FEATURES
AS the controversy over the recent embarrassing escape from custody of an executive of the cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla through the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport rages on, key players across the country’s aviation sector have described the development as confirmation of the lack of synergy amongst security agents at the airports.
Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Binance in Africa, was reported to have fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport through the Abuja airport to escape trial and prosecution.
Many stakeholders who reacted to the news condemned the lapses in Nigeria’s security system and intelligence which they argued made it seamless for the Binance official from perfecting his escape.
A key player who spoke under anonymity queried how a passenger could go through many uniformed personnel at the airport to not only process his papers but comfortably travel through the airport unnoticed.
Commenting on the controversy, the Chief Executive Officer at Selective Security International Ltd, Mr Ayo Obilana described the escape of the Binance executive as unacceptable.
According to Obilana: “I rate the efficiency of the securitymen in charge of airport immigration and state security as unacceptably poor on controversial escape of Mr Anjarwala if he passed through them.
“It’s not about porosity this time but about human error and failure which definitely points in one direction of either systemic failure or compromise. I believe his name should have been put on watchlist in the data base of the two security agencies. There are other possibilities, however, the matter should be thoroughly investigated and thereafter, the tasking authorities should take appropriate steps for redress or mitigation. I hope the airport has a functional CCTV system and if it has, the fugitive’s movements through the airport can be easily tracked including those who aided his escape.”
Equally, the Managing Director of another security agency, Centurion Security Services and a onetime military commandant of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu, retired, likened the escape of the Binance official to what happened with the escape of the now known popular underwear bomber, Farouk Abdulmutalab through the Lagos airport in 2009.
His words “Security begins with intelligence which is more than 60% of the Airport Security Defence Layers. If they get intelligence early and it is appropriately shared, what we saw happened last week would not have happened. What happened last week with the escaped man is not different from what happened with the Abdulmutalab escape in December 25, 2009 even when the father warned the National Intelligence Agent and the US Embassy about the irregular behaviour of his son.
While arguing that the airline that boarded the Binance official can only be blamed if it was informed earlier that the man was on the watch list or no-fly list.
“The airport government security agencies on the Aviation Security Defence Layers too appeared not to have any information about the man. What I can tell you from the experience of the Abdulmutalab case and his escape through the Avsec Defence Layers is the disconnect between the government security agencies in their line of duties. Starting with the intelligent agency to the border security agencies which include the immigration, DSS, Avsec/Airlines through the NCAA, etc.”
Other stakeholders who spoke on the controversy further took a swipe at the crop of security personnel manning the different airports who they accused of just sitting at their duty posts idly.
“Our airports are the only airports where security personnel sit instead of on their feet moving around. The Binance official can still come back to Nigeria and make another return same way as he escaped without being detected. The level of corruption in the airport security system particularly with immigration and State security protocols is unimaginable.
The key players also faulted the type of multiple security checks at the international airports which they said does not exist at any known airport in the world. “What obtains at our international airports is indeed shameful and some of us have tirelessly and repeatedly pointed same out to the tasking authority for corrective action but to no avail.”
Popular cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky, has been convicted by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, after he pleaded guilty to abuse of the naira.
The judge has reserved judgement on Bobrisky’s sentencing till April 9, ordering his remand in EFCC’s custody.
Before his conviction, Bobrisky pleaded with the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the Naira.
The judge then told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse to which Bobrisky replied,”I know my lord.”
He further said to the judge,”My lord I wish that you can give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I’m a social media influencer with over five million followers. I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money.
“I will not repeat it again my lord, I regret my actions my lord”.
With the conviction, Bobrisky could either serve six months in prison, pay a fine of N50,000 or do both.
Section 21 (1) of the CBN Act 2007 states that “a person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable for imprisonment for a term not less that six months or to a fine not less that N50,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
When the charge was read, Bobrisky pleaded guilty to the first four counts bordering on Naira abuse.
Before the charge was read however, the EFCC’s counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, asked the court to strike out counts five and six bordering on money laundering allegations.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro subsequently struck out counts five and six.
This paved the way for the arraignment of Bobrisky on only counts one to four which is on the abuse of the naira.
When the counts were read, Bobrisky was asked if he understood the charge that was read to him, he replied, “yes, I am guilty”.
Bobrisky was brought into the court in a white bus at 9.12 a.m. on Friday morning by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was arrested on Wednesday by the EFCC on account of naira abuse and money laundering.
Onboard Menu: Air Peace Serves Jollof, Efo-Riro Other Nigeria cuisine On London-Lagos Flight [PHOTOS]
AFOLABIIn a viral tweet on X, A satisfied passenger praised Air Peace, showed off jollof rice, plantain chips and other foods Air Peace served him during the flight.
The edibles came even though the airline charged half the price British Airways would charge.
He prayed for God's blessing on Air Peace.
Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad has vowed to expose those who killed his son.
According to him, he knows the identity of the killers.
Mohbad passed away under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023, and was laid to rest the next day.
However, following a public outcry for a thorough investigation into his sudden demise, the body was exhumed about a week later for an autopsy.
While the result of the autopsy is still pending, Mr Aloba has publicly stated that the person responsible for his son’s death is someone close to him.
In an audio message making the rounds on social media, he vowed to reveal the identity of his son’s killer soon.
“I know who killed Mohbad. The person is someone close and I will tell the world soon,” he was heard saying in the viral audio.
Audio link:
Media
“I know who k!!led Mohbad. The person is someone close and I will tell the world soon”
— OLAMIDE ???????? (@Olamide0fficial) April 4, 2024
- Mohbad’s father pic.twitter.com/GWzVycomXn
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy has opened up on his marriage.
He revealed that he married for the wrong reasons.
In an interview hosted by reality TV personality Uriel on Inside Scoop with Pulse, the prominent activist claimed that when he married his present wife in his early 30s, but he was searching for the wrong qualities.
According to him, he was looking for a woman who had a nice figure, beautiful and who can sing, since he was going into his hobby, singing.
All the aforementioned reasons however, were all the wrong reasons. He stated that at the time, those attributes were what he desired so much.
Charly further said that now, he wants something different since he is no longer interested in a lady’s beauty, nyash, or breast.
WATCH VIDEO
Media
I got married for all the wrong reasons. -Charly Boy
— Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) April 4, 2024
Host: @Urielmusicstar #InsideScoopByPulse pic.twitter.com/P9EfCW94hK
Veteran Nigerian comedian, Alibaba has faulted the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for arresting crossdresser, Bobrisky.
Recall that the EFCC filed a six-count charge against the crossdresser following his arrest at his residence in Pinnock Estates, Lagos on Wednesday, April 3rd.
Bobrisky will be arraigned on Friday for money laundering and mutilation of the Naira.
In a now-deleted post on his Instagram story, the veteran comedian kicked against the arrest of Bobrisky while sharing a video of men spraying and tampering with the Naira.
He queried why Bobrisky was arrested while doing the same thing the men did and recalled when the EFCC sentenced another celebrity female for this same crime. Alibaba bemoaned the ill treatment women receive in Nigeria.
His words: “And Bobrisky was arrested for what again? Because they are men? This is not right. The other time on celebrity lady was sentenced for this same thing. Now, EFCC has arrested another lady for the same thing that men get away with. The way we treat women in this country is not good. Mennnnnn… I just tayaaa.”
SEE BELOW:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has blacklisted several fake loan applications that have been exploiting unsuspecting Nigerians.
The Federal Government endorsed this move, declaring these apps illegal and a menace to society due to their deceptive operations.
These illegitimate loan apps have been causing significant distress through their harassment of users and victims.
Notably, these apps operate outside the legal framework, as they are unregistered with the federal government and have now faced an official ban.
The rise of fake loan apps is a pressing issue in the digital age, where the ease and appeal of online lending platforms have unfortunately also paved the way for fraudulent activities.
Scammers behind these apps lure individuals with the promise of straightforward loan approvals and quick money transfers, targeting those with poor credit scores or limited access to traditional financial services.
Victims, often in dire financial straits, are duped into submitting personal and financial information under the guise of securing a loan.
This sensitive data is then misused for identity theft, financial fraud, or other illegal activities, leaving individuals vulnerable and financially strained.
The CBN’s crackdown on these deceptive apps signals a commitment to safeguarding citizens from digital financial crimes and ensuring a secure environment for legitimate online financial transactions.
Here are the list of fake loan apps that have been blacklisted by the CBN:
EasyCredit
EasiMoni
KashKash
Speedy Choice
GoCash
Soko Loan App
Fast Money
GetCash
Icoin Loan
Naira Plus
9jaCash
LionCash
GMoney
Fast Money
9credit
Swiftkash App
Hen Credit Loan App
Cash Door App
Joy Cash-Loan App
Eaglecash App
Luckyloan Personal Loan App
Getloan App
Easeloan Apps
Naira Naija
Cashlawn App
Easynaira App
Crediting App
Yoyi App
Nut Loan App
Cashpal App
Nairaeasy Gist Loan App
Camelloan App
Nairaloan App
Moneytreefinance Made Easy App
Cashme App
Secucash App
Creditbox App
Cashmama App
Crimson Credit App
Galaxy Credit App
Ease Cash App
Xcredit
Imoney
Naira Naija
Imoneyplus-Instant
Nairanaija-Instant
Nownowmoney
Naija Cash
Eagle Cash
Firstnell App
Flypay
Spark Credit
Luckyloan Personal Loan App
Inflation to withstand monetary tightening if Nigeria fails to address supply-side bottlenecks – KPMG
AdminKPMG has said that the effectiveness of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) monetary tightening strategies may fall short unless Nigeria addresses the underlying supply-side constraints fuelling cost-push inflation.
In issue 15 of the Flashnotes publication of KPMG in Nigeria, which was seen by Nairametrics, the firm emphasised the need for a balanced approach that tackles both demand-pull and cost-push inflationary pressures. It called for collaborative efforts between fiscal and monetary authorities to dismantle the supply-side barriers contributing to inflation.
The document read:
- “We recognise that price stability is a necessary condition for economic growth. We equally recognise that raising interest rates is a natural response to inflationary pressures in monetary policy playbooks.
- “However, we emphasise that monetary tightening is more apt for addressing demand-pull inflation. Thus, inflation may yield little in response to the monetary tightening efforts, unless the supply-side bottlenecks fanning cost-push inflation are also addressed.
- “Eliminating these bottlenecks will require concerted efforts from both fiscal and monetary authorities. We are confident that such efforts will better deliver the intended price stability without trading-off economic growth.”
Inflation may lose steam after mid-2024
According to KPMG, a potential slowdown in inflation rates is on the horizon post-mid-2024, largely attributed to statistical base effects.
However, this expected deceleration depends on the absence of new economic policies that might exert upward pressures on prices.
The firm advised against attributing any reduction in inflation rates solely to monetary policy tightening, highlighting the influence of broader economic factors and policies.
KPMG said:
- “Meanwhile, with the onset of base effect expected after mid-year, the next few months will be important for assessing the impact of the CBN’s monetary tightening on inflation.
- “Statistically, inflation is set to lose steam after mid-year largely because of the onset of base effect, except economic policies that significantly pressure prices are implemented. Attributing a decrease in inflation solely to the tightening of liquidity once the base effect kicks in after midyear might be inaccurate.”
Higher MPR to drive portfolio investments
The CBN’s decision to elevate the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to a historic high of 24.75% in March 2024 is expected to attract more foreign exchange inflows, driven by the appeal of higher interest rates. KPMG projected that these inflows will primarily come from portfolio investments, seeking to benefit from the increased rates.
However, the firm also cautioned about the potential volatility associated with these “hot money” inflows, noting the risks of sudden reversals that they pose to macroeconomic stability.
KPMG said:
- “We expect the higher MPR to attract greater FX inflows that would drive the appreciation of the Naira in the foreign exchange market. However, most of these gains are expected to come from portfolio investments as investors move to take advantage of the higher interest rate environment.
- “The downside of this “hot money” inflow, however, is the risk of sharp reversals in response to changes in market signals. Large scale capital reversals are historically known to birth macroeconomic instability.”
Already, Nigeria has recorded about $3.8 billion foreign capital inflow in the first quarter of 2024 with investors (especially foreign investors) interested in government securities for high yields.
Tightening policy threatens Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy goal
KPMG further noted that the quest for price stability may inadvertently sacrifice economic growth. With Nigeria’s growth trajectory already on a decelerating path, the current policy stance could further deter investments in the real sector, negatively affecting employment and growth.
The firm warned that high borrowing costs and a restrictive monetary environment might lead to an increase in non-performing loans and challenge the government’s ambitious goal of expanding Nigeria’s economy to a $1 trillion economy within the next eight years.
The firm said:
- “Furthermore, we note that targeting inflation from the demand-side (via a sustained monetary tightening of such scale) may inadvertently cause Nigeria to trade-off some growth for lower inflation. This is especially worrying as the nation’s growth has been slow, fragile, and decelerating (3.4% in 2021, 3.1% in 2022 and 2.74% in 2023) in recent times.
- “With the real sector already burdened by high borrowing costs and inflation, the CBN’s decision could further shrink the sector by disincentivising investments. The higher borrowing costs may induce a scale back on investments in the real sector, adversely affecting employment and growth levels.
- “Also, monetary tightening of such scale may give rise to higher non-performing loans. The higher interest rate environment may strain borrowers’ finances and raise their risk of defaulting on loans.
- “Moreover, the government has expressed a desire to grow Nigeria’s economy to a $1 trillion economy over the next 8 years. This ambitious growth drive requires the economy to attain about 12% CAGR over the targeted period.
- “However, the elevated Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) could further restrict the ability of banks to channel credit to support the economy’s ambitious growth drive. Thus, the restrictive monetary policy environment further casts shadows on the attainability of the government’s economic objective.”
Analysts at Augusto & Co earlier said that President Bola Tinubu’s plan to reduce interest rates in the country may clash with the existing tightening monetary policy of the CBN. They noted that the president’s preference for lower interest rates to support economic growth raises the risk of inaction and will be a true test of the CBN’s independence.
However, so far, the CBN has shown its independence with a hawkish monetary stance.
[Nairametrics]
‘Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story‘, a compelling Igbo-centric movie, premiered on Netflix on March 29. The project directed by Kayode Kasun had earlier premiered in cinemas on December 1, 2023.
Following its success in cinemas and multiple nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Afamefuna arrives on the streaming platform amid high anticipation and expectations from film lovers.
However, after seeing the film, it is safe to say it deserves every nomination and accolade it received.
SYNOPSIS
After his friend is found dead, a prominent man is questioned by the police about their complex history together in the Igbo apprenticeship system.
THE STRONG POINT OF THE FILM
The major highlight of the film is its simple and distinct plot. While many Igbo-centric films have been made, ‘Afamefuna’ stands out for its exploration of the Igbo apprenticeship system in a unique and detailed manner. It delves into facets of the system that have not been previously explored in other films.
The performance of the cast, both minor and major, is noteworthy. Every actor in the movie brought their A game and delivered professionally. Kanayo O. Kanayo embodied the character of Odogwu beautifully, even though it is different from the role he is well known for, showcasing his versatility, while Stan Nze also demonstrated his acting prowess.
The predominant use of the Igbo language is also commendable. ‘Afamefuna’ presents Igbo language, culture, and practices in their purest form; from the dialogue to the witty sayings, proverbs, songs and use of traditional instruments. This adds an extra layer of cultural richness to the narrative, which was delightful to watch.
The film’s cinematography was excellent. Attention was paid to the visual elements, costumes, and graphics.
THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM
The major flaw of ‘Afamefuna’ is its slow pacing. The progression of the movie was very slow, making it boring at some point and leaving me questioning, “What happened finally?” There were unnecessary scenes as well. For example, the scene where Paul took Afamefuna around the plaza and the football argument scene between the boys.
The casting of Bridget Johnson is also questionable. While she is mixed race, neither of her parents was portrayed as white in the film, how did that happen? Also, Nneka, Amaka’s cousin, why was she in the story? I think her inclusion is unnecessary.
FINAL VERDICT
‘Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story’ gets a 8/10.
The whistleblowers who initiated the investigation, detention, and subsequent trial of Binance Holdings Limited executives have expressed concerns about threats to their safety and the safety of their families.
The group urged the Federal Government to consider providing them with state protection.
The Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative and Niger Delta Youth Council have written a letter to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja calling for action.
The group maintained that they are the petitioners and whistleblowers who brought to light the blatant misuse of the Nigerian financial system orchestrated by Binance Holdings Limited.
The National Coordinator of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, Amb. Solomon Adodo, and the National Coordinator of Niger Delta Youth Council, Engr. Jātor Abido, jointly signed the letter on Wednesday, March 28th, 2024.
The letter reads in part: “We write as the petitioners and whistleblowers that revealed the brazen abuse of the Nigerian Financial system being perpetrated by Binance Holdings Limited to notify you of the present threat to our lives and seek protection from the State through your express Presidential directive.
“We are presently in deep shock and panic as to how the detainee managed to escape without a trace.
“We are also aware that the Binance Team have a very significant financial war chest which we can never match.
“Our fears also stem from the fact that we blew the lid on the terrorism financing/serious operations carried out through the Binance platform.
“We are, therefore, at very significant risk alongside our immediate families.
“We have nowhere else to run than to the Nigerian government for whom we undertook this daring patriotic task.”
More...
Ritual Killing suspected As Body parts of 42-yr-old woman who reportedly died in Ondo road accident found missing
AFOLABI
Controversy has begun to trail the death of 42-year-old Udosen Glory, who reportedly died in a road accident in Akure, Ondo State, last month, following calls for a discreet investigation into her death by her friends.
Her friends maintained that there was more to her death than the claim of auto crash as the cause, as they disclosed that some of her body parts were missing, suggestive of a ritual killing.
Glory, who would have turned 43, on May 8, 2024, was a graduate of Industrial Chemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Akure and an entrepreneur. She was said to have left her abode in the Ajah area of Lagos, to Ogbomosho, Oyo State, on a business trip.
However, apprehension set in after several calls to her mobile line were not answered.
Explaining what she described as a mysterious twist, one of her friends who spoke exclusively to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said, “On March 3, 2024, she called me with a new Airtel line, informing me that she went on a business trip to Ogbomoso for an interior decoration/painting job. She told me she would be leaving for Akure, Ondo state, on March 5, 2024, to visit one of her sisters she identified as Shade.
“ On March 7th, she posted her pictures on her different social platforms, thanking God for journey mercies to Akure.
Apprehension
“Later, we realized we hadn’t heard from her for a while via the Whatsapp platform she created. It was unusual for her to stay that long without saying a word about the group, being the admin. All attempts to reach out to her proved abortive. After a while, I decided to reach her on the new line she called me with. and a lady picked it up and said it was the wrong number. But I overheard some people whispering in the background.
“Other people also dialled that number and the lady kept saying it was the wrong number. At one point, the lady at the other end stopped responding to our calls.
” We contributed some money and reached out to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC to track the line. Through that effort, we were able to contact the lady that Rose G had a business deal with in Akure. But she denied meeting with her
“On our way to report the matter to the Police, someone called me on the phone from a police station located between Ore Expressway and Shagamu, informing that an accident happened on March 8, 2024, involving a lady named Rose G. He said she slumped.
Suspicion
Meanwhile, the lady who earlier denied having met Rose G was discovered to have called a man who was Rose G’s acquaintance, requesting her (Rose G)full name, explaining that her Pastor requested the name because he wanted to pray for her.
“ We suspect there is more to the sudden death of my friend. We are appealing to the Police to investigate her death to give her justice. This is because her eyes and breasts were missing. Besides, by the time we went through her phone, we discovered that she contacted the lady who denied seeing her”.
A video of the corpse made available to Vanguard confirmed the missing parts.
However, when Vanguard contacted the lady accused of having denied being with the deceased, she admitted to having seen her.
The lady who identified herself simply as Folashade, in a telephone conversation with Vanguard, said “ She (late Glory) called me on the phone while she was in Ogbomosho, working. She said she would be visiting Akure to process her results. When she arrived, she went to school. Later, we met and spoke. Thereafter, she left for Lagos, and that was the last time we spoke.
“ When I heard about her disappearance, I went to inform my Pastor and we prayed”, she said.
Also contacted was the sister of the deceased, Stella. She disclosed that the remains of Glory had been buried.
Godswill Akpabio, senate president, says the resolution to suspend Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, was not his sole decision.
Akpabio said this in a letter issued by his counsel, Umeh Kalu, in response to a letter by Femi Falana, counsel to Ningi.
In March, Ningi sparked controversy when he alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion and that the country is operating two budgets concurrently.
Subsequently, the senate debated the matter at the “committee of the whole”.
The senator was thereafter suspended for three months for allegedly not providing evidence to back his allegations.
In a letter dated March 27 and addressed to Akpabio through his counsel, Ningi gave the senate president a seven-day ultimatum to lift his suspension from the upper legislative chamber.
Ningi described his suspension as “illegal”, saying he would approach a federal high court for his reinstatement if the suspension is not lifted within seven days.
In response, Akpabio, through his lawyer, said the decision to suspend the Bauchi senator was that of the senate.
“We have carefully read through your analysis of the facts and circumstances leading to your client’s suspension from the senate,” the letter read.
“We are unable to find reason in your verdict of our client’s sole culpability in the said suspension. We therefore plead non est factum for our client. In addition to the above and contrary to the contents of your letter under reference, our client was at no time your client’s accuser, prosecutor and judge.
“Our client’s role at the session of the senate that led to your client’s suspension was and remains the statutory role of a legislative house presiding officer, which role equally includes pronouncing the majority decision of the legislative house at the end of debate and voting.
“Permit us to mention your attempt at drawing our client’s attention to legal authorities and pronouncements of our courts of record on the unconstitutionality of suspending members of legislative houses, which attempt we dare say was unhelpful, due to your failure or refusal to make available the relevant particulars of the said court decisions in your letter.
“You may wish to provide these legal authorities which you have alluded to, bearing in mind that every decision of a court emanates from its peculiar facts, circumstances and extant laws. In as much as it may not be necessary to canvass herein all the remedies available to our client, in response to your threats of court action and petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC)…
“It is important we mention that legislative proceedings are guided by rules. We urge you to give due consideration to the legal issues raised in this letter and be guided accordingly in your further and future action in respect of this matter.”
Popular singer Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo aka Kcee has narrated how he lost $70K.
He spoke while explaining why he has not been doing remixes of his top songs.
Speaking in a recent episode of Isbae U’s YouTube series ‘Curiosity made me ask’ the father of two talked about his music career, evolution and how he had stayed relevant in the industry despite having been around for more than three decades at the highest level.
The ‘Ojapiano’ crooner shared how he once tried to get an American artist to feature on his song some years back, but unfortunately, got duped.
He also shared how the American band One Republic reached out to him and asked for the opportunity to be on the remix of his song, Ojapiano.
The host, Isbae U asked KCee to confirm if he didn’t pay for the remix, he reiterated that he didn’t and was shocked that One Republic would reach out to him and want to be on the same song.
His words: “Well I don’t need to say too much but I can’t pay anybody for a remix. Actually I tried to pay for a remix like about eight, nine years ago and they duped me about $70k and that was when I said I would never pay anybody a dime for collaboration.
“I didn’t beg them, they messaged me. The truth is the sound was very good. The sound was new and the sound was fresh.
“A lot of people tried to hit me up for a remix and anybody that knows me, I hardly do remixes of my hit songs. And most of my hit songs are always with me but this one when they came for it, I was like who am I, I was shocked.”
Primate Elijah Ayodele has sent a warning to President Bola Tinubu over the recent increase in electricity tariff.
Speaking on Thursday he slammed the Federal Government for increasing electricity tariff by over 300 per cent.
Ayodele, who foretold the increment last year, stressed that it will not bring any difference to the power sector because electricity will still not be stable as it’s supposed to.
The Federal Government announced the increment on Wednesday and explained that Band A users will be required to pay more for electricity.
In his reaction, Ayodele stated that the tariff increase will affect so many people in the country and that the idea will lead to disappointment in the government.
The cleric explained that the best thing the government should do is make the electricity supply stable in order to help local manufacturers and improve the economy before increasing tariff.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele said: ‘’Despite increasing electricity tariffs, it won’t guarantee 24/7 power supply in the country. It won’t make any difference because what is needed right now is anything that will improve the economy and make it better.
‘’Nigeria is still battling with a stable power supply and increasing electricity tariff will not help the country at all. It will only be justifiable if we have electricity stability across the country’’
‘’Increase in tariff will affect a lot of people, it’s an idea that will not last because Nigerians will still be disappointed in the power supply. The best thing the government can do is to make light stable so that the economy can boom and help local manufactures before an increase in electricity tariffs.’’
‘’The government is supposed to increase power supply by working on all our dams for the purpose of stability. The increment is a good idea but it’s wrong timing. It won’t give the country what is needed; there won’t be any serious result.’’
He advised the government to make a lot of changes in the power sector, expressing the need for states to be empowered to transmit power.
Ayodele also called on the government to check the power supply to neighbouring countries, alleging that there is corruption in the system.
‘’The government has to make a lot of changes in the power sector; states should also be empowered to transmit power. We shouldn’t be doing shifts when it comes to electricity. If we have enough power supply, increasing tariffs won’t be a problem.
‘’There is a lot of supply the government is doing, they need to check supply to other countries because there is so much corruption in the system. The system needs to be cleared. I also urge the government to pray against explosion in any of our power transmission facilities,” he added.