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The Chief of Staff to Rivers State Government, Edison Ehie, has alleged that he was offered money to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He, however, did not disclose the identities of those who offered him money.
Addressing a rally in Ahoada East area of the state, the former factional speaker of the State House of Assembly disclosed the purported plot to impeach the governor, eliciting applause from the gathered crowd.
“They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested.
“They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted,” Ehie said in a viral video clip from the rally.
Last year, Ehie was declared wanted by the police in connection with the invasion of the State House of Assembly.
In October 2023, an explosion rattled the state assembly building amidst reports of lawmakers attempting to impeach Fubara.
It was alleged that certain individuals with close ties to the governor were implicated in the incident.
The Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers had reportedly lodged criminal complaints against Ehie with the Rivers State Police Command regarding the invasion and arson of the Rivers State House of Assembly chambers by unidentified hoodlums.
Ehie’s revelation contributes to the protracted crisis in the state, stemming from the conflict between Fubara and his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Anglican Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. David Onuoha, has lamented that Nigeria of today, looks more like a murder land than a motherland.
Onuoha made the lamentation, in a 117-page presidential address he delivered, weekend, at the first session of the 11th synod of the Diocese of Okigwe South, held at Emmanuel Church, Ehume, Obowo local council area of Imo State.
His words: “The consequences of past misdeeds, neglect, and wrong choices combined to make Nigeria of today, look like a land that devours its inhabitants, one that looks more like a murder land than a motherland.
“The search for a Nigeria that works, one that inspires hope, ensures safety, and engenders prosperity, has continued since her political independence about 64 years ago.
“However, one single business that seems to have thrived over these years is corruption, which is so pervasive and endemic. It cuts across the social strata, from the hawker in the street to the highest offices in the land.
“The cutting edge fraud witnessed in the 2023 elections, the handling of the petitions that ensued, the recent war between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with some political heavyweights, the allegations trailing the award of certain contracts, as well as the impunity which some public office holders exhibit, sign-post grave danger for our dear country.
“The distress in the society today, ranging from poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and hunger, is a result of corruption that has bedeviled this country over the years.
“Public funds meant for the development of the society, are siphoned in such a senseless and primitive manner. The situation will become even worse until this hydraheaded monster is tackled head-on and made unattractive.”
Family corruption
While recalling his previous plea that members of the family of a corruption convict should also share in the punishment, Onuoha also opined that Nigeria has not made the desired progress in nation building.
Onuoha said: “Nigeria has not made the desired progress in nationbuilding because as an amalgamation of different ethnic nationalities, there is no common core value propelling or undergirding our behaviours, aspirations and expectations.
“It is evident that this core value exists at the level of the various component units that make up the country. This may be the reason why tribal sentiments and/or considerations are very prominent in any national discussion.
“It is, therefore, very necessary that restructuring the country, along the six geo-political zones, is seen as the key that will unlock the greatness of Nigeria.
“Restructuring must not be seen as disintegration, but a rediscovery of the good old days of regional government in Nigeria, where the pursuit of core values engendered healthy competition and growth among the regions. This, no doubt, announced Nigeria’s greatness to the outside world.
“While we all agree that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable, returning to the vision of the founding fathers of the country, by encouraging regional governments that contribute to the centre, is the best way to strengthen the unity of Nigeria. It is time to end this suffocation and let in fresh air in our land.”
TotalEnergies Nigeria has launched the 2024 edition of its Startuppers challenge with each winner getting N8 million to support its business in Nigeria and the African continent.
The challenge was launched virtually on Thursday at an event attended by the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Dr Samba Seye and other executives of the energy company.
During the launch, it was revealed that the 2024 edition of the challenge would be used to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the multinational.
A statement from the company said : 100 businesses across 32 African countries with each winner becoming a “Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies” and will benefit from a monetary award of N8 million , personalised support and a communication campaign to enhance their project’s visibility.’
“This 4th edition aims to support and encourage young African entrepreneurs to innovate and bring their projects to reality in their country of application,”
Presenting the mode that this year’s competition would take, the General Manager, Country Services, TotalEnergies, Mrs Adesua Adewole, said registration for the challenge would open on May 13th and close on June 18th, 2024.
“100 startups would be selected at first before 15 finalists would be selected.
Aliko Dangote has been ranked as the world’s sixth richest person in the manufacturing industry.
Dangote whose net worth is put at $14.3 billion is the founder of Dangote Cement, the leading cement producer in Africa, in which owns about 85 percent stake, as well as Dangote Fertilizer and Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery.
The ranking was carried out by Insidermonkey.com, an American firm that uses a hybrid evaluation system to track insider transactions and other market anomalies, and educate investors about the intricacies of investing.
Dangote is the only African among the top 25 billionaires ranked.
The world’s richest billionaire in the manufacturing industry is Reinhold Wuerth with a net worth of $35.3 billion.
Wuerth joined his father’s wholesale screw business in 1949 and retired from the firm in 1994.
The second ranked billionaire in manufacturing is He Xiangjian, worth $26.1 billion.
Xiangjian created one of the world’s leading appliance makers, Midea Group Co. Ltd. In 2012, he stepped down from Midea Group operations.
Michael Hartono was ranked the third richest person in manufacturing, with a net worth of $23.1 billion.
Hartono and his family made a huge fortune from the tobacco business and are still one of the biggest clove cigarette makers in Indonesia. He also has investment in the Bank of Central Asia (BCA).
Takemitsu Takizaki was named the world’s fourth richest billionaire in manufacturing with a net worth of $20.7 billion.
Takizaki founded Keyence Corporation, a company that manufactures sensors and electronic components for factory automation systems.
The fifth richest billionaire, according to the rankings, is James Ratcliffe worth $16.2 billion
Ratcliffe is the founder, chairman, and majority owner of the chemical powerhouse, Ineos Group.
Gospel artiste, Moses Bliss on Sunday, met with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
This was made known by Bliss on his Facebook page.
Sharing photos from the meeting he wrote, “The joy of meeting and singing for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle the Duke & Duchess of Sussex #sussexroyal today on their inaugural visit to Nigeria and hear Meghan express her appreciation for my music is a moment I will forever cherish.
“Thank you #thedelborough for having me.
Thank you sir #stanleyuzochukwu for the opportunity to be a part of the Royals visit to Nigeria I’m grateful.”
Prince Harry, who was accompanied by his wife, Meghan, is on a three-day visit to Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014. The couple had a stopover in Lagos on Sunday.
The Invictus Games are aimed at raising funds and supporting serving members of the military as well as veterans to overcome their physical and mental illnesses, which would help them to develop a sense of belonging and increased self-esteem.
[Punch]
A former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, George-Kelly Alabo, has stated that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, would have been “a level 14 officer in the civil service” if not for his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who helped him to rise.
Alabo resigned from the cabinet of Fubara in March before he became the Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency.
Speaking on his resignation in a video shared by Channels Television, Alabo declared his loyalty to Wike, saying he couldn’t be seen as a betrayer.
“My loyalty lies irreversibly with Nyesom Wike.
“ Let me tell you something, we must not forget those who helped us to climb. The governor, for instance, would have been a level 14 civil servant in the Ministry of Finance if not for Wike who made him a DFA, Permanent Secretary, Accountant General, and governor,” he said.
On his disagreement with the governor, the former commissioner said he couldn’t have taken sides with Fubara because he did not fulfil his side of the peace agreement initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
“Part of the resolution was that the budget should be represented to the House of Assembly. So, there is no appropriation. How are you spending? That’s probably why I couldn’t side with him,” he stated.
Fubara and his godfather, Wike, have been at loggerheads since some lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Minister moved to impeach the governor.
Speaking on Saturday, the minister apologised to the people of the state, saying he made a mistake that would be corrected at the appropriate time.
He, however, did not disclose the nature of the mistake.
“I want to say this clearly: in life, we make mistakes. I have made a mistake. I own it up, and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time,” he said.
Some hunters have found a baby reportedly buried alive in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident, according to a resident of the local government who simply identified himself as Terna happened in the Ashav Kusuv community.
Terna said that hunters found her and brought her alive from the forest where she was buried alive.
“Some hunters on Saturday found a baby girl and said that they found her buried alive in a forest. The baby is currently being taken care of at Ashav Kusuv community,” he said.
Chairman of the local government, Iorkyaan Agber who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Sunday confirmed the report and stated that the baby was found in a forest by some hunters.
“Some hunters indeed found a baby in the forest but we are investigating to know who went and dropped a baby in the forest and the reason for doing that,” he said.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue Police Spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were not successful as her phone rang out.
BBNaija star and media personality, Natacha Anita Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has revealed the cost of her outfit to the 10th edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, held om Saturday.
The radio host in an interview with content creator, Timi Agbaje disclosed that her dress cost $100,000 (about 140 million naira).
Agbaje asked, “Last year you wore a $20,000-outfit to the AMVCA. How much did this outfit cost?”
Tacha replied, “It’s $100,000 or nothing, bro.”
The reality TV star and social media influencer graced the red carpet in a mesmerizing all-white dress, intricately adorned with shimmering stones. The dress featured a striking floating bust design on her shoulders, adding a touch of sophistication to her attire.
Complementing her outfit, Tacha wore a flowing cape that billowed behind her with every step, exuding grace and poise. To complete her ensemble, she carried a matching handbag, perfectly accentuating the ensemble’s seamless blend of style and glamour.
A mother of five, Ramat Mercy Mba, has been convicted by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja, of forging the signature of the late Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Justice Ibrahim Mohammad postponed the convict’s sentencing until May 16th, 2024, but ordered her to remain in the Suleja Correctional Centre.
In June 2022, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) charged Mba with five counts of cheating, fraud, and forgery.
The charges violate Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and Sections 320 (b) and 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.
One of the counts read: “THAT you RAMAT MERCY MBA (F) sometimes in the month of October, 2019 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently induce one Mr. Ismail Adewole Oladipupo, an unsuspecting job seeker and collected the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only N700,000.00 from him which sum was paid into your private account under the guise of securing employment for him at the National Space Research and Development Agency. (NASDRA), AND you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(b) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria.”
During the trial, the Prosecutor of the ICPC, Hamza Sani, presented evidence before the court revealing how the convict fraudulently deceived her victims by falsely claiming to secure employment for them in government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The documentary evidence presented further proved that the convict had fraudulently forged a letterhead paper and signature of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari.
The letter was a request to the ICPC Chairman to recruit three individuals.
However, the late Chief of Staff distanced himself and his office from authorising the letter in a written correspondence that was also tendered in court as an exhibit.
In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad convicted the mother of five on counts 1, 2, 3, and 5 for cheating and forgery.
She was discharged on count 4, which deals with a felony.
The Catholic Bishop of Yola, Stephen Mamza, has lamented the growing number of churches in the country set up as commercial ventures to make money for the owner(s).
The cleric lamented that many people are going into ministry and setting up churches just to make money and live in affluence.
Speaking on Sunday at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Bekaji, Yola, where he presided over a Mass to mark this year’s World Communications Sunday of the Catholic Church, Bishop Mamza said many people just want to become general overseers and own private jets.
In his words, “Even the holy spirit will find it difficult to count the churches in Yola. Churches are set up today just for business.”
Bishop Mamza recalled a particular experience when the general overseer of a particular church asked him to buy his church because the church was not yielding financial fruits.
“A general overseer approached me to buy his church. He said things were not moving well for him, and he knew of a place where things would work and where he wanted to go,” he said.
Speaking on the theme for the day, the catholic bishop emphasized the need to strengthen human communication with all the necessary empathy that it possesses even as human beings pursue technology.
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Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, have intercepted 12,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit known is petrol worth N8,750,000 along the Isalu Creek Badagry Waterway en route to Benin Republic.
According to a statement and pictures shared on X.com by the NCS on Sunday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, revealed this at the command’s headquarters on Friday.
The statement partly read, “At about 2330hrs on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, while on joint patrol based on credible intelligence, we received the movement of two boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in sacks. Upon receipt of the information, the team moved into Isalu Creeks Badagry Waterway.
“The Customs Area Controller stated that careful examination of the seizure at the Command Headquarters revealed ‘177 sacks and 61 kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing 12,500 Liters with a total Duty Paid Value standing at N8,750,000.”
Bamisaiye was reported to have warned smugglers to desist from their acts or risk arrest, stating that the action of the smugglers contravenes Sections 245 and 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He was quoted as saying, “There’s a strong warning to the economic importance of this kind of seizure at a time of fuel scarcity cannot be over-emphasised.
“People are suffering due to artificial scarcity, but they are busy smuggling these products outside the country to make money. It’s either they stop this act, or we continue to arrest them. We have zero tolerance for this act.”
Similarly, PUNCH Online reported on Saturday that the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the NCS said it intercepted 12,435 litres of PMS worth N10.8 million being illegally exported to Cameroon.
Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, on Saturday opened up on her Nigerian origin, referring to the African giant as “My country”.
Meghan, who came into the country with Prince Harry on Friday, thanked Nigerians for welcoming her and Harry to “my country,” sharing that a DNA test recently revealed that she is “43 per cent Nigerian.”
DAILY POST gathered that Meghan spoke at a programme organised by women in leadership, co-hosted by the Head of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
According to Daily Mail, Duchess, who arrived at the summit almost an hour late, told the audience: “I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country … my country.”
She revealed that she discovered her Nigerian heritage via a genealogy test, saying the first thing she did after the result was “call my mum, because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it.”
She noted that her visit to the country has given her a better understanding of being a Nigerian
She said, “Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ‘Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian”.
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has recounted his observation at the Nigeria Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna State.
Recall that the Duke visited the hospital on Friday as part of his itineraries to engage with the nation’s wounded and injured military personnel and their families.
Naija News reports that Prince Harry, while giving his remarks at a reception organised by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Saturday, said the morale of the 50 wounded and injured service personnel was low.
According to him, the injuries of the wounded soldiers are defining their current lives, notwithstanding he met a few service personnel that had smiles on their faces.
He said, “I will tell you a story from yesterday when I visited the Kaduna Hospital. I met with approximately 50 wounded and injured service personnel.
“50 of them were lying down in the hospital on their bed, and I am sure anyone wouldn’t mind me saying that morale was low.
“I can see it in their faces and I can see it in their eyes — That as far as they were concerned, their injuries were now defining their lives.
“Now, there were two that were a little different. They had smiles on their faces. One of them was doing push ups on his bed, and I was intrigued, and I remembered them because I saw them in Germany.
“What it reminded me of is the power of seeing what is possible post-injury. These individuals witnessed it themselves and they came back to have new operations.
“They knew their lives were not going to be defined by the injuries of the past, and that is what this is all about. That is what this new centre that you are building is going to be all about as well.”
“I Never Asked Anyone To Worship Me” — Wike Begs Ogu/Bolo For Forgiveness Over Successor Rift
AFOLABI
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has admitted his mistake supposedly about his successor and begged people of Ogun/Bolo local government area to forgive him.
He has also emphasized that at no point did he tell anybody to worship him, stating that people should be appreciative of those or whoever that is instrumental to their elevation.
Minister of the FCT, Wike, spoke on Saturday at St. Martins Church Field Ogu town in Ogu/Bolo LGA, for the grand civic reception held in honour of George Thompson Sekibo, who celebrated 20 years of meritorious service at the National Assembly and 36 years of his life in public service.
The minister said that God cannot come down to help people, but would use somebody to accomplish that, condemning ingratitude in the lives of some individuals.
Wike stated: “My dear people, I came because I respect people who appreciate what God has done for them; who appreciate what God has used people to do for them.
“God does not come down. God uses people to help people. So, when you have been helped, you appreciate Him and, then, God will know you have appreciated Him.
“I have never told anybody to worship me. Nobody can worship man. All of us believe that we only have one God. And it is only that God we will worship. And will continue to worship that God.
“But, as politicians, we appreciate people who have helped us. Is it not correct?
“Ogu/Bolo people, when I came to ask you to support me, you supported me. Did I worship you? But, I have to appreciate you. I have to thank you. If you did not support me, I would not have been in the position where I am.
I never said I would worship you. Did you tell me to worship you? So, how did the issue of worship come?
“I want to say this clearly, in life, we may have made a mistake. You have made and there is nothing anyone can make about. I have made a mistake. I own it up. And I ask God to forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But, we will correct it at the appropriate time.
“I am a human being. I am bound to make a mistake. My judgment can be wrong. So, forgive me for making a wrong judgment. That is life. So, nobody should kill himself.”
To the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo constituency in the House of Assembly, Wike declared:
“Let me say this clearly, Arnold, don’t be frightened that anybody would remove you as an Assembly member. Nobody will remove you as Assembly member.
“Most of you don’t understand. This (politics) is our work. What l am doing is to make them fear, to make them angry. I have no other job than to make them to be angry everyday, to make them make mistake everyday. And they will be in trouble everyday. So, don’t worry yourselves.
“If they like, they can go to anybody by 2am, 4am to get injunction. The law will take its course. We are not afraid. We followed due process. We must follow due process.
“We are not going to harm anybody. We are not going to give money to anybody to buy arms and kill anybody. We won’t do that.
“As you see me, I think well. You see, I came with Senator Magnus Abe. I work with people who have brain. In politics, when people who have brain disagree, they agree.
Wike taunted those saying they would bring him, saying nobody could do that.
“When you are in charge, you are in charge. So, don’t worry”, urging them to calm down because everything would be over.
He, however, advised Ogun/Bolo people to forget the abuse coming from their detractors, noting that one must be alive for people to abuse him.
“At the appropriate day, that day when the result would be announced, we will know who is who. Don’t worry yourselves. We have defeated them severally.
“No amount of propaganda can help you. Ogu people have shown loyalty. And I want to thank you.”
The FCT minister declared that he knows how to handle the people he described as “buccaneers”, stressing that he would continue to handle them.
He acknowledged that it is not easy to be in power, saying that it is only those who lack knowledge of why they are in power give excuses.
“When you want to do bad, you say there is too much pressure on you, saying they say I should bring N20 billion, N10 billion, N100 billion. They want to run away from fulfilling the promises you made to people.
“Look at all the council chairmen; look at all the Assembly members. These are young men, whom I talked to, spoke to that all these things are for the interest of all of us. Do it. And they all did it. Today, somebody says they are nobody. Will you accept that?
“Look at Assembly people sat down in their various constituencies. You never brought a dime. I never knew you were so rich; I never knew your father was a managing director of Shell before and now you are feeding Assembly people, paying their children’s school fees. I never knew that. It’s unfortunate.”
Wike reiterated that he would not abandon Ogu people, emphasizing that from 1999 to 2014, no governor in the state had recognized the traditional institution in Ogu/Bolo, but he broke the jinx.
The FCT minister berated traditional rulers in the area who failed to be appreciative of the person who lifted them up.
“I have maintained peace. And I will continue to maintain peace. And I want all of you to continue to maintain peace. There will come a time when nobody can tell me that I would not live in my house. Nobody can tell me that I cannot go to my house. Maintain peace and follow law. Follow due process.”