Mrs Patience Umo Eno, the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is dead.
The state Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, announced the first lady’s death in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday.
According to the commissioner, the Mrs Eno died at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members.
The statement, titled, “Unexpected Sunset” read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an illness.
“She passed away peacefully at the hospital on 26th September 2024, in the presence of her family
“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time. Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.
“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”
[newspeakonline]
A scholar from the University of Ibadan and Professor of Industrial Sociology, Professor Emeka Okafor, has stated that Nigeria’s high unemployment rates have led to the proliferation of cheap and surplus labour, which is often exploited by organisations across various sectors.
He stated this during his presentation at the University of Ibadan’s 562nd inaugural lecture, titled: “The Periphery of the Periphery: Exploring the Experiences of Non-Standard Workers.
Okafor highlighted that non-standard workers, such as casual employees, are particularly vulnerable due to their precarious employment status.
“These workers find themselves marginalized and exploited by employers, supervisors, and even regular employees within the organisational framework, especially when we view work organizations as systems with multiple actors,” he explained.
Professor Okafor emphasised that because casual or non-standard workers are unable to unionise, they endure severe and unstable working conditions in Nigeria.
He urged both federal and state governments to enforce labour laws designed to protect these workers from exploitation.
According to him, “The inability of non-standard workers to join trade unions hampers their capacity to negotiate for better working conditions, including fair pay.”
“They are also often denied access to other essential rights. Consequently, the concept of decent work, as advocated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), remains an ideal that is largely unattainable for most workers in non-standard employment situations.”
To address these issues, Professor Okafor called on the Nigerian government, the largest single employer of labour, to ensure that labour standards and regulations protecting workers’ rights are rigorously enforced.
He urged the government to regularise non-standard workers in ministries, departments, agencies, and parastatals, providing them with stable employment and career advancement opportunities as a model for other stakeholders.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of creatively generating job opportunities and implementing reforms aimed at revitalising the economy and attracting investment.
He also called for the need to strengthen labour inspection mechanisms to ensure compliance with safety standards and to provide timely compensation for workplace injuries and fatalities.
Professor Okafor advised the Ministry of Labour and Employment to safeguard workers’ rights and ensure occupational safety by enforcing existing labour laws and regulations.
This includes conducting regular workplace inspections to identify and rectify safety violations and combating corruption within the Inspectorate Department, which he said, may allow unscrupulous employers to bypass regulations concerning the treatment of non-standard workers.
Prof. Okafor asserted that labour unions must pressure employers to regularise non-standard workers and improve their working conditions through collective bargaining agreements.
Saidi Balogun has recalled how he lost about N24 million to piracy in Nollywood in 2011.
Movie piracy refers to the illegal distribution of films without the permission or license of the content creators.
In an interview WithChude, the ace filmmaker revealed that two of his movies were pirated, with the first being pirated even before its release date.
Balogun said he invested a substantial N24 million but earned only N800,000 due to piracy.
He also recounted how he incurred debts and lost all his possessions.
The actor described the period as the “most difficult time” in his life.
He said his mother’s unwavering support helped him through the challenging times.
‘Then I was in Germany, I did this movie ‘You or I’, all Caucasian actors, spending more than N24 million. The movie got pirated,” he said.
“I got a call very early in the morning, I called back, nobody was talking. So, I flew back to Nigeria the following day and I went straight to our house in Lagos Island and I saw the pirated copy.
“That movie was supposed to be released in a week or two then and it had flooded everywhere.
“I lost a lot of money, a lot. Can you imagine producing a movie worth N24 million as at 2011 and you lost everything. The highest money I made was N800k.
“My mum kept telling me I should keep doing it that I would get there. So for a week she was always beside me.
“I had had plans for the money. I already thought I could do a lot of things, achieve dreams and visions but it didn’t happen.
“I was the first to produce a two-cast movie in the history of Africa, it was pirated and not well marketed. After that, then ‘You or I’ — the same thing, so I was like what is going on.
“…So those are the most difficult times I can never forget. I can never. A lot of difficult times.
“In 2016 before my 50th birthday, I had no house, nothing. The movie thing when I lost N24 million, no house because I had to pay my house rent from the return of the investment.
“I now made N800k in four months. Meanwhile, I was owing a company 2 million so nothing, no house, everything empty.”
Balogun delved into the movie industry in 1978.
He produced his first film titled ‘City Girl’ in 1989. Since then, he has solidified his spot in the film industry.
Media
N33.8 billion fraud: How Buhari's minister Saleh Mamman transferred N33bn Mambilla project fund to BDCs - EFCC witness
AFOLABI
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented its first witness in the ongoing trial of Saleh Mamman, former minister of power, for alleged N33.8 billion fraud.
In July, the EFCC arraigned Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials at the ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydro electric power projects.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the court proceedings on Thursday, Abubakar Kweido, an operative of the EFCC, said investigation showed how multiple monetary transfers were allegedly made from the account meant for Mambilla power project to bureau de change (BDC) operators.
Kweido said 13 entities, who were said to have received about N33.8 billion from the Mambilla project fund, were not authorised for the power project.
“We commenced the investigation by writing letters of investigation to different ministries and agencies of the government and various commercial banks,” Kweido said.
“The responses received revealed that he authorised the payment to some contractors and companies using One Joint Venture of Tractebel and De-Crown Projects Ltd and Sino Hydro Groups.
“De-Crown projects Ltd was used as a project consultant, and Sino Hydro Groups was the engineering procurement contractor.
“Our investigation revealed that a huge amount of money from the project account of Mambila was sent to different entities that were not authorised on the project.
“We then wrote letters of investigation activities to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for Mambila and Zungeru hydroelectric power plant projects.
“When we analyzed the responses, we saw that over N33.8bn from the project account were sent to over 13 entities that are not the authorized contact.
“Some of them are Prymint Investment Ltd, Gurupche Business Enterprise, Shipikin Global Enterprises, Silverline Ventures, Intech Nigeria Ltd, Breathable Investment Ltd, First Class Contraction Ltd, Spinhillls Biz International Ltd, Fulex Utility Concept Ltd, Platinum Enterprise among others
“We also requested the bank record of the accounts from corporate affairs and other commercial banks which revealed that the persons behind the operation of these entities were mainly Maina Goje, Abdulahi Suleiman and Abdulahi Garba.
“We invited them to account for the funds they received from the Mambila project account. They reported to our office where they informed us that they have never applied for any contract with the federal ministry of power or the Federal Government.
“They said they were bureau de change operatives. They also mentioned that all the monies received were disbursed based on the instructions of one Mustapha Abubakar Dida.
“The disbursements were usually in foreign currencies, naira cash and sometimes via bank transfers.”
The EFCC witness said Mustapha Dida was the project accountant of the Mambilla and Zungeru power plant projects.
Kweido added that the owners of the BDC entities said they have never met with Dida or Mamman but that they had physical contact with Bawo Idris, a personal assistant to the former minister.
The EFCC witness said when Idris was invited by the agency, she confirmed receiving instructions from the defendant for funds disbursement.
The case was adjourned to October 9, 2024 for continuation of trial.
Mamman was appointed minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and was sacked in September 2021.
In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by the anti-graft agency over an alleged fraud.
American wholesale corporation, Costco, had denied selling baby oil to disgraced rapper and music executive, Sean Combs, aka Diddy.
DAILY POST reports that federal officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs”, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil during the raiding of Diddy’s Beverly Hills mansion in March.
In a new TMZ Studios documentary, ‘The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment’, the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo suggested he had 1,000 bottles of baby oil because he buys them in bulk from Costco.
Reacting to Diddy’s lawyer’s claim, Costco said they don’t sell baby oil.
“None of the company’s US locations carry baby oil,” Costco told TMZ.
Diddy was recently arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.
Diddy has denied all the charges, entering a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September.
However, the Bad Boy Records’ boss’ bail request was rejected twice.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center, NPF-NCCC has arrested at least four suspects in connection with an alleged case of sextortion and romance scam.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement on Thursday night, identified three of the suspects as Abodunrin Rasheed, Abodunrin Tunde, and Abodunrin Rokeeb.
He said they were apprehended following a report via the NPF-NCCC e-reporting portal and an intelligence report from the Centre.
According to the statement, investigations revealed that the suspects met a Croatian national on a dating app and pretended to be a woman.
He said their continuous chats progressed to Instagram and WhatsApp leading to an intimate relationship.
“However, the Croatian was deceived into sending nude pictures of himself through the dating app. The suspects subsequently conspired and pressured him to pay ransom or have his pictures sent to his family and friends.
“The operatives of the NPF-NCCC conducted a due investigation, following the obtained information from the report, which led to the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of the following exhibits related to the crime. The recovered exhibits include six iPhones, one Techno phone, one Samsung phone, and a Lexus car.
“Further investigations revealed that the suspects have previously engaged in numerous similar cybercriminal activities, both collectively and individually, defrauding and extorting numerous victims globally. The proceeds of these crimes were primarily received through gift cards like the iTunes gift cards, steam gift cards etc. The suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigations,” the statement added.
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has praised Victor Osimhen for his selflessness and contribution to the team.
Osimhen is yet to open his goal account for the Yellow and Reds.
The Nigeria international has, however, registered three assists in three appearances for the Turkish Super Lig champions.
Buruk stated that the 25-year-old has played a crucial role in the team’s impressive outings since his arrival.
The gaffer also added that the striker is not entirely focused on scoring goals for the team.
“Victor Osimhen’s game is very important. Not everything is about scoring goals. You score goals but you lose the game,” Buruk said, per PlaySpor.
“When he sees the net, he passes the ball to the closest player. If he focused only on scoring goals, it could be different. He fights a lot during the game. He suits us very well as a player and a person. It is very valuable to have him with us.”
Yahaya Bello: Fresh Details Emerge On How Ex-Kogi Gov Released $300,000 For Daughters’ School Fees
AFOLABI
Some more revelations were made at the court on Thursday on how the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, consistently paid the school fees for his three daughters in U.S. dollars through one Jamilu Abdullahi, an operator of a Bureau de Change and his associated companies.
Testifying as a third witness in the case involving the former Governor, Abdullahi, who is based in Abuja, explained in detail to the Federal High Court in Abuja how transactions for Yahaya Bello’s daughters’ school fees were made through him.
Abdullahi serves as the third witness for the prosecution in the trial of Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew, along with co-defendants Abba Daudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat.
Recall that the defendants face 18 charges related to money laundering and misappropriation, amounting to over ₦3 billion.
A statement released on Thursday by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, indicated that the witness revealed that on one occasion, Daudu, the second defendant, delivered $300,000 in cash to him for the purpose of covering the school fees of Yahaya Bello’s daughters.
The statement quoted the witness as saying, “Abba Daudu called me to say that they have a transaction though it was on the weekend, but I drove down to the office and waited for them to come. Upon their arrival, three of them came. One of them stayed in the car with the driver, two of them walked to my office, and a friend of Abba Daudu was holding a black leather bag containing $300,000.
“Upon entering, he greeted, and Abba Daudu introduced him as his friend and business partner, saying he had a transaction. He dropped $300,000 in cash. I wanted to count the dollars before they left, but I could not due to the power outage. I told him I could not use my hands and needed to confirm that it was $300,000, so I locked the dollars in my office safe, and two of them left.
“Then, Abba Daudu’s friend said when I confirmed the sum, details would be forwarded to me for payment. However, the sum of $300,000 attracts some service charges which he said I should calculate and let Abba Daudu know. “
He added, “After I completed the transfer, I forwarded four receipts indicating $75,000 four times to Abba Daudu, and he confirmed to me that the payment was confirmed successfully.”
Oyewale said when asked by the prosecution counsel if he knew anything regarding the transactions on Exhibit D, Pages 50, 52 and 53, he said: “Yes I know the transactions of $75,000, being paid to the school four times totalling, the sum of $300,000 as forwarded by Abba Daudu and further confirmed that the fees were paid for one of Yahaya Bello’s daughters.”
Oyewale said another payment of the fees, the witness recalled, was done by a company, Aleshua Solutions Services, which, he said, paid the sum of $42,170 for Naima Ohunene Bello on January 24, 20222.
On Page One of Exhibit D, he identified a transaction of $44,675 also for Naima Bello.
“I have seen it on the receipt of the payment. Forty-four thousand, seven hundred dollars, ($44,700) was paid to the school, but due to internal charges from the bank, 25 dollars was deducted, making the total balance of $44,675.00,” the witness was quoted as saying.
The beneficiary school, he told the court, was American International School.
The National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, has urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, reverse the recent petrol price increase, warning that failure to do so could lead to dire consequences.
This is coming as Nigeria struggles with increasing poverty rates, estimated to have reached 38.9 per cent in 2023.
The group, in a communiqué on Thursday after its meeting, attributed the current economic hardship in Nigeria to the petrol price hike, which has increased the costs of food and other essential commodities.
In the communiqué signed by its chairman, Samuel Gani, the group emphasised the urgent need for government action, expressing concern over the impact of recent protests and citing the worsening hardship faced by Nigerians.
To address these challenges, the group recommended a comprehensive approach, including reviewing petrol prices to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, reducing electricity tariffs to enhance productivity and create employment opportunities, and improving security measures, particularly for rural farmers.
NCEF also noted that the government’s efforts to address insecurity have been inadequate, emphasising the need for more immediate and effective actions.
“We urge the Government to reconsider the recent increase in petrol prices, which has led to a significant rise in the cost of food and other essential commodities. It is important to acknowledge that the recent protests by some Nigerians were because of the increase in petrol prices and aggravating hardship faced by the populace. We recommend a downward review of petrol prices to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“To further address the economic challenges, we advocate for a reduction in electricity tariffs to enable Nigerians to produce goods and services more economically. This measure will enhance productivity and create employment opportunities for our burgeoning youth population,” the communiqué partly reads.
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The first lady of Akwa Ibom state, Patience Umo Eno is died.
The state Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, made the announcement of the first lady’s death in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday.
Ememobong said the first lady died on Thursday in a hospital in the presence of her family.
He said further details will be provided in due course while expressing the appreciation of Governor Umo Eno to those who stood by the family in this period.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an illness.
“She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September, 2024, in the presence of her family.
“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.
“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering,” the statement read.
An Osun State-based cleric, Apostle Niyi Peter was Thursday docked before Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara for allegedly referring to a gospel singer as a prostitute.
Peter was said to have posted the picture of the gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnaanu on Whatsapp platform and tagged an abusive song to it contrary to 373 of the State Criminal Law 2002.
The charge sheet which was read in the court adds, That you APOSTLE NIYI PETER ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District threatened one Bunmi Akinnaanu A.K.A Omije Ojumi ‘P through WhatsApp voice note that she will perish and that she will never rise again and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 88 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun • State of Nigeria 2002.
“That you APOSTLE NIYI PETER ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by falsely damaging the character of one Bunmi Akinnaanu A.K.A Omije Ojumi f and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 249(D) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11 flaw of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
Police prosecutor, ASP Akitunde Jacob disclosed that the defendant committed the offence sometime in April 2024 at Oke-Odo Area, Osogbo at about noon.
The cleric pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him and his counsel, Najite Okobe orally applied for his bail in the most liberal terms.
Ruling on the application, Ayilara admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in the same sum and adjourned the matter till October 22 for a hearing.
In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian gaming community, Nigerians and thousands of other users have been left feeling betrayed and cheated by the highly anticipated release of Hamster Kombat.
After months of intense engagement and strategic gameplay, Nigerians and other gamers from around the world had been eagerly awaiting the launch of the Hamster Kombat coin, enticed by the promise of substantial financial rewards. Many had invested countless hours tapping and earning points, dreaming of striking it rich.
However, the reality of the coin’s launch on Thursday was far from the rosy picture painted by promoters. Instead of the life-changing payouts that had been touted, users were met with stark disappointment: the actual rewards ranged from a mere 1 to 4 dollars.
The sudden reversal has left many feeling duped and questioning the legitimacy of the entire Hamster Kombat project. The widespread outrage has sparked discussions about the ethical implications of such promotional tactics and the need for greater transparency in the gaming industry.
As the dust settles and investigations into the matter unfold, it remains to be seen how Hamster Kombat will address the growing discontent among its user base and restore trust in the platform.
For instance, an X user with the handle @Ali89X wrote:
“Scamster Kombat is now the real name of Hamster Kombat. We will not play Scamster Kombat for season 2. Bye bye Scamster Kombat. Now see your decline…”
Another X user, @ConcellorSunny, expressed frustration, writing:
“After farming Hamster Kombat for months, Hamster Kombat don give me dust. I’m the third guy ??”. Hamster_Kombat #HMSTR
@MattybnksOf: “After all the game and tapping. For 3months @hamster_kombat; you will ask for bread Allah will give you stone.”
Similarly, @Mohsin_71 wrote: “#HamsterKombat Token Distribution: Unfair Distribution ?? People wasted 2-3 months to mine #Hamster_Kombat tokens. What did they get? ….. Few pennies? Retweet ? Season 2 = Advance Failure due to bad distribution. People are not happy. You can destroy your whole empire.” hamster @hamster_kombat
Speaking with one of the players, Sam, he told Vanguard, “I expected much more than what I got. I had two million coins and received just $1.46.”
The Chairman of BUA Foods Plc, Abdul Samad Rabiu, on Thursday, stated that greedy distributors and producers should be blamed for the rising cost of foodstuffs in Nigeria.
Rabiu made the claim at the 7th annual general meeting of the company in Abuja.
He applauded President Bola Tinubu for granting duty waivers on food imports into the country.
He said, “BUA products are the cheapest in the market. And because we have other companies producing similar products, it is very difficult to price them low. For instance, a few months ago, the price of flour went as high as N70,000 per bag. We retained ours at N50,000 for quite some time to try and force other companies to also come down. But when they saw it was going to happen, they deliberately stopped production, and the prices kept going up.
“So when we were at N50,000, the distributors added N20,000 and were selling at N70,000 per bag. At one point, customers were making almost N20 million per truck of 75 tonnes of flour. Yes, it happened. While we were there at N50,000, still puffing and praying for the prices to come down, some companies were not happy that we were keeping the prices low.
“That was why they suddenly stopped production to create scarcity. With that scarcity, the price kept going up. So that is part of the problem. When we saw that, we knew it did not make sense for us to continue selling at N50,000 when the market was at N70,000. Our production is substantial, but there are two other companies that are bigger than us.
“However, we believe that by next year, we are going to be bigger than them.”