Harmful New Year prophecies attract five-year jail term, Ghana police warn religious leaders

The Ghana Police Service have warned religious leaders to desist from New Year prophecies of “harm, danger and death” and others that could “create tension and panic” in the Anglophone West African country in the Year 2022.

In so many West African countries with mega-churches including Nigeria, New Year prophecies are reeled out by religious leaders towards the end of a preceding year or at Crossover Services on December 31st to usher in a New Year. Some of these prophecies have been known to cause panic while many of them eventually do not come to fulfilment.

The Ghana Police, therefore, in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Supt. Alexander Obeng, said persons found guilty of causing tension in the Ghanaian society through injurious prophecies could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years.

The letter marked, ‘My Ref: PAD/PRESS/VOL.3/1/256’, was titled, ‘Ghana Police Service statement on communication of Prophecies and their legal implications’.

The letter read, “As the year 2021 draws to a close, the Ghana Police Service wishes to draw the attention of Ghanaians, especially religious groups, to the fact that whereas we have the right to religion, freedom of worship and free speech, all of these rights are subject to the respect for the rights and freedoms of others according to our laws.

“Over the years, communication of prophesies of harm, danger and death, by some religious leaders, have created tension and panic in the Ghanaian society and put the lives of many people in fear and danger.

“We want to caution that under Ghanaian law, it is a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, where that person has no evidence to prove that the statement, rumour or report is true.

“It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person.

“A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years.

“We therefore wish to caution all Ghanaians, especially religious groups and leaders to be measured in their utterances, especially how they communicate prophecies, which may injure the right of others and the public interest.

“The Ghana Police Service wishes to place on record that the Police are not against prophecies; we acknowledge that we Ghanaians are a religious people who know, and believe in, the centrality of God in our lives.

“The Police wish to assure all religious organizations that we are committed to ensuring maximum security during the 31st December night, end of year services and beyond. There should be no apprehensions therefore about undertaking the various activities. We ask only that everyone keeps within the law and is mindful of the welfare of each other.

“We also urge all Ghanaians to observe the COVID-19 protocols religiously so as to protect ourselves, families and friends from this ravaging pandemic.

“We also take this opportunity to wish all Ghanaians a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”

FG declares free train rides for Nigerians

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared free train rides for citizens from December 24 to January 4, 2022.

Mr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

”The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide.

”This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens to easily enjoy the festive period.

”Passengers are, however, advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.

”All passengers are also enjoined to observe and obey COVID-19 rules by weasanitizingce mask, washing and sanitizing of hands.“

He also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure the safety of passengers and trains during the period.

Titan Trust Bank takes over Union Bank

Titan Trust Bank Limited, which barely three years ago won the central bank’s permit to run within Nigeria, is acquiring 89.4 per cent stake in Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.

“Completion of the transaction is subject to obtaining applicable regulatory approvals and the fulfilment of certain conditions precedent,” Union Bank told Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in a note on Thursday.

The transaction will soften the ground for Titan Trust to hold the largest equity stake by a single investor in any of the country’s publicly quoted banks.

That implies only a limited portion of Union Bank’s shares will be readily available in the open market when the deal is delivered except a corporate resolution to sell down parts of the newly bought interest happens.

Shares in Union Bank gained 9.78 per cent in Lagos following the news, the biggest price increase by any stock of the 157 equities listed on the NGX.

Titan Trust has been operating in obscurity since inception, with a few branches, recording N2.9 billion in after-tax profit for 2020 compared to Union Bank’s N18.8 billion and an asset value of N136.3 billion, relative to the latter’s N2.2 trillion.

But the lender has positioned itself as a challenger with a heart for big things, making its takeover of better-known Union Bank obviously the biggest upset in Nigeria’s M&A scene so far in 2021 and potentially for the whole of the year.

Titan Trust Bank has an alliance with Citibank, headquartered in New York, which serves it as a correspondent bank.

To reflect the fresh change and for branding purposes, another name for Union Bank will most likely be adopted when the acquisition is perfected. Union Bank launched as Nigeria’s second oldest bank in 1917 when London-based Barclays Bank opened shop in Lagos.

“The deal represents a unique opportunity to combine Union Bank’s longstanding and leading banking franchise with TTB’s innovation-led model which promises to enhance the product and service offering for our combined valued customers,” said Tunde Lemo, Titan Trust’s chair.

Atlas Mara, a British Virgin Islands-based financial services group and Union Bank’s biggest shareholder, has since January been the subject of a series of exclusive Bloomberg reports on the plan to offload its 50 per cent holding in Union Bank.

The bank’s spokesperson refused to react when PREMIUM TIMES approached her for comment, with Union Bank itself saying days after that a PREMIUM TIMES report on the divestment plan was “unsubstantiated.”

Titan Trust will be purchasing the 89.4 per cent slice from Union Global Partners Limited, its new majority shareholder according to the document, the seller having procured the shares from a pool of stakes previously held by different investors.

Commenting on the transaction, the chairperson of Union Bank, Beatrice Bassey, said: “On behalf of the Board, we congratulate all the parties involved in reaching this phase of the transaction and the Board looks forward to supporting the next steps to ensure a seamless completion of the process following regulatory approvals. We are grateful to our current investors whose significant and consequential investments over the past nine years facilitated the transformation of Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest and storied institutions. Today, the Bank is well-positioned with an innovative product offering, a growing customer base of over six million and consistent year on year profitability. This is a solid foundation for our incoming investors to build on as we move into a new era for the Bank.”

The chairperson of Titan Trust Bank, Tunde Lemo, said: “The Board of Titan Trust Bank and our key stakeholders are delighted as this transaction marks a key step for Titan Trust in its strategic growth journey and propels the institution to the next level in the Nigerian banking sector.The deal represents a unique opportunity to combine Union Bank’s longstanding and leading banking franchise with TTB’s innovation-led model which promises to enhance the product and service offering for our combined valued customers.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Okonkwo, said: “This transaction marks a significant milestone in the journey of our 104-year old Bank. Whilst thanking our current investors for their unwavering commitment to the Bank over the years, we welcome our new core investor, TTB. We recognize thestrategic fit between the two institutions and expect that this deal will deliver the best outcome for our employees, customers and stakeholders. We look forward to collectively writing the next exciting chapter for Union Bank.”

Also the Chief Executive Officer of Titan Trust Bank, Mudassir Amray, said: “After completing over two years of operations with aggressive organic growth, we are excited to have an opportunity for a significant leap forward in market share. UBN’s widespread presence, state of the art technology platform, quality staff and strong brand loyalty fits well with our synchronized modular strategy. We look forward to delivering superior results for the benefit of our staff, customers, shareholders, and stakeholders.”

We’re probing possible hacking of Olori Naomi’s Instagram page over claim of her marriage to Ooni hitting the rocks - Ooni's palace

Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has again reacted to Olori Naomi's disclosure of ending her marriage to the monarch. 

The palace which countered claim of marriage between the monarch and his wife hitting the rocks, said they are probing a possible hack of Olori Naomi’s Instragam page.

In an interview with Punch, Director of Media and Strategy, Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare, said as of Wednesday evening, Ogunwusi and Naomi went to bed as husband and wife, before the Queen released a statement announcing the end of their marriage on Thursday December 23. 

Olafare also stated that separation in marriage cannot be done by just one person. He further claimed that as at Wednesday, Ooni of Ife was still packaging a special Christmas gift for Queen Naomi. 

 

He said; 

“Separation is a two-way affair, it is not something that is announced by one party. The announcement of separation is subject to agreement by both parties.

“The palace is not aware of such separation because we all went to bed last night (Wednesday) the two being the king and queen.

“So, if by this morning, the queen went to social media to write that she is no longer in marriage with Ooni, we will look into it to see whether or not the Instagram page truly belongs to her, and to know the reason behind it.

“But as of today, this moment, the palace is not aware of the separation. Marriage is a private affair, no matter how prominent the personalities involved, it is a private affair.

“We will dig deeper and know what happened, but like I said, all of us just woke up to read about the separation on social media.

"Even by this time yesterday, (Wednesday) kabiyesi was still packaging special gift for her.

“If you want to separate with someone, you cannot be packaging gift for her. I was aware that Kabiyesi was putting special Christmas gift together for her. If he is not in love with her, he cannot be doing that. In fact, the Christmas gift has been delivered to her already.”

Queen Naomi Silekunola Bares It All, Quits as Wife of Ooni … Secrets Exposed

This is surely a December to remember for everyone especially people in the royal stools.

Few hours ago Ooni’s wife, Silekunola Naomi quit her role as the Queen of Ile-Ife and as wife of the monarch. Queen Silekunola Naomi revealed she’s no longer the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

Recalls that Queen Naomi, an Evangelist married the traditional ruler in October 2018 and they have a son, Prince Tadenikawo Ogunwusi together in November 2020.

However, she took to her verified Instagram handle and wrote…

I bless the Lord almighty for His faithfulness in the last 3years of my marriage. In life’s journey, it isn’t how far. Still, how well, indeed though satan should buffet if trials should come, I have this blessed assurance controlling all situations and saying to me it is well with my soul. Certainly, it is well. I made my journey into the ancient throne of Ife with faith in my heart and love for the keeper of it.

Few impressions I would love to correct. If anyone knows otherwise, they are free to come up with facts. Let it be known that this decision to move on did not come because his majesty is married to another queen. As many would love to assume, throughout our life as a couple, I was the only married wife to him. There were side attractions, but it was never an issue.

I never approached him with any revelation of any sort, as many believed he contacted me first and made his proposal known several months later.

The marriage was not an arranged one, as many have misconstrued. I never knew the prophetess said to have introduced me to him. Instead, he introduced her to me after I agreed to marry him. I was only being polite out of respect for him.

I have never been pregnant all my life before Tadenikawo; my son is my first ever pregnancy with medical reports to back it up.

The girl who is said to be my daughter is my niece

I did my best to endure and make it work; many times, I smiled through the struggle, but I have finally realised I had just one assignment, my son, and when God is done, He is done. He chose Saul to be king, and when He was done, He told the prophet Samuel I have moved on. Religion was never an issue between us; please refer to my interview on News Central TV. Instead, His Majesty has a picture he would love the world to see and perceive him as and another one which is his true self.

Today I announce the beginning of a new dawn and the close of a chapter. Today, I am a mother to God’s unique gift. I am no longer a slave to my thoughts of perfection. I, at this moment, announce that I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince.to be cont.

NYSC backs Army on detention of female soldier who accepted a proposal from a corps member

The National Youth Service Corps has backed the Nigerian army on detention of female soldier, Army Private Hannah Sofiat, after she accepted a marriage proposal from her corps member lover, at the NYSC orientation camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday December 21, Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Shuaibu explained that the Army is a strong institution which was founded on the basis of discipline.

Shuaibu further stated that the Nigerian army will not take anything that will impinge on discipline lightly.

 

He said; 

 

“Every organisation has its own customs and traditions, and we have to abide by it. We, on our part, have spoken to our corps members.

“We encourage them to inter-marry, but we have never had a situation where a corps member will go and propose (to a soldier).

“The Army has its own tradition and they will not joke with it. So, we always tell our corps members to play by the rules. 

“I can assure that the army as an institution is built on its customs and traditions, and anything that will impinge on discipline, they will not take it lightly.”

ASUU, others issue 24-hour deadline to Fayemi on N3.17bn payment, threaten strike

Workers of tertiary institutions in Ekiti State have given the state government till Tuesday morning to release their unpaid five months subventions amounting to N3.172bn.

The workers, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee of Subventing Institutions in Ekiti State, said, “Any failure on the part of government to accede to this demand will no doubt lead to declaration of an unprecedented industrial dispute with the state government and, at that stage, we should not be blamed for the forms it may take.”

The institutions include Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti; Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere; Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti; and Ekiti State College of Health, Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti.

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, EKSU chapter, Dr Kayode Arogundade, who spoke on behalf of the labour unions of the institutions at a press conference with the theme “Governor Kayode Fayemi’s flagrant refusal to defray our five months’ outstanding subventions is a keg of gunpowder,” lamented that the state government had abandoned the institutions.

He said, “Succinctly put, we demand that the five months subventions due to all subventing institutions in Ekiti State amounting to just N3.172billion be released within the next 24 hours.

“The institutions in Ekiti State will like to appeal to stakeholders to help reach out to the state governor on the need to deviate from his inept plan at destroying the state further before his exit from office come October 16, 2022.”

JACOSIES took a swipe at the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state over “recent romance” with the state government, saying “The NLC leadership for fear of the stomach is fond of unrepentantly suppressing truth and alienating the union leaderships of subverting institutions.”

Undergraduate arrested for stealing cables blames mother for eloping with lover

Operatives of the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps have arrested four suspected electric cable vandals in Ilupeju Ekiti in the Oye Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

The Ekiti Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd), said the corps also arrested a suspected motorcycle thief in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

Komolafe, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Monday while parading the five suspects, said, “The four suspects went from Ado Ekiti to attack a building in Ilupeju Ekiti, where they stole all the electric cables in the house. The people around the area suspected their movements, and of course the bags they were carrying.

“The people raised the alarm and drew the attention of our men. We searched them and we discovered the cables in the bags, following which they confessed to the crime.

“The fifth suspect was caught in the act of stealing a motorcycle alongside a fleeing colleague on Friday. Our men arrested him when he was trying to steal the motorcycle. We got a distress call and unfortunately for him, we arrested him in the process, while his friend fled.

“The five suspects will be handed over to the police for further investigation while efforts will be intensified to arrest the fleeing friend of the suspected Okada robber.”

One of the suspects, identified simply as Ojo, who claimed to be a 300-level law student in a Nigerian university, said he stole the cables to raise money for his school fees.

The 18-year-old said, “I lost my father years ago and my mother has stopped financing my education in the university after eloping with another man. I am a 300-level law student. I came to Ekiti to ‘hustle’ for money to pay my school fees.

“I have never been involved in any crime in my life and I regret doing this. I want the government to have mercy on me and allow me to return to my education. I want to be a lawyer.”

YSM Ratifies Banji Ayiloge As Vice-Chairman

The Yoruba Self-Determination Movement has ratified Banji Ayiloge as Vice-Chairman at the council meeting held on Saturday, 18th December 2021.

Mr Banji Ayiloge was presented to the council for ratification alongside five others.

 

Banji Ayiloge; is a respected political economist, journalist and Yoruba nationalist. He is a visionary who believes that the salvation of the Yoruba people lies in taking their destiny into their own hands. 

 

As an activist for the Yoruba cause, he said that “no Nation can develop by paying lip service to human development capital, requisite infrastructure, and industrial development”. He proposes a purposeful education, adequate infrastructure, and a massive industrial development to employ the Yoruba youths after the Yoruba has freed itself from the domination of outsiders. 

He sees a correlation between the government's lip services to robust infrastructural development and the dearth of jobs for the youths. The less the government does for the people, the more minor the civil service jobs, and consequently the more negligible the commercial and industrial engagement throughout the land.

 

Banji Ayiloge, an activist and rights advocate, founded the Nigerian Peoples Forum based in New York in 1990. Through this organization, the group joined the NADECO ABROAD, became a member of the UDFN and NALICON – all organizations that fought for the return of civilian administrations in Nigeria during a protracted military regime.  

He also became the National Secretary of Egbe Omo Yoruba ( Association of Yoruba Descendants in the U.S. and Canada). During his tenure, Egbe Omo Yoruba established the Yoruba House in Washington DC – serving as the headquarter of the struggle against the military regime.  The organization launched the Yoruba radio to broadcast directly to our people at home. 

He is fondly remembered as the war-time National Secretary of the Egbe. Egbe Yoruba compiled the first comprehensive  Yoruba Agenda – styled the Yoruba Position; it served as the first blueprint for other Yoruba organizations. 

He co-produced and co-hosted  The African Peoples Forum -  cablecast on the public channel in the New York area.

He is a developmental economist who acquired in-depth knowledge regarding economic policies and the underlying theories relating to the world economy, economic growth, and development. He possesses a deep understanding of the critical relationship between economic ideas and political decisions, theories of international trade, and other economic developmental issues. Others include the analysis of global economic policies and foreign policy, international law and economic development: political risks' management, International politics, and qualitative methods. 

Mr Banji Ayiloge acquired a thorough knowledge of Communications theories and practice, including writing for publication (print and broadcast) and anchoring programs on radio and television. Provided needed leadership and spearheaded the mobilization of our nationals during a critical period in the nation's history.

Banji was born at Ijare, Ondo state, where he had his Elementary Education, his secondary education at Akure and Igbara-Oke, before attending the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos in the seventies. He worked for the Federal Ministry of Communications and later the DAILY TIMES group, THE NEW NIGERIAN, and after the LAGOS RADIO/TELEVISION as a senior reporter before traveling to New York. He attended the New York Institute of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A) in Communication Arts and a Master's Degree in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University in New York.

 

Banji Ayiloge has been married to his wife of more than four decades. The marriage has been blessed with four children and grandchildren and still counting.

YSM believes he will work well with the chairman; Prof. Banji Akintoye in all areas needed to liberate the Yorubas, and the realisation of an independent Yoruba Nation.

Nasarawa government bans sale and use of charcoal amid hike in cooking gas

The Nasarawa State Government has placed a ban on the use and sale of charcoal in the state in a bid to protect the environment.

This was disclosed at a press briefing in Lafia during the weekend by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Aliyu Agwai.

Agwai said the process of producing charcoal is harmful to the environment, stressing that it possesses the ability of destroying the climate and increasing global warming.

The Permanent Secretary noted that burning of charcoal, especially, would produce harmful emission capable of affecting health of residents.

He said: "Cutting trees can result in the loss of habitat for animal species, which can harm the ecosystems.

"Almost all the land animals and plants live in forests and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes."

He warned those selling and using charcoal to desist to avoid prosecution.

This comes as a number of Nigerians resort to cooking with charcoal due to the hike in cooking gas.

Nasarawa government bans sale and use of charcoal amid hike in cooking gas

Chile elects 35-year-old Gabriel Boric as president

The streets of Santiago erupted in celebration Sunday after leftist millennial Gabriel Boric became Chile’s youngest-ever president-elect with an unexpectedly large victory over his far-right rival in a polarizing race.

Boric, 35, garnered nearly 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for ultra-conservative Jose Antonio Kast, who conceded even before the final result was known.

Tens of thousands of Chileans took to the streets of the capital and other cities after Kast’s concession, honking car horns in approval, brandishing pro-Boric placards, waving the rainbow LGBTQ flag and shouting: “Viva Chile!”

Fireworks lit the skies for hours on end.

“I’m thrilled, I am crying with joy. We dealt a blow to fascism!” pharmacy worker Jennie Enriquez, 45, told AFP.

“I am happy because there are going to be many changes that will help the people and the working class,” added construction worker Luis Astorga, 58.

Boric had campaigned on the promise of installing a “social welfare” state, increasing taxes and social spending in a country with one of the world’s largest gaps between rich and poor.

Branded a “communist” by his detractors, he vowed in his first official address Sunday to “expand social rights” in Chile, but to do so with “fiscal responsibility.”

“We will do it protecting our macro-economy, we will do it well… to improve pensions and healthcare,” he said.

– ‘Great triumph’ –

Kast congratulated Boric, who leads an alliance that includes Chile’s Communist Party, “on his great triumph.”

“From today on, he is the president-elect of Chile and he deserves all our respect and constructive cooperation. Chile always comes first.”

Kast is an apologist for brutal dictator Augusto Pinochet and his neo-liberal economic model, credited with Chile’s relative wealth but blamed for its deep-rooted social inequality.

He opposes same-sex marriage, contraception and abortion, and had initially pledged to close the ministry of women’s affairs, a promise he later rowed back on.

According to a projection by Chile’s Servel election body, turnout was more than 55 percent — a record since voting became voluntary in 2012.

Boric won by a margin of nearly a million ballots out of 8.3 million cast by 15 million eligible voters.

“Clearly more young people came out, it seems clear… that Boric managed to mobilize the segment that is more difficult to mobilize, which is the segment of young people,” Claudia Heiss of the University of Chile told AFP.

“All (Kast’s) anti-rights, anti-women, anti-gay speech, I think it helped mobilize that young segment,” she added.

The new president will face the difficult task of healing a society reeling from a polarizing campaign replete with antagonistic attacks and fake news onslaughts.

For a country that has voted centrist since the democratic ousting of Pinochet 31 years ago, it was a stark choice between two polar opposite political outsiders.

Boric on Sunday reiterated his plans for “a more humane Chile, a more dignified Chile, a more egalitarian Chile.”

Congratulations poured in from elsewhere in Latin America, from Brazil’s ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel and Argentina’s Alberto Fernandez on the left, to right-wing presidents Ivan Duque of Colombia and Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador.

Boric and Kast had softened their policy proposals in a bid to appeal to Chileans left without an obvious candidate when they split the centrist vote in the first round, leaving only the two antipodes.

Both represent parties that have never been in government.

– ‘President of all Chileans’ –

Chile is going through profound change after voting overwhelmingly last year in favor of drawing up a new constitution to replace the one enacted in the Pinochet years.

The 2020 referendum was in response to an anti-inequality social uprising in 2019 that left dozens dead.

The drafting process, in the hands of a largely left-leaning body elected in May, must yield a constitution for approval next year, on the new president’s watch.

President Sebastian Pinera, who leaves office with a low approval rating, said Sunday the country was living in “an environment of excessive polarization, confrontation, disputes.”

Pinera urged his successor, before the result was known, to never forget that “he will be the president of all Chileans, and not just those who support him.”

Boric will be inaugurated in March next year.

AFP

Final year student dies in motorcycle accident shortly after her exam in Nasarawa

A final year student of the Department of Economics/Geography, College of Education (COE) Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Ruth Abraham, has died in a motorcycle accident. 

It was gathered that the student was killed shortly after her 8:00am exam on Thursday December 16.

The accident which occurred at the school gate left her dead on the spot while her friend and coursemate identified as Felicia survived. 

18 corps members escape death in Delta bus explosion

No fewer than 18 serving members of the National Youth Service Corps in Delta State escaped death by a whisker when a commercial bus conveying them from the orientation camp at Issele-Uku, in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State en route to Warri, went up in flames.

Podiummedia gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday, December 15, 2021.

Sources said the bus suddenly burst into flames along the way, but no life was lost.

It was learnt that some corps members lost their valuables, including luggage and phones, which were burnt in the bus.

The state NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mr Chidi Nnorom, said, “We thank God no life was lost.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Adebanjo asks EFCC to probe Tinubu, Akande’s sources of wealth

Leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, on Thursday, lambasted former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, for saying he (Adebanjo) pestered APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu, to build him a house in Lekki, where he now resides.

The 93-year-old Afenifere leader, who explained how he gathered funds to build his Lekki residence, also asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe the sources of the wealth of Tinubu and Akande.

Adebanjo stated this at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday in response to the allegation made against him by Akande in his 559-page autobiography, titled ‘My Participations’, launched in Lagos last week. In attendance at the book launch include Tinubu; the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; amongst others.

“One day, Sir Olaniwun (Ajayi) was launching a book at Muson Centre, Lagos. After the book presentation, Tinubu said I should not go and that he would like to see me. We met in a small room where he also invited Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. ‘Papa, you can see that this document is old, Tinubu said as he handed over a big envelope to Ajayi. This is your C of O (Certificate of Occupancy)!’

“Tinubu told me later that after he presented Adebanjo’s C of O to him, Adebanjo was always pestering Tinubu until he helped built a house on the plot. The street was also named in honour of Adebanjo and he is living in that house now at Lekki Phase One,” Akande had alleged.

Reacting at the press conference, Adebanjo said it was shocking that Tinubu had yet to set the records straight on the allegation made by Akande despite that the former Lagos governor once praised him (Adebanjo) for his “incorruptibility and strength of character”.

Continuing Adebanjo said, “A lot has been said in the press and the social media to demolish tantrums. But I owe a duty to myself and to put the record straight for posterity about the big lie that Bola Tinubu built my house in Lekki for me. I therefore deny categorically that my house at Lekki was built with my resources through the sale of 3 developed properties, loan from GTBank and the sale of undeveloped landed property given me by my late leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory.

“The details are as follows:

“1. A 4 bedroom duplex with 2 bedroom flat enclosed with 2 undeveloped plots at plot 4, block 14, Nuru Oniwo Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos State, this is where I was living before moving to Lekki. The house was commissioned in 1972 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“A wing of the duplex was once occupied by a staff of the security outfit then known as “special branch” headed then by the late Alhaji M.D. Yussuf who later became Inspector General of Police when General Olusegun Obasanjo was the Head of State. It was later occupied by one of the wives Chief Pius Akinyelure, who often visit his wife there in company of Senator Bola Tinubu.

“The gate of this property was forced open by Abacha security forces when NADECO was holding a sendoff party for American ambassador Walter Carrington in my house, I took the Federal Government to court for damages and I was awarded #1million naira which has not been paid till today by the Federal Government, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, was my counsel. The house was sold to St Baths Aglican Church, Aguda, Surulere.

“2. Two storey building at Odedola Street, Surulere, Lagos State. I bought it through an Estate Agent by name Mr. Shiwoniku who has relocated to UK, he has a brother who is a legal practitioner in Abuja.

The house was sold to a Ghanaian by name Mr Akappo. He is still alive and he lives in one of the flat in the building.

“3. Four storey building with a warehouse on the ground floor and six flats on top. It was commissioned by Chief Awolowo in 1977.

I inherited the plot of 45’X100’ from my mother Salamotu Anomo-Adebanjo, who built a bungalow on it.

“She bought the land when I was in primary school in 1940 from one Pa. Idowu Onitiri for £20, which she paid by installment of £10, £7, £3. His son Akanbi Onitiri, executed the conveyance for me without extra payment after showing him the purchase receipts from his father, when I was developing it in 1976. Akanbi Onitiri is the father of Sumbo Onitiri, a well known estate surveyor in Lagos. The building was sold to a woman through an estate agent.

“I then took a loan from GTBank to complete the house in Lekki where I am living now. When the interest on the loan became unbearable, I was compelled to sell the undeveloped land given to me by Chief Awolowo in Dide-Olu Estate in Maroko Victoria Island. One Mr. Ade Otusanya a friend of my son Femi Ayo-Adebanjo bought the land.

“The contractor who built my Lekki house is Engr. Hakeem Sulaiman, Senior Partner of Messrs HA associates. The Electrical and Mechanical Contractor is Engr. Tokunbo Oshokoya, Senior Partner of Messrs Oshea Projects. The Architect is Mr. Deji Johnson. The Quantity Surveyor is the late Otunba T.B Adebayo.

“The Lekki property, the house in my village, Isanya Ogbo, and 3 Bedroom flat in a town house, at Omorinre Street in Lekki are the properties I have in the whole world.

“I hereby authorize the EFCC to verify the above facts.

“It is alleged that Chief Bisi Akande’s building at Ila-Orogun, which I understand is more than double in expanse of my house in Lekki and some other properties he has in Lagos and abroad were financed by Bola Tinubu. His house in Ibadan was also alleged to have been built by the contractor that built the secretariat in Osogbo, when he was the Governor of Osun State.

“I hereby challenge Chief Bisi Akande to clear the air by disclosing the source of financing these properties as I have done above.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the great philanthropist should also disclose the source of his wealth with which he bankrolled the elections of APC in the Southwest and that of General Muhammad Buhari and his various properties in Lagos. He should also authorize the EFCC to verify such details as I have done above.”

Tears as fire guts Balogun market in Lagos

Many traders at the popular Balogun market in Lagos State wept on Thursday morning as fire burnt their goods.

The fire incident, which started at midnight, occurred nine days before Christmas.

Many of the traders lamented that they had stocked millions of goods for end-of-year sales before the fire incident occurred.

Podiummedia gathered that many traders selling clothes and bags were most hit.

One of the affected traders, identified simply as Iya Akande, broke down in tears While narrating the incident.

She lamented that some of them took loans to purchase goods ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

“I just came to the market to open my shop and saw many traders crying. I looked up and saw that our goods have been gutted by fire.

“We are in trouble. Many of us took loans to get goods so that we can make much profit during this festive period.”

Asked to estimate the amount of goods burnt, she said, “millions”.

Details later…

Tears as fire guts Balogun market in Lagos

Many traders at the popular Balogun market in Lagos State wept on Thursday morning as fire burnt their goods.

The fire incident, which started at midnight, occurred nine days before Christmas.

Many of the traders lamented that they had stocked millions of goods for end-of-year sales before the fire incident occurred.

Podiummedia gathered that many traders selling clothes and bags were most hit.

One of the affected traders, identified simply as Iya Akande, broke down in tears While narrating the incident.

She lamented that some of them took loans to purchase goods ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

“I just came to the market to open my shop and saw many traders crying. I looked up and saw that our goods have been gutted by fire.

“We are in trouble. Many of us took loans to get goods so that we can make much profit during this festive period.”

Asked to estimate the amount of goods burnt, she said, “millions”.

Details later…

FG begins payment of increased police salary January

The Federal Executive Council has approved 20 per cent upward review of the salaries of the Nigeria Police Force personnel with effect from January 2022.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of the virtual Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The minister explained that the increased remuneration was a result of the demands of youths during the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country in October 2020.

Part of the demands made by the protesters was the upward review of the salaries and increased welfare for police personnel.

Dingyadi added that the approval aligned with the President’s promise to enhance police personnel’s pay as demanded by the protesters.

According to him, the increased earning is one of the ways to improve the relationship between the force and the Nigerian populace.

He said the council also approved the review of police duty tour allowance and shift allowance to six per cent, as well as the release of N1.2bn for the payment of uninsured benefits.

The minister said the sum of N13.13bn was approved for outstanding death benefits of 5,472 police personnel. He, however, stated that the payment would only commence after the Auditor General of Federation must have scrutinised and okayed it.

Dingyadi also announced a tax waiver of N18.6bn for junior police personnel.

This will not be the first time that the President is approving an increase in police salaries.

In November 2018, the President verbally approved an enhanced salary structure for the NPF and gave an assurance that his administration would continue paying attention to the welfare and operational needs of the force.

However, the directive has not led to changes in the salary structure of the police.

On her part, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the upward review for police salaries was not captured in the 2022 Appropriations Bill, adding that the government might raise a supplementary budget, which would be sent to the National Assembly for approval.

Dingyadi said, “The Federal Executive Council, under the chairmanship of Mr President, has approved the review and upgrading of the take-home pay of police personnel in this country.

“You will recall that in October 2020, this country was rocked by the #EndSARS protests. Mr President had to address the nation and appealed for calm after which he promised Nigerians that the salaries of police officers would be reviewed and improved to enhance their take-home pay in recognition of the services that they have been rendering to this country in areas of maintenance of peace and tranquillity.

“So, the Federal Executive Council today (Wednesday) approved this proposal for the review of the salaries, which will take effect in January 2022. But we tried to avoid a situation where we deal with improving or reviewing the salary scale of police officers, but we have tried to create a situation where their take-home pay will be enhanced through the improvement of issues such as duty tour allowance, which has been reviewed to six per cent of the new take-home pay.

“Council has also approved the payment of N1,000,120,172.15 for the outstanding benefits for our personnel for an uninsured period of 2013 to August 2020 that has not been covered under the group life insurance.

“It has also approved the release of N13,127,972,269.20 for payment as outstanding death benefits of 5,472 personnel for the uninsured period of 2013 to August 2021 not covered under the group life insurance scheme. Council has also approved the payment of N1.2bn as payment for outstanding barrel expenses of personnel period of January 2012 to 2021.”

EFCC raids Abuja hotel, arrests woman and others with fake $427,400

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested members of a syndicate that specialize in the production and sale of counterfeit foreign currencies, especially the dollar, to unsuspecting members of the public.

Spokesperson of the agency, Wilson Uwujaren, said the four suspects usually sold counterfeited foreign currencies to unsuspecting members of the public.

He said the suspects were arrested at Swiss Pearl Continental Hotel, Koforidua Street, in the Wuse 2 Area of Abuja, in a joint operation of the operatives of the EFCC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. He mentioned that fake currencies of U.S. dollar worth $427,400 were recovered from the suspects during the arrest.

The suspects include a woman, Princess Fashanu Adesina. Others are John Ogbaje, Emmanuel Bassey and Chidi Nwanchukwu. They volunteered useful statements which eventually led to the arrest of the syndicate’s kingpin, one Chief Douglas Mbonu on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Uwujaren warned members of the public to be wary of the activities of fraud syndicates masquerading as Bureau de Change operators, seeking to exploit the desperation of some citizens sourcing for forex for various purposes to defraud them of their hard-earned monies.

He said citizens are advised to source their forex from commercial banks in line with the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria to minimize the risk of exposure to fraud syndicates.

Nigeria’s debt rises by N2.54tn in three months, hits N38tn, says DMO

The Debt Management Office on Tuesday disclosed that Nigeria’s public debt was N38.005tn as of the end of the third quarter of 2021.

In a press statement titled, ‘DMO publishes total public debt for Q3 2021’, and published on the DMO’s website, the debt agency said the total debt figure comprised total external and domestic debts of the Federal Government , the 36 states and the Federal Capita Territory.

The statement read in part, “In line with its practice, the Debt Management Office has published Nigeria’s total public debt as at September 30, 2021. The data which includes the total external and domestic debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory, shows that Nigeria’s public debt was N38.005tn or $92.626bn at the end of Q3 2021.

The total debt stock rose by N2.540tn in three months from June 30 to September 30, 2021.

The statement further said, “The increase of N2.540tn when compared to the corresponding figure of N35.465tn at the end of Q2 2021 was largely accounted for by the $4bn Eurobonds issued by the Government in September 2021.”

It added, “The issuance of the $4bn Eurobonds has brought significant benefits to the economy by increasing the level of Nigeria’s external reserves, thereby supporting the naira exchange rate and providing necessary capital to enable the Federal Government finance various projects in the budget.

“The triple tranche $4bn Eurobond, issued in September 2021, was for the implementation of the new external borrowing of $6.18bn in the 2021 Appropriation Act.”

The Federal Government has come under heavy criticism for engaging in borrowing spree under the present administration.

Also, the National Assembly has also asked the executive to explore other sources to increase its revenue and cut down on borrowing. 

2023 Presidency: I won’t reject calls to contest - Bola Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, says he will not reject any calls from any person or group of persons asking him to contest for the Presidency in 2023.

Tinubu stated this after a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Northern Alliance Committee in Abuja on Tuesday, December 14. 

While refusing to officially declare his ambition, the 69-year-old politician said political consultations were ongoing.

“I am not going to turn them down but I will still effectively and widely consult, particularly brainstorm with my friends and find a date to come out openly and tell Nigerians. But the President is still in office.

I don’t want to distract him from all the challenges he might face today. So, don’t muddle the political waters. Consult, make our program known to the people later. And the intention is clear. So you can keep guessing,” Tinubu said

Though the former Lagos state governor is yet to declare his intention to contest any office in 2023, there have been rumors he wants to run for president.

UAE authorities has given Air Peace 7 flight slots to avoid diplomatic row

A letter confirming that United Arab Emirates authorities have granted Air Peace 7 flight slots, has been shared online. 

Podiummedia reported earlier that the Nigerian carrier was given a permit to fly directly to Dubai instead of Sharjah Airport. This was reportedly conveyed in a letter addressed to Air Peace and dated 13th December, 2021. 

This is coming after the 21 weekly flight frequency given to Emirates Airline was withdrawn by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The federal government instead gave Emirates airline one weekly slot in Abuja, following the refusal of Sharjah Airport Authorities and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE to give Air Peace the three slots it requested.

See the letter confirming the new slots below:

Marriages conducted at Federal Marriage Registries, including Ikoyi Registry, are invalid

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has ruled that it is unconstitutional for the federal government to conduct marriages.

The court, presided over by Justice D. E. Osiagor, held that only the local government marriage registries are empowered to do such by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He submitted that the conduct of marriages and issuance of certificates are statutorily the job of the local governments as provided by the law.

The judge added that the acts of the federal government through the Ministry of Interior, operating marriage registries is beyond their powers and held that all marriages conducted by federal marriage registries or through their agents are illegal and invalid.

He consequently ordered the closure of all federal marriage registries opened by the ministry, including that of Ikoyi marriage registry, with immediate effect.

There has been a legal battle between some local government areas in Nigeria against the federal government over who has the power to operate marriage registries, conduct marriages and issue marriage certificates.

The LGAs had insisted that their power to register marriages was being taken over by the federal government through the Ministry of Interior.

This prompted the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State to go to court, where it sought an order to take over the popular Ikoyi Marriage Registry being operated by the Ministry of Interior, on the grounds that the federal government, through the ministry, had no business operating a marriage registry.

Emirates resumes operations as Nigeria, UAE resolve differences

The Federal Government on Friday announced that the suspension of flights by Emirates Airlines into and out of Nigeria had been officially lifted.

It said the suspension was halted following the resolution of the differences between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates after the UAE lifted some of the restrictions imposed on travellers from Nigeria as part of measures to contain COVID-19.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, announced this at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Aviation on Friday night in Abuja.

Sirika said, “We are all aware of the situation of Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria. So today we received communication removing some of the conditions for travel which we had concerns about.

“And having done so, and being the only impediments to their operations, we also accept to lift the ban on the operations of Emirates to the country beginning from today. This is a product of lengthy negotiations between us and them.”

Sirika said the ban was lifted unconditionally, adding that going forward, Nigerians could fly directly to the UAE and back into Nigeria without restrictions.

In July this year, the UAE had insisted on travellers from Nigeria undergoing several other COVID-19 tests after the initial test in Nigeria.

It had earlier announced in June that flights from Nigeria to the UAE had been suspended, after several back and forth conversations with officials of the Federal Government.

“In line with government directives, passengers flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended with immediate effect from June 21, 2021 until further notice,” the airline had stated in a statement.

But the aviation minister said on Friday that the impeding issues had been resolved and that Emirates had officially resumed operations in Nigeria.

Gov aspirant escapes death as one killed in Benue road crash

A gubernatorial aspirant and former Chief of Staff to Benue State Governor, Terwase Orbunde on Monday escaped death.

Sources said that Orbunde’s vehicle was involved in a ghastly accident at Uchi Village along Makurdi/Gboko Road.

Orbunde was the Chief of Staff to Governor Ortom but resigned his appointment in September to pursue his governorship aspiration.

A local publisher, Babs Usigbe who ran into the accident said that the governorship aspirant had a slight head injury.

Orbunde was said to be returning from the decamping ceremony in Gboko around 5.00pm when the accident occurred.

“I was on my way from Katsina Ala to Gboko and back to Makurdi when I ran into the accident.

“A picnic commercial vehicle which was coming from Makurdi was overtaking even at a straight road. Instead of the driver of the vehicle to return to his lane, he faced the vehicle in which the governorship aspirant was, hitting it against a tree.

“Orbunde had a slight head injury but one of the passengers from the commercial vehicle died on the spot while eight other passengers were seriously injured,” Usigbe, an eyewitness said.

The eyewitness said that the governorship aspirant and his driver as well as the injured persons were quickly rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

Confirming the accident, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Benue State, Yakubu Mohammed said one person died in the accident but added that he was yet to get full details.

“It is true there was an auto crash but am yet to get full details of the accident. However, I can confirm that one person died,” Mohammed said.

Efforts to get the governorship aspirant’s media friend, Tahav Agerzua were not successful as he did not pick calls made to his cellphone.

Death certificate is free, says Gombe NPC

Head Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, National Population Commission in Gombe office, Adedeji  Adeniyi has dispelled the notion that death Certificate is paid for by Nigerians.

Adeniyi noted that it is unfortunate that some persons collect money in the disguise of processing certificates from families of the deceased.

He made this disclosure on Monday in an interview with our correspondent, amid growing concerns on the cost implications of obtaining proof of death.

A Death Certificate is a legal document issued to families of the deceased, it usually indicates the time and cause of death. It is used to process the belongings or property of the individual in question.

Adeniyi said, “Quote me anywhere, my name is Adedeji Rufai Adeniyi, all those that collected money or charge should be arrested and prosecuted. It is free, irrespective of the age, certificate of death, irrespective of any age, is free. Anybody that says you should bring money, ask the person, are you giving me a receipt? You see, we have bad eggs amongst us, no doubt about that, it is the press we rely on to expose them and let the public know their responsibility.”

Commenting on the rigorous processes of obtaining a death certificate, the NPC official noted that such methods exist because of the implications of issuing such certificates wrongly.

“A death certificate is as simple as a birth certificate. But the issue of death and the situation in Nigeria now, people tend to be funny. There’s been a situation where somebody is still living and they came to collect a death certificate to claim the person’s property.

“It led to a legal battle between the family members. Based on that we are very cautious in giving the certificate. If you know truly you lost somebody, you should be able to go to some extent to prove that truly, you want to have a death certificate for this person,” he said.

FG may extend NIN-SIM linkage deadline again, records 35% enrolment target

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has disclosed that as of December 10, 2021, over 70 million unique national identity number enrolments have been recorded.

The minister said this in his speech at the fifth-generation spectrum auction in Abuja on Monday.

A copy of the minister’s speech was sent to our correspondent by the media team of the Nigerian Communications Commission on Monday.

According to the minister, the number of enrolments recorded moved from 40 million in September 2020 to over 70 million as of December 10, 2021, showing an increase of over 30 million in slightly over a year period.

The minister said, “We have already made a number of giant strides in the development of our digital economy and the deployment of 5G networks will further support our efforts. For example, it is worthy of note that, as of December 10, 2021, we had exceeded the 70 million mark in unique NIN enrolments.

“You will recall that we had just over 40 million enrolments in September 2020. The additional enrolments, which are close to 30 million enrolments in a little over a year, constitute a truly great feat to the extent that other countries now want to learn from us.”

The Director-General of the National Identity Management Agency, Aliyu Aziz, had disclosed that the agency projected over 200 million enrolments in the national identity database.