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The President General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Yerima Shettima has slammed the federal government for the prolonged detention and trial of children under the age of 18, who participated in the #End Bad Governance protest.
It was gathered that the minors were reportedly held for over 90 days and now face court arraignments for alleged treason.
Shettima described the government response as “callous and cruel” likening it to actions reminiscent of a military regime.
He argued that the malnourished appearance of the children only highlights the urgency of their demand, stressing that the government should be addressing the root cause of the protest, hunger and hardship instead of punishing young Nigerians.
He said, “This is a national embarrassment, sending a troubling message to the international community. These are our children who should be in school, building a future for our country, not languishing in detention for peacefully voicing their struggles.”
Shettima called on the Federal Government to focus its efforts on combating the nation’s hunger crisis rather than using minors as scapegoats.
Popular Nigerian music exec, Ubi Franklin has opened up on how he suffered setbacks in his business this year.
In a post shared on his Instastories, Ubi mentioned that he invested more than N89 million into a property he wanted to use in running a business. He said he leased the property from a man, only to find out that the man and his wife jointly owned the building.
Ubi said the woman kicked against his company occupying the building and insisted they vacate it. He said he had already invested N89 million and more into the building and was at a loss without knowing what to do.
He also mentioned that two investors who dropped N10 million each into the business insisted they must get their money back.
Ubi said he finally had to move out of the property into another one but was hit with another issue. He disclosed that after setting the place up, he got a call from his staff one day, informing him that the building they now occupy was being demolished on grounds of encroachment.
He said it's been ‘’one of those kind of years'' for him and that he still believes he will get back all he has lost.
He went on to say that in Nigeria people need to always pray against business mishaps which can come from ‘’the government or from bad staff.''
See Posts Below;
Brekete Family, a Human Rights Radio and Television station based in Abuja, has temporarily gone off the air in protest of the detention of minors involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.
An official statement released by the prominent media station on X on Monday confirmed the partial shutdown.
The statement read, “Human Rights Radio and Television (Brekete Family) shuts down partially in protest of the Nigerian government’s detention of underage children.
“This decision reflects our deep commitment to defending the rights of the vulnerable and holding authorities accountable.
“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and international bodies to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these children.
“Until justice is served, we stand firm in solidarity with the voiceless.”
Meanwhile, according to a Daily Trust report on Monday, this move was also announced by Ahmed Isah, the station’s owner, during an appearance on the popular breakfast show, Brekete Family.
According to the agency, Isah, known for hosting the weekday programme, was notably absent from the studio on Monday morning. He called in around 8.20 am to share his dismay over the situation.
The agency noted that Isah stated that he was shocked by the condition of the children, who had been arraigned on Friday. Expressing deep frustration, he instructed that the station be shut down as a form of protest.
“Human Rights Radio will remain closed until Tuesday, pending further discussion on the matter,” he said.
He added that it would go off air again until Wednesday when the show would open its lines for public opinions on the issue.
The arrest of the minors has sparked widespread condemnation and increased pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Last week, images of the detained children circulated online, leading to public outrage.
Nigerians expressed outrage over the arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
Civil society groups and rights activists slammed the police and the government over the matter.
On Saturday, the Nigerian Correctional Service refuted claims that juvenile defendants from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were detained in adult custodial facilities at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Following the arraignment of 76 individuals in connection with the protests, the judge ordered that underage defendants be placed in a borstal facility while adults would be remanded in standard cells until their bail conditions were met.
Meanwhile, there are mixed reactions under the X post, with some commending and others opposing the station’s stance.
Foundational Nigerian with the handle #SureNigerian, wrote, “How does shutting down make sense? You should be using your voice online to draw attention to their plight not shutting down.”
Starleeon, with handle #starleeon_, reacted, “Unless you are working behind the scenes to secure their release, partially shutting down is not the way to go. Use your platform to raise awareness for their unconditional release.”
In another post, Adnan Abdullahi Adam using #realadnantweet, commented, “Tinubu’s govt is doing a horrible job. His government arresting minors fining them to pay 10 million Naira each. At the same time big politicians who are looting people’s money are walking freely.”
For Hausa Tech Guy with the handle #Hausatechguy, he wrote, “The Voice of the Voiceless #Istandwithbrekete”
BILALI with handle #Holyface21, posted, “I think media platforms like this should not be closed in solidarity of the oppressed, rather be used to continually support them.”
…As Uzoka-Anite assumes office as Minister of State Finance
Nigeria’s economy is now at a new dawn of the threshold to attract investments, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has said.
He spoke this morning while welcoming the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who assumed office at the ministry, in Abuja, this morning.
Mr. Edun said that the two reforms (removal of fuel subsidy and the market determined foreign exchange rate) had opened the Nigerian economy to investors.
According to the minister, “All will be well as we go forward together to help complete the on-going economic reforms which are showing sustainability and signs of success.
“We do have for the first time in decades, the foreign exchange rate that is market-based. We do have market pricing of petroleum products. Those are the two fundamental reforms that were necessary and long over-due that Mr. President had the courage and boldness and dexterity socially and politically to implement and the determination to keep them implemented.
“So we stand on a threshold of a new dawn in terms of the ability of the economy to attract investment thereby increasing productivity, growing the GDP, creating jobs and reducing poverty.”
He said he and the staff were excited at the posting of Dr. Uzoka-Anite to the ministry as Minister of State.
His words, “They are excited at this opportunity to have a woman of elegance, substance, refinement and diligence and with a known passion for hard-work. So we thank Mr. President on behalf of the ministry for giving us the Minister of State. I thank him for giving me a helper.
“I assure you of every support, encouragement and cooperation and let you know we want you to be free to express yourself, contribute and excel. As the Permanent Secretary of finance has said, we are all one family.
“As President Bola Tinubu has always encouraged us, it’s all about consultation, cooperation, collaboration and team work. That is the basis of our efforts here together. And we are sure that you fit in smoothly. You will be like a duck going to the water.”
In her response, Dr. Uzoka-Anite who was formerly the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said she was apprehensive at the posting but determined to complement Mr. Edun and make a success of it, in the interest of the economy.
She said, “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to contribute to the development of Nigeria in this particular crucial sector-the finance sector. I just want to say that I am here to complement the efforts and the jobs that CME has been doing.
“It has been a challenging one year for you CME, especially since May 29 (2023) when the President took over and made that pronouncement. That was when that responsibility fell on your shoulders to guide and steer this economy towards economic stability and prosperity and also to make sure that the president’s vision and mandate to his people, especially during his campaign manifesto is materialized.
“It’s a no small task that you have been given and coming to work with you, to be honest, I am a bit apprehensive. I know the amount of work and the pressure that you are under but again it is a privilege.
“I can only promise you sir, I am here to work with you, to support you, to complement your efforts to ensure that we achieve the mandate of his Excellency Mr. President and to uphold the honour and dignity of all Nigerians through your hard work.
“I am happy to be a part of your family and again to complement whatever everybody has been doing and I also look forward to more cooperation, collaboration, team and everything that will make us successful because when we succeed, Nigeria succeeds.”
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says only 20, out of Nigeria’s 36 states, generated revenue from their local governments in 2023.
In its latest report on internally generated revenue (IGR), the NBS said 16 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) did not report any revenue from local government sources throughout the year.
The report said Katsina, Benue, Sokoto, and Adamawa did not also generate revenue from their local governments. The four states had failed to report no local government revenue in 2022, marking two consecutive years without contributions from this source.
In recent months, advocacy for greater local government autonomy has heightened, with many Nigerians emphasising that the councils are closer to the grassroots and play a vital role in addressing community needs.
Experts have also argued that insufficient revenue or the lack of direct funding has significantly hampered development efforts at the local level, limiting progress and effective service delivery.
In July, the supreme court issued a ruling mandating that funds allocated to local governments in Nigeria go directly to them from the federation account, bypassing state control.
The decision marked a significant shift toward financial autonomy for local councils, strengthening their independence over internal revenue generation.
According to the NBS, the states that recorded zero local government revenue in 2023 include Rivers, Delta, Kano, Enugu, Anambra, Katsina, Plateau, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Niger, Bayelsa, Benue, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Yobe.
Analysis by TheCable Index reveals that in 2023, the 20 states that generated revenue from local government activities collectively raised N37.05 billion. This is a decline from 2022 when 29 states generated a total of N48.7 billion.
In the year under review, Lagos led the list with N10.49 billion, followed by Ebonyi with N6.13 billion.
Here is a list of the 20 states and the revenue generated from their local governments.
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- Lagos: N10.49bn
- Ebonyi: N6.13bn
- Kwara: N3.35bn
- Oyo: N3.11bn
- Jigawa: N2.89bn
- Edo: N2.59bn
- Gombe: N2.09bn
- Ondo: N1.39bn
- Ogun: N1.31bn
- Cross River: N701.34m
- Taraba: N441m
- Kaduna: N382.22m
- Akwa Ibom: N343.18m
- Abia: N341.74m
- Ekiti: N303.65m
- Kogi: N289.73m
- Bauchi: N250.37m
- Imo: N215.34m
- Borno: N213.12m
- Osun: N204.42m
While some states achieved higher revenue figures, others generated modest amounts, with Osun, Borno, and Imo reporting the lowest contributions at N204.42 million, N213.12 million, and N215.34 million, respectively.
The crypto market is looking at a very Volatile week due to two major events with potential to seriously affect the price of crypto assets in the markets.
The crypto market slowed down over the weekend following a week characterized by Bitcoin Rally and other Altcoins also surging in Price value.
This week is set to be a very eventful week for the crypto markets due to two major events slated for the week and a host of other minor events with significant potential to affect the price of crypto assets.
The two events slated for this week with the potential to bring volatility to the market include:
1. The US Presidential Elections
2. The Federal Reserve Policy meeting
The US presidential election
The United States Presidential election slated to hold tomorrow Nov 5 is a massive event with far-reaching implications for both the crypto market this week and the industry’s future as a whole. Cryptocurrency was a front-burner issue during the campaign but only one candidate embraced the industry wholeheartedly and earned himself the nickname the Crypto candidate.
- Donald Trump warmed his way into the heart of the US crypto community promising to launch a strategic Bitcoin reserve if elected and to see that America leads the global charge of cryptocurrencies. A win for Donald Trump is seen as a win for the crypto industry and a bullish factor.
- However, a win for Kamala Harris is viewed to have the opposite effect giving the mixed signals the Joe Biden and the Kamala Harris administration have been giving the crypto community throughout its course.
The outcome of the US presidential elections is also expected to spell the direction of the future of the crypto industry in the country.
2. The Federal Reserve Policy meeting
The Federal Reserve will make its rate policy decision on Thursday, and analysts are overwhelmingly expecting a 0.25 basis point cut. The CME Fed Watch tool estimates this at 98% probability. This particular metric is always a measure of inflation in the economy and this has a direct effect on how much investors are willing to invest in the crypto market.
Other minor events with the potential to add to market volatility lined up for the week include October’s ISM Services PMI report which depicts business conditions in the US services sector and November’s Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and Consumer Inflation Expectations.
What to Know
- In preparation for the important week, the crypto market has been undergoing various price corrections. Markets retreated over the weekend, with total capitalization dropping around $50 billion to $2.4 trillion by Monday morning.
- Bitcoin is currently exchanging hands for $68,562 surging by just 0.6% in the last 24 hours.
[Nairamtrics]
A man who claimed to be a former ritualist and now a follower of Christ has confessed to how he killed over seventy women for ritual purposes.
The individual, who hails from Ibadan and is known locally as ‘Mistina Orobo’ and originally from the Foko area of Ibadan, claimed to have transformed into a pastor and stated that the figure he mentioned does not include individuals he was contracted to kill or those he has consumed throughout his life.
Mistina Orobo made this shocking revelation during an interview on Saturday, Saturday, on the popular radio program “Opeyemi,” hosted by Yinka Ayefele on Fresh FM in Ibadan.
The man explained that the blood of these women was essential for the renewal of his mystical powers, and he consumed their bodies after extracting the necessary blood.
“My idol takes about 73 to 76 women for over seven years. These women are always gotten from the club or other popular places. When I eat people, it is purposely to renew the voodoo in my body. Sometimes, when I’m shot, it won’t penetrate; even when I’m hacked, the machete breaks. The sweetest human parts are the tongue, palm, and foot.
“I also work for bank managers, politicians, and some other rich men. I’m very popular among them. When I first worked with a bank manager, it was one wealthy man that we killed, and the info was supplied in the bank.
“The only person who was left to sign refused to sign; we visited him, made him sign, and killed him in the aftermath. I charge up to N50 to N80 million to get people killed, and we always work as a team. I taught some people to work, some as highway or armed robbers, and I usually get my fair share,” he added.
The man also narrated the roles he and his boys played during elections in Oyo State while soliciting that his identity be kept away from the public until it was time for him to reveal it.
In his early beginning, ‘Mistina Orobo’, the mysterious man confessed to eating sacrifices since the age of nine as the son of an herbalist and how he became a hired assassin.
“As a child of an herbalist, I always eat sacrifices in seven different junctions; this was what fortified me before I grew up to become a dreaded hired assassin and, sometimes, highway robber,” he noted.
However, sharing the story of how he turned a new leaf, the man said he met Jesus in his dream after he attempted to avenge people who had earlier fought with him.
He noted, “I had been killed before but I woke up because of the idol I had at home. The day I went to retaliate those people who fought and killed me. When we got to the first person, I had a change of mind. When we got to the house of the other one, he was drunk, and my boy was about to unleash on him when I begged that he should be spared, since then, I have been sympathetic and have left the wayward life. Now, God has taken over my life.
“I am now in a seminary. I spent four years learning to be a prophet. I am not ready to establish a church, I just want people to know my terrible story. I had sold all three houses and cars I bought while engaging in these acts. I met Jesus in my dream.”
He further emphasized that the late Temitope Olatoye, known as Sugar, a former member of the House of Representatives, passed away while he was in Ghana at that time; had he been present, the tragedy might have been prevented.
He noted that he had consistently warned Sugar about the imminent threats he faced.
Sugar succumbed to his injuries on March 9, 2019, in the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head inflicted by suspected political assailants in the Lalupon area of Ibadan.
The news of his assault circulated rapidly, with some suggesting that he had died instantly.
The Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has dismissed claims that a cabal is controlling the operations of the government for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Politics on Sunday, a television program hosted by Femi Akande, Dare emphasized that the idea of a cabal is a misconception.
According to Dare, those perceived as cabal members are simply high-ranking officials who provide daily briefings to the President.
Dare, who previously served as the Minister of Sports, highlighted that the President’s direct involvement in governance demonstrates his commitment to rebuilding Nigeria through reforms.
He said, “I think we’ve become so comfortable with the idea of the cabal, and you must understand how the idea of the Cabal, the people they call the Cabal, are the people that are holding the key sectors of the economy.
“These are people who are advisors, who must advise the President on trends, who must put critical data in front of him, and they have access to him. How does access turn you into a member of the cabal? The Minister of Finance, for instance, sees him (Tinubu) on a constant basis to show him all the indicators so that they can see it, they must have constant meetings.
“So what is happening is that this idea of cabal has a negative connotation that we entrench, I think that notion should change, because any government you have 5 to 7 people who are holding key positions and who must brief the President on a constant basis, that access is what people think makes them a cabal.
“The President is 100 per cent in charge and he has always been from day one, and he has shown it when the CBN cybersecurity tax came up, the president canceled it because he dealt with what the facts are.
“The tax reform bill you are talking about, he was briefed on a constant basis all through, being a chartered accountant, that he is with his vast experience it shows that there’s a future for our country in this tax reform bill.”
[NaijaNews]
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers in Abuja.
The ministers were screened and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate last week.
Details soon…
[DailyPost]
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has confirmed the shutdown of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs).
This development follows the Federal Government’s approval for the removal of FTIs from the IPPIS platform.
Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, disclosed this in an interview with The Nation.
“It was only natural for the IPPIS platform for FTIs to be shut down, given the federal government’s directive to remove these institutions from the system,” Mokwa explained.
He further revealed that November salaries for FTIs will be processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
Institutions are required to prepare their payroll in an Excel format and submit it to IPPIS for verification and validation.
Amid concerns about changes to salary account details, the OAGF issued a statement clarifying that no directive has been given to workers to change the financial institutions linked to their IPPIS accounts.
The statement noted the priority placed on workers’ welfare, assuring that no misleading or panic-inducing instructions would be issued.
The OAGF explained that any change in salary accounts is a personal decision by the individual worker and that the IPPIS office has not mandated any such changes.
The Treasury, as the OAGF is known, also urged financial institutions to strengthen their operations and ensure the efficient management of accounts holding workers’ salaries. The office expressed confidence in the regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing the health and viability of financial institutions, insisting on a their capability to fulfill their mandates.
Workers with legitimate reasons to change their salary accounts were advised to follow the official procedures provided by the OAGF to ensure smooth transitions without disruptions to their payroll.
[TheNation]
More...
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manually manipulating election results.
George, in an interview with Punch, stated that the country’s problems are linked to the multiplier effects of the mismanagement of the electoral process by INEC.
The former military governor of Ondo State asserted that the call for the military in governance was unacceptable, having experienced both the military and civilian governments.
George maintained that the government’s failure of the day was the primary bait behind some people giving a spot for military intervention.
He submitted that the supervisors of the country’s election must be fair, just, and equitable, which he added are the tripods of a stabilized government.
He said, “We knew what we suffered during the military. It’s an unusual thing to happen. Yes, I know we haven’t reached the level where we would all be happy with civilian government. I went through the two (military and civilian governments) and have seen the two,” he said, mentioning power under the democratic system comes “from the base up – It belongs to the people.
“The major issue of disappointment in the country now is that INEC is not doing their job.
“If they’re doing their job properly, and we know if we go through the electoral process, it is fair, the right people would be managing the government and then they would know they derive their power from the people.
“When you have an election, they manipulate the results manually and all kinds of things; so people who are not voted for emerge as the manager of the country. So how do we get the right thing?” he questioned.
“What is happening now is as a result of the type of the management of the electoral process. If whoever is there knows for sure that the people would play a major path in electing or denouncing him on the day of the election, he would wake up and work for the people, not fight for his pocket.”
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen who was convicted for false asset declaration by the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been discharged and acquitted by a Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Onnoghen’s conviction, handed down on April 18, 2019, by the Umar Yakubu Danladi tribunal, was overturned by the Appellate Court following the resolution of the issues that led to his trial and conviction.
Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, in a judgment based on the terms of settlement adopted by the federal government and Onnoghen, ordered that the four bank accounts previously ordered to be forfeited be returned to him.
In a brief statement, Onnoghen’s lawyers, Adegboyega Awomolo and Ogwu James Onoja, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for ensuring the resolution of the issue.
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide birth registration social mobilisation drive.
NOA said this would ensure that every child in Nigeria was able to access essential services such as education, healthcare and social protection.
NOA Director General, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Director of Special Duties and States Operations, David Akoji, said the agency was focused on registering children aged 0–5 years and providing them with a National Identification Number, NIN, free of charge.
His words: “NOA, in partnership with the National Population Commission, NPC, and UNICEF, is launching a nationwide birth registration social mobilisation drive. This drive aims to ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection. We are focusing on registering all children aged 0-5 years and providing them with an NIN free of charge.
“Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, and this initiative highlights its importance to the child, family, community, and nation. It is the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence, safeguarding their rights and privileges, and unlocking access to basic services crucial for their development and future.
“Accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, providing essential data for education, healthcare, and public services. By registering a child’s birth, families ensure recognition by the state, protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness.
“We encourage parents and guardians to visit the nearest NPC registration centre to register their children. The process is simple, free, and requires only supporting documents like an immunisation card or existing birth certificate.
“During this drive, every child aged 0-5 years will receive a NIN upon face capturing and birth registration. We urge all parents, guardians, and community leaders to participate in this crucial exercise. Let’s work together to give every child in Nigeria the best start in life.
“The birth registration drive, which started in August, will run until November 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure every child in your community has access to vital services.”
She Was Left With Perforated Intestines - Businessman Narrates How His Wife Died After Undergoing Cosmetic Surgery
AFOLABI
A heartbroken Kenyan businessman, Francis Ng'ang'a has narrated the sufferings his wife, Lucy Wambui, went through after undergoing cosmetic surgery at a clinic in Nairobi, which led to her passing.
Lucy developed complications from the surgery. She was then admitted to a city hospital, where she was rushed for treatment and d!ed four days later.
Postmortem report showed that Wambui developed chest pains and difficulty breathing on the second day after the abdominal fat liposuction procedure.
Speaking to Citizen TV from his home, the heartbroken widow said his wife was left with perforated intestines after the cosmetic surgery at the Body by Design clinic.
Ng'ang'a blamed the clinic for his wife's death, narrating how she was sent home and the establishment closed immediately.
"I asked them why my wife was excreting and smelling and they told me it was part of the healing process. When they noticed she was critically ill, they told her to go home, and they closed the clinic," said Ng'ang'a.
Ng'ang'a narrated how efforts to treat his wife at the clinic were futile as it had been closed and had no access.
"10 minutes after she arrived home, she got very ill, and when we returned her to the clinic, we found it had been closed, and we only found the security guards," he added.
He narrated how the following morning, on October 26, had a conversation with his wife, little did he know it was going to be their last communication.
"She called me and told me she was feeling very bad. She told me that if she dies, I should take care of her children just like we would take care of them when it was just the two of us," he recalled.
Meanwhile, the government announced that it had shut down the facility pending investigations into her death.
In a statement on Saturday, November 2, MoH said that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council had conducted a comprehensive investigation into its practices and standards.
