The Garun Mallam Local Government Area of Kano State has shut down the Kwanar Gafan Tomato Market allegedly turned into place of prostitution, adultery, homosexuality and other immoral activities.

It was reliably gathered that the alleged immorality being perpetrated by some youths and married women within the premises of the market prompted the local council authority to take the action to restore sanity at the market.

The Council’s Chairman, Aminu Kadawa, who confirmed the development, said all occupants in the market were given a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the premises or face the full wrath of the law.

He said: “Looking at how the market has become a centre for prostitution and other immoral activities contrary to the purpose of the market, it has to be closed indefinitely to restore sanity.”

The local government chairman added that a date would be announced on when the market will be reopened for normal activities.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Tourism and Management, Aisha Saji, who hailed the decision, said during her tenure as Commissioner for Women Affairs, she led a team of security personnel and Hisbah officials in a raid at the same market, where 43 individuals, including 34 females and nine males aged between 15 and 18, were arrested for prostitution and illegal sale of alcoholic substances.  

“Shockingly, 14 of the arrested individuals were confirmed to be HIV-positive, with 10 aware of their status, while four were unaware.

“The suspects hailed not only from Kano, but also from neighbouring states, including Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue and Taraba,” she said. 

The Commissioner further recalled that during her tenure she also wrote a report recommending demolition of the market for construction of a skill acquisition centre to address unemployment, among others, in the area.

“This closure should not just mark the end of immoral activities but also serve as a stepping stone for development.

“Establishing a skills development institution in this area will not only curb unemployment but also equip our youths with sustainable means of livelihood,” Saji emphasized.

Actor and filmmaker, Femi Adebayo, has revealed that the inspiration behind his latest film, ‘Seven Doors’, came from the life of a king he was close to.

Speaking in an encounter with Saturday Beats, he said, “It is extremely important to preserve our culture. Creating content— films— (woven) around the beauty of our culture is one of the ways of preserving it, so that the generations yet unborn can also enjoy it and be educated.

“I was fortunate to be close to a particular king, and it was what he went through that provoked the idea and concept of ‘Seven Doors’. Many people see our kings as mini-gods, which they are, but they forget that they are humans with blood running in their veins too. So, they(kings) face a lot before and after they get on the throne. And, that is what we displayed in the movie.”

Adebayo added that beyond the theme of culture, the acclaimed movie series is a “love story”.

“I also want to preach that love is above all. So, where we have a conflict between love and tradition, automatically it is love that wins,” he said.

Commenting on the kissing scene with his co-actor, Chioma Chukwuka, he stated, “I was just interpreting the role; getting the character analysis and interpreting it.

“For me though, the best scene was where they had to lay the chiefs on the floor and beat them. I was not even in that scene.”

Peeved by the reported move to introduce Sharia law in South-West, traditional leaders in the region have warned that any attempt to initiate such a law will cause anarchy, division, and instability.

According to them, Sharia law, in any form, is unsuitable for Yorubaland.

Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that a flier went viral on Tuesday, inviting guests from across the country to the inauguration of a Sharia court scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo.

The flier listed the Bashorun of Oyo Land, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Olayinka I, as the Royal Father of the Day; the Mufairu of Oyo Land, Alhaji Abdullateef Eleyele, as the Spiritual Father of the Day; and the Aare Musulumi of Oyo Land, Alhaji Tajudeen Kamorise, as the Chief Host.

However, the event drew criticism from a cross-section of Nigerians, with many arguing that the predominantly Yoruba South-West is distinct from the northern region, where Muslims are in the majority.

In 2021, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Wale Oke, cautioned the Senate against covert attempts by certain groups to introduce Sharia law to the South-West through the ongoing constitution review.

In response, the Director of the Muslim Rights Concern, Ishaq Akintola, urged the PFN to “mind its business and stop opposing Muslims’ right to operate Shariah.”

The push for Sharia law in the region faced resistance and was ultimately dismissed at the time.

Addressing the recent call for the introduction of Sharia law in the South-West, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged the proposed Sharia court and the controversy it had sparked.

“Regarding the establishment of a Sharia court in Oyo town, people may try, but as for me, I swore to uphold our laws and the Constitution of Nigeria. If their actions are within the law, fine; if not, they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed,” the governor stated in a broadcast.

Meanwhile, the announcement has ignited heated debates, with critics warning that introducing a Sharia court could disrupt the state’s religious harmony.

Rejecting the proposal, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, told Saturday PUNCH that introducing Sharia law in Oyo State would create significant problems.

He argued that implementing Sharia law in Yorubaland, a multi-religious region, would be extremely challenging.

“I am not against Sharia law; it is a good law. But it is easier to implement in the North. Even in the North, Sharia law is not deeply enforced in the Middle Belt, because the majority there are Christians.

“We have been running the South-West with the modern constitution, promoting coexistence among religions. We do not want religion to divide us,” Adams stated.

He advised the Oyo State Government to tread carefully, as religion is a sensitive issue in Yoruba land.

Gani Adams added, “Sharia law has been in place in the 19 northern states of Nigeria, based on the penal code. Since Nigeria’s inception, the southern part has been using the modern Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For anyone to want Sharia law introduced to Yorubaland is to plan for division, disunity, and anarchy.”

He highlighted the region’s unique social fabric, saying, “In Yorubaland, there is intermarriage; you’ll see a Muslim marrying a Christian, and a Christian marrying a traditionalist. I was born a Muslim. Today, I am a Muslim, Christian, and traditionalist. We do not define ourselves based on religion.”

He also noted that in Oyo State, the Muslim and Christian populations were almost equal, as they were in Ogun and Lagos states, whereas Christians remained the majority in Ondo and Ekiti states.

Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon in Oyo State, Oba Francis Alao, Akinbola I, noted that the type of religion practised in northern Nigeria was not applicable in the southern part.

He explained that in the South-West, people drank alcohol, which is prohibited by Sharia law, and enforcing such a law would be anti-people.

The monarch stated, “This will not work in Yorubaland. Our strength is our social life. If we accept Sharia law, how many people will conform to it? This will later bring chaos and instability. It will also interfere with the peaceful coexistence in Yoruba land.”

He added, “This will not work in the South-West because of our way of life. I don’t foresee Sharia law happening now. Our diversity in religion is our strength. Irrespective of our religions, what matters most is that we live in unity and love. I don’t have anything against any religion as long as the public accepts it. The government needs to carry the people along and sample their opinions.”

The Eselu of Iselu kingdom, in Yewa North LGA of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, kicked against Sharia law in the South West and called on other traditional rulers in Yorubaland to reject it.

He said, “Nigeria is a multi-religion country for Muslims, Christians and traditionalists, so bringing Sharia to Oyo and the South West is imposing a religion on others and we have to respect ourselves.

“It is a way of fueling an unnecessary crisis in the South West. We have enough problems already in the region; we should not allow religion to bring another civil war into this country.

“The constitution of the country should be paramount to all of us, including traditional rulers; they should not bring religious law into the constitution of the country. Everybody should rise against this, irrespective of religion.”

Law threatens secularity – CAN

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Daniel Okoh, said the Christian body was working on a reaction to the matter.

He said, “We are working on it. At the appropriate time, we’ll come out with our position.”

But the Oyo State Chairman of CAN, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, dismissed the initiative, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to the state’s secular nature.

He stated, “This should not happen in Oyo State, where Christians and Muslims coexist in nearly every family. There’s no law to support this, and the government is not aware. We won’t allow anything that jeopardises the peaceful coexistence we enjoy.”

It’s not a court – Shari’ah committee

Amid the growing tension, the organisers of the event postponed the inauguration indefinitely.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo land, Rafiu Bello, said he had nothing further to add.

In a statement shared with our correspondent, the committee clarified that it was not inaugurating a Sharia court, but an arbitration panel.

The statement read in part, “The postponement is informed by the inadvertent reference to the programme as the inauguration ceremony of a Sharia Court in Oyo town and its environs instead of the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel.

“Such an arbitration panel, which already exists in many parts of the South-West, is only meant to settle family disputes among willing Muslims, without any power of enforcement. It is not a court.”

The statement concluded by noting that a new date would be announced for the inauguration ceremony.

Also, an Islamic cleric and lecturer of Islamic Studies at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Dr Sidiq Uthman, explained that the establishment of a Sharia court was intended to allow Muslims to resolve their issues in accordance with Sharia principles.

He clarified that such a court would only be relevant for committed Muslims.

He said, “The court is a place where Muslim families can come for adjudication or reconciliation in matters of inheritance, divorce, or child custody. These are the issues they want to address, not what is being sensationalised on social media. This has nothing to do with any religion. When they wanted to introduce Islamic banking, it was the same misunderstanding that people thought it was about Islamising Nigeria. Everyone has the right to practise their religion, and there’s freedom of association.”

Similarly, the National President of the Islamic group, Jamaat Taawunil Muslimeen, Sheikh Daood Imran, emphasised that Sharia law is a system Muslims use to settle disputes within their community.

He said, “There are three groups of believers in Nigeria: Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists, each with their own belief systems. This is not a court. The Christians own the High Court, traditionalists own the Customary Court, and Muslims follow Sharia law.”

Nigeria’s imported food inflation surged to 42.29 per cent in November 2024, according to the Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

This represents a significant rise from 23.74 per cent recorded in November 2023, marking an 18.55 percentage point year-on-year increase.

On a month-on-month basis, the inflation rate increased from 40.96 per cent in October 2024, a 1.33 percentage point rise in just one month.

The data highlights the relentless upward trajectory of imported food inflation throughout 2024, which began at 26.29 per cent in January. 

By October, the inflation rate had crossed the 40 per cent threshold, and November’s figure of 42.29 per cent is the highest recorded in the past two years.

This sharp rise has been attributed to multiple factors, including currency devaluation, global supply chain disruptions, and inefficiencies in domestic policies.

The Federal Government’s attempt to address the situation through a duty waiver on imported food has been fraught with delays.

In July 2024, the Federal Government announced a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities as it stepped up efforts to tackle rising inflation, which had impoverished many Nigerians.

The commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas. Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price.

It was designed to reduce import costs and make staple foods more affordable. However, the implementation has stalled due to bureaucratic delays.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the average price of imported high-quality rice has surged by 144.77 per cent year-on-year as the Federal Government delays implementing its duty-free food policy.

Since the announcement of the policy, the price of one kilogramme of imported rice has risen by 3.21 per cent, climbing from N2,329.05 in July to N2,403.86 in September.

In 2024, Africa continues to showcase its influence on the global stage through trailblazers in politics, business, science, sports, and the creative industry.

The London-based New African magazine unveiled its prestigious list of the ‘100 Most Influential Africans of 2024’, celebrating individuals who have significantly shaped narratives and driven progress both on the continent and internationally.

Among the prominent Nigerians featured are Wale Tinubu, nephew of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man; and Nigerian football sensation Ademola Lookman.

Highlighting the importance of this recognition, the magazine’s editor, Anver Versi, stated: “We need this because I cannot recall the world being so polarised, so divided, so stone-faced in the face of terrible man-made atrocities.”

The statement read, “The 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 edition of New African offers an in-depth look at the lives and achievements of the extraordinary individuals shaping the African narrative on the continent and abroad.

“Their stories serve as a source of inspiration and a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the African spirit.”

The 2024 List: A Breakdown by Category

Politics and Public Service

1. Bassirou Diomaye Faye
2. Kemi Badenoch
3. Muhammad Ali Pate
4. Claver Gatete
5. Ali Mohamed
6. King Mohamed VI
7. Ronald Lamola
8. Yemi Osinbajo
9. Nardos Bekele-Thomas
10. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong

Business

11. Robins Tchale-Watchou
12. Fatima Tambajang
13. Dr. Sidi Ould Tah
14. Samaila Zubairu
15. Thierno-Habib Hann
16. Akinwumi Adesina
17. Tariye Gbadegesin
18. Adebayo Ogunlesi
19. Wale Tinubu
20. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
21. Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah
22. Moulay Hafid Elalamy
23. Olugbenga Agboola
24. Alain Ebobissé
25. Tunde Olanrewaju
26. Nassef Sawiris
27. Aliko Dangote
28. Ismael Belkhayat
29. Hassatou Diop N’Sele
30. Jeremy Awori
31. Manuel Moses
32. Hassanein Hiridjee
33. Rene Awambeng
34. Joseph Moses Oleshangay
35. Mohamed Adow
36. Michael Kakande
37. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
38. William Asiko
39. Eva Omaghomi
40. Nelson Amenya
41. Helmy Abouleish
42. Binaifer Nowrojee

Science & Academia

43. Elhadj As Sy
44. Chinasa T. Okolo
45. Tshilidzi Marwala
46. Prof. Colleen Masimirembwa
47. Prof. Moses Obimbo Madadi
48. Rediet Abebe
49. Rachid Guerraoui
50. Abdoulaye Diabaté
51. Joy Buolamwini
52. Abeba Birhane

Opinion Shapers

53. Miatta Fahnbulleh
54. Olajide Olatunji
55. Carlos Lopes
56. Zain Verjee
57. John-Allan Namu
58. Vera Songwe
59. Nesrine Malik
60. Tayo Aina
61. Thebe Ikalafeng
62. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
63. Hannah Ryder
64. Ayman Mohyeldin
65. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard

Creative Industry

66. Zineb Sedira
67. Rita Mawuena Benissan
68. Iansmith Mwenda
69. Idris Elba
70. Ken Wakia
71. Adejoké Bakare
72. Ayra Starr
73. Selma Feriani
74. DJ Edu
75. Eugene Mbugua
76. Chigozie Obioma
77. Kamel Daoud
78. Tesfaye Urgessa
79. Mehdi Qotbi
80. DBN Gogo
81. Yinka Ilori
82. Amina Lola Shoneyin
83. Ekow Eshun
84. Zhong FeiFei
85. Mati Diop
86. Hassan Hajjaj
87. Koyo Kouoh
88. Mo Harawe
89. Victoria Kimani

Sports

90. Patrice Motsepe
91. Letsile Tebogo
92. Imane Khelif
93. Tunde Onakoya
94. Gelson Fernandes
95. Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane
96. Biniam Girmay
97. Ademola Lookman
98. Ruth Chepng’etich
99. Omar Berrada
100. Sifan Hassan

This year’s list celebrates African excellence across diverse fields, reaffirming the continent’s role as a global powerhouse of talent and innovation.

Nigerian activist and humanitarian Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), has painfully taken to social media to disclose a devastating setback in his ongoing mission to transform lives.

In a shocking announcement, he revealed that his NGO account, which had recently amassed over ₦200 million in donations for his noble cause, was hacked, and a staggering ₦160 million stolen in what he described as a move beyond his comprehension.

This heart-wrenching revelation comes just weeks after Verydarkman shared his ambitious plans to build schools for underprivileged children who lack access to basic education.

His vision captured the hearts of many, including celebrities, who rallied behind him, contributing generously to the fund. The NGO account became a beacon of hope, symbolizing the promise of a brighter future for countless children.

In a video shared on his official Facebook page on December 27, a visibly distraught VDM recounted the chilling moment he discovered the breach.

Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, he declared that he would not rest until the stolen funds are recovered.

True to his word, Verydarkman shared that he has already launched a full-scale investigation into the cyber heist. In the video, he was seen with a security operative assigned to the case. He disclosed that the duo were en route to Jos, a critical location in the ongoing hunt for the suspected perpetrators.

VDM also revealed that before making this public announcement, he had already taken measures to secure the account, including shutting down the app in hopes of resolving the issue quietly. However, circumstances forced him to update his supporters, as the situation demanded urgent transparency.

All DStv customers will have free access to all DStv channels from Dec. 27 to 29, regardless of their current subscription package.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by MultiChoice Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seasonal offer is open to all DStv subscribers.

The statement read in part: “No Subscription, No Problem! Switch on your DStv decoder for a gift like no other this festive season, 72 hours of all content, all channels, all on us!

“As we wind down the year and celebrate the holidays, DStv is happy to announce that we are making this December one to remember.

“From Friday, Dec. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 29, we’re giving all DStv customers, connected and disconnected, regardless of their current package, access to every channel and every show at no extra cost.

“Whatever package you’re on, connected or not, this is your chance to unlock the full power of DStv Premium and revel in a world of endless entertainment and authenticity.

“For 72 hours, the only thing standing between you and the best in sports, kids’ programming, movies, and local dramas is your decoder. No payments or calls required.”

Abimbola Fashola, wife of Babatunde Fashola, the former governor of Lagos, says her husband does not discuss political matters with her.

In an interview aired on News Central television on Thursday, the former first lady of Lagos said there is a source through which she gets political updates about her husband.

Abimbola did not provide any information when asked about her husband’s “strained” relationship with his predecessor, Bola Tinubu, during Fashola’s second term as governor of Lagos.

“My husband doesn’t discuss political things with me. I don’t get to hear from my husband. I get to hear from a source. I have a source,” she said.

“It is like a spiritual guide for you to know what you are praying about. That is the way I see it. I don’t have two prayers.”

On accusations that the former Lagos governor had children outside of wedlock, Abimbola said it was a defamation of character and a plot to separate her from her husband.

“Some of my elderly women that I know told me not to worry about everything that was being said,” she said.

“They said that they had defended me, and I should accept the children. They said they know me very well and that I would ask anyone who has a child for my husband to bring them in.

“It was defamation of character. I did not talk about it at all with him. My father had several wives; I have younger ones.

“They thought I was going to leave my husband. And I know he did not do it. Most people would think we don’t talk. I’m not saying he is a perfect man, but he carries me along.”

To spend N35.68trn on capital projects, recurrent get N38.57 trn

•Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Delta, Enugu, A/Ibom emerge as heavy spenders

•Gombe, Yobe, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Nasarawa’re least spenders

•Lagos’ N3trn surpasses North-East six states’ N2.6trn

•Rivers, FCT yet to announce budgets

TO alleviate poverty and improve the fortunes of the citizenry in 2025, the Federal Government and 35 of the 36 states of the country have proposed to spend N74.249 trillion as budget next year.

Rivers State, which is enmeshed in political crisis and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, are yet to announce their budgets.

The N74.249 trillion could be more, by the end of 2025, as the Federal Government and most of the states’ proposals are yet to be passed by the legislature. There is also the likelihood of supplementary appropriations.

According to Vanguard’s summation of the various budgets, the sum of N35.676 trillion or 48.05 per cent would be spent on capital projects while recurrent expenditures were allocated N38.573 trillion (51.95 per cent).

Indeed, most of the 35 states allocated more funds to capital expenditure except Ekiti , Osun and the Federal Government (see table).

Ekiti State proposed to spend N183.464 billion of its N375.790 billion budget on capital projects and earmarked N192.327 billion for recurrent expenditure.

On its part, Osun State proposed N390.028 billion, voted N144.231 billion for capital expenditure, and N245.797billion for recurrent.

At the centre, the Federal Government unveiled a N49.74 trillion proposal made up of N30.45 recurrent expenditure and N19.29 trillion capital expenditure.

The recurrent budget consists of N16.33 trillion (debt servicing) and N14.12 trillion (non-debt recurrent). And the capital expenditure includes N14.85 trillion (projects) and N4.44trillion (statutory transfers).

Among the states, the heavy spenders are Lagos (N3.005 trillion), Niger (N1.5 trillion), Ogun (N1.0545 trillion), Delta (N979.2 billion), Enugu (N971.8 billion) and Akwa Ibom (N955 billion).
The least spenders include Gombe (N320.11billion), Yobe (320.811 billion), Ekiti (N375.79 billion) Nasarawa (N382.57billion) and Ebonyi (N396.59 billion).

Among the zones, the South-West came tops with N6.202 trillion and the least is North-East with N2.610 trillion.

The others are North-West (N4.382 trillion), North-Central (N4.0265trillion), South-South (without Rivers) has N3.807 trillion, and South-East N3.481 trillion).

As the economic nerve centre of the nation, the N3.005 trillion budget of Lagos surpasses the N2.610 trillion proposed by the six states (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe) of the Northeast.

The Lagos figure is about N476 billion less than the entire budgets of the five (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo) South-East states (N3.481 billion)