Category: News

The body of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has arrived Nigeria.

The plane conveying the body arrived at the private wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State about 3:39 p.m on Friday, January 5.

The late Governor’s remains were brought into the country from Germany, where he passed away.

The body was received by his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi; and representative of Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke also joined in receiving the body.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati, and some members of the Ondo State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were also present at the airport to receive the body of the former Governor.

Family members, followers, friends, and associates could not control their emotions as the body of the late Governor was being lowered from the plane.

Late Governor Akeredolu passed away in Germany on December 26, 2023.

His remains have been deposited at the morgue until the final burial.

Details of the burial arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.

Chief Adedeji Aderemi, also known as Olofa Ina or Baba Olofa Ina is reportedly dead.

News of his death was made public by his colleagues, including Saidi Balogun who mourns the passing of the aged actor.

Saidi Balogun wrote on his Instagram page: “Goodnight Legend Chief Adedeji Aderemi alias Olofa Ina”

The late actor was a well-known figure in Yoruba theatre and film circles today.

Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday, unveiled a 484-bed hall of residence donated to the University of Lagos by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

This was disclosed in a series of tweets and photos shared on the official X handle of the University of Lagos on Wednesday.

According to the posts, the 484-bed space hall of residence is a contribution by Gbajabiamila to the physical infrastructure development of his alma mater.

It read, “The Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence at #UnilagNigeria will be officially commissioned today.

“The 484-bed hostel facility is the landmark contribution of the Chief of Staff to the President, #femigbaja, to the physical infrastructure development of his Alma Mater.

“Our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola kicks it off on a note of gratitude. She thanks the donor, #femigbaja, for his visionary leadership and large-heartedness.”

The statement further added that while giving his remarks, Gbajabiamila thanked the immediate past VC, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe for suggesting the hostel as a project idea, and appreciated the current VC, Prof. Ogunsola, for her continuity.

It added that while lauding the donor for his pro-people leadership style, Abbas said, “May this hall of residence be a place where dreams are nurtured to greatness”.

Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation, has stated that Atiku Abubakar will be contesting again in the 2027 elections.

Bwala said Atiku was the president Nigeria should have because he understands how the private sector works.

Featuring on Channels TV, Bwala said: “Sure, he would run. He has the capacity, he has the wisdom, he has the knowledge, he has the energy.

“And he is a president we never had. Because to be honest with you, if any politician understands the private sector very well, it is Atiku Abubakar and our economy can only come alive if there is a private sector-led economy.

“He’s the president the country is missing because of his experience and capacity.”

Atiku had six failed attempts to rule Nigeria starting from 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.

During the last presidential election, some chieftains of PDP had worked against Atiku.

Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has saved an unknown middle-aged woman from committing suicide in Osogbo.

This was stated in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the agency, Adeleke Kehinde on Wednesday.

The Commandant, Osun NSCDC, Sunday Agboola, expressed that the woman was rescued on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

“The Search and Rescue Team of the command received a distress call from a member of the public and in less than ten minutes the officers were at the scene to rescue the victim and resuscitate her before taking her to the hospital for medical attention.

“After becoming conscious as a result of first aid treatment initially provided by the NSCDC team, the middle-aged woman explained that she came all the way from Iragbiji to Osogbo for her to jump into Gbodofon River because she was feeling fire burning in her body and the only way to quench the fire was to jump into Osun river.” He said.

Agboola after the rescue operation, however, assured the residents of the state of the commitment of the corps to protecting lives and properties.

He also urged the residents to take care of their mental health stressing that personnel under the command would pay special attention to guarding the rivers in the state to forestall future occurrences.

Mr. Agboola also commended the Search and Rescue Team, led by DSC Ishola Oluyinka for being responsive and for bringing their disaster management training to bear.

Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has suspended caretaker chairmen of the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA). The caretaker chairmen are to remain suspended until the case is determined by the court.

An Akure High Court presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi had granted an interim injunction filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which sought to restrain late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating any person or persons not democratically elected as member(s) of caretaker committees to administer the affairs of the local councils and the LCDA pending the determination of the interlocutory Injunction in this suit.

Justice Fasanmi later barred the caretaker chairmen from operating after they resumed office on the excuse that they had been sworn in before the order was granted.

Aiyedatiwa’s suspension of the caretaker chairman was contained in a letter by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and signed by Alonge Adewale.

The letter read: “It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that despite the suspension of all recently appointed Caretaker Committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State by a Court of competent jurisdiction, some individuals in these former positions are still parading themselves in that posts.

“Consequently, I have been directed to request the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs to immediately assume responsibility as head of their respective Local Government Areas/ LCDAs in acting capacity pending the resolution of all Legal matters relating to this subject.”

The letter asked the suspended Caretaker Chairmen to submit, without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs.

But one of the caretaker chairmen who pleaded anonymity said they had earlier secured a stay of execution against the court order.

He said the case would linger till the Supreme Court adjusted it.

The caretaker chairman said they were shocked that Aiyedatiwa refused to obey the order for a stay of execution.

Fuel prices may go up soon as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and fuel marketers clashed on Tuesday over prices of the commodities.

The naira’s recent downward trend against the dollar has reignited the debate, with economists and marketers claiming a resurgence of hidden subsidies.

The naira’s freefall against the dollar, closing on Tuesday at N998/$ at the official window and a staggering N1,225/$ on the black market, prompted the alarm by economists and marketers, The Punch Newspaper reports. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, argues that the subsidy wasn’t abolished, but merely reduced, leading to a hidden transfer of wealth from consumers to the government.

He made this known during a live television programme on ChannelsTV on Sunday.

He said, “At the inauguration, it was said that (fuel) subsidy was gone but subsidy was actually reduced.”

Buttressing his position, he explained, “There is the convergence of exchange rates and reducing the windows into one. The consequence of that is that money has been transferred from consumers to the government.

“Subsidies are reversed taxes; if you reduce them, you increase the people’s taxes and reduce their income. What has happened is that government revenue has increased by 44 per cent between May and June (2023). Money has been transferred to the government, but what is the government doing with it?

“The consumers, on the other hand, had a minimum wage, which in dollar terms was $40 in 2002. In 2019, it was about $70, but it has now been reduced to $24.”

Similarly, oil marketers said the subsidy on petrol was increasing considering the crash of the naira against the United States dollar and the cost of crude oil. They added that PMS should sell for N1,200/litre in a free market.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) National Public Relations Officer, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, claims the petrol price should be around N1,200/litre, given the current dollar-diesel-petrol cost dynamic. He believes the government is implementing a “quasi-subsidy” by absorbing half the potential price increase.

He said: “To be pragmatic in this analysis let’s consider the cost of petrol today in the United States. For premium petrol, it is $2.99, while super petrol sells for $3.15 or $3.10 depending on the part of that country where you are making the purchase.

“Now, $3 in Nigeria is over N3,000, because a dollar in the parallel market is over N1,000. You can also see the cost of diesel, that is over N1,000/litre, and it is important to state that petrol is usually higher in price than diesel in a free market.

“So if you consider the cost of diesel, dollar and other international factors, the price of petrol in Nigeria should be around N1,200/litre, but the government is subsidising it, which to an extent is understandable,” he stated.

“I also believe that there will be a reduction in the prices of petroleum products this year when you consider what the government is currently doing. The coming onboard of the Port Harcourt refinery and the supply of crude to Dangote refinery are good developments in the sector.

“Their operations will help stabilise the price of PMS and other petroleum products in Nigeria, because it will definitely cut down the importation of products,” Ukadike added.

Petrol is solely imported into Nigeria by the NNPCL. Presently, the commodity sells for between N617/litre to N660/litre.

Giving his take on the matter, the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, who corroborated the stance of marketers, said there was partial subsidy on petrol, but noted that the commodity was subsidised by the government for political, social and economic reasons.

Amidst the accusations, the NNPC has denied the claims of partial subsidy. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, dismissed the claims as “assumptions” and said that the government no longer subsidises petrol.

He said, “We prioritise our time on substantive matters rather than responding to assumptions.

“At NNPC Ltd, we prioritise national development through energy security and sustainable growth. We reiterate that the Nigerian government does not pay subsidy on fuel; we recover full costs from our imported products.

“As a global energy company, our focus remains on fostering a vibrant and energy-secure Nigeria.”

The Federal Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Federal Government, has announced the suspension of accreditation for degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo. The government expressed concern about Nigerians resorting to unethical methods to obtain degrees in order to secure job opportunities for which they are not qualified. This decision was made following an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper, which exposed how a reporter obtained a degree from a university in Cotonou within six weeks. The suspension will remain in effect until a thorough investigation is conducted, involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria, as well as the Department of State Security Services and the National Youth Service Corps.

The Federal Ministry of Education strongly condemns these actions and seeks the support and cooperation of the public in finding solutions to prevent such occurrences in the future. Internal administrative processes are also underway to determine the responsibility of ministry staff, with applicable Public Service Rules being upheld.

The issue of degree mills, which refers to institutions operating outside the control of regulatory bodies or existing solely on paper, is a global problem faced by many countries. The Federal Ministry of Education has been actively combating this issue, including illegal institutions both abroad and within Nigeria that prey on unsuspecting individuals. Warnings have been issued periodically, and reports have been made to security agencies to crack down on these illegal operations. The ministry will continue to review its strategies and take decisive actions against any officials involved in such activities.

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has expressed optimism and readiness to welcome investors to the tourism centers in Oyo state.

He made this known in his New Year message to the people of Oyo state on Monday, January 1, where he talked about his plans for Oyo state.

Governor Seyi said his government is expecting investors to boost the tourist centers in Oyo state, including the popular Iyake Lake in Ado-Awaye, Iseyin, among others.

“We look forward to welcoming investors into our tourism sector as we seek to revitalize the Ibadan Cultural Centre and Agodi Gardens while opening the Eleyele Lake, and the Iyake Lake, Ado-Awaye, to investor interest. 

“We believe that by following this economic blueprint, with God on our side and your continued support, our administration will continue to put our dear State on the map for all the right reasons”.

In his address, the governor also implored the people of Oyo state to be law-abiding to give investors a vote of confidence that their investments are safe and sound.

“While we promise to continue making decisions that will make us proud to be from Oyo State, we implore you to work with us as we seek to bring sanity to the State by implementing the rule of law.

“It will be impossible to enforce laws without stepping on toes. I urge us all to see the bigger picture – a State where investors and tourists will be happy to come to and live because they know that they can feel safe and secure.”

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all political leaders across the country to give Nigerians enough reasons to smile in 2024.

According to the Archbishop, 2023, an election year with all its controversies, visited untold hardship on millions of Nigerians due to the prohibitive cost of most essential commodities.

The clergyman enjoined governments at all levels and across party lines to harness all available resources to fashion out policies that would help alleviate the suffering of the majority of Nigerians.

“The increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the drastic loss in the value of the naira, among other factors, have grossly affected the purchasing power of most Nigerians, who are finding it increasingly difficult to survive,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

“This, alongside insecurity in the country, has pushed the best brains in the country to yield to the Japa syndrome. Those of us who remain are struggling to breathe, as they say. This is unacceptable.

“As we begin the year 2024, we call on government, at all levels, to focus on policies that would help to rejig the economy and bring solace to the impoverished masses. Government must listen to the cries of poor Nigerians,” he said.

The Archbishop noted that oftentimes, political expediency and patronage militate against even good policies.

“So, we expect that if President Tinubu wishes to write his name in gold, he must begin to employ all resources available, human and material, and not allow politics and political expediency to stand in the way of the common good and the welfare of the majority,” he advised.

According to him: “All that Nigerians are asking for are policies that would bring down the high cost of foodstuff, reduce transportation costs, and provide gainful employment for the jobless, especially the youth.”

The Archbishop challenged President Tinubu, state governors, and members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to take the lead in prudent living by reducing the high cost of governance and avoiding unnecessary travel that does not impact the lives of the people.

He cited the number of expensive vehicles purchased for government officials by the National Assembly and the executive arm of government as an example. The other instance he cited was the bloated delegation that attended international meetings at huge government expense.

Archbishop Martins urged Nigerians to cooperate with their leaders to ensure peace and economic stability in the New Year.

He appealed to government to urgently address lingering wage-related issues that concern Nigerian workers, particularly resident doctors and university lecturers, among others.