A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daniel Bwala, on Tuesday, said opposition political parties will come together to form a strong coalition that will wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Bwala, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said without a coalition of opposition parties, President Bola Tinubu will spend eight years in office as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“Without a coalition of political parties, Tinubu is going to spend the next eight years. That one is for sure,” Bwala said.

“The truth of the matter is that there will be a coalition of political parties that will be very strong. This is a fact that I know. The coalition that is coming will swallow some of the elements that are creating the problems in the various political parties,” he said.

During the programme, Bwala accused Tinubu of instigating crises in opposition parties, citing the problems that confronted the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as instances.

A former Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf, has accused Francophone West African countries of benefitting from issuing dubious degrees to Nigerians.

Ramon-Yusuf, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, was reacting to the suspension of accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo by the Nigerian government.

The suspension, which came after a report detailing how a degree was acquired from a university in Benin Republic in under two months, was announced by the Federal Government on Tuesday.

The ex-NUC Secretary said, “Many of these francophone countries have benefited so much from the dubious degrees they give to Nigerians and that is why Africa cannot achieve the same level of mobility that people enjoy in Europe under the Erasmus programme.”

According to him, Africa started the mobility and mutual recognition of certificates before the Europeans but has not made progress because of the education corruption in francophone countries.

‘Clear-Headed Crooks Who Failed UTME’

He maintained that Nigerians with questionable certificates from francophone countries are not victims, adding that they took that option because they find it difficult to get admitted to Nigerian universities.

“There is no victim, all those people with these certificates are clear-headed crooks who knew what they were paying for because some of them are people who cannot pass the UTME, and some do not have five O-level credits.

“So they go shopping for these bogus institutions where they get their bogus qualifications from.”

Beyond Suspension, What Next?

Ramon-Yusuf added that the Nigerian government needs to do more than suspend the certificates from these two countries, as this is not the first time the issue has come up.

“We need to do more than that because this is not the first time this matter is coming to the fore. Now, we need to do something different. Many of these francophone countries don’t have national quality assurance agencies,” he said.

He also called for the inclusion of the NUC in the committee being put together by the Federal Government to look into the matter as that was the statutory agency responsible for the quality assurance of university education in Nigeria.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo as a dogged fighter who stood for truth.

He said this during a condolence visit to Akeredolu’s family in Ibadan.

Obi, who came with Professor Pat Utomi, noted that the deceased governor was a forthright person who stood on the side of the masses at all times.

In the condolence register, Obi wrote: “May God Almighty, who called you home, grant you eternal rest in His kingdom. And grant your family and all of us the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

“God Almighty bless your family.”

In his condolence message, Prof Utomi, who was Akeredolu’s classmate at Loyola College, Ibadan, in the 60s, said Akeredolu had that leadership trait in him since secondary school.

“Akeredolu was not one who would keep quiet in the face of oppression and he never compromised on justice and equity,” Utomi said.
Responding for the family, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Prof Wole Akeredolu, commended the duo for the visit and their support for the family.

An Israeli strike on Tuesday killed Saleh al-Aruri, deputy head of the Hamas movement, in a southern Beirut stronghold of Hamas ally Hezbollah, two security officials told AFP.

Hamas later confirmed Aruri’s death, which Lebanese state media said came in an Israeli drone strike that killed a total of six people.

The attack marked an escalation of the nearly three-month war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. Aruri, one of Hamas’s principal military strategists, is the first senior official of the movement killed during the war, and his death came in the first strike on the Lebanese capital since hostilities began.

There have been regular cross-border exchanges of fire over Lebanon’s southern border between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

Asked about the Beirut strike, the Israeli military said it “does not comment on foreign media reports.”

A high-level security official in Lebanon told AFP that Aruri was killed along with his bodyguards.

Another security official confirmed the same information, adding that two floors of the targeted building and one car were damaged.

Hamas later confirmed the death on its official TV channel, saying Aruri was killed in a “treacherous Zionist strike”.

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The movement’s media said the strike killed two other members of its armed wing.

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo.

The ministry noted that its decision followed the undercover investigation conducted by a Nigerian newspaper which exposed the activity of a degree mill in Cotonou, a major city of Benin Republic.

According to the investigation, the investigative reporter bagged a degree from Cotonou University within six weeks and also participated in the mandatory one-year scheme organised by the National Youth Service Corps.

Following the analysis of data from the website of the National Universities Commission, Below are list of foreign universities banned by the NUC.

The commission also warned Nigerians to avoid enrolling in such institutions.

1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

4. Collumbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

5. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

6. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

7. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

8. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

9. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.

11. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.

13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

14. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.

18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

Creates New TSA, Blocks Access To Former Account

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, on Tuesday, directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to remit 100 percent of their internally generated revenue (IGR) to the Sub-Recurrent Account which is a sub-component of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

This is to improve revenue generation, fiscal discipline, accountability and transparency in the management of government financial resources and prevent waste and inefficiencies.

Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, issued the directive in a circular he signed, dated December 28, 2023.

Consequently, the circular stated that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation shall open new Treasury Single Account (TSA) sub-accounts for all federal agencies/parastatals listed on the schedule of Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and any additions by the Federal Ministry of Finance, except where expressly exempted.

“All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) that are fully funded through the annual Federal Government budget (receiving personnel, overhead and capital allocation) and on the schedule of Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and any addition by the Federal Ministry of Finance should remit one hundred percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Sub-Recurrent Account which is a Sub-component of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF)”, the circular reads.

The circular stated that all partially funded Federal Government agencies/parastatals (receiving capital or overhead allocation from the Federal Government budget) should remit 50 percent of their gross Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), while all statutory revenue like tender fees, contractor’s registration, sales of government assets etc should be remitted one 100 percent to the sub-recurrent account.

According to the circular, all self-funded Federal Government agencies/parastatals (receiving no allocation from the Federal Government budget) should remit 50 percent of their gross Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), including all statutory revenues like tender fees, contractor’s registration, sales of government assets etc to the sub recurrent account.

Furthermore, the circular said the new account opened for agencies/parastatal shall be credited with inflows in the old revenue collecting accounts based on the new policy implementation of 50 percent auto deduction in line with the Finance Act,2020 and Finance Circular, 2021, 50 percent cost to revenue ratio.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (0AGF), subject to the categorisation of agencies shall map and automatically effect direct deduction of 50 percent on gross revenue of Self/partially funded agency/parastatals and 100 percent for fully funded agencies/ parastatals as interim remittance of the amount due to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This is to improve revenue generation, fiscal discipline, accountability and transparency in the management of government financial resources and prevention of waste and inefficiencies.

“The revenue collection TSA Sub-Accounts currently operated and maintained by Agencies/Parastatals for receiving revenue from the public shall be blocked from access. The accounts shall be under the full control of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy and the Accountant-General of the Federation.”

“To strengthen the implementation of the Presidential directives as conveyed via SGF Circular Reference: SGF.50/5.3/C.9/24 dated October 16, 2018 on Approved Revenue Performance Management Framework for Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs), the Revenue & Investment Department and the Treasury Single Account Department of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (0AGF) shall supervise, monitor and carry out a monthly review of both the old and new accounts of the Agencies/parastatals to ensure that only funds approved by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy (HMFCME) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) are credited to the accounts.”

The circular said FMF and the OAGF will recommend appropriate disciplinary actions and sanctions against defaulting accounting officers of agencies/parastatals found violating the contents of the circular, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The Nigerian Navy has said it seized eight sacks of Indian Hemp worth N12.8 million in the Abojedo community, around Sultan Beach, in the Badagry area of Lagos State.

According to the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry, the operation followed a tip-off of suspected smuggling activities taking place in the area.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lt. Adedeji Adeyemi, the Base’s Internal Security Commander representing the commander, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the intelligence report indicated that “some persons were sighted offloading products suspected to be Indian hemp at Abojedo community, seaside of the FOB Area of Operations.”

He said, “Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team proceeded to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest.

“The team conducted a cordon-and-search operation in the area and recovered eight sacks of the suspected weeds valued at N12.8 million.

“The suspected smugglers fled the scene on sighting our patrol team. The adjoining communities were also searched but no other products or suspects were found,’’ he said.

“Recall that the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Adm.Mustapha Hussan launched Operation Water Guard’ on Nov. 9, 2023.”

Adeyemi added that the operation is aimed at denying smugglers and other criminal elements the freedom of action within Badagry and to ensure security and economic stability of the region.

The Indian Hemp was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), received by Mr Emmanuel Ogbogoh, the Assistant Commander, Narcotics, representing Mr Owen Dinneys, the NDLEA Area Commander, Seme Special Command.

According to the Navy, the handover was in line with the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures for Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Persons (2016).

Receiving the exhibits, the NDLEA vowed to probe the seizure while assuring that those involved in illegal drug smuggling into the country would be punished.

He commended the Nigerian Navy for collaborating with the NDLEA in tackling drug trafficking in the country.

Ogbogoh stressed that the handing over of the seized substance showed that the NDLEA could not fight the menace alone.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has released regulatory guidelines for the operation of cryptocurrency transactions by Deposit Money Banks and other financial institutions.

The development follows the removal of the ban imposed two years ago on cryptocurrency transactions in the Nigerian banking system by former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

In February 2021 the CBN issued a circular restricting banks and other financial institutions from operating accounts for cryptocurrency service providers due to the money laundering and terrorism financing risks as well as the absence of regulations and consumer protection measures.

But the CBN in the new rule titled, ‘Guideline On Operation of Bank Account For Virtual Assets Service Providers(VASPs)’, said banks and other financial institutions are still prohibited from holding, trading and/or transacting in virtual currencies on
their own account.

The CBN said, “From the commencement of these Regulations, financial institutions shall not open or permit the operation of any account by any person or entity to conduct the business of virtual/digital assets unless that account is designated for that purpose and opened in line with the requirement of these Guidelines.

“An account opened in accordance with these Guidelines shall only be used for transactions on virtual/digital assets and not for any other purpose.

“No cash withdrawal shall be allowed from the account. No third-party cheque shall be cleared from the account.

“Except for settlement of a virtual/digital assets transaction which shall be done through a transfer to another designated account, withdrawal shall be only through a Managers’ Cheque or transfer to an account.”

The guideline further explained that the designated settlement account of SEC’s VASPs/DA entities will be opened by financial institutions with the permission of the CBN.

“All obligations arising from transactions within the VASP5/DAs entities platform shall be settled into the designated settlement accounts maintained by them in the banks.

“The designated settlement accounts shall warehouse all Naira positions of individuals with the VASPs/DAs. The designated settlement account, including any associated linked account for warehousing settlement monies, shall not be interest beadng.

“The details of the transactions on the VASP platform leading to settlement on the designated settlement account shall be accessible online, on real-Ume basis to the FIs at all times. Credit to the designated settlement account shall be for the funding of Naira positions of persons on the VASP/DAs platform.”

The CBN said any form of contravention of the rule will attract penalty not less than N2m.

Human Rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to quit partisanship, stating that Atiku, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Wike’s G5 greed led to the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last year’s presidential election.

In a new year message he personally signed, Adeyanju said for over three decades, Atiku’s name has appeared prominently in the Nigerian political lexicon, adding that one cannot deny the fact that he has contributed a great deal in shaping the Nigerian democracy but that he needs to quit.

“From the aborted third republic down to the recently conducted 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku has played one role or the other in Nigerian politics, with varying results.

“However, it is now time for him to take a bow from politics and serve as a mentor for the younger generation of politicians,” Adeyanju said, stating that keen observers of political issues in Nigeria will attest to the fact that year 2023 was Alhaji Abubakar’s best shot at the Nigerian Presidency.

“He had everything working in his favour. However, a combination of arrogance, inadequate human relationship, inability to manage the opposition, and several other lesser known factors contributed to his defeat in the polls.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was directly responsible for the division in the opposition that saw President Tinubu emerging with the slimmest victory margin in Nigeria’s recent democratic elections. He failed to support Peter or prevail on him to remain in the PDP, he failed to prevail on Kwankwanso to remain in the PDP, he picked unnecessary fight with the G5 PDP governors and invariably lost in woefully in areas that were hitherto traditional PDP bases.

“Had the G5, Alhaji Kwankanso, Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku worked under one platform in the 2023 presidential election, we would have had a different president today.

“Sadly, that ship has sailed. It is for the aforementioned reasons that Alhaji Abubakar must drop his intention to run in the 2027 presidential elections. He is not the only politician in Nigeria,” Adeyanju said, adding that Atiku must give way for the younger generation of politicians.

“Alhaji Abubakar should leave behind a legacy of uniting the opposition and pushing for a younger politician to be president of Nigeria. He should assume the role of Moses and let history be the judge. The opposition must also find a way to work together and present a united front in 2027 through a younger candidate,” Adeyanju said, hoping that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will heed to the call and leave his political legacy unblemished.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has extended an apology to his political mentor and former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, regarding his past choice of language during their political differences. Shaibu, however, stressed that his aspiration to succeed his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, as the next governor of the state stems from a divine conviction to serve the state and restore governance to the people.

Shaibu made these remarks during a live interview on a private broadcast television station in Lagos, which was monitored in Benin City. He said that his decision not to engage in conflicts with his boss, despite their strained relationship, was to avoid using language that might haunt him when he secures the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said, “I want to be the next governor of Edo State not because l am Philip Shaibu, it is my constitutional right. Before publicly declaring my interest to contest, l had consulted widely with many persons and groups within and outside Edo State. Moreover, l went into prayers to seek guidance and direction from God. The signs l received encouraged me to go ahead with my aspiration, though it was obvious the Governor had his own plans of supporting another person.

“If my party wants to win the election in Edo State, give it to Philip Shaibu but if they want to lose, they should give it to somebody else, not because I am a superstar but because I have the content, I have the quality, I have the experience.”

Addressing his past disagreements with Oshiomhole, Shaibu expressed regret for his choice of language. He affirmed his apology to Oshiomhole and expressed his intention not to repeat such mistakes.

“I regret the language I used in our disagreements. The only aspect I apologise for and continue to apologise for to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is the language I used. I don’t want to repeat the same mistake,” Shaibu remarked.

While reiterating his allegiance to Governor Obaseki, the Deputy Governor noted his commitment to supporting the Governor and the Government despite ongoing disputes and challenges to his constitutional rights.

“I have over time been deprived of my constitutional rights as Deputy Governor. This has not in any way affected my loyalty to the Governor. I have had to make lots of personal sacrifices to ensure a good relationship and deliver on our promise to Edo people. Sometimes, one has to play the fool for a relationship to survive,” he said.