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Canada Pledges $18m For Poverty, Humanitarian Responses In Nigeria

The Canadian Government will support humanitarian and poverty alleviation in Nigeria with 18 million dollars.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jamie Christoff, made this known when he visited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu in her office in Abuja.

Christoff said Canada has already committed to spend a total of one hundred and fifty-two million dollars to support various programmes in Nigeria.

According to him, part of the money is the eighteen million dollars earmarked for Humanitarian response.

“The main portion of the funds will be spent in programmes focusing on the vulnerable women and young girls across the country.

The Canadian envoy lauded the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.

“I am here with my team to register our support to the mandate of the President in his efforts to alleviate poverty and reduce humanitarian crises in Nigeria through your ministry” he said.

In her response, Edu, commended the Canadian High Commissioner visiting her, as well as supporting the ministry’s efforts in humanitarian response.

Edu expressed delight that the Canadian government has confidence in President Bola Tinubu Administration to drive Nigeria’s poverty alleviation and humanitarian response.

She assured the ambassador of the federal government’s desire to deepens mutual working relationship with the Canadian government.

According to her, the Tinubu Administration is determined to tackle Nigeria’s multi-dimensional poverty and humanitarian crises in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She assured the Canadian Envoy that the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund will be used to address humanitarian emergencies.

She said, there will be transparency in the application of the fund.

Edu therefore urged all stakeholders to re-evaluate their contributions to Nigeria and work towards providing durable solutions to ‘our country’ need.

She advocated for a change in approach of partners to enable the people who need help the most truly get it with less duplication and wastage.

11/01/2023
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
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
Police Arrest Prime Suspect Of Murdered FUT Minna Lecturer

The Police Command in Niger says it has arrested Joy Afekafe, the prime suspect in the killing of Dr Funmilola Adefolalu, a lecturer with the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna.

This is contained in a statement in Minna by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun.

Abiodun stated that two other suspects connected to the crime were at large, adding that effort was ongoing to apprehend them.

He recalled that on October 29, 2023 at about 10:00 a.m., some friends and church members of Adefolalu, visited her residence in Gbaiko area of Minna following their inability to get her on telephone.

“Unfortunately, on getting to the house, the visitors met her lying in a pool of blood with marks of injury on her body.

“Police operatives attached to Bosso Division visited the scene and two knives with blood stains suspected to have been used to stab her by unknown person(s) were recovered from the scene.

“She was taken to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist (IBB) Hospital, Minna where she was confirmed dead,” Abiodun said.

He noted that during investigation, the police arrested the deceased’s housemaid, 14-year-old Afekafe of Gbeganu, Minna on September 30 at about 9:00p.m.

The PPRO said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that she served as the deceased’s housemaid for about three weeks, adding that she was laid off due to her misdeed in the house.

He stated that after she was laid off, she narrated her ordeal to her classmates called Walex and Smart and they conspired to attack the lecturer at her residence.

He explained that they went to the residence on September 28 at about 4:00p.m., with a motorcycle and she surfaced at the gate, while the lecturer opened the gate for her.

The PPRO said that Walex and Smart later entered, beat the deceased, hit her head with a stood and stabbed her with a knife brought by Walex while Smart took another knife from the deceased’s kitchen, and stabbed her severally.

He said that the suspects also stole the deceased’s phone, laptop and the battery of a car parked in the compound and fled the scene.

Abiodun said that the suspect would be transferred to State Crime Investigation Department for further investigation and diligent prosecution, while effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects

11/01/2023
Lagos-Ibadan, Warri–Itakpe Rail Lines To Begin e-Ticketing Wednesday

The federal government has launched the e-ticket platform for Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe rail lines.

The e-ticketing platform takes effect from Wednesday, November 1st, 2023.

Speaking at the launch Monday in Abuja, Minister of Transportation, Saidu Akali said the initiative will ease access to tickets and end ticket racketeering.

“The essence of E-ticketing is to make it easy for our passengers to buy tickets, for security purposes and to stop ticket racketeering.”

On his part, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okharia said the initiative will increase revenue generation for the country.

“I am so happy about this project, apart from the fact that e-ticketing will end issues of ticket racketeering, it will also increase the revenue from the routes.

“Already for the last one week, revenue on Warri-Itakpe has increased from N3 million to N4 million and will even further increase,” he stated.

Fare Solution Ltd is handling the contract on the Warri-Itakpe rail line while Global Software and Digital Solutions are handling the contract for the Lagos-Ibadan rail line.

The contract for the e-ticketing of the rail routes was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) early in 2023 at the cost of N1.96 billion for both companies.

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
Zamfara: Matawalle Accuses Successor, Gov Dauda Lawal Of Governance Incompetence

The immediate past governor of Zamfara state and also the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has criticized his successor, Governor Dauda Lawal, and his commissioners for their lack of fundamental understanding of governance.

Alhaji Matawalle responded to allegations by the Governor Dauda-led administration, which claimed that misleading documents were published showing that “former Governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, approved 100% payment of over N1 billion for fencing, landscaping, and furnishing of Governor’s lodges in 14 Local Government Areas, even before the project began.”

In a statement released in Abuja, through the coordinator of his media office, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle asserted that Governor Lawal should focus on governance and the protection and security of Zamfara residents, rather than engaging in a fault-finding mission to mislead the general public with false publications.

Dosara stated, “It is very disheartening that a government led by a “(Dr)” and managed by Consultant Professors consistently engages in perjury in an attempt to indict and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of a man who has demonstrated his worth and integrity to the general public, receiving various merit awards and honours from different quarters.”

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
Court Orders EFCC, CBN To Release Ex-NNPC Boss, Andrew Yakubu’s $9.8m Cash

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately release the $9.8 million belonging to the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

The anti-graft agency had refused to release the cash they took from Yakubu’s house, despite an earlier judgment ordering the release of the money.

The court said the money must be deposited with the Chief Registrar of the court, in the interest of justice.

Yakubu had approached the court seeking an order compelling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two other defendants to release his money.

Yakubu in April 2023 sued the EFCC, Central Bank of Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank for failing to release the money after a court acquitted him of money laundering charges filed against him by the anti-graft agency.

Recall that EFCC had urged Justice A.R Mohammed to convict Yakubu after it discovered $9, 772, 800 (9.7 million dollars) and £74, 000 from an apartment linked to him in 2017.

In his defense, Ahmed Raji SAN, asked the court to dismiss the EFCC’s case for lacking in merit.

Justice A.R Mohammed, on March 31, 2022, had quashed the money laundering charges instituted against Yakubu.

Yakubu also testified before the judge that the monies found in his house were gifts from friends and associates.

The judge had agreed with the defendant’s submissions; acquitted him and ordered the release of his money.

But Yakubu’s lawyer approached another court presided by Justice Inyang Ekwo over the non-release of the money as directed by the other court.

By way of originating summons, he had urged the court to order the release of his money or in the alternative, direct that the money be deposited with the FHC registrar pending the determination of the suit.

But the EFCC, through its lawyer, Faruk Abdullah, raised an objection to the application, saying appeals have been entered against the subsisting trial court judgment.

The EFCC also contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Passing his judgement on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the preliminary objection of the EFCC, saying the arguments of the respondents contradicted themselves and called to question the whereabouts of the money.

Ekwo held it would be in the interest of justice if the sum is kept in a neutral custody pending the conclusion of proceedings, in line with rules of court.

Ekwo held that based on the contradictory arguments of the respondents about on whose custody the money was domiciled, the justice of the case demands that they must produce the money.

“The plaintiff has made a compelling case and it succeeds and I so hold.

“An order is hereby made directing the first and second defendant to immediately transfer $9.8 million into the account under the control of the Chief Registrar of this court,” the Judge held.

10/30/2023