NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Lagos State Police Command has revealed that some desperate Nigerians asked the police to declare them wanted in order to apply for asylum abroad. The Spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin made this revelation in a statement via his X handle on Saturday. ‘Please, declare me wanted!’ I was stupefied. I blinked and looked at him again. ‘What did you say,’ I asked. ‘Please, I want you to declare me wanted,’ he repeated. ‘Why do you want to be declared wanted,’ I inquired, amused. ‘Actually, I am applying for asylum at xyz… — SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) January 20, 2024 Hundeyin said he was stupefied when a Nigeria asked that the police declare him wanted so that he could apply for asylum. He stated, “‘Please, declare me wanted!’ I was stupefied. I blinked and looked at him again. ‘What did you say,’ I asked. “Please, I want you to declare me wanted,’ he repeated. “Why do you want to be declared wanted,’ I inquired, amused. “Actually, ...

...... Declares Support For Tinubu's Style Of Governance The budding Young Progressives Party, (YPP), which pulled a huge upset in Akwa Ibom State during the 2023 general elections, on Friday folded up and its structures across the state collapsed into the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in a rare demonstration of solidarity to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Governorship candidate of the party, Senator Bassey Albert, deputy governorship candidate, Retired AIG Asuquo Amba, State Executive Committee of the party led by the State Chairman, Mr Nyeneime Andy, its Elders' Council, chapter and ward officers and the entire executive council of the Akwa Ubok Abasi campaign organisation numbering over 10,000 paid a solidarity visit to the Senate President at his country home in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area, and declared their support for President Bola Tinubu.  YPP formed barely seven months to the 2023 general election, was the fastest growing Party in...

The Nigerian Army (NA) has announced the commencement of its online application for 2024 Direct Short Service Commission Course (DSSCC). The Army, in a brief statement posted on its official social media handles, said the application exercise, which kickstarted on Friday, January 19, 2024, would end on Friday, February 23, 2024, urging eligible applicants to visit its recruitment portal for enlistment. The post stated that the application is free and is open to all civilians and serving military personnel. It, however, said only serving military personnel sponsored to civil institutions by any of the Services of the Nigerian Armed Forces shall be considered. The post partly reads; “This is to inform the general public that the online application for Direct Short Service Commission Course 28/2024 has commenced. Application starts 19 January 2024 and ends 23 February 2024.   “All applications must be submitted online not later than 23 February 2024. Visit recruitment.army...

Nigerians have not stopped reacting to the Police’s warning against the use of the catchphrase, ‘No gree for anybody’, even after they explained the reason for the warning. In their statement, they described it as slang capable of causing crisis. Here is a simple catchphrase which people are applying even in their spiritual lives; no gree for anybody, even the devil. It has entered the fashion industry. You need to see the gele (head tie) now trending. It’s wider than an umbrella.Many believe it’s simply about maintaining your beliefs; not allowing influence from others. Netizens have been worried that the NPF is chasing shadows instead of intensifying efforts to stop bandits, terrorists, criminals and bad eggs in the police force. So, rather than chasing the 2024 catchword users about, Nigerians are inviting the police to adopt it in their operations; No gree for any criminal, bandits, terrorists, etc. This is pop culture and the youths are bound to coin more. It’s left fo...

Says Akwa Ibom Would be Delivered To APC In 2027 President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called for immediate commencement of reconciliation within the rank and file of the party, noting that the party needed to be united towards the 2027 general elections, for a better electoral outcomes. He mandated Chairman of the party in  Akwa Ibom State, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, to set up a reconciliation committee to address the differences rocking the party in the state. Akpabio stated this on Friday while addressing a Stakeholders' Meeting in Uyo. He vowed to reunite the party so that it would be positioned to take over the state reins of government in the  state in 2027. According to Akpabio," a situation where someone will be in one party and be working for another party will not be tolerated. We will make sure that APC in Akwa Ibom State is one, we will give people the option that either you belong to us or to them. There should not be any in-between. We are going ...

Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has unveiled Nigeria’s plan to invest a staggering $3.1 trillion in transitioning from fossil fuel to cleaner and renewable energy. The announcement was made during the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. According to Lokpobiri, the nation has allocated $1.9 trillion for its energy transition plan, with an additional $1.2 trillion earmarked for the renewable energy initiative by the year 2060. This comprehensive strategy underscores Nigeria’s commitment to embracing sustainable energy practices and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. During the forum, Lokpobiri, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other global leaders, emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to responsible fossil fuel exploration. The country intends to leverage cutting-edge technologies to meet its energy needs while aligning its energy policies with the expectations of the Organisation of t...

The Supreme Court on Friday, declared Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected Governor of Delta State.   The Supreme Court took the decision after dismissing all three appeals challenging Oborevwori’s victory at the March 18 governorship election.   In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the apex court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, held that the appeals against Oborevwori lacked merit. The court dismissed an appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Ovie Omo-Agege, to overturn Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s election. The Supreme Court concluded that the appellant failed to provide sufficient evidence of over-voting and noncompliance with electoral laws.   The panel also dismissed the appeals filed by the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kenneth Gbagi, as well as that of the Labour Party (LP) against Oborevwori. Due to time...

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to remodelling institutions of higher learning to achieve the purpose for which they were established. The president stated this on Day 3 of the 54th convocation of the University of Lagos, on Thursday. The visitor to the university, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, noted that institutions, especially universities, were central to the attainment of a new Nigeria. According to him, there is a need for all the support and necessary changes to be put in place to make the country achieve the desired aim of Nigerians as a people. “We have done well in infrastructure and culturally, and we need to be proud of who we are and what we represent as a people. “Let me commend all the organs of this university that, through doggedness, have made commitments that led to today’s ceremony. “I am confident that with the quality of teaching and research that the university has instilled in our gra...

My name is Udonna Michael Mnwe. I was born on January 1,1996, in Mbala, Abia State of Nigeria.  I am a citizen of Nigeria. I am not a dual citizen of any other country. My parents are Uwazurike and Okwudiri Mnwe. I am seeking asylum in Canada because, my life is in grave danger in my home country, Nigeria, simply because I am a h8mosexual. My problem may have started from the day I was born. I came out of my mother’s womb with an unusual very light skin colour in an area where the majority of people have very dark skin. My skin tone has always drawn attention to me; both positive and negative attention for that matter. Hence, this is the reason why the entire town call me “Nwoke ocha” meaning a light skin male or “Oyibo” meaning a white man. As soon as I became aware of my surroundings, I was preyed upon by men around me, who found me very attractive just like a girl. I started primary school in the year, 2000, and finished in 2006. On the day I confirmed that I would be going to s...

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural association has inaugurated the Nomad Vigilante group in Nasarawa State to complement conventional security agencies. Alh. Bello Bodejo, the National President of the association who inaugurated the group on Wednesday in Lafia,  said that its formation became imperative given the increasing security challenges in the country. He said that the first batch of the vigilante comprised 1,144 Fulani youths from various communities in the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nasarawa State. Bodejo added that the profiling of other interested persons was ongoing, as they target to recruit up to 4,000 youths for proper coverage of all Fulani communities. The national president also promised that the group would assist in fishing out all criminal elements in Fulani communities and hand them over to the security agencies for necessary action. He explained that the vigilante group would assist conventional security agencies in the a...

The Federal Government has approved the ratification of the Investment Promotion and Protection (IPPA) agreements between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of trade and investment, confirmed this while briefing journalists after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. According to Uzoka-Anite, “With the approval, the Federal Government will forward the already-signed IPPA agreements to the National Assembly for ratification.” The minister said her ministry can now invoke Article 26 of that agreement, which gives it a mandate to review and amend some sections of the IPPA to conform with the current IPPA model in use, which is a 2016 model. According to the minister, “We will immediately proceed to invoke the section that will enable us to review and amend the sections that were not originally viewed to be favourable. On the rising cost of goods and services, as well as the high cost of ...

As January is drawing to an end, students have decried the prolonged wait for the commencement of the education loans. Their umbrella body, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) lamented that the loan portal had not yet been opened for students to apply as of the time of filing this report. It also expressed worry at the recent hikes in tuition by some higher institutions amid the delay in the loan implementation and called for the disbursement of the loans before month-end. But the federal government has said January is a reality for the commencement of the student loan scheme with plans of timely students’ access to the credit facility within 30 days. However, speaking exclusively on behalf of the students, the coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Anzaku Shedrack, urged President Bola Tinubu to fast-track the implementation of the student loan before the end of January. He also emphasised the need to include NANS as one of the committees that will supervise ...

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has sympathised with the government and people of Oyo state over the explosion that rocked Bodija, Ibadan on Tuesday killing 7 people and injuring over 70. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President expressed sadness at the accident lamenting the loss of lives and property. “With a heavy heart, I wish to commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde, the good people of Oyo State and indeed victims and their families in this unfortunate occurrence. I am very distraught at this accident happening, especially at the beginning of the year. “I pray that the Almighty God will forgive the sins of those who lost their lives in the explosion and welcome them in His kingdom. And for those who sustained injuries, it is my prayer that they will receive healing in good times. For the families that suffered different losses, may God replace all that they have lost”. The Senat...

Digital entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh, has spotlighted the chief reasons why multinationals are exiting Nigeria and warned that if nothing was done, more of such businesses and indigenous ones may close shop in the coming months and years. In a press statement, Ekeh who is the Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, a Nigerian conglomerate with international affiliations, urged President Bola Tinubu to address the critical issues of corporate blackmail and bullying, which he said frustrate the Federal Government’s effort at promoting ease-of-doing-business in the country. While acknowledging that scarcity of forex is a challenge for businesses operating in Nigeria, he said these challenges can be surmounted especially with the new push by the Tinubu government to inject more forex into the system. He stated that the depreciation of the naira, which dropped from N422.00/$ in June 2023 to N951.94/$ in December 2023 at the official window, following the floating of the naira by ...

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has introduced an undergraduate internship program aimed at identifying, training, and empowering future entrepreneurs on university campuses nationwide. The Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, officially launched the program at Baze University in Abuja, announcing a target of 10,000 internship placements through the initiative in 2024. Mr. Odii highlighted that the agency has secured commitments from prestigious firms to provide opportunities for students, allowing them to gain practical knowledge and experience. The initiative, named the “SMEDAN Undergraduate Internship Programme,” is designed to offer hands-on entrepreneurial experience to students through quality internships at renowned organizations. The program aims to identify and nurture potential entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and talent in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sub-sector. Charles Odii emphasized the agency...

The Anambra state Traditional rulers council has officially responded to the Anambra state government, on the recent suspension of HRH Igwe Damian O. Ezeani. In a press release made available through the Chairman of the council of traditional rulers in the state, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka A. Achebe CFR, mni, the council in a 14 point letter bemoaned the dimension that was taken by the state government in the suspension of Igwe Damian O Ezeani.  He said he was suspect that the suspension letter was an after thought as it was already trending on social media for over 24 hours prior to their receipt of the letter. " I was embarrassingly inundated with phone calls and messages from traditional rulers and other persons seeking clarification from.me as Chairman of ASTRC regarding a situation to which I was not privy. Your letter to Igwe Damian O Ezeani was copied to the Commissioner of Police, and Director DSS, Anambra state, bit not to the chairman of the ASTRC."...

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, disclosed on Tuesday night that the explosion that rocked Ibadan metropolis was as a result of the activities of illegal miners occupying one of the buildings in the Bodija area of the state capital. Recall Vanguard had earlier published a series of reports about the explosion, which had caused panic among residents of Ibadan, affected areas surrounding the Bodija axis of the city, with several buildings damaged as a result of the impact. https://twitter.com/i/status/1747433478877049148 Addressing journalists moments after having an onsite inspection of the explosion site, Makinde stated that the miners had stored explosive devices in the building, which caused the blast. In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the governor said the state government is providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected as a result of the blast. “We visited the scene of the explosion that occurred at about 7.44 ...

RESIDENTS in various parts of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, were terrified yesterday as a deafening sound, which appeared to be a massive explosion shook most parts of the city. There were, however, unformed reports that many people were feared dead following the explosion in Ibadan. It was not immediately clear what caused the Ibadan explosion or where it originated. Windows were reportedly blown out at several locations, including at a pharmacy and a restaurant. The number of casualties could not be confirmed as of press time. Major places in Ibadan metropolis and the outskirts of the city felt the ground shaking some minutes before 8 pm. According to information gathered, the heavy sound shook the School of Nursing hostel of the University College Hospital and shattered all the windows. Some residents of Ologuneru, Owalla, Isokan, Ekerin, Eleyele and parts of Apete also said they felt the shaking. At Ologuneru, the gates and fence of a building shook but did not...

Worried by the rising wave of insecurity in the country, President Bola Tinubu said, yesterday, he would not rest until all vestiges of darkness such as Boko Haram terrorists, Ansaru militants, bandits and kidnapping gangs were stamped out. The President’s vow is coming at the heels of the renewed upsurge of terrorist attacks, banditry and kidnapping in different parts of the country, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja Consequently, President Tinubu also had a meeting with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Tinubu who departed Transcorp Hilton, where he attended a book launch on his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, met the service chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. Others in attendance at the meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Heads of...

Governor Hope Uzodimma has dissolved the Imo State expanded executive council members, with a promise that the soon to be reconstituted EXCO will still accommodate those of them who distinguished themselves in their service during his first term of four years. Those affected in the dissolution include all members of the expanded EXCO, including Commissioners, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants. Addressing a gathering of all his political appointees on Tuesday, Governor Uzodimma thanked members of the expanded executive council and other political office holders for their support throughout the first four years of his government, even in the face of challenges, but more importantly for working hard to ensure that his Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), overwhelmingly won the governorship election in Imo State on November 11, 2023. The Governor recalled that it was their support and spirit of family that made it possible for him to win in all the 27 local ...

Meanwhile, the team of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday warned the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration against weaponising the growing poverty among Nigerians, noting that though commendable, the mere suspension of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr, Betta Edu, was not enough. The word of caution was contained in a statement signed by Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in Abuja. Recall that Edu was suspended by President Tinubu after a leaked memo showed that she ordered the transfer of N585.2 million into the private bank account of a civil servant, who is the accountant in charge of grants for vulnerable Nigerians. In his response to the scandal, Shaibu said it was unfortunate that a programme that was designed to lift over 100 million Nigerians out of extreme poverty had become a cash cow for successive APC governments. He said: “While Tinubu deserves commendation ...

Fitch Ratings has assigned a Rating Watch Negative (RWN) to Union Bank of Nigeria Plc’s (UBN) Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs), Viability Rating (VR), and National Ratings. The development follows the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent announcement of dissolving the board and management of three Nigerian banks, including UBN, due to regulatory non-compliance and corporate governance failure. The RWN indicates the uncertainty surrounding the reasons for the CBN’s intervention, potential further regulatory actions, and the negative impact on UBN’s standalone credit profile. Fitch aims to resolve the RWN within six months, seeking more clarity on the CBN’s intervention and its implications for UBN’s credit profile. A downgrade and resolution of the RWN may occur with additional regulatory interventions, such as restrictive measures, fines, or findings affecting UBN’s asset quality, resulting in substantial losses and capital erosion. Funding instability, such as a deposit run...