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    Abuja Court Bars FG’s Evidence in Nnamdi Kanu Trial Over Rights Violation

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed key evidence the Federal Government attempted to present in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Justice James Omotosho ruled in favor of the defence, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Erokoro, who argued that the statements in question were obtained under duress and without legal representation.

    The court had previously ordered a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether Kanu’s statements were made voluntarily. Delivering the ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that while the defence did not conclusively prove coercion and the video evidence presented no direct signs of force, Kanu’s consistent claims of being interrogated without a lawyer could not be ignored.

    He emphasized that, according to precedents set by the Supreme Court, suspects must be afforded access to legal counsel during interrogations, especially when extrajudicial statements are being recorded.

    “This legal requirement is tied to the fundamental rights of all Nigerians,” the judge said, adding that the prosecution failed to comply with this mandate. Consequently, the court ruled the statements inadmissible.

    “The objection raised by the defence is upheld. The statements made on October 23, 2015, and in November 2015, previously admitted as evidence, are hereby excluded,” Justice Omotosho declared.

    Following the ruling, the prosecution resumed its case. The third prosecution witness, identified as CCC, continued his testimony under the examination of prosecuting counsel Suraj Saida. The witness presented a video disc titled “Interview with Sahara TV,” which was admitted as evidence and played in court.

    In the video, Kanu referred to Nigeria as a “zoo,” criticized several prominent Igbo figures, and issued threats. He accused former foreign affairs minister Ike Nwachukwu of killing Igbos and claimed that ex-Anambra governor Jim Nwobodo had betrayed fellow Igbo leader Alex Ekwueme. He also implicated Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, in alleged killings and disposal of bodies of Igbos, and accused former Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha of pushing for the Islamisation of the state.

    Kanu further threatened that Nigeria would face destruction if Biafra independence was not granted. “If they do not give us Biafra, there will be nothing living in the zoo; nothing will survive there,” he said.

    He expressed skepticism about the possibility of a peaceful resolution: “I do not see Biafra happening peacefully. There is no freedom out of a peaceful process.” Kanu also approved of an attack on the Enugu Government House and expressed support for efforts to overthrow what he described as a corrupt regime.

    During cross-examination, Erokoro questioned the witness on whether Kanu’s allegations against the named individuals had been verified. The witness responded that verifying the claims was not part of his role. His duty, he said, was only to confirm the authenticity of the interview — which Kanu admitted to giving. The witness also stated that he was unaware of any retraction Kanu might have made in subsequent videos.

    The court adjourned further proceedings to June 13, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

    A man is charged by the EFCC for refusing to accept Naira as legal currency

    The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Precious Chimaobi Uzondu before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on the alleged refusal to accept the Nigerian Naira as legal tender.

    The case, which has drawn significant public attention, underscores the ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to enforce the use of the national currency and uphold the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

    According to the charges filed by the EFCC, Uzondu is accused of refusing to accept the Naira as a means of payment during a transaction in Lagos on December 10, 2024.

    Instead, he allegedly accepted $5,700 (Five Thousand Seven Hundred US Dollars) as payment for the purchase of a Carter diamond bracelet with serial number 12345678.

    One of the counts reads:
    *“That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on the 10th of December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria’s legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5,700 (Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for the purchase of a Carter diamond bracelet with serial number 12345678, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

    The EFCC emphasized that the alleged act violates Section 20 of the CBN Act, which mandates the acceptance of the Naira as the sole legal tender for transactions within Nigeria.

    When the charges were read to him in court, Uzondu pleaded “not guilty.” Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Hannatu U. KofarNaisa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.

    In response, Uzondu’s defense counsel, Jennifer Achinuagole, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested that it be adopted as an oral application.

    However, KofarNaisa countered by presenting a written address and a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application. She urged the court to reject the defendant’s request and proceed with the trial.

    After carefully considering submissions from both parties, Justice Owoeye granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million (Five Million Naira).

    The bail conditions require two sureties, each providing the same amount.

    The sureties must own landed properties within Lagos State, which will be verified by the court, and must also swear to an affidavit of means.

    Pending the fulfillment of these bail conditions, Justice Owoeye ordered that Uzondu be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

    The case was adjourned to April 8, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

    Legal implication

    This case highlights the Nigerian government’s commitment to enforcing the use of the Naira as the country’s sole legal tender.

    The CBN Act, 2007, explicitly prohibits the refusal of the Naira for transactions within Nigeria, and violations of this provision are treated as serious offenses.

    The arraignment of Uzondu serves as a reminder to individuals and businesses of the legal consequences of rejecting the national currency.

    It also reflects the EFCC’s determination to clamp down on financial practices that undermine the Naira’s value and the country’s monetary policies.

    The Naira

    The Naira (₦) is the official currency of Nigeria, introduced on January 1, 1973, to replace the Nigerian Pound as part of the country’s transition to a decimal currency system. It is subdivided into 100 kobo.
    See also Nigerian Pastor, Helen Ukpabio, threatens “Bloody Civilian” with 200bn Naira lawsuit

    The Naira is issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which manages its circulation, value, and monetary policies.

    The currency is available in both coins and banknotes. Coins are denominated in kobo (e.g., 50 kobo, ₦1, ₦2), while banknotes come in denominations of ₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000.

    In 2023, the CBN introduced redesigned versions of the ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 notes to enhance security features, curb counterfeiting, and promote a cashless economy.

    The Naira’s value is influenced by factors such as Nigeria’s oil exports, foreign exchange reserves, inflation rates, and monetary policies.

    As the legal tender for Africa’s largest economy, the Naira plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s financial system, though it has faced challenges such as devaluation, inflation, and foreign exchange shortages in recent years.

    Despite these issues, the Naira remains a key symbol of Nigeria’s economic identity and resilience.

    Ex Gov’s Wife, Betty Akeredolu says that the blessed handkerchiefs and olive oil from the General Overseers/Pastors did not work

    The wife of the late Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has opened up about her husband’s battle with cancer, expressing her disappointment over the emphasis on spiritual solutions during his treatment.

    In an interview, Betty highlighted the importance of medical care, suggesting that her husband’s life could have been extended if he had focused more on traditional treatments instead of spiritual practices.

    She recounted the ineffective suggestions from well-meaning friends, including “mountain climbing,” “blessed handkerchiefs,” and “olive oil,” which did not yield any positive outcomes.

    “What did those mountain climbing, blessed handkerchiefs, and olive oil really achieve? If Aketi had listened to me, I wouldn’t be a widow,” Betty stated in her conversation with Star News publisher, Olumide Akinrinlola.

    Having faced breast cancer herself, Betty emphasized the critical role of early detection and medical treatment.

    The farmer and First Lady, who established the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria in 1997 to raise awareness and support those affected, insisted that cancer should be treated as a medical issue, not a spiritual one.

    “You cannot pray away breast cancer or any type of cancer,” she asserted.

    Additionally, Betty criticized the current Ondo State administration led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for its lack of direction and expressed concerns about a significant reappointment.

    While she did not provide details about governance, she hinted at the return of a former finance commissioner who had been removed for financial misconduct during her husband’s time.

    “You can see the connection as to why Lucky brought her back,” she commented.

    On a national level, Betty expressed doubt about President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying, “Only those benefiting would say that. You don’t need.”

    A man murders his wife with a hammer due to her video calls with other men

    A man, whose name is not known, is accused of killing his wife by hitting her on the head with a hammer after he suspected her of making video calls with other men.

    The suspect was quickly arrested and shared his account of the incident in a video seen by Tori Media.

    He stated that he had warned his wife multiple times about talking to other men, but she ignored his advice.

    He even went so far as to tell her mother, but her behavior did not change.

    The man also mentioned a time when he was in the hospital and found out that his wife often stayed out all night, only coming home the next day.

    This tragic event happened soon after he was released from the hospital.

    An argument broke out between them over her video calls with other men, which sadly led him to attack her with a hammer.

    However, this source could not confirm the actual situation in Nigeria where the incident occurred.

    A teenager experiences an increase in breast size following their COVID vaccination.

    A Canadian woman experienced a remarkable increase in breast size, expanding from a B cup to a triple G cup, following her Covid vaccination, marking a unique case in medical literature.

    The 19-year-old received her initial dose of the Pfizer Covid vaccine in September 2022, after which she began to notice a tingling sensation and slight growth in her breasts. These symptoms intensified after she received her second dose approximately three weeks later.

    After six months, the woman sought medical attention due to the significant enlargement of her breasts. Physicians proposed that her Covid vaccination might have induced pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH), a condition characterized by an overgrowth of cells that typically results in benign breast lumps, which has been documented in only around 200 cases globally.

    This instance represents the first documented correlation between PASH and a vaccine, although experts have cautioned that a definitive causal relationship has yet to be established. The precise mechanism by which the vaccine may have instigated this growth remains unclear; however, some studies have indicated that Covid vaccines could provoke an immune response that leads to temporarily swollen lymph nodes, thereby creating the appearance of increased breast size.

    Researchers from the University of Toronto published their findings in a medical journal last month, stating, “This case is the first to demonstrate a temporal association between PASH-associated gigantomastia and a vaccine.”

    It is important to note that adverse reactions to Covid vaccines are exceedingly rare, and the advantages of vaccination significantly outweigh the potential risks. The woman involved in this case study had no pre-existing health conditions. Although her breasts appeared swollen and sagging, no masses were detected.

    Diagnostic imaging, including an ultrasound and CT scan, revealed slightly swollen lymph nodes in the vicinity of her armpits and dense blood vessels, which were believed to be associated with the enlarged breast tissue.

    PASH is a benign breast condition that has been identified in fewer than 200 individuals worldwide since its initial description in 1986, typically resulting in non-cancerous lesions formed from specific cell types.

    Oral sex has emerged as a leading factor in the rise of throat cancer, so men should take heed

    In the last twenty years, there has been a significant rise in the incidence of throat cancer, prompting some experts to label it an epidemic.

    Oral sex has been identified as a contributing factor to this “epidemic,” with some studies suggesting it may be more harmful than smoking.

    According to an expert, throat cancer has now surpassed cervical cancer in prevalence in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

    This surge in cases has been specifically linked to a type of head and neck cancer known as oropharyngeal cancer.

    Oropharyngeal cancer, often referred to as throat or tonsil cancer, affects the base and posterior one-third of the tongue, the tonsils, the soft palate, and the posterior and lateral walls of the pharynx.

    The condition primarily impacts the tonsils and the rear of the throat and is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

    HPV is also recognized as the leading cause of cervical cancer.

    According to the NHS, HPV encompasses a widespread group of viruses that typically do not pose issues for most individuals; however, certain strains can lead to genital warts or cancer.

    There are over 100 distinct types of HPV.

    Dr. Hisham Mehanna from the University of Birmingham in the UK noted that individuals with multiple oral sex partners are over eight times more likely to develop this cancer.

    In an article for The Conversation, Dr. Mehanna stated, “In the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the West, to the extent that some have called it an epidemic.”

    Medical professionals have identified HPV infection as the primary risk factor for the development of this disease.

    Dr. Mehanna elaborated, “The prevailing theory is that most individuals contract HPV infections and are able to eliminate them entirely. However, a small subset of people cannot rid themselves of the infection, possibly due to a deficiency in a specific aspect of their immune system. In these cases, the virus can replicate continuously and, over time, integrate randomly into the host’s DNA, which can lead to the transformation of host cells into cancerous cells.”

    Land Scams in Lagos: Exposing 7 Companies You Should Avoid in 2025

    This year, I investigated numerous lands and houses in Lagos, uncovering a disturbing trend: rampant fraud and deception within the real estate sector. I’ve witnessed countless individuals fall victim to unscrupulous developers, leaving them with nothing but regret and financial ruin.

    Here are 7 companies that would make you think twice before trusting anyone with your hard-earned money.

    1. A prominent pastor selling lands in Epe is also peddling false hopes. His company aggressively markets an estate, but here’s the kicker: the C of O is already used to secure a mortgage. If you’ve bought land there, I advise fasting and praying.

    2. There’s a real estate company that starts with ‘P’ and lays estates like chickens lay eggs. Yet, every verification I’ve done shows they can’t provide original title documents. Their contracts are riddled with problems, and allocation delays stretch for months or even years. How they keep attracting buyers is a mystery

    3. Another company, beginning with ‘R,’ aggressively pushes lands for sale in Ibeju Lekki. One of the estates I investigated, sits on a proposed refinery site owned by Lagos State. That day, I gave up on verifying any of their properties. Allocation issues, bullying, and fake documentation are just the tip of their iceberg of troubles.

    4. A real estate firm starting with ‘E’ sells lands from Ajah to Ogun, but most of their properties have dubious titles. One of their estates I investigated in Ogun turned out to be on land designated for the Lagos-Ogun Port Authority. To everyone who bought there? Say goodbye to your investment because government bulldozers don’t respect emotions.

    5. A company starting with ‘K’ operates out of VGC Shopping Complex. One UK client bought land from them only to discover later that it was government-acquired for an industrial layout. Now, the client and the company are exchanging legal blows.

    6. A developer on Orchid Road whose name starts with ‘U’, known for his love of short knickers, sells houses with incomplete or bad title documents. Buyers are promised governor’s consent, but it’s rarely completed. Once he’s done selling one estate, he abandons the residents and moves on, leaving them to face harassment and possible demolition.

    7. A company starting with ‘W’ is selling lands after Orchid Road behind Cooplag Estate that fall under the proposed Coastal Road. A client of mine almost bought two plots but hesitated over hidden charges. When I uncovered the truth, the director tried to bribe me with ₦2 million to keep quiet. Imagine selling danger based on “I believe the government will change their mind’.

    These are just some of the shady dealings I’ve uncovered this year. Lagos has over 10,000 real estate companies, and it’s impossible to investigate them all. Do your research, demand original documents, and verify thoroughly. Don’t let these fraudsters turn your 2025 dreams into nightmares.

    by Mathew Ottah

    HMPV Virus: China is experiencing a new virus outbreak five years following the Covid pandemic

    China is currently experiencing an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), occurring five years after the severe Covid-19 pandemic.

    Diaspora Digital Media reports that the virus is spreading swiftly, with reports indicating that hospitals and crematoriums are becoming overwhelmed.

    This outbreak presents symptoms such as fever, cough, and respiratory distress, which are reminiscent of those observed in COVID-19 cases.

    Chinese officials have linked this increase in cases to the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and the arrival of the colder season.

    They suspect that known pathogens, including influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, may be contributing factors.

    Nevertheless, the precise cause of this outbreak remains unidentified, and authorities are actively working to determine the source and mitigate the spread.

    The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration is set to implement a protocol for laboratories to report cases, as well as for disease control and prevention agencies to verify and manage these instances, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV, citing an official from the administration during a press conference.

    Data concerning acute respiratory diseases indicated a rising trend in overall infections during the week of December 16 to 22, according to an official announcement made on Thursday.

    What is HMPV?

    Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a prevalent virus that typically results in symptoms akin to those of a common cold.

    Most individuals are infected with HMPV by the age of five, and while the majority of cases are mild, young children, seniors over 65, and individuals with compromised immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness.

    Symptoms associated with HMPV include fever, cough, runny or congested nose, wheezing, shortness of breath, sore throat, and rash.

    The virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.

    Although there is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV, most individuals can manage their symptoms at home until recovery occurs.

    In more severe instances, hospitalization may be required to monitor the patient’s condition and provide necessary care.

    Russia declares the creation of a free cancer vaccine for all people worldwide

    Minister Murashko has made a groundbreaking announcement: Russia has developed a cancer vaccine, "OncoVax," which will be offered free of charge to all citizens around the globe.

In a powerful statement, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko emphasized this pivotal advancement as a potential revolution in cancer treatment that could save millions of lives. “OncoVax has shown promising clinical trial results, effectively targeting various cancers, including breast, lung, and colorectal,” he declared, his voice resonating with hope.

Behind this scientific triumph lies a dedicated team of Russian scientists and international specialists who have poured their hearts into this project over the last five years, collaborating with esteemed medical research institutions. 

“This is not just a scientific achievement for Russia; it represents a profound commitment to global health,” Murashko continued passionately. “We believe that every individual deserves the right to protection against cancer, irrespective of their financial means.”
The vaccine harnesses innovative technology that empowers the body’s immune system to recognize and annihilate cancerous cells. Preliminary trials reveal an astounding efficacy rate nearing 80%, igniting a renewed sense of hope among patients and their families.
In a bold initiative, the Russian government plans to partner with international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure equitable distribution and administration of the vaccine across nations.

While many health experts hail this effort as a monumental leap forward in cancer prevention and treatment, skepticism lingers within the international medical community. Critics voice concerns over the vaccine’s long-term efficacy and potential side effects due to its rapid development, urging for greater transparency in the clinical trial data.

Yet, despite the dissenting voices, anticipation is palpable. The Russian government is set to begin mass production of OncoVax soon, with a commitment to prioritizing vaccinations for vulnerable populations worldwide.

As the world watches closely, the success of OncoVax could herald a significant breakthrough in the relentless fight against one of humanity's leading causes of death.

    2025: The complete and heartfelt message from President Tinubu to the resilient people of Nigeria on New Year’s Day

    Fellow Nigerians,

    As we enter 2025, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. May you be rich in joy, success, and good health.As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfill our collective desires.Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days.Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation. Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and we recorded foreign trade surpluses in three consecutive quarters. Foreign reserves have risen, and the Naira has strengthened against the US dollar, bringing greater stability.The stock market’s record growth has generated trillions of naira in wealth, and the surge in foreign investment reflects renewed confidence in our economy. Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

    In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.The Company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.On a personal note, thank you for placing your confidence in me as your president. Your trust humbles me, and I promise to continue serving you diligently and wholeheartedly.We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united.We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.CITIZENSHIPTo achieve our national goals and objectives, we must become better citizens and uncompromising in our devotion and allegiance to Nigeria.Citizens’ moral rectitude and faith in our country are fundamental to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, we will commit to promoting adherence to ethical principles, shared values, and beliefs under the National Identity Project.I will unveil the National Values Charter, already approved by the Federal Executive Council, in the first quarter of 2025.I will launch an ambitious national orientation campaign that fosters patriotism and love for our country and inspires citizens to rally together.The Charter will promote mutual commitments between the government and citizens and foster trust and cooperation among our diverse population and between the government and the citizens.As far-reaching and foundational as our reforms are, they can produce the desired outcomes only through shared common values and identities and unconditional love for our country.The Youth Confab will begin in the first quarter of 2025, a testament to our commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders.The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from our diverse, youthful population.Dear Compatriots, I urge you to continue believing in yourselves and keeping faith in our blessed country.Let me use this New Year’s message to urge our governors and local council chairpersons to work closely with the central government to seize emerging opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms and move our nation forward.I commend governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition. The Federal Government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building.The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams.God bless you all, and may God bless our beloved country, Nigeria.Happy New Year and a prosperous 2025 to you all!*Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria January 1, 2025.

    The worst African prison ‘where inmates are forced to eat rotting corpses’

    An African prison has been described as “hell on earth” as prisoners detail the horrific conditions they live in, including the smell of rotting flesh.

    Inmates at the Rwanda prison Gitarma, which was previously labelled one of the world’s deadliest, are allegedly forced to eat corpses of other prisoners in order to survive.

    Some of the country’s most violent criminals, including rapists, robbers and murderers lay inside the crowded walls.

    There are even reportedly some fears a few of these people are completely innocent.

    The site is on the outskirts of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, and was built in 1960 as accommodation for British workers who were in the country.

    Later on, it was be converted into the prison and designed to hold more than 400 prisoners at a time.

    Sewage systems in the prison have broke, meaning inmates have to walk through their own faeces.

    Reports suggest the gruesome conditions and lack of space have often left inmates with no choice but to stand up as they wrestle for space with around 8,000 inmates – despite the prison’s capacity being somewhere between 1,300 and 3,000.

    During the Rwandan genocide in the mid 1990s, the jail apparently held close to 50,000 in unspeakable conditions as every inch of the walls were used to hold people, the Daily Star reports.

    More than 1,000 men are said to have died in Gitarama in 1995 alone.

    Even today, the stink of faeces and rotting flesh is said to be detectable up to a mile away.

    It’s claimed multiple people can die a day due to the cruel condition at Gitarma jail, with things worsened by reports there is no proper sewer system and convicts are left to walk barefoot through their own faeces.

    Human rights organisations have protested against the deplorable conditions inside the jail over the decades but have failed to succeed in improving conditions.

    Switzerland-based International Bridges to Justice campaigned to end the savage treatment of detainees inside the prison, with a spokesman saying: “Ordinary men, women and children facing charges can wait in legal purgatory indefinitely, with little if not no access to family, medical assistance, and legal counsel.

    “Some have been imprisoned for 16 years without an expected date of trial. It does not have to be that way. We seek to decongest Gitarama Prison and ensure timely, fair trials for detainees.”

    Lt-Col Charles Kayonga, commander of Gitarama in the mid-1990s, heartbreakingly admitted it was quite possible that some of the inmates were innocent.

    He added: ”It’s possible some are innocent. I’m not saying our methods were always thorough. But the vast majority of these people are killers.”

    Meanwhile, the Congolese Government has freed over 500 prisoners at the Makala Prison to ease concerns of overcrowding and safety.

    Tragedy as Woman collapses, dies whilst giving Testimony in church

    A 55 year old woman simply identified as Ifeoma has reportedly died while giving testimony at the Ministry Church in Ejigbo, Lagos State.

    She collapsed at the altar of the church around 8:48am on Sunday, September 8.

    While confirming the unfortunate incident, the spokesman of Lagos Police Command, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin stated that Ifeoma was at the front of the church singing songs of gratitude as she was gearing up to share her testimony.

    According to the police image maker, Ifeoma suddenly collapsed and was immediately rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

    Hundeyin added that the incident was reported to the command by the zonal accountant of the church in Ejigbo.

    He mentioned that police operatives who were dispatched to the hospital were informed that Ifeoma’s husband and family had already taken her body to Anambra State, her hometown, for her funeral.

    Kim Jong-un executes 30 officials over flood response failures

    Kim Jong-un executes 30 officials

    North Korea reportedly executed 30 government officials last month for their alleged failure to effectively respond to devastating floods and landslides that claimed the lives of over 4,000 people.

    The officials were charged with corruption and dereliction of duty, according to a report by South Korean outlet TV Chosun.

    The catastrophic flooding struck the Chagang province in July, displacing more than 15,000 people and causing widespread destruction.

    The northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighbouring Uiju were particularly hard-hit, with over 4,100 homes, 7,410 acres of farmland, and vital infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and railway lines, severely damaged.

    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly ordered harsh penalties for the officials deemed responsible for the inadequate disaster response, according to the Independent.

    The North Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities were instructed to “strictly punish” those accountable.

    An unnamed official within the Kim regime told TV Chosun that 20 to 30 high-ranking cadres in the flood-stricken areas were executed late last month.

    However, the report has yet to be independently verified, raising questions about the extent and accuracy of the information emerging from the secretive state.

    AP reports that after devastating floods, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that the country would not accept any international aid.

    However, he ordered officials to relocate thousands of displaced residents to the capital, Pyongyang, where they would receive better care and support.

    Meanwhile, the government anticipated that the rebuilding efforts would take two to three months, during which time it planned to support nearly 15,400 vulnerable people in Pyongyang.

    Mr Kim dismissed a senior official, Kang Bong-hoon, from his position as the provincial party committee Secretary for Chagang Province, according to TV Chosun.

    In 2019, TV Chosun also reported that Kim Hyok Chol, North Korea’s nuclear envoy to the U.S., had been executed for failing to secure a summit between Mr. Kim and then-President Donald Trump.

    However, it was later revealed by CNN that Kim Hyok Chol was alive.

    North Korea has a history of public executions, with an average of 10 occurring annually before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to South Korea’s Korea Times.

    The number has reportedly increased to over 100 annually, attributed to North Korea’s unstable economy, international sanctions, and the impact of natural disasters, according to Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

    Reverend Father Dies After Spending Night with Girlfriend in Hotel

    A Catholic priest who serves at the Archdiocese of Nairobi has died in a lodging after a night together with a woman police described as his girlfriend The priest, identified as Joseph Kariuki Wanjiku, aged 43, checked into the hotel room with his companion on the night of Friday.

    However, on Saturday morning, the woman raised the alarm with hotel management after noting the Catholic Father was drifting into unconsciousness. A Catholic priest in charge of St. Peters Ruai has died after he checked in at a hotel where he was accompanied by a woman detectives have described as his girlfriend.

    The priest, who has since been identified as Joseph Kariuki Wanjiku, aged 43, was pronounced dead on the morning of Saturday, July 8, after his girlfriend rushed him to the hospital together with hotel workers.

    A police report indicates that the two checked into Monalisa Hotel Delview in Gatanga on the evening of Friday, but he started feeling unwell on the morning of Saturday, July 8. “Then, this morning (Saturday) at around 0800hrs, the priest’s girlfriend notified the hotel management that the boyfriend was dizzy and getting unconscious so that they could rush him to the hospital. They then rushed him to Kenol hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the police report indicated in part.

    Video: Elderly Man laments after wife he brought to UK dumped him

    An elderly Ghanaian man has lamented the unfortunate twist his life turned after he brought his wife to live with him in the United Kingdom.

    The elderly man who is married to a younger wife granted an interview to a Ghanaian-owned internet television, Kofi TV.

    The man said he was the first to relocate to the UK and he established himself before sending for his family to come live with him in the foreign country.

    The man, who said he was working as a security guard, said trouble started between him and his wife when she suggested that they should enlist their children for child benefits.

    He claimed he opposed the idea because he did not want the children to be taken to another location.

    He said he returned from work one day to find out that his wife had gone ahead to register their children for child benefits in spite of his objection to the idea.

    The issue degenerated into an altercation that ultimately drove a wedge between him and his wife.

    He said the wife subsequently started planning alone for the children and what she wanted regardless of how he felt about it.

    He said he was later formally divorced by his wife who had also ensured that he could not see his children.

    The sad man said his home was now devoid of any excitement.

    “I am very close to the children, so sometimes when I return from work and sit in the living room alone, I feel very sad.”

    He lamented that even though he gained a better standard of living by relocating to the UK, he had ended up losing what he valued the most, his family, especially his children.

    When asked if he would remarry, he was unable to provide an answer. He, however. said he would return to Ghana once he could no longer work.

    The video:

    Shocking! “We sold each human head for 5000 Naira” -Graveyard thief confesses

    Two men who specialised in harvesting the heads of buried human bodies have been arrested after they were found with a human head exhumed from a grave at Amuloko Area in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The men confessed that they were in the business of harvesting body parts of buried people and were paid N5000 for a human head.

    Mustapha Bello and Damilare Oladele, were taken into custody by officials of the Western state security network popularly called Amotekun Corps.

    The suspects according to media reports, were stopped and interrogated in the wee hours of Monday by a night guard who saw them carrying a bag.

    Bello, who was carrying the bag containing the human head reportedly struggled with the security man who wanted to see what was inside the bag. In the process, Oladele got a chance to escape.

    Upon sighting the contents of the bag, Bello was subdued and handed over to Amotekun for investigation.

    The news of the arrest travelled fast via social media as people exchanged the video recording of Bello when he was caught.

    A law enforcement agent who knew the closeness of Bello and Oladele immediately suspected Oladele to have been the accomplice who was said to have escaped when Bello was arrested.

    The security man went after Oladele to challenge him in the evening of the same day.

    The altercation attracted a crowd who resorted to beating Oladele, leading to his confession to the crime and his ultimate arrest by Amotekun.

    Bello, a 32-year-old carpenter, told Sunday Tribune that one Saheed introduced him to the business.

    According to him, Saheed who worked as a security man took him along for one operation after he complained about not having money.

    He said when they got a grave site at Ita Ege about 1am, he told him they were there to cut the head of a buried body.

    He said they used a cutlass and their hands to remove the soil on the body and severed the head before returning the body to the grave.

    He said Saheed used to sell the heads and gave him N5,000 as his share.

    Bello said he went to the botched operation with Damilare Oladele before he was caught.

    Oladele, who lived in Oranyan in Ibadan said he was a barber. He claimed certain Mustapha Bello invited him to the business.

    He said Bello asked him to come along and told him about the business. When he asked about the smell, he said Bello told him they would go for a dry one, a body that had been buried for a long time and would not smell like a fresh body.

    He said he was promised N5000. He said he had done business with Bello five times and was paid that same amount, except once when they went for a fresh head and he was paid N10,000.

    5 kids and their mother die after eating spoilt food in Kano

    A middle-aged woman and her five children have died after eating spoilt Danwake, a local Hausa delicacy in Karkari village, in Kano State.

    The unfortunate incident happened on Thursday, August 15 at the home of the late Malam Abdulkarin.

    A neighbour of the deceased, Garba Muhammad, told Daily Trust that due to the economic situation of the country, the widow who was the one catering for her five children used spoilt cassava flour to prepare the food.

    All six family members died one after the other after consuming the food.

    The deceased mother was identified as Alhakatu Abdulkarim while her kids are listed as Bashir, Firdausi, Hafsat, Usman and Jamilu.

    Spokesman of the command in Kano state, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the six members of the family were rushed to Gwarzo General Hospital where they were confirmed dead by doctors.

    “I lost my son” – Elon Musk

    The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Mr. Elon Musk has lamented his son, Xavier, transitioned to transgender, now known as Vivian Jenna Wilson.

    During a live interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson on X on July 22, 2024, Mr. Musk, disclosed that he felt deceived into consenting to his child undergoing puberty blockers.

    During their discussion, Peterson brought up Musk’s choice to move SpaceX’s headquarters from California. 

    The state’s new legislation, Assembly Bill 1955, which the governor signed into law on July 15, 2024, influenced this decision.

    The bill allows schools to withhold a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity from their parents.

    Peterson inquired about the reasons behind Musk’s advocacy on this matter. 

    Musk then recounted a personal story involving his child, Xavier, who transitioned to identifying as transgender under the name Vivian Jenna Wilson.

    “It’s evil. You’re taking kids who are far below the age of consent”, Musk stated.

    “It’s very possible for adults to manipulate children who are having an actual identity crisis into believing that they are the wrong gender.”

    Elon Musk ‘s loss

    Musk further disclosed the incident with his son, in his statement: 

    “Well, it happened to one of my older boys. I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys, Xavier. 

    “This was really before I had any understanding of what was going on, and we had COVID going on, so there was a lot of confusion. 

    “And I was told Xavier might commit suicide.”

    Musk continued, “It’s incredibly evil. And I agree with you that the people that are promoting this should go to prison.

    “I was tricked into doing this. It wasn’t explained to me that puberty blockers are actually just sterilization drugs.

    “I lost my son, essentially. They call it ‘deadnaming’ for a reason. 

    “The reason they call it ‘deadnaming’ is because your son is dead, so my son, Xavier, is dead, killed by the woke mind virus.”

    “So I vowed to destroy the woke mind virus after that. And we’re making some progress”, he added.

    Vivian Wilson’s transition

    Elon Musk’s transgender child, Vivian Jenna Wilson, was born Xavier Alexander Musk on April 15, 2004.

    Vivian is one of the twins born to Musk and his first wife, Justine Musk. The couple welcomed their twins, Xavier and Griffin, in 2004.

    Before their birth, their earlier son, Nevada Alexander Musk, tragically passed away as an infant.

    Vivian’s transition became publicly known in 2022, when she filed a petition to legally change her name and gender.

    This legal change reflected her gender identity and marked her transition from male to female.

    She adopted her mother’s maiden name, Wilson, alongside her name change.

    Thus, this action symbolized her aspiration for a new identity and a distinct separation from her father’s surname.

    Vivian’s decision to transition and publicly acknowledge her gender identity was personally significant.

    It also carried weight within the context of her father’s high-profile public life.

    Elon Musk, known for his leadership in technology and space exploration as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has frequently spoken publicly on diverse subjects.

    These include gender and transgender issues, reflecting his broad engagement with societal discourse.

    However, his views and public comments on the matter have been a subject of controversy and debate.

    ‘Cabals in NNPC don’t want their lucrative subsidy scam to end’ – Emir Sanusi

    Muhammadu Sanusi II has said that Alhaji Aliko Dangote should not be blamed for buying dollars at lower rates at the time he was building his refinery because that was the actual rate the apex bank was selling to everybody at that time.

    The 16th Emir of Kano commented on the issue through the SOP Chat Group.

    He initially said: “I honestly do not think it is a good idea for me to make comments on these issues, but some comments surprise me, and I just have to say something.”

    The emir then went on to add: “Aliko Dangote did not fix the price at which the CBN sold dollars. Everyone who got dollars from the CBN got dollars at the same rate if they bought on the same day. So we cannot blame him for buying dollars at a rate the CBN itself decided to sell to its customers.

    “So the question for me is this. Let us forget the man Dangote. If the Central Bank were to prioritize a single enterprise for forex allocation, how many enterprises can we think of that are worthier than a refinery like this one?

    “Consider the drain on our forex from importing petroleum products; the tens of billions of dollars of forex spent abroad; the huge losses due to theft in the name of subsidy.

    “By the way, how much forex did Dangote buy from the CBN at this subsidized rate? How much forex did NNPC take from the federation account in the same year in the name of running and turning around its dead refineries? What are we benchmarking against?

    “If any Nigerian came to me as a Central Bank Governor with a project like this refinery, I would recognize immediately its potential impact on the economy and give it all the support needed.

    “Let our views on forex policies not becloud our sense of priorities. Once the CBN decided to sell dollars at the below market, it would be forced to ration the limited dollars available.

    “To my mind, giving dollars for the construction of a refinery is better than rice importers and, indeed, almost every other enterprise apart from education and health, given the impact on the macro.”

    On the argument by NNPC that relying on one refinery is bad for our energy security, Muhammadu Sanusi II said: “This is most laughable. On the contrary, relying on a local refinery is far more secure than these imports.

    “It is a very rich argument from an entity that had taken billions of dollars in the name of turnaround maintenance and not produced a drop of product from four refineries because it is more profitable to continue extracting rent in the name of subsidy. If NNPC activated its refineries, there would be no monopoly. Then, we can see the sulphur content of its products and compare them to Dangote’s.”

    He continued: “Until then, keeping quiet is the honourable option for it, NNPC and its spinoffs have lost any right to talk until they fix the mess they have thrown us into

    “In any case, if the Dangote refinery is unable to meet local demand, the gap can be filled by imports, these people in NNPC do not want to end their lucrative subsidy scam, and I don’t think they will end it.

    “But as a nation, if we do not thank Dangote for what he has done as an African to deal a hammer blow to multinationals and the rentier system and for structural change in this economy through value added in various sectors, we should not condemn him.

    “Also, we tend to repeat stories without evidence. We hear about Dangote getting favourable taxation but no one has said what this tax is, if he got it alone or if it was offered to a sector or to pioneers, and if such a practice is in fact normal to encourage investment.”

    The emir concluded: “Instead of killing Dangote, we should try and make more like him. Nigeria always kills its heroes and its best because of envy and pettiness.”

    Over 10 Russian soldiers die, 30 hospitalised after eating poisoned watermelons from Ukraine

    Twelve Russian soldiers have reportedly died while 30 others were hospitalized after eating watermelons poisoned by Ukrainian resistance fighters in an occupied city.

    According to local media reports, Putin’s troops based in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol received the melons from unwitting Russian locals, who received them from the city’s partisan groups.

    The Ukrainian 24 Kanal outlet said the watermelons had been given to local resistance fighters who passed them on to the Russians who then sold them to the Russian soldiers.

    Following the deaths, a Ukrainian resistance group posted, “That’s for you, guys! Thank you for protecting us.”

    Pyotr Andryushchenko, an adviser to the exiled mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boychenko, said, “The resistance movement is actively fighting.”

    He added that Russians who had moved to the occupied territories had been hired to deliver the poisoned fruit.

    He said, “Our people [Ukrainians] do not directly participate in the delivery of such dangerous ‘gifts’ to the Russians.

    “There are always people who come en masse from Russia and want to make money. That is, they want to trade something.

    “The operation was simple. It was clear that watermelons were being purchased for a military base.

    “It was clear who was going to supply these watermelons. These people were sold a batch of watermelons at a low price, which then caused the intended damage.”

    Mariupol was captured after a three-month battle following Moscow’s attack on Ukraine in 2022

    Shock! Sudanese women line up to have sex with soldiers to get food for their families

    Several women have stepped out to reveal how Sudanese soldiers allegedly sexually abused them in exchange for food for their families.

    Over two dozen women who fled the Sudanese city of Omdurman said that having sex with soldiers was the only way they could access food or goods that they could sell to raise money to feed their families, according to a new damning report by the Guardian UK.

    A victim reportedly said the assaults took place in factories across the city where the food is stockpiled.

    “Both of my parents are too old and sick and I never let my daughter go out to look for food. I went to the soldiers and that was the only way to get food – they were everywhere in the factories area,” said a woman, who was forced to have sex with soldiers at a meat-processing factory in May last year according to the Monday morning, July 22 report by The Guardian.

    The assaults reportedly began soon after a civil war broke out in the country which has seen the country’s army fight against paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

    The report alleges that soldiers have also demanded sex in exchange for access to abandoned houses where it is still possible to loot items to sell in local markets.

    One woman said that she was allowed to take food, kitchen equipment and perfumes from empty houses after she had sex with soldiers.

    “What I went through is indescribable, I would not wish it on an enemy … I only did it because I wanted to feed my children,” she said.

    Residents of the city claimed they see soldiers bringing women to abandoned houses where they were made to queue up as soldier picked the ones “they liked the look of”.

    Another woman said that once she refused to have sex with the soldier they tortured her and burned her legs.

    The 21-year-old lady said she had previously had sex with soldiers in exchange for being allowed to loot houses for food and goods, but when she refused to do so again, the soldiers held her down and burned her legs.

    A soldier, who denied ever assaulting a woman himself, said he had witnessed his colleagues. “It’s awful. The amount of the sins in this city can never be forgiven,” he said.

    Reports of rape by armed forces emerged just days after the conflict started on 15 April 2023.

    The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people, with some estimates placing the d£ath count as high as 150,000. The war has created the world’s worst displacement crisis, with more than 11 million displaced

    Goodnews! Nigeria’s external reserves hits $35B

    Nigeria’s external reserves increased to $35.05 billion on July 8 — the highest since May 30, 2023.

    According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the foreign reserves rose by $280 million from $34.77 billion on July 5.

    TheCable Index observed that the country’s foreign reserves recorded steady increases in July — reaching the highest so far in the year.

    The foreign reserves rose from $34.34 billion to $34.43 billion, 34.55 billion, and $34.66 billion from July 1 to 4, respectively.

    The latest data is also the first time Nigeria’s external reserves would reach such levels since May 30, 2023 (at $35.09 billion) — a day after the present administration took office.

    Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, the federal government, through the CBN, has introduced several policies to improve the foreign exchange (FX) market and strengthen the naira.

    One of the latest interventions is the apex bank’s directive to banks to transfer all excess foreign currency notes to its Lagos or Abuja branches.

    “In order to deepen the foreign exchange market, boost liquidity and attain convergence in the exchange rates of the parallel and official markets, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved that DMBs may deposit their excess foreign currency notes with Lagos and Abuja branches of the Bank,” CBN had said.

    “The approval is a response to the increasing demand by DMBs to deposit their forex cash with CBN for onward credit to their off-shore accounts with the correspondent banks.”

    Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, on June 25, said the apex bank is “relatively pleased” with the progress it has made in stabilising the naira.

    Meanwhile, despite the positive movement in foreign reserves, the naira weakened at the close of Wednesday, trading at N1,561 against the dollar in the official window.

    “God is not a Christian” – Pastor Abel Damina

    Abel Damina, the esteemed Senior Pastor of Abel Damina Ministries International and a prominent YouTube cleric known for his profound and contentious perspectives, recently dished out profound explanation of why he adamantly argues that God cannot be boxed into Christianity.

    In a recent fiery sermon on his YouTube channel, Pastor Abel Damina shook the foundations of conventional belief. He boldly challenged the notion that only Christians can make heaven, asserted  with unwavering conviction that believers were granted entry into heaven long before the inception of Christianity itself.

    Damina provocatively argued that the label “Christianity” was bestowed by non-believers and was not used by biblical figures like Jesus Christ, David, or Abraham. According to him, these revered figures were simply believers or disciples, not “Christians” as we understand today.

    His audacious statements sparked a volcanic eruption of reactions among his fervent congregation and beyond.

    The explosive excerpt from Pastor Abel Damina’s sermon, where he boldly asserted that God is not a Christian, set the internet on fire with outrage and astonishment.

    Critics and believers alike hurled fiery criticisms at the charismatic preacher, accusing him of heresy and challenging the very foundations of orthodox Christian doctrine.

    Suspected Cultists Kills Man, Dump Corpse At Father’s Compound

    Renewed confraternity clashes in Uyo, Southern Nigeria, has sparked fear and grief in Eniong Offot and Anua villages.

    On Saturday night, suspected cultists brutally killed Peter Ekpeowo, an indigene of Anua, and dumped his lifeless body at his father’s compound on Sunday morning.

    The deceased, who had been called to a drinking joint by an ally, was butchered by the suspected cultists, who then took his corpse and dumped it at his father’s compound.

    The gruesome discovery drew a large crowd, and police patrols arrived at the scene to disperse the onlookers.

    The killing is believed to be a result of a clash between rival cult groups, with eyewitnesses reporting sporadic shooting and desertion of streets and closure of shops by owners in fear of reprisal attacks.

    The Akwa Ibom Police Command has confirmed the incident and is working to arrest the suspects. The command’s Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, stated that the police are “on top of the matter” and are doing everything possible to ensure the arrest of the suspects.

    The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents calling for increased security measures to address the rising cult activity in the area.

    Nigerian Govt. suspends taxes on importation of food commodities

    The federal government has officially announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of food commodities.

    Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, announced the development in a post on social media on Wednesday, detailing the federal government’s measures to address the high food prices currently affecting the nation.

    Part of the measures, according to the statement, is a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities, which involves the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of food commodities — maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas — through land and sea borders.

    The minister said the measures will be implemented over the next 180 days.

    “Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP),” Kyari said.

    “We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition. The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.

    “Over the next 14 days, in close collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT), we will convene with respective agencies to finalize the implementation frameworks.

    “We will ensure that information is publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country.”

    OTHER INTERVENTION PLANS

    Outlining other intervention plans, Kyari said the federal government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize, noting that these semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.

    The government will engage with relevant stakeholders to set a “GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve”.

    He said there will also be a production ramp-up for the 2024/2025 farming cycle, which would include continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives; strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide; embarking on aggressive agricultural mechanisation to reduce drudgery, lower production costs, and boost productivity.

    “Collaborating with sub-national entities to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation,” he said.

    “Working closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation.

    “Developing strategic engagement for youth and women for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilize prices, and address food shortages.

    “Fast-tracking ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme and encouraging other para-military establishments to utilize available arable lands for cultivation.

    “Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee

    “This committee has been inaugurated on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to develop and implement policies prioritizing livestock development in alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and a ministry of Livestock Development has been created.

    “Enhancement of Nutrition Security, Promoting the production of fortified food commodities, Supporting the scale-up of the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Kyari said the success of the measures hinges on the cooperation and collaboration of all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders.

    The minister reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment” to achieving food security and “ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry”.

    Kyari said he would work swiftly and diligently with his team to actualise “these crucial policies”, ensuring food security for everyone in the immediate term, “while continuing our strategies for long-term interventions to address underlying causes and ensure sustainable and resilient food systems in Nigeria”

    Here are the conditions for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release – Source

    The embattled leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has reportedly agreed to finally give up Biafra agitation if the ongoing political horse trading over his release pans out well, a source involved in the negotiation authoritatively told TM.

    The DSS is holding Mr Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, over charges of treasonable felony arising from his separatist campaigns for the secession of independent Biafra from Nigeria.

    His trial started in 2015 and stalled after he fled the country on being granted bail in 2017.

    Kanu’s escape from Nigeria occurred after the military under the leadership of Major General Tukur Buratai (rtd) launched vicious attack in his Afara-Ukwu home in Umuahia.

    This resulted to the death of scores of civilians and members of Biafra Security Service (BSS).

    He was re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 to continue his trial.

    The trial judge, Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had ordered his remand in DSS custody during the duration of his trial.

    In April 2022, Binta Nyako struck out eight of the 15 counts in the charge.

    The remaining seven counts were also quashed by the Court of Appeal on October 13, 2022, with the judge ordering Kanu’s release.

    On October 28, 2022, the appellate court granting a stay of execution on its verdict discharging Kanu, after the federal government filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

    Since Nnamdi Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria, the insecurity in the South East region has gone so bad that rarely would a day pass without an incident of gunmen attack.

    Both security operatives and innocent civilians had been victims during several encounters.

    There have been calls by concerned stakeholders for Nnamdi Kanu to be released as this will douse the growing tension in the region.

    Recently, over 50 lawmakers in the House of Representatives in Nigeria wrote to President Bola Tinubu demanding for Kanu’s release.

    Last week, South East governors and lawmakers added their voice to the long list of stakeholders calling for the release of the flippant separatist leader.

    However, this is coming after he reportedly promised to comply with conditions set for his release by the federal government of Nigeria.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the lawmaker representing Abia-South in the Senate, Wednesday last week, led Senators from the Southeast region to meet the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, over Kanu’s release.

    Senator Abaribe told newsmen that the IPOB leader has expressed readiness to play by the rule if granted bail.

    According to the lawmakers, Kanu’s release is key to reviving the economy of the south East region.

    Abaribe said the “peaceful demand of the IPOB leader had been hijacked by criminal elements, leading to wanton killings of innocent people, including security operatives”.

    Senator Abaribe expressed strong believe that the AGF would persuade the federal government to release the separatist leader.

    He also revealed that Kanu, whom he had visited at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, is willing to comply with any conditions set by the authorities for his release.

    A source privy to the ongoing political horse trading told  TM that some of the conditions that will be presented to Kanu for his release are:

    1. He will go underground and never speak on his franchise radio.

    2. He will openly denounce and disband the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    3. He will completely disassociate himself from Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based fugitive who runs a parallel pro-Biafra movement.

    This, the source said, will enable the federal government to launch a decisive operation against him.

    He said: “Yes, Nnamdi Kanu will be released but I can’t tell the actual time.

    “His releases will come with a lot of stringent conditions.

    “He will not speak on radio Biafra again.

    “ESN will be disbanded.

    “Kanu will also disassociate himself from Simon Ekpa.

    “These are some of the conditions that will be presented to him”, the source said.

    Observers wait to see whether Nnamdi Kanu will accept these conditions, which his supporters say are unlikely.

    However, pundits observe that with these conditions, it appears that the federal government in no distant time will throw Nnamdi Kanu and his supporters under the bus as this may mark the end of an era, but “may not stop the agitation for Biafra”.

    The ECOWAS ready to introduce single currency, ECO

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced its readiness to launch a single currency initiative, otherwise known as ECO.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry of Finance and signed by the Director Of Press, Mohammed Manga, on Friday.

    The ECOWAS single currency has also been incorporated as a feature in the three-in-one identity card planned by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and set for roll-out in August.

    The statement said Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, highlighted the important role ECO will play in fostering “economic growth and development in the region,” further stressing Nigeria’s strong commitment to its successful implementation.

    It further noted that participants went through the preparations for the single currency’s introduction, laying the groundwork for a more integrated economic future for the fifteen ECOWAS member states.

    “The vision for the ECO extends beyond a mere currency. It aspires to become a cornerstone of economic integration, streamlining trade and bolstering monetary stability across the region.”

    This week’s gathering brought together key players instrumental in making this vision a reality including the Minister of Finance of Cape Verde, Mr. Olavo Correia, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Adama Coulibaly, and the Ghanaian Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam amongst other representatives.

    These figures, along with others, formed a collaborative force dedicated to shaping the future of West African economics.

    “The meeting culminated in a renewed sense of purpose surrounding the ECO’s introduction. Participants emerged with a shared belief that the single currency holds immense potential to reshape the economic landscape of the region, paving the way for a more prosperous future for all member states”, the statement added.

    Emefiele moved millions to wife’s account — Witness spills

    Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, an Assistant Manager at Zenith Bank Plc, on Tuesday, July 9, told an Ikeja Special Offences Court how the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mr Godwin Emefiele allegedly transferred millions of naira to his wife, Margaret.

    She explained that Emefiele used the bank to move multimillion-naira amounts to his wife’s accounts.

    Ogbonnaya testified before Justice Rahman Oshodi, revealing that millions of naira were also transferred in multiple tranches to various company accounts.

    Emefiele is currently facing charges of abuse of office and alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion during his tenure.

    He is being tried in three separate courts in Lagos and Abuja, alongside his co-defendant Henry Omoile.

    Ogbonnaya specified that the companies receiving these funds included Amswing Resources and Solution, Limelight Dimensional Service Ltd., Omec Support Service Ltd., and Mango Farm.

    “Limelight manages CBN facilities at Alakija, handling transactions related to power and maintenance,” Ogbonnaya said.

    The witness, a Business Relationship Manager who joined the bank in 2006, stated that while she never dealt directly with the ex-CBN governor, she received instructions from his wife to transfer funds from CBN to their private companies via a Zenith Bank account.

    Ogbonnaya also mentioned that she received directives from Mr. John Ogah and the late Mr. Opeyemi Oludimu, both of whom worked for the Emefieles.

    She managed the various company accounts used for transferring these funds, stressing that Margaret Emefiele was the primary beneficiary.

    “Mrs. Margaret Emefiele, the ex-CBN governor’s wife, is the direct beneficiary of the accounts.

    “The companies sent transfer instructions to my email, and Margaret is the beneficial owner of the accounts. All transactions were confirmed by Mrs. Emefiele before processing,” Ogbonnaya testified.

    Ogbonnaya detailed specific transactions, stating that from March 9 to 11, 2015, the accounts received ₦18.9 million and ₦1.8 million, respectively. Further transfers included ₦43 million on February 22, 2021; ₦37.3 million on July 21, 2022; ₦44.6 million on October 21, 2022; and ₦93.1 million on May 10, 2023.

    The witness further explained that she typically communicated with Emefiele’s wife via email, phone calls, and WhatsApp to discuss transactions that were to be executed on the accounts before processing them.

    Ogbonnaya confirmed that detailed transaction records were printed from her office desktop computer.

    Large Arms Consignment intercepted in Lagos Airport & Onne Ports

    The Nigerian Customs Service has impounded another cache of arms and other military items illegally imported into the country from Turkiye through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

    Fifty-five pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) semi-automatic shotgun and other military and para-military hardware and accoutrement were discovered on Wednesday, July 3, neatly packed and concealed inside other items in a container.

    It was the second such seizure of illegally imported arms in 48 hours made known by Customs.

    On Monday, July 1, a container with 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition was intercepted at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt.

    Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adewale Adeniyi, who announced the latest arms seizure in Lagos, said, “Acting on credible intelligence from our local and international collaborators, on 19 June 2024, we deployed personnel to man all the exit points effectively and mandated our officers to conduct 100 per cent examination of all consignments.”

    According to him, this led to the discovery of this shipment.

    The items include 148 pieces of  drones, 172 pieces of ballistic vests, one piece of ballistic helmet, eight pieces of walkie-talkies, and 9,172 pieces of military and para-military badges.

    Other seized items are 20 pieces of camouflage uniform, 100 pieces of camouflage vests, 172 pieces of Camouflage caps and 120 pieces of binoculars.

    The total payable duty value on the items is N1.56billion.

    One suspect has been arrested in connection with the criminal act, Adeniyi added.

    Recently, Customs impounded 11 rifles and six pistols among other items at the airport in Lagos.

    On what will be done with the seized items, Adeniyi said: “Relying on the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken on the illicit items:

    “The 55 pieces of unassembled Jojef Magnum semi-automatic shotgun are hereby seized, with the concealing items.

    “The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser, for diligent investigation and prosecution.

    “The suspect arrested will be handed over to the centre for further processing.

    “We will work diligently with other agencies of government to apprehend all other parties to this illicit importation.

    “All other controlled items imported without the requisite end-user certificates are hereby seized.

    “Officers whose diligence, integrity and dedication to duty resulted in this remarkable seizure would be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

    “This seizure sends an unequivocal warning to anyone considering similar illicit importation.

    “The Service is relentless in its pursuit of securing our national frontiers and fostering national security.

    “Under my leadership, the Service will not condone any act that threatens this nation’s national security and economic prosperity.”

    Elderly man rapes two teenage sisters in Bauchi

    One Bala Mohammed has allegedly raped two girls in Bauchi, the police in the north-east state have said.

    Mohammed, 67, who has since been arrested by the police, was said to have committed the crime after luring the victims into his room with money.

    In a statement on Friday, Spokesman of the Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, disclosed that the incident was reported at the A’ Divisional Police Headquarters in June 22, 2024, by the fathers of the girls.

    According to the statement, the father said Mohammed lured his daughters, 17-year-old Safiya (not real name) and 16-year-old (not real name) of the same address into his room and had carnal knowledge of them.

    Wakil said that the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and corroborated the victims’ statements during interrogation.

    He added that the victims further revealed that the suspect had carnal knowledge of them each, up to five times, and thereafter gave them N500 each.

    According to the statement ”investigation is still ongoing, and the suspect will be profiled and charged to court once it is completed.”

    In a related development, another suspect, one Suleiman Musa, aged 28, was arrested by the police for allegedly luring one Amina (not real name) aged 9, into his room while she was on errand before he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

    The mother of the victim, one Hajiya (not real name) was said to have reported the rape incident at A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Bauchi, on July 4, 2024, same date her daughter was allegedly raped by the suspect.

    Wakil revealed that during interrogation, the suspect freely confessed to have committed the crime, adding that investigation was still ongoing, after which the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution for the established offence

    Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange introduces 7.5% VAT on crypto transactions

    KuCoin, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has announced it will begin collecting a 7.5 percent value-added tax (VAT) on transaction fees for its users in Nigeria.

    The decision follows a recent regulatory update in the country, prompting KuCoin to introduce the VAT.

    In a statement released on July 3, KuCoin confirmed that the VAT deduction will take effect from July 8. The company clarified that the 7.5 percent VAT will be applied specifically to the transaction fee, not the total amount. For example, if a user purchases $1,000 worth of Bitcoin with a 0.1 percent fee, the transaction fee would be $1. Consequently, the VAT on this fee would be $0.075, making the net amount for the transaction $998.925.

    The statement read;

    “We are writing to inform you of an important regulatory update that impacts our users from Nigeria.

    “Starting from July 8th, 2024, we will begin collecting a Value-Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 7.5%  on transaction fees in each trade for users whose KYC information is registered in Nigeria.

    “Nb: The 7.5% is only charged on the 0.1%/0.05% transaction fee and not your total amount which will be remitted.

    “Please note that the VAT will be applied to the transaction fees in each trade, not the transaction amount, and covers all transaction types on KuCoin platform.” 

    President Joe Biden might step down next week

    US President, Joe Biden has reportedly told his aides he may have to step down as a 2024 presidential nominee and the decision could be made as early as next week.  

    According to the New York Times, Biden’s allies said that the 81-year-old American leader has acknowledged that three appearances scheduled for this weekend will make or break his re-election bid against Donald Trump.

    These include an ABC interview on Friday night and campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

    The appearances are seen as crucial after last Thursday’s disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, which led to calls from other Democrats for Biden to bow out.


    One Biden ally reportedly told the New York Times: ‘He knows if he has two more events like that [the debate], we’re in a different place.’

    However, White House aides have denied the New York Times reports.

    Biden’s family including his wife Jill and son Hunter – are among allies who’ve reportedly pushed him the most to remain in the White House but the NY Times says  Biden has privately conceded that he may have to bow out in favour of a younger Democrat candidate to take on Trump who is rising in popularity.

    On Wednesday, Biden assured campaign staff on a call that despite mounting calls for him to stand down he remains in the 2024 race for the presidency.


    He said: ‘Let me say this as clearly as I possibly can as simply and straightforward as I can: I am running – no one’s pushing me out.


    ‘I’m not leaving. I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win.’


    ‘If the New York Times had provided us with more than 7 minutes to comment we would have told them so.’

    Later on Wednesday evening, Biden met with 20 Democrat governors at the White House to assure them that he was fit to run.


    Biden himself even admitted that he nearly dozed off on stage during a fundraiser in the D.C. suburb of McLean, Virginia Tuesday night.


    He told the crowd he ‘wasn’t very smart’ for ‘travelling around the world a couple times’ before his televised showdown with former President Donald Trump.


    A new poll shows Donald Trump three points ahead on average in all seven swing states after the debate with Joe Biden last week

    Dad Arrested After Police Rescue Son Chained and Starved [PHOTOS]

    Operatives from the Bauchi Police Command have rescued a 5-year-old boy who had been chained and starved for three days by his father.

    TM News learnt that the rescue followed a tip-off from concerned neighbors in the Gwallagan Mayaka area of Bauchi metropolis.

    The incident came to light on July 3, 2024, when the ward head of Gwallagan Mayaka received information from a resident who had been alerted by his wife, Amina (not her real name), that a 5-year-old neighbor was found tied with a chain inside a room at their address.

    Rescued boy

    Amina confirmed the boy’s condition, finding him lying unconscious and restrained.

    The Command’s spokesman, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, stated that upon receiving the information, a team led by CSP Mubarak S. Baba, DPO D’ Division, Dutsen Tanshi, promptly moved to the scene and rescued the boy.

    During an interview, the victim, identified as Hussaini Abubakar, revealed that his biological father, Abubakar Nuhu, a 50-year-old known as Wanzam of Gwallagan Mayaka, had mistreated him. Hussaini disclosed that he had been confined without food for three days.

    Following this revelation, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, directed the DPO to arrest the offender for investigation and prosecution.

    During interrogation, the suspect, Abubakar Nuhu, claimed he had confined his son on the advice of a friend to prevent the boy from stealing neighbours’ valuables.

    The CP has ordered the DPO to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the CID to thoroughly investigate the matter and uncover any other motives behind this heinous act.

    Labour Party wins in UK, after 14 years of Conservative rule

    Keir Starmer, a former human rights lawyer and prosecutor, is set to become Britain’s new prime minister after winning a landslide election on Thursday, July 4, ending 14 years of Conservative Party rule and moving toward a new government dominated by the centre-left.

    Vote counting is underway in the United Kingdom’s snap general election with 650 seats in the House of Commons – the lower house of Britain’s parliament – up for grabs.

    Results show Labour has passed the magic number of 326 seats for a House of Commons majority just before 5 a.m. on Friday, July 5, confirming a change of government that was predicted for months but is still a remarkable turnaround for Starmer’s party in a single electoral cycle.

    Based on the official exit poll, Labour is on course to win 410 of the 650 seats in Parliament, the most since Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide victory.

    The Conservatives were projected to take 131 seats — which would be the party’s worst result since its founding.

    The Liberal Democrats came in third with 61 seats, according to the model.

    Official results will follow, with most coming in the early morning hours in Britain.

    The end of the Conservative government and the resurrection of what appears to be a more disciplined, centrist “establishment Labour” marks a huge reversal for Britain’s top parties.

    Speaking from his London constituency after the announcement that he had retained his own parliamentary seat, Starmer said voters across the country had sent a message that it was time to end “the politics of performance” and “return to politics as public service.”

    Outgoing Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat, saying it has been a “difficult night”.

    “I’m set to comply with conditions set for my release” — Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

    The embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has said he is ready to comply with conditions set for his release by the federal government of Nigeria.

    This was disclosed by the lawmaker representing Abia-South in the red carpet chamber, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on Wednesday when he led Senators from the Southeast region to meet the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN over Kanu’s release.

    Though, this latest move by the lawmakers is coming after Wednesday’s resolution by the Southeast governors to appeal directly to President Bola Tinubu for Kanu’s freedom.

    According to the lawmakers, Kanu’s release is key to reviving the economy of the south-east region.

    Abaribe said the “peaceful demand of the IPOB leader had been hijacked by criminal elements, leading to wanton killings of innocent people, including security operatives”.

    Senator Abaribe expressed strong believe that the AGF would persuade the federal government to release the separatist leader.

    He also revealed that Kanu, whom he had visited at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, is willing to comply with any conditions set by the authorities for his release.

    Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial at the federal high court in Abuja on a seven-count charge bordering on treasonable felony, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021.

    In 2017, the court granted Kanu bail on the charges filed against him by the federal government.

    However, the court revoked Kanu’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to present himself as required.

    The IPOB leader was rearrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria — after being on the run for a few years.

    In April 2022, Binta Nyako, presiding judge, struck out eight of the 15 counts in the charge.

    The remaining seven counts were also quashed by the court of appeal on October 13, 2022, with the judge ordering Kanu’s release.

    On October 28, 2022, the court of appeal granted a stay of execution on its verdict discharging Kanu, after the federal government filed an appeal at the supreme court.

    “I went to church to testify” – Car Thief testifies

    Lagos State police command have arrested a 36 year old robbery suspect, Amos Daniel after stealing his employer’s car on his first day as a driver.

    The suspect claimed he took the car to his church to testify about “God’s miraculous provision.”

    The police also paraded two dismissed soldiers, Akeem Suleiman and Abdulau Mohammed, along with two civilian accomplices, who were part of a robbery syndicate that operated in Lagos.

    They were apprehended with military headgear, uniforms, and identity cards, which they used during their operations.

    Additionally, 25-year-old Thankgod Kesh-David, who posed as a mechanic and stole vehicles under the guise of repairs, was also paraded.

    While briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, SP Benjamin Hudenyin, the command’s spokesman, revealed the successful arrest of the gang by the tactical team in Surulere.

    He explained that the four-man gang had been snatching vehicles at gunpoint in Lagos for a considerable time.

    The police image maker stressed the importance of conducting thorough background checks when hiring drivers or domestic staff, suggesting they should be verified at the Central Criminal Registry and the forensic unit before employment.

    However, the suspects are set to be charged in court.

    Health: Cholera claims over 60 lives In Nigeria

    A cholera outbreak has spread across 33 states and 122 local government areas in Nigeria, resulting in 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

    The highly contagious disease is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and the surge in cases is attributed to the ingestion of Vibrio cholerae.

    Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting a case fatality rate of 3.0%.

    The affected states are mainly in the southern region, with Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta accounting for approximately 90% of the cases.

    To combat the outbreak, the National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre has been activated, bringing together experts from various fields to coordinate a strategic response.

    The Centre conducts daily meetings and issues regular situation reports to stakeholders, ensuring efficient resource deployment and harmonization.

    The response efforts focus on coordination, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, community engagement, water sanitation and hygiene, vaccination logistics, and research.

    An Incident Action Plan has been developed and implemented to streamline these efforts, enabling rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making.

    The measures aim to optimize resource deployment, enhance surveillance capabilities, improve treatment for affected individuals, and intensify public awareness and community engagement initiatives across the affected regions.

    The NCDC is working closely with affected states to contain the outbreak, and the public is advised to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cholera.

    Anglican Priest killed by his 28-year-old son

    A priest of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Isaac Umurie has been killed by his 28-year-old son, Ufuoma Umurie.

    The late cleric served at St. John’s Anglican Church in Okpare-Olumu, Ughelli South local government area.

    NewsBand gathered that the horrifying event occurred in the wee hours of Wednesday.

    The suspect reportedly hacked his father to death while he was asleep.

    The attack took place around 2am, with Ufuoma using a cutlass to inflict fatal injuries on his father’s skull and body. The suspect’s mother narrowly escaped the attack.

    SP Bright Edafe, the spokesman of Delta State police command confirmed the incident and stated that Ufuoma is in custody and will be prosecuted.

    Though, the motive behind the crime remains unclear, but sources suggest that Ufuoma may be mentally unstable.

    This was reportedly the second time he had attacked his father. During the first incident, intervention from the community vigilante group was required to stop the assault.

    Despite this, Isaac Umurie had pleaded with the community not to report his son’s actions to the police.

    From Ridicule to Glory: A story of a young Ugandan, Rango Tenge

    Rango Tenge, a Ugandan whose real name is Saad Ssozi, was just 11 years old when his life took a dramatic turn.

    A video he posted on TikTok went viral, making him an overnight sensation on social media platforms. Initially, his videos were ridiculed due to his appearance, but his unique style and infectious personality quickly won over millions of fans worldwide.

    His rise to fame caught the attention of American artist Chris Brown, who shared his videos and eventually met him.

    Today, Tenge Tenge is one of the most sought-after brands on social media, with over 7.1 million followers on TikTok and 2 million on Instagram.

    Recently, he landed a significant brand ambassador deal with Dubai-based Zamelect Properties, a real estate and electronics company.

    His grand reception in Dubai was nothing short of luxurious, complete with a first-class flight and a chauffeured white Rolls Royce Phantom.

    Tenge Tenge’s journey from mockery to riches is a testament to the power of resilience and determination.

    Despite initial ridicule, he has emerged as a beloved and influential figure, inspiring millions with his quirky style and infectious personality.

    Drug Abuse: Over 2 million people in South-South Nigeria use hard drugs – NDLEA

    No fewer than 2.1 million persons aged between 15 and 64 years in the South-South region, use psychoactive substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said.

    Stella Ngwoke, the Commander, NDLEA command in Port Harcourt Ports, made the disclosure in Onne on Wednesday at an event to mark the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse.

    Mrs Ngwoke who quoted statistics from the National Drug Use Survey, 2018, said that about 14.3 million persons aged between 15 and 64 used illicit drugs in the country.

    “We are talking about drug use for non-medical purposes. It has also been discovered that one out of every four drug user, is a woman.

    “In Rivers, the prevalence rate is 15 per cent of the said population which is estimated at 580,000 people,” she said.

    The commander listed, hemp, tramadol, morphine and cough syrups containing codeine as the mostly abused substances in the South-South region.

    Mrs Ngwoke said that the current realities about drug intake in the country required that governments at all levels and relevant stakeholders should rise to the occasion.

    She said that NDLEA had already taken proactive steps to ensure a balanced approach towards reducing the demand for the regularly abused drugs.

    The NDLEA official said that part of the approach was the suppression of the supply of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as stipulated in the National Drug Control Master Plan, 2020-2025.

    The commander said that already, the agency’s interdiction effort at the ports had led the the seizure of large shipment of drugs from India.

    Mrs Ngwoke stated that in May, the agency seized no fewer than 1,750 cartons of cartons of cough syrup with codeine, weighing 26,250kg.

    ‘”Also, in June, another seizure of 875 cartons of cough syrup with codeine, also containing 17,500 bottles, and weighing 26,250kg was made.

    “The street value of the drug in these two operations is estimated at over N4 billion,’’ she said.

    Mrs Ngwoke said that in addition to the seizure, mop-up operations were carried out around the Port Harcourt Ports corridor to dislodge drug joints.

    Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour, Mohammed Babadende, expressed worries that drug abuse was ravaging the country.

    He said that drug abuse had since metamorphosed into a global problem with a multifaceted challenge that touched on the lives of millions of people globally.

    Mr Babadende commended the NDLEA for working assiduously to tackle drug abuse, trafficking and addiction in the country.

    “We all know that drug availability, affordability and accessibility are directly influenced by addiction,” he said.

    Bayo Adepoju, the Deputy Director, Port Operations, NAFDAC, said that although tramadol and codeine were prescription drugs, it is illegal for anyone to have them in large quantity.

    “Private jets used for laundering and drug trafficking in Nigeria” – Festus Keyamo

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has alleged that some private aircraft operating in Nigeria are being used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

    Keyamo said this at the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Thursday, June 27, when he inaugurated a Ministerial Taskforce Committee to checkmate illegal chartered operations in the country. Though the minister did not mention the names of the airlines, he stated that these illegal activities have made the sector lose billions of dollars and raised serious security concerns.

    The Minister further stated that some of those involved in the illegal activities are those who acquired licenses for non-commercial flights operations but gone against the stipulated agreement of the licenses.

    Addressing the committee members, Keyamo mandated that they take inventory of all non-commercial flights operators, investigate all professional licenses and checkmate their authencity as well as recommend disciplinary measures against airlines found culpable.

    ‘’Last week, the National Security Adviser wrote to us, alerting us of the spike in money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities through the use of private aircraft in the country.

    It appears that Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) operators have become increasingly emboldened, continuing their illegal operations with the assistance of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who collect tolls and list these illegal charters under their AOCs.

    We have received alarming reports that some crew members have not attended mandatory simulator trainings for nearly three years and are flying with fraudulently-obtained renewed licenses.

    Many of these individuals are operating planes registered under PNCF but are conducting illegal charter operations with impunity.” he said

    The eight-man committee was chaired by the Chief Executive Office of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, and the committee is expected to report all findings to the minister within the next three months.

    North Korean Govt ‘publicly executes young man for listening to South Korean’s music

    North Korea publicly executed a 22-year-old citizen for listening to and sharing K-pop music and films as part of Pyongyang’s ruthless crackdown on outside information and culture.


    The man from the Hermit Kingdom’s South Hwanghae province was publicly executed in 2022 for listening to 70 South Korean songs, watching three films, and distributing them, according to testimonies published in the North Korean Human Rights report released by the South’s Unification Ministry on Thursday, June 27.


    The report, a compilation of testimonies from 649 North Korean defectors – highlights Pyongyang’s brutal crackdown on Western influence and information flow into the isolated country.


    The country’s ban on K-pop was implemented under the former leader, Kim Jong-il to shield citizens from the “malign influence” of Western culture and its allies.


    It was further tightened under Jong-il’s son, Kim Jong-un, who adopted a new law for the North in 2020, which prohibits “reactionary ideology and culture”.


    The North has rejected criticisms of the government’s grave violation of human rights, calling it a part of a conspiracy to overthrow the leadership.


    According to the report, North Koreans are routinely subjected to mobile phone inspections for contact name spellings, expressions, and slang terms.


    “The government does not tolerate pluralism, bans independent media, civil society organisations and trade unions, and systematically denies all basic liberties, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and freedom of religion and belief,” Human Rights Watch said about North Korea in their world report in 2023.

    “Zion Ministry was established on deception” — Rev Father Ugwu

    Reverend Father Kelvin Ugwu, a priest of the Catholic church has accused Ebuka Obi, the founder of Zion Ministry of establishing his Church on deception.

    According to Reverend Ugwu, Ebuka Obi started his Ministry under the guise that it is a Catholic ministry, a lie he and his co travellers sold to their adherents to sway them.

    In a lengthy post on his official Facebook page, he said some Catholic practices were introduced to make everyone believe that it is an extension of the Catholic Church.

    Practices like: Rosary recitation, stations of the cross, Catholic hymns and songs and use of images.

    Ugwu said, “The Zion minister started his ministry under the guise that it is a Catholic ministry. That was the lie that was sold to everyone. Everything they did afterwards was done to maintain and sustain that lie.

    “This was why some Catholic priests (read powerful priests) were used to authenticate and give credence to that claim.

    “Then some Catholic practices were introduced to make everyone believe that it is an extension of the Catholic Church. Practices like: Rosary recitation, stations of the cross, Catholic hymns and songs, use of images.. etc. For me, there is nothing wrong with praying the rosary or doing the stations of the cross.

    “In the early days of the ministry, Masses were said and priests were invited. When the Archbishop of Lagos did not approve of masses being said there, the ministry resorted to going through the back doors to invite priests to say mass. Then on some occasions, some priests were invited, especially those they claim are coming from the US or outside the country, to give testimony to “validate” that the ministry is Catholic and is a place to be.

    “The problem of the Zion minister started from the beginning, it was founded on deception because if truly he wanted it to be Catholic, he would have listened to the Archbishop and followed the procedure in which such ministry can operate in the church. We all know the Church has rules on all these. But NO, he wanted his thing in his own way (which is not also a problem.) But still, he wanted it to have a touch of Catholic so that simple-minded Catholics would not suspect anything.

    “Today, there are Sunday services in Zion ministry at a time when Catholics are supposed to go to mass. Then during Lent, they will organize stations of the cross at the same time Catholics are supposed to be at their parishes. Then recently, they have acquired more space for the ministry. So in essence, it is now a full “church.” Why was it difficult for him to just state this fact earlier and save everyone the stress?

    “Even more worrying is that people who call themselves Catholics will prefer to insult a Catholic priest because he tries to tell them the truth about the ministry they attend and about the minister whom they have now deified.

    “Everything I say, some of you Zionist will see it as an attack or jealousy. Tomorrow you will say he is a staunch Catholic, even Martin Luther was a staunch Catholic and a priest.

    “If you read this post and you are an acclaimed Zion member and follower of Ebuka, please, I beg you in the name of Fancha to avoid the temptation of coming here to tell me to rest. I consider it as an insult…also avoid that silly childish voice telling you to type “You are jealous and envious because you don’t bla bla bla.” Don’t be unfortunate! Don’t! Just respect yourself and waka pass.”

    “Cannabis is the world’s best medicine” – Whoopi Goldberg

    American actress and comedian, Whoopi Goldberg has claimed cannabis is ‘probably the greatest medicine on the planet’ as she revealed she used it medicinally in the past to help with painful menstrual cramps.


    The 68-year-old actor, who is launching her own line in July including edibles and pre-rolls, explained that ‘medicine should be in the hands of people,’ and said using cannabis for medicinal purposes was ‘not taboo anymore.’


    In an interview with Forbes, Whoopi explained why she thinks that medicating shouldn’t feel uncomfortable: ‘We know that’s wrong. And people say, “Well, that’s just anecdotal,” but it’s not anecdotal.


    ‘Everybody you talk to would tell you that medicine doesn’t have to be horrifying. Especially when it’s herbal, when it’s growing out of the ground and doesn’t need an additive, which means it can stay reasonably priced for people to go pick it up.’


    Referring to her own reasons for using cannabis, the Sister Act star explained: ‘For people like me, it was always used to stop the [menstrual] cramps – and the side hustle of that is that it was fun, it made you laugh and stuff.

    ‘They’re not taboo anymore because we all know women get a period. We know. So you can either make it hard, which they’ve done in terms of creating something that helps women… But this [cannabis] we know works.’


    The mother-of-one added that her primary reason for using it was to make sure she ‘could stop the pain,’ because products such as Midol ‘didn’t work’ for her. 


    ‘Medicine should be in the hands of people,’ Whoopi said, before describing it as an ‘honour’ to launch her own brand – which will be available in stores on July 20.

    Wife stabs abusive husband to death

    A 22-year-old woman, Zainab Isa has been arrested by police authorities in Yobe State for allegedly killing her husband, Ibrahim Yahaya, 25, in Abbari Ward, Damaturu city.

    The unfortunate incident was disclosed by the spokesman of the command, DSP Dungus Abdulkareem in a statement made available to newsmen.

    Dunguns expressed the command’s sorrow over the tragic incident, which occured as a result of abusive marriage.

    The C Divisional Police Headquarters received a complaint from a neighbor who reported that the couple had a violent argument, leading to a scuffle.

    According to the neighbor, Zainab Isa stabbed her husband in the chest with a knife, resulting in his death before the police rescue team could arrive.

    Following her arrest, Zainab Isa was taken to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a thorough investigation and will be arraigned in court.

    In her confession, Zainab Isa claimed that she did not intend to kill her husband but acted in self-defense. She described a marriage marked by persistent violence, often triggered when she requested food or money.

    This pattern of abuse continued even after the birth of their first child and the arrival of their second child, despite her husband’s inability to provide for their needs.

    The command however, expressed commitment in conducting a detailed investigation to ensure justice is served in this tragic case.

    illegal Tiger nut drinks behind Lagos cholera outbreak — Lagos State Govt

    Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Health, has revealed that unregistered tigernut drinks have been traced to be a major cause of the Cholera outbreak in the state.

    In a chat with Punch, Ogunyemi said most of the patients who came for treatment said they took a particular tigernut drink in Eti-Osa local government area.

    She said, “When there’s an outbreak like this, we have Environmental Health Services officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment who go around ensuring that the environment is kept clean. So when we noticed an increase in cases in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos specifically, we went there to investigate.

    “We carried out a survey and found that the common denominator, which was one of the deadly factors, was a tiger nut drink. People who came to the hospitals all identified that they had drunk tiger nut drink. We couldn’t just take their word for it, so we had to take that drink and test it to see what was in it.

    “We immediately sent people out to look for those selling it so we could take a sample. We found empty bottles with a name on them, but we discovered that it wasn’t even registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the regulatory body that ensures the safety of consumables. There was a phone number and a name on the bottle, and we started tracing.

    “We did contact tracing, similar to what we did with COVID-19. We combed the area to ask people where they got the drinks from. We couldn’t find any full bottles. We only found empty ones, which were of no use because we could not test them. The phone number on the bottle was not reachable. From our investigations, we realised that the beverages were not registered, so the producers hadn’t gone through the processes to ensure that what they were producing was safe for the public to consume. We traced it to that.”

    Speaking further, she said, “Of course, cholera is also water-borne, so we took samples of the water to test it. The bottom line is that we took stool samples because different things cause diarrhoea. It could be anything else. We found out that it was confirmed cholera, specifically Vibrio cholera subtype 01, which is the most infectious and aggressive type. There are different types, but we identified this one. In Lagos Island, Eti-osa, and Kosofe, we recorded the highest number of cases that went to the hospital. I’m not talking about reported cases. These are the people who did the right thing by going to the hospital to complain of symptoms, and they were treated. That’s when we were alerted. When the hospitals report cases, we are notified, and we set up an emergency office in Yaba to swing into action. That’s what we’ve been doing since.

    “We continue to test everyone’s stool specimens. Unfortunately, we can’t test everyone because most have already taken antibiotics, which doesn’t give us a good sample. We test those who just came and have not taken anything at home. Hence, part of our campaign is to advise people not to take antibiotics. Pharmacists should not sell them antibiotics.

    “They should come straight to the hospital for testing. We provide oral rehydration therapy, which is crucial during cholera symptoms. It doesn’t mean the other local governments didn’t have cases, they did, but the numbers started decreasing. We were quite relieved because there was a day when we didn’t have any new cases.

    “However, we anticipated an increase after the Ileyah celebrations, which indeed happened. Unfortunately, we also had an increase in deaths. That’s the unfortunate part. More people have died, and about three of them were already dead upon arrival from home.

    “From our history, we realised they had diarrhoea and vomiting for the past two or three days, but they never came to the hospital. They were probably treating themselves locally, which we advise against. That’s how we know. We’re hoping for a decline as we continue our efforts in the community.”

    “God gave me this gift” – Lionel Messi

    Inter Miami and Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi has revealed that God is the reason behind his success as a footballer.


    The 37-year-old, who is currently with Argentina at the Copa América in the US, said that he has tried to make the most of the gift God gave him.

    “It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me. It was a gift he gave me.” he told podcaster Juan Pablo Varsky


    “I was always different. People came to watch me. I didn’t realize it, but I only began to understand that as I grew older.


    “Of course, I tried to take advantage of it [talent], I tried to squeeze the most out of it, but the truth is, I did nothing to become the player that I already was when I was little.”


    Yes, Leo’s got a gift—one in a billion, no doubt. But he’s not giving himself enough credit because he worked just as hard as any other footballer to become what he is today—the best player in the world.

    Releasing comedy skits and music videos without NFVCB classification is an Offense – FG Confirms

    The federal government has announced that releasing skits, films, or music videos without obtaining classification from the National Films and Videos Censors Board (NFVCB) is an offense.

    Shaibu Husseini, the board’s executive director, emphasized the importance of enhancing video content classification in Nigeria. In a statement released on Wednesday, June 26, Husseini revealed that the NFVCB has initiated plans to establish “a world-class classification center” and warned content creators against distributing unclassified skits, films, or music videos.

    The NFVCB is now collaborating with security agencies to identify and prosecute filmmakers who violate this regulation. Husseini said; 

    “It is an offense to distribute or exhibit any film or video content, including skits and musical videos, on any platform without classification by the National Film and Video Censors Board.

    “The board is working with relevant security agencies to track individuals and production companies involved, ensuring they face the full extent of the law.”

    The NFVCB also condemned the promotion and distribution of same-sex content on social media, reminding filmmakers and content creators that it is illegal to publicly exhibit same-sex relationships in Nigeria.

    The NFVCB issues certificates of censorship for all films and video works reviewed by its in-house committee, with the classification or rating indicated on the certificate. The classification symbols and ratings include:

    1. “G” for general exhibition
    2. “PG” for content intended for children under parental guidance
    3. “C” for films specifically for children
    4. “12” for content not recommended for children under 12 years
    5. “12A” indicating no one under 12 may enter a cinema unless accompanied by an adult
    6. “15” for content not recommended for persons under 15
    7. “18” for mature audiences only

    Do you know that Tinubu’s govt spent N244M on tyres in one day ?

    Details of how President Bola Tinubu’s administration reportedly spent a whooping sum of N244,654,350 on the purchase and supply of tyres in a single day have emerged.

    An investigation and data gathered from GovSpend, a portal documenting Presidential Villa expenditures, according to Dailytrust, revealed that the State House made payments for an unspecified quantity of bulletproof tyres and Westlake tyres during the week marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.

    Documents showed that on May 21, 2024, payments of N200,583,390, N38,070,000, and N6,000,960 were made for these items.

    The documents revealed that two separate payments were made for the purchase and supply of tyres (no specified quantity) for bulletproof vehicles and another five armoured bulletproof tyres to Obi-Wealth Enterprises Nigeria Limited (RC-640684) for the sums of N200,583,390 and N38,070,000.

    The publication reported that a quick search on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website revealed that the company is inactive.

    Hommy & Fay Investments Limited, active on the CAC portal, handled the other part of the supply of an unspecified number of Westlake tyres (315/80R22) for N6,000,960.

    Payments for the tyres were made barely 24 hours after Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, apologised to Nigerians over the nationwide hardship.

    Former CEO of Konga, commits suicide

    Mr Nick Imudia, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Konga, one of Nigeria’s e-commerce platforms, has committed suicide.

    He reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the balcony of his apartment in upscale Lekki area of Lagos State on Tuesday.

    Imudia before his unfortunate death, allegedly made a call to his brother who is based in the United States to give him instructions on how to share his wealth and also called his young daughter to inform her that he would always be there for her.

    Meanwhile, the news of his suicide has left his friends, family, and associates in shock.

    The reason behind his decision to abruptly take his own life remained unclear.

    Mr Imudia who is an indigene of the Ika South local government area of Delta State was previously married to the mother of his young daughter but the marriage ended due to irreconcilable differences.

    Lagos State police command is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.

    Georgia nails Portugal 2-0 to advance at Euro 2024

    Georgia stunned former champions Portugal 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the knockout stage at Euro 2024 —- their first-ever major tournament.

    The match was settled by an early Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strike and a Georges Mikautadze penalty kick.

    The win, albeit against a largely second-string Portugal who had already made it into the next round, represented the greatest result for Georgia.

    This was since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. 

    But there was nothing undeserved about the way Willy Sagnol, a former Bayern Munich and France defender, and his side claimed a third-place finish in the tournament’s Group F.

    It was a win that had now set them up for a last-16 meeting with three-time Euro winners Spain.

    Georgia’s win also means that England will line up against Slovakia, Romania take on Netherlands and Portugal face Slovenia in the round of 16.

    Hungary, who had been in contention for a spot in the next round, were edged out.

    The tournament debutants took the lead in the second minute when Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli winger, raced away after a careless pass by Antonio Silva.

    He then powered a low shot past Diogo Costa in Portugal’s goal.

    Cristiano Ronaldo —- one of only three starters for Portugal who also played in their 3-0 win over Turkey on Saturday —- stretched and strained for every ball.

    This was as he sought to become the oldest goal scorer at a Euro tournament at the age of 39.

    But Georgia defended as if their lives depended upon it and sought to catch Portugal on the break.

    In the 53rd minute, Silva compounded his earlier error by committing a foul in the penalty box which led to an award of a penalty kick after a VAR check.

    Mikautadze, who had provided the pass for Kvaratskhelia to open the scoring early on, steered his kick past Costa, making him the top scorer at Euro 2024 so far with three goals.

    Ronaldo was booked in the first half for arguing and he cut a frustrated figure when he was substituted after the break, kicking out at a water bottle.

    Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made late saves to keep Portugal at bay in the final minutes.

    At full-time, Georgia’s squad and coaching staff sprinted onto the field to celebrate in front of thousands of their fans.

    Divorce: “My Pastor with dead p3nis lured me into marriage”

    A woman whose identity is yet to be revealed has dragged his husband who is a pastor to court over his inability to consumate their marriage two years after.

    The disturbing story was shared in the official Facebook page of Due Process Advocates, a human rights organization with it’s headquarters in United States.

    NewsBand gathered that the lady dated this pastor for three months before they got married. During the courtship, the man told her that it is against the commandment of God for them to have sex before they were married. She believed him.

    The lady in question later discovered that the manhood of the so called husband does not function.

    The duo married only under the customary law. Now, the woman is trying to dissolve the marriage.

    DPA shared the draft for grounds for divorce in the petition filed by the angry lady.

    Draft reads, “That within a few weeks into the marriage, it took God’s intervention and a dint of luck for the Petitioner to discover why the Respondent had never attempted to have sexual intercourse with her during their few months of courtship.

    “That since their marriage the Respondent has not had sexual intercourse with the Petitioner and this has been a problem in the marriage .

    “That it was as a result of constant demand for sexual intimacy that the Petitioner discovered that the Respondent has an extreme form of erectile dysfunction which does not allow him to achieve erection and be able to penetrate a woman during intercourse.

    “That in order to achieve erection, the Respondent and the Petitioner have engaged in various measures, all recommended by the Respondent, such measures including fasting and praying for three days, going into the mountain for prayer sessions, keeping vigils. Yet none worked. Respondent penis shows no sign of erection.

    “That immediately the Petitioner noticed this, she registered her displeasure and when every effort failed to yield any result, the she left the marital home and hoped that the Respondent would receive treatment and cure himself of impotency.

    “That the Petitioner states that she has endured this for more than two years now and the Respondent is virtually doing nothing to help his predicament only asking the Petitioner to put him in prayers.

    “That the Petitioner feels that the Respondent deliberately concealed his serious medical and health condition and his impotency and misled the Petitioner into believing that the reason he did not want sexual intimacy before marriage was his religious beliefs.

    “That on many occasions when the Petitioner and the Respondent had discussions over the matter, the Respondent encouraged the Petitioner to go and get pregnant from outside the marriage and bear the child for him.

    “That the Petitioner is convinced that the Respondent’s plan was for her to bear children for him by getting pregnant from other men and she finds that repugnant and against her beliefs. Hence she is seeking to dissolution of the marriage.

    “That the marriage is without any child due to the Respondent’s inability to have sex or to impregnate a woman.

    “That the customary marriage between the Petitioner and the Respondent has broken down irretrievably as a result of the Respondent’s dishonesty about his health condition and as a result of his inability to consummate the marriage. .
    Whereof the petitioner claims against the Respondent as follows:

    “AN ORDER of the Honourable Court dissolving the customary marriage between the Petitioner and the Respondent.
    B. AN ORDER of the Honourable Court mandating the return of the One Thousand Naira (N1,000.00) Only worth of bride price to the Respondent.

    “And for such further or other orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this suit.”

    Research: Microplastics discovered in human reproductive organ for the first time

    Group of scientists have found microplastics in human penises for the first time, as concerns over the tiny particles’ proliferation and potential health effects continue to pile up.


    Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inches (5 millimetres) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometre). Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter. They form when larger plastics break down, either by chemically degrading or physically wearing them down into smaller pieces.


    Seven different kinds of microplastics were found in four out of five samples of penis tissue taken from five different men as part of a study published in IJIR: Your Sexual Medicine Journal on Wednesday, June 19.

    Some minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, experts say, and evidence is mounting that they are increasingly present in our bodies.


    Study lead author, Ranjith Ramasamy, working at the University of Miami said that he used a previous study that found evidence of microplastics in the human heart as a basis for his research.


    Ramasamy said he wasn’t surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a “very vascular organ,” like the heart.


    The samples were taken from study participants who had been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) and were in the hospital to undergo surgery for penile implants to treat the condition at the University of Miami between August and September 2023.


    The samples were then analyzed using chemical imaging, which revealed that four of the five men had microplastics in their penile tissue.


    Seven different types of microplastics were detected, with polyethene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) being the most prevalent, according to the study.

    “We need to identify whether microplastics are linked to ED and if there is a level beyond which it causes pathology and what types of microplastics are pathologic,” he said to CNN.


    As for the wider implications of the findings, Ramasamy said he hoped the study would “create more awareness about the presence of foreign bodies within human organs and foster more research surrounding this topic.”


    In the past, research has found that one liter of bottled water, the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles.


    “I think we need to be mindful about consuming water and food from plastic bottles and containers and try and limit the use until more research is done to identify levels that could cause pathology,” Ramasamy said.


    Toxicologist Matthew J. Campen added;


    “As we are trying to understand the potential health effects of plastics, this is another concerning paper,” said Campen, a regents’ professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, who wasn’t involved in the research.


    “Plastics are generally non-reactive with the cells and chemicals of our bodies, but they could be physically disruptive to the many processes our bodies undertake for normal function, including functions related to erection and sperm production.”

    “Hamas is an idealogy and cannot be destroyed” – Israeli Military spokesman admits


    The Israel’s top military spokesman has admitted that the Palestinian militant group, Hamas cannot be destroyed drawing a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

    “The idea that it is possible to destroy Hamas, to make Hamas vanish — that is throwing sand in the eyes of the public, Hamas cannot be destroyed” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Read Adm. Daniel Hagari said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 13.


    Telling the public that there will be no terror in Gaza, no military operatives, no rockets and no armed men is a lie,” Hagari said in a separate interview with CNN affiliate Kan 11.


    “There will be terror in Gaza. Hamas is an idea, deeply rooted in the hearts of the residents of Gaza. To replace those who handle civil services and distribute or steal food, something else needs to be established. This is a decision for the political echelon, and the army will implement it.” he said


    Hagari’s comments prompted a response from Netanyahu’s office, which said Israel’s security cabinet “has defined the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities” as one of the aims of its war in Gaza.


    The IDF later said Hagari was only referring to Hamas “as an ideology and as an idea.”

    Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from members of his government and Israel’s allies, including the United States, to devise a strategy for the post-war governance of Gaza after Israel’s devastating bombardment of the enclave.


    “The IDF, of course, is committed to this,” Netanyahu’s office said.


    In response to Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, when militants killed more than 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage, Israel started its war in Gaza with the primary goals of recovering the hostages, destroying Hamas’ ability to govern there and ensuring another attack could not be launched from the Palestinian territory.


    But after eight months of war, Hagari’s comments echoed the growing fears that Israel’s military campaign may be unable to achieve those aims and that the group could remain a potent ideological force, despite Netanyahu’s claim to have killed more than 14,000 Hamas fighters.

    Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said that eliminating Hamas’ “military and government capabilities” does not “necessarily mean” killing every member of the group.


    Mencer told reporters that Hagari’s comments had not harmed the war effort, but stressed it was the military’s responsibility to carry out “the will of the elected government.”

    Lagos Mum accuses her doctor of removing her womb without consent

    A medical practitioner and Managing Director of Holyfill Hospital, Ayelaje Joseph, has been accused of removing a woman’s womb, without her consent, in his hospital, located in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

    The accuser, Mrs. Okeafor Suzan, said she had an operation in the hospital for fibroid removal but later realized that her womb had been removed without her knowledge or permission.

    When contacted, the Dr. Ayelaje Joseph said Mrs. Suzan gave consent for her womb to be removed, having had two children.

    Mrs Okeafor insisted no such consent was given.

    The mother of two said she visited the hospital on February 16, 2024, to consult Dr. Joseph.

    “We registered with Holyfill Hospital in Ikorodu on February 1, 2024, under our medical service provider, Marina HMO. In that same month, I had an appointment with the MD of Holyfill, who is also a gynecologist. I consulted him about a fibroid I had managed for few years and wanted it removed. He immediately suggested removing my womb. I refused, explaining that it was a single fibroid, and previous scans advised against removal because it was symptomatic, causing bleeding and pain.

    “He took me into his examining room, accompanied by his female manager, examined me, and stated that the fibroid had grown larger over the years. He prescribed medication to alleviate the pain and blood flow for that month. Although the medication provided some relief, I still desired to have the fibroid removed. He agreed and said he would send a code to my HMO for approval of the surgery. The HMO requested an additional scan, which again revealed a single fibroid.

    “A surgery date was scheduled for March 30, 2024, but the doctor rescheduled it for March 29, 2024. After the surgery, I requested to see the removed fibroid, but nothing was shown to me. I returned to the hospital to file a complaint about the absence of my monthly period for April and May 2024. The doctor casually informed me, ‘You won’t see your period again, I removed your womb.’ I was shocked and asked why. He claimed it was what we had agreed upon, but that was untrue.

    “I was taken to the theater and shown a bucket containing human parts, and I was told one of them was my fibroid. A subsequent scan confirmed that my womb had been removed without my permission, knowledge, or consent, and without pre-counseling or post-counseling. I did not request the removal of my womb, and I did not sign any consent form,” she said

    Mazi Nnamdi Kanu agrees to negotiate with the Nigerian Govt.

    The embattled leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has expressed willingness to negotiate with the Federal Government under section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.

    This was disclosed during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Speaking through his lead counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, Kanu conveyed his desire for negotiations after presenting two applications before the court.

    The first application deals with a motion filed under form 49, while the second is an application objecting to the jurisdiction of the court.

    “If these applications are denied,” Ejimakor stated, “we will move for the implementation of Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act.”

    While responding to Kanu’s proposal, Counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, noted that he lacked the power to negotiate on behalf of the government.

    Instead, Awomolo advised Kanu to approach the Attorney General of the Federation for such negotiations.

    Justice Binta Nyako responded by stating that the court’s role is not to act as a solicitor but to hear cases presented before it.

    Kanu, who has been in custody since his arrest in Kenya in June 2021, is facing charges related to terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government.

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