FEATURES

FEATURES

Nollywood actress, Olajumoke Amoke Olatunde George, popularly known as Jumoke George, has cited sexual demands and skin tone as reasons for her 14-year absence from the film industry.

The movie star, in a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV, said that movie directors often complained about her dark skin tone, suggesting she bleached her skin.

 

Jumoke, who returned to the entertainment scene a few years after a prolonged hiatus, recalled an incident where a director told her she was being blacklisted for refusing to sleep with them.

She said: “My skin tone was not the only setback I encountered in this business. The other reason why I did not get any roles or see the back of a lens for 14 years is because I refused to sleep around. Regarding my skin tone, they complained that I was too dark, and I would tell them to adjust the lighting to make me look lighter.

“You cannot push me into something I do not want to do. I will glow with this skin till old age, and don’t forget, black does not crack. I started having issues getting roles when the executives wanted a relationship in exchange for them. The pressure was immense, coming from more than 20 to 30 people.

“Another issue was that if you dated one of them, broke up, and moved on to someone else, they would discuss you among themselves. I told myself that as long as God exists, I would not find myself in such a space. I avoided it to prevent becoming passed around among them.

“I did not get any acting roles for about three years, and I did not understand what was happening. One day, I was at Feminar Cafe at LTV 8, and I met one of our directors—I won’t mention his name. I asked him why he wasn’t calling me for roles anymore, and he asked me, ‘Jummy, do you still want to feature in movies?’

“He then told me that their group of directors had decided not to give me roles. I asked why, and he said it was because I refused to sleep with them. He even asked what benefit I gained from refusing their advances. I just started crying, and he walked out. When I got home, I prayed to God to take control.”

Abia South Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has accused President Bola Tinubu of showing the Southeast “renewed shege.”

Abaribe faulted the cabinet reshuffling, which saw the appointment of Bianca Ojukwu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Tinubu had removed five ministers while appointing seven and reassigning 10 to new portfolios.

The president relieved Uju-Ken Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, from her duties.

Reacting, Abaribe said relieving a Southeast Minister and replacing with another “doesn’t feel like progress.”

Speaking with Arise TV, Abaribe said, “For my constituents, nothing has changed. They don’t refer to it as ‘Renewed Hope’ but rather as ‘Renewed Shege (Suffering).’

“The South East, in particular, is questioning the supposed changes. Removing one South East minister only to replace them doesn’t feel like progress.”

The lawmaker accused Tinubu of breaching the constitution, stressing that the reshuffled cabinet did not reflect Federal character.

Abaribe added: “The president has breached it for the last 18 months. We thought that with these changes, maybe there will be some adjustments that will also put some balm on what is going on in the minds of people from the South East.

“I want to tell everyone that the Igbos want fairness and equity, which are in the constitution. Treat us as you are treating everybody else.”

He further lamented that, despite the South East’s calls for equity and fairness, Tinubu’s actions continue to overlook the region.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confiscated a total of 33,595 liters of petrol, stored in jerry cans and drums, intended for smuggling into the neighboring Republic of Cameroon.

The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command headquarters of the NCS made the disclosure in Yola on Thursday, saying the seizures were effected between August and September 2024.

Addressing newsmen at his office, the Adamawa/Taraba NCS Area Comptroller, Garba Bashir placed the monetary value of the seized petrol at over N71 million.

He gave breakdown of the seized commodity as 1,115 jerry cans of 25 litres each and 26 drums holding 220 litres each.

Bashir listed other confiscated items as three vehicles which were means of conveyance of the seized petrol, 200 50kg bags of foreign flour, 57 50kg bags of parboiled rice, and 10 bales of second hand clothes.

According to Bashir, the confiscated containers of petrol, which were impounded from various borderlines in Adamawa and Taraba states, would be auctioned to members of the general public.

An 18-year-old man, Kamisu Ibrahim has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command for defiling his 3-year-old niece in Malam Madori Local Government Area of the state.
 
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
 
“On 15/10/2024 at about 1015hrs, one Suleiman Bashari 'm' age 30yrs of Garin Malam Sanda village M/Madori LGA, reported at M/Madori Division that, on 14/10/2024 at about 2010hrs, one Kamisu Ibrahim 'm' age 18yrs of same address, had carnal knowledge of his niece one Husna Isyaku ' f' age 3yrs of the same address,” the statement read.
 
"On receipt of the report, detectives attached to M/Madori Division swiftly swung into action and the victim was taken to S3xual and Assault Referrals Center Dutse for medical examination.
 
"Suspect was also arrested. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence.”

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has confirmed that the federal government would impose 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on luxury goods, adding that total subsidy removal became effective last month.

 

Fielding investors’ questions at a meeting on the sidelines of the on-going IMF/World bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, he said that a bill before the National Assembly would bring about a situation where rich Nigerians would pay VAT rate that would increase over time to 15 percent.

 

He clarified, however, that the poor and vulnerable will pay less or zero VAT on essential goods.

According to him, the list of such essential goods that would attract zero VAT would be made available to the public in due course.

His words: “In terms of VAT, the commitment of President Bola Tinubu is that while implementing difficult and wide-ranging but necessary reforms, the poorest and most vulnerable will be protected.

“And in the case of VAT, it is a very efficient tax for reasons well-known but it is also a tax that is targeted. So the bills going through the National Assembly in terms of VAT will raise VAT for the wealthy on luxury goods while at the same time seeking to exempt or seek a zero rate for the essentials and for what the poor and the average persons will purchase.

“Those bills will single items for zero rate of VAT while hitting luxuries with a higher rate of VAT.”

Edun was optimistic that the oil sector was set to increase the accretion of foreign exchange (FX) into the market, as according to him, oil production was being ramped up with better security in the oil-producing areas and new investments, especially those announced by Total and ExxonMobil.

He also said that total removal of fuel subsidy became effective in September 2024.

 

“Savings from fuel subsidy savings would become more impactful on the economy going forward, the complete fuel subsidy became effective only last month,” he stated.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has confirmed that the federal government would impose 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on luxury goods, adding that total subsidy removal became effective last month.

Fielding investors’ questions at a meeting on the sidelines of the on-going IMF/World bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, he said that a bill before the National Assembly would bring about a situation where rich Nigerians would pay VAT rate that would increase over time to 15 percent.

 

He clarified, however, that the poor and vulnerable will pay less or zero VAT on essential goods.

According to him, the list of such essential goods that would attract zero VAT would be made available to the public in due course.

His words: “In terms of VAT, the commitment of President Bola Tinubu is that while implementing difficult and wide-ranging but necessary reforms, the poorest and most vulnerable will be protected.

“And in the case of VAT, it is a very efficient tax for reasons well-known but it is also a tax that is targeted. So the bills going through the National Assembly in terms of VAT will raise VAT for the wealthy on luxury goods while at the same time seeking to exempt or seek a zero rate for the essentials and for what the poor and the average persons will purchase.

“Those bills will single items for zero rate of VAT while hitting luxuries with a higher rate of VAT.”

Edun was optimistic that the oil sector was set to increase the accretion of foreign exchange (FX) into the market, as according to him, oil production was being ramped up with better security in the oil-producing areas and new investments, especially those announced by Total and ExxonMobil.

He also said that total removal of fuel subsidy became effective in September 2024.

“Savings from fuel subsidy savings would become more impactful on the economy going forward, the complete fuel subsidy became effective only last month,” he stated.

[Vanguard]

 

 

Staff members of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education have shed light on issues that led to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dismiss Prof. Tahir Mamman from his role as Minister of Education.

Prof. Mamman, along with four other ministers, was removed from office on Wednesday.

The other dismissed officials include Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Minister of Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development).

Speaking with SaharaReporters, a ministry insider suggested that Mamman’s removal was partly due to his alleged refusal to settle longstanding salary arrears owed to certain ministry employees.

About a month or two ago, it was widely reported that he was among the least performing ministers. Many years of arrears remain unpaid despite numerous promises,” the source disclosed, noting that frustrated employees had staged protests over unpaid wages.

Another factor reportedly contributing to his dismissal involves Mamman’s alleged attempt to install Prof. Aisha Maikudi, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, as the university’s permanent Vice Chancellor.

The insider explained, “The appointment of an unqualified Vice Chancellor might also have contributed to his removal. If news of the improper process reaches the public, it will expose deep-rooted issues in the ministry.”

SaharaReporters previously reported that the University of Abuja’s Governing Council had allegedly sought to make Prof. Maikudi the permanent Vice Chancellor, despite her reportedly not meeting all qualifications.

Sources indicated that the council had relaxed criteria to facilitate her selection, raising questions over transparency.

Further revelations suggest that former Vice Chancellor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah may be behind the push for Maikudi’s appointment, reportedly to repay a longstanding debt of gratitude to her father, who had previously supported Na’Allah’s controversial appointment as VC five years ago.

Investigation found that the university’s advertisement for the position omitted the typical post-professorial experience requirement, making Prof. Maikudi, who attained her professorship in 2022, eligible for consideration.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government (CHOGM) summit in Samoa has been aborted.

Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said the cancellation was due to damage to the vice-president’s aircraft.

Onanuga said in a statement late on Thursday that a “foreign object” damaged the cockpit’s windshield.

He said the incident occurred during a stopover at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

 

“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in the Samoa capital of Apia while the plane’s repair has commenced,” Onanuga said.

“The delegation, which will now represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, is being led by the minister of environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal.”

Onanuga said the vice-president and Yusuf Tuggar, the foreign affairs minister, have left New York for Nigeria.

 

TheCable had reported that President Bola Tinubu directed Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the summit.

The theme of this year’s summit is resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the Commonwealth advantage, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth for member countries.

Shettima was expected to participate in the People’s Forum, engage with global leaders on development issues, and attend bilateral meetings and executive sessions.

The summit which began on October 21 is billed to end on October 26.

[TheCable]

Nigeria’s total public debt stock surged by N12.6tn in three months to N134.3tn ($91.3bn) by the end of the second quarter of 2024, The PUNCH reports.

This is a 10.35 per cent increase from the N121.7tn ($91.5bn) recorded in the first quarter of this year.

The rise has been attributed primarily to the devaluation of the naira, according to an official document seen by The PUNCH, which was presented at a session on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF annual meetings in Washington DC as Nigeria hosted foreign investors.

The document stated, “In Q2 2024, the debt stock grew in naira terms to N134.3tn ($91.3bn) from N121.7tn ($91.5bn) in Q1 2024, driven mainly by exchange rate devaluation. The dollar amount of debt was roughly the same.”

 

Although it looked like Nigeria’s debt is reducing in dollar terms, The PUNCH observed that there was an increase of N5.55tn or 8.45 per cent in domestic debt, from N65.65tn in Q1 2024 to N71.2tn by Q2 2024.

Also, there was an increase of $780m in external debt from $42.12 bn in the first quarter of this year to $42.9bn by June 2024.

The document seen by The PUNCH showed that domestic debt continued to dominate Nigeria’s public debt portfolio in Q2 2024, accounting for 53 per cent of the total debt stock at N71.2tn ($48.4bn).

 

External debt made up 47 per cent, amounting to N63.1tn ($42.9bn).

The document also showed that Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio has exceeded 50 per cent.

It also showed that FGN Bonds represented 78 per cent of the domestic debt, affirming the government’s reliance on local bond markets for financing.

Other domestic instruments include Nigerian Treasury Bills, Savings Bonds, Sukuk, Promissory Notes, and Green Bonds, indicating a diverse borrowing strategy.

 

 

On the external front, multilateral loans accounted for 50.4 per cent of the total external debt, reflecting Nigeria’s preference for financing from international bodies such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

Bilateral loans made up 13.7 per cent, while commercial loans represented 35.9 per cent of external debt.

Speaking earlier during the meeting with investors on Wednesday, Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced that the country’s $500m domestic bond was oversubscribed, raising over $900m from investors.

 

This achievement comes despite prior advice from the International Monetary Fund against issuing the bond.

The Federal Government launched the dollar-denominated domestic bond on August 15, with subscriptions opening on August 20 at $1,000 per unit.

He said, “The IMF said to us that we shouldn’t do domestic issues of dollar bonds. We did it and we were 100 per cent oversubscribed, but we still value their viewpoint and took it into account.”

Edun acknowledged the important role played by the IMF in providing concessional loans, funding, and technical support to countries, noting that these institutions help shape domestic policies and strengthen economic frameworks.

However, he stressed that nations are not bound to follow every recommendation.

“These institutions can provide value, but we don’t always have to take their advice,” he reiterated.

The minister also highlighted the significance of the IMF’s broader contributions, such as stabilising the international financial system during critical periods.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially refuted rumours suggesting that old Naira notes will cease to be legal tender by December 31, 2024.

In a decisive statement issued by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, the CBN declared these claims baseless and misleading, designed to disrupt the nation’s payment systems.

 

Amidst circulating rumours about the discontinuation of old denominations of ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 banknotes, the CBN has clarified that there is no deadline set for phasing out these notes.

The announcement comes as a relief to many who had been concerned about the potential invalidity of their cash holdings.

“The order of the Supreme Court on November 29, 2023, which extends the use of old banknotes indefinitely, remains in force,” the CBN’s statement emphasized.

This directive ensures that both old and redesigned versions of the Naira will continue to coexist as legal tender across Nigeria.

Mrs. Ali also instructed all CBN branches to keep issuing and accepting both the old and the newly designed Naira notes, reassuring the public of the banknotes’ validity.

She encouraged Nigerians to dismiss any rumours about deadlines for old notes and to remain informed through official CBN communications.

CBN’s stand comes after the House of Representatives asked the apex bank to withdrawold currency notes and increase the issuance of new naira notes.

Read the statement below: