The naira appreciated against the dollar in the foreign exchange market.
According to FMDQ data, the naira was exchanged at N1,481.49 for a dollar on Thursday, compared to N1,488.60 on Wednesday.
This represents a slight N7.11 appreciation.
Similarly, in the parallel market section, the currency appreciated to N1,485 against the dollar on Thursday from N1,500 on Wednesday.
The development comes after the naira depreciated for the second consecutive time.
Nigeria’s forex market has continued to experience fluctuations since mid-April 2024, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention.
FMDQ securities exchange data showed that the apex bank sold $575 million to banks as an intervention in May 2024.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has lamented his inability to pay his four drivers a monthly salary of N100,000 each.
This revelation came during his address to a Christian group on Thursday, as he sought their support amid ongoing negotiations by the Tripartite Committee on the national minimum wage with the Organised Labour.
In his address, Akume stated, “I can’t afford to pay my drivers N100,000 each because they are four of them, along with other dependants. Labour initially demanded N600,000, which equates to approximately N9.9 trillion for the federal government. Where do we get that money from? Then labour reduced it to N400,000, which still amounts to over N5 trillion. We are asking for understanding because we simply cannot meet these demands.
He further explained, “We are exploring alternative solutions, such as housing schemes. The Federal Housing authorities are actively collecting lands across states to create housing facilities for a significant portion of the Nigerian populace.”
LEADERSHIP recalls that the organised labour and the Federal Government have been in prolonged negotiations. On Monday, labour declared an indefinite strike after their demands were not met. The strike, which disrupted various sectors of the economy, including airports and electricity, was called off on Tuesday as both parties resumed negotiations.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, was being awaited to submit the minimum wage template to President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.
The autopsy report on the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has revealed new details about his death, but the exact cause remains uncertain.
The report, obtained by TheCable on Thursday, shows that the autopsy was conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and included a toxicology test.
The test results showed traces of Diphenhydramine, an anti-histamine, in Mohbad’s system, but the concentration was not fatal or lethal. Anti-histamines are commonly used to treat allergies, stomach problems, colds, and anxiety.
The autopsy also revealed an injury on Mohbad’s right forearm and moderate to severe decomposition of his body, which was exhumed eight days after burial. However, no significant gross findings could be attributed to his death.
The report suggests that the possibility of a fatal anaphylactic shock or drug reaction cannot be ruled out, despite the absence of significant post-mortem and toxicology findings. Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
“It is noteworthy that the body neither had an autopsy nor embalmed prior to interment on the second day,” the report states.
“Following the Order for Exhumation, the body was exhumed on 21/09/2023 (8 days after the burial).
“Autopsy revealed moderate to marked decomposition of organs. Apart from the superficial injury on the right forearm, no significant gross finding could be attributed to death.
“Against this background, samples were taken for toxicology. This is to determine if there was any anaphylactic reaction, substances of abuse, overdosage or common household poisoning.
“Toxicology revealed positive findings of Diphenhydramine, an anti-histamine; however, this concentration was not in a fatal or lethal range. The other analytics were unremarkable.
“In determining fatal anaphylactic shock, blood sample needs to be taken as quickly as possible.
“Unfortunately, this was prevented or made impossible by the burial of the deceased on the second day. In the light of the foregoing, cause of death could not be ascertained.
“However, the possibility of a fatal anaphylactic shock (drug reaction) could be considered in view of the absence of any significant post mortem and toxicology findings.”
The autopsy report highlights the importance of timely blood sampling to determine fatal anaphylactic shock, which was not possible in this case due to Mohbad’s burial on the second day.
Saudi Arabia has announced the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent which signaled the beginning of the 12th Islamic month.
The announcement was made on Thursday.
Consequently, tomorrow will mark the beginning of the holy month. Also, the Hajj pilgrimage for 1445 AH-2024 will commence on Friday, June 14, with the day of Arafah falling on Saturday, June 15.
With the development, the Muslim biggest festival, Eid Al-Adha, will be observed on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Meet Samuel Odugbesan who lost his arms working with an electricity company0.00 / 0.00
The Arafat Day, which precedes the festival, will fall on June 15.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had on Wednesday called on all Muslims across the Kingdom to participate in the sighting of the crescent moon of the Arabic month Dhu Al Hijjah.
This action is expected to help determine the commencement of the new and last month of the Hijr and also the day the festival falls on (Islamic) calendar.
Eid Al Adha, the biggest Islamic festival falls on the 10th of Dhu Al Hijjah.
Eid ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims all around the world on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar)
It is the second major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims after Eid-ul-Fitr.
The long bridge on the Warewa axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been taken over by flood, causing a traffic jam on the road.
The flood was caused by the heavy downpour on Thursday afternoon, which made the road almost impassable.
Though vehicles are still managing to swim through the flood, the discomfort to commuters can only be imagined.
The rain which started around 2pm on Thursday is yet to stop as of 8pm, with many houses around the area already getting submerged.
Media
Gridlock As Flood Takes Over Long Bridge On Lagos-Ibadan Expresswayhttps://t.co/QbEPFlu4g2 pic.twitter.com/GeKfGkqeUJ
— Channels Television (@channelstv) June 6, 2024
'Sleeping with our wives ease our pains' - Shock, disbelief as Benue IDPs camp records 200 babies a month
AFOLABI
it’s unacceptable, women there are helpless — ES Primary Health Care Board
There is no gain in saying that Benue State is currently the hub of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the country. With about 17 or more IDPs camps housing over 1.5 million IDPs, including those sheltering in the host communities, the state is no doubt facing a herculean task catering to the needs of these persons of concern.
The IDPs were forced out of their ancestral homes following repeated attacks and siege by armed herdsmen who are bent on defying the extant grazing law in the state.
From Guma to Agatu, Gwer West, Kwande, Makurdi, Logo, Apa, Okpokwu, Bururku, Otukpo and other local government areas, LGAs, it’s all tales of woes as the rural Benue farmers who are known for their prowess in food production have vacated their ancestral homes and taken refuge in IDPs camps.
Though the present administration has pledged to have them relocated back home, but while that move is still being awaited, the IDPs remain confined in these camps, living on the support they receive from the state government, kind-hearted individuals and organisations.
Given the dire condition in the camps the IDPs are faced with the challenges of inadequate food and drugs supply, including insufficient sleeping spaces and other challenges that make life unbearable for them.
But in the mist of these challenges one notable issue is the high rate of new child births being recorded in some of the camps.
Findings indicated that while the IDPs live in dire conditions amid insufficient sleeping space, they still make out space to make babies.
Strange as it may sound, the reality is that new born babies are recorded in the camps in high numbers despite the living condition of the IDPs.
The development though, a reason for celebration for families in a normal living environment, is considered a source of concern in an IDPs camp as it puts a huge strain on the healthcare service there.
Besides, the new born are brought to a world of uncertainty in IDPs camps where access to proper health care services and feeding sometimes gets daunting leading to health challenges and even malnutrition as was the case recently at the Ortese IDPs camp in Guma LGA where cases of malnutrition were discovered among the children.
In fact, it was also discovered in that camp that over 200 new babies were given birth to in one month by displaced mothers taking refuge in that camp alone.
The alarming figure which left tongues wagging was indeed part of the findings of the Integrated Supportive Supervision, ISS, of the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the World Health Organisation, UNICEF/WHO Humanitarian Health Response, IDP, Outreach implemented by the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, carried out at the Ortese and Ichwa IDPs camps in Guma and Makurdi local government areas, respectively.
It was discovered that the high figure was a function of the fact that in the midst of their distress, the IDPs find pleasure and happiness in sleeping with their spouses.
This was also alluded to by one of the IDPs, who identified himself as Anngu, and also claimed to be a father of two and resides in the camp with his family.
According to him: “Though we live in the camp we find space to sleep with our wives. When we do that we are happy with each other and it helps us reduce the pains we are going through.
“So we cannot be asked to stop because we are living in camp. The only thing is that we must ensure that our wives protect themselves from being pregnant though some men don’t like the idea of their wives not giving birth.
“As for me I came to the camp about two years ago with my wife and two children and I sleep with my wife, but I ensure that she uses the family planning products that were given to her by the health care people. But the truth is that many are not using it.”
Speaking on the development, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, who visited the camp, said the number of new births was quite high and the government would need to do something about it.
According to her: “I saw a very interesting sight. I’ve been in these camps often as part of our coordination beat and as part of the main role of primary health care.
“We are part of the major leading partners in supporting the IDPs camps in terms of providing healthcare personnel who will be providing services to these various camps.
“Today I saw many pregnant women and young children and it seems that there is very high level of fertility and child birth within these camps.
“Today alone we noticed that there are 200 new births per month. It is quite high, and government needs to do something about it.
“But from my discussion with them it seems that they are not utilising the family planning products that were given to them. So we need to intensify demand creation generation, especially among the men because they took the problem there. The women are willing but their husbands are resisting those family planning methods.
“The 200 births I am talking about is just in Ortese IDPs Camp. I am not talking about any other. So, 200 babies delivered in one camp in one month is huge. And we have not gotten the situation in other camps.
“Our findings indicated that the women there are helpless. Some women are remarrying within the camp, their husbands are not there; the husbands are also remarrying. They are also, sort of negotiating sex with the women within the camp. Those things are things that require that we intensify our advocacy and decision making within the camps.
“I have already talked with the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the Camp Coordinators to see how we can go about it. We will target the advocacy on the men for now,” she added.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has explained why it rejected the helicopter landing levies for stakeholders.
In a statement on Thursday by Obiora Okonkwo, its spokesperson, AON said regulators do not provide any service to helicopter operators that would justify the imposition of the fee.
On May 31, the ministry of aviation and aerospace development announced that the helicopter landing levy was temporarily suspended after pushback from stakeholders — one month after approval of the levy.
Speaking on the issue, the AON said the collection of the fee by Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited negates the legal frameworks of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
“AON rejects the imposition of the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee for the following reasons: NAMA does not provide any additional service to helicopter operators to justify the imposition of the fee at all helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs, etc. in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“The approval and imposition of the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee at private helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs etc when no service is provided at those locations to the helicopter operators by NAMA is contrary to the provision of section 7 (1) (r) of the then applicable NAMA Act as well as to section 1, paragraph 2 (1) of ICAO Document 9082.
“NAMA did not adhere to the policies, principles and guidelines contained in ICAO Documents 9082 (ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services) and 9161 (Manual on Air Navigation Services Economics) before imposing the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee.”
Citing part 18, Section 18.8.1.1 (e) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, the association said NAMA is required to adhere to the policies, principles, and guidelines contained in the documents.
The AON added that NAMA did not obtain the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before imposing the new fee on operators.
The group said the NCAA has the statutory power to regulate the charges made with respect to air traffic control and for the use of aerodromes and services provided at such aerodromes.
According to AON, NAMA did not consult “the helicopter operators and other stakeholders before imposing the Helicopter Landing and Take-off Fee”.
‘HELICOPTER FEE CHARGED IN DOLLARS INSTEAD OF NAIRA’
According to the association, the fee is charged and requested in dollars, contrasting the provision of Section 15 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which is “clear that the unit of currency in Nigeria shall be the Naira”.
“There is nowhere in the world where the Air Navigation Service Provider does not provide any service to helicopter operators but charges landing and take-off fees for landings and take—off on and from private helipads, oil rig platforms, FSPOs, FSOs, etc.,” the association said.
“The examples given by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the Press Release of 13th May 2024 of where landing and take-off fee is paid are all of airports.”
The engagement of Naebi Dynamic Concepts, AON said, “did not follow due process” as it failed to comply with the requirements of the Public Procurement Act for the procurement of the services of consultants.
The group thanked Festus Keyamo, aviation minister, for temporarily suspending the levy and for his leadership of the aviation industry and support for the growth and sustainability of Nigerian air operators.
…says national grid shutdown treasonable
…warns Labour against destructive strikes, others
FCT, Abuja-The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on Nigerians to remain calm amidst economic challenges, assuring them that President Bola Tinubu is working diligently to improve the economy.
Addressing the National Executive Council of CAN, on Thursday, June 6, Akume outlined several measures the government is taking to address current hardships and also cautioned labour not to make decision that would jeopardize the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration.
Akume also hinted that the current administration took over a turbulent country, citing that the country’s foreign reserves and many other sectors were poorly managed.
“We took over in a very turbulent weather. Foreign reserves were zero, but there have been massive reforms carried out by the president. One of them, which appeared to be a little bit tough for people to understand, is the subsidy removal of fuel. People should stop shouting; they need to know the actual truth,” Akume stated.
He emphasized that the current administration has taken swift actions in implementing palliatives to cushion the effects of these reforms.
“We are all aware of the 35,000 naira wage award for workers, which means a 30,000 naira minimum wage with 35,000 on top of that. Additionally, 100 billion naira for CNG fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices,” he added.
Akume also highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting various sectors, including the allocation of 125 billion naira in conditional grants and financial inclusion for medium and small enterprises, and 150 billion naira in palliative loans to states to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. “
We are providing 200 billion naira to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now,” he added.
Addressing recent disruptions, Akume condemned the shutdown of the national grid, labeling it as a treasonable offense.
“Nowhere in the world has labor ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.
“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The president is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way”, he said.
Reflecting on the process of setting the minimum wage, Akume explained, “In 2019, the minimum wage was legislated up to 30,000 naira. It is an exclusive issue in the constitution, not on the concurrent list, but on the exclusive legislative list. That is why it is the federal government, working with organized private sector and labor, that recommends it to the president for the national assembly’s attention.”
Reassuring the public, Akume stated, “It is not that we are not working. We are working, and that is why we implemented the 35,000-naira wage, which is more than the minimum wage. There are buses ready to be distributed, and soon, rice and other essentials will be available.”
Akume stressed the importance of collaboration between the church and the government in providing essential services such as education, health, and agriculture.
“The church must collaborate with the government in providing facilities for people whether it is in education, health, or agriculture. We don’t separate; we combine. There is a symbiotic relationship that can never be destroyed,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing the government’s focus on productivity and economic stability.
“Our people must rise up and have something in their pockets. It is not about demanding 100,000 naira without productivity. We are looking at controlling inflation and ensuring a balanced economy,” he asserted.
The Yobe Microfinance Bank says it has launched a “ram loans scheme” for Sallah celebrations.
Sheriff Almuhajir, the bank’s chief executive officer (CEO), disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Damaturu on Thursday.
The financial institution is a state-licensed microfinance bank in Yobe state, north eastern Nigeria.
Almuhajir said the bank has initiated a N150 million facility to enable its customers to purchase animals for sacrifice during the Eid el-Adha celebration, slated for June 16.
Eid el-Adha, also known as the ‘feast of sacrifice’, is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.
The sacrifice of animals such as rams, sheep, cattle, and goats is a symbolic ritual performed by Muslims across the globe to celebrate the day.
“This loan scheme is designed to support civil servants in Yobe, especially those working with state and local councils during the festive season,” Almuhajir said.
The bank’s CEO said the facility would be carried out under the Sallah ram loans scheme and divided into categories A and B for disbursement.
According to Almuhajir, customers in category A would receive N150,000, while those in category B would receive N75,000.
He said the loan would be repaid monthly, with customers in category A paying N6,000; while those in the second group would pay N3,300.
Almuhajir said the conditions for obtaining the loan include having an account with the bank with a minimum balance of N2,500 for automated teller machine (ATM) cards and other services.
The CEO said applicants must purchase a form from the banking hall for N1,000 and be civil servants on the payroll of the state or local government councils.
Other requirements include the provision of two passport photographs, the national identification number (NIN), a payment slip and other relevant documents.
He said the initiative aims to assist individuals and families who may not be able to immediately afford a ram for the festivities.
75 percent of those we support with food, clothes, others are Nigerian students - UK Charity
AFOLABI
Seventy-five percent of the clients at Thornaby’s Sprouts Community Food Charity (SCFC) are now Nigerian students grappling with financial difficulties, charity manager Debbie Fixter revealed. The charity, which offers food, clothes, and household items, has experienced a surge in Nigerian students seeking help.
Fixter told BBC News that the charity has reached its “maximum capacity.” SCFC reported a shift in its clientele in recent months, with the majority of visitors being Nigerian master’s degree students from Teesside University.
Nigerian students in the United Kingdom have recently been making headlines, with some being blocked from continuing their studies and ordered to return to Nigeria due to unpaid tuition fees. The devaluation of the Nigerian currency has reportedly wiped out some students’ savings, forcing them to cut back on essentials.
Fixter noted that an increasing number of Nigerian students in the UK are turning to community charities and organizations for much-needed assistance. “They’re really struggling, they need help, and they’re part of our community,” she said.
Boluwatife Elusakin, a Nigerian student in the UK, told the BBC that he has had to “dive deep” to afford the cost of living and studying in the UK. “Things are no longer the same, I’ve had to cut costs because of the currency crash. It hit my savings as I’d already budgeted funds to come here. It makes me feel sad, but I hope I can endure just one year and all will be well,” he said.
Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized the university for changing its payment plans from seven installments to three, exacerbating the problem. He also pointed out that students hoping to find jobs to fill funding gaps are limited by the number of hours they are legally allowed to work.
“When I was applying, the exchange rate was around 600 naira per pound, but by the time I arrived, it was 1,400. At the time we filled out forms, we had proof of funds to cater for nine months. But the money is not enough; you don’t have a job or the means to get one. The little you have is depleting, and a lot of us are facing difficulties. When you don’t have funds in your pocket, frustration sets in and many are experiencing mental health issues. Some wish they had never come.”
Fixter emphasized that more needs to be done to address the crisis, stating that SCFC is currently at “maximum capacity” and struggling to meet the demand for assistance.
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A Federal High Court in Kano has postponed the ruling on jurisdiction in the ongoing legal battle concerning the Kano emirate dispute.
The case, which has captured widespread public interest, will see its next significant development on June 13, as confirmed by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman during Thursday’s session.
The legal contest stems from a petition filed by Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, known as the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.
The applicant is challenging the actions of various state entities and security agencies, including the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, and law enforcement authorities, regarding the implementation of a repealed law that impacts the governance of the Kano Emirate.
During Thursday’s proceedings, heated exchanges were noted between the representatives of both sides, reflecting the case’s high stakes. M.S Waziri, the counsel for the applicant, indicated that a written address had been submitted on June 6, seeking judicial intervention to halt the enforcement of the contentious state actions.
The respondents in this significant legal confrontation include the Kano State Government, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, the state’s Attorney General, the Kano Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“On the issue of jurisdiction, in compliance with the order of the court, we have filed a written address dated 6th June and hereby adopt same and maintain that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter because the issue is of fundamental human rights.
“The applicant as a member of Kano emirate Kingmakers ought to have been involved in the reinstatement of the new emir. My lord, breach of fundamental rights has no timeline. I urge the court to proceed with the case.”
Responding, counsel for the first and fourth respondents, Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji (SAN), urged the court to decline the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He argued that the law had gone through legislative processes, the order came only after the action was taken, and his client was only served on Monday of the following week.
He therefore urged the court to decline to entertain the matter on the issue of jurisdiction.
“We filed a written address dated June 3 and filed June 6. In the constitution, only the Kano State House of Assembly has the authority and power to make law.
“The applicant is neither a member of the House of Assembly or the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs. The applicant may not need to be consulted,” he said.
On his part, counsel for the second and third respondents, Ibrahim Isah Wangida, aligned himself with the submission of the first and second respondents, arguing that the applicant cannot claim his right was breached as the 2024 law was repealed and accented to before the applicant filed action.
“The 2019 Kano emirate council law, which gave the power to the applicant at the time of filing his action, was abolished, so he seized to be a kingmaker as of the time he filed the action because the governor has already accented to the law.”
For their part, counsel for the fifth and sixth respondents, Sunday Ekwe, told the court that they did not file any issue bordering on jurisdiction because the police’s duty is to maintain peace and wait to carry out the court’s order.
The judge adjourned the case to June 13 for ruling on jurisdiction.
Nine Crude Oil Thieves Arrested As NSCDC Dismantles 3 Bunkering Sites At Rivers-Abia Boundary
AFOLABI
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended nine suspects involved in crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The operation was carried out by the NSCDC Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS).
The CG, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the squad for their dedication and effectiveness during the operation.
According to the information made available to THE WHISTLER on Thursday by CSC Babawale Afolabi, the National Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, the arrests were made in the dense forest area of Ommuma/Owaza, located at the boundary between Rivers and Abia States.
The SIS Commander, DC Appolos Dandaura, who gave details of the operation, revealed that the squad had conducted strategic surveillance based on sustained intelligence on the crime scene.
He noted that the suspects were caught in the act of refining stolen crude oil from a vandalized oil wellhead, adding that during the operation, a local refinery under construction, with the capacity to produce 60,000 liters of crude oil, was also discovered.
“Based on sustained intelligence we placed strategic surveillance on the crime scene and apprehended 9 suspects caught in the act of illegally refining stolen crude extracted from a vandalized Oil Well Head; we also discovered an ongoing construction of a local refinery with the capacity to produce 60,000 litres of crude at once.
“While on operational tour across the terrain, we uncovered about 3 well constructed illegal local refineries where crude is being siphoned through the vandalized well head with large hoses connected to transmit crude to Cooking ovens and later channelled to reservoirs after processing; thereafter loading is finally done.
“Visibly at the massive illegal bunkering site you will notice how large hoses and galvanized metal pipes were laid to transfer stolen crude across the processing channels; the site occupied over 15 Modular ovens with 4 fabricated reservoirs and 30 pits dug out to store processed AGO,” said DC Dandaura
The arrested suspects were identified as, ”Oghene Wede (M) 32years, Moses James (M) 25years, Chidi Nwosu (M) 53years, Samuel John (M) 24years, Emmanuel Paul (M) 20years, Oghenevo Nwebi (M) 43years, Martina Whinnypeter (F) 38Years, Nwabuchi Nwogu (M) 41 years and David Okere (M) 20years.”
Dandaura further stated that some exhibits recovered during the operations are: RWD 5.0 GFE-6500 Power Generating Set, 2 Yellow Colour Pumping Machines, Metal and Plastic buckets, Cutlasses, Saw, Mats, Welding Machine, Galvanized metal pipes, different heavy-duty hoses, Head flashlights, some Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) illegally processed in cooking ovens.
He said an investigation is underway to determine the level of involvement of each suspect and identify their sponsors and upon completion of the investigation, the suspects will be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar activities.
NDLEA Arrests 34-Year-Old Lady, Three Other Intending Hajj Pilgrims With 2.20kg Of Cocaine In Lagos
AFOLABI
Operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested four intending pilgrims with plans to ingest 200 pellets of cocaine in their hotel rooms ahead of their Hajj trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Agency revealed this in a statement, signed by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi on Thursday.
The NDLEA said the pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms were found in their possession when its operatives stormed their rooms at an undisclosed hotel in Lagos, where they were lodged.
The suspects: Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and a lady, Ayinla Kemi, 34 were scheduled to leave on a Wednesday, for the ongoing Hajj when they were arrested.
“One hundred wraps of the Class A substance were recovered from each of the two rooms bringing the total seizure to 200 wraps. Two suspects were to swallow 100 wraps each,” the Agency revealed.
While commending the NDLEA operatives, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen., Mohamed Marwa said the agency will continue to spread its dragnet to track, trace and apprehend criminal elements who may want to hide under pilgrimage to carry out their nefarious activities.
He said, “The Agency will work with our counterparts in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the designated recipients of seized illicit drug consignments in any part of Saudi Arabia are also traced and dealt with accordingly.”
Comfort Stevens Industries, a collaboration between US, Chinese, and Brazilian companies, has announced plans to establish a footwear factory in Owerrinta, Abia.
Dr. John Nwankwo, CEO of Comfort Stevens, disclosed this on Wednesday, during a meeting with the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
He stated that the factory, with a daily production capacity of 15,000 shoes, aims to boost local manufacturing, create jobs, and strengthen the “Made-in-Aba” brand.
Mr. Levi Sotomayor, a foreign partner, emphasized the importance of a public-private partnership for success and the establishment of an artisan academy.
This collaboration according to Sotomayor would facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, bolster local manufacturing, and support large-scale export of finished leather products.
Another foreign partner, Mr. Hon Chik, added that the project would integrate Abia State into the global footwear industry, which holds substantial promise for the region.
He expressed confidence in the project’s potential for success.
Governor Otti welcomed the investment and reaffirmed his administration’s focus on revitalizing local manufacturing and creating a business-friendly environment.
He acknowledged the importance of local production for economic development and expressed admiration for the resilience of Aba’s existing shoemakers.
“One of our government’s key priorities is job creation. We sometimes prioritize job opportunities for our youth over company analysis.
“Our administration is willing to collaborate with Comfort Stevens to establish an academy for artisans and enhance footwear production in the state.
“We are encouraged by your plans to train and upscale our shoemakers. Many of them lack the right tools, skills, and patience. It would be beneficial for Comfort Stevens to not only produce products but also run a finishing school for our youth. Introducing technology to them will significantly improve their output,” Otti said.
Governor Otti assured that the government would ensure a steady power supply to the Owerrinta shoe factory and noted ongoing infrastructure improvements, such as the dualization of the road from Imo River to Umuikaa Junction, to facilitate seamless transportation.