FEATURES
The foreign exchange (FX) resumed on Tuesday after the Easter holiday with the Naira appreciating to 1,238.3 as Bureau De Change (BDC) operators bought at N1,220 per dollar, cash and transfer to customers at N1,265/$.
The Naira appreciated further to 1,225 per dollar on the parallel market, also known as black market.
This represents 1.99 percent appreciation over N1,280 closed last week.
The Naira strengthened in both the official and parallel market segments following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s move to clear all verified FX backlogs (final tranche of $1.5bn).
The Naira which appreciated by 21.8 percent month-on-month in March 2024 is expected to maintain the trend in April, following the policy measures of the Central Bank.
A report by Afrinvest Securities Limited noted that Naira strengthened 21.8 percent m/m against the base currency
In the parallel market segment, the Naira gained 19.6 percent m/m against the USD to close at N1,300.00/$1.00. Similarly, daily average turnover in the NAFEM segment improved by 8.7 percent m/m to settle at $857.8m (as at 28/03/2024).
Our outlook for April suggests that the naira would trade within similar band as the CBN continues its activities to mop up liquidity and attract more capital.
inflow via increased Open Market Operations (OMO) sales following its decision to raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 200 bps to 24.75 percent,” analysts at Afrinvest said.
The Nigeria Police has opened up on why the Force cannot arrest crossdressers in Nigeria.
In an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that they cannot be arrested because it is a very tricky situation.
He established that cross-dressing is not yet a punishable offence in Nigeria.
He also stated that even if there might be allegations of people who cross-dress also being a part of the LGBTQ community, there is no specific evidence to back that up, hence they cannot take them to court.
“There are some cases that are always very difficult to prove. I’m not ruling out that we have many of them. Let us be reasonable, you can’t have someone you want to prosecute without having credible evidences against them. I have not read anywhere where crossdressing is an offence in Nigeria.
“Some of them that are into crossdressing, the allegation is that they are into something else. That’s where the problem lies. We need to have enough proof, credible evidence to prove that they are actually into that. All those offences are natural offences in Nigeria and they are punishable under our laws”.
Adejobi’s comment comes at a time when some Nigerians question the moral stance of crossdresser Bobrisky, who was recently named the best female dressed at a movie premier by Eniola Ajao.
No fewer than 15 universities in the United Kingdom have announced plans yo sack some workers and even stop running some courses because of the sharp decline in enrolment by foreign students including Nigerians.
According to a report by University World News, the sharp decline in foreign students enrolment was particularly felt at the postgraduate level.
The development is also connected to the decision by the Uk government to reduce international students, as some concessions given them that level have been whittled down.
Also, there are concerns too that the high cost of living being experienced globally may negatively affect enrolment of foreign students at the undergraduate level.
From the prestigious Russell Group Universities to mid-tier universities and Scottish institutions, the current situation is not sparing most universities.
Robert Gordon University (RGU) recently introduced a voluntary severance scheme in the face of staff redundancy due to its financial difficulties as a result of a notable decline in international student enrollments, a consequence of post-Brexit alterations in UK immigration policies.
RGU cited escalating cost pressures and a considerable reduction in public funding as contributing factors.
Gbolahan Olugbemi, a Deputy Commissioner of Police attached to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID), has allegedly taken his own life in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The body of the DCP, who had served as an aide to former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was reportedly discovered in his apartment with a noose around his neck hanging.
Though, full investigation is yet to be carried out to ascertain the cause of his death, a source told Vanguard that it looks like a su*cide.
The deceased DCP Gbolahan Olugbemi was said to have come home for the Easter celebration and arrived at his residence at Petros Academy Street, Federal Low cost area with no one accompanying him.
The deceased officer whose age is put at 50 plus was the Aide De Camp of late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala during his eleven month tenure from 2006-2007.
It was gathered that his residence has been cordoned off and sympathizers stood in clusters mourning the tragic end of the gallant officer.
One of his neighbours said, “Sometimes, he came home with police security. In fact l saw him recently driving personally into his beautiful mansion.”
“It’s only him we see around. His family is not usually seen with him.”
The source further disclosed that the man had been battling with depression for quite a long time.
Due to his effective policing, he was was recommended for commendation for his handling of the ENDSARS protests in 2020.
Before his death, Olugbemi had served as Divisional Police Officer in Ilupeju Area Commander in Ajah, and was Personal Assistant to two former Commissioners of Police in Lagos State.
Shade Ladipo, the Nigerian media personality, has found love again — about four years after her split from ex-partner Jide.
The OAP took to her Instagram page to share a video of a surprise proposal from her new lover.
Ladipo expressed her excitement as she walked over the red roses and balloons prepared on her way in.
She also picked up a love card prepared for her in the living room while gushing over her picture with her partner.
Ladipo also displayed her silver-plated engagement ring.
“I said yes again. 2nd time is a charm #MrsA,” she wrote in a terse post.
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Tiwa Savage, the award-winning songstress, has addressed claims that she does not support her colleagues in the music industry.
Over the years, there have been some speculations about the female musicians in the industry not assisting or partnering together on projects.
But in a post via her Instagram story, Tiwa shared a screenshot of a comment made by a fan after she and Simi announced that they would be releasing a song together.
The user argued that there have been many collaborations among female entertainers, but the songs have always gotten low streams.
“So Tiwa has obviously collaborated with more female artistes but they don’t stream female artistes collaborations and they want em collabo,” the user wrote.
The ‘Koroba’ singer, while agreeing with the user, also emphasised that she has had “a lot of collaborations with female artistes”.
“But they always want to say Tiwa Savage does not like or support female artistes. Please who has more female collabs and there is sooo many more not even listed here. Y’all miss me with that bull sh$t narrative, I dey hustle money on my mind,” she wrote.
Savage has collaborated with Waje on ‘Onye’ (2014), Ayra Starr on ‘Stamina’ (2023), and Di’Ja on ‘The Way You Are’ (2018).
The songstress has established herself as one of the prominent names in the music landscape.
Her music has gained positive reception globally. She has also won numerous awards.
The Ikeja High Court has ordered Nollywood actress, Mariam Muftaudeen, also known as Omo VC to stop defaming Chairman of the Lagos State Park Management Board, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
The order was given by Justice M. Dawodu after hearing a Motion Exparte marked filed by Akinsanya through his lawyer, Adedotun Ajulo.
In a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the proceedings dated March 14, Justice Dawodu said the order shall elapse after 21 days.
The suit sought, among others, to prevent Ms. Muftaudeen from further publishing allegedly defamatory videos or articles about MC Oluomo pending the determination of the case.
Following the commencement of proceedings on March 14, and after hearing Ajulo, Justice Dawodu granted the application.
He said: “The respondent is hereby restrained from further releasing defamatory videos and/or further publishing libelous articles against the applicant pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s originating summons against the respondent. This order shall lapse after 21 days from the date of issue.
“Leave is hereby granted to the applicant to serve the Memorandum of Claim, and the Enrolled Order of the ruling of the Court delivered on March 14, 2024, on the respondent by substituted means through the Sheriff of the Court through the respondent’s WhatsApp Number, through her Instagram Handle; @omovc, and by publication in a national daily newspaper.”
It was gathered that Ms. Muftaudeen, in an Instagram post she made in February, accused Akinsanya of threatening her life and that of her daughter. She claimed to have a daughter with Akinsanya, alleging he failed to support and provide for the child’s welfare.
She also alleged that Akinsanya ordered his security personnel to shoot at her during a visit to his residence.
But Akinsanya denied knowledge of any child between them, saying they had separated about two years ago and he was unaware of any child until the recent claims surfaced.
He emphasised that such accusations were defamatory and politically motivated, especially given the upcoming elections within the transportation industry.
Yekini Nabena, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress has made a boast.
He boasted that if former President Muhammadu Buhari could complete his 8-year term in office, no merger plot will unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
There have been talks of a merger and mega party among the opposition parties and some prominent members of the APC lately.
Reacting to the development through a statement he signed on Tuesday in Abuja, Nabena also declared that no political coup in the National Assembly will remove the incumbent President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
He said the South and the North must support President Bola Tinubu to succeed in his Renewed Hope Agenda because the country belongs to all of us and Nigeria is one, not only on paper or mouth but in reality.
Nabena noted: “If former President Muhammadu Buhari could complete his eight years in office, by the grace of God Almighty the incumbent President Bola Tinubu will do the same, not even the talk of mega party or merger can stop him. The South must also complete the 8-year political arrangement and President Bola Tinubu will do that for the South.
“The South will not fight each other again for other regions to benefit, the era of division in the Southen Nigeria is gone for good. The Almighty God will perfect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health and grant him wisdom to take the country to the promised land.
“The 2027 presidential election will come and go but the President will remain in the South and President Bola Tinubu, by God’s grace, will continue his good job.
“The same goes to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by God’s grace, he will also complete his term as the Chairman of the National Assembly in grand style, no threat, no blackmail or political machination will do otherwise.”
Nabena stressed that Nigerians from the South are satisfied with the level of representation they are getting from their representatives in the National Assembly and, therefore passed a vote of confidence on them for standing tall.
A 12-year-old pupil opened fire Tuesday at a primary school in Vantaa outside the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
Preliminary reports from the police disclosed that three persons were wounded, and the attacker was in custody.
“All those involved in the shooting incident are minors. According to the Police’s information, there are three injured,” a police statement said.
The school has 800 students and 90 staff.
Children were told to stay in their classrooms after the attack, public broadcaster YLE reported.
Like other Finnish schools, children had just returned to classes in Vantaa, north of Helsinki, after the long Easter weekend.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the shooting as profoundly upsetting and said his thoughts were with the victims and their families, as well as everyone at the school.
Recall that in 2007, an 18-year-old student shot dead seven pupils and his head teacher in the town of Tuusula.
Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has once again spoken about the paternity of his grandson Liam Aloba.
Aloba explained that he is insisting his daughter-in-law, Wunmi, conduct a DNA test on Mohbad’s son because of Nigerians.
Aloba stated that he does not doubt that Liam is his grandson.
Speaking via an audio message making the rounds on social media, Mohbad’s father maintained that it was important for Wunmi to do the DNA test to satisfy the curiosity of concerned Nigerians.
He said, “I know Liam is my grandson, I don’t doubt it but Wunmi should do the DNA for Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, Aloba has publicly shared the deep emotional connection he had with his son, including wearing his clothes as a way to keep his memory alive.
In an interview with blogger Kachiwire, he reminisced about the bond they shared, highlighting their friendship and commonalities.
Mohbad’s untimely death on September 12, 2023, led to widespread speculation and accusations, particularly targeting figures associated with his former label, Marlian Records, including its head Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, and associate Sam Larry.
Both denied any involvement in his death and were subsequently arrested and released on bail.
Attention then shifted to a nurse alleged to have administered fatal injections to Mohbad, positioning her as the prime suspect.
Amidst the growing demand for clarity on the singer’s death, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, mandated a comprehensive forensic examination.
The Lagos State Police Command, following this order, assembled a specialized team, including a pathologist, to exhume and analyze Mohbad’s remains.
In a recent development, the Lagos Coroner Court revealed ongoing autopsy processes, with significant tests being conducted abroad.
State counsel O. Akinde, speaking at the Coroner’s Court in Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu, disclosed that while the external examination of the body is complete, the crucial toxicology analysis is underway in the United States, aiming to determine the internal factors contributing to the young artist’s death.
Speaking during the now viral interview, Aloba said he wears his son’s clothes because “we are the same size.”
He said, “He is my son. I can wear his clothes. We are the same size. And anybody that has that kind of a son and cannot share with, that means that person does not love his son. So we are together.
“I could remember the day they wanted to go and do the introduction that led to his engagement. He bought me shoes and he said ‘Daddy this is what you are going to wear’ I said these shoes were bigger than mine and that I did not want this kind of bourgeois, he said ‘this is exactly what I want you to do.
“So, he wanted to blend in with me. He is my son and a friend to me. So my focus now is justice for Mohbad. So all those rubbish questions, I do not want to answer questions like that. He is my son. People can say whatever they like.”
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Sunday Karimi, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate has revealed that the government of President Bola Tinubu inherited the worst economic challenges in Nigeria’s history.
He made the revelation while speaking at the maiden edition of Igbaruku Day organised by the Igbaruku-Okeri Community Development Association (ICDA) in Igbaruku-Okeri, Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State, yesterday.
His words: “The administration inherited the worst economic challenges so far in the anal of the country. The President’s long-term vision, driven by proactive policy towards achieving sustainable economic recovery, is slowly yielding fruits.
“The government of President Tinubu inherited a bad, in fact the worst situation, so far. Tinubu met the average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 1.8 percent. The four years average preceding the administration of Tinubu was 15.1 percent.
“Nigeria was so bad that government printed money without activities to back it up. It is still our government, the All Progressives Congress(APC). We admit that. Nigerian Naira was almost turned to paper, where one US Dollar equated to N1,900, but the Tinubu’s government is not resting on its oars.
“It is working tirelessly every day to find solutions to the problems. Today, one Dollar equals N1,300. Port Harcourt refinery is back; Warri refinery is back. With patience with President Tinubu, we will live to see the Nigeria of our dream, in the short-term.”
He, therefore, pleaded with Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration.
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has again warned President Bola Tinubu to restructure the country.
Speaking on Tuesday he advised President Bola Tinubu to start the process of restructuring because it is the ultimate answer to Nigeria’s numerous problems.
Primate Ayodele revealed that the best thing that can make Nigeria progress is restructuring.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, he said every region will become independent and reduce the burden on the Federal Government.
He said each state should be using their resources, have state establishments that can help the country grow exponentially and it is only restructuring that can make it happen.
According to Primate Ayodele: ‘’I have not seen the government planning on restructuring but it is the best thing that can make Nigeria move forward.
“Let every region stand on their own, it will make the country stronger and make every state independent.
‘’Restructuring will lift the burden from the federal government; each state should be using their resources to get better.
“We can have state police, state judiciary, state banks in restructure and this will help the economy of the country well.’’
The man of God posited that it will take a long process but called on President Tinubu to start working on it in order to secure a better future for Nigeria as it will benefit the country more.
He explained that with restructuring, there will be victory over insecurity and economic hardship.
‘’It’s going to take a long process for the government to act on restructuring, the president should start the restructuring process now to help the future of Nigeria. It is cancel hardship and economic jeopardy.
‘’Unfortunately, I have not seen the government working towards it, it’s a very serious thing they should work on because it will be of advantage to the country. It will help the country overcome insecurity of any form and promote harmony,” he said.
Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, has stated that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is hunted by a ghost that he created.
Bwala, a supporter of President Bola Tinubu, was reacting to Obi’s latest threat to dump the LP if the internal crisis rocking the party continues before the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor had vowed “not to die” with the party, hence his decision to leave if the issues can’t be resolved.
Reacting in a post via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Bwala said Obi is hunted by a ghost he created in the Labour Party.
He said Obi had sensed the obvious that the Labour Party would not give him an automatic ticket and had, therefore, threatened to leave the party if he was not chosen in 2027.
Bwala also claimed that Obi is in a quagmire because the Social Democratic Party (SDP) he intends to join does not have an automatic ticket for him.
He wrote: “The presidential candidate of the @NgLabour at the 2023 elections @PeterObi is hunted by a ghost that he created. Sensing the obvious in the Labour Party to the effect that there is no automatic ticket, he has therefore threatened that if the party would not conform, he would leave.
“The Social Democratic Party, which he hopes to use the platform when the need arises, doesn’t give automatic tickets. Peter Obi feared that he may likely not win delegate election because he is not a grassroot politician, he is presently in a quagmire
“A former president is reported to be having it very difficult convincing nation’s statesmen to support the move because they prefer to give @officialABAT his due time to reform Nigeria.”
Bwala alleged that Obi was advised immediately to start a campaign and woo the core of northern Nigeria as well as the Muslim communities across the nation ahead of the 2027 election.
He added, “Peter Obi was reported as being advised immediately to start a campaign and woo the core of northern Nigeria as well as the Muslim communities across the nation to disprove the notion that he uses identity politics.
“He has since commenced the exercise, but it is feared that the foreign media which packaged him in the last election consider him as too difficult to re-brand based on analytics on his chances.
“His base called the ‘Obedient’ people made it clear to him that they would not accept any merger that will extinguish his presidential bid. He is between the devil and deep blue sea.”
Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara state, says his administration never borrowed N14.26 billion as disclosed in the Debt Management Office (DMO) report.
According to him, the debt reported by DMO was part of the proceeds from a N20 billion loan floated by the previous administration in the state.
The governor disclosed in a statement by Suleiman Idris, his spokesperson, on Monday.
Lawal said no domestic or external loans have been borrowed since he assumed office as governor of the state.
“We would like to clarify the Debt Management Office (DMO) report that the Zamfara State Government borrowed N14.26 billion naira,” he said.
“Zamfara State Government has never applied for loans or approached the State Assembly or National Assembly for such a request.
“It is important to note that the previous Zamfara State government floated a N20 billion bond but failed to collect the total amount.
“The immediate past government received N4 billion naira out of the 20 billion loans requested for the Zamfara cargo airport project, though the funds were not utilised.
“Upon assuming office, we discovered that the payment terms made terminating the bond impossible without incurring a significant loss for the state.
“The balance of N16 billion Naira out of the N20 billion borrowed by the past administration is the N14.26 billion captured by the Debt Management Office (DMO). The value is reduced due to inflation.
“The bond balance, which is still in a government account, has not been used and will be reserved for the airport project.”
Analysing the DMO report, TheCable Index reported Zamfara state’s domestic debt was N96.31 billion in June 2023, and by December last year, the debt had increased to N110.57 billion in six months under the new administration.