Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has joined other well-meaning Nigerians to mourn the death of Nigeria’s veteran musician, Onyeka Onwenu, who passed away on Tuesday, describing it as the exit of a nightingale and a music icon.
Mbah said the demise of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; lawmaker representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and the songstress in quick succession had dug a big hole in the hearts of Ndigbo, Nigerians, Africans, and the music world as a whole.
Reacting to the news of the unfortunate development on Wednesday, Mbah said, “This is yet another sad development for the nation in general and Ndigbo in particular.
“Coming on the heels of the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Onyeka Onwenu’s sudden death is one death too many and has dug a gaping hole in our hearts. As the late Ghanaian poet and diplomat, Kofi Awoonor, would put it, death has indeed made war upon our house.
“Onyeka Onwenu was a music icon, a songstress par excellence, and a nightingale personified. She was born to sing, and she delivered on her earthly mission in memorable and superlative manners, winning many awards in the process.
“She was also a woman of courage, a social crusader, a patriot, and lover of her people, who never shied away from speaking up in defence and advancement of truth, justice and equity
“Onwenu will be sorely missed, but it is consoling that she lived life to the fullest of her talents, sowing herself indelibly in the heart of humanity and will, like all legends, be remembered for many generations to come. I pray God to grant her soul eternal repose and comfort her family, the nation, and, indeed, Africa.”
Onwenu’s sons, Abraham and Tijani Ogunlende, officially announced her passing the singer and songwriter’s demise on Wednesday.
“It is with heavy hearts that my brother and I want to announce the passing of our mother, the much-loved Onyeka Onwenu,” statement reads in part.
They explained that the multitalented artiste passed away in Lagos, Tuesday night.
It’s exit of a nightingale – Gov Mbah mourns Onwenu
It’s exit of a nightingale – Gov Mbah mourns Onwenu
We’ll protect protesters, other citizens, say police
Less than 24 hours before the commencement of the nationwide protest, the Ondo State Police Command has warned the organisers of the planned protest to maintain law and order.
The State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipupo, gave the warning while speaking with journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday.
Oladipupo who was flanked by other security chiefs in the state, said all the security agencies are fully on the ground to ensure peace in the state.
He said, “What we are saying is that we should allow peace to reign in Ondo State.
“We are all aware of what is on the ground in the country as relates to protest by the citizens of this country titled ‘EndBadGovernance’ which built to start from August 1st to 10th.
“We are on the frontline and I want to let you know that protest is a fundamental right in any democracy and no responsible government will want to take away the right under section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“The citizens have the right to freely assemble and ventilate their concerns as to how they have governed.
“However, other Nigerians who are not interested in being part of the protest have their rights as well to freedom of movement. We all have the right and that right must be protected by the two sides.”
The police boss declared that the police would not allow the protest to be hijacked by hoodlums.
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Shaibu, Oshiomhole lead APC 495-man campaign council
The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, was a surprise inclusion in the 197-member list released by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress to drive its governorship campaign in the state ahead of the September 21 election.
The embattled deputy governor was recently reinstated by a Federal High Court in Abuja three months after he was sacked by the Edo House of Assembly.
The judge, James Omotosho, declared that Shaibu’s impeachment by the state assembly was illegal.
In the list released by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu was appointed as the chairman of the campaign train.
Otu will be assisted by Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was announced co-chairman and deputy chairman, respectively.
Other members of the 197-man list include Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Assistant Secretary), Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun; his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other governors elected on the platform of the APC.
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Senate urges Nigerians to shelve planned protest
The Senate on Wednesday urged Nigerians and organizers of the August 1 nationwide protests to reconsider their plans for the greater good of the country.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, issued the appeal during an emergency plenary session in Abujal.
Various groups are preparing to hold nationwide protests from August 1 to August 10 in response to rising costs of goods and services, as well as increasing poverty and hunger under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Akpabio said: “The Senate, in a closed-session, discussed issues concerning its operations and those of the National Assembly in general. The Senate specifically reviewed the situation regarding the scheduled protest and urges that one year is insufficient to judge the current government.”
“One year is not long enough for the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to produce the intended outcomes. The Senate requests that the protesters allow more time for the government to address their concerns, given the steps being taken to improve the situation.”
He listed measures taken by the government to address the hardship in the country to include the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refiners in Naira, and the implementation of the Students Loan Act.
The Senate President also mentioned the recent assent to the South-East and North-West Development Commissions bills, aimed at enhancing grassroots development.
Akpabio assured that the Senate is prepared to legislate on any issues that could benefit Nigerians.
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Ondo’s oldest first-class monarch, Owa of Idanre joins ancestors at 102
The oldest monarch in Ondo State, the Owa of Idanre Kingdom, Oba Frederick Aroloye, Arubiefin IV, joined his ancestors on Wednesday at 102.
The first-class monarch, who ascended the throne in 1976, passed on after a brief illness in the ancient kingdom.
The death of the monarch was disclosed by the Lisa of Idanre, who is also the traditional Prime Minister of the hilly kingdom, High Chief Christopher Akindolire.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has commiserated with the people of Idanre over the passing of the revered monarch.
Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, described the passing of the monarch as a monumental loss to the Idanre community, the state, and Yorubaland, stating that the late Oba Aroloye was one of the most respected monarchs in Nigeria during his reign.
He also described him as a lover of peace.
On his part, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Gbenga Edema, stated that the impact the late monarch had on the development and cultural heritage of Idanre will remain indelible.
Edema, who described the late Oba Aroloye as a beacon of positive change in the hilly community, stated that remarkable progress and transformative initiatives were witnessed during his reign.
“His reign was marked by progress, innovation, and a deep-seated love for the traditions of Idanre.”
“Oba Aroloye’s dedication to preserving the culture and heritage of Idanre has left an indelible mark on the community.
“His passion for the well-being of his subjects has endeared him to the hearts of many.”
Ondo’s oldest first-class monarch, Owa of Idanre joins ancestors at 102
Ex-BBC presenter Edwards pleads guilty to indecent child images charge
Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, one of the most recognisable faces on UK television, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of making indecent images of children.
The 62-year-old — who resigned from the BBC in April on “medical advice”, six months after he was arrested — faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a minimum of 12 months.
Wearing a dark suit and blue tie, Edwards sat impassively during the 25-minute court hearing as he admitted receiving 41 indecent images of children on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type.
Under English law, electronic communications involving indecent imagery of children — including receiving and downloading pictures and videos — can constitute the offence of making indecent images of children.
The crimes involving Edwards occurred between December 2020 and August 2021.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London heard that the former TV anchor had received 377 sexual images from a man he met online, of which 41 were indecent images of children.
“These images appear to have been received with approval,” prosecutor Ian Hope told the court.
Of the gravest, the estimated age of most of the children was 13 to 15, but one in a “moving film” was aged between seven and nine, he noted.
London’s Metropolitan Police said later Wednesday that the man who shared the indecent images of children with Edwards was 25-year-old convicted paedophile Alex Williams.
The force said a Welsh court sentenced Williams in March to a suspended 12-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to various charges related to indecent imagery of children.
Police said an investigation into Edwards began after a phone seized by officers as part of an unrelated probe revealed the broadcaster’s participation in a WhatsApp conversation.
– BBC ‘shocked’ –
Edwards’s lawyer, Philip Evans, said in court there was “no suggestion in this case that Mr Edwards has… in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort”.
He noted there were “serious issues in relation to Mr Edwards’s health both mental and physical”.
Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring released Edwards on conditional bail until his next hearing on September 16, when he could be sentenced.
“I’m asking the probation service to look at this case, with genuinely all options open,” the magistrate said.
Hope had earlier told the court that a suspended sentence might be appropriate if paired with a community order and a sexual offender treatment programme.
Edwards, a leading anchor and the BBC’s presenter on key events such as the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, was suspended in July 2023 when allegations first emerged.
He quit in April after 40 years with the broadcaster.
Edwards himself has not publicly commented on the allegations.
The BBC’s brand has been built on public trust but the broadcaster has been rocked in recent years by scandals which saw some big names revealed as serial sex offenders.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster said it was “shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today”.
“There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.”
The BBC’s statement acknowledged that it first learned of his arrest last November. He was suspended at the time, but only left the broadcaster six months later.
“If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him,” it added.
AFP
Planned protest : AAU bars students, staff from travelling out of campus
Less than 24-hours to the proposed nationwide planned protest #Endbadgovernance in Nigeria, the management of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, has ordered the restriction of students’ movement to hostels and halls of residences.
TVN reports that the Acting Registrar of the university, Comrade Ambrose E. Odiase, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin City.
Odiase said the order was in line with the directive of the National Universities Commission, NUC, on the safety of staff and students of various Nigerian institutions of higher learning
He said the authorities of the institution advised staff and students to remain calm as arrangements have been made with relevant security agencies to guarantee the safety of lives and property in and around the campus.
The statement said, “Students and staff are hereby enjoined to avoid unnecessary movements throughout the proposed protests. You are therefore urged to restrict your travels for now, as traveling outside Ekpoma should be avoided.
“Those in the halls of residence should stay within the university premises while those off campus should restrict themselves to their residences.
“Staff and students should attend to normal academic activities and stay away from trouble spots to avoid any risk or potential danger that may arise from the proposed protest.”
Odiase, however, enjoined students to concentrate on the ongoing first semester examinations without any fear or intimidation.
Planned protest : AAU bars students, staff from travelling out of campus
CBN to support $1tn economy target, says Cardoso
The Central Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the federal government’s target of achieving a $1tn economy.
Speaking at the Afrinvest 2024 Banking Sector Report Launch, Acting Director of Financial Policy and Regulations, Mr John Onoja, representing CBN Governor, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, stated, “We are glad that the present administration has set this target, and we are committed to supporting it.”
The CBN has been working towards creating an enabling environment for businesses and individuals, tackling institutional deficiencies, restoring corporate governance, strengthening regulations, and implementing prudential guidelines and policies.
Onoja stressed the importance of the banking sector recapitalisation exercise, saying, “This exercise will enhance the capacity of banks to serve the larger economy, increase lending capacity, attract foreign investments, improve foreign exchange liquidity, contribute to GDP growth, and promote better risk management and credit ratings.”
He noted that the CBN is working closely with banks to review their capital plans and ensure a successful exercise, collaborating with institutions like the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, NGX, and the National Assembly.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of Afrinvest highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to achieving a $1tn economy.
“The macroeconomic environment is challenging, with a potential national strike looming,” Chioke said.
“However, the data is available to run the economy effectively, but politicians must pay attention to it and have the discipline to be humble,” he added.
The report focuses on the banking sector recapitalisation, which requires all commercial, merchant, and non-interest banks to increase their paid-up capital to suitable levels.
Chioke emphasised that this exercise will enhance the capacity of banks to serve the larger economy, increase lending capacity, attract foreign investments, and promote better risk management.
However, he noted that the banking sector alone cannot drive economic growth.
“To achieve a $1tn economy, Nigeria needs to grow beyond the banking sector. Every aspect of the economy must grow alongside it,” he said.
He highlighted the need for human capital development, citing the example of Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey, which have achieved higher GDP per capita and human capital indices.
“Nigeria needs to invest in its people to achieve similar growth,” Chioke said.
The report identified capital gaps in the banking sector, with international banks requiring an additional N2.2tn, national banks needing N1.6tn, and regional banks requiring N445m.
Chioke stressed that recapitalising the banking sector is crucial, but it’s equally important to develop other sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT.
“We must prioritise human capital development to achieve a $1tn economy,” he said.
Reps blast finance ministry for reckless spending
The House of Representatives has berated the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) for reckless spending and failing to improve the Federal Government revenue
The House Committee on Public Assets further queried the agency for taking money from the budget for its operation without authorisation.
MOFI is a state-owned asset management company which focuses on long-term wealth proliferation by optimizing, re-investing and diversifying the country’s income based on extensive portfolio understanding.
It was set up in 1959 through an Act of Parliament as a custodian of the federal government’s investments in various Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) and Government Linked Companies (GLCs).
The total estimated valuation of MOFI’s holdings currently stands at over N18 trillion.
The agency on Tuesday incurred the wrath of the Chairman of the Public Asset Committee, Mr. Ademorin Kuye when its Managing Director, Dr. Armstrong Takang, appeared before the lawmakers to give account of their activities.
The committee which grilled Takang and members of his team on efforts to shore up the revenue of government expressed disappointment with MOFI for failing to live up to expectations.
It also berated the agency for reckless expenditure without improving government revenue.
Takang had in his presentation told the committee they took money from the budget.
“In your report we would like you to refer us to the section of the law where you are permitted to take money from the budget. How you have been getting funded since you came into office?” Kuye queried.
He noted that the agency wasted the Commitee’s time as it did not provide any answer to its questions.
In his ruling, the chairman demanded various documents from the agency on the assets it was managing to be submitted within seven days.
He also knocked the agency for operating without proper legislation establishing it.
“This is an agency we had high hopes of. What we request of you now is this classes of assets, including shares of publicly traded entities, limited liability entities and foreign based and other businesses. A list of these assets home and abroad. Improvements that you have made thereupon and how it has helped the GDP.
“Another class is assets is the financial assets, which includes public and private equities investments, fixed income and hedge funds, the fixed assets includes the real estates. We need you to give us a list of those estates.
“We would like to have the value of each if these real assets, revenue made through them for the past ten years and the contributions they have made to the GDP.
“Another class is the cash flow generating transactions such as the concession agreement and the public private partnerships. We want a list of those concessions under your care and tell us the revenue with evidence from such concessions.
“The last class of assets are the minerals and the intangible assets, which includes the hydrocarbon. We want to know the extent of your investments in them and what has come to Nigeria as a result of those investments.
“According to the record that you furnished us with you said 80 percent of whatever you get are put into new investments fund and then you put them into identified sectors including manufacturing, digital services and agriculture.
“We want you to furnish the committee is real time what the specific amount and where did it go? Whether it was into manufacturing or into digital services or into agriculture.
“According to you, you have a list of 52 companies in your portfolio, with an estimated 18 trillion naira value. and over 15, 000 employees according to your records which make you a major driver of our economy.
“We want a list of those companies, your employees and how much you have recouped for Nigeria from such investments.
“Since inception and since your appointment, we want to know how many titled documents you have been able to obtain for our assets and how many you have been able to protect from further encroachment.
“You said part of your of your mission is to invest with intent of preserving your socioeconomic value through catalysing growth. In your report we would like you to refer us to the section of the law where you are permitted to take money from the budget. How you have been getting funded since you came into office
“Lastly we would like to know how much has been voted for MOFI in the last five years and for what purpose you spent those money. You wasted the time of Nigerians” Kuye stated.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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Shelve protest – Senate begs Nigerians
The Senate on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians and promoters of the nationwide protest to shelve their plans in the interest of the nation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the appeal during plenary after a closed-door session.
The #EndBadGovernance protest is scheduled to commence tomorrow, August 1.
Akpabio said, “The Senate in a closed-session deliberated on issues bothering on its workings in particular and the National Assembly in general.
“The Senate particularly reviewed the current situation as regards the impending protest slated for August 1 and accordingly urges that one year is not long enough to judge the present government.
“One year is not long enough for the policies being implemented by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu to yield the desired results.
“The Senate urges the protesters to give the government more time to address their demands considering the measures being put in place to ameliorate the situation in the country.”
He identified the measures to include: the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refiners in Naira, and the implementation of Students Loan Act.
Others, he said, are the assent recently granted to the South-East and North-West Development Commissions bills passed by the National Assembly to further address developments at the grassroots.
He said that the Senate was willing to legislate on all matters that would bring about succour to Nigerians in general.
Shelve protest – Senate begs Nigerians