President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Lagos for the yuletide has stalled the handing over of the N704.91 million generated from the 50% salary cuts of members of the House of Representatives.

A top official of the National Assembly bureaucracy disclose this to LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had at plenary on December 19, 2024 said the House would on December 31 last year present N704.91 million to Tinubu for assistance of vulnerable Nigerians who were worst hit by the removal of petrol subsidy.

The House had on July 18, 2024 adopted an amendment to a motion of urgent public importance proposed by the deputy speaker,  Hon.  Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) that lawmakers should contribute 50% of their monthly salaries of N600,000 to assist Nigerians during the challenging times.

Speaking with our correspondent, the National Assembly bureaucrat said; “It is true that the money was put together for onward delivery to the president so that the executive can use it in cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

“But we all know that President Tinubu traveled to Lagos for the yuletide from December 18 where he stayed for three weeks before he returned to Abuja. Since then, the National Assembly which the House is part of is engrossed in budget defence.”

The House spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi and his deputy, Hon. Agbese, were yet to respond to LEADERSHIP’s enquiries on the matter at the time of filing this report.

Another tragedy from the recurring fuel tanker explosions struck yesterday at Dikko Junction, Niger State.

Scores of residents, who rushed to the scene to scoop the content were killed while several others were injured and rushed to the hospital by rescue workers for treatment.

Officials of the rescue team, who included personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said 60 bodies of the victims were recovered.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the explosion occurred at about 10am yesterday at Dikko Junction in Gurara local government area of the state.

The vehicle laden with 60,000 litres of petrol caught fire near a fuel station when the body detached from the head and spilled fuel on the surroundings.

Eyewitnesses said the tanker was coming from the Kaduna axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway when the explosion occurred.

 

One of the eyewitnesses said the fuel truck with registration number KBG 103 XA belonged to HMY Oil and Gas and was driven by one Mohammed Modu from Jere in Kaduna State.

Also, a shop owner at Dikko Junction, Mohammed Aliyu, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that “the fatality rate was high because some of the residents disregarded the danger warning and were scooping the product when the body of the tanker detached and the product started spilling.

“While some succeeded in scooping the product and escaped, several others were not lucky as the inferno intensified and the tanker as well as another parked near the filling station exploded simultaneously,” he said.

The sector commander of the FRSC, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed to LEADERSHIP Sunday that 60 bodies were recovered from the spot.

He said the tanker with 60,000 litres of PMS was to be delivered in Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja when the disaster occurred

Tsukwam said the tank detached from the body of the vehicle and the product spilled leading to an explosion and intense fire that burnt the victims beyond recognition.

He said, “The body detached from its head leading to a fall of the tanker which resulted in the spilling of the fuel on the ground. A large crowd of people gathered to scoop the product despite efforts to stop them.

“Suddenly, the tanker burst into flames, engulfing another tanker. So far, 60 corpses have been recovered from the scene and the victims are mostly scavengers. The fire has been put out and gradually the road is opened to the motoring public.”

Also, the director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the spilled PMS got in contact with a generating set that was on, thereby triggering the explosion.

He said, “At present, NSEMA in collaboration with NEMA, Suleja LGA Emergency Committee and good-hearted volunteers are carrying out search, rescue and recovery operations to rescue the injured who have been moved to the hospital for treatment and to recover the corpses of the deceased.”

Meanwhile, Governor Umaru Bago has expressed shock over the incident.

In a statement issued yesterday by his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described the explosion as “worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate.”

He sympathised with the families of the victims and prayed that God would repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured.

The governor, however, cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.

He directed all the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to do the needful and the security agencies to ensure security in the area.

Prof. Wande Abimbola, a former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, and the Third Republic Senate Majority Leader, has disclosed his involvement in the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo, stating that the kingmakers were thoroughly consulted.

Speaking with Tribune, Abimbola, who has been the Awise Awo Agbaye (World Spokesperson for Ifa) since 1981, emphasised the pivotal role of Ifa divination in the process.

He described the event as a landmark moment, marking the first time in modern Yoruba history that Ifa played a decisive role in the selection of a prominent traditional ruler.

“For the first time in modern times in Yorubaland, Ifa played a key role in the selection of a prominent oba,” he said.

“In the past, that was the norm across Yorubaland. Ifa would select the successor to a deceased king without the influence of money or political position. But in recent times, that tradition has been abandoned in favour of financial and political influence.”

Abimbola recounted the events leading to the selection, saying, "They claimed to have resolved it, and for a long time, nothing happened. I returned home for my son's wedding in Lagos, and when the governor heard I was around, he said he was about to summon me again."

He explained that he was ready to proceed, but the kingmakers were in disarray. Some were even investigated by the EFCC over allegations of receiving large sums of money.

"Two days ago, I was summoned again. The governor reminded me that names had been presented last year and asked which one should proceed. I reaffirmed that the choice made by Ifa remained the best.

"Fortunately, when the selected candidate was screened, no issues were found — he had a clean record. The announcement was then made in his favour."

Abimbola explained, "Even in modern times, our culture requires consulting Ifa. It may not be the primary selection method, but it is a critical part of our tradition. The kingmakers were not sidelined — they were present during the consultation.

"However, they were divided. Two of them accused others of giving them smaller shares of a bribe, leading to EFCC investigations where confessions were made.

"On the other hand, the rest took the government to court, insisting their candidate, influenced by money, must be installed. With the split among the five remaining kingmakers, the governor appointed two warrant chiefs to participate in the process.

"This is a standard practice when there is no consensus among the kingmakers. Ultimately, four kingmakers endorsed the candidate chosen by Ifa, and the process was legitimate."

When asked if Ifa could be wrong, he responded firmly: "Ifa does not make mistakes. It never does."

Rt. Rev Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the Bishop of Warri Catholic Diocese, has suspended one his priests identified as Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe for entering into marriage.

The Bishop said that Oghenerukevwe is now prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the diocese of Warri in any capacity.

This was made known in a statement jointly signed by the Bishop, and Very Rev. Fr. Clement. A, who serves as the Chancellor/Notary of the diocese.

The statement alleged that Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with one Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on 29 December 2024, noting that the footage of the marriage had been widely circulated on social media.

By his this action, the church said that Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon law of the church.

“Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“On November 30, 2024, Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, who has been out of active ministry and without any official assignment in the United States of America, contacted me with a request to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.

“The Diocese of Warri reached out to Fr. Oghenerukevwe, requesting the submission of documents required to initiate the process. However, on December 29, 2024, Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA. Footage of this marriage has been widely circulated on social media.

“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 §1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333). He retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of this decree in accordance with Canon 1734 §1 whenever he demonstrates a willingness to reform.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement said.

Former manager of gospel artist, Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, has broken his silence after allegations of diversions of funds and withholding royalties levelled against him by the singer. 

Recalls that a Federal High Court in Lagos had on Thursday ordered Onyedikachukwu’s arrest over claims of embezzling $345,000.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed the motion, accusing Onyedikachukwu of diverting funds and withholding royalties from Chinwo’s digital music platforms and event earnings.

The prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, who represented the EFCC, cited legal provisions under the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as grounds for the arrest.

The EFCC had announced that if Onyedikachukwu is not apprehended, they will issue a public summons to declare him wanted.

The court, however, adjourned the case until January 24 for arraignment of the manager.

But, the EeZee Conceptz CEO, while reacting to the allegations by Chinwo in an Instagram post on Friday, accused the gospel singer of being ungrateful, stating that she breached their contract.

“You have received over $625,000 from EeZee Conceptz to date, yet you spread falsehoods about a bad contract,” Onyedikachukwu wrote, adding, “You pursued me for years and even involved third parties to secure a deal, yet now you weaponize law enforcement and religious organizations against me.”

He alleged that Chinwo failed to fulfill her obligations under their agreement, including the delivery of a third album, and withheld funds intended for the label.

“It’s disheartening to see lies being spread and efforts to weaponize law enforcement and religious affiliations against me. I invested my blood, sweat, and hard-earned money into you. I housed you for months before securing two-bedroom apartments for both you and your band leader.

“You breached our contract by failing to deliver a third album and withholding funds meant for the label from content and events. When this happened, I didn’t attack you. Instead, I reached out, proposing a reconciliation meeting and even suggesting an independent audit for transparency,” he wrote.

Onyedikachukwu also revealed his previous encounter with the EFCC and claimed that he was illegally detained for nine days in a location far from Lagos, during which $274,000 was allegedly extorted from him.

“Last year, I was illegally detained by EFCC for nine days, far from Lagos, where our business took place. Under duress, $274,000 was extorted. Yet, I still didn’t resort to dragging you publicly. As a law-abiding citizen, I chose to follow the legal processes outlined in the contract you signed with Eezee Conceptz.

“If your hands are clean, why avoid the Multidoor resolution process in our agreement? Why manipulate institutions to bully me? You deny the contract when it speaks of your obligations and our benefits, but quote it when it benefits you.

“Discrediting same document that you have hugely benefited from. Kindly post your bank statements and songs recorded 3years before you were signed and 3years after you got signed.

“You’re now attempting to claim ownership of a catalogue I fully funded.. a body of work you never contributed financially to.

“For years, you’ve received both quarterly royalties and immediate remittances from the 50/50 agreement, but this greed and betrayal that persists are beyond comprehension.

“Let me remind you: I founded the label that built your platform, put food on your table, and gave you opportunities beyond your dreams. Through God’s grace, I did this, and no one can erase the role Eezee Concept played in building your influence…

“I’ll continue to act lawfully, trusting the legal system and God to defend my peace and reputation. As Proverbs 17:13 says, “Whoever repays good with evil, evil will never depart from their house,” he added.

Dr. Ijeoma Opara, a distinguished Nigerian-American scientist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale University School of Public Health, was recently awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by US President Joe Biden for her research in public health, particularly among urban youth.

Here are 7 things to know about Ijeoma Opara:

1. Opara is one of the latest Nigerians including Azeez Butali, Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Oluwatomi Akindele, Eno Ebong and Abidemi Ajiboye to receive the highest honour bestowed by the US government on young scientists and engineers.

Other earlier awards include the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award in 2020 and the NIDA Racial Equity Initiative Visionary Pioneer Award in 2023. She also earlier received the John D. Slade, MD Memorial Advocacy Award and the Woman of Impact Award.

2. Opara lost her parents at a young age due to illness. She lost her mother to diabetes and her father to a heart attack. This painful loss shaped her decision into public health to dismantle the systemic barriers that contribute to poor health with a focus on black girls.

3. Opara is committed to educating and mentoring future researchers by providing lab visits and internships to high school and college students in urban areas.

4. Her study has been crucial in demonstrating how race, as a social construct shaped by white supremacy and anti-black racism, affects health outcomes.

5. Opara holds a PhD in Family Science and Human Development from Montclair State University, a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University, a Master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology from New York Medical College, and a Bachelor of Arts’ degree from New Jersey City University.

6. Opara is the founder and director of Stony Brook University’s Substance Abuse and Sexual Health Lab, as well as an associate professor at Yale School of Public Health. She was previously an assistant professor at Stony Brook University and a lecturer at Columbia School of Social Work.

7. She also heads a consulting outfit that provides training to adolescents, community-based groups, businesses and schools on different themes pertaining to substance use prevention and sexual health.

… killed officer recently passed a promotional examination.

One operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was shot dead and another critically injured when suspected internet fraudsters, known as Yahoo Boys, opened fire on them in Anambra State.

The development has raised concerns among anti-graft personnel, who revealed that the agency’s life insurance scheme has been dormant for years.

“We no longer have life insurance. “The last time families of deceased officers received compensation was during Farida Waziri’s tenure,” an official of the graft agency was quoted as saying.

The operatives, who had travelled from their Enugu zonal headquarters, were on a mission to apprehend a cluster of suspected cyber criminals when they encountered deadly resistance.

The attack left one officer dead on the spot and another hospitalized in critical condition by nightfall.

A male suspect was arrested for the murder, but his identity remains undisclosed. Authorities were yet to confirm if he has legal representation.

The slain officer, whose name was withheld, was an assistant superintendent who had recently passed a promotional examination.

American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, AVID, has warned that Southeast Governors risk a range of US presidential sanctions including travel ban and confiscation of assets on US soil over their alleged complicity in the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The warning is coming on the heels of the alleged reluctance of the Governors to jointly write a joint as demanded by President Bola Ahmed Bola, requesting the release of Kanu to them.

AVID, in a statement by its President, Chief Dr Sylvester Onyia; and Secretary, Dr Godson Obiagwu, expressed displeasure at the reluctance of the Governors to advance to the President the said letter, accusing them of non-committal towards Kanu’s release.

AVID which is a body of retired and serving military officers of Igbo extraction in the North and South American military, reminded the Governors of the grave implication of their lackadaisical attitude towards Kanu’s continued incarceration.

The statement read in part: “According to the information we have, the Governors are supposed to meet with the President and unanimously advocate for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, which has yet to occur.

“We also know that Mr President has asked the Southeast Governors to write a formal letter seeking the release of their son, which they all find difficult to do.

“We are also aware that all meaningful initiatives, particularly by religious leaders and national and state players, have been frustrated by the same Governors.

“Even after the Nigerian appeals court pronounced Mazi Nnamdi Kanu not guilty, the Governors remained silent, confirming their complicity.

“Your Excellencies, as the USA Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, we must make you aware that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu mirrors the sort of grave human rights violations sanctionable
by the US government under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which was enacted to punish violators of internationally recognized human rights.

“The Act empowers the President of the United States to impose sanctions against foreign officials complicit in “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights,” against persons for exercising internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression or association, among other things.

“The range of presidential sanctions includes denial of visas, blocking transactions in all property in the United States, and public stigma.

“Therefore, when the time comes for it, your inaction in seeking the release of Nnamdi Kanu may make you
complicit and thus subject to the full consequences of this Act should you come in contact with the United
States which you do very often.”

The veterans cautioned the Governors against being passive over matters of importance to the Igbo nation.

“As AVID USA, we cannot stand by and let Southeast Governors devastate Igboland by selfishness and a lack of motivation to advance our region.

” As a group, we attempted multiple times to persuade these Governors that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was justified, in his stands on security and social
economic development of Southeast.

“Keep in mind that you Governors proscribed IPOB, while previous President Buhari labelled this wonderful
organization a terrorist movement due to his enmity with the Igbo people. For this reason, we can’t blame the President for the insecurity in the Southeast region.”

The veterans also urged President Tinubu to stop looking for excuses and release Kanu in compliance with the pact his son Seyi had with Kanu’s family before the 2023 presidential election.

AVID told President Tinubu to honour his promise to release Kanu which he made during the campaigns.

“We, the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, (AVID) concur with Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s position on the implementation of the agreement between the family of Nnamdi Kanu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his son Seyi.

“We also concur with the concerned Igbo Ministers’ Commission over the recent news announcement that:“The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a betrayal of Igbo nation….”

Senator Shehu Sani has expressed disappointment over the rising price of petrol despite expectations that the Dangote refinery would lower costs.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, the former lawmaker stated, “The expectation was that Dangote Refinery will crash the price of petrol; the news that it’s increasing is baffling.”

This follows an announcement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery confirming a price increase for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The refinery now sells PMS at N955 per litre for customers purchasing 2 to 4.99 million litres and N950 per litre for purchases of 5 million litres or more.

This price adjustment reflects a 6.17% increase, or N55.5 per litre, compared to the discounted rate of N899.50 per litre offered during December 2024’s holiday period.

The adjustment has led to a retail price hike, with petrol now selling for between N1,030 and N1,050 per litre across various outlets.

The price increase has sparked public outcry, as many Nigerians hoped that the refinery would reduce fuel prices and ease the burden on citizens.

The Brazilian government has announced the formal admission of Nigeria as a partner country in the multinational bloc known as BRICS.

This was contained in a statement by the Brazil Foreign Ministry on Friday.

According to Brazil, BRICS and Nigeria share common interests, as both actively strive to enhance cooperation among Global South countries and advocate for the reform of international organisations.

“With the world’s sixth-largest population—and Africa’s largest—as well as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other members of BRICS. It plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and in reforming global governance—issues that are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency,” the statement said.

Brazil currently holds the BRICS presidency for 2025, having taken over from Russia on January 1.

Nigeria has joined Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan as the ninth partner country of BRICS, a category established at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, October 2024.