The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the release of the sum of $500 million to various sectors to address the backlog of verified foreign exchange transactions. This release of the funds is coming barely a week after the Bank paid approximately $2 billion to settle outstanding commitments across manufacturing, aviation, and petroleum sectors. The Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department of the apex, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, in a statement today, January 29, said that the Management of the bank is committed to settling all legitimate foreign exchange backlogs within a short time frame. Hakama Sidi Ali stressed the assurances of the apex bank’s boss, Olayemi Cardoso, Sidi Ali on steady development of workable policies and continued implementation of comprehensive strategy to improve liquidity in the nation’s foreign exchange markets in the short, medium and long term. “As the Governor said, the CBN’s focus is on addressing fundamental issues that have hindered the effective operation of the Nigerian FX markets over the years.” She she said that the forex market reforms have been designed to streamline and unify multiple exchange rates, foster transparency, and reduce arbitrage opportunities, even as she expressed confidence that a stable exchange rate would boost investor confidence and attract foreign investment. She advised all participants in the market to play by the rules, stressing that transparency in the market would enable the fair determination of exchange rates and guarantee stability for businesses and individuals alike. It will be recalled that the CBN, over the past few months, has released various sums in its effort to clear the backlog of foreign exchange liabilities.
The Nigerian foreign exchange (FX) market witnessed a great drop in the value of the naira, reaching an unprecedented intraday rate of N1,399 to a dollar at the official market yesterday, January 27. Data sourced from the Financial Markets Dealers’ Quotations (FMDQ) revealed a substantial 6.15 percent depreciation, compared to the N1,313 rate observed during intraday trading just a day earlier. The lower segment of intraday trading also experienced a notable 11.28 percent decline, with the dollar being quoted at N789 on yesterday, in contrast to N700 on Wednesday. As the trading day concluded, the naira continued its slide, marking a 2.08 percent loss against the dollar. The closing rate stood at N900.96, down from the N882.24 recorded on Wednesday at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM). These developments underscore growing concerns about the stability of the naira in the face of persistent challenges in the foreign exchange market, with implications for various sectors of the economy. In a concerning development, Nigeria’s currency witnessed a historic decline, plunging to a record low of N1,416 per dollar in the parallel market. This drastic drop can be attributed to robust demand coupled with a shortage of available dollars, as traders opt to hoard the limited currency.
For sometime, a false narrative has been woven round the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, all in an attempt to give it a semblance of truth.
Although, we had ignored the misinformation, it has become necessary to enlighten and educate the reading public so that these stories do not gain traction. First, as opposed to what has been bandied in the media that Akpabio is known for lateness to Plenary, being an intellectual politician and leader, he believes in Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy of “Time is money”. To him, “Time is of the essence”. And this is exemplified in his sterling achievements in private and public life. Without good time management skills, he could not have attained these feats. Secondly, Senator Akpabio as Senate President has absolute respect and regard for his distinguished colleagues and indeed all Nigerians. As the Senate President, he is not oblivious of the fact that he is just one among equals and has no cause whatsoever to undermine the elevated status of Distiguished Senators by always keeping them waiting in Plenary. However, we want the public to know that as Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio and the his colleagues are very experienced and conversant with the legislative dynamics and are aware of the enormous legislative and administrative responsibilities of the office of the President of the Senate. Disruptions or lateness to any schedule of the heads of arms of government, particularly the National Assembly are usually priotised not compromised. As the Presiding Officer, Akpabio meets with the Principal Officers before every Plenary and emergency issues do spring up, which deserve urgent attention. Again, at every other plenary, there are always motions of urgent public/national importance from distinguished senators. By the provisions of the Standing Orders and Rules of the Senate, Senators with such motions are required to meet with the Presiding Officer before Plenary. Some of these issues are so urgent and cannot be kept in view and the President of the Senate is expected to attend to them expeditiously before commencement of Plenary. These circumstances most times creep into the commencement time The lateness of the President of the Senate to the plenary at any insignificant number of times has never affected the industry of the Senate or deliberately intended to deconstruct the core mandate of the Senate President’s parliamentary core mandate. Any insinuation suggesting that Senator Akpabio is “habitually late” and it dates back to when he was Akwa Ibom State governor is but selling a rotten apple, which no discerning mind will buy. We can say without equivocation that Senator Godswill Akpabio’s penchant for beating the clock is never in doubt both in appointed and elected positions he has held. We, therefore, advise those spreading the gospel of Akpabio’s purported lateness to Plenary to apply brakes and allow the Uncommon Senate President concentrate on doing what he knows best- giving his all to the service of the nation and humanity.
Eyiboh is the chief spokesman of the Senate President and wrote in from Abuja
Ebira Youths, under the umbrella of Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) has risen to rally support for the newly installed King, the paramount ruler of Ebiraland in Kogi State, Alhaji Dr. AhmedTijani Muhammed Anaje. In a statement, the President-General, of the Congress, Obiyo Ateiza Aliyu, commended the orderliness with which the King was selected by the kingmakers and eventual appointment by Governor Yahaya Bello. He said that the coming of Dr. Ahmed Anaje as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland signalled peace, love and prosperity for the land. “As a matter of fact, Ebira people shall stand to reckon with the extended peace bond of the King and shall be appreciative of a sustained relative peace, which is the hallmark of all developments, and which has existed in the recent time. “Since the Ohinoyi rules the land of people, Ebira people are therefore charged to cooperate and respect the system and the socio-cultural aspects of the stool of our forefathers.” The youth leader also appealed to the people to cooperate with the king for the advancement of the kingdom, even as he advised Ohinoyi Ahmed Anaje to rule with compassion. He asked the people to remove all forms of negative elements, such as clannish, religious, regional and related affiliations from the body of the throne to ensure rapid development of Ebiraland. “We pray for sound health and long life for the new King and sincerely wish that his reign will be a blessing and fruitful to the entire Ebira nation.
28 year old Bello Mohammed, who confessed to be involved in the kidnapping and killing of Nabeeha Kadriya and others in Abuja on January 13, has been captured by the police. The police headquarters said today, January 28, that the kidnapper, upon his arrest in Kaduna, offered the sum of one million naira bribe to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who led the operation for his arrest. In a statement, the Force Headquarters Public Relation Offer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that on 20th January 2024, the police operatives arrested one Bello Mohammed, 28, of Zamfara state, in Kaduna. “The Divisional Police Officer, Tafa Division, acting on intelligence, raided one hotel in Tafa Area, Kaduna, where he arrested Bello, with the sum of #2.25m (Two Million, two hundred and fifty million naira) only, suspected to be proceeds of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims within the area.” He said that the suspect, during interrogation, confessed to be part of the gang that kidnapped the family members of one Barrister Ariyo in Bwari, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on 2nd January 2024, and killed some kidnapped victims, including Nabeeha, daughter of the legal practitioner, on 13th January, 2024, in a kidnappers camp, in Kaduna State. “The suspect, in a dramatic situation, offered #1,000,000 (one million naira only) to induce the DPO, who rejected the offer and carried out his duty diligently.” He said that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered that the suspect, who also confessed to the involvement of the already five neutralized bandits in Kaduna by the IRT, headed by one Mai Gemu (aka Godara), whose deadly camp has also been destroyed, be handed over to the DFI-IRT in Abuja for discreet investigations into the matter and arrest of all other culprits responsible for the dastardly act. “The suspect is currently helping the police in their investigations.” The police spokesman said that the police boss commended the DPO Tafa, SP Idris Ibrahim, for the commitment and professionalism displayed in the case, assuring that the Police would leave no stone unturned in decimating criminally minded individuals in the country.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have sent their Cameroonian counterparts back to their country with two unreplied goals this evening, January 27 and qualified for the quarterfinals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. They beat their eternal rivals in Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire. The two goals from the encounter for the Super Eagles against the Indomitable Lions were scored by Ademola Lookman. Meanwhile, Angola, which had earlier defeated Namibia, will be the quarterfinals opponent of the Super Eagles. The Angolan team defeated Namibia 3-0 also today, January 27.
Ahmed Usman Ododo has been sworn-in today, January 27 as the 5th Governor of Kogi State, taking over from Yahaya Bello, who ruled the state for two terms of eight years. The new governor, who rode to power on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 11, 2023 election, quickly went on to nominate 16 members of his cabinet and made some other vital appointments. It was learnt that majority of the commissioner nominees have served as commissioners in the administration of the immediate past governor, Yahaya Bello, and are to be sent to the State House of Assembly for screening. The appointees are: Mrs. Folashade Ayodele Arike, Secretary to the State Government Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Governor Hilary Ojoma, Deputy Chief of Staff Elijah Evinemi, Head of Service. The commissioner nominees are: Farouk Danlami, Salami Ozigi-Deedat, Basiru Abubakar, Adams Abdulaziz, Joseph Oluwaseun, Muzi Yinusa Abdullahi, Wemi Jonze, Rabiatu Okute, Fanwo Kingsley, Fatima Momoh, Mohammed Yusuf, Timothy Ojoma, Sunday Faleke, Abanika Taye, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, and Mohammed Adbulmutalib Other aides include: Jerry Omodara, State Security Adviser Isah Ismail, Special Adviser on Media Sulaiman Ibrahim, Director-General, Protocol Oladele John Niyi, Chief Press Secretary Shaibu Orisa, Director-General, Government House Femi Adegboyega, State Legal Adviser Shortly after taking the oath of office in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, Ododo expressed his intention to present the names of the nominees to the House for confirmation as members of his cabinet. Seeking to maintain continuity and build upon previous successes, the governor hoped that the Assembly would give the list swift consideration. It was gathered that governor’s appointments reflect a combination of experienced individuals from the previous administration, highlighting his commitment to blending continuity with the injection of fresh hands for the progress and prosperity of Kogi State.
A twin, Abdulrahim Muhammed Suleiman graduated today, January 27 with a First Class Degree in Metallurgical and Material Engineering, at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Kaduna.
His twin brother, Abdulrahman Muhammed Suleiman had earlier graduated from the same university in 2020 with bright Biochemistry Degree.
Their sister, Hafsat Muhammed Suleiman also graduated today from the same university, with a Biological Science Degree. They are Ebira from Okene in Kogi State.
Congratulations from us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine.
Chairman of the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman Sabo has lamented the security havoc being caused through the activities of miners, especially in his Council. He also identified inadequate roads as another contributory factor to the escalation of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in the Council. Abdullahi Sabo spoke today, January 27, when the ministry of the FCT, Nyeson Wike, held a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the Area Council, the same way he had done to the other five Area Councils. The chairman sought the intervention of the minister towards addressing the grey areas, pleading for the Minister’s intervention in the construction and dualization of critical road projects in the Area Council. According to him, it is becoming more difficult for motorists and other road users to move around “and this is contributing to insecurity. “Mining activities in the council is also connected to the security challenges and I plead for proper regulation of the activities of miners.”
Abdullahi Sabo confirmed that the Council is still experiencing kidnapping incidents but added however, that the security agencies have been responding to the situation, in spite of the difficulties. He said that the Minister’s visit has boosted the morale of the people, including the community leaders and the security agencies, even as he commended the Minister’s intervention on road constructions across the six Area Councils. Responding, the Minister pledged continuous interactions with the six Area Councils to ensure security and development of the FCT. Wike acknowledged that his visits to the Councils has increased his knowledge of issues that are of great importance to the people. He assured that the dialogue would continue to foster the development of the FCT, saying: “apart from the fact that we are faced with security challenges now, we have decided that FCT is not just Abuja and therefore we have to be interacting with other areas that make up the FCT. “If you don’t interact with them, you won’t know their peculiar problems. We can’t be sitting in the city without coming to you, finding out what your problems are, your immediate problems, so that we will be able to tackle them.” Wike reiterated that security is one of the key priorities of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the Administration has made the necessary procurements to ensure that the security agencies get needed logistics over the next few weeks to secure the territory. “We have purchased vehicles, motorbikes, communication gadgets, name them. So, it will no longer be logistics problems, we are ready for it.” The Minister who expressed shock that the Kuje Area Council with close proximity to the city centre, did not have good motorable roads, in spite of its very massive land mass, said that he has signed the contract for the construction of the road from Rubochi to Kuje. The Minister said that he was surprised that the contract for the roads leading to the resettlement areas in Kuje Area Councils are abandoned, promising that his government will take over the construction of the roads and complete them to improve the security of the area. “Today, let me tell you, I will go back and take those projects and complete them for you…It’s not that we are doing you any good. You are entitled to it. It is our responsibility to provide the infrastructure to make life easy for you. “So, we are not doing anything extra ordinary. It’s our job and under this administration, and promises made by Mr. President and me as your Minister, by the grace of God, you will see changes in this FCT.” The Minister called for the support of the people and the traditional institutions, urging them to provide useful information to the security agencies to enable them address the security challenges. He again, warned criminals and their collaborators in the capital city to give up and repent or be made to face the full wrath of the law. He also called on the Council Chairman to work with the security agencies to ensure that the local vigilantes are profiled and empowered, in addition to also holding regular security meetings in the Council, at least once a month. The Minister equally urged the Council Chairmen to stay in their domains and do what they have been elected to do, rather than going to stay in the city centre. “You can’t run away from your responsibility. Make sure you stay here and know the problems of your people and you will be able to relate it to us, then we will be able to know how we can support you.”
To be sure, hijab is a head covering worn by Muslim women in observance of the Islamic religion. It is a scarf that covers the hair and neck and is a symbol of modesty. The contemporary understanding of the hijab dates back to Hadith when the “verse of the hijab” descended upon the community in 627 CE. It is documented in the Holy Qur’an, Sura (verse) 33:53, stating: “And when you ask (his wives) for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” As a matter of fact, the primary intention of the Hijab is to protect women from evil eyes. And referring to this, Allah says: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.” Now, the general essence of the hijab is to make women and girls in Islam as special breed in many ramifications: dressing, attitudinal displays, inter-relationships with others and in the society and so on. It encompasses morals and good upbringing of the female gender, in consonance with ideals expected of pious women in Islam. Hijab had recently became a trend in some communities across the world, in which the longer the veil (hijab) the more pious and morally right the wearers are regarded. And, the recent developments in Nigeria as regard the issues of corruption and the fight against it have left sore taste in the mouth, against the hijab sisters. The controversies about fraud and misappropriation of funds at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian affairs in recent time casted a shadow over what an ideal “hijab sister” should be. What have been trending are issues of the former minister in charge of the said Ministry, Hajiya Sadiyya Umar Farouq, a hijab sister; former Head of the National Social Investment Programme, Halima Shehu, another hijab sister and Dr. Betti Edu, who until her suspension over alleged financial mishaps, also a “hijab” sister” (as she used to sometimes wear hijab, all run against the essence of the hijab concept. Though Dr. Edu is Christian, she has often conformed with the Islamic ways of dressing, using hijab whenever she is on assignment to areas predominantly Muslims. The dressing styles of these women and the conduct in public reflected the true essence and practice of Islam, and truly caught the admiration of many of us who are Muslims. But the matter concerning them that are however, still under investigations, have left many of their admirers worrying. The worries are not just about the other sides of them, true or false, that are emerging, but also about the new public perception of where they belong and what they claim to represent in the religious realm. This write up, of course, is not about whether certain money is missing or not , nor whether one person is indicted or not, rather, it is about the “morals” attached to the wearing of hijabs with which they have been identified vis a vis the new image that is threatening to obliterate the morals they have built, which also directly or indirectly link to the much talk about gender equality or the call for 30% affirmative action for women in government circle.
Rashidat Yusuf writes from Abuja. Yusufrashidat12@gmail.com
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Chairman of the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman Sabo has lamented the security havoc being caused through the activities of miners, especially in his Council.
Abdullahi Sabo confirmed that the Council is still experiencing kidnapping incidents but added however, that the security agencies have been responding to the situation, in spite of the difficulties.
This Rotten Apple About Senator Akpabio Coming Late To Plenaries Won’t Sell, By Eseme Eyiboh
For sometime, a false narrative has been woven round the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, all in an attempt to give it a semblance of truth.
Although, we had ignored the misinformation, it has become necessary to enlighten and educate the reading public so that these stories do not gain traction.
First, as opposed to what has been bandied in the media that Akpabio is known for lateness to Plenary, being an intellectual politician and leader, he believes in Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy of “Time is money”. To him, “Time is of the essence”. And this is exemplified in his sterling achievements in private and public life. Without good time management skills, he could not have attained these feats.
Secondly, Senator Akpabio as Senate President has absolute respect and regard for his distinguished colleagues and indeed all Nigerians. As the Senate President, he is not oblivious of the fact that he is just one among equals and has no cause whatsoever to undermine the elevated status of Distiguished Senators by always keeping them waiting in Plenary.
However, we want the public to know that as Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio and the his colleagues are very experienced and conversant with the legislative dynamics and are aware of the enormous legislative and administrative responsibilities of the office of the President of the Senate.
Disruptions or lateness to any schedule of the heads of arms of government, particularly the National Assembly are usually priotised not compromised.
As the Presiding Officer, Akpabio meets with the Principal Officers before every Plenary and emergency issues do spring up, which deserve urgent attention. Again, at every other plenary, there are always motions of urgent public/national importance from distinguished senators.
By the provisions of the Standing Orders and Rules of the Senate, Senators with such motions are required to meet with the Presiding Officer before Plenary. Some of these issues are so urgent and cannot be kept in view and the President of the Senate is expected to attend to them expeditiously before commencement of Plenary. These circumstances most times creep into the commencement time
The lateness of the President of the Senate to the plenary at any insignificant number of times has never affected the industry of the Senate or deliberately intended to deconstruct the core mandate of the Senate President’s parliamentary core mandate.
Any insinuation suggesting that Senator Akpabio is “habitually late” and it dates back to when he was Akwa Ibom State governor is but selling a rotten apple, which no discerning mind will buy.
We can say without equivocation that Senator Godswill Akpabio’s penchant for beating the clock is never in doubt both in appointed and elected positions he has held.
We, therefore, advise those spreading the gospel of Akpabio’s purported lateness to Plenary to apply brakes and allow the Uncommon Senate President concentrate on doing what he knows best- giving his all to the service of the nation and humanity.
Eyiboh is the chief spokesman of the Senate President and wrote in from Abuja