Following the ongoing trials of naira abusers, vendors and event planners have decried its effect on the event industry.
They lamented that the ban had killed the fun and glamour at social functions, thereby affecting their trade negatively.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, recently intensified its crackdown on individuals who abuse naira notes.
A Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 12, 2024, sentenced Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment with no option of fine over mutilation of the Naira notes.
A few days after, the anti-graft agency arraigned a socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, a.k.a Cubana Chief Priest, on a three-count charge bordering on abuse of the Naira before Justice Kehinde Ogundare sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Unlike Bobrisky who pleaded guilty to the charge, Cubana Chief Priest pleaded not guilty to the allegation of naira abuse.
Speaking on this development, the convener of Ogun event vendors, Bola Ayedun-Solate said, although the ban has affected the event planning industry, Nigerians are beginning to adapt to the new development.
Ayedun-Solate spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, at the weekend.
She said, partygoers, musicians and event planners have invented other means of “spraying naira” at parties for fear of being arrested and prosecuted.
The event planner applauded the EFCC for protecting the naira notes, insisting that Nigerians don’t have to abuse the naira to display their affluence at social gatherings.
“For us as event planners, the ban on spraying of naira at parties has removed the glamour from parties, but we are finding our way around it and the people are beginning to get used to the new norm.
“Our clients don’t need to come in front of musicians to abuse naira, we now have money bags printed where money is dropped for our clients.
“There was also a time that the association of event planners in Nigeria had makeshift money, something like money vouchers sprayed at parties instead of the naira notes.”
She, however, implored vendors to make use of money bags and embrace other options instead of abusing the naira at parties.
A middle-aged man, Abdullahi Sani from Unguwar Makara Huta, has been sentenced to death by stoning by a Sharia Court in Ningi, the headquarters of Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, for alleged homosexuality.
The judgment was delivered by Sharia Judge Abdullahi Aliyu Doya during a court session on May 10, 2024, with Sani found guilty of the offence as charged.
The Sharia Judge stated that the Court commenced hearing on the case on 02/05/2024 and closed it on Thursday, 09/05/2024, for judgment and sentence, after listening to various arguments.
He explained that based on witness testimonies and the defendant’s admission of guilt, Abdullahi Sani was found guilty and sentenced to death by stoning in accordance with the provisions of sections 131, 132, and 133 of the Bauchi State Administration of Criminal Justice, 2001.
Recall that on July 1, 2022, a Sharia court delivered judgment and sentenced three people to death by stoning for a similar offence.
South African football club Chippa United has placed a significant R30 million (about ₦2.3 billion in Nigerian currency) price tag on Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Naija News reports that Nwabali unexpectedly became a standout player for the Super Eagles during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.
Nwabali, who made his tournament debut at the continental event, impressed everyone with his confident performance in goal, achieving four clean sheets in seven matches.
The 27-year-old player’s exceptional performance played a vital role in Nigeria’s journey to the final, where they narrowly lost to the host nation. Nwabali’s outstanding display caught the attention of various clubs worldwide.
Clubs such as Queens Park Rangers in England’s Championship, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia have all shown interest in acquiring the services of the Nigerian national team player.
According to Goal.com, the South African DStv Premiership are demanding the sum of 30 million rands for Nwabali, a price tag that has reportedly put off Kaizer Chiefs.
Nwabali’s potential move abroad seems likely, given that other clubs consider the asking price reasonable. His contract with Chippa United expires in the summer of 2026.
The real question now is whether the interested clubs are prepared to meet the substantial price set by the South African club. After his standout performance at the AFCON, the demand for the former Katsina United goalkeeper has significantly increased, making him a valuable player in the upcoming transfer window.
Dana Air has laid off several of its workers weeks after suspension by the Nigerian government.
In a statement on Saturday, the Head of Corporate Communications for the airline, Kingsley Ezen, blamed the development on the ongoing audit by the Nigerian regulatory authorities.
“In light of the ongoing audit, Dana Air has decided to temporarily disengage some staff members pending the conclusion of the audit,” Ezenwa said.
“The Management of Dana Air extends its sincere appreciation to all staff members for their resilience and dedication during this period of uncertainty. It recognises the difficulties that staff have had to endure and assures them that every effort is being made to resolve the situation promptly,” it added.
Recall that on April 24, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority suspended the Air Operators Certificate of Dana Air 24 hours after the airline’s plane from Abuja landed at the Lagos airport runway and veered off into a nearby field.
Reacting to the development, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the airline has been operating in an unhealthy status.
After a five-day search, rescue authorities in Lagos State found a Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), worker, Tajudeen Amololo, dead.
Naija News had earlier reported that one of the workers with the LAMATA, was on Monday, trapped in an underground drainage at the Onipanu area of the state while trying to clean the debris.
It was learnt that the male adult worker was part of the team working on dislodging and evacuating waste from the underground drainage in the area.
Although rescue agencies had initiated a search and rescue operation, the drainage worker unfortunately passed away after five days.
“After five days of painstaking, tedious, and energy-sapping operation, the team remained determined on focused on the rescue operation. At about 5:53 pm on Friday 10th May 2024 the victim was recovered dead from the underground drainage/tunnel.
“The recovered body was immediately bagged by the Agency’s officials and handed over to LAMATA Drain Ducks,” the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu said in an update.
After the incident, LASEMA recommended that safety measures be implemented in the operations of the drain ducks.
The Naira’s woes against the US dollar continued as the currency lost a significant N160 in seven days at the foreign exchange market.
Mistila Dayyabu, a Bureau De Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, told DAILY POST that the Naira was sold at N1450 per Dollar on Friday compared to N1,290 the same day last week.
In the parallel market section, the Naira lost a whooping N160 weekly.
Similarly, FMDQ data showed that the Naira closed at N1466.31 per dollar on Friday compared to N1400.40 it traded last Friday.
This represents an N65.91 or N4.5 per cent Naira depreciation against the dollar weekly.
The development comes despite the daily turnover of dollars settling at $113 million on Friday from $84.38 the previous day.
After weeks of decline, Nigeria’s foreign reserve surged to $32.369 billion as of May 6, 2024.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has made an announcement regarding his plans to arrange the marriages of 100 female orphans who tragically lost their parents in a series of banditry attacks.
Sarkindaji shared this information with journalists in Minna, the state capital, on Friday, stating that as part of his commitment to this cause, he will cover the dowries for the bridegrooms and has already obtained all the necessary materials for the mass marriage ceremony.
Naija News learnt that the selection process for the girls who will be married off was conducted meticulously from a pool of 170 girls whose names were submitted.
However, Sarkindaji did not disclose the age range of the orphaned girls who hail from Mariga Local Government Area of the state.
Representing the Mariga Constituency, the Speaker considers this initiative a vital part of his constituency empowerment project, which has the primary goal of alleviating the suffering of the impoverished.
To ensure the well-being of the female orphans during the mass marriage ceremony, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, have graciously agreed to serve as their guardians.
Furthermore, the event, scheduled for May 24 at Bangi, the headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area, will be attended by Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the Kano State Commander General of the Hisbah Board.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a strong warning to foreign missions operating in Nigeria, prohibiting them from conducting transactions in foreign currencies and requiring them to use the Naira for their financial activities.
Furthermore, the EFCC has instructed Nigerian foreign missions located abroad to accept the Naira for their financial operations.
The EFCC said this decision becomes necessary to combat the dollarization of the Nigerian economy and the devaluation of the Naira.
In an advisory titled “EFCC Advisory to Foreign Missions against Invoicing in US Dollar,” sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the anti-graft commission expressed its concerns and dissatisfaction with the practice of some foreign missions invoicing consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country using the United States dollar.
In a letter dated April 5, 2024, addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, expressed disappointment regarding the invoicing of consular services in Nigeria in dollars by foreign missions.
The EFCC referred to Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which designates the currencies issued by the central bank as the only legal tender in Nigeria.
The letter read, “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and wish to notify you about the commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States dollar ($).
“This practice is an aberration and unlawful as it conflicts with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria. Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.
“It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.
“This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal.
“In light of the above, you may wish to convey the commission’s displeasure to all missions in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country.”
The EFCC recently announced its plan to clamp down on schools, hotels, supermarkets, and other business outfits in Nigeria that charge customers in dollars and other foreign currencies.
The EFCC said such action is unacceptable as it puts pressure on the Naira.
The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, emphasized that it is against the law for business outfits and organizations to charge and accept foreign currencies including dollars, pounds, yen and others for such local transactions
According to him, the anti-graft agency has set up a task force of 7,000 individuals to tackle dollar fraudsters and other illegal foreign exchange transactions in the country.
“The task force is not just to monitor naira abuse alone but for the whole economy. So, the EFCC is working to ensure that those breaking the rules find their way back to the right path so that the wrath of the law will not be on them.
“Yes, everyone knows that it is illegal to charge in other denominations apart from the naira. Whether in Chinese or American currency, any transaction that is not denominated in naira in Nigeria, the EFCC is against it.
“So, the task force is in place to check that and Nigerians should be happy about that. It is not just schools, hotels but other entities across the country that are doing this must come back to the naira as our legal tender.’’
“Naira is the symbol of our economy and everything that has to do with the economy in Nigeria must be done in naira,” Oyewale told Punch on Thursday.
An Ode to my Grandfather: Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo SAN GCFR, 37 years on - Segun Awolowo
Admin
FOREVER REMEMBERED , FOREVER ADORED
In the quiet of my thoughts, I see your face,
Thirty-seven years have slipped away,
Yet your presence lingers, day by day.
With wisdom deep as the ocean's vast,
You steered our ship through the tempests past.
In your footsteps, I learned to tread,
Guided by the words you once said.
With courage and grace Papa, you led the way,
Inspiring generations to seize the day.
Forever remembered, Forever adored
Your legacy, a beacon so bright,
Illuminated the darkest night.
In each decision, I still hear your voice,
Guiding me to make the right choice.
Oh, how I long for one more day,
To sit with you and hear you say,
Stories of old, lessons so profound,
In your wisdom Papa, was solace found.
Forever remembered ,Forever adored
In the tapestry of time, your threads are sewn,
A legacy of love and truth you've sown.
Though you've journeyed to a distant shore,
Your very essence lives forevermore.
Forever remembered, forever adored,
Obafemi Awolowo, continue to rest in perfect peace
So Papa, on this day,
I stand on the shoulders of your name,
I carry forth your eternal flame.
With gratitude and reverence, I honor thee,
For the gift of your legacy, forever free.
Forever remembered, Forever adored
Your grandson , Olusegun Awolowo 2nd
An undergraduate student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in Oyo State, simply identified as Adedokun Olamilekan was stabbed to death by yet-to-be-identified people at the Under G area in the town on Thursday night.
Olamilekan, a 200-level student of the Department of Information Science, was said to be running a business outfit known as Dcrown Unisex Salon at Under G before he was murdered by his assailants during an argument.
He was reportedly stabbed by yet-to-be-identified colleagues and later rushed to a nearby hospital, where he gave up the ghost.
One person who witnessed the incident said, “He was rushed immediately to the nearest hospital where he was confirmed dead.
“The case has been reported to Owode Police Station, Ogbomoso, Oyo state.”
All efforts to get the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso’s reactions were unsuccessful as his telephone mobile number was not reachable.
Also, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Fadeyi was not reachable as of press time.
More...
A non-governmental organization, identified as the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), has initiated a court process seeking an order to compel 40 Nigerian lawmakers to vacate their seats at the National Assembly.
The group argued that it is wrong for the lawmakers in question to hold concurrent membership of the National Assembly and ECOWAS Parliament as well as the Pan-African Parliament and be receiving emoluments from them all.
Naija News understands the organization had earlier called on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to declare the seats of the affected lawmakers vacant for belonging to multiple parliaments at the same time.
The body went ahead to serve a pre-action notice on the Senate President and copied the Clerk of the National Assembly, indicating its readiness to seek judicial redress if the call was not heeded.
The body, in the letter dated April 8, signed by its Secretary, Tonye Clinton Jaja, warned that in the event that the Senate President fails to comply with its request within seven working days from the date of the letter, it shall commence a lawsuit to seek the interpretation of a court of law.
The group insisted that the practice of serving both parliaments violates Section 68(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 18, Supplementary Act of the ECOWAS Parliament, 2017, which prohibits a serving member of a parliament from serving with it and collecting emoluments.
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, ALDRAP asks the court to determine whether, having regard to Section 68 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered), any member of the National Assembly who wishes to take a seat at the ECOWAS Parliament and/or the Pan-African Parliament, ought to first resign from the National Assembly.
“In the alternative: whether having regard to Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered), the provisions of the ECOWAS Parliament legislation, which allocates 35 seats to Nigeria, has not yet become legally operative within Nigeria considering that both the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly have not subjected the said parliament to the legislative procedure prescribed under Section 12,” the suit read.
They prayed the court to make a “Declaration that the 5th defendant (Clerk of the National Assembly) shall immediately discontinue the payment of salaries and all forms of remuneration to all 40 lawmakers who were recently inaugurated as either members of the 6th Assembly of the ECOWAS Parliament and/or the Pan-African Parliament.”
It also prayed for an order directing the Clerk of the National Assembly to immediately discontinue the payment of salaries and all forms of remuneration to all the 40 lawmakers who were recently inaugurated as either members of the 6th assembly of the ECOWAS Parliament and/or the Pan-African Parliament.
The group, in the same vein, asks the court to order the 6th defendant (INEC) to immediately conduct bye-elections within 30 days from the date of the vacancy to fill all 40 vacant seats at the National Assembly.
Naija News recalls over thirty members of the National Assembly were, in April, inaugurated as members of the ECOWAS parliament.
Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus, has reportedly transitioned into politics with her recent appointment as an aide to the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Eniola Badmus has been assigned the role of Special Assistant for Social Events and Public Hearings under Tajudeen Abbas’ administration.
The internet was abuzz with news of Eniola Badmus’ appointment, as videos capturing her swearing-in ceremony and receiving the appointment letter spread rapidly across online platforms on Friday, May 10, 2024.
Before the news hit the headlines, Eniola teased her followers with a post that seemed to foreshadow the upcoming announcement, leaving them curious and eager for more details.
Addressing her critics head-on, the stunning star highlighted her tenacious hustling spirit
“I have been a hustler my whole life, you crãzy af if you think I’m not going to get it,” Eniola wrote.
The Nollywood actress celebrated the 2024 International Women’s Day by attending the National Assembly Women’s Day conference, where she met with the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Tajudeen Abbas.
Sharing photos of the encounter, Eniola received praise from her fans, who hailed her for the inspiring moment.
Notably, Eniola Badmus emerged as one of the most outspoken advocates among Nollywood stars for Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential ambitions.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a motorcyclist, identified as Afeez Mustapha, for allegedly raping a female passenger in the State.
Naija News reports that the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest in a statement via X on Friday.
According to Odutola, Mustapha was conveying the female passenger to her destination when he suddenly changed direction by taking another route different from that of the passenger.
Upon getting to a desolate location, the suspect took advantage of the lone victim and reportedly raped her.
Odutola said Mustapha had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The post read, “Commercial motorcycle rider arrested for rape on May 9, 2024. One Afeez Mustapha is in SCID for sexual assault of a female passenger, after diverting to a route different from that of the passenger.”
Popular dancer, Korra Obidi has begged her fans for money to fight her husband legally in court over her children.
According to Korra, her husband submitted a court order for their kids not to be posted on social media for content.
Korra Obidi’s ex-husband, Justin Dean had taken to social media earlier to reveal that he wants his children off the social media space as he doesn’t consider that good for them.
This comes after the American cried out over the way his daughter twerks like her mom who dances in a similar manner.
Korra Obidi took to social media to react to the order, expressing that doing contents about motherhood and her experiences as a mother is what her contents revolve around and she cannot afford her children being banned from social media.
She called on the public to donate funds to her GoFundMe account so that she can afford to pay for a good lawyer.
Watch the video below: