FEATURES
Senator Magnus Abe has declared that his defection from the Social Democratic Party, SDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, would not cause any friction within the party.
It could be recalled that Abe’s defection to the SDP followed the disagreement between him and the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, after he was unable to clinch the APC ticket.
Abe, who represented Rivers South East Senatorial District, later emerged the governorship candidate of the SDP in the 2023 election.
He told journalists in Port-Harcourt that: “My message has been consistent that we all need to come together, work together to be able to harvest these expectations of our people.
“So, basically I called my people here today to intimate them on some of the ongoing issues and also to let them know that we are returning to the All Progressives Congress, to join other well meaning Nigerians to support the government of President Tinubu and do our own best to also make sure that Rivers people are able to be part of the development at the center and also carry the state along in what we are doing.”
Addressing concerns about potential power struggles within the party, Abe dismissed speculations that his move would create political unrest in the APC in the state.
He said he maintained a cordial relationship with the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha.
“I believe that the responsibility of engendering peace in the party is that of all of us who are members of the party, regardless of whatever positions we hold or we don’t hold.
“Tony Okocha has been a member of our team as everybody knows. And if today he’s the Chairman of the party, by the decision of the national, so be it.
“But we’re not in the APC because of any particular individual. We are in the APC because we are founding members of this party, and we’re grassroots supporters of the president.
“And we believe that it is proper that we are in the party to continue to give that full support to the president’s developmental agenda.
“Tony Okocha has been part of our team, he is part of the APC in this state from its founding till today.
“By now everybody who is part of the APC should have learnt a thing as to how to make the party work.
“So, we’re coming in open minded, ready to work with everybody within the party.
“I believe that anybody who is sincerely interested in the progress of the APC, should all be ready to make the party work for everybody.“
[DailyPost]
Two yet-to-be-identified soldiers have slammed the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for ordering the arrest of their colleague alongside three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The soldiers, who appeared to be defending their colleague in two separate viral videos monitored by our correspondent on Thursday, faulted Sanwo-Olu for calling the soldier “useless” in the presence of those he termed “bastard civilians.”.
PUNCH Metro reports that Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, ordered the arrest of a soldier and three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
In a viral video, Sanwo-Olu was seen ordering his men to put one of the motorcyclists who claimed to be a soldier into the vehicle, stating that he was going to lock him up.
Reacting to the arrest, the first soldier who believed that his colleague had done nothing to have deserved an arrest, said the state governor had no right to arrest a soldier, especially in front of his barracks.
He claimed that soldiers were not under the control of any state governor but their senior officers.
He said, “Did I just hear your governor calling a soldier, a Lance Corporal, useless? A Lance Corporal…This man broke his arm, they fired at the man. There is iron in his hands.
“You are calling a soldier useless in front of those idiots, those bastard civilians. DSS was pushing a soldier. In any situation where you find yourself as a soldier, the Army only gives you five seconds to compose yourself, so after that, you must know how to reply to any attack or anything that comes your way.
“Because he is a governor, I know he (the arrested soldier) was shocked that the governor was arresting him. I know I am not perfect and I am not saying I am but in any situation I find myself, especially beside your barracks, nobody can arrest you. I repeat, nobody can arrest you because you have to stand your ground and nobody will slap you there.
“No DSS or police can slap you because you refuse to go. Why will you arrest me when there are IP and military police?
“Okay, will it be because I took one way beside my barracks? What if I just took the bike out to buy something? Do I have to take the long route because I want to buy something? Who does that? In which Army?”
He added that the governor’s action was because Lagos was peaceful, saying that could never have happened in the North-East where he said he was based.
He said, “So, now, your governor has the guts to arrest and even call a soldier useless. To be sincere, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let’s tell the truth, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let us assume this happened in the North-East where I am, is it here the governor’s convoy that is taking one way will arrest a soldier for taking one way?
“You are there pursuing civilians, what if they get involved in an accident along the line?.. If the soldier said he is not going anywhere, nobody has the power to slap him. If the governor tries it, he knows he is already a bygone. The governor dare not slap a soldier.
In yet another video, a soldier slammed also Sanwo-Olu, for ordering the arrest of his colleague alongside three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
In a separate 59-second video, the soldier said, “Soldiers that suffer day and night. How much do they pay soldiers? I hear an iron was placed in the Lance Corporal’s hand because he was shot in the hand. How much do they pay soldiers? Calling a soldier useless? And you call yourself the governor but you are misbehaving up and down. Who are you, Governor Sanwo-Olu? When you want to do your dirty job, you will call soldiers. Go and check the Ojo Road, is it good?”
When contacted by one of our reporters, the spokesperson, 81 Division Nigerian Army , Olabisi Ayeni, informed PUNCH Metro there were currently no details available. However, he said he would address the matter soon.
“There is no detail for now. When it is official, I will speak about the situation.”
Media
A Nigerian soldier reacts to video of Gov. Sanwo-Olu arresting his colleague for flouting a traffic law in Lagos: pic.twitter.com/tenEkj47WT
— GIDI (@Gidi_Traffic) January 5, 2024
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspects identified as Abdullateef Yakubu and Yakubu Olanrewaju of Shao Garage area, Ilorin, for allegedly slitting the throat of a neighbour over a disagreement.
The incident occurred around past 12:00 am on Monday at Shao Garage area, Ilorin, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.
A source familiar with the matter told our correspondent that a brother of the victim, AbdulRazaq Babatunde, who was attracted by the shout of a resident, came out during the hour only to find his younger brother, Abubakar Babatunde, in the pool of his blood bleeding from his slit throat.
“He was subsequently rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for medical attention”, the source added.
When contacted by our correspondent, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident.
She said the incident was reported while two people were arrested over the incident.
“The needful will be done as soon as we have concluded our findings”, she said.
The Nigerian Army says it will probe the case of some candidates in its 82 86 Regular Recruits Intake claiming Lagos as their state of origin.
The candidates, from Kaduna State, had claimed to be from Lagos and even presented certificates of indigenship of the South-West state. But they were arrested when they could not prove their claims.
Following the arrest, the Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu described the incident as a “serious breach”.
“We wish to inform the general public that the fraudulent act perpetrated by the three candidates who attempted to secure vacancies designated for candidates with Lagos State indigeneship is a serious breach of our recruitment process and will not be condoned,” he said in a Wednesday statement.
“We want to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the extent of these fraudulent activities and to identify any individual(s) or unscrupulous syndicate(s) involved. We are dedicated to ensuring that only the most qualified and deserving candidates are selected to serve in the NA.
“The NA will continue to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for this misconduct are held accountable. The culprits involved will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency. The NA is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in this matter.”
According to him, the arrest of the candidates shows the Nigerian Army’s openness in its recruitment process.
“The NA wishes to state that the arrest of the fraudulent candidates was a result of the commitment of the NA to upholding a transparent and credible recruitment process in line with its core values of integrity and fairness,” the Army spokesman added.
“The video in itself therefore, clearly shows that the process is transparent, as the State Representative, who is a prominent member of the recruitment team has been part and parcel of the process and was given unhindered access to do her job by scrutinizing the candidates’ State of origin, to ascertain the genuineness of their indigeneship claims,” he maintained.
Media
Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has appointed ace singer, Harrison Okiri, popularly known as Harrysong, as his Executive Assistant on Entertainment.
The artiste disclosed this in a post on his Instagram Page, as he shared a copy of the appointment letter.
According to the letter, the appointment took effect on Dec. 22, 2023.
He wrote: “Newly Appointed E.A (Executive Assistant), Entertainment to the Executive Governor of Delta State RT Hon. Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori. Thank you, my governor.
“Now address me as Hon Superstar Harrysong.
“Thank you so much my governor for entrusting me with this office to work. Deltans get ready for KINGMAKERS March 30th, and Ukodo International Festival 2024.”
The Delta State-born Harrysong is an award-winning singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.
He rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the “Most Downloaded Callertune Award” at The Headies in 2013.
In 2014, his song “Kolombo” won the Best Contemporary Afro Video award, while his song “My Story” won the Best Pop Extra Video award.
The “Reggae Blues” crooner won the Sun Award of the “Creative Person of The Year” 2015.
In 2017, he won the prize of the “Best Pop Single” of the Headies award and in 2021 clinched the “Special Recognition Prize” of The Beatz Awards. (NAN)
bandits released only Muslim victims after collecting N11m from church to release abducted pastors and members in Taraba
AdminThe Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) has vowed to resort to self-defence if both the federal and Taraba state governments failed to ensure the immediate release of their members from kidnappers and end banditry activities in the state.
Recall that bandits kidnapped 24 people, including a second-class chief of Kwanji, his daughter, two senior pastors, in Yorro Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, in Lanka Viri, the Yorro local government’s president, Rev. Micah Dopa, lamented the continued hostage of their pastors and members of the Yorro community by kidnappers for almost one month after ransom was paid.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the southern conference also alleged that the banditry activities, particularly in Yorro local government, were being targeted at erasing Christians in the area.
They insisted that both traditional rulers and political office holders, past and present, in the area should come out clear with proof that their hands are clean to counter the video in circulation where the key leader of the kidnapper is alleging that they have the backing of some leaders and the people in the area.
According to Rev. Dopa, the church paid N11,000,000 in ransom for her pastors, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody.
“We want both the federal and Taraba state governments to act fast to end this ugly incident and ensure the release of our pastors and 14 others, or we will resort to self-defence, which is both biblical and constitutional,” Rev. Dopa said.
“After receiving reports from the district superintendents and members on the state of security in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba, we wish to inform the whole world that the area is under siege by kidnappers.”
"Twenty people were kidnapped in Pupule town, including two pastors, Rev. Elkanah MK Ayuba and Rev. Simon Ezra, and some members of the church on December 19, 2023, and up until now, they have been under the custody of kidnappers.
"On December 23, 2023, the kidnappers also launched another invasion into Dila Village, where Hon. Dimas Ishaya Dila of UMC Dila Charge and others were taken away.
"On December 26, 2023, another member of UMC, Mr Fidelis Daniel Junior, a student of Taraba State University, was taken at his residence while many villagers of Gongong were taken away at Gongong Maliki market around 3 pm, including the pastor of UMC Kasakuri and other church members
"We wish to in strong terms condemn the ungodly, barbaric, heartless, evil, and senseless act of banditry in the Yorro Community. This ugly development has led to confusion among the body of Christ and the community at large. The siege on the Yorro Community has crippled the economic development of the area, worsening the hardship of the rural dwellers as a huge ransom was demanded by the kidnappers.
“As a body of Christ, we mobilised and paid N11,000,000 for our members to be released, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody. Going by the video clip circulating in the media and the action of the kidnappers, it is clear to say that the kidnappers’ activities are a plot to erase Christians in the area,” they expressed.
While commending President Bola Tinubu, Governor Agbu Kefas, and security operatives for their efforts to tackle security challenges, the church implored the Yorro Community to be security conscious by reporting all strange movements of suspicious elements to relevant God-fearing security agencies for prompt action.
It noted that the government alone can not provide the needed security in society, hence the need for collaboration to make Yorro safe again
Reacting to the press conference by the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), the State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo told journalists that the command has already mapped out strategies to flush out bandits, not only in the Yorro local government but the state at large.
Eribo appealed for calm and the provision of useful information to the police to ease the plan of action against kidnappers, since the idea of resorting to self-defense would call for anarchy.
Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing, once regarded as the largest syringe manufacturing venture in Africa, has officially ceased operations in Awa in the Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
Inaugurated in 2017 by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the firm cited “unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations” as the major reason for its decision to leave Nigeria.
Owned by a Turkish national, Onur Kumral, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited was one of the several industries attracted to Akwa Ibom State by the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration.
A memo announcing the exit was addressed to workers of the company. The company had ceased production some months ago, but officially announced that its operations came to an end on December 31, 2022.
Titled “Temporary Redundancy – Service Not Needed Till Further Notice,’’ the memo was signed by the company’s Managing Director, Akin Oyediran.
It said it had “to implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.”
The memo read in part, “We trust this message finds you in good health. With a heavy heart, we write to you today to communicate a challenging decision that Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited has had to make due to unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations.
“After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of our current business situation, we regret to inform you that we must implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.
“Unfortunately, this includes placing all positions including yours on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024. We want to emphasise that this decision is not a reflection of your individual performance or dedication to the company. The challenging business environment we find ourselves in has compelled us to take these difficult steps. Please return all company belongings in your custody. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these challenging times.”
The company’s decision to close its factory came over two years after it announced plans were underway to export its products to Germany.
It also came less than a year after the company’s Managing Director, Oyediran said that the company had secured a credit facility of $1m.
JSM joins a growing list of international firms to exit Nigeria in recent memory. In December, American manufacturing giant, Procter & Gamble announced that it was leaving Nigeria after decades of manufacturing presence in the country.
The company’s departure was preceded by the exit of the likes of GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever Nigeria (Home and Skin Care Category) and Sanofi-Aventis.
Big Brother Naija star, Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has warned single ladies against dating one man.
She advised ladies to date, multiple men, if they are truly planning on securing the ring.
The reality TV star said a woman who dates at least three guys at the same time has a good probability of being given a ring.
She made the assertion via her X account on Wednesday.
According to her, “If you want that ring sis, date at least three guys. If Martins doesn’t pop the question, Easy would, and if Easy does not ask the question, Femi would.”
The reality TV star advised ladies to stop letting themselves down.
She noted that it doesn’t matter if people like them or not.
Tacha also urged ladies to ask their male partners for money because not doing so does not mean they are ‘good girls’
The cost of one kilogram of local rice in Nigeria has increased by 73.2 percent over the past year.
This rise occurs despite substantial funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance rice production and reduce foreign rice imports.
The price of local rice now ranges from N55,000 to N60,000 for a 50kg bag, varying by location.
National Bureau of Statistics data shows the average price of 1kg of local rice increased from N500.80 to N867.20 between November 2022 and November 2023.
The price of imported rice also rose by 61.53 percent, from N704.13 to N1,137 per kilogram in the same period. Locally, rice prices were highest in Lagos State at N1,122.42, despite the presence of the Lagos Rice Mill producing Eko Rice.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had previously stated that the Lagos Rice Mill would significantly reduce rice importation, with an annual production capacity of 2.5 million 50kg bags.
The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, who spoke with Punch, attributed the price hike to inflation, increased production costs, and logistics.
He, however, questioned the NBS’s figures, deeming them unrealistic and not reflective of actual market prices.
He said, “The cost of production has always been very high due to various factors. Transportation is a factor and it became a very serious threat to pricing after the removal of the fuel subsidy. If you are buying a bowl of milled rice, the miller has to provide its own power, pay workers’ salaries and discount the cost of his machinery. He has to do packaging alongside transportation costs. so it’s definitely going to be costlier than imported rice that’s not edible in Thailand.
“Two, the farm gauge price is far different from the prices in the market and three markets stand out and should not be used as parameter for pricing. The price you get in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt, they are not good indices. There is already an apathy against imported rice because people have now realised the one with better quality and those countries selling it cheap are doing so just to get rid of it.
“However, I think a 70 per cent increase by the NBS is not realistic and too high. The bureau may be carrying out these information but I tell you the prices are bit cheaper than what is reported. If you go to real markets and ntoit artificial ones. to put things correctly, there is definitely food inflation, and it is skyrocketing, but if we go by these commodities, we are likely to be lying to ourselves and the general public.
“The past administration invested a lot in rice production, and I think they should be applauded. We used to import rice to the tune of trillions, but that has changed.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the forex transactions of some companies in the country.
The companies are being investigated for the forex allocations they got during the tenure of Godwin Emefiele as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Naija News understands.
Some of the companies being investigated by the anti-graft agency include Dangote Group, BUA Group and Flour Mills. It is understood that a total of 52 companies are under the searchlight of the EFCC.
The information available on the investigation revealed that the EFCC had earlier written to the various companies asking for documentation on their forex transactions in the last 10 years, and they have all denied wrongdoing in their communications with the EFCC.
According to insiders quoted by The Cable on the matter, the Dangote Group, on its part, said it is ready to explain every detail of its forex transactions as it did not breach any laws.
When contacted by The Cable for comments on the development, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, reportedly declined comments.
Naija News recalls Emefiele was suspended as CBN governor by President Bola Tinubu on June 9, 2023, and was subsequently arrested and detained by security operatives.
After several months in detention, he was released from the Kuje Correctional Center in December 2023 after fulfilling the terms of a bail condition granted him by the court.
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The death has been announced of a veteran Nollywood actor, Deji Adetemi, popularly known as Olofa Ina.
The death of the actor was announced on Thursday by another Nollywood star, Saidi Balogun, via his social media account.
Balogun said the cause of death is, however, currently unknown.
“The cause of his passing is currently unknown,” Saidi Balogun wrote.
More details later…
Actor Yul Edochie has taken to social media to celebrate his son. Kambi's posthumous birthday. one year after he passed.
In his post, the bereaved father said the pain of losing Kambi who was his first son has been terrible.
Kambili passed away in March 2023.
His post reads;
‘’Kambi yooooo!
Happy 17th birthday, my great son.
Hope you’re doing well over there.
I never knew I'll ever do a write-up like this, but here we are.
Life.
I kept asking God to let me see you again, and he granted my wish.
And I saw you once in my dream.
You looked much taller and more handsome. And bigger. You were glowing.
Seems you’re now playing basketball over there and left football. You looked very happy. Obviously, life over there is quite different from here.
Down here we’re doing our best to cope. It's not been easy without you around. The pain is terrible.
But I'm strong. Very strong.
I have to be strong for me and your siblings. While submitting totally to the will of God.
We miss you. We love you, but God loves you more.
You're elevated now. Keep watching over us all.
Keep flying, son.
Till we meet again. Don't stop playing football.
Happy 17th birthday, Son.
Daddy loves you.''
‘Ministers, Governors Linked To Terrorism During Buhari’s Administration Still In Office’ – Retired Colonel Stan-Labo
AdminA Security Consultant and Defence Strategist, Colonel Hassan Stan-Labo (rtd), has stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to make significant progress in combating terrorism during his eight-year tenure.
In an interview on Arise News Television on Wednesday, Stan-Labo claimed that during Buhari’s administration, ministers and governors with alleged ties to terrorists were allowed to remain in their positions, including those responsible for national data.
He said, “I agree with the opinion that General Buhari in the last eight years or thereabouts did virtually nothing in our fight against terrorism. If anything, he promoted and enhanced our hardship as far as the fight against terrorism was concerned.
“It is unfortunate that we are talking about our number one citizen as of then within the period of the last eight years, a period which I referred to that Nigeria had no political leader.
“We saw all the lines of actions taken by the political-strategic level decision-making taken from the presidency, even from ministers who had business or things to do with terrorists, were made to remain in their positions as ministers.
“One was even in charge of our national data. We allowed undue sentiment right from the presidency, to be visited in our purported plan or action against terrorism.”
According to Stan-Labo, during the Buhari administration, “You could read religion, you could read tribalism, you could read ethnicity and so on. It is unfortunate and at a subnational level, we had governors, especially from the North under that administration that had all sorts of romance and unholy relationship with terrorism, degenerating to a situation where some of them were even talking of amnesty
“It was shocking to some of us. Amnesty for who? You tell me they are repentant terrorists. Repentant from what? We are soldiers. Our duty is not to grant repentance, our duty is to hasten your appointment to God in heaven or hell he will grant you penance.
“For us to bring a large number of people from the forest who hitherto, were armed and taken on fellow Nigerians, then on the appearance of soldiers, they dropped their weapons and you are compelled as professionals to take them PWs and bring them back to us and say they are repentant what?
“Then you give their godfathers sitting in government houses to talk about amnesty and even referring us to how amnesty was granted to some chaps way back under President Yar’Adua in the creeks.”
On President Bola Tinubu’s government, he said that nothing had changed from the previous administration.
He advised the President not to listen to ill advice from those who had sympathy with the Buhari administration if he must sincerely and squarely fight and win the war against terrorism in Nigeria.
He said, “We now have a new administration in place. In the last six or seven months, I have not seen a change from what has been happening in the last eight years. We hope that the President now is not listening to some ill advice coming in from some elements who had sympathy with the last administration, to him as to how to fight terrorism.”
The spokesman for the 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, has said that Nigerians are tired of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and others from the “old stock.”
He stated this while reacting to the report that Atiku plans on contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Recall that the campaign spokesperson for the ex-vice president, Daniel Bwala, had on Tuesday night confirmed that his principal would contest the 2027 presidential election.
Reacting to Bwala’s confirmation while speaking during an interview with The Punch on Wednesday, Tanko insisted that Nigerians are interested in people that have their best interest at heart.
Tanko, who confirmed that the LP flag bearer, Peter Obi, would contest the 2027 presidential election, said the former Anambra State governor wanted to see Nigeria working for all.
He said “Anybody who wants to show ambition and start building at the moment, it is the person’s fundamental rights. But, we believe that we have the interest of people at heart. And the people are tilting towards us, especially the Nigerian youths. They are tired of the old stock
“So even if anybody coming from the old stock still wants to run for election, we wish him all the best. But it could have been better for them to support a younger generation like Peter Obi in the form of uniting this country so that we can move forward collectively. That will have made more sense and more appreciative to the Nigerian people at the moment.”