Latest News
FEATURES
The member representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Abdullahi, Ahmed has given a N35 million grant to 70 constituents with viable business plans to enable them to venture into business.
Speaking at the event held in Musawa on Sunday, the lawmaker said the initiative was geared towards offering business financial support and relief to individuals amidst the current economic downturn, to enable them to invest and generate a decent livelihood for necessities of life.
According to him, each of the 70 beneficiaries with viable business plans, selected from across the 21 political wards of the constituency, will receive N500,000 each as a non-refundable business grant to make them self-reliant and financially independent.
In a statement signed by Sardauna Francis, his spokesman, the lawmaker also distributed 100 tricycle-wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities and 2,500 bags of fertiliser to farmers in the constituency.
He said the gestures further underscore his commitment to supporting his constituents and driving inclusive socio-economic growth and development.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the empowerment fund, wheelchairs, and fertiliser would help the beneficiaries to realise their full potential, contribute to the local economy, and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Ahmed, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Interior, said: “These empowerment initiatives aim to cushion the current economic hardships and drive small-scale entrepreneurship as well as improved farming activities and assuage the sufferings of persons living with disabilities in the constituency.
“This is time for real. Our people have given us the mandate in March, and this is the time to bring meaningful development to Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency through quality representation and sustainable dividends of democracy.”
The APC lawmaker pledged to remain committed to sustaining multi-sectoral interventions in agriculture, education, and road and health sectors of the economy for the betterment of his constituency.
He, however, added that he will continue to optimise his seat to propose bills, and motions and deploy other legislative instruments to enhance the standard of his constituents and the state at large.
The state acting governor, Faruk Lawal, while distributing the cash and other items to the beneficiaries, applauded the legislator for delivering pro-masses projects and urged other lawmakers in the state to emulate him.
He described Ahmed as an accomplished lawmaker and astute politician whose impact on his constituency and the state is worthy of commendation.
“Let me add that all these initiatives by the federal lawmaker are in line with the developmental agenda of Dikko Umaru Radda’s forward-thinking government of Katsina state,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice chairman in the state, Bala Abu, assured of the provision of a supervisory measure to ensure proper utilisation of the fund to multiply them into thousand folds within a short period.
He stated that the lawmaker has also donated 1,000 security lights to be installed across the constituency to improve the security of the area, and a donation of N50,000 each to all the traditional leaders that graced the occasion.
The APC stalwart averred that in the area of road infrastructure, Ahmed has awarded a new contract for the construction of a six-kilometre road in the constituency, and had virtually rehabilitated all the major roads in the area.
Maverick singer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has vowed to divorce his wife of 47 years if United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, doesn’t win the upcoming presidential election.
DAILY POST reports that President Joe Biden stepped down as the Democratic Party candidate on Sunday and endorsed his vice, Kamala Harris, as the party’s flagbearer.
Reacting via his X handle, Charly Boy said after the first Black male President in the person of Barack Obama, America deserves the first Black Female President.
He vowed to divorce his wife if Kamala Harris, who he described as his “crush” doesn’t win the election.
He wrote in Pidgin: “If dis my crush, Kamala Harris no win the USA presidential election, I swear, I go divorce my wife of 47yrs.
“After the first Black Male President, America deserves the first Black Female President.
“Sorry rednecks. Dats how we Roll.”
Kamala Harris is yet to be officially nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate despite Biden’s endorsement.
According to The Hill, she has secured over a quarter of the delegates needed to win the Democratic Presidential nomination so far.
Pat Utomi Threatens To Sue Tinubu’s Aide For ₦500 Billion Over Accusation Against Peter Obi, Others
AFOLABI
A renowned political economist, Pat Utomi, on Monday, threatened to sue the special adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga.
Recall that Onanuga, in a post on X Platform, formerly (Twitter), accused the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, his supporters and Obidients of planning to stage nationwide protests against hunger, naira devaluation and economic hardship in the country.
In his post he said, “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.
“The protest planners are also the same people who were instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to launch the destructive ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020.
“ENDSARS began as a genuine protest by youths against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, notorious for its high-handedness.
“IPOB members planning to extricate the South East region from Nigeria infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their own agenda.
“Lagos still bears the scar of the malicious destruction by IPOB elements until today. Two years after ENDSARS, the IPOB and the gullible innocents joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Peter Obi, a sympathiser of their cause. They are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance’, ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024’.
“They are not democrats but anarchists. They are attempting to call out our people via propaganda because their Messiah, Peter Obi, failed to win the Presidency in the 2023 election.
“As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilise Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason.
“Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason. I have been on the trail of one of the protest planners, who is nameless but claims to have an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja.”
Utomi, in his reaction to the allegation against Obi and his supporters, advised Onanuga to withdraw his statement or provide evidence of his claims.
He warned that he would sue Onanuga and claim ₦500bn if he fails to provide sophisticated evident.
The full statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to a statement by Mr. Bayo Onauga, a spokesman for the presidency alleging that I have been a key player in demonstrations viewed as insurrection.
“Let me state first and foremost that I have no problem with protests. They are legitimate sources of feedback in a democracy. I have participated in several during military rule alongside some of those now in government. My reaction to Onanuga’s statement has therefore nothing to do with the legitimacy of the demonstrations but with the deliberate and outright falsehood of the statement.
“First, I have been living in the United States for several months now and was actually unaware of threats of demonstrations so I could not have been part of something I did not know was in the works.
“As a student of the State in post-Colonial Africa. I am horrified that agents of the State can fabricate deliberate falsehood.
“As I know phones are bugged there should at least be evidence of some contact between me and these ostensible demonstration planners. They do not even need to produce the conversation to show evidence but just a thread of contacts.
“If no evidence of Mr. Onanuga’s false assertion is shown I will assume it reasonable that the object is to water the ground for false treasonable felony charges that can result in the claim of one’s life. I intend to therefore proceed to the international criminal and other human rights courts if a reasonable explanation is not forth coming.
“I will also have no choice but to institute a claim of ₦500 Billon for of fake news, hate speech and intent to procure State murder of an innocent citizen. If judicial capture makes justice problematic in Nigeria I expect that I can trust extra-national institutions and global human solidarity.
“As one who survived two assassination attempts under Abacha of which there is public court records when some of those now in power were my colleague freedom advocates I am clear they know the consequence of their plotting.
“I have in a reaction on X already indicated that I meant to ignore the false assertion but I have been advised of a more sinister motive of State terror that should not be allowed to go unchallenged. In the plan apparently being instigated by Mr. Onanuga.”
The joint task force in the Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, has successfully rescued another Chibok girl from the infamous Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
This significant development was announced by the Theatre Commander, Major General Waheed Shuaibu, during a formal handover ceremony at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Monday.
The rescued individual, identified as Ehi Abdul, aged 27, was one of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants from Chibok in 2014.
Ehi was found alongside her two children during a recent operation conducted by sector one of Operation Hadin Kai in the dense Sambisa Forest.
According to Major General Shuaibu, Ehi was married to a notorious terrorist known as Abu Dada, who abandoned her in Gwoza in 2014 and subsequently fled to Senegal.
The successful rescue operation is part of the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military to reclaim and secure territories held by terrorist groups and to rescue those held captive.
Ehi and her children have been handed over to the Borno State Government for rehabilitation and reintegration.
This rescue adds to the growing number of Chibok girls who have been found and returned to their families since the mass abduction over nine years ago.
The Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Zulum, has reiterated its commitment to supporting the rescued individuals and ensuring they receive the necessary care and assistance to reintegrate into society.
The Federal Government has arraigned a senior Immigration officer, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael, serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja in Lagos.
He was arraigned alongside three others before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a nine-count charge of alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession, import, and dealing in the prohibited substances.
He was specifically alleged to have been involved in trafficking 8 kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana.
Others arraigned on the alleged offences alongside the Immigration officer are; Babatunde Micheal Olufemi said to be a staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril.
The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the four who belonged to a hard drug syndicate were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.
Ibrahim also told the court that the four men conspired to commit the alleged crimes alongside the duo of Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu, based in South Africa.
Specifically, the Immigration officer, Akomolafe was slammed with a six-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances while the trio of Olufemi said to be a staff of FAAN, Nwadozie, and Nwosu, was slammed with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.
The prosecutor told the court that the alleged criminal act of the four men contravened sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), and 20 (1)(c) punishable under sections 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges, the Immigration officer denied the offences and pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.
Based on the not-guilty plea of the Immigration officer, his lawyer, Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.
In his ruling, Justice Osiagor admitted Akomolafe to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety.
The judge also ordered that the surety must be a civil servant of an assistant director cadre in the employment of Lagos State or the Federal Government.
The trial was then adjourned to November 7, 2024. Based on their guilty plea, the court convicted and sentenced the trio of Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril, to four years on each count. The sentence is to run concurrently.
The three convicts were also given the option of paying a fine of N2 million each on each count.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has told Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Oshiomhole stated this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
This comes after the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said inflation figures reached 34.19 per cent in June 2024.
DAILY POST reported that the high cost of living was triggered by the floating of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidy by the current administration.
However, Oshiomhole, a former governor and now representing Edo North in the Senate, expressed optimism that Tinubu’s policies would yield results in due course, calling for patience.
“You have to agree that some of the policy initiatives will require more than a year to materialise.
“What would the president gain by resorting to policy choices that are unlikely to deliver comfort in the long run?”
“So, I think for me, it is about having faith that in the long run, these things will work out,” he said.
![[PHOTOS] Nasty Blaq set to welcome first child with wife - shares maternity photo shoot](/media/k2/items/cache/257af7396cf10210125dda61a42d5b8c_S.jpg)
Nigerian skit maker cum content creator, Abisi Emmanuel better known as Nasty Blaq, has announced that he and his partner, Esther are expecting their first child.
The comedian announced the good news on his social media pages, uploading photographs of himself and Esther who showed off her huge baby bump as they both adorned white outfits.
Nasty Blaq expressed how amazing his journey with his partner has become over time, and now that they are embarking on a new chapter in their life.
The soon to be father celebrated the adventures of parenting and the tremendous joy that awaits them.
In Nasty Blaq’s words:
“From the first laugh we shared to the love that blossomed, our journey together has been nothing short of magical.
Now, we’re about to write a new chapter—welcoming our baby into the world. With you by my side, every moment feels like a dream come true. Cheers ? to the adventures of parenthood and the joy that awaits us.”
In the comments section, his admirers, friends, and colleagues joined him in celebration.
“Judy Austin has denied me access to my kids for 10 years” – Actress’ first husband cries out
AFOLABI
In a recent twist, Mr Obasi, Judy Austin’s 1st husband has called out the actress, accusing her of denying him access to his children.
In a video making the rounds online, he expressed displeasure about having children, 16, and 14 years old respectively and being restrained from seeing them.
He noted that he hadn’t seen his children in 10 years which has caused him great distress and worry.
According to him, the children aren’t living with Judy Austin nor are they with him which raises questions about where they are and the type of upbringing they’re currently receiving.
Mr Obasi opened up about being very sober and confused any day he wakes up thinking about his children.
An officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Sergeant Sunday Wadzani, has reportedly killed his father in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Naija News learnt that the tragic incident unfolded in Maiduguri on Sunday.
According to Daily Trust, the incident took place in the vicinity of the State Police Command headquarters in Modugannari.
It was reported that the officer responsible for this heinous is attached to the Borno State House of Assembly complex.
A security source told reporters that Wadzani has been apprehended and is presently under the custody of the GRA Police Station.
“A police sergeant by the name Sgt. Sunday Wadzani serving in Borno state command today 21st July 2024 this evening at about 1620hrs shot his father Rtd. Asp Wadzani Ntasiri seven times after a minor feud at Maiduguri,” a document filed on the incident read.
The main reason for the officer’s act, however, is yet to be made public.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Kenneth Daso, has not issued any official public statement regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report, Naija News understands.
Meanwhile, an Inspector of the Nigerian Police Force, identified as Shehu Oyibo, has been reportedly killed by gunmen in Abia State.
The murdered officer was serving with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), as confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen by the Abia State Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka.
According to her, three civilians were brutally killed during the attack on a police patrol team stationed along Mosque Street, Ngwa Road, in Aba.
Naija News understands that the attack marks three weeks following the previous loss of two police officers at Opobo Junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba.
On the latest attack, the police mouthpiece stated that the assailants, operating from a Toyota Sienna bus on Mosque Street, Ngwa Road, initiated fire upon the police team upon their approach.
In a valiant effort to repel the attack, the police team successfully defended themselves.
I’m A Certified Lover Girl’ – Popular Entrepreneur, Nwanneka Nkumah Speaks On Romantic Affair With Akpabio
AFOLABI
Popular hair vendor, Nwanneka Nkumah, has debunked rumours of a romantic affair with the Senate President, Godwill Akpabio.
Naija News reports that an Instagram gossip blog had called out Akpabio over alleged illicit affairs with some famous Nigerian celebrities after humiliating Kogi female senator, Natasha Akpoti on the floor of the senate.
However, Nwanneka, whose picture was included in the list of side chicks, dismissed the reports in a lengthy post via her Instagram page.
She stated there might be a mistake in identity because she has often spoken against people destroying other women’s homes and will never be part of such a thing.
She wrote, “Woke up this morning to my picture on a flyer. First off, I’m still trying to make sense of why my picture is in this mix, could it be a mistake from the graphic designer or what?
“I’d like to assume this was a complete mistake and was never intended. Gistlover please go back and do this research well or
just reconfirm from who your source is as I believe there might be a mistake somewhere.
“I am one woman who hates, condemns and publicly speak against people destroying other women’s homes and I will never ever be a part of something like that.
“I have been a married woman almost all my life as I even came to Lagos a married woman. I have never met, seen, talked, come in contact personally or otherwise with this man or any other politician in Nigerian or anywhere in the world.
“All my life I have worked hard for every penny 1 have, if I have $2m I can account for every dollar. If I have gotten any help, it is from my ex husband and my current husband. I am a happily married woman with 4 kids and do not want my name associated with something like this.
“I urge you all to please say all the lies you have to about me which I never care to respond to anything but not that I, Wanneka is or was ever involved with someone’s husband, talk more a Nigerian politician that can’t even help business owners do something about the dollar rate
“I am a certified lover girl and will never be in a situation where I have to be the woman. That being said, Wanneka Women I don’t know if you were as surprised as I was but abeg, y’all should please avoid me and even as a joke, do not involve me or put up my picture or mention my name in anything like this again.
“I have built my company from the ground up and since Day 1, I have been intentional about building in public and y’all can backtrack and trace my progress to this
point.
“I feel this is not only disrespectful to me, but to all genuine hardworking women out there. This further deepens the stereotype that every woman at the top, slept her way through it.
“I am raising two beautiful daughters and I am conscious of how my actions today, will impact them in the future. Thank you and God bless.”
More...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), has identified some African countries with the highest indebtedness to the global financial institution.
The list of countries with the highest indebtedness was unveiled in a recent report by the IMF, which identified countries of the world including African countries with the highest outstanding IMF credit as of July 19, 2024.
While the IMF gives loans to countries, the loans usually come with some specific conditions including economic reforms and policy changes.
The report said that Egypt ranks first in the list of African countries with massive debt to the IMF, with a total debt of $10,215,014,179.
Nigeria, with a total IMF debt profile of about $1.23 billion, ranks eight on the list.
Below is a list of the top 10 African countries indebted to the IMF and the amount owed.
Egypt: $10,215,014,179
The North African country is the first on the list, with an outstanding debt surpassing $10.2 billion.
Angola: $2,989,900,003
Angola ranks second on the list with almost $3 billion in IMF debt.
Kenya: $2,566,263,300
The country with East Africa’s largest economy has over $2.5 billion in IMF loans.
Ghana: $2,303,438,500
Ghana, located in the West African region, owes the IMF about $2.3 billion.
Cote d’Ivoire: 2,246,318,672
The country is indebted to the tune of about $2.2 billion.
South Africa: $1,907,000,000
Africa’s most industrialized country owes the IMF about $1.9 billion.
Democratic Republic of Congo: $1,599,000,000
The East African country owes about $1.5 billion to the IMF.
Nigeria: $1,227,250,000
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy has approximately $1.23 billion in IMF debts.
Senegal: $1,143,348,750
Senegal’s indebtedness to the IMF is put at about $1.4 billion.
Morocco: $1,056,550,000
The 10th African country on the list owes the IMF about $1 billion.
Former United States President and Republican Party candidate in the upcoming election, Donald Trump, has revealed that billionaire businessman, Elon Musk, donates $45 million to his campaign fund monthly.
Trump disclosed this while speaking at a recent rally in Michigan.
“Elon [Musk] endorsed me the other day, and I read, I didn’t even know this, he didn’t even tells me about this but he gives me $45 million a month.
“I just talked to him a while ago that I was coming here and he didn’t even mention it. I mean, other guys, they give you $2 and you gotta to take them to lunch, you gotta wine and dine them. No, this [Elon Musk] is a great guy. He really is.”
Newspot recalls that President Joe Biden accused Elon Musk and other billionaires of trying to “buy” electoral victory for Trump days before he steeped down as the Democratic Party’s candidate.
[Newspot]
Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, says one of his friends who started investing abroad four years ago, has been taunting him over the back and forth with the government in recent times.
Dangote has been having issues with the government over his refinery project in Lagos.
He had earlier narrated how a cabal was blocking his moves to import crude and how it has been difficult to get products, slowing down operations.
But last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said the Nigerian government was yet to license the Dangote refinery to begin operations in the country.
Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive officer (CEO) of NMDPRA, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the state House on Thursday.
According to Ahmed, the claims of ongoing efforts to scuttle the operations of Dangote refinery due to lack of supply of crude oil by International Oil Companies were not true, adding that the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.
Ahmed added that the diesel product of Dangote was below international standard, a claim which the businessman refuted during an interactive session at the weekend.
In an interview with online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES, Dangote narrated how a friend whom he tried to talk into being patriotic about Nigeria is now taunting him.
“Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his action in the interest of his country. He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups. That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right,” Dangote was quoted to have said.
He emphasised that he invested in the project to help solve a major issue in the country, wondering why some persons were working against him.
“As you probably know, I am 67 years old, in less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.”
“We have been facing fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery.
“This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs,” he added.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which came to life last year after a decade of prolonged construction, cost $19 billion, more than double the initial estimate, promising to help wean Africa’s biggest oil producer off its reliance on fuel from overseas and save up 30 per cent of the total foreign exchange spent on importing goods.
[DailyTrust]
The Nigerian government said the era of buying Premium Motor Spirit, known as fuel between N750 to N1000 per liter, is over as it will commission 30,000 Compressed Natural Gas powered vehicles in the next 90 days.
The Project Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, disclosed this during the Park to Park CNG Mobilisation program held at the Ojota Park in Lagos on Saturday.
He said the initiative is expected to gulp N36 billion for 30,000 CNG conversion kits for distribution free of charge nationwide within the period.
The kits and the conversion costs were valued at the rate of N1.2m per vehicle, making a total of N36bn within the next three months.
He stressed that the move was to ensure the adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel for transportation.
“Today, we are here with conversion kits. We have bought over 30,000 of these kits, mainly for distribution in the next 90 days.
“The President has told us that this is not just to end with 30,000 kits, the target is one million kits. We want to make sure all of you can benefit from this government initiative,” he stated.
“The era of buying N750, N800, or N1,000/liter fuel is over. We are not doing that again. We will start using the gas under our feet so that we can buy it at N230/kg,” he stated.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to procure CNG-powered vehicles as palliative to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal.