Author: Chike Ozohili
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Edo Poll: ‘I weep for Nigeria’s Democracy’ — Fintiri says
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, himself a survivor of a rigged election, has described the recently concluded Edo State gubernatorial election as shameful.Fintiri in a statement disclosed that the All Progressives Congress in Edo State had allegedly attempted to discredit him by falsely claiming he announced the result of the poll.The statement read, “I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The APC’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue.“What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.“This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming INEC for compromising and favoring APC.“We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better,” Fintiri said. -

NiMet predicts three-day thunderstorms from Monday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the nation.NiMet`s weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday forecast morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Sokoto state, Kebbi and Borno.According to it, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States later in the day.“Thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara States during the morning hours.“ In the afternoon and evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Kogi states.“Rains are envisaged over the southwest inland, especially parts of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun extending to the coastal states of Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States during the morning hours, “ it said.The agency envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Abia, Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.NiMet anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara states during the morning hours on Tuesday.According to it, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa states later in the day.“Thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Nasarawa States within the morning hours.“Later in the day thunderstorms are expected over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states.“Morning rains are envisaged over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States while the remaining parts of the South should be cloudy,” it said.It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States later in the day.The agency predicted morning thunderstorms over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states on Wednesday.According to it, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states.NiMet forecasts thunderstorms over parts of Niger and Kwara States while the remaining States in the North Central should be cloudy during the morning hours.“ Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States.Rains are expected over parts of Cross River. Rivers and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours with cloudy skies to the rest of the states in the South.“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over most parts of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States,,“ it said.NiMet urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours.According to it, strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, so the public should take adequate precaution.“Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities. Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website, www.nimet.gov.ng.” -

Northeast PDP Endorses Damagum: Has the Wike “fire” started burning?
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT), Chief Nyesom Wike may have commenced ‘bombardment’ of Bauchi state as threatened against any state that aligns with Governor Fubara in their lingering tussle.This is based on the move yesterday, by Ahmadu Fintiri, Adamawa state governor who broke ranks with his colleague, Sen Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state to endorse an alleged Wike ally, Amb Iliya Damagun to continue in office as Acting Chairman of PDP.A statement by Governor Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou states that the Northeast zone of the Party has endorsed Umar Iliya Damagum to continue as the acting National Chairman of the party.Fintiri, it was claimed in the press statement, says the PDP in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states, expressed confidence in Damagum’s leadership.The endorsement leaves out Bauchi state of Governor Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum who is mobilising support of the group for Governor Similaye Fubara of Rivers state.By this move, it will seem like the MFCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike has commenced his threat of setting on fire, any state that aligns with his estranged political godson, Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State.The endorsement comes at a time when some stakeholders in the party are agitating for Damagum to step down and for the Northcentral to produce a permanent National Chairman for the party.The statement also claimed a court order had prevented the PDP from removing Damagum from his position and urged party members to respect the court order.He said, “The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states have endorsed Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum’s leadership as Acting National Chairman.
Amb. Iliya Damagun, PDP Acting National Chairman “Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, speaking on behalf of the five states, expressed confidence in Damagum’s leadership since assuming office. Citing a Federal High Court Abuja restraining order, Fintiri stated that Damagum should complete former Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure unless the court decides otherwise.“The Governor praised Damagum for restoring public confidence in the party and urged members to respect the court’s ruling for the party’s and democracy’s sake.“The Governor who described the performance of the party in the North East region during the 2023 elections as unprecedented at all levels noted that the zone deserves the position of National Chairman more than any section in the North.“A Federal High Court in Abuja had barred the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, PDP, INEC, and affiliates from replacing, nominating or appointing any Chairman other than Ambassador Damagum, following a restraining order by the Court.” -

Nigeria Socioeconomic turmoil: Tinubu to skip UNGA
In apparent reaction to the disquiet in the camp of the “owners of Nigeria”, President Bola Tinubu has decided to skip the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), opting to focus on Nigeria’s pressing domestic challenges.
President Tinubu who has been on a junket, visiting country capitals in Europe, Asia and North America while the country literally burns, says the current decision to cool heels at home is in deference to the gigant Maiduguri flood that has taken over 30 lives and affecting over a million people.
Irked by the apparent indifference of President Tinubu to the suffering of Nigerians due his economic policies, some former military rulers and strategic generals, so-called ‘owners of Nigeria,’ gathered in Minna at the hilltop home of former President Ibrahim Babangida to sketch an alternative to a second term of President Tinubu.
A statement issued on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which disclosed President Tinubu’s decision, also said Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation in his place
The President’s move is seen as a prioritization of local concerns over international diplomacy, as President Tinubu aims to address the immediate needs of Nigerians affected by the floods.
The UNGA, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 28, 2024, will feature discussions on sustainable development, peace, and human dignity.
VP Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend key sideline events, and engage in bilateral meetings, ensuring the country’s interests are represented on the global stage.
“President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.
“The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations’, will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024”, the statement said.
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Court sends US rapper, Sean Diddy to jail ahead of sex crime trial
The usual dragnet that takes down most African American celebrities has pulled in famous American singer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs as a US magistrate judge, Robyn Tarnofsky, orders him jailed while awaiting trial in a federal sex trafficking case.The embattled rapper is currently facing federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges.The judge on Tuesday, ordered that the singer be held without bail after he pleaded not guilty.Report said the bail denial followed after Diddy was accused in a 14 page federal indictment of using his sprawling business empire to abuse, threaten, and traffic women to fulfill his sexual desires and protect his reputation.Federal prosecutors, alleged that “Diddy with help from Combs Enterprise associates, ran an enterprise that he engaged in sex trafficking, arson, forced labor or kidnapping, among other crimes.”Two out the three charges against the rapper, carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors had asked that he remain jailed until trial.However, his lawyers prayed that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring. -

CBN to maintain controversial cybercrime levy amid economic hardship
In what some referred to as the unconventional stance of attempting to tax its way out of economic morass, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed it will continue enforcing the contentious cybercrime levy of 0.005 percent.According to the apex bank, the shall be payable on all electronic transactions as part of its updated guidelines for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.The cybercrime levy, introduced under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, aims to bolster Nigeria’s cyber security infrastructure.The Act mandates a small percentage of fees collected from electronic transactions to be allocated towards improving cybercrime prevention and prosecution measures.The levy has been a subject of controversy since its inception, with stakeholders debating its impact on financial transactions and its effectiveness in enhancing cybersecurity.Under the new guidelines, which are set to take effect from the beginning of the fiscal year, the CBN has outlined that the 0.005% levy will apply to all electronic transactions conducted within the country.This includes online payments, electronic fund transfers, and other digital financial services.The CBN’s decision to maintain the levy comes despite criticism from various quarters, including business associations and financial institutions, who argue that the levy increases transaction costs and may be a burden on consumers and businesses.Critics also question the transparency and accountability of how the funds collected from the levy are utilized.In response to these concerns, the CBN has emphasized that the levy is crucial for strengthening the country’s cyber defence capabilities, which are increasingly necessary for an era of rising digital threats and cybercrime.The bank has also committed to improving transparency and reporting on how the levy funds are spent to address concerns about its management. -

Yayah Bello finally succumbs to the long arm of the law
Immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has finally succumbed to the long arm of the law by submitting himself to the Economic and Financial.Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yahaya Bello has been on run after a failed attempt to take him in to answer to charges regarding how over N80billion disappeared from the treasury of Kogi State during his eight year reign.
It was reported that Yahaya Bello was eloped from his residence by his select successor, Usman Ododo when law enforcement agents came for his arrest.
A statement by his media handlers disclosed that Yahaya Bello finally surrendered himself this morning following advise from his family and counsel.
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Trump unveils new cryptocurrency platform
Notorious for failed startups and suing for bankruptcy, former US president, Donald Trump along with his sons and entrepreneurs late Monday launched a cryptocurrency platform but provided few details.Little was revealed about the Trump family crypto project during a two-hour online presentation other than an offer to let people buy digital “tokens” giving them a vote in platform decisions.The event went ahead as planned despite an apparent assassination attempt against Trump on Sunday at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.World Liberty Financial intends to offer services based on so-called decentralized finance, a mechanism that eliminates the need for an intermediary such as a bank to carry out transactions with a third party, the politics-laced discussion indicated.Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is based on so-called blockchain technology, which keeps a theoretically open but tamper-proof record of transactions.World Liberty Financial will enable users to lend or borrow cryptocurrencies to or from one another, a service already offered by many platforms, one of the best-known of which is Aave.The former president’s son Donald Trump Jr. touted this as “the start of a financial revolution,” during a session streamed on X, formerly Twitter.Zachary Folkman and Chase Herro, the linchpins of the project and established cryptocurrency entrepreneurs, said the platform would primarily use “stablecoins”, which are backed by a traditional currency, most often the dollar.Trump’s vicinity at golf courseAs a result, they are free from the sometimes brutal fluctuations experienced by digital currencies untethered to real-world money.World Liberty Financial wants to attract the masses to cryptocurrencies, creating a platform easily accessible to people, Folkman said.Project leaders said they would sell tokens that give owners the right to take part in the governance of the platform, with 63 per cent of them offered to the public, 20 per cent going to the founding team and the rest set aside as rewards for users.No timetable for the project was disclosed.During his presidency Trump referred to cryptocurrencies as a scam, but has since radically changed his position, presenting himself as a “pro-bitcoin president” if elected in November.In so doing, he is standing in opposition to the Biden administration, which is seen as a proponent of regulating the sector. -

Tinubu announces disaster relief fund in Borno
Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga has announced the creation of a Disaster Relief Fund by President Bola Tinubu.He said the president announced the creation of the fund at the palace of the Shehu of Borno yesterday during his visit to Maiduguri to sympathise with victims of the massive flood in the town following the heavy downpour that broke the Alau dam.During his visit, he announced the creation of a disaster relief fund to support Nigerians impacted by floods and other disasters.The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a disaster relief fund Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters.“He said the relief fund is already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its vagaries.“President Tinubu announced this at the Borno Government House when he visited the state to sympathise with the government and people over the recent flooding from Alau Dam.
Maiduguri under water “He urged the private sector to contribute to the fund.“Senate president Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund.“Tinubu visited the Shehu of Borno, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and had a drive-through of the areas affected by the disaster.“President Tinubu said: “After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.“There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said.“The President thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; and other governors who look beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.“He said that Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity.“The President extended his sympathy to the government, the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters.“For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” the President assured.“The President commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, for prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives.“I am glad that Prof. Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State and share the burden.“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest.“May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth,” he added.“President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state.“The Governor of Borno State thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly NEMA and the military’s Theatre Command, in evacuating stranded victims.At the palace, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for the honour of visiting the state after the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, had earlier represented him.The Shehu of Borno urged the President to investigate the cause of the Alua dam collapse and overflow into the town to prevent a recurrence.” -

Wale Edun flags off Commencement Fuel Lifting from Dangote Refinery
History was made this afternoon, Sunday, September 15, 2024 as the the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) commences lifting of fuel from the Dangote Refinery.
Flagging off the epoch making exercise, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun thanked Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the initiative that positions Nigeria for the attainment of energy efficiency.
Nigeria, a prominent member of the OPEC is currently going through crippling fuel supply emergency running into weeks.