Music Star, Teni Opens Up On Her Ordeal With Life Threatening Infection

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November 9, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Multiple award winning Musician, Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni, has revealed that she was, recently diagnosed with a life threatening throat infection.

The ‘Uyo Me Yo’ Crooner said that she was advised by her Doctor to undergo a Surgery in order for her not to lose her voice permanently.

She made this disclosure via an Instagram post, narrating her experience with the throat infection and temporary loss of voice.

The singer added that she was admitted to a medical facility in September 2023 after repeated cases of exhaustion.

While expressing appreciation to God for recovery, Teni said she was able to recover her voice after seeking medical assistance, despite not undergoing surgery as earlier suggested by a doctor.

She said, “While recording my second album ‘Tears of the Sun’ in July 2023, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening throat infection.

“After different bouts of temporary voice loss, my doctors advised me to undergo a major operation or risk permanent voice loss. I was hospitalised in September 2023 after repeated cases of exhaustion. I had lots of injectables in five days.

“October 2023, I mildly recovered my singing voice after seeking medical assistance despite not undergoing surgery. November 2023: I am fully back on stage. My new single ‘Malaika’ is my song of praise and thanksgiving to God for his mercy and grace.”

Bishop Kukah Accuses Kogi Governor Of Causing Violence In The State, Urges Labour To Embrace Peace In Imo

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Ayodele Oni

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November 9, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Peace Committee, has frowned at the turn of events in Kogi state less than 72 hours to the Governorship poll.

A member of the Committee and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, blamed the State Governor Yahaya Bello, for being behind the spate of pre-election violence in the state describing him as “a poor representation of the teeming Nigerian youths.”

Bishop Kukah, who spoke against the backdrop of current disturbing violence in the North Central state ahead of the November 11 governorship election, said of Governor Bello; “Sadly, I think he’s been a very poor advertisement for what young people can do.”

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV Sunrise Daily Programme on Wednesday, the Bishop said; “I feel very sad because Kogi has been on the front burner, and Yahaya Bello, the Governor, prided himself of being the youngest governor and being a representation of what the youths of this country can do if they are given the opportunity.”

On the current face-off between the Labour Movement leadership in the country and the Imo state government, Bishop Kukah sued for peace, even as he urged all parties and stakeholders concerned to sheath their swords and allow for peaceful elections in the State.

Bishop Kukah, urged the Organized Labour to explore a peaceful resolution to the conflict, said.

“We keep making the point, the people who are contesting elections are our sons and daughters and whatever we do, in conscience, we must always think about the common good.

“Civil society organisations, unions, and churches with a bit of moral authority must always act in the common interest of everybody. Without a country, there will be no trade union.

“All you need to do is just look outside the window and see what is happening in the Middle East today, specifically in Israel and Gaza.

“When elections go wrong, it is ordinary people who suffer. I hope the labour leaders in Imo will really be more circumspect and ask themselves ‘Who stands to gain and who stands to lose what?’ At the end of the day, it is the people of Imo, they are not electing someone who is outside their state.

“Imo is a deeply Christian environment and I hope their religious leaders and others with moral authority can prevail on the Union to defer whatever may be their grievance.

“This can only be resolved in a peaceful environment. We appeal to them to do what is needed and ensure that elections are duly conducted. Our people have suffered enough.”

While appealing to the police and other relevant agencies to ensure security during the governorship elections in the three states, the Catholic Clergy said the people’s welfare and well-being cannot be sacrificed on the altar of personal or group interests.

“It’s very difficult to make this point, but sometimes we in Nigeria behave as if we are just a bunch of spoilt people. If we look outside the window and see what is happening elsewhere, the earthquakes, human and natural disasters that have afflicted the world.

“And we have to ask ourselves, ‘What have we done to God that he has been so magnanimous and gracious to us?’ Why do we turn the sword on ourselves?”

Imo, Rivers, Six Other States Get New Commissioners Of Police

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 9, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate postings of new Commissioners of Police to eight States. The States include Rivers and Imo States where demands had been made by not a few people from the States for the removal of their former Commissioners of Police.

Posted to man the Rivers State Police Command is CP Tunde Disu. He takes over from CP Emeka Nwonyi who ran into troubled waters following the face-off between the State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory. Scores of Youths, mainly Ijaw, embarked on a protest for his removal after Fubara alleged that Police Operatives stationed at the State House of Assembly used water canon on him as well as shot directly at him when he visited to assess the damage at the Assembly Complex following an arson attack.

The new CP Imo is Danjuma Aboki. He takes over from CP Mohammed Barde whose tenure in the State was enmeshed in a number of controversies leading to a constant request for his removal by many people, especially, members of opposition Political Parties.

The last straw was the brutalization of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Owerri, Imo State by Police Operatives when Ajaero went to organise a protest against the State Government over issues that concern Workers’ welfare.

The other new CPs posted to lead different State Commands, as part of the ongoing measures towards strengthening security, tackling violent crimes, and enhancing optimal coordination of policing operations across Nigeria are:

*CP George Chuku, Benue State Command.

*CP Ahmed Tijani, Jigawa State Command

*CP Dan Shawulu, Niger State Command.

*CP Usman Hayatu, Gombe State Police Command.

*CP Isyaku Muhammed to OSS Command.

The new appointments were contained in a signal already dispatched indicating that the senior police officers’ redeployments are with immediate effect.

Egbetokun charged the CPs to demonstrate their professional competence in their new offices.

Naira Scarcity: CBN Insists New, Old Banknotes Remain Legal Tender

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James Orji

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November 9, 2023

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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has restated it’s stand on the old naira banknotes. The old N1000, N500, and N200 notes are still legal tender.

For effects, the Yemi Cardoso-led government bank said it has directed all its branches across the country to continue to issue the old and redesign banknotes.

The clarification comes amidst recent scarcity of naira notes, particularly in the northern part of Nigeria. Some persons are said to be hoarding the banknotes in anticipation of end of the year scarcity similar to what was experienced early this year, when the CBN said it was facing out the old naira notes.

This is however the second time the apex bank made its position on the matter known after it issued a statement to that effect last week.

According to a statement issued by CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Isa Abdulmumin, on Wednesday, the apex bank said the clarification was necessary in the face of the reported scarcity being experienced in some parts of the country.

Every banknote remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, the Central Bank of Nigeria has disclosed.

This is as the apex bank directed all its branches across the country to continue to issue different denominations of the old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to deposit money banks.

The statement is titled ‘All Banknotes Issued by the CBN Remain Legal.”

It reads: “Our attention has again been drawn to reports of a scarcity of cash across some major cities in the country despite assurances of sufficient cash stocks in all locations across the country. There have also been reports of anxiety among some members of the public over the legality or otherwise of old Naira banknotes.

“For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

“Accordingly, branches of the CBN across the country have been directed to continue to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to deposit money banks for onward circulation to bank customers.

“We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria remain legal tender. In line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007, no one should refuse to accept the Naira as a means of payment

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals. We reaffirm that there is sufficient stock of currency notes to facilitate normal economic activities.”

Renewable Energy: Ogene Harps On Invest. In Sustainable Solutions, Dev.

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James Orji

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November 9, 2023

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The chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Victor Ogene, has said Nigeria must step up and be more intentional in investing in the renewable energy sector and technologies.

He said besides the need for clean energy, the growing conversation across board about sustainable development in every sphere of life, or sectors of corporate or governance structures emphasise the need for Nigeria to get more invested in the sector.

Ogene, who was speaking during the inauguration of House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, noted that it was in recognition of the importance of Renewable Energy and technology that the leadership of the 10th Assembly established a Committee to oversee its affairs.

“What that implies, is a new shift from what was – which was the fixation on Nigeria’s oil wealth and the aging technology powered by obviously environmental damaging fossil fuels,” he noted.

The lawmaker stressed that concerted efforts must be made to utilise the natural mineral deposits and resources God has endowed Nigeria with, adding that He “has also given us the wisdom, intellect and ingenuity to protect ourselves and our environment from harmful impacts of some of these resources, which we had relied upon to run our world.

However, he continued, “often times, we had also abused in a manner that they become harmful to us as humans, and destructive agents to our environment.

“Records, research and science, have all shown, evidentially, that fossil fuels are one of such friendly enemies of mankind. When we hear about climate change, or gradual but steady destruction of the ozone layer, we in this part of the world may not relate practically to such seeming ‘abstract conversations’ that may not readily address our peculiar and immediate economic or socio-political challenges.

“But the world is changing and we as a people must not be left behind in taking actions that would protect our environment and ensure that we invest in technological developments that would better our tomorrow.”

He continued, “The devastating and harrowing experiences in the oil-rich Niger Delta area, occasioned by oil spillages, gas flaring, water and soil pollution, that have continually destroyed agricultural activities and aquatic life in the region, are constant and relatable dangers of the adverse impact of fossil energy on our environment.

“So, the global quest for a safer, sustainable and renewable energy, is an indication that we all agree that there is a need for a new way of doing things. Besides the need for clean energy, there’s also a growing conversation across board about sustainable development in every sphere of life, or sectors of corporate or governance structures.”

Ogene emphasised that investing now in renewable energy is one way to ensure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future as scientists and experts have predicted that the earth’s fossil fuel reserves will deplete in as few as 50 years from now.

“With the fast dwindling global fossil fuel reserve and the increasing danger associated with it, especially as regards its impact on the environment and climate change, renewable energy is the future and Nigeria must step up and be more intentional in investing in the renewable energy sector and technologies,” he said.

First Nigeria’s Female Military General, Aderonke Kale, Dies

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Adesina Soyooye

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November 9, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria has lost its first female Army Major General.

Aderonke Kale, was the first Nigerian Female Military General.

She was of the Medical Corp, and was an accomplished Medical Doctor and specialized in psychiatry. She was, also, the first female Major General in West Africa.

Kale was promoted to the rank of a Major General in 1994, and was the Director, Medical Corp of the Nigeria Army, from where she became the Chief Medical Director in 1996. She retired from the Army in 1997.

Her son, Yemi Kale, was Nigeria’s Statistician General.

Major General Aderonke Kale died on Wednesday, November 8, aged 84 years.

House Of Reps Set To Grill Top Officials Of Govt On Key Policies

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Ayodele Oni

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November 9, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to make political appointees be abreast of activities of their offices, the House of Representatives is set to unveil a Policy Brief Series for key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

The maiden edition, tagged ‘Sectoral Debates,’ will kick off on Thursday with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) leading other top officials to appear before the green house.

Spokesman for the green house, Akin Rotimi in a statement on Wednesday, explained that “the series forms part of initiatives by the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD – led 10th Assembly to improve its constitutional oversight of the Executive arm of government, and is in line with the Legislative Agenda for the 10th Assembly, which is now being finalized.

“The inaugural session will commence on Thursday, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, and his Deputies, who have been invited to brief parliament about key policies of the apex bank.

“This is coming at a time that citizens are looking to the government for solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.

“In his remarks when announcing the development during plenary on Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD., stated that the series is in furtherance of the constitutional mandate of the House, urging Honourable Members to take advantage of the opportunity to be the voice of Nigerians, to engage the invited government officials on the key issues the country faces at this crucial point in time.

“Now, more than ever before, we need to ensure our policy-makers are making the right choices and decisions to address our security challenges and ensure long term growth and stability of our economy.

“The policy brief series will thereafter be followed by sessions with key officials in sectors such as Security, Power, Agriculture, etc., in subsequent plenary sessions, and will provide lawmakers the opportunity to ask invited government officials questions on areas requiring legislative interventions.”

The House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi stated that: “The Sectoral Debate Series is intended to provide political appointees and key government officials an opportunity to brief Members of the House of Representatives about the policies and programmes of their respective MDAs.

“These briefs are scheduled to take place during specific plenary sessions of the House, and would go a long way in fostering constructive and transparent dialogue between all arms of government in line with the Legislative Agenda of the Tenth House of Representatives.

“Citizens and indeed, our constituents are welcome to follow these sessions via our live broadcast platforms in order to gain perspectives on critical policies that shape the various sectors of our national life.”

CBN Says Old Naira Note Remains Legal Tender

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 9, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

With less than two months to the expiration of the December 31, 2023 verdict by the Supreme Court on the validity of the Old Naira Note, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has further reiterated the stance of the Supreme Court, by instructing all Banks that the Old and New Notes remain Legal Tender.

The Apex Bank stressed that all denominations of the Old and redesigned Naira Notes remain valid.

The CBN said this in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, and posted on its X handle on Wednesday, stressing that this is in response to reports of cash shortages in major cities, despite earlier assurances from the CBN about sufficient cash availability nationwide.

The statement read in part:

“For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

“Accordingly, branches of the CBN across the country have been directed to continue to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to Deposit Money Banks for onward circulation to bank customers.

“We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the CBN remain legal tender. In line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.”

It added: “No one should refuse to accept the naira as a means of payment.”

The CBN advised the public to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals.

“We reaffirm that there is sufficient stock of currency notes to facilitate normal economic activities. Furthermore, to reduce the pressure on the use of physical cash, members of the public are again advised to continue to embrace alternative modes of payment,” it noted.

Court Judgement: PDP Lashes NYSC over Mbah’s Certificate, Demands Apology For Governor

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The Source

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November 8, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

The Leadership of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has been accused of partisanship by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Party accused the NYSC, of throwing itself into the politics of Enugu State thus becoming a willing tool in the hands of the opposition in the State.

The NYSC was engaged in a messy face-off with the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, who it accused of forging his NYSC discharge certificate.

A couple of days ago, a Federal High Court, Abuja Division, gave the Governor a clean bill on the Certificate forgery issue, and slammed the NYSC with a fine to the tune of five million Naira in favour of the Governor.

Slamming the NYSC, the Party demanded for a public and unreserved apology from the NYSC to the Governor for “conspiracy, deceit, and wilful misrepresentation of facts to destroy Governor Peter Mbah and dislodge the PDP from Enugu State by hook or crook”.

The party, in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the PDP, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, in Enugu on Tuesday, said the NYSC owed Mbah the apology for the embarrassment and trauma it caused the Governor.

The PDP accused the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, and Director of Corps Certification, Muhammad Ibrahim, of dragging the reputation of the NYSC in the mud by getting enmeshed in partisan politics.

The statement reads:

“The judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, not only exposed the underbelly of the profiteering, conspiracy, ineptness, political partisanship and duplicity in the Governor Mbah NYSC discharge certificate controversy, it also exposed the same factors that have rendered our public institutions weak and ineffectual.

“For instance, in discountenancing NYSC’s claim that a purported certificate number A673517 that could have been issued to Mbah was among the outdated, uncollected, unused, and cancelled discharge certificates covering 1999 to 2004 that were allegedly burnt in 2022 on Management’s directive, the court rightly wondered how the NYSC obtained the certificates dated 6th January 2003, which they certified and tendered before the court.

“In the court’s words, ‘To make matters worse, the certification by the stamp thereon was done on 19th August, 2023, long after this case was initiated on 4th May, 2023; a person can only certify a document which original he is in his possession.’

“It is also a shame that in order to perfect their paid job, cover their tracks, and fool the court, the NYSC resorted to withholding Mbah’s initial file with reference number LA/01/1532 or the temporary file with reference number LA/01/1532/T that contain his records of national service and certificate from the Court.

“The Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo, therefore, unmasked the shameful conspiracy when he held that ‘non-production of files with Ref. No. LA/01/1532 or File with Ref. No. LA/01/1532/T means the contents thereof would have gone against the Defendants (NYSC’s) in this case and I so hold’’

Nnamani: “It should worry Nigerians that it is only in 2022 when the politics of 2023 was already underway that the NYSC found it most convenient and auspicious to burn purported unclaimed and unused discharge certificates from 1999 to 2004, if indeed it did so.”

His request:

“Now that the court has finally established the truth, which is that Mbah diligently served his fatherland and was honourably discharged; that the NYSC was merely playing dirty politics and tried to fool Nigerians and the court, we demand an immediate, open and unreserved apology from the NYSC to both Governor Peter Mbah and the PDP as an institution, and indeed the entire good people of Enugu State.”

It is not known, for now, if Mbah would sue the NYSC or not.

Wike Has Obscene Resources, Wants To Control Both APC & PDP – Dele Momodu; X User Mocks PDP

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The Source

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November 8, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has a huge ambition to control the two most prominent Political Parties in Nigeria – All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Funds, according to Momodu, is not a problem for Wike as he has obscene resources available to him which only a few politicians can resist.

Wike is the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.

Momodu, a veteran journalist, disclosed this in response to a post by an X user who criticised PDP for not being able to discipline Wike.

The X user, TENIBEGILOJU202, expressed disappointment in the PDP for not being able to put Wike he belongs.

He posted: “PDP is the most useless party in the world! Rather than take a bold step on Wike, they sent PDP governors to beg him! I am beginning to think dat there is big secret that Wike has against PDP leaders dat made him untouchable. @BwalaDaniel @DeleMomodu you don’t belong in dat party.”

In response Momodu posted on X:

“When a tsetse fly perches piercingly on your testicle, you require all the skills and wisdom to get rid of it. The extraordinary resources available to NYESOM WIKE, courtesy of PDP, ironically, are so humongous, and irresistible to most Nigerian politicians, the reason he wants to be king in two political parties, simultaneously!!”

As a PDP member and Governor of Rivers State, Wike worked against the party during the 2023 presidential election.

He divided the PDP, and led a faction of four State Governors- G-5 group- who worked against the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the APC in the February 25 Presidential election.

Tinubu paid Wike off by appointing him to the high profile office of the Minister for the FCT.

He still mouths his membership of the PDP. And the Party has been unable to raise a voice against him.