The family of John Okafor, the ailing actor better known as Mr. Ibu, has dismissed claims that his second leg was amputated.
On November 6, Ibu’s family revealed that the actor’s leg had been amputated after undergoing seven surgeries.
On Saturday, rumours swirled that the actor’s condition had deteriorated and that he could barely speak.
There were also claims that his second leg had been amputated.
But in a statement via his Instagram page, the actor’s family debunked the rumours.
The statement said further amputation was done on the same leg because the initial procedure did not improve the actor’s condition.
It added that the cause of Ibu’s ailment was a “constant clotting of the blood” in his leg.
The actor’s family urged his industry colleagues and fans to stop circulating unconfirmed reports and pray for him.
“First we would like to state that our daddy wasn’t amputated on both legs but only one,” the statement reads.
“The first amputation didn’t completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to amputate the same leg further to ensure we didn’t lose him.
“Daddy’s cause of sickness is also not diabetes but he’s had constant clotting of the blood in his leg (diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges, therefore the need for the amputation.
“Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country to date is because the doctors have tagged him not fit to fly.
“Daddy is currently admitted at one of the best hospitals in Nigeria and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals.”
[VIDEO] Uyo based lawyer publicly beats up his wife until she bleeds during argument - NBA begins investigation
AdminA lawyer identified simply as Mr Ebong, beat up his wife during an argument over a key.
The man brutalised his wife until he broke her mouth and she started bleeding.
"Give me the key," he kept saying as he attacked the woman.
It took the intervention of neighbours to stop him from further attacking her.
A video shared online shows the lawyer standing over his wife as she lay on the floor. Blood covered the front of her shirt and some of her blood pooled on the floor.
Neighbours are heard saying that he has been abusing his wife for over 4 years.
A voice is heard saying: "Since when I was living up here, every night he'll be beating this woman. You no get shame? What kind of lawyer are you?
"No be today. I've lived in this compound for four years. When I was living there, every night, he'll be beating this woman."
They confronted him for his actions but he got angry at them for interfering and dared one of the men to house his wife.
The husband told the neighbour: "If she's a woman, let her sleep in your house. If she sleeps in your house. If she sleeps there."
"You want to take her to your house. Take her to your house," the husband said threateningly.
The neighbour responded angrily, saying: "You have been doing this thing for over 4 years now. Today will be your last. I'm telling you."
The neighbour then threatened to hit the husband with a stick (pako).
The neighbour said: "Pako, sir, pako, your life. If you try anything, your life. What's wrong with you?"
NBA begins investigation into viral video
The Nigerian Bar Association says it has began an investigation into the viral video of a lawyer assaulting his wife in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
In a statement released, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association, Akorede Habeeb Lawal says the lawyer has been identified as Ekere S. Ebong. He added that the President of the NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, has ordered the Uyo branch of the association to investigate the incident as a way of establishing a case of professional misconduct against the lawyer.
Read the statement below
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Media
An Uyo based lawyer Mr Ebong brutalizing his wife. So horrendous ???????????? pic.twitter.com/RDN8OAqr90
— Nkirukamma (@SabinaNkiru) December 16, 2023
A 68-year-old man from Ondo State, Joseph Ibironke, who claimed to have spent nine years in the United Kingdom and 21 years in the United States before he found himself in Nigeria after a strange illness, shares his experiences with FATTEH HAMID
Where are you from?
I’m Pastor Joseph Ibironke. Officially, I was born on February 2, 1955. I’m from Igbara Oke, in the Ifedore Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Where do you live now?
Currently, I live in Lameco, Sango Ota, Ogun State. The place is very close to the Nigerian Breweries in Sango.
What do you do to earn a living now?
I’m a minister of God, and some people support me to earn a living.
Where were you born?
Ondo State.
How many siblings do you have?
We were 11 (children). I’m the last child. Before I left Nigeria, two died and after I left Nigeria and came back, I had six siblings, but at the moment, I have three siblings from my parents left.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended Anglican Grammar School, Igbara Oke, Ondo State, before I proceeded to the University of Lagos. However, I didn’t finish my programme over there. While I was there, I joined the National Bank in 1980. While working in the bank, I was studying for a certificate programme. I passed stage one in Nigeria before I moved to London. I can remember that Union Bank snatched me from National Bank at the time. So, I was working with Union Bank before I moved to London for further studies. When I got to London, I attended a Bible college and I also attended Unity College, North London.
What did you study at UNILAG?
I studied Banking and Finance in UNILAG, though I didn’t graduate before moving to the UK.
When did you leave Nigeria and how old were you then?
I left Nigeria in the 1980s. If memory serves me right, I was in my 30s when I left Nigeria and that should be between 1983 and 1984.
What took you abroad?
Just the same reason many Nigerians leave today. The system in the country was bad and all my friends and I were seeking greener pastures. I left Nigeria for a better life.
How many years did you spend in the United Kingdom?
I spent nine years in London before moving to the United States.
What did you spend your time doing during those years? Did you also have a job there?
I was working. I worked as a security officer after I was trained as a security guard at Burns International Security Services Limited, United Kingdom. I was trained as an armed guard. When I moved to the US, I also worked with them for a while.
Did you become a UK citizen?
I had a British passport.
Where’s your passport?
I misplaced it. I declared it missing and the British Government replaced it, but it went missing again. I went back for the passport and I was told that I was careless with the British property and that it wouldn’t be replaced for me.
When was that?
I can’t remember but it was in 2007.
Why did you leave the UK for the United States?
It was because the UK was too tight but America was free. You can make it very fast in the US. At that time, my friends were there and advised me to move to the US.
How many years did you spend in the US?
I spent 21 years in the United States of America.
Did you get another job there?
As I earlier said, I worked with Burns and I also worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Police Department before I resigned because God called me to be a pastor. That was when I resigned in Los Angeles after working for about two years. Also, I had a store in Orange County, California, which was predominantly occupied by whites, no blacks lived there. In Orange County, I sold sophisticated electronics. I was always going to Japan to buy electronics and sell them. I was also the only black in Orange County at the time who made it (was successful).
Were you married with children when you were abroad?
Yes, I was married with four children. Right now, I don’t know their whereabouts and it’s very painful knowing you have children somewhere and you don’t know where they are. But I know that they can’t suffer over there. Their mother left me after my sickness.
What is your wife’s name and where is she from?
Her name is Helen, Helen Jones. She’s a citizen of the United States and is from Texas.
Where did you meet her?
We met in California before we moved to Tampa, Florida. From Tampa, we moved back to California and later back to Texas.
What are the names of the children you had together?
I don’t want to disclose their names.
In a video on social media, you claimed not to have known how you found yourself in Nigeria after spending 21 years in the US and nine years in the UK. Does that mean you never wanted to return to Nigeria?
No, I wanted to return home but was regularly stopped by my brother.
Were there times your family (parents or siblings) in Nigeria wanted you to return home for one reason or another?
When I wanted to come home, I was advised not to return home and that Nigeria was bad. Also, I had people I knew in New York who came and returned to the United States. I felt that (returning to Nigeria) wasn’t anything to bother about and that I was going to return to Nigeria. If they (my family members) couldn’t be hurt, I wouldn’t be hurt. On my birthday that year, I called my brother and told him that I was going to visit Nigeria and celebrate the next Easter. I sent N25,000 to them in Nigeria and told them to help me prepare for my arrival but before February ended, I became sick.
What was the nature of your sickness?
My wife told me that one midnight after making love together and we slept, I started barking like a dog, and that I was foaming in my mouth. She told me that she was scared, called for help and an ambulance was called and they rushed me to Cal State Teaching Hospital, California. I was there for 14 months and the doctors couldn’t detect what was wrong with me. Nigerians over there (in the US) who saw me and my condition said it was a spiritual attack and advised that I be taken back to Nigeria for treatment. My family in Nigeria was called and it was arranged that I be taken to Nigeria. My elder brother, Williams, and his first son, Kayode Ibironke, whom I sponsored throughout his education, both received me at the airport (in Nigeria) and took me to the psychiatry hospital in Sabo Yaba, where I was abandoned.
What type of treatment did you receive at the hospital?
At the psychiatric hospital, they dragged me out because no one visited me or asked about me. Later, I was taken to (a correctional service in) Kirikiri by the hospital when they saw me wandering on the road. I was in Kirikiri when the Redeemed Christian Church of God came to visit the prison and heard about me, saw my records, and saw my documents, that I was from the United States. The church took me back to the psychiatric hospital and was responsible for my treatment, clothing, and feeding.
However, no one checked on me again after some time and I ended up under a bridge in Oshodi. I was there for a while before some policemen saw me. I told them my story and they checked my documents. One of them took me to Ikeja, gave me N5,000, and told me I would be able to get help there. On the third day, I was in Ikeja when Kolawole Olawuyi’s Labe Orun team came to see me with some human rights activists. I didn’t have an idea how they got to know my story. They told me that they were informed that someone from the US was sleeping there (under the bridge). It was Labe Orun who took me to Pakoto Prayer Mountain in Ifo, where I spent six years before I recovered, even though not completely. It was under the leadership of Prophet Ezekiel Oladeinde, popularly called Baba Pakoto, that I recovered.
At what point did you realise that you were in Nigeria?
After my recovery at Pakoto.
What year was that?
That was in 2014.
Do you have properties in Nigeria?
I used to have one before leaving Nigeria. I had a house on Number 14, Olasumbo Street, Sabo Yaba, Lagos State. It was only my brother that knew about it.
Who was managing the property for you when you were away?
My elder brother, Williams Ibironke.
Have you been able to take possession of the property? Or what happened to it?
When I was going to the UK, I called my siblings and I showed them all the documents of the house which I handed over to my Nigerian wife who I was living with, with two children at the time. In the presence of my siblings, after handing it over to her, she knelt in front of my brother and asked him to keep the house documents for us since he was a father figure in the family at the time. My wife gave it to my older brother and my other siblings also said that it was the best thing to do. I left for the UK after that time. I didn’t spend up to six months before my wife was kicked out of my Nigerian house, and it was sold. My wife ran to our village where my eldest son died after she was unable to pay N150 for his treatment as I was later told by my wife. She had to run to her village to take care of my second son who was barely four months old when I left Nigeria.
Where are your second son and wife now?
The boy is now 43 years old. He is married with three children. I met him physically this year in June after I fully recovered from my illness and went to visit his mother. He narrated to me how life was tough for him and he is still struggling.
Where is your brother and his son now?
Both are dead. Kayode died a few years ago.
Having claimed that your siblings took over your property, did you contact the police?
The police didn’t help me build my house. I don’t believe in the policing system in Nigeria. In a rotten system like Nigeria and against a dead person? Not happening.
Can you remember the exact day you returned to Nigeria?
I cannot remember.
Do you desire to go back to meet your family in the US if you’re cleared to travel back?
Yes, I intend to go back to the United States but my intention is not to die over there. I just want to live a good life.
What do you plan to do next?
To live a good life for the rest of my life.
A former deputy secretary of state in the Vatican and nine others were yesterday found guilty in the enclave’s biggest financial corruption scandal.
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Vatican employees and two outside Italian brokers were among 10 defendants described by prosecutors as “actors in a rotten predatory and lucrative system.”
Becciu, the highest ranking Vatican-based church official to be charged with financial crimes, was handed a jail term of five and a half years.
They were found guilty of embezzlement, corruption, abuse of office, fraud, witness tampering and extortion – with the trial revolving mostly around a luxury building in Chelsea.
Becciu was the pope’s chief of staff, serving as a key diplomat between 2011 and 2018.
They had been implicated in the purchasing of a showroom in London‘s Sloane Square formally used by Harrods, which was bought for €140m more than its market value – defrauding the Vatican.
The two-year-long trial, led by jury president and former anti-mafia prosecutor Giuseppe Pignatone, centered on the management of the funds of the secretariat of state and the sale of a property on London’s Sloane Avenue paid for with donation funds.
The former Harrods showroom was bought for €350m (£300m), while the real value was just €210m (£180m). The botched real estate deal defrauded the Vatican and caused a €140m loss (£120m).
This landmark probe exposed the Vatican’s financial dysfunction and was considered an indication of Pope Francis’ desire to fix the money mismanagement.
The scandal was exposed by Italian journalist Massimiliano Coccia, prompting Pope Francis to fire Becciu in 2020.
Becciu subsequently filed a defamation suit against Mr Coccia alleging that his ruined reputation had crushed his chances of becoming pope.
An Italian civil court recently dismissed the suit and awarded costs against Becciu.
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that the International Passport will henceforth be processed and collected within two weeks of registration.
The NIS Comptroller General, Caroline Adepoju, represented by DCG Saadatu Hassan, made the information known during the commissioning of the NIS Passport Front Office in Offa at the weekend.
“We are now in the era of getting passport within two weeks, unlike in the past when people waited for weeks before they could get their passport.
“This development started since the appointment of the present Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Ojo, whom the Almighty has used to perform the good work, for the benefit of Nigerians,” Adepoju said.
The Comptroller General, who said that the passport with 32 pages and which is to expire after five years, is meant for minors while the one for 64 pages, and valid for 10 years, is specifically for adults.
She advised applicants to report any problem encountered during the period of registration, by informing them physically or through their available website and not complain on social media.
“We have people that receive complaints in the office, also report through our website, Facebook page and other official channels, but don’t drag our name on social media, just to gain attention,” she said.
Adepoju also advised applicants to ensure that all their National Identity Number (NIN) information tallies with information on International Passport, saying it should be arranged accordingly.
“This is one of the major things that caused delays in collection of passports and make many people complain of the time taken to process passport,” she explained.
The NIS boss thanked the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, for his kind gesture in donating the NIS Passport Office and providing all necessary things for the structure.
“Offa is one of the few states in Nigeria that has two passport offices and I am happy for them as it will spring up lots of opportunities and help to increase economic activities in Offa Town,” she said.
State Comptroller of Immigration, Compt. Aminu Shamsuddin thanked the Organization of Development Union (ODU) in Offa, most especially the Olofa of Offa for his kind gesture, human friendliness and determination.
Shamsuddin said that Olofa had always wanted to ease the stress of his subjects and so, immediately he suggested NIS Passport Front office to him, he was ready to sponsor it.
He also thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the good work of his administration, most especially the Minister and CG for the approval and assistance rendered towards making it successful.
Earlier, Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II said that delay in passport collection and lots of complaints from his subjects and other people prompted him to sponsor the establishment of a passport office in Offa.
He further said that with the assistance of the hardworking Minister of Interior and NIS CG, the project became a reality and a dream came through.
“Many people complained that it takes months to collect passport abroad, but things have changed for good, as those in diaspora now get their passport within a month.
“While those in Nigeria now have the opportunity to get their passport within two weeks,” he said.
Olofa, who said that demand for passport had increased, added that the effort of the Minister and CG to open up more Passport Front offices was commendable.
He further said that the presence of Passport Front office in Offa would save his subjects from travelling to other states to get passports done as well as increase productivity.
The first class traditional ruler urged all Nigerians to maximize the opportunity and get their passport, saying that the new NIS office belongs to the whole nation and not only for Offa people.
I learnt about the use of human head for money rituals on social media — Man who beheaded OAU student in Abeokuta
AdminA 35-year-old suspect, Akeem, who was arrested by detectives in Ogun State Police Command after he allegedly murdered an 18-year-old student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Quadri Salami, to get body parts for sale, has revealed how he learnt about use of human heads from Facebook groups.
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Quadri for almost a month unravelled when Akeem was arrested after technical investigation and intelligence gathering were adopted by the detectives. This was followed by the recovery of the deceased’s decomposing body parts in a shallow grave on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, by the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, who led a team to the suspect’s house at Mile 6, Ajebo area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
Giving an insight to how the discovery was made, the police spokeswoman, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the deceased’s father reported the case of his missing son at Kemta Police station on November 14, about six days after he was last seen.
The PPRO said that the father told the police that he had not seen his son since November 8, and all efforts to locate him had proved abortive.
She stated further that the report led to intelligence gathering which yielded fruits with the arrest of Akeem to whom the missing boy’s phone was traced.
On interrogation, Akeem reportedly opened up on how he killed the teenage student and dismembered his body for sale to another native doctor, Ifaniyi, and other prospective buyers.
It was further learnt that Akeem called Ifaniyi after dismembering Quadri, handed the head and a palm to him, while Ifaniyi paid the sum of N130,000 into Akeem’s account for the body parts.
To hide his criminal act, Akeem reportedly burnt Quadri’s clothes and threw away his footwear and phone. Not done, Akeem reportedly put the remaining body parts in a plastic bucket, soaked them in alcohol and buried the bucket until needed for use or purchase. However, one of his pair of footwears was found not too far away from Akeem’s house during investigation and search by detectives, Saturday Tribune learnt.
“The suspects are currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigations, and will definitely be prosecuted after the conclusion, SP Odutola said.
In an interview Saturday Tribune had with Akeem, who hailed from Osun State, he said that he started living in Abeokuta in 2014.
The married father of three narrated: “I am a native doctor. Before becoming one, I was selling phones and accessories. I started learning divination in 2015 from my paternal grandmother who told me to do so as she didn’t want it to become extinct in her family lineage. I went to stay with her in Sagamu. When my grandmother died, I returned to Abeokuta and went round native doctors who were versed in the practice to learn more. I started practising it in 2018.
“My practice involved taking care of diabetic patients (egbo adaajina), breaking spiritual bondages (atude), opening ways for success (asina), fortune making (asiri bibo) and others. I was using python’s head (ori ere), cobra’s head (ori oka), dog’s head (ori aja), okete’s head and others which would be added to herbs and roots to prepare the native medicines for awure, asiri bibo and the rest.
How I learnt using human heads
“In divination and native medicine training, we were not taught to use human heads. I learnt it from Facebook accounts after joining the groups. They would write about things to use for rituals and I would copy and put them in writing for use. This was about three years ago.
“I started using pieces of dry human skull I got from fellow native doctors. I would grind them into powder and mix them with native black soap or to make aseje (d:d:r). We would just ask other native doctors if they had ‘ajiyo (r:r:d)’ (pieces of dry human skull) which could not be decoded by non-native doctors.
“I got two human heads from a native doctor, Ifayemi. He is currently on the run. Before I got them, another native doctor, Ifaniyi, told me that he needed them. I told Ifayemi and when he got one, he brought it and charged N50,000 for it. I gave it to Ifaniyi. That was in July this year. He brought the second one for Ifaniyi in September. He also paid another N50,000 for it. I didn’t know how Ifayemi got the heads.”
How I knew the OAU student that I eventually killed
“Quadri was learning barbing from a man, Ahmed. I used to barb in the shop too. One day, the boss called me and said that he was told to perform rites to the god of iron (bo ogun) for Quadri. The barber brought Quadri and I carried out the task.
“Two weeks after, the boy came to me and asked that I prepared a fortune soap for him. He told me he was a yahoo guy but was not making enough money from the foreigners he was scamming. The boss didn’t know of his coming to me. I made ‘asina’ soap for him using lizard, herbs and a candle stuffed in the middle of the soap. He lit the candle and went to have a bath with the soap in my backyard. This was in October.
“He came back to me and said the job had not picked up as he wanted. I told him look for N70,000 to do the job. He left and came back after two weeks again and said he couldn’t get any money, asking me to help him. I told him to return after a week, promising to make some charms (eyonu d:m:m and atude r:m:d) that would favour him.
“Some days after, Ifaniyi called and told me that he needed another human head and I should let him know if the native doctor who usually got it for me had one. On November 8, when Quadri came, I gave him a prepared soap to have a spiritual bath at my backyard. As he was having the bath, I crept into the backyard from a side and struck him with a machete on his neck from the back.
“He fell down immediately and I struck him the second time, severing his head. I also cut his palms from his wrists before dismembering other body parts. I cleaned the blood as if nothing happened in my house. This was at about 3pm. My wife and children were not at home. I called Ifaniyi and he came to collect the head and a palm at about 4pm. He paid N130,000 – N100,000 for the head and N30,000 for the palm. He didn’t know that I killed the victim whose body parts he got.
“On December 6, police came to my house after discovering my involvement, and I confessed everything to them. I now realise that what I did was very bad. I just pray for God’s forgiveness.”
The second suspect, Ifaniyi, who purchased Quadri’s head and palm also narrated his involvement, saying that he never knew that Akeem killed someone to get the head for him.
The 28-year-old father of one narrated his side of the story thus: “I’m a native of Abeokuta. I live at Ita Oshin. I grew up in Ifa divination household and never attended school. I started learning from childhood and also went to other native doctors in addition to what I learnt from my parents. We had worship points (ojubo) for Ifa, esu, ogun, and used to perform rites to cleanse heads (ori bibo) and make sacrifices. We usually appease (bo) esu with palm oil, salt, alcohol and chicken.
How I got human heads from Akeem
“I knew him long ago when he was selling phones and accessories. He was so nice that he would even give phone or accessories free of charge if one didn’t have money. He was also coming to me for divination (da ifa) and sacrifices (aajo and irubo). He later went to learn divination from his paternal grandmother. When he started practising, he told me he had someone who used to bring human heads to him for purchase. I told him to help me get one whenever the person had it.
“I used the human heads for myself to open ways (asina). We were not taught to use human parts during training. We learnt it from the social media. Unfortunately, I didn’t experience any improvement.
“On the last human head he gave me that got me into trouble, he called me a day before to tell me that it would be brought by the usual supplier, promising to give me a call. He did the following day and said that the body from which the parts were got was freshly exhumed as he was told. I paid N130,000.
“The following day, I checked the nylon and saw that the head and palm were still fresh. I called my colleague and asked if he was sure that the body was exhumed and not that someone was killed. He repeated that it was exhumed, most likely on the day it was buried.
“I prepared the charm by burning the head and palm along with a turtle (ijapa), Ega bird, alligator pepper (ataare) and certain herbs (ewe oge d:d) in a black earthenware until it became powder. I mixed it with native soap in preparation to bathe with it. However, I was arrested before I started using it.”
Thirty-year-old Ahmed, the barber who had Quadri as an apprentice before his murder, said that he knew Akeem as a customer and a diviner, but never thought he could commit such an act.
According to Ahmed, “I am from Abeokuta. I am a father of two and own a barbing salon and Quadri was learning from me. He usually came whenever he had a break from school. We were in the shop in September when Osun worshippers passed by and started blessing us. I gave them money in appreciation of the prayers and Quadri also did so.
“They went on their way but suddenly turned back and asked for the shop owner. I said I was the one. They asked me to tell Quadri togive sacrifices to Ogun because of family issue. Quadri himself heard it. That same evening, Akeem a.k.a Ogbon came to my shop. I intimated him of what we were told by Osun worshippers and he said I should allow him to get home and make findings on it.
“Later, I called him to know what he thought about it, and he said we should do what we were told. He prescribed usage of chicken, palm oil and alcohol for the rites and Quadri paid for them. We went to his house two days after and performed the rites. We didn’t spend more than an hour with him and we went back to the shop. Two or three weeks after, Quadri told me that he was going back to school and wanted to be home to prepare. I bade him bye and told him to be careful about his life.
“After almost a month, Quadri’s father came to my shop to ask if I saw his son. I was surprised at the question and asked him if the boy had yet to return to school as he told me. The father replied in the negative, saying that they were trying to gather money for him to take to school. The father told me that his son left home after telling him that he wanted to work onn his SIM card at Oke Ilewo and would stop by my shop to eat. I told him that Quadri did not come to the shop. I called his phone number but it was not going through. I remember that the dad asked me whether I suspected Quadri of being a yahoo boy. I replied that I would be telling a lie if I said he was not doing so. I pointed out to the father the expensive phones he had even before he started apprenticeship with me which I could never afford. The father left.
“I called Akeem and told him what I heard of Quadri. He expressed surprise, saying that he thought he had gone back to school. He said that the boy had not been to his place since the last time I came with him. He said he would check from Ifa. He called me back later and said what he saw was that the boy was alive but just went playing.
“A customer came to my shop and I also mentioned the search for Quadri. He gave me a number and said I should call a pastor to enquire about Quadri. When I called the pastor, he said he would like to speak with his parents. I forwarded the number to Quadri’s mother.
“I was sitting in front of my shop on December 6 when Police came to arrest me. I got into Police van and saw Akeem in it. I later got to know that he was the one who killed Quadri and sold his body parts.”
In less than 10 days to Christmas, the price of poultry birds in Ibadan is projected to be higher than last year mostly because of the current rise in inflation, which specifically affects the cost of feeding for the birds.
According to a recent survey conducted among some poultry farmers in Ibadan, TRIBUNE ONLINE gathered that residents of Ibadan should expect that the price of poultry birds may not be any less than N10000 for fowl and N25,000 for turkeys.
A poultry farmer based in Challenge Ibadan, Jumoke Olagunju, said, “Poultry birds will be sold at a higher price this year. The people who are buying from us are buying at a higher price so definitely they will sell at a higher price. I intend to sell female turkeys to resellers between ₦9000 and ₦10,000 and male turkeys between ₦24,000 and ₦25,000.
“Presently giant local turkey is about ₦30,000 while the female is about ₦12,000 but for foreign giant turkey, it is about ₦70,000 and ₦80,000 while the female is about ₦50,000 and ₦60,000. Whatever you buy, that is what you sell. With the current situation, especially the cost of feeding is skyrocketing, otherwise it shouldn’t have cost as much as that,” Engr. Omoyeni poultry farmer from Onibure, Ibadan.
Emphasising further on the possible price of poultry birds, Mr Adewole Kehinde from Olorunda, Ibadan, a poultry farmer said “I will be selling local giant turkey this season for ₦25,000 to ₦35,000 depending on the weight and size. For imported giant turkeys, it is between ₦40,000 to ₦60,000. For broiler, it is going between ₦7,000 to ₦12,000 depending on the size and weight.
The Executive Secretary of Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kenneth Assim Ita, has disclosed that there are over 24 million unemployed youths in Nigeria.
He said that if nothing is done to deliberately create jobs, in the next five years, the figure can rise above 60 million.
Ita spoke at the 2023 Nkonib Qua Clan, Calabar Municipality Council Symposium, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Development and Traditional Institutions In The 21st Century’.
Speaking on ‘The Roles and Responsibilities of Youths in Community and National Development’, he said, “Those legally seen as the youths in Nigeria are more than 54% of the total population. 24 million youths are unemployed in Nigeria. In the next five years, it can rise to 60m, if nothing is done to engage them.”
He however cautioned Nigerian youths against waiting on government for jobs.
Ita advised youths to develop entrepreneurship ideas, create jobs and become employers.
“You must persevere, be intentional, dream big but start small.
“Work out your ideas in every sphere of life. If you don’t establish yourself, nobody will give you attention. Entrepreneurship is way out of unemployment.”
In the spirit of Christmas festival, a California, United States of America based Phillantropists, who was also an Old Pupil of St. Augustine Nursery and Primary School, Abeokuta, Rev. (AGSOBA) Olakunle Onaleye A.K.A Ghana and wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Esther Onaleye celebrated the Management, Teachers and pupils of the school with cash and gifts awards.
Rev. Onaleye was known for his generosity, kindness and cheerful giving and with that he has inscribed notable milestone in the lives of the people, especially vulnerable ones through the use of his God giving fortune to bring joy, comfort and succour to the people.
Adekunle and wife Wife Esther have once again established the feat of their kind gesture in the lives of teachers and pupils of his old school by Organising a befitting Christmas party that featured, presentation of cash awards to teachers as a way of appreciating their efforts in nurturing the learners to realise their dreams and fulfil their potentials.
AGSOBA Onaleye also gave prizes to outstanding pupils from primary two to six that took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their respective examinations . He also provided school sandals for the vulnerable students, in order to encourage them to focus more on their academics and for them to be proud leaders of the future.
Through the gesture bestowed on them, the beneficiaries could not hold their expression of happiness, as they continue to shower praises and encomiums on the Phillantropists and wife for the gesture that will continue to linger on in their minds.
Speaking during the Christmas celebration with pupils and staff of St. Augustine, the kind hearted man, Rev. Olakunle Onaleye said the help was done out of his passion to support the young ones to grow up and fulfill their desires in life and to put smiles on the faces of people, especially vulnerables.
Onaleye represented by his childhood friend, Prince Ademola Gbadebo noted that Christmas season is the time of love, giving and merry making, hence the need to emulate God that gave the mankind the most appreciative gift, Jesus Christ his son, urging people to always fear God and do anything within their capacity to bring joy to the hearts of fellow human beings.
In her appreciative notes, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Abiola Odewole mentioned that this was not the first time such a notable gesture will be carried out by their helpers, because they have donated perimeter fencing for the safety of the pupils, computer and printers to make them ICT complaints, stationers to aid smooth running of the administrative works, donation of sewing machines to encourage vocational skills from elementary level and provision of school uniforms for some pupils.
Speaking, the Coordinator, Abeokuta Local Government Zonal Education Office, Mr. Ali Muhammed and the representative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Sunday Odebowale lauded Rev. Kunle Onaleye for being there for the school always and that his kind gesture was worthy of emulation and commendation, promising to reward him with letter of commendation.
Also appreciating the donors on behalf of other pupils, the Senior Boy and Girl of the school, Mayowa Edibo and Agai Ifechukwu respectively, emphasised that the initiative was a giant stride that was capable of assuring them a secured future, saying, if others can take after Rev. Onaleye, poverty will soon be eradicated in the society, as they pray for continous Divine Provision for him and his family.
Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N1.08 trillion in November 2023 revenue actual to the federation account to the federal, state and local government areas.
As contained in a communique issued by the FAAC at its December 2023 meeting, the N1.08 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N376.306 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N335.656 billion, electronic money transfer levy revenue of N11.952 billion and exchange difference revenue of N364.869 billion.
According to the communique that was issued at the end of the 3rd of the meeting on Friday, the total revenue of N1. 62 trillion was available in November 2023 as statutory revenue. Total deductions for cost of collection was N60.960 billion; total transfers, interventions and refunds were N470.592 billion.
Gross statutory revenue of N882.56 billion was received for November 2023. This was higher than the N660.090 billion received in October 2023 by N222.47 billion.
The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2023 was N360.455 billion. This was higher than the N347.343 billion available in October 2023 by N13.112 billion.
The communique stated that from the N1088.783 billion total distributable revenue, the federal government received a total of N402.86 billion, the state governments received N351.7 billion and the local government areas received N258.81 billion.
A total sum of N75.410 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N376.306 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received N174.908 billion, the states received N88.716 billion and the LGAs received N68.396 billion. The sum of N44.286 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
The federal government received N50.348 billion, the 36 states received N167. 828 billion and LGAs: N117.480 billion from the N335.656 billion distributable VAT revenue.
The N11.952 billion electronic money transfer levy was shared as follows: the Federal Government received N1.793 billion, the State Governments received N5.976 billion and the Local Government Councils received N4.183 billion.
The federal government received N175.817 billion from the N364.869 billion Exchange Difference revenue. The State Governments received N89.177 billion, and the LGAs received N68.751 billion. The sum of N31.124 billion (13 percent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
In November 2023, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Oil and Gas Royalties and Value Added VAT increased considerably, while transfer levies, import duty and money transfer recorded decreases.
The balance in the excess crude account remains $473,754.57.
[Leadership]
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Video: ‘Dey Your Dey, Make I Dey My Dey’ – Reactions As Gov Fubara’s Live Band Sings Amidst Rivers State Power Tussle
AdminThe live band of Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, has sparked reactions online amidst the escalation of political tension in the state.
Naija News reports that several members of the State House of Assembly and Commissioners have resigned in the last two days, a development linked to Fubara’s face-off with his predecessor and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Rivers State Government also ordered the demolition of the Assembly Complex, citing the need to build a suitable structure after an arson attack that occurred at the Assembly Complex on October 29.
While many political elites have condemned Wike’s interference in state politics, the Minister has remained silent.
However, a video making the rounds online shows Fubara’s live band singing a controversial song at the flag-off construction of the 20,000 Housing unit, which some netizens considered a shade.
@crownby wrote: “Fubara really learnt from Wike: the good, the bad and the ugly. Entertaining days are up ahead.”
@uggbyy wrote: “No be small fight Fubara and wike dey fight????????, even their bands follow join the fight”
@prettygift wrote: “Wike don meet his match”
@officialbecks: “Wike oya catch your sub, you thought the guy well”
@ebido wrote: “But this Wike sef. When he became governor it was him and Amechi. He vacated now dragging with current governor.”
@bryzam wrote: “sometimes my Nigerian experience feels like I’m in a skit. What kind of country is this?”
@iam_pintch wrote: “His band group is doing everything possible to restore peace”
@kacey wrote: “Like father like son trying to confuse us. Lol ???????????????? I love strategical people”
[NaijaNews]
Media
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Chichi has mocked her colleague, Phyna, over her wig-renting accusation.
A vendor, DBeauty Mogul, had earlier called out Phyna, for refusing to return a “rented” wig after the rental period.
Reacting to the allegation in a post on her official page, Phyna categorically denied knowing the vendor, tagging her clout chasers.
In light of this, Chichi took to X and posted a shady message.
She wrote: “Hi loves, wigsbyella sells luxury hair at affordable rates, and we are still on sale. Patronise my hair brand and stop doing borrow pose. I love you all.”
Taking to the comments section, a user, @mhiz_bonita, wrote, “Now I believe you are so obsessed with Phyna.”
Chichi replied: “How will I be obsessed with someone that rents hair? Make it make sense, hun. She even price the rent rate.”
[NaijaTimes]
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has completed its series 10 commercial paper issuance under its upsized N250 billion commercial paper issuance programme.
This was contained in the company’s notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public seen by Nairametrics.
According to the statement signed by Uto Ukpanah, the Company Secretary, the telecom giant said it sought to raise N72.1 billion and the offer recorded 149% subscription with N721.1 billion issued. The 266-day commercial paper was issued on 29 November 2023 at a yield of 16%.
Short-term working: capital The CP issuance aligns with MTN Nigeria’s strategy to continue diversifying its funding sources and reducing its average cost of debt. The proceeds will be applied towards short-term working capital requirements.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola said:
- “We are pleased with the support received from the investor community, having recorded a 149% subscription from a broad range of investors. This reflects NTN Nigeria’s robust financial capacity, brand strength, and market leadership amidst the upward pressure on interest rates”
Arranger and dealers: Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited played the role of Arranger and Dealer with ARM Securities Limited. Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited, Coronations Marchant Bank Limited, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, Quantum Zenith Capital &Investments Limited, Rand Marchant Bank Limited, and Vetiva Capital Management Limited played the role of Joint Dealers on the transaction.
The communication firm had recently proposed the issuance of up to N72.1 billion series 10 commercial paper notes under its N250 billion commercial paper issuance programme.
According to the statement signed by Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary, the issuance is part of the company’s strategy to diversify its funding sources with the funds being deployed towards short-term working capital requirements.
What you should know
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc recorded a year-on-year decline of 75.7% in its profit before tax to N32.08 billion in Q3 2023, as compared to N132.04 billion in Q3 2022.
According to the group’s financial statement for the period ending September 30, 2023, the group recorded a revenue of N614.2 billion in Q3 2023, a 21.4% year-on-year increase from the corresponding period in 2022.
The figure modified the group’s nine-month revenue to N1.78 trillion, an increase of 21.76% year-on-year from the corresponding quarter in 2022.
[Nairametrics]
Toyin Lawani, a renowned fashion entrepreneur from Nigeria, shared a distressing encounter she had while undergoing surgery. Lawani recounted a chilling incident where her lungs collapsed, leading to a terrifying 10-minute brush with death.
In a recent social media update, Lawani bravely opened up about her personal struggles. Taking to her Instagram page last Friday, the renowned personality disclosed a distressing medical diagnosis.
According to Lawani, she has been diagnosed with a degenerative spine and a cyst, shedding light on the challenges she is currently facing.
In a compelling video clip chronicling her transformative journey, she provides a firsthand account of the various stages leading up to the surgery and the obstacles encountered along the way. With remarkable clarity, she elucidates the intricacies of the procedure, which entailed the insertion of a spinal implant specifically targeting the C5 and C6 vertebrae.
She shared a chilling account of her near-death experience, stating, "I was clinically dead for a duration of 10 minutes." During her pregnancy, @kingtinukeleora experienced a series of significant discomforts, including neck, back, and leg pains.
In a harrowing turn of events, the individual in question found themselves in a distressing situation where their body became immobilised on the left side. This sudden paralysis rendered them completely unable to move.
During the interview, the Lawani revealed that they had been administered painkiller injections consistently.
She opened up about the true extent of her medical condition. With unwavering honesty, she disclosed that she has been diagnosed with a degenerative spine and a cyst in her brain. These revelations shed light on the seriousness of her health challenges.
In a remarkable turn of events, she experienced a death-defying ordeal, enduring a complete cessation of vital signs for an astonishing duration of 10 minutes.
However, thanks to the swift and skillful intervention of medical professionals, she was successfully resuscitated and brought back to life.
In a startling turn of events, it has been reported that her lungs have collapsed. This distressing medical condition, known for its severe impact on respiratory function, has left the affected a recent development, she in question has reported experiencing oedema, a condition characterised by the accumulation of fluid in the body.
This unfortunate circumstance arose subsequent to their pursuit of a medical intervention involving the installation of artificial implants in their spinal region, with the aim of restoring their ability to walk with ease.
However, it appears that this course of action has led to unforeseen complications, necessitating the utilisation of a tracheostomy tube for a duration of three months.