In reaction to several allegations and counter allegations going on within the party, a chieftain of the Labour Party, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, on Friday warned that the party stands to sink beyond rescue over the current corruption allegations rocking the party.
Recall the LP’s National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, accused the National Chairman, Julius Abure of corruption.
At a press conference on Monday, Opara demanded that Abure should account for the N3.5 billion raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities in the build-up to the 2023 general election.
Reacting, the party leadership on Wednesday slammed a six months suspension on Opara for shunning an invitation to a probe meeting and dragging the party’s name in the mud.
Also, Abure challenged the suspended National Treasurer of the party to provide evidence to back her N3.5 billion fraud allegation against him, and promised to file a defamation suit against her.
However, Joseph who is also a presidential aspirant of the LP in the 2023 general election and the National Leader of the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, described the allegations of corruption as unfortunate, adding that allegations of misappropriation of the presidential campaign funds were not good for the party
This was contained in a statement released by the National Director, Media and Publicity of Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, to journalists in Kaduna State on Friday.
While stating that LP must be rescued from the mess, Joseph expressed concern that the party Nigerians were looking up to had been enmeshed in monumental corruption allegations to the chagrin of all.
The LP chieftain, however, warned that the corruption allegations against Abure must not be swept under the carpet, describing them as “shameful”.
The statement partly reads: “The Labour Party that Nigerians were looking out for to rescue the country is now languishing in monumental corruption allegations as well as financial misappropriation obvious in the record on the presidential campaign funds released by Peter Obi. Thus, the Labour Party now needs to be rescued
“The issue of repeated financial mismanagement, embezzlement, forgery, and other allegations of corruption allegedly against Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, is so terrible and should not be swept under the carpet.
“However, that will be a discussion for another day. But I will call on the appropriate government authority to carry out a proper investigation into the monumental allegations and ensure justice is done.
“There are pertinent questions begging for answers such as how sensible is it that N744.5 million was claimed to have been spent for legal fees for the election petition tribunal when the amount said to have been spent on running the whole election is less than half of that?
“We are aware of some lawyers that offered services for the Labour Party pro bono, then how did what was spent on the presidential election petition amount to that?”
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe seems to be edging towards a Real Madrid move, with excitement already building in the Spanish capital.
The 25-year-old France captain informed PSG officials he intends to leave in the summer at the end of his contract, a source close to the Ligue 1 champions said Thursday.
Madrid are in pole position to sign a player whom they have moved for several times in the past only to be rebuffed, although they declined to comment when asked by AFP.
Spanish media report Madrid’s offer to Mbappe is lower than in 2022 when he decided to renew his PSG contract, with Cadena SER saying he wants 50 million euros ($54 million) gross a season along with a hefty 120 million euros signing-on bonus.
Media outlet Marca claimed that Mbappe has already informed club bosses “that he only wanted to play for Real Madrid” and added that he informed the Spanish giants of his decision to leave PSG on Tuesday, 48 hours before it was revealed from a source close to PSG.
With the numbers and financial fair play impact left for Madrid’s accountants to manage, supporters and local media are starting to dream of what may come.
“The countdown has started,” wrote Marca earlier in the day.
“Seven years later everything points to Mbappe’s arrival being a reality from July 1.”
Mbappe had the chance to join Madrid from Monaco in 2017 but chose PSG instead, perhaps cowed by the difficulty of ousting Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema from the attack.
Now he could lead the line alongside Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
“That would be perfect,” Luis Caceres, the president of Real Madrid’s fan club federation told AFP.
“He’s the best player in the world, that’s undeniable. We’ve seen him play and we know what he can do, he’s a great player.”
Mbappe, yet to win the Champions League, could still cross paths with record 14-time winners Madrid in this year’s competition.
Spanish newspaper AS say Madrid will “keep silent” on Mbappe while the two sides are still competing in Europe.
Last June a Real Madrid fan did manage to lure club president Florentino Perez into giving a clue away about Mbappe’s future.
Enrique Higueras, 22, stumbled across Perez outside a restaurant and asked him if he would bring Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Yes, but not this year,” replied Perez.
Higueras, a student doctoring in sports science, told AFP he believes Mbappe will succeed if and when he arrives.
“I am sure that he will play at Madrid and make history,” said Higueras.
“I don’t think Madrid needs Mbappe to win the Champions League… but obviously if Mbappe joins then the chances of winning that precious trophy go up a lot.”
‘Bitterness’
However some supporters still recall Mbappe’s snub and perceived slights since.
Oscar Movellan Martinez, a 42-year-old business consultant and self-described “huge fan” of Madrid, said he was not happy with Mbappe seemingly mocking Los Blancos after renewing his PSG deal.
“What happened in 2022 I can understand, for the pressure the kid received… in the media all the way up to (French president Emmanuel) Macron,” said Movellan.
“What I didn’t like was the attitude after… I understand that he might have been pressured to renew with PSG when he wanted to come to Madrid, but I don’t understand his reaction.”
If Mbappe does join Madrid in the summer then it may take a few goals from PSG’s all-time top scorer to smooth things over.
“I think the fans at the Bernabeu will have a bit of bitterness at the start, but look — it’s a fanbase that even whistled (Zinedine) Zidane back in the day,” added Movellan.
Others are cautiously choosing not to trust Mbappe will join until it is made official.
“Until I see him sign, I won’t believe it, after what happened in 2022,” added Caceres.
Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has said he is in no rush to move to a European club.
Nwabali was one of the revelations of the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where the Eagles finished as runners-up.
He was only drafted into the squad just few weeks before the commencement of the tournament and handed the first choice position.
The 27-year-old went on to impress as he kept four consecutive clean sheets.
Also, in the penalty shootout win against South Africa, he made two saves.
According to reports, his brilliant performance for the Eagles has attracted interests from some European clubs and one of such clubs is Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Commenting on talks about a move to Europe Nwabali told Arise News, via Soccer Laduma:“People have been sending messages like they want me to move to Europe or they want me to move to a bigger club.
“I really appreciate that, but to be honest, one thing about me is that I always feel comfortable even if I’m in a small place; I don’t like to rush.
Meanwhile, Nwabali could be back in action for Chippa on Saturday when they will host Cape Town City.
Chippa United, on 18 points, are 13th on 18 points in the 16-team South African Premier Soccer League (PSL).
[Leadership]
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, said his administration will sustain purposeful governance and administrative efficiency because they are helping the people of the state to engage in ventures that bring honour.
Fubara spoke when he hosted the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who participated in the just concluded 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The governor, who announced a N20million reward for Nwabali said he will also be bestowed with the honour of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State.
Fubara also gifted N30 million to the Super Eagles’ crew who were present.
In a related development, for emerging as champions in the Louis Edem National League competition, Fubara gifted N50 million to the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team.
This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the governor, Boniface Onyedi, and made available to newsmen.
Fubara said in providing leadership, his focus was to create an enabling environment in which Rivers people will continue to feel encouraged to do the right thing to align with what he is doing in changing the narrative of how Rivers State is perceived globally.
The governor commended the Rivers-born Nwabali for his excellent goalkeeping in the Super Eagles team, playing alongside other patriots in the just concluded AFCON, which has made Nigeria proud.
He said, “I want to join the great and wonderful people of Rivers State to congratulate you, our brother Stanley Nwabali and our wonderful team.
“We are here again in just about four months after you won a local trophy.
“Today, you have brought a national trophy. So, when people say or talk behind us to ask what we are doing, we are achieving those things that are not, maybe, seen physically but they give joy and fulfilment.
“If we have not encouraged you in a way that motivated you, you won’t be where you are. So, it is part of purposeful governance and administrative efficiency.
“So, I want to thank you and assure you that we will continue to do our best.”
He urged residents of the state to continue to consciously do positive things that promote the state and attract honour.
The state Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, lauded Fubara for his support that motivated the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team to clinch the national league trophy as champions.
Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Justice and one-time Super Eagles player, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, while recognising the impact of sports development in the state, commended the purposeful leadership of ubara.
[Punch]
•A second opinion can change everything — Prof Morenike Ukpong
•When in doubt, double-check your diagnosis — Prof Oladapo Ashiru
•Doctors should respect patients’ rights to seek a second opinion — NMA
•A second opinion changed the course of my treatment – Patient’s experience
The celebrated case of Dr. Farid Fata, a Michigan oncologist who was sentenced to 45 years in prison in 2015 for medical fraud and misconduct comes into perspective. Fata, who was also slammed with a $17,600,000 forfeiture order, misdiagnosed and mistreated hundreds of patients, many of whom didn’t even have cancer.
Worse still, Fata submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare and private insurance companies for approximately $34,000,000 in fraudulent billings. He admitted to 13 counts of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to pay or receive kickbacks, and money laundering after he fraudulently administered unnecessary and excessive chemotherapy and other treatments, causing the patient’s severe physical and emotional harm.
The impact of his action was colossal. Over 550 patients were affected, some enduring debilitating side effects and emotional trauma. Fata’s case was a shocking example of medical malpractice and abuse of trust and one that highlighted the importance of patient advocacy and holding healthcare professionals accountable for their actions.
The case exposed vulnerabilities in the healthcare system that allowed such a scheme to go on for so long. It was among numerous instances of concerns about medical ethical practices and patient safety worldwide.
This emphasizes the importance of how seeking a second opinion from another doctor can be a valuable step in an individual’s healthcare journey, particularly when facing complex or serious medical conditions. According to medical experts, a second opinion can be beneficial for confirmation of diagnosis, and can provide additional clarity and support for diagnosis.
How a second opinion changed the course of my treatment — Patient’s experience
Andrew, a middle-aged civil servant who was diagnosed with prostate cancer, narrated his experience about the essence of a second medical opinion. He told Saturday Vanguard about the importance of going for a second opinion.
“It was incredible! The key takeaway is that we should always get a second opinion when making medical decisions. When I experienced bone degradation after cancer therapy, a second opinion helped me avoid steroid medication.
“Steroid medication was recommended by one of the top hospitals in Nigeria, so I would occasionally go for injections. I would have the injection once again if the effects wore off.
“At the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, where I sought a second opinion, the orthopedic specialist prescribed some medication for me. As a consequence, I’ve returned to tennis after a two-year hiatus due to weak bones. I’m now feeling fantastic and performing well. For me, prayer was effective.”
Speaking further, Andrew recalled how only recently, a patch was discovered in his right eye, which was described as a cyst.
“I wasn’t diabetic and the doctors wondered the cause of the cyst. Aylea injection into the eye was prescribed by a doctor in one of the best eye hospitals in Nigeria. Each shot of the injection was N800,000, and I was scheduled to take three shots in three months. But another doctor suggested I seek a second opinion from a retina consultant.
“One week later, I saw the Indian consultant who said I didn’t need the Aylea injection, which is usually injected into the eye. Some eye drops were prescribed. For me, it was not even about the cost of the injection, but the wrong diagnosis, which could have caused another problem for me. So, let’s all seek a second opinion and, if possible, a third opinion in healthcare,” Andrew advised.
In Andrew’s case, another doctor had a different perspective that helped to refine the initial diagnosis and this helped to gain a more comprehensive understanding of his health condition and the potential treatment available. His condition improved tremendously after three months application of the eye drops recommended by the retina consultant.
Benefits of a second opinion
A second opinion helps to establish early detection of misdiagnosis. Patients must be informed and proactive in their healthcare decisions, asking questions and seeking second opinions when necessary. Some of the Fata’s patients who sought a second opinion escaped his callous actions.
Nigerians shun 2nd opinion
Although there is no comprehensive data on the number of Nigerians who seek a second opinion from a doctor, the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS, notes that 14 percent of women and 12 percent of men in Nigeria reported seeking a second opinion from a doctor in the past year.
From the study, seeking a second opinion was more common among people with higher levels of education and income.
Another study, published in the Journal of the Nigerian Medical Association in 2019, found that only 25 percent of patients seen at a tertiary care hospital in Lagos had sought a second opinion from another doctor before coming to the hospital. The study also found that the most common reasons for seeking a second opinion were dissatisfaction with the diagnosis or treatment plan provided by the first doctor and a desire for more information about the patient’s condition.
Social challenges are not left out. Nigerians generally do not readily question the opinions of authority figures, including doctors, and this can make it difficult for patients to question or challenge the advice of their doctor, even if they have concerns about their diagnosis or treatment plan. This is made worse by the fact that healthcare providers generally expect patients to be passive recipients of care. However, this mindset is rapidly changing. Attitudinal barriers also come into play.
For instance, Saturday Vanguard findings showed that some patients fear that seeking a second opinion will be perceived as a sign of distrust or disrespect for their first doctor. This fear often prevents them from seeking the additional information and support that they need.
Many Nigerians are not aware of the benefits of seeking a second opinion and do not even understand that it is a common practice and that it can be very helpful in making informed decisions about their healthcare.
What the NMA says
The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, which is the umbrella body for medical practice in Nigeria, supports the provision of second opinions and encourages doctors to comply with the Code of Medical Ethics and the Association’s guidelines. The provision of second opinions recommends that doctors should respect the patient’s right to seek a second opinion.
Section 42 of the NMA’s Code of Medical Ethics states: “When a patient is referred to a fellow doctor for a second opinion, or for investigation, it is culpable misconduct for the doctor so consulted to take over the continuing care of the patient so referred.”
The interpretation of this section is that the doctor who provides the second opinion should not assume responsibility for the patient’s care unless the patient and the referring doctor agree to it.
The NMA also encourages doctors to provide patients with the option of seeking a second opinion. The Code of Medical Ethics states: ”it is normal professional courtesy for the consulted doctor to communicate a comprehensive report on the patient to the referring doctor. Failure to comply with this norm constitutes improper conduct.”
Barriers
There are several barriers to seeking a second medical opinion in Nigeria. The first barrier is finance. The cost of seeking a second opinion is often a hindrance and a major deterrent for many Nigerians. Consultation fees in Nigeria can be relatively high depending on where the treatment is being sought.
The average cost of seeking a second medical opinion in Nigeria varies significantly depending on the location (urban or rural), the type of healthcare facility (private or public), and the specialist involved. The cost also depends on the complexity of the medical case.
Saturday Vanguard findings reveal that consultation in public hospitals ranges from around N2,500 to N7,000, but there are longer waiting times and limited access to specialists. This is compared to an average of N10,000 to N50,000 or even higher in private health facilities depending on the specialist and location. These are in addition other expenses such as diagnostic tests, additional consultations, and transportation costs.
The lack of insurance coverage is also there. Most health insurance plans in Nigeria do not cover the cost of second opinions or at best offer limited coverage. So in most cases, the patient pays out of pocket for multiple consultations.
The shortage of healthcare resources also contributes to the malady, forcing patients to be pressured into starting treatment without seeking a second opinion, especially for serious or chronic conditions.
A second opinion can change everything — Prof Morenike Ukpong
A professor of Paediatric Dentistry at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife, Prof Morenike Ukpong, noted that with the growth in self-care, seeking second medical opinion is important to ensure thorough and well-informed decision-making regarding one’s health.
Ukpong, who is a Researcher/Lecturer and clinician with the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, OAUTHC, said a second medical opinion should not be overlooked even in routine diagnosis.
“A second medical opinion is important when dealing with serious medical conditions, especially those requiring major interventions or surgeries. These include when managing chronic illnesses that require long-term management, when the initial diagnosis is unclear, if there are conflicting recommendations among healthcare providers regarding the treatment approach, or when undergoing invasive procedures or surgeries.
“In addition, anytime a patient is dissatisfied with the current treatment or is not experiencing the expected improvement, seek a second opinion. When high-risk medications are prescribed, especially with potentially severe side effects, seek a second opinion.”
Ukpong decried the poor level of awareness among Nigerians. In her recommendation, she called for public sensitisation to bridge the knowledge gap.
“I think awareness is poor as is the medical awareness generally. I also think that those with higher educational backgrounds may be more aware about seeking a second opinion, including reading up about their ailment, and treatment options and exploring this with their medical practitioners even when they seek a second opinion,” she urged.
When in doubt, double-check your diagnosis —Prof Oladapo Ashiru
In the view of a renowned scholar and co-founder of In Vitro Fertilisation, IVF, in Sub-Saharan Africa, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, a second opinion is crucial to medical diagnosis.
”Any procedure that you want to do, especially when it involves surgery, healthcare or some invasive procedure or cancer, has far-reaching consequences such that the patient should be able to always opt for a second opinion, so that it can conform and reinforce the opinion of the first medical intention, or to disagree.
“Ethically the doctor is not supposed to discourage a patient that wants to seek a second opinion or wants to go to another centre for treatment,” he noted.
Ashiru, who is the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, IFFS, and is well-known for his important contributions to the field of reproductive healthcare, remarked that
“It is very important all over the world even in the developed countries a patient would always ask for a second opinion. There have been cases of patients who were told that they had cancer only to realise that they did not have cancer, and many like that. So a second opinion is essential.”
Ashiru argued that for somebody going through surgical treatment, a second opinion is critical.
“I have a patient in the US who got pregnant but along the line the pregnancy stopped and the baby stopped growing. She was being asked to either do a medical evacuation, that is to take medication to expel the fetus, or to do dilatation and evacuation.
“She consulted and sought opinions from other specialists about what was best to do, and the doctor in the US allowed her at that time to make her decision. Eventually, she opted to do dilatation and evacuation which was confirmed by the various opinions because she would get it over and done with. Whereas medical evacuation might fail and would still require evacuation. So these are things that are encouraged in medical practice.”
Ashiru lamented that Nigerians are not well informed. “This is the major problem with many people. A large percentage of our population does not read and is not informed, and only a few people who are informed can take the opportunity of such practice. We need to do a lot in educating the population about health matters,” he remarked.
The bottom line
Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions. The power of challenging medical diagnosis lies in the hands of Nigerians through insisting on a second opinion. A second opinion usually helps prevent fraudulent claims, protect patients from potential financial burdens, provide emotional and psychological relief, alleviate anxiety and fear, and improve patients’ mental well-being. The importance of patient advocacy, awareness of misdiagnosis risks, and proactive engagement in healthcare decisions cannot be overstressed.
Every medical doctor is expected to provide patients with information about their options and also to facilitate the patient’s referral to another doctor. In addition, the doctor(s) who provides the second opinion must also share their findings with the referring doctor, even if the patient chooses not to follow their recommendations.
To address these barriers and encourage more Nigerians to seek second opinions, there needs to be a shift in attitudes and a greater emphasis on patient empowerment. Government and insurance companies should also take steps to make second opinions more affordable and accessible.
[Vanguard]
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shehu Umar Nadada, has paraded 12 suspects arrested for child trafficking and other criminal activities in the state.
The suspects, linked to the sale of 45 children, were paraded on Friday in Lafia.
A total of 57 suspects were arrested by the state Police Command from January 1 to date, according to Nadada, who spoke during a press briefing at the state Police Command Headquarters in Lafia.
The suspects include three suspected kidnappers, three armed robbery suspects, and twenty suspected fraudsters, along with others arrested for rape and motorcycle/vehicle theft.
One of the cases involved the abduction of a five-year-old boy in Keffi, where Ismaila Adamu was arrested for his involvement in a syndicate specializing in child theft.
This led to the arrest of several other suspects involved in the theft and sale of children.
Nadada stated that analysis conducted on the suspects’ phones revealed that 45 children had been stolen and illegally adopted by unsuspecting members of the public across the country.
He said the suspects confessed to theft and selling the children at different prices, ranging from N350,000 to N1,500,000, depending on their age and gender.
They also revealed that they conspired with Social Welfare officers of some ministries to produce fake documents and sell the children to willing buyers.
The Police Commissioner stated that six children have been rescued in Abuja, Ondo, and Lagos states, respectively, and efforts are ongoing to arrest more suspects involved in the crime and recover more of the stolen children.
“The suspects have confessed to the theft and selling of so many children at different prices ranging from N350,000 to N1,500,000, depending on their age and gender.
“The suspects further stated that they steal and sell the Children by conspiring with Social Welfare officers of some ministries; where they produce fake documents and sell the Children to willing buyers.
“So far, Six (6) children have been rescued in Abuja, Ondo and Lagos State respectively. Effort is ongoing to arrest more suspects involved in the commission of the crime and recover more of the stolen Children,” Nadada said.
Various items were recovered from the suspects, including fake foreign currency, firearms and ammunition, 10 motorcycles, and 2 vehicles, among others, as exhibits.
The Kwara Government has sealed an illegal private mortuary in Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, while inspecting the facility, said the action was a decisive move to ensure compliance with standards of care for the good people of Kwara whether they are alive or dead.
The commissioner explained that the facility, often referred to as ‘Omosebi’, is unknown to the Ministry of Health as a registered mortuary service provider.
She said, “it is important to preserve the dignity of our dead ones and ensure that infectious diseases do not reach the living from poor management of their remains; this facility does not meet the required standard.”
In his reaction, Dr Musiliu Odunaiya, the Director of Medical Services and Training, said that “the morgue handlers are required to report to the Ministry of Health Headquarters at Fate.”
According to him, this resolves relevant issues and ensures the facility is safe for public use.
He urged the public to take the remains of their loved ones to available government-owned facilities where their safe custody can be guaranteed.
Nigerian influencer cum skit maker, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori has shared some rather delicate details about her personal life during a recent interview.
Opening up about her lifestyle and what it’s worth monetarily, Kiekie had many of her followers in stitches while speaking with video creator, Egungun.
The mother of one raised eyebrows during the interview when she revealed that she spends over N20M on her hair each month, and that was only the beginning.
Before moving to Ikoyi, which is located on Lagos Island in Nigeria, Kiekie claimed to have lived in France for a number of years.
According to her statement during the interview, she currently possesses approximately seven high-end vehicles, including a multi-millionaire Mercedes 2024 RX350.
Kiekie also opened up on her newly acquired backside, stressing that she spent a total of N21M on the new body and had to invite doctors from India and the USA to perform surgery on her in South Africa.
According to her, the cost of her left hip was N8 million, her right hip N3 million, and her huge backside N1Omillion.
Kiekie mentioned that her cheapest wig is N3.5M, her hair costs $12K for her shade, and her luxurious D&C bag costs $16,000. Kiekie continued to boast, saying that her partner owns a private plane and that she doesn’t like men who can’t indulge their babe.
She said in closing that it had cost her husband $150K to park his private plane. Kiekie declined to disclose the amount of her husband’s monthly salary.
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Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Sector 4 have reportedly intercepted a shipment of weapons destined to be delivered to Bakura, a Boko Haram factional leader in the Lake Chad region.
An intelligence and security counterinsurgency group with a special interest in Lake Chad and North East Nigeria, known as Phantom Eye Hub, which disclosed this in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that the shipment was intercepted in Niger through what it described as a major intelligence operation.
According to the intelligence group, the operation which took place over the weekend, was carried out in the northern part of Nguigmi, near the Niger Republic and Chad border.
The seized weapons which include 6 AK-47 assault rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of ammunition, were originated in Libya, transported through an arms courier network.
“In a major intelligence operation over the weekend, troops of Sector 4 MNJTF in Niger intercepted a significant shipment of weapons destined for Bakura, a Boko Haram factional leader in the Lake Chad region.
“The successful operation, carried out in the northern part of Nguigmi, near the Niger and Chad border, prevented a potentially deadly influx of weaponry into the hands of the terrorists.
“The seized weapons include 6 AK-47 assault rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of ammunition.
“A counter intelligence expert revealed that the intercepted weapons originated in Libya and were transported through an arms courier network.
“This finding points to a wider web of illicit arms trafficking potentially fueling instability,” a statement released by Phantom Eye Hub said.
A 50 kilograms bag of cement in the Federal Capital Territory has surged to between N10,000 and N15,000, DAILY POST reports.
A market survey conducted on Friday by DAILY POST in Gwarimpa, Area 10, Kubwa, Lugbe and Dawaki showed that a 50kg bag of Dangote cement is N10,000 and BUA cement stood at N15,000.
A retailer in Gwarimpa, Yinka Adebayo, said that the price of Dangote cement is N10,000 while that of BUA is N15,000.
He said he sold a bag of cement for N6,000 in January 2023.
“We sell Dangote cement at N10,000 per bag, and BUA is N15,000. Unfortunately, it will surprise you that I sold the same bag of cement, N5,500 to N6000, last month,” he said.
Similarly, Rukiyat Abdullahi, a retailer in Kubwa, said Dangote cement is sold for N10,200 while BUA goes for N16,000.
“Dangote is now N10,200 while BUA goes for N16,000 per bag”, she told DAILY POST on Friday.
At Lugbe, the retailers confirmed to DAILY POST that Dangote and BUA cement prices are N10,000 and N15,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa decried the astronomical rise in the price of cement and other building materials across the country.
He said the price hike was unacceptable and insisted the fluctuation in the exchange rate of the dollar could not be blamed.
Recall that for more than five months, the Cement Producers Association of Nigeria cautioned that the Federal Government’s plan to introduce concrete roads could increase cement prices to N9,000 per bag.
The development comes amid a continued soar in Nigeria’s inflation. The National Bureau of Statistics, in its Consumer Price Index report for January, said inflation soared to 29.90 per cent.
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) joint border patrol team, Sector IV in Sokoto, says it has intercepted truckloads of food heading for Niger Republic.
NAN reports that Kolapo Oladeji, the coordinating comptroller, said customs officers impounded the trucks at the Kajji community on the Sokoto-Kebbi road.
He said the truckloads of food items were heading to neighbouring Niger Republic through the Kebbi border.
“We will leave no stone unturned to block food smuggling out of the country because of the current situation,” he said.
“We all know that prices of food items have skyrocketed because of the activities of some Nigerians.
“Our people are hungry but prefer to take the food to other countries despite the border closures imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“We will continue to trail them and block their routes. And whoever is caught in this infamous act will face the full wrath of the law.”
Nigeria is grappling with food inflation and economic hardship. The federal government recently announced the release of 42,000 tons of grains from the strategic reserves, to alleviate the hunger pervading the land.
The comptroller added that operatives also seized a consignment of sex-enhancement drugs worth N19.6 million.
“These drugs are hazardous to the health of our people. Some of them even carried fake National Agency For Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration and expiring dates,” he said.
My wife unfollowed me on social media, refuses to watch my films' – Deyemi Okanlawon opened up on how his wife handles his celebrity status
AdminBeing an actor or a public figure is the dream of so many people, but at the same time, it is something that a whole lot of other people have no desire for and find difficult to handle. What happens then when a person who is famous gets married to a person who isn’t really into that lifestyle?
That is what happened with Nigerian film actor, Deyemi Okanlawon who shared how he navigated becoming a popular actor and dealing with his wife, Damilola, who has a hard time handling this.
The filmmaker also revealed that his wife doesn’t follow him on social media platforms and doesn’t see his movies either.
On how Deyemi Okanlawon deals with the fact that his wife finds it difficult to handle his life in the limelight as a popular actor, He said:
“There was a time I took it for granted that my wife understood the nature of my job, until I started noticing a few things. She was a bit withdrawn, things were changing, and then I tried to have the conversation but even she didn’t realize that she was reacting.
So it took a while of consistently trying to say what’s going on because you’re changing and there’s a difference, before she now finally even looked at it by herself and realized okay, there’s a problem, we need to sit down and we need to talk. And we had the conversation.
People look at her and say oh she’s quiet, she’s reserved, she can handle it. She can’t handle it. We had to handle it together.
So right now my wife does not follow me on Instagram, by her choice. She said she does not want to see.
When my films started showing when I started out on things like DSTV and local channels, we decided that okay we’re no longer watching local channels, let us go and look for international channels. Now I’m inside international channels, we’re looking at ourselves and we’re playing card games in the house.
You have to do everything you can to protect and preserve your environment. I don’t take it for granted that it’s not easy for her, so I still have to check in once in a while.”
BBNaija season seven winner, Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna recently opened up about her relationship status, revealing why she is still single.
Phyna revealed this in a recent Instagram post, where she shared a series of images juxtaposing what people believe leads others to be single with what actually causes them to be single.
The reality star expressed that she sees being single as a sign of her independence and confidence in her own allure.
She emphasized that she is delighting in the freedom to make choices for herself and is taking her time to carefully discern what she wants from life and who she wants to share it with.
captioning her post, Phyna wrote:
“Being single used to mean that no one wanted you. Now it means you’re pretty sexy and taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with”.
View this post on Instagram
Earlier on Phyna revealed Why she want to marry a man like Shallipopi.
She declared during an Instagram live session with her followers that she would rather marry a man that shares same character traits with her.
Phyna claims she loves a man like Shallipopi, someone who would allow her be her true self and whose oddball demeanor makes it difficult for others to identify him as her spouse.
With a zest for life, Phyna believes that being with a man who shares similar qualities would perfectly complement her own vibrant spirit.
In her words:
“I want to marry a lively person like me, someone that you wouldn’t easily know that we are husband and w!fe. I want to marry someone that is my spec, someone that we are alike. Someone who has a Shallipopi vibe.
Everyone has their choice, I don’t want a quiet man. Before I wanted a quiet man but I changed my mind. I want to marry someone that is like me.
I would have liked an Igbo man, but the last Igbo man I was with (laughs). Igbo men I feel like their family are too involved in their business. I think I would rather go for an Edo man of Yoruba man, I like Yoruba, I have always wanted to get married to a Yoruba man”
Top Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has stirred up a buzz by flaunting her new look on social media.
In videos making the rounds, The 44-year-old songstress averred to that she began wearing eyeglasses after realizing she was having trouble with her vision, finding it difficult to read text messages or anything in small fonts.
According to the music star, she noticed her vision had deteriorated recently, which prompted her to seek professional help.
Tiwa explained that she was informed her longsight was fine for the time being, but her shortsight was severely affected, necessitating the use of glasses.
The Somebody’s son crooner mentioned she opted for a stylish touch by investing in an expensive designer frame for her new lenses.
This update comes just hours after Tiwa Savage shared details of her delightful Valentine’s Day celebration, revealed she received some unexpected gifts from a mystery sender.
Upon returning home, the ‘Somebody’s son’ crooner was greeted with a house filled with roses, leaving her utterly amazed.
The music star expressed her surprise, mentioning she hadn’t anticipated the gift at all, as she wandered around the house admiring the roses. Additionally, the sender adorned her room with balloons as part of the surprise.
The mysterious sender also included balloons, which were used to adorn her room. In the caption of her post, the award-winning singer emphasized that she doesn’t know the person who sent all the roses to her.
Tiwa Savage expressed her gratitude to the sender for the gift.