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    Corruption: How few people stole and shared $6.2 Million from Central Bank of Nigeria

    New evidence has come to light regarding the theft of $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on February 8, 2023.

    According to court documents, the stolen funds were shared among several individuals, including CBN officials and two outsiders, Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar.

    The documents, which were sighted by Diaspora Digital Media, reveal that Odoh Eric Ocheme, a personal assistant to the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, received the largest share of $3.73 million.

    The remaining $2.5 million was shared by three others, including Bashirudeen Maishanu, a senior staff member of the CBN.

    The theft was allegedly carried out by CBN officials with the connivance of the two outsiders.

    Investigators have described the incident as an insider job, with the perpetrators using forged documents and fake identities to carry out the heist.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 20-count amended charge against Emefiele, who has denied any involvement in the theft.

    However, a Deputy Director at the CBN, Michael Onyeka Ogbu, has confirmed the withdrawal of the funds, stating that he was convinced by the necessary authorities to release the payment.

    Further investigation has revealed that some of the beneficiaries invested their shares of the loot in real estate, with part of the funds already recovered.

    The EFCC has initiated extradition proceedings against Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Eric Ocheme, who are believed to be at large and have fled the country.

    The case has raised questions about the security measures in place at the CBN and the involvement of senior officials in the theft. The EFCC has promised to continue investigating the matter to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.

    In related news, the CBN has confirmed the deposit of $2.9 billion in a special account to stabilize the forex market.

    The bank has also reaffirmed the financial stability of Nigerian banks. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has called for an investigation into Heritage Bank’s alleged involvement in forex fraud.

    “My wife using UK system to frustrate me” — Nigerian man in UK cries

    A Nigerian man simply identified as Akinbosola Ogunsanya has taken to X to call out his wife for using the police and the United Kingdom system to frustrate him.

    Mr Ogunsanya alleged that his wife denied him the joy of fatherhood by denying him access to his child.

    He also alleged that his wife lied to the police that he used her personal details to take out a loan, adding that his personal effects such as his phone, have been seized by the police since November last year.

    He made other allegations, adding that the wife was trying to frustrate him since he abandoned everything for her and moved out of the house when he could no longer stomach the abuse she was meting out to him.

    However, a lady who claims to know the couple very well responded to his tweets, alleging that Ogunsanya was not being entirely truthful.

    She alleged that Ogunsanya was in the habit of stealing from his wife and kids, among other things.

    Read the tweets beginning with Ogunsanya’s below, “I’ve kept quiet for a long time mate and I’m literally tired. Nothing, absolutely nothing justifies denying another person the joy of fatherhood. As if that’s not enough, they still lied to the police that I used their details to take out loans.. omg! in this England?

    “It degenerated into me getting arrested for no just reason! The police still have my belongings including my phone since November of last year and all of this is because I didn’t go back to where I was being maltreated and abused.

    “You guys have taken everything but I won’t let you take my son, if it requires my last breath to fight justly within the bounds of the law, my spirit no go wenkule

    “10 fucking months and all I’ve got is only one lousy Photo when my son was born. I have to rely on strangers to send me photos of my own son, it’s ridiculous. They are hiding my own son from me because I didn’t go back to my place of pain and suffering. It’s unimaginable

    “I won’t stop fighting until I have my son!

    “I’m having a bad mental health day today because I’ve spent the best part of the day with my mate, his Mrs and their little one who reminds me of my 10 month old son I’ve never seen before because some people think denying a man the joy of fatherhood is the price you pay for refusing to be a slave. Several thousands of pounds have been spent on solicitors and court documents. Money that should go towards Zachary’s welfare. Fucking ridiculous man

    “If she won’t trick you into having a child with her in other (order) to use the child to manipulate, threaten and control you. My type is the type who won’t be hiding your own damn son from you and won’t go about lying and tarnishing your image because of council flat and child support.

    The wife’s friend, Whitney, responds by stating that he was not telling the whole truth. She laid a few allegations against Ogunsanya.

    @thewhitney, “You would steal from her, steal from her kids too. The woman had to start putting her stuff in her car booth and lock them.

    “You sold the wedding band. Sold the Apple wristwatch she bought you, sold the iPad she bought you, her Gucci shoes.

    “@MrAkinbosola there’s evidence

    When a netizen asked how it was possible for a father to steal from his kid, @thewhitney wrote, “He broke into their piggy banks. Stole their games. Their bicycles mind you, this woman already had two big kids a 14 year old and 8 year old before he came into the pic. He broke into the woman’s 14 year old and 8 year old’s piggy banks. He stole the 8 year old‘s bicycle and Nintendo DS, 700 pounds from the woman’s piggy too.

    “Should I go onnn? There’s evidence o!”

    The wife is yet to respond personally

    Sex workers move ‘businesses’ online to boost their business operations

    Amid economic hardship, sex workers are utilising social media platforms to conduct their ‘businesses’, defying stigma and embracing digital hook-ups as a means of survival, GODFREY GEORGE writes

    Confidence Oge’s room looked unkempt. The online pleasure worker had advertised her services in a TikTok post, calling for men to patronise her online business – online sex work.

    A large cream-coloured pleasure toy stood on what looked like a wooden table. An unlabelled bottle of syrup sat nearby. A close look revealed it was a bottle of lubricant.

    Wigs, multiple coloured bags, clothes and wrappers were scattered all over the room, forming tiny mounds as she tried to position a camera in front of her.

     After our correspondent came across her profile on TikTok, where she advertised how she could make any man reach orgasm just by having a video call, Saturday PUNCH reporter decided to dig deeper.

     In the video, Oge, wearing a pair of red undies and a black tank top screamed at the top of her voice.

     She held a camera and stood in front of a mirror in an attempt to gain more customers to patronise her.

     She continued in Pidgin English, “Once you pay your money, come to my WhatsApp.

    “If you’re a married man, don’t go and meet another girl outside. Come to me. Pay your money. 090511*****.

     “All the whole Nigerian man abroad come. This is what you need. After you suffer finish, this is what you need to cure you. (sic)”

    A chat with Oge

     Oge, our correspondent learnt, had been a sex worker for some years but decided to go fully online because, according to her, it is safer and gives her more freedom.

     Now in her late 30s, Oge said she has no regrets.

     Her profile display picture on WhatsApp contact is a picture containing her First Bank account number, and full name, with a short description of what her customers should do after payment is made.

    Our correspondent learnt that payment ranges from between N3,0000 to N5,000. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oge used to charge as low as N1000 for her online services.

     Speaking to our correspondent, she said after payment is made, receipt evidence should be sent to her and she would schedule a meeting with her client.

     It would be a video call on WhatsApp that would last between 15 and 20 minutes. It could be a group call or a personal call.

    For a personal call, which she terms ‘premium package’, the payment is more. A source, who had patronised her, who identified himself as Ebube, said it costs only N5,000.

     “As of January this year, it was N5,000. She even did some discount for returning customers, and some of us paid N4,000,” Ebube told this reporter.

    How online sex works

     Online sex, also known as digital sex, is powered by the internet. It involves nude exchanges, sex chat or sexting, and climaxes into video calls.

     The sex worker teases his or her audience by showing sensitive parts of their bodies. Sometimes, sex toys are deployed to give a feel of intercourse. The audience, mostly called, the receiver joins the video chat and performs some acts of self-pleasure on themselves till orgasm is reached.

    Several digital content providers use this method to maintain their lavish lifestyles, as several clients would not mind doubling the fee for preferential treatment and premium content.

    For instance, when our correspondent joined Oge’s video chat on Tuesday evening, she was unclad. She was playing with a pleasure toy and making several moaning sounds.

     “I hope you are enjoying it,” she said, twisting her body from one side of the video to the other. When our correspondent disconnected, she chatted him up, saying, “Did you get there?” and went offline for a bit.

     She returned online after 24 minutes and was on another call when our correspondent tried to reach her.

     A male client whom our correspondent traced from TikTok said he had followed the lady from her TikTok days.

     “She has always been on TikTok until the app banned her for posting this explicit content. So, she devised a means to move us all to WhatsApp,” he said, in a short voice note he sent to this reporter and deleted almost immediately.

     Oge is one amongst hundreds of other online sex vendors who hawk sexual intercourse online for men and women to patronise them.

     A popular male blogger (name withheld) was also said to have run an online sex vendor business before he became a media sensation.

    Several videos of him pleasuring himself and having subscribers paying to watch his content were recently posted online.

    He did not deny the allegation. He even posted it on his official X handle and encouraged his followers to watch the video.

    Also, recently, another female media sensation, who also hawked her body online for a fee was exposed as her self-pleasure videos were circulated on social media.

     Although many called her a whore and tagged her a loose woman, several others rallied around her to give her emotional support.

    Online advert, physical meeting

    Selling sex online is just one of the many ways digital hook-ups work. Many other women, our correspondent learnt, would advertise themselves on social media.

     One, who displayed her picture and phone number on the poster, said she offered different services ranging from actual intercourse to foreplay.

     When our correspondent chatted with her, she gave her location as Igwurita, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and her name as Godsent.

    Another, also in Port Harcourt, said she was discreet and would not let anyone know who her client base was.

     “Oga, you have nothing to fear. For this Port Harcourt, nobody know me and nobody go know you. Na Ada George I dey. Whenever you enter PH, call me. I go do you well,” she said.

     In Abuja, a man, simply known as Abuja Area Mama, is also making waves in the online sex business.

     The muscular man, who is always dressed in female attires, claims to be a popular sex worker in the Federal Capital Territory.

     In one of his videos on his TikTok page, he said he had been in the line of business since 2013 and was going to retire when he clocked 40.

     He also claims to make between N100,000 to N500,000 on a very good business day from people who order his services, which range from massages to anal sex, online.

     Another male content creator, who disguises as a cook, is also one person whom our correspondent discovered was into digital ‘hook-up’ services.

     His cooking videos are done with almost nothing on. He also makes many seductive moves when he makes the dishes.

     His commentators on Facebook who are impressed and send a comment are directed into his inbox for further conversation.

     Our correspondent who reached out to him for one of his services was shocked when he sent his account number and asked if our correspondent wanted a physical or online ‘service’.

    He also shared some intimate pictures with this reporter when asked for evidence that he indeed was not impersonating anyone.

     There have also been several cases of popular actors accused of selling their bodies online for a fee. Although this claim cannot be substantiated by this reporter, several sources claimed that the entertainment industry was a fertile ground for digital hook-ups.

    Apps, platforms

     There are several applications to which Nigerian pleasure workers have successfully migrated.

     One prominent platform that has gained traction among sex workers is the Olosho app.

    Designed to help sex workers avoid encounters with law enforcement, this app offers a straightforward registration process accessible through Google’s Play Store.

     Upon registration, users can upload photos and contact information while specifying their state of residence. This enables individuals to connect with potential clients discreetly and efficiently, arranging encounters to fulfil their desires.

     The Olosho app also offers premium membership options, allowing users to access enhanced features for a fee. With pricing tiers catering to different preferences, individuals can choose the membership plan that best suits their needs.

     This flexibility has contributed to the app’s popularity among both sex workers and clients, facilitating seamless transactions and fostering a sense of security for all parties involved.

     Beyond the Olosho app, sex workers are exploring a variety of other platforms to expand their reach and enhance their business operations.

     These platforms range from social media networks like Instagram and Twitter to messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

     By leveraging these digital channels, sex workers can connect with a broader audience and streamline the process of arranging meetings and transactions.

     In addition to traditional social media and messaging apps, sex workers are also turning to specialised platforms designed specifically for adult entertainment and sex work.

     These platforms offer features tailored to the needs of sex workers, providing tools for marketing, communication, and payment processing. By utilizing these dedicated platforms, sex workers can access a range of resources and support services to optimize their business operations.

     The rise of digital platforms has revolutionized the sex industry in Nigeria, offering sex workers new opportunities to conduct their trade and reach clients. However, this digital transformation also poses challenges, including issues related to privacy, security, and regulation.

     As sex workers navigate this evolving landscape, they must remain vigilant and informed, adopting strategies to protect their safety and well-being while maximizing their earning potential.

     A tech expert, Mr Olufemi Tayo, noted that despite these challenges the use of digital platforms has empowered sex workers to assert greater control over their work and livelihoods.

     “By embracing technology, sex workers can operate more efficiently, expand their client base, and access resources and support services to enhance their business operations. In doing so, they are challenging societal norms and stereotypes, asserting their agency, and advocating for their rights within the sex industry,” he said.

    The Internet and hook-up

     Throughout history, prostitution has endured, transcending ancient civilizations to persist in contemporary society.

    Urbanisation, especially prevalent in developing nations like Nigeria due to rural-urban migration, has fueled its growth.

     In a new parlance, mostly championed by young people, this ‘act’ is now known as ‘hook-up’, where money is exchanged for sexual favours.

     It is obvious that with the coming of several Information and Communication Technologies tools, the prostitution industry has been shaped. Its various forms have been delineated and scrutinised, identifying the underlying causes and contributing factors.

     Several theories are explored, revealing prostitution’s detrimental effects on women’s health and its classification as a form of violence against women.

     Consequences encompass violence, murder, sexually transmitted diseases, theft, and financial exploitation. Consequently, recommendations are proposed.

     Over the past decade, the Internet has brought about significant transformations in the sex industry.

     Sex work has experienced a rapid and unprecedented shift from outdoor and venue-based activities to indoor sex work facilitated by Information and Communication Technologies.

     These changes have made a substantial portion of the industry less visible.

     In Nigeria, the predominant form of sex work occurs within brothels or the private residences of sex workers.

     This shift has also led to a growing number of young students and unemployed graduates engaging in sex work to earn income.

     These individuals often work part-time as prostitutes, call girls, or are sometimes referred to as ‘Aristo girls’,  and their presence is reshaping the strategies employed by sex workers, according to research works by sociologists, Dr Gilbert Terdoo of the Benue State University, Makurdi, and Dr Moses Fegher of the Marist International University College, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya in October 2023.

     A sociologist researcher at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Shagbaor Terungwa, noted that over the past decade, the Internet has brought about significant transformations in the sex industry.

     Corroborating Terdoo and Fegher, she noted that sex work has experienced a rapid and unprecedented shift from outdoor and venue-based activities to indoor sex work facilitated by ICT and the Internet.

     According to her, the intersection of ICT and prostitution involves various aspects where technology and the sex industry interact.

     “The Internet has revolutionized the way sex workers promote their services and establish connections with clients.

     “It has created a digital marketplace for sex work through websites, social media platforms, and classified ads.

     “These online platforms enable sex workers to create profiles and listings, making it more convenient for them to reach potential clients discreetly.

     “Additionally, there are specialized apps and websites tailored specifically to the escort and sex worker industry. These platforms streamline the booking of services, allowing clients to search for escorts, often complete with user reviews and ratings.

     “To enhance the safety and security of sex workers, ICT tools come into play. Mobile applications and online communities serve as valuable resources for sharing information about potentially risky clients or locations.

     “The use of GPS and location-sharing features on smartphones can also serve as safety measures. Digital payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, have gained popularity for transactions related to sex work.

     “These methods provide a degree of anonymity for both clients and sex workers.

     “Online forums, chat groups, and social media communities provide spaces where sex workers can discuss safety precautions, share advice, and offer support to one another. These online communities play a vital role in information exchange and fostering solidarity among sex workers,” she said.

     She also stated that the digital landscape has given rise to legal and regulatory challenges concerning prostitution. Some regions have implemented laws targeting online sex work advertisements or platforms that facilitate sex work, while others have opted to regulate and introduce safety measures.

     Another sociologist who retired as a professor from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ibironke Adetanwa, stated that social media and online sex work have become rampant because of the declining moral standards in the world.

    “It is alarming how our children have decided to tow this line of work rather than do honourable jobs where they would not have to hide or sell themselves cheap just to make it,” she said.

     Outlining the various risks, she said the online prostitution industry would not boom if they did not have anyone patronising them.

    Hardship increasing sex workers?

     The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, also known as UNAIDS, a global initiative established in 1996 by the United Nations to lead and coordinate the global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, stated in 2017, that there were a total of 103,506 sex workers on and offline in Nigeria.

     Stears, in 2020, put the figure at around 176,400 female sex workers alone. This is a huge percentage of Nigeria’s 200 million population.

    A Bayelsa State-based legal practitioner, Mrs Tombra Sekibo, stated that sex workers have been facing severe human rights abuses and multiple forms of discrimination in Nigeria.

     She said, “According to the Nigerian Constitution, sex work is not specifically criminalised, however, anyone who ‘benefits from the proceeds of sex work’ may face a jail term. Sex workers can be punished when caught negotiating sex ‘aggressively’ with a client.

     “Sex workers are harassed and punished by law enforcement agencies that apply administrative offences.

    “In Northern states, the policing of sex work is so punitive in some cases that it calls for stoning of a woman caught doing sex work.

     “In Southern Nigeria, the activities of “pimps” or madams, underage prostitution, and the operation or ownership of brothels are penalised under sections 223, 224, and 225 of the Nigerian Criminal Code.

     “Even though under Nigerian law, sex work is not decriminalised, the wording is vague if such work is performed by an independent individual who operates on his or her own accord without the use of managers or a brothel.”

     As Nigeria grapples with the removal of petrol subsidy, sex workers find themselves navigating economic hardships amidst the broader financial strain felt across the nation.

     The elimination of subsidies has led to significant increases in the cost of living, placing additional financial burdens on already marginalized communities, including sex workers.

     In response to these challenges, sex workers, our correspondent learnt, are employing various strategies to cope with the economic downturn.

     An executive member of the Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Sex Workers’ Association, also known as Precious Jewels, Sandra Oma, said one such strategy involves diversifying their client base and expanding their services to appeal to a wider range of individuals.

    The NSWA, according to its website, is an umbrella network of community-based sex workers’ organisations. NSWA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation focusing on the health, social, and human rights of sex workers.

     “By offering additional services or catering to niche markets, sex workers can generate alternative sources of income to offset the impact of rising prices and reduced spending power,” she said.

     Furthermore, she added that sex workers are leveraging digital platforms and social media to market their services and connect with potential clients.

     “In an increasingly digital world, online platforms offer sex workers a convenient and accessible way to reach a broader audience and attract new clientele.

     “By establishing a strong online presence and utilizing effective marketing strategies, sex workers can adapt to changing economic conditions and maintain a steady stream of income.

     “Additionally, sex workers are forming support networks and collaborating with their peers to navigate the economic challenges they face. By sharing resources, information, and insights, sex workers can pool their collective knowledge and expertise to develop strategies for financial resilience and sustainability.

     “These support networks also provide a sense of community and solidarity, offering emotional support and camaraderie during difficult times,” Oma said.

     Despite the economic challenges they face, the sex worker added that members of her association were resilient and resourceful, finding innovative ways to adapt to changing circumstances and sustain their livelihoods. By embracing flexibility, creativity, and collaboration, sex workers are demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and thrive in the face of economic hardship.

    Solutions

    The rise of online prostitution and sex work, facilitated by digital platforms and social media, presents a complex challenge with profound social and ethical implications. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the root causes and the specific challenges posed by digital spaces.

     In a world entrenched in patriarchal norms, the battle against prostitution presents a multifaceted challenge.

     Merely decrying the practice without addressing the underlying issue of commodifying women’s bodies feels disjointed.

     A sociologist, Mr Haruna Isah, stated that as long as governments tolerate prostitution, violence against women will persist, thwarting efforts to eradicate it.

     “Various strategies can be employed to tackle this complex issue. Prostitution inherently exploits and abuses women, necessitating its outlawing.

     “Simultaneously, it’s crucial to explore alternative avenues to address men’s social and sexual identity issues. Globally, there must be a consensus that prostitution violates women’s rights and dignity, contributing to human trafficking and paedophilia.

     “Recognising prostitution as a form of violence is paramount. Legalising it only perpetuates exploitation. Poverty, particularly among women, is a significant driver of trafficking. Creating legal migration channels while safeguarding the interests of vulnerable groups can help mitigate this issue,” he said.

     In combating prostitution, Isah said prioritising the welfare of women and children over state interests is imperative. The notion of ‘consent’ in prostitution is often illusory, with economic necessity often driving women into the trade. Addressing the erosion of traditional values due to urbanization is essential.

     He added, “Before implementing strategies to combat prostitution, addressing these underlying social and economic factors is crucial. Only then can we develop effective and comprehensive solutions to tackle this complex issue plaguing societies worldwide.”

     Adetanwa, also speaking stated that efforts should focus on addressing the underlying factors that drive individuals, particularly young men and women, into online prostitution.

     “Economic vulnerability or poverty, lack of educational and employment opportunities, and societal stigma around sex work are among the key drivers. Therefore, providing alternative avenues for income generation, such as vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and job placement services, can help mitigate the economic pressures that push individuals toward online prostitution.

     “Additionally, comprehensive sex education programs should be implemented to empower young people with knowledge about healthy relationships, sexual health, and consent. By equipping individuals with the information and skills they need to make informed choices about their sexual behaviour, we can reduce the likelihood of them turning to online prostitution as a means of financial survival.

    “Furthermore, there is a need for targeted interventions to address the specific challenges posed by digital platforms and social media in facilitating online prostitution.

     “This includes collaborating with tech companies to develop and enforce policies that prohibit the promotion of sexual services and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals on their platforms. Additionally, raising awareness among users about the risks and consequences of engaging in online prostitution, including the potential for exploitation, trafficking, and legal repercussions, can help deter participation in these activities,” she said.

     A senior developmental and clinical psychologist, Mr Usen Essien, noted that it was essential to provide support and resources for individuals who are currently engaged in online prostitution to help them transition to safer and more sustainable livelihoods.

     “This may include access to counselling, legal assistance, vocational training, and job placement services, as well as opportunities for social and economic empowerment.

     “Ultimately, addressing online prostitution requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that tackles the root causes of the issue while also addressing the specific challenges posed by digital spaces.

     “By providing alternative opportunities, empowering individuals with knowledge and skills, and offering support for those who are already engaged in online prostitution, we can work towards creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive without resorting to selling themselves cheaply online,” he added.

    Nollywood Actress begs as University demands certificate’s return on sex-for-grades saga

    An actress, Chinwe Splendor, has said that the university she graduated from had asked her to return the certificate issued to her after she claimed that while in school, she usually did not attend classes, but slept with lecturers in exchange for grades.

    In a video post on Instagram, Splendor said, “The university I attended sent me an email to return my certificate within 48 hours. I want to ask, ‘is this right’? That certificate, I worked hard for it, so why should I return it? They sent me an email to return the certificate I worked so hard for. If that is case, I know many of my coursemates that should return their certificates as well. I am going through a lot.”

    In earlier interview on a YouTube channel called ‘Yan Konnect Factory’, the actress had stated that as a result of trying to make ends meet, she had to go to the ‘street’ to fend for herself, which resulted in her missing classes. She added that she later devised a way to ensure good grades by sleeping with her lecturers. She added that even though she did not attend lectures in a particular year, she was still able to get good grades in all her courses.Related News

    Meanwhile, some of the people who commented on her post seemed to agree with the institution’s call for her to return the certificate.

    One Ihenenancy wrote, “You talk too much for a lady. It is obvious you didn’t go to school, so return it (certificate) with immediate effect. Common sense is far from you.”

    Chipsys_oven commented, “Yes, please return it, and the school should investigate lecturers who sleep with students in exchange for good grades.”

    [Punch]

    “I regret marrying for love instead of money” – Yvonne Jegede

    Nollywood actress, Yvonne Jegede has revealed details about her failed marriage to actor Olakunle ‘Abounce’ Fawole

    Speaking on a snippet of the upcoming episode of “The Honest Bunch” podcast, Jegede expressed regret in choosing love over financial stability in her marriage.

    Also, she said her ex-husband’s inability to handle jokes on age difference contributed to their marriage crash.

    Despite being eight years older, Fawole took offense to her playful remarks, which he had previously accepted for over a decade.

    “He’s eight years older than me, but the moment we got married, if I tell am say e dey craze he will say I’m disrespecting him. It’s the same me, it’s the same se orie ope (are you crazy) that you know. I’ve always said this for over 10 years,” she explained.

    However, Jegede clarified that the issue of perceived disrespect was not the primary cause of their separation.

    She pointed to financial imbalances as a significant factor, noting that she was the primary breadwinner during their marriage.

    “Let me just state the fact I was bringing more of the money. Today I’m taking care of my son like nobody exists around me. It’s not easy and it’s not funny. I for go for money,” she stated.

    In 2019 Jegede confirmed the crash of her marriage to actor Olakunle ‘Abounce’ Fawole, barely a year after they tied the knot.

    Senegal’s new Govt plans cuts prices of essential commodities

    The new Senegalese government has unveiled measures to reduce the price of rice, oil, bread, and other basic items to address cost-of-living concerns amid high unemployment and inflation.


    The country’s budget Minister Cheikh Diba confirmed the development.


    Recall that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won the March election, vowed during the campaign to address high living costs in the West African nation that heavily relies on imports.


    Under the new measures, the price of a kilo (2.2 pounds) of the most widely consumed type of rice will be reduced by 40 CFA ($0.065, 0.061 euros), while a baguette will cost 15 CFA (0.023 euros) less, the government announced at a media conference, Agence France-Presse reports.


    The reductions, which also cover cement and fertiliser, will take effect in the next few days, government Secretary General Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo told reporters.


    Spending on food accounts for half a Senegalese household’s budget, Lo said, adding checks would be stepped up to ensure traders respect the new prices.


    Budget Minister Cheikh Diba said the government would forego taxes and customs duties imposed on importers to subsidise the price cuts.


    The measures will cost 53.3 billion CFA (more than 81 million euros, $87 million), Diba said.


    This comes after Senegal joined the club of oil-producing countries this week as Australian group Woodside Energy announced that production had started in the country’s first offshore project.


    Faye vowed that profits from the country’s gas and oil resources would be “well managed.”

    Married man sues Apple after wife discovered ‘deleted’ messages sent to sex workers on iPhone

    Apple is to be sued by a businessman after “deleted” messages he sent to sex workers were found by his wife on another device. 

    The cheating husband, who is reportedly a middle-aged man from England, claims Apple’s lack of transparency over deleted messages led to his wife filing for divorce.

    He told The Times he had turned to prostitutes in the final years of his marriage, and would contact them through the iMessage app on his iPhone before deleting the texts.

    But the messages were eventually discovered by his wife on the family’s iMac computer, along with messages going back several years he believed he had wiped.

    “If you are told a message is deleted, you are entitled to believe it’s deleted,” He told the Times newspaper. 

    “It’s all quite painful and quite raw still. It was a very brutal way of finding out [for my wife]. 

    “My thoughts are if I had been able to talk to her rationally and she had not had such a brutal realisation of it, I might still be married.” 

    He added: “Divorce is an extraordinarily stressful process and you have children and family dynamics. 

    “In my opinion it’s all because Apple told me my messages were deleted when they weren’t. 

    “If the message had said, ‘These messages are deleted on this device’, that would have been a clue, or ‘These messages are deleted on this device only’ that would have been even better.” 

    He is now pursuing legal action against the company for the more than £5 million he lost in his divorce and legal costs, claiming the company does not make it clear to customers that deleted messages can appear on other Apple devices.

    Simon Walton, from London law firm Rosenblatt which is representing the businessman, told the Telegraph that “Apple had not been clear with users as to what happens to messages they send and receive and, importantly, delete”. 

    He said: “In many cases, the iPhone informs the user that messages have been deleted but, as we have seen, that isn’t true and is misleading because they are still found on other linked devices — something Apple doesn’t tell its users.”

    Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church Senior Pastor Resigns After Confession

    A megachurch pastor in Texas has stepped down from his congregation after nearly 50 years while confessing to committing a mystery “sin.” 

    Dr. Tony Evans, 74, resigned as the lead pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas on Sunday, June 9.

    He broke the news to his followers in a statement on the church’s website. 

    “The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God,” Evans wrote in his statement.

    “A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard,” Evans said. 

    “I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others.”

    Evans, the former chaplain for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Mavericks, stated he “committed no crime” but “did not use righteous judgment in my actions.”

    “In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders,” Evans wrote. 

    “This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing.” 

    The “elder board” of his ministry said they are “obligated to govern the church in accordance with the scriptures.”

    “Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls short of the high standards of scripture, the elders are responsible for providing accountability and maintaining integrity in the church,” the church’s statement read.

    Evans urged his congregation members to continue without him as he said Associate Pastor Bobby Gibson would guide the church forward. 

    “During this time, it is critical that the ministry of OCBF continue as vibrantly as ever. Remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man,” he wrote. 

    Further details on what “sin” Evans committed in his past that prompted him to step down from his tenured position were not shared. Evans says he intends to continue to worship at Oak Cliff during the process.

    Longtime church member James Harris Jr. was in “shock” over the popular pastor’s abrupt resignation. 

    “He’s a staple in the community,” Harris Jr. told CBS News. “I think he is one of the most known pastors in the nation.” 

    The Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship was started by Evans in 1976 as a Bible study group, according to the church’s website. It has grown to over 10,000 members and 100 different ministries reaching people “locally and abroad.”

    Evans, who is also the author of several bestselling worship books, hosts the daily, worldwide radio show “The Alternative,” which airs in over 130 countries. 

    His statement did not clarify if he would be stepping away from those duties.

    Inflation rate hits 33.95% in Nigeria – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, says Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 33.95 per cent in May 2024.

    The NBS said this in its Consumer Price Index, CPI and Inflation Report for May, which was released on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to the report, the figure is 0.26 percent points higher compared to the 33.69 per cent recorded in April 2024.

    It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2024 was 11.54 per cent higher than the rate recorded in May 2023 at 22.41 per cent.

    In addition, the report said, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2024 was 2.14 per cent, which was 0.15 per cent lower than the rate recorded in April 2024 at 2.29 per cent.

    “This means that in May 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in April 2024.”

    The report said the increase in the headline index for May 2024 on a year-on-year basis and month-on-month basis was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.

    It said these increases were observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel, clothing and footwear, and transport.

    Others were furnishings, household equipment and maintenance, education, health, miscellaneous goods and services, restaurants and hotels, alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola, recreation and culture, and communication.

    It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending May 2024 over the average of the CPI for the previous corresponding 12-month period was 29.06 per cent.

    “This indicates a 7.86 per cent increase compared to 21.20 per cent recorded in May 2023.”

    The report said the food inflation rate in May 2024 increased to 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023 at 24.82 per cent.

    “The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis is caused by increases in prices of Semovita, Oatflake, Yam flour prepackage, Garri, and Bean.

    “Others are Irish Potatoes, Yam, Water Yam, Palm Oil, Vegetable Oil, Stockfish, Mudfish, Crayfish, Beef Head, Chicken-live, Pork Head, and Bush Meat.”

    It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in May was 2.28 per cent, which was a 0.22 percent decrease compared to the rate recorded in April 2024 at 2.50 per cent.

    “The fall in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by a decrease in the average prices of Palm Oil, Groundnut Oil, Yam, Irish Potato, and Cassava Tuber.

    “Others are Wine, Bournvita, Milo, and Nescafe.”

    The report said that “all items less farm produce and energy’’ or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 27.04 per cent in May on a year-on-year basis.

    “This increased by 7.21 per cent compared to 19.83 per cent recorded in May 2023.’’

    “The exclusion of the PMS is due to the deregulation of the commodity by removal of subsidy.”

    It said the highest increases were recorded in prices of Actual and Imputed Rentals for Housing Class, Bus Journey intercity, and Taxi Journey per drop.

    “Others are Accommodation Service, X-ray photography, Consultation Fee of a medical doctor, Laboratory service, among others.”

    The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 2.01 per cent in May 2024.

    “This indicates a 0.18 per cent decrease compared to what was recorded in April 2024 at 2.20 per cent.”

    “The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 23.45 per cent for the 12 months ending May 2024, this was 5.34 per cent points higher than the 18.11 per cent recorded in May 2023.”

    The report said on a year-on-year basis in May 2024, the urban inflation rate was 36.34 per cent, which was 12.61 per cent higher compared to the 23.74 per cent recorded in May 2023.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.35 per cent, which decreased by 0.32 per cent compared to April 2024 at 2.67 per cent.’’

    The report said on a year-on-year basis in May 2024, the rural inflation rate was 31.82 per cent, which was 10.63 per cent higher compared to the 21.19 per cent recorded in May 2023.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 1.94 per cent, which increased by 0.024 per cent compared to April 2024 at 1.92 per cent.’’

    On states’ profile analysis, the report showed that in May, all items’ inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Bauchi at 42.30 per cent, followed by Kogi at 39.38 per cent, and Oyo at 37.73 per cent.

    It however, said the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Borno at 25.97 per cent, followed by Benue at 27.74 per cent, and Delta at 28.67 per cent.

    The report, however, said in May 2024, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Kano at 4.24 per cent, followed by Gombe at 4.06 per cent, and Bauchi at 3.75 per cent.

    “Ondo at 0.57 per cent, followed by Kwara at 1.19 per cent and Yobe at 1.24 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.”

    The report said on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Kogi at 46.32 per cent, followed by Ekiti at 44.94 per cent, and Kwara at 44.66 per cent.

    “Adamawa at 31.72 per cent, followed by Bauchi at 34.35 per cent and Borno at 34.74 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’

    The report, however, said on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Gombe at 4.88 per cent, followed by Kano at 4.68 per cent, and Bayelsa at 3.62 per cent.

    “While Ondo at 0.02 per cent, followed by Yobe at 0.95 per cent and Adamawa at 1.02 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in inflation on a month-on-month basis.”

    World War III will begin this month – Indian Nostradamus

    An astrologer dubbed “New Nostradamus” is predicting the start of World War III is mere days away.

    The Indian has also doubled down on his prediction after dipping the bombshell.

    Kushal Kumar said back in May that World War III would begin on June 18.

    “NOW, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 has the strongest planetary stimulus to trigger WW3,” Kushal Kumar said again this week, doubling down on a May prediction after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash.

    On Thursday, June 13, Kumar rattled off a series of current, disturbing events justifying his claim in another post to Medium.

    First, Kumar cited a recent terror attack that targeted and killed nine Hindu pilgrims in the Himalayas while injuring 33 others.

    Next, he referenced that shots were fired at the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea when troops from the north crossed into the DMZ on Sunday.

    Thirdly, Kumar cited that the conflict in Israel has escalated as Hezbollah forces in Lebanon recently barraged rockets at the Jewish state in retaliation for the death of a commander.

    Then he pointed out that, in a manoeuvre uncomfortably reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Russia has been sending warships, including a nuclear submarine, to Havana.

    And, to top it all off, China has been administering war drills off Taiwanese shores, worrying US officials.

    “Watch the developing war scenario in hotspots across the globe as days pass by,” Kumar wrote.

    He added that June 29 might also be doomsday.

    The astrologer previously predicted June 10, which came to pass.

    Even if WWIII doesn’t come to pass in a matter of days, state officials warn it is a serious concern.

    The North Atlantic Treaty Organization warned a few months ago that a war with Russia in the next 20 years may be inevitable.

    The Doomsday Clock, a representation of how close the planet is to nuclear war, was also set its closest to midnight — 90 seconds away — for a second year in a row

    “I’m ready for ceasefire” — Vladimir Putin

    The Russian president, Vladimir Putin said he is readily available to start peace talks “tomorrow” if Ukraine agreed to take soldiers from the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and gives up its plans to join NATO.

    Those regions are parts of Ukraine that Russia claims as its own. Ukraine has vowed to liberate the regions from Russian occupation. Donetsk and Luhansk seceded from Ukraine in 2014.

    “We will (call a ceasefire) immediately”, Putin said in a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry this morning, adding his proposal is aimed at a ‘final resolution’ of the conflict and that the Kremlin is ‘ready to start negotiations without delay”.

    But the declaration, which comes on the eve of a two-day conference in Switzerland dedicated to building a ‘road map’ to peace in Ukraine, will not excite Kyiv.

    President Volodymyr Zelensky is not interested in any deal that would see Ukrainian land surrendered to Moscow.

    His aide Mykhailo Podolyak said of Putin’s peace proposal, “It’s all a complete sham. Therefore – once again – get rid of illusions and stop taking seriously the ”proposals of Russia” that are offensive to common sense.”

    But Putin’s troops currently control a significant amount of Donetsk and Luhansk, and in September 2022 Moscow unilaterally declared it had annexed those two regions well as parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

    Putin’s forces are also making gains across the border in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv – though his troops previously abandoned large swathes of territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia following Ukrainian counterattacks.

    In the same speech, the Russian president engaged in yet more sabre-rattling, claiming Western leaders are pushing him towards ‘the point of no return’ over a nuclear World War Three.

    “We have come unacceptably close to the point of no return… Calls to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, which possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons demonstrate the extreme recklessness of Western politicians,’ Putin declared.

    “They either do not understand the scale of the threat they are creating – or are simply obsessed with their own sense of impunity and exceptionalism.

    “Both can lead to tragedy,’ he concluded sternly.

    “I’m no longer searching, I have boys knacking me well” – Korra Obidi

    Controversial Nigerian dancer, Korra Obidi, has said she is not searching for a boyfriend despite divorcing her ex-husband, Mr Justin Dean.

    She said this while featuring on the latest episode of the ‘Heroe’s Diary’ podcast.

    Obidi revealed that she has multiple men in her life who she refers to as “servicing” her, meaning they are her sex partners.

    Speaking further during the podcast, Obidi said she is more focused on achieving financial independence and joked that if she were to remarry, her husband would essentially become the “wife” as she values her independence and financial stability.

    Korra also spoke about the advantages of being single in the entertainment industry, highlighting the success she has experienced since her divorce.

    She explained that being married can limit opportunities in the industry, as people tend to lose interest over time.

    She said, “Serious Nigerian woman when I marry the man becomes my life. So now I’m trying to put that energy into making money so I don’t end up homeless like I was. I know that nobody is coming to save me in a in a knight and shining armour so I need to focus on the money.” [sic].

    Obidi also frowned at the actions of those who are pinning her to her failed marriage, noting that it has been over two years since her divorce.

    “I want to make a public service announcement. I’m not the only person that got married in Nigeria. In fact, my marriage was not even public. All you people saw was one post on Instagram: ‘Korra is taken.’ You people are now carrying the marriage to tie my legs. It has been two years [since my divorce], please leave me alone. I am single as a dollar bill. And I am not searching. I have many boys that service me.”

    Lover jailed for taking off condom during sex in UK

    A young man identified as Guy Mukendi has been sentenced to prison for more than four years for rape after taking his condom off midway through sex in the United Kingdom (UK).

    The 39 year old who hails from Brixton, removed the condom without the woman’s knowledge despite her only consenting to sex if he wore protection.

    Under English law, non-consensual condom removal is sometimes referred to as ‘stealthing’ and is classified as rape.

    The young woman made a report of sexual assault to the Met on May 9, 2023, and said she had consented to sex with Mukendi on condition that a condom was used.

    Officers obtained texts of messages where he apologised for taking his condom off and claimed he did so because he had not had sex in a long time.

    The woman took screenshots of the messages before Mukendi deleted them.

    He denied rape but was convicted and sentenced on Friday at Inner London Crown Court to four years and three months in prison.

    Detective Constable Jack Earl, who led the investigation, said, “Throughout this investigation Mukendi denied any wrongdoing – but our officers built a compelling case against him to leave no doubt in the jury’s mind.

    “We were dedicated to securing justice for the victim and will continue to raise awareness that this crime is a form of rape.

    “The victim did the right thing to call the police straight away and her bravery should not be overshadowed.

    “If you have been a victim of sexual violence and not yet reported it – please contact your local police service and we will do all that we can to help and bring you justice.”

    Kate Holmes, Head of Sexual Violence Helplines at Survivors Gateway, said, “Survivors of sexual violence in London can contact the Survivor’s Gateway on 0808 801 0860 to be connected with support.

    “Our Navigators provide a confidential, non-judgmental space, and can make referrals for counselling as well as practical advocacy support”

    Russian Govt. forcing African students & Young workers to war in exchange for visa renewal

    Russian Government has been accused of forcing thousands of migrants and foreign students, particularly from Africa, to fight in its war against Ukraine in exchange for visa renewals.

    Bloomberg reports that the assessment was done by some European officials who alleged that the Kremlin is using foreign students as extra manpower.

    The report added that Russia has been threatening not to extend the visas of African students and young workers unless they agree to join the military, according to officials familiar with the development.

    Also, Moscow has been enlisting convicts from its prisons while some Africans in Russia on work visas have been detained and forced to decide between deportation or fighting, one European official said.

    Some of those people had been able to bribe officials to stay in the country and still avoid military service, said the official, who doesn’t want to be quoted.

    According to reports citing Ukrainian intelligence, Russia has engaged in a global recruitment drive to enlist foreign mercenaries in at least 21 countries, including several nations in Africa.

    Army recruitment campaigns offer lucrative signing bonuses and salaries for those who’ll join up as contract soldiers.

    While recruiters have also targeted migrants and students who previously looked for employment in Russia, and in some cases have lured others over with promises of lucrative work before forcing them to train and deploy to the front.

    Why I stayed single for 12 years after my first marriage failed – Segun Arinze

    Nollywood actor, Segun Arinze has disclosed why he remained single for 12 years following the collapse of his first marriage.

    The actor first married actress Anne Njemanze in 1996, but their union ended in 1997.

    After staying single for about 12 years, Segun Arinze married Julie in 2008. The union produced three children.

    Speaking on the WithChude podcast, Segun Arinze said he was “confused about getting the right person” after he and Njemanze divorced.

    He added that he was involved in many relationships until “I cried to God” in 2007 to give me a wife. 

    Arinze said he initially refused to speak about his failed marriage “because people do not share everything”. 

    “I stayed out of marriage after the first one crashed. I stayed out of marriage for like 12 years before I remarried. I remarried in 2008. Not that I gave up on marriage, I was just really confused about getting the right person,” he said. 

    “I got into so many crazy relationships. Both the ones were good, crazy, and bad I have seen all. That year, 2007. I cried to God and said ‘Father Lord I have had enough can you just give me a wife’. I said just find me a wife. I remember I cried. 

    “And then I went to a wedding and I saw this beautiful woman. I asked my PA to get her number but he came back because he was scared. Julius Agwu and I were the MCs at the event. It was Don Chi’s wedding. And Julius Agwu said ‘My brother dey look for wife o’. When I sat I went to meet her, collected her contact and then invited her to a dinner. That is how it started. The rest is history. 

    “We are sixteen years in marriage now with three lovely kids. She is a lawyer. She is also my legal adviser. 

    “When that happened to me in 1997 I kept quiet. I did not say anything. I just let it go. Till date I said nothing and I do not want to say anything. I do not want to discuss anything about it. It happened. The shit will always happen. Everybody has a closet.”

    Personal Assistant kills & beheads Boss to conceal $400K theft

    In a shocking turn of events, Tyrese Haspil, the personal assistant of Fahim Saleh, the CEO of Nigerian motorbike startup Gokada, has been arraigned for the gruesome murder of his employer.

    Haspil’s desperation to conceal a theft of $400,000 led him to commit the heinous crime.

    Saleh, a venture capitalist, had initially caught Haspil stealing $90,000, but instead of pressing charges, he opted to treat Haspil like a protégé and allowed him to pay back the stolen amount through a payment plan.

    However, Haspil continued to steal from Saleh’s company using a PayPal account.

    In July 2020, Haspil forced his way into Saleh’s luxury apartment, tasered him, and stabbed him to death.

    He then dismembered Saleh’s body, leaving behind a gruesome scene.

    Prosecutors found a saw, demolition bags containing body parts, and a Home Depot receipt at the crime scene.

    Haspil’s motive was to prevent Saleh from testifying against him in criminal proceedings and to cover up his theft.

    He had planned the crime for months, transferring money to himself even after Saleh’s death.

    The case has sent shockwaves, highlighting the extreme measures individuals may take to conceal their crimes.

    Haspil’s lawyer has argued that he suffered from “extreme emotional disturbance,” which led him to commit the crime.

    The jury is yet to deliver a verdict, which could range from a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life in prison for first-degree murder charges or a lighter sentence of between five and 25 years for manslaughter.

    First Bank employee on the run after stealing ₦40 billion

    A First Bank employee, Tijani Muiz Adeyinka, is on the run after allegedly diverting ₦40 billion (approximately $29 million) from the bank.

    The employee, who worked in the electronic products team at the bank’s head office in Lagos, allegedly used his authority to process reversals for customers to credit a merchant account he controlled.

    The fraud was discovered after a customer complaint was escalated to the bank’s internal control unit, which found several suspicious transactions. The bank reported the incident to the Nigerian Police Force on March 25, 2024, and obtained three court orders to block hundreds of bank accounts believed to have received the stolen funds.

    The employee allegedly used the diverted funds to credit his wife’s account and other beneficiaries, totaling 98 bank accounts. The bank has begun legal action to recover the stolen funds and has obtained court orders to block the bank accounts of the first and second beneficiaries.

    The incident highlights the ongoing issue of fraud in Nigeria’s financial services industry, which affects both banks and fintech startups. Despite a decline in reported cases in Q1 2024, fraud remains a significant concern in the industry.

    First Bank has not commented on the incident, and the Nigerian Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have not responded to requests for comments.

    Governor Oti places N25m bounty on killers of five soldiers in Aba

    The Abia State Government has placed a N25m bounty on the killers of five soldiers in the Aba area of the state on Thursday, May 30.

    TEM earlier reported that unknown gunmen on Thursday attacked the military unit at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill area, killing the five soldiers and setting the unit on fire. 

    A day after the incident, the state government described the incident as unfortunate and prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant soldiers who died on active duty. 

    A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture Okey Kanu, disclosed that a bounty has been placed on the suspected killers of the soldiers.

    “To underscore its resolve, the State Government is offering a N25 million (Twenty-five Million Naira) reward to anyone with useful information that could lead to the location and arrest of any of the criminals connected to the unfortunate killings, and the subsequent state of apprehension across the city of Aba and environs.

    The security formations in the State have been directed to treat informants with all the confidentiality required to guarantee their full cooperation and assistance until the criminals are fully apprehended and brought to book.”

    Meanwhile, the military authorities had earlier confirmed the attack which it blamed on terrorists suspected to be the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). In a statement released, the defence spokesman, Major General Edward Buba, said it would retaliate for the killing of its men.

    “The armed forces mourn the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing concerning the attack. Overall, it must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorist is the people and this situation is no exception. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. The IPOB capitalized on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops. The situation leaves more to be desired.

    Accordingly, it is imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops. The military would be fierce  in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” the statement read.

    Hired Hackers Unlock $3 Million Bitcoin Wallet After 11-Year Password Lockout

    In a stunning breakthrough, a team of hackers has successfully unlocked a Bitcoin wallet containing $3 million, after the owner forgot their password 11 years ago.

    According to sources, the anonymous owner had generated the password using a random password generator called Roboform, but it was lost over time.

    The owner had all but given up hope of recovering their cryptocurrency fortune, which had been stuck in the wallet since 2013.

    Enter Joe Grand, an electrical engineer and security researcher known online as ‘Kingpin.’ Grand was hired by the owner to crack the encrypted file holding 43.6 BTC. Using a tool developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA), Grand disassembled the password generator’s code and discovered a vulnerability.

    By changing the time back to 2013 when the password was generated, Grand was able to recreate the password after a few failed attempts.

    Working with his colleague Bruno, Grand generated millions of potential passwords until they finally cracked the code.

    The successful recovery of the Bitcoin wallet is a testament to the determination and skill of the hackers involved.

    The owner, who had been worried that someone would hack their computer and gain access to their cryptocurrency, can now rest easy knowing that their fortune is secure.

    “This was a challenging case, but we were determined to help the owner recover their lost funds,” Grand said in an interview. “We hope this story will serve as a reminder of the importance of proper password management and the need for individuals to take responsibility for securing their own digital assets.”

    The recovery of the $3 million Bitcoin wallet is a rare success story in the world of cryptocurrency, where lost passwords and forgotten wallets are all too common.

    As the value of Bitcoin continues to rise, the stakes are higher than ever for individuals to protect their digital fortunes.

    Do you Know that Dangote Refinery Exports Jet Fuel to Europe?

    In a landmark achievement, Nigeria’s Dangote refinery has exported its first shipment of jet fuel to Europe, marking a significant milestone in the global energy market.

    The 45,000-metric-ton cargo, transported by BP’s Doric Breeze, signals the refinery’s rapid expansion into the international market.

    This breakthrough comes after the refinery’s successful export of six cargoes of jet fuel/kerosene to West African countries since April.

    With its 650,000-barrels-per-day capacity, the refinery is poised to become a major player in the global energy market.

    While European traders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the saturated market, the refinery’s expansion is expected to reshape global energy dynamics.

    As the refinery ramps up production, it may soon become a net jet fuel exporter, further solidifying Nigeria’s position in the global energy landscape.

    Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Release May Bring Peace to Southeast

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reiterated that the freedom of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, will lead to peace in the Southeast region.

    This assurance comes after Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, visited Kanu in detention.

    In a statement issued on Saturday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, clarified that Kanu is not involved in criminal activities and did not order the killing of soldiers.

    Instead, he has consistently advocated for peaceful remembrance of fallen heroes and an end to violence.

    “The same way we don’t want any Biafran killed is how we don’t want any other person or persons to lose their lives. All lives are precious before God, and the freedom for Biafra will mean nothing if we don’t value the lives of fellow human beings,” the statement read.

    IPOB demands Kanu’s release to bring peace to the region, reiterating that his freedom will end insecurity in the Southeast. “We believe that his release will calm the tension in the region and lead to peaceful coexistence among all,” Emma Powerful said.

    The group praised Chief Iwuanyanwu for visiting Kanu, describing it as a “bold move.” “We appreciate the efforts of Chief Iwuanyanwu in visiting our leader in detention. It shows that he is a man of peace and cares about the well-being of our leader and the Igbo people,” the statement said.

    IPOB reiterated its commitment to peaceful agitation, saying that Kanu’s release will fast-track the freedom of Biafra. “We will continue to agitate peacefully for the freedom of Biafra, and we believe that Kanu’s release will be a significant step towards achieving our goal,” the statement concluded.

    Pastor W.F Kumuyi & Family ‘moves’ to UK

    Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, the General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry has disclosed that he is now based in the United Kingdom.

    He said this while granting an interview in Eastern Europe, a clip of which has now gone viral online.

    “I am from Nigeria, but I’m based in London, United Kingdom, now” Kumuyi said in the clip.

    Meanwhile, the news is generating massive reactions online among netizens, many of whom are accusing the cleric of ditching Nigeria after trying to convince Nigerians that God will use President Tinubu to build the country.

    Recall that in August 2023, Kumuyi while addressing newsmen in Osogbo, Osun state ahead of the global crusade programme of his ministry asked Nigerians to support the new ministers recently appointed by Tinubu and believe that God will use them as “instruments to build our nation”.

    Kumuyi said God will change the hearts of the leaders to do good things that will benefit the country.

    “Those ministers that have been chosen in the cabinet, they are not new people, who have never done anything,” the cleric said.

    “If you look at the new ministers one by one, you’ll see the good things they’ve done.

    “If we support them, not criticise their every step, accept them and believe that God will work through them and use them as instruments to build our nation.

    “Let’s forget the past. This is a new day and we all believe that we are going to see new things for our country through the president and cabinet members. Good things will happen.”

    Watch video below:

    Canada announces increased visa slots for Palestinians in Gaza

    Canada has announced a five-fold increase in visas for Palestinians seeking to join their family members in the North American country.

    Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller said that Ottawa would raise to 5,000 the number of visas offered to residents in Gaza under a special programme announced in December last year.


    Miller said Canada is working to assist Palestinians trying to leave Gaza, but that movement out of the territory is currently not possible due to factors Canada cannot control.


    The program initially allotted 1,000 temporary visas, but due to the high demand, this number was increased to 5,000. As it stands, 448 Gazans have been issued a TRV, but only 41 have arrived in Canada so far. 

    Miller expressed concern for the current state of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but remained optimistic about the Canadian government’s continued efforts, stating: 

    “While movement out of Gaza is not currently possible, the situation may change at any time. With this cap increase, we will be ready to help more people as the situation evolves. Our focus remains on keeping families together.”

    Miller said that both Israel and Egypt will play important roles in implementing these measures and helping to reunite families in Canada.

    Miller continued:

    “Canada continues to put forward the names of those who have passed preliminary screening to local authorities to secure their exit from Gaza. Israel and Egypt are both important partners in implementing these temporary, humanitarian measures and helping people reunite with their family in Canada. Canada is working—at every level—to facilitate the exit of extended family members and advocate for their safety. We will continue to advocate for people’s safety.

    Do you know that Tattoos could trigger rare form of cancer, new study finds

    Having a tattoo could increase your risk of developing a rare type of cancer by 21%, a new study has found.

    According to Researchers in Sweden, they found a potential link between tattoos and cancer in the lymphatic system, known as lymphoma.


    Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system.

    Researchers from Lynd University investigated the relationship between tattoos and long-term health effects.


    Dr Christel Nielsen, who led the study, said:


    ‘It is important to remember that lymphoma is a rare disease and that our results apply at the group level.


    ‘The results now need to be verified and investigated further in other studies, and such research is ongoing.’


    The researchers looked at 11,905 people and 2,938 of the group, aged between 20 and 60 years old, had lymphoma.

    Of those participants, 54% answered the questionnaire about tattoos and 47% of the control group, who did not have lymphoma, did the same.


    In the group with lymphoma, 21% were tattooed (289 people), compared to 18% in the control group without a lymphoma diagnosis (735 people).


    After looking at other factors such as smoking and age, the researchers found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21% higher among those who were tattooed.


    The researchers also found that the size of the tattoo did not matter so having a full-body tattoo did not increase the risk any more than a smaller tattoo would.


    The most common subtypes of cancer were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (28%), Hodgkin lymphoma (21%), and follicular lymphoma (18%). The average age of those with a diagnosis ranged between 51 and 57 years. However, those with Hodgkin lymphoma had an average age of 36.


    However, the researchers are unsure why this is the case. Dr Nielsen said: ‘


    ‘One can only speculate that a tattoo, regardless of size, triggers a low-grade inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger cancer. The picture is thus more complex than we initially thought.’

    ‘We already know that when the tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body interprets this as something foreign that should not be there and the immune system is activated. A large part of the ink is transported away from the skin, to the lymph nodes where it is deposited.’


    The researchers said that further investigation is needed to look into any other association between tattoos and other types of cancer, and what the underlying cause could be.

    North Korea: Kim Jong Un 260 balloons filled with trash and human faeces onto South Korea (Photos)

    North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un has dropped at least 260 white balloons filled with ‘filthy waste and trash’ onto South Korea in retaliation for leaflets scattered over North Korea amid an ongoing propaganda war between the two nations.

    The balloons appeared to have been carrying various items of rubbish, including plastic bottles, batteries, toilet paper, and what is believed to be manure, an official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

    Kim Jong Un drops hundreds of balloons filled with faeces and trash onto South Korea in retaliation for propaganda leaflets scattered over North Korea (Photos)

    Authorities have urged South Korean residents to stay indoors as a result after the balloons began to fall from the sky late on Tuesday.

    This comes just days after Kim Kang-il, a North Korean defence vice-minister, warned that the regime would retaliate in response to anti-North Korean leaflets flown across the border by South Korean activists. 

    ‘Mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of the ROK and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them,’ Kang Il said in a statement to state media on Sunday. 

    Seoul’s JCS added that the North’s actions ‘clearly violate international laws and seriously threaten the safety of our people.’

    ‘We sternly warn the North to immediately stop its inhumane and low-class actions’.

    Kim Jong Un drops hundreds of balloons filled with faeces and trash onto South Korea in retaliation for propaganda leaflets scattered over North Korea (Photos)

    North and South Korea have historically used balloons in their propaganda campaigns since the Korean War in the 1950’s.

    North Korean defectors have been known to send balloons to the North side containing anti-regime leaflets, and have also reportedly sent USB memory sticks of Korean pop music and videos, which are prohibited in North Korea’s communist regime. 

    Dear Young Nigerians, Our National Anthem has been changed..

    President Bola Tinubu to the chagrin of spectators on Wednesday, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.

    The bill however, seeks to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

    What are the lyrics to Nigeria We Hail Thee?

    Nigeria, we hail thee,
    Our own dear native land,
    Though tribe and tongue may differ,
    In brotherhood, we stand,
    Nigerians all, and proud to serve
    Our sovereign Motherland.

    Our flag shall be a symbol
    That truth and justice reign,
    In peace or battle honour’d,
    And this we count as gain,
    To hand on to our children
    A banner without stain.

    O God of all creation,
    Grant this our one request,
    Help us to build a nation
    Where no man is oppressed,
    And so with peace and plenty
    Nigeria may be blessed. 

    “Our secret to Our Overwhelming Success” – Bishop Oyedepo

    Oyedepo rejects CAMA: Appointing a trustees over his church

    Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide has finally revealed the secret behind his church’s exceptional success.

    He spoke during a recent church service.

    According to Bishop Oyedepo, the prosperity witnessed by his church is as a result of its longstanding commitment to humanitarian works.

    With a congregation numbering over 20 million worldwide, the Living Faith Church has emerged as one of Nigeria’s largest Christian congregations.

    Bishop Oyedepo emphasized that the ethos of giving freely has been pivotal to the church’s growth and widespread acceptance.

    See reactions below:

    @vivian__idu said; “Reality that the world don’t want to know about this church.”

    @empresspowei said; “We don’t announce it… Grace keeps showing.”

    @antonyx001 said; “What will you say about the Catholic Church. The whole Winners does not even give up to half of what the Catholic church in Germany gives yearly. Let me just keep mute.”

    @lobajewelries said; “Have a heart of giving.”

    @tommy_standard said; “I nor see those wen dey criticise churches for dis comment oo, as una nor like beta tin so.”

    @steve_chuks__ said; “See as the comment small … people don’t like positivity for real.”

    @doctor_gospel said; “Some ignorant folks who will never say anything good about the body of Christ won’t see this and spread it to their fellow unbelievers.”

    @arcartist_simeon said; “This kain news no dey go far, but if it’s to bash pastors or church. Everywhere go full. Very ignorant generation.” 

    Dangote Refinery to buy 2M barrels of crude oil from United States

     Dangote Refinery in Lagos is looking to purchase millions of barrels of US crude over the next year as it ramps up processing rates, a sign of the challenges that Africa’s largest producer faces in lifting its own oil output.

    The refinery, built by Africa’s wealthiest individual, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has put out a term tender seeking to purchase two million barrels monthly of West Texas Intermediate Midland crude for a duration of 12 months, starting in July, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.

    The tender, as per a document viewed by the paper, is set to close on May 21.

    In April, it was reported that despite Nigeria’s position as a leading crude oil producer, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is capitalizing on cost-effective oil imports from the US, accounting for up to one-third of its feedstock as production begins.

    A prior report from Bloomberg on April 18 indicated that the refinery has begun shipping products while preparing two units to facilitate gasoline output, which is anticipated to significantly impact the fuel market in Nigeria and the surrounding region, according to analysts.

    Alan Gelder, Vice President of Refining, Chemicals, and Oil Markets at consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, remarked, “Dangote is going to influence Atlantic Basin gasoline markets this summer and for the rest of the year.”

    ‘I’m ready to give Peter Obi my full support in 2027’ — Atiku

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, has said if in 2027 his party should zone the presidency to the Southeast, he will give Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party his full support.

    He said this in recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.

    Atiku during the interview said that it was too early to determine if he would run for the presidency in the upcoming elections, adding that members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

    He revealed that his recent meeting with Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi might be an indication of possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

    While responding to questions about the meeting with the former governor of Anambra State, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

    On whether this will bring about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”

    Atiku, who denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

    He stated that if in 2027 the party determines that it is the South-East’s turn and selects Peter Obi, he will readily offer his support.

    Atiku stated, ”I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

    “If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.”

    Sean Diddy assaulting his ex. Cassie in recently released surveillance footage (Watch)

    Shocking footage shows Sean “Diddy” Combs punching and kicking his former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, in a hotel hallway in 2016. 

    The footage, captured from multiple angles and obtained by CNN, shows the music mogul chasing Ms Ventura down the hallway in a towel, before attacking her near the elevators. 

    He then attempts to drag her back down the corridor. 

    The incident allegedly took place in the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. 

    CNN verified the location based on publicly available photos of the former hotel’s interior. 

    After pushing Ms Ventura to the ground, Combs retrieves a purse and suitcase from the floor near the elevators. He turns around and kicks her again as she lies on the floor. 

    Ms Ventura is later seen in the footage slowly standing up and gathering items from the floor before reaching a hotel phone on the hallway wall near the elevators. 

    Combs, still in a towel and socks, returns.

    A mirror directly across from the security camera shows Combs pushing Cassie Ventura. He is then seen throwing an object at her. 

    Diddy and Cassie

    Accordinng to CNN, Combs later paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage. 

    The video appears to corroborate several allegations made in a lawsuit brought by Cassie Ventura in 2023, in which she claimed she was trafficked, raped and beaten by Combs on many occasions over 10 years. 

    According to the complaint, which cited the altercation as occurring “around March 2016,” Combs became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.” 

    After the mogul fell asleep, Ms Ventura had attempted to leave the hotel room, but he woke up and “followed her into the hallway of the hotel while yelling at her,” the complaint said. 

    “He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape,” it stated. 

    The lawsuit also claimed that Combs brought the singer into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” not long after she met him, and signed her to his label in 2005 when she was just 19 and he was 37. 

    Ms Ventura said that the pattern of abuse began as soon as their relationship started and that, as she was trying to end it in 2018, he forced himself into her Los Angeles home and raped her.

    The lawsuit against Combs was settled a day after she filed it for an undisclosed amount of money. 

    Ms Ventura told CNN at the time she had chosen to “resolve this matter amicably,” while Combs’ attorney said the settlement was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing” and didn’t change his denial of the allegations.

    Watch the assault video released by Fox News below.

    Daily Mail launches attack on Air Peace CEO as battle for control of Lagos-London route rages

    As predicted by many, the entry of Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, into the lucrative Lagos-London route has not only triggered a price war and ground operations politics at the London end but also sparked an international media attack aimed at removing the Nigerian airline from the once monopolized route dominated by foreign airlines.

    Since Air Peace joined the route on March 30, 2024, with more affordable prices compared to the previous rates, we have witnessed a price war led by foreign airlines in an attempt to push Air Peace out of the market, just as they did with previous Nigerian airlines on the same route. It is worth noting that Nigerian carriers like Arik, Medview, and Bellview have attempted the London route in the past but were met with frustration and eventually closed their operations.

    In what looks like a coordinated plan with multiple phases, starting from the price war to ground operations frustration and now the media attack, all because a Nigerian carrier joined the Lagos-London route. Yesterday, a UK-based media outfit, the Daily Mail, launched the first media attack on Air Peace CEO, labeling him a fugitive who allegedly used his plane to transport Prince Harry and his wife Meghan during their recent visit to Nigeria.

    It is reported in various British media that the Royal family is not happy that Prince Harry and his wife’s trip to Nigeria was received with such royal receptions, even though it was a private visit. British media have been striving to portray their visit negatively using the media to drive this narrative. However, Nigerians on social media are not giving in to that and continue to defend their country and Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit with patriotism.

    Meanwhile, Air Peace started direct flights from Lagos to London on March 30, offering round-trip economy tickets at a price of N1.2 million, which is significantly lower than the previous prices charged by foreign airlines, which could go as high as N3 million.

    Before Air Peace joined the Lagos-London route on March 30, the cost of flight tickets in the week prior showed that a one-way economy class ticket from

     Lagos to London on British Airways used to cost N3 million for Economy and N11 million for Business Class, which has now dropped to N1.7 million for economy and N6.8 million for Business Class respectively.

    On Lufthansa, a one-way Economy class ticket from Lagos to London, which used to cost about N3 million, and N9 million for Business class, was later reduced to N2 million for economy class and N7 million for Business Class respectively.

    On Virgin Atlantic, the same destination which used to cost about N2 million for Economy, N5 million for Economy Premium, and N12 million for Business Class, now costs N1.5 million for Economy, N3 million for Premium, and N6 million for Business Class.

    In the words of Adeyileka, “They have been enjoying a monopoly on the Nigerian route, but now that a Nigerian carrier has joined the market, they want to wage war and drive it out. If they succeed, within 48 hours the airlines will more than double the prices. They will increase the fares by 300 percent.”

    Meanwhile, Onyema has maintained his innocence, saying back in 2019: “Be rest assured that I also have my lawyers on this and these mere allegations will be refuted.”

    “I never laundered money in my life, neither have I committed bank fraud anywhere in the world,” he further asserted. “Every Kobo [Nigerian currency] I transferred to the US for aircraft purchase went through the Central Bank of Nigeria LC regime and all were used for the same purpose.”

    Youngest Male Artist is a Ghanaian Toddler – Becomes Guinness World Records Holder

    A little boy of one has been named the newest Guinness world record holder for the Youngest Male artist by an individual.

    The one-year-old Ghanaian has been identified as Ace Liam.

    The boy attempted the Guinness World Record in Accra, Ghana from January 18 to January 20, 2024. This was unveiled at a news conference on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

    The online confirmation letter said: “We are thrilled to inform you that your application for Youngest Artist (male) has been successful, and you are now the Guinness World Records Title Holder!”

    “You are now eligible for one complimentary Guinness World Records certificate. You can order your complimentary certificate and purchase further certificates for your new record by visiting the Guinness World Records store.”

    See the email from Guinness World Record to the new record holder;

    Ace Liam

    Lagos State Govt gives 48H notice to owners of properties obstructing drainage channel around Lagos

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has published a 48-hour contravention notice to owners of properties built on the Right-Of-Way of drainage channel in Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo.

    He shared the notice on his official X handle on Monday, May 14.

    Recall that while the demolition in Mende took place two weeks ago, an affected resident alleged that they were given two hours notice to vacate the property for the demolition to take place.

    The state government has also been accused of not giving notices to affected residents before the structures are pulled down.

    In an apparent bid to correct such notion, the Commissioner posted the notice and wrote, “The Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources @LasgMOE has issued a 48-hour contravention notice to owners of properties built on Right-Of-Way of drainage channel in Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo.

    “This is in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017 and the renewed drive of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu administration’s effort to ensure free flow of rainwater and prevent flooding across the State.”

    “My Administration is overwhelmed with debts from Wike’s projects” – Fubara Cries

    The governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara has revealed that a huge debt burden was left behind for his administration by his predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory.

    He said this during the inauguration of Aleto-Ogale-Ebubu-Eteo Road, also known as Old Bori Road in Eleme local government area.

    Speaking during the event, Fubara highlighted the challenges inherited from Nyesom Wike, including outstanding debts from projects, amounting to billions.

    Fubara expressed his administration’s commitment to transparency by showcasing project costs through white papers.

    He stressed the importance of settling outstanding payments to contractors, indicating his willingness to address such issues.

    Fubara said, “This is to let the world know that if there is one problem this administration has, it is the huge debt burden. Most of the projects that are being commissioned, the contractors are coming for their balance-payment and it is running into billions.”

    “I have said that I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to talk because I was part of that system. But, when you keep pushing me to talk, I will say it so that the people will know the true situation of things and be properly informed.”

    Fubara expressed delight over the commencement of the celebration of his one year in office, going down memory lane to recall how he lived in Eleme when he started off his career.

    The governor noted that the road was awarded on August 14, 2023, to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at the cost of N6.7billion.

    He said that the completed project now serves as a proof that his administration is still focused on delivering development to the people despite the many troubles thrown at it.

    “I am happy to be here and to join the good people of Rivers State to start this wonderful celebration of our first anniversary in the face of all the troubles. It shows that we are still focused, not minding the level of distractions.

    “This road was awarded to CCECC as a contractor. It was awarded on the 14th of August, 2023. I believe that 14th of August was within my tenure. I am not saying ‘I’, but it was this administration that awarded it.

    “This project was awarded at the cost of N6.7billion, and I can say boldly that no kobo is remaining. We’ve paid the contractor its complete sum. Our gathering here is to tell our people that their problem is our problem.”

    While stressing the significance of the road, Mr Fubara said it is a bypass to be used by motorists to avoid the deplorable sections of the East-West Road now under reconstruction, and by extension, a support to the Federal government’s efforts to give hope to Nigerians and make life better for the people.

    He said, “What we are doing today, is it not help to the Federal Government? Is it not a show that this Government has the interest of the people at heart and it is supporting and doing everything to make the Federal Government succeed?

    “So, when people come out and say some funny things, I laugh. Why are we doing this? When this administration came on board, Mr President christened his mantra ‘Renewed Hope’ to give Nigerians hope.

    “What we are doing today in this State is giving our people that hope to complement what Mr President is doing at the national level.

    “It is not about social media. We are talking about action. Genuine actions that make positive impact in the lives of our people,” he said.

    Fubara explained the rationale behind the invitation extended to Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, to inaugurate the project, saying he is not an artificial integrity man but a pragmatic man.

    “I invited him because he is not an artificial integrity man. He is an action integrity man. He is not like the one who would gather to talk because they just want to talk.

    “He is a man who came into office, in the face of difficulties and challenges, just like we are here, but he is making impact in the lives of Abians. So, I will continue to identify with good governance. I will continue to identify with people who want to make impact in the lives of the people. Our Government, as we promised you on day one: the people first.”

    He alluded to an unnamed person who insinuated that on assumption of office, he started a fight against the federal government, and wondered the veracity of such allegation.

    “We are talking about Federal Government that is giving us support, and we appreciate their support. But there is a rat in the house that is eating the bags of garri. So, you can imagine such situation.”

    Performing the inauguration of the project, Abia state governor, Dr Alex Otti, congratulated governor Fubara for what he has done in remembering to execute a road project in Eleme community where he had once lived.

    Nigeria’s Sprinter, Amusan, becomes world’s fastest woman

    Nigerian sprinter and 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan has become the world’s fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles following her incredible performance at the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational.

    Nigerian athletics sensation stole the spotlight on Saturday, when she ran a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds in Kingston to win from home favourite and reigning world champion Danielle Williams (12.46) with USA’s Christina Clemens third in 12.54s.

    The women’s 100m belonged to another African, Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith, who was the only athlete inside 11 seconds.

    This was a major statement of intent from the Nigerian ahead of the summer’s biggest meetings and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Amusan has been in scintillating form so far in 2024, having opened her campaign with an African record of 12.58s in Doha last month.

    She’s clearly picked up where she left off after her jaw-dropping world record run of 12.12s to take gold at last year’s World Championships in Oregon.

    With this blistering early-season time in Jamaica, Amusan has sent out an ominous warning to her rivals that she’ll take some stopping in her bid to reclaim her world title.

    In March, Amusan ran a time of 12.89 seconds on Wednesday to win the Women’s 100 metres hurdles at the African Games in Ghana.

    After a false start scare, Amusan flew to an easy win. She completes a hat-trick of African Games titles with that win.

    Amusan defeated Sidonie Fiadanantsoa of Madagascar who ran at time of 13.19 seconds to finish 2nd.

    Amusan is the current world record holder in the 100 metres hurdles with a time of 12.12 seconds which she set at the 2022 women’s 100 metres hurdles semi final in Eugene Oregon.

    She is the current Commonwealth and African champion in the 100m hurdles, as well as the meet record holder in those two competitions.

    Amusan became the first ever Nigerian world champion and world record holder in an athletics event when she won the 2022 World Championships 100m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 seconds (+0.9m/s) in the semi-final, followed up by a 12.06 seconds (+2.5m/s) in the final.

    She won back-to-back Commonwealth and African titles in 2018 and 2022 in the 100m hurdles and is also now a three-time African Games champion in the event.

    10 African currencies compared to US dollar

    Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, known for its diverse cultures, landscapes, and wildlife.

    It’s home to some of the oldest civilisations, stunning natural wonders like the Sahara Desert and Victoria Falls, and a rich tapestry of languages and traditions.

    Africa, a home to 57 countries, is a continent abundant in natural resources, yet it’s often linked with an economy in decline, particularly due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts within its nations, and disruptions in global supply chains.

    However, contrary to this prevailing narrative, many African economies demonstrate resilience.

    Below is the list of top ten countries with the highest currency in Africa compared to the US Dollar:

    1. Tunisian Dinar (Tunisia) Currency Name: DinarCode: TNDCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = 3.14

    2. Libyan Dinar (Libya) Currency Name: DinarCode: LYDCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = 4.86

    3. Moroccan Dirham (Morocco) Currency Name: DirhamCode: MADCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = DH 10.02

    4. Botswana Pula (Botswana) Currency Name: PulaCode: BWPCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = 13.61

    5. Seychellois Rupee (Seychelles) Currency Name: Seychellois RupeeCode: SCR Current Exchange Rate: $1 = SRe 13.86

    6.Ghanaian Cedi (Ghana) Currency Name: CediCode: GHCCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = GH₵ 13.89

    7. Eritrean Nakfa (Eritrea) Currency Name: NakfaCode: ERNCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = Nfk 15.00

    8. South African Rand (South African) Currency Name: RandCode: ZARCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = R 18.35

    9. Zambian Kwacha (Zambia) Currency Name: KwachaCode: ZMWCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = ZK 27.37

    10. Egyptian Pound (Egypt) Currency Name: Egyptian PoundCode: EGPCurrent Exchange Rate: $1 = E£ 47. 40.

    Slyman, the first recipient of pig kidney transplant dies 2 months after receiving it

    The first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died nearly two months after he underwent the procedure, his family and the hospital that performed the surgery said Saturday.

    Richard “Rick” Slayman had the transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March at the age of 62. Surgeons said they believed the pig kidney would last for at least two years.

    Though, the transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital said in a statement it was deeply saddened by Slayman’s death and offered condolences to his family. They said they didn’t have any indication that he died as a result of the transplant, Associated Press reported.

    Meanwhile, alongside kidney disease, Slayman grappled with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and had undergone a human kidney transplant in 2018 which began to fail after five years.

    Following his pig kidney transplant, doctors noted his decreased need for dialysis as the new organ functioned effectively.

    While Slayman’s case marked the first pig kidney transplant in a human, previous attempts with pig heart transplants were unsuccessful, highlighting the challenges of xenotransplantation.

    Xenotransplantation is the transplanting of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another.

    Over 50,000 Russian Soldiers killed in Ukraine – BBC

    In the second 12 months on the front line – as Moscow pushed its so-called meat grinder strategy – we found the body count was nearly 25% higher than in the first year.

    New graves in cemeteries helped provide the names of many soldiers.

    Our teams also combed through open-source information from official reports, newspapers and social media.

    More than 27,300 Russian soldiers died in the second year of combat – according to our findings – a reflection of how territorial gains have come at a huge human cost.

    Russia has responded to the BBC’s report saying only the defence ministry in Moscow can give this kind of information.

    The term meat grinder has been used to describe the way Moscow sends waves of soldiers forward relentlessly to try to wear down Ukrainian forces and expose their locations to Russian artillery.

    The overall death toll – of more than 50,000 – is eight times higher than the only official public acknowledgement of fatality numbers ever given by Moscow in September 2022.

    The actual number of Russian deaths is likely to be much higher.

    Our analysis does not include the deaths of militia in Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk – in eastern Ukraine. If they were added, the death toll on the Russian side would be even higher.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was the “exclusive prerogative of the Ministry of Defence” to provide information on casualties, because of laws covering state secrets and disseminating information during the “special military operation”, the phrase Russia uses for its war in Ukraine.

    Ukraine, meanwhile, rarely comments on the scale of its battlefield fatalities. In February, President Volodymyr Zelensky said 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed – but estimates, based on US intelligence, suggest greater losses.

    Meat grinder tactics
    The BBC list of dead soldiers shows the stark human cost of Russia’s changing front-line tactics.

    Over 50,000 Russians have died in Ukraine
    As Russians fought for the city of Vuhledar it used “ineffective human-wave style frontal assaults”, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

    “Challenging terrain, a lack of combat power, and failure to surprise Ukrainian forces”, it said, led to little gains and high combat losses.

    Another significant spike in the graph can be seen in spring 2023, during the battle for Bakhmut – when the mercenary group, Wagner, helped Russia capture the city.

    Late Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, estimated his group’s losses around that time to be 22,000.

    Russia’s capture of the eastern-Ukrainian city Avdiivka last autumn also led to another surge in military deaths.

    Counting graves

    Volunteers working with the BBC and Mediazona have been counting new military graves in 70 cemeteries across Russia since the war started.

    The BBC estimates at least two in five of Russia’s dead fighters are people who had nothing to do with the country’s military before the invasion.

    At the start of the 2022 invasion, Russia was able to use its professional troops to conduct complicated military operations – explains Samuel Cranny-Evans of the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi).

    But a lot of those experienced soldiers are now likely to be dead or wounded, says the defence analyst, and have been replaced by people with little training or military experience – such as volunteers, civilians and prisoners.

    These people can’t do what professional soldiers can do, explains Mr Cranny-Evans. “This means they have to do things that are a lot simpler tactically – which generally seems to be a forward assault onto Ukrainian positions with artillery support.”

    Wagner v the defence ministry
    Prison recruits are crucial to the success of the meat grinder – and our analysis suggests they are now being killed quicker on the front line.

    Moscow allowed Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to begin recruiting in prisons from June 2022. The inmates-turned-fighters then fought as part of a private army on behalf of the Russian government.

    Wagner had a fearsome reputation for relentless fighting tactics and brutal internal discipline. Soldiers could be executed on the spot for retreating without orders.

    The group continued to recruit prisoners until February 2023, when its relationship with Moscow began to sour. Since then, Russia’s defence ministry has continued the same policy.

    Prigozhin staged an aborted mutiny against Russia’s armed forces in June last year – and tried to advance towards Moscow before agreeing to turn back. In August, he was killed in a plane crash.

    Our latest analysis focused on the names of 9,000 Russian prison inmates who we know were killed on the front line.

    For more than 1,000 of them, we confirmed their military contract start dates and when they were killed.

    We found that, under Wagner, those former prisoners had survived for an average of three months.

    However, as the graph above suggests, those recruited later by the defence ministry only lived for an average of two months.

    The ministry has created army units commonly known as Storm platoons, made up almost entirely of convicts.

    Similarly to Wagner’s prisoner units, these detachments are reportedly often treated as an expendable force thrown into battle.

    “Storm fighters, they’re just meat,” one regular soldier, who had fought alongside Storm members, told Reuters last year.

    Recently, Storm fighters were instrumental in the months-long battle to capture Avdiivka.

    The city fell to Russia eight weeks ago and represented the biggest strategic and symbolic battlefield victory for Putin since Bakhmut.

    Prisoners sent straight to front line
    Under Wagner, new prison fighters were given a fortnight of military training before heading to the battlefield.

    By contrast, we found some defence ministry recruits were killed on the front line in the first two weeks of their contracts.

    The BBC has spoken to families of prison recruits who died – and soldiers still alive – who told us the military training offered to prison recruits by the defence ministry is insufficient.

    One widow told us her husband had signed his ministry contract in prison on 8 April last year – and he was fighting on the front line three days later.

    “I had been sure that there would be the few weeks of training they talk about. And that there’d be nothing to fear until at least the end of April.”

    She said she waited to hear from him – but found out that he had been killed on 21 April.

    Another mother says she only found out her husband had been taken from prison to the battlefield when she tried to contact him about the death of their son, who had also been fighting.

    The woman, who we are calling Alfiya, says her 25-year-old son Vadim – a father of twins – had never held a weapon before being mobilised.

    She says she couldn’t tell her husband Alexander about their son’s death because he had been “taken away” to fight. She only found out he had gone via a phone call from another inmate.

    Alexander grew up in Ukraine and had family there – says Alfiya – and he knew it was “a lie” that Russia had invaded Ukraine to fight fascism. When army recruiters first came to the prison “he sent them to hell,” she says.

    Some seven months after the death of her son, Alfiya was informed that Alexander had also been killed.

    ‘Be ready to die’
    When working for Wagner, prison inmates were typically contracted for six months. The fighters – if they survived – would then be given their freedom at the end.

    But, since last September, under the defence ministry, enlisted prisoners must fight until they die or the war is over – whichever comes first.

    The BBC has heard recent stories of prisoners asking relatives to help them buy proper uniforms and boots. There have also been reports of inmates being sent to fight without proper kit, medical supplies or even Kalashnikov guns.

    “Many soldiers had rifles that were unsuitable for combat,” writes Russian war supporter and blogger Vladimir Grubnik, on his Telegram channel.

    “What a foot soldier should do on the front line without a first aid kit, a spade to dig in a trench and with a broken rifle is a big mystery!”

    Grubnik – who is based in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine – claims when commanders found out that some guns were “completely broken” they said it was “impossible” for them to be replaced.

    “The rifle was already assigned to the person, and the harsh military bureaucracy couldn’t do anything about it.”

    Former prisoners have also described the high price paid by their comrades.

    “If you sign up now, be ready to die, mate,” says Sergei, in an online forum for Storm fighters and their relatives, where information is shared.

    He claims to be a former inmate who has been fighting in a Storm unit since October.

    Another forum member says he joined a Storm platoon of 100 soldiers five months ago and is now one of just 38 still alive.

    “Every combat mission is like being born again.”

    Here are the 8 Countries welcoming Nigerian Master’s Students with dependents

    The UK government’s new policy regarding dependents accompanying international students has kicked off.

    Only international students enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program are eligible to sponsor dependents into the UK.

    This change, implemented earlier this year, aims to address concerns about the increasing number of foreign students bringing dependents to the UK.

    By limiting dependent sponsorship to PhD students, the UK government seeks to alleviate this strain and ensure the sustainability of its higher education system.

    For Nigerian master’s students considering studying abroad with their dependents, this policy change means exploring alternatives. While the UK may no longer be as accommodating for master’s students with dependents as it used to be, here are countries that welcome Nigerian Master’s students with dependents.

    Eight countries that welcome Nigerian Master’s students with dependents

    Estonia
    Estonia offers opportunities for students to bring their family members along while pursuing their studies.

    With a student visa, families of students enrolled in educational programs in Estonia can apply for a family visa.

    Once granted, the family visa allows the student’s family members to reside in Estonia for a period of one year.

    Denmark
    In Denmark, international students wishing to bring their families along must apply for a green card Dependent visa.

    This visa category enables Danish green card holders to bring their families with them to the country while they live and work there.

    Denmark offers various categories of dependent visas, among which the Student Dependent Visa is tailored for the spouses or unmarried children under 18 years old of foreigners studying in the country with a Denmark student visa.

    Australia
    The Australia-dependent visa is a pathway for the family members of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reside and work in Australia.

    This category includes spouses, children, and other eligible family members who wish to join their relatives in Australia.

    New Zealand
    New Zealand offers a dependent child student visa, enabling children to accompany their parents to the country and enroll in primary or secondary school.

    One notable benefit is that dependent children are considered domestic students, exempting them from tuition fees.

    To be eligible for a Dependent Child Resident visa, children must be unmarried and reliant on their parents for financial support.

    Additionally, they must declare their single status when completing the application. Immigration New Zealand defines dependent children as those aged 17 or younger.

    Germany
    Germany offers a dependent visa, often referred to as a family reunion visa, allowing the spouse, children, and other family members to reunite and reside with their relatives already living in Germany.

    This visa permits them to stay in the country either temporarily or permanently, depending on the circumstances and the duration of their family member’s stay in Germany.

    Canada
    Canada’s ambitious immigration strategy aims to welcome over 460,000 new immigrants annually, emphasizing economic growth, family reunification, and refugee assistance.

    According to its immigration levels plan, Canada intends to admit 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023, followed by 485,000 in 2024 and an increase to 500,000 in 2025. As part of this initiative, Canada’s dependent visa program enables international students to bring their dependents to the country.

    Moreover, once their dependents obtain the necessary permits, they are permitted to work or study full-time in Canada.

    Finland
    In September 2022, Finland experienced a surge in the issuance of residence permits compared to the previous year. This improvement can be attributed to a notable reduction in the processing time for visa applications, which averaged 77 days—approximately 46% less than the previous period’s average of 143 days, as disclosed by the Finnish Immigration Service.

    The D visa serves as an entry permit, allowing immediate travel to Finland upon issuance of a residence permit. Eligibility for the D visa extends to individuals whose spouse, parent, or guardian is applying for one of the following residence permits: A residence permit for a specialist or an EU Blue Card.

    Sweden
    For individuals residing in Sweden, there are various types of permits available to facilitate the bringing of dependents into the country. The specific permit to be applied for depends on the circumstances of the individual already living in Sweden.

    Elderly landlord impregnates tenant’s teen daughter in Ogun

    Police in Ogun State, has arrested a septuagenarian landlord, simply identified as Adesina, for allegedly defiling and impregnating his tenant’s 14-year-old girl on Akegbeyale Street in Ifesowapo Akute, Ifo local government area of the state.

    According to media reports, the 71 year old man was caught having sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl in the house bathroom.

    The minor was said to have made her way to the house bathroom to take a shower, but the landlord a few minutes later sneaked into the same bathroom where he allegedly had sexual intercourse with the minor.

    After the shocking discovery, some members of the community and other neighbours who witnessed the scene raised the alarm, which led to the arrest of the landlord by the men of the Ajuwon Police Division.

    It was further gathered that when the father took the minor to the hospital for medical examination, it was discovered that she was already pregnant.

    The spokesman of the command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, saying the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

    She said, “The landlord has been arrested and detained. The father reported that he was caught defiling his 14-year-old daughter in their bathroom in the morning. The teenager was taken to Tamara Hospital in Akute for a medical examination.

    “However, the medical report further showed that that wasn’t a first-time act because the test showed that the teenager was already six weeks pregnant. The state CID in Eleweran will soon take up the matter for further investigation.”

    Nigerian serial sextortion blackmailer to appear in UK court – He made over 2M from Victims

    Mr Olamide Shanu, a Nigerian man is set to be arraigned in a court in the United Kingdom (UK) for allegedly threatening to publish compromising photos and videos of teenage boys.

    The sextortion blackmailer is believed to have made up to £2 million by threatening his victims.

    The 33-year-old will appear in court in London later this month after an extradition request from the United States.

    According to UK Times, Shanu allegedly posed online as a teenage girl, to try and cajole boys to send him sexually explicit material of themselves.

    He would then threaten to send the material to the victims’ family, friends or even the media, if they refused to pay him whatever amount of money he demanded.

    At least three UK schoolchildren have committed suicide as a result of being blackmailed over sexually compromising materials.

    One of the victims had set up a payment plan with Shanu, paying him £240 a week, until the blackmailer had received almost £8,000.

    Shanu’s cryptocurrency account is believed to have received more than 6,000 payments over three years, leading investigators to estimate the number of victims to be in the hundreds.

    He is accused of being involved in an international blackmail scam.

    The Nigerian born notorious scammer was apprehended in Surrey at the end of last year and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 28.

    Also, the blackmailer is wanted in the US on charges including conspiracy to cyberstalk, interstate communications with intent to commit extortion and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    The US Secret Service has claimed that Shanu and other actors used false online profiles with pictures of attractive women to lure young boys into sharing explicit images of themselves.

    The victims were threatened and blackmailed into making payments either through cryptocurrency or using gift cards.

    The payments were all traced to an account in Binance, a popular cryptocurrency exchange, which was opened using Shanu’s passport as proof of identity along with an address in Lagos.

    By the time the account was traced, it had been emptied of $2.6 million-worth of bitcoin amassed in the previous three years.

    Luke Lack, a Secret Service special agent, wrote in the criminal complaint that the Binance account had received funds from victims of various frauds, including sextortion and romance scams.

    UK Visa: Only PhD students are eligible to bring dependants to UK

    The United kingdom (UK) has stated that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy.(PhD) studies are eligible to bring in dependents to the country.


    Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria made this known in an interview with the Newsmen on Sunday, May 5, in Abuja.

    He said that, the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependents into the UK so as to curb the increase of foreign student bringing in dependents.


    He explained that the huge surge in dependence was putting an unsustainable pressure on many universities.


    Montgomery added that before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had spoken to some of these universities on the policy change.


    He noted that the universities Chancellors had complained of the huge student populations’ highlighting that accommodation was a huge challenge, access to medical services under the National Health Service and access to school if they brought in dependents.


    According to him, the restrictions do not apply to all categories, adding that those doing a long term research degree, like a PhD, or doctorate were not affected.


    “Those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependenta but if you are coming to the UK with a study visa for an undergraduate degree, or short term master’s degree am afraid the rules have been changed.


    “People need to understand why this change was brought in, and it is a sensible change because we have a large higher education sector and most of these universities are in towns across the country.


    “There has been a surge recently, in demand for British education and I can give you the macro figures and there has also been a huge increase in foreign students bringing their dependants.


    “In the case of Nigeria, in 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, there were only one and a half thousand dependents being brought in from Nigeria, with those on study visas,


    “In 2022, that figure had increased to fifty two thousand dependants so that’s a thirty fold increase in dependence. And it’s not just about Nigeria by the way.


    “It is also about all foreign students, we saw similar rises, for example amongst Indian students coming to study in the UK,” he added.


    Speaking on the policy initiation it is early to ascertain the impact of the policy on undergraduates because these changes were announced in 2023, but came into effect early this year and we would have to wait until September 2024, before we get the next run of academic tickets, he said.


    “I think what your wider audience needs to hear is that the demand for UK education is really strong, in
    2022, 65,000 study visas was approved to Nigerian applicants, 65,000, while in  September  2023 we received about 115,000 Study visa applications from Nigeria.

    “Of which 95 per cent were approved and over 110,000 study visas were issued last September compared to 65,000 of the previous year, there’s almost a doubling of Nigerian study visas in 2023 which means the demand is really high.


    ” And it is something which I am genuinely pleased and proud about that the UK has such a good higher educational sector and we are still at the six economy, and is still one of the biggest economies but we are only 2.5 per cent of the global economy.


    “So we have 17 of the top 100 universities in the world. We have 17 per cent of the top universities, so it is one of our units.


    “I really like the demand but there are other factors at play in terms of schooling in the UK , the value of the Naira in the coming months will also determine how easy or hard it will be for many people to afford our education.


    “But I really hope that the number of people who bring dependants in UK may actually not be a majority, but a minority of people have tried to study in the UK so am hoping that the demand will be sustained.

    All PoS operators must register with CAC in 2 months – CBN

    As part of the process of cracking down on fraudulent activities and make transactions more transparent, the Central Bank of Nigeria has directed all point-of-sale (PoS) operators to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in two months.

    This is because PoS terminals have been getting mixed up in fraud, accounting for a whopping 26.37% of fraud incidents in 2023 alone.

    In 2022, Nigeria had 1.8 million point-of-sale agents. So, if these agents want to continue doing business, everyone must register with the CAC.

    This was disclosed after a meeting between Fintechs and the Registrar-General/Chief Executive Officer, CAC, Hussaini Magaji (SAN) in Abuja on Monday, May 7.

    Mr Hussaini said the two-month timeline for the registration, which will expire on July 7, was not targeted at any groups or individuals but was “in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

    Part of the statement reads, “The Corporate Affairs Commission and Fintech companies in Nigeria, better known as PoS operators, have agreed to a two-month timeline to register their agents, merchants, and individuals with the CAC in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    “The Corporate Affairs Commission and Fintech companies in Nigeria, better known as PoS operators, have agreed to a two-month timeline to register their agents, merchants, and individuals with the CAC in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Do you know that 20% of Nigerians use Bitcoin to transact daily ? – New report claims

    A new report claims that 20 per cent of Nigerians are using Bitcoin to carry out financial transactions every day.

    According to the open-source blockchain website, Elastos, the research was compiled from online interviews conducted with 1,407 self-defined ‘tech savvy’ respondents in Brazil, Germany, Nigeria, South Korea, UAE, the UK, and the US.


    The interviews were completed by a third party, a registered market research company and completed between 30 March and 04 April ’24.


    The report further revealed that 67 per cent of Nigerians would have more trust in Bitcoin to put their life savings than banks and local governments.

    The report reads; 

    “The inaugural BIT Index (Bitcoin; Innovation & Trust) – compiled from over 1,400 self-defined ‘tech savvy’ respondents from 7 countries across the globe – sheds light on the actual perception and use of Bitcoin in people’s daily lives, irrespective of its current valuation. Elastos’ BIT Index is part of ongoing research to better track the ‘real world’ use of Bitcoin together with users’ motivations, expectations and barriers around the same.


    “In particular, the data reveals the role being played by emerging markets in terms of understanding, usage and confidence around Bitcoin.  Nigerian respondents’ levels of usage and trust compare starkly with those expressed from so-called ‘established’ markets such as Germany and the UK and Germany where daily usage levels are just 8% (for German respondents) and (9% for their UK counterparts).

    “In terms of the trust – in addition to Nigeria – significant proportions of respondents from Brazil (35 per cent) and the UAE (32 per cent) would have more confidence in Bitcoin-based services to protect their life savings compared to those from markets such as the UK (20 per cent) and Germany (22 per cent).

    “When it comes to ensuring the integrity of online transactions, emerging market respondents also revealed their relative confidence in Bitcoin, compared to alternatives. According to the data, 66 per cent of Nigerian respondents and 35 per cent from Brazil have more confidence in Bitcoin-based systems than alternatives such as banks, or national Governments, compared to figures of just 16 per cent (Germany) and 21 per cent (UK) who feel the same.

    Health: How to identify chemically-ripened mangoes

    It’s the season of mangoes, and the market is flooded with them.

    But, as the demand for juicy mangoes increases, the marketers chemically inject them which ripen them quickly so that the supply remains stable.

    If you are also a mango lover, then here are some tips for identifying such mangoes that are loaded with chemicals.

    Which chemical is used for the ripening process?

    Climacteric fruits like mangoes are often artificially ripened by using ripening agents. Some of these agents include:

    1. Ethylene gas: It is considered to be the most popular fruit ripening method done with the use of ethylene gas in ripening rooms. Studies say that the method can increase the respiration rate and levels of endogenous ethylene in the fruit that will help induce ripening, probably within 12 hours.
    2. Ethephon: It is an ethylene releasing compound that penetrates inside the fruit cells and decomposes to ethylene, thus increasing the rate of ripening. A study has shown that mangoes pre-storage treatment with 500 mg/L ethephon for five minutes can promote early ripening in the fruit.
    3. Calcium carbide: In many developing countries, calcium carbide is widely used as an artificial ripening agent as it produces acetylene gas when hydrolysed, which has similar effects to ethylene. Acetylene helps enhance mangoes ripening and gives them a good flavour, colour and soft texture.
    4. Ethylene glycol: It is a commonly used antifreeze or coolant that promotes faster ripening of the fruit under cold climacteric conditions. The coolant is diluted with water before usage. Studies say that ethylene glycol can change the colour of the fruit within two days, without any loss of palatability.

    Commercial calcium carbide may contain small amounts of phosphorus hydride and arsenic which is poisonous to humans and may cause symptoms like vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, diarrhoea, burning eyes, thirst and weakness.

    Acetylene gas produced may cause symptoms like dizziness, seizure, headache and even coma.

    Though ethephon is approved to be noncarcinogenic to humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer, it is reported to have hepatoxic effects and may cause problems to the liver

    How To Identify Artificially Ripened Mangoes?

    According to a study, around 78 per cent of consumers are not aware of the methods to identify artificially ripened mangoes. Some of the easy ways may include:

    1. Appearance

    Experts say that an artificially ripened fruit would not have uniform peel colour, for example, the mango would have patches of green while the overall colour would be yellow.

    1. Availability

    Fruits that are available in the market before their season are often artificially ripened. For mangoes, the peak season is between May to September. According to the National Horticulture Board, the major harvesting season for mangoes in North Indian states like Gujarat and Bihar is May to August, while in South Indian states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, it’s mainly April to July.

    1. Touch method

    The touch method is one of the best methods to distinguish artificially ripened mangoes. This is because ripening done with the help of chemicals causes fast chemical reactions in the fruit, which releases heat in the process and causes the fruit to feel warm when touched.

    1. Floating test

    Calcium carbide ripened mangoes weigh lesser compared to mangoes that are ripened naturally. According to a study, calcium carbide induces negative changes in the physical features of the fruit such as its weight, firmness and pH levels. This is why when the treated mangoes are dropped in water, they float while the naturally ripened ones sink. Best Refreshing And Kid-Friendly Recipe: How To Prepare Raw Mango Popsicles

    1. Juiciness

    When artificially ripened mangoes are sliced, they produce little or no juice dripping out, compared to a lot of juice in the naturally ripened ones. This is because the latter gets enough time to ripe with the help of water sucked from the trees, while the prior is harvested at an early age.

    1. Taste

    Artificially ripened mangoes may taste astringent due to the increased concentration of vitamin C due to calcium carbide ripening. Also, the taste buds may feel a bit sense of burning upon consumption. Naturally ripened mangoes taste sweeter than artificially ripened ones.

    1. Colour of the pulp

    When artificially ripened mangoes are sliced, the colour of the pulp would not be uniform, as it may vary from light to dark yellow, while the naturally ripened mangoes have a uniform bright reddish to yellow shade. Also, the fruit will look ripe from the outside but the pulp will not be ripe.

    1. Match stick test

    This test is not recommended by experts; however, one can do it with safety measures to identify artificially ripened mangoes. All you need to do is pick a mango and bring a lighted match stick near to it. If it sparkles or catches fire, the mangoes are ripened with calcium carbide. Avoid bringing a lighted match stick near the whole box or bundle of mangoes.

    1. Black spots

    Carbide ripped mangoes may start ripening at a faster rate and get black spots or patches within two or three days of buying.

    1. White powder

    White powder or arsenic traces can be seen in the peel of mangoes as a result of carbide ripening.

    1. Aroma

    Naturally ripened mangoes give out a heavenly strong aroma due to ripening naturally with ethylene, compared to artificial ones that smell differently.

    Things You Can Do

    Wash mangoes before consumption. It may help remove traces of chemical compounds like calcium carbide.

    Peeling the fruit may also help minimise the risk of health hazards caused due to ripening agents.

    Avoid buying the fruit off-season.

    Public health worries rise as Nigerians consume grilled crocodile meat

    Following the consumption of grilled crocodile in Nigeria, Dayo Oyewo writes on the concerns of health experts and wild life conservationists

    A renewed interest in the consumption of crocodile meat in Nigeria has raised concerns among the proponents of wildlife conservation in the country.

    Over the years, the barbecue business has become a profitable venture in Nigeria, aided by a significant growth in patronage.

    From upscale restaurants to local roadside vendors, the grilling business boasts of a variety of seafood and meat.

    It is also a common sight as they are openly displayed to the delight of those who are enamoured by the sumptuous taste of the delicacy.

    What appears a gradual shift from the norm, however, is the craving for a grilled crocodile and alligators.

    Just like other meat popular for its unique taste, crocodiles and other non-domesticated animals are used in the preparation of bush meat.

    Although wild aquatic reptiles have been a source of food for humans, many people are still hesitant to eat the meat, either for cultural or personal reasons.

    Also referred to as gator meat, not many Nigerians consider it as such that is worth a list of their staple foods.

    Commonly known to be sold across some markets close to the riverine areas, the addition of crocodile meat to the varieties of the barbecued menu, however, looked seemingly strange, as it used to be a type of meat known to be eaten without much public attention.

    In 2022, a video emerged on social media where two vendors were seen making a grand entry into a party organised by a popular socialite while carrying a chopped barbecued crocodile to the amazement of the guests present.

    The viral video would later set in motion instances where grilled crocodiles were being served to guests at ceremonies, as well as a frenzy of crocodile barbecue businesses with little or no consideration for the position of the laws regarding wildlife.

    As the grilled reptile now becomes a menu ready to be served at seafood restaurants and high-octane social events, a gradual increase in demand for consumption seems to be threatening the continued advocacy for the conservation of wildlife.

    As much as conservators fear that this may result in another spike in the poaching of wildlife animals, as against the need to protect them from extinction, public health experts expressed concern about a potential health implication and disease outbreaks.

    Endangered Species Act

    The Endangered Species Act 1985 enacted in Nigeria was to provide for the conservation and management of the country’s wildlife and the protection of some of its endangered species in danger of extinction as a result of over-exploitation, as required under certain international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    The Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic)(Amendment) Act, 2016 amends the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act in Section 5 to review the fines upwards to have a more deterrent effect and reflect the economic realities.

    President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Amendment Act 2016 into law.

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    While the law was amended to bring the penalty provisions in line with economic realities, it also sought to discourage traffic and improve the preservation of endangered species in Nigeria.

    Despite this, the poaching and consumption of crocodile meat and the production of their skins for commercial purposes had thrived unhindered in Nigeria due to weak regulation.

    While the skins are predominantly produced and sold in the northern region where a good number of tanneries do exist, the meats are largely consumed in the southern region with a series of bubbling wild animal markets.

    Like some animals that have gone into extinction, environmentalists fear the same fate may befall crocodiles as endangered species.

    Exploring the grilled crocodile business

    Sunkanmi Agbede who lives in the Alimosho suburb of Lagos State takes a special interest in consuming the grilled crocodile at a spot in the area of Surulere.

    He, however, does not go alone as he visits in the company of his colleagues.

    “I didn’t eat crocodiles until my friend introduced me to the grilled ones. I consider it as other grilled bush meat but you know the way they serve grilled croc is such that you cannot eat it alone. That is why I prefer to go with my friends,” he said.

    In a bid to push their sales through, some of the outlets engage in vigorous publicity on the internet.

    While running a check, our correspondent discovered that some of the outlets promote the grilled crocodile business via their social media handles and other online market platforms.

    Corroborating this, another resident who preferred to be identified as Kenneth said he got attracted to it when he saw it online.

    “I stumbled on it on Instagram and I became so curious with the way it was grilled. Ordinarily, I love to satisfy my curiosity. So I went ahead to locate the place and that was when I started to eat it,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the price of crocodile meat varies depending on the location and the species. It is, however, quite expensive.

    Further checks revealed that grilled crocodile meats are sold according to their sizes. These include baby crocodiles which have been made alternatives to the bigger ones.

    It was also gathered that the cost ranges from N100,000 to N300,000 while the giant-sized grilled crocodile is sold from N450,000 upward.

    In other areas where it is more readily available, however, it can be more affordable.

    FG condemns wildlife crime

    The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, recently celebrates the diverse wildlife treasures of Nigeria, just as he frowned at the illegal logging and poaching that threatens their survival.

    In a post on made on his X handle, Salako called for urgent action to protect the country’s natural heritage and the vital roles the animals play in the nation’s ecosystems.

    “Let’s join forces to combat wildlife crime and say no to illegal bushmeat,” he added.

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    Speaking in the video, he said, “Nigeria is blessed with iconic wildlife, elephant Gorilla, pangolin and so much more. But this beautiful animal is threatened by illegal logging and poaching. And we will lose our national heritage if we don’t stand up for wildlife. So please report wildlife crime and say no to illegal poaching. Because protecting nature protects our future.”

    Experts opinion

    According to the results of a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, the consumption of reptile meat could cause some health problems.

    A veterinary public health expert, Dr Babatunde Saka, said the fear for the health implications associated with the consumption of crocodile meat as well as other wild animals was due to the unavailability of vet inspection officers to certify that they are safe for consumption.

    He stated further that poaching wildlife unnecessarily was highly frowned upon while citing the outbreak of Ebola in Africa as a result of hunting bats.

    He said, “Crocodiles as we know them belong to the classification of wildlife species and their consumption is a cultural thing that varies across different parts of the world.

    “There are different species and out of 22 or thereabouts, I think about seven of them are considered as classified. Categorically, there is a public health implication for the consumption of crocodiles.

    “This cuts across every other animal that is classified as a wildlife animal, because in the course of poaching and slaughtering them, there is no vet inspection officer to certify that they are safe for consumption.

    “It is a classical saying in biomedical sciences that 75 per cent of infectious diseases come from animals, particularly from wildlife animals and the greatest belief by the World Health Organisation is that the next possible infectious disease is going to come from wildlife animals.

    “They are a reservoir of diseases that are known and unknown.

    “That is why it is impactful that crocodiles as a wild animal have severe public health importance/implications for their consumption by humans.

    “To a large extent, it is highly discouraging, especially from our point of view as professionals in this field. Even beyond slaughtering or eating it, poaching wildlife unnecessarily is highly frowned upon.

    “To recall, the outbreak of Ebola in Africa was a result of hunting bats. And bat classically is a reservoir of all sorts of viruses that we can imagine.”

    Saka added that the same was extended to other wildlife, including crocodiles, stating that beyond the dangers of being bitten by crocodiles, there is an enormous danger of contracting diseases in the reptiles.

    While noting that wild animals with pathogens may not show any symptoms or signs as they don’t get ill at all, he explained that they are carriers of these pathogens such as the next animal different from this kind of species or the next human that comes across them contracts the pathogen and exhibits the symptoms of the disease.

    “The government needs more public enlightenment in sensitising the people on the dangers of such consumption and the dangers of getting too close to wildlife, not because people are likely to get sick but because of the epidemic that could lead to serious consequences,” he added.

    On his part, the President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, averred that while crocodile is a source of protein, several other alternative animals are categorized as human consumption.

    According to him, crocodiles have a lot of microorganisms, particularly bacteria and if not properly cooked may expose one to contracting diseases.

    “From the nutritional point of view, wildlife is a rich source of protein but if they are protected animals, one will not support the consumption of such animals as a source of protein because we have several other alternatives that are animals categorised as those for human consumption.

    “If I also follow the trend, I am sure that those who are consuming grilled crocodiles would probably be those who are in the upper socioeconomic class. And this is a source of concern, particularly for conservators and environmentalists who will not subscribe to it.

    “Crocodiles have a lot of microorganisms, particularly bacteria, and consuming such food when it is not adequately processed can also expose consumers to contracting some of these bacteria that are pathogenic and can cause diseases,” he said.

    Prof Afolabi, however, called on regulatory agencies and government health departments to wade into this and bring out policies that would guide the hunting of such animals and processing them for food.

    “Generally in Nigeria, people consume what we call wild animals, including those that are protected by laws. We don’t have effective laws and regulations, which is why some people still hunt them.

    “Also, there are quite a number of them that ought to have been declared as threatened to become extinct.

    “So, until the government comes out to formulate policies on which wild games or animals people can consume or which ones are protected, this is when one will say that if there are ones that are not protected, then people are at liberty to hunt, kill and consume, and if there are ones that are protected, then it will be against the law and anybody that hunts them for food will have to be prosecuted,” he added.

    Ex. Governor Yahaya Bello: From white lion to white rat

    At the University of Jos, where we studied general and applied psychology as undergraduates, we learned about an intriguing experiment involving a white rat and a boy called Little Albert. The white rat was repeatedly associated with loud noise, so Little Albert was classically conditioned to become afraid of it. This fear then spread to other stimuli that were similar to the rat, such as a fur coat, some cotton wool, and a Santa mask.

    The former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, now cuts the terrified image of Little Albert. A few weeks ago, he prided himself on being the White Lion as he left office. But since then, he’s been hiding like a scared mouse. Power is indeed ephemeral, but did Yahaya Bello realise this when he governed Kogi with an iron grip?

    When Bello was governor, he was always a sight to behold, particularly when he worked out. He trained like a heavyweight boxing champion; he had a considerable tonnage and was well-built, a lady’s man with six packs.

    Lord Acton wrote to Bishop Creighton as early as 1887, stating that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Absolute power corrupts absolutely, which means that a man’s morality is weakened or corrupted by power and that a man’s corruption increases with his level of power. According to this idiom, persons in positions of power frequently don’t have the interests of the populace at heart, and Bello was an absolute ruler as they came!

    Bello selected current Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo as his successor, defying convention and common sense to put in office a pliable successor. Departing governors always try to serve as a proxy for a third term in government. Ododo established Bello’s office as the previous governor within the government house in a way never seen before.

    The EFCC had taken notice of the messy corruption in Bello’s Kogi State administration before he departed from office. Ali Bello, the chief of staff of the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, was re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a revised 17-count accusation of fraud. Ali Bello, as you may wish to know, is the nephew of Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Ali was docked before the Federal High Court in Abuja because of the allegations that he participated in the misappropriation of more than N10 billion from the state coffers under his uncle Yahaya Bello.

    Ali Bello was named chief of staff by Ododo even though he had been on trial since Yahaya Bello’s days as governor. Likewise, the EFCC has charged Yahaya Bello himself with appearing in court on more serious charges of power abuse and corruption involving more than N80 billion.

    Yahaya Bello’s refusal to make himself available and his resistance to being taken into custody resulted in a siege at his Abuja home, where he had hidden himself a few days earlier. Bello was said to have been taken away by Governor Ododo, and it is currently unclear where Bello is. It’s also possible that the EFCC is attempting to obtain legal clearance for his arrest in light of the court order that prevented Bello from being arrested and arraigned; this order is currently being reviewed by the Court of Appeal.

    Remember, Yahaya Bello’s rise to power was entirely due to divine intervention. Bello was selected by the All Progressives Congress to succeed Abubakar Audu, who had won the race as governor but passed away before the results were announced. Bello was proclaimed the victor of the 2015 Kogi gubernatorial election. On November 16, 2019, he defeated PDP candidate Musa Wada to win a second term in office.

    More significantly, upon taking office in January 2016, Yahaya Bello became the youngest governor since 1999. He was not even forty. The country was full of optimism when it welcomed the young governor and anticipated that Bello would serve as a test subject for what the new generation of leaders could provide for modern governance. Bello’s performance received a generally negative rating, much to the disappointment of all Nigerians who had misplaced their confidence in him.

    It’s as if Yahaya Bello serves as a benchmark for young people’s ability to hold public office; no one would elect a young Nigerian to office again. It was a betrayal of hope. Many people are against the proposed state police because of what people like Senator Natasha Agboti-Uduaghan went through during the height of Bello’s reign and abuse of power.

    Apart from his incapacity to deliver, state governors’ abuse of power—which Bello demonstrated to the fullest extent—should be a bigger concern. There isn’t a single Kogite who didn’t benefit from his administration that would give Bello a pass mark. For example, Bello’s 8-year reign is said to have recorded not a single legacy project.

    But it’s crucial to remember that Yahaya Bello is not by himself alone. The majority of governors treat their states as their personal estates and continue to operate carelessly. The concept and essence of separation of powers that characterise presidential democracies are conspicuously absent from state governments, where the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are fused under a single governor.

    Not even the LGs created by the constitution are allowed to function by the governors who sit on the monthly amounts that the LGs receive from FAAC, according to the text and spirit of the 1999 Constitution.

    Yahaya Bello is being questioned by the EFCC regarding funds he received from the FAAC and Kogi’s LG allocations during his eight years as governor. Rather than act as Peter Ayodele Fayose did when he left office as governor of Ekiti State, Bello chose to go into hiding and use the legal system to prevent his arrest and arraignment.

    Indeed, states make up the federating units of the Nigerian federation. Generally speaking, as states are autonomous in a proper federation, the EFCC shouldn’t have authority over them. However, Nigerian federalism is amorphous and obtuse. States receive funding from the federation and are consequently required to report to the EFCC on how such funds are expended.

    While the EFCC may not be able to inquire about state-generated income internally, it is unquestionably necessary to account for the money obtained from the FAAC and special funds (such as ecological, salary bailouts, and other intervention funds) from the FG. Yet Bello, refusing to account, feels that he is not answerable to the EFCC. This is the height of impunity.

    The protesting little group of supporters of Bello is another development from the Yahaya Bello tale. These young people were hired, and it’s possible that they were given some naira notes to pretend that their former governor was being harassed and persecuted. Similar events have been occurring in Nigeria since the country’s return to this purported democratic regime in 1999.

    On a final note, Bello should be informed that this is the ideal moment to live up to his claim as the White Lion. He ought to get over hiding like a rat in a hole. He ought to confront the situation like a lion would—with courage, even if it means serving time in prison for corruption if guilty. He should not wait to be smoked out and picked up like a rabbit.

    So also, governors past and present, as well as all other public officials elected and appointed, should be aware that their time will come to give account. They will be rushing from hole to hole like rats and rabbits being pursued by a ravenous predator if they are not prepared for the day of reckoning, as it seems Yahaya Bello is not.

    No public office or public fund belongs to the occupier of the office. It belongs to the Nigerian people. Public officials should know this and know peace in and out of office.

    Dr. Law Mefor, an Abuja-based forensic and social psychologist, is a fellow of The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought; [email protected]; Twitter: @Drlawsonmefor.

    Melinda Gates, Bill Gates Ex. Wife, confirms split from Fox her boyfriend, Jon Du Pre

    Bill Gates’ ex-wife Melinda has denied reports that she is engaged while also confirming that she has split from her former Mormon boyfriend Jon Du Pre. 

    The American Billionaire recently sparked speculation about her love life by sporting a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger. 

    Shortly after the images went viral, she issued a statement via her spokesperson to Page Six confirming that she and Jon, 65, have in fact broken up while insisting that she is not currently engaged to anyone. 

    ‘Melinda is not engaged and is no longer dating Jon Du Pre,’ the spokesperson told the publication.

    The philanthropist was first reported to be dating the reporter in November 2022 following her divorce from Bill Gates after 27 years of marriage.

    The pair’s divorce was finalized in August 2021, three months after they announced their separation.

    The Microsoft co-founder, 68, has since moved on with Paula Hurd, who is the widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. Hurd, who was also previously the boss of Hewlett-Packard, died in 2019.

    Gates and French Gates share three children together, daughters Jennifer, 27, and Phoebe, 21, and son Rory, 23.ory, 23.

    Do you know that Emefiele printed N684.5M notes with N18.9N? – EFCC goes for Emefiele again

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh charge against Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

    In the four-count charge, the anti-graft agency accused Emefiele of approving the printing of N684,590,000 notes at the rate of N18.96 billion.

    In the fresh charge filed, the commission alleged that Emefiele broke the law with intent to harm the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The agency also accused the former CBN governor of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation.

    The former CBN governor is expected to be arraigned on these counts before Maryann Anenih, judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court, on April 30.

    This would be the third criminal case pending against Emefiele. On November 17, 2023, Emefiele was arraigned before Hamza Muazu, a judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, on a six-count charge of procurement fraud, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The charge has since been amended to 20 counts bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.

    On April 8, the EFCC also arraigned the former CBN governor, alongside one Henry Omoile, an official of the apex bank, before Rahman Oshodi of the special offences court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos over an alleged $4.5billion and N2.8 billion fraud.

    Do you know that Yahaya Bello took $720K state money to pay child’s school fee in advance ? – EFCC

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede has disclosed that former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, used $720,000 of Kogi State’s money to pay for his child’s school fees abroad in advance.

    The chairman of the anti-graft agency announced this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference, while shedding light on the commission’s efforts to get the former governor to provide clarifications on the issues discovered in the accounts of the state under his tenure.

    “A sitting governor (Bello) because he knows he is going, moved money directly from the government’s account to Bureau De Change to pay his child’s school fees in advance. $720,000 in advance, in anticipation that he is going to leave office in a poor state like Kogi and you want me to close my eyes to that? Under the guise that I am being used? Who is using who? At this my age? By who?

    “I assume office here six months ago and I inherited the case file, I called for the case file, and I said there are issues here,” he said.

    The EFCC chairman said he personally call Bello to accord him respect and invited him to come to the commission to clear some issues.

    “Do you know, on my own, I put a call across to him, just to honour him as a former governor? There are issues, I have seen this case file, he (Bello) said, ‘aah! I thank you my brother, but I can’t come,’ he said one lady, he learnt has surrounded EFCC with hundred journalists to embarrass him.

    “And I said okay if that is your fear, I am going to pass you through my door, my special door to come to my floor. ‘I said I will invite my investigators and they will come and interrogate you in my own office,’ what could be more honourable than this? In my own office. ‘He said thank you sir,’ you know what he said? ‘Can they come to my village?’ That is what he told me.”

    Pop Star, Rihanna expresses regrets over past nudity appearances

    Pop star Rihanna has shared her reflections on past decisions, expressing a newfound perspective shaped by motherhood.

    The 36-year-old singer, who shares two sons, RZA Athelston Mayers and Riot Rose Mayers, with her partner A$AP Rocky, opened up about certain outfit choices she now views with mild regret.


    During an interview with British Vogue at the Tobacco Dock launch of Fenty X Puma’s new brown creeper shoe, Rihanna discussed her past fashion “icks.”

    She admitted to feeling regretful about instances where she went topless in public and allowed her “panties to be out” at red carpet events.


    “It’s going to sound hypocritical because I did so much s**t in my life, I had my nipples out, I had my panties out.

    “But now those are the things, I guess as a mom, and an evolved young lady, emphasis on young, it’s just things that I feel I would never do, or I’m just like ‘oh my god, I really did that? Nips out?’” she confessed.

    In a recent cover story for Interview Magazine, Rihanna shared insights into her relationship journey with A$AP Rocky, her partner and the father of her children.

    Rihanna revealed that although she first met Rocky, 35, in 2012, their romantic relationship began to blossom in 2019.

    “We saw fashion the same. We saw creative the same. We ended up in the same circles a lot.

    “And past that, when we grew up, we ended up supporting each other’s brands and products and creative all the time.

    “We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships. We’ve seen each other outside of relationships.

    “We knew what we’re capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other’s lives. We can make or break each other’s hearts.


    “And so, we started dating with a lot of caution … I just let whatever was supposed to happen, happen. It was just, ‘This is a flower. It’s either going to die or blossom. But I’m going to let it decide itself,’” she recalled.

    US Govt. passes bill that could see TikTok app banned in America

    The US Senate has approved a controversial landmark bill that could see social media platform, TikTok banned in America.

    The US Senate has approved a controversial landmark bill that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban.

    The TikTok legislation was included as part of a larger $95 billion package that provides foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel and was passed 79-18. It now goes to President Joe Biden, who has backed the TikTok proposal and has said he will sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk.

    It gives TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, nine months to sell its stake or the app will be blocked in the United States.

    The measure was passed as part of a package of four bills which also included military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other US partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

    It had widespread support from lawmakers, with 79 Senators voting for it and 18 against.

    “For years we’ve allowed the Chinese Communist party to control one of the most popular apps in America that was dangerously short-sighted,” said Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee.

    “A new law is going to require its Chinese owner to sell the app. This is a good move for America,” he added.

    Fears that data about millions of Americans could land in China’s hands have driven Congressional efforts to split TikTok from the Beijing-based company.

    Last week, the social media company said the bill would “trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate seven million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the US economy, annually.”

    TikTok has said ByteDance “is not an agent of China or any other country”. And ByteDance insists it is not a Chinese firm, pointing to the global investment firms that own 60% of it.

    Its chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, said last month the company will continue to do all it can including exercising its “legal rights” to protect the platform.

    Mr Shou was grilled by Congress twice in less than a year and downplayed the app’s connection and his personal links – to Chinese authorities.

    Nigerian Govt. launches new platform to tighten import duty exemption

    The Federal Government has launched a new platform aimed at strengthening the efficiency and transparency of its import duty exemption programme.

    The Incentive Monitoring and Evaluation Platform (IMEP) will be integrated into the existing Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) programme, according to Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

    The IDEC programme offers strategic import duty reductions for priority sectors critical to national development, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare.

    The introduction of IMEP signifies the government’s commitment to ensuring these exemptions are used effectively to stimulate economic growth.

    “The newly launched IMEP ensures that only eligible entities benefit from the IDEC program,” Edun explained in Abuja on Tuesday.

    “This rigorous enforcement will optimise tax expenditures by reducing waste, blocking leakages, and ultimately fostering a more equitable economic environment,” he added.

    The IMEP offers a suite of features designed to enhance transparency and accountability within the IDEC program. These features include: automated claw-back mechanism which ensures that any entity found to be misusing exemptions will be required to repay the import duties they avoided.

    Others include real-time e-reporting where stakeholders will benefit from immediate access to electronic reports, streamlining the verification process and a centralized database with a comprehensive database designed to improve efficiency and provide a clear picture of how exemptions are being utilized.

    The government sees the IMEP as a critical tool for ensuring tax breaks are strategically allocated to maximise their economic impact. “IMEP’s precise monitoring capabilities will allow for a more strategic allocation of exemptions,” Edun noted. “This will ultimately support the government’s objective of reducing tax expenditures overall.”

    To acquaint stakeholders with the upgraded IDEC framework, the Ministry of Finance will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 25th, 2024, at noon WAT.

    This session will provide key industry participants, including manufacturers, importers, representatives from relevant government ministries, and NGOs, with an opportunity to learn more about the IMEP’s features and the benefits it offers.

    Those interested in attending the webinar can find registration details on the Ministry of Finance’s website and the IDEC YouTube channel.

    The launch of the IMEP signifies the government’s ongoing efforts to promote a more efficient and equitable business environment in Nigeria.

    By ensuring that import duty exemptions are used strategically and effectively, the government aims to bolster economic growth while minimizing wasteful spending.

    [TheNation]

    EFCC nabs and blocks over 288 accounts linked to illegal FX transactions

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen over 300 accounts suspected to be involved in criminal foreign exchange (FX) transactions.

    Mr Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the anti-graft agency disclosed this on Tuesday.

    While addressing newsmen in Abuja, Olukoyede said that the commission has discovered another worse scheme other than crypto trading platform Binance and its system.

    He said the scheme popularly called the “P to P” peer- peer financial trading scheme has operated outside the official banking and financial corridors.

    The anti-corruption czar warned that the scheme could further crash the value of Naira value if decisive actions are not been taken immediately.

    Olukoyede said, “There are people in this country doing worse than Binance. Over $15bn passed through one of the platforms in the last one year outside the financial regulations.”

    The Federal Government is currently prosecuting Binance Holdings Limited and its two officials, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, for alleged tax evasion and other crimes.

    Security agents in Kenya last week arrested Anjarwalla, who fled Nigeria some weeks ago.

    The commission had instituted five-count charges bordering on tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering against Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, the firm’s executives.

    For months, the Nigerian government sustained its crackdown on Binance over its role in manipulating the country’s Foreign exchange market.

    During the 293rd meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, in February, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, had said that more than $26 billion had been funnelled through Binance without a trace.

    Man kills his mother and amputates her hand so he could use her fingerprints to steal cash from account

    A young man stabbed his mother to death as part of a “black magic” ritual.

    Sandra Maria dos Santos Carvalho, 58, was found with multiple knife wounds, and her hand chopped off, at her home in the city of Salvador, Brazil. 

    Her son, Jose Natan Carvalho, was arrested shortly after the gruesome discovery on Saturday, April 20. 

    Appearing in court, he admitted to “cutting his mother’s neck and her hand with a knife”.

    It is reported that the 21-year-old wanted to keep her fingers to access money in her bank account. 

    Judge Leandro Florencio Rocha de Araujo told local media that the youngster had confessed to the crime.

    In court, Carvalho had alleged that he had killed his mother during a “black magic ritual” after she performed one against him beforehand.

    The judge added: “He admitted to cutting his mother’s neck with a knife and then amputating her hand to access money in her bank account.”

    Sandra Maria’s body was found covered in a sheet and towel in a neighbourhood called Boca da Mata de Valeria. 

    Jose Natan’s cousin alerted police after going to the family home where the mum and the suspect lived, and detecting a strong smell. 

    Police said her body had began decomposing, suggesting that she was killed days earlier. 

    The judge referred to the Health Care Network (RAS) and Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS). 

    The case is being investigated by the Department of Homicide and Personal Protection (DHPP) of Salvador.

    If you want to live 106 years? – Here is the secret..

    A woman who turns 106 has some words of advice on how to live a long life.

    Tina Gerlack turned 106 on Friday, April 19. She celebrated with family members and friends.

    Asked about her secret to longevity, she said: “Work hard, take care of your job, pay your bills, and be nice.” 

    “I love to work. As old as I am, I still love to work, if I could get on my hands and knees,” Tina Gerlack, from Tacoma, Washington State, said. 

    “You’re a celebrity. People don’t have 106th birthdays. But you do, so we’re celebrating you, grandma,” said Trina Gerlack, Tina’s granddaughter at her birthday party on Friday.

    Trina Gerlack calls her grandmother a “unicorn” because reaching 106 is quite the milestone. 

    Her granddaughter said Tina Gerlack has always been busy and never one to sit still for long. 

    “She’s just always been an excellent example for me just because she always has worked so hard,” the granddaughter said.

    Woman reveals secret to longevity as she celebrates 106th birthday

    “If you think about her age and my age she was born in 1918 and I was born in 1945,” said Serona Schey, a neighbor of 47 years. “So, she remembers the horse and buggy age.” 

    When asked how someone could get to 106 years old, Tina Gerlack focused on kindness. 

    “Be nice. Because you can’t take your money with you,” she said. “Work hard, take care of your job, pay your bills, and be nice. Be nice, be nice, that’s all it takes.”

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