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The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has admitted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s inevitable reforms have increased Nigerians’ economic hardship.
According to him, Tinubu’s APC-led administration was taking bold measures to reset the country’s long-broken economy, improve national security, and restore the country to wholesome and sustainable development.
Morka said these in reaction to recent statements by the party’s former national vice (North-west), Salihu Lukman, who called on opposition leaders, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP), ex-governors Peter Obi (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), to galvanise and wrestle power from APC’s Tinubu.
In a statement on Tuesday, the APC spokesperson said since his exit as APC national vice chairman, Lukman has been sleepless in search of political relevance and seemed to have found for himself “for now, a new role as the chief discordant trumpeter for a cacophonous political opposition.”
“His(Lukman) latest call for opposition leaders to unite against the APC is a calculated move to cobble political relevance, divert attention from the administration’s substantial progress, and further his selfish agenda. Lukman is simply a cantankerous political rodomont.
“It is ludicrous to tout opposition PDP and Labour Party (LP) that cannot even manage their internal affairs as capable of offering responsible and visionary leadership to Nigeria. The same opposition parties Lukman devoted many years lampooning as inept, chronically corrupt, unpatriotic and destructive to our democracy.
“It takes an overdose of blinding self-interest to vacillate between extremes without reason or rationality. In all of his painfully verbose Sisyphean letters to the Greek gods, Lukman has not explained to Nigerians why he believes as he believes in the failed opposition parties.
“The APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu is taking bold measures to reset our country’s long-broken economy, improve national security and restore the country to wholesome and sustainable development.
“No doubt, these inevitable reforms have increased economic hardship for our people. The unwillingness of previous administrations to undertake these reforms and tackle the problems at their roots is why the economy has remained in the doldrums for a long time.
“It would be easy and painless for President Tinubu to do as his predecessors have done, continue business as usual, kick the can down the road for future administrations to deal with while the rot and stagnation fester. But in keeping with the renewed hope agenda of his administration, he has chosen to tackle the country’s generational economic problems for the good of present and future generations of Nigerians.
“In the fullness of time, this President shall be vindicated for his vision and unwavering commitment to the national interest and the common good of all.
“We urge Nigerians to remain focused and undistracted by the opposition’s pettiness and disinformation and to continue to support President Tinubu in his commitment to building greater progress and a more vibrant future for our country,” Morka added.
[Leadreship]
Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has addressed rumours that she was pregnant for American rapper, Future.
DAILY POST recalls that Tems sparked pregnancy rumours after she was spotted at Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2024 London Fashion Week show in December last year, donning a black dress with a purple fluffy coat and matching heels, and many thought that the way the dress was clinging to her body suggested that she was pregnant.
Appearing on a recent episode of ‘The Breakfast Club’, Tems questioned the choice of Future, who was allegedly responsible for her supposed pregnancy.
She wondered why those behind the rumours didn’t claim Wizkid or Drake was responsible for her supposed pregnancy.
“People just take the most controversial things. Because I was thinking like, why am I pregnant for Future? Why Future? Because that’s the craziest,” she said.
“Why not Wizkid? Why not Drake? Why not somebody else? If it was Drake, it would be the same thing but the reason why it is Future is because of his reputation.
“He has about five kids. And has a reputation of being a ladies’ man.”
Tems also revealed the top rap artistes that inspired her.
She mentioned Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Ab-Soul, Andre 3000 and J.Cole.
She was featured in Drake’s ‘Certified Lover Boy’ album in 2021.
J.Cole was one of only two featured artistes on Tems’ debut album, ‘Born In The Wild’, which was released this year.
[DailyPost]
Nigeria’s first-ever foreign-currency domestic bond has secured $900m in subscriptions.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed this while discussing the results of the historic bond issuance on Tuesday.
He noted that the oversubscription reflects investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic stability and potential for growth.
Edun explained that the successful issuance of the domestic dollar bond marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to deepen economic growth and promote financial inclusion.
He added that this achievement demonstrates the government’s commitment to diversifying funding sources amid economic challenges.
“The issuance of this inaugural domestic FGN US Dollar Bond highlights the continued faith investors have in Nigeria’s economy,” Edun said.
The bond attracted a wide range of investors, including Nigerians both locally and abroad, as well as institutional investors. The proceeds from the bond will be allocated to critical economic sectors, as approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The $500 million domestic FGN US Dollar Bond, with a five-year maturity and a 9.75 per cent coupon, is the first tranche of a $2bn bond programme registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The structure of the bond allows the government to absorb oversubscriptions up to the full $2bn programme limit.
The Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, described the bond’s success as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s economic development. She noted that the $900m raised from diverse investors underscores the growing sophistication of Nigeria’s domestic fixed-income market.
Oniha praised the efforts of all parties involved in the bond issuance, crediting their expertise for the transaction’s success.
[Punch]
The Federal Government yesterday rejected accusation of rights abuse made against it by the United Kingdom (UK) Trade Union Congress (TUC), over the arrest of Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), insisting that nobody, including the NLC president, is above the law in Nigeria.
Recall that President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Joe Ajaero, was arrested and detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route London to attend a conference of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of UK.
The Federal Government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the NLC president was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) because he refused to honour the invitation of a law enforcement agency carrying out an investigation.
“The Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation.
“Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation.
Government’s position came on a day Ajaero gave insight into his ordeal in the hands of operatives of DSS and other security agencies, following his Monday arrest.
He also confirmed to Vanguard yesterday that the DSS has released his seized international passport and mobile phones.
This is even as the secret police said yesterday that its presence at the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, did not amount to invasion, adding that its operatives were there for investigation.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lampooned the Federal Government over Ajaero’s arrest and takeover of the Abuja office of SERAP.
At press time yesterday, it was gathered that the secret police had pulled its operatives out of SERAP office to which they laid siege on Monday.
‘FG wrongly accused of rights abuses’
Onanuga said, “We are not aware that there is anyone in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe and the United States, trade union leaders inclusive, who will flagrantly ignore the invitation or summons of MI5 or Scotland Yard or treat the FBI with the level of disdain Mr Ajaero has subjected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
“In the United States, for example, former President Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous investigations and prosecutions in courts in several states since he left office.
“Mr. Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, has been the subject of a lawful investigation by the FBI.
“We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.
“Besides, the Nigerian Government is being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens.
“There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government.
“While labour unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labour despite the latter’s political partisanship.
“Contrary to the erroneous impression being created, the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero has nothing to do with his role as the President of NLC.
“As a responsible citizen of Nigeria, Mr Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies and resolve any issues that may arise during the investigation instead of stirring adverse public opinion against the security agencies.
“It is worth reminding Nigerians and the global community that the federal government recognises that the labour movement exists to protect and defend the interests of its members. What is also worth noting is that Labour, in most cases, only advances ideological positions that fly in the face of economic realities.
“Many ideological stances of the labour unions in Nigeria in the past have only stunted the economic growth and development of the country and even compromised the material well-being of the workers and the poor people they protect.
“A case in point was the strong opposition of the NLC and TUC to the sale of Port-Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries to Bluestar Consortium, promoted in 2007 by Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Seventeen years after the labour movement forced the successor government of Umar Yar’ Adua to cancel the sale of the two refineries, none of the four government-owned refineries worked.
“In the obverse, Mr. Aliko Dangote, one of the promoters of Bluestar, has built the largest single-train refinery in the world. In a twist of fate, the same Labour Movement that fiercely opposed Dangote from taking over the two refineries in 2007 hailed him on completing his 650,000-bpd refinery in Lagos.
“The administration of President Tinubu will continue to promote the best economic interest of Nigerians despite the current challenges. It will also continue to pursue policies and programmes that will expand national economic output and create prosperity for our citizens.”
Ajaero: Labour primed for strike
Similarly, President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, yesterday gave insight into his ordeal in the hands of operatives of the Department of the State Services, DSS and other security agencies, following his arrest on Monday.
Recall that the DSS had seized the NLC President’s phones and international passport after his arrest and detention for no less than 16 hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Confirming the release of the items yesterday, Ajaero said simply: “Yes, it is true. my phones and international passport have been returned to me by the DSS.”
The DSS, it was gathered, succumbed to pressure from local and international community which forced the government to release the NLC president, ahead of the 12 midnight deadline given government to free the detained labour leader.
Ajaero was arrested and detained by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Britain.
He was to represent Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
According to sources within the NLC, “all modalities for a nationwide strike had been concluded and it was only left for the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting earlier scheduled for Tuesday (10-09-2024) at 9 am to endorse and declare the strike yesterday.
“All critical sector unions were already mobilized and were ready to begin a total strike yesterday until the NLC President was released unconditionally.
‘’Many groups, including the civil society organizations, CSOs, were already threatening fire and brim stone if Ajaero was not released.”
It was equally gathered the trade unions across the globe were already pushing their home governments to take action against Nigeria over alleged human rights abuses, and persecution of union leaders, among others.
Among the unions are Public Service International, PSI; International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC; and IndustriALL Global Union, IGU.
My ordeal at DSS, by Ajaero
Speaking exclusively, to Vanguard on his ordeal in the hands of the DSS and other security operatives yesterday, Ajaero said: “It was like the DSS arrested me on behalf of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, department of the Police because IRT operatives came to interrogate me and take my statement, while I was detained.
‘’The DSS also interrogated me and took my statement. I do not know why they have to embarrass me publicly like that. The same IRT operatives in whose office we were on August 29, 2024, alongside Mr Femi Falana, came and asked the same questions I was asked in the previous meeting with them.
“They asked about the operator of Iva Valley Bookshop on the second floor of NLC secretariat building. They asked me whether we had communicated on phone, whether he (the Iva Valley operator) communicated with me in writing and so on.
‘’They also asked if I know the protesters (#EndBadGovernance or #Endhunger), especially Eleojo Opaluwa, a staff of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE. I told them I knew him because I employed him at NUEE.
“They equally asked about the Labour Party, LP, whether we are running the party. I told them we do not run Labour Party, but that we are a trustee of the party. I also told them that the Labour Party they see today was founded when Adams Oshiomhole was President of NLC. Also, they asked about the issue of Air Peace which we had settled since last year.
“It is like the security agents are searching for evidence on how and what to nail us with. That is why they have continued to embarrass, persecute, intimidate and do whatever they liked to cow us.’’
Medical checks on Ajaero
Meanwhile, the NLC has said it planned to conduct a comprehensive medical check on Ajaero to ensure his health had not been compromised as a result of the illegal and unjust treatment meted out on him by security operatives
NLC in a statement by the Deputy President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, said: “This overwhelming display of unity in defense of justice and workers’ rights reinforces the strength of collective action and underscores the unbreakable bond between the Nigerian people and the labour movement.
“We are pleased to inform the public that Comrade Joe Ajaero was released late last night (Monday) at approximately 11:00pm, following intense pressure mounted by the NLC and in compliance with the demands issued by the National Administrative Council, NAC, of the NLC.
“NAC had given the government a firm ultimatum, with a deadline of 12 midnight, to release Ajaero, whose detention was a clear violation of our rights and an affront on the principles of democracy.
“While we celebrate his release, NLC remains vigilant. We will conduct a comprehensive medical check on Comrade Ajaero to ensure his health has not been compromised as a result of the illegal and unjust treatment meted out on him. The well-being of our President is paramount, and we will not rest until we are assured that his health is intact.
“The arrest and detention of Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, while he was en-route to represent Nigerian workers at the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Britain, is a stark reminder of the length to which the Nigerian state will go to silence the voice of labour and crush dissent.
“NLC unequivocally condemns this reckless abuse of power and reaffirms our commitment to standing firm against all forms of oppression, intimidation and lawlessness.
‘Release all detained #EndBadGovernance protesters’
‘’We once again, demand the release of all citizens languishing in jails across the country for their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protest around the country; stoppage of the massive clampdown on popular voices that espouse dissenting opinions; cessation of the muzzling of fundamental freedoms currently going on in the country; reversal of the hikes in the price of petrol (PMS) and electricity tariffs and, the immediate implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
“The NLC will not waver in its duty to defend the rights of workers, and we remain prepared to take all necessary actions to protect these rights and restore justice.
‘’The National Executive Council, NEC, of the NLC which was proposed for today (yesterday) has, therefore, been suspended to assess the situation and determine the next steps in our collective struggle.
“We call on all Nigerians, our affiliates, and the international community to remain steadfast and vigilant as we continue this struggle.
“NLC is committed to ensuring that justice prevails and that the rights of workers and citizens are respected. Together, we will overcome these challenges and secure a better future for all.”
Ajaero, SERAP: Oppression from Tinubu’s regime surpasses military dictatorships — Atiku
Reacting to the arrest of the NLC president and take over of SERAP’s office by DSS, former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, in a statement posted on his verified X account, tasked President Bola Tinubu to focus security efforts on terrorists and bandits and not civil society.
He said: “The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration are profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour.
“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?
“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon SERAP, an action that stands as a grave affront on our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.”
DSS to SERAP: We didn’t raid, we came for investigation
Also yesterday, the Department of State Services, DSS, denied allegations of unlawfully invading the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in Abuja.
The agency clarified that only two unarmed operatives were sent to SERAP’s Abuja office for a routine investigation which, according to it, contradicted initial reports of a raid.
DSS in a statement, explained that the visit was part of its standard official inquiries and liaison, emphasizing that it did not constitute illegality or harassment.
The statement read: “The narrative of unlawful invasion is inaccurate and misleading. A team of two unarmed Service operatives was lawfully detailed on a routine investigation to the SERAP office in Abuja.
“This visit has unfortunately been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful harassment and intimidation of SERAP officials. However, such official inquiries and liaison are traditional and do not in any way amount to illegality or a raid.
“While we assure an in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, we call for citizens’ participation in national security management. We urge the public to disregard these false narratives.”
The DSS assured the public of its commitment to professionalism in discharging its core mandate.
It urged citizens to disregard false narratives surrounding the incident and cooperate in national security management.
However, sources told Vanguard that SERAP’s investigations into sensitive government matters without necessary approvals, prompted the DSS action.
Their publications and statements were deemed detrimental to national security, allegedly spreading misinformation and fueling public unrest.
[Vanguard]
Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), says regulatory and compliance costs are major challenges the banking sector faces.
Elumelu spoke on Tuesday at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) 17th annual banking and finance conference in Abuja.
According to the Nigerian businessman, the banking sector provides crucial financial support to the country.
However, he said the sector’s ability and efforts to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth are being stifled by challenges.
“Our banking sector is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy. The transformation of our banking sector over the last few decades, is one of our success stories,” Elumelu said.
“The sector employs millions, provides crucial financial support to countless businesses, and generates income for millions of shareholders.
“However, the sector faces challenges that impede its growth and innovation, including regulatory and high compliance costs.
“To overcome these challenges, stakeholders — including government agencies, regulatory bodies, and banking institutions — must engage in constructive dialogue to foster a collaborative environment.”
He, therefore, said by working together, a more resilient banking sector that drives economic growth and supports the aspirations of Nigerians can be built.
“The success of Nigerian banking sector is felt beyond Nigeria. Nigerian banks have become multinationals, leading the sector across Africa, establishing themselves in the world’s financial capitals – and in doing so they have changed how our country is perceived, created pathways to opportunity and set themselves up as role models for our other industries,” he added.
On July 17, Tinubu asked the national assembly to amend the 2023 Finance Act to impose a one-time windfall tax on banks’ foreign exchange (FX) gains.
However, the national assembly increased the windfall tax on banks’ FX gains to 70 percent — from the proposed 50 percent — in the amended Finance Act 2024.
The decision had raised concerns among professionals in the financial industry.
However, Elumelu said he supports the implementation of the windfall tax on banks’ FX gains.
[TheCable]
More details have emerged on how pressure from Labour, civil society organisations and other bodies, both local and international, forced the government to release the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero was arrested and detained by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He was en route to the United Kingdom, UK, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of Britain.
He was to represent Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
According to sources within the NLC, “all modalities for a nationwide strike had been concluded. It was only left for the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting earlier scheduled for Tuesday (10-09-2024) at 9 a.m. to endorse and declare the strike yesterday.
“All critical sector unions were already mobilised and were ready to begin a total strike yesterday until the NLC President was released unconditionally.
‘’Many groups, including the civil society organisations, CSOs, were already threatening fire and brim stones.
”It was equally gathered that the trade unions across the globe were already pushing their home governments to take action against Nigeria over alleged human rights abuses, and persecution of union leaders, among others.
“Among the unions are Public Service International, PSI; International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC; and IndustriALL Global Union, IGU.”
Released
However, Ajaero was freed ahead of the 12 midnight. It was the deadline given government to free the detained labour leader.
Meanwhile, Ajaero spoke exclusively to Vanguard on his ordeal in the hands of the DSS and other security operatives yesterday.
Ajaero said: “It was like the DSS arrested me on behalf of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, department of the Police.
“IRT operatives came to interrogate me and take my statement, while I was detained.
‘’The DSS also interrogated me and took my statement. I do not know why they have to embarrass me publicly like that.
“The same IRT operatives in whose office we were on August 29, 2024, alongside Mr Femi Falana, came and asked the same questions I was asked in the previous meeting with them.”
National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has admitted that the inevitable reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu have increased economic hardship in the country.
The APC’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, made the admittance in a statement yesterday, while responding to the appeal by its former national vice chairman, North West, Salihu Moh Lukman, to the opposition parties to unite and vote out the ruling party in 2027 presidential election.
While lampooning Lukman in the statement, Morka, however, argued that President Tinubu was taking bold measures to reset the country’s long broken economy, improve national security and restore the country to wholesome and sustainable development.
The APC’s spokesperson further claimed that it would have been easy and painless for President Tinubu to adopt the same measures like his predecessors and continue with business as usual, but he did not want the rot and stagnation to fester.
The ruling party, however, urged Nigerians to remain focused and undistracted by the opposition’s pettiness and disinformation, and to continue to support President Tinubu in his commitment to building greater progress and a more vibrant future for the country.
The statement read: “The same opposition parties that Lukman devoted a good number of years lampooning as inept, chronically corrupt, unpatriotic and destructive to our democracy. It takes an overdose of blinding self interest to vacillate between extremes without reason or rationality.
“In all of his painfully verbose Sisyphean letters to the Greek gods, Lukman has not explained to Nigerians why he believes in the failed opposition parties. The APC-led administration of President Tinubu is taking bold measures to reset our country’s long broken economy, improve national security and restore the country to wholesome and sustainable development.
“No doubt, these inevitable reforms have increased economic hardship for our people. In fact, the unwillingness of previous administrations to undertake these reforms and tackle the problems at their roots is the reason the economy has remained in the doldrums for a long time.
“It would be easy and painless for President Tinubu to do as his predecessors have done, continue business as usual, kick the can down the road for future administrations to deal with, while the rot and stagnation fester.
“But in keeping with the renewed hope agenda of his administration, he has chosen to tackle the country’s generational economic problems for the good of present and future generations of Nigerians.
“In the fullness of time, this President shall be vindicated for his vision and unwavering commitment to the national interest and the common good of all.
“We urge Nigerians to remain focused and undistracted by the opposition’s pettiness and disinformation, and to continue to support President Tinubu in his commitment to building greater progress and a more vibrant future for our country,” the ruling party appealed to Nigerians in the statement.
Attacking Lukman further, Morka described him as a cantankerous political rodomont, emphasising that, “Lukman’s hunger for attention is insatiable. Not even his frenzied political soliloquy in self-adulation has proved sufficient to fill his bottomless obsession for attention.
“Since his exit as a national vice chairman of the APC, Lukman has been sleepless in search of political relevance. He seems to have found for himself, for now, a new role as the chief discordant trumpeter for a cacophonous political opposition.
“In his new self-assigned role, he alleges, without substantiation, that the APC ruined the country in economic policies and corruption and called on opposition parties and Nigerians to vote out the APC in 2027. Such an empty and outlandish allegation is undeserving of any response, especially coming from a displaced political gas-lighter.
“Lukman’s history is one of opportunistic politicking, consistently prioritising his personal ego and interests over the interest of any and all institutions he has ever served. With a highly solipsistic disposition, Lukman is always right, never wrong, wallowing in his bubble of self importance, while deprecating group and national interests.
“His latest call for the opposition leaders to unite against the APC is a calculated move to cobble political relevance, divert attention from the administration’s substantial progress, and further his own selfish agenda. He is simply a cantankerous political rodomont.
“It is ludicrous to tout opposition PDP and Labour Party (LP) that cannot even manage their own internal affairs as capable of offering responsible and visionary leadership to Nigeria,” Morka quipped in the statement.
At least 20 aspirants seeking elective offices in the forthcoming local government elections in Kano State have tested positive for multiple drugs by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The NDLEA commander in the state, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, confirmed this to Daily Trust on Tuesday in his office.
He said some of the aspirants tested positive for drugs opioid (codeine), THC (Tetrahydro cannabis, an active ingredient for cannabis sativa), benzodiazenpines and nicotine.
“So far 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party (NNPP) in the state have tested positive for multiple drugs test and the exercise is ongoing.
“Many of them tested positive for Nicotine as far as our test is concerned but is left for the electoral commission to decide if tobacco is drug or not because it is something you find even in kola nut,” Ahmad said.
He however said so far no female aspirant tested positive so far.
He explained that only NNPP had so far presented its aspirants for the drug screening ahead of submission of its candidates’ list to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) which would finally conduct verification for all candidates.
The commission has fixed October 26 to conduct local government elections into 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship positions by the 18 registered political parties.
Daily Trust reports that the KANSIEC Chairman, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi and his commissioners visited the NDLEA office on Monday.
Elon Musk is on track to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027, according to a new global wealth report.
Musk, 53, is currently the world's richest person with a net worth of $251billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. However, a new report by Informa Connect Academy has revealed Musk's wealth has been growing at a staggering average rate of 110 per cent a year.
This means that if the Tesla CEO's wealth continues to climb at the same rate, he could be crowned the world's first trillionaire within the next three years, according to the findings.
The report titled The 2024 Trillion Dollar Club, puts Musk's Tesla business at a market value of $ 669.3 billion.
The company's growth rate is also impressively high, at 173.3 per cent according to Informa Connect Academy, which means Tesla alone could exceed $1trillion by as early as next year.
The academy's analysis suggested business conglomerate founder Gautam Adani from India would be second in line to achieve trillionaire status.
That would reportedly happen the year following Musk, in 2028, if his annual growth remains at 123 per cent.
Jensen Huang, chief executive of tech firm Nvidia, and Indonesian energy and mining mogul Prajogo Pangetsu are also predicted to become trillionaires by 2028, according to the findings.
Bernard Arnault, the LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton boss and the world's third-richest person with around $ 200 billion, is on track to snap a trillion dollars in 2030, the same year as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The top two richest companies valued by the growth report were Microsoft at $ 3.4 trillion and Apple at $ 2.5 trillion.
Both of the tech giants hit the trillion-dollar mark back in 2019 and 2018 respectively.
The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory district, Ireti Kingibe, on Tuesday, threw her weight behind the 29-man caretaker committee put in place by the national leader of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Abia Governor Alex Otti and the party stakeholders last week to conduct an expansive national convention.
Kingibe gave the endorsement at the flag off of a four-day free medical outreach she facilitated for her constituents in Abuja.
The medical outreach, which was done in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, saw many people turn up for eye tests, free treatment and referrals for suspected cataract cases.
The senator, who was represented by her senior legislative aide, Dr Chris Omofoma, told PUNCH Online that every LP member knows the tenure of the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure and members of his National Working Committee has ended as far back as June 2023.
While stating that Abure and his loyalists have yet to come to terms with reality, Kingibe explained that the same Otti and Obi he is currently battling begged to extend his tenure by an extra year to recover from the 2023 presidential election loss.
The National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure; his National Secretary, Umar Farouk and the National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, were conspicuously absent at the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the state capital on Wednesday.
The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, had called for the meeting to resolve the lingering leadership crisis in the party.
The Abure-led NWC has, however, kicked against the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, describing it as null and void.
She said, “There is no crisis in Labour. It is Abure’s NWC that refused to admit that their tenure has ended. Even INEC has clearly stated that Abure’s tenure ended in 2023 June. But Alex Otti and Peter Obi extended it by one year so the party could recover from the (2023) election losses before conducting the national convention. So their tenure was extended to June 8, 2024, which has lapsed.
“So whatever Alex Otti, Obi and other party stakeholders is well in line with the constitution and INEC guidelines. So, it is left for Abure to come to terms with the reality that his tenure is over and it is time to do the needful.
“I am in sync with the Nenadi Usman-led committee and back it 100 per cent. That is the way to go. Every other thing the Abure-NWC is illegal.”
Continuing, the FCT senator described Tuesday’s medical outreach as a huge success.
According to her, the mission was to provide essential medical services to 5,000 members of her constituency in the FCT.
[Punch]
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PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has called for the immediate evacuation of people from affected flooding areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The President also expressed deep concern about the flooding in parts of the state capital.
Recall that the worst flood in recent decades displaced thousands of residents and affected facilities such as the Post office and the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
President Tinubu in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam.
According to the statement, “While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.”
President Tinubu assured Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
He ordered the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.
The President said he remained committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.
[Vanguard]
The popularity of iGaming has exploded in recent years and, while traditional casinos still very much have their place, there’s little doubt that online casinos are dominating the current scene. With a CAGR of some 11.5% through 2027, that trend looks set to continue well into the future, too.
This is good news for people looking to try out the suite of iGaming products available, of which there are more than ever before. Although, from the outside, it can look like all iGaming websites are the same, the truth is that there can be significant differences between the experience provided by online casinos. So, let’s take a look at what newcomers should be looking for when they’re in the market for an iGaming website.
Website Design and Experience
Website design and user experience are essential for all websites, but it’s especially important for iGaming websites. Those two features play a significant role in the user’s experience and will have a direct impact on how well they’re able to enjoy their preferred game. It’s difficult to enjoy the convenience of what iGaming websites provide when they are outdated or technically incapable of providing a smooth playing experience. So, before committing to a website, take a critical look: does the design seem modern? Is the website fast and responsive?
Range of Games Available
A website may look and feel great, but, ultimately, it’s the number of games on offer that really counts. The leading iGaming websites offer all of the most common casino games, including roulette and blackjack, as well as a wide selection of slots. They’ll also routinely update their offerings in line with the latest releases. One of the key advantages that iGaming establishments have over their real-world counterparts is that they’re not limited by space, so there’s really no good reason why an iGaming website shouldn’t offer all of the standard casino games and more.
Ease of Payments and Withdrawals
The best iGaming websites make it as easy as possible for users to deposit and withdraw money. As well as just broadly being convenient for the user, a range of payment options and fast withdrawal times signify that the owners of the iGaming website care about the user’s experience. Withdrawal times can vary significantly between websites, but they’re nearly always made within a few hours. If a website you’re considering claims withdrawals take days — or doesn’t mention a timeframe at all — then it’ll be best to look elsewhere.
Offers and Deals
As we said at the beginning of the article, the iGaming industry is bigger than ever and, as such, there are more online casino operators than ever. This has created a highly competitive online casino landscape, which is, as with other industries, good for consumers. For one thing, it means that the quality of the websites is generally extremely high. Plus, it means that there are usually offers and deals available, especially for new customers. These offers can come in the shape of deposit matches, free spins, or enhanced odds.
Customer Service Availability
The vast majority of iGaming website users have no problems whatsoever. However, we all know that things can go wrong — or, in some cases, sometimes you just need a little help from someone who works for the website. Before signing up, take a look at the customer service options provided by the website. The best websites make it possible for their users to contact them via a variety of methods, including telephone, email, and social media, with some even offering live online chat support.
And there we have it! If your prospective iGaming website ticks all of those boxes, you can be reasonably sure that it’ll provide an excellent user experience.
[TheCable]
Oluwatuyi Olasoji, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Akure South local government of Ondo State is dead.
He reportedly died few days after collapsing while waiting to buy the Premium Motor Spirit.
According to a local tabloid in the state, Sunshine Truth, the deceased slumped last week while trying to buy fuel at a filling station in the state capital and was rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Owo.
He was said to have undergone a surgery and given up to the ghost on Monday.
Petrol scarcity has recently hit the country as motorists continued to lament.
Long queues at filling stations have worsened traffic conditions, with many people stranded at bus stops due to doubled transport fares.
SaharaReporters had reported days ago that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) claimed that the current fuel scarcity was expected to “subside in a few days as more stations recalibrate and begin selling PMS.”
According to the NNPCL, “The market has been deregulated, meaning that petrol prices are now determined by market forces rather than by the government or NNPC Ltd. Additionally, the exchange rate plays a significant role in influencing these prices.”
On the commencement of lifting PMS from the Dangote Refinery, it said that it was awaiting the September 15th timeline provided by the Refinery.
Nigerian musician and activist, Seun Kuti, has emphasized that mere protests are insufficient for achieving meaningful change, urging Nigerians to take more concrete steps towards transformation.
Kuti’s comments follow the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which highlighted the growing discontent over national hardships.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin Minds, Kuti described protests as merely the initial phase of a larger movement.
“What I will say to Nigerians is that protest is not enough. I see protests as a child going to a loving parent complaining, ‘Oh, daddy, mummy, I don’t want to eat this,’ because the daddy and mummy care. But these people don’t care; that’s why I don’t preach protest only; I preach mass organisation because we the people must also organise ourselves for power,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of not only protesting but also showing readiness to replace current leaders with genuine representatives from the people’s side.
“It is not enough that we are protesting because we don’t like what they do, we must also send signals that we are ready to replace them. Not with another version of themselves like we did before, PDP to APC but with new people, representatives from our side of the divide to rule this country for our own benefit,” Kuti added.
Kuti called for a broader mobilization towards a more equitable system. “It is not enough that people want to protest. Protest is the begining of this dance. The real party starts when we begin to mass mobilise into a socialist to release this country from capitalism that we are experiencing,” he said.