Child Custody: Sophia accuses Davido, of harassment, neglect of parental responsibilities to their daughter, Imade
AFOLABI
Sophia Momodu has accused singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, of harassment and neglect of his parental responsibilities to their daughter, Imade Adeleke.
The accusation was made in a statement issued by her legal representatives.
This followed a suit filed by Davido seeking unrestricted access to their daughter.
The singer claimed to have fulfilled his responsibilities towards Imade, including paying her school fees and providing transportation and accommodation.
However, Sophia refuted the claims saying Davido had not fulfilled his financial responsibilities to Imade since 2022.
The statement read, “Sophia ended the relationship with David in July 2022. Since then, David has repeatedly threatened to make Sophia’s life miserable if she does not make herself available to him sexually.
“Sophia has never denied him the opportunity to see his daughter. He has not reached out on special occasions such as her birthday or Christmas for the past two years, which has left his daughter distressed and questioning why her father has cut contact with her. Despite this, David posts images of her on social media to falsely portray himself as a supportive and active father.
“Since July 2022, David has not fulfilled his financial responsibilities towards their daughter, leaving her school fees unpaid. Their daughter’s school has contacted him multiple times regarding the fees for the 2021/2022 school term and January 2023, with no response.
“Legal counsel was sought in February 2023, resulting in David’s father, Mr Adedeji Adeleke, eventually paying the outstanding fees. Regardless of this neglect Sophia strongly maintains that the most important support David can provide to their daughter is his presence and emotional support.
“David is in a publicly known relationship, and Sophia wishes him well. She seeks to move forward in her life free from harassment and verbal abuse.”
Lagos Police Uncover Staged Kidnapping By 20-Year-Old Student And Schoolmates, Ransom Demands Exceed $700,000
AFOLABI
The Lagos State Police Command said it has uncovered what appears to be a staged kidnapping involving a 20-year-old student, Collins Ikwebe, and five of his schoolmates.
The case came to light on Saturday after a distressing social media post by a friend of one of the suspects went viral.
According to the post, the friend, identified only as 888 @FlackoT on X, claimed, “Guys, I’m locked up in Ikeja Police Station. I don’t have enough time and I don’t know what to do. So, this is my only alternative. So, y’all know what happened to me.
“Someone faked his kidnapping and requested for ransom from his dad. his dad reported the case to SARS. They tracked his phone. I genuinely knew nothing about it until I reached the station.”
The X user further expressed concern about potentially facing a lengthy legal process, stating, “His dad came to the station and requested his release but they insisted on taking the case to court which could take up to three years to resolve. Oher people that were in the apartment with him are locked up as well.”
Responding to these claims, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, provided police report and details of the case.
“Following a report from his family, our investigation established that 20-year-old Collins Oluchukwu Ikwebe faked his own kidnap,” Hundeyin confirmed.
The police spokesperson revealed a complex scheme involving multiple ransom demands. “His dad received several calls from Collins’ number but with different voices giving instructions on what amount of money to be paid and methods of payment,” Hundeyin explained.
He added that over two weeks, various sums were demanded, ranging from $500,000 to as low as N30,000.
“At different times spanning two weeks, different sums – $500,000; $200,000; N2,000,000; N50,000 and N30,000 – were requested from Collins’ dad,” he wrote.
The breakthrough in the case came on Thursday, June 20, 2024, when “detectives of the Lagos State Police Command eventually busted a short-let four bedroom apartment in Lekki where Collins and five of his school mates (one male, four females) had been staying for the past 10 days,” Hundeyin stated.
While the investigation is ongoing, the police said they are working to determine the level of involvement of the other five individuals found in the apartment.
Hundeyin emphasised, “For now, none of the suspects has been exonerated.”
Talented Nollywood actress cum producer, Funke Akindele, has expressed concerns over the ‘baddies’ trend among females on social media.
Naija News reports that the movie star, in a recent interview with Arise TV, advised fans and content creators on the need to make good use of social media and positively influence lives.
Funke said she worries about the “so-called baddies” online because they have to be more than just flaunting their bodies and luxurious lifestyles.
She also advised fans to be mindful of the kind of content they consume.
She said, “I enjoy watching beautiful content, but you have to watch what you churn out. You need to focus on your brand, what you’re selling, what you want people to learn from you.
“If you’re an actor, a self-made person, what are you churning out? You must influence lives positively with the content you churn out. And for you that are watching content, are you watching to be entertained, to learn? ‘A’ is carrying designer bag and showing you on video, how sure are you that’s she’s not borrowing the bag? How sure are you she’s rich? Don’t believe everything on social media.
“I’m so worried about these so-called baddies. A baddie without showcasing what you have upstairs? We need to know what you are doing, what positive content you are doing that people would be proud of. Give us that on the table. Yes, it’s good to showcase fashion. But what do you have upstairs to show us? Are you just a baddie for mouth? Even is you are a dancer, what else do you have?”
The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Emeka Obegolu, on Saturday, lamented the persistent surge in the price of food commodities across the country.
Obegolu said the situation, if unaddressed, would cripple small-scale businesses which are struggling to adjust to various economic reforms by the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Recall that food inflation rose to 40.66 per cent with the country’s headline inflation rate sitting at 33.95 per cent in May 2024.
This figure is the highest historical record the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced through its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
Obegolu in a statement in Abuja said, “The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry expresses deep concern over the persistent rise in commodity prices, which is adversely affecting small-scale business owners and escalating poverty levels in the country.
“The surge in prices of essential food items such as rice, beans, cassava flour, tomatoes, pepper, onions, and others has aggravated the plight of the average citizen, rendering basic meals increasingly unaffordable for many households.
“However, on-ground observations suggest that the true food inflation rate exceeds 50 per cent, highlighting the severity of the situation and its dire impact on livelihoods.
“Experts attribute this economic hardship to the drastic depreciation of the national currency, the naira, which has significantly eroded citizens’ purchasing power.
“The resulting exchange rate volatility has disrupted businesses, increased production costs, and thwarted projections for economic growth”.
Speaking on controlling and corrective measures to be implemented, Obegolu emphasised the urgent need for government intervention to address the escalating food crisis, warning that failure to act promptly could lead to future health and state crises.
“Food is a fundamental necessity of life, and its affordability directly impacts the well-being of citizens. The escalating food inflation crisis poses a severe threat to food security and exacerbates poverty levels.
“The government must take decisive action to mitigate this crisis and alleviate the suffering of the populace,” the ACCI boss said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended two former employees of Union Bank in Makurdi for the alleged embezzlement of ₦4,199,500 that belonged to a deceased client of the bank.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, made this announcement on Saturday in Abuja.
He mentioned that the individuals, identified as Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, were detained on Friday in Makurdi, Benue State.
He further stated that their capture was a direct result of a complaint filed by the bank regarding unauthorized transactions on account of the deceased, Emmanuel Azer Agenna.
Their activities were revealed when the deceased’s family sought the account balance for the purpose of probate proceedings.
“The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently sent a complaint to the bank regarding unauthorised debits on the account,” Oyewake said.
The EFCC spokesperson further noted that based on their complaints, the bank carried out an internal investigation and its findings revealed that a debit card was procured on the deceased’s customer account on May 10, 2023.
He said that the debit card was procured by Ifah Ogoh, one of the bank’s Sales and Service Associates which the bank authorised on the same date.
“Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card by Ogoh was handed over to another Sales and Service Associate, Agbo Okwute, who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased.
“Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice.
“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
Bitcoin the primary crypto asset dropped by 3.5% on Friday morning to $64,700 as volatility shook the asset following a humungous sell-off of Bitcoin assets by the German government.
Bitcoin in the last hour has dropped by nearly 1.2% continuing an underwhelming trend that has witnessed the asset drop by over 9% in the last two weeks.
Industry experts believe the drop in Bitcoin prices was triggered by the massive sell-off of seized Bitcoin assets by the German authorities.
German authorities resumed selling off massive portions of Bitcoin assets from a large cache of Bitcoin seized from Movie2k.to a large movie piracy website.
The cache of Bitcoin seized from the movie piracy site owners is valued at around $3 billion and was seized in 2020.
German authorities seized over 50,000 BTC from the piracy website back in 2020 and described the bust as the most extensive security of Bitcoins by law enforcement authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany to date.
German authorities have sold off about $325 million worth of Bitcoin from the seized stash in just two days. There is also a huge possibility of further sales of the Bitcoin asset by the German authorities explained Blockchain Analytics firm Arkham.
Arkham took to X to share their observation reeling out specific figures to back it up.
“UPDATE: German Government Still Selling BTC > $195M So Far. In the past 2 hours, the German Government sent $65M in BTC to 2 likely exchange deposits including Coinbase. The German Government moved $600M BTC yesterday, sending $130M BTC to 4 likely exchange deposits including Kraken and Bitstamp. Right now, they still hold $3.05B in BTC”. Arkham Tweeted
Bitcoin spiked in March to an all-time high of $73,797 before pulling back. But then it slumped to $56,527 in May before recovering.
The recent decline of Bitcoin is not solely due to the German sell-off. The bearish trend in the market came at a time when major indices such as the S&P 500 also slumped following wider negative signals in the general financial market.
What to know
- Bitcoin is the primary crypto asset and often whenever it dips in price it also affects other assets in the market. This Is a recurring trend that has become a well-known pattern in the crypto market.
- The German authorities here serve as Crypto whales as their activities are significant enough to affect the market price of crypto assets. Crypto whales are large holders of a cryptocurrency asset whose trading activities are significant enough to affect the price of crypto assets in the market.
[Nairametrics]
Nigeria’s superstar singer, David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, has revealed that the wedding ring he presented to his fiancée, Chioma, is worth the price of two or three Rolls Royce.
Davido revealed this in an Instagram post by a socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest.
In a video, Cubana Chief Priest, who was driving the driving the car in which Davido and Chioma sat at the back, said the wedding on June 25, 2024 in Lagos, would be a gathering of billionaires.
The businessman, who told Chioma to display the ring, said the wedding would be a strict gathering of real friends and family.
He said: “We’re rolling on a Rolls Royce.
“A Yoruba man steps out and says: ‘I am coming down to Imo to pick an amazing fruit,’ and it’s happening.
“They fought it.
“They tried to stop it.
“They did everything possible to end it, but the will of God happened.”
Responding to the show of the ring by Chioma, Davido said: “That is two, three Rolls Royces right there.”
[EagleOnline]
Chelsea have not ended their interest in Victor Osimhen.
The Blues remain keen to bring the Nigeria international to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Caught Offside reports that Osimhen is a sought-after man this summer and Chelsea are still willing to take him.
Riding Motorbike Alone Across Laos - Beautiful Memories from LAOS - Nếm TV
However, the reported €130 million release clause slammed on him by Napoli could pose a problem in any potential deal.
The 24-year-old is now among the most lethal strikers in world football and Chelsea are in the market for a new striker to help them return to the top of the table.
While Nicolas Jackson did not live up to fans’ expectations last season, Romelu Lukaku spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan with AS Roma and is no longer part of plans at Stamford Bridge.
Contrary to recent rumours, Caught Offside reports that Arsenal are not pushing for Osimhen.
The striker and Napoli have agreed he could leave the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this summer.
Interestingly, Napoli are looking at Lukaku as a possible replacement for Osimhen, which could work in the west London side’s favour.
[Leadership]
Tobi Amusan failed to defend her women’s 100m hurdles title at the 2024 African Athletics Championship due to illness.
The reigning world record holder was aiming to win her third straight gold medal in the event.
Amusan came tops in the women’s 100m hurdles in 2018 in Asaba and two years ago in Mauritius.
Had she competed and won, Amusan would have joined Maria Usifo and Glory Alozie as the only athletes with three consecutive African titles in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Nigeria’s Adaobi Tabugo has already qualified for the final.
Team Nigeria won two gold medals on the first of the competition on Friday.
[DailyPost]
Media personality Toke Makinwa has expressed apprehensions about reaching a significant milestone in her life which is turning 40.
In a recent episode of her show, Toke Moments, she revealed her nervousness and a shared conversation with D’Banj, who advised her against celebrating her 40th birthday, citing industry pressures and the potential risk of being “retired” due to her age.
She said: “I’m turning a very big age this year and I’m so nervous. I am so nervous. At first, I started the year by saying I didn’t want to do anything. D’Banj, I’m going to call him out. D’Banj called me and said “Don’t do birthday o! You know this industry. Did I do my birthday? Did Don Jazzy celebrate his birthday? Who shouted when they were 40? Don’t do any birthday o! They will retire you.” I was like “Dapo, what do you mean?”
“When I fill forms these days, you know when we were so excited to fill between 18 and 25, we tick fast. Between like 25 and 35, you tick. After 35, it’s like is this answer required? “
However, her show guest, IK Osakioduwa, offered words of encouragement and reassurance.
As someone who has already crossed the 40-year mark, IK shared his experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of transitioning and evolving in one’s career.
He emphasised that age is not a limitation and that Toke should focus on the impact she’s made and the lives she’s touched, rather than her age.
“Thou shall not be nervous. I am 45, I just turned 45. And I’m still doing this thing. They can’t retire you. I won’t lie to you, there is that stage you get to where you feel like if I tell them my age, won’t people feel I’m too old for this?
“But I’ve started to transition to a space where I’m just no longer a presenter, but a platform for presenters because I want to be able to create other means.
“I want to be able to sit down and look and count not how many awards or trophies I have on shelves, but I want to be able to look at the lives of people I’ve changed because our paths crossed,” he said.
[TheNation]
More...
Stephanie Coker-Aderinokun
Media presenter and producer, Stephanie Coker-Aderinokun, is one woman that has often spoken out about her struggle with childbearing. In a recent interview, she stated that she was first diagnosed of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at the age of 16. She has also documented her journey in a documentary series on her YouTube channel titled, ‘African and Pregnant’.
In an interview with Saturday Beats on March 7, 2020, Coker-Aderinokun noted the struggles she faced while trying to have a baby via in-vitro fertilisation. She said, “It was not only draining but life-threatening as I developed Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome. My stomach became swollen with fluids. I threw up blood and was aspirated every day for a week. This syndrome causes the ovaries to swell and become painful. It can become very serious and ultimately life threatening.”
In another interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, she spoke more about her experience battling PCOS. She stated that there was a time she did not menstruate for a year. According to her, she tried getting pregnant naturally but the wait was traumatic for her, so she opted for IVF, which was successful.
Coker-Aderinokun had her traditional wedding in December 2016, while the white wedding followed in August 2017. She had her first child in November 2019.
Nse Ikpe-Etim
Talented actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim, is the darling of many on account of how she interprets her roles in movies. However, in the real world, she had had to struggle with infertility. She stated that she had a medical condition— adenomyosis— which eventually led to her removing her womb.
She first spoke about the condition and why she had not been able to give birth at an event tagged, ‘Conversation with Nse’ in Lekki, Lagos, on May 11, 2019. She stated that she cried when she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2016. She had said, “I was told I couldn’t have kids, so, I had to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to make me have a life again and to stop going through what I was going through. I’m literarily telling women and men, it really doesn’t matter if you can’t bear children. What really matters is what you would do for the world, for the universe.”
She added, “Tears dropped, and my husband squeezed my hand. It was reassuring that there was someone there and it was telling me that this is reality, my reality. The ordeal made me fall into depression.
“I didn’t think there was any point anymore, because society had taught me that I had to be a mother to be appreciated. And every time I went online, a troll or two would say, ‘You haven’t given birth’? But, I’m thankful that that didn’t break me.”
In another interview with media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, in 2020, she stated that she was tired of people making false assumptions, so she decided to go public about her condition. She said, “I am tired of the trolls just yapping. You know you have no idea of what goes on in people’s lives. It’s so easy to sit behind a computer or your phone and just type. The other person reading it is human; you don’t say things that are hurtful.”
In yet another interview with Chude Jideonwo in May 2022, she noted that she ad her husband were dog parents for now. When asked if adoption was an option she had ever considered, she said, “You never say never but right now, Clifford (husband) and I are dog parents.”
She married her husband, Clifford Sule, who was her childhood sweetheart, on February 14, 2013.
Biola Adebayo
Actress and producer, Biola Adebayo, welcomed her first child in her forties.
Speaking about her childbirth struggle on her YouTube page on May 30, 2023, she noted that she and her husband had agreed that if after six months, they didn’t see any signs, they would opt for either IVF or surrogacy. She added that she had a failed IVF, one cancelled surrogate circle, and three failed surrogates within two years of marriage. She noted that it was at her fourth attempt that her first child was birthed via surrogacy.
She announced this on social media after the birth of her son on April 11, 2023. She wrote, “After one failed IVF, one cancelled surrogate circle, three failed surrogate attempts in two years, God has finally blessed my husband and I with a great son through our surrogate mum.
“Through it all, God has been so good to us, and we’re grateful for this great testimony. Thank you, Abba Father. God bless our doctors; God bless our surrogate mum. It’s a new dawn. Welcome to the world, Baby TA.”
Adesua Etomi-Wellington
Having experienced decayed twin embryos, three failed IVF procedures, and PCOS, actress, Etomi-Wellington, finally opened up on her experience while trying to conceive a child for her husband, Bankole Wellington, aka Banky W.
At a programme in the Waterbrook Church, which they attend, the couple shared their struggle with childbirth.
According to them, they had both decided to give birth immediately after their marriage in 2017, but that did not happen until 2021. A year after all natural attempts failed, they decided to try IVF. The first IVF was successful, and she was said to be carrying a set of twins. But, that ended in bad news after a scan revealed that the babies had no heartbeat.
Despite the setback, the couple didn’t give up, and they went for the second and third rounds of IVF, which were also unsuccessful. At that point, the medical reports they received were not encouraging.
Etomi-Wellington said, “The doctors said I had PCOS (a condition in women characterised by irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth). The medical report also indicated that Banky’s sperm morphology was not right.
“After the third attempt, I said I was not doing again. I am not taking any single drug or injection. I am not doing anything anymore. If God gives me a child, praise Jesus, but if He is not giving me any child, that’s okay.”
She later gave birth through natural means to her son, Hazaiah, in February 2021, two and half years after the first failed IVF.
Toyin Abraham
In October 2019, actress and producer, Toyin Abraham, revealed that she had her child after struggling with infertility. She made this revelation on social media in a now deleted video on how traditional medicine helped her beat the struggle of infertility. She also launched ‘Toyins Herbal Female Fertility Booster’, a root and herb concoction for women trying to get pregnant.
Though she was formerly married to actor, Adeniyi Johnson, the union was not blessed with a child before it crashed. She later got married to another actor, Kolawole Ajeyemi, and they had a baby boy in August 2019.
Etinosa Idemudia
Although married twice, actress, Etinosa Idemudia, recently recounted her struggle with infertility and PCOS. In a post on her Instagram page on January 18, 2024, she spoke about her infertility experience. She wrote, “Why is it that in this country, when a woman isn’t getting pregnant, the family of the husband, including the man, will blame the woman; even without a diagnosis. To every man/woman out there trying to conceive, just know that God has not forsaken you. If he can bless me with a child after years of PCOS, tears and shame; then, He can and He will definitely turn the tables to favour you.”
“Ten years ago, I went through hell. I thought I was the problem. I have taken a part of my life story and created a movie that I hope will minister to and entertain you.”
The actress had unveiled her daughter few days to the end of 2020. In an interview with Saturday Beats in 2021, Idemudia stated that she had been trying to get pregnant for seven years. She had said, “It was a high-risk pregnancy but God saw me through. I was two months gone before I knew I was pregnant. I would not even have known until much later if not that my long-time doctor and friend forced me to do a pregnancy test when I was busy treating ‘stubborn malaria’.”
She concluded by saying, “I waited for about seven years (before having this child). My advice to awaiting mothers is that they should take their minds off the issue and relax. It is a tough advice that almost sounds crazy, but that was the advice I got from my sister-in-law years ago. She is also a polycystic ovary syndrome conqueror. It worked back then, but I lost the pregnancies. Then, I threw away her advice and naturally became anxious. Anxiety turned to desperation and I did take in again, even with the drugs I was taking then. It was not until last year that I finally learnt to relax. Let go and let God.”
Wumi Toriola
It wasn’t until she was celebrating the second birthday of her son, Zion, in October 2021 that she revealed that she had problem conceiving. She wrote, “I think it’s about time to tell my little story, and this is to encourage someone. I wanted to rest after marriage before conception and boom, ‘my supposed rest’ finished, but no conception. I didn’t see it as a problem, until someone said, ‘Is it that easy. After all, she is married, but she has never been pregnant’. As the playful person that I am, it did not ‘hit’ until six months passed. Then, it started to dawn on me.
“I flew to a fertility hospital, but the annoying thing is that one needs to go with one’s partner. That was a tough one, because it sure sends signals like, has she damaged her womb?
“To cut the story short, I was told there was no issue, that it would come. I had intrauterine insemination (a fertility treatment that gives sperm a better chance at fertilising an egg) two times. After the last one, I started having funny symptoms of pregnancy even without a test. I thought I was pregnant and was unnecessarily careful.
“One month passed, I did a test, but alas, no conception. I was mad at myself. 30 days of injection and ‘hard work’ again. My doctor would laugh at me and assure me there was no issue with us. I lost hope in IUI, and was ready for IVF; then my miraculous conception came.
“I wish I could explain the anger and the sadness through those little times of waiting but just one day, I forgot all.”
In conclusion, she wrote, “To everyone looking for a miracle, the set time is now and it shall not tarry. Please, don’t take medicals lightly.”
[Punch]
'We thought we were voting for development, but now, hardship is worse than before' - roadside trader
AFOLABI
Miss Elizabeth Christopher Etim, switched from the business of selling fruits to selling premium motor spirit (PMS) in measured plastic kegs popularly called “black market”, by the roadside.
She was sitting behind her kegs of petrol along Ikpa Road in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State when our correspondent engaged her in a chat. According to her, since the economic hardship in Nigeria is squeezing life out of the ordinary Nigerian, ingenuity is required to navigate the ugly tide of the galloping inflation of the country.
“The government officials in this country are not treating us well oo. We thought we were voting for development and for a good government, but now, it’s worse than before.
“I mean, it was a little bit better during the Buhari government but when President Bola Tinubu came, everything has worsened. Everywhere is hard.
“The masses are complaining. I believe that it is only those in government positions that are not complaining in this country as of today,” she lamented.
Elizabeth, who hails from Ibiono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, holds a secondary school certificate; unable to proceed to the university because her parents are indigent, she ventured into selling fruits, then petrol business, rather than prostitution, to evade hunger and privation.
Having witnessed, first hand, some better days in the past in Nigeria according to her, Elizabeth ventured into the labyrinth of his journey and ongoing struggle for survival.
She tells her story:
“There has never been a time when petrol is sold for N700 in this country.
“If someone had told me two years ago that I would be buying fuel for N900 per liter in the black market, I would have cursed the person to go to hell with his misfortune but now, we are having it worse.
“A distance that one could cover for N50 before, is now up to N200. Sometimes I wonder how Keke (tricycle) drivers cope with the increase in the prices of fuel.
“I’m 26 years old. I am not married. I have parents but I believe that I am an adult so I shouldn’t depend on my parents to feed.
“Also, they are struggling and as a grown up lady, I should be the one supporting them not the other way round.
“I finished secondary school in 2015, though I had loved to have a tertiary education, there was no money to do so.
“After I finished my Senior Secondary Certificate Education (SSCE) in 2015, there was nothing for me to do since my parents did not bother about sending me to the university because of lack of funds.
“In 2020 after the lockdown, a friend of mine took me to a lady’s sewing shop where I learnt how to sew, and in 2022, I was done with my training, but there was no money to get a sewing machine so I went to stay with my elder sister who later bought me a machine after a year.
“When I was staying with her, I was helping her with her fruit business. Later, I decided to leave her to start up my business.
“Though there is profit in the fruit business, I decided not to continue because of the stress involved in going to different bush markets to buy good fruits at cheaper rates so that you can get profit after selling to consumers.
“So, I decided to sell fuel by the roadside (black market) so that I will have what to eat. With the economy of the country, I couldn’t stay idle waiting for somebody to feed me.
“If your hope is having someone feeding you all the time without doing something to earn an income, you might have problems with the person as a result of consistent dependency.
“I started this business about a week ago. Before I decided to venture into this business, I was working as a seamstress; I have a sewing machine at home. I learnt the trade after my secondary school.
“Since I haven’t been able to get a lucrative spot for my sewing business, I decided to use the small money I had with me to start this business.
“I wanted to start working as a sales girl to raise money for my sewing skills but decided to start with the fuel business first.
“I buy fuel at the rate of N750 from the petrol station and sell at the rate of N900 per liter. So far, the business has been profitable.
“I make about N12,000 to N15,000 daily. Good thing I haven’t faced any form of harassment since I started. So I like this business. If I have money, I will like to expand it.
“I think what I make from this business complements the increase in the price of foodstuffs in the market. Now, two cups of garri is N500, so selling this fuel, at least I will have money to buy the garri.
“I prefer sitting outside like this with these liters of fuel to sitting down idle waiting for a man to feed me. Men don’t pay and so does idleness.
“I can’t go into prostitution or hookup all in the name of waiting for someone to pay my bills when I have hands and legs.
“In fact, men don’t pay these days because they are also struggling with the economy of the country to survive.
“It’s better I buy a liter of fuel for N750, sell it and make a profit of N150 than to sit idle and beg for food.
“I still have plans of going back to my sewing skills and I believe that one day, I will make enough money to be able to open a big fashion house.”
src[Tribuneonline]
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called for unity and cooperation from traditional rulers across Rivers State, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in fostering peace and progress.
Speaking to the esteemed leaders, Gov. Fubara recalled a past incident where a predecessor had issued threats to a traditional leader during a visit to Ahoada-East in Ekpeye land.
Reflecting on this experience, Gov. Fubara emphasized a different approach. “I remembered when we went to Ahoada-East, Ekpeye land, to perform an activity,” he recounted.
“A former Governor openly threatened one of you and warned that if you try it, I will do this, I will do that.”
Media
"I remembered when we went to Ahoada-East, Ekpeye land, to perform an activity, a former Governor openly threatened one of you and warned that if you try it, I will do this, I will do that."
— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )?? (@emmaikumeh) June 22, 2024
"But, I am not going to warn you because you are our fathers. I will appeal to you to… pic.twitter.com/8xhLLkEHUV
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has confirmed that Nigerians will begin utilising the proposed three-in-one identity card services in August this year.
Recalls that on Friday, April 5, 2024, the NIMC announced that it had launched a new card layered with payment capabilities and social service features in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System.
It explained that the identity solution was equipped with payment capability for all types of social and financial services.
An official of NIMC, in an interview with Punch, said the commission had been working tirelessly to meet its goals, stressing that the plan remains on track and will be launched in the upcoming months.
The official, whose name was not disclosed, added that the commission had begun the testing and deployment stage.
The source said, “We actually plan for July although there have been a few delays but we are still hopeful that it would come in July. So we are hoping to get it done between July and August. We are still on plan and if there is any shift, the public will know.
“When you are deploying a new technology, there is a lot of work to be done, you need to configure the card, enable the outlet, and enable the wallet to work. We also have to do tests and that is what is ongoing.
“The deployment is ongoing, the portal that people need to access the service has to be deployed, and we have to make sure that it is scaleable and those are the ongoing works.
“There are integrations that all the banks need to do to enable the card and all of those little details are ongoing. We have that target and we are working extra hard to make sure that we achieve that.”