We’re Coming In Full Force Soon, Army Warn IPOB

January 25, 2023

The Nigerian army, worried over the rising cases of attacks on its personnel and other innocent Nigerians by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) terrorists in the Southeast, have sent warning to them that the officers will soon launch forceful counter-attack.
A military intelligence operative who pleaded anonymity said: “very soon, we will unveil strategies on curtailments that will address the current embarrassing situation once the people in the affected communities cooperate with us.”

It was learnt that the anxiety of the military has been heightened after the beheading of a Local Government Chairman in Imo State, on Sunday, by suspected IPOB terrorists who have repeatedly boasted that they won’t allow elections to hold in the southeast zone.
In the video showing the beheading of the Sole Administrator of Ideato North local government area, Christopher Ohizu, the gunmen said: “Hope (Uzodinma, the state governor), hope you have seen this man kneeling here. You know this man. The way I am killing this man is the way I am going to kill you. You think hiring soldiers will save you.
“We are a group of people that see what is happening in the land and we are saying no. We must fight to make sure that Biafra is restored. Biafra must be restored. As far as the Eastern region is concerned no election.”
The video that went viral saw Ohizu whose hands were tied backward in a thick forest putting on only trousers and was filmed by the gunmen while slaughtering him.
It can be recalled that even after collecting a ransom of N6 million from the victim’s family, they also set Ohizu’s houses ablaze.
The Nigerian Military top brass responded to a series of atrocities being perpetrated by unknown gunmen in the Southeast, by expressing worry on the worsening security situation in the region, stressing that drastic measures might be taken to curtail the excesses of the terrorists.
“It is disturbing that while our troops are working to ensure peace and security in the society, the gunmen not only abduct their own people they also attack our personnel and destroy other facilities.”

Source: PRNigeria.

Desperate Politicians Jealous Of My Growing Popularity – Peter Obi

Greenbarge Reporters

January 25, 2023

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has described the attack on his campaign team in Katsina State as a sign of jealousy by those he called desperate politicians over his growing popularity.

The attack, he said: “may have been premeditated by desperate politicians who had been deluding themselves with the false claim that they had the northwest in their pockets, but are now shocked by the show of force of the “Obidient movement” in the region.”

In a statement by Diran Onifade, Head of Media for the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign Council, the candidate called for security agencies to investigate the attacks to prevent future occurrences even as he commended the people of Katsina for their support on Monday.

It was reported that hoodlums threw heavy stones at the car carrying Peter Obi, thereby causing substantial damage to the vehicle. Fortunately, Obi and other occupants of the car were unharmed.

Several vehicles, including those of the campaign’s official stage crew were damaged by stones hauled from outside the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, venue of the rally.

75 Percent Of Nigerian Children Can’t Read Simple Sentence – UNICEF

Greenbarge Reporters

January 25, 2023

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that 75 per cent of Nigerian children, aged between seven and 14 years, cannot read a simple sentence or solve a basic mathematics problem.

UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Christian Munduate, in a statement, yesterday, January 24, to mark this year’s International Day of Education (IDE), called on the next president of the country to prioritise education and children’s welfare.

Munduate said: “I join the global call to ‘invest in people, prioritise education’ and urge Nigeria to deliver on the commitments made by President Muhammadu Buhari at the UN Secretary General’s Transforming Education Summit in September 2022 to end the global learning crisis.

“In Nigeria, 75 per cent of children aged seven to 14 years cannot read a simple sentence or solve a basic math problem. For children to be able to read to learn, they must be able to learn to read in the first three years of schooling.”

She expressed commitment to UNICEF’s support to the Federal Government’s commitment to transform education and to prevent the loss of hard-fought gains in getting children into school, particularly poor, rural children and girls, and ensuring that they remain in school, complete their education and achieve their full potential.

UNICEF, together with partners, she added, will continue to support federal and state governments to: reduce the number of out-of-school children by providing safe learning environments in formal and non-formal settings; engage communities on the importance of education and provide cash to households and schools.

The partners will also look into improving learning outcomes by expanding access to quality early childhood education, scaling foundational literacy and numeracy programmes, as well as offering digital skills, life and employability skills to adolescents to enable the school-to-work transition.

“As Nigeria’s presidential elections draw near, on behalf of UNICEF and the children in Nigeria, I call on all presidential candidates to include investments in education as a top priority in their manifestoes.”

Presidency: Kwankwaso Lays Condition On Which He’ll Accept Defeat

Greenbarge Reporters

January 24, 2023

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has made it clear that the only condition on which he will accept defeat in the 2023 Presidential election is an election that is fair and free.

Kwankwaso, who is also former Kano State governor, at a town hall meeting with staff and students of the University of Abuja, stressed that he will not have any problem accepting the outcome of the election if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts a free and fair polls.

“I have no problem with accepting losing election. The best way to accept the 2023 election is by doing the right thing – free, fair and of course credible election.

“We have decided and it’s there in our blueprint that we will tackle the issue of insecurity. We are very angry that today, as we’re sitting here, we have so many people, young men and women being kidnapped.

“We will give a lot of opportunity to the young men and women to serve this country as members of the armed forces, members of the police, members of the DSS and so on.”

Federal Revenue Service Breaks Record, Hits N10 Trillion Collection

Greenbarge Reporters

January 24, 2023

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said it collected over N10 trillion in tax revenue in 2022, the highest ever recorded by the service.

The Service made this known in the FIRS 2022 Performance Update, signed by its Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami.

The FIRS said that it collected a total of N10.1 trillion in both oil (N4.09 trillion) and non-oil (N5.96 trillion) revenues as against a target of N10.44 trillion.

A breakdown of the figures shows that company income tax (CIT) contributed N2.83 trillion; value-added tax (VAT), N2.51 trillion and electronic money transfer levy, N125.67 billion, while earmarked taxes were N353.69 billion.

“Non-oil taxes contributed 59 per cent of the total collection in the year, while oil tax collection stood at 41 per cent of the total collection,” the report noted.

It is the first time the FIRS would cross the N10 trillion mark in tax revenue collection. Included in the total revenue was N146.27 billion, which was the total value of certificates issued by the Service to private investors and NNPC for road infrastructure under the Road Infrastructure Development Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme created by Executive Order No. 007 of 2019.

The report also stated that the N10.1 trillion was exclusive of tax waived on account of various tax incentives granted under the respective laws, which amounted to N1.805 trillion.

Providing perspective to this unprecedented tax collection, the FIRS noted the Muhammad Nami-led management came up with a four-point focus –administrative and operational restructuring, making the service customer-focused, creating a data-centric institution and automation of administrative as well as operational processes.

It further noted that throughout 2020 to 2022, the management had introduced reforms bordering the four-point agenda, which have produced results.

“The reforms introduced at different times in 2020 are gradually yielding fruits. By the close of 2022, the Service had fully restructured the administration of the Service for maximum efficiency and achieved internal cohesion such that all functional units are working in unison towards the achievement of set goals.

“As a result of a conducive environment created for staff, officers of the service are pulling their weight on the global stage with international recognitions and awards;

“The Service had also automated most of the administrative and operational processes. A major leap was the full deployment of the TaxPro Max for end-to-end administration of taxes in June 2021. The module for the automated TCC went live 1st January 2023 while taxpayers had already downloaded over 1,000 TCCs this year without having to visit the FIRS office,” the report read.

Policy Makers To Brainstorm In Abuja On Future Of Digital Economy In W/Africa

Editorial staff

January 23, 2023

Policy makers and stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem in the West African sub-region are set to brainstorm in Abuja, Nigeria, from January 31 to February 1^st on the future of digital economy and intensify regional public private partnerships for the region.

The Digital Economy Regional Conference, according to a statement today, January 23, by the Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Reuben Muoka, is being hosted by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank.

He said that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will deliver the keynote address at the event and will be joined by his Federal Capital Territory (FCT) counterpart, Muhammad Musa Bello, to welcome top government officials from the sub-region.

Muoka said that the Conference, with the theme: “Positioning West Africa’s Digital Economy for the Future,” will provide a platform for countries in the region to discuss issues that will strengthen the digital economies in West Africa and by extension the continent.

He quoted the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy as having said that the conference will also create an avenue for peer review to accelerate digital transformation and increase collaboration to secure partnerships within the region to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem while intensifying regional public-private partnerships for digital economy funding, research, and development.

Muoka said that the gathering will also provide an opportunity to showcase the progress made in the development of digital economy in the West African sub-region, identify winning strategies, discuss challenges, and prepare for the future in addition to creating awareness of the region’s needs in the areas of policies and framework for the digital economy and attracting private sponsors for digital transformation in the region.

Buhari Inaugurates $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port, Joint Venture With China, Others

Editorial staff

January 23, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has officially inaugurated the Lekki Deep Sea Port, with an investment in excess of $1.5 billion.

It is a Joint Venture between the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos State Government, the Tolarams Group (the owner of the Lagos Free Zone), and China Harbour Engineering Company

The project is located in Itoke village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

President Buhari also inaugurated the Imota Rice Mill, conceptualized and completed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as well as the Bestaf Lubricant at MRS Holdings Company Limited.

The 200m litre lubricant plant, which covers the whole value chain of lubricants, is the first of its kind in West Africa.

A statement by a Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said that the President will inaugurate the first Phase of the Blue Line of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit in Marina and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History at Onikan roundabout tomorrow, January 24.

At the commissioning today, January 23, the President led Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ciu Jianchun, top government officials and traditional rulers, to witness the overloading from the Container Ship, sailing under the flag of Malta.

Speaking at the occasion, the Lagos Governor expressed happiness that the commissioning of Lekki Deep Sea Port is happening in his time.

“It all started in your time and it’s been completed in your time.

”We are excited that the size of the vessels that will berth at the port would be four times the size of vessels that currently berth at Apapa and Tin Can Island Port.

”We are excited that in your own time, something fresh has been birthed in this country and it is going to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.”

The Minister of Transportation said that the commissioning of the project was made possible by the expedited manner the President handled all requests made by the Federal Ministry of Transportation concerning Lekki Deep Seaport.

”The very fact that the letter of intent between the proponents of Lekki Deep Seaport and its financial partners was signed as recently as April 2019 and by January 2023 the wide-ranging impact project is already being commissioned is a testament to the tenacity of purpose of the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Nigerian Ports Authority.”

He thanked the President for approving the Ministry’s extraordinary request to designate Lekki Deep Seaport as Customs Port and approved Wharf and its publication in the Federal Government Official Gazette in record time.

”With Seaports being under the exclusive legislative list, the Nigerian Ports Authority’s provision of a sinking fund for Lekki Deep Seaport Federal Government’s equity contribution gave this project the necessary statutory cover and financial guarantee in line with the law.

”Completing a project of the magnitude and impact of a deep seaport in a record time of 45 months shows the effectiveness of tenacious ministerial supervision, strict regulatory oversight and strong presidential backing.”

Sambo, who described the project as one of the major legacies of this administration, added that over 170,000 jobs would be created as operations commence.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, in his goodwill message, said the landmark gateway project jointly built by five parties from four countries is a fitting example of a good business model.

”This project is a joint venture between China, Nigeria and Singapore, and is run by a French company. The model of ‘five parties from four countries’ is a way of taking advantage of the wisdom and strength of all parties.”

He pledged that China would promote this business model to pursue the Win-Win outcome, particularly to the growth, development and progress of Nigeria.

Using the analogy of three initial ‘E words’, the Ambassador said the project is Engine of the Economy, Equity of Investment and Example of Model Business.

On Engine of Economy, Jianchun explained that the Port is the number one deep sea port in West Africa and one of the most modern and efficient ports in sub-Saharan Africa.

”It is estimated that the overall economic benefits will reach more than 360 billion USD, becoming a new engine of economic development that will empower the southwest region and the whole country.”

As an equity investment, the Ambassador described the port as a valuable practice for Chinese companies to move from the role of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor to a strategic investor in building major infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

”The government doesn’t need to worry about the existence of guarantees or debt risks. It also shows that the investment climate in Nigeria can be trusted. We have every reason to be confident in Nigeria’s future development.”

The Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, recalled when the construction of the port began in June, 2020, with the flag-off by Mr. President, very few Nigerians believed that it would become a reality, especially with the challenges of COVID 19 ravaging the country and the entire world at that period.

”Therefore, we should all be proud as Nigerians that this has not only become a reality, but a Free Zone has built and completed the largest sea port within four years which will reposition Nigeria as a regional hub globally for maritime business.”

He pledged that NEPZA would continue to give Lagos Free Zone, and indeed, all free zones licensed under it, the institutional support required to sustain this project and all other projects being conceptualized in the free zones.

”We are ready to lead in partnering with agencies at National and Sub-National levels, and the private sector to provide the needed support for this investment to thrive.

”Particularly, we will partner with the Nigeria Custom Service to perform its role effectively in order to achieve the objective of making this project stand as a testament to the legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

”We must not allow the momentum generated by the commissioning today to wane. All hands must be on deck to sustain this reality, ” the head of Nigeria’s free zone regulatory authority said.

At the Bestaf Lubricant plant owned by Sayyu Dantata, the founder and CEO of MRS Holdings Limited said the plant, which has the capacity of producing 1,700 different products, will contribute to foreign exchange generation for the country, through products export, as well as meet the needs of other neighbouring countries.

I Have Not Disappointed Nigerians, President Buhari Pronounces

Editorial staff

January 23, 2023

“I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody.”

These were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he was in Bauchi State today, January 23, to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign rallies.

He insisted that he has served Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of his ability, declaring that he had not disappointed anyone.

On a courtesy call to the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu before he moved to the campaign arena, Buhari said: “I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the States of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force.”

He said that because of such show of love by Nigerians, he vowed to serve them to the best of his ability, stressing that he couldn’t have done better than he had done in the last seven years and some months.

The President acknowledged the warm reception accorded him and the continued show of love by Nigerians.

According to him, the huge crowd that welcomed him wherever he went, was a demonstration of genuine love and loyalty.

“I normally call on Emirs and Chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to States to show my gratitude.

This was even as the Emir expressed delight in the visit of the President, saying that it is refreshing to see political leaders in modern state system honouring the traditional institutions with a courtesy call.

He said that such honour is a practical demonstration of love and respect to the traditional institutions, thanking President Buhari for the landmark developments which his administration had brought to Bauchi State.

He said that the Kolmani Integrated Project remained a legacy for which Bauchi State and the North East would remain grateful.

“We cannot thank you enough and we follow the example of our Governor to express our greatest gratitude. We are also pleased that you have kept your promise of reforming the electoral processes through continuous and progressive reforms and by ensuring the independence of the electoral body, of which our son, Professor Mahmood Yakubu is the current head.

“Your determination in this and other areas of governance has been an inspiration to all right-thinking people across the country.”

Apostle Suleman Proposed To Marry Me 7 Times, Got Me Pregnant, Abort 3 Times– Halima

Editorial staff

January 22, 2023

Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar has said that the general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman proposed to marry her on seven occasions, made her to be pregnant and abort the pregnancies on three occasions.

In a new Instagram live video with Comedian Princess, the film star claimed that the pair dated for “six years.”

“I did not know he was married. He told me he was separated. I used to beg him to go and settle with his wife but he said No. He proposed to me more than seven times. He involved my parents and met them for introduction,” she alleged.

The actress said that when rumours of their alleged affair first started making the rounds, she sought the cleric’s advice on what to say but “he told me to go and die.”

In a now-viral clip of the interview, Halima was asked if she was ever pregnant for Suleman.

“Yes, I was once pregnant for him,” she said.

When further asked why she did not keep the pregnancy, she said: “When I lost the baby, he was crying, you would think it’s real because he was shedding tears that I lost his child.

“It’s crazy. I got pregnant three times for him. The last one got me bleeding…I had to take tablets to stop it…”

On how long it took the bleeding to stop, she replied “for four years, I actually just came out since I have been in a long spiritual battle…the blood just stopped rushing, you won’t believe it.”

In another clip from the interview, Halima alleged that the cleric slept with her while she was bleeding.

“He was sleeping with me even while I was bleeding. That’s the dangerous part of it, and he was telling me he couldn’t sleep with any other person, that’s why,” she added.

“The whole thing took me unaware because I was naive and not a spiritual person. Even when I’m on my period, he does that (sleeps with me).”

Halima said she is ready to go to court to prove that the pair had an affair.

It would be recalled that in September 2022, while reacting to the series of allegations, Suleman sued Halima in court before a high court sitting in Abuja, demanding, among other things, the sum of one billion naira as damages.

“A declaration that the statements published by the defendant against the claimant on her Instagram handle @Halmabubakar, falsely and maliciously written and published to the general public, are defamatory of the person of the claimant.”

Where APC, PDP, NNPP, May Win Elections In 5 States With Highest Registered Voters

Editorial staff

January 22, 2023

File photo: Electoral commission officers and voters discuss while votes are counted at Shagari Primary School polling station in Yola, Adamawa State on February 23, 2019 | PHOTO: AFP

Permutations are already being made in the political circle as to which of the top political parties; the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) will win elections in the five states with highest number of registered voters in the February Presidential elections.

The five top states with the highest registered voters, known as swing states, are Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Rivers and Katsina:

Lagos State:

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over seven million people have registered to vote in Lagos State in the forthcoming poll. The APC is likely to win the state due to the fact that it won the state in the last 2 general elections (2015 and 2019). PDP may get enough vote to make up for the two-third constitutional requirement. The presidential candidate of the party is also a former governor of the state.

Kano State:

Kano state is the second-highest registered voter in the 2023 poll: over five million people have registered to vote in the state based on INEC statistics. APC is likely to win the state as well because the party has been controlling the state since 2015 and secured the highest votes for President Buhari in the last two elections. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP may get at least their two-third constitutional requirement too.

Kaduna State:

The state has over four million registered voters. Bola Tinubu of the APC may win the state as the the governor, Nasiru el-Rufai has consistently said that the ruling party has the highest chance in the February 25 presidential election.

Rivers State:

The State has one of the toughest registered voters with over 3.5 million of them. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP is likely to win the state despite the crisis rocking the party which is the rift between Governor Nyesom Wike and the party’s presidential candidate. Peter Obi of the LP, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu may get their two-third requirements.

Katsina State:

The state is the fifth state with the highest number of registered voters in the 2023 election. Currently, more than 3.5 million people have registered to vote in the forthcoming poll.

Irrespective of the insecurity challenges in the state, the fact that President Buhari is from the state still gave the APC upper have above other political parties in the state.

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