Foreign Investors were said to have outshined their Nigerian counterparts by committing $530 million in the country’s Open Market Operations (OMO). A statement by the spokesperson of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali said that the percentage of the foreign investment is 79 percent. This fact emerged after the conclusion of the sale of the government securities on March 1, resulting in the issuance of N1.053 Trillion or $680 million in short-term instruments as part of the CBN’s liquidity management exercise. According to Hakama Sidi Ali, the apex Bank offered N500 billion at the OMO auction, adding that it was oversubscribed, “selling N1.05 Trillion, with 79% of the total bids, or the equivalent of US$530 million, coming from foreign investors.” She said that the Friday auction was the first since the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting, which was followed by a virtual meeting with foreign portfolio investors. According to the spokesperson, the apex Bank boss, Olayemi Cardoso had, at the meetings, set a detailed strategy to curb information, stabilise the exchange rate and spur confidence in the banking system and economy. “Mr. Cardoso further highlighted in the meeting with investors, an outlook for sustained increases in the CBN’s foreign currency reserves, improved liquidity in the foreign exchange market and imminent settlement of the remaining backlog of genuine Foreign Exchange transactions by the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The CBN is committed to supporting price stability by taking the necessary measures to increase liquidity in the foreign exchange markets sustainably. “Our focus is on building a fully functioning market that allows smooth entry and exit for investors.” Speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali said that the development underscored the level of confidence that the Bank now enjoyed from investors. She said that the Management of the CBN was optimistic that its monetary policy measures were beginning to yield positive results.
The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Doctor William Folohunso Kumuyi, has advised Christians to stop giving offerings to the Churches. Preaching to Christians in his church, Dr.Kumuyi said that it is better for those who have the means to give financial assistance to the poor and unemployed in their communities. The cleric told his church congregation that Christians should not spend all their money on building churches but also help their poor neighbors who can’t afford basic life needs. He recounted how a preacher had instructed his members to give monies meant for offering to the poor and unemployed people around them. Kumuyi said that it is good to build the church but that while building, Christians must remember their neighbours that are dying of hunger. “Look at all this offering we are collecting. This church has silver and gold. I learned of a preacher somewhere who was having their church service and he said, ‘Now we’re going to collect the offering. If you have N10,000, N20,000, or N50,000, raise your hand, and they will be faithful. “Then he stood up and said ‘that N10,000, N20,000, and N50,000 will go to the poor in your community. All the offering is not just church, there are poor, unemployed people around. There are indigent people around. We will build ours, but while you’re building, your neighbours are dying. “Your neighbour, who does not have anything; your sisters and your brother have nothing to send their children to school. We built DLICC (Deeper Life International Conference Centre) with all the offerings we could build and can we now be at ease and allow our members to die of hunger and to be destroyed because they have nothing and we have the money? And what if the people we are building the church for are dying of hunger, malnutrition, and starvation. “Let’s budget part of the money, millions of our currency to take care of the people. Which one comes first when your house is leaking, and your mother is dying? How will you spend it—mending the leaking room or taking care of your mother? We should give priority to members of our church, even those who are not members. “We know them and we can contact them. “We should not spend all our money on a building of churches that will not be raptured when Christ comes, because Christ is coming.”
Hungry Nigerians have broken into a government storage facility in Gwagwa town in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, carting away food items. A credible information said that youths in their numbers broke into the warehouse around 7am today, March 3. The youths were said to have carted off bags of maize and grain from the warehouse located around Tasha area of the community. A resident of the town, Jaafar Aminu said that even those from neighbouring Jiwa and Karmo towns trooped towards the site and partook in the looting. He said the situation has caused a grid lock on Gwagwa-Karmo Road that leads to Dei-Dei and Jabi axis. Source: Daily Trust.
Hungry Nigerians have cornered a truck conveying cartons of spaghetti and cart off hundreds of cartons in Zaria, Kaduna State. The hungry Nigerians, pounced on the truck belonging to BUA group of companies today, March 1, at Dogarawa axis of Zaria-Kano expressway. The truck was said to be heading for Abuja from Kaduna when the thugs blocked the road and made burn-fires on the highway. An eyewitness account said that the incident occurred when the driver of the truck parked by the road side to observe prayer. He said that immediately after the driver parked, the hungry people started carting away cartons of spaghetti. An eyewitness described the incident as unfortunate and regrettable. “Not a single carton of the spaghetti was left by the hoodlums on the truck.” It was learnt that a police team deployed to the scene of the incident had arrested five suspects. The incident occured barely one week after hungry Nigerians hijacked trailers loaded with foodstuffs in the Suleja area of Niger State, stealing bags of rice and other food items amidst widespread hardship in the country.
I have had a lot of my middle-aged male friends complain about their sex life, especially those in long term relationships like marriage. It is always the same complaint: their female partners are not as sexual as they used to be and this has greatly affected their sex lives. Those who used to have regular sex are hardly getting any because their female partners are uninterested. I am talking about couples in their forties and fifties. As much as I don’t want to make a case for the women, men need to understand that a lot happens to a woman at this age, and the most profound of it all is menopause. Interestingly men at this age suffer some form of decline as well. Menopause is an inevitable consequence of age but it doesn’t have to reduce the quality of life one lives. Life is all about evolving and adapting to change. Menopause is one of such occurrences that though inevitable, can be managed. Unfortunately there’s still some stigma attached to it and this shouldn’t be so. It is not a disease. It is a circle of life for every woman. So there needs to be more information and schooling about it. A woman needs to be aware of the symptoms and how to handle them. She also needs to have support around her, especially from her partner. So what exactly is menopause? Menopause is a natural stage of life that occurs in women, typically in their late 40s or early 50s. During this period, women experience a decline in hormone levels, especially estrogen, which can have various effects on their physical and emotional health. One significant aspect of a woman’s life that can be affected by menopause is her sex life. Menopause can cause a decrease in libido or sexual desire in women. This is because of the decline in estrogen levels, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the genital area and decreased production of natural lubrication. Consequently, women may experience a lower sex drive and find it more difficult to become aroused or achieve orgasm. It is important to note that during menopause, women may experience a decrease in their sex drive due to various reasons other than hormonal changes. Stress, relationship issues, fatigue, and changes in body image can also contribute to this condition. Additionally, symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia can further affect a woman’s desire for sex. Menopause can have a particularly significant impact on a woman’s vaginal health. The decrease in estrogen levels can cause the vaginal tissues to thin and dry, a condition that is called vaginal atrophy. This can result in symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and pain during intercourse Vaginal atrophy is one major fallout of menopause and can cause discomfort or pain during sexual activity for women, leading to a decline in sexual pleasure and activity. Additionally, it can increase the risk of vaginal infections and urinary tract infections. In severe cases, it can cause the vaginal tissues to become thin and delicate, making them more susceptible to tearing and causing more discomfort and pain. Menopause can also have a significant impact on a woman’s emotional well-being, which can, in turn, affect her sex life. The hormonal changes that occur during menopause can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. These emotional changes can also cause feelings of loss, grief, and a sense of aging, which can affect a woman’s self-esteem and body image. The emotional changes that occur during menopause can affect a woman’s sexual desire and ability to enjoy sexual activity. Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia can leave women feeling too tired or unwell to engage in sexual activity. Moreover, changes in libido and vaginal health can lead to feelings of frustration, sadness, and dissatisfaction with one’s sex life. Menopause can affect the dynamics of a woman’s relationship with her partner. As women go through menopause, it may be necessary for their partners to adjust to changes in their sex life. This adjustment can result in communication challenges, misunderstandings, and conflicts related to sexual intimacy. During this period, women may also experience changes in their bodies and sexual desires that can make them feel self-conscious and insecure. This can lead to difficulties in maintaining a healthy and satisfying sex life with their partners. Additionally, partners may struggle to understand the physical and emotional changes that women are going through during this time, which can further complicate the situation. Menopause can sometimes bring partners closer together as they navigate the changes that come with this stage of life. Open communication, understanding, and support from both partners can help overcome the challenges that menopause may present to a woman’s sex life. Various strategies can help women maintain a satisfying and enjoyable sex life despite the challenges that menopause may bring. Here are some steps to take: – Being open and honest with your partner about your sexual feelings, desires, and concerns. – Experiment with various methods to increase sexual pleasure such as using lubricants, sex toys, or trying out new positions. – Engaging in self-care and stress-relieving activities such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises. – Seeking help from a therapist or counsellor to deal with emotional issues associated with menopause and sex. – Discussing menopausal symptoms and treatments with a healthcare provider, treatments such as hormone replacement therapy or vaginal estrogen therapy. – Adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep to promote overall well-being and sexual health. Finally, it is critical for women to prioritise their sexual health and well-being during menopause, and to seek help and advice as needed. Women can maintain a fulfilling and satisfying sexual relationship throughout their lives by understanding the effects of menopause on their sex life and taking proactive steps to address any challenges that may arise. I would love to get feedback, questions and recommendations on the topics you would want me to shed light on. Let’s meet tonight (Friday) in the chatroom. If you want to be a part of it, send me a message on Telegram at: @tiwa_says. The chatroom opens at 10pm every Friday. Watch out for my YouTube channel. #tiwa_says; 09161129108 tiwalolaoke@yahoo.com
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the licenses of 4,173 Bureaux De Change Operators (BDCs). A statement today, March 1 by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama, said that the action has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred on the Apex Bank, under the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5 and the Revised Operational Guidelines for Bureaux De Change 2015 (the Guidelines). The spokesperson said that the list of affected BDC operators is available on the Bank’s website (www.cbn.gov.ng). According to her, the affected institutions have consistently failed to observe at least one of the following regulatory provisions: a. Payment of all necessary fees, including licence renewal, within the stipulated period in line with the Guidelines. b. Rendition of returns in line with the Guidelines. c. Compliance with guidelines, directives and circulars of the CBN, particularly Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) regulations. “The CBN is revising the regulatory and supervisory guidelines for Bureau de Change operations in Nigeria. Compliance with the new requirements will be mandatory for all stakeholders in the sector when the revised guidelines become effective. “Members of the public are hereby advised to take note and be guided accordingly.”
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has announced he will not be renewing his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Peseiro’s contract officially ended yesterday, February 29. The Portuguese guided the Super Eagles to second position in the competition losing 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the recently concluded AFCON. Peseiro announced his decision to quit on the social media today, March 1. “Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honor to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfillment,” reads a statement on his X handle. “We would like to express our gratitude to Sir Amaju Pinnick (the president who signed us), President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Secretary Dayo Enebi, the NFF, all the Staff, and especially all the PLAYERS, with whom leading has been a great pleasure. “Guys, we are thankful; it has been a privilege to be part of this family. We will miss you, but we will always be there for you, no matter where you are. A big hug to all of you.”
President Bola Tinubu has warned the organised labour in Nigeria: the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to refrain from disruptive actions against his government. “Some labour unions should understand that no matter how we cling to our freedom and rights, to call for strikes within the first nine months of a new administration is unacceptable.” President Tinubu, who spoke in Lagos Nigeria, today, February 29, advised the leadership of the labour unions interested in politics to wait for 2027 general elections. “If you want to directly participate in the electoral process, wait until 2027, if not, maintain the peace.” He made it clear that labour “is not the only voice of Nigeria,” even as he called on Nigerians to embrace change and work towards national progress. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating corruption and evolve good governance.
Saudi Arabia’s football governing body has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for one game over a gesture he made on the pitch last weekend that was judged “provocative.” A video emerged after his side’s 3-2 win against Al-Shabab, showing Ronaldo making a repeated thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to crowds who were taunting him by chanting the name of his long time rival, Lionel Messi. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) committee announced the ban on social media early today morning, February 29, local time. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star will also have to pay a fine of 20,000 Saudi Riyals ($5,333) to Al-Shabab to cover the costs of the club filing the complaint, and half of that amount to the federation. Although television cameras did not record the incident, former players and commentators in Saudi Arabia heavily criticized Ronaldo’s actions after he scored a penalty in the first half of the game. According to reports in the Saudi Arabian media, the 39-year-old Ronaldo told the committee that the gesture was one of victory and common in Europe. Ronaldo, who moved to the Riyadh-based club in December 2022, has a league-leading 22 goals. He scored the opener against Al Shabab, a first-half penalty. Al Nassr is also in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League, a tournament it has never won. Source: Persecond news.
The recent statements credited to the Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, during an engagement with State Commissioners for Women Affairs, are deeply concerning, especially in the light of the prevalence of gender-based violence in our society. While promoting peace in the home is important, the suggestion that women should avoid confrontation with their spouses as a means to prevent violence, overlooks the complexity of the issue. Advising women to “keep your mouth shut” and “act like a fool” in response to potential abuse does not address the root causes of violence and can further perpetuate damaging stereotypes. It is important to address gender-based violence by promoting respect, equality and mutual understanding in relationships. Many victims of gender-based violence have been known to be submissive and quiet spouses, yet ended up being beaten up and even killed. This underscores the fact that violence is often a result of the abuser’s behavior and not the fault of the victim. It is important to highlight that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and domestic violence have been on the increase, and we must never support a narrative that a survivor of gender-based violence must have caused it. Such narratives only serve to blame the victim and further perpetuate harmful prejudices. I hold conservative views shaped by my Christian faith and culture as a Yoruba man about gender roles. It is, however, important to note that the Bible, taken in context, never provided for the subjugation nor abuse of women, nor does our culture undermine the place of honour and value of women in our society. Again, the importance of mutual respect and understanding in a marriage cannot be over-emphasised. It must however, not be used as an excuse for violence or abuse. I urge the Minister and all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and action to address gender-based violence, encourage victims to speak out, and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals. In this regard, I welcome other suggestions of the Minister, especially on the need to expedite the administration of justice in cases of GBV, and democratizing access to legal aid and support. NOTE: This statement is made in my capacity as a Member of the House of Representatives, in line with a pact with my people to promote gender equality as well as the protection of women and girls. Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr. Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye), wrote in this piece from Abuja.
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Acting Like Fools Cannot Stop Gender Abuse, By Akin Rotimi, Jr.
The recent statements credited to the Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, during an engagement with State Commissioners for Women Affairs, are deeply concerning, especially in the light of the prevalence of gender-based violence in our society.
While promoting peace in the home is important, the suggestion that women should avoid confrontation with their spouses as a means to prevent violence, overlooks the complexity of the issue.
Advising women to “keep your mouth shut” and “act like a fool” in response to potential abuse does not address the root causes of violence and can further perpetuate damaging stereotypes. It is important to address gender-based violence by promoting respect, equality and mutual understanding in relationships.
Many victims of gender-based violence have been known to be submissive and quiet spouses, yet ended up being beaten up and even killed. This underscores the fact that violence is often a result of the abuser’s behavior and not the fault of the victim.
It is important to highlight that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and domestic violence have been on the increase, and we must never support a narrative that a survivor of gender-based violence must have caused it. Such narratives only serve to blame the victim and further perpetuate harmful prejudices.
I hold conservative views shaped by my Christian faith and culture as a Yoruba man about gender roles. It is, however, important to note that the Bible, taken in context, never provided for the subjugation nor abuse of women, nor does our culture undermine the place of honour and value of women in our society. Again, the importance of mutual respect and understanding in a marriage cannot be over-emphasised. It must however, not be used as an excuse for violence or abuse.
I urge the Minister and all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and action to address gender-based violence, encourage victims to speak out, and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.
In this regard, I welcome other suggestions of the Minister, especially on the need to expedite the administration of justice in cases of GBV, and democratizing access to legal aid and support.
NOTE: This statement is made in my capacity as a Member of the House of Representatives, in line with a pact with my people to promote gender equality as well as the protection of women and girls.
Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr.
Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye), wrote in this piece from Abuja.
February 29, 2024