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The Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has dismissed claims that a cabal is controlling the operations of the government for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Politics on Sunday, a television program hosted by Femi Akande, Dare emphasized that the idea of a cabal is a misconception.
According to Dare, those perceived as cabal members are simply high-ranking officials who provide daily briefings to the President.
Dare, who previously served as the Minister of Sports, highlighted that the President’s direct involvement in governance demonstrates his commitment to rebuilding Nigeria through reforms.
He said, “I think we’ve become so comfortable with the idea of the cabal, and you must understand how the idea of the Cabal, the people they call the Cabal, are the people that are holding the key sectors of the economy.
“These are people who are advisors, who must advise the President on trends, who must put critical data in front of him, and they have access to him. How does access turn you into a member of the cabal? The Minister of Finance, for instance, sees him (Tinubu) on a constant basis to show him all the indicators so that they can see it, they must have constant meetings.
“So what is happening is that this idea of cabal has a negative connotation that we entrench, I think that notion should change, because any government you have 5 to 7 people who are holding key positions and who must brief the President on a constant basis, that access is what people think makes them a cabal.
“The President is 100 per cent in charge and he has always been from day one, and he has shown it when the CBN cybersecurity tax came up, the president canceled it because he dealt with what the facts are.
“The tax reform bill you are talking about, he was briefed on a constant basis all through, being a chartered accountant, that he is with his vast experience it shows that there’s a future for our country in this tax reform bill.”
[NaijaNews]
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers in Abuja.
The ministers were screened and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate last week.
Details soon…
[DailyPost]
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has confirmed the shutdown of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs).
This development follows the Federal Government’s approval for the removal of FTIs from the IPPIS platform.
Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, disclosed this in an interview with The Nation.
“It was only natural for the IPPIS platform for FTIs to be shut down, given the federal government’s directive to remove these institutions from the system,” Mokwa explained.
He further revealed that November salaries for FTIs will be processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
Institutions are required to prepare their payroll in an Excel format and submit it to IPPIS for verification and validation.
Amid concerns about changes to salary account details, the OAGF issued a statement clarifying that no directive has been given to workers to change the financial institutions linked to their IPPIS accounts.
The statement noted the priority placed on workers’ welfare, assuring that no misleading or panic-inducing instructions would be issued.
The OAGF explained that any change in salary accounts is a personal decision by the individual worker and that the IPPIS office has not mandated any such changes.
The Treasury, as the OAGF is known, also urged financial institutions to strengthen their operations and ensure the efficient management of accounts holding workers’ salaries. The office expressed confidence in the regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing the health and viability of financial institutions, insisting on a their capability to fulfill their mandates.
Workers with legitimate reasons to change their salary accounts were advised to follow the official procedures provided by the OAGF to ensure smooth transitions without disruptions to their payroll.
[TheNation]
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manually manipulating election results.
George, in an interview with Punch, stated that the country’s problems are linked to the multiplier effects of the mismanagement of the electoral process by INEC.
The former military governor of Ondo State asserted that the call for the military in governance was unacceptable, having experienced both the military and civilian governments.
George maintained that the government’s failure of the day was the primary bait behind some people giving a spot for military intervention.
He submitted that the supervisors of the country’s election must be fair, just, and equitable, which he added are the tripods of a stabilized government.
He said, “We knew what we suffered during the military. It’s an unusual thing to happen. Yes, I know we haven’t reached the level where we would all be happy with civilian government. I went through the two (military and civilian governments) and have seen the two,” he said, mentioning power under the democratic system comes “from the base up – It belongs to the people.
“The major issue of disappointment in the country now is that INEC is not doing their job.
“If they’re doing their job properly, and we know if we go through the electoral process, it is fair, the right people would be managing the government and then they would know they derive their power from the people.
“When you have an election, they manipulate the results manually and all kinds of things; so people who are not voted for emerge as the manager of the country. So how do we get the right thing?” he questioned.
“What is happening now is as a result of the type of the management of the electoral process. If whoever is there knows for sure that the people would play a major path in electing or denouncing him on the day of the election, he would wake up and work for the people, not fight for his pocket.”
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen who was convicted for false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been discharged and acquitted by a Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Onnoghen’s conviction, handed down on April 18, 2019, by the Umar Yakubu Danladi tribunal, was overturned by the Appellate Court following the resolution of the issues that led to his trial and conviction.
Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, in a judgment based on the terms of settlement adopted by the federal government and Onnoghen, ordered that the four bank accounts previously ordered to be forfeited be returned to him.
In a brief statement, Onnoghen’s lawyers, Adegboyega Awomolo and Ogwu James Onoja, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for ensuring the resolution of the issue.
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide birth registration social mobilisation drive.
NOA said this would ensure that every child in Nigeria was able to access essential services such as education, healthcare and social protection.
NOA Director General, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Director of Special Duties and States Operations, David Akoji, said the agency was focused on registering children aged 0–5 years and providing them with a National Identification Number, NIN, free of charge.
His words: “NOA, in partnership with the National Population Commission, NPC, and UNICEF, is launching a nationwide birth registration social mobilisation drive. This drive aims to ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection. We are focusing on registering all children aged 0-5 years and providing them with an NIN free of charge.
“Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, and this initiative highlights its importance to the child, family, community, and nation. It is the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence, safeguarding their rights and privileges, and unlocking access to basic services crucial for their development and future.
“Accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, providing essential data for education, healthcare, and public services. By registering a child’s birth, families ensure recognition by the state, protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness.
“We encourage parents and guardians to visit the nearest NPC registration centre to register their children. The process is simple, free, and requires only supporting documents like an immunisation card or existing birth certificate.
“During this drive, every child aged 0-5 years will receive a NIN upon face capturing and birth registration. We urge all parents, guardians, and community leaders to participate in this crucial exercise. Let’s work together to give every child in Nigeria the best start in life.
“The birth registration drive, which started in August, will run until November 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure every child in your community has access to vital services.”
She Was Left With Perforated Intestines - Businessman Narrates How His Wife Died After Undergoing Cosmetic Surgery
AFOLABI
A heartbroken Kenyan businessman, Francis Ng'ang'a has narrated the sufferings his wife, Lucy Wambui, went through after undergoing cosmetic surgery at a clinic in Nairobi, which led to her passing.
Lucy developed complications from the surgery. She was then admitted to a city hospital, where she was rushed for treatment and d!ed four days later.
Postmortem report showed that Wambui developed chest pains and difficulty breathing on the second day after the abdominal fat liposuction procedure.
Speaking to Citizen TV from his home, the heartbroken widow said his wife was left with perforated intestines after the cosmetic surgery at the Body by Design clinic.
Ng'ang'a blamed the clinic for his wife's death, narrating how she was sent home and the establishment closed immediately.
"I asked them why my wife was excreting and smelling and they told me it was part of the healing process. When they noticed she was critically ill, they told her to go home, and they closed the clinic," said Ng'ang'a.
Ng'ang'a narrated how efforts to treat his wife at the clinic were futile as it had been closed and had no access.
"10 minutes after she arrived home, she got very ill, and when we returned her to the clinic, we found it had been closed, and we only found the security guards," he added.
He narrated how the following morning, on October 26, had a conversation with his wife, little did he know it was going to be their last communication.
"She called me and told me she was feeling very bad. She told me that if she dies, I should take care of her children just like we would take care of them when it was just the two of us," he recalled.
Meanwhile, the government announced that it had shut down the facility pending investigations into her death.
In a statement on Saturday, November 2, MoH said that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council had conducted a comprehensive investigation into its practices and standards.
There was a heavy security presence on Monday, November 4, at the Oyo State High Court at Ring Road, Ibadan, as the former Chairman of the Park Management System’s (PMS) Disciplinary Committee, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary, was brought for trial.
Security around the court premises was tight, with patrol vans positioned strategically and a mix of uniformed and plain-clothed officers from the police and Amotekun Corps stationed at key areas.
This heightened security underscores the gravity of the charges against Auxiliary, which include armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms, notably an AK-47 assault rifle and two SMG rifles with magazines.
The charges, outlined in a 17-count charge sheet, fall under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The case, numbered i/74c/2024, is being heard before Justice Olabisi Adetujoye in Court 5.
Auxiliary’s arrival in court was closely monitored, with Executive Assistant on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Cmpl Sunday Odukoya (rtd), also present.
Proceedings are expected to commence shortly, with the trial drawing widespread attention due to Auxiliary’s high-profile role and the serious nature of the charges.
Controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye has reportedly departed Nigeria just days after being released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The embattled cross-dresser shared a video of himself aboard what appeared to be a plane, revealing a screen that hinted at his destination. In the video, he announced that he was traveling on a first-class ticket.
“See you soon, Nigeria. This girl bought a first-class ticket three times; that’s over 30 million. Raise the bar for this girl,” he declared.
In another video featuring a picture of his international passport, he remarked, “That passport disfigured my picture.”
Bobrisky’s departure comes on the heels of his recent arrest by the EFCC. His legal troubles began in April 2024 with a six-month sentence for naira abuse, but reports indicated he spent only three weeks in Kirikiri Prison before being discreetly relocated.
In September, tensions escalated when social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, released an audio recording that purportedly featured Bobrisky discussing bribing EFCC officials to dismiss money laundering charges.
On Thursday night, Bobrisky was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while attempting to travel to London.
[Vanguard]
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), will reportedly lead a national prayer on the multifarious challenges bedevilling the country.
According to Daily Trust, the 7-day event titled ‘Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs’, is organised in conjunction with Christian and Muslim leaders.
Segun Afolorunikan, director-general of the national prayer forum (NPF), reportedly announced the initiative during a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja.
Afolorunikan said the prayer will help the country overcome its challenges, noting that “unity is crucial for finding lasting solutions”.
“By the end of this prayer session, we believe that with God’s wisdom, our leaders and citizens will find the strength to confront our common enemies,” he said.
The NPF DG said the prayer sessions will take place at significant venues.
Afolorunikan noted that Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week-long intercession.
He said Muslims will gather at the national mosque in Abuja for seven days, with 313 persons expected to recite the Quran 2,191 times.
The NPF boss added that extensive consultations have taken place, including meetings with leaders from the national mosque, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and traditional leaders like the Sultan of Sokoto.
[TheCable]
More...
Nigerians rank among the world’s top social media users, with 2024 data placing the country fifth globally for average daily time spent online.
According to figures from Cable.co.uk and We Are Social in 2024, posted by World of Statistics on X on Sunday, Nigerians spend an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media.
Leading the list is Kenya, where people spend the most time on social media, at 3 hours and 43 minutes daily. South Africa follows closely with 3 hours and 37 minutes, Brazil at 3 hours and 34 minutes, and the Philippines at 3 hours and 33 minutes.
Nigeria’s average of 3 hours and 23 minutes places it just behind these countries in social media engagement.
Other countries with high social media usage include Colombia (3:22), Chile (3:11), and Indonesia (3:11). Saudi Arabia and Argentina round out the top ten with daily averages of 3 hours and 10 minutes and 3 hours and 8 minutes, respectively.
In comparison, some countries record lower social media engagement, such as Ghana with 2 hours and 43 minutes, Egypt with 2 hours and 41 minutes, and Thailand with 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Among European nations, Portugal (2:23), Romania (2:20), and Italy (2:17) rank lower on the list, indicating that social media usage varies significantly by region.
Full list:
Kenya – 03:43
South Africa – 03:37
Brazil – 03:34
Philippines – 03:33
Nigeria – 03:23
Colombia – 03:22
Chile – 03:11
Indonesia – 03:11
Saudi Arabia – 03:10
Argentina – 03:08
Mexico – 03:04
Malaysia – 02:48
Ghana – 02:43
Egypt – 02:41
Thailand – 02:30
Bulgaria – 02:26
Vietnam – 02:23
Portugal – 02:23
Romania – 02:20
Italy – 02:17
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency operatives have seized drug consignments valued at ₦4.4 billion hidden in the lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft.
The drugs, according to a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, were discovered during the post-landing cleaning of flight ET900 from Addis Ababa to Lagos on October 29, 2024.
Babafemi stated that the drugs were wrapped in nine polythene bags and concealed in the waste collectors in the two rear lavatories of the aircraft.
He added that at least 30 suspects are being questioned in connection with the drugs uncovered.
Babafemi said, “The attempt by members of an international drug syndicate operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, and Nigeria to smuggle into Lagos a total of 845 wraps of cocaine weighing 18.72 kilogrammes has been thwarted, with the consignments recovered by NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja.
“The drug consignments, worth ₦4,492,800,000 in street value, were recovered from two lavatories of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft during the post-landing cleaning of flight ET900 from Addis Ababa to Lagos on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
“The illicit drug consignments were wrapped in nine polythene bags and concealed in the waste collectors in the two rear lavatories of the aircraft, from where they were recovered after the MMIA Strategic Command of the NDLEA was alerted to the strange objects. No fewer than 30 suspects have so far been questioned in connection with the seizure.”
He added that “investigations revealed that the seized drugs were transported from Brazil to Ethiopia by ingestion and excreted in Addis Ababa by a group of couriers. Other traffickers then attempted to smuggle them into Nigeria through Lagos airport before their plan was thwarted with the cooperation of the airline’s authorities and other airport stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, Babafemi said drugs concealed in body cream containers and artworks were also recovered by the agency’s operatives.
He said, “In a similar vein, attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to export 2.928 kg of cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol 225 mg, concealed in body cream containers and pieces of artwork to Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom through courier companies in Lagos were also blocked by NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, on Monday, October 28.”
At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen 225 mg worth ₦525 million in a targeted and watch-listed container from India during a joint examination with Customs Service officers and other security agencies, among others, on October 29, 2024.
Some Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the recently disclosed petrol prices from Dangote Refinery.
Recall that Dangote Refinery revealed its petrol prices following claims by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) that they import petrol at cheaper rates.
In its reaction on Sunday, the refinery disclosed that its petroleum products are sold at N990 per litre for truck distribution and N960 per litre for ship distribution.
In a statement released on Sunday night and signed by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, the refinery stated that it adheres to the pricing benchmark set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), adding that it offers a lower price for sales into ships.
The statement has, however, continued to elicit various reactions from social media users. While some question why it took so long for the refinery to disclose the prices of its products, others believe the amount is high, given that the refinery is located in Nigeria.
Reacting to the development on X, a user, @AdekunlePhilip wrote, ”Dear Dangote, N990/litre for PMS is not in any way considerate to Nigerians who had high hopes in the completion and kick-off of your refinery. We expected nothing more than N500/litre. If you will not treat us with preference, then let us buy from importers in one peace.”
Another user, @EEneremadu tweeted, “Why should Dangote sell at 960 into ships? Are we importing it. NNPCL price of 970 into ships includes freight etc but Dangote doesn’t include freight so why should it be almost same price.”
@EbenzAd wrote, “You’re selling at N990 per litre like the imported one. Is that not wickedness? What’s the need of having a local refining then? Is it to beat down price to assist the common man. We hope an imported one come in and is sold lesser than yours.
In his words, @SamuelI10540458 wrote, “990 for trucks is on the high side sha. Dangote can do better.”
“Finally, the price is out. Why are you hiding the price before.” @Femijohnson2 opined.
Reacting to the pricing on Facebook, a user, Idorenyin O. Atti wrote, “I have never believe in Dangote making anything easy for Nigerian, he is a business man, out to make his profits, i hate it when he present things as if he is helping Nigerians. He just want to monopolize oil just as he is in charge of cement etc.
Marketers should be free to buy fuel anyway of their choice. What is he crying about?”
Another user, Lawrence Obika wrote, “Your price is too high, you can now get crude oil direct from NNPC with Naira, what are we getting in return?”
“This is too much to be considered or adopt as a price. In addition with the loading, truck and other expenses on a liter will cost the retailers nothing than 1300 per liter to consumers. Pls put the masses to consideration, you’ll simply make your money in due time why we’re also hoping to see in you in another field to develop Nigeria,” Prince Excel Teekay Adeyinka opined.
The Presidency has said that Nigerians rejected the ideas of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ideas in the 2023 elections.
This comes as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election spoke of what he would have done to tackle the problems of Nigeria if he had been elected president.
But in a response by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu (Information and Strategy) said Atiku would have plunged the country into a worse situation.
The statement read: “We have just read a statement credited to former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in which he tried to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform programmes while pushing his untested agenda as a better alternative.
“First, Alhaji Atiku’s ideas, which lacked details, were rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 poll.
“If he had won the election, we believe he would have plunged Nigeria into a worse situation or run a regime of cronyism.
“Abubakar lost the election partly because he vowed to sell the NNPC and other assets to his friends. Nigerians have not forgotten this, nor would they be comforted by Atiku’s antecedents when he ran the economy in the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government between 1999 and 2003.
“As vice president, Atiku supervised a questionable privatisation programme. He and his boss demonstrated a lack of faith in our educational system, and both went to establish their universities while they allowed ours to flounder.
“Talk is cheap. It is easy to pontificate and deride a rival’s programmes even when there are irrefutable indices that the economic reforms yield positives despite the temporary difficulties.
“Despite the futile attempt to hoodwink Nigerians again in his statement, it is gratifying that the former Vice President could not repudiate the economic reforms pursued by the Tinubu administration because they are the right things to do.
“His advocacy for a gradualist approach only showed that he was not in tune with the enormity of problems inherited by President Tinubu.
“It is so easy to paint a flowery to-do list. It is expected of an election loser.
“President Tinubu met a country facing several grave challenges. Fuel subsidies were siphoning away enormous resources we could ill afford, and there was criminal arbitrage in the forex market.
“No leader worth his name will allow these two economic disorders to persist without moving to end them surgically.
“While advocating for gradual reforms may sound appealing, Tinubu took measures that should have been taken decades ago by Alhaji Abubakar and his boss when they had the opportunity.
“Alhaji Abubakar calls for empathy and a human face to reforms. We have no problem with this as it resonates well with our administration’s focus. President Tinubu has consistently emphasised the need for compassion and protection of the most vulnerable.
“The administration has prioritised social safety nets and targeted support for those affected by recent economic transitions.”