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- Tinubu, Akpabio, Abbas, governors, CAN, others seek unity in messages
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the collective task of rebuilding the country.
In his Eid-el-Fitr message, he stressed unity and togetherness as critical factors in nation-building.
“We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire,” President Tinubu said.
Also, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, governors and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, sacrifice and peace.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu rejoiced with Muslim Ummah, praying that their sacrifices during the Month of Ramadan, and afterwards, will receive the fitting rewards.
It said: “President Tinubu felicitates the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan; a hallowed season which reflects total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.
“The President greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah.
“As he emphasised during an Iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, President Tinubu appeals to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation.
“The President prays that the lessons, blessings, and the joys of this season abide with us always while wishing Nigerians, Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.”
Akpabio seeks peace, unity
Akpabio congratulated Muslims, wishing them Eid Mubarak.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President urged Nigerians to pray for peace and unity.
It reads: “On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and indeed the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I heartily rejoice with all the Muslims in Nigeria as they join their counterparts in other parts of the world to celebrate Eid El Fitri.
“I wish all of you a peaceful and sweet celebration and pray the Almighty God to grant your heart desires.”
The Senate President urged Muslims to continue to offer prayers for peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria saying: “Islam is a religion of peace and if its adherents go to God in prayer with sincerity, He will surely answer.
“I, therefore, ask you to pray for your leaders and the peace and unity of our dear country. I believe with your prayers, Nigeria will overcome its current challenges.
“Wherever you find yourselves, radiate the peace that Islam preaches and the love and care for the less privileged that Prophet Muhammad exemplified.”
Abbas calls for patriotism
Speaker Abbas urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and remain steadfast in their commitment to unity.
The Speaker, in a Sallah statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, also urged Muslims to internalise the lessons learnt from the Holy Month of Ramadan.
He expressed confidence that the Almighty Allah has answered their prayers and supplication.
Abbas enjoined Muslims to be their brother’s keeper and render a helping hand at all times, noting that one of the lessons learnt from the Holy Month of Ramadan was that of assistance to the needy, which every Muslim should imbibe.
He urged the Muslim faithful to continue to pray for Nigeria even after Ramadan is over, noting that a peaceful and prosperous nation equally needs prayers to sustain its blessings.
Abbas said: “We thank Allah (SWT) for making it possible for us to witness the Holy Month of Ramadan peacefully. We pray that He accepts all our acts of Ibadah.
“As we celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, I enjoin Nigerians, especially Muslims, to offer prayers for the country and our leaders. Let’s also remain united as a people.”
CAN preaches moral rectitude
CAN called on Nigerians to embrace peace and unity.
It said the Eid-el-Fitri celebration should serve as a reminder of the values of compassion, humility, and generosity that form the foundation of shared humanity.
Amid diverse challenges facing the nation, CAN said Nigerians should draw inspiration from the essence of Eid-el-Fitri to foster peace, harmony and progress.
CAN also admonished leaders at all levels of governance to exhibit moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.
A statement by the President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said: “CAN extends warm felicitations to our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith as they celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitri.
“As the Muslim community marks the end of Ramadan, a period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual renewal, we join in recognising the significance of this day and express our solidarity.
“The lessons of Eid-el-Fitri resonate strongly in our quest for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. As we witness the breaking of the fast and the exchange of goodwill among friends and neighbours, let us be reminded of the power of empathy, forgiveness, and understanding in building bridges across religious and cultural divides.
“It is a time to reflect on our common aspirations for a society where justice, equality, and respect for one another prevail.
“In this spirit, CAN calls on leaders at all levels of governance to embody moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.
“Leadership guided by integrity, accountability, and selflessness is essential in steering our country towards a path of sustainable development and unity.
“As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebration, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the values of honesty, transparency, and equity in all our endeavours.
“CAN reaffirms its commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for the greater good of our nation.
“Together, let us embrace the diversity that enriches our cultural tapestry and work hand in hand towards a future where peace and prosperity reign supreme.”
Ganduje: support Tinubu administration
The national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, urged Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration in its efforts to reposition the country.
He thanked the Ummah for their prayers for the country and President Tinubu throughout the Holy month.
He said: “I’m calling on all Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliations, to support our dear President.
“All discerning minds can attest to the fact that President Tinubu has taken some drastic measures to reposition our economy, which have started paying off.
“All we need now is to support the Federal Government to transform the country.“
Ganduje, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Edwin Olofu, urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of sacrifice, which is the core lesson of Ramadan.
He said: “Ramadan is indeed a month of patience. We fast for the sake of Allah by enduring hunger and thirst, extending love to all, especially the less privileged in the society.”
Ganduje said Ramadan regenerates the inner being, encompasses love, and sacrifice, adding that lessons must endure beyond the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
[TheNtion]
A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore, is dead.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, Kwara State, Kamaldeen Gambari, announced his death on Tuesday.
“Information reaching me now indicates that Hon. Justice Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore, PCJA (retd.) is dead. May Allah forgive his shortcomings,” Gambari said in a social media post, as reported by Leadership Newspaper.
PUNCH Online was unable to locate the specific social media post referenced by the newspaper.
Belgore retired as the Justice of the Court of Appeal on April 18, 2023, on the attainment of the retirement age of 70.
Meanwhile, in a condolence message, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari described the death of Justice Belgore as a big loss to the Ilorin Emirate and nation at large.
The Emir, in a statement by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona, said, “This is a great and colossal loss that has befallen the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large.
“It is with shock that I received the news of the demise of Justice Ahmad Belgore. He was a complete gentleman, a thorough judicial officer who served the nation meritoriously in various capacities, nationally and internationally.
“He was one of the finest justices that the Ilorin Emirate has ever produced. He contributed in no small measures to the growth and development of the judiciary and humanity in general.
The Emir commiserated with the immediate and extended family members of the deceased as well as the entire people of Ilorin and Nigerians in general.
[Punch]
A date has been fixed for the arraignment of the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, son, and five others, for alleged bribery.
The Kano State High Court fixed April 17, 2024 for arraignment of Ganduje, his wife and son.
Ganduje and the others will be arraigned on eight counts bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn, among others.
It was earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Kano ruled that the Kano Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission lacks the power to investigate Ganduje over an alleged $5m bribery video.
Justice Abdullahi Liman, while delivering his judgment, said the offence was a federal offence that could be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Liman said the Kano anti-graft agency had a limitation in investigating the former governor.
But on Monday, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, urged the EFCC to release the result of its probe into the alleged dollar bribery video involving Ganduje.
Yusuf, in a statement by his spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, said Ganduje should rather prepare to face his trial instead of talking about non-existent failure in the current administration.
“For whatever option, the Kano State Government would advise the acting National Chairman of APC to show cause why his name, that of his family, and the entire people of Kano should permanently be erased from the global embarrassment that the dollar video has generated,” he said.
However, in a writ of summon sighted by PUNCH Online on Tuesday, the Kano State Government, in a criminal suit, named Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lesage General Enterprises as respondents and assembled 15 witnesses to appear before the court.
The case is fixed for April 17, 2024, before Justice Usman Na’aba of the state High Court Number Four.
Confirming the development to Daily Trust, the state Attorney General, Haruna Dederi, said the case has been filed, and all parties involved will be served accordingly.
“It is very true. We have filed the case but what I cannot confirm is whether he is served or not but he will definitely be served. What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us.
“He was saying that we can’t prosecute him forgetting that the offence also falls under the category of the state offences. It’s not totally a federal affair,” he said.
The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, says Nigerians in the region are regretting their support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election.
The spokesman of the forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman made the claim in an interview with Guardian on Tuesday.
He noted that in subsequent polls, particularly the 2027 general elections, the region will prioritize unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in Nigeria.
“The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future.
“They have learned from their past misstep and will strive to select a candidate who can unite the country and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.
“Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency. They will prioritize someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country”, he said.
DAILY POST recalls that President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, polled the highest votes from the region to beat his major contenders, including a Northerner, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Since his inauguration in May 2023, the president has been widely criticised over some policies of his administration, which were tagged by the opposition as anti-masses.
Tinubu was also accused by Northern groups of lopsided appointments in the federal government.
The leadership of the Labour Party, on Tuesday, warned the Nigeria Labour Congress against trying to hijack the political platform, saying it lacks the power to sack the Julius Abure-National Working Committee as recently declared.
The party’s response was a reaction to Monday’s resolution taken by the NLC Political Commission at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja.
In a communiqué released after the gathering, the unionists voided the national convention that returned Abure and his NWC members to office.
To fill the vacuum, the stakeholders said the congress will set up a transition committee to oversee the party’s affairs pending when new officers will be elected in three months.
The resolution taken by the NLC also raised concerns on the need to conduct a forensic audit of LP in line with the demand of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following allegations of corruption, forgery and fraud levelled against the party leadership.
But the party kicked on Tuesday, saying the congress lacked such power to sack its executives..
This was contained in a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, titled ‘NLC, cohorts lack powers to sack legitimate leadership of Labour Party.’
Ifoh described the stakeholder’s meeting as an illegal assembly of a handful of aggrieved former members of the party and some ‘social media tigers’ who are not card-carrying members of LP.
He said, “The Political Commission of the NLC is a front for Comrade Joe Ajaero which he has empowered for his political ambition come 2027. The group is unknown to the Labour Party and as such lacks powers to convene a meeting of ‘stakeholders’ to deliberate, let alone take any decision which will have a binding effect on a legally constituted party leadership.
“The group has been mandated by Ajaero to ensure that crisis in Labour Party festers ahead of 2027 by presenting itself as a rallying ground for dissident former members of our party, who recently lost the leadership battle in the courts. We are also not unmindful of the political pact the leadership of the NLC has gone into with the current All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to destabilize the opposition.
“This explains why in quick succession all their plots to hijack the party leadership failed. First, it was by illegal picketing of the party when that failed, it attempted to introduce and inaugurate a non-existing Board of Trustees that also failed. Again, the attempted plot to take over the party using stakeholder meetings comprising former members, social media tigers and non-members will fall like a pack of cards.
“It is pertinent to add that Nigerians are suffering under the harsh economic conditions of the current government. Workers and the downtrodden are at the receiving end. As we speak, there are unfair workers’ practices perpetuated by employers but the Nigerian Labour Congress has failed to take proactive roles to fight for the rights of workers. We want to remind Comrade Joe Ajaero that he has a lot of work to do for the Nigerian workers, which he is abdicating to face politics. This is why we previously advised that he should first resign as NLC President if he wants to join politics.”
....Declares N2.30 kobo Final Dividend
....Total Assets Rise by 90.2% to N20.65 trillion
....Shareholders’ Funds Hits N2.0tn, achieving an impressive growth of 120.2%.
In another unprecedented performance, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has released its audited financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2023, showing exceptional and impressive performance across all its major indicators.
The 2023 financials, filed by the Bank at Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGx) on Monday, showed an impressive leap in gross earnings, as it grew from N853.2 billion recorded at the end of 2022 to close at N2.08tn; representing a strong 143 percent growth.
The banks’ total assets also rose remarkably by 90.22 percent, doubling the N10 trillion mark, to close at N20.65 trillion in December 2023; up from N10.86 trillion in 2022. This leap remains a very significant achievement and milestone in the history of the financial powerhouse.
Despite the highly challenging global economic and business environment, UBA recorded a laudable profit before tax, with an exponential growth of 277 percent, to close the year under review at N758billion, rising from N201 billion recorded at the end of the 2022 financial year; while profit after tax (PAT) grew by 257 percent from N170 billion in 2022, to N608 billion in the year under consideration.
Consequently, UBA Group Shareholders’ Funds rose from N922 billion as at December 2022 to close the 2023 financial year at N2.0tn, achieving an impressive growth of 120.2%, compared to prior year.
In the year under consideration, UBA Group cost-to-income ratio dropped from 59.2%, in 2022, to 37.2 per cent pointing at the Group’s improving efficiency.
In fulfilment of the promise made by the UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, to shareholders at the last Annual General Meeting, the Bank proposed a final dividend of N2.30 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo, for the financial year ended December 31, 2023. The final dividend is subject to the ratification of the shareholders during its upcoming annual general meeting (AGM).
Also worthy of note, UBA recorded a 61.3 percent growth in loans to customers, moving up to N5.5 trillion in 2023, whilst customer deposits improved by 90.31 percent to N14.9 trillion, compared to N7.8 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2022, reflecting increased customer confidence, enhanced customer experience, successes from the ongoing business transformation programme and the deepening of its retail banking franchise.
Commenting on the results, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said: “I am very pleased with the unprecedented results achieved by our Group in FY2023. The Group made a profit before tax of N758billion, from N201 billion in the prior year. The balance sheet also grew to N20.7trillion from N10.8trillion in the previous year.
He said, “The Group’s shareholder’s funds crossed N2trillion from N922bn in 2022, whilst total assets crossed the N20 trillion mark (90.2% YoY growth). The Group is well positioned for further business expansion in FY2024 having closed FY2023 with Capital Adequacy Ratio of 32.6%.”
He added that the bank’s diversified business model (Pan-African and International strategy) is justified by the contribution of its Ex-Nigeria business to the Group’s results and reinforces its resolve to expand our market share of customers, funding, digital and transaction banking businesses across Africa.
“Driven by our customer service and execution-led delivery model, we will continue to expand our market share and create value for our shareholders and meet the expectations of our various stakeholders,” the GMD stated.
UBA’s Executive Director, Finance & Risk Management, Ugo Nwaghodoh, said the 2023 full year was a particularly eventful year, with galloping inflation and currency depreciation ravaging key markets, amidst pockets of regional conflicts and security challenges.
“I am delighted however at the strong growth in earnings and profitability recoded in the year. The Group conservatively set up significant impairment reserves against its overall risk assets portfolio considering the latent impact of the macroeconomic headwinds on our credit portfolio. Consequently, Cost of Risk grew to 3.09% from 0.63% in the prior year,” Nwaghodoh noted.
On the expectation for the 2024 financial year, he said, “The Group remains fervently committed to sustainable growth and maintaining its strong compliance and risk management practices culture even as we drive our business through the next phase of growth."
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-five (35) million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.
Ramon Nasir
Head, Media & External Relations
United Bank for Africa Plc
UBA House, 57 Marina, Lagos Island, Lagos , Nigeria
DL: +234-1-2807405 | Ext: 18405
Mobile: +234-7034145044
E‑mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has submitted that Nigerian Muslims observed the 2024 Ramadan fast in a season of tough economic conditions.
Atiku made the observation in his Eid-el-fitr greetings, in which he congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
Despite the tough conditions, he pointed out that the forbearance with which Nigerian Muslims adopted it is a principle that the noble Prophet Muhammed (SAW) enjoins everyone to live by at all times.
He called on those in positions of authority to show compassion to the people.
Atiku also prayed that the supplications of every believing Muslim and everyone else shall be answered by the Almighty Allah and wishes Nigerians a blessed Eid-el-fitr holiday.
The former Vice President, in a press statement by his office on Tuesday, said that lessons of the Ramadan fasting should remain abiding, even when the holy month has passed.
“For many Nigerians who observed the mandatory Ramadan fasting this year, the reality of the harsh economic environment in the country put many families and individuals under intense pressure.
“But in the face of this daunting challenge, many people pulled through out of seeking piety.
“The completion of Ramadan should cause a reflection on those in positions of authority to show more compassion to the people.
“The requirement of forbearance and compassion between the leaders and the people are the lessons to be learnt about this year’s Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW,)” Atiku said.
[NaijaNews]
The management of Air Peace Airlines, on Tuesday, has dismissed a viral video purportedly showing that the airlines abandoned its passenger at Gatwick Airport in London because its London-Lagos flight was overbooked on Monday.
In a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP, the airlines said the narration was false as the said passenger came late after check-in phase was already concluded and the counter closed.
Air Peace further stated that Gatwick Airport operated slot timings allocated to each of the airlines operating out of the airport.
“Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media that Air Peace not only abandoned their passengers at Gatwick Airport, but closed their counter before closing time because the aircraft was overbooked on our London-Lagos flight on Monday, April 8, 2024.
“This video recording was a deliberate and malicious attempt to tarnish the image of Air Peace. In the video, a number of falsehoods were claimed, specifically: Firstly, we closed our counter before time.
“Secondly, we overbooked our flight and our aircraft was full, hence we quickly closed the door and departed for Lagos. Thirdly, take off time was supposed to be 12 noon.
“We want to state categorically that the passenger, who the narrator escorted to the airport, came very late after check-in phase was already concluded and the counter had closed.
“Gatwick Airport operates by slot timings allocated to each of the airlines operating out of this airport. The check-in operations of airlines are slot-based, and airlines take turns based on their approved times.
“Once your slot timing is up, you must vacate the counters for the next airline’s utilization. The check-in process ends at 09:00am, as advised in the Terms and Conditions section of our e-ticket and website, and the counter was vacated by Air Peace in accordance with our slot allocation at 09:55am.”
The airlines, however, explained that in order for passengers not to miss their flights, messages about flight departure are sent intermittently.
The airlines further stated that it will continue doing its best to meet the needs of all its passengers.
“To ensure passengers do not miss their flights, we send them multiple messages at different times before their flight – 24hrs, 14hrs and 6hrs before flight departure.
“Departure for this flight was scheduled for 11:10am, so all processes needed to adhere to this time.
“It was also claimed that we overbooked our flight. The UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority can attest to the number of passengers on our manifest for the said flight. The aircraft left Gatwick with some seats unoccupied, so no overbooking took place.
“Gatwick Airport has CCTV coverage showing the time the passenger arrived at the airport/Air Peace counter and the time the maker of this video got to the airport. The late arriving passenger duly paid the no show fee, was booked to travel on a subsequent flight, and therefore the issue was resolved at the airport. It is disappointing that a different version of what transpired has been circulating.
“Air Peace will continue to do its best to meet the needs of our passengers, but we also require passengers to work with us to ensure they can travel to their destinations by adhering to specified times,” the airlines stated.
[Leadership]
Fire has reportedly gutted the popular Dosunmu Market in Lagos Island.
An X user, who shared a video from the scene, said the fire was due to a generator explosion on Tuesday.
“Just in guys, Eko Idumota (Dosunmu) Market on fire due to generator explosion, and no firefighters in sight yet.
“The fire keeps going up. People are running for safety”.
However, the Nation observed firefighters were not in sight in the recorded video.
Authorities have also not commented on the incident.
Details shortly…
[TheNation]
The Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abimbola Ajibola, on Tuesday, declared that the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is still ill and not physically fit to rule at the moment.
The PUNCH reports that the Olubadan stool became vacant after the demise of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and died at the age of 81.
Oba Ajibola, who addressed newsmen at his Sanyo private residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said, “What is in need for hurry? Someone (Olakulehin) we have not seen. He has not spoken with us. He has not spoken with Ibadan people.
“I am his second in command, I’m his lieutenant. He has not called me to say, ‘My Otun, I’m back. So, tell your people. And when are you seeing me?’ They are just forcing him because of their own selfish interest.”
While speaking on the meeting held at the private residence of Chief Bode Amoo at Agodi Government Reserved Area in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, Oba Ajibola said, “They said we called a meeting and we have endorsed him (Olakulehin). I’m not part of that. I’ve told them my mind that I won’t be part of that illegality. We know Baba Olakulehin is the next Olubadan, but let us allow him to get well.
“Has anybody seen him since last Friday? Those who went there after Friday were unable to see him. They are forcing this man. We should allow him to get well.”
Details later…
[Punch]
More...
A Muslim religious leader, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli, has announced that due to the non-sighting of the moon on Tuesday, Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated in India on April 11 (Thursday).
The Markazi Chand Committee Eidgah Lucknow, a prominent Islamic body, also issued a statement confirming that the moon for Eid was not sighted today (Tuesday).
According to reports, it is now expected to be seen on Wednesday, April 10.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It’s to thank Allah for strength, resilience, and peace during the month of Ramzan and is therefore celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a significant celebration in Islam, marked by congregational Eid prayers and the sharing of delicious feasts among family, friends, and loved ones.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to unite and rededicate themselves to the duty of building the country.
In his Eid-el-Fitr message, Tinubu congratulated Muslims in the country for completing the Ramadan fasting.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu prayed that the blessings of the festival remain with the country.
“The president greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah,” the statement reads.
“As he emphasised during an iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, President Tinubu appeals to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation, stating: “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire”.
The Eid-el-Fidr celebration will take place on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the federal government extended the Eid-el-Fitr public holidays to Thursday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday earlier declared on April 7 for the festivity.
[TheCable]
•12.5kg rises 38% to N14, 150
THE price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, otherwise known as cooking gas has risen to N14,150 for 12.5kg cyclinder, about 38 per cent Year-on-Year, YoY, against N10, 323.33 it sold in April 2023 last year.
This is even as the price of aviation fuel also rose to between N1, 300 and N1, 500 per litre in the domestic market, from about N1, 000 during the period, indicating an increase of 33 per cent.
However, checks by Energy Vanguard also indicated that the price of 5kg of the gas increased by 37 per cent to N5, 700 from N4, 642.27 during the period.
In an interview with Energy Vanguard, the President, Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, NALPGM, Mr. Oladapo Olatunbosun, said the prices of cooking gas would continue to leap as the domestic market continues to be impacted by foreign exchange crisis.
He said: “It is expected that when the foreign exchange increases, the price of LPG will follow suit because it still priced and determined by the flow of foreign exchange.”
On his part, the Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said: “Despite the declaration of the decade of gas and the government’s push to make gas a transition fuel, low production and rising prices have continued to push Nigerians away from the use of cooking gas.
“You have seen the demonstration by the federal government by withdrawing all taxes and levies from importation of gas related equipment. It is a big incentive on the issue.
“We are interacting with the critical stakeholders to ensure that there is no exportation of cooking gas. All cooking gas produced within the country will have to be domesticated and when this is done, the volume will increase and of course, the price will automatically crash.
“I am in contact with the regulator, NMDPRA (Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority), we have meetings almost on a daily basis, and the producers of the gas like Mobil, Chevron and Shell. So, there is hope that things will turn around.
“It is not going to reflect that way. We are dealing with human beings. The policy has been put in place and the investors want to maximise the profits that they are going to get from it all. At the end of the day we have to come in. That is why you have the regulator and we are interfacing with them to make sure they crash the price.”
However, further checks indicated that many households, especially in the outskirts of cities and rural areas have taken to increased utilisation of firewood, thereby encouraging deforestation in the nation.
The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, on Monday, sent back the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Rahman Oshodi made the remand order shortly after the anti-graft agency arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on “abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage.”
In the substance of the charges, the EFCC alleged that abused his office while he was CBN Governor through allegation allocations of $4.5bn and N2.8bn.
He was arraigned alongside Henry Isioma-Omoile, whom the EFCC accused of accepting gifts from agents.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
While Justice Oshodi ordered that Emefiele should be remanded in EFCC custody, he ordered that Isioma-Omoile be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, where he was already being held.
The judge made the remand orders while adjourning till Thursday, April 11, 2024, to hear their bail applications.
With Monday’s order, Emefiele returns to the EFCC custody about four and a half months after he left the custody of the anti-graft agency in November 2023, following his initial 151 days in both the custody of the EFCC and the Department of State Services.
At the Monday proceedings, his lawyer, Mr Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, told hinted that the ex-CBN governor would be up for a fresh arraignment between April 25 and 26.
It will be the fourth criminal case filed against him by the Federal Government following his removal from office last June by President Bola Tinubu.
The DSS first arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos for illegal possession of firearms. The case was later withdrawn.
He was subsequently arraigned by the EFCC in November before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Territory High Court on charges bordering on procurement fraud and forgery of the signature of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
His Monday arraignment before Justice Oshodi in Lagos was the third.
At the Monday trial in Lagos, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that Emefiele allegedly abused the authority of his office as CBN governor by allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2.2bn without bids, the act which was prejudiced to the rights of Nigerians.
Oyedepo also told the court that the ex-CBN governor corruptly accepted the aggregate sum of $26.5m through Donatone Ltd on account of the allocation of foreign exchange by the CBN.
The commission further accused Emefiele of receiving the sum of $400,000 from Source Computer Ltd on account of the approval of a “contract” in favour of the said company by the CBN, the institution wherein he served as the governor.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Emefiele used his position as the governor of the CBN to confer a corrupt advance on his associate, Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd, by allegedly approving the payment of the aggregate sum of N900m to the said company.
Emefiele was also alleged to have used his position as the CBN governor to confer a corrupt advantage on Comec Support Services Ltd by approving the sum of N149m to the company.
The EFCC also alleged that the former CBN governor used his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Andswin Resources and Solutions Ltd by approving payment of the sum of N398m to the company.
The prosecutor said Emefiele, between January 20 and June 2, 2023, in Lagos corruptly, received $7,720,000 on account of foreign exchange.
He was also accused of receiving $850,000, sometime in March 2023, on account of foreign exchange in favour of his employer the CBN, the institution of government where Emefiele governed.
Oyedepo told the court that Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Osioma-Omoile, on November 17, 2020, while acting as an agent received the sum of $110,000 through Monday Osazuwa, as a gift for Emefiele as a reward for allocating foreign currencies by CBN.
The commission also accused Isioma-Omoile of receiving the sum of $100,000, in two tranches on behalf of Emefiele as a gift reward for the allocation of foreign currency.
The prosecution said both defendants acted contrary to the provisions of sections 8, 10, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences
Act 2000; as well as sections 65, 73, and 328 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
The two defendants, however, pleaded not guilty, following which the prosecutor urged the judge to fix a date for trial.
But the defendants’ counsel, Mr Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, in two separate bail applications, urged the court to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms, pending the determination of the case.
Specifically, he said that the court should grant Emefiele bail on self -recognizance or release him to his counsel as he was not a flight risk.
He said Emefiele had served Nigeria as the number one banker for nine years and was also still standing trial in Abuja court and would always be available to attend court.
Labi-Lawal added that the charges filed against Emefiele were bailable offences and not capital ones.
“Though the first defendant was granted administrative bail by the prosecuting authorities, he is seeking bail based on self-recognizance and he is ready to attend trial.
“The court should also take into consideration, the status of the first defendant as he was the former CBN governor of the country,” the defence counsel said.
The defence counsel further told the court that Emefiele would likely be arraigned on another charge in Abuja between April 25 and 26, 2024.
“It is for this reason we are asking that this court grant the defendants bail, on self-recognizance or release them to their counsel so that they can attend the court in Abuja,” Labi-Lawal said.
Labi-Lawal also told Justice Oshodi that second defendant, Osioma-Omoile, was previously arraigned on Friday and was granted bail Justice O. Sule- Hazmat of the state high court in Yaba.
He urged Justice Oshodi to allow Osioma-Omoile to continue on Friday bail.
The prosecutor, Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail applications but urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously in granting bail to the defendants.
Oyedepo also informed the court that the prosecution would like to ask for a closed section for some of their witnesses who were willing to come to court to testify but were scared for their lives.
After listening to the submissions of both counsel, Justice Oshodi ordered that Emefiele should be remanded at the EFCC’s custody, while the second defendant should be returned to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre where he was brought to the court.
The judge adjourned the case till April 11, to rule on the bail applications and to commence trial.