Nigerian Businessman Arrested For Alleged Importation Of Fake Anti- Maleria Drug

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has apprehended a 32-year-old businessman, Obinna Igbo, for alleged importation and sale of fake Amanta Forte, an unregistered anti-malarial drug.

Mr. Igbo has however, been arraigned before a Federal High Court on four counts of unlawful importation, possession, sale, and distribution of fake Amanta Forte soft gel (Artemether 80mg + Lumefantrine 480mg Capsules) drug at Head bridge market Onitsha, Anambra State.

In a statement signed by the Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola, in Lagos on Monday, it was revealed that the defendant sold the fake drugs at Shop E200, Freedom Line, Onitsha Head Bridge Market after importing the same into the country.

Upon intelligence, Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed that officials of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the Agency had raided three pharmaceutical outlets at Head bridge market Onitsha; namely Triphon Point Global limited, Emma Medicals Nigeria Limited and Ekeh Mountain Global Ventures Limited.

According to the NAFDAC DG, offending product was found in Triphon Point Global limited, and the product was subsequently evacuated while the shop was placed on hold. She explained further that at Emma Medicals and Ekeh Mountain Global Ventures Limited, the shops were visited, and thorough screening was conducted. She however, said that the offending product was not found being displayed on their shelves, but their sales books revealed that the product was sold by them.

The NAFDAC boss said that the three shops were placed on hold while the managing directors were invited for further interrogation.

She said the three suspects were interrogated independently and their statements extracted, adding that they claimed that they sourced the product from one Blessed OJ Don Global Link in the market. According to the NAFDAC DG, the three suspects further stated that if given the opportunity they would assist the Agency in apprehending Mr. Obinna Igbo. (MD, Blessed OJ Don Global Link)

Prof Adeyeye explained that all efforts to arrest Mr. Igbo proved abortive as he was on the run knowing that he was being trailed by NAFDAC. She further disclosed that a tracking device was engaged to track him down in Onitsha where he was eventually arrested and taken into custody by the Investigation and Enforcement officers of NAFDAC in Asaba before he was transferred to the I&E Lagos office.

Upon interrogation, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said that Igbo acknowledged without duress that he was the importer of Amanta Forte Soft Gel an illegal antimalarial drug he smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana. Although the date markings on the products indicated that the product was manufactured in India and marketed by Mitzaagold International FZE Amin Hussain market, AL Trade Zone, Dubai, UAE.

He however, said he has other pharmaceutical products which he also imported into the country, some of which are anti-hypertensive drugs. In his statement, he acknowledged that he sold the product to the shops visited during the raid by NAFDAC.

Igbo, however, pleaded not guilty before Justice Tijani Ringim.

Although defence counsel, Mr. A.C. Oforjiuba, sought to make an oral bail application for Igbo, prosecuting counsel, Chinyere Okoli, prayed the court to remand him in custody pending trial.

The judge however, ordered that he should be kept in a correctional facility pending a formal bail application.

He adjourned the case until June 6 for trial.

According to the agency, the offences contravened the provisions of Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 2004. They also contravened the provisions of Sections 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products Registration Act of 2004.

 

Russian President, Putin Given 3 Years To Live By Doctors Due To Rapidly Progressing Cancer – Spy Says

Russian President, Vladimir Putin has reportedly been warned he has just three to years to live as the country’s intelligence sources become increasingly worried about their ailing leader.

An FSB officer described the Russian president’s condition as a ‘severe form of rapidly progressing cancer’, as speculation ramped up that Putin was suffering with some form of serious illness amid the invasion of Ukraine, Daily Mail reports.

The spy explained the wartime leader has ‘no more than two to three years’ left and he is also losing his sight, reports the Mirror.

News of the Russian leader’s terminal illness emerged as part of a secret message from the Russian agent to fugitive and former FSB agent Boris Karpichkov.

The message warned Putin is refusing to wear glasses over fears it would admit a form of weakness, and he is now lashing out at his subordinates with ‘uncontrolled fury’.

The developments come as news of his deteriorating health continues to leak out of Russia from a Telegram channel which claims to have sources inside the Kremlin.

Putin reportedly underwent ‘successful’ cancer surgery this month and is recovering following advice from medics that treatment was ‘essential’, according to Telegram channel General SVR.

The news emerged just hours before Putin appeared on state TV meeting with ally Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi, when he was caught on camera awkwardly twisting his feet while the pair sat down for talks.

It is the second time Putin has been filmed making the odd movement, which was caught on camera during a meeting with Tajikistan’s president a week ago, and comes off the back of rumours that he is suffering Parkinson’s.

Emomali Rahmon appeared to notice the movement during his meeting with Putin and glanced at the leader’s feet, though did not raise it in conversation.

Critics have suggested the twisting motion could be an attempt to cover up the kind of involuntary twitches caused by Parkinson’s – after Putin was seen shaking his arm and led before another meeting with Lukashenko on February 18.

Since then, he has been seen to grip the arms of chairs and corners of tables in what some believe to be an effort to disguise any shaking.

Other spooks have also hinted at the strongman’s poor health condition, warning he was unable to maintain concentration for long periods of time without taking breaks ‘for treatment’.

Christopher Steele, a former MI6 Russia desk officer explained Putin was constantly monitored and accompanied by a team of doctors, as rumours of a new Kremlin succession plan continue to swirl.

Whispers about Putin’s health began at least two years ago when he was said to be suffering both Parkinson’s and cancer, but have received renewed attention in the wake of his invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has not commented on the latest allegations of Putin’s ill-health, but regularly denies he is suffering any kind of difficulties.

General SVR wrote last week: ‘On the night of Monday May 16 to Tuesday May 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin underwent a surgical operation.

‘The fact that Putin should be operated on as soon as possible was insisted upon by his attending physicians.

‘According to the doctors involved in the treatment of the President, the operation was successful.

‘We have already talked about the fact that Putin was personally absent from the information space from May 17 to May 19 and was not available even to his inner circle, with the exception of Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

I Forbid To Be Second Class Citizen In My Country –Wike Blows Hot

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that he would not allow himself to be treated as a second class citizen in the country.

Wike, who lost the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential primary election to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, spoke on Monday while addressing Rivers people after his return from the election held in Abuja.

Lamenting the outcome of the election, Wike said the North should not claim ownership of the country, saying Nigeria does not belong to a particular geo-political zone.

He said, “We have all it takes to do whatever we want to do. It is a matter of you to be fruitful. We cannot answer second class citizens in Nigeria.

“We just used this one to tell them that enough is enough. We made them not to sleep, we made them not to eat, we made all of them from wherever they think they are coming from to know that there is somebody who can take them on.

“This country does not belong to one particular zone. If people are afraid of talking, it is their business. I cannot be a second class citizen in my country.

“They just want somebody they can control, somebody that will do whatever they want him to do, I will never be a party to that, they only people that can control me are Nigerians not the few people that want to remain in power since the military regime

Atiku Winning PDP Presidential Ticket, APC Will Go On Retirement – Orji Kalu Warns

All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Orji Kalu, on Sunday warned that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will take back power if his party fails to field a worthy opponent at the 2023 presidential election.

 Mr Kalu, the chief whip of the Senate, gave this warning while congratulating Mr Abubakar after he emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential primary election.

He argued that the APC must now present a presidential candidate from Mr Abubakar’s North-East to counter the former vice president’s influence.

It’s no longer news Mr Kali has been a vociferous supporter of Senate President Ahmed Lawan who is also aspiring for the country’s top job. Mr Lawan, who has been at the national assembly for four consecutive terms, hails from northeastern state of Yobe.

Mr Kalu claimed that Mr Atiku’s emergence was a strong signal to the ruling party to field a candidate from the North-East geopolitical zone. He warned that the party will be headed for political oblivion if its leadership ignored his advice by choosing a southern presidential candidate.

“For our party the APC, it is no longer feasible to talk about Southern candidate except the APC want to go on political retirement,” Mr Kalu asserted. “I urge the National Chairman of the party and the entire National Working Committee, to stamp their feet and zone APC presidential ticket to the North-East.”

Mr Kalu had been eyeing the presidency himself, urging the party to zone the position to his South-East region. He however recoiled from his agitation when it became obvious that the party was paying no heed to his unsolicited admonition.

He therefore settled for a senatorial return for his native Abia North while touting support for his colleague at the senate.

“President Muhammad Buhari has a right to choose his successor,” Mr Kalu declared, “and I call on him to pick Senator Ahmad Lawan as his successor.”

The Senate chief-whip also called on all APC aspirants to drop their ambition to support Mr Lawan.

 

Sterling Launches Imperium Platform for Solar Energy Consumers

Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria's leading digital bank, has launched a new and innovative digital product, known as the Imperium Platform, in a bid to connect consumers and providers of renewable energy (solar solutions) as a viable solution to Nigeria's electricity crisis.

The Imperium Platform was launched following the unveiling of the Nigerian electricity industry report entitled, "Powering Nigeria: How Solar Energy Can Become a Sustainable Electricity Alternative."

The report was produced by Sterling Bank in partnership with Stears, a digital information company.

Dele Faseemo, Group Head, Renewable Energy at Sterling Bank, said in a statement issued by the bank that the Imperium Platform seeks to provide clean and affordable energy solutions to interested customers while providing different financing options to customers purchasing the solution outright or paying for the installation and operation of the solution.

Faseemo explained that Sterling Bank, in partnership with Stears Data, the data collection, analytics, and data access division of Stears, embarked on the study to tackle the problem of providing solar energy in the country.

The report showed that despite the privatization of Nigeria's electricity industry, the country still has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, as 43 percent of its population has no access to grid electricity, an indication that 85 million Nigerians are not connected to – and cannot receive electricity from – the Nigerian transmission grid.

He said the Imperium would provide a range of purchase options to consumers because solar energy solutions are not one-size-fits-all, so purchasing options should not be either.

 According to him, Sterling Bank employs several purchase models to provide renewable energy solutions for its customers. This ensures that customers with different needs and purchase abilities can access solar energy solutions.

He listed the options to include outright purchase, lease to own, and power as a service. Using outright purchase as an example, he said that energy consumers could purchase products directly from vendors via the Imperium Platform, a dedicated e-commerce platform hosted by Sterling Bank.

In lease to own, Imperium provides financing at competitive interest rates for consumers with good credit scores or clean credit checks who are keen to own the assets. Under power as a service, Imperium offers fixed monthly energy-charge options to consumers, but the underlying assets are owned by Imperium as it (Imperium) purchases and owns the assets.

This saves clients huge capital outlay and maintenance worries, while the monthly energy charge is based on the capacity deployed.

In this regard, the bank has recently partnered with the Nike Art Gallery to install solar panels at the gallery via the bank's Imperium outlet as part of its commitment to a renewable energy-powered Nigeria and the development of the nation's tourism sector.

The development is a sequel to recent partnerships with the gallery to drive an appreciation and spotlight the investment opportunities available in Nigeria's arts and tourism sectors.

The Nike Art Gallery, owned by Chief Nike Okundaye, is one of the largest of its kind in the West African sub-region, with a collection of about 8,000 diverse artworks from various Nigerian artists.

Tragic! 47 Years Old Telecoms Accountant Reportedly Commits Suicide In Lagos

An accountant at a telecommunications company in Lagos state, Folake Abiola, has committed suicide at her residence at Osapa London, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

Punch reports that the 45-year-old allegedly killed herself by drinking an insecticide at her house last Friday, May 27th.

She was said to have died shortly after, as her family members, friends and men of the Nigeria Police Force met her lying motionless.

Confirming the incident, her colleague who spoke on condition of anonymity said Abiola had been suffering from depression for years, adding that the news of her death was shocking. The colleague said contrary to claims online that Abiola committed suicide due to loneliness, lack of a husband, among others, the colleague said her associates knew that she had been in romantic relationships, adding that she ended them due to depression.

“She had been suffering from d€pression for years and her death has nothing to do with loneliness or lack of a husband or sex. Within the last seven years, I know she was in a relationship twice.

She ended those relationships on her own because of d€pression. She said she did not want to bring someone else into her life when she could not take care of herself. She was going through extreme d€pression, but people that did not know what she was going through have been posting rubbish online.

She was a senior accountant at a telecoms firm and we are colleagues. She took her life herself and was buried that same Friday as she was the only Christian in her family.”the colleague said

The colleague described Abiola as an angel, a conscientious accountant, and a lover of Christ, who was liberal in giving, adding that she had been saying she wanted to end it all before she took her life. She said the deceased only recently celebrated her 45th birthday and was always keeping to herself.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police visited Abiola’s house and met her lifeless body on the floor.

 

Breaking: Shina Peller Loses APC Senatorial Ticket

 

Night life king and senator, Shina Peller has lost his senatorial tickets to Senator Fatai Buhari in Oyo North.

Mr Buhari scored 570 votes against Mr Peller’s five votes, ending the lawmaker’s four-year stint in the parliament.

Mr Peller was elected to the House in 2019 and declined to seek a second term in order to stay true to an agreement to rotate the seat in his constituency.

His supporters said he would have easily clinched the ticket to return to the House, but the politician argued that he couldn’t afford to go back on his words.

Mr Buhari is the incumbent senator representing the district, which covers the vast northern parts of Oyo.

EFCC Arrest Ex Zamfara Gov Yari For Allegedly Assisting Embattled Accountant-General Steal N80 Billion

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari in connection with the agency’s ongoing investigation of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

According to report, it was gathered that Yari was arrested on Sunday at his residence in Abuja days after he won the ruling APC’s ticket for Zamfara West senatorial election holding next year. He won unopposed.

The AGF under criminal investigation, Mr Idris, has been in the EFCC custody since May 16 facing investigators over allegations of corruption to the tune of N80 billion.

Investigators are working with the lead that he allegedly conspired with others to steal public funds which, by his role, he was meant to safeguard.

One of his suspected accomplices is Mr Yari, who was arrested today, EFCC sources told newsmen, adding that suspicious transactions between Mr Idris and Mr Yari were “in the area of good 20 billion Naira”.

Mr Yari is not new to anti-graft law enforcement actions. Last year, he was repeatedly held and questioned by the EFCC over allegations he criminally diverted billions in Zamfara’s was funds kept in a bank.

Mr Yari was governor of Zamfara State, an impoverished Nigeria’s northwestern state, between 2007 and 2019. Under his reign, terrorist outlaws, commonly called bandits, started ravaging communities.

 A state report commissioned by Mr Yari’s successor Bello Matawalle indicted him (Mr Yari) for mismanaging the ethnic conflict between Hausa and Fulani communities, leading to the armed banditry that is ravaging the Nigeria’s north-west geopolitical zone and beyond.

Herbalist Dupes Two Sisters Of N5.4m To Cure Them Of ‘Marine Spirit’

 

In their desperate search for solutions to their spiritual problems, two siblings, Oluwaseun Ibrahim and her elder sister Rukayat, have fallen victim to an alleged fraudster parading himself as a marabout and herbalist.

The two sisters allegedly defrauded by the suspect, AbdulSalami Lawal Yakub a.k.a. Garri, to the tune of N5.4 million are currently battling to recover the princely sum from the herbalist who is now in the custody of the Ogun State Police Command.

Rukayat, a soft drink distributor, explained that her younger sister, Oluwaseun, was always losing her children shortly after they were born. So, when she lost another child last year, she relocated to their elder sister’s home in Sango-Ota while a woman of her acquaintance introduced her to the herbalist.

Rukayat explained that her sister’s predicament led her to the herbalist, following which she too began to patronise the man.

Rukayat said: “My younger sister, Oluwaseun, was losing her children shortly after they were born. Each time she was delivered of a new baby, the baby would die exactly the same time as the others before it.

“So, she was tired of losing her children and gladly accepted to patronise the herbalist when an acquaintance named Omoh introduced her to him.

“Each time we sought spiritual help, we were told that my sister had marine spirit and that we should appease her spiritual group called egbe in Yoruba, which required carrying out certain sacrifices by invoking the spirit of her group for periodic appeasement.

“She relocated to the home of our sister in Sango-Ota where she met a lady called Omoh, who later became her acquaintance. My sister was fond of giving Omoh money because she was benevolent.

“One day, Omoh told my sister that the herbalist had revealed something to her about Oluwaseun’s plight and had asked her to bring Oluwaseun to his shrine for a remedy to her problem.

“When Oluwaseun visited the man’s house, the herbalist confirmed that he actually had a revelation and had revealed what he saw about her to Omoh. He reiterated that invoking the spirit of Oluwaseun’s group through some sacrifices was the solution to her problems.

“Unknown to us, it was Omoh that actually gave the herbalist the details of my sister’s problems.

“He demanded the sum of N350, 000 for special sacrifices he boasted would stop the death of Oluwaseun’s children. My sister called her husband on the phone immediately and he transferred the sum of N250,000 to the herbalist and paid the balance a few days later.

“After the sum of N350,000 was paid to the herbalist, he demanded an additional sum of N500,000 to complete the sacrifices and my sister’s husband again paid him the amount.

“On the day the sacrifices were made at his residence last December, he placed a pot on my sister’s head, made some marks on her body with white substances, and poured a lot of fruits on the floor.

“While the sacrifices were on, one of the initiates he brought told me that I should do the same sacrifices for my children too if I didn’t want to lose a child.

“The herbalist too later told me on the phone that my daughter needed the sacrifices so that I would not lose her, because she was possessed. Hence, I transferred the sum of N350,000 to him and added N180,000 to the amount when he demanded additional money, making the initial sum N530,000.”

Rukayat recalled that not long after, Yakub added a twist to the matter when he told her that she needed to do some sacrifices to regain her stolen glory.

She said: “Five days after the sacrifices were performed for my sister, he (Yakub) invited me to his home and said that when I accompanied my sister to the place where the sacrifices were performed, it was revealed to him that my glory had been snatched by unidentified persons in my family.

“So, I visited him in company with my husband. And while we were in his home, he took me to the back of the building and brought out from a pile of ashes something that looked like a fruit with cowries attached to it, saying that the substance was the glory that was stolen from me by my ancestral enemies.

“He gave the substance to me and I showed it to my husband. He (Yakub) instructed me to take it home, use it to pray for seven days and return it to him.

“When I returned the item, he placed it before a deity known in Yoruba as Osanyin in Yoruba, called my name and declared that I had truly taken back my glory from my enemies and that I should thank my stars that I succeeded in taking it back.

Moments later, he said that the ‘deity’ had revealed that a wicked ‘spirit’ warned that he had acted inappropriately by helping me to retrieve my glory after it accepted from him sacrifices to save my younger sister, Oluwaseun, from her problems.

“He said the wicked spirit had vowed to punish me and my child for attempting to be set free from our problems. He said that his ‘deity’ said we would make sacrifices to prevent calamity and a number of items were mentioned by the so-called deity, which the herbalist said were expensive and could only be found in the northern parts of the country.

“He then called a man he claimed was the supplier of one of the items, iru esin olokun (horsetail of the river goddess), four of which he said were required by the deity.

“The man he called on the phone said that each of the items would cost us N500,000, which meant I would have to pay N2 million for the four pieces.

“He then said the item he called ‘my glory’ would first be returned to my body before the sacrifice to save me and my child from being killed by the strange spirit would be carried out.

“That very moment, he gave me some powdery black substance which he asked me to take with eko (corn pudding), and I noticed that I could not resist paying him another money after taking the substance with corn pudding.

“The following day, he started harassing me for the money again and even visited me at home, urging me to look for money to perform the sacrifice. I didn’t know what came over me when I rushed to the bank and withdrew the sum of N2 million which I took to him in a bag.

“The third day, he brought a clay pot to my house and instructed me to pray and curse the spirit that was threatening to kill me and my child for seven days. He said that I should return the pot to him after the prayers.

“Surprisingly, while I was taking the pot back to him, a young man mistakenly collided with me and broke the pot at the Oshodi motor park in Lagos.

 my house and instructed me to pray and curse the spirit that was threatening to kill me and my child for seven days. He said that I should return the pot to him after the prayers.

“Surprisingly, while I was taking the pot back to him, a young man mistakenly collided with me and broke the pot at the Oshodi motor park in Lagos.

“I packed the pieces of the pot and gave it to him when I got to his house by nightfall and he said he would have slapped me if I were his sister for being so careless with the pot to the extent that it was smashed into pieces by a stranger. He said the pot was meant to be returned to the spirit that was threatening to kill me and my child in a forest.

“He took me and my sister, Oluwaseun, on a motorbike to a farmland around 9 pm and claimed to be invoking the spirit he called Arigiji, and we were terrified by a strange noise accompanying the coming of the spirit and the movement of a black snake-like object.

“We made to run away, but he asked us to be calm, boasting that he possessed the power to control spirits.

“The spirit, which looked like a midget, emerged with a burst of fire and said that it had threatened to kill me for daring to retrieve my glory that was in its custody.

“The herbalist pleaded that our lives be spared, but the spirit said he would only spare our lives if we provided the items we had previously purchased because we broke the pot that was given to us. Thus I coughed out another N2 million and other cash payments, making the total amount he collected from me and my sister N5.4 million.

“I have all the details of the money I collected for him from the bank. There was a time he even took me to a PoS operator after demanding some money from me. The PoS operator has confirmed the transaction to detectives.”

The scales, however, finally fell off the eyes of the two sisters and they realised that they had been scammed by the herbalist.

According to Rukayat, it turned out that a piece of white cloth containing an unknown substance Yakub gave to Oluwaseun to put underneath her pillow at home, which he claimed would neutralise the evil around her, was actually stuffed with red sand and sawdust. Thus, the two sisters reported Yakub to the police via a petition.

How video exposed herbalist

Unknown to Yakub, Rukayat was recording the scenes where the sacrifices were performed on her sister.

In the footage sighted by our correspondent, Yakub, swathed by unidentified persons who appeared in white dresses like traditionalists, led others to pour effusive incantations on Oluwaseun who was seated on the mat inside an uncompleted building.

“The said Omoh is the herbalist’s informant. We cannot say that all the sacrifices worked, because the whole thing happened in the last three or four months now and my sister has not had another baby.

“I have the video of the scenes where the sacrifices were performed for my sister, Oluwaseun, and Yakub who claims to be an Alfa (Muslim cleric) now chanted incantations. He is a scammer,” Rukayat added.

Explaining his complicity in the matter, Yakub, a native of Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State, who described himself as a marabout, said he was only trying to help the two sisters solve their spiritual problems.

He said: “Oluwaseun came to me seeking a solution to the loss of her children two weeks after they were born. She told me that she had been told by some persons the remedy to her problem was appeasing spirit children and she sought my assistance on that.

 

 

I explained to her that only Osun river priestesses could do what she asked me to do and I contacted river priestesses to carry out the sacrifices.

“She also said that she could hardly sleep and that the cause of her sleeplessness was a marine spirit that had not been exorcised.

“I was given a list of items for the sacrifices by the Osun river devotees and I showed her the list. They asked me to get the items for them and transferred the sum of N800,000 to me in bits.

“Oluwaseun later confirmed to me on the telephone that the sacrifices worked and that she could sleep well. She even visited me and bought a lot of beverages and groceries for my children to appreciate me for helping her out. We held the sacrifices like a party in front of my house.

“Shortly after that time, her senior sister contacted me that she wanted similar sacrifices performed on her child, who she claimed was constantly crying from her sleep and that she had been told that the sacrifices I did for her sister were also the solution to the child’s problem.

“She too confirmed that her child’s problem has since been neutralised.

”What they are not saying is that they wanted to take over my huge cocoa farm which they sighted one day when they visited me.

“I told her that the cocoa farm was worth over N4 million and that I cannot give the farm away because I had promised to give the proceeds from the sale of the cocoa to my wife.

“She later complained that one of her female colleagues was snatching her customers and urged me to do medicine for her that would finish the woman, but I refused. She then threatened to deal with me for refusing to help her take out the woman.

“The next thing was that she brought some thugs to my house, and my wife and I escaped through the back door to report the matter to the police. She later invited policemen to arrest me.

“This is a great lesson for me because my wife had warned me against my relationship with Rukayat and Oluwaseun.

“Since I was born, I have not seen or touched the sum of N4.5 million. And I wonder why they are lying because all the money they paid to me was not more than N800,000.

“However, I could not deny that they did not pay me the sum of N4.5 million because of the brutality meted out to me while in police custody.

“Even one of my brothers who came to secure my bail was also detained by the police and they even threatened to arrest my son who is studying in one of the tertiary institutions in the state. Hence, I admitted to collecting over N4 million from the two ladies.

“I have asked that one of my landed properties be sold so that I can raise money to refund the two ladies. I had expected that the land would have been sold and my brother would bring the money for me today so that I can subsequently sign an undertaking on how to pay the balance of the amount I collected from the ladies.

“I am pleading for mercy (from the police) now. I want them to allow me learn a lesson that one should not claim or handle matters that one lacks the competence to handle. I am pleading for mercy from the police and the two women.”

Rukayat, however, countered Yakub on the claims he made about is cocoa farm, saying: “What is my business with his cocoa farm? He is only lying. I have a thriving business as a soft drink distributor and I supply drinks to people in Ghana, where my customers reside.

“I am not poor and couldn’t have attempted to covet his cocoa farm. I did not also ask him to deal with any of my colleagues, because I have no competitors.”

Police spokesman, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspected fraudster, identified as Abdul Salami Yakub, was arrested in April following a petition forwarded to the Commissioner of Police by one Rukayat Ibrahim that the suspect defrauded her and her younger sister, Oluwaseun Ibrahim, to the tune of N5.475 million. 

 

 

Female APC Governorship Aspirant In Adamawa, Binani Beat, Nuru Ribadu, Ex-governor, 3 Others To Clinch Ticket

It is safe to say this is a historic victory for Senator Aishatu Binani after she defeated five men, to emerged victorious at the just concluded governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State.

 With this victory, Binani has become the first woman to win the governorship nomination of a major political party in the state.

Binani a serving senator, representing Adamawa Central, defeated a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to clinch the coveted APC party ticket.

Others in the contest were the immediate past governor of the state, Jibrilla Bindo; a House of Representatives member, Abdulrazak Namdas, Wafari Theman and Umar Mustapha.

Announcing the results, the chairman of the Electoral Committee, Gambo Lawan said Binani scored 430 votes to defeat her closest rival, Ribadu, who had 288 votes.

The former governor, Bindo had 103 votes to clinch the third position.

It was however gathered that Binani, besides doling out several empowerment items, gave each delegate N1 million to sail through.

The election which started at about 11:30 pm on Thursday was concluded at about 8:44 on Friday morning.

Scores By Each Aspirant:

Aisha Binani: 430

Nuhu Ribadu: 288

Jibrilla Bindo: 103

Abdulrazak Namdas: 94

Umar Mustapha: 39

Wafari Theman: 21

 

Unity Bank Yanga Product Positioned to Empower Underbanked Women Entrepreneurs – Olufunwa Akinmade

 

Divisional Head, Retail, SME Banking and E-Business, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Olufunwa Akinmade has explained that the “raison d’etre for launching the Bank’s latest retail product called Yanga is to create a unique product proposition aimed at empowering the underbanked women entrepreneurs in Nigeria”.

Akinmade, who stated this during a chat with the media, citing a recent EFInA report, said that “there are 51 million Nigerian women above 18 years of age, with over 41% of the unbanked. Out of these figures, it is estimated that there are 14-18 million female entrepreneurs – mainly in the micro SME category”.

Recall that Unity Bank launched the women-focused Yanga account in November 2021 to promote financial inclusion and cater to unbanked women entrepreneurs across Nigeria in the MSME space.

Therefore, the new retail product is designed to deepen its beneficial impact on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs operated by women in the mass-market retail space.

According to Akinmade, “Recent research has shown that Nigeria has the highest number of women entrepreneurs in the world, with an estimated 40 million SMEs, of whom women constitute approximately 42%.

“These women have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they have the capacity to create wealth and contribute productively to the economy. However, a lot more needs to be done and it starts with empowering them with the right tools to harness this entrepreneurship potential.

“Currently, they face many institutional and cultural hurdles while starting or running their businesses. For instance, a recent report shows that only 22% of female entrepreneurs have access to finance against 34% of males.

“This is part of why we have introduced Yanga to bridge this gap while also narrowing the population of underbanked women entrepreneurs”.

Akinmade further explained that the Unity Yanga product will play a critical role in boosting financial inclusion and narrowing the underbanked women population as the account comes with a unique product proposition that includes an easy to operate and free to open a Savings account, with no identification required, customized debit card, dedicated sales officers.

He identified other unique features including special banking agents in each market location and quarterly Seminars at main market locations anchored by Unity Bank and its alliance partners.

“By rolling out this scheme across all geopolitical regions, Unity bank’s objective is to work assiduously towards reducing the huge numbers of underbanked women in the country,” he added.

A key part of the Yanga Product experience is (1) micro-loans and (2) HMO-offering

The micro-loan would be availed with time-tested Credit Policies, backed with technology-based credit scoring. These would help detect frivolous applications as well as reduce NPLs.

Yanga is available to all women entrepreneurs nationwide. The Bank is currently conducting market activations in strategic locations across the country with its brand ambassador, popular Nollywood actor, Sola Sobowale. So far, the Yanga activation train has been to Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and Ibadan and is currently in Lagos and en-route Port Harcourt.

Unknown Gunmen Terrorising Anambra Are Igbo From Other States – Governor Soludo Says

Anambra state governor, Chukwuma Soludo has revealed those behind terrorism in his state.

 Mr Soludo said that Igbo people from other states are the “unknown gunmen” terrorising the state.

Soludo stated this during his state broadcast where he declared a 6pm to 6am curfew in seven Local Government Areas of the state, where the activities of the hoodlums were prevalent.

The governor who also banned the use of tricycle of in many in the affected LGA, said the curfew would remain in place until peace is restored.

“Let us be very clear. These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra, albeit of disparate groups and gangs, are Igbos (dominantly from other South-East states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region

“Unfortunately, every criminal gang (including cult groups) claims to be a “liberation movement”, making it difficult to differentiate between any genuine agitators from criminals. Unfortunately also, the criminals now dominate the space,” he said.

According to him, Anambra is the prime target because it is the most lucrative location for kidnapping for ransom in the South-East.

He also stated that with their immense propaganda machine funded largely by their sponsors from abroad, they have tried everything to indoctrinate the people with all kinds of false emotive narratives, and divert attention from their real objectives.

According to him, they claimed to be “fighting for the people”, and yet randomly kill the same people, destroying their livelihood, and stopping their children from going to school.

“What has agitation got to do with kidnappings including kidnapping of priests of God, invasion of churches and tabernacles including desecration of the Alters of God? Why is it that everywhere they gather and in every camp they operate, there is a Deity/idol to which they routinely offer blood in sacrifice?”

“From accounts of those kidnapped and later freed the stench of dead bodies in the camps cry up to heaven. We see videos of them and their idol worship; we note their threats to priests and bishops, including threatening to take over some churches?” he asked.

According to Soludo, “they have failed, and would continue to fail.”

 

Nigerian Government Files 23 Count Charges Against Husband Of Late Gospel Singer, Osinachi

Husband of late Nigerian Gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, Peter Nwachukwu has been slammed with a 23 Count charges by the Federal Government.

 The 23 counts bordering on culpable homicide under Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Section 221 of the Penal Code, and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) were filed by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the FCT High Court, Daily Trust reports.

The charges, dated May 20, 2022, were signed by the Head, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.

The prosecutor accused the defendant of forcefully ejecting Osinachi from the family home and pushing her out of a moving vehicle.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendant deprived the deceased of her personal liberty by restraining her movement and locking her up in the house.

Nwachukwu was equally accused of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to section 14(1) of the VAPP Act, 2015.

The defendant was said to have denied Osinachi access to her money for medication and household necessities and forced her into begging and borrowing.

The charge further alleged that Osinachi’s husband forcefully isolated and separated her from her family by preventing the deceased’s mother and siblings from visiting her matrimonial home.

Nwachukwu was also accused of cruelly beating the children and recording them as they cried. He was accused of playing such on his phone later.

Osinachi, who sang the popular song, ‘Ekwueme’, died in April.

Nwachukwu was alleged to have kicked Osinachi in the chest, causing her to have a blood clot that eventually killed her.

The Ministry of Women Affairs had assured that the government would ensure that justice was done in the matter.

 

Peter Obi Lacks Integrity, Character To Rule Nigeria – Governor Wike Fumes

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lambated former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi following his defection from People’s Democrats

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lambated former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi following his defection from People’s Democrats Party (PDP).

 Mr Wike who is also a presidential hopeful says Peter Obi’s dumping of PDP few days before the party’s primary elections, proves he lacks the integrity and character required to govern Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Wike admitted that Mr Obi’s economic expertise did not guarantee he embodied the virtues befitting a president.

“You can be the best economist but you don’t have character, no integrity,” Mr Wike said in an alarming tone while referring to Mr Obi in the second person.

The Rivers governor viewed Mr Obi’s eleventh-hour defection as a betrayal to the PDP which entrusted him with the vice-presidential ticket in 2019.

“A vice presidential candidate of the 2019 election, what is he seeing differently now that he did not see for how many years, just 72 hours? 72 hours! (before the PDP primary elections),” added Mr Wike. “That’s why I said some people can become presidential candidates and they will still abandon your party, mess you up,” Mr Wike pointed out.

Mr Obi dumped the PDP for a yet-to-be disclosed party, fearing he may be humiliated at the upcoming PDP convention despite his widespread popularity amongst everyday Nigerians.

Party (PDP).

 

Mr Wike who is also a presidential hopeful says Peter Obi’s dumping of PDP few days before the party’s primary elections, proves he lacks the integrity and character required to govern Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Wike admitted that Mr Obi’s economic expertise did not guarantee he embodied the virtues befitting a president.

“You can be the best economist but you don’t have character, no integrity,” Mr Wike said in an alarming tone while referring to Mr Obi in the second person.

The Rivers governor viewed Mr Obi’s eleventh-hour defection as a betrayal to the PDP which entrusted him with the vice-presidential ticket in 2019.

“A vice presidential candidate of the 2019 election, what is he seeing differently now that he did not see for how many years, just 72 hours? 72 hours! (before the PDP primary elections),” added Mr Wike. “That’s why I said some people can become presidential candidates and they will still abandon your party, mess you up,” Mr Wike pointed out.

Mr Obi dumped the PDP for a yet-to-be disclosed party, fearing he may be humiliated at the upcoming PDP convention despite his widespread popularity amongst everyday Nigerians.

APC Female Aspirant In Plateau State Kidnapped On Day Of Primaries

 

Na’anyil Magdalene Dakogol, a All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly aspirant in Plateau State in the 2023 general elections, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Dakogol is the only female aspirant in her ward contesting the ticket of Qua’an Pan South State Constituency.

Magdalene was kidnapped on the day her party conducted the primaries.

According to report, Na’anyil Magdalene was on her way to meet with delegates of the party ahead of the primaries scheduled for Kwalla town of Qua’an Pan LGA of the state, when she was abducted.

“The Honourable was to see a delegate on Wednesday but they gave her 5:30am on Thursday for her to meet them. She left alongside her brother to Goeragas and they could not locate the house, her brother came down of the car and went into the community to make inquiries.

“He left her inside the car, but to his greatest shock, he did not see her when he came back. Her phones were all inside the car but he could not see her,” a source said.

The spokesperson of the Plateau Police Command, Ubah Gabriel, confirmed the development, saying the Commissioner of Police had sent a tactical team to rescue the victim.

Tragedy As Another Teacher Flogs 12years Old Pupil To Death Over Homework

A Junior Secondary School 2 pupil of Simple Faith Schools, Agbara, Lagos State, Emmanuel Amidu, has died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Surulere.

 The victim’s father, Akinola Amidu, claimed that the 12-year-old was flogged by a teacher when he went to school on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

He said his son started vomiting shortly after the beating and was rushed to a hospital, where he gave up the ghost.

The distraught father alleged that the school management was covering up his son’s death and protecting the mathematics teacher, one Steven, who allegedly flogged Emmanuel for not completing his assignment.

He said, “I was at home that Thursday because I was on leave. I recall that Emmanuel asked me for money to buy a new exercise book and I gave him N500 to buy the book and give the remaining change to his sister.

“Later that day, I was called by the management of the school that Emmanuel was vomiting. Meanwhile, this was a boy who left home without any health issue. I had to go to the school and we moved him to a hospital.

“I later learnt that the whole thing started after their class teacher, Mr Steven, beat the whole of his class for not completing their mathematics assignment.

“Emmanuel was actually using my phone torchlight to do his assignment a day before, but I had to collect the phone from him and his sister because I needed to be in contact with the office. We had issues with our electricity at home.

“It was at LUTH that I lost my son. Meanwhile, the management of the school quickly ran to the Morogbo Police Station at Agbara to report that my son died from vomiting.

“How can somebody just die from vomiting if nothing triggers it? The management of the school is trying to protect the teacher.”

Akinola, 45, demanded the arrest and prosecution of the teacher, as he urged the state government and the police to give the family justice.

Emmanuel’s 13-year-old sister, Rachael, said that her brother vomited after he was beaten.

She said, “I was called by our English teacher that my brother was not feeling fine and he did not eat and had been sleeping.

“His friend told me that they were beaten for not doing their sums in mathematics and after that he was just sleeping and vomiting.”

 

Breaking: Embattled Super Cop, Abba Kyari Escapes Murder In Kuje Prison After 190 Inmates Attacked Him

According to report, Embattled Nigerian super Cop, Abba Kyari has escaped being killed in Kuje prison

Report also said prison officials are considering moving Abba Kyari to the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) from the Kuje prison after he nearly got murdered by aggrieved inmates, who accused him of insincerity in bribe-for-release deals when he was in active service.

Further report says the attack happened on May 4, months after Mr Kyari, who is on trial for drug-related offences, was remanded. His attackers were about 190, an official said, and they are mostly in prison for drug offences.

47yeara old Mr Kyari who was a deputy commissioner of police and was decorated cop and head of the elite Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General Police before his fall.

Recall he was suspended from police duties after being named last July by American investigators as an accomplice in the international fraud and money laundering scheme of Ramon Abbas, popularly called Hushpuppi.

Then, while on suspension and awaiting the outcome of an internal probe, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in February accused him of involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The agency released a video in which Mr Kyari appeared to be describing his use of his team to push drugs and discussing sharing of a criminal fortune.

He was charged to court in March and remanded in Kuje prison.

However, the Kuje attackers claimed Mr Kyari prosecuted them despite taking bribes from them.

One of the sources, a state investigator and intelligence officer, described Mr Kyari as a “dodgy criminal.”

Mr Kyari has not been convicted of any crime and has said he is innocent of the allegations for which he has been charged.

Quoting the inmates, a sources said Mr Kyari was “eliminating smaller (drug) dealers to clear the field for Afam Ukatu,” a suspected billionaire drug baron allegedly behind N3 billion Tramadol deal linked to Mr Kyari.

“Inmates claimed that upon arrest, Abba Kyari demanded bribes to kill the case, then still prosecuted them,” a Kuje prison source who accessed the testimonies of the aggrieved inmates, said.

 

Top 5 Nutritious Golden Penny Food Options for Special Occasions

 

Like the recently held Easter and Ramadan celebrations, occasions in Nigeria are usually filled with various mouthwatering dishes, drinks, music, and fun. But it is common to see hosts getting worried about the perfect food combination to satisfy their friends and family cravings.

Truly, choosing an ideal food that's not Jollof for any occasion can be mentally tasking. And we know no one likes to deal with headaches. Not to worry, this is why we are here to help you with a lineup of Golden Penny food options that are not only tasty but nourishing to the body.

Here are the top five Golden Penny food products to include in your menu for any occasion:

 1. Golden Penny Pasta

What's a good meal without food lovers' favourite pasta brand?

In Nigeria, parties are not complete without Jollof, but you can bring spice and fun to your own party by making Jollof pasta from Golden Penny. Imagine having your guests wowed with an enticing reddish dish of Golden Penny pasta? They will not forget your party.

Also, variants of the popular Golden Penny pasta brand including consumer favourites such as Spaghetti, Spaghettini, Macaroni, Twist, and Couscous are highly nutritious making it an all-time preference for lovers of good food.

Made from the finest quality Durum which makes it a great source of dietary fibre and rich in protein, Golden Penny pasta is a wholesome source of vitamin A, necessary for healthy growth and vitality.

And guess what? They can be served alone or paired with other party staples.

2. Golden Penny Noodles

Noodles are everyone's go-to food for a quick fix on regular days, but have you ever had a noodles party? Hmmm, hopefully, your answer is a yes if not, here presents an invaluable opportunity to host a ‘noodles themes party’ by Golden Penny.  Imagine presenting a well-prepared and garnished noodles meal to your guest with a cold drink to wash it down? memories like this are hard to forget 

Now, what makes Golden Penny noodles special? It is tasty, non-sticky, and non-soggy, even if left for some time; allowing you to enjoy every strand. Made from the finest quality wheat and packaged to high standards, it is also rich in nutrients and filling designed to give you value for money.

Like the pasta, it can be served alone with assorted beef, spicy chicken, lobster, and shrimps or you can serve it along with other party staples.

3. Golden Penny Ball Foods

These need no introduction as they are already every party guest’s favourites.

If you've never made or eaten the Golden Penny Semovita on any occasion then we can't trust your food judgment, sorry. Add the Goldenvita and Masavita to your menu and you have the perfect food options to satisfy your guests' cravings.

The Golden Penny Semovita and Goldenvita are rich in vitamins and proteins and also rich in fibre to aid digestion. While the Masavita is a wholesome maize grits meal that guarantees all-day energy.

What's more? All these food options are quick and easy to prepare so no stress at all while hosting your guests!

4. Golden Penny Flour

Pies, puff puff, and cakes are certified party starters and finishers. These are a must-serve at your occasion to keep mouths moving and the belly happy.

It's no secret that when it comes to flour production, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) take the lead. So, if you want superior quality flour for your party confectionaries and baking needs, you already know where to look.

The Golden Penny Prime Flour, Masa Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Thai Farm, Mai Kwabo Flour, Easy Bake Flour, Noodles Flour, Multipurpose Flour, and Confectionery Flour are a wide range of options you can choose from for your baking needs.

5. Golden Penny Garri

Although this can be classified under Golden Penny Ball Foods, it deserves a special mention because of the status of garri in Nigerian homes.

While it is popular as a swallow, make no mistake, there are a number of your family and friends who would jump at the option of drinking garri at your function. Add cold water, sugar cubes, groundnut, and fried fish on the side, and you have a potential party favourite.

With Golden Penny Garri, you have an even better garri product that takes quality to the next level with extra crunch and extra swell for a truly fulfilling meal. Golden Penny Garri has no dirt, no dust, and no stones.

With these tasty and nourishing food options, your friends and family will always look forward to attending your events. Try them for your next occasion and be amazed by the effects this will have on your guests and your future parties!

Amaechi, Emeka Nwajiuba Have No Conscience, How Can They Pick APC Presidential Forms When Their Ministries ‘Were On Fire’ — Governor Wike Fumes

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has lambasted former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, saying they collected All Progressives Congress’ presidential forms at a time when their areas of responsibility were on fire.

 Wike said that there was a need for the electorates at all levels to be more concerned about the kind of people they vote for to lead the affairs of the country.

He spoke in Ibadan while addressing Oyo State PDP leaders to solicit support ahead of the party’s presidential primary this month.

He said, “Nigerians know my views. I believe in restructuring. I believe in state police. You cannot stop insecurity in this country without state police which is the practice in all countries that run true federalism. Intelligence is key. Before it happens you’ve stopped it or cage them.

“Look at it, 42 people died in train blast, up until now no concrete report. This is a country where a Minister of Transport, after people died in such accident and the next day, he went and collected form for presidency.

“You’re a Minister of Education, schools have closed for how many months, the next thing; the minister went and collected form for presidency. I have not seen a country like this, no conscience.”

Wike also scolded some Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential aspirants for opposing the party in 2015, stating that many of them did not deserve the party’s ticket for 2023.

Wike, an aspirant also, the PDP chieftains who caused disharmony in the party in 2015, and formed the new-PDP sold out the party’s goodwill and electoral opportunities.

“The issue is, who are those who made PDP to lose election in 2015 that today we are suffering? Today, we are in opposition and trying to take power back.

“But see what the country has been turned into. Who are those who told Nigerians that President Buhari is a saint, that President Buhari will salvage Nigeria. What is their sense of judgment? Who are those aspirants who abandoned PDP, betrayed PDP and went to support President Buhari?” he said.

Also, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Governor Wike argued that some PDP presidential aspirants brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power.

“Now we are suffering. People are dying every day. From January to March in Kaduna, over 1000 people have been killed. So many people have been kidnapped.”

 

Breaking: Peter Obi Reportedly Dumps PDP, Pulls Out Of Presidential Primaries

 

Former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, has dumped the People’s Democrats Party (PDP).

According to a document making the rounds on social media, Mr Obi who is a major front-liner for PDP has also withdrawn from the presidential primaries.

Mr Obi withdrawal from PDP was reported to be after he had allegedly caught wind of a gang up against him in PDP.

He however did not immediately disclose his next platform.

Drama As PDP House of Reps Aspirant, Okwuada Slumps After Losing Primaries With 7 Votes

There was a mini drama after a House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Philip Okwuada on Monday slumped  after losing the party’s primaries ticket  in Delta State.

According to report  Okwuada was bidding to represent Ika Federal constituency in the Green chamber of the National Assembly.

In a video credited to Flag News,seen by Celebritywatch, Okwuada slumps while addressing  a live interview shortly after the exercise.

Okwuada was beaten in the primary election by Victor Nwokolo, who had 75 votes. Meanwhile, Okwuada only managed 7 votes.

However, efforts made by our correspondent  to ascertain  Okwuada’s current health status were abortive before compiling this report.

Okwuada’s support group on Facebook named Dr Philip Okwuada Support Group says, “This group is to beckon on the well meaning sons and daughters of IKA to show support and solidarity to man of enviable character, a man of excellence in transparency, a man of the people for the people. A man you can count on for proper representation.”

Tinubu Is In Distress, He Feels APC Should Reward Him With Presidency – Okorocha Lament

Senator Rochas Okoroch, has said that the 70-year-old national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu is distressed.

According to the former Imo state governor, Okorocha, Tinubu feels that the party ought to compensate him for his contributions to it.

Mr Okorocha who is also running for Presidency in 2023 made the assertion during an interview on ARISE TV, he said the former Lagos State governor’s feeling is due to his lifelong ambition to be president following his contributions to the APC.

“I think it’s just natural, and that everybody should know, and I don’t know what’s behind the mind of Tinubu but I respect him a lot, but I think Tinubu is in distress because he feels that it’s a time to compensate him on the basis of the role he played in the formation of APC which some of us were part of it,” he said.

Okorocha noted that although he respects Tinubu a lot, zoning the presidency to the South-East in 2023 is something that should be understood naturally.

Also speaking on the five presidential aspirants of the party in the South-East who have come together to advocate for an Igbo candidate for the APC in the 2023 presidential election, the Senator who represents Imo West Senatorial District, said the interest of the nation should always come above personal interest.

“So, everybody has (a) reason why he’s coming out, and these things define power and strength. He [Tinubu] believed that he has made people and this is the time people should allow him or make him or something. More like a reward system.

“But more than that, we are talking about the nation called Nigeria. We have to have a nation first before personal and individual sentiments will come into play,” he said.

Federal Government Imposes New Tax On Telephone Calls

 

The Federal Government has introduced a new tax on phone calls to fund free healthcare for the Vulnerable Group in Nigeria.

The telecom tax is the equivalent of a minimum of one kobo per second for phone calls to boost the funds required to finance free healthcare for the vulnerable group in Nigeria.

This is contained in the National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2021 signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 19, 2022.

The law defines the vulnerable group as children under five, pregnant women, the aged, physically and mentally challenged persons, and the indigent “as may be defined from time to time”.

It specified that the money from the vulnerable group fund shall be expended to provide subsidy for health insurance coverage of vulnerable persons as determined by the council; and for the payment of health insurance premiums for the indigent.

Speaking on the development via his Twitter handle, Taiwo Oyedele, fiscal policy partner and Africa tax leader at PwC, said the new telcommuncations tax is equivalent to a 9 percent tax on GSM calls since call rates are charged at 11 kobo per second.

I Urgently Need A Man That Will Marry Me — Actress Eucharia Anunobi Cries Out

Nollywood actress, Eucharia Anunobi, has said she urgently needs a man to settle down with.

 The 56-year-old thespian said this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.

It would be recall that Eucharia’s marriage to her ex-husband, Mr Charles Edwu, ended in 2006 after six years of marriage. The union produced only one child, Raymond Ekwu, who sadly died from complications associated with sickle cell anaemia at age 15.

According to her, “Please, I use this opportunity and tell the world that I want to marry urgently. A great man should show himself and put a ring on this finger of mine.

My specification is a man who is God-fearing and handsome. He must be up to the task, having everything that makes a man male. You must be complete, that’s all I can say.”

 

Breaking: Singer Banky W Wins PDP Ticket For Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Seat

 

Nigerian Music producer and actor, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has won the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest for the House of Representatives, Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the 2023 elections.

 

Mr Wellington’s twenty-eight votes put him on top of the list of other contenders from the opposition party that are jostling for the same ticket.

In the 2019 elections, Mr Wellington contested the House of Representatives seat under the Modern Democratic Party (MDP), but lost to Ibrahim Obanikoro of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Actress Ronke Oshodi Oke Helped MC Oluomo Snatch My Second Wife – NURTW Caretaker Chairman Says

The newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Fatai Adeshina, aka Akeweje, has accused Musiliu Akinsanya, MC Oluomo, of snatching his second wife.

According to the new NURTW boss, MC Oluomo took his wife from him with the help of popular Nollywood actress and associate, Ronke Oshodi Oke.

He told The PUNCH that MC Oluomo Lodge his wife in one of his hotels in the Oshodi area of Lagos State for over a month.

Adeshina stated that despite settling issues with his rivals such as Kunle Poly, MC Oluomo has refused to resolve issues between them.

Akeweje stated that, “there was a lady called Ronke Oshodi Oke, a popular actress. She was a friend to my second wife. Though they met outside my residence, Ronke started visiting my home at one point. So, I challenged her and warned her not to ever step into my house again.”

Ronke was an associate of MC Oluomo and I know what Oluomo is capable of doing. When I challenged Ronke, she told me that she came to see her boss, adding that my second wife was her boss. I told her not to come to my house anymore, because MC Oluomo and I did not belong to the same camp. My second wife and Ronke knelt and apologised, but after five days, I met Ronke in my house again,” he added.

Fatai Adeshina said he accused Ronke Oshodi Oke of trying to carry out a mission in his house, adding that he sent the two of them out of his house that day but to his surprise, Ronke took his second wife to MC Oluomo.

The NURTW boss said: “Some concerned close allies at MC’s hotel in Oshodi phoned me that they saw my second wife at MC’s place. They asked whether MC and I had settled our issues, but I said we were yet to resolve our differences. They told me that MC had asked them to give my second wife a room in his hotel. She was there for one month and seven days in his hotel.”

“My second wife, Queen B. She stayed in his hotel for one month and seven days before he bought her a house. Unionists in the state know this story very well,” he added.

Igbo People Are Responsible For Killings In South-East, Not Fulani Or Outsiders – Governor Of Eboyin, David Umahi Says

 

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has identified the unknown gunmen terrorising southeast Nigeria and killing people as those who hail from the region and not outsiders.

Some southeasters and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have accused some governors in the region of sponsoring outsiders to terrorise the southeast.

But while answering questions regarding the identities of the killers on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Umahi said the atrocities committed in the region were largely carried out by youths from there.

He said, “People tend to be funny at times when they say that we have been invaded by outsiders, but it is not true.

“We have people from other regions that are in the South East. There’s no tribe that doesn’t have criminality. I wouldn’t say some of these people from other tribes don’t engage in criminality.

“What I call bandits are people that engage in violence; and they are our people, South-East people. The youths, some of them are in this category.

“So, when people say insecurity in the South-East is being imported, I do not buy that. Because I am a Governor, I do security reports. We have arrested a number of these people, and it should be that they are about five or 14 per cent of those outside the South-East. If we have 90 per cent of our youths engaging in these things, you cannot say the South-East is being infiltrated.”

He also said, “We engaged with some of the bandits, we made contacts with some of them. We had to say, what is your problem? If it is infrastructure, we have done that.

“If it is jobs creation, we have addressed that through direct labour. The bandits are angry about the lack of what to do, and we said to them that if your only trouble is that you didn’t have formal education, there is no job for you to do.

“We put them together and said, if you will stop attacks on our strategic infrastructure, killing of our people and attack on security agencies, we can rehabilitate you. So, we have rehabilitated a number of them.”

Photos: Angry Youths Set Landlord’s House Ablaze After Killing 4-year-Old Boy For Ritual

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a landlord and his gateman for their alleged involvement in the killing of a 4-year-old boy, Hassan Ibrahim, for ritual purposes in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, who confirmed the development on Saturday in Minna, said investigation into the incident has commenced, and advised residents against jungle justice.

According to NAN, the suspects were rescued from being lynched by a mob after the remains of the boy were allegedly discovered four days after he was declared missing.

A resident of the area, who didn’t want to be named, said the landlord identified as Emmanuel, a popular trader in building materials, allegedly connived with his gateman to kidnap the child.

According to the resident, the two suspects allegedly killed the child and removed his vital organs, including the eyes, ears, private part, and heart, while his remains were put in a sack for the gateman to dispose of.

“The gateman entered a motorcycle to a stream where he was to dispose of the remains, but on dropping the gateman, the motorcyclist noticed blood dripping from the sack. The commercial motorcyclist alerted the bystanders and police” the resident was quoted as saying.

The police mobilised and moved to the stream, where the gateman was arrested. He reportedly confessed that he was sent by his landlord to dump the body and that they were responsible for the kidnap of the boy.

Irked by the development, some youths in the town set ablaze the house and cars of the notable trader who allegedly contracted the suspected killer.

Abdullahi Musa, another resident of the area, said: “There are evil men in every community. Emmanuel is one of them. We have set his house on fire. We wish he was the one we got; we would have killed him.”

Maryam Kwambo, another resident, described the alleged discovery of the child’s remains as the first of such incident in the community.

“Since the creation of Lapai local government area, we’ve never encountered such a radical and wicked situation as today. We will get to the root of this. We will get justice for the child. Just four days ago, we heard information about the missing child and no one could give an account of his whereabouts. This matter should be handled properly. We seek justice.” she added.