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NFF Announces Eguavoen As Super Eagles Interim Coach For The Third Time

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has, for the second time, appointed former Super Eagles Player, Augustine Eguavoen as the Interim Coach of the Super Eagles following the resignation of Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro.

Peseiro’s contract with the NFF had expired on Thursday, February 28, 2024, and there were reports that NFF was negotiating a new contract with the former Porto manager, but he opted to quit, two weeks after he led the Super Eagles to a second place finish at the African Cup of Nations championship in Côte d’Ivoire.

58-Year Old Eguavoen was appointed as Interim Coach of the Super Eagles and led the Team to a Round of 16 exit from the 2021 African Cup of Nations Championship in Cameroon.

He had replaced former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr after the German was sacked by the NFF.

It would be recalled that Eguavoen failed to guide the Super Eagles to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournament in Qatar as the Super Eagles lost to the Black Stars of Ghana on an away goal after the team played a 0-0 draw in Kumasi and forcing a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

At AFCON 2006, Eguavoen led the Super Eagles to a Bronze Medal finish, and became the first Coach to have a 100 percent record for Nigeria at the AFCON Tournament Group Stage.

Emefiele “Escorted” Out Of CBN Official Lagos Residence

By
James Orji
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Former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor Godwin Emefiele has moved out of the Lagos official residence.
The embattled former apex bank governor moved out on Sunday under the supervision of Jim Obazee, the Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to probe him.
Obazee was also accompanied by other members of the panel instituted by the president last year to investigate the Emefiele-led CBN.
The panel has since submitted a damning report indicting Emefiele and other top CBN officials who served under him.
The former CBN boss was sacked last June by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and is currently being prosecuted for corruption related issues, including that he abused his office by approving close to N30 trillion in Ways and Means, W&M for the federal government contrary to CBN enabling Act.
Recall that Emefiele was accused recently of destroying the economy by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The former CBN boss has denied the allegation, saying he’s not a serial offender as claimed by Akpabio.
Emefiele has now sued Akpabio for N25 billion for alleged deformation.
In a letter through his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, addressed to Akpabio, Emefiele demanded a retraction and apology.
The letter partly read, “We are solicitors to Dr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”), on whose brief and instruction, we write this letter. The above statement, whether taken in their ordinary, figurative, or literal meaning portrayed our Client as:
“The cause of the entire hardship in Nigeria today is as a result of the policies of the previous administration.
“A serial offender whose action is responsible for all the hardship experienced by Nigerians today.
“A person who has committed offences that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offences to prefer a charge against him.”
Emefiele noted that the comments of the senate president undermined the integrity of the court and its independence, adding that it was detrimental to his ongoing trial.
 “As the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you certainly know, or have reasons to know that the Federal Government of Nigeria had since August 14, 2023, preferred charges against our client to which he had long pleaded not guilty and is presently defending same to exonerate himself and show that he is not guilty of the said allegations. It is therefore disturbing, that such a statement would be made by the Head of the Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a matter that is clearly subjudice.
“Your statement, with the greatest respect, clearly undermines the honour and integrity of the Court and its independence and indeed has the propensity of prejudicing the case against Our Client. Having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court, it is only fair and proper that the Court should be allowed to determine the issues submitted to it without unnecessary pressure from any other arm of Government.”
Retract the statement or face court action, Emefiele told Akpabio.
He said, “It is pursuant to the above and without delving into the matter presently pending in Court that Our Client has instructed that we write to Your good offices and demand the immediate retraction of Your statement which has gone viral and is considered defamatory of Our Client
“These baseless and false allegations defame the character of Our Client and have also caused him great pains and embarrassment as it has lowered his esteem before the right-thinking members of the Society in addition to the obvious odium and opprobrium from the unsuspecting members of the Society as a result of the falsity contained in that statement.
“We, therefore have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character, and the sum of N25,000,000,000 as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard-earned reputation. If you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with this legitimate demand, Our Client will be at liberty to seek the appropriate redress available to him under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The letter was dated February 19.

Aftermath Of President Tinubu’s Visit: Qatari Investors Due In Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Tinubu in Qatar

By Ayodele Oni

Investors from Qatar are due in Nigeria soon as one of the fallouts of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the country.

President Tinubu’s official visit to the state of Qatar with some members of his cabinet, is mainly to interact with members of business community in that country.

The President and His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on Sunday in Doha, witnessed the signing of historic agreements between both nations.

This is expected to open a gateway for leveraging the potential of mutual cooperation in pivotal sectors of education, enterprise development, investment promotion, youth empowerment, mining, tourism, and sports.

Before the signing ceremony at the Qatar Presidential Palace, President Tinubu assured his host of Nigeria’s preparedness to welcome investors into the country, noting the ongoing reforms that favour innovation, return on investments, and multiculturalism.”

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, in a statement stated that Tinubu added that “Our greatest strength is our people. Our strength lies in the capacity of Nigerian youths. They have energy, talent, and self-belief.

“They are quality partners for Qatari industry. They are educated and reliable, and they are proactively seeking to add value wherever they are. A few cannot give a bad name to the many. Nigerian youths are ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We have seen clearly the rapid pace and thorough quality of Qatar’s development process. It is impossible not to be moved by what you have accomplished. The leadership in the country has proven its mettle, and we are here to gain deeper insight.

“There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria. A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.

“We face some short-term turbulence at the moment, but we have a government today that reflects the dynamism and talent of the Nigerian people.

“We are implementing the right solutions. This team works collaboratively with each other and our partners. Nigeria is ready for serious business.”

The Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emphasized that Qatar is open to President Tinubu’s investment push, recalling that he traveled to Nigeria in 2019 owing to his belief that Nigeria is an important and strategic ally on its own and within the context of its role in regional affairs.

“I have no doubt about the great capacity of the Nigerian people. Everywhere in the world, they are known for their brilliance and hard work.

“We only need to ensure that this is happening inside of Nigeria rather than outside. The investments we have made around the world have been very fruitful.

“This is because we take our time and study opportunities before we invest the common wealth of our people. It is not my money. The money we invest belongs to the future generations of Qatar.

“Mr. President, I am very encouraged by your actions and your passion to create new opportunities. We are very open to this, and follow-up is everything at this point.

“The will is there for both of us, but we must follow up. I will send a team of officials to Nigeria after Ramadan, and we will advance discussions on what some of the actionable investment opportunities are.”

Abuja Looting: After NEMA Denial FCTA Confirms Incident

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister

Following the National  Emergency Management Authority, NEMA denial that its warehouse was looted, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has confirmed the incident.

The magazine reports that some residents of the nation’s capital had broken into the Agricultural and Rural Development, ARD, looting food items and other goods on Sunday.

But NEMA denied the incident even though the FCT police command confirmed the attack of the warehouse by suspected hoodlums.

The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, while confirming the incident stated that the situation had been brought under control, the spokesperson of the ARD Secretariat, Zakari Aliyu, said the the hoodlums  also vandalise the warehouse after looting its contents.

According to him some officials from the FCTA, including the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, will also visit the facility on Monday.

Aliyu said, “We visited the scene of the incident this morning. We visited with the Secretary and some other officials of the Secretariat. So, by tomorrow, the Secretary I think with the Minister of State will pay another visit to that place,” he said.

“I am sure that a lot of information that will be useful to you, you will get it. If you can just be patient, tomorrow you will get all the information you need. If you go there, there is nothing there. If you know that place, do you know that they removed the roof, and the windows inclusive, apart from the food items?

Economic Hardship: NEMA Warehouse In Abuja Looted

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

As the economic situation bite harder in the country coupled with desperacy of Nigerians to put something in the stomach, they have resorted to various means to survive.

Some yet to be identified persons on Sunday broke into the warehouse of the National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria (NEMA) in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

It was gathered that the warehouse, located in Karimo, Phase 3 Region of the FCT, Abuja, was raided on Sunday morning.

Report stated that the residents carted away foodstuffs and other items amidst the growing hardship in the country over the hike in the prices of food items.

Before the police could be alerted, substantial goods, mostly foodstuffs have been said to have been carted away.

Already, the police in Abuja have been deployed to the area to disperse the looters.

The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident and added that the situation had been brought under control.

“The situation is now under control,” she added.

Ekiti First Lady Empowers Youths Through Adire Fabrics

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olayemi Oyebanji - Ekiti State First Lady

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has concluded arrangement to empower youths in the state through production of adire fabrics.

The first lady will on Monday, launch the “Adire Ekiti Hub” as part of efforts at empowering the youth of Ekiti State by providing them with essential skills and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

Taiwo Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Information, explained that the initiative was designed, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Youth Development, under Her Excellency’s pet project “Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH)” scheme.

It is aimed at addressing unemployment challenges by offering comprehensive training programmes focused on the traditional craft of Adire dyeing and textile production.

The venture will also serve as a platform for youth development, fostering entrepreneurship and preserving Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage.

For the start, 200 unemployed youth would, be trained and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge free of charge to become proficient in Adire craftsmanship.

Participants will receive hands-on training from skilled artisans, learning traditional techniques alongside modern practices to ensure their competitiveness in today’s market.

South-east Traders Threaten Show Down With Nigeria Customs Over Alleged Unprofessional Conducts

By
The Source
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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

South East Region traders and other business actors have raised the alarm over a serious danger posed to the free movements of goods and services, as well as their business concerns by the alleged unbridled extortionist tendencies of the men and officers of Nigeria Customs Service.

They have singled out Nigeria Customs’ incessant raids of South-east  Markets and mounting of hundreds of checkpoints on various roads and routes within the region and SouthSouth neighbouring states as one of the causative factors driving up the costs of essential commodities in the country.

Consequently, they have appealed to all relevant authorities to wade in and halt the alleged insensitive and negative operational tactics of the Service, adding that they may be forced to resort to self help to save their businesses from collapse.

The continued extortionist and exploitative activities of Customs according to the President of Abia state Amalgamated Traders Association ASMATA ,Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo have negatively impacted on the conduct of businesses and free flow of goods and services within the Southeast and Southsouth geopolitical zones, contributing in no small measure in pushing up prices of essential commodities far beyond the reach of the ordinary people.

But the authorities of Nigeria Customs say all their operations in the region ,just like in others are strictly guided by adherence to rules of engagement and extant laws establishing the outfit.

Chief Udeigbo who is also the Chairman of All Chairmen of Aba Markets, one of the known commercial hubs in the Southeast in an exclusive interview with the Source on Saturday March 2 2024 ,noted that the  ugly situation if not checked may force the Traders and other victims of the alleged Customs unethical practices to engaged in a show down with all relevant authorities.

“Look ,the situation is unbearable. You can’t believe that from Benin to Onitsha, Owerri to Aba , Aba to such places like PortHarcourt ,Yenagoa  Uyo,most of which are less than 100 km there are close to 20 Customs Check points on each road .

These checks points are manned by men and Officers from different units of the Service .

Sadly, at each of the Check points traders and other business men and women are forced to part with between N20,000 and N30,000 per truck load of goods.

The status of the goods  you are carrying ,whether contraband or not ,for them does not matter . What matters is that you have to ” settle” .

Now, there are to problems here. One ,the goods are goods that have been officially cleared at the various ports of entry ,with approved duties paid .

The second issue is that these goods are mostly legally approved goods (not contraband) whose owners have paid all the approved duties .

The implications of these unethical and unprofessional conducts of Customs officials are many, but in the main it pushes prices of goods unnecessarily up .

The reason being that after undergoing harrowing experiences, including extortions on the road, the traders in a bid to break even will increase prices. In the end, it is the common man that will finally bear the brunt.

Our position is also that men and officers of the Customs should leave the various South East Markets alone . They should go to their lawfully assigned areas of operation which are the borders and Ports .

It is unfortunate that ,besides subjecting us to unnecessary extortions on the roads they equally raid markets every now and then .

We are in touch with our traders colleagues across the Southeast region, this is the bitter experience of traders be it in Onitsha ,Enugu, Aba ,Abakalika ,Owerri and Southsouth ..

Many businesses are being seriously threatened by the negative activities of these Customs operatives . They even have some accomplices and aides from among the traders, whose job is to feed them with the dates and time of movements of goods. It is all that bad” Udeigbo lamented.

However ,in an   interactive session with  The Source ,Spokesperson for the Abia/ Imo Area Command of Customs Jerry Attah ASC while debunking allegations of multiple checkpoints  ,said the service officially operates two check points at Benin and Cross River within the zone.

According to him ,besides the two, the service only operate Patrol/ Surveillance teams whose task is to ensure that contraband items of any nature do not find their way into Nigeria Markets.

“Here our operations are strictly under taken based on credible intelligence .And it is to  guide against loss of revenue by the federal government,and also prevent the influx of prohibited goods and items into Nigerian markets. We have the mandate to do so .

We are not aware of  alleged extortion and misconducts by our operatives ,because no body has officially approached us on that .

If we receive any complaints ,j can assure the public.  that service will address same.  In any case ,some of these unsubstantiated or informal complaints are mostly from some people who are not into genuine businesses.” Attah noted.

Katsina Police Declare Notorious Banditry Kingpins Wanted;  Place N50m Bounty For  Information

By
The Source
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Modi modi and Jan Kare - Kidnapping Kingpin

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a bid to halt  banditry, kidnappings for ransome, and other related criminal activities , the Katsina Police authorities have announced a reward of N50 million for anybody and/or group of persons that could volunteer credible intelligence that could lead to the apprehension, neutralization and decimation of Banditry and kidnap Kingpins operating in the state.

The handsome reward awaits any body that provides valuable information that can lead to the immediate arrest of two notorious bandits namely – Modi modi and Jan Kare who are strongly believed to be carrying out their nefarious operations mainly within Katsina state and its precincts ,particularly Kankara and Safana local councils.

A statement issued by the Katsina police Command Spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu ( ASP), implored all concerned residents to assist with any relevant and credible intelligence that could help security agencies apprehend the masterminds of the heinous kidnappings and banditry that have been ravaging Katsina and its neighbouring states.

“The Safety and well being of the residents of the state are of paramount importance and the Katsina State Government  and Katsina police Command, as well as other sister security agencies in the state ,are committed to taking decisive action against criminal elements that threaten the peace and stability of residents.

“This reward( Fifty Million Naira) serves as a testament to our dedication to ensuring peace prevails, as the issue of security is a collective responsibility.

“This initiative aims to enhance security operations in our dear state and combat the activities of criminal elements.

“The identity of informants and the information provided will be kept strictly confidential.” the police statement noted.

“I Will Not Rest Until Our Economy Improves”  – President Tinubu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu has said that he will rest on his oars until Nigeria overcomes its economic woes. He stressed that nation building requires patriotism and perseverance to succeed.

The President said this at Doha, Qatar Capital, after inspecting the Qatar National Museum.

President Tinubu who visited the Middle East Country on a two-day official visit was conducted round the sprawling edifice which is located in the heart of Doha and built on a  land of about 430,500 square feet.

The Museum is built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s original palace, which had served as  the seat of Government for 25 years,  provides a voice to Qatar’s heritage, whilst also celebrating its future.

President Tinubu said, “It is great to document culture from the beginning of history, the culture of civilization, collaborations, challenges and perseverance of leadership”

On replicating same in Nigeria, the President said ” We still have a long way to go.”

He expressed happiness for the opportunity to take a guided tour of the edifice, adding that “I am glad I am here. it is a great honour, you learn everyday of your life.”

He noted that since the beginning of nations, nationalism and patriotism had remain a major ingredient for tackling various challenges along the way, adding that ”You learn as you go on”.

Hannatu Musawa, the  Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, while also fielding questions from State House Journalists, hinted of plans to replicate similar projects in Nigeria to add value to Nigeria’s creative industry.

The President was conducted round the edifice by Mohammed saad Al Rumaihi – CEO of Qatar Museums.

The Museum which was recently redesigned ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, offers visitors access to a variety of materials used in Islamic art, including carpets and textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, wood, ivory, metalwork, stone and glass.

The President inspected pieces of materials dating back to the earliest Islamic period from the 20th century, spanning Spain and North Africa to the Far East.

President Tinubu and his entourage were conducted  round several sections where they viewed the  early Hijazi Quran fragments, the sitara of the Holy Kaaba, the Moroccan arch, a copy of al-Sufi’s treatise on the fixed stars, the Abbasid blue-and-white bowl, the Seljuq stucco panel, the Doha Hind and the post-Islamic Spanish ceiling.

From the Museum, the President also visited the Qatar Foundation, responsible for promoting Qatar government humanitarian activities in other countries , including Nigeria.

The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is a state-led non profit organisation, dedicated to helping humanity on the areas of Science, Research and documentation.

The institution which was founded in 1995 by the then Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his second wife Moza bint Nasser Al-Missne, has been linked to development of schools, houses and health facilities in several countries, including Nigeria.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, while also speaking on the contributions of the Foundation to development in Nigeria, attested to the humanitarian activities of the foundation in the northern part of Nigeria.

He disclosed that the Qatar Foundation is currently building orphanages, houses and schools in both Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and other places in the northern part of Nigeria.

“Their main objective is to assist displaced and downtrodden communities in Nigeria.

We want to give our appreciation to the Qatar Charity  Foundation

”We believe that with the presence of the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this organization will provide more support to the government of Nigeria both at the national and subnational levels.

”The main objective of the foundation are geared towards enhancing education, Science and research in community development

He also expressed the hope that Nigerian entrepreneurs especially in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry will continue to benefit from the relationship between Nigeria and Qatar.

Sisi Quadri Died Just Before His US Trip; Laid To Rest Amidst Tears

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Sisi Quadri

By Akinwale Kasali

Tears were freely shed as Comic Actor, Quadri Oyebamiji with the moniker, Sisi Quadri was laid to rest at Iwo, Osun State.

Theatre Practitioners, fans, families and loved ones of the tongue lashing Comic Actor paid their last respect.

Mourners, including indigenes and residents of Iwo, stormed the Agbowo area of the town, where his residence was located waiting to have a final view of the body.

It, however, arrived around 11a.m. in an ambulance prompting some of the sympathisers to cry profusely as the body was taken out of the ambulance.

His body was eventually lowered into mother-earth before 1.00 p.m, after Islamic rites were performed by Muslim clerics.

His colleagues in the industry were also part of the mourners at the scene, as many of them could not hide their emotion and burst into tears as they bid him final farewell.

Paying tribute to the late Actor, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, described the actor’s death as shocking and devastating.

“I mourn his loss knowing well the great talent that is gone. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Iwoland, the movie industry, and everyone touched by this devastating experience.

“It is my sincere prayer that they get the strength to bear the hard moment his passage represents. May Almighty Allah grant his aljanah fidau soul,” it read in part.

Sadly, the late Actor had just secured his United States of America visa before his passing. This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of Fathia Entertainment, Olawale B.

The CEO, who is also a show promoter and tour manager, shared this information in an Instagram post on Friday through his handle, @fathiaentertainments_showbiz.

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