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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his readiness to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if there is a need to account for his eight-year tenure in office.
Obaseki made this known in Abuja during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, an event highlighting his administration’s achievements, particularly in the education sector.
The outgoing governor said he ignored all noise during his administration and focused on education.
Obaseki emphasized that he has nothing to fear regarding any allegations.
Obaseki, who acknowledged the hardships Nigerians are facing, called on the All Progressives Congress, APC, to shift its focus from vendetta to addressing the suffering of the people.
According to him, his political opponents in Edo State are full of vendetta and are jealous of his administration’s achievement.
He also expressed his belief that the bitterness and vindictiveness in the political landscape are secondary to addressing the real challenges faced by the country.
He said, “I’m not afraid of the EFCC. Why should I be? What is important is focus. I came into office and ignored the noise, concentrating on what I felt was important, and today you can see the results.
“If the EFCC calls on me, I will hand myself over; I have nothing to hide.
“What matters is focusing on our people and making Nigeria better. The suffering is too much. We, who are privileged, should focus on making a positive impact not on side issues like vendetta.”
Reflecting on his legacy, Obaseki said he is leaving office with his head held high, stressing that his administration’s educational reforms, including the enrollment of over 400,000 children and the establishment of a technical college, would leave a lasting impact on the state.
Obaseki pointed out that, unlike previous attempts at educational reform, his administration had implemented tangible solutions.
He added, “We are not just talking about teacher training or increasing enrollments. You can come to Edo and see the data. We have enrolled over 400,000 children, and you can identify them because the data on every child is there.”
“People Who Once Recharged ₦5,000 0r ₦10,000 Now Mostly Recharge ₦200 Or ₦300 – Telecom Operators Lament
AFOLABI
Telecom operators in Nigeria have lamented the harsh economic conditions in which they operate, saying urgent steps need to be taken to save the industry from collapse.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of the operators, said there is a need to increase tariffs so that the operators can remain in business.
He, however, observed that the increase must be done in such a way that consumers won’t suffer, noting that already, some people in Nigeria who once recharged ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 now mostly recharge ₦200 or ₦300 due to harsh economic realities.
Adebayo made his views known while speaking at the 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja.
“This is a critical moment for the telecom industry,” Adebayo said. “If we act now, we can establish a platform for growth and improve the user experience. Delaying necessary decisions will not only harm investor interests—many of whom are Nigerians feeling the same daily pains—but will also stifle innovation and the development of new services.”
He said while the operators understand the current economic hardships Nigerians are facing, there is an urgent need to increase tariffs to reflect current economic realities.
According to him, if the steps are not taken, the telecom industry in Nigeria stands the risk of losing the gains that have been achieved in the last 22 years.
He said: “People who once recharged ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 now mostly recharge ₦200 or ₦300 because of limited disposable income. Yet, they still benefit from connectivity at pre-crisis rates. Reversing the gains of the last 22 years would be detrimental to Nigeria’s future.
“If we don’t address these sustainability issues, the consequences will be much worse. Prices will need to rise, but this must be done thoughtfully, through dialogue and partnerships with the government to find lasting and manageable solutions.”
In his keynote, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Prof. Umar Danbatta noted that the challenges in the industry are a global issue and require immediate attention to address consumer concerns while keeping issues of data depletion and billing transparency in mind.
Equatorial Guinea’s government has dismissed the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, after the discovery of around 400 explicit videos involving him with high-profile women across the country.
The dismissal, ordered by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was confirmed by Real Equatorial Guinea, which cited Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4.
The decree outlined that Engonga’s removal was due to alleged professional misconduct and personal behavior incompatible with his public role.
The scandal erupted after several videos surfaced online, reportedly showing Engonga in intimate encounters with influential women and relatives, sparking widespread controversy on social media.
Reacting to the scandal, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang voiced her disapproval during a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue.
The First Lady expressed her concern for the privacy and dignity of Equatoguinean women, urging the government to take swift action to protect them from such incidents.
In a Facebook statement from her Press Office, the First Lady emphasized the importance of safeguarding women’s privacy and rights in the digital age.
She called for proactive measures to uphold a respectful and secure environment for all women, noting that the government has made strides in promoting gender equality but must continue to address issues that compromise the dignity and safety of women.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that Nigerians will only pay their taxes if they can see it is properly utilized.
He asserted that while it is important for citizens to pay taxes, there must be something on ground to show for it.
Wike stated this after inspecting the dualization of Kuje township road.
He explained that the funds his administration is using to construct roads in the federal capital are from FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He said, “No government will say they have all the resources needed to provide services to the people.
“What is important is that we try to make sure everybody pays his or her taxes.
“What I can tell you about Nigerians is that, when they see that the taxes they pay are being utilised, they reciprocate by making sure they pay their taxes.
“They are however reluctant to pay, when they pay taxes, and nothing is on ground to show for it.”
Speaking on the resources for all completed and ongoing projects in the city centre and area councils, the minister said, “it is a matter of strategy and being prudent with available resources. “
He added that the FCTA was trying as much as it could to continue to increase its IGR.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Bimbo Manuel, has claimed that most of his colleagues flaunting Range Rovers and living in luxurious mansions in Lagos are living a fake life.
The thespian spoke while featuring in a recent episode of the TVC programme, Your View.
According to Manuel, no Nollywood star can buy Range Rover from acting fees.
The 66-year-old said he does not care about living a flamboyant lifestyle because he likes “a humble and realistic life”.
He said, “The actors you see flaunting Range Rovers and mansions in Ikoyi are living fake lives.
“No actor in Nigeria would say he or she can buy a Range Rover from acting fees alone.”
‘I’m Not Rich’
In other news, veteran Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, has spoken on financial disparities in the Nigerian movie industry, expressing curiosity about the lavish lifestyles of some female stars.
Bimbo, in an interview with her colleague, Emmanuel Ehumadu, questioned how her female colleagues fund their luxurious lifestyles, noting that she is not financially buoyant.
The thespian urged fans to question female Nollywood stars on how they make their money, considering the earnings from film sales.
Bimbo Akintola attributed their wealth to alternative sources, including family wealth, business ventures, and romantic relationships with politicians.
How I found out I was being monitored spiritually by friend who gifted me pair of shoes – Seyi Law
AFOLABI
Popular comedian Oluwaseyitan Aletile, also known as Seyi Law, has recounted how he found that he was being monitored spiritually by a friend who gifted him a pair of shoes.
He claimed that he was at a vigil in 2016 when God revealed to him that there was something in his house that they were using to monitor him spiritually, which he later found out was a pair of shoes someone gifted him.
He disclosed that his wife bought the pair of shoes after the revelation, and soon after, she became pregnant with their daughter.
The comedian claimed that since the incident, the friend who gifted him the pair of shoes has refused to visit his house despite numerous invitations.
On his X handle, Seyi Law wrote, “I wish it was only a mirror they could use to monitor someone sha. One must be very careful of gifts.
“On the 2nd March 2016, I had a vigil in my room, and as I prayed, God told me there was something in my house that they were using to monitor me and I found out it was a pair of shoes someone gifted me. My wife took it out and burnt it. Prior to that day, I always doubted people who said God spoke to them.”
Big Brother Naija reality star, Angel Smith has hinted that her relationship with her colleague, Soma, has hit the rocks.
The reality star shared a cryptic post hours after Soma’s ex-girlfriend, Hilda Dirisu, came out to accuse him of physically abusing her and attempting to rekindle their relationship despite being involved with Angel.
She insinuated that she had been unlucky with love.
According to her, she has accepted that she won’t be loved in her lifetime.
On her X handle, Angel wrote, “It is Angel always, I have already accepted that the only time I will be loved is when I actually die.”
This is coming barely a few months after BBNaija All-Stars winner, Ilebaye, announced in a viral video with Angel that she and Soma will be getting married in January next year.
It remains to be seen if the wedding will proceed as planned.
Angel previously dated another reality star, Sunday Okonkwo, aka Cross, during the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ season in 2021 but their relationship crashed shortly after the show.
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said that it is impossible to fight Corruption in Nigeria with kid gloves.
He stated this when the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters, Jabi, on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC boss resolved to work with the CCB in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes, stressing that every effort must be made by stakeholders to build strength against corruption.
Olukoyede, while stating that both agencies have related mandates, added that there is a need for them to strengthen their existing collaboration.
He said, “I don’t see it as a courtesy visit, I see it more for the need for us to strengthen our existing collaboration. It is important for all of us to note that the two agencies are mandate -aligned, we are set up to fight corruption and financial crimes in the land.
“One of the things that we have been talking about with respect to the functions of CCB is the ability to be able to do investigation and to really ensure that investigations and prosecution are pursued very rigorously.
“You don’t fight corruption with kid gloves in Nigeria, it will never work. You don’t plead with people. You don’t beg people; everybody knows that corruption is bad.
“Fighting corruption is what nobody wants to do but somebody has to do it. All of us desire to see a better Nigeria, but a better Nigeria will not just drop from the sky, we have to work for it.
“Foreigners will not come and do it for us, we have to deal with it by ourselves and we have what it takes to deal with it.”
2027: Tinubu Using Wike To Destroy Opposition Parties, Push Toward Dictatorship – Atiku’s Aide
AFOLABI
Paul Ibe, spokesperson for the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to establish a dictatorship by undermining and dismantling opposition parties.
Ibe alleged that Tinubu’s goal is to create a one-party state in 2027 by eliminating the opposition parties, including the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), while ignoring the widespread suffering of Nigerians.
He described this as part of a broader strategy to maintain political control in the coming years.
In an interview with News Central TV, Ibe also responded to criticisms of Atiku, rejecting the notion that the former Vice President’s ambition is driven by selfishness.
He emphasized that Atiku’s actions are motivated by patriotism and his dedication to Nigeria’s development.
Ibe acknowledged that, like any political party, the PDP has its issues but emphasized that Tinubu’s administration is actively undermining the opposition rather than focusing on effective governance.
Ibe said: “Atiku is not selfish by choosing to run, it’s patriotism.
“Atiku was never selfish, he presented himself for an election, he won PDP’s primary and it was expected that every member of the party including Wike, who is now the man-Friday of APC administration is now being used to destroy the very fabric of the PDP and other opposition party, that’s selfishness, Atiku was never selfish, he was patriotic and committed to the development of Nigeria.
“What we should be focused on now is that Nigerians are suffering, we need to have a country first before talking about aspirations and ambitions.
“It’s insensitive to be talking about 2027 but that’s what Tinubu is doing. Instead of governing, all his calculations are towards how to suppend the opposition parties and destroy the PDP, destroy Labour Party, destroy NNPP, and pave a way for dictatorship and a one party State; that’s what they are focused on, reason they continue to fumble and stumble in the act of governance.
“The PDP like any other party including the APC have their problems, and like I told you, the strategy of Tinubu’s administration is to undermine and destroy the opposition parties.”
Canada on Wednesday ordered Chinese-owned TikTok’s business in the country to be dissolved, citing national security risks.
ByteDance is TikTok’s Chinese parent company.
The Canadian government however added that it was not blocking Canadians’ access to the short-video app or their ability to create content.
“The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd’s operations in Canada through the establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc,” Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a statement.
Ottawa last year began reviewing TikTok’s plan to invest and expand its business in Canada.
Under Canadian law, the government can assess potential risks to national security from foreign investments, such as the TikTok proposal.
The law prevents the government from revealing the details of such investments.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of
Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” Champagne added.
TikTok said it would challenge the order in court.
“Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest, and today’s shutdown order will do just that,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement.
Canada has banned the TikTok app from government-issued devices, saying it presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.
TikTok and ByteDance sued the United States federal court in May, seeking to block a law signed by President Joe Biden on April 24 which gave ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok or face a ban.
The White House said it wanted to see end Chinese-based ownership in the state, citing national security, explaining that the ban was not on TikTok.
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Nigerian activist, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman, recently called out Apostle Johnson Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry.
Apostle Suleman predicted in a previous video that a woman would become the next President of the United States. After announcing the election results, Verydarkman, or VDM, responded to the prophecy in a video.
VDM criticized the prediction, suggesting that such a “false prophecy” should result in 30 years of jail time.
In his critique, he sarcastically referred to Apostle Suleman as a carpenter. He also humorously asked if the Apostle was Italian footballer Mario Balotelli.
VDM went on to assert that the internet is increasingly exposing false prophets, and he believes that future generations will gain a clearer understanding of these figures.
He argued that true miracles come solely from God, dismissing any claims of supernatural acts spearheaded by clergymen.
In his closing remarks, VDM laughed about the failed election predictions, expressing satisfaction that the outcome surprised those who had a lot of confidence.
Watch the video below:
Media
Power distribution companies in Nigeria have announced an increase in the price for various electricity meter models, marking the second price hike in four months.
Power consumers kicked against the development, describing it as “wicked”, considering the economic hardship nationwide currently.
According to the Discos, the cost of a single-phase meter has risen from approximately N117,000 to as much as N149,800.
This amount indicates an increase of 28.03 per cent or N32,800, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.
The new prices posted on the official X handle of the Discos on Wednesday were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
It also reflects the deregulation of meter asset providers as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This upward revision follows an earlier increase in August 2024, further amplifying concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.
An analysis of the documents revealed that meter prices vary across Discos, influenced by vendors and meter models (single-phase and three-phase).
Eko Disco pegged the price of its single-phase meter between N135,987.5 and N161,035, while a three-phase meter was pegged between N226,600 and N266,600.
Ibadan Disco said customers will pay between N130,998 and N142,548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25–NN232,008 for a three-phase-meter.
Customers under Abuja Disco will pay N123,130.53 – NN147,812.5 for single-phase meters and N206,345.65 – NN236,500 for three-phase meters.
Kano Electricity Distribution said its customers will pay N127,925–N129,999 for a single-phase meter and N223,793–NN235,425 for a three-phase meter.
Lastly, Kaduna Disco said N131,150 — N142,548.94 would be paid for single-phase meters and N220,375 — N232,008.04 for three-phase meters.
In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced a significant policy shift by announcing the deregulation of meter prices under the Meter Asset Provider scheme for end-user customers.
The move was to address lingering issues surrounding meter supply and pricing transparency within the electricity sector.
According to NERC’s order, meter prices under the MAP scheme will now be determined through competitive bidding rather than being centralised.
This shift is expected to foster greater competition among meter providers, ultimately improving cost efficiency and service delivery for end users.
Additionally, the deregulation removes earlier operational restrictions, allowing MAP permit holders to provide metering services across all electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.
However, MAPs must meet specific regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and maintain quality standards in service delivery.
Previously, NERC regulated meter prices, which were often subsidised across all DisCos to reduce costs for customers. While this model aimed to make metering affordable, it inadvertently stifled competition and limited transparency in the supply chain.
As a result, Discos and customers were unable to negotiate or explore better deals from meter vendors, contributing to inefficiencies in the system.
FCCPC warns DisCos against metering abuses
With deregulation now in place, NERC anticipates a more dynamic metering ecosystem where customers and Discos can benefit from competitive pricing, improved service quality, and greater accountability among meter providers.
Meters are sold directly by the meter asset providers but the application will be done through Discos’ portals.
Some of the meter vendors are Mojec Asset Management Company, Wellsun Intelligent Technology, Gosslink Engineering, Turbo Energy Ltd, MBH Power, CIG Metering Assets, among others.
The meter asset providers had protested that the price approved by NERC was below the landing or production cost of the meters.
For days, meter application portals of the Discos were shut as the vendors refused to supply the product at a rate below its cost.
The Chief Executive Officer of Fermadec Group, Fola Akinola, had told one of our correspondents in April that the Discos shut down their meter application portals because the manufacturers and the Discos were regularising the prices of meters to reflect the current economic realities.
Akinola noted that the meter prices then were no longer sustainable, considering the exchange rate.
He said the NERC needed to stop fixing the prices of prepaid meters because the exchange rate was not stable.
“Before, the price used to be fixed, but now, each seller is going to give his or her price, depending on the type of meter,” he said.
After weeks of negotiation, the regulator approved an increase in meter prices to reflect the current reality in the foreign exchange market.
While announcing the new prices in May, the Discos disclosed that a customer would have his meter installed within 10 working days. However, reports from customers indicated that some of the vendors are not abiding by the rules.
It was also said the prices would be reviewed monthly after a competitive bid process by the vendors.
Consumers kick
The Executive Director of the Electricity Consumers Protection and Advocacy Centre, Princewill Okorie, rejected the new meter prices, saying there are no justifications for it.
He emphasised that the Discos were given N59bn from the N200bn earmarked for the National Mass Metering Programme in 2020, saying they only paid back N7bn.
“What do you want me to say? They keep increasing the meter price, why are they wicked? N200bn was earmarked for the NMMP that was to be implemented in three phases. Only the pilot phase of N59bn was implemented. And what the 11 Discos could pay back was only N7bn. What did they use the rest of the money for?
“Since after that N59bn, what has happened to the rest of the money when you removed N59bn from N200bn? Are they not the same people who are paying for this meter that are paying for the shortfall as part of their electricity bills? The regulator increased the tariff, saying they wanted the Discos to get money to pay back the loan. Who are the people that got the meters?
“Let them stop taking Nigerians as fools. The meter acquisition fund, what did they use it for? So, it’s not justified at all. I don’t know why they want to keep inflicting punishment on Nigerian consumers. Let them account for the N200bn for the national mass metering programme,” he said.
Okorie argued that “in other countries, how much is a meter? What is the price of a one-phase meter or three-phase compared to what they are asking Nigerians to pay?”
When told that the exchange rate was blamed for the meter price hike, he replied, “The N200bn, where is it? Is it the exchange rate that made the Discos not pay back the N59bn loan? Between 2020 and 2024, they were only able to pay N7bn. Why are consumers paying for meters when there is a meter acquisition fund?
On Thursday, Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesman, suggested how to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Okupe said a combination of former presidential candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and that of Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, would unseat Tinubu in 2027.
He said it’s game over should former President Goodluck Jonathan joins the race in 2027.
Posting on X, Okupe charged business mogul, Aliko Dangote should emulate Elon Musk and back Atiku.
He wrote: “Many Nigerian pseudo politicians lack deep thinking. Atiku/Obi will unseat Tinubu. Assumes Yorubas are stupid.
“Bring GEJ in 2027. Game over assumes the North is self-destructive.
“Dangote should be like Elon Musk & back Atiku. Assumes Dangote is suicidal. Where is God in all this.”
The presidency has stated the reason why President Bola Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative.
According to the Presidency, the reason is to provide a cheaper and cleaner energy source for Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy.
It said President Tinubu introduced CNG as a response to the high cost of petrol and the attendant rise in the cost of transportation.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday titled, “Status Update on the Presidential CNG Initiative by the Project Director/CEO, Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi.
He added that since its launch, over 100,000 vehicles had been converted from petrol to CNG/bi-fuel.
Oluwagbemi also urged Nigerians to embrace the CNG initiative and disregard attempts to discredit the scheme, adding that with CNG, Nigerians can save up to 60% of the amount spent on petrol.
According to him, thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities were also opening up along the line and value chain of the CNG initiative introduced by President Tinubu.
He stated, “As a response to the high cost of petrol and the attendant rise in the cost of transportation, following the removal of fuel subsidy, President Bola Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative to provide a cheaper and cleaner energy source for Nigerians.
“Since the launch of this ground-breaking initiative, the response has been positive as Nigerians are embracing and converting their petrol-powered vehicles to CNG-enabled vehicles – with over 60 per cent reduction in the amount of money they spend on fuel.
“To date, over 100,000 vehicles have been converted from petrol to CNG/bi-fuel-powered, and more conversion centres are being established across the country.
“In addition, investors are ramping up the development and deployment of CNG infrastructure, with over $200 million already invested across the value chain. Thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities are opening up along the line.
“Going by the level of progress being made as regards the adoption and deployment of CNG infrastructure, we are concerned over certain instances of misinformation against this epochal initiative by a section of the media.”
The statement noted that prior to the removal of subsidy in May 2023, Nigeria spent about $10 billion annually on subsidy, but with CNG, the country can save $3 billion and add another $2 billion in revenue to the national purse in the next three to four years.
The statement noted that one of the issues raised against the CNG initiative and its implementation was ease of conversion.
It explained that the number of conversion centres had risen from seven in 2023 to more than 140 across the country, and certainly not 50 centres, as claimed by detractors of the project.
Oluwagbemi noted that conversion is also free for commercial vehicles.
He said, “We see this as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and we are already deepening the development of CNG infrastructure with our partners.
“In addition, more than 2,000 Nigerians have been employed in these conversion centres, with more jobs in the offing as CNG penetration ratchets up.
“In the past year, the private sector invested over N2 billion to establish these conversion centres, and another N6 billion to N10 billion will go into setting up more centres to meet the targeted 1,000 centres required to transform the nation’s energy dynamics.
“Second, there is no cost of conversion for commercial vehicles in Nigeria. It is FREE under the President’s Conversion Incentive Programme. The programme seeks to convert one million commercial vehicles to CNG/bi-fuel in the next three years.
“This is verifiable information as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), whose members have benefitted recently issued statements acknowledging this fact.”
The PCNGI project director said many government vehicles are being converted to CNG, and the government is leading by example.
The statement said, “The claim that the government is not leading by example on CNG is false. On the contrary, the conversion programme started with government institutions, like the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police – through the Police Trust Fund. The programme has now expanded to other MDAs, like the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, the Ministry of Finance, and even the Federal Inland Revenue Service, as well as the PCNGI leadership team.
“More MDAs are signing up to the use of CNG for their vehicles.”
It said, “In addition, the federal government had already issued clear directives that only CNG-enabled vehicles should be purchased by government agencies. President Tinubu also directed that only such vehicles are to be approved by the Federal Executive Council.”