Law / News

Court orders FG to pay Bayelsa $951m derivative arrears

The Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Federal Government to pay $951 million to the Bayelsa State Government.

The amount is the 13 per cent derivative sum due as arrears of revenue and payable to Bayelsa State.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the judgment, held that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the sole defendant in the case, failed to enter his defence in the suit.

Justice Ekwo ruled that the development made the court to declare the plaintiff’s case “unchanged.”

Ken Njemanze filed the suit on behalf of the Bayelsa government. The plaintiff, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/175/2012 and filed on February 12, urged the court to compel the AGF to pay five per cent of $50 billion recovered as additional revenue that accrued to the Federal Government.…

News / Production

Nigeria faces import crisis as reserves hit 13-month low

Nigeria’s economy could be leaning against the wind as the country’s external reserves fell to a 13-month low last week, tumbling quickly to $30 billion, the level it was between 2015 and 2017.

Last Thursday, the figure slid to $33.79 billion, as it dropped by $30 million. This represented a 0.09% decline compared to $33.824 billion recorded on Wednesday, June 16. A total of $1.58 billion has been lost in reserves year-to-date, while month-to-date loss stands at $405.33 million, hardly reflecting the marginal gains in rising oil prices in recent months.

The reserves fell by $222.3 million between May 31 and June 10 to $34.0 billion, according to figures published by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The last time it fell below that mark was between June and July of 2017.

The country’s forex reserves continues to trend downwards despite the positive rally recorded in the global crude oil market, with Brent crude currently trading at $73.5 per barrel. It has sustained a steady troubling decline in the past two months after a short-lived upswing that took it to $35 billion.

The foreign reserves lost $120.18 million last Tuesday, the highest single-day loss recorded since February 22, 2021.

This is largely attributed to the decline in crude oil sales, due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the buying capacity of India, which is one of the world’s largest importers of oil.

However, reports suggest that India’s oil imports are beginning to pick up after months of lessened activities due to the pandemic’s effect on its economy. This also comes as good news to Nigeria as India remains one of the highest importers of Nigeria’s crude oil.

The falling reserves, experts have warned, could leave the country’s embattled economic outlook worse off as the confidence of foreign investors is partly influenced by the size of the reserve. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the figure oscillated between $34 billion to $36 billion and even crossed $36.5 billion occasionally.

Nigeria’s current reserve is among the poorest of the oil-producing …

Sports / Tennis

‘Novak Djokovic has a mentality rarely seen in tennis history,’

Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya says Novak Djokovic has ‘a mental determination rarely seen in tennis history.’

Djokovic won the French Open earlier this month, beating Nadal in the semi-finals before coming back from two sets down in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

It was only the third time Nadal had ever lost at Roland Garros, and Moya did not deny the better player won on the day.

He, though, also warned the Serbian that they will learn a lot from the defeat.

“He has an impressive mentality, a determination rarely seen in the history of the sport,” Moya said.

“Rafa made too many unforced errors and was not at his level with the serve or with the backhand.

“Novak did better, he cornered him very well on his backhand side and Rafa could not easily escape from there.

“We are going to learn a lot from this match.”

Novak Djokovic will also be a strong favorite for Wimbledon, where he can equal the Grand Slam haul of both Nadal and Federer should he win it.…

Crime / News

Kano sets up policing committee to monitor movement of ‘strange people’

The Kano State Government is to set up a community-oriented policing committee to monitor the movement of “strange people” in Rano Emirate neighbourhoods.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje made this known when he received the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Kabiru Inuwa, at the Government House in Kano.

Ganduje said: The committee will be set up in Rano Emirate, which houses the largest forest of Falgore, in the state.

“We will also set up same committees in other parts of the state.

“This strategy will strengthen our security architecture.

“The plan is for the communities to put more eyes on strangers, to know who is coming and from where.

“We are glad to inform you that all our security agencies in the state are working harmoniously, without any rivalry.”

He assured that the committees would be under direct supervision of the Emir of Rano.

Ganduje then urged members of the public to also contribute their best in promoting peace in the state.

He also promised to rehabilitate the old Emir’s Palace that was abandoned many decades ago.

Responding, Inuwa thanked Ganduje for the developmental projects taking place in the area.

He urged the governor to do more.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Rano Emirate, according to historians, is a settlement as old as the Kano Emirate.

According to oral literature, Rano came into existence as an independent entity about 300 years ago and it is regarded as one of the oldest settlements in what is known today as Northern Nigeria.

Some works of literature revealed that the kingdom was fully established in the year 523AD by the Kwararrafa warriors.

The Falgore Geme Reserve is located about 150km from Kano city.

It lies in Tudun Wada, Doguwa and Sumaila local government areas.

NAN reports also reports that it extends to the boundary line between Kano, Kaduna and Bauch States.…

Crime / News

Buhari constitutes EFCC Board

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed George Abang Ekpungu as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The appointment is for a fresh tenure of five years.

Also appointed as Board Members of the EFCC are Luqman Muhammad (South South), Anumba Adaeze (South East), Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (North Central) and Alhaji Yahya Muhammad (North East).

This appointment was in line with Section 2 (1) and Section 4 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.

According to the statement, EFCC has been operating without Board Members since 2015.

President Buhari has already directed that the names be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.…

Education / News

FG establishes two new Universities of Technology, upgrades four others

The Federal Government has announced the establishment of two additional universities of technology in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom, while also upgrading and equipping four others.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sonny Echono disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

Adamu said that a National Institute of Technology (NIT) would be established in Abuja to serve essentially as a postgraduate center devoted to research and innovation.

According to him, this will draw the best graduates from the six universities of technology as well as other exceptional graduates from reputable universities within and outside Nigeria. “Recall that at the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, he promised to establish an apex National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Abuja with six satellite universities of technology, one in each geo-political zone of the country.

“This was captured in the 2015 APC Manifesto and also stressed in the Education for Change: Ministerial Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022 of the ministry. The objective is to stimulate rapid technological transformation of the country.

“After a comprehensive review of the policy by key stakeholders in the education sector, it was resolved that the four existing universities of
technology located in Yola (North East), Akure (South West), Owerri (South East) and Minna (North Central) be upgraded and equipped.

“While two additional universities of technology to be located in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom States, would be established for the purpose.

“Similarly, a National Institute of Technology shall be established in Abuja. The institute shall be patterned after similar institutions in Singapore and Malaysia.

“This is to serve essentially as a postgraduate center devoted to research and innovation, drawing the best graduates from the six Universities of Technology as well as other exceptional graduates from reputable universities within and outside Nigeria,” he said.

Adamu said that the president had also approved the phased development program, compelled by the country’s lean resources.

He said that the two new Universities of Technology would be established in 2021, while the upgrade …

Agriculture / Health

How Jamun keeps diabetes under control

When it comes to people suffering from diabetes, strict diet rules are important to keep the insulin levels under control. And in this process, it is often suggested that one should consume certain fruits and vegetables. One such seasonal fruit that can do wonders is Jamun. Jamun not only acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps to improve immunity but it is also beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. According to Diabetic Living India, jamun has lesser glucose and fructose count and it is also laden with minerals and provides fewer calories as compared to other seasonal fruits.

According to Unani and Ayurvedic systems, jamun is beneficial in many digestive disorders. It has been proven that the leaves, bark, and seeds are popular for their anti-diabetic properties.

As per traditional Ayurvedic medicine, the key ingredient that shows anti-diabetic action is jamboline, a chemical found in the seeds. Also, it has been proven that the extracts of the bark, seeds and leaves help in the prolonged decrease of blood sugar and glycouria. It has been found that jamun seeds, which are rich in alkaloids, have hypoglycemic effects with up to 30 percent reduction in blood sugar when consumed regularly during the season. It is suggested that diabetic patients should consume 10-12 jamun daily to control their sugar levels, which automatically helps in controlling insulin activity and sensitivity. In addition, experts suggest that jamun seeds powder can be taken as an adjuvant both for type-2 diabetes, insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent. According to experts, the use of jamun seeds powder is beneficial at the IFG (Impaired fasting glucose) stage. Consuming seeds powder helps in the regulation of IFG, which further prevents the early onset of diabetes and further conditions. Jamun is also rich in vitamin A and C, which makes it perfect for eye and skin health. It also acts as a coolant and also possesses anti-diarrhea properties, and is beneficial for the digestive system.…

Boxing / Sports

Anthony Joshua – Unfortunately Fury’s team let boxing world down’

Anthony Joshua has blamed Tyson Fury for the breakdown of their undisputed championship fight but believes it can resurrected for later this year because it is “bigger than boxing, bigger than the belts”.

A court arbitration in the US ruled that Fury must fight Deontay Wilder causing the collapse of the dream all-British match-up against Joshua. Anthony Joshua exclusive: “Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t determine the Tyson Fury fight. The Fury fight has to happen. It’s a big fight, bigger than boxing, bigger than the belts. It will happen. After the Usyk fight, after I defend my belts.

Fury and Wilder will clash on July 24 in Las Vegas in a third WBC heavyweight title fight and Joshua will defend his IBF, WBA and WBO gold against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk in late-September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.…

Stories

Questions to ask on your first date

1. What’s Your Favorite Thing To Do In Your Free Time?

 

2. Who Is The Most Fascinating Person You’ve Ever Met?

 

3. What Are Some Movies You Really Enjoyed?

 

4. What Are You Kind Of Obsessed With These Days?

 

5. What TV Series Do You Keep Coming Back To And Re-Watching?

 

6. What Hobbies Would You Like To Get Into If You Had The Time And Money?

 

7. Among Your Friends, What Are You Best Known For?

 

8. What Music Artist Do You Never Get Tired Of?

 

9. What Do You Like But Are Kind Of Embarrassed To Admit?

 

10. If You Could Go Back In Time As An Observer, No One Could See You, And You Couldn’t Interact With Anything, When Would You Want To Go Back To?

 

11. What’s The Silliest Fear You Have?

 

12. What’s Your Favorite App On Your Phone?

 

13. What Country Do You Want To Visit?

 

14. What TV Shows Did You Watch When You Were A Kid?

 

15. What’s Your Favorite Thing To Do Outdoors & Indoors?

 

16. What’s The Most Spontaneous Thing You’ve Done?

 

17. Are You A Morning Person Or A Night Owl?

 

18. What’s Your Most Relaxing Situation Like?

 

19. What Are People Often Surprised To Learn About You?

 

20. What Do You Like To Eat To Cheer Yourself Up?

…
Athletics / Sports

Usain Bolt has twin boys – Thunder and Saint Leo

All-time Olympic great sprinter Usain Bolt and his partner Kasi Bennett announced Sunday the birth of twin boys, who have been named Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt.

Day family photo, showing a lightning bolt emoji next to each of his children’s names in the caption, without stating when the twins were born.

Bennett also posted a shot of the couple posing with the twins and daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt captioned: “Happy Father’s Day to my forever love! @usainbolt You are the rock of this family and the greatest daddy to our little ones. We love you world without end!”

Olympia Lightning was born in May 2020 but the name was only announced two months later.

Messages of congratulations poured in after Bolt’s Instagram announcement, from fans as well as athletes — including fellow Jamaican sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, American 200m specialist Wallace Spearmon and 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith of Britain who posted “Congratulations so adorable!”

The 34-year-old Bolt, who won eight gold medals at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Games, will not be competing at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics next month after retiring in 2017.

The fastest man in history, Bolt holds the world records for 100 metres and 200 metres. He is the only sprinter to win the 100m and 200m double at three consecutive Olympics.…

Football / Sports / Stories

Japanese football star Kumi Yokoyama comes out as transgender man

Japanese Women’s World Cup star Kumi Yokoyama has come out as a transgender man — one of the few athletes to do so in a country where LGBTQ rights lag behind other developed nations.

Yokoyama, who represented Japan at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and currently plays for National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit, said living in the United States made it easier to be “open” about sexuality and gender.

“Recently, the term LGBTQ has become familiar in Japan, and you see it in the media nowadays,” said the 27-year-old footballer.

“But I thought that if people in my position didn’t speak up, things wouldn’t progress.”

Yokoyama’s message was posted on the YouTube channel of former Japan teammate Yuki Nagasato — a World Cup winner in 2011.

Yokoyama, who wishes to be referred by the gender-neutral pronouns “they” and “them”, had a breast-removal operation at the age of 20.

They intend to have further gender reassignment surgery after they have retired from playing.

The forward said there was pressure to conform to gender norms in Japan, but there was less discrimination in the United States and Germany, where Yokoyama previously played for Frankfurt.

“In Japan, you’re always asked ‘do you have a boyfriend?’, but here it’s normal to ask ‘do you prefer men or women’,” Yokoyama said.

“I hid it from my teammates in the beginning, but they told me it was uncool to hide it, and that I didn’t have to.”

Yokoyama found support from Washington Spirit, who tweeted: “We support and are so proud of you Kumi. Thank you for showing the world it’s OK to embrace who you are!”

On Monday, New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard was chosen as the first transgender Olympic athlete.

Hubbard, 43, who transitioned to female in her 30s, met all the qualification criteria for transgender athletes.…

Business / News

What Abuja Land Swap initiative means for real estate sector, investors

Once again, investors and the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) Abuja are back to the table following approval for resumption of the ambitious Land Swap Initiative by the federal executive council (FEC) early last week.

The Abuja Land Swap initiated by the Bala Mohammed administration was valued then at N1 trillion. It is the short form of the ‘FCT Land Infrastructure Swap Initiative’ designed to address the infrastructure deficit in the FCT.

In simple terms, the initiative means engaging the private sector to provide infrastructure in exchange for land. The aim, essentially, is to open up new districts in the FCT by constructing and completing access roads to those districts.

Apart from freeing government land for economic activities such as real estate and industrial development, the initiative also solves one of the major problems of urban or city development which is the provision of a good network of roads and associated infrastructure.

It is also an answer to real estate sector development in Nigeria where investors and property developers estimate the cost of infrastructure at 30 percent of total construction cost.

The implication is that the initiative will not only increase housing stock, but also reduce house price, and ultimately bridge the housing demand-supply gap in the country put variously at 17, 20 and 22 million units, depending on who one is speaking to.

It is expected that construction activities resulting from infrastructure development and housing delivery will have combined capacity to create, at least, 2,000 direct construction jobs on an ongoing basis. It is expected also that many of the workers, skilled and unskilled, will come from the catchment districts, thereby empowering the people economically.

As the federal capital city, Abuja, like Lagos, the country’s commercial nerve center, is experiencing a high influx of people and this is already putting pressure on available facilities in the city. The organization growth rate of Abuja is conservatively put at 30-40 percent per annum.

Similarly, the population of the FCT currently is estimated at 6 million whereas the Abuja Master Plan envisaged …

Business / News

Lubricants import hits $500m, hikes maintenance cost by 300%

Lack of refining capacity in Nigeria for basic fuels and other petroleum products has left the nation dependent on the importation of lubricants, with yearly expenditure likely to exceed the $500 million benchmark going by the rally in oil prices.

Similarly, the calls for energy transition leading to a gradual switch from base oils to synthetic oils, currency devaluation and shutdown of many foreign refineries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have impacted the importation of base oils for blending. These have led to at least 300 per cent rise in the price of lubricants from about N850 per litre to N2000 per litre.

At almost $2 a litre, Nigeria’s yearly base oil demand of 300 million litres puts the nation’s foreign exchange consumption at about $500 million or N205 billion ($1: N410).

In the first quarter of 2021, Nigeria spent N71.6 billion on the importation of lubricants that would be blended locally, according to the latest trade data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to data from the Lubricants Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), the country’s lubricant market demand volume total  at 600,000 metric tons in 2019, accounting for about 20 per cent of Africa’s total lubricants demand. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, however, affected demand volumes by at least 50 per cent.

With the cost of locally blended products higher than that of imported lubricants due to prevailing macro-economic challenges, many businesses with large storage capacities have resorted to raising Letters of Credit (LCs) for importation rather than buying locally.

Data from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) showed that the 34 lube blending plants in the country have 120.57 million litres of base oil storage capacity.

While the ​Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC)​​​ was the only refinery designed for the production of Base Oils, Asphalt (Bitumen) and Waxes, the non-performance of the refinery has left the nation largely dependent on the importation, as upcoming refinery from Dangote and modular refineries focus on fuels like the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil …

Basket Ball / Sports

Atlanta tops Philadelphia in Game 7 to advance to Eastern Conference finals

The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 103-96 on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2015. The Game 7 loss sent the No. 1 seed home early after one of the most bitterly disappointing series losses in recent memory. The 76ers blew enormous leads in Games 4 and 5, and now, they’ve blown the series as well.

As he has throughout the series, Joel Embiid led the charge for the 76ers on the offensive end of the floor as he finished with a team-high 31 points to go along with 11 rebounds. On the other side, Trae Young struggled mightily finding his shot in this one but Kevin Huerter picked up the slack in a major way, finishing with 27 points. While the Sixers were favored entering the matchup, it was Atlanta that was able to finish the job and knock off the top seed in Game 7.

With the win, the Hawks advance on to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals with Game 1 of that series scheduled for Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum. Here are the three biggest takeaways from Game 7.

1. Sorry Simmons

Ben Simmons’ night, and really, his series, can be encapsulated by a single moment. With 3:30 left in the fourth quarter and his team trailing by two, Simmons spun around Danilo Gallinari and had a wide open dunk sitting there for him. This is what he did.

Whether it was a fear of being fouled and having to take free throws or simply a poor decision, we can’t say. But Matisse Thybulle missed one of the free throws generated by that poor decision. That’s a free point down the drain. Simmons gave up plenty of them. He attempted only four shots in this game and 45 in the series. More distressingly, he took only three shots in the fourth quarter in seven games against the Hawks. Ironically, he made all of them.

It’s hard not to think of all …

Basket Ball / Sports

Devin Booker’s triple-double lifts Phoenix past Los Angeles in Game 1

While the story entering the game may have been focused on the players who were unavailable, Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard, the story coming out of Game 1 will be the back and forth battle between Devin Booker and Paul George as the two went at it all day long in the Suns’ 120-114 victory.

Booker finished the win with the Suns’ first playoff triple-double since Steve Nash accomplished the feat in 2005. The All-Star guard was masterful on the offensive end recording 40 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 11 assists as he seemingly made the right play whenever Phoenix needed it. On the other side, George led the charge for the Clippers finishing the game with 34 points, five assists and four rebounds but, in the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome Booker and the rest of the Suns.

With the win, the Suns grab the early momentum in this series as they look to defend their home floor and put themselves in a position to advance to the NBA Finals. These two teams will meet again on Tuesday night with the opening tip scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.

Here are three main takeaways from Game 1.

1. The Devin Booker show

With the Suns up two points with 22 seconds left, Booker got the ball on an after-timeout-play, noticed there wasn’t a single Clippers player within spitting distance of him and drove to the rim for a two-handed dunk. The crowd roared and Booker just polished off a 40-point triple-double to carry the Suns to a Game 1 win. It was an exclamation mark on what Booker did over the course of the game, where he went toe-to-toe with each L.A. defender put in front of him and continuously just kept knocking down shots. The magic in it though is the fact that he was getting to his spots with ease.

They ran a high screen and roll, and Booker got to his spot at the elbow and knocked down mid-range jumpers left and right. …

Entertainment / Music

Olamide’s music will last a lifetime – ID Cabasa

Award-winning music producer and singer, ID Cabasa, has submitted Olamide has so much music in his repertoire to last a lifetime.

The Coded Tunes boss made this known hours after the release of Olamide’s ninth studio album, UY Scuti, on Friday, June 18, 2021.

“Over a decade ago I told DJ Boombastic that Ola has music that will last him till he is done… well here we are…,” he said.

ID Cabasa further boasted about Olamide’s brilliance and immense talent, saying the father of three has the audacity of change and pride that comes with being a genius.

“The intentionality of the ideas and sound…The Audacity of change and pride that comes with genius Olamide just gave us all a new sound that will cause a major change…,” he added.

Complementing the 30-year-old whom he groomed into a household star, Cabasa said: “He does not just break records… he set trends with a record for others to break… My young Erikina has redefined greatness… Young Erikina ke… that was 10yrs ago now Full-blown AgbaErikina.”

Speaking on his new tunes as praised by ID Cabasa, Olamide, in an interview with The UK Guardian, said: “My priority is to express myself freely like a bird right now.

“If I feel something I just want to go in there and talk about it as much as I can. It’s back to how it all started for me: just making music with my feelings and however it comes.”

In 2020, Olamide released his eighth body of work, Carpe Diem, a gorgeous body of work packed with balmy melodies and lyrics about overcoming low points.

In 2021, he released his ninth album, UY Scuti, which features hit single Rock and his popular collaborator, Phyno.…

Crime / News / Security

Police arrest 127 traffic robbery suspects, pledge to combat crime

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 127 suspected traffic robbers within the last three months in various parts of the state.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, said the suspects were picked at various spots in the state.

He promised that robberies in traffic would soon fizzle out and become a history in the state as the state police command had deployed human and material resources to tackle the menace headlong.

The police boss added that fight against the menace would be intensified and more effective with the new equipment from the Lagos State Government.

Odumosu also ordered the commencement of combat training and range practice for police personnel and also training of police operatives attached to the newly formed Anti-Traffic Robbery Squad to tackle robbery in traffic in the state.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have nabbed two notorious suspected robbers along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects, Tunde Ramoni and Adepoju Samuel, who hail from Oyo State, were arrested at Ojota, while Adepoju was caught while robbing a motorist with an unregistered motorcycle around Tipper area, Ketu, Lagos State.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Tunde Ramoni was once arrested with a gang of pickpockets in 2019 and was sentenced to six-month imprisonment.

Another suspect, Ibrahim Abiodun, was also arrested with two locally-made pistols with two live cartridges, assorted charms and weeds at Agbomalu, Apapa, on Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, has ordered that the suspects be transferred to the command’s Special Squad, Ikeja, for proper investigation and possible prosecution.…

News / Security

Nigeria ranks 146th on Global Peace Index, 8th least peaceful in Africa

The 2021 Global Peace Index (GPI) has ranked Nigeria 146 among 163 independent nations and territories, according to its level of peacefulness. Nigeria moved one step from 147 in 2020, though it still ranked eighth among the least peaceful countries in Africa after South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Central African Republic, Sudan and Mali.

In the report released yesterday, Nigeria finished with 2712 points and was graded low on the state of peace out of very high, high, medium, low and very low on the chart.

The GPI, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), measures the state of peace in countries. It assesses countries in three domains, including the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization.

Describing the situation, the report said Nigeria continues to face challenges on both safety and security and ongoing conflict domains. The conflict between government forces and Boko Haram in the Northeast led to an estimated 1,606 people killed in 125 fatal incidents in 2020, making an average of 13 deaths per violent event in the Boko Haram insurgency of last year.

Civil unrest rose 10 per cent globally, driven by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic caused a global rise in civil unrest and political insecurity, according to the GPI report. There were 14,871 violent demonstrations, protests and riots recorded globally in 2020.

The report said COVID-19 was a “multiplying force” in future political instability and civil unrest. It added the level of this unrest going forward is likely to hinge on the speed and effectiveness of economic recovery. Countries with less debt and higher levels of positive peace were more likely to recover faster.

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal and Slovenia. Mauritius is the most peaceful African country ranked 28th, followed by Ghana (38), Botswana (41), Sierra Leone (46) …

Athletics / Sports

Okagbare runs world lead 10.63 seconds at national trials in Lagos

Team Nigeria’s preparation for the Tokyo Olympics Games recorded a positive result yesterday, as U.S.-based sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, ran 10.63 seconds, the fastest time by any woman in the world this year. It was aided by wind 2.7.

 

 

Unofficially, Okagbare’s time was recorded as 10.62 seconds.

She won the 100m event of the National Trials at the Yaba College of Technology ahead of Rosemary Chukwuma of Team Delta, who posted a time of 11.07 seconds. Another Delta athlete, Grace Nwokocha, ran 11.11 seconds to place third.

Earlier this year, Okagbare ran 10.90 seconds to finish second behind her Jamaican rival, Shelly-Ann Praser-Pryce, who ran 10.60 seconds. Some weeks later, the Jamaican ran 10.63 seconds at Kingston National stadium.

On sighting the record time of 10.62 seconds at the end of the race yesterday, Okagbare fell flat on the track, rolled several times in celebration.…

Crime / News

EFCC recovers N6b, 30 estates, 32 automobiles in three months – Bawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has so far recovered over N6 billion, 30 real estates and 32 automobiles between March and June this year.

The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the weekly media briefing organized by the Presidential Communication Team.

Bawa said: “From the time I took over, we have recovered over N6 billion, over $161 million, over £13,000, €1,730,200 Canadian dollars, CFA 373,000, ¥8,430.

“We have recovered 30 real estates, one carpet, 13 electronics, one farm land, one factory, two motorcycles, one filling station and about 32 automobiles.” According to Bawa, not all recoveries made by the commission go into the coffers of the Federal Government.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to clarify issues.

“There are a number of recoveries that the EFCC has made over the years but not all recoveries made belong to the Federal Government.

“We have made recoveries for victims of criminals and they can be individuals, local government, state government, federal government, corporate entities whether in Nigeria or outside Nigeria.

“There are also recoveries that are indirect recoveries.

“Just a couple of weeks back, we recovered $100 million for the Nigeria Ports Authority but the monies were paid into the account of NPA but through our efforts.

“Am I not going to record that we have recovered such an amount for NPA?

“Are you going to see it in the EFCC recovered account with the CBN?

“No.

“There are recoveries that are made directly into the EFCC account.

“It is through systems and processes.

“There is Department of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management in EFCC responsible for collating all the data regarding recovered assets, assets on interim forfeiture and assets on final forfeiture as well as their location and of course their management.”

Bawa expressed serious concern over the rising cases of internet frauds involving youths across the country.

He revealed that over 1,500 internet fraudsters were apprehended in the last six months, saying they would soon be prosecuted.

He said: …