Following the growing spake of insecurity in the country, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former campaign spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar, Daniel Bwala, has said President Bola Tinubu regrets the anger and frustration expressed by Nigerians.

Bwala made the remark while speaking in a statement issued via his official X handle on Wednesday, January 31.

He assured Nigerians that President Tinubu would do everything possible to address the security and economic challenges confronting the country.

Bwala said the hydra-headed security challenge is a test to Nigerians, but the president would ensure it’s resolved in due time.

He, therefore, charged the citizens to remain resilient and keep faith in the country, stressing that Nigeria is a unique country of resilient people.

He wrote: “Fellow countrymen, keep faith with your country; Nigeria is a unique country of resilient people.

“@officialABAT will do whatever he can to address the myriad of challenges confronting the Nigerian people.

“Your frustration and anger are deeply regretted. But I assure you that the labour of our heroes’ past shall never be in vain.
The hydra-headed security challenge is testing our resolve, but If we stay hopeful and resilient amidst these trying times, we will rise undaunted as a nation.”

President Bola Tinubu has uplifted the morale of the Super Eagles of Nigeria after calling them on video call.

The call was made ahead of Super Eagles match against Angola in the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament.

Speaking via video call from France, the President urged the players to reach for goals in the crucial Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Angola this evening.

The video call was posted on his son, Seyi Tinubu’s Instagram story on Friday, February 2.

Nigeria vs Angola is the first quarter-final game of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations by 6 pm today.

All eyes are on the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they slug it out against Angola in the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

The target for Nigeria is to qualify for the semi-final.

The winner between Nigeria and Angola on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the 40,000-capacity Peace Stadium in Bouake, will face the winner of Cape Verde vs. South Africa to be played also on Friday.

The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria has raised the exchange rate for cargo clearance from N952/$ to N1.356 per dollar.

This is coming weeks after the rate was increased from N783/$ to N952/$.

In November, the exchange rate for cargo clearance was raised from N757 per dollar to N783 per dollar, representing a 3.4 per cent increase, and was later raised from N783/$ to N952/$ in December.

However, it was observed on Friday that the new rate has been reflected on the portal of the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to Punch, a member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Remilekun Sikiru, in a chat with the newspaper on Friday, said, “How do we explain this? From N952/$ to N1.4/$ as of Friday morning with about N404 increase? It’s quite unfortunate that the prices of goods and commodities will automatically increase. Importation would further decrease and depreciate, vehicle prices would skyrocket again.

“Since this unification of a thing, the government has refused to look inward and critically into the maritime industry as regards importation and exportation. The sector have been neglected and things are getting worse daily. The question now is, how would freight forwarders and customs brokers agents cope with this new rate?”

Also speaking, an agent, Ben Anya, said that they woke up to the new rate, “which was before now set at N951 per dollar,”

Anya explained that with the latest increase in the exchange rate, the cost of clearing would increase.

“And this would also affect the cost of goods in the market. It would also lead to a drop in importation,” he said.

The Department of State Services, DSS, has cautioned all contending parties in the February 3, 2024 by-elections to shun all acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The agency enjoined public commentators, social critics and key players in the public space to consider the peace of the country over and above their personal or group interests.

This is even as the Service assured that it will work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, other sister security and law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders to ensure a hitch-free election.

This was made known in a statement on Friday by Peter Afunanya, the Director, PR & Strategic Communications, DSS National Headquarters, Abuja.

Afunanya assured that the DSS will continue to implement proactive measures to achieve the desired stability in the country.

He further advised those engaging in subversive endeavours or desirous of doing so to desist from such as the Service will not hesitate to ensure that defaulters, no matter how highly placed, face the full weight of the law.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has prohibited banks and fintech companies from engaging in international money transfer services.

This directive, outlined in the revised guidelines for International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), was officially communicated on January 31, 2024.

The exclusion mentioned in the document pertains to individuals associated with the management, shareholders, and officers of banks.

The document reads: “All banks are prohibited from operating International Money Transfer services but can act as agents.

“Also, Financial Technology Companies are not allowed to obtain approval for IMTO.

“The provisions of BOFIA 2020 on the prohibition of employment of certain persons in banks shall also apply to IMTOS.”

In the previous guidelines issued in 2014, only deposit money banks were prohibited. However, the CBN has extended the ban to fintechs.

N10 Million Application Fee

The apex bank also increased the application fee for IMTO licence from N500,000 in 2014 to N10 million in the revised guidelines. This is an increase of about 1,900% in about 10 years.

The document noted that any IMTO intending to operate in Nigeria shall submit its application to the Director, Trade and Exchange Department with the following documents, among others:

“A non-refundable application fee of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira only) or such other amount that the Bank may specify from time to time; payable to the CBN through electronic transfer or bank draft.

“Approval to operate in other jurisdictions or agency agreement (for all IMTOs).

“Evidence of tax clearance and incorporation documents in Nigeria (for indigenous IMTOS) to include Memorandum and Articles of Association (Certified True Copy), of which the primary object clause shall indicate provision of money transfer services.”

There is also an annual renewal at a fee of N10 million naira, or any amount that the apex bank may specify from time to time; payable to the CBN through electronic transfer or bank draft on or before 31st January of the year.

It was also noted that the renewal of IMTO approval shall be done within the first quarter of every year, adding that where an IMTO fails to avail its agent bank of a copy of CBN renewal of its IMTO approval for that year within the first quarter of the year, the bank should cease any further transaction with the IMTO.

Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has revealed that head coach Jose Peseiro almost made him stop playing for Nigeria because of a disagreement he had with the Portuguese.

Speaking in an interview with ESPN, the former Udinese and Watford star said he was not sure of playing at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Ivory Coast.

“I was not sure if I was going to play this AFCON or not and to be honest, I was not sure if I was going to continue with the national team either because I was weighing all my options,” Troost-Ekong said.

“I felt that maybe the only thing that was going to stop me this time was that there was some disagreement with the coach [Peseiro] before the tournament so I was not sure if I was going to be part of the squad or not.”

He added, “I stayed in communication with the team, I was wishing them well. I also reminded the coach that I am available and I think everyone was impressed with how I was playing in the league and also the European Conference League.”

Troost-Ekong has been solid for Nigeria at the AFCON.

The 30-year-old scored a goal for Nigeria against the host nation Ivory Coast.

Ondo State governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has transmitted the names of six Commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The development is contained in a statement issued on Friday by his chief press secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan.

According to the statement, the six nominated for appointment are Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, ACCA, Mr. Olukayode A. Ajulo, SAN, Engr. Razaq Obe, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, Barrister Akinwumi Sowore, and Mr. Oseni Oyeniyi.

The governor also appointed three Special Advisers. The nominees are Hon. Olugbenga Omole (Special Adviser on Information & Strategy), Mrs. Olamide Falana (Special Adviser on Gender Affairs), and Mr. Alabi Johnson, (Special Adviser on Energy).

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Friday that two French aid workers had been killed in a Russian strike in Ukraine and condemned the attack as “outrageous”.

Ukranian officials said the two men died in a recent drone attack in southern Ukraine.

“Two French aid workers have been killed in Ukraine by a Russian strike. A cowardly and outrageous act,” Macron said on X (formerly Twitter).

“My solidarity goes out to all the volunteers who are committed to helping people,” he added.
Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne added: “Russia will have to answer for its crimes.”

Ukranian officials said that two French nationals were killed and three other foreigners wounded on Thursday in Beryslav, near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.

Ukrainian police said they had died as a result of a drone attack.

Beryslav, which sits on the Dnipro River close to the front line, has regularly been targeted by Russian drones and artillery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced gratitude for the Frenchmen’s work in his war-torn country.

“Russian terror knows no boundaries or victims’ nationalities.

“The brave French aid workers assisted people and we will always be grateful for their humanity.

“My condolences go out to their loved ones,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

AFP

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has nominated six persons for appointment as Commissioners.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor said the nominees will assist him in the day-to-day running of the government of the state.

The statement added that Governor Aiyedatiwa had forwarded the names of the Commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

It stated that three of the commissioners and two special advisers sacked last week by the governor, were amongst the new special advisers and commissioner nominees.

According to the statement, the nominees are Omowumi Isaac, ACCA, Olukayode A. Ajulo (SAN), Engr. Razaq Obe, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, Barrister Akinwumi Sowore, and Oseni Oyeniyi.

[NaijaNews]