
FEATURES
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu over the ₦30 billion street fencing project in Sokoto metropolis.
Speaking via a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinawal, the party argued that the project was reckless and a waste of funds.
They subsequently called for an immediate probe into the financial practices of the state government.
The PDP stated its readiness to face any scrutiny regarding the activities of the immediate past administration of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The party stressed that the former governor, his executive council, and senior officials were prepared to appear before the state’s Commission of Inquiry whenever summoned.
The call for an EFCC investigation follows a petition by the Sokoto State government to the Commission of Inquiry over the alleged diversion of ₦16.1 billion in shares by the previous administration through the state’s investment company.
Counsel to the commission, Amanzi Amanzi, revealed that the proceeds from the sale of government shares between 2018 and 2023 were allegedly unaccounted for.
In response, the PDP decried what it termed the “financial recklessness” of Governor Aliyu, accusing him of spending billions on unnecessary projects such as wire fencing in one of the states hardest hit by the nation’s economic challenges.
The party also pointed to the ₦1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes as another example of mismanagement.
“The people of Sokoto have not yet recovered from the N1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes, and now the governor has embarked on another wasteful project of fencing streets with an outrageous budget of N30 billion,” the statement read.
The PDP accused the governor of attempting to deflect public attention from his administration’s shortcomings by making false allegations against Senator Tambuwal and his cabinet.
The party maintained that Tambuwal’s administration was the most transparent in Sokoto’s history, as recognized by global assessment agencies.
Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna has condemned the influx of fake miracles in churches.
Speaking via a post on his Instagram page, the thespian warned that deceiving and exploiting vulnerable people stains the true essence of Christianity.
Ogbonna emphasised that using God’s name for falsehood is a betrayal of the gospel and warned that the consequences of such actions are broken trust, lost lives, and faith manipulated for profit.
He also cautioned against getting carried away by social media trends that disrespect and ridicule faith, stressing that Christianity should never be used as a tool for likes, views, or viral content.
Ogbonna called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the government to step up, regulate, and hold accountable pastors engaging in fraudulent activities.
He wrote: “Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows he will also reap. Fake Miracles Are Mocking Christianity.
“It’s heartbreaking to see pastors using fake miracles to deceive and exploit vulnerable people. These acts stain the true essence of Christianity, turning faith into a spectacle for selfish gain. The consequences? Broken trust lost lives, and faith manipulated for profit.
“To those pastors, it’s time to reflect—using God’s name for falsehood is a betrayal of the gospel. To the victims, remember your faith is sacred, and true miracles don’t come from deception.
“Let’s also be cautious not to get carried away by social media trends that disrespect and ridicule our faith. Christianity should never be used as a tool for likes, views, or viral content.
“I call on the government and religious bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria to step up, regulate, and hold these bad actors accountable. Christianity is about truth, love, and humility—not fraud, manipulation, or mockery.
“Let’s stand together to protect the integrity of our faith!”.
Nollywood actress in the Yoruba movie industry, Bisola Badmus, has called out famous Fuji singer, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as Kwam1, for not caring for their son, Malik.
Bisola in a recent episode of Talk To B, with her colleague, Biola Adebayo, opened up about her estranged romantic relationship with Kwam1, confirming they had a child together.
The film star claimed the singer stopped performing his responsibilities as a father even though he accepted the child at the beginning.
She said, “From the beginning, he accepted the boy as his son but it changed all of a sudden.
“What I want from K1 is to be responsible for Malik, his son. I just want him to take care of his son.”
Speaking about the battle with brain disease, Bisola said Kwam1’s support was short-lived.
She added, “He didn’t know about my condition earlier because I didn’t tell him. When he knew, he tried his best for a while but stopped at some point”
It would be recalled that in 2023, the movie star opened up about her battle with a brain disease known as encephalopathy.
Biola also revealed that the condition made her stay away from social media.
Renowned media personality, Frank Edoho, has stirred discussion with his unconventional perspective on marriage.
On the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, Edoho argued that marriage should not be regarded as an accomplishment, describing it simply as an agreement between two people to be together.
He questioned societal norms and the definition of marriage as an achievement, asserting that the end of a marriage does not equate to failure.
“Firstly, marriage is not an achievement. Who told you marriage is an achievement? It’s just two people agreeing to live together. If one marriage breaks, it’s not the end of the world. Leaving a marriage doesn’t mean you’ve failed”, he said.
[TheNation]
Controversy has surrounded the reported visit of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission headquarters.
While the ex-governor’s media team claimed that their principal honoured the invitation, the anti-graft agency countered these claims, insisting that Bello remains a wanted person.
A statement on Thursday morning by the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, asserted that the former Kogi governor arrived at the EFCC headquarters to honour the agency’s invitation.
According to Michael, Bello’s decision followed consultations with his legal team and political associates.
He said, “Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.
“The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had all the while only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.”
He explained that Bello intended to use the opportunity to clear his name of the allegations against him.
Michael added, “The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name, as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former governor firmly believes in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first governor of Kogi State to implement an anti-corruption mechanism to curb graft and ensure that the state’s resources benefit its people.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by high-profile Nigerians. We hope that the commission will act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Details of his engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency will be disclosed later.”
In a twist, the EFCC countered Michael’s claims, insisting that the former governor was not in its custody and remains a wanted person.
EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated, “Media reports today that a former governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are incorrect. The commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
“Bello, who has already been declared wanted by the commission for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
Minutes after the anti-graft rebuttal, the Bello Media Office maintained that Bello was at the EFCC headquarters and that the commission refused to interrogate the ex-governor.
“Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him, as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office.
“He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name, as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear,” Michael said in another statement.
The EFCC has preferred 19 charges against the former Kogi governor, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences totalling N80,246,470,088.88.
After failed attempts to arrest and arraign him, the EFCC declared the former Kogi governor wanted.
[Punch]
The Edo State 2024 Governorship Election is one of the most anticipated political events in Nigeria, drawing attention from political enthusiasts, analysts, and Nigerians.
As the election date approaches, it’s crucial to stay informed about the key details, including the date of the election, the main candidates, voter registration statistics, and other essential information.
Here is a comprehensive guide, providing an insight on everything you need to know about the Edo Governorship Election.
Election date
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Edo Governorship Election to take place on 21 September 2024.
According to a statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Sam Olumekun, INEC has set this date to ensure adequate preparation and smooth conduct of the election process.
As a result, voters across the state are expected to turn out in large numbers to elect their next governor.
Major candidates
All Progressives Congress (APC)
The APC, one of Nigeria’s major political parties, has fielded Senator Monday Okpebholo as its governorship candidate.
Okpebholo hails from the Edo Central zone, secured his party’s candidacy to mark a pivotal moment in his career and set the stage for a highly anticipated electoral contest.
Known for community development initiatives and reputation of dedicated public servant and philanthropist, the APC candidate has promised to provide free transportation services to residents, recognising the crucial role of mobility in economic and social activities.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Representing the PDP, Asue Ighodalo is a formidable contender in the Edo Governorship Election.
The PDP candidate’s campaign manifesto, tagged “Pathway to Prosperity for All,” highlights the pathway to security, women and youth development, education, agriculture and food security, and rural and community development, among others, as strategies to uplift the standard of living in Edo State.
Ighodalo also vowed to prioritize respect for traditional and religious institutions, industrialisation, care for the children and vulnerable in society, and harnessing the importance of the diaspora for better working relationships to foster development in all parts of the state.
Labour Party (LP)
The Labour Party, gaining increasing popularity, has nominated a former national chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata for the governorship race.
He said his candidacy brings a fresh wave of optimism and promise, resonating strongly with the electorate.
Akpata’s campaign manifesto outlines comprehensive plans for economic revitalization, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Registered voters
According to INEC’s published statistics of registered voters, Edo State has 2,501,318 Permanent Voter Cards.
The INEC National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Edo State, Prof Rhoda Gumus announced that 373,030 Permanent Voter Cards were yet to be collected by registered voters in the state.
This figure reflects the growing political awareness and engagement among Edo residents, who are keen to exercise their democratic rights.
Number of collected PVCs
Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are essential for participating in the election.
According to INEC, 2,128,288 PVCs have been collected by registered voters.
This number is a critical indicator of the electorate’s readiness and enthusiasm for the upcoming election.
Key issues and campaign themes
The Edo Governorship Election campaigns have revolved around several critical issues, including:
Economic development: Candidates have emphasized their plans to boost the state’s economy through various initiatives aimed at job creation, industrialization, and investment in infrastructure.
Education and healthcare: Promises to improve the education and healthcare sectors are prominent in candidates’ manifestos, reflecting the public’s demand for better services.
Security: Addressing security concerns, especially in rural areas, has been a major talking point, with candidates outlining their strategies to enhance safety and reduce crime rates.
[Vanguard]
Onyebuchi Chukwu, former minister of health, has recounted how he and Mohammed Bello Adoke worked together to renegotiate a deal to establish Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), a vaccine manufacturing company.
Chukwu served as the minister of health from April 2010 to October 2014 while Adoke was attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice from April 2010 to April 2015.
The former minister spoke on Friday when he appeared as a guest on Laolu Akande’s ‘Inside Sources’, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
During the interview, Chukwu lamented that Nigeria has not done well of late in the production of vaccines.
He narrated how he kickstarted the process of resuscitating Nigeria’s joint venture agreement with May & Baker Nigeria Plc to establish BVNL.
BACKGROUND
Nigeria produced vaccines at the Federal Vaccine Production Laboratory in Yaba between 1941 and 1991, with some of the products imported to neighbouring countries.
However, the federal government stopped production at the Yaba facility in 1991.
In 2005, BVNL was incorporated as a company to revive Nigeria’s production of vaccines. The company was a joint venture between the federal government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
May & Baker Nigeria Plc owned 51 percent while 49 percent was owned by the federal government.
‘HOW THE BVNL JV AGREEMENT WAS REVIVED’
Chukwu said the joint venture agreement was put on hold during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He said May & Baker had instituted a legal suit against Nigeria over breach of contract.
The former minister said he was advised to revive the joint venture agreement when he assumed office in 2010.
He narrated how he consulted Adoke for legal advice on how to revive the JV to avoid legal complications.
“But when I came on board some of the ministry’s directors advised that it would be good if I resuscitated it,” he said.
“I consulted widely. I was advised to get in touch with the attorney-general because there were some legal issues that were being raised regarding the arrangement between the federal government and May & Baker.
“I contacted my colleague (Adoke), who took some time in fact, a number of weeks to study it (the joint venture agreement). That was Adoke, and in the end, he said there were a few things we needed to do.
“Of course, time was of the essence because that agreement was almost terminated, after a number of years. So we needed a new agreement, the original one provided for renegotiation. It was a good programme.
“Most of the issues that they (May & Baker) were asking were about the valuation of the land. Under Obasanjo, they had used a private valuer. So they asked the government to be the valuer.
“So I contacted my colleague in the ministry of lands and housing as it was then known, and the ministry went ahead to value it. Ministry of health paid for it. They gave us a report.
“In addition to that and the attorney-general’s report, I then wrote to the president to make my case clearly and the president approved it that we should go ahead but in conjunction with the ministry of justice
“By then, May & Baker had gone to court for breach of contract. We were able to persuade them to withdraw the court case. They were happy to do that and together we started (renegotiation). I left before it was concluded.
“I was happy that during President Buhari’s term that matter was completed.”
The former minister added that although the joint venture agreement is “back on track”, the facility has not started the production of vaccines.
TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENTS
In 2017, the federal government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with May & Baker for vaccine production.
A year later, a seven-member board of directors was inaugurated, with three members from the government and four from May & Baker.
In September 2022, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the production of vaccines in commercial quantity to support routine immunisation programmes in the country.
Osagie Ehanire, then minister of health, said the initiative was a joint venture between BNVL and Serum Institute of India, an Indian biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals company.
Ehanire had said the approval was limited to routine vaccines and not the COVID-19 vaccine.
In December 2022, May & Baker Nigeria announced that BNVL would commence the production of vaccines before the second quarter of 2023.
[TheCable]
A thrilling political showdown is unfolding in the heart of Edo state – a hub of diverse cultural traditions and heritage.
The long-awaited 2024 governorship election is here. With 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo state, the residents are set to decide who will lead them in the next democratic dispensation.
Two accomplished lawyers — Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and Asuerinme Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — are locked in a fierce battle for the governorship seat. Each is armed with a “vision for a path to prosperity” for the state.
Monday Okpebholo, a Nigerian senator and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is also in the race, with his famed ability to cultivate grassroots politics to his advantage.
As the trio clash in a quest for leadership, the people of Edo stand at a crossroads, poised to decide between the promise of innovative governance, the weight of political experience, and giving in for a third force.
On September 21, the stage will be set for a captivating electoral contest that will shape the destiny of the state.
Though the electoral race is between 21 candidates, TheCable provides a lowdown on the three major contenders.
ASUE IGHODALO’S ‘PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY’

Ighodalo is arguably the strongest contender owing to the endorsement from Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor of Edo.
Apart from the support of the governor and the ruling party in the state, Ighodalo also hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan south-east LGA, which falls under Edo Central, a senatorial district that had reportedly been sidelined from producing a full-tenured governor in the state.
Last year, a group from Edo Central called Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI) met with leaders from Edo North and Edo South to convince them to concede the governorship seat to Esan in order “to complete the tripod in which the state stands”.
Before his foray into politics, Ighodalo has been in the corridors of Edo governance for the past 16 years. He was an economic adviser to Adams Oshiomole, former governor of the state, and also a member of Obaseki’s economic team.
The PDP candidate is a founding partner of Banwo-and-Ighodalo, a tier 1 corporate and commercial law firm in Nigeria. Its speciality is corporate finance, capital markets, energy and natural resources, mergers and acquisitions, banking and securitisation, and project finance.
Ighodalo has also served as chairman of the board of directors at Sterling Bank, director at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), among many of his career achievements.
With his wealth of experience, Ighodalo tagged his manifesto “Pathway to Prosperity for All” with strategic attention placed on the well-being of the Edo people, economic growth, environment, good governance, security, and order.
“I see a pathway to prosperity for our people and our state. I see a path to lifting the highest number of people into prosperity by implementing the most comprehensive social welfare program ever witnessed in south-south Nigeria,” he said in the manifesto.
“I see a path to making Edo state the safest state to live and work, a place where everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare. I see a path where the regeneration of Nigeria will begin right here in Edo, the heartbeat of the nation.”
Ighodalo is not going on this journey alone. He has selected another lawyer, Osarodion Ogie, as his running mate.
AKPATA MAKES PACT WITH PEOPLE OF EDO

Relying on the success recorded by the Labour Party (LP) in Edo during the 2023 presidential election, Olumide Akpata, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is eyeing the governorship seat with a conviction to set the state on the right path of development.
Peter Obi, LP candidate in the 2023 presidential election, had set the stage for better visibility for the politically young party when he won in Edo with 331,163 — more than half of the votes cast in the state.
Neda Imasuen, the senatorial candidate of the LP in Edo South, where Akpata hailed from, defeated both the candidates of the ruling PDP and the APC to become the senator representing the district in the national assembly.
That was the extent of the power the LP pulled in the last general election in the state, which Akpata hopes to capitalise on in the guber poll.
Also, Akpata is a consummate lawyer who, in 2020, made waves by becoming the first non-senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to lead the bar.
Before resigning to participate in Edo politics, Akpata worked as a senior partner with Templers, a commercial law firm, but he has also been a vocal critic of violations of human rights and maladministration.
However, there is a covert roadblock on his way to the government house. Akpata comes from the same senatorial district as Obaseki, the incumbent who is on his way to completing eight years of a two-term administration.
A long-standing rotational gentleman agreement rooted in Nigeria’s complex political landscape has taken centre stage in Edo, posing a significant hurdle to Akpata’s aspirations.
This has given ground for the “It’s Esan’s time” mantra, gradually proving to become a rallying cry for disgruntled voters who are determined to uphold the rotational power-sharing tradition.
As Akpata navigates this treacherous terrain, he faces an uphill battle against entrenched biases and ethnic loyalties, threatening to derail his political momentum.
In his manifesto, ‘My Pact With the People of Edo state’, Akpata promised to create and grow a healthy, stable, sustainable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone in the state.
He divided the challenges facing the state into eight priority areas — economy and job creation, roads and related infrastructure, electricity and energy access, agriculture and food security, education, healthcare, security of lives and property and other essential infrastructure — and provided key solutions to solving them.
Akpata is going into the race with another lawyer, Yusuf Kadiri, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as his running mate.
OKPEBHOLO MONDAY, SENATOR WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR

Contesting a governorship election after spending less than two years at the national assembly, Monday Okpebholo, senator representing Edo central and an astute grassroots politician, is taking a shot at the Edo governorship seat.
Okpebholo clinched the governorship candidacy of the APC amid a primary election marked by confusion, contentious claims, and counter-accusations.
Following the voting exercise at the primaries, Dennis Idahosa and Sunday Dekeri, house of representatives members, were both announced simultaneously as winners of the election by different returning officers, before the party’s stakeholders subsequently affirmed Okpebholo as the flagbearer.
In his appraisal of Okpebholo, John Mayaki, chieftain of the APC and former chief press secretary to Obaseki, had described the candidate as “lacking even the most rudimentary understanding of what governance entails.”
He said the senator only “has instincts for politics” and never engages in discussions about important things such as policies, investment attraction, sectoral reforms, and development.
Nevertheless, Okpebholo stood triumphant, his name etched on the party’s ticket as the standard-bearer for the coveted seat. However, the fiercely contested primaries left the dust hovering in the air with the party edging towards a governorship election on a divided front.
Notwithstanding, being from Edo central, Okpebholo shares a key advantage with Ighodalo, which could work in his favour due to the stakeholders’ firm belief in power rotation.
With APC as the ruling party at the federal level, the senator also boasts of federal support, a significant advantage that could be in his favour. This backing may prove invaluable in the anticipated tight race, potentially giving him the edge he needs to secure victory.
With federal support, Okpebholo can leverage resources and influence that might otherwise be out of reach, making him a formidable contender in the election.
In a move that may be intended to appease disgruntled stakeholders or serve another strategic purpose, Okpebholo chose Dennis Idahosa as his running mate. This decision may be a calculated step to address potential sources of opposition and internal wrangling in the party.
In one of his promises to the electorates, Okpebholo vowed to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, security, health and infrastructure if he is elected into office as governor.
OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE RACE:
Uwaifo Osaro — Action Alliance (AA)
Aner Aliu — Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Azena Azemhe Friday — New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Osifo Isiah — All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Ugiagbe Sylvester — All People Movement (APM)
Areleogbe Osalumese — All Peoples Party (APP)
Akhime Afere — Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Udoh David — African Action Congress (AAC)
Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena — Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Osirame Edeipo — Boot Party (BP)
Iyere Kennedy — Accord Party (AP)
Obazele Agbone — African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Key Ndidi — Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Okungbowa Ovbokhan — Young Progressive Party (YPP)
Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has said that his government has been putting in efforts to tackle the insecurity in the state.
Dauda Lawal said his political will to address the attacks of bandits across the state has been paying off as farmers can now go to their farms to cultivate.
He stated that the formation of local security, Community Protection Guard (CPG) by his administration has also helped to reduce the consistency of bandits attack in the state.
Speaking with Arise TV, on Tuesday, Lawal said, “Let me start by admitting the fact that the state has been in this situation for the past 13 years. It is something that we inherited. And part of what we did or what we’re doing right now is to make sure we put so much effort. And priority has always been our concern. That was the reason why when I came on board, I formed the Community Protection Guard that is called CPG.
“The whole essence of this is to complement the effort of the conventional security in terms of combating this menace that we’re facing the state. And I will say that they’re doing very well in terms of assisting the conventional security because they understand the trend much better than the conventional security. So they provide the lead. And that is what is happening right now.
“So far, we’ve seen a lot of success. The story is changing. In the past, if you hear anything about Zamfara, you realize that 200 people, 300 people are being killed. But right now, it’s not the case. There has been some spontaneous attack here and there, but not the way it used to be in the past. So we’re making progress.”
Speaking further on gains his administration has made with the formation of CPG, Governor Lawal continued, “Some weeks back, I went around all the local government in the states and I’ve seen the level of agricultural development this time around, which wasn’t the case in the past. So that is to show you that something is being done. And that is why people now have the ability to go to their farms and farm. That is ongoing.
“And of course, it’s a state that has been in this situation, like I said, for the past 13 years. So there will always be issues here and there, saying all sort of things. And remember also, some are just for negative reason, not for the positive aspects.
“Because some would rather see everything negative about security so that they can use that against you. But the reality is, we are making significant progress. If you have time, I will take you around the state for you to go and see. They say seeing is believing. So yes, we are making progress.”
The Zamfara State Governor noted that his political will to save the state from the hands of bandits was responsible for the gains recorded in addressing insecurity in the state.
“First of all, there is the political will on my own part as a governor. And I’ve taken security as one of the major, major issue, number one, under my administration, which was the reason why we formed the CPG.
“And also, we’re spending so much to make sure we have intelligence information in terms of movement of these people, which has been provided by the locals. And there’s so much community awareness now for people to be able to report any suspicious movement by these people. And it’s making things much easier than the way things used to be.
“So the political will is number one. And that is why we’re making this significant progress. Security is key to everything, without which there’ll be no meaningful development. That is the difference,” Governor Lawal noted.
Seun Anikulapo-Kuti, the Afrobeat musician, has berated President Bola Tinubu over his decision to remove fuel subsidy.
He said contrary to the President’s claim that the removal of fuel subsidy was a “tough” decision he made for the overall interest of the country, it was a “wicked decision” that undermined the welfare of Nigerians.
Kuti slammed the Presidency’s decision to buy a $150 million jet while the educational sector is underfunded. He argued that the money spent on acquiring a new jet for the President was enough to build and run 10 primary schools for 20 years.
Speaking during a recent Instagram Live session, the outraged singer asked, “Who donated for the $150 million jet for Tinubu? Who did they ask for donations?
“That $150 million do you know how many schools it will build? Or how long it will run a primary school? 10 good primary schools would be run on that money for at least 20 years. 10 good primary schools would be built and run, that will educate ten generations of African people,” Kuti added.
He continued: “The President cannot tell us that this petrol matter is not in his control. He is the President and Minister of Petroleum. They say they take tough decisions but there is no tough decision taken here. President Tinubu took a wicked decision, this whole subsidy and floating the dollar, there is nothing tough about it.”
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Akande explained that the establishment of the refinery introduces a conflict of interest. He pointed out that the NNPCL’s primary business involves importing refined petroleum—a highly lucrative segment and prone to corruption. “The main business of NNPCL is importing refined petroleum. Dangote’s refinery threatens this lucrative segment, which is why there’s so much drama and conflict between NNPC and Dangote Refinery,” Akande said.
He further criticized the ongoing dispute between NNPC and Dangote Refinery, attributing it to the disruption of entrenched interests benefiting from NNPC’s long-standing monopoly on refined petrol imports. “Dangote has challenged the entrenched interests that have benefited from NNPC’s sole importation of refined petrol for decades,” Akande added.
Akande also expressed surprise at the lack of decisive intervention from the Nigerian President. “I’m surprised that the President hasn’t addressed this issue more directly to restore confidence in the regulatory process,” he remarked, calling for presidential action to address the regulatory challenges and restore integrity to Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that the Nigerian government provided $20 million to support Angola’s fight for liberation. He made this known during the commemoration of Angola’s National Founder and Hero’s Day in Lagos, an event held on September 17, 2024.
The event, themed “Pan-Africanism in the Political Course by Agostinho Neto,” was organized by the Embassy of Angola in Nigeria to honour Angola’s first President, Agostinho Neto, who declared the country’s independence on November 11, 1975.
In his address, Obasanjo highlighted the critical role played by former Cuban President Fidel Castro in Angola’s liberation and praised his significant contributions. He emphasized Nigeria’s financial support to Angola during the struggle, stating, “The Nigerian government supported the Angolan government with $20 million in their fight for liberation.”
Obasanjo also called for stronger pan-African economic ties, stressing that Africa’s future depends on economic unity. “As far as Pan-Africanism is concerned, as long as we are economically weak, we are going nowhere, and we can’t do it alone,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for Africa to achieve economic liberation, building on the foundation laid by leaders like Neto. Obasanjo urged African nations to focus more on economic Pan-Africanism, noting that while political and cultural unity has made strides, economic emancipation is crucial for the continent’s growth.
Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria José Zau highlighted Neto’s significant impact on African brotherhood and praised Lagos for its historical connection to the late president. He recalled that the University of Lagos honoured Neto with a Doctor Honoris Causa in the 1970s during Obasanjo’s regime, cementing his place in African political history.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the strong bond between Nigeria and Angola. Represented by Olamide Adediro, he stated that Nigeria is committed to deepening the partnership with Angola, working together to overcome challenges and achieve Africa’s collective aspirations.
Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, has received the US Food and Drug Administration’s “breakthrough device” designation for the company’s experimental implant, Blindsight.
The device, called ‘Blindsight,’ is designed to restore vision in individuals with complete or partial blindness, including those with non-functional optic nerves.
“We have received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for Blindsight.
“Join us in our quest to bring back sight to those who have lost it. Apply to our Patient Registry and openings on our career page,” Neuralink wrote on its X page on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, the FDA awards its breakthrough designation to medical devices that treat or diagnose life-threatening conditions, expediting their development and review.
Musk also announced the update on his X social media platform, highlighting Blindsight’s potential to restore vision in even the most severe blindness cases.
“The Blindsight device from Neuralink will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see.
“Provided the visual cortex is intact, it will even enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time.
“To set expectations correctly, the vision will be at first be low resolution, like Atari graphics, but eventually it has the potential to be better than natural vision and enable you to see in infrared, ultraviolet or even radar wavelengths, like Geordi La Forge.” Musk wrote on X.com.
Neuralink, co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016, specialises in developing innovative brain-computer interfaces to transform treatments for neurological disorders.
Neuralink’s technology includes a brain implant that reads neural signals and wirelessly transmits them to external devices, including computers and mobile devices.
Business World reports that Neuralink is also developing an implant that enables paralyzed individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts.
Neuralink is also reported to be conducting a clinical trial with three participants to evaluate the device’s effectiveness in aiding individuals with spinal cord injuries.
It was widely reported in August 2024 that Neuralink’s brain-computer interface was successfully implanted in a second patient, who is now controlling video games and creating 3D designs using only their thoughts.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man named Tahiru Hamidu for allegedly engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a mentally unstable married woman (name withheld) in the Owode community, located in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent on Tuesday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect allegedly exploited the survivor’s condition to engage in non-consensual sexual intercourse on multiple occasions before he was apprehended by the men of the Owode Egba Division on September 12, 2024.
The suspect was also accused of threatening to murder the survivor’s brother-in-law, known only as Shofolahan, if he did not permit him to continue raping his brother’s wife.
On one occasion, Hamidu, a suspect from Northern Nigeria, was accused of luring the survivor to a cassava plantation, where he allegedly raped her multiple times before releasing her.
Odutola said, “The survivor is mentally incapacitated. The brother-in-law who reported the case claims that the suspect threatened to kill him to prevent him from stopping the crimes. The suspect is accused of repeatedly engaging in sexual acts with the survivor.
“The suspect is also accused of luring the survivor to a cassava plantation in the community, where he allegedly engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse with her repeatedly.
“He began threatening the brother-in-law, warning him to stop preventing him from having sexual intercourse with the survivor and demanding that he hand her over to him.”
Odutola added that the investigation into the crime was ongoing following the suspect’s arrest.
PUNCH Metro reported a similar incident in March 2024, where a 26-year-old man named Usman Bube was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape his pregnant neighbour’s wife at the Ogatalo Fulani Camp in the Imala area of the state.
The suspect allegedly broke into his neighbour’s apartment, where he found the pregnant woman sleeping, and attempted to commit the crime, knowing that her husband, Muhammed Awwalu, had travelled out of the community, leaving his wife alone in the apartment.
When the suspect’s repeated attempts to forcefully engage in unlawful sexual intercourse with the woman failed, he allegedly pulled out a knife and tried to silence and overpower her.
However, he was apprehended by other neighbours before he could succeed.