The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has revealed that she inherited a debt of N3.2 billion and $500 million in undiscounted funds upon assumption of office.
Adeyeye disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday.
She stressed that such a financial situation would have led to bankruptcy if it happened in a developed country, like the United States.
“When I got to NAFDAC, I met N3.2 billion in debt and N500 million missing and there was no account for it before I came.
“I asked them if they had capital projects they used the money for. Bear in mind that at that time, N1 million was equivalent to $2,000. So multiply $2,000 by N500 million,” she said.
Adeyeye continued: “It was tough because if that had happened in the US, NAFDAC would have been declared bankrupt, and a financial house would have taken over the management of our finances. But I didn’t have money to hire a financial house.”
The NAFDAC DG further stated that she had to tackle the problem by introducing cost-saving measures like the use of technological applications like Zoom to cut travel expenses.
“We started Zoom meetings in 2018. Many people didn’t like it because they were used to getting travel allowances and DTAs. But we had to save,” she said.
I inherited N3.2bn debt – NAFDAC DG
I inherited N3.2bn debt – NAFDAC DG
Ogun urges fair pricing in markets
The Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has embarked on a sensitisation campaign to encourage fair pricing of goods and services in markets.
The government has stated that traders in its markets must not use the prevailing harsh economic conditions as an excuse to impose further hardship on the people with inflated prices of commodities.
It urges traders to adopt fair and realistic pricing strategies that will contribute to a fair and equitable market environment.
The Commissioner in the Ministry, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, made this call in a statement on Friday during her team’s visit to markets in Ogun Central and West Senatorial Districts, including Siun and Kuto, among other notable markets.
Adeleye said that the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration is passionate about the welfare and well-being of citizens, hence the visit was aimed “to facilitate a beneficial understanding among stakeholders while also preventing the exploitation of consumers and reducing hardship on low-income households.”
Adeleye explained that the “government has been providing dividends of democracy through various intervention programmes, such as Oko’Owo Dapo, through which soft loans and grants have been given to empower women and boost their businesses.”
“Our goal is to ensure that markets operate fairly and equitably, benefiting both traders and consumers.”
“We believe this visit marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the government and market stakeholders,” she said.
The Commissioner appealed to traders to cooperate with the government to achieve a positive outcome, promote economic development, protect consumer interests, and encourage healthy competition.
In her response, Iyaloja of Egba Market, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Oloyede, commended both the federal and state governments for initiating policies and programmes to support agriculture and transportation. She pledged continuous efforts to ensure market women adopt fair pricing, which will alleviate the suffering of the masses.
Court summons Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh, bodyguard for alleged assault
The Chief Magistrate’s Court, Wuse Zone 6, has summoned popular Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh and her bodyguard, one Gbenga, for alleged assault and trespass.
The suit, with case number CR/359/2024, was filed by the Chief Executive of Skyewise Group Limited, Elvis Abuyere, the owner of an Abuja-based car dealership company.
In the court summons dated August 6, 2024, obtained by According Online on Friday, Iyanna ordered the two defendants to appear before the court on August 24, 2024, to answer the charges against them.
He stated that Dikeh had, in January, approached the car company for the purchase of a brand-new Changan Uni-K 2023 model from Mikano Motors.
The complainant, who was reported to have a dealership relationship with Mikano, subsequently paid N85 million as full payment for the car to Mikano, with an agreement that Dikeh would pay the balance in installments within three months upon receiving the car.
The first deposit by Dikeh was her used 2008/2009 Lexus, which was worth N37 million. She made an additional payment of N3.5 million but failed to settle the balance by the end of April, at the expiration of the payment window, thereby breaching the agreement.
On May 1, Abuyere retrieved the car from Dikeh after efforts to collect the balance proved futile. Dikeh later paid N20 million, N17 million, and N5 million, leaving an outstanding balance of N2.1 million.
On July 30, the actress contacted the car company to have the car serviced, and it was taken for maintenance. Upon completion of the repairs, the car company demanded the remaining N2.7 million from her. However, she was reported to have forcefully entered the business premises of the complainant in Maitama, Abuja, alongside her bodyguard and two ladies, thereby committing “criminal trespass.”
Dikeh is also accused of assaulting the complainant and some staff members of his company. The four individuals disrupted business operations at the car company, damaged property, and threatened to use social media to harm the complainant’s business.
They were later arrested by the police.
Earlier today, the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit of the Nigeria Police Force invited Dikeh to its headquarters in connection with an investigation into criminal defamation, cyberbullying, and forgery, among other charges.
In the invitation letter signed by the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, A.A. Elleman, it was stated that the actress’s name prominently appeared in the investigation being conducted by the unit.
In a statement on her Instagram page on Friday, Dikeh stressed that she was neither arrested nor jailed by the “police or any law enforcement agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am in my house enjoying the goodness of God.”
The Nollywood actress noted that she’s a “law-abiding citizen”, and that getting involved in crime and criminalities is not one of the things she can be involved in.
The statement read further, “At no point in my life has there ever been a search warrant, arrest warrant or any other form of warrant from the Good office of the Nigeria police to my humble self.
“I will always honour invitations extended to me whether to help the law enforcement agencies in their job or to provide clarifications on issues. This is without prejudice to the fact that I will exercise my rights against anyone, persons or group of persons who attempt to peddle fake stories about me or my brand or defame my character. I will come for you. This is just to let those behind this false Narrative know that they failed woefully.”
ECOWAS defence chiefs to activate standby force
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said on Friday that West African Chiefs of Defence have agreed to activate the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) standby force.
Musa told journalists the decision was taken at the end of the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff held between Wednesday and Friday in Abuja.
The CDS, who is the Chairman of the committee, commended the defence chiefs for their commitment, dedication and contribution throughout the meeting.
He said the defence chiefs came up with notable ideas, discussions and creative solutions that would define the West African security landscape.
The West African leaders in August last year moved to activate the standby force in a bid to force the military junta that toppled President Mohammed Bazoum to restore constitutional order in the landlocked nation.
Musa said: “So, key discussion during this conference covered the proposed ECOWAS security support in Sierra Leone and the activation of the ECOWAS standby force.
“Furthermore, we deliberated on issues pertaining to the operationalisation of our logistic deployment in Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS peace support operations amongst others.
“More importantly are the pledges made by member states commitment and resources towards activation of the ECOWAS standby force and security support mission and Sierra Leone among others.”
The CDS expressed confidence that incredible ideas and noble solutions proffered at the meeting would enhance the defence chiefs’ individual and collective capacity to confront and support contemporary and futuristic security challenges.
He expressed regret that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger were absent from the meeting, saying efforts were on to return them to the regional bloc.
“They are brothers and we look forward to when they will come back safely into the ecosystem because as nations, no one nation can withstand the current challenges that we have.
“We need to work as a team because we are stronger together.
“It is also imperative that we continue to encourage collaboration among other countries by reducing differences, sharing resources and leveraging each other’s strengths to maximise our impact and achieve shared objects,” he added.
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Bandits attack on Benue community sign of desperation – Police
The Benue Police Command has said the deadly attack on Ayati community of Ukum Local Government Area of the state is a panic measure by bandits to resist the ongoing security operations in the area.
The police said that on August 8, 2024, at about 4:30 pm while normal daily activities were going on in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, a large number of armed bandits invaded the village and started shooting sporadically at members of the community.
This was contained in a statement on Friday by the spokesperson of the Benue Police Command, SP Catherine Anene.
She said police officers in the community responded immediately and were able to repel the bandits.
Anene said 15 people had already sustained gunshot injuries from the attack and were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.
“The unfortunate incident also claimed the lives of two police officers who were among the team that responded to the distress call.
” Corpses have been deposited at General Hospital Ukum and investigation is ongoing,” she said.
Anene said the Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, visited Ayati for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
According to her, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, he assured them of his commitment to fight criminals in the area.
“The CP also commended officers for their response and encouraged them not to give up on the operation as more teams have been sent to the area for wider coverage and better engagement of bandits,” Anene said.
Bandits attack on Benue community sign of desperation – Police
NSCDC arrests four suspected human traffickers, rescues nine in Oyo
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Oyo State Command, has arrested four suspected human traffickers and rescued nine persons used as prostitutes in the state.
The command also said it had recovered smuggled fifty-five 30-litre kegs of petrol around Gwagwasu Moore Road, Kishi, in the northern part of the state.
NSCDC Commandant in the state, Augustine Padonu, said these while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters on Friday in Ibadan.
Padonu said that the command’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit arrested the suspects and rescued the victims on Tuesday at a hotel in the Apata area of Ibadan for alleged trafficking for prostitution.
He said that the rescued victims were seven female adults and two female minors.
The commandant said that three of the suspects specialised in bringing underage girls from villages for prostitution.
He said that the fourth suspect was a male manager of the hotel who collaborated with the three female suspects to use trafficked underage girls as sex workers in the hotel.
“The Oyo State Command of the NSCDC has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against human trafficking and smuggling of petroleum products.
“This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse as well as safeguarding the nation’s economy from illegal activities,” he said.
Speaking on the recovered smuggled petrol, Padonu said that the command’s monitoring team received credible intelligence regarding smuggling of petrol on July 30 in Kishi town and acted swiftly.
He said that the command, during the operation, discovered 55 30-litre petrol hidden in the forest.
Padonu said that the discovery highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by the smuggling of petroleum products through the border, thus undermining the economy and posing risks to public safety.
He said that the suspects who were involved in petrol smuggling fled upon sighting NSCDC operatives and were still at large.
“We are intensifying our efforts to locate and apprehend the suspects.
“We urge the public to assist by reporting any information regarding the smuggling of petroleum products to NSCDC.
“NSCDC remains committed to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse.
“We are resolute in our fight against smuggling of petroleum products across the border and will continue to take decisive actions to protect our commonwealth,” Padonu said.
Speaking with newsmen, one of the underaged human trafficking victims said she was pregnant and used to make N10,000 daily, out of which she would be given only N2,000 by one of the suspects who brought her from the village.
(NAN)
Federation explains why Nigerian cyclist used a borrowed bike at Olympics
The Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) has clarified that Ese Ukpeseraye, the country’s sole cyclist at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was not initially registered to compete in the track events.
Reports went viral after Ukpeseraye posted on her X account that she participated in the keirin event using a bicycle borrowed from the German team.
In response to these reports on Thursday, CFN President Giadomenico Massari explained that the federation had to borrow a bicycle from its partners because they did not bring one to this year’s Olympics.
Massari clarified that Ukpeseraye originally qualified only for the Road Race and traveled to Paris with the necessary equipment for that event.
However, Nigeria was later invited to replace Egypt in the keirin and individual sprint events after an Egyptian track athlete was disqualified.
Read Also: D’Tigress bow out of Olympics after valiant effort against USA
He noted that track events require specialized equipment, approved specifically for the Olympics, which typically takes months to be delivered.
Thanks to their equipment sponsor, the NCF managed to secure the bike for the competition.
Massari further explained that the German team, in partnership with their supporters and sponsors, facilitated the arrangement to ensure Ukpeseraye could compete.
“Our track bikes, which have been used in world championships, are not approved for Olympic use. We only received all the necessary approvals from the UCI (cycling world body) and the IOC yesterday.”
He confirmed that Ukpeseraye was able to train and compete in the keirin event and will participate in the individual sprint Friday.
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Nigeria records 7 new Lassa fever cases in three states
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed seven additional Lassa fever cases in three states in the country.
The NCDC said on its website on Friday that the cases were recorded between July 22 and July 28 in Bauchi, Edo, and Kogi States.
According to the agency, four cases were reported in Bauchi, two in Edo, and one in Kogi during the period.
It added that 163 deaths have been reported in Nigeria this year with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 17.0 percent.
This was however lower than the 17.3 percent recorded during the same period in 2023.
The report read: “66 percent of confirmed cases in 2024 were from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi while 34 percent were reported from 25 states.
“In total for 2024, 28 states recorded at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever across 125 local government areas.”
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West African defence chiefs push for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s return to ECOWAS
West African defence chiefs on Friday demanded the return of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, made the call when he led other ECOWAS defence chiefs on a visit to the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) on Friday in Abuja.
Musa said the return of the three countries to the regional bloc was necessary to address the insecurity across the sub-region.
He said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that the three countries to ECOWAS.
The three countries currently under the control of military juntas left the regional bloc last year in protest of West African leaders’ handling of the military coup in Niger Republic.
Musa said: “For us, we feel without security, there can’t be progress and the threats we are facing, especially on insurgency, are high.
“We think it is very important that we need to partner together to achieve success. No country can do it alone, and that’s why it’s important.
“We know we have three countries that have decided to step aside.
“We are making all efforts to ensure that they come back to the fold because we know even they, on their own, cannot withstand this.
“We know the relevance that if they fall, it will also drag us down and that is why it is important for us as West Africans to continue to work together.”
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Gunmen attack policemen in Nnewi, kill one
Gunmen operating in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Friday, attacked a police van, killing one of the policemen at a junction.
Sources said the incident happened at about 9 am, and that the attackers when repelled by the policemen threw an improvised explosive device at the police team.
Police command in the state confirmed this in a press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has ordered a manhunt operations on the gunmen.
He confirmed that the men were attacked at a checkpoint at Omata junction, in Uruagu community, along the Nnewi Oba road.
He said: “The manhunt operation led by Assistant Commissioner in charge of Nnewi Area Command is already working with the locals in the area to unmask and apprehend the attackers.”
Gunmen attack policemen in Nnewi, kill one