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Lawmaker Blames Stress For Stealing, Resigns

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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A New Zealand MP has resigned following multiple allegations of shoplifting, which police are investigating.

Golriz Ghahraman, of the Green Party, is alleged to have stolen three times from two clothing stores – one in Auckland and the other in Wellington.

The former United Nations, UN, human rights lawyer made history in 2017 as the first refugee in the country’s government. She once held her party’s justice portfolio.

Work-related stress made her behave completely out of character, she said.

“I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry,” she added.

Ghahraman fled Iran as a child with her family, who were all granted political asylum in New Zealand.

Her resignation on Tuesday comes after CCTV footage emerged showing her allegedly taking a designer handbag from an Auckland boutique.

The 42-year-old, who has not been charged with any crime, said in a statement her actions had “fallen short” of the high standards of behaviour the public expected from elected representatives.

“It’s not a behaviour I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well,” she said, adding that she did not want to make excuses for herself.

“The mental health professional I see says my recent behaviour is consistent with recent events giving rise to extreme stress response, and relating to previously unrecognised trauma.”

Responding to her resignation, Green Party co-leader James Shaw said that Ms Ghahraman had been subject to “pretty much continuous threats of sexual violence, physical violence, death threats since the day she was elected to Parliament”.

“That has added a higher level of stress than is experienced by most members of parliament,” he said.

“There have been police investigations into those threats almost the entire time that she has been a member of parliament, and so obviously if you’re living with that level of threat in what is already quite a stressful situation then there are going to be consequences for that”.

Ghahraman has spoken out in the past about the abuse she has received both online and in person based on her Iranian heritage, her gender and the public stances she has taken on various issues.

“Eventually some of the online threats I faced got to the point where I had to carry a security alarm and have security escorts back and forth from Parliament,” she told national broadcaster TVNZ in 2021.

In 2017, Ghahraman was given an escort following threats by white supremacists.

More recently, she has been criticised for taking part in pro-Palestinian protests and for being critical of Israel’s military actions in its war against Hamas in Gaza in her role as the Green Party’s foreign affairs and human rights spokesperson.

Fellow Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said it was right that Ms Ghahraman had resigned but that it was clear she was in distress and would continue to receive their support.

“We have seen the conversation over the past years, especially over the particular treatment of women with public profiles, and in addition, the particular treatment of women of colour with public profiles,” said Davidson.

BBC

Forex Backlog: CBN Now Owes $5bn; Settles Commercial Banks

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says it has cleared the foreign exchange backlog owed some commercial banks in the country.

A statement released on Wednesday by the apex bank’s spokesperson, Hakama Sidi Ali said the banks’ forex forward has now been fully settled without mentioning specific banks.

But the magazine learned that no fewer than 14 local and foreign commercial banks have now received their Forex settlement in full.

The development comes three months after the CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso said last September that  the apex bank has started clearing the $7 billion Forex owed various sectors of the economy.

Analysts insist that the CBN action is likely to repose confidence in the Forex market which has been fluctuating due to Forex shortages, leading to further devaluation of the naira.

The petroleum, aviation, and manufacturing sectors  have now received a total of $2 billion from CBN as Forex settlement, according to the figures from the Cardoso-led government bank.

Few weeks ago, Reuters, quoting  banking sources, said, the banks were paid varying amounts totalling about $1 billion and that the payments would continue in the next few weeks as more liquidity is received by the apex bank.

Out of the first tranche of $1 billion, some commercial banks were said to have been fully settled while others received as much as 70 percent from the CBN. 

Commercial bank’s paid up to $7 billion to foreign credit lines after the CBN failed to pay the debt at maturity due to Forex scarcity.

Meanwhile, the apex has stated that a reputable forensic firm has been hired to investigate serious gross infractions, abuse and non-compliance with market regulation. Those found guilty would be seriously sanction after investigations are concluded, the CBN said.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, recently stormed the Lagos office of the Dangote Group, in the quest to get documents to indict the company owned by Africa’s Richest man, Aliko Dangote on alleged forex roundtripping.

The company has denied any wrongdoing.  

Explosion: Afenifere Calls For Regulation Of Mining Sector, Flays Casualties In Ibadan

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has frowned at a situation whereby mining business, which is suppose to boost the economy of the country is destroying lives and properties of innocent Nigerians.

Reacting to the explosion in Ibadan, Oyo state, the group called on the Federal Government to assist victims and families of casualties of the fatal explosion.

The organization also called for arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the blast that destroyed many structures in the city.

Afenifere also advised the Federal Government to ensure the mining sector is controlled appropriately and in line with the constitutional provision, saying that many people were deformed by the blast which has been linked to activities of illegally miners.

In a statement by the National Organizing secretary of the organisation, Kole Omololu, and made in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Wednesday, Afenifere urged government at all levels to take appropriate action to prevent recurrence of the incident.

The group added that “News of the explosion that rocked the ancient city of ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Tuesday came to us with shock and sadness. Lives and limbs were lost, properties were destroyed and the day-to-day activities of the people were disrupted.

“The number of injured persons, initially put at 77, has continued to climb while two lives were declared lost so far.

“Our heart goes out also to the families of the injured and to those who have lost property, loved ones, and their means of livelihood.

“As we pray for the sweet repose of the soul of the dead, we also beseech our creator to heal the wounded and restore them to good health in no time. Nigeria and Nigerians have suffered enough misery in the hands of illegal miners.

“Mining activities should be organized under law and the proceeds therefrom should enrich the country and Nigerians in general rather than end up in private pockets.

“Illegal mining activities have reportedly been responsible for much of the insecurity in some parts of the country. We must be careful to see to it that we do not allow such to be exported into our own space.

“We therefore call on our government to expose and bring all illegal miners to book. Governor Makinde has assured that those responsible for this disaster will be brought to book.

“We support every step he takes to ensure that this is done. for only then will justice be served, both to the victims and the culprits.

“And only then can we also prevent a recurrence of the horrendous event that has led to losses valued at billions of naira.

“It is reassuring that governor Makinde is doing his utmost best to assist the victims, we however call for federal government assistance because of the magnitude of the disaster. The burden must not be left to Oyo state government alone to carry.

Perpetrators Of Ibadan Explosion Must Be Fished Out – President Tinubu

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has called for sanctions against those behind the explosion which rocked Ibadan, Oyo state capital on Tuesday

.The president expressed sadness over the devastating explosion in the Oyo state capital ordered those victims should be accorded necessary care as the case might be.

The explosion killed two persons and wounded about 80 others. It also destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele in a statement remarked that “It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners.

“Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished.”

President Tinubu commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State and called on all concerned agencies of government to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity.

The President directs the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has instituted an investigation into the recent explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, to unravel the circumstances around it and the perpetrators of it.

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on Federal Executive Council, (FEC’s), discussions on the incident.

Alhaji Badaru said the government has also set up a committee to look into ways to stop illegal mining in the country.

Regional Integration: South South Governors To Meet In Benin

By
Ayodele Oni
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Braced Commission holding in Edo State

By Ayodele Oni

After years of lull in their activities, Governors of the South South geo political zone of the country are set to reconvene on Thursday in Benin City, Edo state.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, will be hosting governors from Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Edo, and Rivers State, popularly called BRACED states, to discuss various developmental issues including regional cooperation.

Reacting to the proposed meeting, Chief Monday Wehere, stated that the revival of the BRACED Commission through the hosting of its 2024 maiden meeting by the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, is a welcome development towards regional integration of South South States of Nigeria.

Wehere who is President of BRACED Union, in a Press Release on Wednesday in Benin City,  welcomes all governors of the South-South region to Edo State, while wishing them fruitful delibrations.

The Statement urged Governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Rivers State, to sustain the tempo as the survival of the region is non-negotiable.

“This maiden meeting of BRACED governors in Edo State on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, after some years of lull, shall resuscitate the ailing commission and give a breath of fresh air to agitations of the region in terms of economic and security challenges.

“The power of togetherness, unity and harmony cannot be over emphasized. We call on the BRACED governors to give bite to their commitment on the concerns of people of the region which, we in the BRACED Union, have been on the fore front to galvanize support and mobilize human and material resources in support of BRACED objectives.”

The BU President urged the governors to carry the members of BU and the BRACED Commission along in the scheme of things in order to better the lot of grassroots followers.

“Issues of regional integration and security should be at the front burner with the need for a regional security outfit to curb rising spate of kidnappings, oil thievery, economic sabotage and all that are germaine to the development of the South-South region as the goose that lays the golden egg.

“The BRACED governors must bring to the fore the need to press on the Federal Government legalize artisanal refineries to enhance economic main stay of the region and empower youths to be self employed and employers of labour.

“These and others, we at BRACED Union, with over ten thousand memberships across the six states of the region, are ready to work with the BRACED Commission which should be resuscitated in earnest to implement the plans and programmes of the Commission.”

Attempted Dispatch of Unknown Medication Through A Departing Passenger on Ibom Air To Accra By A Pathfinder Staff

By
The Source
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The attention  of the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,  FAAN has been  drawn  to a video  circulating on social  media  where a supposed staff of  the Authority  was knelt  down  and was being  slapped  by a passenger  for trying  to use him to traffic drug.

It has been  identified  that  the incident  took place  at  the  Murtala  Muhammed International Airport  on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at about 1430hrs at gate 2  boarding gate at ITZ2.

The Authority wishes to set the records straight by stating that the officer being manhandled in the video is not a staff of FAAN.

He has been identified  as  a member of the staff of Pathfinder company.

The employee was said to have approached a passenger to help him convey a parcel through the flight.

When the passenger became skeptical, he raised an alarm, alleging that he was being set up for drug trafficking.

The employee was immediately arrested for questioning by the Crime Investigation and Intelligence Unit of the Aviation Security Services.

The passenger  involved has since departed on  Ibom  Air to Accra while the medication  with the name “NEW AGE GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN SULFATE COMPLEX ” has been  taken  to the National  Drug Law Enforcement  Agency ( NDLEA) for further  investigation.

FAAN is dedicated to a drug-free society and has zero tolerance to drug peddling through her airports.

FAAN…Committed to her core values…
Safety! Security!! Comfort!!!

Obiageli Orah ( Mrs)
Director Public Affairs & Consumer Protection

Pan Yoruba Group Tackles Governor Makinde, Says Ibadan Explosion An Act Of Terrorism

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Seyi Makinde

By Akinwale Kasali

The tragic Ibadan Explosion which led to loss of lives and properties in Oyo State has been termed an act of Terrorism by Pan Yoruba Group, Apapo O’odua Koya, AOKOYA.

The Group alleged that the explosion which rocked the ancient city was a ‘conscious act of terrorism’, and attacked Governor Seyi Makinde for, allegedly, shying away from the truth as a result of political interest.

AOKOYA in a Statement signed by Col. Abimbola Sowunmi (Rtd) and Ahmed Akorede, President and Secretary of the Group dismissed GovernorMakinde’s claims as fraudulent and driven by ‘political interests.’

It alleged that the pattern of the explosion, the form and the impact show the high possibility of a bomb attack on the heart of Yoruba Nation.

The group said the explosion was a message to Yoruba people that terrorists and Jihadists are ready to invade Yorubaland and wreak havoc.

“Every Yoruba town and village has been invaded by enemies form the North and from the oriental all with the same desire to conquer and destroy Yoruba land and our time tested civilisation”, AOKOYA said.

The group said the choice of Ibadan to the attackers is significant being the political headquarters of the Yoruba nation. AOKOYA said the attackers appeared to have deliberately chosen the anniversary of the 1966 military coup which led to the civil war to remind the Yoruba people that our land will be a battle ground in the imminent war of survival.

AOKOYA said the signs of war and conflict are written all over Nigeria but politicians want to fuel the assumption that there is orderliness and that their wealth and stolen privileges are not threatened.

The Pan Yoruba group said state sponsored intelligence reports are tailored to allay justified panic and to deceive the people that there is no threat to democracy describing it as ‘intelligence report for political convenience.’

The Yoruba self-determination group said  President Bola Tinubu was to visit Ibadan in honour of Chief Bisi Akande when the explosives went off.

“We are no fools. Those parroting the theory of a gas explosion are covering up the truth with blatant lies designed to serve political interests. There are no gas stations in the vicinity of the explosion. It is a lie”.

AOKOYA said the other theory of explosion traced to miners is another dishonest plot to cover up the truth. ‘We know that explosives used for mining do not go off prompted by a third party. The explosives can also not go off at the same time. It is not possible that a miner will keep explosives at home to endanger his own life.’ Sowunmi and Akorede said terrorists have been emboldened by the shift of power to the south.

The group said unfortunately, those who inherited the power from Fulani do not know what to do with it while the President surrounds himself with those who are totally detached from the Yoruba cultural and social formations leaving the President with no strong cultural roots among his own people and making him easy target by his stubborn enemies.

“Attack on Ibadan is an act carried out by terrorists, were promoted and armed by the strong network of political and economic class who are in government and entrenched in the security system. Most of the public funds stolen are diverted to terrorists in pursuant of the final stage of the 1804 Jihad”.

It said Nigeria has reached the point of no return adding that only the attainment of O’odua Republic can save Yoruba people.

AOKOYA said the Yoruba are at a disadvantage with the political space taken over by profit seeking crooks who have no sense of history, corrupt and inept and whose primary focus is the primitive accumulation of wealth.

“The option for the Yoruba is for the people to organise and defend themselves by all means necessary. There is no single hope in the current political dealers. They know war is coming and their preparation is to ensure they have their families abroad, steal enough for comfort, and remain in Nigeria with their passports nearby to flee at the earliest chance. The time is limited else, our land shall be invaded sooner than we imagine”.

It however urged Yoruba people at home and abroad to brace up for the war arch enemies are bent on imposing on the people. ‘We are a peace loving people that have seen war and peace for centuries. We cherish peace as against war but if war is imposed in Yoruba people, we shall fight with every pint of our blood and we are sure to win by the power of the creator of heaven and earth.

Update: Ibadan Explosion: Oyo Govt Declares Two Dead, 77 Injured

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Seyi Makinde

By Akinwale Kasali

A devastated Governor Seyi Makinde is yet to come to terms with the explosion that rocked Bodija Area, Ibadan, Oyo State Capital Tuesday night. Oyo State Government has revealed that two persons lost their lives while a total of 77 others suffered varying degrees of injuries in the explosion.

The Governor made the disclosure when he paid a visit to the scene of the incident to assess the extent of damage.

He said that the explosion, which occurred at about 7:44 p.m., was caused by a cache of explosive devices stored by some illegal miners occupying a residential building in the area.

Makinde, however, said that some of the injured people had been treated and discharged, while pledging that the medical bills of all victims would be paid by government.

He further stated that government would provide temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and support toward rebuilding their lives.

He said that preliminary investigations by security agencies in Oyo State revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija area had stored some explosive devices there which caused the blast.

The governor stated that investigations were ongoing and that anyone found to have been involved in incident would be brought to book.

While urging residents of Oyo state to remain calm, Makinde directed them to call 615 for any emergency they might be experiencing at this time.

He also implored them to stay away from the immediate scene of the incident in Ibadan to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.

The governor appreciated the first responders, security personnel and all those who were at the scene to assist with rescue operations as well as the medical personnel taking care of the injured.

Though a Pan Yoruba Group, Apapo O’odua Koya, AOKOYA, has termed the explosion as a planned attack on the ancient Yoruba State, saying that it is an act of terrorism.

Explosion: Oyo Sets Up Emergency Situation Hub, As Details Of Casualties Unfold

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As details of casualties of Tuesday  night’s explosion in Oyo State begin to unfold, Government has set up an Emergency Situation Hub to collate and co-ordinate management of victims affected by the explosion that rocked Ibadan Tuesday night.

A statement  by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation,  Dotun Oyelade, on Wednesday, stated that those affected can go to the premises of the Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan.

The Commissioner, who said the situation hub is headed by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, also advised victims to submit verifiable evidences of their losses and seek clarifications on the nature of government intervention.

He explained that temporary accommodation has been organized by the government for those displaced as a result of the explosion, while the State Government will also finance the hospital bills of those injured.

Oyelade confirmed that several victims have started registering at the hub, and are being put through by emergency and disaster experts.

As the investigation continues by the security men, the State Government is narrowing down on the possible cause of the explosion.

The Commissioner said that as a result of new evidences, Government is interrogating certain leads that suggest storage of explosives by illegal miners residing in the area.

During his visit to the scene, Governor Seyi Makinde implored residents of Oyo State to be more sensitive to the goings-on in their environment.

“If you see something, say something”, the Governor emphasized.

Oyelade said the explosion affected some structures of Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the State Secretariat.

He said the impact and venom of the explosion was felt about 15 km apart.

Governor Seyi Makinde had last month deployed massive military land, Air and Intelligence to the Oyo National Park to flush out illegal miners and other criminals.

A Lawyer’s Heart-Shattering Plea To Colleagues Over His Family

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

For Oladosu Folorunso Ariyo, a Lawyer, his world is finished, almost. He is going through the worst nightmare a parent would go through. It is a nightmare one would not wish for one’s worst enemy.

On  January  1, 2024, he excitedly ushered-in the New Year with his wife, also a Lawyer, with his four children. But on January 7, the joy was shattered.

At about 7.30pm, gunmen, dressed in Military uniform invaded his home and kidnapped his wife and their children.

Within hours, the abductors called and demanded the sum of N60m for their release. Aghast and confused and devastated, he began to run round to raise the money. Between him and his friends, the sum of Seven million Naira was raised. When the kidnappers called, he told them he had the sum of N7m to give them. He pleaded with them for mercy.

That infuriated them. And to show him how insulted they felt by his “small” offer, they took the eldest of the four children, 13- year old Michelle, killed her, and dumped her body along the road.

Presently, Barrister Ariyo is going through indescribable agony. He is completely traumatized. The gunmen have promised to kill his other children and wife one after the other if the N60m is not delivered to them.

With no hope, so far, that the gunmen will be tracked down and his wife and children rescued, Ariyo has desperately written a heart rending letter to the leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association, his Colleagues, and appealed to them to help him save the lives of his wife and remaining three children.

In the letter addressed to them, he recounted his ordeal since January 7, 2024, and pleaded with them for help.

The letter reads:

“Dear Learned Silks, Seniors & Colleagues,

“Most respectfully, I’m Oladosu Folorunso Ariyo, a lawyer working in Abuja. On Sunday evening the 7th of January 2024, arround 7:30 pm, a band of kidnappers dressed in full military camon invaded my home located at  Sagwari Layout Estate in Dutse, Abuja.

“They kidnapped my wife (who is also a lawyer) and our four children. The kidnappers called and demanded for 60 million ransom out of which through generous donation of friends and family, I’ve been able to raise the sum of N7 million naira which they have vehemently refused to collect.

“As at today, they’ve killed my first born- Michelle Ariyo ( age 13) and dumped her corpse on Kaduna road while threatening to kill my 3 remaining children (who are all minors) and wife who are still in captivity.

“PLEASE AND PLEASE SIR, I URGENTLY NEED THE INTERVENTION OF NBA.”

It is not known if there has been any response from the  NBA.

Abuja,  Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has suddenly become a danger zone, unsafe, a no-go-area. Gunmen are not only picking residents off the streets and roads, they are invading Estates and picking people, whole families, from their homes.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has come under fire from some shocked residents and Nigerians. They say while he is engrossed in Rivers State politics, FCT, is burning. But at a Securty meeting he presided over on Monday, Wike pushed it back to Council Chairmen. He accused them of constant travels instead of doing the job for which they were elected into office.

On Tuesday, a shocked and embarrassed President Bola Tinubu held a security to find a way out of the terrifying situation. The Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, also summoned a meeting of the top echelon of the Police for a solution.

Nothing has come out of the meetings. It is the usual assurances which not a few people have dismissed as empty.

Until Security Agencies put their acts together,  Barrister Ariyo will continue to pine away and die gradually over the death of his 13 year old daughter, and the fate of his wife and three remaining children. And so will Mr Al-Kadriyar whose six daughters were kidnapped.

He was kidnapped with them from their home in the Bwari Area, Abuja. While he was released to go and source for the sum of N60m for the release of his children, the kidnappers killed the eldest of his daughters, Nabeeba, a 400 level student of  ABU.

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