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A former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Moh. Lukman, has blasted his party for dashing the hopes of Nigerians in the last nine years.
In a statement on Tuesday, while restating his membership of the party, Lukman said the worst part of the situation is that “we have elected governments, virtually at all levels, performing worse than military rulers.”
He noted that 25 years after the advent of democracy in 1999, the welfare condition of Nigerians is unarguably worse, while unemployment and poverty indices have increased.
His words, “Poor management of national resources has continued so much so that crisis of insecurity and threat to human lives is the new normal.
“The worst part of it is that we have elected governments, virtually at all levels, performing worse than military rulers. Although theories of democracy and politics have unquestionably proven that elected leaders will be more accountable, 25 years of democratic rule in Nigeria is yet to produce leaders that are predisposed to accommodating the interests of citizens.
“Instead, we keep moving almost in the opposite direction to whatever could be estimated as the interest of Nigerians, no matter how narrowly defined.
“Is it that Nigeria’s democracy is yet to open the expected opportunity? Or is it that the majority of Nigerians are unable to ‘positively grab’ the opportunity, which democracy presents? What is the opportunity, which democracy presents?
“These are fundamental questions, which we must interrogate to be able to come to terms with our Nigerian reality and perhaps develop creative initiatives on how to exercise the freedoms that come with democracy based on which the opportunities it presents can be ‘positively grabbed’ in order to achieve the desired effect of resolving our national challenges.
“First, while interrogating this issue, I want to affirm my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and recognize that the last nine years have disappointingly dashed the expectations of Nigerians.
“I make this admission as someone who is committed to progressive politics based on the conviction that the first thing that qualifies anyone to be a progressive is the capacity to recognize challenges based on a correct assessment of realities.
“A correct assessment of reality is about honest criticisms and taking responsibility. It is not about rationalizing choices or denial of challenges and realities,” he added.
According to him, being a party founded with the vision of becoming a progressive party, it has crashed below whatever a political party represents, not to mention being progressive.
“As it is today, its leadership doesn’t obey its own constitution, it doesn’t hold meetings, and it is accountable to no one. Since 2015, when the party was elected as a ruling party, with former President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated as president of the Federal Republic, the manifesto of the party has been virtually abandoned, and leaders of the party have little or no say in the management of governments it produced at all levels.
“Processes of appointments into government and policy decisions have been made the prerogative of the president at the national level and governors at state levels.
“Like under military rule, when citizens were reduced to distant observers, under the APC, party leaders and members have also become distant observers,” he said.
The Naira appreciated further against the dollar at the foreign exchange market amid the Central Bank of Nigeria interest rate hike to tackle inflation.
FMDQ data showed that the Naira gained marginally to N1465.68 per dollar on Tuesday from N1468.99 traded on Monday.
This represents a marginal N3.31 gain against the dollar compared to N1468.99 traded the previous day.
Similarly, at the parallel market section, the Naira appreciated to N1460 per dollar on Tuesday from N1465 on Monday.
This is the third consecutive gain for the Naira against the Dollar since Friday last week.
This development comes as CBN raised Nigeria’s interest rate to 26.25 per cent from 24.75 per cent in March 2024 at the just-concluded Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
The apex bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the committee arrived at the stance to tackle Nigeria’s rising inflation, which rose to 33.69 per cent in April.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is working to identify leakages and tighten surveillance on financial technology (fintech) companies.
Olayemi Cardoso, CBN’s governor, spoke on Tuesday during the press briefing of the 295th monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja.
The governor said fintechs have made positive impact both in Nigeria and the world but regulation is crucial to prevent illicit financial flows within the system.
He said the bank is working with law enforcement agencies to help identify the potential leakages and tighten its regulation on the sector.
“We are very proud of what the fintechs over the years have been able to do for the country and the positive impact that it is having not just in the country but worldwide globally,” Cardoso said.
“However, regulation is very critical in a sector that seems to have grown so incredibly rapidly.
“More recently, we had cause to take a deep dive look at the whole issue of illicit flows and money laundering, particularly within the more heavy regulated banking system and we all know some of the issues that came out with crypto and some of the messages that we put out after that, which of course, gave us some cause to know that there was need for heightened surveillance.
“We are very happy that we have been able to have a very major handshake with the law enforcement agencies which have helped to, in no small measure for us, identify where the potential leakages are and the places where we need to tighten on our regulation and our surveillance.
“For that reason, we will consent with respect to how we saw the issue of anti-money laundering and illicit flows as it made their way within various sub sectors of the financial industry and we felt there was a need for us to take a breather and see how we could work with the different players to strengthen regulations, not by any means to throw them out of business.”
‘WE HAVE NOT REVOKED LICENCE OF ANY FINTECH’
Cardoso said the bank has not revoked the licence of any fintech.
He, however, said there are measures being put in place to strengthen them to benefit the public.
“Let me say something here, who benefits from this and who loses from it? If we get it wrong, the public loses from it, if we get it right, the public benefits from it,” he said.
“It is our intention to ensure that our system is one that will benefit the general public and it is for that reason that we have sat down, and we have tried to bring out remedial measures that will help that sector to tighten up on onboarding and even existing clientele base.”
Cardoso expressed confidence that within the next few months, these issues will be a thing of the past as the fintech industry will be back with a robust regulatory framework.
[TheCable]
A popular pastor, Stanley Ogbonna based in Abuja has thrown his wife, Chioma and six children out of his hous.
According to Punch, Ogbonna, a General Overseer of the God’s Spring Assembly, also known as Glass Church, Kubwa, Abuja, was said to be in an unsettling relationship with his wife, which led to their divorce.
He was accused of telling the court he had sold his properties to prevent the embattled wife from having a share of his wealth.
In a clip that went viral on social media platforms on Tuesday, Chioma was seen accusing the pastor of infidelity and domestic abuse, among others.
She narrated how she had suffered with the pastor for over 18 to 19 years with six children and how the husband had packed his properties out of the house while sleeping around with different women.
She said, “See him, God will help me. This is a pastor. Look at him. This is the pastor, Stanley Ogbonna. He called the police and evicted me and the children out of the house.
“Look at me, look at my properties all outside unannounced. We were in the house this afternoon; he just came to the house with the police and threw my things away. He already packed his things out of the house for years, sleeping around.
“Today, he has come to disgrace me after labouring with him for 18 years, 19 years. See what the General Overseer of God’s Wing Assembly, Glass Church, Kubwa, is doing. I’m his wife, who laboured with him for 19 years.
“The world needs to come into this and give me justice for suffering me for all these years after giving him six children. His last child is a four-year-old.
“Look at me outside and my properties. He feels nobody will speak for me. Jehovah will speak for me,” Chioma added.
Efforts to reach the pastor and the church to discuss the wife’s allegation proved abortive. The church’s inquiry number was unreachable, and the mail sent has not been replied to as of the time of filing this report.
On April 18, the church held a programme titled “Happy Birthday in perfect grace” to celebrate Ogbonna’s birthday.
Media
Davido has made a revelation during a courtesy visit to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
He revealed that he spends N400m on orphanages annually.
Welcoming his guest on Monday, Akpabio expressed his delight at the visit and showered encomiums on the Afrobeat star for making Nigeria proud with his outstanding performances.
“You have made us very proud within the International Community,” Akpabio told Davido, who came in the company of two of his cousins, Tunji Adeleke, son of his late uncle, Senator, Isiaka Adeleke, and Folasade Adeleke, daughter of Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, among others.
The Senate President told his guests that, “we will do everything possible to support the entertainment industry.”
He, however, charged them to continue to maintain high ethics and resist peer influence that could derail them.
Akpabio said: “For me and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is an inclusive administration, and you must have noticed in my various outings, that we move as one, across party lines.
“Even though your administration is a PDP one we work across party lines for the interest of Nigeria. The only major thing that is common to all of us is the interest of this country and it is a country that has given you so much love.
“It is a country with a population that is unmatched anywhere else in Africa. Over 240 million Nigerians. So I want you to continue to remain a great Ambassador of our country. Don’t allow anybody to drag you into politics. Continue to do your best in the entertainment industry.”
Akpabio continued, “For us in the political arena, we value talents and what God has given to you, nobody can take it away from you. We do everything possible to support the industry. To support talented people like you. All we need also is patience and prayers so that we can succeed.
“Please do your best to continue to maintain the high ethics. What is happening in America with some of the black stars is quite unfortunate. For most of you in the industry, don’t allow peer group influence to derail you. Continue to do your best.
“The entertainment industry is like a pyramid. You start from the ground until you get there. When you are on top, your own is how to remain there. So anybody who walks on a tightrope must learn how to do the balancing act. And so, your job is to remain there.”
He added, “Our prayer is that God should sustain you there and continue to give you more wisdom and more talent for you to continue to make Nigeria proud. We are very proud of you.”
Speaking earlier, Davido informed the Senate President of his Foundation, which primarily offers assistance to the orphanages and also of his new album to be released in June or July.
In their discussion, Davido highlighted the importance of private sector contributions to social welfare, noting that government efforts alone are not sufficient to address the needs of orphaned and abandoned children.
He explained that his annual expenditure on orphanages covers various necessities, including food, clothing, education, and medical care, ensuring that the children receive holistic support.
“As for me, I’m doing my part. I have a Foundation. Every year, I share N300million, N400million to orphanages. Just doing my part to assist society. We have a new album coming out in June or July. I just thank you for everything you have been doing for us,” Davido stated.
Senate President Akpabio commended Davido for his dedication and urged other celebrities and wealthy individuals to follow his example.
He stated that such philanthropic activities significantly complement governmental initiatives and play a crucial role in improving the lives of disadvantaged Nigerians.
Akpabio also assured Davido of the Senate’s support in creating policies that encourage and facilitate private contributions to social causes.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Labour Party, LP, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidates in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, of desperation, following their recent meeting.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by APC national publicity secretary Felix Morka, on Tuesday.
Reacting to several speculations concerning Obi’s recent visit to Atiku, the party stated that the duo are united by their mutual desperation to be President of Nigeria and their ignoble disdain for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The statement reads in part, “Atiku and Obi are united by their mutual desperation to be President f Nigeria and ignoble disdain for President Bola Tinubu’s focused and extraordinary commitment to the transformation of our nation.
“Their restless drift in search of convenient party platforms to execute their presidential run only belie self-indulgent and opportunistic essence of their aspirations.”
On the issue of a possible alliance between the former governor and the ex-vice president, the party said it wont be surprised if Obi returns to PDP or Atiku decamps to Labour Party as the duo are known as political wanderers.
It pointed out that Nigerians cannot trust men who are unable to build or fix their party to tackle serious and complex national, political and economic challenges of the country.
“Men without the staying power to build or fix their own parties, who flee at the slightest flicker of internal crisis cannot possibly be trusted by Nigerians to tackle serious and complex national, political and economic challenges that confront our nation,” the statement added.
The father of David Ukpo, Mr. Nwamini Ukpo, has said that the family of Senator Ike Ekweremadu offered him a tricycle in his family compound in Ebonyi State, but he rejected it.
He disclosed this to our correspondent at his family compound in Ndioffia Ishieke, Ebonyi State, in the presence of community members as well as the head pastor of the Nigeria Reform Church (NRC), Reverend Igweali Linus, where David Ukpo worshipped as a chorister.
Speaking on the offer, Nwamini said, “Since the issue of my son being taken to the United Kingdom became a global issue, none of the Ekweremadu family visited us immediately.
“It was when the case was being handled by the UK government that a group of people came, saying they were from Ekweremadu and decided to offer me a tricycle, which I rejected.
“I rejected it because that was not what I needed. I just want to have the chance to speak to my son again. I am only trying to be strong for my wife, who is the mother of David, because it hurts me inside.
“As you can see, my legs are swollen, and that started the day I heard of David’s disappearance. My heart beats fast, and as such, I have stopped farming work.”
One of David Ukpo’s uncles, who resides in the city and is often the intermediary between the Ekweremadu family and his family, stated that the family only wants an opportunity to speak with their son to know if he is alive or not.
He said, “The last and only time the family of Ekweremadu has come to our village was to present my brother, Nwamini Ukpo, with an offer as compensation, which he rejected. He told them that he has nothing to do with their offer but wants to have access to his son.”
Meanwhile, further findings revealed the medical challenges of David’s father, Nwamini Ukpo, as his leg was swollen at the time of this interview and currently battling with a heart condition that has stopped him from farming.
The Reverend Father of the Nigeria Reform Church, Igweali Linus, also spoke to Vanguard, affirming Mr. Nwamini Ukpo’s heart condition and stating that he only wants to communicate with his son, not receive gifts.
US Dollar supply surged to 93 per cent at the official foreign exchange market amid Naira’s gain.
FMDQ data showed that the turnover of forex transactions increased to $161.41 million on Monday from $83.5 million recorded on Friday last week.
This development led to continued appreciation on Monday, when it stood at N1468.99 per Dollar, down from N1497.33 traded on Friday.
Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves increased by approximately $535 million in the past weeks.
FX reserves rose from $32.107 billion on April 19, 2024, to $32.642 billion by May 16, 2024.
Pope Francis has addressed the controversy over his stance on same-sex couples.
The Pope explained that he allowed the blessings of individuals but not on same-sex unions.
Fox News reports that the Pope was asked about a seeming change to Vatican policy when he approved the blessings of Catholics in same-sex unions in a conversation with CBS ’60 Minutes’.
“Last year you decided to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples,” CBS ’60 Minutes’ anchor Norah O’Donnell said. “That’s a big change. Why?”
“No, what I allowed was not to bless the union. That cannot be done because that is not the sacrament. I cannot. The Lord made it that way,” the Pope said, in remarks translated into English.
“But to bless each person, yes. The blessing is for everyone. For everyone. To bless a homosexual-type union, however, goes against the given right, against the law of the Church. But to bless each person, why not? The blessing is for all. Some people were scandalized by this. But why? Everyone! Everyone!”
Recall that the Pope allowed blessings for same-sex couples in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust).
The news made waves around the world, with some gay Catholics viewing it as a welcome alteration after previously feeling alienated by Church teachings.
The development then caused widespread debate in the Catholic Church, with particularly strong resistance coming from African bishops.
Nollywood star Angela Okorie has lambasted her colleague, Zubby Michael, for publicising his donation to the family of their late colleague, Junior Pope.
DAILY POST reports that a video capturing the moment Michael made a donation to Junior Pope’s widow, Jennifer Awele, and their children, has gone viral on social media.
Reacting, Okorie berated Michael for making the donation “on camera.”
She noted that the burial of a young person is not the right place to flaunt cash.
On her Instagram story, she wrote: “Zubby na young person die, that showcase of money wasn’t necessary. But as a local boy that you are, you don’t have sense. You don’t know where to do show and where to behave well.
“Abi you get money pass all the dignitaries wey come there? Mugu.”
DAILY POST recalls that Junior Pope died on April 10, 2024, alongside three others after their boat capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a film location.
He was laid to rest at his hometown, Ukehe in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, last Friday.
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Grammy-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has ventured into the movie industry.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner is set to make his debut as an executive producer in Black Mic Mac’s upcoming movie ‘3 Cold Dishes.’
Burna Boy would executively produce the movie through Spaceship Films, a company he co-founded alongside Bose Ogulu, his mother.
The movie will be co-produced by Black Mic Mac, Ifind, Alma Prods, Asurf Films, and Martian Network.
Directed by Asurf Oluseyi and written by Tomi Adesina, ‘3 Cold Dishes’ is a story set across Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire.
“This film is a testament to the strength and resilience of its characters, and it took us blood and sweat to get it to this stage,” the director, Asurf Oluseyi stated in an interview with Variety.
The film boasts of star-studded casts such as Osas Ighodaro, Femi Jacobs, Wale Ojo, Ruby Akubueze, Brutus Richards as well as some Ivorian and Senegalese actors.
‘You told filmmakers not to hire me’ - actress Motilola Akinlami calls out colleague, Kunle Afod
AFOLABI
Actress Motilola Akinlami has accused her senior colleague, Kunle Afod, of obstructing her career in Nollywood by claiming he blocks her from getting roles.
In an Instagram post on Monday, she claimed that Kunle has consistently undermined her career by preventing producers from reaching out to her for roles in the industry. She also accused the actor’s wife of defaming her.
Her words: “I am boiling inside of me right now. I have kept this thing for over five years. This is the fifth year running. I beg you in the name of God. All the powers that be in this industry already know about this matter. Mr. Kunle Afod please leave me alone. Please leave me and my career. What have I done to you? They will call me for jobs you will say they should remove me if they want to use you.
“Yomi Olorunlaye called me for a job this evening and they said Afod will direct. And I said okay. Only for him to call me back that Afod said he cannot work with me. Afod what have I done? I have told you I no longer want to work with you. For all these years you said they should not call me for jobs any longer.
“When I was working with you, I knew how your wife was running from pillar to post defaming me on Instagram. Go and hold your wife. Leave me alone. You said Femi Adebayo should not come to my set, and he is no longer coming. This is like the tenth time I will be rejected for jobs.
“So many people have been asking me why they have not been seeing me in movies. It is because of Afod. If they call me, he will say they should not call me. The reason is that I no longer want to be friends with him. This was how they did to Junior Pope. They will first blacklist you. He has been waiting to see my RIP for the past five years, but God was with me. You are not God. You have been obstructing me on so many big jobs I ought to have been on,” she said.
Joseph Aloba, father of late singer, Illerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has again accused his daughter-in-law, Wunmi, of paternity fraud.
In a fresh audio interview making the rounds on social media, Mr Aloba insisted that his grandson, Liam, is not his late son’s child.
According to him, Liam has “bow legs” and his family doesn’t have “bow legs.”
He said he believed that Wunmi’s concubine killed Mohbad and urged her to take her son to the rightful father.
He said, “All the names Mohbad mentioned in the petition he wrote, were involved in his death. I still insist that his wife’s concubine killed him. This is why DNA is a must.
“Wunmi said my son deflowered her so why is she running away from DNA? Liam has bow legs. We don’t have bow legs in the Aloba family. She should take the boy to his father. It is so sad that these wicked people k!Iled my son in his prime. Nigerians should please support me as I fight for justice for my son.”
A man, Shafiu Abubakar Gadan who was accused of setting a mosque ablaze, leading to the death of 14 worshippers was on Monday, May 20, remanded in a correctional centre by an Upper Shariah Court in Kano State.
The incident occurred during the Subhi (early morning) prayer in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state on May 15, 2024.
Many other worshippers sustained varying degrees of injuries from the ensuing fire.
The accused is also charged with setting several residents on fire, resulting in grievous harm and the death of some individuals.
During the court session, the prosecution, led by Kano State’s Attorney General, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, presented three counts of causing grievous harm and culpable homicide against the accused.
Dederi alleged that on May 15, 2024, at about 5:15 a.m., the defendant used petrol and set a mosque at Gadan village on fire during subhi.
“The defendant poured the petrol on the carpet where Sani Suleiman and 24 others were praying, and closed the door," Dederi said.
“In the process, several people sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, while Suleiman and 13 others died while receiving treatment."
Shafiu Abubakar Gadan pleaded guilty to the charges.
The prosecution said the case is a capital offence and urged the court to allow the defendant to get a lawyer to give him his constitutional right.
In response, the presiding judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya, ordered the accused to be remanded in a correctional facility.
The case has been adjourned to May 31, 2024.
