Famous rapper Nicki Minaj has expressed her admiration for Nigerian singer, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid.
Speaking during a recent stream on StationHead, the ‘Queen of rap’ said she has “much love and respect” for Wizkid.
Minaj described the ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner as “very chill and smart.”
She said, “He [Wizkid] is a very very cool chill guy. He’s really that guy, very smart. I have much love and respect for him.”
She also revealed they met while she was recording her 2018 album ‘Queen’ in a studio in Queens, New York.
Despite rumours of a Wizkid and Nicki Minaj collaboration over the years, the duo has not yet released any songs together or confirmed that they have an unreleased song together.
[DailyPost]
Gospel singer Chidinma Ekile has stated that she is not feeling pressured to get married.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, the 33-year-old singer revealed that she is not in a relationship and not feeling any pressure to settle down.
“No pressure at all, no pressure whatsoever, Whenever the time is right, it would happen,” she said.
When asked about rumors of her dating Kizz Daniel and Flavour, Chidinma denied them.
She also declined to comment on whether she had ever dated them in the past, saying “Oh well, I wouldn’t even wanna talk about that.”
[TheNation]
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards is one of the most anticipated events in the music industry, bringing together top artists and fans to celebrate outstanding achievements in music video production.
Scheduled to take place on September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, the ceremony will spotlight the most creative and impactful music videos, artists, and songs released over the past year.
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards promise to be a star-studded affair, featuring a nominee list that ranges from industry powerhouses such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Megan Thee Stallion to rising stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Gracie Abrams.
The VMAs will be on Wednesday, September 11, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, with the red carpet events earlier. The date was moved from September 10 to avoid clashing with the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
There are about 21 categories and voting is ongoing, PUNCH Online reports.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s VMAs.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Billie Eilish – “LUNCH”
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”
Eminem – “Houdini”
SZA – “Snooze”
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande
Bad Bunny
Eminem
Sabrina Carpenter
SZA
Taylor Swift
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”
Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control”
BEST NEW ARTISTE
Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
Gracie Abrams
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Tyla
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
August 2023: Kaliii – “Area Codes”
September 2023: GloRilla – “Lick or Sum”
October 2023: Benson Boone – “In The Stars”
November 2023: Coco Jones — “ICU”
December 2023: Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”
January 2024: Jessie Murph – “Wild Ones”
February 2024: Teddy Swims – “Lose Control”
March 2024: Chappell Roan – “Red Wine Supernova”
April 2024: Flyana Boss – “yeaaa”
May 2024: Laufey – “Goddess”
June 2024: LE SSERAFIM – “EASY”
July 2024: The Warning – “Automatic Sun”
BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy”
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be”
Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones”
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”
Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help”
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
BEST POP
Camila Cabello
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift
BEST HIP-HOP
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy”
Eminem – “Houdini”
GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!”
Gunna – “fukumean”
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA”
Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti – “FE!N”
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys – “Lifeline”
Muni Long – “Made For Me”
SZA – “Snooze”
Tyla – “Water”
USHER, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good”
Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves”
Hozier – “Too Sweet”
Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed”
Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire”
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)”
BEST ROCK
Bon Jovi – “Legendary”
Coldplay – “feelslikeimfallinginlove”
Green Day – “Dilemma”
Kings of Leon – “Mustang”
Lenny Kravitz – “Human”
U2 – “Atomic City”
BEST AFROBEATS
Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”
Burna Boy – “City Boys”
Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational”
Tems – “Love Me JeJe”
Tyla – “Water”
USHER, Pheelz – “Ruin”
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Mil Veces”
Bad Bunny – “MONACO”
KAROL G – “MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN”
Myke Towers – “LALA”
Peso Pluma & Anitta – “BELLAKEO”
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching The Sky”
Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería”
BEST K-POP
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”
LISA – “Rockstar”
NCT Dream – “Smoothie”
NewJeans – “Super Shy”
Stray Kids – “LALALALA”
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Deja vu”
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Alexander Stewart – “if you only knew”
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From The Motion Picture “Barbie”)”
Coldplay – “feelslikeimfallinginlove”
Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best For Me”
RAYE – “Genesis.”
Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Directed by Christian Breslauer
Bleachers -“Tiny Moves” – Directed by Alex Lockett and Margaret Qualley
Eminem – “Houdini”- Directed by Rich Lee
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Directed by Bardia Zeinali
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Directed by Taylor Swift
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov
Charli xcx – “Von dutch” – Cinematography by Jeff Bierman
Dua Lipa – “Illusion” – Cinematography by Nikita Kuzmenko
Olivia Rodrigo – “obsessed” – Cinematography by Marz Miller
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching The Sky” – Cinematography by Camilo Monsalve
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto
BEST EDITING
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Editing by Nick Yumul
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Editing by Luis Caraza Peimbert
Eminem – “Houdini” – Editing by David Checel
LISA – “Rockstar” – Editing by Nik Kohler
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Editing by Jai Shukla
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Editing by Chancler Haynes
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Choreography by Margaret Qualley
Dua Lipa – “Houdini” – Choreography by Charm La’Donna
LISA – “Rockstar” – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching The Sky” – Choreography by Felix ‘Fefe’ Burgos
Tate McRae – “Greedy” – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Troye Sivan – “Rush” – Choreography by Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “the boy is mine” – Visual effects by Digital Axis
Eminem – “Houdini” – Visual effects by Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post
Justin Timberlake – “Selfish” – Visual effects by Candice Dragonas
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Visual effects by Mathematic
Olivia Rodrigo – “get him back!” — Visual effects by Cooper Vacheron, Preston Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin Johnson
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Visual effects by Parliament
BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli xcx – “360” – Art direction by Grace Surnow
LISA – “Rockstar” – Art direction by Pongsan Thawatwichian
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Art direction by Brittany Porter
Olivia Rodrigo – “bad idea right?” – Art direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Art direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Art direction by Ethan Tobman
[Punch]
The Presidency yesterday moved against Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company, over the seizure of three presidential jets on the order of the Judicial Court of Paris, France.
It also dismissed court orders against Ogun State Government, which led to the seizure of the three presidential jets, as an attempt to strip Nigeria of her assets.
Consequently, both the federal and Ogun State governments are making frantic efforts to vacate the orders obtained by the Chinese company on March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024, respectively, with a view to securing the release of the planes.
This is reminiscent of the order obtained by Process and Industrial Development Limited, P&ID, in London to secure $11 billion judgment debt from Nigeria, which the Federal Government eventually got vacated.
Background to the Zhongshan Fucheng Case
A contract between Ogun State and Zhongshan to manage a free-trade zone was executed in 2007 but the parties entered into a dispute in 2015, and arbitration began in 2016.
By 2019, it was learned that the arbitration hearing had been concluded, as the Arbitral Panel awarded over $60 million against the Federal Government of Nigeria, a co-defendant, when all Zhongshan had done was build a perimeter fence around the free-trade zone.
Based on legal advice, Ogun State Government was said to have resolved to resist enforcement of the award. It was also gathered that the resistance was successful in eight different jurisdictions, as there are pending appeals against recognition orders issued in both the US and UK.
Ogun State, it was learned, also engaged Zhongshan in settlement discussions on reasonable terms. The last meeting, which held in September 2023 in London, lasted for three days and was attended by several officials of Ogun State, including Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Attorney-General/Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi.
Zhongshan’s initial reasonable readiness to consider Ogun State’s offer was surprisingly reversed by the second day when it insisted on government paying the full arbitration debt.
It was learned that this led to a breakdown of the mediation, with parties agreeing to meet again in the first quarter of this year.
Since then, Zhongshan, Vanguard learned, had been evasive and instead, embarked on a series of enforcement proceedings, which the legal team appointed by the FGN and Ogun State successfully opposed.
In cases similar to the present one, where Zhongshan obtained an ex-parte order, Ogun State successfully set aside the orders, it was learned.
Ogun State has not given up on a reasonable settlement option, with the most recent being a letter sent to Zhongshan last week.
Zhongshan, it was gathered, only responded after obtaining this latest illegal order.
Claiming that the Federal Government was never served any notice of the two cases in the Judicial Court of Paris which gave orders on March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024, respectively, the Presidency said it is working with Ogun State Government to discharge what it descried as a frivolous order.
FG not under contractual obligation—Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said: ‘’The Presidency is aware of the various failed attempts by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge.
‘’Ogun State Government, on Thursday (yesterday), faulted the judicial process that led to the provisional attachment of three Nigerian government-owned aircraft in France by the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7 and August 2, 2024.
‘’The Federal Government is not under any contractual obligation with the company. The case in which Zhongshan is trying to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and Ogun State Government.
“The Federal Government is aware of efforts being made by the Ogun State Government to reach an amicable resolution to the matter.
‘’It must be said without any equivocation that Zhongshan has no solid ground to demand restitution from Ogun State Government, based on facts regarding the 2007 contract between the company and the state government to manage a free-trade zone.
‘’When the contract with Ogun State was revoked in 2015, the company had only erected a perimeter fence on the land earmarked for a free trade zone.
“While the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice are working with the Ogun State Government on an amicable resolution, Zhongshan obtained two orders from the Judicial Court of Paris, dated March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024, without any notice being duly served on the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ogun State Government.
‘’This arm-twisting tactic by the Chinese company is the latest in a long list of failed moves to attach Nigerian government-owned assets to foreign jurisdictions.
“Material facts in the transaction between Ogun State Government and Zhongshan point to another P&ID case in which unscrupulous and questionable individuals falsely present themselves as investors with the sole objective of cheating and scamming governments in Africa.
‘’Undoubtedly, Zhongshan withheld vital information and misled the Judicial Court in Paris into attaching the Nigerian government’s presidential jets, which are on routine maintenance in France.
‘’The use and nature of the presidential jets as assets of a sovereign entity whose assets are protected by diplomatic immunity forbid any foreign court from issuing an order against them.
‘’We are convinced the Chinese company misled the Judicial Court of Paris regarding the use and nature of the assets it seeks to attach and did not fully disclose to the court as required by law.
“This same Chinese company had tried to enforce its questionable judgment in the UK and USA but failed. Like the P&ID case, foreign companies are trying to defraud Nigeria with the collaboration of some bureaucrats.
“Zhongshan appeared to have sold the judgment they got to a venture capitalist seeking to make money by embarrassing the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is working with Ogun State Government to discharge this frivolous order in Paris immediately.
“Nigerian government will always work to protect our national assets from predators and shylocks who masquerade as investors.
Ogun moves to vacate seizure order, faults fraudulent legal process by Zhongashan
Reacting to the court order yesterday, Ogun State Government faulted the judicial process that led to the provisional attachment of three Nigerian government-owned aircraft in France by the Judicial Court of Paris.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, Ogun State Government described the latest development as the new antics by the Chinese company to appropriate Nigerian assets in foreign jurisdictions, as past efforts had continually failed.
The statement described the legal process as nothing but a total charade with fraudulent notion, adding that the company deliberately concealed the litigation from both the Nigerian government and Ogun State, as well as their legal counsel before hurriedly securing orders of seizure.
It added that the company must have misled the Judicial Court of Paris as to the use and nature of the assets it sought to attach and not made full disclosure to the court as required by law.
According to the statement, Ogun State, alongside the Federal Government, has already taken immediate action to ensure that those provisional attachments are lifted quickly, even as it accused the company of reneging on earlier discussion for an amicable resolution of the case.
The state government also likened the case to that of P&ID, describing it as very unfortunate case of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as foreign investors with the sole aim of defrauding Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
The statement read: “On August 14, 2024, the attention of the Ogun State Government was drawn to the provisional attachment of three Nigerian government-owned aircraft in France by the Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. (Zhongshan).
‘’Ogun State also learned of two orders of the Judicial Court of Paris dated March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024, respectively, both obtained by Zhongshan without notice being duly given to the Federal Government or Nigeria, Ogun State or their legal counsel.
“This is the latest in a series of ill-advised attempts by Zhongshan to attach Nigerian-owned assets in foreign jurisdictions, none of which have to date led to the recovery of any sums from Nigeria.
“Each of the three aircraft is used solely for sovereign purposes and as such are immune from attachment under international and French laws.
“In obtaining the provisional attachments, Zhongshan deliberately withheld information from the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ogun State and their legal counsel.
“Just like the P&ID case, this is another unfortunate case of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as foreign investors with the sole aim of defrauding Ogun State and Nigeria.
“It should be recalled that the underlying contract between Ogun State and Zhongshan was executed in 2007, 12 years before the present administration, for the management of a free-trade zone. The parties entered into a dispute in 2015 with arbitration commencing in 2016.
“By 2019, when the current State Administration took office, the hearing at the arbitration had been all but concluded. The Arbitral Panel awarded over 60 million USD against the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) which was a co-Defendant, when all Zhongshan had done was to build a perimeter fence around the free-trade zone. Needless to say, this was a bad/unfair decision.
“The present state administration could not in all good conscience allow such an unconscionable and baseless decision, which would dissipate the commonwealth of the good people of Ogun State.
“Accordingly, and based on erudite legal advice, this administration resolved to resist enforcement of the award. The resistance was successful in eight different jurisdictions. Currently, there are pending appeals against recognition orders issued in both the US and UK.’’
It’s an international embarrassment —Peter Obi
Reacting to the development yesterday, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, described the seizure of aircraft in Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet as an international embarrassment.
Obi said the development has exposed Nigeria’s failed leadership and poor attitude to the rule of law in a democracy.
He said: “The trending international news on the seizure of three jets belonging to Nigeria’s Presidential fleet is yet another of many embarrassing things exposing our failed leadership and our attitude to the rule of law, even in a democracy.
‘’It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.
“The fact that the Federal Government went ahead with the jet deal, despite the cacophonous cry against the purchase of a presidential jet at this time when the people are going through a horrifying economic hardship, shows the insensitivity of this administration.
“Added to it is the embarrassing aspect of our country’s presidential jets being held for contractual breaches arising from yet another dimension of inadequate leadership tidiness.
“I have been loud in my demand over time that government at all levels should be accountable to the people, meaning that they must be very transparent in all their dealings.
‘’Until a court in France prohibits Nigeria from moving or selling these three jets, Nigerians have no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft.
“It has been done in secrecy. Federal government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset. Paying as much as $100million for a Presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the world and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings.
“This incident has also opened up an aspect of indiscipline that is copiously embedded in our country, which is the abuse and disrespect for the rule of law.
“Here are questions begging for answers: To what extent did Ogun Government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm?
“After the UK court ruling that prohibited some Nigerian buildings in Liverpool, what did both Ogun State and Federal Governments do before the French court action?
“I would like to, therefore, challenge the Federal Government to come clean and transparent on this matter and tell Nigerians how we got to this latest international mess.”
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says the seizure of three presidential jets by a French court is an “international embarrassment” to the country.
A Paris court recently ordered the seizure of three jets belonging to the Nigerian government over a dispute involving an arbitration award in favour of ZhongshanFucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese firm.
The court ruled that the Chinese firm should use the three jets at the Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse international airports “as security for its claim of EUR 74,459,221”.
However, the presidency on Thursday accused the Chinese firm of using “unorthodox and subterfuge” means to take away Nigeria’s offshore assets.
Obi, in a statement by Yunusa Tanko, his campaign spokesperson, said the seizure of presidential jets has exposed the federal government’s disregard for the rule of law and failure of leadership.
The former governor of Anambra said the federal government’s decision to proceed with the purchase of the jet amidst widespread criticism and severe economic struggles showed the insensitivity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the plight of citizens.
Obi also demanded that the federal government explain the circumstances surrounding the jet seizure.
“The trending international news on the seizure of three jets belonging to Nigeria’s presidential fleet is yet another of many embarrassing things exposing our failed leadership and our attitude to the rule of law even in a democracy,” the statement reads.
“It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.
“The fact that the federal government went ahead with the jet deal despite the cacophonous cry against the purchase of a presidential jet at this time when the people are going through a horrifying economic hardship shows the insensitivity of this administration.
“Added to it is the embarrassing aspect of our country’s presidential jets being held for contractual breaches arising from yet another dimension of inadequate leadership tidiness.
“I have been loud in my demand over time that the government at all levels should be accountable to the people, meaning that they must be very transparent in all their dealings.
“Until a court in France prohibits Nigeria from moving or selling these three jets, Nigerians have no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft.
“It has been done in secrecy. Federal government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset.
“Paying as much as $100 million for a presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the world and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings.
“This incident has also opened up an aspect of indiscipline that is copiously embedded in our country, which is the abuse and disrespect for the rule of law.
“Here are questions begging for answers: To what extent did the Ogun government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm?
“After the UK court ruling that prohibited some Nigerian buildings in Liverpool, what did both Ogun state and the federal government do before the French court action?
“I would like to, therefore, challenge the federal government to come clean and transparent on this matter and tell Nigerians how we got to this latest international mess.”
[TheCable]
Nigeria eyes $500 million World Bank loan to reduce staffing gaps in education, health sectors
Admin
Nigeria is on the verge of securing a $500 million loan from the World Bank, a significant financial boost aimed at addressing critical challenges in the country’s education and healthcare sectors.
This is according to the “Program Information Document (PID)” for the appraisal stage of the Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Governance Program.
The proposed loan, part of the Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Governance Program, is intended to tackle long-standing staffing gaps and enhance the performance management of basic education teachers and primary healthcare workers.
World Bank likely to approve loan next month
The World Bank is expected to give its final approval for the loan on September 26, 2024.
According to the PID seen by Nairametrics, the loan will focus on three major result areas, with the improvement of recruitment, deployment, and performance management of sector workers being a key component.
This effort is particularly important given Nigeria’s alarming human capital index, which indicates that a child born in the country today will only achieve 36% of their productive potential if current levels of health and education services persist.
One of the primary objectives of the loan is to incentivize improvements in workforce planning within the education and healthcare sectors.
The loan will provide the necessary financial resources to enhance the recruitment processes, ensuring that qualified professionals are adequately deployed to where they are most needed.
The initiative will also address the significant disparities in staffing across Nigeria’s regions, a challenge that has long plagued both sectors.
Nigeria to leverage BVN, NIN to tackle payroll fraud
In addition to workforce planning, the loan will support the adoption of new systems to improve payroll management and reduce fraud. This includes the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Bank Verification Numbering (BVN) system and National Identity Numbers (NIN) platforms.
These systems will play a crucial role in ensuring that funds are used efficiently and that only verified employees are on the payroll, thereby eliminating ghost workers.
The planned introduction of biometric check-ins and community monitoring, where available, will further strengthen the accountability and performance of education and health workers.
A part of the PID noted that one of the expected results of the loan program is improved recruitment, deployment, and performance management of basic education teachers and primary health workers, adding that: “This results area will incentivize: (i) the enhancement of the sector and workforce planning function, (ii) reduction of significant staffing gaps and improved deployment and management practices for basic education and primary health care workers, and (iii) adoption of new or existing systems such as the Central Bank of Nigeria Bank Verification Numbering (BVN) system and National Identity Numbers platforms to check payroll fraud, biometric check-ins where available, community monitoring, performance bonuses, automatic payroll deductions.”
Loan program to run for four years
- The HOPE Governance Program, under which this loan falls, is scheduled to run from 2024 to 2028, providing support for systemic reforms at both the state and federal levels, focusing on cross-sectoral issues such as financial resource allocation, public financial management, fiscal transparency, and accountability.
- As part of the World Bank’s support, the loan will also incentivize the reduction of staffing gaps by 40%, with a target that at least 30% of new recruits will be women.
- This gender-sensitive approach is intended to address not only the quantity but also the quality and diversity of the workforce in these critical sectors.
- The loan is part of a larger $2 billion government program that seeks to accelerate the provision of quality basic education and healthcare services across Nigeria.
[Nairametrics]
The Ekiti State Police Command said it had arraigned a 20-year-old cattle rearer, Mohamadu Bello, before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly destroying farm produce valued at N3.8m belonging to four individuals.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Elijah Adejare, told the court on Thursday that the defendant committed the offence on August 10 at Ido Ile Ekiti.
Adejare alleged that “the defendant, who is a cattle rearer, maliciously damaged the farm produce valued at N300,000 belonging to one Awiye Olusola. The defendant also maliciously damaged the farm produce valued at N2.8m belonging to one Oni Samson.
“The defendant maliciously damaged farm produce valued at N300,000 belonging to one Igbalajobi Adeyomi. The defendant also maliciously damaged farm produce valued at N400,000 belonging to one Akinola Sunday.
“The offences committed contravened Sections 363 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.”
Adejare prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.
The counsel for the defendant, Mr. Adeyemi Egbebi, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Bankole Oluwasanmi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N80,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till September 6 for hearing.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Alice Ojo, told the court that the defendants, 22-year-old Abdurasheed and 42-year-old Aluko, allegedly committed the offence on August 6 in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Ojo alleged that “the defendant, Abdurasheed, stole one Bajaj motorcycle valued at N1.2m belonging to one Ogundipe Babasanmi. The defendant, Aluko, has in his possession one Bajaj motorcycle valued at N1.2m.”
“The offences committed contravened Sections 302 and 343 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021,” she said.
The prosecutor asked the court for a short adjournment to enable her to study the case file and present her witnesses.
Counsel for the defendants, Mr Adeyemi Egbebi, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N250,000 with one surety each in like sum and adjourned the case till September 27 for hearing.
Treaty violation: Like France, US court affirms Chinese firm’s $70m arbitration award against Nigeria
AFOLABI
An appeal court in the United States (US) has authorised Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. to enforce the $70 million arbitration award against Nigeria.
In a 2-1 verdict delivered on August 9, the majority ruling affirmed the judgment of the US district court for the district of Columbia that held that the arbitration award is enforceable.
In January 2023, Beryl Howell, the presiding judge of the lower court, dismissed Nigeria’s argument that the court did not have jurisdiction over the case since the country is a sovereign entity.
Howell held that the court has jurisdiction since the United Kingdom (UK), where the $70 million arbitration award was issued against Nigeria, is a signatory to the New York Convention.
ZHONGSHAN FUCHENG VS NIGERIA
In 2010, Zhongshan, through Zhuhai Zhongfu Industrial Group Co. Ltd. (Zhuhai), its Chinese parent company, acquired rights to develop a free trade zone in Ogun state.
A year later, Zhongshan set up Zhongfu International Investment (NIG) FZE (Zhongfu), a Nigerian entity, to manage the project under the permission of the Ogun state government.
However, things took a different turn in July 2016 when the investor accused the state government of abruptly moving to terminate its appointment while attempting to install a new manager for the free trade zone.
Subsequently, Zhongfu initiated an investment treaty arbitration against Nigeria under the bilateral investment treaty between the People’s Republic of China and Nigeria (the China-Nigeria BIT).
The arbitrators had ruled that Nigeria was in breach of its obligations under the China-Nigeria BIT and awarded Zhongshan compensation of around $70 million.
In January 2022, the Chinese company initiated a case to seek enforcement of the arbitration award.
Nigeria pleaded state immunity but was turned away by Sara Cockerill, a high court judge in the UK, who said the country abused the time frame for appealing arbitral awards.
THE US APPEAL COURT JUDGMENT
In the majority judgment, the US appellant court held that the final arbitration award is enforceable under the New York convention since the dispute is between “persons” that share a legal commercial relationship.
The court ruled that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) arbitration exception stripped Nigeria of the sovereign immunity in the arbitration award case.
“For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the final award is enforceable under the New York convention because it arose out of differences between ‘persons’ that share a legal, commercial relationship,” the majority judgment reads.
“The district court therefore has jurisdiction over this case under the FSIA’s arbitration exception. The judgment of the district court is affirmed.”
The majority judgment was issued by Patricia Millett and Julianna Childs.
In the dissenting judgment, Gregory Katsas, the third judge, argued that when the New York convention was drafted, the word “persons” did not include a sovereign nation.
Katsas held that the action of Ogun state cannot be attributed to Nigeria, adding that the arbitration award “arises solely out of Nigeria’s sovereign acts governed by public international law”.
“Text, legal context, and drafting history all indicate that the word ‘persons,’ as used in the New York Convention, does not include signatory nations acting as sovereigns. I respectfully dissent,” Katsas said.
NIGERIA LOSING CASE AGAINST CHINESE FIRMS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS
Barely three days after the judgment of the US appeal court, a Paris court in France ordered the seizure of three jets belonging to the Nigerian government over the dispute involving the arbitration award to the Chinese firms.
In 2023, a court of appeal in the UK ruled that Nigeria is liable for a $70 million arbitration award in favour of the Chinese firm.
The development means that Nigeria has lost arbitration award cases against the Chinese firm in France, the US, and the UK.
The Nigerian government has accused the Chinese firm of attempting to use deceptive means to acquire the country’s offshore assets.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has asserted that he dresses better than his principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This is as the number two citizen claimed that Tinubu has been using only one wristwatch since he knew him.
Shettima made these claims during the launch of Professor Modupe Adelabu’s book, held in Abuja on Thursday, where he highlighted the president’s unpretentious lifestyle.
Shettima urged Nigerians to extend their support to Tinubu in addressing the nation’s socio-political, economic, and security challenges.
The Vice President stressed that Tinubu is worthy of the public’s confidence and reassured citizens that the stringent measures being enacted by the government would soon produce favourable outcomes.
Shettima said: “In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have a leader that we can invest our trust in. I’m not playing politics, I’m speaking from the heart. I have seen the soul of Bola Tinubu, and he has a good soul.
“He means well for the nation. He wants to live in a place of glory. He is not in power to engage in primitive capital accumulation. He is in power to leave landmarks in the sands of time. He is the most demonised politician in Nigeria. The first time I went to his house at Bourdillon, I was looking forward to seeing a mansion comparable to Buckingham Palace, with gardens, and swimming pools, but there was nothing special about that house. My house in Maiduguri is better than the house in Bourdillon.
“And at the formative stage of the APC, we held a meeting in his house. They served us a variety of meals but he opted to take garri with groundnut for lunch. Since I have known him, he has been using only one wristwatch, and in fact, I dress better than him. He doesn’t even care. He has overcome all those odds to dress well. So we need to rally around this poor man. He has taken some bold steps. The economy that we met was in a huge mess.
“But it wasn’t for us; we were part of the Buhari administration; we cannot deny that. We belong to the political family. It’s not about apportioning blame, but it’s about finding solutions to our nation’s needs. We knew there were challenges. Forget about the politics being played by the Atiku Abubakar and the obedient crowd; they all said they are going to withdraw the fuel subsidy.”
Shettima further stated that Nigeria’s economy is now on a path to sustained growth as a result of some far-reaching decisions taken by the President.
He said: “The President had the courage, the political courage, and the willpower to take far-reaching decisions, and it always comes at a price. When a woman is about to give birth, it’s a very painful process but after the child has come forth, it’s a cause for celebration. I believe that posterity will be very kind to this poor man.
“He has taken far-reaching decisions, and the economy, we have crossed the river. The economy is now on a path to sustain growth. We are now exporting about 1.7 million barrels of oil per day. The Naira is stabilising against the dollar, and with the food security crisis that is confronting us, we cannot divorce ourselves from the realities in the global space.
“It’s not a localised phenomenon, but ours was further compounded by the security challenges in the traditional food basket of the country, the North Central, and the North West but the security issues will be addressed, and be rest assured that in the coming months, Nigerians will see a sea of change in their fortunes. I want to ask all of us to rally around this poor man.”
The book launch was attended by several dignitaries, including the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President.
Additionally, former governors Otunba Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi were present, along with Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory for Health Services and Environment. The event also saw the participation of both former and current lawmakers, traditional rulers, and leaders from various industries.
She said if anything happens to her and her children, two individuals (names withheld, but known to the Police), should be held responsible.
How my Husband died during our fight over another woman he impregnated - Beatrice, ex-convict0:16 / 1:07
keep watching
Mrs.Obanla stated that, while she has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force, the notice was to all Nigerians, the international community, her family, friends and colleagues that her life and that of her children are under serious threat.
According to her, “though one of the duo is currently in police custody, but I have continued to receive phone calls in recent times and the caller told me that they have been paid to take my life.
“My son also called to inform me that he was called by someone who asked him to go and beg this particular person. My take is that some people are trying to fight for her.
“The lady (names withheld) picked quarrel with me because of my support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and because she has been against the Federal Government, so it was easier for me to become her enemy for throwing my weight behind the current administration.”
More...
A 71-year-old man who spent 48 years in jail over a crime he was wrongly imprisoned for will receive a $7.15 million settlement from the city responsible for his wrongful conviction.
Glynn Simmons, holds the record for serving the longest time in prison before being exonerated in U.S. history, according to The National Registry of Exonerations.
Simmons was released last year after enduring 48 years, one month, and 18 days of wrongful imprisonment.
The city council of Edmond, Oklahoma, voted on Monday to approve a settlement that would compensate Simmons and settle claims against the city and a detective linked to his conviction, as revealed by public records.
Simmons’ legal team described the settlement as a “partial resolution” of his lawsuit, which alleges that city officials and police officers fabricated evidence to frame him for murder.
Lead attorney Elizabeth Wang said, “Mr. Simmons spent a tragic amount of time incarcerated for a crime he did not commit.
“Although he will never get that time back, this settlement with Edmond will allow him to move forward while also continuing to press his claims against Oklahoma City and a leading detective.”
In 1975, Simmons and another man, Don Roberts, were sentenced to death for the murder of a 30-year-old liquor store clerk during a robbery in Edmond the previous year. Their sentences were later reduced to life in prison.
The conviction of both men was based solely on the testimony of a teenage customer who survived being shot in the head during the robbery.
Although she identified them in a police lineup, a later investigation cast serious doubt on the accuracy of her identification.
Both Simmons and Roberts testified during their trial that they were not even in Oklahoma at the time of the crime.
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Palumbo overturned Simmons’s conviction in July of last year, and he was officially declared innocent in December.
Roberts, who was also wrongfully convicted, was released from prison in 2008, according to The National Registry of Exonerations, a project by three U.S. universities.
In an unexpected and embarrassing turn of events, a pornographic video clip interrupted a crucial investors’ call organized by Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) on Thursday.
The call was part of a hybrid roadshow aimed at securing dollar investments for the federal government’s dollar-denominated domestic bond.
The incident occurred during an online session attended by investors, analysts, bank officials, and government stakeholders, who had gathered to discuss the prospects of the federal government’s $500 million domestic bond, set to be issued on August 19.
The DMO has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident, which has been linked to hackers.
According to a source who attended the event and spoke to TheCable, the video clip played for about 10 seconds before the session was abruptly disconnected.
The clip reportedly featured explicit content, which caught attendees off guard due to its graphic nature and volume.
The roadshow was expected to highlight Nigeria’s economic reform and development efforts, with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasizing the government’s readiness to launch the bond.
The initiative is aimed at raising a minimum of $500 million from both local and international investors, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms.
Edun further explained that the bond issuance is designed to leverage the Nigerian financial system, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), banking systems, and investment bankers.
The government is particularly focused on attracting foreign currency held by Nigerians abroad, as well as other international investors who support the macroeconomic reform initiatives led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In the financial market, you never know. When you wake up and you see an event that helps the issue, you will take advantage of it,” Edun remarked during the session, despite the disruption.
He expressed the government’s eagerness to not only secure the funds but also to involve Nigerians in taking leadership roles in this critical area.
The family of the late Nigerian gospel singer, Aduke Ajayi, popularly known as Aduke Gold, has broken silence on the cause of death.
Naija News reports that this comes after a viral video of Aduke Gold made rounds online, with many people speculating that she had undergone fibroid surgery, which resulted in her death.
Recall that the singer’s unexpected death triggered diverse responses on social media as fans and her colleagues in the industry continue to grieve.
However, reacting to the controversies generated by the singer’s shocking death, her brother, pastor Ajayi Aderogbo, in a video making rounds on social media, said Aduke Gold died at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, on Monday, August 12, 2024.
He confirmed that the music star died of cervical cancer and warned those spreading unverified information to stop.
He said, “Whoever is saying what is not should stop it, our daughter was ill, she had cervical cancer, she was taken to UCH in Ibadan and unfortunately, she died. The information spreading around is false.
“Whoever is saying she died of fibroid surgery should stop it. Our daughter was ill, to the glory of God, she rested on Monday, 12th of August. It is always ideal that you get information from the right source.”
Four individuals suspected to be kidnappers have been arrested by police operatives in Yobe State.
Naija News learnt that the sum of ₦8 million, which allegedly constitutes a portion of the ransom obtained from the families of their victims, was recovered by the operatives of the Fika Division of the Yobe State Police Command.
Leadership quoted a source within the Command to have verified the arrests.
The source indicated that the suspects were detained following the receipt of a partial payment of the ransom from the relatives of their victims.
“We received intelligence from a local government chairman and concerned citizens regarding a group of kidnappers planning to collect ₦15 million from the relatives of their victims.
“We mobilised our patrol team and some members of the local vigilante group to the location, and the operation resulted in the successful arrest of the suspects,” the source, who was not authorised to speak to the press, told newsmen on Thursday.
In recounting the events, the chairman of the Fika local government area, Hon Abdul Gadaka, stated that the incident, which took place in Gubana, Dalla-Balli Village, was brought to his attention by the victims’ family after the suspects demanded a ransom of ₦15 million following the initial collection of ₦8 million.
He reported that four of the six suspects, identified as Manu Alhaji Bura, Musa, Juli Gogo, and Alhaji Bura, have been apprehended and are currently in police custody for further investigation.
Gadaka noted that the two remaining suspects, known as Mai Ruwa and Mai Kudi, managed to evade capture with the ₦8 million ransom previously taken from the victims’ families, as revealed by the apprehended suspects during their interrogation by law enforcement officials.
He emphasized that this incident will prompt the community to take proactive measures to address similar occurrences in the future, thereby enhancing the safety and security of the area.