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Wike vs Kingibe: Atiku Ex-Spokesman, Bwala Tells Sen. To go Back To APC

July 2, 2024

Daniel Bwala, a former spokesman for the 2023 PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has urged Senator Ireti Kingibe to go back to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Kingibe, a Labour Party, LP senator is currently representing the FCT in the Nigerian Senate.

Bwala gave this advice on Tuesday on his verified X handle, saying that it will be easy for Senator Kingibe to return to the National Assembly un-opposed in 2027.

The former Atiku spokesman remark comes on the heels of the face-off between Kingibe and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal capital Territory, FCT, who has vowed to ensure that the senator’s plan to return to the Senate in 2027 is thwarted.

“My dear sister @IretiKingibe here is a free of charge advise to you; go back to @OfficialAPCNg where you have always belonged. You will be the official leader and governor of the party in FCT, Wike will have no excuse not working with you; you will get all the support you need to impact your constituency and most likely you will be returned unopposed by 2027,” Bwala said.

He urged Kingibe further: “Leave Labour Party immediately because by 2026 the party will be empty; even @PeterObi might likely leave the party and go back to second fiddle position. When that happens you will find yourself in @OfficialPDPNigwhere your ticket will be retired to Aduda. APC will retain Presidential power at least till 2031. A stitch in time saves nine ”

Recall that the senator has complained repeatedly that she has been sidelined by the minister, a former governor of Rivers state, in the affairs of the FCT.

Last week, Senator Kingibe took the feud further by accusing the minister of being isolated from the residents of the Territory, stating that some projects executed by Wike were not in line with the needs of the people of FCT.

Wike, according to those familiar with development in FCT, has turned around the infrastructure landscape of the city since he was appointed as Minister last year by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She said, “The minister may be a great minister in a ministry that has no people. But the unique situation of the FCT minister is that apart from infrastructure and roads, he also has to take into consideration the needs of the people in that community. That is the difference between him and the minister of works, or any other ministry.

“The minister of FCT is almost acting as governor for the president. Just like people took me on when those roads were commissioned. They said, ‘Madam, you people are celebrating roads in Maitama, and the Central District, the bulk of people do not live there. Show me the project where people live.’

“That is the difference, it is just like a Governor telling you he built some roads, so he doesn’t care what the needs of people are.

“They (FCT people) have needs. The people are not impressed. At the end of the day, they don’t have water, that fire that happened in Karu could have been prevented if there was water. Any fire tank needed to go all the way to Asokoro to get water, not to mention the fact that there was no access road into the market.”

The minister fired back by vowing to ensure that Kingibe is not returned as a senator in 2027.

Below what the minister said:

I overheard somebody on Arise TV this morning. Unfortunately, I hear the person is a member of the National Assembly and it is unfortunate I say so. With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, what you know you know, and the good thing for you is to tell people you don’t when you don’t know, then people will educate you.

The Honourable Minister of state and my humble self-have not been in office for more than 11 months and the person is angry that they are praising us. If you don’t want or you are angry about that, go and hang yourself on a transformer. If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time that Mr. President has appointed us, we have done well.

You said there are no hospital and there are no hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sector?

I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, 2027 come and run under Abuja, we will fail you. Do you think that what happened last time, will happen again? It will not happen again. Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. So that is my territory and I’m not afraid.

So, People should be able to come out and be able to accept the truth. We are not begging for anybody to become our friend; we have so many friends that we cannot even carry along. So how can we go and be begging people to become our friends. We are not interested in that.

If you are angry that people are praising us, by next year your BP level will go very high because the praises you would see would be too much”.

Not a few insist that the major reason President Tinubu appointed Wike as FCT Minister, is to ensure that APC secures the necessary votes in the 2027 elections.

CBN: Opay, Other Fintechs Must Obey Global Best Practices-Cardoso

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 2, 2024

Yemi Cardoso, Nigeria’s Central Bank governor has highlighted the need for Non-Bank Financial Institutions such as Fintechs to follow “global best practices in their operations.

The CBN boss made the remark on Monday at the opening of the 10th meeting of the College of Supervisors for Non-Bank Financial Institutions, CSNBFI, of WAMZ in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Some fintechs firms operating in Nigeria include, Kuda, Piggy Vest, Habari, Flutterwave, Paga, Palmpay, Opay, and Paystack, amongst others.

Represented by CBN acting Director, Other Financial Institutions Department, OFID, Abayomi Orogundade, Cardoso said regulatory authorities must ensure that fintechs regulations are in line with global standards.

Cardoso who said NBFIs of the West African Monetary Zone WAMZ present a unique opportunity to quicken regional integration and shared economic prosperity, added they have become so important to the economy in terms of the services that they provide, that their role cannot be over-emphasized.

He however stated that the volume of transactions carried out by the NBFIs posed major financial system stability threats, in spite of this, Cardoso said NBFIs have crucial roles to play in ensuring both financial stability and the specialised financial intermediation they were licensed to play.

Appluading the milestones recorded by NBFIs so far, the CBN governor said: “We must continue to push forward the agenda of strengthening the anti-money laundering practices; deepening supervisory capacity on cybersecurity and fintech regulation; and the implementation of risk based supervisory approach.

Apart from online loans made available to customers, Cardoso stated that fintech firms that “offer applications, software, and other technologies to streamline mobile and online banking.”

“We reiterate the importance of monitoring trends, risks and innovations of NBFIs/OFIs, as their increasing transaction volumes pose major financial system stability risk.

“Fintech loans are one of the most commonly reported innovations. While overall this may appear small in relation to the size of credit by DMBs, some jurisdictions, globally, have noted a growing trend in the volume of these loans.”

“In many cases, fintech credit is provided via electronic platforms that connect lenders to borrowers – in which case the platform takes the role of a financial auxiliary.

“In some cases, however, loans are taken on the balance sheet of these platforms (even if it is short-term), in which case the platforms are akin to new types of financial intermediaries.

“These entities are typically fintech firms that offer applications, software, and other technologies to streamline mobile and online banking,” the CBN governor stated.

“We Will Run You Out Of Business”, CGC Adeniyi Vows As Onne Port Customs Intercept Arms, Ammunition, Worth N18 Billion

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 2, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Arms, ammunitions, contraband, used clothes and Drugs worth about N18 billion have been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service NCS at the Onne Port, Rivers state.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the arms and ammunition.

This is even as the Licenses and permits of warehouses and terminals involved in the arms procurement have been suspended, while officers found complicit will face severe sanctions, according to the Comptroller General, CGC, of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

In a release issued on Monday, July 1, 2024, by the NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, the Service, acting on credible intelligence on June 21,while inspecting a suspicious 1×40 foot container from Turkey ,found it to contain 844 riffles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition .

The items were said to have been concealed among doors, furniture ,plumbing fittings and leather bags ,with a total duty-paid value of N4,171,710,000,00.

The CGC who made the disclosure during an interaction with the Media in Onne, noted that the interception underscores the commitment of the NCS to the protection of National Security and public safety.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure. A thorough investigation is said to be underway to ensure that all involved are made to face the full weight of the law.

According to the statement, “On June 29, 2024, Customs operatives, also intercepted eight 40-foot containers destined for a bonded warehouse containing 1,050,000 bottles of CSC cough syrup with codeine ,3 ,500,000 tablets of Tradol Benzhexol and 720 bales of used clothes with the duty-paid value of N13,915 ,710,000,00.

“These seizures result from our robust Risk Management System and collaboration with intelligence community, both locally and internationally.

“The container bearing the arms and ammunition will be handed over to the National Centre for the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for further investigation and prosecution.

“Licenses and permits of Warehouses and Terminals involved have been suspended ,and officers found complicit will face severe sanctions.

The seizure serves as a strong warning to others contemplating similar misadventures. We will run you out of business, the NCS continues to demonstrate its dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring the security of its citizens” CGC Adeniyi noted.

The NCS Comptroller General commended ,the efforts of the Onne port Command Comptroller, Mohammed Babandede and his team for their display of professionalism.

Amidst Public Distrust In Southeast, NAFDAC Seals 100 Shops, Arrests Fake Products’ Merchants In Ogbete Market Enugu

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 1, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than 100 shops, were on Monday, July 1 2024 ,sealed and about four persons arrested at the famous Ogbete Market Enugu by operatives of the National Agency for Food ,Drugs Administration and Control NAFDAC in connection with the production, and sale of adulterated products.

The regulatory agency which has since Friday, June 28, been executing a raid on the market, said the effort is in line with a wider operational strategy to rid the country’s markets of fake and unwholesome products.

The sealed shops were those whose owners were identified as dealing on adulterated alcoholic beverages, and other essential items.

Martin Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director, Southeast Zone, who led the raid on the market noted that the operation is in pursuance of the agency’s mandate to protect the health of Nigerians.

Addressing the Media after the operation on Monday, Iluyomade also insisted that the move is aimed at purging Southeast of substandard ,fake and unwholesome products.

“We stormed the popular Ogbete Main Market Enugu, since Friday, and have shut down 100 shops which have been identified as selling fake alcoholic beverages.

“Arrests were made and the suspects are currently in custody.

“These fake wine and alcoholic beverages are being sold to unsuspecting customers and the general public . But we are determined to rid the market of these unwholesome products.”

The Southeast NAFDAC Director said the arrested suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

But not a few observers of the NAFDAC activities in the Southeast region as it concerns the raids and arrests of suspected dealers on counterfeit items are ready to be persuaded by the promise to prosecute the apprehended Ogbete suspects .

For one, similar raids and subsequent arrests at other markets in the past particularly, in Aba ,had all ended as a mere jamborees and attempts at currying Media attention.

The arrested suspects were all released almost immediately the operations ended, with no one so far recorded as being prosecuted ,and or convicted .

Only last December, NAFDAC Southeast Zone, under the same Director had led a celebrated raid on the Eziukwu Road market Aba.

Over 200 shops were sealed and about 30 identified kingpins of productions and sales of adulterated drinks and other essential items arrested.

But curiously, within 24 hours they made a triumphant return to their shops, even more emboldened.

They have since not only returned to business as usual. but also have been threatening and harassing the leadership of the market ,which they are accusing of orchestrating the NAFDAC raid.

As part of their efforts to get the uncompromising leadership of the market out of the way, the merchants of fake products recently petitioned the Abia State Government ,alleging mismanagement of funds by the Eziukwu road Market leadership .

The Source authoritatively gathered that a panel set up by the Government to investigate the allegations visited the market last Friday to hear from the market leadership.

While on one hand battling to get rid of the Chief Aphonsus Udeigbo led market leadership for standing on their way to unfettered productions and sales of adulterated items, they have also been bragging about their alleged “unwritten pact” with the leadership of the Southeast Zone of NAFDAC.

INEC Holds Induction Retreat For RECs In Lagos, Reiterates Commitment To Free, Fair, Credible Electoral Processes

Akinwale Kasali

July 1, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, prepares for the forthcoming Ondo and Edo State Election, the Commission has inducted 10 New Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, alongside others.

The Commission said the induction was necessary in engaging its service providers and also interface in its continous efforts to improve organisational capacity for better services delivery.

The retreat which held at Marriot Hotel in Lagos had in attendance RECs from all over the country and 10 newly inducted RECs and other members of staff of the commission.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in his remarks said it is the 5th retreat organised by the commission in the last two years, and the retreat was organized to induct 10 new RECS. Nine of theREC’s were sworn-in on 12th December 2023 and the remaining one on the 30th January 2024.

Prof. Mahmood said, “Today’s retreat is holding against the background of forthcoming governorship elections in Edo State in the next 81 days and Ondo State in the 137 days.

“In addition, there are five pending bye-elections for Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State and four State constituencies: Khana II of Rivers State, Bagwai/Shanono of Kano State, Zaria Kewaye of Kaduna State and Ganye of Adamawa State.

“These outstanding bye-elections bring the total of such elections to 14 since the inauguration of the National and State Assemblies in June last year”.

Yakubu encouraged the new RECs to focus on how they can acquaint themselves more with the processes and procedures of the Commission and for the veterans, they should leverage on the privileged field experience to contribute on how to mitigate recurring challenges in the areas of pre-election and post-election litigations, operational issues especially in the area of logistics, improvement on voter education processes, issues of strategic communication and combating fake news, misinformation and disinformation as well as inclusivity in the electoral process, voter registration, allotting voters to polling units, the role of technology from pre-election activities to Election Day processes, political party issues mainly arising from leadership crisis and the management of party primaries.

He added that the recruitment and training of election duty officials, election security and INECs code of conduct should be strictly adhered to.

Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, who is the Host REC, in his remarks, said the electoral activities, especially in Nigeria are very big task and the job of the RECs is to oversee and advise the commission’s activities in the state in accordance with the commission’s guideline and electoral act and therefore urge his colleagues to take the retreat seriously so that at the end they will deliver transparent and acceptable electoral process.

Uzodimma Hands Over Digital Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Tollgate To FAAN

The Source

July 1, 2024

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has handed over an electronically-powered tollgate at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri to the authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He did so on Monday where he said that the facility will enable the FAAN operatives provide quality service to Imo people who patronise the airport in particular, and their Nigerians counterparts, in general.

Preforming the brief, but important ceremony, the Governor said that “the facility was provided by the State Government to, not only beautify the airport and it’s ambience, but to enable traffic management into and out of the airport, and also as an encouragement to FAAN to be able to provide quality service to the people.”

He acknowledged that the road to the airport had earlier been commissioned by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in his last visit to Imo State when the digital facility was in the works.

“Now, I found it expedient to hand it over to FAAN on behalf of the President when the facility was ready for use,” Governor Uzodimma said.

The Governor thereafter inspected the facility to ascertain its optional functionality.

Earlier, the airport manager, Mrs Nkechi Ihekwuaba had welcomed the Governor and his entourage for finding time to formally hand over the facility to the agency.

She used the opportunity to thank Governor Uzodimma for “providing the beautiful structure that beautifies the airport,” and humbly requested him to “approve that FAAN goes ahead to start the use of the tollgate.”

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie and some members of the State’s expanded Executive Council joined the Governor in handing over the tollgate to FAAN officials.

Rivers: Local Council Elections Hold October 5, Amidst Fear Of Boycott By APC

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 1, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

All things being equal, elections to fill in the leaderships vacuum created in the 23 Local Councils of Rivers State by the expiry, on Monday June 17, 2024, of the three year tenure of pro-Wike Executives will be conducted October 5, 2024.

The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Adolphus Enebeli, disclosed this on Monday, July 1, in Port Harcourt during a stakeholders meeting.

He also unveiled guidelines and time table for the crucial Council polls.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various political parties, security agencies and other major stakeholders in the State. However, pro-Wike forces and the APC hierarchy were conspicuously absent.

Governor Sim Fubara had on Tuesday, June 19, appointed Caretaker Leadership for the Local Councils. But, police occupation of the Local Council Administrative Headquarters has forced the Interim Leaders to be operating from hotels, and other unofficial quarters.

An attempt by the erstwhile Council Executives to elongate their tenures were stoutly resisted by the state Government and some anti-Nyesom Wike forces who insisted that the Chairmen vacate their offices .

They were however, emboldened by an Appeal Court sitting in PortHarcourt, the state Capital.

Justice Jimi Olukayode, leading two other Justices of the Appeallet Court had, on Friday, June 14, refused to reverse an earlier Rivers State High Court order, nullifying the extension of tenure granted to the former Council Chairmen by the Speaker Martins Amaewfule led 27 members of State House of Assembly.

The 27 lawmakers who are pro-Wike, also, battled unsuccessfully to upturn an order declaring their seats vacant by Justice Dagogo- Jack of the Rivers state High Court ,on account of their defections from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC .

The Appeal Court which ruled to maintain status quo is, however, billed to deliver its final verdict on the suit filed by the embattled 27 Pro- Wike lawmakers challenging the legality of the Rivers state High Court ruling.

25 Dead, 53 Seriously Injured In Another Kano Road Mishap

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 1, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Tragedy again struck in Kano, early Monday morning no thanks to a tragic vehicle accident. 25 persons were confirmed dead, and 53 seriously injured in yet another road mishap in less than three days.

The Source reports that 14 worshipers and several others lost their lives on Friday June 29 2024, in Imawa area of Kura Local Council of the State while returning from the Juma’at prayers.

They were crushed by a Kano bound truck whose driver, allegedly, lost control, veered off and rammed into the Muslim faithful making the trip back from the Mosque.

Kano sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, FRSC, Ibrahim Abdullahi ,in a statement ,said the 25 victims ,were part of occupants of a truck headed for the Southern part of the the country from Maiduguri which sadly collided with an upcoming vehicle at the Dangwaro International market near Kano metropolis and subsequently somersaulted.

The truck was also said to be carrying animals (goats and rams) along side passengers.

“We received a call at about 03:15 am on July 1,2024. On receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our personnel and vehicles to the scene of the accident to rescue the victims at 03:30 am.

“All the victims were immediately conveyed to the Murtala Mohammed Hospital Kano for urgent medical attention.

:The Doctors on duty confirmed 25 dead out of the victims.” the Sector Commander stated .

He blamed the road tragic road mishap on excessive speed and reckless driving, as well as overloading.

The remaining 53 injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital ,according to Abdullahi.

All recovered items from the accident scene including six motorcycles ,ten mobile phone sets, animals (goats and rams) and N400,000 cash ,according to the Commander have been deposited with the police.

VDM’s Police Problems

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 1, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Police Force, NPF, has released Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VDM, few hours after he was invited for interrogation.

The development is contrary to reports that the controversial social media influential is still being held by the police.

His release was announced by the spokesperson for Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, SP, on Sunday.

Adeh said the clarification was necessary following allegation by Deji Adeyanju, counsel to Otse that the FCT Police Commissioner ordered the arrest and detention of Otse, for allegedly exposing an alleged dupe.

The command, however, stated that Otse was arrested for interrogation following allegation of cyberbullying and defamation of character made against him.

According to the Police, “Contrary to the news making the rounds about the alleged arrest of Martins Vincent Otse popularly known as Verydarkman or VDM by the police, the FCT police command wishes to clarify that Verydarkman was not arrested by the police but was only invited for questioning on the allegations of cyberstalking, cyberbullying and defamation of character.

“He has since been released after voluntarily giving his statement on the allegations.”

VDM has lately been enmeshed in controversy for dragged some top socialites, including actress Iyabo Ojo, Obinna Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana and female influencer, Ashmusy.

It’s however unclear which of the cases landed him in trouble this time with the police, who at the weekend interrogated him.

Recall that VDM accused Ashmusy of collecting N1 million for an advert job she did not deliver.

He also took a swipe at Ojo for hyping her invitation to the recent wedding of music star David Adeleke, aka Davido, saying the actress was not an important invitee at the ceremony attended by the big and might in the country, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu amongst others.

On his part, Cubana was dragged on the social media by VDM after the businessman made a post criticising him for attacking Ojo.

Cubana had urged top blogs owners in the country not to provide their platforms for VDM to malign celebrities.

His remark sparked reaction from VDM who lambasted him and made it clear that he would rather die and lose his legs than apologise to Obi Cubana, after some Nigerians told him to apologise.

VDM, a popular social media critic, has been famous for using his social media platforms to attack top celebrities and socialites in the country.

His last jab against Nollywood actress Tonto Dike landed him in trouble with the police who detained him for months until his release on June 13, 2024.

TCN Denies Knowledge Of Power Outage In Ondo, Ekiti

Ayodele Oni

July 1, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has clarified that the proposed two-month power outage in Ondo and Ekiti states did not emanate from the management.

Ndidi Mbah, the TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, made the statement on Monday in response to reports of an outage for maintenance on the Osogbo/Akure-Ado-Ekiti 132 kilovolt line.

Ekiti State Government in reaction to the proposed power outage

stated that “No direct notification/communication was made to the Ekiti State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) on this matter, nor was approval sought and obtained from the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EKSERB), saddled by law with the full authority to regulate the electricity industry in Ekiti State.”

TCN statement added that “Previously, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) had announced a two-month outage in Ondo and Ekiti states from July 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024.

“However, TCN clarified that no such request for an outage has been received.

“A publication by the BEDC regarding a proposed outage on the Osogbo-Akure-Ado-Ekiti 132kV line to install OPGW commencing on 1st July 2024 has been brought to the notice of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN.

“TCN Management hereby informs the general public that no such outage request has been approved.”

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