Where Is Tinubu? Nigerians Ask As President Fails To Return Six Days After Saudi Visit

By

-

May 5, 2024

Indeed, Nigerians are going through a lot of crises.

From the economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu to the fresh scarcity of petrol which has left Nigerians in a worse condition than they were.

Advertisements

Lest we forget, the dollar is back to its previous position heaping more crisis on Nigerians who are always at the receiving end.

Where Is Tinubu? Nigerians Ask As President Fails To Return Six Days After Saudi Visit — President Bola Tinubu

To make matters worse, Nigerians have been left like a sheep without a shepherd, as there are indications that the president is nowhere to be found.

Where is Tinubu?, Nigerians could not help but query.

You see, President Bola Tinubu made a trip to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to attend the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development.

Advertisements

Global Challenges

The two-day forum, which aimed to assist public and private sector leaders in addressing shared global challenges, commenced on Sunday, April 28, and concluded on Monday, April 29, 2024.

But guess what? Up until this very moment, President Tinubu has not made his return to Nigeria six days after the said event.

Nigerians are even worried. This is because the Presidency has not officially released a statement detailing the reason President Tinubu is still away.

As a result, speculations are reigning in some quarters, suggesting that the president may have travelled to Paris, France, a destination he has visited multiple times for medical purposes.

Private Visit

However, two reliable sources close to the presidency spoke to journalists.

They disclosed that the president travelled from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to London.

Advertisements

One of the sources, a highly placed official at the Presidency, disclosed on Saturday that the president is currently in London on a private visit.

The official, who requested anonymity, chose not to offer any additional insights into the reason for the president’s visit to London.

The President Will Return

“I really don’t know, he (the president) has left Saudi Arabia and he should be in London now, but I don’t have details.

Also Read: What President Tinubu Said After Signing Student Loan Bill

“I don’t have an idea about it (the purpose of the president’s trip to London), but I think it is a private visit,” the official said.

Another senior official at the Presidential Villa reassured the public that there was no need for concern regarding the president’s location.

He declined to reveal the president’s whereabouts but confirmed that he would return to the country “this weekend”.

Advertisements

Illegal Apartment: Occupants Of Abandoned Ikoyi Towers Will Be Homeless In 48 Hours

By

Biggi Bassey

-

May 5, 2024

If you are fortunate enough to have a roof over your head in Lagos State, then you should consider yourself lucky.

As we speak, another crowd of people will join the already homeless crowds of people flooding the streets of Lagos.

Advertisements

What we are talking about will happen in less than 48 hours.

You see, on Saturday, the Lagos State Government issued a 48-hour eviction notice to illegal occupants of the Ikoyi Towers in the Lagos Island area of the state.

It was the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known during an inspection of the estate.

Advertisements

Undocumented Residents

In a post via his official X handle, Wahab stated that hundreds of undocumented residents were seen on the premises. To make matters worse, they lacked sanitary provisions.

The Commissioner added that they posed security and environmental threats to the state.

Trust the Lagos State Government on issues like this, an eviction notice was issued almost immediately.

Wahab, therefore, stated that the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has given the illegal occupants a 48-hour vacation notice to leave the area.

He wrote: “Abandoned Ikoyi Towers which we observed were housing illegal occupants posing a security threat to the environment and a nuisance to the state.

Eviction Notice

“An undocumented number of persons running into hundreds were seen on the premises with no sanitary provisions and whose daily activities could not be ascertained.

Advertisements

Also Read: Sanwo-Olu Goes After Suspected Landlords Of Under-bridge Rooms

“They have been given a 48-hour vacation notice to leave the area”.

Wahab further stated that the team also conducted an inspection.

This inspection was to assess the enforcement of Osborne under-bridge order after the illegal structures harbouring several people were removed.

Advertisements

How Police ‘Kidnapped’ Journalist, Daniel Ojukwu On World Press Freedom Day

By

Biggi Bassey

-

May 5, 2024

Being a Nigerian is not easy.

In fact, many people have pushed out the motion that citizens of the country should be earning monthly salaries just for being citizens.

Advertisements

Many people have made jest of the country, saying that they can’t afford to go to hell after living in Nigeria. They say Nigeria is hell enough.

You may have heard people say that Nigeria can happen to anyone and you cannot help but wonder how?

Relax, read this story to end and see how Nigeria happened to this young journalist, Daniel Ojukwu, then maybe you would understand the risk people go through in their daily lives.

Advertisements

Ojukwu is an investigative journalist who had made few contributions to iBrandTV before he joined the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Never had he thought that a day like this would come, a day when he (a news reporter) would become the subject or do we say the headline.

Cybercrime

The Nigeria Police Force arrested and detained a journalist Daniel Ojukwu, over an allegation bordering on “cybercrime”.

There was no formal invitation, in fact, this is why many people say the police kidnapped him.

The management of FIJ said Ojukwu went missing on May 1 while his contact numbers were not reachable, as family and friends struggled to reach him.

FIJ said a track of Ojukwu’s devices revealed his last active location to be Isheri Olofin, Alimosho Local Government Area, noting that the police arrested the journalist in this area.

Advertisements

The foundation revealed that Ojukwu’s family discovered he was being held by the intelligence response team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti area of Lagos.

It is believed that the journalist is being held for the alleged violation of the 2015 Cybercrime Act.

Investigative Story

Speaking on the matter, the FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo, said he suspects Ojukwu was arrested over a certain investigative story he reported in November 2023.

Ojukwu’s report targeted the office of the senior special assistant to the president on sustainable development goals (OSSAP-SDGs).

His report detailed how they awarded a contract for the construction of one skill acquisition centre and one block of six classrooms at Ajeromi Primary School in Lagos at the cost of 147 million Naira.

According to the report, the contract funds were paid into the “account of a restaurant,” while the project was not situated in its designated location.

Release Ojukwu

The report revealed that the skill acquisition centre was constructed in Ladi-Lak Nursery and Primary School on 2, Randle Road, Apapa, and the block of six classrooms in Metropolitan Nursery and Primary School, Adekunle Deen Street, Off Mile 2-Ijora Expressway, Ijora.

Also Read: Whistleblowers Condemn Detention Of Investigative Journalist Daniel Ojukwu By Police

Many individuals and groups have called for the unconditional release of Ojukwu.

Now you understand how Nigeria can happen to you.

This development has sparked outrage with numerous questions hovering over it.

Advertisements

Whistleblowers Condemn Detention Of Investigative Journalist Daniel Ojukwu By Police

By

Williams Osewezina

-

May 4, 2024

While workers in Nigeria were busy celebrating the Workers’ Day the police were busy planning how they will arrest an investigative journalist, Daniel Ojukwu.

When the evening of the day of commemoration came, Daneil did not return home.

Advertisements

Days have passed since he was taken by men identified as police somewhere in Lagos.

Now, the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) is concerned about the reported arrest and continued detention of Mr. Daniel Ojukwu.

Daniel is a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Advertisements

Police claim he violated the 2015 Cybercrime Act.

According to a report by the FIJ, Mr Ojukwu was abducted by the police on Wednesday, May 1.

The CWPPF says his phones have since been switched off and whereabouts undisclosed.

His family only got wind of his whereabouts on Friday, May 3, 2024.

They were told that he was at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Lagos state Police Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed the arrest.

Advertisements

He made the confirmation in a phone conversation with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

He said that Mr. Ojukwu was arrested by men of the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) of the Nigerian Police.

According to Hundeyin, Daniel Ojukwu is detained at the facilities of the Lagos state Police Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

Criminalising Journalists

In a statement, CWPPF condemned the arrest and continued detention of Mr. Ojukwu.

“Arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists remain unacceptable as it negates the basic principles of democracy.

“The arrest and continued detention of Mr Ojukwu is not only a violation of his fundamental human rights but also an assault on press freedom.

“We call on the Nigerian police to immediately release Mr. Daniel Ojukwu and follow legal procedures to engage him.

“We also call on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Cybercrime act 2015 ceases to be a weapon used in the harassment and arbitrarily detainment of journalists and media workers,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the organisation highlights that there were past instances where the Cybercrime law has been used to criminalise journalists.

Have You Read: Sanwo-Olu Goes After Suspected Landlords Of Under-bridge Rooms

Also, these journalists have been harassed and detained, hanging their arrest on violation of criminal law.

“We reiterate that such intimidation constitutes an attack on press freedom and the right of the people to information.

“The Nigerian Police in this instance must therefore avoid using the Cybercrimes Act to suppress investigative journalism aimed at entrenching a transparent and accountable system.

“Journalism plays a critical role in democracy, and such actions are bound to undermine its core principles,” the statement signed by the Deputy Director of the CJID, Busola Ajibola, read.

How Lagos Police Allegedly Collected Bribe From Drone Pilot, Destroy Drone

Advertisements

Lagos Under-bridge Apartment: Occupants May Be Prosecuted

By

Oluwakemi Salau

-

May 4, 2024

In Lagos state, feel free to expect the unexpected and the unthinkable.

Advertisements

It is almost unbelievable that anyone would pay a whopping sum of ₦250,000 to self-acclaimed landlords as annual rent to live under the bridge.

In a raid yesterday, occupants of partitioned apartments under the Ikoyi bridge were arrested.

However, the arrested occupants of the 86-roomed under-bridge apartments of the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, will soon be prosecuted by the Lagos State Government.

In addition, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab said the illegal occupants have been arrested.

Advertisements

“Eighteen individuals squatting illegally under the bridge leading from Dolphin Estate.

“They were arrested on, April 30, 2024, by the officials from the State Environmental Sanitation Corps.

“A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“Also, they have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

In addition, a Special Adviser on Environment to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu,, said about 23 persons were arrested.

Advertisements

“Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, were evicted.

“The eviction took place on, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps.

“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction.

Also Read: Lagos Government Uncovers 86 Rooms Under Bridge Where Tenants Pay ₦250,000 Yearly Rent

Twenty-three people have so far been arrested, and the MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”

Labour Veteran, Trade Unionists Call For Abure, Ajaero’s Resignation

Advertisements

Will Nigeria Benefit From AGOA Trade Pact Extension

By

Kayode Shopekan

-

May 3, 2024

Out of all the sub-saharan nations participating in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), you can say Nigeria recorded the lowest gain.

Sadly, Nigeria has failed to take advantage of the AGOA trade pact, between the U.S. and sub-saharan nations.

Advertisements

While most other participants keyed into the trade pact for economic gains, even with a challenged economy, Nigeria remained passive.

However, the government of the United States of America has extended the timeline of the AGOA trade till 2041.

Will Nigeria Benefit From AGOA Trade Pact Extension — An image of

Other African countries are also beneficiaries of this extension.

It is expected that the Federal Government will take full opportunity of this extension to strengthen naira.

Advertisements

Have You Read: Nigeria’s duty-free export to US dips to $300.48m in 8-month

What’s In It For Nigeria?

However, experts are wondering if Nigeria will actually benefit from this trade pact, to earn foreign exchange and strengthen the naira amid acute dollar scarcity.

Under the AGOA trade pact, Nigeria export its local products to the world’s biggest market.

AGOA allows sub-saharan countries to export up to 7,000 products duty and tariff-free to the U.S. extended to 2041.

The initiative was established in 2000, to allow African nations export products, especially non-oil goods, to the United States on favourable terms.

It was created with a view to promoting economic development and trade on the continent. It was supposed to end next year.

The programme has been a crucial lifeline for many African economies, gaining opportunities to access the vast American market.

Advertisements

Beneficiaries Of AGOA Trade Pact

Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Lesotho, and Ghana accounted for 90% of the total non-oil in 2022.

Nigeria’s non-oil AGOA exports have remained stagnant, primarily comprising a few agricultural products and handicrafts.

Experts attribute Nigeria’s low non-oil AGOA exports to the lack of competitiveness of the country’s manufacturers.

They stated that the country must make its products competitive by addressing major challenges limiting manufacturing in the country.

Also, they urge the Federal Government to build an export capacity and culture that will ensure the country does not miss out on this opportunity.

Why Nigeria Is Yet To Benefit From The Program

The CEO of Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) Muda Yusuf said: “Nigeria’s low non-oil export shows how challenged our manufacturing sector is.”

“Cost of production is too high to be able to make any significant impact as far as export is concerned. And this is why primary products export has continued to dominate,” Yusuf said.

Logistics is also a critical issue, importing inputs and taking them to factories is a big issue, given the state of Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos.

Delays and gridlocks at the ports increase companies’ production costs, thereby lowering their productivity.

Funding is also a problem for manufacturers. Nigeria’s benchmark interest rate is among the highest in Africa at 24.75%.

Kenya’s is 13%; South Africa is 8.25; Rwanda is 7.5%; Algeria is 3% and Botswana is 2.4%

All these challenges among others have made Nigerian manufacturing remain uncompetitive.

Advertisements

Teacher Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Student

By

Oluwakemi Salau

-

May 3, 2024

It is quite sad that students are not only assaulted by male teachers but even female teachers too.

An about-to-wed Wisconsin elementary school teacher has been arrested after allegedly assaulting an elementary school student sexually.

Advertisements

The teacher, Madison Bergman, aged 24, was arrested and faces one count of first-degree child sexual assault.

This was after a parent of a fifth grader reported her to River Crest Elementary School administrators and police.

On Wednesday, the child’s father handed over printed text messages between Bergman and the student.

In the messages, she allegedly told the child that she liked when the victim touched her and that she enjoyed ‘making out’ with them.

Advertisements

In a statement made to the staff and parents, the school expressed its concerns on the issue.

“Learning about a school staff member and alleged inappropriate conduct that breaches trust is deeply troubling for all of us.”

According to her Facebook, Bergman got engaged to her fiancé Ben in December and their wedding is set for July 27.

The child’s mother initially overheard the student and Bergman talking on the phone before she informed the child’s father, according to KARE 11.

During her interview with police, she told authorities that the victim’s mother allegedly gave her the student’s phone number after the family invited her to Afton Alps, a skiing resort, over winter break.

After her arrest, she was suspended from her teaching role.

Advertisements

Also Read: This Keke Driver Makes Unbelievable Claims Against Teachers

During her suspension, Bergmann is not allowed to have contact with Hudson School District students, parents, or staff.

She is also not permitted on district property and cannot attend any school activities.

Three Things To Do On First Visit To Your Parents-in-Law House

Advertisements

FG To Review, Increase Mining Licenses For Revenue Generation

By

Kayode Shopekan

-

May 3, 2024

The revenue generation drive of the Bola Tinubu administration is geared towards reviving the economy of the nation.

This revenue drive led to critically looking inwards to identify sectors that can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy.

Advertisements

Apart from agriculture, telecom and information and technology, the mining sector is another sector that has revenue generation potential for economic growth.

FG To Review, Increase Mining Licenses For Revenue Generation — An image of the Nigerian Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake

The Minister Of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has announced plans to review rates of mining licenses and other fees paid by operators.

This is in a bid to boost the federal government’s internally generated revenue.

Have You Read: Increase Revenue Generation Instead Of Borrowing, DMO Urge FG

Advertisements

Repositioning The Mining Sector

The FG sought the support of stakeholders in the sector in ensuring the acceptance of the new fees.

Alake made this development known during a consultative meeting with stakeholders in the mining industry in Abuja.

Also, the Minister said the review was imperative to boost the capacity of the government to effectively reposition the mining sector.

He outlined the various efforts of the federal government to rejig the industry.

Aside from ongoing reforms, the FG is sanitising the mining environment through the newly unveiled marshals.

Alake said the mining marshals, have been conducting operations in parts of the country to protect legitimate miners and combat illegalities.

Advertisements

As a result, he solicited the support of stakeholders for the impending increase in fees for mining licenses.

“This move is necessary for government to raise more revenue to fulfil its promise of providing an enabling environment for mining operations whilst.” Alake said.

The Review Is Crucial For Economic Growth

“We must review the rates of mining licenses, for us to secure the mining environment.

“This review will help to put in place measures that will ease the operational difficulties and problems that confront miners.”

“We felt that we can’t just do this without letting you know because invariably, you are the players in the industry.”

The federal government had on April 24, 2024, revoked all dormant licences across four sectors in the mining industry.

Some of the areas affected include exploration, mining, small-scale mining, and quarrying.

Advertisements

CBN Governor Calls For Collaborative Efforts To Tackle Inflation

By

Kayode Shopekan

-

May 3, 2024

The economy of Nigeria is being held by the jugular by many problems, but inflation stands tall among them all.

You see, the hydra-headed problem has refused to be bothered by the various policies the Central Bank of Nigeria is implementing to tame it.

Advertisements

In fact, inflation in Nigeria is growing higher month after months. Currently it stands at 33.2% the highest Nigerian has ever witnessed.

CBN Governor Calls For Collaborative Efforts To Tackle Inflation — An image of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso

To solve this inflation problem the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has called for a collaborative effort to address this situation.

The CBN governor called on the fiscal authorities to complement the efforts of monetary policy in addressing the new sources of inflationary pressures.

Drivers Of Rising Cost Of Living

This collaboration between stakeholders will help the country achieve price stability.

Advertisements

Have You Read: Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Will Fall To 23% By 2025 -IMF

The need for collaborative efforts between monetary and fiscal authorities to address the multifaceted inflationary pressures was explained by the CBN governor.

Worried about the persistence of inflationary pressures despite efforts to stabilise the FX market.

Cardoso spoke on the risk of escalating inflation and x-rayed the need for decisive action to prevent hyperinflation pressure.

Although monetary factors contributing to inflation are diminishing, structural issues such as increases in food and energy prices continue to drive inflation.

New Sources Of Inflation

He also said this menace had new sources, including ‘seller inflation’ and government purchases for distribution as palliatives.

Advertisements

“In addition, huge purchases by the government for distribution as palliatives to vulnerable citizenry is adding another dimension to the food price inflation.

“Seasonal factors of food price increases during religious fasting and festive periods, contribute to this problem.”

“These new sources of inflation can be addressed by fiscal authorities to aid the efforts of monetary policy gain price stability.”

Tackle Inflation And Ensure Price Stability

Similarly, Emem Usoro, a member of the MPC, urged fiscal authorities to collaborate closely with monetary policymakers to address inflationary pressures.

This includes implementing measures to tackle structural factors contributing to inflation, such as issues in commodity markets and managing price fluctuations during religious and festive periods.

Furthermore, fiscal policies and monetary efforts should aim to anchor inflationary expectations and promote overall price stability in the economy.

“From the foregoing, it is obvious that the continuous rise in prices of things, is detrimental to the broad recovery of the economy,” Nkom argued.

“While the rise can be attributed to both monetary and structural factors, unwavering collaboration between the monetary and fiscal authorities is essential.

You May Also Like: Unprecedented! Inflation Rate Rises To 33.2% In Nigeria

“As this will be effective in combating upward price movement and restore macroeconomic equilibrium.

“Monetary policy must thus focus on two key issues: moderating monetary demand and stabilizing the exchange rate.” Nkom submitted.

Advertisements

Arteta Refuses To Confirm Raya’s Permanent Arsenal Move

By

Dairo Paul Oluwanifemi

-

May 3, 2024

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will consider whether to make David Raya’s loan move a permanent one after the conclusion of the season.

Arteta Refuses To Confirm Raya's Permanent Arsenal Move — Arteta Refuses To Confirm Raya’s Permanent Arsenal Move

Spain international, Raya, joined the Gunners from Brentford last summer. Since then, he has established himself as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, usurping Aaron Ramsdale.

Advertisements

However, Arteta refused to confirm whether Raya would stay at the Emirates beyond 2023-24 during his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth.

Raya has been a key figure in Arsenal’s impressive campaign, with his 14 clean sheets making him the clear favourite to win the Premier League’s Golden Glove award – a clean sheet against the Cherries at the Emirates will see him mathematically claim the accolade.

The 28-year-old also shone in Champions League action and famously saved two penalties in the shootout against Porto to secure passage to the quarter-finals.

Arteta said: “Those conversations are for after the season, we will review where we are.

Advertisements

“Obviously we are really happy with David and everything that he has brought to the club, to the team, there’s no question about it.

“But all those decisions are to be made between all of us at the club and we will see.”

But while Arteta was coy on Raya’s future, he was utterly dismissive of claims that Arsenal will look to offload striker Gabriel Jesus in the summer.

When asked about the potential outcome of the Brazilian leaving if the right offer arrived, Arteta added: “I don’t know where that’s coming from. No”.

Fashion: The Business Side Of Fashion

Advertisements