Veteran singer and activist, Charles Oputa better known as Charly Boy, has taken a swipe at the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He referred to the immediate past governor of Rivers state as the ‘mistake maker’ of the century.
The statement came after Wike told the people of Rivers State that he made a mistake and he is ready to correct the mistake at the appropriate time.
Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have been embroiled in a face-off that has polarised the state House of Assembly into two camps.
“I want to say this clearly, in life we have made a mistake. I have made a mistake. I own it up and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time,” Wike declared.
Responding to the statement, Charly Boy, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said Wike will very soon claim he made another mistake for supporting President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
He wrote: “I made a mistake in 2016 by supporting Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as PDP National Chairman. I made another mistake in 2017 by supporting Prince Uche Secondus as PDP National Chairman. I made another mistake for supporting Tambuwal for PDP ticket in 2019. I made yet another mistake in 2021 by supporting Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP National Chairman. And, most recently, I made a mistake in 2023 by supporting Sir Sim Fubara as my successor. I know very soon he will make another mistake for supporting Tinubu in 2023. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the mistake maker of the century.”
Two members of an armed robbery gang usually referred to as One Chance identified as Chibuieze Orji and Jibrin Mohammed have been arrested by the Nasarawa State Police Command.
The suspects operate along Akwanga-Keffi-Abuja expressway, where they dispossess their victims of their valuables.
According to a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ramhan Nansel, the suspects were apprehended by police operatives attached to Anguwan Lambu Division, Keffi.
According to the statement, with Ref: AZ:5250/NAS/PRD/VOL.2/70, those arrested were Chibuieze Orji ‘M’ 52 years and Jibrin Mohammed ‘M’ 45 years.
Nansel further stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects usually pose as taxi drivers to pick unsuspecting passengers, drive away to unknown destinations, and dispossess them of money and other belongings, after which the victims are abandoned while they take flight.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and said they have been operating for over 10 years and robbed a lot of people.
“They further stated that they were recently released from Shendam prison, Plateau State, for a similar offence after serving their prison term,” the statement reads in part.
Items recovered include a Toyota Carina II vehicle with registration number Abuja CO 212 ABC, one axe and hammer.
Nansel added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada, has ordered that, the suspects be charged to court for prosecution upon conclusion of investigation.
The CP assured members of the public that the command would be relentless in its fight against crime in the state and solicit their collaboration.
Sat in a circle on the nursery floor, a group of Swiss three-year-olds ask a robot called Nao questions about giraffes and broccoli.
By the time these children become adults, interacting with robots may well be as commonplace as using a smartphone, experts believe.
So one Lausanne creche has decided to give them a head start.
Nao has been a regular visitor at the Nanosphere nursery on the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology University since the New Year. He is what is called an “interactive learning companion” rather than a substitute teacher.
As the children were dropped off, Nao — who is only 58 centimetres (less than two feet) tall — stood on a bench to greet them at eye level.
“Hello, my name is Nao. I’m happy to be at the Nanosphere today,” he said, in a child-like high-pitched voice.
“I left my planet some time ago to come and meet you. I look forward to getting to know you and being able to talk with you in the weeks ahead.”
Some children walked straight past, some waved, pointed, touched his hand or simply gazed at him transfixed.
– ‘No squabbling!’ –
“What will the children’s future be like? Will they have to work with robots? Very probably yes,” Olivier Delamadeleine, director-general of the Educalis group of nurseries and primary schools in Lausanne, told AFP.
“So as we are in a place of learning it is important to get them familiarised early so that they’re used to working with robots,” he added.
Back in the class, teacher Eve L’Eplattenier and the 14 children sat in a circle on the floor with Nao in the middle.
“He’s going to come and explain things to you,” she said.
“Do you like broccoli? It’s very good for your health,” the robot said.
L’Eplattenier picked him up and put him on a table. She said Nao would not grow any taller as children do.
The children gathered excitedly around, some jockeying for space.
“No squabbling!” Nao told them.
Prompted by their teacher, the children tried to catch him out with questions such as, “I am an animal with a trunk. What am I?” When he got it right, they giggled.
– ‘Little know-it-all’ –
Gabriel Paffi, a masters student in robotics, sat in the corner feeding Nao his answers.
He programmed the robot and is working on how to adapt it for a nursery’s needs.
“The goal is to make it automated so that he no longer needs me to move around and respond to the children,” Paffi said.
The first Nao robots hit the market in 2008. Now on generation six, the brand is owned by the Germany-based United Robotics Group and more than 15,000 units have been sold.
The plan is for this Nao to spend several years in the Educalis nurseries as his capacities expand.
L’Eplattenier said the children are thrilled when Nao turns up, and have bonded with their diminutive friend.
“They are curious to see what he will say, what he will do,” she said.
“He’s a companion with little tips and bits of advice.
“I think he will quickly position himself as the little know-it-all of the group.”
As for the parents, they too are keen to see how Nao will settle in.
“I think it’s a good way to help the children progress with new technologies,” said Guillaume Quentin.
When it was time for Nao to “fly back into space”, each child in turn shuffled towards him to say goodbye and give him a wave. He replied to each by name.
“I love you. I will come back soon,” he told them.
[Vanguard]
Wigwe University founded by the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, is set to officially launch operational activities by August 2024.
The university which is situated in Isiokpo in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges, including the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.
In early January 2024, the private university appointed Prof. Miles Davis from the United States as its pioneer Vice-Chancellor.
Davis holds a Doctorate in Human and Organisational Sciences from The George Washington University, USA.
Sitting on the Board of Trustees is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Founding Partner of Kenna Partners, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu. Others include Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, and Mrs. Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga, among others.
A check on the school’s website revealed that all its programmes are “delivered to an international standard, in collaboration with key international partners. Our approach puts us in touch with world-leading curricula, joint research and international exchanges and internship programmes.
“Wigwe University, with its innovative approach to higher education and strong commitment to research, community engagement, and academic excellence, is poised to shape Africa’s future as a leader in global education. The institution’s blend of home-based and foreign faculty members promises to instill a sense of purpose, foster creativity, and inspire a new generation of well-rounded fearless leaders who will make a significant impact on the world.”
Further checks showed that the cheapest college is Arts with a total fee of N9,600,00. Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of ₦11,998,800 each.
The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, and health insurance, among others.
The late founder, Wigwe, died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife Chizoba, and son Chizzy in California on February 9, 2024.
In his message found on the school’s website page, Wigwe stated, “I cannot change the world overnight. But if I can empower even one youth today, tomorrow, they could join me in empowering others. With time, we could change the world.”
A Chief Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Abdulwahab Magaji, has committed suicide in Kano State.
Magaji, who, until his death, was serving in the Abuja headquarters of the Service, reportedly shot himself with a pump action gun at his Farm Centre Quarters in Kano, a few days ago. The reason for his action was unknown at press time.
While confirming the tragic incident, Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the Command has flagged off full scale investigation into the reported case of suicide of the Customs officer.
In another development, the police have arrested one Mohamed Barde, alongside two others, over a gang-fight that led to the death of two people in the metropolis. The deceased, the police confirmed, included Sadiq Abdulkadir of Darmanawa Quarters and Muhammad Sani of Sallari Quarters.
Muhammad Barde had organised a Gangi event for the upcoming wedding of his children. During the event, a group of thugs engaged in supremacy fights that resulted in the death of two people, injury to three others and damages to some innocent passerby’s motor vehicles, the PPRO held.
The Federal Government is contemplating a supplementary budget to accommodate a proposed increase in the minimum wage, as ongoing negotiations are likely to exceed the allocations in the 2024 fiscal plan, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its latest staff country report on Nigeria, the IMF mentioned, “The authorities noted that a supplementary budget may be needed to accommodate the outcome of the ongoing wage structure negotiations, which may exceed what they had included in the 2024 budget.”
Naija News reports that the adjustment is crucial as the government is also considering raising domestic and external borrowing ceilings to avoid new borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Ways and Means facility.
Negotiations for the new minimum wage have been central to discussions between Organized Labour and the government.
These discussions aim to ease the economic burdens faced by workers due to recent policy changes, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange markets, which have pushed the cost of living higher.
Labour leaders have demanded a substantial increase in the minimum wage for the lowest-ranked workers from N30,000 to N615,000, although there are indications that the tripartite committee might settle for N70,000.
In the 2024 budget, the government initially allocated N6.48 trillion for personnel costs. However, this figure may fall short of the requirements due to the new wage structure.
The IMF warns that Nigeria’s budget deficit for 2024 is expected to exceed initial estimates, driven by implicit subsidies and rising debt interest expenses.
“The drivers are lower oil/gas revenue projections, reflecting IMF oil price forecasts but incorporating recent production gains; higher implicit fuel and electricity subsidies; continued suspension of excise measures included in the MTEF; and higher interest costs,” the report elaborates.
Finance Minister, Wale Edun, had aimed to reduce the budget deficit from 6.1% in 2023 to 3.8% in 2024. Nonetheless, the IMF projects a larger deficit, advising, “Based on staff’s projections, the authorities must raise the domestic and external borrowing ceilings to prevent renewed recourse to CBN financing.”
The report also supports an “opportunistic issuance” of Eurobonds and possible official financing as integral parts of the 2024 financing mix, amidst the financial adjustments required to stabilize Nigeria’s economy and address the extensive social needs of its population.
Outrage As Korra Obidi Plans Hawaii Vacation After Raising $50,000 On GoFundMe For Legal Battle Against Ex-Husband
AFOLABINigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi has faced a backlash from Nigerians on social media after she announced a trip to Hawaii immediately after reaching a $50,000 milestone in her GoFundMe campaign.
Naija News reports that Obidi launched the fundraiser on Friday with the aim of securing $100,000 to afford a competent lawyer to challenge her ex-husband, Justin Dean, for the custody of their children.
Over 950 donors contributed to the cause, enabling Obidi to raise half of her target within days.
On her GoFundMe page, she declared, “As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” urging her followers to assist her financially.
However, the narrative took a swift turn when Obidi revealed during a live session on Facebook that she was planning a vacation in Hawaii.
This revelation has sparked considerable outrage among her fans and donors, many of whom are accusing her of misusing the funds meant for legal battles.
Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, criticized Obidi, saying, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”
Chigoziri Ohochukwu also expressed disappointment, commenting, “You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media.”
The situation has led to calls for reporting the GoFundMe for a refund.
Jennifer Lynn Russell stated, “People need to report the GoFundMe, everybody needs to get their money back.”
In contrast, a few voiced support for Obidi.
Mary Monique Napont defended her, stating, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”
The controversy comes amid an ongoing and highly publicized divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband, which has previously seen Justin Dean gaining the right to keep their children off Obidi’s online platforms.
Obidi has accused Dean of abuse and “gaslighting,” both during their marriage and towards their daughters.
In response to the recent electricity tariff hike and the surging cost of fuel, Nigeria’s premium electricity consumers, known as Band A customers, are increasingly turning to solar power as a sustainable alternative.
Naija News reports that the shift comes after a significant increase in electricity costs, which have reportedly risen by over 300 per cent since April due to the government’s cessation of subsidies for electricity in Band A feeders.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) adjusted the tariff for Band A consumers to N225 per kilowatt-hour in April from the previous rate of N68, although a slight reduction to N206.80/kWh was implemented in May.
Despite this reduction, calls from organized labour and other stakeholders to revert the tariff to the initial N68/kWh have continued, fueled by widespread discontent among consumers.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, maintains that reversing the tariff is no longer feasible, as it would plunge the nation into “perpetual darkness.” Adelabu argues that the tariff adjustment is necessary to attract investors and bring liquidity to the power sector, a stance not universally accepted.
Critics point out that the tariff increase disproportionately affects not only the affluent but also many low-income earners living within Band A feeder locations, including pensioners, civil servants, and small business owners.
The increased costs have forced some consumers to drastically reduce their electricity usage, which has impacted their overall quality of life.
Oduro Oladunni, a resident affected by the hike, shared his predicament, stating, “Before the increase, my household’s monthly electricity expense was around N60,000, but now we’ve had to pay N129,000 in April alone. We now limit our electricity use to late at night to manage costs, which has forced us to cut back on essentials like food.”
Similarly, Adesayo Sulaimon lamented the reduction in electricity affordability, stating, “What previously cost N12,000 now requires N40,000, significantly shortening the duration our units last.”
The tariff hike has not only affected individual consumers but has also led to broader dissatisfaction among various economic sectors.
In response, Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, led a protest at the NERC head office in Abuja, demanding transparency about the power plants to be developed and calling for the abolition of taxes that exacerbate the financial strain on citizens.
In the face of these challenges, many Band A customers are reconsidering their reliance on grid electricity.
The move towards solar energy is seen not just as a cost-effective measure but as a necessity to maintain stable and affordable power.
Social media commentator Morris Monye highlighted this trend, stating, “I don leave una. Solar is the best way to go. No more Band A.
“N65,000 now gives me access to 288 kWh instead of 812 kWh. I have opted for solar and invested in 20 panels and eight batteries for about N6m.”
The surge in solar adoption reflects a critical pivot in how Nigerians are dealing with energy costs.
Angel Thomas, another convert to solar, shared that a N2m investment in solar panels significantly improved the power supply for his mother’s household essentials.
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Kylian Mbappe was named France’s player of the year on Monday at an awards ceremony in Paris, as he comes to the end of his seven-season stay with Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe, 25, picked up the prize for the best player in Ligue 1 at the UNFP (French players’ union) Trophies gala for the fifth time in a row after a season in which he has scored 44 goals in all competitions for PSG.
The France captain last week confirmed he will leave PSG at the end of the campaign when his contract expires, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination.
“It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close,” Mbappe said.
“Ligue 1 will always have an important place in my life. It is the only league I have known in my career up to now.
“I have always tried to be an honourable representative of this league,” he added.
“I will miss it for sure. It is a part of my life that is coming to an end. What is coming next is very exciting but that is something else.”
Mbappe played his final home game for PSG on Sunday and scored as the champions suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against Toulouse.
That goal took him to 27 for the season in Ligue 1, eight goals more than the next best marksman, Lille’s Canadian striker Jonathan David.
The season is not finished yet, with Mbappe’s PSG having two more Ligue 1 games to play this week before the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25.
Mbappe saw off the other nominees for an award voted for by his fellow players and handed over by Marie-Jose Perec, the French former 200m and 400m Olympic champion.
His PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele had also been in contention along with Pierre Lees-Melou of Brest, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille and Edon Zhegrova of Lille.
PSG’s domestic dominance was reflected in the other awards, with teenage midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery named young player of the season and Gianluigi Donnarumma the best goalkeeper.
Eric Roy of Brest was named coach of the year after leading the modest Brittany club to European qualification for the first time in their history — with one game left they are guaranteed to finish at least fifth, meaning a Europa League place at worst.
The naira depreciated to N1,520 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Monday.
This signifies a 3.4 percent decline from the N1,470/$ traded on May 10.
The bureau de change (BDC) operators, popularly known as street traders, put the buying price of the dollar at N1,490 and the selling price at N1,520 — leaving a profit margin of N30.
At the official window, the local currency depreciated by 0.80 percent against the dollar to close at N1,478.11 on Monday — from the N1,466.31 traded on May 10.
According to FMDQ Securities Exchange, a platform that oversees official FX trading in Nigeria, an exchange rate of N1,490 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded during trading and the lowest rate was N1,322/$.
Meanwhile, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Monday, said the apex bank had been “reoriented” to focus on price and monetary stability.
Cardoso said the official FX market has been stabilised.
According to the governor, investors previously had a “tendency to head for the window” in response to currency fluctuations, however, there has been a “fundamental shift”.
Cardoso said investors are getting more comfortable with the official window.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its efforts against illegal dollar transactions in Nigeria, warning businesses and individuals against illegal dealing in foreign currency.
Naija News reports that the Acting Director of Public Affairs for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, made this disclosure while speaking on Channels Television’s program, Politics Today.
He emphasized the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law strictly.
Uwujaren declared, “The ship has already left the train station. We have started a movement, and we are not going to relent.”
He urged the public to cooperate with the EFCC by reporting any suspicious activity.
“The advice I will have for Nigerians is that wherever you see this kind of development happening, the onus is on you to alert the EFCC. We can’t be everywhere but I can assure you that once we have the evidence that people are violating the law, the EFCC under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede will not spare anybody.”
This renewed crackdown on dollar transactions is part of a broader initiative to stabilize the Nigerian economy and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
“The movement has started and we would not rest,” Uwujaren added, signaling a robust approach to tackling economic crimes and maintaining the integrity of the nation’s financial system.
Fiorentina's hops of getting back into Europe for next season have taken a huge hit in the past few months, and although a spot in the Europa Conference League is still on the cards from a mathematical point of view, fans will be disappointed to see the Europa League spot of sixth disappear after previously occupying a spot in the top six just a matter of months ago.
The Florence side now sit down in ninth and 10 points adrift of Roma in sixth, with Fiorentina now winning only 14 of the 34 games so far. On the other hand, this does also mean one extra game to play, so there is still a glimmer of hope.
Fiorentina are coming into this one, however, with yet another spot in the Europa Conference League final after losing to West Ham United last season in the same competition's final.
This comes after a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in Belgium where Lucas Beltran scored a penalty in the final 10 minutes of the game to hand the Serie A side a 4-3 on aggregate after winning 3-2 on home soil.
On the other hand, Fiorentina did lose to Hellas Verona last weekend in Serie A, which has put their hopes of another spot in Europe in serious doubt. Gaetano Castrovilli scored in the first half that day for his side.
The last win for Vincenzo Italiano’s men came in a 5-1 battering over Sassuolo, as Nicolas Gonzalez carried on his great form with a brave, alongside a finish each from Riccardo Sottil, Lucas Martinez Quarta and a goal from Antonin Barak.
As for Monza, they will be pleased to have survived another season, where they continue to battle to get into the top half of the Serie A table.
The club currently sit in 11th with a gap of two points on Torino up in 10th. As well as this, Monza have not had any fears of relegation for some time, but they will want to better their 11th-placed finish from last campaign.
Fiorentina vs Monza pick: Fiorentina to win and cover the -1 AH spread
Fiorentina have been pretty inconsistent in recent matches, but most of their poor performances came were away from home. At Stadio Artemio Franchi, Viola won back-to-back games vs Sassuolo and Club Brugge and were undefeated in the last five.
Monza is in terrible form. They have been winless in the last six and won just three points during that time. Throughout the season, they have been solid away from home. However, their five wins in 17 road games came mostly against the teams from the bottom of the league's table: Sassuolo, Frosinone, Verona, Salernitana, and Genoa.
In the first h2h game this season, Fiorentina won 1:0 away from home in a match where Viola completely controlled the game. Now, at Stadio Artemio Franchi, we believe Fiorentina should secure a comfortable home win, considering their good home record and Monza's terrible form.
Fiorentina vs AC Monza Serie A Head to Head (H2H) stats
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AC Monza 0 : 1 Fiorentina
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AC Monza 3 : 2 Fiorentina
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Fiorentina 1 : 1 AC Monza
SRC: FORBET
Media
First ⚽️⚽️ in @seriea ??⚪️?#ACMonza #MonzaLazio #SerieATIM #Djuric pic.twitter.com/3zxYxgHD5S
— AC Monza (@ACMonza) May 9, 2024