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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says taxi driving is a noble means of livelihood and should be embraced to make a decent income.
Wike stated this at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in the Garki area of Abuja on Thursday when he handed over 80 new cars to beneficiaries to use as taxis.
“They are not paying a dime. No; the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” said the minister.
He encouraged the beneficiaries not to be ashamed that they are being empowered to be taxi drivers, saying that many Nigerians who reject taxi driving jobs at home gladly embrace such when they travel abroad.
“What you will see in the social media is that he wants them to be taxi drivers. We travel and see Nigerians who stay abroad and work as taxi drivers,” the former Rivers State governor said.
“Nigerians at home will say our uncle is in London, my uncle is in Houston, my uncle is in Paris, my uncle has sent us $200 but he (the uncle abroad) makes his money as a taxi driver, feeds his family and pays his taxes.
“Instead of encouraging how to feed our families, the next thing we will see in social media is that they are giving them jobs as taxi drivers.
“We can’t be taxi drivers here but we prefer taxi driving in London. That is the country you are in.”
To curtail kidnapping and cases of ‘one-chance’ robbery, the minister said effective January 2025, any commercial bus not duly profiled by security agencies won’t be allowed to operate within the nation’s capital.
Wike said, “Most of the Keke Napep and most of the motorcycles are informants. Everybody here that is a beneficiary is being profiled by the security.
“And so what we are coming up with is that from January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security, with security profiling you and without going about with Abuja colour.
“Nothing like using any vehicle on the road. No, we won’t allow that. From January, we won’t allow that.
“We will take the vehicle number, name of the drivers and the rest so everybody will have confidence that this is the vehicle I’m entering in case anything happens.”
Former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Christopher Tunji Ayeni, popularly known as CT Ayeni, tragically lost his life in a fatal road accident early Thursday near Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.
Ayeni, a notable figure in Kwara politics and recently the 2023 House of Representatives candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was reportedly driving a Hilux vehicle with an unidentified passenger en route to Ilorin when the accident occurred.
Known for his active role in the state’s political landscape, Ayeni had recently decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also held the esteemed title of Akogun of Isapa Land in Ekiti Local Government Area.
News of Ayeni’s passing has sent shockwaves through Kwara State, with many residents and political figures expressing condolences for the loss of a respected leader.
In other news, veteran Nollywood actor, Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as Charles Olumo and Agbako, is dead.
Naija News reports that his colleague, Jide Kosoko, announced Agbako’s demise in a post on his Instagram page on Thursday.
However, Kosoko failed to reveal the circumstances surrounding Agbako’s death.
The movie star wrote, “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 102 years, ba wasa ba. R I P”
Agbako was born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has called on Nigerians to return to the streets in protest amid rising hunger, poverty, and power outages affecting parts of the country.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Dalung urged citizens to “speak the language the government understands,” stressing that they should not passively endure the hardships imposed by poor governance.
The former minister highlighted the worsening situation in northern states, where widespread blackouts have compounded issues of food insecurity and financial hardship.
“Northern states have blackouts added to their predicaments; hunger, poverty & misery has taken citizens hostage. While @officialABAT lavishly lives big with his officials imposing taxes for their comfort while calling Nigerians to sacrifice for renewed hopelessness. Have Nigerians been abandoned by voices of conscience? Where are @Tunde_52882, @WoleSoyink58747, @femifalana_SAN, @ShehuSani, @_dinomelaye’ @YeleSowore, @AishaYesufu, @SolomonDalung, @elrufai, @Akin_Malaolu, @adeyanjudeji, @kfayemi, @ruffydfire, @abati1990, etc?.
“The country is navigating seriously into the abyss. We cannot surrender to the ignorance of a few, while watching Nigeria fall. We must return to the street and speak the languages they understand. What are we scared of death or jail?”, Dalung said
Meanwhile, Electricity has been restored in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue states under the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) franchise, bringing relief to residents after a 10-day blackout.
Power was restored around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, sparking celebrations in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.
The House of Representatives recently declined to advance a motion urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the decision to rename the Ministry of Niger Delta Development as the Ministry for Regional Development.
The motion, introduced by Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa), was set aside after the House concluded it had been “overtaken by events.”
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen informed members that, following his recent meeting with President Tinubu, there were indications that the President was open to receiving a South-South Development Commission Bill, specifically designed to address the needs of the Niger Delta region.
In light of this discussion, Speaker Tajudeen suggested stepping down the motion, explaining that recent developments had addressed many of the concerns raised.
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) acknowledged the relevance of the issues presented but clarified that the rebranding of the Niger Delta Ministry as a broader Ministry of Regional Development would not reduce the attention to the Niger Delta region’s needs. Instead, the change aims to extend developmental efforts to other regions as well.
When initially moving the motion, Oforji reminded the House of the Ministry’s creation by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on September 10, 2008.
According to Oforji, Yar’Adua envisioned the Ministry as a vehicle for promoting peace, unity, and development in the Niger Delta, coordinating initiatives among agencies, communities, donors, and stakeholders.
He emphasized that Yar’Adua’s intentions for the Ministry stemmed from a desire to address long-standing neglect in a region that generates a significant portion of the nation’s economic wealth but suffers from poverty and environmental degradation.
Oforji pointed to years of oil spillage, poor agricultural conditions, and inadequate infrastructure as factors that fueled unrest in the area.
He highlighted that Yar’Adua’s administration, though brief, fostered dialogue with Niger Delta stakeholders and militants, culminating in the Amnesty Program, which helped to secure relative peace in the region.
“It was in the short term of late President Yar’Adua ‘s leadership from Katsina State that dialogue was initiated with major stakeholders in the region and militants culminating in the Amnesty Progam that has brought relative peace to the oil rich Niger Delta Region.
“These were prelude to the creation of the ministry which was aimed at infrastructural development, environmental protection and empowerment of the youths in the oil rich Niger Delta Region.
“Are we there yet? The answer is no,but the people of the Niger Delta believe that the lofty dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the region will be actualized someday, hence their embrace of the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development,” Oforji stated.
Expressing further concern, he added, “On the 24th of October 2024, the oil rich region witnessed palpable tension following the announcement of the scrapping of the ministry of Niger Delta Development, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This is not a good omen for a region that has contributed immensely to the economy development of our their country and has enjoyed some relative peace.”
Oforji’s motion underscored the importance of honoring the Ministry’s founding purpose and urged reconsideration of the change, which many in the Niger Delta see as dismissive of their contributions and aspirations.
Veteran actor, Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, popularly known as Agbako is dead.
He reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday after taking a nap and complaining of slight tiredness.
President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, also known as Mr Latin announced Agbako’s passing on Instagram.
“TAMPAN Global announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO,” Amusan wrote.
He also stated that details of the burial arrangements will be shared later.
Here are things to know about veteran actor Agbako:
1. He was Born in 1923.
2. He celebrated 100 on July 20, 2023 in Abeokuta, Ogun State
3. He is affectionately called Agbako by movie lovers
4. He was one of the pioneers of the Yoruba film industry, which later evolved into Nollywood.
5. He was the oldest actor in the Nigerian film sector
6. His action roles in Yoruba films, include: Taxi Driver, Jagun, Amin Orun, Aiye, Jayesinmi, Saworo Ide, and Igbo Dudu
7. His roles in classic films such as ‘Ogbori Elemosho’ and ‘Atorunmo’ cemented his status as a legend in the industry.
How 25-Year-Old Katsina Man Conspired With Three Others To Kidnap And Kill His Uncle After Collecting N8m Ransom
AFOLABI
Nasiru Sanusi, a 25-year-old man, has been arrested by the Katsina State Police Command for the kidnap and m8rder of his uncle, a ward head in Kankara Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman of the command, Abubakar Sadiq, paraded the suspect alongside other criminals at the police headquarters on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
According to the PPRO, the suspect conspired with three others, kidnapped his uncle and subsequently k!lled him after receiving N8m and six bags of fertilizer as ransoms.
“On the 23rd of October 2024, the command, in collaboration with the Gombe state police command, successfully arrested Nasiru Sanusi, m., age 25, of Gidan Daudu village, Kankara LGA, in connection with a suspected case of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide," the PPRO stated.
“The suspect criminally conspired with three (3) others now at large and kidnapped his uncle, a ward head, and subsequently k!lled him after receiving eight million naira and six (6) bags of fertilizer as ransoms.
“The suspect confessed to having fled to Lagos, Taraba, and Gombe states, where he engaged in several criminal activities until his arrest in Gombe state
“In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence.
“Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.”
Oil marketers have asked Dangote Refinery to sell fuel cheaper to them.
This is as the dispute between Dangote Refinery and Nigerian petroleum marketers intensified following statements by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, who claimed marketers have not been approaching his refinery for petroleum purchases.
Tensions arose in September with the distribution of premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from Dangote Refinery. A disagreement developed between the refinery, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and various petroleum marketers, sparking confusion across the sector.
Many Nigerians had anticipated lower fuel prices due to Dangote’s private refinery, but prices instead surged, disappointing consumers. Those who spoke to Daily Trust have expressed frustration over the disagreements among key stakeholders, emphasizing their demand for affordable, readily available fuel rather than public disputes.
However, Dangote suggested that lower fuel prices might be out of reach due to what he described as “apathy” from marketers.
Speaking after a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the naira-for-crude policy, Dangote stated that his refinery was capable of supplying over 30 million liters of fuel daily and had enough reserves to meet the country’s needs.
“At full capacity, we can meet consumption needs, estimated at 30-32 million liters, and could even begin producing this by next week,” Dangote said.
“Currently, we have 500 million liters in our tanks, enough to sustain the country for over 12 days, even without additional production or imports. We are ready to supply the market with 30 million liters per day,” he added.
Dangote’s remarks sparked responses from both major and independent petroleum marketers, who countered that they were indeed ready to purchase from his refinery—if the price was competitive.
Marketers emphasized that competition in a deregulated market is crucial.
One of the marketers said: “If you have a shop and people don’t come to buy your wares, what do you do? Do you go and complain to the government that people must come to my shop?
“Dangote is a private business, like the rest of us. If I have my filling station and people don’t come to my filling station, do I go and complain to myself?
“You should do what will make people come to you; that is what competition means. So, everybody must learn to compete. It is an open market and just like every member of the public has the free will to buy from any station they want to buy, everybody in this deregulated market must compete for its customers including the refineries. Everybody must compete. If you have good terms, customers would come to you.”
Some marketers disclosed that the refinery’s current pricing exceeds that of imported products. One marketer claimed, “If Dangote’s price were lower, we’d buy from him. I recently landed imports at N970 per liter, whereas Dangote’s rate was N977. Buying from him at these prices would result in substantial losses.”
For members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the situation is more complicated.
IPMAN President Abubakar Maigandi stated that despite assurances from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, members have been unable to directly access products from Dangote Refinery after payment.
Former IPMAN Chairman, Ejigbo Satellite Depot, Akinrinade Akinade, added, “It seems Dangote is unwilling to work with independent marketers. Despite instructions from the Finance Minister to sell directly to us, the refinery prioritizes its contract with NNPC, effectively shutting us out.”
Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), echoed the market’s readiness to buy locally refined fuel at a competitive price.
“The market prefers to buy locally to save on freight costs. We expect to benefit from the cost-saving in naira-based production,” he told Daily Trust.
Meanwhile, Tony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Corporate Communications Executive of Dangote Group, stated that the refinery was established to benefit Nigeria.
“Our refinery is here to serve Nigerians,” Chiejina said, highlighting that local refining should be celebrated as a breakthrough.
However, consumers remain skeptical. Oladele Johnson, a commercial transporter, criticized the ongoing back-and-forth as a ploy to drive prices up, adding, “The government and stakeholders are taking us for granted. We were promised lower prices, but they keep rising. It’s hard to believe we’ll see affordable fuel in Nigeria again.”
Sani Yusuf, a transport union leader in Lagos, called for transparency among all players in the oil sector to ensure fair practices.
Veteran actor, Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as Charles Olumo and Agbako, is dead.
This was made known in a statement by the president of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) , Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin on Instagram on Thursday.
He wrote, “#tampanglobal announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO. Details of the burial arrangements will be shared at a later time. Good night father, 25/02/1923 to 31/10/2024.”
Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, also confirmed Agbako’s demise as he wrote: “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 101 years, ba wasa ba. R I P.”
Agbako clocked 101th this year.
Delta North Senator, Ned Nwoko, has reiterated his call for the federal government to allow Nigerians to bear arms and defend themselves.
The lawmaker made the fresh call while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
Senator Nwoko explained that if Nigerians are allowed to bear arms, it will curb the challenges of insecurity in the country as the citizens would be able to defend themselves.
He argued that with the plethora of security challenges in the country, the masses resorting to self-defence wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Asked during the programme if carrying guns would solve the nation’s security problems, the lawmaker said: “Yes, it will.”
He also recalled how his Senior Legislative Aide was killed by gunmen who attacked his home in Abuja last year, with the man unable to defend himself.
Nwoko submitted that if the late SLA had a gun, such wouldn’t have happened.
“My SLA was killed in November last year and the wife said the estate was attacked by kidnappers. When they got to their door, they wanted to knock down the door, the wife and kids went to hide under the bed in one of the rooms.
“When he want to open the door, he was taken and nobody saw him again. As a matter of fact, those people who took him away have been arrested. If he had a gun or members of that estate had guns, you think the kidnappers would have the audacity to knock from house to house knowing that people are armed? That wouldn’t happen,” Nwoko said.
Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North in the Senate has stated that the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu will not succeed as Nigeria allows multiple currencies in circulation, which undermines the Naira’s strength.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Nwoko highlighted that the economy is in disarray, and the widespread use of foreign currencies undermines the naira’s value.
According to Nwoko, Nigeria stands alone in permitting foreign currencies, such as the dollar, pounds, and euros, to circulate alongside its local currency, rendering the naira effectively worthless in global demand.
“Our economy as it is, is in tatters. It is in some kind of quagmire. It doesn’t matter how you look at it or policies you’re trying to introduce here and there, nothing will work,” the lawmaker said.
Drawing comparisons, Nwoko pointed out that other countries strictly maintain single-currency use, citing examples from the UK and the US, where foreign currencies must be exchanged at bureaux de change, and salaries are paid solely in local currency.
In contrast, Nigeria’s tolerance for foreign currency use hinders any substantial demand for the naira.
For Nigeria’s economy to stabilize, Nwoko proposed that foreign transactions within the country should require naira, forcing foreign buyers to seek out the local currency.
“Nothing will work as long as we keep tying the exchange rate to our consumption. When we became an independent nation we had naira and our currency was quite strong.
“Then suddenly, we began to have other currencies, dollar, particularly, and pounds and now Euro. There’s no country that I know in the world that has the use of multiple currencies.
“If you go to Britain with the dollar, you must change it at the BDC. You cannot pay for anything with the dollars in the UK. Everybody is paid their salaries in pounds in the UK. The same thing when you go to America. Everybody uses dollars.
“So, for things to work, assuming that we agree to phase out the use of foreign currency in Nigeria, what it means is that if you want to buy oil, gas or gold in Nigeria, it would require you to use only the naira.
“So, if they’re coming from the UK for example, they’d look for Naira so that they can transact because they know they can’t use any other currency.
“Currently, nobody looks for Naira because we’ve made it so easy for them to transact with other currencies. They can come here with any currency and that means effectively, there is no global demand for our Naira. Our money has no value beyond Naira.
“For things to work, we must prevent the use of foreign currencies and then people will start to look for the Naira. When they begin to look for Naira, our currency will appreciate,” he stated.
Nwoko has introduced a bill in the Senate advocating for a ban on foreign currency use within Nigeria to help restore the naira’s value and bolster the economy.
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The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old physically challenged man identified as Ojochogwu Baba for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl in Kogi State.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP William Ovye Aya, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
Aya said the suspect was arrested at Wada Estate in Lokoja.
According to the PPRO, the suspect lured the minor to his house by sending her to buy alcohol and cigarettes for him.
He added that the suspect will be charged to court on completion of investigation.
Popular Nigerian singer cum politician, Bankole Wellington aka Banky W has confirmed the birth of his second child with his wife, Adesua Etomi.
He confirmed that his beautiful wife and actress gave birth to a baby boy.
Recall that on October 14th 2024, Adesua Etomi took to her Instagram page to share pregnancy photos stressing that she is expecting baby number 2.
He took to Instagram to share a video of him taking care of their first son, cleaning the house and helping the new mom out with the milk she pumped while referring to himself as a father of two.
He wrote;
“Partnership is 100-100, not 50-50. That means that in this season, I’ve been a chef, housekeeper, nanny, homework teacher, masseuse, and more all as part of my duty as a supportive husband and present father of two ????. And honestly, I couldn’t be happier. Supporting Women’s Economic Power means doing my part in our home. I’m also doing my part in the world – as I earn my Master’s in Policy Management at Georgetown University, I’m keen on advocating for working mothers everywhere. When we uplift our women, we uplift our world. Gentlemen, kindly do the needful ???????.”
Responding via the comment section, Adesua Etomi who is a nursing mother said; “The best partner in the entire world. Nobody else I’d rather be doing this life with. Love you bubba❤️❤️❤️.”
See the video he posted below;
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo to revoke airstrip licenses approved for Living Faith Church and other individuals.
The House kicked against issuance of airstrip licenses to private individuals and organizations, citing security issues.
The call followed the adoption of an urgent motion titled “NEED TO STOP ISSUANCE OF AIRSTRIP LICENSE TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY by Rep Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi during plenary in Abuja.
While moving the motion, Gumi noted that the Federal Government through Keyamo had confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.
The lawmaker further explained that the founder of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State also informed his congregation that the federal government approved an airstrip for the church.
He said, “Recall that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms.
“The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
“The country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs.
“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country”.
The lower legislative chamber, however urged the Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
Ten people were killed and seven others injured in a building collapse in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Thursday morning.
A statement from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency disclosed that the incident happened at 2 am at Jegeda Oluloyo area in Ibadan in Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.
The statement added that while 10 persons were recovered from the debris, seven persons were rescued alive, adding that rescue efforts are reported to be ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
The statement read, “The Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call at around 2 am this morning at Jegede Olunloyo area, Ibadan, of which 10 persons have been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building, while seven persons were rescued alive. Rescue operation is still going on.”
When PUNCH Online contacted the General Manager of the state Fire Services, Yemi Akinyinka, he said, “We received a distress call from the people in the neighbourhood at 2 am.
“When we got there, ten people died outrightly. Three people had been recovered before we got to the place, and our men recovered four. They are still working.”