opular singer, Yemi Alade has said despite her obvious success and fame she rarely wins awards in Nigeria because of her refusal to grant organisers’ requests for sex.
The ‘Johnny’ crooner disclosed that a lot of entertainment executives have requested sex from her in the past with the promises of better opportunities.
She said she has no regrets turning down their offers because she at least has her dignity and fans who adore her.
“There was a time in the industry when everyone wanted to sleep with me and it was like, ‘Yemi, if you don’t do this, you won’t have that. Today men are the reason I don’t win awards in Nigeria,” WithInNigeria quoted her as saying.
“Going down with men was like a bridge I had to cross to get on some platforms, get some deals and even awards. When I made my decision never to engage in sexual activities for gains, lots of opportunities were automatically blocked for me.”
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late military head of state, General Sani Abacha, has said Nigeria adopted the wrong approach to solving security issues in the country.
Al-Mustapha said this when the President of Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO), Ambassador Duke Alamboye visited him at his Abuja residence.
The former army officer said dirty politics brought about the funding, formation and sustenance of terrorism in the country.
Al-Mustapha said the military had been used for the role the police should be playing which is leading the country to nowhere.
He said, “The way we have handled the issue of solving the insecurity in the country has been very wrong. Away from the management of counter-terrorism in Nigeria. Away from the dirty politics that brought about funding, formation and sustenance of terrorism in Nigeria, adequate intelligence, foreign and domestic has got many things compounded.
“When the visions of the managers of internal security become a bit beclouded with one or two issues, I do not want to talk about, you will be far away from getting results. It would amount to fetching water with a basket from the river and with a drum to fill. It will take you a longer time and energy to succeed.
“Nowhere on earth should the military be domesticated to take over the primary functions of the police. I said to many and I have offended them and I’m still ready to offend them for the collective interest of Nigeria, Nigerians, our future, our investments and our well-being than to do otherwise. Nowhere on earth and no serious-minded country will allow the military to play police role for more than three months, it should not happen.
“When it comes to the security and welfare of Nigeria and Nigerians, whosoever compromise that is an enemy of the state.”
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the presidential economic coordination council (PECC) and the creation of the economic management team emergency taskforce (EET).
Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the PECC and EET initiative is a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economic governance frameworks and ensure robust and coordinated economic planning and implementation.
Ngelale said the PECC headed by Tinubu, comprises distinguished leaders and key government officials.
The team consists of Vice-President Kashim Shetimma (vice-chairman of the PECC and NEC chairman); Senate President Godwill Akpabio; AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF); Wale Edun, coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance; Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security.
Other members are Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development; Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy; Doris Azoka-Aniete, minister of industry, trade and investment; Simon Lalong, minister of labour and employment.
Also enlisted are Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy; Adebayo Adebulu, minister of power; Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state, petroleum resources; Ekperikpe Ekpo minister of state, gas; Jaji Sambo, minister of transportation; and David Umahi, minister of works.
According To Ngelale, the PECC will also comprise key members of the organised private sector, with the following members joining for a period not exceeding one year — subject to the president’s directive.
The private sector members include Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Amina Maina, Begun Ajayi-Kadir, Funke Okpeke, Doyin Salami, Patrick Okigbo, Kola Adesina, Segun Agbaje, Chidi Ajaere, Abdulkadir Aliu and Rasheed Sarumi.
‘EET TO SUBMIT PLAN FOR 2024 ECONOMIC INTERVENTION’
Furthermore, Ngelale said Tinubu is determined to address immediate economic challenges and ensure the streamlined execution of economic strategies.
To this end, he said the president established the EET with a mandate to formulate and implement a consolidated emergency economic plan.
“The taskforce comprises key government officials and industry leaders in furtherance of the President’s collaborative approach toward achieving economic resilience and growth,” he added.
“The EET is now mandated to submit a comprehensive plan of economic interventions for 2024 to the PECC, covering the next six (6) months, for immediate implementation within two weeks of its inauguration.”
Ngelale also said the EET would meet twice every week.
According to the statement, members of the EET include the minister of finance (chairman of the EET), minister of budget and economic planning, minister of power, minister of agriculture and food security, the chairman of the NGF, coordinating minister of industry, trade and investment; and the CBN governor.
Others are Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser; minister of health and social welfare; Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra; Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun; Muhammed Bago, governor of Niger; Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ben Akabueze, director-general of the budget office of the federation; Mele Kyari, GCEO of NNPC Limited; director-general of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group; Olu Verheijen, special adviser to the president on energy, Bismarck Rewane, economist; and Suleyman Ndanusa, economist.
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‘EET TO IMPLEMENT ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES IN SIX MONTHS’
Meanwhile, the economic management team, chaired by Edun, was established in 2023, to serve as the working group under the PECC.
Ngelale said the team will play a crucial role in the economic governance structure established by the president.
“The EMT traditionally meets monthly or as required, but will now suspend its meetings for the duration of the EET’s mandate (six months),” he said.
Officials that make up the EMT are Edun as chairman, Cardoso, Bagudu, Uzoka-Anite, Tijani, Umahi, Lalong, Kyari, Lokpobiri, Ekperikpe, Adelabu, Keyamo, and Oyetola.
Ngelale said the chairman of the EMT may, as needed, call on any minister or head of an agency to brief the team on key programmes and developments affecting the economy.
“The president’s formation of the PECC, under his Chairmanship, alongside the creation of the EET, led by the Chairman of the EMT, and the EMT itself, is the manifestation of a unified strategy aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s economic management architecture for verifiably improved performance,” he said.
“The formation of these teams will complement existing economic governance structures, including the NEC, which is chaired by the Vice-President”.
Over the next six months, Ngelale said, the EET will focus on the rapid implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of critical initiatives, “strengthening the Tinubu-led administration’s collective approach to advancing Nigeria’s economic objectives”.
Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), says three of the 10 widows of the army personnel killed in Okuama community in Delta state are pregnant.
On March 14, about 17 personnel of the Nigerian Army were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in the Delta community.
The federal and state government had vowed that perpetrators of the act would be arrested to face the wrath of the law.
The names of the deceased soldiers were A.H Ali, D.E Obi, S.D. Ashafa, U. Zakari, , Yahaya Saidu, Danbaba Yahaya, Kabir Bashir, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu.
Speaking on Wednesday during the burial ceremony of the late soldiers at the military cemetery in Abuja, Lagbaja said it was “highly demoralising” that the soldiers were killed by those they were equipped to protect.
The army chief added that it took over 72 hours of searching to recover the vital organs of some of the deceased soldiers.
He added that the Nigerian Army exercised “a lot of restraint” in the search for missing arms and body parts of the deceased soldiers.
“The Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian Army and, by extension, the Nigerian state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, which include parents,” Lagbaja said.
“While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian Army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold. We shall do all within our power to provide succour to the families.”
The army chief said the Nigerian Army will not be deterred by the incident in Delta in its mandate to defend the country.
Bundesliga champions in waiting, Bayer Leverkusen, has placed a staggering €55m transfer fee on Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface ahead of next summer transfer window.
Incidentally, an unnamed Premier League club has reportedly approached Bayer Leverkusen with an inquiry about the availability of the Super Eagles striker who missed the last Africa Cup of Nations due to injury on the eve of the tournament.
Leverkusen has declared Boniface not for sale as they wished to keep him for another season but has since placed a fee of at least €55m just in case for any initial negotiations.
Boniface only joined Leverkusen from Union-Saint Gilloise in Belgium in the summer.
In his first season, the 23-year-old has 10 goals and seven assists in 16 games but he has been out with an abductor injury since January and only returned to training this week .
Yet with Boniface already linked to Arsenal in January and manager Mikel Arteta poised to sign a high profile striker in the summer, there is a growing speculations that the Gunners could that be that mystery club.
The writing appears to be on the wall for Eddie Nketiah, who has barely featured of late except for a short cameo against FC Porto in the dying stages. Nketiah hasn’t started a game for Arsenal in 2024, and that’s even more significant when you realise Gabriel Jesus hasn’t been fit either.
And journalist Florian Plettenberg has now revealed that an ‘unknown’ English side have made an approach.
Sharing his update on X, Plettenberg said the 23-year-old has a ‘big market’ in England and one club has already made their move.
He explained: “News Victor Boniface: The 23 y/o striker has a big market in England. In addition, Bayer 04 has a concrete verbal inquiry for him from an unknown club from the Premier League.
“Boniface is not actually for sale as they would like to keep him
“If Leverkusen were to be willing to talk at all, offers of more than 55 million euros would have to be made.
“Boniface, now back in training after an adductor surgery in January.”
Of course, it remains to be seen how interested Arsenal are in Boniface, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they are the mystery club mentioned.
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the country’s biggest bank, says it has recovered nearly 80 percent of the cash it lost during a system glitch, from 15,000 customers.
According to AP News, the hitch allowed customers to withdraw more money than they had in their accounts.
Abe Sano, president of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, told reporters on Tuesday, that about $14 million was withdrawn or digitally transferred during the error.
He said the value of the transactions ranged from 9 cents to $5,350.
“The total amount remaining is not significant for the bank, but if this money is not fully recouped, it sends the wrong message,” Sano said.
According to the report, the amount lost initially was reported as $40 million, but 567 individuals have not yet returned the money.
“On Tuesday, the bank posted their names and account details online, in an apparent attempt to shame them into giving it back,” the bank’s president said.
“News of the glitch spread on social media on March 16 as much of the money was withdrawn by university students. Several universities have publicly urged their students to return the cash.”
According to Ethiopia’s central bank, the issue was caused by a “routine system update and inspection” rather than a cyberattack.
On March 16, local media reported the hitch, which led to the temporary freeze of digital financial services across the industry.
The burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel killed in Delta State is underway.
On March 14, military personnel comprising four officers, and 13 soldiers were gruesomely murdered by some irate youths in the Okuama community during a peace mission.
Here are their profiles as contained in the programme of events for the slain personnel’s burial.
Late Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Ali (N/12079) was born on 18 May 1975 in Kano and hailed from Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State. He had his primary education at Kuka Special Primary School, Fagge, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government Senior Grammar School, Gwarzo, where he obtained his West African Secondary School Certificate. He then attended the College of Arts and Remedial Studies, Kano, before proceeding to Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. The late senior officer enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 2 October 1996 and was later granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 17 December 2005 as a member of Short Service Course 34 in the rank of second lieutenant. He converted to Regular Combatant Commission effective 24 November 2010. He was of the Infantry Corps and rose to the rank lieutenant colonel on 17 November 2020 before his demise on 14 March 2024.
Late Major Daniel Ekwo Obi (N/14395) was born on 20 December 1985 in Niger State and hailed from Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. He had his primary and secondary education at Atlas School, Lagos, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate as well as his Senior Secondary School Certificate.
He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 8 July 2006 as a member of Regular Course 58, and was later granted Regular Combatant Commission on 17 September 2011 in the rank of second lieutenant. He was of the Nigerian Army Engineers before his inter-corps transfer was approved to the Infantry Corps. He rose to the rank of major on 8 July 2020 before his demise on 14 March 2024.
During his Bomb Disposal Course, he was dedicated, hardworking and displayed a good level of innovativeness. He contributed intelligently to discussions and showed good leadership traits on the Course. He also exhibited a commendable level of organization, focus and preparedness during his Young Officers’ Course (Engineers). He displayed a good understanding of military engineering and potential for development. While on Junior Course, he was eager to learn and displayed balanced knowledge of both Service and contemporary issues.
Late Major Salihu Danjuma Shafa (N/13976) was born on 27 March 1985 in Maiduguri and hailed from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State.
He had his primary education at Shafa Primary School, Hawul, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he attended Government Senior Science Secondary School, Biu, where he obtained his Senior School Certificate. The late senior officer then proceeded to the University of Maiduguri where he acquired his Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology. He was granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 6 April 2011 in the rank of second lieutenant and converted to Regular Combatant Commission on 23 August 2018. He was of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps and later transferred to the Infantry Corps on 6 April 2020. He rose to the rank of major on 6 November 2022 before his demise on 14 March 2024.
Late Captain Usman Zakari (N/16348) was born on 11 May 1989 at Keffi and hailed from Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He had his primary education at Army Children School Karshi, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he proceeded to Government Secondary School, Keffi, where he obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate. After which he attended the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa where he was awarded a Higher National Diploma in Marketing. He was granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 12 September 2015 as a member of Short Service Course 43 in the rank of second lieutenant. He was of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport before his inter-corps transfer was approved to the Infantry Corps. He rose to the rank of captain on 3 January 2023 before his demise on 14 March 2024.
Late Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu was born on 14 October 1973 into the family of Alhaji Yahaya of Bebeji Town in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State. The late Staff Sergeant enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 19 July 1993 as a member of 36 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre Jaji. Late Staff Sergeant Yahaya served at 81 Bn and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier gallantly fought in Operation ORO III AZARE and DELTA SAFE.
Late Corporal Danbaba Yahaya was born on 12 August 1989 into the family of Alhaji Danbaba of Toro Town in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The late Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 2 September 2010 as a member of 65 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre Jaji. Late Corporal Danbaba served at 145 Bn and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier gallantly fought in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Corporal Kabiru Bashir was born on 14 February 1990 into the family of Alhaji Bashir of Dala in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State.
The late Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 6 September 2011 as a member of 66 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre Jaji. Late Corporal Danbaba served at 3 Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024.
Late Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna was born on 15 July 1994 into the family of Mr Haruna in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 4 July 2016 as a member of 75 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Nigerian Army Armour Corps, Bauchi. Late Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna served at 22 Armour Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama community.
Late Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi was born on 31 December 1993 into the family of Mr Sole in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 10 June 2017 as a member of 76 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi served at 195 Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim was born on 13 July 1999 into the family of Alhaji Ibrahim in Saki Local Government Area of Oyo State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2018 as a member of 77 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Nigerian Army Armour Corps, Bauchi. Late Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim served at 221 Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama.
Late Lance Corporal Bello Anas was born on 17 April 1999 into the family of Alhaji Bello in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The late Lance Corporal enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Lance Corporal Bello Anas served at 199 Special Forces Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on a peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Private Alhaji Isah was born on 7 September 1997 into the family of Alhaji Isah of Gadaka in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 10 June 2017 as a member of 76 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Alhaji Isah served at 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Late Private Hamman Peter was born on 13 September into the family of Mr Hamman in Maiduguri and his f Local Government Area of Taraba State. The late enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the f Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Hamman Peter servod Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before he while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughell Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 200 late soldier participated gallantly in Operation HADIN KM Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Private Clement Francis was born on 7 September 1998 into the family of Mr Francis in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Clement Francis served at 181 Amphibious Battalion.
Late Private Abubakar Ali was born on 25 May 1999 into the family of Alhaji Abubakar of Degubi Nagere in Potiskum local Government Area of Yobe State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Abubakar Ali served at 63 Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Private Adamu Ibrahim was born on 10 January 1998 into the family of Alhaji Adamu in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area of Borno State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2019 as a member of 78 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Adamu Ibrahim served at 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on 14 March 2024. The late soldier participated gallantly in Operation HADIN ΚΑΙ and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Private Adamu Ibrahim was born on 1 February 1998 into the family of Alhaji Adamu in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State. The late Private enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 18 January 2021 as a member of 80 Regular Intake and was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji. Late Private Adamu Ibrahim served at 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State before his demise while on peace mission at Okuama.
Traditionalists Urge FG To Make Traditional Religious Knowledge A Subject To Be Taught In Schools
AFOLABITraditional Religion Worshippers’ Association have appealed to the Federal and State Governments to include traditional religious knowledge (TRK) as one of the subjects to be taught in schools.
The Secretary of the Oyo State branch of the association, Fayemi Fakayode, made this call on Wednesday, March 27, in Ibadan.
He called on the government to include traditional religious knowledge as a subject in the primary and secondary school curricula like Islamic Religious Knowledge and Christian Religious Knowledge. According to him, this is to impart the younger generation with the Yoruba culture and tradition.
Fakayode, in a statement personally signed, stressed the need for proper education to disabuse the minds of the younger generation about Yoruba history and antecedents. He explained that the miseducation of Africans about their origin and culture had led to many wrong perceptions about their traditional religion.
The secretary, who is the Founder of Olodumare’s Temple of Light International, said, “We made this call during the installation of two Brazilians, Awoyomi Fakayode and Iyanifa Ifatayo Obemo as Mayegun and Yeye Mayegun of Ìjọ Ìmọ́lẹ̀ Olódùmarè Àgbáyé, respectively, on Sunday at Alade Town in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
“The time has come for both the Federal and State Governments to include TRK as a subject in the primary and secondary school curriculum, like they have the IRK and CRK, respectively. There is a need for proper education to impart to the younger generations the needed knowledge of our traditions and religion.
“Also, there is a need to equip the younger generations with culturally based knowledge which will make them useful for themselves and their land as well as implanting in them the spirit of patriotism that will make them unyielding to the spirit of betraying their ancestors.
“We call on the traditionalists to start making efforts to establish this subject in our primary and secondary schools, while the Federal and State Governments will give it the needed support by approving its inclusion in the school’s syllabus and curriculum.”
He said with TRK, children would not be taught about their own religion, culture, tradition, and history by foreigners and those from other religions, who have painted the religion in bad light to lure them away.
The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.
The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.
In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.
Tinubu
Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) are also in attendance.
President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.
Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.
Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.
![LIVE] Delta 17: Tinubu, Govs Pay Final Respects As Military Holds Burial For Gallant Soldiers • Channels Television](https://www.channelstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Soldiers_Burial_C.jpg)
On March 25, President Bola Tinubu approved the creation of the renewed hope infrastructure development fund (RHIDF).
The fund, according to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, will invest in critical national projects that will, among other things, promote growth, enhance local value-addition, create employment opportunities, and stimulate technological innovation and exports.
Making clarifications about the fund in a statement on March 26, Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesperson, outlined the details of the infrastructure development fund.
WHAT DOES RENEWED HOPE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND MEAN?
According to the statement, Nigeria needs $35 billion each year until 2040 to cover infrastructure expenditures.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, realising that the government could not meet the huge cost, according to the statement, established the presidential infrastructure development fund (PIDF) — with National Sovereign Wealth Authority playing a vital role.
The PIDF, he said, contributed to the realisation of critical projects, such as the second Niger bridge and the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
However, Onanuga said the PIDF faced funding constraints, and delays in project execution, resulting in rising costs of materials and bureaucratic and institutional challenges.
These challenges, FG said, are what Tinubu’s RHIDF aim to overcome.
ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Onanuga described the initiative as a game-changing, inventive and transformative fund that will drive economic growth in road, rail construction, agriculture, aviation, education, health, energy, and technology.
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He said it will also provide the elixir for crucial national projects that will accelerate infrastructure and economic development nationwide.
“With eyes on raising N20 Trillion, about $14 billion take-off capital, the Fund will support projects that will promote growth, enhance local value-addition through backward, forward and parallel linkages,” the spokesperson said
Onanuga said employment opportunities will also be created and exports promoted.
Providing an example, the presidency said improving the agricultural value chain will be the fund’s core focus to boost food security.
By fortifying agricultural infrastructure, the fund will ensure that post-harvest losses are reduced and food supply chains reinforced.
Major road networks, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway, Sokoto-Badagry expressway, Lagos-Kano, and Eastern rail lines are being targeted by the fund, while ports and aviation facilities will be modernised.
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The fund, he said, will cast its net for investment capital wider than the PIDF.
“It targets Pension Funds, Concessionary Loans, Insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, private sector arms of multilateral development institutions, bilateral private sector investors,” he said.
“Other financing sources are individual investors, including the Diaspora Nigerians, endowments and equity funds.”
WHY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND WAS CREATED
At the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on March 25, where the fund was first presented by Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on behalf of the president, the rationale for its conception was explained.
He said the fund, which will be supervised by a director-general, will be domiciled in the presidency.
According to the president, this will cut through bureaucratic bottlenecks that typically impede the implementation of beneficial projects.
Tinubu cited the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), which he conceived during his tenure as Lagos governor in 2004, and how the agency oversaw the construction of two rail lines as well as some of the city’s important major roads.
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Justice Olaolu Olanipekun of the Oyo State Magistrate Court Seven sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) church, Prophet Ojo Amos (a.k.a Elewuogbo).
Justice Olanipekun ordered that Elewuogbo and his two sureties be arrested and detained till the next adjournment date for refusing to present himself in court after being granted bail.
Prophet Elewuogbo is currently standing trial before the court over alleged defamation of the character of the Founder of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaji.
Elewuogbo and a Lagos-based blogger, Gbenga Dan Asabe, had through media publications accused Maharaj Ji of selling human body parts for money ritual purposes.
The court also granted the request for the consolidation of the cases against Elewuogbo and Dan Asabe brought by Maharaj Ji’s counsel, Dapo Akinosi.
Akinosi had prayed the court that since the facts of the two cases are related, it would be better if they were merged.
The court granted the application and adjourned the case till 30th of April, 2024.
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, on Monday, March 25, signed a law restricting social media access for minors under 14.
The bill will prohibit children younger than 14 from joining social media in the state, reports NBC News.
Those who are 13 years old and younger will not be able to open a social media account in the state, and 14- and 15-year-olds will need parental consent to use such platforms.
The bill, HB3, also directs social media companies to delete the existing accounts of those who are under 14.
Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child who creates an account on the platform. The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in damages, according to the bill.
Companies found to violate the law would also be liable for up to $50,000 per violation, as well as attorney’s fees and court costs.
“Ultimately, [we’re] trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids, and so I appreciate the work that’s been put in,” DeSantis said in remarks during the bill-signing ceremony.
DeSantis said: “We’re trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids.”
Speaker of the Florida House, Paul Renner, said that social media is fraught with risks from traffickers and paedophiles, and that “social media platforms have caused a devastating effect on the mental well-being of our children.”
Most platforms require users to be 13 or older, though they do little in terms of enforcement.
Across the country, there has been rising concern about the effects of social media on child and teen development and learning.
But the law has also sparked concerns among those worried it sets a precedent for restricting free speech online.
DeSantis, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for president and dropped out in January, has argued many times that parents should have more control over decisions affecting their children, particularly in education.
Parental rights legislation in Florida and other states has sought to give parents more input in areas deemed controversial, especially education around LGBTQ topics in schools.
While the social media ban gives parents oversight on the matter, others say that the government should stay out of such fights altogether.
DeSantis previously vetoed a stricter social media ban, which would have blocked access for those under age 16.
He said at the time that a better balance was needed between competing parental rights, privacy issues and free speech.
Best-Dressed Controversy: Women Have No Choice Than To Accept Me As Part Of The Sisterhood – Bobrisky
AFOLABIControversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has knocked women who are criticising him for identifying with the female gender.
Naija News recalls that social media was agog after the organisers of the Ajakaju movie premier announced Bobrisky as the winner of the female best-dressed category.
However, reacting to the outrage, the movie producer Eniola Ajao explained that the organisers decided to give the best-dressed female category award to spark controversy as a publicity strategy.
Responding to those women criticising him after he received the award, Bobrisky, in a now-viral live Instagram session, said that women have no choice but to accept him as part of them.
He said, “Some people are saying Bobrisky, are you a woman, are you a this, are you a that? I’m not here to come and argue anything. Respect people how they want to be addressed, even without just looking at my body, without just opening my body to see anything. Number one, you need to respect people how they want to be addressed.
“I can see a lot of women coming out, you know, saying different things. I’ll not insult anybody. I love women. Women are the most powerful gender in the world, so I’m not coming here to say, oh, they are this, they are that; see you guys, ehhhn, you have no choice. You have to accept me as part of the sisterhood. Do you hear me? You guys have no choice. I’m part of the sisterhood already, so deal with it.”
The son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau, Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, has been sent to prison in the United States.
Naija News learnt that the US Justice Department on Tuesday announced that the Sanha had bagged more than six and a half years in prison for involvement in a transnational heroin trafficking conspiracy.
The statement also disclosed that Sanha was a leader and organizer in the heroin trafficking conspiracy and was involved in its importation from Europe to the United States.
In July 2022, he and a co-conspirator were arrested after arriving in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and they were extradited to the United States shortly afterwards.
In September 2023, Sanha pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for unlawful importation.
According to the statement released by the US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, “Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, planned to use the proceeds to finance a coup in the West African country that would lead to his eventual presidency and establishment of a drugs regime.”
Also, the special agent in charge of the FBI Houston, Douglas Williams, said, “Malam Bacai Sanha Jr. wasn’t any ordinary international drug trafficker, he is the son of the former president of Guinea-Bissau and was trafficking drugs for a very specific reason – to fund a coup.”
Guinea-Bissau has a history of military coups interspersed with periods of democratic rule, though elected leaders have managed to serve a full term since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
Sanha’s father, Malam Bacai Sanha, was initially installed by a junta as interim leader in 1999 before he lost the election the following year.
He won the presidency in a 2009 election but died while seeking medical treatment in Paris in January 2012 before completing his term.
His son, known as “Bacaizinho” in Guinea-Bissau, has served in several government roles, including his father’s economic advisor.