Spräying Naira: Nigerians Läment EFCC’s Doublë Ständard As Agency Offërs 5 Percent To Whistlëblower

By

-

June 4, 2024

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has promised Nigerians five percent if they report anybody spraying the naira.

The agency’s spokesman Dele Oyewale made this known when he appeared on a radio programme on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He explained that the commission is poised more than ever to enforce the law and protect the economy from the negative impacts of naira abuse.

The commission recently secured the conviction of cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Brobrisky for spraying the currency at a social event.

The socialite was convicted by the court which sentenced him to six months in prison for committing the crime.

According to the Oyewolem who stated that rejecting the naira as a medium of exchange is a crime, the EFCC has secured 50 convictions of those who misuse or abuse the currency across the country.

He said: “There’s a reward if you report anyone spraying the Naira. That is whistleblowing. The whistleblowing act offers 5% reward of whatever amount that is involved to whoever offers credible information that can stand the rigour of prosecution and not derived from malice and mischief.

“It is a crime to reject the naira. If there’s nothing wrong with the naira, maybe it’s dirty and not mint, and you reject it; it is a crime.

“The naira is the symbol of our economy. We are a sovereign nation, with our own territorial integrity, so, whatever is within the ambit of our economy and every transaction in Nigeria must be done in naira.”

Not a few Nigerians have, however, described the EFCC war against naira abuse as selective. According to those who hold this view, the commission has failed to arrest and prosecute the high and mighty in the country who spray naira indiscriminately at social events, because of their social status.

For instance, a traditional ruler in Ogun state, Olu of Owode, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo who had been widely criticized by not a few Nigerians for abusing the naira while spraying popular fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1 at a party, has yet to be arrested by the EFCC, some contend.

The video of the event went viral in February this year, but Nigerians have not stopped lambasting Oba Somemimo for bringing the traditional institution into disrepute.

Oba Sowemimo has since been suspended by the state government.

Härdship: Adeboye Urges Nigerians To Cäll On God For Help

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

June 4, 2024

0

Respected Man of God, Enoch Adejare Adeboye has urged Nigerians to call on God for help due to the current economic hardship in the country.

The MOG made the remark during a Sunday sermon at the headquarters of the church to mark the monthly thanksgiving.

According to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, things are seriously hard for many Nigerians, who he said should called on the Almighty for help.

Adeboye said, “If you need provision, if things are hard and I know things are hard for quite a few of us, call on the one whose name is Jehovah El-Shaddai, the God who is more than enough.

“Call on Him – the one who is more than enough and He will meet your needs…He has many ways, depending on what is your need.

“When all ways are blocked, call on Him who is called the way when you don’t even know what’s going on.”

Recall that ‘Daddy GO’ as he’s fondly called by the members of his church once predicted that the economic situation in the country would get worse before it gets better.

He made the prediction during the Church’s cross-over night on December 31 at the Redemption Camp in Ogun state.

He said, “For Nigeria, the wind is already blowing. The wind is blowing.

“Everything God is saying is centred around that little sentence. The wind is blowing, include in your prayers that the wind will blow you well.

“Things will get worse before they get better. Things will get a little hotter before it gets better.”

Abuja Highway Named After Soyinka Who Told Tinubu Not To Rün For President

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

June 4, 2024

0

President Bola Tinubu has named the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Abuja after Prof. Wole Soyinka, renown poet and Nobel Laureate.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu made this known on his X handle on Tuesday, stating that Tinubu’s action was meant to honour the literacy icon.

In the post titled: “Tinubu names Abuja Highway after Wole Soyinka”, the president’s spokesman said Soyinka who recently celebrated his 90^th birthday has brough honour to the country.

Onanuga wrote: “President Tinubu has named the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) as Professor Wole Soyinka Highway as recommended by the FCT administration.

“In naming the road after the distinguished playwright, poet and novelist who clocks 90 on 13 July, President Tinubu said Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize. He said Soyinka has brought honour and fame to Nigeria.”

Recall that Soyinka once stated that Tinubu completely ignored his advice not to contest Nigeria’s presidency.

Soyinka:“We met last five years ago, and it was an embarrassing visit because I went to tell him not to run for office.

“I told him and Atiku to leave the stage for young people. I call him “olori kunkun” (strong-willed). He ignored my advice completely.

”I came to see him to find out how he is doing after neglecting my advice. I wanted to see how he and his wife are faring. I also came to wish them a merry Christmas.

”You know we are old friends. And it was as a friend that I told him ‘don’t run.”

Police To Use Drone In Tackling Insecurity – IGP Egbetokun

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 4, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the Nigeria Police Force will soon establish a full drone system to tackle the nation’s security challenges adequately.

Egbetokun said this while delivering the first distinguished Personality Lecture, organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies (TCEMS), University of Ibadan (UI), in Ibadan.

The lecture was titled: “The Nigeria Police Force and the Management of Internal Security”.

Egbetokun said, “Although the force already had a drone, it would now establish a full drone system to capture everywhere in Nigeria from its headquarters in Abuja.”

He added that the drone system would also help the police see criminals whenever they are committing crimes.

“The ungoverned spaces will soon become governed,” he assured.

He further said the force would establish a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in all the states of the federation to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.

The police boss explained that the deployment of the SIS in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has yielded results leading to the arrest of many kidnappers and bandits, including the recovery of weapons.

The units, he said, has successfully conducted numerous rescue operations leading to the safe return of kidnapped victims and the arrest of perpetrators.

Egbetokun highlighted the shortage of manpower, inadequate equipment, public distrust and insufficient budgetary provisions as some of the challenges facing the force.

He, however, pledged the force’s commitment to the protection of lives and property of citizens.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commended the IG for his visionary leadership in managing the nation’s security challenges.

PSC Releases Names Of New Police Recruíts

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 4, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

Additional 10,000 recruits are expected to be added to the Nigeria Police Force to boost its manpower.

This follows the Police Service Commission (PSC) approval and release of the list containing names of successful applicants for recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Commission had on Tuesday received the report of the Police Recruitment Board.

A total number of 9,000 applicants were approved for recruitment for general duty while 1,000 applicants were recruited for the Specialists cadre.

PSC explained that to ensure fairness and justice in the recruitment process, the Commission worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission.

According to a statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.

Ani pointed out that the Commission had earlier inaugurated a recruitment Board, a broad-based stakeholders body populated by representatives from the Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Police Affairs, Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges and the Police Trust Fund to Superintendent over the recruitment process and report back to the Commission.

He said interested Nigerian youths were invited to apply online for consideration for the subsequent stages of the exercise through paid advertisements in several national media.

Interested applicants were given six weeks to conclude the online applications, 15th October to 26th November 2023, in line with the Federal Character requirements.

A total of 609,886 applications, Ani said were received while 416,323 applicants who met the advertised requirements were shortlisted for the second stage of the exercise which was physical and document screening.

“This stage held in the 36 states of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory between Monday, 8th to Monday 29th January 2024.

“The Commission, after the physical and credentials screening, shortlisted 171,956 applicants who met the requirements for the Computer Based Tests (CBT).

“The test was conducted by the Joint Admission and Martriculation Board, JAMB an organisation renowned for its expertise in Computer based tests.

“A total of 15,447 general duty applicants who did well in the CBT were further invited for CBT medical screening to determine their health status.

“The 55,645 Specialists who were shortlisted from the Physical and credentials screening were subjected to practical tests and later medical screening.

“Each stage of the recruitment process was carried out with a high level of scrutiny and care.

“A total of 10000 applicants made up of 9000 General Duty and 1000 Specialists were recommended for final selection.

“The selection of specialists were done in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force on the need assessment ensuring capability and balance of geographical representation.”

“Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase said the rigorous recruitment process was to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and to reinforce its commitment to community rooted and service oriented policing.”

According to him: “I am filled with optimism because these young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency and excellence.”

Ondo PDP Gov Candidate, Ajayi, Canvasses More Time For Registration Of Voters

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 4, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the November Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, Agboola Ajayi, has remarked that with transparency during the scheduled poll, losers will not resolve to litigations.

Ajayi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure the November 16, Governorship election is transparent enough to discourage litigations.

Ajayi who spoke in Akure, advised the electoral umpire, to make the PDP’s primary election in the state as a model to work with.

The primary election was adjudged the most transparent election to have taken place in the country in recent times.

According to Ajayi, the electoral body, should be challenged by the standard of the PDP primary election and use it as the yardstick to conduct elections, including the pending November 16 Governorship election in Ondo state.

By doing so, the Gubernatorial candidate submitted, “INEC would have been able to conduct an election devoid of litigations and other excuses.”

He added that the Ondo PDP primary election could not be challenged by any one because it was conducted in an obviously transparent manner.

The PDP candidate also appealed to the electoral body, to embark on a vigorous enlightenment programme to sensitize the voting public to take advantage of its ongoing registration exercise and to make owners of the over 200,000 uncollected PVC’s in its custody to collect them .

The former deputy governor emphasized on the need for INEC to embark on an aggressive media campaign for the public to embrace all the laudable efforts it is making to conduct a plausible election by November 16.

Ajayi further canvassed, that INEC

should continue with its voters registration exercise, till at least a month to the election, declaring that the 20,000 newly registered voters declared so far, is a bit low, even as he established optimism, that more people would still come out to register for the election.

Advising security agencies to brace up and discharge their responsibilities, was of the view that, the election will be free and fair if INEC conducts it according to guidelines, because INEC “has good laws that could make any election credible if strictly adhered to.”

One Deäd, Two Security Operatives Injured In A Foiled Attäck On NCS/Military Teäm At Seme Border

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 4, 2024

0

Comptroller Kola Oladeji - Customs FOU Ikeja

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

A joint Nigeria Customs/Military patrol team has foiled a deadly attack by some suspected die-hard smugglers on the water ways of the Badagry- Seme border.

The attempted attack left on its trail the death of the smuggling gang’s leader and severely injured a Customs officer and a military operative.

The Comptroller of the Federal Operation Unit FOU Zone A, Kola Oladeji has thumped up the bravery and commitment of the military and NCS operatives in repelling the deadly attack.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, by the Units spokesperson Theophilus Duniya ,the attackers who were armed with dangerous weapons, charms and matchets struck on Sunday June,2 while evacuation efforts of some seized foreign parboiled rice and other items were ongoing.

Duniya stated that a customs officer and one military personnel were injured in the attack,which also left the leader of the attackers dead.

” The FOU Ikeja has confirmed an incident that occurred on Sunday morning June 2, 2024 at approximately 0300hours ..A joint patrol team comprising FOU personnel and some soldiers intercepted a boat carrying smuggled rice, and vehicles by the water side in Badagry, Lagos state.

While evacuating the goods ,a group of men, led by an individual armed with charms and a matchet, attacked the team injuring a Customs officer in the face and a soldier on the leg .

The personnel acting in self -defence ,maimed the leader of the gang to prevent him from inflicting more injuries on the personnel and was evacuated for immediate medical attention. Unfortunately ,he later died enroute hospital..

The Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Kola Oladeji commended the Army and Customs personnel for their bravery and professional conduct in the face of a dangerous attack.

He reiterated the Units commitment to combating smuggling and urged parents and community leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in criminal activities that could put their well-being and other citizens at risk” part of the statement reads .

Organized Labour Suspends Strike For One Week

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

June 4, 2024

0

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the closed door discussion with the Federal Government over a new minimum wage, Organized Labour has called off the ongoing Strike for a week.

The reason for the suspension of the Nationwide Strike that started yesterday, June 3, 2024, was for negotiations to continue.

The Organized Labour said that the five days suspension of the strike is to give room for uninterrupted meeting with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.

It was gathered that the Labour leaders had a successful meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, and other government officials and reached a resolution that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to a new minimum wage higher than N60,000.

They equally resolved that the Tripartite Committee would meet every day for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage.

A source within the Labour leadership disclosed that , “Today at a meeting with FG Tripartite Committee scheduled by 10am, Labour suspended its srike”.

With this development, every government and private offices are expected to reopen and function as usual.

How Nigeria Swept West/Central Africa’s Toastmasters Public Speaking Championship

By

James Orji

-

June 4, 2024

0

Toastmasters Public Speaking Championship

Nigeria’s Benjamin Wayo and Elizabeth Ebele Elue have achieved a resounding victory, after claiming the top two spots at the 2024 Toastmasters District Championship of Public Speaking Contest.

This triumph marks a milestone for Nigeria and the Toastmasters community in West Africa.

The annual conference of District 94, held at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja from May 22 to 25, brought together members of Toastmasters International from across West and Central Africa. The event featured educational sessions, a keynote address by former Nigerian ambassador to Greece, Nimi Akinkugbe, and the highly anticipated District Championship of Public Speaking contest.

Benjamin Wayo, a veterinary doctor, emerged as the first-place winner, with Elizabeth Ebele Elue, a banker, securing the second position. Wayo expressed his gratitude for the support he received, stating, “This Contest will probably be the most challenging I have ever gone through… I am simply Grateful.” This victory marks Wayo’s third District Championship title, having previously won in 2019 and 2020.

This triumph marks Benjamin Wayo’s third District Championship title in Public Speaking, a remarkable feat that solidifies his reputation as an exceptional orator. He previously won the title in 2019 in Bamako, Mali, and again in 2020, in a virtual District Contest. With this victory, Wayo advances to the Region Quarterfinals, where the top performers will secure a spot in the semifinals. The ultimate goal is a coveted place in the World Championship of Public Speaking, scheduled for August 2024 in California, where the world’s best speakers will gather to showcase their skills.

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization founded in 1924, aims to build confidence and public speaking skills through its global network of clubs. With over 7 million individuals empowered worldwide, the organization has established a strong presence in Nigeria, with over 40 clubs and 800 members.

Records indicate that Toastmasters International has been dedicated to empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, the organization has reached a milestone of over 7 million individuals worldwide. With a strong global presence, Toastmasters has approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,200 clubs across 148 countries.

The winners of the District Contest will proceed to the Region Quarterfinals, with the opportunity to advance to the semifinals and potentially participate in the World Championship of Public Speaking in California, August 2024.

Police Declares Labour Strike Illëgal, Urgës Law Abiding Citizens To Go About Normälly

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 4, 2024

0

Kayode Egbetokun - Inspector General of Police - IGP

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst the formal commencement on Monday, June 3 2024, of a nationwide strike declared by the Organized Labour to press home its demand for a new and improved minimum wage, the Nigeria Police Authorities have called on the citizenry to go about their lawful and normal activities without fear of molestation.

They have insisted that the industrial action, as called by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, is illegal.

The Source reports that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi SAN had on Sunday,June 2, warned that the decision of the organized labour to proceed on an industrial action falls short of the provisions of section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act .

According to him, the Act requires workers to give their employers 15 days notice before embarking on a strike action. He added that non compliance attracts penalties including a fine and or a jail term of six months .

Fagbemi, further noted that the fundamental importance of the 15-day notice is highlighted by the fact that sections 41 and 42 (1)(b) of the Act criminalize non-compliance with the provision.

Following the breakdown of talks between the organized labour and the Federal Government on what should be new new minimum, the Organized Labour directed workers across the country to withdraw their services effective Monday June 3, .

In a statement issued on Monday June 3, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police IGP, the Police assured that adequate security arrangements have been made for law abiding citizens to go about their lawful activities.

Below is the full text of the police statement..

“The Nigeria Police Force, while acknowledging the recent announcement by organized labour regarding the intention to embark on a nationwide strike action and understanding the right of organized labour to engage in such actions to advocate for the interests of all workers, wishes to emphasize the importance of adherence to the existing laws governing such activities; and calls for caution to prevent a breakdown of law and order within the country.

“In light of the Federal Government’s recent declaration that the planned strike is illegal and premature, the Nigeria Police Force views this action as a potential catalyst for increased tension and political instability.

“The NPF hereby urges organized labour to proceed with the ongoing deliberations at the Tripartite Committee, which is focused on determining a new minimum wage, and shelve the planned strike as such decision is essential to prevent untold hardships on members of the public and maintain order and stability within our country.

“The Nigeria Police Force assures the public that ample deployments have been made across the country to ensure that citizens can go about their lawful duties without hindrance. Therefore, all members of the public are encouraged to remain calm and continue with their lawful daily activities, while organized labour is urged to act responsibly and in accordance with the law, prioritizing dialogue and legal avenues to resolving the existing grievances.”