Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

Natasha Akpoti Sworn In As Kogi Central Senator

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, oversaw the swearing-in of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the new senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District during a plenary session held on Thursday.

The oath of office was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, at 11:41am.

Following the oath, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had a handshake with the Senate President, who presented her with a copy of the Senate Standing Rules.

She was then escorted to her seat by the sergeant at arms after exchanging pleasantries with her colleagues.

This development comes after the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s victory as the duly elected candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election held on February 25th earlier this year.

The appeal filed by Senator Abubakar Ohere, representing the All Progressives Congress, was dismissed by the appellate court, citing a lack of merit.

This decision follows the earlier ruling by the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in September, which nullified Ohere’s victory and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan as the rightful winner of the February senatorial poll.

Despite Ohere’s appeal to the Court of Appeal seeking redress, the court has upheld Akpoti-Uduaghan as the legitimate winner of the election.

11/02/2023
Noise Pollution: Lagos Govt To Seal Churches, Mosques, Others; Lists Offenders

The Lagos State Government has taken a firm stance against noise pollution, revealing its intent to seal off a number of establishments in the Alimosho area of the state, which have been identified as major offenders.

The decision, communicated through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), aims to curtail the disruptive impact of noise pollution on both residents and the environment.

The list of establishments slated for closure includes churches, mosques, eateries, and hotels. These are: “His Glory Cloud Church, Sure Word and Power Bible Church, Soliheena Central Mosque, Mountain of Power Deliverance, Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Iberuoluwa Mosque, Chirozz Hotel, Mayoral Hotel, West End Lounge & Bar, The Establishment Hotel, and Ayoola Foods.”

In its statement, the government emphasized that these measures are being implemented to address the identified instances of noise pollution and other environmental transgressions.

The move comes as part of a broader effort to create a more peaceful and harmonious living environment for Lagos residents while preserving the city’s ecosystem.

The decision has sparked discussions about the importance of maintaining a balance between religious or business activities and the well-being of the community.

While freedom of worship and business operations are essential, the government seeks to ensure that these activities are conducted within acceptable noise levels and environmental standards.

As the affected establishments face the prospect of closure, it remains to be seen how they will respond and whether adjustments can be made to align with the government’s objectives of reducing noise pollution in Lagos.

11/01/2023
Traders Count Losses As Fire Rages Ladipo Plank Market

Tragedy struck the Ladipo Plank Market in Orile, Lagos on Wednesday as an inferno erupted, leaving traders counting their losses.

The flames consumed goods valued at millions of Naira, marking a devastating blow to the local business community.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, at around 12 am, catching traders and shop owners off-guard.

The swift and destructive nature of the fire prompted an immediate response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

These first responders worked tirelessly to combat the raging inferno and prevent its further spread. Their timely intervention played a crucial role in minimizing the extent of the damage.

The cause of the fire remains shrouded in mystery, and investigations are underway to determine its origin.

However, the Ladipo Plank Market’s association, with highly combustible materials, such as sawmill products and building materials, along with the presence of inflammable wood polish, created a conducive environment for the rapid propagation of the flames, as well as dry weather conditions prevailing in the area which exacerbated the situation.

In the midst of this chaotic and devastating event, the silver lining is that no casualties were reported.

11/01/2023
Hilda Baci Opens Up On Strained Relationship With Dad

Popular Nigerian chef and ‘Cookaton’ creator, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has shared the challenging details of her relationship with her father, who she claims abandoned her and her siblings.

The Guinness World Record holder opened up during a recent interview on “The Tea with Tay,” shedding light on the complexities of their family.

She revealed that her father had initially been an active presence in her and her siblings’ lives.

However, their family dynamics took a drastic turn when a heated argument erupted between her father and mother, significantly impacting their relationship.

She expressed, “My daddy issue is more about abandonment. My dad did not abandon me from the onset. I felt like my dad was present, at least to the best of my memory. My dad tried what he could, but you know when they say parents have issues, like whenever the elephant is fighting, the ground suffers, and we, the kids, were the ground when the elephants were fighting.”

Hilda further recounted a poignant moment during her matriculation when she called her father to ask why he didn’t bring food for the occasion, to which his response left a lasting impact.

She recalled his words, “Who is your dad?”

According to her, this experience drove her to set a personal goal and vowing that if she succeeded and achieved financial stability, her father might come around.

11/01/2023
Bayelsa Guber: Appeal Court Upholds Sylva’s APC Candidature

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Tuesday, cleared the immediate pass Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, for the November 11, governorship election in Bayelsa State, under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Appellate Court awarded the sum of N1million in favour of the appallate.

The three-member panel, in a unanimous judgement held that the federal high court which nullified Sylva’s candidature lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by an APC member, Demesuoyefa Kolomo.

The court held that Kolomo was not an aspirant in the primary election that produced the ex-minister of petroleum.

Kolomo, who described himself as a registered voter, had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 filed on June 3, prayed the court to delete Sylva’s name from the list of candidates vying for the election, having taken an oath of office twice as governor of the state.

Justice Donatus Okorowo, of the federal high court, Abuja, had on October, 9, disqualified Sylva as candidate in the November 11 governorship election.

10/31/2023
Yul Edochie Knocks Rufai Oseni For Clashing With APC Chieftain On Live TV

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has taken to the social media to launch a scathing attack on Nigerian journalist Rufai Oseni, following Oseni’s recent clash with the All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Jesutega Onokpasa.

Rufai Oseni found himself at the centre of attention on social media after a heated confrontation with Onokpasa, which garnered widespread attention.

Seizing the opportunity to weigh in, Yul Edochie expressed his disbelief that Oseni, who had previously been caught driving in a BRT lane in Lagos, had the audacity to criticize others on national television.

Edochie insisted that Oseni should sit down and refrain from making unwarranted remarks.

Yul Edochie didn’t mince his words as he said, “My friend, shut up and sit down! I’m talking to you! You have no right, you don’t have any moral justification to talk where people with integrity are talking!”

The actor went on to label Oseni as a disrespectful individual who displayed a lack of respect for the laws of the country.

Edochie didn’t stop there, stating, “Are you not the same person that was caught driving on BRT lane? You could not even apologize, if not because somebody had a video, that was when you came on national TV to apologize.” Yul Edochie accused Oseni of lacking proper journalistic etiquette and questioned his qualifications in the field.

The Nollywood star asserted that Rufai Oseni was no better than any other Nigerian and needed to acquire journalism skills.

Edochie continued his criticism, saying, “You’re not better than anybody out there. You’re a very disrespectful person and you should go and learn journalism, you are insulting people on national TV.” He also accused Oseni of acting like a self-proclaimed authority on national issues and making guests uncomfortable.

Yul Edochie didn’t hold back, stating, “Same Rufai Oseni that is insulting people, acting like God on national TV, making your guests very uncomfortable, you dey form like na you get Nigeria, you’re the most concerned citizen, you’re more concerned than all of us, my friend shut up! You have no moral justification to talk to anybody on TV that way because you’re not better than any Nigerian.”

10/31/2023
Tinubu Writes NASS, Seeks Approval For N2.1trn Supplementary Budget

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the House of Representatives, requesting approval for a N2.1 trillion supplementary budget.

This development comes shortly after the Federal Executive Council’s unanimous approval on Monday for the allocation of the said budget, aimed at addressing critical concerns such as labour wage adjustments, national security, infrastructure maintenance, and more.

The supplementary budget also aligns with the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, which President Tinubu has submitted to the House of Representatives.

During the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues.

Notable allocations within the supplementary budget include N210 billion for Wage Award for Civil Servants, N605 billion for National Security and Defence, N300 billion for the maintenance of vital infrastructure like the Eko bridge, N400 billion for cash transfers to vulnerable households, N200 billion for seed and agricultural inputs, and N18 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct off-season elections.

10/31/2023
Conditional Cash Transfer Program: Reps Summon Humanitarian Affairs Minister

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives issued a summon for the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

The House is seeking clarification on the status of the conditional cash transfer program initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which aims to benefit 15 million households.

This development came in response to a motion of urgent public importance presented in the green chamber.

Members of the House expressed concerns regarding the handling of the programme and the perceived lack of transparency.

The Minister is expected to provide detailed information on the data collection process and the distribution of funds to beneficiaries.

President Tinubu officially launched the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer for 15 million households back in October.

According to the Minister, these 15 million households encompass approximately 62 million Nigerians, and they are expected to receive a monthly transfer of N25,000 for three months, totaling N75,000 for each beneficiary.

10/31/2023
Impeachment Of Rivers’ Majority Leader, 4 Others Won’t Stand – Gov Fubara

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has declared the removal of the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Edison Ehie, and four other lawmakers as “null and void.”

Earlier on Monday, the police fired tear gas to ward off protesters who were clamouring for the impeachment of the governor.

The crisis in the state Assembly escalated after the House leader was ousted.

A portion of the Assembly Complex was also gutted by fire.

Reacting to the development, Fubara said the removal of the five lawmakers would not be recognized.

He further said that security operatives allowed arsonists to launch an attack on the assembly complex the previous night, resulting in extensive damage to the property.

10/30/2023
Supreme Court Has Legalized Forgery In Nigeria -Atiku

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has described the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election as a legitimate endorsement of forgery.

Speaking in a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, Atiku Abubakar expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s verdict of October 26, 2023.

Atiku claimed that the apex court had effectively legalized forgery and illegality by affirming Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Nigeria’s President.

Atiku argued that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the 2023 presidential poll and criticised the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it left much to be desired.

The PDP had also expressed its dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s judgment, claiming that the court had failed Nigerians by upholding Tinubu’s victory.

Atiku and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, had previously challenged Tinubu’s victory, citing various issues, including double nomination, alleged certificate forgery, non-transmission of election results electronically, and concerns about the vote percentage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, the Justice John Okoro-led panel of the Supreme Court dismissed all their appeals, upholding Tinubu’s electoral victory.

10/30/2023