There was a rain of curses in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as residents of the area discovered remains of an a-day-old baby in a manhole.

It was gathered that members of the Diobu vigilante group made the discovery in the early hours of Tuesday and that the dead baby was a boy.

A source disclosed that a dead baby was found in a manhole around Ekwe Street by Ikwerre Road, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

Mr. Godstime Ihunwo, the Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Orowurokwo working with Diobu vigilante said the community security team found the baby already dead during their patrol.

He said: “At the early hours of today, 23rd July 2024 at about 5 am, I and my team were on patrol. On getting to Ikwerre Road/Ekwe Street Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, we discovered that a newborn baby was dumped into a Manhole.

“We discovered that the baby was dead. It was a male. I quickly rushed down to Nkpolu Police Division to make an entry. I also contacted, Prince Wiro who is a human rights activist.”

Meantime, Prince Wiro, who is the National Coordinator of Centre for Basic Rights Protection And Accountability Campaign has condemned the action of the unidentified mother describing it as height of wickedness.

Wiro said: “It is sad that before the vigilante group discovered the infant male, he was already dead. The action of the mother of the child is a crime that is punishable under the Nigeria law.

“We use this opportunity to urge residents who may have useful information about the identity of the child’s mother to report to the Police for necessary action.” 

However, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, has confirmed the incident.

Iringe-Koko said Police have contacted the relevant agency for possible evacuation of the dead body while investigations continue.

She urged residents with useful information on who may have dumped the baby to report to the nearest Police station.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Tuesday, raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which measures interest rates by 50 basis points, from 26.25% to 26.75% amid soaring inflation and skyrocketing food prices.

The Governor of the apex bank, Olayemi Cardoso, announced this after the apex bank’s 296th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja.

The MPC had maintained a hawkish stance to tame inflation since it resumed meeting this year and thus far, it has hiked rate by more than 500 points.

The rate was raised to 26.25 per cent in May.

However, with inflation moving to 34.19 per cent in June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the headline inflation increased by 0.24 per cent relative to the May 2024 headline inflation rate which was 33.95 per cent.

On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.40 per cent points higher than that of June 2023 (22.79 per cent).

Also, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in June 2024 was 2.31 per cent, which was 0.17 per cent higher than the rate recorded in May 2024 (2.14 per cent), meaning that the rate of increase in the average price level was higher in June than in May.

Repeatedly, the CBN governor has maintained that the MPC members were committed to price stability and were willing to keep tightening until inflation is tamed.

Multiple reports from investment houses had projected that the MPR would be hiked,

Cowry Asset Management, in its weekly report, projected a 25bps to 50bps hike in interest rates, while the Meristem report anticipates “a 100 basis point increase in the monetary policy rate to 27.25 per cent while likely keeping other parameters unchanged. Overall, we anticipate that the committee will prioritize inflation control and capital inflow sustainability, crucial for maintaining a stable exchange rate system, and accordingly, implement a rate hike to achieve these objectives.”

A member of the Labour Party or LP, Mr Ezenwo Onyewuchi, representing Imo East has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Onyewuchi’s defection letter was read on the floor of the red chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday.

Imo State Governor, Mr Hope Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), was in the chamber when the letter of defection was read.

Details soon…

The House of Representatives has approved the amended 2024 budget, raising the total to ₦35.5 trillion, an increase from the initial ₦28.7 trillion.

This decision comes after President Bola Tinubu sought an amendment to the budget in a letter sent to the House last week, requesting an additional ₦6.2 trillion.

In addition to passing the amended budget, the House has also approved the minimum wage bill and the police act amendment bill, aligning with similar actions taken by the Senate.

President Tinubu’s request for the budget amendment was articulated under Section 58, subsection 2 of the Nigerian Constitution, allowing for adjustments in the fiscal plan to meet the evolving economic demands and priorities of the nation.

The President’s letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read at the plenary session on Wednesday, underscored the necessity of the budget increase to cater to various developmental projects and economic stabilization measures.

“I forward herewith the above bills for consideration and passage by the Senate.

“The Appropriation Act Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to amend the principal Act to provide the sum of ₦3.2 trillion for Renewed Hope infrastructure projects and other critical infrastructure projects to be undertaken across the country.

“And the sum of ₦3 trillion to meet further recurrent expenditure requirements, necessary for the proper operation by the Federal Government expenditure, which is to be funded by expected revenue accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the letter read.

Tinubu added that the proposed amendments to the Finance Act 2023 were required to impose a one-time windfall tax on the foreign exchange gains realised by banks in their 2023 financial statements.

He explained that this was to fund capital infrastructure development, education, healthcare access, and public welfare initiatives.

According to the President, all of the projects are essential components of the renewed hope agenda of the administration.

Tinubu had, on January 1, 2024, assented to the ₦28.7tn 2024 Appropriation Bill passed by the Senate. On May 29, 2024, the president said he would present the 2024 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly (NASS).

Social commentator and the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, on Monday urged manager of Nigeria’s economy not to discourage both local and foreign business men from investing in the country.

He expressed concerns over the recent spat between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority and the management of Dangote Refinery, saying the crisis is taking a toll on the owner, Aliko Dangote.

His concerns come in the wake of the Federal Government’s intervention into the lingering face-off.

Momodu raised the fear when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics on Monday.

“It’s almost like it is a crime to be an investor in Nigeria. I saw the reports in the Financial Times, Bloomberg and others. It will not help Nigeria.

“I don’t know who has grudges to bear with him. He should call him into a bedroom. Let them go and settle it behind closed doors. We cannot afford to wash this dirty linen in public. It is going to boomerang for all of us. That is my attitude.

“I believe this man has invested so much in Nigeria, just like other people. We have a lot of good businessmen in Nigeria who are doing great things. We should encourage them and not allow them to run away. Now, he said one of his friends is laughing at him because he warned him not to put all his eggs in one basket. 

“I have seen other countries where Dangote invested. I have been to his plants in Ethiopia, Zambia and Tanzania. I can see the effort those countries are making to accommodate him there. We should not chase our businessmen away.

“I am sure other business people in Nigeria are watching. They might say, ‘hey, if this can happen to Dangote, it can happen to me.’ And everybody will be scared. We should not create this panic. We can’t afford this at this time,” Momodu warned.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has reportedly convened a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, including businessman Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA leadership, to address the ongoing disputes affecting the supply of crude to the Refinery.

But Momodu insisted that it would be a shame for Nigeria to allow its oil sector players and stakeholders to be washing their ‘dirty linen’ in public while the world looks on.

He said, “The whole social media is awash and abuzz with the issue of this Dangote refinery issue. Instead of me rehashing what people are saying, let me just tell you my own solution. Mr President, in this season of anomie in Nigeria, you need all the friends you can get in the private sector.

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,585 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,575 last week Friday. Similarly, the Naira appreciated to N1,500.32 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,500.32 per dollar from N1,596.92 per dollar last weekend, indicating N96.6 appreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market grew by 7.6 per cent to $269.88 million from $250.67 million traded last week Friday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates widened to N84.64 per dollar from N21.92 last weekend.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, declined to grant a motion to stop the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, from spending from the state’s consolidated revenue fund.

Rather than grant the motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, Justice James Nwite asked the plaintiffs to put Fubara and other defendants in the suit on notice.

The suit was filed by the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike.

The factional Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, had during its plenary on July 15, resolved to bar Fubara from spending from the Rivers State consolidated account following his refusal to present the 2024 budget afresh. 

The 25 pro-Wike lawmakers had at their previous sitting given Fubara a seven-day ultimatum to present the budget, threatening to take action against him if he refused.

Fubara, however, said he would not present afresh the N800bn budget already passed in January by the factional Assembly loyal to him.

He described the pro-Wike lawmakers as illegitimate, saying they had lost their seats as legislators following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The pro-Fubara factional Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, also countered the call by the pro-Wike lawmakers on Fubara not to spend state funds.

Oko-Jumbo insisted that his faction of the Assembly was the legitimate Assembly and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct by-elections to replace the pro-Wike lawmakers.

In his ruling on Monday, Justice Nwite said he would not stop Fubara from spending the state’s revenue.

The defendants in the suit are the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank PLC, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Rivers State Governor, Fubara, the Accountant-General of Rivers, the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice S.C. Amadi, Chairperson of RSIEC, Adolphus Enebeli, and the Government of Rivers State.

The pro-Wike lawmakers, through their lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), also prayed the court to order substituted service of court papers on the defendants, a prayer the judge granted.

Justice Nwite, in his ruling, ordered that the Motion on Notice be served on the 5th to 10th defendants by substituted means.

He said, “Leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants, to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with the plaintiffs/applicants’ Motion on Notice, and any other process(es) filed or issued in this suit by substituted means to wit: by publishing same in the Nation newspapers.”

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till August 7 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.

Meanwhile, the pro-Wike lawmakers, on Monday, demanded the arrest of the caretakers appointed by Fubara to run the 18 local government areas of the state.

The pro-Wike lawmakers made the resolution at their sitting on Monday.

They declared that the use of caretakers to run LG was a violation of the recent Supreme Court judgment upholding LG autonomy.

The resolution of the lawmakers was contained in a statement on Monday by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu.

According to the statement, the resolution followed a motion moved by the House Leader, Major Jack, and deliberated by members.

They described the LG caretakers as impostors and entities unknown to the law.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State House of Assembly at its 7th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the 10th Assembly, Monday, deliberated on a statement by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, wherein he drew the attention of the House to the illegal activities of some persons in the state, masquerading as Chairmen and members of Caretaker Committees.

“These individuals, the Leader said, go about imposing and collecting fees, levies and rates  from unsuspecting members of the public, in breach of the recent Supreme Court judgement, and the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment)Law, 2023 that prohibit Caretaker Committees in whatever guise or nomenclature.”

The Speaker, Amaewhule, in his contribution, said it was worrisome that ‘these individuals not known to the law go to the banks and withdraw money meant for the Local Government Councils’ for wanton squandering in the name of non-existing Caretaker committees.”

Amaewhule urged the police and other security agencies to swing into action and arrest the impostors to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the state.

He said the House would not fold its arms and condone the “crass disregard for the laws of the state and the judgment of the Supreme Court of the land by some impostors.”

President Bola Tinubu has called on young Nigerians to refrain from participating in planned protests against the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

Recall that some Nigerians, particularly the youth, have planned a nationwide protest from August 1st to 10th to draw the government’s attention to the prevailing hardship in the country.

Speaking in Abuja at the National Council of Traditional Rulers meeting, Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, cautioned against allowing economic hardship to be exploited by individuals with ulterior motives to incite protests.

He emphasized the need for patience and commitment from Nigerians during this critical period of economic reform, urging citizens to remember past instances where crises threatened national peace and diversity.

Tinubu highlighted the lessons to be learned from India and Sudan’s experiences, noting that Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million, cannot afford such instability.

“Capitalising on the economic hardship in the country, some men and women with sinister motives have been reported to have been mobilising citizens, particularly youths, to stage a protest.

“Let’s learn from India and Sudan’s experiences. We are a country with more than 200 million people.

“Therefore, we can’t afford to have this kind of situation,’’ he said.

The President assured that the government has implemented policies to alleviate economic challenges, including procuring Compressed Natural Gas vehicles, introducing a student loan scheme, distributing palliatives, and providing agricultural inputs like tractors and fertilizers.

He also emphasized ongoing efforts to address security issues in the country.

Tinubu urged traditional leaders to promote peace within their communities and engage with young people and parents to foster harmony.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar III, supported this view, advocating dialogue as the best means to resolve conflicts and highlighting the necessity of peace.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan, stressed the importance of patriotism and national cohesion for development, asserting that any threat to unity must be resisted.

He acknowledged President Tinubu’s efforts to address the nation’s challenges and reiterated that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens.

Dr. Mainasara Umar-Kogo, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, noted the effectiveness of traditional institutions as local administrative bodies since pre-colonial times.

He called for their roles to be restored in the constitution to preserve socio-cultural values, suggesting that past administrative reforms have diminished their influence.

Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, says Nigerians have to make sacrifices for the country to achieve the needed growth. 

Bagudu spoke on Monday when he appeared before the house of representatives committee on appropriations to defend President Bola Tinubu’s request to increase the 2024 budget by N6.2 trillion.

The minister said countries that have achieved significant growth have made sacrifices over the years.

Bagudu asked Nigerians not to compare the country with nations that have attained notable development if they are not willing to make similar sacrifices.

“We have to recognise that countries that achieved development took choices that maybe we should have taken. That is my point,” the minister said.

“We have a leader (Tinubu) who is not even saying, Let us blame this or blame that. We are not where we want to be.

“How do we mobilise all together? Our children need to appreciate this fact. It is not a pleasant conversation when any father calls the children and says, Look, I am not as rich as you think I am. Let’s face it.

“But that conversation will build a better family than a situation where children feel self-entitled—they just blame the father, not knowing that even though he is the authority figure, he has his own limitations. So, even in a country, it is no different.

“The simple truth is that we have to make sacrifices in order for our country to achieve the growth that it requires.

“Those countries whom we are teaching our children that they have achieved this and that; we should stop comparing ourselves to where they (the countries) are today. But what choices did they make in the past to bring them to where they are?”

Providing a breakdown of the N6.3 trillion, Bagudu said the N3.2 trillion proposed for infrastructure projects will cover several road and rail projects.

The minister said the funds will form counterpart funding for rail projects that have been stalled over the years, including the one linking Port Harcourt-Maiduguri, traversing the Rivers  Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and terminating in Borno state.

He said N522 billion will also be utilised for agricultural projects such as water, irrigation, and dams.

Bagudu said the proposed N3.2 trillion “renewed hope infrastructural fund” is “intended to provide equity contributions or counterpart contributions of the federal government projects designated as priority projects as well as critical projects that needed more appropriation so that they would not suffer neglect”.

The minister added that the N3 trillion is intended to meet recurrent expenditures, including the new national minimum wage approved by Tinubu.

Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, has alleged some personnel of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, oil traders and terminals have opened a blending plant in Malta.

Dangote spoke at the house of representatives on Monday.

An oil blending plant has no refining capability but can be used to blend re-refined oil (a used motor oil that has been treated to remove dirt, fuel, and water) with additives to create finished lubricant products.

The billionaire said the areas of the blending plants are known.

“Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere off Malta,” the chairman said.

“We all know these areas. We know what they are doing.”

Addressing the drop in diesel prices, the billionaire said the diesel produced locally at 650 parts per million (ppm) and 700 ppm is of better quality than imported fuel.

Dangote said many vehicle issues can be traced back to the “substandard” imported fuel.

He urged the leadership of the house of representatives to set up an independent committee to verify the quality of petrol available at filling stations.

“I want you to set up a committee that will come with every representative headed by your chosen honourable member to come and lead in taking samples from filling stations because I must tell you today that all the test certificates that people are busy floating around, where are the labs? Even if they have the labs, I can tell you they are fake certificates,” he said.

“The real one that you now know that they are right is to take from the filling station and also come and take from our production line. Now, you will be able to tell Nigerians that this is it.”

On Monday, the house of representatives joint committee on petroleum resources (downstream and midstream) launched a probe into claims that local refineries, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, produce inferior products.

The committee is also investigating the allegations that the international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria are frustrating the survival of the Dangote refinery.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Dangote refinery have been embroiled in a dispute that began recently.

On July 18, Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive officer of NMDPRA had said local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, were producing inferior products compared to the ones imported into the country.

The oil regulator also accused Dangote of monopoly, claims which have been denied by the billionaire.

On Monday, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state petroleum resources (oil), intervened in the ‘ongoing issues’ after having a meeting with Aliko Dangote, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dangote Group and Farouk Ahmed, CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Mele Kyari, group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited were also at the meeting.