Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Monday began distribution of palliatives to residents of the state to douse the effects of naira notes scarcity.
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Ganduje, who spoke during the distribution of palliatives at the Government House, said:”we didn’t invite this situation, neither did we pray for it.
”We don’t welcome it at all. We gave similar palliatives during the COVID-19 days.
”Today our citizens are being faced with COVID-23 caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
”We earlier thought it was a simple disease, but unfortunately it turned out to be a very serious virus.
”This virus which came from the CBN has affected all our commercial banks, our POS, our ATM machines and all other things associated to this,” he said.
” We will not stop blaming the CBN for this economic blunder. We love our people. Therefore anything that will disturb their wellbeing must be rejected.
”Our candidate Sen. Bola Tinubu has promised Nigerians that when he is elected in the forthcoming election, he will make sure that he puts a stop to the current hardship.
The governor said that Kano being the most populous state in the country, is the most affected by the unfortunate development.
He said that beneficiaries of the palliatives are from all the 44 local governments areas of the state.
Ganduje daulted those supporting the hardship caused by ‘ill-timed Naira redesign in the country.
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to publish details of the amount of the redesigned Naira notes disbursed to commercial banks.
The coalition, comprising of no fewer than 38 CSOs included; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Say no Campaign, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Connected Development Budget; among others made the call at a news conference on the state of the nation in Abuja.
“The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has said that the billions of the redesigned notes disbursed to the commercial banks have been mopped up by some corrupt politicians.
“To safeguard our democracy and protect the working and living conditions of our people, we call on the Federal Government to put in place measures to ensure that the suffering of the Nigerian people is eliminated and make citizens have access to cash,” they said.
They also urged the Federal Government to make available the lower denominations of the naira for the operations and convenience of citizens.
The CSOs expressed concern over the cracking down of protest adding that the culture of protest should be respected in a democracy, as it is the voice of the people
The representatives of the CSOs at the conference are; Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director CISLAC, Dr Tobi Okuwatoba, Head of CJID, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, CEO CHRICED and Mr Jaye Kaskiya among others .
”The federal government has alleged that some people were keeping billions of old Naira notes in well-known places.
”The government should direct security and anti-graft agencies to remove the money allegedly kept in the homes and offices of the few people.
“After all, operatives of the State Security Services invaded the residences of alleged corrupt Judges in October 2016 and carted away thousands of dollars and millions of Naira.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emefiele on Feb. 15, accused some politicians of hoarding the redesigned notes.
The governor said the mop-up of notes by politicians has contributed to the lengthy queues at banking halls and automated teller machines (ATMs) as citizens struggle to lay their hands on the new naira.
Emefiele made the remarks while briefing the diplomatic community on recent monetary policy decisions of the CBN on Tuesday in Abuja.
“The CBN has also noticed that some politicians are buying the new notes and storing them for political purposes,” he said.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) says the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, is sacrosanct.
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The National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Ken Robinson, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja and made available to newsmen on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Leader of PANDEF and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, had in January endorsed Obi and the affirmation by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on Feb. 2.
The statement reads: “The attention of PANDEF has been drawn to certain gibberish in the media, regarding the forum’s endorsement of Obi, credited to a purported Youth Wing of the forum.
“PANDEF urges the public to disregard the reported rejection of Obi’s endorsement by the so-called youths.
“It is borne out of infantile musings.
“In the first place, PANDEF does not have “wings”.
“The forum maintains a consolidated framework at the national, state and local government levels.
The statement adds: “For the avoidance of doubt, PANDEF stands by the endorsement of Obi by our national leader, Clark, and the affirmation by SMBLF.
“Without equivocation, PANDEF’s endorsement of Obi is sacrosanct.
“PANDEF will not be distracted by the misdemeanor but would instead intensify efforts to ensure Obi’s victory in the Niger Delta region.
“The forum cautions youths in the region not to succumb to the antics of greedy politicians and shun all acts of violence before, during and after the forthcoming elections.”
Jedai, born Ikechukwu Chukwuebuka Jerrydim on the 23rd of July in Enugu State Nigeria, is an Afro-Fusion, Alte Artist. Jedai has always had a humble beginning, he was always a hustler growing up and never settled for less. Living in the hood (Achara Layout) will teach you a lot of things he said in one of his recent interviews. With Hit singles like Haba Mallam, Ferrari, Fantasize, the Cyprus-based Artiste has been in the entertainment industry for a while now. Apart from music, He is also Fantastic Entrepreneur which is mostly where he is when not in the studio. He is the Owner and Chairman of 231 Group of companies with businesses in the oil and gas industry, real estate industry and the entertainment industry where his record label 231 Records, he is currently a signed artist. With sold out shows in Cyprus where he has performed on the same stage with Artists like Tion Wayne, and Top DJs like DJ kaywise, he is taking over the stage as not just an Artiste but also a fluent business man. In this interview with our correspondent, TONY OKAFOR, Jedai, shares his experience in Cyprus as well as advantages of growing up in Enugu.
Excerpt
What is it like being an artiste in Cyprus?
It’s been an amazing experience. Cyprus is such a beautiful, peaceful country. They vibe to our Afrobeats and jam it everywhere. Cyprus also has great artistes like Genie KG, Duke Power and some other soft artistes. We all making our own type of music for our audience worldwide.
How do you combine music business and oil and gas?
Well there’s a time for everything. I’m always available for my business. I have a good team as well. Music is something I can do anywhere. I’ve hummed some hit jams in my car while driving and recording myself and it ended up becoming a good song. As for my Other businesses, I handle them as I should. I take my time and also let the team do their job.
What do you have in stall for your city Enugu?
Some great things coming. Can’t really go into details but Enugu is a great place with lots of potentials. I grew up in Enugu, I be Alitalia boy. Ogbe thoroughly. Haha! But for sure, growing up in the hood is really an orientation on its own.
Who inspires you both musically and business wise?
I started music doing rap Before I was able to shift. I’m an Afro fussion, Alte Artist but I’m sure I still have bars left in there somewhere. I draw inspiration from my a lot of things. My environment, the people, their voice, nature, sounds, some weird things I don’t even know how they end up inspiring me but it did. Business wise, you have the Jowis, the Obis, the Vintage Lux interiors, you have the likes of E money…these are men one can look up to to at least have a standard while aspiring to be even better in many more efficient ways.
What are the challenges you face in your world that you would like to be fixed?
Everyone has one challenge or the other they would like fixed so I’m not an exception. I have many but I am very grateful for where i am and I keep growing. I would love more people to hear my music, would love more people to be in houses they can afford, would love to sign more artists into 231 Records. Would love to have more reach where people can use 231 Gas. I want 231 Gas to be in every home…so many things I can say is a challenge but then I am always working hard to eliminate as much as possible in the most legit, peaceful and smart way.
Information reaching 247ureports.com from sources in Okene indicate that a bomb blast had gone off in Kogi State. The bomb blast was reported to have occurred in the city of Okene at about 10pm.
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The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] was reported to have been hit heavily by the bomb. The INEC office according to available information have been destroyed. Documents and other sensitive contents of the offices are said to have also been destroyed.
The bomb blast comes against an unfolding tussle between the President of the federal government of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and some of the current APC Governors, of which includes the Governor of Kogi State – Yahaya Bello. The tussle concerns the implementation of the monetary policy over the newly redesigned naira notes.
The operatives of the Anambra State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly conspiring with others to dupe single ladies of their hard-earned money through marriage scam.
The suspect, identified as Mrs Akunna Roseline Udom, was said to be a member of a notorious 3-man gang, with whom she perpetrates the act.
According to the Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, the 35-year-old mother of five would approach some single young ladies who work in corporate offices like banks, civil service or sales girls, and inform them that her brother who is based overseas is looking for a wife, and that she would want to recommend them to him as wife.
“She also tells her victims that she possesses the spiritual power of cleansing their afflictions and is capable of doubling any amount given to her by the victim,” Ikenga said.
It was gathered that the suspect would later send the potential victim’s phone number to one of her male gang members, who would then call her and pretend to reside oversea, after which he would claim to have just returned from abroad, and then invite the lady to pay him a visit at a particular place. At the location, the gang would use diabolical means to extort and dupe huge amount of money, running into millions, from the victim.
Confessing to the crime, the suspect said she joined the gang early last year, and has, since then, defrauded more than five young ladies of a total sum of nine million and more.
The PPRO who said that other members of the gang are currently on the run, also noted that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation. He also advised the youths to shun and refrain from get rich quick syndrome and engage in legitimate business and endeavours to better their lives and their society.
“The Command, therefore, wishes to use this medium to advise members of the public especially teeming youth to avoid getting rich quick strategy but rather engage in a legitimate business that will, in turn, bring better profits and growth in their lives. Also to be cautious about how they allow strangers into our personal lives,” he said.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the N3billion fraud trial of Ali Bello, nephew of Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and three others till April 16. Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned hearing in the case after ruling on the defendants’ bail applications. The court granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500million each and two sureties in like sum.
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The sureties must reside in Abuja, with identifiable addresses and own landed property worth N500 million within the jurisdiction of the court. They are to further provide evidence of tax payment from 2020 to 20222 and deposit the original title documents in respect of the property with the Registrar of the court. In addition, the defendants are to deposit their international passports with the court and must obtain the permission of the court to travel outside the jurisdiction.
Bello was on February 8, arraigned buy the EFCC alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege , Iyadai Sadat and Rashida Bello ( at large) on 18-counts of criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00( Three Billion, Eighty One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira).
Count one of the charge reads “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, YAKUBU SIYAKA ADABENEGE, IYADA SADAT, RASHIDA BELLO (at large) sometime in June, 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E- Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3,081,804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Count 3 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO (at large) sometime in November, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars) to account number no; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
Count 17 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO(at large) between 26th July, 2021-6th April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $570,330 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) ( c ) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 ( 3 )of the same Act.”
Count 18 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO(at large) between 26th July 2021 -6th April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-two United States Dollars) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(c ) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 ( 3 ) of the same Act.”
Count down to the general elections this coming Saturday the Coordinator of Ahmed Bola Tinubu Campaign Council in Anambra Sen Margery Chuba Okadigbo spoke to reporters on the final touches and the confidence about victory, Okey Maduforo was there.
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What has been the results of the mobilization that you have been carrying out in the state?
Like you know, or maybe you don’t know, but we politicians know that everything in politics is about numbers. When you talk about numbers it has to do with the people who make up those numbers. The showing at the rally from where we started, we call it a humble beginning and the outing we had during the rally has shown me that we are on the rise and that the APC Anambra state is in the recovery path.
So with that enthusiasm and that feeling of accomplishment among party members and party faithfuls in Anambra state, I believe that come 25th February that also would be replicated in about 5,700 plus polling units in Anambra state.
You also have the ten man canvassers that are going you are going to use what I formed that?
Of course like you know, no matter how popular anybody is, you are going to be on that day stationed at your polling units and that is where it happens. There is no way even as a State Coordinator, I will be in all those polling units on that day.
Just like Presidential candidate cannot be in all the 774 local government areas in the country. So you need people, you need agents like the word is used and that person that would be you in your absence can also have those polling agents on that day.
There is this feeling that since Anambra has a Presidential candidate it would be a difficult task for the APC?
That is question that is very relative and that is the reason why I said that it is very relative because when you it down to the house hold where there is a smart kid the rest of the children will not go to school when I have six children.
Everyone will attend school and everyone would come out with different report cards.
No how are the parents will begin to complement or reward that child is also relative. So we are not going to because of that fold our hands. We shall a go to that polling unit and we shall go to that battle field and everybody would work for his or her own and no one is going to shy away at all.
We had rallies and it was a success. The constitution of this country made it explicit that you are free to belong to any Political party and free to support any candidate of his or her choice and it did not say that we all should belong to one party or support one candidate.
That is the way it is and that is our human right as citizens of this country.
Looking at the security challenges in the South East do you expect a free fair and credible conduct of the election?
How confident are you that if you shut your door and windows that you will not fall victim to thieves. We do not pray for violence on that day and we are hoping for the best and we are hoping that on that day of election and after that election it would all be free and fair without incidents that you are talking about.
We commit all to prayers and I believe firmly that if you will something God in his infinite mercy would grant you that request that you prayed for.
Even those that entertain fears of voter apathy should not be discouraged and don’t forget elections would be taking place at the various wards. At the ward level we all know each other and at the ward level it is more like family reunion, like tales by moon light where everyone is outside their hurts and telling their own story and you want your own laughter to be heard lauder than the next hamlet . So I believe that it is local and people would do what I call friendly match
The issue of naira redesigning appears to have been targeted at your candidate Tinubu what is your take on that?
I don’t question or challenge the policies of government. It is well intended and fine but I feel that the timing was not so right. You cannot because you want to target one person and for others to suffer. Because it is not everyone that is a politician. Some are artisans, traders and people who deal on day to day business that are paid on daily bases.
Even at the construction site the man who carries cement on his head or mixture at the site wants to be paid his duly wage. So it is not targeted at anyone so to speak and that is my own understanding of it.
Everybody is involved and everybody is feeling the pains. So why would you think that government deliberately do that because it wants to chase one person and suffer everyone?
When change comes, change is always the problem and people resist change but would it be good be good in a long run?
The problem however is the timing of the implementation and that is where people beginning to think that it is poorly introduced. I don’t see change as something that comes easy so it is not about our candidate Bola Tinubu.
Yet another general election is coming and the South East has always lost out to the government at the center are you fore seeing that?
Well sadly I must say and this is in all honesty the problem of South East has been leadership. If you have the right leadership this problems will not arise.
We have to deviate from leaders who are selfish, leaders who are seeking for their own self-interest then you will have better followership. So you direct people to where the Journey is heading to and tell them the truth so that they would always believe you and have confidence in your leadership.
But when you chose to go about it with the style of not being open to them about what you are doing, then you would always get right.
When I started as the state Coordinator for the campaign council I made it clear that I am not going to sit in Abuja, come back to Ogbunike ward 1 to do magic clear everybody. No! You must get everyone involved and at the end of the day it boils down to the same thing as the grassroots movement and it is organic.
Coming to what you said earlier the South West would at every general election divide themselves along the three major political parties and so does the other geopolitical zones.
So whatever happens they have stakeholders who are playing deep in the government of the day. But not in our own case where we play the lone ranger status to our own peril.
Key political positions are given to those that delivered while we manage the ones that we can get and at the end we come back to the usual cry of marginalization.
But in this election we are sure of the twenty five percent spread out even more and that is what we need to be key players in the new government.
What does the South East stand to benefit with Bola Tinubu as President of Nigeria?
Well I will only say one thing. When you look at our Presidential candidate Ahmed Bola Tinubu you look at track record of what he has done.
Our people in Igbo land say that he that has human beings is greater than he that has wealth and Tinubu has this as a policy.
So with Tinubu as President of Nigeria the South East should be rest assured that they would form the strong hold of his government and you know that as governor of Lagos state Tinubu empowered our people a lot in government positions and he doesn’t care if you are Igbo or Hausa Fulani because he believes in people and getting people together for good and the South East playing major roles in the socioeconomic development of this country would not be left out and that I can assure you.
A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Emeh Nnamdi Daniel, has been declared wanted in Anambra State over offences unlawful possession of a firearm, money laundering, defamation of character, fraud, and impersonation.
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The Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu announced this in a statement issued to newsmen in Awka on Monday.
According to him, the 26-year-old corps member, with State Code Number AN/22A/3323, is serving with the State Police Command as his Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). He added that suspect is “positively identified, involved/mentioned in an ongoing investigation in the Command.”
He appealed to the members of the public who have vital any information about the whereabouts of Mr. Daniel to report to the nearest police station or contact the PPRO, even as he assured of guaranteed confidentiality and protection of the informant’s identity.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed a fresh attack on one of its facilities by unidentified gunmen.
The gunmen, in the early hours of Monday, attacked the Awada Police Station in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, barely 24 hours after six other gunmen were gunned down by police operatives as they attempted to attack a Divisional Police Headquarters at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
Confirming the Monday attack, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu said the gunmen arrived at about 2.am with different kinds of arms and ammunition.
He said, “Today, 20/02/2023, at about 02:20 am, gunmen, suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North L.G.A. of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms.
“In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them. Other items recovered from the assailants include a brown Lexus 330 with reg. no. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen properties, charms and other incriminating items.”
He also revealed that two males suspected to be part of the gunmen were captured alive by the security operatives, while four police officers paid the supreme.
“During a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended. Regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants,” he said.
DSP Tochukwu also explained the Commissioner of Police CP Echeng E. Echeng has visited and conducted spot assessments on the scene, after which he ordered the immediate deployment of all the Command’s operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang.
According to him, the Police Commissioner further appealed to residents of Awada and the good people of Anambra State to remain calm as the police, in collaboration with sister agencies, will not rest on its oars until the criminal elements tormenting the state are brought to justice.
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