The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the fifty billion naira it gave to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is part of recovered proceeds of crime remitted to the Federal Government and not a donation by the Commission.

The EFCC, which said this in a statement, explained that it is clarifying reports in a section of the media purporting that the Commission donated fifty billion naira to NELFUND from its recovery account.

The statement explained that President Tinubu, in furtherance of his social intervention policy for the most vulnerable segments of the population, decided in his wisdom to plough the money into funding the critically acclaimed Students Loan Scheme.

The EFCC says it is not its place to determine where the Government commits Recovered Proceeds of crime, but the Student’s Loan Scheme is a salutary innovation which has the potential to reduce youths’ involvement in criminality.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyde, had disclosed during a courtesy visit by NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, on Tuesday that the Anti-graft Agency will monitor the use of the funds to ensure accountability and the realization of the objectives of the Scheme.

The leadership of Labour Party on Wednesday rejected Chief Olusola Ebiseni, the Secretary-General of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, as the party’s candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

The party’s decision was contained in a statement by Obiora Ifoh who declared that Dr Ayo Olorunfemi emerged as the party’s flag bearer at the primaries held in Akure in June 2024.

“Ebiseni, who contested for the governorship of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state but lost, was yet to relinquish his membership PDP, neither identified with the Labour Party.

“Dr Olorunfemi is the candidate of the Labour Party. He emerged after the governorship primaries witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“His name was subsequently submitted to INEC and was published as the Labour Party’s duly nominated candidate for the Ondo election.

“INEC has since concluded the nomination processes and one wonders how he emerged without the involvement of INEC and the sponsorship of the Labour Party,” he said.

LP subsequently urged the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security(DSS) and other security agencies to apprehend anyone impersonating or being used to fight a proxy battle against

He added that “Labour Party is poised to win the Ondo governorship election having fielded a very credible candidate who is a grassroots politician, a prominent Labour leader and a renowned educationist.

“We think that this unholy alliance between Ebiseni and APC sponsored NLC is geared towards frustrating our expected victory at the polls but we will resist it through every legal means.

“We are therefore calling on party members in Ondo, particularly Obidient family and the entire electorate to ignore the gang up against the party.

“Come out en-masse to vote for Dr Olorunfemi of the Labour Party, secure our votes and make sure our votes count.”

THE WHISTLER recalls that the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) had kicked against the convention that produced Julius Abure as LP’s National Chairman. Subsequently, the former President of NLC, Abduwaheed Omar, was appointed to chair the National Transition Committee(NTC). 

Members of the NTC, including Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, Prof  Theophilus Ndubuaku, and Folu Bademosi, nominated Ebiseni as flagbearer of the party.

But the Abure faction in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Wednesday, insisted that Olorunfemi is the party’s flag bearer, saying he emerged at the primaries held in Akure in June 2024.

In a shocking and disturbing incident, a 16-year-old boy, Abubakar, was buried alive by his two siblings over a missing phone, in Zaria, Kaduna

The brothers, aged 22 and 18, were arrested by the police after a good Samaritan discovered Abubakar’s head protruding from a hole in an abandoned property.

According to eyewitnesses, the siblings had a heated disagreement over a missing phone in Abuja, where they worked.

It was gathered that the duo trailed Abubakar back to Zaria and buried him alive as a form of torture.

“The boy was tied up, and his mouth was sealed. He was buried in a hole, leaving only his head outside,” said Hajiya Rabi Salisu, Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development in Kaduna State.

“I’ve never seen someone buried alive apart from in film. This boy, Abubakar, a 16 year old was buried by his brothers because of a missing phone.

“They dug a hole, tied his hands backwards and sealed his mouth. They buried him, leaving only his head outside covered with rags inside an abandoned property near a farm.

“It was a good samaritan who heard the boy coughing that raised the alarm which attracted other farmers that rescued the boy, as contained in the video which went viral in social media.

“The culprits were a 22-year-old and his brother, an 18-year-old who was arrested by the police. We would be going to court after their investigation.

“The Government would not take it lightly,in the protection of children’s rights and others whose rights are violated in Kaduna State,” Rabi told the BBC Hausa Service.

The police have confirmed the incident and are currently investigating, adding that the suspects are in custody and would be charged to court soon.

The spokesman of the state police command, Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the incident, said the culprits have since accepted committing the crime.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, on Wednesday, stated that it has taken decisive action following the horrific incident in the Gauraki community, Kufaina Ward, Zaria Local Government Area, where the teenager was buried alive after being accused of stealing the phone.

The statement credited to the Commissioner, said, “the victim, Abubakar Aliyu, survived the ordeal and has since been rescued. The suspects, identified as Yahaya Abdulkadir (20) and Abdul Abdulkadir (17), who are cousins of the victim, have been arrested by the police.

“The Social Officer in charge of Zaria visited the community where the incident occurred to assess the situation and provide necessary support.

“The Ministry has assured the public that justice will be served and that they will continue to monitor the case closely.

“The Kaduna State Government has condemned the act in the strongest terms and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of all citizens, especially children.

“Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

As the abysmal performance of Team Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics continues to raise dust, Minister of Sports Development John Enoh says the different sporting federations in the country need comprehensive reforms for efficient sports development. 

The minister, who apologised to Nigerians over the poor outing in Paris, indicted the leadership of sporting federations for the lacklustre performance, emphasising the need for systems and structures at the federations to get the best athletes to represent Nigeria and get the desired medals in the next games.

“I’ve always stated that we need to reform our federations,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

“I am also glad that these discussions are going on now. And I need this discussion to continue. Let it not be limited to the reaction because we didn’t get a medal.

“Let it go further in terms of finding out which of those federations is holding the country to ransom when the ministry starts its move to want to reform, which of those federations wants to become an obstacle to that reform?” 

He said the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) was dead when he assumed office in August 2023, and that none of the sporting federations have well-equipped training centres.

He agreed that a state of emergency should be declared for sports development.

The minister admitted his limitation and that he had no powers to change weak ones among the federation leaders because they were elected by congresses.

“The leadership of these federations are elected in congresses, and they hold office for four years. Those four years coincide with the four-year Olympic circle,” he said.

Interference?

The minister said any attempt by him to make input into the activities of the federations is perceived as interference.

“It is the federations that pick the athletes that they think are competitive enough for any game.

“The federations are very strong in their defence of what decisions they make…these federations guard what they do so jealously that any attempt by any minister to reach out in things like this is considered interference.

“My responsibility is to prosecute the games at international competitions.

“I have avoided in my leadership most of the pitfalls that have bedevilled our sporting competitions and engagement internationally for the last several years.”

Enoh described Nigeria’s pathetic fate at the Olympics as a “very sad” one because Africa’s most populous nation couldn’t clinch a single medal despite that the country registered for 12 events at the global games.

Admits Poor Preparation

The minister expressed utter disappointment, saying that he didn’t expect that Team Nigeria would come back from the Olympics without a medal.

He said the medal-less outing should be blamed on a lack of motivation as all Nigerian athletes who participated in the games were well-paid, while some of them were paid in advance before the games.

He said over N8bn was spent on the competition, adding that Nigeria funds competitions and not training for the competitions. “We spent more funds qualifying for the Olympics than actual preparation for the real games,” he said.

The minister said there would have been backlash if he had ruled out Nigeria’s participation in the games because of poor preparation.

Enoh said heads would roll if findings establish that some persons sabotaged Nigeria’s chances at the games.

Decries Limited Powers

Asked whether he has the powers to sack or discipline any erring heads of federations, he said, “I don’t have such powers.”

The sports minister said he does not have the luxury to replace or work towards the replacement of those who can’t contribute enough to the development of sports at federations.

He said many of the federation presidents are in their third or fourth Olympics and they are holding the country to ransom with their lack of their ability to bring home medals from games after games.

As part of efforts to secure the nation and protect her territorial integrity, the Minister Of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says the Armed Forces of Nigeria requires two hundred million rounds of ammunition annually for its operations.

He said the volume will cost the Federal Government at least two dollars per ammunition.

The minister disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defence through the Defence Industries Corporations of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI) on the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria.

He blamed past governments for the nation’s failure to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of military hardware.

Matawalle assured Nigerians that the Defence Industries Corporation will in the next three years export its military capabilities through local manufacturing of military hardware.

The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) said it has cleared an extra 22 state-owned tertiary institutions to apply for student loans.

The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.

The statement posted via @NELFUND on X said, “The Nigeria Education Loan Fund has announced that students from the following 22 state-owned tertiary institutions can now apply for loans on its portal: nelf.gov.ng

“This followed a review by the committee responsible for the Student Verification System. Prior to this, 86 state-owned institutions were cleared, bringing a total of 108 institutions whose students are now able to apply,” the statement posted via @NELFUND on X said.

The onboarding of the 22 state-owned institutions brings total number of approved state institutions to 108.

The development comes barely one month after the fund was set up by President, Tinubu. The president introduced the fund when he signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.

The Newly Cleared Institutions Are As Follows:

1. Abia State University, Uturu

2. College of Education, Nsugbe

3. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

4. Delta State University, Abraka.

5. Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Delta State

6. Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti

7. Kogi State University, Kabba, Kogi State

8. Prince Abubakar Audu University

9. Kwara State University

10. Kwara State College of Health Technology

11. Abdulkadir Kure University Minna

12. Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu

13. Moshod Abiola Polytechnic

14. Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo

15. The Polytechnic, Ibadan

16. The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki

17. Rivers State University, Port Harcourt

18. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic

19. Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu

20. College of Administration, Management andTechnology Potiskum, Yobe State 21. College of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Gujba

22. College of Education Legal Studies, Nguru  

Previously Cleared Institutions Are As Follows:

1. Abia State Polytechnic

2. Adamawa State University Mubi

3. Adamawa State Polytechnic Yola

4. College of Education Afaha Nsit

5. Akwa Ibom State University

6. Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic

7. Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare

8. Niger Delta University

9. Benue State University, Makurdi

10. Borno State University

11. College of Education, Waka-Biu

12. Mohammed Lawan College Of Agriculture

13. Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri

14. Cross River State University

15. Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku

16. Delta State University of Science and Technology

17. Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba 18.

University of Delta Agbor

19. Ebonyi State University, AbakalikI

20. Edo State University Uzairue.

21. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

22. Bamidele Olumilua University of Edu., Sc., and Tech

23. University of Medical and Applied Sciences Enugu State

24. Gombe State University

25. Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo

26. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University

27. Benjamin Uwajumogu State College of Education IhitteUboma

28. Imo State Polytechnic Omuma

29. Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa, Jigawa State

30. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria

31. Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya

32. Kaduna State University

33. Aliko Dangote University of science and Technology wudil

34. Yusuf Maitama Sule University

35. Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management

36. Umar Musa Yaradua University Katsina

37. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero

38. Confluence University of Science and Technology

39. Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba

40. Kwara Polytechnic

41. Kwara State College of Education Oro

42. Lagos state university of education

43. Lagos State University of Science and Technology

44. Lagos State University

45. Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia

46. Nasarawa State University Keffi

47. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Uniersity Lapai

48. Niger State Polytechnic Zungeru

49. Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic

50. Olabisi Onabanjo University

51. Tai Solarin University of Education

52. Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa

53. D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic Itori-Ewekoro.

54. Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade

55. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo

56. Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State

57. Government Technical College Ile-Ife 58. GTC, ARA Osun State

59. GTC, GBONGAN Osun State

60. GTC, IJEBU-JESA Osun State

The man featured in a viral video, in which his wife reportedly tore up his passport upon their return to Nigeria, has clarified that the entire incident was staged as a skit.

In a recent video shared on the family’s Instagram page, the man could be seen in the company of his children begging Nigerians to forgive him and understand.

According to him, what his wife tore was not a passport, adding that as a Nigerian, he cannot go against the laws of the country.

He said, “What my wife tore is not passport, she never tore my passport, she never spoilt my passport, we are doing a skit, this is somebody’s story of what happened that we are passing to the world. But I didn’t even know it would go viral.

“Please, I’m begging everybody, this is not passport, my passport is intact. Nobody should drag this thing to the mud.

“We are sorry, we cannot defile the law of Nigeria, we are full bonafide Nigerian, we cannot go against the law by destroying the passport of Nigeria, it is not possible.”

Recall on Monday, the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS on Monday said it has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of the video on social media, showing the man’s wife destroying a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Kenneth Udo disclosed that the individual has been identified and invited for further investigation.

“If the allegations are substantiated, her actions would have constituted a breach of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), with corresponding penalties outlined under Section 10(h) of the same Act.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security, and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments”, he stated.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says it will be a “grave mistake” for the federal government to disregard the factors that triggered the #EndBadGovernance protest.

Nigerians held a nationwide protest against economic hardship from August 1–10.

The protesters demanded a lean government, a return to the petrol subsidy regime, food security, and fiscal discipline, among others.

In a statement on Wednesday, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF’s spokesperson, said the nationwide protest against hunger and poor leadership was largely fueled by the selfish and corrupt behaviour of those in power.

Muhammad-Baba asked the government officials to adopt modest habits and responsibly manage public funds to ease the nation’s economic struggles.

“The existential conditions of citizens, ostensibly, the rationale behind the protests are dire and need urgent attention; and it will be a grave mistake to ignore this,” the statement reads.

“Far too many citizens lack education, access to health facilities, economic opportunities, and basic necessities to live comfortable, unbearable lives.

“Confounding the dire living conditions has been the challenge of insecurity in the country.”

The ACF asked President Bola Tinubu to follow through on his commitment and launch a nationwide dialogue to address the country’s pressing issues.

“Such consultations ought to be well-organised and purpose-driven to include representatives of the people, community-based organisations, interest groups, professional and trade associations, regional interest groups, and religious clergy,” the forum said.

“Robust and dynamic engagement between citizens and government, including representatives of the people, on the direction of public policies.

“The entrenchment of the principles of accountability and good governance by government at all levels.

“The reinvigorated and robust anti-corruption drive by local, state and federal governments”.

The forum lauded the Russian embassy’s prompt clarification of non-involvement in the protest and also condemned the looting and destruction of public and private properties by hoodlums.

The ACF also offered sympathies to families who suffered losses during the protest.

The Nigeria Customs Service has been directed to start the implementation of the zero per cent import duty and exemption of Value-Added Tax on basic food items, The PUNCH reports.

This was after President Bola Tinubu approved the implementation of zero per cent import duty and exemption of Value-Added Tax on basic food items.

The Ministry of Finance confirmed the approval in a letter to the Nigeria Customs Service dated August 8, 2024. The Nigeria Customs Service also confirmed the development in a document shared with one of our correspondents on Wednesday.

Responding, the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, instructed officials of the service to commence enforcement measures.

In the circular titled, “Approval for the implementation of zero per cent duty rate on basic food items”, the NCS said the Ministry of Finance sent a letter to the service, informing the agency that Tinubu has approved the implementation.

The letter dated August 14, 2024, and signed by the Deputy Comptroller-General, C.K Niagwan, noted that the food commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, grain beans, and millet.

She stated that the policy is restricted to the items listed and is effective from July 15 to December 31, 2024.

The letter read, “I am directed to forward herewith a copy of the Federal Ministry of Finance letter, confirming His Excellency, Mr President’s approval for the implementation of zero per cent duty rate and Value Added Tax exemption on some basic food items.

“You are to note the following, ‘the policy is restricted to the items listed in the letter and it is effective July 15, 24 until December 31, 24. The importation of these items shall be limited to investors with milling capacity and a verifiable Backward Integration Programme for some of the items.”

The deputy director further stated that the finance ministry would provide the list of importers and approved quotas during the implementation period and called for wide coverage to ensure strict compliance.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance shall from time to time, during the implementation period, furnish the Nigeria Customs Service with the list of importers and their approved quotas to guide the importation of the basic food items. Ensure wide circulation for strict compliance, please,” the letter added.

Recall that the Federal Government announced on July 10 the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of food staples through land and sea borders to reduce inflation.

On August 7, the NCS said the duty waiver on imported foods would be implemented within the next week.

In the first letter, the finance minister, Wale Edun, said the “measure which is geared towards ameliorating the high cost of food items in the Nigerian market shall be limited to the national supply gap to be determined by a committee set up by the minister”.

It showed that the government crashed the duty rate and levy from 30 per cent to zero for husked brown rice, from five per cent to zero for grain sorghum, millet, and maize, and removed the 20 per cent duty levy for wheat and beans.

Edun said importers applying for the duty waiver must have milling capacity and a verifiable backward integration programme.

BIP is the sourcing of raw materials locally to reduce dependence on foreign raw materials.

“This measure which is geared towards ameliorating the high cost of food items in the Nigerian market shall be limited to the national supply gap to be determined by a committee set up by the minister.

“The importation of these items shall also be limited to investors with milling capacity and verifiable Backward Integration Programme for some of the items,” the minister said.

On Tuesday, the comptroller-general of the customs service said the Federal Government would lose about N188bn in revenue due to the suspension of import duties on food commodities.

Adeniyi said the service would ensure adequate implementation by enlisting special corridors to clear imports of food items.