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  • Old naira notes remain valid indefinitely – CBN

    Old naira notes remain valid indefinitely – CBN

    The Central Bank of Nigeria has clarified that the old series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes will remain valid indefinitely, refuting claims that the notes would cease to be legal tender by December 31, 2024.

    In a statement released on Thursday by The acting Director of Corporate Communications, Sidi Hakama, the CBN emphasised that such reports are false and intended to disrupt the nation’s payment system.

    The statement read, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to discussions at different fora suggesting that the old series of the N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes shall cease to be legal tender on December 31, 2024. We wish to state categorically that such claims are false and calculated to disrupt the country’s payment system.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, granting the prayer of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to extend the use of old Naira banknotes ad infinitum, subsists.”

    The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian banknotes, including both the old and redesigned series, remain in circulation.

    “Similarly, the CBN’s directive to all its branches to continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and re-designed, to and from deposit money banks remains in force,” the apex bank noted in its statement.

    The bank reminded the public that the Supreme Court’s order for the continued use of old naira notes alongside the redesigned versions is still in effect.

    “Accordingly, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to remain legal tender indefinitely,” the statement added.

    The CBN urged Nigerians to disregard any suggestions that the old series of banknotes will cease to be valid from the end of 2024.

    It also called on citizens to continue using both old and redesigned naira notes for transactions and advised them to handle the notes with care to preserve their quality and lifespan.

    The CBN further encouraged the public to embrace alternative payment channels to ease the demand for physical cash.

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  • Minister Clarifies NDDC’s Status Amid Ministry Changes

    Minister Clarifies NDDC’s Status Amid Ministry Changes

    Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has confirmed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) continues to operate, despite rumours suggesting its dissolution. 

    These rumors surfaced following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to create the Ministry of Regional Development, a move that involved the restructuring of several government departments.

    Recent changes led to the closure of the Ministry of Sports Development and the Ministry of Niger Delta. Abubakar Momoh, previously the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, now leads the new Ministry of Regional Development. 

    This expanded ministry is responsible for overseeing the NDDC, the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

    The NDDC remains fully functional within the Ministry of Regional Development, which aims to coordinate the efforts of various regional development agencies.

     This reorganization is intended to provide a unified structure without altering the NDDC’s ongoing role in the Niger Delta. 

    Momoh assured the region’s residents that the changes are administrative and do not impact the NDDC’s core objectives.

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  • Police Provide Update on Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash

    Police Provide Update on Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash

    The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the tragic loss of eight lives following the crash of an Eastwind Aviation helicopter into the Bonny River in Rivers State.

    According to AFRIPOST, the helicopter was transporting two crew members and six passengers from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the FPSO Nuim Antan offshore platform in Calabar when the incident occurred. The police believe that all onboard perished in the crash.

    Grace Iringe-Koko, Police Public Relations Officer, stated that Ifeanyi Udogwu, an employee with Antan Producing Limited, initially reported the accident to the police.

    The helicopter, identified by its registration number 5N-BQG (S76C+), took off from Port Harcourt’s NAF Base around 11 a.m. and went down near Antan Producing Limited’s FPSO and Mimbo platform. Rivers State Police Marine Division, alongside other authorities, is actively working on recovering debris and locating all individuals involved.

    The police extended their deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

    Meanwhile, Ministry of Aviation spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi confirmed the incident, noting that three bodies have been recovered so far. Search and rescue operations continue for the remaining passengers. Preliminary information indicates the oil personnel on board were under contract with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

    The government reported that the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG, was en route to the Nuimantan Oil Rig when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima. With no signal from the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), the tracking efforts relied on manual searching.

    Agencies like the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have mobilized resources, including low-flying aircraft and military support, to aid the operation.

    The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance for the NSIB, explained that the helicopter was flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) without an ELT signal, necessitating manual location efforts.

    Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. offered condolences to the affected families and emphasized the NSIB’s commitment to determining the cause of the accident. He also urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation proceeds

  • Helicopter Crash In Port Harcourt Claims Three Lives

    Helicopter Crash In Port Harcourt Claims Three Lives

    A tragic incident occurred in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, where three individuals lost their lives in a helicopter crash.

    Odutayo Oluseyi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirmed the unfortunate event in a statement released on Thursday.

    According to the Ministry, eight persons were on board when the helicopter “ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.”

    The statement reads, “received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 a.m., along the waterways in Port Harcourt.“

    The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.

    “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies.“

    Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support.

    “While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s).“So far, three bodies have been recovered.”

    The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimize casualties from this unfortunate incident.

    “Further information will be provided as details emerge.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.”

    Meanwhile, sources that spoke with TheNation said that all the victims onboard were feared killed.

    “There were six personnel and two crew members onboard the helicopter.

    Three bodies have been recovered so far. Search and rescue is ongoing.“

    The helicopter belongs to Eastwind Aviation,” the source stated.

  • Nigeria, 12 Others Join BRICS As Partner Countries

    Nigeria, 12 Others Join BRICS As Partner Countries

    Thirteen nations, including Nigeria, have joined BRICS as partner countries.

    The announcement was made during the BRICS summit, held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024.

    The thirteen partner countries countries are Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

    The Bloc confirmed the list of partner countries on Thursday in a post on X.

    Partner countries means the new countries are not full members of the bloc yet.

    The post reads, “BRICS officially adds 13 new nations to the alliance as partner countries (not full members).”

    The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe also confirmed to The PUNCH that Nigeria has joined BRICS as a partner.

    “It is true that Nigeria joined BRICS as a partner,” he said.

    Founded in June, 2009, BRICS, originally an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa, thus forming BRICS.

    The bloc later expanded to include countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members earlier in 2024, all of whom attended this year’s summit as full participants.

    The aim of the bloc is to foster trade, investment, development, security, and cooperation among leading emerging market economies.

  • Minimum Wage: Gov Mbah approves N80k

    Minimum Wage: Gov Mbah approves N80k

    The governor of Enugu state, Peter Mbah has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for Workers in the state.

    The governor made the disclosure in a statement posted on his social media handle.

    He said, “I have just approved a minimum wage of N80,000 for Enugu workers, effective October 2024.

    “We appreciate the hard work and sacrifices of the state’s workforce and will continue to prioritise their welfare in line with our campaign promises.

    “Tomorrow is here.”

    It can be recalled that Governor Mbah in August inaugurated the committee for the implementation of the new national minimum wage for civil and public servants in the state.

    This followed the approval of N70,000 as the new national minimum wage by the Bola Tinubu-led Federal government.

  • Why Tinubu didn’t sack Matawalle — Onanuga

    Why Tinubu didn’t sack Matawalle — Onanuga

    Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has explained the decision not to dismiss Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, amidst allegations of his involvement in sponsoring bandits and insecurity.

    During an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday, Onanuga described these claims as “mere allegations and fabrications that are not true.”

    When asked why Matawalle remained in the cabinet following the recent reshuffle, which saw some ministers relieved of their duties, Onanuga acknowledged the circulation of various stories regarding Matawalle’s alleged connections to insecurity in Zamfara State, noting that these allegations have even reached the President.

    However, he emphasised that the National Security Adviser’s office investigated these claims and found them to be false, asserting that Matawalle is fit to perform his duties.

    “As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations. I think in one of them, I got something like that I sent to the NSA, I said have you heard about this? and he said no, we have proved that a lot of those things they are not correct, they are not true.

    People are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations about someone.

    “And that is why the man is there. Even the President has heard so many stories about him.

    For him to be there, shows like I said, some of those things have been probed, and they are found not to be true,” Onanuga explained, clarifying the rationale behind the President’s decision not to dismiss Matawalle

  • Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Nigeria’s most credible electoral umpire is dead

    Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Nigeria’s most credible electoral umpire is dead

    Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the man adjudged to have conducted Nigeria’s freest and fairest election in 1993 has passed away.

    Nwosu was instrumental in organizing Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 election.

    Nwosu died in a Virginia hospital in the United States at the age of 83, according to SaharaReporters.

    Appointed by the then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, Nwosu oversaw the election that many still regard as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.

    The election saw Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerge victorious over Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

    Nwosu’s leadership at the NEC, now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), introduced the innovative Option A4 and Open Ballot voting systems.

    These reforms were aimed at enhancing transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

    Despite his efforts, Nwosu was forced to halt the release of the election results by the Babangida regime before the final tally could be announced.

    The military later annulled the election, sparking widespread protests and political unrest.

    In July 2024, the Nigerian House of Representatives called on President Bola Tinubu to immortalize Nwosu for his role in conducting what is still considered Nigeria’s most credible election since independence.

  • Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye thanks Tinubu for opportunity to serve

    Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye thanks Tinubu for opportunity to serve

    Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, says she remains committed to serving Nigeria and will do her best to contribute to the nation’s progress and prosperity.

    Ohanenye was among five ministers relieved of duty following the 19th Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

    In her place, President Bola Tinubu reappointed the former Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, as the new Minister for Women Affairs, thanking the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation while wishing them the best in their future endeavours.

    In a letter of appreciation made available to journalists on Thursday, the former Minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for the privilege to serve as Minister, describing it as an honour and privilege to have contributed to the nation’s development.

    She also thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her guidance and support during her tenure as Minister, which she noted was instrumental to her success.

    Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye also thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support, adding that the confidence and trust in her were a source of inspiration.

    She said, “I write to express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the extraordinary opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    It has been an honour and a privilege to contribute to the development of our nation.

    ”I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her invaluable guidance and support during my tenure as Minister of Women Affairs.

    Her kindness and encouragement have been instrumental to my success.”

    “To the people of Nigeria, I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support.

    Your trust and confidence in me have been a constant source of inspiration.

    I remain committed to serving my country and will continue to do my utmost to contribute to its progress and prosperity

  • President Tinubu reshuffles cabinet, nominates Bianca Ojukwu, 6 others, Minister

    President Tinubu reshuffles cabinet, nominates Bianca Ojukwu, 6 others, Minister

    In a massive revamp of the Federal cabinet, President Bola Tinubu sacks five ministers, nominates 7, merges two ministries and scraps one.

    The reforms were encapsulated in what the presidency refers to as “eight far-reaching actions to reinvigorate the Administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency.”

    The action also entailed the reassignment of 10 ministerial portfolios, merger of two ministries and the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports.

    In a release titled, “Statement on the Restructuring of Ministries and Ministerial portfolios,” sighted by the Nigerian Anchor, the five ministers to be discharged are: Professor Tahir Mamman (Education), Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development), and Barr. Uju-Ken Ohannenye (Women Affairs).

    The other Ministers to be discharged are Lola Ade-John (Tourism Development) and Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development.

    The Ministerial nominees Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs; Nentawe Yilwatda for appointment as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

    Other nominees and their portfolios are: Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Idi Mukhrar Maiha, Ministry of Livestock Development; Rt Hon. Yusuf Abdulahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development; Suwaiba Said Ahmed (PhD), Minister of State, Education.

    Ministers re-assigned new portfolios are Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, formerly Minister of State for health, now assigned the Ministry of Education and Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite, formerly Minister of Trade and Investment, now Minister of State, Finance.

    Others are Sen John Owan Enoh who is now reassigned to Minister of State, Trade and Investment, following the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports where analysts say he underperformed.

    Also re-assigned are: Hon Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu; Minister of state, Education, now Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Minister of State, Water Resources, now Minister of State, Works; Hon Abubakar Eshiokpekha Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta Development, now Minister of Regional development.

    Now re-assigned as Minister of Women Affairs is Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, formerly Minister of State, Police Affairs, while Maigari Ahmadu, formerly Minister of State, Steel Development is now re-assigned to Minister of State, Regional Development.

    Also appointed…

    In his ever-burgeoning cabinet, President Tinubu also brought on board his long time ally and former Minister of Sports, Sunday Akin Dare as Special Presidential Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation.

    Chief Dare, it was stated, shall operate from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

    Also appointed is Mr. Shehu Dikko, who shall function as the Chairman of the resurrected National Sports Commission.