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Driver, 18 passengers abducted in Rivers-bound bus

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Driver, 18 passengers abducted in Rivers-bound bus

The driver and 18 passengers of a Port Harcourt-bound Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation bus were on Wednesday, last week, abducted by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, According Metro learnt on Monday.

The incident, our correspondent gathered, occurred along the Azumini boundary between Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

According Metro gathered that the bus had left its Uyo terminal passing through Iwukem in the Etim Local Council Area before the passengers were intercepted by their abductors in the Azumini area of the road.

A source who pleaded not to be mentioned told our correspondent that the gunmen stopped the bus driver after shooting into the air while others came out from the bush and joined in the shooting spree.

The source added that all the passengers were ordered to come out of the vehicle or be killed if they did not oblige.

“The driver was the first person to come down. Other passengers were ordered to follow suit immediately. The kidnappers moved all of them to the bush and escaped with them. The whereabouts of the passengers are not known for now,” the source said.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists on Monday, said the police were still monitoring the situation.

“That incident happened along the Azumini area of the road after the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. All I can say is that the police are still monitoring the situation now,” the PPRO said.

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$1.8bn fuel stolen from refineries in nine years — NEITI

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$1.8bn fuel stolen from refineries in nine years — NEITI

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, has disclosed that the country lost $1.84bn worth of petroleum products from refineries in nine years.

Orji stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2024 NEITI board retreat/meeting in Lagos.

According to him, 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products were lost from the refineries as a result of oil theft between 2009 and 2018. This was estimated at 140,000 barrels per day.

Baffled by the increasing rate of oil theft, the NEITI boss said, “Figures contained in our 2009 to 2020 audits have put Nigeria’s losses to crude oil theft over a 12-year period at 619.7 million barrels valued at $46.16bn or N16.25tn. Similarly, between 2009 and 2018, the country also lost 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries valued at $1.84 billion.”

He added that these losses and their attendant negative effects on the economy made the previous administration constitute a special panel on oil theft/losses to study the situation.

Orji hinted that NEITI did a report and made recommendations on the ways to stop oil theft in Nigeria, urging the current administration to look into the report and implement the recommendations.

He emphasised that the five-day retreat was an opportunity to discuss ideas on ways to deal with the current challenges of oil theft, illegal mining, pipeline and other governance challenges that have contributed to the loss of revenues and investment opportunities.

On energy transition, the executive secretary expressed worries that the nation’s economy is being threatened by the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy as the demand for oil declines.

Orji noted that the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources poses significant risks to countries that depend heavily on hydrocarbon-based natural resource revenues for survival.

“Our country, Nigeria is heavily dependent on oil revenues for survival. It is within the ambit of this board to support our government and citizens with timely policy decisions and strategies to deal with this unavoidable unfolding development in the extractive sector.

“The fear of the known risks in most of the affected countries far outweighs the potential unknown opportunities except we utilise the immense opportunities within the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, its global network and multi-stakeholder framework to search for solutions.

“At current dependency levels, Nigeria already faces significant threats to its economy from the prospect of a permanent decline in global demand for crude oil. The demand for our oil keeps going down daily,” he remarked.

He declared that given the fiscal problems Nigeria has experienced from short-term disruptions in crude oil and gas output, the much longer-term and permanent decline in demand would have a far-reaching impact on the country’s economy.

Orji added, “While the transition from carbon-based fuel will have a significant long-term impact on Nigeria’s revenue and exports, the transition would also have other impacts on the economy. A direct consequence of the transition would be the loss of fossil fuel as a source of energy.

“In 2021, crude oil and gas accounted for 46 per cent of energy use and 78 per cent of electricity generation in Nigeria. The transition would therefore require significant financial investment for the country to generate renewable energy to replace energy previously generated from carbon fuels. This financing (and technological) burden is in addition to the equally significant amount of money that is required to close Nigeria’s current energy supply gap,” he explained.

Sanwo-Olu reacts

On his part, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said for Nigeria to fully harness its abundant natural resources, there is an urgent need to re-examine the existing laws that vest control over oil and other mineral resources in the Federal Government as well as the exploitation of mineral resources in the country.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy, Biodun Ogunleye, stated, “The need for review of these laws has become very urgent if the Federal Government’s policy on Ease of Doing Business is to succeed especially at the sub-national levels. The review is also important to promote investments in the extractive industry and diversify our nation’s economy.

“To this end, the Federal Government and its agencies need to engage more with the private sector and sub-national governments in the development of our natural resources. The areas of engagement include solid minerals development, host community programmes, environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, domestic resource mobilisation and poverty reduction initiatives which are at the centre of realising the impacts of the global extractive industries transparency initiative in resource-rich countries like Nigeria.”

Is God recognised as creator of human beings in Igbo cosmology?

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Is God recognised as creator of human beings in Igbo cosmology?

Christianity has so overtaken and reshaped the lifestyle of the Igbo people of Nigeria that it is hard to say for certain what is originally Igbo and what is not. The fact that the Igbo – like many pre-colonial African societies – did not have an organised system of writing on paper and storing in easily retrievable formats, accessible to the public, dealt a devastating blow to the transfer of Igbo thoughts from generation to generation. The result is that over the decades, many Christian and Western correlatives have been adopted into the Igbo worldview as original to the Igbo.

One issue that is usually the subject of such assumptions is the way human beings are created in Igbo cosmology. The popular narrative has been that the Supreme God, “Chukwu”, oversees all affairs in the Igbo traditional world but chose to withdraw from day-to-day administration and handed over that duty to different gods.

According to Prof. Chinua Achebe in his essay “Chi in Igbo Cosmology”, “Since the Igbo people did not construct a rigid and closely argued system of thought to explain the universe and the place of man in it…, anyone seeking an insight into their world must seek it along their own way – folktales, proverbs, proper names, rituals and festivals.”

In Igbo cosmology, God rarely features whenever the creation of human beings and animals is mentioned. He is also rarely credited with deciding the destiny of human beings or when human beings should die. There is a being credited with all that. That being is chi, which has been translated as “personal god.” Each person has his or her own chi. Even animals have their own chi.

Each person is created by chi. Each person’s chi is different. That is why the Igbo say: “Otu nne na-amụ ma otu chi adịghị eke” (One mother may bear many children but one chi does not create them). This is also reaffirmed in a saying which is given as a personal name: “Chi abu otu” (No two personal gods are the same). This is the source of the belief of the Igbo people in the uniqueness of every individual. It exemplifies the individualism for which the Igbo are known.

Furthermore, whether a person meets with misfortunes in life or not does not depend on God’s favour. It depends on the person’s chi. That is why the Igbo have names like Chinwoke and Chijioke (chi is in charge of sharing or allocating fortunes). That is also why any time something bad happens to an Igbo person (including the most devout Christians of today), the person would exclaim: “Chi m e gbuo m ooo!” (My chi has “killed” me!).

In fact, before chi creates a person and sends the person into the world, the person and the chi will sit down and have a chat. It is at that parley that the person’s fate is determined. That is where it is determined how long the person will live, where the person will be born, what the person will be, etc.  It aligns with the democratic ideology of the Igbo people. It may sound ridiculous that any right-thinking soul would choose a negative destiny, but that is why such is a religious belief. Although it is not clear whether the soul has the power to insist on certain destinies, the bottom line is that there is a meeting between a soul and the chi that will turn the soul into a human being.

That is why whatever happens to a human being, the Igbo will say: “Ọ bụ otu ya na chi ya siri kpaa” (That is the agreement between the person and the chi). But it is obvious that no human being remembers the details of such an agreement.

 his does not mean that human beings are to fold their arms and wait for their destiny to unravel. Human beings are encouraged to strive for success in life. That is why the Igbo say: “Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe” (If a person says yes, the person’s chi will concur.) But each person is like an animal held on a leash by the person’s chi. The animal can play, run and jump within the length of the rope, but not beyond it. Therefore, nobody can rise beyond what his/her chi has determined for him/her. This is why it is said: “Onye buru chi ya uzo, o gbagbue onwe ya n’oso.” Therefore, it is advised that when people have done their best but their chi says no, they should not be blamed (O mebere ma chi ya ekweghị, onye ụta atala ya).

Also, any time a person is due to depart from this world in line with the prenatal agreement, the chi will end the person’s life. Once the chi decides to kill the person, no force can stop it. That is why the Igbo say that if there is a conspiracy against a human being but the person’s chi is not part of it, that plot will not succeed.

It is also believed that a human being can fight a monster with 20 heads and win, but no human being can fight his or her chi and win. That is the crux of the popular folktale of the great warrior Ojaadili. He fought the strongest beings on earth and won. He went to the land of the spirits and defeated all the spirits. Then he became arrogant. The spirits had a meeting and decided to present his chi as his opponent. His chi was disguised as a frail-looking little individual. His flautist saw the plot and begged him to flee. But the arrogant Ojaadili refused and said that he had defeated ferocious beings and spirits. “Why should I flee from this tiny opponent?” he asked. But when the fight began, Ojaadili’s disguised chi picked him up with a finger and smashed him on the ground. That was the end of the great warrior, Ojaadili, and an eternal warning passed on from generation to generation that people should never wrestle with their chi.

Interestingly, although Christianity sees the belief in chi as idolatry, it has become so ingrained in the subconscious of every Igbo person that it is not seen as such. To ensure that it is not practised as idolatry, the people have smartly redesignated chi to mean a shortened form of Chukwu.

While some have argued that Chukwu (God) uses chi and other gods as His messengers, some scholars like Prof. D. Ibe Nwoga and Prof. I.B. Chukwukere have argued that there was no concrete evidence to prove that before Christianity came into Igboland in the 19th century, the Igbo believed in a supreme being that created the heaven and the earth and all therein. Rather, they argued that what existed was the Ibini Ukpabi deity of the Aro people, also known as the Long Juju, which was promoted throughout the South-East and parts of the South-South as “chi ukwu” (the big god). Chi ukwu of the Arọ people was marketed by its agents, who settled in all parts of Igboland and beyond, as the deity of last resort. It was feared. When people wanted to go consult the Arọ deity, they would say: Ka anyị jee Chukwu (Let us go to Chukwu). The guilty ones never returned as they were said to have been “eaten” by Chukwu.

For Christianity to gain roots in Igboland, the British had to demonise the Aro people as scammers who used their deity to extort money from the people and sell off supposed guilty people as slaves, while lying that such people had been eaten by the deity. The British then waged a war against the Aro, defeated them and destroyed the shrines of Ibini Ukpabi. To this day, the communities of the descendants of Aro people in different parts of Igboland are still called Umuchukwu (children of Chukwu).

That was why the translators of the Bible into Igbo refused to use the word “Chukwu” for God. They preferred the coined, descriptive or borrowed words like Chineke (God that creates or allocates), Osebuluwa (God that bears the earth), Onyenweanyị (our lord), Jehova, etc. But today, the word “Chukwu” has been fully accepted as the Igbo name for God. Chi has also become a synonym for Chukwu. That is how languages evolve.

– X: @BrandAzuka

NMA, MDCAN fault bribery report, insist doctors have integrity

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NMA, MDCAN fault bribery report, insist doctors have integrity

Presidents of the Nigerian Medical Association and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, have faulted the report by a media organisation (not According) that two-thirds of Nigerian doctors and nurses demand bribes before attending to patients.

The news report, which referred to the recently released report by the National Bureau of Statistics, stated that “42 per cent of health workers received bribes to speed up the procedure and 15 per cent also took bribes to make the finalisation of the procedure possible.”

However, the associations expressed worry and surprise over the report, asserting that the medical practice was still faring strongly and maintains high ethical standards despite the mass exodus of health workers and underfunding of the sector.

The report titled, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends Third survey on corruption as experienced by the population”, was prepared by the Data, Analytics and Statistics Section of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, while the survey implementation, fieldwork, data preparation was done by the NBS.

The report noted that in 2023, about 56 per cent of Nigerians had at least one contact with a public official in 2022.

Of this figure, 30 per cent had contact with healthcare professionals, while 24 per cent interacted with public utilities officers.

However, the NBS and UNDOC report showed that of the 30 per cent of Nigerians who had contact with healthcare professionals, only four per cent paid a bribe or were asked to pay a bribe and refused.

The report listed bribery as a direct or indirect request meant to facilitate a procedure, a sign of appreciation and a third-party request.

Additionally, the report revealed that about N721bn was paid in cash bribes to public officials, and ranked corruption as fourth among the most important problems affecting the country in 2023.

In an exclusive interview with According Healthwise, the NMA president, Professor Bala Audu, stated that although he believed in the authenticity of the report due to the status of the NBS and UNODC, it was worrisome.

He noted that despite the poor remuneration and mass exodus of health professionals in the country, the remaining few continued to provide quality health care to Nigerians.

“First and foremost, the report indicates that doctors and nurses are the most highly demanded services by adults in Nigeria. Thirty per cent of Nigerian adult access care from doctors and nurses. As against any public institution in this country, doctors and nurses have been indicated to be the busiest from that report.

“And we all know that we have a dwindling number of doctors and nurses in this country because of the Japa syndrome. So it means doctors and nurses are very few. Doctors and nurses remain poorly remunerated and that is one of the reasons why they are leaving the country, amongst other reasons. But they continue to work hard to provide the quality of care that people are looking for,” the NMA president maitained.

Audu asserted that the report revealed that the level of corruption among healthcare workers was the lowest when compared to the rate at which their services are sought after.

He said, “The second thing that that report also showed is that the level of corruption in the public sector is the lowest amongst doctors and nurses. It is the lowest compared to any public or private sector. That of doctors and nurses is the lowest. And what did the report say? The report said 30 per cent of adults in Nigeria, which is the highest percentage among those seeking public services, are demanding the services of doctors and nurses.

“The level of corruption that was found among the entire 30 per cent that goes to look for, among the entire population of adults who go to look for services from doctors and nurses in the public sector is four per cent.

“Now, if you apply that to the 30 per cent of the total population, it gives you 1.2 per cent. This is the lowest, and you can check this part from the complete report. We take this report very seriously.”

The don further emphasised that the report has been subjected to intensive scrutiny by statisticians and epidemiologists within the health sector for further analysis.

He noted that although the figure was the lowest in the country, it was worrisome that such was happening.

“So we are going to work on this. We are going to look for more details on the kind of bribes people are talking about and the kind of health professionals that are involved and under what circumstances. We hope that by the next report, we’ll find zero corruption within the health sector,” the NMA president posited.

Audu urged medical professionals to keep a high standard of ethics despite the current environment.

He encouraged the government to reward the high ethical standards and dedication to service that medical professionals have consistently demonstrated.

The NMA president added, “Despite the environment where we are operating, we have been vindicated that the level of ethics amongst health professionals is the highest amongst any professional group in this country and amongst any public sector. It is the highest. Look at what is happening amongst judges, the police and the customs and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

“As for the government, I would want them to reward the high ethical standard that doctors and nurses have demonstrated and to reward our availability to service 30 per cent of the adult population of this country who are looking for our services and still maintain the lowest level of corruption.

“We have the highest level of service delivery and yet the lowest level of corruption. If you look at the entire report, some public office providers are servicing less than 10 per cent of the adult population and their corruption level is more than 70 per cent.

“So, I think the health sector should be encouraged to improve so that we can come to zero level and the other sectors should also learn from what is happening in the health sector so that they can take a leap and introduce more ethical standards in their day-to-day work.”

Also speaking with According Healtwhwise, the president of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Professor Aminu Mohammed, expressed surprise over the news report, noting that the health sector was still functioning despite its challenges.

He said, “It’s also surprising to the Association. In fact, if there is any organisation or if there is any system that is still relatively functioning despite challenges, it is healthcare. It’s the only place you can go without knowing anyone or whatever and obtain services without anyone either asking you or giving any excuses based on where you came from or what you do or whatever.

“And in most situations, we see all our patients in public, not in seclusion. So I, as a person, I’m very surprised. The Association is also very surprised that somebody can bring out this caption in particular.

“When you look at the study from the analysis, they said doctors and nurses, from their assessment, is four per cent. So if it is four per cent with others, around 10 or even more, then how will you make that caption?”

The MDCAN president further noted that the news report was denting the image of the profession.

Also, the immediate past president of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Professor Oluwarotimi Akinola, described the report as very depressing to practitioners.

“Such claims, which I believe are erroneous are push factors that fuel the catastrophic haemorrhage of health workers from Nigeria,” he lamented.

Ogun to probe Lipede market fire

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Ogun to probe Lipede market fire

The Ogun State Government has vowed to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain the root cause of the fire incident which destroyed 15 shops and goods worth millions of naira at the Oba Lipede International Market, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Saturday night.

The Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr  Adebola Sofela, made this known during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the market on Monday.

He said the essence of the thorough investigation was to know what went wrong and how to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

Sofela said, “Experts will be deployed to conduct an integrity test on the building of the market to determine the impact of the fire, while the government will also not delay the rehabilitation of parts of the market affected by the inferno.”

The commissioner, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, officials of the market’s board, as well as the Iyaloja, Mrs. Tejumade Bakre, among other leaders, noted that the main building, which was constructed over 43 years ago would always be protected and maintained given its monumental economic value to the residents of the state.

He assured the residents that Governor Dapo Abiodun would come up with plans to ameliorate the pains of traders whose property was gutted during the inferno.

Decrying the looting of some shops shortly after the incident, the market leader, Mrs Tejumade Bakre, appreciated government and security agents for coming to their rescue.

The fire incident which started at about 10:15 pm on Saturday, was said to have been caused by the explosion of a generator being powered by gas and owned by a businessman in the market.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Funmi Efuwape, had on Sunday told newsmen that 15 shops were affected by the incident.

Efuwape said that the fire started from the illegal structures outside and erupted into the main building saying that the government would consider the demolition of shanties and illegal structures in the market to restore sanity and orderliness.

NFF debunks Renard’s Eagles rumours

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NFF debunks Renard’s Eagles rumours

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has dismissed reports (not The According and According Sports Extra) that France women’s national team coach, Hervé Renard, is being considered for the Super Eagles job by the federation.

The Eagles have been without a head coach since Finidi George resigned in June.

Finidi quit his role as head coach of the three times African champions following the NFF announcement that they would appoint a foreign technical adviser for the team.

The decision came after an outcry by the football-loving populace following the team’s poor performances, including a shock defeat to Benin Republic, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last month.

Renard is currently the head coach of France women’s national team but he recently made clear his intention to vacate the position after the Paris Olympic Games next month.

His decision to quit the French team sparked rumours linking him with the vacant Eagles job with many suggesting that the football body had contacted the two-time AFCON-winning coach for the job with only his salary the stumbling block.

Reacting to the rumours in a chat with The According, Gusau said there were no such talks between the federation and the Frenchman.

“I am not aware of that for now,” he said.

On the claim that the NFF would have to break the bank to pay the French coach a hefty demand of $180,000 monthly salary, the NFF boss added, “Did you see it from any NFF communication channel? It is from some of those that are always trying to create confusion.”

Renard previously managed the Zambian national team, with whom he won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations; he also won the competition in 2015 with the Ivory Coast, becoming the first coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations with different teams.

In addition, he coached Morocco at the 2018 World Cup.

United States and a couple of Saudi Arabian clubs are also said to be in negotiations with the 55-year-old experienced coach.

Renard is one of the managers who have been tipped to take charge of the United States men’s national team following the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter, who led the USMNT to an early exit at the 2024 Copa America.

NLC opposes Abure’s move to conduct LP convention

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NLC opposes Abure’s move to conduct LP convention

The Transition Committee set up by the Nigeria Labour Congress to oversee the national and state congresses of the Labour Party has described plans by the embattled National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, to hold a separate convention as disobedience to a court order.

The transition committee warned members of the party not to participate in the planned congress by Abure.

The Chairman, Sub-committee on Media & Publicity, Tony Akeni, disclosed this in a statement made available to The According on Monday.

The NLC has been pushing to remove Abure as the LP National Chairman, declaring a convention that returned him as the party’s chairman as illegal.

The action had compelled the NLC Political Commission to void the new leadership and set up a transition committee, saddled with the task of engaging stakeholders of the party to conduct a fresh convention in 90 days.

The Transition Committee Chairman, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, had disclosed that following the resolution of the stakeholders meeting on May 8, the NTC would unveil plans for the party’s national convention.

Reacting to the call for a fresh congress by the Abure’s faction, Akeni said the call was illegal and in violation of the constitutional regulations of political parties in Nigeria.

He said, “Julius Abure and his INEC discredited Nnewi convention in Anambra, Imo, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto, Ondo, Kaduna, Adamawa and other states are acts of broad-day fraud, disobedience to an irrevocable court judgment, the Nigeria Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria constitution which established and regulates the affairs of political parties.

“Consequently, the Labour Party National Transition Committee hereby warns members of the general public who have bought or intend to buy Abure’s illegal congress forms, shall be doing so at their own risk and in vain.”

While alleging plans by some political parties to strangulate the LP, Akeni noted that the party would not hesitate to take action against violators and participants of the Abure’s congress.

“The well-defined blueprint between the Julius Abure Nnewi junta and their infiltrators from the two giant parties on the road to 2027 is to castrate, emasculate and ruin the Labour Party to its foundation as Nigeria’s most formidable opposition alternative, disarm the party from being Nigerian masses’ last hope and escape from state capture and the captivity of widespread electorate poverty.

“To avoid dire consequences, the National Transition Committee of the Labour Party hereby calls on Barr. Julius Abure, his Nnewi cabinet, intending congress aspirants and those who support the playbook of their divisive sponsors against the progress of our party through Abure’s current expedition of rogue congresses to desist in their interest.

“There shall be severe consequences for violators, organizers and participants alike. Therefore, do not participate in their foul play but wait for the lawful timetable of our party for state congresses and National Convention which the Labour Party National Transition Committee shall roll out and announce soon,” Akeni concluded.

Elite frustrating efforts to stop foreign illegal miners — Military

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Elite frustrating efforts to stop foreign illegal miners — Military

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said on Monday that elites in the country are frustrating the efforts of security agencies to arrest illegal miners.

This was as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals,  Jonathan Gbefwi, said the country was losing $9bn annually to illegal mining.

They spoke at the investigative hearing organised by the committee in Abuja.

The CDS, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo said, “The involvement of the elites in it, we can’t tell, but we know that most of the time when we catch these foreigners, they will tell us that they have connections. I don’t want to say some things, but sometimes you hand these people over, and the next thing they’re released.

“Talking of illegal mining, I’m going to talk about how the military sees it. There are so many other stakeholders that I want to talk about. From our various operations and the statistics that we have, we notice that, first of all, the framework guiding mining in Nigeria is very, very good. It needs to be strengthened. Why do I say so, sir?

“In 2018 or so, during the last administration, there was a ban on illegal mining in South Africa, South Africa, and Nigeria, which even established a gold mine zone. Despite that ban, mining licences were being issued to people to mine in that zone. So the strengthening of the institutional framework is very key.”

He called for tough sanctions for those involved in the act, saying, “Anybody caught in this illegal mining must be dealt with decisively and examples should be made publicly for others to know. The third aspect we noted is poverty. In these areas where this illegal mining takes place, the people are poor. Virtually, lack of education is also part of it. Most of them that we get, have no formal education.”

Also at the hearing, the representative of the Nigerian Army, Col. Tajudeen Lamidi, said the Nigerian Army had arrested 387 individuals in connection with illegal mining.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the House Leader,  Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, described illegal mining as a growing socio-economic challenge in Nigeria, noting that it had led to the loss of ecosystems and increased poverty levels, especially among peasant farmers.

“A disturbing issue, which makes this investigative hearing very critical is the fact that various mining communities in Nigeria live in agonising conditions, economically and socially, arising from years of neglect, and various deprivations and severe environmental degradation, air and water pollution, arising from unsafe mining practices by illegal miners.

“The impact of the unprecedented illegal mining across Nigeria has been devastating as farmlands, crops, and economic trees are not only destroyed by mining activities but reduce their benefit and values to the residents,” he said.

The chairman of the committee, Gbefwi, stressed that illegal miners had worked against the economy of the country, preventing it from making the most of its mineral resources.

He said, “The parliament is deeply worried about the loss of revenue through unregulated and illicit mining operations with the Federal Government disclosing that unlawful mining costs the country $9bn each year, with the only money coming from a three per cent royalty paid by the few licensed miners.

“This public hearing is aimed at investigating illegal mining activities, under-reporting wins (extract e-products) by mining and quarry license operators, utilisation of financial interventions in the Nigerian solid minerals sector amounting to trillions of naira within the solid mineral sector and also the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment Bill) and Nigeria solid Minerals Development Company (establishment bill), respectively.”

Gbefwi, a member of the Social Democratic Party representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, also noted that “The unregulated exploitation of our natural resources jeopardises the sustainability of the mineral sector, leading to environmental degradation and revenue loss that could otherwise benefit our communities and nation as a whole.

“It is imperative that we take, as a matter of urgency, decisive steps and necessary action to address this issue and ensure that our solid mineral sector operates within the framework of the law, protecting our natural resources for future generations.”

Excitement as UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians

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Excitement as UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians

The Federal Government has signed an agreement with the government of the United Arab Emirates to resume visa issuance to Nigerians who wish to travel to the Middle Eastern country.

The development sparked excitement among Nigerians on Monday.

“I can tell you that the agreement has been reached and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

Idris explained, “You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates on the issue of visas for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.

“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain visas to go to the United Arab Emirates.

“Details of that will be provided to you later today when we put out a statement.”

Reacting to the development on social media, Reign Aiyowieren wrote: “That’s a great development, I have no doubt that PBAT will definitely take us to where we are expecting to be or precisely close the place.”

 Also, Omo Odekunle @MofoluwasoOjo wrote: This is good news.

Angus Okorie said, “Thanks Tinubu. I know you can lead just that people that will use your name to dupe Nija plenty.”

Akr Ife Tuase, commenting, wrote: “When jagaban dey work, some are sleeping, dey will soon ask how it make it happen, dey never seen him coming, God bless Nigeria and Mr President.”

 James JP Ben wrote: “Best president Nigeria will ever have,, congratulations baba,, good and responsible Nigerian are solidly behind you.”

Olumide Famakinwa wrote: “God bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigeria about 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 $85m 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. In the same month, the Nigerian government announced that it had paid 98 per cent of $850m.

On Monday, the government said the issues had been resolved.

It stated: “Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders.

“This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa. The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024. Nigerians wishing to learn more about the updated visa conditions from the UAE can visit: documentverificationhub.ae for any additional information.”

Pro-Wike lawmakers bar Fubara from state revenue, warn against violation

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Pro-Wike lawmakers bar Fubara from state revenue, warn against violation

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, on Monday, wrote to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stopping him from spending funds from the state Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The development followed the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for him to submit the 2024 budget afresh.

The fresh presentation of the budget was among the conditions for peace, signed during a parley held at the instance of President Bola Tinubu to reconcile the factions of Wike and Fubara, in Abuja.

Fubara, in 2023, presented an Appropriation Bill of over N800bn for the 2024 fiscal year to the lawmakers loyal to him, then led by Edison Ehie, for approval.

Barely 24 hours after the budget presentation, the four-member Assembly passed it and presented it to Fubara for assent.

Ehie, then factional Speaker of the House, later resigned and was subsequently appointed Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, by Fubara.

After the peace agreement, the Amaewhule-led Assembly waited for the governor to re-submit the budget.

The crisis, however, got worse, leading to the pro-Fubara lawmakers electing Victor Oko-Jumbo as factional Speaker.

The governor declared that the pro-Wike lawmakers were no longer known to the law, as the court had restrained them as lawmakers in the state, following their defection to the All Progressives Congress.

The lawmakers appealed the judgment and the Court of Appeal, on July 4, quashed the ruling of the high court and reinstated the pro-Wike lawmakers as members of the state House of Assembly.

At their Monday, May 9 proceedings, they gave Fubara a one-week ultimatum to present the budget.

The Assembly, at its fourth Legislative Sitting, held at the Assembly Quarters on Aba Road, on Monday, said Fubara violated the Constitution by spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state without an appropriation law.

In a statement by the media aide to the Speaker, Martin Wachukwu, the lawmakers said the decision to bar Fubara from further spending followed a remark by the House Leader, Major Jack.

Jack drew the attention of the Assembly to the fact that “Given the combined provisions of Sections 121 and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, Governor Siminialayi Fubara has flagrantly continued to violate the Constitution by spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state without an Appropriation Law’.

“Debating on the statement by the House Leader, members in unison and strong terms condemned Governor Fubara’s wanton disregard to the Constitution, despite repeating reminders of the consequences of his actions and thereby express their support for the shutdown of expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state forthwith.”

Amaewhule said, “It is unfortunate that Governor Fubara now sees a violation of the provisions of the Constitution and judgments of courts as a way of governance. As representatives of the people, the House would not look the other way while the governor consistently tramples on the Constitution he swore to uphold.”

The House, therefore, resolved to write to Fubara, intimating him of the shutdown of all expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state.

The House further resolved to notify the Federal Government, its relevant agencies, banks, and local and foreign donor agencies of the development, and to advise them not to have any transactions with the Rivers State government, pending the resolution of matters relating to the 2024 Appropriation Law.

Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, were unsuccessful, as he neither picked up calls put across to his mobile line by our correspondent nor replied to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, a group in Rivers State, G-23, has called on a federal lawmaker, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, to stop interfering in the politics of the state.

The group, which says it covers all the 23 local government areas of the state, warned Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North-South Federal Constituency of Imo State, to stop meddling in the affairs of the state.

It also said the roles played by the lawmaker and a national chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, Dan Nwanyanwu since the beginning of the political crisis in Rivers State were stoking further crisis.

Ugochinyere is the leader of G-60 members of the House of Representatives and had been a critic of Wike over the crisis in Rivers State.

Leader of the G-23, Chief Tony Okocha, speaking at a news briefing in Port Harcourt, on Monday, said Ugochinyere should be more concerned about how to initiate bills aimed at solving the “gully-ridden” roads and flooding ravaging his community and the activities of the disbanded Indigenous People of Biafra, rather than commenting on every issue in Rivers State.

Okocha, who is also the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, said the role of Ugochinyere and Nwanyanwu were condemnable.

“We have listened and heard from some quarters and some persons that we have decided in our meetings to tag them ancient and medieval meddlesome interlopers. These groups, one I see on television, are led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, who is a member of the House of Representatives and flaunts a group with a nomenclature of G-60.

“We have today decided to condemn in concrete and absolute terms the activity of a man who should be responsible, who has turned himself to be a hireling of the Rivers State government and the governor.

“It beats our imagination that instead of the gully-ridden roads that characterised his area, instead of the flood issues that are almost sweeping away some communities in his area, he has seen practically nothing.

“Ugochinyere is not from Rivers State. He has seen Rivers as a conduit pipe to siphon money from a government that is rudderless. It is Ugochinyere now that is speaking about issues in Rivers State. We will not accept that,” he said.

He also took a swipe at Ugochinyere over his comments against Wike, saying that the former governor was too big for the lawmaker to deride.

The G-23 leader also condemned the statement allegedly credited to Nwanyanwu, who warned Tinubu that Wike was nursing presidential ambition and would likely contest the 2027 election against him.

“Daniel Nwanyanwu is a serial political failure. What gives him the impetus or why should he imagine that Rivers State is a place for him to fall back? I am not aware that his Zenith Labour Party has an office in Rivers State.

“He (Nwanyanwu) was booted out of the Labour Party. He has left all the trappings of his political failure to become another hireling for the Rivers State government. It is unthinkable,” he said.

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