FEATURES
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, says the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is a moral burden on the federal government.
Kanu is being detained in the custody of the DSS over alleged tourism.
According to Nze Chukwu, “there is no sufficient reason for the prolonged detention of Kanu by the security agency of the state.
Nze Chukwu said he would collaborate with some Igbo leaders in government for a collective effort towards the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Nze Chukwu made the remarks in his inaugural meeting with the NEC held in Enugu.
On the forthcoming election of Ohanaeze executives, Nze Chukwu called for the election of credible leaders into the executive of pan-Igbo executive. He expressed delight that the Imeobi Ohanaeze has resolved that there should be a screening committee to ensure that the incoming NEC comprised men and women with integrity.
He regretted the disunity among the Igbo, recalling the enviable Igbo unity during the Dr M. I. Okpara regime that propelled the Igbo to become one of the most educated ethnic groups in Africa.
According to him, “During the Okpara regime, almost all the schools, churches, markets, hospitals, and other social facilities were through the organized town unions. There were farm settlements that provided the required agricultural techniques for improved farming activities. There was food sufficiency in Igbo land, but most regrettably, the subsequent Igbo leaders appeared to have abandoned their responsibilities.”
He said it was the combination of Igbo internal peace, unity and food security that registered Eastern Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world under Okpara.
Nze Chukwu lamented that, at present, all forms of agricultural produce ranging from yam, beans, tomatoes, cows, goats, ram, carrot and garden egg come from the North.
He condemned the extortions on various road networks in Igboland, stating that a trip from Enugu to Onitsha, “a distance of 100km, would take about four hours because of numerous money extorting checkpoints mounted by the army, police,Road Safety, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and community vigilantes.”
He decried the lack of vision of the contemporary Igbo leaders, explaining that, “While Harvard in the USA is curious about the Igbo successes through the Igba Apprenticeship Scheme, the present crop of Igbo are losing grip of that fascinating Igbo heritage.”
He attributed the restiveness among Igbo youths to “the dereliction of Igbo vital values”, and made a case for the prioritisation of the empowerment of Igbo youths.
Charles Osazuwa, the senior pastor and president of Osazuwa World Outreach (OWO), has shared a testimony with his congregation, recounting his extraordinary experience at the recently concluded Shiloh 2024.
Shiloh is the Annual Convocation of the Winners’ church worldwide led by Bishop David Oyedepo.
The 2024 edition of the convocation took place from December 10th to 15th, 2024.
Addressing his church members, Pastor Osazuwa revealed that he received “seeds” in dollars at the convention, attributing this blessing to his unwavering commitment to following God’s plan for his life.
The cleric, who pastors one of the largest churches in Benin City, emphasized the significance of adhering to divine guidance, rather than being swayed by personal desires or inclinations.
Pastor Osazuwa also graciously acknowledged the instrumental role Bishop David Oyedepo has played in his life and ministry, expressing his deep gratitude for the tutelage and mentorship he received from the renowned bishop.
He recounted his transformative experience in 1999 when he attended a teaching on divine direction, which profoundly impacted his life and ministry.
The cleric said: “If I have not met my father, David Oyedepo in 1999, there is no force that would have brought me to Benin. Even if you carry me, I won’t move.
“I was in this same class in 1999 when there was a teaching on divine direction, the benefit of following God, not your heart, not your mind. I was restless, then I said, God, I am ready. That’s why today I am grateful to God that I was in that class.”
Sharing his testimony from Shiloh, Pastor Osazuwa recounted: “I was in Shiloh this week and before I left Shiloh, pastors, people were given me seed in dollars.
“Before I left Shiloh, one guy saw me from Port Harcourt. He said I am a real estate man, I follow you, sir, can I have privilege.
“Another man followed me. Dollars everywhere. Why? Because I followed His plan.”
In conclusion, Pastor Osazuwa charged his congregation to recommit themselves to God, regardless of how far they may have strayed.
He said: “No matter how far you have gone, If God is not in, back out before you get stranded.”
Meanwhile, the message has elicited diverse reactions on social media, with some individuals condemning the pastor for sharing a testimony about receiving money, while others expressed their gratitude for the inspiring message.
Please watch the video below:
Media
Musa Aliyu, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says the anti-graft agency “recovered and remitted the sum of N10.986 billion in value-added tax (VAT)” to the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) within one year.
Aliyu spoke on Tuesday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja while marking his one year in office.
He said the commission also recovered N29.700 billion in cash and N10 billion meant for the production of COVID-19 vaccines.
He said the agency secured final forfeiture of assets to the tune of N2.5 billion and “foreign currency recoveries of $966,900.83”.
“The commission just completed the tracking of 1,500 projects, valued at N610 billion, nationwide under CEPTI Phase 7,” he said.
“The ICPC, under my stewardship, continues to adapt to evolving trends in fulfilling its mandates, including equipping its workforce with digital strategies to combat corruption. The current administration’s anti-corruption agenda and my policy thrust encapsulated in the acronym ‘CARE’ for impact, have further motivated the commission to enhance its tools, approaches, and engagements.”
The ICPC boss said 851 petitions were processed under the year in review, with 342 assigned for investigation, 95 fully investigated, 72 cases filed in court, and 16 convictions secured.
“In this regard, we are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10-15-year-old cases in courts,” he said.
“As part of its commitment to institutional accountability, the commission assessed 323 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) through its ethics and integrity compliance scorecard (EICS). It also established 80 anti-corruption and transparency units (ACTUs) across MDAs to reinforce its anti-corruption efforts.
“While doing these, the commission stopped the diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.882 billion. The report of the EICS exercise conducted middle of this year is ready and will also be released to the media to the public.
“In the year under my leadership, the ICPC brought together the 36 states’ attorneys-general under one roof to brainstorm and had robust conversations on developing effective strategies that would enhance the commission’s capacity in the fight against corruption at the sub-national level and within the current justice system.
“This initiative is yielding results as the regional editions of this engagement, aimed at establishing a community of practice and strengthening capacity for corruption prevention, have since started with the north-west conference of attorneys-general.”
Aliyu said while the commission has made significant progress, there is still much work to be done.
He noted that in the coming year, the anti-graft agency will focus on improving efficiency, enhancing public engagement, strengthening institutional frameworks and leveraging technology.
Bolaji Owasanoye, former ICPC chairman, urged Aliyu to reflect on his first year in office, pinpoint areas for growth, cultivate resilience, and develop a forward-thinking approach to tackle future challenges.
The ICPC chair was commended by the anti-corruption agencies of Zambia, Uganda and Sierra Leone for his efforts in tackling corruption in Nigeria.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set a daily withdrawal limit on point-of-sale (PoS) terminals to N100,000 per customer.
In a circular to all deposit money banks (DMBs), microfinance Banks, mobile money operators and super-agents, titled ‘Cash-out limits for agent banking transactions,’ CBN said the restriction is in line with the apex bank’s ongoing efforts to advance a cash-less economy.
According to the circular, the interventions aim to address identified challenges, combat fraud and establish uniform operational standards across the industry.
“In view of the above, ALL principals of agents are to comply with the following directives immediately:
i. Issuers shall set a cash withdrawal limit (cash-out) per customer (regardless of channel) to N500,000.00 per week,” the circular reads.
“ii. Ensure that all agent banking terminals are set to a daily maximum transaction cash-out limit of N100,000.00 per customer.
“iii. Ensure that each agent’s daily cumulative cash-out limit shall not exceed N1,200,000.00.
“iv. Ensure that agent banking services are clearly demarcated from merchant activities and that agents apply the approved Agent Code 6010 for agent banking activities.
“v. Ensure that agency banking activities are consummated exclusively through agent float accounts maintained with the principals.
“vi. Monitor accounts associated with the agents’ BVN(S) with a view to identifying agent banking activities which may be conducted outside the designated float account(s).
“vii. Ensure that all agent terminals are connected to a PTSA
“viii. Ensure that all daily transactions per agent, including withdrawals, limits of transactions and balances in the float accounts of each agent, are sent electronically to NIBSS as a repot to the CBN. The template of this report will be sent to principals.”
CBN said as stated in the guidelines for the regulation of agent banking and agent banking relationships in Nigeria, principals would be held fully responsible and liable for all actions and omissions of their agents related to agent banking services.
The apex bank also warned that it would conduct oversight activities, including impromptu back-end configuration checks to ensure compliance.
CBN said breach of the directives contained in the circular will attract appropriate penalties including monetary and/or administrative sanctions.
Honey Berry, one of the mothers of Portable‘s children, appears to have found love again.
Berry, who was previously in a relationship with the controversial singer, had a public spat with him in January 2023.
During the fallout, she accused Portable of neglecting their son and failing to provide for his welfare.
But on Monday, Berry took to Instagram to share a loved-up video of herself and her new partner.
In the caption, she expressed her love for him and described their bond as “eternal”.
She also said she wished she had met him “before the wrong person” and thanked him for bringing “immense happiness” into her life.
“It’s Monday. I want you to know that you are the love of my life, that your soul and mine are the same, and I will love you a million lifetimes from now! You have no idea how happy you make me, sweetheart. I will spend my life making you as happy as you make me,” she wrote.
“I love you so much. We share such an amazing, pure, and true love. Tonight, you have my heart overflowing. I wish you were here so I could cook for you and watch a movie together.
“Sweetheart, I cannot wait to be holding you again. I love you, baby. I love you from the very depth of my soul. I wish I had met you before the wrong person.”
Berry and Portable welcomed their son in December 2022.
The singer, who rose to fame in 2021 with his hit single ‘Zazoo Zeh’ featuring Olamide and Poco Lee, has remained in the spotlight for controversial reasons.
Portable has previously revealed his desire to marry up to 12 wives before turning 40.
Africa witnessed a transformative year in 2024, with elections in Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Ghana dominating headlines.
These polls, marked by significant outcomes and circumstances, reshaped the political narratives of their nations and underscored the evolving democratic maturity across the continent.
Senegal
Senegal’s presidential election, held on March 24, 2024, was a critical juncture for the nation’s democratic trajectory. The election culminated in the victory of opposition candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was released from prison barely two weeks before the poll.
The 44-year-old former tax officer emerged as the youngest democratically elected president in West Africa.
South Africa
On May 29, 2024, South Africa conducted its general elections, marking a historic shift in its political arena.
The African National Congress (ANC), which had maintained an absolute majority since the end of apartheid in 1994, experienced a significant decline, securing just over 40% of the vote—a substantial drop from nearly 70% during its peak.
This outcome necessitated the formation of coalition governments, which cemented Cyril Ramaphosa’s second term, introducing new dynamics into South Africa’s governance structure.
Botswana
Botswana’s general elections in October 2024 signified a potential end to the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) 58-year dominance.
Duma Boko, the candidate of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), defeated President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who immediately conceded defeat and congratulated the winner.
Namibia
Namibia’s elections on November 27, 2024, were historic, resulting in the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female president.
She secured 57% of the vote, extending the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party’s 34-year hold on power since independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, despite a reduction in parliamentary seats from 63 to 51.
Nandi-Ndaitwah emerged as vice president in February after President Hage Geingob died while in office.
This election underscored the electorate’s demand for economic reforms and gender representation in leadership.
Ghana
Ghana’s December 7, 2024, elections tested the resilience of its democracy. The opposition leader and former President John Mahama secured victory, with the incumbent Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia conceding defeat.
This election has once again cemented Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa. The election was widely lauded for its transparency and efficiency by local and international observers.
The 2024 electoral outcomes in these African nations underscore a continental shift toward demanding greater accountability, transparency, and inclusivity from political leaders.
The willingness of electorates to unseat long-standing parties indicates a maturation of democratic processes and a commitment to addressing socio-economic challenges through responsive governance.
These elections also highlight the increasing role of women in leadership positions, as evidenced by Namibia’s election of its first female president.
The 2024 elections in Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Ghana were pivotal in redefining political landscapes, promoting democratic resilience, and reflecting the evolving aspirations of African electorates.
[Business Day]
Nigeria’s foreign exchange market is once again a tale of two worlds. The official market, bolstered by the Central Bank’s Enhanced Foreign Exchange Market Sytem (EFEMS) platform, trades at N1,535/$1, while the parallel market has slipped to N1,680/$1.
The resulting 9% gap reflects growing inefficiencies in forex liquidity management. While EFEMS was designed to streamline access and foster transparency for institutional players, it has left retail participants — largely serviced by Bureau De Change (BDCs) — operating in a less regulated environment.
The EFEMS platform has largely excluded retail forex participants, leaving Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in a difficult position. While the CBN’s latest policy mandates BDCs to source forex from Authorized Dealers via EFEMS and sell to retail buyers, with periodic reporting requirements, the structure of EFEMS is ill-suited to their operational dynamics.
Unlike large institutional players, BDCs operate in smaller transaction volumes and cater directly to the retail market, which demands flexibility and consistent liquidity.
The widening disparity between these markets is more than just an economic inconvenience. It perpetuates arbitrage opportunities, where access to cheaper official dollars becomes a profitable exercise in speculation rather than a tool for productive economic activity.
A growing number of players simply bypass the official market altogether, drawn to the parallel market’s accessibility and flexibility. In this shadowy realm, rates increasingly dictate the prices of goods and services, amplifying inflation and undermining any semblance of price stability.
Liquidity in the official market suffers as a result. Retail demand, unable to find a home within the EFEMS framework, spills into informal channels. This self-reinforcing dynamic undermines the Central Bank’s efforts to stabilize the currency, while discouraging much-needed foreign investment.
Investors view the volatile spread as a warning sign, raising doubts about repatriation of profits and long-term currency stability. For foreign investors, an unreliable forex regime is a warning sign. The promise of stable repatriation becomes uncertain, and Nigeria’s already shaky ability to attract capital weakens further.
So what happens next?
This divergence demands urgent action. Not least because the retail market can not continue to be ignored nor can authorities continue to allow opacity plague the retail and informal market for FX, especially if there is risk of a potential pass through effect on inflation.
The potential solution lies in extending EFEM’s principles of transparency and price discovery to the retail end of the market. BDCs, which remain the main channel for smaller forex transactions, need a platform of their own. A formalized EFEM-style mechanism for BDC operators would likely introduce structure to a market that currently operates in a chaotic vacuum.
With regular access to liquidity and clear rules of engagement, BDCs could offer competitive rates that narrow the official-parallel gap, dissuading speculative arbitrage and restoring confidence in the naira.
The lessons of March 2024, when the spread was as low as 4%, cannot be ignored. Today, the gap has more than doubled. If policymakers fail to address retail liquidity issues, the disparity will continue to widen. Inflation will rise, foreign investors will retreat, and the parallel market’s dominance will deepen.
Nigeria cannot afford for BDCs or retail participants to remain outside the reform framework. A tailored EFEM for retail forex participants is not just desirable — it is necessary to restore balance, reduce distortions, and rebuild trust in the currency.
The longer the gap persists, the harder it becomes to fix. Furthermore if authorities are serious about capturing more data about retail market participants, The time for decisive reform is now.
[Nairametrics]
According to him, Tinubu said he does not want any part of Nigeria to be cheated.
He noted that the new airport would transform the state into a commercial hub of the South East region.
Keyamo stated this on Tuesday at the flag-off ceremony of the Abia International Airport in Nsulu, Abia State.
Abia Airport project is primarily a federal government initiative, with the state government contributing through runway upgrades.
The airport, initially an airstrip, was upgraded to an international airport.
Keyamo said, “We held Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, and when I told him I was coming, he was very glad to dispatch me to this occasion.
“It was shortly after we took office and I was briefing the president about the aviation sector that the president asked me why Abia does not have at least an airstrip.
“He told me he doesn’t want any part of this country to be cheated, and in the South East, it is only in Abia State that you cannot land an aircraft. He said, we should make sure in the 2024 budget we give Abia an airstrip.”
Keyamo said the president’s motivation is propelled by his love for the the governor. “He (Tinubu) loves his spirit. I know comments he has made about the governor of this state and how much his people here love him.
“When I called Dr. Alex Otti and broke the news to him about an airstrip, he said no. I will partner with you; I will also put in counterpart funding and let us upgrade it to an international airport. This was what happened.
“Because Abia is the heart of industrialisation of the South East, it doesn’t add up at all that the heart of industrialization of the South East doesn’t have an airport and I can tell you that there are already plans that it is not going to be only a passenger airport but a cargo airport too.”
[NaijaNews]
Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has offered amnesty to criminals in the state, declaring that they have until the end of February 2025 to lay down their arms.
The governor also announced plans to launch a joint security operation to tackle insecurity in the state.
Soludo said the operation is codenamed ‘Operation Udo Ga Achi’, which means ‘Let Peace Reign’.
The governor who briefed journalists at the Anambra State Governor’s Lodge on Tuesday, said his government has identified armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and touting as the principal problems causing insecurity in the state.
He said: “As for touting, the State Anti-touting Agency codenamed SASA is tackling that in Onitsha and they are doing quite well.
“When we came in as governor, about seven local government areas were in the grip of hoodlums, but we took on them head on and liberated all those communities.
“Today, we hear that a handful of some of those criminals earlier dislodged have now come together and have been terrorizing the state.
“We have had reports of people being kidnapped, and vehicles snatched, but in the coming days, we will launch Operation Udo Ga Achi. We have procured here 168 patrol vehicles which would be distributed to various security agencies.
“Apart from the support we will be given the security agencies, we are also deploying ICT in the fight against insecurity.
“We are calling on criminal elements who would want to partake in our amnesty programme to come forward and surrender themselves and their arms. We are giving them from now to end of February to come and surrender and we will be ready to help them start life afresh.”
Speaking on the continuous incarceration of separatist leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the fact that many of the criminals hide under the cover of his detention to perpetrate crime, Soludo insisted that indications have shown that what is happening is organized criminal enterprise and has nothing to do with Kanu’s detention.
He said: “I have been at the forefront of the call for the release of Kanu, I even said that in the worst case scenario, I was ready to keep him here at the Government House and produce him anytime he is needed.
“Part of the reason was that we really need to sit down, to interrogate this whole idea. But for people saying that the insecurity is because of his detention, I want to tell you that Nnamdi Kanu himself and IPOB, the organisation he leads, have made several press releases dissociating themselves from the kidnap for ransom and criminality that is ongoing.
“The truth of the matter is that criminals have now emerged, hordes of them organize themselves, using his (Kanu’s) name. I’m not so sure that even if he comes now and says stop that they will hear him. They have tasted blood and they will not stop. They go for kidnappings and they are making millions from it, so they will not stop.
“Imagine someone who is riding okada and they recruit him and he goes into the bush and all his life he has never had N100,000 at once and he joins the group and all of a sudden they do a successful kidnap operation and he gets one million or two from ransom. Tomorrow you think he will want to leave? In fact the one who tells him to leave the business will be his enemy.
“So the matter is much more complicated now and it is taking a life of its own. It is now lucrative business. All of them talking about agitation are just using that as a cover to get the sympathy of the people, especially those who are not informed. They present themselves as liberators. You are a liberator and you stay in the bush and you want us to believe you? They now add to it idolatry. The first thing they put in any town they go to is a massive shrine.”
The governor said henceforth, his government will begin to revoke lands of any community who harbour criminals. He added that members of such communities who give food or contribute money to take to them in the bush will be treated as collaborators.
He said: “Also, any house that is found to have harboured kidnappers will henceforth become the property of the government.”
[DailyPost]
The Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, suspended all 18 local government chairmen and their vice chairmen for two months.
The lawmakers further directed the leaders of the legislative arms in the councils to assume control of their administration during the suspension period.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Isibor Adeh, representing Esan Northeast 1 Constituency, and seconded by Donald Okogbe of Akoko-Edo 2 Constituency.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, in a petition dated November 16, 2024, titled “Insubordination and Gross Misconduct by the 18 Local Government Chairmen Over Their Refusal to Submit Financial Records for Scrutiny,” called on the Assembly to address the issue.
While moving the motion, Adeh cited Section 20(b) of the Local Government Act, which empowers the House of Assembly to suspend any local government chairman for two months pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The motion was supported by 14 lawmakers, and opposed by six, while three members abstained from voting.
Speaker of Edo Assembly, Chief Blessing Agbebaku, who directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to do a head count of the members, declared that insubordination and gross misconduct would not be allowed from the council chiefs.
In a related development, the lawmakers also screened and confirmed four nominees as Chairman and members of the Edo State Sports Commission.
The commission to be chaired by Amadin Enabule, has Godwin Bazuaye, Frank Illaboya, and Anthony Odianosen as members.
[TheNation]
More...
The National Bureau of Statistics has revealed that Nigerians paid a total of N2.23tn as ransom over the 12 months between May 2023 and April 2024.
This sum was paid by households affected by kidnapping incidents, highlighting the growing threat posed by criminal activities in the country.
According to the NBS’s latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report, an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded across Nigerian households in the reference period.
The survey showed that the North-West region had the highest incidence of crime, with 14.4 million cases reported, followed by the North-Central region with 8.8 million incidents.
In contrast, the South-East region reported the least crime, with 6.18 million incidents.
The findings also revealed that rural areas were more affected by crime than urban areas, with 26.53 million crime incidents in rural households compared to 25.36 million in urban areas.
The report highlighted the severity of kidnapping, with 4.14 million households experiencing home robbery.
Of those affected by kidnappings, 65 per cent were forced to pay ransom to secure the release of victims.
The average ransom paid was N2.67m, contributing to the total of N2.23tn paid by Nigerians to criminals during the 12 months.
Despite this, only 36.3 per cent of those who experienced home robbery reported the incidents to the police, with a similarly low reporting rate for kidnapping.
The report read, “Nationally, an estimated 51,887,032 crime incidences were experienced by households. The North-West (14,402,254) reported the highest incidences of crime at the household level, followed by the North-Central (8,771,400), while the South-East (6,176,031) reported the least. The result also shows that the crime incidence in the rural area (26,526,069) was higher than that of the urban area (25,360,963).
“In Nigeria, 4,142,174 households experienced home robbery. Less than half (36.3 per cent) of the households who were victims of home robbery reported their experience to the police. Among households that experienced kidnapping incidents, 65.0 per cent paid a ransom.
“The average amount paid as ransom was N2,670,693, with an estimated total ransom of N2,231,772,563,507 paid within the reference period.”
Many victims cited a lack of confidence in law enforcement and a belief that police intervention would not lead to meaningful action as the main reasons for not reporting.
The survey also revealed that 21.4 per cent of Nigerians fell victim to crime at the individual level, with phone theft being the most common crime, affecting 13.8 per cent of the population.
While 90 per cent of phone theft victims reported the crimes to the police, only half of those victims were satisfied with the police response.
Also, the survey estimated that 1.4 million Nigerians were victims of sexual offences, with most incidents occurring in someone else’s home or the victim’s residence.
Only about 22.7 per cent of sexual offence victims reported the crimes to the police.
Despite the widespread nature of crime, public perception of safety remains low.
The survey found that 9.6 per cent of Nigerians believed they were at risk of becoming victims of crime within the next 12 months.
The fear of crime was higher in rural areas, where 13 per cent of the population felt vulnerable, compared to 7 per cent in urban areas.
The report also questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the police, in responding to emergencies.
Only 33.1 per cent of Nigerians reported that security agencies responded to emergency calls within 30 minutes.
The survey revealed that approximately 4 out of 10 households interacted with state or local security forces during the survey period, with half of these households contacting the Nigerian Police.
However, satisfaction with police responses was notably low, especially in cases of livestock and crop theft, where only 42.9 per cent and 42.4 per cent of victims expressed satisfaction, respectively.
In many rural areas, local vigilante groups were seen as a more reliable source of security.
[Punch]
…..Senate Urges Federal Government to Fund Modern Ranches for Safety Enhancement
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has criticized the media, stating that they thrive on bad news, emphasizing that only negative stories are deemed newsworthy.
According to Akpabio, while security agencies prevent numerous criminal activities, these successes are rarely reported, as only bad news makes headlines.
Akpabio made these remarks during a debate on an urgent motion regarding the ongoing banditry and killings in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, moved by Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro (PDP, Gombe South).
In response to contributions from former Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Akpabio stated, “When you become a governor, you will understand what happens with security votes. The number of attempts foiled by security forces surpasses the ones that succeed, but those are rarely reported. Security agencies often intercept criminals before they commit their acts, but these successes are overlooked.”
He continued, “It is true that state governments play a vital role in security, and that the responsibility for maintaining peace and order should not fall solely on the federal government. Every Nigerian must contribute to security, peace, and harmony.”
Earlier, Senator Ningi had questioned the role of state governors in ensuring security, pointing out that each state receives at least N500 million monthly as security votes. He stressed that the constitution designates governors as the chief security officers of their states, meaning they must take responsibility for the safety of lives and property.
Meanwhile, the Senate has called on the federal government to fund the establishment of modern ranches across the country to improve safety and enhance economic productivity for both herders and local communities. The Senate also resolved to create laws defining the limits of economic activities under the ECOWAS treaty and to regulate movement to protect the rights and safety of Nigerians.
The Senate urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the recent attacks in Gombe, apprehend the perpetrators, and prosecute them.
Additionally, the Senate called for the urgent establishment of a joint police and military taskforce in Billiri to prevent further killings and requested the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the North East Development Commission to provide relief materials to displaced victims.
The Senate also mandated its committees on Legislative Compliance, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to ensure compliance with these resolutions and to seek long-term solutions to insecurity in the region.
Senator Yaro, who introduced the motion, called for urgent action to address the recurring banditry attacks in Billiri, particularly following the deadly assault on several villages by suspected herders on December 11, 2024. He condemned the killings, arson, and widespread displacement caused by the attackers.
In his contribution, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) advocated for the establishment of federal government-funded modern ranches, which he believes would promote safety and economic productivity for both herders and local communities. Dickson emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to implement the ranching initiative, citing the economic challenges faced by herders who travel long distances.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) reminded the Senate of a previous agreement to hold a national public hearing to explore legislative solutions to security challenges tied to economic activities and movement. He also stressed the need to define individual rights within the context of ECOWAS, ensuring that the rights of one person do not infringe on the rights of others.
The Senate continues to seek legislative action to address the escalating security concerns and promote national stability.
[Vanguard]
Bovi Ugboma, the Nigerian comedian, has opened up about his parenting philosophy, stressing the importance of communication over physical punishment.
In an interview with The Honest Bunch, Bovi said he prioritizes talking to his children about their mistakes rather than flogging them.
The comedian shared his personal experience, stating that the beatings he received as a child had no positive impact and instead contributed to abusive tendencies.
He also encouraged parents to reflect on their motivations for disciplining their children.
“They will still go wrong, offend you but it will reduce gradually. All the beatings we got from our parents made no difference. It just made us abusive.”
Bovi also revealed that his family relocated to London due to concerns about his children’s education.
He said he desires to protect his son from bullying, which he argued was prevalent in Nigerian boarding schools.
“We moved abroad because of my children’s education. My son moved first when he wanted to start secondary school. I went to boarding school so I know the effect and benefits but the last thing I would be alive to witness is the bullying of my child,” he added.
“So I said to myself I will send my son to a boarding school because of it’s benefits but not in this environment.”
Bovi is married to Kris Asimonye Ugboma and they have three children.
[TheCable]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Enugu zone, says it has arraigned two bankers for allegedly selling mint naira notes (valued at N500,000) to customers.
In a statement on X on Tuesday, the EFCC said the bankers, Ekpe Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, staff of one of the new generation banks.
The commission said the bankers were arraigned before Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge of a federal high court in Enugu state, on December 12.
According to the EFCC, the defendants were arrested on November 15, 2024, following actionable intelligence linking them to the sale of naira mints in the state metropolis.
The anti-graft agency said the defendants (arrested at their workplace located at 18 Okpara Avenue, Enugu) allegedly sold N500,000 mints in N200 denominations, to a customer identified as Husseini Ibrahim.
“That you, Ekpe Anayaoha Okoronkwo and Umeonuoha Onyinye, sometime in October 2024 at Enugu, Enugu state, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did sell a total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) mints in Two Hundred Naira Notes (N200) denominations, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria to one Husseini Ibrahim and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act,” the one count charge reads.
According to the statement, while Okoronkwo pleaded guilty to the charge, Onyinye pleaded not guilty.
In his response, Rotimi Ajobiewe, counsel and chief superintendent of the EFCC, asked the court for a short date to review the case regarding the first defendant.
“In respect of the second defendant, we pray for a date for trial to enable the prosecution to prove its case,” Ajobiewe said.
However, counsel to the second defendant, C. N. Agama prayed the court to remand Onyinye at the EFCC custody, pending the hearing of the bail application.
After listening to the prayers of the counsels, Umar adjourned the matter to January 15, 2025, for Onyinye’s bail application hearing and the conviction and sentencing of Okoronkwo.
The defendants were remanded at the Enugu correctional facility.