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Ekiti Chief Judge, Escapes Death,  Injured As Section Of Office Collapses

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State High Court

By Ayodele Oni

A section of Ekiti State High Court complex, collapsed on the State Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, who sustained injuries.

The three storey complex,  was completed about six years ago during the regime of former Governor Ayodele Fayose who commissioned it.

The last floor of the complex houses the Chief Judge’s office and that of other officers of the State Judiciary.

It was gathered that Justice  Adeyeye sustained mild injury.

Though no life was lost, report stated that the injured CJ was rushed to the hospital for attention.

The CJ was said to be having conversation with a guest at almost the time for close of work when the incident occurred.

It led to an uneasy calm at the Court premises as everyone wondered what could have led to such situation.

Abductors Free Ekiti APC Chairman

By
Ayodele Oni
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Paul Omotoso

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Barrister Paul Omotoso, who was abducted last Saturday has been set free.

Omotoso, who was abducted, on his way to his country home, Imesi – Ile while returning from an outing, was released after spending almost six days in the kidnappers’ den.

Social media posts from his family members and political associates confirmed his release late Wednesday by his abductors.

Earlier in the week, report had it that the abductors demanded for N30 million, but it could not be immediately ascertained whether the demand was met.

The State Government had promised that the Chairman would be released unharmed by his abductors as everything was being done  in that respect.

It was gathered that the State Government resolved to handle negotiations for the APC Chairman’s release secretly without attracting reactions from the public.

Emefiele’s Right Violated – Court, Orders Release

By
Ayodele Oni
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Emefiele Arrested By DSS

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja, has ordered the immediate release of suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, from the custody of the Department of State Security, (DSS).

The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Hamza Muazu, while ruling on the allegation of violation of his fundamental human rights brought before it by Emefiele, said his arrest by the DSS violated his rights.

Muazu further said the way the DSS went about the arrest as if Emefiele was a criminal seems politically motivated.

The CBN Governor was picked up at his Lagos home over a month ago by officers of the secret service and flown to Abuja.

He had since been held by the DSS. No charges have been brought against him.

FG Unveils Plan To Boost Rice, Wheat Production

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Federal government has disclosed that plan is underway to boost the production of rice, Wheat, Soghum through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket, NAGSAP.

The government said the plan will be implemented in five states of Niger, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano and Sokoto through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-One (ATASP-1) Project.

NAGSAP is an Information Communication Technology (ICT)-based platform for the delivery of farm inputs such as fertiliser, seeds, agrochemicals, among others, to the farmers across the country.

The programme, being implemented through the ATASP-1 project of the Federal Government, funded by African Development Bank (AfDB), is a direct replacement of the former Growth Enhancement Support (GES) which was re-introduced to address the yearnings of different value chain players.

Speaking in Abuja during a preparatory meeting of  stakeholders for the implementation of the project, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, said the key objective is to increase the production of wheat, rice, maize, sorghum and soybean through the provision of relevant farm inputs to small scale farmers during wet and dry season farming.

Under the programme, Umakhihe stated that 60,000 smallholder farmers in 26 local government areas of the five ATASP-1 states that are involved in the cultivation of rice, maize and sorghum would be supported with critical farm inputs such as fertiliser, seeds and agrochemicals through the ICT-based delivery platform with a view to increasing their productivities, household incomes and livelihood.

He said the use of the ICT platform in implementing the scheme will not only help to easily evaluate the actual performances and impacts of the programme, but will as well track the transactions between the beneficiary farmers and the input providers with a view to promoting transparency and accountability in the input delivery process to guarantee sustenance of the scheme.

Umakhihe also stated that the project is targeted at supporting over 250,000 wheat farmers with relevant farm inputs to cultivate about 250,000 hectares with expected output of 1,250,000 metric tons of wheat to be added to the food reserve so as to reduce dependence on foreign importation of the product and increase domestic consumption, particularly for the flour millers.

On his part, the National Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, said the objectives of NAGSAP are synonymous with the objectives of ATASP-1 which are; to ensure attainment of food and nutrition security, contribute to employment generation and wealth creation of the targeted beneficiaries along rice, sorghum and cassava value chains on sustainable basis.

Meanwhile not a few Nigerian have said that boosting wheat production is a plan in the right direction considering that it’s majorly used for bread, one of Nigerians staple food.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has led to a distortion in the supply of wheat, and a sharp increase in the price of bread.

Bakers in the country have just announced a 13 percent in the price of bread citing increase in the costs of production.

Senate Probes Dev Bank Disbursement Of N480bn SMEs Funds

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Nigerian Senate has set up an ad-hoc committee to probe the disbursement of over N480 billion intervention funds by the Development Bank of Nigeria, DBN.

The Bank was established to assist  Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria by providing finances, credit guarantees, and other technical services.

The probe was instituted by the upper legislative chamber following a recent allegation by Senator Ali Ndume that the fund was not fairly distributed to the six geo-political zones in the country.

The senator representing Borno South has accused the bank of shortchanging the 19 northern states in the distribution of the fund, saying that the modalities favoured the south.

For instance, Senator Ndume claimed that Lagos state received 47 percent, while the entire 19 northern states received 11 percent of the N483 billion.

According to the breakdown of the loan presented by Ndume, “the South West got 57 percent worth N274.740bn; South-South got 17 percent worth N81.94bn; North Central got 11 percent worth N53.02bn; South East got nine percent worth N43.38bn; North West got five percent worth N24.1bn; North West and North East got just one percent worth N4.82bn.”

In a bid to resolve the issue, the Senate has now set up a seven-man Ad- hoc Committee to carry out a thorough investigation. The committee has four weeks to report back to the Senate, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio named Senator David Umahi as the chairman of the committee while other members are senators Babangida Oseni, Ali Ndume, Sani Musa, Tokunbo Abiru, Ipalibo Banigo and Chizoba Chukwu.

No Amnesty For Bandits Army Chief Replies Yerima

By
James Orji
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Bandits and terrorists will capitalized on amnesty to regroup and attack Nigerians, the Chief of Army Staff, CoAS, Taoreed Laggbja has said, thus ruling out amnesty for criminals as being demanded by some prominent leaders in the Northern part of the country.

Lagbaja’s comment is not unconnected with the recent call for amnesty for bandits by a former Zamfara state governor, Sanni Yerima, according to those watching the polity.

On July 4, the former governor in an interview with BBC Hausa service said there was a need for the government to dialogue with the bandits.

Yerima said the government should adopt the carrot-and-stick approach used by the late President Umaru Yar’adua to make the Niger Delta militants lay down their arms.

“The best way to go about handling the issue of bandits is to introduce dialogue first. But as I said, if that fails, then the government will go all out to eliminate them,” he said.

According to him, “I believe that the Nigerian military has the capacity to deal with them (bandits) if so directed and given the resources, support, and political will.

“But the collateral damages that will be associated with the actions to be taken are what I believe should be avoided. If you send an aircraft now, not only bandits will be affected.

“Former President Umaru Yar’Adua had a similar interaction with the militants in the Niger Delta, and it was successful.”

But speaking to the Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal on Wednesday in his office, Lagbaja said dialogue with bandits has failed.

The CoAS said: “We also have the issue of the amnesty programme that has been instituted, and which has failed not only in Zamfara but in so many other states of the Northwest.

“So, I think we need to look at this issue of the amnesty programme because the criminal elements have proven to be incorrigible.

“The issue of amnesty has created an avenue for them to regroup and reorganise to launch attacks on our defenceless citizens. So I think we need to look at that.”

The COAS said he had ordered the deployment of more platforms and the release of funds to boost troops’ operations in the state.

Zamfara is one of the epicenters of banditry in Nigeria’s Northwest.

Just recently, the bandits were on the rampage killing over 80 persons in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

Hate: Igbo Traders Make $4bn In Alaba Market; Yoruba Loves Them- Omokiri

By
James Orji
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Reno Omokri
An estimated $4 billion is generated in Alaba market, annually, by Igbo traders  Reno Omokiri, a public affairs analyst has said. 
Omokiri made this known on Wednesday in response to suggestion that other Nigerians hate people from the south east.
Alaba, a big market in Lagos where assorted wares are sold is dominated by the traders.
The former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, said on his Twitter handle that the fact that Igbo are allowed to do their business across the country prove wrong assertion that they are hated.
He urged the Igbo to play their politics right in order to win the trust of other Nigerians, adding that “evidence of love for Ndi’Igbo than any signs of hate” abound in other Nigerians.
The full text of Omokiri reads,
“Nigeria loves the Southeast. And that is the reason why people from that geological zone are the most dispersed people in Nigeria. That will not happen if Nigerians hate Igbos. But if you believe you are hated, you will misinterpret every little thing and create misunderstandings that make your belief a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“For instance, if a Federal or State Government says everybody must pay taxes, and it gets to your turn, that victim complex will make you see such a routine practice as hate. That is what happened with Mmesoma. A government agency fulfilling its lawful duty seemed like hatred, because some of our brethren expected hostility.
“How can you say Yorubas hate Igbos, and an Igbo man defeated a Yoruba strongman in Lagos? Alaba Market, in Lagos, generates $4 billion annually for Ndi’Igbo. Where else on Earth do Igbo people see that type of revenue? Not even in Onitsha, or Aba. Focus on the facts and not what Radio Biafra is telling you. Radio Biafra is not a news station. It is a propaganda vehicle.
“When Ojukwu married Bianca, it was a Yoruba Shina Peters he invited to perform at the wedding. Dim Ojukwu knew that Yoruba were not his enemies!
“If Ojukwu, who led Biafra in a war with Nigeria that resulted in 1-2 million deaths, can be pardoned by a Fulani President, Shehu Shagari, how can you say the Fulani hate Ndi’Igbo?
“Was it, not General Babangida, a Northerner, who returned all Ojukwu’s properties seized by a previous government to him?
“Play your cards right, and Nnamdi Kanu will be freed. Renounce violence, like the Irish Republican Army did, and convert IPOB into a political party, the way the IRA became Sinn Féin, and democratically seize control of the Southeast, then turn it into a paradise, and other Nigerians will even vote for IPOB party Senators, Governors, and President. Who no like better thing?
“There is more evidence of love for Ndi’Igbo than any signs of hatred. Yet, you are allowing people who are shooting, beating and molesting you, as they enforce a sit-at-home order, to convince you that other Nigerians, who buy from you, employ you, are employed by you, and rent properties to you, hate you.”

Illegal Crude Oil Theft : NNPC Confirms, Interception, Burning Of Vessel

By
Ayodele Oni
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NNPC burns Oil Vessels

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) Ltd has confirmed inception of a vessel loaded with crude oil ready to be shipped out illegally.

The oil company, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the mineral was sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria.

It disclosed that one of the private security contractor engaged by the federal government intercepted the vessel.

The statement, signed by Garba Deen Muhammad, Chief Corporate Communications officer explained that “Following the receipt of credible intelligence, a Private Security Contractor engaged by NNPC Ltd., Messrs. Tantita Security Services, intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board on July 7, 2023.

“The Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location (Latitude: 5.8197194477543235°, Longitude: 4.789002723991871°), with the Captain and Crew members on board.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria.

“There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.

“Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve (12) years.

“The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011.

“Details of this arrest and the outcomes of the investigations were escalated to the appropriate Government authorities, upon which it was concluded to destroy the Vessel to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist.

“Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent.

“The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.

“NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.”

Omisore: NWC Member, Salihu Lukman, Is A ‘Black Sheep’ In APC; Says No Crisis In Party

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Iyiola Omisore

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, has debunked speculations that the ruling Party is enmeshed in crisis.

Salihu Lukman, APC Vice Chairman, North West and a member of the APC National Working Committee, NWC, had called for the resignation of the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.

But Omisore has dismissed Lukman as a ‘Black Sheep’ and a lose canon among the APC NWC, stressing that he is the only one out of the 26 NWC members calling for the resignation of the National Chairman.

Omisore made this disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Programme, “Politics Today”, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.

He added that the APC is unaware of alleged disgruntled members seeking the removal of the Party’s Chairman, Adamu, stressing that it was only Lukman that has been antagonizing the Party.

Omisore described the National Vice Chairman for North-West as a gaslighter who liked crying wolf where there was none.

“What else do you want us to do to him? Beat or kill him? When you listen to people like Lukman, you won’t know what is happening. This your Lukman that doesn’t attend meetings. He is acting like a loose canon.

“The NWC members are 25 and only one person, Lukman, has written so many letters, which bothered on ignorance on his part.

“About two months ago, he came to apologise and held a press conference to say he wasn’t well informed about what he did. All he said were things done within the party. He never attends party meetings,”Omisore said.

When asked if he was aware many APC supporters and NWC members wanted Adamu to be kicked out of the party, Omisore dismissed the report.

He also berated those secretly backing or standing by Lukman’s philosophy, saying they were ‘cowards.’

“We are not aware of any. But know that they are cowards too. There are cowards everywhere. So it is not impossible. But the point is that out of 25 members of the NWC, only one person is the ‘black sheep.’

“He is just used to doing the rantings. There is nothing special about it. This was somebody who came to apologise openly at a press conference. How can you take someone like that seriously?” he quipped.

As regards the rift between Adamu and the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio over the naming of principal officers in the Senate in which it was alleged that Akpabio didn’t inform the APC leadership, Omisore said it has been resolved as it was just a miscommunication gap which has been addressed by the Party.

President Tinubu Seeks National Assembly’s Nod For N500 Billion For Subsidy Palliatives

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly seeking amendment to the 2022 supplementary appropriation Act to allow the Federal Government source N500 billion for palliative to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

President Tinubu had, in his inauguration address, announced that the Federal Government could no longer subsidize importation of fuel, especially petrol into the country.

President Tinubu’s declaration that “subsidy is gone” is neither a new development nor an action of his new administration.

He was merely communicating the status quo, considering that the previous administration’s budget for fuel subsidy was planned and approved to last for only the first half of the year.

“Effectively, this means that by the end of June, the Federal Government will be without funds to continue the subsidy regime, translating to its termination.

The President also promised to re-channel the funds previously devoted to the payment of subsidies into better investments that will cushion the effects of the removal on the general public, especially the poor of the poor.

“This includes but is not limited to investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions of Nigerians and increase their earning potential.”

During its inaugural meeting in Abuja, Nigeria’s Economic Council, (NEC) under the chairmanship of the vice president, Kashim Shettina was directed by the president to urgently address the issue of Palliatives to cushion the hardship occasioned by subsidy withdrawal.

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