FEATURES
The service of songs and tribute night in honour of the former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, took place on Monday, February 19, at Jogor Centre, Ibadan of Oyo state.
This was revealed by the Chief Press Secretary to the late governor, Olatunde Richard, via his X handle on Monday, February 19.
According to Richard, dignitaries who attended the event include Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, and his wife; Fayemi's wife, Bisi; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Ondo State chapter, Ade Adetimehin; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly; some members of the state executive council, and former members of the State Executive appointed by the late Akeredolu, led by former Secretary to the State Government, Oladunni Odu among others.
A former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, in his tribute at the event described Akeredolu as the commander-in-chief in defending the defenceless people of the Southwest, Nigeria.
Other speakers at the event included a childhood friend of the late Governor for over 60 years, Dr Charles 'Diji Akinola; Sir Biyi Adesanya; former Special Adviser to the late Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye; a family friend, Mr Ayo Sotirin; a friend and professional colleague, Prof. Wole Akintayo; Head of Chambers, Olujimi & Akeredolu Legal, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal among others.
Late Akeredolu died on December 23, 203. He was 63 years old.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has stated that the Federal government inherited a bad economy and the rising prices of food and commodities from the Buhari-led administration.
He stated this on Tuesday at a conference in Abuja organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
Edun stated that the Tinubu government is aware of the sufferings of Nigerians and that measures have been put in place to alleviate their suffering.
The minister added that the government is doing its best to bring down the prices of food as well as the soaring inflation rate in the country.
Edun stated that some of the interventions include the release of forty-two thousand metric tons of grains and another sixty thousand metric tons are expected to be released soon.
It was learned that the event was to seek ways of managing the nation’s assets and resources for the overall well-being of the people.
The event was also graced by Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; and the Governor of Cross Rivers State, Bassey Otu.
Also at the event were World Bank representatives as well as members of the private sector and the diplomatic corps.
Foreign-based Nigerian comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, also known as Seyi Law, has vowed he will not abandon a government he helped come into power.
He also expressed optimism that the Nigerian economic situation will get better.
Recall that Seyi Law had been at the forefront of social media advocacy for the current government during the electioneering campaign in 2023.
Many Nigerians believe his social media activism helped bring President Tinubu into power.
The comedian who lives abroad, has, however, come under fire on social media following the worsening economic hardship, with many youths calling him out for supporting the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government.
However, reacting on his X handle, the comedian said, “I laugh not at your pains and I know there’s a lot of hardship right now. The fact that I supported a different candidate from you isn’t to spite you but out of my belief that my candidate will achieve a better Nigeria.”
”I can’t abandon the government that I voted for. I can only join them to bring relief to Nigerians.”
He claimed he was currently in Abuja talking with some government officials to bring hope to Nigerians,
“The cost of governance will reduce, minimum wage will increase, and food affordability will improve”, Seyi Law claimed.
Veteran singer, Eedris Abdulkareem has said 21 years after he released his controversial song, ‘Jaga Jaga’ which satirised the poor living condition in Nigeria, the country is still in ruins.
He lamented that things are getting worse, stressing that the exchange rate of the Dollar is going to N2,000.
He bemoaned the hardship in the country while featuring as guest in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast co-hosted by actor Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu, Deity Cole, and Husband Material.
Abdulkareem said, “Nigeria still Jaga Jaga 21 years later. Hunger everywhere, people are dying. How will people survive when Dollar is N1600? Goodluck Jonathan left it N198. [Muhammadu] Buhari took it to N300, [Bola] Tinubu skyrocketed it to N1600.
“Dollar is going to N2000. So how do you want common people to survive in this country? Even the Yorubas they were shouting ‘Emilokan’, they are the ones dying of hunger now.”
Video:
Media
“Nigeria still Jaga Jaga 21 years later. Dollar is going to 2000 Naira”
— ???? @???????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@OneJoblessBoy) February 19, 2024
- Eedris Abdulkareem pic.twitter.com/fRlFh2UDLm
A video captures a friendly exchange between media personality, Nedu and business mogul, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu alias Cubana Chief Priest.
In the video, Cubana Chief Priest is seen holding a tortoise while Nedu knelt in front of him.
Cubana Chief Priest could be heard asking Nedu if he could live in the same house with the deity (what he described as Odejimjim) and Nedu who was overly eager to do anything to make money replied with a resounding yes.
After several verbal exchanges, Cubana Chief Priest asked Nedu to entertain Odejimjim, by dancing for the tortoise
Nedu went on to twerk for the acclaimed deity, and at a point tried to pull off his trousers to show his loyalty which left Cubana Chief Priest amused.
Sharing the video, Nedu wrote:
“I can live with it ooo….”
Reacting to the clip, netizens left suggestive comments as they envisaged more to the skit.
One official_vycon wrote: “Like play like play, men dey share secrets say na skit.”
gbengaadeyinka1stgcon wrote: “I go marry odejimjim sef but na if he no vomit the money him go know say tortoise peppersoup Dey sweet me to chop.”
louisalimi wrote: “You might just think it’s all cruise look deeply.”
uefa_elshaddai wrote: “????????????????????, now tell me how tinubu go believe say we de suffer for this country.”
nonsii07 wrote: “No bejoke be this oooo….. If you know you know.”
hassanmessi40 wrote: “I have been thinking how this man makes his Money ????????.”
Watch the video below:
Media
Nigerian music icon Eedris Abdulkareem explains how he set the pace for the success of current Nigerian superstars Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and others.
The veteran Nigerian singer discussed his impact on the music industry and emphasized the importance of recognizing his contributions to the growth of Nigerian artistes.
Eedris Abdulkareem claims to have led the movement that resulted in the global recognition that Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and other Nigerian artists enjoy today.
He claimed that his protest against the mistreatment of Nigerian artistes by show promoters in 2004, when he clashed with American rapper 50Cent and his G-Unit bandmates in Nigeria, is the reason Nigerian artistes are now appreciated around the world.
In the most recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, Eedris abdulkareem admitted that his rebellion had an impact on his career, but also stated that it was a beautiful sacrifice that brought the existence of Nigerian artistes Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
He said:
“You heard someone like Burna Boy said nobody helped him in Nigeria. Would you have been a star without some people starting the revolution? That is a stupid talk. You wouldn’t have been where you are if we didn’t make this industry what it is; if we didn’t fight for it. Unfortunately, most of them don’t appreciate it. And I don’t give a dime.
“It [fighting for Nigerian music industry] affected my career but it was a beautiful sacrifice that gave birth to Davido, Boy, Wizkid, and everybody today. For me, what’s more important is that I have done what God asked me to do and our music is now allover the world. I have opened the road for them. It’s their responsibility to appreciate the fight. And if them don’t, I don’t give a dime.”
Nigerian movie actresses, Bimbo Oshin and Mercy Aigbe have lamented the economic hardship in Nigeria, saying that it is unbelievable.
52-year-old Bimbo Oshin on her part, cried out in an Instagram post on Monday in which she stated that Nigerians are suffering.
Bimbo Oshin wrote:
“An (sic) hungry man is an angry man. The economic hardship is unbelievable. There is a limit to human endurance. We are suffering. Ilu ke koko ko easy rara.”
Her colleague, Mercy Aigbe in her own post appealed to Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to beg his father to do something about the present situation of the country.
The filmmaker made the appeal in an Instagram post with disturbing footage of a group of people collecting what seem to be food items from an NGO foundation.
Reacting to the video, the 46-year-old described the present situation of the country as “Terrible”and “Unbearable, calling on the government to do something.
Mercy Aigbe also asked the president’s son Seyi to beg his father on behalf of Nigerians. She wrote:
“People are hungry! People are dying! People are going out of their minds!
“The present situation of the country is TERRIBLE! The government should please, please we are begging, they should do something about this economic hardship!
“IT’S UNBEARABLE @officialasiwajubat @seytinubu please beg your father for us! O to ge!!!!”
This comes hours after Seyi Tinubu urged Nigerians to trust his father to turn Nigeria’s fortune around.
Amid the president’s son’s call, protests have started building up in different parts of the country over the state of the economy.
On Monday, young people in Ibadan made their grievances known through a protest. Earlier this month, there was a similar protest in Minna, Niger State.
Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy has opened up on his current stance on marriage, revealing the reason he is yet to tie the knot or start a family.
The Grammy-winning artist sheds light on the reason behind his decision to delay marriage.
In a circulating video, Burna Boy explained that the primary factor contributing to his unmarried status is the fact that he has not yet found the right partner.
The artist expressed his willingness to settle down but emphasized that he is waiting for divine guidance in choosing a life partner.
“If God says make I marry, I will marry. Na God dey do all, me I just dey follow. I don’t hate nobody, I just don’t like it when they use lies and agendas,” Burna Boy said in the video
See below;
Media
Tinubu Has No Solutions To Nigeria’s Problems — Bugaje Says Sycophants Around Are Not Telling Him Truth
AdminA political activist Usman Bugaje claims President Bola Tinubu is incapable of addressing the numerous challenges facing the country.
Since the fuel subsidy payment was stopped and the naira floated, Nigerians have been experiencing biting economic issues with inflation hitting 29.90 percent, sparking protests in some parts of the country.
Although the government has rolled out several plans to address the challenges, Bugaje maintains Tinubu has no solution to Nigeria’s issues.
”Today, it is everybody’s knowledge that Bola Tinubu has no solutions to the problems of this country….his government has failed to address the most essential issues,” Bugaje, a former member of the House of Reps, said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.
He blamed the Tinubu government for ending the subsidy regime without plans to cushion its impacts.
“We had expected that when the new government took over, we were expecting that he would surround himself with expertise. We were expecting that for him to have announced the removal of the fuel subsidy, he must have had a plan – something that would address the consequences of that,” the political activist said.
“You don’t make a policy without looking at the consequences and preparing to cushion the effect of that. But apparently, he did that without preparation.”
Bugaje blamed Tinubu’s advisers for not telling the president the truth about the state of the country.
“I can see a lot of sycophancy around him (Tinubu). People are not engaging him. They are not telling him the truth and he seems to be very comfortable with the kind of people he has around him who don’t seem to have any ideas in their heads,” he noted.
“They don’t seem to have any solutions to the problems that we have and they are always trying to find excuses.”
Former Minister Solomon Dalung has criticised the Tinubu-led government for consistently attributing Nigeria’s economic challenges to ex-President, Muhammad Buhari.
In a series of posts on his X account on Monday, Dalung argued that if Tinubu’s administration devoted the same resources and effort used during elections and tribunals to tackle security and economic issues, significant improvements could be achieved.
He emphasised that simply blaming Buhari for economic woes wouldn’t alleviate the hardships faced by the people.
Dalung expressed disdain for attempts to shift blame to Buhari and others within his government, stating that it was hypocritical. He questioned whether bulk trading was the only solution proposed by the economic team, highlighting the urgency of addressing hunger and the high cost of living.
Dalung also criticised the reckless economic policies implemented by Tinubu’s government, such as subsidy withdrawal without adequate measures, currency devaluation without stimulating production, and high governance costs. He argued that blaming Buhari for these issues was unjustified.
Acknowledging Buhari’s failure to fulfill the “change” promise, Dalung maintained that the responsibility for Nigeria’s economic woes lies with Tinubu’s government due to its reckless policies. He called for accountability and urged Tinubu’s administration to take responsibility for its actions rather than deflecting blame onto others like Buhari.
He said, “The attempt to change narratives of #officialABAT from “don’t pity me, I look for the job and got it” to blaming Buhari by #BwalaDaniel #aonanuga1956 & Co travellers is uncharitable hypocrisy, #officialABAT knew all these problems, yet “he snatched power and run away with it
“Blaming #MBuhari for economic woes cannot address the economic situation confronting the people? Can bulk trading be the only solution for #officialABAT & his economic team? The pregnant situation deserves urgent prescriptions. Hunger & high cost of living is at unbearable level..
“An empty stomach does not listen to the voice of the gospel, the echoes of concerns especially traditional rulers cannot be ignored. I lean my voice to it, #officialABAT hunger is a recipe for disaster, can you sit back at home and engage broadly if your wisdom cannot provide solutions?
“If #officialABAT deploys the same energy, knowledge, tactics & money during elections & tribunal to deal with Nigeria’s security & economic challenges, things will change. Why has the steam suddenly changed to blaming Daura? You have snatched power, oya perform your Lagos miracles.
“All mercenaries hired for a paradigm shift for blame game failed to explain the reckless economic policies of subsidy withdrawal without shock absorber mechanisms, floating the Naira without stimulating production, corruption & high governance cost. Is #MBuhari also responsible?
“All those appealing for sacrifice are dishonest, what else are the people expected to sacrifice — their lives? All imperatives of survival have been snatched by #officialABAT IMF-induced economic policies. Yet the body language of the #officialABAT government is that of Owambe. Shame.
“Nigerians cannot sacrifice under rudderless leadership. Has the #officialABAT government accounted for proceeds of subsidy withdrawal since May 29th 2023? what moral high grounds are they blaming #MBuhari who left fx at #700 pd, rice #35,00 PB, cement #3000 PB, all these have tripled.
“There’s no regret whatsoever we thought of changing the social order”. The failure of #MBuhari to deliver “change” is inexcusable however, it is not responsible for the self-inflicted economic woes caused by #officialABAT reckless economic policies without a human face.
“We take full responsibility for the failures of the #MBuhari government to deliver on the change mandate. #MBuhari should be excused from the economic woes induced by a deficiency of ideas. This bulk pushing is mercenary tactics of distracting attention from taking responsibilities.”
More...
Nigerian Naira is currently trading at over 2,000 Naira against the British pound in the parallel market, New Telegraph reports.
Malam Ibrahim, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator in Wuse Zone 4, confirmed the price of the local currency to our correspondent On Monday, February 19
According to the news report, the new rate is higher than the N1,930 reported on Saturday and is currently the lowest point in the naira’s historical performance.
In the parallel FX market, where the naira is unofficially trading at N1,673 from N1,670/$ on Friday, the naira also lost value in relation to the dollar.
Confirming the development, Ibrahim said, “Yes it is true, we are currently selling above N2,000 for the pounds and it is still about the heavy and consistent demand for these currencies.”
Suspected kidnappers have abducted the corpse of late Ugwuanyi Israel from Ameze Owerre, Umabor community in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State.
The deceased’s corpse was being conveyed from Lagos to Nsukka for funeral arrangements when the abduction occurred.
The incident happened along 9th Mile Road in the Umuoka community in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The gunmen not only took Ugwuanyi’s body but also abducted all family members accompanying it.
The family members, who were transporting Ugwuanyi’s body back home, fell victim to the kidnappers’ ambush.
According to a family source: “His corpse was on its way from Lagos yesterday (Sunday) when the vehicle conveying his body was halted by kidnappers and people in the vehicle alongside the driver were all kidnapped at Umuoka Udi LGA of Enugu State.”
Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers had since established contact with the family and demanded a N50 million ransom.
The source said: “They called Monday morning to inform us to look for N50 million.
“Our fear is that the corpse will decompose before they release them. We don’t know what to do because our community people in Lagos spent so much money on the sickness of Israel”.
She called on the security agencies and the state government to come to the aid of the people to save those in captivity.
The Police are yet to comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
The Federal Government has begun setting up the E-Gates facility at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport located in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, announced the start of the project through his official X account following his inspection tour of the installation work currently underway at the international airport in Abuja on Monday.
- “Today, I took a tour of ongoing projects, first the E-Gates facility currently being installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” the minister’s post on X read in part.
The minister also mentioned that the E-gates facility will be implemented at all five international airports within the nation, which will, upon its completion, minimize human interaction at these airports.
Moreover, alongside his visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to oversee the E-gates project, Tunji-Ojo indicated that he evaluated the implementation of the E-border data and control center at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters, targeting an enhancement of national security.
Backstory
- Nairametrics earlier reported that in a November 2023 interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo stated that e-gates would be implemented across all international airports in Nigeria by February 2024.
- “Once you’re Nigerian and you’re coming to Nigeria, you will have no business seeing an immigration officer, except if you’re a person of interest,” Tunji-Ojo he had stated.
- Furthermore, Nairametrics disclosed in December 2023 that Caroline Adepoju, the acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), announced plans for the Service to enhance border security and manage migration more effectively nationwide by introducing electronic gates (e-gates) and additional logistics at airports and various entry points.
- Adepoju stated that these electronic gates (E-gates) are set to be installed at certain airports to facilitate the entry and exit of passengers traveling to and from the country.
[Nairametrics]
Abag of cement cannot be sold below N7,000 due to the increasing cost of production, manufacturers said yesterday.
They said the rise in operating costs was responsible for the price hike.
The producers have agreed to reduce the price per 50kg bag from between N9,000 to N15,000 to between N7,000 and N8,000 depending on the location nationwide.
Representatives of Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc made the commitment after a meeting with Minister of Works, David Umahi, which was attended by his Industry, Trade and Investment counterpart, Doris Uzoka-Anite in Abuja.
Umahi called the meeting following the skyrocketing price of cement.
The manufacturers blamed the high cost of gas, import duties, bad road network, smuggling and the prevailing foreign exchange rate for the hike.
Executive Director of BUA, Kabir Rabiu, said the manufacturers would abide by the agreement.
He said: “Our cost component of energy went from 39 per cent to 60 per cent.
“The price of gas last year was N415, then it went to N715.
“Today, we are paying over N1,500. All these issues were discussed and we gave our commitment.
“When our six million tonnes of cement is supplied to the market in a few weeks, definitely we will see a sharp drop in prices when that volume hits the market.”
He said the huge disparity between demand and supply also played a major role in the price increase.
According to him, some manufacturing plants could not produce for some reason, which led to a reduction in production.
“Being the highest period of cement demand in the country, the tendency that demand will outstrip supply will push the price up,” he said.
He also said cross-border smuggling contributes to the scarcity of the commodity.
According to him, a bag of cement costs far more in Cameroun, which makes it attractive to move the product there illegally.
A communique issued after the meeting, read by Umahi, states: “We discussed extensively the current prices of Cement viz a viz the challenges of the manufacturers.
“The manufacturers talked about their challenges ranging from the high cost of gas, import duties, bad road network and of course the high rate of FX against the naira.
“We also talked about the smuggling of cement across the borders.
“The government noted the challenges and we agreed that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment will seek some remedies from the President on the high cost of gas, issue of import duties and fixing of the roads, especially within the distribution corridors.
“On the issue of smuggling, the Trade Minister will brief the National Security Adviser (NSA) on smuggling the commodity across the borders.
“The government and the manufacturers noted that depending on the location, ideally, the price should not be more than N7,000 and N8,000 per 50 kg bag of cement.
“Therefore, the manufacturers – BUA Cement Plc, Dangote Cement Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc have agreed to sell their cement at between N7,000 and N8,000 per 50kg depending on the location.
“The Federal government and cement manufacturers will set up a price monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance.
“The manufacturers have accepted to sanction, on their own, any of their distributors or retailers found wanting.
“The government expects the agreed price to drop after securing government’s interventions on the challenges of the manufacturers on gas, import duty, smuggling, and better road network.
“It was also agreed that the government will encourage the emergence of at least six cement manufacturers to augment the three existing companies.
“We also agreed to reconvene in 30 days to review progress.”
Uzoka-Anite said the government was working hard to ensure that the prices of all commodities were reduced.
[TheNation]