The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to look into the circumstances that led to the recent sacking of about 600 staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance moved by the member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Mr Jonathan Gbefwi, on the floor during plenary on Wednesday.

Recall that the apex bank last week anchored its decision to lay off some of its staff members on the need to reposition the bank for effective operation.

Addressing the House, Gbefwi noted that the CBN as part of an extensive reform, has been downsizing the workforce “Which has affected close to 600 employees including directors and nearly all staff members in the Governor’s Directorate being terminated.”

According to him, the recent downsizing by the apex bank has raised significant concerns and controversies among stakeholders, including the affected employees, labour unions, and the general public.

He lamented that those affected by the CBN’s action are top-notch professionals whose skills may be lost to Europe and America, thus, leaving the country short-changed.

He said, “We are worried that these retrenchments, without any sort of fair hearings or panels, could cause the nation a lot in settlements. 

“A director’s tenure according to the civil service rules is two terms of four years or 60 years of service, whichever comes first. This makes them like permanent secretaries. The capacity being thrown away be easily replaced?

“The House is worried about staff morale and progression. People choose careers in civil service so that they can end careers like their superiors and mentors who trained them. Seeing their bosses being treated with disregard and like criminals will send a message that professionalism is not rewarded, as well as, meritorious service to our great nation Nigeria.”

Following the adoption of the motion, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary, mandated the Committees on Banking Regulations and Federal Character to look into the CBN reforms which led to the downsizing of staff members and report to the house within four weeks.

A former Director of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ahmed Umar has claimed that the naira redesign embarked upon by the immediate-past Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele did not have the approval of the Committee of Governors.

Umar made the claim at the resumed trial of Emefiele on Tuesday.

At the trial opening on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), fielded Umar as its first witness.

Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Umar told the court that his department in 2022 was directed to come up with the new design for the naira.

He said, “The management of CBN directed my department to come up with a memo on the design of the naira note sometime in August 2022.

“We prepared the bill with the Committee of Governors and passed it through the line Deputy Governor Operations, which he forwarded to the Governor and it was listed for consideration by the Committee of Governors.”

The ex-director, who told the court that he joined CBN 35 years ago and retired in July 2023, explained that the Committee of Governors comprised five members, including the CBN Governor as chairman.

The witness told the court that the naira redesign memo was presented to the Committee of Governors for their consideration/ review on October 26, 2022, but the committee did not approve it.

Umar said, “We humbly requested the implementation of the amendment. (But) the extract from the COG did not approve item one and item three. While item two was modified to include N200 denomination, the proposal for the exercise in 2023 wasn’t approved by the COG

“The procedure requires the Board of Directors to recommend to the President for design and form.

“The design shall be contained in the currency after the approval of the President then the production of the currency will commence.”

Justice Maryanne Anenih admitted in evidence the Certified True Copy of the memorandum filed by the Operations Department and marked it as Exhibit A.

The EFCC, in the charges, accused Emefiele of spending N4.4bn to print “coloured swapped N500 notes.”

The ex-apex bank chief, however, denied all the allegations, pleading not guilty.

Foreign exchange turnover increased by 81.59 per cent to $328 million as the Naira maintained its N1339.33 per dollar appreciation mark against the Dollar at the official forex market.

FMDQ data showed that FX transactions turnover rose to $328.32 million at the close of trading on Tuesday from $180.80 million the previous day.

The development signaled renewed activity and demand in the foreign currency market.

Meanwhile, at the parallel market section, the Naira appreciated to N1500 per dollar on Tuesday from N1520 the previous day.

Experts have attributed the Naira’s strengthening against other currencies to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in the foreign exchange market.

CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso in its 295th Monetary Policy Committee blamed the persistent FX crisis on seasonal fluctuations.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje has said most of the challenges President Bola Tinubu is facing were inherited from the previous administration.

Ganduje urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu as he addresses the challenges confronting them, ranging from the economy to insecurity.

He spoke in Abuja at the presentation of a book, “The 365 Days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency: Resetting the Strategic Foundation for a New Nigeria’.

The APC National Chairman pointed out that Tinubu’s hard decisions which had led to the fall of the naira and high prices of foodstuffs were beginning to yield the desired result.

According to Ganduje: “I want to urge Nigerians to show patience and understanding in this administration’s efforts to address some of these challenges ranging from economy, security, and other ones. This I believe has been highlighted by the authors in the book.

“The pronouncement of Emilokan (it is my turn) was made in my presence in Ogun State. I feel highly honoured to chair this book presentation to mark Tinubu’s one year in office. Let me also use the occasion to congratulate Mr President and all Nigerians on this occasion of the 365 days of this golden administration.

“There is no doubt that since his assumption to office, Mr President has faced so many challenges, many of which are global. Some are inherited. But there has been some progress.”

Famous talking drummer cum cultural ambassador of the Ooni of Ife, Aralola Olamuyiwa, better known as ‘Ara the drummer’, has recalled how she broke the jinx of women being prevented from playing talking drums.

Ara, Africa’s first female talking drummer, said in an interview on the latest episode of the ‘Terms And Conditions’ podcast that people tried to discourage her from playing the talking drum.

According to Ara, she self-taught with the musical instrument because she was told that playing the talking drum might prevent her from having children, but she broke the jinx.

She said, “There are some drums females cannot play. I started with the traditional drums. But I evolved over the years. I played different instruments like bass guitar, keyboard, and set drums.

“But I wanted something different, so I started learning how to play the talking drum. People I asked to teach me were skeptical about teaching me because I am a woman. So I am self-taught.

“Although at some point, I was afraid. I was like, ‘what could happen to me?’ They were like, ‘you might not be able to have kids.’ It’s a traditional thing but I broke that jinx.”

Ara has a son with her estranged husband, Prince Nurudeen Olalekan Saliu.

International students at the University of Sussex, particularly those from Nigeria, are facing a tense situation regarding tuition fee payments.

The Students’ Union has accused the university of being insensitive to the economic hardships faced by students from the Global South, where inflation and currency devaluation are taking a toll on their ability to pay fees.

It said that the University sent emails on April 15th demanding full payment of outstanding fees by May 31st, adding that the ultimatum has caused distress among many students, with the SU reporting that over 1,000 students have outstanding debts.

One anonymous Nigerian student explained, “We’re willing to meet our obligations, but we’re pleading for the university to grant us some time.

“Since the exchange rate tripled, my monthly income of £800 is barely enough to cover the £182 weekly accommodation, leaving me struggling to survive.”

A similar situation faced by Nigerian students at Teesside University, who were reportedly removed from their courses due to difficulties paying fees.

The university maintains it takes student well-being seriously and has offered various forms of support, including a hardship fund, welfare loans, and access to well-being resources. However, the letter sent to students with outstanding fees mentioned potential consequences of non-payment by the deadline, including revoked access to IT and library services, withheld certificates, and potential debt collection.

“If payment of your fees remains outstanding after May 31 2024, the university may take action to permanently withdraw you from the university,” the letter read in part.

The most concerning consequence, as highlighted by the university, is the possible withdrawal of student visas by UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) if the university reports their non-payment.

Riko Kunisue, the Students’ Union’s International Students’ Officer, emphasized the significant stress and fear students are experiencing and called for an extension on the deadline.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by some students, the university maintains it is being flexible and has proactively reached out to affected groups.

“No students have been or will be removed from their courses, or from university accommodation this academic year due to their debt.

“We take the wellbeing of our students extremely seriously and understand that some of our students are currently facing challenging circumstances.

“The university is being as flexible as possible and has proactively engaged with those student groups affected. We have also been offering wellbeing and other support, and signposting available financial support in our communications,” she added.

Nigerian iconic table tennis star, Quadri Aruna has reclaimed his spot as the number one table tennis player in Africa.

Recall that Quadri Aruna had a difficult first quarter of the year which forced him to lose the first spot on the continent for two months.

According to the latest ITTF rankings released by the world table tennis ruling body on Tuesday, May 28, Aruna is currently the 17th-ranked table tennis player in the world, and first-ranked in Africa.

The 35-year-old table-tennis icon displaced Omar Assar of Egypt who has now dropped to the second spot in Africa and 22nd spot in the world.

Recall that Assar took the first spot and remained there for two months after winning the 2024 African Games in Ghana.

The Egyptian lost points after the expiration of the quarter-final points he earned at the Durban 2023 World Championships in South Africa.

Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali is the third-best player in Africa and he is ranked 49th in the world after losing 4-0 to Quadri Aruna at the 2024 ITTF Africa Cup.

For women’s table tennis, Dina Meshref from Egypt remains the highest-ranked African player according to the latest ranking of the ITTF. She is ranked 24 in the world.

She is closely followed on the continent by her countrywoman, Hana Goda who is currently ranked 31st in the world.

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have failed to qualify for the U-17 Nations Cup despite beating Ghana 3-2 to win the bronze medal at the WAFU B tournament, which serves as the qualifiers for the competition.

Imrana Muhammad opened the scoring for Nigeria in the ninth minute following a goal mouth scramble.

Ghana restored parity when a Golden Eaglets defender diverted the ball into his own net.

Ghana took the lead for the first time in the game in the 27th minute when Harve Gbafa profited from a defensive blunder to beat goalkeeper Dominic Chinedu in goal for Nigeria.

Adeleke brought Nigeria back into the game before scoring a last minute winner to hand the Golden Eaglets a deserved 3-2 win.

The Confederation of African Football has clarified that next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations will still have 12 finalists in attendance, as against the minimum of 16 teams being projected by African football enthusiasts.

This means that despite defeating host nation Ghana in Tuesday’s third-place match of the WAFU B U17 Championship, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have not qualified for the finals.

CAF’s Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu confirmed that the final competition will have 12 teams and not 16, meaning the Golden Eaglets will miss out on the U-17 Nations Cup and ultimately the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

He said: “The final tournament will still have 12 teams.”

Expectations had been high among African football aficionados that the 2025 Africa U17 Cup of Nations would be expanded, following FIFA’s allocation, at its Congress in Bangkok, penultimate week, of 10 slots to the continent for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup that Qatar has been designated to host.

Qatar will host five consecutive FIFA U17 World Cup finals beginning next year, each having 48 teams in attendance.

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, discharged the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, of an alleged terrorism charge filed against him by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, discharged Bodejo after counsel for the AGF, Aderonke Imana, moved an oral application for the withdrawal of the three-count charge.

Upon resumed hearing, Imana informed the court that she had an oral application.

The lawyer said the application was pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

She said the request was further predicated on the power of the AGF under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Consequently, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation has instructed me to withdraw this charge against the defendant in the interest of justice.

“That is our humble application my lord,” she said.

Bodejo’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji, SAN, did not oppose the application.

The senior lawyer thanked the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for his “magnanimous gesture.”

“We urge your lordship to discharge the accused person under the sections referred to by the prosecutor,” Raji said.