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Naira/Fuel Scarcity: Governor Makinde Deploys Free Transit Buses in Oyo

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the deployment of free Omituntun Mass Transit buses to ease the pains of the people of the state.

This is coming on the heels of the twin crises of the naira and fuel scarcity that had bedevilled Nigerians in recent weeks.

Makinde, who announced this in a statewide broadcast aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), on Friday night, said the state government was ready to do whatever it could to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

The governor frowned at the violent protests by some residents of Ibadan earlier on Friday, saying while citizens were free to express their feelings peacefully, the government would not condone any resort to violence. He, therefore, called on all the security agencies operating in the state to be on high alert to avert any breakdown of law and order.

“First, let me say that I understand the need for these protests. When citizens get pushed to the wall, there is only so much that they can take. The continuous fuel scarcity and the scarcity of the naira have led to slow economic activities. I must repeat, I understand, and I feel your pain.

“I have always maintained that peaceful protests are fine. When things are not going how we want them to go, we have a right and even a responsibility to protest. Let me also state that while we are protesting, we must remember how easily a peaceful protest can turn violent and lead to the loss of lives and property,” the governor asserted.

He urged the people to ensure they use their Permanent Voters Cards to usher in a responsible government in the forthcoming general elections, saying resorting to violence breeds other problems.

Makinde stated: “I have suspended all campaign activities forthwith. I have also met with the heads of security agencies in Oyo State to restore calm and maintain the peace in our dear state. We must not allow elements within us who have other motives to take advantage of peaceful protests to perpetrate evil or push their agendas.

“I urge all law-abiding citizens and residents of the state to go about their lawful activities. All our security agencies are on high alert and so, peaceful residents of the state have no cause to fear,” the governor noted.

Makinde disclosed that he had directed that the Omituntun Mass Transit buses be deployed to more routes within the state for free, to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

He said the state was also working with Chairmen of Local Government Areas to provide immediate palliatives for the most vulnerable people, to alleviate the hardships that the twin scarcity of naira and fuel had brought upon them.

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh

Joshua Eager To Reclaim World Titles

vonsports
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Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn has insisted that the British-Nigerian is desperate to reclaim the world titles and become a three-time heavyweight champion as he returns to the ring in April against Jermaine Franklin.

Joshua will look to resurrect his career against the American at London’s O2 Arena in what will be his first outing since consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Defeat to Franklin would likely remove the Watford warrior from the world title picture, but promoter Hearn is confident the former two-time unified heavyweight champ will return to winning ways in style.

“It’s a really tough fight with loads of pressure to come back because if AJ doesn’t win this fight, then we’ve got a major problem. I believe you’ll see a statement from a guy who is very dangerous, very motivated to become a three-time heavyweight world champion,” Hearn said.

Heavy-handed Franklin has been dismissed as an easy opponent for Joshua, despite going the distance with recent WBC title challenger Dillian White last November.

Hearn said, “There’s so much contradiction, ‘Anthony Joshua is finished, mentally he’s shot. ‘But he’ll knock out Jermaine Franklin inside three rounds.’

“The same people that say Jermaine Franklin beat Dillian Whyte but he’s a terrible opponent for Anthony Joshua, in a comeback fight after two defeats to the pound-for-pound number one.”

 

Also read: Eddie Hearn gives update on Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury date and venue

 

 

Punch/Samuel Isaiah

Fiyhona Officially Signs Deal With Godfada Empire Entertainment

Oluwasola Akintonde
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Soon to join the list of Afrobeat artists that will be celebrated globally is talented Fiyhona, who just got signed by Godfada Empire Entertainment.

Born talented and fashionable young Bamidele Fiyinfoluwa, professionally started music in 2020 and because of her natural talent, one would think she has been in the industry for ages.

She oozes confidence, intelligence and royalty and seemed ready to take the world by storm.

It is therefore safe to say it is another exciting moment for music lovers and another win for the music industry; because the talent will leave one wowed.

With Nigerian artists taking the centre stage in global entertainment, it is obvious that the world has come to acknowledge that Nigerians are uniquely talented.

When asked how she feels being signed by Godfada Empire Entertainment, she said: “I feel so motivated for the recognition and support from the management. I feel really proud and ready to begin working with them.”

A Godfada representative said: “They should stay tuned and expect music, art and entertainment from this black lady in ways the world has never experienced.

“It is obvious the music industry seemed saturated with a lot of talents coming out everyday but there is something unique about Fiyhona that we believe the world needs to see and we are so blessed to be the company showing Fiyhona to the world.

“I believe Fiyhona will give any artiste a run for his money in ways that will bring entertainment to the floor of the Nigerian music industry.

“I am more than excited myself and I can’t wait for her to get started.” .

 

 

Tribune/Olusola Akintonde

Tennis star Kyrgios admits assaulting ex-girlfriend but avoids conviction

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend but avoided a criminal conviction.

The 27-year-old’s guilty plea in a Canberra court came after his lawyers failed to have the charge dismissed on mental health grounds.

Mr Kyrgios pushed Chiara Passari onto the pavement during a row in Canberra in 2021, the court heard.

The magistrate called the incident “a single act of stupidity or frustration” when sparing him a criminal record.

Mr Kyrgios released a statement after the ruling saying he was grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction.

“I was not in good place when this happened and I reacted to a difficult situation in a way I deeply regret,” he said.

“I know it wasn’t OK and I’m sincerely sorry for the hurt I caused.”

Agreed facts tendered to the court say Mr Kyrgios pushed Ms Passari after she stopped his car from driving away while they were arguing on 10 January 2021.

Ms Passari reported the incident to police the next month but did not make a formal complaint. The couple reconciled and resumed a relationship, but after they broke up, Ms Passari made a formal complaint in December 2021.

Mr Kyrgios’ lawyer argued his client had been trying to de-escalate the fight by calling an Uber, and had repeatedly tried to “lawfully” move Ms Passari away from the car.

“It is in that context and the frustration that resulted, that my client reacted and the offence occurred,” Michael Kukulies-Smith said.

The court heard Mr Kyrgios had sworn at Ms Passari and told her to go away. He then put his hands on her hips and moved her an arms length from the door, but Ms Passari stepped back.

The tennis star then said: “I’m serious. I’m going to…” before pushing Ms Passari in the shoulder, causing her to fall.

Ms Passari felt some pain and later noticed grazing on her knee, the court heard.

The court heard Mr Kyrgios apologised the next day – an act that showed he accepted responsibility for his actions, his lawyer said.

Mr Kukulies-Smith also told the court on Friday there was: “a relationship between the mental health and the offending – even though he no longer suffers it to the same extent today.”

Mr Kyrgios’ psychologist Sam Borenstein told the court the tennis player’s mental illness was “recurrent” and he had suffered from thoughts of self harm – but his condition had been improving.

When sentencing Mr Kygrios, Magistrate Beth Campbell said he had been “a young man trying to extricate himself from a heighted emotional situation”.

“You acted in the heat of the moment,” she said.

“I am dealing with you in the same way I would deal with any young man in this court. You are a young man who happens to hit a tennis ball particularly well.”

She told Mr Kyrgios that references from family showed he had a lot of “love and support” around him.

The tennis player arrived at court on Friday on crutches following recent knee surgery. An injury that forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open last month.

 

 

 

 

BBC/Emmanuel Ukoh

MTV Shuga Naija Unveils New Cast For Fifth Season

Oluwasola Akintonde
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MTV Shuga Naija, an MTV Staying Alive Foundation initiative, is back for a fifth season and boasts a strong cast to extend the impact of its taboo-defying edutainment TV series.

The fifth season which is set to premiere in April this year, will focus on storylines about gender-based violence and COVID-19, while continuing to address HIV prevention.

Behind the camera, the focus is on empowering female creatives, with an 80 percent female crew while in front of the camera, an exciting lineup of new faces will be headlined by sensational actresses and co-stars on Netflix’s series ‘Far from Home’, Genoveva Umeh and Gbubemi Ejeye.

Susan Pwajok, best known on-screen from her role in the popular Nigerian family drama series, The Johnsons, has also been announced as a cast member as has well-loved Pan-African MTV Base Culture Squad member, Ilooise Omohinmi. Other new cast members announced include high profile talents Maggie Osuome, Lexan Peters, Ben Touitou, Kem Ajieh Ikechukwu, Okey Uzoeshi, John Njamah, Kiki Omeili, Chioma Edak, Francis Onwochei and Bolaji Ogunmola.

Last year, MTV Shuga Naija initiated a search for exceptional young talent via online auditions that received over a thousand applications.

The two winners of these auditions – Kanaga Emmanuel Eme and Chioma Edak – have been chosen to play lead roles on the show, while others selected, will play supporting roles.

Returning MTV Shuga actors include Adesua Etomi-Wellington (Far From Home, Falling, Sugar Rush), Tomiwa Tegbe (My Siblings and I) and Sharon Jatto (The Griot).

“New cast always means deeper, richer stories and, of course, more drama,” said Adesua Etomi-Wellington.

“Given the importance of the conversation we are making mainstream, I am so excited to be part of the new season, and excited to be sharing the screen with this group of uber-talented individuals and proud new members of the MTV Shuga Naija family,” she added.

“The cast of MTV Shuga Naija are not just actors, but ambassadors of our edutainment campaign. They are working tirelessly to ensure that our messaging reaches and positively impacts millions of young Nigerians, empowering them to make better decisions about their health and lives,” said Anita Adesiyan, Country Manager, MTV Shuga Naija.

Season five of MTV Shuga Naija promises brand new storylines, fresh characters and a stand-alone story, so new audiences are welcome, as well as welcoming back the MTV Shuga family of fans across Nigeria. The magic of MTV Shuga lies in the research done with youths in Nigeria, which informs the social and health topics tackled in the series and ensures that the storyline reflects the lives of the youth they hope to edutain. Their mission is to drive social change among youth, a mission they share with a number of like-minded organisations.

 

 

Tribune/Olusola Akintonde

Ten Year-Old Chinese Girl Donates To Abuja Orphanage Home

Oluwasola Akintonde
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A 10- year-old Chinese girl, WEI/YUE CHEN, has donated food items and materials to Destined Children’s Orphanage home in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The young girl while presenting the items to the orphanage, described the donation as her little way of assisting the less privileged children by contributing to their well-being so they can be healthy and happy.

She disclosed that it was her first time donating to an orphanage and promised to continue with the humanitarian gesture to impact positively on the less privileged in society.

“I want the children to be healthy and happy and even though this is my first time donating to an orphanage, I have decided that I will be donating yearly to the less privileged to assist them through life”, she said.

The 10-year-old girl further explained that the donation is to encourage children to strive towards doing well in school and living healthy so that they can be fulfilled in life.

Her father, WEI/YAN BIN and mother HAN/TING TING, owners of Heavy Duty Machinery and Engineering Nigeria Limited were among visitors of the orphanage.

According to her mother, the young girl came to Nigeria at a little over a year old and left to China at the age of four. She said she returned to Nigeria for her vacation and as a way to mark her 10th birthday, decided to use her pocket money to donate to the well being of children of her age and those younger as well as those older than her.

Social responsibility

The girl’s mother added that the young girl is a good friend of of the Nigerian Ambassador to China and sees her gestures as a social responsibility to a country where she sees as a second home due to the good relationship she shares with the people of the country.

Representative of the orphanage, Sarah Chukwuemeka, noted that the foundation was founded by her birth mother to touch the lives of the less privileged. She said the orphanage with 45 children has a reputation for healthy children.

Chukwuemeka noted that the donation is helpful as the baby wipes they brought is something the orphanage was in need of to care for the babies in the orphanage.

 

 

NNL/Olusola Akintonde

Association Urges CBN To Mainstream Interest of Pastoralists In Cashless Policy

Confidence Okwuchi
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0

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, an umbrella body of Nigerian pastoralists, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to mainstream the interest of pastoralists in the implementation of cashless policy.

The National Public Relations Officer, Malam Muhammad Nura, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Nura also called on the CBN to
extend the deadline for the change of currency to cater for those pastoralists and small-scale farmers living in the rural areas with no access to banking infrastructure.

He said that the association observed that the policy had crippled many of its members because of the insurgency in the North East and banditry in North West
and other related security issues.

He said those in the livestock business and who were excluded from the current banking system in the country, coupled with the debilitating network challenges and economic activities in the remotest areas, had been badly affected.

He said that MACBAN supported the Nigerian Government in it’s current policy that sought to stem money laundering, terrorism financing, unregulated liquidity in the market and to curtail the use of money in politics.

”However, reports from our members across the country show that unless the policy is modified, livestock markets across the states will be crippled as most of the small livestock holders can’t accept money transfers for now.

” Now that An average cow costs between N250,000 to N350,000, far above the cash transaction allowed by the CBN, The question is how will pastoralists who don’t have bank accounts be paid when they had no access to banks and POS service in the rural areas?” he asked.

Nura stated that it was time for CBN to come out and tell pastoralists and those who lived on the fringes how they could be mainstreamed so that all Nigerians
were made to share the gains and not only the pains .

”MACBAN regrets that policies designed for urbanised Nigerians are imposed on
rural people who lack all the infrastructure for a seamless inclusion into the mainstream economy.

” The sensitisation for the new policy ought to have been well thought out and after the take-off of the programme. This is what we as a body intend to hear and be engaged, to enlighten our members rather than expose them to the dangers of hearsay, misinformation and insinuations that could lead to induced rebellion.

”While this policy has its long time benefits, let the CBN ease the difficulty that has arisen now.” he added.

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi

Police Boss Orders Full Enforcement Against Naira Note Hawking

Confidence Okwuchi
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Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Usman Alkali, has ordered full enforcement of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Act, 2007 that criminalises the hawking and selling of naira notes.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He ordered the arrest and prosecution of all individuals engaged in the sale or abuse of the Naira notes issued by the CBN.

Baba said the order was in line with the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the CBN Act, 2007 that criminalises amongst others, the hawking, selling or otherwise trading on the naira notes.

He directed all supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Commands and Formations to carry out the full enforcement.

The IGP also ordered the placement of officers and men of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Force Intelligence Bureau on high alert.

He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau to effect the order.

According to him, the order is in furtherance of the Nigerian Government’s policy and drive to uphold the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007 and dignify Nigeria’s currency.

He reiterated the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to enforce all laws and regulations without prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies.

Alkali called on the public to cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force in the enforcement of the CBN Act against violators.

 

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi

2023 Election: APC National Chairman appeals For Votes In Niger State

Confidence Okwuchi
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0

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC Senator Abdullahi Adamu has appealed to Nigerians to elect candidates of the party at all level in this year’s general election to enhance rapid development of Nigeria.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu made the appeal during the APC Mega Rally in Bida area of Niger State while presenting APC flags to all  candidates from Zone A from the Gubernatorial, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.

Adamu maintained that APC is a formidable political party that is capable of winning the forthcoming general election.

He assured Citizens that the party would move Nigeria to the next level.

“A vote for the  Presidential Candidate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice Presidential Candidate, Shettima as well as the state Governorship candidate Umar Bago and his running mate, Comrade Yakubu Garba and other elective positions is a vote for security,” Adamu stated.

The APC National Chairman was represented by the APC National Vice Chairman North Central, Alhaji Muazu Bawa.

Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello while presenting the APC candidates to the crowd that gathered in Bida, said that most of them have been tested and trusted therefore advised Nigerlites to vote for APC all through to achieve the desired objective of moving the state forward.

APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro and Director General Campaign for Umar Bago, Alhaji Isa Sidi Rijau in their seperate remarks advised Nigerlites to contemplate electing all the APC candidates in view of their track record of achievements.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Patron Association, General MA Garba who spoke on behalf of elders in Zone A said they are ready to support all the APC candidates both from National up-to the states level to ensure their success.

 

Confidence Okwuchi

New Naira Notes: ICPC arrests Bank Officials for Sabotage

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Nigeria, has arrested an official of one of the commercial banks for alleged sabotage of the availability of Naira notes.

 

This comes as the the anti-corruption agency continues to clamp down on elements frustrating efforts to make the redesigned Naira notes available to Nigerians.

 

The bank official, who is the Branch Service Head of Stanbic IBTC Bank in Deidei Branch of Abuja, was taken into custody for her deliberate refusal to upload cash into the branch’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM) even when the cash was available, and people were queuing at the ATMs.

 

A press statement by ICPC spokesperson Mrs. Azuka Ogugua disclosed that, when the commission’s monitoring team stormed the bank at about 1:30pm to ensure compliance, and demanded explanation as to why all the ATMs were not dispensing cash, they werr informed by the branch’s Head of Operations that the bank  got delivery of the cash not too long ago.

 

She said, ICPC operatives were aware that, the branch took delivery of the cash around 11:58am and either willfully or maliciously refused to feed the ATMs with the cash.

 

“Against this backdrop, the ICPC team compelled the bank to load the ATMs with the redesigned Naira notes and ensured that they were all dispensing before arresting the culprit,” Ogugua explained.

 

In a related development, the ICPC Compliance Team in Oshogbo has busted an FCMB bank in Osogbo, Osun State where some ATMs were loaded with cash with their wrappers un-removed, thus preventing the cash from being dispensed.

 

Ogugua said, the ICPC Team therefore directed that the wrappers be removed, and the cash loaded properly.

 

The Operation Manager of the Bank was arrested and taken in for questioning after a follow up operation was undertaken and discovered that one of the ATMs was still loaded with the wrappers un-removed.

 

Similarly, seven Point of Sale (POS) operators as well as a security guard were arrested during the ongoing exercise in Osun State for charging exorbitant rates on cash withdrawals on customers.

 

The ICPC spokesperson said, it was discovered that, they got the money from Fuel Stations that collect new notes from fuel buyers, and then resell the cash to the public at exorbitant rates.

 

Ogugua said, the arrested persons are helping the Commission with information to assist investigations and bust any syndicates involved in the hoarding or sales of the redesigned notes.
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