Home Blog Page 344

CDS Musa’s Visa Rejection: Gambaryan Blasts Ribadu for Criticizing Canada

coic
-
0
CDS Musa’s Visa Rejection: Gambaryan Blasts Ribadu for Criticizing Canada

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has been called a hypocrite by Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crimes Compliance at Binance.
According to reports, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, described on Thursday how the Canadian embassy refused to provide him and other senior military officers visas.
General Musa claims that he and other senior military officials were invited to Canada for a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, but their visas were refused by the Canadian embassy.

Read Also: Egbetokun Appeals to Senate for Private Hearing on 3,907 Missing AK-47s

Musa stated, “Every disappointment is a blessing,” during the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies’ (AANISS) inaugural annual lecture in Abuja. I should have arrived in Canada yesterday, Wednesday. We were supposed to be present at an event honoring our troops and those wounded in combat.

Speaking during the AANIS lecture, Ribadu called the visa denial a betrayal of Nigeria.

“I appreciate your bravery in stating that Canada refused your visas. Hell is an option for them.

“We are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country, even though it is painful and rude. However, this is yet another reason we want to make Nigeria function,” he said.

In response to the report, Gambaryan, who was imprisoned in Nigeria by the NSA’s office, claimed that Ribadu had no right to protest the treatment of those invited to Canada as he treated him and other invited people in Nigeria the same way.

Nuhu Ribadu is whining about how people who were invited to Canada were treated. It’s really wealthy. How did you treat the people you invited to Nigeria? On Friday, he posted on his X handle, “The hypocrisy is real.”

Egbetokun Appeals to Senate for Private Hearing on 3,907 Missing AK-47s

coic
-
0
Egbetokun Appeals to Senate for Private Hearing on 3,907 Missing AK-47s

Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has called on the Senate to look into the purported disappearance of 3,907 assault rifles for security-related reasons behind closed doors.
Egbetokun rejected the 2019 Auditor-General for the Federation’s report, which stated that thousands of weapons were missing or unaccounted for in the police arsenal as of January 2020, calling it false in a letter sent to the Senate.
48 hours after a rigorous investigative hearing in which senior police officials, including the IGP himself, appeared before the Senate Committee on Accounts and found it difficult to respond to the Auditor-General’s report on missing firearms, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter following the passage of the 2025 budget.
In order to avoid giving the wrong impression to Nigerians and the foreign community, the letter says, “We appreciate the Senate committee’s investigation into the alleged missing firearms and urge the committee to conduct future hearings on sensitive security issues in camera.”

Read Also: EFCC Raises Concern Over Yahoo Boys Engaging in Rituals, Banditry

Hearings on these delicate security matters should be held behind closed doors in order to preserve national security interests, avoid disinformation, and for more open dialogue and fact-finding.

Additionally, the IGP asked the lawmakers to extend their time so they could look into the issue internally.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force’s spokesperson, told reporters in Abuja in response to the audit report yesterday that every attempt had been made to account for the weapons that were removed, but that many of them had been returned to the force’s current arms holdings.

EFCC Raises Concern Over Yahoo Boys Engaging in Rituals, Banditry

coic
-
0
EFCC Raises Concern Over Yahoo Boys Engaging in Rituals, Banditry

Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has defended the agency’s stepped-up efforts to combat online scammers, also referred to as Yahoo guys, by highlighting the wider security threat they currently represent.
Speaking to a management team at the EFCC’s corporate offices in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede disclosed that Nigeria lost more than $500 million to online fraud in only one year.
He emphasized that online frauds today include violent crimes like ritual killings, arms trafficking, and kidnapping in addition to financial fraud.

“We’re working on it. Despite having a small staff, we received over 11,000 petitions, looked into almost 9,000, and prosecuted almost 5,000 instances in the past year alone. Olukoyede stated, “Some people criticize us for targeting Yahoo Yahoo boys, but they don’t comprehend the seriousness of the crime.”

“Scamming individuals is no longer the only thing involved. They currently engage in ritual killings, banditry, and kidnapping. Horrifying information, including as instances when young female victims were utilized for rituals, have been revealed by some of our investigations.

“We might not have a generation to confidently pass this country on to in the next ten years if we don’t take decisive action,” he continued.

Read Also: CNG Criticizes Ganduje for Urging North to Drop 2027 Presidential Bid

Olukoyede emphasized the EFCC’s dedication to internal accountability in addition to combating cybercrime, pointing out that 27 commission workers were fired in the previous year for corruption-related infractions.

“You cannot be corrupt while opposing corruption. I have openly urged anyone with proof that I have accepted bribes over my years of service to come forward. In this battle, integrity is crucial, and we have to set an example,” he said.

The head of the EFCC also urged the media to help fight corruption by doing investigative reporting that highlights the agency’s accomplishments as well as corruption.

In the battle against corruption, the media has always played a significant role. Many financial crimes in the early 2000s were discovered by media before the EFCC was created. We must go back to the time when law enforcement and the media collaborated to safeguard the nation,” he said.

CNG Criticizes Ganduje for Urging North to Drop 2027 Presidential Bid

coic
-
0
CNG Criticizes Ganduje for Urging North to Drop 2027 Presidential Bid

Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has come under fire from the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) for pushing northern politicians to put off running for president until 2031 in order to give President Bola Tinubu two terms.
In a statement released on Thursday, Jamilu Charanchi, the national coordinator for the CNG, called Ganduje’s comments “deeply troubling and disheartening” and charged that he put his own interests ahead of those of the area.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also voiced their opinions, with Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, stating that his prior remarks on the matter were personal and not the ACF’s position.

Read Also: Breaking: ₦54 Trillion 2025 Budget Under Senate Scrutiny as Debate Begins

“I didn’t speak as ACF’s National Publicity Secretary; I spoke in my own capacity. “The ACF does not take partisan stances and has not convened to discuss this issue,” he wrote in a follow-up email to Punch.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the CNG allegedly accused Ganduje of prioritizing his personal interests over the advancement of the country and questioned whether he was satisfied with the existing situation.

We are really disturbed and discouraged by Ganduje’s decision to disassociate himself from the depressing facts,” it stated.

As a result, CNG wants to know if Ganduje is content with the dire poverty, high rates of inflation, ongoing instability, frequent power outages, deteriorating educational standards, and a failing healthcare system that exist today.

Does he take pleasure in Nigeria’s failing economy? Does he consider these shortcomings to be justified or acceptable?

Is he implying that, in spite of all these shortcomings, President Tinubu merits another term in office just by removing himself from the facts?

Is it correct to say that he put his own interests ahead of the advancement of our beloved nation? Should that be the case, we need to consider if this position is consistent with the principles of justice, equity, and responsibility that our people cherish.

As an older statesman, Ganduje should prioritize competence, integrity, and respect for the rule of law, regardless of the president’s origins, the CNG noted.

“We firmly disagree with his stance and encourage Nigerians to select their leaders on the basis of their ability, competence, honesty, and adherence to the law,” the statement continued.

Breaking: ₦54 Trillion 2025 Budget Under Senate Scrutiny as Debate Begins

coic
-
0
Breaking: ₦54 Trillion 2025 Budget Under Senate Scrutiny as Debate Begins

A significant step in the development of the country’s economic policy has begun with the 10th Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, beginning discussions on the ₦54 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The Appropriations Committee report was presented by Committee Chairman Solomon Adeola after a closed-door meeting on Thursday, after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had introduced a resolution for the chamber to receive it.
Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, stressed the significance of early budget passage and urged members to accelerate their study without sacrificing thoroughness.

The Senate will now examine the proposed allocations clause by clause, with discussions anticipated on important areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security.
Relatedly, it was announced that the House of Representatives has approved a 54.9 trillion naira national budget for 2025.

After the House Committee on Appropriations presented and submitted a report, the budget was approved.

Statutory transfers receive ₦3.6 trillion, debt servicing receives ₦14.3 trillion, recurring (non-debt) expenses receive ₦13.6 trillion, and capital expenditures receive ₦23.9 trillion.

Read Also: Lagos Assembly Queries Works Commissioner, Contractors on Neglected Roads

The approved budget is around ₦7 billion more than the ₦49.7 trillion that President Bola Tinubu first proposed to the lawmakers in December 2024.

Lagos Assembly Queries Works Commissioner, Contractors on Neglected Roads

coic
-
0
Lagos Assembly Queries Works Commissioner, Contractors on Neglected Roads

The state government has been urged by the Lagos State House of Assembly to take immediate action to alleviate people’ suffering due to certain roadways.
The MPs reportedly made the call during a meeting that Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda presided over.
The lawmakers specifically brought up the defunct Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Igbogbo-Baiyeku.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was urged by the House to order the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to make sure that HITECH Construction Company gets back to work on the project.

Additionally, they insisted that all pertinent organizations create a detailed strategy for finishing the project while guaranteeing sufficient security for the impacted community’s inhabitants.

In order to ensure that projects are completed on time, the House required in its resolution that contractors receive 60 to 70 percent of the total cost up front.

Additionally, Speaker Meranda gave each MP instructions to gather names of roads that have been abandoned in their districts and submit them to the relevant ministry for prompt action.

Following a “matter of urgent public importance” brought forth by Aro Moshood, who bemoaned the hardships that the abandoned road was causing to the people of Ikorodu, the resolution was passed.

Since 2017, this road has been in a terrible condition. What was supposed to help the people has now turned into a cause of anxiety, presenting significant socioeconomic and security issues, according to Moshood.

The member emphasized the concerning number of crimes, like as sexual assaults, accidents, and kidnappings, that are connected to the area’s bad road conditions.

Abiodun Ogunleye, who participated in the discussion, emphasized the road’s strategic significance and added that its completion would greatly increase local economic activity.

Lukmon Olumoh, who pointed out that the House had authorized funding for the project the year before, expressed his disapproval of the protracted delay in the road’s completion.

Read Also: Breaking: 2025 Budget: House of Reps Passes ₦54.9 Trillion Appropriation Bill

The fact that a road development project has been shelved for more than seven years is disheartening. Last year, I served on a commission that examined ongoing road projects throughout the state, and one of the main issues raised by contractors was the volatile exchange rate.

“The contractor in charge of the project should be invited by this House to clarify whether they received the funds approved by this Assembly,” Olumoh stated.

Sanni Okanlawon, the House’s Deputy Chief Whip, urged the administration to act swiftly. Additionally, he urged contractors and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to provide an explanation for the project’s ongoing status.

“We shouldn’t take the problem of abandoned road projects lightly. He urged the House to call on the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and the contractors to provide an explanation for the halt in these projects.

Tobun Abiodun suggested passing legislation requiring all administrations to finish projects started by their predecessors in order to avoid unfinished projects.

Adedamola Kasunmu, the deputy majority leader, emphasized in his remarks that the problem went beyond Ikorodu.

“Ikorodu is not the only issue here. All around the state, it is taking place. To get answers for these deserted highways, we must call in all pertinent authorities, including the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure,” he stated.

After much discussion, the Assembly decided unanimously to call for the commissioner of works and infrastructure as well as the contractors to submit a comprehensive report on the state of the road projects that have been abandoned in Lagos State.

Breaking: 2025 Budget: House of Reps Passes ₦54.9 Trillion Appropriation Bill

coic
-
0
Breaking: 2025 Budget: House of Reps Passes ₦54.9 Trillion Appropriation Bill

The ₦54.9 trillion national budget for 2025 was approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
After the House Committee on Appropriations presented and submitted a report, the budget was approved.
It was stated that 3.6 trillion naira is set aside for statutory transfers, 14.3 trillion for debt payment, 13.6 trillion for recurring (non-debt) expenses, and 23.9 trillion for capital expenditures out of the overall budget.
The approved budget is around ₦7 billion more than the ₦49.7 trillion that President Bola Tinubu first proposed to the lawmakers in December 2024.

Read Also: Tinubu’s Govt Denies Allegation on Fela Durotoye and ₦5B Contract

As you may remember, President Tinubu wrote to the Senate and the House of Representatives last week to request their approval of an increase in the budget for the 2025 fiscal year, citing the capacity of some government institutions to produce more income.

Details will be provided later.

Tinubu’s Govt Denies Allegation on Fela Durotoye and ₦5B Contract

coic
-
0
Tinubu’s Govt Denies Allegation on Fela Durotoye and ₦5B Contract

The Presidency has taken issue with a report that connected President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the phony government contract declaration of Fela Durotoye, a well-known leadership coach and former Alliance for New Nigeria presidential candidate.
Speaking at the biennial conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, Durotoye reportedly described how, in spite of intense persuasion from a representative posing as a pastor, he turned down a chance to embezzle ₦5 billion in a shady government transaction.
In an article published on Wednesday by Church Times Nigeria, he disclosed that he was approached by a representative offering him a lucrative training contract and claiming that he had already been chosen for the position.
Within eight weeks, the program required training individuals in all 774 local government areas of Nigeria, and Durotoye was informed that he met all the requirements.

He ensured that costs were precisely based on actual spending by creating an invoice upon request. A fair price of 1.3 billion naira was determined by his team for the training.

But everything changed when the president called three days later.

Read Also: Dangote Pumps $700M into Local Sugar Production to Curb Imports

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, shared a video of the interview on his X Twitter on Thursday. According to Daily Trust, Onanuga stated that Durotoye never made accusations against any members of Tinubu’s administration.

“Daily Trust was discovered to be lying once more,” he stated. I watched the video that Durotoye posted. In Tinubu’s government, he never made any accusations. However, the unreliable tabloid will always distort news and headlines to harm the Tinubu administration’s standing.

Dangote Pumps $700M into Local Sugar Production to Curb Imports

coic
-
0
Dangote Pumps $700M into Local Sugar Production to Curb Imports

With an investment of more than $700 million in sugar production, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote has reiterated the company’s commitment to halting the importation of raw sugar into Nigeria.

Speaking on Wednesday during the “Dangote Special Day” at the 14th Gateway International Trade Fair, which is currently taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dangote stated that the company is speeding up its Sugar Backward Integration Plan in order to increase domestic production.

“To ensure Nigeria ends raw sugar importation, we are actively executing the Sugar Backward Integration strategy and have committed over $700 million to land acquisition, machinery, infrastructure, manpower, community relations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives,” he stated, speaking on behalf of Tunde Mabogunje, Regional Director, Lagos/Ogun Dangote Cement.

The business has started exporting fertilizer to countries including France, the United States, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and various African countries like the Benin Republic, Zambia, and Cameroon, Dangote further revealed.
The Dangote Refinery has also started exporting refined petroleum products, he continued, and its investments in cement production throughout Nigeria and more than ten African nations have made export financing easier.
“As a conglomerate spearheading Nigeria’s economic diversification, we will keep looking into manufacturing opportunities to boost economic growth, create jobs, and replace imports,” he said.

Read Also: Love in the Air: 2face Asks for Natasha’s Hand in Marriage

Dangote was hopeful the trade show will increase market reach, raise awareness of the company’s goods, and support economic growth and job creation.

He went on to say, “We are sure that this long-standing collaboration with OGUNCCIMA will help our companies as well as the overall economic growth of Nigeria and Africa.”

In addition to praising Dangote Group for its numerous economic interventions, Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker Oludaisi Elemide asked the corporation to strengthen its environmental sustainability initiatives.

Love in the Air: 2face Asks for Natasha’s Hand in Marriage

coic
-
0
Love in the Air: 2face Asks for Natasha’s Hand in Marriage

Nigerian artist Innocent Idibia, better known by his stage as Tuface, has finally proposed to his current girlfriend, Natasha Osawaru, amid controversy.
Thursday saw the release of the music legend’s proposal video to Natasha, which has once again generated both praise and condemnation.
Following criticism and acclaim from Annie and Tuface, it was rumored that the “African Queen” crooner and his first wife, Annie Idibia, had split up, a split that ignited the internet.

A few days later, Tuface confirmed their romance on his Instagram page by posting a picture of the Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.
He also begged to his followers in a another tweet, asking them to persuade the Edo State legislator to wed him. It’s my universe now. He wrote, “Make una help me beg am to marry me.”

Recall that 2Baba called the lawmaker a young, intelligent woman while protecting her from internet bullies after he disclosed he was seeing someone.

Read Also: Everton’s Celebration Sparks Backlash from Liverpool’s Van Dijk

“I stated my position. All of us will be okay. I see that Honorable Natasha has been dragged and has been referred to by a variety of names. She’s been called a home invader. Online bullies referred to her as a “homebreaker,” but Tuface commented, “She is a young, brilliant, and amazing woman.”

1...343344345...2,849Page 344 of 2,849
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv