NIGERIAN NOTCH

 By Chigozie Igbo 3:24am is the time, morning is few hours away, and this thought of writing about a country that has so much pissed Nigerians cropped up. Initially I just waved at the thought of penning this down, but the urge kept coming back. For quite sometime now, I have gone on leave, most times discarding the urge  to write, because most of our countrymen rather watch videos, mostly comedy skits, than read. Reason, its said “if you want to hide anything from us, pen it down”  Their assumptions might be right, but I believe there are few that still read. The topic of discourse, Nigeria a thorn of many parts came to me as a direct message. Yes, Nigeria is a thorn of many parts. A thorn as we know it inhibits, also making it impossible for goals to be achieved. The Igbo’s call it (Ogwu). The adage of money is in thorns can give one a view of what thorns imply, (Ego di na Ogwu). Nigeria as a country is so blessed that the indigenes of this country have no r...

President of the Senate and Chairman National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday restated the determination of the National Assembly under his leadership to work for Nigeria and Nigerians. He also assured the Executive arm of the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of its readiness to collaborate with his administration to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying " our President and his will not walk alone." Akpabio made the pledge while delivering his speech at the two-day retreat for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly taking place at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Akpabio commended the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the Konard Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for their collaborative efforts in organizing the retreat, noting that "the retreat was a critical national initiative aimed at identifying ways to better serve the Nigerian people." He disclosed that the leaders...

The nurse who injected Mohbad has been arrested by the Police. Nigerian Notch reports that the nurse who injected late Nigerian street hop singer and former rapper under Naira Marley’s Marlian Music record label, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has been arrested, Iyabo Ojo, a Nigerian actress has revealed.  Recall that Mohbad died in the early hours of Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The late Mohbad was buried in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, amid tears as musicians around the world and Nigerians continue to ask who killed Mohbad.   According to PulseNG, the rapper sadly passed away from an ear infection. Sources from the singer’s team told the news platform that he took a trip to the hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, September 12, for treatment, after which he was administered an injection.   PulseNG also claimed that Aloba was taken to the hospital after sustaining i...

There are indications that the Ondo State House of Assembly has commenced the process of impeaching the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. This is coming following an emergency plenary session summoned by the House of Assembly today in Akure amidst heavy presence of security men at the Assembly gate. The Assembly subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola, to write the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa over allegations of Gross Misconduct levelled against him. The Petition which has been signed by Nine out of 26 Members of the House was read during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji. Earlier, the majority leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, who moved the motion, quoted session 188 of the Nigerian Constitution to back it up on the need to write the deputy Governor over the allegations before the house will take any action and the motion was seconded by a PDP lawmaker from Akoko Southwest 2, Tope Agbulu. According to sources within the...

The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 election. Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While Nasir Gawuna, his APC rival congratulated him, the party proceeded to court. More details soon.. Loading..

The Anambra state government is to pay utmost attention to the unresolved crises in Isuaniocha Community of Awka North Local Government area. This is to ensure that lasting peace is restored in the community which have been in crises for more than eight years. The Chief of Staff to the government, Mr Ernest  Ezeajuyi stated this when over one thousand residents of Isuaniocha carried a peaceful protest to the government over some issues bringing disunity and insecurity in the town. Youths, aged men and women including the oldest man in the community, carried placards with various inscriptions as they marched to the gate of the Anambra State government House, Chanting songs of solidarity while demanding the governor, Chukwuma Soludo to give them immediate attention by resolving their griviances. Addressing the people, the Chief of Staff who was accompanied by the Commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Tony Nwabunwanne, said the administration of Pro...

Yesterday, Imo people woke up to a very gory and disturbing story that emerged through a social media circulated video of the unprovoked massacre of about 8 military personnels and two of their vehicles burnt to ashes by yet to be identified assailants along the Aba Branch Road in Ehime Mbano. A friend who resides in Aba Branch where the incident took place confirmed that the military men where moving innocently along that road when suddenly they were ambushed from the nearby forest and massacred, their vehicles burnt and their guns and bullets carted away. In the usual manner of Imo People, just a very few persons have used their individual social media platforms to condemn the killing or sympathize with the families of the slain security operatives. As though the security operatives that were murdered are not human beings and are not innocent enough to deserve to live. Painfully, within the political class, especially the opposition parties whose campaign slogan has been ...

The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating crude oil theft and loss of revenues from oil and gas companies has again insisted that agencies and other stakeholders in the industry evading the ongoing investigation appear before it unfailingly. This is as the total unremitted revenues to the Federation by some relevant government agencies and companies in the oil and gas sector in the year 2021 have risen to over $9.85 billion. The figure and other vital pieces of information and data about Nigeria’s petroleum sector were revealed in the 2021 Oil and Gas Industry Report unveiled by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), in Abuja, yesterday. Reports have it that the investigative panel has insisted that the heads of the Nigeria National Petroleum Ltd, (NNPCL), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), amongst others, must appear physically for the investigation. Thi...

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu will today address the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on issues bordering on tackling climate change, illicit financial flows and asset return to the country with a view to encouraging stronger international cooperation. Tinubu who is already in New York, United States for Assembly will also highlight Nigeria’s efforts towards the attainment of the Strategic Development Goals (SDGs), and ensuring international peace and security, among others. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli in Abuja yesterday. Omayuli said the High-Level segment of the 78th UNGA commences today, Tuesday, 19th September, 2023, with the General Debate, during which Heads of State will take their turns to deliver their addresses. She said the General Debate, convened by the General Assembly (GA), will hold this year, under the Presidency of Mr. Dennis Francis of the Republic of Tri...

By Jackson Udom Frank, assertive but unassuming, President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, has always cut the figure of a determined and purpose-driven leader wherever the mantle of leadership falls on him since his burst into the political limelight in Akwa Ibom State as Commissioner in charge of three different ministries in 2002. It was that emblematic assertiveness and affable disposition that made most Nigerians celebrate his emergence as the President of the Senate in a keenly-contested election on June 13, 2023, with majority of the people concluding that the emergence of the two-term Senator would be a great blessing to the National Assembly, the Presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria as a whole. One hundred eventful days down the line, that conclusion about the Akpabio Senate Presidency has not only been justified, it has also proved unassailable, with several decisive and nationalistic steps taken by the National Assembly lending credence t...

Embattled owner of Marlian Records, Azeez Fashola, also called Naira Marley may have more troubles coming his way as some radio stations have started placing a ban on all songs from the label. In Oyo state, Splash 105.5 FM and other other private-owned radio stations have made their opposition to music from marlian Records known to the public. According to a Twitter post by Aderonke Adesola, a presenter at the station, the management places an indefinite ban on the songs of the CEO of Marlian Records. She said Marley’s songs have been placed on “Not to Be Broadcast” (NTTB) on the radio frequencies by the station’s management. The post read: “Good evening team. In view of the sensitive nature around the death of Mohbad and the criminal procedure, the police have commenced, I will urge us all to exercise discretion.” “To this effect, Naira Marley’s songs have become NTBB ( not to be broadcast) on our station till further notice. This is with immediate effect. Thank you.” Nair...

 Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed outrage over the rate of kidnapping incidents in Enugu State.  It has been reported that no fewer than 20 persons were abducted at different locations in the State over the weekend.  Among them were about 14 travellers abducted along the Enugu-Ugwuogo-Opi Nsukka Road on Friday, and a Catholic priest, Rev Fr Marcellinus Obioma Okide, who was kidnapped in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, while a middle-aged man was killed during another kidnap incident in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the State.  In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said the rate of kidnapping in Enugu was outrageous.  Okwu, who noted that hoodlums have taken over every major road outside the State capital, noted that security agencies were talking without action.  He said, “this wake up call i...

The Federal Government on Monday, has urged the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to embrace dialogue fully as the preferred approach for resolving the issues surrounding the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol. The call for dialogue was made by the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, during his opening statement at the meeting between government representatives and the NLC. Lalong, accompanied by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiru Onyejeocha, and other ministry officials, expressed appreciation to the Labour Centre for accepting the ministry’s invitation. He emphasized his willingness to collaborate with unionists to find lasting solutions that would benefit all Nigerians. Lalong stated, “In recent months, our nation has faced significant challenges, including industrial actions and unrest that have negatively impacted the economy. I stand before you today not only as a government representative but also as an advocate for constructive...

Not fewer than three lives have been lost as a result of flood in some parts of Jos metropolis. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Gangere, Rikkos, Bauchi road and Eto-Baba communities, of Jos North Local Government were flooded as result of heavy rains on Sunday and Monday that lasted for many hours. Mr Eugene Nyenlong, Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told NAN that his agency got a distress call that three persons had died as a result of the flood. Nyenlong said that NEMA and other stakeholders were going to the affected communities to assess the situation. “As I speak to you,  we are moving to the scene with other stakeholders to have an on the spot assessment of the disaster, and also carry out advocacy visits. “From the information before us, three persons have lost their lives from the flood that has become a recurring decimal in those areas. “I appeal to the Plateau State Government to take stringent measures to ensure t...

Fresh details on the agitation against  President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio emerged over the weekend with the revelation that the disaffection on committee appointments was only diversionary.  The real angst of the group of senators, it was reliably gathered, is the suspicion of the incapacity of the Senate President to checkmate what some northern senators are calling the Yorubanisation of the country’s financial system and economy. Besides the alleged perception of  Akpabio’s lack of capacity to checkmate the  purported domination of the Yoruba ethnic nationalities in the financial ecosystem,  is also his alleged refusal to deal with some powerful interest groups, particularly some petrol importers and the electricity distribution companies on some proposed financial deals bordering on 40 percent electricity tariff hike and payment of outstanding money to fuel importers. Newspaper publications had last weekend alleged a plot by some unnamed s...

The Honourable Minister for Industry Trade and Investment Dr Doris Uzoka has expressed confidence that Governor Hope Uzodinma’s achievements in his first tenure will pave the way for his victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the State. She also maintained that his victory would guarantee the consolidation of his projects in his second term. The Honourable Minister who disclosed this in her Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment Abuja office, after the inauguration of the Campaign Council in the State  by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party at the weekend also described the governor’s aspiration as a vision that would be actualised. She  also maintained that Uzodinma’s choice of Lady Chinyere Ekomaru as his running mate is an added advantage to his already agenda of women’s affirmative action and inclusion in politics. The Trade Minister vowed to make sure Uzodinma wins in the November, 11 election. She said, “APC has set the p...

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has released his five-point agenda for the ministry in line with President Bola Tinubu’s manifesto. In a post released via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Keyamo said the five-point agenda is his focus for the aviation ministry. The minister promised to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s rating by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Keyamo also vowed to support the growth and sustenance of local airline businesses whilst holding them to the highest international standards in the aviation industry. The minister stated that he would focus on the improvement of infrastructures in the aviation industry and the development of human capacity within the industry. Also, Keyamo asserted that he would optimize the generation of revenue for the federal government.

As the pension assets continue to rise hitting N17.1 trillion in July, more pension contributors and retirees are getting increasingly agitated with the rising volume of unresolved complaints in the sector. Some of the contributors and retirees who spoke to  Financial Vanguard  lamented that their complaints are either delayed for a long time or are not responded to at all, creating the impression that the National Pension Commission, PenCom, could be overwhelmed by the volume of complaints that hit the commission on regular basis. Stakeholders argue that this development may be part of the reasons why some groups and institutions are working hard to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, and return to the old scheme. Meanwhile,  Financial Vanguard  findings from PenCom’s data show that out of the 59 complaints were sent to PenCom relating to non-remittance of pension contributions in the first quarter of 2023, Q1’23, only nine were resolved, an indic...

The All Progressives Congress, APC, weekend  inaugurated the campaign council for the re-election of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the November 11 governorship election in the state. National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, who inaugurated the National Campaign Council   disclosed that the party is fully ready to participate and win the election.  Ganduje who announced that the party has introduced a new method of unveiling its candidate, said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has jettisoned the old order of unveiling its candidates at the party office but chose to do it outside the secretariats. He also appreciated Governor Hope Uzodimma for going a step further to get the ceremony done at the grassroots.  He assured that APC would provide the enabling environment to make sure the party succeeds in the forthcoming election. Also speaking during the ceremony, National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Bashiru, boasted that APC will win ...

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan claimed her third consecutive Diamond League title after winning the women’s 100m hurdles at the Eugene Diamond League.  Amusan, who lost her world title last month in Budapest, Hungary, bounced back in convincing fashion to beat strong contenders, including Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Keni Harrison and Danielle Williams.   The 26-year-old won the race in a season’s best time of 12.33s. Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico was second in 12.38s, while Harrison of the United States of America came third in 12.44s.  Amusan is the second woman to win the 100m hurdles event in the Diamond League for three successive years, emulating Dawn Harper-Nelson, who won it in 2012, 2023 and 2014. Another Nigerian, Ese Brume came second in the Long Jump event. Brume finished second behind Serbia’s Ivana Vuleta.

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has asked the state Governor Alex Otti,  to ensure that those who killed the party’s chieftain, Zachary Maduka in Abia State don’t go unpunished. Obi, who stated this while decrying Maduka’s killing, also urged the governor to rid Abia of all forms of criminality to ensure such killers don’t happen again. Obi stated this on his X (formerly twitter) handle. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abia State, Moureen Chinaka, had confirmed that the 70-old chieftain was violently attacked, murdered and beheaded by a yet-to-be identified armed men. Reacting however, Obi said, “I have been away to Bangladesh for an international engagement only to arrive home this morning, to receive with shock, and pain the very sad and ugly news of the beheading of a Labour Party Chieftain in Abia state, Zachary Maduka. “I condole his immediate family, Governor Alex Otti,  the good people of Abia, and the Labour Party fam...

The All Progressives Congress, APC, weekend  inaugurated the campaign council for the re-election of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the November 11 governorship election in the state. National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, who inaugurated the National Campaign Council   disclosed that the party is fully ready to participate and win the election. Ganduje who announced that the party has introduced a new method of unveiling its candidate, said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has jettisoned the old order of unveiling its candidates at the party office but chose to do it outside the secretariats. He also appreciated Governor Hope Uzodimma for going a step further to get the ceremony done at the grassroots.  He assured that APC would provide the enabling environment to make sure the party succeeds in the forthcoming election. Also speaking during the ceremony, National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Bashiru, boasted that APC will win convin...

Indication emerged yesterday that the Presidency will not allow the impeachment of Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio in spite of grumblings among lawmakers. A Presidency source told this newspaper in confidence yesterday that the president was more inclined to saving Akpabio should moves to impeach him when the upper chamber resumes later this month as speculated. The source said the presidency was wary that an impeachment of the Senate President could “cause a ripple effect that could spill into the House of Representatives which it cannot afford.” The source said as much as the villa was uncomfortable with recent comments by Akpabio, the president is desirous of retaining Akpabio for the sake of stability, adding that “there is no anticipation of leadership change.” The source also said the villa was conscious of not playing into the hands of political opponents who might seiz..e the National Assembly to undo the president politically. There have been grumblings b...

The Honourable Minister for Industry Trade and Investment Dr Doris Anite Uzoka has urged Imolites to quene in the re_election bid of the All Progressive Congress APC Governorship Candidate in the November 11, Gubernatorial elections in IMO State HE Senator Hope Uzodinma. The minister who is a member of the National Campaign Council stated this during the inuaguration of the National Campaign Council for the upcoming 2023 Gubernatorial election at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri on 16th September,2023. Dr.Uzoka expressed confidence that the current governor and  the All Progressive Congress APC candidate is the leading contender for the upcoming election and outlined various campaign strategies she has put in place already, such as mobilizing various women groups within and outside the party structures at the grassroot level aimed at canvassing multiple votes for the victory of our governor, setting up Support Groups drawn from various Market Organisations, IMO...