Home Blog Page 1040

Junior Pope told me about his marital woes – Esther Nwachukwu

admin
-
0
Junior Pope told me about his marital woes – Esther Nwachukwu

Actress, Esther Nwachukwu, has claimed that deceased actor, Junior Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, confided in her about his marital issues before his death on April 10, 2024.

Recently, she had criticised Pope’s wife for attending an event. According to her, she should have mourned her husband for at least six months or one year.

Shortly after his death, some persons, including social media personality, Very Dark Man, had alleged that Pope had stated that he was going through some issues he wanted to share with the public.

Nwachukwu, who is known to have a controversial persona online, told Saturday Beats, “When Junior Pope was alive, the wife never gave him peace. She disturbed him a lot. I actually dated Junior Pope, and I still have his name tattooed on my body. While we were together (dating), he told me how his wife used to disturb him. But, one thing about him is that he likes to trend. He would be going through a lot, but would still come on social media to post (pictures and videos of) his family. From December 2023, he stopped posting (pictures of) his wife like before. That was when they started having issues. Sometimes, he wouldn’t sleep in his house, but would rather stay in hotels.

“I am sure some people who were close to him knew about it. But, because he had painted himself as a good husband online, he did not know how to tell people about his issues. That was why he died in silence.”

Doubling down on her criticism of Pope’s wife, Nwachukwu said, “A grieving wife wouldn’t have come out barely two months after the death of her husband. She came out and acted like all was well, and because many Nigerians like eye service, she decided to dress in black, so people would think she was mourning. A young widow is not supposed to just go about her business like that. We all know she isn’t hungry, because there is money. Nigerians are good at sympathising with people, and I know they must have helped her in so many ways.”

Nwachukwu also criticised Davido for allegedly disrespecting his child, Imade’s mother, Sophia Momodu, stressing the importance of resolving family issues before entering a new marriage.

She said, “He has been disrespectful to Sophia all this while. I believe that before any man gets married, he should settle all pending issues, and make peace with going into marriage with another woman.

“He shouldn’t disrespect the mother of his child for any reason, because he is indirectly disrespecting the child in the process. Davido is making the daughter see herself as an unwanted child. Behind closed doors, some people would insult Imade saying that her father did not want her mother.”

I had my only child at 40 with one fallopian tube- Actress Ayo Mogaji

admin
-
0
I had my only child at 40 with one fallopian tube- Actress Ayo Mogaji

Veteran Nollywood actress, Ayo Mogaji, has revealed how she became a mother at the age of 40 years with just one fallopian tube.

Recounting her life experience on Friday during a podcast episode hosted by Nollywood actress, Abiola Adebayo, she said she had her baby six weeks after her 40th birthday despite having one fallopian tube.

The fallopian tubes are narrow, hollow structures located on either side of the uterus. They serve as pathways for eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.

Mogaji said her fallopian tube was ruptured when she had her first pregnancy which was ectopic and had to be evacuated in order to save her life.

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants and develops outside the usual space within the uterus.

Typically, this occurs in a fallopian tube, where eggs normally travel from the ovaries to the uterus, resulting in what is known as a tubal pregnancy.

She disclosed that some of her colleagues who were with her in the hospital cried bitterly because the doctor said she might not make it.

She stated that the operation conducted to remove the pregnancy took seven to nine hours.

Mogaji recounted, “There was this lawyer who wanted to marry me because he had been in a marriage for 14 years and they never had a child. He took me to his mum and I was looking for a child that period. Our mothers were introduced and I got pregnant.

“Unfortunately, the pregnancy was ectopic. It stayed right inside the fallopian tube and LUTH was on strike at that time. So, by the time we realised what was happening, they took me to seven hospitals and the late Uncle Ede Aderinokun was the one who gave me a note to the hospital where they admitted me.

“They didn’t even want to admit me. The doctor said he wasn’t sure if I could survive till tomorrow and I said “Do you believe in God? Even if you do not believe in God, believe in me because I believe in God. We did not have an agreement that I was going to die like this.’ They did the operation and it took them seven to nine hours the following day.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, the ectopic pregnancy ruptured before they could do anything and it ruptured my appendix, so they had to remove one fallopian tube. I am living with one and I had my child through natural birth with that one I have left.”

Speaking about her love life, she recalled that she fell in love and got married but her partner was abusive for the 13 years of their marriage.

She revealed that her ex-husband physically abused her and she couldn’t stay at home with him without a third party.

The thespian, however, advised ladies not to endure abusive marriage.

She said, “When matrimony leads you to a place where you can’t have your own friends, the family can not come, you will start looking at them somehow, even knowing the kind of job you were in before you got married. The reaction at home, the abusive language, the physical abuse, the mental torture; when it gets too much, I will advise anybody to get out of that kind of marriage because otherwise, they may come and meet your candle.”

On whether she could reconcile with her ex-husband, she said, “There can’t be room. If I could tolerate that thing for 13 years thinking there could be a change, then there can never be change. He is not a bad person but when you are too jealous and have a complex, it is very hard. It can’t work. You can try to make your marriage work, yes you can try.”

Tinubu urged to shut door against treasury looters

admin
-
0
Tinubu urged to shut door against treasury looters

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development, a public procurement advocacy group, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu over his recent directive for an amendment of the public procurement Act 2007.

President Bola Tinubu gave the order during the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the decision was informed by the need to align project costs with the budget heads and avoid augmentation after the award of contracts.

Reacting in a statement signed by its head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi in Abuja on Friday, the group advised the president against taking the advice of some tendencies in and outside the government, who it said, was looking for easier access to the nation’s treasury in order to perpetrate their illicit financial transactions.

According to the statement, the intelligence at the group’s disposal showed that President Tinubu took the decision following “the advice from some people who are hell-bent on wrecking irreparable havoc on the country’s treasury”.

The statement said, “Section 18 c, d and e of the Public Procurement Act 2007 provides a structured and transparent framework that helps to prepare analysis of cost implication for proposed public projects for accountability and fairness in the allocation of public funds.

“The Act sufficiently imposed stringent guidelines on projects costing against undue variations; this is one of the core mandates of the Public Procurement Act serving as a safeguard against mismanagement and corruption’” .

“Hence, taking away this critical organ will definitely open the door to corrupt elements for arbitrary adjustments and excessive cost overruns, which would undermine the integrity of public procurement processes by delivering more money into private pockets through endless and frivolous augmentation.”

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Doguwa dumps APC, decries exclusion from party’s affairs

admin
-
0
Doguwa dumps APC, decries exclusion from party’s affairs

Senator Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa on Friday resigned his membership of the All Progressive Congress and defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party.

In a press statement he signed, Doguwa said he decided after wide-ranging consultations with his supporters, colleagues, and political associates.

He said he was “grossly underutilised” and excluded from the party’s forums and decision-making processes.

He further expressed disappointment with the APC government’s policies, describing them as “anti-people oriented which cause more harm than good to ordinary citizens”.

He emphasised that experienced politicians like himself cannot afford to stay idle and would continue to work for the development of the state and country.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

24 killed in Ogun cult violence in six months – Investigation

admin
-
0
24 killed in Ogun cult violence in six months – Investigation

No fewer than 24 people, including a traditional chief, have been killed in cult-related violence that took place in Ogun State between January and June this year.

Findings by Saturday According revealed that the cult clashes were largely between members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities, while Alora/Buccaneer members were also involved in a few of the attacks.

The first casualty of the cult killings this year was the Bashorun Akarigbo, Sagamu, Chief Abiodun Folarin, who was killed on Monday, January 8.

Folarin was killed in his Itunsokun, Sagamu residence around 10:45pm by the cultists who were said to be uncomfortable with his war against their activities.

On Friday, February 1, a notorious cultist known as Oloba was killed while another person, Tayo Alora, was murdered on February 4 in an attack and reprisal between Aiye, Eiye and Buccaneer confraternities.

The attacks and reprisal took place at the Ijeja, Adehun and Akinolugbade areas of Abeokuta.

According to reports, the cult clashes continued on February 7 where three people who were said to be members of Eiye confraternity were killed.

“One of the cultists was killed at Randa, Idi Iya, the second was killed at Sodeke, while the third was murdered at Oke Ijeun, all in Abeokuta”, said a source privy to the cult clashes in the areas.

Members of the three cult groups renewed their war on February 20, resulting in the killing of one Tobi.

However, the cultists ceased fire between February 21 and March 17, as the state recorded no violent clash among them.

But violence returned to the state on March 18, following the killing of Sanni Ibrahim and Azeez Bada who were said to be involved in a clash between Eiye and Aiye cult groups at Igbesa, Agbara area of Ogun State.

Abeokuta recorded another cult-related violence on Sunday, March 31, leading to the killing of one Olumide Ifeoluwa, popularly known as Tescom, at the Ijeun Tuntun area of the state capital.

According to an X account, “Naija Confra” which tracks the activities of cultists in Nigeria, an unidentified person was killed by the cultists on April 2, 2024, at the Oluwo Adigbe area of Abeokuta.

On April 21, one Azeez Olaitan, a suspected member of Aiye confraternity was also killed in Alogi, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State in a faceoff between his group and Eiye confraternity.

The Ogun State House of Assembly had during its plenary on May 2, 2024, reported that no fewer than 10 individuals lost their lives to cult-related violence within 42 days in Abeokuta.

Barely a week after the Assembly’s outcry, Saturday According gathered that the cultists engaged in free for, leading to the death of one of them at the Atan-Lusada area of the state on May 8.

It was also gathered that there was a reprisal of the Atan-Lusada killing between Aiye and Eiye cultists, which resulted in the death of another person on May 10, at Igbesa.

This was just as one person was reportedly killed at the Lantoro area of Abeokuta in another clash between the ravaging rival cult groups.

The cultists also struck again on May 14, killing one Segun popularly known as “Ojo Ibo” at Bode Olude, Abeokuta, according to sources. Segun’s right wrist was reportedly chopped off after being killed in the clash.

A notorious cultist who went by the name ‘Warlord’ was shot during the matriculation ceremony at DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, on May 18. He later died at a hospital where he was taken for treatment the same day.

According to Naija Confra, a clash between members of Aiye and Eiye cult groups at Ijoko led to the killing of a person whose name was not known on May 23, 2024.

Saturday According also gathered that the rival cult groups attacked each other on May 25 at Fajol, Obantoko, Abeokuta. One person was reportedly killed in the clash.

There was no reported case of cult-related violence in any part of Ogun State in June

However, a final year student of History and Diplomatic Studies at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Ayinla Fabiyi, was killed on Wednesday, July 3 by some suspected cultists.

Fabiyi’s death makes the number of reported casualties in cult-related violence in Ogun State the 25th between January 8 and July 3, 2024.

Speaking with Saturday According, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun Command, Mrs Omolola Odutola, said the police were actively committed to curtailing the violent activities of cultists in the state.

She said, “We have arrested some suspects in relation to the violent activities of the cultists. The suspects will be charged in court after the investigation. We are not resting on our laurels. I want to urge members of the public to provide information and report any suspicious movement to the police.”

Ex-minister granted N10bn bail over alleged N33bn fraud

admin
-
0
Ex-minister granted N10bn bail over alleged N33bn fraud

Former Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman, was on Friday granted a N10bn bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja over his N33bn money laundering trial.

In a ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court also held that the former minister must provide two sureties in the like sum, and they must have landed properties within the Federal Capital Territory with a minimum valuation of N750m.

The court said the sureties must submit their three-year tax clearance certificate and depose to an affidavit of means.

It also ruled that both the defendant and the sureties must submit certified copies of their bank statements with their recent passport photographs.

In the alternative, the court said the sureties could submit a bank guarantee or bond in the sum of N10bn.

The court further ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport to the Registrar of the court.

Justice Omotosho said the Registrar must verify all the documents before the defendant is released from custody.

He also ordered that the defendant should remain in prison custody, pending the perfection of all the bail conditions.

The court adjourned the matter till September 25 for hearing.

Recall that on Thursday after Mamman had taken his plea, his counsel, Femi Ate (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had been filed but Justice Omotosho said the case wasn’t yet in the court file and proceeded to remand the former minister in prison custody during the Friday hearing.

Meanwhile, Mamman pleaded not guilty to the entire 12-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after it was read to him.

Mamman’s bail application, dated July 11, was hinged on the provisions of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

The defendant told the court that he was on administrative bail for over two years, saying he never violated any of the conditions the anti-graft agency handed to him.

He prayed the court to exercise its discretion in his favour, promising to always be available for his trial.

Mamman, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office.

EFCC, among other things, alleged that he conspired with staff members of the ministry to divert about N22bn that was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country.

Ngannou named PFL Africa boss

admin
-
0
Ngannou named PFL Africa boss

The Professional Fighters League on Wednesday in Lagos unveiled PFL Africa, which joins PFL Europe and PFL MENA as part of PFL’s network of regional leagues that is becoming the Champions League of MMA.

PFL is a global powerhouse in MMA and is regarded as the fastest-growing sports league worldwide.

PFL Africa will introduce an engaging sport-season format with a regular season, playoffs and championship featuring top African fighters with all events, for the first time, hosted in Africa.

Helios Sports & Entertainment Group will hold a stake in the promotion with MMA superstar Francis Ngannou serving as Chairman of the league.

“The Professional Fighters League is excited to announce PFL Africa, the third international fight franchise as we continue on our path to becoming the Champions League of MMA,” PFL CEO, Peter Murray, said.

“Africa is home to some of the greatest fighters in the world, including our league chairman Francis Ngannou and some of the greatest fans in the sport.

“PFL Africa aims to serve the great fans with premium content while strengthening the PFL global footprint in what has for too long been an underserved market. “Alongside our great investment and broadcast partners we cannot wait to kick off PFL Africa League action in 2025.”

On his part, Ngannou stated, “I am excited and honoured to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, a league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA.

“As we have seen, there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given the global stage. I am so proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”

Tope Lawani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, added, “African talent has had disproportionate success on the global MMA stage and MMA currently has a scarcity of events despite significant demand, creating a huge opportunity for growth as young Africans consume more digital content on their devices.

“We are looking forward to partnering with the PFL, a world-class organisation, and with Francis Ngannou, who is a manifestation of the success of African talents on a global stage.

“This marks HSEG’s fourth investment following our successful partnership with the NBA in Africa.

 We see several areas of direct synergies between PFL Africa and HSEG’s existing unique portfolio and we are excited by the opportunities such collaboration can bring to the continent.”

EFCC, ICPC urged to shun political events, fight corruption

admin
-
0
EFCC, ICPC urged to shun political events, fight corruption

A coalition of civil society organisations in Rivers State has called on the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to concentrate on their primary responsibilities of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, particularly those involving political figures.

The group accused the anti-graft agencies of engaging in public ceremonies with individuals, some of whom should be under investigation.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday According, the Chairman of the organisation, Enefaa Georgewill, stressed that financial crimes committed by public officeholders were the most significant threats to the economy, requiring the undivided attention of the anti-graft agencies.

“The leadership of the ICPC and EFCC should focus on their job, which is investigating financial crimes and prosecuting suspects. Financial crimes by public officeholders are the biggest crimes that affect and cripple the economy,” Georgewill stated.

He expressed concern over recent incidents where high-profile individuals who had held various offices were seen at award ceremonies with the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Georgewill urged the EFCC and ICPC to shun unnecessary involvement in political events and ceremonies, especially those involving individuals with questionable reputations.

He said, “Very recently, we saw persons who have held one office or the other in the country at an award ceremony with the EFCC chairman, and the EFCC chairman was even struggling to take pictures with them. This is a big challenge to the anti-graft efforts.”

Speaking further, he said, “The EFCC chairman shouldn’t be seen struggling to take pictures and having award ceremonies with political office holders who should be investigated or those who have been fingered for engaging in financial crimes.”

Reacting, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, dismissed the concerns raised by the CSOs, describing it as misplaced.

He emphasised that the EFCC remained dedicated to its mission of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes without being influenced by political considerations.

He said, “The EFCC is not partisan; that kind of call is out of place because the commission is focused, and we have our standard of procedures. There is no event or activity that can distract us from our mandate. So, such a call is out of place.”

Speaking further, the EFCC spokesman said, “There is nothing that can take away the focus and professionalism that is involved in our work. We are not exposed to politics.”

Why food crisis persists despite FG’s N2.4tn funding – Agronomists

admin
-
0
Why food crisis persists despite FG’s N2.4tn funding – Agronomists

As the Federal Government rolled out fresh measures to address the prevailing food insecurity in the country, agricultural economists have explained why the previous efforts made to address the food crisis have not delivered the expected results.

This came as an investigation by Saturday According showed that in the last five years, the Federal Government has budgeted and pushed about N2.4tn into the agricultural sector in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on imports for food provisions.

Recall that on July 26, 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima said that the Federal Government had mobilised more than $500m (N370bn) to boost agricultural production.

Shettima, who disclosed this while chairing a high-level meeting at the United Nations Food Systems summit in Rome, last year, said the $500m was mobilised through domestic resources, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and climate funds by leading agro-businesses.

Also, while announcing the government’s first set of palliatives a few days later, President Bola Tinubu, in a national broadcast, said the sum of N200bn was also deployed to boost agriculture production.

Most recently, President Tinubu announced the outcomes of the Federal Government review of the accelerated stabilisation and advancement plan, which seeks to inject N2tn into the economy in the next six months.

According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, in the N2tn emergency funding, the Federal Government also set aside N500bn for agriculture and food security.

Saturday According gathered that these series of funding were different from the country’s annual budgets for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture which include N362.9bn in 2024, N228.4bn in 2023, N215.87bn in 2022, N280.32bn in 2021 and N160.46bn in 2020.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria also donated fertilisers worth N100bn to farmers across the country.

Despite the litany of funding, an investigation by our correspondent showed that food insecurity persists in the country amid a high rate of inflation and importation.

Speaking to Saturday According, an agric expert, Mr Salau Adebayo, who is the Head, Department of Agric Extension and Management at the Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State, blamed the consistent food crisis on wrong deployments of previous loans and funding provided by the Federal Government.

He said, “The government is trying, but what I observe from the economic point of view is that most of the farmers that need the government funds don’t get the money as expected because the government does not have enough data that captures the farmers extensively.

That’s why real farmers don’t get access to the various government funds and loans that can help boost their production. Those who get the funds have simply been diverting it into personal businesses outside agriculture.

“Secondly, if the government will help the farmers, the loans must be of low interest. Meanwhile, most of the funds are often domiciled and channelled through microfinance and commercial banks, whose interests are often too high for the farmers to pay.

“So, the first thing the government can do is to go to the grassroots and get the real farmers and possibly orientate them on the use of the funds before deploying.

“The practice of arbitrarily dishing out funds to farmers at the grassroots through the state and local government representatives without tracking the recipients should be abolished.”

In an interview with Saturday According, another agric expert, Dr Mutiat Salawu, cited inadequate funding as the biggest factor fuelling the food crisis in the country.

Salawu, who lectures at the Department of Agribusiness Management, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, said, “Food crisis in Nigeria remains persistent despite government budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector because the government continued to provide inadequate budgetary allocation to the sector over the years.”

She argued, “Budgetary allocation to agriculture continues to fluctuate ranging from 1.34 per cent in 2020 to about 1.8 per cent in 2022. In 2023, the budgetary allocation to the sector was less than 2 per cent. These allocations are considerably low compared to the 10 per cent allocation specified in the various international agreements.”

APC hails Tinubu, S’Court judgment

admin
-
0
APC hails Tinubu, S’Court judgment

The All Progressives Congress has welcomed Thursday’s judgment of the Supreme Court affirming the right of local governments to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account.

The ruling party also saluted President Bola Tinubu for backing the decision.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka.

The apex court had granted full autonomy to the 774 local governments in the country as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (amended).

The seven-man panel in a unanimous decision agreed that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive or retain funds allocated to the local governments.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court declared that the power of the government is divided into three arms namely the federal, state and local governments.

The court further declared that a state government cannot elect a caretaker committee, adding that a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.

But in Friday’s statement, Morka emphasised that the decision signifies a historic moment in the consolidation of democratic federalism in Nigeria.

He said, “It (judgment) gives practical expression to constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government. It constitutes the single most significant stride towards restructuring Nigeria since its return to civilian democratic rule in 1999.

“We applaud the Supreme Court for justifying itself, and for its courage in rendering a definitive decision on this vexed national issue. The clarity it brings will, no doubt, spur further reform for effectiveness, transparency and accountability of local government administration in the country.

“We commend the ingenuity, vision and commitment of President Bola Tinubu towards deepening our democracy and turning our local government councils into potential strongholds for development and more efficient service delivery to our populations at the grassroots.”

Meanwhile, a community-based organisation, The Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, has called for the dissolution of the caretaker committee in the council to pave the way for democratically elected chairman and councillors.

Recall that the State Independent Election Commission conducted an election in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state on October 23, 2021, where it declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Yusha’u Aboki was denied a certificate of return.

Instead, the state government under immediate-past governor of the state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai installed a caretaker committee sole administrator of Birnin-Gwari Local Government with seven appointed Local government Councillors to run the affairs of the Local government till date.

However, following Thursday’s verdict of the Supreme Court, the group called for the withdrawal of the caretaker committee for democratically elected council chairman and councillors.

According to the Chairman of the group, Abubakar Nagwari, installing a caretaker chairman for Birnin-Gwari LG contravenes Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution as affirmed by the apex court.

In a statement he personally signed in Kaduna on Friday, Nagwari asked President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene and immediately restore a democratically elected LG chairman and councillors in the Birnin-Gwari LGA.

1...1,0391,0401,041...2,842Page 1,040 of 2,842
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv