FEATURES

FEATURES

Renowned Nigerian pastor and philanthropist, Pastor Ademola Amusan, known as Agbala Gabriel, has finally broken his silence to address the swirling reports that the family of the recently deceased actor, Sule Suebebe, refused to accept his corpse from him.

Recall that on Wednesday that Sule Suebebe died in the early hours of June 12th at an undisclosed hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The announcement of his death came from Ibadan-based cleric who had been tending to the actor during his prolonged illness.

 

Just hours after the tragic news broke, a social media user stirred up a storm by claiming that the actor’s family had refused to accept his corpse from the clergyman.

“Breaking news: We hear that Baba Suebebe’s family refused to take his corpse from Agbala Gabriel; they rejected his corpse. So what is going to happen now?”.

SEE POST BELOW 

 

This shocking revelation set the internet abuzz, leading to a flurry of heated debates and rampant speculation about the circumstances surrounding the family’s decision.

In response to these allegations, Pastor Agbala firmly denied that any such event took place, asserting that the rumors of the late actor’s family rejecting his corpse are unfounded and malicious attempts to damage his reputation.

He explained that after Sule Suebebe’s death, he immediately notified the actor’s family, who then arrived without delay.

Pastor Agbala further disclosed that, upon conversing with the family, he discovered that their lack of contact during Suebebe’s illness was due to the actor’s explicit request for them to stay away while he was alive.

The cleric expressed his happiness that the late actor repented and drew closer to God during his final days. He conveyed his confidence that Sule Suebebe is now resting in the bosom of the Lord.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, on Saturday, said he is not worried about the possibility of another governor removing him.

Naija News recalls that the former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, dethroned Sanusi in 2020.

While Sanusi was reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir, is contesting his dethronement in the court.

In an interview with Saturday Sun, Sanusi said only God knows how long he will stay on the throne.

He said: “For me, even now that I am here, only God knows how long I will be here. I can die tomorrow. Another governor can come tomorrow and say that he has removed me, it doesn’t matter.

“But I am happy if he does not touch the emirate. I am happy that I will not leave a history that it was during my time that these 1000 years of history was destroyed.

“So, I am grateful to this government, grateful to this Assembly that they have corrected that, that we have the emirate restored to what it was and Insha’Allah that when I die or when I leave, the person who inherits will inherit what we had. It’s about the system, not about me or about any individual.”

Regarding the lessons you learned while away from the throne in the last four years, the Emir said: “Life is always a continuous process of learning and relearning. And for me, I had always believed, as they say, that we should not waste a crisis. So, anytime I have a crisis, it’s an opportunity to do something else.

“In the last four years I’ve not been idle. In fact, I had just completed writing a PhD Thesis in the University of London, a week before I returned to Kano. I will be going back next month to conclude some things, because I will be graduating in September.”

Kidnappers have abducted the Managing Director of Fouani Company, which represents LG and Hisense, along with three Lebanese while travelling by boat in Lagos.

The names of the kidnapped victims have not been ascertained.


Vanguard gathered that the victims were abducted around Falomo Bridge while traveling from Apapa to Victoria Island.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed the development.

“Yes, it is true. We got the report and we are looking into it. Please, I’m not obliged to state more than that,” Hundeyin told journalists.

The Police PRO could not disclose the identities of the abducted persons.

When asked further, Hundeyin said, “I’m not obliged to state the names, when, where and how it happened for now but we are looking into it.”

As Eid-el-Kabir approaches, the rising cost of food items has put a damper on the festivities with many Muslim faithful struggling to make last-minute purchases.

 

Despite their best efforts to save money and prepare for the holiday, inflation and economic instability have left many families unable to afford traditional dishes and gifts, as the harsh economic reality threatens to overshadow the joy of the occasion.

Vendors in the city’s markets report a decrease in sales as customers tighten their budgets, and many are left with a sense of uncertainty and disappointment.

In markets across the city, the already high prices of essential holiday items such as rams, rice, and other foodstuffs continued to climb, straining the budgets of even the most financially secure households.

The hike in food prices was not just a nuisance but a sobering reminder of the ongoing economic crisis that has gripped Nigeria.

With inflation surging and salaries failing to keep up with the rising cost of living, many families found themselves forced to make difficult choices when it came to their celebrations.

As the sun set on the eve of Eid-el-Kabir, a sense of unease permeated the atmosphere. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety as Muslim faithful weighed their options, torn between upholding the traditions of their faith and the harsh realities of their economic circumstances.

Despite the challenges, the holiday spirit remained resilient. For some, the determination to make the most of the occasion was too strong to be quashed by financial worries.

In the crowded markets, the hustle and bustle continued, as people rushed to secure the last of the supplies they needed. Some shopped with friends and family, while others navigated the crowds alone, single-minded in their pursuit of the perfect ingredients for their holiday meals.

 

The mood was a reflection of the human spirit’s ability to find joy in the face of adversity, even as uncertainty loomed over the city like a dark cloud.

In the popular Bodija Market in Ibadan, this reporter spoke with several Muslim faithful and vendors, each with their own unique stories and perspectives on the festivities.

Mallam Tunde, a rams seller, expressed his disappointment at the lack of sales this year, saying: “Usually, my stall is bustling with customers by now, but this year is different. Many cannot afford to buy even one ram.”

Khadija, a young mother, shared her struggles to prepare for Eid-el-Kabir. She explained that she had been saving for months, but inflation had wiped out much of her budget.

“I have three children and they’re all excited for Eid-el-Kabir, but I’m worried about disappointing them. We’ll make do with what we have, but it’s not easy.”

 

Similarly, Aisha, a housewife, said she had resorted to borrowing money to buy her family’s festive essentials.

“I don’t like to rely on loans, but what choice do I have? The prices keep going up, but our wages stay the same.”

As the reporter moved through the market, the sense of frustration and disappointment was palpable.

A vendor selling traditional garments for the holiday, Mallam Kabir, reported that his sales had also been affected.

“People are not buying as much as before. Many say they cannot afford it this year. It’s not just me who’s suffering; the economy is suffering too.”

 

A young woman, Fatima, shared her concern about the future.

“I worry for the next generation. What will life be like for them if things continue like this?”

As the reporter continued his interviews, a common thread emerged, hope. Despite the struggles, many remained optimistic about the future.

One such person was Alhaji Abdullahi, an elderly man with a kind smile.

“We’ve been through tough times before. We will get through this too. Our faith will sustain us.”

 

Others echoed his sentiment. Hajiya Zainab, a matronly woman, spoke of the power of community. “We must support one another. When one of us suffers, we all suffer.”

As the news story continued, the voices of ordinary Nigerians echoed the reporter’s concerns.

Aliyu, a young entrepreneur, expressed his frustration with the government’s inaction.

“We pay our taxes, we work hard, but what do we get in return? Inflation, unemployment, and now we can’t even afford to celebrate our holidays. The government needs to do better.”

Amina, a university student, shared her disappointment: “I thought we were making progress as a country, but it seems we’re just going backwards.”

 

However, residents of Ibadan, united in their struggles and hopes for a better future, made a collective appeal to the government.

“We are tired of empty promises and false assurances. We demand action. We demand solutions. We demand a government that listens and responds to the needs of its people.”

As their voices rose in unison, their message was clear, they would no longer accept the status quo. They deserved better, and they would not stop until they received it.

Four students of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt have been suspended for one academic session for brutalising their colleague identified as Victor Tobins.

A statement issued by the university’s acting Registrar, Mrs I. B. S. Harry, on Saturday morning, stated that the decision was taken after the institution’s management meeting which was held on Friday, June 14, 2024.

The statement noted that the actions of the students who are also officials of the Man ‘O’ War contravened the regulations of the university.

“This is to notify parents and the general public that the Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, at its meeting held on Friday 14th June 2024, approved the suspension of the following students:

“Monsi Baridukaka Nwaaelibabari, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Victor Chibuike Daniel, Department of Animal Science, Ezems Ikechukwu Goodluck, Department of Electrical Engineering and Wilson Jacob Ree-Ugani, Department of Marine Engineering.

“The students who are members of the Man O’ War were suspended by the Management of the University, for assaulting and inflicting physical injury on Victor Tobin, a 300-level student of the Department of Sociology, on 12th June 2024 at Hostel F in the University Campus.

“Management saw the actions of the four students as contrary to the regulations of the University, and as such, approved their suspension for one academic session,” it said.

The statement also urged students to live in peace with one another and ensure that they follow the rules and regulations guiding the institutions.

“The Management enjoined the student population to continue to live in peace and harmony and comply scrupulously with all the rules and regulations of the University,” it said.

Recall that the students of the school carried out a peaceful protest on campus over the incident on Thursday.

The protest disrupted a meeting of the University management and the Students’ Union Government over the issue, as the students allegedly threatened to attack the personnel if they don’t leave the campus.

However, the Students Union Government, SUG, President of RSU, Abinye Pepple, who condemned the action of the Man O War, assured the students that the school will investigate the matter and ensure that the right decision is taken.

Also, the Acting Registrar, in a statement on Thursday, stated that the management had convened an emergency meeting with the students’ leadership and the accused personnel to get to the root of the matter.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has stated that President Bola Tinubu has never intervened or imposed any directives concerning the Commission’s activities.

Olukoyede said that the agency has received substantial support from the Federal Government to fulfil its mandate.

He stated that the agency is not witch-hunting anybody but simply trying to ensure that Tinubu’s grand strategic plans for a better Nigeria are achieved.

Speaking via a statement on Friday by the EFCC’s Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewtoale, the agency disclosed that they have enjoyed adequate support from the Federal Government towards achieving its mandate.

The EFCC chairman disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

He said, “Since I was appointed the Chairman of the EFCC, the President has never called me to stop, impose, dictate or prescribe any directive as regards the affairs or activities of the Commission, rather the anti-graft agency has so far enjoyed adequate support needed from the Federal Government towards achieving the mandate of the Commission.”

The EFCC’s boss told the Ooni of Ife that given the autonomy the Commission has gotten so far, the agency will hold political officeholders accountable.

“I can assure Nigerians that the EFCC will stop at nothing to curb if not eradicate corruption in the country and hold political office holders accountable for their activities regarding the management of the resources that are meant to better the lives of Nigerians”

“Let me state this clearly all that I do in the course of discharging my duties as a public servant is not to witch-hunt anybody and not for any personal reasons but to ensure that the grand strategic plans of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards a better Nigeria is achieved,” he added.

The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has expressed an absolute preference for the democratic system of government over military rule.

The royal father expressed that if it were to be under military rule, he would have been killed or imprisoned without being tried in court.

 

Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Kano, Sanusi said no matter how faulty a democratic system of government is, it is still better than military rule.

While submitting that there is no perfect system, the Emir said it is important for the people to be true to themselves and work towards having functional systems.

According to him, “I still have memories of Nigeria during military rule. As bad or as faulty as democracy is, I would rather have that than military rule.

“For example, I was suspended by President Jonathan as CBN governor, and I was removed by Ganduje.

“If it was a military government, I would have been shot. Or they could have carried me and put me under Decree 2 in prison without allowing me to go to court. Democracy is flawed but is better than what we have. There is no perfect system, but we can at least be perfect with ourselves and respect what we have agreed on a constitution and work on it.”

[NaijaNews]

At least three shipping companies, acting as collection agents for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), have allegedly colluded with some management staff of the agency to evade the payment of over $79.9 million in revenue, equivalent to over N119 billion (at exchange rate of N1,505) to the federal government, an investigation and analysis of credible documents by the Daily Trust Saturday have revealed.

Our correspondent gathered that the shipping companies are Daddo Maritime Services Limited, Blueseas Maritime Services Nigeria Limited and Divine Marine Shipping Services Limited, which have failed to remit the statutory 3% levies, 2% cabotage surcharge, as well as offshore waste and sea protection levies to the federal government from 2004 to date.
 
Checks by our correspondent revealed that Daddo Maritime Services was founded in 1981, as the pioneer indigenous ship and tanker agency services provider in Nigeria.
 
It is owned by a former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who is chairman. The outfit is a member of his Daddo Group of companies.
 
Blueseas Maritime Services Nigeria Ltd was incorporated on the 22nd of August 2003. Its present CEO/MD is Hon Chris Nkwonta, the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State.
 
Divine Marine Shipping Services Ltd commenced full operations in June 1998, initially operating as an oil shipping agency and then evolving to offer full shipping services.
 
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) search for all the three companies came back negative.
 
However, in 2023, the CAC announced that it has commenced the sticking off the names of companies from the Register of the Companies for failure to comply with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 to file up to date.
 
There are allegations that the companies have been diverting these levies for other uses. Sources within the maritime sector told Daily Trust that the debts owed the three companies were mostly from crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports and imports that have accrued for 20 years.
 
It was gathered that past efforts to get the entities involved to pay the amount owed had been rebuffed, despite the involvement of some security agencies.
 
Documents available to this newspaper showed that while Daddo Maritime Services Ltd owes the federal government about $34.5 million, Divine Marine Shipping Services Ltd owes about $11.8 million, while Blueseas Maritime Services Nigeria Ltd is indebted to the tune of about $33 million.
 
Further findings reveal that the three accused entities got mandate for the lifting of wet cargo from terminals such as Bonga Port, Bonny Port, Apapa Port
Abo Terminal, Agbami Terminal, Akpo Terminal, Ebok Terminal and many more to other areas, which sources from the shipping sector said are within cabotage trade.
 
Section 22(1) of the NIMASA Act 2007 has made it clear that the agency is charged with “Maritime Administration”, hence it has the responsibility to promote, regulate and administer public policies in the sector.
 
Though, inside sources at NIMASA said there have been concerted efforts by the agency to investigate and get the accused companies to pay the “colossal amounts”, such efforts had met brick walls, as none of those firms had been made to face the full wrath of the law.
 
A maritime expert, who asked not to be named, described the extent of violation of the NIMASA Act as “alarming”. He said the accused firms have accumulated substantial debts to NIMASA, “While also flagrantly violating provisions of the NIMASA Act since 2004”.
 
Sources said despite being referred to some security agencies, the companies have managed to evade accountability, often with the alleged protection of previous NIMASA management over the years, “and unpatriotic law enforcement officials”.
 
Another source in the maritime sector said that the failure to hold the companies accountable for their non-compliance with the provisions of the NIMASA Act represents a fundamental failure of leadership on the part of the agency’s management.
“It is unacceptable that the owners of these companies continue to enjoy lavish lifestyles while owing substantial sums to the government,”he said.
 
He stressed that any investigation must include a thorough reconciliation exercise focusing on the accumulated outstanding debt, under-declaration, and non-reconciliation of disputed bills, “All of which constitute clear violations of the NIMASA Act.”
 
However, another source from NIMASA said some of the accused firms have started paying up what they owed while some of those who have allegedly divested the funds have gone into hiding. Daily Trust Saturday could not independently verify this.
 
But a group of maritime experts, in
a letter dated April 15, 2024, addressed to the director general of NIMASA,
titled ‘Unsettled debts by shipping companies to NIMASA’, asked the current leadership of the agency to investigate the activities of the shipping companies and the entities charged with the responsibility of collecting revenue, on behalf of NIMASA from 2004 till date.
The letter, which was signed by Kayode Olatubosun, a maritime stakeholder, with office in Apapa, Lagos said: “The apparent impunity with which the companies operate suggests a systemic failure in oversight and enforcement by previous management regimes at NIMASA.”
 
He said: “We implore you to undertake a
comprehensive review of the debt profile of these delinquent companies to fully comprehend the extent of their financial delinquency. It is imperative that a thorough reconciliation exercise be conducted to accurately assess the debt, under declaration, and non declaration practices that constitute flagrant violations of the NIMASA Act,” the letter stated.
 
The experts urged security operatives to prioritise the matter with the urgency it demands and take decisive action to hold accountable those responsible for “defrauding the government.”
 
NIMASA, shipping companies react.
Daily Trust Saturday contacted the Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, who told our correspondent that the agency was currently investigating the allegations.
 
He said the current management team, led by Dr. Dayo Mobereola had put measures to overhaul the entire system to run effectively. According to him,
some of the measures put in place include blocking all areas of revenue leakages by reducing human interface in the operations of the agency.
 
“Investigations are ongoing, the outcome of which will be made public. Be assured that anyone indicted will be made to face the law, no matter how powerful he or she may be. This current management will not. encourage corruption, no matter whatever form it may assume,” he added.
 
Daily Trust Saturday contacted Blue seas, one of the accused shipping companies and its Managing Director, Franklin Nze who told our correspondent
that reconciliation is ongoing and that the outcome of the exercise will determine what the company owed.
 
Nze explained that the reconciliation had been ongoing since 2020, and that payment is being made to clear the backlog.
 
“Our company is a reputable organisation and will not short-change the government in whatever form.
 
There was a mix up and some people wrote to (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) EFCC.
 
We were invited and we opened our books to them for scrutiny. While we were at the verge of reconciling the account, the same people wrote another petition to (the Department of State Services) DSS and we were again invited.
 
“We started the entire process again and it was at this juncture that a committee was set up with a view of.resolving the whole issue. An agreement was reached 
on payment plans. As we speak, my management is working round the clock to liquidate the debt,” he said.
 
He explained that what might be delaying the whole process may not be unconnected to the recent.change of leadership at NIMASA, and that since the current management is new, it may be going through some of the agency’s records.
 
When contacted on phone, Mr. Kola Olapoju of Divine Marine and Shipping Services Ltd, later first admitted that their company was owing the government an unspecified amount, and was also frank about some of the allegations relating to alleged compromise by some NIMASA top officials.
 
Alapoju alleged those from NIMASA who initiated the deal have now retired and accused them of spreading the news. He said the affected shipping companies and agents who, on behalf of NIMASA collect revenue from vessels doing businesses in Nigeria remit a certain percentage into government accounts, according to the terms of the contract. He however alleged that any entity that refuses to do “business as usual” was removed as an agent.
“This fraud had been entrenched in the system for a very long time. Those who started it have retired and now it is we that they are holding,” he said.
 
Olapoju, however, later phoned our correspondent.and threatened to go to court if his client’s name or his was mentioned in our report. “I will advise that you should attribute the allegations and my responses to anonymous sources and not my client or me,” he said.
 
Daily Trust Saturday made several efforts to reach Daddy Maritime Services but was unsuccessful as the number of one Mrs. Dorcas, who is said to be the
spokesperson for the company failed to connect up to press time.
 
[DailyTrust]

An actress, Chinwe Splendor, has said that the university she graduated from had asked her to return the certificate issued to her after she claimed that while in school, she usually did not attend classes, but slept with lecturers in exchange for grades.

In a video post on Instagram, Splendor said, “The university I attended sent me an email to return my certificate within 48 hours. I want to ask, ‘is this right’? That certificate, I worked hard for it, so why should I return it? They sent me an email to return the certificate I worked so hard for. If that is case, I know many of my coursemates that should return their certificates as well. I am going through a lot.”

In earlier interview on a YouTube channel called ‘Yan Konnect Factory’, the actress had stated that as a result of trying to make ends meet, she had to go to the ‘street’ to fend for herself, which resulted in her missing classes. She added that she later devised a way to ensure good grades by sleeping with her lecturers. She added that even though she did not attend lectures in a particular year, she was still able to get good grades in all her courses.

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Meanwhile, some of the people who commented on her post seemed to agree with the institution’s call for her to return the certificate.

One Ihenenancy wrote, “You talk too much for a lady. It is obvious you didn’t go to school, so return it (certificate) with immediate effect. Common sense is far from you.”

Chipsys_oven commented, “Yes, please return it, and the school should investigate lecturers who sleep with students in exchange for good grades.”

[Punch]

The national assembly is reportedly proposing legislation aimed at sanctioning states that don't comply with the new minimum wage presented by the federal government. 

 

Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) who spoke to newsmen on Friday, June 14, said the national assembly will ensure the law is seriously watertight that either the state, sub-national or organised private sector that does not comply, will be sanctioned. 

 

He said; 

 

“We are going to do a watertight Bill that we are proposing that the President will sign it to ensure that it is strictly adhered to as a law.

“Once it becomes law, we are going to make it watertight, and don’t let us just speculate what is going to be the ingredient that the federal government would be putting into the bill that will be brought by the executive to be submitted to the National Assembly.

 

“When it comes, whatever is there and whatever is not there, we are going to ensure that it’s going to be watertight; that it’s going to be obeyed by all. And from that, again, when we are talking of minimum wage, is it about federal government alone?

“Because it seems that it is a fight between the federal government and labour. That’s the way everybody is looking at it. So we keep mentioning the federal government, we keep mentioning the President Tinubu and labour.

 

“But like I said, the National Assembly is going to do this law seriously watertight that either the state or sub-national or organised private sector that does not comply, there is going to be sanction for it.

 

“When the executive bill comes and then we sit down in the chamber, when we are in the plenary, you know there are going to be opinions. And again we are going to invite not only legislators to talk about it, the organised labour too will contribute into making the law.

“So when that time comes, then definitely, we will all decide what’s going to be the sanction, whoever is not complying with the law because we believe that at the end of the day, the committee that is meeting over arriving at a very acceptable minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

“We believe that government is there, the organised labour itself is there, then the organised private sector is there. So definitely whatever result they come out with, when we make law with that, can anybody now come and talk with a tongue in the cheek? We don’t expect that one.”

 

On how fast the National Assembly would pass the minimum wage Bill if presented by President Tinubu, Senator Adaramodu said, “If it is possible within 30 minutes, we will do that. So it depends.” 


The senator also said the bill would go through the crucibles and receive speedy passage if the federal government and organised labour reached a consensus on the minimum wage figure.

 

He added; 

 

“Definitely, there is going to be an agreement. So once there is an agreement, the bill will come and I don’t think any of the components of the negotiating bodies will oppose the agreed figure at the end of the day. So we don’t have any fear about that.

“You know when you are negotiating, you negotiate from various reasons, parameters and parallels. So at the end of the day, all the lines will converge and meet at a concentric point.

“If immediately after Sallah, the Bill is brought by Mr. President to the National Assembly, it’s going to be dealt with, with the speed of lightning. Yes, we are going to pass it because it is for the benefit of Nigerian workers.”