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Some musicians have applauded the recent move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to enforce the ban on abuse of the Naira.
Last Friday, a controversial cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of fine for abusing the Naira; and, on Wednesday, a socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, a N10m bail after he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to a charge of abusing the Naira.
Though many believe that the ban on spraying money at parties will affect musicians, especially indigenous ones, some of them have said it is a good development.
In separate interviews with our correspondent, popular musicians— Wasiu Alabi, aka Pasuma; Saheed Osupa, and Adewale Ayuba— maintained that the country’s currency had to be respected.
On his part, Pasuma said, ““I want to believe that there is a difference between spraying a musician money, and mutilating naira notes.
“Spraying a musician money is an inseparable part of our African culture during celebrations. Meanwhile, abuse or mutilation of currencies has to do with throwing money around and stepping on them, thus reducing their lifespan.
“Right from the onset, I have never been a fan of naira abuse. I don’t like it when people throw money around on my stage. It is a sign of disrespect to the artiste and the currency itself.
“If you watch my stage performances, you will see that I have a box where people put money when they want to appreciate my work. And, that was even before this naira abuse campaign started. I think that is the right and respectful manner to treat the artiste and the naira.
“So, the war against naira spraying has not affected my performances and earnings as a law-abiding citizen that I am.”
Pasuma also enjoined fans to be orderly in the course of appreciating their favourite artistes and loved ones with money at events. He said, “There is usually a box in front of me. All fans need to do is put the money there. I know them, and I will praise them to appreciate their gesture. They should not ‘disrespect’ my office, and I will reciprocate through my craft.”
Osupa also stated that the new development had not affected his business. He said, “People no longer spray money at my shows. They just drop money in a box that is provided on stage. So, I cannot say it has affected me badly. We still make money the way we made it before. The only difference is that people don’t spray the money again.”
The singer asserted that when fans were mandated to put money in a box instead of spraying it, they actually made more money. He said, “Most people just use spraying money to show off. Many of them don’t really want to spray that money, they just want to spite some people. Also, there are times that those who spray money don’t really spend much, they just make it look as if they are spraying a lot. However, it is when they put money in the box that we actuually make more money. Some people also make bank transfers.”
He added that the ban would even relieve the pressure on some people. He said, “Squandering of money has never made sense to me. But, it (spraying of money) is part of our culture, and it has been with us for long. However with that practice, someone that did not have money might start thinking of different things whenever they saw the way some people were spraying money. And, that could eventually Iead them into dabbling into what they shouldn’t do. On that account, the enforcement against the abuse of the naira is good, but the government has taken it too seriously. They should have created more sensitisation.”
Echoing the thoughts of his colleagues, Ayuba said, “The problem with spraying money is the way some people handle the currency by flinging it, throwing it to a crowd, stepping on it, and treating it like trash. That is ridiculous, and I don’t support it. The new enforcement drive by the government won’t affect me, because whenever I am performing, I have a box where people can put the money they want to spray me.
“What the government is say is that people should not abuse our currency; they are not saying that people should not spend money on artistes. Government is only telling citizens to respect our currency, because it is part of our identity as a nation.”
The singer, fondly known as Mr Johnson, also enjoined fellow musicians and citizens in general to be more respectful of the country. He noted that just as citizens of other countries revere their nations is how Nigerians should behave. He said, “In the United States of America, they often say, ‘God bless America’. We should be saying things like that too. The power of life and death is in the tongue. And, we need to speak positive things about our country.”
On if he felt that the EFCC should have carried out more sensitisation, particularly by engaging musicians like him, Ayuba said, “Yes, I believe it would have been better if they had done that. Anyway, they haven’t come to me. It is better to talk to some of the artistes to sentise people, because spraying money is part of our culture, and it will take time to reorientate people.”
My wife died calling daughter’s name in Boko Haram captivity — Father of abducted Chibok girl
AFOLABIPastor Enoch Mark, whose daughter, Monica, and others were abducted in the Chibok community of Borno State on April 14, 2014, speaks on the sad impacts of his child’s abduction.
I have six children. Monica Mark is my second child. When she was kidnapped on April 14, 2014, she was 18 years old. I was in Chibok then. I was a pastor in the Church of the Brethren in the area. I was transferred from Michika, Adamawa State to Chibok in Borno State. I had been there for just some months so I didn’t even know the town too well. My daughter attended the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok. On 14 April 2014, there was a gun attack all over the town. There were shootings everywhere and we were all running for our dear lives that night. While we ran, I didn’t go far. I just stood somewhere behind the town. Early in the morning, I came out to see the church because it looked like they set fire to my church, so I was not able to stay for a long time. I was moved to go and see what was burning. But fortunately enough, it was not the church. It was a place that was very close to my church. We also discovered that girls from the community had been taken captive by Boko Haram. I saw the car carrying some girls and I pursued it. While pursuing, I saw that one of the cars had broken down on the way, and some men were guiding it while it was being fixed. They said that if anybody came close, they would ‘finish’ the person. I was forced to come back. On the way back, I met one of the daughters of my watchmen who was among the girls that were kidnapped. She jumped from the car and escaped. As I met her on the way, I brought her back to the town.
How have you been dealing with the fact that your child is still in captivity ten years after the incident?
I cannot explain how it had been because it was very terrible. I lost her mother, Martha, because of the trauma she went through. She died on July 10, 2020. Even because of too much thinking, I came down with a stroke. Presently, I’m suffering from stroke. When I lost my wife and I remembered that my daughter Monica was in captivity, I couldn’t hold myself. I just didn’t know when I collapsed on the ground. As I’m talking to you now, I cannot walk for a long distance.
How certain are you that your wife died from the trauma of the incident?
Since my daughter was kidnapped, my wife has been going up and down praying in so many places. They often call her from Lagos for newspaper and radio interviews, and she always goes. There are even pictures of her in the newspapers when she was crying. She cried while she was being interviewed. She wasn’t able to eat. Whenever we remembered to pray for Monica, she would shed tears. She died while calling the name of Monica.
How did your other children react to Monica’s kidnap?
I cannot explain it, because when we discovered that our daughter was kidnapped, the children, the mother, and the relatives were not at ease. We all felt the pain, and we can’t explain how badly we feel.
BBNaija Winner Phyna Rejects N13m Cash Offer, Insists On BTC Prize Worth N90m & Maldives Trip
AFOLABIBig Brother Naija Season 7 winner Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has rejected N13 million offered her by one of the sponsors of the reality show, Quidax.
Phyna, who won the reality show in 2022, has been calling out the organisers and their sponsors over incomplete prizes.
Quidax had pledged to give Phyna 1 BTC as part of her prizes, but is yet to fulfil its promise two years after.
Following Phyna’s recent outburst, the organisers met with the reality star and offered her N13m, which they claimed was the value of 1 BTC in 2022 when they made the pledge.
However, speaking in a video message shared via her Instagram account on Friday, April 19, Phyna said she rejected the offer and insisted that they gave her the 1 BTC, which she said is now worth over N90 million.
She also insisted that the organisers of the reality show and their sponsors must give her tickets for a trip for two to Maldives, which was also part of her prizes.
A statement titled ‘Negotiations and agreements update – MultiChoice meeting and exchange rate discussion’ by the acting president of Practitioners of Content Creation Skitmakers and Influencers Guild of Nigeria, Micheal Obinna Nwabufo, on Friday, April 19, reads: “Today, the acting president of PCCSIGN, Micheal Obinna Nwabufo, along with legal representatives from Phyna, Olawale Amousa Legal, visited the offices of MultiChoice Nigeria. The recent agreement between Pepsi and Unik soap is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, Friday, April 19, 2024. While Travelbeta is offering a trip for 2 to Morocco or Kenya which we declined the destination options because Phyna was initially offered the destination options of Maldives or Jamaica.
“Regarding the matter of the 1 BTC, it was stated that the exchange rate would reflect the 2022 Naira equivalent, amounting to N13million. However, PCCSIGN and Phyna’s legal representatives declined the offer due to concerns about potential repercussions resulting from MultiChoice’s negligence.
The acting president of PCCSIGN insisted that the agreed-upon 1 BTC should be based on the current exchange rate. MultiChoice has agreed to further discuss this matter with Quidax Global and provide a response to PCCSIGN and Phyna.
The former Minister of Defence General Theophilus Danjuma has expressed his revulsion at the parlous state of the nation.
Danjuma bemoaned the deepening security crisis across the country, saying Nigeria is experiencing a fatricidal war as citizens kill their fellow countrymen.
Danjuma spoke on Friday in Nwonyo village in Ibi Local government area of Taraba State during his speech as the Chairman of annual Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural festival.
The elder statesman described Nigeria as a total disgrace and laughing stock to the rest of the world.
He maintained that it is important for Nigerians and Nigeria as a country to address the prevailing socio-economic and political challenges that beset it and put a check on the glaring insecurity and other vices that are bedeviling the country.
He explained that the festival should be an avenue to sell Nigeria’s rich culture and colorful traditions to the world but the precarious state of things would leave a sour taste in the mouth sane people.
According to Danjuma, “the festival stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Taraba State that we cherish and celebrate with great pride. It showcases our cultural values and serves as symbol of our unity. Let us take a moment to reflect on the significance of the occasion. It is a symbol of resilience a d determination of our people in the face of daunting challenges.
“Let us renew our commitment to promoting peace, harmony and celebrate the bonds that unite us as one family. May this occasion be a reminder of who we are and the strength that lies in our unity.
“We must put our own house in order and have peace in our state and throughout the country if we want this to be truly an international festival. There is no sane foreigner who will come to celebrate with us if we continue to disgrace ourselves as we do.
“As we are today in Nigeria, we are a disgrace to the whole world. The whole country is a war front of our people killing our people. We are a laughing stock to the rear of the whole world. We must put our house in order. We must make our roads safe and stop kidnapping people. We must learn to live together as a country and as a people”.
Nigerian Singer, Skiibii Speaks On Attempt To Kill Nigerian Influencer, Nickie Dabarbie For Ritual
AFOLABINigerian singer, Abbey Toyyib Elias, popularly known as Skiibii, has debunked claims of attempting to use Nigerian influencer, Precious Kingsley, also known as Nickie Dabarbie, for rituals.
Naija News reported that Nickie, in a series of posts shared on her Instagram page on Friday morning, April 19, accused Skiibi of attempting to kill her for money rituals.
However, in a post via his Instagram page on Friday evening, Skiibii described the accusation as false.
The singer noted that the allegation has been reported to the Nigerian Police and believes they would thoroughly investigate the issue.
He wrote, “I typically remain silent when people come for me in the media, but I feel it’s necessary to address recent events, especially when false information is being spread. I will no longer allow anyone to tarnish my image because they know Skiibii won’t run to the media to speak.
“Although I’ve remained silent on all issues to preserve peace, I believe it’s time to reconsider that approach. In due time, the truth will come to light. Firstly, I want to clarify that the narrative being circulated by people and various blog are complete false and the truth will come to light on all front.
“I have reported the incident to the Nigerian police because there’s nothing to hide and I trust thorough investigation. I will let the law take its course to the full measure this time. Thank you.”
Exchange rate: Why prices of goods will remain high, despite Naira appreciation - Experts recommend way forward
AFOLABI
There are indications that prices of goods and services may not come down soon despite the speedy appreciation of Naira against major foreign currencies in recent weeks.
On Thursday, US Dollars traded for N1,060, about N840 gain against N1,900 to US Dollar peak in February this year. But Vanguard findings show that prices of goods in the market are still on the rise contrary to the general expectations that with the continued positive trend in the exchange rate which started in late February, the market prices and general cost of living should be going down.
Most dealers and producers of goods and services blamed the high exchange rate for the spiral price increases in the market.
However, against the backdrop of the positive stability in the foreign exchange market, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, reported a further rise in inflation with a headline rate of 33.2 per cent in March as against 31.7 per cent in the previous month while food inflation rose to 40.02 per cent from 37 per cent.
Meanwhile, financial analysts and economists who spoke to Vanguard have indicated further rises in prices of goods and services in the months ahead before marginal stability can take place.
They also hinted that the current positive development in the foreign exchange market would have to be sustained over a longer period while other elements of the cost of doing business would have to come down before the impact of the lower exchange rate can positively affect the prices of goods and services.
Moreover, they explained that while price increases respond faster to upward increases in key factors of production, the reverse is the case when the factors are going down.
The analysts noted that positive exchange rate changes take time to trickle down to the prices of consumer goods. Explaining the discrepancy between the exchange rate stability against consumer price volatility, Victor Chiazor, Head, Research, FSL Securities, a Lagos-based investment house, said, ‘‘Apart from the time lag for the stability in the exchange rate to begin to reflect in the prices of goods and services, Nigerian price history shows that prices are sticky downwards but reflect immediately upwards.”
However, he gave further insight: “The rise in consumer goods prices was initially triggered by the currency devaluation along with high energy and transportation costs. But despite the recent appreciation of the Naira against the dollar, energy and transportation costs have remained high.
“Also, the appreciation in Naira will take some time to kick in before it begins to reflect in the price of goods and services.
“This price distortion shows how much dependence the economy has on foreign currency and shows that government policies towards locally manufactured goods in terms of infrastructure deficiency and incentives remain low.
“Just as we have seen inflation continue to rise despite consecutive increases in the monetary policy rate to curb it, the reality remains that the policy will require some time to kick in and take effect.
“A similar scenario is expected to play out around goods and services which are highly dependent on the exchange rate. It will take some time for the appreciation of the Naira to be transferred and trigger a drop in the cost of goods and services.”
Going forward, he said that the current policy decisions by the CBN Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, team will yield the desired result.
He, however, said that a prolonged duration of monetary tightening would become a headwind negative to economic growth.
“Hence, there is the need to effectively monitor the economy and know when to slow down on its tightening stance so as not to throw the economy into a session of negative growth.”
In his views, Ayorinde Akinloye, an Economic and Investment Strategist, said: “When economic policies are implemented, there is typically a time lag needed to see the impact of the policies on macroeconomic outcomes.
“Specific to the issue of appreciating Naira and still elevated prices of goods and services, the majority of consumer goods in circulation were produced or imported when the dollar was about N1,500 or more. As a result, we are yet to see the impact of the appreciation of the past month.
“Typically, a time lag of 60 – 90 days will be required to clear out the expensive goods before the ones imported at cheaper exchange rates begin to flow into the market.”
He, therefore, noted that the impact of the appreciation of the Naira will be felt from the end of May to June.
Speaking in the same vein, Gafar Bashiru, Senior Associate, Parthian Partners, another Lagos-based investment house, said though a stronger Naira is supposed to result in lower import costs and, eventually, a decrease in consumer goods prices, however, other factors, including structural issues, time tag, and speculative pricing, among others, have continued to fuel the current disparity.
He stated: “Exchange rate changes often take time to trickle down to consumer prices. Businesses may wait to adjust prices until they’re confident the currency appreciation is sustained. Inventory purchased at higher exchange rates may also need to be sold before price reductions occur.
“Also, factors like high transportation costs, insecurity, or inefficiencies in distribution networks can keep prices high despite a stronger currency and businesses might be hesitant to lower prices immediately, fearing future devaluation, leading to “sticky prices.”
“While prices are yet to drop, we are beginning to see a slower rate of increase. The month-on-month inflation figure for March reveals that the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in February 2024. This is a trend that is expected to be maintained in the coming months.
“It is also important to consider the base effect in the year-on-year figures. Considering that consumer prices were already high before the Naira appreciation occurred in the last two months (headline and food inflation stood respectively at 29.90% and 35.41% in January vs 33.20% and 40.00% in March), the decrease in prices might seem less significant.”
He further noted that in addition to the recent improvement in the strength of the Naira, policies that can help achieve sustainable price stability lie largely with the fiscal authority.
He cited structural reforms and focus on domestic production of competitive advantageous products as part of the fiscal solutions needed.
According to him, “Addressing structural bottlenecks in the economy, like improving transportation infrastructure and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, can make businesses more efficient and potentially lower production costs. This will translate to lower consumer prices.
“Implementing policies that incentivize local production of essential goods will lessen reliance on imports and make prices less vulnerable to fluctuations.”
Inflation bottleneck
Expressing similar views, David Adonri, Vice Chairman, Highcap Securities, argued that the main factor fueling Nigeria’s galloping inflation is insecurity, adding that import dependence on manufactured items is another cause. “When supply-side measures are taken, inflation will start declining. Inflation can start declining from the fourth quarter,” he stated.
Chinazom Izuora, Senior Associate, Parthian Securities, said: “It’s important to note that inflation is a lagging indicator.
Therefore, the effect of policy pronouncements in a given month will not be evident until subsequent months. However, it is noteworthy that headline inflation on a month-on-month basis moderated to 3.02% in March, which was 0.10% lower than the rate recorded in February 2024 (3.12%).
“This indicates a slowdown in the rate of inflation, though a marginal decline. We might not see a significant decline in the rate of inflation until Q3/Q4 but we expect to see gradual moderation month on month.”
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) said Nigerians’ hatred for officers is affecting security in the country.
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mogaji Olaniyan stated this while addressing newsmen during the 40th celebration ceremony of the Committee held in Abeokuta, the state capital.
He described the narrative as alarming, pointing out that the hatred remains part of the factors affecting the country’s security.
Olaniyan, who condemned the widespread hatred, said the PCRC is fostering a permanent relationship between members of the community and the police in order to end the ugly narrative.
He emphasized that this deep-seated resentment must be addressed to cultivate a healthy relationship between the people and the police, ultimately enhancing security across the nation.
Olaniyan said “We are calling that people should love the Nigeria Police, this is what they lack right from childhood we have created enmity between our children and the Nigeria Police.
“This hatred starts from our home. For instance if parents want to scold their children they will say ‘I will call the police for you. This is why our children grow up with hatred for the police and that is why we are trying to stop this narrative.”
Olaniyan, however, called for an urgent need to address what he called widespread hatred towards the officers of the Nigeria Police.
The State Chairman of the Committee, Samson Kunle Popoola stated that the security of Ogun state remains paramount to the PCRC, hence, its cordial relationship with the police.
He affirmed that Ogun state remains the most peaceful and safe state in Nigeria, calling for more cooperation between the residents and the police to keep the record intact.
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the police command in Lagos State have arrested a driver, who allegedly put four children in a car trunk and crammed 11 others on the seats.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a post he shared on his verified X handle @benHundeyin on Friday.
He said that the police arrested the driver for negligent act.
“The RRS arrested the driver for cramming 15 children into a Volkswagen Passat in Lagos.
“The vehicle was reported by concerned citizens on the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge at 8.00 p.m. on Sunday
“The police noticed that the driver, who had been contracted to transport the children to a beach, had locked four of the children in the car trunk while 11 others were crammed together,” he said.
Hundeyin said that preliminary investigations revealed that one child collapsed earlier due to similar transport conditions, but recovered after receiving medical attention.
According to him, the children have been released to their parents unhurt.
The image maker said that the suspect would be charged to court.
He said that Lagos State Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade praised Lagos residents for always promptly alerting the authorities to suspicious persons and happenings.
NAN
A Home Office case worker has been arrested on suspicion of trying to sell the United Kingdom (UK) residency to an asylum seeker living in Northern Ireland, BBC reports.
BBC News Northern Ireland can reveal the official allegedly contacted a vulnerable man and asked for £2,000 in return for approving his refugee application.
It is understood sensitive Home Office records were used as part of the attempted scam.
The Home Office said the member of staff has been suspended.
It said it expected “the highest standards” from its staff, but it would be “inappropriate” to comment further due to the live police investigation.
Labour’s Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said they were “deeply concerning allegations” and the Conservative government had “lost control” of the asylum system.
BBC News Northern Ireland has spoken to the intended victim, who we are calling Renas to protect his identity.
He said he was contacted by a worker employed as an asylum “decision maker” in the north of England.
Renas said he received a call in early March 2024 where it was claimed “95% of people like you” have their applications refused.
The decision maker then allegedly suggested a direct payment would guarantee success.
“He said I could be sure he would refuse my application,” Renas said.
“But if I could help him, he could help me and he asked for some money. He asked for £2,000.
“He basically offered me a positive decision.”
Renas, a former journalist, said at first he thought it was “a total scam”, but it became clear to him the man on the phone did work for the Home Office.
“He had all my information. He gave me very specific details from my application.”
Renas recorded a subsequent video call he received from the decision maker, which he passed to police and which has also been seen by the BBC.
The footage appears to show an individual using a laptop which has official Home Office software containing case files.
“He targeted the most vulnerable people in society,” Renas said.
“There will be other asylum seekers who are going through the same process, or maybe there are some people who have already been scammed like this. I feel this is my responsibility to inform them.
“I was persecuted in my home country by the authorities. I was already afraid of the Home Office and other institutions here.”
Renas raised concerns with his solicitor who alerted the authorities.
In a statement Lancashire Police told BBC News Northern Ireland, “We can confirm we have arrested a man on suspicion of misconduct in public office, suspicion of money laundering, bribery, and computer misuse offences.
“Officers from Lancashire Constabulary alongside partners from the Home Office arrested the man, in his 30s, in the Ramsgreave area of Blackburn.
“An investigation remains in its early stages and enquiries are ongoing.”
It is not clear how many other individuals could have been targeted in this way, if any of those individuals handed over money, or if any cases were approved on the basis of a payment.
Renas has since been assured his refugee status is secure, and the decision to grant him UK residency was not affected by the alleged actions of the decision maker.
It was a “very confusing time” for Renas, his lawyer Sinead Marmion said
Immigration solicitor Sinead Marmion said the actions of the decision maker were “egregious”.
“My first thought was this cannot be real,” she said.
“This is an exceptionally unusual situation.”
She praised her client’s “integrity”, adding: “For him to be able to raise an issue like this took a lot of guts.
“He was initially quite frightened about what was going on, and it was difficult for us to give him any comfort because it was a very confusing time.”
Asylum claims – a legal request for sanctuary, or refugee status, in another country – can be made by anyone who comes to the UK under an international convention agreed in 1951.
In 2022 BBC Newsnight reported claims from Home Office insiders who said the system for dealing with asylum claims was blighted by “inexperienced and low-paid” staff being hired to handle applications.
‘Shocking’
“Given backlogs, and promises to clear backlogs, there has been a recruitment very quickly of people who perhaps are not vetted enough and aren’t qualified enough to actually deal with matters of such magnitude” Sinead Marmion said.
She describes Renas’ experience as “shocking but perhaps not surprising”.
Last year a senior Home Office official revealed to a committee of MPs the proportion of asylum decision makers who leave their jobs each year stood at 28%.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “We expect the highest standards from our staff to ensure asylum claims are properly considered, decisions are sound and that protection is granted to those who genuinely need it.
“The member of staff was arrested and suspended. It would be inappropriate to comment further as the matter is subject to a live police investigation.”
Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “These are deeply concerning allegations and it is right that the police are looking into this matter.
“The Conservatives have lost control of our asylum system across the board and should be working round the clock to restore integrity and public trust.”
Renas said he is “relieved” his refugee status has been confirmed by the Home Office and he can now move on with building a new life in Northern Ireland.
“I have hopes to build a career here. I have some real hopes that I can do that,” he said.
Source: BBC
Hardship: 'We push wheel to help our parents' - How under-aged children abandoned school, push wheelbarrow to survive in Nigeria
AFOLABITHE biting economic downturn in the country has no doubt continued to take its toll on families who toil day and night to put food on the table.
Aside food, families are facing hard times meeting other needs of members of their respective households.
It is no doubt a daunting challenge in most homes to meet the educational, medical and other essential needs of the family with what comes from parents. In the harsh economic environment in which most families have found themselves, they necessarily have to devise other strategies to make ends meet.
In Benue State, Arewa Voice has found out that young boys of school-going age now resort to pushing wheel barrows in order to raise some money for feeding their families and paying for other needs.
This development has openly manifested in a situation where most markets in the state capital, Makurdi, are flooded with young boys armed with wheel barrows dutifully ferry goods for customers as if their entire lives depend on doing so. But they do that with a sense of duty and commitment all in a bid to raise money and take care of themselves and their parents.
Although it reminds people of the slave trade days and triggers a feeling of dehumanisation to see these kids who should be in school, hustling with wheels to lift goods for customers with raw grit, the little cash they take home at the end of the day’s struggle, gives them some form of fulfilment and satisfaction.
AV notes that at the Makurdi Modern Market most of the children, who fall within the ages of 10 and 14, could be seen running from one point to the other in the crowded market trying to secure the attention of buyers who need their services by moving their goods from the point of purchase to their vehicles or points of departure.
Some of the children who volunteered information on why they took to pushing wheelbarrow, said they were forced to abandon school and take to the “business” by the current economic hardship.
AV learnt that the young ‘businessmen’ lease the barrows from owners at the cost of N200 per day. They are therefore free to use the barrows and make as much money as they can on a daily basis and return them to their owners at the close of business.
Eleven-year-old Ben (surname withheld) told AV that he is a primary four pupil of RCM Primary School Tyoshia Naka Road, in the outskirts of Makurdi town and only pushes barrow to make some money on holidays and weekends so as to concentrate on his school.
Ben said: “Sometimes I also come to do the business after school hours, especially on days when my mother cannot afford to give us food.
“But I do this because my mother who also buys and sells yams in small quantity encourages me to do it because of the money I make to support her.
”On the average I make N1,500 daily and I hire the wheelbarrow for N200 per day. But on school days, if I want to work, the barrow owner gives it out at N100 for half day.
”Most of those who are doing this business like me in the market, hire the wheel barrows in the morning from a man who owns many of them and at the close of the market at about 6pm we make enough to support our parents.
”But in my own case, I push to enable my mother pay all that needs to be paid in my school and for my other three siblings because I am their senior. And I also support the house because my father is in the village and he does nothing for us.”
Another minor, 14-year-old Sonter, who is a JSS 2 student of a popular government secondary in Makurdi, said he does the barrow pushing with the consent of his parents.
”I have been pushing barrow for over one year now since things became so difficult for my parents who find it hard to take care of us. In our house I have three brothers and two sisters. Two of my other brothers are also pushing wheelbarrow like me to assist our parents because things are too difficult.
“Sometime I make N1,700 depending on how hard I hustle. The least we charge customers is N100 for every haulage depending on the size of what we are carrying. But there is no day I don’t go back home with N1,600 after paying N200 for hiring the barrow from the owner.
“If we do not do this ‘business’ our parents might not be able to provide enough for us to eat and also take care of our other needs, including school fees.
“My father is a civil servant and my mother sells tomato and pepper at the Wadata Market. Before now, we were not doing this business but sometime last year my younger brothers and I told our parents that we wanted to go into the business and they gave us the go ahead. And since then we have been supporting our family from what we get daily,” he added.
Speaking on the trend, a trader at the Modern Market, Mr. Joseph Iyaweni, who decried the situation where under-aged children are made to labour to earn a living to support the family, however, blamed it on the present economic situation in the country.
He informed that in the past, those who engage in wheelbarrow pushing in the markets were matured men, “but suddenly we discovered that under-aged children have taken over the business and here in Modern Market like in most markets in town they have taken over.
“Parents push them into the market to hire wheelbarrows and hustle for those buying goods in order to help them push the goods to where they parked their vehicles or to the bus-stops.
“They carry the goods according to their sizes. The very small ones among them who are less than 12 years carry less weighty goods while the bigger ones among them carry heavier items.
“It is unfortunate that these children are engaged in this kind of activity at this time of their lives but their parents must be helpless in the present circumstance in the country to have the courage to send their children out to the market when they know that they can end up mixing with the wrong persons and indulge in social vices.
“You will find them in almost all the markets in Makurdi. Go to Wurukum, Wadata, North Bank, High Level markets; they are everywhere. There is nothing anybody can do about it. It is wrong but it is a creation of the harsh economic situation in the country.”
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BREAKING - SHOCKING: A man has just set himself on fire outside Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial in New York City. WATCH pic.twitter.com/DKATmEdGf0
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) April 19, 2024
The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, says the move by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasaya Movement to hijack the party structure is a betrayal of trust.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Friday, Aniebonam said he gave Kwankwaso the platform of the party to achieve his political ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president on a platter of gold.
Aniebonam said he single handedly registered and nurtured the NNPP from 2002 until 2022 when Kwankwaso and his team approached him to fly the flag of the party in the 2023 presidential election.
He said: “Buba Galadima led the delegation, including Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi and Prof. Sam Angai to my country home in Anambra, to plead for us to accept Kwankwaso in NNPP.
“After the talks, I placed a call to Kwankwaso and after asking him questions about his intentions for Nigeria, I offered him the platform of NNPP as its sole candidate.
“I believed that Kwankwaso was not aware of the internal crisis in the party until he came out openly on live television, displaying a new logo and flag for the NNPP and mutilating its constitution.
“The party’s constitution says the founder is a life member of the board and even when I’m alive, my brother and good friend, Kwankwaso, for whatever reasons, is destroying the party I built from 2002 to 2022 when he joined us to contest the 2023 presidency.”
According to him, “I funded the party for 22 years and Kwankwaso wants to hijack it even when he is not a member of the board of the trustees or the leader of the party.
Aniebonam said he founded NNPP after he founded the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and NAGAFF, therefore, is the parent body of the NNPP.
He recalled that Kwankwaso and others were expelled from the party for anti-party activities but as a life member of the board with inherent powers, he would grant him pardon if he purged himself of what he is doing.
“The kangaroo convention even when there was a court order stopping it, is null and void because a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, ruled that NNPP issue is an internal crisis.
“This means that the issues can only be settled using the constitution. However, we are ready to pursue the interpretation of the constitution up to the Supreme Court.”
The NNPP founder said with this singular action, Kwankwaso would no longer enjoy the sole candidacy of the NNPP should he even be pardoned.
VIDEO: Shock As Woman Wheels Her Dead Uncle's Corpse Into Bank And Tries To Get Him To "Sign Off" Loan In Her Name
AFOLABIA Brazilian woman recently shocked many people after she wheeled a dead body into a bank.
The woman reportedly wheeled the corpse of an elderly man into a Rio de Janeiro bank on Tuesday, April 16, to try to get him to co-sign on a loan.
The bank customer, identified as Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes, was captured on video standing next to the deceased seated in a chair and seemingly holding up his drooping head.
The footage captured Nunes talking to the dead man, whom she addressed as her “uncle,” and asking him to sign financial documents that would allow her to take out a $3,400 loan.
“Uncle, are you listening? You need to sign [the loan contract]. If you don’t sign, there’s no way, because I can’t sign for you,” Nunes says in the video, while pushing a pen between his limp fingers and instructing him to hold it “hard.”
“Sign so you don’t give me any more headaches, I can’t take it anymore,” she adds.
When a bank worker tries to point out that the man’s color looks off and he appears “not well,” Nunes dismisses his concerns.
“He is like that. He doesn’t say anything,” Nunes says. “Uncle, do you want to go to the [hospital] again?”
Bank staffers quickly called the police, who arrived and arrested Nunes.
It was later determined that the deceased, identified as 68-year-old Paulo Roberto Braga, had been dead for several hours before his trip to the bank.
“She tried to pretend to get him to sign the loan. He already entered the bank dead,” Police Chief Fábio Luiz told TV Globo. “The main thing is to continue the investigation to identify other family members, and find out more about this loan.”
Cops said they will look into the circumstances of Braga’s death and will try to determine whether Nunes is actually his niece, and whether other relatives were involved in the alleged attempt to commit bank fraud.
Nunes could face charges of theft through fraud, or embezzlement, and abuse of corpse.
Watch the video below:
Media
in Rio de Janeiro Brazil a women (Érika de Souza Vieira Nunes) took the corpse of an elderly man into a bank to try to take out a loan of R$17,000 (USD $3,400), local Brazil media reported.
— interessingworld (@interssingworld) April 17, 2024
Suspicious bank employees filmed the incident and called the police.… pic.twitter.com/kzEzG6ORBP
Exclusive court documents obtained by THE WHISTLER have revealed the Kano State Government’s plan to rely on 15 witnesses to nail former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, their son Umar Abdullahi Umar, and four others in a corruption case.
The eight-count charges allege a web of corrupt activities. The first charge alleges that Ganduje, while serving as governor between 2015 and 2023, corruptly asked for and received $200,000 from a beneficiary of a state government contract. The second charge accused him of receiving a $213,000 kickback from a contractor handling the remodelling of the Kantin Kwari textile market in Kano.
In the third and fourth charges, Ganduje and others were accused of criminal conspiracy and breach of trust involving N1.376bn earmarked for the purchase of face masks and other medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and businessman Abubakar Bawuro allegedly diverted the funds for their personal use.
Ganduje, alongside his son Abdullahi Umar, was further accused in the fifth and sixth charges of conspiring to illegally allocate 501 plots of land belonging to the state government to a company owned by their family. The proceeds from the sale of these lands, amounting to 700 million Naira, were allegedly diverted for their benefit.
Among the witnesses the Kano State Government plans to put forward is a forensic expert who will authenticate a viral video allegedly showing Ganduje collecting bribes from a contractor while he was governor of the state.
Also, multiple contractors will testify how they were allegedly forced to give Ganduje a percentage of contract funds awarded to them by the former governor’s administration.
A Department of State Services (DSS) officer, Hussain Muhammad Dan Borno, will explain his presence in the alleged bribery video showing Ganduje collecting stacks of dollars from a supposed contractor.
Others include a police inspector, Muhammad Nuhu, who will present the findings of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation and an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdullahi Mamman, who will present evidence collected during their investigation.
Below are the eight charges preferred against Ganduje and others:
FIRST HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of January 10th, 2016 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant in the government of Kano State corruptly asked for and received the sum of $ 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) being benefit for yourself from one of the beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Kano State Government on your instruction and approval as part of your function as the Governor of Kano State thereby committed the offence of official corruption contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law No2 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of February 10th, 2017 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor of Kano State and being a public servant in the government of Kano State agreed to do or caused to be done an illegal act, to wit, dishonestly and/or corruptly to your own advantage collected a kick back of the sum of $ 213,000 (Two Hundred And Thirteen Thousand United State Dollars) being money generated from people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contact and or project for the remodeling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent) thereby committed the offence of official corruption contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law No2 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.
THIRD HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of September 2020 and march 2021 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Business man, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, wholly owned and maintained by the 3rd Defendant, agreed to do an illegal act to wit: dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy Six million Naira) through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd Defendant being monies earmarked and approved for the purchase and supply of face marks and other hospital equipment for the health sector, thereby causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State and thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.
FOURTH HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Sometimes between the period of September 2020 and January 2022 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Business man, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, while entrusted with the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy Six million Naira) or dominion over the said sum, earmarked for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment dishonestly misappropriated and/or converted the said sum to your own use through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd defendant, thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 312 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. the Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.
FIFTH HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period march of 2021 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspire with the 4th defendant (Umar Abdullahi Umar) being your biological son using 6th defendant (Lamash Properties Ltd) a company owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPD/256B in the name of 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsory acquired by you being the Governor of Kano State from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) were it was sold and the proceed part of which the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. Domicile at Access Bank where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant to the detriment of the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.
SIXTH HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period march of 2021 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspire with the 4th defendant Umar Abdullahi Umar, being your biological son using 6th defendant Lamash Properties Ltd a company substantially owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/1CNUPDA/256B in the name of 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsory acquired by you as a governor of Kano state from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) which was sold and the proceeds, the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. 7816362026 Domicile at FCMB where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and read together with section 79 and punishable under section 312 of The Penal Code (as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.
SEVENTH HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of September 2020 and march 2021 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspire with the 5th” defendant Jibrilla Muhammad also a public servant in the government of Kano State served as the managing director of Kano State investment and properties Ltd using the 8th defendant Lesage General Enterprise Ltd a company wholly owned and or maintain by your immediate family to convert the Kano state government property known as Kano cotton ginnery located at challawa area of Kano State that was initially valued at #750,000,000.00 (seven hundred million Naira) purportedly at the discounted rate of three hundred and twenty million Naira) the amount which payment was not evident causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.
EIGHTH HEAD OF CHARGE
That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Sometimes between the period of September 2020 and march 2021 or there about, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspire with the 5th” defendant Jibrilla Muhammad also a public servant in the government of Kano State served as the managing director of Kano State investment and properties Ltd using the 8th defendant Lesage General Enterprise Ltd a company wholly owned and or maintain by your immediate family to convert the Kano state government property known as Kano cotton ginnery located at challawa area of Kano State that was initially valued at #750,000,000.00 (seven hundred million Naira) purportedly at the discounted rate of three hundred and twenty million Naira) the amount which payment was not actually made and documented thereby causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State thereby committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 read together with section 79, and punishable under section 315 of The Penal Code (as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.