FEATURES
A scene straight out of a suspense thriller went down at the Lagos International Airport, caused a stir as a vigilant man busted a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria staffer red-handed, for attempting to slip drugs into his bags.
According to reports, the victim was set to travel out of the country and the aiport worker tried to use him to smuggle drugs to somebody overseas.
The man who caught the official raised an alarm and informed the popular blog Sabiradio after discovering the official’s suspicious actions with his bags.
A video circulating on social media shows the victim, fellow airport workers, and onlookers questioning the suspect. In the midst of the interrogation, the man whose luggage was targeted for drug smuggling delivered a forceful slap to the FAAN staff member.
The official claimed someone had paid him to facilitate the illicit delivery of drugs overseas.
Insisting on answers, the man demanded that the airport worker reveal the nature of the drugs and disclose the identity of the person who paid him, intending to ensure he gets apprehended for trafficking.
Expressing gratitude that the staff was apprehended, the traveler remarked;
“Either it is there usual operation to set people up but no them jam their match today ..As I begin razz the whole airport them know say person de smh…
That’s how my life I would have gone just like that, una for see my picture everywhere for NDLEA say I smuggle drug for international airport.
“Innocent people are jailed daily through this their methods but they jam their match today, NDLEA personnel were not acting shocked or surprised. Y’all need to be careful at these airports.”
The World Bank has estimated that improved access to internet coverage over three years led to a seven per cent reduction in extreme poverty in Nigeria and Tanzania.
This was disclosed in a new brief titled, “Digital transformation drives development in Africa,” noting that the exposure has also led to an increase of 8 per cent in labour force participation and wage employment.
The World Bank said, “In 2023, a World Bank flagship report found that in Nigeria and Tanzania, extreme poverty declined by about seven per cent after three or more years of exposure to internet coverage, while labour force participation and wage employment increased by up to eight per cent.”
In the brief, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa, Andrew Dabalen, was quoted as saying, “The minimal usage of mobile internet is a lost opportunity for inclusive growth in Africa. Closing the uptake gap would increase the continent’s potential to create jobs for its growing population and boost economic recovery in a highly digitalised world.”
The brief further highlights that over the past five years (2016-2021), sub-Saharan Africa experienced an extraordinary 115 per cent increase in internet users, a change that has been instrumental in spurring economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating job opportunities.
The brief adds, “The region’s digital infrastructure coverage, access, and quality still lag other regions. At the end of 2021, while 84 per cent of people in SSA lived in areas where 3G service was available, and 63 per cent had access to 4G mobile coverage, only 22 per cent were using mobile internet services.
“The gap between coverage and usage is similarly large for broadband, with 61 per cent of people in sub-Saharan Africa living within the broadband range but not using it.”
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, recently noted that the cost of data in Nigeria was still one of the cheapest in the world, but lamented that many operators are not willing to lay fibre in many parts of the countries outside the major cities because it would be unprofitable.
Former minister of digital economy in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami came under fire during the week for mobilising N50m which was paid as ransom for six young girls and their father kidnapped by bandits in Abuja.
Pantami’s intervention came after one of the girls, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level undergraduate was murdered by her abductors because the ransom they demanded for was not paid.
In as much as people would support any effort to ensure freedom for captives of the terrorists, Patanmi’s involvement and the speed with which the ransom was made available, earned him serious bashing from the public. His attempt, through his tweets to make his critics understand why he decided to help, made matters worse.
Do you blame those calling for his head? Here was a man who manned Nigeria’s digital economy for years; supervised the National Identity Number, NIN scheme which he and his boss assured Nigerians is the best technology to track kidnappers and terrorists. The same man spearheaded payment of ransom to kidnappers. Wonders shall never cease in Nigeria!
How did the kidnappers make contact? Through which means was N50m paid? Why was it impossible for the criminals to be apprehended? These are questions concerned Nigerians are asking with fear that gradually, bandits are closing in on the FCT.
If NIN/BVN, is not able to help the government smoke out criminals, then, the people are saying the technology is useless and a waste of funds and energy.
“You are openly funding Terrorism, you can’t beat the allegations.
You and everyone who have donated to the terrorists Kidnappers need to be arrested and interrogated, “Emir Sirdam reacted to his tweet.
Big Joe of Africa, wrote, “This is nothing but financing terrorism. Same El Rufai styled payments. Tomorrow, they will use the money to buy more sophisticated weapons and kidnap thousands of innocent people. If only you allow your region to vote a competent president without ethnic/religious bias.”
“60 million to be paid to kidnappers with no traces; why BVN; why NIN; no microchip inserted in the bag of money for easy tracking? I want those kids home so badly, but kidnappers can’t outsmart the whole system,” TeeTalk reacted.
S.A.L.A.K.O wrote, “You’re a professor of cyber security and the former no 1 man in charge of the nation’s data. How hard is it to track these kidnappers? You’re sending the funds to an account number – no? Or am I the crazy person here? You can’t find them or you don’t want to find them?”
OBI no oooo wrote, “Sir, I in your shoes. I should be able to call one or two persons at NIMC, NCC, the telecoms & the Ministry to track the personal data/location of the phone numbers being used to conduct this ransom negotiation. You’re making Nigerians lose trust in all the work you did with NIN.”
Matthew Shofor, a commercial motorcyclist plies his trade in riverine Ogulagha in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Saturday Tribune was his lone passenger from Ogulagha to Odimodi and back to Ogulagha, the operational enclave of oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on December 22, 2023, three days to Christmas. It was an excruciating ride of about an hour between the two Ijaw creeks on a bumpy, tarred, but tired road which government and SPDC have abandoned to fate. The other option to link Odimodi or Ogulagha is through the waters which shallow depth was a hindrance. Except for SPDC officials, folks in the two communities navigate the terrain via motorcycles, bicycles or by trekking.
Interestingly, this is where Urhobo-born Shofor, who narrated how he relocated from Ughelli to Ogulagha for commercial motorcycle business, ekes his living to cater for his family left behind in Warri.
“My name is Matthew Shofor. I’m from Delta State, Ughelli South Local Government Area. I came to Ogulagha to hustle and make ends meet.
“When commercial motorcycles (bikes) were banned in Warri and other towns in Delta by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2012, I couldn’t do any other thing because that was what was sustaining me and my family.
“When it was banned, I asked questions to change location for my transport business and that was how I heard about this Ijaw community.
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“In this community, there is no police and touts disturbance of motorcycle riders, so that was how I came here,” he narrated while returning on board his motorcycle from Odimodi to Ogulagha.
Ogulagha is a journey of about an hour on 75 horse power speedboat from Warri. The young man, having done his research, rode his bike to Panapina jetty in Warri and headed to Ogulagha for greener pastures in 2015 to continue his motorcycle business since he couldn’t lay his hands on any other means of livelihood.
He narrates his adventure further: “I brought my bike here on a speedboat. I transported the bike with the sum of N2,200 and transported myself with N1,800 as of that 2015.
“I read Marine Engineering, but when I got here, I discovered that there are no jobs for marine engineers but only chemical and petroleum engineers. I finished from Joe Marine School, Airport Road, Warri.
“When I finished in 2009, I tried to look for a job, but I realised that one couldn’t get these marine jobs unless they are well connected.
“I went to NPA and other small marine companies, but all to no avail.
“When I came here, I didn’t know anyone. So, I resolved that if I couldn’t find a place to lay my head, at the end of every night, I would locate their primary school and pass the night there.
“Since I was with my bike and it was fetching me money, my reason was that, I could rent an apartment here and that was what I did after spending some nights in a classroom.
“I am married with a family in Warri. I got married in 2013 and I had to relocate here because things weren’t easy for me and my family. I have two children now, one died in 2021 (that was also when my mom died), and I am taking care of them very well with this job.”
To what extent could motocycle business cater for him and his family, Shofor, who spoke faultless English and exhibited some civilised traits in his disposition, said amid no other veritable option, the motorcycle business is handy and sustaining.
“If there is patronage with a lot of passengers, the minimum amount I’ll make after buying fuel and food is N8000 daily.
“We have corrugated iron houses and also, block houses here for rent. You can get an iron zinc house for N2000 per month and you can get a block house for N5000 per month.
“The cost of living here is high because of the Shell company in the community. The community has 24 hours power supply, it is secure and there is peace. There is no incident of stealing or pick pockets here. There is night life here,” he disclosed as he chuckled.
Speaking on his lifestyle in the absence of his wife, he confessed without batting an eye that: “I have a girlfriend here. The first girl I dated here is now married with two kids. My wife knows that I have a girlfriend here. My family used to visit during holidays.”
Shofor also spoke on his future plans after Saturday Tribune reminded him that commercial motorcycling could wear him out in no time.
“I have the mind of selling building materials. If I have any other thing to do, I will leave this job, I’ll leave this town. That’s why I go home from time to time.
“I had once gotten another bike for someone else to be using and paying me by the end of the month, but I couldn’t sustain it because, the money was not coming whole. He was shortchanging me, so I sold it off,” he noted.
As an Urhobo youth with distinct cultural nuances, Shofor has been able to blend with the Ijaws in Ogulagha and other ethnic nationalities while he plies his trade.
“The Ijaws here are good people and they welcome strangers with open hands. Half of the people in this town are from other tribes and they are living their lives here with no disturbance. I wish the whole Nigeria can emulate this,” he said.
“When there is a burst pipeline issue here, the only thing is to restrict movement and impose curfew. So, everyone will comply.
“But it’s ironic that despite having SPDC in our backyard here (you can see their perimeter fence), a litre of petrol is N900! No filling station. The fuel we buy is black market as you can see.
“It’s a case of suffering in the midst of plenty. We live where crude oil abounds but we buy petrol at cut-throat price.
“If government had provided employment for its teeming youths across the country, riding Okada like I’m doing here now at my age with its attendant risk and health hazards wouldn’t have been in vogue. It’s a shame on our political leaders that the future of the country is okada and Keke riders.
“What kind of future would that be?”
The abductors of Barrister Cyril Adikwu’s wife and two in-laws, who were taken from the Nigeria Army post Housing Estate Kurudu in Abuja, have reportedly demanded a ransom exceeding 30 million naira.
Recall that Naija News reported that the kidnapping incident occurred on Thursday night around 10:00 pm when assailants invaded the estate and abducted Adikwu’s wife and two in-laws.
Barrister Cyril Adikwu, who managed to escape when the kidnappers arrived at his residence in the estate, disclosed that he had been in contact with the abductors.
The perpetrators have set a ransom amount of over 30 million naira and specified a timeframe for its payment, as reported by Vanguard.
He said, “It all happened on Thursday night at about 10:00 pm when a vehicle containing those who were kidnapped drove into my compound. Then, all of a sudden, the kidnappers followed the vehicle into my compound.
“I was upstairs and heard strange sounds, so I peeped through the burglary door upstairs and saw one of them who was kidnapped on the floor, and I asked what is going on there, and she said, ‘I don’t know; these men are asking me to go down then it occurred to me they were kidnappers then I started screaming ‘Kidnappers help” at the top of my voice, at this point, they started shooting at me upstairs then I was able to escape, and then they started shooting guns in the air while they took the three of them away.
“They were about 8 of them, and they walked through the bush part over the hill to the other side, not up to 40 minutes after they left, I was called to provide a ransom.
“I don’t want to mention the amount because already false information is everywhere in the media about the whole incident, but I can assure you it’s more than 30million.
“I am traumatized right now after the whole incident, and the kidnappers have been calling me and have given a time frame.”
An official from the estate management, who preferred not to be identified, stated that the estate management is actively collaborating with security agencies to facilitate the rescue of the kidnapped victims.
“The incident that happened on Thursday night in the estate was really unfortunate; immediately, we were alerted, but before security personnel got there, the kidnappers had left with the victims.
“We assure you that we are working with security agencies to see that they are rescued unhurt,” the estate management official stated.
Residents of Desalu Street, Odo-Ona, in the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, were thrown into confusion on Friday afternoon as a sick woman identified as Blessing Ayeni was dropped at the frontage of her husband’s shop by officials of an undisclosed hospital.
According to an eyewitness, Remilekun Tawose, officials of the hospital claimed that Blessing had been abandoned at the hospital since last year.
For this reason, the hospital was left with no option other than bringing her to the known address of her husband, which is his shop where he sells alcoholic drinks.
TribuneOnline gathered that representatives of the hospital told some residents that they had on a series of occasions visited the husband to come take responsibility for the medical bills of his sick wife without any positive response from him.
The hospital representatives, according to Tawose, also claimed that the immediate family members of Blessing initially showed up at the hospital but later stopped for reasons unknown to the hospital authority.
As of the time TribuneOnline got to where the sick woman was dropped, she was still lying on the floor, looking frail under the scorching sun, while residents watched helplessly.
Tawose, while speaking further with TribuneOnline, said, “The reason we don’t know what to do at the moment is that officials of the hospital told us that we should not move closer to the sick woman because the ailment she is suffering from is contagious.”
Efforts to locate Blessing’s husband to get his side of the story proved abortive, as he was nowhere to be found, just as his shop was under lock.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of a suspected notorious kidnapper, Chinaza Philip, who had been terrorising the FCT and its neighbouring state.
The suspect, who was arrested on Thursday, January 18, 2024, by the Kaduna State Police Command, was handed over to the FCT Command on Friday for further investigation.
Confirming the arrest, FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said: “The FCT Police command wishes to confirm the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January, 2024.
“The suspect has been handed over to FCT police Command today being Friday 19th January, 2024, and currently in police custody.”
‘T.B Joshua, Oyakhilome, Fatoyinbo, Suleman …’ – Meet 13 Nigerian pastors who have been accused of sexual crimes
AdminThe British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a three-part investigative documentary on January 8, 2024, that detailed the alleged sexual crimes such as rape, multiple abuse, forced abortions done by Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, also known as T.B. Joshua.
Recall that the prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, better known by his stage name T.B. Joshua, passed away on the 5th of June, 2021.
According to unsubstantiated claims, he had a stroke and was sent overseas for treatment, where he stayed for six months before passing away after he came back to Nigeria.
At least thirty former Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) members and employees were interviewed, according to the BBC.
The three-part documentary, according to the British media company, details the abusive, harassing, rape-prone, manipulative, and staged-miracle lifestyle of the now-deceased founder of SCOAN.
The documentary included information regarding how SCOAN kept its members unaware of the facts behind the 2014 collapse of one of the church’s guesthouses. Members saw a brief film of the building with what appeared to be an aircraft flying over it on Emmanuel TV, which was shown to them numerous times.
Numerous Nigerians have responded to the aforementioned BBC documentary. While some Nigerians applauded it for bringing attention to sexual crimes, others condemned it and accused the BBC of defaming the late T.B. Joshua and the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Additionally, they charged that the BBC had collaborated with T.B. Joshua’s former workers to portray him and the church in a negative light.
More than ten (10) Nigerian pastors, however, have been accused of sexual offenses by associates, subordinates, or friends, according to findings by WITHIN NIGERIA.
Nigerian pastors accused of sexual offenses are listed below:
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo
He was born on 1st of January, 1976 in Kwara State. He is a writer and pastor from Nigeria. He serves as Commonwealth of Zion Assembly’s (COZA) main pastor.
While working at the church, Ese Walter claimed in August 2013 that she had a sexual relationship with Fatoyinbo. In June 2019, Busola Dakolo—a famous photographer and the gospel musician Timi Dakolo’s wife—also claimed that Fatoyinbo had sexually assaulted her twice while she was a minor, around two decades earlier.
Though Bukola Dakolo went ahead and filed a rape complaint against him, the court dismissed it, finding that Fatoyinbo’s denial of the charge was merely sentimental. Busola was fined one million naira by the court for using up too much of their time.
Nnenna Kalu-Ude, a former COZA member, accused Biodun Fatoyinbo of being complicit in the killing of Tega Akpofure, a member of the COZA music team, in January 2022. Later, Akpofure’s husband refuted the accusation.
Apostle Johnson Suleman
He was born on 24th of March, 1971. He is a Nigerian televangelist, the senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, a church with its headquarters in Auchi, Edo State. Suleman who started as an assistant pastor in the Armor of God Church in Lagos from 1998, started Omega Fire Ministries in 2004.
In 2017, Otobo claimed at a news briefing in Lagos that she has sex escapades with him in the United States and Italy apart from frolicking with the pastor. She further shared details about Suleman’s sex appetite, sleeping habits and how they arranged their meetings and payments she received.
In 2021, a former pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Mike Davids also accused the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Suleman, of sleeping with his wife. He further stated that he will expose the truths behind Stephanie Otobo’s sex scandal.
In 2022, a blog fondly called gistlover claimed that the cleric had an affair with a host of Nollywood’s finest actresses including Georgina Onuoha, Queen Nwokoye, Shan George, and Vivian Metchie.
According to the blog, others include Lilian Bach, Idaho Ojo, Ruth Kadiri, Mercy Johnson, Chinyere Winifred, Larriet Omo Brish, Ini Edo, Joy Ogbunu, Angela Okorie, and Mary Uranta.
In 2022, Halima Abubakar, a Nollywood actress also claimed that Apostle Suleman Johnson slept with her.
The actress who claimed that she once dated the cleric said he also had sexual affairs with several actresses, including Shan George and Iyabo Ojo.
She also claimed that she was pregnant on three occasions for Apostle Johnson Suleman.
Pastor Chris Omashola
He is a Senior pastor of Zionwealth Ministry situated in Lekki. In 2019, sex tapes featuring Omoshola and Princess Tamara Okpewho emerged and went viral on social media.
It garned a lot of reactions from Nigerians and the lady in the said video, Tamara later narrated that she and the cleric were lovers. The scandal unfolded with accusations of video leaks for blackmail purposes.
Pastor Joshua Iginla
He was born on 21st of May, 1969. He is a Nigerian pastor and televangelist. He is the founder and senior pastor of the Champions Royal Assembly situated in Abuja.
In 2019, Iginla shocked his congregation by publicly confessing that he was having an affair outside his marriage. While addressing his members, he revealed marital challenges, including his wife’s infidelity, leading to the birth of children out of wedlock.
However, his wife in an interview revealed that she had no extra-marital affairs nor bore children out of wedlock.
Bishop Francis Wale Oke
He is a Nigerian pastor and founder of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries aka Christ Life Church.
While addressing his congregation, Wale Oke shockingly disclosed that he was having an affair with his secretary.
He further disclosed that the relationship between him and his secretary had been on for years.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
He was born on 7th of December, 1963. He is a preacher, author and president of Loveworld. He is also the founder of the Church Christ Embassy and author of the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities.
In 2014, Anita Oyakhilome alleged that his husband, Chris Oyakhilome was involved in adultery and unreasonable behaviors and added that they were the reasons that she and Pastor Chris had to dissolve their marriage.
However, Pastor Chris denied the allegations, adding that external influences orchestrated them.
Pastor Sunday Adelaja
He is the founder and senior pastor of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations and a Christian denomination in Kyiv, Ukraine.
In 2016, no fewer than 20 women in his church accused Adelaja of adultery scandal involving allegations of extramarital affairs.
The Russain Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith in March. 2016 via a press release also announced that Adelaja was in recovery after confessing before a conference of pastors to adultery with women in the church.
However, Adelaja denied the extramarital affairs allegations, citing an attempt by pastors to take his place because he has not spent up to 10 years in Russia.
Pastor Timothy Ngwu
He is the General Overseer of the Vineyard Ministry of the Holy Trinity in Enugu.
In December, 2020, his wife reported at the police that the cleric impregnated her young niece. It was also reported that the 53-year-old pastor impregnated 20 members of his church, claiming being instructed by the Holy Spirit.
Reacting to the matter, the pastor said he never had sex with any of the married women unless their husbands agreed with the request of the Holy Spirit.
He further revealed that he has five wives with 13 children along with other concubines he got after the Holy Spirit commanded him to do so.
Rev. Ken Oyakhilome
He is the regional pastor of Christ Embassy in charge of South Africa until a few years ago when he was transferred to the branch of the church in Texas, USA. He is also said to be the younger brother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy.
In 2014, he was accused of fornication and adultery. He was alleged to have impregnated a South African lady, name withheld, a member of the Church in Randburg, Guateng, which is the headquarters of Christ Embassy, South Africa.
According to sources, the romance between Rev. Ken and the member was an open secret among members of the Church in South Africa and the alleged pregnancy of the lady was said to have ruffled feathers among the leaders of the church, but was buried in order to prevent a scandal.
Sources also disclosed that the lady aborted the child with the knowledge of front-runners of the church.
However, Rev. Ken Oyakhilome denied all allegations and was transfered to the branch of the church in Texas.
Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe
He was born on 15th of November, 1961. He is the founder and senior pastor of Manna Prayer Mountain (MPM) Ministry Worldwide, headquartered in Lagos. He is also the author of Our Daily Manna, a daily devotional book.
In 2017, a recording of a telephone conversation allegedly between Rita and an individual who identified himself as Chris recently surfaced online.
The male voice in the recording confessed love for Rita and expressed interest in having sexual relations with her.
“I’m crazy about you but you are not so I decided to take my eyes off you. I’m just looking for someone to take out, yesterday I took somebody out yesterday and I want to take you out today but you are running from me, you would have enjoyed the two days now. Even Mummy respects you,” the male voice was heard saying.
The male voice assured Rita of good sex, saying, “don’t worry before I do it, I’ll tell you. Don’t you know I can do it, I will do it and you will enjoy it, you will forget your name. You will be calling my name Chris, Chris. I can’t wait to have you.
“I’m missing you crazy please plan for us to see. If you want us to marry, we will have to plan it. I can never have more than two, I can not cope with anyone other than Mummy and you. You don’t call or text. I’m in Lekki, working alone and I want to hear from you, I prefer Whatsapp messages.”
Reacting to the viral audio clip, the church has said that the voice in the recording does not belong to the pastor.
Pastor Chukwuma Nkwocha
He is the General Overseer of the Tongue of Fire Restoration Ministry, located in the Shogunle area of Lagos State.
In 2016, the Lagos state Police Command arrested Chukwuma Nkwocha for allegedly keeping 30 under-aged girls as sex slaves. Nkwocha was holding a service on Tuesday when operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) stormed the church to pick him up.
Badmos said two of the girls had confessed that Nkwocha had carnal knowledge of them. “The command rescued about 30 young girls from the pastor’s custody,” Dolapo reportedly said.
“Two of them acknowledged he had canal knowledge of them. However, investigation is ongoing.”
Reacting to the development, the younger brother of the pastor denied the allegations.
Pastor Ofuche Ukoha
He is the founder and senior pastor of Perfect Christianity Mission.
In 2014, the founder and senior pastor, Ukoha faced various sexual assault accusations including the killing of a 12-year-old virgin girl in Badagry.
As part of measures to recover over N47 billion it is being owed by airlines, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared a ‘no pay, no service’ sanction on defaulting airlines.
Acting Director General of the agency, Chris Najomo, said it was time to put in place strict sanctions against the defaulters, stressing that hence all the debtors “shall cease to receive services from the authority.”
Addressing journalists in Lagos to unveil his plans for the agency, Mr Najomo disclosed that plans were afoot to set up a debt recovery Joint Task Force to implement NCAA’s recovery drive.
The acting DG also noted that the agency was not oblivious to the illicit activities of private jet operators operating commercial flights without commercial licences. He stressed that anyone who wants to do commercial or charter operations must apply for a commercial licence.
A recent preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau revealed that Flint Aero aircraft, which crashed at Ibadan Airport in November last year while carrying the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, was operating illegally.
Highlighting the regulatory framework, Mr Najomo said that only holders of Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Airline Operating Permit (AOP) with a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) were authorised to conduct charter operations.
He maintained that the NCAA will implement a robust risk-based surveillance system to close any potential gap opened by the increased validity period of Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) for unscheduled and scheduled operators.
The surveillance, which encompasses safety, security and economic monitoring, will be extended to all service providers, Mr Najomo added.
He stated further that the authority will intensify efforts in enforcing airlines’ compliance with the Nig Cars 2023 part 19 on Consumer Protection Regulations.
“In line with the assurance by the Minister of Aviation that air passengers get value for their money, NCAA would ensure that airlines provide timely care to passengers for service disruptions, that consumers receive quality services in the aviation industry and that their rights are always protected,” Mr Najomo said.
The acting DG reiterated the commitment of the agency to implementing a simplified certification and licensing system to streamline the approval process. He hinted that this will be extended to other authorisations, approvals and permits.
“This is a derivative of the ease-of-doing business philosophy towards encouraging growth of the aviation industry,” he said.
The 2023 Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, can end the menace of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
He lamented that the federal government has failed in protecting the citizens, which is its primary responsibilities.
Posting on X, the former presidential candidate wondered why Nigerians continue to suffer in the hands of bandits and kidnappers.
Adebayo said: “As we bemoan and dread bandits and kidnappers, we must bemoan and suspect our government more. It is the duty of the government to stop criminality.
“If @officialABAT, @NuhuRibadu, @PoliceNG and @OfficialDSSNG want to end kidnapping today, they have all it takes. Government is in on it.”
Lately, bandits had attacked and abducted some residents in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
Similarly, gunmen on Thursday night invaded Hilltop Phase 2 Extension of the Nigerian Army Post-Housing Estate and abducted the wife of a popular lawyer, Barrister Cyril Adikwu and two others.
DAILY POST gathered that the heavily armed men invaded the area around 9 pm, shooting sporadically to scare residents.
Despite military presence in the estate, the kidnappers whisked the victims away.
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Isreal DMW who is Grammy nominee, Davido’s logistics manager has made fresh allegations against his estranged wife, Sheila Courage.
In a post on his Insta Story moment ago, Israel alleged that his wife demanded a 10 million property in her name as a condition for her to continue living with him.
He went on to throw shade at ladies who pressure their partners into funding their expensive lifestyles which they flaunt on social media.
Isreal DMW wrote:
“I am never from a rich home at all. I had history of being a bus conductor and a block career to survive. I don’t compete with people. I usually cut my coats according to my sizes. I should buy a 10m property as a condition for you stay. Make I kill myself?
Some ladies can’t even take pictures in their rented parents’ houses, because of the high rate of dirtyness, but they will now be pressuring their boyfriends and husbands for nothing. What they endured with their parents ooh”.
Israel and Sheila tied the knot on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at a traditional ceremony that was held in Benin City, and two days later, they held their white wedding.
Unfortunately, barely a year after their grand wedding, the couple parted ways.
At first, an Instagram blogger, hinted at their breakup, claiming that Israel and his wife ended their marriage over domestic violence claims.
The couple later confirmed the news after Sheila publicly blasted the 002 performing artiste, for sharing a photo of them from their traditional marriage, calling her his wife.
Finally coming clean in his marital troubles, Israel recounted how he met his wife, who was a virgin, and upgraded her.
Their marriage reportedly turned sour after she tried changing him to suit her standards and was always broke shaming him.
Isreal DMW rebuffed claims that he was physically assaulting his wife as he called out his mother-in-law and alleged why his wife moved out of his house to Abuja.
Hitting back, Sheila recalled how spoiled her and her family with gifts in a bid to hide his flaws. She claimed that he beat her mother up and took back some of the things he bought her.
She stated that Isreal can drag her through the mud but she wouldn’t tolerate him trashing her family.
In an era where fidelity is often considered a non-negotiable aspect of any partnership, Media personality Toke Makinwa has declared that cheating is no longer a deal breaker for her.
In her most recent podcast, Toke Makinwa — whose ex-husband Maje Ayida is said to have cheated on her, announced this.
She claimed that as she got older, she understood that it’s easier for women to cheat than men, and that self-control is the only reason some of them don’t.
In her words:
“I think a lot of women need to reject the stigma. If I cheat, it’s okay for the man to do the same to me.
“I feel like I have gotten to a place in my life where you can’t shame the shameless. If I cheat tomorrow and you want to leave I will respect you. If you want to stay, don’t use it to taunt me because I have won the crown of a cheater.
If I’m going to be very honest, cheating is no longer a deal breaker for me. It used to be; when I was younger, I would never have been able to say these. I would have said if he cheat’s, I’m putting back in the street.
As I grew older, I realized men cheat, women cheat. It’s easier for a woman to cheat, it’s self restraint that stops us. The reason why I’m not quick to put you out is I might be the first person to cheat on you. Forgive me as I have forgiven you.”
“I no do again” – Nkechi Blessing ends her hookup business venture over unexpected client request
AdminPopular Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing has decided to quit her new hookup business, citing an unexpected request from a client as the reason for her decision.
Nkechi Blessing recently announced her venture in a hookup business, aiming to link up single ladies in her DM with men on her Instagram page.
However, a surprising request from an anonymous client seems to have led the actress to reconsider her involvement in the business.
The actress took to her social media account to share a screenshot of the client’s direct message, wherein the individual inquired about the eligibility of LGBTQ individuals for hook up services.
The client, seeking to remain anonymous, wrote;
“Good day sisy…can Igbt people ape also..pls keep me anonymous.”
I response to the unexpected query, Nkechi Blessing expressed her discomfort.
She wrote;
“This work wey I just start today, na today I go quit. No offense ooo… Before una come for me, I love all of una ooo but I no do match making again.”
See below;
Recall Nkechi Blessing has announced her intention to kick off the New Year by launching a hook-up business.
The popular actress took to her Instagram page to share her thoughts on the matter.
Expressing her amusement at the number of attractive single ladies who follow her on Instagram, Nkechi Blessing revealed that the numerous applications she received for a personal assistant position prompted her to consider a new line of business.
Abdulsamad Rabiu re-joins Bloomberg’s elite list after recent increases in the valuations of his top companies.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows that the 63-year-old billionaire currently has assets worth $6.56 billion. He is the 382nd richest person on the planet. He has a year-to-date wealth gain of $2.48 billion
The billionaire, along with his compatriot and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, with a fortune of $18.5 billion, are the only Nigerian citizens on Bloomberg’s top 500 richest people list.
Ironically, both of them are not on good terms as Aliko Dangote accused Abdul Samad Rabiu of attempting to instigate a probe into alleged money laundering at business entities controlled by him
Investor confidence in BUA Cement has increased consistently, with the share price increasing by 12.55% over the past week, reaching an all-time high of 148 with a yearly of 65%. The blue-chip stock now has a market valuation of N4.57 trillion on the NGX at the time of filing this report
Rabiu recently emphasized that BUA is committed to ensuring that the cement product is affordable and accessible for clients, even in the face of several industry hurdles.
He claims that the cement company’s Sokoto location, which is scheduled to open in January 2024, will likely contribute to the nation’s overall market expansion.
Nevertheless, as it completes plans to construct a new plant that would increase the nation’s cement supply capacity by an additional 5 million tons, investors are showing interest in the large Nigerian cement manufacturer BUA Group.
Investors also maintain their grip on BUA Foods Plc after it reported a Profit After Tax growth of 54 percent to N105.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as against N68.761 billion it recorded same period in 2022. The stock has a yearly return of 289% and a market valuation of N4.32 trillion
Rabiu founded the BUA Group the country’s second biggest conglomerate after Dangote Industries. BUA Cement, its subsidiary situated in Lagos, is projected to be the nation’s second-largest cement manufacturer with a N361 billion turnover in 2022. BUA Foods, another publicly traded business, is the largest flour mill in Nigeria, producing flour and paper.
Rabiu’s ownership of BUA Cement, the second-largest cement maker in Nigeria, accounts for a significant portion of his wealth. According to the company’s 2023 semi-annual report, he directly and through three other entities owns around 98% of the business.
He also controls a 93% stake in BUA Foods, which owns the largest pasta and flour plant in Nigeria, according to the company’s 2023 semi-annual report.
Rabiu was born in 1960 in Kano, a city in northern Nigeria. His late father, Isyaku Rabiu, founded Isyaku Rabiu & Sons, which expanded into manufacturing, finance, and real estate. After studying economics at Capital University in Ohio, he returned to Nigeria at age 24 and oversaw the family business.
In 1988, he established the BUA Group and began importing steel, iron, and food. Through a series of acquisitions, notably the 2009 acquisition of the Cement Corporation of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), the corporation expanded into a manufacturer of both sugar and cement.
Abdul Samad Rabiu’s path to entrepreneurship
After completing his economics studies at Capital University in Ohio, he returned to Nigeria at the age of twenty-four to take over the family business. In 1988, Rabiu established the BUA Group by importing steel and food. The company has evolved into a cement and sugar manufacturer through a series of mergers, which included the 2009 acquisition of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria
[Nairametrics]