A concert promoter in Tanzania, Stephen Uwa, has explained Nigerian singer and songwriter, Oluwatobiloba Daniel, aka Kizz Daniel, refused to show up for a concert in Tanzania.
The police on Monday arrested the singer in Tanzania for failure to show up for a paid concert.
Speaking with media personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, on Monday night, Uwa narrated what transpired between himself and the Buga crooner.
According to him, Kizz Daniel refused to perform at the event because he (Kizz Daniel) was not with his gold chain.
“He (Kizz Daniel) only said the airline didn’t bring his bag that is why he cannot perform. Because his gold chain is not there. And he had a gold chain on his neck. He wanted everything,” Uwa said.
the show promoted notes that he booked Kizz Daniel through his management, Upfront and Personal Global, headed by Paul Okoye, popularly known as Paul O.
According to him, Paul O cried and begged Kizz Daniel to come for the show too.
“Paul O is the one I booked Kizz from. Paul O cried all night trying to beg this guy ‘Please go to this show’,” Uwa said.
The show promoter added that he paid Kizz Daniel $60, 000 to perform on the show and still had to beg him but the singer didn’t show up.
“Three times, I knelt for Kizz Daniel and I beeged him,” Uwa said
He added, “I paid this guy $60, 000 to perform on this show. I went down on my knees. I was like ‘Bro, you are damaging me. I am trying to build my company here. You are going to damage me’. I begged this guy ‘Save my career, save me’.”
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has announced that the singer has been released from police custody in Tanzania and will return to the country.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Ibrahim Tunbow after using a phone belonging to a 17-year-old boy in the Kwali area of the FCT to negotiate and collect ransom from the relations of a victim.
The suspect was said to have offered the teenager N30,000 after he received the ransom, but the boy rejected the money.
A resident of the area who spoke to Punch said that Tunbow threatened to kill the boy should he open up to anyone he uses his phone for calls. The source added that the boy was scared by the threat and told his parents what transpired, adding that his parents reported the matter to the police.
”What happened was that Tunbow first asked the 17-year-old boy to allow him to use his phone to make calls that his phone was faulty. He made friends with him and subsequently started using the boy’s phone for calls, and sometimes he received calls demanding to speak with Tunbow.
As soon as he receives the calls, he won’t be seen around for sometimes. Recently, he brought N30,000 and gave to the boy. The boy asked what the money was meant for, Tunbow said it was his share out of the money he made from those calls he normally received using his phone.
The boy refused to collect the money.
He threatened to kill him if he tells anyone that he uses his phone to receive and make calls. The boy was scared and explained everything that happened to his parents. The matter was reported to the police. Tunbow was arrested yesterday afternoon. ”the source said
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, Josephine Adeh, said
“Tunbow has been arrested, and he is in our custody. He confessed to using the boy’s phone to make calls during interrogation. He also confessed to being behind some of the abductions in Yangoji, Sahda, and Killankwa. We have intensified efforts to arrest other members of his gang.”
She, however, warned residents to be mindful of allowing strangers to make calls with their mobile phones.
“We want to use this medium to caution residents to be mindful of giving their phones to strangers to make calls. Parents should also caution their children against giving their phones to strangers.”she said
A human rights activist, Comrade Paul Ikechukwu Njoku, has urged Senator Dino Melaye, the spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, to continue to be logically and intellectually ruthless to the spokesman for the Ahmed Bola Tinubu presidential campaign, Festus Keyamo.
The rights activist added that the latter is unpatriotic to the plights of the 3.6 millions of Nigerian University students who are currently sitting at home rather than in schools and to the yearnings of Nigerians who are facing scorching insecurity and economic death in the General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) regime.
In a statement made available to our correspondent, Njoku said, “The unconscionable statement by Festus Keyamo over the unprecedented rising insecurity in Nigeria has further exposed and proved that the APC government wants every Nigerian to die and go to heaven where there is no insecurity according to Keyamo.
“Festus Keyamo should be told there is no Boko Haram terrorism and sponsored banditry in Ghana, America, Europe and other parts of the world where the president is not incompetently always unaware of what happens in his goverment. He should be informed that countries of the world keenly protect her citizens against murderous invaders and terrorists except the APC goverment.
“Keyamo’s statement on insecurity and Nigerian University students is unpatriotic to the plights of the 3.6 millions of Nigerian University undergraduates who are sitting at home rather than in schools and to the yearnings of Nigerians who are on daily basis faced with killings, ruthless insecurity and economic death in the Buhari-led Federal goverment.
“I therefore urge Dino Melaye to continue to be logically ruthless to Festus Keyamo in politicking and intellectual campaign engagements till he realises that Buhari is indefensible and that Nigerians are sadly disappointed in the present anti-peoples’ government”.
It would be recalled that Senator Dino Melaye carpeted the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, over his recent outburst against the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Mr. Keyamo while featuring on Channels Television last week Friday, attacked the former Vice President, condemning his presidential ambition, adding that Atiku has nothing to offer the country.
Keyamo further stated in the interview that the PDP candidate lacks the capacity to rule Nigeria as a president and that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, is far better than Atiku in terms of capacity and experience.
However, in a viral video, Dino who was angered by Keyamo’s vituperations, said the Minister lacks the moral bearings to attack Atiku. Dino, a former PDP governorship aspirant in Kogi State countered Keyamo, saying anyone who has served as Vice President is fit for the number one position.
In the video which was published on his social media handles, Dino dared the minister to a public debate where he vowed to break him (Keyamo) into pieces.
He fumed, “Ask Nigerians today, what portfolio is Keyamo holding? Many will tell you that they don’t even know the ministry he is working in because he is redundant, inactive, and not visible.
“Because he is not known as Minister, he is mistaking his officer as a Minister of State for the office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No Nigerian who is educated, and intellectually okay will abuse the office of the Vice President of Nigeria.
“What Keyamo attacked is not Atiku Abubakar but the office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the number two office in this country.
“Because he has monetized his conscience, that is why he will not understand that the office of Nigerian VP has some ministries, agencies under its direct supervision and oversight.
“That is why he will not know that in the absence of the president, the vice president is the acting president with executive power anytime the president is out of the country. So what he has done is that he has abused the office of Nigerian VP even as a lawyer who should understand the constitutionality of that office.
“Anyone who has been a VP is fit to be a president. Can Keyamo also say that Atiku has not succeeded internationally as a businessman?
“Just because you are acting under ‘sekpe’ or under the influence of marijuana, you just smoke your ganja and you think you can just open your mouth and talk? Because you are defending someone who takes drugs more than food today”?
True to their threat, a group of Nigerians under the aegis of Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to comply with the constitutional provision that requires the commission to continue voter registration until at least 90 days to the general elections.
In Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2022, filed on their behalf by Abuja law firm, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN & Co., the Plaintiffs argued that INEC’s abrupt termination of the voter registration exercise would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters during the 2023 presidential election.
The suit filed at the Federal High Court Abuja on Friday, August 5, 2022, seeks, among other things, an order compelling INEC to reverse its earlier directive halting the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country on July 31, 2022, and to declare as ultra vires, the commission’s decision to put a timeline on the CVR exercise outside the timeline provided by the 2022 Electoral Act, as amended.
The Plaintiffs raised the following issues for Determination:
“Whether having regards to the combined provisions of Sections 76(2), 77(2), 116(2), 117(2), 132(2) & (5) and 178 (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) as well as Sections 9(1), 9 (6), 10(1) and 12(1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022, the Defendant can or has the right or latitude to stop the continuous voter’s registration on 31st July, 2022, about over Seven and Half (71/2) months (208 days), or any other day not until ninety (90) days before the General Elections when there are millions of prospective voters including the Plaintiffs who have not Registered and are willing to do so.”
The Plaintiffs prayed the court for the following reliefs:
“A DECLARATION that the Defendant is expected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 76(2), 77(2), 116(2), 117(2), 132(2) & (5) and 178 (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) as well as Sections 9(1), 9 (6), 10(1) and 12(1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022, to continue voters Registration, update and Revision of voters register till 90 days before the General Election billed to take place on 25th February, 2023 and 11th march, 2o23.
“A DECLARATION that it is the Constitutional responsibility of the Defendant to make sure that every prospective Nigeria voter who have shown desire to Register to vote are not derived their Civil right to Register and participate in the forthcoming General Elections Scheduled to take place on 25th February,2023 and 11th March 2023.
“AN ORDER OF COURT directing the Defendant to Resume immediately the Registration of new voters, updating and Revision of the Register of voters until at least 90 days to the General Election slated to hold on 25th February 2023 and 11th March, 2023.”
According to the lead Counsel, Ifeanyi Nrialike Esq, over three hundred members of the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) across the 36 states and Abuja, contacted the POSN legal team expressing frustration over their inability to register because of the stoppage of the Voters Registration exercise by INEC.
One of the Plaintiffs, Mr. Ernest N. Stanley, narrated how on several occasions he went to the registration Center located at Lugbe for registration as a prospective voter without being attended to.
In his affidavit sighted by our correspondent, Mr Stanley stated, “That in all instances I have been to the Registration centers to get registered, I will meet a mammoth crowd of prospective voters who also came for the same purpose of which we queue under the sun for hours without being attended to.
“That at the registration center that I have gone to get registered there are not enough personnel such as the Registration Officer to attend to the crowd that came to be Registered.
“That on Several instances the registration would not go on with excuses that the system malfunctioned, and machine broke down being offered as the excuse and for the whole day there will be no registration exercise that will take place.
“That before you know what is happening, and to my chagrin, the Defendant through its National Chairman announced that the continuous voters Registration Exercise will stop on 31st July 2022.” Read more.
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The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) has raised alarm over a new malware (app), that can compromise users’ data, jeopardize privacy and damage devices’ and computers’ apps.
NCC’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) raised the alarm in a press release issued by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka.
According to Mr. Muoka, the app called HiddenAds, has infiltrated Google play and can impact device performance.
The statement noted that the advisory on the malware to telecoms subscribers became necessary as a result of the damage it could cause them.
It added that “NCC-CSIRT classified the virus, first identified by the McAfee Mobile Research Team, as high in probability and damage potential.”
The statement reads: “The malware infiltrated the Google Play Store in the form of several device cleaners or optimization apps.
“According to the summary provided by NCC-CSIRT “Upon installation, it can run malicious services without the user opening the app. It also spams the user with irrelevant advertisements. The apps have received downloads ranging from 100,000 to over a million.
“Some of the apps HiddenAds masquerades as are: Junk Cleaner, EasyCleaner, Power Doctor, Carpet Clean, Super Clean, Meteor Clean, Strong Clean, Windy Clean, Fingertip Cleaner, Keep Clean, Full Clean – Clean Cache, Quick Cleaner, and Cool Clean.
“When a user installs any of the aforementioned apps, whether the user has opened the app or not, a malicious service is immediately installed on the device.
“The app will then attempt to blend into the app tray by changing its icon to the Google Play icon that every Android user is familiar with.
“Its name will also change to ‘Google Play’ or ‘Setting’. The device will then be bombarded with ads in a variety of deceptive ways, severely impairing the user experience.”
NCC warned that “anyone that installs the compromised app will experience their device performance suffering significantly, clicking on the ads may result in stealth downloads/installation of other malware, users may inadvertently subscribe to services and be billed on a monthly basis, and the privacy of users will be jeopardised.
“NCC-CSIRT advised users to avoid downloading questionable apps or apps they are unsure about while those who have installed any of the identified malicious apps should immediately delete them.
It further disclosed that where the malicious app’s icon and name have changed, it can be identified by the fact that it is removable while the legitimate Google Play app cannot be uninstalled.
“The advisory recommended the installation of anti-virus/anti-malware software with a proven track record for detecting and removing malware.
“The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.
“The CSIRT also works collaboratively with the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risks incidents by preparing, protecting and securing the Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks, problems or related events,” the Commission stated.
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The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, CEAN, on Tuesday said it generated N471 million from tickets sold across the country in July.
CEAN’s National Chairman, Ope Ajayi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Mr Ajayi said that there was an increase comparing revenue generated in July with that of June, as well as comparing revenue in July 2021 with July 2022.
“The box office got total revenue of N471,679,856.00 for July, an increase from what we had in June N363,274,999.00; this is encouraging.
“Thor: Love & Thunder was the major outlier, accounting for over 54 per cent of the total Box Office revenue in July and 69 per cent of Hollywood, while ‘Ile Owo’ was Nollywood’s highest-grossing, accounting for about 4 per cent.
“Despite fewer tittles released in July (31), compared to June (41), Nigerian cinemas experienced a growth in box office revenue by 30 per cent comparing totals from both months.
“However, comparing July’s revenues for 2021 and 2022, cinemas gained 5 per cent increase.
“August looks to feature strong Nollywood titles alongside Bullet Train, hence, cinemas anticipate a strong build-up to the fourth quarter,” he said.
Mr Ajayi noted that the top 5 highest-grossing films in July were: Thor: Love and Thunder, Minions 2:The Rise of Gru, Jurassic Work: Dominion, Ile Owo and Top Gun: Maverick.
He listed the movies to be released into the cinemas for the month of August as: Runner, Bullet Train, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Cold, Akoni, Beast, The Set-Up 2, Rubucon
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC), has alleged that there is a calculated plot to keep Senator Ike Ekweremadu away from Nigeria owing to the 2023 general elections.
The Igbo group in a statement, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene and ensure the immediate release of the embattled lawmaker.
The former Deputy Senate President is currently being detained in the United Kingdom where he is facing trial for alleged organ harvesting and human trafficking charges.
While his wife Beatrice was granted bail last month, the lawmaker is still behind bars.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Okwu Nnabuike said it was unjustifiable that the United Kingdom authorities had no regard for Ekweremadu’s diplomatic passport.
While wondering whether there were different laws for Africans, Ohanaeze said no citizen of the UK with a diplomatic passport would be so treated in any African country.
He said, “our enquiries clearly show that the offence for which Ekweremadu was charged is bailable. In addition to this, he has diplomatic immunity, but the UK has ignored all these and chose to perpetually keep him in detention.
“This is also despite the fabrications of lies in the statement of the alleged minor, David Nwamini, which have all been since exposed.
“We have no option than to believe the story that his trial has been heavily politicized by certain interests who are bent on keeping him out of the way ahead of the 2023 general election.
“There is every indication that his ordeal cannot be divorced from domestic politics considering the manner Nwamini has acted so far; he is no doubt under a serious influence.
“It is quite sad and curious that the UK Government, which should show the limelight on democracy, is allowing itself to be used. We ask: why is Ekweremdu being treated as a convict? Why the long adjournment? This is where the conspiracy theory meets.”
Ohanaeze also called on the ECOWAS parliament, the National Assembly and the Federal Government to demand the immediate release of the Senator.
“We expect that the Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis should speak up and demand Ekweremadu’s release as a former Speaker of that parliament.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria and indeed the National Assembly should also prevail on the UK Government to transfer Ekweremadu’s case to Nigeria. We know how individuals with diplomatic passports are treated and why it has not applied to Ekweremadu is beyond our comprehension,” Ohanaeze lamented.
Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State attacked by heavily armed gunmen
The Defence Headquarters said it has arrested the terrorists behind the attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff who made this known during a parley with media executives at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said the rag tag gunmen were apprehended through the help of other security agencies.
Recall that on the 5th of June, terrorists attacked the Catholic Church during a Sunday Mass which however, resulted to the death of 30 worshippers
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor
Two months after a suspected terror attack on the Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the assailants linked to the incident have been arrested.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor disclosed this on Tuesday during a parley with executives and editors of media organisations in Nigeria.
General Irabor said the attackers were arrested during joint operations involving the Armed Forces, the Department of Security Services (DSS) and the police.
About 40 people were killed when the gunmen stormed the church on June 5, opened fire on the congregation, and also detonated explosives as the worshippers scampered for safety.
The Horniman Museum in London is set to return 72 artefacts looted from Benin Kingdom in the 19th century back to Nigeria.
The looted artefacts include 12 brass plaques, a brass cockerel and a key to the king’s palace.
The move followed a request by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in January, signaling a response to the ongoing negotiations to repatriate Nigeria’s stolen artefacts.
The museum, in south-east London, says it has consulted with community members, visitors, schoolchildren, academics, heritage professionals and artists based in Nigeria and the UK. The museum’s chair said it was “moral and appropriate” to return them.
Last year, Germany announced it would return over 7,000 of such artefacts housed in its museums to Nigeria.
Stephen Uwa, promoter of the Tanzanian show that was disrupted over the absence of Nigerian singer, Oluwatobiloba Daniel, popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has broken his silence on the incident.
News Band had reported how the Nigerian artiste, who was meant to perform at the Warehouse, Old Nextdoor Arena in Tanzania, on Sunday night, failed to appear after being paid.
In a viral video, some Tanzanians, among who paid as much as $5000 for tables, were seen throwing objects which sounded like bottles on the empty stage after they had spent hours waiting for the singer.
Later the artiste was seen being led into a police van by some officers as some persons taunted him.
In a chat with Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly called Daddy Freeze, Uwa shed more light on the issue.
The promoter claimed Kizz Daniel had been fully paid.
According to Uwa, the musician refused to perform because of a gold chain.
The show promoter said, ”He said the airline didn’t bring his bag. That is why he could not perform because his gold chain is not there and he had a gold chain on his neck. He wanted everything.”
Uwa claimed to have spent over $300,000 on the show, adding that a table was between $5000 to $10,000.
”My company is new here. PaulO is the one I booked Kizz from Paul O, who cried all night trying to beg this guy ‘Please go to this show’, he called in from America!
“I paid this guy $60,000 to perform on this show. I went down on my knees. I was like ‘Bro, you are damaging me. I am trying to build my company here. You are going to damage me’. I begged this guy ‘Save my career, save me’. I was on the table with Kizz Daniel for like five hours begging him, kneeling for him,” he added.
This is the second time in a month that Kizz Daniel would be called out by fans over cancellation of shows.
A few weeks ago, he received backlash from several of his fans who had requested a refund after waiting for the singer for five hours.
Videos surfaced on social media of fans demanding a refund of their money after he arrived at a concert some hours late. The musician was billed to perform in the United States but showed up late.
He was again dragged by his fans after he canceled his Denver concert abruptly on July 28, 2022.
In yet another controversy, the singer was invited by the Lagos State Police Command for questioning over the seizure of a bus belonging to his dry cleaner.
It was gathered that he confiscated the laundry bus of a company he contracted to do laundry for him.
Kizz Daniel reportedly impounded the bus on the grounds that his clothes which were worth N14 million were damaged by the laundry company.
Renowned novelist, playwright and filmmaker Biyi Bandele is dead.
He died at 54 in Lagos on Sunday, according to a statement by his daughter Temi Bandele.
In a statement, Temi described her father as a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father.
“He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen.
“He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.
“He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say,” she added.
The late writer was a dedicated artist with strong passion for life and a string of successes in his writing and filmmaking career.
His latest work is Elesin Oba, the King’s Horseman (2022), which he adapted from Wole Soyinka’s classic drama, Death & The King’s Horseman, and directed for EbonyLife Films.
The film is yet to be released but slated to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, in September.
He had earlier co-directed Blood Sisters, a 4-part Netflix-original television drama series, also for EbonyLife Films.
His earlier works include Half of a Yellow Sun (Shareman Media & State Films, 2013) adapted from Chimamanda Adichie’s novel of same title; Fifty (Ebony Films, 2015).
He was also a director of the highly successful Television Series, SHUGA: What’s Your Reality. He directed FELA – Father of Afrobeat (2018), a TV special documentary for the BBC; and his self-produced TV-Movie documentary, Africa States of Independence (2010).
His fiction and non-fiction work include The Street, Burma Boy, a novel, a recreation of the story of his father and other veterans of the Second World War, who served in Burma, India, which he was working on to be adapted for Film.
His other writing works include The Man Who Came in from the Back of Beyond, The Sympathetic Undertaker, and Yoruba Boy Running, which he recently concluded and submitted for publishing.
The executive governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has said he can never defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
El-Rufai said this while reacting to claim of Daniel Bwala, spokesperson of PDP presidential campaign, that he would soon dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a tweet, Bwala who until recently was a member of the APC, said he was optimistic that El-Rufai would be in the PDP even before the 2023 elections.
“My attention was drawn to @elrufai laughing at a comment made about me on my past video. Hmm @elrufai is one of the finest we have from the north, I will never join issues with him, especially because I am optimistic he will be with us before the 2023 elections,” he tweeted.
Reacting, El-Rufai quoted the tweet and wrote: “Thanks @BwalaDaniel but no, thanks. Never ever, not even my corpse will be found in the vicinities of your new-found political party. I still dey laugh!!! – @elrufai.”
Bwala recently announced his resignation from the ruling APC to the PDP over the decision of former presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Before decamping, Bwala made a lot of TV appearances where he harshly criticised the opposition PDP, his new party.
Just last week, he was appointed alongside a former federal lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, as spokesperson of the Atiku Presidential Campaign for next year’s elections.
Katsina State government on Monday returned more than 12,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) including women and children to their Shimfida community, in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.
The IDPs were escorted home amid tight security.
The returnees were dispersed from the area since March 10 following the abrupt withdrawal of military personnel from the area which led to incessant attacks by terrorists and left scores of people dead.
Prior to their return over 6,000 of the IDPs were camped at the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Jibia, by the state government and the council area, while others who fled to the neighbouring Niger Republic were transported into Jibia yesterday.
The chairman of the council, Bishir Sabi’u, said an initial N88.6 million was released by the state government for the exercise followed by another N18m by Governor Aminu Masari for the provision of hospital drugs and logistics for both the IDPs and essential workers at the community.
He said the governor had before the IDPs were returned spoken to President Muhammadu Buhari and was assured of adequate security.
“The reason why we are returning them is simply that some of them have started farming in the area; we want them to go back and fully commence farming activities.
“It was the army that left the area earlier that led to the sack of the community and governor Masari had spoken to President Muhammadu Buhari and approval had been given for the redeployment of the soldiers.”
Speaking, the chairman of Shimfida Youth Development Association, Sa’ad Salisu, expressed satisfaction over the level of preparation made for the return of the IDPs to their community.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Katsina in the state house of assembly, Aliyu Abubakar, has called on the security agencies to take the fight to terrorists’ enclaves rather than wait for attacks to happen before responding.
He expressed concerns over the recent spike in terrorists’ activities in the state, especially in the urban areas, including the state capital.
He said there were plans by the lawmakers to meet with Governor Aminu Masari, and later, with President Muhammadu Buhari, to find a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the state.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Timipre Sylva, has said that the country loses 400,000 barrels of crude daily via oil theft.
Sylva said this on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State at the Government House, Owerri.
He described the development as a “national emergency”.
He regretted that the nation had fallen short of OPEC daily quota, from 1.8 million barrels to 1.4 million barrels, due to crude theft.
The minister warned that such a huge economic loss was capable of crippling the nation’s economy if not given the seriousness it deserved.
He expressed concern that the menace had persisted, in spite of the efforts by the federal and State governments to arrest it.
Sylva said the problem of crude theft could not be handled in Abuja alone.
“It is a national emergency because the theft has grown wings and reached a very bad crescendo.
“This is because the thefts are taking place in the communities that host the oil pipelines.
“As a result, it has become necessary to involve the stakeholders, especially the host communities.
“And because of the height and orchestrated nature of the menace, Nigeria could not take the advantage and opportunities that abound in the gas production.
“This is because no investor would want to invest where there is incessant insecurity and vandalism of the infrastructure,” he said.
The minister, therefore, appealed to the stakeholders to collaborate to solve the problem.
No fewer than six members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) have been killed with an uncertain number injured during a procession to mark this year’s Ashura Day in Zaria.
Confirming the death, the leader of the movement in Zaria, Mallam Abdulhamid Bello, alledged that a team of security agents invaded their members when they were rounding off the procession at Zaria City market and started shooting which resulted in the death of their members, with many injured..
Malam Bello said that the total number of casualties had not been completely recorded yet but added that “a lot of them have been rushed to St Luke’s hospital in Wusasa while those in critical condition were taken to ABU teaching hospital Shika Zaria.
Police spokesman Mohammed Jalinge said he was aware on the incident but was yet to be fully briefed on it.
The procession which also took place at Leventis Roundabout and around Kawo Bridge was peaceful.
One of the disciples of El-Zakzaky who led the procession in Kaduna, Aliyu Umar, said, “Today we came out in order to commemorate the day of Ashura. The importance of the day is a day of seeking for justice as the Imam Hussein did. We use this date to remind the people that this day is the day of justice and people should emulate Imam Hussein in seeking justice,” he said.
Former military President General Ibrahim Babangida has said that Nigeria is not yet a nation, 61 years after independence.
General Babangida stated this when he hosted group, Team New Nigeria, (TNN), at his Hill-top residence in Minna, Niger State.
He lamented that Nigerians still related in terms of tribes region and religion.
Babangida said, “I think, this is something that, is long overdue. I have continued to engage a lot of my friends, brothers and colleagues about this great country. 61 years after, we still talk in terms of tribes region or religion.
“We are just trying to be a nation, we have not succeeded yet. But, it is a good thing that people like you have come together to say, Enough! We have to do something.
“I think your movement is something that is worthy of emulation and it is something to congratulate you about, for coming together from your various professions, tribes and regions. You are the true Nigerians”.
He however, pledged to mobilize support for Team New Nigeria with a view to accomplishing its aims and objectives of the group.
The former President, who is also the Grand- Patron of the group, had earlier accepted its honorary membership in October 2021
The President of the group, Dr. Modibbo Yakubu Farakwai, appreciated the good gesture of the former President for accepting to be the Grand Patron of Team New Nigeria (TNN).
He pointed out that, Team New Nigerian was deliberately crafted to reflect the aspirations of the founding fathers of Nigeria about what an ideal nation should be. Adding that, “our genuine quest as members to instill patriotism in Nigerians.
He said: “We seek to promote genuine democratic values, equality, diversity and inclusiveness, as well as peaceful coexistence and sustainable community development, by engaging support young people, women and men through education, entrepreneurship skills.
“We have already established administrative structures across the six geographical zones to achieve our aims and objectives”.
He solicited for support and guidance of the people and institutions within the framework of TNN Center for Democracy and Community Development.
Farakwai said this is in conformity with a mission to encourage Nigeria through youths training and advocacy to enhance ethical, moral, social, economic and political pursuit.
The National Publicity Secretary of the group Dr, Shuaib Muhammad, and other members of the National Working Committee of the group were among the entourage.
Mr Segun Sanni, the Chief Economist of Afenifere, the pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, said the $1.5 billion being expended on the Port Harcourt refineries by the federal government will be a waste of funds.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved $1.5bn (about N600 billion) for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refineries in March 2021.
But Sanni, while speaking on Channels Television on Monday, argued that no matter how much is spent to revitalise the ailing refineries, they would not work.
“It is senseless,” he said about the ongoing move to revive the refineries.
“Nigeria is spending huge billions of US dollars maintaining refineries that will not work.
“Recently, despite warnings by analysts, economists, even from the international circle, the federal government released $1.5bn to maintain a refinery that will not work.”
While reacting to the dwindling economic fortunes of the country, the economist expressed dismay that Nigeria is moving towards collapse and the government don’t seem to be concerned.
He said Nigeria should be experiencing an economic boom following the increase in the price of crude oil in the international market.
Sanni, however, said the reverse is the case in Nigeria, lamenting that the government was finding it difficult to meet up with the quota allocated to the country by OPEC.
“Nigeria’s economy right now is in a state of emergency. If it was a human being, it should actually be in the ICU right now.
“Everyone is screaming and dishing out warnings to the federal government that the economy is in a state of shock right now but it seems as if it is only the federal government that does not know about the situation we are in,” Sanni said.
He said the state governors’ advice to the government is not the solution, positing that they were only chasing shadows.
“The Nigerian economy has a very big problem on two sides, on the side of revenue and on the side of expenditure.
“The oil market is at an all-time high, oil is selling at about $100 per barrel today but unprecedented in Nigerian history where the oil market will be sky high and Nigerian economy will be in the hole. It has never happened.
“They said there is stealing of oil. So, Nigeria has an OPEC quota of 1.8 million barrels per day but maybe less than one million is what Nigeria is seeing.
“The revenue stream on Nigeria is hardly enough to power an economy of 200 million people but now we have found ourselves in a situation where the revenue is being stolen.
“This is an existential problem that the government of the day should be raising an alarm…but the government is keeping on as if all is well,” the economist said.
He said for the country to recover, efforts should be made to revitalise the energy sector and stop the massive stealing of crude oil in the Niger Delta.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released results of the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
The Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, disclosed this while speaking on Monday at WAEC office in Yaba, Lagos.
Mr. Areghan said: “The results are being uploaded on the results website.
“Candidates who sat the examination and who have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Council can access their results on the Council’s results website within the next twelve hours.
“Copies of the Result Listing will be sent to schools shortly.
“I need not restate the fact that the results of candidates who are sponsored by states indebted to the Council will not be released now until they pay up.
“We appeal to them to do so to enable the affected schools/candidates access their results.”
He added that some schools failed to upload their students’ Continuous Assessment Scores Capturing System at the stipulated time and many failed to meet registration deadlines, to the extent that some schools ended up not presenting their students for the examination.
“Yet, some who registered their students off-line failed to upload their entries! This showed unacceptable level of nonchalance.
“Again, others failed to meet deadlines due to criminal ‘shopping’ for candidates. By the time they realised it, the window had closed,” he said.
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The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoako Asante was today decorated with the African Bar Association (ABA) Medal of Merit in Leadership under whose outstanding leadership, the Court rendered landmark decisions.
The award was given during the opening ceremony of the 2022 annual conference of the ABA which opened on Monday, 8th August 2022 in Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi.
Several other eminent persons were decorated during the ceremony including the President of the Cairo-based AFREXIM Bank, Professor Benedict Oramah, former Presidents John Kufuor of Ghana and Pedro Pires of Cape Verde. Also honored were Liberia’s Vice President, Dr Jewel Howard Taylor, who was the keynote speaker at the conference as well as Dr Christopher Edordu, the pioneer President of AFREXIM Bank and Nigeria’s former Minister of Women Affairs.
In a message ahead of the award, the Court characterized the award as a recognition of the exemplary leadership provided by President Asante that has strengthened the image of the court as an exemplar among Africa’s regional courts.
“Coming a few months after the Court received the Global Freedom of Expression award of the Colombia University in the United States, this award strengthens the image the Court under the President’s able leadership as an international court that inspires public confidence and trust,’’ the statement added.
In another message, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan said the award was evidently deserved and described the President as ‘an epitome of justice in its present form and a champion of human rights in the administration of justice.
A judge of the Appeals Court of the Republic of Ghana, Justice Asante was twice in 2018 and 2020 elected by his four other colleagues as President of the Court following their swearing in by the then Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in 2018.
He and two others have been retained at the Court after the expiry of their initial four year tenure in July 2022 following a recent decision of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Community.
Justice Asante is a member of the Ghana Bar Association, the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association and the World Jurists Association.
He has attended, facilitated and served as Resource Person at many international conferences, workshops, judicial dialogues and seminars organized by UNESCO, the World Jurists Association, the International Law Institute, the Internet governance forum, the African Court, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court mainly in the areas of Freedom of Expression on the Safety of Journalists, Arbitration, Artificial Intelligence, Rule of Law, Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Under his leadership, the ECOWAS Court successfully organized three international conferences on various aspects of the Court’s jurisprudence drawing from the expertise of leading jurists, lawyers, professional and scholars within the region to enrich the work of the Court.
In order to avert the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Court, the President drafted and implemented the 2020 Practice Direction on Electronic Case Management which enabled the Court to undertake virtual hearings. Since then, the Court has heard and delivered judgements in many cases through the use of virtual technology without parties and lawyers travelling to the seat of the Court with the attendant savings in costs aside the risk of infection.
Under his able leadership, the Court was in March this year awarded the ‘Global Freedom of Expression” prize in the best recognized decision category for its decision in a case by Amnesty International and six others against the Republic of Togo.
The Court has also delivered many landmark decisions that have attracted international accolades.
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Terrorist Fulani herdsmen killed over 30 people in Benue State, May 28, 2021
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Redeem, Widows and Orphan Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in New York City, United States of America, Dr. Pst William PB Devlin, has distributed relief materials to victims of herdsmen deadly attack in Igama, Benue State.
The distribution which took place at St. Paul Catholic Church, Utonkon in Ado LGA where most of the IDPs are being camped temporarily, was done in conjunction with US-Nigeria Law Group, based in Washington DC, led by its Founder and CEO, Barr Emmanuel Ogebe.
It can be recalled that suspected Fulani herdsmen in the early hours of Sunday, 12th June, 2022, attacked Igama Community in Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, leading to loss of more than 30 lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Speaking shortly before the commencement of the humanitarian exercise, Dr William condemned the unprovoked terrorists attack on Igama community, admonishing the displaced victims to hold up to God for quick end of their travails as Christians.
“My attention was drawn to the unfortunate incident by my friend and one of your sons, Barr Emmanuel Ogebe.
“We are coming all the way from America not only to help in rebuilding your destroyed houses but also to give you hope in the name of Jesus Christ. We have not forgotten you and God has not forgotten you”, Dr William reechoed.
The Missionary Volunteer said, his primary priority is to rehabilitate and bring succours to victims of war and religious prosecution through the Gospel of Jesus in war ravaged and religious intolerant countries in the Middle East, Africa and some European countries.
He thanked the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom for providing the enabling environment which made the trip a successful one.
He disclosed that this was their 8th visit to Nigeria with Benue state being given special priority because of the ceaseless attacks on the people by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his speech, Managing Partner of US Nigeria Law Group, Barr Emma Ogebe, told the IDPs that he was one of them, a friend and a brother to Dr Williams in Christ, adding that with help from Lady Assumpta who was on ground in Nigeria to update him on the issue.
He said it was from the information gathered that he informed Dr William shortly after the attack on Igama community by the marauding herdsmen.
“Sporting a T-shirt that bore the famous Dr Martin Luther King inscription, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere,” Ogebe said that the injustices in the community reverberated all the way to the USA.
Narrating about the deadly attack on behalf of the Internally Displaced Persons in the camp, the Chairman of Igama Community, Mr Gabriel Ejeh said; the well armed Fulani herdsmen came and invaded their community at about 7am of on Sunday, 12 June, 2022.
He said as that time, most people were preparing for Sunday services and they started shooting sporadically, killing everyone on sight, burning buildings, crops, animals and chanting ‘Allahu Akbar.’
The community leader added that more than 30 bodies were recovered and most of the structures in the community were completely burnt after the attack.
He thanked the humanitarian volunteers for their assistance, wishing them safe trip back to their base.
Earlier, Chairman of Ado LGA, Hon. Chief James Oche, represented by his Deputy, Hon Solomon Aboh, thanked Dr William, Barr Ogebe and other members of their entourage for coming and offering humanitarian assistance to the displaced people of Igama.
The Council chairman said that both the people of Okpokwu and Ado are all one people of Enone as anything that affects anyone of them affects all.
He assured that that Ado LGA council would be playing complementary roles in the maintenance of the IDP camp and involvement in the resettlement of their victims back to their ancestral homes at Igama at the appropriate time.
The Parish Priest of St. Agnes Mission Ogege of which Igama is an outstation, Rev. Fr Daniel Abba in his vote of thanks, appreciated Dr. Pst Williams and Barr Ogebe for showing love and compassion to his parishioners and other members of Igama community displaced by Fulani terrorists.
The Priest said that the visit has also availed them opportunity to see other challenges facing the community as even as he wished them safe journey back to their various destinations.
Dr William and Barr Ogebe also visited the 2nd Class Chief of Ado Local Council, the Ad’Ado, HRH Chief Joseph Otsikor Onazi Adadu as a mark of honour to the traditional authority, during which a lot of important issues were discussed.
Highlights of the visit were the distribution of food items such as Corn flour, palm oil, etc. to the displaced victims and identification of the number of buildings destroyed by the terrorists with a promise of assisting the people to rebuild them.
Olikita Ekani Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Benue State on Media
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A Nigerian citizen, Mr. Amamchukwu Okafor, has raised serious objection to the one year validity of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results, saying that the Board exploits applicants by same results.
Mr. Okafor stated this in a petition shared online on Change.org, entitled “JAMB exploits applicants, results should be valid for 3 years!”
Okafor, in the petition, noted that “an applicant’s JAMB score is useful only in a given year for only 3 universities.
“But in reality, if you miss the first choice university, you may not be considered in the other schools and will have to retake JAMB another year” he lamented.
Speaking further, he stressed that JAMB needs an urgent reform, seeking that the three-year validity be applicable to multiple schools.
As at the moment of this publication, nearly one thousand persons have signed Okafor’s petition to reform JAMB on two main points:
To extend the validity period of JAMB results from one year to three years.
To remove the limitation on the schools of choice (typically only three schools).
If the petition scales through, applicants will be allowed to use their JAMB results to apply to as many universities as they wish over a 3-year validity period.
The petition reads:
“Every year, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) administers the university matriculation examination which is valid for only one year.
“It also limits your university choices to ONLY 3 schools. In essence, an applicant’s JAMB score is useful only in a given year for only 3 universities.
“But in reality, if you missed the first choice university, you may not be considered in the other schools and might have to retake JAMB another year (if you wish to get a Uni education).
“Sadly, there’s no clearly defined JAMB score that guarantees admission, because university admission still depends on universities’ assessment tests (Post-UME), the JAMB cut-off point for the course/school of choice (in the given year), and senior secondary school certificates.
“Like IELTS Official and TOEFL, even worse, JAMB results have a validity of one year and limited choices for schools.
“JAMB effectively obscures the university entrance process such that it is nearly impossible for foreign students to enroll in public universities in Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, universities in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and the Benin Republic enroll students from Nigeria and other African countries.
“This implies a loss of revenue (direct and indirect) and an absence of diversity and pan-African representation in universities across Nigeria.”
He regretted that JAMB registrars, despite always being university professors, still fail to radically change the system, rather, boast about how much revenue JAMB rakes in.
“But JAMB isn’t a revenue spinner. Every year JAMB declares profit that it extorts from applicants who take the exam multiple times,” he noted.
Okafor, in the statement, added that there are so many ills that JAMB is doing and so much good it isn’t doing.
“JAMB is the standard University entrance examination in Nigeria.
“The legal instrument establishing the Board was promulgated by the Act (No. 2 of 1978) of the Federal Military Government on 13th February 1978.
“It was amended and codified into Decree No. 33 of 1989, which took effect on 7th December 1989. That’s a long time ago. We can agree that the Act needs revisiting.
“JAMB has been an obstacle both to Nigerian students seeking university education and to university autonomy,” he concluded.
Okafor, therefore, urged Nigerians to sign the petition so as to create a better future for coming generations.
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Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka has distanced himself from the National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity, after they were seen on video making caricature of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Lagos State governor had made the remarks during a speech in June in Abeokuta, Ogun State, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari should hand over power to him because it is his turn to be the president.
Responding, the Pyrates Confraternity were seen and heard singing “Baba wey no well dey shout Emi Lokan; hand dey shake, leg dey shake, Baba wey no fit stand e dey “emi lo kan”.
Reacting to the viral video, Soyinka, in a statement credited to the first Black Man to win Nobel Laureate in Literature, drew attention to the video clip making rounds on the internet.
National Association of Seadogs a.k.a. Pyrates Confraternity “gyrating”
It showed the group, purportedly members of the Pyrates Confraternity, dancing and chanting in red and white costume.
He said: “The display acidly targets a presidential candidate in the awaited 2023 elections.
“Since the whole world knows of my connection with that fraternity, it is essential that I state in clear, unambiguous terms, that I am not involved in that public performance, nor in any way associated with the sentiments expressed in the songs.
“Like any other civic group, the Pyrates Confraternity is entitled to its freedom of expression, individually or collectively.
“So also is Wole Soyinka in his own person. I do not interfere in, nor do I attempt to dictate the partisan political choices of the Confraternity.
“I remain unaware that the association ever engages in a collective statement of sponsorship or repudiation of any candidate.
“This is clearly a new and bizarre development, fraught with unpredictable consequences.
“In addition, let me make the following cultural affirmation. I have listened to the lyrics of the chant intently and I am frankly appalled.
“I find it distasteful. I belong to a culture where we do not mock physical afflictions or disabilities. Very much the contrary.
“The Yoruba religion indeed designates a deity, Obatala, as the divine protector of the afflicted, no matter the nature of such affliction.
“This sensibility is engrained in us from childhood and remains with us all our lives. It operates on the principle of mortal frailty to which all humanity remains vulnerable.
“One of my favourite authors, about whom, by a coincidence, I had cause to write quite recently, was CLR James, author of The Black Jacobins, Beyond A Boundary etc. etc.
“I called him my ideological uncle.
Tinubu Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, but remained alert, lucid and combative for decades after the onset of the disease.
“We interacted politically at the Tanzanian pan-African Congress, the Dakar Festival of Negro Arts and a number of other cultural and political fora.
“We met frequently in his lifetime, dined together in restaurants, despite his challenge.
“It would be unthinkable, and a desecration of his memory to be part of any activity that mocked his affliction.”
He assured that a further statement will be issued after he makes further enquiries into this “strange, uncharacteristic outing of the association”.
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The Senate has commenced investigation into the utilization of over N1.7 trillion Service Wide Votes (SWV) spent by federal agencies outside of their approved budgets between 2017 and 2021.
The Chairman of the Senate Public Account Committee, Senator Matthew Urhogbide, made this known Monday during the meeting between his panel and heads of the federal agencies that benefitted from the disbursement.
He insisted that all the affected heads of the MDAs must give explanations on how they spent the fund.
The senator added that Service Wide Votes were disbursed to the MDAs to take care of the shortfall in their capital and overhead budgets.
A Service Wide Vote, which is also known as the Consolidated Revenue Fund Charge is more or less the country’s contingency fund in the annual budget.
It is a huge sum of money which is kept for unforeseen expenditure.
The recurrent expenditure part of the fund is what is actually referred to as the SWV, while the capital part of it is called Capital Supplementation.
The SWV is domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The chairman also ordered the Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Okolieaboh Sylva, who appeared before the committee to submit details of disbursement of SWV as quickly as possible.
Urhoghide said: “We want you to submit details of disbursement of Service Wide Votes. Let us have it as quickly as possible. Please we want speed.
“The other one that concerns you is the disbursement of Service Wide Votes from 2017-2021. You have not submitted the 2021 disbursement. Let us have that of 2022 as quickly as possible.
“The reason is because we have 797 agencies to deal with to the letters. We have decided to put them on hold until we get your report of 2021, so that we don’t start writing fresh letters on 2021 again as soon as possible.
“We need to input it into our report. Let us be able to know that you have exercised level of cooperation with us. Give us hard copies for our members to study.
“We have to talk to you first before any other agency. You will have to appear first week of our resumption.”
The lawmaker said the agencies need to explain how the SWV collected have been spent.
He added that the committee would need to know who authorized the fund from SWV.
According to him, “Who applied for it? The authority to incure the expenditure and the supporting documents.
