Ex-Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume’s woes deepened on Wednesday as Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has removed him as the Vice Chairman of the Appropriation Committee.
TVN learnt that Ndume had been reassigned as the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism.
This followed the reshuffling of the Senate standing committees.
Recall that Ndume, a senator from Borno State, was, earlier on Wednesday, removed as the Chief Whip of the Senate and replaced by Senator Tahir Mungono, representing Borno North.
TVN had earlier reported that Ndume’s removal followed his recent outburst against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He had in an interview with newsmen last week stated that Tinubu does not know what is happening outside the Presidential Villa.
Ndume also alleged that the President had been fenced off and caged, adding that his administration is being run by kleptocrats who are only interested in looting the treasury.
Embattled Senator, Ndume removed as vice chair Senate Appropriation Committee
Embattled Senator, Ndume removed as vice chair Senate Appropriation Committee
Crypto exchange, OKX, discontinues services in Nigeria
Cryptocurrency exchange, OKX, has announced plans to discontinue its services in Nigeria, citing recent changes in local laws and regulations.
The exchange, in a statement sent directly to its users on Wednesday, said this decision was based on its ongoing assessment of policies in the markets it serves.
“We are discontinuing OKX services in Nigeria after recent changes in local laws and regulations.
“From August 16, 2024, our customers will no longer be able to open any new positions or access any services on the platform, with the exception of withdrawals and closing/redemption of open positions,” the statement read.
OKX asked its users to review their accounts and provided steps to retrieve their assets.
The company said from August 16, users “will only be able to withdraw your assets; you will not be able to deposit or transact otherwise.”
“While your funds remain secure and accessible in your account, we highly encourage you to withdraw them to your private wallet or your accounts on other third-party platforms by 12:00 am (PST) on August 30, 2024.
“After August 30, 2024, you will have to reach out to our customer service teams for any account related actions. We strongly encourage you to withdraw or transfer funds prior to this date, as remaining balances may be subject to further restrictions in accordance with our Terms of Service along with local laws,” the statement concluded.
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Troops arrest seven suspects, recover weapons in Plateau
Troops of Operation Safe Haven have arrested seven suspects and recovered various arms and ammunition in Plateau State.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, lll Division, Maj. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday in Jos.
He said the suspects were arrested from communities in the Fann District of Barkin-Ladi local government area of the state.
Danja added that the arrest and recovery of weapons followed an operation conducted by troops between July 10 and June 16.
He said: “A tactical team of III Div and OPSH while conducting an operation to recover arms from a gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa community in Fann District, was attacked in the early hours of July 10.
READ ALSO: Troops thwart suspected IPOB attack on Ebonyi police station, kill five —Army
“During the operation, a member of the team, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, Christopher Agwom, was killed by the criminals.
“Following the incident, troops conducted a follow-on operation in the district to recover illegal arms and ammunition and other dangerous weapons.
”During the operations that lasted for one week, the team arrested seven suspects and recovered both automatic and locally fabricated weapons, as well as different calibres of ammunition from Ratas, Ratoso, and Sangasa communities, all in Fann district.”
The spokesman listed the weapons recovered during the operation to include six AK-47 rifles, 16 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles,15 Dane guns, five AK-47 magazines, and one AK-47 drum magazine with 75 rounds.
Others are 250 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), two cartridges and seven motorcycles.
The post Troops arrest seven suspects, recover weapons in Plateau appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
NMA decries indiscriminate arrest, detention of doctors in Anambra
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has condemned continued harassment of doctors practising in the state by patients and their relations.
Dr Jane Ezeonu, Chairman of NMA, Anambra Chapter, condemned the development on Wednesday in Awka, while speaking ahead of the 2024 NMA Annual General Meeting, Scientific Conference and Election scheduled for July 19.
According to Ezeonu, the indiscriminate use of security agencies to intimidate, arrest and detain doctors by families of patients who felt dissatisfied with services rendered, had become a serious occupational hazard for doctors in the state.
She said it had become necessary for the NMA and the Police hierarchy to dialogue on channels for seeking redress in line with provisions of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Act.
According to her, although there might be dissatisfaction with medical services, the public should know that doctors always give their best to save lives in line with their Hippocratic Oath at induction into the medical profession.
Ezeonu, who said the NMA just secured the release of a doctor detained for 13 days, added that such detention lead to brain drain among medical practitioners.
She said that by their training and oath, doctors would not harm patients.
The chairman appealed to members of the public to stop taking laws into their hands, saying that subjecting doctors to pressure and mental torture would negatively affect their ability to do their best.
“A worrisome trend we observed during my tenure is indiscriminate arrest and detention of doctors by the police on the instruction of families of patients who do not feel satisfied with services received.
“It is now an occupational hazard which also kills morale of doctors.
“Imagine security men barging into a hospital facility to forcefully take away a doctor on duty. It is a threat to healthcare delivery.
“In the past two years under my tenure, the NMA has had to secure bail for no fewer than three members who were illegally arrested and detained at a police facility,” she said.
NMA decries indiscriminate arrest, detention of doctors in Anambra
Court to rule on PDP representation August 21
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has fixed August 21 to deliver a ruling on legal representation for the Peoples Democratic Party in a suit filed by the BOOT Party against Martin Amaewhule and 25 other lawmakers.
Members of the BOOT Party had filed a suit challenging the legitimacy of Martin Amaewhule and 25 of his colleagues to be considered members of Rivers State House of Assembly and PDP after defecting to the All Progressive Congress.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade, in an application, to resolve the issue of legal representation asked the court to bar Joshua Musa, who announced an appearance for the state legal adviser.
Ajibade also asked the Court to scrap all processes filed by Musa on behalf of PDP and should allow himself to represent the party, referring the Court to an affidavit of joinder presented by Musa, especially paragraph 2 where the deponent, Kingsley Chukwu clarified that he obtained the instructions of the national to join in the matter.
The PDP National Legal Adviser argued that the two judgments from a Federal High Court as presented by MUSA never deprived him as the National Legal Adviser the sole right to oversee the legal affairs of the PDP but touched only articles 42 of the party constitution and urges to court not to recognize the appearance of MUSA as directed by the state legal adviser.
But Musa urged the court to discount every submission made by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, relying his argument on paragraph 2 of his affidavit in support of the joinder.
Musa further argued that the exhibits PDP 1 and 2 as represented by the PDP National Legal Adviser are unsigned documents which are valueless, describing them as concocted documents and urged the court not to recognise the latter to represent the party in the suit.
The Presiding judge, Justice E.O Obele, after listening to the counsel representing the parties adjourned to August 21 to rule on the rightful person to represent the PDP in the suit and for mentioned in the substantive suit.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, Ajibade said the law is clear on who to represent a political matter on legal issues and insisted that the national leadership of PDP is aware that Martin Amaewhule and 25 others have defected, hence have lost their seats.
He stated, “Our contention is that we only have one PDP and all the issues of defection you are talking about, were sponsored by the national headquarters. There is no party here (Rivers State that can sponsor a candidate).
“So the seats you are talking about belong to the PDP and it is only one PDP that was registered by INEC. So PDP Rivers cannot have the power to send a representation to the Court, to say otherwise.
“Particularly the contention here is that they are talking about the fact they are not aware of the defection. Meanwhile, the PDP National is of the position that Martin Amaewhule and the others have defected, and they have lost their seats. So saying otherwise here by the legal adviser in Rivers State is saying what is not the position of the national headquarters.”
Our correspondent reports that the court also adjourned to 21 August to hear the suit filed by members of the Civil Society Organisation in the state against the governor, Amaewhuele and his colleagues.
Jos building collapse, sign of negligence by govt agencies – Catholic women
The National President of Catholic Women Organization (CWO) in Nigeria, Dame Mary Gonsum, has described the recent building collapse at Saints Academy, Jos, Plateau State, as clear example of negligence by relevant government regulatory bodies over the years.
She called on relevant government agencies to ensure a well built structure is put in place when any building is being erected.
Gonzum stated this while addressing journalists after a visit to survivors of the school building collapse, who are receiving treatment at Bingham University Teaching Hospital as well as Our Lady of Apostolic (OLA) Hospital in Jos, the state cqpital.
Speaking alongside other women leaders of various Catholic Archdioceses across the country, she said, “We are here to commiserate with the people of Plateau State and the management of Saints Academy School over the unfortunate incident of building collapse.
“Having gone round we saw the students who were affected are responding to treatment. From the reports gathered and based on what we saw the management of the hospitals are doing their best, and we must give them credence.
“Going forward, we are calling on government to make sure that whenever a building is to be erected, agencies responsible should ensure a well built structure is put in place, they should please do their work.
“Individuals or organizations must obtain approval from government before they will embark on their project. Look at the lives we just lost! And more so, this are our little ones who are hoping to be the leaders of tomorrow but it is very unfortunate we lost them at the tender age.
“To the parents who lost their love ones, please accept our heartfelt condolences from the Catholic Women Organization Nigeria.”
She commended the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for ensuring that those affected are given medical attention.
TVN recalls that on 12th July, 2024, a two storey building collapsed at Saints Academy, Jos, claiming the lives of 22 people, while 132 sustained various degree of injuries.
As at the time of filing this report 108 survivors have been discharged, while 24 others are still on admission responding to treatment at various tertiary health facilities in the state.
Jos building collapse, sign of negligence by govt agencies – Catholic women
UAE denies $10k bank balance, N640k fee for Nigerian visa applicants
The United Arab Emirates has denied approving $10k bank balance, and N640k fee requirements for Nigerians applying for visas into the country, reports The Cable.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced on Monday, that the UAE authorities agreed to vacate travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians.
Idris further revealed that applicants must fulfill certain conditions part of which was obtaining a document verification number on documentverificationhub.ae
According to the website, the verification costs a non-refundable N640,000 excluding VAT for each application. This does not include the visa fee.
Additionally, applicants must provide a six-month bank statement showing a minimum balance of $10,000.
This development was condemned by air travellers who labelled the requirements as a “constructive ban,”
However, inquiries by TheCable to the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism revealed that the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.
The department noted that document verification inquiries should be directed to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
The GDRFAD meanwhile revealed that the visa application process requires a personal photo and a passport with at least six months validity. A tourist visa costs approximately 200-300 dirhams (N60,000 – 90,000), depending on the length of stay.
Applicants also need a travel ticket and valid medical insurance for the UAE.
When asked about the $10,000 bank balance requirement, GDRFAD responded, “We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.”
The spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eche Abu-Obe, assured that further clarification on the matter would be sought from the ministry’s office in the Middle East.
It would be recalled that the UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigeria barely two years ago due to various diplomatic disputes.
Additionally, Dubai’s Emirates Airline halted flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.
In June, following several meetings with the UAE government, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would soon be lifted.
During the same month, the Nigerian government announced that it had paid 98 percent of $850 million.
Madrid captain Modric signs one-year contract extension
Captain Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid after his contract had ended last month.
The 38-year-old has won 26 trophies, including six Champions League titles and four domestic titles since joining Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012.
Modric has featured in 534 matches for Los Blancos, scoring 39 goals.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner played 46 times across all competitions in 2023-24 but started on just 23 occasions.
Read Also: Modric dedicates Ballon d’Or to Xavi, Iniesta, others
In the just-comcluded European Championship, Modric started in all three of Croatia’s matches as they crashed out after finishing third in their group.
Modric’s continuing presence at Real will ensure manager Carlo Ancelotti has experience to count on.
Real Madrid have already completed the high profile signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain, with the France striker officially unveiled on 16 July.
Teenager Endrick has also been drafted in from Brazilian side Palmeiras to bolster the 15-time European champions.
The post Madrid captain Modric signs one-year contract extension appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
‘My miracle soap has government approval’ – Prophet Jeremiah (VIDEO)
Popular Nigerian prophet, Jeremiah Fufeyin, has stated that his miracle soap has the approval of the Nigerian government.
TVN recalls that the founder of the Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries, CMDM, had launched his miracle product which includes soap, perfume and water, among others.
Criticising the development, Abel Damina, the founder of Power City International in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, condemned the miracle products, tagging Jeremiah a business man.
Responding in a now controversial video on social media, Jeremiah noted that the miracle soap also works for him, stating that it has a registered number from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
In a now trending video, he said, “They said Jeremiah wants to use miracle soap. I wonder, are you not tired of suffering? Now listen to me carefully.
“This soap, NAFDAC has approved it. I’m not from the company that approved the NAFDAC number, but I am using it because my own is to say the word of God. I used it and succeeded with it. Something you don’t know quite.”
Watch him speak below:
“Our Miracle soap has Nafdac Number.”
– Prophet Jeremiah. pic.twitter.com/lkB6NQwaNY
— X-Daily (@X_Dailly) July 15, 2024
‘My miracle soap has government approval’ – Prophet Jeremiah (VIDEO)
SDP backs planned protest on economic hardship
The leadership of the Social Democratic Party has thrown its weight behind the planned nationwide protest against the economic hardship in the country.
The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Gabam, announced this at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gabam, who lamented that so many Nigerians are undergoing hardship, said the demonstration was in the interest of the masses.
His concern comes one week after the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, exonerated President Bola Tinubu from the inflation and economic challenge ravaging the country.
Uzodimma insisted it would be unfair for anybody to blame the president, arguing that the biting hardship is a global phenomenon and not limited to Nigeria.
But speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Gabam disclosed that his party has endorsed the protest to show solidarity with the Nigerians.
This was even as he appealed for the protesters to conduct themselves peacefully to avoid having the planned demonstration hijacked.
According to him, the struggle for a better Nigeria should be the responsibility of all irrespective of political differences or ethnic background.
He said, “Being conscious that we have no other country except Nigeria, we in the Social Democratic Party support the protest. We also call on all security agencies to be civil in responding to the yearnings and concerns of millions of Nigerians.
“They must stay aware that the protesters are their brothers and sisters not enemies of the state. We believe in the welfare and the future of the country. They must also remember that we share the same markets, hospitals, burden of school fees, bills, and groceries by implication.
“The struggle for a better Nigeria is the responsibility of all irrespective of our political differences and dispositions.”
Continuing, the SDP chairman emphasised that the party would continue to call on the government to stand with the people and fight for a better country where everyone has access to opportunities, justice, and prosperity.
Meanwhile, a civil society organization has warned the groups and individuals behind the planned protest to shelve the move.
The group appealed that the organizers should instead seek a strategic engagement and collaboration with the government to mitigate the effects of the hardship.
The convener of the Door-to-Door Youth and Women Initiative for Good Governance, Khadija Yusuf, made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja.
She said, “As the call for the #EndBadGovernance protest gains momentum, I urge you to channel your remarkable strength and wisdom towards dialogue, collaboration, and constructive engagement.
“While protest remains a fundamental right of every citizen as enshrined in our constitution, it is evident that beyond genuine complaints, these recent calls to protest have been highly sensationalized and carry glaring political undertones.
“We must be aware that some of the voices pushing for these protests are those who have lost in the political arena and are desperate to plunge our country into crisis for their gain. We must not allow our genuine desire for progress to be hijacked by those with ulterior motives as we saw in some protests in recent years.
“Our voices are valid, and our concerns are genuine. Our current reality and hunger level in the land stretch beyond social or economic strata. However, the narrative in our media spaces, mainly social media, has exposed a sinister plot to cause anarchy in the land, banking on our diversity.”