Imo: Gunmen Shoot, Kill Two Police Officers At Mbaise

By

-

November 27, 2023

By Charles Igbo

Reports from Mbaise, Imo State, say gunmen on Monday, November 27, 2023, fatally shot two Police Officers.

The Policemen were on duty at the popular Ahiara Junction when the gunmen, who, allegedly, wore Military camouflage uniform, swooped on them and shot them point-blank. They died instantly.

A video posted on Whatsaap showed the two fallen policemen on the ground in their own pool of blood. An unconfirmed report said the gunmen were enforcing the sit-at-home order in the South-east which has since been abolished by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPoB, which initiated it in protest of the detention and trial of its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government. However, a group loyal to Finland-based Simon Ekpa, a self proclaimed Kanu’s disciple, but now estranged IPOB member, on Ekpa’s orders, continues with the much criticized order.

This will be the second time, within two days, that gunmen engaged in a fatal operation in Mbaise.

On Saturday, November 25, 2023, gunmen stormed the Palace of His Royal Highness, Eze (Sir) Joe-Benz Ochulor, the Olu I of Otulu, Amumara, Ezinihitte, Mbaise, and abducted him. His corpse was seen along the Chokoneze-Mbutu road, with one of his legs severed from his body a few hours later.

The people of Mbaise Nation are, currently, engulfed in fear. At the time of filing this report, there has been no statement from the Imo State Police Command.

Tinubu To Present 2024 Appropriation Bill To NASS ‘In Few Days’- Speaker

By

James Orji

-

November 27, 2023

0

The 2024 Appropriation Bill will be presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly no later than the first week of December.

It would be President Tinubu’s first since he became the nation’s leader on May 29 this year. He recently sent a supplementary Budget of N2. 17 trillion to NASS for approval.

This revelation came from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen who said the president will send the Bill to NASS “in a few days”.

The Speaker has also charged the appropriate committees of the house to peruse the Bill within two weeks, for a swift passage.

Abass disclosed this on Monday during a one-day capacity-building retreat for chairmen and deputy chairmen of House Standing Committees in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

For the first time, the speaker said a town hall meeting will be arranged with major stakeholders to make their inputs into the budget, urging them to work with NASS “in preparing for a vigorous and all-inclusive budget process.”

The Speaker said: “As we expect to receive the 2024 Appropriation Bill in a few days, I wish to state that the House will convene a Budget Town Hall Meeting to enable citizens to make inputs into the 2024 Appropriation.

“It is the first time such an engagement is planned at the national level. I invite our partners to work with us in preparing for a vigorous and all-inclusive budget process.

“To ensure speedy passage of the 2024 budget, I charge all committees to double their efforts and finalise all considerations in two weeks.

“However, this does not imply haphazard and superficial consideration of the budget. Rather, it is a challenge to you to deploy all resources and make the needed sacrifices to ensure we pass the budget in good time for the good of all Nigerians.”

NCAA Suspends Aircraft Involved In Flight Diversion

By

Ayodele Oni

-

November 27, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) has announced the suspension of a wet – lease aircraft owned by United Nigeria Airlines (UNA).

This is coming few hours after the Abuja bound aircraft diverted to Asaba International Airport, where it landed.

Management of the aircraft had sighted bad weather for the incident.The spokesperson of the airline, Mr Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, said that the plane that was involved in the flight diversion to Asaba, is the only one affected by the suspension

But the NCAA on Monday said that the apex civil aviation regulatory body took the decision via a letter communicated to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the airline.

Another report has it that all the wet-leased aircraft in the operations of the airline would remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation on the Sunday incident, involving one of the wet-leased aircraft in the fleet of the airline.

It was gathered that immediately the incident gained traction on social media on Sunday, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Musa Nuhu called an emergency meeting of the agency, where it was resolved that the excuse given by the airline was not tenable to the authority.

Besides, it was learnt that the report obtained from the Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), contravened the claim of the airline on poor weather situation in Abuja as of the time of the diversion.

Although reports said that no fewer than two wet-leased Airbus A320-200 aircraft were in the fleet of United Nigeria Airlines, the spokesperson insisted that the airline had only one and that it was the one affected by the suspension.

The source said: “NCAA has suspended all the wet lease aircraft in the operations of United Nigeria Airlines.

“The excuse they provided to us that the diversion to Asaba was due to poor weather in Abuja was not acceptable to us. So, we have to take the big step by suspending all the aircraft that are wet leased in their fleet.

“The aircraft will remain suspended until after investigation. We can’t allow this to happen. The fact is that their crews are foreigners and they are not familiar with Nigeria, which the airline ought to have done. So, we are suspending them until after the investigation.”

Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu, Dares Governor, Declares Ambition

By

Ayodele Oni

-

November 27, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has formally announced his entrance into the race for the 2024 Governorship race, thus ending weeks of anxiety.

In a pre-recorded speech aired on Monday, Shaibu, said he would run for the office of the number one citize in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

After his official declaration, Shaibu launched his campaign office in Benin City, the State capital, at an event crowded with party supporters in branded attires and other items.

“After all the consultation we have made, we needed to now make the answer to our consultation known to our people. And the answer is clear: they have asked me to run.”

The 53-year-old politician said he has put his life on the line for the development and growth of the State, and that he was determined to make the South-South state great again.

Shaibu, who has been having a running battle with his Principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for some time over his political ambition, said though he was persecuted, he was not crushed.

Shaibu is from Edo North Senatorial District, the same district as ex-governor of the State and current lawmaker representing the district in the 10th National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole.

Both Obaseki and Shaibu were once allies of Oshiomhole, but the political association among them tumbled towards the 2020 governorship election when the ex-labour leader was accused of ‘godfatherism’ which he denied.

Governor Obaseki Allegedly Sabotaging Shaibu’s Governorship Declaration, Hotel Cancels Booking

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

November 27, 2023

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The face-off between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu remains unabated, despite the public apology tendered by Shaibu to his boss.

Governor Obaseki has been fingered to be sabotaging the move by Shaibu to openly declare his ambition to succeed his boss.

Reports say Shaibu had made payment to Eterno Hotels in Benin City, where he planned to declare his Gubernatorial ambition on Monday. Sadly, the Hotel cancelled his booking to use the hotel.

The hotel, located in the Government Reserved Area, GRA, Benin, is owned by a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

It was gathered that the owner of the Hotel is an ally ofGovernor Obaseki, raising posers that the Governor might have sabotaged the move.

Shaibu was contacted by the management of Eterno Hotel that the space was no longer available for his use while his money was refunded.

The hotel management was said to have told the Shaibu group that another group, ‘Obaseki finishing well group,’ had paid for the same venue.

According to Punch Newspaper, one of Shaibu’s loyalists, who asked not to be named, stated that: “We found this very preposterous that we were contacted by the hotel management that a group had paid for the same venue for a programme slated for 7 a.m. same date

“We know where this is coming from. Whatever their plans to frustrate our declaration will definitely fail. They are jittery over Shaibu’s declaration and popularity.”

Governor Obaseki and his Deputy have been at loggerheads for months due to the Governorship aspiration of Shaibu which does not have the support of his Principal, who stated that his Deputy was becoming too over ambitious.

Seeing that Shaibu was adamant, Governor Obaseki relocated Shaibu’s office out of the government house, and also stopped him from attending State Council Meetings and shutting him out of State Events.

Shaibu’s camp had sent an invite to Media Houses, Stakeholders, Party faithfuls and his supporters that the Deputy Governor would this week formally declare his intention to run for the 2024 Edo State governorship election.

A ‘Special Invitation’ dated November 23, 2023, which the Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, made available to newsmen last week, read: “On behalf of Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, I invite you to honour me with your esteemed presence as I offer myself to serve as the Chief Servant (Governor) of Edo State.

“As stated in the letter, the event was scheduled to be held on Monday, November 27, at the Eterno Hotels, by 8 am”.

But due to the unavailability of the Hotel, the Shaibu camp is yet to formally announce a new venue or change of date for the event.

CSOs Express Dismay Over Nigeria’s Abandonment of OPL 245 Claim Against Eni and Shell

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

November 27, 2023

0

By Akinwale Kasali

Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, have condemned the indifferent approach of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the abandonment of the OPL 245 Claim against Oil Companies, Eni and Shell.

The CSOs in a joint statement signed by prominent civil society advocates, Antonio Tricarico of Re -common, Nicholas Hildyard of Cornerhouse, and Olanrewaju Suraju of HEDA Resource Centre, raised concerns over the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s decision to abandon its civil claim against Eni and Shell in the controversial OPL 245 oil prospecting license case.

The statement expresses dismay at Nigeria’s withdrawal from the promising $1.1 billion civil claim in Italy’s Supreme Court, where the country sought damages from the oil multinationals for alleged corruption in the OPL 245 deal, which is said to have severely disadvantaged Nigeria.

Despite Eni and Shell, along with 13 other defendants, being acquitted of corruption charges in the First Instance court in Milan, the statement highlights international criticism of the verdict. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) issued an unprecedented statement, describing the acquittal as not conforming to the Anti-bribery Convention and expressing “extreme concern” over the court’s rejection of evidence.

The signatories expressed bewilderment at the apparent naivety of Nigeria’s actions, stating that President Tinubu’s eagerness to boost the country’s economic position may have led to a self-inflicted weakness in negotiations with the oil companies. They argue that by abandoning the Italian claim and not demanding the withdrawal of Eni’s claim at ICSID, Nigeria has left itself vulnerable, signaling to oil companies that they can take advantage of the country’s weakened position.

The statement emphasized the limited space for negotiation, particularly concerning Nigeria’s “back in rights” to the OPL 245 field. Under the 2011 deal, Nigeria is currently denied any share of future profits from the field’s oil exploitation, requiring a substantial payment of $875 million to Eni and Shell, which the country reportedly cannot afford.

Concerns were raised about the potential long-term consequences, including delays in oil production, missed opportunities for climate finance initiatives, and exposure to climate damage lawsuits. The decision to leave the 2011 deal intact, despite labeling it as “fraudulent” and “corrupt,” jeopardizes asset recovery cases and may negatively impact Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, deterring investors and increasing international borrowing costs.

The statement concluded by suggesting that President Tinubu’s family connections to the oil industry may have influenced Nigeria’s surrender to Eni and Shell, raising questions about the commitment to challenging corruption within the country’s petrocracy and the potential adverse effects on Nigeria’s masses.

Xmas: Zenith Bank Transforms Ajose Adeogun To A Spectacle

By

James Orji

-

November 27, 2023

0

In a splendid display, Zenith Bank heralded the Christmas and Yuletide seasons with the Light-Up of Ajose Adeogun Street and Roundabout, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, 25 November 2023. The Light-Up ceremony was performed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu.

This year’s Light Up Ceremony, the 17th of its kind, is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by Zenith Bank. The Christmas decoration is a Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiative of the bank to herald the Yuletide season through the beautification and transformation of the entire stretch of Ajose Adeogun Street (home to Zenith Bank’s Corporate Headquarters) and Roundabout into a resplendent spectacle – which has come to be recognised as an iconic tourist attraction, attracting people from all walks of life who visit with their families and friends to take pictures and make videos of the beautiful spectacle, especially at night and enjoy the ambience of the street and season.

Speaking during the ceremony, Onyeagwu expressed his delight in heralding the 2023 Yuletide season by lighting up the iconic Ajose Adeogun Street and Roundabout. He urged everyone to imbibe the message and spirit of Christmas, which is about peace, love, forgiveness and respect for humanity and prayed for peace in every home, business and country. In his words, “Today, as we turn on the Christmas light with the wife of our Founder and Chairman, Mrs. Kay Ovia, in our midst, we hope with this, we activate the spirit of Christmas in the minds of everyone. We pray that the ambience of the light brings warmth, love, joy, fulfilment, and hope to every one of us. We pray that our country will experience peace. We pray that our joy will be full in this season of joy. So, in the spirit of the Yuletide season, Zenith Bank is also demonstrating that we want to use this to continue communicating and connecting with the community.”

He lauded the efforts of Quantum Markets, who have been responsible for the annual decorations, for their outstandingly creative and beautiful work. According to him, “It is an amazing evening! First and foremost, we need to thank Quantum Markets for the incredible work they are doing. You know, every year, the theme, the style and the ambience look completely different, and today, in a few minutes, we are going to be turning on the light, and you are going to see that it is nothing compared to what you have seen anywhere in the world. I have had the privilege of seeing Christmas light in so many cities across the world, and I say without any sense of contradiction that none compares with what we have in Lagos, Nigeria.”

The bank’s sustainability and CSR initiatives are hinged on the belief that today’s business performance is not all about the financial numbers – the bank believes that an institution’s social investments, contributions to inclusive economic growth and development as well as improvements in the condition of the physical environment, all constitute a balanced scorecard.

Through its CSR initiatives, Zenith Bank has embodied the overarching objective of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a framework for addressing the major challenges confronting society. Its social investments are targeted at health, education, women and youth empowerment, sports development and public infrastructure enhancement. Overall, Zenith Bank’s total CSR investment in 2022 was NGN1.67 billion, representing 0.75% of its Profit After Tax (PAT).

The bank remains committed to furthering the economic, cultural and social development of host communities, particularly through community-based initiatives and philanthropy. As a good corporate citizen, it continues to deliver projects that have long-term social and economic benefits for the communities because it believes that its business is only as strong as its host communities.

To demonstrate its commitment to creating and expanding opportunities, the bank regularly makes donations towards setting up ultramodern ICT centres in several educational institutions and cities across the country. It also supports various developmental projects and healthcare delivery causes in Nigeria and contributes to the development of sports in Nigeria through its sponsorship of the Zenith Women Basketball League, Zenith Bank Delta State Principals’ Cup, and Zenith Bank Delta State Headmasters’ Cup, amongst others.

In recognition of its contributions and social investments to its host communities and the society at large, the bank was recognised as the “Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria” in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards and “Most Responsible Organization in Africa” at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021.

Petrol Price To Reduce Soon, Tinubu Assures Nigerians

By

James Orji

-

November 27, 2023

0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his government’s plan to make the nation’s refineries to work again.

The president said the four refineries will commence operation soon, starting with the Port Harcourt Refinery which is expected to start operation in December.

Tinubu spoke days after Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Limited assured Nigerians that plan was on to end importation of refined petroleum products by next year.

Kyari disclosed last week during a meeting with Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the Port Harcourt refinery will start operation by the end of the year.

Tinubu who spoke during the 11th Convocation ceremony of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, at the weekend, said the high price of fuel will be reduced drastically once the local refineries start working.

The president was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Professor Garba Sharubutu.

He said: “Very soon, some of our local refineries will start production, and the current exorbitant prices of fuel energy will be greatly reduced.”

Analysts insist that the nation’s four refineries must work as a remedy for the current fuel problems facing the country, due to the importation of refined petroleum products which has cost the country its scarce foreign exchange.

Rivers: Ijaws Tackle Wike For ‘stocking Division’, Rift With Fubara

By

James Orji

-

November 27, 2023

0

Amidst the ongoing rift between a former governor of Rivers state, Nyeson Wike and Governor Siminalaye of Rivers state, a group in the state has called on the former governor to allow peace reign.

The Ijaw National Congress, INC, appealed to the fighting parties to priotise the interest of the people of the state.

Wike and Fubara were allies until recently when they decided to go their separate ways.

As the quarrel ensued, the former governor last week described Fubara as an ingrate while the governor blasted his predecessor for questioning his ancestry as an Ijaw man, calling him ignorant.

Wike now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was instrumental to Fubara’s emergence as governor of the oil-rich state.

The INC in a statement has however called on the minister to pursue peace with his successor by retracing “his steps from a stoking division of any sort against the government of the day”.

The group urged Wike to stop disrespecting the image and office of the governor.

The statement issued by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said, “We specifically appeal to Chief Nyesom Wike to retrace his steps from a stoking division of any sort against the government of the day under the guise of protecting his ‘structure’.

“The political structure to which he refers should not be rolled up with the structure of the government of Governor Fubara as one entity under anyone’s thumb.

“On our part, the Ijaw National Congress worldwide, at all levels and organs across Ijawland and the diaspora should be alive to the sacred responsibility of watching over and protecting the interests of our people anywhere and anytime.”

The rift between the two former political associates first emerged on October 30 after the governor quashed an impeachment plot against him by some lawmakers loyal to Wike.

The disagreement has since worsened as efforts by some prominent leaders in the country, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have failed.

Group Defends Buhari’s Achievements After Accusations That He Left Comatose Economy

By

James Orji

-

November 27, 2023

0

A website showcasing the achievements of former President Muhammadu Buhari has been opened by his supporters who said the former leader did a lot for the country while in office.

Protectors of PMB Legacy, a group supporting the Buhari said the website was opened for Nigerians to see what the former president achieved contrary to the suggestions that he achieved nothing while occupying that office.

Buhari was in office as President for eight years.

Recently, reports have surfaced trying to portray him as president do-nothing. The purveyors of such reports said he left a bad economy for his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

For instance, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state said last week that the former president abused the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, by borrowing too much from the government bank contrary to the law.

Soludo, a former CBN governor described what Tinubu inherited from Buhari as a ‘dead horse’ economy.

Also, the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun said at the weekend that “Tinubu inherited an administration that was almost comatose.

But Protectors of PMB Legacy described such report as false, saying it is unfair to accuse the former leader of achieving nothing in eight years.

The group’s coordinator, Mohammed Ajiji said in a statement that it opened the website chronicling Buhari’s legacies for Nigerians to see what was achieved under his watch as President and Commander-in-chief, saying the group is being “compelled to address some claims asserting that the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari has not achieved anything during its tenure. Such assertions are not only misleading but also disregard the numerous accomplishments documented on the PMB scorecard website: www.pmbscorecard.gov.ng.”

According to him, “We were actually blown away when we stumbled on the site and discovered the quantum of projects executed by the PMB administration.

“Contrary to the misinformation being circulated, the Buhari administration has made significant strides across various sectors, contributing to the overall development and progress of Nigeria.

“We encourage all concerned citizens and members of the media, musicians, political critics and other interest groups to visit the PMB scorecard website, which meticulously outlines and provides transparent insights into the achievements of the government.”

Not a few Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo have accused Buhari of running the economy aground.