Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has removed 63,000 accounts associated with the notorious “Yahoo Boys” scam group. The company announced today, July 24, in its Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Reports the accounts were used for financial sextortion scams and distributing blackmail scripts. Meta reported that a smaller network of 2,500 accounts, linked to about 20 individuals, primarily targeted adult men in the United States using fake identities. Meta said that it identified and disabled these accounts through a combination of advanced technical signals and comprehensive investigations, enhancing its automated detection systems. “Financial sextortion is a borderless crime, fuelled in recent years by the increased activity of Yahoo Boys, loosely organised cybercriminals operating largely out of Nigeria that specialize in different types of scams. “We’ve removed around 63,000 accounts in Nigeria attempting to target people with financial sextortion scams, including a coordinated network of around 2,500 accounts. “We’ve also removed a set of Facebook accounts, Pages, and groups run by Yahoo Boys—banned under our Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy—that were attempting to organize, recruit and train new scammers,” the company explained. During the investigation, Meta said it found that most scammers’ attempts were unsuccessful, though some had targeted minors. These cases were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Meta revealed that it also shared information with other tech companies via the Tech Coalition’s Lantern program to help curb these scams across platforms. The parent company of Facebook said that it removed around 7,200 assets in Nigeria, including 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 pages, and 5,700 groups that were providing scam-related resources. These assets were found offering scripts and guides for scams and sharing links to collections of photos for creating fake accounts. Since this disruption, Meta’s systems have been actively blocking attempts from these groups to return, continually improving their detection capabilities. The company said that it has also been working closely with law enforcement, supporting investigations and prosecutions by responding to legal requests and alerting authorities to imminent threats. The social media giant said that its efforts extend beyond account removal. “We also fund and support NCMEC and the International Justice Mission to run Project Boost, a program that trains law enforcement agencies around the world in processing and acting on NCMEC reports. “We’ve conducted several training sessions so far, including in Nigeria and the Cote d’Ivoire, with our most recent session taking place just last month.” To protect users, especially teens, Meta said that it has implemented stricter messaging settings for users under 16 (under 18 in certain countries) and displays safety notices to encourage cautious behaviour online. Last week, Meta was fined $220 millions by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for multiple violations of data protection laws linked to WhatsApp. The investigation, initiated in May 2021, found that Meta’s privacy policies infringed on users’ rights, including unauthorized data sharing and discriminatory practices. Meta said that it plans to appeal the decision, arguing that it disagrees with the findings and the imposed penalty. The FCCPC aims to ensure fair treatment of Nigerian users and compliance with local regulations. Source: THE PUNCH.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has made it clear that Nigerian employers, including those who employ messengers, personal drivers, private security guards (Mai-Guards) would not be allowed to pay their staff below N70,000 henceforth. Speaking before the passing into law, of the new minimum wage bill on the floor of the Senate yesterday, July 23, Senator Akpabio remarked: “If you are a tailor and you employ additional hands, you can’t pay the person below 70,000. If you have a housemaid, you cannot pay them below 70,000. If you hire a driver or a gateman, you cannot pay them below 70,000.”
The Senate President did not however how defaulters would be identified and penalty for defaulting.
The Bill is awaiting the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, who earlier announced the minimum wage after consultations with stakeholders and was accepted by the labour unions in the country.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), a leading labour movement in the country, Joe Ajaero has advised the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu to dialogue with organisers of the nationwide protest planned for August 1 to 10. In a statement today, July 24, on whether the NLC will participate in the protest or not, Ajaero said: “once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. “After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.” In the statement titled: ‘The Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise,’ the NLC President said: “a news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. “The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such a story as patently false. “The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. “It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.” According to Ajaero, the NLC has a structured decision-making process, which includes internal trade union mechanisms and leadership approval, that guides its industrial actions, such as protests, to ensure consideration before taking action. “Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government.” He said that the NLC is standing in solidarity with the Nigerian people in these “trying and excruciating times.”
“We are going to elections very soon; these are political gimmicks.” This was the conclusion drawn by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike, regarding the planned nationwide protest by Nigerians over hardships in the country. Speaking to newsmen yesterday, July 23, after an inspection of some projects, the minister insisted that President Bola Tinubu inherited what he called “rotten country.” “The country is rotten. You know that the country is rotten, and a government has just come to see what it can do to, at least, move it from where we are to a certain level, and you say that miracle must be performed within one year. “You are here now, we are talking about a project that was awarded 13 good years ago, what has happened? Nothing. “Now a government has come to see how it can fix all these things and we are in too much of a hurry demanding that it must be done now. It is not possible. “So, let’s not listen to political protesters and political jobbers who just want to be popular. You know there are some people who believe that if they don’t criticise, they will not be popular. “Just know that the government is a serious government and working to solve the problem. “We believe that things will turn around, but we should be patient with the government.”
Youths and other Nigerians planning to go on nationwide protest from August 1, have given conditions that will stop them from carrying out the protest. One of the prominent items of their demands on the federal government is the reversion to N100 per litre of pump price of petrol in the country. The protesters who threatened that if any them is killed, maimed or arrested during the protest, they will not back down until Tinubu and his entire cabinet resign, gave more details on their demands as they are captured below: Fuel Price Reduction: Revert petrol pump price to N100 per litre. Address Insecurity and Hunger: Combat insecurity and hunger by closing all IDP camps and resettling the campers. Electoral Reform: Implement total electoral reform and conduct an independent probe into the electoral budget of N355 billion. Release #EndSARS Detainees: Immediate release of all #EndSARS protesters still in detention. Living Wage: Implement a living wage with a minimum of N300,000. Free Education: Compulsory free education from primary to secondary school, and an education grant at the tertiary level. Public School Mandate: Ensure that children of all public office holders attend public schools in the country. Support Local Products: The government must patronize made-in-Nigeria goods. Unicameral Legislature: Transition to a unicameral legislature. Judicial and Constitutional Reforms: Implement thorough judicial and constitutional reforms. New Constitution: Scrap the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a people-made constitution through a Sovereign National Conference, followed by a National Referendum. Abolish Senate: Eliminate the Senate, retain the House of Representatives, and make lawmaking a part-time endeavor. Education Investment: Invest heavily in education, ensuring free and compulsory education across Nigeria. Release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: Unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demilitarize the South East. Renationalize Enterprises: Renationalize publicly owned enterprises sold to government officials and cronies. Subsidy Regime: Reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation, and poverty. Corruption Probe: Probe past and present Nigerian leaders who have looted the treasury, recover their loot, and reinvest it. Restructuring for Diversity: Restructure Nigeria to accommodate its diversity, resource control, decentralization, and regional development. Security Reforms: Reform security agencies to stop human rights violations and enhance citizens’ physical security. Energy Fund: Establish a Special Energy Fund for power sector development. Public Works Investment: Invest in public works and industrialization to employ Nigerian youths. Judiciary Overhaul: Shake up the judiciary to remove corrupt judges and officers, ensuring real justice for citizens. Diaspora Voting: Introduce diaspora voting to allow Nigerians abroad to vote. Smoking and drinking have been prohibited on the protest grounds.
President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon has begged the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote to come and invest in Cement and Fertiliser production in his country. The President asked Dangote to explore potential investment opportunities in the country’s cement and fertilizer sectors, specifically urea and phosphate production. Dangote, who was in Gabon today, July 23, engaged in discussions with President Nguema and other top government officials. The talks focused on how Dangote Industries could contribute to Gabon’s economic growth by establishing cement and fertilizer plants, which are vital for the country’s infrastructure development and agricultural productivity. President Nguema expressed enthusiasm about the potential partnership, highlighting Gabon’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investments. He noted that the collaboration with Dangote Industries would bring significant benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, and enhanced industrial capacity. Dangote, renowned for his successful business ventures across Africa, underscored his company’s dedication to fostering economic development in the continent. He emphasized that investing in Gabon’s cement and fertilizer sectors aligns with Dangote Industries’ strategic vision of expanding its footprint and supporting sustainable development across Africa. “We are excited about the opportunity to invest in Gabon. Our goal is to contribute to the country’s economic diversification and industrialization efforts. By leveraging our expertise in cement and fertilizer production, we aim to support Gabon’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors.” Dangote’s visit, according to information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper, marks a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Gabon. It said that the potential investment by Dangote Industries in Gabon is expected to bolster the country’s industrial landscape, ensuring a steady supply of essential materials for construction and agriculture. “This development aligns with President Nguema’s vision of transforming Gabon into a diversified and self-sustaining economy. “In the coming months, further discussions and assessments will be conducted to finalize the investment plans. The collaboration between Dangote Industries and the Gabonese government holds promise for a robust partnership that will significantly impact Gabon’s economic landscape.”
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has encouraged Nigerians to exercise their rights to protest against economic hardship in the country. Atiku, who contested for Presidency in 2023 under the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressed that any attempt to suppress the right of Nigerians to go on protest is both unconstitutional and a direct affront to democracy. In a statement today, July 23, the main opposition leader said that the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) guaranteed citizens the right to protest peacefully. Atiku Abubakar said that the accusation and threat from the Presidency that some persons were behind the protest is an exercise in futility. Atiku said: “for the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association. “Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.” The former vice president recalled that President Tinubu, his supporters and his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) led a protest in 2012 against the government of former president, Goodluck Jonathan. “It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest.” Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had recently accused former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and his supporters of being responsible for the protest scheduled to commence on August 1. There have also been other indirect threats from the Presidency to Nigerians concerning the protest tagged: “End bad Governance.”
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has apologized to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for shouting her down during a plenary last week, telling her “Senate Chamber is not a Club House.” Senator Akpabio, amidst the apology today, July 23, lamented that because of that statement he made, his phone and that of his wife have been bombarded with calls and text messages, “most of them insults.” The Senate President wondered about the interest shown in the social media, which he said “shows that we (Senators) have enemies. “Distinguished Senator Natasaha, I want to apologise to you. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I do not mean any harm. “People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward. “Social media handlers should practice with decorum. We won’t, out of anger, regulate social media.” Senator Akpabio stressed that he would never intentionally denigrate any woman. “I will not intentionally denigrate any woman and I always pray that God will uplift women,” he said. During plenary last week, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) spoke without being recognised by the Senate President. Akpabio then told her that the Chamber was not a “nightclub.” Weeks prior, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT, LP) was shut down when she protested that she was being excluded from the affairs of the nation’s capital. Yesterday, July 22, a women’s group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), knocked Akpabio for his alleged disrespect of female senators. Senator Akpabio also reacted to allegations by a blogger, Gistlover that he had numerous lovers known locally as ‘side chics.’ The blogger had claimed that some of his ‘side chics’ were celebrities such as Ini Edo, Nancy Isime, Hilda Baci, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Nwanneka Nkumah, and Nnadi Shontel. The Senate President reacted: “I have only one wife and she is enough for me.”
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has called for improved collaboration with the World Bank Group in the implementation of development projects in critical sectors of the state’s economy. A statement today, July 21 by the special adviser to the Governor on media and publicity, Ismaila Isah said that Governor Ododo spoke when he paid a working visit to the new Country Director of the World Bank Group in Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop at the Bank’s office in Abuja. He said that the Governor used the engagement with the Bank to review all ongoing World Bank projects in the state, requesting for an expansion in areas of critical interventions such as education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructural to enhance the overall social and economic development of the state.
The spokesman quoted Governor Ododo as calling for a pragramatic approach to all World Bank interventions to conform with the state’s 30-year Development Agenda of shared hope and prosperity and to ensure better coordination of all projects and programmes in the state. The new World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiame Diop assured Governor Ododo of his readiness to deepen cooperation and partnership with the Kogi State government. He stressed that he would working with the Governor to accelerate implementation of all ongoing World Bank projects and programmes in Kogi State. Governor Ododo was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, commissioners and senior top government officials.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has opened fire on the petroleum regulatory authority, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), saying that it had since embarked on telling lies as a way of justifying the need to continue to import dirty fuel into the country. Speaking during a tour of both Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex by members of the House of Representatives, led by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, Aliko Dangote wondered why such regulatory authority that should protect local industries is castigating the latter and even lying in media reports to justify the need to continue importation of dirty fuel into the country. He called on the Lawmakers to set up a committee that would take samples at filling stations and take sample from his refinery, “because I must tell you that all the test certificates people are flaunting around are fake certificates. “Where are the laboratories where those tests were conducted? “By doing this, you will be able to tell Nigerians the very truth that they deserve to know. “Demarketing of a company by a regulator that is supposed to protect it, is very unfortunate. “We didn’t know that you were going to ask us to stop by the road and take samples from other filling stations. I didn’t know what you wanted to do until we got here and you requested for a test. It is even good that it is your members that went directly to get our samples and I am sure you were shocked by the result. With the result, you can see that we produce the best diesel in Nigeria.” Dangote challenged NMDPRA to compare the quality of refined products from his petroleum refinery with those imported, even as he called for an impartial assessment to determine what best serves the interests of Nigerians. “We produce the best diesel in Nigeria. It is disheartening that instead of safeguarding the market, the regulator is undermining it. Our doors are open for the regulator to conduct tests on our products anytime; transparency is paramount to us. It would be beneficial for the regulator to showcase its laboratory to the world so Nigerians can compare. “Our interest is Nigeria first because if Nigeria doesn’t grow, we have limited capacity for growth. “Right Honourable Speaker and esteemed members, you have witnessed the results of the credibility test. I appreciate your wise counsel in procuring samples from the filling stations alongside our refinery’s product. Ours shows a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, approximately 88, whereas the others exceeded 1,800 ppm. “Although the NMDPRA permits local refiners to produce diesel with sulphur content up to 650 ppm until January 2025, as approved by ECOWAS, ours is significantly lower. “Next week, we aim to achieve 10 ppm, aligning with the Euro V standard. “Imported diesel is capped at 50 ppm, but as you have seen, those from the stations, imported by major marketers, fall well outside this standard,” Dangote observed. He pointed out that high-sulphur content diesel regularly imported into the country often comes with dubious certifications. He emphasised that the most effective method to verify the quality is to purchase the product directly from filling stations and conduct credibility tests. According to him, this issue has resulted in both health risks and financial losses for Nigerians. “Dubious certifications often accompany the importation of high-sulphur diesel into Nigeria, causing both health risks and financial losses for Nigerians,” noted Dangote. “The best method to verify this is to purchase the product directly from filling stations where end-users obtain it. “I believe Farouk Ahmed (Chief Executive of NMDPRA) speaks without sufficient knowledge of our refinery. “We have successfully exported diesel and jet fuel to Europe and Asia without any complaints; in fact, we have received repeated orders, indicating satisfaction with our products.” This was even as Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, highlighted recent actions by European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. “These countries have expressed concerns about the carcinogenic effects of high-sulphur diesel being dumped into the Nigerian market, prompting them to impose bans on such fuel exports to West Africa.” Edwin said that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is designed to process a wide range of crudes, including various African and Middle Eastern crudes, as well as US Light Tight Oil, conforms to Euro V specifications. He said that it is also designed to comply with US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), European emission norms, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms, and the African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards. He said that products from the $20 billion facility are of high quality which meet international standards, adding that it has the capacity to meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation Jet, with surpluses available for export. The Group’s Vice President, Olakunle Alake, expressed disappointment over accusations of monopoly against the Dangote Group. He stressed that there are multiple players in the industry, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which operates four refineries. He expressed Meanwhile, the Reps Speaker, Abass, has expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the quality of imported refined products into Nigeria, saying that the Green Chamber would establish a committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. He emphasised that sampled products from various sources would undergo testing as part of this initiative. The Speaker also expressed admiration for the infrastructure at the Dangote Oil Refinery, describing it as a significant asset in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products. He noted that the refinery has positioned itself as a pivotal player, especially at a time when global concerns over energy security and sustainability are paramount. “Today’s visit to the magnificent facilities of Dangote Industries Oil Refinery section has been nothing short of enlightening. It has afforded us a rare opportunity to witness first-hand knowledge monumental strides that your organisation has made in transforming the landscape of petroleum production in Nigeria. “The sheer scale and sophistication of this facility are awe-inspiring; it stands as a beacon of hope for our country as we navigate through the turbulent waters of energy supply challenges.” Abbas commending the state-of-the-art technology implemented at the petroleum refinery, describing it as revolutionary and a shining example of engineering and innovation excellence. “Each corner of this facility resonates with the echoes of hard work, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of quality. “It is evident that every drop produced here carries not just oil but also the hopes and dreams of millions who yearn for a brighter future. “We are deeply impressed by what we have seen during this visit which confirms the rating of this industry as the single largest oil refinery in Africa. “This remarkable achievement does not merely reflect corporate success; it symbolises national pride, a tribute to what can be accompanied when visionary leadership meets relentless determination.” The Speaker lauded Dangote for his steadfast commitment to achieving excellence. “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the myriad challenges that have beset this remarkable facility. “The regulatory hurdles that often loom like dark clouds over progress, the complexities surrounding crude oil supplies that can stifle even the most ambitious endeavours, and the daunting economic landscape we navigate especially in these times when our economy grapples with foreign exchange constraints, are all formidable adversaries. “Yet, despite these tribulations, your unwavering commitment to excellence shines through.”
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The spokesman quoted Governor Ododo as calling for a pragramatic approach to all World Bank interventions to conform with the state’s 30-year Development Agenda of shared hope and prosperity and to ensure better coordination of all projects and programmes in the state.
