Indian ex-minister shot dead in Mumbai
A senior politician in India’s financial capital Mumbai was shot dead on Saturday, weeks ahead of key state elections, with police probing the role of a notorious crime gang. Baba Siddique, 66, a local lawmaker and former minister in Maharashtra state, was shot multiple times in the chest outside his son’s office in Mumbai, Indian media reported. Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, from the same party as Siddique, said he was “shocked” by the “cowardly attack”. Meanwhile, in 2023, in Uttar Pradesh, India, Atiq Ahmad, a politician with over 100 criminal cases, was shot dead on live TV while being escorted by police for a medical checkup. As he spoke to journalists, a gunman approached and shot him in the head, followed by multiple rounds.
Source:Punch
October 13, 2024 18:21 UTC
Fighting corruption spiritual, not by guns, Primate Ayodele tells EFCC boss
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has admonished the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyode to go spiritual in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. He explained that corruption is a fraternity in Nigeria and can’t be fought using guns, law, and technology. To fight corruption, you must be highly spiritual; it can’t be fought with technology. He commended the EFCC chairman for being passionate about fighting corruption but warned him to be prepared so that corruption would not fight back and indict his office. The EFCC chairman will only do his best but the powers will frustrate him and not make him excel as he wants.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 18:07 UTC
Group urges wealthy Nigerians to share resources with poor
The Atum Humanitarian and Charitable Initiative has urged the government to reduce the current hardship faced by citizens. This is as the organisation launched a N500 million fund to support two million needy Nigerians, urging NGOs, business leaders, and wealthy individuals to unite and support communities in need. “We appeal to other well-off Nigerians to step forward during this critical time; the people need your support now more than ever. “It is essential for the wealthy to share their resources and assist those in need. Additionally, we call on business leaders and politicians not to hoard their wealth in bank accounts while the populace suffers.”
Source:The Guardian
October 13, 2024 17:55 UTC
Group kicks against Lagos Assembly’s alleged moves to undermine LG autonomy
Civil Society for Total Democracy (CSTD), a pro-democracy movement in Lagos State, has kicked against alleged attempts by the Lagos State House of Assembly to undermine local government autonomy in the state. Addressing a press conference in Lagos at the weekend, the group warned that the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy must not be thwarted, stressing that any attempt will be met with stiff resistance. “We all must rally together to defend the democratic ideals and the advantages in the July 11th Supreme Court judgement asserting the autonomy of the local governments. “According to the Justice Garba Lawal-led Supreme Court judgement of July 11, 2024, the local government has been granted full ‘administrative and financial autonomy.’. “This means that the Lagos State House of Assembly is acting illegally in interfering in the affairs of the Alimosho Local Government.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 16:25 UTC
Dangote crude oil production begins 2025 – Official
Amid feedstock challenges, the Dangote Group, owners of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, will commence crude oil production in the first quarter of next year. The official noted that development would further ensure crude oil supply to the plant, stressing that efforts were ongoing to achieve this based on the target date. When probed to tell the cost of a litre of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, produced by the Dangote refinery, the source declined. “I’ll tell you that (PMS price) next time, but know that crude oil production by Dangote is starting in the first quarter of next year,” the official stated. The other stakeholder in West African E&P is Nigerian upstream player, First E&P, which operates OMLs 71 and 72.
Source:Punch
October 13, 2024 15:22 UTC
Scholars commend Sultan for fostering national unity, crusade against terrorism
Islamic scholars in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the weekend praised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his unequalled passion and patriotism geared toward the nation’s unity, peace, and coexistence. They commended the Chairman of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for his crusade against ignorance and terrorism in the country. The letter read: “Your fight against ignorance and terrorism, coupled with your relentless promotion of knowledge, unity, and peaceful coexistence among the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is well noted and appreciated. READ ALSO: Jubilation in Sokoto as Matawalle arrives to boost troops fight against terrorism“This has shown in your fascinating leadership of the Nigerian Muslim community. A special prayer was observed for the Sultan by the Mallami Ubandoma of Ilorin at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, before the monarch returned to Sokoto.
Source:The Guardian
October 13, 2024 15:21 UTC
Tinubu’s economic policies necessary for Nigeria’s survival — Remi Oseni
Honourable Remi Oseni, the lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has urged Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu more time to stabilise the country’s economy. He emphasised that the president’s current policies, although perceived as tough, are necessary steps towards achieving long-term economic prosperity. The Honourable Oseni made these remarks on Saturday during an empowerment event where he donated equipment worth N250 million to members of the Blacksmith, Welder, Iron Bender, and Metal Technicians Association of Nigeria (BWIAN) in Oyo State. The event, held at Benbo Games Village in Ido Local Government Area, also saw Honourable Oseni offering a N50 million interest-free loan facility to help association members expand their businesses. In appreciation, Chief Munirudeen Adegoke, the governor of BWIAN, expressed gratitude to Honourable Oseni for his generous contribution and formally decorated him as the association’s Grand Governor-General.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 14:04 UTC
Six schools qualify for final stage of 2024 KWIRS tax club quiz competition
Six secondary schools in Kwara state have qualified for final stage of the 2024 Tax Club Quiz Competition organized by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development. Recall that the preliminary stages of the competition held from June 24 to July 4, 2024 where 83 out of the 154 registered schools sat for the quiz from the comfort of their respective schools, while 12 qualified for the semi-final stage. ALSO READ: Lagos: Train crushes man to death in OshodiThe qualified schools are Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College, Asa Dam; Government Secondary School, Lafiagi; Shepherd Secondary School, Lafiagi; Government Day Secondary School, Gaa-Akanbi; Kwara State College of Education Model Secondary School, Oro; and Anglican Boys’ Academy, Oro. The statement said that the six schools will compete for the N2.5m grand prize at the final stage of the competition which will hold in Ilorin on November 7, 2024. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 12:57 UTC
Lokpobiri’s suspension illegal, mischievous — APC stakeholders
Some concerned stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have described the recent suspension of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, over allegations of anti-party activities as not only untrue but illegal and unconstitutional. In a statement signed by Stanley Bolou-Ebi and Mercy Ineye on behalf of the Coalition of Concerned APC Stakeholders, the group insisted that the Ekeremor council Chairman of APC, Mr. Mitin Eniekenemi, who issued the suspension notice was sacked a year ago by the decision of a Federal High Court in Bayelsa State. They averred that this jaundiced move by Mr Eniekenemi and his co-sponsors, within and outside the APC, was to create an atmosphere of mischief and discord within the APC in Bayelsa State. “We call on the party’s national leadership to set up an adhoc disciplinary committee to investigate Mr Eniekenemi Mitin and his co-sponsors and bring them to book for stirring the hornet’s nest at this suspicious time. “We insist that the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa Command should swifty investigate the actions of the said Mr. Mitin with a view to bringing him as culprit to book,” the group reiterated.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 09:53 UTC
I’m ready to die now, but… — Serial killer who murdered over five persons
Exhibits recovered from him included iPhone XR, iPhone 11, Infinix Hot 10 phone, Moniepoint POS machine and two black ropes. On my second day there, I saw Mary whom she mentioned and we greeted each other. Rachael wanted to be the one to follow me, but because I had targeted the phone Mary had, I asked her to go with me instead. Their mother gave us N3,000 to buy other ingredients to add to the herbs for me to change paper to money; Mary kept them. Mary didn’t tell us the phone password but I knew it because she had opened it once in my presence.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 06:46 UTC
Otti decries rising prostitution, forced marriages in Abia
Wife of the Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, has decried the rising spate of prostitution and forced marriage in the state, saying parents directly or indirectly induced their children to engage in the acts. She said, “There are cases where parents directly or indirectly induce their children to engage in prostitution or forced early marriage. “On several occasions, we have successfully rescued girls from the clutches of these baby factories and child trafficking syndicates. In her address, the commissioner for women affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa call on parents to empower the girl-child, saying “when you train the girl child, you have empowered a nation. The event featured drama, dance, quiz competition, fashion parades, gift and empowerment to the girls who attended the event.
Source:Punch
October 13, 2024 05:23 UTC
Transporters, commuters groan over fuel price hike in S’East
The recent hike in petrol prices has sparked widespread criticism from commuters, motorists, and traders in the South East, according to findings by Sunday PUNCH. However, the NNPCL outlets located along the Awka-Enugu Road sold petrol for N1,100 per litre, resulting in transport fares which suddenly soared above 30 per cent. One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation in Benin, the Edo State-capital, learnt that prices of food items had increased since the removal of the oil subsidy in 2023. A trader, who sells food items on Lagos Street, Mama Jude, said the prices of food items were currently on the high while consumers’ patronage had gradually reduced. A commuter, who gave his name as Niyi, said that transport fare has gone up by about 60 per cent.
Source:Punch
October 13, 2024 05:11 UTC
How unlicensed agents exploit vulnerable houseseekers
“The house agents are endangered species,” said one house-seeker, who identified himself as Mr Mayowa. Before I moved into my new apartment, I was asked to pay agent’s fee to three different agents for showing me the same apartment. “In my opinion, estate agents in Nigeria are one of the most challenging unprofessionals to deal with. Speaking on her good experience with house agents, one Mrs Toyin said: “The last house agent I engaged is a kind man and one of the most trustworthy agents I have ever met. Narrating his experience with house agents in Lagos, an art director in a Lagos-based advertising agency, Temitope Ahmad, said many of the house agents in the state have zero conscience.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 13, 2024 04:53 UTC
Kano anti-graft agency investigates alleged foreign scholarship scam
The Kano State Anti-corruption and Public Complaints Commission has begun an investigation into alleged N1.5 billion foreign scholarship fraud. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government sponsored 1,001 postgraduate students to pursue their master’s degrees in India and Uganda. When contacted, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabiru A. Kabiru, confirmed the report, saying the two top officials were interrogated over the alleged scholarship scam. He said an investigation is ongoing to identify and bring those responsible for the alleged scam to justice. “Preliminary investigations uncovered fraudulent activities at the office of the Ministry for High Education over the postgraduate students to pursue their master’s degrees in India and Uganda.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 12, 2024 17:40 UTC
FPSO will raise oil production by 40,000 barrels daily – Lokpobiri
and Century Nigeria Limited, in partnership with West African Exploration and Production company and NNPC Energy Services Limited. “The work being done here is a reflection of the kind of investments we want in the oil sector. With projects like this, we are not only building local capacity but also expanding our crude production beyond current quotas. He further underscored the importance of increasing Nigeria’s oil output, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting partnerships that aim to revitalise the sector. “We have several upgrades ongoing at the FPSO facility, and we are setting targets for various stages of the work.
Source:Punch
October 12, 2024 17:36 UTC