitute a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.
In his publication on X, he emphasized that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration,” and that irresponsible attitudes that put citizen trust at risk will not be allowed.
The United Kingdom is set to see its first increase in university tuition fees in eight years, according to a report by The Telegraph on Monday.
The move, expected to come into “effect from September 2025, will impact current A-level students applying for university entry.”
The administration under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to approve this increase, which will be announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
This adjustment will align tuition fees with the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation.
Tuition fees have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017, the agency reported.
While it remains uncertain which specific inflation figures the Labour government will use, matching the current rate of 2.7% would see fees rise to approximately £9,500 next year.
Past reports have indicated that fees could increase to £10,500 over the next five years.
However, The Telegraph notes that ministers are cautious about committing to further increases beyond the next academic year as they deliberate on a comprehensive reform of the system.
The anticipated fee increase is a response to mounting financial challenges within universities.
Currently, 40 per cent of English universities anticipate running a deficit this year.
The Coalition government last raised tuition fees in 2012, tripling them to £9,000, and subsequently increasing them to £9,250 in 2017. Despite significant inflation since then, fees have remained static.
The Russell Group of leading universities has argued that the current tuition cap results in a financial loss of approximately £4,000 per domestic student.
Additionally, university finances have been strained due to a notable decrease in international student numbers following the Conservative Party’s restrictions on dependent visas.
Home Office data highlighted “a 16 per cent drop in visa applications between July and September compared to the same period in 2023.”
Since international students often pay three to four times the tuition of domestic students, their reduced numbers have eliminated a vital source of income for universities, intensifying the call for immediate action.
Financial Times on Monday also reported that the Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, Nick Hillman, said universities “need a fee rise that is significantly above inflation even to stand still”, adding the sector faces £400 million of extra costs as a result of increases in employers’ national insurance contributions.
“If the announcement is a rise of just 2 to 3 per cent, the worries about financial instability will continue,” he said.
“We also need to know what extra support there will be for students in maintenance support, as they are hurting just as much as institutions.”
Maintenance grants
Insiders have indicated that there was hope for a minor tuition fee increase announcement in the latest budget, underscoring the urgency of the financial situation.
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves refrained from introducing “new higher education funding during her first budget.”
Reports suggest that significant pressure would accompany any fee increase to also reinstate maintenance grants, a move that could come at a substantial cost to the Treasury.
According to The Telegraph, Labour’s analysis indicated that reinstating maintenance grants at a raised rate of £4,009 could cost as much as £2.3 billion annually.
Announcing the tuition fee increase outside of a major fiscal event could allow the government more time to finalise its broader university funding reform.
Ms Phillipson is expected to position the inflation-linked fee rise as a “first step” toward overhauling the current system, potentially reopening discussions about reintroducing maintenance grants, which were eliminated by the Cameron administration in 2016.
The government is also reportedly considering changes to the tuition fee repayment model due to concerns that growing student debt disproportionately affects graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ministers have been in discussions with senior university officials over the past few months in response to urgent calls for support.
Chief Executive of Universities UK (UUK), Vivienne Stern, emphasised the need for immediate government action. “Just get on and index-link the fee— this cannot be allowed to continue,” Stern said in an interview with The Telegraph in September, describing it as a “necessary” measure.
She added, “That’s the bare minimum — you know, you can’t go on like this.”
According to UUK’s analysis, had university teaching investments kept pace with inflation, current funding per student would be in the range of £12,000 to £13,000.
As of now, the Department for Education has yet to issue a formal response.
Controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has confirmed his “temporary” departure from Nigeria, citing the need to attend to his “sanity and health.”
“Yes, I’m here to confirm I’m out of Nigeria temporarily. I need to attend to my sanity and my health,” he wrote in a post on Instagram on Monday.
The crossdresser also expressed disappointment over travel disruptions he had experienced, attributing it to frustrations from local security agencies.
Hence, he called on KLM, the airline involved, to refund two unused tickets, which he said cost N9.8m each.
He added, “Few Nigerian security agencies tried everything to frustrate me, but naaa, I gat God.”
“Imagine buying a business class ticket three times; only one was successful. KLM, I hope you guys refund me the two I didn’t use. I know it’s not your fault, but it’s fine.
“Each business class cost me 9.800,000. I only successfully flew yesterday, 3/11/2024.”
In his post, Bobrisky addressed potential critics, saying, “Before you come to my page to type nonsense, check your account balance if you can afford three business seats, not to talk of buying it three times. Well, I’m not in Nigeria, so your comment means nothing.”
Bobrisky had earlier announced his departure from Nigeria on Monday morning, a few days after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Recall that the embattled cross-dresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while attempting to travel to London on Thursday night.
He alleged that he sustained injuries during the incident.
Following the altercation, he was taken to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he was reportedly questioned regarding claims that he had bribed the officials with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.
He was later released on bail after he reportedly denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement.
Nigerians have lambasted First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu over their plan to lead national prayers seeking God’s intervention in the country’s economic challenges.
The announcement was made by Segun Balogun Afolorunikan, the Director General of the National Prayer Forum, NPF, in Abuja.
Afolorunikan stated that the theme for the 2024 national prayer is “Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.”
The prayer, organized in collaboration with both Christian and Muslim leaders, aims to request divine assistance in addressing the nation’s crises.
Reacting, Nigerians on social media slammed the initiative, saying prayer cannot help turn around the economy if it is managed by crooks.
They cited Peter Obi as an example of someone who predicted that the country cannot move forward with just prayers alone.
See reactions below:
@RamotuOlaniyi
Exactly what Obi was saying yesterday and Ronu bandits were foaming in the mouth. Focus on work and productivity as a panacea for pulling people out of poverty instead of lazy dependence on spiritual intervention.
@Watpapping
Just yesterday o… e no too tey wey Peter obi talk am! Them go need buy bible and Quran so that the prayers go reach where r suppose reach!
@OmoGbajaBiamila
Vindicated Gregory in less than 24 hours. ??
@Ayo_Heart
Is this not the evil prayers that @PeterObi was talking about.
You are beating me and also petting my wound.
ENKR
@Oserume1
The husband is leading harsh reforms, the wife is leading prayers to counter the harsh reforms ?????
@_oaedo_xo
APC knows that a lot of their fans are stupid so they will continue to do shit like this. You people were going over what Obi said with a microscope but just look at this.?
@Ifudia
I hope Buchi will bring his family from yukay for this national vigil
@Mr_Gerrie01
Less than 24hours @PeterObi vindicated.
@Chrisblin
Lmfaooo.. pray your way out of economic damnation, Peter Obi is your problem.
Your government is leading prayers instead of creating jobs, the man that’s bold enough to condemn it is seen as the enemy, you guys are mad.
@Lollypeezle
Those of you angry with Peter Obi when he said we can’t keep praying and going to vigils, congratulations o, they have brought your own package, it’s time to pray.
Mummy RCCG will lead you in shikoroboboskeleba. I hope Apoti Eri from Mount Zion too will join. Adura a gba o ??
@Funmilayolajide
Awwwww another reason to vote them again in 2027. So prayerful and upright unlike PO who doesn’t want us to have our vigils in peace. ?
@AdanyiT52480
This what @PeterObi was saying, we have prayed enough abd God has answered our prayers lets work it out the bible says faith without work is death
@Elkrosmediahub
Lmaoooooo!
They already saw people fighting Peter Obi here for saying the truth about these things, and decided it was worth one more fooling.
@Ogunmusi
Peter Obi - We cannot continue to pray, We need to Face our Problems
Nigerians - It's prayers that's holding this country together. Religion is not our problem.
Less than 48 hours later,
Tinubu's wife , Ribadu to lead national prayers.
We deserve our leaders
@InibeheEffiong
Useless prayers rooted in hypocrisy.
@Olufemi_Deji
This is part of what Peter Obi was saying earlier. This is the same thing Adeboye has been telling you people to do for years now, “pray” because the God you serve is a wicked entity Abi?????
@Idontlikestress
Can you see it now? Can you suddenly understand what Obi was trying to say if you’re not a raging slowpoke?
The President General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Yerima Shettima has slammed the federal government for the prolonged detention and trial of children under the age of 18, who participated in the #End Bad Governance protest.
It was gathered that the minors were reportedly held for over 90 days and now face court arraignments for alleged treason.
Shettima described the government response as “callous and cruel” likening it to actions reminiscent of a military regime.
He argued that the malnourished appearance of the children only highlights the urgency of their demand, stressing that the government should be addressing the root cause of the protest, hunger and hardship instead of punishing young Nigerians.
He said, “This is a national embarrassment, sending a troubling message to the international community. These are our children who should be in school, building a future for our country, not languishing in detention for peacefully voicing their struggles.”
Shettima called on the Federal Government to focus its efforts on combating the nation’s hunger crisis rather than using minors as scapegoats.
Popular Nigerian music exec, Ubi Franklin has opened up on how he suffered setbacks in his business this year.
In a post shared on his Instastories, Ubi mentioned that he invested more than N89 million into a property he wanted to use in running a business. He said he leased the property from a man, only to find out that the man and his wife jointly owned the building.
Ubi said the woman kicked against his company occupying the building and insisted they vacate it. He said he had already invested N89 million and more into the building and was at a loss without knowing what to do.
He also mentioned that two investors who dropped N10 million each into the business insisted they must get their money back.
Ubi said he finally had to move out of the property into another one but was hit with another issue. He disclosed that after setting the place up, he got a call from his staff one day, informing him that the building they now occupy was being demolished on grounds of encroachment.
He said it's been ‘’one of those kind of years'' for him and that he still believes he will get back all he has lost.
He went on to say that in Nigeria people need to always pray against business mishaps which can come from ‘’the government or from bad staff.''
See Posts Below;
Brekete Family, a Human Rights Radio and Television station based in Abuja, has temporarily gone off the air in protest of the detention of minors involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.
An official statement released by the prominent media station on X on Monday confirmed the partial shutdown.
The statement read, “Human Rights Radio and Television (Brekete Family) shuts down partially in protest of the Nigerian government’s detention of underage children.
“This decision reflects our deep commitment to defending the rights of the vulnerable and holding authorities accountable.
“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and international bodies to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these children.
“Until justice is served, we stand firm in solidarity with the voiceless.”
Meanwhile, according to a Daily Trust report on Monday, this move was also announced by Ahmed Isah, the station’s owner, during an appearance on the popular breakfast show, Brekete Family.
According to the agency, Isah, known for hosting the weekday programme, was notably absent from the studio on Monday morning. He called in around 8.20 am to share his dismay over the situation.
The agency noted that Isah stated that he was shocked by the condition of the children, who had been arraigned on Friday. Expressing deep frustration, he instructed that the station be shut down as a form of protest.
“Human Rights Radio will remain closed until Tuesday, pending further discussion on the matter,” he said.
He added that it would go off air again until Wednesday when the show would open its lines for public opinions on the issue.
The arrest of the minors has sparked widespread condemnation and increased pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Last week, images of the detained children circulated online, leading to public outrage.
Nigerians expressed outrage over the arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
Civil society groups and rights activists slammed the police and the government over the matter.
On Saturday, the Nigerian Correctional Service refuted claims that juvenile defendants from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were detained in adult custodial facilities at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Following the arraignment of 76 individuals in connection with the protests, the judge ordered that underage defendants be placed in a borstal facility while adults would be remanded in standard cells until their bail conditions were met.
Meanwhile, there are mixed reactions under the X post, with some commending and others opposing the station’s stance.
Foundational Nigerian with the handle #SureNigerian, wrote, “How does shutting down make sense? You should be using your voice online to draw attention to their plight not shutting down.”
Starleeon, with handle #starleeon_, reacted, “Unless you are working behind the scenes to secure their release, partially shutting down is not the way to go. Use your platform to raise awareness for their unconditional release.”
In another post, Adnan Abdullahi Adam using #realadnantweet, commented, “Tinubu’s govt is doing a horrible job. His government arresting minors fining them to pay 10 million Naira each. At the same time big politicians who are looting people’s money are walking freely.”
For Hausa Tech Guy with the handle #Hausatechguy, he wrote, “The Voice of the Voiceless #Istandwithbrekete”
BILALI with handle #Holyface21, posted, “I think media platforms like this should not be closed in solidarity of the oppressed, rather be used to continually support them.”
More...
…As Uzoka-Anite assumes office as Minister of State Finance
Nigeria’s economy is now at a new dawn of the threshold to attract investments, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has said.
He spoke this morning while welcoming the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who assumed office at the ministry, in Abuja, this morning.
Mr. Edun said that the two reforms (removal of fuel subsidy and the market determined foreign exchange rate) had opened the Nigerian economy to investors.
According to the minister, “All will be well as we go forward together to help complete the on-going economic reforms which are showing sustainability and signs of success.
“We do have for the first time in decades, the foreign exchange rate that is market-based. We do have market pricing of petroleum products. Those are the two fundamental reforms that were necessary and long over-due that Mr. President had the courage and boldness and dexterity socially and politically to implement and the determination to keep them implemented.
“So we stand on a threshold of a new dawn in terms of the ability of the economy to attract investment thereby increasing productivity, growing the GDP, creating jobs and reducing poverty.”
He said he and the staff were excited at the posting of Dr. Uzoka-Anite to the ministry as Minister of State.
His words, “They are excited at this opportunity to have a woman of elegance, substance, refinement and diligence and with a known passion for hard-work. So we thank Mr. President on behalf of the ministry for giving us the Minister of State. I thank him for giving me a helper.
“I assure you of every support, encouragement and cooperation and let you know we want you to be free to express yourself, contribute and excel. As the Permanent Secretary of finance has said, we are all one family.
“As President Bola Tinubu has always encouraged us, it’s all about consultation, cooperation, collaboration and team work. That is the basis of our efforts here together. And we are sure that you fit in smoothly. You will be like a duck going to the water.”
In her response, Dr. Uzoka-Anite who was formerly the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said she was apprehensive at the posting but determined to complement Mr. Edun and make a success of it, in the interest of the economy.
She said, “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to contribute to the development of Nigeria in this particular crucial sector-the finance sector. I just want to say that I am here to complement the efforts and the jobs that CME has been doing.
“It has been a challenging one year for you CME, especially since May 29 (2023) when the President took over and made that pronouncement. That was when that responsibility fell on your shoulders to guide and steer this economy towards economic stability and prosperity and also to make sure that the president’s vision and mandate to his people, especially during his campaign manifesto is materialized.
“It’s a no small task that you have been given and coming to work with you, to be honest, I am a bit apprehensive. I know the amount of work and the pressure that you are under but again it is a privilege.
“I can only promise you sir, I am here to work with you, to support you, to complement your efforts to ensure that we achieve the mandate of his Excellency Mr. President and to uphold the honour and dignity of all Nigerians through your hard work.
“I am happy to be a part of your family and again to complement whatever everybody has been doing and I also look forward to more cooperation, collaboration, team and everything that will make us successful because when we succeed, Nigeria succeeds.”
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says only 20, out of Nigeria’s 36 states, generated revenue from their local governments in 2023.
In its latest report on internally generated revenue (IGR), the NBS said 16 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) did not report any revenue from local government sources throughout the year.
The report said Katsina, Benue, Sokoto, and Adamawa did not also generate revenue from their local governments. The four states had failed to report no local government revenue in 2022, marking two consecutive years without contributions from this source.
In recent months, advocacy for greater local government autonomy has heightened, with many Nigerians emphasising that the councils are closer to the grassroots and play a vital role in addressing community needs.
Experts have also argued that insufficient revenue or the lack of direct funding has significantly hampered development efforts at the local level, limiting progress and effective service delivery.
In July, the supreme court issued a ruling mandating that funds allocated to local governments in Nigeria go directly to them from the federation account, bypassing state control.
The decision marked a significant shift toward financial autonomy for local councils, strengthening their independence over internal revenue generation.
According to the NBS, the states that recorded zero local government revenue in 2023 include Rivers, Delta, Kano, Enugu, Anambra, Katsina, Plateau, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Niger, Bayelsa, Benue, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Yobe.
Analysis by TheCable Index reveals that in 2023, the 20 states that generated revenue from local government activities collectively raised N37.05 billion. This is a decline from 2022 when 29 states generated a total of N48.7 billion.
In the year under review, Lagos led the list with N10.49 billion, followed by Ebonyi with N6.13 billion.
Here is a list of the 20 states and the revenue generated from their local governments.
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- Lagos: N10.49bn
- Ebonyi: N6.13bn
- Kwara: N3.35bn
- Oyo: N3.11bn
- Jigawa: N2.89bn
- Edo: N2.59bn
- Gombe: N2.09bn
- Ondo: N1.39bn
- Ogun: N1.31bn
- Cross River: N701.34m
- Taraba: N441m
- Kaduna: N382.22m
- Akwa Ibom: N343.18m
- Abia: N341.74m
- Ekiti: N303.65m
- Kogi: N289.73m
- Bauchi: N250.37m
- Imo: N215.34m
- Borno: N213.12m
- Osun: N204.42m
While some states achieved higher revenue figures, others generated modest amounts, with Osun, Borno, and Imo reporting the lowest contributions at N204.42 million, N213.12 million, and N215.34 million, respectively.
The crypto market is looking at a very Volatile week due to two major events with potential to seriously affect the price of crypto assets in the markets.
The crypto market slowed down over the weekend following a week characterized by Bitcoin Rally and other Altcoins also surging in Price value.
This week is set to be a very eventful week for the crypto markets due to two major events slated for the week and a host of other minor events with significant potential to affect the price of crypto assets.
The two events slated for this week with the potential to bring volatility to the market include:
1. The US Presidential Elections
2. The Federal Reserve Policy meeting
The US presidential election
The United States Presidential election slated to hold tomorrow Nov 5 is a massive event with far-reaching implications for both the crypto market this week and the industry’s future as a whole. Cryptocurrency was a front-burner issue during the campaign but only one candidate embraced the industry wholeheartedly and earned himself the nickname the Crypto candidate.
- Donald Trump warmed his way into the heart of the US crypto community promising to launch a strategic Bitcoin reserve if elected and to see that America leads the global charge of cryptocurrencies. A win for Donald Trump is seen as a win for the crypto industry and a bullish factor.
- However, a win for Kamala Harris is viewed to have the opposite effect giving the mixed signals the Joe Biden and the Kamala Harris administration have been giving the crypto community throughout its course.
The outcome of the US presidential elections is also expected to spell the direction of the future of the crypto industry in the country.
2. The Federal Reserve Policy meeting
The Federal Reserve will make its rate policy decision on Thursday, and analysts are overwhelmingly expecting a 0.25 basis point cut. The CME Fed Watch tool estimates this at 98% probability. This particular metric is always a measure of inflation in the economy and this has a direct effect on how much investors are willing to invest in the crypto market.
Other minor events with the potential to add to market volatility lined up for the week include October’s ISM Services PMI report which depicts business conditions in the US services sector and November’s Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and Consumer Inflation Expectations.
What to Know
- In preparation for the important week, the crypto market has been undergoing various price corrections. Markets retreated over the weekend, with total capitalization dropping around $50 billion to $2.4 trillion by Monday morning.
- Bitcoin is currently exchanging hands for $68,562 surging by just 0.6% in the last 24 hours.
[Nairamtrics]
A man who claimed to be a former ritualist and now a follower of Christ has confessed to how he killed over seventy women for ritual purposes.
The individual, who hails from Ibadan and is known locally as ‘Mistina Orobo’ and originally from the Foko area of Ibadan, claimed to have transformed into a pastor and stated that the figure he mentioned does not include individuals he was contracted to kill or those he has consumed throughout his life.
Mistina Orobo made this shocking revelation during an interview on Saturday, Saturday, on the popular radio program “Opeyemi,” hosted by Yinka Ayefele on Fresh FM in Ibadan.
The man explained that the blood of these women was essential for the renewal of his mystical powers, and he consumed their bodies after extracting the necessary blood.
“My idol takes about 73 to 76 women for over seven years. These women are always gotten from the club or other popular places. When I eat people, it is purposely to renew the voodoo in my body. Sometimes, when I’m shot, it won’t penetrate; even when I’m hacked, the machete breaks. The sweetest human parts are the tongue, palm, and foot.
“I also work for bank managers, politicians, and some other rich men. I’m very popular among them. When I first worked with a bank manager, it was one wealthy man that we killed, and the info was supplied in the bank.
“The only person who was left to sign refused to sign; we visited him, made him sign, and killed him in the aftermath. I charge up to N50 to N80 million to get people killed, and we always work as a team. I taught some people to work, some as highway or armed robbers, and I usually get my fair share,” he added.
The man also narrated the roles he and his boys played during elections in Oyo State while soliciting that his identity be kept away from the public until it was time for him to reveal it.
In his early beginning, ‘Mistina Orobo’, the mysterious man confessed to eating sacrifices since the age of nine as the son of an herbalist and how he became a hired assassin.
“As a child of an herbalist, I always eat sacrifices in seven different junctions; this was what fortified me before I grew up to become a dreaded hired assassin and, sometimes, highway robber,” he noted.
However, sharing the story of how he turned a new leaf, the man said he met Jesus in his dream after he attempted to avenge people who had earlier fought with him.
He noted, “I had been killed before but I woke up because of the idol I had at home. The day I went to retaliate those people who fought and killed me. When we got to the first person, I had a change of mind. When we got to the house of the other one, he was drunk, and my boy was about to unleash on him when I begged that he should be spared, since then, I have been sympathetic and have left the wayward life. Now, God has taken over my life.
“I am now in a seminary. I spent four years learning to be a prophet. I am not ready to establish a church, I just want people to know my terrible story. I had sold all three houses and cars I bought while engaging in these acts. I met Jesus in my dream.”
He further emphasized that the late Temitope Olatoye, known as Sugar, a former member of the House of Representatives, passed away while he was in Ghana at that time; had he been present, the tragedy might have been prevented.
He noted that he had consistently warned Sugar about the imminent threats he faced.
Sugar succumbed to his injuries on March 9, 2019, in the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head inflicted by suspected political assailants in the Lalupon area of Ibadan.
The news of his assault circulated rapidly, with some suggesting that he had died instantly.