The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has raised alarm over threats to his life and his properties. He said that he has been receiving menacing calls and messages from unknown individuals. Speaking to newsmen today , May 9, at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu, Chief Iwuanyanwu condemned the disturbing trend of targeting and vilifying leaders who have dedicated themselves to serving the Igbo community. Chief Iwuanyanwu said that the threats escalated to the extent of one caller admitting to being recruited to burn down his residence. He expressed concern over the safety of himself and other Ohanaeze NEC members, saying that the recent dissemination of false information aimed at discrediting him and the organisation is suspect in the latest threats to his life. “I am addressing Igbo people all over the world, that if this kind of thing is not nipped in the bud, it is going to be very disastrous. “This thing didn’t start today, Joe Irukwu, Ralph Uwaechie were all maligned. As they went after Nwodo, they bombed his house. “Those of us who were close to Obiozor, you know he was a very nice diplomat. It’s this kind of thing that killed him. He’s not like people like us, I served in the army, I have thick skin. “These people have carried this too far. Sometime ago, I got some information that some people are coming to burn my house. That people said they were hired to come and burn my house. Some people also said they were hired to come and kill me. “All sorts of stories like that. And I started asking myself: what is it that I have done that would warrant that my house should be burnt; that I should be killed? “I told those people that they shouldn’t worry. Fortunately, one of them said that the person they hired said that I trained his brother in the university. “You know I had a scholarship scheme that trained over 5000 young people in the university. So, he said his brother was trained by me and so he cannot burn my house. “I feel sad that I should be confronted by some of these types of spectre of threats just because I want to serve my people. “I have looked at my past career and see how God blessed me. At 82 when I’ve retired, for me now to come back to serve my people and to find myself completely engulfed in this type of mess with Isiguzoro. “I’m somebody who is dogged and can’t easily be pushed around. God has given me the heart and determination to serve my people.”
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume has hailed the performance of the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo in his one hundred days in office as the Governor of the state. Senator Akume, who spoke when he received Governor Ododo on a courtesy call, said with the drive and positive disposition of Governor Ododo to accord topmost priority to the welfare of the people of the state is the hallmark of good governance. He said that the record of performance of Governor Ododo has already set him on a good trajectory as an emerging leader in Nigeria. “Do not be distracted by criticisms because you have started remarkably well and I am sure you will continue this way till the end of your tenure in office, may God be with you.” Earlier, Governor Ododo said the visit was in appreciation of the support the SGF has given to him since he assumed office as the Governor of Kogi State. The Governor described Senator Akume as a patriot whose record of achievements in public office is worthy of emulation by the younger generation. He called for the support of the SGF in achieving the development agenda of his administration in Kogi state. Governor Ododo was accompanied on the visit by the state commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Deedat Ozigi Salami and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Funded Projects, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a stern warning of a potential economic shutdown in response to the proposed implementation of a 0.5 percent cybersecurity levy on electronic transactions.
TUC urged the Federal Government to intervene and instruct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to retract its directive to financial institutions regarding the levy to prevent such drastic action.
President of TUC, Mr. Festus Osifo, condemned the plan as illogical, especially amidst the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the high cost of living.
Osifo criticized the government’s policies, citing burdensome levies imposed on bank account holders and the overall unfriendly business environment leading to business closures.
He expressed concerns that the levy would exacerbate financial hardship, discourage financial inclusion, and worsen poverty levels.
Osifo emphasized the pressing need to conclude discussions on the minimum wage, highlighting the adverse impact of further reducing disposable income on already struggling citizens.
The African Union has strongly condemned Israel’s military actions in southern Gaza’s Rafah, urging the international community to intervene and stop the escalating violence.
AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed extreme concern over the war’s devastating impact on human life and called for collective action to end the deadly escalation.
The move came as Israeli tanks captured the key Rafah crossing, a critical corridor for humanitarian aid into besieged Gaza. Despite Israel reopening some border crossings for aid, the situation remains dire.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a July 7, 2024 deadline for Point of Sales (PoS) operators to complete registration with the Commission. The directive came at a meeting between Fintechs and the Registrar-General/Chief Executive Officer of CAC, Hussaini Magaji (SAN) in Abuja today, May 7. The CAC boss said that the two-month timeline to register their agents, merchants and individuals with the commission, is “in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The measure aims at safeguarding the businesses of Fintech’s customers and strengthening the economy.” He said that the action was backed by Section 863, Subsection 1 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA 2020, and the 2013 CBN guidelines on agent banking. Magaji explained that the timeline for the registration which will expire on July 7, 2024, is not targeted at any groups or individuals but aimed at protecting businesses. Several speakers from the Fintech industry pledged to collaborate with the commission to ensure hitch-free implementation of the directive. Some of them, however, stressed the need for adequate and collective sensitisation, to ensure that the exercise achieved the desired results. The representatives of Opay, Momba, Palmpay Ltd, Pay Stack, Fair Money MFB, Monie Point, and Teasy Pay present at the event, signed up for a document to support the project. No penalty was spelt out for those who fail to register on or before the deadline.
Shell has announced that it exclusively paid a total of $1.09 billion in corporate taxes and royalties to the Government of Nigeria last year through the operations of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Ltd (SNEPCo.) In the just published 2023 Shell Briefing Notes, it shows that SPDC paid $442 million, while SNEPCo remitted $649 million. It said that similar payments made by the two companies in 2022 amounted to $1.36 billion. “These payments are Shell exclusive and do not include those made by our partners,” said SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor. “Shell Companies in Nigeria will continue to contribute to the country’s economic growth through the revenue we generate and the employment opportunities we create by supporting the development of local businesses.” Shell said that it has invested in Nigeria for more than 60 years. The Briefing Notes report on the progress of the businesses of Shell Companies in Nigeria – SPDC, SNEPCo, Shell Nigeria Gas and Daystar Power for 2023. The reports show that the companies continued to power progress, working closely with stakeholders and communities to promote socio-economic development and providing cost-effective and cleaner energy solutions. Osagie Okunbor said: “it is important to emphasise that Shell is not leaving Nigeria and will remain a major partner of the country’s energy sector through its deep-water and integrated gas businesses. “Our collective focus remains on delivery of safe operations and care for our people.”
“Wife” of Zebrudaya Okorionwobodo in the 80s TV sitcom, known as ‘The New Masquerade’, Madam Elizabeth Evoeme, popularly known as Ovuleria, is dead, aged 82. A statement by the Evoeme Emekalam family today, May 7, read: “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovuleria’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The new Masquerade,’ of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans. “We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovuleria’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.” Her daughter, Justina Ngozi Evoeme, who is based in London confirmed Ovuleria’s demise, which she described as painful and shocking. “I need to get my head around what has happened.” “Ovuleria” Evoeme was born in 1942 in Calabar, Cross River State to a sea worker father. She was prominent in the Nigerian TV space as an actress from 1982 to 1993 prior to the advent of Nollywood. She was originally named Elizabeth which was later shortened to “Lizzy.” She was known for her role as Ovuleria, the wife of no-nonsense TV character called Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo on the TV show, New Masquerade. The programme which used to feature on Nigeria’s national TV station, NTA, has over the years, been stopped. She played the role of a petty trader and an assertive but obedient woman who never disagreed or argued with her husband’s decision no matter how many others disagreed with him. She once explained that she never knew the meaning of her stage name “Ovuleria.” Since her exit from TV glare, not much had been heard about Evoeme. At one time, death rumours on her were refuted. In 2020, she was recorgnised for her contributions to the entertainment industry.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that he never ordered the eviction of Nigerians from the state to Osun. Governor Sanwo-Olu, in an interface with Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, said he never authorized any agent of his government to carry out such action. He promised to conduct an immediate investigation over the alleged deportation of Osun State indigenes from Lagos to Ilesa area of Osun State.
An outbreak of measles has reportedly claimed the lives of 42 children in Adamawa State, even as the state government reacted by shutting down all the primary and secondary schools. The disease outbreak was recorded in Mubi North and Gombi local government areas of the state. The state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwami, who confirmed the outbreak said that all the 21 local government areas of the state, except Lamurde have been put on alert. “The outbreak was recorded in eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi local government areas of the state, with the death toll of 42 out of 131 and 177 respectively of the affected persons.” This is even as the Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, also confirmed the closure of schools. “Yes, we have ordered the closure of all schools – whether public or private at secondary and primary levels. “This order which takes immediate effect will last for one week as we monitor the situation.” Source: Sahara Reporters.
The Presidency has berated the former Nigeria’s Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for his penchant to talk all aimed at discrediting the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. In a statement today, May 6, special adviser to President Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga said that Atiku “is fast developing a reputation for distorting and manipulating facts for his self-serving objective” Onanuga said that in his latest press statement, Atiku made wild claims on a number of issues that need to be corrected so that the public will not be misled into accepting fallacies as the truth. He said that President Bola Tinubu-led administration believes that every true and patriotic Nigerian, regardless of political differences, should work to promote the unity and economic well-being of the country and not delegitimise genuine efforts of the Federal Government to encourage local and foreign investments into the economy. Onanuga said that contrary to Atiku’s claim, the Tinubu administration, within its first year, has attracted over $20 billion into the economy. “While President Tinubu was in New Delhi, India for G20 Summit last year August, Indian business leaders committed over $14 billion in new investments. A substantial part of this sum is already in the country.” Part of the statement is reproduced hereunder: In an unmistakable vote of confidence in the economic reforms being executed by the Tinubu administration, foreign investment in Nigeria’s stock market has ballooned, from N18.12 billion in Q1 2023 to N93.37 billion in Q1 2024, an increase of 415%. The last time Nigeria saw such level of investment was in the first quarter of 2019, when N97.6 billion was invested. The market, since Tinubu came to power, has broken records and created more wealth for the investors. During President Tinubu’s recent trip to The Netherlands, the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, announced a fresh $ 250 million investment by Dutch businesses in Nigeria. Different sectors of the economy, especially telecoms, manufacturing, solid minerals, oil and gas, e-commerce, and fintech, are attracting new Foreign Direct Investments from discerning investors who know Nigeria is a good market for bountiful returns. We found it strange that Alhaji Atiku could accuse President Tinubu of conflict of interest in the award of Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to Hitech Construction Company which he claimed is owned by Chagoury family because the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, sits on the board of CDK, a tiles manufacturing company, based in Sagamu, Ogun State. Nigerians should, by now, be well accustomed to Atiku’s hypocrisy on many national issues. Is it not amusing that the former Vice President, a man who openly said he formed Intels Nigeria with an Italian businessman when he was serving in the Nigeria Customs Service, a clear breach of extant public service regulations, is now the one accusing someone else of conflict of interest? When he was Vice President of Nigeria between 1999-2007, he maintained his business links with Intels that won major port concession deals. Was this not an abuse of office, a flagrant violation of his oath, that a company where he was a co-owner won major government contracts and concessions when he was vice president? As Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, he approved sales of over 145 State-owned enterprises to his known friends and associates and openly said during his failed campaign for the presidency last year that he would do the same, if elected. It is important to state clearly that Seyi Tinubu is a 38 year-old adult who has a right to do business and pursue his business interests in Nigeria and anywhere in the world within the limits of the law. The fact that his father is now the President of Nigeria does not disqualify Seyi from pursuing legitimate business interests. For the records, Seyi joined the Board of Directors of CDK in 2018, more than six years ago. He is representing the interest of an investor company, in which he has interest. He is not a board member because his father is a friend of the Chagourys. Information about owners and shareholders of CDK is a matter of public record that can be openly accessed from the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission and CDK’s. Atiku and his proxy did not need a little-known journal to recycle open-source information to make a fallacious argument. The Chairman of CDK and the highest shareholder of the company is respected General TY Danjuma (rtd). The Chagourys are minority shareholders in the company, and only one member of the clan is on its five-man board. We wonder how Seyi’s membership of the board of CDK conflicts with Hitech Construction Company’s work on Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway. Alhaji Atiku has been waging an unrelenting war against this all-important and transformative project for no justifiable reasons other than bad politics. Atiku knows that its grand success and other projects to be unfurled, such as the Badagry-Sokoto superhighway, will be a major boost for President Tinubu and finally upend his perennial presidential ambition. If not blinded by political ill-will, Alhaji Atiku knows that the right thing for him to do is to applaud President Tinubu for the ambitious and audacious Lagos-Calabar Highway, which was authorised by the Federal Executive Council. It is important to remind Alhaji Atiku that infrastructural projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are used to galvanise the economy. In the US, President Joe Biden has used his $2 trillion bi-partisan infrastructure deal to revamp decaying American infrastructure and inject life into the US economy. How can an elder-statesman be waging a campaign of calumny against the economic fortunes and prosperity of a country he wishes to govern or trying to scuttle a project that will bring prosperity to nine coastal states and the nation in general? That Nigeria’s economy is being reclassified by the IMF as the fourth largest in Africa is stale news. This happened because of the devaluation of the Naira and President Tinubu’s determined effort to set the economy on the path of sustainable growth. Under the progressive, bold, inventive, and innovative leadership of President Tinubu, Nigeria will bounce back to where it rightfully belongs as Africa’s largest market and biggest economy. The Tinubu administration targets a $1 trillion economy in the next few years, with audacious economic programmes and critical infrastructure projects in key sectors . With revenue rising in trillions and the creation of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, which is poised to raise over N20 trillion this year alone, we have no doubt that the $ 1 trillion economy is realizable.
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