The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman, has been adjourned to July 15 by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission )EFCC) had instituted an amended money laundering charge against the defendants, with Ali Bello being the nephew of former Governor Yahaya Bello
The defendants are accused of diverting over N10 billion from the state treasury, with the EFCC alleging that others involved in the fraud and money laundering, including Abdulsalami Hudu, the cashier of Kogi State House Administration, and former Governor Yahaya Bello, are at large.
At the Thursday sitting, Olom Egoro, an EFCC witness and Access Bank staff member, was cross-examined by counsel for Bello, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN. The witness acknowledged that there were no lodgements or withdrawals linked to Bello in the exhibit presented. He also clarified that the bank’s ICT Department, not the compliance unit, manages the servers that generate information on bank transactions.
Read also: Another strike looms in universities, as NASU, SSANU give FG two-week ultimatum to pay withheld salaries
The counsel for the second defendant, Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, also cross-examined the witness. After completing the cross-examination, Justice James Omotosho discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until July 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
In the previous sitting on May 6, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented Egoro as the sixth prosecution witness. Egoro had testified that the EFCC requested bank statements and documents related to the Kogi State Government House account from 2018 to 2021. He detailed various deposits and withdrawals from the account, including N10 million withdrawals in different tranches.
However, he did not provide information on who deposited or withdrew the funds, or the purpose of the transactions.
The post ALLEGED N10BN FRAUD: Trial of Yahaya Bello’s nephew, Ali, resumes July 15 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
ALLEGED N10BN FRAUD: Trial of Yahaya Bello’s nephew, Ali, resumes July 15
Another strike looms in universities, as NASU, SSANU give FG two-week ultimatum to pay withheld salaries
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to pay the four months’ salaries withheld from their members.
Failure to meet this demand, the unions threaten to shut down universities and inter-university centres, citing neglect and insincerity by the government.
In a letter to the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, the unions expressed their frustration and disappointment, stating that they could no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the universities.
The letter, signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, read: “The Honourable Minister would recall that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU embarked on a one-week warning strike between March 18th, 2024 and March 24th 2024, to protest the denial of the arrears of four (4) months salaries withheld between May and August 24th, 2022.
Read also: Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Friday, June 21, 2024
“Following a series of letters and the assurances of the payment, we write to remind the Honourable Minister of our various letters, engagements, and assurances towards the payment of the four (4) months withheld salaries of SSANU and NASU.
“We wish to express our regrets and dismay that up to date, the withheld salaries have not been paid to our members.
“We view it as an act of insincerity and neglect on the part of government to the yearnings and aspirations of our members.”
The unions accused the government of negating the spirit of collective bargaining, creating distrust and agitation among their members. They demanded immediate payment of the withheld salaries, stating:
“We demand the immediate payment of the four months withheld salaries to our members not later than two weeks from the date of this correspondence. Failing which, we will be left with no option but to shut down the universities and inter-university centres.”
The unions had earlier embarked on a one-week warning strike in March 2024 to protest the non-payment of the withheld salaries. With this ultimatum, the unions are putting pressure on the government to meet their demands and avoid a potentially disruptive strike action.
The post Another strike looms in universities, as NASU, SSANU give FG two-week ultimatum to pay withheld salaries appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Friday, June 21, 2024
Here are the top 10 stories making headlines across the country.
1. Court nullifies Sanusi’s reinstatement
The Federal High Court, Kano, on Thursday, nullified the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido as Emir of Kano.Read more
2. EFCC to continue trial of Binance director, Gambaryan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, continued with the alleged money laundering trial of an executive director of crypto trading platform, Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.Read more
3. PRP demands develop people-oriented agriculture, manufacturing policies from Nigerian govt
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) on Thursday urged the Federal Government to put in place realistic and people-oriented agricultural and manufacturing policies to improve the country’s economy.Read more
4. Lagos govt battles Cholera outbreak as death toll climbs to 21
Lagos State government is grappling with a growing cholera outbreak, with health officials reporting 21 deaths and 401 confirmed cases as of Thursday, June 20 2024.Read more
5. Tinubu holds bilateral talks with SA President Ramaphosa, pledges closer ties (Video)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, held a bilateral meeting with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa after his swearing-in for a second term in office.Read more
READ ALSO:Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Thursday, June 20, 2024
6. PDP mocks APC over alleged plot to instigate crisis, forcefully take over Rivers
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday ridiculed the All Progressives Congress (APC) to quit thoughts on taking over Rivers State.Read more
7. Nigeria’s debt hit N121tr in Q1 2024 – DMO
Nigeria’s total public debt has risen by a whopping N24 trillion in the first three months of the year to hit N121.67 trillion.Read more
8. Nigeria targets N450bn from bond auction
The Federal Government is targeting at least N450 billion through its latest bond offer for June 2024.Read more
9. Police arrests five suspected kidnappers, car snatcher in Kaduna
Police operatives in Kaduna have arrested five suspected Kidnappers and one suspected car snatcher in the state.Read more
10. Euro ’24: Spain reach knockouts, England held by Denmark
Spain have advanced to the knockout stages of the Euro 2024 after beating Italy in their second group game on Thursday night.Read more
The post Top 10 stories from across Nigerian Newspapers, Friday, June 21, 2024 appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Top 5 Cryptos to Watch: BlockDAG & More
Cryptocurrencies priced below $1 can unlock substantial profit opportunities, providing a low-barrier entry point for newcomers and a chance to be part of emerging or well-established projects.
Leading the pack of top 5 cryptos is BlockDAG, celebrated for its revolutionary technology and stellar $52.2 million presale results. Let’s delve into the top five affordable cryptocurrencies, with BlockDAG at the forefront.
1. BlockDAG (BDAG): Pioneering with a Fast-Tracked Mainnet Launch
BlockDAG is carving a niche in the crypto universe with its decentralized, scalable blockchain platform. Having already amassed over $52.2 million in presales, BlockDAG is on a trajectory for significant growth among the top 5 cryptos. Its detailed roadmap promises hefty returns, supported by robust technology and strategic benchmarks.
The presale framework of BlockDAG is designed to provide a safe investment while reducing typical market volatility risks. The plan sets a solid foundation, making it appealing for cautious investors. With ambitious targets like a $0.05 price at launch and a staggering forecast of $10 by 2025, early investors could see a return on investment (ROI) of about 30,000 times.
For example, an investor putting $1,000 into BlockDAG today could get approximately 81,967 coins. If the price hits the expected $0.05 at launch, their initial investment could soar to about $4,098.35. Such projections highlight BlockDAG’s potential for hefty returns, making it an attractive option for both newcomers and seasoned investors.
With its mainnet launch moving forward early and projections of a 30,000x return, BlockDAG is more than just another crypto. Its solutions for enhancing blockchain scalability and efficiency mark it as a top choice among affordable cryptocurrencies. With a current price of $0.0122 per coin in Batch 18, the timing is ripe to join the BlockDAG presale.
2. Ripple (XRP): The International Payment Facilitator
Ripple (XRP) is recognized for facilitating international payments faster and more cost-effectively than traditional banks. Despite facing regulatory challenges, Ripple continues to hold a strong market position, showing resilience and adaptability.
Its ongoing partnerships with major global financial institutions enhance its reliability and growth prospects. With a price under $1, XRP is a robust investment for those seeking well-established cryptos with great potential.
3. TRON (TRX): Revolutionizing Digital Content
Founded by Justin Sun, TRON aims to revolutionize the internet by developing a global digital content distribution platform. Its blockchain supports smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), positioning TRON as a key player in the crypto world.
Backed by a vibrant community, ongoing development, and strategic acquisitions like BitTorrent, TRON is well-placed for enduring success. Its low price makes it an enticing entry point for investors interested in the future of decentralized media and content sharing.
4. Mantle (MNT): Innovating Ethereum’s Layer 2
Mantle Network stands out as a pioneering Layer 2 technology stack for Ethereum, positioned as the inaugural core product of the Mantle Ecosystem. It aims to keep compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
By separating transaction execution, data availability, and finality into different modules, Mantle allows individual upgrades, integrating the latest blockchain innovations. As the first DAO-generated Layer 2, Mantle Network leads in pushing for widespread adoption of token-governed technologies.
5. Arbitrum (ARB): Enhancing Ethereum Efficiency
Arbitrum has emerged as a notable Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, designed to enhance transaction speed and reduce costs by processing a substantial volume of transactions separately from Ethereum’s main chain, while still securing benefits from Ethereum’s security features.
With its capability to handle large transaction volumes efficiently, Arbitrum is essential as Ethereum faces ongoing scalability issues. Priced under $1, ARB offers an appealing investment for those optimistic about Ethereum’s future, seeking more accessible investment options.
BlockDAG: A Standout in Affordable Crypto Investments
Among these budget-friendly crypto choices, BlockDAG shines with its groundbreaking technology, impressive $52.2 million presale achievements, and promising future. Its well-planned roadmap and strategic goals make it particularly compelling for investors seeking substantial returns. While Ripple, TRON, Mantle, and Arbitrum each present unique advantages and potential for growth, BlockDAG’s approach to addressing core blockchain challenges positions it as a leader in this segment.
For those eager to invest in cryptos with high growth potential and relatively low initial costs, these five cryptocurrencies represent excellent opportunities today. BlockDAG, in particular, with its strong foundations and ambitious targets, stands out as an essential watch for both experienced investors and those new to the crypto scene.
Join BlockDAG Presale Now:
GIGM, travelstart unveil centralised booking platform for travellers
GIG Mobility and Travelstart Nigeria have partnered to launch integrated booking services for air and road travel, enabling passengers to buy air and bus tickets on a single platform.
While GIGM is a land transport company, Travelstart Nigeria deals in the aviation business.
The two firms announced their alliance at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, where they launched a one-stop platform that enables customers to effortlessly book GIGM bus tickets for land travel on the Travelstart platform, while those looking to travel by air could book their flights on the platform.
They also mentioned that a joint support team had been established to assist with travel inquiries and booking issues, ensuring a seamless end-to-end travel experience.
Speaking on the partnership at the press conference, the Country Manager of Travelstart Nigeria, Bukky Akomolafe, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that the collaboration represented a significant advancement in making travel more accessible and hassle-free.
“We are thrilled to bring Travelstart and the GIGM’s large customer base the opportunity to book their preferred air and road transport. At Travelstart, our goal is to connect our customers from one place to another; road transport offers yet another way for customers to journey to their final destination.
“GIGM and Travelstart provide a comprehensive solution for travellers, whether they are embarking on a short intercity trip or an international journey.
“Customers now have the convenience of booking their entire travel itinerary in one place, eliminating the inconvenience of visiting multiple websites,” she stated.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of GIGM, Enahoro Okhae, noted, “We are thrilled to partner with Travelstart and offer our customers an integrated booking experience.
“At GIGM, ensuring our guests’ comfort is paramount, and this partnership underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service and convenience to our travellers.”
According to Okhae, by leveraging our resources and technology, Travelstart and GIGM are simplifying the travel planning process and enabling individuals to focus on enjoying their journeys.
College celebrates excellence
Bridge House College unveils a special commemorative logo to celebrate its 20th anniversary of academic excellence.
BHC is an esteemed college located in upscale Ikoyi, Nigeria. This college has garnered a prestigious reputation for offering appropriate curricula, experienced teachers, and the facilities required to instruct and mentor students towards admission to prominent universities globally, over two decades.
Executive Director, Foluke AbdulRazaq, in a statement, emphasised the vision of the college was to provide the best platform for students to access the very best institutions globally and locally.
“The college aims to provide quality education, and is committed to producing graduates who are dedicated professionals, entrepreneurs, and employers of labor capable of handling the country’s challenges and finding solutions to global issues.
“We’re incredibly proud of our 20-year journey and the accomplishments we have made. This anniversary logo represents our commitment to embracing emerging trends, fostering continued innovation, customer satisfaction, community engagement, and providing exceptional value to our partners and stakeholders.
Together, we at BHC look forward to many years of success and growt,”AbdulRazaq said.
She revealed that the college’s culture of academic excellence and moral discipline along with students’ participation in co-curricular activities gave it a status as one of Nigeria’s leading educational institutions, saying it had maintained its status as a member of the Council of British International Schools.
Chairperson, Organising Committee, Rosemary Dokun, listed the school’s accomplishments including consistently excellent results in Cambridge Assessment International Education Examinations over the years, first position at the US Consulate International Education Week Competition, 2023; Winner of APEN 2023 Debate Competition, Beacon of Safety Status awards for Lagos State 2023/2024 amongst others.
She added, “These show BHC’s commitment to quality, innovation, and native and global satisfaction.”
Nigerian school gets $50,000 prize
Wisdom International School of Excellence in Abuja has been shortlisted for the 2024 World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity.
This kindergarten to secondary school has tackled the health crisis of open defecation and has earned a place in the top 10 for this prestigious award.
The World’s Best School Prizes, founded by T4 Education in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation, are among the most prestigious education awards globally. This year’s winners will share a $50,000 prize fund.
According to a statement by T4 Education, winners will be selected by an expert, Judging Academy based on rigorous criteria. Additionally, all 50 shortlisted schools across the five prize categories will participate in a public vote, which opened today.
It stated that the school receiving the most public votes would win the Community Choice Award and gain membership in T4 Education’s Best School to Work programme, aimed at supporting teacher wellbeing and addressing teacher recruitment and retention challenges.
Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, Vikas Pota, emphasised the importance of addressing global education challenges, from learning gaps exacerbated by COVID-19 to chronic underfunding and teacher wellbeing issues.
He praised Wisdom International School of Excellence, stating, “Trailblazing Nigerian schools like Wisdom International School of Excellence, which have cultivated a strong culture and aren’t afraid to innovate, show the difference that can be made to so many lives. Schools everywhere can now learn from their solutions, and it’s time governments do so as well.”
He added that the top three finalists for each of the five World’s Best School Prizes would be announced in September 2024, with the winners revealed in November.
Each prize winner will receive $10,000 from the $50,000 prize fund. The Community Choice Award winner, determined by the public vote, will receive membership to Best School to Work, providing detailed feedback, actionable insights, and benchmarking data to help schools improve their culture and attract and retain top teachers.
2,000 Kaduna women benefit from Rep’s free breast cancer treatment
The member representing the Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Amos has organised a campaign to sensitise women and girls about breast and cervical cancer.
The campaign, carried out in collaboration with Mbegir Humanitarian Initiative, and which event was held in Kafanchan on Wednesday, included the screening of over 2,000 women and girls.
According to Amos, the initiative was a sustained effort to secure the health of his constituents and to sensitise women and girls on the dangers associated with breast and cervical cancer.
The street campaign was yet another free medical outreach undertaken by the National Assembly Member in his constituency.
In the words of Amos, “I am committed to issues concerning the health of women and girls to ensure a healthy society while advising them not to see scourge as a dead sentence.
“Detected cases during the screening that have not gone far would be treated while i urge the women to avail themselves of the opportunity provided the screening exercise to know their status.”
The leader of the screening team, Rahap Elisha, explained that the essence of the campaign was to raise awareness, give the women knowledge on how to check breast cancer, and encourage especially younger girls to get screened for early detection of those who have the disease.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner of Kafanchan Municipal Authority, Phoebe Sukai Yayi, educated that only regular checks will help detect cases of cancer early, thereby enhancing early treatment.
The Commissioner who hailed the green chamber lawmaker over what she described as a rare initiative, emphasised that cancer was a disease common to all, irrespective of sex differences.
Arewa According reports that the road walk cancer awareness campaign which was observed along the Kafanchan main road, took the campaign team to the palace of the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, who gave his royal blessings to the exercise.
60 Sokoto girls get menstrual hygiene, financial training
A non-governmental organisation, Connected Hands for Family Health and Empowerment Initiative, has organised a four-day training session or 60 adolescent girls in Sokoto State on menstrual hygiene.
The girls who were drawn from Sokoto South and Sokoto North Local Government Areas of the state were also trained on reproductive health, financial literacy, and communication skills.
Among the participants were people living with disability.
Speaking on the training on Saturday, the Team Lead, Amina Muhammad, explained that the training would help the participants to maintain personal hygiene during their menstruation period.
“And also to express themselves better and know how to save for the raining day,” she said
On reproductive health, she informed Arewa According that it was meant to prepare the girls for their marital life.
Nusaiba Sani, one of the participants from the Gagi Community, who spoke with our correspondent, commended the organisation for the training, which she described as educative.
The state Programme Manager, Laila Abubakar, noted that the team planned on extending the training to other local government areas of the state.
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APC woos Shaibu after PDP expulsion
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, on Thursday, mocked the ruling Peoples Democratic Party over the expulsion of the ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
While describing his expulsion as a sign of panic by the PDP, the APC said Shaibu was welcome to return to the APC.
The PDP, on Wednesday, said Shaibu was expelled for declaring support for the APC ahead of the September 21 governorship election and demarketing the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo.
But the APC, in a statement on Thursday by the Director of Publicity of its Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, said Shaibu’s expulsion showed that the PDP was in a panic mood ahead of the poll.
It said Shaibu was welcomed into the APC if and when he decided to do so.
The Edo State Working Committee of the PDP had on Wednesday expelled Shaibu alongside the PDP South-South Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, while it upheld the expulsion of a former member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama’s by Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
The decisions were taken on Wednesday at the PDP SWC meeting in Benin.
Present at the meeting were the Chairman of the Edo PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, and seven other members of the SWC, including Tony Anenih Jr., who joined the meeting virtually.
Aziegbemi said the trio was expelled for anti-party activities, noting that they had shown that they were no longer in the party and there was no need to keep them in the PDP.
The Edo PDP chairman said, “Dan Orbih was expelled because he has been asking members of the PDP to join the opposition party. He also took an appointment as the governing council member of a third-tier institution without recourse to the party before accepting the appointment.
“Shaibu donated about 15 vehicles to the All Progressives Congress and has also been abusing and disrespectful to the leaders of the party in the state. Someone who does these things cannot be termed a true party man.
“Also, Ogbeide-Ihama donated his building on Sakponba Road to the APC for campaign purposes. The building currently bears the billboard of the APC candidate and his running mate.
“The party is working with other stakeholders to ensure that the party wins the election in September.”
But the APC, in a statement on Thursday by Omo-Ojo, said it would embrace Shaibu and others when they decide to join.
The opposition party said, “The hurried suspension of Philip Shaibu, the immediate past deputy governor of Edo State, and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by the Governor Godwin Obaseki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is a sign that the remnants of the PDP are in panic mode as the election draws nearer.
“The All Progressives Congress in Edo State is aware that both politicians are community builders that have contributed to the development of the state both in and out of government, and the party is proud of them, especially with the contributions they have made for the enthronement of good governance that Senator Monday Okpebholo will bring to bear as from November 12, this year.
“Our party, the APC will not hesitate to embrace Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama whenever both gentlemen decide to bid the sinking ship of PDP goodbye.”