Obj. reacts to attack on his farm, Gov. Ortom orders full-scale investigation

Nigeria's former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has reacted to the attack on his farmland at Hawe in Aliade area of Gwer East local government of Benue state by some suspected hoodlums.

The former president said the destruction and burning down of his 2,420 hectares of farmland is a bad development.

 Photo: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Source: UGC

In a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Obasanjo said government at the state and local government level have taken up the matter.

Noting that he is assured that the governments would fish out the perpetrators of the crime, the former president thanked all those who identified with him over the incident.

The statement also said that despite the huge loss caused by the attack, it is gladdening to note that no single life was lost in the incident.

Channels Television had reported that the chairman of the local government where the incident occurred told Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom that the 2,420 hectares of mango plantation belonging to Obasanjo have been razed down.

Emmanuel Otserga said over half of the mango farm, covering over 139 hectares of land was razed by some suspected hoodlums.

He added that following the issue, four suspects have been arrested and more were being trailed to ensure they are all brought to justice.

Otserga said:

“From the look of things, the fire was caused by the deliberate act of mischief-makers. The farm is well safeguarded, there is no way fire can cross over from any quarter into the farm”.

 Meanwhile the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has expressed great displeasure over the fire incident that affected the mango farm of a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo in Howe, Gwer local government area of Benue state.

 Ortom, in a statement issued by Nathaniel Ikyur, his chief press secretary on Tuesday, February 1, ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident considered unfortunate.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state. Photo credit: Benue State Government Source: Facebook

He maintained that the investigation “would unravel the remote and immediate cause of the fire outbreak.

Obtaining the report of the incident as presented to him by the Chairman of Gwer Local Government Council, Emmanuel Otserga, the governor affirmed that where it is discovered that the fire was an act of sabotage, the perpetrators must be brought to book

According to him, those in the habit of sabotaging his government’s effort would fail.

He further warned that his government would not tolerate anyone trying to pull the state down as there are deliberate policies to encourage local and foreign investors and with particular emphasis on Agriculture.

The Governor, while tasking security operatives in the state to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and such incident does not happen again, said the incident was the height of irresponsibility.

He said it was an irresponsible act for anyone to have conceived the idea of setting ablaze a farm that was capable of boosting the economic development of the area in particular and state.

Ortom said:

"Obasanjo as a former president is a statesman and needs to be accorded his due respect anywhere in Nigeria and Benue State cannot be an exception."

He urged the Benue state commissioner of police to not relent but to go after the perpetrators by way of arresting and bringing them to book.

KBI Celebrates 10th Anniversary and 2nd Olympic Game

 An international expert discrbe school sports as veritable tool to develop children mentally and physically.

Dr. Abraham Shaibu scientist with Africa Rice, international lnstitute Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan stated in his keynote address tittled "Beyond the class, why sports is good for the children', at the 10th anniversary and 2nd Olympic Game of Knowledge Base International Nursery, Primary and College. Bagadaje, Apapa, Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State.

While lauded the school authority initiative towards sports development adding that beyond developing them physically, it's helpful in picking out the talents at their young age and 'I must appreciate their coaches, headmistress, teachers and organizer for making this year edition colourful.

Furthermore. Dr. Shaibu confirmed that there's a growing research that links physical activity to the improvements in educational achievement which makes it easier for children to develop character and learn important social and brain skills such as  problem-solving, resilience, perseverance, play and teamwork.

Earlier in the chairmen advisory board address, Revd. Canon and Mrs. O. Okikiolu welcome  guests and invited schools.

Expressing their delight at the opportunity to host the 10th anniversary and 2nd Olympic Game of the school, Mrs. Okikiolu who spoke via Skype from her Britain's home base explain that the event was informed by the need to contribute their roles towards sports development in Nigeria.

The proprietress noted that one of the core values of KBI educational policy remains it's focus on dreams and empowering Nigerians youths, expecially our students.

"Our school management and synergy with the parents shall be committed to providing the needed support and encouragement for our students. 

Mrs. Okikiolu finally congratulate both the staffs, students and the parents on their efforts in continuing  keeping the school as role model among the schools in Oyo State.

Fadesere Green House came first position with 110 points followed by Okikiolu Blue House with 93 points for the second position while Adenuga Red House with 70 points got the third position.

Bisi Kolawole wins Ekiti PDP governorship primary

• The delegates of the opposition PDP in Ekiti state have elected Bisi Kolawole as the party's governorship candidate in the forthcoming poll, the primary election took place in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, January 26.

Bisi Kolawole, the aspirant anointed by former Governor Fayose, has won the Ekiti PDP governorship primary. Photo credit: @AMTanimu Source: Twitter

 Kolawole edged out Segun Oni, an ex-governor, and Kolapo Olusola, a former deputy governor of the state to emerge the PDP's flagbearer.

Kolawole had resigned his position as Ekiti PDP chairman to contest the governorship election.

Kolawole according to our scourc was the preferred aspirant of Ayo Fayose, a former governor of the southwestern state.

He is a former lawmaker representing Efon constituency in the state House of Assembly.

The PDP governorship candidate also served as commissioner of environment between 2015 and 2018.

While endorsing Kolawole for the governorship election, Fayose had described him as a bridge-builder who will usher in a better future for Ekiti and the PDP.

Kolawole polled 671 votes to defeat his closest rival, Oni, who got 330 votes.

Court orders arrest of embattled former minister of petroleum resources

 

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, issued an arrest warrant against embattled former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke over corruption charges pending against her.

It is the second arrest warrant to be issued against the ex-minister, who is believed to have fled to the United Kingdom since leaving office in 2015.

On December 4, 2018, a judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Valentine Ashi (now deceased), ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Police Force, the States Security Service (SSS), and all other security agencies to arrest her within 72 hours.

The matter was later taken to the Federal High Court in Abuja where the EFCC filed 13 counts of money laundering against Ms Alison-Madueke in anticipation of her extradition to Nigeria.

On July 24, 2020, Ijeoma Ojukwu, the judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, handling the matter, issued a summons for the former minster to appear to answer to the charges preferred against her.

Ms Alison-Madueke ignored the summons which, anyway, could not be confirmed was served on her.

EFCC subsequently requested the judge to issue a warrant of arrest against the former minister.

But the judge turned down the request, insisting that the summons she issued was sufficient to process her extradition to Nigeria to face her trial, adding that she would not issue another order in vain.

Earlier, about  the raid on ex-minester's apartment Abdulrasheed Bawa, the chairman of the EFCC once denied reports that a diamond bra was among items recovered from Diezani's apartment contrary to media reports.

Recall that there were rumors a bra made of diamonds was part of the forfeited items belonging to the former petroluem minister to be auctioned.

The EFCC chairman made the clarification during his appearance on TVC's Your View on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

Meanwhile, a fresh sum of $72.87 million said to be linked to the embattled former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement on the discovery, the anti-graft agency disclosed that the money was traced to a new generation bank and that the former managing director of the bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, who was in office at the time of the alleged crime, has been arrested,

CBN rules broken by tailor

A Nigerian tailor whose name is not immediately known has been seen sewing his customer's cloth with Naira notes. The man was seen with multiple pieces of Naira notes as he stitched them together in a bid to create a dress.

In a viral video shared on Instagram by @instablog9ja, the tailor was seen with freshly minted N500 and N1,000 notes.

Tailor makes client's dress with Naira notes. Photo credit: @instablog9ja Source: Instagram

It was not known if the Naira notes were counterfeits, but the tailor said:

"As I dey now since morning I dey sew am. How much I go charge am if finish this clothe for him now."

Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act forbids any form of mishandling of the Naira. The law says:

"It is against the law to sell currency banknotes. Mutilation: A person who tampers with the Naira note or coin is guilty of an offence, punishable by law."

According to the CBN, it is also against the law to:

"Staple the banknotes as the pins can cause corrosion of the banknotes, to tear the banknotes, to dance/stamp on the Naira banknotes. Do not stain the banknotes with oil or ink, as this is also a form of defacing."

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria said it will prosecute anyone seen spraying Naira notes at social events.

In a statement released by the apex bank, it warned that people abusing Naira notes across the country will be seriously dealt with.

According to the bank, it has also entered into an agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission so as to achieve maximum enforcement of the law.

Special report: It takes over N1m to transport a container within Lagos

A Financial Time of  London report titled ‘Nigeria’s port crisis’ has revealed that transporting a container cargo from Apapa seaport in to any part of Lagos mainland, a 20km trip, costs about $4,000(over N1.5 million).

This is almost same amount to ship a 40ft container from Shanghai China to Lagos Nigeria according to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Data index.

The report noted that the difficulty has make the output nearly impossible to meet the demands of Nigeria’s population which has tripled overtime.

Nigeria port with idle containers Credit: shipperng Source: UGC

Muda Yusuf, former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) told the FT that the government has been talking about the ease of doing business but if there’s one sector we have not felt the government’s effort, it’s in the ports where practically nothing has changed.

Also Kunle Falerin, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council on his part attributed the outrageous intrastate fares to economic slump caused by COVID-19 pandemic, while speaking with the outlet.

He listed other contributing factors to include overcrowding or port congestion, ageing infrastructure, poor rail network and lack of automated procedures.

A senior executive at a logistics company was also quoted by Financial Times that importers have devised a means to bypass the delay by paying spot prices to fleet operators who charge about N1.5 million to transport a 40ft container from Tin Can to warehouses on the Lagos mainland.

These sharp witted importers would rather pay the high fares than risk their cargoes sitting idly at the coast, waiting to be allowed entry to the docks while accruing exorbitant storage charges.

The senior executive added:

"These charges influence the outrageous hike in prices of imported goods which deepens the suffering of the common man, the consumer who purchases the products."

In a recent interview Akinwumi Adesina, president, African Development Bank (AfDB) called on decongestion of Nigeria seaport.

He said:

“the leading ports for West Africa are in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and the Benin Republic. All these countries have modernised their port management systems, leaving Nigeria far behind”

“Government must start with cleaning up administrative bottlenecks, most of which are unnecessary with multiple government agencies at the ports, high transaction costs or even plain extortions from illegal taxes, which do not go into the coffers of the government.”

Some newspapers had earlier reported that the NCS has been lobbying for the reinstatement of excise duty on soft drinks, which was repealed in 1993.

The return of excise duty, according to Customs service, would result in a large increase in income for the federal government.

But manufacturers, on the other hand, feel it will affect their revenue and lead to an increase in soft drink prices.

Bashir Tofa, MKO Abiola's strongest opponent in 1993 election dies at 93

 The former presidential candidate for the National Republican Convention (NRC) and one of the leading candidates in the 1993 presidential election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, has died at 93-year-old.

Tofa's family confirmed his death on Monday, January 3, after rumours had spread on social media that the strong politician passed away three days ago.

The confirmation was shared on Monday, January 3, by one of Tofa's daughters who had earlier debunked claims of his father's death on social media three days ago.

However, details of his death are still quite sketchy although sources within the family said Tofa had been ill for some time.

 Tofa contested against late Moshood Abiola popularly known as MKO Abiola in the June 12, 1993 election.

The elder statesman contested under the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) while MKO Abiola vied for presidency under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

At the 1993 polls, Tofa who was one of the leading candidates in the elections which until today is considered as freest and fairest election in Nigeria.

Prior to his passing, late Tofa has always been known for being vocal and rendering solutions to challenges facing the country.

Pastor Adeboye, Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, Fashola, Gbajabiamila, Storm Church For Serious prayer

The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Obafemi Hamzat, and Babatunde Raji Fashola were among those who attended the 2022 Lagos state New Year thanksgiving service themed Songs of Thanksgiving.

Some of the activities of the session were prayers offered by Pastor Adeboye and Governor Sanwo-Olu as captured on the latter's Instagram post on Sunday, January 2.

The governor promised Lagosians a lot of projects for 2022 (Photo: jidesanwoolu) Source: Instagram

In what might be termed a prophetic declaration, the Lagos governor said 2022 will witness a milestone achievement, especially in the Lagos rail transportation system.

He disclosed that the 37km Red and 27.5km Blue Line Rail projects are expected to begin commercial operations possibly in 2022.

Added to this, Sanow-Olu assured Lagosians that his administration's vision of establishing the largest Rice Mill in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the largest in the world "will become a reality this year."

Speaking on other projects in store for the state, the governor revealed:

"Equally, construction work on the 37km 4th Mainland Bridge, which will be a circular link road, and the longest in Africa, and the Opebi-Ojota link bridge will commence this year. There are also a host of other projects that will be completed or advanced this year.

"While we continue to work towards giving everyone in Lagos of their dreams, we would also enjoin them to continue adhering to, and comply strictly with the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for safety as we go fully into the 4th wave of the pandemic."

Meanwhile, before the year 2022 began, President Muhammadu Buhari sent some crucial messages to Nigerians as to what they should expect from his administration amid the COVID-19 and the insecurity experienced in most parts of the country.

The president saluted and congratulated fellow citizens for their courage to remain strong and resolute through 2021 which has been a most turbulent year.

He said:

"We remain grateful to the Almighty God for yet another Year attained as a country, united by a common destiny and resolute in our determination to overcome the several challenges along the path to build the great and prosperous nation of our dream..."