Month: February 2022

Business / Crime / Law / News

Two Bankers withdraw customer’s N47.4m with their own ATMs

A Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Maryam Sabo has granted bail on stringent conditions to two bankers: Nuhu Demba and Mohammed Abdullahi Musa, who allegedly conspired and stole the sum of N47,452,055.45 from the account of one Mailafia Mohammed.

The case, being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes, was reported via a petition by the victim and complainant.

The petitioner alleged that on February 6, 2021, he was attacked in his house by armed men who took away his mobile phone.

Mohammed said on February 8, 2021, he reported the incident to the branch of his bank where he maintains a savings account and was advised to continue using his account as nothing would happen. He further alleged that on February 18, 2021, he went to withdraw money and was informed that there was no money in the account.

He subsequently requested for his account statement and discovered that N47,452,055.45 was fraudulently withdrawn from it through the use of Automated Teller Machine cards.

The EFCC said investigation revealed that Musa and Demba stole the said monies from the complainant’s account through ATM and Point of Sale withdrawals.

It said the defendants perpetrated the fraud by using their positions to obtain ATM cards without going through due process and without the knowledge of the account holder.

Upon arraignment on February 10, 2022, they pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to February 14, 2022 for ruling on the bail application.

Justice Sabo granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N10 million each, out of which a cash sum of N5 million shall be deposited in the court’s registry.

They are also to provide one surety each with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court worth N15 million.

The matter has been adjourned till March 23, 2022 for the commencement of trial.…

News / politics

Osun Primary: Jagaban ‘house of commotion’

The gloves have been worn and the fight for who controls the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State promises to be bloody, literally.

The mud fight may have already been brought to the doorstep of National Leader of the party and presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

If something is not urgently done to pull the combatants back from the brink, the center might hold no longer, both for Tinubu’s political family and his presidential ambition.

Sources close to the first layer of Tinubu’s political lieutenants told The Guardian that the maverick politician might face stiffer opposition to his presidential ambition from his supposed loyalists more than people outside his political caucus. Specifically, it was learnt that some of his core loyalists do not see him as “politically fit to govern the country apart from his rumored health challenges.”

And the seeming crack in the “Bourdillon school of politics” is said to be the chief reason many beneficiaries of his magnanimity are also gunning for the presidency or supporting another aspirant against their supposed leader.

It was gathered that while some governors in the country are planning to “retire” Tinubu from active politics by 2023, some other ‘enemies within’ are working round the clock to whittle down his political influence and stop his bid for the presidency.

But sources close to the former Lagos State governor said the gang-up against him is not new and expressed confidence that Tinubu will clinch the party’s presidential ticket and become Nigeria’s president by 2023.

One of them said: “Go and check the records, many politicians that worked against him in the past later came back to be his friend, and he was magnanimous enough to welcome them back with open arms. Those working against him now will soon know that they are political featherweights.”

Sources said the open vituperation by Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, against Tinubu in a video that has gone viral is mere child’s play compared to what would be coming out from his “loyalists” in the …

Entertainment / Lifestyle / Swift News

7 Fun Things to Try on a Weekend in Lagos

Lagos are often all things but definitely not dry. You can not be in Lagos and not be having fun. This article, 7 Fun Things to Try on a Weekend in Lagos will give you lots of ideas. After all the extreme hardworking weekdays, it’s only necessary to require the weekend off, do some laundry then find a fun thing to try to do.

Lagos which is definitely the foremost bustling city in Africa is crammed with many fun places to go to . Though most times getting an honest dose of fun in Lagos would mean pocket money , but there are still relatively inexpensive fun things to try out in Lagos.
From survey of people, these are the highest 7 ways Lagosians enjoy themselves during the weekend:

1. Attend the beach

There are many beaches and resorts in Lagos:

a. Atican Beach
b. Eleko Beach
c. Oniru Beach
d. Tarkwa Bay Beach
e. Suntan Beach
f. Moist Beach
g. Elegushi Beach

Each of those beaches gets an honest deal of tourists each weekend. The simplest day to go to a beach in Lagos could be Saturday. Sundays are good too, but you will certainly have more fun on a Saturday.

Also, getting to the beach alone won’t be the simplest idea. It’s always best if you’ll plan your beach trip with close friends. you’ll certainly have more fun if you accompany friends.

2. Attend a dance class

This won’t appear to be your typical fun thing to try out on a weekend, but the reality is that dance classes are literally fun. There are now tons of them springing within the Lekki and V.I part of Lagos.

In addition to meeting new friends, you will also learn some good moves and luxuriate in a fun thanks to exercise.

3. Attend the films

This is probably one among the foremost common ways Lagosians unwind. getting to the films are fun and there are now tons of cinemas scattered all around Lagos.
Some of the highest movie cinemas in Lagos

…
Basket Ball / Sports

Joel Embiid’s 42 points and a balanced scoring attack power 76ers past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, 123-120

Joel Embiid was back to his dominant self Thursday night, finishing with game-highs of 42 points and 14 rebounds to go with five assists. This marked his ninth 40-point, 10-rebound game this season.

With the win, the Sixers (35-23) moved up to third place in the Eastern Conference standings. They head into the NBA All-Star break 2½ games behind the first-place Miami Heat.

“I’m playing at such a high level, I don’t want to stop,” Embiid said of the All-Star break. “I want to keep on going. I feel really good. I’m not gonna just not work or take a couple days off.”

But this game wasn’t decided until the Bucks’ Khris Middleton missed a 31-foot three-pointer at the buzzer.

All this comes after the Sixers suffered one of their worst defeats in franchise history.

On Tuesday, the game against the Celtics seemed more like an afterthought. Most of the focus of that day went to the introductory press conference for Harden and Paul Millsap, who were acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks. Then came the excitement associated with Harden ringing the bell prior to the game. And more attention was paid to Harden’s outfit than the barrage of three-pointers the Celtics were raining early.

All that led to a humbling 48-point loss to Boston.

“There was a lot of stuff going on,” Georges Niang said. “But I hate to put any blame on that. You know what I mean? We are professional athletes. It’s not like this is our first rodeo. So like I said before, I don’t want to say it happens. We got popped. It is what it is.”

Doc Rivers knows the perfect time for Sixers to win an NBA championship is this season

With Harden still sidelined with left hamstring strain, the expectation was the Sixers would suffer the same fate against the Bucks.

But Embiid and the Sixers’ balanced attack didn’t let that happen.

Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris both had 19 …

Foreign / Military / News / politics

Russia rebels accuse Ukrainian Forces of offensive shellings

Pro-Russia rebels in Ukraine have accused government forces of shelling a village on Friday while Russian media reported more infantry and tank units were returning to their bases in contrast to Western fears of an imminent Russian invasion.

For a second consecutive day, pro-Russian separatists who have been at war with Ukraine for years said they had come under mortar and artillery fire from Ukrainian forces, according to the Interfax news agency.

Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed rebels in the country’s east traded fresh accusations of shelling and other ceasefire violations on Friday, escalating tensions amid fears of a Russian invasion. Kyiv and the rebels blamed each other for the escalation after artillery and mortar attacks Thursday, prompting fears that Russia, which has massed over 100,000 troops near Ukrane’s borders, could get involved. The Kremlin said on Thursday it was “deeply concerned” with the flare-up in Ukraine and was watching the situation closely.

The United States said Russia was looking for a pretext for war.

Kyiv and the pro-Russian separatists have been facing off for eight years, and a ceasefire between them is routinely violated, but the intensity of fighting increased notably this week.

U.S. President Joe Biden Thursday said Russia is preparing a pretext to justify a possible attack on Ukraine, whose ambition to one day join the NATO military alliance has angered Moscow.

In Europe’s biggest security crisis in decades, Russia has massed troops, tanks, and heavy weapons on Ukraine’s borders and demanded assurances that Kyiv never joins NATO, something the Ukrainian government has refused to do.

Even so, Russia says it has no intention to invade Ukraine and accuses the West of hysteria over its military build-up, saying some of its troops have returned to bases.

Interfax news agency cited Russia’s defense ministry as saying on Friday that several Russian mechanized infantry units had returned to their bases in the regions of Dagestan and Chechnya after completing drills in Crimea.

Interfax also cited the ministry as saying that a train loaded with tanks had departed to an …

News / politics

Osinbajo advocates for strategy to transform Africainnovation based society

Africa into knowledge-based and innovation-led society.

Osinbajo made the call through the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagum, who represented him at the maiden edition of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Young CEOs Summit.

He identified Africa’s vibrant human resources as its greatest hope for development.

“Young people make up the bulk of Africa’s population with an estimated 75 per cent of the continent’s population below the age of 35 years. “From a demographic point of view, this calls for a paradigm shift towards the recognition and support of young people to harness their potential.

“Therefore, to accelerate Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy, our human resources must be empowered with requisite skills.

“Greater emphasis must be placed on innovation, including appropriate adaptation of technology,’’ Katagum said on behalf of Osinbajo.

She emphasized the need to promote creativity and innovative technologies to process the continent’s abundant resources locally in addition to creating more wealth and jobs for the continent.

She said there was the need to develop internal capacities and marketing of new or improved products and services through engagement with end users.

Following this, VP disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology had been rebranded to meet future technology demands.

“This will create new opportunities for value-added employment and the nation’s GDP will improve as a result of innovation and technological development,’’ Katagum added.

She expressed hope that Africa would continue to develop capacities to take advantage of relevant technologies to facilitate e-commerce and leadership excellence.

“Leaders are expected to think creatively and facilitate the creative work of others, but traditional approaches to developing leaders have not fully addressed this need.

“A key problem with regards to developing creative and innovative leadership capacity is the low leverage on technology.

“Young leaders must explore and leverage on technology means such as e-mentoring, multisource feedback, social media, and succession planning programs,’’ she said.

She also reiterated that the FG’s commitment to create an enabling environment to facilitate the actualization of innovative …

Uncategorized

NDLEA should parade Abba Kyari with 25kg cocaine, $61,400 —Lawyer

An Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to parade narcotics suspect, Abba Kyari, with 25kg cocaine, $61,400 and other exhibits recovered from the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Olajengbesi stated this in a Facebook post on Thursday, noting that security agents should embarrass Kyari by parading him before the media as they do to other suspects.

“In this Abba Kyari’s case, the Nigerian security agencies are yet to demonstrate equal lawlessness they carry out in investigating and embarrassing citizens by interviewing them on cameras, taking their pictures holding boards with incriminating inscriptions and parading them with their criminal items in press conference like they do to common criminals.

“We need the NDLEA to bring Abba Kyari to answer questions on TV with display of the 25kg cocaine. Let us not be hopeless in this country!” the lawyer wrote. The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Monday, handed over Kyari to anti-narcotics agency for prosecution over alleged link in drug trafficking after the NDLEA release damning photo and video evidence to nail Kyari.

The NDLEA said Kyari, the suspended head of the Intelligence Response Team, belonged to a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline.

The anti-narcotics agency also said Kyari contacted one of its officers in Abuja and struck a deal to secure the release of a total of 25kg seized cocaine and offered $61,400 bribe to NDLEA officers who played along until his arrest.

The NDLEA also said it had photo and video evidence against Kyari.

The IGP in a statement had corroborated the NDLEA’s findings, saying incontrovertible evidence indicted Kyari in the drug crimes.

The police had been investigating Kyari for over eight months after the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States indicted the “super cop” in 2021 for his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by alleged international Internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, aka, Hushpuppi and five others.

The FBI had said Hushpuppi paid Kyari N8m or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of a …

Basket Ball / Sports

Detroit snaps C’s nine-game win streak

The Boston Celtics’ nine-game win streak was snapped Wednesday night with a 112-111 home loss to the Detroit Pistons.

After Tuesday’s 48-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston found itself in a dogfight with Detroit. The Pistons went 16-for-30 (53.3%) from 3-point range and drilled seemingly every clutch shot down the stretch. Jayson Tatum couldn’t get the game-winning buzzer-beater to fall, and Detroit was able to escape with a hard-fought victory.

Jerami Grant paced the Pistons with 24 points while Saddiq Bey and rookie Cade Cunningham chipped in 20 apiece. Jaylen Brown led the C’s in scoring for the second consecutive night with 31 points. Tatum added 22, and Grant Williams stepped up with 17 in a starting role.

Here are three instant takeaways from the Celtics’ first loss since Jan. 28, which brings their record to 34-26 heading into the All-Star break. Their next game will take place Feb. 24 in Brooklyn.

Pistons play their hearts out

The Pistons (13-45) are dead-last in the Eastern Conference and have won only two of their last 14, but you wouldn’t know it by watching Wednesday night’s game.

Detroit’s physicality and red-hot 3-point shooting were the keys to its improbable victory. It didn’t let off the gas pedal in the fourth quarter despite the C’s going on a 13-0 run. Jerami Grant’s go-ahead shot with 19.1 seconds remaining proved to be the dagger, followed by Isaiah Stewart’s clutch swat of Jaylen Brown’s shot attempt.

The Pistons outrebounded the Celtics 18-2 on the offensive glass and forced 15 Celtics turnovers, including seven from Tatum.

 …

LGBTQ / News

Hisbah Board denies arresting youths for allegedly engaging in same sex marriages

The Kano State Hisbah Board has denied arresting 78 youngsters for allegedly engaging in same sex marriages at the White House Restaurant in Nasarawa GRA, Kano.

The Commander-General of the board, Dr Harun Ibn-Sina, however, said that the 47 young men and 31 under-aged girls were apprehended for engaging in illicit acts, following a tip-off by a good Samaritan.

“The young men and women were found in compromising positions using drugs, while preparations (by them) were in top gear for the commencement of a birthday party”, a statement issued by the board on Wednesday quoted Ibn-Sina  as saying.

He described youths as the leaders of tomorrow and urged their parents and guardians to be more vigilant due to the high level of moral decadence in the society. He also said that the board had commenced investigation into the incident and would invite parents, guardians of those arrested for necessary action. The statement also stated that Hisbah board has reaffirmed its dedication to sanitise Kano State, and rid it of all forms of vices.…

Basket Ball / Sports

Nuggets’ Monte Morris nails buzzer-beating 3 to sink Warriors

After missing the Denver Nuggets’ three previous games while in concussion protocol, Monte Morris returned to action and gave Denver a huge win in dramatic fashion.

Morris nailed a buzzer-beating three — with a very quick release — to give Denver a 117-116 road victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Denver superstar big man Nikola Jokic was double-teamed in the paint, and with under two seconds remaining, he decided to pass to Morris on the perimeter.

Morris caught the pass with 00.9 seconds remaining and proceeded to beat the buzzer for the game-winning three. That came after Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry made a go-ahead and-one jumper with 5.9 seconds remaining. Denver improves to 33-25 with the win (their third straight), while Golden State falls to 42-117. The Warriors have lost four of their last five games, and they’re now 6.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the Western Conference’s top seed.…

Entertainment / Foreign / Music / News

Trey Songz sued $20M over anal sex rape

According to the suit filed by the lady with alias Jane Doe, she had a consensual sexual relationship with Trey before the alleged rape on March 24, 2016.

Doe said Trey invited her to a house party in L.A., where he invited her upstairs for what she believed would be consensual sex. She claimed in the court document obtained by TMZ that “Trey repeatedly asked her if he could “get that a**” on the way upstairs … to which she says she repeatedly told him “no” and to stop asking.” “Trey’s demeanor changed upon entering the bedroom. She says he threw her to the ground, ripped her pants off, pinned her down face first and forced his penis into her anus without her consent.”

She claimed that she begged the music star to stop and tried struggling with him but was overpowered.

Doe said someone entered the room and left almost immediately as the music star continued to rape her.

She claimed she left the house after Trey finished raping her and was taken to the hospital by the Uber driver who felt she was distressed.

The music star has been accused of rape and sexual assault by several women.

The latest was a basketballer, Dylan Gonzalez who accused the singer of rape and “unbearable PTSD.”

…
Awards / Music / News

Afrobeats hall of fame induction ceremony slated for February 26, 2022

This epoch-making induction ceremony to honor the artistry and the contributions made by those who have played major roles in the dissemination and creation of the art of African music — scheduled for February 26, 2022, at The Amore Garden, off freedom way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos — will showcase the African pride of the entertainment industry in celebration of the historic and cultural significance of African music.

…

News / Oil & Gas

PMS: NNPC begins 24-hour operations in depots, retail outlets

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it has started 24-hour operations in its depots and retail outlets to restore normal supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit across the country.

The NNPC made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

The statement said: “NNPC Limited wish to reassure Nigerians that it has put adequate measures in place to accelerate nationwide distribution of PMS earlier disrupted by the quarantine of methanol blended petrol.

“The quarantine was a necessary step to safeguard our customers from the potential impact of this PMS grade on vehicles and machineries.

“In order to accelerate distribution across the country, we have commenced 24-hour operations at our depots and retail outlets.”

According to the statement, as part of NNPC’s strategic restocking, over 2.3 billion liters of PMS is scheduled for delivery between now and end of February 2022, which will restore sufficiency level above the national target of 30 days.

It said the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria had also commenced 24-hour loading and dispensing activities in some of their designated outlets.

The statement said NNPC monitoring team was collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other security agencies to ensure smooth distribution of PMS nationwide. “NNPC implores Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is sufficient volume of PMS in-country and effort is being made to accelerate distribution to all filling stations,” it said.…

Football / News / Sports

DeMar DeRozan stays hot, leads Bulls over Spurs

DeMar DeRozan poured in 40 points and continued his historic scoring run as the Chicago Bulls outlasted the visiting San Antonio Spurs 120-109 on Monday to win their fourth straight game.

The Bulls trailed by six points entering the fourth quarter but then DeRozan took charge, scoring 11 of Chicago’s next 13 points to give the Bulls the lead. The Bulls never trailed again, as DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic dominated the stretch.

San Antonio had two huge turnovers on successive possessions down by four points in the final 1:53 to hamper its comeback attempt.

 

DeRozan has scored 30 or more points in seven consecutive games (improving on a career-high) and established a franchise record with his sixth straight game of at least 35 points, supplanting the mark set by Michael Jordan in the 1996-97 campaign.

 

Vucevic added 25 points and 16 rebounds in the win, with Coby White scoring 24 points and Ayo Dosunmu hitting for 12. Chicago got just 12 points from its bench but shot 52.3 percent from the floor and earned a 58-41 edge on the boards.

 

Lonnie Walker IV led San Antonio with 21 points off the bench. Doug McDermott and Dejounte Murray added 19 points each – Murray also had 11 assists — and Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl scored 13 apiece for the Spurs.

 

The Bulls led 29-27 after a back-and-forth first period as Vucevic (12 points) and White (11) combined for all but six of Chicago’s points.

 

San Antonio swept to the front at 34-29 by scoring the first five points of the second period, after which there were nine lead changes and five tied scores before DeRozan’s two free throws with 48.1 seconds left in the quarter gave the Bulls a 59-57 advantage at the break.

 

White led all scorers with 16 points in the half with DeRozan and Vucevic adding 15 each for Chicago over the first 24 minutes of play. McDermott paced the Spurs with 14 points while Walker IV had 11 and Murray …

Crime / Drugs / Fraud / News

Abba Kyari: Police unravel identities of suspected drug barons, NDLEA collaborators

The Force Headquarters on Monday unraveled the identities of the suspected drug barons who allegedly colluded with Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari and four others to ferry illicit drugs into the country.

Abba Kyari and four of his team members were declared wanted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday.

The suspects had been arrested by the police and handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation. The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement in Abuja that some NDLEA officials were allegedly involved in the drug deal. He said that the police had carried out discreet investigation when it received a request from the NDLEA on February 10.

Adejobi said: “In line with standard administrative procedure of the Force, the Inspector General of Police ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.

“The interim investigations report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on January 19.

“The suspects were arrested upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.

“The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers.

“The operation which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team.”

Adejobi said the case and the two suspects were subsequently transferred to the NDLEA on January 25.

He said the findings of the in-house investigation ordered by the I-G, Usman Baba, established reasonable grounds for strong suspicion that the IRT officers involved in the operation could have been involved in some underhand and unprofessional dealings.

The Police spokesman said the finding showed that the officers were allegedly involved in official corruption, which compromised ethical standards in their dealings with the suspects and exhibits recovered.

He added: “Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the National Drug Law …

Crime / Fraud / News

EFCC secures final forfeiture of N3.07b landed properties owned by top military officer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the final forfeiture of 20 landed properties valued at over N3,007,000,000 belonging to a top military officer but controlled through proxies, including late General Aminu Maude, Hon. Hassan Nalaraba and Tanimu Abdullahi Yunusu as well as companies such as Atlasfield Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, Marhaba Events Place, Aflac Plastics and Atlasfield Gas Plant Limited.Marhaba Events Place, Aflac Plastics and Atlasfield Gas Plant Limited.

Justice N. E. Maha of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted the forfeiture Order in a ruling on Monday.

It followed an application by the counsel to the EFCC, Cosmos Ugwu and Musa Isah.

The Court had in May 2020 ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties following an ex parte application by the Commission, alleging that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities. The court, having considered the application vis-a-vis Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, more particularly sub-sections 1 and 3 thereof granted the prayers of the Commission for an interim forfeiture and directed the publication of notices, alerting anyone with interest in the properties to show cause why they should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In the absence of any contestation, the court on Monday ordered the final forfeiture of the properties.

The forfeited properties, situated on lands valued at over N3,007,000,000, are located in different parts of Kano, Katsina, Calabar (Cross River State) and Kaduna.

They included Fuel Stations, Event Centers, Plazas, Block Industries, Truck Assembly Plant, Polythene Production factory and table water factory.

Some of the properties include undeveloped plot located at Rake, Adjacent to Dara Orthopedic Hospital, Kano, valued at N300 million; 117 hectares of land located at Adiabo, Oduapani LG, covered by Certificated of Occupancy No. OD/23/2011 dated 21/2/ 2011 in Calabar, Cross River State, valued at N386 million; Truck Assembly at Ring Road, adjacent to AA Affa Filling Station, Kano, valued at N206 million; and Marhaba Event Centre, Guda Abdulahi Road Farm Centre, Kano valued at N250 …

Movies / News

Yul Edochie ask Reps not to blame Nollywood for rituals

Following the accusation implied by the House of Representatives who recently tasked Adedayo Thomas, the executive director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) “to rise to the mandate of the agency as the clearinghouse for all movies produced in the country” to stop portraying ritual killings in a good light in their movies following the spike in ritual killings being experienced in the country. The veteran actor has now responded to the lawmakers via an Instagram post faulting the allegations.

Edochie said in his post that the portrayal of rituals in their movies only mirrors the reality on the ground within the country, in order to draw attention to the vices. He then continued to insist that the lawmakers who have true power are the ones who can bring about lasting change in the country.

“Nollywood is only showing what happens in society. Nigerians are wallowing in extreme poverty. A hungry man is an angry man, fix the country and crime will go away. Don’t blame Nollywood.” he said in the post.

He then urged the lawmakers to face their jobs of bringing lasting change through policy rather than criticising Nollywood efforts.

…
Crime / Entertainment / News

Kodak black sustains gunshot injury at Justin bieber’s super bowl party

Rapper Kodak Black was among three other individuals who were wounded in a shooting outside the premises of a Los Angeles lounge during an unofficial after-party for Justin Bieber to mark the Super Bowl on Friday night. Witnesses at the scene and the Los Angeles Police Department disclosed multiple rounds were fired at Kodak Black and the all-male victims aged–19, 24, and 60 who were involved in an altercation before the shooting. It’s been reported that another person was injured during the altercation.

Two of the victims were transported from the lounge to a local hospital by medical personnel. The third was later moved to a hospital after leaving the crime scene. Reports claim Kodak Black has sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot injury to his leg while the other victims are in stable conditions.

Several suspects remain at large with Los Angeles Police Department identifying the perpetrator(s) as black males who fled the scene southwards. Police are refusing to divulge further information that could hinder leads.

Sources close to the artiste claim Kodak was in town for Super Bowl weekend and related business, attending Bieber’s party to make merry until he stepped outside (Lil Baby and Gunna present) attempting to help a member of his crew who got jumped by an unidentified assailant before shots were fired.

Meanwhile, Justin Bieber had just performed at his concert and attended the afterparty with his wife, Hailey Bieber, just down the street in Los Angeles which was bubbling with parties customary in the lead-up to the Super Bowl, which will be hosted on Sunday. The after-party guest list included Drake, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Kendall Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian.

…
Education / News

Breaking: At last, ASUU declares nationwide strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared a “comprehensive and total” strike.

The strike was declared at a press conference addressed by the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday.

He said the strike, which commences on Monday, February 14, 2022, would last for an initial period of four weeks.

Members of the union’s National Executive Council had held marathon meetings since Saturday at the University of Lagos titled, ‘NEC for NEC.’ ASUU had sensitized and mobilized lecturers and students across all universities on the reason the union might likely go on strike.

Background
The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021, given the federal government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.

The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action.

After the union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution; promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System Payment, none of its demands had been met.

Following the threat, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, promised that the union would be paid.

A few weeks after, ASUU suspended the planned strike, as N22.1 billion earned allowances were paid to lecturers in federal universities.

On the heels of the union’s renewed agitations, the co-chairmen of the National Inter-religious Council, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, visited the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), …

Education / News

Breaking: ASUU declares Pantami’s professorship illegal, to sanction FUTO VC, others

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has faulted the promotion of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, as a professor.

The union after its National Executive Council meeting declared the promotion as “illegal”.

This was declared at a press conference addressed by the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday.

He said, “You cannot be a minister and a lecturer in a university. It is an encouragement of illegality. “Pantami has to quit as a minister and be tried for doing double jobs within the same federal system. He is not qualified. Pantami should not be treated as a professor.”

In September 2021, Pantami, alongside seven academics were elevated by the council of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri to the position of professorship at the council’s 186th meeting.

The minister’s elevation has generated controversy, with many faulting FUTO on the promotion of the minister, who was not teaching in the university and whose highest academic attainment was reportedly a lecturer before he ventured into politics.

“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO,” he added.

Details later……