Category: Happenings

Police operatives in Ogun State have arrested 29-year-old Ogunnaike Philip on suspicion of being involved in the tragic loss of three young girls.

Investigations revealed that the suspect, along with an accomplice who’s currently at large, would lure their victims to isolated areas, take their belongings, and then contact the families for ransom.

The incidents occurred on May 6, July 3, and August 30, 2024, with the victims identified as 18-year-old Akinsanya Habibat, 22-year-old Abigail Dina, and 23-year-old Mary Ogunyemi.

Philip, who had escaped from a correctional facility two years ago, has confessed and led authorities to the locations where the incidents occurred.

Nollywood veteran Binta Ayo Mogaji is urging women over 35 to think about having children outside of marriage.

In a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV, the 60-year-old actress, who became a mother at 40, encouraged unmarried women who want to experience motherhood to explore the option of having children without waiting for marriage.

“What I’m saying is, once you’re 35 or older and you don’t have a husband, but there’s someone in your life who is with you but not ready for marriage, and he wants a child, have a child with him, even if he won’t accept responsibility for the child.

When she is looking for a husband at 35, they’ll say she’s too old and won’t be able to wash clothes for her mother-in-law or be controlled. They’ll advise the man to find a younger lady to listen to him. Even if she’s fortunate to marry at that age, she’ll already be old when her child grows up.

Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, has claimed the title of the world’s second richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

With a staggering net worth of $206.2 billion, Zuckerberg now trails only Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO. Zuckerberg moved ahead of former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, whose fortune currently stands at $205.1 billion.

The rapid climb in Zuckerberg’s wealth comes from his 13% ownership in Meta Platforms. Meta’s stock hit an all-time high of $582.77 on October 3, marking a nearly 70% increase this year alone.

Meta’s growth has been driven by rising sales and profits, with the company reporting a 22% jump in second-quarter sales, reaching $39.07 billion.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping vehicles, impounding them, or imposing fines on motorists.

The order was issued by Justice Evelyn Maha in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

The order also applies to the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander of Jabi, the Team Leader of Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, all listed as respondents. In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, October 2, Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument, stating that no law grants the respondents the authority to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or fine motorists.

The judge declared that the first to fourth respondents, under the control of the fifth respondent (Minister of the FCT), are not authorized by any law to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles or impose fines on motorists.

A 43-year-old Nigerian socialite, Femi Quadri, has been taken into custody by the U.S. government for allegedly misusing the identities of around 91 American citizens in connection with COVID-19 and disability benefits claims.

People Gazatte reports that he was arrested around 9:30 a.m. on September 20, just hours before he was scheduled to fly on a one-way ticket to Dubai in the UAE.

A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on September 19 detailed Mr Quadri’s alleged fraudulent scheme, particularly how he stole the Personal Identifying information (PII), including Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of about 91 Americans to collect their disability, unemployment and COVID-19 benefits between 2020 and 2024.

Given the California Employment Development Department (EDD) gave debit cards to eligible unemployed and disabled citizens, Mr Quadri applied for benefits using their names and falsified certifications from real doctors, whose information he also stole.

Former Singapore minister sentenced to a year in prison in rare corruption case

A Singapore court has sentenced former minister S Iswaran to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and accepting over $300,000 in gifts.

The 62-year-old, who served as a cabinet member for 13 years across trade, communications, and transport portfolios, pleaded guilty last week to four counts of improperly receiving gifts and one count of obstructing justice.

Handing down the sentence on Thursday, October 3, presiding judge Vincent Hoong said: “Trust and confidence in public institutions were the bedrock of effective governance, which could all too easily be undermined by the appearance that an individual public servant had fallen below the standards of integrity and accountability.”

The investigation of Iswaran caused a stir in the Asian financial hub and centred on allegations that, while transport minister, he accepted expensive gifts from businessmen that included tickets to English Premier League football matches, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, London musicals and a ride on a private jet.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted four tax reform bills to the House of Representatives for consideration and quick passage.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker and read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on Thursday, October 3, the President said the bills were designed in line with the objective of his administration.

The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 which is expected to provide the fiscal work for tax in the country, Tax Administration bill which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

The others are the Nigeria Revenue Service establishment bill which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service and the Joint Revenue Board establishment bill which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

He said the bills will strengthen fiscal institutions in the country and align with the objective of the government.

The F.G has urged Nigerians in Lebanon to evacuate the country due to Israeli forces’ attacks on Hezbollah & surrounding areas.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, made the call on Wednesday, October 2 in a statement signed by its spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

NIDCOM said although information from the Nigerian community in Lebanon indicated that most Nigerians had relocated from the southern part and were relatively safe, “we hereby advise them to keep safe until the ceasefire is in place.”

“Worried by the att+cks on Hezbollah and other areas in Lebanon by the Israeli government, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) is hereby advising Nigerians resident in Lebanon to consider moving out of the country now that commercial flights are still in operation.

Nigerians are equally advised to liaise with our Embassy in Lebanon for necessary guidance regarding their safety & rest assured that their welfare and safety is of utmost concern to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement reads.

President Bola Tinubu has announced a 30-day confab for Nigerian youths to discuss challenges confronting them.

Tinubu made this announcement on Tuesday during his 64th Independence Day Anniversary Broadcast.

He said in a bid to bequeath a worthy future to the youths, the government cannot do it without making them its architects.

“Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference.

This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population.

It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building.

By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.

The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice.

Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations.

The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria,” the president said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to commence a two-week vacation.

More to follow…

At least 150 persons have been reported missing following a boat mishap in Gbajibo, Mokwa LGA of Niger state.

The incident occurred on October 1, with mostly women and children aboard the vessel.

The victims were said to have left Mundi community for Gbajibo to mark the Mawlid celebration.

Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

Baba-Arah said the boat had 300 persons.

He noted that 150 persons were rescued following the swift response of the agency and other community volunteers.

Baba-Arah said the agency is yet to ascertain the cause of the mishap.

The president gave the assurance while addressing the nation during his 64th Independence Day Anniversary Broadcast on Tuesday, October 1.

According to him, “The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.

I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is winning the war on terror and has successfully neutralized over 300 terrorist leaders in the past year.

The president disclosed this in his national address to mark the 64th Independence Day Anniversary on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. “Within one year, our government has neutralized Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been neutralized by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country,” he said.

Darius Dickson Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State, was on Monday, September 30, arraigned before Justice S.C. Oriji at the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over the alleged misappropriation of N27 billion in state funds.

Ishaku, along with Bello Yero, the former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is facing a 15-count charge for criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the conversion of public funds.

The EFCC accused Ishaku and Yero of diverting N1,138,082,097.71 from the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between July 2015 and May 2019.

The charges include dishonestly misappropriating the said sum, contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT of Nigeria 2007.

Ishaku & Yero pleaded not guilty to all charges & Justice Oriji adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 3, for hearing on bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu on Sunday claimed that over 40 percent of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily.

The Minister in a statement made available to Vanguard explained that the feat was achieved following certain revolutionary measures taken by the government to ensure that Nigerians enjoy more stable and regular electricity supply.

The Federal Government through the NERC, in April this year removed electricity subsidies for about two million customers in Band-A with an assurance of at least 20 hours of power supply daily.

Data from NERC for the month of August showed that average power generation was 4,150 Megawatts.

Adelabu said all these were achieved with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of his renewed hope agenda to galvanise the economy.

Adelabu who reviewed his one year in office as part of activities to mark this year’s Independent Day Celebration said the increase in power supply was due to the radical and bold steps that were taken.

Ali Ndume, the lawmaker representing Borno South in the National Assembly has voiced concern about the rampant corruption in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Kano on Sunday, Ndume said: “Our major challenge in this country is corruption.

Up till now, we have no law that can proactively or even reactively address the issue of corruption in the country. In developed nations, people question the source of one’s wealth but in Nigeria, you are venerated for flaunting ill-gotten wealth.

If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government & he is not corrupt, then he is lucky that he is God-fearing. Otherwise, it is only in Nigeria that you st£al money & you walk freely, & then you are celebrated

It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week but the following week he buys 10 cars, buys jets & his brothers would fly with him, his mother would fly with him, his uncle would fly with him & they would say Allah has blessed our son.”

The World Bank has approved three new loan requests totalling $1.57 billion loan to the Nigerian government.

In a statement on Monday morning, September 30, the Washington-based bank disclosed that the new funding will support Nigeria in addressing governance challenges in education and healthcare, improving primary healthcare services, and increasing resilience to climate change through enhanced dam safety and irrigation infrastructure.

According to the World Bank, the approval of the loan was made last week on September 26, 2024. This financing package, including a $1.5 billion loan and a $70 million grant, is part of broader efforts to improve key sectors such as education, healthcare, and water management, while also tackling poverty and boosting productivity.

The development had further increased the country’s debt burden which stood at N121.67 trillion as of March 2024 according to the Debt Management Office.