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BENUE REVENUE AGENCY INTERCEPTS 10 TRUCKS ATTEMPTING TO EVADE TAX The Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) said it intercepted 10 trucks loaded with farm produce that were attempting to escape from the state to evade tax payment. This is contained in a statement by Mr Suswam Terhemba, Media Assistant to BIRS’ Executive Chairman, Mrs Mimi Adzape-Orubibi on Wednesday in Makurdi. Terhemba said the BIRS boss led the team between 1:00am and 5:30am, and intercepted the culprits while they were attempting to exit the state to evade tax payment. “Ten trucks, commonly known as 911, laden with various farm produce have been intercepted by the Executive Chairman BIRS, Mrs Mimi Adzape-Orubibi, for evading tax while attempting to exit the state. “The team, led by the Executive Chairman during the early hours of between 1:00am to 5:30am arrested the evading trucks and marketers,” said Terhembe. He said the tax boss expressed shock that the trucks, which loaded the goods from Ihugh and Lessel, were ...

"MEE FELIX SHAGBAOR MISLED ME," ESTRANGED EX-BENUE BEAUTY QUEEN BEGS TO RETURN TO HER EX-LOVER  In what seemed like a desperate move, Lois Ishughun Mogen Ssnpa the estranged ex-Benue beauty Queen has publicly tendered a public apology to Mr Teryange Anjov for breaking his heart and causing him pain, on her official Facebook account. Blame game In addition to the apology, the ex-queen also pleaded with Mr Teryange Anjov to take her back as a lover and accused Mee Felix Shagbaor of leading her astray during her NYSC year. She wrote: "Dear Barrister Teryange Anjov,  It is indeed true the saying that one doesn't value what one has until it slips out of ones hands.  I am a testimony, a better testimony. Your kind on this earth is rare. You are an angel in human form and I won’t hesitate to say this boldly for the whole world to know. your kind heartedness, tolerance , care is next to none .  "If anyone should tell a better story of who you are, that person should be ...

 $322.5 Million Abacha Loot Shared To 1.9m Nigerians - FG The Federal Government has disbursed the entire $322.5 million Abacha loot of 2017 to 1.9 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians. Before making the disbursement, the money accrued an interest of $11 million where it was deposited. Mr. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, an independent monitor providing independent report on the use of the funds, made this disclosure in Abuja yesterday. Mr. Ugolor told reporters that “the Abacha loot is exhausted. An interest of $11 million was accrued in the money where it was saved and it was disbursed to around 1.9 million poor Nigerians”. Ugolor added that “no politically motivated data was used in selecting the beneficiaries; the National Social Register was used to determine those who will benefit and the register is updated regularly to remove those who have died”. According to the ANEEJ Executive Director, “the Abacha loot that was recovered have been exhausted, we have a respon...

Death Of 10 Cooks Seriously Affected School Feeding In Anambra - FG The Programme Manager, Homegrown School Feeding Scheme, Anambra State, Mrs Eriken Uzoamaka, says the death of 10 cooks of the scheme hampered the running of the programme in the state. The PUNCH reported that Uzoamaka gave the hint in an interview with journalists in Awka, the state capital at an ongoing two-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice. Although she didn't mention the cause or nature of their deaths, she simply said that primary school pupils could no longer benefit from the programme because the 10 dead cooks have yet to be replaced.   She said, “All the government-owned primary schools in the state should be benefiting from this programme, but due to challenges in the programme, some schools are not benefiting.   “Since the inception of the programme in 2016, about 10 cooks have died and it is affecting the programme in some schools. “It...

GOV. FINTIRI FLAGS OFF 60-BED CAPACITY COTTAGE HOSPITAL AT DEMSA Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Friday perform ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Demsa cottage hospital amidst a cheering crowd consisting of sons and daughters of the community who came out in large numbers to witness the ceremony  The Governor assured the masses in the state that his government is ready to pay back their support for his administration with every available resource. He said his government will continue to pursue online with his administration's eleven-point agenda until he is sure that no one is left behind and nothing is left untouched. He acknowledged the priority and support Demsa Community accorded his administration since its inception and assured to reciprocate through the provision of dividends of democracy with every resource available. He maintained that healthcare and human services occupy an amicable position in his administration's eleven-point agenda and is committed to ...

Yobe govt offers free clinical care to 700 sickle cell carriers Yobe government says it has concluded arrangements to provide free medical services to 700 sickle cell patients to mitigate hardships for carriers and caregivers. Dr Muhammed Gana, Commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Monday in Damaturu at an event to commemorate the 2022 World Sickle Cell Day, with the theme: “Shine the Light”. The event was organised in collaboration between the Saving One Million Lives, SOML, Programme for Results, PforR, and Sickle Cell Eradication Initiative.   Represented by Dr Abdullahi Danchua, Director, Nursing Services, Gana said the medical services would be provided through Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, YOCHMA. “Yobe government through YOCHMA’s equity fund will provide free healthcare services to over 700 sickle cell diseases across the state. “This will reduce the burden of cost implication experienced by parents that are having cases of sickle cell diseases a...

INEC Officially Comfirms Machina Authentic Senatorial Candidate As Lawan's Ambition To Return To Senate Hits Roadblock. . . The Independent National Electoral Commission has disassociated itself from the purported primary election which allegedly produced Ahmad Lawan as the APC senatorial candidate for Yobe North and recognised only the 28 May primary poll that produced Bashir Sheriff Machina as the duly elected APC candidate for the district. The position of the Electoral Umpire was contained in a legally admissible Certified True Copy (CTC) of INEC report for the primary election dated yesterday, 23rd June 2022. This has laid to rest the issue of any purported primaries said to have produced Lawan as senatorial candidate. The law provides that only election (primary, secondary) duly monitored by INEC is recognised in the eyes of law. A BIG Congratulations To Machina. More photos below. 

Abiodun's Administration Didn't Receive N37bn Road Refund from FG- Okubadejo ...says the N37BN road refund was paid to the immediate past administration.  The Ogun State government has declared that the current administration under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun did not receive N37b from the Federal Government, as reimbursement of expenses on road projects carried out by the immediate past administration in the State. It maintained that the said money was processed and received by the immediate past administration as payment for the State government expenses on FG roads.  Some online news media had erroneously reported that the money was paid to the Governor Abiodun-led administration.  But reacting to the report, the State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, in a Statement explained that the last payment on the Federal Government road refund programme was made before the current administration came on board as all efforts to ...

“Throughout her reign, The Queen has placed – and continues to place – the greatest importance on the common friendship, humanity and values that all of us share in this room … I treasure the friendships we have built over these past seventy years, and look forward to their deepening in the years ahead.” This morning, The Prince of Wales spoke at the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda. His Royal Highness is attending on behalf of The Queen, who is Head of the Commonwealth.  The ceremony comes at the end of His Royal Highness and The Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to Rwanda, during which they have learnt more about this vibrant country and its energy and optimism as it continues to rebuild. More photos below. 

President Buhari participates at the Opening Ceremony of CHOGM in Kigali, Rwanda on 24th June 2022.  PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES PATRICIA SCOTLAND ON REAPPOINTMENT, LISTS EXPECTATIONS FOR COMMONWEALTH     President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Baroness Patricia Scotland, QC, on her reappointment as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.   Leaders of the Commonwealth meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday reappointed Hon. Scotland by consensus for a further two years to complete the balance of her period in office.   The Nigerian leader commends the purposeful leadership of the Dominican-born barrister and diplomat in the last six years, championing the values of the association in the areas of youth, women and childcare, trade, among others.   The President is happy that under her tenure the organization is alive to its responsibilities in promoting shared commonwealth values and aspirations aimed at supporting collective interventions in health, climate ...

PRESS RELEASE TRANS-BORDER CRIME: NIGERIA POLICE (INTERPOL) RECOVERS STOLEN VEHICLES FROM NIGER REPUBLIC IGP Commends Cooperation, Synergy with INTERPOL Niamey, Urges Nigerians to Take Advantage of Cooperation  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, mni, NPM, fdc, has commended the cooperation and synergy between the One Hundred and Ninety-Four (194) member countries of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) which has facilitated worldwide police cooperation for enhanced crime control. The IGP equally commended operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), INTERPOL Section, for leveraging the platform made available through INTERPOL to curb trans-border crimes especially crimes that cascade into other neighbouring African countries. The IGP made this remark upon the successful recovery of three vehicles stolen from Nigeria in the Niger Republic. The achievement was recorded following credible intelligence and physical support ...

Press Statement  Akeredolu Nominates Two New Commissioners Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has nominated two new commissioners designate.  The two nominees are Akinwumi Samson Sowore and Prince Joseph Adeboboye Ologbese.  Their names have been forwarded to the State House of Assembly for screening, clearance and confirmation. Akinwumi Samson Sowore is from Ese-Odo Local Government Area while Prince Joseph Adeboboye Ologbese is from Akoko Southwest Local Government Area.  The two nominees are expected to replace the two former commissioners from the local government areas, Donald Ojogo and Gboyega Adefarati, who resigned their appointments to contest elective positions.  Signed:  Richard Olatunde  Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.  June 24, 2022.  

LASG, CBI PARTNER TO EMPOWER WOMEN FOR SHEA BUTTER PRODUCTION The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (MWAPA), in partnership with the Centre for Promotion of Imports (CBI) from developing countries, based in the Netherlands, is set to empower women residents in Lagos on Shea Butter production and export. The Commissioner for Women and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, made this known during a courtesy visit to her office by a team from CBI, adding that shea butter is considered women’s gold and a thriving source of revenue for those involved in its cultivation and production. She explained that the partnership aimed at leveraging on the local untapped resources towards financial independence of interested Lagos women residents, stressing that studies have shown that Nigeria produces 45% of the global demand for shea butter but only generates $5 million annually from its sales. Her words: “The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation alre...

5000 LAGOSIANS GET FREE HEALTH INSURANCE ON SANWO-OLU’S BIRTHDAY No fewer than 5000 Lagosians are to be enrolled in the Ilera Eko Social Health Plan - courtesy of the Lagos State Executive Council.  The gesture is to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 57th birthday on June 25 and in the spirit of his compassion for the indigent and vulnerable.  Beneficiaries will have access to quality health care services and drugs under the ILERA EKO Standard Plan at no cost to them. Nominees will be selected from the Lagos State Social Protection Register. An equal number of the 5000 eligible beneficiaries are to be selected from the five IBILE divisions of the State and will enjoy Universal Health Coverage. These beneficiaries have been identified using a multi-dimensional poverty index tool, which includes the poverty means-testing to ensure accuracy, reliability and validity of the data generated. ILERA EKO is the State Social Health Insurance Plan managed by Lagos State Health Management Ag...

Teachers Recruitment: 68-year-old Man, 140 Others Caught In Examination Fraud A 68-year-old retired permanent secretary and over 140 others were caught impersonating during the Anambra State teachers recruitment Computer Based Test (CBT) examination conducted on Saturday, June 18, ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports. The CBT exam was first conducted on Saturday, June 4, but was later cancelled following reported malfunctioning of the website barely 30 minutes into the examination, due to suspected cyber-attack. The state Commissioner of Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, had accused about 1000 teachers employed by the former Governor Willie Obiano under the Parents, Teachers Association (PTA) who protested their sack by Governor Chukwuma Soludo government, for being responsible for the cyber-attack. Speaking on the exam fraud, the education commissioner said that the 68-year-old retired Permanent Secretary in the state whom she did not mention his name presented an affidavit that he was 38 years ol...

I hosted a team of experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) led by Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO Country Rep. The visit provided us the opportunity to discuss pertinent issues around healthcare delivery in Anambra State and how to improve systems that will ensure access to quality healthcare for our people. Currently, our focus is on increasing the manpower at various levels of heathcare delivery, with particular focus on the primary healthcare centres. Our bottom-top approach to healthcare is hinged on available data that shows 80% of heathcare needs are handled by the PHCs whereas 80% of funding is, more often than not, concentrated on Tertiary healthcare institutions. We are changing this narrative through active collaboration of private-community-public- partnership. We look forward to interventions from the WHO with assurances that we will continue to meet up with our counterpart funding obligations and other support where necessary. CC. Soludo, CFR. More photos below...

ICPC arraigns SEC Staff for N4.4m Contract Fraud The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has docked a staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Oleghe Nelson, for allegedly receiving N4.4 million kickbacks from contractors.  The Commission in an 8-count charge filed before Justice M A. Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Bwari, Abuja, accused Nelson of abuse of office and confering undue advantage on himself. He was alleged to have had private interest in contracts awarded to Del-Fingers Nigeria Limited and Aismozz Ventures by SEC, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. In one of the charges, Mr. Oleghe was alleged to have conferred undue advantage upon himself when he and one Oviosa Lawrence received the sum of N4,410,000 from the contract sum that was paid by SEC to Del-Fingers Nigeria Li...

ICPC CLEARS THE AIR ON MEDIA REPORT OF ABUJA PROPERTY’S RAID AND SEIZURE  The attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been drawn to some inaccurate and concocted reports in the media about the seizure of multibillion-naira cash, dollars, Rolex watches stockpiled in an Abuja property.   2.  The Commission wishes to state that ICPC operatives raided a property in Wuse 2 of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Thursday, 16th June, 2022 between 5:00pm and 12:00am in suspicion of money laundering . Facts available for the time being indicates that the property is owned by owner of K Salam Construction Company, a military contractor.   3.  The Commission recovered money and other items from the property viz. N175,706,500; $220,965; G-Wagon; 2022 editions of BMW and Mercedes Benz cars; customized mobile phones; several designer wrist watches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.  ...

NBA STATEMENT ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA Dear Colleagues, As you may already know, a letter was written by 14 Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, alleging amongst others, several improprieties and administrative inefficiencies that have affected their judicial responsibilities and impacted the administration of justice in Nigeria. Kindly find attached, a statement by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, calling for a resolution of the issues and advocating for the independence and financial autonomy of the Judiciary, while demanding that the Judiciary be seen to be above board and transparent in the management and allocation of the resources made available to them. *Dr. Rapulu Nduka* Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association

Confirmed: The boy involved in Ike Ekweremadu organ harvesting legal ordeal in the UK. His name is David Nwamini Ukpo. He is from Ebonyi state. Senator Ekweremadu and his wife are currently in detention in the UK over the case. Earlier report: Confirmed: The boy involved in Ike Ekweremadu organ harvesting legal ordeal in the UK. His name is David Nwamini Ukpo. He is from Ebonyi state. Senator Ekweremadu and his wife are currently in detention in the UK over the case. More photos below.