FEATURES
In a heartfelt video, Joseph Aloba, father to the late singer Mohbad, was seen overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face while listening and vibing to one of his yet-to-be-released songs.
Just recently, specifically on Monday, Mohbad’s mother, Abosede, made shocking allegations against Aloba, claiming that he is not the biological father of the late singer.
She accused Aloba of being a “thief” who is only interested in capitalizing on Mohbad’s death for financial gain.
Abosede also issued a three-day ultimatum for Aloba to undergo a DNA test to determine if he is Mohbad’s father.
In the wake of Abosede’s claim going viral, Aloba was captured in a new video, singing one of his unreleased tracks, visibly tearing up at intervals as he grappled with the situation.
In the song, Aloba questions why people delight in spreading rumors about him. Singing in the Yoruba language, he expresses bewilderment, wondering what he has done to deserve the “hate and criticism” directed towards him.
Aloba laments that he is now uncertain about who truly supports him, feeling a sense of betrayal where he cannot distinguish between his family and his enemies.
Mohbad, ex-Marlian record signee, died under mysterious circumstances on September 12. He was buried the following day.
On September 21, the body of the 27-year-old music star was exhumed by the police for autopsy.
Due to the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, his family has been in the public eye.
Issues concerning the paternity of Liam, Mohbad’s son with Omowunmi, have also been the subject of discussion.
Last month, Aloba accused Omowunmi of threatening to kill him.
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The Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, comprising Lagos Archdiocese, Ijebu Ode, and Abeokuta Dioceses, have rejected Pope Francis’s approval of same-sex marriage.
They insisted that they would not bless same-sex marriage.
The bishops’ position was contained in a Thursday’s communiqué issued after their January 26 plenary meeting in Lagos.
Speaking through the communique, signed by their chairman and secretary, Archbishop of Lagos and Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Most Rev Alfred Martins, and Most Rev Francis Adesina, respectively, the bishops declared: “No to blessing of same-sex unions.”
They noted that they were in total agreement with the position of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and that of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar concerning the blessing of homosexual unions or same-sex couples.”
“We affirm that the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage as the union of a man and a woman in a stable and exclusive relationship, open to bearing children, remains the same. We also affirm the Church’s teaching on human sexuality and urge the faithful to be guided by it,” they said.
Naija News reports that the Vatican had earlier in 2021 decreed that the Catholic Church would not bless gay marriages because God “cannot bless sin”.
However, in 2023, Francis hinted that he would be open to having the Catholic Church bless same-sex unions.
The Nigerian Army special forces sent by the Chief of Army Staff to Ekiti State has apprehended one of the suspected kidnappers terrorising the Ikere/Igbara Odo axis of the state.
The suspect, who gave his name as Sanusi Dangani from Kano state, was arrested less than twelve hours after the special forces arrived in the state.
He was paraded before newsmen at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen on the development, the Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Security Matters, retired Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, said the Force swung into action after receiving an intelligence report.
He, however, explained that five other suspects fled during the gun battle and are being pursued by the Nigerian Army.
Ogundana vowed that the Force would not tolerate any criminal activity in the state.
The suspect was found with various weapons and items, including a dane gun, a double barrel pistol, lighters, torches, bottles of alcoholic drinks, phones, a cutlass, and a knife.
Below are pictures of the suspect,
A suspected female kidnapper, Janet Igohia, married to a notorious criminal who is the second-in-command to the late Hana Terwase, has been arrested in Taraba State.
Naija News learnt that the troops from 93 Battalion under 6 Bridget of the Nigerian Army arrested the 31-year-old suspect while trying to pick ransom for an abducted victim in Taraba.
The army spokesperson, Lieutenant Oni Olubodunde, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that the female kidnapper was arrested after picking up the sum of N1.5million, being ransom payment for an abducted victim in Chanchangi area in Takum LGA of the state.
He said, “She is currently married to the leader of a violent extremist group in southern Taraba. According to her, she had previously been married to high profile criminals such as late Terkibi Gemaga aka Mopol, a notorious kidnapper who was killed by troops five years ago.
“She revealed that she also got married to late Gana Terwase, another notorious criminal who was killed during a joint special force operation three years ago.”
The spokesperson also disclosed that the troops apprehended a notorious gunrunner, Joshua Dutse Idah, dealing in arms and ammunition and supplying them to criminals within Taraba State and other parts of the country.
He said the troops working on credible intelligence on the activities of the arms dealer arrested the 45-year-old suspect.
He further explained that the troops had trailed the suspect, leading to his arrest in Ibbi town of Ibbi Local Government Area of the state while driving to Kaduna State in a blue Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number Rivers SKN-390AA.
Lt. Olubodunde added that on interrogation, Dutse confessed he was going to Katsina State to bring AK-47 rifles for which he received part payment of N300,000.
He said, “After a thorough search on the vehicle, troops recovered 1 PK machine gun, 399 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and 3 AK-47 rifle magazines.”
Two students of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, have died after reportedly inhaling fumes from a generator.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya confirmed this in a telephone interview with DAILY POST on Thursday evening.
Aya disclosed that the victims were identified as Bilikisu Tijani Eleojo, 20 years old, and Ibrahim Haliru.
According to him, a generating set was close to the window of the deceased victims, before they slept off.
The lifeless bodies of the duo were reportedly recovered in the room by neighbours in the early hours of the day.
“There were three students from Kogi Polytechnic inside the room. One Bilikisu Tijani Eleojo, 20 years old, Ibrahim Haliru and Mercy Ojochegbe.
“When they slept inside their room, a generator was switched on close to the window of their apartment.
“They all slept off and inhaled carbon monoxide as a result of the generator set that was on.
“Bilikisu Tijani Eleojo and Ibrahim Haliru were already dead when neighbors discovered the sad incident in the morning, while Mercy Ojochegbe who was still breathing was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“The incident was reported at the B division of the Nigeria Police Force, Lokoja and investigation is ongoing,” he stated.
He admonished residents to always be safety conscious to avert carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes.
He said, “People should be very careful once they are using a generator set in their homes.
“They should give it a distance and also it should not be closer to the window where they are living.
“Some may say because of the fear that people will come and steal the generator, they won’t apply these safety precautions. It is wrong.
“It is when someone is alive that he or she would be able to accomplish things in this world. Safety should always be our watchword.”
A former attorney general of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has disclosed that a Kaduna-based businessman, Mahdi Shehu, was arrested while attempting to extort money from him.
Mr Shehu’s lawyer, M.I. Abubakar, on Wednesday had accused the Nigeria police of arresting the controversial activist over his recent call for the prosecution of Mr Malami and other top officials of the immediate-past administration.
He said his client was arrested by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit, ostensibly on a petition written by the former minister.
But a statement issued by Mr Malami’s law firm, A.A. Malami SAN and Co, and signed by M.E. Sheriff, said the controversial activist was arrested in a hotel while demanding the sum of $500,000.
While dismissing the activist’s claims, Mr Sheriff said the suspect was arrested on allegations of extortion, criminal intimidation, and attempt to obtain money by false pretence against a syndicate using GSM Numbers and email addresses.
“Our attention has been drawn to the above press statement that was made on February 7, 2024, as well as that of 13th January 2021, and we, as solicitors to Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN and his family, noted with grave concern that the press statement is totally not correct, misleading, malicious, and a grossly misrepresentation of the facts leading to the arrest.
“Therefore, we write to set the record straight for the benefit of the public.
“Without prejudice to the police investigation that is ongoing, the true facts relate to the complaint/petition which we wrote to the Inspector General of Police on allegations bothering on extortion, criminal intimidation, and an attempt to obtain money by false pretence against a syndicate using GSM numbers and email addresses.
“This led to the ongoing investigation into the complaint by the police.
“In the course of the investigation, the police monitored the sustained communications between our clients and the syndicate, wherein the syndicate disclosed and gave Room Number 9, Summerset Continental Hotel, situated at No. 73 Usuma Street, Maitama, Abuja, as a place where our client would meet the syndicate’s agent for their own payments.
“On reaching the hotel and the room number, Mahdi Shehu was found therein at the scene with copies of documents that were used and sent to our client by the syndicate.
“Some of the documents which the police retrieved from Mahdi Shehu specifically lend credence to yet another petition of our client that bothers on hacking and financial improprieties affecting Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Malami.
“On account of the compromise of our client’s emails, sensitive information was unlawfully extracted from an email account, and the sum of over N19,000,000.00 (Nineteen Million Naira) was unlawfully taken out of our client’s account by the syndicate, which turns out to be a syndicate of which Mahdi was coordinating via a group chat which he joined through the following phone numbers, viz: +2348033316644 and +2348096626226.
“He came over to the said provided address to collect $500,000 (Five Hundred thousand US Dollar) at the instance of the syndicate.”
While appealing to Nigerians to encourage the police to conduct its investigation, Mr Malami said all the documents recovered thus far are with the police for anyone who cares to verify them.
Four women and two men were docked in a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly attacking, assaulting and blackmailing the popular Nollywood actress, Lizzy Anjorin-Lawal.
According to the Nigeria Police, the accused committed the offences on February 25, 2024 at about 1:30pm.
Qudus Jokogbola, Siri Olawale, Edu Shakirat, Fausat Mohammed, Kafayat Ahmed and Opere Morenike were charged with conspiracy, breach of peace and causing bodily harm.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Samuel Ishola, told the court that the six defendants and two others at large committed the alleged offences at Oba Akintoye Market, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
Counsel to the defendants, S. Ade Oshodi and Ademola Olabiyi, announced their appearance for the defendants and nominal complainant’s lawyer respectively.
Prosecutor Ishola informed the court that the defendants and two others at large conspired among themselves and forcefully pushed and dragged the complainant, Anjorin-Lawal, causing her bodily injuries.
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendants’ actions caused a breach of public peace.
He told the court that the offences committed by the defendants contravened sections 168(d), 170(b) 411 and 413(2) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 413(2) stipulates a two-year jail term for anyone found guilty of causing injury to a person or reputation of any person, or to depreciate the value of any person or property.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their not guilty plea, Oshodi, who led six other lawyers, informed the court that all his clients were market men and women.
He therefore urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
Responding to the lawyer’s request, the prosecutor said granting of bail is at court’s discretion, but that they should be admitted to bail in terms and conditions that will ensure they come for their trial.
Magistrate A. A. Paul in his ruling admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N200 000, with one surety in like sum
The Magistrate also ordered that the sureties must be residents of Lagos State with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government among others.
Paul ordered that the defendants should be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services until they perfect their bail terms.
The case has been adjourned until March 11, 2034 for mention.
TotalEnergies has stated plans to offload its minority stake in a significant Nigerian onshore oil joint venture, a move following Shell’s recent divestment.
The CEO Patrick Pouyanne stated this during a presentation of the company’s financial results.
According to the CEO, the company is looking to restructure its portfolio since producing oil in the Niger Delta has become difficult.
He stated,
- “We want to divest our share of SPDC, and we are looking to reshape the portfolio,”
- “Fundamentally it’s because producing this oil in the Niger Delta is not in line with our [Health, Security, and Environmental] policies, it’s a real difficulty.”
Retention of gas assets
Pouyanne further stated that the company intends to retain its Nigerian gas assets, considering them essential for the company’s future expansion in liquefied natural gas development over the upcoming years.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), in which TotalEnergies holds a 10% interest, has struggled with numerous onshore oil spills stemming from theft, sabotage, and operational challenges, resulting in expensive repairs and notable legal battles over the years.
What you should know
- TotalEnergies joins the train of International Oil Companies (IOCs) seeking to divest from Nigeria’s onshore sector following decades of operations. Despite this move, the French conglomerate continues to be a significant player in the country’s offshore fields.
- Earlier in the week, the company announced the start of operations at the 14000 bpd Akpo West oilfield situated 135 kilometers off the coast.
- The Nigerian onshore oil industry has in recent times witnessed the exit of major international oil companies giving way to local players to operate in the space.
- Last month, Shell disclosed its agreement to sell its 30% stake in SPDC to a consortium composed mostly of local companies for a sum of up to $2.4 billion.
- Also, other international oil companies like ExxonMobil and Norway’s Equino have all sold assets in Nigeria in recent years to focus on newer, more profitable operations elsewhere.
[Nairametrics]
“There is hunger and dollar is high” – Portable slams Nigerians for celebrating Super Eagles victory
AdminNigerian Street singer portable questions the appropriateness of celebrating super eagle’s win amidst the prevailing challenges that the country is facing
He argues that the jubilations that follows Nigeria’s super eagle’s victory against South Africa seems insensitive and disconnected from the reality of the nation’s hardships.
Within Nigeria recalls that last night, the Super Eagles defeated South Africa in the semi-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
After the thrilling victory, Portable took aim at Nigerians for their attention being drawn away from the country’s problems and toward sport.
He pointed out that even while we are enjoying the Super Eagles, the nation is experiencing hunger, poor roads, a bad environment, rising costs of living, and more.
He highlighted that the energy expended on football should be used to alleviate hunger and hardship in the country.
In his words:
“How many of you have eaten to your satisfaction? Dollar don high, situation no good, road no good, we have bad road and bad environment. Hungry wan kill us, so what is making you happy? You are shouting ‘Up Nigeria ‘, wetin go up in Nigeria? So make the economy dey rise dey go? Make hungry dey rise. What is making you happy? Is it the cup you want to eat?
The energy you guys are using to do Up Super Eagles, why can’t you use it to chase hunger away? Don’t worry o, go carry your last card watch football.
The energy you guys use to come out for football, use it to come out for government, fire them, drag them. Na so una promote Grammy, we didn’t win, now we are promoting football, May God allow us win it. Come out and block the roads, and stop sapa”.
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"we have bad roads, bad environment, bad governance, but Una dey do up Nigeria" ????.
— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) February 8, 2024
Portable believes that the Super Eagle's success in the #AFCON2023 so far is not enough reason for Nigerians to be happy pic.twitter.com/yh1R21nFwA
Renowned and highly-respected Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, celebrated another year of life on February 7th, 2024, and she did so in the epitome of elegance and sophistication.
The thespian curated a private 46th birthday affair, gathering a select few close colleagues, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate in intimate splendor.
Comedian Warri Pikin, among the illustrious guests invited to the birthday bash, couldn’t contain her excitement as he spilled all the juicy details and vibrant scenes from the epic party in a thrilling video narration, via her social media pages.
The clip vividly captured moment Warri Pikin, actress Osas Ighodaro, and others arrive at Omotola Jalade’s residence. They dished out lively greetings outside before diving into the heart of the party to revel in the festivities.
Prior to Omotola Jalade’s appearance to extend her welcome, Bolanle Ninalowo was already seated beside Warri Pikin, Osas, and others. Warri Pikin shared how Ninalowo’s acknowledgment of her as an inspirational figure stirred intense emotions within her.
The birthday celebrant arrived in grand style, setting the stage for a lively celebration. Omotola graciously greeted everyone, singling out Ruth Kadiri for special praise as she joined the festivities. With her pastor’s blessings ushering in her new chapter, they all joined in exuberant praise and worship.
Group selfies were snapped as Jalade ceremoniously sliced into her birthday cake. The celebrant and guests gleefully danced the night away, caught up in the infectious joy of the birthday bash.
The video wrapped up with Warri Pikin orchestrating a heartwarming moment by connecting her gospel singer pal, Moses Bliss, with Omotola, a beloved figure whom the actress deeply admires, to personally convey his birthday wishes
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The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended three individuals in connection with suspected currency racketeering.
The EFCC established a Special Task Force across its Zonal Commands to combat the challenges posed by the dollarisation of the economy.
In a Wednesday statement, the anti-graft agency revealed it had summoned proprietors of private universities and other higher learning institutions in Nigeria that charge fees in dollars.
The Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, clarified that the task force aims to enforce existing laws against currency mutilation and the dollarisation of the economy, as stated by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede during the inauguration of the task force in Abuja.
According to the statement, the EFCC has already arrested some persons allegedly engaging in issuing invoices in dollars and mutilating the Naira in Lagos and Port Harcourt, although no number was mentioned.
Oyewale, in a statement on Wednesday, said some persons were arrested in connection with suspected currency racketeering.
He said the suspects – Musa Gideon, Abdul Seidu Adamu and Justine Musa – were arrested along Yakubu Gowon Way, Kaduna on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, “while trying to sell new naira notes to an EFCC’s undercover operative”.
He said, “The operative, a member of the Special Task Force set up for the enforcement of extant laws against currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, functioned in a sting operation carried out by the Team.
“The operation yielded the arrest of the three suspects selling new and old naira notes to the tune of N1,307,400 (One Million Three Hundred and Seven Thousand, Four Hundred Naira) and many Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards.
“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
The Deputy Bursar of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malate, Ayuba Abdullahi, has been confirmed dead.
According to reports, the university official died on Wednesday night after watching the semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the ongoing AFCON tournament.
Abdullahi was said to have watched the match at a viewing center in the Sango area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital but then complained of feeling dizzy just as the game headed for penalty kicks after the 1-1 regulation time draw and extra time.
Ayuba Abdullahi
One of the sources quoted by Punch on the development said, “The Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a penalty kick.
“He complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died.
“He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.”
The KWASU Director of Information, Dr Saedat Aliyu, confirmed Abdullahi’s death but added that the institution was yet to confirm the cause of his death.
“Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus” she said
Also, a statement by the university said, “This is to announce the death of Mr. Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi of the Bursary Department.
“Janazah will be held this morning, and his remains will be interred at the Hausa Muslim cemetery, Apata Yakuba, Oyun area, Ilorin, at 9 am.”
Abductors Of Abuja Teenage Sisters Reduce Ransom From N30Million To N5Million As Parents Beg FG For Help
AdminThe sisters, aged 14 and 16, have spent 12 days in captivity. They were forcibly taken away from their home by unknown gunmen at about 1 am on January 28, 2024.
The abductors of two teenage sisters who were kidnapped by bandits at Guita community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have reduced the ransom demanded for the victims from N30 million to N5 million.
The father of the victims, Adeola Sunday, disclosed this to SaharaReporters during an interview in Abuja.
The sisters, aged 14 and 16, have spent 12 days in captivity. They were forcibly taken away from their home by unknown gunmen at about 1 am on January 28, 2024.
The kidnappers initially seized three people including their brother but later released the boy to return home to arrange for the ransom.
Adeola said the kidnappers agreed to collect the sum of N5 million in exchange for her daughters during the last telephone conversation he had with them.
He said they also threatened him and insisted that they would not accept anything less than N5 million as ransom.
Adeola said, “Since the incident happened on Sunday, January 28, I have been discussing with them. They initially demanded a ransom of N30 million. I have been appealing to them that I am not a rich man, I am a poor person. I am a civil servant, a messenger in the office and I don't have that N30 million.
"The final one they said was N5 million. They said they would not remove ‘shishi’ (anything) from that N5 million. They even mentioned it - ‘shishi’. They said that anything less than that, they would only release one of my daughters to me and go away with the second one.
"The Commissioner of Police was even in my house on Thursday.”
Adeola, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu’s government and Nigerians to come to his aid to secure the release of his daughters.
The community was thrown into confusion on January 28, 2024, when six gunmen kidnapped the girls and took them to the forest and the hilly part of the area.
The community last week staged a protest at the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the bad state of the roads in their area, which they identified as one of the factors responsible for insecurity in the area.
They also called on the minister to construct an overhead bridge on the railway track in the area, saying it had become a death trap for the residents
The Renewed Hope Vanguard in the petition signed by the coordinator, Mr. Dickson Ojema, said the CBN boss, Cardoso, had misled the government to “endorse very unrealistic and unattainable policies especially the floating of forex.”
Some Nigerians in diaspora under the Renewed Hope Vanguard based in the United Kingdom have condemned the hardship in the country and petitioned President Bola Tinubu to remove the Central Bank governor, Yemi Cardoso over the foreign exchange crisis.
The UK group in a release sent to SaharaReporters on Wednesday noted that it was embarrassing for the Nigerian government that the naira continued to fall against other currencies especially the dollar, worsening the plight of Nigerians.
The group said it had slated a protest for Nigerians living in the UK on Wednesday, “the 14th of February 2024 to press forward with their demands and submit a letter to the UK Parliament, seeking their intervention to save Nigeria from hunger, starvation and hardship.”
The Renewed Hope Vanguard in the petition signed by the coordinator, Mr. Dickson Ojema, said the CBN boss, Cardoso, had misled the government to “endorse very unrealistic and unattainable policies especially the floating of forex.”
The group said, “As concerned Nigerians in the diaspora, we are saddened by the worsening economic situation in our dear country and the excruciating pain Nigerians have been enduring due to the unpopular, kindergarten and infantile financial policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Yemi Michael Cardoso.
'It is embarrassing that the naira has continued to fall against other currencies especially the dollar, worsening the plight of Nigerians. Yemi Cardoso misled Mr. President to endorse very unrealistic and unattainable policies especially the floating of forex. Nigerians are heavily paying the price for this ineptitude with the naira exchanging for as high as ₦1500 for $1 on the official and parallel market. The only way out of this quagmire is to sack Yemi Cardoso and replace him with a competent hand.”
It added, “The total destruction of the naira and his stark inability to manage inflation has resulted into a very high standard of living all over Nigeria. A bag of rice that sold for ₦7000 in 2014 has now become ₦70,000 or more. Nigerians are buying a bag of maize now at ₦60,000 while a bag of beans is ₦110,000. People's salaries can no longer feed them. Hunger has become widespread and unchecked. If Yemi Cardoso remains as the CBN Governor, our economy will collapse.”
The group said it shared the pains as well as frustration of Nigerians who are living in the homeland and issued a two-week ultimatum for the immediate sack of Yemi Cardoso, else, they would lock down all CBN branches and international airports in a “mother-of-all protests.”
According to the letter, "majority of Nigerians who can no longer afford basic needs are visibly angry and disappointed with the lackadaisical handling of the economy especially the anti-human policies of the CBN. We share in their anger and frustration because we had confidence in this administration. The best way to stabilise the economy and end this hardship and uncertainty which is at the heart of rising insecurity in the country is to sack Yemi Cardoso and appoint a financial technocrat.”