Nigerian singer, Abbey Toyyib Elias, popularly known as Skiibii, has debunked claims of attempting to use Nigerian influencer, Precious Kingsley, also known as Nickie Dabarbie, for rituals.

Naija News reported that Nickie, in a series of posts shared on her Instagram page on Friday morning, April 19, accused Skiibi of attempting to kill her for money rituals.

However, in a post via his Instagram page on Friday evening, Skiibii described the accusation as false.

The singer noted that the allegation has been reported to the Nigerian Police and believes they would thoroughly investigate the issue.

He wrote, “I typically remain silent when people come for me in the media, but I feel it’s necessary to address recent events, especially when false information is being spread. I will no longer allow anyone to tarnish my image because they know Skiibii won’t run to the media to speak.

“Although I’ve remained silent on all issues to preserve peace, I believe it’s time to reconsider that approach. In due time, the truth will come to light. Firstly, I want to clarify that the narrative being circulated by people and various blog are complete false and the truth will come to light on all front.

“I have reported the incident to the Nigerian police because there’s nothing to hide and I trust thorough investigation. I will let the law take its course to the full measure this time. Thank you.”

There are indications that prices of goods and services may not come down soon despite the speedy appreciation of Naira against major foreign currencies in recent weeks.

On Thursday, US Dollars traded for N1,060, about N840 gain against N1,900 to US Dollar peak in February this year. But Vanguard findings show that prices of goods in the market are still on the rise contrary to the general expectations that with the continued positive trend in the exchange rate which started in late February, the market prices and general cost of living should be going down.

Most dealers and producers of goods and services blamed the high exchange rate for the spiral price increases in the market.

However, against the backdrop of the positive stability in the foreign exchange market, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, reported a further rise in inflation with a headline rate of 33.2 per cent in March as against 31.7 per cent in the previous month while food inflation rose to 40.02 per cent from 37 per cent.

Meanwhile, financial analysts and economists who spoke to Vanguard have indicated further rises in prices of goods and services in the months ahead before marginal stability can take place.

They also hinted that the current positive development in the foreign exchange market would have to be sustained over a longer period while other elements of the cost of doing business would have to come down before the impact of the lower exchange rate can positively affect the prices of goods and services.

Moreover, they explained that while price increases respond faster to upward increases in key factors of production, the reverse is the case when the factors are going down.

The analysts noted that positive exchange rate changes take time to trickle down to the prices of consumer goods. Explaining the discrepancy between the exchange rate stability against consumer price volatility, Victor Chiazor, Head, Research, FSL Securities, a Lagos-based investment house, said, ‘‘Apart from the time lag for the stability in the exchange rate to begin to reflect in the prices of goods and services, Nigerian price history shows that prices are sticky downwards but reflect immediately upwards.”

However, he gave further insight: “The rise in consumer goods prices was initially triggered by the currency devaluation along with high energy and transportation costs. But despite the recent appreciation of the Naira against the dollar, energy and transportation costs have remained high.

“Also, the appreciation in Naira will take some time to kick in before it begins to reflect in the price of goods and services.

“This price distortion shows how much dependence the economy has on foreign currency and shows that government policies towards locally manufactured goods in terms of infrastructure deficiency and incentives remain low.
“Just as we have seen inflation continue to rise despite consecutive increases in the monetary policy rate to curb it, the reality remains that the policy will require some time to kick in and take effect.

“A similar scenario is expected to play out around goods and services which are highly dependent on the exchange rate. It will take some time for the appreciation of the Naira to be transferred and trigger a drop in the cost of goods and services.”

Going forward, he said that the current policy decisions by the CBN Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, team will yield the desired result.

He, however, said that a prolonged duration of monetary tightening would become a headwind negative to economic growth.

“Hence, there is the need to effectively monitor the economy and know when to slow down on its tightening stance so as not to throw the economy into a session of negative growth.”

In his views, Ayorinde Akinloye, an Economic and Investment Strategist, said: “When economic policies are implemented, there is typically a time lag needed to see the impact of the policies on macroeconomic outcomes.
“Specific to the issue of appreciating Naira and still elevated prices of goods and services, the majority of consumer goods in circulation were produced or imported when the dollar was about N1,500 or more. As a result, we are yet to see the impact of the appreciation of the past month.

“Typically, a time lag of 60 – 90 days will be required to clear out the expensive goods before the ones imported at cheaper exchange rates begin to flow into the market.”

He, therefore, noted that the impact of the appreciation of the Naira will be felt from the end of May to June.

Speaking in the same vein, Gafar Bashiru, Senior Associate, Parthian Partners, another Lagos-based investment house, said though a stronger Naira is supposed to result in lower import costs and, eventually, a decrease in consumer goods prices, however, other factors, including structural issues, time tag, and speculative pricing, among others, have continued to fuel the current disparity.

He stated: “Exchange rate changes often take time to trickle down to consumer prices. Businesses may wait to adjust prices until they’re confident the currency appreciation is sustained. Inventory purchased at higher exchange rates may also need to be sold before price reductions occur.

“Also, factors like high transportation costs, insecurity, or inefficiencies in distribution networks can keep prices high despite a stronger currency and businesses might be hesitant to lower prices immediately, fearing future devaluation, leading to “sticky prices.”

“While prices are yet to drop, we are beginning to see a slower rate of increase. The month-on-month inflation figure for March reveals that the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in February 2024. This is a trend that is expected to be maintained in the coming months.

“It is also important to consider the base effect in the year-on-year figures. Considering that consumer prices were already high before the Naira appreciation occurred in the last two months (headline and food inflation stood respectively at 29.90% and 35.41% in January vs 33.20% and 40.00% in March), the decrease in prices might seem less significant.”

He further noted that in addition to the recent improvement in the strength of the Naira, policies that can help achieve sustainable price stability lie largely with the fiscal authority.

He cited structural reforms and focus on domestic production of competitive advantageous products as part of the fiscal solutions needed.

According to him, “Addressing structural bottlenecks in the economy, like improving transportation infrastructure and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, can make businesses more efficient and potentially lower production costs. This will translate to lower consumer prices.

“Implementing policies that incentivize local production of essential goods will lessen reliance on imports and make prices less vulnerable to fluctuations.”

Inflation bottleneck

Expressing similar views, David Adonri, Vice Chairman, Highcap Securities, argued that the main factor fueling Nigeria’s galloping inflation is insecurity, adding that import dependence on manufactured items is another cause. “When supply-side measures are taken, inflation will start declining. Inflation can start declining from the fourth quarter,” he stated.

Chinazom Izuora, Senior Associate, Parthian Securities, said: “It’s important to note that inflation is a lagging indicator.

Therefore, the effect of policy pronouncements in a given month will not be evident until subsequent months. However, it is noteworthy that headline inflation on a month-on-month basis moderated to 3.02% in March, which was 0.10% lower than the rate recorded in February 2024 (3.12%).

“This indicates a slowdown in the rate of inflation, though a marginal decline. We might not see a significant decline in the rate of inflation until Q3/Q4 but we expect to see gradual moderation month on month.”

Last Sunday, Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface made history with his German Bundesliga club, Bayer Leverkusen, when they defeated Werder Bremen 5 – 0 to be crowned the new champions of Germany. The win meant that Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga for the first time with 5 games to spare.

More significantly, Coach Xabi Alonso’s side became the first German club to go 43 games unbeaten. Alonso’s team also displaced perennial champions, Bayern Munich from their Olympian heights in startling fashion.

In all this, Nigeria international, Victor Boniface has been key to coach Alonso’s plans. Despite the disruptive injury spells that have sometimes put him on the sidelines, the Nigerian forward has scored 18 goals and provided 11 assists in 25 games across all competitions.

Boniface who scored the opener before registering an assist in the same game has been a revelation in his debut season in Germany and has now celebrated Leverkusen’s remarkable triumph by getting himself custom-made Diamond chains.

As part of the celebrations that have followed the historic feat in Germany, the 23-year-old Super Eagles striker recruited the services of prominent jeweller, Buchi Obasi, the man behind Osimhen’s championship ring and chains after he led Napoli to the Scudetto last season. One of the large pendants features an encrusted Diamond inscription that reads “Dreams Are For Real” with a throwback picture of his late mother and his siblings.

The other one was created solely as tribute to his late mother, also featuring an encrusted Diamond inscription that reads “Keep Resting Mama.”

The value of both pieces have been estimated to be in the region of ¦ 10,000,000,

After his mother passed away last year, Boniface previously revealed that he grew up with his grand-parents and sometime last year, flew out his grandma to watch him play in the Bundesliga.

Still in celebratory mood, Boniface took a walk down memory lane, as he shared a photo from his early days playing football. In the post which he made on X, Boniface posted a picture captured from his childhood with the phrase “If you like give up”.

Boniface’s post gives fans a glimpse of his humble beginnings and how far he has come; from playing street soccer in Akure, to becoming a Bundesliga champion in his first year in Germany.

The 23-year-old’s post serves as an inspiration to others to keep pushing and not give up on their dreams.

In a brief interview granted after the title-deciding match, Boniface acknowledged his family and fans in Akure, and also hinted at a celebration saying “we go meet, we go shut down everywhere when I come”.

The Nigerian striker was also awarded with an honorary citizenship by the city of Leverkusen alongside his Bayer Leverkusen teammates, including fellow Nigerian football star Nathan Tella.

Bodø/Glimt

Victor Okoh Boniface who started with Lagos-based football academy, Real Saphphire began his journey to prominence when in 2019 he signed for a remote Norwegian side, Bodø/Glimt.

He suffered a ligament injury only two weeks after signing for Glimt, which was said to have kept him on the sidelines for the duration of the 2019 season. He was selected to the Nigeria U-20 squad to play the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, but had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. In September 2019 he nonetheless made his league debut for the club.

Union SG

In 2022, Boniface signed a four-year contract with Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. Union reached the quarter-finals of the 2022–23 Europa League. The Nigerian youngster scored six goals in the competition, including a brace against Union Berlin in the round of 16, finishing as the competition’s joint top scorer along with Marcus Rashford.

Bayer Leverkusen

In 2023, Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen snapped him up on a 5-year contract that will last until 2028. He made his Bundesliga debut on 19 August, in a 3–2 home victory over RB Leipzig. The following week, he scored his first Bundesliga goals by netting a brace at the Borussia Park in a 3–0 away derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Hard work, high productivity and discipline attracted national team coach Jose Peseiro to the young Nigerian who was painting German Bundesliga red with goals. Boniface made his debut for the Nigeria senior team on 10 September 2023, coming on in the 64th minute for Taiwo Awoniyi. He provided an assist in that match to Samuel Chukwueze. He was named in the Nigerian squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast. However, he was forced to withdraw from the AFCON-bound national team when he sustained a muscle injury. He was replaced by Terem Moffi.

Style of play

Boniface is known for his distinctive style of play. His playing characteristics include strengths in dribbling, finishing, and headed attempts, while his weaknesses lie in offside awareness, holding onto the ball, and defensive contribution.

He is described as a player who likes to dribble, likes to do layoffs, and likes to play long balls. These attributes contribute to his effectiveness as a forward on the field.

His background, including learning to play football in a military barracks in Nigeria, adds an interesting dimension to his journey as a footballer.

Overall, Victor Boniface’s style of play is characterized by his technical abilities, goal-scoring prowess, and unique playing preferences, making him a player to watch in the world of football.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must choose its fights sensibly. An Ijele doesn’t go about dancing at babies’ birthday parties just to be noticed. The EFCC must leave some jobs for local Police DPOs. So, it can focus on serious financial crimes. This gbegboro attitude inhibits specialisation. More importantly, the EFCC must never forget that it wrestles against principalities and powers against whom it needs the confidence of the masses. Seeking to clean cobwebs while elephants freely defecate in the room is self-deceit.

The EFCC has recently set up a task force to prevent the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira. The focus of this task force has been on preventing celebrities and, perhaps, the public from spraying the naira at social events, as the EFCC sees this as a form of irreparable damage to the currency. Although the law is in place to preserve currency notes and save reprinting costs, the EFCC has taken it to be a serious financial crime. If lawmakers had trained their focus on stopping the display of exhibitionism or money worship in order to prevent the spread of lasciviousness and reset societal values rather than mere naira abuse, the people would have been happy. However, enforcing laws against harmless cultural practices portrays law enforcement as bereft of a critical sense of priorities.

In the United States, celebrities spray money on strippers. So, spraying cash on people isn’t such a universal crime as the EFCC’s preoccupation with it suggests. In Igbo land, if a grandma dances, she has to be sprayed cash. Putting the money in her bag or pocket drains the ritual of the ceremony. If that damages the naira, then the quality of the notes needs improvement to meet significant cultural uses. Money is more than a sterile medium of exchange. We used to have pseudo-plastic notes in the past. But this new meddlesome law also forbids the throwing of coins. So, the primary motivation for the prohibition can’t even be mutilation because it’s so non-discriminating. Now, the EFCC wastes its time and scarce resources pursuing young men and women spraying their hard-earned naira on their friends and relatives while indicted criminal suspects occupy ministerial positions at the nation’s capital

An institution with limited resources ought to define its priorities soberly. While the EFCC was running around Borisky, Yahaya Bello, who likes to call his narcissistic self White Lion, was still at large. If the EFCC was thinking of the Broken Windows Theory, then it should have focused on the obscene display of wealth, not the spraying of naira, which almost all poor and decent people in Nigeria do anyway. Now, Bobrisky is in prison after pleading guilty as a first offender, but Yahaya Bello can’t be arrested.

He wasn’t arrested a couple of days ago because after the EFCC laid a siege on the house where he refuged, the policemen protecting the man at large shut out the EFCC violently. That wasn’t the peak of the absurdity. While the EFCC agents were languishing in helplessness under the angry sun, a governor stormed the cordoned area with thugs and gained easy entrance into the house. The humiliated EFCC men watched like schoolboys. Such life-sucking impotence. All these happened a stone’s throw from the seat of power. The godson shoved the EFCC aside and whisked away his godfather from the trembling hands of the timid law. Sheer movie stuff. Blockbuster gangsterism.

After the EFCC chickened away in peace, it issued a press release. In that gutless release, it couldn’t dare to be specific let alone name names. In that statement that reeked of abject impotence, it found the verve to warn the public that in future, it would deal decisively with people who employed thugs to disrupt or obstruct its operations. A governor might have immunity, but does his immunity permit him to handcuff EFCC agents or commit criminal offences while law enforcement agents watch?

His immunity doesn’t confer anything on all the aides and security agents who may choose to assist him in committing the crime before newsmen.The next day was court sitting. Yahaya bello was still at large. The EFCC said they could be forced to invite the military to assist them. What more do they want to suffer? However, that statement was a naked indictment of the police and DSS. Granted, both can’t often handle bandits, but should a chicken-hearted white lion hiding in the Government House in Lokoja require military intervention too?

The helpless EFCC has declared the man wanted, begging the public to help track the man. The public is supposed to find the man the EFCC had in its claws and let a baby governor snatch away? The public should find a man being protected by the state. The world is watching. The Attorney General could have struck while it was hot in Abuja. But he dilly-dallied. A firm pronouncement from the Chief Law Officer to the police and DSS would have drained courage from the lawless governor.

When the Attorney General woke up from slumber the next day, he preached that citizens must always submit themselves to law enforcement agents when needed. He called no names. He issued no public orders. Tepidly, he said the world would have no respect for the country if governors started to act like wild animals. Such preposterous lukewarmness. Tomorrow, we will attend an African Union meeting and expect respect. He should remind the president that foreign investors are watching the spectacle of the travesty of the rule of law.

This atrocious precedent took place under the presidency’s nose. Many thought that naked disruption of EFCC operations by other law enforcement agents had ended with Buhari. If it had been some Bobrisky rather than the revered Bobkogi who mobilised thugs to evade that arrest, the security agencies would have remembered they had breached presidential security. Rightly, but belatedly, the policemen attached to Yahaya Bello have been withdrawn, but when will they be prosecuted? After all, we are only a generator republic and not yet a plantain republic.

The EFCC must choose its fights wisely. Some bemused young people are now planning to switch to spraying dollars at social events. That could mean more naira chasing the dollar. Some laws only exist to be part of the general legal architecture. And there are others, that must attract attention and venom. The EFCC’s greatest existential problem is corrupt politicians. However, it appears the agency has an exceptionally elastic capacity to absorb humiliation from powerful politicians.

Often, the public looks away with disinterest not just because the EFCC likes to make up by chasing small fries, but after the EFCC went through the roof to arrest Rochas and charge him, the then Federal Attorney General hijacked the case from the EFCC. That gradual and steady emasculation of the EFCC by big politicians has been quickened by Ododo. He knows he will suffer no consequences. Last year, an ex-governor publicly ridiculed the EFCC chairman who had fingered him for corruption. That ex-governor is now a minister. The EFCC lingers on his filthy files.

How does the EFCC feel when it goes against relatively innocuous offenders while those who have embezzled the state into penury swagger about in the corridors of power and thump their noses at it? Bobrisky went to prison at the speed of light. Bobkogi is still at large. When he is eventually arraigned, he might appear in a lion-skinned attire. His lawyers will secure his bail despite his having shown that he is a flight risk. Then he will return to Kogi to a hero’s welcome, drums beating, and women dancing under the sun, all arranged by his godson, Ododo. Most of the policemen withdrawn from him will return with him to Kogi for the triumphant homecoming. They might even receive awards from the state. We live right in a circus. Aristotle said, “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice, he is the worst.”

The EFCC must reassess its priorities to prevent politicians from turn the eagle into a chicken, a scaveger for small things.

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) said Nigerians’ hatred for officers is affecting security in the country.

The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mogaji Olaniyan stated this while addressing newsmen during the 40th celebration ceremony of the Committee held in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He described the narrative as alarming, pointing out that the hatred remains part of the factors affecting the country’s security.

Olaniyan, who condemned the widespread hatred, said the PCRC is fostering a permanent relationship between members of the community and the police in order to end the ugly narrative.

He emphasized that this deep-seated resentment must be addressed to cultivate a healthy relationship between the people and the police, ultimately enhancing security across the nation.

Olaniyan said “We are calling that people should love the Nigeria Police, this is what they lack right from childhood we have created enmity between our children and the Nigeria Police.

“This hatred starts from our home. For instance if parents want to scold their children they will say ‘I will call the police for you. This is why our children grow up with hatred for the police and that is why we are trying to stop this narrative.”

Olaniyan, however, called for an urgent need to address what he called widespread hatred towards the officers of the Nigeria Police.

The State Chairman of the Committee, Samson Kunle Popoola stated that the security of Ogun state remains paramount to the PCRC, hence, its cordial relationship with the police.

He affirmed that Ogun state remains the most peaceful and safe state in Nigeria, calling for more cooperation between the residents and the police to keep the record intact.

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the police command in Lagos State have arrested a driver, who allegedly put four children in a car trunk and crammed 11 others on the seats.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a post he shared on his verified X handle @benHundeyin on Friday.

He said that the police arrested the driver for negligent act.

“The RRS arrested the driver for cramming 15 children into a Volkswagen Passat in Lagos.

“The vehicle was reported by concerned citizens on the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge at 8.00 p.m. on Sunday

“The police noticed that the driver, who had been contracted to transport the children to a beach, had locked four of the children in the car trunk while 11 others were crammed together,” he said.

Hundeyin said that preliminary investigations revealed that one child collapsed earlier due to similar transport conditions, but recovered after receiving medical attention.

According to him, the children have been released to their parents unhurt.

The image maker said that the suspect would be charged to court.

He said that Lagos State Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade praised Lagos residents for always promptly alerting the authorities to suspicious persons and happenings.

NAN

A Home Office case worker has been arrested on suspicion of trying to sell the United Kingdom (UK) residency to an asylum seeker living in Northern Ireland, BBC reports.

BBC News Northern Ireland can reveal the official allegedly contacted a vulnerable man and asked for £2,000 in return for approving his refugee application.

It is understood sensitive Home Office records were used as part of the attempted scam. 

The Home Office said the member of staff has been suspended.

It said it expected “the highest standards” from its staff, but it would be “inappropriate” to comment further due to the live police investigation.

Labour’s Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said they were “deeply concerning allegations” and the Conservative government had “lost control” of the asylum system.

BBC News Northern Ireland has spoken to the intended victim, who we are calling Renas to protect his identity.

He said he was contacted by a worker employed as an asylum “decision maker” in the north of England.

Renas said he received a call in early March 2024 where it was claimed “95% of people like you” have their applications refused.

The decision maker then allegedly suggested a direct payment would guarantee success.

“He said I could be sure he would refuse my application,” Renas said.

“But if I could help him, he could help me and he asked for some money. He asked for £2,000.

“He basically offered me a positive decision.”

Renas, a former journalist, said at first he thought it was “a total scam”, but it became clear to him the man on the phone did work for the Home Office.

“He had all my information. He gave me very specific details from my application.”

Renas recorded a subsequent video call he received from the decision maker, which he passed to police and which has also been seen by the BBC.

The footage appears to show an individual using a laptop which has official Home Office software containing case files.

“He targeted the most vulnerable people in society,” Renas said.

“There will be other asylum seekers who are going through the same process, or maybe there are some people who have already been scammed like this. I feel this is my responsibility to inform them.

“I was persecuted in my home country by the authorities. I was already afraid of the Home Office and other institutions here.”

Renas raised concerns with his solicitor who alerted the authorities.

In a statement Lancashire Police told BBC News Northern Ireland, “We can confirm we have arrested a man on suspicion of misconduct in public office, suspicion of money laundering, bribery, and computer misuse offences.

“Officers from Lancashire Constabulary alongside partners from the Home Office arrested the man, in his 30s, in the Ramsgreave area of Blackburn.

“An investigation remains in its early stages and enquiries are ongoing.”

It is not clear how many other individuals could have been targeted in this way, if any of those individuals handed over money, or if any cases were approved on the basis of a payment.

Renas has since been assured his refugee status is secure, and the decision to grant him UK residency was not affected by the alleged actions of the decision maker.

It was a “very confusing time” for Renas, his lawyer Sinead Marmion said

Immigration solicitor Sinead Marmion said the actions of the decision maker were “egregious”.

“My first thought was this cannot be real,” she said.

“This is an exceptionally unusual situation.”

She praised her client’s “integrity”, adding: “For him to be able to raise an issue like this took a lot of guts.

“He was initially quite frightened about what was going on, and it was difficult for us to give him any comfort because it was a very confusing time.”

Asylum claims – a legal request for sanctuary, or refugee status, in another country – can be made by anyone who comes to the UK under an international convention agreed in 1951.

In 2022 BBC Newsnight reported claims from Home Office insiders who said the system for dealing with asylum claims was blighted by “inexperienced and low-paid” staff being hired to handle applications.

‘Shocking’

“Given backlogs, and promises to clear backlogs, there has been a recruitment very quickly of people who perhaps are not vetted enough and aren’t qualified enough to actually deal with matters of such magnitude” Sinead Marmion said.

She describes Renas’ experience as “shocking but perhaps not surprising”.

Last year a senior Home Office official revealed to a committee of MPs the proportion of asylum decision makers who leave their jobs each year stood at 28%.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “We expect the highest standards from our staff to ensure asylum claims are properly considered, decisions are sound and that protection is granted to those who genuinely need it.

“The member of staff was arrested and suspended. It would be inappropriate to comment further as the matter is subject to a live police investigation.”

Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “These are deeply concerning allegations and it is right that the police are looking into this matter.

“The Conservatives have lost control of our asylum system across the board and should be working round the clock to restore integrity and public trust.”

Renas said he is “relieved” his refugee status has been confirmed by the Home Office and he can now move on with building a new life in Northern Ireland.

“I have hopes to build a career here. I have some real hopes that I can do that,” he said.

Source: BBC

THE biting economic downturn in the country has no doubt continued to take its toll on families who toil day and night to put food on the table.

Aside food, families are facing hard times meeting other needs of members of their respective households.

It is no doubt a daunting challenge in most homes to meet the educational, medical and other essential needs of the family with what comes from parents. In the harsh economic environment in which most families have found themselves, they necessarily have to devise other strategies to make ends meet.

In Benue State, Arewa Voice has found out that young boys of school-going age now resort to pushing wheel barrows in order to raise some money for feeding their families and paying for other needs.

This development has openly manifested in a situation where most markets in the state capital, Makurdi, are flooded with young boys armed with wheel barrows dutifully ferry goods for customers as if their entire lives depend on doing so. But they do that with a sense of duty and commitment all in a bid to raise money and take care of themselves and their parents.

Although it reminds people of the slave trade days and triggers a feeling of dehumanisation to see these kids who should be in school, hustling with wheels to lift goods for customers with raw grit, the little cash they take home at the end of the day’s struggle, gives them some form of fulfilment and satisfaction.

AV notes that at the Makurdi Modern Market most of the children, who fall within the ages of 10 and 14, could be seen running from one point to the other in the crowded market trying to secure the attention of buyers who need their services by moving their goods from the point of purchase to their vehicles or points of departure.

Some of the children who volunteered information on why they took to pushing wheelbarrow, said they were forced to abandon school and take to the “business” by the current economic hardship.

AV learnt that the young ‘businessmen’ lease the barrows from owners at the cost of N200 per day. They are therefore free to use the barrows and make as much money as they can on a daily basis and return them to their owners at the close of business.

Eleven-year-old Ben (surname withheld) told AV that he is a primary four pupil of RCM Primary School Tyoshia Naka Road, in the outskirts of Makurdi town and only pushes barrow to make some money on holidays and weekends so as to concentrate on his school.

Ben said: “Sometimes I also come to do the business after school hours, especially on days when my mother cannot afford to give us food.

“But I do this because my mother who also buys and sells yams in small quantity encourages me to do it because of the money I make to support her.

”On the average I make N1,500 daily and I hire the wheelbarrow for N200 per day. But on school days, if I want to work, the barrow owner gives it out at N100 for half day.

”Most of those who are doing this business like me in the market, hire the wheel barrows in the morning from a man who owns many of them and at the close of the market at about 6pm we make enough to support our parents.

”But in my own case, I push to enable my mother pay all that needs to be paid in my school and for my other three siblings because I am their senior. And I also support the house because my father is in the village and he does nothing for us.”

Another minor, 14-year-old Sonter, who is a JSS 2 student of a popular government secondary in Makurdi, said he does the barrow pushing with the consent of his parents.

”I have been pushing barrow for over one year now since things became so difficult for my parents who find it hard to take care of us. In our house I have three brothers and two sisters. Two of my other brothers are also pushing wheelbarrow like me to assist our parents because things are too difficult.

“Sometime I make N1,700 depending on how hard I hustle. The least we charge customers is N100 for every haulage depending on the size of what we are carrying. But there is no day I don’t go back home with N1,600 after paying N200 for hiring the barrow from the owner.

“If we do not do this ‘business’ our parents might not be able to provide enough for us to eat and also take care of our other needs, including school fees.

“My father is a civil servant and my mother sells tomato and pepper at the Wadata Market. Before now, we were not doing this business but sometime last year my younger brothers and I told our parents that we wanted to go into the business and they gave us the go ahead. And since then we have been supporting our family from what we get daily,” he added.

Speaking on the trend, a trader at the Modern Market, Mr. Joseph Iyaweni, who decried the situation where under-aged children are made to labour to earn a living to support the family, however, blamed it on the present economic situation in the country.

He informed that in the past, those who engage in wheelbarrow pushing in the markets were matured men, “but suddenly we discovered that under-aged children have taken over the business and here in Modern Market like in most markets in town they have taken over.

“Parents push them into the market to hire wheelbarrows and hustle for those buying goods in order to help them push the goods to where they parked their vehicles or to the bus-stops.

“They carry the goods according to their sizes. The very small ones among them who are less than 12 years carry less weighty goods while the bigger ones among them carry heavier items.

“It is unfortunate that these children are engaged in this kind of activity at this time of their lives but their parents must be helpless in the present circumstance in the country to have the courage to send their children out to the market when they know that they can end up mixing with the wrong persons and indulge in social vices.

“You will find them in almost all the markets in Makurdi. Go to Wurukum, Wadata, North Bank, High Level markets; they are everywhere. There is nothing anybody can do about it. It is wrong but it is a creation of the harsh economic situation in the country.”

At the end of AFCON 2023 in February, Jose Paseiro, the Portuguese Manager that took the Super Eagles to Cote D’Ivoire became history. His contract was not renewed by the Nigeria Football Federation despite getting to the final of the championship and putting up a credible performance through most of the championship. The majority of Nigerian football fans insist that he is not good enough for Nigeria’s ambitions into the future.

Since then, some 6 weeks later, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, have been unable to announce a new gaffer for the senior national team. There appears to be a ‘go slow’ at the bottleneck of selecting the right manager for what would be a new national team.

Two friendly matches were played under a temporary arrangement with the Nigerian assistant coach to Paseiro, Finidi George, in charge. The team won the first friendly against Ghana, but lost the second. The loss to Mali may have sealed Finidi’s fate as the new coach. Despite the team’s unpreparedness for the insignificant friendly match, Finidi working alone on the bench without any other member of the technical crew, and several players not available or reluctant to play, those that don’t like the face of a Nigerian as head, have been unrelenting in condemning Finidi’s seemingly poor technical performance in that match.

Since then, with 6/7 weeks to the next very important World Cup qualifying match to play, the debates and controversy have dominated the media space over who should lead the team. Should it be another foreigner, or a Nigerian for a change? There have been 200 million opinions. Every Nigerian has become an expert. In the midst of these discordant voices, the NFF must make an announcement soon.

One thing is clear, except amongst some academic hard-line critics of Nigerian coaches, there appears to be little appetite for another half-baked foreign coach in Nigeria. The rackets attached to the hiring of foreign coaches may not find accommodation in a beleaguered government trying to reduce corruption in the system. The NFF does not have the funds, and the federal government will not accommodate the humongous fees of foreign coaches in the present dispensation.

So, it will be a Nigerian as next manager of the Super Eagles.

Why has the NFF not identified the most suitable amongst those that have indicated an interest, or that the body has identified and appointed a new national coach?

There is a lot of politicking ongoing. Nigerian coaches appear not to tick all the boxes of requirements, not eliciting the confidence of several officials of the NFF with vested interest in particular aspirants.

As things stand, however, a decision has to be taken now.

Most fingers point in the direction of a former international player.

He appears to be the preferred choice of most Nigerians in the media, particularly the social media.

I will not be surprised if Emmanuel Amuneke gets the final nod to lead the team. It will become a huge task to dispel the serious reservations about his choice by those familiar with his antecedents when he was in one of the junior teams.

PARIS 2024 Olympics – My Olympics story!

I have just made up my mind to attend the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

It will be my first time at the Olympics and not as an athlete.

In 1976, at the Montreal Olympics in Canada, I attended as an athlete but did not participate. Along with the rest of the world, I tasted the incursion of politics into sport and the first deployment of sports diplomacy in international affairs. the names of all the athletes from 30 countries that were involved in the boycott of the games were not recorded in the International Directory of Olympians at the International Olympic Committee, IOC.

In 1980, without officially qualifying for the Moscow Games, but benefitting from the crisis that followed Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan, leading to the boycott by several Western countries led by the USA, the Green Eagles were invited to the Moscow Olympics. I led the Nigerian national football team and doubled as co-captain (with Ahmeed Adio) of the overall contingent to become a registered member of the exclusive club of Olympians.

I would have attended the 1996 Games in Atlanta, USA, as manager of Chioma Ajunwa and Charity Opara. Unfortunately, when I applied for a visa to the Games from my base in the UK at the time, the interview date given at the American embassy was weeks after the Games would have ended. That’s how I sat at home in London, and missed the opportunity of attending the Olympics as a manager of athletes. My two wards won a Gold and a Silver medal.

At the 2010 Games in London. I was at ‘home’. I watched the Games as a tourist, attending a few events LIVE from the stands, but most from the giant screens at the Nigerian village set up for the huge Nigerian population in the UK.

During the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, I became inventive. I did the seemingly impossible. I became an invisible ‘fly on the wall’ reporting from Nigeria everything about the Nigerian contingent at the games with the deployment of technology and the collaboration of athletes and officials at the games.

Now, Paris 2024 Games are here.

I have a strong feeling Nigeria will come away with several medals. The feeling is strong. There are some obvious athletes in the winning zone already.

Having said that, the spirit of the Olympics is more in participating than in winning. That’s why as many athletes as have achieved the qualifying times and distances should be given the opportunity to experience the Olympics. I hope Nigeria will take all the athletes that attain the qualifying standards to Paris 2024.

Winning’ is not only about coming ‘first’.

From AFCON 2023, Nigeria gave a new and interesting definition to ‘winning’.

The country’s national team, the Super Eagles, for 4 weeks, provided the glue that united the country at a time when the country was going through difficult times in perennial economic, political and social challenges. As the Super Eagles, a team that was not given a chance to win by fanatical Nigerian football fans on the even of the championship, started to play well and to win matches in dramatic fashion, the spirit of nationalism took over the country. Temporarily, for a few weeks, Nigerians set aside their hardship, divisions and differences, and focused attention on the feel-good success of the Eagles on the football field. Even President Bola Tinubu became a part of the championship, following the Super Eagles on television all the way to the final match. With hopes sky-high, the entire country rallied around the team and supported their bid to win the most prestigious sports trophy in Africa, only for the hopes to be dashed at the last hurdle.

Despite the disappointment of that defeat, the country demonstrated uncommon appreciation of what the team had done for the psyche of the citizens during the period, a reminder of positive possibilities beyond AFCON, by spreading out the Red Carpet to welcome back the football heroes, compensating the team that came second with rewards unheard of in sports history. It was a beautiful confirmation of that Olympic truism that to be a ‘winner’ you do not have to come ‘first’.

God willing, I shall be at the Paris 2024 Olympics to report Nigeria’s success, first hand!

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya has reached a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon when he reached the 57-hour mark, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes.

Onakoya currently aims to reach the 58-hour target.

The previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, was held by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

According to The Gift of Chess on X who posted at 12:34 am on Saturday, “56 Hours Straight. The Record Is SET TO BREAK.”

Recall Vanguard reported how Multiple award-winning Afrobeat singer, Davido and other Nigerian celebrities had turned up to cheer Onakoya while he attempted to set this record.

Details later …