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Why Comedian, Basketmouth Divorced Wife After 12 Years

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth and his wife

By Akinwale Kasali

It was surprising when, in November, great Comedian, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth and his wife, Elsie, failed to celebrate their Wedding Anniversary.

In what was an annual ritual, the Comedian and his now former wife used to set the Social Media space agog with scintillating words, glamorous pictures, with celebrities and Nollywood actors and actresses using the couples pictures on the phones and social media handles.

To the disappointment of their fans and colleagues, Basketmouth took to his verified social media to announce an end to their 12 years old marriage.

This he said was due to some irreconcilable differences between them.

Basketmouth wrote, “As much as it pains me to bring my personal life to the public space, this is an unavoidable situation.

“After much deliberations, my wife and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage.

“As we move forward separately, we will continue to work together to give our beautiful children all the care, love, guidance and support they need.

“We humbly ask that you respect our privacy as we navigate through these times. Thank you,” he said.

FG  Raises Fear As Atiku Promises To Leave Open Nigeria’s Borders As President

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodrle Oni

The Federal Government has again raised the alarm that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to return Nigeria to the era of unbridled inflow of weapons and massive importation of food to the detriment of local farmers.

Reacting to pledge by the presidential hopeful to fling open the country’s borders if elected, the Federal Government described as unfortunate such a promise by a former Vice President.

Atiku, had made the pledged during his campaign rally in Katsina on Tuesday.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said by that statement, Atiku is displaying his desperation to be president at all cost.

The minister spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the 15th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) Administration Scorecard Series.

It was reported the scorecard initiative, which was launched as part of efforts to showcase the achievements of the Buhari administration, had as a guest the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi.

According to the minister, Atiku’s pledge, if implemented, would put millions of Nigerians out of jobs as well as ruin the fertilizer companies and the rice mills that had grown exponentially in number since Nigeria shut its land borders in 2019.

He added that the planned policy by Atiku would worsen the security situation in Nigeria by throwing open all the borders and allowing a massive inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.

Mohammed said by the statement, Atiku had informed Nigerians that he would reverse all the efforts made by the Buhari administration to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of many staples, especially rice.

According to him, millions of rice farmers would lose their jobs when imported rice floods the country while hundreds of thousands of Nigerians working in the various rice mills established under the Buhari administration would also be jobless.

“By that statement, Alhaji Atiku will shut down most, if not all, of our new fertilizer blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain.

“Also, by his declaration, the former vice president has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow in unhindered into the country.”

The Minister pointed out that the Buhari administration had increased the number of fertilizer blending plants in the country from 10 in 2015 to 142 presently and the rice mills in the country from 10 in 2015 to 80 integrated rice mills.

He also disclosed that 10 large-scale integrated rice mills were currently being built across the country.

“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, may also want to know that while Nigeria was the number one export destination for rice in 2014, our country has now moved to number 79, according to Thai Authorities.

“By throwing open the borders indiscriminately as he has pledged, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“For sheer expediency, Alhaji Atiku, a former Customs Officer who rose to the pinnacle of his career, is ready to erase the gains made since 2015 in pushing Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency in the production of staples.”

Mohammed cautioned that the promise by Atiku was a red flag to Nigerians who, in line with the admonition of the President had been striving to ” produce what they eat and eat what they produce.”

Alleged Planned Disruption Of Elections: Tinubu Wants Security Agents To Probe PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council has called on law enforcement agencies to invite top echelon of the campaign Organization of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) over its alleged discovery of plans to derail next year’s general elections .

The campaign Organization, in a statement on Wednesday states that “We note with concern the incoherent and convoluted Press Statement issued today by the ethically-challenged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yet again raising alarm about certain plots to incite violence and derail the 2023 polls and having ‘credible information’ as to those unleashing violence in certain parts of the country.

“This Press Statement, coming just barely 48 hours after one of its former officials was convicted by a court of law over illegal acts committed during an election over which the PDP government presided is just a pointer to the lowest level of moral debauchery to which the PDP has sunk.

“It operates without an iota of shame or respect for the Nigerian people. Instead of continuous apologies for those grievous acts of election rigging, money-laundering and other electoral malpractices, it continues to pontificate.

“Based on its latest Press Statement about having ‘credible information’ about certain individuals plotting to derail the 2023 elections, including acts of arson already perpetrated on the facilities of INEC, we therefore call on the law-enforcement agencies to, as a matter of URGENCY, invite the PDP leaders for immediate questioning.

The statement, signed by Festus Keyamo, director, public affairs notes that “The PDP must provide information regarding: The place and time such a meeting took place and those in attendance.

“The identities of those who committed these acts of arson on the facilities of INEC. The information must also include the identity of those who sponsored these individuals (if any).

“The PDP should realize that an electioneering process is very serious business and not a time to issue baseless and infantile statements out of want of something to say to the Nigerian people. The Nigerian people have since grown weary of the antics of the PDP.

“We suspect that the latest alarm by the PDP is one of a long list of diversionary measures adopted by the party to deflect attention from its crumbling edifice.

“Just yesterday, the major leaders of the PDP in Katsina State led by a former Katsina State Governor, Mr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and 10 out of the 14-member working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the party’s rally in the State and today they issue this statement to deflect attention from that disaster.

We also state that this gimmick is nothing but crying wolf when there is none. We have said in an earlier statement on this issue some weeks ago that this is the same unnecessary scare-mongering tactics and crass vituperations they employed and engaged in before the 2019 election which led to their crushing defeat.

“We also said before and we repeat it here that ASIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a thoroughbred democrat and one of the major architects of the democracy PDP and Nigerians enjoy today, so he should be the VERY LAST of the Presidential candidates to be accused of undemocratic conduct or underhand dealings in the electoral process.

“The PDP should not joke or play politics with grave  security matters. Having ‘credible information’ as to plots and individuals relating to the attack on INEC offices currently, further plots to disrupt elections is, indeed, a matter of national security.”

Again, Uzodimma Okays Payment Of 13th Month Salary To Imo Workers

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has again approved the payment of 13th month salary to all Imo civil servants as they prepare for this year’s Christmas and New year celebrations.

The Governor did at the Imo State Executive Council meeting of Wednesday,  December 21, 2022 which he presided.

Last year, Governor Uzodimma did what no other past governor in the State has done, paying the civil servants 13th month salary to the admiration of the workers.

Apart from 13th month salary directive, the Governor had earlier directed that civil servants who who were due for promotion but suffered stagnation in the hands of past governments be immediately elevated and their new pay effected.

Apart from the monetary largesse announced at the State Executive Council meeting, Governor Uzodimma also said that the workers would be given rice and other food items to enable them enjoy the season fully.

Addressing the media at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba said that the distribution of the food items was to take place at the State Secretariat immediately and described the gesture as a “practical demonstration of the principle of Shared Prosperity” by the Governor Uzodimma’s administration.

He equally said that the Council applauded the Governor for the benevolence, noting that “despite the daunting challenges faced by the Governor from detractors he still has the political will and courage to continue to carry out gigantic projects and people-oriented governance to Imo people, hence the Council gave rousing ovation and vote of Confidence.”

Flanked by the Commissioner for Health Insurance,  Dr Bathy Okorochukwu, the Chief Political Adviser and Head Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu and the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Mr Oguwike Nwachuku, the Commissioner for Information said that the Council also received a cheering news that the full takeover of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri as Federal University of Technology, Owerri Teaching Hospital is now actualised and that “the necessary institutional structures, upgrade of offices and other necessities to make it a full University Hospital is being put in place.”

Emelumba informed that the Management of the institution has already asked for a date to come and thank the Governor for the unprecedented achievement recorded in the upgrading of the Hospital, noting that the feat will generate more employment opportunities of different categories to Imo indigenes.

Furthermore, the Commissioner said for maximum performance of the State Ministry of Health Insurance, the Council has approved that robust institutions and structures put in place, including the appointment of an Executive Secretary to ensure effective take-off of the sector as regards health insurance for  Imo workers that will further help shore-up the protection of their lives .

On the  N475b 2023 Appropriation Bill presented to the Imo State House of  Assembly  on Tuesday, Emelumba said that the Council observed that the document is ready and will soon be signed into law by the Governor.

Also, Emelumba informed that the Council noted that the Imo State’s Schools of Nursing at Aboh Mbaise and Awommamma in Oru East LGAs respectively that lost accreditation due to neglect by the previous administrations in Imo State have regained their accreditation “and soon the first batch of students that will open the school will resume.”

The Commissioner said the Council enjoined all Imolites to continue to pray God to sustain the Governor to enable him continue in his good works for Imo people.

FG Rakes In N2trn From Company Tax

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,minister of finance

The federal government generated N2.1 trillion from company income tax, CIT, in the first nine months of 2022.

This was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its recent CIT report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2022.

In the latest CIT report, NBS said in Q1, the federal government got a total revenue of N551.5 billion; and in Q2, the figure increased to N714.4 billion.

As at Q3 of 2022, the CIT revenue increased to N810.2 billion. This gives a total of N2.1 trillion revenue yield from tax in nine months (Q1,Q2, and Q3).

The NBS said the figure represents an increase of 55 percent when compared to the N1.3 trillion generated in the first nine months of 2021.

For the period under review, local payments contributed N1.3 trillion while foreign CIT payments amounted to N749.82 billion.

MANUFACTURING RECORDS HIGHEST SECTORIAL CONTRIBUTION IN NINE MONTHS

Despite foreign exchange, FX, challenges, the manufacturing sector led the list of sectorial contributions with N358.2 billion in income tax paid to the federal government in nine months. According to NBS, the revenue from this sector represents an increase of 121 percent compared to the N162.2 billion recorded in the same period in 2021.

The information and communication sector followed with N131.2 billion in income tax paid to the federal government.

The report said the financial and insurance sector remitted a sum of N163 billion as CIT, followed by mining quarrying with a remittance of N114.3 billion.

Other sectors with increased tax revenues include; the public administration and defence, compulsory social security with N68.3 billion remitted; other service activities generated N56 billion; and transportation and storage sector remitted N56.3 billion.

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION RECORD HIGHEST (Q-ON-Q) GROWTH RATE

In 2021, Nigeria held 97 percent of the box office revenue from movies in West Africa, whereas in 2020 it accounted for 99 percent of the revenue. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, movie theatres were closed in Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria. They reopened only in Nigeria in September 2020.

Analysis of the NBS data by TheCable Index, shows that the arts, entertainment and recreation sector, which comprises the fashion, music and movie industries, recorded the highest growth rate on quarter-on-quarter (q-on-q) basis.

In Q1 of 2022, the sector remitted N2.1 billion to the federal government and by Q2 of the same year, the figure increased to N3.38 billion.

More so, in Q3, the figure doubled to N6.54 billion, which makes a total of N11.99 billion in nine months.

This also means that the sector increased its remittance to the government in Q3 2022 by 93 percent, when compared to Q2; followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 75.38 percent.

On the other hand, accommodation and food service activities had the lowest growth rate at -64.81 percent, followed by water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities at -64.75 percent.

The Witness

2023: Again, Polls Predict A Win For Obi

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has been predicted to win the 2023 presidential election by NOI Polls Limited.

The poll commissioned by Anap Foundation said the LP presidential hopeful is ahead of three other presidential candidates, namely Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Bola Tinubu of APC and Musa Rabiu Kwakwanso of the ANPP.

The presidential race has been predicted to be a three-horse race for Obi, Tinubu and Atiku.

But the president of Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside said on Channels Television on Wednesday that the poll conducted this month has shattered the earlier projection, as Obi is now leading the three other presidential candidates.

Peterside spoke two months after Fitch, a global rating agency predicted that Obi will lose the election.

Giving a breakdown of the polls result Peterside, a former Chairman of Stambic IBTC said Obi scored 23 percent, Tinubu scored 13, Atiku got 10 and Kwankwaso polled 2 percent in the fresh poll released in December.

He said, “Nobody has gained or lost more than 2, 3 percent. I don’t know whether that is good news or bad news but it is as if nothing has happened fundamentally, no significant shift.”

He explained that mobile phones were the instruments used to conduct the poll because of increased mobile phone penetration in the country, adding that a large percentage of people are undecided.

He said the interest level in the next general elections is driven by economic challenges plaguing the nation, poverty, and insecurity, amongst others, noting that the appetite of the youths in this election is high and carpeted candidates who have dodged presidential debates.

 An abridge version of the statement:

Peter Obi consolidates lead in a Fragmented Presidential Race

21 December 2022

Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 Presidential elections, a recent nationwide opinion poll commissioned by Anap Foundation and conducted by NOI Polls Limited was concluded in early December 2022. The Poll revealed a significant lead by Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) both trailing him. Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) emerged as the lone outsider.

The results showed a significant lead for Mr. Peter Obi with 23% of voters proposing to vote for him if the presidential election were to be conducted today; and 13% proposing to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who fell in second place. Alhaji Abubakar Atiku was third with 10% and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso was a distant fourth with 2% of voters proposing to vote for him.

Mr. Peter Obi’s 10%-point lead at this stage is significant, but not sufficient to separate him from a leading pack of candidates scoring 13%, 10% and 2%.

Undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 29% and 23% respectively. The gender split of undecided voters shows that 38% of women are undecided versus 21% of male voters.

Poll Question: Suppose the presidential election is being conducted today, who are you likely to vote for?

Poll Question: Suppose the presidential election is being conducted today, who are you likely to vote for?

The percentage of registered voters and/or voters with their permanent voter’s card is as follows in each of the zones – 90% in the North East, 89% in the South West, and 88% in the South South. The lowest voter registration percentages were recorded in the North Central with 87%, North West with 86%, and the South East with 84%.

Fitch had two months ago predicted a win for Tinubu, the candidate of APC

“Indeed, we maintain our view that the ruling party’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the candidate most likely to win the presidential election as a split opposition vote will favour the All Progressives Congress.

“Protests and social discontent are likely to ramp up in the aftermath of a Tinubu win since this would end the recent trend of the presidency alternating between Muslims and Christians,” the agency said.

Gov Oyebanji Receives Presidential Accolades On 55th Birthday

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

President Mohammadu Buhari has congratulated Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji on his 55th birthday, saying he is fortunate to have delved into public service at a tender age.

A statement on Wednesday by Femi Adesina, special adviser Media states that “President Muhammadu Buhari joins leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in celebrating with the Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji, on his 55th birthday.

“The President rejoices with the Governor, his family, friends, and cabinet on the milestone while congratulating him on many achievements, delving into public service at a young age, and taking up many sensitive positions, including Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Government of Ekiti State.

“President Buhari notes Oyebanji’s passion to serve his people, which translated into winning the gubernatorial elections in June 2022 and swearing-in into office in October 2022, bringing a wealth of knowledge, network, and experience, after working in various capacities.

“As the Governor turns 55, the President trusts that Oyebanji will explore opportunities in building on the success of his predecessor in office, especially in education, in which the state earned a reputation for generational investments.

“President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will bless and keep Governor Oyebanji, and grant him wisdom to actualize his vision.”

CBN Changes Withdrawal Limit For Individual, Corporate Bodies

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Godwin-Emefiele-CBN-Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Bowing to public outcry and pressure from the national assembly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has conceded to some concessions in the recently announced monetary policies.

After it changed the colour of some of the Nigerian currency the apex bank announced a withdrawal limits for individuals and corporate bodies

However, in a letter on Wednesday, to banks, CBN said it has increased the maximum weekly limit for cash withdrawals across all channels by individuals and corporate organisations to N500,000 and N5 million, respectively.

The CBN said this in a letter addressed to banks on Wednesday.

The apex bank explained that it made the decision based on feedback received from stakeholders.

2023: Again, INEC Office In Imo Attacked By Hoodlums

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
INEC Headquarters in Imo State

By Akinwale Kasali

For the fourth time in less than three weeks, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s  office in Imo State has been attacked  by hoodlums.

The Commission’s facilities in the State had earlier been vandalized in Orlu Local Government, Oru Local Government and in the State Capital, Owerri.

In a Statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Wednesday INEC facilities, another attack waa carried out on Tuesday, leaving eight windows smashed and burglary proofs removed.

It also noted that ballot boxes and voting cubicles had been evacuated to another INEC facility for safe keeping, including uncollected Permanent Voters Cards have been secured as well.

The statement read “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Agu, has reported that our office in Isu Local Government Area office was attacked and vandalised. The incident occurred at the early hours of Tuesday, 20th December 2022.

“ Eight windows were smashed, and burglary proofs removed. Fortunately, the attackers could not access the building. Movable and immovable equipment as well as other materials were not removed or vandalised.

“However, as a precautionary measure, critical materials such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles have been evacuated to another INEC facility for safe keeping.

“Similarly, all uncollected PVCs have been secured while security will be deployed to ensure the continuous collection of the cards by registered voters in the same premises.

“The incident has been reported to the Police and other security agencies for necessary action.

“This is the fourth attack on INEC facilities in Imo State in less than three weeks following previous attacks on Orlu and Oru West Local Government Areas and the State Headquarters in Owerri.”

2023 Elections: ICPC To Partner INEC Against Vote Buying

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Akinwale Kasali

Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has lamented the spate of vote buying that could mar the success of the forthcoming 2023 Polls.

To curb this,  the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has  declared its readiness to support INEC with visual aids to document cases of vote-buying.

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the ICPC Chairman, said the move by the anti graft agency would help INEC to monitor compliance with the extant provisions of the electoral act.

Owasanoye made this statements while addressing a stakeholders’ summit on the influence of money on the 2023 general election, organised by INEC at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.

In a statement by the ICPC, the Chairman was quoted to have said, “We will support the INEC in monitoring compliance before, during and after the elections. We have been deploying and we will continue to deploy officers for election monitoring with visual aids to document vote-buying because sometimes you cannot immediately enforce during the process but after.

“As you know, elections may be extremely volatile and emotional, so the recording of the process of what we find will enable us follow up activities as we had in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun elections.”

He added that intelligence gathering concerning the campaign finances of all the political parties in the country was ongoing just as he promised that the Commission was ready to give its best in supporting INEC to deliver credible elections in 2023.

He said, “We will be assessing INEC’s political financing report. We are in this position because of the access we have to records and intelligence to benchmark what is submitted against the reality of what we saw moving and this will be very helpful in crossing the Ts and dotting the Is, in affirming or challenging the credibility of reports that have been submitted.”

The INEC Boss, Mahmood Yakubu, on his part said that he is perturbed about the negative role money played in the country’s electoral processes.

He said, “The negative role of money in elections goes to the very heart of our democracy. It destroys the very basis of democratic elections which is that citizens should freely choose those who exercise power on their behalf. Even more worrisome is the high prospect that criminal money may find its way into our elections through money laundering.”

He revealed that technical measures to curb vote trading have been put in place by the Commission while soliciting the support of security agencies to restrain the influence of money in elections.

“Let me reiterate the commission’s resolve to continue to employ both technology and administrative measures to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process. I assure Nigerians that preparations for the 2023 General Election is on course and we shall not be swayed from that course.

“Nigerians should be rest assured that the BVAS has come to stay. Electronic transmission of results has come to stay. Public display of polling unit results through the IReV has come to stay. With today’s initiative, the elimination of negative use of money in our electoral process will be tackled head-on,” the INEC Chairman assured.

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