Goldman Sachs has reported that the continuous rise of the Naira against the Dollar has positioned it as the top-performing currency for the month of April.

A report by Goldman Sachs economists said that with the appreciation rate of the Naira in the foreign exchange market, the currency may exchange below N1,000 per Dollar in the coming months.

The think-tank disclosed this in its latest report on Nigeria’s economic realities.

The report stated that the Naira rallied 12 per cent against the Dollar in April, adding to its 14 per cent surge in March.

In March, Goldman Sachs forecasted that the Naira would appreciate to N1,200 per Dollar in 2024. The group’s projection became a reality on Monday when the Naira exchanged at N1,230.61 at the official market and N1,200 at the parallel market.

With the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, intervening by selling FX to Bureau De Change operators at a reviewed rate of N1,101 per Dollar from N1,251, the Naira appreciated by N60, trading at 1,140 per Dollar at the Parallel Market on Friday.

In the past months, CBN has said the country has witnessed a surge in capital inflows on the backdrop of several policy interventions.

At its last Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting, the CBN raised the interest rate to 24.75 per cent, helping it retrace losses caused by two devaluations since June last year.

The former Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has slammed Norther Elders Forum.

He warned them that it is too early for the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, to threaten Nigerians with the 2027 election.

In a statement on Friday, Hayab said, “It is sad to read that some members of NEF are saying North will not vote for Tinubu in the next election in 2027.”

He added, “As a stakeholder, I find this call coming at the wrong time and lacking good reasoning. The speed at which our Naira is improving against dollars shows Tinubu is doing better than our almighty Buhari.”

He further explained that the speed at which Nigeria got the Kuriga school children from Kaduna State back is a huge progress in handling insecurity compared to how innocent parents suffered when Bethel Baptist school children and others were kidnapped.

He advised, “NEF should instead seek ways to collaborate with this government to find solutions to insecurity, hunger, improved economy and making our currency add value for the overall progress and development of the country.

“Threatening the government with no vote in 2027 shows they may not have a good heart for the progress of the country but are only interested in what they will benefit.”

Hayab challenged groups like NEF to support government to make the country great and a better place for all Nigerians.

“Let us not bring issues that have no basics at this time for the progress of our land. We need elders that will help unite the country, offer useful advice that will help the nation not coming up with provocative statements that will only provoke other regions to start making statements that will further bring division and confusion in the country,” he further advised.

Wisdom Anucha, a lecturer at Abia State University (ABSU), has exchanged vows with Novella Grace, the female student he proposed to on Valentine’s Day.

Anucha gained attention after proposing to his girlfriend, who is a student in the Optometry Department, in front of other students in class.

The proposal drew criticism over concerns about a romantic relationship between a lecturer and a student.

In response, the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the institution said Anucha’s actions did not violate any university laws or ethical principles.

In March, the couple announced their wedding date via social media, sharing a photo of themselves in custom outfits.

Anucha recently posted pictures from their wedding ceremony on Facebook, captioning it, “And it came to pass, indeed, it is not good for him to be alone”.

The lovebirds held their church wedding on April 6 at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Aba.

The wedding was immediately followed by a reception at Ngwa High School, Aba.

Their traditional marriage took place a week earlier.

Adanma Luke, the producer of the upcoming movie in which the late actor Junior Pope was supposed to be featured, has surrendered to the police.

Pope, the actor, died on Wednesday after he fell into the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state on his way to a movie location.

The film star was in the company of some other actors and crew members when the incident occurred.

On Friday, Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra police spokesperson, told TheCable Lifestyle, that Luke was not arrested but submitted herself to the law enforcement agency.

Ikenga added that the two boat drivers were also in custody amid an investigation into Pope’s death.

“She was not arrested, she came by herself, and her statement was obtained. We also have in custody the two boat drivers and interrogation is still ongoing,” he said.

“Early this morning, we have recovered the other three missing bodies. Further details shall be communicated please.”

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) earlier suspended all movies involving riverine locations, following the death of Pope.

Emeka Rollas, the president of the AGN, also warned filmmakers not to work with Luke “until further notice”.

Tochukwu Okafor, the actor fondly called TC Virus who is a survivor of the boat accident, recently opened up about how he escaped the mishap that claimed the life of Pope.

A former boss of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick believes ex-Super Eagles star George Finidi has all it takes to coach the senior male national team.

Finidi was in charge of the Super Eagles in their last two games following the departure of Jose Peseiro as the team gaffer after leading Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The NFF is in search of Peseiro’s replacement, Pinnick who is the immediate past president of the football body is backing Finidi for the top job.

“I’m not an authority on this because I don’t know. But what I know is that some coaches were shortlisted, some applied and, somebody asked me a question, if I were to subscribe to a local coach and I corrected him right away that I don’t believe in the word local. They are indigenous coaches and if I were to subscribe to anyone at the moment, because of the smooth transition from Peseiro, I should say Finidi George, and I don’t have any regrets about it,” he said in an interview with Channels Television

“If it was Amuneke that was there during this transition, I would have said Amuneke because they had the same gifts, they played the same level, they won the same tournament, you know. But the difference between Amuneke and Finidi is a Finidi as a coach, came down to Nigeria and coached a local club, one of our indigenous clubs and he also won the league with this in the club. I brought him on as one of the assistant coaches.

“And when he was interviewed, you could see his humility and modesty in him. And if you see controversy among some of his colleagues, you will never hear anything about Finidi being a player’s agent, Finidi collecting money from this.

“No, he’s somebody that is primed and really and truly wants to work.”

Controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky has confirmed his gender during his trial on charges of naira abuse in court on Friday.

Recall the crossdresser was handed a six-month jail sentence by Abimbola Awogboro, a judge of the federal high court in Lagos.

Awogboro, in her verdict, also ruled that the sentence is without the option of a fine.

The judge while sentencing the convict, said the judgment will be a deterrent to others that are found to be abusing and mutilating the Naira.

Meanwhile, prior to the sentence, the judge asked Bobrisky of his sex, and he quickly replied that he is a man.

Bobrisky is famous on the internet for identifying as a transgender woman.

The socialite gained traction for his bold and flamboyant style, makeup tutorials, and controversial statements on various social issues.

Bobrisky openly embraced his identity and has been vocal about his experiences navigating gender identity in Nigeria.

Yesterday, Nigerian Army troops engaged in a cordon-and-search operation following the March 14th incident where 17 military personnel were killed at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. During this operation, they reportedly entered another community, Olota, and allegedly detained at least 10 individuals.

This came on a day Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, and retired judges ripped apart the Board of Inquiry constituted by Defence Headquarters to investigate the March 14 killing of military personnel at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government of Delta State, saying it had no powers to do so.

But Vanguard could not reach Prosper Evuarherhe, the President-General of Olota, but an eyewitness said the military men left with the community’s chairman, Matthew Olokpa, and over 10 others.

He said: “The over 200 soldiers entered Olota in three gunboats this morning (yesterday). They held the Chairman, Matthew Olokpa, Bigi Edjekpewhu, German Obiokute, Kenneth Okorodudu Atua, and others.”

The witness disclosed that the soldiers razed some houses in the community, 50 kilometres from Okuama, and took with them almost all the speedboats they sighted in the jetty.

“Gunshots roared in Olota today (yesterday); we ask those in authority to intervene and tell the soldiers to leave Olota in peace. They left with those apprehended, no fewer than 10 persons. They burnt Germany’s house and two others and destroyed one.

“They also left with many speed boats at the jetty belonging to residents. They beat the community chairman to a stupor before they moved him with the others, along with a 75-engine-powered boat belonging to Kenneth. This latest crisis may not be connected with Okuama.”

Recall that the army had visited the same community and others, including Arhavwarien, Orere, and Omosuomo, more than a week ago, searching for arms and ammunition snatched from the dead soldiers and fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, and retired judges have ripped apart the Board of Inquiry constituted by Defence Headquarters to investigate the March 14 killing of military personnel at Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government of Delta State.

They told the federal government that the correct thing to do was to institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the incident or ask Delta State government to set one up.

The military panel, headed by Air Vice-Marshal David Ajayi, started sitting, Wednesday, in Warri. However, Okuama community, whose leaders and lawyer, said the displaced residents were hiding and suffering in the forests because of the cordon-and-search operation by the Army, rebuffed the hearing.

But six representatives of Okoloba community in Bomadi Local Government Area, whose boundary dispute with Okuama triggered the tragic episode, appeared before the Ajayi-led board of inquiry on Wednesday afternoon, while officials prevented reporters from covering the proceedings.

Speaking to Vanguard, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, SAN, and Life Bencher, former Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko SAN, and retired President of the Delta State Area Customary Court, Miakpor Emiaso, said the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, did not have the power to set up a public inquiry into the Okuama incident.

Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN, and Chief Magistrate E.O Eferakoro, retd., advised the federal government to order the Army to vacate Okuama.

A new drug has been introduced by Zimbabwe that can prevent HIV for 2 months.

The revolutionary HIV drug prevents one from contracting the disease for the next two months.

The drug identified as Injectable cabotegravir (CAB_LA) which is now available for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a cutting-edge biomedical intervention which offers a convenient and potent means of preventing HIV transmission among individuals at substantial risk.

Unlike the traditional daily regimen of pills required for PrEP, this injection is administered once every two months, providing a more practical and manageable option for those seeking protection against the virus.

Speaking on the development via X, Dr Misheck Ruwende, a renowned figure in the medical community said, “Good news! Zimbabwe had its first recipient of the HIV prevention injection today. A more convenient alternative to daily pills (PrEP). The injection is administered once in two months.”

Furthermore, the injection is not yet available at public hospitals and is currently accessible through Population Solutions for Health at New Start Centres.

The debut of CAB_LA has generated a wave of excitement and curiosity among the Zimbabwean populace.

Social media platforms are buzzing with discussions and opinions, with some users humorously comparing the injection to a ‘Depo’ shot, while others seek clarity on its availability, potential side effects, and the implications for treatment guidelines.

Although the HIV prevention injection is available for free, its availability is still very limited. It is not yet clear what specific criteria are being used to select individuals who receive the injection.

Libya has displaced Nigeria as the biggest oil producer in Africa producing an average higher figure of 1.236 million bpd- a 5,000 barrel difference, becoming the largest oil producer in Africa for March 2024.

Nigeria’s crude oil production for March dropped to 1.23 million barrels daily according to the latest data from OPEC’s monthly oil market report for March.

This was a 92,000 barrel drop from the 1.32 million daily production in February 2024.

However, according to secondary sources, the country’s crude oil production for March stood at 1.39 million barrels daily- marking a decline of 38,000 daily from 1.43 million barrels.

The country’s crude oil production in March was the lowest this year and fell below the benchmark crude oil production of 1.78 million barrels daily in the 2024 budget.

The drop in crude oil production means lower receipts from oil sales and reduced foreign exchange for the federal government.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the biggest oil producer among OPEC member countries with average daily production of 8.97 million bpd- a drop of 39,000 barrels, followed by Iraq with 3.9 million bpd and the United Arab Emirates with 2.91 million barrels daily.

In March, the value of the OPEC Reference Basket (ORB) rose by $2.99, or 3.7% month-on-month, reaching an average of $84.22 per barrel. Similarly, oil futures prices also saw an increase.

Popular Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has responded fiercely to the backlash she faced following a social media post where she advised women to pray for a mother-in-law like Mohbad’s mother, amidst criticism that ensued.

The actress had taken to her social media page to commemorate the 50th birthday of Mr. Joseph Aloba’s ex-wife, extending prayers and blessings to her.

Iyabo Ojo hits back amidst backlash over prayers for Mohbad's mother

However, her statement urging women to aspire for a mother-in-law similar to Mohbad’s mother sparked controversy and drew ire from many, who found the sentiment distasteful, especially in relation to her own daughter, Priscilla.

Addressing the criticism during a live session, Iyabo Ojo vehemently defended her stance and lashed out at her critics, condemning their rudeness and lack of manners.

Mohbad’s mother.

She delved into the backstory of Mohbad’s mother’s absence, suggesting that she might have endured hardships in her marriage with Mr. Joseph Aloba, which led to her abandoning her children for a decade.

“What is your concern with my post? Are you all suffering from absent parents? Do you know what she faced in the marriage before abandoning her children for ten years? You lots are unfortunate fools. Are you crazy? All of you cursing that woman will be affected by that curse and your home generations. Most of your mothers are worthless and can’t even be showed off,” she said in part.