Africa will not earn respect globally until we end poverty at scale, says Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank, AfDB.
Mr Adesina stated this on Tuesday, in Lagos at the 40th Anniversary Lecture of The Guardian and the Public Presentation of the Guardian Federalist Papers titled, “Federalism is the Answer.”
Speaking on the topic of the lecture, “For the World to Respect Africa,” Adesina said for way too long, Africa had allowed poverty to linger pervasively in the midst of plenty.
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According to him, poverty, is abnormal, especially when resources are vast and when it has been pervasive for so long.
He said Africa should not become a museum of poverty, adding that to reverse this trend, there must be a public accountability component.
Expressing disappointment in the continents current state, Adesina said poverty must not become the comparative advantage of Africa, despite housing half of the world’s gold and one-third of all the minerals in the world.
“Our governments must realise that it is their responsibility to lift all their people out of poverty and into wealth as fast as possible.
“It is doable. We have seen clear examples of such progress in other regions of the world, especially in Asia over the past three decades.
“There is no reason why acute poverty cannot be eradicated in Nigeria and across Africa. We have to become a continent that grows inclusive and well distributed wealth.”
Using South Korea as an example, Adesina said the country moved from GDP per capita that was $350 in the 1960s when it got independence, to approximately $33,000 in 2023.
This, he said, is the kind of quantum leap that Africa needs rather than attempting to alleviate poverty.
“We must really ask ourselves, when will we make the shift that South Korea made from being a country that was one at the low end of the development ladder to a rich, industrialised nation that it is today?
“We simply must turn the tide. Ultimately, we must put ourselves in a position where we also can give. that is how Africa will earn respect,” Adesina said.
Speaking on resources, Adesina said there was something fundamentally wrong in the management of natural resources.
He noted that if natural resources continued to be mismanaged, Africa would remain stuck.
“Consequently, in the midst of plenty, majority of people remain poor. I have urged African governments to stop securing loans backed by their natural resources.
“That is because those natural resource backed loans are not transparent. They are expensive and make debt resolution very difficult.”
The AfDB president said the resources of a country do not belong in the pockets of powerful and rich individuals but for the benefit of the people of that country.
Mr Adesina also said Africa would get respect when it was able to feed itself, adding that a nation or region that begged for food was free only in words but dependent on others for life.
On his part, feeding 9.5 billion people in the world by 2050 would be a big challenge given climate change and a limited amount of cultivated arable land.
He said Africa would play a critical role in this because the continent had 65 percent of the remaining uncultivated arable land in the world.
“What Africa does with agriculture will determine the future of food in the world.
“The African Development Bank has invested over $8 billion in agriculture for the past seven years, which has improved food security for 250 million people.
“The export of raw commodities is the door to poverty while the export of value added products is a highway to wealth,” he said.
Adesina said that the continent would earn respect when it deepened good governance and the rule of law.
According to him, military coups in parts of Africa pose a danger.
He, however said terrorists and peddlers of unrest do not just appear, noting that they were people who lived in extreme poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation.
“Today, 85 percent of Africans are living in or close to a country in conflict. This calls for the strengthening of the overall security architecture in conflict affected areas,” Adesina said.
In her goodwill remarks, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor, Ogun State described The Guardian Newspapers as a beacon of journalism excellence.
Paying tribute to the late founder, Alex Ibru, she acknowledged the contributions of his wife and children in driving the newspaper forward.
She noted that their unwavering commitment ensured that the organisation did not falter but continued to thrive.
“The Guardian is an institution that has actively contributed to shaping our society. It has played a crucial role in holding public figures accountable and championing social justice,” she said.
Chairman, Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex- Ibru said the interlocking mutually reinforcing fundamental principles of the Guardian were, and are “intellectual excellence, the balanced coverage of events, consistently upholding the interest of justice, equity and the rule of law.”
She said other principles of the organisation include pursuing probity in public life, and actively promoting the best interests of Nigeria and Africa.
“It is upon that seminal anchor that I welcome you to the guardian’s 40th anniversary lecture, ” she said.
NAN
Nigerian philanthropist General TY Danjuma (GCON) (Rtd) has commissioned a state-of-the-art high-efficiency Medical Centre in Enugu, Enugu State capital built and equipped by the TY Danjuma Foundation, in furtherance of his commitment to transforming the lives of the poor.
At a ceremony on Tuesday 28th November, attended by dignitaries including government officials and members of the host Umuchimgbo Iji Nike, Abakpa Community in Enugu East Local Government Area, Gen. Danjuma, cut the ribbons to unveil the multimillion Naira Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC).
He was accompanied by the Enugu State deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, Prof. Uche Amazigo, her husband, Prof John Amazigo and the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Dioceses Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma (OON).
“This magnificent edifice can only be built by women at the price they accounted to me,” the General said, in a tribute to Prof Amazigo, the brain behind the GMC project, and an acknowledgement of female fund managers, adding: “Men will take your money and you won't see any building or money. So, join me to salute and congratulate Prof Uche and her team for a job well done.”
Gen. Danjuma recalled how “Prof Uche, accompanied by two other female professors, had presented a request (to him) to provide financial support for building and equipping a low-cost high efficiency medical centre to provide excellent medical services by predominantly female medical doctors, nurses and midwives, who chose to dedicate their time to humanity.”
Before then, he said, his first encounter with Prof Amazigo was in 2010, when she was Director of the Burkina Faso-based WHO African Programme for River Blindness Control, WHO/APOC.
She had approached him for support to the Programme and in response to that request, Gen. Danjuma donated US$1 million during a meeting in Abuja, where he represented President Goodluck Jonathan. Prof Amazigo as the first female Director, steered the WHO/APOC programme from control to elimination stage freeing 140,000 communities of the debilitating blinding disease in 19-endemic African countries before her retirement from the UN System in 2011.
Gen. Danjuma also disclosed that Prof Amazigo served on the Board of Trustees of TY Danjuma Foundation for eight years free of charge.
Enugu State Governor Mbah, represented by his deputy, Barr Ossai, described Gen. Danjuma as a detribalised Nigerian and commended him for his philanthropic endeavours through the TY Danjuma Foundation.
He said the Enugu Medical Centre would complement government’s efforts in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to low-income families and the poor in the state.
Speaking in the same vein, the Enugu East Local Government Chairman Livinus Anike praised Gen, Danjuma for his contributions to Nigeria’s development.
In her address of welcome, Prof Amazigo said although she hailed from Anambra state, born and grew up in neighbouring Abia State: “The experiences of working across impoverished areas, the spirit of giving and the desire to honour the students I taught at UNN (University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus), led to the idea of GMC.”
“Among the important lessons I learned from the rural people in many countries is that the high rate of deaths of our children is because mothers and fathers have no voice in any of the systems - particularly in education, health and they have no market power.
“But the people (poor families) are eager and willing to be part of the solution to their problems if we agree to engage them,” she explained, adding that the 2,000 members of low-income families in Umuchimgbo and other Abakpa environs interviewed for the project, expressed their willingness to participate.
“Our objective is to provide quality healthcare for all. This Centre with the assistance of seven Consultant specialists and Professors, will provide low-cost treatment for indigent patients and charge others (the rich) the standard medical fees. The Centre has a plan for the enrolment of 1,000 or more indigent people randomly selected from communities, into the National Health Insurance Authority/ Group, Individual, Family Social Health Insurance Programme (NHIA GIFSHIP),” Prof Amazigo affirmed.
She thanked the Enugu State government, the Local Government Area, the community, and their traditional ruler HRH Chief Jude Agu, for buying into the GMC dream.
She also expressed appreciation to her colleagues for their contributions and her siblings and family for their support.
Prof Amazigo advocated that a philanthropist such as General Danjuma and not-for-profit organisation - the TY Danjuma Foundation, should be encouraged for their contributions and investments in the health of the population through state government financial and technical supports to health initiatives such as the GMC project.
The TY Danjuma Foundation has funded more than 200 pro-poor projects of over 42.2 million dollars implemented by 150 grantees in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Losing about N165 billion today, the equities investors in the Nigerian Exchange saw their combined wealth falling for the second day in the week due to weak sentiment. Again, the market performance indicators dropped by 0.44%, resulting in a moderation in the year-to-date return of the Exchange.
The market’s negative performance was due to profit-taking in some recently appreciated stocks, Atlass Portfolios Limited said in its update. MarketForces Africa reported that during the intraday sessions, banking stocks and the latest debutant, MeCure Industries Plc drove a midday rally.
This was later reversed, causing a year-to-date return to a moderate to 38.61%. Stockbrokers at Atlass Portfolios Limited said in two days of losing streaks, equities investors’ wealth has declined by approximately ₦297 billion.
The market index or the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index decreased by 312.76 basis points today, representing a decline of -0.44% to close at 71,041.05 points. Due to the bearish trading pattern, stock market activities inched downward. Total volume and total value traded dipped by -28.40% and -5.48%.
Stockbrokers said in the daily market updates that approximately 534.62 million units valued at ₦5,619.50 million were transacted in 8,136 deals.
ACCESSCORP was the most traded stock in terms of volume, accounting for 10.76% of the total volume of trades. The largest commercial financial institution in Nigeria was followed by TRANSCORP (9.56%), UBA (7.47%), UNITYBNK (6.42%), and VERITASKAP (5.90%) to complete the top 5 on the volume chart.
[NaijaTimes]
Napoli have reportedly reached a decision over an asking price for Victor Osimhen.
Since arriving in Naples in 2020, the forward has proceeded to enjoy a legendary stint.
He has scored 65 goals and contributed 16 assists from 112 appearances in all competitions.
A large chunk of those strikes came during Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign in 2022-23, ending a wait of more than three decades to lift the trophy.
However, with a different manager at the helm and already eight points adrift of leaders Inter Milan in the standings, there is a different mood at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this season.
That includes the situation involving Osimhen who, while still making an impact, has faced constant speculation regarding his future and was on the receiving end of two offensive posts from the club’s social media team in recent times.
With just over 19 months remaining on his contract, a decision will soon need to be made regarding everyone’s next move, there seemingly being an impasse over any progression.
At a time when Osimhen is said to have little interest in a renewal, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is prepared to play hardball over a sale, insistent on making a profit on the €80m that they shelled out more than three years ago.
The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal – alleged admirers of the 24-year-old – have always been conscious that it would take in excess of that fee to sign Osimhen in January or next summer.
Nevertheless, according to Il Mattino, De Laurentiis is currently insisting on receiving €150m (£130.06m) for his star man.
How any of his suitors react to that stance remains to be seen with it having recently been alleged that Chelsea plan to make a move in January.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are not in a position where they can afford that fee due to their FFP restrictions, unless they make a number of sales to offset that figure.
From Arsenal’s perspective, that stance would automatically rule them out, and it has already been suggested that they are priortising other positions at the start of 2024.
Despite De Laurentiis reportedly wanting to demand what would be one of the biggest fees in world transfer history, Napoli’s position will significantly weaken if they reach next summer without Osimhen penning a renewal.
[EagleOnline]
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, defaulting airlines must pay compensations for flight cancelations and delays.
He said this in Abuja yesterday during a meeting with the heads of agencies under the ministry.
“We are not deaf to the cries of Nigerians about delays and canceled flights. The law is there and we are looking at how to enforce those laws for compensation of Nigerians who bear the brunt of cancellation of flights and disrupting the activities.
“The process of grounding the airline or taking the airlines to court will create more problems. So if the reason for the delay and cancellation of flight is their fault they must pay compensation. And what I am suggesting is that if they don’t get cash back they must get some rebate when they buy next ticket.
“I have set up a committee to look into it such that they can generate a code that they can use when they want to purchase the next ticket.
“We are concerned about the passenger satisfaction and the safety of the air travelers,” he said. The minister directed the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to prepare a weekly catalogue of canceled flights.
He also directed the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau to conclude all incidents of air accidents and mishaps in the next 10 days.
He said: “For the recent incidents that happened recently, some minor, and others classified as serious incidents although there were no fatalities. The NSIB is investigating these incidents and I have directed them that within 10 days from today they must submit their report of the incidents and what actually transpired.
[DailyTrust]
Nigerian comedian, Helen Paul has revealed she was the voice behind ‘Uncle, please tell us a story’, in Psquare’s ‘Story’, a song released in 2005.
She revealed this in a recent interview on the Honest Bunch Podcast, stating that she was a receptionist at the time and that she got the gig after the children who were meant to do the voiceover failed to show up.
Her words: “At the beginning, I didn’t know P Square. I didn’t even know they were going to blow. They came to the studio, and they wanted to record their songs. I think they were expecting some children to come and got disappointed. So, Ayoadeife said, “We have somebody who can do this voice, and this person can do all the range children,” she added.
“I didn’t know what range was, but I was just very good at imitating voices to date. I was a receptionist then, and when they told them, they agreed. And the guy just said, Helen, ‘You will work in the nights, but we’re not paying much. I said, I don’t care; just buy me a ‘soft drink’, because I loved it at the time.
“So they gave me the job, and I did the voicing of the children in the song. So they merged all the different children. So it sounded full. When the song started reigning, I didn’t even know what it was to put your name on a song; I didn’t fight for it.”
Helen Paul also revealed that her voice got her many jobs, and she moved from earning N9,500 monthly to over N400,000 monthly.
She said, “The next job I did was for another milk product. I was at the reception when they brought this job, and they told me the child that was to do it was having exams. They said they would not be able to take that in the office because the advert needed to air at 3 p.m. and it was 12 p.m., so they were looking for a baby voice.
“Uncle Ayo said, ‘Let’s try Helen’ and they brought me in to lay the voice, which I did. After the ad, I signed a paper for which I didn’t know the content. At that point, my salary was N9,500; I started receiving about N400,000 or N450,00 every month.”
[OPinionNigeria]
Nigeria’s external debt profile will hit over $51.759 billion, as President Bola Tinubu yesterday sought the National Assembly’s approval for fresh $8.6 billion and €100 million foreign loans.
The President’s request is part of the external borrowing plan for 2022-2024 for critical infrastructure, such as power, roads, water, railway, health.
The country’s external debt stock at as June 2023, according to data from the Debt Management Office, DMO, stood at $43.159 billion, while its domestic debt stock is N54.130 trillion.
Analysis of the external debt showed that multilateral borrowing gulped $20.790 billion; bilateral, $5.518; commercial, $15.618 billion; promissory notes $931.7 million and $300 million.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s total public debt (domestic and external) as at June 2023 stood at N87.379 trillion.
President Tinubu, also forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, supplementary budget and will officially present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly today.
The letter for the request was read by President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at plenary yesterday.
The letter reads: “I write in respect of the above subject and to submit the attached Federal Government’s 2022-2024 external borrowing plan for consideration and early approval of the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects.
“The Senate may wish to note that the past administration approved a 2022-2024 borrowing plan by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, held on May 15, 2023.
“The project cuts across all sectors, with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, water supply, roads, security, and employment generation as well as financial management reforms.
“Consequently, the required approval is in the sum of $8,699,168,559 and €100 million.
“I would like to underscore the fact that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on economic evaluations as well as the expected contribution to the social economic development of the country, including employment generation, and skills acquisition.
“Given the nature of these facilities, and the need to return the country to normalcy, it has become necessary for the Senate to consider and approve the 2022- 2024 external abridged borrowing plan to enable the government deliver its responsibility to Nigerians.”
A similar letter sent to the House of Representatives read: “Considering the huge infrastructure deficit in the country and the enormous financial resources required to bridge the gap in funding infrastructure in the face of dwindling financial resources, it has become imperative that we resort to prudent external borrowing to bridge the financial gap which will largely be applied to key infrastructure projects, including power, railway, health among others.
“Given the nature of these facilities and the need to return the country to normalcy, it has become necessary to request the House of Representatives to consider and approve the 2022-2024 external abridged borrowing rolling plan to enable the government deliver its responsibilities to Nigerians through expeditious disbursement and efficient project implementation.”
Analysts react:
What is needed is probity, accountability utilization of borrowed funds— Amolegbe
Reacting to the President;s request yesterday, Olatunde Amolegbe, immediate past President of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokeers, CIS, said : “The truth is that external borrowing for infrastructure development is not a bad thing in as much as the infrastructure are actually built and at reasonable cost.
“We cannot hope to have a developed and production-based economy without infrastructure and financing those with internally generated revenue sources could take forever and cost much more ultimately.
‘’What is needed is probity and accountability in the utilization of borrowed funds and execution of projects.”
Unchecked borrowing pattern can lead to higher debt servicing costs —Egbomeade
Also reacting, Clifford Egbomeade, who’s the Communications and Public Relations Adviser at ID Africa, said: “Borrowing for critical infrastructure is a common strategy globally, but its sustainability is crucial.
“Continual reliance on external borrowing by government raises concerns about the economy’s debt profile and its potential implications. While infrastructure development is essential for economic growth, an unchecked borrowing pattern can lead to higher debt servicing costs, constraining future budgets, and potentially impacting long-term economic stability.
‘’It’s critical to balance borrowing with revenue generation and efficient allocation of funds.
“The way forward involves a multi-pronged approach. The government should strengthen revenue streams through improved tax collection, reduction in wasteful expenditures, and diversification of the economy away from oil.
‘’Encouraging private sector investment in infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships (PPPs) can also alleviate the burden on government borrowing. In addition, there should be transparency in government’s borrowing, while ensuring that borrowed funds are used effectively.”
President has forsaken advice given by DMO to avoid further external debt —Adonri
in his reaction, David Adonri, Executive Vice Chairman at HIGH CAP Securities Limited, said: “If it’s in dollars, then the President has forsaken the advice given by the DMO to avoid further external debt.
‘’That professional advice was also echoed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy when he appeared before the Senate. Nigeria’s debt has surpassed sustainability level.
‘’The country has already been thrown into a debt trap that we must be extricated from. Further sinking FGN in debt, instead of repaying existing debt, in order to repair the damaged balance sheet of government, is a contrarian strategy that may end up in sovereign default ultimately.
‘’Piling of debt by FGN for any reason exacerbates the risk of its bankruptcy or financial failure. Instead of looking outwards to finance the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, domestic factors should be mobilized for the purpose.
‘’This way, the need for external debt will be minimized and domestic value chains will be energized across board.”
It hopes to reduce crowd-out effect on private sector —Olayinka
Also reacting, Tajudeen Olayinka ,CEO, Wyoming Capital and Partners, said: “Whenever government resorts to external borrowing, against using domestic financial markets to raise money for funding infrastructure, it hopes to reduce crowd out effect on private sector borrowings.
‘’However, the current stock of public debt, especially from the point of view of unsustainable level of revenue-to-debt service ratio, is enough to give anyone serious concern.
‘’I still have a strong belief that this new external borrowing is to help improve dollar liquidity in the foreign exchange market, in a way to bring back confidence to the market.
‘’The fact that foreign portfolio investors are not immediately ready to play in our local financial markets, means that every genuine effort to provide liquidity to the foreign exchange market must be carefully worked out by government in the interest of the economy.
‘’It is important to point out that excessive and unsustainable level of public debt could hurt the economy in the medium-to-long term. Nigeria’s economy is really in an emergency situation.”
Similarly, Marvellous Adiele, Senior Associate at Parthian Partners, said: “Most countries run on borrowings. However, the larger the debt profile, the bigger the debt service cost.
“In as much as the continuous borrowings by the Federal Government could lead to more infrastructure development for us and stimulate the economy, we should keep track of the growing debt profile and explore more ways to grow our revenue.”
It’s right to borrow to fund project in light of tight income —Akinloye
On his part, Ayorinde Akinloye, an economist and Investment strategist, said: “Nigeria is in a debt conundrum. We don’t have adequate revenues to support necessary infrastructure projects due to already heavy debt burden and the associated costs of servicing the debts.
‘’Thus, it may be argued that it is plausible for us to borrow to fund these projects considering tight income.
“On the other hand, Nigeria is already heavily indebted and the recent devaluation is likely to only make our debt burden worse in the near term.
“Overall, I suspect the external borrowing will be a multi-lateral loan with accommodative interest rates and payment terms which should be a marginal relief.
‘’Nevertheless, this spate of persistent borrowing will only continue to put pressure on fiscal management, while worsening the debt hole Nigeria is in.
“In the long run, the FG must take fiscal reforms serious if we are to put an end to this vicious cycle.”
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday, arraigned a husband and wife whose names were given as Oriyomi Idowu and Ruth Idowu for their involvement in N2,757,188,000 fraud.
The couple were arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on 20 count charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, stealing, retention of stolen property, and forgery to the tune of N2,757,188,000.
They were arraigned alongside four companies belonging to Mrs Idowu. The companies are” Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Limited, Samee Idowu Company Limited and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited.
One of the counts reads: “Ruth Sameeha Idowu, aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd, Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, sometime in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, converted the sum of N10,000,000 to purchase a GLK Benz, purchase sum derived from converting the sum of N500,000,000 belonging to Creditpro Business Support Services with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the funds.”
Another count reads: “Ruth Sameeha Idowu, aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd., Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, sometime in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, dishonestly retained the sum of N936,619,876 (Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Six Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira) only in your UBA bank account, property of Creditpro Business Support services knowing same to be funds fraudulently obtained from Creditpro Business Support Services.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges read to them and in view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Facility.
Meanwhile, counsel to the first defendant, G. Onwubuya, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which had yet to be served on the prosecution.
He prayed the court to remand the defendants in the EFCC custody and also sought a short adjournment for the hearing and determination of the bail application.
However, in her objection, Buhari informed the court that the holding facility of the EFCC was already overstretched, adding that the appropriate place, following arraignment, was a Correctional Centre.
The Judge held that there was no bail application before the court for the second defendant, whose counsel, J.J. Ogunyemi, was yet to be filed.
Justice Dada adjourned the matter till December 15, 2023 and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre “pending hearing and determination of their bail applications.”
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially handed over $54,330 in bribe money, which its officers had rejected from tramadol importers at the Tin-Can Island Command.
The Customs action aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
In a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ngozi Okwara, it was highlighted that the Tin Can Island Command Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, transferred the bribe money to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas.
According to Comptroller Nnadi, the tramadol shipment was falsely declared as electrical appliances valued at over N856 million, a ploy to conceal the true nature of the items. Simultaneously, cash was offered in an attempt to compromise the customs officers involved.
Nnadi emphasized that this conduct blatantly violated Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. He commended the officers for steadfastly upholding ethical and lawful practices in the interest of national security.
The Customs Controller urged ongoing compliance from port users and issued a reminder that the NCS, in collaboration with sister agencies like EFCC, remains dedicated to frustrating criminal activities within the port.
Nnadi expressed gratitude to Comptroller Oloyede, attributing the success of this seizure to his leadership and commending him as a positive example within the NCS.
Regarding the two suspects arrested in connection with the containers, Nnadi mentioned that they are currently under investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for potential prosecution.
Upon receiving the bribe money, EFCC’s Michael Wetkas hailed the accomplishment as a victory for the country and all security agencies, specifically praising the NCS officers involved. Wetkas also commended the Comptroller General for issuing a letter of commendation, appreciating the six customs officers who resisted pressure and inducement from the owners of the illicit drugs.
Wetkas pledged ongoing collaboration between the EFCC, NCS, and sister agencies, underscoring the end of an era where agencies operated in isolation, as they now collaborate more closely.
Fire has razed the Lekki mansion of Nigerian singer, Esegine Allen, popularly known by his stage name Orezi.
Naija News reports that the singer made this known in a post via his Instagram page on Tuesday night, stating that the tragic incident left him broken.
Orezi said he was at a meeting when his neighbour and controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky, alerted him about the fire incident.
He wrote: “Last night was really hectic, still trying to figure out and wrap my head around all that happened. Am sitting here asking myself why me. God is indeed merciful, can’t thank God enough. I was at a meeting in lekki country last night around 11:48pm. When I got a call from my neighbour Bobrisky that my house is on fire. I initially thought this was joke. I was like which kind yeye joke bob dey give me so Immediately I raced down to my house, what I saw broke me.”
More...
Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has filed a legal suit against her colleague, Lizzy Anjorin Lawal, over defamatory video publications on her social media pages.
The movie star shared copies of the legal letter written to Lizzy through her lawyers, Bimpe Ajegbomogun and co, in a post via Instagram on Tuesday,
According to the letter, Lizzy has been posting vile and denigrating video content directed at Iyabo on her social media pages.
According to Iyabo’s Lawyers, Lizzy Anjorin alleged that the actress was involved in a threesome with her daughter, referred to her as ‘sepereti’ and killed the late Nigerian singer, Mohbad.
The lawyers also claim that Lizzy, via her contents, alleged that Iyabo has, among other things, been a prostitute, dating controversial Nigerian singer, Naira Marley, and her partner is an ex-convict who was sexually abused while in prison.
The lawyers demanded, among other things, that Lizzy publish an apology in four national newspapers and tender an apology on her Facebook and Instagram page.
The lawyers also demanded that Lizzy pay N500 million as damages to Iyabo, adding that if she failed to adhere to it in fourteen days, they would press a criminal charge against her.
The founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, David Oyedepo, has finally bestowed blessings on his son, Isaac Oyedepo, after the latter established his ministry.
Naija News reports that the Oyedepo family made headlines a month ago after the news emerged about Pastor Isaac’s resignation from his father’s ministry.
The reported resignation was announced by Church Gist, a media platform owned by Pastor Leke Beecroft, one of the long-term pastoral assistants at the LFC Headquarters in Ota.
In September, Pastor Isaac was said to have hinted about his plan to commence a new church ministry. The national youth pastor of the Youth Alive Fellowship (YAF), had disclosed that the new youth pastor will take the youthful congregation to glorious heights.
In the latest development, however, Pastor Isaac took to his X handle on Tuesday to share a YouTube video titled “Unveiling of the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries.”
In the video, Bishop Oyedepo prayed for Isaac and his wife, Ayomitide, as they both knelt. Bishop Oyedepo could be heard saying in part, “As hands are laid on you, I pray for unusual grace for sustainable connectivity that will keep you going without sweat.
“I pray that impact will be your goal not good preaching but great impact and I pray that your life will interpret your message in the name of Jesus.
“As you step into this new phase of your assignment, may you be clothed with humility? I have never begged, yet I have never lacked; I have never borrowed, yet I have never lacked.”
See the video clip below:
Media
The 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League matchday five produced some stunning results which amplified why the UCL is the elite club football competition in the world.
In the matchday five games that went down on Tuesday night, November 28, virtually every match venue across Europe recorded nail-biting actions. But the most enthralling encounter took place at the Etihad Stadium between Manchester City and RB Leipzig.
During the game, RB Leipzig led the reigning UEFA Champions League winners 2-0 in the first 33 minutes and City had to wait until the 54th minute before they started fighting back courtesy of a goal from Erling Haaland. Phil Foden and Julián Álvarez helped City to complete the comeback as Pep Guardiola’s men won 3-2 to reaffirm their place in the next round and their first spot in Group G.
Another venue that almost produced a spectacular result was the Parc des Princes where Newcastle United enjoyed the lead from the 24th minute of the game courtsey of a strike from Alexander Isak.
It was not until the injury time of the second half that Paris Saint Germain scored the equalizer via a penalty taken by Kylian Mbappe in the 98th minute.
The draw dropped Newcastle to the third spot in Group F with 5 points in 5 games, two points below second-placed PSG and five points below first-placed Borussia Dortmund.
At San Siro, Nigeria’s winger, Samuel Chukwueze scored his first Champions League goal for AC Milan but that wasn’t enough to stop Borussia Dortmund from beating them 3-1 in front of their fans as they dropped to the bottom of Group F with five points in five games.
This means that the group is still open for Milan, Newcastle, and PSG as they are all left with just a game to push for qualification to the next round.
At the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, FC Barcelona gave themselves a very strong advantage heading to the last game of the Group stage with a 2-1 win over Porto.
The win left them at the top of Group H with 12 points in five games, three points above second-placed Porto and third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk. This means that a draw is enough for Barca to seal their place in the next round.
Below are all the results of the Champions League games played on Tuesday, November 28:
SS Lazio v Celtic (2-0)
Shakhtar Donetsk v Antwerp (1-0)
Feyenoord v Atlético Madrid (1-3)
Paris Saint-Germain v Newcastle United (1-1)
AC Milan v Borussia Dortmund (1-3)
Manchester City v RB Leipzig (3-2)
BSC Young Boys v Crvena Zvezda (2-0)
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FC Barcelona v FC Porto (2-1)
As of November 27, 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), has authorized a total of 147 private universities.
This number has significantly increased from just three in 1999.
These private institutions operate alongside universities owned by the Federal and state governments.
The increase in private universities is attributed to ongoing issues in public universities, such as frequent industrial actions, poor funding, and deteriorating conditions.
The NUC has reported over 270 pending requests for establishing new private universities.
According to Punch, an analysis from the NUC website indicates that many of these private universities are established by religious organizations and both past and serving politicians.
In this article, the platform highlighted some of the private universities founded by members of the Nigerian political class.
1. Bells University, Ogun state – This institution was founded by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. The institution also has on its board a former governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dakwambo, and a former senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.
2. American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa state: This school is owned by a former vice-president of Nigeria and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar.
3. Amaj University, Kwali, Abuja: This institution is owned by a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa. The University received its license in 2023 and is one of the youngest private universities in the country.
4. Hensard University, Bayelsa state: Like Amaj University, Hensard is also one of the newly licensed private universities in Nigeria and is owned by a former governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson.
5. PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers state: A former governor of Rivers state, Peter Odili is the founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, the first private medical university in Nigeria. The institution also has on its board, former military administrator, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, a senator representing Katsina South, Abu Ibrahim.
6. Baze University, Abuja: A one-time senator and vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, Datti Baba-Ahmed is the founder of Abuja-based University, Baze.
7. Eastern Palms University, Imo state: A former governor of Imo state and senator who represented Imo West senatorial district in the ninth senate, Rochas Okorocha is the founder of this institution.
8. Edwin Clark University: A former federal commissioner of Information and elder statesman, Edwin Clark is the founder of Edwin Clark University.
9. Sports University, Delta State: This first private university of sports is owned by a current senator, Ned Nwoko. He obtained the license for the institution in 2021.
Meanwhile, some other private universities also have past and serving politicians as members of the Board of Trustees and governing councils.
For instance, The current First Lady and former senator representing Lagos West senatorial district, Remi Tinubu is a member of the board of trustees at Kings University in Odemu, Osun state.
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN is a member, the board of trustees, Achievers University.
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senator representing Imo West senatorial district, Osita Izunaso among others sit on the governing council of Abuja-based Nile University.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sam Ohuabunwa is the Chairman of the Council, Gregory University Uturu in Abia state.
Kaduna-based Greenfield University also has on its board, a former member of the Eighth House of Representatives, Muhammed Usman as a member among others.