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"As announced by the head of the family: J A Adefarasin III. We thank the Almighty God for the life of our mother, Mrs. Hilda Joanne Adefarasin (nee Petgrave), who passed unto glory peacefully in her home, on the evening of Sunday the 5th of February 2023, at the age of 98 years.  She is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  As we reflect with gratitude over the illustrious life of service led by Mrs. Hilda Joanne Adefarasin as she parented her children, doted over her husband, and impacted generations and communities, we are reminded of her unwavering love for our LORD Jesus Christ.    We covet your prayers and ask that you do allow us these initial days to grieve privately.  Obsequies, venue for condolence visits & visiting hours will be announced soon. Paul Adefarasin." One more photo below. 

EFCC chairman jailed for disobeying court order The Kogi State High Court has ordered the remand of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, for disobeying court order. The court also directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, to effect Bawa’s arrest and remand him in Kuje prison for the next 14 days until he purges himself of the contempt. Justice R.O. Ayoola gave the order in a judgement delivered on Monday after granting the application for committal to prison of the EFCC chairman for disobeying a court ruling delivered on November 30, 2022, when Bawa was directed to produce the applicant in the case, Ali Bello. Bello had dragged Bawa to court for arresting and detaining him illegally, with the court ruling in his favour before the EFCC later arraigned him for alleged money laundering three days after the ruling. The EFCC’s applications for setting aside and stay of execution of the ruling were refused for want of merit...

"Today, I met with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and senior executives of banks in the state to proffer a lasting solution to the cash crunch in the state and country. We do not have any problem with the Federal Government’s policy to move the nation's economy to a cashless one. However, it should be done as painlessly and seamlessly as possible. We are concerned about the plight and sufferings of our people on the inability to get cash from the banking system in the state."-Gov. Obaseki. One more photo below. 

Naira scarcity: CBN moves to decongest ATMs, banking halls, meets banks, telcos The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has intensified its effort to end the long queues in banking halls and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Speaking at the weekend, Atiku Muhammed-Nasir, Director, Security Service of the apex bank, agents will be deployed to some commercial banks premises to facilitate its new naira swap policy, especially in some states where banking services is at its lowest ebb. He said the measure will help decongest the banking halls and ATMs of hordes of customers scrambling for the new naira notes. “The exercise has helped a great deal as the scrambling has reduced considerably. We are optimistic that in the coming days, the situation will improve,” he said. Meanwhile, the CBN will meet with deposit money banks (DMBs), mobile money operators, and telecommunications companies in the coming days to address the excess withdrawal charges by Point of Sale (PoS) operators in the country. Th...

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday declared seven days of national mourning for the victims of an earthquake that killed at least 2,600 people in his country and neighboring Syria. “A national mourning period has been declared for seven days. Our flag will be hoisted at half-mast until sunset on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in all our national and foreign representative offices,” Erdogan said in a tweet. The most powerful earthquake to strike Turkey and Syria in nearly a century killed over 2,300 people on Monday, sparked frantic rescues and was felt as far away as Greenland. Watch video below. 

  Machina Loses As Supreme Court a Affirms Lawan As Yobe APC Senatorial Candidate The supreme court has affirmed Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Yobe north. In a majority judgment delivered on Monday, the apex court allowed the appeal filed by the APC against Bashir Machina’s candidature. Delivering the judgment, three out of a five-member panel agreed with the position of the APC that the suit at the trial court ought not to have commenced via an originating summons since it contained allegations of fraud. “The bedrock of the suit shows that there were allegations of fraudulent practices against the appellants,” Centus Nweze said.

 Governor Dapo Abiodun paid a crucial visit to the Ogun State headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN in Abeokuta where he had a quick but in-depth brainstorming session with top officials on ways to relieve the groaning people of the State of the tiresome cash crunch. In addition, Governor Abiodun made a call on the apex bank to intensify verifiable efforts to ensure wide and non-selective distribution, as well as tackle hoarding in deposit money banks. The governor reiterated that he's  hopeful that this essential session together with his initial visit alongside other concerned Governors to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja would bring the much needed solution to this troubling situation. He therefore calls on all the good people of Ogun State to remain calm, and be assured that we will do our best to see the end of this difficult period. Following his meeting with senior officials of the CBN, Governor Abiodun also held a follow-up meeting with all heads of comme...

Petroleum Commissioner Meets with PEDAN Anambra State over fuel hike By Muo Nonye / Okechukwu Nwanneka The Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barr. Anthony Ikechukwu Ifeanyi, has held an emergency meeting with Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) Anambra State in his office at Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka Anambra State on the issue of fuel hike in the State. Mr. Commissioner made it clear to them that the aim of the emergency meeting was to let them know that the situation is getting out of hand, most especially the outrageous increase of fuel price in the state.  "Apart from the high pump price which you are pleading that it is as a results of the high cost of supply, the most annoying part of it is the meter adjustment which despite all his warnings, you have refused to listen. "It is quite disheartening to purchase a litre of fuel in such a high price yet it will not be complete because of your greed." Mr. Commissioner urged them to put a ...

Do not contemplate suicide, it shall be better says cleric By David Okpala/Stella Okpala The Vicar, St. Paul's Catholic Church Akpo, Rev. Fr. Johnpaul Okechukwu has called on Nigerians not to contemplate suicide amid skyrocketed petroleum product price/difficulties rising from naira face change. Fr. Okechukwu said this in a homily during Mass, at the Church, on Sunday. The cleric said, "Heightened difficulties being witnessed in Nigeria signifies new dawn for the country. We need to live to see the new Nigeria that is coming. We owe ourselves the duty of courageousness and encouragement to others. "We are the salt and the light of the earth, as such should make good use of the turbulent time that we are therein. "There is no money to buy something in the market. The little at home should be managed with joy among family members. With love and prayers, little could be satisfactory." Fr Okechukwu reminded Nigerians about upcoming General Elections, explaining that...

Second earthquake hits Turkey after more than 1,000 killed A rescue operation is under way across much of southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that has killed more than 1,000 people. The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep. A new 7.5-magnitude tremor hit at around 13:30 local time (10:30 GMT), which officials said was "not an aftershock". Turkey's President Erdogan said 912 people had been killed in Turkey alone after the first quake, with more than 5,300 wounded. Syrian authorities are reporting more than 370 deaths. Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after hundreds of buildings collapsed in both countries. World leaders have pledged to send aid after Turkey issued an international appeal for help. Millions of people across Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel felt the earthquake. (BBC)

Nigerian player collapses, dies during match in Spain 6 February 2023  A Nigerian player, Ado Hadi, with CD Madridejos in the Spanish Terceira division, collapsed and died during his side’s home match against SP Cabanillas on Sunday. In a Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation statement, Hadi reportedly collapsed “for no apparent reasons” in the 39th minute of the ill-fated match, a report by The Nation says. The medical team on the ground at the Municipal Toledo ground immediately came to his aide but efforts to revive him proved abortive as he was later pronounced dead minutes after. “The Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation and Castilian-La Mancha football, with its President Pablo Burillo at the helm, are totally dismayed at such an event,” the statement added. “For this reason, the federative body remains at the disposal of CD Madridejos for everything it needs in these difficult times.” The 21-year-old Hadi last played in Nigeria with Jigawa Golden Stars according media rep...

Oba of Benin sacks monarch 6 February 2023  The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has sacked Mr Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen as the Enogie of Egbaen Siluko in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State. Ogiegbaen’s sack came after he was removed as chief coordinator to the palace on Enigie matters in January, 2023, over alleged rebellion, dereliction of duty and uprising in the Enigie fold in Benin Kingdom. Oba Ewuare also announced the appointment of Capt Uwadiae Ohonbamumwen (Rtd) as the Odionwere of Egbaen Siluko. Earlier in his address to the Benin throne, Ohonbamumwen, former Ozukpogieva (second most senior elder in Egbaen Siluko), distanced himself from the atrocities levelled against Ogiegbaen, who he said bluntly refused to honour several entreaties made to him to retrace his steps. He lamented that several appeals by elders of the dukedom to Ogiegbaen fell on deaf ears after the latter led some dissident dukes to petition the Edo State Government, requesting for the constitution of tradit...

WIKE DIRECTS SECURITY AGENCIES TO CLAMPDOWN ON CULTISTS, MILITANTS The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has directed the security agencies to raid any suspected area or premises and clamp down on cultists, militant support groups and other miscreants being used by politicians to disturb the peace, safety and security of the State. Governor Wike has urged anyone with useful information about the camps, gatherings, plans and activities of these criminal elements and their sponsors should forward it to the security agencies for action. The governor gave the directive for the clampdown of cult groups, militants and political thugs hideouts in a state broadcast in Port Harcourt on Monday following the rising cultism and related activities across Rivers State. “We also denounce the rising cases of cultism in the State during this electioneering period, which are sponsored by politicians to settle political scores. “Apart from committing heinous crimes, cultists masking as party sup...

EFCC Arrests Operations Manager of a Commercial Bank for Hoarding New Naira Notes in Abuja An Operations Manager of a leading Commercial bank in Abuja Central Area was today, February 6, 2023, arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, for refusing to load the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, of the bank despite having N29million of the redesigned Naira notes in the branch’s vaults.  Before he was whisked away for further questioning, the operatives ordered the loading of all the ATMs and the payment of the stipulated amount across the counter to the delight of the distraught customers who had spent hours on queues without getting the new notes. This discovery, which indicates a sabotage of the government’s monetary policy by some banks, was made by the EFCC in continuation of the ongoing surveillance and visit to banks across the country to access their vaults and verify whether they were deliberately refusing to dispense the redesigned Naira notes. Mor...

EFCC Arraigns Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Two Others for Alleged $922m Fraud in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC has arraigned Macmillan Nigeria Publishers alongside Prof. Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan and Bola Fasasi before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an alleged $922m fraud. The defendants were arraigned on Thursday, February 2, 2023 on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $922m (Nine Hundred and Twenty-two Million United State Dollars). Macmillan Nigeria Publishers, Prof. Adesanya lyiola Adelekan and Bola Fasasi, sometime in 2018, obtained books for sale worth $226,900.00 USD by false pretence, from BHS Book Printing SD BHD of Selangor Malaysia under the pretense that they would sell the books and remit the money from the sales within two weeks of receiving the bill of lading, which pretence they knew or ought to know is false and committed the offence of obtaining goods by ...

PRESIDENT BUHARI HAILS TEMS FOR WINNING GRAMMY AWARD   President Muhammadu Buhari joins fans and lovers of Nigerian music all over the world in celebrating new heights of recognition and appreciation as Afrobeat crooner, Tems, wins "'Best Melodic Rap Performance" category at the Grammy Awards. President Buhari extols Tems, Temilade Openiyi, for showcasing her talent to the world, with dedication and hard work, which, again, has placed Nigeria in the spotlight for excellence.   The President lauds all Nigerian nominees for this year's Grammy, including Burna Boy, for pursuing their passion with vigour and continously reinventing global entertainment, with creativity.    President Buhari thanks the creative industry, particularly managers, producers and directors, for encouraging talents, like Tems, who have taken Nigeria's culture and tourism to the world, further displaying the resourcefulness and potentials of a great nation.   The President wishes Tems, her pa...

OBASANJO MEETS EL-RUFAI, SOLUDO, LAUDS BUHARI Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has met with the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The two met at the first Stakeholders’ meeting of the Democratic Republic of Congo-Nigeria Business Council held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja at the weekend. At the meeting, Obasanjo, who is the Council Patron, “commended the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) for his foresight in creating the DR Congo–Nigeria Business Council.” The Special Assistant on Media to Obasanjo, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that the meeting was held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja at the weekend, according to Daily Post. El-Rufai, who is the Deputy President of the Council, was said to have broken the news while giving a report of his meeting with the President held recently in Abuja. According to El-Rufai, the President was excited about the Council, saying Buhari said with such Council in Africa, the future would be bright...

POLICE WARN MISCHIEF MAKERS The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered plans by some groups of persons to take advantage of the new Naira notes scarcity to unleash violence in some parts of the State.  The Command hereby warns these groups to shelve their planned violence or have the full weight of the law to contend with.  Lagos State residents and visitors are enjoined not to panic as the Police, in conjunction with other security agencies, embark on confidence-building patrols across the Lagos metropolis. In the meantime, all law-abiding Lagosians are encouraged to go about their lawful duties without any fear of harassment or intimidation as the Command has ensured optimal deployment of human and operational resources towards guaranteeing their safety and security.  SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra  POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER  LAGOS STATE COMMAND IKEJA FEBRUARY 06, 2023.

 PHOTOS:  GOV SANWO-OLU, MINISTER OF STATE FOR BUDGET WITNESS THE SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU) BETWEEN LIRS AND FIRS, AT LAGOS HOUSE, MARINA, ON MONDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY 2023. PIX 2350 L-R: Backrow: Board Secretary of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs Nneka Ifekwuna; Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Rabiu Olowo; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clement Agba; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Sam Egube and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), watch as Chairman of Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair and Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Muhammad Nami, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, 6 February 2023   PIX 1287 L-R: Board Secretary of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs Nneka Ifekwuna; Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Rabiu Olowo; Chairman, ...