Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Tinubu, Governors To Consider Establishment Of State Police

    Tinubu, Governors To Consider Establishment Of State Police

    President Bola Tinubu, alongside the 36 governors, has endorsed the establishment of state police.

    The agreement was made during an emergency meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation revealed that discussions surrounding state police have gained momentum, with the federal and state governments recognizing the necessity of such a development. 

    The Minister emphasized that while this marks a significant shift, further meetings will be conducted to refine the modalities for implementing state police across the country.

    He said, “But now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The federal government and state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police.

    “Of course, this is still going to be further discussed, a lot of work still has to be done in that direction. But what the federal government and state governments are agreeing to the necessity of having state policy.

    “Now, this is a significant shift. But like I said, more works need to be done in that direction. A lot of meetings will have to happen between different government and sub nationals to see the modalities of achieving this.

  • Nigerian Lawmakers Sponsor Bill To Adopt Parliamentary System Of Government

    Nigerian Lawmakers Sponsor Bill To Adopt Parliamentary System Of Government

    A proposal to introduce the parliamentary system of government in the country has successfully passed the first reading in the house of representatives. 

    The bill, backed by 60 lawmakers, was presented during Wednesday’s plenary session. 

    Currently operating under a presidential system, Nigeria elects its president directly. 

    In contrast, the parliamentary system involves the legislature appointing a prime minister, with a less distinct separation of powers. 

    Lawmakers aim for a transition to this system by 2031, citing perceived flaws in the current presidential system.

    Abdulsamad Dasuki, representing the PDP in Sokoto, highlighted concerns, including the high cost of governance and excessive executive powers.

    “Among these imperfections are the high cost of governance, leaving fewer resources for crucial areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and consequently hindering the nation’s development progress, and the excessive powers vested in the members of the executive, who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people,” Dasuki said.

    The lawmakers said they expect the bill to ignite, and provoke a national conversation about the future of the Nigerian governance system.

    “To ensure robust public debates, stakeholder consultations, expert analyses, and a thorough and informed decision-making process, raise awareness about this significant development and encourage constructive dialogue on the potential implications of these proposed constitutional alterations,” they said.

    “Our conviction is that a streamlined executive branch, which replaces the president and vice president with a prime minister and cabinet chosen from the legislature could lead to a smaller central government, reducing salaries and administrative expenses.

    “We also hold strongly that shifting the election of governors and local government chairmen from the general election to votes within their respective legislative bodies could save billions spent on state and nationwide campaigns,” he said.

  • FG Moves To End Electricity Subsidy

    FG Moves To End Electricity Subsidy

    Nigeria’s Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced an end to electricity subsidies, citing a national debt of 1.3 trillion naira to GenCos and 1.3 billion dollars owed to gas companies.

    Adelabu in a press conference on Wednesday revealed that despite a budget allocation of 450 billion naira for subsidies this year, the ministry requires over 2 trillion naira to sustain the subsidy program.

    As part of the proposed changes, state governments will now be permitted to independently generate power to supply their states.

    Addressing the recurring issue of grid collapses, Adelabu attributed these incidents to various factors including gas shortages, aging infrastructure within the grid, limited capacity to evacuate generated power, and the destruction of power stations in the North-East region.

    He further disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria has shelved over 100 projects due to contract variations caused by fluctuations in forex rates.

    Consequently, the company will refrain from awarding new contracts until existing projects are completed.

    In a bid to address power challenges in remote areas, Adelabu announced a budget allocation of over 50 billion naira in 2024 for the construction of mini grids.

    Adelabu issued a stern warning to electricity distribution companies (DisCos), cautioning that those found negligent in their duties risk having their licenses revoked.

    In a move to bolster security for power infrastructure, the minister revealed reaching out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for assistance in providing adequate security measures.

  • Fresh EndSARS Protest Erupts In Delta

    Fresh EndSARS Protest Erupts In Delta

    Youths in Delta state have taken to the streets, protesting escalating police brutality and extortion.

    Viral videos depict demonstrators holding placards with the inscription “ENDSARS NOW,” urging the Nigeria Police Force to address the alleged misconduct.

    A social media user, X, shared the videos, asserting a surge in police brutality within the state. 

    The spokesperson for the Delta Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, responded, stating that the protest stemmed from the arrest of four individuals who couldn’t prove ownership of an unregistered car.

    According to Edafe, during the arrest, some youths attacked the officers, causing injuries and damaging a police patrol vehicle. 

    He emphasized that the police would not be deterred by protests and urged the public to remain calm.

    In his statement, Edafe mentioned, “Nine of the suspects were arrested and will be charged to court. Youths are advised to stay off any protest because it won’t deter us from doing our job.”

    This incident echoes the 2020 #EndSars protests that swept through Nigeria, prompting the government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) and establish judicial panels to investigate allegations of police abuse.

  • EFCC Reportedly Arrest FUTA Students During Midnight Raid

    EFCC Reportedly Arrest FUTA Students During Midnight Raid

    Some persons believed to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly conducted a late-night operation at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in Ondo State. 

    According to reports, student residences were breached around 2 am, with some students taking to social media to share videos claiming that the individuals forcibly entered rooms and arrested several students. 

    Social media footage also appears to depict damaged window frames, suggesting attempted forced entry. 

    One social media user, J Brandy, criticized the incident, questioning the continuation of nighttime raids despite a directive from EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede in November to cease such operations. 

    Brandy wrote, “I thought they said EFCC should not raid at nights again. This hostel (Celebrity Lodge, FUTA ) is right behind mine. When will this endemic? EFCC (officials) moving like thieves at night!”

    This directive to stop midnight sting operations came following widespread condemnation after EFCC operatives arrested suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife, Osun State. 

  • Breaking: Ondo PDP Chairman Is Dead

    Breaking: Ondo PDP Chairman Is Dead

    Mr. Fatai Adams, the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has passed away. 

    The details surrounding his demise remain undisclosed, but sources indicate he died in the early hours of Wednesday.

    The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, confirmed the death.

    “Yes it is true but we will soon communicate you properly on the incident,” Peretei said.

    The  PDP’s State Working Committee had previously suspended Adams, citing alleged involvement in anti-party activities. 

    The party’s stance on this matter had been a subject of recent contention. 

  • N9 Million Ransom Recovered As Police Arrests Kidnappers In Abuja

    N9 Million Ransom Recovered As Police Arrests Kidnappers In Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has apprehended seven notorious kidnappers in Abuja and recovered a ransom of N9 million.

    CP Benneth Igweh, the police commissioner, announced the arrest of the wanted kidnappers by operatives of the Utako police division in a coordinated operation at Tudun – Wada Lugbe and Pyakasa areas.

    He gave the names of the wanted kidnappers as Usman Muazu from Kwali, FCT, Aliyu Mohammed, from Pumpomare area of Borno state, Awwal Dahiru, who hails from Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, Rabi Sani, from Safana, Katsina state and Madina Abubakar, from Gulu, Lapai local government area of Niger state.

    Others are, Jonah Elimelech from Kauru, Kaduna state, Saminu Idris, from also from Kauru, Kaduna state and Mariji Iliya from Mangu, Plateau state.

    All have confessed to their crimes, providing valuable information for the arrest of other gang members. 

    The police commissioner also mentioned the recovery of weapons, including knives and cutlasses, along with bulletproof vests and charms.

    Additionally, 79 suspects were arrested in raids on various black spots in the FCT, part of the command’s efforts to combat crime in the area.

    “And we speak, the suspects who have been profiled are in custody undergoing interrogation at respective division, while those found wanting will be charge to court,” he said.

  • FG Makes U-turn, Says UK Lawyers Can’t Practice In Nigeria

    FG Makes U-turn, Says UK Lawyers Can’t Practice In Nigeria

    The Federal Government has withdrawn its initial statement regarding the legal dimension of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership signed with the United Kingdom on Tuesday. 

    This decision follows criticism from Nigerians who raised concerns about the perceived one-sided nature of the Memorandum of Understanding with the UK. 

    Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, clarified in a thread on X that there is no legal agreement between Nigeria and the UK, retracting the earlier suggestion. 

    She emphasized that there is no provision in the MoU allowing UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria and highlighted that Nigeria has no Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK. 

    She said, “Earlier today, Nigeria signed a far-reaching MoU with the United Kingdom for Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.

    “Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggest that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practise in Nigeria.

    “We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MpU.”

    On Tuesday, a statement by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade, and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, had disclosed that Nigeria was signing a deal to remove barriers preventing UK lawyers from practising international law in Nigeria.

    The Nigerian Bar Association described the deal as “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.”

  • Breaking: Ghana President Reshuffles Cabinet, Sacks 12 Ministers

    Breaking: Ghana President Reshuffles Cabinet, Sacks 12 Ministers

    Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has reshuffled his cabinet.

    In a statement released by the presidency on Wednesday, Akufo-Addo sacked twelve ministers and their deputies.

    Among those sacked is Ken Ofori-Atta, the minister of finance.

    Ofori-Atta had been under pressure to resign as the cost-of-living crisis in the country was beginning to bite hard, triggering a number of protests. 

    But he did not heed to the resignation calls.

    He said: “Asking me to resign is like telling a father to resign from his children because he changed his mind”.

    When NPP lawmakers petitioned Akufo-Addo to sack him, the president hesitated. His argument was that terminating the appointment of the minister at the time will disrupt Ghana’s IMF bailout negotiations.

    The president has not announced any new appointments.

  • Carbon Acquires Vella Finance to Boost SME Banking

    Carbon Acquires Vella Finance to Boost SME Banking

    Carbon, a Nigerian digital bank, has successfully acquired Vella Finance, a fintech startup specializing in services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    Vella Finance is set to transform into Carbon’s dedicated business banking product, aptly named Carbon Business.

    The move is driven by Carbon’s intention to harness Vella Finance’s AI-powered SME banking features, aiming to derive actionable insights for enhanced financial services.

    This acquisition, executed through Carbon’s parent company, One Credit Limited, includes the integration of founders and teams from Vella Finance into the Carbon ecosystem. 

    Tolu Adedayo, Co-founder and COO of Vella Finance, emphasized a seamless transition for the company’s 8,000 SME customers, who will now be served under the Carbon Business brand.

    Individual customers of Vella Finance are not left behind, as they have the option to upgrade to business accounts, ensuring a smooth transition for all users.

    Importantly, Carbon reassured that the acquisition will not compromise Vella Finance’s commitment to its customers; instead, it is expected to broaden their reach and enhance product development.

    Carbon’s strategic vision includes leveraging Vella Finance’s AI-powered transaction analysis specifically tailored for business customers. 

    This move comes as a culmination of a strong existing relationship between Carbon and Vella Finance, which has been bolstered by previous investment ties.

    Carbon viewed this acquisition as a key step in navigating and contributing to the evolving landscape of Nigerian startups this year.